George Soros funded Joe Biden’s ‘TikTok Army’ – NY Post

The influencers then spread White House talking points on Ukraine and Covid-19, the outlet has claimed

Billionaire financier George Soros handed at least $300,000 to a group of left-wing TikTok creators last year, who used the funding to push a myriad of liberal narratives, the New York Post reported on Saturday. The group often worked under direct instruction from the White House.

Soros’ Open Society Foundations donated $5.5 million to the nonprofit Accelerate Action Inc. in 2020 and 2021, which in turn gave at least $300,000 in 2022 to Gen Z for Change, the newspaper reported, citing tax filings.

Gen Z for Change describes itself as a network of more than 500 social media “activists, organizers, and creators.” Across various social media platforms, the group publishes content promoting abortion, gun control, liberal immigration policy, and “climate justice,” according to its website.

These causes have long been championed by Soros. However, Gen Z for Change has also found itself hired by President Joe Biden to spread his message and attack Republican politicians.

Members of Gen Z for Change were invited to interview then-White House coronavirus tsar Dr. Anthony Fauci in 2021, and were summoned to the White House last year for a briefing on the conflict in Ukraine, during which they were asked to produce “explanatory” content on the US policy and goals in the conflict.

The cozy relationship between the Biden administration and Gen Z for Change has garnered significant media attention, and was lampooned by Saturday Night Live last year.

Aside from funding social media campaigns, Soros also funneled $128 million to Democratic candidates and organizations during last year’s midterm season, making him the largest donor of that election cycle. Soros has since stepped down from the helm of the Open Society Foundations, handing control of the NGO over to his son, Alex Soros.

https://www.rt.com/news/583066-soros-funded-tiktok-army/

Russell Brand accused of raping, sexually assaulting 4 women — including 16-year-old he called ‘the child’: report

Russell Brand was accused of raping, sexually assaulting and abusing four women over the course of seven years — and one victim was a 16-year-old he allegedly called “the child,” according to a bombshell report the British actor and comedian denied prior to its release.

The allegations against the 48-year-old stem from the height of his fame between 2006 and 2013, according to a joint investigation published Saturday by the Times of London and Channel 4 Dispatches.

One woman alleges the “Get Him to the Greek” star raped her against the wall of his Los Angeles home and was treated at a rape crisis center the same day, according to medical records cited by the outlets.

The woman later told Brand that she had been scared and felt taken advantage of, telling him, “When a girl [says] NO, it means no” — to which he responded he was “very sorry,” text messages cited by the report show.

Another accuser who was 16 at the time alleged that the then-31-year-old called her “the child” and assaulted her during their “emotionally abusive and controlling” three-month relationship, according to the report.

The woman — who is known only by the pseudonym “Alice” and was above the age of consent in the UK — said Brand was “grooming” her, an allegation a relative backed up to the Sunday Times during its investigation.

Alice said he told her to read Vladimir Nabokov’s salacious “Lolita,” save his number in her phone under the name “Carly” and even gave her “scripts” to lie to her parents.

“It was isolating,” she told the outlet.

Brand allegedly even sent a car to take Alice out of school and to his home, she said. On one occasion, his driver told her not to go into the comedian’s home.

“‘Please. I’m asking you not to go in there. You could be my little girl, and I would want someone to do this for her,” Alice recalled the chauffer saying.

Alice also accused Brand of once making her choke when he “forced his penis down her throat” and she allegedly punched him in the stomach to get him to stop.

A third accuser claimed the “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” star sexually assaulted her when she worked with him in Hollywood and threatened legal action against her if she went public with the allegations, and a fourth alleged victim said she was sexually assaulted and physically and emotionally abused by him, the outlets reported.

https://nypost.com/2023/09/16/russell-brand-accused-of-raping-sexually-assaulting-four-women-including-16-year-old-report/

>>19562771

Russell Brand says he is victim of 'co-ordinated campaign' after receiving 'extremely disturbing letters' from media firms outlining 'serious criminal allegations' as he insists all relationships were consensual as he is backed by Elon Musk and Andrew Tate

Speculation was mounting over a mystery Channel 4 investigation tonight

Elon Musk and Andrew Tate have backed Russell Brand's claims that he is a victim of a 'co-ordinated media attack', as the comedian took to his YouTube channel to 'absolutely deny' what he called 'very serious criminal allegations' made against him.

The video comes ahead of a much-anticipated Channel 4 Dispatches investigation set to air at 9pm tonight, with speculation building over who or what could at the centre of the investigation.

Sources said the long running current affairs documentary series will feature details about a well-known celebrity, which the Mail have been told are shocking.

There is no indication that Brand will feature in the programme, however, last night he made a video address to fans where he insisted any relationships he had 'during his time of promiscuity' were 'consensual'.

Brand said he had received two 'extremely disturbing letters' from a 'mainstream media TV company' and a newspaper which the comedian said listed 'a litany of extremely egregious and aggressive attacks, which are untrue'.

Amidst his denial of the allegations the comedian and actor said 'we have seen coordinated media attacks before', referring to Joe Rogan announcing he had taken anti-parasite drug Ivermectin to treat his Covid-19 infection during the pandemic.

Brand said he was 'aware of newspapers making phone calls' and 'sending letters' to people he knows for 'ages and ages', claiming he feels that 'there's a serious and consorted agenda to control these kind of spaces', referring to his YouTube channel.

Supporting Brand, YouTuber and self-proclaimed misogynist Tate took to X, posting a cartoon meme of a knight preparing for battle, captioned: 'On my way to fight the crazy b***h allegations'.

Alongside the image, he captioned it 'Welcome to the club Russell Brand'.

Tate, who is currently facing charges of rape and human trafficking - which he has denied - in a separate Tweet responded to Brand's video calling it a 'Matrix attack'.

The video also appeared to win the support of tech tycoon Musk, who replied to Brand on X seemingly backing the British star's comments on the media. He said: 'Of course. They don't like competition.'

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12525509/Russell-Brand-says-victim-ordinated-campaign-receiving-extremely-disturbing-letters-media-firms-outlining-criminal-allegations-insists-relationships-consensual-backed-Elon-Musk-Andrew-Tate.html

Ukrainian Opposition Lawmaker Arrested on Suspicion of High Treason, Spreading Russian ‘False Narratives’

An opposition MP has been arrested and detained on suspicion of treason in Ukraine, with the nation’s security service claiming to have collected evidence of him spreading Russian propaganda.

Nestor Shufrych, a member of the Opposition Platform — For Life party that was banned by President Volodymyr Zelensky through martial law measures last March following the Russian invasion, is facing 15 years in prison on suspicion of high treason. He is alleged to have spread the “Kremlin’s false narratives that the Ukrainian state is ‘an artificial entity’, that Ukraine and Russia ‘have one history’, and that Ukrainians and Russians are ‘one people’.”

The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) claimed in a statement on Friday that the current member of the Ukrainian parliament had closely cooperated with and carried out instructions” of former National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine Secretary Volodymyr Sivkovych, who fled to Russia in 2014 following the Western-backed Maidan Revolution that toppled the democratically-elected government of Viktor Yanukovych.

The SSU has claimed that Sivkovych served as an agent of the Russian FSB intelligence agency and oversaw “Russian assets” in Ukraine. In addition, the security service claimed that he established a “mole farm” to carry out “subversive activities against Ukraine.”

In total, 45 searches were carried out in the homes of MP Shufrych and his “close associates” by the SSU. Under Article 111 of the Ukrainian constitution, the crime of treason is punishable with up to 15 years in prison. According to Ukrainian state media Suspilne, Shufrych was given a two-month detention order on Friday evening following his arrest by a district court in Kyiv.

The arrest of the political rival of President Zelensky comes amid questions over whether his martial law government will hold elections amid the war with Russia.

Under normal circumstances, voters would head to the polls in March of next year, however, Zelensky has said that he would only consider allowing elections if the United States and the European Union provide more money to cover the costs.

A typical election, Zelensky said last month, would cost around 5 billion hryvnia ($135 million). Yet, the cost would likely be much higher due to millions of Ukrainians living abroad after fleeing the country after the invasion.

Even if Zelensky were to approve elections, it is unclear if he would lift the prohibition on several opposition parties, including the Opposition Platform — For Life to which Shufrych belongs, which were banned last year for being too pro-Russian, despite the Opposition Platform — For Life denouncing Moscow’s invasion.

In the 2019 election that saw Zelensky elected, the Opposition Platform — For Life party was the second most popular party besides Zelensky’s Servant of the People party.

While Zelensky’s leadership during the war has seen his support in the country soar, his government has recently come under heavy scrutiny over a growing number of corruption scandals in former Soviet state, with 78 per cent of the public holding the president personally responsible for the corruption issues within the government and military.

https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2023/09/16/ukrainian-opposition-lawmaker-arrested-on-suspicion-of-high-treason-spreading-russian-false-narratives24970632/

Panama Canal traffic nearly HALTED due to “drought,” global supply chain NIGHTMARE to unfold

Through the rest of the month, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has suspended all bookings for super vessels in an attempt to mitigate the escalating backlog of ships waiting to proceed through the canal to their final destinations.

The worst backlog right now is in the "super" category, which includes shipping vessels carrying between 4,000 and 5,000 units that are 20 feet in length each. The ACP's reservation system does not currently allow vessels this large to make reservations, so they are having to travel through one by one on a first-come, first-served basis.

In an announcement, the ACP confirmed that there are now 116 vessels waiting to traverse the Panama Canal, 66 of which have no appointment. All vessels are being encouraged to use the queueing system to reserve a slot, otherwise they will have to wait until all scheduled transit is complete.

Right now, the average wait time for a vessel to pass through the Panama Canal is 5.8 days for general cargo vessels.

Panama is already halfway through its traditional rainy season, which is one of the driest on record

As lack of rainfall worsens water levels at the canal, the ACP's daily transit limits and vessel draft restrictions will remain in place at least until this time next year – unless massive rainfall occurs, which is unlikely as Panama enters its dry season in late November.

Over the next 12 months, the ACP will continue to review all available options to try to maintain fluidity through the canal, though options are likely to remain limited.

"We will manage the water levels and we are looking for long-term solutions to maintain 44 feet of draft," said ACP administrator Ricaurte Vazquez at a recent news conference.

"If we have to consider transit reductions, we will. This would be to continue with a draft of 44 feet. We will not reduce draft. If we do that, it will impact 70 percent of our shippers."

Strangely, water levels at the Panama Canal were at their highest level ever earlier this year. Then a drought hit that the media says has "eaten into the reservoir levels."

Now, water levels at Gatun Lake, which feeds the canal, are at a four-year low, which is especially concerning when considering that Panama is already halfway through its traditional rainy season, which has been one of the driest on record.

"Normally at the end of the rainy season in November, the lake's water level reaches 88.58 feet," reported Freight Waves. "Today, the water levels are at 79.6 feet."

The amount of water it takes to allow one single vessel to pass through the Panama Canal is 50 million gallons. To help save water, the ACP has instituted a reduction in allowable daily vessel transits from 34-36 per day to just 32 per day. All vessels must also be 40 percent lighter than normal.

That 40 percent reduction requirement is actually making the problem worse as it means that more partially-filled vessels are needed to transport the same amount of cargo that would fit on just one vessel at full capacity.

"We will honor all reservations," Vasquez stressed, all things considered. "The Panama Canal is still the route of choice for maritime. We will accommodate our customers."

http://www.womensystems.com/2023/09/panama-canal-traffic-nearly-halted-due.html

Senate finance committee approves Taiwan tax bill

The Senate Finance Committee voted 27-0 on Thursday to approve legislation that would allow people and businesses operating in both Taiwan and the United States to only be taxed in one jurisdiction.

A key part of efforts to normalize ties between the United States and the self-governing island, which Beijing claims as a renegade province but enjoys close military ties with Washington, the bill now heads to the full Senate, where it is expected to receive similar support.

Sen. Ron Wyden, a Democrat from Oregon who serves as committee chair, said he expected the legislation to be encoded into the tax code “within months not years” given its broad support.

“The momentum behind the proposal comes from the fact that the Senate, on a bipartisan basis, fully supports strengthening America’s economic partnership with Taiwan,” Wyden said at the hearing.

Taiwan is the United States’ 9th largest trade partner, according to the Census Bureau, with a similar volume of trade as with India. The island makes more than two-thirds of the world’s microchips, with one company, TSMC, responsible for 90% of the most advanced chips.

Wyden said the bill would simplify cross-border investment by making life easier for business people and companies operating in both the United States and Taiwan, and reduce the tax burden.

“Let’s say somebody from Portland needs to go to Taipei for three weeks as part of their job training,” he said. “Right now, they may have to fill out a Taiwanese tax return and deal with all kinds of U.S. tax filing headaches. Once we get this done, they go to Taiwan for a short business trip, they do their job, come home and not worry.”

No treaty

Sen. Mike Crapo, a Republican from Idaho and his party’s ranking member on the committee, said that the bill includes a clause that will prevent it from taking effect without reciprocal laws in Taiwan.

He noted that Taiwan was the “second-largest export destination for Idaho products,” with large exports of electrical goods and machinery, and that the island’s extensive trade ties with the United States meant the reform would also receive widespread support in Taiwan.

“Deepening ties with Taiwan and its vibrant democracy is in our nation’s best interest,” Crapo said. “Taiwan is our largest trading partner with whom we do not have an income tax treaty.”

https://americanmilitarynews.com/2023/09/senate-finance-committee-approves-taiwan-tax-bill/

Ford CEO Jim Farley On Auto Strike: ‘Transition To EVs’ Is Top Priority Despite Losing $4.5 Billion

CNN anchor Jake Tapper grilled Ford CEO Jim Farley during an interview this week about the United Auto Workers (UAW) strike that is impacting America’s big three automakers.

Around 13,000 auto workers stopped working as picketing began outside a Ford factory in Wayne, Michigan; a GM assembly plant in Wentzville, Missouri; and a Stellantis Jeep plant in Toledo, Ohio. The strike comes after weeks of negotiations between the union and leadership at the automakers.

A CNN reporter was interviewing Farley when Tapper interrupted her and to point out what the head of the UAW was saying.

“I just wanted to pass on a question based on something he told me the other day which is that over the last four years, each of the Big Three car manufacturers’ CEOs, in addition to their multimillion dollar salaries, they received on average of 40 percent pay increase,” Tapper said. “So why are the auto workers wanting a raise beyond what’s been asked, why is that so offensive compared to the 40 percent raises they have given themselves?”

Farley said that the company was “really open to huge increases” in the “double digit” range, “increases we have never seen before, 20-plus percent.”

Farley said that going to 40 percent would put the company out of business and that he refused to cut the company’s push for electric vehicles, despite losing $4.5 billion in the endeavor.

“There’s a fine line here that we won’t go past, which is we want everyone to participate in our success. But if it prevents us from investing in this transition to EVs and in future products like the ones we have now, like new F-150, bestselling vehicle in the world — in the U.S., then everyone’s job is at risk if we don’t invest,” he said.

Tapper pushed back, “It’s just there have been record auto profits, bailouts by the U.S. government. These huge raises that these CEOs are giving themselves, and I just wonder, why there isn’t more of a desire of the CEOs to have the workers share in the profits that are coming in to these automakers who just need we remind him were bailed outside by the U.S. taxpayer a few years ago?”

http://www.yourdestinationnow.com/2023/09/ford-ceo-jim-farley-on-auto-strike.html

‘Health, peace, prosperity’: From Biden to Zelensky, leaders wish Jews happy New Year

Rosh Hashanah message from Ukraine’s president (briefly) features Hebrew greeting, while Indian PM posts entire message in the language

Leaders from around the world offered New Year’s greetings to the Jewish people Friday night as the latter celebrated Rosh Hashanah.

In a missive, US President Joe Biden said, “During this spiritual time of reflection and atonement, we are also uplifted by the hope a new year brings” and “are reminded that it is never too late to change and begin anew. Our actions have the power to shift the balance of our fate, our nation, and our world.”

He added: “I’ve always believed that the message of Rosh Hashanah is universal. As Americans, the power lies within each of us to make our country more free and fair, to transform the story of our time, and to heal the soul of our nation.”

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak wished a good year to Jews in Britain and around the world, saying that “British Jews play an integral part in the success of this nation, and I am delighted the vibrant and diverse Jewish faith continues to thrive across the country.”

Referencing the fight against hate as well as legislation in the works to ban boycotts of Israel, Sunak added: “I will always stand with you. You can count on me to keep you safe, to champion the ban on boycotts, divestments and sanctions, and fight antisemitism in any form.”

https://www.timesofisrael.com/health-peace-prosperity-from-biden-to-zelensky-leaders-wish-jews-happy-new-year/

Biden says they will “increase the number and intensity of extreme weather events. And we will use all the resources available to the government to do it.”

@ 3:30

https://youtu.be/9dB7ftIODj8

"Migration Economy": South American Businessmen, Politicians Making 'Tens Of Millions' On Human Trafficking Empire

As migrants from Central America surge north in hopes of reaching the porous US border, businessmen and elected officials have turned the journey into a well-oiled, and profitable, machine - making "tens of millions" of dollars per year (or more, see below).

The Darién Gap, once a formidable natural barrier between North and South America, has essentially become a marketplace. Remote and beautiful, a constellation of small towns leading to the gap has been become a hub for mass migration, according to the NY Times.

The towns are riddled with poverty, and are housing a population that has long been victims of the country's internal conflicts. Their sewage, water, and electricity systems, already frail, were overwhelmed when thousands of Haitians began to show up in 2021, fleeing the chaos that spiraled after their President's assassination.

The Darién Gap has quickly morphed into one the Western Hemisphere’s most pressing political and humanitarian crises. A trickle only a few years ago has become a flood: More than 360,000 people have already crossed the jungle in 2023, according to the Panamanian government, surpassing last year’s almost unthinkable record of nearly 250,000.

In response, the United States, Colombia and Panama signed an agreement in April to “end the illicit movement of people” through the Darién Gap, a practice that “leads to death and exploitation of vulnerable people for significant profit.” -NY Times

Opportunists seize the day

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/migration-economy-south-american-businessmen-politicians-making-tens-millions-human

Barbara Lerner Spectre calls for destruction of Christian European ethnic societies

https://youtu.be/G45WthPTo24

Hunter Biden-linked Russian billionaires spared yet again by US sanctions

https://youtu.be/nA411H0q6N8

Australian State Media

Prospect of another 'erratic' Trump presidency prompts call to move faster on AUKUS

A Republican senator has renewed calls for the US to step up its production of nuclear-powered submarines before selling them as part of AUKUS, arguing America is as "unprepared" as it was ahead of the Pearl Harbor attack.

The US is set to transfer at least three Virginia-class submarines to Australia from the early 2030s under the AUKUS agreement.

However, the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services committee, Roger Wicker, told a hearing in Washington this week that the US was failing to meet its own shipbuilding targets.

"We should be producing somewhere between 2.3 and 2.5 attack submarines a year to fulfil our own requirements as we implement AUKUS," he said.

"Instead, we're down to building 1.2 attack submarines per year… and the path back toward two per year is based on hopes and wishes.

"We are as unprepared as our fleet was for the Japanese attack on the eve of Pearl Harbor in 1941. We need to act."

Senator Wicker insists he supports the AUKUS agreement but has refused to back legislation in congress authorising the transfer of the submarines, arguing substantial new investments are needed in America's shipbuilding capacity first.

In a letter to the president last month, he and 24 other Republicans argued selling submarines to Australia without a clear plan to replace them would "unacceptably weaken" the US fleet at the same time that China expands its military power.

"AUKUS presents a generational opportunity to strengthen deterrence in the Indo-Pacific, and there is strong bipartisan support for the agreement," Senator Wicker said in emailed comments to the ABC.

"But the Biden administration must complete significant work before I can be convinced that it has a comprehensive vision for how AUKUS can be implemented fully in the near term.

"That work includes immediately delivering to congress a major submarine industrial base study and working with congress to build a plan to fix our submarine production and maintenance problems."

Push for speed amid prospect of another Trump term

The AUKUS agreement will see Australia obtain up to five Virginia-class submarines from the US before eventually building its own nuclear-powered boats.

But two years after the deal was first announced, the US Congress still needs to sign off on several legislative proposals to progress it.

They include legislation to approve the sale of the subs, to allow Australia to make a promised $3 billion contribution to US shipyards, and to facilitate the sharing of sensitive technology.

One of AUKUS's most public backers in congress, Democrat Joe Courtney, argued the US legislative body was "not built for speed" but he remained optimistic of overcoming the issues raised by Republicans.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-16/aukus-submarine-deal-two-years-on-republicans-warning/102860868

Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis resign from anti-child sex abuse charity

Actors Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis had each provided a written character reference for Danny Masterson during his rape trial, triggering major backlash.

Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis have stepped down from the board of the charity he set up to tackle child sexual abuse following backlash over their support of convicted rapist Danny Masterson.

Kutcher established Thorn with ex-wife Demi Moore in 2012, which works to build technology to defend children from sexual abuse.

In a statement published to the organisation's website, Kutcher announced he would resign as chair effective immediately.

Kunis will also step down as an observer at the same time.

"After my wife and I spent several days of listening, personal reflection, learning, and conversations with survivors and the employees and leadership at Thorn, I have determined the responsible thing for me to do is resign as Chairman of the Board, effectively immediately," the letter reads.

"I cannot allow my error in judgment to distract from our efforts and the children we serve. "

The couple each provided a written character reference for Masterson during his trial for the rapes of two women that occurred in 2001 and 2003 at his Hollywood Hills house.

Despite Kutcher's assertion he was an “excellent role model" and Kunis' claim he was "an extraordinary husband" Masterson was sentenced to serve 30 years to life in prison.

The couple took to social media last week to apologise for “the pain caused” by the letters.

“We support victims, we have done this historically through our work and will continue to do so in the future,” they said in a video.

https://www.skynews.com.au/world-news/ashton-kutcher-and-mila-kunis-resign-from-charity-after-writing-character-letter-for-convicted-rapist-danny-masterson/news-story/01c2e9c9f0557575a44196294196f07d

Texas State Rep. Calls for House Speaker Dade Phelan to “Step Down” After Acquittal of AG Ken Paxton on All Articles of Impeachment

Texas State Representative Brian Harrison has called for House Speaker Dade Phelan to “step down immediately” following the acquittal of Attorney General Ken Paxton on all articles of impeachment. Harrison’s demand comes on the heels of a statement released by Paxton earlier this year, in which he accused Phelan of being “unworthy of Texans’ trust.”

In a scathing statement, Rep. Harrison wrote, “Speaker Phelan must step down now for empowering this Democrat effort while killing Republican priorities.” He continued, “I applaud the Texas Senate for conducting a fair and transparent trial and for reaching a verdict that was obviously correct given the shocking lack of evidence.”

Harrison accused the Texas House leadership of misleading and pressuring Republicans to join a Democrat-led effort to impeach Paxton, thereby tarnishing the reputation of the entire Texas House. He also called for an investigation by the State Auditor’s office to determine how much taxpayer money was wasted on the impeachment proceedings.

Read his full statement:

I applaud the Texas Senate for conducting a fair and transparent trial and for reaching a verdict that was obviously correct given the shocking lack of evidence. The Texas House leadership, who mislead and pressured Republicans to join a Democrat effort to overturn an election, has, possibly irreparably, disgraced itself and tarnished the reputation of the entire Texas House.

The staggering incompetence and dishonest conduct on display by the leadership of the Texas House, House General Investigating Committee, and Board of Managers must be repudiated.

Before trial, House leadership said, in writing, that Attorney General Paxton demonstrated a “shocking pattern of abuse and criminality” and “the evidence we found was conclusive.” These were either outright lies, or the House Managers were so blinded by their desire to railroad a political enemy that they failed to take time to learn the truth. We now know that much of what was presented as fact by members of the House General Investigation Committee were demonstratable falsehoods. Yet many House Republicans relied on these assertions and voted to impeach.

The next generation is on the line; with every freedom and liberty being eroded.

Yet instead of securing the border, passing school choice, banning COVID mandates, fixing our grid and energy market, reining in emergency executive powers, cutting spending, ending property taxes, deregulating our economy, or stopping communist governments from buying Texas land, the Speaker of the House prioritized the impeachment of a recently re-elected Attorney General who has proven he is up to the most important task of our time: fighting the out of control federal government, which seeks to destroy our rights, our freedoms, our liberties, our state sovereignty, and the Constitution.

For that reason, in addition to his appointment of liberal Democrats to chair powerful committees and his presiding over the House while clearly unable to execute the duties of his office, I am calling on Speaker Dade Phelan to step down immediately.

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2023/09/texas-state-rep-calls-house-speaker-dade-phelan/

Trudeau Threatens 'Grocery Tax' To Combat 'Record Profits'

In a move that totally won't backfire and be passed along to the consumer, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has threatened to tax Canadian grocers if they don't lower grocery costs.

"Large grocery chains are making record profits," Trudeau claimed Thursday. "Those profits should not be made on the backs of people struggling to feed their families."

Grocers have until Thanksgiving to stabilize prices, otherwise tax measures may be on the way for 'Loblaw, Metro, Empire, Walmart and Costco,' according to Rebel News.

Francois-Philippe Champagne, interior minister, said the Canadian government would also begin to engage with other players in the food industry.

"We're going to start with the five largest grocers in Canada, representing about 80% of the market, and we're going to be in solution mode with obvious deadlines and very clear outcomes for Canadians," he said, adding "We're going to bring them to Ottawa, talk to them about meaningful action, and if they fail, there'll be consequences."

More via Rebel News;

The call for relief comes as grocery prices rose 8.5% in July — nearly three times the overall inflation rate.

However, the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) believes another tax will not improve affordability when Canadians go to checkouts across the country.

"The last thing Canadians need is a grocery tax," said Franco Terrazzano, CTF Federal Director. "Instead of hammering Canadians with a grocery tax, Trudeau should scrap his carbon tax, making food prices more expensive."

"Another tax won't make groceries more affordable, it'll make them more expensive," he said.

Canada's Food Price Report 2023 predicted a 5% to 7% food price increase in 2023 following 10% increases last year, with vegetables, dairy and meat becoming more expensive.

The average family of four is expected to spend up to $16,288.41 annually on food this year — up an additional $1,065.60 from 2022.

"Not only are some nutritious foods more difficult to find, but they can also be more expensive," according a report, Evaluation Of The Office Of Nutrition Policy And Promotion.

https://www.zerohedge.com/political/trudeau-threatens-grocery-tax-combat-record-profits