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U.S. Seizure of Russian-Flagged Tanker Heightens Global Tensions

The ship, currently between Iceland and the British Isles, has been accused of breaking US sanctions and shipping Iranian oil. It has historically transported Venezuelan crude oil. The United States has seized a Russian‑flagged oil tanker linked to Venezuela after a prolonged pursuit across the Atlantic, marking one of the most assertive enforcement actions under Washington’s sanctions program. The vessel, previously known as Bella‑1 and later renamed Marinera , was intercepted after evading an earlier boarding attempt near Venezuelan waters. U.S. military aircraft and naval units tracked the ship for weeks as it traveled across the Atlantic, at times shadowed by Russian naval vessels. Officials say the tanker was part of a network used to transport sanctioned Venezuelan and Russian oil. Its capture underscores Washington’s efforts to disrupt what it describes as illicit energy shipments that help sustain both governments. The operation comes at a delicate geopolitical moment, wit...

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Ontario Caps Daycare Fees at $22 for Children Under 6

 


In a significant move to make child care more affordable, the Ontario government has announced that starting in January 2025, parent fees for children under the age of six in Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) programs will be capped at $22 per day. This fee reduction is expected to result in additional savings of nearly $300 million in 2025 for families.

The new funding model also introduces a cost-based approach for operators in the CWELCC program, prioritizing stability and predictability. Families facing the highest fees, particularly those with young children in less affordable communities, will see the largest fee reductions.

This initiative aims to provide more stability and predictability to child-care centers, ultimately helping reduce lengthy wait-lists and supporting parents as they enter the workforce with peace of mind.

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