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Environment Don't miss out on the headlines from Environment. Followed categories will be added to My News. Most of Canberra’s waterways have been shut for swimming until further notice as heavy rainfall has created poor water quality, driven by elevated bacteria levels. Water testing completed by the ACT Parks and Conservation Service found that three rivers, including Murrumbidgee, Cotter and Paddy’s River have all been closed for primary contact. Other affected areas include Casuarina Sands, Swap Creek, Pine Island, Uriarra East and West, Kambah Pool, Point Hut Crossing, Tharwa Bridge, Murrays Corner and Cotter Campground. Four of Lake Burley’s 10 locations have also been closed for primary contact due to increased bacteria levels, including the East and West Basins, Yarralumla Beach and Weston Park East. \Most of Canberra's waterways have been shut for swimming as heavy rainfall has created poor water quality, driven by elevated bacteria levels. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman In a statement shared by the ACT Parks and Conservation Service online, the week’s heavy rainfall created poor water quality in the affected areas, resulting in elevated bacteria levels that could cause harm to the human body. Bacteria levels tend to increase in water after heavy rainfall, due to a quantity of material collecting in the storm water pipes, grazing land and upstream bodies of water. “The good news is that activities like boating, kayaking, fishing, walking, and picnicking are unaffected,” an online statement read. Between September and April each year, samples are taken and tested for the overall water quality and bacteria like Intestinal Enterococci, indicating the presence of faecal pollution. The poor water quality is due to heavy rainfall, which develops the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman It is not always easy to check if the water is clean enough to swim in without regular testing during warmer months, when the swimming locations become more popular. It means even taking a quick dip in the water could lead to health problems, ACT Parks and Conservation senior director Nick Daines told the ABC. “Elevated bacteria can cause irritation, gastrointestinal system, as well as an upset stomach,” he said. Those who have been in contact with the water are advised to wash their skin thoroughly, especially their hands before eating or drinking. Tests for blue-green algae are completed regularly throughout the year, which is more common in urban waterways and caused by hot water sitting still. Blue-green algae is just as dangerous; contact with affected water could lead to skin irritation, mild breathing problems and hayfever-like symptoms. If ingested, the toxins could cause gastrointestinal symptoms like vomiting, diarrhoea, headaches and fever. There have been no reported outbreaks in the ACT. The lakes have been shut for swimming, though boating and kayaking is allowed. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman Swimming in the bacteria-laden waterways can lead to health complications. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman National Capital Authority acting director of the lake and dam, David Wright, said the heavy rainfall caused a spike of nutrients in the water and created a perfect breeding ground for bacteria, “probably due to the rain in recent weeks and washing in bacteria from the catchment”. A recent increase in birdlife may also be contributing to the issue, he said. “More recently, we’ve observed a lot of seagulls at the beach, and we think that they’re probably contributing to the bacteria levels around the swimming areas,” Mr Wright said. It’s not just the bacteria that can cause issues for those hoping to take a dip. Amid the heavy rainfall, debris such as submerged objects and fast-flowing water can be particularly hazardous for those swimming in the water. Mr Daines warned people hoping to take a plunge during the summer to be aware of the risks, and never enter the water alone. “(The) most common causes of drowning in Australia are from inland waterways, like rivers and dams,” he said. “If you’re not a strong swimmer, it’s probably not the best place to be going for a swim, and maybe stick to areas that have lifeguards, like pools.” Originally published as Chilling warning for residents in Canberra swimming spots More related stories Environment ‘Unsettling’ thunderstorms loom for millions Millions of Australians are being urged to keep an eye out for changing weather conditions, as severe thunderstorms are likely to develop. Read more Animals Why cicadas are so much louder this year Summer means a lot of things: hot weather, long nights and loud cicadas. And those noisy insects seem to be turning up the decibels this year. Read moreProvinces, territories make backup plans for essential services during Canada Post strikejili 333 。

Nearly a week after Canada Post workers went on strike nationwide, federal, provincial and territorial governments say Canadians will still be able to receive essential government mail and financial support cheques through other means. The strike has brought mail delivery across the country to a halt. Only certain government cheques are still being mailed out. An agreement between Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) allows some unionized employees to deliver federal support payments during the labour dispute. Those payments include the Canada Child Benefit, Old Age Security and the Canada Pension Plan. Service Canada says most of the people who receive these federal financial assistance payments — between 94 and 98 per cent — get the funds through direct deposit. The federal government says employment insurance (EI) clients can contact Service Canada if they are in "dire need." Service Canada says it can make arrangements for cheques to be delivered to their homes or a government office. WATCH: Canada Post strike hitting North, vulnerable communities hard Canada Post strike hitting the North, vulnerable communities hard 1 day ago Duration 2:01 The Canada Post strike is hitting Canada’s northern regions and vulnerable communities hard. One Ottawa food bank, which gets most of its financial donations through the mail, warns the disruption is seriously impacting its ability to serve clients. Nearly all other government support payments and correspondence will not be mailed during the strike. Most provinces and territories are making support cheques available for pickup at government offices. They are also encouraging people to switch to online payments or direct deposit if they can. In Ontario , welfare and disability support cheques are not being mailed out. A spokesperson for the provincial government said about 2.5 per cent of recipients still get their money via cheques in the mail. "There is a plan in place to ensure that clients will receive their payment through their local offices on time," the spokesperson said in an email to CBC News. Ontarians who receive disability payments by mail will be contacted by local offices and told where their cheques will be sent at the end of the month, the spokesperson added. In Quebec, a long list of payments will be distributed through most provincial services offices on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. "The Government of Quebec is doing everything in its power to enable thousands of government program beneficiaries to receive their cheques," the provincial government's website says. A Quebec government office in Gatineau, QC posts a sign for pickup of provincial support cheques. (Marina von Stackelberg/CBC) The government of British Columbia is warning there could be longer lineups as people come to get their payments at ministry offices. "Bring your ID and be patient with staff," the province's website reads. Postal workers have agreed to deliver Alberta's Seniors Benefit and Alberta Pension cheques. The Alberta government says it's also using "contingent mail services." Albertans will be notified by the provincial government if there is government mail they need to pick up. Those who need to send mail to the Alberta government can drop it off at a designated provincial office , no stamp required. Manitoba has also opened up pick-up and drop-off locations for cheques and other essential government mail. Saskatchewan , Prince Edward Island , New Brunswick , Newfoundland and Labrador , and Nova Scotia all have plans in place as well. Passports, provincial assistance cheques not being delivered as Canada Post strike drags on Service Canada holding 85,000 passports as Canada Post strike continues Territories use couriers, cargo to move essential mail The Yukon government said it's partnered with a local courier to transport essential government mail to communities across the territory. "Community post offices remain open and are still able to distribute mail in their respective communities. They operate under a different union," a spokesperson for the Northwest Territories said in an email to CBC News. In Whitehorse, each department has a designated pickup point for essential government mail. The government of the Northwest Territories told CBC News it is using couriers, trucking companies and airlines to help move its essential mail. It says residents who normally receive income assistance and the Seniors Home Heating Subsidy through the mail can pick up their cheques at Education, Culture and Employment service centres, or contact a client navigator to request a different option. "Our staff are ready to assist clients and make arrangements to ensure they receive their benefits," a spokesperson for the Northwest Territories wrote in a statement to CBC News. Nunavut has found other ways to transport and deliver materials between communities, a spokesperson for the territorial government said. Government identification and certificates can be delivered through Nunavut's "robust cargo network, which the government of Nunavut uses regularly to transport documents and goods," the territory wrote in a statement issued to CBC News. "Government Liaison Offices in each community may be used to assist in local distribution of government documents shipped to communities." A total of 55,000 Canada Post workers went on strike on Nov. 15 after a year of negotiating with the Crown corporation over a new collective agreement. Both sides remain at the negotiating table.

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Schedule subject to change and/or blackouts Monday, Dec. 23 COLLEGE BASKETBALL (MEN’S) 5:30 p.m. ESPNU — Diamond Head Classic: TBD, Consolation Semifinal, Honolulu 7 p.m. SECN — MTSU at Tennessee 8 p.m. ESPNU — Diamond Head Classic: TBD, Semifinal, Honolulu 10 p.m. BTN — Seattle at Washington 10:30 p.m. ESPN2 — Diamond Head Classic: TBD, Semifinal, Honolulu 12:30 a.m. (Tuesday) ESPN2 — Diamond Head Classic: TBD, Consolation Semifinal Honolulu COLLEGE FOOTBALL 11 a.m. ESPN — The Myrtle Beach Bowl: Coastal Carolina vs. UTSA, Conway, S.C. 2:30 p.m. ESPN — The Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: N. Illinois vs. Fresno St., Boise, Idaho NBA BASKETBALL 7 p.m. NBATV — San Antonio at Philadelphia 10 p.m. NBATV — Indiana at Golden State NFL FOOTBALL 8:15 p.m. ABC — New Orleans at Green Bay ESPN — New Orleans at Green Bay The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive TV listings provided by LiveSportsOnTV .Biden issues veto threat on bill expanding federal judiciary as partisan split emergesLAPO: We disbursed N1.9bn to 1,466 Poultry Farmers in 3 years

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Athena Technology Acquisition Corp. II Receives Commencement of Delisting Notice from NYSE AmericanCALGARY, Alberta (AP) — A Ukrainian girls’ hockey team is in Canada for a few days of peace and hockey in an arena that doesn’t have a missile-sized hole in its roof. After 56 hours of travel to Calgary, including a 24-hour bus ride from Dnipro to Warsaw, Poland, that required army escort for a portion of it, the Ukrainian Wings will join Wickfest, Hayley Wickenheiser’s annual girls’ hockey festival, on Thursday. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.