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The Israeli military reported that dozens of Israeli settlers stormed a military base in the occupied West Bank on Sunday night, setting fires, damaging military vehicles, spray-painting graffiti, and physically assaulting soldiers. The incident followed a string of violent attacks by settlers in recent days and growing tensions over the arrests of several individuals involved. Earlier in the week, over 100 settlers entered the Palestinian town of Kfar Malik, setting buildings on fire and shooting at residents. According to local official Najeb Rostom, three Palestinians were killed after the Israeli army intervened. Five settlers were arrested. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the violence, saying that “no civilized country can allow citizens to burn military facilities, damage army property, and attack security forces.” Footage from Israeli media showed young religious settlers—often linked to the extremist “hilltop youth” movement—gathering around the base near Ramallah. Security forces used stun grenades to disperse them. The military released images showing burned equipment used to prevent attacks and maintain security. In a rare rebuke, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, known for his hardline stance and past support of such settlers, denounced the attack, calling it a “red line” and urging strong action. Opposition leader Yair Lapid labeled the rioters as “Jewish terrorists” supported by the current coalition government. Ben-Gvir, a staunch pro-settlement figure, has a history of incitement and links to far-right movements. Though once marginalized in Israeli politics, he has gained prominence alongside a broader rightward shift, which critics say has emboldened violent settler activity. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant pledged to crack down on the violence and reminded settlers that many soldiers are exhausted reservists already under heavy strain. In the backdrop of the ongoing Gaza conflict, Palestinians in the West Bank report increasing Israeli military checkpoints and restrictions, while Israel cites growing security threats from the area. Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem in the 1967 war. Today, around 3 million Palestinians live in the West Bank under military rule, alongside roughly 500,000 Israeli settlers. Most of the international community views these settlements as illegal under international law.  

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Wednesday his government is talking to the U.S. about joining President Donald Trump's future Golden Dome missile defense program. The multilayered, $175 billion system would for the first time put U.S. weapons in space. Trump said the previous day he expected the system to be fully operational by the end of his term in 2029.  Trump warms in person to Canada’s PM Carney after online insults "Is it a good idea for Canada? Yes, it is a good to have protections in place for Canadians," Carney said. Carney confirmed he's had talks with Trump about it and said there are discussions with senior officials. Trump said the Canadian government had contacted his administration indicating it wants to join the program and that he will work with Ottawa to ensure it contributes its “fair share.” Golden Dome is envisioned to include ground- and space-based capabilities to detect and stop missiles at all four major stages of a potential attack: detecting and destroying them before a launch, intercepting them in their earliest stage of flight, stopping them midcourse in the air, or halting them in the final minutes as they descend toward a target. “It’s something that we are looking at and something that has been discussed at a high level." Carney said. “But not I’m not sure one negotiates on this. These are military decisions that have been taken in that context, and we will evaluate it accordingly.” Carney warned that Canada faces potential missiles threats in the “not-too-distant future” that could come from space.  Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberals win election “Is Canada going to be doing this alone or with the United States? Because with a Golden Dome, there will be discussions that could have an impact on Canada, but Canada wouldn't be a part of them,” Carney said. The Pentagon has warned for years that the newest missiles developed by China and Russia are so advanced that updated countermeasures are necessary. Golden Dome’s added satellites and interceptors — where the bulk of the program’s cost is — would be focused on stopping those advanced missiles early on or in the middle of their flight. Canada and the U.S. are partners in the North American Aerospace Defense Command, the combined organization that provides shared defense of airspace over the two nations. The newly elected Carney spent much spent much of the last few months saying the old relationship with the U.S. based on steadily increasing integration is over. Trump has infuriated Canadians by saying Canada should be the 51st state. “We cooperate if necessary but not necessarily cooperate,” Carney said.  

After lashing out at Canada on social media, US President Donald Trump struck a friendlier tone in person as he welcomed Canada’s new Prime Minister Mark Carney to the White House on Tuesday, praising his election victory and performance in recent debates. “I just want to congratulate you," Trump told Carney on his election win as they met in front of reporters. "Ran a really great race. I watched the debate. I thought you were excellent.” As the two countries struggle over a trade war sparked by Trump's tariff hikes, the US president gave a full display of his unique mix of graciousness and aggression, AP reports. However, shortly before the new Canadian prime minister’s arrival, Trump posted on Truth Social, “I very much want to work with him, but cannot understand one simple TRUTH — Why is America subsidising Canada by $200 Billion Dollars a year, in addition to giving them FREE Military Protection, and many other things?” He added, “We don’t need their Cars, we don’t need their Energy, we don’t need their Lumber, we don’t need ANYTHING they have, other than their friendship, which hopefully we will always maintain.” Trump said that questioning the need for any Canadian goods “will be, most likely, my only question of consequence.” Trump proposes $1,000 for undocumented migrants to self-deport Carney, a former central bank governor in both Canada and the UK, became prime minister after pledging to push back against Trump’s hostile rhetoric. Despite his calm, economist’s manner, Carney has taken a firm stance in response to Trump’s increasing antagonism. Tensions have escalated after Trump suggested turning Canada into the 51st US state, imposed steep tariffs on Canadian exports, and questioned the legitimacy of the border. His remarks sparked backlash in Canada, contributing to a surprise electoral victory for Carney’s Liberal Party last month. In a recent interview on NBC’s ‘Meet the Press’, Trump dismissed the US-Canada border as an “artificial line” separating two territories that could form a “beautiful country.”

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation projects that Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal Party has won Canada’s federal election. The victory Monday capped a dramatic turnaround for the Liberals fueled by U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to Canada’s economy and sovereignty. The Liberals looked headed for defeat after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stepped down earlier this year amid rising food and housing prices and soaring immigration. But U.S. President Donald Trump began threatening Canada’s economy and sovereignty, infuriating Canadians and generating a surge in nationalism that helped the Liberals flip the election narrative and win a fourth-straight term in power. The country is also grappling with the aftermath of a fatal car ramming attack on Saturday in Vancouver. The tragedy prompted the suspension of campaigning for several hours. Police ruled out terrorism and said the suspect is a local man with a history of mental health issues. The Latest: Sitting Prime Minister Mark Carney retains his seat in Ottawa The first non-Brit to run the Bank of England since it was founded in 1694, and the former head of Canada’s central bank, in January entered the race to be Canada’s next prime minister following Trudeau’s resignation. Carney’s Liberal Party has been projected to win more of Parliament’s 343 seats than the Conservatives. But it wasn’t clear yet if the Liberals will win an outright majority, which would allow them to pass legislation without needing help. Mark Carney’s Liberals win election, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation projects The win Monday caps a stunning turnaround in fortunes fueled by U.S. President Donald Trump’s annexation threats and trade war. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the national public broadcaster, said the Liberals will win more of Parliament’s 343 seats than the Conservatives. It wasn’t clear yet if the Liberals will win an outright majority, which would allow them to pass legislation without needing help. The Liberals looked headed for a crushing defeat until the American president started attacking Canada’s economy and threatening its sovereignty, suggesting it should become the 51st state. Trump’s actions infuriated Canadians and stoked a surge in nationalism that helped the Liberals flip the election narrative and win a fourth-straight term in power. The opposition Conservative Party’s leader, Pierre Poilievre, hoped to make the election a referendum on former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whose popularity declined toward the end of his decade in power as food and housing prices rose. But Trump attacked, Trudeau resigned and Carney, a two-time central banker, became the Liberal Party’s leader and prime minister. All polls closed across Canada As of 10 p.m. EDT, all polls have closed across Canada. Many areas across Eastern, Central and Mountain Time wrapped up voting at the same time, 9:30 p.m. EDT, as well as in Saskatchewan. Canadian PM Carney condemns Trump's auto tariffs as a 'Direct Attack' on Canada Those poll closures also included Ontario and Quebec, Canada’s most populous provinces. The remaining two provinces — British Columbia and Yukon — closed polls 30 minutes later. Canadians aren’t directly electing their prime minister Voters in each of Canada’s 343 federal electoral districts are only electing their local representative to the House of Commons. The leader of whichever party wins a majority of seats in the House of Commons will form a new government and serve as prime minister. If no party wins a majority, a party — usually the one with the most seats — can form a minority government but must rely on support from some opposition members. In rare cases, two or more parties might reach a formal agreement to form a coalition government together. In this election, it’s paper ballots only Elections Canada has said it’s sticking with paper ballots — which are hand counted — for these federal elections. Candidates may appoint representatives to oversee the count. Results from polling stations are reported to Elections Canada, which releases them online. Results typically trickle out as polls close, since ballot boxes themselves aren’t relocated to centralized places for counting. Many say they voted for change Sisters Laiqa and Mahira Shoaib said they both voted for change in Monday’s election. Laiqa, a 27-year-old health care worker, voted for the New Democratic Party. Mahira, 25, who works at a bank, supported the Conservative Party. The sisters, who immigrated from Pakistan a decade ago, say the economy has worsened and job opportunities have dried up under Liberal rule. “It was different when we arrived,” Laiqa Shoaib said after casting her ballot at a community center in Mississauga, Ontario, just outside of Toronto. “We need to get out of Liberals.” Mahira Shoaib said Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre is the best candidate to improve the country’s financial picture. “He is business-minded, and that’s what we need right now,” she said. Both sisters said President Trump’s rhetoric and tariff plans also influenced their voting decisions. ‘Elbows up’ pops up as a way to show Canadian unity. What does it mean? It comes from hockey, Canada’s signature sport, but it’s playing a role in this year’s elections, too. The phrase dates back to Gordie Howe, a longtime Detroit Red Wings hockey player from Saskatchewan known for his toughness and use of his elbows in fending off opponents. Since Trump’s comments about annexing Canada as a U.S. state and his tariffs on Canadian exports, “Elbows up” has popped up across social media as a way to show Canadian unity against Trump’s threats. Comedian Mike Myers, a Canadian, appeared in an ad with Carney, both men clad in “Never 51” jerseys and popping up their elbows alongside a hockey rink. Last month, Myers also appeared on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” in a “Canada Is Not For Sale” T-shirt. Trump insists that Canada needs the US more than the US needs it Trump reinserted himself into Canada’s election during a signing ceremony inside the Oval Office, saying Canada “would cease to exist as a country” if the U.S. stopped buying its goods. “I have to be honest, as a state, it works great,” said Trump, who previously threatened to make the country the 51st state through economic coercion. Trump reiterated his claim that the U.S. doesn’t need anything from Canada — including autos and oil. Carney said last week that eliminating trade barriers within Canada would benefit Canadians as he made his case to retain power. Carney has set a goal of free trade within the country’s 10 provinces and three territories by July 1. Canada has long had interprovincial trade barriers. “We can give ourselves far more than Donald Trump can ever take away,” Carney said. “We can have one economy. This is within our grasp.” ▶ Read more about Trump and Carney’s comments Trump says Canada as a US state ‘would be great’ As Canadians vote, Trump has reiterated his stance on incorporating the northern neighbor. In an interview with The Atlantic posted online Monday, the U.S. president said his country doesn’t need gasoline, oil, lumber or “energy of any type” from Canada. Europe and Canada are eyeing alternatives to American-made fighter jets Nearly a quarter of the oil America consumes per day comes from Canada. About 60% of U.S. crude oil imports are from Canada, as are 85% of U.S. electricity imports. Nearly $3.6 billion Canadian (US$2.7 billion) worth of goods and services cross the border each day. Canada is also the largest foreign supplier of steel, aluminum and uranium to the U.S. and has 34 critical minerals and metals that the Pentagon is eager for and investing in for national security. Elections Canada says majority of ballots will be counted on election night Elections Canada says it expects to count the “vast majority” of ballots on election night. Each polling place counts its election day vote by hand after polls close and reports the results to the district’s local Elections Canada office, which then posts the results on the Elections Canada website. Results are also released directly to Canadian news organizations. Results from mail voting and ballots cast at special locations such as military bases and correctional institutions are also reported on the Elections Canada website and released to the news media, but they can take longer to tabulate. Only preliminary results are available on election night. Vote totals are double-checked in the days following the election, but final, official results typically are not available until about six months after election day, according to Elections Canada. Elections Canada does not declare winners in any district or in the overall contest for prime minister. Canadian media organizations typically announce winners based on their own independent analysis of election results. Here's how votes are counted All ballots are counted by hand by federal election officials in the presence of witnesses, usually campaign or party representatives. Ballots cast in person on election day are counted at each local polling place after polls close. Ballots cast in person before election day and mail ballots cast from within the district are tabulated at the district’s local Elections Canada office. Ballots from incarcerated voters, members of the military, Canadians living overseas and voters who live in Canada but outside their home district —such as some college students — are counted at a centralized Elections Canada facility in Ottawa. Poll closings are somewhat synchronized across six time zones Canada’s vast expanse has six time zones, but polls are somewhat synchronized to end at about the same time across the country. Polls in Newfoundland close at 7 p.m. EDT. Areas just west of that, including Nova Scotia, are on Atlantic Time and vote until 7:30 p.m. EDT. Many areas across Eastern, Central and Mountain Time all wrap up voting at 9:30 p.m. EDT, as well as in Saskatchewan. Polls in Pacific Time are open until 10 p.m. EDT. Others are in contention and another party leader urges voters to protect Canada Other parties are fielding candidates as well. One is Jagmeet Singh, who heads the progressive New Democratic Party and responded on X to Trump’s remarks by telling voters that “You can protect what makes Canada, Canada. Every New Democrat you send to Ottawa will stand up for our country. And never back down.” There’s also Yves-François Blanchet, who leads Bloc Québécois, a Quebec nationalist party. In March, Carney called for Parliament to be dissolved to pave the way for the election. At the time, the Liberals held 152 seats and the Conservatives had 120. Bloc Québécois held 33 seats and the NDP held 24. Others were held by unrecognized parties, independents or were vacant. Canada is a constitutional monarchy, with Britain’s King Charles III serving as ceremonial head of state. The country’s electoral system is modeled after the U.K.’s. How the prime minister and members of Parliament are elected A member of the House of Commons will be elected in each of the nation’s 343 federal electoral districts, also known as a constituency or a riding. The winner in each district is the candidate who receives the most votes. A majority vote is not required to get elected to Parliament. This is sometimes called a “first-past-the-post” system. The leader of the party that wins a majority of seats in the House of Commons will form a new government and serve as prime minister. If no party wins a majority, a party — usually the one with the most seats — can form a minority government but must rely on support from some opposition members. In rare cases, two or more parties might reach a formal agreement to form a coalition government together. Canada’s Parliament has an upper chamber called the Senate, but those members are appointed and do not play a role in determining the prime minister. A Toronto voter says Poilievre ‘sounds like mini-Trump’ Toronto resident Reid Warren says he voted Liberal because Poilievre “sounds like mini-Trump to me.” And he says Trump’s tariffs are a worry. “Canadians coming together from, you know, all the shade The winner will face many challenges Vermont businesses feel impact of Trump's tariffs on Canada Canada has been dealing with a cost-of-living crisis for some time, and Trump's threat to impose sweeping tariffs and his desire to get North American automakers to move Canada’s production south could severely damage the Canadian economy. Both Carney and Poilievre said that if elected, they would accelerate renegotiations of a free trade deal between Canada and the U.S. to end the uncertainty hurting both of their economies. Carney has notable experience navigating economic crises after running Canada’s central bank and later becoming the first non-U.K. citizen to run the Bank of England. Poilievre urges Trump to stay out of election Poilievre, who has been criticized for not taking a firmer stance against Trump, responded to the U.S. president's post with a post of his own. “President Trump, stay out of our election. The only people who will decide the future of Canada are Canadians at the ballot box,” he posted. “Canada will always be proud, sovereign and independent and we will NEVER be the 51st state.” Poilievre and his wife voted in their suburban district near the nation’s capital, Ottawa. Trump’s attacks have put Poilievre and the Conservative Party on the defensive. “The Americans want to break us so they can own us,” Carney said recently. “Those aren’t just words. That’s what’s at risk.” Trump trolls Canadians on election day The U.S. president trolled Canadians on social media, suggesting that he himself is on the ballot, repeating that Canada should become the 51st state and incorrectly claiming that the U.S. subsidizes Canada. “It makes no sense unless Canada is a State!” Trump posted. Canadians have canceled U.S. vacations, refused to buy U.S. and voted early — a record 7.3 million Canadians cast ballots before their Election Day.  

A car drove into a crowd during a street festival celebrating Filipino culture in Vancouver, leaving multiple people dead and injured, according to police. The Vancouver Police Department said in a social media update that the vehicle entered the festival area at 8:14 p.m. Saturday, during the Lapu Lapu Day celebrations. “A number of people have been killed and multiple others are injured after a driver drove into a crowd,” police said. Authorities did not immediately confirm how many people were killed or hurt. A 30-year-old man from Vancouver was taken into custody at the scene, and the department’s Major Crime Section is leading the investigation, police said. The festival was taking place in a neighborhood in South Vancouver. Videos shared online showed a long stretch of street littered with debris and victims, with at least seven people lying motionless. Still images showed a black SUV with heavy damage to its front end. “I am shocked and deeply saddened by the horrific incident at today’s Lapu Lapu Day event,” Vancouver Mayor Kenneth Sim said in a social media post. He added that the city would share more updates when available. “Our thoughts are with all those affected and with Vancouver’s Filipino community during this incredibly difficult time." Prime Minister Mark Carney, along with other Canadian leaders, expressed their sorrow and support for the victims and the Filipino community marking their heritage. Fresh crossfire along Kashmir border amid rising India-Pakistan tensions “I offer my deepest condolences to the loved ones of those killed and injured, to the Filipino Canadian community, and to everyone in Vancouver. We are all mourning with you,” Carney wrote. Jagmeet Singh, leader of the New Democratic Party, who had attended the festival earlier, said, “As we wait to learn more, our thoughts are with the victims and their families — and Vancouver’s Filipino community, who were coming together today to celebrate resilience." “My thoughts are with the Filipino community and all the victims targeted by this senseless attack. Thank you to the first responders who are at the scene as we wait to hear more,” wrote Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre. British Columbia Premier David Eby said he was devastated by the incident. “We are in contact with the City of Vancouver and will provide any support needed,” Eby wrote.    

TORONTO (AP) — Former central banker Mark Carney will become Canada’s next prime minister after a Liberal Party leadership vote in a landslide. Carney is 59. He was born in Fort Smith, Northwest Territories, on March 16, 1965, and raised in Edmonton, Alberta. CredentialsCarney ran the Bank of Canada from 2008 to 2013 and the Bank of England from 2013 to 2020. After helping Canada manage the worst impacts of the 2008 financial crisis, he was recruited to become the first non-Brit to run the Bank of England since it was founded in 1694. In 2020, he began serving as the United Nations’ special envoy for climate action and finance. Carney is a former Goldman Sachs executive. He worked for 13 years in London, Tokyo, New York and Toronto, before being appointed deputy governor of the Bank of Canada in 2003. He has no experience in politics. EducationCarney received a bachelor’s degree in economics from Harvard University in 1988, and master’s and doctoral degrees in economics from Oxford University. Like many Canadians, he played ice hockey, serving as a backup goalie for Harvard. Advertisement CitizenshipCarney has Canadian, U.K. and Irish citizenship. He has moved to eventually have solely Canadian citizenship, which is not required by law but seen as politically wise. FamilyHis wife Diana is British-born and he has four daughters. PollsHis chances of remaining prime minister for more than a few weeks seem to be improving. In a mid-January poll by Nanos, the Liberals trailed the opposition Conservatives and their leader Pierre Poilievre 47% to 20%. This week the latest poll has Liberals at 34% and the Conservatives at 37%.

All 80 people on board a Delta Air Lines flight survived when the jet flipped onto its roof while landing at Toronto Pearson Airport on Monday, reports AP. The flight, arriving from Minneapolis with 76 passengers and four crew members, was attempting to land on a dry runway amidst snow and gusting winds of up to 40 mph (65 kph) around 2:15 p.m. While the cause of the incident is still under investigation, the airport’s CEO confirmed that the injuries sustained by the passengers were relatively minor. Dense Fog in Dhaka: 6 international flights diverted to Sylhet, Kolkata  Social media footage captured the aftermath, showing the Mitsubishi CRJ-900LR overturned, with the fuselage largely intact. Firefighters worked to extinguish the remaining fire as passengers exited the plane and walked across the tarmac. Deborah Flint, CEO of Greater Toronto Airports Authority, expressed gratitude that there were no fatalities and only minor injuries. Toronto Pearson Fire Chief Todd Aitken reported that 18 passengers were taken to the hospital. Earlier, Ornge air ambulance had transported one pediatric patient to SickKids hospital and two adults to other hospitals. The plane came to rest at the intersection of Runways 23 and 15L, not far from the start of the runway. Controllers communicated with the crew of a medical helicopter returning to assist with the crash. The weather conditions at the time included blowing snow and wind gusts, with temperatures around 16.5°F (-8.6°C). John Cox, CEO of Safety Operating Systems, called the incident rare, noting that while inverted takeoffs are seen occasionally, such events are unusual. He explained that the CRJ-900 is a well-established aircraft, capable of handling inclement weather. However, he raised questions about the missing right wing, which may have contributed to the plane's inversion. The last major crash at Pearson occurred in August 2005 when an Air France Airbus A340 skidded off the runway during stormy weather, but all 309 people aboard survived. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is leading the investigation into this latest incident, with assistance from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board. First international commercial flight since Assad's ouster lands in Syria's capital This marks at least the fourth significant aviation mishap in North America in the past month, following a helicopter collision, a plane crash in Philadelphia, and another in Alaska. Ontario’s Premier Doug Ford expressed relief that no lives were lost, and offered support to local authorities. Delta CEO Ed Bastian conveyed the airline’s sympathies to those affected.

President Donald Trump agreed on Monday to a 30-day suspension of his proposed tariffs on Mexico and Canada after both nations took steps to address his concerns regarding border security and drug trafficking, reports AP. This temporary halt follows days of heightened tensions that brought North America to the brink of a trade war, one that could have stifled economic growth, driven up prices, and strained two of the U.S.’s most vital trade relationships. Trump's trade war among allies triggers retaliation from Canada and Mexico “I am very pleased with this initial outcome, and the tariffs announced on Saturday will be paused for a 30-day period to determine if a final economic deal with Canada can be structured,” Trump stated on social media, adding, “FAIRNESS FOR ALL!” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed the pause in a post on X, stating that it would remain in place “while we work together.” He announced that Canada would appoint a fentanyl czar, designate Mexican cartels as terrorist organizations, and create a joint Canada-U.S. task force to combat organized crime, fentanyl trafficking, and money laundering. Similarly, the pause in tariffs against Mexico provides an opportunity for negotiations on drug smuggling and illegal immigration. However, the 10% tariff on Chinese imports remains set to take effect on Tuesday, with Trump planning a discussion with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the coming days. Trump's aid freeze shocks Syria camp housing IS-linked families Although fears of an imminent trade war have eased, uncertainty remains. While Canada and Mexico have secured a temporary reprieve, Trump could reinstate the tariffs at any time and is already preparing to impose levies on European imports. As a result, the global economy remains unsure whether a crisis has been averted or merely delayed. On Saturday, Trump had announced 25% tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports, along with an additional 10% tariff on Canadian oil, natural gas, and electricity. Despite his frequent warnings, the decision still came as a shock to investors, lawmakers, businesses, and consumers. Economic analyses from the Tax Foundation, the Tax Policy Center, and the Peterson Institute for International Economics suggested that the tariffs could slow growth, reduce incomes, and raise prices. However, Trump, while also promising to control inflation, argued that tariffs were essential to curbing illegal immigration, halting fentanyl smuggling, and ensuring that other nations treat the U.S. with the respect he believes it deserves. Trump and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum agreed to the month-long tariff suspension after what Trump described as a “very friendly conversation” on social media. He expressed optimism about the upcoming negotiations. Leading the talks will be Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary nominee Howard Lutnick, and senior Mexican representatives. Sheinbaum stated that Mexico would reinforce its border with 10,000 National Guard troops, while the U.S. committed to addressing the flow of high-powered weapons into Mexico. A similar situation occurred in 2019 when Mexico avoided Trump-imposed tariffs by deploying 15,000 soldiers to its northern border. On Monday, the outlook for Canada appeared less promising until a last-minute agreement was reached. Americans could feel 'some pain' from trade war: Trump A senior Canadian official revealed that Canada was uncertain about avoiding tariffs as Mexico had, citing shifting demands from the Trump administration. Speaking anonymously due to the sensitive nature of the negotiations, the official indicated that the Canadian government felt less confident in securing a favourable outcome. When asked in the Oval Office on Monday what Canada could do to prevent tariffs, Trump responded, “I don’t know.” He even joked about making Canada the 51st U.S. state, continuing his often contentious rhetoric despite decades of close cooperation between the two nations, from World War II to joint efforts after the 9/11 attacks. Trump also hinted at additional tariffs against China, warning, “If we can’t make a deal with China, then the tariffs will be very, very substantial.” Financial markets, businesses, and consumers remained on edge as they braced for the potential economic impact of new tariffs. Stew Leonard Jr., CEO of the supermarket chain Stew Leonard’s, which operates in Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey, noted that his team was considering stocking up on Mexico’s Casamigos tequila before tariffs took effect and switching from Canadian to Norwegian salmon. Stock markets reacted with slight declines, reflecting cautious optimism that the tariffs could be short-lived. Trump himself inquired about market performance as reporters were leaving the Oval Office on Monday. The situation underscored the unpredictability of a president who has repeatedly expressed admiration for tariffs, even lamenting that the U.S. government shifted to income taxes as its primary revenue source in 1913. White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett argued that labelling the situation a trade war was misleading, despite the risk of retaliatory measures and escalation. “Read the executive order—President Trump was absolutely, 100% clear that this is not a trade war,” Hassett said. “This is a drug war.” Despite this framing, Trump’s rhetoric has frequently suggested a broader concern about perceived trade imbalances and economic exploitation. On Sunday, he indicated that tariffs on European nations would be coming soon. By Monday afternoon, he appeared willing to continue leveraging tariff threats, citing the U.S. economy’s size as a bargaining tool. “Tariffs are very powerful, both economically and in getting everything else you want,” Trump told reporters. “Nobody can compete with us because we’re the pot of gold. But if we don’t keep winning and doing well, we won’t be the pot of gold.” Jaime Bricker, tourism director for Skagway, Alaska, highlighted the economic concerns among Canadian visitors, who are essential to her town’s economy. Speaking about a recent visit to Vancouver, she noted that many people, from cab drivers to wait staff, expressed anxiety over how exchange rates and potential tariffs might affect their ability to visit the U.S. “It seems to be a fluid situation, and it’s difficult to know just how impactful it will be without knowing for certain what could come in the days ahead,” she said.

Canada's governing Liberal Party will select the country's next prime minister on March 9 following a leadership vote triggered by Justin Trudeau's resignation earlier this week, party officials announced on Thursday, reports AP. Trudeau will remain in office as prime minister until a new leader is chosen. Leading contenders for the party's leadership include former central banker Mark Carney and former Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, whose sudden resignation last month prompted Trudeau's decision to step down. Who Will Replace Justin Trudeau? “Following a comprehensive and secure national process, the Liberal Party of Canada will elect a new leader on March 9, ready to compete and win the 2025 election,” stated Sachit Mehra, President of the Liberal Party of Canada. This political shakeup comes at a challenging time for Canada, as U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has repeatedly referred to Canada as the 51st state and threatened to impose 25% tariffs on Canadian goods. The next Liberal leader could face a brief tenure as prime minister, as all three opposition parties have vowed to topple the Liberals' minority government through a no-confidence vote once Parliament reconvenes on March 24. Canadian PM Justin Trudeau resigns in the face of internal, external pressure Polls indicate the Liberals face slim chances in the upcoming election, with the latest Nanos survey showing the party trailing the opposition Conservatives by a margin of 45% to 23%. Trudeau, 53, the son of former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, announced his resignation on Monday amid dwindling support within his party and across the country. His unpopularity stemmed from various issues, including rising food and housing costs and increasing immigration. Last month, Trudeau informed Freeland that she would no longer serve as finance minister but could retain her roles as deputy prime minister and the key liaison for U.S.-Canada relations. Freeland resigned soon after, issuing a critical letter about the government, which proved to be the tipping point for Trudeau's leadership. Freeland has spent the past week consulting with colleagues about the way forward. Following her resignation, Trump referred to her as “totally toxic” and “not at all conducive to making deals.” Freeland had previously led Canada’s negotiations during the renegotiation of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) in Trump’s first term. Freeland, who is of Ukrainian descent, has also been a strong supporter of Ukraine in its conflict with Russia—a stance that has likely drawn Trump’s ire. A former journalist and liberal, Freeland represents a mix of qualities that Trump has publicly criticised. Justin Trudeau likely to resign this week Mark Carney, on the other hand, boasts an impressive resume. In 2012, he became the first non-British governor of the Bank of England since its founding in 1694. His appointment followed a successful tenure as governor of Canada’s central bank, where he was credited with helping Canada recover swiftly from the 2008 financial crisis. He also played a key role in steering the UK through Brexit. Although Carney has expressed interest in politics and the prime ministership, he lacks political experience. This week, he acknowledged the widespread support he has received and said he would discuss his decision with his family in the coming days. The Liberal Party's National Board of Directors released the leadership race rules on Thursday. The entry fee is set at $350,000 Canadian ($243,000), and candidates must declare their intention to run by January 23. Eligible voters must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents. The Liberals previously amended their membership rules to simplify the registration process for party members, including abolishing fees. However, some Members of Parliament have suggested stricter rules after an inquiry into foreign interference revealed incidents of non-Canadians voting in local nomination races. “Maintaining the integrity of our democratic process while encouraging broad participation remains a top priority for the Liberal Party of Canada,” the party noted in a statement.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday dismissed U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's willingness to use "economic force" to merge Canada into the United States. "There isn't a snowball's chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States," Trudeau wrote on his social media account. Canadian PM Justin Trudeau resigns in the face of internal, external pressure "Workers and communities in both our countries benefit from being each other's biggest trading and security partner," said Trudeau. Trump said Tuesday that he's open to using "economic force" to acquire Canada. Trump, speaking at a press conference at Mar-a-Lago, also refused to rule out the use of military force to seize control of the Panama Canal and Greenland.