Author: Hunter W.

South Korea scrambled this week to calm rising trade tensions with the United States after U.S. President Donald Trump warned he would raise tariffs on South Korean imports. The dispute is tied to a major trade and investment deal agreed last year, and the threat has sparked concern in Seoul about economic and political fallout.In January 2026, Trump announced he would increase U.S. tariffs on South Korean goods such as cars, lumber and pharmaceuticals from 15 percent to 25 percent. He argued that South Korea’s legislature had not yet approved the trade agreement the countries reached in 2025, which includes…

Canadians are proud of their universal health-care system, but new data shows the system is expensive and slow, leaving many people waiting months for treatment while spending a lot of money. Health Care Costs Are High, but Access Is Poor Canada spends a large share of its economy on health care, more than most other rich countries with universal systems. In 2023, Canada was third highest out of 31 countries in total health spending as a share of its economy after adjusting for population age. Yet this big spending doesn’t seem to buy fast access or better care. Canada has…

In a major move that highlights big changes in the tech world, Amazon announced it will cut 16,000 corporate jobs as part of a larger plan to streamline the company and expand its use of artificial intelligence (AI). The job cuts are one of the largest in Amazon’s history and show how companies are reshaping their workforces to focus on automation and efficiency.The job reductions were confirmed on January 28, 2026, and come after Amazon already cut 14,000 jobs in October 2025. When combined, these layoffs bring the total to about 30,000 corporate roles eliminated since last fall, nearly 10…

Global economic confidence took a hit this week as Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem warned that recent political pressure on the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) is adding to uncertainty in markets around the world. His comments highlight growing concerns that the independence of central banks, especially the Fed, is important not just for the U.S., but for Canada and other economies too.Macklem made the remarks on January 28, 2026, after the Bank of Canada decided to keep its key interest rate at 2.25 percent amid unusual market uncertainty. The rate hold was expected, but what drew extra attention was…

Europe’s top military leader delivered a blunt message in late January 2026: the continent still needs the United States for its defence, and thinking otherwise is “wishful thinking.”At a session of the European Parliament in Brussels, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said Europe can’t rely on its own military strength without the help of the U.S. military. “If anyone thinks the European Union, or Europe as a whole, can defend itself without the U.S., keep on dreaming. You can’t,” Rutte told lawmakers. He added that Europe and the United States “need each other.”Rutte’s comments came amid renewed debate about Europe’s…

A political movement in Alberta is gaining attention as supporters take their petition for a possible vote on independence to major cities like Edmonton and Calgary, hoping to gather enough signatures to force a provincial referendum on leaving Canada.This week, hundreds of Albertans lined up to sign the petition at the Big Four Building in Calgary and similar events in Edmonton, where volunteers explained how the process works and why they believe Alberta should have the choice to decide its future.The petition, organized by a group called Stay Free Alberta, is part of a signature drive under Alberta’s Citizen Initiative…

Two former Saskatchewan Roughriders are swapping football pads for bobsleigh helmets as they prepare to represent Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina, Italy. Their jump from the CFL to international sport shows the power of athletic skill and determination.Jacob Dearborn and Shaq Murray-Lawrence will wear the maple leaf as part of Canada’s national bobsleigh team at the Games. Both players once carried the football for the Roughriders, exciting fans in Regina before finding success in a very different sport.Dearborn: From CFL Defender to Olympic PilotJacob Dearborn, from Yarker, Ontario, will lead one of Canada’s men’s bobsleigh teams as…

Gold prices have soared to historic highs this week, setting yet another record as worries about global politics push investors toward safer places to park their money. On January 26, 2026, the price of gold climbed above US $5,100 per ounce, marking one of the biggest milestones ever for the precious metal.Gold is often called a “safe-haven” asset because people buy it when they feel uneasy about the world economy or politics. Right now, rising concerns from conflicts abroad, tensions between major countries, and uncertainty in financial markets are making investors nervous, and that is helping gold prices jump.By midday…

A blast of Arctic air has plunged Saskatchewan into bone-chilling cold, with temperatures so low and winds so strong that officials are warning residents to stay safe and indoors this weekend. This deep freeze has sparked orange weather warnings, frozen equipment, and forced cities to step up emergency services.Reports from Environment Canada and local media show that much of the province has been enduring temperatures well below –30 °C, with wind chill values dipping into the –40s, and in some spots, feeling like –50 °C or colder. In Saskatoon and other cities, the cold is severe enough that bare skin…

Oil prices climbed sharply last week as global markets reacted to rising tensions between the United States and Iran. Traders and investors worry that conflict in the Middle East could disrupt oil supplies, pushing prices higher. On January 23, 2026, Brent crude oil, a global benchmark, rose about 2.8 percent to around US $65.88 per barrel, its highest level in more than a week. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude also jumped approximately 2.9 percent to around US $61.07 per barrel. Both prices recorded weekly gains of more than 2.5 percent. The price increase followed comments from U.S. President Donald…