Mon, 14 Jun 2010 09:58:17 -0700 http://www.softnews.ca/ Soft News Canada en-ca http://www.softnews.ca/images/logo.gif http://www.softnews.ca/ info@whitebark.ca http://www.softnews.ca/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=90 This news website is now for sale. Created and maintained by WhiteBark Innovations Canada, Soft News has been online for a few years and is well-placed in the search engines. This website and domain name are both included in the sale. All content on the website is original to the website and is also included in the sale. If you would like to purchase this domain name and website please use the contact link and make your best offer in Canadian dollars. Mon, 14 Jun 2010 09:58:17 -0700 http://www.softnews.ca/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=89 Over the years the Spencer family relationship with the Windsors had hardly suffered. Lady Diana has put up a poster of Prince Charles and adopted the typical hero-worship of many romantic young British girls. As the Spencer children were all of them somehow godchildren of the Royal family and members of the Royal household, social meetings were usual. Viscount Althorp, Diana’s younger brother, was himself a godson of the Queen. An ambitious future for Lady Diana meant an ambitious marriage. But in the meanwhile her Sloane Ranger style developed. Lady Diana found herself graduated from school but little to do. With her stepmother redoing the family pile and opening up a gift shop, the ancestral home was hardly the place to be. Diana found work as a cook and a teacher at a nursery school in London. The Earl Spencer bought Diana a block of flats in Kensington and she soon had roommates to live with. Lady Diana soon moved among a small circle of friends. Tue, 29 Dec 2009 00:42:51 -0700 http://www.softnews.ca/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=88 There are many, many different viruses floating in the air during flu season. Many of them we have developed a resistance to, our body has created antibodies to defend us from them. Others we have no defense for and eventually get runny noses and coughs from them. The coming year this virus will not infect us again because we will have developed antibodies for it. The problem is that there are millions of such viruses around. There are millions in the USA and many more outside the USA . Every time a person comes into the USA from another country during flu season it is highly probable that he or she are bringing a new, totally unknown strain with them. Seasonal flu vaccines are created using strains of influenza that have been around for a while and that are known and common to specific areas of the world. It is impossible to create a vaccine that will protect you against all viruses. A virus mutates, combines with another, and grows resistant to medication. It is alive and changing constantly. A particular strain may disappear for a while and next year return stronger and deadlier. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:46:34 -0700 http://www.softnews.ca/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=87 H1N1 Swine Influenza is a respiratory disease that affects pigs. Swine influenza is caused by a Type A virus when it hits a community of pigs it may cause extreme illness but a low death toll. The first Type A influenza virus was first isolated and identified back in 1930 in the USA. Influenza is permanently found in pigs, it lies dormant during the year and suddenly outbreaks during the late fall and winter months, at the same time human influenza virus outbreak. Type A virus are extremely mutating and changing viruses. They add new genes and reorder themselves constantly. It is very hard to keep up with them. Pig farms, especially large farms are constantly bringing in new individuals from other farms, buying and selling reproduction stock and stock to be butchered. These pigs that change farms or are slaughtered are not inspected for influenza symptoms during the year because they do not have any. Symptoms show up during the winter in the same manner they do with humans. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:44:18 -0700 http://www.softnews.ca/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=86 The fall 2010 trends are as follows: 1. The Gray story There is a lot of a gray muted pinstripe, gray flannel, gray wool or gray leather textured and pattern leather and some knitwear accessories. Gray with black, gray with color, these are new, new trends. Gray wool or fabric in mixed tweed or very muted and restrained accent with black is a new take on an old filicoutrial story. Gunmental gray silk wool over black ankle boots and a black detailed handbag and black shades walked the runway at Gucci. Also shown were horizontal fade dye leggings with a stitched and beaded gray evening tunic. Gray with black can be worn with the right contrasting handbag or shoes in the right style. Gucci showed charcoal sharkskin skintight suits with dove gray lapels. Gucci showed evening gray beaded tops in the same color leggings and jacket with black leather accessories. Limited use of gold plays heavily off muted grays and black. marc Jacobs featured matte gold leather gloves. Charcoal accents appear gray next to darker black tones in deeper leather or silk attached textures. 2. The Fur Accessory accent Fur, wristlet, arm cuff, faux purse, texture not wealth is the story. Fall 2009-2010 features an arm cuff of fur, a thick textured faux fur handbag, a strip of fur on a boot lopped off at the ankle or skirting a collar makes the dressed up but almost punk suit sensibility here. Fur plays as a purse texture, hat, collar cover or coat or jacket fabric. printed animal skins patterns like leopard are in the most key accessories, like black spots on jewel green patent leather handbag, turquoise shoe ankle plates, or as fabric for restrained tailored tops and jackets. Marc Jacobs opened Fall 2009-2010 with animal print leggings and matching bags. Sun, 13 Sep 2009 23:25:50 -0700 http://www.softnews.ca/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=85 Fall for 2009-2010 is the season to really dress for fashion. A flaring pants story for Fall 2009-2010 has developed, pairing loosely cut trousers with ladylike picture jackets and key accessories to work a more relaxed but fully dressed up look. How pieces play off each other is very important, nothing is "standalone" this season. Dark orange, dark rich purple, sapphire blue anything can make a look. Key are ankle boots, black overall, little to no jewelry. Textures of black enlivened with colors salted every runway of Fashion 2009-2010. Black lace, black tulle, black satin, black silk, black wool, black studded leather, black embroidered everything was prominently featured in every collection in almost every outfit. Black crystals and black patent leather also made accent touches for evening wear and ankle boot details. Sun, 13 Sep 2009 23:21:00 -0700 http://www.softnews.ca/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=84 A completely seasonal color palette, black, gray, and muted jewel tones work against a shocking run of contrast colors with deep black tailored pieces. Blasts of solid light turquoise, scorching hot pink, and even bright orange work as "shocker" accessories to cut into the long solid dense black clothing shown everywhere. Animal print ensemble was the first outfit on the Blumarine runway. Black ruled the Fall 2009-2010 runways with sensible jewel tone touches, bare makeup, and leather touches and special detail pieces in other colors. The rock and roll influence is shown with introductions of black caged shoe boots with high heels and metallic finish trims. The lack of jangle factor and soigne intent renders long black lines that emphasize high boot detail and metallic gleam of a belt, trim or necklace. Sapphire blue with black makes the punk influence range forward, especially at Gucci where a black and white checkerboard flag was used as a collar treatment. Muted colors match the tapered silhouette with accent falling on keynote places like feet, waist, collar and wrists. Gold is a big color but in limited and subdued amount. Authentic 1980's touches like strong shoulders with opulent edginess via sequins or elegant leather and luxurious metalllics. Subdued dark aqua with gray leather in textures contrived together is a uniquely Fall 2009 and 2010. Black leather accessories with boots, gloves, purses, belts, everything black leather, textured or cutout leather, patent black or another color leather. Fri, 28 Aug 2009 23:14:01 -0700 http://www.softnews.ca/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=83 Lady Diana grew up largely without her mother. Her schooling at West Heath near Sevenoaks, was precisely the environment an intact family might have provided. The isolation of these early years formed much of Diana’s internal psychological structure and need for approval, sociability, and acceptance. The rigid practices of private school and living away from home did little to repair these needs. Diana’s participation in school was focused around her gentle personality and sunny social dynamics. Academia and rigorous achievement were never her strong suit. Her enjoyment of swimming, ballet, and other hobbies characterized her growth to teenage years. Lady Diana was noted by previous teachers and school mates as being friendly, quiet, possessed of a cheerful and sometimes mischievous personality. Visits to and from her mother were occasional and hardly adequate to compensate for a broken family dynamic. Mon, 11 May 2009 20:38:40 -0700 http://www.softnews.ca/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=82 Lady Diana Spencer was born the Honourable Diana Frances Spencer, the fourth child and third daughter of the Earl and Countess Spencer. Lady Diana was born after the birth of a son and heir whose death left the family needing an heir. Lady Jane and Lady Sarah Spencer were already in school at that time. Growing up in a four story “winter home” had its own obligations. The wealthy Spencer earldom had expectations that a male child would continue the family line. The Spencer family relationship with the Royal Family of Great Britain and the United Kingdom has evolved over centuries of service. A knighted sheep farmer buying a family estate, John Spencer of Warwickshire cemented a dynasty in the time of Henry VIII. The Spencers had become known as something of royal groupies down through the generations. The family estate home, Sandringham, was in fact monumental Royal pile leased from the Crown. The next child born to the Countess, (nee Frances Shand Kydd) was a boy whose arrival made all things glorious. Diana’s father “Johnnie” Earl Spencer was delivered of an heir at last. The Earldom of Spencer ranged back in history to a descendant of Charles II, and many aristocratic marriages predated the family now living in the huge home at Sandringham Park. The death of Lady Diana’s grandfather in her teen years occasioned the rise in rank of all the children. Johnnie himself had in his younger years been a page at the court of Elizabeth II. Fri, 20 Mar 2009 01:08:00 -0700 http://www.softnews.ca/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=81 Bollywood is the name given for the Hindu film industry in India. Due to the overwhelming popularity of the term Bollywood the entire Indian film industry is considered to be part of Bollywood, when in reality it represents only a part of the Indian films. It is indeed the largest producer of films in India. It is not an actual place in India and is just a term that refers to films developed within the Hindu film industry. Initially setup solely for actors to speak in the Hindu language, it’s now becoming more of a trend to find Bollywood movies being made in English. One of the influences of Bollywood was actually from Hollywood musicals from the period of the 1920’s to the 1950’s. The majority of Bollywood movies are musicals with catchy tunes with dance. The majority of the time the music within the movie is released prior to the film to aid in creating more anticipation for the release of the movie. One of the major similarities between Hollywood and Bollywood is the “dream” factor. Just as Hollywood hopefuls come from all over the country with hopes of making it as a movie star, the same occurs in Bollywood. There are many who come from all over India with hopes of being able to star in a Bollywood film. The industry is also considered to very fickle which shares that similarity to Hollywood. Sat, 21 Feb 2009 00:28:01 -0700 http://www.softnews.ca/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=80 The World Partnership Walk is coming to cities across Canada on May 25th. The World Partnership Walk is the largest annual event held in Canada in order to raise funds while increasing awareness of the movement against global poverty. Those living in Ottawa and London can take part in the walk on June 1st. With the aim of improving life for those living in impoverished communities across Africa and Asia, thousands of Canadians will be taking part. Setting itself apart, 100 per cent of every dollar raised goes to international development programs. Donations will not be eaten up by administration overhead. All money collected will go towards education, the increasing of rural incomes, grow community-based organizations and improve health care. Thu, 22 May 2008 14:48:00 -0700 http://www.softnews.ca/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=79 Charged with with two counts of Theft Under $5,000 and two counts of Fraud Under $5,000 is Tyler Stewart, 23 yrs of North Bay, ON. Stewart was charged after an investigation by the Ontario Provincial Police, Investigation and Enforcement Bureau, and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission relating to problems with lottery ticket redemptions. A North Bay convenience store was where customers who had purchased winning scratch and win tickets were denied payment of their winnings when they attempted to redeem the tickets at the store. The customers were told that the winning tickets they were trying to redeem were already registered as having been paid out. Tyler Stewart was employed at the convenience store at the time of the incidents. The Ontario Provincial Police say that the investigation is ongoing. Stewart is currently scheduled to appear in North Bay Court on 18th of March 2008. Fri, 22 Feb 2008 23:00:46 -0700 http://www.softnews.ca/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=78 The Vancouver-Whistler 2010 Olympic women's figure skating event is just two short years away. Even Sasha Cohen has preplanned to come out of retirement to train in anticipation of the Olympic gold. In the global figure skating competitions running up to the 2010 Olympics, women's figure skating in Vancouver will be tense. World figure skating has not seen a battle like Olympics 2010 for some time. Pressure for an optimum performance despite nerves could come from all of these talented skaters. Elite figure skating among women at the Olympic level is a slippery slope at the top of a tiny pyramid. Qualifying spots for the Olympic contenders in Vancouver won't be decided until the 2009 figure skating worlds. That's next year. So the Olympic contention is skating past the eyes of judges right now. But the long Kwan era is over, and over skilled juniors and biding-time seniors want their innings. Following are some of the possible women to watch for in the Olympic finals. We will highlight the Canadian women's figure skating team in another featured article. Tue, 19 Feb 2008 22:23:44 -0700 http://www.softnews.ca/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=77 Canadian journalist Ken Peters who works for the Hamilton Spectator will be before the courts on January 21, 2008 to appeal his contempt of court case. Media freedom to keep their confidential sources a secret may hang in the balance. CEP, Canada's largest media union Vice President Peter Murdoch says of the case, "We believe it is time the courts in Canada reflect the reality that journalists often need protection for their sources if they are to raise issues vital to public safety and ethical government." Peters landed himself court time after refusing to divulge his sources revolving around a story that included allegations of serious misdoings at a local retirement home. Mon, 21 Jan 2008 19:02:27 -0700 http://www.softnews.ca/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=76 The latest release of the annual United Nations Development Program's Report for 2007-8 on Climate Change and Human Development has Canada sitting at number four on the development index. Last year the UN ranked Canada at sixth overall. John Baird the minister in charge of the environment in Canada has responded to the report by saying, "Canada will continue to work hard within the UN-led process this December in Indonesia, to ensure that the world heeds the warnings on climate change. Our Government shares the United Nations' belief that the upcoming conference in Indonesia will start the process towards a post-2012 agreement. We will work constructively with our international partners to establish a way forward on an agreement that is global, balanced and achievable." Clearly wanting Canadians to think that the Conservative government has delivered on the environment while being only one of two Western industrialized nations to stall on all recent climate change agreements, of which Baird says, "This report reinforces what our Government has been saying again and again - that climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing the world today." The UN report is conducted by rating most of the countries in the world on educational, economic and health indicators. This data is correlated into their human development index. Tue, 27 Nov 2007 14:29:39 -0700 http://www.softnews.ca/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=75 Elections Ontario revising agents will be hitting the streets starting this week in advance of the October 10 2007 provincial election and referendum. The revising agents will be looking to round out and update the voters lists via the Permanent Register of Electors for Ontario. You can identify Elections Ontario revising agents by their identification. Check the brochure that was mailed to your residence for an example. The revising agents will be asking personal questions so be sure you are dealing with the real deal before giving away any personal details! John Hollins of Elections Ontario says of the measure, "Our ongoing maintenance of the Permanent Register of Electors for Ontario means that most electors will already be on the Voters List. Our Revising Agents will be visiting areas where updates are typically most needed and effective, for example, in areas of high mobility like apartments and new housing developments." In order to be eligible to vote in the October 10, 2007 referendum and provincial election you must meet the following criteria: Fri, 24 Aug 2007 19:43:59 -0700 http://www.softnews.ca/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=74 The 2008 Olympic Games are exactly one year away. The Canadian Olympic team has begun its one-year countdown till the Beijing Games. The Canadian Olympic Committee through the Road To Excellence program is setting a modest goal to finish in the top 16 nations overall in Beijing China. Headed by the Chef de Mission and 1984 diving Olympic gold medallist Sylvie Bernier, the Canadian Summer Olympic team for 2008 will consist of some 340 or so athletes. Canadian athletes are primed to compete against the best in the world August 8-24 2008. The 2008 Olympic Games will see more than 200 countries and over 10,000 athletes compete for the podium medals. Tue, 07 Aug 2007 22:17:22 -0700 http://www.softnews.ca/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=73 There is a $2000 reward being offered by the TransLink transit operators union for information on a man who brutally assaulted a bus driver on July 26 in Vancouver at 6th and Main Street. The assault took place in mid-afternoon. The Vancouver Police Department did initially detain a suspect, but the suspect was allowed to go free when any witnesses who came forward at the time could make no positive id. An accomplice was also briefly detained and released. Jim Houlahan who is the Vice-President of CAW 111, says that as of today there have already been 123 assaults against transit staff in 2007. In 2006, there were a recorded 241 assaults on transit staff in Greater Vancouver. "The bus driver was punched in the head 10 times, then kicked in the head when he was knocked to the ground - all for simply asking the rider to see proof of fare purchase. We are determined as a union to put a stop to these vicious and cowardly assaults on our members - assaults which not only seriously injure bus drivers but put all passengers at risk as well." Sutherland said. Sat, 04 Aug 2007 13:02:41 -0700 http://www.softnews.ca/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=72 Hubris in the North is a new report from The Fraser Institute and according to the findings within, the Canadian Firearms Registry has not improved overall public safety. Citing the rise in the homicide rate and the recent high number of gang-related murders, Gary Mauser, the author of the report, says, "In 1995, the government promised Canadians that the gun registry would reduce total criminal violence, suicide and domestic abuse, not just gun violence. But the legislation has failed to do that, primarily because it relies upon public-health research to justify a moralistic approach to firearms that exaggerates the danger of citizens owning firearms through pseudoscientific research methods." Introduced in 1995 by the federal Liberal government, the gun registry and supporting legislation were passed to help reduce gun violence and accidents with firearms. The report by Mauser though contends that public safety has not improved. Fri, 06 Jul 2007 21:34:23 -0700 http://www.softnews.ca/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=71 The Royal Canadian Mint's Sussex Drive location is opening its doors to the public for the display of the worlds only one hundred kilogram pure gold bullion coin. The coin has a $1 million face value. Imagine carrying that around in your pocket! The coin is to date the largest coin ever minted - both size and dollar value. You can view the million dollar coin by taking a guided tour of the Royal Canadian Mint. The Royal Canadian Mint's headquarters are located in central downtown Ottawa in the same historic building that the Mint was founded in 1908. The coin on display was crafted by dies created by the Royal Canadian Mint. The Mint also creates coins and designs for circulation and for commemorative coin issues. Mon, 25 Jun 2007 14:43:58 -0700 http://www.softnews.ca/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=70 The Canadian government via the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Atlantic Opportunities Agency have announced that there will be new measures to simplify the passport issuance system. The aim is to both improve satisfaction among Canadians, and allow Passport Canada to cope with increased demand. "Over the summer and fall, we will begin implementing a series of initiatives to simplify and improve the passport application and issuing process while ensuring the security and integrity of the Canadian passport," said Peter MacKay, the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The new Canadian passport measures include a simplified Passport Renewal Program which will allow Canadians who currently hold a valid passport, and who meet eligibility criteria, to be able to renew it without submitting proof of citizenship or a guarantor declaration. There will also be a Simplified Guarantor Policy which will allow most Canadian adult passport holders to act as guarantors for first-time applicants. To go along with that the government will also have a series of Passport Clinics across the country with a special focus on border areas and areas far from large urban centres. Canadian Passport officers will be on site to answer any questions from the public about applying for a passport, review passport applications to ensure they are complete, and they will accept completed passport applications for final processing. Fri, 08 Jun 2007 12:59:28 -0700 http://www.softnews.ca/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=69 After increasing pressure and the death of a calf, the Cloverdale Rodeo is banning calf-roping at the annual event. As well, steer-wrestling, team-roping and wild cow milking events will end at future Cloverdale rodeos. The city of Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts was also in attendance, and she expressed the council's support of the move to end the events at the rodeo. In 2004 a photographer from the Vancouver Humane Society captured the death of a calf during a steer-wrestling event. The film was later released to the general public. Peter Fricker the Vancouver Humane Society Projects and Communications Director said, "I think this decision shows that the Cloverdale Rodeo is admitting what VHS, and the rest of the humane community, has been saying for over 20 years - that these events are explicit animal cruelty and there's no place for them in a progressive society." The City of Vancouver recently prohibited rodeos within the city limits at the request of the Vancouver Humane Society. Wed, 23 May 2007 22:05:59 -0700 http://www.softnews.ca/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=68 A recent survey has found that 61 per cent of Canadians always order the same hamburger toppings when they order a burger. It seems when it comes to burgers, Canadians want choices, but remain predictable in their order. The survey was conducted for Harvey's. 48 per cent of Canadians ate a hamburger in the past seven days according to the survey. Most Canadians prefer to eat hamburgers with their families (63 per cent) and only 13 per cent eat hamburgers alone. The top three choices for toppings were cheese, onions and ketchup. Across Canada, Atlantic Canadians were the most likely to eat their hamburgers in one minute or less, and in Ontario, they are the most likely Canadians to have consumed a hamburger in the last week at 53 per cent saying they did. Meanwhile on the prairies, naked is the name of the game, with 11 per cent of respondents saying they eat their hamburgers with no toppings at all! While over in British Columbia, the laid back attitude extends to how they consume hamburgers with 46 per cent taking 10 minutes or more to consume their hamburger. British Columbians were also the most likely candidates to order something different when out for a burger. Wed, 23 May 2007 21:56:27 -0700 http://www.softnews.ca/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=67 Green Party leader Elizabeth May along with Liberal Party leader Stéphane Dion have been taking heat in the media and around the water-cooler over their joint party decision to not run candidates in the other's riding. The NDP have come out hard with their criticism. Those closer to the two parties involved know that there is an air of admiration between the two party leaders when it comes to the environment. The Liberals want to seize on the hot topic going into any election season, and the Greens help them do that. Elizabeth May on the other hand, says she likes what she hears from her counterpart. Together they wish to place the environment and the potential impact that global warming could have on Canada on the world first. To this end they have come to an agreement to help topple one Conservative in Peter MacKay while getting one friend of the environment elected. With that they will help ensure Stéphane Dion is also elected to government to form a powerful one-two voice. Following is a joint statement by the Green and Liberal Party leaders. Fri, 13 Apr 2007 14:10:04 -0700 http://www.softnews.ca/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=66 Project P has snared another man with possession of child pornography. Project P is the Ontario Provincial Police Child Pornography Section. Project P working with Kawartha Lakes Police Service have laid charges against 33 year old Luke Gassien of Lindsay Ontario. The arrest follows a Child Pornography investigation. Police executed a Criminal Code search warrant on a Lindsay residence on April 4. Inside police officers found and seized a desktop computer and CDs that they believe contains evidence of child sexual abuse and exploitation. The Ontario Provincial Police note that the investigation is ongoing. Luke Gassien is scheduled for a bail hearing before the Ontario Court of Justice in Lindsay on April 4, 2007. Wed, 04 Apr 2007 12:25:03 -0700