Here is a roundup of tales from The Canadian Press designed to carry you on top of things on what it’s essential to know at this time…
‘Watershed yr’ for Canada-U.S. ties: Hillman
Canada’s ambassador to the United States says her group is difficult at work preparing within the occasion Donald Trump is elected president subsequent yr.
But Kirsten Hillman can be celebrating what she says was a watershed yr for Canada-U.S. relations in 2023.
Hillman says President Joe Biden’s go to to Ottawa in March was a convincing success that helped to showcase what has turn out to be a deeper relationship between the 2 nations.
At the identical time, they’re in shut contact with advisers to Trump, who seems poised to grab the Republican nomination and mount a marketing campaign rematch in opposition to Biden.
US partaking in high-level diplomacy to keep away from vetoing a UN decision on Gaza
The United States, key allies and Arab nations are partaking in high-level diplomacy in hopes of avoiding one other U.S. veto of a brand new U.N. decision on desperately wanted help to Gaza forward of a long-delayed vote now scheduled for Thursday morning.
The U.S. has been struggling to alter the textual content’s references to a cessation of hostilities within the Israel-Hamas conflict. Another sticking level is the inspection of help vans into Gaza to make sure they’re solely carrying humanitarian items.
Here’s what else we’re watching …
Canada, U.S. too sluggish to adapt: Norad commander
The commander of Norad says Canada and the U.S. are too sluggish to adapt to evolving threats from potential adversaries like China and Russia.
Gen. Glen VanHerck leads the binational organization that is liable for defending North American airspace.
In a year-end interview, he tells The Canadian Press the invention of a high-altitude Chinese spy balloon in Alaska final January uncovered area consciousness gaps and intelligence-sharing points.
He desires each nations to maneuver faster to upgrade radar programs within the Far North — one thing that is anticipated to be carried out in 2028 — and to make use of synthetic intelligence to assemble and analyze information.
Marking the vacations in B.C. wildfires’ wake
The chief of the Wilson’s Landing Fire Department, the place 13 of 24 members misplaced their houses to a wildfire in August, says the sensation of group has by no means been stronger as the vacations method, however there’s nonetheless plenty of stress, disappointment and trauma.
Paul Zydowicz says the vacation season might help individuals get again to regular, however it’s laborious when Christmas decorations collected over a long time had been misplaced to the fireplace.
Jason Brolund, the fireplace chief in West Kelowna the place dozens of houses had been destroyed, says the scars of the fireplace are nonetheless seen above the group and this Christmas will likely be very completely different for many who misplaced their houses.
Airports, carriers gear up for the vacation rush
Airports and airways are gearing up for the prospect of journey snarls as the vacations method, regardless that the forecast appears to be like beneficial for now.
Operators say they’re ramping up staffing, rolling out new snow sweepers, readying up to date baggage and information programs and doling out recommendation to passengers on the cusp of one of many busiest journey durations of the yr.
Environment Canada is predicting brilliant skies and comparatively delicate temperatures throughout a lot of the nation by means of December 25.
Canadians face inexperienced Christmas, climatologist says
Canada’s chief climatologist says in case you do not have already got it, the music is simply white Christmas you are prone to get.
David Phillips of Environment Canada says a lot of the nation has been unusually dry and heat this yr.
That provides as much as a inexperienced Yule, because the snow hasn’t had an opportunity to fall and when it does, it melts.
Phillips says it is the results of a robust El Nino sample this fall coming after a spring and summer season that was already unusually heat.
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed Dec. 21, 2023.
The Canadian Press
