Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced on October 24th, 2025, that he will pull the advertisement that prompted U.S. President Donald Trump to terminate trade talks with Canada. The Treasury Department also announced on October 24th, 2025, sanctions against Colombian President Gustavo Petro for his alleged role in the global illicit drug trade, citing a record increase in cocaine production under his leadership. Ford's decision to withdraw the ad follows President Trump's declaration on October 23rd, 2025, that all trade negotiations with Canada were terminated due to the advertisement, which Trump described as a fraudulent use of a Ronald Reagan advertisement intended to interfere with court decisions. The Treasury Department stated that under President Trump's leadership, the U.S. will not tolerate Colombia trafficking drugs into the nation. The sanctions come as cocaine production in Colombia has reportedly exploded to record high rates under President Petro, who is accused of providing benefits to narco-terrorist organizations. In other news, federal agents reportedly fired tear gas in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood around 12:05 PM on October 24th, according to reports from X. The incident occurred in a predominantly affluent area, which critics described as terrorizing the city rather than fighting crime. Separately, FBI Director Kash Patel is scheduled to visit China next month as part of an international crackdown on fentanyl-related chemical suppliers, sources told CBS News. President Trump is also personally involved in an initiative termed the "Golden Fleet," aimed at replacing current warships with a new fleet better suited to counter China, including a modern battleship, according to The Wall Street Journal. In New York City mayoral politics, Zohran Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo, and Curtis Sliwa were asked about purchasing cannabis at a debate, with Mamdani giving a lighthearted response and Cuomo expressing strong disapproval. New polling data from Emerson College released on October 21st, 2025, shows Steve Hilton leading in the California Governor's race with 16%, followed by Katie Porter at 15%. Alex Padilla's favorability rating stands at 40% favorable and 28% unfavorable (+12). A CNN report on October 24th, 2025, detailed the visit of Kirill Dmitriev, described as a Kremlin interlocutor adept at disseminating disinformation, to the United States. The National Rifle Association reiterated its stance on October 24th, 2025, stating that the Second Amendment is not up for debate.
