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3M’s dark chapter deepens as CEO faces investors

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:37:54 GMT

3M Co. has so many big problems on its hands that one veteran Wall Street analyst likened the conglomerate’s challenges to the Titanic — just after the iceberg.“We’re talking more about rearranging the deckchairs when you’ve got these big calamities bearing down on the company,” said Deane Dray, an RBC Capital Markets analyst who has covered 3M for nearly 20 years.That may sound like hyperbole for one of the longest-tenured components of the Dow Jones Industrial Average that generates more than $30 billion in sales and showers investors with $3 billion in annual dividends. Yet the magnitude of what 3M is confronting is immense.Wall Street expects 3M will post its sixth-straight quarter of declining sales when it reports results on Tuesday as demand continues to slump across much of its vast portfolio. The bigger worry is that potentially billions of dollars in legal liabilities will consume huge amounts of cash for years to come and put its cherished dividend at risk.The company, ba...

One vaccine for a century

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:37:54 GMT

In the aftermath of World War One, humankind was going through a rough time of deadly diseases such as Tuberculosis and various pandemics. Good enough, the Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine was introduced in 1921, saving many.However, its effectiveness was limited, resulting in many to continue dying from TB, and this is due to a lack of adequate support in funding and research development on TB, especially because this disease affects primarily marginalized communities. Unsurprisingly, in 2023, we are still being administered a modified version of the Bacille Calmette-Guérin, one century later.Would it not be an issue of inequality and inequity in the health system? The solidarity of Global scientific cooperation drove the rapid development of safe, highly effective COVID-19 vaccines. In one year, 19 vaccines were approved. Although TB claims millions of lives despite being the deadliest disease, the lack of support and solidarity is at the root of this problem.However, there m...

Why NATO must continue to support Ukraine

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:37:54 GMT

The decision last week by the majority of U.S. members of Congress and senators to continue to fund Ukraine’s efforts to defend itself – $300 million in security assistance for Ukraine authorized by the House of Representatives – was a welcome reminder that despite increasing isolationist noise from some American lawmakers, most see support for Ukraine as in the interest of their country, and the West more generally.That $300 million was part of the annual defense appropriation but Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene and Matt Gaetz both proposed amendments to remove this funding. Greene’s amendment lost 341 t,o 89 while Gaetz’s failed by 358 to 70, with a majority in both parties opposing such 1930s-style neo-isolationism.To grasp why isolationist sentiments are increasing, consider three common reasons given for opposing Western (including American, Canadian, and European) aid to Ukraine: Russia’s historical claim to Ukraine, past promises made by NATO and the United States, and...

Schow: Consultation with Albertans “paramount” in bid discussion for 2030 Commonwealth Games

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:37:54 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsAlberta’s new Minister of Tourism and Sport and MLA for Cardston-Siksika, Joseph Schow, has received his mandate letter from the Premier outlining his role and focus.In addition to a general requirement to support growth in tourism and sport in Alberta, Schow has also been tasked with working alongside his cabinet and caucus colleagues to establish the Community Recreation Centre Infrastructure Fund which will enhance recreational facilities across the province by investing in small and mid-sized projects financed though the fund. The mandate letter stipulates that at least $80 million in funding will be allocated to this fund to support investments into projects such as indoor and outdoor arenas and rinks, indoor turf centres, and sports fields and courts.On July 18, for his first appearance since receiving the ministerial mandate letter, Schow attended a press conference to announce that the application period for the “Every Kid Can Play” (EKCP) ini...

Province now supporting applications for sport and recreation grants for low-income families

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:37:54 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsEligible Alberta families are now able to apply for grants through KidSport Alberta, for up to $350 per child in grants to help offset registration for sports and recreation programming.Minister of Tourism and Sport, and MLA for Cardston-Siksika, Joseph Schow announced on July 18 that the application period for the “Every Kid Can Play” (EKCP) initiative is officially open.As part of the EKCP program which was announced in April 2023, eligible Albertan families can apply for up to $350 in support to help offset registration fees for sports programming. A $3 million commitment from the Province will be directed to and administered by KidSport Alberta and provide direct financial supports to Albertan families.To overcome financial limitations, the EKCP program aims to improve affordability and access to sport, physical activity, and recreation (SPAR) programs for children across Alberta.Schow said during the July 18 announcement, “sport and physical acti...

Traffic Concern report says Yield or Stop okay

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:37:54 GMT

By Nikki JamiesonSunny South NewsA report to council regarding traffic on two streets in Coalhurst says they could potentially use either Yield or Stop signs as speed control measures.During their regular July 18 meeting, Coalhurst town council discussed a report on traffic concerns along Aspen Road and Sundance Drive. Complaints were received by the Town in May and June regarding speeding, and council had directed administration to come back with a report on the issue.Data recording devices were installed at three locations: on Aspen Road between Greenwood Road and 50th Avenue recording traffic data in both north and southbound directions, and data from eastbound traffic on Sundance Drive between Sundance Road and 45th Avenue.“These devices were put into ghost mode, so there was no speed displayed, and they just collected the data,” said Kevin Lewis, director of operations for the town.The devices collected data from the Sundance Drive location from June 10-16 and June 29 to July 4...

Alberta re-examining an exit from the CPP

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:37:54 GMT

By Trevor BuschSunny South [email protected] Alberta need an alternative to the Canada Pension Plan (CPP)?Premier Danielle Smith, among others in the UCP, think that it does.Smith’s recent mandate letter to Finance Minister Nate Horner directed him to re-examine the idea, which has been strongly denounced by Rachel Notley and the NDP, while also releasing the government’s Alberta Pension Plan (APP) report on the advantages and disadvantages of exiting the CPP.Proponents of an APP argue the province’s younger demographics could support a plan that offers similar benefits for less than the CPP.Taber-Warner MLA Grant Hunter, on the other hand, wants to examine the numbers before making any endorsements for a made-in-Alberta pension plan.“I’m all about the numbers, whatever will make Alberta a better place – I am all about that,” said Hunter. “So when we get the final report, then let’s read through it. Let’s read through those, and let’s figure out as Albertans, what’...

Alberta Wheat and Barley Commissions launch new branding as Alberta Grains

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:37:54 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsThe Alberta Wheat Commission (AWC) and Alberta Barley Commission (ABC) have unveiled their new branding for the newly-amalgamated commission.Recognizing the importance of collaboration and unity, the two farmer-directed organizations will share resources and serve Alberta’s grain farmers jointly under the commission’s new name Alberta Grains.The amalgamated commission represents the interests of over 18,000 of Alberta’s wheat and barley farmers. Now, as a united entity, Alberta Grains will leverage the strengths, resources, and experience of both the former AWC and ABC to create a unified voice for its members on matters such as economic sustainability, innovation, and growth in Alberta’s grain industry.Reflected in its new branding, Alberta Grains unveiled the merged commission’s new logo last week.  According to Alberta Grains, the commission’s new emblem, “is a symbol of the organization’s commitment and unified strength to the province’s crop sect...

RCMP Coalhurst report stresses need to call in

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:37:54 GMT

By Nikki JamiesonSunny South NewsAn RCMP sergeant was on hand last week at Coalhurst council to discuss calls in town.During their regular July 18 meeting, Coalhurst town council received the RCMP update for the first six months of 2023. The stats provided were for calls within the Town of Coalhurst only, and did not include any calls from outside the town’s boundaries.“This is a true snapshot of the calls we responded to in the town of Coalhurst,” said Sgt. Mike Numan of the RCMP.Between Jan. 1 and June 30 of this year, there were 435 calls reported within the town. Of those calls, 25 were determined to be unfounded, and in terms of clearance, charges were laid in 59 calls and 38 were otherwise cleared, for a clearance rate of 23.7 per cent.For traffic offences, there were 33 calls for service, which include 11 traffic collisions, with nine reportable and two non-reportable, less than $2,000 in damage. This also includes four other moving traffic violations, 10 other non-moving tra...

County seeking feedback for economic development strategy

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:37:54 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsLethbridge County has launched a public participation survey and is seeking input on the future of the County’s local economy.Feedback collected from residents and business owners will inform the creation of the County’s new Economic Development Strategic plan. The multi-year Economic Development Strategic Plan will provide direction and guidance on various activities related to economic development in the County.Reeve of Lethbridge County, Tory Campbell said public consultation in drafting this strategy, “is absolutely essential.”“We want to ensure that the strategy reflects the needs of our residents and businesses, aligning with their vision for a prosperous county.”Currently Lethbridge County does not have a formalized economic development strategy in place providing a framework for activities and initiatives, although the County has leaned on their Strategic Plan to help guide decisions. Campbell said, “having a plan that outlines specific econom...