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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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Auschwitz Memorial Marks 80th Anniversary of Liberation: A Solemn Tribute to Survivors

On January 27, 2025, the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum held solemn observances to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the infamous Nazi death camp. This year's ceremony is particularly poignant as it is expected to be the last major gathering of survivors, many of whom are now in their 80s and 90s.

Among the attendees was 86-year-old Tova Friedman, who was just six years old when she was liberated from Auschwitz on January 27, 1945. She traveled from her home in New Jersey to add her voice to the warnings about rising hatred and antisemitism. "The world has become toxic," she told reporters, emphasizing the need to combat the growing crisis of distrust and animosity.

The ceremony included a walk to the Death Wall, where prisoners were executed, led by Polish President Andrzej Duda and Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum director Piotr Cywinski. Duda spoke of the "unimaginable harm" inflicted on millions, especially the Jewish people, and emphasized Poland's role as the guardian of this memory.

World leaders and royalty, including Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Britain's King Charles III, joined the elderly survivors in a moment of silence and reflection. The event culminated in a candle-lighting ceremony, symbolizing the enduring memory of the 1.1 million people murdered at Auschwitz.

As the last survivors fade, the message is clear: it is our duty to remember the unspeakable crimes and honor the memories of the victims. The observances serve as a stark reminder of the past and a call to action to prevent history from repeating itself.




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