Good morning. Canada is asking the U.S. to cut the funny business if they want to get back to the negotiating table. More on that below, along with a new major streaming service and a mysterious floating island.

Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada is willing to return to the negotiating table once the American side changes its tone. “When the Americans stop doing memes, stop throwing shade, stop trying to be tough and start being serious about having those discussions, we can have those discussions,” he said.

Behind the by-elections: The Liberal sweep of three by-elections on Monday indicates support for Ottawa’s plans on trade and the economy, Carney says. Meanwhile, Saskatchewan Conservative MP Cathay Wagantall officially resigned from the House of Commons, making her the 10th MP to step down this year. Ontario Conservative Larry Brock is also expected to resign this month.

Up next: Ontario voters head to the polls today for three provincial by-elections in Hamilton East-Stoney Creek, York-Simcoe and Scarborough Southwest. This will be the first test of Premier Doug Ford’s popularity since the latest tensions with the U.S. escalated, and follows sagging approval ratings amid a series of scandals, such as his aborted purchase of the $28.9-million private jet.

Keep reading

• For you: We spoke to analysts about how Canada’s countertariffs could hit your wallet
• Pop : A supply change at Montreal’s iconic Schwartz’s Deli sees a local black cherry soda added to the menu
• Vass Bednar: Google Maps has become a tool of digital imperialism
• Opinion: Don’t worry, Canada. The trade war will end, and end quickly

America launched new air strikes on Iranian targets yesterday and Iran fired on U.S. allies in the Gulf Wednesday, ending a month-long lull in the conflict that has driven global energy prices higher and weighed heavily on President Donald Trump’s popularity at home. Tehran remains defiant, warning that it would prevent oil being exported from the Gulf, despite Trump’s threats.

The context: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian had said early on Tuesday at a regional summit in Kyrgyzstan that Tehran would reciprocate immediately if Washington honoured its commitments to a Memorandum of Understanding that was intended to halt the conflict.

As Shanghai Cooperation Organisation leaders gathered this week in the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek, amid multiple wars and America’s massive economic disruption, the organization looks a lot more like a model of a new world order than ever before – and one led by China, writes foreign correspondent James Griffiths.

After: Following the SCO meetings, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Egypt for the first time in a decade, as the U.S. war on Iran and the ongoing conflict in Gaza reshapes Middle East alliances.

Next: The Kremlin said that Russian President Vladimir Putin, Xi and Trump may hold a trilateral meeting at the next summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.

As big Canadian cities and small towns alike struggle with converging crises of housing affordability, mental health and addictions, a novel hospital-wide peer support program has become critical in helping to build back support and trust. At one Hamilton hospital peer workers with similar experiences offer hope and healing.

The details: Madison Tatlock and Matthew Cheeseman spent well over a decade heavily using fentanyl and crystal meth. Today, they are members of the peer support team that helps patients from admission through discharge and beyond. For two days this summer, The Globe and Mail was granted rare access to the team, shadowing them to get a glimpse of their work firsthand.