Canada
Insured mortgage cap hike a ‘game changer’ for some homebuyers
New rules coming into effect on Sunday could see Canadians take out insured mortgages on properties worth up to $1.5 million and expand the availability of 30-year amortizations.
Loi sur la gestion de l’offre | Le Bloc ne s’attend pas à être fixé d’ici la fin janvier
Le Bloc québécois s’attend désormais à ce que son projet de loi visant à exclure la gestion de l’offre de toute négociation commerciale ne soit « réalistement » adopté qu’à partir de la fin janvier. I would be very surprised to see Canada's supply management system, which protects dairy and chicken farmers from international competition survive contact with the Trump administration. But the BQ is trying to protect it ...
The Provinces
Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi hints at Edmonton-Strathcona run
Nenshi had change in tune Saturday to previous statements when asked about a possible bid for former leader Rachel Notley's Edmonton-Strathcona seat.
Fomer B.C. premier John Horgan’s provincial state memorial to be held Sunday
The service for former premier John Horgan will be held Sunday, Dec. 15 at the Q Centre in Colwood, next to Horgan’s hometown of Langford.
Elsewhere
Trump's tariffs are dividing business owners across the country
The prospect of tariffs in the new Trump administration is dividing businesses around the [United States]. Some are scrambling to avoid the potential import taxes or preparing to pass the cost on to their customers. Others, however, are welcoming tariffs as a defense against foreign competition.
[Press release] WWU's Border Policy Research Institute launches new interactive tool on Canada-US trade along the border
BPRI platform provides a web-based tool to facilitate analysis into the cross-border trade relationship between Canada and the US.
German far-right leader questions NATO membership
The co-leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party on Sunday said Germany should reconsider its membership of NATO if the U.S.-led military alliance did not consider the interests of all European countries, including Russia.
Media
‘We are facing an epic battle’: Journalists prepare for second Trump term
Donald Trump’s hostility towards the press is coming to the fore again as he prepares to take office. Nikole Hannah-Jones, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of the ‘1619 Project’ and founder of the Center for Journalism & Democracy at Howard University says his attacks on the press are attacks on the public at large because “when an Administration is attacking the press, they are attacking the public's right to know.”
Donald Trump awarded $15m in ABC News defamation case
The network will also publish a statement expressing "regret" for statements by George Stephanopoulos.
Iranian-American Journalist Reza Valizadeh Sentenced To 10 Years In Prison In Iran
An Iranian court has sentenced Reza Valizadeh, a dual U.S.-Iranian citizen and former journalist for RFE/RL's Radio Farda, to 10 years in prison on charges of "collaborating with a hostile government."
Comcast and Warner Bros. Discovery Set the Stage for 2025 Deal-Making
Comcast and Warner Bros. Discovery are rearranging their businesses for mergers and acquisitions. Experts say the next year could transform the media industry. (🎁 link)
Reader Notes
This newsletter is curated by David Akin, chief political correspondent at Global News. The headlines, excerpts, and photos are generated by the publishers of the clipping. The publisher is at the bottom left of the clipping. If I've got a comment, you''ll see that in italics. But if I've generated the headline and the excerpt, you'll see me taking attribution by finishing with -DA in bold.
You can help keep this newsletter going with a monthly pledge -- Just $5 would do it -- via Patreon or, if you want to make a one-time donation, send an e-transfer to jda@davidakin.com. Many of you have already contributed and I’m very grateful. Thank you. Hoping others may consider a donation as small as $3 a month for this 7-day-a-week newsletter. Thanks in any event for all your support!
Science and tech
12 Must-Have AI Tools That Actually Made Work Better in 2024
Jeremy Caplan: I tested hundreds of new tools this year. Many were duplicative. A few stuck with me because they’re so useful. The dozen noted below are helping me mine insights from notes, summarize meetings, design visuals— even code a little, without being a developer.
How to Get Free Audiobooks With Just a Library Card and an App
Audible just not cutting it for audiobooks anymore? Sick of the monthly cost? Libby just might be the answer to your listening needs. This is written for an American audience but I'm pretty sure it applies to Canada as well. For example, I hold an Ottawa Public Library card and with that, I can use the Libby app to download all kinds of content on Libby with that card. Highly recommend.