What happened behind bars at Maplehurst jail + A U.S. federal court rules against Trump's tariffs
Good morning. This is the Thursday, May 29 edition of First Up, the Star's daily morning digest. Sign up to get it earlier each day, in your inbox.
Ready to head to the polls again? If you live in Scarborough-Rouge Park you'll get a chance to cast your ballot in September. Here's what we know about the byelection for the city council seat.
And here's the latest on a U.S. court blocking Trump's tariffs, the internal investigation into collective punishment at Maplehurst jail, and why Niagara-on-the-Lake is watering down its wine pride.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
DON'T MISS
A U.S. federal court ruled against Trump's tariffs
Here's what happens now that the court has blocked Trump's tariffs against Canada.
'How long is this going to last?' Small business owners grapple with raising prices amid Trump tariffs
Planning a wedding is stressful. Couples and vendors now have to factor in tariffs
David Olive: Canada Goose shares take flight, but can it weather Trump tariffs and shake a winter chill?
Eleven Maplehurst staff members were found to be misleading ministry investigators
The ministry was investigating a collective punishment against nearly 200 inmates. Here's what they found.
'Welcome to Wong-tanamo Bay': Maplehurst jail officials conspired to 'cover up' mass strip-search of inmates, court document alleges
Watch: Disturbing video shows jail guards carrying out violent, hours-long retribution at Maplehurst
Judge slams jail guards' 'disgusting and gross' treatment of prisoners at Maplehurst Correctional Complex in Milton
Niagara-on-the-Lake dropped 'wine country' from its tourism strategy
Here's why the decision to drop the well-known tag line has some seeing red.
Travel to and from Canada takes a nosedive: StatCan
U.S. set to lose $12.5 billion in international visitor spending as global tension escalates
WHAT ELSE
A Canada Post employee returns to a delivery depot in Vancouver, B.C., Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024.
DARRYL DYCK/THE CANADIAN PRESS
Canada Post presented its final offer to its union. Here's what it includes.
Here's how Toronto plans to make visits to the islands more comfortable this summer.
Linda McQuaig: Mark Carney's stand on Gaza could actually make a difference.
Canadian doctors called for an arms embargo on Israel. Here's what they saw in Gaza.
Congregants with unsuccessful charges against megachurch pastor Bruxy Cavey are suing him and the churches they say allowed his abuse.
Manitoba's premier declared a state of emergency over wildfires. Here's which regions are affected.
Here's what the stars of 'And Just Like That' think about the burning questions this season.
Here's how the masc-leaning lawyer of 'Sex and the City' became this Toronto Zillennial's style icon.
Canadian shows lead the 2025 Dora nominations. Take a look at 'Mahabharata' and 'Life After.'
A burger with a syringe of cheese? Richie Assaly tried it so you don't have to.
These nine numbers tell you everything you need to know about the Blue Jays' season.
Nick Kypreos: It's time for the Maple Leafs to change how they're built. Here's how.
POV
Charles was supposed to be a stirring symbol. But no man should be a king.
CLOSE UP
A robot guide walks with the robot during the pilot program. Skip the Dishes has teamed with a robotics startup, Real Life Robotics, to pilot a new delivery robot, which is now making food deliveries in Markham.
Steve Russell Toronto Star
MARKHAM: Skip the … human? That's exactly what food delivery service Skip is testing out in a three-month pilot where a small fleet of cooler-sized, orange robots will make deliveries. Here's how it works.
Thank you for reading. You can reach me and the First Up team at firstup@thestar.ca. Reanna Julien will see you back here tomorrow.
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Winnipeg Free Press
44 minutes ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
The election of a Trump ally in Poland could alter EU and Ukraine policies
WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Poland has elected Karol Nawrocki, a conservative historian and staunch nationalist, as its next president in a closely watched vote that signals a resurgence of right-wing populism in the heart of Europe. Nawrocki, who is set to take office on Aug. 6, is expected to shape the country's domestic and foreign policy in ways that could strain ties with Brussels while aligning the Central European nation of nearly 38 million people more closely with the administration of President Donald Trump in the United States. Here are some key takeaways: Conservative populism on the rise Nawrocki's victory underscores the enduring appeal of nationalist rhetoric among about half of the country along the eastern flank of NATO and the European Union, and its deep social divisions. The 42-year-old historian who had no previous political experience built his campaign on patriotic themes, traditional Catholic values, and a vow to defend Poland's sovereignty against the EU and larger European nations like Germany. His win also reflects the appeal of right-wing nationalism across Europe, where concerns about migration, national sovereignty, and cultural identity have led to surging support for parties on the right — even the far right in recent times. Far-right candidates did very well in Poland's first round of voting two weeks earlier, underlining the appeal of the nationalist and conservative views. Nawrocki picked up many of those votes. As his supporters celebrate his win, those who voted for the defeated liberal candidate, Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski, worry that it will hasten the erosion of liberal democratic norms. Prime Minister Donald Tusk's troubles Nawrocki's presidency presents a direct challenge to Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who returned to power in late 2023 pledging to mend relations with the EU and restore judicial independence which Brussels said was eroded by Law and Justice, the party that backed Nawrocki. But Tusk's coalition — a fragile alliance of centrists, leftists, and agrarian conservatives — has struggled to push through key promises including a civil union law for same-sex couples and a less restrictive abortion law. Nawrocki, who opposes such measures, will have the power to veto legislation, complicating Tusk's agenda and potentially triggering political gridlock. Ties with the Trump administration Nawrocki's election could signal a stronger relationship between Poland and the Trump administration. Poland and the U.S. are close allies, and there are 10,000 U.S. troops stationed in Poland, but Tusk and his partners in the past have been critical of Trump. Nawrocki, however, has a worldview closely aligned with Trump and his Make America Great Again ethos. Trump welcomed Nawrocki to the White House a month ago and his administration made clear in other ways that he was its preferred candidate. A shifting focus on Ukraine While Nawrocki has voiced support for Ukraine's defense against Russian aggression, he does not back Ukrainian membership in NATO and has questioned the long-term costs of aid — particularly support for refugees. His rhetoric has at times echoed that of Trump, for instance by accusing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of what he said was insufficient gratitude for Poland's assistance. With growing public fatigue over helping Ukrainian refugees, Nawrocki's approach could shift Poland's posture from strong ally to conditional partner if the war drags on much longer. Ties with the EU The election result is a setback for the EU, which had welcomed Tusk's return in 2023 as a signal of renewed pro-European engagement. Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. Nawrocki and the Law and Justice party have criticized what nationalists view as EU overreach into Poland's national affairs, especially regarding judicial reforms and migration policy. While the president does not control day-to-day diplomacy, Nawrocki's symbolic and veto powers could frustrate Brussels' efforts to bring Poland back into alignment with bloc standards, particularly on rule-of-law issues. Market jitters Though an EU member, Poland has its own currency, the zloty, which weakened slightly on Monday morning, reflecting investor concerns over potential policy instability and renewed tensions with EU institutions. Billions of euros in EU funding has been linked to judicial reforms which Tusk's government will now be unlikely to enact without presidential cooperation.
Winnipeg Free Press
2 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
What to know about Karol Nawrocki, Poland's newly elected conservative president
WARSAW, Poland (AP) — The final result of Poland's presidential election only became clear after a long, nail-gripping night of counting as both candidates were locked in a near dead heat in the first exit polls after voting ended. Poles awakened Monday to a clear albeit close result that returns a nationalist politician to the presidency who has pledged to hinder the centrist, pro-EU government for the remainder of its term. Here's what to know about Karol Nawrocki, Poland's newly elected conservative president: Trump backed him Nawrocki is a 42-year-old historian who had no political experience prior to the campaign and who was not even a party member until he was tapped by the conservative Law and Justice party that governed Poland from 2015 to 2023. Nawrocki heads the Institute of National Remembrance, which embraces nationalist historical narratives. He led efforts to topple monuments to the Soviet Red Army in Poland. Russia responded by putting him on a wanted list, according to Polish media reports. Nawrocki's supporters describe him as the embodiment of traditional, patriotic values. Many of them oppose abortion and LGBTQ+ visibility and say Nawrocki reflects the traditional values they grew up with. He was also the preferred favorite of U.S. President Donald Trump, with the American conservative group CPAC holding its first meeting in Poland last week during the campaign to give him a boost. Kristi Noem, the U.S. Homeland Security Secretary and a prominent Trump ally, strongly praised him and urged Poles to vote for him. His campaign echoed themes popular on the American right. A common refrain from his supporters is that Nawrocki will restore 'normality,' as they believe Trump has done. U.S. flags appeared at his rallies. Nawrocki performed better in the first round than expected, an indication he was underestimated in the polling. Nawrocki was linked to scandals Nawrocki's quick political rise has not been without controversy, with reports linking him to underworld figures whom he met while boxing or working as a hotel security guard in the past. Nawrocki has also been linked to a scandal involving the acquisition of a Gdansk apartment from an elderly pensioner named Jerzy. Allegations suggest Nawrocki promised to care for Jerzy in return but failed to fulfill the commitment, leading the man to end up in a publicly funded retirement home. His shifting explanations raised questions about his transparency and credibility. After the scandal erupted he donated the apartment to a charity. It recently emerged that Nawrocki took part in a 2009 Gdansk brawl involving about 140 rival soccer fans, some later convicted of crimes. Nawrocki described the fight as a form of 'noble' combat. Polish media have also reported on his connections to gangsters and the world of prostitution. His critics say all of these things make him unfit to represent Poland as the head of state but many right-wing voters don't believe the allegations and accuse the media of using its power to hurt him, creating what appears to be a rallying effect around him. It's unclear what effect, if any, these scandals had on the outcome of Sunday's result.
Toronto Star
2 hours ago
- Toronto Star
‘The Apprentice,' ‘Canada's Drag Race' among big winners at Canadian Screen Awards
A film chronicling the rise of Donald Trump won best motion picture at the Canadian Screen Awards on Sunday, where its Toronto-born producer used his acceptance speech to address the U.S. president's threats to Canadian sovereignty. Daniel Bekerman is the lead producer of 'The Apprentice,' a Canada-Ireland-Denmark co-production that portrays how Trump got started in the real-estate industry and honed his persona under the mentorship of controversial fixer Roy Cohn.
