Politics

The U.S. announced a new energy deal the Department of Energy says would allow sale of up to 50 million barrels of Venezuelan crude and that some sanctions would be lifted. The announcement followed the seizure of two tankers and officials said proceeds would be held in U.S.-controlled bank accounts.

Chrystia Freeland is vacating her House of Commons seat, leaving the governing Liberals one MP down; the Speaker must notify the chief electoral officer and the government then has 11 to 180 days to call a byelection.

Venezuela has begun releasing political prisoners, described by a senior official as a "unilateral gesture of peace," and Spanish media reported at least four Spaniards were freed.

An Argentine federal appeals court ruled that investigations into alleged crimes by members of Venezuela’s National Guard should proceed under the doctrine of universal jurisdiction, rejecting an appeal by a former officer. Argentina began investigating the complaints in 2023.

Families of Flight PS752 victims are holding commemorations in Ontario and British Columbia on the sixth anniversary; the aircraft was shot down on Jan. 8, 2020, resulting in the deaths of all 176 people aboard.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit Mogadishu on Friday, the highest-level Chinese visit to Somalia since the 1980s, while the United States has announced a suspension of aid amid a dispute over humanitarian supplies.

Kashechewan First Nation declared a local emergency after its water treatment plant failed and leaders say they cannot secure enough bottled water; some vulnerable residents are being flown out on chartered flights while leaders have asked for military assistance.

The House approved the bill 230-196 to extend expired Affordable Care Act subsidies after 17 Republicans joined Democrats to force a discharge petition; the measure now moves to the Senate, where bipartisan negotiators are discussing alternative proposals and the CBO estimated the bill would add about $80.6 billion to the deficit over 10 years while increasing coverage by several million people.

RCP podcast hosts said Democrats would likely pursue a third impeachment if they regain the House, and they said a Republican-controlled Senate would probably prevent a conviction.

Alberta Conservative MP Garnett Genuis said a planned event at York University was cancelled after the student centre required it be held in a closed room; the student centre says the decision was not politically motivated and that he may reapply.

French President Emmanuel Macron cited U.S. President Donald Trump's '51st state' comments about Canada as an example of the United States turning away from allies; German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier made related remarks about a breakdown of shared values.

Mohamed Abdullah Warsame faces new charges over alleged threats to Montreal transit and Passport Canada, and his lawyer says he has been diagnosed with schizophrenia; the case is currently being negotiated in court.

Russia criticized the U.S. seizure of a tanker it says was sailing under a temporary Russian flag and said the move could raise military and political tensions; the U.S. said the vessel was seized for alleged sanctions violations and any further actions are undetermined.

Israel's prime minister said Nickolay Mladenov was designated to direct the U.S. Board of Peace overseeing the Gaza ceasefire. At least eight people were reported killed in Gaza by strikes on Thursday.

An ambulance slid into a ditch near Tumbler Ridge during a snowstorm; no one was seriously hurt and health services say the incident is under review.

Rep. Robin Kelly announced plans to file three articles of impeachment against Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, citing obstruction of Congress, violation of public trust and self-dealing; the announcement came the same day a Minneapolis resident was fatally shot by an ICE agent. The proposed impeachment would need to pass the Republican-held House and then move to the Senate.

Spencer Pratt said he filed paperwork to run for Los Angeles mayor at a Palisades wildfire anniversary rally and criticized state and city leaders' handling of the January blaze.

Syrian military ordered evacuations of two predominantly Kurdish neighborhoods in Aleppo, prompting tens of thousands to leave; explosions were reported after the evacuation deadline and more than 46,000 people have been displaced in the province.

Minnesota's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension says the U.S. attorney's office cut off its access to case materials in a fatal shooting involving an ICE officer, and the FBI is now leading the investigation.

Spain's bishops agreed to let the state's ombudsman have final authority over compensation for clergy sexual abuse victims whose cases are time-barred or whose alleged abusers are deceased, and a one-year window to file claims has been set.

An opinion piece reports that President Trump made forceful public remarks about Greenland and actions related to Venezuela, and it says those statements are reshaping how allies such as Canada approach security and diplomacy.

The Senate will consider a resolution to bar President Trump from taking further military action in Venezuela without congressional authorization, days after U.S. forces reportedly captured Nicolás Maduro; even if it passes the Senate, the measure must still clear the House and would face an expected presidential veto.

A federal ICE agent shot and killed a Minneapolis motorist after officials said she allegedly tried to run over law enforcement officers; the shooting occurred during a large federal immigration operation and prompted protests.

Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to meet President Xi Jinping in Beijing in mid-January amid recent Chinese live-fire exercises near Taiwan and Ottawa's decision to revive the term "strategic partner" for China.

Local police and businesses say the 2019 move to stop issuing front licence plates has sometimes prevented vehicle identification in investigations, while the provincial government says it has not found data showing reduced police effectiveness.

Nova Scotia Power has proposed residential rate increases totaling about 8.1% over two steps, and the Nova Scotia Energy Board is holding a public hearing this week to decide whether to approve them.

Thousands of Quebec students with disabilities have experienced breaks in services because of resource shortages, and some families have kept children home while schools and officials respond.

The White House said using military force to obtain Greenland remains an option, and experts are divided over whether recent U.S. actions signal a direct military risk to Canada or primarily political and economic pressure.

Young protesters who forced Nepal's interim government into power say it has not delivered on anti‑corruption promises and many have returned to the streets in renewed demonstrations; the interim prime minister says elections are planned for March 5.

The White House announced the U.S. will withdraw from 66 international organizations, nearly half of which are affiliated with the United Nations; many of the groups relate to climate, labor and migration issues.