TTC cell phone service: a security risk?
Image: Flickr
The TTC is looking to retrofit its subway station platforms with cell phone service, but a Canadian terrorism expert warns the city about the potential security risks involved.
In spite of plans to install this reception-friendly service by 2014, pending a city council vote on Wednesday, David Harris tells the Toronto Sun that terrorists may be able to use the wireless signals to arrange an attack through communication, or detonation.
“If (the TTC) hasn’t taken seriously this possibility into account, then someone isn’t doing their job,” said Harris, to the QMI Agency.
CityNews cites both the 2004 Madrid subway bombing, which killed 191 people and injured 1,800, and the 2005 London bus and subway terrorist attack, which killed 52 people, as examples of where mobile phones were used to detonate bombs at transit systems.
As reported on Tuesday, wiring Toronto’s subways, platforms and some tunnels would earn the city $25-million from Broadcast Australia PTY.
Dwight Duncan will not vie for Premier
Image: Flickr
Ontario Finance Minister Dwight Duncan will not seek the Ontario Liberal party leadership, ending a week of presumed frontrunner speculation since Premier Dalton McGuinty’s surprise resignation.
According to a Toronto Star report, Duncan, the deputy premier, will announce his decision early on Wednesday.
“I’m a little past middle aged – getting toward middle-middle aged. I’ve been in elected office for 25 years now,” said the 53-year-old to the Toronto Star. Duncan also said his family would support him if he did choose to vie for the leadership role.
The Ontario Liberals will select the next party leader at a three-day convention from Jan. 25 to 27.
Tom Hanks + Full House + Slam Poetry
Tom Hanks may be playing six characters in his new film Cloud Atlas, but he showed off a never-before-seen side on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon on Tuesday night, that of a slam poet. Hanks performed a slam poem about the beloved sitcom Full House, which ran from 1987 to 1995 on ABC, just five days after dropping an F-bomb live on Good Morning America.
Needless to say, his performance was quite superb. Dressed in all black, with an always-stylish black turtleneck, Hanks waxed philosophic about the show’s catchphrases, “three men raising three girls,” and mentioning show-specific details like “Wake Up San Francisco,” and Beach Boys radio contests.
Can you think of a better way to atone for an on-screen national swearing flub? Did not think so. Regardless, give Hanks’ video a watch. With shades of Dot’s Poetry Corner, the performance is a must-see. Oh, Mylanta indeed.
____
Joanna Adams writes about news and entertainment for Toronto Standard. Follow her on Twitter at†@nowstarringTO.
For more, follow us on Twitter at @TorontoStandard and subscribe to our newsletter.
