Good morning. This is Hanna Lee. 

Today, we'll look at the motivations of the United States in the Israel-Iran conflict. Then, we'll explore a hidden population of young caregivers across Canada, and catch up on the last day of the G7 summit. 

'My heart tells me these babies are gone,' says grandmother of missing N.S. children

Belynda Gray, the paternal grandmother of Lilly and Jack Sullivan, says she doesn't believe the children are alive. (Angela MacIvor/CBC)

Belynda Gray, the paternal grandmother of two children who vanished from a rural Nova Scotia community in early May, does not believe Lilly and Jack Sullivan are alive.

"My heart tells me these babies are gone," she said. "I just want them back. These are everybody's grandchildren. They're not just mine now. It does seem like the whole world cares."

The disappearance of Lilly, 6, and Jack, 4, from Lansdowne Station, N.S., sparked extensive searches that have so far turned up little evidence, as nearly a dozen RCMP units try to piece together what happened to the young siblings amid intense international interest.

After watching the investigation unfold over the last six weeks, Gray has decided to share her family's story in the hopes of keeping the case in the public eye. 
 

Here's Donald Trump's endgame in Iran

U.S. President Donald Trump has been hinting that the U.S. might assist Israel in attacking unspecified targets in Iran. (Dado Ruvic/Reuters)

The U.S. appears to be on the cusp of direct involvement in bombing Iran. U.S. President Donald Trump has been unsubtle in his hints, from urging people to flee Tehran, to demanding — in all caps — the country's "UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER."

The latest: Israeli warplanes pounded Iran's capital overnight and into Wednesday, hitting a facility used to make uranium centrifuges and another that made missile components, the Israeli military said. It said it intercepted 10 missiles overnight as Iran's retaliatory barrages diminish.

What's happening: The U.S. has been obvious in its implied threat — that it could send its bombers and bunker-busters to destroy Iran's secretive Fordow mountain nuclear site, something Israel doesn't have the capability to do. It's evident, though, that Washington would prefer not to get directly involved in the conflict.

The goal: For the U.S., it would be for Iran to end uranium enrichment and fully open its facilities to international monitoring. Washington's hope is likely that Israel's attacks will compel Iran to return to the negotiating table with concessions to that effect. But that depends on whether Iran believes its situation is dire enough to do so. This conflict could still escalate until it becomes an existential threat for Iran.

They're too young to drive or vote — but they're caring for their ailing loved ones

Seventeen-year-old Najiha Rahman has been caring for her mom, who has ALS, since she was about seven. She says she's only just now realizing that the caregiving responsibilities she has are not typical for people her age. (Prasanjeet Choudhury/CBC)

As Canada's population ages, another group is growing in number: young caregivers, some not even 15. 

What's happening: About 1.5 million Canadians between the ages of 15 and 30 were looking after loved ones with long-term health problems, according to Statistics Canada data from 2018. But that isn't the full picture: the agency at the time didn't count caregivers under the age of 15, and young caregivers have likely only grown in number, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The causes: More than one in four people will be 65 or older by 2068, and services aren't keeping pace. Staffing levels continue to fall at long-term care homes, and affordability remains an issue for many seniors. That means caregiving becomes the responsibility of whole families — including more young people. These caregivers are a hidden population, advocates say, and the stress puts them at a higher risk for mental health issues, social isolation and falling behind in school.

Carney's office retracts claim U.S. wanted to water down language on Ukraine at G7

Prime Minister Mark Carney met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Tuesday morning. The G7 leaders have not agreed on a joint statement on the war in Ukraine.  (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press)

Officials in Prime Minister Mark Carney's office are retracting comments that the U.S. wanted to water down a statement about Russia's war in Ukraine on the final day of the G7 summit in Alberta. 

What had happened: On Tuesday afternoon, an official from Carney's office told reporters a joint statement was being discussed on Ukraine, but it ultimately wasn't going ahead because the U.S. wouldn't agree to the final wording. The official said the Americans did not want some of the pointed remarks about Russia to be included, because they feared it would compromise negotiations with that country over ending their war.

That led to a unusual closing press conference where reporters peppered Carney with questions about what happened. 

Then, two hours later: A Carney spokesperson said there was never a plan for a joint statement, writing that "Canada's intention was always for the important language to be a part of the G7 chairs' summary statement, and it was."

The backpedalling — a sign of how sensitive dealing with Trump can be — comes on the same day Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke at the high-level meeting in Kananaskis, Alta., where he called for a peace deal.

Other news:  Zelenskyy left early due to Russia's deadly attack in Kyiv, without securing a meeting with Trump — who left early the day before. Canada and India agreed to reinstate their high commissioners — the latter leader's presence in this country proved controversial after heightened tension in recent years.  Carney also pledged $4.3 billion in aid for Ukraine and tougher sanctions against Russia. 

In case you missed it

• Alberta MP Damien Kurek has officially resigned, clearing the way for Pierre Poilievre's byelection.
   
• DNA testing company 23andMe didn't have adequate data protections ahead of a massive data breach from almost two years ago, Canada's privacy commissioner found.
   
• Four people were arrested after being found with vehicle theft tools outside Ontario Premier Doug Ford's home.
   
• A 34-year-old mother has been charged with child abandonment as the search for a missing Quebec three-year-old continues.

And, in puzzling discoveries...

Mysterious carving found in northern Ontario wilderness

The 250 runic characters carved into the rock. (Submitted by Ryan Primrose)

Here's a mystery that researchers are still trying to understand. Seven years ago in northern Ontario, a tree fell over, exposing 255 symbols carved into the bedrock. They are arranged in a square about 1.2 metres by 1.5 metres; next to them is a picture of a boat with 16 people on it, and 14 Xs.