US President Donald Trump suspended his threat of steep tariffs on Canada and Mexico on Monday, agreeing to a 30-day pause in return for concessions on border and crime enforcement with the two neighboring countries.

"Canada has agreed to ensure we have a secure Northern Border, and to finally end the deadly scourge of drugs like Fentanyl," Trump said in a post on social media platform Truth Social.

In a post on X earlier, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that he "just had a good call with President Trump", noting that "proposed tariffs will be paused for at least 30 days while we work together".

"Canada is implementing our $1.3 billion border plan - reinforcing the border with new choppers, technology and personnel, enhanced coordination with our American partners, and increased resources to stop the flow of fentanyl. Nearly 10,000 frontline personnel are and will be working on protecting the border," Trudeau said.

"In addition, Canada is making new commitments to appoint a Fentanyl Czar, we will list cartels as terrorists, ensure 24/7 eyes on the border, launch a Canada-US Joint Strike Force to combat organized crime, fentanyl and money laundering. I have also signed a new intelligence directive on organized crime and fentanyl and we will be backing it with $200 million," Trudeau continued.

Trump said in his post that he is "very pleased with this initial outcome", and the tariffs announced on Saturday will be paused for 30 days to allow further negotiations.

Trump signed executive orders on Saturday to impose a 25 percent additional tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico and a 10 percent tariff hike on imports from China, which has drawn widespread opposition and immediate retaliations.

The tariff order on Canada is 25 percent on all imports and 10 percent on energy products. Canada immediately hit back with 25 percent tariffs on 155 billion Canadian dollars ($107 billion) worth of American goods.

Earlier on Monday, Trump said that he had "very friendly conversation" with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, and the two sides agreed to "immediately pause" the anticipated tariffs for one month and continue negotiations.

"I just spoke with President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico. It was a very friendly conversation wherein she agreed to immediately supply 10,000 Mexican Soldiers on the Border separating Mexico and the United States. These soldiers will be specifically designated to stop the flow of fentanyl, and illegal migrants into our Country," Trump said in a post on social media platform Truth Social.

"We further agreed to immediately pause the anticipated tariffs for a one month period during which we will have negotiations headed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent, and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, and high-level Representatives of Mexico," Trump continued.

"I look forward to participating in those negotiations, with President Sheinbaum, as we attempt to achieve a 'deal' between our two Countries," said the US president.

Shortly after Trump's announcement, Sheinbaum instructed the Secretariat of Economy to implement tariff and non-tariff measures to defend Mexico's interests in response to the levies imposed by the Trump administration.

"We categorically reject the White House's slander against the Mexican government of having alliances with criminal organizations, as well as any intention of intervention in our territory," the Mexican president said on the social platform X.

Students of Jaffna University staged a protest today in front of the university, opposing Independence Day celebrations. Describing the day as a "black day" for the Tamil community, the protestors carried black flags and displayed placards condemning policies against Tamils in Sri Lanka. During the demonstration, they removed the national flag hoisted on campus and replaced it with a black flag.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today that all the people are warriors on the same battlefield in the quest to attain comprehensive economic, social and cultural freedom. Addressing the 77th Independence Day celebration, the President said, "Collectively, we must persist in our struggle for freedom on behalf of this motherland."

SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa has urged the government to launch an investigation into projects and grants operated under USAID in Sri Lanka. He called for a detailed report to be presented in Parliament, including an account of the NGOs that benefited from these funds.

The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has warned that air quality in Sri Lanka is expected to deteriorate over the next few days, with several cities reaching slightly unhealthy levels.

Ottawa, ON — The Hon. Pierre Poilievre, Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada and the Official Opposition, released the following statement:

A writ petition has been filed before the Court of Appeal seeking a declaration that Minister Ananda Wijepala is disqualified from serving as a Member of Parliament and is therefore not entitled to hold office as an MP.

Just a week after India’s Ministry of External Affairs lodged a strong protest over an incident involving Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan waters, the Sri Lanka Navy seized an Indian fishing boat and arrested 10 Indian fishermen for poaching in Sri Lankan waters.

Deputy Minister of Fisheries Ratna Gamage who visited the Mirissa Fisheries Harbor was verbally confronted by the fishermen who demanded a fair price for fuel.

Sri Lankan corporate leader and executive Deshamanya Kandiah ("Ken") Balendra passed away at the age of 85 today, his family confirmed. Born in 1940, Balendra held numerous influential corporate positions in Sri Lanka and the region. He was the first Sri Lankan Chairman of John Keells Holdings Ltd. and was serving as the chairman of the Commonwealth Development Corporation at the time of his death.

Sri Lankan industrialist and businessman Don Harold Stassen Jayawardena, popularly known as Harry Jayawardena, has passed away at the age of 82. Jayawardena was the chairman of Melstacorp PLC and also served as the Honorary Consul General for Denmark in Sri Lanka. Recognized as one of the richest individuals in Sri Lanka by Forbes, he was a key figure in the country's corporate landscape.

Pivithuru Hela Urumaya leader Udaya Gammanpila has accused the government of attempting to fabricate a new “mastermind” behind the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks to protect those he claims are truly responsible within the administration.

The Pakistan Naval Ship (PNS) ASLAT arrived at the Port of Colombo on a formal visit this morning (01 Feb 25). The visiting ship was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in compliance with naval traditions. PNS ASLAT is a 123m long Frigate (FFG) commanded by Captain MUHAMMAD AZHAR AKRAM. Meanwhile, she is manned by a crew of 243.

Two individuals were reportedly killed, and at least 35 others were injured following a collision between a passenger bus and a van on the Trincomalee-Habarana road today (1). According to Police, the driver of the van is amongst the two people confirmed dead.

A Defender vehicle belonging to the Presidential Secretariat was involved in an accident in Thalawa around 1.00 a.m. today (1), leaving 4 individuals injured, according to Police. The vehicle was returning to Colombo from an event in Jaffna when the accident took place.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced that a special day will be designated in October to celebrate the cultures, traditions, and values of all ethnicities in Sri Lanka. He communicated this while addressing a gathering in Valvettithurai, Jaffna.

The Government has officially lifted the vehicle import ban through Gazette Extraordinary No. 2421/44, effective from today (1). The new regulations permit the importation of cars, vans, buses, goods transport vehicles, trishaws, bicycles, and special-purpose vehicles under strict conditions.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today visited the residence of the late Parliamentarian Mavai Senathirajah and paid him last respects. Remains of the late parliamentarian lie at present at his residence in Mawattapuram in Jaffna. The President who expressed his condolence to Mr. Senathirajah’s family recalled his dedicated services to the Tamil community.

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya has extended condolences on the passing of former Member of Parliament Mavai Senathirajah, a veteran political leader and advocate for Tamil rights.

Sri Lanka is on track to record its highest-ever tourist arrivals for the month of January, according to the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau. Based on daily arrival trends, approximately 253,000 tourists are expected to have visited the country by January 31.

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has announced that the price of super diesel will increase by Rs 18, bringing the new price to Rs 331 per liter, effective from midnight tonight. However, prices of other fuels will remain unchanged.