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Nuclear threat from Ukraine war prompts Ottawa to update plans for catastrophe

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:10 GMT

OTTAWA — Canada is dusting off and updating emergency protocols to deal with fallout from a possible tactical nuclear exchange in Europe or the spread of radiation across the ocean from a Ukrainian power plant explosion.Internal Public Safety Canada notes show the measures include updating a highly secret plan to ensure the federal government can continue to function in a severe crisis. Ottawa was also taking steps to finalize a protocol for advising the Canadian public of an incoming ballistic missile, say the notes obtained by The Canadian Press under the Access to Information Act. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February last year prompted a series of federal discussions and initiatives aimed at bolstering Canada’s preparedness for a catastrophic nuclear event. Public Safety notes prepared in advance of an August 2022 meeting of senior bureaucrats involved in emergency management show much of the concern focused on Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant, whi...

More military expected to deploy to help B.C. wildfire fight, minister says

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:10 GMT

VANCOUVER — More soldiers are expected to be deployed today to help firefighters battle the nearly 400 active wildfires in British Columbia. Emergency Management Minister Bowinn Ma says 75 military members are heading to Burns Lake, in central B.C., to join 75 others who were sent to nearby Vanderhoof yesterdayas part of federal assistance in the province’s wildfire fight.Ma says forecasters are expecting an increase in fire activity, as shifting winds lead to clearer skies, higher temperatures, and lower humidity.The province has already set a record for the total area burned in a year with about 14,000 square kilometres scorched across B.C.BC Wildfire Service officials say the season has not yet hit its peak and they are warning that the drought that has helped fuel the flames this season could roll into next year, potentially causing the 2024 fire season to start early.A provincial drought bulletin shows 18 of the province’s 34 water basins are at drought Level 4, mea...

RCMP or Surrey Police Service? The B.C. government to reveal its decision today

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:10 GMT

VICTORIA — The British Columbia government is set to reveal its decision today on which force will police the City of Surrey, potentially ending a political tug of war over whether it will be the RCMP or an independent department.Solicitor General Mike Farnworth, who is also the province’s public safety minister, says whether he decides to allow Surrey to revert to the RCMP or continue its transition to the municipal Surrey Police Service, he’s confident officers with either force will continue to do excellent work.Uncertainty around policing in Surrey has swirled since October, after the election of Mayor Brenda Locke who campaigned on a promise to stop the city’s transition to the municipal force and go back to the RCMP.A government report recommended last spring against moving back to the Mounties, citing concerns over public safety and the high number of job vacancies within the RCMP, but Surrey council rejected the report and pledged to go back to the RCMP.The...

B.C. ports shut down again as union rejects tentative deal, resumes strike action

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:10 GMT

VANCOUVER — British Columbia’s ports are facing an uncertain future after the longshore workers union rejected a tentative mediated deal and resumed strike action that had been put to a temporary halt only last week.The International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada says in Tuesday’s decision to go back to picket lines that “employers have not addressed the cost of living issues” faced by workers in the last few years.The union representing about 7,400 workers who were previously on strike from July 1 to 13 says its priority has always been to protect its jurisdiction, and that position “has not changed.”University of British Columbia professor emeritus Mark Thompson says the situation is now in “uncharted territory” because the strike is unusually long for Vancouver. Thompson says the federal government has been very reluctant to enact back-to-work legislation in labour disputes, but strikes disrupting the Port of Vancouver — Cana...

Ransomware attackers getting more sophisticated: Canadian Centre for Cyber Security

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:10 GMT

TORONTO — The head of the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security says ransomware attacks are getting more common and sophisticated, but there’s a lot the country could do to better defend itself.“The threat is real, the threat is growing and we can’t talk enough about it,” said Sami Khoury, whose organization is aimed at providing the federal government with information technology security and foreign signals intelligence.While ransomware attackers used to break into systems and take control, Khoury has now noticed many have changed their methods.Instead of weaseling their way into systems and requesting cash just to give back control, Khoury’s found many attackers are now focused on stealing data and other sensitive information they can threaten to release or sell.“They recognize that over time companies have become a little bit more sophisticated about having backups, so even if they lock the information technology, they can recover it from a backup...

Daily horoscope for July 19, 2023

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:10 GMT

Moon Alert: There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The Moon is in Leo.Happy Birthday for Wednesday, July 19, 2023:It’s important to nurture positive thinking. When young, you strive to become a better person; however, you set impossibly high standards for yourself. Fortunately, you learn quickly and are flexible to change. This is a year of service. Take care of yourself so you can help others.ARIES(March 21-April 19)★★★Parents should be extra vigilant today, because this is an accident-prone day for their kids. Keep your eyes open. Meanwhile, social plans might suddenly change or be canceled. Sports accidents are possible. On the upside, you might receive a surprise invitation! Tonight: Work.TAURUS(April 20-May 20)★★Your home routine will change today. Perhaps a small appliance will break down or a minor breakage will occur. Someone unexpected might knock at your door. I suggest you get dressed. Try to get organized so you can deal with the unexpe...

Pesticides: Public hearing with pesticide firms on toxicity studies 

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:10 GMT

Environment committee MEPs held a public hearing on Tuesday (18 July) to query the disclosures by pesticide firms of the results of toxicity studies.A recent study has found that pesticide companies withheld toxicological studies from EU regulatory authorities for some pesticides, despite clear legal requirements to submit all relevant information to the European regulators when applying for the approval or renewal of authorisations. Parliament’s Committees on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety is hosting a public hearing with the authors of the study, industry representatives, and officials from other EU institutions about the potential shortcomings in the EU’s authorisation procedure. MEPs are expected to explore ideas on how to improve this process.The hearing is organized in association with the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development.On the same day, before the public hearing, MEPs will also debate related issues with the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Th...

Miss Manners: Do we have to ask our neighbors before we use their trash can?

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:10 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My wife and I are retired, and we live in an area where residents put out their recycling and trash bins at the curb one day each week.Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: My husband can pull off this excuse, but it sounds shady coming from me Advice | Miss Manners: I failed the bride by not ejecting this guest on sight Advice | Miss Manners: What can I do when other people’s stuff is where I want to sit? Advice | Miss Manners: Was I wrong not to let this man have the parking space? Advice | Miss Manners: Their insinuating comments are getting on my nerves Sometimes we can’t get all of our recyclables or trash into our bins. Is it OK to put some of ours into the bins of our neighbors without asking them? Often, no one is home to ask, since they’ve already left for the day. It seems like it wouldn’t cause them any harm.GENTLE READER: No, you have to ask. The ha...

San Jose: Infant killed, two other pedestrians injured in collision

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:10 GMT

SAN JOSE – A driver hit and killed an infant and injured two other pedestrians late Tuesday in San Jose, police said.The collision was reported around 11:40 p.m. at the intersection of King Road and Ocala Avenue, according to the San Jose Police Department.The infant was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. A woman and a second child were taken to an area hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening.Police said the driver remained at the scene.The intersection was expected remain closed for several hours for an investigation.Additional details about the collision were not immediately available early Wednesday.The infant’s death marked the 27th traffic fatality of the year on city streets. At this time last year, San Jose police had investigated 39 traffic fatalities.Anyone with information related to the case can contact Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers at 408-947-7867 or svcrimestoppers.org.Units are at the intersection of King Rd and Ocala Av for a collision...

Dear Abby: My neighbor found out my income and is spreading lies about me

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:10 GMT

DEAR ABBY: A casual friend and neighbor started doing the books at the company where I work. This means she knows my income, which she didn’t before.Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: What if I don’t want to say grace? Advice | Dear Abby: Even the dogs have more say over my own life than I do Advice | Dear Abby: I can’t see them the same way after how they treated my dad Advice | Dear Abby: The bride’s father is throwing a fit about the wedding Advice | Dear Abby: She makes Christmas a nightmare with her bizarre demands We live in a small town and are on several committees together outside of work, including a board for a local charity and the PTO for our kids’ school.Now that she knows how much I make, she’s on my case to be “more generous in my donations” to these groups and is spreading misinformation about my financial situation. For example, when the ...