Latest news with #Trump-like
Edmonton Journal
11-07-2025
- Business
- Edmonton Journal
Opinion: Bill C-5: Rest in peace, reconciliation?
Against the backdrop of Donald Trump's threat to Canada's future, the prime minister is embarking on a nation-building project rivalling Sir John A. Macdonald's National Policy. Article content The mantra is 'build, baby, build' with Bill C-5 the midwife of this plan. The haste with which this legislation was rushed through Parliament is troubling many, as was the Trump-like urgency behind getting an agreement on internal trade by Canada Day. Article content Article content Article content There's no question that Mark Carney has a lot of political capital to spend and he has to exploit the honeymoon afterglow. It is also true that the logic of his actions is sound: Canada has been far too dependent on trade with the Americans — an understandable strategy if a multibillion-dollar market sits on your doorstep. Article content Article content With that market disappearing, moves to find others in Europe and beyond are necessary, as are plans to forge a closer relationship with the European Union. However, embedding the ability to bypass pesky regulations and perhaps limit public consultations to accelerate construction of major projects, does not inspire confidence. Legitimate concerns have been expressed by, among others, Indigenous and environmental groups, who feel that their voices will be muted, if not silenced. Article content The cost of living and the housing shortage dominated the recent federal election, easing out issues like climate change, health care, et cetera. Here again, not surprising, since having a roof over one's head must take precedence over everything else. Building housing at breakneck speed is one thing, but fast-tracking mega-projects is something else entirely. Is it wise to put the environment on the back burner when evidence of a warming planet smacks us in the face every summer? And is there not a danger that Indigenous interests may be sidelined in pursuit of a new National Policy? RIP Reconciliation? Article content Article content The duty to consult Indigenous groups has been affirmed and clarified by various Supreme Court decisions and Canada's ratification of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People. The latter obliges the federal government to uphold the principle of 'free, prior and informed consent' of Indigenous groups before resource-development projects affecting their lands can proceed. Article content It is important to point out that Aboriginal groups have a very different attitude to decision-making. They do not make important decisions lightly. They consider their impact far into the future to determine how the seventh generation will be affected. While this might seem excessive to Settler society, one would hope that we would, at the very least, consider the repercussions of our actions on our grandchildren. Article content In fact, we could learn much from Indigenous values and attitudes to resources, especially with respect to water. Aboriginal groups do not frame the discussion in terms of their rights to water — rather, the focus is on their obligations to it. While Settlers believe they have dominion over the earth, Indigenous people adhere to an ethic of responsibility when interacting with water and other resources. They consider themselves stewards of nature's bounty obliged to protect and preserve it for future generations.
Business Insider
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Insider
5 awkward quotes from Donald Trump during his meeting with 5 African leaders
Donald Trump's anticipated meeting with five African leaders, including the presidents of Mauritania, Senegal, Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, and Liberia, took place on July 9, 2025, as scheduled. The heads of state present at the meeting had a great deal of issues to address. Donald Trump met with five African leaders on July 9, 2025, to discuss trade, security, and investment. The meeting followed his successful peace agreement between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Trump's rhetorical style was evident during the discussions, making several notable statements. Following the historic peace deal Trump was able to broker between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, the U.S. president scheduled a meeting with 5 other African leaders to discuss trade, regional security, and investment. The meeting, which was held on Wednesday, went about as typically as anyone would have hoped for, relative to Trump's other meetings with world leaders, notably the contentious and hostile sessions with the presidents of Ukraine and South Africa. While Trump's meeting with the five African heads of state was as civil as it gets, it was not void of Trump's signature rhetorical style. Few political figures in recent history have captivated the public's attention like Donald Trump. His litigious style, which is typically direct, combative, and unique, has attracted and divided audiences in the United States and the world over. Whether making campaign speeches, tweeting, or participating in televised debates, Trump's style of discourse has constantly ignored established political norms. With that said, here are the 5 most Trump-like things the U.S. president said to the five African leaders during their meeting. 'There's a lot of anger on your continent; we've been able to solve a lot of it.' The U.S president said this in his welcome note, referring to the peace deal he initiated between Rwanda and the DRC. The anger on the continent in his context referenced the wars in Libya, Sudan, and every other conflict-ridden region. 'You guys are going to fight; we're not going to trade.' This was said by Donald Trump when he was addressing the measures the United States takes against warring states that it sanctions. His point here was that he is willing to trade with African countries as long as they are not fighting. 'We've encouraged the countries here today to make greater investments in defence, hopefully, of course, buying our equipment, because we do make the best defense equipment, I guess we proved that two weeks ago in Iran.' This quote by the American president is practically self-explanatory, as his goal with this statement was to encourage the buying of American-made weapons by African countries. 'I haven't thought of it, but maybe, I don't know, I like him, him, him, and him, no, I don't think so, not too much, these are friends of mine now.' Donald Trump responded to a reporter's question about imposing hefty tariffs on the countries represented by the leaders present. He pointed to four of the five African leaders there, stating that he liked them and would be hesitant to impose large tariffs on their countries. "Such good English, where did you learn to speak so beautifully? I have people at this table who can't speak nearly as well." Perhaps the most controversial statement from Trump during the meeting, given how much it has been trending on social media, Trump asked Liberia's president where he learnt to speak English so well. This has come across as passive-aggressive to some people, as they claim that the president's statement implies that Africa is illiterate. Some say it's driven by ignorance, given that Liberia is an English-speaking country, something the U.S president should have been aware of. The rest of the African leaders present at the meeting spoke French.
Business Insider
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Insider
5 most absurd things Donald Trump recently said to 5 African leaders
Donald Trump's anticipated meeting with five African leaders, including the presidents of Mauritania, Senegal, Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, and Liberia, took place on July 9, 2025, as scheduled. The heads of state present at the meeting had a great deal of issues to address. Donald Trump met with five African leaders on July 9, 2025, to discuss trade, security, and investment. The meeting followed his successful peace agreement between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Trump's rhetorical style was evident during the discussions, making several notable statements. Following the historic peace deal Trump was able to broker between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, the U.S. president scheduled a meeting with 5 other African leaders to discuss trade, regional security, and investment. The meeting, which was held on Wednesday, went about as typically as anyone would have hoped for, relative to Trump's other meetings with world leaders, notably the contentious and hostile sessions with the presidents of Ukraine and South Africa. While Trump's meeting with the five African heads of state was as civil as it gets, it was not void of Trump's signature rhetorical style. Few political figures in recent history have captivated the public's attention like Donald Trump. His litigious style, which is typically direct, combative, and unique, has attracted and divided audiences in the United States and the world over. Whether making campaign speeches, tweeting, or participating in televised debates, Trump's style of discourse has constantly ignored established political norms. With that said, here are the 5 most Trump-like things the U.S. president said to the five African leaders during their meeting. 'There's a lot of anger on your continent; we've been able to solve a lot of it.' The U.S president said this in his welcome note, referring to the peace deal he initiated between Rwanda and the DRC. The anger on the continent in his context referenced the wars in Libya, Sudan, and every other conflict-ridden region. 'You guys are going to fight; we're not going to trade.' This was said by Donald Trump when he was addressing the measures the United States takes against warring states that it sanctions. His point here was that he is willing to trade with African countries as long as they are not fighting. 'We've encouraged the countries here today to make greater investments in defence, hopefully, of course, buying our equipment, because we do make the best defense equipment, I guess we proved that two weeks ago in Iran.' This quote by the American president is practically self-explanatory, as his goal with this statement was to encourage the buying of American-made weapons by African countries. 'I haven't thought of it, but maybe, I don't know, I like him, him, him, and him, no, I don't think so, not too much, these are friends of mine now.' Donald Trump responded to a reporter's question about imposing hefty tariffs on the countries represented by the leaders present. He pointed to four of the five African leaders there, stating that he liked them and would be hesitant to impose large tariffs on their countries. "Such good English, where did you learn to speak so beautifully? I have people at this table who can't speak nearly as well." Perhaps the most controversial statement from Trump during the meeting, given how much it has been trending on social media, Trump asked Liberia's president where he learnt to speak English so well. This has come across as passive-aggressive to some people, as they claim that the president's statement implies that Africa is illiterate. Some say it's driven by ignorance, given that Liberia is an English-speaking country, something the U.S president should have been aware of. The rest of the African leaders present at the meeting spoke French.
Business Insider
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Insider
5 most absurd Trump-like things Donald Trump recently said to 5 African leaders
Donald Trump's anticipated meeting with five African leaders, including the presidents of Mauritania, Senegal, Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, and Liberia, took place on July 9, 2025, as scheduled. The heads of state present at the meeting had a great deal of issues to address. Donald Trump met with five African leaders on July 9, 2025, to discuss trade, security, and investment. The meeting followed his successful peace agreement between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Trump's rhetorical style was evident during the discussions, making several notable statements. Following the historic peace deal Trump was able to broker between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, the U.S. president scheduled a meeting with 5 other African leaders to discuss trade, regional security, and investment. The meeting, which was held on Wednesday, went about as typically as anyone would have hoped for, relative to Trump's other meetings with world leaders, notably the contentious and hostile sessions with the presidents of Ukraine and South Africa. While Trump's meeting with the five African heads of state was as civil as it gets, it was not void of Trump's signature rhetorical style. Few political figures in recent history have captivated the public's attention like Donald Trump. His litigious style, which is typically direct, combative, and unique, has attracted and divided audiences in the United States and the world over. Whether making campaign speeches, tweeting, or participating in televised debates, Trump's style of discourse has constantly ignored established political norms. With that said, here are the 5 most Trump-like things the U.S. president said to the five African leaders during their meeting. 'There's a lot of anger on your continent; we've been able to solve a lot of it.' The U.S president said this in his welcome note, referring to the peace deal he initiated between Rwanda and the DRC. The anger on the continent in his context referenced the wars in Libya, Sudan, and every other conflict-ridden region. 'You guys are going to fight; we're not going to trade.' This was said by Donald Trump when he was addressing the measures the United States takes against warring states that it sanctions. His point here was that he is willing to trade with African countries as long as they are not fighting. 'We've encouraged the countries here today to make greater investments in defence, hopefully, of course, buying our equipment, because we do make the best defense equipment, I guess we proved that two weeks ago in Iran.' This quote by the American president is practically self-explanatory, as his goal with this statement was to encourage the buying of American-made weapons by African countries. 'I haven't thought of it, but maybe, I don't know, I like him, him, him, and him, no, I don't think so, not too much, these are friends of mine now.' Donald Trump responded to a reporter's question about imposing hefty tariffs on the countries represented by the leaders present. He pointed to four of the five African leaders there, stating that he liked them and would be hesitant to impose large tariffs on their countries. Perhaps the most controversial statement from Trump during the meeting, given how much it has been trending on social media, Trump asked Liberia's president where he learnt to speak English so well. This has come across as passive-aggressive to some people, as they claim that the president's statement implies that Africa is illiterate. Some say it's driven by ignorance, given that Liberia is an English-speaking country, something the U.S president should have been aware of. The rest of the African leaders present at the meeting spoke French.
Irish Examiner
26-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
International buyers ensure Kinsale property values continue to soar
When it comes to lifestyle locations, Kinsale is a leading contender not just in the Irish context, but also internationally. Its experience now over half of a century as a top visitor destination has embedded itself deeply into not only 'brand awareness' but also into a new generation of locals and recently arrived residents, with a knock-on impact on the town and hinterland's property market too, for better and for worse. Few other Irish spots, coastal or inland, have the attributes that cosmopolitan Kinsale has: it ticks location boxes, but is also stunning scenic thanks to an up-and-down topography, with a mix of harbour, river and rugged coastline and cliff-ringed variations among its valleys and backwater hideaways. Add in blessed with proximity to an international airport and port city (Cork) with third-level college and strong employment base; beaches for sea-swimmers, surfers and saunas, a wide array of leisure activities and sports from the traditional and inclusive to the rather more exclusive, with upper echelons typified by the arrival of super-yachts at the marinas, and helicopters at the Old Head of Kinsale. Influxes of cash, be it dollars or euros, keep shops, cafes and crafts, galleries and gourmet restaurants afloat too, increasing year-round, and the consequent cash-rich culture and presence of High Net Worth Individuals (HNWIs) has of course been widely remarked upon. The Dock, Kinsale, Co Cork. At the top of the Munster market in terms of top house sales and values, Kinsale continues to attract local, national and overseas buyers. Picture: Dan Linehan Given international uncertainties, wars and tragedies abroad, from the Ukraine to the Middle East, Iran and the Gulf to the Gulf of America (we mean this more in terms of US political divide than the attempted rebranding of waters around Mexico!) to climate change, raging forest fires, rising sea levels, and soaring temperatures in the Mediterranean and other traditional playgrounds of the rich and famous, the allure of a more temperate, even-handed, politically stable locations such as Ireland are only going to grow in appeal to the internationally mobile. That's even more so in the case of a place like Kinsale where, at the very upper end of the market where internation capital is swilling around hot-spots like Scilly/Ardbrack and Compass Hill/Sandycove, fears are being expressed about 'becoming a Trump-like copycat of America's despicable wealth culture, which seems to be permeating within Kinsale itself as well as elsewhere within our country,' to cite one letter writer to this newspaper after the virtual demolition of a period seaside home bought for many millions of euros. While that's not typical of the wider market, Kinsale is well used to the knock and rebuild culture evident since native and overseas buyers eyed Kinsale up after the depressed 1980s: there's never been so much wealth around as right now, it's clear. Kinsale already tops the Munster market in terms of top house sales and values, with a fistful in the c.€5m league in the past three years: this threshold will be breached for sure in the coming months or year when Coolmain Castle on 36 acres with water frontage west of Kinsale and the Old Head moves to new hands. Priced at a far from Mickey Mouse sum of €7.5 million, Coolmain Castle came to the international market this April, after 36 years in Disney family hands, offered via agents Hodnett Forde and Lisney, rightly making waves beyond Irish shores. Coolmain indeed is a world-class property, and the eventual selling price will reflect that. The big question is: 'Who will be the buyer?' Bigger than Disney? A golfer? An under-the-radar billionaire seeking Irish seaside sanctuary? 'Coolmain Castle has attracted significant international interest and a handful of viewings have taken place so far,' says Trevor O'Sullivan of Lisney Sotheby's International Realty. He says Kinsale 'has been a hub of activity in 2025 once the spring selling season kicked in, with the brighter days and longer evenings. With the current Trump administration in power, we are noticing a large increase in overseas and predominately American buyers. In fact, some weeks we receive up to five calls in a week directly from American buyers looking to move to Ireland to buy a permanent home or buy a holiday home for three months of the year.' Kinsale, Co Cork. Picture: Dan Linehan Lisney alone had two significant Kinsale €1 million+ closings in the past six months or so, one historic in the heart of town (Fisherman's Hall), the other at Garretstown: 'both properties attracted significant overseas interest and also interest from Cork/Dublin,' says Mr O'Sullivan. The dozen+ Kinsale hinterland property market priced in excess of €1m is about to be added to by two more major listings west of the town along the coast (think Kilbritain/Coolmain area), hints Lisney Sotheby's IR colleague Eileen Neville. As they are prepped, Ms Neville reports 'renewed interest from both European and US buyers in Kinsale. Early this year, following Trump's election, enquiries surged as Americans explored relocation and investment options. While the introduction of tariffs temporarily dampened momentum, activity has picked up again now that those measures are on hold. 'Kinsale's coastal charm, vibrant community, and relative value compared to US and some European markets continue to attract buyers seeking long-term homes and summer residences,' Ms Neville adds. Yankee dollar 'US dollar buyers continue to be prolific,' says estate agent Brendan Bowe who opened his third Cork office in Kinsale a few years back just as prices further ratcheted up, and he reports 'a welcome increase in supply over last year, it definitely seems to be on the rise.' Typically, Q1 of any year is quiet, he says, with preliminary 'scoping' from overseas with activity then getting more real in Q2', but this year 'we saw boots on the ground in Q1, the American buyer has really been quite prolific. Mr Bowe adds there's been an uptick too in European buyers, partly due the ongoing war in Ukraine and Russian aggression spooking those living closer to Eastern Europe. While the Irish Examiner has tracked the purchases such as those by US billionaire James Berwind who so far has spent over €20m on a handful of Kinsale homes, especially around a Sandycove headland, 'there are fantastic Irish buyers too, from the wider Cork area and beyond, as well as those in the diaspora who have done very well and may be looking to return home. It's not just big billionaire and business names and the occasional celebrity (local rumours of a certain U2 band/family member buyer have resurfaced this summer!) that are doing the deals. 'There's an extraordinary strength and calibre of buyer now that goes unremarked upon, from company vice-presidents to financial controllers and cloud retailers, we don't realise how well connected these people are in the world of law, finance and venture capital — they have such a global reach and network,' says Brendan Bowe: 'There are opportunities here for them and their families, and of course the ability to remote work has been a game-changer.' As other local estate agents attest, Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDA's) are increasingly common, but this being Ireland, and Kinsale being Kinsale, news of who's bid or bought locally soon leaks out, via a presence in bars and restaurants, or in marinas or at Cork Airport when private jets flit in and out. Then, there's the Old Head of Kinsale Golf Course when serious old money rubs shoulders with cyber currency kiddos working on their handicaps and social networking: 'The Old Head has been phenomenally good for Kinsale, but then, Kinsale has been very good to the Old Head too,' says Mr Bowe, noting a small number of internation members have bought locally thinking 'it's time to have a pad or a pied a terre in Kinsale ... and some of them don't even play golf it's just 'their club'.' Kinsale, Co Cork. Picture: Dan Linehan
