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A new metronews.ca

New Year, new homepage. Here's how we've made metronews.ca even better.

Today's paper

Read digital edition online or download PDF

Tomorrow's paper

Comment Andrew Cohen brings his controversial take on events at home and abroad.

Columns

NBA box offices feel the economic hurt

Quietly, but surely, NBA clubs have been discounting seats for their games in recent weeks.

York Report by Marty York

Lesson not learned: Industry blinded by fancy tech

There are some deep and serious changes happening to the way people watch TV.

Intellevision by Rick McGinnis

Editorial Cartoon for January 7, 2009

Editorial Cartoon by Michael De Adder

Spiced steak with speedy ratatouille

Click for today's Recipe of the Day!

Recipe of the day

» More Columns

Daily News Poll

Comments 1 of 5

politico: Thanks for the comment. You're right that Harper's crew aren't the only ones letting politicking get in the way of governing. Neither the New Democrats' "let's vote against anything the...

By jerad gallinger
Re: Are MPs Earning Their Pay? Yes and No

»What's your view?

Recent Blogs

Mark my Words - Star Trek Will Annoy Us All in '09

Boy, this is gonna be a tough year if you hate Star Trek. It’s still...

Hollywood Rants by Steve Gow

Are MPs Earning Their Pay? Yes and No

A fellow blogger has calculated that members of Parliament sat for just 93 days...

Political Stripes by Jerad Gallinger

A wide variety of choices for b-ball fans

With the football season almost over and basketball season starting to heat up...

Ahead of the game by Matthew Romanada

Running on Empty…Minded Celebrities

Hollywood just might be the perfect place to develop new ways to...

Hollywood Rants by Steve Gow

» More Blogs

Metro Snapshot: January 6, 2009

Andrew Fifield, METRO

JUNIOR ACHIEVERS: Team Canada continued to raise the bar at the World Junior Championships, defeating the Swedes 5-1 to tie Canada's own record of five consecutive gold medals at the tournament.

YOU CAN BANK ON IT: Finance Minister Jim Flaherty emerged from a 'productive' meeting with Canada's senior bankers convened to discuss ways to revive the ailing economy. In the only public statement released, the president of the Canadian Bankers Association said that "many of the economic challenges facing the country were discussed." Flaherty would not discuss the meeting until today, but there has been continuing speculation that he has been butting heads with the major banks over the availability of loans to individuals and businesses.

Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty said that the proposed $4-billion bailout of the auto sector will not go toward dramatically overhauling the industry, but will instead be used for paying off mounting bills and "to keep the lights on." Prime Minister Stephen Harper had previously said that aid wasn't a blank cheque, and that Canadians expected the money to "restructure and renew" the industry.

STRESSED OUT: As the economic meltdown deepens, Canadian debt counsellers are not only seeing a spike in business, but also a spike in the deterioration of marriages and other relationships as mounting debts take their toll on individuals. Financial difficulties are believed to be behind a failed suicide pact in Quebec, in which a woman allegedly helped her husband kill their three children and himself before unsuccessfully attempting to take her own life.

PRAIRIE DEEP FREEZE: Although winter is officially only two weeks old, many on the Prairies were already considering it a long test of endurance. With almost daily wind chill temperatures of -30 degrees Celsius -- sometimes as low as -50 -- many outdoor enthusiasts have opted to stay indoors, while the homeless population dealt with an already hard life that has gotten much, much tougher.

LET'S DISCUSS THIS: A steady stream of diplomats and world leaders headed to the Middle East to push for a truce in the Israeli offensive in Gaza as casualties continued to mount, and Canada's Foreign Affairs department was working at extracting 36 Canadians trapped in the warzone. A planned Monday extraction was cancelled by the Israeli Defence Force, which controls the movement of people in and out of the territory. Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, and candidate for prime minister, told CNN's Christiane Amanpour that her country was taking great risks to prevent civilian casualties, but would keep up the offensive until the security of southern Israel was assured.

Threats of an oil embargo against Israel's friend in the West from officials in places such as Iran and Bahrain fell flat as key Persian Gulf oil producers were determined to stay on the path of economic growth amid falling oil prices. "An oil embargo is just bad for business," said Serene Gardiner, oil products analyst at Standard Chartered Bank in Dubai. "In truth, it is cheaper to move prices with rhetoric."

THERE'S A NEW MAN IN TOWN: President-elect Barack Obama and his family became full-fledged residents of Washington, D.C. -- moving into a grand hotel until his inauguration so that his daughters can begin classes at an elite private school once attended by Chelsea Clinton. Also due to arrive in Washington is home-shopping network QVC, and they will be toting a wide selection of coins, stamps, jewellery and handbags to hawk during the inauguration. The network has already sold more than 100,000 Obama-related items.

A FIERY RELATIONSHIP: An Australian woman has been charged with murder after her husband died from injuries inflicted when she allegedly lit his genitals on fire because she thought he was having an affair.

Homeless face danger

Charlie Zigglar was minding his own businesses when he accidentally flashed a $20 bill, a dangerous act when you’re hanging out by the Calgary Drop-in Centre. January 8

Israel grants three-hour pause in Gaza offensive to allow food aid in

GAZA CITY, Gaza - Israel was set to pause its Gaza offensive for three hours Wednesday to allow food and fuel to reach besieged Palestinians, and the country's leaders debated whether to accept an international cease-fire plan or to expand the assault against Hamas. January 7

Chief vows to find shooters

Vowing to find those responsible for gunning down an innocent man on New Year’s Day, the city’s police chief addressed the escalating gang violence in the city yesterday. January 7

Two men targeted in suspected gang shooting

Hours after Calgary Police chief Rick Hanson vowed to put an end to the gang warfare in the city, two men were targeted in what police believe was a gang-related incident. January 7

Hometown heroes return with gold

Our hometown hockey heroes made their triumphant arrival at the Calgary Airport yesterday tired, but still elated from their fifth straight gold-medal win for Team Canada. January 7

Citizen help in taking back city

The Calgary police service is stepping up efforts in the fight against the escalating gang violence in the city, but is asking for the community of Calgary to help take back the city. January 7

»Police promise action: Chief vows to find shooters

»More violence: Two men targeted in suspected gang shooting

Judge to decide if father of girls who froze will face sentencing circle

ROSE VALLEY, Sask. - A Saskatchewan father whose two young daughters froze to death is about to learn if he'll face an aboriginal sentencing circle. January 7

Russia stops all gas delivery to Europe via Ukraine

KYIV, Ukraine - Russia has shut off all its gas supplies to Europe through Ukraine - the latest move in a pricing dispute that has reduced or halted fuel deliveries to a dozen countries during a winter cold snap. January 7

Local

Hometown heroes return with gold

Our hometown hockey heroes made their triumphant arrival at the Calgary Airport yesterday tired, but still elated from their fifth straight gold-medal win for Team Canada.

Homeless face danger

Charlie Zigglar was minding his own businesses when he accidentally flashed a $20 bill, a dangerous act when you’re hanging out by the Calgary Drop-in Centre.

Citizen help in taking back city

The Calgary police service is stepping up efforts in the fight against the escalating gang violence in the city, but is asking for the community of Calgary to help take back the city.

Canada

Ignatieff's inner circle starts taking shape

World Juniors bring in millions

Flaherty suggests personal tax cuts may be in budget

World

France, Egypt propose Gaza truce plan after Israeli shell kills 30

France and Egypt urged an end to fighting in Gaza after Israeli shells blew up near a UN school.

Tony Blair discusses conflict in Gaza

Tony Blair talks with CNN's Christiane Amanpour about the Israel-Gaza conflict.

Grand Canyon, Loch Ness among those vying to be new wonders

The Grand Canyon, Loch Ness and more than 200 others are competing for the New 7 Wonders of Nature.

Sports

Panthers beat Maple Leafs 4-2

The evening started with fans of the Leafs booing former whipping boy Bryan McCabe.

Steelers defence tops, offence a worry

Steelers are committing the most turnovers of any team left in the NFL playoffs

Calgary downs Sharks

The Flames jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first period and held on to defeat Sharks

Celebrity Buzz

Garner, Affleck welcome 2nd daughter

It's another girl for Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck.

Amy’s holiday fling?

‘I used to be a hooligan’

Entertainment

Travolta family returns to U.S. with remains of son

John Travolta and wife Kelly Preston have returned to Florida with the remains of Jett Travolta.

Death of John Travolta's son raises medical questions

Lesson not learned: Industry blinded by fancy tech

Music

Apple cuts copy protection and prices on iTunes

Apple cutting the price of some songs in iTunes and soon every track will be without copy protection.

Rihanna taking no wardrobe risks for Malaysia show

Album sales plunge, digital downloads up

TV

Lesson not learned: Industry blinded by fancy tech

There are some deep and serious changes happening to the way people watch TV.

24 relocates to D.C. for show's seventh season

New Idol judge Kara DioGuardi says male contestants hold edge

Food

Spiced steak with speedy ratatouille

Click for today's Recipe of the Day!

Vegetable Primavera

Chicken cobbler

Health

The good-skin fix

Turns out that focusing on better skin nutrition can help meet at least three 2009 resolutions

Plan for healthier meals

New you, better sex

Homes

Achieve big sound in a small space

Condo owners and shoppers looking to own an awesome home theatre and audio system have some tricked-out options.

An enduring aesthetic

Last-minute festive decor

Style

The A-List: Affordable luxuries

Keep a bit of luxury in your life with the latest It gloss or eyeliner.

Hot fashion news

The most memorable fashion moments of 2008

Going Green

Wardrobe bailout

An evaporating shopping budget doesn’t mean your wardrobe has to remain stuck in recession purgatory.

Helpful tips to go ‘blue’

Make smarter choices at the grocery store

Workology

Sexes mark mobile difference

Men and women pick and use their mobile phones differently, a new study by Ipsos Reid and Windows Mobile shows.

Daily suffering, part of the job

The body never lies

Automotive

BMW’s small wonder

BMW’s 1-series is a compact 2+2 sports car available in both coupe and cabriolet form.

Hyundai goes easy on buyers

Makes sense to plug in

Travel

Retreat, relax and rejuvenate

Whatever your taste in spas, here are top destinations to visit this year

It’s time for beer, fish and freezing cold

Ontario outings

Business

Market woes over?

Despite a seemingly endless tide of bad economic news and forecasts, Canadian stocks experienced a sixth straight day of gains yesterday.

Workers fear truck plant may close

Cellphone users shy away from iPhones

Your Money

Work smarter, not harder

Being a Smart Cookie isn’t just about finding ways to spend less and save more, it’s about making more money too.

Enough talking, get walking

Shine in 2009

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The video you need to see today: Celebrity gossip site TMZ released this cellphone video of actors Josh Brolin and Jeffrey Wright being pepper sprayed and Tasered during an arrest last summer.