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Trump's Tariff Shake-Up: Global Trade Faces New Challenges

On April 2, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump announced sweeping 10% tariffs on imports from all trading partners, marking a significant escalation in global trade tensions. These tariffs, described as "baseline," aim to address what Trump perceives as unfair trade practices and chronic trade deficits. While the announcement has sent ripples across international markets, the specific impact on Canada remains uncertain. Canada, a close trading partner of the U.S., has previously faced tariffs on steel, aluminum, and energy imports under Trump's administration. The new measures could further strain bilateral relations and affect key Canadian industries. Prime Minister Mark Carney is reportedly preparing Canada's response, as the trade war becomes a central issue in the upcoming federal election. Trump's move has sparked debates among economists and policymakers, with critics warning of potential economic fallout and supporters praising the tariffs as a step toward ...

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Israel’s Expanding Offensive in Central Rafah: A Closer Look

 

The Israeli military has officially confirmed that its forces are operating in central parts of Rafah as part of an expanding offensive in the southern Gaza city. This development comes after Israel launched a ground assault into Rafah on May 6, triggering an exodus of approximately 1 million Palestinians from the city and disrupting U.N. humanitarian operations in the area.

Key Points:

  1. Citywide Operations: The Israeli military statement suggests that its forces have been operating in most parts of Rafah, including both eastern districts and areas close to the border with Egypt. Israeli troops seized the Rafah crossing into Egypt on the first day of the offensive and have since claimed control over the Philadelphi Corridor, a road running along the Gaza-Egypt border on the Gazan side.
  2. Recent Developments: Earlier this week, Israeli troops also moved into Rafah’s western district of Tel al-Sultan, where heavy clashes with Hamas fighters have been reported by witnesses.
  3. Hamas Presence: The offensive aims to uproot Hamas fighters, following the group’s October 7 attack on southern Israel. In central Rafah, Israeli troops have uncovered Hamas rocket launchers, tunnels, and dismantled a weapons storage facility.
  4. Humanitarian Impact: The exodus of Palestinians from Rafah has led to a scattered population across southern and central Gaza. Most of them now live in squalid tent camps, with up to around 300,000 people believed to remain in the area. Some still reside in the central urban parts of Rafah, while others have sought refuge in rural areas near the coast, which have also been targeted by Israeli strikes and shelling.

Despite the ongoing offensive, U.S. President Joe Biden has emphasized that Israel has not crossed the “red lines” of a full-fledged invasion that he had urged them against. The situation remains tense, and humanitarian organizations continue to grapple with the challenges posed by the conflict.



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