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U.S. Seizure of Russian-Flagged Tanker Heightens Global Tensions

The ship, currently between Iceland and the British Isles, has been accused of breaking US sanctions and shipping Iranian oil. It has historically transported Venezuelan crude oil. The United States has seized a Russian‑flagged oil tanker linked to Venezuela after a prolonged pursuit across the Atlantic, marking one of the most assertive enforcement actions under Washington’s sanctions program. The vessel, previously known as Bella‑1 and later renamed Marinera , was intercepted after evading an earlier boarding attempt near Venezuelan waters. U.S. military aircraft and naval units tracked the ship for weeks as it traveled across the Atlantic, at times shadowed by Russian naval vessels. Officials say the tanker was part of a network used to transport sanctioned Venezuelan and Russian oil. Its capture underscores Washington’s efforts to disrupt what it describes as illicit energy shipments that help sustain both governments. The operation comes at a delicate geopolitical moment, wit...
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Ottawa to Remove Federal Exceptions from Canadian Free Trade Agreement

 

In a significant move to bolster interprovincial trade, the Canadian government has announced the removal of more than half of its federal exceptions from the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA). This decision, spearheaded by Internal Trade Minister Anita Anand, aims to reduce internal trade barriers and enhance economic cooperation across provinces.

The CFTA, established in 2017, was designed to modernize the Agreement on Internal Trade and facilitate the free movement of goods, services, and labor within Canada. However, numerous exceptions have hindered its effectiveness. The federal government initially had 56 exceptions, but with the recent removal of 20 more, the total now stands at 19.

The majority of the removed exceptions pertain to government procurement, providing Canadian businesses with greater opportunities to compete nationwide. This action is expected to lower prices, boost productivity, and add up to $200 billion to the domestic economy.

Minister Anand emphasized the importance of mutual recognition of rules across provinces to streamline labor mobility and reduce regulatory burdens. The federal government is encouraging provinces and territories to follow suit and eliminate their own trade barriers.

This announcement comes at a critical time, as Canada faces potential trade disruptions from the United States. By strengthening internal trade, Canada aims to become less reliant on its southern neighbor and build a more resilient domestic economy.

The Committee on Internal Trade will review the federal changes and continue working with provinces to improve internal trade. More announcements are expected in the coming weeks as Canada strives to create a more open and efficient domestic market.



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