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Banff International String Quartet Competition names 2025 finalists

The mountains are alive with music this week as the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity hosts the 2025 Banff International String Quartet Competition (BISQC) in Banff, Alberta. After a thrilling week of performances by nine exceptional ensembles from around the globe, the competition has narrowed down to three standout quartets.

🎻 The 2025 finalists are:

Alison Balsom to retire after final performance at Last Night of the Proms

Trumpeter Alison Balsom has announced that she will retire from the stage following a farewell performance at the Last Night of the Proms on September 13, 2025.

The contest to supply Canada with its next fleet of submarines heated up this week, as Ottawa narrowed down the competition to just two suppliers: a Korean company and a German one.

Here's a look at where the massive procurement project currently stands.

1. Why does Canada need to buy new submarines?

Canada is racing to replace its deteriorating fleet of Victoria-class submarines. The fleet, bought second-hand from the U.K. in 1998, is rapidly aging and are expensive to repair and replace parts.

The federal government needs to amend the Criminal Code so the use of force, including lethal force, is considered reasonable to defend your home and family if someone breaks into it, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said Friday.

Poilievre called a news conference in Brampton, Ont., amid an outcry over assault charges that were laid against an Ontario man who encountered another man who allegedly broke into his apartment while carrying a crossbow. 

A musical feast: a three-course meal on air this Saturday morning

This Saturday at 9 a.m., we’re setting the table for something delicious on air: a musical three-course meal complete with hors d’oeuvres, wine, main course, coffee, and dessert. It’s our way of celebrating the return of A Taste of Manitoba, the food and drink festival happening all long weekend at Fort Gibraltar in St. Boniface.

Researchers are urging Canada, United States and Mexico to take immediate action to save the monarch butterfly as the migratory insect faces a growing risk of extinction amid habitat loss. 

The iconic butterfly's population has decreased by around 80 per cent in the past two decades, says the paper published in the journal Current Biology, with the loss of breeding habitat cited as the main reason behind the sharp decline.

The Assembly of First Nations' annual general meeting next week in Winnipeg will set the stage — and the tone — for engaging with governments on major infrastructure projects.

National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak says politicians will be paying close attention to the resolutions chiefs pass related to the federal major projects legislation. The bill, which passed in June, has seen strong opposition from some First Nations leaders and community members who fear it won't respect their rights.

Heading back into the routine of music lessons is a little bit more daunting for those teaching music outside of Manitoba’s largest urban centres. Concerns around mileage, scheduling and venues are just some of the challenges these music educators face on top of the typical recital organization and examination preparation. 

While back-to-school is an exciting time for students and families, it’s also a season associated with nerves and new experiences. This is also the case for teachers heading into the classroom environment for the very first time.  

Manitoba's auditor general is suggesting the province should have more oversight over the operations of municipalities following an investigation into allegations of financial mismanagement, improper governance practices and lack of accountability measures. 

Over the course of a year, Tyson Shtykalo investigated claims against six municipalities, with some of the allegations dating back as far as five years.