Ottawa Observations: January 4-5, 2024

Our compilation of some of the stories of note from the day, reviewing the political developments from the Federal scene for January 4-5, 2024

Hamas/Israel/Gaza 

US, Europe make new diplomatic push to quell Gaza war

The Israel-Hamas war led to one of the deadliest years for journalists on record, says advocacy organization 

Families in Gaza search desperately for food and water, wait in long lines for aid

The genocide libel against Israel

When protests become acts of intimidation 

Hezbollah leader says his group must retaliate for suspected Israeli strike in Beirut 

After Red Sea attack, shipping firm says it will send its vessels around Africa 

Not Canada, you say? Sadly, it's what we are

Not enough being done by cops to deal with rise in anti-Semitic crime 

Time to crack down on perpetrators of hate 

'You need to start to speak to us': UBC medicine professor on his resignation over antisemitism

ISIS spokesman calls for global attacks on Jews: "Kill them wherever you find them'

Hamas needs outright eradication, not gentle diplomacy 

US offers massive reward for info leading to Hamas's 'financial 'disruption'

Houthis launch drone to attack ships in Red Sea, hours after warning from Canada and allies

Ukraine/Russia War           

Russia fires North Korean missiles at Ukraine for first time, official says

Ukraine suffers as Liberals fail to deliver on air defence pledge 

Canada called on to press allies as promised US and EU aid delayed for Ukraine

Canadian soldier explains why he's returning to Ukraines easter trenches 

Globe and Mail

Family grieves daughter who died after Thunder Bay police did not respond to 911 call 

A historic paper waves an old banner

South Asian communities grapple with extortion threats in BC, Ontario, Alberta

Big Tech really is stealing our content, only it's not who you think

The Liberals are running out of time to Poilievre proof the CBC

Ottawa has itself to blame for Saskatchewan's outlawish threats 

BC cities find rental-only zones aren't so easy

Opting out of a broken child-welfare system in Winnipeg to build something better

Government House Leader Karina Gould thrives in a political role as she prepares to embrace a domestic one 

Liberals pick candidate for O'Toole by-election who first tried running for Tories

Conservative MP Leslyn Lewis supports petition calling for Canada's withdrawal from the United Nations 

Initial foreign interference inquiry hearings to weigh confidentiality of information   

Trudeau's climate plan faces setback in Saskatchewan over carbon tax 

Florida cleared to import prescription drugs from Canada

Greens confident there won't be a federal election this year, despite poll calling for a vote before 2025

CBC

Prime Minister's plane breaks down in Jamaica during family holiday

Court decision barring Chinese student sends message about espionage risk, experts say

Liberals pick by-election candidate who first tried running for Tories 

Tamara Lich, Chris Barbr convoy trial to resume for 1 day only

US allowing Florida to import drugs from Canada, reviving fears of shortages 

Mary Dawson, Canada's first conflict of interest and ethics commissioner, dies 

Telecom services still too expensive, industry minister says 

Senate ordered to reinstate  executive who alleged he was fired because of racism

House of Commons looking into electric buses to shuttle MPs around Parliamentary precinct 

Yukon's new Arctic security council to help prepare territory for a changing world 

Unemployment rate held steady last month, StatsCan says

Military whistleblower calls on Conservatives to demand probe of torture video reports 

Judge rejects federal bid to recoup legal expenses in Muslim charity court case 

Toronto/Vancouver Star

Do we really want to be No. 1 in medically assisted dying?

Military sends second aircraft after Justin Trudeau's plane breaks down in Jamaica 

Family grieves daughter who died after Thurder Bay police did not respond to 911 call

'Prominent' person in BC wine industry under investigation for sex assault: RCMP

Canada blocks citizenship for Russian activist convicted for bio posts opposing war

Ottawa is supposed to process First Nations families' child services request with days. Sometimes it makes them wait a year

This glass ceiling-breaking Liberal mom is looking to give the Tories a time out

Doug Ford's Tories set to abandon lucrative fundraiser in wake of Greenbelt scandal 

What are Canadians willing to sacrifice in the fight against climate change?

Divided Progressives are the best friends a Conservative leader could have 

Toronto Sun

Justin Trudeau's plane breaks down during lavish Jamaican holiday: Report 

Trudeau puts his green Agenda above Canadian jobs and wallets 

Ontario teacher faces ultra-rare criminal charge over classroom incident 

Elite opinion in Canada needs to come crashing down

Documents show conflicts, anger in Toronto's  brief vaccine passport era

Doing homework on public school funding and teacher union rhetoric   

Beware of Liberal gifts in 2024

Justin Trudeau spends Christmas vacation at luxury estate in Jamaica

Sorry, but Canada leaving the United Nations isn't that crazy of an idea

Why Eastern Canada needs to support Western Provinces 

National Post

Vigilant or 'vigilante' dads? BC community's search for break and enter suspects drawers mixed reaction 

Trudeau feels your pain - while lounging in the lap of luxury

Trudeau given free stay at $9.300 a night luxury Jamaican villa over Christmas holidays

Second plane sent to bring Trudeau home from luxury vacation after breakdown 

Woman petitions to limit running clubs, calling them 'scariest gangs in Toronto' 

Fears of drug shortages in Canada after Florida cleared to import pharmaceuticals from north of border

Calgary council's new tax grabs ignore pain of inflation and rising anti-tax anger 

Saskatchewan's carbon tax boycott could force the crisis Liberals had tried to ignore 

Not easy being Green: May says party is poised for electoral success, but the numbers tell a different story

Canada needs a universal pharmacare program that doesn't leave anyone behind 

Global          

Trudeau's latest family vacation sparks questions - again 

PM's plane broke down in Jamaica during family vacation, requiring 2nd aircraft 

JN.1 Canada's new dominant COVID-19 sub variant. Here's what to know 

Military jumpers recount daring rescue at plane crash site northeast of Yellowknife 

Canadian teens arrested in terrorism related cases in court for appearance, hearing 

December's jobs report is a 'mixed bag' for the Bank of Canada. Here's why

Conservative MP backs petition for Canada to pull out of United Nations 

BC Mayor says stricter penalties for out of province drivers needed on Highway 5

BC moms says non-verbal son with autism given high doses of THC

Could regular skiing in southwestern BC be a thing of the past by 2050?

Vancouver intersection notorious for pedestrian collisions finally gets traffic light 

Vancouver police begin waring body cameras 

Bail reform a 'significant step' but not enough, BC critics say 

'Floatel' ship slated to house 600 LNG workers arrives in Vancouver from Europe 

Vancouver redevelopments critics question lack of early hydrogeological study

'Save our Streets' coalition doubles as concerns grow with BC Public Safety

BC's cops weren't fully prepared for drug decriminalization, document says

Miscellaneous            

How BC's Police watchdog plans to use body camera evidence 

Please Advise! Has Poilievre discovered the real source of our electricity?

Migrant Farmworkers go to court to fight for rights - and $500 million

BC cops weren't fully prepared for Drug decriminalization 

He's back! Jason Kenney on COVID, Trump and more