Trudeau will resign as prime minister
Justin Trudeau, who has served as Canada’s prime minister for nearly a decade, has said he will step down in the coming months, bowing to angry voters at a time of economic uncertainty and political strife. He suspended Parliament until March 24, he said.
The announcement has left Canada in political turmoil as the incoming Trump administration has vowed to impose punitive tariffs on Canadian imports. Trudeau’s successor will be chosen in the Liberal Party’s general election.
He is the latest leader in the West to be swept up in anti-incumbency, pushback on immigration and anger over the lingering effects of inflation during the coronavirus crisis. Although inflation in Canada has dropped to less than two percent, unemployment remains high, at more than six percent.
Excerpts: “It’s time for a reset,” Trudeau said, adding: “I really feel that removing the controversy surrounding my continued leadership is an opportunity to lower the temperature.”
In numbers: According to a poll released last month by Ipsos, 73 per cent of Canadians – including 43 per cent of Liberal voters – believe he should step down as party leader.
The US has eased some aid restrictions to Syria
Weeks after rebel forces toppled the country’s 50-year-old Assad family regime, the Biden administration lifted some restrictions on humanitarian aid to Syria but continued to impose sanctions.
The Treasury Department’s decision, which lasts six months, allows humanitarian organizations to operate freely without facing US sanctions, including helping to provide basic services such as electricity, power, water and sanitation.
Sanctions remain one of the main concerns of Syria’s new administration, as it tries to chart a way forward, and Ahmed al-Shara, the leader of the rebel coalition that toppled the government, has called on the US to begin easing restrictions.
Background: During the civil war in Syria, the US and its allies often looked to put economic pressure on ousted President Bashar al-Assad, his inner circle and the country’s economy. Washington is now taking cautious steps to target Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the main rebel group that ousted the government in Damascus.
From the region:
Russia captured an important city in Ukraine
Russia yesterday said it had taken control of Kurakhove, a city in the southern Donbas region of Ukraine, and closed its forces there.
The Ukrainian military is building its own forces by repressing the Kursk region in southern Russia. Combat footage, obtained by military analysts, showed that Ukraine was trying to break through Russian defenses in at least three directions – its first significant attempt to advance in the region since Ukraine’s first offensive in August.
Poles: Taking Kurakhove and nearby towns would allow Russia to expand its offensive on the city of Pokrovsk, which has been the center of the battle for the past months, military analysts said. Russia is trying to surround the city, hoping to avoid a brutal and prolonged battle for the cities.
Analysis: The attacks underscored how the Kremlin and Kyiv are seeking a show of force, as Donald Trump prepares to take office, experts say. Trump has vowed to quickly end the war but has not said how.
A LOT OF TOPICS
The Taliban are desperate for a cash injection after losing billions in international aid. Now, they’re looking underground for an estimated $1 trillion in mineral and gemstone deposits beneath Afghanistan’s rugged landscape.
But it remains to be seen whether the Taliban can do what the US has been unable to do: control the country’s chaotic industry enough to profit from it.
Lives were lived: Drag star James Lee Williams, who starred as The Vivienne and won the first season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race UK,” died over the weekend at the age of 32.
THEY DO NOT START THE CONVERSATION
ART AND IDEAS
Pushing their buttons
Many online creators have trained their pets to communicate by stomping on multicolored plastic buttons on the floor, which spell out concepts like FOOD, MORE and even I DOG. For some commenters, the post provoked ridicule; others are surprised and even inspired.
But what do scientists think? “Obviously, the interest of having dogs is that they are of a different breed. There’s something unknown about them, and that’s great,” said Alexandra Horowitz, head of the canine science lab at Barnard College. “Why do we tend to force them to wear our clothes and speak our language?”
That’s it for today. See you tomorrow. – Natasha
Reach Natasha and the team at briefing@nytimes.com.
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