A guide to Taylor Swift's most elaborate album announcements
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Toronto Sun
5 hours ago
- Toronto Sun
TOPS OF THE WORLD: The most viral stories of the week
Taylor Swift in promo photo from upcoming album, The Life of a Showgirl; Russian President Vladimir Putin shaking hands with U.S. President Donald Trump. Photo by Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott; Julia Demaree Nikhinson / Instagram/The Associated Press From local and provincial news, Canadian politics, the latest in sports, outrageous entertainment offerings, the Toronto Sun always has you covered. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account There are stories, however, that are more newsworthy to the masses than others. If you want to keep up with those at the watercooler or on social media, read on to see what stories everyone was talking about this past week: TIFF reverses decision on Oct. 7 doc after backlash Joe Warmington pointed out the 'absurd and insulting censorship' of the documentary The Road Between Us at the Toronto International Film Festival after it was pulled from the schedule because the filmmakers used footage filmed by Hamas but — wait for it — didn't obtain the rights from the terrorist group for the clips. Well, the backlash came fast and furiously, and the film about the Oct. 7 massacre in Israel will be gracing festival screens after all — but only after the pulling of acclaimed director Barry Avrich's film made international headlines, including the front page of the New York Post and being discussed on Fox News. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'It was never my intention to offend or alienate anyone,' TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey wrote in a statement. 'Given the sensitive and significant nature of the film's subject, I believe that it tells an important story and contributes to the rich tapestry of perspectives in our lineup — stories that resonate here at home and around the world.' Taylor Swift announced new album on Kelce brothers' podcast Taylor Swift was the special guest on boyfriend Travis Kelce and his brother Jason Kelce's New Heights podcast on Aug. 13 — after confirming on social media that she was in her showgirl era. The superstar made the big announcement of The Life of a Showgirl , her 12th studio album at exactly 12:12 a.m. on Aug. 12 but for all the details, Swifties and fans alike would have to tune in to the podcast. Crafty buggers. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. It's her first new record since her epic Eras Tour ended last December, and Swift has shared stunning images from the album on her socials, admitting the Kelces, 'We're going all out. This is a full send. I care about this record more than I can even overstate.' The Life of a Showgirl debuts Oct. 3 (but you can already get it in presales, if you follow Swift on social media). Air Canada's work stoppage More than 10,000 Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flight attendants walked off the job as of 1 a.m. ET Saturday, which was followed by a company-imposed lockout after the airline and the workers' union were unable to reach a deal. Flights have already been cancelled in anticipation of the work stoppage with a full stoppage now in effect. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Air Canada said it would notify customers of cancellations through email and text message, adding it recommends against going to the airport unless they have a confirmed booking and their flight still shows as operating. RECOMMENDED VIDEO Buck Martinez's return to broadcast booth The Blue Jays are tops in the American League East and, as of press time, leading the AL. And with Buck Martinez back on the Sportsnet broadcast, they are the hottest ticket in town. A lot has happened in the last two-plus months that he was MIA, with the Jays being far from the team they were on May 28, when Martinez was last in the booth. But that journey pales in comparison to what Martinez has endured in that time after a diagnosis of lung cancer sidelined him. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. He's back now, and that voice is as comforting as ever alongside his long-time play-by-play partner, Dan Shulman. There's nothing like listening to Martinez talk baseball with such passion, and he had plenty of words of admiration for the Blue Jays and what manager John Schneider has done for the team. 'These guys, the way they are playing, this is how you play winning baseball. This is how you win championships.' From his lips … Read More Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska U.S. President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin kicked off their reunion with a warm handshake before getting to the business at hand: A summit to discuss Russia's war on Ukraine and relations between Moscow and Washington. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the previously planned one-on-one meeting between Trump and Putin is now a three-on-three meeting — but no, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was not in attendance of discussions he should totally be a part of, nor were any other European leaders invited to join in. Rather, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff made up Team U.S., while Putin had Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov by his side. 'HIGH STAKES!!!' Trump posted shortly on his Truth Social account before he boarded Air Force One for Alaska. No kidding. Toronto & GTA Sunshine Girls Toronto Blue Jays Canada Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Star
2 days ago
- Toronto Star
Taylor Swift's chat with the Kelces on ‘New Heights' marks a milestone moment for podcasts
Since nothing Taylor Swift ever does is small, her two-hour conversation with boyfriend Travis Kelce and his brother Jason Kelce on their 'New Heights' podcast is a watershed moment for a media format that has already outlived the device it was named for. By Thursday afternoon, Wednesday night's talk had already been seen more than 11.7 million times on YouTube. But that's only a fraction of its circulation — clips distributed on Instagram, TikTok, X and elsewhere have received more than 400 million views, and the episode was also available for streaming on audio platforms.
Toronto Sun
2 days ago
- Toronto Sun
KINSELLA: Is Qatar steering TIFF's ship?
A sign for the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival Festival is pictured in front of the CN Tower on the opening day of the festival, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Toronto. Photo by Chris Pizzello / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Unlike Hamas, which still maintains an office in Qatar, the Doha Film Institute (DFI) operates out of a post office box in the oil-rich Middle Eastern country. But the institute — which proclaims that it is 'independent' and merely interested in promoting film and culture — wields a lot of clout. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account With the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), in particular. DFI came into existence in 2010. It is led by Fatma Hassan Alremaihi, a telegenic Qatari woman. Alremaihi has not hidden her disdain for Israel, in her public remarks or in the films she funds. Just days after Hamas murdered, raped and wounded thousands of Israelis on Oct. 7, 2023, for example, Alremaihi spoke at a conference in Doha promoting 'voices from Palestine.' The DFI CEO called for 'resistance,' quote unquote, presumably against Israel. She called for a minute of silence for Palestinian 'martyrs,' and, according to at least one news report, attacked 'ongoing Israeli aggression' and 'the Israeli war machine.' Said the report, in The Peninsula: Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Alremaihi pointed out (Israel's) violations of international and ethical laws, as well as humanitarian standards and values, by the Israeli colonial occupation. She highlighted the importance of the 'Free Palestine' slogan, noting that it represents a defence of not only Palestine and its people but also our universal principles of freedom and humanity. 'Today, when millions of people all over the world say 'Free Palestine,' it's not a slogan to defend Palestine and Palestinians only. It's a chant defending our own freedom, humanity and values.' Alremaihi called for 'resistance … through various means,' said The Peninsula's reporter. Watching the circus that was the Toronto International Film Festival this past week, one can be forgiven for wondering: does that 'resistance' extend to TIFF? How much influence does Qatar exercise over the celebrated Canadian film festival? Both are fair questions, particularly after TIFF refused to screen The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue , a Canadian film that showcased one Israeli's family's experiences on Oct. 7. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Among other things, TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey had told the film's makers their documentary would be barred from TIFF because they did not obtain 'legal clearance of all footage' — essentially, from Hamas, a terror group. A massive controversy ensued, with Bailey and TIFF being pilloried on front pages around the globe. On Thursday afternoon, Bailey and TIFF completely reversed their idiotic decision. Sources say 'heads will roll' soon at the organization, this newspaper has been told. Read More Bailey is not an antisemite, those same sources say. So, what persuaded TIFF to bar the film? Was it Qatar? It, too, is a fair question, because the relationship between TIFF and the Doha Film Institute has grown exponentially since 2019. Qatar has funded many antisemitic and anti-Israel boycott campaigns in recent years — along with its documented support for Hamas and its terrorism. Meanwhile, DFI — Qatar's official film institute — has produced multiple films that have been screened at TIFF. In 2019 alone, no less than 12 Qatari-funded films were shown at TIFF. One was a profile of a leader of the Abu Nidal group, which terrorized the West and Israel in the late Eighties, killing over 1600 people in 20 countries. In that film, shown at TIFF, members of Abu Nidal are called 'honest.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Interestingly, TIFF is a partner with the Toronto Palestine Film Festival. One of the films to be shown at the TIFF Lightbox in 2025 includes one about someone 'imprisoned by the Israeli occupation' — and notes that 'the ongoing oppression and killing of Palestinian people isn't new.' So, again: how much funding has TIFF received from Qatar? Have its executives or staff received any travel or other benefits? What influence, if any, has DFI or Qatar exercised over TIFF since 2019? Written questions about all that were sent to TIFF. They have yet to respond. For now, TIFF remains in the public relations burn unit. Its missteps will be studied by PR students for years to come — as an example of what not to do. Allegations of antisemitism will hang over TIFF for some time to come. But so, too, this question: How much control does Qatar exercise over Canada's premier film festival? RECOMMENDED VIDEO Toronto & GTA Toronto & GTA World Columnists World
