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TOPS OF THE WORLD: The most viral stories of the week

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From local and provincial news, Canadian politics, the latest in sports, outrageous entertainment offerings, the Toronto Sun always has you covered.

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There are stories, however, that are more newsworthy to the masses than others.

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If you want to keep up with those at the watercooler or on social media, read on to see what stories everyone was talking about this past week:

TIFF reverses decision on Oct. 7 doc after backlash

Joe Warmington pointed out the “absurd and insulting censorship” of the documentary The Road Between Us at the Toronto International Film Festival after it was pulled from the schedule because the filmmakers used footage filmed by Hamas but — wait for it — didn’t obtain the rights from the terrorist group for the clips.

Well, the backlash came fast and furiously, and the film about the Oct. 7 massacre in Israel will be gracing festival screens after all — but only after the pulling of acclaimed director Barry Avrich’s film made international headlines, including the front page of the New York Post and being discussed on Fox News.

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“It was never my intention to offend or alienate anyone,” TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey wrote in a statement.

“Given the sensitive and significant nature of the film’s subject, I believe that it tells an important story and contributes to the rich tapestry of perspectives in our lineup — stories that resonate here at home and around the world.”

Taylor Swift announced new album on Kelce brothers’ podcast

Taylor Swift was the special guest on boyfriend Travis Kelce and his brother Jason Kelce’s New Heights podcast on Aug. 13 — after confirming on social media that she was in her showgirl era.

The superstar made the big announcement of The Life of a Showgirl, her 12th studio album at exactly 12:12 a.m. on Aug. 12 but for all the details, Swifties and fans alike would have to tune in to the podcast. Crafty buggers.

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It’s her first new record since her epic Eras Tour ended last December, and Swift has shared stunning images from the album on her socials, admitting the Kelces, “We’re going all out. This is a full send. I care about this record more than I can even overstate.”

The Life of a Showgirl debuts Oct. 3 (but you can already get it in presales, if you follow Swift on social media).

Air Canada’s work stoppage

More than 10,000 Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flight attendants walked off the job as of 1 a.m. ET Saturday, which was followed by a company-imposed lockout after the airline and the workers’ union were unable to reach a deal.

Flights have already been cancelled in anticipation of the work stoppage with a full stoppage now in effect.

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Air Canada said it would notify customers of cancellations through email and text message, adding it recommends against going to the airport unless they have a confirmed booking and their flight still shows as operating.

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Buck Martinez’s return to broadcast booth

The Blue Jays are tops in the American League East and, as of press time, leading the AL. And with Buck Martinez back on the Sportsnet broadcast, they are the hottest ticket in town.

A lot has happened in the last two-plus months that he was MIA, with the Jays being far from the team they were on May 28, when Martinez was last in the booth.

But that journey pales in comparison to what Martinez has endured in that time after a diagnosis of lung cancer sidelined him.

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He’s back now, and that voice is as comforting as ever alongside his long-time play-by-play partner, Dan Shulman.

There’s nothing like listening to Martinez talk baseball with such passion, and he had plenty of words of admiration for the Blue Jays and what manager John Schneider has done for the team.

“These guys, the way they are playing, this is how you play winning baseball. This is how you win championships.”

From his lips …

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  1. A sign for the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival Festival is pictured in front of the CN Tower on the opening day of the festival, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, in Toronto.
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  2. Taylor Swift performs at the Paris Le Defense Arena as a part of her Eras Tour concert in Paris, May 9, 2024.
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Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska

U.S. President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin kicked off their reunion with a warm handshake before getting to the business at hand: A summit to discuss Russia’s war on Ukraine and relations between Moscow and Washington.

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White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the previously planned one-on-one meeting between Trump and Putin is now a three-on-three meeting — but no, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was not in attendance of discussions he should totally be a part of, nor were any other European leaders invited to join in.

Rather, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff made up Team U.S., while Putin had Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov by his side.

“HIGH STAKES!!!” Trump posted shortly on his Truth Social account before he boarded Air Force One for Alaska.

No kidding.

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