March 24, 2026Sign up

Good morning. A weekend of bombardment in the Middle East risked unravelling the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. More on that below, along with Canada’s attempts to reset relations with China and brazen heist at the Louvre. Let’s get to it.

People run for cover following an Israeli strike that targeted a building in the Bureij camp for Palestinian refugees in the central Gaza Strip on Sunday. EYAD BABA/AFP/Getty Images

The latest: Israeli artillery and fighter jets renewed attacks on Gaza on Sunday, in what the country called retaliatory action against ceasefire violations, which Hamas denies. Israel also halted the movement of aid supplies into Gaza, but by Monday, officials confirmed that aid deliveries would resume.

What else: Israel said it acted to destroy tunnels used by militants in an area near the principal humanitarian crossing into Gaza, which will remain closed for now, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said. Israeli forces continue to control roughly half of Gaza after staging a partial withdrawal under the terms of the current ceasefire.


On the ground in Gaza: The destruction of Gaza’s heritage sites threatens to erase not only buildings but also the continuity of Gaza’s urban and cultural identity.

What’s next: Israel’s leadership has said it is prepared to continue fighting, knowing that it no longer needs to balance military action against returning hostages. Meanwhile, Israel’s current admiration for U.S. President Donald Trump provides him the ability to have an effect on the future of the Middle East. But will Trump’s popularity in Israel ensure that the peace process isn’t abandoned?

Foreign Minister Wang Yi welcomed his Canadian counterpart, Anita Anand, to Beijing on Friday. After their meeting, he spoke about the prospect of a 'new starting point' between the countries. Gilles Sabrié/The Globe and Mail

The latest: Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand’s trip to Beijing Friday was the latest in a series of growing diplomatic efforts to lay the groundwork for a meeting between Prime Minister Mark Carney and Chinese President Xi Jinping. She is only the second Canadian foreign affairs minister to visit China in eight years.

The context: The Globe and Mail was granted access to China this week after being denied permission for a reporter to enter the country for several years. Anand told The Globe that under Carney, the country has a “new foreign policy,” which will include a co-operative relationship with China.

What’s next: The challenge for Carney is moving beyond the worst chapter in recent history in Canada-China relations while walking a remarkably narrow diplomatic tightrope. A face-to-face meeting between their leaders could possibly take place before the end of the month on the sidelines of the late-October Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation summit in South Korea.

Also read: I’ve spent 50 years navigating Canada-China relations. Here’s what I’ve learned.

Before COVID, almost all therapy sessions were in person, now virtual sessions are common – both are good options. Illustration by Maggie Prince

The latest: About half of us will experience mental-health illness by the age of 40, according to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. But cost, stigma, fear, long waiting times and the complexity of our health system are all barriers to getting help. Asking for help is the hardest part – but finding the right help can feel even harder.

What’s next: To help make that first step less overwhelming, The Globe and Mail asked mental-health experts to unpack the types of professionals who offer “talk therapy,” some of the evidence-based treatments available and practical tips for choosing the right fit. The result is a guide to sorting through the options, from provider type to approach, cost and fit.

The latest: A new analysis has found that Trump’s tariffs on imported automobiles and parts from Canada and Mexico will cost U.S.-based automakers at least US$10-billion through the end of October. The figure underscores the cost of Trump’s move to disregard NAFTA and impose import taxes in April.

What’s next: Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem expects slow economic growth and a soft labour market through the back half of the year, in part because of uncertainty over trade. There are several key pieces of data still to come including September inflation numbers and the bank’s quarterly business survey, which will be published on Wednesday.

What’s next next: Macklem gave no indication of whether the central bank would cut interest rates again at its meeting on Oct. 29.

Today: The B.C. government is set to introduce legislation to fast-track construction of a multibillion-dollar transmission line to the north coast.

The latest: Inside the Louvre yesterday, one of the highest-profile museum thefts in living memory took place. Within minutes, thieves rode a basket lift up the museum’s façade, forced a window, smashed display cases and fled with priceless Napoleonic jewels, officials said.

What’s next: Lots of questions remain, as forensic teams are examining the site of the crime and a full inventory is taken. Officials have described the haul as of “inestimable” historical value. Plus, recovery may prove difficult. “It’s unlikely these jewels will ever be seen again,” said Tobias Kormind, managing director of 77 Diamonds.

  • On the diamond: The Blue Jays keep their World Series dreams alive after thumping the Seattle Mariners 6-2 inside a raucous Rogers Centre.
  • At home: Richmond warns property owners that B.C. Supreme Court decision could “negatively affect title.”
  • Abroad: Crowds rally against Trump at No Kings protests across the U.S.
  • For your finances: Three reasons to be deeply skeptical about the current gold rally.
  • Conversation starter: Canada wants to detangle its data from U.S. tech giants. Can it be done?

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I don’t make the cheese, I care for it. There’s something about the fellowship of cheesemongers that is very nourishing. We are in the business of delight.

Meet the cheese whiz: Why Michael Finnerty traded the grind for the rind.

The Milky Way overhead with red lights below revealing where people have set up their telescopes for a night of observing at Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park on Aug 24, 2025. Fred Lum/The Globe and Mail

A Saskatchewan star party draws amateur astronomers together in wonder. The Globe’s Fred Lum went to join the event for the latest in the Underexposed series, our year-long photojournalism project.

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