Hacker group believed to be connected to Russian government

A Russian-backed hacker group has tried to steal COVID-19-related vaccine research in Canada, the UK and US according to intelligence agencies in all three countries. The Communications Security Establishment (CSE), responsible for Canada’s foreign signals intelligence, said APT29 — also known as Cozy Bear and the Dukes — is behind the malicious activity. The group “almost certainly operates as part of Russian intelligence services,” the CSE said in a statement released Thursday morning in co-ordination with its international counterparts, an allegation the Kremlin immediately denied. The CBC report on this incident says the CSE account of this spying suggests the Russians were also acting to slow down vaccine research in the three countries.

Wow! Hope offered for UK vaccine by September

David Carpenter, chair of the Berkshire Research Ethics Committee, which approved the successful trial of a prospective vaccine at Oxford University, is quoted Thursday in The Telegraph as saying the vaccine research team is “absolutely on track” and that a powerful vaccine could be available as early as September. Fingers crossed.

The Ministry of Health reports 111 cases of COVID-19 Thursday. Wednesday’s total was 102, a three-month low. Both numbers are taken as evidence of progress in beating the coronavirus keeping in mind the tricky and unforeseen ways in which it can re-emerge. Meanwhile, Toronto infectious disease authority Dr. Isaac Bogoch (Tweet below) is pondering the hopeful day when a vaccine of even moderate effectiveness may be available. Let us hope, indeed.

Bryant family

Many Leaside residents and other friends of David Bryant are shocked and saddened to read his remarks on Facebook about the difficulties he has faced staging regular fireworks displays at the field behind Leaside High Schoool. He says he has made a decision to cease all such shows. It seems very unfortunate. FB

• Archive stories about LHS fireworks displays since 2017

Roger Petersen’s time as co-host of the Toronto morning show “Breakfast Television” has come to an end. The broadcast journalist announced the news in a video on his social-media accounts, calling his two years on the TV program “an incredible time” and praising the crew and co-host Dina Pugliese. Neither he nor Citytv gave a reason for his departure. Petersen only said he’s “done for now” and “taking a little break.” A statement on Petersen’s departure from a Citytv representative said they “are always striving to best serve” their audiences “and deliver a great morning experience to ‘Breakfast Television’ viewers.” Charmaine Khan, senior manager of communications for Citytv, said they thank Petersen “for his dedication and significant contribution to ‘BT’ and CityNews” and wish him “continued success.” — Canadian Press

• Roger Petersen accedes to co-host of Breakfast Television

Mayor Tory

The shocking, but not unforeseen, cost of COVID-19 losses and handouts by the City of Toronto will leave it some $1.35 billion short this year unless Ontario, Ottawa or both bail it out, Mayor Tory said Tuesday. He was pondering a report on the impact of the pandemic and the fearful task of how to repay the cost. Mr. Tory mentioned such things as shutting down the subway and increasing residential taxes by as much as 60 percent. Of course, there is always the possibility of money from higher governments, also funded by the taxpayer. CBC

Pet Rocco did what cats do Tuesday during a committee meeting of the UK House of Commons. He let his tail wander into a Zoom meeting as his friend and benefactor MP John Nicolson was speaking. Funny.

Canadian and the US have agreed to keep their continent-wide border closed to non-essential travel until August 21. The news broke Tuesday morning. Sources say both governments are agreed. The ban on discretionary travel was first introduced in March and has been extended each month since. The latest extension was set to expire on July 21. There is widespread concern in Canada that rampaging COVID-19 in the US will set off new infections here.

Trudeau apologizes

Prime Minister Trudeau has apologized for failing to recuse himself in the awarding of a government contract to a charity with deep connections to his family.

Were family courts derelict in death of Keira Kagan?

Keira Kagan, 4, died in February while in her father’s care. Her mother, Jennifer Kagan-Viater, believes Keira’s death could have been prevented if the court system had considered accusations of spousal abuse during their bitter custody battle. She is now fighting for change. Keira Kagan archives

Cones direct vehicles away from patio territory/Bulldog

Space awaits a patio or two/Bulldog

Hazel’s Diner and Wild Chicory will share patio/Bulldog

The Belsize patio is open/Bulldog

So is the patio at Piano Piano/Bulldog

Still space to park/Bulldog

Mount Pleasant Village BIA has been configured with orange cones along the east side to facilitate restaurant patios in the curb lanes. It’s a summer project designed to help restaurateurs do business safely during the pandemic.

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A post shared by Hazel's Diner (@hazelstoronto)

The Ministry of Health reports 116 new COVID-19 cases Monday for the 24-hour period ending midnight. The province reported 129 cases on Sunday, 130 on Saturday and 116 cases on Friday. Ontario’s frontline warriors in the battle against this infection slogged on over the weekend. Among other work, they performed more than 20,000 tests Sunday alone. Daily summaries.

Ontario will announce plans Monday to reopen even more business and activity as it enters the so-called Stage 3 return to something like normal. The cockeyed world of COVID-19 sees many countries beating back the infection while three huge places — the US, Brazil and India — seem totally out of control. Many people are tweeting about the need to keep the US-Canada border closed.

Retail and commercial building at 25 Industrial St. looking east southeast (top) and west southwest (bottom) toward Laird

A large retail and commercial building is under construction at 25 Industrial St. this summer. City documents show that it will soon carry a large lighted sign reading Shoppers Drug Mart. It may well be that the businesses to be located here will have a Laird Drive address. The site is beside the existing Leaside Village (Longo’s) shopping centre owned by the First Capital REIT.