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Statistics Canada Begins Major Workforce Overhaul, Cutting 850 Positions

    Statistics Canada says it will be cutting around 850 of its staff along with 12 per cent of its executive team. Statistics Canada is moving ahead with a major restructuring that will see roughly 850 jobs eliminated , including a portion of its executive ranks. The agency confirmed that it has entered a formal workforce adjustment period, with affected employees set to receive notices over the next two weeks. The cuts are part of a broader federal initiative to reduce public service spending. With more than 7,200 employees as of early 2025, Statistics Canada is among several departments facing significant downsizing as the government seeks long‑term budget efficiencies. Union representatives have raised concerns about the impact on the agency’s ability to maintain the quality and timeliness of national data. Management, however, has emphasized that voluntary departures and early retirement incentives will be used where possible to ease the transition. The announcement m...

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Yahya Sinwar: From Militant to Hamas Leader

 

Yahya Sinwar, the mastermind behind the October 7 attacks on Israel, has been announced as the new leader of the militant group Hamas . Here are some key points about Sinwar:

  1. Background and Early Life:

    • Born in 1962 in a refugee camp in Gaza’s Khan Younis, Sinwar was an early member of Hamas, which formed in 1987.
    • He led the group’s security arm, working to eliminate spies for Israel.
    • His ruthless reputation earned him the nickname “The Butcher of Khan Younis.”
  2. Imprisonment and Release:

    • Israel arrested Sinwar in the late 1980s, and he admitted to killing 12 suspected collaborators.
    • He was sentenced to four life terms, but in 2011, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released him in exchange for an Israeli soldier captured by Hamas.
  3. Rise to Power in Gaza:

    • Back in Gaza, Sinwar quickly climbed Hamas’ leadership ranks.
    • He orchestrated the 2016 killing of another top Hamas commander, Mahmoud Ishtewi, in an internal power struggle.
    • Sinwar became head of Hamas in Gaza, aligning the group with Iran and building its military capabilities.
  4. The October 7 Attack:

    • Sinwar, along with Mohammed Deif (head of Hamas’ armed wing), engineered the surprise attack on Israel.
    • The attack killed about 1,200 Israelis (mostly civilians) and sparked a war that claimed nearly 40,000 Palestinian lives in Gaza .
  5. Challenges Ahead:

    • Sinwar has been in hiding since the attack, making day-to-day operations challenging for Hamas .
    • As the new leader, he faces complex geopolitical dynamics and the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

In summary, Yahya Sinwar’s journey from a refugee camp to Hamas leader reflects both resilience and ruthlessness, shaping the group’s future under his leadership.

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