Bridge over troubled water – iPolitics

The Gordie Howe International Bridge officially opened Friday with politicians casting the $6.4 billion crossing as a symbol of Canada’s enduring economic partnership with the U.S., despite the fresh U.S. tariff threats.

The 2.5 kilometre cable-stayed bridge linking Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan is expected to open to traffic Monday.

“This bridge is an incredible symbol of the potential and opportunities that await workers and families on both sides of the Detroit River,” Ontario Premier Doug Ford said.

Government officials said it will ease congestion at one of North America’s busiest commercial crossings, and is estimated to contribute about $1.3 billion to Windsor’s economy.

The event also saw appearances from Housing Minister Gregor Robertson, Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens, Canada ambassador to the U.S. Mark Wiseman, as well as the Howe family members, Murray Howe.

But the celebration unfolded against the backdrop of an increasingly strained Canada-U.S. relationship.

Sydney Ko explains.

*The Ehattesaht First Nation located on the left and the village in Zeballos, B.C., on Thursday, April 4, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito*

Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin may be willing to hear environmental groups’ concerns, but advocates say she has limited power to act on them as Prime Minister Mark Carney centralizes decision-making and prioritizes major resource development.

Since becoming prime minister in March 2025, Carney has axed key Trudeau-era environmental policies such as the consumer carbon price and oil emissions cap, all while plotting out plans to streamline the regulatory process for major resource projects.

These moves have drawn protests from prominent environmental groups, who have accused the PM of abandoning the government’s fight against climate change.

But they say their concerns are falling on deaf ears, accusing Dabrusin of being either unwilling or unable to act as a counterweight on cabinet and seemingly resigned to watch from the sidelines as the Carney government moves forward with its major projects regime.

Marco Vigliotti and Sydney Ko report.

In Other Headlines

Internationally

The number of measles cases in the U.S. has surpassed the record-breaking tally for all of 2025, with five more months of 2026 still to come.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention logged 2,318 cases of measles as of Thursday, according to an agency update on Friday.

The nation had 2,289 cases in 2025, the worst year for measles in more than three decades. Now, 2026 has easily become the U.S.’s worst year for measles since 1991, as major outbreaks in South Carolina, Utah and Arizona have sickened hundreds and smaller clusters of cases sparked in other states.

The Associated Press reports.

Meanwhile, member state representatives of the International Criminal Court voted to remove the global tribunal’s chief prosecutor on Friday, nearly two years after sexual misconduct allegations against him first emerged, two diplomats told The Associated Press.

British barrister Karim Khan was accused of sexual misconduct with a female aide, as outlined by the AP in a series of stories, allegations which he has steadfastly denied.

By a large majority, the ICC’s 125-member states ousted Khan from his position, the first time a chief prosecutor has ever been removed from office.

AP has more.