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Premiers Split on Using Potash as a Trade Weapon — What It Means for Your Grocery Bill

  Published August 31, 2026 Canada's premiers can't agree on how far to take the trade war with the United States — and this week, the fight is over a grey mineral mined almost 2,000 kilometres from Ottawa: potash. The disagreement matters well beyond provincial politics. Potash is the "P" and "K" of fertilizer economics — a key ingredient in the blends that grow the wheat, canola, and corn that eventually show up as bread, canola oil, and everything fed to livestock. Canada supplies about 85% of the potash the U.S. uses, which is exactly why some premiers see it as leverage — and why others are warning that pulling that lever could backfire on the very provinces pushing for it. Ford wants to pull the lever. Moe and Smith are warning not to. Ontario Premier Doug Ford is pushing for the toughest response available, including resource-based leverage. Saskatchewan's Scott Moe and Alberta's Danielle Smith are pumping the brakes, warning that squeezing po...

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Unprecedented Heatwaves Highlight Urgent Climate Crisis

 

In recent months, numerous regions around the globe have been grappling with record-breaking heatwaves, underscoring the escalating impacts of climate change. From North America to Europe, Asia, and beyond, temperatures have soared to unprecedented levels, causing widespread concern among scientists and the public alike.

In the United States, Death Valley experienced temperatures exceeding 125°F (51.7°C) for nine consecutive days in early July, while Las Vegas shattered its all-time heat record at 120°F (48.9°C). Similarly, Europe has faced extreme heat, with countries like Spain and Greece enduring prolonged periods of high temperatures, exacerbating the risk of wildfires.

The situation is equally dire in other parts of the world. In Saudi Arabia, over 1,000 people succumbed to the heat during the Hajj pilgrimage, as temperatures soared to 125°F (51.8°C) at the Grand Mosque in Mecca. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s hospitals have been overwhelmed by heat-related illnesses amid frequent power outages and water shortages.

These extreme heat events are not isolated incidents but part of a broader trend driven by climate change. The global average temperature has been steadily rising, with each of the past 13 months setting new records for that month. The European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service reported that the planet experienced its hottest day in at least eight decades on July 21, only to break that record again the following day.

As greenhouse gas emissions continue to warm the Earth’s atmosphere, the frequency and intensity of heatwaves are expected to increase. This alarming trend highlights the urgent need for global action to mitigate climate change and adapt to its inevitable impacts.


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