Newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that any future discussions with the US regarding trade and security will occur only on Canada’s terms, prioritizing national sovereignty. He dismissed President Trump’s suggestion of Canada becoming the “51st state” as unrealistic and emphasized the importance of a respectful partnership. Carney highlighted Canada’s significant economic contributions to the US, including energy and fertilizer, asserting Canada’s right to respect and a mutually beneficial relationship. Despite strained relations and existing tariffs, he expressed optimism for a future partnership, but one distinct from past dealings.
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In a recent interview, Donald Trump suggested that Vladimir Putin could potentially prompt him to support Ukraine, though not necessarily President Zelenskyy. Trump cited his past difficulties with Zelenskyy, referencing a past Oval Office meeting where he felt Zelenskyy’s requests were unreasonable. Trump alluded to various forms of support for Ukraine beyond military aid, such as sanctions and banking restrictions. He later reported a positive meeting with Zelenskyy at the Vatican, expressing uncertainty about the progress made but hinting at the possibility of further sanctions against Russia.
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Journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna’s body, returned to Ukraine after death in Russian custody, showed extensive signs of torture, including abrasions, bruises, a broken rib, and possible electric shock. A Russian autopsy had removed vital organs, including the brain and eyeballs, potentially concealing evidence of strangulation or suffocation. Despite the body’s condition, a 99% DNA match confirmed her identity. The investigation has been reclassified as a war crime and premeditated murder.
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The body of Ukrainian journalist Viktoria Roshchyna, returned to Ukraine in February 2025 as part of a prisoner exchange, was found to be missing several internal organs, including her brain and eyeballs. A joint investigation revealed evidence suggesting post-mortem dissection and torture, including a bruised neck consistent with strangulation and a Russian document referencing “СПАС,” potentially masking the true cause of death. The missing organs hampered definitive determination of the cause of death, though ongoing investigations indicate a high probability of torture during her captivity in Russian-occupied territory. Ukrainian authorities are treating her death as a war crime.
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Preliminary results indicate that Liberal Bruce Fanjoy has defeated Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre in the Carleton riding by approximately 3,800 votes, ending Poilievre’s 19-year winning streak. Fanjoy, who campaigned on a message of unity, secured over 50% of the vote. The unusually high number of candidates (91), a result of targeted efforts by the advocacy group Longest Ballot, contributed to a delayed projection of the results. The Carleton riding’s expanded boundaries, following a 2021 census review, also played a role in the election outcome.
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In the 24 February 2022 – 29 April 2025 period, Russia has suffered devastating losses, with an estimated 950,860 military personnel killed or wounded, representing a 1,060 increase in the past day alone. Significant losses were also reported across various equipment categories, including over 10,000 tanks, 22,000 armored vehicles, and 27,000 artillery systems. These figures represent a substantial depletion of Russian military resources. The provided data is still undergoing confirmation.
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Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS) delivered a Senate floor speech condemning Vladimir Putin’s war crimes in Ukraine, specifically citing the Palm Sunday attack on civilians. He asserted that Putin’s aggression is solely responsible for the ongoing conflict and that any peace initiatives have been rejected by Putin, who consistently violates agreements. Wicker commended the Trump administration for setting a timeline for Putin to choose peace and expressed support for bipartisan efforts, including the Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025, to hold Putin accountable. He concluded that Putin has consistently acted in bad faith, breaking promises throughout the conflict.
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At 12:33 p.m., Spain experienced a sudden loss of 15 gigawatts of electricity—60 percent of national consumption—lasting five seconds. This massive power outage destabilized the Spanish grid, causing a disconnect from the European system and a subsequent network collapse at 12:38 p.m., impacting various sectors. The incident, unprecedented in scale, affected transport, hospitals, and payment systems. Investigations are underway by national cybersecurity agencies to determine if a cyberattack was responsible, amid speculation fueled by Spain’s geopolitical stances.
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The last Polish local authority with an anti-LGBT+ resolution, Łańcut county, has repealed its “charter of family rights” to avoid losing €175,600 in EU funding. This follows the withdrawal of over 100 similar resolutions across Poland, primarily due to the threat of losing European Union funds. The repeal is welcomed by LGBT+ activists, though they note the resolutions should never have existed. The resolutions, many passed under the previous national-conservative government, were deemed discriminatory by the EU.
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John Q. Hosedrinker