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Review: ‘Starfield’ raises the bar with rich, engrossing universe

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:52 GMT

Bethesda Game Studios needed a win.The developer’s last major release, “Fallout 76,” was a critical failure, due in part to Bethesda’s decision to stray from the “Fallout” franchise’s single-player roots and experiment with multiplayer.And before that, “Fallout 4” released to mixed reviews, with many fans and critics comparing it unfavourably to earlier instalments.Not since 2011’s “The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim” has a mainline Bethesda game enjoyed widespread critical acclaim.With the release of the highly anticipated sci-fi epic “Starfield,” Bethesda is hoping to restore its reputation — to be known not as a maker of bug-filled games with thin storylines, but of captivating open worlds that beg to be explored.“Starfield,” which came out on Sept. 6, is the studio’s first new universe in 25 years, as they were fond of reminding people during the hype campaign leading up to the launch....

Actor Devery Jacobs hopes less star-studded TIFF creates ‘hunger’ for indie features

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:52 GMT

TORONTO — Actor and producer Devery Jacobs hopes this year’s less star-studded Toronto International Film Festival will put the spotlight on smaller projects and create a hunger for more independent features. Jacobs is promoting the queer cheerleading feature film “Backspot,” which made its world première Friday. The film has sold out its three performances during the festival.Jacobs attributes the success of the film in part to the fact that many celebrities are prevented from promoting larger projects amid ongoing actor and writer strikes in Hollywood. The Mohawk actor says she supports the strikes but is happy to be in Toronto to promote a project she helped produce and also stars in. The Canadian film was cleared by the strike but American co-star Evan Rachel Wood, who stars as a cheerleading coach, was prevented from attending due to the ongoing strikes. Jacobs says this year’s festival feels different than previous years but sees it as a positive for sm...

Foreign aid: Ottawa overhauling ‘risk-averse’ red tape for charities operating abroad

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:52 GMT

OTTAWA — Global Affairs Canada is reforming its bureaucratic system for funding foreign-aid initiatives in a bid to approve funding requests faster and eliminate multiple layers of red tape.Charities say Canada’s international aid system is notoriously cumbersome. The system provides more than $6.5 billion a year in development aid for everything from education and climate-change adaptation to gender equality, in addition to humanitarian funding for emerging crises.“They know they’ve been risk-averse. They know that the systems are outdated. They know that the administrative burden … is too high,” said Shannon Kindornay, the head of operations for Cooperation Canada, whose group represents more than 95 non-profits.The overhaul, referred to as the “grants and contribution transformation initiative” includes updating how Global Affairs staff assess funding applications from Canadian and foreign aid groups, as well as the reporting requirements Ottaw...

Conservatives to close Quebec City convention with votes on party policy

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:52 GMT

QUEBEC — Conservatives gathered in Quebec City will vote today on a series of changes to their policy handbook on the final day of a three-day convention. More than 2,500 delegates have been gathered at a conference centre near the city’s historic walls to energize themselves to fight the next election and debate what to change about the party’s policy and constitution. Riding associations from across the country worked to advance certain priorities and delegates met behind closed doors Friday to hash out which would reach the convention floor for a final vote. Many fell in line with Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s priorities to tackle the cost of living crisis and crime, but some others brushed up against his agenda. Delegates will be presented with a final slate of suggested changes before voting gets underway today, although some of the more controversial ones were already known to have failed. That included inking a line into the policy playbook that wou...

Canada, U.S. ‘have to look after each other’ on cybersecurity: Cyber Centre head

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:52 GMT

WASHINGTON — The man in charge of protecting Canadians from malicious hackers says it is vital for Canada and the United States to keep working closely together on cybersecurity. Sami Khoury, the head of the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security, was in D.C. this week for an international cybersecurity summit and meetings with U.S. counterparts. Khoury says the two countries have become essential partners in fortifying the continent’s cyber defences, a collaboration he expects will only continue to grow. But in a world of ransomware, foreign interference and hostile nation-states, he worries that citizens and businesses alike aren’t taking the danger seriously.Khoury says the only thing that keeps him up at night is the risk of the Cyber Centre’s alerts and advice being disregarded, due to cost or apathy. He says reports often show that years-old software vulnerabilities are still being exploited, a sign that computer systems aren’t being updated. “It̵...

Daily horoscope for September 9, 2023

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:52 GMT

Moon Alert: There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The Moon is in Cancer.Happy Birthday for Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023:You are clever, sharp, witty and inquisitive. Nevertheless, you present a serious demeanor to your world. This is a year of learning and teaching for you. Take some solitude so you can renew your spiritual or religious beliefs this year. Explore meditation, yoga or some form of introspection.ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★★This is an excellent day to do something to spruce up your home and make things look better. You will enjoy talking to family members, because everything to do with home and family will receive a positive boost today. Look around you to see what improvements you can make. Make a list. Tonight: Patience.TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★★★Communications will go well today, especially when talking to siblings, relatives and neighbors. You feel very positive about your environment, which is why you’re up for entertaining diversio...

Miss Manners: She took my keepsake T-shirts but never made me the quilt

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:52 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am in my 50s, and I have an issue with my best friend of 35 years. We don’t live in the same state anymore, but we talk several times a week and try to visit every year.Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: Is it OK to trick them into diving with great white sharks? Advice | Miss Manners: What to say to a stranger who wants to touch you Advice | Miss Manners: We aren’t invited to the shower but our co-worker wants gifts from us anyway Advice | Miss Manners: My husband was upset by my request at the restaurant Advice | Miss Manners: Am I really ‘trying too hard to be liked’? We are both crafty people. Two years ago, I made her a big, beautiful counted cross-stitch, then had it custom-framed. The project took several months and she knew I was making it. I drove six hours each way to deliver my gift to her.She offered (I didn’t ask) to make me a quilt out ...

Dear Abby: The houseguests know my sheet rule but they refuse to comply

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:52 GMT

DEAR ABBY: My in-laws constantly invite themselves to stay at our home.Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: I’m worried about my 12-year-old’s serious dating Advice | Dear Abby: This boy makes me so happy. Must we break up because of his parents? Advice | Dear Abby: I thought I’d get over my husband’s misdeed but it haunts me Advice | Dear Abby: She decided I can’t be near her children Advice | Dear Abby: The wedding is on hold, but the bride is apparently keeping my money My mother-in-law has a rule that guests strip their beds the morning they leave. This is something I don’t, as the hostess, want them to do. They know it, but give me constant grief about it.Recently, my sister-in-law went ahead and stripped the sheets. I didn’t realize it until after they left. It made me feel disrespected.What should I do about them mowing over my boundary? (My husband sides w...

St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds play in game 2 of series

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:52 GMT

St. Louis Cardinals (62-79, fifth in the NL Central) vs. Cincinnati Reds (73-70, third in the NL Central)Cincinnati; Saturday, 6:40 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Cardinals: Zack Thompson (4-5, 3.91 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 53 strikeouts); Reds: Carson Spiers (0-0, 6.75 ERA, 1.75 WHIP, seven strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Cardinals -134, Reds +113; over/under is 10 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The St. Louis Cardinals lead 1-0 in a three-game series with the Cincinnati Reds.Cincinnati has gone 35-38 in home games and 73-70 overall. The Reds are eighth in the NL with 165 total home runs, averaging 1.2 per game.St. Louis has a 31-39 record in road games and a 62-79 record overall. Cardinals hitters have a collective .429 slugging percentage to rank fourth in the NL.The teams match up Saturday for the ninth time this season. The season series is tied 4-4.TOP PERFORMERS: TJ Friedl leads the Reds with a .268 batting average, and has 20 doubles, six triples, 12 home runs, 35 walks and 51 RBI. Christi...

Marlins try to extend road win streak in matchup with the Phillies

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:52 GMT

Miami Marlins (73-68, third in the NL East) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (77-63, second in the NL East)Philadelphia; Saturday, 6:05 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Marlins: Johnny Cueto (1-3, 5.54 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 30 strikeouts); Phillies: Aaron Nola (12-9, 4.55 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 179 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Phillies -188, Marlins +158; over/under is 9 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Miami Marlins will try to keep a five-game road win streak going when they take on the Philadelphia Phillies.Philadelphia has a 77-63 record overall and a 41-27 record in home games. The Phillies have the fourth-ranked team ERA in the NL at 4.01.Miami has a 33-36 record on the road and a 73-68 record overall. The Marlins have gone 29-12 in games decided by one run.The teams play Saturday for the 12th time this season. The Marlins are ahead 6-5 in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: Kyle Schwarber has 16 doubles, a triple, 41 home runs and 90 RBI for the Phillies. Trea Turner is 18-for-42 with two doubles, a tri...