Good morning. This is the Tuesday, Sept. 9 edition of First Up, the Star’s daily morning digest. Sign up to get it earlier each day, in your inbox.
Here’s the latest on the Ford government allowing underused schools to close, a report highlighting why immigrants remain in Canada, and one woman’s quest to save GTA birds from a fateful demise.
Also, Apple is set to unveil the latest iPhone today, in what will be the first unveiling since U.S. President Donald Trump unleashed a barrage of tariffs. Here’s how it puts Apple CEO Tim Cook in the hot seat.
DON’T MISS
Here’s how much money the move would save annually.
That’s according to a recent report, which also made these community-fostering recommendations.
Yuko Miki hopes the city will implement this simple solution to decrease bird accidents.
WHAT ELSE
The al-Ruya Tower in Gaza City’s Rimal area collapses amidst smoke after Israeli bombardment, on Sept. 8, 2025, following Israel’s announcement that it would target tall buildings identified as being used by Hamas ahead of its forces’ planned conquest of the urban hub.
Omar Al-Qattaa/AFP via Getty- The Israeli military has urged a full evacuation of Gaza City ahead of its expanded operation. Here’s the latest from the region.
- Over 120,000 people have been evacuated from central Pakistan due to flooding. This is everything we know.
- Nepal’s prime minister resigned after violent protests over the government’s ban of social media platforms. Here’s what’s happening now.
- Rupert Murdoch settled litigation to keep Fox News conservative, the latest move in the succession story for the family media empire.
- Ottawa is drafting a public registry of AI projects to keep Canadians in the loop. Here’s what you need to know.
- Andrew Phillips: Canada, don’t get complacent — time to sip from the bottle of anger again.
- A man was charged with second-degree murder in the death of a woman near High Park. Here’s what her mother said while remembering her.
- Five men were charged with helping Rabih Alkhalil, break out of jail following his conviction in a 2012 College Street mob hit.
- A man who died in police custody was Tasered by a lone police officer. Jennifer Pagliaro has more.
- Two mushroom dispensaries were attacked in Ottawa amid incidents in º£½ÇÉçÇø¹ÙÍøand Barrie last month. Here’s the latest.
- More GTA neighbourhoods are seeing homes sell for under asking across the GTA. Here’s what’s behind the dramatic trend.
- Edward Keenan: Will Toronto’s top job go to the incumbent mayor, the former mayor, or the guy with the baseball bat?
- Matt Elliott: Why does Olivia Chow keep playing nice with Doug Ford? There’s one big reason
- Gregor Chisholm: Here’s how the Blue Jays’ pesky offence could lead to post-season success
POV
CLOSE UP
Hundreds of turtle hatchlings are sprouting up across the city in August, September and October under the watchful eye of the Turtle Protectors, an Indigenous group advocating and supporting for turtles across Toronto.
Turtle ProtectorsTORONTO: Watch your step when walking around º£½ÇÉçÇø¹ÙÍøparks this month. If you look closely, you may see one of the 980 baby snapping and midland painted turtles that hatched under the care of the Turtle Protectors, an Indigenous group advocating for and supporting turtles across Toronto. Here’s a closer look at the group’s mission and how you can get involved.
Thank you for reading. You can reach me and the First Up team at firstup@thestar.ca. I will see you back here tomorrow.
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