Carney 'welcomes' Trump's Gaza peace plan

. Prime Minister Mark Carney welcomed President Donald Trump's Middle East peace plan following Trump's meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stating Canada urges all parties to help realize its full potential and calling on Hamas to immediately release all hostages. The 20-point plan, presented after Trump met with Netanyahu at the White House, includes a ceasefire, hostage release within 72 hours of Israeli acceptance, gradual Israeli force withdrawal from Gaza, and the creation of Gaza as a demilitarized zone that doesn't threaten its neighbors. Carney stated Canada stands ready to support the sustained delivery of large-scale humanitarian aid into Gaza and will continue coordinating with international partners to build lasting peace with a sovereign Palestinian state alongside Israel. While Netanyahu expressed support for Trump's plan, questions remain about whether Hamas will accept it, and there are concerns from Israel and Arab states about various elements including Palestinian Authority involvement and security arrangements.

 

'Canada does not retreat' during a crisis, Anand tells United Nations

. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand addressed the UN General Assembly, emphasizing that Canada will not turn inward when multilateral institutions face threats and pledging to work toward shared prosperity, collective security, and lasting peace. She outlined three foreign policy priorities: strengthening defence through NORAD and NATO, building economic resilience through diversified trade, and balancing these with core values like human rights and environmental protection. Anand stated Canada wants to help create lasting peace between Israel and Palestine, noting conversations with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio about Canada playing a role in bringing countries together for the peace process. Her speech defended international agreements like the 1951 Refugee Convention and the Ottawa Treaty on landmines, which are currently under pressure from various nations.

 

Poilievre claims Christians 'may be the number 1' victims of hate-based violence

. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre claimed that Christians may be the number one group victimized by hate-based violence, citing church burnings he described as "terrorist attacks," though Statistics Canada data shows Jews and Muslims were the most targeted religious groups in 2023. While official hate crime statistics indicate 70% of religion-based hate crimes targeted Jews and 16% targeted Muslims in 2023, there has been a documented spate of church arsons, with reports showing at least 238 arson attacks on churches and religious institutions between 2021 and 2023. Poilievre pledged tougher criminal sanctions including mandatory prison terms for extortionists, stronger hate crime laws, and increased resources for police if elected. The uptick in crimes against Catholics in 2021 coincided with discoveries related to residential schools, though those numbers have since declined.

 

Jobs minister urges Canada Post to send new offer to striking union

. Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu urged Canada Post to quickly present a new offer to the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), who went on strike Thursday following the government's announcement of major operational changes to address the Crown corporation's financial troubles. The changes include ending daily mail delivery, closing some rural post offices, and moving most households to community mailboxes, which the union considers a direct attack on workers. Canada Post was losing upwards of $10 million per day over the summer and has relied on federal support in recent years, with an industrial inquiry commission finding it effectively insolvent earlier this year. Hajdu did not rule out federal intervention but emphasized that both parties need to work together after nearly two years of bargaining, while the union wants the government to walk back its reforms and hold a public mandate review.

 

Federal government lists Bishnoi Gang as terrorist entity

. Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree announced the federal government has designated the Bishnoi Gang as a terrorist entity, giving authorities power to freeze or seize their property and additional tools to prosecute terrorist offences. The transnational criminal organization, which originated in Punjab and Haryana in northern India, engages in murder, shootings, arson, extortion, and intimidation, particularly targeting diaspora communities in Canada. The RCMP claims the gang has been targeting pro-Khalistan movement members on Canadian soil allegedly at the behest of the Indian government, with former PM Justin Trudeau testifying that Indian diplomats collected information that was passed to the highest levels of the Indian government before being directed to criminal organizations like the Bishnoi Gang. Various political leaders including Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, BC Premier David Eby, and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith had called for this designation, though Sikh organizations say it's insufficient without holding responsible Indian officials accountable.

 

Ottawa pledges $400M in financial aid for Algoma Steel as tariffs pummel sector

. The federal government announced $400 million in financial support for Algoma Steel under its large enterprise tariff relief scheme, with an additional $100 million from the Ontario government. The loan aims to help Algoma Steel continue operations, transition to a business model less dependent on the United States, and minimize workforce disruption amid the impact of U.S. tariffs. This financing is part of a $10 billion facility announced in March for large companies to combat tariffs and counter-measures, complementing other tariff-related support measures the federal government has provided for the Canadian steel industry.

 

More than a third of Canadians say country belongs to Indigenous people: poll

. A Leger poll conducted for the Association for Canadian Studies found that 38% of Canadians believe Canada belongs "first and foremost" to Indigenous Peoples, while 43% disagree and 19% don't know. The survey revealed significant demographic divides, with younger Canadians aged 18-24 far more likely to agree (58%) compared to those 65 and older (24%), and people born outside Canada more likely to agree (50%) than those born in Canada (36%). The poll showed regional differences, with 46% of Ontarians agreeing compared to about a third in Quebec, BC, and the Prairie provinces, and considerable ideological splits between those on the political left versus right. Experts suggest the findings reflect a generational shift in Canadian society's narrative and indicate that younger generations and newcomers desire justice and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.

 

United States:

Pete Hegseth tells top generals "prepare for war"

. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told a rare gathering of the most senior military leadership that the only mission of the newly renamed Department of War is warfighting, preparing for war, and preparing to win. In his speech at the unusual meeting ordered by Hegseth that brought hundreds of generals and admirals to Virginia, he criticized "fat generals and admirals" and overweight troops, stating it's unacceptable to see them in the Pentagon or leading commands. Hegseth announced new physical fitness requirements, mandating that every member of the joint force meet height and weight requirements twice yearly and requiring troops in combat roles to score above 70 percent on the male standard of their branch's fitness test. President Donald Trump also attended the meeting, which came after Hegseth's recent firings of top military officers and amid his efforts to purge DEI initiatives from the military.

 

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker calls armed immigration officers in Chicago an 'attack on Americans'

. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker denounced the Trump administration's deployment of armed Border Patrol and immigration officers in Chicago, calling it "authoritarianism" and an attack on Americans, while warning the administration may escalate with military troops and equipment. The presence of federal officers is part of the Trump administration's crackdown on immigrants in cities the president claims are plagued by crime, with enforcement turning deadly earlier this month when an ICE officer shot and killed an immigrant during an arrest attempt. Pritzker warned that agents have been "waging war on our people" attempting to cause chaos to justify deploying military troops, with incidents including clashes with demonstrators where officers fired pepper spray and tear gas at protesters and media. The governor received word that DHS had requested deployment of 100 military troops to Illinois, and he urged residents to record and document federal agent activities while demanding the agents leave Chicago.

 

2nd detainee dies after Dallas ICE facility shooting

. A second detainee shot at the Dallas Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility has died after being removed from life support following the September 24 attack, according to the League of United Latin American Citizens. Miguel Ángel García-Hernández, a 32-year-old from Mexico, died days after the shooting that also killed 37-year-old Norlan Guzmán-Fuente from El Salvador, with a third detainee from Venezuela also injured in the attack. The shooter, identified as Joshua Jahn, was found dead at the scene with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, with authorities saying he was targeting ICE agents. García-Hernández's wife said he was a good man and loving father who had just bought their first home and worked hard to provide for their family, noting they were expecting their fifth child and calling his death a senseless tragedy that has left their family shattered.

 

Federal workers who took Trump's buyout get final paychecks and an uncertain future

. More than 150,000 federal workers who accepted the Trump administration's "Fork in the Road" deferred resignation offer are coming off the payroll at the end of September after receiving full pay and benefits since resigning in January or February without working. The program, which mirrored a similar offer Elon Musk made to Twitter employees, gave federal workers the choice to resign with pay through September 30 or stay and face significant reforms including layoffs, return to office mandates, and loyalty expectations. Workers who accepted the offer have spent months in uncertainty about future employment prospects, with some expressing gratitude for the paid time off while others worry about career stagnation and the challenging job market complicated by Trump's tariffs and economic uncertainty. The program faced legal challenges and confusion over its terms, with agencies later reopening it as they sought voluntary departures ahead of mass layoffs.

 

JD Vance issues shutdown warning after meeting with Schumer, Jeffries

. Vice President JD Vance warned that he thinks the U.S. government is headed for a shutdown because "Democrats won't do the right thing" after President Trump met with Democratic and Republican congressional leaders at the White House in a last-ditch effort to avoid a shutdown. The high-stakes negotiations centered on health care policy disputes ended in stalemate, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer stating there are still large differences between the parties and emphasizing that Trump is the decision maker who can avoid a shutdown. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries noted that Republicans control both chambers of Congress and the presidency, saying any shutdown would be because Republicans decided to hurt the American people while House Republicans are on vacation. Vance claimed Republicans are trying to keep the government open and put Americans' interests first, while Democrats want to take from Americans to give taxpayer-funded healthcare to illegal immigrants, with a deal needed by Wednesday, October 1 to avoid widespread federal disruption.

 

YouTube agrees to pay Trump $24 million to settle lawsuit over Jan. 6 suspension

. YouTube agreed to pay $24.5 million to settle President Trump's lawsuit over the suspension of his account following the January 6, 2021 Capitol insurrection, with $22 million designated for the nonprofit Trust for the National Mall to support construction of a White House State Ballroom and $2.5 million for other plaintiffs including the American Conservative Union. The settlement makes YouTube the last of the major social media companies Trump sued—including Meta and X—to settle over his removal from their platforms, with the combined settlements totaling nearly $60 million. The payout comes days after YouTube reinstated accounts that had been permanently banned for spreading COVID-19 and election-related falsehoods, reflecting a broader pattern of tech companies taking a more conciliatory approach to Trump since he returned to office. Legal experts had previously dismissed similar suits, noting tech companies have the right to run their platforms as they see fit, but the settlements represent a striking about-face for Silicon Valley after years of defending content moderation.

 

Supreme Court faces decision tied to Jeffrey Epstein saga

. The Supreme Court is considering whether to take up an appeal filed by Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year prison sentence for aiding Jeffrey Epstein in trafficking minors, challenging whether Epstein's 2007 Florida non-prosecution agreement protects her from prosecution. Maxwell's attorneys argue the agreement's promise not to prosecute Epstein's co-conspirators should have shielded her from prosecution in New York, though federal prosecutors contend she was not party to the agreement and it only applied to Florida's Southern District. Former federal prosecutors told Newsweek the court is unlikely to accept the case given other pressing constitutional issues and the clear case law against her argument, though some note the conservative majority has shown willingness to take on cases it doesn't need to address. The decision comes as President Trump faces criticism for not releasing Epstein-related documents despite campaign promises, and at least four justices must agree to hear the case.

 

Marjorie Taylor Greene issues warning to Trump aides

. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene warned White House aides after being threatened over her support for legislation forcing release of Jeffrey Epstein files, telling them she doesn't work for them but for her district. Greene is among four Republicans who signed a discharge petition for Representative Thomas Massie's bipartisan bill to release the Epstein files, refusing to remove her name despite pressure from the White House and House Speaker Mike Johnson after a Trump official called such support a "hostile act." The Georgia Republican, long among Trump's staunchest allies, has increasingly broken with the president on several issues including calling Israel's actions in Gaza a genocide and criticizing his decision to bomb Iran, reflecting growing rifts in the MAGA movement. The discharge petition is one signature away from forcing a vote on requiring the Justice Department to publicly release the Epstein files, though the legislation would still need Senate passage and Trump's signature to become law.

 

 

International:

5 takeaways from the U.S. ceasefire proposal for Israel and Hamas

. The U.S. and Israeli leaders announced agreement on a broad plan to end the Gaza war, though substantial uncertainties remain about Israeli troop withdrawal timing, transitional governance, and most critically, whether Hamas will accept the terms. The plan requires Hamas to release 48 hostages within 72 hours in exchange for 250 Palestinian prisoners and 1,700 detained Gazans, followed by increased humanitarian aid and Hamas's weapons decommissioning with no future role in Gaza governance. Hamas faces pressure from Arab allies Qatar and Egypt to accept the deal but finds it difficult because it must release all hostages upfront while only getting partial Israeli withdrawal, and it adamantly rejects giving up its weapons, viewing itself as a resistance group. Netanyahu faces challenges from far-right coalition partners who criticized the plan and won't bring it for a cabinet vote to avoid government collapse, while also stating Israel will continue the war if Hamas accepts but counters the agreement. Trump warned he would support Israel's continued military action if Hamas rejects the proposal, while the plan vaguely references Palestinian statehood as an "aspiration" that Netanyahu has consistently ruled out.

 

Palestinian Authority Responds to Trump Gaza Peace Plan

. The Palestinian Authority welcomed President Trump's "sincere and determined efforts" to end the Gaza war, affirming confidence in his ability to find a path toward peace and renewing its commitment to work with the U.S. and partners toward a comprehensive agreement. The PA, which governed Gaza until Hamas took over in 2007, outlined its desire for a modern, democratic, and non-militarized Palestinian state with commitments including holding elections within one year after the war ends, implementing curriculum reforms within two years, and abolishing payments to families of prisoners and martyrs. Under Trump's plan, Gaza would become a "deradicalized terror-free zone" with increased aid flows, transitional governance by an apolitical Palestinian committee overseen by a "Board of Peace" including former British PM Tony Blair, and eventual PA control after completing reform programs. The plan received positive responses from European and Middle Eastern leaders, though Hamas has not yet responded, and Netanyahu appeared to dismiss portions relating to Palestinian statehood while Israeli military action continues in Gaza.

 

Colombian leader gives up her US visa in Trump protest

. Colombian Foreign Minister Rosa Villavicencio renounced her U.S. visa in protest after the State Department revoked President Gustavo Petro's visa following his participation in a pro-Palestinian protest in New York City where he urged U.S. soldiers to "disobey" President Trump's orders. The State Department called Petro's actions "reckless and incendiary" and canceled his visa on Friday, to which Petro responded he no longer has a visa and doesn't care, noting he's also an Italian citizen and could travel to the U.S. without a visa. Colombia's foreign ministry condemned the U.S. for violating international diplomatic norms and trampling on immunity, stating it would not accept "diplomatic visas that limit opinions" or curtail the nation's sovereignty. The move deepens a diplomatic rift with Washington over disputes including drug policy, the Gaza war, and U.S. naval buildup near Venezuela, with Colombia's foreign ministry stating the country will continue forward independently with full autonomy.

 

2 killed in Cuba as Hurricanes Imelda and Humberto threaten Bahamas and Bermuda

. Two people died in Cuba as Hurricane Imelda strengthened to a Category 1 storm and moved north through the Caribbean, with Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero reporting the deaths in Santiago de Cuba province where flooding and landslides cut off 17 communities affecting over 24,000 people. Authorities in the Bahamas closed schools and issued evacuation orders as Imelda approached with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph, while more than 18,000 people were evacuated in Cuba's Guantánamo province. Meanwhile, Hurricane Humberto churned as a Category 2 storm with 100 mph winds, with the two storms expected to interact through the rare Fujiwhara effect where they rotate counterclockwise around each other before threatening Bermuda later in the week. The Carolinas braced for heavy coastal rains and dangerous surf from Imelda's moisture, though both storms were forecast to spin out to open ocean and spare the U.S. from direct hits, with Bermuda facing a "double whammy" as Humberto passes first followed by Imelda.