Author: Gulf News Week
‘Trump underestimates us’: Doug Ford takes aim at US over tariffsWhat leverage does Canada, which sells about 70% of its goods to the US, actually have in this spiralling trade dispute with its southern neighbour, who also happens to be the world’s largest economy?Canada is the top customer for 26 US states, including Maine, Michigan, and Wisconsin. And it is in the top three for 45 of the 50 American states, suggesting Prime Minister Mark Carney has room to manoeuvre in a trade fight.For now, Carney’s planned Canadian retaliatory duties are strategic “dollar-for-dollar” countermeasures focused on steel, dairy, appliances, agricultural…
EPAAndrei Fedorov, an adviser to the Kremlin, says there might be a “semi-military” response against UK drone factories by “unknown sources” over the sharing military blueprints with Russia.His comments on BBC Newsnight come as UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham says he plans to travel to the US next month with European leaders to lobby US President Trump on Ukraine’s defence needs. In an interview with Bloomberg, Burnham said, “I’m looking forward to going to New York in September,” when the UN General Assembly will meet.He said that while the details were not “fully confirmed”, it is “likely” he will go.…
Watch: BBC visits factories in China with robot workers”I take a nap and the world changes,” says Chen Tianyu.His world certainly does. The 28-year-old keeps up with the latest technology by spending his spare time in factories that are switching to automation. That way he knows what to prioritise when teaching his class about artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics.In front of him, around 30 college students are studying code. One of them is typing furiously as his eyes dart from the screen to the robot: “The idea is it will grab that cylindrical piece and move it over there.”A line…
APUS President Donald Trump welcomed his Syrian counterpart Ahmed al-Sharaa to the White House last yearThe US has removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism after 47 years, lifting what it said was the “final major barriers” for private sector investment in the country and its reintegration into the global economy.US Secretary Of State Marco Rubio said the move was in recognition of the Syrian government’s positive actions to fully distance itself from acts of international terrorism. The Trump administration has embraced Syria’s new president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former militant who once had an American bounty on…
Getty ImagesMacron and bin Salman share a passion for Dragon Ball Z, according to the Élysée Three theme parks will be built near Paris as part of a €6bn (£5.13bn) deal agreed between France and Saudi Arabia.The new development is expected to include a manga-themed park, inspired by the popular Japanese franchise Dragon Ball Z.French President Emmanuel Macron hailed the move as on a scale not seen “since Disneyland Paris”, and added “you know my interest for manga”.An opening date for the parks – which will be built near Cergy-Pontoise – has not set by the Élysée Palace, but they…
Variety via Getty ImagesKit Harington has been tapped to join the highly anticipated Harry Potter TV series as the wizarding world’s celebrity-turned-Hogwarts instructor Gilderoy Lockhart, HBO confirmed to the BBC.Harington is replacing actor Nicholas Hoult who could not film season two of the series due to a scheduling conflict.Best known for playing Jon Snow for eight seasons in the award-winning series Game of Thrones, Harington also appears in the BBC and HBO financial drama Industry. The casting marks the English actor’s third collaboration with the American network and streamer.Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is due to premiere on Christmas…
EPADonald Trump accused Canada on Monday of “ripping America off”, threatening to hike US tariffs on Canadian autos in the new yearPresident Donald Trump has threatened to hike US tariffs on automobiles originating in Canada, as the trade war between the two neighbours continues to heat up.Trump said on Monday that he will increase tariffs on Canadian cars and trucks, as well as auto parts, from 25% to 50% as of 1 January. It comes after US-Canada trade talks collapsed late last week, with each side accusing the other of making unreasonable last-minute demands.Prime Minister Mark Carney called Trump’s latest…
Getty ImagesThe US announced a host of sanctions against Iran and threatened its supporters in what Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said was “the single greatest financial offensive ever”.Labelling it an “economic D-Day” for Iran, Bessent said the US would sever all economic ties with the country and added that any nation financially partnering with Iran would also be isolated. However, the latest threat to the Iranian regime follows several U-turns and extended deadlines from the White House in its efforts to end the conflict.The war has led to hikes in global oil prices, and in response to the latest threat…
AFP via Getty ImagesAhmed Hassoun, 77, was Syria’s grand mufti between 2005 and 2021 A court in Syria has sentenced the country’s former top Muslim cleric to life in prison after convicting him of crimes including inciting civil war and complicity in intentional killing.Ahmed Hassoun, 77, was grand mufti between 2005 and 2021, during the rule of ousted president Bashar al-Assad.The Fourth Criminal Court in Damascus found the official religious establishment that he led was used to “provide cover” for regime military and security operations during the 13-year war, including the dropping of barrel bombs, state news agency Sana reported.Hassoun,…
Is UK’s Storm Shadow missile a game changer for Ukraine?Correspondent Joe Inwood breaks down the weapons technology that could make a difference in the Russia-Ukraine war.4 hrs agoEurope