Drake, Bieber add star power to Junos

Bombers give would-be boo birds their marching orders

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are being criticized by some fans online for booking the University of North Dakota’s marching band for Friday’s game against Montreal.

With the current state of Canada-U.S. relations, and Friday being designated as Canadian Armed Forces Appreciation Night, many view the club’s decision to invite a band from a pro-Trump state as a puzzling one.

“I’m a very proud Canadian,” said Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea after Tuesday’s practice.

“But I don’t think politics enter into this entertainment realm when you’re dealing with university kids that are coming up here to put on a show.”

Another downtown eatery bites the dust

Another longtime downtown Winnipeg restaurant has closed its doors, leaving another hole in the city’s core.

Rudy’s Eat & Drink announced on social media it was closing after 15 years in Manitoba Hydro Place but did not cite a reason.

“Cheers to the years of local beer, burger weeks, jets games, weddings, catering, stone soup week, DJ nights, charitable events and everything in between — we will hold these memories forever,” the post said. “The end of an era — but there’s always another chapter.”

General manager Mackenzie Robb declined to comment on the eatery’s closure. Rudy’s last day of service was on Friday.

Today’s horoscope

MOON ALERT: After 4:30 p.m. today, avoid shopping (except food and gas) and important decisions for the rest of the day. The moon is in Aquarius.

ARIES (March 21-April 19)

This is an excellent day for a practical discussion with someone older or more experienced. This might happen by talking to a partner, close friend or member of the general public. It’s a positive day to shmooz. Check moon alert if spending money.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)

Ottawa to hit U.S. back with tariffs on steel, aluminum, smartphones and golf clubs

The federal government hit back at the latest escalation in the trade war with the United States on Tuesday, announcing plans to hike American steel and aluminum tariffs from 25 to 50 per cent.

Dolly Parton, music star, actor and beloved figure who spanned generations, dies at 80 of cancer

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Dolly Parton, the country music icon whose soaring vibrato vocals, poignant songwriting and sparkling costumes defined her rise from a log cabin in the Tennessee mountains to the height of stardom and acclaim, has died in Nashville. She was 80 years old.

“After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones,” her publicist, Marcel Pariseau, said in a statement Tuesday.

Known for her curvy physique, massive blond wigs and skin-tight outfits that served her self-deprecating wit, she was among the most beloved personalities in music and beyond — the rare celebrity whose appeal transcended generations, geography and politics.

She wrote hundreds of songs, including classics like “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors” and “I Will Always Love You,” that totaled more than 100 million worldwide sales and more than 1 billion online streams. Parton, who plucked bejeweled banjos, guitar and dulcimers with her long fingernails during performances, was a generous philanthropist and successful businesswoman whose projects included a theme park in the Smoky Mountain foothills near her birthplace.

Drake, Bieber add star power to Junos

TORONTO -- Just blocks from where throngs of tweens were lining up to see Justin Bieber visit MuchMusic headquarters on Tuesday, Canada's second-most famous pop-culture export, Drake, became the most nominated artist at the 40th annual Juno Awards.

Drake, a.k.a. former Degrassi star Aubrey Drake Graham, who is also hosting the show at Toronto's Air Canada Centre on March 27, led all artists with six nominations, including album of the year for Thank Me Later and rap recording of the year, where he'll face off against such artists as D-Sisive and Shad. The rapper was followed by Broken Social Scene, Johnny Reid, Arcade Fire, Hedley and Bieber, who were all nominated in four categories.

"Justin Bieber's only a kid, but it's cool that he's made so much happen," said Bobby Bazini, 20, who was nominated for two Junos, and will compete against Bieber for pop album of the year. "I love Arcade Fire and I'm glad they're nominated, but the person I most want to meet is Neil Young."

Young will be presented with the Allan Waters Humanitarian Award at the ceremony, and is also nominated for artist of the year and for adult alternative album of the year, where he will compete against artists such as Sarah Harmer, Luke Doucet and Daniel Lanois' Black Dub.