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“Oil CEO says too much government talking, not enough action, putting climate targets in jeopardy”

Leave a Comment / Canada News, Politics /

Derek Evans, the head of Calgary-based MEG Energy, told CBC Radio’s The House the lack of concrete details on climate policies are interfering with the chronology for decarbonization.  (CBC) An oil company CEO says federal and provincial governments are stuck on “academic discussions” about greenhouse gas emissions targets, putting timelines for their own goals in jeopardy.  Derek Evans, the head of Calgary-based MEG Energy, told CBC Radio’s The House the lack of concrete details on climate policies are interfering with the chronology for decarbonization.  “The whole 2030 timeline, what we said we thought we could do by 2030, that starts to get risked,” he said, adding the dialogue has been productive but lacking action.  Ottawa is crafting policies that would put legislative pressure on the sector to decarbonize more quickly, including an impending emissions cap and killing “inefficient” fossil fuel subsidies. An announcement on the latter is expected next week, but specifics have been scarce for years.  Canada has committed to net-zero by 2050, with an interim goal that would require oil and gas to cut 42 per cent of its greenhouse gas emissions below 2019 levels by 2030.  Canada’s Minister of the Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault photographed speaking in Vancouver in 2022. Ottawa is crafting policies that would put legislative pressure on the oil and gas sector to decarbonize more quickly.  (REUTERS/Jennifer Gauthier) Both levels of government are feuding over 2030 targets, though they agree on the end date of 2050. Both are providing support to industry in the form of funding and tax credits, but disagree on the methods to reach a carbon-neutral economy.  “We will lose not only the opportunity to decarbonize, we are going to lose the next generation in terms of their belief in are we actually doing what’s right for the environment,” Evans said. His daughter often presses him about his work, he said, and whether oil companies are serious when it comes to climate change. Industry titans, including MEG’s partners in the Pathways Alliance that represents 95 per cent of oilsands production, have told the federal government getting to the 42-per-cent reduction goal is unrealistic by the end of the decade (In fact, they say it would take an extra five years to get there at the current pace). The oilsands produce about 70 million tonnes of emissions annually, according to the Alberta government — about 11 per cent of Canada’s total pollution output. “At some point, if you are serious about decarbonizing the oilsands for a variety of reasons, we need to see some progress towards that,” said Andrew Leach, a professor and energy and environment economist at the University of Alberta.  “But I think also … if the government is not going to recognize, for example, enhanced oil recovery as a means of carbon capture and sequestration, industry needs to know that before they can decide where to put their money.” The federal government has announced billions in clean energy incentives and tax credits for things like carbon capture and storage. That’s what the industry wants clarity on. Alberta has also committed about $2 billion into carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) and approved 25 proposals for carbon storage hubs.  CCUS technology traps and stores pollution from production underground. Despite political and industry buzz, it hasn’t been proven at a massive scale yet and remains relatively expensive.  Canadian oil and gas companies are hoping to lead the world in its development, but that’s becoming a steep task as U.S. measures like the Inflation Reduction Act provide historical investments for green tech.  Canada has been floating decarbonization and carbon capture for 30 years (early mentions appear in a 1994 report on climate to the United Nations). An oilsands plant in Fort McMurray, Alta. The federal government has announced billions in clean energy incentives and tax credits for things like carbon capture and storage. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press) “We are ready to go. We are waiting for the governments to collectively get at the table and join us and push this across the line. In my personal perspective, this is the single biggest imperative that we as people in the oil and gas business and as stewards of the land and the economy for the next generation, we absolutely need to make this happen as quickly as we can,” Evans said. Oil companies are also coming off the most lucrative year they’ve ever seen. At a time when there’s money available, companies have been criticized for not investing more of their record profits into clean technology development or accelerating their commitments to existing options.  Advancing without government direction and support — and out of step with other countries like Norway — would kill the competitiveness of Canadian oil, Evans said.  “I think we would just ultimately say it’s probably cheaper for us to pay the carbon tax and not abate the carbon. And then we have lost on two fronts: We have lost a global leadership opportunity … and we have not abated an iota of CO2.”  A recent report commissioned by an environmental group concluded it would be significantly cheaper to meet reduction targets for greenhouse gases than it would be to pay carbon taxes on it. Leach said the path forward depends on whether decisions are influenced more by politics or by global market and environmental factors.  That question rests largely with the industry. “Is decarbonizing the oilsands something that has to happen for the future of the industry or is it something that has to happen so long as the current Liberal government makes it a priority,” he said. Evans remains optimistic the governments and companies can find a path forward.  “I have never heard a federal official tell me that they want to see production shut in and clearly the premier doesn’t either. So with those basics, I feel we’re going to be able to thread the needle here.”  Alberta’s Smith decries ‘federal interference’ ahead of premiers’ meeting Alberta Premier Danielle Smith believes she’ll have allies in her battle against what she sees as federal interference when she attends this week’s meeting of

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“NATO’s latest moves could bottle up much of Russia’s naval power”

Leave a Comment / News, World News /

A Russian nuclear submarine sails off to take part in Pacific Fleet drills near Vladivostok, Russia on April 14, 2023. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP) Since midnight Wednesday, Moscow time, Russia has been warning the world that any ship approaching a Ukrainian port “will be regarded as potential carriers of military cargo.” This obvious threat to sink commercial shipping appears to be an attempt to prevent ships from taking on Ukrainian grain. This week, Russia unilaterally ended talks on renewing the Black Sea Grain Initiative that has allowed food to flow to other countries from Ukraine, despite the war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has asked Turkey to join him in a new arrangement to protect grain ships without Russia’s involvement. Turkey has yet to respond. The threat to sink commercial shipping marks an escalation that can only be carried out under a state of declared war, said Tanya Grodzinski, a naval historian at the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ont. That’s something Russian President Vladimir Putin has been anxious to avoid, opting instead to present his war on Ukraine as a “special military operation.” The new threat may say more about Russia’s weakness than its strength, as the strategic balance in the waters around European Russia shifts against it. The day the NATO summit in Vilnius opened — July 11 — was marked in Cuba by the arrival of the Russian Navy warship Perekop of the Baltic Fleet. The Cuban government welcomed the Perekop — the biggest Russian warship to visit Cuba in many years — with a cannon salute from Havana’s old fort. For Moscow, the visit allowed Russia to project its military power into the Americas and show support for the Cuban Communist Party, a close ally, on the second anniversary of a popular revolt against its rule. But as the fanfare unfolded in Havana, events in Vilnius that morning and the night before were building a new fence around the Perekop’s home ports of St Petersburg and Kaliningrad. Russia’s Baltic fleet will still be able to sail in peacetime but it’s being strategically bottled up as its home sea becomes a NATO lake. And to the south, Russia’s storied Black Sea fleet, already hurt by the humiliating loss of its flagship Moskva, faces an uncertain future and the possible loss of both its bases and its naval supremacy. One way in, one way out The Baltic and the Black Sea share a geographical feature: they both have only one slender opening into the world’s oceans. In the Baltic, three narrow straits separate Denmark from Sweden; the widest, between two Danish islands, is a mere 16 kilometres across. Ships seeking to exit the Black Sea to enter the Mediterranean must sail the Bosphorus River and the Dardanelles Strait — both of which are entirely within the territorial waters of NATO member Turkey. Four days after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Turkey closed the straits to all warships, a move that principally affects Russia. A Russian navy vessel launches an anti-ship missile test in the Peter The Great Gulf in the Sea of Japan on March 28, 2023. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP) For those reasons, Russia has long preferred to station the main part of its blue water navy and its nuclear submarines at its Arctic and Pacific ports. Grodzinski said the Baltic and Black Sea fleets were central to Russia’s emergence as a great power after the 1790s. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and NATO’s response to it, threatens that standing, she added. “If this was viewed as a gamble on the part of Mr. Putin to recreate this image he has of Russia, this historic image of Russian being a great power, it’s being thwarted diplomatically in the Baltic and militarily in Ukraine and the Black Sea,” she told CBC News. “The implications for his leadership and position could be quite significant.” Putin and his defenders have claimed he launched his war to keep NATO away from Russia’s borders. Instead, the conflict triggered a new round of NATO expansion that this year caused Russia’s border with the alliance to more than double in length. The accession of Finland in April added more than 1,300 kilometres of NATO-Russia border.  The green light for Sweden to join the alliance, which came on the eve of the Vilnius summit, turns the Baltic Sea into NATO’s backyard. At the start of the year, the northern shores of the Baltic, including both sides of the Gulf of Bothnia, were neutral territory. Sweden and Finland, two countries that maintain highly professional navies and air forces, had for decades remained outside of the European alliance. Now, every inch of Baltic shoreline outside of Russian waters is controlled by NATO allies — allies that are increasingly well-armed. “You’re seeing this rejuvenation of naval forces all across Europe,” said Grodzinski. “Sweden, Norway, Finland and so forth are expanding their navies. There is a greater NATO presence in in the Baltic Sea, which never really occurred before. So there’s a completely different dynamic.” Swedish Black Hawk helicopters fly past the Navy ship that U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin travels on during a military demonstration through the islands in the southern Stockholm archipelago on Wednesday, April 19, 2023. (Lolita Baldor/Associated Press) The Swedes, said retired Canadian admiral Mark Norman, “have an incredibly capable military with some very advanced technologies, many of which are homegrown or organic capabilities. They are experts in what I would call sea control in relatively shallow waters. “They’re experts in mining, counter-mining. They are experts in submarining and in anti-submarining. These are vital capabilities.” A Russian ship leaving Saint Petersburg must first sail through the Gulf of Finland, where only about 80 kilometres of open water separate Helsinki from the Estonian capital Tallinn. NATO is now on both sides of that narrow strait. The even narrower corridor of international waters in the middle is within easy range of NATO’s sea-skimming missiles from either shore. The new political geography of the region means “in effect, in any form of conflict, the Baltic gets cut off,” said maritime and arctic security expert Rob Huebert of the University of Calgary. “We’re not going to be able to see any

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“Mississauga, Ont., mosque attacker who planned ‘mass casualty event’ pleads guilty to 3 charges”

Leave a Comment / Canada News, crime /

Mohammad Moiz Omar pleaded guilty to three charges Wednesday, including administering a noxious substance, assault with a weapon, and mischief to religious property with motivation of bias, prejudice or hate based on religion. (Michael Cole/CBC) A man who assaulted worshippers at a mosque in Mississauga, Ont., last year had been planning the attack for a year and was motivated by hatred of and a desire to intimidate Muslims, court documents show. Mohammad Moiz Omar “intended to perpetrate a mass casualty event” when he entered the Dar Al-Tawheed Islamic Centre during early morning prayer on March 19, 2022 and sprayed bear spray toward congregants while swinging a hatchet, according to an agreed statement of facts read at the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Brampton, Ont. Wednesday. Omar, who was 24 years old at the time of the attack, pleaded guilty to three charges, according to one of his lawyers, Jacob Roth of Robichaud Criminal Lawyers. Those charges include administering a noxious substance with intent to endanger life or cause bodily harm, assault with a weapon, and mischief to religious property with motivation of bias, prejudice or hate based on religion. “As part of his plea, Mr. Omar acknowledged that guilt on those three charges constitutes terrorist activity,” Roth said in a phone call Wednesday. The mosque’s imam, Ibrahim Hindy, said the revelations in court Wednesday confirmed his community’s worst nightmare. “This was not someone having a bad day or having a mental health episode. This was someone who planned out clearly what he wanted to do and how he wanted to kill Muslims,” Hindy said. “I’m only grateful that our congregation was able to stop him before he was able to ultimately harm someone.” ‘You are all terrorists,’ attacker said According to the statement of facts, Omar entered the mosque at 7 a.m., when there were approximately 30 people gathered for morning prayer. He approached them from behind and discharged the bear spray while swinging the hatchet. Congregants heard him say, “I hate you” and “You are all terrorists” during the attack. The attack was thwarted when congregants pushed Omar to the ground and restrained him. While none of the worshippers were seriously injured, one was kicked in the stomach and several suffered side effects from the bear spray. Damage to the mosque cost $16,000 to repair. Police who searched his car found several weapons and tools, including a large knife, a cleaver, a hammer, rope, drill bits, safety goggles, fire extinguishers, and an unknown chemical. Most were recently purchased at a Canadian Tire. A photo from the agreed statement of facts shows a large knife, cleaver and an axe found on Omar’s person or in his car following the March 2022 mosque attack. (Ontario Superior Court of Justice) While in custody, Omar told police he had a Muslim background but considered himself an atheist.  He expressed hatred for Islam and Muslims, and disappointment that he was unable to inflict more serious harm to the victims. The document says Omar told police he was “provoked” by what he called “an intolerant and violent religion.” “The attack was also aimed at intimidating a segment of the public (Muslims) with regard to their security,” it says. Omar told police he had tried to acquire firearms for the attack but was unsuccessful and that he considered building a bomb but lacked the knowledge and skill to do so. He also told them he had considered attacking other targets, including a different mosque and the Pakistani consulate, or using his car to run down Muslims. “When asked if had hoped to inspire others to commit similar attacks he commented, ‘In a sense ya. You can always hope,’” the document says.  During a search of Omar’s home, investigators found a hard drive containing video footage of the March 2019 mosque shootings in Christchurch, N.Z., where a white supremacist killed 51 people and injured another 40. In comments to police, Omar said he enjoyed seeing a woman being shot in that attack. Police also found evidence that Omar attempted to obtain a 3-D printer capable of printing a firearm and sent emails to himself that disclosed “a high level of planning.” Steven Zhou, a spokesperson for the National Council of Canadian Muslims, also praised the quick response of the congregants that day.  “If it were not for their bravery, we may very well have attended several funerals in addition to today’s proceedings,” Zhou said. “They could have been the victims of another Quebec City-style attack, or the truck attack in London, Ont., which occurred just months before this attack, or the murder of a caretaker at the IMO mosque in Rexdale not too far from here.” Zhou said these attacks show a “trend of individuals violently attacking Muslims for who they are and for what they believe” that all Canadians must confront. In June, the Public Prosecution Service of Canada and Ministry of the Attorney General “consented to the commencement of terrorism proceedings” against Omar. The terrorism classification allows prosecutors to pursue tougher sentencing submissions than would apply to a regular offence. Roth, Omar’s lawyer, said his client remains in custody while he awaits sentencing. Prosecutors and the defence have submitted a joint sentencing submission of eight years in prison.  Hindy said that’s not enough. “I think if anyone desires and plots to commit mass murder in Canada, they deserve more than eight years in prison,” he said. Omar will appear in court again Tuesday for his sentencing hearing. In a news release on Wednesday, Peel police said the Public Prosecution Service of Canada and Ministry of the Attorney General have “consented to the commencement of terrorism proceedings” against Mohammad Moiz Omar. This isn’t an instance where police have added new charges — but terrorism proceedings being coupled with the court case will allow prosecutors to potentially pursue tougher sentencing submissions, should Omar be found guilty. Investigators allege that on March 19, Omar entered the Dar Al-Tawheed Islamic Centre in Mississauga and sprayed bear spray towards congregants while brandishing a hatchet. “Our community has a fundamental right, and deserves, to feel safe and secure,” said Peel police Chief Nishan Duraiappah, in a statement. “Any attempt

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“Breaking Point: The Alarming Crisis in Alberta’s Drought-Ridden Fields and Its Impact on the Future of Agriculture”

Leave a Comment / Canada News, News /

Cattle graze at sunset near Cochrane, Alta., on June 8. The chair of the Alberta Beef Producers says where drought conditions are affecting producers, the situation has grown severe. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press) The president of the Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) says a dire situation has emerged for various municipalities, especially in the southern and eastern parts of the province. “There’s just not enough time, if we did have the moisture required, and just too late germination. So it’s a pretty scary situation,” Paul McLauchlin said. Such conditions are likely to spark some bigger conversations about the future of food security in the province, McLauchlin said, especially when it comes to agricultural disasters. This year, multiple municipalities have declared agricultural disasters, including:  County of Stettler (June 14). County of Paintearth (June 20). Vulcan County (June 21). Foothills County (June 28). Cypress County (July 5). Wheatland County (July 5). The latest moves follow devastating drought conditions two years ago when multiple provincial municipalities declared agricultural disasters.   RMA president Paul McLauchlin says he expects a doubling of the number of agricultural disasters declared in the province so far this year. (Trevor Wilson/CBC) “We’re definitely into a trend,” McLauchlin said. “I think that we need to start looking for conversations around efficiency in our use of agricultural disasters, what type of mitigation we can have.  “Coming into a hotter and drier future, we’ve got to start having bigger discussions on how we can mitigate this for the long run.” In declaring the disaster in Wheatland County, located east of Calgary, officials said the problem is “urgent,” stating that the drought means there’s very little water for crops. For some producers, any precipitation may be too late. The Special Areas Board, which covers more than five million acres in east-central Alberta, also declared an agricultural disaster, for Special Area No. 2, 3, and 4 on July 12, the second time it had done so in more than 20 years. “Dry conditions are not new to the Special Areas, but ongoing moisture deficiencies and hot temperatures have devastated crops and pasture throughout the region,” wrote Jordon Christianson, chair of the board, in a statement.  “Producers are struggling to find enough grass, water and feed for their cattle. Farmers are facing widespread crop failures. Significant grasshopper infestations are making a very difficult situation worse in many parts of the Special Areas.” Ed Vandenberg, who farms potatoes, dry beans and corn near Enchant, Alta., says he’s fortunate to have irrigation, because without it, he wouldn’t have a crop this year — but it has led to challenges for his neighbours. “It just puts a bit of a negative gloom over the area, when neighbours get together and they’re talking about the crops and the state of the crops,” Vandenberg said. “It’s discouraging when you have good crops, and the potential and the promise of a good harvest, that brings a smile to farmers’ faces. But they’re far and few between right now.”  Agriculture is a key part of Alberta’s economy, contributing $8.1 billion in GDP in 2021 and employing more than 58,300 Albertans, according to Invest Alberta.  Brodie Haugan, chair of Alberta Beef Producers, said though the drought areas may be getting smaller, where it is affecting producers it is severe.  Extreme drought and weather in the past has led beef producers in Canada and in the United States to thin herds in near-record numbers. That’s taking place again this year, Haugan said. “A lot of operations that were forced to take measures in past years haven’t been able to build their numbers back this year,” Haugan said.  Municipal agricultural disasters don’t automatically trigger funding or program responses. They are used to signal that the conditions that farmers are facing are growing dire to provincial and federal governments. But McLauchlin, the RMA president, said they are an important exercise, and aren’t taken lightly. Conditions in the Special Areas, which cover more than five million acres in east-central Alberta, are shown in these two photos. The Special Areas Board says ongoing moisture deficiencies and hot temperatures have devastated crops and pasture throughout the region. (Submitted by Special Areas Board) Moving forward, he said conversations were starting to take shape around what the future of agriculture in the province might look like. “South Africa had a [dire] drought. And they responded to it by actually using the landscape to mitigate and create a more certain future, whether it was a better use of water, water recycling, check dams and a lot of other conversations — even around crop choices,” he said. “So I think those discussions have happened lately. But I think that … at the end of this year, we need to start having those bigger conversations with multiple folks at the table, and decide how we’re going to take this on in the future.” In a statement, a spokesperson for Alberta Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation RJ Sigurdson said it was working with the Agriculture Financial Services Corporation to support producers who are considering putting their crops to alternate uses, rather than waiting until maturity to harvest. “We have heard the concerns of crop and livestock producers, and continue to closely monitor the situation and explore possible support options,” spokesperson Callum Reid wrote in a statement. Alberta, known for its vast agricultural lands, is currently facing a grave challenge: a severe drought that has taken a toll on its fields and raised concerns about the future of farming in the region. The province’s farmers, who rely on water availability for successful crop production and livestock maintenance, are grappling with the devastating consequences of the ongoing water shortage. This article delves into the alarming situation, its causes, and the potential implications for Alberta’s agricultural sector. Drought is a prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall that leads to water scarcity and adverse impacts on various sectors, including agriculture. In recent years, climate change has intensified the frequency and severity of droughts worldwide. Alberta’s current drought scenario is a direct result of declining precipitation patterns and changing weather patterns influenced by climate change. As a result, the province is experiencing reduced water availability, affecting both crop production and livestock management.

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“The Shocking Revelation: Trump Informed of Being the Prime Target in U.S. Probe on Election Meddling”

Leave a Comment / News, World News /

Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign event, Saturday, July 8, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher, File) WASHINGTON – Former U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he has received a letter informing him that he is a target of the Justice Department’s investigation into efforts to undo the results of the 2020 presidential election, an indication that he could soon be indicted by federal prosecutors. Trump made the claim in a post on his Truth Social platform, saying he received the target letter while with his family on Sunday night. Such a letter can precede an indictment and is used to advise individuals that prosecutors have evidence linking them to a crime; Trump received one ahead of being charged last month in a separate investigation into the mishandling of classified documents. A spokesman for special counsel Jack Smith, whose office is leading the investigation, declined to comment. Smith’s team has cast a broad net in its investigation into attempts by Trump and his allies to block the legitimate transfer of power to Democrat Joe Biden in the days leading up to the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, when Trump loyalists stormed the building in a bid to disrupt the certification of electoral votes in Congress. More than 1,000 people accused of participating in the riot have been charged. Smith’s probe has centered on a broad range of schemes from Trump and allies to keep him in power, including the use of slates of so-called fake electors in battleground states won by Biden and disputed by Trump. Trump, who is currently the dominant early frontrunner for the Republican nomination, is scheduled to travel to Iowa Tuesday, where he is taping a town hall with Fox News host Sean Hannity. One purpose of the target letter is to advise a potential defendant that he or she has a right to appear before the grand jury. Trump said in his post that he has been given “a very short 4 days to report to the Grand Jury, which almost always means an Arrest and indictment,” but aides did not immediately respond to questions seeking clarity. Prosecutors in Georgia are conducting a separate investigation into efforts by Trump to reverse his election loss in that state, with the top prosecutor in Fulton County signaling that she expects to announce charging decisions next month. In his post, Trump wrote that “they have now effectively indicted me three times…. with a probably fourth coming from Atlanta” and added in capital letters, “This witch hunt is all about election interference and a complete and total (political) weaponization of law enforcement!” Trump was indicted last month on 37 felony counts accusing him of illegally retaining hundreds of classified documents at his Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago. He has pleaded not guilty. A pretrial conference in that case was set for Tuesday in Fort Pierce, Fla. Efforts to deceive the public about voting and elections remain a top concern for state election officials as they dig into preparations for the 2024 election. Misinformation and the emergence of generative artificial intelligence tools to create false and misleading content were cited in interviews with several secretaries of state gathered recently for their national conference. Other top concerns were staffing and the loss of experienced leaders overseeing elections at the local level. The officials were gathered in Washington for the annual summer conference of the National Association of Secretaries of State. “The cliche here is true,” said Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon, a Democrat. “You hope for the best, but plan for the worst. So, we’re planning for the worst, which is that multiple communications channels will be filled with false and misleading information.” State election officials in Michigan and Colorado said they were particularly concerned about the rise of AI and the implications of it being misused by foreign adversaries seeking to meddle in U.S. elections. They pointed to altered videos, known as deepfakes, that rely on facial mapping and AI to make it appear that real people are saying things they never said. Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold said she convened a working group in her office to game out potential risks, after a 2020 presidential election that was marred by false claims and attacks on voting. Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said state and federal regulations requiring disclosures of AI-generated content are needed along with boosting public awareness. State election officials in Michigan and Colorado said they were particularly concerned about the rise of AI and the implications of it being misused by foreign adversaries seeking to meddle in U.S. elections. They pointed to altered videos, known as deepfakes, that rely on facial mapping and AI to make it appear that real people are saying things they never said. Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold said she convened a working group in her office to game out potential risks, after a 2020 presidential election that was marred by false claims and attacks on voting. Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said state and federal regulations requiring disclosures of AI-generated content are needed along with boosting public awareness. “We can’t necessarily put the genie back in the bottle, but we can educate citizens about how to receive that information,” said Benson, a Democrat. “And it becomes much easier if there are disclaimers alongside it that says, hey, this is fake.” Some state election officials said they would not be deterred by a recent court order by a federal judge in Louisiana that limited federal agencies when it comes to contacting social media companies about content deemed false or deceptive with a few exceptions. On Friday, an appeals court temporarily paused the order. “The injunction doesn’t apply to state officials, so I’m going to keep talking to whoever the hell I want to talk to,” said Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, a Democrat. “If you know somebody is out there lying and it hurts voters, they’re literally telling voters the wrong day

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“Barrie Business Nightmare: Unlocked Truck Stolen with Keys, Wallet Inside – Learn How to Outsmart Thieves!”

Leave a Comment / crime, News /

A vehicle key is pictured in this file image. (Supplied) Police say an “opportunistic thief” stole a pickup truck outside a Barrie business that had been left unlocked with the keys and the out-of-town owner’s wallet inside. According to Barrie police, the truck was stolen when the owner entered an Anne Street business around 10 a.m. Monday. Police say the owner was inside the business for 13 minutes, and the truck was gone when he returned. They say the wallet contains personal documentation that will need replacing, along with credit and bank cards. Police say a selection of tools was also in the truck. The vehicle is a 2019 black Honda Ridgeline with Ontario licence plate B A 2 9 3 9 9. “There is no suspect description as video surveillance was not available, and the direction of travel after the truck was stolen is not known,” police noted in the release. The incident prompted police to remind the public never to leave vehicles unattended and unlocked with valuables inside. In a surprising turn of events, an unlocked truck was stolen outside a business in Barrie, leaving the owner distraught and concerned about the security of their personal belongings. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding one’s possessions and maintaining vigilance in public spaces. The incident took place in broad daylight, raising questions about the audacity of the thieves and the overall security measures in the area. The truck owner had left the keys and wallet inside the vehicle, making it an easy target for opportunistic criminals. This unfortunate incident highlights the need for individuals to exercise caution and take necessary precautions to prevent theft and protect their belongings. Barrie, a vibrant city in Ontario, Canada, has been known for its relatively low crime rates. However, this incident serves as a reminder that theft can occur anywhere, even in seemingly secure areas. It underscores the importance of being proactive in securing one’s property to minimize the risk of such incidents. Leaving keys and valuables inside a vehicle is a risky practice that can lead to dire consequences. Thieves are constantly on the lookout for opportunities, and an unlocked vehicle with valuables in plain sight becomes an easy target. It is crucial for vehicle owners to remember that their vehicles are not impregnable fortresses and can be easily accessed if left unprotected. This incident also highlights the significance of businesses and establishments in promoting and maintaining a safe environment for their customers. Businesses should take measures to enhance security, such as installing surveillance cameras, ensuring well-lit parking areas, and encouraging customers to be vigilant. Furthermore, individuals should also be educated about the importance of reporting suspicious activities to the authorities promptly. Timely reporting can assist law enforcement agencies in apprehending culprits and preventing future crimes. The theft of the unlocked truck raises concerns about the potential misuse of personal information contained in the stolen wallet. With personal identification, credit cards, and other sensitive information at the thieves’ disposal, the owner may face additional risks, including identity theft and financial fraud. It is crucial for the truck owner to immediately report the theft and take appropriate measures to protect their personal information. In the aftermath of this incident, law enforcement agencies in Barrie should enhance their efforts to address vehicle theft and educate the public about the importance of vehicle security. Public awareness campaigns, community outreach programs, and partnerships between the police and local businesses can significantly contribute to preventing such incidents in the future. It is essential for vehicle owners to prioritize their personal safety and the security of their possessions. Simple preventive measures, such as always locking vehicles, not leaving valuables in plain sight, and utilizing anti-theft devices, can go a long way in deterring potential thieves. Moreover, the incident in Barrie highlights the need for individuals to remain vigilant and proactive in their daily lives. It is crucial to be aware of one’s surroundings, especially in public spaces, and to report any suspicious activities promptly. By working together as a community, residents can create a safer environment and reduce the likelihood of theft and other criminal activities. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jqNiO0t6yk the theft of an unlocked truck outside a Barrie business, with keys and a wallet left inside, serves as a stark reminder of the importance of securing personal belongings and maintaining vigilance. It highlights the need for individuals to take necessary precautions to prevent theft, such as locking vehicles and not leaving valuables unattended. Additionally, businesses and law enforcement agencies should collaborate to create a safer environment and raise public awareness about vehicle security. By working together, we can strive to reduce theft incidents and ensure the overall safety and well-being of the community. To keep yourself safe from a potential business nightmare like having your unlocked truck stolen with keys and wallet inside, here are some steps you can take to outsmart thieves: Lock your vehicle: Always remember to lock your truck when you’re not inside, even if you’re just stepping away for a short time. This simple step can significantly reduce the risk of theft. Remove valuable items: Never leave valuable items, such as wallets, laptops, or mobile devices, in plain sight inside your truck. Thieves are more likely to target vehicles that contain items of value. Secure your keys: Avoid leaving your keys inside the vehicle, even if it’s locked. Thieves can use various methods to gain access to your keys, such as breaking a window or using a tool to fish them out. Use additional security measures: Consider installing a steering wheel lock, an alarm system, or a GPS tracking device in your truck. These deterrents can make it more difficult for thieves to steal your vehicle and increase the chances of recovering it if it does get stolen. Park in well-lit areas: Whenever possible, park your truck in well-lit areas or in places with security cameras. Thieves are less likely to target vehicles that are easily visible and monitored. Be aware

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