Mosquitoes more attracted to beer drinkers

...And I always thought that alcohol in your bloodstream kept the mosquitoes from biting you.
Trash that idea, it's only a myth.

It might be nice enough to enjoy a pint outside in your part of Canada, but news that mosquitoes are likely to target people with beer in their systems might make you re-think enjoying your favorite patio.

Or at least apply some bug repellent before you head out.

A study, conducted by scientists at the IRD Research Centre in France, shows that insects are 15 per cent more likely to fly toward humans after they have consumed a pint.

The researchers write in Plos One that one possible explanation is, "Mosquitoes may have evolved preferences for people who recently consumed beer - possibly due to reduced host defensive behaviours or highly-nutritious blood-meals."

The team used 25 males from West Africa and had them drink a local brew called Dolo. Mosquitoes were then released into the air and had the option of flying toward open air or the odour of the participant. Before participants drank the beer, only 50 per cent of mosquitoes flew toward the participant's odour. After a beer, the number rose to 65 per cent.

"Beer consumption, as opposed to water consumption, significantly increased both the activation and orientation of An. gambiae," the authors write in Plos One. "We found that beer consumption not only enhanced the number of mosquitoes that engage in odour-mediated upwind flight (mosquito activation) but also enhanced the strength of their odour-mediated anemotactic response (mosquito orientation)."

Researchers also tried the same experiment with water finding that it was six per cent less likely for mosquitoes to fly toward the participants odour after consuming a glass.

They are hoping to use the findings to decrease cases of malaria, a disease that kills 780,000 people worldwide every year.

While malaria may not be a big problem in Canada, it is a good idea to lather on the bug screen when at the cottage enjoying beer.

Ford's absence at Pride ceremony elicits boos

Now I understand a bit why the mayor should show up to something like this, but this is a individual's decision to go and if it comes in the way of his family annual reunion at his cottage, then so be it, family is stronger than a job. At least it should be for most people. I think with or without the mayor there, the event won't change at all, it's not like he's the host of the parade anyways.

Toronto council speaker Frances Nunziata was greeted with boos at the flag-raising ceremony for Toronto's Pride Week as protesters demanded to know why Mayor Rob Ford was not present.

Nunziata was acting as Ford's representative at the noon ceremony at Nathan Phillips Square on Monday, in which she proclaimed Pride Week festivities were officially underway.

But she was drowned out by a handful of protesters at the ceremony who booed as she tried to read the proclamation.

"Where's the mayor?," they yelled. Some were carrying signs with slogans like "you can't hide from us 4eva," and "respect LGBTQ taxpayers."

Nunziata responded by saying those who didn't want to hear her speak "have the right to leave."

'Could have softened the blow'

She said after the meeting that Ford had a "prior commitment" and could not attend the ceremony.

"I don't think people should criticize because you can't be at all places at the same time," she said.

Ford said later that he skipped the flag ceremony for a "private" meeting at the Air Canada Centre with Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke.

Last year Burke marched in the parade as a tribute to his son Brendan, who was killed in a car accident. This was just months after his son revealed he was gay. Since then Burke has been fighting homophobic attitudes.

When asked by reporters later on Monday if the meeting had changed his mind, Ford told reporters "One day at a time. Let's take it one day at a time."

Pride organizers say there are seven more days of events that the mayor could attend and add they would be happy if he even made a small appearance to show his support.

Ford's relationship with Pride Week has come under intense scrutiny in recent days after the mayor said he would skip this week's Pride Parade to spend that time with his family at his cottage.

Richard Warner, one of those who shouted down Nunziata, said Ford's decision to not attend the parade was not politically smart, given the size of the city's gay community and how much the event brings to the city's economy. He also lamented Ford's decision not to come to the flag raising ceremony.

"If he had shown up today...he could have softened the blow [of not attending the parade]," said Warner.

The mayor said he still may attend other Pride-related events, but first has to check his schedule.

The Pride Parade will be held on July 3 and is the culmination of the city's well-known Pride Week, a 10-day festival celebrating sexual diversity in downtown Toronto.

Family barbecue ends in stabbing

One woman is in custody and another woman suffered non-life-threatening injuries following a dispute at a family barbecue in Toronto early Sunday morning.

Police said they were called to an east-end home in the Pharmacy Avenue and Danforth Avenue area where there were reports of a stabbing.

Police said they found a woman suffering from at least six wounds to her head and neck. She was taken to hospital were she was treated and released.

The altercation was the result of an ongoing dispute between two sisters.

Meanwhile, the victim's sister has been charged with aggravated assault. Police have not released the names of the victim or of the accused.

Sentencing begins in York Region officer's death

A man who struck and killed York Regional Police Det.-Const. Robert Plunkett with a car in 2007 appeared before a sentencing hearing on Tuesday.

Earlier this year, 23-year-old Nadeem Jiwa was convicted of manslaughter in Plunkett's death. Plunkett, a 22-year veteran of the force and a father of three, died in August 2007 while investigating air bag thefts.

Plunkett was trying to arrest Jiwa on a residential street in Markham, Ont. Jiwa, who was driving, reversed the car and pinned Plunkett between a tree and the car's open door.

The Crown has asked for a 12- to 14-year prison sentence for Jiwa, arguing this would reflect the level of community outrage at the death of an officer in the line of duty.

The defence argues a sentence of five to seven years better reflects a crime that was unintentional.

During Tuesday's sentencing hearing, Plunkett's family said Jiwa has never shown remorse or sympathy.

"In fact, his family has taken steps to show disdain for the system and have seen him as the victim," said Plunkett's widow Sonja.

York Regional Police Chief Eric Jolliffe said the loss of Plunkett has been keenly felt on the force.

"This has been a very long ordeal, not only for the Plunkett family but for York Region Police," he told CBC News.

Jiwa's sentencing hearing will continue on June 29, when he will likely be sentenced.

'Jackass' star Dunn dies

 "Jackass" star Ryan Dunn, who along with his cast mates made Americans cringe and snicker through vulgar stunts in their multimillion-dollar TV and movie franchise, was killed early Monday in a fiery car crash. He was 34.

Dunn, a daredevil who gained notoriety for diving into a sewage tank and performing other unsavoury stunts, was driving his 2007 Porsche in suburban Philadelphia when it careered off the road, flipped over a guardrail and crashed into the woods before bursting into flames. A passenger was also killed, and speed may have been a factor in the crash, West Goshen Township police said.

The force of impact shattered the vehicle into several twisted and blackened pieces, leaving the Porsche 911 GT3 unrecognizable except for a door that was thrown from the crash and not incinerated. A 100-foot-long tire skid marked where the car left the roadway.

Both Dunn and his passenger were severely burned. Police said they were able to identify Dunn through his tattoos and hair, but the identity of his passenger was still unknown.

Dunn appeared on MTV shows "Jackass" and "Viva La Bam" and the three "Jackass" big-screen adaptations. He also was the star of his own MTV show, "Homewrecker," and just began hosting the new show "Proving Ground" on the G4 cable network.

G4 spokesman Dave Welch said "Proving Ground," which premiered June 11 with the second episode slated to air Tuesday, was being pulled for now until the network can discuss the show's future.

 "Jackass" star Ryan Dunn, who along with his cast mates made Americans cringe and snicker through vulgar stunts in their multimillion-dollar TV and movie franchise, was killed early Monday in a fiery car crash. He was 34.

Dunn, a daredevil who gained notoriety for diving into a sewage tank and performing other unsavoury stunts, was driving his 2007 Porsche in suburban Philadelphia when it careered off the road, flipped over a guardrail and crashed into the woods before bursting into flames. A passenger was also killed, and speed may have been a factor in the crash, West Goshen Township police said.

The force of impact shattered the vehicle into several twisted and blackened pieces, leaving the Porsche 911 GT3 unrecognizable except for a door that was thrown from the crash and not incinerated. A 100-foot-long tire skid marked where the car left the roadway.

Both Dunn and his passenger were severely burned. Police said they were able to identify Dunn through his tattoos and hair, but the identity of his passenger was still unknown.

Dunn appeared on MTV shows "Jackass" and "Viva La Bam" and the three "Jackass" big-screen adaptations. He also was the star of his own MTV show, "Homewrecker," and just began hosting the new show "Proving Ground" on the G4 cable network.

G4 spokesman Dave Welch said "Proving Ground," which premiered June 11 with the second episode slated to air Tuesday, was being pulled for now until the network can discuss the show's future.

Car bomb near women's college kills 2 in southwestern Pakistan

QUETTA, Pakistan - Police say a car bomb exploded near a women's college in southwestern Pakistan, killing two people and wounding 12 others.

Police officer Hamid Shakil says the bomb appears to have been detonated Monday by a timing device. The car was parked near a women's college in Quetta, the capital of Baluchistan province.

Shakil did not say who is suspected of carrying out the attack or indicate the target.

Baluchistan has experienced frequent attacks by nationalists who demand a greater share of the province's natural resource wealth but car bomb attacks are rare.

The province, which borders Afghanistan, is also widely believed to be home for many Afghan Taliban militants, including the group's leader, Mullah Omar.

Downtown Vancouver ablaze after rioters run amok following Canuck Cup loss

The misery for the Vancouver Canucks and their fans continued with another near miss in their 40th season.

Moments after the 4-0 loss to the Boston Bruins in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final, the frustration and disappointment turned to anger and violence. Only a few blocks from Rogers Arena, cars were overturned, several fires were set, store windows were smashed and people clashed with police as a riot ensued in downtown Vancouver on Monday evening.

What was supposed to be a party in Vancouver turned into violent behaviour after the Canucks came up with another clunker in the seventh and deciding game. They were unable to continue the trend of the home team winning each game.

From the Bruins fourth line to their magnificent goalie, Conn Smythe-winner Tim Thomas, head coach Claude Julien had the better team on this night as Boston celebrated its first championship since 1972.

Thomas made 37 saves for his second shutout of the series and fourth of the postseason. He set a record for the most saves made in a playoffs at 798 and most shots faced at 849 for a .940 save percentage. In the seven-game final, the 37-year-old Thomas recorded a .967 save percentage. Not bad for a ninth-round pick who took almost a decade after he was drafted to make his first appearance in an NHL game.

"I know the game, and I know the way that it is," Thomas said. "Winning the Stanley Cup is huge. It's the biggest accomplishment of my career thus far. But everybody knows in this game that you have to continuously prove yourself.

"I'm sure if I were to, for example, start out the season bad next year that I probably, with the Cup, would have bought myself a little bit of leeway, but it won't last forever unless I turn my game around."

A stunned capacity crowd of 18,860 at Rogers Arena and hundreds of thousands more in the downtown streets watched their Presidents' Trophy-winning team slump offensively with only eight goals in seven games. The Canucks weren't going to become the first Canadian-based team since the 1992-93 Montreal Canadiens to win the Stanley Cup with such little production.