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G7 Foreign Ministers Meet in Niagara to Hear Ukraine’s Plea Amid Escalating War

Top diplomats from the Group of Seven (G7) nations gathered in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario , for high-stakes talks with Ukraine’s Foreign Minister as Russia intensifies its assault on Ukraine’s power grid. The meeting, hosted by Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand , comes at a critical moment as rolling blackouts sweep across Ukraine ahead of winter. Foreign ministers from Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the European Union posed for a family photo before beginning discussions. Ukraine’s foreign minister is expected to brief the group on the humanitarian and security consequences of Russia’s latest attacks, which have left millions vulnerable to freezing temperatures. The summit is not limited to Ukraine. Ministers are also addressing broader geopolitical challenges, including instability in the Middle East and shifting trade relationships. Still, Ukraine remains the centerpiece of the agenda, with G7 leaders reaffirming ...

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Olivia Chow Faces Backlash Over Gaza Remarks as Jewish Groups Demand Apology

            Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow is facing controversy for saying there is a "genocide in Gaza."

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow is under intense scrutiny after referring to Israel’s military actions in Gaza as a “genocide” during a recent fundraising event. The remarks, made at the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) gala, have sparked strong condemnation from several Canadian Jewish organizations, who are now calling for her to apologize and even resign.

In a video clip circulating on social media, Chow stated that “the genocide in Gaza impacts us all,” drawing applause from the audience. She went on to connect the suffering of Palestinian families to her own mother’s childhood experiences in China during the Japanese invasion of World War II. Chow described how her mother, at just 13 years old, was left to care for her siblings after her grandmother’s death, drawing a parallel to the struggles of families in Gaza.

Jewish advocacy groups, however, have denounced her comments as inflammatory and harmful, arguing that labeling Israel’s actions as genocide spreads misinformation and risks fueling antisemitism. Some organizations have gone further, filing formal complaints with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario and the City of Toronto’s integrity office, alleging that Chow’s words were defamatory and damaging to the Jewish community.

The controversy has quickly escalated into a political storm. Critics argue that Chow’s remarks undermine Toronto’s reputation as a diverse and inclusive city, while supporters defend her right to speak out against humanitarian crises. Calls for her resignation have grown louder, with opponents insisting that her comments disqualify her from leading Canada’s largest city.

For now, Chow has not issued a formal apology, leaving the debate over her future in office unresolved. The incident highlights the deep divisions in Canadian politics over the Israel–Palestine conflict and underscores how international issues can reverberate powerfully at the local level.


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