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Ontario Halts U.S. Electricity Surcharge Amid Trade Tensions

  Ontario Premier Doug Ford has announced the suspension of a 25% surcharge on electricity exports to three U.S. states—Michigan, New York, and Minnesota—following a diplomatic overture from the White House. The surcharge, introduced just a day earlier, was Ontario's response to U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to double tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum to 50%. The decision to pause the surcharge came after U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick extended an "olive branch" by inviting Ford and Canadian Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc to Washington for discussions on trade. The meeting, scheduled for Thursday, aims to address the escalating trade tensions and explore a renewal of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). Ford emphasized the importance of diplomacy, stating, "When someone's putting out an olive branch, we sit back, we accept it—graciously, by the way—and let's start moving." While the U.S. has yet to retract its ta...

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Gaza Ceasefire Deal Reached: Hostages to be Freed Amidst Ongoing Negotiations


In a significant breakthrough, officials have announced a ceasefire deal to end 15 months of fighting in the Gaza Strip. The agreement, brokered by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, includes the release of dozens of hostages held in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. This marks the first real break in violence since a weeklong truce expired in December 2023.

However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that several unresolved clauses remain, and the details are still being finalized. Netanyahu emphasized that the deal must receive approval from his security Cabinet and the full Cabinet before it can be implemented.

The ceasefire deal is set to bring much-needed relief to civilians in Gaza, who have endured a brutal winter amid ongoing conflict. The agreement will also allow displaced Palestinians to return to their homes and facilitate the transfer of humanitarian aid to the region.

While the news has been met with celebration, it is also bittersweet for families of those who have lost loved ones. The release of hostages is a step towards peace, but the journey to fully resolve the conflict continues.



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