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Lebanon Seeks to Distance State from Hezbollah After Cyprus Drone Incident

                                                         File photo: Youssef Ragg Lebanon has urged Cypriot authorities and the public not to conflate the Lebanese state with Hezbollah following a drone strike that originated from Lebanese territory and hit Cyprus six days earlier. Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi emphasized that the attack was carried out independently by Hezbollah and does not reflect the policies, values, or intentions of the Lebanese government.  Raggi stressed that Lebanon rejects any attempt to use its territory for external agendas and reiterated that Hezbollah’s actions fall outside the state’s legal authority. He called on Cyprus to distinguish between the official Lebanese government and groups operating autonomously, noting that Lebanon has consistently affirmed its sovereignty ...
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Trump Claims Carney Apologized Over Ontario’s Anti-Tariff Ad

United States President Donald Trump looks towards Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney as they raise their glasses during a toast at a working dinner in Gyeongju, South Korea on Wednesday, Oct 29, 2025. 

U.S. President Donald Trump has reignited tensions in Canada-U.S. trade relations, asserting that Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney personally apologized for an Ontario government advertisement that criticized tariffs. The ad, which aired earlier this month, featured clips of former U.S. president Ronald Reagan speaking about free trade, framing his words as an argument against tariffs.

Trump, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, dismissed the ad as misleading. He argued that Reagan “loved tariffs” and accused Ontario of twisting the late president’s message. According to Trump, Carney acknowledged the controversy and offered an apology during their recent meeting in Asia. “I have a very good relationship with Carney. I like him a lot, but what they did was wrong. He was very nice. He apologized for what they did with the commercial,” Trump said.

The fallout from the ad has been significant. Trump abruptly cancelled ongoing trade negotiations with Canada, citing the commercial as a key reason. He made clear that talks would not resume in the near future, despite his insistence that he maintains a cordial relationship with Carney.

The Ontario government, led by Premier Doug Ford, had defended the ad as a way to highlight the risks of tariffs for both Canadian and American consumers. The one-minute spot aired widely, including during high-profile broadcasts, and was designed to appeal directly to U.S. audiences.

While Carney has not publicly confirmed Trump’s account of an apology, his office has emphasized Canada’s willingness to return to the negotiating table “when the Americans are ready.” For now, however, the dispute underscores how quickly political messaging can spill over into international diplomacy, with economic consequences for both sides.


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