Social protection accounts for 40% of total government spending across European nations, serving as the primary budget item in every country. According to Eurostat data for 2024, tax revenues accounted for 40.3% of gross domestic product (GDP) in the European Union, while general government total expenditure reached 49.6% of GDP. Social Protection Dominates European Budgets … Read more
Alberta’s ruling United Conservative Party lost the south Calgary riding of Calgary-Shaw to Alberta NDP candidate Kyle Campbell by 582 votes in a Monday by-election, according to preliminary results from Elections Alberta. Campbell secured roughly 47 per cent of the vote in the contest, defeating UCP candidate Mike Derry just one month before the province’s … Read more
Sweden’s general election remains too close to call as vote counting continues, with early trends showing the centre-left opposition bloc holding a narrow lead over the right-wing government. According to the Swedish Election Authority, with 94.4 percent of votes counted, the centre-left opposition is expected to secure 176 seats in the 349-member parliament, while the … Read more
New Zealand Police Commissioner defended accepting a luxury Cartier watch as a diplomatic gift during an official visit to the United Arab Emirates, stating the item was secured for the office rather than for personal gain. According to Police Commissioner Chambers, the timepiece was received as a diplomatic gesture to recognize the relationship between agencies … Read more
The Government is planning an overhaul of the State’s citizenship rules, with Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan set to bring proposals to Cabinet regarding the Irish Nationality and Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2026 later this month. Under the planned changes, the required period of residency before applying for citizenship will increase from five years to eight … Read more
Severe storms swept across the Greater Toronto Area on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, bringing torrential rain, large hail, and a risk of a tornado that resulted in widespread power outages, localized flooding, and significant damage to public and commercial infrastructure, according to Environment Canada and local reports. Infrastructure Damage and Power Outages Across Toronto The … Read more
Apple has updated the label for Lake Ontario to “Lake America” for users of its map application in the United States, following direct lobbying by President Donald Trump. According to the reporting, the change on Tuesday coincided with executive John Ternus taking over as Apple’s new CEO, making Apple the second US-based tech giant to … Read more
The Bank of Canada is expected to maintain its benchmark interest rate at 2.25 per cent as policymakers weigh escalating trade tensions with the United States against persistent inflation risks, according to financial analysts and economic polling. Following the breakdown of trade talks and subsequent tariff exchanges, markets widely anticipate a watchful-waiting stance rather than … Read more
At least seven people died and 23 remain missing after a privately operated catamaran-style passenger ferry capsized and completely sunk off the coast of Northern Cyprus on Sunday, August 30, 2026, according to local officials and state media reports. The vessel, carrying 267 people including crew, was traveling from Kyrenia to Tasucu in Turkey when … Read more
King Haakon VIII of Norway praised his late father, King Harald V, for representing the nation with pride and joy while promising to give everything for the country during his first televised address as monarch, according to the Norwegian public broadcaster NRK. King Harald died on Friday at age 89 after reigning for 35 years, … Read more