The F-word is the best word for Conservative leadership hopefuls

Raptor fans rush Jurassic Park while the Taliban wield poetry to try and heal deep wounds. [The Star] First Up [By Allan Woods] By Allan Woods Good morning. We’re gluttons for Easter so there will be no apologies for loading up on holiday stories this morning. Here’s the latest. MUST READS The Canadian Press POLITICS [The ‘F-word’ leads this party leadership race]( Conservative Party candidates are banking on “freedom” to win themselves party leadership, Stephanie Levitz reports. Pierre Poilievre wants to make Canada the freest country in the world, while others talk up free speech and religious freedoms, too. In the end, [party members will be free to choose](. Toronto Star UKRAINE [The Ukrainian-Canadian translating life-saving documents for refugees]( Stacey Bolotin responded to the Russian invasion by employing her multilingual skill set to help Ukrainian refugees. She is one of about a hundred volunteers around the world translating emergency medical documents for the non-profit group Languages of Care. [The group is making resources available to suffering people in near real-time, reports Tracey Tong](. Staff photographer / Toronto Star BASKETBALL [Raptors fans return to Jurassic Park]( Win or lose, nothing will stop the city’s basketball fans from watching the Toronto Raptors on a giant screen at Jurassic Park. Olivia Bowden reports on the bid to [recreate the festive atmosphere that marked Toronto’s 2019 NBA Championship win](. Staff photographer / Toronto Star EASTER [Stunning Easter eggs offer Ukraine hope]( Artists are using pysanky, the intricate Ukrainian art form of decorating Easter eggs, to send messages of support as Russia bears down on its neighbour, reports Ghada Alsharif. Ancient legend says the decorative eggs ward off evil. The more pysanky created, the less likely evil is to prevail. [See the magnificent creations here](. Staff photographer / Toronto Star ARTS AND CULTURE [Transforming a historic mansion into a dynamic space for all]( When a queen bed suspends from the ceiling, what else do you call it but “The Magic Carpet Ride” room? The Darling Mansion is part AirBnB and part creative hub, featuring in music videos and fashion spreads. It’s also the former home and clinic of one of Toronto’s first female doctors. Erin LeBlanc [unpacks how the mansion became a cultural mainstay in Toronto](. UP CLOSE Harold Whyte / Toronto Star File Photo Chocolatiers bring out their best ingredients and most artistic flourishes to end the Christian holiday of Lent with a proper Easter weekend. Jessica Dee Humphreys catches up with Toronto chocolate makers to learn [how Easter chocolate became a thing](. RHYME THIS AFP via Getty Images Propaganda with a dash of auto-tune — but hold the music. In years past, the Taliban effectively used poetry to mobilize Afghan youths to join their ranks. Now, they’re using the same tactics to try and govern the country, shifting focus from war and blood to hope and compassion. Despite their best efforts, Zamir Saar reports [that some people aren’t convinced](. Thanks for reading. You can reach the First Up team at [firstup@thestar.ca](mailto:firstup@thestar.ca?source=newsletter&utm_source=ts_nl&utm_medium=emailutm_email=6C53B63A8E3FAD70AD4EF13004527437&utm_campaign=frst_118610), and Manuela will see you back here Monday. [The Star]( If you're not enjoying these emails, please tell us how we can make them better by emailing newsletterfeedback@thestar.ca. Or, if you'd prefer, you can unsubscribe from this newsletter by clicking the first link below. [Unsubscribe From This Newsletter]( [Sign Up for More Newsletters and Email Alerts]( [Become a Star Subscriber]( [View in Browser]( [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Twitter]( Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. One Yonge Street, 4th Floor, Toronto, ON M5E 1E6. 416-367-2000 [PRIVACY POLICY](