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Channel Tunnel Chaos Enters Day Two as Power Fault Drags On

The disruption, caused by a fault in the system's overhead power supply, on Tuesday upended plans for thousands of passengers in London, Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam. Rail passengers travelling between the UK and mainland Europe are enduring a second day of major disruption after a power failure shut down the Channel Tunnel, halting both Eurostar and LeShuttle services. The fault, linked to the overhead power supply, brought traffic to a standstill and left thousands of travellers stranded on both sides of the Channel. Although some services have begun to move again, operators warn that delays and cancellations will continue while engineers work to stabilise the system. Eurostar has urged passengers to avoid travelling unless essential, as many trains remain suspended or heavily delayed. LeShuttle customers are also facing long queues, with significant backlogs reported at both Folkestone and Calais. The timing has added to the frustration, hitting one of the busiest travel per...

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Canada Strengthens Border Security: Appoints Fentanyl Czar and Pledges $1.3B Investment in Exchange for 30-Day Tariff Pause

 

In a bid to defuse escalating trade tensions, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a series of robust border security measures after a productive phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump. As part of a deal that has paused the imposition of 25% tariffs for 30 days, Trudeau revealed plans to invest C$1.3 billion in enhancing border defenses. This multifaceted plan includes the appointment of a “fentanyl czar” to spearhead the fight against drug smuggling, the listing of cartels as terrorist organizations, and the launch of a Canada–U.S. Joint Strike Force to combat organized crime and money laundering.

Trudeau’s commitment also extends to deploying nearly 10,000 frontline personnel to monitor and secure the northern border. The temporary reprieve, secured through a series of high-level negotiations, is intended to provide both nations with additional time to negotiate a longer-term economic deal. This move comes amid a broader U.S. strategy to curb illegal immigration and the flow of deadly opioids like fentanyl, measures that have sparked a mix of relief and strategic recalibrations on both sides of the border.

The decision to delay tariffs for a month reflects the complex balance between national security concerns and the economic interdependence that defines the U.S.-Canada relationship. While the pause gives Canadian industries crucial time to adjust, Trudeau’s sweeping security initiatives underscore Canada’s determination to protect its borders and its economy against the backdrop of an increasingly turbulent international trade environment.


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