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CTV News
29-04-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Matt Skube signs off from CTV News Ottawa after 11 years
After more than 11 years in the capital, CTV News Ottawa's Matt Skube is signing off. Skube announced earlier this month that he will be leaving CTV News Ottawa, as his family embarks on a new adventure. 'I really want to thank you, the viewers. I've been fortunate to be on the air in this city for more than 11 years. There is nothing I've enjoyed more than telling your stories and being able to make people smile,' he said during his final CTV News at Five broadcast Tuesday. 'There have been a ton of ups and downs, difficult stories, light moments, but I will always cherish the interactions I've had with so many people in this community. Thank you for sharing your stories and for making this community what it is. I'm certainly going to miss it.' After growing up in Thunder Bay, Skube attended St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia before enrolling at the College of Sports Media in Toronto. He landed his first broadcasting job at Thunder Bay Television after graduation before moving to Ottawa. Skube joined CTV News Ottawa as the weekend weather anchor in 2013, before helping to launch CTV News at Five. Matt Skube CTV News at Five anchor Matt Skube. Skube says he and his family are moving to Toronto, but this is not the end of his broadcasting career. 'After a little bit of time off, my family and I will be moving to Toronto this summer. I'm also happy to share that I'm going to be staying in broadcasting, filling in on CTV and Bell Media programs and stations,' he said in a post on Instagram. 'I already have some wonderful memories from time spent in the 'Big Smoke' and I can't wait to make more with my wife and the boys. While we will miss Ottawa, we're thrilled and looking forward to this next chapter.' In addition to anchoring CTV News at Five and CTV News at 11:30, Skube has supported numerous events and causes, including CHEO, Ronald McDonald House, Kids Help Phone and the Salvation Army's Toy Mountain campaign. 'From that part-time weather role, Matt eventually moved to news as weekend co-anchor with Katie Griffin and hosting a weekend radio show on Newstalk 580 CFRA. He helped us successfully launch CTV News at Five. He has appeared as a prominent news anchor on all our local newscasts,' said Peter Angione, Director of News & Information Programming, Bell Media Ottawa. 'While we are sad Matt is leaving, we are thrilled for Matt and his family on their next adventure in Toronto. We are going to miss Matt, but we will be cheering him on, as we know whatever he does next, he'll shine.' Skube's successor on CTV News at Five will be announced during the CTV News at Six.
Deccan Herald
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
Asia is contemplating a growing nuclear future
By Karishma VaswaniEighty years ago this August, the US bombed Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing tens of thousands of people. Those acts helped to end World War II but also ushered in the nuclear 2025, a new atomic arms race is stirring, this time not provoked by Russia, China or North Korea — who have been ramping up their arsenals — but instead by President Donald Trump's trade war, and his threats to withdraw the US defense umbrella. The result is a world growing more dangerous, not just for Asia, but for Americans too. The security architecture that helped prevent conflict from weapons of mass destruction is at risk of unravelling. For decades, Asian nations have relied on Washington's commitment to deterrence. That's no longer guaranteed. Long-time US allies, like Japan and South Korea, are calculating the cost — both economic and political — of developing their own arsenals. India and Pakistan both have a growing supply of warheads, potentially inflaming an already volatile conflict made worse by recent tensions in Kashmir. .Trump insists that Washington has received the short end of the stick from defense deals, and that America's protection is keeping the world safe while other economies benefit more. He has a point — but is also ignoring historical aftermath of Washington's atomic bombings prompted a recognition that such a tragedy must be avoided at all costs. So deep was the soul-searching in American society that the goal of every US president since Harry Truman has been to limit rather than encourage the spread of these weapons rather than encourage them. Much of this was achieved through negotiated agreements and treaties. The policies have worked. Only nine countries now possess such arsenals, even though many more have the ability to build a bomb. But Trump is ushering in a more dangerous era. On the campaign trail in 2016, he suggested that Japan and South Korea might need to develop their own capabilities. Comments like that are influencing public opinion. A 2024 survey by the Korea Institute for National Unification showed six in 10 South Koreans now favor having Seoul opts for homegrown nukes, this would lead to a domino effect, note associate professors of political science at St. Francis Xavier University, Jamie Levin and Youngwon Cho. Japanese public sentiment has been deeply opposed because of the nation's painful past, but it has a full nuclear fuel cycle, allowing it in theory to fashion thousands of bombs in as little as six months, according to experts. India and Pakistan are among the most worrying players. The risk of a conflict increased this week after after a terrorist attack in Kashmir killed dozens in some of the region's worst violence in years. So far, they have stuck to diplomatic measures as retaliation, but there is always the concern of escalation. Even in Southeast Asia, a relative safe zone, the risks have become much more pronounced. The 1995 Treaty of Bangkok established a Southeast Asian Nuclear Weapons Free Zone, banning members from development, manufacture, acquisition or possession. But if larger nations ramp up their arsenals, the spillover effect in Southeast Asia could force others to either look into developing their own technology, or find a new defense umbrella. Washington's unpredictability has created a leadership vacuum that Beijing will be keen to fill. Rather than failing to offer credible security guarantees, the US should engage with governments in Asia and address their defense ambitions. Under the Biden administration, a bilateral initiative called the Nuclear Consultative Group in 2023 was launched with Seoul, which helped to quell some anxiety. Efforts like this should be expanded to other allies like Japan. Convincing countries to stick with US deterrence strategies would be wise. Smaller nations watch what bigger countries do, not what they say. The US still has the opportunity to play global stabilizer and shouldn't cede that role to China. The world once looked to Washington to keep it safe. In 2025, that trust is fraying. It's in America's interest — not just Asia's — to rebuild it.
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Business Standard
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Asia weighs growing nuclear ambitions as US defence commitments waver
Eighty years ago this August, the US bombed Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing tens of thousands of people. Those acts helped to end World War II but also ushered in the nuclear age. In 2025, a new atomic arms race is stirring, this time not provoked by Russia, China or North Korea — who have been ramping up their arsenals — but instead by President Donald Trump's trade war, and his threats to withdraw the US defense umbrella. The result is a world growing more dangerous, not just for Asia, but for Americans too. The security architecture that helped prevent conflict from weapons of mass destruction is at risk of unravelling. For decades, Asian nations have relied on Washington's commitment to deterrence. That's no longer guaranteed. Long-time US allies, like Japan and South Korea, are calculating the cost — both economic and political — of developing their own arsenals. India and Pakistan both have a growing supply of warheads, potentially inflaming an already volatile conflict made worse by recent tensions in Kashmir. Trump insists that Washington has received the short end of the stick from defense deals, and that America's protection is keeping the world safe while other economies benefit more. He has a point — but is also ignoring historical lessons. The aftermath of Washington's atomic bombings prompted a recognition that such a tragedy must be avoided at all costs. So deep was the soul-searching in American society that the goal of every US president since Harry Truman has been to limit rather than encourage the spread of these weapons rather than encourage them. Much of this was achieved through negotiated agreements and treaties. The policies have worked. Only nine countries now possess such arsenals, even though many more have the ability to build a bomb. But Trump is ushering in a more dangerous era. On the campaign trail in 2016, he suggested that Japan and South Korea might need to develop their own capabilities. Comments like that are influencing public opinion. A 2024 survey by the Korea Institute for National Unification showed six in 10 South Koreans now favor having them. If Seoul opts for homegrown nukes, this would lead to a domino effect, note associate professors of political science at St. Francis Xavier University, Jamie Levin and Youngwon Cho. Japanese public sentiment has been deeply opposed because of the nation's painful past, but it has a full nuclear fuel cycle, allowing it in theory to fashion thousands of bombs in as little as six months, according to experts. India and Pakistan are among the most worrying players. The risk of a conflict increased this week after after a terrorist attack in Kashmir killed dozens in some of the region's worst violence in years. So far, they have stuck to diplomatic measures as retaliation, but there is always the concern of escalation. Even in Southeast Asia, a relative safe zone, the risks have become much more pronounced. The 1995 Treaty of Bangkok established a Southeast Asian Nuclear Weapons Free Zone, banning members from development, manufacture, acquisition or possession. But if larger nations ramp up their arsenals, the spillover effect in Southeast Asia could force others to either look into developing their own technology, or find a new defense umbrella. Washington's unpredictability has created a leadership vacuum that Beijing will be keen to fill. Rather than failing to offer credible security guarantees, the US should engage with governments in Asia and address their defense ambitions. Under the Biden administration, a bilateral initiative called the Nuclear Consultative Group in 2023 was launched with Seoul, which helped to quell some anxiety. Efforts like this should be expanded to other allies like Japan. Convincing countries to stick with US deterrence strategies would be wise. Smaller nations watch what bigger countries do, not what they say. The US still has the opportunity to play global stabilizer and shouldn't cede that role to China. The world once looked to Washington to keep it safe. In 2025, that trust is fraying. It's in America's interest — not just Asia's — to rebuild it.
Economic Times
28-04-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
A new atomic arms race is stirring and the world is growing more dangerous
Eighty years after Hiroshima and Nagasaki, a new nuclear arms race is brewing, fueled by Trump's trade war and threats to withdraw US defense commitments. Asian nations, once reliant on US deterrence, are now considering developing their own arsenals, increasing global instability. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are that of the writer. The facts and opinions expressed here do not reflect the views of Eighty years ago this August, the US bombed Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing tens of thousands of people. Those acts helped to end World War II but also ushered in the nuclear 2025, a new atomic arms race is stirring, this time not provoked by Russia, China or North Korea — who have been ramping up their arsenals — but instead by President Donald Trump 's trade war, and his threats to withdraw the US defense umbrella. The result is a world growing more dangerous, not just for Asia, but for Americans security architecture that helped prevent conflict from weapons of mass destruction is at risk of unravelling. For decades, Asian nations have relied on Washington's commitment to deterrence. That's no longer US allies, like Japan and South Korea, are calculating the cost — both economic and political — of developing their own arsenals. India and Pakistan both have a growing supply of warheads, potentially inflaming an already volatile conflict made worse by recent tensions in insists that Washington has received the short end of the stick from defense deals, and that America's protection is keeping the world safe while other economies benefit more. He has a point — but is also ignoring historical aftermath of Washington's atomic bombings prompted a recognition that such a tragedy must be avoided at all costs. So deep was the soul-searching in American society that the goal of every US president since Harry Truman has been to limit rather than encourage the spread of these weapons. Much of this was achieved through negotiated agreements and policies have worked. Only nine countries now possess such arsenals, even though many more have the ability to build a bomb. But Trump is ushering in a more dangerous era. On the campaign trail in 2016, he suggested that Japan and South Korea might need to develop their own capabilities. Comments like that are influencing public opinion. A 2024 survey by the Korea Institute for National Unification showed six in 10 South Koreans now favor having Seoul opts for homegrown nukes, this would lead to a domino effect, note associate professors of political science at St. Francis Xavier University, Jamie Levin and Youngwon Cho. Japanese public sentiment has been deeply opposed because of the nation's painful past, but it has a full nuclear fuel cycle, allowing it in theory to fashion thousands of bombs in as little as six months, according to and Pakistan are among the most worrying players. The risk of a conflict increased this week after after a terrorist attack in Kashmir killed dozens in some of the region's worst violence in years. So far, they have stuck to diplomatic measures as retaliation, but there is always the concern of in Southeast Asia, a relative safe zone, the risks have become much more pronounced. The 1995 Treaty of Bangkok established a Southeast Asian Nuclear Weapons Free Zone, banning members from development, manufacture, acquisition or possession. But if larger nations ramp up their arsenals, the spillover effect in Southeast Asia could force others to either look into developing their own technology, or find a new defense umbrella. Washington's unpredictability has created a leadership vacuum that Beijing will be keen to than failing to offer credible security guarantees, the US should engage with governments in Asia and address their defense ambitions. Under the Biden administration, a bilateral initiative called the Nuclear Consultative Group in 2023 was launched with Seoul, which helped to quell some anxiety. Efforts like this should be expanded to other allies like countries to stick with US deterrence strategies would be wise. Smaller nations watch what bigger countries do, not what they say. The US still has the opportunity to play global stabilizer and shouldn't cede that role to world once looked to Washington to keep it safe. In 2025, that trust is fraying. It's in America's interest — not just Asia's — to rebuild it.
CBC
05-04-2025
- Science
- CBC
Inspired by great-grandfather's near death, scholarship winner hopes to make life safer for fishermen
Ben Collings-Mackay says he knows how he's going to spend the $45,000 he received for the prestigious Frank H. Sobey scholarship. Collings-Mackay, a fourth-year business student at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, N.S., and a fourth-generation lobster fisherman, is one of eight recipients this year of the scholarship for Atlantic Canadian business students. He has a business focused on creating a life-jacket for commercial fishermen that is less cumbersome than traditional ones. The life-jacket would inflate automatically when someone hits the water and would have a GPS feature that sends out pings to nearby boats and emergency services detailing the overboard person's location, said Collings-Mackay. A strobe light on the jacket would also help make it easier to locate the person. Collings-Mackay said his company, CM Marine Safety Equipment, is working with a law firm and hopes to file patent applications within the next few weeks. He said the company has been working with an engineering firm to develop a prototype of the life-jacket and aims to get it built this summer. The device would be tested in preparation for approval by regulatory agencies such as Transport Canada and the United States Coast Guard. "Engineers and lawyers aren't cheap," said Collings-Mackay, a 22-year-old from Montague, P.E.I. "And it's going to be great to be able to keep pushing this project further down the road and get it one step closer to saving somebody's life. This is what this award means." For Collings-Mackay, safety on the water is personal. 1958 tragedy In June 1958, his great-grandfather and a colleague had just sold their catch for the day. When they were going back to shore in a light plywood dinghy — according to the June 6, 1958, Charlottetown Guardian — the boat capsized, throwing the pair into a swift outgoing tide. Collings-Mackay's great-grandfather managed to grab on to a mooring rope that was running between a buoy and a boat anchored ashore, and pulled himself to safety. His colleague, Ernest Brown, was swept away with the tide and died. And on Collings-Mackay's first day of fishing, which came after his first year of university, he got a reminder of the dangers on the water. When a boat pulled up beside the one Collings-Mackay was on, he noticed a man who was soaking wet and a bit wobbly. When the man had been out at sea, he was knocked overboard but managed to survive. Collings-Mackay asked himself why the person wasn't wearing a life-jacket. But he soon had a different perspective about life-jackets when he was out working. "You realize why people don't wear them and how they're just completely inadequate for the job," he said, noting they're bulky, get caught on things and get in the way of carrying out one's duties. As well, Collings-Mackay said, there's a stigma around life-jackets. "Fishing is a very generational, traditional industry," he said. "People fish with their fathers and their grandfathers and they never wear them, so why would they? And I think there's also a bit of a peer pressure there as well to fit in maybe, as silly as it may sound." Fishing deaths From 1999 to 2021, the average number of deaths per year on Canadian commercial fishing vessels was about 12. In nearly half of the instances, a lack of personal flotation devices was the reason. Mary Oxner is one of Collings-Mackay's accounting professors. She said the scope of what he is working on is far more complex than businesses many other students set up. "This is an expensive thing to bring to market," she said. "It requires extensive testing, it requires a patent, it requires legal consult, it requires technical and engineering support … it's a complex thing to do when you're a young 20-something-year-old to try to pull all of those supports and resources." Collings-Mackay's entrepreneurial aspirations are a far cry from his original life plans. Growing up, he always figured he'd join the military. (He does serve in the Nova Scotia Highlanders reserve unit.) He said his parents, who are teachers, encouraged him to focus on getting an education. 'It's really giving me a purpose' School didn't always come easy to Collings-Mackay, who struggled and had to be tutored in math in secondary school, which is surprising given he majors in accounting today. "If I didn't come to school, I would have never done this project," he said. "And I think it's really giving me a purpose, something that I can achieve and strive towards." That motivation comes in part from the people who have invested in his company, but also the safety of loved ones. "Whenever I pitch, I say it's no greater motivation than having all your friends and family out there fishing every day without a life-jacket on," he said. "It's a tragedy waiting to happen."
