News for Youse: Port Mann Bridge de-icing, explosives on plane, and Justin Bieber passes Lady Gaga

Port Mann Bridge solutions announced  Transportation Minister Mary Polak has announced that a "custom-designed cable sweeper" will remove snow and ice before it can build up on the Port Mann Bridge. A de-icing solution will also be applied to the cables.

Transit cop leaves explosives on plane  The Canadian Taxpayers Federation has revealed that the Transit Police lost explosive material on an Air Canada plane. It came after a dog handler forgot where he left it—and only remembered two days later after the plane had flown to Toronto.

Ridge Theatre will close  Festival Cinemas has announced that the 62-year-old Ridge Theatre will close forever after a "Last Film Festival", with the final screening on February 3.

NDP candidate resigns  Yesterday, Marji Basso stepped down for "personal reasons" as the NDP candidate in Boundary-Similkameen. Incumbent John Slater won't run as an independent after the B.C. Liberals refused to renominate him.

VPD endorses Oppal's recommendations  Vancouver police deputy chief Doug LePard has announced his department's support for most of missing-women commissioner Wally Oppal's 63 recommendations.

Writer defends Furlong story   Freelance writer Laura Robinson has filed a statement in B.C. Supreme Court maintaining that she did not defame former Vanoc CEO John Furlong in a Georgia Straight story in September or in a November email to Own the Podium, which Furlong chairs.

China trade deal in court  The Hupacasath First Nation has filed court action to try to force the federal government to consult with aboriginal people before the Canada-China Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement can take effect.

U.S. president supports gay rights  In his inauguration speech, President Barack Obama focused on support for civil rights, declaring: "Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law."

Cold snap  A blast of Arctic air is causing extremely low temperatures across many parts of Canada.

Prince Harry kills Taliban  In an interview, Prince Harry has revealed that he flew on numerous missions as a copilot gunner in the southern Afghanistan province of Helmand, where he said it was justified to take a life to save a life.

Philippines complains to UN about China  The Philippines has filed a claim against China under the UN Convention of the Law of the Sea. It involves overlapping claims in the South China Sea between the two countries.

Bieber passes Lady Gaga on Twitter  E! News has reported that Justin Bieber has 33,333,554 followers on Twitter, putting him ahead of Lady Gaga's 33,328,937.