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– Kabul evacuation is ready: Canada has special forces on standby to quickly withdraw Canadian embassy staff from Kabul when the time comes – and that time could be soon, Murray Brewster reports to CBC. The news comes after the “new Taliban” captured Kandahar and Herat and Kabul is expected to fall within just three months. The United States is sending 3,000 troops back to Afghanistan to evacuate their personnel as well.
– Red letter day: Mark your calendars and start your engines, CBC reports that the election is coming up on September 20, which is expected to be called on Sunday. It comes with the Liberals leading the polls, chasing a majority if the campaign and the next wave of coronavirus does not veer them off course. The campaign should be short: 36 days. Almost two-thirds of Canadians don’t want an election right now, according to Mainstreet, while Abacus Polling says 83 percent of Canadians “wouldn’t be too concerned about a call for an early election,” writes Politico.
– The NDP went ahead and released their platform ahead of time. It includes a few familiar things: child care for $ 10 a day, lower telecommunications costs, and a universal drug and dental plan. The Toronto Star reports that the NDP broadened its definition of the super rich in its wealth tax proposal. Meanwhile, The Globe and Mail reports that Erin O’Toole is seeking intervenor status in a legal battle over documents related to the two scientists fired from Canada’s top infectious disease laboratory.
– Art McDonald on leave: Canada’s Chief of Defense Staff has been laid off under a new Order in Council, The Globe reports. He had attempted to return to work after a sexual misconduct investigation did not result in any charges.
– Meng’s defense begins: As part of Meng Wanzhou’s ongoing formal extradition trial, his defense team is expected to begin presenting his case in Vancouver today. Crown attorneys argued that there is nothing unusual about the case regarding the extradition charges.
– Don’t miss our latest Rebel to Rabble review: The tar sands in the progressive spotlight
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AROUND THE WORLD
– The United States will give the vulnerable a third blow: The FDA is authorizing a COVID booster injection for people with weakened immune systems, such as transplant recipients. It follows studies that suggest they may not have enough immunity after just two injections to fight serious complications from COVID-19.
– A victory for the ‘Free Britney’ movement: Britney Spears’ father will step down from the controversial tutelage that has controlled the pop star’s life for more than a decade. But, not immediately, and we don’t know when. Despite this, his lawyer called it a “major victory”.
– Just a little delay: If you live in North Korea, you are only watching the start of the Olympics now. The BBC reports that NK State TV aired its first coverage of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics two days after they closed, although it is not clear how it got the footage. The country has chosen not to participate in the Games and continues to claim, without evidence, that it has no cases of coronavirus.
– Somewhere else: US broadcaster Discovery threatens Poland with legal action over controversial media law. Six died in a shooting in Plymouth, England. French police are being asked to step up security around vaccination sites after a series of attacks over the past month. And Airbnb is emerging from its pandemic slump with second-quarter sales up nearly 300%.
IN OTHER SECURITIES
WHAT WE READ
IPOLITICAL ICYMI
CARTOON OF THE DAY
THE KICKER
What happens when someone bites on an Olympic champion’s medal? It turns out that they, luckily, are getting a new one. It comes after a mayor of Japan bit into a softball player’s gold in a photoshoot gone awry, sparking a major political scandal.
And with that, have a good Friday!
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