DNC Ends, Unhealthy Baby Food, & Heat Records.

New without th noise

Adam Rogers
August 23, 2024

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The Canadian government stepped in to end a major rail stoppage.

Canadian National Railway (CN) workers will return to work today after the Canadian government intervened. However, the work stoppage at Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) will continue until a decision is made by the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB). The stoppage had started when over 9,000 union workers were locked out, causing significant economic concerns.
The Canadian government asked the CIRB to issue a back-to-work order and begin binding arbitration between the union and rail companies. This marked a shift from their earlier stance of encouraging negotiations. The decision was met with mixed reactions, as the union blamed the companies for the lockouts, and some political leaders opposed the government's involvement because it weakened the union’s bargaining powers.
The rail stoppage has heavily disrupted shipments of essential goods like grain, coal, and autos, and also affected commuter rail services in major cities. CN plans to resume operations soon, but it might take over a week to catch up on shipments. The issue primarily revolved around work schedules, labor availability, and work-life balance, following new duty and rest-period rules introduced by the government in 2023.

A study found that nearly two-thirds of baby and toddler foods in U.S. supermarkets are unhealthy.

Researchers from the George Institute for Global Health analyzed 651 products and discovered that 60% did not meet World Health Organization (WHO) nutritional standards. Many of these products also made misleading claims on their packaging, suggesting they were healthier than they really are.
The study revealed significant issues with these foods: 70% lacked proper protein levels, 44% had too much sugar, 25% didn't meet calorie needs, and 20% exceeded sodium limits. The study did not name specific products or brands but noted a 900% increase in baby food pouch sales over the last 13 years, with less than 7% of these pouches meeting recommended sugar levels.
The research also highlighted that almost all products had at least one misleading claim on their packaging, such as "non-GMO" or "organic," which violated WHO guidelines. The study's authors emphasized that the lack of regulation allows food companies to deceive parents about the contents of their products.

During her acceptance speech, she shared her background as the daughter of immigrants and her experience as a prosecutor. Harris emphasized that her career has been dedicated to serving the people, contrasting it with her portrayal of Trump as self-serving.
Harris called on voters of all political views to support her. She promised to be a president for all Americans and uphold key principles like fair elections and the peaceful transfer of power. The convention also featured speakers like former Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger, who criticized Trump and supported Harris’ vision.
In her speech, Harris focused on national security, pledging to strengthen alliances and support Ukraine. She also vowed to restore abortion rights nationwide and address issues like voting rights, housing costs, and border security. Harris’ experience as a prosecutor and her advocacy for abortion rights after Roe v. Wade was overturned have been central to her campaign.

This summer, Phoenix kept its cooling centers open overnight for the first time. The city set a new record with 36 consecutive nights above 90 degrees, and there might be even more before August ends. (More)

Fresh off the Olympics, U.S. gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik, known online as "Pommel Horse Guy," will compete in the upcoming season of "Dancing With the Stars." Nedoroscik is the first male gymnast to join the show and plans to bring gymnastics moves like backflips and handstands to his dances. (More)

The average rate for a 30-year mortgage dropped to 6.46% this week, the lowest in 15 months. The rate was 7.23% a year ago. The average rate for a 15-year mortgage also went down, making it easier for homeowners to refinance. (More)

In Indonesia, people are protesting about proposed changes to election laws, which could give more power to outgoing President Joko Widodo. The Constitutional Court ruled that people under 30 can’t run for regional governorships and added a policy making it easier for political parties to nominate candidates. (More)

The Arkansas Supreme Court decided not to allow an abortion rights proposal on the ballot in November. The court said the group behind the proposal, Arkansans for Limited Government, didn’t correctly submit the needed paperwork for their petition. (More)

How did the donkey and elephant become political mascots?

South Africa’s last zoo elephant freed after 40 years.

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