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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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GM's Oshawa Plant to Reduce Shifts Amid U.S. Tariff Concerns


General Motors is set to scale back operations at its Oshawa Assembly Plant this fall, moving from a three-shift system to two shifts. The decision, according to Unifor, the union representing workers, is a direct response to U.S. tariffs imposed on Canadian-built vehicles.

Unifor National President Lana Payne criticized the move, calling it "reckless" and warning that it could have widespread consequences for the auto parts supplier network. The union has urged GM to reconsider its decision, arguing that Canadian jobs should not be sacrificed for political favor.

The shift reduction follows the U.S. government's imposition of a 25% tariff on Canadian-made vehicles in March, a policy that has significantly impacted the Canadian auto industry. GM has stated that it plans to recalibrate the Oshawa plant to focus more on Canadian sales rather than exports to the U.S..

With thousands of jobs potentially affected, Unifor is calling on the Canadian government to take swift action to protect domestic auto manufacturing. The union has also demanded that GM uphold its commitments to Canadian workers and production.

The Oshawa plant, which assembles Chevrolet Silverado trucks, was reopened after significant investments from federal and provincial governments. Now, with the looming shift cuts, workers and industry leaders alike are watching closely to see how GM and policymakers respond.

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