Top News Advisory as of 6 p.m. Jan. 12

(Canadian Press DataFile Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) TOP NEWS ADVISORY 6 p.m.

Here are the latest Top News stories from The Canadian Press. All times are Eastern unless otherwise stated. Coverage plans are included when available. Entries are subject to change as news develops. Contact the National Desk at 416-507-2150.

TOP NEWS AT THIS HOUR Tough month for Atleo Aboriginal-Protests OTTAWA _ Over the past few days, as Assembly of First Nations national chief Shawn Atleo faced harsh division among chiefs, protesters in the streets and a hunger protest by an Ontario chief with no obvious resolution. There were "fleeting" moments when he wondered whether he should stick with the job. Now he is gearing up for an equally difficult round two.

____ Canada treated to weather roller coaster Winter-Weather Canada saw widely diverse weather on Saturday as Toronto residents basked in record-breaking warm temperatures while other regions were coping with an onslaught of snow that closed major highways and grounded flights.Environment Canada said the temperature in Ontario's capital climbed to 15 degrees Celsius at 3 p.m. That shattered the previous record for Jan. 12 of 9.5 degrees Celsius, said Glenn Robinson, an Environment Canada meteorologist. Moves National, Atlantic and Ontario/Quebec, please guard against duplication.

____ Heavy snowfall means avalanche risk greater Avalanche-Risk BANFF _ A recent snowfall in southern Alberta and B.C. has prompted a warning about avalanche risk this weekend.Up to 80 centimetres of snow has fallen in the Rockies and the Canadian Avalanche Centre is calling the risk of avalanche "considerable." Espy B.C.

___ NHL players vote in favour of new deal HKN-NHL-Game-On TORONTO _ It's the news hockey fans have been waiting to hear.NHL players have voted in favour of ratifying the collective bargaining agreement that was reached last weekend. Moves National and Sports; Will be Updated ____ Toronto grocer who caught shoplifter awarded Harper-Medals TORONTO _ A Toronto grocery store owner who chased down and detained a shoplifter has been honoured with a national community service medal.Prime Minister Stephen Harper awarded the Diamond Jubilee medal to David Chen along with 16 other people during a ceremony at the Ontario legislature Saturday. Incorporates Harper consultations ____ Online threats complicate Ohio school rape case FBH-Players-Rape-Charges STEUBENVILLE _ Shortly after Police Chief William McCafferty arrived at the office one day this week, he found an email from someone claiming to be a hacker from Ontario with a tip. Moments later, a warning message popped up, and the chief's computer was disabled. Within hours, the FBI had the email, and McCafferty's computer technician was trying to transfer files off the hard drive.It was another reminder for McCafferty of the attention being paid to his department's investigation of the alleged rape of a 16-year-old girl at a party last summer by two local football players, both of whom have been charged and are going on trial next month. The chief had already been warned to stop using his home computer for fear of hacking. PHOTO.

____ Hundreds of French troops drive back Mali rebels AF-Mali-Fighting BAMAKO _ French airstrikes overnight in Mali drove back Islamist rebels from a key city and destroyed a militant command centre, the French defence minister said Saturday, as West African nations authorized the immediate deployment of troops to the country.The al-Qaida-linked militants, who have carved out their own territory in the lawless desert region of northern Mali over the past nine months, recently pressed closer to a major base of the Malian army, dramatically raising the stakes in the battle for the vast West African nation. PHOTO.

___ French commando killed in Somalia hostage raid AF-Somalia-Attack MOGADISHU _ A raid to free a French intelligence agent held captive in Somalia for three years went horribly wrong, leaving 17 Islamists and at least one French commando dead in a mud-caked farming town deep in militant territory.In the chaotic aftermath of the firefight, the hostage's fate was unclear Saturday. The Islamists denied French claims that he was killed and said they had a new prisoner _ a wounded French soldier.

____ Haiti quietly marks quake's 3rd anniversary CB-Haiti-Quake-Anniversary PORT-AU-PRINCE _ President Michel Martelly urged Haitians to recall the tens of thousands of people who lost their lives in a devastating earthquake three years ago, marking the disaster's anniversary Saturday with a simple ceremony.Martelly also thanked other countries and international organizations for their help after the Jan. 12, 2010 disaster.

____ Prosecutors approve search for Gacy victims US-Gacy-Investigation CHICAGO _ Detectives who have long wondered if John Wayne Gacy killed others besides the 33 young men he was convicted of murdering may soon get to search for bodies underneath an apartment complex where his late mother once lived, a law enforcement official said Saturday.Frank Bilecki, a spokesman for Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart, confirmed a Chicago Sun-Times report that Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez agreed to ask a judge for a warrant to search the housing complex on the city's Northwest Side. Such requests for search warrants are routinely approved.

BUZZ McCain divorce case lays out lavish lifestyle McCain-Divorce TORONTO _ The CEO of Maple Leaf Foods has been ordered to pay his ex-wife $175,000 a month in interim spousal support after an Ontario judge struck down parts of a marriage contract meant to keep the family's wealth within the bloodline.Michael McCain must also make retroactive payments stretching back to July 2011, the first month of his split from his wife of 30 years, Christine McCain. NB note Report: Lance to admit doping in Oprah interview CYC-Armstrong-Doping AUSTIN _ Lance Armstrong plans to admit to doping throughout his career during an upcoming interview with Oprah Winfrey, USA Today reported late Friday.The interview, scheduled to be taped Monday and broadcast Thursday night on the Oprah Winfrey Network, will be conducted at Armstrong's home in Austin, Texas. PHOTO.

____ Brian Burke says farewell to Maple Leafs HKN-Leafs-Burke TORONTO _ Brian Burke's only regret is that the Toronto Maple Leafs didn't win more games.The outgoing president and general manager of the Maple Leafs spoke on Saturday about how if his team had performed better on the ice he would still be employed. PHOTO.

____ Canadian wins Oscar for special effects work FILM-Oscars-Science-Cda TORONTO _ A Canadian is being lauded for his work in developing the digital program that made the fantastical creatures seen in "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey," "Avatar" and "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" appear more realistic.James Jacobs, along with Simon Clutterbuck and Dr. Richard Dorling, who are British, will be among 25 recipients of plaques and certificates from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognizing technical movie-making achievements. The trio are getting an award for their development of the Tissue Physically-Based Character Simulation Framework.

___ Obama won't support building 'Death Star' US-White-House-Death-Star WASHINGTON _ A "Death Star" won't be a part of the U.S. military's arsenal any time soon. More than 34,000 people have signed an online petition calling on the Obama administration to build the "Star Wars" inspired super-weapon to spur job growth and bolster national defence. PHOTO. APNewsNow.

___ US government tells computer users to disable Java US-Java-Warning WASHINGTON _ The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is advising people to temporarily disable the Java software on their computers to avoid potential hacking attacks.The recommendation came in an advisory issued late Thursday, following up on concerns raised by computer security experts. PHOTO.

____ Passenger has baby aboard flight over Armenia EU-Armenia-Birth-Aboard-Plane YEREVAN _ A passenger has given birth aboard a plane flying over Armenia and named her daughter after one of the flight attendants who helped with the delivery.The birth of the healthy baby occurred on Saturday, two hours before the Armavia airline flight landed in Yerevan, Armenia's capital, after a long flight from Siberia. APNewsNow.

(c) 2013 The Canadian Press

[ Back To Technology News's Homepage ]