Putin shifts the Russia-Ukraine conflict into high gear

Plus, the Emergencies Act vote gets NDP support and what a Star reporter with a radar gun learned about Toronto's speeding problem [The Star] First Up [By Jordan Tamblyn] By Jordan Tamblyn Good morning and a happy 2/22/2022 to you. [Here’s what makes the day so special](. And here’s the latest on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, last night’s historic vote on the Emergencies Act, and Toronto’s speeding drivers.  DON’T MISS Kremlin Pool Photo via AP russia-ukraine conflict [Vladimir Putin pushed Russia-Ukraine crisis into new phase, setting the world on edge ]( After recognizing the independence of two separatist republics in eastern Ukraine, the Russian president dispatched troops to perform “peacekeeping functions,” effectively elevating the standoff between separatist rebels and Ukrainian forces into an active conflict. Meanwhile, Canada and its allies plan to employ an [economic sanctions package]( to punish Putin and the Russian people by targeting banks, individuals and state-owned companies. Allan Woods has [the latest on the escalating tensions, and what might come next](. - What now? If it happens, [here’s how experts say a Russian invasion of Ukraine might look](. - Another angle: Canada is the only G7 country not talking to Russia amid last-minute attempts at shuttle diplomacy. [Is that strategy doing more harm than good?]( - Go deeper: Here’s how Justin Trudeau, Joe Biden and other world leaders are [reacting to the latest developments](. Canadian Press/Cole Burston federal politics [The Emergencies Act survived a House vote with NDP support]( The House of Commons voted Monday to support the federal government’s unprecedented use of the Emergencies Act. Despite ports of entry being open for trade and the streets of Ottawa now quiet, Trudeau continued to insist Monday the emergency declaration was needed. “We don’t want to keep it in place a single day longer than necessary,” Trudeau told reporters. “This state of emergency is not over.” [Here’s the latest from Jacques Gallant](. - Another angle: The vote tally – 185 in favour, 151 against – was also an unofficial vote of confidence in the minority government. Some opposition critics argue that NDP and Liberal MPs were forced to vote in favour in order to avoid an election. The Conservatives and Bloc Québécois voted against the motion. - What’s next: NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says his party is prepared to pull its support when it feels the Emergencies Act is no longer necessary, triggering a new vote. - The Star’s take: [Ottawa should make its case for extra powers to deal with occupation-style protests and blockades]( writes the Star editorial board.  R.J. Johnston/The Star deadly streets [Here’s what the Star learned about Toronto’s speeding drivers after two days with a radar gun]( Five months ago, a 71-year-old man and his 69-year-old wife were killed by a speeding driver while stopped at a traffic light on Parkside Drive. Residents of the west-end community had warned about speeding drivers for years before the multi-vehicle crash. In the immediate aftermath, police stepped up enforcement and “slow down” signs went up, while a motion was tabled to reduce the speed limit on Parkside from 50 to 40 km/h. But five months later, residents wonder: Has anything changed? To find out, the Star sent reporter Gilbert Ngabo to investigate with a new point-shoot Bushnell radar gun. [Here’s what he found out](. (Spoiler alert: people were driving way too fast.) - More: Gilbert visited three intersections with a long history of traffic collisions linked to speed: Parkside Drive, Bayview and Finch, and the junction between the West Mall and the Queensway.  - Why it matters: [Toronto Police have already reported four traffic deaths so far this year]( – most recently, an 80-year-old woman was killed at a crosswalk at College and Bay. 63 people were killed in 2021 and 46 in 2020. - Go deeper: Critics say Toronto’s Vision Zero program, aimed at reducing traffic deaths, doesn’t go far enough: “We (tend) to treat each crash like an isolated incident rather than the systemic pattern of a lack of safety on our streets.” WHAT ELSE Steve Fonyo, who lost a leg to cancer and ran across Canada to raise money, [has died at 56](. Inside the push to finally, slowly, start [bringing workers back to the office](. [Why didn’t Doug Ford pursue a $1-billion congestion penalty]( from the owners of the 407 ETR? Tax season is upon us once again. Here are [seven ways to get a bigger tax refund]( this year. Phil Mickelson’s support for a doomed Saudi golf league is out of bounds, [but not out of character](. [Meet Hank the Tank]( a 500-pound bear rampaging through a gated community in California. Don’t miss the Star’s latest [quiz in honour of Black History Month](. Heather Mallick is [calling the fashion police]( on convoy protesters. ICYMI Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick [Getting “ghosted” by Canada. People are trying to reach immigration officials, but no one’s picking up the phone.]( CLOSE-UP Pascal Pochard/Getty Images CORSICA, FRANCE: Waves crash into the shore Monday as Franklin, the third major storm in five days to hit Europe, pushed across the continent and killed at least 16 people. Thanks for reading. You can reach me and the First Up team at [firstup@thestar.ca](mailto:firstup@thestar.ca?source=newsletter&utm_source=ts_nl&utm_medium=emailutm_email=6C53B63A8E3FAD70AD4EF13004527437&utm_campaign=frst_107734). I’ll see you back here tomorrow. [The Star]( If you're not enjoying these emails, please tell us how we can make them better by emailing newsletterfeedback@thestar.ca. Or, if you'd prefer, you can unsubscribe from this newsletter by clicking the first link below. [Unsubscribe From This Newsletter]( [Sign Up for More Newsletters and Email Alerts]( [Become a Star Subscriber]( [View in Browser]( [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Twitter]( Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. One Yonge Street, 4th Floor, Toronto, ON M5E 1E6. 416-367-2000 [PRIVACY POLICY](