Trump and Zelenskyy trade barbs, politics of high-speed rail for Central Canada, Guillain-Barre syndrome in India, and more

U.S. President Donald Trump calls Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a dictator. Zelenskyy says Trump is living in a Russian-made disinformation space. The barbs are another sign of the deterioration of the relationship between them. Trump’s words and willingness to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin are a dramatic reversal of U.S. foreign policy.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Ottawa has reached another stage in a plan to build high speed rail between Toronto and Quebec City. The next phase is expected to cost $3.9 billion. The project has been promised for decades and is still years away. Trudeau used the announcement as an opportunity to tout it as the largest infrastructure project in the country’s history, promising it will bring jobs, and use Canadian suppliers.

The Indian city of Pune is facing an outbreak of Guillan-Barre Syndrome. It’s a rare disorder where the immune system attacks nerve cells, causing muscle weakness and paralysis. It could be a sign of infrastructure not keeping up with urbanization. Health officials say a contaminated well on the outskirts of the city is likely to blame.

Plus: Runways still closed at Pearson, Danielle Smith on Alberta Health Services controversy, CAF recruiting, and more.