PTvirtual News Headlines

Canada

Drivers caught talking, texting will now face fines

Starting today, motorists in Ontario and British Columbia will be fined if caught using a hand held device while driving.  Those caught talking on the phone, texting or skimming through their music players and phones for music will be fined $155 in Ontario and $167 in British Columbia. Drivers in British Columbia may see a penalty of three demerit points.

Giambrone says he's ready for city's top job

Adam Giambrone, 32-year-old Toronto city councillor plans to run for mayor in the upcoming November municipal election. Giambrone who is also the Toronto Transit Commission chair has made the announcement on various social network websites such as Facebook and Twitter. 

Toyota outlines plan to fix recalled vehicles

By the end of this week, Toyota will begin fixing faulty accelerator pedals, which affected approximately 270,000 cars in Canada. Toyota has said they have come up with a solution to fix the pedals and to lower the risk of crashes after complaints that accelerators were sticking. The recall affected six models made by Toyota.

Tories rake in twice as much cash as Liberals

Stephen Harper's Conservatives continued to rake in more money than any other political party last year, but the Liberals are finally closing the fundraising gap.  

World

Philippines declares emergency in southern provinces

A shocking incident of election-related violence in the Philippines has paralyzed the nation and prompted the president to declare a state of emergency in two southern provinces.

China executes 2 for role in tainted milk powder scandal

China executed a dairy farmer and a milk salesman Tuesday, the only two people sentenced to death in a scheme to water down infant formula with an industrial chemical that left at least six children dead and sickened more than 300,000.

India's nighttime test of medium-range missile fails

India's first nighttime test of a medium-range missile was a failure, missing its target, a defence ministry official said Tuesday. 

Netanyahu: Prisoner swap not a done deal

Israel's prime minister tried on Tuesday to temper expectations that a deal to free an Israeli soldier held by Hamas militants was imminent.

Portugal

Unemployment hits new high

The economic crisis and a greater willingness by bosses to sack workers in order to save ailing companies has seen the unemployment rate hit new highs.