Venezuela's Maduro begins new term as US raises arrest bounty

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has called for a re-evaluation of the federal equalization program, suggesting it should prioritize smaller provincial economies like those in Atlantic Canada instead of subsidizing larger provinces such as Ontario and Quebec. Newfoundland and Labrador's government agrees, claiming the current rules disadvantage its residents by not accounting for service delivery costs in its vast geography. Smith's remarks follow a 2021 referendum where 62% of Albertans voted to remove equalization from the...

The United States announced plans for a new non-governmental foundation to provide aid to Gaza, bypassing the United Nations amid severe shortages caused by Israel's two-month blockade. State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce emphasized the need for urgent food aid to reach the intended recipients and not fall into the hands of Hamas. While the foundation, the "Gaza Humanitarian Foundation," is reportedly linked to hiring "mercenaries" for aid distribution, concerns have been raised about its compliance...

An American was elected popeRobert Prevost, a 69-year-old from Chicago, was elected as the new pope, taking the name Leo XIV, in a historic break from tradition as the first American to lead the Catholic Church. He is expected to navigate the church's future direction, balancing Pope Francis' agenda of inclusion with potential new policies. Leo has extensive experience, having served as a missionary and bishop in Peru and will celebrate Mass in the Sistine...

Axial Seamount, an underwater volcano about 300 miles off the Oregon coast, is showing signs of potential eruption, with recent increases in seismic activity and swelling of the structure. Scientists, including volcanologist Bill Chadwick from Oregon State University, predict it could erupt anytime between now and year-end; however, due to its depth and distance from land, it poses no threat to humans. This volcano, which has erupted three times in the past 30 years, serves...

Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President Donald Trump have announced a historic trade deal between the UK and US, marking the first since Trump's tariffs on trading partners. The agreement will reduce US tariffs on British automobile imports from 27.5% to 10% and eliminate tariffs on steel and aluminum, saving thousands of jobs in the UK. Additionally, British farmers will benefit from tariff-free access for 13,000 metric tonnes of beef, while the deal is expected...

Shyamal Shah, a 26-year-old engineer at Auckland Council's Watercare, siphoned $1.039 million using fake invoices and has pleaded guilty to obtaining by deception, facing a maximum sentence of seven years in prison. This incident marks one of New Zealand's largest public sector frauds as the country experiences a decline in its global corruption ranking, with warnings from a transparency agency about a lack of effective responses to increasing corruption. Watercare is pursuing full reparations and...