Peter Thiel: The pope is ‘working for the Chinese Communists’ by criticizing AI
(via CNN)
Speaking at the Aspen Ideas Festival, the billionaire tech investor said the Vatican’s concerns could discourage America in the AI arms race, warned of a democratic-socialist takeover and explained why he named Palantir after JRR Tolkien’s treacherous seeing stones.
Canadian boy dies of rabies after waking to find bat on his face
(via the Guardian)
Eleven-year-old developed symptoms 19 days after encounter in Ontario in ‘exceedingly rare’ case.
Why expansion of Delta, BC, container port is going hand-in-hand with Alberta pipeline
(via CBC)
The lack of a northern route for Alberta’s proposed new pipeline to the B.C. coast may have grabbed the headlines during Thursday’s announcement of an Ottawa-B.C. memorandum of understanding with more than $200 billion in investments. But analysts say the federal government’s $10-billion commitment to a container port expansion in Delta, B.C., as part of the MOU means that Roberts Bank Terminal 2 (RBT2) is critical to the project, too.
BC Nurses initiate job action with a ban on non-nursing duties and non-essential overtime
(via CHEK)
After issuing a 72-hour strike notice earlier this week, on Thursday the BC Nurses Union (BCNU) announced the start of “targeted job action” at worksites across the province.
Inside the Provincial Archaeology Office’s theory that Europeans inhabited Labrador before Innu
(via the Independent)
Archaeologist Stephen Loring, whose work is being disputed by the provincial government, says archaeology is “wildly political” and can be misinterpreted “to promote a political agenda like land claims.”
US Olympic canoeist David Hearn charged with damaging Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool
(via NBC)
Several people have been arrested and cited after President Donald Trump, without evidence, blamed vandals for destroying the pool.
Island districts ratchet up water restrictions as drought concerns rise
(via Times Colonist)
The Cowichan Valley Regional District moves to Stage 3 restrictions on Friday, following similar moves in Nanaimo and the Comox Valley.
Vatican declares Society of St. Pius X in schism, excommunicates bishops
(via NPR)
The Vatican responded aggressively Thursday to a traditionalist society that consecrated bishops without the pope’s consent, declaring the Society of St. Pius X in schism, excommunicating its bishops and priests and warning its faithful they too face the harshest sanctions in the Catholic Church.
First Nations purchase shuttered Canfor sawmill in Vanderhoof to create industrial park
(via CBC)
Mill accounted for 11 per cent of community’s tax base, mayor says
Powell River residents protest encampments as motion to change bylaw is defeated
(via Global News)
Resident Nichole Strickland spoke at the council meeting, saying she, like many residents, feels frustrated that their voices are not being heard.
