China expectedly keeps benchmark lending rates steady as Beijing assesses stimulus measures

MONTREAL — Liberal candidate Alexandra Mendès invited Xixi Li, head of two organizations under investigation by the RCMP for allegedly operating a secret Chinese police station, to a campaign event, causing concern within the Liberal party. Li, who leads the Service à la Famille Chinoise du Grand Montréal and the Centre Sino-Québec de la Rive-Sud, has denied the allegations and filed a defamation lawsuit against the RCMP, which is investigating claims of foreign state-supported intimidation...

SummaryThe UK Prime Minister has announced that pubs in England and Wales will be permitted to remain open until 1am on 9 May to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day. This decision aims to encourage the public to come together and celebrate this significant historical event. The extended hours will allow drinkers to continue their celebrations into the early hours of the morning. Full Article

NewsFeedThe 2025 World Press Photo of the Year honors a moving portrait of nine-year-old Mahmoud Ajjour, a Gaza amputee who lost both arms due to an Israeli airstrike. Captured by Palestinian photographer Samar Abu Elouf for The New York Times, the image highlights Ajjour's resilience as he shares his journey of rebuilding his life and his aspiration to return home in an interview with Al Jazeera. This recognition sheds light on the profound impact of...

Ábrego García moved to another prison - Van HollenU.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen shared details from his recent conversation with Ábrego García, who described his arrest in Maryland, transfer to Texas, and subsequent deportation, during which he was handcuffed and shackled without being informed of his destination. García recounted his experience of being housed with 25 other inmates at Cecot, where he felt traumatized but not afraid; however, he was recently moved to a Santa...

US Congress members Cory Mills and Marlin Stutzman arrived in Damascus, marking the first visit by American lawmakers since the ousting of Bashar al-Assad. Mills met with new President Ahmed al-Sharaa, discussing US sanctions and Iran, while Stutzman planned to meet Sharaa despite his sanctions due to past ties with al Qaeda. The congressmen, organized by the Syrian American Alliance for Peace and Prosperity, expressed concerns about Syria aligning with adversaries like China and Iran,...

SummaryToronto police are investigating an incident involving a Liberal volunteer who reported being harassed for wearing a hijab while door knocking. The volunteer, who was on her first day, was followed down a street by an unidentified individual after the harassment occurred. The party's candidate for Scarborough Centre-Don Valley East has expressed concern over the incident and its impact on volunteers and community engagement. Full Article