Canada announces counter-tariffs on over 700 U.S. goods
The Canadian federal government on Tuesday announced retaliatory tariffs on over 700 U.S. goods valued at 27.6 billion Canadian dollars (about 20 billion U.S. dollars), alongside a 7.5-billion-Canadian-dollar assistance package for domestic businesses and workers.
Canadian officials said the countermeasures match the total value of Canadian products targeted by the latest 50-percent U.S. tariffs, achieving a "dollar-for-dollar, rate for fate" response. The counter-tariffs are scheduled to take effect officially on Sept. 8.
Trump says Strait of Hormuz cleared of mines, warns against new mine deployments
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that all mines in the international waters of the Strait of Hormuz have been removed or detonated, warning that any vessel placing new mines would be destroyed.
"I have just been informed by the United States Navy that all mines have been removed and/or detonated from within the International Waters of the Strait of Hormuz," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
3 killed in fire at Russian gas chemical complex
The death toll from the fire at the Amur Gas Chemical Complex has risen to three, the facility's press service said on Tuesday.
"According to updated information, unfortunately, the deaths of three employees of contracting organizations have been confirmed: two citizens of China and one citizen of Russia," it said in a statement.
Earlier, it reported that one person had been killed and more than 100 others injured in a fire at a gas-chemical complex under construction in Russia's Far-Eastern Amur region.
Qatari PM discusses Hormuz interim framework with Omani, Iranian FMs over phone
Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani on Tuesday held separate phone calls with foreign ministers of Oman and Iran to discuss a proposed interim framework for the Strait of Hormuz, including a temporary joint navigational corridor and a joint mine-clearance project.
In the call with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, the Qatari prime minister reaffirmed Qatar's support for all diplomatic efforts to reach a solution that ensures freedom of maritime navigation and paves the way for a comprehensive agreement that achieves sustainable peace in the region, according to statements issued by Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Spanish gov't approves bill to reform asylum laws following Ceuta crisis
The Spanish government on Tuesday approved a draft bill to reform the country's asylum and immigration legislation to "adapt Spanish legislation to the European Pact on Migration and Asylum."
Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska announced the changes following Tuesday's cabinet meeting against the backdrop of the recent migration crisis in Ceuta, which saw an estimated 70,000 people enter the Spanish North African enclave from Morocco on July 30, many hoping to travel onward to other parts of the European Union.
12 injured after car rams into pedestrians in Portugal
Twelve people were injured, one seriously, after a car rammed into pedestrians early Tuesday in a bar area in Albufeira, a popular seaside resort in southern Portugal's Algarve region, local authorities said.
The incident occurred at around 3 a.m. local time (0200 GMT) when a 35-year-old man drove the vehicle toward a group of people and ignored repeated orders from police to stop, according to the Portuguese National Republican Guard cited by Lusa news agency.■
