Canadian Harvard professor calls Trump's actions ‘authoritarian'
A Canadian history professor at Harvard University says U.S. President Donald Trump's attacks on the institution, including attempts to ban international students, are 'authoritarian' in nature. Speaking to the National, Kristen Weld says the tactics mirror those of past autocratic regimes.
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Toronto Star
34 minutes ago
- Toronto Star
The Latest: Hegseth faces questioning from Congress amid immigration protests
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is fielding sharp questions from members of Congress about his tumultuous start as Pentagon chief, including his sharing of sensitive military details over a Signal chat, in three separate Capitol Hill hearings beginning Tuesday. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump plans to speak at Fort Bragg to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army as he deploys the military in an attempt to quiet immigration protests in Los Angeles. Trump has promoted the Army's anniversary as a reason to hold a military parade in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, which is also his 79th birthday. Here's the latest: Ukraine's surprise drone attack on Russia has the US rethinking its own defenses, Hegseth says ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW The attack in early June that destroyed a large number of Russian bomber aircraft caught the U.S. off guard and represented significant advances in drone warfare, Hegseth told lawmakers Tuesday. The attack has the Pentagon rethinking drone defenses 'so we are not vulnerable to a threat and an attack like that,' Hegseth told the House appropriations subcommittee on defense. Hegseth said the Pentagon 'is learning everyday from Ukraine,' and focused on how to better defend its own military airfields. Hegseth refuses to provide lawmakers details on costs of sending Marines to Los Angeles In a back an forth with the defense appropriations subcommittee's top Democrat, Hegseth refused to answer basic questions on the cost of deploying Marines to Los Angeles, instead falling back on political talking points. In a series of questions on the news that Marines would be sent to Los Angeles, House Appropriations defense subcommittee ranking member Rep. Betty McCollum told Hegseth 'this is a deeply unfair position to put our Marines in,' she said. 'There's no need for the Marines to be deployed.' ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW McCollum asked what the cost of the deployment would be. Hegseth deflected on the costs, attacked the decisions of the previous Biden administration instead and talked about illegal immigration. 'Could the Secretary please address the budget' McCollum asked him. Hegseth again refused to acknowledge McCollum's question and attacked the politics of the past administration again. McCollum took back her time and Hegseth was instructed by the committee chairman to provide the costs in writing instead. California Democrats accuses Trump of inciting unrest Democratic members of California's congressional delegation are accusing the president of creating a 'manufactured crisis' in Los Angeles with his orders to send in thousands of National Guard troops and hundreds of Marines. 'It's a deliberate attempt by Trump to incite unrest, test the limits of executive power and distract from the lawlessness of his administration,' said Rep. Jimmy Gomez, who organized a news conference at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday morning. Rep. Jimmy Panetta said Trump's decision to send in the military was designed to 'give him the image and give him the fight and give him the pictures that he wants.' Rep. Nancy Pelosi contrasted Trump's actions now with his handling of the Jan. 6th insurrection at the U.S. Capitol when law enforcement officers were being beaten. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'We begged the president of the United States to send in the National Guard. He would not do it,' Pelosi said. Hegseth skirts acknowledging key controversies in opening remarks Based on his opening remarks in his first appearance before lawmakers since taking office, there's been nothing but smooth sailing in the defense chief's office. Hegseth completed his opening statement with no mention of his controversial use of Signal, of the lack of defense budget details to guide Congress, or his controversial firings of his own staff or military leaders. Hegseth also made no mention of a decision to deploy Marines into Los Angeles to respond to immigration raid protests. Instead, he clung closely to the talking points he's used since taking office, such as emphasizing that 'DEI is dead,' and that he's focused on a return to 'lethality.' Pentagon mired in 'controversy and chaos,' lawmaker says in Hegseth hearing Trump's defense chief faced a litany of questions on what some lawmakers called 'rash' or 'reckless' decisions or actions dating back to his first day in office, as Tuesday's hearing before the House Appropriations defense subcommittee began. In opening statements, lawmakers asked about Hegseth's decisions to fire top military leaders, his use of Signal and other controversies, including his firing of several staff members in his inner circle. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'The Department of Defense is mired in controversy and chaos,' said Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the ranking member of the full committee. Citing trade wars, the World Bank sharply downgrades forecast for global economic growth President Trump's trade wars are expected to slash economic growth this year in the United States and around the world, the World Bank forecast Tuesday. Citing 'a substantial rise in trade barriers'' but without mentioning Trump by name, the 189-country lender predicted that the U.S. economy — the world's largest — would grow half as fast (1.4%) this year as it did in 2024 (2.8%). That marked a downgrade from the 2.3% U.S. growth it had forecast back for 2025 back in January. The bank also lopped 0.4 percentage points off its forecast for global growth this year. It now expects the world economy to expand just 2.3% in 2025, down from 2.8% in 2024. ▶ Read more about the World Bank's forecast Trump links protests in Los Angeles to home rebuilding after wildfires Trump said his decision to 'SEND IN THE TROOPS' to Los Angeles spared the city from burning to the ground like thousands of homes after wildfires this year. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW He wrote on his social media site that people want to rebuild, and that the federal permitting process is 'virtually complete on these houses.' Trump claimed 'the easy and simple City and State Permits are disastrously bungled up and WAY BEHIND SCHEDULE!' and blamed California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. 'People want to rebuild their houses. Call your incompetent Governor and Mayor, the Federal permitting is DONE!!!' he wrote. Trump's Tuesday schedule, according to the White House 12:25 p.m. — Trump will travel to Fort Bragg, North Carolina 2:40 p.m. — Once he arrives, Trump will observe a military demonstration 4:00 p.m. — Trump will deliver remarks to service members, veterans and their families 6:00 p.m. — Trump will travel back to the White House Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to face Congress for first time since Signal leaks He's expected to field sharp questions from members of Congress about his tumultuous start as Pentagon chief, including his sharing of sensitive military details over a Signal chat, in three separate Capitol Hill hearings beginning Tuesday. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Lawmakers also have made it clear they're unhappy that Hegseth hasn't provided details on the administration's first proposed defense budget, which Trump has said would total $1 trillion, a significant increase over the current spending level of more than $800 billion. It will be lawmakers' first chance to ask Hegseth about a myriad of other controversial spending by the Pentagon, including plans to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on security upgrades to turn a Qatari jet into Air Force One and to pour as much as $45 million into a parade recently added to the Army's 250th birthday bash, which happens to coincide with Trump's birthday on Saturday. ▶ Read more about Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth RFK Jr. ousts entire CDC vaccine advisory committee Kennedy on Monday removed every member of a scientific committee that advises the CDC on how to use vaccines and pledged to replace them with his own picks. Major physicians and public health groups criticized the move to oust all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Kennedy, who was one of the nation's leading anti-vaccine activists before becoming the nation's top health official, has not said who he would appoint to the panel, but said it would convene in just two weeks in Atlanta. Although it's typically not viewed as a partisan board, the entire current roster of committee members were Biden appointees. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ▶ Read more about Kennedy's latest move Trump pushes ahead with his maximalist immigration campaign in face of LA protests Trump made no secret of his willingness to take a maximalist approach to enforcing immigration laws and keeping order as he campaigned to return to the White House. The fulfillment of that pledge is now on full display in Los Angeles. By overriding California's Gov. Gavin Newsom, Trump is already going beyond what he did to respond to Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, when he warned he could send troops to contain demonstrations that turned violent if governors in the states did not act to do so themselves. Trump said in September of that year that he 'can't call in the National Guard unless we're requested by a governor' and that 'we have to go by the laws.' But now, he's moving swiftly to test the bounds of his executive authority in order to deliver on his promise of mass deportations. What remains to be seen is whether Americans will stand by him once it's operationalized nationwide. For now, Trump is betting that they will. ▶ Read more about Trump's efforts to fulfill his immigration promises Trump heads to Fort Bragg while facing criticism for deploying military at Los Angeles protests Trump plans to speak at Fort Bragg on Tuesday to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army as he deploys the military in an attempt to quiet immigration protests in Los Angeles. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Fort Bragg, located near Fayetteville, North Carolina, serves as headquarters for U.S. Army Special Operations Command. Highly trained units like the Green Berets and the Rangers are based there. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Army Secretary Dan Driscoll will also be at Tuesday's event, along with service members, veterans and their families. Trump has promoted the Army's anniversary as a reason to hold a military parade in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, which is also his 79th birthday. Trump, who sees the military as a critical tool for domestic goals, has used the recent protests in Los Angeles as an opportunity to deploy the National Guard and U.S. Marines to quell disturbances that began as protests over immigration raids. ▶ Read more about Trump's Fort Bragg trip
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Ottawa Catholic School Board eyes $16 million in new expenditures as OCDSB looks for $20 million in cuts
Math will be on the agenda tonight for Ottawa's two largest school boards, as the 2025-26 budgets are presented to trustees. While trustees at the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board have been told they will need to find $20 million in savings to balance the books, the Ottawa Catholic School Board's budget for the new school year will include $16.8 million in 'new permanent and one-time enhancements' using operating surpluses and reserves. A report for the Ottawa Catholic School Board meeting shows the board will receive $797.8 million in grants and operating revenues for the 2025-26 school year, and the preliminary expenditures are $786.6 million. Staff recommend the board add another $10.5 million in permanent expenses to the 2025-26 budget using the grant and operating revenues, and $6.3 million in one-time expenditures using the accumulated surplus. The $16.8 million in additional spending includes $9 million for staffing salaries and $4.3 million in enhancements. According to the report, the $4.3 million in new 'non-salary expenditures' includes $375,000 for AI softwares, $500,000 for school budget increases to address inflationary budgets, $500,000 in one-time cash to support school initiatives, $500,0000 for furniture and equipment, and $500,000 to refresh sports and arts equipment in schools. The board will use its accumulated surplus to fund $2 million in investments in skills trades initiatives, a $2 million investment in inclusion and well-being through the Lens of Deep Learning and $1 million for play structure renewal. Staff say the board 'enjoys a healthy balance,' and there is 'sufficient' funding to fund 'valuable system needs.' The Ottawa Catholic School Board budget calls for 5,606 staff members, including 4,559 teachers, in 2025, up from 5,339 employees in 2024. Ottawa-Carleton District School Board The draft budget for the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) will be tabled tonight, with trustees warned they need to find $20 million in savings to balance the books. Trustees have already approved a plan to cut more than 150 teaching and administrative positions. Staff have said the OCDSB is facing multi-million-dollar cost pressures, including $20 million to support the maintenance of underutilized schools, $16.8 million to cover costs for replacing staff and $12 million in inflation pressures. The Ministry of Education is investigating the OCDSB's finances.
Global News
an hour ago
- Global News
F-35 costs soar nearly 50% amid delays, AG reports
The cost of Canada's incoming fleet of advanced stealth fighters has exploded by nearly 50 per cent in just a few years, auditor general Karen Hogan said Tuesday in a new report. The fighter jet audit is one of eight tabled in the House of Commons by Hogan and environment commissioner Jerry DeMarco which flagged problematic procurement contracts, a backlog in applications for First Nations status and a lag in reducing federal office space. An investigation by the auditor general of Canada finds costs associated with the F-35 advanced fighter jet program are running $8.7 billion higher than the original estimates. And it warns the program is being plagued by delays and crucial shortfalls — including a lack of qualified pilots. The report lands in the middle of an active review ordered by Prime Minister Mark Carney to examine possible alternatives to the F-35. He ordered the review in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war with Canada. Story continues below advertisement National Defence said in 2022 the base price for the F-35s would be $19 billion — just two years later, that number has climbed to $27.7 billion. That does not include estimates for infrastructure upgrades or weapons. The report found the department's 2022 estimates relied on outdated data from 2019 – despite the availability of better estimates showing 'that costs of the aircraft had already increased substantially.' The audit finds issues associated with the global pandemic – such as runaway inflation, rising facilities and munitions costs and volatile foreign exchange rates – pushed the price tag sky high. Auditor general Karen Hogan also warns that the program faces 'significant risks that could jeopardize the timely introduction of the new fleet.' Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy She said the department successfully identified the risks but has not planned appropriately to mitigate them. Construction of two new fighter squadron facilities — in Cold Lake, Alta., and Bagotville, Que. — is running three years behind schedule. The report says the facilities will not be ready until at least 2031 because the department needs to 'redo important elements' of their design. The department started planning the new facilities in 2020 before the government had settled on the F-35, but the aircraft comes with significant infrastructure security requirements. 'Costs to develop an interim solution to support the new jets will further increase infrastructure expenses,' the report warns. Story continues below advertisement It says the department produced a contingency plan to operate the aircraft from temporary facilities but the plan fell short because it was incomplete and offered 'no proposed actions nor a cost estimate.' Canada is also still short of qualified pilots to fly the advanced aircraft — despite being warned about this back in 2018. The report says the F-35 program lacks measures to minimize potential risks and the department failed to produce robust contingency plans. It notes that the department identified cost overruns from inflation and currency fluctuations as potential risks to monitor, but plans to track those risks were never approved by officials. The Liberal government announced in 2017 it planned to purchase 88 new fighter jets and signed a contract with Lockheed Martin for the F-35s in 2023. The modern jets are needed to replace Canada's aging CF-18 fleet, which is nearing the end of its service life. The fighter jets are expected to be delivered between 2026 and 2032. Over the next two years, the initial eight will be sent to a U.S. air force base in Arizona, where Canadian pilots will be trained to fly them. The rest will be delivered to Canada starting in 2028. 4:30 Ottawa says final talks underway with Lockheed Martin to procure F-35 fighter jets The report says the Joint Strike Fighter Program Office conducted various assessments that uncovered 'significant issues,' such as 'insufficient departmental engineering personnel to service support equipment for both the CF-18 Hornet and CF-35A during the transition.' Story continues below advertisement The audit says that at the end of the last fiscal year in March, National Defence earmarked $935 million for the U.S. government for the first four jets and related items needed to produce another eight aircraft. It says about $197 million has already been paid out. On top of that, National Defence spent another $516 million on the project, including $270 million in infrastructure costs.
