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PARIS (AP) — The French transport minister is expected to meet with cycling associations on Monday following the death of a cyclist in Paris after a dispute with a driver.

The 27-year-old cyclist, Paul Varry, was allegedly deliberately run over last Tuesday by an SUV driver, who now faces preliminary charges of murder. The incident has sparked protests across France, with demonstrators calling for safer roads for cyclists and an end to “motorized violence.”

Varry, a dedicated advocate for urban cycling, was known for his work improving cycling infrastructure in Saint-Ouen, a northern suburb of Paris. Hundreds gathered on Saturday to honor him, including cycling groups like Paris en Selle, which vowed to continue his fight for safer roads.

Transport Minister François Durovray, in a post on X, expressed his deep sympathy for Varry’s family and said that cyclists “have a place on the road,” vowing to address safety concerns. He called Monday’s meeting an opportunity to listen and act on behalf of France’s cycling community, which has been shaken by Varry’s death. The tragedy has reignited national debates on road safety and cyclist protection as France sees an increasing number of cyclists in its urban centers.

Alexis Fremeaux, co-president of the French Federation of Bicycle Users, said that “Paul’s death, killed by a motorist in Paris, has resonated deeply.

“It stirred such emotion because this kind of murder is exceptional. But the violence that cyclists face on the roads today — every cyclist has experienced it. Whether it’s threats, being put under pressure, being endangered, or even deliberate collisions — every cyclist has a story to tell.”

Cycling advocates hope that Varry’s death will spark action and lead to What they say are long-overdue reforms to improve road safety.

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ZURICH (AP) — Canadian national team captain Jessie Fleming, former U.S. national team captain Becky Sauerbrunn and Netherlands forward Vivianne Miedema are among more than 100 women’s soccer players who have signed an open letter protesting FIFA’s sponsorship deal with Saudi Arabian state oil giant Aramco.

The letter calls the deal, which includes sponsorship at the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil, “much worse than an own goal,” citing Saudi Arabia’s record on the rights of women and LGBTQ+ people and the impact of Aramco’s oil and gas production on climate change.

“As well as funding the Saudi regime, Aramco is one of the biggest polluters of the planet we all call home. In taking Aramco’s sponsorship, FIFA is choosing money over women’s safety and the safety of the planet — and that’s something we as players are standing against, together,” Fleming said in comments via campaign group Athletes Of The World.

Fellow Canadians Erin McLeod, Emma Regan, Samantha Chang and Nyla Peterkin also signed their names to the letter.

Sauerbrunn voiced concern for women who are imprisoned in Saudi Arabia.

“The safety of those women, the rights of women, LGBTQ+ rights and the health of the planet need to take a much bigger priority over FIFA making more money,” said Sauerbrunn.

The letter calls on FIFA to replace Aramco “with alternative sponsors whose values align with gender equality, human rights and the safe future of our planet,” and to give players a voice on the ethical implications of future sponsorship deals.

“This letter shows that as players this is what we don’t want to stand for and accept within women’s football. It’s simple: this sponsorship is contradicting FIFA’s own commitments to human rights and the planet,” Miedema said.

FIFA’s deal with Aramco was announced in April as part of ever-closer ties between Saudi Arabia and world soccer’s governing body. FIFA is expected to confirm Saudi Arabia as host of the 2034 men’s World Cup in December. It is the only candidate for the tournament.

“FIFA values its partnership with Aramco and its many others commercial and rights partners. FIFA is an inclusive organisation with many commercial partners also supporting other organizations in football and other sports,” world soccer’s governing body said in an emailed statement Monday, adding that commercial revenue is reinvested into developing women’s soccer.

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TORONTO – Sean Baker has learned the perks of Oscar buzz, but the filmmaker says that’s not what keeps him motivated.

When his newest film “Anora” picked up the prestigious Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year, its positive reception quickly became a groundswell of awards speculation.

Could the rags-to-riches story of a Brooklyn stripper land a best picture nomination? Might show stealer Mikey Madison earn a spot in the best actress category?

The director took the attention in stride last month during a conversation at the Toronto International Film Festival, where buzz for “Anora” gathered further momentum ahead of the unofficial start of awards season in the fall.

“It’s not important for me,” Baker insisted when asked about the potential trophies for his film, which opens in Toronto and Montreal on Friday before a wider release in November.

“My actors are incredible in this film, so I’d love to see them recognized.”

The Academy Awards are familiar territory for the filmmaker, who’s been pushing the boundaries of independent cinema since his breakout 2015 dramedy “Tangerine,” the story of two transgender sex workers shot on an iPhone.

His 2017 film “The Florida Project,” filmed at a vibrant purple motel in the shadow of Disney World, secured actor Willem Dafoe his third career Oscar nod playing the cranky manager of the rundown property.

“Anora” finds Baker refining his intricate balance of comedy and tragedy with a punchy performance by Madison at its centre.

The actress plays the title character, a street-smart dancer at a Manhattan strip joint whose chance encounter with a client sparks her interest. Ivan is as immature as his young age, but his charms ultimately win her over. He also happens to be the son of a Russian oligarch.

The two hit it off almost instantly and soon run off to Las Vegas to tie the knot. But when Ivan’s family learns their son has married a sex worker, the newlyweds find themselves in an increasingly fraught scenario.

Some of the most intense and comedic scenes play out with Madison as the propulsive energy, which is one reason critics say her raw and razor-sharp portrayal might captivate awards voters.

Baker tracked down the actress shortly after seeing her turn in the most recent addition to the “Scream” franchise. He called her agent and arranged a meeting over coffee to pitch her the part, which called for a certain level of vulnerability since it required extensive sex scenes and nudity.

“It was the easiest decision I ever made,” Madison said of taking the role. “I was even worried that … it wouldn’t work out, or that he would change his mind.”

Asked how she feels now that her part is considered awards worthy, the actress hesitates.

“I don’t think anyone should make a movie thinking, ‘I want to win an award,'” she said.

“You should be thinking about if you love the story and the character.”

For Baker’s part, he faced some considerable hurdles on set.

“Anora” unfolds in a rapid-fire mixture of English and Russian dialogue, which presented Baker with a challenge because he only speaks one of the languages.

“The original screenplay was written in English and those dialogue scenes had to be translated (into Russian). Once they were, we couldn’t deviate that much,” he said.

“However, I always encourage improvision,” he added. “And some of the scenes had to be immediately translated (back) for me, so I understood.”

Those intricacies may go unnoticed by many viewers, but they could prove to be a winning part of the formula for awards voters. The Golden Globe nominations are announced Dec. 9 while the Oscar contenders will be revealed on Jan. 17, 2025.

No matter the outcome, Baker said he intends to keep his aspirations firmly in the world of small, independent films alongside his wife and producing partner Samantha Quan.

“Getting too big, you start to get seduced by the Hollywood system. And we’re very independent. We want to make these films outside that system,” he said.

“The Palme d’Or will allow me to keep making films on this level. And that’s where I’d like to stay.”

“Anora” opens in Toronto and Montreal on Oct. 25, expands to Vancouver Nov. 1, and screens countrywide on Nov. 8.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 21, 2024.