Carney vs Poilievre Clash, Bank Cuts Rates, Toyota Recalls and more....

Hello friend,

As Alberta eases into warm days with clouds drifting midweek, the headlines are stormy—political clashes, recalls, and global tensions are making noise.

PM Mark Carney and Pierre Poilievre went head-to-head in their first fiery question period, while the Bank of Canada cut rates to their lowest in three years. Toyota recalled over 70,000 vehicles for a dashboard glitch, and Canadians are pulling back from U.S. trade and travel.

Closer to home, nearly one in five Calgary police officers are on leave, a U of A professor was sidelined after threats, and a local spin-off just made it to NASA’s global finals with its space-waste tech. Abroad, India’s election disputes, tragic diaspora news, and counterterror operations kept the spotlight burning.

This week we’re covering:

• 🇨🇦 Carney vs Poilievre face-off in Parliament

• 📉 Bank of Canada rate cut to 2.50%

• ⚠ Toyota recalls 70,000+ vehicles in Canada

• 🛰 Alberta’s Waste Parrot team reaches NASA finals

• 🗳 EC rejects Rahul Gandhi’s vote deletion claims

🌤️ Alberta warms up, stays mostly nice with clouds rolling in

Expect warm, sunny mornings with highs around mid-20s to upper-20s °C, especially early in the week. Mid-week brings more clouds and a chance of showers late in the evenings. Nights will be cool, dipping to about 7-12 °C.

⚡ From bright and warm to cloudy and mild — Alberta keeps it simple next week.

• 🇨🇦 In his first question period, PM Mark Carney and Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre clashed sharply—Carney defended his govt’s approach to the economy and U.S. trade, Poilievre attacked over cost of living and taxes. The showdown made it clear there’ll be no easy peace between them as they spar over Canada’s direction.

• 📉 The Bank of Canada cut its key interest rate by 0.25 points, bringing it down to 2.50%, the lowest in three years. It did this because the economy is slowing, jobs are being lost, and inflation is more stable. More rate cuts might come if trouble gets worse. (Read more)

• ⚠ Toyota is recalling 70,480 vehicles in Canada because a screen glitch may hide key info (speed, fuel, warning lights) when the car starts. Affected models include Camry, RAV4, Crown, GR Corolla, Highlander, Tacoma, Venza and some Lexus LS, RX, TX versions. Dealerships will update software or replace the screen part if needed. (Read more)

• 🇨🇦 Canadians are pulling back from the U.S. — reports exports down ~2% this year, fewer folks visiting south of the border, and habits shifting toward buying locally. Ties still strong, but the economic closeness is weakening. (Read more)

• 👮 About 19% of Calgary police officers are currently on leave or working under accommodation because of mental or physical health issues. The large number is causing concern over morale, staffing, and response times. (Read more)

• 🛡 University of Alberta put a law professor on leave because of threats after Charlie Kirk’s killing. The school says it’s reviewing online posts and boosting security to protect everyone. (Read more)

• 🛰 A University of Alberta spin-off, Waste Parrot, beat 1,200 global teams to become one of 17 finalists in NASA’s space waste challenge. They’re designing drones and 3D printers to recycle astronaut trash on the Moon into tools and building materials—and aim to use the tech back on Earth too.

  

• 🗳 The Election Commission of India says Rahul Gandhi’s Aland vote‐deletion claims are wrong. Only 24 out of 6,018 online deletion requests were valid. EC says votes can’t be deleted just by submitting a form; real deletions need checks, a hearing, and legal process. (Read more)

• An Indian techie, from Telangana, claimed before his death that he was facing racial abuse, wrongful termination, wage fraud, and even that his food was poisoned. He posted a LinkedIn message asking for justice. He was shot dead by police in Santa Clara after an alleged fight escalated. (Read more)

• 🔥 An intelligence-led operation by India’s White Knight Corps in Kishtwar, Jammu & Kashmir triggered an encounter with terrorists around 8 PM. The Army says firing has been exchanged and the operation is ongoing. (Read more)

What to watch this weekend

⚖️ Jolly LLB 3 just arrived

Akshay Kumar’s Jolly Mishra and Arshad Warsi’s Jolly Tyagi go head-to-head in a legal clash over a farmer’s land, corruption, & justice delayed. Expect sharp wit, emotional moments, and Saurabh Shukla delivering gold as Judge Tripathi.

Now in cinemas near you! 🎬🍿

That’s a wrap for this week’s dispatch! From Carney and Poilievre’s fiery first clash to Canada’s rate cut, Toyota’s massive recall, and Alberta’s own team aiming for space innovation, the week packed plenty of punches.

As clouds drift into Alberta’s skies, take time to cool down, catch Jolly LLB 3 on the big screen, and gear up for another week of big stories.

We’ll be back with more scoops, spice, and sharp takes. Until then—stay curious, stay ready! 🌤️📲

— Keyur
Desi Dispatch

Thanks for reading!