World
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces resignation after 9 years in power
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced his decision to step down as the leader of the Liberal Party and, subsequently, as Canada’s prime minister.
Speaking from Rideau Cottage in Ottawa on Monday, Trudeau revealed that his resignation will take effect once the Liberal Party selects a new leader through a comprehensive national process.
“I intend to resign as party leader, as prime minister, after the party selects its next leader through a robust, nationwide, competitive process,” Trudeau stated.
Trudeau, 53, who has served as Canada’s 23rd prime minister since 2015, expressed his deep commitment to the country and its citizens.
“I’m a fighter. Every bone in my body has always told me to fight because I care deeply about Canadians. I care deeply about this country, and I will always be motivated by what is in the best interest of Canadians,” he said during his address.
The announcement comes on the heels of recent turbulence within Trudeau’s government. Last month, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland resigned, citing differences with Trudeau over how to address challenges posed by the incoming U.S. administration under President-elect Donald Trump.
Freeland, in a public letter announcing her resignation, highlighted concerns about Trump’s proposed aggressive economic nationalism, including potential tariffs on Canadian imports.
“Our country today faces a grave challenge,” Freeland wrote. “The incoming administration in the United States is pursuing a policy of aggressive economic nationalism, including a threat of 25 percent tariffs. We need to take that threat extremely seriously.”
She emphasized the importance of resisting “costly political gimmicks” and forming a unified “Team Canada response” to the challenge. Freeland also noted that Trudeau had asked her to step down as finance minister but offered her another role in the Cabinet, which she declined.
Following Freeland’s departure, Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, assumed her responsibilities as finance minister. Additionally, Housing Minister Sean Fraser recently announced his decision not to seek reelection, citing personal reasons and a desire to spend more time with family.
These resignations coincide with declining public support for Trudeau’s Liberal Party. Recent polls indicate the party is at its lowest level of support in years, trailing the Conservative Party by a significant 21-point margin ahead of the federal election, which must be held by October 20.
Justin Trudeau’s tenure as prime minister marked nearly a decade of leadership during pivotal moments for Canada, including navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, addressing climate change, and advocating for social equity. His decision to resign mirrors the path of his father, former Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau, who also retired from politics before a subsequent election after serving as prime minister from 1968 to 1979 and from 1980 to 1984.
As Trudeau prepares to step away from leadership, the Liberal Party faces the task of rebuilding under new direction while addressing challenges and preparing for the upcoming federal election.
Crime
Video Shows Gunman Nael Jalani Shooting Inside Ateneo de Zamboanga University campus in Barangay Tumaga, Zamboanga City
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Two students were reportedly injured in an alleged shooting at a private university high school campus in Zamboanga City on Tuesday morning, prompting a major police response and an investigation into how a firearm entered the school premises.
According to initial reports, a student allegedly opened fire inside the university’s high school campus. The incident caused panic among students and staff as authorities responded to the scene.
Local reports also indicated that the suspect livestreamed the shooting on social media, including through Facebook. Some local media outlets have identified the alleged gunman as Nael Jalani, although police have not yet independently confirmed the suspect’s identity.
Police officials said two students were victims of the shooting, but their current medical conditions were still being determined as authorities continued their investigation.
Police Regional Office 9 spokesperson Police Major Shellamie Chang said investigators were working to establish the identity of the suspect and determine how the firearm was brought onto the university campus.
Authorities have not yet released comprehensive details about the circumstances leading up to the shooting, including the suspect’s motive or whether the victims were specifically targeted.
Reports indicate that the alleged shooter broadcast portions of the incident through a social media livestream.
The livestream reportedly showed the shooting unfolding inside the university high school campus. Authorities are expected to examine the social media material as part of the investigation and to establish a detailed timeline of the incident.
Some reports have also circulated claims that multiple people may have been killed, but those reports had not been fully confirmed by authorities at the time of the initial information.
The Police Regional Office 9 is investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including how the firearm was brought into the private university.
Investigators are expected to interview witnesses and examine available surveillance footage and social media evidence as they work to determine what happened.
Authorities have not yet released a confirmed motive for the shooting.
The investigation remains ongoing, and officials are expected to provide additional information regarding the victims’ conditions, the suspect’s identity and any potential charges as more facts become available.