Flip floppin'
In the early â70s Dr. Schollâs Exercise Sandals were everywhere. They werenât exactly fashionable and you could only buy them at your local pharmacy. On top of that, their beechwood soles were notoriously noisy, but hey, they paired with everything and were supposedly good for your feet.
In related news, another health shoe player recently made headlines. Birkenstock makes fine footwear, but are they art? A judge decided they are not, denying them the copyright protection that accompanies such classification.
They werenât head over heels ;)
(Love nostalgia? Play todayâs trivia below for a chance to win a $25 Tim Hortons eGift Card!)
COMMUNITY
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IN THE NEWS
Bank of Canada has impossible decision tomorrow
Vecteezy
The most difficult decision of this inflationary cycle will fall upon the Bank of Canadaâs governing council tomorrow, where most expect a rate cut but few are willing to say theyâre comfortable with it.
Monetary policy moves considerably slower than fiscal policy, and the two are currently on a collision course as the trade war between Canada and America picks up steam.
While inflation has mostly subsided, there are parts that continue to remain sticky and difficult for the BoC to navigate. At the same time, Canadaâs retaliatory tariffs will soon be visible to consumers, with the duties paid by importers being passed down to them.
Even more difficulties are presenting themselves with the weakness of the Canadian dollar, which could be driven down further by the asymmetrical strength of the American economy compared to Canadaâs. A weaker Canadian dollar would cause import prices to rise, because theyâre purchased in American dollars.
The BoC is likely banking on tariffs being a short-term problem and that they wonât be imposed long-term. If they are, it will be devastating to the Canadian economy, and the central bank will have no choice but to cut rates, even as inflation rises.
GOVERNMENT
Why does America want Greenland?
Unsplash
U.S. president Donald Trump has been teasing the world with imperialistic tendencies, including a desire to absorb Canada as the 51st state, renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America, and taking over the Panama Canal.
However, the one heâs likely most serious about and first mentioned in 2019 is a desire to buy Greenland.
The largest island in the world, 80% of Greenland sits above the Arctic Circle. Itâs an independent territory of Denmark and home to 56,000 people, most of whom are Inuit.
Itâs also a physical protector of North America from hostiles attempting to target it via the North Atlantic, itâs rich in rare earth minerals, and its melting ice caps are opening up the critical shipping lanes of the Northwest Passage.
All of these factors make it an attractive target. Global superpowers are rushing to gain access to those shipping lanes, which have been the source of international tensions for decades. Canada considers them to be its internal waters, whereas most of the rest of the world considers them international.
Theyâve been the source of several diplomatic incidents over the years between Canada and the United States, who considers them crucial for national security to defend against naval encroachment, particularly from Russia.
ECONOMY
Ontario energy export tax takes effect
Dominik Ferl/Unsplash
In response to President Trumpâs tariffs on Canadian goods, Ontario premier Doug Ford has implemented a 25% tax on the electricity it exports to New York, Michigan, and Minnesota.
The affected American businesses and consumers will likely have about $100 added to their utility bills each month until the tax is revoked, a move Ford says he wonât make until Trump revokes every tariff heâs imposed on Canada.
It will also bring in up to $400,000 per day in revenue for the Ontario government.
âUntil these tariffs are off the table, until the threat of tariffs is gone for good Ontario will not relent. We will not back down. Pausing some tariffs and making last-minute exemptions wonât cut it. We need to end the chaos once and for all,â Ford said during a news conference at Queenâs Park. âUntil then Ontario will keep up the fight. We will apply maximum pressure to maximize our leverage.â
The export tax was imposed through an âurgent amendmentâ to the rules that govern the Independent Electricity System Operator. That amendment does not limit the tax at 25%, and could result in Ford increasing the rate over time.
TRAVEL TUESDAYS
Celebrity taps river cruise market
Pexels
Royal Caribbean Group subsidiary Celebrity Cruises announced it will offer riverboat cruises starting in 2027, embarking on a pivotal expansion into a different category of a market it occupies as one of its biggest players.
Celebrity ordered 10 riverboats to be built and ready to go for 2027, though exact details on routes and where the boats will depart from are yet to be released. RCG announced it already secured berthing rights for several major ports, but will not be releasing further details until later this year.
River cruises are quite the opposite of the lavish and luxurious cities at sea that cruise liners have become. The Celebrity riverboats will only fit between 100 and 250 passengers, as opposed to the several thousand typically found on a Celebrity ocean cruise.
These types of boats are designed based on necessity rather than flashâtheyâre very conscious of the limited space they can afford to occupy, and often have tight quarters.
Instead of Broadway and Vegas-style shows, theaters, and endless culinary experiences available, these boats will likely have two decks of cabins that will include a lounge, restaurant, and sundeck, with no extravagant entertainment options. Guests will be treated to a smooth ride through peaceful channels, passing by landmarks and beautiful scenery, often docking steps from the center of historic European and Asian cities.
HEALTH
Group activities help stem depression in older adults
Giphy
Depression and anxiety respectively affect 7% and 3.8% of adults over 60 across the globe. Therapy and medication can often be helpful, but are costly and burdensome for many.
A new study published by researchers at Queen Mary University in London found group activities such as art classes can be just as effective but much more enjoyable.
âOur findings show that group arts interventions are effective in reducing depression and anxiety among older adults,â said Dr. Janelle Jones, the studyâs senior author. âWe think that there may be a synergistic effect, with the unique resources gained from groups, and the unique ingredients of arts activities working together to benefit mental health.â
The authors adjusted for the bias of their hypothesis, and still found that group arts reduced symptoms of both depression and anxiety, and were even more effective than traditional therapies and remedies for those already living in long-term care homes than those aging in place.
Interestingly, the effects were observed regardless of the specific type of art being created. Whether it was painting, songwriting, or dancing, depression and anxiety took a back seat while study participants were engaging with art and each other.
INNOVATION
Plastic-eating enzymes to the rescue
Pexels
U.K. native Jacob Nathan thought he was just building a high school science project nearly a decade ago, but his plastic-eating enzymes grew into a full-fledged biotech startup called Epoch Biodesign, staffed by 30 software engineers, biologists, and chemists, and loaded up with $18.3 million in Series A funding.
The world produces 400 million tonnes of plastic annually, and only a small fraction of it is recycled. The rest eventually ends up in landfills or the ocean, andâas has been increasingly revealed over timeâin rainwater, food, and even inside human bodies.
Climate change is a crisis but plastic will be an apocalypse before the worst effects of climate change are felt, if the mountain of waste isnât dealt with.
Using generative AI, Epoch produces enzymes capable of disrupting and breaking down the cycle of plastic waste. Though some have been found in nature, they operate at a snailâs pace; Epochâs library of enzymes can eat plastic away much quicker, and theyâre currently being tested on polyester and two types of nylon to tackle the part of the problem being exacerbated by the fast fashion industry.
The company is expected to double in size over the next year and reach commercial-capacity by 2028.
MUSIC
Cyndi Lauperâs final 25 concerts
Giphy
Cyndi Lauper announced she wants to have just a little more fun, booking 25 additional dates to close out the last leg of her farewell tour.
The leg will kick off in Buffalo on July 15 and zigzag across the United States and Canada for the remainder of summer, culminating with two nights at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on Aug. 29 and Aug. 30.
Amphitheaters and arenas across North America will be getting their fair share of Cyn this summer, with shows averaging just a little over two hours in length for the 71-year-old legend.
Sheâll be making dates in Philadelphia, Toronto, Milwaukee, Denver, Vancouver, and plenty of other towns and cities on her final stretch.
The tour began in Montreal in October, crossing through a bunch of American cities, including New York, where she headlined Madison Square Garden for what was somehow the very first time in her career.
Tickets to see the Rock âN Roll Hall of Fame nominee one last time go on sale this Friday.
STAKE TRIVIA
One special wave
Giphy
With its roots in the late â70s, British new wave went on to play a critical role in defining the culture and sound of the â80s đ
New wavers, get ready to test your knowledge of the genre with todayâs British new wave trivia! Complete the game and earn a shot at a $25 Tim Hortons eGift Card ;)
Winner will be announced tomorrow afternoonâkeep an eye on your inbox!**