World Headlines: Firefighters by day, Sons of Anarchy by night

First Up

By Ashley Okwuosa

Good morning. ICYMI, the Canadian national men’s soccer team has reached a stalemate over a contract dispute while preparing for its first World Cup since 1986. Here’s the latest in non-soccer news.

MUST READS

Andrew Francis Wallace/Toronto Star

HOUSING

How years of neglect forced hundreds of residents to evacuate

A ceiling collapse proved to be the final straw for Swansea Mews residents. While Toronto Community Housing says the root cause for the collapse dates back to the building’s construction in the late 1970s, more than half a dozen tenants spoke to Victoria Gibson about the years of neglect that allowed their beloved community to fall into disrepair.

Twitter//@Brigade688

WAR IN UKRAINE

Why Ukrainian soldiers scrounge for bullets despite Western backing

Front-line soldiers are heading into battle without protective gear, bullets or extra magazines for their rifles, reports Allan Woods. While the U.S. and Canada have donated extensive weaponry to Ukraine, the logistics of transporting equipment and labour shortages are taxing the front lines.

Panayioti Yannitsos/Courtesy Florian's Knights

OPEN ROADS

How Toronto firefighters relieve stress with motorcycles

Jack Cooper is of Toronto’s longest-serving firefighters. He says he takes to the open road to deal with the stress of the job, and he’s not the only one. Bruce DeMara explains why firefighters are turning to motorcycles to handle their stress and how the activity is backed by science.

Twitter/@SamanSSiddiqui

LONDON ATTACK

Remembering the Afzaal family one year later

Last year, a brutal, hate-motivated attack killed four members and three generations of the Afzaal family in London, Ontario. As residents and visitors mark the anniversary with a march, a vigil and a memorial, friends, neighbours and Londoners speak to Jim Rankin about the Azfaal family’s legacy.

Jessica Blaine Smith Photography

BUSINESS

Why a new business model for pet care has mouths watering

Vetster is a pet telehealth platform that connects owners with vets online. Since its founding in November 2020, the company has secured $40 million U.S. worth of investment and announced a partnership with an online pharmacy for pets. Vetster's Chief Operating Officer, Cerys Goodall, talked to Brennan Doherty about the growth and importance of pet telehealth post-pandemic.

UP CLOSE

FatCycled

Even when they were told there was no market for plus-size clothing, Madi Schultz and Kait Zator forged ahead. The friends tell Briony Smith about FatCycled, a second-hand shop that promotes sustainable plus-size fashion for plus-size fashionistas.

VISIT THIS

R.J. Johnston/Toronto Star

For 30 years, Moonbean Coffee Company has served fresh coffee that’s best enjoyed on the patio, come rain or shine. David Silverberg explores what makes the Kensington coffee shop a neighbourhood staple, having served coffee to new customers and old, sometimes to the same families across generations.

Thanks for reading. You can reach the First Up team at firstup@thestar.ca, and Manuela will see you back here Monday.

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