A compilation of brief news reports for Thursday, December 4, 2008 . File:Imsdal 33cl.JPG On December 2, the Toronto city council voted in favor of banning the sales and distribution of bottled water on city property. The council also agreed to provide public drinking fountains on their properties, as well as on a measure that would make shoppers pay at least five Canadian cents for plastic grocery bags and force business owners to offer reusable bags and carry-out containers. "Toronto's decision to ban the bottle and turn on the tap sends a clear message that bottled water's 15 minutes are up," said Polaris Institute's campaign coordinator, Joe Cressy. All of the city's facilities should be following the water ban by 2011, while businesses will have to implement their bag fees by 2010. Toronto has become the largest city in the world to ban bottled water on government property. Related news "Calls for bottled water bans grow in Canada" — Wikinews, August 23, 2008 Sources "Toronto Bans Bottled Water" — CNW Group, December 3, 2008 "Toronto council approves plastic bag charge, bottle ban" — CBC News, December 3, 2008 On Tuesday, American actor, Patrick Swayze, who suffers from pancreatic cancer, denied reports that he was near death. American tabloid National Inquirer reported on November 28 that Swayze's cancer had spread to his liver and that he was preparing for his death. "The only thorn in my side being that many tabloids have been consistently reporting lies and false information about me and those close to me," said Swayze in a statement to the press who also added that he knows he is in "the fight for his life," but that it is a fight that he "is winning." "I'm one of the lucky few that responds well to treatment," added Swayze. Swayze has starred in over a dozen films, including the 1987 hit film Dirty Dancing. Related news "Wikinews Shorts: November 28, 2008" — Wikinews, November 28, 2008 Sources "Swayze denies 'deathbed' rumours" — BBC News Online, December 3, 2008 "Patrick Swayze denies reports he is near death" — Reuters, December 2, 2008
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