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Biden Is Touring Collapsed Baltimore Bridge Where Recovery Effort Has Political Overtones

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Washington — President Joe Biden is due to see firsthand attempts to remove the huge remnants of Baltimore’s fallen Francis Scott Key Bridge on Friday as cranes, ships, and dive crews strive to reopen one of the country’s main commerce lanes.

Biden will receive briefings from the United States Coast Guard and the Army Corps of Engineers. On March 26, a sizable cargo ship struck and destroyed the bridge while eight laborers, all of whom were immigrants from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, or El Salvador, were patching potholes on it. Two guys were saved, but only two of the six people who perished have been found.

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Biden Is Touring Collapsed Baltimore Bridge Where Recovery Effort Has Political Overtones

The president intends to meet with the families of the victims.

Officials have developed a temporary, alternate lane for debris-removal vessels. According to the White House, the Army Corps of Engineers hopes to open a limited-access route for barge cargo ships and certain vessels transporting vehicles and farm equipment by the end of this month, with normal capacity restored to Baltimore’s port by May 31.

That is significant because more delays in reopening shipping lanes could send shockwaves across the economy. Baltimore’s port handles up to $200 million daily cargo and is the primary hub for automotive imports and exports.

Covering the price of cleanup and construction of a new bridge may be a more pressing worry.

The Federal Highway Administration has allocated $60 million in “quick release” emergency relief funding to get things underway. The exact cost of the collapse is unknown, but some experts predict it will cost at least $400 million and take 18 months to recover.

Within hours of the collapse, Biden stated, “the federal government will pay for the entire cost of reconstructing that bridge, and I expect Congress to support my effort.” Pennsylvania Republican Rep. Dan Meuser termed the commitment made so soon after the catastrophe “outrageous,” telling Fox News Channel, “The first reaction, in fact the only reaction, tends to be to spend.”

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell was more sympathetic to Biden’s request, comparing the bridge collapse to the help that follows natural disasters and stating that “the federal government will step up and do the lion’s share” of funding. However, obtaining authority in Congress is a challenging task.

The White House stated Friday that it would recommend that Congress authorize the federal government to bear 100% of the expenses of cleaning up and rebuilding the fallen bridge rather than requesting cash through a separate, emergency supplemental request.

In a letter to congressional leaders, Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young stated that similar techniques were used for recovery and rebuilding efforts that received bipartisan congressional support in 2007, when a highway bridge in downtown Minneapolis collapsed during evening rush hour, killing 13 people.

“We are asking Congress to join us in demonstrating our commitment to aid in recovery efforts,” Young wrote, though it is unknown how much money the government will require to cover the expenditures.

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Biden Is Touring Collapsed Baltimore Bridge Where Recovery Effort Has Political Overtones

However, much has changed in the last 17 years, and advocating for bipartisan support may be more difficult today.

The conservative House Freedom Caucus published a statement on Friday stating, “If it proves necessary to appropriate taxpayer money to get one of America’s busiest ports back online, Congress should ensure it is fully offset and that burdensome regulations” are waived. It referred to future government expenditure cuts and restrictions such as the Endangered Species Act.

The caucus’ letter also urged that approval for bridge rehabilitation money be contingent on the Biden administration agreeing to relax a moratorium on liquified natural gas exports.

The funding problems only heighten the collapse’s political consequences, as Biden will face former President Donald Trump in the November election.

It is the second catastrophic accident in the country’s key northeastern corridor in as many years. Last summer, an overpass on Interstate 95 near Philadelphia caught fire and collapsed after a tanker truck collided with it. Federal and state officials worked rapidly on temporary repairs, and the route reopened earlier than projected.

However, the cleanup and restorations in Baltimore will take much longer and cost much more, making the chances of it being a net electoral gain for Biden — especially in time for Election Day — far less likely.

That has kept the Biden administration from reintroducing a $1 trillion-plus public works program that passed Congress in 2021.

“Let’s not forget, infrastructure law will now deal with infrastructure in a generation,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated this week. She compared this with the Trump administration, which made the issue “into a joke” by repeatedly promising to win infrastructure funds but achieving “absolutely nothing.”

biden

Biden Is Touring Collapsed Baltimore Bridge Where Recovery Effort Has Political Overtones

The bridge collapse has also brought Maryland’s Democratic Gov. Wes Moore, 45, to national attention as a key figure in Biden’s reelection campaign’s drive to mobilize young voters supporting the 81-year-old president.

The president has toured nationwide, demonstrating highway, bridge, and tunnel development projects. In 2022, he appeared at an event in Pittsburgh a few hours after a neighboring bridge collapsed. Promoting the public works package has also allowed the president to tap into his passion for rail travel, which he used to commute to and from Washington on Amtrak when a Delaware senator.

Last week, Biden stated that the Key Bridge was one that “I’ve been over many, many times commuting.”

SOURCE – (AP)

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Kiara Grace
Kiara Grace is a staff writer at VORNews, a reputable online publication. Her writing focuses on technology trends, particularly in the realm of consumer electronics and software. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for breaking down complex topics. Kiara delivers insightful analyses that resonate with tech enthusiasts and casual readers alike. Her articles strike a balance between in-depth coverage and accessibility, making them a go-to resource for anyone seeking to stay informed about the latest innovations shaping our digital world.

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Former NDP Leader Says Trudeau is Top on Trumps Hit List

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Trump has a very long enemies list and Trudeau has been on it ever since 2017.

According to Canada’s former NDP leader, Thomas Mulcair, Trump’s strained relationship with Justin Trudeau has the potential to exacerbate the country’s already challenging social, economic, and environmental situation.

When Trump was last in office, he began making it much more difficult for asylum seekers in the United States. Justin Trudeau saw a political advantage in the contrast and memorably tweeted #WelcometoCanada.

What followed was a tremendous inflow of asylum seekers, most of whom arrived via an unlawful border crossing on Roxham Road south of Montreal. It immediately became a political flashpoint, escalating tensions between the Quebec provincial administration and Ottawa.

After years of refusing to acknowledge the problem, Trudeau was eventually obliged to respond, but the unplanned enormous rise in new arrivals, especially those now arriving from the United States, became a key cause of his electoral fortunes deteriorating across our country.

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Trudeau believed that Canada should aim for a population of 100 million by the end of the century. The problem was that this massive increase in our population (from 36 million when Trudeau took office in 2015 to nearly 42 million today) occurred without any planning for health and educational services, especially without considering the impact on the availability and affordability of housing in Canada.

That surge into Canada, sparked by Trump and amplified by Trudeau, could become a tsunami of new arrivals during Trump’s second term. If Trump, as promised, closes his southern border and begins deporting illegal immigrants and asylum seekers, Canada may witness an increase in the number of people crossing our borders.

Trump has also pledged to raise tariffs on manufactured products entering the US. This could harm all provinces, but Quebec and Ontario could be especially badly struck. This is not good news for Trudeau, who keeps saying he’ll run in the next election.

The Beauce region of Quebec, south of Quebec City, extends to the United States border. It has traditionally voted more conservatively than the rest of the province. This region’s peculiarity stems partly from its proximity to the United States and a strong entrepreneurial mindset.

Several Liberals believe Canadians would prefer to keep Trudeau as prime minister because he strongly contrasts Trump. That is wishful thinking. When Trump made his one-and-only trip to Canada for a G-7 conference in Charlevoix, Quebec, Trudeau took potshots at him shortly after he left, according to Thomas Mulcair.

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The problem for Trudeau was that Trump was still on Air Force One and could hear his words. He mocked Trudeau (opens in a new tab) for being kind to him in person but then complaining about him behind his back.

Trump has many opponents, and Trudeau has always been on it. Stephen Maher, Trudeau’s biographer, accurately defined Trudeau’s predilection for “pious scolding.” The notion that Trudeau’s ongoing criticism of Trump and his actions could benefit Canada is naive.

Canada and the United States have unique, highly close histories and geographies. Our economies are also very interconnected.

Trump’s disregard for environmental protection would, naturally, clash with Trudeau’s meager efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions in Canada. Trump will see our fossil fuel resources as his own, and Trudeau will be woefully unable to address the situation.

Mulcair believes that the coming months will provide crucial indicators of what is to come in Canada-United States ties.

Meanwhile, pressure will mount for Trudeau to step down and allow a new Liberal leader to try to build a more trusting relationship with the new American administration.

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Geoff Thomas
Geoffrey Thomas is a seasoned staff writer at VORNews, a reputable online publication. With his sharp writing skills and deep understanding of SEO, he consistently delivers high-quality, engaging content that resonates with readers. Thomas' articles are well-researched, informative, and written in a clear, concise style that keeps audiences hooked. His ability to craft compelling narratives while seamlessly incorporating relevant keywords has made him a valuable asset to the VORNews team.
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Trudeau Orders Facebook to Block Australian Presser Video

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Trudeau Orders Facebook to Block Australian Presser Video
EAM Jaishankar and Australian FM Penny Wong Discuss Attacks on Hindu Temples in Canada.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau prohibited news source Australia Today from airing External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s joint press conference with his Australian colleague Penny Wong over the Attacks on Hindu Temples in Canada.

The move left the Australian news outlet perplexed and astonished the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, which condemned Canada’s attempt to silence varied viewpoints.

Jitarth Jai Bharadwaj, Editor-in-Chief of Australia Today, described Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government’s conduct as “dictatorial”. Bharadwaj said his group was still investigating why the video was blocked in Canada.

Bharadwaj stated that the Indian diaspora in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States is Australia Today’s primary target demographic. The news platform focuses on stories regarding the Indian diaspora and ethnic communities.

On Friday morning, Australia Today shared footage from Wong and Jaishankar’s joint news appearance, during which the diplomats discussed the precarious plight of Indians and their diplomats in Canada.

Around four hours later, the source also posted a seven-minute interview clip with Jaishankar, in which the Indian external affairs minister stated that surveillance of Indian diplomats in Canada is “unacceptable”.

Shortly after their release, both the press conference tape and the interview became inaccessible in Canada, and many people shared images of the restricted message on Facebook.

The Indian foreign ministry slammed the move as the Trudeau government’s “hypocrisy” over free expression.

“We hear that the social media handles and pages of this particular source, a major diaspora outlet, have been blocked and are inaccessible to readers in Canada.

This occurred shortly after this handle covered EAM Dr. S Jaishankar’s press appearance with Penny Wong. We were startled. “It appears strange to us,” MEA spokeswoman Randhir Jaiswal stated.

While recounting the entire scenario, Bhardwaj expressed surprise that people in Canada could not see the recordings.

“They began providing screenshots with us demonstrating that this content is not available for viewing in Canada due to a government order. What had transpired caught me off guard.

So I inquired about other cities across Canada where we have friends or are following, and everyone stated they couldn’t view it. And that’s how we found out. Bhardwaj informed Firstpost News on Friday.

He recalled that the two films first appeared in Canada and quickly went viral. Bhardwaj further stated that the videos elicited strong reactions from Indians in Canada before their suspension.

“It appears like the Canadian government is clamping down on the press. As of now, they have not lifted the prohibition or restriction, whatever you want to call it,” he stated.

When asked if the news organization had contacted the Canadian government to express its concern, Bharadwaj replied that an email had been sent to the Canadian Ministry of Communication.

“They haven’t responded to our email, which we wrote to the Canadian Ministry of Communication about this section ban, asking why it has been placed since diverse views have a place in a democracy,” he told me.

Bharadwaj expressed his disgust and bewilderment over the situation, saying, “It looks like Justin Trudeau and his government are behaving like dictators.”

Trudeau is a Dictator

He further stated that Meta informed the Australian site that the “restriction was imposed under the Canadian government’s direction,” implying that the Trudeau administration objected to the content of the video in which Jaishankar explained India’s perspective on the ongoing issues.

“The Indian diaspora is suffering as a result of the actions of the Canadian government.”

When asked about the impact of such restrictions on the Indian diaspora’s access to information, Bhardwaj stated, “The Indian diaspora in Canada is certainly suffering because of the behaviour and acts of the Canadian government.”

“Every hour, they repeat the Western democracy charter, which states that every citizen has the right to free information to make educated decisions regarding political, social, cultural, or religious problems, as well as any other decision they wish to make. “It has to be an informed decision,” Bhardwaj declared.

“The free press and media are two means for providing that knowledge so people can make informed decisions. “The Canadian government does not want its citizens to hear diverse or critical views,” he told FirstPost.

While emphasizing that they are still looking for explanations as to why the films were prohibited in Canada, Bhradwaj suggested that the Trudeau government may not be open to hearing critical viewpoints.

He explained, “I have no idea why they made the decision. However, it appears that they dislike any minister from India or Australia who is critical of them.

I mean, there was a simple question asked in the press conference by me, how do you react to attacks on Canadian Hindus by Khalistani groups or Hindu temples in Canada?”

The Australia-based journalist said that Wong had spoken about Canberra’s concerns. “It’s unparalleled.

Trudeau Selectively Uses Freedom of Speech.

If you get provoked by a few ministers of different countries criticizing your actions or non-actions, then it’s on them that they have to learn a few things about politics, diplomacy and press freedom,” he said.

The ‘Canadian government has been selectively using freedom of speech.’

One of the core arguments put forth by the Trudeau administration to defend their alleged support of the pro-Khalistani movement in the country is that they are ensuring freedom of speech.

When asked about Canada’s stance on the matter, Bharadwaj said that the “Canadian government has been selectively using freedom of speech” to further its political agenda.

He mentioned two situations. One of them involved Pro-Khalistani terrorist Gurpurwat Singh Pannun threatening Australia Today journalists.

“Sikh for Justice’s Gurpurwat Singh Pannun made a video with the photographs of my team, our editors and gestured like this, a gunshot and said, fix these people in Punjabi. Canada did nothing,” he told Firstpost.

“We have complained to Canada that Mr Pannun has been doing this and inciting hate or violence towards us, but they haven’t done anything. What kind of government are they? What kind of press protecting Western democracy do they claim to be,” he asked.

Bharadwaj also recalled how the Trudeau administration cracked down on trucker strikes in the country a couple of years ago.

“Two years back when truck strikes were happening on the roads of Canada, they clamped down on Canadian citizens disregarding freedom of speech, disregarding [their] right to protest,” Bharadwaj said.

“They also blocked their financial bank accounts. So, these truckers had to go back to their places, stopping their protest. If that is not hypocrisy, what it is, I can’t say more,” he said.

Bharadwaj emphasized that the Indian and Canadian governments need to resolve their issues. “Canada cannot ignore the way it is ignoring the Khalistani, pro-Khalistani groups who are threatening violence, who are attacking Hindu temples, who are even threatening the press,” he said.

With the Canadian elections on the horizon, Bharadwaj said, “Things probably won’t change much until Trudeau is at the helm of things in Canada.”
Trudeau has been under immense political pressure back home after the New Democratic Party broke its alliance with his Liberal Party, bringing the government to a minority in the Canadian parliament.

Trudeau has survived two trust votes, and Canada observers say he may not get another term with the election due next year.

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Geoffrey Thomas is a seasoned staff writer at VORNews, a reputable online publication. With his sharp writing skills and deep understanding of SEO, he consistently delivers high-quality, engaging content that resonates with readers. Thomas' articles are well-researched, informative, and written in a clear, concise style that keeps audiences hooked. His ability to craft compelling narratives while seamlessly incorporating relevant keywords has made him a valuable asset to the VORNews team.
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Trudeau Admits Khalistani Separatists Faction Resides in Canada

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged for the first time the presence of Pro-Khalistani Sikh separatists in Canada. His acknowledgment comes as India has accused Trudeau of protecting pro-Khalistani elements in the country.

Speaking at Diwali celebrations on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Trudeau acknowledged that a basis of Khalistan support existed in Canada but emphasized that it does not reflect the Sikh community as a whole.

The death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a designated Khalistani terrorist, outside a gurdwara in British Columbia in June 2023 strained relations between the two countries. Trudeau’s subsequent suggestion that India may have been involved sparked a diplomatic uproar.

At the Diwali ceremony, he stated, “There are many proponents of Khalistan in Canada, but they do not represent the Sikh community as a whole. Similarly, Modi supporters in Canada do not speak for all Hindu Canadians.

Trudeau’s admission came only days after a violent confrontation broke out outside a Hindu temple in Brampton, Canada, between pro-Khalistan demonstrators and believers.

Video video showed chaotic scenes as protesters, some carrying Khalistani flags, assaulted temple visitors, resulting in physical altercations with fists and poles. Trudeau criticized the event, highlighting Canadians’ right to freely exercise their faith, and complimented local authorities for their quick response.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs raised grave worries over the safety of its nationals in Canada, describing the disruption outside the temple as an act of anti-India sentiment.

“Despite these efforts by anti-India elements, our Consulate was able to issue more than 1,000 life certificates to Indian and Canadian applicants,” said MEA spokeswoman Randhir Jaiswal.

Canada has accused India of participation in Nijjar’s death but has failed to present conclusive evidence. Last month, Trudeau acknowledged that the claims were based on information rather than evidence.

He claimed that Canadian authorities had been briefed by their intelligence, with information from Five Eyes allies, implying Indian spies were involved, though no conclusive evidence has emerged.

In response, India denied the charges, accusing Canada of providing a haven for pro-Khalistan radicals who threaten India’s security. The Indian government has frequently asked Canada to act against these groups but claims its demands have gone unanswered.

The escalating hostilities have widened a long-standing divide between the two countries. Following Nijjar’s murder, Canadian police proposed the participation of six Indian officials, which India denounced as “preposterous.”

Last month, New Delhi issued a robust reply to charges that India’s High Commissioner to Canada was a person of interest, highlighting Canada’s failure to present evidence despite repeated requests.

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Trudeau Called a Political Idiot Over Sikhs in Canada

Trudeau Called a Political Idiot Over Sikhs in Canada

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Geoff Thomas
Geoffrey Thomas is a seasoned staff writer at VORNews, a reputable online publication. With his sharp writing skills and deep understanding of SEO, he consistently delivers high-quality, engaging content that resonates with readers. Thomas' articles are well-researched, informative, and written in a clear, concise style that keeps audiences hooked. His ability to craft compelling narratives while seamlessly incorporating relevant keywords has made him a valuable asset to the VORNews team.
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