TORONTO — For the second consecutive year, Canada will limit the number of international students allowed into the country in an effort to alleviate pressures on housing, healthcare, and other essential services. In 2025, the government plans to issue 437,000 study permits—a 10% reduction from 2024—according to a statement released by the immigration ministry on Friday (Jan 24). The cap on study permits was first introduced in 2024 as the government faced criticism over rapid population growth exacerbating a housing shortage. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who has announced his resignation effective March, had promised to lower immigration levels in recent months amid declining public support for newcomers. In 2023, Canada issued over 650,000 study permits, bringing the total number of international students to a record-high of over one million—nearly three times the number recorded a decade ago. While immigration-driven population growth has strained services like healthcare and education and driven up housing costs, international students remain a vital source of revenue due to their significantly higher tuition fees compared to domestic students. Following last year's introduction of the student cap, most applicants are now required to provide a Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter as part of their application. Starting this year, master's and post-doctoral students will also need to submit these letters, which confirm their inclusion under the federal student cap. Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters file

Outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau warned that American consumers would face higher prices if President Donald Trump follows through on his plans to impose hefty tariffs on Canadian goods, set to begin on February 1. Trump has repeatedly threatened tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China, but they had not been enforced immediately upon his presidency. Trudeau stated that if tariffs are imposed, Canada would retaliate, leading to higher costs for American consumers on nearly all products. He stressed that such a scenario would be detrimental to both countries, particularly affecting industries like autos, lumber, and oil, which could see prices rise sharply. Alberta's premier, Danielle Smith, even predicted that U.S. consumers in certain states might face gas price increases of over a dollar per gallon. Trudeau highlighted Canada's vital role as a supplier of energy and critical minerals to the U.S., noting that nearly a quarter of America's daily oil consumption comes from Canada. He emphasized that the U.S. should be working more closely with Canada on energy and resources rather than escalating trade tensions. In response to Trump's tariff threat, Canada is considering retaliatory measures, including levying tariffs on American orange juice, toilets, and steel products. Trudeau referred to past retaliations in 2018 when Canada imposed billions in duties on U.S. goods following similar tariff hikes. Despite Trump's focus on the U.S.-Canada border, Trudeau reminded reporters that the vast majority of illegal drugs and migrants do not come from Canada. Trudeau also corrected Trump's repeated claims about the U.S. trade deficit with Canada, pointing out that the U.S. benefits greatly from Canadian exports like oil and other natural resources. Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI

Three years ago, Stephanie Mistre's world was shattered when she found her 15-year-old daughter, Marie, lifeless in her bedroom after a suicide. Reflecting on the traumatic event, Mistre describes how everything changed in an instant, marking the beginning of her battle against TikTok, the app she believes contributed to her daughter's despair. After Marie's death in September 2021, Mistre discovered disturbing videos on her daughter's phone, promoting suicide methods, tutorials, and comments encouraging users to take extreme actions. She claims TikTok's algorithm consistently pushed this harmful content to Marie. Mistre believes the app normalized depression and self-harm, turning it into a distorted sense of community. Now, Mistre and six other families are suing TikTok France, accusing the platform of failing to remove harmful content and exposing children to life-threatening material. Two of the families lost children to suicide. Mistre's lawsuit also includes bullying claims, both online and at school. TikTok, responding to the lawsuit, emphasized that its guidelines prohibit promoting suicide and that it employs 40,000 trust and safety professionals globally, including French-speaking moderators, to remove harmful content. The company also said it directs users who search for suicide-related content to mental health resources. Marie, before her death, had made videos explaining her decision, referencing struggles in her life, and quoting an emo rap song by Suicideboys, popular on TikTok. Mistre believes TikTok played a significant role in her daughter's tragic end, arguing that the app exposed vulnerable teens to dangerous content, making it harder for them to distinguish what was real. While scientists have not definitively linked social media use to mental health issues, experts agree that the real danger lies with teens who are already facing challenges like bullying or family problems. Studies suggest social media exposure can worsen their mental health. The lawsuit, according to Mistre's lawyer, Laure Boutron-Marmion, is supported by solid evidence and seeks reparations from TikTok. The families argue that TikTok's algorithm deliberately traps vulnerable users in a cycle of despair for profit. Boutron-Marmion also pointed out that TikTok's Chinese version, Douyin, has stricter content controls for minors, proving the company can moderate content when it chooses to. A report commissioned by French President Macron recommended banning addictive algorithm features and restricting social media access for minors under 15. However, these measures have yet to be implemented. Globally, TikTok is under scrutiny, with similar lawsuits in the US and Australia enacting laws to protect minors from social media harms. In France, the lawsuit against TikTok is expected to proceed in 2025. TikTok responded by reiterating its commitment to removing harmful content but faced criticism for not doing enough to stop it from reaching vulnerable users. Imran Ahmed, CEO of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, argued that TikTok's moderation efforts are insufficient, pointing out that harmful content is often hidden using "algospeak"—a tactic that the app's algorithms struggle to detect. For Mistre, this fight is personal. She has kept Marie's room unchanged, fighting to make other parents aware of the dangers of social media. Had she known the harmful content her daughter was exposed to, she would never have allowed her to use TikTok. "In memory of Marie, I will fight as long as I have the strength," she says. "Parents need to know the truth. We must confront these platforms and demand accountability." Disclaimer: This image is taken from Business Standard

On his first full day in office on Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio convened the inaugural Quad ministerial meeting with representatives from Australia, India, and Japan, issuing a pointed yet indirect warning to China against altering the status quo in the Indo-Pacific through coercive measures. This marked the first high-level meeting of the China-focused alliance since Donald Trump’s return to the White House. Rubio hosted Australia’s Penny Wong, India’s Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, and Japan’s Takeshi Iwaya in Washington. In a joint statement, the four nations reaffirmed their "shared commitment to fostering a Free and Open Indo-Pacific, where the rule of law, democratic principles, sovereignty, and territorial integrity are respected and upheld." The statement also underscored their firm opposition to "any unilateral actions aimed at altering the status quo through force or coercion," a clear reference to concerns over China’s potential moves to assert its sovereignty claims over Taiwan. The ministers further agreed to work towards holding a Quad summit in India later this year, signaling a potential early visit by Trump to the U.S.’s growing strategic partner, viewed as a crucial counterbalance to China. Indian Foreign Minister Jaishankar remarked on X that the Quad foreign ministers' meeting taking place so soon after Trump’s inauguration was "significant," highlighting its prominence in the foreign policies of its member nations. Disclaimer:This image is taken from AFP.

As Donald Trump prepares to return to the Oval Office, he faces a lengthy list of issues to address, including tariffs, immigration, and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. The former president's priorities for his second term are expected to focus on these key areas, but it remains to be seen how he will navigate them. In a preview of his upcoming presidential inauguration, Teresa Tang discusses with Washington Correspondent Nick Harper what to expect from Trump's second term in office and which issues he is likely to prioritize.

With advanced techniques, Alexandra Morton-Hayward is uncovering the mysteries of ancient brains, even as her own begins to fail her. - By Kermit Pattison Disclaimer: This podcastis taken from The Guardian.

From receiving automated rejection emails to navigating AI-assisted interviews, how can job seekers improve their chances of success in the AI-driven job market? Jia Hui Ong, a 27-year-old facing challenges in securing a permanent role, turns to career counselor Gerald Tan for guidance. Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

All experts concur that reducing food waste and loss is essential to ensure food security for everyone. So, what’s holding us back? — Julian Baggini Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.