Global National: July 24

Two fires that sent thousands of people fleeing from Jasper are rapidly closing in on the town. The anxiety among residents, what crews have installed to try to save the community, the growing fire risk across Alberta and neighbouring British Columbia. The Canadian Olympic women’s soccer team has sent home two staff members after an alleged attempt to spy on New Zealand’s team by flying a drone over their practice. The embarrassing start for Team Canada in Paris. U.S. President Joe Biden has addressed Americans days after dropping his bid for the White House. What he had to say, and how Republicans are ramping up ugly attacks against Vice-President Kamala Harris, as her campaign gains momentum. Millions of Canadian households are receiving a small measure of relief, as the Bank of Canada has dropped its key interest rate to 4.5 per cent. What’s behind the rate cut, what it means for homeowners now, and the new worries both they and the central bank have for the future. Plus: why the federal government is scaling back funding for communities to start searching suspected burial sites at residential schools, and how the announcement surprised Indigenous leaders. And going for gold in Paris. Eric Sorensen looks at the Canadians with the best shot of a podium finish.