Trump says US has given Ukraine too many weapons in first public comments on pause in shipments
Speaking to reporters before boarding Air Force One for a flight to Iowa, Trump said former President Joe Biden 'emptied out our whole country giving them weapons, and we have to make sure that we have enough for ourselves.'
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Winnipeg Free Press
22 minutes ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Egypt says Ethiopia's completed power-generating dam lacks a legally binding agreement
CAIRO (AP) — Egypt said Friday that Ethiopia has consistently lacked the political will to reach a binding agreement on its now-complete dam, an issue that involves Nile River water rights and the interests of Egypt and Sudan. Ethiopia's prime minister said Thursday that the country's power-generating dam, known as the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, on the Nile is now complete and that the government is 'preparing for its official inauguration' in September. Egypt has long opposed the construction of the dam, because it would reduce the country's share of Nile River waters, which it almost entirely relies on for agriculture and to serve its more than 100 million people. The more than the $4 billion dam on the Blue Nile near the Sudan border began producing power in 2022. It's expected to eventually produce more than 6,000 megawatts of electricity — double Ethiopia's current output. Ethiopia and Egypt have spent years trying to reach an agreement over the dam, which Ethiopia began building in 2011. At one point, tensions ran so high that some feared the dispute would escalate to war. Both countries reached no deal despite negotiations over 13 years, and it remains unclear how much water Ethiopia will release downstream in case of a drought. Egyptian officials, in a statement, called the completion of the dam 'unlawful' and said that it violates international law, reflecting 'an Ethiopian approach driven by an ideology that seeks to impose water hegemony' instead of equal partnership. 'Egypt firmly rejects Ethiopia's continued policy of imposing a fait accompli through unilateral actions concerning the Nile River, which is an international shared watercourse,' Egypt's Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation said in a statement Friday. Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, in his address to lawmakers Thursday, said that his country 'remains committed to ensuring that our growth does not come at the expense of our Egyptian and Sudanese brothers and sisters.' 'We believe in shared progress, shared energy, and shared water,' he said. 'Prosperity for one should mean prosperity for all.' However, the Egyptian water ministry said Friday that Ethiopian statements calling for continued negotiations 'are merely superficial attempts to improve its image on the international stage.' 'Ethiopia's positions, marked by evasion and retreat while pursuing unilateralism, are in clear contradiction with its declared willingness to negotiate,' the statement read. However, Egypt is addressing its water needs by expanding agricultural wastewater treatment and improving irrigation systems, according to the ministry, while also bolstering cooperation with Nile Basin countries through backing development and water-related projects.
Global News
23 minutes ago
- Global News
What is liquefied natural gas? A closer look at Canada's milestone shipment
This week, Canada marked a milestone as the first tanker set out from northern B.C. carrying liquefied natural gas bound for markets in Asia. Industry members billed the export as a 'truly historic moment' in comments to Reuters. And while Canada is rich in natural resources, including those like natural gases, which can be used for producing electricity, there are still differing views about the long-term benefits for the economy. Natural gas is currently produced and distributed within Canada and to the United States mainly via pipelines, but new technology means it can also be processed into a liquefied form, which makes it possible to ship it to other parts of the world. Although LNG Canada highlights the benefits for economic and job growth in Canada, others warn that the industry's current trajectory may not be the best way forward if the government is set on meeting its own emissions goals. Story continues below advertisement At the same time, Canada is in the midst of work to broaden its trading to make the country less reliant on the United States amid U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war. 'Canada is the fifth largest producer and the fourth largest exporter of natural gases in the world,' says Adam Fremeth, professor of energy policy at the Ivey Business School. 'The only customer from our exports has historically been the U.S.' So what is liquefied natural gas, and what does this signal about the industry in Canada? What is LNG? Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is the result of processing natural gas from pipelines into a form that is easier to store and export via cargo ship. The technology to make LNG in Canada has been in the works for the better part of a decade, and aims to help expand exports to other markets beyond the U.S. Story continues below advertisement The main processing facility is located in Kitimat, B.C., which is set to expand its capacity in the coming years with investments from the federal government as well as international stakeholders. 1:03 First LNG tanker arrives in Kitimat, B.C. On Monday, LNG Canada said its first cargo ship stocked with liquefied natural gas left B.C. and is due to arrive in Asia by the end of the week, with more ships expected to set sail soon. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy According to Natural Resources Canada, which cites the Conference Board of Canada, exporting 30 million tonnes of LNG per year would generate $6 billion in revenue for the federal and provincial governments. 'What I see here with these LNG projects are actually opportunities to have net new growth for our economy. Some estimates put this one LNG project as increasing Canadian gross domestic product by just under half a per cent. That's significant. This is material gains to our economy,' Fremeth says. Story continues below advertisement How does this fit in with the trade war? Canada's economy is facing mounting pressure for Ottawa to diversify trading partners amid the trade war. But this LNG project dates back long before talk of tariffs. 'The pipeline that had to get placed took years of negotiation and consultation with Indigenous groups to be finalized, and this one project was $40 billion in the ground,' Fremeth says. 'While this is the first time we're actually exporting (LNG) product, it's just a coincidence that it happens to be at the time that we face new trade pressures with the main trading partner that we have to the south.' Prime Minister Mark Carney is working towards a new trade deal with Trump, with an eye to finalizing that by July 21. It's not yet clear what could be in that deal but Carney has said it focuses on trade and security, and vows to diversify Canada's trading partners to make the economy less reliant on the U.S. Story continues below advertisement 'I'd see no reasons that we wouldn't be continuing to sell natural gas to the U.S., as companies like Enbridge and TC Energy have investments in pipeline systems that are very well integrated into the U.S., and so I don't see that going anywhere,' Fremeth says. 11:59 Canada could become Asia's largest supplier of liquid natural gas: energy CEO Why is the focus on LNG now? Pressure on Canada to speed up LNG projects also began before the current trade war, after Russia invaded Ukraine. Story continues below advertisement At the time, sanctions on Russian exports, including those of energy like natural gas, meant some European countries were looking at whether Canada could help fill the gaps. With LNG projects at the time in the early stages, it may have been a lost opportunity for Canada. 'About three years ago, soon after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the German chancellor had come over for meetings with Justin Trudeau, the prime minister at the time. Some of the conversation had to do about getting energy products to western and eastern Europe, and we didn't have an answer for the Germans,' Fremeth says. 'Right now, there's sustained effort to get projects built and I think that could help. There's premium that comes from LNG and being able to sell our product to broader markets around the world.' Trudeau said at the time that Canada would need a 'strong business case' to get LNG shipments to Europe, given the distance. 2:54 Trudeau says strong 'business case' needed to increase LNG exports to Germany Further expansion of Canada's natural gas production and export capabilities, including for LNG, could mean more business opportunities with Asian and European markets. Story continues below advertisement However, there may be more hesitancy and skepticism about the long-term outlook for the industry that could mean delays for some of these projects. As of now, the Carney government is still moving forward with Canada's goal to reach net-zero emissions targets by 2050. 'The Paris Agreement goals that we have set for ourselves limit to a great extent our ability to produce natural gas, given that it's still a fossil fuel that needs to be phased out, ultimately, same as coal and oil. A great increase in production and export of LNG would be incompatible with these goals,' says economist and senior advisor Renaud Gignac at Investors for Paris Compliance. Gignac, though, cautions that in the longer term, development of other natural resources like Canada's critical minerals will likely be a more strategic investment as global demand soars. 'From a long-term perspective, LNG investments are not the best that we can make with our limited resources. The outlook is more favourable in other sectors like critical minerals that will respond to a need in a transitioning economy,' Gignac says. 'We have to remember that even if Trump is in power, the transition to lower-emission sources of energy is not going away. So that's why the economic outlook for fossil fuels is not favourable.'
Toronto Sun
36 minutes ago
- Toronto Sun
Russia launches largest missile and drone barrage on Kyiv since war in Ukraine began
Published Jul 04, 2025 • 5 minute read Smoke rises after a Russian strike on Kyiv, Ukraine, on Friday, July 4, 2025. Photo by Yehor Konovalov / AP KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Waves of drones and missiles targeted Kyiv overnight in the largest aerial assault since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began more than three years ago, officials said Friday, amid a renewed Russian push to capture more of its neighbour's land. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Hours after the barrage that killed one person and wounded at least 26 others, including a child, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he had a 'very important and productive' phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump. The two leaders discussed how Ukrainian air defenses might be strengthened, possible joint weapons production between the U.S. and Ukraine, and broader U.S-led efforts to end the war with Russia, according to a statement by Zelenksyy. The U.S. has paused some shipments of military aid to Ukraine, including crucial air defence missiles. Ukraine's main European backers are considering how they can help pick up the slack. Zelenskyy says plans are afoot to build up Ukraine's domestic arms industry, but scaling up will take time. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment about the call. The seven-hour bombardment of Kyiv caused severe damage across multiple districts of the capital in a seven-hour onslaught, authorities said. Blasts lit up the night sky and echoed across the city as air raid sirens wailed. The blue lights of emergency vehicles reflected off high-rise buildings, and debris blocked city streets. 'It was a harsh, sleepless night,' Zelenskyy said. Russia has been stepping up its long-range attacks on Ukrainian cities. Less than a week ago, Russia launched what was then the largest aerial assault of the war. That strategy has coincided with a concerted Russian effort to break through parts of the roughly 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line, where Ukrainian troops are under severe pressure. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Russia launched 550 drones and missiles across Ukraine during the night, the country's air force said. The majority were Shahed drones, but Russia also launched 11 missiles in the attack. Alya Shahlai, a 23-year-old Kyiv wedding photographer, said that her home was destroyed in the attack. 'We were all in the (basement) shelter because it was so loud, staying home would have been suicidal,' she told The Associated Press. 'We went down 10 minutes before and then there was a loud explosion and the lights went out in the shelter, people were panicking.' Five ambulances were damaged while responding to calls, officials said, and emergency services removed more than 300 tons of rubble. Trump, Zelenskyy talks In Friday's call, Zelenskyy said he congratulated Trump and the American people on Independence Day and thanked the United States for its continued support. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. They discussed a possible future meeting between their teams to explore ways of enhancing Ukraine's protection against air attacks, Zelenskyy said. He added that they talked in detail about defense industry capabilities and direct joint projects with the U.S., particularly in drone technology. They also exchanged views on mutual procurement, investment, and diplomatic cooperation with international partners, Zelenskyy said. Peace efforts have been fruitless so far. Recent direct peace talks have led only to sporadic exchanges of prisoners of war, wounded troops and the bodies of fallen soldiers. No date has been set for further negotiations. Ukrainian officials and the Russian Defense Ministry said another prisoner swap took place Friday, though neither side said how many soldiers were involved. Zelenskyy said most of the Ukrainians had been in Russian captivity since 2022. The Ukrainian soldiers were classified as 'wounded and seriously ill.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. A local woman walks past cars destroyed by a Russian strike in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Friday, July 4, 2025. Photo by Evgeniy Maloletka / AP The attack on Kyiv began the same day a phone call took place between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Asked if he made any progress during his call with Putin on a deal to end the fighting in Ukraine, Trump said: 'No, I didn't make any progress with him today at all.' 'I'm very disappointed with the conversation I had today with President Putin because I don't think he's there. I don't think he's looking to stop (the fighting), and that's too bad,' Trump said. According to Yuri Ushakov, Putin's foreign affairs adviser, the Russian leader emphasized that Moscow will seek to achieve its goals in Ukraine and remove the 'root causes' of the conflict. 'Russia will not back down from these goals,' Ushakov told reporters after the call. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Russia's army crossed the border on Feb. 24, 2022, in an all-out invasion that Putin sought to justify by falsely saying it was needed to protect Russian-speaking civilians in eastern Ukraine and prevent the country from joining NATO. Zelenskyy has repeatedly called out Russian disinformation efforts. Constant buzzing of drones The Ukrainian response needs to be speedy as Russia escalates its aerial attacks. Russia launched 5,438 drones at Ukraine in June, a new monthly record, according to official data collated by The Associated Press. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said earlier this week that Russia also launched more than 330 missiles, including nearly 80 ballistic missiles, at Ukrainian towns and cities that month. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Throughout the night, AP journalists in Kyiv heard the constant buzzing of drones overhead and the sound of explosions and intense machine gun fire as Ukrainian forces tried to intercept the aerial assault. 'Absolutely horrible and sleepless night in Kyiv,' Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha wrote on social media platform X. 'One of the worst so far.' Ukraine's Economy Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko described 'families running into metro stations, basements, underground parking garages, mass destruction in the heart of our capital.' 'What Kyiv endured last night, cannot be called anything but a deliberate act of terror,' she wrote on X. Kyiv was the primary target of the countrywide attack. At least 14 people were hospitalized, according to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Zelenskyy called the Kyiv attack 'cynical.' In Moscow, the Defense Ministry claimed its forces targeted factories producing drones and other military equipment in Kyiv. Russia strikes 5 Ukrainian regions Ukrainian air defenses shot down 270 targets, including two cruise missiles. Another 208 targets were lost from radar and presumed jammed. Russia successfully hit eight locations with nine missiles and 63 drones. Debris from intercepted drones fell across at least 33 sites. In addition to the capital, the Dnipropetrovsk, Sumy, Kharkiv, Chernihiv and Kyiv regions also sustained damage, Zelenskyy said. Emergency services reported damage in at least five of Kyiv's 10 districts. Editorial Cartoons Toronto Blue Jays News World Toronto & GTA
