News for Youse: Mayor's motion on coal, North Korea threatens U.S., and a Chris Brown temper tantrum

Mayor opposes coal infrastructure  Mayor Gregor Robertson has filed a notice of motion for Tuesday's (March 12) council meeting regarding coal exports. It asks staff to "report back on a bylaw to prevent the expansion of, or creation of new, coal export infrastructure within the City of Vancouver".

Politicians' expenses revealed  A report going to Vancouver city council on Tuesday (March 12) reveals that Mayor Gregor Robertson charged the city $34,441 for "local expenses", a transportation allowance, and travel and conferences in 2012. That's on top of his $145,581 salary. Four Vision Vancouver councillors—Kerry Jang, Raymond Louie, Geoff Meggs, and Andrea Reimer—don't collect a transportation allowance.

Kash Heed says Mountie should resign  Vancouver-Fraserview MLA and former West Vancouver police chief Kash Heed says RCMP inspector Amrik Virk should quit the force now that he's a B.C. Liberal candidate in Surrey-Tynehead.

David Black discusses refinery financing  The Vancouver Sun has reported B.C. newspaper baron David Black's claim to the B.C. Chamber of Commerce that he's close to signing a "memorandum" for financing a new oil refinery in Kitimat.

Advocates want childcare discussed  Sharon Gregson of the Coalition of Childcare Advocates of B.C. wants provincial political parties to adopt her group's plan for a publicly funded daycare program costing parents $10 per day.

Cellphone horror stories  Openmedia.ca has released a report citing consumers' complaints about the cellphone industry. It's to support its claim that the market "is dysfunctional and in desperate need of an overhaul".

Conservative support falls  A new Nanos Research survey in February has shown the Conservatives have fallen from 34.3 percent to 31.5 percent; the Liberals are at 29.1 percent, which is slightly ahead of the NDP at 27.2 percent.

North Korea threatens U.S. Shortly after retired basketball star Dennis Rodman had a friendly visit to Pyongyang, Norh Korea has threatened to launch a pre-emptive nuclear strike "to destroy the strongholds of the aggressors". It's perceived as a threat on the U.S., which supports tough new sanctions.

Kenyan election concerns  The BBC has reported claims that ballots have been "doctored" in Kenya's presidential election, which pits Raila Odinga against Uhuru Kenyatta.

Heart attack reportedly killed Chavez  The head of Venzeula's presidential guard, Gen. Jose Orneila, has told Associated Press that former president Hugo Chavez died of a massive heart attack.

Stompin' Tom Connors dies  Canadian country music legend Stompin' Tom Connors and composer of "The Hockey Song" has passed away at the age of 77.

Another Chris Brown temper tantrum  TMZ.com has reported that singer Chris Brown—who achieved notoriety for beating up Rihanna—erupted in anger at a parking valet over a $10 service charge.