Wednesday 26 June 2024

Video shows moment multiple batteries exploded at South Korean battery plant


New York Post has the story.

WARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT. Surveillance footage shows the moment a deadly fire started at a South Korean battery manufacturer and killed 23 workers on Monday (June 24).

The video shows smoke coming from a stack of lithium batteries.

And in a factory which contained around 35,000 of them, the fire quickly evolved into a huge blaze which then sparked explosions.

The now-gutted structure was in Hwaseong, an industrial cluster southwest of the capital Seoul.

Firefighters with search dogs combed the remains on Tuesday (June 25) and found the body of the last unaccounted-for person, raising the death toll to 23.

The father of one victim, while trying to find the body of his Chinese national daughter, told Reuters she had called the batteries “dangerous” multiple times.

And he said she had recently told him about another fire at the factory.

Most of the victims are yet to be identified because of the intensity of the blaze.

But at least 17 were Chinese and one was Laotian.

Experts say foreign workers in the country face a disproportionate risk of injury and death.

And that they take on dangerous jobs shunned by many young South Koreans.

On Tuesday, China’s foreign ministry said Beijing has called on South Korea to find the cause of the fire as quickly as possible.

The chief executive of the battery maker Aricell apologized for the incident - but said the company had complied with safety rules.

“The company will do its best to deal with this situation and will take on a firm responsibility. In addition, we will sincerely work on the investigation of the relevant authorities and will make every effort to follow up on the exact cause of the accident and prevent recurrence.”

The National Forensic Service, police and the fire department are holding a joint investigation into the incident.

22 Killed in South Korea Battery Plant Explosion


Live News Network has the story.

22 people are confirmed dead after a lithium ion battery plant explosion in South Korea on Monday.
A series of battery cells exploded, igniting a fire in a warehouse. Fire officials said 102 people were working at the factory when the blaze broke out.

Sunday 16 June 2024

Ukraine Peace Summit to host over 90 countries, Russia not included


CBC News has the story.

At least 90 countries are headed to Switzerland this weekend for the Ukraine Peace Summit, where world leaders will discuss ways to end Russia's war on Ukraine. Russia was not invited, but President Vladimir Putin still laid out his conditions for peace — which Ukraine has called unacceptable. Ukraine's ambassador to Canada Yuliya Kovaliv talks about what Ukraine needs to see from allies at the summit.

Trudeau has “concerns” with NSICOP report on foreign interference


Global News has the story.

In tonight’s top story: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau continues to be plagued by questions about alleged foreign interference by countries like China and India. Those questions come in the wake of a damning report that suggests some MPs are engaging with foreign states. As Mackenzie Gray reports, Trudeau said he has some "concerns" about the report, but is not volunteering any specifics.

In Calgary, the city has declared a local emergency as the ongoing water crisis worsens. It has been 10 days since the city reported what it’s declared as a catastrophic water main break. Now, there are signs it could be weeks before things return to normal. Adam MacVicar has the latest on the ongoing emergency.

Across the pond in London, England, Kate Middleton made her first public in nearly three months on Saturday. Middleton continues to battle a cancer diagnosis away from the public eye but displayed a united front with her family at the celebration of King Charles’ birthday. As Vanessa Wright reports, she managed to steal the show even in the face of her health issues.

Survivors of sexual assault in the military say there’s a long way to go to make Canada’s military a safe place for women to serve. On Wednesday, Ottawa’s Veterans Affairs Committee released a scathing report on how women are treated by the Canadian Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs. Heidi Petracek speaks to women whose military careers were shattered by sexual assault about the accountability they say is missing.

And finally, it is do or die for the Edmonton Oilers as they face the Florida Panthers in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup finals. The Oilers face near impossible odds to win the cup and if they fail to win Saturday’s game on home ice, it’s all over. Jeff Semple reports on how fans are feeling.

The so-called National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP; French: Comité des parlementaires sur la sécurité nationale et le renseignement; CPSNR) is a body composed of members of the House of Commons and Senate which reviews the activities of the Government of Canada's national security and intelligence agencies. The committee also performs strategic and systematic reviews of the legislative, regulatory, policy, expenditure and administrative frameworks under which national security activities are conducted.

Formed in 2017, members of NSICOP are appointed from members of Parliament's two chambers on the advice of the prime minister after consultation with the leader of the opposition party. Members must obtain and maintain top secret security clearance. NSICOP is not a standing committee nor a special committee of Parliament. Rather, it is an agency of the executive branch, itself overseen by the Prime Minister's Office, whose membership is made up of parliamentarians, unlike similar bodies in other Five Eyes countries – such as the Senate Intelligence Committee and House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence in the United States, the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament in the United Kingdom or the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security in Australia.

Canada: Ontario chemical plant to permanently close over benzene emissions


Global News has the story.

INEOS Styrolution says it will permanently close its industrial plant in Sarnia, Ont., following intense pressure from both the provincial and federal governments to curb toxic emissions. As Carolyn Jarvis reports, residents of the nearby Aamjiwnaang First Nation had previously said they felt sick after high levels of the cancer-causing chemical benzene were detected in the air.

The federal government has faced growing calls to reveal the names of MPs who are accused in a report from Canada's intelligence watchdog of "wittingly" providing information to a foreign state. But as David Akin explains, Green Party Leader Elizabeth May says the media firestorm about the allegations are overblown, after reading the uncensored version of the report for herself.

While a motion to increase capital gains taxes for the wealthiest Canadians easily passed the House of Commons, the Conservatives voted against the measure. Mackenzie Gray explains how Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre rationalized his vote, how the Liberals and NDP could use it as political ammunition and how the polls have shifted since the 2024 federal budget was introduced.

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has approved a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal aimed at ending the bloodshed in Gaza and securing the release of hostages taken on Oct. 7. But as Crystal Goomansingh reports, while the deal is being overwhelmingly backed internationally, Israel and Hamas have yet to agree to it.
 
Plus, Western Canada is mourning the deaths of a famous white grizzly bear and her two cubs, who were killed in two separate vehicle collisions on the Trans-Canada Highway near Lake Louise, Alta. Heather Yourex-West reports on how conservationists are urging for better measures to protect the rare species.

Canada: Montreal police use tear gas on Pro-Palestinian protesters at McGill


CTV News has the story.

Genevieve Beauchemin reports from McGill University where police faced off with protesters who barricaded themselves in a school building.

Canada sees drop in citizen applications from permanent residents


BBC News has the story.

Canada has been a magnet for immigrants for decades, but recently the number of permanent residents applying for citizenship has been dropping.

Thousands emigrate from India to Canada every year, with the Punjab community making up one of the country’s biggest diasporas, but some are now choosing to return to their home country.

Canada's foreign student push a mismatch for job market, data shows


CBC News has the story.

Canada's recruitment of international students has tilted strongly toward filling spots in business programs, while doing little to meet the demand for workers in health care and the skilled trades, according to a CBC News analysis of federal data.

Are there ‘traitors’ in Canada’s Parliament? Front Burner


CBC News has the story.

A new report accuses parliamentarians of aiding foreign governments to interfere in Canadian politics. Rosemary Barton walks us through the fallout.

Schools across Canada struggling with overcrowded classrooms


CBC News: The National has the story.

Schools in several Canadian cities are struggling with overcrowded classrooms and skyrocketing enrolment, but building more schools is a lengthy and complicated process.

Western Canada Wildfires


CBC News: The National has the story.

Western Canada wildfires

CBC/Radio-Canada is a Canadian public broadcast service.

May 12, 2024 | Wildfires across Western Canada prompt evacuation orders and worry officials about the season ahead. The Go Public team looks at the growing trend of banks asking customers to sign NDAs. Plus, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau on the pressures of being the prime minister’s wife. 

00:00 The National for May 12, 2024
01:00 Wildfires evacuations across Western Canada
01:51 Wildfire burning near Fort Nelson, B.C.
04:10 Wildfire power and communications outages
04:36 Fort McMurray prepares for wildfire evacuation
06:50 Russia pushes into Ukraine's Kharkiv region
07:15 Russia blames apartment blast on Ukraine
07:33 Large-scale NATO drills underway in Estonia
07:52 Israeli forces push deeper into Rafah
10:20 Canadians with family in Gaza losing hope
12:40 Gardener unearths grenade in Vancouver park
13:04 Bad weather delay Baltimore bridge cleanup
14:54 Big banks asking customers to sign NDAs
17:22 'King of B movies' Roger Corman dead at 98
18:42 Fire tears through shopping complex in Poland
19:00 ‘Blue roof’ technology helps buildings go green
21:52 Strong solar storm triggers Northern Lights
22:23 Wingsuit skydivers fly through Tower Bridge
22:35 Don McKellar's new spy series The Sympathizer
25:30 Sophie Grégoire Trudeau | The National Interview
36:51 Hindu nationalists targeting India's mosques
43:19 The Moment | Mother's Day messages

Canada: RCMP make arrests in alleged migrant smuggling ring in Ontario


Global News has the story.

Police in Cornwall, Ont., say they've broken up a human smuggling ring that moved hundreds of migrants over the border.

Most of the operation was smuggling people into the U.S. — but it also moved people from the U.S. into Canada. 

Four people are already in custody facing charges. Police are still looking for four others.

As Mike Armstrong reports, the ring is tied to the deaths of eight people from India and Romania in March of last year.

Environment Canada warns of hot summer ahead


CP24 has the story.

Environment Canada is warning this summer is going to be a particularly hot one in most parts of the country. 

For more on the agency's outlook, we're joined by Environment Canada Senior Climatologist Dave Phillips.

Canada: Toronto church housing Group of Seven artworks destroyed by fire


CTV News has the story.

Toronto Deputy Fire Chief Jim Jessop on the fire that destroyed a Toronto church that contained murals painted by the Group of Seven.

Canadian food bank system on the brink of collapse


CTV News has the story.

New poverty numbers indicate that Canada’s food bank system could be on the brink of collapsing. Heather Wright has the details.

Why are many Canadians deciding to live abroad?


CTV News has the story.

Kamil Karamil explains why data is showing some Canadians are deciding to leave over the lack of accessibility to housing and health care.

Canadian universities' growing deficits, layoffs concern unions across country


Global News has the story.

As some Canadian colleges and universities face daunting deficits and decisions on where to cut spending, a critical examination of the sector's viability is emerging.

Queen's University in Kingston, Ont., was the latest to project a staggering deficit this week. In a post on its website Wednesday, the institution said it's projecting a nearly $36-million deficit in its next operating year.

It referenced factors like an "ongoing tuition freeze for Ontario students'' and "a decrease in international student enrollment" for the figure.

As Neetu Garcha reports, the moves have unions raising questions about ongoing cuts at institutions across the country.

Canada: Man who set woman on fire on Toronto bus found not criminally responsible


CTV News has the story.

Man who set woman on fire on Toronto bus has been found not criminally responsible for her death. Sean Leathong reports.

Canada: Vancouver police say 'several' injured after seaplane collides with boat


CBC News has the story.

A number of passengers were treated for injuries and sent to hospital after a Harbour Air floatplane collided with a pleasure boat in Coal Harbour on Saturday, according to the Vancouver Police Department.

The Canadian economy does look like it's coming off a bottom: strategist


BNN Bloomberg has the story.

Karl Schamotta, chief market strategist with Corpay, joins BNN Bloomberg for a closer look at Canada's economy and offers his view on the markets.

Canada: Red Lobster asking for bankruptcy protection in Ontario court


CBC News has the story.

Days after Red Lobster filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. and announced that it would close dozens of its seafood restaurants, the chain's Canadian counterpart is in an Ontario court today seeking similar protection in Canada.

G7 sees Canada as ‘a freeloader’ for its foreign policy, says former minister


CBC News has the story.

As Justin Trudeau gets ready to meet with other world leaders, Chamber of Commerce CEO and former national defence minister Perrin Beatty says the G7 sees Canada as a country that talks a good fight ‘but we’re not prepared to carry our fair share of the burden.’ He discusses why Trudeau needs to make promising contributions to prove his commitment.

Taking Stock - Canada has dodged a recession…and should keep government spending in check


BNN Bloomberg has the story with Koshy Mathai, Canada Mission Chief, IMF.

Former Air Canada manager to turn himself in on gold heist charges, lawyer says


CBC News has the story.

The former Air Canada manager wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for his alleged role in the largest gold heist in Canadian history is preparing to turn himself in, according to his lawyer. Simran Preet Panesar is wanted on charges including theft over $5,000 in connection with the April 2023 theft of more than $20 million in gold from Toronto's Pearson International Airport.

Outgoing Flair CEO says Canada’s airline rules need to change


CBC News has the story.

Outgoing Flair CEO Stephen Jones tells The National’s Ian Hanomansing why the budget airline industry has such a tough time in Canada and what needs to change to get more competition in the skies.

Canada: Calgary water crisis could drag on for another five weeks


CTV News has the story.

Calgary's water crisis could drag on for another five weeks, meanwhile; new details emerge on sexual allegations against billionaire Frank Stronach, and Trudeau has a tense meeting with India's Modi at the G7 summit.