Category: Headline

The Unfolding of the Minneapolis Catholic School Shooting
A parent hugs her son after a shooting at the Church of Annunciation in Minneapolis on Wednesday. © Richard Tsong-Taatarii/Star Tribune/AP
MINNEAPOLIS — In a chilling act of violence that shattered the sanctity of a place of worship and learning, two young children were killed and 17 others injured when a shooter opened fire during a morning Mass at Annunciation Catholic School on Wednesday, August 27, 2025. The attack, described by authorities as a “deliberate act of cruelty beyond comprehension,” unfolded just days into the new school year, leaving families, the community, and the nation grappling with profound grief and outrage.
The suspect, identified as 23-year-old Robin Westman—a former student at the school—fired dozens of rounds through the stained-glass windows of the church sanctuary before dying from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has launched an inquiry into the incident as both an act of domestic terrorism and a hate crime targeting Catholics, with early evidence pointing to a manifesto posted online that revealed deep-seated grievances.
The shooting began shortly before 8:30 a.m. local time at Annunciation Church, an integral part of the Catholic school serving students from preschool through eighth grade in south Minneapolis. Children and parishioners had gathered for a special Mass to celebrate the start of the school year, themed “A Future Filled with Hope,” drawing from a biblical verse emphasizing welfare and optimism.
Witnesses described a scene of sudden chaos. Ten-year-old Weston Halsne, a fifth-grader seated near the windows, recounted hearing the first shots and mistaking them for something innocuous. “It was like right beside me … I think I got gunpowder on my neck,” he told reporters. “The first one, I was like, ‘What is that?’ and then I heard it again and I just ran under the pew.” His friend, Victor, heroically shielded him but was struck in the back. “He’s really brave, and I hope he’s good in the hospital,” Weston added.
Law enforcement officers gather outside the church Wednesday. © Tim Evans/Reuters
The shooter, dressed in all black, approached from the side of the building and unleashed a barrage using three legally purchased firearms: a rifle, a shotgun, and a pistol. Authorities believe most shots were fired from outside, with doors barricaded using two-by-fours to trap those inside. A smoke bomb was also found at the scene, though it’s unclear if it was deployed.
Patrick Scallen, a lifelong resident living a block away, heard the gunfire and rushed to the church. He encountered injured children emerging from the building, including a girl grazed on the forehead and another shot in the neck. “Can you just please hold my hand?” one asked him amid the eerie silence that followed the shots. Scallen comforted them until emergency responders arrived, later reflecting on their innocent questions: “Why did this happen? How could this happen?”
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed that the attack targeted the children in the pews, with bullets shattering the symbolic stained-glass windows depicting biblical scenes, including the Annunciation—the church’s namesake, representing divine presence and hope. “The sheer cruelty and cowardice of firing into a church full of children is absolutely incomprehensible,” O’Hara said at a news conference, his voice heavy with emotion. Church bells tolled mournfully in the background as he spoke.
The two children killed were an 8-year-old and a 10-year-old, both struck while seated in the pews. Of the 17 injured, 14 were children aged 6 to 15, and three were elderly parishioners in their 80s. Hospitals reported treating victims in critical condition, with several undergoing surgery. Hennepin Healthcare received seven children in critical condition, while Children’s Minnesota cared for six. All injured are expected to survive, but the psychological scars may endure far longer.
Police arrived swiftly, confirming no ongoing threat and declaring the shooter “contained.” The scene was secured, with four search warrants executed—one at the church and three at residences in the metro area—yielding additional firearms.
Who Was Robin Westman?
Robin Westman, born Robert Paul Westman, legally changed their name in 2019 or 2020, with court documents citing identification as female. Westman, 23, from suburban Minneapolis, had no extensive criminal history and had recently purchased the weapons legally. A 2017 yearbook confirms Westman graduated from Annunciation’s grade school, adding a layer of personal connection to the tragedy.
An undated driver’s license photo shows Robin M. Westman, 23, identified by police as the gunman who opened fire during a Mass at Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025. Westman’s identity in the photo was confirmed.
Westman’s mother, Mary Grace Westman, served as the parish secretary from 2016 until her retirement in 2021, as noted in church newsletters and social media posts. Efforts to reach her for comment were unsuccessful.
Authorities are scrutinizing a “manifesto” timed for release on YouTube during the attack, which included disturbing writings, handwritten notebook pages, weapons with inscribed messages, and videos filmed at the scene. The content was quickly removed with FBI assistance. While a motive remains under investigation, the writings suggest grievances, including deliberations on targeting large groups of children while avoiding armed parents.
Screenshots from a YouTube video posted by Robin M. Westman, 23, show the suspect police identified as the gunman in the Aug. 27, 2025, Minneapolis church school shooting.
FBI Director Kash Patel announced the probe into anti-Catholic bias: “The FBI is investigating this shooting as an act of domestic terrorism and hate crime targeting Catholics.” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem referred to Westman as a “man claiming to be transgender,” while Patel described the suspect as male. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, a Democrat, urged against fueling hatred toward the transgender community.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey sits on steps of the Annunciation Church’s school as police respond to a reported mass shooting in Minneapolis on Aug. 27, 2025. © Abbie Parr/AP
National Response
The attack has elicited widespread condemnation and calls for action. President Donald Trump, briefed on the incident, ordered U.S. flags flown at half-mast at the White House and public buildings until sunset as a mark of respect. “The White House will continue to monitor this terrible situation. Please join me in praying for everyone involved!” he posted on Truth Social.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who spoke with Trump, echoed the sentiment: “It’s Minnesota’s day today. I ask the rest of folks around the country who are watching, keep us in your thoughts and prayers, but also keep us in the thoughts for action.” Walz highlighted the broader gun violence crisis, noting this was the fourth deadly shooting in Minneapolis within 24 hours, though unrelated.
Mayor Frey, visibly emotional, decried empty platitudes: “Don’t just say this is about ‘thoughts and prayers’ right now. These kids were literally praying.” School Principal Matthew DeBoer, fighting back tears, invoked an African proverb: “When you pray, move your feet.” He praised staff for their heroic actions in shielding children and called for tangible change: “We as a community have a responsibility to make sure that no child, no parent, no teacher ever has to experience what we’ve experienced today—ever again.”
Pope Leo XIV expressed “heartfelt condolences,” praying for the wounded and commending their souls to God. Local leaders, including Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, ordered flags lowered and offered prayers.
The shooting aligns with a grim trend: 2025 has seen 44 school shootings so far, per analyses from the Gun Violence Archive and others, surpassing last year’s pace. It follows a wave of active shooter hoaxes nationwide, heightening fears as schools reopen.
Beyond the immediate human tragedy, school shootings like this one carry significant economic repercussions, amplifying the societal costs of gun violence in America. Research indicates that exposure to such events can lead to long-term declines in educational attainment and earnings for survivors. In Texas, for instance, students exposed to school shootings are 3.4% less likely to graduate high school and 14.6% less likely to earn a bachelor’s degree, translating to reduced lifetime earnings and productivity.
Mass shootings, including those at schools, have been linked to a 2.4% drop in per capita earnings in affected counties, driven by employment losses from deteriorating mental health and negative business perceptions. Locally, Minneapolis could face similar challenges: disrupted education, increased healthcare costs, and potential business exodus amid heightened safety concerns. The city, already reeling from recent violence, may see tourism and real estate values dip, compounding recovery efforts.
Nationally, gun violence costs the U.S. economy billions annually in medical expenses, lost wages, and preventive measures. States and districts spend billions on school safety enhancements—funds that could otherwise support academic programs. Firearm stocks often fluctuate post-incident; historically, companies like Smith & Wesson see temporary surges amid gun control debates, though broader market sentiment sours due to uncertainty.
While it’s too early to gauge precise market reactions to the Annunciation shooting—occurring just yesterday—analysts predict short-term volatility in sectors tied to security and education. The Dow and S&P 500 showed minor dips in afternoon trading on August 27, reflecting investor unease over escalating violence. Long-term, experts urge a public health approach: safe storage laws, mental health resources, and community interventions to mitigate these cascading economic harms.
As investigations continue and the community mourns, the attack at Annunciation underscores an urgent need for action. “These are sacred places,” Frey said. “But they are not the only sacred places. Schools are sacred. Classrooms are sacred.” The hope now is that this tragedy spurs meaningful change, honoring the young lives lost and protecting those that remain.
August 28, 2025
DNC’s summer meeting concluded early due to a nearby school shooting in Minneapolis
Ken Martin, then-DNC chair candidate, speaks at the “Win With Workers” rally and press conference at the DNC Midwestern Candidate Forum in Detroit on Jan. 16, 2025. © Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images for One Fair Wage
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) abruptly ended its summer meeting in Minneapolis on Wednesday, after news broke of a mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School, located a short distance from the gathering.
DNC Chair Ken Martin acknowledged the attack, which occurred outside the church during the school’s weekly Mass. He told members the tragedy had left about 20 victims, most of them children. Police and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey later confirmed in a press conference that 19 people had been shot.
“I’m extremely, extremely sorry that our meeting ended on such a tragic note,” Martin said. “But as we leave here with heavy hearts, let’s steel ourselves again in this work and why it’s so important. Everything we do, everything we do, is to make sure that things like this never happen again, especially to the little, little children. So let’s leave here today, steeled in this fight, knowing what we have to do.”
The final phase of the session began with a prayer led by Bishop Leah Daughtry, followed by a motion from Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio) to adopt all committee reports in a single voice vote so the meeting could close swiftly. Members approved the motion, and the meeting was adjourned.
In his welcoming remarks just an hour earlier, the mayor urged Democrats to view cities as the proving ground for social and economic change. He highlighted the city’s elimination of single-family exclusive zoning and expansion of affordable housing as examples of how Democratic-led cities could demonstrate progress to other cities around the country.
Inside the executive board meeting, party leaders presented what they described as a strong financial position. Budget co-chairs reported the DNC had raised $70 million so far this year, which Martin called a record for a comparable point after a presidential election loss. They said the party carried no debt, maintained adequate cash on hand, and was investing earlier than in past cycles, including in state parties, technology, and the upcoming gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey.
Martin said grassroots contributions—small donations of $5, $10, and $20 at a time—made up roughly 85 percent of the total raised. He said that reliance on these recurring contributions created a healthier, more resilient organization than one dependent on major donors.
The committee chair also pointed to fresh signs of momentum, citing Democrat Catelin Drey’s victory in an Aug. 26 Iowa Senate special election. The win flipped a Republican-held seat, broke the GOP’s supermajority in the chamber, and marked what Martin called the 40th Democratic win or better-than-expected results since President Donald Trump took office in January.
“There’s wind at our back,” Martin told members, adding the party should be hopeful despite the 2024 presidential election loss. He said the party needed to stop with the navel-gazing and “actually get in this fight.”
Still, not all members were reassured. Shortly before the meeting was adjourned, Christine Pelosi, a committee member and daughter of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, issued a sharp critique of how money is being spent.
“Last year, consultants lit a billion dollars on fire and pocketed another $750 million … that we can track,” she said. “I didn’t see enough paid field. I didn’t see enough Black media. I didn’t see enough rural radio. I didn’t see enough ethnic media. And we are determined. … I’ve told the governor, I’ve told my beloved mother, Nancy Pelosi, I’ve told anyone within the sound of my voice that we’re not doing that again.”
Christine Pelosi said large donors remained hesitant because they wanted to see their money go directly to communities, not national contracts.
“Every call is a persuasion call,” she said.
“If you don’t have [a] paid field, we will lose in California, not to mention New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, et cetera. So please, please, please, let’s all remember, the reason why people are still sitting on some of their money is because they want to see it in the field, they want to see it where they live … and if we are paying media consultants and we are not paying phone bankers and door walkers, we will lose. So let’s invest in the field and let’s win.”
Martin stated in response: “You don’t have to convince me. I’m an organizer.”
Throughout the meeting, Martin pointed to Democratic wins or better-than-expected results in 40 special elections this year as evidence of momentum and told members the party’s main task is “rebuilding trust” with voters who have lost faith.
The third and final day capped a meeting that had already showcased divisions and strategy debates.
On opening day, Texas Democrats took center stage as they described their quorum-breaking battle against Republican redistricting maps, which DNC leaders framed as part of a broader fight over voting rights. The following day, the Resolutions Committee debated and advanced dozens of measures, including paired resolutions against anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, while shelving a cease-fire and arms embargo proposal on Gaza after heated debate.
Later, at a press conference regarding the Catholic School shooting, Frey, standing alongside police, called the attack “an unspeakable act of evil.” Police confirmed that two children, ages 8 and 10, were killed and 17 others injured, 14 of them children. The gunman, a man in his early 20s, died by suicide after the attack, police said.
For Democrats, the tragedy cut short three days of strategy sessions, resolutions, and planning, with the tragedy occurring in their host city. The next DNC meeting is scheduled for Dec. 11–13 in Los Angeles, Martin said.
August 27, 2025
What has been confirmed about the Minnesota school shooting
A shooter killed two children and injured 17 others when he opened fire during Mass at a Minneapolis Catholic school on Aug. 27, officials said.
The shooter, Robert “Robin” Westman, who law enforcement said is a man in his early 20s, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound moments later. Fourteen of the 17 people injured were children, police said, two of whom are in critical condition.
Here is what we know so far.
Shooter Opened Fire in the Middle of Mass
The shooting occurred during Mass at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis on Aug. 27, two days after the first day of class of the new school year.
“This was a deliberate act of violence against innocent children and other people worshipping,“ Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said at a news conference. ”The sheer cruelty and cowardice of firing into a church full of children is absolutely incomprehensible.”
Authorities evacuated the school, and students’ families were directed to a “reunification zone.”
“Don’t just say this is about thoughts and prayers right now,” Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said at the news conference with O’Hara. “These kids were literally praying. It was the first week of school. They were in a church.”
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz called the shooting a “horrific act of violence” in a post on X.
“From the officers responding, to the clergy and teachers providing comfort, to the hospital staff saving lives, we will get through this together,” he wrote in another post.
Victims Mostly Children
Officials said the two children killed were 8 and 10 and were fatally shot while in the church pews celebrating a Mass during the first week of school. It is not clear how many people were present in the church when the shooting occurred, and authorities have not released the identities of the victims.
Police have heard estimates on the exact number of people who were in the church at the time, but will release a more definitive number when it’s determined, O’Hara said.
Hennepin Healthcare’s chair of emergency medicine, Thomas Wyatt, said the hospital treated 10 patients after the shooting, including eight children ages 6 through 14 and two adults.
Seven children ages 9 through 16 were also admitted to Children’s Minnesota, a trauma center dedicated to pediatric care, the facility said in a statement.
O’Hara said all of the wounded are expected to survive from their “range of injuries,” and that the children have been reunited with their families.
Shooter Identified
The shooter was Robert “Robin” Westman, according to FBI Director Kash Patel. Westman was armed with a rifle, shotgun, and pistol and approached the side of the church before shooting through the windows toward the children inside, O’Hara said.
Authorities believe that Westman fired all or most of the shots from outside the church before killing himself in the parking lot.
Westman identified as transgender, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem wrote on X.
He allegedly wrote the phrases “For the Children,” “Where is your God?”, and “Kill Donald Trump” on a rifle magazine, Noem said.
Officials did not say whether Westman had any known connections to the school. Potential motives are still under investigation, but officials said he does not have an extensive known criminal history and likely acted alone.
Patel said the FBI is investigating the shooting as an “act of domestic terrorism and hate crime targeting Catholics.”
O’Hara said Minneapolis police do not yet have a “motive or anything to suggest that,” but that it is working with its federal partners and reviewing “any possibilities from wherever the evidence will lead us from what we recover.”
Authorities previously said Westman was in his early 20s. Noem later said he was 23.
O’Hara said authorities located a smoke bomb, or a firework that would release smoke, but had not found any explosives.
They also found a video manifesto that had been timed to upload to YouTube following the shooting and are reviewing it for potential motives, O’Hara said.
Catholic School, Grades Pre-K to 8th
Founded in 1923, Annunciation Catholic School had 391 students enrolled for the 2023 to 2024 school year and has a student-to-teacher ratio of roughly 14 to one, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. With grades pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, each grade level has two classes and roughly 20 students per class.
The school is in Minneapolis’s tree-lined Windom neighborhood, about five miles south of downtown. Social media photos from the first day of school on Aug. 25 show students in green uniforms smiling, greeting one another at bicycle racks, and sitting together.
Annunciation Catholic School’s website states that teachers “focus on Christian values and civic-mindedness.”
Investigation Underway
In addition to investigating the shooting as a targeted act of domestic terrorism and an anti-Catholic hate crime, Patel said the FBI will provide updates to the public as its investigation proceeds. Law enforcement said previously it was investigating whether Westman had any known connections to the school.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) said it had completed a tracing of the firearms—the rifle, shotgun, and pistol—found at the school.
“ATF completed the urgent traces of the recovered firearms and has provided that information to all investigative partners involved in the shooting at Annunciation Church this morning,” the agency’s St. Paul, Minnesota, office wrote in a post on X. “This information is for investigative partners only and will not be released to the public.”
O’Hara said investigators are analyzing additional firearms found at three residential locations related to Westman.
The City of Minneapolis wrote on X that “there is no active threat to the community at this time” but warned residents to stay away from the area while emergency personnel help victims.
President Donald Trump has been briefed on the shooting. He signed a proclamation ordering all flags at federal buildings to be flown at half-staff “as a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence,” the White House wrote on X.
Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote on X, “Our federal agents are on the scene of the horrific shooting at the Annunciation Catholic school in Minneapolis, Minnesota.”
Shooting at Another Catholic School
The shooting on Aug. 27 followed one that occurred the previous afternoon at nearby Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Minneapolis, in what officials believe was a targeted shooting. The shooter killed one person and injured six others among a group of adults who were hanging out near the school, the police chief said on Aug. 26.
At least one of the adults was targeted, and officials did not mention if anyone from the school was involved in the shooting.
Annunciation Catholic School is roughly four miles south of Cristo Rey. Authorities do not believe that the two incidents are connected.
O’Hara told reporters that law enforcement had arrested two suspects in relation to that shooting.
“We have not gotten the shooter yet, but we believe we have two people under arrest that were present with the shooter when that happened, and we’re making significant progress,” he said.
August 27, 2025
Air Canada Flight Attendants, Airline Forge Tentative Deal, Ending Strike Threat
Passengers wait in line to speak with Air Canada representatives at the Pierre-Elliott Trudeau Airport in Montreal on August 15. © ANDREJ IVANOV/AFP via Getty Images
MONTREAL/TORONTO — Air Canada and its 10,000 flight attendants, represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), reached a tentative agreement early Tuesday, August 19, 2025, ending a disruptive four-day strike that canceled approximately 500,000 passengers’ flights during the peak summer travel season. The breakthrough, announced after intense overnight negotiations, allows Canada’s largest carrier to begin resuming operations, though the airline warns that a full return to normal service could take seven to ten days.
“The strike has ended. We have a tentative agreement we will bring forward to you,” CUPE’s Air Canada Component stated, confirming that members will comply with the resumption of operations. Air Canada echoed the announcement, noting that mediation began Monday at 7 p.m. ET and concluded just after 4 a.m. ET on Tuesday, with the condition that flight attendants return to work immediately. “This allows the airline to resume the operations of Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge, which have been grounded since Aug. 16,” the airline said in a statement.
The strike, which began on Saturday, August 16, followed months of stalled talks over wages and unpaid ground work, such as boarding and safety checks. CUPE rejected Air Canada’s initial offer of a 38% compensation increase, arguing it amounted to only a 17.2% wage hike over four years, insufficient given inflation and industry standards. The union also defied a Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) order to return to work on Sunday, prompting the board to declare the strike unlawful. CUPE challenged the order in Federal Court, with national president Mark Hancock stating on Monday, “If it means folks like me going to jail, then so be it. We’re looking for a solution here.”
The tentative agreement’s details remain undisclosed pending ratification by union members, but it follows significant pressure from federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu, who urged both sides to negotiate and announced a probe into allegations of unpaid work in the airline sector. “The claims are deeply disturbing,” Hajdu said, referencing flight attendants’ demands for compensation for ground duties.
Passenger Disruptions and Recovery Challenges
The strike left passengers stranded across Canada and beyond, with Air Canada operating around 700 flights daily. Travelers faced canceled flights, limited rebooking options, and significant out-of-pocket expenses. The airline advised that only passengers with confirmed bookings on operating flights should head to airports, as aircraft and crew remain out of position. “Some flights will be cancelled over the next seven to ten days until the schedule is stabilized,” Air Canada warned, offering refunds, travel credits, or rebooking on other airlines, though capacity is constrained due to the busy summer season.
The agreement comes as a relief to passengers like John and Lois Alderman, who faced a potential week-long delay in Toronto with dwindling insulin supplies for John, a diabetic. Others, like Beverley and Martin Newstead, also U.K.-bound, expressed frustration over extended stays and mounting costs. In Montreal, Luca Pozzoli considered driving to Boston to catch a flight to Italy, while Sandra Major, a Bahamian grandmother, received no immediate rebooking options after her flight was canceled.
Broader Implications for Labor
The strike’s defiance of the CIRB order drew support from other labor groups, with the Canadian Labour Congress and Air Canada’s pilot union rallying behind CUPE. The resolution marks a significant moment for Canada’s labor movement, as CUPE’s push for fair compensation and paid ground work could influence future negotiations in the aviation sector. The federal probe into unpaid work, prompted by the strike, may further reshape industry practices.
Prime Minister Mark Carney, speaking on Monday, expressed disappointment over the prolonged dispute but emphasized the importance of fair compensation for flight attendants. “Ottawa recognizes the critical role that flight attendants play in keeping Canadians and their families safe as they travel,” he said, urging a swift resolution.
As Air Canada ramps up operations, with the first flights scheduled for Tuesday evening, passengers and the airline face a challenging recovery period. The tentative deal signals a step toward normalcy, but the union’s fight for better working conditions and the government’s scrutiny of airline labor practices suggest lasting impacts from this high-profile standoff.
August 19, 2025
Air Canada Cabin Crew Strike Enters Day Four as Talks Resume
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MONTREAL/TORONTO — Air Canada AC.TO -3.85% ▼‘s flight attendants, represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), extended their strike into its fourth day on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, disrupting travel for hundreds of thousands of passengers during the peak summer season. While talks between the union and the airline resumed late Monday, a standoff persists after CUPE defied a federal labor board order to return to work, escalating tensions with both Air Canada and the Canadian government.

The strike, which began on Saturday, August 16, has grounded approximately 700 daily flights, affecting around 130,000 passengers daily, according to Air Canada, Canada’s largest carrier and a member of the global Star Alliance. The Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) declared the strike unlawful and ordered flight attendants back to work by 2 p.m. ET on Sunday, but CUPE’s leadership, led by president Mark Hancock, refused to comply, with Hancock stating he would “risk jail time” rather than force cabin crews back. The union insists the strike will continue until Air Canada negotiates on key demands, including higher wages and compensation for unpaid ground work, such as boarding passengers.
Late Monday, CUPE announced on Facebook that it had met with Air Canada and federal mediator William Kaplan in Toronto, marking the first talks since the strike began. However, the union emphasized that the strike remains active, and a source familiar with the discussions told Reuters that mediation hinges on flight attendants returning to work—a condition CUPE has rejected. The resulting three-way standoff between the airline, workers, and the government has drawn attention from other labor groups, who view the dispute as a pivotal moment for workers’ rights in Canada.
Government Response and Unpaid Work Probe
Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu has intensified pressure on Air Canada, urging both sides to accept government mediation while announcing a probe into allegations of unpaid work in the airline sector. Flight attendants have long argued that their contracts should include pay for ground duties, such as boarding and safety checks, which currently go uncompensated. “I’ve ordered a probe into the allegation of unpaid work in the airline sector,” Hajdu said, expressing surprise at the practice in posts on X. The investigation, a key demand of CUPE, could reshape labor standards in Canada’s aviation industry.
Hajdu also invoked Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code on Saturday to refer the dispute to the CIRB for binding arbitration, a move CUPE called “unconstitutional” and accused of “caving to corporate pressure.” The government’s options to end the strike include seeking court enforcement of the CIRB’s back-to-work order or passing legislation, though the latter would require support from opposition parties in a minority government and approval from both houses of parliament, currently on recess until September 15.
Union Demands and Airline Offer
The core issues fueling the strike are wages and unpaid ground work. CUPE has criticized Air Canada’s offer of a 38% increase in total compensation over four years, claiming it translates to only a 17.2% wage hike, which they argue is “below inflation, below market value, below minimum wage,” according to a union statement. Air Canada’s CEO, in a Reuters interview on Monday, defended the offer as positioning flight attendants as “the best compensated in Canada” but acknowledged a “big gap” with the union’s demands, offering no immediate plan to bridge it.
The dispute follows months of stalled negotiations, with 99.7% of CUPE’s 10,000 flight attendants voting for strike action earlier this month. The union has highlighted the financial strain on workers, with some relying on food banks due to wages lagging inflation since their last contract a decade ago, as noted by CUPE Strike Committee Chair Shanyn Elliott in a prior Reuters interview.
Passenger Impact and Labor Solidarity
The strike has left passengers stranded, with many expressing frustration over limited support from Air Canada. James Numfor, 38, from Regina, Saskatchewan, told Reuters he and his family have been sleeping in Toronto’s Pearson International Airport for two nights after returning from Cameroon. “We find any place comfortable with the kids, they just lay down,” Numfor said, adding that Air Canada provided only one night of hotel accommodation. Retiree Klaus Hickman, who missed a Toronto flight and rebooked with another airline, sympathized with the workers but worried about making a connecting flight to Germany, citing health concerns.
Other labor groups have rallied behind CUPE. Bea Bruske, president of the Canadian Labour Congress, representing 3 million workers, told Reuters that unions are prepared to escalate support, including covering CUPE’s legal costs. Air Canada’s pilot union, the Air Line Pilots’ Association, encouraged its members to join picket lines during off-hours, stating, “This is an important moment for organized labor across Canada.”
As talks resume, the outcome remains uncertain. The strike’s defiance of the CIRB order marks a rare challenge to federal authority, drawing parallels to recent U.S. labor gains by flight attendants at American Airlines and Alaska Airlines. With passengers stranded and labor tensions rising, the resolution of this dispute could set a precedent for Canada’s aviation industry and beyond.
August 19, 2025
Air Canada Flight Attendants Strike: Travellers Face Continued Disruption
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TORONTO/MONTREAL — Thousands of passengers faced another day of travel chaos on Monday, August 18, 2025, as Air Canada AC.TO -3.85% ▼‘s 10,000 flight attendants continued their strike, defying a Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) order to return to work. The ongoing labor dispute, now in its third day, has led to the cancellation of approximately 500,000 passengers’ flights, leaving travelers stranded across Canada and beyond during the peak summer travel season.

Among those affected are John and Lois Alderman, a British couple stranded in Toronto with their two teenage children. “I’m a diabetic and I’m going to run out of insulin in about four days,” John told reporters at Pearson International Airport. “That’s going to cause a problem.” The family, facing a four-to-five-day wait for a flight back to Manchester, U.K., feels like “prisoners in the hotel,” hesitant to explore the city due to the risk of missing a last-minute flight notification. The Aldermans are paying $700 per night for accommodations, with alternative flights on competitor airlines costing upwards of $8,000 for the family of four.
Similarly, Beverley and Martin Newstead, also U.K. residents, saw their Toronto flight canceled and are now grappling with an indefinite extension of their vacation. “It’s not ideal,” Martin said. “It is nice in Canada, but we’ve been here for two weeks and a bit and are running out of clothes to wear.” In Montreal, Luca Pozzoli, attempting to reach Milan, Italy, found his flight canceled and is now considering driving to Boston to catch a flight. “Everything is fully booked,” he said, highlighting the scarcity of alternatives.
The disruptions have sparked frustration, with passengers like Sandra Major, a Bahamian grandmother visiting Canada, receiving little support. After her 2:45 p.m. flight was canceled, Major told The Canadian Press, “I came down here for some assistance to see if they could transfer me on another flight, and they said they can’t help because they’re all shut down.” The lack of immediate options has left travelers feeling abandoned, with Air Canada offering rebookings on competitor airlines but no compensation for hotels, meals, or transportation.
Union Defies CIRB, Talks Stalled
The strike, initiated by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) on Saturday, August 16, centers on demands for higher wages and compensation for unpaid ground work, such as boarding and safety checks. The CIRB declared the strike unlawful on Monday, with vice chairperson Jennifer Webster ordering, “The members of the union’s bargaining unit are directed to resume the performance of their duties immediately and to refrain from engaging in unlawful strike activities.” The order followed federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu’s invocation of Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code, directing the dispute to binding arbitration.
Mark Hancock, National President of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) which represents striking Air Canada flight attendants, speaks at a news conference in the hotel media room at Toronto Pearson International Airport in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, August 18, 2025. © REUTERS/Wa Lone
CUPE, however, has defied the CIRB’s order and challenged it in Federal Court, arguing it violates workers’ constitutional rights. Union president Mark Hancock stated, “If Air Canada thinks planes will be flying this afternoon, they’re sorely mistaken,” signaling an intent to continue the strike until negotiations address their demands. Air Canada, which planned to resume flights on Sunday, was forced to delay operations, exacerbating the travel disruptions.
Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed disappointment over the failure of Air Canada and CUPE to reach an agreement after eight months of negotiations. “It’s critical that both sides quickly resolve the situation causing chaos for travellers,” Carney said, acknowledging the “critical role that flight attendants play in keeping Canadians and their families safe as they travel” and emphasizing the need for equitable compensation.
Passenger Sympathy Amid Frustration
Despite the chaos, some passengers voiced support for the striking flight attendants. Lisa Smith, stranded in Montreal with her sister Nicole Power, told The Canadian Press, “I think that’s important. If you’re here to do your job and you’ve already started to do your job, then you should get paid for it.” The sisters, who were visiting San Francisco, were initially assured their return to Newfoundland would proceed but learned on Sunday that their flight was canceled. Rebooked on a competitor airline, they face a wait until Wednesday, with no compensation for accommodations or meals.
Air Canada, a key member of the Star Alliance, typically serves 130,000 passengers daily. The prolonged strike has drawn attention from other labor groups, with the Canadian Labour Congress and Air Canada’s pilot union expressing solidarity. The dispute’s resolution remains uncertain as CUPE challenges the CIRB order and negotiations remain stalled, leaving travelers like the Aldermans, Newsteads, and Major to navigate mounting costs and uncertainty.
August 18, 2025
Three Killed, Nine Wounded in Brooklyn Nightclub Shooting
A shooting at a crowded New York City club early on Aug. 17 left three people dead and nine wounded, authorities said.
Investigators have said they believe that up to four shooters opened fire at Taste of the City Lounge in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn, following a dispute just before 3:30 a.m. ET on Aug. 17, New York Police Department Commissioner Jessica Tisch told reporters.
“It’s a terrible shooting that occurred in the city of New York,” Tisch said at a press conference.
“Currently, we have identified 12 victims—ranging in age from 19 to 61—nine males and three females.”
Three men died in relation to the shooting—one aged 19 who was pronounced dead at the scene and two—aged 27 and 35—who succumbed to their injuries at the hospital, Tisch said.
Officers are investigating at least 42 shell casings found at the lounge, from multiple guns, and a firearm discovered on a nearby street, she said.
Tisch said the wounded in the shooting are being treated at hospitals for injuries that are not life-threatening. The victims’ names are being withheld pending family notifications.
She said the police would not speak about motivation for the incident until the investigation is complete, but she said law enforcement has reason to believe some of the victims were involved in the shooting. That information is preliminary and subject to change, she said.
“What we know preliminarily is that there was a dispute inside the crowded club that led to the shooting. We believe that there were up to four shooters involved in this incident,” Tisch said. “At this time, no one is in custody, and the shooting preliminarily appears to be gang-related.”
Members of the New York City Police Department investigate a shooting scene at Taste of the City lounge in the Crown Heights neighborhood of the Brooklyn borough in New York City on Aug. 17, 2025. © Stephanie Keith/Getty Images
New York City is having a record low year for gun violence, the police commissioner noted.
“We have the lowest numbers of shooting incidents and shooting victims seven months into the year that we’ve seen on record in the city of New York,” Tisch said. “Something like this is, of course, thank God, an anomaly, and it’s a terrible thing that happened this morning, but we’re going to investigate and get to the bottom of what went down.”
New York City Mayor Eric Adams asked anyone with information about the shooting to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.
“We need your help,” Adams said at a press conference, adding that it’s New York City’s second mass shooting in a few weeks.
“If you were inside the club, if you heard individuals talking about this shooting, if you witnessed someone fleeing the location, every piece of information would allow us to put the puzzle together to solve this crime.”
Andre Mitchell-Mann, who serves as Adams’s first New York City gun violence prevention czar and co-chair of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, said the mayor’s team has “been responding ever since the call has been made.”
“Mass shootings require mass resources, and so we look to go into that area of Crown Heights and to be able to pour those resources within that area, and we’re looking forward to everybody else’s collaboration going forward,” he said.
August 17, 2025
One Killed, Others Injured as Train Derails in Denmark
At least one person has died and dozens have been injured after a train collided with a slurry tanker and derailed in southern Denmark, officials have said. Police said the crash occurred between the towns of Tinglev and Kliplev in southern Jutland, near the German border, leaving a 60-year-old woman dead and 27 others injured.
In an update shortly after midnight, police said a crane was being used at the site to lift some of the damaged carriages to ensure there were no more injured passengers.
Of the five people seriously injured, two remained in a critical condition in hospital. Local media reported the train as having hit a slurry tanker, which are used to transport farm waste. Pictures from the scene showed a carriage lying on its side, with passengers standing around the train tracks.
Police said 106 people in total had been involved in the accident. Among the passengers onboard included pupils from a school in nearby Sønderborg, the train’s intended destination.
None of the students or the two teachers with them were seriously injured, police said, but they had been invited to go into school on Saturday to talk to a psychologist.
“My thoughts go out to the relatives, the many injured and everyone who is currently affected by the accident,” Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said in a statement to public broadcaster DR.
“I hope that everyone gets the best possible help and support.”
The country’s rail operator DSB said that it had shut down services along the line until further notice. The national rail agency Banedanmark wrote on X that the collision happened at a level crossing. At least two of the train carriages were derailed, according to local media.
August 16, 2025
Hunter Biden Faces $1 Billion Demand from Melania Trump Over Epstein Controversy
First Lady Melania Trump is threatening legal action against Hunter Biden, son of former President Joe Biden, demanding a public apology and retraction for comments linking her to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In a letter dated August 6, 2025, Melania Trump’s attorney, Alejandro Brito, warned that failure to comply could lead to a $1 billion defamation lawsuit, citing “overwhelming financial and reputational harm” caused by Biden’s remarks.
The controversy stems from a July interview Hunter Biden gave to YouTube personality Andrew Callaghan, in which he claimed that Epstein introduced Melania Trump to her husband, President Donald Trump. Biden attributed the allegation to author Michael Wolff, asserting that Wolff obtained the information directly from Epstein. The comments, described as “false, disparaging, defamatory,” and “extremely salacious” in Brito’s letter, prompted a swift response from Melania Trump’s legal team, invoking Florida’s pre-suit defamation statute.
Brito’s letter specifically challenged Biden’s statements that “Epstein introduced Melania to [Donald] Trump” and that “Jeffrey Epstein introduced Melania, that’s how Melania and the President met, according to Michael Wolff.” The first lady’s legal team argues that these claims are baseless and damaging to her reputation. President Trump, in an August 13 interview on Fox Radio, supported his wife’s pursuit of legal action, stating, “Jeffrey Epstein has nothing to do with Melania. … I told her to go ahead and do it; she was very upset about it.” He clarified that he met Melania through another individual, not Epstein, and dismissed the allegations as an attempt to “demean.”
In a follow-up YouTube video posted on August 14, Callaghan presented Hunter Biden with the letter from Melania Trump’s attorney, offering him an opportunity to retract his statements. Biden refused, declaring, “That’s not going to happen.” He defended his remarks by citing Wolff’s reporting and claimed that New York Times reporters Edward Carney and Maggie Haberman had made similar assertions. Calling the defamation threat a “distraction,” Biden stood firm on his comments.
First lady Melania Trump visits Number 10 Downing Street during the second day of President Donald Trump’s state visit on June 4, 2019, in London. © Karwai Tang/WireImage
The allegations have drawn significant attention due to Epstein’s notoriety. The financier, who died by suicide in a Manhattan jail cell in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, was a polarizing figure whose associations have fueled widespread speculation. Epstein’s associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for sex trafficking.
The dispute echoes a recent retraction by The Daily Beast, which apologized for publishing a similar claim about Epstein introducing Melania to Donald Trump after legal pressure from the first lady’s team. Posts on X from August 2025, including one by user @ShadowofEzra, noted Hunter Biden’s refusal to apologize, quoting him as saying, “F*ck that” and “It’s not gonna happen,” underscoring the escalating tension.
Melania Trump’s potential lawsuit adds to a series of legal battles involving high-profile figures and Epstein-related claims. If pursued, the case could test the boundaries of defamation law, particularly given Biden’s reliance on third-party reporting and the public’s intense interest in Epstein’s connections. For now, the first lady’s legal team is pressing for a retraction, while Biden’s defiance suggests the matter may head to court.
August 15, 2025
Former NY Official Promises to Cleanse State of CCP Influence
NEW YORK — Former New York Lieutenant Governor Betsy McCaughey, a Republican considering a run for governor, has pledged to combat the influence of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in New York State if elected. Speaking at a rally in Flushing on August 10, hosted by the Global Service Center for Quitting the Chinese Communist Party, McCaughey decried the CCP’s “illegal, secret, and violent” activities in the United States, emphasizing the need to protect Chinese immigrants who have distanced themselves from the Party.
The event celebrated a milestone of over 450 million Chinese individuals worldwide renouncing ties with the CCP and its affiliated organizations, part of the global “Tuidang” or “Quit the CCP” movement. Inspired by The Epoch Times’ 2004 editorial series “Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party,” the movement seeks to expose the CCP’s history and alleged human rights abuses, topics considered taboo in China. The New York-based nonprofit operates booths in the city, staffed by Falun Gong practitioners, to assist Chinese individuals in formally withdrawing from the CCP.
McCaughey, founder of Reduce Infection Deaths and co-founder of SaveNYC, described the Tuidang movement as “inspiring” during her speech. “It shows that the human spirit can never be conquered. It proves that truth, once spoken, lives on forever,” she said. “This is not about politics. It is about humanity. It is deep within our core as humans to want freedom.” She condemned the CCP’s intimidation of Chinese immigrants in the U.S., stating, “The penetration of the CCP—its illegal, secret, and violent ways inside the United States—must be stopped. They intimidate, they injure, they threaten Chinese people here who have left the Party; that must stop,” in an interview.
The rally highlighted the persecution faced by Falun Gong practitioners, a spiritual group based on principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance, who have been targeted by the CCP since 1999. According to the Falun Dafa Information Center, millions of practitioners have faced detention, torture, and death in Chinese prisons and labor camps. In New York, the Global Service Center’s efforts have met with hostility, including an attack on a booth near Flushing’s Main Street subway station in April, following threats such as bomb attacks and shootings aimed at Falun Gong supporters.
Another speaker, Michael Pastine, assistant vice president and chief information officer at the State University of New York at Old Westbury, criticized the CCP’s censorship and control over information. “Each one of them has broken through the wall of lies. Each one is a digital and spiritual defector—walking away from a system that values power over people, and control over conscience,” Pastine said of those renouncing the CCP. He also praised the millions worldwide who have signed the center’s “End CCP” petition, calling the signatures “data points in a moral movement that technology cannot suppress.”
Michael Pastine speaks at an event held by the Global Service Center for Quitting the CCP in Queens, New York, on Aug. 10, 2025. © Huang Xiaotang/The Epoch Times
McCaughey emphasized solidarity with those rejecting the CCP, stating, “Together, we can build a future where the truth is not censored, where faith is not punished, and where the horrors of communism are never repeated.” Her remarks align with her broader campaign platform, which includes addressing local issues like public safety and economic recovery while taking a firm stance against foreign influence.
As New York’s gubernatorial race approaches, McCaughey’s focus on CCP influence underscores growing concerns about foreign interference in local communities. Her pledge to protect Chinese immigrants and curb alleged CCP activities could resonate with voters wary of global political dynamics affecting the state.
August 15, 2025