Skip to content
BetaVoices
BetaVoices

Latest News

Read the latest verified world, politics, business, tech, culture, and local news on BetaVoices.

  1. Ontario politics Caroline Mulroney to leave Ford cabinet and Ontario legislature The York-Simcoe MPP says she will step down June 5, triggering a byelection and another cabinet change for Premier Doug Ford’s government May 25, 2026
  2. U.S.-Iran talks Iran says U.S. deal is taking shape, but obstacles remain Tehran says many points have been settled but no signing is imminent, as Trump and Rubio signal optimism over a possible pact to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz May 25, 2026
  3. Water quality River campaigner urges caution at new Pangbourne bathing site Pangbourne Meadow is among 13 newly designated UK swimming spots, but River Action says upstream pollution and recent discharges should guide whether people enter the water May 21, 2026

Television

Race Across the World’s Jo and Kush brace for ‘very tense’ finale

The Liverpool childhood friends, the youngest pair in the BBC series, have become viewer favourites as the 12,000km race heads for its final leg in Mongolia

May 21, 2026

Copyright lawsuit

Peanuts’ music owner sues Interior Department, companies over song use

Lee Mendelson Film Productions says Vince Guaraldi’s famous music was used without permission in social posts and a 2025 video game

May 21, 2026

Cost of living

VAT cut to lower some family days out this summer

Rachel Reeves said VAT will fall from 20% to 5% on selected attractions, children’s meals and entertainment, but businesses will decide whether to pass on the savings

May 21, 2026

Maine Senate race

Collins leans on federal spending record in Maine Senate fight

The Republican incumbent is framing her Appropriations Committee seniority as a reason to return her to Washington as Democrat Graham Platner argues Mainers need a political break from the status quo

May 21, 2026

Autos

Stellantis sets €60 billion turnaround plan and 2028 cash-flow target

CEO Antonio Filosa’s first investor day plan puts most brand spending in North America, keeps all 14 brands and targets €6 billion in annual cost savings by 2028

May 21, 2026

Powder Keg on the Verge of Explosion:

Does Tehran View Trump's Proposal as More Devastating Than War?

Tehran says Pakistan-mediated exchanges are continuing, while Trump warns the U.S. is ready to move quickly if Iran does not provide what he called the “right answers

May 21, 2026

Television

BBC names Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe as new Strictly hosts

The trio will replace Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, making the next series the first with three permanent presenters

May 19, 2026

Police accountability

Three off-duty Toronto officers arrested in Spain, two accused of sexual assault

Spanish authorities say the case stems from a May 13 incident involving a sex worker in a Barcelona taxi. Toronto police say all three officers were on vacation

May 19, 2026

Urban delivery

Amazon E-Bikes Gain Ground in Manhattan and Brooklyn

Small final-mile delivery companies are using electric bikes to work around New York City traffic, and Amazon plans to try the approach in other markets

May 19, 2026

Brain aging research

APOE2 gene may protect against Alzheimer’s by aiding DNA repair, study finds

The laboratory findings point to a possible reason APOE2 carriers have lower Alzheimer’s risk, but researchers caution the work is not yet a treatment and was not tested in living patients

May 19, 2026

World Cup rentals

World Cup rental income can look tempting. Planners say count the costs first

Airbnb says Toronto hosts could make more than $4,000 a month during the tournament, but financial planners warn taxes, local rules, insurance and time can change the math

May 19, 2026

Crypto security

Crypto holders face rising physical attacks, report says

Tom’s Hardware reports a 75% increase in 2025, with 72 confirmed incidents involving kidnapping or assault and about $41 million in losses

May 19, 2026

Canada-U.S. trade

U.S. adds duties on fresh Canadian mushrooms after subsidy probe

Most Canadian fresh mushroom exports face a 2.84% countervailing duty, with company-specific rates for two producers and separate anti-dumping duties expected later

May 19, 2026

Japan, China lead foreign government retreat from U.S. Treasurys as Iran war fallout stokes currency fears

The sell-off came as the outbreak of the U.S.-Iran conflict and resulting surge in crude oil prices sent the yen and other Asian currencies tumbling.

May 19, 2026

Global health

Pandemic preparedness is slipping, global watchdog warns

The Global Preparedness Monitoring Board says funding cuts, eroding trust and unequal access to medical tools are leaving countries exposed before the next major outbreak

May 19, 2026

Artificial intelligence

Chinese courts signal worker protections as A.I. advances

A reported series of precedent-setting rulings points to a legal effort to protect employees from displacement by artificial intelligence while China promotes the technology

May 19, 2026

Nova Scotia health care

Halifax mammogram waits stretch into 2027, alarming patients

IWK Health Centre says a shortage of medical radiation technologists is the biggest factor behind long waits for routine breast screening appointments

May 19, 2026

Parliament

Second batch of Mandelson papers delayed until after recess

Darren Jones told MPs the documents will be released after Parliament returns, amid questions over withheld files and new redaction grounds

May 19, 2026

Second Amendment lawsuit

Civil liberties group sues Illinois over FOID gun-card law

The New Civil Liberties Alliance says Illinois’ firearm identification requirement unlawfully conditions gun possession on state permission

May 19, 2026

Utility merger

NextEra to buy Dominion in $67 billion all-stock utility deal

The companies say the merger would create the world’s largest regulated electric utility as data centers and AI drive electricity demand higher

May 19, 2026

OpenAI legal fight

OpenAI Clears Musk Lawsuit Hurdle, With More Challenges Ahead

A jury rejected Elon Musk’s $150 billion lawsuit against the ChatGPT maker, removing one major threat while leaving other pressures unresolved

May 19, 2026

Welsh politics

Rhun ap Iorwerth says he raised Welsh independence with Starmer

Wales’ new first minister told the Senedd he wants a national conversation on independence while also pressing for more powers, funding and action on public services

May 19, 2026

Portugal World Cup squad

Ronaldo set for sixth World Cup as Portugal names squad

Roberto Martinez selected the 41-year-old forward for Portugal’s 2026 campaign and added a symbolic place for the late Diogo Jota

May 19, 2026

Drinking Water

E.P.A. to Repeal Some Limits on ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Drinking Water

The Biden-era rules were adopted after research linked the compounds to serious health problems; details on which limits would be withdrawn remain limited in the supplied source material

May 19, 2026

Airport expansion scrutiny

Ontario cites $8.5B Billy Bishop boost, but evidence remains undisclosed

The province is using the projection to support a push to expand Toronto’s island airport and allow jets, even as the port authority says its economic study is still underway

May 19, 2026

Public health

U.S. imposes Ebola-related travel limits as Congo outbreak grows

The 30-day CDC order restricts many non-exempt travelers who were recently in Congo, Uganda or South Sudan, while officials say the immediate U.S. public risk remains low

May 19, 2026

Canadian business

Robert K. Irving, J.D. Irving co-CEO and Cavendish Farms president, dies at 71

The Moncton businessman, a leading figure in New Brunswick’s Irving family, died Tuesday after cancer, his family announced

May 19, 2026

NFL honors

Jaxon Smith-Njigba calls out typo on Offensive Player of the Year trophy

The Seahawks receiver showed an award engraved as “Defensive Player of Theyear” after a season in which he led the NFL in receiving yards

May 19, 2026

Higher education

Engineering and architecture majors show strongest college payoff in study

A Postsecondary Commission analysis of Texas public college students found bachelor’s degree entrants generally outearned high school graduates within 15 years, even after college costs

May 19, 2026

Household budgets

Florida mother turns to digital coupons as grocery bills climb

Kiana Powell told CBS News her family’s grocery costs have risen sharply, pushing her to track online deals, rewards programs and store-by-store sales

May 19, 2026

Labour action during F1 weekend

Montreal strippers plan F1-weekend strike over club fees and safety

Organizers say independent-contractor status leaves dancers carrying workplace costs and risks while limiting their ability to demand protections from club owners

May 19, 2026

Ebola outbreak

American doctor in Congo tests positive for Ebola

Peter Stafford, a medical missionary exposed during surgery in Bunia, was evacuated to Germany as officials monitor other Americans and warn the outbreak may be larger than reported

May 19, 2026

Cuba succession watch

Castro circle remains central as Trump signals Cuba push

CBS News reports U.S. officials are pressing Cuban figures for reform while uncertainty hangs over who could lead any political opening

May 19, 2026

Iran conflict

Trump delays Iran strike as Gulf allies press for talks

The president said he was close to ordering new strikes but would give Pakistan-brokered negotiations a few days, while warning that military action remains possible

May 19, 2026

Inflation

Canada’s inflation rate rises to 2.8% as gas prices surge

Statistics Canada said energy costs drove the April increase, while rent, food and core inflation measures showed slower price growth

May 19, 2026

Broadway

Giant,’ Starring John Lithgow as Roald Dahl, Turns a Profit in 10 Weeks

The play’s fast move into profitability is unusual on Broadway, where most productions do not make money

May 19, 2026