Voice of the Martyrs Korea to add fifth daily broadcast to North Korea

Voice of the Martyrs Korea announced that it is adding a fifth daily 30-minute broadcast to North Korea.

That move comes as most government-sponsored broadcasts into the country by the United States and South Korea have been discontinued. Voice of the Martyrs Korea says that the new broadcast will consist of the sermons of early Korean Christians and an uninterrupted reading of the Bible.

Details about the new broadcast’s time, radio frequency, and launch date are being withheld for security reasons.

Deaf educators reverse controversial 1880 decision

Orchestrated by the International Congress on the Education of the Deaf (ICED), the Milan Congress of 1880 caused massive damage to the global Deaf community.

Instead of using the sign language that was most natural to them, Deaf children were forced to learn using oral methods.

“Oral education is the idea of using lip reading and speech therapy rather than sign language,” DOOR International’s Rob Myers explains,

John Crist on sobriety, faith, and finding love after scandal

The past few years of comedian John Crist's life have been a rollercoaster — from a stint in rehab to his recent engagement.

"The best thing that’s ever happened to me in my entire life by far, I love you so much @lyfeoflyd," says Crist on social media. 

Crist's fiancée, Lydia Fielder, is a co-anchor for Nashville TV station WSMV-TV.

Tax agency extends contracts of 850 call centre workers amid staffing concerns

The Canada Revenue Agency has offered contract extensions to around 850 call centre employees as their union sounds the alarm over staffing levels. 

CRA spokesperson Etienne Biram says the workers, whose contracts were set to expire in September, were contacted about the decision last week.

The federal union representing workers at the tax agency recently launched an online campaign denouncing staffing cuts. 

LeBlanc set to meet Lutnick in Washington after Ottawa drops some tariffs

Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc is set to meet with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in Washington this week after Ottawa announced it would be lifting some retaliatory tariffs.

LeBlanc's office said he will travel to the United States capital on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced last Friday that Canada will drop some retaliatory tariffs on U.S. products to match American tariff exemptions for goods covered under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement on trade, called CUSMA. .

Alberta seeking public input in establishing nuclear power industry

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she expects the private sector to lead the way on potentially bringing nuclear power to the province.

But she says her government is prepared to set up a Crown corporation, like Ontario has for its nuclear generation, if necessary. 

Smith made her remarks as she announced a new panel to gather public feedback on the possibility of building reactors. 

She says that could include small modular reactors powering oilsands sites or full-scale plants feeding the grid. 

Outrageous Joy

I know of no greater need today than the need for joy. Unexplainable, contagious joy. Outrageous joy.

When that kind of joy comes aboard our ship of life, it brings things with it—like enthusiasm for life, determination to hang in there, and a strong desire to be of encouragement to others. Such qualities make our voyage bearable when we hit the open seas and encounter high waves of hardship that tend to demoralise and paralyze. 

There is nothing better than a joyful attitude when we face the challenges life throws at us.

Verse of the Day: August 26

Romans 12:4-5

For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Alberta teacher contract talks resume ahead of school year, possible strike

The group representing Alberta teachers says hopes are high that a deal will be reached as mediated talks resume before the school year gets underway.

Jason Schilling, president of the Alberta Teachers' Association, says while hopeful, there are a number of issues that need to be settled if this week's talks are to be successful.

Teachers voted 95 per cent in favour of strike action earlier this summer.

Schilling says the June vote signalled that pay, classroom conditions, crowding and resources for students were unacceptable.

Saskatchewan finalizes trade mission to Asia


The dates are set Premier Scott Moe's trade mission to Asia runs September 6th to 12th.

It's a very important region for the province ... In 2024, Saskatchewan exported over $10 billion to Asia—$4.4 billion to China, $929 million to Japan and 162 million to South Korea.

The goal is to reinforce future trade opportunities and engage with China on their temporary duties on peas and canola.

The Premier has invited Prime Minister Mark Carney and any other federal ministers  to join the trade mission.