Staff picks: Canada pivots from U.S., kids use AI for counselling, a big glut of donated clothes, and more

Canadian businesses find new product innovations to make up for lost U.S. markets. And Ottawa works with Europe on a daring plan to get around the U.S. hold on international payment systems through VISA and Mastercard.

And: AI is becoming a companion of choice for a growing number of teens looking for emotional support. It’s worrying experts. But in New Brunswick, an ambitious curriculum change is teaching kids from a young age to be the ones in control of AI tools.

Also: The popularity of used clothing shops is rising, but thrift stores are starting to drown under a flood of clothing donations. Much is going to waste now because fast fashion is overwhelming them.

Plus: A big expansion of a uranium mine in northern Saskatchewan will make Canada a leading producer. But the Rook 1 mine is already improving the lives of the Indigenous people being hired to work on it. Also, new lockers are popping up in Canadian parks offering free access to sports gear, like soccer balls. And it’s finding a lot of takers.