Author: Andrew Rogers

Ukraine and Russia have reached an agreement on a new prisoner exchange after the second round of peace talks in Istanbul. The meeting took place on June 2, 2025. It ended with both sides agreeing to exchange wounded soldiers and combatants under the age of 25. They also agreed to return the bodies of fallen soldiers. The talks were held at the Ciragan Palace in Turkey. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said both sides are finalizing the details. The exchange will include seriously injured soldiers, sick individuals, and young fighters. This agreement follows an earlier swap on May 16, where…

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has announced that a parliamentary vote of confidence in his government will take place on June 11. The announcement follows a surprising political shift in the country after conservative candidate Karol Nawrocki won the presidential election over Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski, a close ally of Tusk. Tusk said the decision comes in response to what he called a new political reality. While the Polish government and presidency are separate, the president has the power to veto legislation. This could make it more difficult for Tusk’s government to move forward with its pro-European agenda. The vote…

At least 27 Palestinians were killed on Tuesday by Israeli forces as they headed toward an aid distribution site in Gaza. This is the third such deadly incident in three days. Palestinian health officials and witnesses reported that Israeli soldiers fired on people approaching the aid point. The Israeli military said it targeted a few individuals who left the designated route, came close to its forces, and ignored warning shots. The aid points were recently set up inside Israeli military zones by an Israeli and U.S.-backed foundation. This system aims to prevent Hamas from gaining control over aid supplies. However,…

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has lowered its global growth outlook for 2025 and 2026. The decision comes as trade tensions, especially from the Trump administration’s policies, continue to hurt the U.S. economy and slow down worldwide growth. According to the OECD, the world economy is expected to grow by 2.9 percent in both 2025 and 2026. This is less than earlier estimates in March, which had predicted growth of 3.1 percent in 2025 and 3.0 percent in 2026. The global economy had grown by 3.3 percent last year. The OECD warned that growth may slow even…

Many Toronto residents are now relying on the Canada-US Tax Treaty to manage their finances across the border, as more people work, invest, and retire with ties to both countries. The treaty, first signed in 1980 and updated several times, helps prevent double taxation by outlining which country has the right to tax certain income sources. Local tax accountants have reported a growing number of clients concerned about notices from the IRS, especially those who earn income from US companies but already pay taxes to the Canada Revenue Agency. Experts say the treaty is key for freelancers, tech entrepreneurs, retirees,…

US states and small businesses are working together to stop President Donald Trump’s global tariffs. They argue that the tariffs are hurting the economy and causing financial harm, especially to small companies. A recent decision by the US Court of International Trade found that Trump may have gone beyond his legal powers when creating the tariffs. The administration is now appealing this decision, with important court documents due by June 9. One of the key businesses in the case is V.O.S. Selections Inc., a wine importer based in New York. The company says that the tariffs have made their products…

The UK economy is expected to slow down more than previously thought, with growth projected at just 1.3% in 2025 and 1% in 2026, according to the latest forecast by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). This downgrade comes as Donald Trump’s new tariffs on global imports create uncertainty in trade and investment across key economies, including the UK. The OECD’s updated report highlights that nearly all major economies will see weaker growth over the next two years. The UK is being hit not only by global trade barriers but also by domestic challenges like higher inflation and…

Former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has urged all political parties in Canada to cut ties with Khalistani extremist groups and work to rebuild the country’s broken relationship with India. His message came during a charity event in Brampton, Ontario, where he said India is a key global partner and should not be pushed aside due to past disagreements. Harper made it clear that groups supporting the idea of Khalistan, a separate Sikh state carved out of India, should not be allowed to influence Canadian politics. He said Canada cannot hope to improve ties with India while supporting movements that…

The White House has released a new official portrait of U.S. President Donald Trump, showing a much darker and more serious tone than his earlier portraits. The updated image was revealed on Monday through a short video on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. The post showed the portrait being placed inside the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, with the caption simply stating, “New official presidential portrait just dropped.” This new portrait features Trump with a stern facial expression and a black background. The lighting highlights his face through deep shadows. Unlike his past official portraits, there is no visible…

Medical teams to Gaza have become a critical lifeline for the population affected by years of conflict and recent escalations. These teams consist of healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses, paramedics, and mental health counselors who provide urgent medical aid to civilians caught in the crossfire. The Gaza Strip has faced intense military operations, leaving many injured and in desperate need of care. Hospitals and clinics in the region often struggle with shortages of staff, supplies, and medicines, making the presence of external medical teams indispensable. The primary role of medical teams to Gaza is to deliver emergency medical treatment…