大象传媒

The mayor of the Canadian city Toronto, Rob Ford, has inspired much devotion among his fans - the so-called Ford Nation. But his tenure at city hall has also been highly controversial. Rob Ford hit the headlines repeatedly, such as when he admitted - after months of denials - to having smoked crack cocaine during what he called "one of his drunken stupors". Now he has been diagnosed with cancer, and has withdrawn from the race to be re-elected. Lee Carter looks back at his career, and at why he won so much support.

In Bulgaria, Lucy Irvine ignores prejudiced warnings and employs a young Roma Gypsy man. He shows aptitude and initiative, but when the time comes for him to be independent, no business venture succeeds beyond a few months. The spark of hope for a better life that long motivated the boy seems to go out. Until it is revived when he can invest his hopes in his newborn son.

(Photo: Toronto Mayor Rob Ford: Credit: REUTERS/Mark Blinch/Files)