Good morning, It’s Thursday, August 29th. In today’s news, the Auditor General blocks the House’s push to expose Liberal corruption, BC United (formerly BC Liberal Party) suspends their election campaign endorsing the Conservatives, Telegram CEO faces up to 10 years in prison and fines of over $500 million after being charged by French authorities, at least 10 Palestinians killed during Israeli raids in West Bank and much more.
First time reading the daily blend? Sign up here.
Green Slush Fund Scandal: Auditor General Blocks House's Push to Expose Liberal Corruption
A showdown is brewing between the House of Commons and Auditor General Karen Hogan over her refusal to hand over documents related to her damning audit of the "green slush fund," officially known as Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC). This fund, which the Conservatives have accused of corruption and mismanagement, has come under intense scrutiny after Hogan's audit revealed that one in six projects it funded was ineligible, alongside serious governance issues.
In June, the House passed a Conservative-led motion demanding the government and SDTC turn over documents to the Commons law clerk, with the intent of forwarding them to the RCMP for investigation. Hogan, however, has resisted, arguing that complying would undermine her office's independence and hinder future audits.
This standoff has escalated tensions, with accusations that the SDTC has been mishandling funds under the guise of green initiatives, essentially acting as a conduit for taxpayer money to be funnelled into questionable projects.
As Parliament prepares to reconvene, the clash highlights deeper issues of corruption and mismanagement within the Liberal government, raising serious questions about the integrity of these so-called green initiatives, and the use of taxpayer funds. More
Tiny Thought: AG Hogan has been pretty good about challenging the Liberal corruption that we can see. But with one in six projects under the green slush fund being corrupt in some way, it's likely that exposing all the details would be devastating for the Liberals. While I don’t agree with it, she might be holding back to avoid influencing next year’s election.
BC United (Formerly BC Liberal Party) Suspends Election Campaign, Endorses Conservatives
In a surprising political maneuver, BC United, formerly known as the BC Liberal Party, has suspended its campaign for the upcoming provincial election, with leader Kevin Falcon stepping down to endorse the rival BC Conservatives. This decision follows a significant loss of support for BC United, which has dropped from the second to the fourth most popular party over the past year.
Falcon and BC Conservative leader John Rustad announced the decision in a joint press conference, emphasizing the need to avoid splitting the vote to defeat the governing NDP. Falcon urged BC United supporters to back Rustad and the Conservatives, stating that preventing another NDP term was his top priority.
The BC Conservatives are expected to absorb some BC United candidates, with Rustad acknowledging the need to improve their candidate vetting process. As part of the agreement, BC United’s finances will be managed according to election laws, and the party will handle any outstanding expenses.
BC United had a strong history in government but has struggled in recent years, especially after internal conflicts and leadership changes. Their exit from the race leaves the BC Conservatives in a strong position to challenge the NDP, with recent polls showing the NDP at 40%, the BC Conservatives at 38%, and BC United at 10%. More
Telegram CEO Charged by French Authorities, Released on Bail
French authorities have charged Telegram CEO Pavel Durov with enabling criminal activities on his platform, including child sexual abuse material and drug trafficking. The charges come after Durov was detained at Paris–Le Bourget Airport on August 24 upon arriving from Azerbaijan on his private jet. Although released from custody on August 28, Durov must pay €5 million in bail and report to a police station twice a week. The most serious charge against him is "complicity in managing an online platform to allow illicit transactions by an organized group," which could lead to a 10-year prison sentence and a €500 million fine.
French prosecutors argue that Telegram has not cooperated with criminal investigations, despite the platform’s claims of adherence to European Union regulations, including the Digital Services Act. Durov’s legal troubles have sparked concerns in the tech industry, with critics warning that such charges could deter tech founders from operating in France. While Durov is currently the only person charged, French authorities have not ruled out the possibility of further charges.
This case has drawn international attention, with both the UAE and Russian governments expressing concern and offering support for Durov’s legal defence. French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized that the charges are part of a judicial process, not a political move, as tensions rise over the broader implications for freedom of expression and the tech industry. More
Tiny Thought: If Durov is convicted, the social media landscape could undergo a seismic shift. Privacy could become a relic of the past, with self-censorship dominating online discourse, making it increasingly difficult to find and share dissenting opinions.
At Least 10 Palestinians Killed in Israeli Raids in West Bank
Israeli forces conducted a major operation in the northern West Bank, killing at least 10 Palestinians, according to the Palestinian health ministry. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) described the operation as a counterterrorism measure targeting "armed terrorists" in Jenin, Tulkarm, and the al-Faraa refugee camp. The operation has led to significant casualties and damage, with local reports highlighting extensive violence and destruction. The operation comes amid rising violence in the West Bank following Hamas's recent attacks on Israel and is part of broader Israeli efforts to curb Palestinian attacks. The UN and various international observers have criticized the operation for its impact on civilians and potential human rights violations. More
Government Says Muslims, Indigenous More Impacted by Wildfires Due to Racism and Colonialism
A Public Health Agency of Canada report argues that wildfires disproportionately affect Indigenous people, Muslims, women, and non-binary individuals due to environmental racism, colonialism, and social vulnerabilities. The report claims that wildfire evacuations can traumatize Indigenous communities by recalling the history of residential schools and the Sixties Scoop. It also highlights challenges faced by Muslim evacuees and calls for integrating "Indigenous knowledges" into wildfire response strategies. Despite significant wildfire damage in 2024, the agency's focus is on the unique impacts on these marginalized groups. More
Tiny Thought: This country is literally, and figuratively on fire.
Quebec’s Mask Mandate: Science Fiction or Political Drama?
The Quebec regional health board north of Montreal reinstated mask mandates due to a COVID-19 surge, but Dr. Chris Milburn, a family and ER physician, criticizes the decision. Milburn argues that masks have limited effectiveness against aerosolized COVID-19 particles and highlights their negative impact on healthcare workers and patient care. He suggests that the shifting public health stance on masks reflects political rather than scientific influences, and calls for a more evidence-based approach to health policy. More
Supreme Court Blocks Biden's Latest Try at Student Debt Relief
The Supreme Court has upheld a block on President Joe Biden's student loan relief program, known as Save, which aims to extend payment periods and forgive debts of $12,000 or less. This decision follows last year's rejection of Biden's broader $400 billion loan cancellation plan. Republican-led states challenged Save, claiming Biden exceeded his authority, leading to injunctions from lower courts. The Supreme Court's recent ruling supports these injunctions, stalling further implementation of Save. This setback comes despite Biden's administration approving nearly $150 billion in relief so far. More
Houthi Strike on Red Sea Oil Tanker Risks Major Environmental Catastrophe
A Greek-flagged oil tanker, the Sounion, was attacked by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, resulting in an oil leak and ongoing fires. The Pentagon warns of a potential environmental disaster, with the vessel carrying around one million barrels of crude oil. The situation poses significant navigational risks and threatens regional pollution. The Houthis have announced a temporary truce to allow rescue efforts, but the attacks on shipping routes are driving up costs and disrupting global trade. More
Money-losing Canada Post ’Urgently’ Needs ’Significant Change’ to Survive
Canada Post’s board chair, André Hudon, warns that the organization’s financial situation is unsustainable. At a recent meeting, Hudon stressed the need for urgent changes to preserve Canada Post’s delivery network, crucial for serving all Canadians. The surge in online shopping has intensified competition from "high-tech, low-cost operators," and Canada Post’s letter mail volumes have plummeted from 5.5 billion letters annually to about 2 billion. Despite efforts to adapt, including cost reductions and focusing on core priorities, Canada Post's parcel delivery market share has halved since 2019. The company reported a second-quarter profit of $46 million before tax, thanks to a one-time sale of subsidiaries, but faced an operational loss of $269 million. More
Canada’s Has a Growing Problem of Shoplifting and Threats to Retail Workers
The number of Canadian businesses affected by crime and safety issues has more than doubled in the past year, reaching 46%, according to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB). Shoplifting impacts 61% of surveyed members, with numbers in Manitoba and Nova Scotia nearly 80%. Statistics Canada reports a 47% increase in shoplifting since 2014, with 2023 marking the highest rate since 1998. Businesses face rising security costs and reduced customer traffic, and 70% of owners fear for staff and customer safety. Many are dissatisfied with law enforcement response, leading to a call for improved security measures and support. More
OpenAI in Talks to Raise Funding That Would Value Company at Over $100 Billion
OpenAI is negotiating a funding round that could value the company at over $100 billion, with Thrive Capital leading the investment of $1 billion. The company’s valuation surged from $29 billion last year to $80 billion earlier this year, driven by the success of its ChatGPT chatbot and expansion into AI-generated content. Microsoft, OpenAI’s major backer, is also participating in the round. Additionally, OpenAI plans to integrate a new search engine prototype, SearchGPT, into ChatGPT, potentially challenging Google’s search dominance. More
Don’t Worry, Be Happy: Optimism is Key to Exceptional Longevity
A positive outlook can notably extend your lifespan and improve overall well-being. Analysis from studies of over 70,000 women in the Nurses’ Health Study and 1,400 men in the Veterans Affairs Normative Aging Study reveals that optimism is associated with a lifespan increase of 11 to 15 percent. Optimistic individuals are more likely to live to age 85 or beyond, independent of other health factors.
Optimism correlates with healthier biomarker profiles, including improved lipid levels, reduced inflammation, and lower cardiovascular disease risk. A 2018 review highlighted that optimists often engage in healthier behaviours and manage stress more effectively.
In practical terms, optimism is linked to a 33% reduction in risk for cardiovascular issues and better immune function. Optimists are also less likely to experience chronic stress-related health problems due to lower cortisol levels. More
SpaceX Launch of Polaris Dawn Mission Delayed Again, Indefinitely on Hold
SpaceX has postponed the Falcon 9 launch of the Polaris Dawn mission due to unfavourable weather conditions forecasted for the Dragon spacecraft's splashdown areas off the Florida coast. Originally set for Wednesday, August 28, and later rescheduled for Thursday, August 29, the launch has now been delayed indefinitely. This is the third delay in a series, following earlier postponements due to a helium leak and additional checks. The mission, featuring a four-person civilian crew and including the first-ever commercial spacewalk, faces complications with new systems and suits, leaving no room for weather or technical issues. SpaceX will keep monitoring conditions for a new launch date. More
Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony Starts Final Chapter on Summer of Sport in Paris
Paris inaugurated the 2024 Paralympics on Wednesday with a nearly four-hour-long opening ceremony along the Champs-Elysées and Place de la Concorde. French President Emmanuel Macron declared the Games open as thousands of athletes paraded through the city. With around 50,000 spectators in attendance, accessibility measures were implemented, including special pathways for wheelchairs. Over 4,000 athletes will compete in 22 sports until September 8, with more than 2 million tickets sold. More
UEFA Launches New ‘Swiss model’ Champions League
UEFA's new format for the Champions League, starting from the 2024-27 cycle, replaces the old group stage with a 36-team league table. Each team will play eight matches against different opponents, with four home and four away. The top eight teams will advance directly to the knockout stage, while the 16 teams ranked 9th to 24th will enter a playoff. Teams finishing 25th to 36th will be eliminated.
This "Swiss model" aims to feature more high-profile matches and satisfy Europe's bigger clubs. The new format guarantees each team two matches against top-tier opponents. However, it could lead to a crowded fixture list and a potentially less thrilling group stage, with many teams playing fewer games. More
Martin Shkreli Made Copies of His $2 Million Wu-Tang Album—and Hid Them in ‘Safes All Around the World’
PleasrDAO, which bought the Wu-Tang Clan album *Once Upon a Time in Shaolin* for $4.75 million, is upset with Martin Shkreli. Shkreli, who originally bought the album for $2 million, made unauthorized copies of it before it was seized by the government. PleasrDAO, now the album's collective owner through an NFT, claims Shkreli’s actions harm the album's value and has sued him for violating asset forfeiture and misappropriating trade secrets. A federal judge has issued an injunction preventing Shkreli from using or distributing any copies of the album and requires him to provide a list of recipients and any earnings from the distribution. More
Rescued Bald Eagle ‘Too Fat to Fly’ After Gorging On a Raccoon - “The bird, originally reported to be injured, was found to be healthy but engorged with [raccoon] — in other words, too fat to fly,” the department announced along with X-ray photos showing an undigested paw still in its stomach.
Florida Man Deploys ‘Subliminal’ Advertising to Incite Happiness Through Viral Sign-Hanging Campaign - Gary King has been hanging metal “Happiness” signs all over St. Petersburg, Florida, since 2019. It’s all part of The Happiness Experiment, a sociology project to subtly influence the population of his hometown through subliminal advertisement.
Just curious… if AG Hogan refuses to give her findings, then how is anyone going to be held accountable? How would it benefit Canadians in any way for future audits if no one is ever held accountable for the corruption that she finds?