Extremely Unique Dynamic, a film by Harrison Xu, Ivan Leung, and Katherine Dudas, will open the Vancouver Asian Film Festival. The movie explores the friendship between two young filmmakers, Ryan and Daniel, portrayed by Xu and Leung, respectively. It delves into themes of Asian representation, friendship, and authenticity, highlighting the challenges and evolution of Asian roles in Hollywood. The film is a meta-cinematic piece reflecting the creators' real-life experiences and aims to showcase diverse Asian characters. Xu and Leung's collaboration stems from their shared experiences in the film industry, emphasizing the need for more nuanced Asian representation.

The Blackout Art Society is set to stage an adapted version of Bijan Mofid's allegorical satire, 'The City of Tales,' in Farsi at the Kay Meek Arts Centre in West Vancouver. Directed by Amir N. Hosseini, the play explores Iranian societal themes through allegorical characters. The production is part of the STAND Festival, which highlights underrepresented artists and includes various performances and workshops. The festival aims to champion diversity and artistic expression, featuring works that address themes of women's liberation, immigrant experiences, and power dynamics.

Vancouver singer-songwriter Daniel Lew has expanded his musical repertoire by performing in Cantonese and Mandarin, thanks to the Jade Music Fest. This festival, which promotes Chinese-language music in Vancouver, has enabled Lew to connect with new audiences and perform multilingual gigs in Canada and Asia. Lew, a third-generation Canadian, has embraced his cultural heritage by learning and performing songs in Chinese languages, with support from his girlfriend Caroline Ding and other collaborators. His participation in the festival has led to performances at notable venues and the release of his album 'Destiny'. Lew's journey highlights the importance of cultural reconnection and artistic growth.

The Worshipful Company of Builders’ Merchants (WCoBM) offers grants up to £2,000 to support training and skills development in the building materials industry. These grants are available to individuals entering the sector, current workers, school leavers, graduates, students, and apprentices. The initiative aims to address the skills shortage in construction by encouraging career development and professional growth. WCoBM emphasizes the sector's potential for job opportunities and skill advancement, highlighting its commitment to fostering an environment conducive to learning and career fulfillment.

The Tŝilhqot’in National Government and the Museum of Vancouver have collaborated to repatriate Indigenous artifacts, including coiled root baskets and other ancestral belongings, back to the Tŝilhqot’in people. This initiative is part of a broader effort to engage respectfully with Indigenous communities and recognize their cultural heritage. The partnership will also lead to a collaborative exhibition at the Museum of Vancouver, showcasing the repatriation process and its significance.

The North Shore Writers Festival, taking place at the North Vancouver City Library, will feature a lineup of local authors and poets, including Kung Jaadee, Kevin Chong, Charlie Demers, Sarah Suk, and Sabina Khan. The two-day event includes a traditional welcome, literary trivia, memoir-writing discussions, poetry and cooking panels, and conversations on young-adult fiction and storytelling related to trauma and tenderness. Registration for the festival is free, with events scheduled for April 12 and 13.

Thames Water's sewage discharges in 2023 increased by 109% compared to the previous year, with 16,990 incidents reported. The Environment Agency's data revealed that these spills lasted for an average of 12 hours, with some, like the ongoing incident at Chesham Sewage Treatment Works, lasting nearly 700 hours. Thames Water acknowledged the issue and is committed to reducing untreated discharges, attributing the increase to above-average rainfall. Upgrades at various sites are planned to improve treatment capacity and reduce overflows. The River Chess Association criticized the lack of investment in addressing high groundwater issues. The Environment Agency noted the disappointing increase in spills but recognized the record investment from the water sector.

Portugal has produced some of the greatest footballers, with Cristiano Ronaldo leading as the top international goalscorer with 128 goals in 206 appearances. Other notable players include Pauleta, Eusebio, Luis Figo, and Nuno Gomes. The article details the careers and achievements of these players, highlighting their contributions to the Portugal National Football Team and their respective clubs.

Celtic is reportedly in the market for a new goalkeeper, with potential signings worth around £6m-£7m. Journalist Mark Guidi suggests that the club is prepared to spend significantly to replace retiring goalkeeper Joe Hart. Potential targets include Liverpool's Caoimhin Kelleher and Trabzonspor's Ugurcan Cakir. This indicates a shift in Celtic's transfer strategy, showing readiness to invest more heavily in new players.

Damon Bradley Jang, a Chinese Canadian theatre artist, has been inspired by his experiences at the Stratford Festival to honor Asian Canadian stories through Fabulist Theatre's production of Dim Sum Diaries: Second Helping. The play, a series of one-acts written by various playwrights, explores Chinese Canadian perspectives and addresses the impact of recent Hong Kong immigration on Vancouver. The world premiere workshop is set to take place at the Nest in Vancouver. The production team includes Mary Littlejohn, Andy Sandberg, and Amanda Wing Chi Lam, with the latter also serving as a cultural consultant. The original play by Mark Leiren-Young, commissioned over 30 years ago, faced controversy for its portrayal of Chinese Canadian experiences. The revival aims to reflect on changes in societal attitudes, especially in the context of anti-Asian hate and discussions about empty homes in Canada.