Good morning, It’s Thursday, July 25th. In today’s news, US Senators raise alarm over Canadian terrorist threats, Canadian soccer ‘Spygate’ scandal rocks the Olympic games, Chair of Liberal ‘Green Slush Fund’ guilty of using the fund to advance her own business interests, Discarding used solar panels poses ‘significant’ pollution risk and much more.
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US Senators Raise Alarm Over Canadian Terrorist Threats
Canada’s decision to accept more Palestinian refugees from Gaza is raising concerns in the US. In a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and five other Republican senators warned that the program would increase the risk of individuals with ties to terror groups entering the US.
The letter follows Canada's announcement to expand the intake of Gazan refugees from 1,000 individuals to 5,000 families under temporary special measures. The senators called for heightened scrutiny of these refugees attempting to enter the US.
The letter points out that Palestinian refugees, once in Canada, can travel internationally using a Refugee Travel Document, which is recognized by 146 countries, including the US. The senators expressed concern over insufficient background checks and the potential for individuals with terror affiliations to exploit these measures.
Rubio also criticized the Biden administration's border policies, claiming they enable criminals and terrorists to enter the US. He cited that over 233 suspected terrorists have been encountered at the northern border in FY24, surpassing previous years' totals. More
Canadian Soccer ‘Spygate’ Scandal Rocks the Olympic Games
An unprecedented day for Canadian soccer ended with the National Olympic Committee defending its head coach against charges of espionage, while two staff members were sent home as punishment, prompting an internal investigation.
Ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics, Canadian soccer team analyst Joseph Lombardi and assistant coach Jasmine Mander were dismissed following two incidents where a drone was used to spy on New Zealand's training sessions. Head coach Bev Priestman voluntarily stepped down from the team’s first match against New Zealand on Thursday.
Priestman apologized to the players and staff of both teams, emphasizing that the incident does not reflect the values of the Canadian team. She took full responsibility and withdrew to ensure sportsmanship.
New Zealand officials filed a complaint to the International Olympic Committee after noticing Lombardi controlling a drone over their practice. Lombardi was later detained by French authorities.
The Canadian Olympic Committee announced that Team Canada’s coaching staff will undergo mandatory ethics training and that an ongoing review in collaboration with FIFA may lead to further disciplinary actions.
Canada begins its gold medal defence against New Zealand on Thursday at 11 am ET marred by scandal and without its head coach. More
Trudeau Appointed Chair of Liberal ‘Green Slush Fund’ Guilty of Using Fund to Advance Her Own Business Interests
Annette Verschuren, the former chairperson of Sustainable Development Technology Canada (the Green Slush Fund), was found to have violated ethics laws by failing to recuse herself from funding decisions that benefited companies she was associated with, according to the ethics commissioner’s latest report. The report revealed that Verschuren "improperly furthered" the interests of these companies, a breach of the Conflict of Interest Act. She resigned from her position late last year when the ethics investigation was announced.
On Wednesday, ethics commissioner Konrad von Finckenstein concluded that Verschuren "failed to comply" with the Act's provisions, though he dismissed another complaint that she tried to influence other board members.
The investigation scrutinized two types of SDTC funding decisions linked to Verschuren: contributions of $50,000 to $100,000 to companies nominated by or associated with the Verschuren Centre for Sustainability in Energy and the Environment and MaRS Discovery District, and the approval of COVID-19 emergency relief funding for NRStor Inc., a company Verschuren founded.
Minutes of SDTC board meetings revealed "inconsistencies" in her approach to conflicts of interest. The commissioner also noted that the SDTC board did not always follow its standard practice of reviewing and approving funding applications individually, which would have allowed for proper recusal in conflict situations.
Conservative ethics critic Michael Barrett, who prompted the investigation, criticized the "waste and corruption" at SDTC, labelling it as Trudeau’s "billion-dollar Green Slush Fund." The commissioner’s report is part of ongoing scrutiny into SDTC's operations, which has faced multiple allegations of misconduct and mismanagement. More
Discarding Used Solar Panels in Landfills Poses ‘Significant’ Pollution Risk
Despite the push for renewable energy, the landfilling of used solar panels poses a significant pollution risk, with toxic chemicals leaching into groundwater. Ironically, the very technology intended to reduce pollution is now causing environmental issues of its own. Global Affairs Canada is seeking a contractor to develop a recycling solution that is both cost-effective and eco-friendly. The goal is to manage hazardous materials and recycle valuable components, highlighting the challenge of balancing environmental benefits with the unintended consequences of renewable technology. More
Russian Man is Among Those Arrested in Plot Targeting Paris Olympics
French authorities have foiled multiple plots to disrupt the 2024 Olympics, including the arrest of a Russian man suspected of planning to destabilize the Games. France remains on high alert, deploying 35,000 police officers daily and 10,000 soldiers for security. The suspect, arrested in Paris, was charged with intelligence work for a foreign power and attempting to provoke hostilities in France. Additional arrests and high-security measures underscore the ongoing threats, including cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns linked to Russia. More
In Address to Congress, Netanyahu Urges US, Israel to ‘Stand Together’ Amid Ongoing War
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed a joint session of the US Congress on July 24th, calling for increased US support amid Israel's ongoing conflict with Hamas. Netanyahu emphasized the strong bond between the US and Israel, highlighting mutual benefits when the two nations stand together. The Israeli prime minister's speech faced mixed reactions, with strong support from Republican leaders and protests from some Democrats and pro-Palestinian activists.
Netanyahu defended Israel's actions, citing extensive measures to avoid civilian casualties and reiterated his goal to eliminate Hamas and secure a demilitarized Gaza. He did not mention ongoing peace negotiations but focused on achieving total victory over Hamas. More
Plane Crashes After Takeoff From Nepal's Capital, Killing 18 - Pilot is Lone Survivor
The plane took off from the Kathmandu airport at 11:11 am local time and turned right but crashed moments later in the eastern section of the airport, the Civil Aviation Authority said in a statement. All the people aboard the Saurya Airlines flight including the co-pilot were Nepali except for one passenger, who was a Yemeni national. More
MPs Summon Canada's Consul General, Officials to Explain $9M Manhattan Condo
MPs of all political stripes on the Commons government operations committee Wednesday agreed to summon Consul General Tom Clark, as well as top diplomatic, procurement and Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) officials to justify the purchase of the luxury condo on ‘Billionaire’s Row’ as the new official residence for Canada’s Consul General in the city. More
Hungary to Block EU Funds for Member States Until Ukraine Allows Lukoil Transit
Hungary will block European Union refunds for member states that provided munitions to Ukraine until Kyiv allows the transit of Russian oil from Lukoil through its territory. This move comes after Slovakia and Hungary halted oil imports from Lukoil following Ukraine's ban on its transit. Hungary, heavily reliant on Russian oil, argues that without a resolution, the €6.5 billion in European Peace Facility (EPF) compensation for arms transfers should be put on hold. Despite the EU's general shift away from Russian energy, the Druzhba pipeline remains crucial for Hungary's oil supply. More
Bank of Canada Cuts Key Rate to 4.5 Percent, Says Further Cuts ‘Reasonable to Expect’
On July 24, 2024, the Bank of Canada cut its key interest rate by 25 basis points to 4.5%, marking the second rate reduction of the year. The decision reflects easing core inflation, which has been below 3% for several months. Governor Tiff Macklem indicated that further rate cuts could follow if inflation continues to decline. The bank anticipates core inflation will reach 2% by late 2025. Economic growth is still struggling but is expected to improve gradually. The next rate decision is scheduled for September 4, 2024. More
Canada Has Third-Worst GDP Growth per Capita Among 30 Top Economies
Canada is struggling with low GDP growth per person, ranking 28th out of 30 advanced economies from 2014 to 2022, according to a Fraser Institute study. The country’s GDP per capita growth has stagnated since 2014, falling behind the OECD average. By 2022, Canada’s GDP per capita was $46,035, lagging $17,649 behind the US. The report links this to low productivity, insufficient investment, and a growing government sector. To improve, it suggests reducing regulations, enhancing trade, encouraging innovation, reforming taxes, and scaling back government.
Tesla's Focus is Shifting Away From EVs
Elon Musk's latest focus for Tesla is shifting from electric vehicles (EVs) to robotics, particularly with the company's humanoid robot, Optimus. Musk believes that the long-term value of Optimus could surpass that of Tesla's entire EV lineup, predicting demand for humanoid robots could exceed 20 billion units. While Tesla's push into robotics may be a strategic pivot to address these challenges, investor confidence is wavering, with Tesla’s stock dropping by over 10% following Musk's announcement. More
Komodo Dragons Have Iron-coated Teeth
Scientists have discovered that Komodo dragons possess a unique adaptation: a layer of iron coating on their teeth that enhances their sharpness and durability. This is the first known instance of such a coating in animals. The iron layer, which gives the teeth an orange hue, strengthens the enamel, making the teeth more resistant to wear and effective at tearing prey apart.
Komodo dragons, the largest living lizards, use their serrated teeth to hunt various prey, including large animals and occasionally humans. The discovery of the iron coating could also suggest a previously overlooked feature in reptile teeth and may offer insights into the dental adaptations of extinct reptiles, such as dinosaurs.
Drawing Water From Dry Air
Scientists from the University of Utah have developed a compact and efficient device for atmospheric water harvesting (AWH) that could help address global water shortages. This new prototype uses advanced hygroscopic materials, specifically metal-organic frameworks, to extract water from dry air. The device captures water through a two-step process: adsorbing moisture onto the material and then applying heat to release it as liquid.
The prototype, which can produce 5 litres of water per day per kilogram of adsorbent material, is designed to be compact and energy-efficient. It uses a standard camping stove for heating, making it suitable for both military and civilian use. This innovation could be particularly valuable in arid regions where conventional AWH technologies struggle. More
Does Canada Finally Have Its Own Dream Team?
In a final pre-Olympic tune-up, Canada defeated Puerto Rico 103-93, showcasing strong teamwork and basketball IQ. With a bronze medal from last year’s FIBA World Cup, Canada returns to the Olympics after 24 years, with their roster feeling like a dream team. The men now face a tough draw that includes games against Greece, Australia, and Spain. Their blend of NBA talent and chemistry makes them serious medal contenders and hopefully, ready to live up to high expectations. More
MrBeast’s Co-Host Ava Kris Tyson Leaves After Grooming Allegations
Ava Kris Tyson, a trans woman, and co-host on MrBeast’s YouTube channel, has announced departure from all MrBeast-related activities following allegations of grooming a minor. The allegations, highlighted in a video by the channel Prism42, claim Tyson engaged in inappropriate conversations and actually met up with a minor. Tyson has apologized for any past behaviour that might have hurt or offended others. MrBeast has yet to comment on the situation. More
Prince William’s Eye-popping Annual Salary Revealed
After his first full year as the Duke of Cornwall, Prince William earned over $42 million in 2023, according to a newly released royal report. The amount is calculated before a voluntary income tax, which the Duchy says Prince William has always opted to pay.
The $42 million sum covers the “official, charitable and private activities” of Prince William, the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, and their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. More
Men Arrested After Allegedly Posting Photo With Cash From Armed Robberies on Instagram - Four men from LA County were arrested for robbing 7-Eleven stores during a nearly two-month spree. The indictment includes charges of conspiracy and Hobbs Act robbery, with suspects Charles Christopher, D'Angelo Spencer, Jordan Leonard, and Tazjar Rouse also facing counts for using firearms. Leonard allegedly posted a photo on Instagram flaunting stolen cash. The defendants face up to 20 years in prison for each robbery charge and up to life for firearm offenses.
The World’s Largest Cashew Tree Covers an Area of Over 8,000 Square Meters - The Pirangi Cashew Tree in Brazil’s Rio Grande do Norte is considered the world’s largest cashew tree. It has a circumference of around 500 meters and covers an area of 8,400 square meters. Experts believe that, based on its growth characteristics, “the tree is estimated to be more than a thousand years old.”