Canada
Federal fisheries minister under fire for alleged mismanagement
Industry leaders and provincial politicians on the East Coast are criticizing federal Fisheries Minister Diane Lebouthillier for allegedly being absent and unresponsive to issues regarding the reopened commercial cod fishery and ongoing tensions over Nova Scotia lobster. Global National's Heidi Petracek explains how fights over fisheries could mean rough sailing for Trudeau's Liberals in the next election.
Two new senate appointments for Alberta include critic of school pronoun policy
"Despite our province's repeated democratic election of senators-in-waiting ready to represent Albertans’ interests, he has chosen to appoint left wing partisans who will do whatever he and the Liberals order them to," [Alberta Premier Danielle] Smith posted on X.
Lawrence MacAulay mum about running again, says 'I just hope I'm alive' for next election
Canada's second-longest serving MP Lawrence MacAulay won't say whether he's planning to run in the next federal election. MacAulay, who will turn 78 next month, has represented the eastern P.E.I. riding of Cardigan for 35 years, first elected in 1988. In my model right now, based on current polling averages for PEI and Atlantic Canada, I expect Cardigan to be the tightest race on the island but, right now, it looks to me like MacAulay would lose by 400 votes or so (2 points) to his Conservative challenge James Aylward.
The Provinces
Which B.C. United candidates will join the Conservatives?
After B.C. United leader Kevin Falcon agreed to suspend the party's election campaign and support John Rustad, the two parties must decide who will join the Conservatives.
Ex-BC Liberal minister mulls NDP vote as former party implodes
A former BC Liberal cabinet minister says he'll consider voting for the BC NDP if BC Conservatives don't shift to the political centre, especially on the issue of climate change.
Vancouver Island MLA Mitzi Dean withdrawing from upcoming B.C. election
Dean says she's bowing out of the election to focus on her health and her family. She says "personal challenges" over the last year have affected her health, and says dropping out of the running was "one of the most difficult decisions" of her life.
Elsewhere
Japan wants its hardworking citizens to try a 4-day workweek
The government is trying to address labor shortage by coaxing more companies to adopt four-day workweeks.
‘Renaissance of illegals’: Since its war in Ukraine, Russia is relying more on bargain basement spies
Since Russia lost many of its valuable spy assets when dozens of diplomats were expelled from Western countries after the invasion of Ukraine, these civilian agents have become essential. Experts in Russian intelligence told VOA that this was the “renaissance of illegals,” with 90% of operations now carried out by these shadowy figures.
Irreconcilable Differences? NATO's Response to Russian Aggression Against Ukraine
Alexandra Gheciu and Stéfanie von Hlatky: Noting the obvious balancing dynamics on display, we emphasize how threats take on particular meanings, which shape the types of military options considered. We also provide an explanation for NATO's resilience in the face of this external shock. Alliance disunity notwithstanding, we argue that collective defence is being redefined in real time, through dynamics that are not exclusively bound by a narrow focus on the military threat posed by Russia.
Media
Access denied: insights on newsgathering in repressive regimes
In repressive environments like Iran, traditional methods of news gathering are often impossible due to state surveillance, censorship, and the constant threat of arrest. Journalists and activists must, therefore, rely on innovative and often perilous strategies to ensure that information can be gathered and verified before it reaches the public. Local news organisations, human rights groups, and digital platforms have all become lifelines for news organisations seeking to give nuanced insights to realities on the ground that are otherwise obscured by state-controlled narratives.
Science and tech
Replacing an EV Battery Is Expensive, but Would You Ever Need To?
Battery technology has come a long way, and EV batteries can last more than 100,000 miles these days.
The Calendar
- 0930 ET: Quebec City, - BQ Leader Yves-François Blanchet and BQ MPs Julie Vignola, Caroline Desbiens, and Simon Berubé meet with voters
- 1230 ET: Quebec City, - BQ Leader Yves-François Blanchet and BQ MPs Julie Vignola, Caroline Desbiens, and Simon Berubé participate in la Marche de la Fierté de Québec.
- 1300 ET: Salt Spring Island, BC - GPC MP Elizabeth May attends the Saanich Fall Fair
