The Mix

The award-winning Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof has been sentenced to eight years in prison and lashings just ahead of his planned trip to the Cannes film festival, his lawyer told The Associated Press Thursday.

TORONTO — Cineplex Inc. reported a profit in its latest quarter compared with a loss a year ago as its results were boosted by the sale of its arcade game business. The movie theatre company says it earned $5.

MONTREAL — Quebecor Inc. reported its first-quarter profit was up compared with a year ago, helped by strength in its telecommunications business. The company says its net income attributable to shareholders totalled $173.

VANCOUVER — Telus Corp. raised its quarterly dividend as it reported its first-quarter profit fell compared with a year ago. The telecommunications company says it will now make a quarterly payment to shareholders of 38.

TORONTO — Canadian Tire Corp. Ltd. reported its first-quarter profit rose compared with a year ago as its revenue fell about five per cent. The retailer says its net income attributable to shareholders totalled $76.8 million or $1.

MADRID (AP) — A Spanish investigative magistrate on Thursday provisionally shelved the latest probe into an alleged case of tax fraud by pop star Shakira following recommendations by prosecutors.

MALMO, Sweden (AP) — Scores of musicians, hundreds of journalists and thousands of music fans have gathered in the Swedish city of Malmo, where the Eurovision Song Contest is building towards Saturday's exuberant, glitter-drenched final.

LONDON (AP) — The Bank of England maintained its key U.K. interest rate at a 16-year high of 5.25% though it gave a broad hint that a reduction could be on the cards imminently as inflation falls towards its target.

Romantic comedies are in a destination wedding rut. Perhaps it’s a collective post-COVID wanderlust kicking in, or, more cynically, some combination of tax credits and a place producers want to spend time.

TORONTO — Kevin Durand has a simple explanation for why he always gets cast as the bad guy. “Just look at my face,” the actor says during an interview at a Toronto hotel. “People see me and they’re like, ‘Ahh!’” The Thunder Bay, Ont.