Canada’s New Prime Minister

Mark Carney, a former central banker with no prior elected office experience, has been chosen as the new leader of Canada's Liberal Party and is set to become the country's prime minister. He replaces Justin Trudeau at a time of heightened tensions with the United States, particularly President Trump, who has threatened the country with tariffs. Carney secured an overwhelming 85.9% of the Liberal leadership vote, defeating former finance minister Chrystia Freeland. Given that he does not hold a seat in Parliament, he is expected to call federal elections soon, where he will face Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre. Carney has positioned himself as a strong opponent of Trump, emphasizing Canada’s sovereignty and economic independence. His extensive financial background, including leading the Bank of Canada through the 2008 crisis and the Bank of England through Brexit, may appeal to voters seeking leadership and a steady economy. However, he faces challenges in distinguishing himself from Trudeau, addressing Canada’s affordability crisis, and navigating key policy areas like immigration and resource management.

Sources: The New York Times

Violence Erupts in Syria Following Assad’s Fall

Syria is experiencing a surge in sectarian violence following the fall of the Assad regime, with hundreds of Alawite civilians killed in reprisal attacks. Armed Sunni groups, including remnants of past insurgencies, have carried out mass executions in Alawite-majority coastal regions like Tartus and Latakia. At least 624 people have been reported dead, according to monitoring groups, with fears that the toll could rise. Interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former insurgent leader, has called for national unity, but the violence raises concerns about his ability to control militant factions. Reports suggest that some of the perpetrators are indistinguishable from government forces, despite official attempts to distance the state from the massacres. The United Nations has condemned the killings, urging an immediate halt to attacks on civilians. Many Alawite residents are fleeing to Lebanon or hiding, fearing for their survival in a post-Assad Syria.

Sources: The Washington Post

Small Plane Crashes in Pennsylvania Parking Lot

A single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza crashed in a parking lot near Lancaster Airport in Pennsylvania on Sunday, bursting into flames upon impact. Remarkably, all five passengers survived, though their conditions remain unknown. The crash occurred around 3 p.m. near a retirement community, narrowly missing a three-story building. Witnesses described seeing the plane climb before veering sharply downward, followed by an explosion. Air traffic control recordings suggest the pilot reported an open door issue before attempting to return for landing. Emergency responders quickly arrived to extinguish the flames, which also damaged about a dozen parked cars. The FAA is investigating the cause of the crash.

Sources: Associated Press

Russia Recaptures More Territory in Kursk as Fighting Intensifies

Russian forces have reclaimed three additional settlements in the Kursk region, continuing their efforts to push out Ukrainian troops who seized parts of the area last August. The Russian Defense Ministry announced the recapture of Malaya Lokhnya, Cherkasskoye Porechnoye, and Kositsa, with reports suggesting a surprise attack via a gas pipeline near Sudzha. Ukrainian forces reportedly countered the Russian incursion but are facing increasing pressure, with their contingent in Kursk nearly surrounded. The situation comes amid strained U.S.-Ukraine relations following a contentious meeting between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky. Meanwhile, Russian advances continue in eastern Ukraine, with Moscow announcing gains in Donetsk and a reported Ukrainian missile strike on a Russian-held market in Kherson.

Sources: Reuters

Bitcoin Drops 5% Despite Announcement of Crypto Reserve

Bitcoin fell over 5% on Monday, trading at $81,712, following President Donald Trump's executive order to establish a U.S. strategic bitcoin reserve. The reserve will be composed of bitcoin seized in criminal and civil forfeiture cases, with no immediate government purchases planned. Investors had anticipated a more aggressive acquisition strategy, leading to a decline in crypto prices. Other major cryptocurrencies, including ether and XRP, also dropped about 7.5%. Despite the initial market disappointment, some analysts believe the move signals long-term bullish potential for bitcoin, with the U.S. possibly influencing other nations to create their own reserves.

Sources: CNBC

Researchers Claim China’s New Quantum Computer is One Million Times Faster than Googles

Researchers from the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) have unveiled Zuchongzhi-3, a superconducting quantum computing prototype with 105 qubits and 182 couplers, achieving computational speeds 10¹⁵ times faster than today’s most powerful classical supercomputers. This advancement surpasses Google’s latest quantum computing results by six orders of magnitude, marking a significant leap in quantum supremacy. The team, led by Jianwei Pan, Xiaobo Zhu, and Chengzhi Peng, published their findings in Physical Review Letters. The breakthrough has been widely recognized in the scientific community, setting new benchmarks in superconducting quantum computing.

Sources: SciTechDaily