Here is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to bring you up to speed...
Trump Set to Address UN General Assembly
U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to address the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday morning, where he is expected to criticize American allies, including Canada, for their coordinated efforts in recognizing a Palestinian state. Recently, Canada joined the United Kingdom, Australia, and Portugal in recognizing Palestinian statehood ahead of the 80th session of the General Assembly.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France would also recognize Palestinian statehood during a prominent meeting on Monday. Additionally, Andorra, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta, and Monaco have confirmed their recognition of a Palestinian state. Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke to global leaders on Monday, stating that the Israeli government is actively working to undermine the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Gun-Control Group Urges Ottawa to Ban SKS Rifle
A leading gun-control organization has urged the Canadian government to include a prohibition on the semi-automatic SKS rifle in its buyback program for assault-style firearms, arguing that the initiative will be ineffective without it. Since May 2020, the Canadian government has banned approximately 2,500 types of firearms classified as unsuitable for civilian ownership. The government plans to announce further details of the compensation program for outlawed firearms on Tuesday; however, the SKS remains legal, despite being a common hunting weapon in Indigenous communities.
TikTok Privacy Probe Results to Be Released
Federal and provincial privacy authorities are set to release results from their joint investigation into TikTok today. A news conference is scheduled for 1 p.m. E.T. in Ottawa, where officials will outline the findings of an investigation initiated in 2023. The investigation focused on whether TikTok adheres to Canadian privacy legislation and if it is obtaining "valid and meaningful" consent for the collection, use, and disclosure of personal data. The authorities also assessed TikTok's transparency obligations and how its practices affect children and youth. Last year, the Canadian government dissolved TikTok's national operations following a security review of its parent company, ByteDance.
Navy Could Operate Subs from Two Suppliers
Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee has indicated that the Royal Canadian Navy might operate submarines supplied by both bidders competing for Ottawa's submarine procurement contract. While he acknowledged the benefits of diversifying the fleet, Topshee noted that the most straightforward solution would involve acquiring all 12 submarines from a single supplier to minimize interoperability issues. The federal government has narrowed the field to two finalists: Hanwha from South Korea and ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems from Germany. Experts warn that splitting the contract could complicate operations and diminish domestic industrial benefits.
B.C. Ostrich Farmers Must Leave or Face Arrest
The owners of an ostrich farm in southeastern British Columbia are facing removal by police due to a cull order after an outbreak of avian influenza resulted in the death of 69 ostriches. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) served a warrant on the property, and the owners must evacuate by today. Katie Pasitney, co-owner's daughter, shared a video on Facebook showing CFIA officials informing the farmers they could stay overnight in the birds' pen but that the CFIA would assume control and enforce removal if necessary.
A Tour of New Brunswick's Largest Wildfire Site
A tour led by provincial forest rangers and firefighters revealed the devastating impact of the Oilfield Road fire in northern New Brunswick, which burned over 14 square kilometers of land since its start in early August. As firefighting teams operated on the ground with heavy machinery, aerial support dropped retardant and water to contain the blaze. The area, once a thriving forest, is now marked by charred trees and ash, with little sign of wildlife, save for a solitary crow. The fire was brought under control on September 2 and continues to be monitored.
