Good morning, It’s Friday, July 26th. In today’s news, up to 50 percent of Jaspers's structures have been destroyed by wildfires, Federal government says provinces are to blame for bail issues, Sixty percent of Canadians say immigration is too high, FBI says North Korean hackers stole military secrets, and much more.
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Alberta: Up to Fifty Percent of Jasper's Structures Destroyed by Wildfire
On July 25, 2024, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith reported that between 30 and 50 percent of buildings in Jasper were destroyed by a wildfire that struck overnight. The extent of the damage is still being assessed, but it is clear that the town faces significant rebuilding and displacement challenges.
Premier Smith, visibly emotional during the press conference, described Jasper as a vital part of the province and pledged ongoing support for the community. Images and videos on social media revealed extensive damage to homes and vehicles, with some structures completely burned.
Pierre Martel from Parks Canada confirmed that multiple structures, including businesses and homes, have been lost. Despite a small amount of overnight rain slightly reducing fire activity, the wildfire remains out of control. Efforts to control the fire are ongoing, with support from local fire crews, the Canadian Armed Forces, and international firefighters from Australia, Mexico, and South Africa. More
Liberal MP Politicizes Wildfire
Ontario Liberal MP Irek Kusmierczyk faced criticism for a tweet linking the Jasper wildfire to “climate-denying conservatism,” amid the ongoing disaster. The fire, which reached the town of Jasper, has caused significant damage to structures and businesses. Critics, including Conservative MPs and media figures, condemned Kusmierczyk for politicizing the tragedy rather than supporting relief efforts. More
Federal Government Says Provinces Are to Blame for Bail Issues
Following recent criticism, two federal cabinet ministers, Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Justice Minister Arif Virani, have stated that provinces are now responsible for addressing issues related to the bail system. This follows a letter from Canada’s 13 provincial and territorial premiers urging Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to review bail reforms.
LeBlanc and Virani stated that while the federal government has already made the necessary changes to the Criminal Code, including the introduction of Bill C-48, the provinces must now ensure effective enforcement and monitoring. They highlighted that $390 million is being allocated to provinces through the Gun and Gang Violence Action Fund and promoted recent gun control measures.
The premiers have called for a data-driven review of bail practices, citing the case of Tori Dunn, a BC woman killed by a recently released offender despite warnings from provincial prosecutors. This case underscored the need for further improvements to the bail system and harsher penalties for violent crimes. More
Tiny Thought: In 2023, at least 44% of homicides were committed by people who were out on bail. It’s clear that our bail reform has failed, and that current penalties are insufficient to effectively deter crime.
Poll: Sixty Percent of Canadians Say We’re Letting in Too Many Immigrants
A recent poll reveals a significant shift in Canadian attitudes toward immigration, with 60% of Canadians now believing the country accepts too many newcomers. This marks a 10-point increase since February. Conducted by Leger for the Association of Canadian Studies, the poll found only 28% of respondents feel the current immigration levels are appropriate, while a mere 3% think there are too few immigrants.
The rise in dissatisfaction is largely attributed to the ongoing housing crisis and economic concerns, according to Jack Jedwab, president of the Association of Canadian Studies. He notes that global political trends and conflicts, such as the Russia-Ukraine war and Middle East tensions, are influencing Canadian perspectives.
Comparatively, immigration is also a contentious issue in other countries. In the US, a June Gallup poll reported that 55% of Americans want reduced immigration, up from 41% in 2023.
Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced a cap of 500,000 new immigrants annually starting in 2025, up from fewer than 300,000 when the Liberals took office in 2015. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has pledged to reform immigration by linking population growth to housing availability. More
Tiny Thought: A poll from 2019 showed that 63% of Canadians want the government to limit immigration. Our voice means nothing to these people.
The Paris Olympics are The Strike Olympics
On July 25th, workers at the Hotel du Collectionneur, the luxury hotel hosting the International Olympic Committee (IOC) during the Paris 2024 Games, went on strike, disrupting breakfast service and causing unrest among IOC officials. The employees, represented by the Union Départementale CGT, protested against low wages, demanding increases that would only amount to a fraction of the hotel's rental cost, which the IOC paid 22 million euros for.
This strike is part of a broader trend of labour actions in France, particularly around the Olympics, as workers across various sectors use the Games' prominence to push for better pay and conditions. Previous threats of strikes have affected dancers, airport workers, taxi drivers, and others involved in the event. The IOC has distanced itself from the dispute, referring inquiries to the hotel management, while the CGT continues to support workers' demands during the Games. More
FBI: North Korean Hackers Stole Military Secrets
A North Korean hacking group has stolen sensitive information about satellites and warplanes from NASA, US air bases, and defence contractors, according to the FBI. The US government is offering a $10 million reward for information leading to the identity of these hackers, who have targeted American national security assets including nuclear secrets and military technology.
The hackers, linked to North Korea’s Reconnaissance General Bureau, accessed NASA's system for over three months, extracting 17 gigabytes of data. They also infiltrated defence companies and air bases, stealing over 30 gigabytes of data. A North Korean national, Rim Jong Hyok, has been identified as a key member of the group and placed on the FBI's most-wanted list. More
Russian and Chinese Military Planes Intercepted in Alaska Air Defense Zone
On July 24th, American and Canadian fighter jets intercepted Russian and Chinese long-range bombers over international waters near Alaska. This marked the first recorded interception of Chinese aircraft in the region. Two Chinese H-6 and two Russian TU-95 bombers were detected and intercepted within the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) by NORAD, which reported that the aircraft did not enter US or Canadian airspace and posed no immediate threat. More
Japanese Population Sees Biggest Drop on Record in 15th Year of Decline
The population of Japanese nationals fell by 861,000 in 2023 from a year earlier to 121,561,801, marking the 15th consecutive year of decline and the largest drop since the survey began in 1968, government data showed Wednesday. A record low of 730,000 births in Japan, which was significantly exceeded by a record high 1.58 million deaths, contributed largely to the population decline. More
Governor Gavin Newsom Issues Executive Order for Removal of Homeless Encampments in California
California Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order to dismantle homeless encampments, following a Supreme Court decision that upheld ticketing homeless people for sleeping outside. The order mandates state agencies to urgently clear encampments while providing support to the homeless. Critics argue this criminalizes poverty and displaces people without offering adequate shelter options. California, home to over 180,000 homeless individuals, faces scrutiny as similar past efforts showed no lasting reduction in homelessness. Newsom defends the order as necessary for public safety and well-being. More
Loblaw to Pay $500M in Settlement Over Bread Price-Fixing Scheme
Loblaw Companies Limited and George Weston Limited agreed to a $500 million settlement for their involvement in a bread price-fixing scheme. The settlement, pending court approval, includes $247.5 million from George Weston and $252.5 million from Loblaw. Galen Weston apologized for the conduct, which was self-reported in 2015. The companies have since enhanced compliance programs and dismissed the responsible employees. The settlement is part of a broader class-action lawsuit involving other companies like Sobeys, Metro, and Walmart Canada. This marks the largest anti-trust settlement in Canadian history. More
Spirit Suppliers Sue LCBO Over “Contradictory Pricing Policies”
The Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) is being sued by several major alcohol companies, including Crown Royal and Bacardi, following the end of a province-wide strike. Spirits Canada filed a court application to challenge LCBO's pricing policies, which penalize suppliers for non-compliance. The lawsuit claims these policies are anti-competitive and harmful to consumers. Despite attempts to resolve the issue outside of court, Spirits Canada alleges retaliatory measures by the LCBO forced legal action. The LCBO denies the allegations, calling them misleading and stating that the pricing policies protect consumers from higher costs. More
Boeing Liable for $940 Million Under Conspiracy Plea Agreement
Boeing has agreed to a $942 million penalty in a proposed plea deal over a conspiracy charge linked to two fatal 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019. The DOJ charged Boeing in 2021 for defrauding the FAA. Despite a previous deferred prosecution agreement and a $243.6 million fine, a new plea was filed after a recent safety incident. Families of crash victims oppose the deal, seeking a trial and harsher penalties for Boeing executives. The deal also requires Boeing to enhance compliance and safety programs. More
NASA: Signs of Ancient Life on Mars May Be Hiding in an Arrowhead-shaped Rock
NASA's Perseverance rover has made an intriguing discovery on Mars that could hint at ancient life. The rover found a rock, dubbed Cheyava Falls, which is covered in unique white and black splotches and contains organic compounds. This rock, found in the ancient river valley of Neretva Vallis, might have been home to microbial life billions of years ago when water flowed on Mars. The striking patterns on Cheyava Falls resemble those on Earth where fossilized microbes are found. Aliens on Mars have not yet been found — but signs that the Red Planet hosted life billions of years ago have, NASA said Thursday. More
Does Your Body Composition Affect Your Risk of Dementia or Parkinson's?
A recent study published in Neurology® found that high levels of body fat in the belly and arms are linked to a higher risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. People with significant abdominal fat had a 13% increased risk, while those with high arm fat had an 18% increased risk compared to those with lower fat levels. Conversely, high muscle strength was associated with a 26% lower risk of these diseases. The study, which followed over 400,000 people for nine years, also highlighted the importance of managing cardiovascular health to potentially prevent or delay neurodegenerative conditions. More
Canadian Women’s Soccer Coach Bev Priestman Sent Home Over Olympic Drone Spying Scandal
Bev Priestman, Canada's women’s national soccer coach, has been removed from her role for the remainder of the Paris Olympics due to a drone spying scandal. The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) announced that assistant coach Andy Spence will lead the team, which won gold in the previous Games. Two staff members were sent home for allegedly using a drone to spy on New Zealand’s practice, although Priestman denied involvement. FIFA and the International Olympic Committee are investigating the matter, and Priestman is suspended pending an independent review of the situation. More
Dylan Cease Throws Second No-hitter in Padres History
Dylan Cease of the San Diego Padres achieved his first career no-hitter, finishing with nine strikeouts and allowing no hits over nine innings. This performance was part of an exceptional three-game stretch, where he previously limited opponents to just one hit in each of his prior starts. Cease's historic no-hitter is the second in Padres history, following Joe Musgrove's in 2021. His dominant pitching includes a record six starts this season with at least six innings and one or fewer hits allowed, underscoring his impressive strikeout ability despite a higher ERA of 3.50. More
Video Game Performers Going on Strike Over AI
Hollywood's video game performers, represented by SAG-AFTRA, are going on strike starting today, following a breakdown in negotiations over artificial intelligence protections. The dispute centers on how AI might be used to replicate actors' voices and likenesses without fair compensation. The strike, the second for video game actors under SAG-AFTRA, comes after nearly two years of talks with major game studios like Activision and Warner Bros. More
Man Goes on Crime Spree to Prove He Is Alive After Government Declares Him Dead - Baburam Bhil a 40-year-old man from Rajasthan’s Mithora village, had long been trying to convince authorities that he was still alive after they issued a death certificate in his name. He tried to correct the error, appealing to his village elders and state authorities, but to no avail, so he decided to go for a more extreme option.
Female Frogs May Eat Male Suitors After Mating Call in Act of ‘Sexual Cannibalism’ - The University of Newcastle said: “The circumstances of the attempted cannibalism — with an adult female frog targeting an adult male suitor – has prompted Dr. Gould to explore a new theory that female frogs may have a choice in exploiting potential male suitors for breeding or food and that the male’s call may determine his fate.”