04/25/2024
NEWS HEADLINES
CANADIAN AND INTERNATIONAL NEWS
“Sharing news and stories that affect Canadians”
COVERING THESE TOPICS:
IN CANADA:
1. CANADIAN POLITICS
2. CANADIAN ECONOMY
3. CRIME AND SECURITY
4. HEALTH AND WELLNESS
5. SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
INTERNATIONAL NEWS:
1. INTERNATIONAL POLITICS
2. WARS AND PEACE
3. BUSINESS
4. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
5. ENVIRONMENT AND SPACE
DATE: April 25, 2024
ground. news
IN CANADA:
1. CANADIAN POLITICS
Honda to get up to $5B in govt help for EV battery, assembly plants
1. "Honda plans to establish an electric vehicle battery plant in Ontario, with a $15 billion investment, creating 1,000 jobs and involving up to $5 billion in public funds."
2. "The investment signifies Honda's anticipation of increased EV demand in North America."
3. "Joint ventures with companies like Asahi Kasei in Canada will cover EV component production from materials to finished vehicles.
Green deputy leader sentenced to jail for Fairy Creek old growth protests
1. Angela Davidson, who is also known as Rainbow Eyes, received a 60-day jail sentence for her involvement in the 2021 Fairy Creek protests. She was convicted of criminal contempt earlier this year.
2. Davidson, a member of the Da'naxda'xw First Nation and a deputy leader of the federal Green Party, must serve 75 hours of community service.
Ontario to do away with sick note requirement for short absences
1. Ontario will eliminate the need for sick notes for brief absences to lessen doctors' administrative load.
2. The Ford government in Ontario intends to switch sick notes with attestations for job-protected sick leave.
Manitoba lifts ban on homegrown cannabis, pauses some new retail licences
1. Manitoba is lifting its ban on homegrown recreational cannabis through a bill introduced by Justice Minister Matt Wiebe.
2. The government will develop regulations on homegrown cannabis to prevent access by minors before the ban is lifted.
3. Approval for new retail outlets selling cannabis in urban areas is paused, with the government reviewing the need for more of these stores.
2. CANADIAN ECONOMY
Telecom complaints jump 43% as Rogers accounts for one-quarter of grievances: report
1. Complaints about phone, internet, and television services in Canada surged 43% midway through the year, states the telecommunications watchdog.
2. The top issue of incorrect charges led to over 3,000 complaints about billing inaccuracies in monthly plans.
3. Rogers Communications Inc. And Bell Canada customers faced bill increase notifications, resulting in 1,077 complaints on regular price plan hikes and 913 complaints on contract modifications.
Statistics Canada reports February retail sales down 0.1% to $66.7 billion
1. Retail sales in Canada decreased by 0.1% to $66.7 billion in February, with lower sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors reported by Statistics Canada.
2. Sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors dropped by 2.2% in February, contributing to the overall decline in retail sales.
3. Core retail sales, excluding gasoline stations, fuel vendors, motor vehicle, and parts dealers, remained stable in February, according to Statistics Canada.
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
1. The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals’ proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors’ retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
2. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government presented a federal budget last week that proposes making two-thirds rather than one-half of capital gains - or profit made on the sale of assets - taxable. The rate would apply to capital gains above $250,000 for individuals, and all capital gains realized by corporations.
3. Jean-Pierre Laporte, CEO of Integris Pension Management Corp., argues that incorporated professionals like doctors can sell off investments and open a registered pension plan. Contributions to the plan would be tax deductible, which means the individual would not pay any tax on the capital gains they earn.
3. CRIME & SECURITY
Former Saskatchewan Mountie who shot lover in park to be sentenced for manslaughter
1. A former Saskatchewan Mountie who shot and killed his lover is to be sentenced today for manslaughter. Bernie Herman was convicted in January for the death of 26-year-old Braden Herman.
War of words heats up as Surrey's mayor calls 'hidden' document a 'bombshell'
1. The ongoing battle over policing in Surrey took another turn Wednesday, as Mayor Brenda Locke shared details of an independent report she said shows a municipal police force would cost $75 million a year more than the RCMP.
2. The report, by accounting firm Deloitte, was commissioned by the province and completed a year ago. Locke says she received the report as an exhibit forming part of an upcoming court case, adding it sets out several cost scenarios depending on different numbers of Surrey Police Service members versus RCMP.
3. The scenario with the $75 million difference is driven largely by higher Surrey police salaries than RCMP and is based on a comparison of 900 Surrey police officers and 734 Mounties.
Jury selection begins for Winnipeg trial of man accused of killing four women
1. Jury selection commences today for the trial of a Winnipeg man charged with murdering four women.
2. Partial remains of Rebecca Contois were discovered in a garbage bin and city landfill in spring 2022.
3. Police suspect the remains of Morgan Harris and Marcedes Myran are located in a privately owned landfill outside the city.
Legacy Christian Academy considering closing its doors at end of June in wake of abuse allegations
1. A controversial Christian school in Saskatoon may close its doors at the end of June in the wake of abuse allegations and ongoing criminal court cases, according to a letter obtained by CBC News.
4. HEALTH & WELLNESS
Fire bans announced in B.C. and Alberta as more than 170 wildfires burn
1. Fire bans are being imposed across much of British Columbia and Alberta due to an early wildfire season, with over 170 wildfires in both provinces.
2. The BC Wildfire Service announced a five-month open fire ban in the province's Interior from May 3 to Oct. 11.
3. The ban includes restrictions on Category 3 fires in the Kamloops fire center and a province-wide fire restriction in Alberta, except for the Calgary forest protection zone.
Canadian health-care professionals urged to share climate disaster mitigation information
1. After last summer's heat waves, deadly floods and record-breaking wildfires, some scientists are urging Canadian health professionals to help their patients better prepare for climate change-related extreme weather and natural disasters.
AI could boost Canada's lagging productivity: Microsoft Canada president
1. When the head of Microsoft Canada needed to write a letter of interest as part of an application to join a not-for-profit board, he decided to put the tech giant's software to the test.
2. Chris Barry commanded Copilot, the firm's generative artificial intelligence service, to craft a five-paragraph missive based on his LinkedIn profile that was so good he only had to remove one word before sending it.
3. Later, in an interview, Barry said he didn't think many other executives are using AI to the same degree, despite the hype that has built up around the technology over the last two years. But he urged workers of all ranks to get acquainted with it because the country's productivity is at stake.
Advanced mammography machine installed at Saskatoon’s breast health centre
1. A new innovative mammography camera is now in use at the Breast Health Centre in Saskatoon. The Saskatoon City Hospital Foundation and the SHA split the cost.
5. SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Bob Cole, the play-by-play voice of countless NHL games, dies at 90
1. Bob Cole, whose voice and lively language were the Saturday night soundtrack to hockey games over a broadcasting career that spanned more than half a century, has died.
NHL PLAYOFFS:
1. Kings beat the Oilers 5-4, the series is tied at 1-1
2. Golden Knights beat the Stars 3-1, The Knights lead the series at 2-0
3. Bruins beat the Maple Leafs 4-2, Bruins lead the series at 2-1
Drake ordered to delete diss track featuring AI-generated voice of Tupac Shakur
1. The Tupac Shakur estate issued a cease-and-desist to Drake, citing a violation of Tupac’s rights due to an AI-generated voice in a diss track.
2. Drake was warned to remove the Kendrick Lamar diss track with Tupac’s voice within 24 hours or face legal action, as stated in a letter by litigator Howard King.
3. The estate expressed disappointment over the unauthorized use of Tupac’s voice in the track.
‘Nessie’ sighting vaults Canadian couple into media spotlight after photo in Scotland
1. Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman weren’t expecting a “pivotal moment” in their sons’ lives when they visited Scotland’s Loch Ness earlier this month, but that’s exactly what happened.
2. The family spotted something sticking out of the water while visiting a lookout at nearby Urquhart Castle. Malm said the family took a photo of what they saw and decided “for a bit of a laugh” to send the picture to the Official Loch Ness Monster Sightings Register, which he stumbled upon while surfing the internet.
3. On the Official Loch Ness Monster Sightings Register, the encounter has been recorded as the first Nessie sighting of 2024.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS:
1. INTERNATIONAL POLITICS
Taiwan’s president-elect appoints new foreign, defense ministers as island faces continued threats
1. Lai Ching-te, Taiwan's president-elect, appointed Lin Chia-lung as foreign minister and Wellington Koo as Defense Ministry head. They will strengthen defense against China.
2. Lin Chia-lung, current Presidential Secretary General, will become Taiwan's foreign minister under Lai Ching-te's administration.
3. Wellington Koo, a lawyer, will lead Taiwan's Defense Ministry and enhance defense capabilities against China's military threats.
Ariel Henry resigns as prime minister of Haiti, paving the way for a new government to take power
1. Ariel Henry resigned Thursday as prime minister of Haiti, leaving the way clear for a new government to be formed in the Caribbean country, which has been wracked by gang violence.
Third man is detained in a major bribery case that involves Russia’s deputy defense minister
1. Moscow's court service disclosed a third man's detention in a bribery case connected to Russian Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov.
2. Alexander Fomin is suspected of bribing Ivanov and his associate Sergei Borodin.
3. Fomin and Borodin's actions reportedly led to Ivanov receiving a substantial bribe, a crime punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
New York appeals court overturns Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 r**e conviction from landmark trial
1. Harvey Weinstein's 2020 s*x crime charges were overturned by a New York appeals court, leading to a new trial due to errors that impacted the movement.
2. The court's 4-3 decision prompted a new trial for Weinstein.
3. Testimony from women not part of the original charges was deemed inadmissible, leading to the ruling for a retrial in the case.
2. WAR & PEACE
French President Emmanuel Macron warns ‘Europe could die’ as he calls for stronger defences
1. French President Emmanuel Macron will present Europe's assertive global power vision amid Ukraine's war and economic hurdles, preparing for EU Parliament elections in June.
2. Macron's speech at Sorbonne University will focus on defense, economy, environment protection, and democracy, addressing Russia's war in Ukraine.
3. Macron advocates for Europe's support of Ukraine against Russian aggression, suggesting potential Western troop deployment, and aims to boost his centrist Renaissance party for the upcoming European Parliament elections.
Ukraine is putting pressure on fighting-age men outside the country as it tries to replenish forces
1. Ukraine is seeking to reverse the drain of potential soldiers from the country, announcing that men of conscription age will no longer be able to renew their passports from outside the country.
2. Millions of Ukrainians have fled the country since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, mostly to neighbouring European countries. The European Union's statistics agency, Eurostat, says 4.3 million Ukrainians are living in EU countries, 860,000 of them men 18 years of age or older.
3. The defence minister of Poland, home to one of the biggest Ukrainian diasporas, said the country was ready to help “in ensuring that those who are subject to compulsory military service go to Ukraine,” though he did not specify how. Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said, “Ukrainian citizens have obligations towards the state.”
Leaders of 17 countries, including U.S., call on Hamas to release hostages
1. Various countries are urging for the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza for over 200 days.
2. Leaders believe releasing hostages could lead to an immediate and prolonged cease-fire, aiding humanitarian aid in Gaza.
3. Efforts are being made for Gazans to return home with shelter and aid, as Hamas has rejected prior proposed deals.
3. ECONOMY & BUSINESS
Barclays swings back to profit in first quarter amid strategic overhaul
1. Barclays reported a 12% decline in first-quarter profit due to UK mortgage pricing pressures, lower trading income, and reduced M&A fees.
2. The bank plans to cut an additional £2 billion in costs in the future.
3. Barclays returned to profit in the first quarter with £1.55 billion net income, exceeding expectations amidst a strategic overhaul.
Microsoft and Amazon face scrutiny from UK competition watchdog over recent AI deals
1. British antitrust regulators are seeking views on partnerships between Microsoft and Amazon with smaller generative AI model makers.
2. The U.K.'s Competition and Markets Authority is opening comments from interested third parties to review major AI partnerships between Microsoft and Mistral, and Amazon and Anthropic, as well as Microsoft's hiring practices.
3. The CMA, aiming to assess if the collaborations constitute mergers, is requesting input from interested parties by May 9.
Meta loses $200 billion in value as Zuckerberg focuses earnings call on all the ways company bleeds cash
1. Meta projected lower second-quarter revenue expectations, leading to a drop in shares by about 10% in extended trade.
2. Zuckerberg assured investors of potential rewards if they stay invested despite the stock plunge.
3. Meta plans to increase capital expenditures to $35-40 billion for 2024 to support AI investments for future profitability.
Southwest will limit hiring and drop 4 airports after loss. American Airlines posts 1Q loss as well
1. Southwest Airlines plans to cut hiring and terminate flights to four airports due to financial losses, including a $231 million loss.
2. The airline anticipates ending the year with 2,000 fewer employees than at the beginning.
3. Southwest will cease operations to Cozumel, Syracuse, Bellingham, and George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston.
4. SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
No charges for Catholic high school students who made and shared deep-fake n**es of classmates
1. Teen boys who used artificial intelligence software to create n**e photos out of social media pictures posted by girls at a Catholic high school won't face any criminal charges, CBC News has learned.
Principal’s racist rant was actually fake AI recording by disgruntled employee, cops say
1. A Maryland high school principal didn’t go on a racist rant about “ungrateful Black kids” and Jewish individuals as suggested by a voice recording that surfaced online in January, according to police.
2. Pikesville High School Principal Eric Eiswert denied making the “disparaging comments” heard in the recording, and suspected his “technologically savvy” athletic director was somehow behind it, police wrote in charging documents.
3. The now-former athletic director, Dazhon Darien, 31, was arrested April 25 for disrupting school activities, The Baltimore Banner reported.
Dozens of whales die after 160 stranded in Western Australia
1. Wildlife authorities reported up to 160 long-finned pilot whales stranded on the western Australian coast, with at least 26 dying before a rescue attempt could start.
2. A team involving various professionals responded to the scene at Toby's Inlet near Dunsborough for the beached whales, as stated by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
3. Typically, euthanizing the stranded whales is the most humane course of action based on previous strandings, including the 2023 Cheynes Beach incident, according to the department. Officials advised against individual rescue attempts.
Medical miracle: Denver child’s heart beats again after 14 hours
1. Cartier McDaniel, age 4, experienced a miraculous event where his heart stopped for 14 hours, then restarted suddenly.
2. Emergency room nurses quickly responded to Cartier's cardiac arrest, leading to the unprecedented outcome of his heart restarting.
3. After a 14-hour ordeal, doctors witnessed Cartier's heart miraculously starting to pump again, a unique occurrence in medical history.
5. ENVIRONMENT & SPACE
Shetland's SaxaVord Spaceport given crucial safety licence
1. The Civil Aviation Authority has granted SaxaVord Spaceport on Unst permission to control the "downrange" zone during launches.
2. The CAA's approval ensures the spaceport can maintain safety for maritime and aviation traffic during rocket launches on the Shetland Islands.
3. Transport Secretary Mark Harper views this development as a crucial advancement for SaxaVord's upcoming commercial vertical space launch in the UK.
Survey finds that 60 firms are responsible for half of world’s plastic pollution
1. Coca-Cola Company was accountable for 11% of branded waste, with PepsiCo following at 5%, Nestlé at 3%, Danone at 3%, and Altria/Philip Morris International at 2%.
2. Coca-Cola aims to have 100% of its packaging recyclable by 2025 and to include 50% recycled material by 2030.
3. The company plans to collect and recycle a bottle or can for each sold by 2030.
Japan's moon lander wasn't built to survive a weeklong lunar night. It's still going after 3
1. Japan’s first moon lander has survived a third freezing lunar night, Japan’s space agency said Wednesday after receiving an image from the device three months after it landed on the moon.
2. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency said the lunar probe responded to a signal from the earth Tuesday night, confirming it has survived another week long lunar night. Temperatures can fall to minus 170 degrees Celsius (minus 274 degrees Fahrenheit) during a lunar night, and rise to around 100 Celsius (212 Fahrenheit) during a lunar day.
3. The probe, Smart Lander for Investing Moon, or SLIM, reached the lunar surface on Jan. 20, making Japan the fifth country to successfully place a probe on the moon. SLIM on Jan. 20 landed the wrong way up with its solar panels initially unable to see the sun, and had to be turned off within hours, but powered on when the sun rose eight days later.
Deep-sea creature — with ‘rectangular’ shape — discovered as a new species.
1. In the depths of the South China Sea, the new species lives in a chemical-rich environment, researchers say.
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