Iran has accepted a two-week ceasefire and will begin talks with the U-S in Islamabad on Friday, while warning the war is not over and that it remains ready to respond.
U-S President Donald Trump pulled back his destructive threats to strike bridges and power plants, tying the pause to reopening the Strait of Hormuz and further negotiations.
The U-N Secretary-General is welcoming the ceasefire and is urging all sides to protect civilians and follow international law.
Israel says the pause applies only to Iran, and not its war with Hezbollah, as attacks and missile alerts continued across the region.
Ottawa plans to address infrastructure gaps across the country with billions of dollars in funding over the coming decade. Prime Minister Mark Carney outlined yesterday how his government plans to dole out roughly 51-billion dollars in the Liberals’ Build Communities Strong Fund. Announced in the 2025 budget, the fund includes cash for infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and water and sewer systems. There is also a significant portion that will be tapped to cut the cost of new housing.
The Atlantic Chamber of Commerce is voicing concerns about the New Brunswick government’s plans to implement a highway toll in Aulac near the boundary with Nova Scotia. The Atlantic Chamber says it’s a move that would contradict internal free trade efforts. It adds that the move will discourage investment and erode economic resilience in the region. New Brunswick plans to set up the toll for out-of-province vehicles by 2028. Premier Susan Holt’s government says the highway levy aims to increase revenue for the province.
The federal government has reduced the amount of money available for beach cleanups. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans says there is 15-million dollars available in the fund over the next three years. The program was worth more than 58 million dollars between 2020 and 2024, but got no money last year. Lost and abandoned fishing gear is a major source of plastic and litter, which impacts the fishing sector.
