On this day in history
531 – At the Battle of Callinicum (near today’s Raqqa, Syria), the Byzantine army under General Belisarius is defeated by the Sasanian Persians, shaping the long struggle between the two regional empires.
1024 – John XIX is elected pope, illustrating how powerful Roman noble families effectively controlled the medieval papacy.
1782 – John Adams secures Dutch recognition of the United States, and the house he buys in The Hague becomes the first American embassy.
1995 – A truck bomb destroys the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, killing 168 people and prompting major changes in security and anti‑terrorism law worldwide.
2000 – Air Philippines Flight 541 crashes near Davao in the Philippines, killing all 131 on board, and driving renewed focus on aviation safety in the region.
2020 – A killing spree in Nova Scotia leaves 22 victims, the deadliest mass shooting in Canadian history, and leads to reforms to gun control and emergency alert systems.
Canada politics – biggest story
a) Yesterday (April 18):
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s newly minted Liberal majority remained at the centre of Canadian political discussion, with fresh analysis of how floor‑crossings and recent by‑elections have reshaped the House of Commons.
b) Expected today (April 19):
Commentary is likely to focus on how Carney will use majority power on files such as energy prices and trade, including reactions to his recent move to pause federal fuel excise taxes.
United States – biggest political story yesterday
The dominant U.S. story yesterday was President Donald Trump’s handling of the 2026 Iran war and ceasefire, including new executive‑branch messaging that eased market fears and fuelled a broad “relief rally” on Wall Street.
Worldwide – what yesterday will be remembered for
April 18, 2026 will be remembered less for isolated headlines and more for the way the U.S.–Iran war and ceasefire reshaped global energy and recession risks, with the IMF warning the world economy sits near the brink of recession amid war‑driven oil shocks.
Markets and policymakers worldwide spent the day recalibrating around the ceasefire and Strait of Hormuz disruptions, decisions that will likely have lasting consequences for inflation, energy security, and geopolitical alignments.
Quotation of the day
“History is not a burden on the memory but an illumination of the soul.” – Lord Acton
(Short, reflective, and fits both the “this day in history” and current‑events themes.)
Ottawa sky and light (Apr 19, 2026)
Moon: Waxing crescent, about 5–10% illuminated – a young, slim crescent just returning to the evening sky.
Ottawa gas price – regular
Forecast average price for regular gas in Ottawa today: about 174.9 cents per litre (approx. $1.75/L), after a 7‑cent overnight drop from yesterday’s level.
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