Increased patriotism and a desire to support local businesses, fueled by recent political events and a growing awareness of product origins, have led to a surge in sales for several Canadian companies. Ottawa Valley Meats, Blondie Apparel, and Glorified By Society all reported significant sales increases—30%, 35%, and 20%, respectively—since the beginning of the year. This “Made in Canada” movement reflects a shift in consumer behavior, with customers actively seeking out and proudly purchasing Canadian-made goods. The success of these businesses highlights the potential economic impact of supporting domestic producers.
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A Russian attack on Dobropillia, Donetsk, killed at least 14 civilians and injured dozens more, including children, following a missile strike on an apartment building. Simultaneous drone attacks in Bohodukhiv, Kharkiv, resulted in further casualties. This intensified bombardment follows a week of reduced US aid to Ukraine, a move some European leaders attribute to US appeasement of Russia. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy called for increased sanctions against Russia, while condemning the attacks as a vile intimidation tactic.
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Facing potential Starlink withdrawal from Ukraine, the EU Commission is exploring alternative satellite communication solutions. Eutelsat, a Franco-British operator already active in Ukraine, is in discussions with the Commission to significantly increase its capacity, aiming to provide approximately 40,000 terminals within months. This expansion requires substantial financial and logistical support, with the EU considering leveraging existing and planned programs like Govsatcom and IRIS2. The situation highlights the strategic importance of secure and sovereign European satellite communication capabilities.
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Widespread protests across Slovakia continue to denounce Prime Minister Robert Fico’s pro-Russian stance and calls for closer ties with Russia. These demonstrations, fueled by Fico’s recent Moscow visit and his advisors’ pro-Russian statements, demand his resignation. Protesters accuse Fico of undermining Slovakia’s European identity and supporting Russia’s actions in Ukraine, highlighting his controversial comments and policies since his return to power in 2023. The protests underscore deep divisions within Slovakia regarding its geopolitical alignment and the ongoing war in Ukraine.
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The U.S. has informed allies of its intent to limit future European military exercises to those already planned for 2025, impacting exercises in development, particularly in Sweden. This decision reflects a broader shift in U.S. security priorities towards the Indo-Pacific, evidenced by actions such as ending aid to Ukraine and excluding European allies from peace talks. This decreased U.S. involvement is prompting Europe to bolster its own defense capabilities, with the EU potentially allocating €800 billion for increased military spending. The reduced joint operations will impact the long-standing cooperation and readiness testing between the U.S. and its European allies.
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In a recent interview with Chris Cuomo, Tucker Carlson expressed greater sympathy for Vladimir Putin than Volodymyr Zelensky, citing Russia’s perceived economic strength under Putin’s leadership. Carlson further defended Putin’s rule, downplaying accusations of autocracy. He also reiterated his strong anti-immigration stance, asserting that any crime committed by an undocumented immigrant is unacceptable. This pro-Putin stance aligns with Carlson’s past commentary, which has included a Kremlin-facilitated interview with Putin and aligns with pro-Kremlin sentiment within the MAGA movement.
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Following a contentious White House meeting and a U.S. decision to halt intelligence sharing, Russia launched devastating aerial attacks on Ukraine for a second consecutive night, resulting in at least 20 civilian deaths. These attacks, involving missiles and drones, targeted both civilian areas and rescue workers, severely impacting Ukraine’s ability to defend itself. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, while welcoming proposed sanctions on Russia, emphasized Ukraine’s ongoing pursuit of peace and upcoming discussions in Saudi Arabia. The cessation of U.S. intelligence support significantly hampered Ukraine’s defenses against the relentless Russian assault.
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Two agreements were signed in Kiev on March 6th, 2025, granting Ukrainian peas and wild aquatic products access to the Chinese market. Chinese Ambassador Ma Shengkun and Ukrainian official Serhii Tkachuk finalized the deals, furthering agricultural cooperation between the two nations. Ambassador Ma highlighted the significant complementary potential of China-Ukraine agricultural collaboration. The agreements are expected to substantially boost bilateral trade and strengthen the strategic partnership between China and Ukraine.
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Following President Trump’s suspension of US intelligence sharing with Ukraine and his public rebuke of President Zelenskyy, Russia launched major attacks, resulting in civilian casualties. Former UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace criticized Trump’s actions, arguing they undermine Ukrainian morale and hope for resisting Russian aggression. Wallace emphasized the importance of continued support for Ukraine, suggesting that prolonged resistance could cripple the Russian economy. European leaders are now working to fill the intelligence gap left by the US.
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John Q. Hosedrinker