Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned of a strong counterattack if the Islamic Republic is attacked, following US President Donald Trump's threat to bomb Iran unless it reaches a nuclear deal. Trump threatened "bombing" and "secondary tariffs" if Iran doesn't comply, amid a campaign of "maximum pressure". Iran has delivered its response to Trump's letter, which was mediated by UAE adviser Anwar Gargash, but maintains it won't engage in direct talks with the US under current conditions. Khamenei also stated that Iran's allies will not back down in a war with Israel, calling for its eradication.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40355550/khamenei-warns-of-strong-response-if-iran-attackedLindsay, a transit agency official, is re-evaluating its contract tendering process to attract international bidders willing to collaborate with Canadian companies. Due to the "fraught" geopolitical situation, Lindsay is taking a cautious approach to avoid rushing into decisions that might limit potential partners. He notes that U.S. tariffs have caused supply chain delays similar to those experienced during the pandemic, and future contracts must share risk in a way that's manageable and defensible for taxpayers.
https://globalnews.ca/news/11105310/open-heart-surgery-metrolinx-interim-ceo-warns-of-upcoming-subway-construction-disruption/Canada is in a state of crisis, with voters seeking a leader to provide security and reassurance. The country's economy and ties with the US are under strain due to tariffs announced by Donald Trump. Ottawa University professor Genevieve Tellier believes that Mark Carney's comments have captured the mood, emphasizing the need for a "savior" in times of crisis. McGill University's Daniel Beland notes that voters want security and a reassuring figure, leading them to turn to Carney. The upcoming election will determine the next government, with 343 seats at stake, and the party with the most seats may be invited to form a coalition government if no party secures a majority.
https://www.firstpost.com/world/canadas-pm-mark-carney-tops-polls-4-weeks-before-voting-will-he-restore-liberal-partys-old-glory-13875899.htmlRussia aims to increase its army size to 1.5 million active soldiers, surpassing European armies like Germany's and China's. The move is part of a broader defence pivot in Europe, driven by concerns over security after the invasion of Ukraine. German weapons manufacturer Rheinmetall has seen its market capitalisation surge to 55.7bn euros, more than tripling since Donald Trump took office. The EU plans to mobilise up to 800 billion euros for rearmament, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warning of a "clear and present danger" on a scale not seen in decades.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14553895/germany-conscription-prepare-russian-invasion.htmlRussia's assessment of a full-scale conflict with NATO is low due to nuclear escalation risks, but the military is exploring possibilities of limited actions in European countries or globally, potentially employing hybrid warfare tactics.
https://www.fakti.bg/en/world/960740-figaro-france-and-europe-are-preparing-for-a-conflict-with-russiaEuropean and Asian markets plummeted on Monday ahead of US President Donald Trump's tariffs taking effect, which include a 25% charge on all imported vehicles and key car components. The STOXX Europe 600 fell 1.5%, while the UK's FTSE 100 dropped 1.2%. Toyota led the decline in major carmakers' stock with a 6.8% slide in Tokyo, bringing its year-to-date loss to almost 15%. Nissan and Honda also suffered significant losses, with shares falling 4% and 3%, respectively. Trump has said he is "unconcerned" about the impact of tariffs on foreign-made cars, but analysts warn that global automakers will need to revise their expectations downward.
https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/stock-markets-automakers-stumble-trump-tariffs-liberation-day-2025-3The imposition of potential 25% tariffs by President Donald Trump on Canadian imports has caused significant disruptions in the sports equipment industry, particularly among companies that manufacture hockey sticks for the US market. Graeme Roustan, a hockey stick manufacturer and seller, is concerned about the impact of the tariffs on his business, which relies heavily on exports to the US. The close relationship between Canada and the US in terms of hockey has made the prospect of a trade war particularly challenging for companies like Roustan's, with potentially severe financial consequences.
https://apnews.com/article/us-canada-tariffs-hockey-equipment-161275c8e7bcdb4e3dad5d20b473538cUS President Donald Trump has written a letter to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, urging him to negotiate over concerns about Iran's nuclear program. The move comes amid fears of a military confrontation as Iran enriches uranium to near weapons-grade levels. Trump's letter follows his previous attempts to engage with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Israeli Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, which were met with skepticism. The US has warned that it will never let Iran acquire a nuclear weapon, while Iranian officials have threatened to pursue the bomb despite maintaining its program is for peaceful purposes.
https://krcgtv.com/news/nation-world/iran-rejects-direct-talks-with-us-after-trumps-letter-amid-nuclear-tensions-tehran-president-donald-trump-israel-weapons-islamic-republic-masoud-pezeshkian#The UK's machinery and transport sector, worth over £200bn, is particularly vulnerable to the impact of tariffs on global trade. Car manufacturers in Germany are already feeling the effects, with the US being Britain's largest single export market, accounting for £60bn worth of goods exported in 2023. The introduction of "reciprocal tariffs" could further exacerbate the issue, making the UK the fourth most impacted country. Businesses in these industries often rely on outdated methods to assess the impact of tariff changes, which can limit their agility in a volatile trading environment. To overcome this, companies need to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) with simulation technology to model and prioritize "what if" scenarios, providing actionable insights before disruptions occur. This combination allows businesses to remain agile and act quickly, establishing a competitive edge in global trade.
https://www.techradar.com/pro/how-uk-businesses-can-prepare-for-tariff-whiplash