Steve Nease cartoon, Jan. 17, 2025

Survivors and relatives of victims from the 2018 mass shooting in Toronto's Greektown can advance their class-action lawsuit against gun manufacturer Smith & Wesson after Ontario's highest court reversed a previous dismissal of their certification motion. The shooting resulted in the deaths of a 10-year-old girl and a young woman, injuring 13 others. Need More Context? 🔎

Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed caution regarding the potential for a U.S.-Canada economic and security pact by July 21, emphasizing that Canada would only accept a favorable deal amidst ongoing tariff discussions. He also highlighted Canada's strategy to diversify trade with reliable partners, following a new security partnership with the EU, while critiquing the simplistic focus on tariffs in trade negotiations. Need More Context? 🔎

A game-issued wooden hockey stick attributed to Bill Barilko, who famously scored the winning goal for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1951 Stanley Cup, fetched $60,000 at auction, significantly exceeding its estimated value of $3,000 to $5,000. The stick features several signatures, including Barilko's, highlighting its historical significance. Need More Context? 🔎

Israel launched airstrikes on key targets in Tehran early Monday, including a digital clock in Palestine Square that had been counting down to Israel's destruction since 2017. Defense Minister Israel Katz highlighted the strikes on facilities linked to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Evin Prison, emphasizing the unprecedented force used against the Iranian regime. Need More Context? 🔎

The Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping lane for global oil and gas, connects the Persian Gulf with the Arabian Sea and is bordered by Iran and Oman. With over 25% of the world's oil passing through it, the potential for Iranian disruptions—such as mining the channel or blockading it—poses a significant economic threat, though previous threats have not resulted in actual closures, partly due to the detrimental impact on Iran's own economy. Need More...

A total of 145 people were assaulted with syringes during France's Fete de la Musique festival, leading to 12 arrests and investigations into the incidents. Social media calls for syringe attacks prompted heightened police presence, with some victims hospitalized for toxicology tests, while authorities are working to identify additional assailants following reports of widespread assaults across various cities. Need More Context? 🔎