Going Against the Narrative 📉

Where news meets rational thinking

Good morning, It’s Monday, July 29th. In today’s news, Going against the Liberal climate narrative now comes at a price, A bomb from Lebanon could spark full fledged war with Israel as the Middle East faces rising instability, Ex-Jasper official exposes federal mismanagement after devastating wildfire, Paris Olympics organizers issues apology for opening ceremonies, and much more.

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Going Against the Liberal Climate Narrative Now Comes at a Price

Under the reign of Justin Trudeau, companies are now legally compelled to align with government views on climate change, thanks to the newly enacted Bill C-59. This law, amends Canada’s Competition Act to specifically target "greenwashing," making it illegal for companies to make misleading claims about their environmental impact.

Previously, the Competition Act focused broadly on preventing deceptive marketing practices. Now, Bill C-59 expands this scope to include representations that assert a product's or company's positive environmental effects, such as claims about combating climate change. The penalties are significant, with fines starting at $750,000 for individuals and $10 million for corporations.

While holding companies accountable for deceptive practices is essential, this amendment is way over the top. It's part of a broader trend where companies are pressured to showcase their social impact strategies, often under government and activist scrutiny. The prohibition of "greenwashing" under Bill C-59 puts ideological differences on par with deceptive pricing, creating a slippery slope. The law's primary target seems to be the fossil fuel industry, reflecting the Trudeau administration's aggressive stance against it.

The Trudeau government has pushed companies to prove their climate credentials, contributing to a culture of environmental fear. If the government can penalize companies for their environmental statements today, what’s stopping them from doing the same for other social issues tomorrow? This precedent could extend beyond environmental issues, subjecting companies' communications on DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) and other social matters to similar scrutiny in the future.

The decision on whether a company is genuine in its social or environmental commitments should rest with consumers, not be dictated by the state. More

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Israel, Lebanon, Turkey: The Middle East Faces Rising Instability

The Bomb From Lebanon That Could Spark War With Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed a strong response to a rocket attack in the Golan Heights that killed 12 people, including children. He blamed the attack on Lebanon’s Hezbollah and promised they would "pay a heavy price." Hezbollah has denied responsibility, with Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib supporting their claim, stating that Hezbollah has not targeted civilians. The attack occurred in Majdal Shams, a Druze town near the Israel-Lebanon border.

Netanyahu expressed his outrage over the attack and extended condolences to the Druze community. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz indicated that Israel might be nearing a full-scale war with Hezbollah, emphasizing the need to restore peace and security to northern Israel. Israeli jets have already struck targets in southern Lebanon, and further military action has been authorized.

Both Israeli and US officials blame Hezbollah for the attack, citing evidence that the rocket was an Iranian-made missile launched from Hezbollah-controlled territory. The White House has been in talks with both Lebanese and Israeli officials to prevent further escalation. More

Turkey Threatens to Enter Israel to Help Palestinians

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan suggested that Turkey might intervene in Israel similarly to its past interventions in Libya and Nagorno-Karabakh, though he did not specify the type of intervention. Erdogan, a vocal critic of Israel's actions in Gaza, made these comments during a speech praising Turkey's defence industry. He emphasized the need for Turkey to be strong to prevent Israeli actions against Palestine and mentioned the possibility of taking similar steps as in Karabakh and Libya.

In 2020, Turkey sent military personnel to support Libya's UN-recognized Government of National Accord. While Turkey has denied direct involvement in Azerbaijan's operations in Nagorno-Karabakh, it has provided military training and modernization support. Erdogan’s comments were made during a meeting of his ruling AK Party, but further details were not provided, and there was no immediate response from Israel. More

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"Parks Canada Knew": Ex-Jasper Official Exposes Federal Mismanagement After Devastating Wildfire

A former senior planner of Jasper National Park, Peter Scholz, has blamed "unresponsive" and "politicized" leadership at Parks Canada for last week's devastating wildfire in Jasper. Scholz, hired by Parks Canada in 2008, claimed that fire prevention staff were so confident in their abilities that they allowed dead wood to accumulate, creating a fire hazard. He described efforts to clear dead wood and conduct prescribed burns as being ignored by park management.

Scholz highlighted that the park had become a "powder keg" due to the buildup of dry, aerated timber, which could easily ignite. He noted that only eight prescribed burns were conducted across six national parks in 2023, compared to a record 28 burns in 2015. Parks Canada did not respond to inquiries about prescribed burns in Jasper between 2008 and 2024.

Scholz estimated that by last summer, nearly 40% of Jasper's trees were standing deadwood due to pine beetle infestations, setting the stage for a massive wildfire. In a LinkedIn post, Scholz criticized Parks Canada and Jasper National Park superintendents for failing to manage the forest properly due to pressure from eco-activists.

Scholz resigned from his position, feeling unable to make a positive impact. The wildfire has burned over 360 square kilometres, destroying 358 structures but sparing critical infrastructure. The evacuation order remains in effect with no timeline for residents' return. More

In related news, a Parks Canada official said that the wildfire in Jasper National Park could burn for months:

“This fire is the largest one that Jasper National Park has recorded in the last 100 years,” Landon Shepherd, a deputy incident commander with the federal agency, told a news conference on Saturday afternoon in nearby Hinton, Alta.

“We’re going to be working on this wildfire, we expect, over the next three months at least. What the last five years has taught us is that the fire season in Jasper tends to last well into the fall.” More

Paris Olympics Organizers Issue Apology to Christians Over Last Supper Parody

The organizers of the Paris Olympics apologized to Christian and Catholic groups for a parody of Leonardo Da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” in the opening ceremony. The segment depicted Jesus Christ and the apostles with drag queens, transgenders, and a nude singer along with a guy that has one of his balls out (see left side of photo above).

Paris 2024 spokesperson Anne Descamps stated, “Clearly, there was never an intention to show disrespect to any religious group. [The opening ceremony] tried to celebrate community tolerance.” She added, “If people have taken any offense, we are really sorry.”

The International Olympic Committee also addressed the issue, noting that the organizers intended to celebrate “community and tolerance” and had no intention of offending anyone. They added, “they were sorry.”

The apology followed widespread social media backlash and calls for a boycott. The Catholic Church in France criticized the ceremony for “derision and mockery of Christianity.” Archbishop Charles Scicluna of Malta expressed “distress and great disappointment,” and Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia of the Vatican’s Pontifical Academy for Life called it a “mockery of the Last Supper.” More

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Putin Warns US Against Deploying Long-range Missiles in Germany

Vladimir Putin warned the US that if it deploys long-range missiles in Germany starting in 2026, Russia will respond by positioning similar missiles within striking distance of the West. The US and Germany plan to deploy these missiles to strengthen NATO and European defense, including advanced capabilities like SM-6, Tomahawk cruise missiles, and hypersonic weapons. Putin compared this move to the Cold War-era deployment of Pershing II missiles, which had previously escalated tensions. He emphasized that the flight time of such missiles to Russian territory would be about 10 minutes, and Russia would take "mirror measures" in response. Source: The Guardian

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600,000 Sudanese Refugees Land in Poverty-stricken Chad

Approximately 600,000 Sudanese refugees have arrived in Chad, one of the world's poorest countries, fleeing the intense civil conflict in Sudan. The influx has overwhelmed aid organizations, which are struggling to meet the refugees' basic needs. Many are housed in overcrowded, informal camps with severe shortages of essentials like food, water, and medical care. The UNHCR and other aid groups face a significant funding gap, hampering their ability to provide adequate support. The situation is dire, with refugees enduring extreme conditions and humanitarian agencies unable to keep pace with the growing crisis. More

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Italy and China Sign a 3-year Action Plan as Meloni Tries to Reset Relations

Italy and China signed a three-year action plan on Sunday to advance existing agreements and explore new forms of cooperation. This move aims to reset relations following Italy's recent exit from China's Belt and Road Initiative, which had initially promised economic benefits but led to friction with Western allies. Despite this, Italy seeks to strengthen economic ties, notably in auto manufacturing, exemplified by Stellantis' new joint venture with Chinese electric vehicle startup Leapmotor. The visit comes amid escalating trade tensions between China and the EU, including disputes over tariffs on electric vehicles and pork exports. More

TikTok Sent Sensitive Data on US Users to Parent Company ByteDance in China

The Justice Department has accused TikTok of using an internal system called Lark to share sensitive US user data with its China-based parent company, ByteDance. This data, stored on Chinese servers, includes information on views about divisive issues like abortion and religion. The department fears this could enable China to manipulate TikTok’s algorithm to influence public opinion and deepen social divisions in the US TikTok, which faces a potential ban under a recent law unless it cuts ties with ByteDance, argues that the ban infringes on First Amendment rights and lacks solid evidence. The Justice Department counters that the law addresses genuine national security concerns and does not violate free speech. More

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Construction of $2.7B Battery Plant in Ontario Halts Amid Falling EV Demand

Umicore Rechargeable Battery Materials Canada Inc. is halting its $2.8 billion battery manufacturing plant in Ontario due to a slowdown in electric vehicle (EV) demand. The project, which was set to create over 600 jobs and received significant government support, is being delayed because of reduced sales of battery materials and shifting customer plans. The decision follows broader concerns about EV market oversupply and issues related to battery material sourcing and trade practices. More

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No Frills Apologizes After Promo Casting Shade at Farmers’ Markets

Loblaws has apologized after a promotional text from No Frills criticized local farmers' markets. The message suggested avoiding farmers' markets in favour of Loblaws’ low-priced produce, which sparked backlash from consumers and farmers. Critics argued that the promotion undermined local agriculture and supported unfair practices, given that small farmers often can't supply large grocery chains. More

Genetically Enhanced Humans May Be The Future of Space Travel

As humanity plans for deep space exploration, the focus often includes travel times, food, and radiation risks. One proposed solution to the harsh conditions of space is genome editing. Key figures like Lord Martin Rees and Dr. Robert Zubrin discuss the potential of gene editing to help humans survive and thrive in space.

Genome editing technologies, such as Crispr-Cas9, offer possibilities for enhancing human resilience to radiation, aging, and cellular breakdown. For example, inserting genes from plants or bacteria that can mitigate radiation damage or improve cellular repair could be crucial. There's also interest in adapting genes from extremophiles like tardigrades, which can endure extreme conditions, to make humans and crops more space-ready.

Despite these exciting prospects, ethical concerns and regulatory barriers, particularly in Western countries, pose challenges. Countries with fewer restrictions may advance faster in this field, potentially influencing humanity's space exploration capabilities. More

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'Planet Killer' Asteroid, the Size of Cruise Ship, Nears Earth

Asteroid Apophis, also known as the "God of Chaos," is a sizable asteroid about 350 meters across, and it will make a notably close approach to Earth on April 13, 2029, missing us by just 32,000 kilometers. Originally, there was concern about a potential collision due to early orbital projections, but refined data now shows no risk of impact for at least the next 100 years.

Apophis's close encounter offers a valuable opportunity for the European Space Agency's RAMSES mission to study its composition and behaviour. This mission, part of planetary defense efforts, aims to gather data on how the asteroid's close pass might affect its structure and surface properties. Additionally, NASA's OSIRIS-REx probe, currently returning from the asteroid Bennu, will also study Apophis, offering further insights into asteroid characteristics and potential space weathering. More

Canadian Women’s Soccer Team Loses Six Points in Olympics Over Drone Scandal

Canada's women's soccer team has been penalized by FIFA for a drone spying scandal during the Paris Olympics. The team was deducted six points and head coach Bev Priestman, along with officials Joseph Lombardi and Jasmine Mander, were banned from soccer-related activities for a year. Canada Soccer was also fined 200,000 Swiss francs. More

Here is the significance of this six point handicap: Each team in the tournament is in a group of four. A win earns 3-points, while a loss earns 0-points. With their current situation, Canada's best possible outcome is to finish with 3-points and hope to secure second place based on goal differential. Despite the challenging odds, Canada managed to win their first two games. To advance, they need to beat Colombia on Wednesday. If they win that match, they could overcome this rather excessive penalty and advance to the next stage.

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Deadpool & Wolverine Shatters Record for R-rated Movies with $205 Million Debut

Marvel is back on top with Deadpool & Wolverine. The comic-book movie made a staggering $205 million in its first weekend in North American theaters, according to studio estimates Sunday. It shattered the opening record for R-rated films previously held by the first Deadpool ($132m) and notched a spot in the top 10 openings of all time. More

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New 'Dexter' Sequel Starring Michael C. Hall Announced at Comic-Con

The “Dexter” universe is set to expand with the return of everyone’s favorite serial killer.

At San Diego Comic-Con, showrunner Clyde Phillips and the “Dexter” team revealed “Dexter: Resurrection,” a new sequel series from Showtime. This upcoming series will continue from the cliffhanger of “Dexter: New Blood,” where the main character was left dead. Despite Dexter’s demise, Michael C. Hall will be back.

Geriatric Gang of Three Elderly Japanese Burglars Have Combined Age of 227 - Japanese police recently arrested a group of unlikely criminals, three grandpas in their late sixties, seventies, and eighties. Hideo Umino, 88, Hidemi Matsuda, 70, and Kenichi Watanabe, 69 allegedly met behind bars and decided to team up after being released in order to commit crimes more efficiently. They have now been accused of breaking into at least two homes and suspected of ten other burglaries.

On this day in 1921 Adolf Hitler becomes leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party… The rest is history.