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Canada and South Korea Explore Auto Manufacturing Deal Amid Trade Tensions with U.S.
Canada and South Korea announced an agreement on Thursday to explore bringing Korean automotive manufacturing to Canada, signaling a further diversification of Canada's trade relationships amid ongoing trade tensions with the United States, according to the New York Times. The accord comes as Canada faces U.S. tariffs that threaten its auto industry.
The agreement follows Prime Minister Mark Carney's call at the World Economic Forum for middle power nations to collaborate in response to what he described as an "irreversible rupture to the world order" caused by U.S. President Trump's economic and diplomatic policies, the NY Times reported. Trump has repeatedly stated that the United States does not need autos from Canada and imposed a 25 percent tariff on Canadian vehicles. While details of the agreement remain limited, it represents a strategic move by Canada to reduce its reliance on trade with the U.S.
EU Designates Iran's Revolutionary Guard as Terrorist Group
In a separate international development, the European Union added Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to its terrorist list in response to Tehran's crackdown on protesters, BBC World reported. The decision places the IRGC, a major military, economic, and political force in Iran, on the same level as jihadist groups like al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group.
"Repression cannot go unanswered," said the EU's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, according to BBC World. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dismissed the EU decision as a "stunt" and a "major strategic mistake," BBC World noted. Human rights groups estimate that thousands of protesters were killed by security forces, including the IRGC, during recent unrest.
Trump Warns Iran, BBC Reports Putin Agreed to Pause Ukraine Attacks
President Trump is turning his attention back to Iran, which he is threatening with more military strikes if Iran did not agree to various demands, including a deal to end its nuclear enrichment program, the NY Times reported. Trump suggested that time is running out for Iran to negotiate such a deal.
Meanwhile, Trump stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed not to attack Ukrainian cities for a week due to "extraordinary cold" weather, BBC World reported. Russia has not confirmed any such agreement. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed Trump's announcement and said he expected Russia to keep its promise, according to BBC World. Temperatures in Kyiv are expected to plummet to -24C (-11F) in the coming days.
France Moves to Abolish Marital Duty to Have Sex
In France, the National Assembly approved a bill to end the concept of "conjugal rights," clarifying that marriage does not create an "obligation for sexual relations," BBC World reported. The proposed law also makes it impossible to use lack of sexual relations as an argument in fault-based divorce. Supporters hope the law will help deter marital rape, though it is unlikely to have a major impact in the courts, according to BBC World.
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