Inside Ottawa's decision to pause military exports to Israel

Plus, education for prisoners and connecting teen pregnancy to premature death [The Star] First Up [By Manuela Vega] By Manuela Vega Good morning. Here’s the latest on Canada’s exports to Israel, access to education for prisoners and hardships of teen pregnancies. DON’T MISS Canadian Press/Nathan Denette star exclusive [The Trudeau government has paused non-lethal military exports to Israel over human rights concerns, sources say]( Amid deepening concerns over human rights violations, Canada hit pause two months ago on approvals for exports of non-lethal military goods and technology to Israel, the Star has learned. The news comes as the Liberals face growing pressure to condemn Israel’s military actions in Gaza and as the government faces a lawsuit to permanently ban or halt controlled exports of military items. Officials say the pause is not an outright ban, but export applications are “pending” for now, Tonda MacCharles reports. [Here’s how government officials say they came to that decision](. - Context: The Canadian government is legally obligated to assess if there is “substantial risk” that exported items “could be used to commit or facilitate” serious violations of international humanitarian or human rights law, or serious acts of violence against women and children. - Meanwhile: Through the eyes of a doctor, Allan Woods offers this [rare glimpse into the “postapocalyptic destruction” of northern Gaza](. - The latest: Israel is denying the Palestinian Health Ministry’s claim that its [forces killed 20 people near a Gaza aid distribution centre](. Toronto Star Photo Illustration star investigation [Education lowers a prisoner’s likelihood of reoffending — so why does Canada make it nearly impossible?]( One of the best predictors of a prisoner’s likelihood to reoffend after release is whether or not they seek out education behind bars, Brendan Kennedy reports. But taking university or college courses in Canadian prisons has become extremely difficult, if not impossible. The federal government doesn’t allow internet access for inmates — placing Canada behind the U.K., Australia, U.S. and several European countries. “They’re supposed to be rehabilitating people, integrating them back into society,” said the mom of one prisoner. “But they’re stifling them. It doesn’t make any sense.” [Take a look at the barriers prisoners face when they try to get an education](. - Go deeper: “I think it’s negligence on the part of the (federal government) not to move on this issue,” said Ivan Zinger, Canada’s Correctional Investigator. “Especially when there’s such clear benefits in terms of public safety.” - Word from Correctional Service of Canada: CSC says security is its primary concern, and there are technical challenges to enabling internet access in federal prisons, but it’s “committed to improving offenders’ access to computer-based learning and post-secondary education.” Dreamstime Photo health [A sweeping new study links teen pregnancy and premature death]( Beyond the stress and uncertainty of teen pregnancy, a new study has found that the experience is also linked to dramatically higher risk of premature death, Kenyon Wallace reports. New research published Thursday found that between 1991 and 2021 Ontario teens who experienced a pregnancy had a 50 per cent higher risk of premature death by approximately age 31 compared to those who did not become pregnant as teens. Researchers stress that it’s not the delivery of the baby that increased the risk, but the experience of being pregnant as a teen. [Take a closer look at the study and its recommendations](. - More: The risk of premature death increased for people who had two or more teen pregnancies and for people who got pregnant before age 16. - Go deeper: “We think it’s likely a combination of exposure to factors associated with adverse childhood experiences, such as family instability, poverty, violence and racism, and potentially ongoing experiences over the course of their lives that people who’ve had a pregnancy in adolescence are more likely to have,” a co-author on the study said. WHAT ELSE Canada’s carbon rebate is increasing. [Here’s how much Ontarians can expect in their bank accounts](. Toronto Public Library says it’s “almost” fully recovered from the cybersecurity incident. [Here’s what we know](. A Toronto long-term-care home is shutting down to make room for condos — [will other homes follow suit?]( As festivals in the city take a hit, [Scotiabank is ending its title scholarship of this photography festival](. An officer said you should make it easier for thieves to find your car key. [Now police are backtracking](. A Hamilton piano teacher has been charged in the alleged sexual assault of student. [Here’s what we know](. The total solar eclipse will take place in April — [these Ontario schools have cancelled classes](. What is happening in Haiti? [Here’s how gang-led violence erupted into a crisis](. Can’t sleep? [Here are seven simple tips from doctors for a quality night’s rest](. Today and this weekend, [look out for these road closures and restrictions in Toronto]( Before “Barbie,” Ryan Gosling was in “Breaker High” and “Road to Avonlea” — and once threw knives at classmates. [Take a look back at his early life]( Who is Rose Hanbury? [Prince William's alleged affair with the aristocrat is the latest rumour to rock the battered Royal Family](. POV Amanda Matlovich [The “Rob Ford episode” of “Law & Order Toronto” is wild, but not as wild as the reality I witnessed, the Star’s city hall bureau chief writes.]( CLOSE-UP Nick Lachance/The Star OSGOODE HALL: Justice David Doherty’s basset hound, Flash, joins him for one of his last days at work. The longest-serving judge on Ontario’s top court is retiring — [and he has some parting words for Doug Ford](. Thank you for reading. You can reach me and the First Up team at [firstup@thestar.ca](mailto:firstup@thestar.ca?source=newsletter&utm_source=ts_nl&utm_medium=emailutm_email=6C53B63A8E3FAD70AD4EF13004527437&utm_campaign=frst_210540). Andrew will see you back here tomorrow. If you're not enjoying these emails, please tell us how we can make them better by emailing newsletterfeedback@thestar.ca. Or, if you'd prefer, you can unsubscribe from this newsletter by clicking the first link below. [Unsubscribe From This Newsletter]( [Sign Up for More Newsletters and Email Alerts]( [View in Browser]( Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. 8 Spadina Avenue, 10th Floor, Toronto, ON M5V 0S8. 416-367-2000 [PRIVACY POLICY](