5 things you need to know this morning: Feb. 21, 2025

Start your day off right with five things you need to know this morning.

Five things you need to know

1. Americans boo Canada's national anthem, Chantal Kreviazuk changes line in dig at Trump

Canadian singer Chantal Kreviazuk sang her way into the headlines last night after she changed the lyrics to O Canada before Canada claimed victory in the 4 Nations Face-Off in Boston. Instead of singing "in all of us command," the Grammy-winner changed the line to "that only us command," a reference to the American president's oft-mentioned desire to absorb Canada into his country. The Americans in the arena, meanwhile, booed Canada's national anthem.

Bill & Carolyn - Before last night's 4 Nations Final between Canada & the US in Boston, Winnipeg-born Chantal Kreviazuk changed the lyric from ‘in all of us command’ to ‘that only us command’ because of President Trump’s continuous calls for Canada to become the 51st state. pic.twitter.com/8gHApA8nTM

— Coast 101.1 (@coast1011) February 21, 2025

2. Liberals to boost numbers of Sudanese refugees by 7,000, but Quebec refuses to take any

The Liberals have significantly boosted the number of Sudanese refugees they intend to bring to Canada, with new plans set to result in the arrival of another 7,000 people from the impoverished and war-torn African country. Quebec, though, won't be taking part after saying it already has enough refugees. Instead, people in Quebec can sponsor Sudanese refugees who, if successful, will be settled in another province.

Liberals increase Sudan war refugee quota as Quebec bars relatives from resettlement https://t.co/sznJL1twnv

— CTV News (@CTVNews) February 20, 2025

3. Palestinian terrorists murdered kidnapped children 'with their bare hands': IDF

Palestinian terrorists holding two Israeli children hostage murdered them "with their bare hands," according to Israel's military. Ariel and Kfir Bibas were aged 10 months and four years when they were kidnapped on Oct. 7, 2023.

Hamas murdered hostage brothers Kfir and Ariel Bibas with their ‘bare hands’: Israeli officials https://t.co/9ks5B9bRfg pic.twitter.com/CE7HVfGKhU

— New York Post (@nypost) February 21, 2025

4. Apple removes users' data protection after pressure from UK government

In an unprecedented move for the company, Apple has removed its highest level of data security from all users in the UK. The decision came after the British government put pressure on the US tech giant to grant it access to the private data of Apple customers.

Apple pulls data protection tool after UK government security row https://t.co/BeWPJ8AwYb

— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) February 21, 2025

5. Vance backs Rubio after secretary of state accuses Zelensky of backtracking on minerals deal

US Vice President JD Vance has backed Secretary of State Marco Rubio after the latter accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of backtracking on a deal to give the US a share of his country's mineral wealth in exchange for aid. Rubio claimed Zelensky was willing to go ahead with the arrangement, but afterwards told the press he rejected the deal. Vance said Rubio is "exactly right."

EXCLUSIVE: @SECRubio

Trump, Putin meeting depends on progress to end Ukraine war

“...when that meeting happens will largely depend on whether we can make any progress on ending the war in Ukraine, and if we can and that meeting is what seals the deal, I think everybody should… https://t.co/t5BReWwgtj pic.twitter.com/qLBV6a6Vgl

— Catherine Herridge (@C__Herridge) February 21, 2025

Thumbnail photo credit: X/Israel