Mexican police in Chiapas unveil armed drones to combat cartels
TAPACHULA, Mexico (AP) — Police in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas unveiled a fleet of armed drones Tuesday that they say will better position them against the heavily armed drug cartels vying for control of their border with Guatemala.
Frequently outgunned by cartels with heavy guns and increasingly with drones that drop improvised explosive devices, Mexican authorities are trying to catch up.
Concerningly, the same Chiapas state police force generated an international diplomatic incident earlier this month when they pursued alleged gunmen into neighboring Guatemala, engaging in an extended shootout in the streets of border town La Mesilla.
The drones could be equipped to carry guns or to fight fires, said Chiapas Security Secretary Óscar Aparicio Avendaño. He did not explain what the rules of engagement would be for police using an armed drone.
A photo shared by authorities of a demonstration showed a drone with a semiautomatic rifle mounted below it.
In other states like Michoacan, police have begun experimenting with ways of combatting cartel drones that drop explosives. They try to jam signals or fire nets to drop them from the sky.
Chiapas has struggled in the past couple years with competition between Mexico's two most powerful cartels, Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation, as they fight for control of lucrative smuggling routes along the Guatemalan border for drugs, migrants and guns.
The state has seen mass displacements of people, including hundreds who fled into Guatemala to escape cartel violence last year.
The new state government's answer has been strengthening the police force to be more involved in security responsibilities previously handed to the military.
But recently, a member of the state police special forces, known as the Pakals, turned whistleblower, saying that other members of the force were corrupt and working with organized crime. A commander was fired and an investigation is ongoing.
Human rights groups have questioned the bolstering of the state police, saying that the success authorities claim could really be the result of militarization of the region rather than any dismantling of drug cartels.
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The Hill
an hour ago
- The Hill
Canada is doubling down on dairy tariffs ahead of talks with Trump
Trump often rails against Canada's prohibitively high dairy tariffs. He's about to get angrier. That's because last week, the Canadian Senate passed new legislation, years in the making, which bars the government from negotiating away its dairy protectionism in future trade agreements. The bill's timing was no accident. Canada wants a carve-out from Trump's tariffs and hopes to renew the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement next summer. Trump will demand a lot from Ottawa in exchange. Concessions on Canada's tariff-rate quotas on dairy will be at or near the top of the list. Canada's new bill takes these tariff-rate quotas off the table. This is misguided. Not just because it will frustrate the U.S. and other trade partners, but also because supply management isn't in Canada's national interest. A lot of ink has been spilled trying to make sense of supply management. The system, which dates to the 1970s, sets provincial quotas, establishes minimum prices and imposes steep tariffs. Proponents argue it stabilizes prices and farm incomes. Critics say it results in higher prices for Canadians, stifles industry innovation in agriculture and has caused serious trade tensions long before Trump. Both sides agree on something: Supply management is the third rail of Canadian politics. That's because the system's quotas mostly advantage dairy farmers in Quebec and Ontario. Since these provinces are essential to winning federal elections, Canada's political parties are loath to touch supply management. But Trump's tariffs have given Canadian elected officials the political cover needed to shake up supply management. Under the cloud of unprecedented trade policy uncertainty, big questions loom about the country's economic future. It's a moment of nation-building. It's a time of seriousness. Instead of rising to the occasion, the House of Commons unanimously approved its protectionist dairy bill. What comes next? The writing is on the wall. Trump has raged against Canada's dairy tariffs for years. He vowed that the USMCA would fix things, but it gave Canada 14 tariff-rate quotas on products from milk to cheese and butter that have further complicated things. Canada's tariff-rate quotas give U.S. dairy farmers tariff-free access on up to, say, 50 million metric tons, for example, but then subject them to punitive tariffs for anything more than this. The rates, ranging from 241 percent on milk to 298 percent on butter, are the ones that Trump likes to talk about. But U.S. dairy farmers aren't actually paying these exorbitant rates because they have never exceeded the quotas. Which invites the all-important question: Why? The Biden administration argued that Canada's quotas favor domestic 'processors' of dairy products, as well as so-called 'further processors' that use dairy as inputs used by other products. This keeps high-value-added U.S. exports worth hundreds of millions of dollars out of the Canadian market. In 2021, the U.S. brought a case against Canada's tariff-rate quotas under the USMCA and won. In a second case, however, Canada was deemed to be in compliance with its obligations. This ruling frustrated the Biden administration. Now, Trump wants to use tariffs to make things right. The U.S. isn't alone in complaining about Canada's dairy tariff-rate quotas. Just Last year, New Zealand filed a similar case against Ottawa under the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership. The U.S. and New Zealand have also sued Canada over its tariff-rate quotas at the World Trade Organization. Given this, it should hardly be surprising that there's domestic opposition to the bill. The Canadian Cattle Association called it 'bad trade policy.' The Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance said it was 'a flawed piece of legislation that sets a troubling precedent, undermining Canada's longstanding commitment to the rules-based international trading system.' Trump's tariffs inspired Canada to take bold steps to remove inter-provincial trade barriers, despite age-old political hurdles. Getting out from under the country's supply management should have been prioritized with the same level of urgency and commitment to creative problem-solving. Canada's new dairy protectionism bill isn't that. Marc L. Busch is the Karl F. Landegger Professor of International Business Diplomacy at the Walsh School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University.
New York Times
2 hours ago
- New York Times
World Cup 2026 Q&A: Soccer-loving congressman on ticket prices, visas, USMNT
Just under one year out from the first men's World Cup to be held in the United States since 1994, there is no shortage of challenges for the organizers of the competition and the U.S. government as they prepare to share the tournament with Canada and Mexico next summer. The build-up to the world's most popular sporting event has already been overshadowed, at times, by trade wars between the U.S. and other countries, tensions over President Donald Trump administration's policies towards immigration and lengthy visa wait times for foreign visitors who may wish to attend the tournament. There have also been tensions with co-hosts Canada and Mexico, with the start of Trump's second term dominated by tariffs and his suggestions that Canada should become part of the U.S. He also renamed the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America. Advertisement U.S. Congressman Darin LaHood, a Republican who serves the constituents of the 16th District of Illinois, is one of the keenest advocates of soccer within U.S. politics, co-chairing the bipartisan congressional soccer caucus. He has also been present at events organized by the White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup 2026, which is dedicated to leading and coordinating federal efforts in support of the event. He has recently called for Trump to enact an executive order to protect the American skies from the threat of drones during the World Cup, and he spoke to The Athletic about: Below are his answers, lightly edited for length and clarity. This interview took place prior to the U.S. airstrikes on Iran – a nation that has already qualified for the World Cup. The Athletic: One year out from the World Cup, what are the political priorities for you between now and the tournament? Rep. LaHood: From a practical standpoint, I view this through the lens of what the government needs to do and what we need to do to make this a successful World Cup. To create the (White House World Cup) task force was a monumental step. This put staff in place that understand the ramifications of what needs to get done; people who are attentive at the State Department, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Defense, Department of Justice and at the FBI. We now have people engaged. They know there are asks that need to be fulfilled. A lot of work still needs to be done on the processing of visas, as well as on the security apparatus, and particularly on drones. Then we have the logistics of getting people here and coordinating with Mexico, Canada and the 11 U.S. host cities. World Cup organizer FIFA claims the combined impact of the Club World Cup and World Cup will be $47 billion to the U.S. economy, but this is surely very dependent on foreign travel. Are you at all concerned that perceptions of the United States at the moment may dissuade people from coming to the country? Of course, I'm concerned. I just saw some data that showed tourism from Canada to the United States is down 40 percent. We've seen in a number of tourist destinations in the United States this year that tourism is down: in Las Vegas, New York and Florida. We're aware of where some of that comes from because of some of the immigration policies and other things. However, I wouldn't rush to judgment that it is going to affect the World Cup. Soccer and sport transcend in many ways politics and geopolitics. There's plenty of opportunity to roll out a good PR welcoming message from the United States, and there will be people in the administration who will be engaged. Advertisement There are a number of people that FIFA and the White House want to engage with: partnering with footballers from Europe, Africa or South America. There is a plan in place to make sure that we are welcoming and that we attract people from all over the world, so we are sending the right message, particularly for the World Cup. The White House recognizes that we have to get it right with the World Cup in 2026, because there's a legacy of events that are going to occur in the United States: the Olympics in 2028, the Women's World Cup in 2031, the Winter Olympics in 2034, the Rugby World Cups in 2031 and 2033. It's important to set the precedent here by getting it right. The president has said this will have a $40 billion economic impact on the U.S. But that is contingent on having visitors who want to come here, enjoy the United States, spend their money and watch a world-class sporting event. Andrew Giuliani, son of Trump's former lawyer and former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani, is leading the White House's Task Force. Do you think he was the best person for that job? Andrew Giuliani is the executive director but he's also co-equals with Carlos Cordeiro, who is with FIFA (Cordeiro is a senior advisor to FIFA president Gianni Infantino and a former U.S. Soccer president). That combination is positive moving forward. Andrew has enthusiastically embraced the job. He's brought a lot of energy. He's been very attentive to the issues that have been raised. He's put together a good team around him. He asks all the important questions. He understands the enormity of the job and what it entails. So far, he's doing everything that he's been asked to do. He has the ear of the president. He understands the whole of government approach that this is going to take to get implemented. There are learning aspects of this job, but so far he's tackling those head-on. FIFA has adopted a dynamic pricing model for the Club World Cup. From a Congressional Soccer Caucus perspective, as someone trying to grow this sport, are you at all worried that ordinary people might be priced out of the World Cup? Well, I hope not. We'll see what happens next year when the pricing comes out for the World Cup. Do you think FIFA should give something back to local communities by ringfencing some ticketing to make it accessible? There's a lot of discretion there and a lot of flexibility with how they want to handle that. There's going to be a real emphasis on youth soccer, young people and getting them engaged with the fan zones. Advertisement Does that mean everybody's going to get into a stadium to watch a game? Maybe not, but my own experience from being at the World Cup or Euros (European Championships) is that these fan zones with big TVs outside of the stadium are very enjoyable for fans to partake in. If we do it the right way, we are going to enhance the game tremendously and continue to grow the game here. We can't lose sight of that from a congressional soccer standpoint. We're keenly aware of that. If and when we need to push FIFA in a particular direction, we're prepared to do that. Before the Club World Cup, the CBP in Florida was posting on Facebook about how it was going to be 'suited and booted' to support FIFA during the first round of games. United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) subsequently confirmed they may attend games. Are you concerned about the message that sends? I'm not concerned about that, I've been in touch with FIFA people. Some of that is more of a reflection on some of the protests we've seen in Los Angeles and related to that spillover. I don't think it has anything to do with people wanting to check the immigration status of people coming in. That's not something that's been on my radar screen. Visa wait times have improved considerably over the past year. But there have now been cuts made to the State Department, so is there a concern they may lengthen again? Colombia was at 700 days and they've been reduced to 400 days. It's coming down. I think seeing the progress being made there, that's going to be replicated in other areas where it needs to get done. I'm not concerned about cuts in the State Department… There's not going to be cuts on the folks that are going to make the World Cup a success. We have to have people who feel comfortable and can come here under the visa regime that we have in place and have proper security protocols in place. So my sense is there's going to be adequate and appropriate funding through the State Department to effectuate that. Focusing on the soccer, is the USMNT going to hit form? And what have you made of some players electing not to go to the Gold Cup this summer, as well as Mauricio Pochettino's first few months in charge? Well, to be honest with you, I almost wish we had to qualify for the World Cup because that level of competition would have been better. On paper, I like our new coach. He brings a lot to the table, but there seems to be a lackadaisical approach with our players. These were two friendlies and I shouldn't put much stock into friendlies, but people are getting worried. There's a nervousness about the current team and the level of commitment. But right now, it's not there.
Politico
3 hours ago
- Politico
Canada's not-so-secret weapon
Presented by Send tips | Subscribe here | Email Canada Playbook | Follow Politico Canada Thanks for reading Canada Playbook. In today's edition: → The coolest head in D.C. is Canadian. → C-5 moves to the Senate in a final sprint to Canada Day. → ANITA ANAND flags open questions around NATO timelines. Trade war QUEEN BEE — KIRSTEN HILLMAN has mastered diplomacy in the age of disruption — often under some stressful working conditions. Whether it was visiting Mar-a-Lago with then-Prime Minister JUSTIN TRUDEAU, joining MARK CARNEY on his first Oval Office visit, or hosting world leaders in Alberta — Hillman has been there. Now, Canada's ambassador to the U.S. has been tapped by the PM to serve as Canada's chief negotiator in talks President DONALD TRUMP in pursuit of a new economic and security deal. She'll also continue to serve as Ottawa's envoy. 'That post is the No. 1 post for any prime minister to appoint somebody to,' said FLAVIO VOLPE, the president of Canada's Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association. 'The fact that a new prime minister, who's come essentially from the outside looking in, has decided to extend her [time] should be taken as a very serious vote of confidence.' Volpe and Hillman are on the Council on Canada-U.S. Relations put together by TRUDEAU. Carney kept the council intact, though it hasn't formally met since Ottawa entered into 'serious negotiations' with the Americans, Volpe said. — Diplomacy 101: With a change in government, the council had advised Carney to keep Hillman where she is, given her work ethic, connections and institutional knowledge. 'Let's not make changes for change's sake,' Volpe told Playbook. 'She has done an exemplary job in Washington in terms of getting the Canadian interest across in a highly charged, political environment without offending anybody.' — No pressure: Hillman is working directly with her counterpart, U.S. Trade Representative JAMIESON GREER, on the deal. They're no strangers. The two worked together during negotiations for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. She's also often seen with Canada-U.S. Trade Minister DOMINIC LEBLANC coming out of Greer's office building in D.C., as they attempt to hammer out an agreement, sometimes with Commerce Secretary HOWARD LUTNICK. — Made for the moment: Those who know Hillman say she is one of Canada's most credible and capable voices on the world stage. JODY THOMAS, former deputy minister of national defense, called Hillman 'the perfect person to be in the role, at this moment in history.' 'She's smart, she's analytical, she understands how to work with our partners and interlocutors in the United States. And she understands the trade file extraordinarily well,' Thomas said to Playbook. 'And when tensions are heightened and emotions are high, her calm and kind demeanor really makes a difference.' — The exception to the rule: Hillman has been in D.C. for 9 years, first as deputy ambassador then ambassador. There's no fixed term, but her predecessors rarely lasted that long. Before that, she was Canada's chief negotiator for the Trans-Pacific Partnership. She's worked in Washington under presidents BARACK OBAMA, TRUMP, JOE BIDEN and Trump 2.0 — all while guarding against their protectionist policies. 'I don't succumb to frustration,' she previously told POLITICO. — It shows: As Canada's first female ambassador to the U.S., she's spent years building relationships, managing crises and advising Cabinet. She's also pushed Canadian interests outside the White House and deep into red-state America — one spreadsheet and one handshake at a time. As of December, she'd met with 42 U.S. governors. — Breaking the glass ceiling: Her service in the role showcases Canada's values on the world stage, said TABATHA BULL, CEO of the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business. 'She continues to set a powerful example as a strong female diplomat,' Bull told Playbook in a statement. 'Canada's decision to stand behind her leadership sends an important message about the value we place on experienced, principled and diverse representation on the world stage.' → New envoys on the block: Premier WAB KINEW has tapped RICHARD MADAN as Manitoba's next trade representative to the United States. 'I'm an American. I'm also Canadian, and this sounds corny, but you just kind of want to help,' the former journalist told the Winnipeg Free Press. Also at work is NATHAN COOPER, Alberta's new rep in Washington. 'What a rocket ride,' he said of the job. BEHIND THE SCENES — Three Cabinet members have been deputized by Trump to lead trade talks — Commerce Secretary LUTNICK, Treasury Secretary SCOTT BESSENT and U.S. Trade Representative GREER. — Three is a crowd: A POLITICO team led by DANIEL DESROCHERS, MEGAN MESSERLY and ARI HAWKINS report that the officials are bumping into each other — and gumming up negotiations. — Progress report: 'Trump's three-headed negotiating team is often working at cross purposes, or at least that's how it seems to 11 foreign officials, business leaders and advisers on trade talks, who say they are receiving mixed messages from different departments, in what one person close to the talks described as a contest for Trump's loyalty.' The story notes that the most experienced negotiator, Greer, is the farthest from Trump's ear. → Keep reading on the state of talks. DRIVING THE DAY TWO BECOMING FIVE — As Prime Minister CARNEY often says, you're either at the table or you're on the menu. That brings us to the leaders' dinner that opened the NATO summit in The Hague last night, which no doubt offered many chewy discussion points, including TRUMP's convulsive peacemaking attempts with Iran and Israel. Brussels Playbook author TIM ROSS sets the scene: 'Everyone's just hoping the U.S. president appreciated his evening among the gold chandeliers and frescos of the Dutch king's palace enough not to quit the alliance due to being, in general, just totally pissed at the state of the entire goddamn world.' — Trump's main course: NATO defense spending. — Amuse-bouche: Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand predicted an active discussion among the 32 NATO leaders, especially about the timelines on how the alliance's countries will meet the new 5 percent spending target. Canada just announced plans to reach the soon-to-be-outdated 2 percent benchmark. — For starters: Driven by Trump's long-standing demand for allies to do more, NATO must now reach a consensus on how to get to 5 percent. The proposal allocates 3.5 percent to military spending and 1.5 percent to defense-related industry and infrastructure. — Hmm, how about: 'It's not only a question of the amount — whether it is an additional 1.5 percent or an additional 3 percent overall,' Anand told POLITICO from The Hague. 'It's also a question of how you break it down.' — More questions: 'Will there be flexibility in, about 1.5 percent? Will there be a mandatory percentage increase at certain points in time? Will there be increases incrementally, and will there be a review after certain timelines, say, in 2029 — one of the dates that is being floated?' — In related news: The new NATO military spending target will require Canada to spend C$150-billion annually on defence-related priorities, Carney said Tuesday. — Talk of the town: Spain looks poised to take the spotlight off Canada as one of NATO's biggest laggards. Carney's pledge to meet the 2 percent commitment appeared likely to get Canada off the hook this year. Now it seems certain given that calls for a carve-out from Spanish PM PEDRO SÁNCHEZ's have made his country the 'villain' of the summit. → NATO reads from POLITICO: — 'The Trump summit': Rubio credits president for pushing NATO allies. — Zelenskyy clings to NATO hopes as Trump meeting looms. — Inside the air policing mission keeping NATO leaders safe. — Trump plans to tout Iran strikes at NATO summit focused on European defense spending. ON THE HILL THE FINISH LINE — CARNEY's signature piece of legislation is on the agenda today as the Senate returns to action. The PM has promised C-5 will offset TRUMP's tariffs and that removing internal trade regulations will contribute C$200 billion to the Canadian economy. Backed by Conservatives, the sweeping 'nation-building' bill cleared the House on Friday and is on track to become law by Canada Day — just as the prime minister vowed. — Three more hurdles: Today in the Senate, the bill will be introduced. Senators will get the chance to debate the bill during second reading. — Now what: The bill must pass three readings in the Senate before it can become law. But it won't face a routine committee review. — Crunch time: The Red Chamber is treating Bill C-5 as urgent legislation, as senators face political pressure to pass it by Friday before summer recess begins. Senators pre-studied C-5 last week, taking time to question Internal Trade Minister CHRYSTIA FREELAND, Canada-U.S. Trade Minister LEBLANC and Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister REBECCA ALTY. But if the bill hasn't passed third reading by Friday at 5:15 p.m., Senate Speaker RAYMONDE GAGNÉ will force a final vote. — Also on deck: This week, senators are also expected to approve more than C$158 billion in government spending for the 2025–2026 fiscal year that ends March 31. THE ROOMS THAT MATTER — Prime Minister MARK CARNEY is at the NATO Summit where his Wednesday-morning agenda included meetings with New Zealand PM CHRISTOPHER LUXON and Estonian PM KRISTEN MICHAL. He also attended a welcome by NATO Secretary-General MARK RUTTE and Netherlands PM DICK SCHOOF before a meeting of the North Atlantic Council. He has meetings lined up with KYRIAKOS MITSOTAKIS, the PM of Greece, and ALEXANDER STUBB, president of Finland. He's scheduled to hold a media avail at 2:30 p.m. local time (8:30 a.m. in Ottawa). — Energy Minister TIM HODGSON will deliver a keynote address and participate in a noon hour fireside chat with the Toronto Region Board of Trade. — AI and Digital Innovation Minister EVAN SOLOMON will be at the Vector Institute (Schwartz Reisman Innovation Campus in Toronto) to make a 1 p.m. announcement in support of AI-driven health care solutions. — Defense Minister DAVID MCGUINTY is in Latvia. Want more POLITICO? Download our mobile app to save stories, get notifications on U.S.-Canada relations, and more. In iOS or Android . MORNING MUST-CLICKS — 'Carney doesn't appear to have a grand theory of public service reform — but change is happening anyway,' KATHRYN MAY writes in Policy Options. 'The system is being reshaped piece by piece, not by design, but by the demands of what he's trying to get done.' — And ROBERT FIFE of the Globe reports: 'Carney ready to dismiss top bureaucrats unable to meet his expectations, Liberal insiders say.' — POILIEVRE takes questions on a special edition of the 'Hub Dialogues' with SEAN SPEER. — 'As aggressive as Carney has been to date—zeroing out the carbon tax rate, leading the new Parliament with a personal income tax cut bill, promising to meet the NATO target of 2 percent of GDP on military spending by March—from here on out, things will only get tougher,' DAVID MOSCROP writes in The Walrus. — Liberal MP NATE ERSKINE-SMITH is on the latest episode of 'The Backbench.' — MARIE WOOLF of the Globe reports that child-safety advocates and technology experts are urging the federal government to bring back the online harms bill, but to split it in two to expedite measures that protect children from abuse. PROZONE Our latest Pro PM Canada subscriber newsletter: Canada and NATO's new target. Other headlines for Pro subscribers: — Gavi's vaccine summit faces funding test as US cuts, defense spending loom. — Saudis, US drive strife inside global climate science body. — U.S. agencies reported over 2,000 use cases of AI. — Fears grow EU will cave on tech rules amid Trump pressure. — European Commission threatens to kill forest protection law. — As Trump fumes, Powell tells lawmakers he's in no rush to lower rates. PLAYBOOKERS Birthdays: Finance Minister FRANÇOIS-PHILIPPE CHAMPAGNE is 55 today. Former Sen. ROMÉO DALLAIRE, ROBERT ROSENFELD of GreenShield and former MP LINDA FRANCIS DUNCAN also celebrate today. And HBD to the amazing WILLA PLANK, an editor of Canada Playbook. Movers and shakers: MOHAMMAD KAMAL is director of communications for Treasury Board President SHAFQAT ALI. Spotted: Maine Gov. JANET MILLS, on a three-day charm offensive to Canada. CP has the details. Canada's SHAI GILGEOUS-ALEXANDER, showed up to the Oklahoma City Thunder's NBA championship parade with a Canadian flag around his waist … OKC Mayor Mayor DAVID HOLT, naming July 30th after the athlete from Hamilton, Ontario. Noted: 'Run Like A Girl,' a memoir by former Environment Minister CATHERINE MCKENNA will be published Sept. 23 in North America with Sutherland House. Lobby watch: Marinvest Energy Canada posted a June 17 meeting with Conservative Party Leader PIERRE POILIEVRE and Conservative MP and Quebec Lieutenant PIERRE PAUL-HUS … Indigenous Water Partnership posted a June 23 meeting with Conservative MP BILLY MORIN … Environmental Defense Fund reported a June 23 meeting with Liberal MP ERIC ST-PIERRE. Media mentions: The Radio Television Digital News Foundation announced its scholarships for the 2024-2025 academic year. TRIVIA Tuesday's answer: In 1955, GEORGE IGNATIEFF and LESTER B. PEARSON participated in a drinking contest with the Soviet leader NIKITA KHRUSHCHEV where the Canadians downed 18 shots of vodka. Props to BRANDON WALLACE, GREG LYNDON, RODDY MCFALL, TOBY HARPER-MERRETT, JANE GRIFFITH, ANDREW SZENDE, SEAN SUNDERLAND, ALEXANDER LANDRY, JOSEPH CRESSATTI, RONALD LEMIEUX, ASHLEY THOMSON, SHAUGHN MCARTHUR, JOHN MATHESON, JOANNA PLATER, ELIZABETH BURN, RAY DEL BIANCO, MARC SHAW, PAUL PARK, GARY ALLEN, JOSEPH PLANTA, J. ROLLAND VAIVE, JOHN PEPPER, ADAM SMITH, CHRIS RANDS, MARCEL MARCOTTE and JEFFREY VALOIS. Props +1 to EVAN CATHCART. Wednesday's question: Who said the following? 'I found the biggest challenge was the Ottawa Press Gallery. The people who cover politics all the time were the worst. Regional journalists were not so much of a problem. … But the Ottawa Press Gallery really feels like they own the politics.' For bonus marks: Tell us how your answer connects to this date in history. Answers to canadaplaybook@ Writing tomorrow's Playbook: MICKEY DJURIC and MIKE BLANCHFIELD. Canada Playbook would not happen without: Canada Editor Sue Allan, editor Willa Plank and POLITICO's Grace Maalouf.
