China blasts off on mission that could provide 1st samples of far side of the moon

China on Friday launched a lunar probe to land on the far side of the moon and return with samples that could provide insights into differences between the less-explored region and the better-known near side. It is the latest advance in China’s increasingly sophisticated space exploration program, which is now competing with the U.S., still … Read more

Taylor Swift’s new album apparently leaks, causing social media chaos

The hype for Taylor Swift’s new album went into overdrive as it appeared to leak online two days ahead of its Friday release. Swifties started sharing tracks on X that they claimed were from the singer’s upcoming album, The Tortured Poets Department, saying they came from a Google Drive link containing all 17 songs. Some fans … Read more

Some phone plans pricier than before Rogers-Shaw deal: watchdog

Certain cellphone plans in Western Canada are not as cheap as they were prior to the Rogers-Shaw merger, Canada’s competition watchdog says. Jeanne Pratt, the Competition Bureau’s senior deputy commissioner of mergers and monopolistic practices, says the agency hasn’t seen evidence showing Rogers Communications Inc. is offering comparable pricing for bundled wireless plans offered by Shaw Mobile in Alberta and British Columbia before the $26-billion takeover closed last April. Pratt was testifying at the … Read more

Trudeau’s Toronto event with Italy PM Meloni cancelled due to pro-Palestinian protest

A Toronto event where Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was scheduled to host his Italian counterpart was cancelled on Saturday evening due to security concerns as hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside the venue, a spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office said.  Justin Trudeau’s office says neither he nor Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni were able to … Read more

We have leap years and leap seconds. Do we need a leap minute?

The Current10:20The case for a ‘leap minute’ The leap year is the most famous of the leap family, keeping our calendars right every year, while behind the scenes, with little fanfare, the leap second has been doing its part.  But global stakeholders believe it’s time for a change — the leap minute. “Ever since we’ve … Read more

Canadian Space Agency closing Ottawa spacecraft lab

Scientists surround the fine guidance sensor for the James Webb Space Telescope at the David Florida Laboratory in 2009. (Canadian Space Agency) The Canadian Space Agency has confirmed a west Ottawa spacecraft laboratory it calls “Canada’s national facility for spacecraft assembly [and] integration” is closing at the end of March 2025. The David Florida Laboratory officially … Read more

From Avatar to Dune: The most anticipated new shows and movies of 2024, and where to watch them

Hot on the heels of one of the best years for movie and TV releases in recent memory, 2024 is shaping up to be an impressive year for screens both big and small. Even though there may have been strikes last year, seriously delaying the majority of projects scheduled for release, there are loads of … Read more