U.S. payrolls grew by 256,000 in December, much more than expected; unemployment rate falls to 4.1%

The ongoing trade war between the U.S. and Canada has significantly cooled Canadian housing markets, leading to a sharp decline in home resales, with March 2025 marking a 15% drop from December. Major markets like Toronto and Vancouver have seen resales plummet, while new listings have increased, creating an imbalance that favors buyers and pressures prices downward. The downturn is particularly severe in trade-sensitive regions, such as southern Ontario and Vancouver, where economies are closely...

Israel's commitment to defending the Syrian Druze serves a strategic goal of weakening Syria, as indicated by Israeli leaders. Following clashes in Syria, Israel justified military strikes, claiming to protect the Druze community, with Prime Minister Netanyahu emphasizing a refusal to allow threats against them. Analysts suggest Israel uses Druze concerns as a pretext for its military presence in Syria, while the Israeli Druze population remains loyal to Israel, contrasting with their Syrian counterparts who...

A Pakistani drone strike on a residential area in Ferozepur, Punjab, injured three individuals, who sustained burn injuries and were promptly hospitalized, as confirmed by SSP Bhupinder Singh Sidhu. This incident follows a series of drone incursions from Pakistan, which were largely intercepted by Indian air defense systems, including attempts to target military infrastructure on May 7 and 8. In response, India has implemented precautionary blackouts in several regions to safeguard civilians and infrastructure amidst...

Trade experts warn that the recently announced US-UK trade pact, consisting of only five pages, leaves many questions unanswered and requires further negotiations to formalize its proposals. While the deal promises opportunities for US farmers, including a beef quota and tariff removal on US ethanol, UK agricultural sectors express concerns over potential impacts on local markets and the competitiveness of biofuel production. Additionally, the agreement raises issues regarding industry standards recognition and pharmaceutical tariffs, leaving...

South Africa has criticized the US over plans to potentially resettle white Afrikaners as refugees, describing the move as "politically motivated" and harmful to its democracy. The Trump administration has prioritized this resettlement, citing racial discrimination against Afrikaners, but South Africa maintains that claims of discrimination are unfounded and that crime statistics do not support targeted violence against white farmers. While the US is vetting individuals for resettlement, South Africa has sought assurances regarding their...

Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, recently ascended as the first US Pope, marking a significant moment for the Catholic Church. His past comments, criticizing Western media for promoting beliefs contrary to the Gospel, have raised concerns among LGBTQ+ Catholics, who fear a return to exclusion under his leadership after feeling welcomed by his predecessor, Pope Francis. The author reflects on their own journey as a gay Catholic, expressing disappointment and worry about the...