As the U.S.-Canada trade talks drama continue, Minister Dominic Leblanc is set to travel to Washington this week.

LeBlanc’s spokesperson Gabriel Brunet says he will be joined by Janice Charette, Canada’s chief trade negotiator.

Brunet did not say exactly when LeBlanc and Charette will be in Washington or identify the officials they are meeting.

The Trump administration said last week it would impose 50 per cent tariffs on certain Canadian goods in response to provincial liquor bans, Canada’s dairy supply management system and certain automobile quotas.

The new levies are meant to put pressure on Ottawa during talks on the Canada-U.S.-Mexico agreement on trade, better known as CUSMA.

Mexico and Washington have started official CUSMA negotiations but Ottawa has not yet started formal talks.

Canadian Press has more. 

Canadians looking to renew their passport can now do it online, the federal government said on Tuesday.

At an announcement in Vancouver, Immigration Minister Lena Diab, joined along with Parliamentary Secretary to the Jobs and Families Minister Annie Koutrakis, said online passport renewal is now available to all eligible adults currently in Canada.

The announcement comes as part of the government’s broader effort to modernize passport service.

To apply, applicants will need to upload a passport photo provided by a commercial photographer, as well as any other supporting documents. The service also only applies to people who are renewing passports that were issued within the last 15 years.

“It means less time standing in line and more time planning your trip that you’re looking forward to,” Diab said.

Sydney Ko reports. 

CBC/Radio-Canada won’t disclose how much participating in the Eurovision song contest could cost.

A government document, obtained through access to information law, says information about other countries is limited but total costs ranged from about $400,000 for Portugal to $1.5 million for Israel in 2025.

The Canadian Heritage document also says that because the Broadcasting Act guarantees CBC’s independence, there is no way for the government to direct CBC to participate in the song contest.

The 2025 federal budget said the government would work with CBC to explore participating in Eurovision and Prime Minister Mark Carney announced earlier this month Canada will take part in the global cultural event next year.

A spokesperson for CBC/Radio-Canada says the decision to take part in the song contest was the public broadcaster’s alone.

CP has more. 

In Other Headlines

Internationally

A 6.8-magnitude earthquake has shaken south Japan, leaving at least 100 people injured. Some are trapped and presumed dead inside a shopping mall.

The earthquake hit Kumamoto prefecture on the southern Kyushu island late on Tuesday afternoon, knocking out power to thousands of homes and damaging roads, bridges and buildings.

Japan’s prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, told reporters authorities were still assessing the extent of the damage in the area, which was devastated by another deadly quake a decade ago.

“We have already been informed that people have been injured. Power outages and fires have occurred in some areas, and there has also been damage to roads and bridges and the collapse of buildings,” Takaichi said. “I ask everyone to take action to protect themselves, including evacuating to a safe location.”

The Guardian has more.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s meeting with President Donald Trump on Tuesday is the first since the two leaders launched a joint war against Iran and a chance for Netanyahu to smooth out strains in their relationship.

The meeting comes as both face growing pressures at home. Netanyahu is up for reelection and is embattled in part because of his deteriorating relationship with Trump. Trump is under pressure to end an unpopular war that has wreaked economic havoc and driven prices higher ahead of midterm elections this November.

The two leaders also plan to discuss the framework agreement the U.S. and Israel signed with Lebanon over the Israel-Hezbollah war and the expansion of the Abraham Accords, according to a White House official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to preview the meeting.

“We have a little difference,” Trump said Monday when asked by reporters if he and the Israeli prime minister were on the same page with Iran. “But pretty close, yeah.”

Read more from NPR. 

In Other International Headlines

The Kicker

Staying on brand with summer vacation, have you ever wondered why bread in Europe taste better?

Researchers are exploring reasons why people can eat bread without issue in Europe, but end up feeling bloated or fatigued after eating similar products in North America.

Apparently, the scientific explanation is that the dough is made differently there.

Longer fermentation times can break down more gluten and other hard-to-digest carbohydrates, making bread easier on some stomachs.

Read more from the New York Times.