Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has publicly acknowledged apologizing to U.S. President Donald Trump regarding a controversial anti-tariff advertisement. The ad, commissioned by Ontario Premier Doug Ford, featured a clip of former U.S. President Ronald Reagan warning that tariffs lead to trade wars and economic turmoil. Carney revealed that he privately apologized to Trump during a dinner hosted by South Korea’s president at an Asia-Pacific summit last week. He also confirmed that he had advised Ford against airing the ad, stating, ‘I told Ford I did not want to go forward with the ad.’ Despite Carney’s efforts, Trump responded by escalating tariffs on Canadian goods and halting trade negotiations between the two nations. Trump described his conversation with Carney as ‘very nice’ but reiterated that trade talks would not resume. Meanwhile, Carney’s visit to Asia, including discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping, marked a significant step in improving Canada-China relations, which have been strained in recent years due to issues such as foreign interference and the detention of Canadian citizens in China. Carney emphasized that reducing Canada’s reliance on the U.S. is a priority, though it remains a gradual process.
分类： politics
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Xinjiang senior political adviser investigated for serious Party violations
Jin Zhizhen, a prominent political adviser in China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, is currently under investigation for suspected severe breaches of Party discipline and national laws. The announcement was made on Saturday by the Communist Party of China Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Commission of Supervision, the country’s top anti-corruption bodies. The investigation was disclosed online, though no additional specifics were provided. Jin, 55, hails from Jiangsu province and joined the Party in June 1991, commencing his career in August of the same year. After graduating from Dongbei University of Finance and Economics in Liaoning province in 1991, he worked across various industries in Xinjiang, including chemistry and new energy. In January 2023, he was appointed vice-chairman of the regional committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. The probe underscores the ongoing efforts by China’s leadership to enforce strict adherence to Party principles and legal standards among its officials.
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Military spokesman condemns Philippines’ ‘joint patrol’ in South China Sea
The Chinese military has strongly criticized the Philippines for conducting a ‘joint patrol’ with external forces in the South China Sea, labeling it a significant threat to regional peace and stability. Senior Colonel Tian Junli, spokesperson for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command, issued the condemnation on Saturday in response to the joint activities carried out from Thursday to Friday. Tian accused the Philippines of deliberately involving non-regional countries to provoke tensions in the disputed waters, which he said has severely undermined regional stability. In response to the patrol, the PLA Southern Theater Command has deployed forces to closely monitor the situation and ensure all activities remain under control. Tian emphasized that Chinese troops are on high alert and fully prepared to defend China’s sovereignty, security, and maritime rights and interests. The South China Sea remains a highly contested region, with China asserting its claims over the area, while other nations, including the Philippines, challenge these claims. The involvement of external forces has further complicated the geopolitical landscape, raising concerns about potential escalation.
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Canadian PM Carney apologises to Trump over anti-tariff ad
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has issued an apology to U.S. President Donald Trump following a controversial anti-tariff advertisement that utilized a quote from former President Ronald Reagan. The ad, funded by the province of Ontario, featured clips from Reagan’s 1987 national radio address, where he criticized tariffs as detrimental to the U.S. economy. In response, Trump suspended trade negotiations with Canada and announced an additional 10% tariff on Canadian imports. Carney, speaking at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in South Korea, acknowledged the apology, stating that the ad was ‘not something I would have done’ and that Trump was ‘offended’ by it. Despite the incident, Trump described his relationship with Carney as ‘very good,’ though he emphasized that the ad was ‘wrong.’ Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who oversaw the ad’s production, revealed that Carney had advised against its release. The commercial aired during the World Series games between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers, reportedly reaching ‘one billion views’ and drawing international attention. The ad also sparked a heated exchange between U.S. envoy Pete Hoekstra and Ontario trade representative David Paterson, prompting Ford to demand an apology from Hoekstra. Trump’s administration has imposed significant tariffs on Canadian goods, including 50% on steel and aluminum and 25% on automobiles. The president accused Canada of using the ad to influence an upcoming U.S. Supreme Court case regarding the legality of his tariffs on multiple countries.
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Defence of Donbas town a priority, Zelensky says, as special forces deployed
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has declared the defense of Pokrovsk a top priority, as elite special forces have been deployed to the embattled town on the eastern front line. Ukrainian military sources revealed to the BBC that special forces from military intelligence and assault groups are being utilized as regular infantry to safeguard supply lines to troops stationed in the Donbas region. Reports of Russian advances around the strategic town, located west of Donetsk, have been increasing, though Ukraine has refuted claims that their forces are encircled. Moscow has demanded that Kyiv cede the entire Donbas region, including areas it does not currently control, as part of a peace agreement. Russia presently occupies approximately one-fifth of Ukrainian territory, including the Crimean peninsula annexed in 2014. The deployment of special forces underscores Kyiv’s determination to retain control of Pokrovsk, which Russia has been attempting to seize for over a year. Local media reports indicate that Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s military intelligence, is personally overseeing operations in the region. Pokrovsk serves as a critical transport and supply hub, and its capture could facilitate Russian efforts to dominate the rest of the region. Kyiv also believes that losing Pokrovsk would bolster Russia’s narrative of military success, potentially pressuring the West to acquiesce to its demands. The US has expressed growing frustration with the Kremlin’s stalled peace negotiations, leading to sanctions on Russia’s largest oil producers and the cancellation of a planned summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Zelensky has shown openness to Trump’s ceasefire proposal, which would freeze the conflict along current front lines, while Russia insists on Ukrainian troops withdrawing from the remaining Donbas territory. In his nightly address, Zelensky emphasized, ‘Pokrovsk is our priority. We continue to destroy the occupier, and that is what matters most… They must be halted where they have reached – and destroyed there.’ Meanwhile, Russia claims to have neutralized Ukrainian special forces who landed near Pokrovsk by helicopter, although the veracity of these claims remains unverified. Images shared with news agencies depict a Ukrainian Black Hawk helicopter deploying troops near Pokrovsk, though the exact location and date are uncertain. The Ukrainian open-source monitoring group DeepState estimates that about half of Pokrovsk is a ‘grey zone,’ with neither side in full control. A military source in Donetsk informed the BBC that Ukrainian forces are not surrounded but face intense fire on their supply lines. The US-based Institute for the Study War noted that Ukrainian forces have made marginal advances north of Pokrovsk, but the town remains largely contested.
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Trump says ready to maintain US food aid funding despite shutdown
As the US government shutdown enters its second month, President Donald Trump has pledged to ensure the continuation of food aid for millions of low-income Americans, despite the ongoing political impasse. In a detailed post on Truth Social, Trump acknowledged that government lawyers believe there is no legal authority to fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) after November 1. However, he emphasized that he has directed officials to explore legal avenues to maintain the program, stating, ‘I don’t want anyone to go hungry.’
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Trump restricts reporters’ access to White House press office
The Trump administration has introduced stringent new measures limiting journalists’ access to key areas within the White House press office. Effective immediately, reporters are barred from entering the ‘Upper Press’ area, located adjacent to the Oval Office, without prior appointment. This decision, outlined in a memo from the White House National Security Council (NSC), cites the need to safeguard ‘sensitive material’ from unauthorized disclosure. The ‘Upper Press’ zone houses the office of Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and is a critical hub for media interactions. White House Communications Director Steven Cheung defended the policy, alleging that reporters had been ‘ambushing’ cabinet secretaries and secretly recording audio and video in the area. However, no concrete evidence was provided to substantiate these claims. Journalists retain access to the ‘Lower Press’ area, situated near the White House briefing room, where junior press officers are stationed. This move is part of a broader trend of tightening media access under the Trump administration, which has also imposed new restrictions at the Pentagon and reduced access for mainstream outlets while favoring right-wing media. The policy has drawn comparisons to similar measures during the Clinton administration, which were later rescinded. Critics argue that these restrictions undermine press freedom and transparency, while supporters claim they are necessary to protect sensitive information.
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US urges ASEAN to be firm in countering China in the South China Sea
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called on Southeast Asian nations to bolster their maritime capabilities to counter China’s increasingly aggressive actions in the South China Sea. Speaking at a meeting with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) counterparts, Hegseth emphasized the destabilizing impact of China’s recent activities, including vessel ramming and the use of water cannons. The South China Sea remains a highly contested region, with China claiming nearly the entire area, while ASEAN members such as the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei assert overlapping claims. The Philippines, a key U.S. ally, has faced frequent confrontations with Chinese maritime forces. Hegseth criticized China’s recent designation of Scarborough Shoal, seized from the Philippines in 2012, as a ‘nature reserve,’ calling it a tactic to expand territorial claims. He urged ASEAN to accelerate the conclusion of a Code of Conduct with China and enhance joint surveillance and rapid-response mechanisms. He also proposed a ‘shared maritime domain awareness’ system to ensure collective security. Additionally, Hegseth welcomed plans for an ASEAN-U.S. maritime exercise in December, aimed at reinforcing freedom of navigation and sovereign rights. China, however, dismissed U.S. criticism, accusing Washington of provoking tensions and interfering in regional affairs. Chinese officials labeled the Philippines a ‘troublemaker’ following recent joint naval and air drills with the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand, which Beijing claimed undermined regional stability.
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Andrew should answer Epstein questions in US, Democrats say
In a significant move, King Charles III has officially revoked Prince Andrew’s title as a member of the British royal family. This decision, announced on Thursday, comes amidst mounting pressure over Andrew’s controversial ties to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing, but the scandal has cast a long shadow over the monarchy. The U.S. House Oversight Committee, currently investigating the Epstein case, has intensified its calls for Andrew to testify. Despite the committee being Republican-led, several Democratic members have urged Andrew to come forward voluntarily. Congressman Suhas Subramanyam emphasized the importance of Andrew’s testimony, stating, ‘If he wants to clear his name and do right by the victims, he will come forward.’ Fellow committee member Raja Krishnamoorthi suggested that a subpoena could be issued, though enforcement would be challenging given Andrew’s residence outside the U.S. Meanwhile, Liz Stein, one of Epstein’s accusers, criticized Andrew’s reluctance to cooperate, questioning why he remains unwilling to speak if he has ‘nothing to hide.’ Newly surfaced court documents reveal a 2010 email exchange between Andrew and Epstein, where Andrew expressed a desire to ‘catch up in person,’ contradicting his earlier claims of having severed ties. The Palace’s statement on the matter underscored the seriousness of the situation, expressing sympathy for the victims while acknowledging ‘serious lapses of judgment’ in Andrew’s conduct. The decision to strip Andrew of his title reflects the monarchy’s efforts to address the ongoing controversy and restore public trust.
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Samia wins Tanzania election with 98% of votes amid unrest
Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been re-elected for another term, securing a landslide victory with 98% of the votes, according to the electoral commission. The announcement came after days of widespread unrest, with reports of hundreds of casualties and a nationwide internet shutdown complicating efforts to verify the death toll. International observers have raised concerns over the lack of transparency and the violent clashes that have marred the election process. The government has downplayed the scale of the violence, extending a curfew to restore order. In Zanzibar, the semi-autonomous archipelago, incumbent President Hussein Mwinyi also won re-election with nearly 80% of the vote, though the opposition has alleged ‘massive fraud.’ Protests erupted in major cities, with demonstrators tearing down campaign posters and clashing with security forces. Opposition leaders have accused the government of undermining democracy by suppressing their candidates, one of whom is jailed and another disqualified on technical grounds. Rights groups, including Amnesty International, have condemned the government’s alleged repression, citing enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. Samia, Tanzania’s first female president, assumed office in 2021 following the death of her predecessor, John Magufuli. Her ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), has dominated Tanzanian politics since independence.