Steve Nease cartoon, Jan. 10, 2025

A recent Leger poll revealed that 39% of Canadians aged 18-24 heard antisemitic remarks and 46% heard Islamophobic comments since Hamas's invasion of Israel on October 7, 2023, indicating a significant rise in exposure to prejudice among young people. Jack Jedwab, CEO of the Association for Canadian Studies, emphasized the risk of social media normalizing such views and called for stronger condemnation of discrimination. Want More Context? 🔎

Israeli authorities are disputing media reports of starving Gazan children, claiming they have pre-existing medical conditions, while President Trump acknowledges "real starvation" but blames Hamas for food theft. Israel's Foreign Ministry asserts that nearly 1,000 aid trucks are stalled at the Gaza border due to UN obstruction, framing the situation as politically exploited by Hamas. Want More Context? 🔎

The U.S. ambassador to Canada, Pete Hoekstra, addressed business and political leaders in Winnipeg, cautioning them not to "bet against America" amid protests outside the venue. During his speech, he humorously noted the interest of the European Union and Japan in purchasing Ontario-made vehicles, highlighting Canada's reliance on the U.S. market. Want More Context? 🔎

OpenAI has started rolling out a virtual personal assistant AI agent capable of performing tasks such as booking flights, hotels, and appointments. However, experts warn of potential security and reliability risks associated with this emerging technology. Want More Context? 🔎

The B.C. government faced backlash after rejecting a committee’s recommendation to cut funding for Brineura, a drug for a 10-year-old girl with Batten disease, prompting the resignation of 10 committee members. Premier David Eby acknowledged the need for a transparent review process to better serve patients and families, while Health Minister Josie Osborne reinstated the drug funding following public outcry. Want More Context? 🔎

The Canadian government is phasing out its hotel program for asylum seekers, which has cost over $1.2 billion since 2020, with funding ending in September 2024. While current plans include reception centers and support for long-term housing, experts warn that cities may struggle to accommodate the growing number of asylum claims, which rose from 64,000 in 2019 to 173,000 last year. Want More Context? 🔎