Tuesday, March 31, 2026

On this day in history

1492 — Spain’s Catholic Monarchs issued the Alhambra Decree, ordering the expulsion of Jews who would not convert, a turning point in Jewish history and the wider history of forced migration.
1854 — The United States and Japan signed the Treaty of Kanagawa, opening Japan to American trade and diplomacy after centuries of seclusion.
1918 — Daylight Saving Time began in the United States for the first time under the Standard Time Act, part of a broader wartime effort to conserve energy.
1949 — Newfoundland entered Canadian Confederation as the country’s 10th province, reshaping Canada’s political map and national identity.
1966 — The Soviet Union launched Luna 10, the first spacecraft to enter orbit around the Moon, a milestone in the space race.
1980 — Time permitting for a more modern touch: the first all-day flight of the Gossamer Albatross helped prove human-powered flight was possible.

Canada politics

Yesterday: The big Canadian political story was the federal government pushing trade and economic diplomacy, including Ottawa’s move to send Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne to China for meetings aimed at diversification and investment.
Expected today: The main political focus is likely to remain Canada’s trade posture and internal economic resilience, alongside continued reaction to the federal NDP leadership shift and Ottawa’s broader response to U.S. trade uncertainty.

Yesterday: The biggest U.S. political story was the escalating Iran crisis and its domestic fallout, with President Trump warning of possible action while the partial DHS shutdown kept pressure on airports and Congress.

Globally, yesterday looks likely to be remembered for the widening risk of direct U.S.-Iran confrontation, which has consequences for regional security, energy markets, and global diplomacy far beyond the headlines.

Sunrise: 6:48 AM. Sunset: 7:28 PM. Moon phase: Waxing gibbous, about 96% illuminated.
Regular gas in Ottawa: about $1.90/L recently, based on the latest available Ottawa gasoline data.