Good evening, let’s start with today’s top stories:
The latest developments in the war in Ukraine and the G20 summit
Two projectiles, which some believe were Russian missiles, struck Poland today, killing two people in what looked to be the first explosions on NATO soil since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine more than eight months ago.
The blasts raised the possibility that Poland could activate Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization treaty, which states that “an attack against one ally is considered as an attack against all allies.” Triggering it could bring the 30-member alliance to the edge of war with a nuclear-armed Russia.
Russia fired an estimated 90 missiles at Ukraine today, one of the largest barrages since the Feb. 24 beginning of the war. The attacks came hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia, and outlined his country’s terms for negotiating, beginning with a Russian withdrawal from all Ukrainian territory.
Separately, at the summit, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau raised “serious concerns” over suspected domestic interference by China in his first talks with President Xi Jinping today in more than three years, a Canadian government source says.
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Hockey Canada did not do enough to address sexual assault concerns, former CEO says
Hockey Canada has not gone far enough in the past to address problems related to sexual assault, including conduct by players and a culture of silence within the sport, former chief executive officer Bob Nicholson told parliamentary hearings in Ottawa.
Nicholson, who served as CEO from 1998 to 2014, said the organization took steps to confront sexual abuse in the 1990s after incidents related to disgraced junior coach Graham James and others became known. But he said recent allegations involving players on the 2003 and 2018 national junior teams show that more should have been done.
The hearings are investigating Hockey Canada’s handling of alleged sexual assaults involving unnamed members of those teams. MPs have accused Hockey Canada of trying to cover up the 2018 incident, and not fully investigating the allegations to protect its brand.
Canada can’t properly detect threats to Arctic, Auditor-General’s report warns
The Canadian government lacks a complete picture of who is entering or traversing Arctic waters and the Nanisivik naval facility set up to help with surveillance can only operate four weeks each year, a federal watchdog has found.
A report from Auditor-General Karen Hogan said Canada has significant gaps in its ability to detect foreign or domestic ships in the Arctic. This means Canada can’t stay on top of threats to national security or illegal fishing or pollution from ships entering the region.
The report also highlights that the federal government doesn’t know whether its initiatives aimed at reducing chronic homelessness by 50 per cent by 2028 are actually working as no organization has taken the lead.
ALSO ON OUR RADAR
Washington considers funding for Ring of Fire: Ring of Fire Metals is in talks with the United States government about possibly getting funding for its critical minerals project in northern Ontario.
RCMP chief testifies at inquiry: The day before the federal government invoked the Emergencies Act, RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki had prepared notes advising cabinet there were other tools available and that police finally had a plan in place to address the Ottawa protests but she never delivered the message.
Housing downturn slows in October: Canada’s housing downturn decelerated in October, with home sales rising slightly and prices levelling out. But the volume of activity was depressed and economists warned that home prices would continue to fall as borrowing costs soar.
Spying suspect in court: A Montreal-area Hydro-Québec employee charged with economic espionage has made a first court appearance since he was accused of sending trade secrets to China.
U.S. midterms update:
- The Republicans are closing in on majority control of the U.S. House of Representatives, with a projected 215 seats so far, three short of the total needed, compared with the Democrats’ 204.
- In the Arizona governor’s race, Republican election denier and vocal Donald Trump supporter Kari Lake will lose to Democratic incumbent Katie Hobbs, according to election projections.
- Despite many of the former president’s hand-picked candidates going down in defeat, Trump is preparing to launch his third campaign for the White House tonight.
Grammy Award nominations: Beyoncé claimed a leading nine nominations, making her tied – with husband Jay-Z – as the most nominated music act in the history of the awards show. Kendrick Lamar, Adele and Brandi Carlile were among the other artists with multiple nods.
Auger-Aliassime tops Rafa: Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime scored a 6-3, 6-4 win over top-seeded Rafael Nadal in round-robin play at the ATP Finals in Italy today.
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MARKET WATCH
North American stocks gained today, fuelled by softer-than-expected U.S. inflation data that raised hopes of a pullback in rate hikes by the Federal Reserve. But the report of Russian missiles crossing into Poland sparked volatility in the latter half of the session. Energy and tech stocks led the advance in Toronto.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 56.22 points or 0.17 per cent to 33,592.92, the S&P 500 gained 34.48 points or 0.87 per cent to 3,991.73, and the Nasdaq Composite added 162.19 points or 1.45 per cent to end at 11,358.41.
The S&P/TSX Composite Index advanced 72.97 point or 0.37 per cent to 19,994.78. The loonie traded at 75.3 U.S. cents.
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TALKING POINT
It’s that time of year – time to get the masks out
“Wearing a mask does not mean a loss of freedom. In fact, it gives us freedom to go places more safely – to work, to school. To see family, to have fun.” - Marsha Lederman
TODAY’S LONG READ
At World Cup 2022, Wales cheers for sporting success abroad and cultural resurgence at home
Banners of Gareth Bale loom over Doha on Nov. 13, 2022, a week before the World Cup begins.PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images
The previous time Wales qualified for the World Cup, the country was still ruled from London, Canada’s flag featured the Union Jack and Dwight D. Eisenhower was in the White House. Not only had Gareth Bale – the superstar winger who has helped drive Wales to recent glory – not been born, but neither had his mother.
For six decades, Wales fans endured hopelessness and heartbreak, occasionally coming close to entering a major tournament, but never quite making it. Then came 2015, when a stratospheric rise through the rankings took Wales to ninth in the world from 117th. And this past June 5, to the deafening sounds of a packed Cardiff crowd, Rob Page’s side qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1958.
Beyond the sheer joy, this soccer fortuity comes at a time when Wales is having something of a cultural moment. Read James Griffiths’s full story. It’s also available in Welsh.
Ahead of the Game podcast: The World Cup kicks off Sunday. Here’s what you need to know.
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