Good morning. The U.S. Coast Guard is following through on what the Trump administration is calling a blockade of oil tankers subject to U.S. sanctions that are travelling to or from Venezuela. More on that below, along with the return of measles and the comeback of Catholicism. Let’s get to it.
A U.S. military helicopter flies over the Panama-flagged Centuries east of Barbados in the Caribbean Sea on Saturday.Department of Homeland Security/Reuters
TOP STORY
Trump administration pursues another vessel
The latest: Officials speaking on the condition of anonymity told Reuters on Sunday that the U.S. Coast Guard was pursuing an oil tanker in international waters near Venezuela. If successful, it would be the second operation from the weekend and the third in less than two weeks.
Context: Donald Trump last week announced a blockade of all oil tankers under sanctions moving to and from Venezuela. The U.S. President’s pressure campaign on Venezuela’s leadership has included a ramped-up military presence and strikes on vessels in the region. At least 100 people have been killed in the attacks.
What’s next: One oil trader told Reuters that the seizures may push oil prices slightly higher when Asian trading resumes on Monday. Other analysts said the seizures are likely to raise geopolitical risks and possibly encourage Europe to detain Moscow-linked dark fleet vessels as well.
What else: White House envoy Steve Witkoff said yesterday’s talks to end the Russia-Ukraine war were aimed at aligning on a shared strategic approach between Ukraine, the United States and Europe.
Israeli soldiers stand guard with weapons during a weekly settlers' tour in Hebron, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on Saturday.Mussa Qawasma/Reuters
World
Israeli cabinet approves new settlements in West Bank
The latest: Israel’s cabinet has approved a proposal for 19 new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, the far-right Finance Minister said Sunday, as the government pushes ahead with a construction binge in the territory that further threatens the possibility of a Palestinian state.
What’s next: The approval comes as the U.S. pushes Israel and Hamas to move ahead with the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire, which took effect Oct. 10. Settlements are widely considered illegal under international law.
A still from the 1938 film Holiday. Today, we've grown accustomed to online interaction, drawing away from the allure of an in-person party.Bettmann/Getty Images
How We Live
How to throw a great party
The latest: Chelsea Fagan’s new book, Having People Over, is an argument for hosting dinner parties as a way to resist late-stage capitalism and the loneliness epidemic. It’s part of the bigger conversation about why we should party more. It doesn’t matter the season, argues Marlowe Granados, the author of the novel Happy Hour. Having fun it just good for us.
Best bash memories: The Globe spoke to a bunch of social regulars – partygoers and throwers – from across Canada, to hear what their favourite parties were and why.
Party tips from a pro: The Globe’s society columnist has compiled a non-exhaustive list of some tips and tricks nicked over the years from some of the best hosts the world over.
Canada, before losing its status, was one of 82 countries to have successfully eliminated measles.Illustration by MarsBars
Investigation
Behind the comeback of measles in Canada
The latest: A Globe and Mail investigation found that long before Canada was stripped of its measles elimination status last month, people inside the national public health agency feared the country was leaving itself exposed.
The context: Before losing its status, Canada was one of 82 countries to have successfully halted the virus from circulating. Then, a deadly measles outbreak began, and has amassed more than 5,300 cases, killed two unborn babies, and now ranks as the country’s worst in decades.
The data: As vaccination rates began to erode years ago, experts inside public health worried that blind spots meant the situation was worse than it appeared. Because they had been relying on surveys to track vaccinations across Canada, the agency could not easily or effectively gauge how bad the problem was becoming.
What’s next: If Canada is to regain its measles elimination designation, it will take time and considerable work. Meanwhile, new cases are still being recorded by the week, though in smaller numbers than during the summer.
Economy
End-of-year interview with Bank of Canada’s Tiff Macklem
The latest: Ultimately, the Canadian economy made it to the end of 2025 in a better place than many expected. But, the Bank of Canada moved through profound uncertainty. And throughout much of the year, Governor Tiff Macklem and his team were navigating without a trade war map. He told economics reporter Mark Rendell that he learned a good lesson in the early, frenetic days of tariff talk: “We can’t overreact to the latest piece of news.”
What’s next: In terms of diversifying trade away from the U.S., things appear to be moving in a positive direction, Macklem said. But the biggest near-term risk is the review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. There are also risks tied to the AI boom that has buoyed stock markets and spurred a massive amount of spending on data centres.
Bookmarked
- Follow up: Proposed changes to thalidomide survivors’ support program are causing concern about how Health Canada will handle the annual $1-million medical fund.
- From the files: The U.S. Department of Justice’s release of heavily redacted trove of Epstein files draws criticism.
- For your finances: Hey parents, here’s a 12-month personal finance checklist for 2026.
- For your spending: From Globe writers and editors, here are 20 items that changed our lives in 2025.
- Conversation starter: Catholicism is cool again. Whether in high-profile politics or culture, the faith seems to be enjoying a certain kind of cachet.
The Quote
Most Canadian provinces don’t require a high-school credit in Canadian history. That’s something that I just still can’t understand. We don’t do a very good job of telling our stories.
— J.D.M. Stewart, award-winning educator, writer and commentator
Historian J.D.M. Stewart wants people in this country to know their history. The Globe spoke to him about the importance of Canadians telling their own stories.
The Shot
Flatiron’s Christmas Market co-owner Ted Genova in his store in downtown Toronto in Dec., 2025. The Christmas-themed store has long-time customers and collectors return every year.Kelsey Wilson/The Globe and Mail
Winter is make-or-break for stores such as Flatiron’s Christmas Market, but artful curation, diversified stock and the pull of nostalgia keep customers coming back.