Immigration Nation 🇨🇦
Where news meets rational thinking
Good morning, It’s Tuesday, July 23rd. In today’s news, Canada is on track to surpass international student visa record in 2024 despite promising massive reduction, Secret Service director says ‘on July 13th we failed’ at Trump rally, Trudeau vacationing in BC after telling MPs summer meetings ‘impossible,’ Harris closes in on Democratic nomination, and much more.
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Canada on Track to Surpass International Student Visa Record in 2024 After Promising Massive Reduction
In January, Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced a cap on international student permit applications, targeting approximately 360,000 approved study permits for 2024, a 35% decrease from 2023. This decision came amid rising concerns over the housing shortage and affordability crisis.
Despite the federal Liberal government's pledge to cap international study permits, Canada's approval rate for these permits is outpacing last year's record numbers. Data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reveals that 216,620 study permits were issued in the first five months of 2024, compared to 200,205 during the same period in 2023. By the end of 2023, a total of 682,420 study permits had been granted.
The majority of these permits were issued to students from India, who received 91,510 permits in the first five months of 2024, up from 85,805 during the same period in 2023. Chinese students were granted 21,240 permits in the first five months of 2024, an increase from 15,565 in the previous year.
Despite the government's attempts to manage the influx, the traditionally busiest season for study permit processing—summer and early fall—has not yet begun, making it challenging to fully assess the impact of the new cap. Factors such as changes in approval rates, provincial allocations, and in-year adjustments will influence the final number of international students arriving in Canada. More
Secret Service Director Says 'On July 13, We Failed' at Trump Rally Shooting
Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle admitted her agency failed to protect former President Donald Trump during a July 13 assassination attempt at a campaign rally. During a contentious congressional hearing, lawmakers from both parties demanded her resignation. Cheatle described the incident as the Secret Service's "most significant operational failure" in decades and pledged a thorough investigation.
Cheatle faced criticism for evading questions and revealed that the Secret Service had been warned about the gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, multiple times before the attack. Despite identifying the roof as a potential vulnerability, the Secret Service allowed Trump to take the stage. Crooks, who used a rangefinder before the shooting, was deemed a threat only moments before he opened fire, resulting in one death and two injuries.
Cheatle apologized to Trump but maintained she was the right person to lead the agency. The hearing highlighted concerns over the Secret Service's preparedness and response, with Cheatle promising to complete the internal investigation within 60 days. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas also appointed an independent panel to review the incident. More
Tiny Thought: How does this woman still have a job?
Trudeau Vacationing in BC After Liberal MPs Told Scheduling Summer Caucus Meeting “Impossible”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is currently on a family vacation in British Columbia, even as Liberal MPs call for an in-person caucus meeting to address the party’s poor poll numbers and the loss of a key seat in a Toronto by-election last month.
Trudeau's vacation comes at a time when Canada faces significant challenges. The country is grappling with a housing crisis, a healthcare system under immense strain, and rising unemployment. Many Canadians are frustrated by the timing of Trudeau's trip, viewing it as out of touch with the nation's pressing issues.
Earlier this month, Liberal caucus chair Brenda Shanahan rejected requests for a summer caucus meeting, citing scheduling issues. Trudeau's vacations have repeatedly sparked public criticism, with some Canadians accusing him of hypocrisy regarding climate activism and questioning the appropriateness of his trips during national crises.
The public reaction has been largely negative, with social media users expressing frustration over Trudeau's perceived indifference to Canada's problems. Comments have highlighted the disparity between his actions and the struggles faced by ordinary Canadians, calling his vacation "uncontrolled insanity" amid the country's ongoing troubles. More
Harris Closes in on Democratic Nomination as She Secures Support From Key Democrats
US Vice President Kamala Harris has swiftly garnered substantial support and funding in her bid for the Democratic presidential nomination. Within the first 24 hours of her candidacy, she set a new fundraising record, amassing $81 million from over 888,000 donors.
Prominent Democratic leaders and organizations have rallied behind Harris, including governors Wes Moore of Maryland, Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, J.B. Pritzker of Illinois, and Andy Beshear of Kentucky. House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, initially advocating for a primary, also endorsed Harris, contributing to the rapid consolidation of party support.
Key endorsements came from influential groups like the AAPI Victory Fund, The Collective PAC, and the Latino Victory Fund, as well as the Congressional Progressive Caucus, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and the Congressional Black Caucus. Potential running mates, such as Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, have also pledged their support.
With over 1,200 pledged delegates already backing her, Harris is well on her way to securing the Democratic nomination, demonstrating strong unity and momentum within the party. More
Brazilian Leader Raises Alarm Over Maduro’s ‘Bloodbath’ Warning to Venezuela
Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has called on Venezuela's government to respect the results of the upcoming election. Lula expressed concern over President Nicolás Maduro's threats of a "bloodbath" if he loses. Maduro, trailing in the polls against opposition candidate Edmundo González, has warned of post-election violence. Lula emphasized the need for a fair electoral process and announced that former foreign minister Celso Amorim and two members of the Brazilian electoral court would observe the election. Concerns over election fairness have risen, especially after Venezuela revoked the EU's observer invitation and arrested several opposition campaign members. Source: The Guardian
Foreign Minister: Canada's Negative Perception of China Blocks Formal Reset in Relations
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly stated that Canada’s largely negative view of China is a major barrier to resetting bilateral relations. Following her visit to China, Joly emphasized that issues such as foreign interference, trade disputes, and human rights need to be addressed before any formal improvement in ties can occur.
A Pew Research survey found only 14% of Canadians view China favourably. More
UAE Jails 57 Bangladeshis Over Protests Against Own Government
A court in the UAE has sentenced 57 Bangladeshis to long prison terms for protesting against their government. Three defendants received life sentences, while 53 others were given 10-year terms, and one received 11 years. The charges included inciting riots and disrupting public order. Amnesty International criticized the UAE's harsh response to the protests, which are largely illegal in the country. The defendants are also facing deportation after serving their sentences. This case follows another recent mass trial in the UAE, highlighting ongoing concerns about the suppression of dissent. More
Tiny Thought: Note to self, do not protest ANYTHING in the UAE
China, Philippines Announce Deal to Stop Clashes in South China Sea
The agreement, announced after recent diplomatic meetings, is designed to manage the situation without altering either country's territorial claims. It focuses on ensuring humanitarian resupply to the shoal, where the Philippines maintains a presence on a grounded warship. More
Israel Moves to Brand UNRWA ‘Terror Organization’
Israel’s Knesset has passed initial readings of three bills targeting UNRWA, including designating it as a terrorist organization and removing its operational and diplomatic immunities. More
Study: Over Half of Canada’s Professionals Are Actively Seeking New Employment
Despite economic challenges like high interest rates and rising unemployment, Canadians are increasingly confident in their job prospects. Recent surveys show more workers are seeking new roles due to mismatches between employer expectations and employee priorities. Despite skyhigh unemployment at 6.4%, a study by Robert Half Canada revealed that 50% of professionals are actively job-hunting, mainly for better pay, benefits, and flexibility. This shift reflects broader trends in evolving workplace dynamics and employer-employee expectations. More
Tiny Thought: As an entrepreneur of many years, it’s my opinion that were currently facing a severe mismatch between employee expectations and what employers can actually provide. Workers understandably want more to survive in Justin Trudeau’s Canada. Unfortunately, most businesses can’t afford to meet these demands because they are also trying to keep their businesses alive in this desolate economy.
EU Threatens to Fine Meta for Saying Facebook is ‘Free’
The European Union has notified Meta that its “pay or consent” model for Facebook and Instagram might breach consumer protection laws. This model, which offers users a choice between paying €12.99 per month to avoid ads or consenting to data collection for targeted ads, is seen by the EU as misleading and confusing. The EU's Consumer Protection Cooperation Network has given Meta until September 1, 2024, to address these concerns or face significant fines.
The EU doesn’t like what it sees as privacy-violating data usage and has already hit Meta separately with Digital Markets Act charges over its model and record fines under the GDPR for transferring user data overseas. More
Wiz Walks Away From $23 Billion Deal with Google, Will Pursue IPO
Wiz, a leading cloud security software company, has rejected a $23 billion acquisition offer from Google, which would have been Google's largest-ever deal. The decision was influenced by antitrust and investor concerns. Wiz, founded in 2020, plans to pursue an initial public offering (IPO) and aims for $1 billion in annual recurring revenue. The company, which offers cloud security solutions, was valued at $12 billion in its last funding round. The failed acquisition deal is a setback for venture firms invested in Wiz and highlights the challenges tech companies face in securing major exits amidst regulatory and market uncertainties. More
Scientists Discover ‘Dark’ Oxygen More Than 13,000 Feet Below the Ocean Surface
Ocean scientist Andrew Sweetman observed an unusual phenomenon: oxygen production on the seabed 4,000 meters deep in the Pacific Ocean’s Clarion-Clipperton Zone, where sunlight cannot reach. Despite initial skepticism about faulty equipment, repeated observations confirmed the fnding. Recent research suggests this "dark oxygen" is being produced by natural geobatteries—polymetallic nodules acting like batteries that release oxygen through electrochemical reactions. This discovery challenges existing deep-sea oxygen cycling theories and has implications for understanding the origins of life. More
Scientists Design Miracle Fabric That Turns Rigid at the Push of a Button
Scientists at Singapore's Nanyang Technological University have developed a shape-shifting textile called RoboFabric that can switch from soft to rigid instantly. Inspired by pangolins and armadillos, RoboFabric uses 3D-printed tiles connected by metal fibers. When the fibers contract, the tiles lock together, increasing rigidity by over 350 times. This technology could revolutionize medical braces and robotic limbs, reducing muscle effort needed for tasks and providing customizable support. Beyond medical uses, RoboFabric has potential applications in flexible robotics and drones, offering adaptable grippers and protective shells. More
Russian Athletes Accused of Breaching Rules on Ukraine War Ahead of Paris Olympics
Russian and Belarusian athletes will still be banned from representing their countries at the Paris 2024 Olympics due to the 2022 Ukraine invasion. They can compete under a neutral flag but must not support the invasion or express pro-Russia views. Human rights group Global Rights Compliance claims that ten of fifteen Russian athletes have violated these conditions by engaging in pro-Russian or pro-war activities. The IOC has reportedly not acted on these claims, despite evidence provided by the group. Athletes accused include cyclist Alena Ivanchenko, tennis players Elena Vesnina and Mirra Andreeva, and others. The group urges the IOC to uphold its ethical standards. More
Nick Dunlap Becomes First Player in PGA TOUR History to Win as Amateur and Pro in Same Year
Nick Dunlap became the first player in PGA TOUR history to win as an amateur and a professional in the same year, rallying Sunday for a two-point victory in the Barracuda Championship. In January at The American Express in La Quinta, the 20-year-old Dunlap, then a sophomore at the University of Alabama, became the eighth amateur to win a TOUR event and the first in 33 years. He turned professional days later. More
Beltre, Helton, Mauer and Leyland Inducted into Baseball Hall of Fame
Adrian Beltré, Joe Mauer, and Todd Helton were hailed as exceptional talents from their early days, and they fully delivered on those early promises by earning their places in the Baseball Hall of Fame this Sunday. With only 345 players enshrined as of 2024, their achievement stands out even more when you consider that just 1.7% of the over 20,000 MLB players have reached this prestigious milestone. More
Koi Pla, the World’s Deadliest Dish is Responsible for 20,000 Deaths Per Year - Koi Pla, a salad from Laos and Thailand’s Isaan region, features minced raw fish mixed with lemon juice, herbs, and spices. The dish is risky because it often uses raw freshwater fish from the Mekong basin, which can be infested with parasites known as liver flukes. These parasites are linked to cholangiocarcinoma, a severe cancer that kills around 20,000 people in Thailand each year.
Pro Soccer Game Suspended When Fans Rain Fish Cakes Onto the Field - The Norwegian Eliteserien game between Rosenborg BK and Lillestrom was initially stopped mere minutes after kickoff due to the fish cakes raining down on the field. Players returned to the field from the locker room, but the game was stopped a second time when fans from both sides continued to throw fish cakes, and started adding tennis balls and smoke bombs into the mix.
On This Day in 1840 - The Union Act passed by British Parliament, uniting Upper & Lower Canada.
How do I find all the Daily Summaries? I read them in the morning but when I come back to the channel I only see podcasts etc. I’d like to access todays summary July 25