Stories referenced at 9:00 a.m. Atlantic Time
NOVA SCOTIA
(CHRONICLE HERALD) The Nova Scotia NDP released a plan Tuesday to keep homeowners warm and make the province more energy efficient. NDP leader Darrell Dexter laid out his party's plan, which promises an end to the "tax on tax" of gasoline. Dexter also called for the province's eight per cent portion of the HST to be removed from home heating. Dexter says the plan could be paid for out of the province's share of HST profits, which he says have grown $370 million since 1999.
FOUR N.S. CABINET MEMBERS CONSIDER LEADERSHIP
(CANADA.COM) Four members of the Nova Scotia cabinet will consider running for the Conservative leadership following Premier John Hamm's announcement that he will step down. Justice Minister Michael Baker, Economic Development Minister Ernie Fage, Energy Minister Cecil Clarke, and Rodney MacDonald, minister of tourism, heritage and culture, made the announcement Tuesday. Hamm says he will stay on as leader until a successor is chosen, and will lay "ground rules" on how leadership candidates will conduct themselves during the race.
DARTMOUTH GOLF CLUB VOTES FOR NEW TURF
(DAILY NEWS) Members of the Brightwood Golf and Country Club have voted to move from the present 42-acre course at Anderson Lake, in the middle of Dartmouth, to a larger course and clubhouse. Clayton Developments and Dexter Construction have agreed to build the new course in exchange for the Brightwood property and other land near Spider Lake. Citizens for Brightwood, a residents group opposed to the move, says they will now focus on making sure their voice is heard in the rush to develop the land.
SUB FIRE MEMORIAL TO BE QUIET AFFAIR
(CHRONICLE HERALD) Wednesday marks the first anniversary of a deadly fire aboard HMCS Chicoutimi that claimed the life of Lieut. Chris Saunders. There will be no public memorial service to commemorate the anniversary, but Saunders' crewmates will remember the 32-year-old father of two privately. "The crew of Chicoutimi has been fairly insistent that they would remember him in their own manner," said Capt. Larry Hickey, commander of the navy's East Coast submarine squadron. A navy inquiry determined the fire was caused when sea water entered through two open hatches and splashed on high-voltage cables, causing a short circuit.
MARTHA WON'T MAKE PUMPKIN FEST
(DAILY NEWS) After a week of building excitement preceding her arrival, Martha Stewart announced today she will not be able to participate in Windsor's annual pumpkin regatta because she has not completed the paperwork necessary for her to cross the border. Last year Stewart was found guilty of obstructing justice and lying to the government about a stock sale, and as a convicted felon, she is normally barred from entering Canada. Her staff had been hopeful it could clear the paperwork. The race, which will happen this Sunday, is still going ahead.
MI'KMAQ HAVE DEAL IN TAR PONDS CLEANUP - BAND OFFICER
(CAPE BRETON POST) The chief executive officer of the Membertou First Nation, says Cape Breton's native communities have an agreement in principal with the governments responsible for cleaning up the toxic Sydney tar ponds. Bernd Christmas said a major announcement on the agreement is planned for Oct. 28. In addition to making sure their constitutional rights are protected, Membertou officers have asked for $1.8 million in federal funding to conduct their own study of technologies capable of cleaning up the toxic sites. The First Nation community is also seeking compensation for loss of fishing due to tar pond sludge contaminating Sydney harbour.
PRODUCTION OF ATMOSPHERIC WATER GENERATORS BEGINS IN C.B.
(CAPE BRETON POST) British Columbia-based company Wataire has begun production of atmospheric water generators at a plant in Cape Breton. The generators, which work on the same principle as dehumidifiers, will produce drinking-quality water by using a sophisticated purification system. The company has produced sample models but is just starting to manufacture the 2,500-litre a day machines on a large scale. Wataire is employing five people at its Cape Breton plant but hopes to increase that number soon.
(CHRONICLE HERALD) Cole Harbour-native Sidney Crosby will make his NHL debut tonight. He will take to the ice against the New Jersey Devils in East Rutherford, NJ. "The first game you play in the NHL -- not too much can compare to that," Crosby said Tuesday. For years Crosby has been hailed as the next great hockey player and people are anxiously waiting to see if he lives up to expectations. He had one goal and three assists in five pre-season games.
ATLANTIC
NFLD. SHRIMP HARVESTERS CALL ON GOVERNMENT TO REDUCE TARIFFS
(CANADAEAST) Newfoundland shrimp harvesters are asking governments to move more quickly in reducing the tariff on Canadian shrimp sent to the United Kingdom. An industry coalition, which includes the Harbour Grace Shrimp Company, said both levels of government must better co-ordinate their efforts. Coalition executive director Rosalind Perry says market prices for shrimp have reached an all-time low. The fisheries union estimates that close to 4,000 jobs could be lost if the surcharge is around much longer.
P.E.I.'S RAINBOW VALLEY MIGHT SOON BE A WATER PARK
(CANADA.COM) Prince Edward Island's Rainbow Valley theme park, which closed in early September after more than 30 years, will likely be converted into a water park. Parks Canada purchased the 15.8-hectare park site for $2.3 million in April. If Matthew Jelley is granted his proposal, he plans on turning the space into a water park while maintaining some of the old park's style, including the iconic flying saucer that was built in 1969.
HEAD OF HERBICIDE PROBE IN N.B. RESIGNS WITH HEALTH PROBLEMS
(CANADA.COM) The sudden resignation of the lead investigator in a federal inquiry into the use of Agent Orange and other toxic herbicides at a military base in New Brunswick will be a serious setback. Vaughn Blaney announced his resignation Tuesday, but would not reveal the nature of his illness. The investigation deals with the effects of herbicide spraying at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown from the 1950s to the 1980s. The eight remaining public hearings have been put on hold until Ottawa appoints a new co-ordinator.
QUEEN MARY 2 VISITS NEW BRUNSWICK
(CANADAEAST) The inaugural visit of the world's largest and most expensive ocean liner, the Queen Mary 2, to New Brunswick's port city this week was no small affair. Commodore Ronald Warwick told visitors how company founder Samuel Cunard's vision to create a fleet of steamships running from Britain to North America, a steel "bridge across the Atlantic," still guides the ship's staff today. The QM2 has everything from the world's largest floating ballroom to a library collection of 9,000 titles. One night can cost up to $5,000 US per person.
CANADA
AFGHAN BOMB INJURES THREE CANADIAN SOLDIERS
(CTV) Three Canadian soldiers suffered minor injuries in what was a suspected suicide bombing in Kandahar. The Canadian soldiers were treated for minor injuries such as bruises and burns. The bombing occurred about one kilometre outside of Kandahar when the suicide bomber's vehicle made a short U-turn, and came back at the Canadian convoy and detonated. Canada's Defence Minister Bill Graham recently warned that the move by Canadian troops into the militant hotbed of Kandahar could boost the odds of Canadian deaths and injuries.
OTTAWA TO OFFER $2.3B IN FUEL RELIEF
(TORONTO STAR) Finance Minister Ralph Goodale is set to announce a $2.3-billion response to rising fuel-prices. The five-year plan would help seniors by providing extra money under the Guaranteed Income Supplement. Families with modest incomes are expected to receive assistance under the National Child Benefit supplement. About $800 million of the plan is said to be for mass transit initiatives. There are also plans for a national agency to monitor sudden increases in fuel prices, and tougher competition regulations to investigate possible price gouging.
CABINET MINISTERS DEFEND USE OF LUXURY JETS
(CTV) Cabinet ministers in the federal government have spent more than $350,000 on luxury Challenger jets since Paul Martin became prime minister, cable public affairs channel CPAC reports. Opposition MPs say the ministers should have flown on cheaper commercial flights. Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan says she has used one of the four Challengers, but only when there were no other means of air transportation available. Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Stephane Dion says the flights may have occurred as ministers tried to be in the Commons for key votes.
FEDS INSIST SEVERANCE MUST BE PAID TO DINGWALL
(CTV) National Revenue Minister John McCallum says the federal government is obliged to offer a severance package to David Dingwall, the former head of the Royal Canadian Mint. Dingwall resigned last week after being attacked about his expense claims and his past work as a lobbyist. McCallum said lawyers have told the federal government it has no choice but to offer Dingwall a severance package. McCallum cited the Royal Canadian Mint Act, the Financial Administration Act, and Crown corporation general regulations. McCallum did not explain how those pieces of legislation are relevant.
(GLOBE AND MAIL) Peter McKay will tell his Conservative caucus colleagues today that he will remain in federal politics. McKay has been under intense pressure to run for the Tory leadership and premiership of Nova Scotia since Premier John Hamm announced last week that he is retiring. A meeting between McKay and Conservative leader Stephen Harper helped McKay in his decision to remain in federal politics. During the meeting, arper did not apologize for past difficulties between the two politicians, but did encourage his young deputy leader to stay in the federal arena.
CBC PRESIDENT CHASTIZED OVER LOCKOUT
(TORONTO STAR) The new chair of the CBC board says the decision to lock out CBC employees should have been made by that body, not by corporation president Robert Rabinovitch. Guy Fournier, appointed to the post Tuesday by a parliamentary committee, said he was "sad" about how the seven-week-old lockout of 5,500 employees has transpired. NDP culture critic Charlie Angus said Tuesday Rabinovitch was legally obligated under the Broadcast Act to inform Heritage Minister Liza Frulla of his plan to lockout the employees, but this was later disputed by a lawyer in Frulla's office.
MYSTERY RESPIRATORY ILLNESS KILLS FOUR MORE SENIORS
(TORONTO STAR) Four more senior residents at the Seven Oaks Home for the Aged in Scarborough, Ont., have died of an unidentified respiratory illness. There have now been 10 deaths at the nursing home. The Ontario Public Health Laboratory has not been able to identify the mysterious virus and it is possible the illness may never be identified. The outbreak is considered under control says David McKeown, Toronto's medical officer of health. Seven Oaks is no longer under quarantine, but staff continue to utilize precautions such as the use of gowns, masks, and gloves when dealing with patients.
(CTV) All 30 teams are in action tonight as the NHL returns after a 16-month hiatus. The game returns with new rules and many players changing teams. The on-ice product promises to be more exciting with a shootout to break overtime ties and a crackdown on obstruction. All eyes will also be on hockey phenom Sidney Crosby when he makes his official NHL debut in East Rutherford, NJ, as his Pittsburgh Penguins face off against the New Jersey Devils.
WORLD
HURRICANE SLAMS MEXICO; 66 DEAD ALONG GULF COAST
(CNN) Hurricane Stan slammed into Mexico's Gulf coast Tuesday and at least 66 people are dead, mostly from landslides in El Salvador. The storm, which included winds of 128 kilometres an hour before being downgraded to a tropical storm, came ashore along a sparsely populated stretch of coastline south of Veracruz, a busy port 296 kilometres east of Mexico City. The storm's rapid approach had caught many by surprise.
(REUTERS) Indonesian police widened their search on Wednesday for those behind the weekend suicide blasts in Bali. Police have launched a nationwide manhunt and a senior officer said it was focused on Bali and the capital Jakarta. Attention has centered on the al-Qaida-linked Jemaah Islamiah network or an offshoot of it. Jemaah Islamiah has been blamed for a string of attacks in Indonesia, including nightclub bombings in Bali three years ago.
NEW ORLEANS ENDS WIDESPREAD SEARCH FOR BODIES
(CNN) The search for Katrina victims ended in Louisiana with a death toll at 972. A private company has been hired by the state and will remove any other bodies that are found. The death toll probably will continue to rise, but authorities have said sweeps yielded fewer bodies than feared, and the toll was likely to be well below the dire projections. New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin predicted soon after hurricane Katrina struck that New Orleans alone could have 10,000 dead.
NEW ORLEANS CUTS MUNICIPAL JOBS
(GLOBE AND MAIL) New Orleans will lay off 40 per cent of its workers, Mayor Ray Nagin said Tuesday. He also warned of more cuts ahead as the city faces the challenges of recovering from hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The elimination of 3,000 jobs, which Nagin described as "pretty permanent," is expected to save the city around $6 million to $9 million Cdn a month.
LEBANON MOVES TO FURTHER REDUCE SYRIAN INFLUENCE
(CNN) The Lebanese government moved Tuesday to purge Lebanon's security services of Syrian influence by appointing new chiefs to office. The cabinet appointed a replacement for a general detained as a suspect in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and it removed a police commander associated with the former pro-Syrian administration. This is the government's first serious attempt to tackle the decline in security highlighted by a series of mysterious bombings in recent months.
IRAQ RESTORES VOTING RULES FOR REFERENDUM
(GLOBE AND MAIL) Iraq's parliament voted Wednesday to reverse last-minute changes it had made to rules for next week's referendum on a new constitution. The United Nations had criticized the change as unfair to Iraq's Sunni Arab minority, which had threatened to boycott the vote. After a brief debate, the parliament voted 119 to 28 to restore the original voting rules for the referendum, which will take place Oct. 15.
SOLDIERS WOUND WEST BANK NEW KNIFE ATTACKER
(BBC) The Israeli army has shot and wounded a Palestinian teenager after he attempted to stab soldiers at a West Bank checkpoint near Nablus today. The attack comes the day after a female attacker was shot dead by Israeli troops after she injured a soldier in the face at the Nablus checkpoint. The 37-year-old woman had been on her way to carry out a suicide attack when she was shot. Israelis say they stepping up security to prevent possible Palestinian militant attacks during Jewish new year celebrations.
SEVENTH INDONESIAN BIRD FLU DEATH
(BBC) Doctors in Jakarta have confirmed that a seventh Indonesian person has died of bird flu. Slamet Wibowo, 23, is said to have died at the city's hospital for infectious diseases last Thursday, after tests showed he had contracted the virus. Wibowo is known to have had contact with birds before becoming ill. The deadly disease has already killed dozens of people across Asia, and led to millions of birds being culled.
U.S., N. KOREA HOLD NUCLEAR TALKS
(ALJAZEERA) The United States and North Korea have begun direct nuclear talks for the first time since Pyongyang pledged two weeks ago to abandon its nuclear weapons program, a top U.S. envoy says. Christopher Hill, chief United States negotiator at the Beijing-hosted talks, said on Tuesday a meeting was held between his staff and officials from North Korea's UN mission in New York.
THREE SHARE NOBEL PHYSICS PRIZE
(GLOBE AND MAIL) Americans John Hall and Roy Glauber, and German Theodor Haensch have won the 2005 Nobel Prize in physics. The prize was given to the trio for their work in advancing optic technology to make lasers, GPS technology and other methods more accurate and concise in their readings. Hall and Haensch won half the prize for their contributions to the development of laser-based precision spectroscopy. Glauber won the other half of the prize for his contribution to the quantum theory of optical coherence.