Vancouver rundown for Thursday, May 23, 2024. Could it be London drugs paid the ransom or at least
agreed to negotiate with the cyber attackers? LockBit, the group claiming to be behind the
earlier attack on the retailer's computer systems, has now removed its $25 million ransom demand
from a public website. There were earlier suggestions LockBit rejected an $8 million
ransom offer. London drugs has not been publicly commenting on its involvement
in any negotiations with the cyber terrorists. Other news, hundreds of lower mainland Shaw
subscribers have been left without internet TV or phone service after a power outage took some of
its equipment offline. The outage affected customers in Vancouver, Burnaby and Richmond,
the company has apologized for any inconvenience. The federal government is coughing up close to
$75 million for a loan to BC ferries to cover some of the costs of zero emissions boats.
The money will come from the Canadian Infrastructure Bank with the Crown Corporation saying
it will go towards some terminal upgrades and small battery-powered ferries on a few shorter routes.
Six hybrid electric ferries have been added to the fleet over the past couple of years.
The iconic Pink Palace Hotel near the Peace Arms border in South Surrey is expected to sell for
at least $18 million. An offer has already been made, but the sale remains open until May 27.
The sale is court-ordered after the owners ran into some difficulties keeping up with the mortgage
payments. Thursday will be cloudy with a few sunny periods and some gusty wind. Expect a few
showers on Friday and then a mix of sun and clouds for Saturday. For all the details on these
Vancouver area stories, along with the links go to vancouverrondown.substack.com.