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CULTURE

Montreal artist won't change puppet that community groups say looks like blackface

A theatre performance for children featuring a puppet that has been described as racist is continuing in the Montreal area. Several Black community organizations have criticized the puppet as being reminiscent of blackface minstrel shows — racist performances during which white people portrayed exaggerated stereotypes of Black people for laughs. But the show's creator — Franck Sylvestre, who is Black — has no plans to change the puppet, which he said is a caricature of his own features.

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Lana Del Rey, Weezer, Green Day, Pitbull to headline Quebec City summer music festival

Quebec City's Festival d'Ete announced the lineup for the 11-day festival with general admission wristband passes already sold out.
Radio station 98.5 FM: Patrick Lagace will replace Paul Arcand in 2024

Montreal radio station 98.5 FM announced Wednesday morning that Patrick Lagacé, host of its late afternoon show, will take over from Paul Arcand at the helm of the morning show in just over a year.
Drake announces tour this summer with stop in Montreal

Drake announced on Monday the details of his 2023 North American tour with 21 Savage, including a stop in Montreal on July 14 at the Bell Centre.
Montreal's Osheaga festival reveals its full 2023 lineup

One of Montreal's biggest music festivals is back this summer and the full lineup includes world-renowned acts including The Flaming Lips, Fred again.., and Kim Petras.
Fake Montreal music festival advertising $600 tickets online

Want to see Harry Styles, Doja Cat and SZA in Montreal this summer? Don't hold your breath. The so-called 'Festival Aurora' is not what it claims to be, various sources confirmed to CTV News Friday morning.
Veteran soul singer Candi Staton will headline Pop Montreal this year

Pop Montreal released a sneak peek of its 2023 lineup on Wednesday, revealing 82-year-old soul singer Candi Staton as one of its headlining artists. Staton, best known for her 1976 disco chart-topper 'Young Hearts Run Free,' will perform in the fall festival as part of her farewell tour.
The Harlem Globetrotters are coming to Montreal

The Harlem Globetrotters are stopping in Montreal this month as part of their 2023 World Tour. The team will play on March 31 at the Bell Centre, followed by an April 1 game at Laval's Place Bell.
Peter Gabriel to perform in Quebec City and Montreal in September

The North American leg of famed musician Peter Gabriel's extensive tour will kick off on Sept. 8 at the Centre Vidéotron in Quebec City.
Rock legends KISS to stop in Montreal, Quebec City as part of final tour

Legendary rock band KISS announced Wednesday the dates for the final shows of their farewell tour.
Here's who's up for Grammys from Quebec at the 65th annual awards show

Quebecers or projects based in the province are up for multiple Grammys at tonight's award ceremony.
Yannick Nezet-Seguin among Quebecers seeking Grammy win Sunday night

Several Quebecers are nominated for one, or more, Grammy awards, which will be presented Sunday night. Montreal conductor and pianist Yannick Nézet-Séguin is a five-time nominee this year -- he's even competing with himself in the Best Opera Recording category.
Iconic Montreal bar Le Saint-Sulpice to close in February

Beloved Montreal gastropub Le Saint-Sulpice will close its doors for good at the end of February, the establishment announced Sunday.

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B.C. couple turn cherry tree into 'dog tree'

A B.C. couple married for 40 years turn a cherry tree that would not blossom into a 'dog tree.' CTV’s Adam Sawatsky reports.

A B.C. couple married for 40 years turn a cherry tree that would not blossom into a 'dog tree.' CTV’s Adam Sawatsky reports.

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B.C. four-year-old captures the hearts of millions on TikTok

A four-year-old in Vancouver goes viral by showing off his mental maturity on TikTok. Melanie Nagy reports.

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Business

Protestors across Canada demonstrate against RBC's fossil-fuel funding

Demonstrators gathered in 40 locations across Canada on Saturday to voice their opposition to the Royal Bank of Canada's funding of fossil fuel projects. The protests, part of a nation-wide effort dubbed Fossil Fools Day, unfolded in cities including Edmonton, Toronto, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Halifax and Vancouver.
Credit Suisse takeover hits heart of Swiss banking, identity

The UBS takeover of embattled rival Credit Suisse has shaken Switzerland's self-image and dented its reputation as a global financial center, analysts say, warning that the country's prosperity could grow too dependent on a single banking behemoth.
TikTok attorney: China can't get U.S. data under plan

Under intense scrutiny from Washington that could lead to a potential ban, the top attorney for TikTok and its Chinese parent company ByteDance defended the social media platform's plan to safeguard U.S. user data from China.

Autos

'Ludicrous' to stage sprint race in Baku: Red Bull's Horner

Holding a sprint race on a street circuit at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix is a "ludicrous" proposition which will cost Formula One teams when they "trash" their cars, Red Bull boss Christian Horner said.
F1 clarifies pitstop penalties after Alonso confusion

Formula One officials confirmed on Friday that teams can no longer touch their cars with jacks during penalty pitstops in the wake of the Fernando Alonso controversy at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Red Bull chief criticizes new Formula One rule of 'iconic' pit celebration

Red Bull principal Christian Horner has criticized the stricter interpretation of a rule that bans Formula One team employees from climbing pit wall for victory celebrations.

Lifestyle

Lanterns and crescents: More retailers court Ramadan buyers

This year's Ramadan, which started last week, Target rolled out its first dedicated Ramadan and Eid collection. It's one of the latest signs of big retailers in the United States catering to Muslim shoppers' needs. Many Muslim enthusiastically welcomed the recognition, applauding retailers.
Recent immigrants more likely to have confidence in Parliament, Canadian media: Statistics Canada

Statistics Canada has released its new report about the Canadians level of confidence in Canada’s institutions, finding that recent immigrants are more likely to express confidence in the media and parliament.
A 106-year-old from the Philippines is Vogue's oldest ever cover model

Vogue Philippines has revealed Apo Whang-Od as the cover star of its April issue, a move that makes the 106-year-old tattoo artist from the Philippines the oldest person ever to appear on the front of Vogue.

Sports

NBA, players reach deal for a new labour agreement

The most financially successful era in NBA history will continue uninterrupted for at least six more years, after the league and its players came to a tentative agreement on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement that will kick in this summer.
Afghan women cyclists who escaped the Taliban are chasing their dreams in Canada

After the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan and banned sports for female athletes, Afghan women cyclists are chasing their dreams in Canada.
Medvedev, Kvitova win in semis at Miami Open

Daniil Medvedev hasn't won a title in the United States since capturing the 2021 U.S. Open, when he turned away Novak Djokovic's bid for a calendar-year Grand Slam.