Professor Afshin Rezaei-Zare discusses the 1859 geomagnetic storm, and others that have followed. Geomagnetic storms are often linked to a "mesmerizing display" of the northern lights but carry the potential to wreak havoc on our modern technological infrastructure. Rezaei-Zare leads a program that received a $1.65-million grant to help mitigate their potential impacts in Canada and the world. "Perhaps most concerning is ," Rezaei-Zare tells Toronto.com. "Modern electrical grids, satellite systems, and communication networks are highly vulnerable to the massive GICs such storms produce."

In an op-ed for The Conversation, Professor Jack L. Rozdilsky writes about the challenges facing recovery from the Jasper Complex Wildfire, which burned an estimated 32,722 hectares in July. Visiting the site as a researcher and to observe recovery efforts, he describes the "" of structures littering the charred landscape and how clean-up efforts will be complicated by snowfall. "Despite best efforts being made, if large tracts of disaster debris become frozen in place over winter, such a situation will impede recovery progress in 2025," writes Rozdilsky.

Professor Joe Mihevc, who served on Toronto City Council for nearly 30 years, comments on the city collecting resident feedback on the 2025 city budget through an online survey. Mihevc says Toronto needs to look for new revenue streams to pay for the priorities identified by residents. Mihevc tells CBC that , like continuing to ask the federal government to help cover the cost of shelters used by refugees or lobbying the province to cover the health and housing costs associated with growing homelessness.

Professor Ian Stedman writes about the looming federal election campaign, accountability, transparency and ethics for The Conversation. "Regardless of which party holds power, a striking flaw in Canada's political ethics framework is ," writes Stedman. "Ethics issues must be kept in public view and political parties should be pressured to offer meaningful reform ideas in their campaign and party platforms."

Ahead of Wednesday's Liberal caucus meeting where some MPs were expected to confront Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about his dropping popularity, Professor Dennis Pilon spoke to CityNews . He says that the Liberals have traditionally been less focused on rules around leadership reviews than other parties.

Professor Valerie Ann Preston talks to Toronto Star about a report by Statistics Canada that found international students and temporary foreign workers are paying more in monthly rent than Canadian-born tenants living in the same metropolitan areas. When differences were adjusted for neighbourhood, type of home and household size, international students paid less for shelter but temporary foreign workers still pay more than Canadian-born tenants. " because the rent premium for temporary farm workers persists even after you control for neighbourhood and you control for welling characteristics," says Preston. She adds that individuals in both groups tend to be newer to Canada with less knowledge about local rental markets, which puts them at a disadvantage. International students and temporary foreign workers are also primarily short-term renters. "Housing where you get international students and temporary foreign workers living is also housing that comes back on the market more often," she says. "The rents rise every time it becomes vacant."

91ÑÇÉ«'s Markham Campus is prioritizing experiential education through its innovative biotechnology programs. Two standout offerings are the master of biotechnology management and graduate diploma in biotechnology programs. Dan Palermo, the interim deputy provost says the campus was designed to offer students hands-on learning experiences and aligns with the university's broader goal of . "This is what students are asking for," Palermo tells 91ÑÇÉ«Region.com. "It prepares them more effectively for the workforce."

Do you have a new research study or an academic achievement to share? Contact media@yorku.ca with details. For daily 91ÑÇÉ« in the News highlights, follow on X.

The post 91ÑÇÉ« experts on solar storms, forest fires, the city's budget, ethics in politics, and more appeared first on News@91ÑÇÉ«.

The housing needs of international students are often forgotten when mayoral candidates talk about the lack of affordable housing, say 91ÑÇÉ« Professors Tania Das Gupta and Yvonne Su

TORONTO, June 7, 2023 – With Toronto rents continuing to climb many young people are finding it near impossible to secure affordable places, but international student face additional obstacles, including rights abuses, sexual harassment, rent gouging and discrimination, says two 91ÑÇÉ« professors.

91ÑÇÉ« Professor and Assistant Professor have found many of the rental ads prey on international students, particularly Indian students, and are not only discriminatory, but also violate the Ontario Human Rights Code.

In the lead up to the mayoral byelection, the researchers stress the importance of addressing the situation, suggesting that mayoral candidates should state their understanding of the issue and how they plan to remedy. International students are particularly vulnerable to abuse, especially in a tight rental market.

International students often find themselves in sub-standard rentals, such as basement units not built to code or infested with pests, over-crowded and unsafe, often lacking fire and carbon monoxide alarms, say the researchers.

There have even been ads online ads for renters to share the same bed on a rotating basis.

Das Gupta’s looks specifically at the needs of young Punjabi newcomers and their barriers to settlement during and post-COVID-19.

Su and Das Gupta are available to discuss the risks and challenges international students face when they search for affordable rental housing.

The post International students particularly vulnerable to abuse during tight rental market appeared first on News@91ÑÇÉ«.