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Israel and Lebanon Agree to 10‑Day Ceasefire as Trump Announces Breakthrough

  Israel and Lebanon Reach 10‑Day Ceasefire Following Trump Announcement Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10‑day ceasefire set to begin at 5 p.m. EST, according to U.S. President Donald Trump, who said the truce followed “excellent conversations” with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.  The ceasefire comes after more than six weeks of intense fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, the Iran‑backed armed group operating in southern Lebanon. The conflict has resulted in over 2,000 deaths in Lebanon and displaced more than a million residents, while Israel has maintained a 10‑kilometre security zone in southern Lebanon. Trump stated that both leaders agreed to begin the truce to pursue peace, adding that he plans to invite them to the White House for the first direct talks between the two countries since 1983. Lebanese officials have welcomed the ceasefire, though Hezbollah has said its adherence depends on Israel halting all attacks....

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Canada’s Refugee Health-Care Bill Reaches $1 Billion Annually

 

                Canadians now spending $1 billion per year to cover health-care costs of refugee claimants


Canada is now spending an unprecedented $1 billion per year to provide health‑care coverage for refugee claimants, according to a recent analysis by the Parliamentary Budget Officer. The rising cost is tied to the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP), which offers temporary medical coverage to asylum seekers, refugees, and others not yet eligible for provincial health plans. 

The surge in expenses reflects a combination of factors: a record number of asylum claims, longer eligibility periods due to processing backlogs, and higher per‑beneficiary costs. Some claimants continue receiving coverage even after their applications have been rejected, adding to the financial strain. 

Spending under the IFHP has grown dramatically in recent years—from $211 million in 2020–21 to nearly $900 million in 2024–25—and is projected to keep climbing. Current estimates suggest the program could exceed $1.5 billion annually within the next five years if trends continue. 

The escalating costs have sparked debate over the sustainability of the program and the broader impact of Canada’s growing asylum system. While advocates argue the coverage is essential for humanitarian and public‑health reasons, critics warn that the financial burden on taxpayers is becoming increasingly difficult to justify.

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