FOUR CHINESE ENTREPRENEURS RECENTLY JUMP TO THEIR DEATHS – IS CHINA’S ECONOMY CRASHING?

https://joehoft.com/four-chinese-entrepreneurs-recently-jump-to-their-deaths-is-chinas-economy-crashing/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=four-chinese-entrepreneurs-recently-jump-to-their-deaths-is-chinas-economy-crashing

…Xiao Yi, a London-based Chinese finance professional with 30 years of experience in the industry and a China watcher, shared his analysis of the four deaths with the Chinese edition of The Epoch Times, where he is a regular contributor. Although the deaths occurred in different sectors, Xiao said he believes that it reveals common underlying pressures strangling China’s private sector, which includes collapsing cash flows, mounting debt, policy uncertainty, and the erosion of public trust.

He noted that China’s ballooning local government debt has crowded out private-sector financing. While state media champion slogans like “supporting the real economy,” capital is disproportionately funneled to state-owned enterprises (SOEs), leaving private firms informally blacklisted from loans. Continue…

Secretary of State Marco Rubio Confirms U.S. Is Moving to Designate Muslim Brotherhood as Terrorist Organization

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/08/secretary-state-marco-rubio-confirms-u-s-is/

The Biden State Department wouldn’t touch it for years, but under a new America First foreign policy, Secretary of State Marco Rubio is making it clear that the days of the Muslim Brotherhood hiding behind political activism are numbered.

On Tuesday, Rubio told Sid Rosenberg of “Sid and Friends in the Morning” that the U.S. is already in the process of formally designating the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization, Newsmax reported.

The exchange came after Rosenberg called out New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani for raking in support from radical groups like the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).

Rubio emphasized that while the process is lengthy and requires extensive review, his State Department is actively pursuing it. Continue…

HORROR: Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Doctor Federally Charged with Possessing Over 153,000 Images and 470 Videos of Child Sexual Abuse — Victims as Young as Newborns

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/08/horror-cincinnati-childrens-hospital-doctor-federally-charged-possessing/

A former physician at one of the nation’s most respected pediatric institutions is facing federal charges for allegedly amassing one of the largest known personal collections of child sexual abuse material in recent history.

Howard M. Saal, 73, a former geneticist and dysmorphologist at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, appeared in federal court this week after investigators say they uncovered a horrifying trove of over 153,000 images and 470 videos of child pornography, with some victims reportedly being as young as newborns.

According to charging documents, the nightmare began when a Hamilton County Sheriff’s detective assigned to the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force received a cyber tip tracing child pornography image searches back to Saal’s home IP address, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio.

The tip included a disturbing image depicting two naked girls, estimated to be just 10 years old, engaged in explicit conduct.

When investigators executed search warrants, they allegedly discovered a staggering digital archive of abuse. The FBI says many files involved infants, toddlers, and prepubescent children subjected to unspeakable acts. Continue…

Religious collapse in Spain: Vocations on the brink of extinction and the church in free fall.

https://gatewayhispanic.com/2025/08/religious-collapse-spain-vocations-brink-extinction-church-free/

A recent report from the CEU-CEFAS Demographic Observatory, a center linked to the San Pablo CEU University of Madrid, reveals an unprecedented crisis in the Spanish Catholic Church, marked by the collapse of vocations, the drastic decline of the sacraments, and the massive abandonment of religious practice.

While Catholicism is growing strongly in Africa and Latin America, Spain is witnessing the collapse of its historic religious identity. The authors of the study point to the loss of Catholic Tradition and an ideological shift toward progressive positions incompatible with doctrine as the main causes.

Spain: From Catholic Leadership to Practical Irrelevance . Continue…

If Canada Wasn’t Taking Advantage of America, Why Did They Just Lose 40k Jobs to Trump’s Tariffs?

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/08/canada-wasnt-taking-advantage-america-just-lose-40k/

President Donald Trump’s tariff policies have exposed Democrats, the establishment media, and most so-called “experts” as either liars or fools.

For instance, according to Reuters, Canada’s economy lost 40,800 jobs in July, seemingly belying the Democrat- and establishment media-promoted narrative that Trump’s tariffs would upend a trade partnership in which prosperity and fairness prevailed for both the United States and its northern neighbor.

In other words, if Canadians already treated Americans fairly, then why would tariffs have a negative impact on Canada?

Michael Davenport, senior economist at Oxford Economics, noted a significant reversal from June, when Canada added 83,000 jobs.

“Canada’s labor market snapped back to reality in July,” Davenport said.

In this case, “reality” hit hard thanks to Trump’s tariffs on steel, aluminum, and autos. The Canadian manufacturing sector alone lost 10,000 jobs. Continue…

ASTROTURF: Company That Provides Paid Protesters Reports 400 Percent Increase as Trump Cracks Down on DC Crime

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/08/astroturf-company-that-provides-paid-protesters-reports-400/

There have been quite a few protests in Washington, DC since Trump announced that he was going to crack down on crime in the city, but it’s hard to know if any of it is real or not.

A company that provides protesters for a price is reporting a 400 percent increase in demand.

Of course, the liberal media has been all to happy to report on the protests as if they’re completely organic.

FOX News reports: Continue…

Declassified Memos Reveal Comey’s Secret Media Mole Leaked Classified Information to The New York Times to Push For Special Counsel to Investigate Trump in Russia Hoax

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/08/declassified-memos-reveal-comeys-secret-media-mole-leaked/

Newly declassified memos reveal James Comey’s secret media mole Daniel Richman leaked classified information to The New York Times’s Michael Schmidt to help push for a special counsel in May 2017.

It was previously reported that James Comey penned nine memos stemming from his conversations with President Trump – and then leaked them through his Columbia University law professor ‘friend’ Daniel Richman.

Comey told the Senate Intel Committee in a June 2017 testimony that he asked a ‘friend’ of his to leak contents from memos he kept regarding his conversation with President Trump to the New York Times.

Comey admitted this after Senator Susan Collins asked him why he kept the memos. She then asked if he ever shared any of them outside the DOJ.

Daniel Richman confirmed to the Washington Examiner that he was Comey’s friend at Columbia. He has been referred to in the New York Times as a “longtime confidant and friend of Mr. Comey’s,” and his bio at Columbia’s website lists him as an “adviser to FBI Director James B. Comey.”

Not once did he ever disclose Daniel Richman was one of his personal lawyers or an unpaid employee of the FBI until right before his testimony.

In newly declassified memos, it was revealed that Comey shared classified information with Daniel Richman.

Richman told agents conducting the FBI’s “Arctic Haze” investigation that some of the classified information was all the way up to the SCI level [Sensitive Compartmented Information].

According to Just The News, the Arctic Haze investigation focused on four articles stemming from Richman’s leaks. Continue…

Chinese Ships Collide: Karmic Payback for Years of Bullying the Philippine Coast Guard

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/08/chinese-ships-collide-karmic-payback-years-bullying-philippine/

On an ongoing basis, the Chinese Coast Guard has harassed and intimidated Philippine Coast Guard and fishing vessels in the South China Sea. China claims almost the entire sea, while the Permanent Court of Arbitration has rejected China’s claims. As the Philippine ships and vessels continues to use territory which the world recognizes as belonging to the Philippines, China has historically used bully tactics, blocking, ramming, and damaging Philippine vessels or shooting them with high powered water cannons. This week, China was dished some karmic justice when two of its bully ships collided, rendering one of them on seaworthy.

This increased aggression by China is one of the primary reasons why the US Navy conducts freedom of navigation patrols in the region.

On Monday, August 11, 2025, two Chinese vessels collided while pursuing Philippine Coast Guard ships near Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. The Chinese Coast Guard cutter CCG 3104 struck the PLA Navy guided-missile destroyer Guilin (hull number 164) a botched blockade attempt. Continue…

PANIC IN KIEV: Russian Forces Breach Ukrainian Defenses, Make a Major Breakthrough in Donetsk Region

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/08/panic-kiev-russian-forces-breach-ukrainian-defenses-make/

Ukrainian defenses are buckling under the relentless Russian pressure.

This happened in the area near Pokrovsk: instead of banging their heads against a heavily fortified city, Russian forces, as they do, circumvent it, seeking to cut all supply lines and encircle the defenders, at which point the garrison has to either surrender or be destroyed by attacks from all sides.

This playbook was implemented in Bakhmut, Avdiivka, Kurakhovo, Ugledar and so many other places.

What is striking now is that the northern prong, expected to turn west to encircle Pokrovsk, found weaknesses on the depleted defenses, and dashed north by 9 miles.

Post by Senior Editor Security Policy and Conflicts at German paper BILD, Julian Röpcke. Continue…

New Details Emerge About Golden Dome's Four-Layer Missile Defense Shield

https://www.zerohedge.com/military/new-details-emerge-about-golden-domes-four-layer-missile-defense-shield

The "Hemispheric Defense" theme is gaining momentum with new details emerging that the Golden Dome missile defense system will comprise of four layers: one space-based and three ground-based, including 11 short-range batteries positioned across the continental U.S., Alaska, and Hawaii.

Reuters cited a U.S. government slide presentation on the project, titled "Go Fast, Think Big!", which was presented to 3,000 defense contractors in Huntsville, Alabama, last week. Think of the Golden Dome as Israel's Iron Dome on serious steroids, given its complexity and scale.

According to the slides, the Golden Dome's missile defense shield architecture calls for:

Space layer: satellites for missile warning, tracking, and boost-phase interception.

Upper layer: Next Generation Interceptors (NGI), THAAD, and Aegis systems — with a new missile field likely in the Midwest.

Under layer: Patriot systems, new radars, and a common launcher for current and future interceptors.

Reuters noted: Continue…

Ukraine Strikes Russia's Largest Crude Export Pumping Station Near Border

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/ukraine-strikes-russias-largest-crude-export-pumping-station-near-border

Ukraine's Main Directorate of Intelligence in coordination with the military have claimed a direct major hit on yet another site within Russia's oil infrastructure: a key oil-pumping station on the Druzhba pipeline located in Unecha, Bryansk Oblast.

The overnight strike reportedly caused a fire in the facility’s line production and dispatch control center, resulting in Russian emergency servies rushing to the scene, in a southern border area.

This hub of Russia's crude exporting pipelines was scene of a series of explosions and large fire. In all during the attack there was a broader, and what's become typical, assault which saw Russia down 46 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) overnight. Continue…

New EU Media "Freedom Law" Allows For Journalist Arrests If Justified By "Public Interest"

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/new-eu-media-freedom-law-allows-journalist-arrests-if-justified-public-interest

The European Union’s “European Media Freedom Act” became binding law across all member states on August 8, but behind its name lies a set of provisions that could restrict the very freedoms it claims to safeguard.

Alongside language about protecting reporters, the regulation authorizes arrests, sanctions, and surveillance of journalists whenever authorities say it serves an “overriding reason in the general interest.”

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, hailed the legislation’s arrival on social media, saying, “A free and independent press is an essential pillar of our democracy. With our European Media Freedom Act, we want to improve their protection. This allows journalists to continue their important work safely and without disruption or intimidation.” Continue…

Birth Rate Among Refugee Women In Austria Nearly Triple That Of Native-Born Austrians

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/birth-rate-among-refugee-women-austria-nearly-triple-native-born-austrians

New figures show that women from Syria, Afghanistan, and Iraq living in Austria have an average birth rate almost three times higher than that of Austrian-born women, according to data from the country’s Statistical Yearbook on Migration and Integration.

The report finds that Austrian-born women have an average of 1.22 children. Among women not born in Austria, the figure rises to 1.57. However, the figure among some countries of origin rises significantly.

Those born in the former Yugoslavia average 1.94 children, while Turkish-born women have 1.8 children. The highest rates are found among Syrian, Afghan, and Iraqi women, who average 3.3 children each.

Syrian, Afghan, and Iraqi refugees living in Austria are having almost three times as many children as Austrian-born women, according to data from the country’s Statistical Yearbook on Migration and Integration. pic.twitter.com/excbpff5Hl

— Remix News & Views (@RMXnews) August 11, 2025

The report notes that Austrian mothers tend to be older when giving birth, with an average age of 30.4 years for Austrian-born women compared to 28.7 years for non-Austrian-born women. Women from Syria, Afghanistan, and Iraq have their first child at an average age of 26.2 years.

These figures come amid ongoing debate in Austria about the demographic impact of migration since the large influx of refugees from Syria in recent years.

At CPAC Hungary in May, the leader of the Austrian Freedom Party, Herbert Kickl, claimed that mass immigration to Europe is an agenda that is organized as “a consciously controlled ethnic and cultural transformation.” Continue…

A Legacy Erased: Happy Birthday, George Soros

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/legacy-erased-happy-birthday-george-soros

George Soros turns 95 today, and for his birthday present America brought him the annihilation of his legacy.

Soros has been known for two things: making money and spending it on political influence. Over the last few years, he has handed over control of his empire to his son, Alex, and Alex seems unable to do either of those things successfully.

The money

First, Alex ruined his reputation for making money. George was once known as “the man who broke the bank of England,” famous for making $1 billion in one day by sniffing out arbitrage opportunities in currency exchange markets.

Taking control of Soros Fund Management, Alex became the man who broke the bank of Soros. In December 2021, Alex invested $2 billion to buy nearly 20 million shares of an electric vehicle company called Rivian at somewhere between $70 and $100 per share. It was one of the largest one-off investments the fund had ever made.

A year later, Rivan shares were selling for just $18 and Soros Fund Management sold at a loss of what must have been more than $1 billion. HedgeFollow, a website that tracks and ranks U.S. hedge fund performances, currently gives Soros Fund Management a performance rating of 1 out of 5 stars, making it one of the least successful in the country.

The politics

Alex is as talented at making billions vanish as George was at making them appear, but maybe he inherited some of his dad’s skill for political maneuvering and network building?

Well, no, not really. Continue…

Canada Nears Another Record Wildfire Season Without a National Emergency Agency

https://www.breitbart.com/weather/2025/08/13/canada-nears-another-record-wildfire-season-without-a-national-emergency-agency/

Canada is facing hundreds of “out of control” fires this week, prompting tens of thousands of evacuations from British Columbia to Newfoundland and Labrador — but climate change “experts” say the government can do nothing to stop the fires and locals should abandon dreams of mitigation protocol.

Critical context to these calls to let the fires burn out is the fact that Canada has no national-level emergency management agency, such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in the United States, or a national firefighting agency. Provinces must scramble to share resources such as firefighting aircraft and firefighters trained to handle wildfires, often leaving burgeoning fires to spread for days with minimal response. Canada has an agency called “Natural Resources,” which is tasked with an expansive list of responsibilities including managing mineral resources, fossil fuels, and indigenous territories, as well as forest management.

Contrary to academics specializing in climate change, some of Canada’s top firefighting officials are demanding Ottawa establish these agencies — even if only manned by one or two people — to facilitate more rapid responses to the fires when they begin, typically in the spring season.

According to the left-wing British newspaper The Guardian, the 2025 wildfire season is Canada’s second-worst on record, trailing only the disastrous 2023 season that affected over 100 million Americans with plumes of dangerous wildfire smoke reaching as far south as New York City. Canadian authorities have documented the burning of 7.3 million hectares of land in 2025 as of this week. Continue…

What the mainstream media won't tell you about alleged antisemite Khalid El Boyok

https://www.rebelnews.com/what_the_mainstream_media_won_t_tell_you_about_alleged_antisemite_khalid_el_boyok

While the legacy media, and even the police, omitted key details about a man recently charged with inciting hatred against Jews during a Victoria protest, Rebel News’ Drea Humphrey has uncovered what they wouldn’t tell you.

On Monday, 28-year-old Khalid El Boyok quietly made his first court appearance after being charged with public incitement of hatred for an incident that took place on March 17, 2024, at a counter-protest against a pro-Israel demonstration at the B.C. Legislature.

According to a Victoria Police Department (VicPD) press release, El Boyok allegedly directed antisemitic comments toward Jewish demonstrators that day. But their statement omitted key information: his photo, his exact words, and the fact that he appears to have already been known to police.

Video footage captured by Victoria political advisor Charles V. Bodi shows a man confirmed to be El Boyok yelling insults such as: 'Continue…

Hamilton rips down 'Let Kids Be' billboard over 'transphobia'

https://www.rebelnews.com/hamilton_rips_down_let_kids_be_billboard_over_transphobia

Sheila Gunn Reid and Lise Merle react to Hamilton pressuring a sign company to remove a billboard that opposed gender transitions for minors over allegations the ad was "transphobic."

The City of Hamilton has removed a billboard opposing gender transitions for minors, with Mayor Andrea Horwath branding the ad “transphobic.”

Despite the ad being on a privately owned billboard, “it sits on City-leased space, and City advertising rules were not followed,” the mayor said. “We’ve directed Astral Media to remove it and put stronger safeguards in place.”

On Tuesday's Rebel Roundup livestream, Sheila Gunn Reid and Lise Merle reacted to Hamilton's decision to censor the very tame ad, which read “Let kids be. Stop medical transitions for minors” and was set up by the Association for Reformed Political Action Canada. Continue…

Girls' volleyball team forced to share dorms with biological male athlete

https://www.rebelnews.com/girls_volleyball_team_forced_to_share_dorms_with_biological_male_athlete

Sheila Gunn Reid and Lise Merle react to a news report revealing a girls' volleyball team from Nova Scotia was forced to share accommodations with a trans-identifying biological male teammate — and faced backlash after raising concerns.

Girls playing for Team Nova Scotia during a Canada Cup tournament in Toronto are facing backlash from administrators after they privately raised concerns about the unannounced decision to share accommodations during the trip with a trans-identifying biological male on the team.

“At the Canada Cup, players discovered the teenage boy had been assigned to the girls’ dorm,” reports Juno News.

“An anonymous source alleged that while each player had their own room, bathrooms were shared. Some teammates expressed concern in a private Snapchat group, where they discussed their discomfort with the arrangements and the lack of prior consultation. Screenshots reached head coach Jon Elliott, who summoned players from the program’s elite teams for a meeting.”

On Tuesday's Rebel Roundup livestream, Sheila Gunn Reid and Lise Merle weighed in on this latest violation of women and girls' rights. Continue…

Newfoundland premier rejects woods ban, increases fines for fire violations

https://www.rebelnews.com/newfoundland_premier_rejects_woods_ban_increases_fines_for_fire_violations

After New Brunswick and Nova Scotia banned residents from walking in the woods, John Hogan explained that it would be "very difficult" to enforce a similar ban in Newfoundland and Labrador.

On Tuesday's live stream, Sheila Gunn Reid and Lise Merle discussed Newfoundland and Labrador Premier John Hogan's decision to increase fines for violating fire prohibitions rather than banning walking in the woods like in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

The two provinces have faced backlash in recent days after announcing residents are banned from being in the woods due to an elevated risk of wildfires.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Hogan was asked if he has plans to enact a ban on outdoor activities like hiking and fishing in the woods as has happened in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

"It's very difficult to do that here in Newfoundland and Labrador," Hogan said. "People literally go back and forth in their daily activities and lives and to work on ATVS," he continued.

"People literally do live in wooded areas, so I don't know how you ban people from their homes. That's just going to compound the problem in terms of evacuating people who live in or near woods," the premier added. Continue…

Parks Canada quietly removes 'genocide' from historical residential school site

https://www.rebelnews.com/parks_canada_quietly_removes_genocide_from_historical_residential_school_site

In a notable shift, the term “genocide” has been removed from the designation of the Portage la Prairie Indian Residential School as a national historic site.

Parks Canada has removed all references to “genocide” in its latest designation of the Portage la Prairie Indian Residential School as a national historic site.

The agency, which as recently as February 12 described the schools as “cultural genocide,” offered no explanation for the change in its announcement of a plaque unveiling scheduled for tomorrow in Manitoba, as reported by Blacklock’s.

“Built in 1914-1915, the former Portage La Prairie Indian Residential School functioned within the residential school system whereby the federal government and certain churches and religious organizations worked together to assimilate Indigenous children as part of a broad set of efforts to destroy Indigenous cultures and identities and suppress Indigenous histories,” it reads.

While the notice appears to validate the school’s role in assimilationist policies, the genocide claim is absent. This marks a stark departure from the 2015 Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s language, which former prime minister Justin Trudeau endorsed, saying, “I accept the Commission’s report, including the fact they used the word ‘genocide.’” Continue…

Sheila Gunn Reid: CBC refused to call Hamas 'terrorists'—but pushed Freedom Convoy conspiracies

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Hg-8LzWkRE

On yesterday’s episode of The Ezra Levant Show, guest host Sheila Gunn Reid discussed a 2023 letter circulated by then-Director of Journalism Standards George Achi, advising journalists not to refer to Hamas personnel as 'terrorists.'

Visit Rebel News to read this story ► http://rebelne.ws/4lvOJEu

Alberta welcomes Christian singer Sean Feucht after he was ‘canceled’ in eastern Canada

https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/alberta-welcomes-christian-singer-sean-feucht-after-he-was-canceled-in-eastern-canada/

A concert by pro-life singer Sean Feucht on the legislature grounds was approved after cancellations across Canada, highlighting Alberta's commitment to constitutional freedoms.

The Alberta government green-lighted a Christian concert featuring Sean Feucht, an American pro-life singer with links to the MAGA movement.

In an August 11 post on X, Feucht announced that Alberta will allow him to perform on the Legislative Assembly of Alberta’s grounds in Edmonton after his Christian concerts have been cancelled throughout Canada.

“BREAKING NEWS: After more paperwork, discussions, insurance & LOTS OF WORK, #LetUsWorship on the Alberta Legislature grounds in Edmonton is CONFIRMED!” he celebrated.

While Feucht’s ministry has been censored in other provinces, Alberta, known as a more Conservative and freedom-loving province, approved the event.

Therefore, on August 22, Feucht will gather Canadians to participate at his Revive in ’25 – Let Us Worship” on the Alberta Legislature grounds. Continue…

New documentary: mRNA vaccines ‘were never safe nor effective’

https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/new-documentary-mrna-vaccines-were-never-safe-nor-effective/

The message presented in 'Inside mRNA Vaccines: The Movie' is unanimous and clear: the use of vaccine mRNA technology needs to be halted immediately.

A new documentary calls attention to the threat of mRNA vaccines by amplifying the heretofore suppressed voices of doctors and scientists who for the last few years have sounded the alarm about this dangerous new medical technology.

The message presented in Inside mRNA Vaccines: The Movie is unanimous and clear: the use of vaccine mRNA technology needs to be halted immediately.

While the global public has been endlessly subjected to the refrain that the COVID-19 vaccines were “safe and effective,” a large body of evidence proves otherwise.

Despite the multitude of adverse events triggered by the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, pharmaceutical giants seeking to create lucrative new revenue sources are already in the process of rapidly developing scores of new mRNA vaccines and medicines.

And Big Pharma is not acting alone. World leaders are championing the expansion of mRNA technology for the treatment of vaccines and infectious diseases.

Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, has said that she envisions this “pioneering technology” to be the “backbone” of Europe’s future vaccine portfolio.

That sentiment isn’t limited to the far side of the Atlantic.

In his second day back in the White House in January, President Donald Trump, who in 2020 initiated “Operation Warp Speed” which hurriedly produced the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, introduced the “Stargate Partnership” aimed at engineering personalized mRNA cancer vaccines with the help of Artificial Intelligence (AI). As such, Trump ostensibly launched Warp Speed 2.0.

Beyond human medical applications, mRNA technology could be introduced into the food supply through the vaccination of dairy cattle.

As suggested in the film, the introduction of mRNA vaccines could be part of a larger, more sinister globalist agenda. Continue…

Ontario Premier Ford to Meet Carney, Push for Lower Taxes

https://www.theepochtimes.com/world/ontario-premier-ford-to-meet-carney-push-for-lower-taxes-5900409?ea_src=ca-frontpage&ea_med=ontario-premier-ford-to-meet-carney,-push-for-lower-taxes-0

Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he will meet with Prime Minister Mark Carney on Aug. 18 in Ottawa, and he will use the opportunity to urge the federal government to lower taxes.

“We’re taxed to death, simple as that,” Ford said on Aug. 12 press conference, noting the highest marginal tax bracket is nearly 54 percent for those who make more than roughly $250,000 per year.

Ford said that when also accounting for all the taxable goods Canadians spend money on, “we are left with nothing in our pockets.” He added that he will also ask Carney to lower taxes on home purchases.

The premier noted that two decades ago, the Canadian corporate tax was lower than that in the United States, which is no longer the case.

“Let’s beat Trump at his own game,” Ford said. “Let’s make this the most competitive place in the world, because companies nowadays have choices. They are either going to go to a competitive place with great, smart people, or they’re going somewhere else and they’re going to get lower taxes,” he said.

The federal government has passed legislation to cut the lowest income tax bracket by 1 percent. Carney has also said he will cut GST for first-time homebuyers for homes under $1 million. Continue…

Air Canada to Begin Cancelling Flights After Flight Attendants Give Strike Notice

https://www.theepochtimes.com/world/air-canada-to-begin-cancelling-flights-after-flight-attendants-give-strike-notice-5900727?ea_src=ca-frontpage&ea_med=medium-3

Air Canada will begin cancelling flights as the company has issued a lockout notice to the union representing its flight attendants after receiving a 72-hour strike notice.

Canada’s largest airline will carry out a “phased wind down” of its operations over the next three days, Air Canada announced in an Aug. 13 news release.

The company says the first round of flights will be cancelled on Aug. 14, with more cancelled on Aug. 15, and a complete stoppage of flights by Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge on Aug. 16. Air Canada will notify customers whose flights have been cancelled and customers will be eligible for a full refund through the airline’s website or mobile app.

Additionally, customers will be notified of alternative travel options through other Canadian and foreign carriers, which Air Canada has made arrangements with. However, Air Canada warns that alternate options may not always be “immediately” possible since other carriers may be “very full” due to it being peak summer travel season.

“We regret the impact a disruption will have on our customers, our stakeholders and the communities we serve,” Air Canada President Michael Rousseau said in a statement, saying that the airline’s only option in response to the union’s strike notice is to suspend operations in an effort to “provide customers certainty.”

“As we have seen elsewhere in our industry with other labour disruptions, unplanned or uncontrolled shutdowns, such as we are now at risk of through a strike, can create chaos for travellers that is far, far worse,” he said. Continue…

Natural Resources Minister Emphasizes Strong Demand for Canadian LNG

https://www.theepochtimes.com/world/natural-resources-minister-emphasizes-strong-demand-for-canadian-lng-5900692?ea_src=ca-frontpage&ea_med=medium-2

Liquified natural gas (LNG) could play a role in turning Canada into an energy superpower, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson says.

Hodgson expressed confidence about the market potential for Canadian LNG during a recent interview on podcast The Vassy Kapelos Show, saying he “knows” there are buyers for such products.

“What I can tell you from the conversations that the prime minister has been having, the minister of foreign affairs has been having, the minister of international trade has been having, the conversations I’ve been having, our allies are very interested in Canadian LNG,” he said.

He hinted that LNG could be on the government’s list of nation-building initiatives under its One Economy Act once Parliament reconvenes this fall, but did not offer any details about specific projects the Liberal government is considering.

Hodgson was non-committal throughout the interview about the government’s plans, saying he didn’t want to talk in “hypotheticals.” He also would not say if Ottawa would do away with environmental policies enacted by the previous administration that have come under criticism from the Opposition Conservatives and some premiers, such as the West Coast tanker ban or the oil and gas emissions cap.

He would not say if Prime Minister Mark Carney planned to maintain policies aimed at combatting climate change, such as the emissions reduction targets, put in place by the government of his predecessor Justin Trudeau. Continue…

US Ready to Partner With Canada to Counter China: Ambassador Hoekstra

https://www.theepochtimes.com/world/us-ready-to-partner-with-canada-to-counter-china-ambassador-hoekstra-5900794?ea_src=ca-frontpage&ea_med=medium-1

U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra said his country and Canada have an “enduring” relationship and that the two should cooperate to counter the threat posed by China.

Hoekstra made the comments during an interview with podcaster Jasmin Laine released on Aug. 12. He spoke on the state of current trade negotiations between the two countries and what factors are having an impact, and mentioned areas where Ottawa and Washington could increase cooperation.

One of these areas is countering China, which is a top priority for the Trump administration.

“We see Canada as being a very reliable ally to confront the threat from China,” Hoekstra said after remarking that defending North America is best accomplished by having an “interchangeable and interoperable system.”

“If Canada wants to do that, we are ready to partner with them, whether it is economically, whether it is militarily, whether it is politically, we will work together on that,” he said. Continue…