The return of the mandatory long form census, the identification of new planets, and a $75 million settlement. Today’s select headlines.
Canada
The RCMP changes its application requirements. Permanent residents are now eligible to apply, there are expanded exemptions from taking the national police force entrance exam, and there are changes to the physical abilities requirement evaluation. (via CBC)
The mandatory long form census makes a return. One in four households will receive the 36-page long form questionnaire, while the remainder will receive a 10-question version. (via CBC)
Following the decision where s.134 of the New Brunswick Liquor Control Act was ruled unconstitutional, in violation of section 121 of the Constitution Act, 1867, the federal government has reacted by promising a “comprehensive renewal” of Canada’s agreement on Internal Trade. (via CBC)
Mike Duffy returns to Parliament Hill after being dismissed of all charges (via CBC)
The Federal government pays $75 million to settle with victims and creditors affected by the Lac-Mégantic rail disaster (via The Globe and Mail)
Bank of America Merill Lynch economist Emanuella Enenajor warns that the Canadian housing market is “inching towards instability”. (via The Globe and Mail)
BCE Inc. has struck a $3.1-billion deal to buy Manitoba Telecom Services Inc, which currently holds 50% of the province’s wireless subscribers. The deal will require approval from a number of governmental agencies, as well as the department of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada. (via The Globe and Mail)
Interim Leader of the Conservative Party, Rona Ambrose, says that she will not be running for Tory leadership. This decision would fall in line with the wording of the Conservative Party’s constitution, which explicitly bars an interim leader from running. The leadership election will be held on May 27th, 2017. (via CBC)
Pierre Karl Péladeau steps down as leader of the Parti Québécois, after an 11 month and 17 day run in the position. (via The Globe and Mail)
Other
Speculation surrounds whether Craig Steven Wright could be the creator of Bitcoin. (via The Economist)
Three earth-sized planets are identified by a team of scientists. It is suggested that regions of the planets could be inhabited by humans.
From their observations, the scientists determined that all three planets are likely tidally locked, with permanent day and night sides. The two planets closest to the star may have day sides that are too hot, and night sides too cold, to host any life forms. However, there may be a “sweet spot” on the western side of both planets — a region that still receives daylight, but with relatively cool temperatures — that may be temperate enough to sustain conditions suitable for life. The third planet, furthest from its star, may be entirely within the habitable zone.
(via MIT)
Google creates a search feature called Google Posts which could potentially compete with Twitter.
Google has been toying with a feature that lets people or groups post short bits of text directly and instantly into Google searches. Along with the text, those participating can put in an image, video and link […] The search feature, tentatively titled Google Posts, only lasts for seven days. But you can publish a lot more — 14,400 characters and the ability to publish up to 10 images or video in any post.
(via Re/code)
Marissa Meyer, CEO of Yahoo, is expected to receive $55 million if she is removed as CEO within a year of any sale of the company. (via BBC)
Puerto Rico will default on the $470 million in debt payments due Monday. The default is the largest that Puerto Rico says it cannot pay. The bonds that Puerto Rico plans to default on May 1st are considered middle priority bonds. The greater issue will be the general obligation bonds, due July 1st, which are constitutionally protected. If defaulted upon, it is believed to place the island in legal limbo. (via RT, CBC)
The European Commission will be granting Turkey conditional approval for visa-free access within the EU’s Schengen area. Although Turkey has not met the traditional requirements expected of countries in order to raise visa limits, EU countries are under large pressure to alleviate the migrate crisis. Under the current agreement between the EU and Turkey, migrants who have arrived illegally in Greece (on or after March 20th) are to be returned to Turkey if their claim is rejected, or if they haven’t applied for asylum. For each migrant returned to Turkey, EU countries are expected to take in a migrant who has made a legitimate request. (via BBC)
Baidu finds itself stuck between a rock and a hard place following the death of 21-year-old Wei Zexi, a cancer patient who died after receiving controversial treatment at a private hospital advertised on Baidu. Although criticism related to Baidu’s association with private hospitals has existed as early as 2008, 30% of its online ad revenue comes from medical advertisements. (via Tech in Asia)
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