Global National: Dec. 17, 2023 | Jewish community urges Canadians to be vigilant amid terror threats

In tonight’s top story: The arrest of a 15-year-old in Ottawa connected to an alleged terror plot has triggered leaders in the Jewish community to urge Canadians to stay vigilant. Though the teenage suspect’s father told Global News on Saturday that his son “was naïve” and that the family had taken steps to prevent the boy from being radicalized, Facebook posts from the father himself referring to Jews and Zionists in a derogatory manner have since been found. The RCMP has also warned about a unique rise in violent extremism among teens, as Mike Drolet reports.

As Israel’s war on Gaza continues, international pressure for a ceasefire is growing stronger — even from within. On a visit to Israel, France’s foreign minister called for an immediate ceasefire, following statements from her German and UK counterparts supporting the demand, so long as it “is sustainable.” This comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says negotiations with Egypt and Qatar are ongoing to secure the release of more hostages held by Hamas. Redmon Shannon has the latest.

And, alarming new figures are out about how many Canadians are dying as a result of the opioid crisis. More than 3,900 lost their lives in the first half of 2023 alone. Though Ottawa says no community has been untouched by this epidemic, Heidi Petracek reports on its recent surge in Maritime provinces.

Also, in a new poll done exclusively for Global New, a majority of Canadians – 69 per cent, to be exact – feel Prime Minister Justin Trudeau should resign in 2024. The reasons for wanting Trudeau to step back, however, differ depending on who you ask. Abigail Bimman provides the rundown.

As the climate crisis pushes people to look for greener solutions, there’s an effort to transform older homes into modern, energy-efficient dwellings. As Jasmine King explains, in some cases, homes older than 50 years are just steps away from becoming net-zero.

In Pemberton, British Columbia, Grizzly bears are regularly accessing farmland, traveling into areas that they traditionally have not traveled before, amassing major concerns from locals. Paul Johnson reports on the complicated issue that seems to have no simple solution.

Plus, Global’s Katherine Dornian speaks with Michelle Harrison, the woman behind Dream Factory: a non-profit that, for the last 40 years, has given kids facing life-threatening illnesses unforgettable experiences. Michelle, however, never thought she'd be on the receiving end of the Dream Factory experience. She's now fighting her own battle with terminal lung cancer.

For more info, please go to https://globalnews.ca/news/10174666/ottawa-terrorism-arrest-minor/

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