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U.S. Officials Say Iran’s New Supreme Leader Gravely Wounded Amid Escalating Conflict

Protesters hold posters of Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his son, Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, during a protest marking al-Quds Day (Jerusalem Day), after Friday prayers at Fatih Mosque in Istanbul. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has confirmed that Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei , was seriously wounded and likely disfigured during the opening phase of U.S. and Israeli military strikes. Speaking at a Pentagon briefing, Hegseth described Iran’s leadership as “desperate and hiding,” asserting that Khamenei has gone underground following injuries sustained in the attacks.  Reports from multiple outlets indicate that Khamenei has not appeared publicly since the conflict began, fueling speculation about the severity of his condition. Some accounts suggest he may have suffered catastrophic injuries, including the loss of a limb and a possible coma, after an airstrike that also killed members of his family.  U.S....

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Trump's Tariff Man: What Howard Lutnick's Appointment Means for Canada

 

President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Howard Lutnick, a Wall Street heavyweight and co-leader of Trump's transition team, as his Secretary of Commerce and the point man for his tariff and trade agenda. Lutnick's appointment signals a significant shift in U.S. trade policy, with potential major implications for Canada.

Lutnick has publicly shared his views on tariffs, emphasizing that they will not be applied indiscriminately. Instead, he envisions tariffs serving two main purposes: influencing specific industries and acting as a negotiating tool to lower trade barriers with other countries. This approach aims to create a more level playing field for American businesses, particularly in the automotive sector, where Lutnick has highlighted the need for fairer competition with European and Japanese manufacturers.

For Canada, the impact of Trump's tariff plan could be substantial. Estimates suggest that the tariffs could cost Canada's economy anywhere from a half-per cent to five per cent of GDP, depending on their design and implementation. The energy sector, a major Canadian export to the U.S., might see less impact, but the automotive industry could face significant challenges.

As Lutnick takes on his new role, Canadian officials and businesses will be closely monitoring the developments to understand how these changes will affect cross-border trade and the broader economic relationship between the two countries.

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