News
2023: Zelenskyy ‘Born For This Moment,’ Sean Penn Says At Berlin
BERLIN, Germany — Actor Sean Penn had his first on-camera meeting with Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, just hours before Russia launched its invasion nearly a year ago.
“It was as if he realized that he was born for this moment,” Penn said in an interview with The Associated Press on Saturday, a day after the festival premiere of his documentary “Superpower.”
When the war broke out, Penn and his co-director Aaron Kaufman were in Kyiv filming a profile of the comedic actor-turned-president. The president’s image entering the room for the first interview would have the greatest impact on Penn.
“It’s difficult to explain, but there was a resolve in response to something no one had ever faced before,” Penn explained.
Sean Penn’s ‘Superpower’ arrives in Berlin.
Penn stated at a press conference on Saturday that they returned to the hotel after the interview and that the shelling began that night. Zelenskyy had “a proper suit and a proper office” when they first met him.
“He was in camos the next time we saw him, and his country was at war,” Penn explained.
Zelenskyy Was A Fresh Start For Ukraine
The documentary took an unexpected turn when war broke out. Additional interviews with the president conducted over the last year are included in the film.
After the project was completed, the two continued to communicate off-camera. Last year, Zelenskyy bestowed the Ukrainian Order of Merit on the Hollywood star, who has been involved in numerous international humanitarian and anti-war efforts. Penn was also given a plaque on a walkway in Kyiv that honors world leaders who have spoken out in support of Ukraine.
People would be surprised, according to Penn, by Zelenskyy’s “command of the mechanisms of government.”
“Not only his, but all those on whom he relies, his sense of mapping the diplomatic territory,” he explained. “He’s ablaze. He has a rare talent for politics.”
Penn Loaned Zelenskyy One Of His Two Oscars
Penn recalled seeing “civility” while fleeing Ukraine through the Polish border a few days after the invasion began.
“There was no honking. “There was a kind of quiet acceptance because no one was trying to drive around the other and take,” Penn said during the interview. “You know, these were families that were being torn apart. Some, but not all, are still torn apart.”
During a subsequent visit to Ukraine, Penn loaned Zelenskyy one of his two Oscars, telling him, “When you win, bring it back to Malibu.”
“The Oscar is there in his office, and it’s ready to be melted whenever he wants to melt it,” Penn clarified in a press conference after threatening to melt his awards in public if Zelenskyy was not on the show for last year’s Oscars.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences did not include a video address from President Trump, instead opting for a moment of silence in support of Ukraine’s people. On Thursday, Zelenskyy spoke at the Berlinale, encouraging artists and filmmakers to show their support for Ukraine.
Penn Won Two Oscars For Mystic River
Penn stated at the press conference that the Oscar was inspired by his “continuing shame towards the leadership of the Academy, the motion picture academy, in choosing to present Will Smith smacking Chris Rock on their broadcast rather than the greatest symbol of cinema and humanity living today.”
Penn won two Oscars for best actor, one in 2003 for “Mystic River” and the other in 2008 for “Milk.” Previously, he directed “Flag Day,” “Into the Wild,” and “The Pledge.”
While it is not uncommon for celebrities to support a cause, in “Superpower,” Penn travels to the front lines of the war to speak with soldiers in the trenches. When it comes to his drive and determination, the actor has no idea where it comes from.
“I could make up several answers,” he joked to the Associated Press. “It’s something I don’t think about in the end, despite being asked many times.” “I’m at a loss for words.”
SOURCE – (AP)
News
Trudeau Rocks to Taylor Swift While Montreal Burns
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has come under fire yet again after a video surfaced on X, showing him dancing at a Taylor Swift performance while anti-Nato protestors ransacked downtown Montreal.
Trudeau attended Taylor Swift’s concert in Toronto on Friday night. Before Taylor Swift approached the stage, X shared a viral video of him dancing and singing along to the song “You Don’t Own Me.”
The image of Trudeau dancing amid violent protests in Montreal generated widespread indignation online. Some social media users even compared Trudeau to the ancient Roman dictator Nero, known for “fiddling while Rome burned.”
Don Stewart, a Member of Parliament (MP) representing part of Toronto, called out the prime minister in a post on X.
Lawless protestors run roughshod over Montreal in violent protest.
The Prime Minister dances.
This is the Canada built by the Liberal government.
Bring back law and order, safe streets and communities in the Canada we once knew and loved. pic.twitter.com/PVJvR6gtmf
— Don Stewart (@donstewartmp) November 23, 2024
“Lawless protesters run roughshod over Montreal in violent protest. The Prime Minister dances,” Stewart wrote. “This is the Canada built by the Liberal government.”
“Bring back law and order, safe streets and communities in the Canada we once knew and loved,” the MP added.
On Saturday, the day after Taylor Swift’s concert, Trudeau condemned the anti-NATO protests, calling them “appalling.”
Anti-NATO activists set off smoke bombs and marched through Montreal’s streets waving Palestinian flags. According to the Montreal Gazette, rioters set fire to automobiles and battled with police.
Pro-Palestinian protests
Protesters also tossed tiny explosives and metal objects at officers. At one point, the mob torched an effigy of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Police used tear gas and batons to disperse the gathering, and three persons were arrested for attacking officers and impeding police operations.
Masked protesters were seen burning flares and bashing storefront windows in videos and photographs shared on social media. Pro-Palestinian protests have been taking place across Canada since the Israel-Gaza conflict began late last year.
Critics have lambasted Trudeau for doing nothing to stop the violent pro-Palestinian marches, with some claiming he has fueled anti-Israel sentiment in Canada.
On Friday, Trudeau stated that Canada would respect the orders of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which issued an arrest warrant for Mr Netanyahu, even if it meant arresting the Israeli prime leader on Canadian soil.
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News
Calgary Zoo Admits Human Error in Death of Baby Gorilla
The Calgary Zoo has admitted in a public statement that a zookeeper’s negligence caused the death of a 2-year-old baby gorilla. Eyare, a newborn gorilla, died last week after being slammed in the head by a hydraulic door.
The accident occurred when a zoo worker attempted to separate Eyare from the rest of the gorilla tribe for a solitary training session.
The gorilla died from significant head injuries, according to the zoo’s statement.
“This tragedy has struck us all in the deepest way imaginable,” Colleen Baird, director of animal care at the Calgary Zoo, said during a news conference. “Eyare’s brief but meaningful existence gave so much joy to our community, and all will sorely miss her. We will do everything possible to prevent repeat accidents.”
According to Baird, the staff member involved was immediately removed from the workplace and will be reassigned to another area of the zoo. The Calgary Zoo stated that it would take preventive steps, such as specialist personnel training and animal behavioral training, to avoid a similar incident.
Calgary Zoo Questioned
It is not the first time an animal at the zoo has died from negligence at the Calgary Zoo. A capybara was accidentally crushed by a hydraulic door similar to the one that killed Eyare in 2019.
An otter died in 2016 after being entangled in an “unauthorized” pair of jeans that a zookeeper had dropped in its enclosure. In 2013, a penguin died in “a freak accident” after swallowing a stick.
Animal Justice, a Canadian group that promotes animal welfare, has called for an independent investigation of animal safety and oversight at the Alberta facility.
“The Calgary Zoo appears to have a higher rate of animal deaths compared to other zoos, and in light of Eyare’s death there should be a systematic review of the zoo’s operations and practices, conducted transparently by the government or another outside party,” according to Camille Labchuk, the executive director of Animal Justice.
The Calgary Zoo refuted that it has more animal deaths than other zoos, emphasizing that it adheres to operating requirements and has maintained accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ independent Accreditation Commission since 1978.
“We love and care for more than 4,000 animals representing over 100 species that call our zoo home,” stated a Calgary Zoo representative.
“Human error-related deaths in animals are quite infrequent. We have lost two animals in the last ten years: a North American river otter in 2016 and ‘Eyare’ this week.
While rare, even one human-caused death is too many. These unfortunate instances have served as vital learning experiences, prompting us to examine and tighten protocols to provide the greatest level of care.”
Baird said at the news conference that using hydraulic doors is “common practice with accredited zoos,” adding that the facility will consider switching to alternate doors to improve safety.
The Calgary Zoo, which established the Wilder Institute in 2021, caters to nearly 4,000 creatures, including six more western lowland gorillas.
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News
Canada’s Lotto Max Jackpot Climbs to $80M
Lotto Max in Canada has reached $80 million for only the second time in Canadian lottery history. Friday’s draw sought a winner for a $75 million pool, but the top reward remained unclaimed as of Saturday, increasing the jackpot.
Only once did the jackpot reach $80 million in September, when it broke the previous record. Before that, the prize was $75 million, a record.
The Lotto Max prize maximum was boosted earlier this year, enabling for jackpots of more than $70 million. The cap is now at $80 million.
While a greater fee may encourage more people to play, the odds of winning the lottery remain extremely low.
According to the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, the odds for a $5 ticket are around one in 33,294,800.
While there was no jackpot winner in Friday’s draw, someone did match six of the seven winning numbers, plus a bonus, earning them a payout of more than $320,000.
Lotto Max History
Lotto Max is one of three national lottery games in Canada, overseen by the Interprovincial Lottery Corporation. The game was introduced on September 19, 2009, and its inaugural draw occurred on September 25, 2009. It replaced Lotto Super 7.
The odds of winning the Lotto Max are 1 in 33,294,800. This is correct to a point but misleading.
Let’s have a look at the rules:
- Players choose 7 numbers out of 50
- Numbers cannot be repeated
- Numbers are automatically sorted into ascending order
- Each play buys 3 lines
- Each play costs $5
Seeing that players choose 7 out of 50 non-repeating numbers, the equation for the total number of possible combinations (this is different from permutations where the order in which the numbers appear is significant) when playing the Lotto Max is 50! / (7! x 43!)
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