Good morning, It’s Thursday, August 22nd. In today’s news, 159 nations to adopt BRICS payment system challenging the US dollar, Arbitrator awards compensation to healthcare workers dismissed for refusing COVID vaccine, Ford government cracks down on “Safe” injection sites shifting focus to rehabilitation, Toronto celebrates “Undocumented Residents Day” with radical panel discussion, and much more.
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‘De-Dollarization’: 159 Nations to Adopt BRICS Payment System
The BRICS economic alliance is developing its own payment system as an alternative to SWIFT, aiming to reduce reliance on the US dollar for international transactions. This new BRICS payment system is a significant step in the alliance's broader strategy of "de-dollarization," particularly in light of Western sanctions against Russia.
According to Russia's Central Bank Governor, Elvira Nabiullina, the system will serve as an alternative to SWIFT, and a remarkable 159 countries are reportedly interested in adopting this new system once it becomes operational. The BRICS payment system is expected to be a central topic at the upcoming BRICS 2024 Summit, and it might be ready for launch by October 2024. If successful, this move could have substantial implications for global trade, allowing countries to conduct transactions in their local currencies instead of relying on the US dollar. More
Arbitrator Awards Compensation to Health-Care Workers Dismissed for Refusing COVID Vaccine
An Ontario arbitrator has awarded termination and severance pay to 40 Toronto health-care workers who were fired for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine, marking a significant ruling in ongoing disputes over mandatory vaccination policies.
Arbitrator John Stout concluded that while the hospital’s 2021 COVID-19 vaccination policy was technically lawful, the workers' refusal to get vaccinated did not constitute "willful misconduct, disobedience, or willful neglect of duty" under Ontario’s Employment Standards Act (ESA).
The case involved 82 healthcare workers who filed grievances after being suspended or terminated for not complying with the hospital’s vaccine mandate, which required all employees to have two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine by November 7, 2021. Out of these, 42 workers were suspended, and 40 were fired.
The William Osler Health System (WOHS) argued that the workers were not entitled to severance pay because they were terminated "with cause" under the ESA. However, Stout ruled that the workers did not act with malicious intent when refusing vaccination, and therefore, their termination did not meet the legal standard for "willful misconduct."
This decision follows similar rulings in Ontario, where arbitrators have sided with healthcare workers who were dismissed for refusing vaccination. More
Ford Government Cracks Down on “Safe” Injection Sites, Shifts Focus to Recovery
The Ontario government is implementing new restrictions on supervised drug consumption sites, banning them from being within 200 meters of schools and daycares. This policy will lead to the closure of ten sites by March 31, 2025. The government plans to introduce legislation this fall to prevent new consumption sites and restrict municipalities from advocating for drug decriminalization.
The ban is part of a broader strategy, which includes investing $378 million in 19 new homelessness and addiction recovery hubs. These hubs aim to provide 375 supportive housing units and treatment beds. The move aligns with Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s criticism of “safe” injection sites, citing increased crime rates and negative impacts on communities.
Recent reports show a rise in crime rates near these sites, with incidents of assault and robbery significantly higher. Ontario's approach contrasts with British Columbia's, which faced legal challenges and recent setbacks in its drug decriminalization efforts. More
Toronto Celebrates “Undocumented Residents Day” with Radical Panel Discussion
The City of Toronto marked Undocumented Residents Day with a panel discussion featuring prominent pro-illegal immigration activists. The panel, held in the city council chambers, included Loly Rico, co-director of the FCJ Refugee Centre; Syed Hussan, executive director of the Migrant Workers Alliance for Change; and Denise Andrea Campbell, a city bureaucrat and social justice advocate.
The discussion focused on how federal, provincial, and municipal governments could further support illegal immigrants, including calls for granting them permanent residency, similar to policies in the EU and the U.S.
Hussan emphasized the need for Canada to fulfill its 2021 promise of a regularization program for undocumented residents, expressing frustration over the lack of progress under the Trudeau government. The panellists also criticized Canada’s immigration system as too strict, attributing issues to racism and white supremacy, and rejected the notion that immigration is linked to the country’s affordability crisis.
The discussion also highlighted broader left-wing priorities, including climate change and queer rights, arguing that the focus on immigration as a problem diverts attention from other critical issues like austerity and economic inequality.
Tiny Thought: Show of hands, who voted to flood the country with an uncontrollable volume of new immigrants, provide safe haven for those getting in illegally, and then slap the entire history of our nation with the broad label of white supremacy? Remember these moments, and vote wisely my friends.
Donald Trump Jr. Proposes RFK Jr. for CIA Director Position
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is set to make a key announcement on Friday about his campaign's future. The speculation centers around a possible endorsement of Donald Trump, with suggestions that Kennedy could join Trump's administration, potentially as the CIA Director. This idea was proposed by Donald Trump Jr., who expressed support for Kennedy in such a role. The decision comes as Kennedy's campaign faces a critical choice: continue running independently, which could split votes with Trump, or withdraw to endorse him, thereby consolidating support for Trump. Kennedy is scheduled to deliver his decision on Friday. More
Pakistani Man Faces Cyber-terror Charge Over False Posts Linked to UK Riots
Farhan Asif, a Pakistani software engineer, has been charged with cyber-terrorism under Pakistani law for allegedly spreading false information on his clickbait website, Channel3Now. His misinformation reportedly fuelled anti-immigration riots in the UK following a knife attack in Southport that killed three young girls. Asif's article falsely claimed that a Muslim asylum seeker was responsible for the attack, which contributed to widespread unrest targeting mosques, hotels housing asylum seekers, and other properties. Asif appeared in court in Lahore and was remanded in custody for his role in the online disinformation campaign. More
55 to 60 Arrested During Violent DNC Protests: Chicago Police
Nighttime protests outside the Israeli consulate in Chicago led to 55 to 60 arrests, according to Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling. The violence erupted west of the United Center during the Democratic National Convention. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators clashed with law enforcement, resulting in arrests for charges including disorderly conduct and battery on police. Snelling noted that among those arrested were three journalists, but did not clarify their charges. Half of the arrestees were non-local, with many from the West Coast. Snelling rejected comparisons to the 1968 Democratic National Convention and defended the police response, noting minor injuries to officers and arrestees. Additional protests are anticipated throughout the week. More
Andrew Tate's Home Raided Amid New Claims of Trafficking Minors
Romanian police have raided four properties owned by Andrew Tate, investigating new allegations of trafficking minors, sexual intercourse with a minor, and other crimes. Tate and his brother Tristan, currently awaiting trial for human trafficking, rape, and forming a criminal gang, deny the charges and claim a conspiracy against them. The raids are part of a broader investigation that began with their detention in December 2022. The Tates are also facing civil claims from four British women and a separate criminal probe by Bedfordshire Police. More
Tiny Thought: If these guys are found guilty, they deserve to be punished. But this charge looks like it might be another baseless attempt to shut down two men who are disliked by the authorities.
Manitoba Chiefs Demand Trudeau Rescind Charles Adler’s Senate Appointment
First Nations chiefs are urging Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to revoke Charles Adler's Senate appointment due to past offensive comments he made about Indigenous leaders. They argue that these comments are harmful and perpetuate stereotypes. Despite a previous ruling by the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council deeming Adler’s comments as “fair political commentary,” the Assembly and other critics, including some Liberal cabinet members, believe his appointment contradicts values of respect and reconciliation. More
Poilievre Promises to End Both Industrial and Consumer Carbon Taxes if Elected
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has pledged to eliminate the carbon tax for both large corporations and ordinary Canadians if elected. In a recent CBC interview, Poilievre also promised to scrap the Clean Fuel Regulations, which he claims will increase fuel costs by 17 cents per litre by 2030. He criticized the Liberals and Bloc for supporting higher gas prices and capital gains taxes, arguing that these policies burden businesses and individuals. Poilievre’s plan aims to reduce taxes and simplify the tax system to boost the economy. He highlighted that the carbon tax's economic impact is significant, estimating losses of $11.9 billion in 2024, with costs rising to $30 billion by 2030. More
As Auto Industry Recovers, Car Prices Out of Reach for Many
New data indicates that the majority of low-and middle-income Americans are finding it increasingly difficult to afford both new and used cars. Car prices have surged, with the average cost of a new car hitting $49,500 in June 2024, up from $35,000 in January 2021. Used car prices have also soared, increasing by 52% over the same period. High interest rates are exacerbating the issue, with many new car buyers facing monthly payments of $700 to $1,000. Despite a recovery in car supply and strong sales, high costs and interest rates are straining budgets, leaving many consumers struggling to afford both new and used vehicles. More
US Job Creation Revised Down by 818,000
The US economy's job creation figures from April 2023 to March 2024 have been revised downward by 818,000 jobs, the largest such revision since the global financial crisis. This adjustment, part of the Department of Labor's annual updates, reflects discrepancies in initial job data versus actual figures.
Eight out of eleven industries saw reductions, notably in professional and business services, leisure and hospitality, and manufacturing. Despite the initial report claiming 2.9 million new jobs were added, the revised average monthly job gain is 174,000, down from the reported 242,000. The discrepancy in job numbers has led to concerns about the strength of the labour market, with some experts suggesting that this could reignite recession fears. More
The Moon Was Once Covered by an Ocean of Molten Rock
India's Chandrayaan-3 mission has provided new evidence supporting the theory that the Moon was once covered by a global ocean of molten rock. Pragyan found that the lunar soil, primarily composed of ferroan anorthosite, had a uniform chemical composition similar to samples from other regions of the Moon, including those from Apollo 16 and Luna 20.
This uniformity supports the lunar magma ocean model, which suggests the Moon's crust formed from the cooling and crystallization of a vast magma ocean early in its history. The new data also helps validate orbital measurements from previous missions and provides context for lunar meteorites by offering insights into the Moon's surface composition and geological history. More
Alzheimer's May Not Actually Be a Brain Disease
Recent theories on Alzheimer’s disease are shifting away from the traditional focus on beta-amyloid. Researchers are now exploring several new perspectives:
Autoimmune Theory: Some scientists propose that Alzheimer's may be an autoimmune disorder. In this view, beta-amyloid is not an abnormal protein but a normal part of the brain’s immune system. However, it mistakenly attacks brain cells due to its inability to distinguish between bacterial and brain cell membranes, leading to chronic brain cell damage.
Mitochondrial Dysfunction: Another theory suggests that Alzheimer's is linked to problems with mitochondria, the energy-producing structures in brain cells. Faulty mitochondria might contribute to the disease by disrupting the energy supply crucial for cognitive functions.
Infections: Some researchers believe that Alzheimer's could result from infections, possibly originating from bacteria in the mouth, which might trigger or exacerbate the disease.
Metal Imbalances: There is also speculation that Alzheimer's could be caused by abnormal handling of metals in the brain, such as zinc, copper, or iron, which may affect brain function.
Canadian Great Joey Votto Announces Retirement After 17 MLB Seasons
Joey Votto, the longtime Cincinnati Reds first baseman, is retiring after 17 MLB seasons. Votto, known for his exceptional hitting and on-base skills, announced his retirement on Instagram, closing a career highlighted by six All-Star selections and an MVP award. Though he briefly joined the Toronto Blue Jays, injuries and struggles in the minor leagues led to his decision to retire. With a career marked by impressive statistics and a significant impact as a hitter, Votto is expected to be a strong candidate for the Hall of Fame when eligible in 2029. More
Noah Lyles Wants 'Millions of Dollars,' No 'Gimmicks' to Race Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill
Noah Lyles is open to racing Tyreek Hill, but only under his terms. Lyles, a three-time Olympic medalist and 100-meter gold medalist, has stipulated that the race must be sponsored, involve a significant prize, and take place on a track. He emphasizes that Hill, despite his speed as an NFL player, can't simply bypass the rigorous demands of track racing. Hill, known for his challenges and recent track success, has been pressing for a race, but it’s unlikely due to his football commitments and the difference in track performance. More
Chick-fil-A Is Launching a Streaming Service. Yes, You Read That Right
Chick-fil-A is diving into the streaming world, aiming to launch a platform with family-friendly, mostly unscripted content. The fast food chain is collaborating with Hollywood studios to produce original shows, including a new game show with Glassman Media and Sugar23. While currently focusing on unscripted programming with budgets around $400,000 per episode, Chick-fil-A is also exploring scripted and animated projects. This move follows other non-entertainment companies venturing into streaming and reflects Chick-fil-A's broader strategy to expand beyond its well-known food offerings - chicken sandwiches. More
Company will freeze your dead body until it’s ‘reanimated’ years later — but it comes with a hefty price - A high-tech startup is giving people the option to cryogenically freeze their corpses in hopes that they may be revived one day in the distant future. Tomorrow Bio, a Berlin-based company, is charging a pretty penny — $222,603 plus a $55 monthly membership fee — to put bodies and body parts on ice.
Millions of pounds of cheese are stored in underground Missouri ‘caves’ - Beneath Springfield, Missouri, lies a vast network of caves used for cheese storage. These limestone caverns, originally mined and now climate-controlled, are real but privately managed by companies like Kraft Heinz and Dairy Farmers of America.
McDonald’s Instagram page hacked by crypto scammers who claim they stole $700K - A screenshot circulating online shows the McDonald’s Instagram page showing its caption changed to: “Sorry mah n–ga you have just been rug pulled by India_X_Kr3w thank you for the $700,000 in Solana.”
The caption, which was visible to the more than 5.1 million Instagram followers of McDonald’s account, included an emoji depicting the flag of India. McDonald’s said in a statement it was “aware of an isolated incident that impacted our social media accounts earlier today.”