5 things you need to know this morning: April 18, 2024

Start your day off right with five things you need to know this morning.

Five things you need to know

1. Scotland abandons emissions target

Scotland has ditched its target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 75 per cent by 2030 after admitting it's not feasible. The Scottish National Party, which governs the country within the UK's devolved system, blamed the British government in London for the move.

Scottish government scraps climate change targetshttps://t.co/FtZKoXcZpY

— BBC Scotland News (@BBCScotlandNews) April 18, 2024

2. Critics blast Liberals' capital gains tax hike

Some Canadians continue to express their disappointment and frustration with the Liberals' new system for taxing capital gains. Former finance minister Bill Morneau said the higher taxes could be "very troubling" for investors, while Shopify's president, Harley Finkelstein, said innovators "will suffer."

Canadian entrepreneurs and investors are blasting the federal government's budget for expanding a tax on the rich that they say will worsen brain drain and further degrade productivity. https://t.co/CtmMwijuIe .

— CBC News (@CBCNews) April 18, 2024

3. Ukraine warns of WW3 if US doesn't send more cash

Ukraine's prime minister has warned there could be a "Third World War" if the US doesn't give the country tens of billions more dollars in aid. Denys Shmyhal said: "We need this money yesterday, not tomorrow, not today."

Ukraine’s prime minister has warned that victory for President Putin could lead to a Third World War, as Kyiv said it had struck military targets in Russian-occupied Crimea ⬇️ https://t.co/EwzEHNZI6p

— The Times and The Sunday Times (@thetimes) April 18, 2024

4. Gas prices surge in Eastern Canada

Drivers in Eastern Canada are set to be hit with higher gas prices as suppliers said they're shifting over to their more expensive summer blend. The hike, which is expected to be over 10 cents a litre in some areas, comes just weeks after the federal carbon tax added about three cents to each litre.

Gas prices last night vs this morning…

📸: @ShaziGoalie pic.twitter.com/5qCRFkj9GT

— 6ixBuzzTV (@6ixbuzztv) April 18, 2024

5. Harry Potter actor praises 'soulmate' wife after her death at 53

Harry Potter, Willow and Star Wars star Warwick Davis has lamented the loss of his wife, whom he described as his "favourite human." Samantha Davis, who founded a dwarfism charity, died aged 53 last month.

‘My soul mate’: Warwick Davis pays tribute to wife Samantha who has died aged 53 https://t.co/Xg8EczeUzC

— Guardian news (@guardiannews) April 18, 2024