Blindsiding CBC. Spanish choices. Safety Dance. David Akin's Roundup

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Blindsiding CBC. Spanish choices. Safety Dance.

Jul 22, 2023

David Akin's Roundup

Clippings of #cdnpoli, #media, and #tech content aimed at those with an interest in Canadian politics and policy. And sometimes Canadian postage stamps.

Canada

What we know about the retired RCMP officer charged with conducting foreign interference for China

The RCMP said William Majcher used his network of contacts in Canada to “obtain intelligence or services to benefit the People’s Republic of China”. [Globe and Mail]

CBC head ‘blindsided’ staff with comments on broadcaster’s future, Poilievre: emails

After the head of Canada’s public broadcaster gave a newspaper interview earlier this year that promised CBC would eventually become a digital-only product and that criticized Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, senior managers were quick to refute her comments, internal emails suggest. [TorStar]

From the provinces

4 people missing, dozens displaced from devastating flooding across N.S.

Heavy rains have resulted in hazardous driving conditions as vehicles have been abandoned on flooded highways and roads throughout the Halifax area and across Nova Scotia. [Global]

Low advance turnout in 2 Ontario byelections ahead of polling day July 27

Voters in both Scarborough—Guildwood and Kanata—Carleton are voting to replace Ontario MPPs who have resigned their seats. [Global]

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Elsewhere

Spain faces stark left-right divide in hot summer vote

Resurgent nationalists in Spain aim to roll back the left-wing coalition's reforms. [BBC]

Spain’s Climate Election Pits Water Police Against Angry Berry Farmers

A vote in the middle of the second straight summer of unprecedented heat and drought could decide the fate of one of Europe’s most important wetlands. [Bloomberg]

Who are the candidates in Spain's general election?

Spain votes Sunday in an early general election which polls suggest no party will win with enough votes to govern alone, making post-ballot alliances necessary.A moderate, Feijoo has nonetheless not ruled out an alliance with far-right Vox to govern if the PP wins the most seats but falls short of a working majority, as most polls suggest. [AFP via Yahoo]

An Arctic ‘Great Game’ as NATO allies and Russia face off in far north

The war in Ukraine has put the frostbitten borderlands between Norway and Russia on heightened alert, while increasing the geostrategic importance of the Arctic. [WaPo]

The outrage over Jason Aldean’s ‘Try That in a Small Town,' explained

CMT pulled the video for Jason Aldean's "Try That in a Small Town," which is set at the Maury County Courthouse where a lynching and race riot took place. [WaPo]

The world is scorching. Here are the tourist hotspots facing the most heat

Destinations in Europe such as parts of Greece, eastern Spain, Sardinia, Sicily and southern Italy are currently experiencing the peak of their heat waves. [Global]

Media

Saturday print edition of Post, Herald, Guardian unavailable due to heavy rains, flooding issues

Due to the electrical storm and heavy rains and flooding, we experienced production problems at our Halifax plant for Saturday's print editions of the Cape Breton Post, The Chronicle Herald, and The Guardian. [SaltWire]

Twitter is limiting the number of DMs unverified users can send

Twitter has again made its platform a little less usable for people who choose not to pay for a Blue subscription. [Endgadget]

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Tech

North America’s first hydrogen-powered train tested on Quebec rails

It’s been in commercial service in Germany since 2018, but this is its North American debut, and the company says the train is the first of its kind on the continent. [Global]