💼 Economy & Business
- Dozens protest Meta’s planned one‑gigawatt data centre north of Edmonton. Protest organiser Ben Baril led a demonstration in Morinville, Sturgeon County, opposing the $13‑billion‑plus project over water and grid concerns and AI‑related job fears; Meta says the centre will be online in two to three years and Alberta’s government plans to use surplus grid power until a new gas plant starts in 2030.
- WestJet flight attendants (CUPE 8125) began a strike, halting most air bookings. The union represents about 4,400 cabin crew and the airline has suspended bookings through Aug. 5 while Encore flights continue; the dispute centres on pay for ground work such as boarding and safety checks, the union says.
🎨 Community & Culture
- Two Alberta food banks switch to grocery‑style shopping to give families choice. The change affects two unnamed Alberta food banks that have adopted the grocery‑style model to let clients select items rather than receive prepacked hampers, the report says.
- Two years after Jasper’s wildfire, attractions are reopening. The story reviews which Jasper Park attractions have reopened since the fire two years ago and tracks the phased recoveries of tourism sites in the Jasper area.
🏈 Sports
- Edmonton Elks fall to 6‑2 after a close loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The team’s record dropped to 6‑2 following the narrow defeat to the Roughriders, per the game report.
- Judo Commonwealth Games champion Julien Frascadore named Canada’s closing‑ceremony flag‑bearer. Frascadore, the judo gold medallist, was chosen to carry Canada’s flag at the Commonwealth Games closing ceremony.
📰 Also Today
- Canada’s new reactors will depend on foreign fuel despite earlier policy, report examines fuel reliance.
- Toronto flights cancelled after WestJet cabin crew go on strike, affecting Pearson departures.
- Moscow mayor calls Balzi Rossi restaurant bombing a ‘brutal terrorist act’, at least three dead and 21 wounded.
