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Israel Expands Military Targets Amid Rising Tensions with Hezbollah

  Israel has intensified its military strategy along the Lebanon border, ordering the destruction of bridges over the Litani River and the demolition of homes near the frontier as tensions with Hezbollah escalate. The move follows recent cross‑border attacks and marks a significant expansion of Israel’s operational objectives.  Israel has ordered its military to destroy all bridges over Lebanon’s Litani River and accelerate the demolition of homes near the Israeli border, according to statements from Defense Minister Israel Katz. The directive comes amid heightened clashes with Hezbollah, which have intensified alongside broader regional conflict dynamics.  The decision follows a deadly incident in which an Israeli civilian was killed near the border after what authorities described as a projectile launched from Lebanese territory. Israeli officials say the targeted bridges are being used to facilitate the movement of Hezbollah fighters and weapons toward the south, ma...
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Trump's America First Trade Policy Targets Canada's Digital Services Tax

In a move that could further strain trade relations between the U.S. and Canada, President Donald Trump has signed an executive order targeting Canada's digital services tax (DST). The DST, enacted by the Liberal government last June, imposes a three percent tax on revenues over $20 million generated in Canada by foreign-based digital giants with incomes of at least $1.1 billion.

Trump's executive order directs the U.S. Treasury and Commerce departments, along with the United States Trade Representative, to investigate whether foreign countries are subjecting American citizens or corporations to discriminatory or extraterritorial taxes. This move is part of Trump's America First Trade Policy, which aims to ensure that America's trading relationships benefit American workers, manufacturers, farmers, ranchers, entrepreneurs, and businesses.

Business groups on both sides of the border have opposed the DST, and the Biden administration had previously requested dispute settlement consultations with Canada under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). However, the consultation period ended in November without further action. Trump's executive order could reignite the dispute, with potential tariffs or other unilateral actions against Canada.

The DST is one of the principal frictions in the trading relationship between the U.S. and Canada, and experts believe that Trump's administration is likely to take action until the tax is withdrawn or an agreement is reached. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce has urged the Canadian government to scrap the tax in response to Trump's executive order.

As the investigation proceeds, the future of Canada's digital services tax remains uncertain, and the potential for increased tariffs or other trade measures looms large.

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