Before you set off to start your day, here’s a look at 5 things you need to know this Tuesday: rescue officials are helping those in hard hit remote villages in Nepal; a state of emergency declared after chaos sweeps through Baltimore; Vancouver’s plan to regulate its booming pot business; the Auditor General’s spring report; and a lotto winner who’s willing to go to court to avoid the spotlight. Plus for 'Tech Tuesday,' a Toronto business that hopes to bring your very own electronic designs to life.
1. Nepal: Helicopters have accessed remote villages in Nepal, helping ferry out victims from the weekend’s devastating earthquake. However, weather is delaying other rescue attempts and the death toll continues to rise. The United Nations estimates that eight million people have been affected by the quake across the country.
2. Baltimore burning: A state of emergency has been declared in Baltimore after riots erupted in the streets on Monday. Vandals clashed with officers, torched a pharmacy and set police cars ablaze, forcing the governor to call in the National Guard to restore order. The protests are part of the latest flare-up over Freddie Gray, whose in-custody death has re-ignited the debate over police use of force.
3. Commercializing cannabis: Despite objections from the federal government, Vancouver city council will debate whether to regulate the city’s medical marijuana dispensaries. The city manager will present a report to council recommending the establishment of a system to regulate the stores that provide marijuana to customers with a prescription. Last week, the proposal drew federal attention, creating a standoff between federal Health Minister Rona Ambrose and Vancouver officials.
4. AG's spring report: Michael Ferguson, the Auditor General of Canada, will table his spring report in the House of Commons today – an eight-chapter document that will review such issues as access to health services for remote First Nations communities in Manitoba and Ontario, and the work of the military ombudsman's office.
5. Cash, no photos please: The mysterious winner of a $50-million B.C. Lottery ticket is fighting to keep his or her name out of the spotlight. Weeks after the ticket was turned in -- and nearly a year after it was originally purchased -- the winner is refusing to do a public cheque ceremony, which the B.C. Lottery Corp. says is a contractual obligation.
And one more thing for Tech Tuesday …
We look at a Toronto start-up aiming to bring custom-designed electronics to your home or office. The company pitches itself as a platform for people to design their own electronics … You design it, they build it.
