Carlos Ghosn, the former head of Nissan and once reputed superman of the auto industry, has escaped Japanese fraud charges by sneaking out of his Tokyo home in a bass cello case. Yee-haw! Then, happy times for the family of the first baby of the New Year born here in Toronto. Below that, updating a New Year’s shooting in Brampton and the annual polar bear dip in Lake Ontario, edition #35.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has flown in economy class with his girlfriend Carrie Symonds on a Caribbean getaway, according to The Sun (UK) newspaper. The down-to-earth air travel style of Johnson, known in the media as Bojo, contrasts with the lavish arrangements of others we know.
Pope sorry about slapping hand of excited believer
Pope Francis has apologized to a woman who grabbed his right hand and yanked him toward her. Pope Francis appeared surprised and upset even as the woman shakes his hand and speaks with him. He then slapped the woman’s hand and walked off in apparent anger.
Corpulent Kim threatens new weapon
Kim Jung un has threatened to introduce a “new strategic weapon” in the near future. Kim, grandson of North Korea’s founder, looked much heavier than before as he appeared with madly applauding members of the Supreme People’s Assembly. Creepy
The Toronto Police Service Parking Enforcement Unit will not be enforcing the following on-street parking bylaws during New Year’s Day. Pay-and-display/metered areas, rush-hour routes and posted signs indicating Monday to Friday regulations are being enforced.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have published a New Year’s photo compilation and video celebrating their busy year. A never-before-seen photo of Harry and son Archie was probably taken right here over Christmas. The video flashes through snippets of their year from their trips to Morocco and South Africa to their run-in with Beyonce and Jay-Z at The Lion King premiere. “We hope 2020 brings each of you health and continued happiness,” Harry and Meghan wrote in part alongside the video.
New Year’s babies
Humber River Hospital has claimed first Toronto baby of 2020 in Toronto with a Tweet saying the “baby and mom are feeling great thanks to Dr. Lynn Sterling and the #HRH staff.” Trillium Health Partners said that their first baby of the year was delivered just 50 seconds after midnight on New Year’s Day at Credit Valley Hospital in Mississauga. The little boy weighed in at about eight pounds. “We are happy to report that baby and mom are healthy and well,” the health agency said in a statement. Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto welcomed its first bundle of joy at 12:13 a.m. and Lakeridge Health in Oshawa announced their first baby was born at 12:34 a.m.
The New Year has begun arriving on the other side of the globe. Celebrations in Sydney and Aukland are shown. The temperature in the NZ capital of Christchurch is predicted to be 29º Celsius New Year’s Day
Video shot by a passenger on the tarmac last Friday at Pearson Airport shows an Air Canada Boeing 777-300 being towed. Its wingtip hits the tail of a parked Air Canada Airbus A321. The sequence is explained by aviation journalist Tom Podolec. Both aircraft were unoccupied, he says.
Toronto Star writer Ben Spurr says in a published report Monday that he has seen documents in which the consortium building the LRT tells Metrolinx that the Eglinton LRT can’t open until May 6, 2022. Metrolinx disputes that assessment says Spurr and insists it is still working to the September 2021 deadline. Toronto Star (subscription).
Governments differ from businesses because they can take your money by law. It’s all about the greater good. Really.
Some may wish for the lyrics of Let it Snow to come true but those with their coats flapping open all up and down South Bayview Ave. this Monday weren’t singing that song. It seems conditions will stay fairly unseasonal all week.
