Smoke from Canadian wildfires could once again reach NYC

 New Yorkers could wake up to hazy skies Monday morning as smoke from ongoing Canadian wildfires is expected to reach the Big Apple by sunrise.

New York City officials sounded the alarm Sunday over the potential plume of wildfire smoke two days after Mayor Eric Adams faced backlash for not issuing a more forceful warning leading up to heavy rain that flooded parts of the city Friday.

Current forecasts indicate the Air Quality Index will be about 55, which means “there may be some risk to people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution,” the city said in a press release.

“While we continue to actively monitor potential air quality concerns for Monday morning, currently, the impacts are projected to be mild, though New Yorkers will likely see hazy skies in the morning,” Adams said in a statement.

The Manhattan skyline as seen from the East River in Long Island City covered in haze and smoke caused by wildfires in Canada on June 7, 2023.

Brian Zak/NY Post

A think layer of smoke is seen in Time Square on June 7, 2023.

Stefan Jeremiah for NY Post

“Throughout the day tomorrow, New Yorkers should listen to their bodies, especially if they have any preexisting health conditions and take any necessary precautions to ensure they stay safe. We will continue to update New Yorkers as forecasts solidify,” the mayor added.

NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol said while the state has not issued any health alerts for Monday, “everyone should stay informed and take appropriate precautions.”

The smoky start of the week comes more than three months after the city was engulfed in “unhealthy” air and blanketed in an eery orange haze from Canadian wildfires. The last time the air quality dipped to such poor levels was several decades ago.

New Yorkers wore masks over their mouths and noses while traveling outside and several events across the five boroughs were canceled as a result of the unhealthy conditions.

The Adams administration was criticized in June for not adequately preparing city dwellers for the extreme air conditions — similar to Friday’s backlash in which the mayor’s team faced heat for not properly addressing the potential damage tied to heavy rainfall. 

https://nypost.com/2023/10/02/canadian-wildfire-smoke-could-once-again-reach-nyc-monday/

Open Letter to shareholders of Abcam plc

 Dr. Jonathan Milner, the founder and one of the largest

investors in Abcam plc (“Abcam” or the “Company”) (NYSE: ABCM) with ownership of 6.15%, today
issued an open letter to the Company’s shareholders announcing his “Vote AGAINST” campaign and providing them with the opportunity to send a clear message to the Board that they are dissatisfied with the proposed acquisition of Abcam by Danaher Corporation (NYSE: DHR) or its affiliates (“Danaher”) and Abcam’s governance, execution and cost control.

Find out more and read the full text of the letter at the Focus Abcam website.

https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2023/09/28/2750892/0/en/Jonathan-Milner-issues-Open-Letter-to-shareholders-of-Abcam-plc.html

Illumina started at Underperform by Bernstein

 Target $111

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PacBio started at Outperform by Bernstein

 Target $11

https://finviz.com/quote.ashx?t=PACB&ty=c&ta=1&p=d

Thermo Fisher started at Outperform by Bernstein

 Target $603

https://finviz.com/quote.ashx?t=TMO&p=d

Kaiser Permanente workers say deal unlikely to avert strike

 The coalition of unions representing healthcare workers at Kaiser Permanente said late on Saturday it is unlikely there will be a new agreement with the healthcare provider, as their current contract expires and the unions prepare for strike action.

The Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions said it and the company remained far apart on important issues.

Kaiser Permanenete said that it is continuing to bargain with the union and work stoppages will not begin until October 4.

"We remain optimistic that we will reach an agreement and avoid an unnecessary strike, which the Coalition unions have called for starting on Wednesday morning, Oct 4," it said in an emailed statement to Reuters.

Earlier in September, more than 75,000 Kaiser healthcare workers called for a strike from Oct. 4 to Oct. 7 across California, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Virginia and Washington DC, in what would be the largest healthcare workers' strike, according to the coalition.

Workers of the coalition are demanding resolution on a short-staffing crisis, a pay increase and an improvement in medical plans.

A tight U.S. labor market, the expiry of union contracts and high living costs have led to tough negotiations for pay hikes and benefits from workers and triggered strikes and protests across industries.

Nearly 309,700 workers have been involved in work stoppages and strikes through August this year, according to preliminary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, putting 2023 on track to become the busiest year for strikes since 2019.

Auto workers in the United States have also been on strike against the Detroit Three automakers, Ford General Motors and Chrysler parent Stellantis.

https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/GENERAL-MOTORS-COMPANY-6873535/news/Kaiser-Permanente-workers-say-deal-unlikely-to-avert-strike-44960137/

Canada To Create Registry Of Podcasters In Potential Censorship Initiative

 Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is taking Canada down a dangerous path of censorship to regulate streaming services and social media platforms. The next regulation phase comes as some podcasters will soon have to register with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission.

The Online Streaming Act, formerly Bill C-11, goes into effect on Nov. 28, meaning any online streaming service that operates in Canada and generates revenue of more than $10 million in a given year will have to register with CRTC. 

The Canadian government pitches the new rule as a "modern broadcasting framework that can adapt to changing circumstances. To do that, we need broad engagement and robust public records." It requires those podcasters to register with CRTC 'only once' and "collects basic information" from them, such as:

"First, the CRTC is setting out which online streaming services need to provide information about their activities in Canada."

So what's with the government creating a database of prominent podcasters?

One potential reason could be for the Liberal government to censor unapproved government narratives quickly. Having a registry of podcasters and the type of content they create makes it much easier for those in the government's censorship department. 

 "The CRTC now wants to regulate podcasts," Toronto Sun's Brian Lilley posted on X, adding, "Here is my simple message to them. Go to hell." 

On Sunday morning, Elon Musk chimed in on the conversation, responding to X account Wall Street Silver: "Regulate podcasts!?" 

While Trudeau has called everyone under the sun a 'Nazi,' from a Jewish member of parliament named Melissa Lantsman to "Freedom Convoy" trucker protesters, the radical leftist prime minister recently applauded a literal Waffen-SS Nazi with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky in Canada's Parliament. 

Trudeau immediately blamed "Russian disinformation" for applauding the Nazi. 

Even though Trudeau eventually apologized for applauding the Nazi, his attempt to distort reality is another sign that the government routinely engages in mass censorship campaigns and further wants to regulate what podcasters have to say. 

Remember, building a registry makes the job much easier for the government. 

https://www.zerohedge.com/political/canada-create-registry-podcasters-potential-censorship-initiative