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Environment Canada opens Fisheries Act investigation into Kearl tailings releases

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:24 GMT

EDMONTON — Environment Canada is opening an investigation into whether Imperial Oil broke federal laws with two releases of tailings from its Kearl oilsands mine in northern Alberta.The federal agency’s enforcement branch says it is looking into whether the releases broke the Fisheries Act, which forbids putting hazardous materials into waters inhabited by fish. In May 2022, Imperial workers discovered what they at first called discoloured water seeping from one of the mine’s tailings ponds. The substance was later found to be groundwater mixed with mine tailings.Another release in February sent 5.3 million litres of contaminated surface water overflowing from a containment pond. Environment Canada has confirmed the presence of hydrocarbons and naphthenic acids in a small fish-bearing lake located almost entirely within Imperial’s leaseFederal inspectors have already said they believe the tailings-contaminated groundwater and surface water to be hazardous to wildl...

As cities recover from flooding, Quebec premier warns not enough money to go around

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:24 GMT

MONTREAL — Quebec Premier François Legault says the province doesn’t have enough money to satisfy all the demands from cities for climate change-related projects.Legault made the comments today as cities and towns across the province clean up after severe flooding washed out roads and cut off communities from basic services.Quebec municipalities are asking for $2 billion in new money over five years to deal with climate adaptation, noting that each dollar invested now will save taxpayers in the long term.But Legault told an annual meeting of municipal leaders that his government has already committed $1.4 billion for climate change adaptation.He says Environment Minister Benoit Charette will soon announce $500 million in new money to help cities adapt to the changing climate.About 100 municipalities have been affected by recent bouts of heavy rain, with about 1,000 homes flooded and 3,000 cut off by water.This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 4, 2023.The Ca...

Harris meets with CEOs about artificial intelligence risks

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:24 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris met on Thursday with the heads of Google, Microsoft and two other companies developing artificial intelligence as the Biden administration rolls out initiatives meant to ensure the rapidly evolving technology improves lives without putting people’s rights and safety at risk.The Democratic administration announced an investment of $140 million to establish seven new AI research institutes.In addition, the White House Office of Management and Budget is expected to issue guidance in the next few months on how federal agencies can use AI tools. There is also an independent commitment by top AI developers to participate in a public evaluation of their systems in August at the Las Vegas hacker convention DEF CON.The Thursday meeting was designed for Harris and administration officials to discuss the risks they see in current AI development with the CEOs of Google, Microsoft and two influential startups they support: Microsoft-backed Ope...

Shopify to reduce workforce by 20% as it narrows focus to core e-commerce business

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:24 GMT

TORONTO — Shopify Inc. says it will reduce its head count by about 20 per cent and sell its logistics business as it aims to reduce distracting “side quests” in the latest big change by the Canadian tech company.The changes come despite Shopify president Harley Finkelstein saying in February that there were no more cuts in the works.Finkelstein told The Canadian Press on Thursday that the company has no further plans to cut more workers.“We think on the other side of this, we’re going to be in really, really good shape,” he said.The Ottawa-based e-commerce giant is selling its logistics business to Flexport, a supply chain management company. It announced the moves as a way to help it focus on its main goal: making commerce easier.Achieving that feat means reducing “side quests” which chief executive Tobi Lutke described as “always distracting because the company has to split focus.” “Technological progress always arcs towa...

First ever beer made with tulips in the US debuts

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:24 GMT

PELLA, Iowa -- Gezellig Brewing Company is releasing the first-ever tulip beer for Pella's Tulip Time this year. Betsy Duffy, the Co-Owner of Gezellig Brewing Company, said that she has wanted to make a beer out of tulips for a while. "I had been thinking about adding tulips to a beer for a while I did a little googling and over spring break I sat down with Joe our brewer where I said 'Hey is this a crazy idea to add tulips to a beer?'" Duffy said. Joe Kesteloot, Gezellig Brewing Company's head brewer, said that creating the beer was a challenge that required experimenting. How to save a life: The importance of swimming lessons "We actually purchased a bouquet of tulips of different colors just to try each one because we read that each color of tulip gives a different characteristic flavor-wise," Kesteloot said. Kesteloot was able to make Tulip Bier by adding the petals to the beer. "We plucked all the tulips off 170 tulips and we put the petals directly into the beer so it added ...

Cubs are calling up prospect Matt Mervis, report says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:24 GMT

CHICAGO — One of the best prospects in the Cubs' organization will be making his debut for the club this weekend at Wrigley Field.Per a report from Jeff Passan of ESPN, the team will be calling up first baseman Matt Mervis at the conclusion of their series against the Nationals on Thursday afternoon. This comes as the prospect is enjoying a strong start to his season with the Triple-A Iowa Cubs.The club has yet to confirm the move. So far in 2023, Mervis has a slash line of .286/.402/.560 with seven doubles, six homers, and 27 RBI in 24 games in Triple-A.Signed as an undrafted free agent out of Duke in 2020, Mervis has quickly made his way through the Cubs system, starting 2021 with Class A Myrtle Beach and then finishing that year with three games in Iowa. Mervis then showed his power at three levels in the minors during the 2022 season, starting at High-A South Bend for 27 games, Double-A Tennessee for 53 contests before playing 57 games in Triple-A.On all three levels, Mervis fin...

AirTags are everywhere: What to know and advice on buying

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:24 GMT

BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. Details.These tiny trackers let you know exactly where your things areIN THIS ARTICLE:Apple AirTagTile MateSamsung Galaxy SmartTagApple and Android owners have similar functions on their mobile phones that let them track a device when it goes missing or stolen. Apple’s Find My feature and Google’s Find My Device app are both great for locating tablets and other phones, but what about your keys, luggage or pet? That’s where object trackers come in. The New York Police Department has even urged vehicle owners to fit these on their cars to aid in vehicle recovery should they get stolen. New York City Mayor Eric Adams went a step further, announcing that 500 New Yorkers will receive a free Apple AirTag, one of the more popular trackers.How they workColloquially known as air tags, the small square or disc-shaped gadgets are used to keep tabs on anything you don’t want to lose. They use Bluetooth to ...

AAC seeking help, fosters after 20-dog intake reinforces capacity issue

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:24 GMT

Editor’s Note: The video above shows KXAN News Today’s top headlines for May 4, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Animal Center is requesting the public's help after 20 large dogs were relocated to the shelter following a seizure from another location.AAC is requesting foster volunteers to help care for medium and large dogs for at least a month to help relieve space concerns at the shelter. Outside of fostering, adoption fees are currently $25 for all AAC animals as part of the "Empty the Shelters" national adoption event.Adoption fees for any dogs staying in a crate will be waived, AAC officials said in a release.“This sudden influx highlights the crisis we’ve been facing regarding space,” Chief Animal Services Officer Don Bland said in the release. “This morning [Wednesday] we started our day with 344 medium/large dogs, and our capacity is 272. We have 33 dogs living in crates and dozens more in non-public kennels that are traditionally saved for situations like this. We have nowh...

3M selling ‘breathtaking’ 680-acre resort near Park Rapids valued at $15 million, report says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:24 GMT

A remote getaway and conference center near Park Rapids owned by one of Minnesota’s legacy corporations will soon be on the market. The 680-acre Wonewok resort complex will be sold as Twin Cities-based 3M continues to make cuts, according to a report in the Business Journal.The company’s CEO, Mike Roman, told analysts during an earnings call in April that 3M is “reducing rooftops worldwide, including exiting our conference center in Northern Minnesota,” the Journal reported.“Heartbreaking news has come to Northern Minnesota today as legendary Minnesota company 3M announces the closing of Wonewok Conference Center near Park Rapids, Minnesota,” Bemidji Woolen Mills owner Bill Batchelder wrote on Facebook. “This is truly a sad day in the 121 years history of 3M.”3M is a multinational conglomerate in industry, worker safety, healthcare and consumer goods. The company was founded as Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing in 1902. As of 2021, it...

Best Buddies holding 2023 Friendship Ball

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:24 GMT

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Best Buddies Albany is hosting their 2023 Friendship Ball. The event will take place on Friday, May 5. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Best Buddies participants from college, high school, middle school, and elementary school clubs from across the Capital Region will gather for the soirée. The evening will be dedicated to the Best Buddies' mission, which is to celebrate friendship, inclusion, and acceptance. Hundreds of volleyballers to face off at the Great Saratoga Block Party The event will run from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and will take place at Saratoga Springs High School, located at 1 Blue Streak Blvd Saratoga Spring NY. For more information on the organization, please visit Best Buddies.