Saudi Arabia banned film for 35 years. The Red Sea festival is just one sign of the industry's riseDays before its board pulled support for a controversial documentary about Russia's war in Ukraine, TVO was ready to defend the film, documents obtained by CBC Toronto show. The Ontario public broadcaster went as far as making an online post encouraging the public to "see the documentary for themselves" just four days before its board ditched Russians at War , which was made with considerable public funding. Ontario Education Minister Jill Dunlop called the TVO board's decision "the right thing to do." But while she maintained the government didn't intervene, emails also show Premier Doug Ford's office was made aware of the situation in the days before the film was set to make its North American debut at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in mid-September. When asked if the Ford government pressured it to drop the film, TVO issued an email statement saying: "No." The first-person documentary by Russian Canadian filmmaker Anastasia Trofimova was condemned by Ukrainian officials, community groups and a number of politicians — including Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland. The main criticism of the film, which screened in Venice but hadn't aired in Canada at the time, was that it amounted to propaganda. Freeland states 'grave concerns' over TIFF film about Russian soldiers In Russians at War , Trofimova — who also worked at CBC/Radio-Canada's Moscow bureau for six months until it was forced to close in 2022 — follows soldiers and medics on the front lines of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Trofimova told CBC Radio's Metro Morning host David Common she filmed a Russian battalion over seven months without Moscow's permission, work that put her at risk of criminal prosecution in the country. TIFF suspended screenings due to what it called "significant threats" to public safety and its operations, although the Toronto police said that decision wasn't based on any recommendation from the service. TIFF suspends screening of film on Russian soldiers after threats The film's producers issued a statement saying they were heartbroken the film was pulled and tied TIFF's move to the "inflammatory" comments made by federal and provincial politicians and community leaders. They called what transpired "shockingly unCanadian." The Documentary Organization of Canada also issued a statement at the time saying it was "profoundly alarmed" by TVO's unilateral decision and suggested it raised serious questions about political interference. The documents CBC Toronto has reviewed don't show any direct government interference, but shed new light on TVO's abrupt change of position on the film. TVO told the public on Sept. 6 the film was an 'anti-war documentary.' Days later, its board said it would not be aired on the channel. (TIFF/The Canadian Press) TVO said 'factual inaccuracies' were driving controversy A series of emails obtained by CBC Toronto through a freedom of information request show some of what TVO — an agency of the Ontario Ministry of Education — told the government ahead of the film festival. On Sept. 6, TVO's chief operating officer Jennifer Hinshelwood wrote a positive note to the government about two films the broadcaster has supported — Russians at War and Your Tomorrow ( a film about Ontario Place ). On the same day, TVO posted a statement on its website saying: "This film shows the increasing disillusionment of Russian soldiers as their experience at the front doesn't jive with the media lies their families are being told at home." It noted it will air on TVO after its run at TIFF. On Sept. 9, TVO sent the government what it calls an "issue note" on Russians at War . It said there was "considerable debate" about the film driven by "factual inaccuracies that fundamentally portray Russians at War as a pro-Russia documentary, which it is not." The note pointed out the film hadn't aired in Canada, and also contained a "key message" section that counteracts some of the criticism. " Russians at War is an anti-war documentary made by a filmmaker, Anastasia Trofimova, who unequivocally and publicly opposes what she has called the 'unjustified and illegal' Russian invasion of Ukraine." The note also provided more information about Trofimova, including information about her work with Russian media. It said she worked at RT Documentary (RTD), a sister channel to RT (formerly Russia Today), but left four years ago. "She became concerned that the more liberal atmosphere at RTD had started to change," the note said. "She has not been associated with RTD since." RT was in the news at the time. On Sept. 13, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned the world RT had gone beyond acting as a propagandist media organization to working as an integral piece in Russia's efforts toward fighting Ukraine. Blinken said RT was "functioning like a de facto arm of Russia's intelligence apparatus," something the station's editor rejected. RT's work extends beyond propaganda to covert intelligence operations, U.S. warns Trofimova publicly defended her own work throughout the controversy. "In this war, which is full of this complete fog where both sides don't see each other, I had the chance to lift the veil a little bit on the reality of one of the sides that no one, especially Canadians, has heard from for the last two-and-a-half years," she told CBC in September. "I would appreciate everyone who is levelling these accusations to first of all see the film because, from what I understand, none of the protesters that we saw has seen the film." WATCH | Trofimova defends Russians at War on CBC Radio's Metro Morning: Documentary does not 'whitewash' Russian war crimes: filmmaker 3 months ago Duration 1:26 The Toronto International Film Festival said it will not pull a controversial documentary about Russian soldiers fighting in Ukraine from its schedule, despite outcry from Ukrainian officials and community groups. In conversation with Metro Morning host David Common, Russian Canadian filmmaker Anastasia Trofimova defended her work. Vladimir Putin launched Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, leaving the two sides locked in all-out war ever since. The United Nations says the civilian death toll in Ukraine stood at 12,340, as of the end of November. That's separate from the 27,836 civilians it says are known to have been injured since the start of the war. Premier's office told about board's decision One day after TVO shared its issues note with the government, TVO's board of directors pulled its support for the film and vowed it wouldn't air on the channel. Mitch Patten, TVO's vice-president of corporate and community affairs, alerted the government in an email, which copied a staffer with the premier's office. The same statement was released publicly. Pro-Ukraine demonstrators staged a number of protests outside TIFF venues. (Evan Mitsui/CBC) "We have listened to the Ukrainian-Canadian community and their thoughtful and heartfelt input. TVO's board of directors has decided to respect the feedback we have received," the board's chair Chris Day said in the statement. "TVO will be reviewing the process by which this project was funded and our brand leveraged," Day said. Russians at War received $340,000 through the Canada Media Fund in association with TVO. It would eventually screen in Toronto, on Sept. 17. Pro-Ukrainian protesters staged demonstrations on the sidewalks outside the theatre. Education ministry monitored fallout In the following days, government emails obtained by CBC show the Education Ministry monitoring media stories about the issue. One email notes Education Minister Jill Dunlop told The Canadian Press: "The decision made by TVO's board of directors was the right thing to do." It also notes the government relayed "background information" that the ministry "does not play a role in the broadcast arm of TVO due to CRTC licensing requirements." Dunlop declined to comment for this story. Her office, instead, sent the same background line mentioned above.
ST. THOMAS, Virgin Islands (AP) — Alejandro scored 25 points as UAB beat Louisiana 98-86 on Monday. Vasquez shot 8 for 19 (2 for 9 from 3-point range) and 7 of 7 from the free-throw line for the Blazers (4-4). Yaxel Lendeborg added 20 points while shooting 9 for 12, including 2 for 3 from beyond the arc while he also had six rebounds. Christian Coleman had 16 points and shot 7 of 13 from the field. Mostapha El Moutaouakkil led the way for the Ragin' Cajuns (1-6) with 19 points. Christian Wright added 15 points and six assists for Louisiana. Koron Davis also put up 14 points. Coleman scored 10 points in the first half and UAB went into the break trailing 44-42. Vasquez scored 17 points in the second half. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
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Claas targets electric loaders and hydrogen engines for sustainable farming Claas is advancing sustainable farming with clear solutions: fully electric powertrains for smaller vehicles like telehandlers and hydrogen engines as a promising alternative for heavy-duty machines. These innovations aim to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of agricultural operations. The agricultural sector faces increasing pressure to adopt cleaner, more sustainable technologies without compromising performance. Claas is tackling this challenge with a dual focus: electric drives for lighter vehicles and hydrogen-powered engines for heavy machinery. As part of a €5.1 million research project funded by Germany’s Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, Claas is collaborating with industry leaders such as Deutz, Mahle, and Liebherr. The project explores hydrogen engines’ potential to deliver robust, efficient, and low-emission performance in agricultural machines. Tests include real-world trials with hydrogen-powered vehicles and extensive material studies to ensure durability under demanding conditions. In addition to hydrogen, Claas also supports alternative fuels like HVO diesel. HVO, or , is a renewable diesel substitute made from sustainable feedstocks such as waste oils and fats. It offers up to a 90% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to traditional diesel and is already approved for use across the entire Claas product range. Claas is also investing in fully electric solutions. The Scorpion telehandler, showcased as a concept , represents the company’s vision for battery-powered equipment tailored for farmyard tasks. , Chief Technology Officer at Claas, explains : “Electric drives are ideal for lower-power applications, such as around the farm, while hydrogen and sustainable fuels are essential for high-performance machinery.” the latest news shaping the hydrogen market at Claas targets electric loaders and hydrogen engines for sustainable farming, HORIBA Inaugurates India’s First Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine Test Bed HORIBA India has inaugurated it’s first-ever Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine (H2-ICE) Test Bed Facility at the HORIBA India Technical... DEUTZ joins consortium to develop hydrogen engines for off-highway applications Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection provides funding of €5.1 million Objective is to develop hydrogen... Purem by Eberspaecher – Participation in consortium to develop hydrogen engines for off-road applications Examination of hydrogen applications in the construction and agricultural sectors – Joint project of...
Undefeated Oregon and No. 23 Texas A&M will collide Tuesday afternoon in Las Vegas in the second game of the new Players Era Festival. Both teams are in the "Power" group of the eight-team event. All eight teams are receiving $1 million for their name, image and likeness (NIL) collectives, but placing fourth or higher in the tourney in order will net them anywhere from $1.1 million to $1.5 million. The Aggies (4-1) opened the season with a three-point loss at UCF, but since then have won four straight, all in convincing fashion. Texas A&M upset then-No. 21 Ohio State 78-64 on Nov. 15 at home in College Station, Texas. Then the Aggies crushed Southern 71-54 last Wednesday, when Wade Taylor IV led the way with 17 points and six assists. All of Texas A&M's wins have been by double digits. The Aggies and Ducks (5-0) have split the two previous meetings against each other. Until March 2022 in an NIT second-round game, they had not met since the 1970-71 season. Texas A&M tied the overall series with a 75-60 win at home in 2022. The only player on the Ducks' current roster who played in that game was 7-foot senior Nate Bittle, who has been one of Oregon's best players so far this season. Bittle's 16.2 points and 10.2 rebounds per game lead the Ducks so far this season, and the big man also averages two blocked shots per game. Texas A&M guard Zhuric Phelps, a transfer from SMU, leads the Aggies in scoring at 16 points per game. Taylor adds 14 points per game. The Aggies could be the best defensive team the Ducks will have seen this season. A&M is allowing teams to shoot only 36.6 percent in games. Head coach Buzz Williams and his staff are hoping the team gets better at taking charges on defense, as the Aggies have just one so far this season. "I guess the thing that you work on most is verticality around the rim," Texas A&M assistant coach Steve Roccaforte told KBTX television. "‘Hey, once you get there, if you try and take a charge, it's going to be a block. Just jump as high as you can, stay vertical, try to go chest-to-chest. Make it a hard shot.'" Oregon is coming off a 78-75 win at Oregon State, the Ducks' first road game of the season. The Ducks trailed by 10 points at halftime but, as they have in several games this season, they found a rhythm on offense in the second half and came up with a comeback win. Bittle's 23 points and 14 rebounds led the way. Jackson Shelstad had 15 points and Jadrian Tracey and Keeshawn Barthelemy both added 10. "We started rebounding the ball a little better. Nate really got it going inside and our guys got him the ball," Oregon head coach Dana Altman told the school's athletics website. "He had a heck of a game." --Field Level Media