The "Gub" Blog: Thursday, April 23, 2026

On this day in history – April 23

1616 – Literary giants William Shakespeare (England) and Miguel de Cervantes (Spain) die on this date, now marked as World Book and Copyright Day by UNESCO.
1920 – The Grand National Assembly of Turkey convenes in Ankara, laying the political foundations of the modern Turkish Republic; the date is still celebrated as National Sovereignty and Children's Day in Turkey.
1945 – Soviet and Allied forces tighten the encirclement of Berlin in the final weeks of the Second World War in Europe.
1969 – Sirhan Sirhan is sentenced for the assassination of U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy, a moment that reshaped debates on political violence and security worldwide.
1985 – The Coca-Cola Company introduces “New Coke,” triggering global backlash and becoming a classic case study in branding and consumer behavior.
2005 – The first ever YouTube video, “Me at the zoo,” is uploaded, foreshadowing the rise of user‑generated global video culture.

(You can trim to 5 items if you prefer it shorter.)

Canada politics – biggest stories

Yesterday (Apr 22): Prime Minister Mark Carney insisted that Canada will not allow the U.S. to dictate the terms of upcoming CUSMA/NAFTA-style trade talks, signalling a tougher Canadian stance ahead of negotiations.
Today (Apr 23 – expected focus): Ottawa and provincial leaders are expected to keep trade and economic resilience in the spotlight, as markets and stakeholders watch for any sign of Canadian concessions or retaliatory measures in response to new U.S. demands.

(That stays within three short lines if posted as two compact sentences.)

The dominant U.S. political story yesterday was President Donald Trump’s decision to extend the ceasefire with Iran and maintain the naval blockade around the Strait of Hormuz while waiting for a new proposal mediated in part by Pakistan, raising major questions about energy markets, regional security, and the duration of the Iran war.

The continued Iran–U.S. standoff around the Strait of Hormuz, including fresh attacks on shipping and Trump’s extension of the ceasefire and blockade, will likely be seen as a turning point in the conflict’s duration and in long‑term global energy security.
Surging jet fuel prices and broader fuel‑supply strain linked to the Iran war are forcing airlines worldwide to cut routes and rethink their economics, a shift that may permanently change flight networks and travel costs.
Ongoing diplomatic and financial manoeuvring over large‑scale aid to Ukraine and other conflict‑affected regions highlights a slow‑burn realignment of security commitments and development priorities that is likely to shape global politics well beyond 2026.

“In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” – Albert Einstein

(This one is widely attributed to Einstein; it works well as a hopeful, forward‑looking line.)

Sunrise: 6:04 a.m.
Sunset: 7:58 p.m.
Moon: First quarter phase today (exact quarter around 10:33 p.m. local time), so the moon will appear about half‑illuminated and growing.

Average forecast price of regular gasoline in Ottawa today is about 167.9 cents per litre (roughly 1.68 CAD/L), with forecasters expecting no major change at 12:01 a.m. on April 23, 2026, though intraday adjustments remain possible.