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Algoma Steel Announces Over 1,000 Layoffs Amid Tariffs and Transition

  Reeling from high tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, Algoma Steel confirmed Monday it has issued layoff notices to about 1,000 workers.  Algoma Steel, a major employer in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, has confirmed plans to lay off more than 1,000 workers in the coming months. The company issued 1,050 layoff notices as part of its decision to shut down its blast furnace and coke oven operations, accelerating its transition to electric arc furnace (EAF) technology. The layoffs, expected to take effect by March 23, 2026 , come as Algoma faces mounting financial pressures. The company reported nearly half a billion dollars in losses last quarter and cited “unprecedented tariffs” imposed by the United States as a key factor in reshaping its competitive landscape. Union leaders from United Steelworkers Locals 2724 and 2251 confirmed the layoffs, noting that while the workforce had anticipated job reductions tied to the EAF transition, the U.S. tariffs accelerated ...

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Gaza Residents Return Home as Ceasefire Holds: A New Dawn in Northern Gaza

 

In a significant development, tens of thousands of Palestinians began streaming back to northern Gaza on Monday, January 27, 2025, following a breakthrough in hostage negotiations between Hamas and Israel. The ceasefire agreement, mediated by Qatari officials, has paved the way for the return of displaced residents to their homes.

The breakthrough came after Hamas agreed to release three Israeli hostages, including civilian Arbel Yehud, and Israeli forces began withdrawing from key corridors in Gaza. The first crossing point in central Gaza opened at 7:00 a.m. (0500 GMT), allowing residents to start their journey north. Another crossing opened three hours later, permitting vehicles to pass.

Residents, some carrying infants and bundles of belongings, walked along the coastal road by the Mediterranean Sea shore. "It's like I was born again and we were victorious again," said Umm Mohammed Ali, a Palestinian mother, as she joined the miles-long throng.

The return of displaced Gazans marks a moment of hope amid the prolonged conflict. "My heart is beating, I thought I would never come back," said Osama, a 50-year-old public servant and father of five, as he arrived in Gaza City. "Whether the ceasefire succeeds or not, we will never leave Gaza City and the north again," he added.

The ceasefire agreement also includes staggered releases of hostages over six weeks, with around 1,900 Palestinian prisoners expected to be freed in exchange. The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, but the recent developments have brought a surge of aid into the war-torn region.

As families reunite and rebuild their lives, the hope for lasting peace and stability in Gaza grows stronger.


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