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Australian black market tobacco sparks firebombings, budget hole
Australian black market tobacco sparks firebombings, budget hole
by  AFP

Sky-high tobacco prices in Australia have created a lucrative black market, analysts say, sparking a violent "tobacco war" and syphoning away billions in potential tax revenue. In March, the government cut its budget forecast for tobacco tax revenue in the period to 2029 by Aus$6.9 billion.

Protesters denounce Musk at Tesla dealerships in US, Europe
Protesters denounce Musk at Tesla dealerships in US, Europe
by  AFP

Demonstrators descended on Tesla dealerships across the United States and Europe on Saturday to protest company chief Elon Musk, who has amassed extraordinary power as a top advisor to US President Donald Trump. Hundreds rallied Saturday outside the Tesla dealership in New York's Manhattan.

UK dreams of US trade deal before Trump tariffs
UK dreams of US trade deal before Trump tariffs
by  AFP

Britain's government is hoping to reach a last-minute post-Brexit trade agreement with Washington to avoid -- or at least mitigate -- more tariffs set to be announced on Wednesday by US President Donald Trump. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour party that won power in July, visited Washington at the end of February and came away hopeful an accord could be reached.

'Defiant' Canada autoworkers vow to fight tariff layoffs
'Defiant' Canada autoworkers vow to fight tariff layoffs
by  AFP

Jeff Gray, a union leader for Canadians working for GM, has a message for companies considering moving auto jobs to the United States in response to President Donald Trump's tariffs. Gray said his great-grandfather was a founding member of the union in 1937, and multiple relatives have worked for GM since, a story common across Oshawa.

Trump auto tariffs strike at heart of North American trade
Trump auto tariffs strike at heart of North American trade
by  AFP

US President Donald Trump's tariffs on imported cars strike at the heart of a North American free trade agreement, threatening to disrupt supply chains and raise prices, experts say. - More expensive cars - Analysts and US trading partners warn that the tariffs will raise prices for American consumers.

Vance says Denmark has 'under invested' in Greenland
Vance says Denmark has 'under invested' in Greenland
by  AFP

US Vice President JD Vance accused Denmark on Friday of not having done enough to protect Greenland, when he visited the strategically placed, resource-rich Danish territory coveted by US President Donald Trump.

Trump, Canada PM ease tensions with 'productive' call
Trump, Canada PM ease tensions with 'productive' call
by  AFP

US President Donald Trump said he had an "extremely productive" first call Friday with Canada's new Prime Minister Mark Carney, after soaring tensions over tariffs and Trump's repeated calls to annex his northern neighbor. His post on Friday was notable for its diplomacy, as Trump gave Carney his official title of prime minister and made no reference to his annexation drive.

US 'in arrears' at the WTO
US 'in arrears' at the WTO
by  AFP

The United States has not paid its 2024 dues to the World Trade Organization and is therefore now deemed to be in "arrears", the WTO's spokesman said Friday. Washington has also not yet paid its dues for 2025, though contributions from the WTO's 166 members often do not come in until mid-year.