Stories referenced at 9:00 a.m. Atlantic Time
NOVA SCOTIA
Union calls for better training and equipment for guards
(CBC) Union officials are calling for guards to be better equipped and trained, after the escape of a prisoner last week in Halifax. The president of Local 480 of the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union says guards don't always have the right equipment and don't carry any arms during public transfers. He says the escape isn't a big surprise because prisons are overcrowded and he predicted "a breakdown in service." CBC
(CHRONICLE HERALD) Musician Feist, a nine-time Juno Award-winner, is scheduled to play in Halifax at the Metro Centre on Nov. 7. The tour is in support of her award-winning album The Reminder. This past year Feist appeared in publications such as Rolling Stone, Vogue, Maclean's and Vanity Fair. A limited number of gold circle tickets go on sale Wednesday, April 16 for $49.50. Regular tickets are $39.50 and are available Saturday, April 19. CHRONICLE HERALD
More needles found in C.B. park bench
(CHRONICLE HERALD) Two more needles coated in blood were found upright in a park bench this weekend in New Waterford, shortly after police found another seven syringes in the area. Cape Breton Regional Police believe the placing of the needles indicates malicious intent. This type of attack could have deadly consequences if the needles were tainted, police said. None of the nine needles are going to be tested, though police say anyone that has been pricked should see a doctor. CHRONICLE HERALD
(CBC) Liquor stores in Nova Scotia decided to stop using plastic bags on Monday in order to keep garbage out of landfills. The Nova Scotia Liquor Corp. said that more than 10 million plastic bags are used at liquor stores annually. They will continue to use brown paper bags, and encourage consumers to bring their own reusable bags. The NSLC is the latest retailer to phase out plastic bags. CBC
New draft of urban design guidelines sets height limit
(CHRONICLE HERALD) A new draft released by HRM By Design on Monday hints at a compromise between heritage advocates and developers in their concept of the city's downtown core. A Halifax architect said on Monday this means more construction, though the heights of the buildings are going to set in accordance to their proximity to Citadel Hill. The proposed heights range from 10.5 to 64.5 metres, or about 21 storeys. The debate between developers and heritage advocates has been a 30-year struggle. CHRONICLE HERALD
Dalhousie cancer researcher secures funding
(CHRONICLE HERALD) A doctor studying the ability of the province's health-care system to treat cancer was named Dalhousie University's Cameron Chair in Cancer Control Research on Monday. Dr. Eva Grunfeld studies how best to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer, and insists the province's cancer strategy must be effective in each area. The Cameron Chair provides funding of $125,000 a year, meaning Grunfeld's team can spend more time researching and less time looking for funding. CHRONICLE HERALD
Critics unhappy with Tory finances
(CHRONICLE HERALD) A right-wing think tank has given a C- grade to the MacDonald government for its budgeting. A report from the Atlantic Institute for Market Studies rates provincial governments on their finances, as well as their fiscal health, accuracy and the impact of their budget. Ontario and Alberta were at the top with B+ grades. Nova Scotia and Manitoba were on the low end with C- marks. The province's budget impact received a marginally better grade of C+. CHRONICLE HERALD
Democracy celebration no cheap affair
(CHRONICLE HERALD) The celebration of 250 years of democracy in Nova Scotia this fall could cost taxpayers as much as $9 million. Organizers of Democracy 250 are expecting $2.4 million from the province, $1 million of which they've already received. They've requested another $6.7 million from the department of Canadian Heritage. The money will pay for events such as a rock concert at the Grand Parade in September, and a Halifax-to-Sydney leg of a clipper race that would involve eight countries. A Democracy 250 spokeswoman said the group is trying to raise the province's profile by creating a presence at national events. CHRONICLE HERALD
(CBC) A Cape Breton distillery lost its fight in court to trademark its single-malt whisky, Glen Breton. The owner and president of Glenora Distillers plans to appeal the decision made by the Federal Court of Canada. The Scotch Whisky Association's belief that the word "Glen" should apply only to Scottish whisky began the battle in court. Glenora owner says his product doesn't apply because it's called Canadian whisky. CBC
ATLANTIC
Season reopens Monday for Maritime sealers
(CBC) If weather allows, seal hunters from P.E.I., New Brunswick and Nova Scotia will be back out on the ice this Monday, after federal officials decided to reopen the season. It opened last Sunday, but shut down after officials determined the quota of 1,300 seals had been killed. Unlike recent years, the ice has been a problem this year, making it difficult for sealers to reach the herds. CBC
N.L. premier denies province deliberately withheld cancer information
(ST. JOHN'S TELEGRAM) Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams denied Monday that his government concealed information on cancer testing in the province. Opposition Leader Yvonne Jones questioned the premier about cancer-testing problems after it was revealed that hundreds of breast cancer tests were flawed. Then-health minister John Ottenheimer was alerted of the matter in July 2005. Williams said the issue was an internal operation handled by the Eastern Health authority and testing was being repeated in order to get the matter under control. THE TELEGRAM
P.E.I. confirms can collection
(CBC) The P.E.I. government has lifted a ban on selling carbonated drinks in non-refillable containers. Islanders will now pay a 10-cent deposit and handling fee with their beverages and get five cents back when they take the empties to a depot. The delay in ending the ban was due to the province trying to figure out what to do with the empties. Label Construction and Sanitation of Winsloe will take care of that job. CBC
Search for Moncton man called off
(CBC) Rescue workers in Moncton called off a search for 22-year-old Michael Hughes on Monday. Michael's father, Edwin, says he will continue searching. Hughes and his girlfriend were walking his dog along train tracks on Friday afternoon when an oncoming train came. Hughes attempted to move his dog off the tracks when he was struck and flipped into the nearby creek. The rescue operation moved to a recovery operation on Sunday afternoon after police resources were exhausted. CBC
Health information company set to create 150 jobs in N.B.
(CBC) Ontario-based Prudential Consulting, a medical transcription company and the New Brunswick government announced the company will establish a data centre in Saint John creating 50 new IT jobs and 100 home-based medical transcription positions throughout the province. The company is collaborating with Oultens Business College and the New Brunswick Community College to fill the new positions, said Vik Khurana, chief executive of Prudential Consulting. The new jobs are meant to reduce the accumulation of patient records in hospitals across the country. CBC
Fredericton residents pay for own pothole damages
(CANADAEAST) If Fredericton drivers hit a pothole and damage their vehicles, there will not be any compensation from the municipality, said Lori Daniels, administrative officer in the city's risk and safety division. City hall won't pay unless there is a clear case of negligence by the city. "The public needs to understand the city does everything it can to stay on top of [the potholes]," said Daniels, but it's impossible to know where every pothole in the city is. DAILY GLEANER
CANADA
Vancouver murder suspect has dangerous past, police say
(CBC) A Vancouver man, who is suspected of murdering his three children, had a violent past that included sexual assault and uttering threats. Allan Dwayne Schoenborn, 40, is still being sought by police, who warn the man be dangerous and has a history of mental illness. The mother of the three slain children said Shoenborn was not in the trailer when she made the discovery on Sunday afternoon. Police are asking anyone who may have information on his whereabouts to come forward. CBC
MacKay won't rule out Olympic boycott
(TORONTO STAR) Defence Minister Peter MacKay says that he Canadian government has not yet decided whether Canada will boycott the Beijing Olympics to show its displeasure over China's actions in Tibet. Many Tibetans have died in China's military crackdown and there is growing international pressure to sanction China. TORONTO STAR
(GLOBE AND MAIL) The Tory government will unveil legislation today that would give them far more power to pull unsafe toys, food and drugs from the market, and to fine and punish companies selling dangerous products. The legislation would also let potentially lifesaving drugs get to the market faster, with fewer checks. Companies would also be required to inform the government when someone experienced an adverse reaction to their product. GLOBE AND MAIL
(TORONTO STAR) Liberal and NDP MPs are criticizing the Conservative plan to avoid a large, courtroom-style inquiry into the connection between Karlheinz Schreiber and Brian Mulroney. A special adviser to the prime minister said Monday that hearings would be more efficient if they were carried out partly in secret and in a narrow scope. The adviser said that some questions have been answered and the inquiry should focus on those that haven't. TORONTO STAR
Israeli rabbi wanted on child abuse charges
(GLOBE AND MAIL) An Israeli rabbi wanted for child abuse is hiding in Canada, Israeli officials announced Monday. Officials say Rabbi Eleor Chen was the spiritual leader for a group that took part in the systematic abuse of children in Israel. He is said to have convinced his followers that burning and beating the children were effective ways to correct their behavior. Two children age four and five remain in hospital in critical condition. An international warrant has been issued for his arrest. GLOBE AND MAIL
Toronto mayor pushes handgun ban
(TORONTO STAR) Toronto Mayor David Miller is bringing his fight for the banning of handguns to the Internet. This week, he started circulating a petition that calls on the federal government to ban all uses of handguns outside law enforcement. Minister of Public Safety Stockwell Day said Monday Canada already bans the guns except for legitimate purposes, such as target shooting and collecting. TORONTO STAR
WORLD
Red Cross says more Afghans displaced
(CBC) The International Committee of the Red Cross announced today that the war in Afghanistan was no longer confined to the southern region of the country, but that it was spreading east and west -- displacing thousands of civilians on its way. A Red Cross spokesperson in Kabul says a number of displaced people in the last three months alone has reached approximately 13,000. The United Nations has called 2007 the deadliest year since the U.S.-led invasion of the country, with a death toll of 8,000, including 1,500 civilians. CBC
Iran continuing nuclear energy program
(CTV) Iran is continuing work at its uranium enrichment plant in Nantanz, said President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad today. The U.S. and some of its allies claim the uranium enrichment is part of an Iranian plan to build nuclear weapons. Iran claims its nuclear program is peaceful and focused on energy production. Many countries, including Canada develop nuclear power for such purposes. China stepped forward today to say it would hold a meeting to restart negotiations. CTV
Egypt election carries on amid protests
(ALJAZEERA) Elections for city council began in Egypt today as protests continued to rock the country. The officially banned Muslim Brotherhood party has boycotted the elections. The National Democratic ruling party has already received 70 per cent of the seats by default. Results are expected to be completely released by Wednesday. The protests are over the rising costs of food and fuel, and they are now in their second day. So far 300 people have been arrested and 90 people injured. AL JAZEERA
500 pulled from Texan polygamist sect
(BBC) Authorities removed more than 400 children and 130 women from a Texas ranch Monday, in their child abuse investigation. A teenage girl called authorities from the ranch Friday to say she had been abused. The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints owns the ranch. The breakaway sect practises polygamy. Police are still searching the ranch. BBC