Mortgage rules change could help first-time buyers

Former U.S. President Donald Trump is escalating tensions with Brazil, threatening to impose a 50% tariff on Brazilian goods if he returns to power. He also demanded that the legal proceedings against Brazil’s ex-president Jair Bolsonaro—who faces charges related to election interference and other allegations—be dropped. Trump framed Brazil’s actions as an "attack" on U.S. tech companies and called Bolsonaro’s prosecution a "witch hunt," echoing language he’s used about his own legal troubles.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about trade—it’s a flashpoint in the global trend of former leaders rallying behind each other against legal accountability. Trump’s threat could strain economic ties with Brazil, a major trade partner, while his defense of Bolsonaro reinforces the narrative of political persecution that both figures use to galvanize their bases. For Brazil, it adds pressure to an already volatile political climate.

Six Secret Service agents have been suspended for misconduct tied to the botched security response during the attempted assassination of Donald Trump last year. While details are still emerging, the disciplinary action suggests serious lapses in protocol—raising fresh questions about the agency’s preparedness during high-risk events.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about internal HR drama—it’s a stark reminder of how critical (and sometimes fragile) security measures are for public figures. The suspensions signal accountability, but they also reopen wounds about how close the incident came to tragedy. For voters and officials alike, it’s a wake-up call to scrutinize the systems meant to keep leaders safe.

Edmonton’s city council has wrapped up a hearing on infill housing—those smaller, denser homes built in established neighborhoods—and decided to tweak the rules a bit. The big takeaway? New design regulations will require more space on the sides of properties (called "setbacks") and restrict what can be built in side yards. The goal is to make sure there’s enough room for things like stairwells, landings, windows, and pathways, which should improve livability and reduce crowding.

Editor’s Note: Infill housing is a hot topic in cities trying to balance growth with neighborhood character. These changes might ease tensions between developers and residents worried about cramped builds, but they could also make some projects trickier (or pricier) to pull off. For Edmonton, it’s another step in the ongoing dance of making denser housing work without ticking everyone off.

The US has imposed sanctions on Francesca Albanese, a UN expert known for her criticism of Israel's military actions in Gaza. Secretary of State Marco Rubio tied the decision to her backing of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has been investigating alleged war crimes in the conflict. This move signals a sharp US stance against critics of Israel’s offensive.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about one person—it’s a flashpoint in the broader debate over accountability in the Israel-Gaza war. By sanctioning a UN official, the US is sending a clear message: it won’t tolerate challenges to Israel’s actions, even from international bodies. That could deepen divisions over how the conflict is perceived globally and strain diplomatic relationships, especially with allies who support the ICC’s role.

British Columbia and other provinces are making it easier to buy booze across provincial lines, thanks to a new agreement announced Tuesday. While it’s not a total free-for-all yet, the deal signals progress in tearing down Canada’s notoriously patchwork alcohol rules—giving both consumers and producers reason to raise a glass (cautiously).

Editor’s Note: If you’ve ever tried to order wine from another province and hit a bureaucratic wall, this matters. Canada’s alcohol trade has long been tangled in provincial red tape, making it harder for small breweries, wineries, and distilleries to reach customers—and for drinkers to access their favorites. This deal won’t fix everything overnight, but it’s a step toward treating the country like one market, not 13 fiefdoms. Cheers to that.