A Colossal Failure
Where news meets rational thinking
Good morning, It’s Thursday, August 18th. In today’s news, Netanyahu threatens proactive attacks as Iran promises Israel’s annihilation, Liberals blame ‘far-right and Trump’ for their own bad actions, Conservatives call for an emergency meeting after ISIS militants in Canada were charged in terror plot, thousands of counter-protesters rally after UK riots, and much more.
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WW3 Watch: Netanyahu Threatens Proactive Attacks as Iran Promises Israel’s Annihilation
Netanyahu Threatens Proactive Attack
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned Iran and Hezbollah of proactive attacks as tensions rise in the region. During a visit to the IDF induction base at Tel Hashomer, Netanyahu assured citizens that Israel is prepared both defensively and offensively. This comes amid heightened fears of a second direct confrontation between the two arch-foes, as Iran's rhetoric grows increasingly aggressive.
Iran's Army Chief Commander Abdolrahim Mousavi warned of Israel's impending destruction, while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian asked for restraint from Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Lloyd Austin announced additional military support to Israel, including warships and fighter squadrons, including a dozen F-18 fighter jets, emphasizing America's commitment to Israel's defence. More
Hezbollah Poised to Strike Israel Independent of Iran
Hezbollah may soon strike Israel independently of Iran's plans, according to sources familiar with the intelligence. While Hezbollah is accelerating its preparations and could act in the coming days, Iran is still deciding on its response and has not completed all expected preparations for a major attack. Coordination between Iran and Hezbollah on their next steps remains unclear, with concerns that their strategies might not align.
The potential attacks are in retaliation for Israel's recent assassinations of Hezbollah's top military commander and Hamas' political leader. More
US Briefed on Impending Attacks
President Biden and Vice President Harris were briefed by their national security team on the uncertain timing and nature of potential attacks by Iran and Hezbollah against Israel. The Biden administration is preparing to counter possible attacks and is mobilizing diplomatic pressure to minimize retaliation for Israel's recent assassinations of senior Hamas and Hezbollah leaders. More
Liberal MP Blames 'Far-Right and Trump' After Women Storm Out Due to Liberal Actions
Earlier this week Liberals drove two survivors of abuse out of a parliamentary committee meeting in tears. Cait Alexander and Megan Walker abruptly left the meeting after Liberal MP Anita Vandenbeld diverted the discussion to abortion rights, leading to heated exchanges. Alexander’s mother accused the Liberal MPs of revictimizing the survivors for political gain. Despite the survivors' attempts to focus on their testimonies, the discussion went off track, causing further distress.
In response, Liberal MP Anita Vandenbeld penned a lengthy piece blaming the rise of the "far-right." In her 2,500-word op-ed published in National Newswatch, Vandenbeld claimed she was targeted with abuse and blamed far-right populism for the incident. She accused Conservatives of following "Trump’s playbook," suggesting that Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's narrative of a broken Parliament mirrors Trump’s tactics.
Vandenbeld now claims to be a victim of online abuse and threats, leading her to close her constituency office due to safety concerns. She criticized media headlines and linked the incident to a broader global rise in authoritarian, anti-democratic, and misogynist movements. Vandenbeld expressed deep regret for the distress caused to the witnesses, describing the situation as a trap that unfairly impacted the survivors. More
Tiny Thought: Every time these Liberal politicians push their harmful agenda and things fall apart, they don’t apologize or take responsibility—they just blame the ‘far-right.’ Their refusal to face reality is delusional, and this woman epitomizes their incompetence.
Conservatives Call for Emergency Meeting After ISIS Militants in Canada Charged in Terror Plot
The Conservatives are calling for emergency committee meetings to address how Ahmed Fouad Mostafa Eldidi, a man linked to ISIS, was admitted to Canada and granted citizenship. Eldidi, 62, and his son Mostafa Eldidi, 26, are charged with multiple terrorism offences, including conspiracy to commit murder for a terrorist group. The father-son duo was arrested in Richmond Hill, Ontario, last month, accused of planning a violent attack in Toronto.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has criticized Prime Minister Trudeau's government for allegedly failing to vet individuals properly, highlighting that Eldidi had previously been filmed dismembering a prisoner for ISIS. Poilievre and other Conservatives argue that this case reveals a significant lapse in national security and have called for the Public Safety Committee to be urgently recalled to investigate how Eldidi was allowed into Canada and if other individuals with similar backgrounds are also in the country.
Conservative House Leader Andrew Scheer has described the incident as a "colossal failure" and is pressing for the committee’s immediate return to scrutinize the security processes that allowed Eldidi’s entry and citizenship. More
Tiny Thought: With approximately 1.4 million permanent and non-permanent residents coming to Canada annually—a number that is more than double our average historical figures—there is no way we have the proper infrastructure to adequately vet these people. It would be foolish to believe Eldidi is the only one that got through.
Thousands of Counter-protesters Rally After Riots in UK
Thousands of counter-protesters rallied across England in response to recent riots triggered by the suspect of a fatal stabbing that killed three young girls. Cities like London, Bristol, and Newcastle saw mostly peaceful demonstrations, with counter-protesters expressing support for refugees and condemning anti-immigration sentiments. Notably, counter-protesters in cities like Walthamstow and Brighton successfully held their ground, while minor scuffles and arrests occurred in areas like Aldershot and Portsmouth.
As of Wednesday, arrests have exceeded 400, with over 140 charged and some already sentenced. More
Tiny Thought: Despite the mainstream media’s narrative, there have been multiple incidents of violence involving immigrants in the UK, leading to widespread frustration among British citizens. The reality is clear: the cat’s out of the bag, tensions between these groups are escalating, and it is only a matter of time before further violence ensues. The next incident will likely cause significant civil unrest.
Niger Cuts Ties With Ukraine Over Its Alleged Backing of Malian Rebels
Niger's military junta has followed Mali in severing diplomatic ties with Ukraine, citing Ukraine’s alleged support for a Malian rebel group that attacked Malian soldiers and Russian-backed mercenaries. This decision reflects growing anti-Western sentiment in Africa’s Sahel region, which has seen military rulers in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso cut ties with France and the US while aligning more with Russia. The move also highlights tensions over Ukraine’s involvement and Moscow’s expanding influence in West Africa. More
Sweden Calls for New EU Sanctions on Chinese Companies
Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billström emphasized the need to sanction Chinese firms that are helping Russia circumvent existing sanctions. Sweden's stance aligns with the recent NATO summit's criticism of China's support for Russia and reflects its broader national security strategy, which views China as a significant threat. This stance is part of Sweden's efforts to strengthen its position against perceived security threats from China and Russia. More
Airlines Advised to Avoid Flying Over Iran on Thursday
Due to rising tensions between Iran and Israel, airlines are being advised to avoid Iranian airspace, especially over Tehran. Egypt has specifically instructed its airlines to steer clear of Tehran from 1 a.m. to 4 a.m. UTC on August 8th. Several major airlines, including Lufthansa and Delta, are adjusting their flights and avoiding Iranian and Iraqi airspace. Israel's airlines continue operations and are increasing flights to assist citizens stranded abroad. More
Bangladesh's Interim Leader Calls for Calm Ahead of Swearing-in on Thursday
Bangladesh's incoming interim leader, Nobel Peace Prize recipient Muhammad Yunus, has urged citizens to remain calm and prepare to rebuild the country following weeks of violence that led to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's resignation and flight to India. Meanwhile, the military chief announced that the interim government will be sworn in soon and vowed to bring those responsible for recent violence to justice. More
Canada Technically Avoided a Recession, but Per Capita GDP Numbers Tell a Different Story
Canada has avoided a technical recession, with its economy growing slightly by 0.4% in early 2024. However, a Royal Bank of Canada report highlights that rising unemployment and falling per capita GDP suggest the economy feels like it's in a recession for many people. Increased immigration has kept the GDP from declining, but per capita GDP, which measures economic well-being, has been stagnant. Economists argue that focusing solely on GDP growth overlooks critical issues like declining living standards and productivity challenges. More
Rent in Canada Now Averaging $2,201 Per Month
Canadian rents are still increasing, setting new records month after month. In July, the average asking rent for all residential properties was $2,201, marking a 5.9% rise from the previous year. This slowdown in growth is the lowest annual increase seen in the past 31 months, where previous rates often exceeded 10%.
Regionally, Vancouver saw rents drop by approximately 7% and Toronto by 5% due to a surge in new condo completions. Conversely, Halifax experienced an 18.2% increase, and prairie cities such as Saskatoon, Edmonton, and Regina saw double-digit rent hikes. More
Shoplifting Rates Show How Tough Life Has Become in Trudeau's Canada
In Canada, shoplifting incidents surged by 18% in 2023, reaching 155,280 cases, following a 31% increase in 2022. This trend highlights the growing economic strain on many Canadians. Shoplifters typically steal goods worth about $100, often driven by necessity rather than greed. High inflation and rising food prices are linked to increased theft, with food bank visits hitting nearly two million in March 2023—up 32% from the previous year. More
Moon Mystery Solved After Decades Thanks To Meteors
Scientists have recently discovered that meteors are the primary source of replenishing the Moon's extremely thin atmosphere, contributing about 70% of its replenishment. Previously, it was known that the Moon’s atmosphere was thin due to space weathering, but the exact mechanism for its replenishment was unclear. Research from MIT revealed that while solar sputtering also plays a role, meteor impacts are the main contributor. This understanding helps refine our knowledge of atmospheric processes and enhances future space exploration efforts. More
NASA Says Boeing Starliner Astronauts May Not Fly Home Until 2025 with SpaceX
NASA has admitted that issues with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft are more serious than initially thought, potentially preventing astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore from returning to Earth on the Boeing vehicle. Instead, NASA is considering using a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule for their return, which may be delayed until next February. Boeing is also facing financial setbacks, including a $125 million write-off for the Starliner program, adding to previous costs. The decision on whether to use the SpaceX option is still pending. More
Authorities Foil Terror Plot in Vienna, Taylor Swift Concerts Cancelled
The Austrian Federal Ministry of the Interior announced the arrest of two individuals suspected of planning a terrorist attack in Vienna, possibly targeting one of Taylor Swift’s concerts. As a result, her three scheduled performances at Ernst Happel Stadium starting August 8 were cancelled for safety reasons. The arrests followed a significant police operation that uncovered chemical substances and suspected explosives. Authorities have increased security measures around major events, including enhanced surveillance and controlled access to venues. The US Embassy advised American fans to register for emergency alerts.
The suspects include a 19-year-old Austrian citizen and another individual arrested in Vienna. Both had been radicalized online, pledging allegiance to the Islamic State. More
Golden Sweep: Canada Tops Both Men’s and Women’s Hammer Throw at Paris Olympics
Canada made history in the hammer throw at the Summer Olympics in Paris, winning gold in both the men’s and women’s events. 22-year-old Ethan Katzberg clinched gold with a throw of 84.12 meters, the only competitor to exceed 80 meters. 25-year-old Camryn Rogers then secured gold in the women’s event with a throw of 76.97 meters. More
Paris Mayor Unleashes Series of F-bombs on Olympic Opening Ceremony Critics
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo launched a defiant defence of the Olympic opening ceremony, which faced criticism for its LGBTQ2 representation and a controversial segment that resembled Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper with drag queens. In an interview, Hidalgo used strong language to reject the criticism, telling detractors to “f–k off” and defending the ceremony as a celebration of freedom and inclusion.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) issued a partial apology to those offended, while Hidalgo emphasized that the ceremony was a positive counter to rising far-right sentiments in Europe. More
Sweden Won’t Let Anyone Have a Sip of Champagne Found on 19th-century Shipwreck - While the location of the wreck has been known since 2016, Polish scuba divers recently discovered nearly 100 bottles of 19th-century Champagne and mineral water inside it. Officials announced on Wednesday that no one will be permitted to retrieve these bottles from the shipwreck off southern Sweden without proper authorization.
Family Dog Starts House Fire After Chewing Through a Lithium-ion Battery Pack - The Tulsa Fire Department in Oklahoma recently released a video showing a house fire caused by a dog chewing through a portable lithium-ion battery pack. No one was harmed in the incident and the pets were able to escape the house through a dog door, the fire officials said.
Lahaina's More Than 150-year-old Banyan Tree is Coming Back to Life After Devastating Fire - When a deadly wildfire tore through Lahaina on Maui last August, the wall of flames scorched the 151-year-old banyan tree along the historic town's Front Street. But the sprawling tree survived the blaze, and thanks to the efforts of arborists and dedicated volunteers, parts of it are growing back — and even thriving.