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Algoma Steel Announces Over 1,000 Layoffs Amid Tariffs and Transition

  Reeling from high tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, Algoma Steel confirmed Monday it has issued layoff notices to about 1,000 workers.  Algoma Steel, a major employer in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, has confirmed plans to lay off more than 1,000 workers in the coming months. The company issued 1,050 layoff notices as part of its decision to shut down its blast furnace and coke oven operations, accelerating its transition to electric arc furnace (EAF) technology. The layoffs, expected to take effect by March 23, 2026 , come as Algoma faces mounting financial pressures. The company reported nearly half a billion dollars in losses last quarter and cited “unprecedented tariffs” imposed by the United States as a key factor in reshaping its competitive landscape. Union leaders from United Steelworkers Locals 2724 and 2251 confirmed the layoffs, noting that while the workforce had anticipated job reductions tied to the EAF transition, the U.S. tariffs accelerated ...

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Global Powers Rally for Lebanon: Aid and Ceasefire Amidst Crisis

 

In a bid to address the escalating humanitarian crisis in Lebanon, world powers convened in Paris to push for urgent aid and a ceasefire. The conference, attended by 70 government delegations and 15 international organizations, aimed to raise at least 500 million euros in humanitarian aid and support Lebanon’s security forces.

Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati emphasized the dire situation, stating, "The storm we are currently witnessing is unlike any other, because it carries the seeds of total destruction, not only for our country, but for all human values as well". The conflict, primarily between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah, has resulted in over 2,000 deaths and displaced at least 1.2 million people.

Despite the significant turnout, expectations for concrete progress were low. The U.S., focused on its own diplomatic efforts, sent a low-level delegation, and key regional players like Saudi Arabia were represented by junior ministers. France, leveraging its historical ties with Lebanon, pledged 100 million euros in aid, while Germany committed 96 million euros.

The conference underscored the need to implement the 2006 U.N. Security Council resolution 1701, which calls for southern Lebanon to be free of any troops or weapons other than those of the Lebanese state. However, with ongoing hostilities and a complex geopolitical landscape, achieving a lasting ceasefire remains a formidable challenge.


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