Good morning. Tensions between the U.S. and Iran are back in focus in the Strait of Hormuz. More on that below, along with a lawyer’s temporary frozen assets and a guide to heat-related illness.
Three boys play in the shallow waters of the Strait of Hormuz, as a plume of smoke rises from an explosion in the background, off Bandar Abbas, Iran, on July 13.Razieh Poudat/The Associated Press
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Battle for control of Hormuz escalates
The U.S. launched strikes on Iran hours after President Donald Trump vowed to reinstate an American blockade of Iranian ports and charge ships for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran responded with attacks on Middle East allies of the U.S.
The actions leave in tatters an interim deal meant to pause the fighting, reopen a waterway that is a crucial passage for the world’s energy supplies, and give negotiators time to hammer out a permanent end to the war. Instead, fighting has once again engulfed the region and threatened the global economy. Unless a diplomatic solution is found quickly, it could intensify into all-out war.
The focus of the conflict now is the strait, through which a fifth of all traded crude oil and natural gas passed in peacetime. The interim deal was supposed to reopen the waterway, but Iran has attacked some ships moving through the strait.
The U.S. has now threatened to reopen the strait by force – but experts say that will require a much bigger armada if not tens of thousands of American troops on Iranian soil. It’s possible Trump will back down, as he has previously.
Read the latest about the vital waterway conflict here.
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A drone view of the Deep Sky Alpha carbon capture project, which aims to capture 3,000 tonnes of emissions each year in Innisfail, Alta., on June 8.Todd Korol/Reuters
A new carbon capture project pushes ahead
Alberta, Ottawa and Canada’s five largest oil sands companies have signed an agreement to move forward with a massive carbon capture project in the province’s north, while setting the stage for a substantial increase in crude production.
The details: This agreement is part of November’s Alberta-Ottawa memorandum of understanding, a deal that tied a new pipeline to lowering emissions. The companies that signed the most recent agreement make up the Oil Sands Alliance: Suncor, Cenovus, ConocoPhillips, Canadian Natural Resources and Imperial.
The timeline: Under the new tripartite agreement – signed July 2 but made public yesterday – the parties signalled support for financial and regulatory frameworks that would enable oil sands development and production growth. A second agreement with more details is due by Nov. 15. The Pathways project is expected to be completed by Jan. 1, 2035.
Shaquan Quashie, left, and Cesar Vernaza were identified as the victims of Saturday night's shooting.Supplied
Toronto police identify festival victims
Authorities have identified the two victims in last weekend’s shooting at a Toronto street festival and say both men were targeted in the attack. Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw named the individuals as Shaquan Quashie, 25, and Cesar Vernaza, 20. Five others suffered injuries, including bystanders.
Still to come: Demkiw said he wouldn’t release any information on any suspects because the investigation is ongoing. He also declined to provide more details on those who were injured or about any possible connection between the victims and the suspects.
Scientist accused of copying government files for work in China
A former government scientist faces criminal charges after allegedly downloading thousands of work files from the Department of Natural Resources to external storage drives to further a new career in China, court records show.
The details: Dennis Lu is charged under the Criminal Code with two counts of “unauthorized use of a computer” and one count of breach of trust relating to his job as a public servant. The allegations against him have not been in proven in court.
Heat-related illness exists on a spectrum, so recognizing early symptoms is key to avoiding progression.Illustration by The Globe and Mail. Sources: iSt
How to spot heat-related illness
Few people expect to end up in the emergency department because of hot weather, but many who do are surprised at how quickly their symptoms develop after feeling well spending time outdoors. As part of our Ask a Doctor series, emergency physician Dr. Shazma Mithani shares her prevention advice.
Warning signs: Early symptoms such as heat rash and cramps can often be managed with cooling strategies, however more serious situations require urgent action. If you experience dizziness, nausea or weakness that persists after rest and hydration it might be time to seek medical care. Heat stroke consists of severe confusion, loss of consciousness or even seizures. The skin is typically hot and dry. Call 911 if you notice these symptoms.
The Take
The narrowness of Elections Alberta’s rules allows for a distinct slipperiness about all of this, and this bodes ill for both disclosure about financing and trust in the process.
Alberta’s definitions around election financing rules create a serious risk that federalists, separatists, or even the public, could view the referendum results as unfair, writes Tyler Dawson, an Edmonton-based editor for The Globe’s Opinion section.
The Shot
Volunteers with Cycling Without Age take seniors from care homes on bike rides on custom-built trishaws in Vancouver.Jimmy Jeong/The Globe and Mail
It might not be considered traditional health care, but Cycling Without Age helps enrich the lives of long-term care home residents across the country by taking seniors on recreational bike rides outdoors. The program takes its motto seriously: “The right to wind in their hair.”
The Wrap
What else we’re following
At home: A judge has frozen assets belonging to Jeffrey Rath, a lawyer and prominent voice in the Alberta separatist movement, after a First Nation alleged misappropriation of the band’s funds that he was overseeing as its trustee.
Abroad: Ukraine and nine other countries announced they were forming a coalition to protect Europe from ballistic missiles using Kyiv’s experience in fighting Russia.
Rejig: According to sources, Prime Minister Mark Carney’s key advisers Scott Gilmore and Maia Johnson are also getting a boost as part of a recent staff shuffle which will take place later this month.
Review: Ottawa is working on creating a list of pre-approved drones and components for the Canadian Armed Forces to strengthen its defence sector.