5 Things posted Jun 23, 2025 @ 08:00am by Iain Burns

5 things you need to know this morning: June 23, 2025

Start your day off right with five things you need to know this morning.

Five things you need to know

1. Carney says Middle East 'highly volatile' after US bombs Iran

Mark Carney, who is in Brussels today, has said the Middle East is "highly volatile" after the US bombed Iran over the weekend. Carney said the attack was "designed to alleviate" the threat posed by Iran, but added: "Canada calls on parties to return immediately to the negotiating table and reach a diplomatic solution to end this crisis."

Iran’s nuclear programme is a grave threat to international security, and Canada has been consistently clear that Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon.

While U.S. military action taken last night was designed to alleviate that threat, the situation in the…
— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) June 22, 2025

2. Trump only 'raising a question' by suggesting regime change in Iran, White House insists

The White House has attempted to calm nerves around the world after President Donald Trump suggested on social media that Iran's government could be toppled. Trump was merely "raising a question," his public relations team said. Meanwhile, Israel continues to batter Iran while other world powers, including the EU, have urged Iran not to attempt to block the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20 per cent of the world's oil and gas flows.

Trump speculates about regime change in Iran after US strikes https://t.co/6AW9zbcipy
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) June 23, 2025

3. Dismay among patients as long COVID clinic shuts down

People suffering from the long-term effects of COVID-19 – "long COVID" – have been left dismayed after a rehabilitation program in Ontario was shut down after operating for just four years. The service at Ottawa Hospital helped treat more than 160 patients, but Dennis Murphy, who spent nearly two years on the program's waitlist, said his ailment is having "a very serious impact" on his life.

Long COVID and it's impact on a few lives. Naturally it is time to close down any research or work on it too.#COVID #LongCOVID https://t.co/Zp78UpUBCj
— Big Cajun Man (aw) (@bigcajunman) June 23, 2025

4. Eby insists 'there's no fight' between BC and Alberta over pipeline

BC Premier David Eby has said "there's no fight" between himself and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith over a potential pipeline project connecting the oil sands to Prince Rupert. Eby, speaking to CTV, said the media has been looking to divide the two provinces. He also emphasized that the TMX pipeline remains under capacity.

“Count me as skeptical, and count me as opposed to the idea of tens of billions of dollars of additional federal subsidy when we have a pipeline that is not currently at capacity,” B.C. Premier David Eby says of Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s push for a new oil pipeline to… pic.twitter.com/0rslJCOznC
— CTV Question Period (@ctvqp) June 22, 2025

5. Americans leading the charge in buying New Zealand's 'golden visa'

Dozens of wealthy Americans are seeking to buy their way into New Zealand amid disgruntlement with the Trump administration and fears of global disorder, according to a new report. Americans account for about half the applications for New Zealand's "golden visa" so far, with a former Kiwi government minister saying "nearly everyone" applying is upset with the US government.