Federal Reserve says it will leave climate change organization

Inflation-battered U.S. voters could prove to be key Canadian ally in fight against Trump’s trade tyranny

Is there anything or anyone that can help Canada and the United States avoid an unprecedented trade war?

Both nations stand poised on the precipice of a tariff battle that could — in the worst-case scenario — trigger an economic downturn. Both countries have a lot to lose, but neither country is showing any sign of backing down.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has, by all accounts, given negotiation a full chance to defuse the trade war. It didn’t work and it appears now that nothing — neither thoughtful negotiation or retaliatory measures — will dissuade U.S. President Donald Trump from his war of trade attrition.

Increasingly, it appears that if Trump is going to back away from punitive tariffs against Canada, it will be because of mounting pressure from within the United States and not because of tough talk and countermeasures from this side of the border.

Senior’s family frustrated by Manitoba Housing’s response to apartment’s bedbug infestation

The family of a senior who left his Manitoba Housing apartment after two years of bedbug infestations is accusing the provincial body of being ineffectual and irresponsible in its treatment of the persistent pests.

The senior had lived at the Columbus Courts building at 253 Edgeland Blvd., since 2011, but when he began getting severe skin rashes all over his body about two years ago, his son began to worry.

They found out the 14-storey building was being sprayed for bedbugs after an infestation had impacted several units. After multiple rounds of pesticide treatments, the problem has not subsided, the son told the Free Press.

“They come in, they spray pesticides and then they leave. And it’s been completely ineffectual,” he said. “My dad keeps seeing the bedbugs even the day after the treatments and continuously, they’ve just gotten worse and worse.”

Northern Manitoba mobile MRI makes first move in 15 months

Northern Manitoba’s mobile MRI made its first move since it began scanning in Thompson nearly 15 months ago, setting up shop Monday in The Pas.

“It’s really exciting that we finally have this piece of equipment here,” said Dayna McTaggart, a medical radiological technologist in The Pas and provincial manager for the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists Manitoba.

The mobile MRI will travel between the two communities that are 400 kilometres apart in an effort to strengthen northern health-care delivery, the provincial government said in a news release.

“This rotation ensures patients in northern communities have easier, more equitable access to vital diagnostic imaging without the burden of long-distance travel,” Dr. AbdulRazaq Sokoro, Shared Health’s chief operating officer of diagnostic services, said in the release.

Three charged after victims robbed, held against their will in dating scam

A Winnipeg woman and two men allegedly lured male victims on dating websites before robbing and holding them against their will, prompting safety reminders for people looking for love online. Detectives believe there may be additional victims who’ve not yet come forward.

Taxpayers federation pushes for continued federal gas tax holiday

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling on the prime minister to extend the 10-cent per litre gas tax holiday, set to end on Labour Day.

“We’ve done polling that shows a majority of Canadians from across the country oppose the tax coming back on at the pumps,” said Gage Haubrich, Prairie director of the non-profit advocacy group in front of the Manitoba legislature Tuesday.

Those polled in Manitoba and Saskatchewan were more opposed to the return of the federal gas tax than anywhere else in Canada, he said.

Haubrich said the group was also asking Premier Wab Kinew to “follow in the steps of (Ontario) Premier Doug Ford and send a letter to the prime minister calling on him to extend the gas tax cut as well.”