Eisha’s Marjara‘s short documentary Am I the skinniest person you have ever seen? deals multiple barriers in trying to fit in a perfect world. Eisha and her sister Seema were more than just sisters, they were soul mates; and one summer, a joint diet offers them a shared sense of purpose.
But their carefree project would take a dark turn, pushing Eisha to the very brink of death. Consumed by anorexia, she found herself battling her own fragile body—stranded between childhood and adulthood. Dealing with being and chunky Punjabi Girl and in a predominant white society trying to be accepted in the world influenced by Hollywood and Bollywood.
Decades later, she revisits her past in an exquisitely crafted work of auto-ethnography, evoking her unusual youth with aching lyricism. In addressing a tender love letter to the troubled girl she once was, she reaches contemporary audiences with a timely reflection on body image, racism and self-acceptance.
She found some comfort in images of Bollywood startles with a promise of brown women can be a dream girl. She explored that in her in her most recent feature film Calorie and also in he earlier award winning film Desperately Seeking Helen where she goes on a search no her Bollywood dancing Queen.
Am I the skinniest person you have ever seen? will be screen with Sisters by Ying Wang at at Pacific Cinematheque at 1130 Howe Street in Vancouver as a part of of Mad Pride Festival on Sunday July 16th at 12:30 pm.
Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass is a farcical comedy challenging the notion of fidelity and marriage.
Gail Daughtry (Zoey Deutch) is two weeks away from marrying her high-school sweetheart Tom (Michael Cassidy). Tom discuss the “celebrity sex pass,” a hypothetical agreement whereby partners give each other permission to sleep with a famous person – without impunity. Then Tom hooks up with celebrity
Dealing with the shock, Gail impulsively joins her co-worker Otto (Miles Gutierrez-Riley) on a trip to Los Angeles, where a psychic convinces Gail that the only way to save her marriage is to pursue her own celebrity pass: Jon Hamm. Thus begins an epic journey through Tinseltown, as Gail and Otto join forces with a talent agency assistant (Ben Wang), a paparazzo (Marino) and actor John Slattery (as himself), all in the search for Hamm.
The growing group who join the journey to find Hamm has allusions to the Wizard of Oz searching for their dream and what they really want to make them truly happy.
The Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) has moved to revoke the status of the charitable wing of HonestReporting Canada, the billionaire-backed anti-Palestinian lobby group that bills itself as a “digital army for Israel.”
WAWOG Toronto and Just Peace Advocates have submitted two formal complaints to the CRA to investigate HRC’s charitable status. After a lengthy audit, the CRA concluded that the HR Canada Charitable Organization (HRCCO) is not carrying out any charitable activities and is acting as a “conduit” for HonestReporting Canada, which is not itself a registered charity. The two organizations share key personnel, including an executive director, digital director, and research analyst, as well as office space and resources.
HRCCO’s stated purpose is advancing education through media analysis. But the organization’s educational claims are blatantly undermined by its tactics. Over the past two years, HRC has sent over 1,000 “action alerts” mobilizing its 70,000 members to target journalists, healthcare workers, and even minors—with personal attacks, sexual harassment, and racist and Islamophobic rhetoric.
According to CRA auditors, HRC’s activities include “promoting a particular viewpoint or creating a particular climate of opinion” that do not “advance education in a charitable sense.”
CRA’s audit and revocation letter are full of examples of HRC openly flaunting charity law. Via reporting from Future of Good and the Investigative Journalism Foundation:
Tax officials noted that a few months after the audit results were sent to HRCCO in July 2025, three “backgrounders” appeared on the charity’s website with the headings “Fake Post 1,” “Fake Post 2” and “Fake Post 3.” Each post contained the same article, with a description of the charity at the end.
According to the CRA, “the Organization purposely created webpages that contained false/misleading information to provide the impression that it conducts its own activities.” It was specifically advised prior to being registered as a charity that monitoring journalism would not be considered a charitable activity.
CRA auditors also initially proposed a $336,145 fine to HRCCO as penalty for delivering undue private benefits to HRC. Among those benefits were HRC executive director Mike Fegelman’s 2022 salary of $209,189, and HRC staffer Rick Firth’s salary of $75,000. Also included was a $14,130 gift to the US-based Friedman Center, a non-profit run by Donald Trump’s former ambassador to Israel and personal bankruptcy lawyer David Friedman. The Friedman Center is dedicated to the cause of “advancing the cause of peace through Israeli sovereignty.” Both Friedman and his charity champion the annexation of the West Bank and Gaza under “One Jewish State.”
Examples of HonestReporting’s messaging directly contradicting international law and consensus include its persistent denial of famine in Gaza and its “Glossary of Problematic Mideast Terms”—a resource HRC uses in action alerts to challenge standard newsroom language (e.g., “West Bank” → “Judea and Samaria”; “illegal Israeli settlements” → “neighbourhoods”).
In November 2025, Robert Walker, HRC’s Assistant Director, was arrested by Toronto Police along with three others for spraypainting anti-Palestinian graffiti (including “F*ck Gaza”)—an act that further underscores the organization’s racist and Zionist stance.
Our complaints to the CRA were grounded in ample evidence of HonestReporting Canada’s charity law violations. In response, HRCCO has launched two legal challenges to block the revocation, arguing that charity regulation falls under provincial jurisdiction—but similar arguments on behalf of organizations such as the Jewish National Fund of Canada have already been rejected by the Federal Court of Appeal.
Representing HRC/HRCCO in court has been Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg. That same law firm shares an address with the one listed on HRCCO’s charity page. Davies partner Elie Roth’s e-mail is additionally registered to HRCCO’s charity listing. As reported by Davide Mastracci for The Maple, Roth’s family foundation (The Aulis Charitable Foundation) is an HRC donor. HRCCO claims that revocation of its charitable status would harm the reputation of its directors. Co-director and co-founder Ken Rotman filed an affidavit arguing this designation would associate him with criminals and ‘terrorists,’ damaging his career as a private equity investment manager.
These associations should be damaging, and Rotman’s reaction is par for the course for an organization bankrolled by Canada’s billionaire class and their foundations. The Rotman Family Foundation joins the Azrieli Foundation, the Ronald S Roadburg Foundation, Linda Frum, Peter Munk and the Asper Foundation as some of HRC’s bigger funders. These foundations have maintained philanthropic public profiles while quietly funding HRC’s harassment and misinformation campaigns. That funding is then subsidized with Canadian tax dollars.
Notably, Canada Charity Partners recently had its charitable status revoked over being a conduit for “Israel Gives.” Among the non-qualifying donees was HRC’s Israel counterpart, Honest Reporting (Israel.)
As of right now, the revocation remains on hold until HRCCO’s court challenges are resolved. In the meantime, the charity can no longer issue donation receipts.
A judge for Ontario’s Superior Court of Justice initially denied HRCCO’s challenge to the revocation, noting: “HR provided no evidence relating to the purpose or effect of the particular legislative provisions pursuant to which the Minister can revoke a charitable registration.”
“Indeed, there is not a single reference to the Constitutional issues in HR Canada’s evidence on this motion”
“How can a court conduct even a limited review on the merits without any evidence or argument about the specific provisions at issue?”
This case fundamentally exposes how charitable status in Canada is weaponized by Zionist interests. For years, HRC has used its wealth and influence to target hundreds of journalists and activists, silencing critical coverage of Israel’s genocide of Palestinians. The CRA’s audit confirms what we’ve long argued: the group’s charitable status provides a veneer of legitimacy for what is, in reality, an anti-Palestinian lobbying operation, subsidized by Canadian taxpayers.
New by Attorney Nasser Odeh, the lawyer representing Dr. Abu Safiya, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, following his visit to Dr. Abu Safiya at the underground Rakefet interrogation facility in Nitzan Prison, indicates a severe deterioration in his condition to the point of tangible danger to his life. Physicians for Human Rights Israel and Attorney Odeh are calling for his immediate transfer from the facility and an urgent judicial visit to assess his condition – before it is too late.*
Physicians for Human Rights Israel (PHRI) and Attorney Nasser Odeh warned today (Saturday) that Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, is in immediate danger to his life, following new information obtained during a visit by his lawyer, Attorney Nasser Odeh, on July 2 at the Rakefet facility in Nitzan Prison.
According to Attorney Odeh’s affidavit, Dr. Abu Safiya was brought to the meeting shackled by his hands and feet and accompanied by masked prison guards. He bore fresh, severe injuries to his head, around his eyes, and on his ears and neck—to the extent that his lawyer initially struggled to recognize him.
During the visit, Dr. Abu Safiya experienced difficulty breathing and speaking continuously. He appeared extremely weak, struggled to sit upright without falling, and on several occasions seemed on the verge of losing consciousness. Attorney Odeh noted that he appeared frightened, exhibited severe psychological distress and was reluctant to speak freely due to fear of being targeted. Based on these direct observations, Attorney Odeh concluded that Dr. Abu Safiya’s life is in immediate danger.
Dr. Abu Safiya reported to his attorney that shortly after his Supreme Court appeal hearing (which took place on June 10, 2026), while he was held in solitary confinement at Ganot Prison, four or five prison guards entered his cell and assaulted him with a hammer and batons, inflicting injuries across his body. He further detailed that since his transfer to the Rakefet facility on June 24, 2026, he has been subjected to daily beatings, resulting in several instances of loss of consciousness, but without receiving appropriate medical treatment.
He expressed grave fear for his life, stating: “This is the last time you will see me… They brought me here to kill me. I don’t see myself surviving. This is the end.”
Following the visit, Attorney Nasser Odeh urgently appealed to the Israel Prison Service, demanding an end to the harm being inflicted on Dr. Abu Safiya, his immediate transfer to another detention facility, and the provision of urgent medical examination and treatment due to the real threat to his life. In his letter, Attorney Odeh made it clear that should the IPS fail to take immediate, concrete measures for his protection, full responsibility for any further deterioration in his condition or any harm caused to him would rest with the Prison Service and the competent authorities who failed to act.
Concurrently, PHRI sent urgent appeals to Israel’s Attorney General, the Commissioner of the Israel Prison Service, the Chief Public Defender, and the Chairs of both the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee and Constitution, Law and Justice Committee. The organization called for an immediate visit by an official body independent of the prison authorities and an urgent independent medical examination due to grave concerns for his life.
Dr. Abu Safiya has been held by Israel since December 27, 2024, under the Unlawful Enemy Combatants Law, without charge and without due process. After the Be’er Sheva District Court extended his detention on April 28, 2026, for an additional six months, he appealed to the Supreme Court, which rejected the appeal last month (June 10, 2026). In parallel, Physicians for Human Rights Israel filed a petition with the Supreme Court on April 30, 2026, demanding his release and the release of other doctors from Gaza currently incarcerated.
Until early June, he was held in Ktzi’ot Prison. Shortly after filing the appeal and the petition seeking his release and the release of the other detained doctors, he was transferred to solitary confinement in Ganot Prison and, last week—on June 24, to the Rakefet facility in Nitzan Prison. According to PHRI and his lawyer’s testimony, the dramatic escalation in the beatings and alleged torture inflicted upon him, which led to a severe deterioration in his physical and mental condition, occurred shortly after these legal proceedings were filed.
Physicians for Human Rights Israel reiterates its demand for the release of Dr. Abu Safiya and the other doctors who are being held without charges.
Rakefet is an underground interrogation and detention facility inside Nitzan Prison, where allegations of violence and abuse against detainees have previously been reported. Physicians for Human Rights Israel warns that, given Dr. Abu Safiya’s condition and the information provided by his attorney, any delay in intervention prolongs the imminent danger to his life, and notes that competent authorities remain fully accountable for the safety of those under their responsibility and custody. Every moment that Dr. Abu Safiya, along with the remaining doctors and medical staff, are held by Israeli authorities without independent monitoring places their lives in jeopardy. The organization urgently demands an immediate and independent investigation to examine their conditions of detention and the torture they are reportedly undergoing.
*Attorney Nasser Odeh, Dr. Abu Safiya’s lawyer*, stated: “I have visited Dr. Abu Safiya several times since his detention, but the individual I encountered during this latest visit was not the same person I had previously met. His physical and psychological state, the severe injuries visible on his body, and his personal testimony leave no room for doubt: his life is in immediate danger. He must be transferred out of the Rakefet facility immediately and granted an urgent, independent examination.”
*Naji Abbas, Director of the Prisoners and Detainees Department at Physicians for Human Rights Israel*, stated: “The information we have received raises grave and immediate concerns for Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya’s life. Attorney Nasser Odeh’s testimony is among the most disturbing we have heard since the beginning of the war: a man held without charge telling his lawyer that he believes he is going to be killed, after arriving at the meeting injured, struggling to breathe and on the verge of losing consciousness. The severe deterioration in his condition began after he challenged his continued detention before the courts—a sequence of events requires an immediate and independent investigation. When an individual is held in state custody, the state bears full responsibility for his safety, health and life. If the authorities do not intervene immediately, there is a real risk that Dr. Abu Safiya will not leave detention alive. We demand urgent action before it is too late.”
Masjid Al-Iman Mosque Imam was attacked in Victoria on last Thursday sitting in his car.
Imam Ebrahim Ali Gaduo was sitting in his car outside his home when he noticed someone inspecting the vehicle, said Imtiaz Asin from the British Columbia Muslim Association.
Upon noticing Imam Ebrahim inside the vehicle and wearing his traditional white thobe, the individual attempted to force open the car door and subsequently assaulted him.
In the course of the incident, Imam Ebrahim was forced to defend himself, resulting in a physical altercation during which both individuals exchanged blows. During the confrontation, the suspect reportedly directed Islamophobic remarks at him, telling him to “go back to your home country.”
Following the assault, the suspect fled the area. Imam Ebrahim immediately contacted 911 and, while maintaining communication with emergency dispatchers, followed the individual in his vehicle.
Police officers responded promptly, taking Imam Ebrahim’s statement before launching an active search. A second police patrol soon joined the investigation, and authorities were ultimately able to locate and arrest the suspect.
The suspect remains in custody. It is believed the individual has a criminal history. BCMA is grateful for the swift actions of the Victoria Police Department in apprehending the suspect and helping to ensure the safety of the community. The Association also recognizes the courage of Imam Ebrahim and the swift action of the Victoria branch.
Incidents involving violence, intimidation, and hateful language have no place in our communities. We stand in solidarity with Imam Ebrahim and reaffirm our commitment to fostering a safe, inclusive, and respectful society for all.
This year the Bard on Beach his caught up in the FIFA Frenzy in its reimagined Merry Wives of Windsor on the main stage at Sen̓áḵw–Vanier Park.
The take in the FIFA fever, Writer Bruce Horak and cowriter and director Rebecca Northan have reimagined this adaptation, starting of at the soccer field and the Windsor Community Centre. The imagination works well as this Shakespear soap opera tale of a whimsical comedy full of flirtations and pranks. Although the this is modern adaptation, much of the Shakespeare dialogue is intact, which works well but sometimes confusing.
The other twist in this adaptation is a gender-neutral character. Sara Vickruck plays Slender, a non-binary character This also a diverse cast unlike the Shakespeare’s original characters. Rachel Angco plays Anne Page who in this rendition is the captain of the women’s soccer tearm and Simple. Cameron Grant plays Fenton is the captain of mens soccer team in this. Manish Sharma plays Mr.Page and Zahf Paroo plays Evans.
I went to see the play on Thursday June 25th evening, when there was a technical malfunction where Ashely Wright who plays Flalstaff was injured. I went back on Saturday June 27th to see the full play again with Paul Moniz the understudy playing Falstaff this time. He was reading from script which worked as a prop to prompt. Over all the play went well this time and story carried through with a standing ovation at the end. This rendition of the Merry Wives of Windsor is worth a watch in the backdrop of the FIFA Furor.in town. It’s a good gimmick to get people to go the Bard this year as party of the cultural entertainment for the world cup. It may
As we mark World Refugee Day on June 20th, Alphonso Davies, Canadian soccer star and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador shares his story. Born in a refugee camp after his family fled conflict in Liberia.
Alphonso knows what it means to be forced to start over. Because of the support his family received, and the chance to go to school, he was able to rebuild his life and pursue his dreams. Today, he is using his voice to stand up for refugee children around the world.
In his words, millions of displaced children are denied access to education. Without it, their futures are put on hold. Education is more than learning. It is stability, opportunity, and hope. It helps children forced to flee regain a sense of normalcy, make friends, and imagine what is possible.
Ginger Minj and Jujubee in ‘Stop! That! Train!’Bleecker Street Media/Courtesy Everett Collectio
by Imtiaz Popat
Stop That Train ! follows best friends DeeDee (Jujubee) andTess (Ginger Minj) and train stewardesses who trade their dreary shifts on the Stank Rail for the glitzy speed train Glamazonian Express. When a catastrophic “Stormaganza” threatens to derail the train and crash it into Los Angeles, the duo in coach must join forces with the snobby first-class attendants (Symone, Brooke Lynn Hytes, Marcia Marcia Marcia) and President Gagwell (RuPaul) to save the day.
This is a hilarious slap stick comedy featuring famous drag queen actors from director Adam Shankman who also made films like Hairspray.
This has a cult film formula, but not worth to watch on big screen, unless you are in the mood for a nonsensical drag queern slap stick comedy. I’d wait to see it on the boob tube.
Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, named Best African Referee of 2025, was denied a visa. Despite travelling to the U.S. with a diplomatic passport, he was refused entry and sent back to Somalia to a hero’s welcome.
FIFA announced that he will not be able to officiate at the tournament. Canadian politicians invited him to come to Canada to referee, but due to FIFA requirements, he couldn’t accept to offer. Just before arriving in Miami for FIFA, he heard that he has been appointed by the EUFA to referee the Super CUP final between Paris Stain-Germain and Ashton Villa on August 12.
The South African national team arrived in the United States much later than planned because part of the delegation was not granted visas.
Members of the Senegal national tea’ staff were forced to remove their shoes and subjected to lengthy searches, sparking accusations of racism.
The Uzbekistan national team was searched with bomb-sniffing dogs and the footage went viral in international media.
Iraqi national team player Aymen Hussein was held for questioning for nearly 7 hours upon entering the United States.
The Iranian national team spent days dealing with visa procedures at the U.S. Consulate in Türkiye. The U.S. only allowed them entry on match days. Fifteen members of the delegation were denied visas.
Swiss footballer Embolo’s visa was put under review and he was only able to join his team days later.
Some Scottish supporters, despite being eligible to enter the U.S. visa-free under the ESTA programme, had their travel authorisations revoked just days before departure.
Many supporters who had already bought tickets and booked accommodation had their visa applications rejected, resulting in financial losses.
Senegal were crowned champions of the TotalEnergies CAF Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2026, after beating Tanzania 4-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in Tuesday’s final in Rabat.
The Young Lions of Teranga had to come from behind at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium after Tanzania stunned them with an early goal through Hamis Chenga in the seventh minute.
Ibrahima Dione equalised for Senegal in the 64th minute, turning in from close range after Tanzania goalkeeper Haji Abdullahi failed to hold a free-kick from Souleymane Commissaire Faye.
With neither side able to find a winner in normal time, the final was decided by penalties, where Senegal showed greater composure to claim another continental title at this level.
Faye, Sadio, Dione and Thior all converted for Senegal in the shootout, while Tanzania scored through Usuph and Mbegelendi but saw Kilendemo and Mbegu miss their attempts.
The victory secured Senegal’s second U-17 AFCON title and further underlined the strength of the country’s youth football development system.
For Tanzania, defeat brought a painful end to a historic campaign in which the Serengeti Boys reached the final for the first time and gave East African football one of its proudest moments at continental youth level.
The final started with Senegal showing early intent, as Mouhamed Wagne created danger inside the opening minute.
But it was Tanzania who struck first.
Chenga won the ball in midfield, advanced towards the Senegal area and fired home from the edge of the box to give the Serengeti Boys a shock lead after only seven minutes.
The goal rewarded Tanzania’s bravery and discipline, while also exposing early uncertainty in the Senegal defence.
Senegal responded by pushing forward in search of an equaliser, but Tanzania remained compact and organised.
In the 22nd minute, Ibrahima Sow came close for the Young Lions with a header from a well-delivered cross by Thierno Sow, but Haji produced a fine save to preserve Tanzania’s lead.
Senegal continued to press through set-pieces and wide attacks, but they were unable to break through before half-time.
Tanzania went into the interval ahead, having shown the same resilience and tactical maturity that carried them through penalty shootout wins over Algeria and Egypt earlier in the knockout stage.
After the break, Senegal increased the tempo.
Commissaire Faye tested Tanzania from distance in the 48th minute, while Sega Fall Mbodji and Lamine Mbengue also threatened as the Young Lions began to take control of possession and territory.
The pressure finally told in the 64th minute.
Faye delivered a dangerous free-kick which Haji could only parry, and Dione reacted quickest to tap the loose ball into the net and bring Senegal level.
The equaliser shifted momentum towards Senegal, who looked the more dangerous side in the final quarter of the match.
Tanzania, however, refused to collapse. They defended with discipline, stayed compact and looked for chances to break whenever Senegal committed players forward.
The match remained tense until the final minutes, with both sides searching for the decisive moment.
In stoppage time, Tanzania appealed for a penalty after a challenge involving Thierno Sow, but after a VAR review, the referee decided not to award a spot-kick.
That decision ensured the final would be settled from the penalty mark.
Senegal, who had already shown their nerve in shootouts against Mali and Morocco during the knockout stage, again proved clinical under pressure.
Their four penalty takers converted, while Tanzania could not match that accuracy.
The shootout victory completed a demanding campaign for Senegal, who recovered from difficult moments throughout the tournament to finish as African champions.
They had survived a dramatic quarter-final against Mali, eliminated hosts Morocco in the semi-finals and then overcame a determined Tanzania side in the final.
For coach Lamine Sané’s side, the triumph was built on resilience, tactical discipline and the ability to handle pressure in decisive moments.
For Tanzania, there will be disappointment, but also pride.
The Serengeti Boys leave Morocco 2026 having reached their first final, qualified for the FIFA U-17 World Cup and shown that East African football can compete with the continent’s strongest youth sides.
But the night belonged to Senegal.
After a final of tension, recovery and penalty drama, the Young Lions of Teranga stood tallest to claim the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 title.
