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Ottawa Backs Down on Digital Tax Dispute Amid Pressure from Trump White House

Canada has reportedly agreed to delay its planned digital services tax (DST) following pressure from former U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration, according to a recent statement from the White House. The tax, which was originally slated to target tech giants like Amazon, Meta, and Google, had been a major sticking point in U.S.-Canada trade discussions. The White House claimed Canada “caved” to U.S. demands after months of negotiations, with Trump’s team arguing the tax unfairly targeted American firms. The Canadian government, however, framed the delay as a strategic move to preserve economic stability and avoid retaliatory tariffs. Critics within Canada argue that the government’s decision reflects a growing trend of yielding to U.S. economic influence, while others say the delay is pragmatic given ongoing global talks about a coordinated approach to taxing digital revenues. The issue remains contentious, and observers are watching closely to see whether Canada will revive th...

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Dutch Contestant Joost Klein Disqualified from Eurovision Song Contest Hours Before Final


In a dramatic turn of events, Dutch artist Joost Klein has been disqualified from the Eurovision Song Contest just hours before the highly anticipated final. The decision came after a backstage incident that left the production crew in turmoil.

The controversy began when a female member of the production crew filed an allegation of intimidation against Klein. According to reports, Klein had repeatedly expressed his reluctance to be filmed and insisted that he did not want to be captured on camera. However, his wishes were not respected, leading to a tense confrontation.

The Dutch broadcaster, Avrotros, which sends acts to Eurovision, called the disqualification “disproportionate.” They explained that Klein had made a threatening movement toward the camerawoman but did not physically touch her. Despite extensive consultations with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and proposed solutions, the decision to disqualify Klein was upheld.

Klein, who had been among the favorites to win this year’s contest with his song “Europapa,” dedicated the pro-European techno anthem to his late father, whom he lost to cancer at the age of 12. His dream of performing on the Eurovision stage was shattered when news of his suspension emerged during the first dress rehearsal for the televised grand final.

As the tension mounts in Malmö, Sweden, where the Eurovision Song Contest is taking place, the EBU maintains a “zero tolerance” policy. Swedish police confirmed that a man had been reported for making “unlawful threats” at Malmö Arena following Thursday’s semi-final.

The unexpected disqualification has left fans and fellow contestants in shock, and the Eurovision stage will now miss out on Klein’s electrifying performance. The question remains: Who will take the crown in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest? Only time will tell as the grand final unfolds tonight.


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