GZERO North

Hard Numbers: Trump seeks funds, Happiness drops, Inflation vs. interest rates, Bad air quality news, Measle cases rise

Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump reacts during a campaign rally in Rome, Georgia, on March 9, 2024.
Republican presidential candidate and former President Donald Trump reacts during a campaign rally in Rome, Georgia, on March 9, 2024.
REUTERS/Alyssa Pointer

1 million: The campaign of former President Donald Trump called on one million supporters Wednesday to donate money as he struggles under the weight of his legal woes. Earlier this week, Trump – who remains a billionaire in terms of assets – failed to secure a bond for a $454 million judgment in a civil fraud case. If Trump can’t come up with the cash, his properties could be seized by New York’s attorney general.

15: Bummed out? The Great White North slid to 15th place in the annual World Happiness Report, down from No. 13 last year. But it was still well above the US, which dropped from No. 15 down to No. 23 in 2024. The dips in both countries were largely driven by unhappiness among people under 30.

2.8: Canadian inflation unexpectedly cooled in February, raising expectations that the Bank of Canada will cut interest rates in June. The consumer price index rose 2.8% last month compared to a year prior, surprising analysts who expected a 3.1% increase. Still, economists still expect the BoC to keep interest rates steady at its next meeting on April 10.

93: The US and Canada are dropping the ball on air quality. According to a report published Tuesday by Swiss air-quality monitor IQAir, only seven countries met the WHO’s guidelines for air quality in 2023 — Finland, Estonia, Australia, New Zealand, Grenada, Iceland, and Mauritius. Owing to last year’s record-setting wildfires, Canada was deemed the “most polluted country in Northern America” – ranking No. 93 worldwide, while the US stood at No. 102.

31: Measles is making a comeback in Canada and the US, thanks largely to unvaccinated travelers. Canada has seen at least 31 cases of the preventable disease so far this year and is also dealing with a shortage of vaccines. Meanwhile, the US has already tallied more cases in 2024 than the 58 instances recorded last year.

More For You

Colombian left-wing presidential candidate Ivan Cepeda campaigns in the southern town of Pitalito, Colombia, on April 11, 2026.
Santiago Chimbaco/LongVisual via ZUMA Press Wire

On Sunday, Colombians will have their say on their first left-wing leader, as they head to the polls to vote in the first round of the presidential election.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a ceremony commemorating Israel’s Remembrance Day for fallen soldiers, or Yom HaZikaron, at the Military Cemetery on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem, on April 21, 2026.
ILIA YEFIMOVICH/Pool via REUTERS

The United States and Iran seem to be moving closer to a deal to end the war, which could hurt Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s reelection hopes.