Trudeau will resign as Prime Minister

Justin Trudeau, who has been Canada’s prime minister for almost a decade, said he would resign in the coming months, pandering to an angry electorate at a time of uncertain economic prospects and political strife. He suspended Parliament until March 24, he said.

The announcement has left Canada in political turmoil just as the new Trump administration has vowed to impose tough tariffs on Canadian imports. Trudeau’s replacement will be chosen in the Liberal Party’s national election.

He is the latest leader in the West to be pushed back by anti-takeover sentiment, opposition to immigration and anger over the lingering effects of a spike in inflation during the coronavirus pandemic. Although inflation in Canada has fallen below 2 percent, unemployment remains high, above 6 percent.

Quoted: “It’s time for a reset,” Trudeau said, adding: “I really feel that removing the controversy surrounding my own leadership is an opportunity to turn the temperature down.”

By numbers: According to an Ipsos poll released last month, 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 restrictions on aid to Syria

Weeks after rebel forces toppled the Assad family’s 50-year authoritarian rule over the country, The Biden administration lifted some restrictions on humanitarian aid to Syria, but retained extensive sanctions.

The Treasury Department’s decision, which has been in place for six months, allows humanitarian groups to operate more freely without violating US sanctions, including helping to provide basic services such as electricity, energy, water and sanitation.

Sanctions remain one of the most pressing concerns for Syria’s new administration as it tries to chart a way forward, and Ahmed al-Shara, the leader of the rebel coalition that ousted the government, has called on the US to begin easing restrictions.

Background: During Syria’s civil war, the US and its allies routinely sought to apply economic pressure to now-deposed President Bashar al-Assad, his inner circle and the country’s economy as a whole. Washington is now taking cautious steps to direct its approach to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the main rebel faction that toppled the government in Damascus.

From the region:

Russia has captured a key city in Ukraine

Russia said yesterday that she took control Kurakhovo, a town in the southern Donbas region of Ukraine, approaching the forces there.

Ukrainian forces have made progress with a renewed push into the Kursk region of southern Russia. Combat footage, located by military analysts, showed Ukraine trying to break through Russian defenses in at least three directions – the first significant attempt to advance in the region since Ukraine’s initial incursion in August.

Stakes: The capture of Kurakhov and surrounding towns could allow Russia to expand its assault on the city of Pokrovsk, the flashpoint of the war in recent months, military analysts said. Russia is trying to encircle the city, hoping to avoid brutal and protracted fighting in the cities.

Analysis: The two-pronged offensive underscored how both the Kremlin and Kiev want to show strength as Donald Trump prepares to take office, experts say. Trump promised to end the war quickly, but did not say how.

MORE TOP NEWS

The Taliban are desperate for a cash injection after losing billions in international aid. Now they are looking underground for an estimated trillion dollars mineral deposits and precious stones beneath the harsh landscape of Afghanistan.

But it remains to be seen whether the Taliban can do what the US could not: control the country’s deeply chaotic industry enough to profit from it.

Lived lives: Drag star James Lee Williams, who performed as The Vivienne and won the inaugural season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race UK,” died over the weekend at 32

CONVERSATION STARTERS

ARTS AND IDEAS

Pushing their buttons

Many online creators have taught their pets to communicate by stomping on colorful plastic buttons on the floor, expressing terms such as FOOD, MORE and even ME DOG. For some commentators, the posts inspire fervent derision; others are amazed and even inspired.

But what do scientists think? “Supposedly, the interest in dogs is that they are a different species. There’s something unknown about them that’s wonderful,” said Alexandra Horowitz, director of the Canine Cognition Lab at Barnard College. “Why do we make them wear clothes and speak our language?”

That’s it for today’s briefing. See you tomorrow. — Natasha

Reach out to Natasha and the team at [email protected].