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Good morning, It’s Friday, August 2nd. In today’s news, A new study reveals that Canada is becoming increasingly dangerous, Internet erupts after Algerian transgender boxer wins Olympic match when female opponent withdraws, UK PM to use AI and facial recognition to stop protests against immigration, Russia-USA commit to largest prisoner swap since Cold War, and much more.
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Study: Canada is Becoming Increasingly Dangerous
The Macdonald Laurier Institute's third “Justice System Report Card” reveals that public safety in every Canadian province and territory has deteriorated over the past five years. The report highlights alarming trends: the Violent Crime Severity Index is at its highest since 2007, the homicide rate is at a 30-year peak, and sexual assault reports are the highest since 1995. Additionally, police-related deaths and violence against officers have increased, and public confidence in the justice system has plummeted to 46%.
Public confidence in the justice system has declined, with only 46% of Canadians expressing confidence. A Leger poll conducted for the report found:
79% believe too many repeat offenders are granted bail.
78% feel the system is too lenient on violent criminals.
91% agree that repeat violent offenders should not have access to bail.
Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre attributes the increase in crime to the NDP-Liberal coalition, particularly criticizing Bill C-75 for enabling the release of violent offenders on bail. According to Poilievre, since Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took office:
Violent Crime: Increased by nearly 50%.
Homicides: Up by 28%.
Sexual Assaults: Up by 74%.
Auto Theft: Up by 45%.
Extortion: Up by 357%.
Poilievre advocates for repealing Bills C-75 and C-5, which repealed mandatory minimum sentences and made bail more accessible, to reduce repeat violent crime and improve public safety. More
Algerian Boxer Previously Disqualified for Gender Eligibility Wins Olympic Match as Opponent Quits
Algerian boxer Imane Khelif made headlines at the Paris Olympics by swiftly defeating Italy's Angela Carini in just 46 seconds. Carini, visibly emotional and citing a nose injury, opted to withdraw from the match, despite Khelif's minimal punches exchanged. Carini expressed her decision as a mature choice rather than a defeat, highlighting her dedication to boxing.
The victory was not without controversy, stemming from Khelif's disqualification in the 2023 Women's World Boxing Championships for failing gender eligibility criteria including elevated testosterone levels, and, according to the International Boxing Association (IBA), Khelif has XY chromosomes. This ruling aimed to maintain fairness in competition but was later undermined when the International Olympic Committee (IOC) allowed Khelif and another disqualified boxer, Lin Yu Ting of Taiwan, to compete in Paris. This decision followed the IOC's revocation of IBA's recognition due to governance and ethical issues.
Khelif is set to face Hungary's Luca Anna Hamori in the quarterfinals. More
Federal Judge Enforces New Title IX Rules on Gender
In unrelated but relevant news, a federal judge has dismissed an attempt to block the Biden administration’s new Title IX rule in four Southern states. The ruling by US District Judge Annemarie Axon on July 30th allows the US Department of Education to enforce the rule in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina starting August 1. The rule, contested by 26 Republican-led states, expands the definition of sex-based discrimination to include sexual orientation and gender identity and applies to bathrooms and locker rooms. The states have appealed the ruling. Meanwhile, the new rule is paused in 22 states due to ongoing legal challenges.
Tiny Thought: First of all, I can’t help but point out that the first four letters of Khelif’s first name are ‘I man.’
Secondly, here are the advantages men have over women in sports:
Muscle Mass and Strength - particularly in the upper body
Bone Density and Structure - Men have denser and larger bones. Their skeletal structure also favours performance in many sports, with longer limb proportions aiding in leverage and power generation.
Hemoglobin Levels: Men typically have higher levels of hemoglobin, which improves endurance and aerobic capacity.
Cardiovascular Capacity: Men generally have larger hearts and lungs, which can enhance cardiovascular capacity.
Metabolic Rate: Men usually have a higher basal metabolic rate, allowing them to burn calories more efficiently and support higher energy expenditure
Third… How can society really promote men beating women and call it a fair sport?
UK Prime Minister Starmer to Use AI and Facial Recognition to Stop Protests Against Immigration
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the “tiny mindless minority” responsible for recent violent unrest in several cities following a violent knife attack that killed three young children and injured 10 more. Starmer identified the violence as being driven by far-right hatred and announced a new program to improve police intelligence sharing and rapid arrest capabilities.
Starmer blamed social media for spreading false information and announced the use of AI facial recognition technology to identify and control rioters. This technology aims to help police manage violent protests and prevent further disorder. However, civil liberties advocates criticized the focus on surveillance instead of addressing the root causes of knife crime and violence. More
Tiny Thought: The response from citizens in the UK isn't about being 'far-right;’ it's because their government has continually bowed to violent minorities committing horrific crimes. People are revolting because they feel they have no other way to keep their families safe. Tommy Robinson lays it out in this video:
Russia Frees Paul Whelan and Evan Gershkovich in Major Prisoner Swap With West
The largest post-Soviet prisoner swap between the US and Russia occurred on Thursday, freeing 16 prisoners, including Canadian-born ex-U.S. Marine Paul Whelan and American Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich. Eight prisoners were returned to Russia, some convicted of serious crimes in the West, in exchange for journalists and dissidents deemed unjustly held by Moscow.
Among those released were Alsu Kurmasheva, a Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty journalist, and Vladimir Kara-Murza, a Russian-British dissident and Pulitzer Prize winner. US President Joe Biden, with the freed Americans' families present, praised the involvement of Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway, and Turkey in the negotiations, emphasizing the importance of international alliances.
The deal marks the biggest prisoner exchange since the Cold War, with the last major swap occurring in 2010. More
Hezbollah Chief Says Response to Israeli Assassination ‘Inevitable’
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah announced that the conflict with Israel has “entered a new phase” while addressing supporters at the funeral of Fuad Shukr, a senior commander killed in an Israeli strike in Beirut. Nasrallah stated that Hezbollah is considering a “real, studied” response rather than a symbolic one, despite international pressure against retaliation. He claimed Israel has “crossed red lines” and that a response is “inevitable,” with regional escalation depending on Israel's reaction.
In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel is prepared for any scenario and will impose a “very heavy price” for any aggression. The strike that killed Shukr also resulted in civilian casualties and injuries. Another strike in Tehran killed Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, raising concerns about a joint response from Iran and allied groups. More
Massive Protests Erupt Again Over Disputed Venezuelan Elections
In Venezuela, widespread protests have erupted again following President Nicolás Maduro's disputed victory in the July 28, 2024 election. The protests are fuelled not only by allegations of electoral fraud but also by years of economic crisis and corruption. Unlike previous protests, which were mostly driven by middle- and upper-class Venezuelans, the current demonstrations see significant involvement from poor and working-class citizens. This broader participation hints that these protests could pose a more substantial challenge to Maduro. More
US Suspends Aid to Georgia Over Foreign Influence Law
The US is halting over $95 million in aid to Georgia following the country's adoption of an anti-foreign influence law. The law mandates that organizations receiving over 20% of their funding from abroad register as pursuing "foreign interests." Critics, including the US and EU, argue that the law undermines democratic norms and has led to protests in Georgia. The US has also imposed visa restrictions on Georgian officials and postponed joint military drills. Georgia's ruling party views these actions as threats to its sovereignty. More
Violence Erupts as Nigerians Protest Hunger Across the Nation
Protests erupted across Nigeria on August 1st, driven by rising hunger and frustration with poor governance. Demonstrations, marked by violence and looting, intensified in cities like Kano and Yobe. Citizens are demanding the reinstatement of a fuel subsidy and action on high inflation and insecurity. Despite President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to address issues with wage increases and tax cuts, unrest continues. More
CrowdStrike Sued by Shareholders Over Global Tech Outage
CrowdStrike is being sued by shareholders after a faulty software update crashed over eight million computers globally, leading to a 32% drop in the company's share price. The lawsuit claims CrowdStrike made misleading statements about its software testing. The update, which caused disruptions to airlines, banks, jails, and hospitals, has been fixed, but the company faces compensation claims, including from Delta Air Lines, which lost $500 million. CrowdStrike denies the allegations and plans to defend itself. More
Intel to Cut 15,000 Employees Following Poor Quarterly Report
Intel’s shares dropped by 20% after announcing it will lay off over 15% of its workforce, or nearly 15,000 employees, as part of a $10 billion cost-reduction plan. The company reported weaker-than-expected earnings and revenue for the fiscal second quarter, with a net loss of $1.61 billion compared to a profit last year. Intel also revealed it will suspend its dividend for Q4 2024 and cut full-year capital expenditures by over 20%. More
Boeing Bleeds Another $125 Million on Starliner Program, Bringing Total Losses to $1.6 Billion
Boeing has lost an additional $125 million on its Starliner astronaut capsule program due to delays in its first crewed flight test, which has now been in orbit for nearly two months instead of the planned eight days. The company has incurred total losses of $1.6 billion on the Starliner project, which operates under a fixed-price contract with NASA. While SpaceX, which received a similar contract, has successfully fulfilled its astronaut transportation services, Boeing’s delays have led NASA to purchase extra missions from SpaceX. Boeing’s upcoming Starliner mission is now delayed until at least August 2025, and further losses are anticipated as issues with the spacecraft continue. More
Cannabinoid CBG Reduces Anxiety and Stress in First Human Clinical Trial
Cannabigerol (CBG), a lesser-known cannabinoid, has shown promise in reducing anxiety and stress in a clinical trial without the intoxication associated with cannabis. Conducted by Carrie Cuttler from Washington State University, the study found that 20 mg of hemp-derived CBG significantly lowered anxiety and stress. Unlike THC, CBG also improved memory recall and did not impair cognitive or motor functions. While the findings are promising, Cuttler advises caution, noting that further research is needed to confirm these effects and explore CBG's potential benefits for various conditions. More
Mercury Could Have an 11-mile Underground Layer of Diamonds
Researchers suggest that Mercury may have a layer of diamonds up to 18 kilometres thick beneath its surface. This theory arises from a study where scientists recreated the planet's early high-pressure, high-temperature environment and found that graphite could transform into diamonds under such conditions. Mercury’s rich carbon content and its formation from a graphite crust over a magma ocean could explain this phenomenon. Although the diamonds are unlikely to be mined any time soon due to their depth, this discovery could shed light on Mercury's composition and help understand other planetary bodies with similar conditions. More
Summer McIntosh Wins Gold in 200-metre Butterfly and Sets Olympic Record
Canadian swimmer Summer McIntosh won her second Olympic gold medal in Paris with a record-breaking performance in the women’s 200-metre butterfly, clocking in at 2:03.03. At just 17 years old, she also claimed gold in the 400-metre individual medley and silver in the 400-metre freestyle. McIntosh joins a prestigious group of Canadian swimmers who have achieved double gold at the Olympics, including George Hodgson in 1912 and Alex Baumann in 1984. She will continue to compete in the freestyle relay and the 200-metre individual medley later in the Games. More
Simone Biles Wins Ninth Olympic Gold in All-around Gymnastics Final
Simone Biles won gold in the women’s gymnastics all-around final at the Paris 2024 Olympics, becoming the oldest all-around champion since 1952. At 27, Biles dazzled with a Yurchenko double pike vault, scoring 15.7666, and overcame a minor setback on the uneven bars with a solid performance on the balance beam and floor exercise. Her near-perfect floor routine earned her 15.066, clinching her sixth gold medal and ninth overall. More
Former 'Saturday Night Live' star Pete Davidson Checks into Wellness Center for Mental Health
Pete Davidson has checked himself into a mental health center following a gruelling 200-show comedy tour. The decision reflects his ongoing issues with mental health and sobriety. Davidson has previously struggled with borderline personality disorder (BPD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), often seeking treatment to manage these issues. Davidson has been open about his mental health journey, revealing past struggles and ongoing efforts to improve his well-being. More
Mike Trout to Miss Rest of Season With Another Knee Tear
Mike Trout will miss the remainder of the MLB season due to a new tear in his left meniscus. Trout had been dealing with injuries for several years, including a hamate fracture last season and a calf strain in 2021. The Angels’ GM expressed disappointment, but optimism remains for Trout's recovery and return next season. Trout, a three-time MVP and one of baseball's top players has struggled with injuries that have impacted his playing time and career trajectory. More
vRestaurant Chefs Lace Dishes with Antidiarrheal Drugs to Mitigate Effects of Expired Ingredients - Two chefs at a restaurant in Jiangsu, China, have been sentenced to prison for lacing thousands of dishes with antidiarrheal drugs to ensure stale ingredients didn’t upset people’s stomachs.
Bodybuilding Chef Chops His Way to 9 New World Records - Canadian Wallace Wong, 33, aka the Six Pack Chef on TikTok, brought his total number of Guinness World Records titles to 11 by chopping vegetables at lightning speed -- some of them while blindfolded.
I can’t believe he actually said ‘tiny mindless minority’ & is still breathing. Disgraceful comment for any public servant. Right up there with ‘deplorables’ & ‘fringe minority with unacceptable views’. Children were slaughtered & the PM name calls protestors….nothing that asswipe ever does in the future will win my respect after that comment .