Article content Canada’s more than 55,000 postal workers are on strike this week. It wasn’t too long ago that a postal strike was as devastating as a major rail or port strike; every passing day that the mail wasn’t being delivered meant a noticeable hit to the country’s GDP. But this is not really the case this time around. While the strike has had outsized impacts on rural communities and home-based businesses who relied on Canada Post to ship their wares, for millions the only noticeable effect has been a lack of flyers in the mail slot. In Dear Diary , the National Post satirically re-imagines a week in the life of a newsmaker. This week, Tristin Hopper takes a journey inside the thoughts of a striking Canadian postal worker. Monday We did not want to bring this darkness upon Canada, but our hand was forced. We postal workers assume the immense physical risks of our profession in the full knowledge that we made a solemn oath to this country. We are the thread that knits this great Dominion together. Without us, the country dissolves almost immediately into isolated and feuding regions, untampered by the civilizing effect of mail. And we do this work humbly; we do not demand the accolades, titles or statues that are arguably our right. All we ask is for another raise above the rate of inflation , paid meals and breaks, more sick days and a free cookie on all the major Abrahamic religious holidays, including Naw-Rúz and Candlemas. Tuesday As I strode away from the picket line to do a run for another round of caramel macchiatos, an uneasy feeling overtook me. Vehicle traffic remained heavy. The lights remained on in the major banks. Shops were doing brisk business. The wheels of commerce didn’t seem affected at all by the absence of the Canada Post mail carrier. I moved about the streets as if invisible; bystanders saw my “CUPW on strike” sandwich board, but they seemed not to care. Where were the harried small business owners begging us to return to our stations? The plutocrats showering us with contempt from their gleaming Mercedes? The janitors, cab drivers and other members of the working class giving us knowing nods in silent acknowledgment that our struggle is not a selfish bid for rent-seeking, but a noble defence of all working peoples. Wednesday Carrying the mail gives one a lot of time to think, and my thoughts stray often into how all this might be improved. Number one; door-to-door delivery seems inefficient given the rapidly diminishing volume of mail. At some addresses I’m delivering less than two official letters per week. Most of what I carry is just flyers and promotional mailings. It seems like a lot of this inefficiency could be curbed by delivering mail to centralized postal boxes, similar to what is used in apartment buildings and rural areas. Number two, I often encounter independent package delivery services during my rounds. While package delivery was once our primary purview, these services are able to offer more competitive conditions and prices — even without the legacy benefits of nationwide delivery infrastructure. If this is true, it is clear we are falling short. I haven’t looked into the fine print of our strike demands, but I assume these are all on there. After all, who is more invested in the efficiency and profitability of Canada Post than its front-line employees? We, more than anyone, should be working to defend the fiscal sustainability of this great enterprise. Thursday Tuesday’s experience was so jarring that I decided to fetch today’s macchiatos using UberEats. And I must say, it was very convenient: You dial in the entire order on a user-friendly app, which also arranges payment electronically — the driver just hands you the order and is on their way again. What’s more, UberEats uses a flexible contractor model. I assumed that the drivers were all just full-time staff who drove a set circuit around the city every single day, regardless of whether there was any food to deliver. But no; they work their own hours and are paid per delivery, meaning they are able to work the job in addition to other pursuits, such as picking up the kids from school or running a home business. My thoughts strayed briefly to my one-time dream of running a niche service selling ironic screen-printed T-shirts, but I successfully repressed them. The secure paycheque and benefits of carrying mail was always the right option and I have no regrets. Friday Today, I used both UberEats and SkiptheDishes to order in not only coffees, but lunch and two snacks for the rest of the picket line. We couldn’t agree on Subway or Tim Hortons, so we just did both on a single order! One of the other picketers complained of her hands getting numb, so we arranged an Amazon delivery of winter gloves. We made the order at 4:55 p.m. last night and the truck was there at 9 a.m. the next morning. I had thought this strike meant I was going to miss out on my regular delivery of Cat Fancy, but a colleague showed me how you can just read it online. Delivery is instantaneous to your smartphone! And it was similar with my pending credit card. Although the physical card remains stranded in a postal sorting facility somewhere, this proved no barrier to my paying for our various deliveries using electronic means. All this innovation has brought Canada such convenience and prosperity, and vastly expanded the scope of what our people and economy can accomplish. I do hope our union negotiators remember this. In a country working with such dynamism and efficiency, it should be the easiest thing in the world to find the money to significantly boost the compensation of the employees of an increasingly irrelevant Crown Corporation hemorrhaging billions upon billions of dollars.
In the world of football, success is a crucial ingredient for any team aiming to achieve greatness. This success is often measured in terms of trophies won, goals scored, and victories celebrated. However, success also depends on the players who make up the team, and their performance on the pitch can make or break a season.
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One of the key highlights of Cloud Fast Charge's presence at the conference was their announcement of a strategic partnership aimed at deepening charging and battery swapping collaboration in northern Anhui. The region, known for its burgeoning EV market and supportive government policies, presents a ripe opportunity for expanding the reach and impact of sustainable transportation solutions.
Title: Tencent Video VIP Downgrades to Simultaneous Streaming on 1 Device, but Maintains Existing Benefits for Long-time MembersAs the world watches closely, the outcome of the meeting and the subsequent transfer of power will be closely scrutinized. It is imperative that all parties involved act with integrity, transparency, and a genuine desire to uphold the principles of democracy and good governance.
The controversy surrounding the Police Chief began when reports emerged suggesting that he may have been involved in questionable activities during the implementation of emergency martial law. The government declared a state of emergency in response to escalating civil unrest and protests across the country. During this challenging period, the Police Chief was entrusted with maintaining law and order and ensuring the safety of citizens.TSMC Secures Decisive Battle with Potential Customer Orders Exceeding 3nm Process
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Amazing Stock Moves You Can’t Afford to Miss This WeekAs each recruit was called forward to receive their official title, the pride and joy on the parents' faces were evident. They had watched their children grow and mature over the years, but seeing them now, standing tall and confident in their military uniforms, was a moment they would never forget. The parents' hearts swelled with a mixture of emotions - pride in their children's achievements, worry for their safety, and a sense of awe at the responsibility they were about to undertake.MoALI Union Minister receives ASEAN-China Centre Secretary-General
California’s political clout will fade as long as population growth remains slowBeyond personal connections, WeChat also serves as a hub for professional networking and career development. Our 25-year-old woman uses WeChat to follow industry influencers and thought leaders, join business groups and communities, and even seek job opportunities. With the app's built-in features like WeChat Pay and Mini Programs, she can seamlessly navigate a world of e-commerce, online services, and digital payments, all within the same platform.Coming EV models include small hatchbacks, pickups, sports cars, and minivans. They come from brands like Audi, Cadillac, Lucid, Mercedes-Benz, Rivian, Tesla, and Volkswagen. This article is part of " ," a series of guides and practical advice for buying your next EV. A large number of exciting EVs are headed to market soon. Several in recent months, replacing some of their prior electric-vehicle concepts with a focus on internal-combustion-engine and hybrid models. Even with this strategic change, you can expect to see a lot of EV options in the coming years. Here's a collection of cool EVs — including small hatchbacks, pickups, sports cars, and minivans — that we can't wait to drive. Audi Q6 e-tron The Audi Q6 e-tron is the 11th battery electric model to join the brand's lineup and marks the debut of Audi's all-new EV platform. With a 100-kWh battery pack, the Q6 e-tron is rated by the Environmental Protection Agency for 321 miles of range. The Q6 e-tron with Quattro all-wheel drive has 456 horsepower and can do 0 to 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds. There's also a higher-performance SQ6 e-tron. The Q6 e-tron starts at $63,800. Cadillac Vistiq The Cadillac Vistiq, starting at $77,400, is a three-row midsize luxury electric SUV positioned between the smaller and the flagship Escalade IQ. Cadillac says the Vistiq will have a range of about 300 miles with a 102-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. With dual electric motors generating 615 horsepower, it can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds. Production at GM's Spring Hill, Tennessee, plant is expected to start in early 2025. Canoo pickup truck The Texas-based startup EV maker Canoo unveiled its electric pickup in 2021, but there hasn't been much news about the innovative cab-forward truck since. So it's unclear when it will go into production. What we do know is intriguing, including 600 horsepower, 200-plus miles of range, and an ultraconfigurable truck bed. Hyundai Ioniq 9 The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 is an all-electric midsize three-row family SUV set to go on sale in the first half of 2025. Built on the Electric Global Modular Platform platform, which also underpins the Kia EV9, the Ioniq 9 features a 110.3-kWh battery pack and an estimated range of 385 miles. Kia EV4 The Kia EV4 is a concept for a stylish compact EV sedan that debuted at the 2023 Los Angeles Auto Show. Kia has not confirmed that the EV4 will enter production. But believes it could arrive as early as 2026 with up to 300 miles of range and a starting price of about $39,000. Lotus Emeya The Lotus Emeya is a high-performance four-door GT with as much as 905 horsepower. According to Lotus, the Chinese-built EV can do 0 to 62 mph in 2.78 seconds and has a top speed of 159 mph. Lucid Gravity The Gravity is the second model to emerge from the American EV startup Lucid. It's a three-row luxury SUV with up to 828 horsepower and an estimated 440 miles of range. The Gravity Grand Touring is on sale now, starting at $94,900. Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ Technology The iconic Mercedes-Benz Geländewagen can finally be had as an EV. Offered alongside its internal-combustion siblings, the 2025 Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ Technology comes with a 122-kWh battery pack, 239 miles of range, 579 horsepower, and a starting price of $161,500. Polestar 5 The Polestar 5 is a luxury high-performance EV sedan that is scheduled to launch in 2025. The Polestar 5, set to compete against the likes of the Porsche Panamera and Mercedes-Benz EQS, will be built on the brand's first dedicated EV platform, featuring an 800-volt battery and electric motors that can produce up to 884 horsepower. While developed by Polestar's research-and-development teams in the UK and Sweden, the 5 will be built in the brand's new factory in Chongqing, China, alongside the coming Polestar 6 EV sports car. Ram 1500 REV The Ram 1500 REV is Stellantis' answer to the and . Its 168-kWh battery pack helps it reach an estimated 350 miles of driving range. According to Ram, the 654-horsepower pickup can do 0 to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds and tow up to 14,000 pounds. Rivian R3X The R3X is the high-performance variant of the Rivian's coming R3 midsize electric SUV and has distinct hatchback styling. According to Rivian, the R3X should be able to achieve over 300 miles of range and do 0 to 60 mph in less than 3 seconds. The R3 and R3X are expected to arrive after Rivian commences customer deliveries of the R2 in the first half of 2026. Scout Terra and Traveler Volkswagen Group's Scout Motors recently unveiled its Scout Terra pickup and Scout Traveler SUV. The body-on-frame off-roaders, with a starting price between $50,000 and $60,000, are inspired by the International Scout utility vehicles of the 1960s and '70s. The Terra and Traveler are set to enter production in 2027 in South Carolina. Tesla Roadster The was announced in 2017 and remains in development purgatory. The Roadster was supposed to go on sale in 2020 but has been continuously delayed. When it does arrive, Tesla says it should go from 0 to 60 mph in 1.9 seconds, reach 250 mph, and have a range of 620 miles. Volkswagen ID Buzz The VW bus is back. Volkswagen relaunched its counterculture-era icon as the all-electric 2025 ID Buzz. The new bus, which starts at $60,000, comes with a 91-kWh lithium-ion battery pack and is available in all-wheel drive. The ID Buzz has an estimated 234 miles of range. Read the original article on
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The partnership between Sharp and KDDI brings together their respective expertise in electronics manufacturing and telecommunications to create a state-of-the-art data center that will serve as a hub for cutting-edge AI research and development. The facility is expected to house advanced computing infrastructure, high-speed data processing capabilities, and secure data storage solutions to support a wide range of AI applications.India bids farewell to former prime minister Manmohan Singh with state funeral