USA & Canada Intelligence Brief — Saturday, August 8, 2026

Rio Times · USA & Canada Intelligence Brief August 8 USA & Canada Intelligence Brief August 8 — Key Facts —One-Vote AG The Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general by a razor-thin 50-49 margin, replacing Pam Bondi and revealing a deeply fractured capital. —Stopgap Clears the Senate The Senate passed a short-term funding bill 90-6 to fund agencies through 11 December, but the House has not yet taken it up. —Trade Off-ramp Ottawa signalled it may lift its ban on some American alcohol ahead of a threatened 50% US tariff on 19 August, with autos and dairy also on the table. —Jobs Jolt The U.S. economy unexpectedly shed 23,000 jobs in July. The unemployment rate fell to 4.1% from 4.2%, but only because 264,000 people left the labour force. —BC Wildfire Escape The entire District of Sum