The Korean electronics giant Samsung has had to issue a general warning to users of its “smart” TV sets that the machine is listening to them even when they aren’t talking to it. Samsung had that bit of news buried in the fine print of the instructions. When the media picked up on this terrific feature the company had to make a general announcement. According to Samsung, the things you say when the sneaky Samsung box is on may be heard by “a third person” Where’s Edward Snowden when you need him? Another story from the U-K says that Samsung is working on a watch that can talk to your car. Really? Will the watch talk to you too? Samsung makes many things. Fridges, stoves — are they listening? Is there an off switch? Samsung warns users
City on high alert for any sign of measles outbreak
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Toronto parents, doctors and health authorities are on the alert Monday morning as they scan the horizon for any sign of a measles. Toronto Public Health jumped in at a daycare over the weekend where there was a known measles patient present for a period of time. Parents in the west end got a call advising them to have children vaccinated if they were not already fully protected. Family doctors are hearing from concerned parents whether their vaccinations are up to date. As of Saturday, there were six confirmed cases of measles that had been reported to Toronto Public Health, including two children under age two and four adults. All are from separate families leaving a clear prospect that measles is not fully quarantined. The video below done by the New York Times discusses the roots of the vaccine skepticism that began with a now discredited 1998 report authored by Dr. Andrew Wakefield suggesting a possible link between the measles vaccine and autism.
Rob Nicholson new minister of foreign affairs
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Rob Nicholson, the MP for Niagara Falls, will become Canada’s new minister of foreign affairs. Nicholson has had a long career in the House of Commons having served as Justice Minister and Defence Minister as well as many lesser roles. He is 62. Jason Kenney moves from the Minister of Employment to assume responsibility for National Defense. Pierre Poilievre is replacing Kenney, adding the cabinet portfolio to his current role of Minister for Democratic Reform. “The changes to the Ministry announced today will help ensure that key portfolios continue to have the strong leadership required to advance Canadian priorities,” Prime Minister Stephen Harper said in a statement.
Reporters gives Adams switch a cynical response
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Eve Adams, the ambitious Conservative member for Mississauga-Brampton South has crossed the floor of the House of Commons to become a Liberal. She appeared at a news conference with Justin Trudeau this morning (Monday, February 9, 2015). The event has drawn a remarkably cynical response from reporters. CTV’s Robert Fife told George Lagogianes on CP24 that the only reason he could imagine the Liberals accepting Ms. Adams is that they hope to get political dirt from her boyfriend, Dimitri Souda. He is a former adviser to Stephen Harper. For his part, Lagogianes said he had watched the news conference and did not find Ms. Adams sincere. Neither did Fife. On twitter many are asking why the Liberals might want Adams. She was in the news last year regarding allegations that she had blocked the pumps at an Esso gas station in Ottawa’s west-end for ten minutes in protest of a set of $12 car washes which she deemed unsatisfactory. In March 2014 Adams became involved in a nomination battle for the future Oakville North—Burlington riding, after her existing riding was split in five. On March 19 Adams attended a riding association meeting, though her ability to attend the meeting was in question. A board member and paid campaign worker for Adams’ rival, reportedly asked Adams to leave, and when she declined that board member threatened to contact the police. Adams fight of $6 car wash
Midtown Yonge BIA to choose executive Feb. 23
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The first annual general meeting of the newly-formed Midtown Yonge Business Improvement Area is scheduled for Monday, February 23, 2015. The executive will be chosen at that time. More information will be available in a few days. The new BIA fills a gap among the many BIAs on the long street. Midtown runs north from the Kay Gardner-Belt Line trail at Merton Street to the Soudan/Berwick Avenues boundary.
Mayor visits Leaside Select Hockey Tourney
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Mayor Tory and Councillor Jon Burnside visited the Leaside Arena this afternoon (Sunday, February 8, 2015) as the Select Hockey Tournament was booming right along on its final day. In the main picture, Mr. Tory drops the puck for one of the championship games. At top from left, Tory and Burnside with Laura, a volunteer at the Cops and Kids Pro Action League from Flemingdon Park, centre the mayor has picture taken with a young Leaside Flame and on the right enjoys some of Andy Elder’s Brisket Chili. These pictures were taken by the mayor’s office and there are many more on Twitter.
Toronto a Smart City? Not til we swab the subway
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Toronto Weather: February’s descent into hell
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Forecasters say we will get a messy mix of rain and possibly freezing ran Sunday night. It is not unexpected at this time of year but neither is a spirit-lifting thaw, however brief. Well forget that. By the measure of temperatures predicted for the second month of 2015 it would appear February is on its own private descent into hell. We will be well under freezing until the end of the month it appears, with the mercury plunging to 14 below next Sunday, February 15, 2015.
Updated list of ice time availability at arena
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Leaside Memorial Gardens Arena has published an updated list of some daytime and evening availability for the remainder of our Fall/Winter Season. LMGA
B.C. court finds Natpost libeled Green Party MLA
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NBC anchor Brian Williams forced to take leave
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Wisey’s has new store, new scone in planning
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| Gary Wise |
Wisey’s Pies and Bakehouse has plans to open a second location in the Roncesvalles neighborhood this Spring. The dynamic young company run by New Zealander Gary Wise and his Canadian wife Karen has become part of the lives of many Leasiders since the first shop opened in June 2014 at Eglinton Ave E and Laird Drive. You read about it first in the South Bayview Bulldog. Now the couple has teamed up with friends Anthony Spinley (another Kiwi) and his partner Jen Orenstein. This good news is transmitted from the Hawkes Bay area of New Zealand where Gary and Karen are catching some rays and conducting baking R&D on new products and varieties of pies at the Wiseys NZ bakery in Napier. That business is managed by Gary’s brother. Gary says that the perfected items will also be made at Wiseys in Toronto when he returns in March. Particularly, Gary notes a new scone recipe. So you heard it here first. The new scone is called the DOC — an acronym that stands for Date, Orange, Cinnamon. We are told it is divine. Gary also has an imaginative idea for a “bakers’ exchange” program by which well-known NZ bakers could work in Toronto and a Canadian baker would work at a Hawkes Bay Bakery in exchange. Wisey’s Pies and Bakehouse is up and running everyday even though the boss is away. Today’s output was right up to standard. (Saturday, February 7, 2015).