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North American Edition
15th August 2025
 
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THE HOT STORY

Air Canada begins canceling flights ahead of potential strike

Air Canada began suspending flights on Thursday after the union representing its flight attendants issued a 72-hour strike notice. Canada's largest airline warned passengers without confirmed flights to not go to the airport, as suspensions will continue through that period. The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents 10,000 Air Canada attendants, provided a strike notice on Wednesday after an impasse in contract talks. It said it has bargained in good faith but the company "refused to address" core issues, including proposals on wages and unpaid work. Air Canada's Chief Human Resources Officer Arielle Meloul-Wechsler said the carrier was "available to bargain at any time on the condition that the negotiation has substance."
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WORKFORCE

U.S. government to shed 300,000 workers this year

Office of Personnel Management director Scott Kupor has said the Trump administration will probably shed around 300,000 workers this year - equivalent to a 12.5% decrease in the federal workforce since January. Kupor said 80% of those workers would leave voluntarily and only 20% would be dismissed. "I cannot force people to lay people off,” Kupor said, adding that he would have to persuade cabinet secretaries to concur with his vision of government efficiency.
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CORPORATE

Target grapples with sales decline, CEO exit

A June employee survey revealed nearly half of Target staff doubt the company’s ability to compete, and 40% lack confidence in its future, with lower scores at headquarters. CEO Brian Cornell will step down after over a decade, as investors - 96% in one survey - favor an external successor. Target has endured 10 quarters of flat or falling sales, market share losses in core categories, and backlash over Pride and DEI policy rollbacks. Executives aim to revive its “Tar-zhay” appeal through exclusive partnerships and $4bn in investments, but consumer perception of value remains weak amid fierce retail competition and shifting shopper preferences.
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WORKPLACE

Vernon food plant pleads guilty after fatal nitrogen leak

A food processing plant in Vernon has pled guilty to two misdemeanor counts and will pay over $6m following a hazardous nitrogen gas leak in 2020 that resulted in the deaths of two workers. The incident, which occurred on December 1, 2020, involved a malfunction that caused a leak in a chill room, leading to the suffocation of 56-year-old Baldemar Gonsales and 54-year-old Maria Osyguss. Cal/OSHA Chief Debra Lee said: “When employers fail to protect their workers and it results in a preventable death, California will hold them accountable.” The company, California Ranch Foods, must invest $1.6m in safety improvements and pay various fines, including a $1m criminal fine and a $4m donation to local food banks. Cal/OSHA's investigation revealed critical failures in safety procedures, including a rusted alarm system that failed to warn employees of the leak.
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LEGAL

Supreme Court petition over gay marriage rights

A petition has been filed with the Supreme Court arguing that the original ruling legalizing same-sex marriage was "egregiously wrong" and a "mistake that must be corrected." Kim Davis, who served five days in prison in 2015 for refusing to issue marriage licences on religious grounds, is seeking to overturn the decision made a decade ago. 
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TAX

California's rich miss out on tax breaks

According to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, California's wealthiest individuals will receive significantly smaller tax breaks compared to their counterparts in other states. The top 1% in California, earning over $1.08m, ranks 48th in tax cuts, with an average benefit of $35,260, while those in Wyoming enjoy an average of $134,080. The new tax law, signed by President Trump, raised the maximum deduction for state and local taxes (SALT) to $40,000, limiting the benefits for high earners in California. “The law favors the richest taxpayers and provides working-class Americans with relatively small tax cuts,” noted ITEP. Overall, over 70% of tax cuts will benefit the wealthiest 20%, while middle-income earners will see minimal gains.
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INVESTMENT

Trump 401(k) order sparks risk concerns

President Trump's executive order will open 401(k) retirement plans to alternative assets such as private equity, cryptocurrency, and privately held companies. Supporters argue this could boost returns, but experts warn of higher fees, illiquidity, opaque valuations, and increased legal risks. Private equity’s typical “2 and 20” fee model far exceeds the 0.26% average for mutual funds. Illiquid assets are harder to value and monitor, challenging daily pricing systems. Legal disputes, like Intel’s seven-year lawsuit over similar investments, underscore potential liabilities. Success will require lower-cost, transparent products, better investor education, and regulatory safeguards. Analysts say such investments may suit younger savers more than those nearing retirement.
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HEALTH & WELLBEING

Ultra-processed foods dominate American diets

According to a new report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over half of the calories consumed by Americans come from ultra-processed foods. The report, which analyzed dietary data from August 2021 to August 2023, revealed that 55% of total calories for individuals aged 1 and older were derived from these foods, with children consuming nearly 62%. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said: “We are poisoning ourselves and it's coming principally from these ultra-processed foods.” While consumption has slightly decreased over the past decade, concerns about the health impacts of these foods persist, linking them to obesity and chronic diseases.
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SUSTAINABILITY

No consensus reached on binding plastic treaty at talks in Geneva

No consensus has been reached during talks in Geneva on the world's first legally binding treaty to tackle plastic pollution, delegates said this morning. "South Africa is disappointed that it was not possible for this session to agree a legally binding treaty and positions remain far apart," its delegate told a closing meeting of the negotiations early on Friday. Talks between nations to reach a treaty to end plastic pollution continued behind closed doors in Geneva yesterday evening, the final day of negotiations, as civil society groups called on countries to secure a strong agreement. Negotiations then went into overtime, and ran into Friday.
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INTERNATIONAL

Starbucks Korea tells customers: no printers or PCs

Starbucks customers in South Korea have been asked to stop bringing "bulky items," including printers and desktop computers, into cafes to do their office work. Others have brought in partitions and more than one computer to mark their office territory. Starbucks said laptops, iPads, and mobile phones are still welcome but not items that "impact the shared space." BBC News notes that the growing trend of studying and working at cafes - cagongjok - has become a subject of intense debate in Korea. "Good job," said one Korean user on social media after the announcement. "Now that Starbucks has started, other cafes should follow suit".

Taiwan investigates Chinese firms for poaching talent

Taiwan is investigating 16 Chinese companies for allegedly poaching high-tech talent, particularly in the semiconductor sector. The Taiwan Investigation Bureau conducted coordinated raids from July 15 to August 6, searching 70 locations and questioning 120 individuals. Chinese firms, including Goertek and NOVOSENSE Microelectronics, are accused of operating without regulatory approval and using shell companies to recruit engineers. Ya-Chun Ku, an investigator, said: "These companies operated in Taiwan without approval from our authorities." The investigation aims to protect Taiwan's high-tech industry from unlawful recruitment efforts.
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OTHER

Hall & Oates resolve legal dispute through arbitration

Daryl Hall and John Oates have settled their business partnership dispute through arbitration, according to a recent court filing. The case, which began with Hall's lawsuit against Oates in 2023, has reached a final judgment. Hall accused Oates of betrayal, while Oates claimed Hall's statements were inaccurate. The arbitration outcome remains undisclosed. Hall's attorney, Robb Harvey, did not comment, and Oates' representatives also did not respond. The duo's hits in the 1970s and 80s included Maneater, Rich Girl, Kiss on My List and I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do).
 
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