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Today's paper

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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

From what I understand, they were not rescued. Apparently they were four experienced, trained, properly equipped men who were skiing the back country behind Grouse. No resecuers went in, and the...

By skier
Re: Four men banned from ski hill after off-limits run requires costly rescue

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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 7, 2009

Andrew Fifield, METRO

ABOUT THAT ECONOMY: Finance Minister Jim Flaherty announced that the federal government and Canada's major banks agreed to form a group aimed at ensuring availability of credit for individuals and businesses. The agreement is part of a larger strategy to revive the ailing economy that will likely include tax cuts and stimulus spending, some of which Flaherty previewed yesterday.

However, some groups were urging the government to abandon the idea of tax cuts in favour of a massive $33-billion stimulus package that could create more than 400,000 jobs. The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives warned Flaherty off the politically easy path of tax cuts, arguing that the $60 billion in cuts introduced in 2007 have had scant effect on the economy.

Another argument that could be made: Holding more World Junior Championships tournaments, the most recent edition of which pumped as much as $51 million into host city Ottawa's economy.

TORONTO-CENTRIC: Almost a month after being crowned Liberal leader, Michael Ignatieff started putting a Toronto-heavy stamp on the party, surrounding himself with loyalists and supporters by appointing them to several key posts.

CRUEL MISPRINT: As many as 1,100 misprinted scratch-and-win lottery tickets were in circulation in Ontario before being recalled, duping at least one man into thinking he had won $135,000.

INCREASED URGENCY: France and Egypt announced an initiative to halt the fighting in Gaza, hours after Israeli shells exploded near a UN school where hundreds of Palestinians sought shelter from the onslaught, killing at least 30. Israel has consistently rebuffed calls for a ceasefire until conditions ensuring the security of the country's south have been met -- conditions which former British Prime Minister Tony Blair outlined in an interview with CNN's Christiane Amanpour. Meanwhile, Egypt's Rafah border crossing -- a valuable lifeline for transporting medicine and supplies into the warzone -- has been less than dependable because of frequent closures due to political considerations.

Officials in Western countries were becoming increasingly concerned about the violence in Gaza spilling onto their own streets, with reports of violence against Jews and synagogues emerging from Sweden, France and Britain.

POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE: Washington, D.C. spun into overdrive, laying the groundwork for the arrival of millions of people expected to attend the inauguration of president-elect Barack Obama. Workmen were busily erecting barricades and security officials were finalizing plans for what is expected to be the largest security operation ever for a presidential inauguration.

The new United States Senate was sworn in, but the spotlight was stolen from the freshman senators by the squalid scandal surrounding the appointee to fill Obama's vacated seat. Roland Burris, appointed by embattled Gov. Rod Blagojevich, staged an elaborate slice of political theatre after Democrats kept their promise to deny him the seat. Minnesota is the source of another contentious senate battle, where presumably defeated incumbent, Republican Norm Coleman, filed a lawsuit challenging the recount victory of his rival, Democrat Al Franken.

PIPELINE BOMBINGS: Investigators admitted that they have few leads in the "increasingly violent" bombings of EnCana pipelines and wellheads in northeastern British Columbia. The fourth, and latest, attack struck dangerously close to a nearby home, and used what police described as high explosives.

ALWAYS GOT TIME FOR TRAFFIC: Municipal politicans in St. John's passed legislation banning the establishment of new drive-thru businesses until potential proprietors can prove to officials that customer's vehicles won't spill out onto the streets. The move was inspired by the popularity of Tim Hortons drive-thrus, where long lines of cars often stretch out onto public roads, sometimes causing traffic accidents.

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

GAZA CITY, Gaza - Israel's military paused 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 expand the assault against Hamas. January 7

Past overfishing has left N.S. fishery vulnerable to current economic woes: study

HALIFAX, N.S. - A new study says Nova Scotia's fishery is still reeling from past overfishing and has been left "vulnerable" to the global economic crisis as a result. January 7

Snow, freezing rain blanket S. Ontario in first significant storm of 2009

TORONTO - An overnight mix of snow and freezing rain has turned roads across southern and eastern Ontario into a slippery mess for commuters. January 7

Ruling expected on whether U.S. war resister and mother of 3 to be deported

TORONTO - A U.S. war resister living in Canada with her husband and three children is expected to find out today if she'll be subject to a deportation order. January 7

Teenage boy in Halifax hospital after drive-by shooting in city

HALIFAX, N.S. - A drive-by shooting Tuesday night sent a 14-year-old boy to a Halifax hospital with a gunshot wound to his upper torso, police said. January 7

Man's death ruled homicide 35 years after shooting

FORT WORTH, Texas - A man shot in the back 35 years ago has died of complications from the shooting and his death has been ruled a homicide - but prosecutors fear the trail for the suspect has long ago gone cold. January 7

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

Lift your spirits and Dine Out Vancouver

One of the city’s most anticipated annual culinary events begins next week, and 40,000 people have already taken a sneak peak online at the menus for this year’s Dine Out Vancouver. January 7

Local

Lift your spirits and Dine Out Vancouver

One of the city’s most anticipated annual culinary events begins next week, and 40,000 people have already taken a sneak peak online at the menus for this year’s Dine Out Vancouver.

Pat Quinn hopes to ride hot streak to Olympics

Vancouver’s Big Irishman is chaffing at the cuff for another shot to coach Team Canada at home in 2010.

Heavy rains, balmy temperatures put Metro Vancouver on flood watch

Put away the snow boots and break out the galoshes.

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!

Northern Italian shines on north Main

Vegetable Primavera

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

An enduring aesthetic

Inviting, simple and eloquent define Context Development’s Market Wharf model suite.

Last-minute festive decor

Turn the ordinary into an exotic getaway with home renovation

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.