When the Russia-Ukraine war comes for Sum 41
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Ukraine solidarity protests continued across Canada. But the one on Parliament Hill shared space with opposition to COVID-19 mandates, but Justin Trudeau was off to meetings that included the Queen. And while Russian pianist Alexander Malofeev had a show cancelled in Vancouver, Sum 41 called off summer concerts they had planned in both Moscow and Kyiv.
Rahaf returns with a tell-all
The escape of teenager Rahaf Mohammed from abuse by her Saudi family, which involved some Twitter intervention as she was detained in Bangkok, ended with her being granted Canadian asylum in January 2019. What sounded like the stuff of a good book is now one called Rebel: My Escape from Saudi Arabia to Freedom, now covered in the Daily Mail.
Patrick Brown says he’ll soon announce whether he’s running to lead the federal Conservatives. The mayor of Brampton, Ontario, has until April 19 to join what’s still officially a field of one hoping to take over on September 10. Brown managed to get elected after one scandal, but his dealings as mayor have been delivering new conflict stories.
Journalism school confidential
A year ago, Ryerson University student Jonathan Bradley filed a human rights complaint for being fired from the Eyeopener newspaper for his views. The case was quietly settled last fall. His byline has since appeared at Canadaland, and more often at True North. And now here’s a rant from the aftermath:
Leonard Cohen’s estate has sold his entire 278–title song catalogue. The deal adds to the portfolio of the Hipgnosis Songs Fund, whose purchases for undisclosed sums have stoked the streak of acquisitions. Later this year, the Leonard business continues with the publication of a long-lost 1965 novel.
Finally, some mean, mean stride
“Tom Sawyer” will get its album opening position enhanced on Rush’s upcoming 40th anniversary edition of Moving Pictures, whose cover was shot at the Ontario Legislature. Sooner than that, jazz pianist Brad Mehldau releases Jacob’s Ladder, which traces how progressive rock brought him religion: