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Stand on the riverbank in Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit is directly in front of you. It’s not quite spitting distance but it’s swimmable.

Canada‘s auto capital and America‘s motor city are divided by the Detroit River, tied by the Ambassador’s Bridge which transports $323m (£260m) worth of goods between Canada and the US every day.

Donald Trump‘s threatened 25% tariff on all Canadian exports – with a carve-out for energy at 10% – would have weighed heavy here, and that’s putting it mildly. Car parts can criss-cross the border multiple times before they roll off the finish line in either Detroit or Windsor.

The Ambassador Bridge connecting Detroit with Windsor
Image:
The Ambassador Bridge connecting Detroit with Windsor

The tariff would have put tens of thousands of jobs on the line in Ontario – in the auto industry, in agriculture, and in the energy sector too.

So the one-month pause – announced on Monday after last-minute talks between Mr Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau – is a huge relief.

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Why did the US pause tariffs on Canada?

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Drew Dilkens, the mayor of Windsor, told Sky News: “25% across the board is catastrophic. It’s not even a hard response, it is a catastrophic response.

“We just hope not to be back in this same situation with the amount of uncertainty that we felt 30 days from now.”

Mayor of Windsor Drew Dilkens
Image:
Mayor of Windsor Drew Dilkens

The mayor announced on Monday that he would suspend funding for the cross-border tunnel bus, which transports 40,000 Canadians to Detroit each year for shopping or entertainment, or whatever it is they might choose to do there.

“If I’m under economic attack by our best friend and closest trading partner, I absolutely do not want to subsidise and support bringing transit to their community to help with their economic development,” he said.

In a liquor store in Windsor, the shelves are still stacked with American whisky and Californian wines.

“You’re still selling that stuff?” one customer asks a sheepish-looking salesman.

Ontario premier Doug Ford had ordered stores to remove American liquor starting Tuesday if the tariffs went into effect. That order is now on hold, along with his announcement that he would rip up Ontario’s $68m (£55m) contract with Elon Musk’s Starlink to provide internet access to rural homes. But they could be reinstated in an instant.

Read more from Sky News:
Why China has not retaliated more in Trump trade spat
What’s going on with Trump and tariffs and what does it all mean?

“Trump’s an idiot,” says James Summerfield, who stops to chat on the street. “He’s trying to get money from every angle he possibly can, to be the ‘best president’ there’s ever been, but most likely he’s the worst president we’ve ever had on that side of the border.

“I don’t think anyone from Canada thinks we’re going to pay to ship their cars over there.”

James Summerfield
Image:
James Summerfield

In a local car repair workshop, a group of workers are tucking into a lunch of hummus and falafel which they generously offer around.

“We have a lot of power when it comes to them receiving electricity and energy,” Jin tells us. “None of this is going to be good. Like both sides are going to lose if the tariff ends up going through.”

For now, the mood feels more like a fragile truce than a crisis averted.

“No one wants to support a bully,” mayor Dilkens says. “We’re close friends, we’re close neighbours. One president of the United States is not going to disrupt centuries of friendship. It’s just going to be choppy waters for the next three years and 11 months.”

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‘Let’s do a deal’: Zelenskyy touts Ukraine’s rare earth stores to Trump

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'Let's do a deal': Zelenskyy touts Ukraine's rare earth stores to Trump

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has told Donald Trump “let’s do a deal” as he offered the US a partnership over Ukraine’s stores of rare earth and minerals.

Earlier this week, Mr Trump said he wanted Ukraine to supply the US with critical resources in exchange for financial support in its war with Russia.

In an interview with Reuters on Friday, Mr Zelenskyy said: “If we are talking about a deal, then let’s do a deal, we are only for it.”

While emphasising that Kyiv was not proposing “giving away” its resources, he said he was open to a mutually beneficial partnership to develop them jointly.

Ukraine-Russia war latest: Ukrainian forces seize land inside Russia

Rare earths are a group of 17 metals that are vital in the production of high-performance magnets, electric motors and consumer electronics.

Mr Zelenskyy touted the country’s reserves of titanium and uranium as Europe’s largest.

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According to the World Economic Forum, Ukraine also has the potential to become a key supplier of lithium, beryllium, manganese, gallium, zirconium, graphite, apatite, fluorite and nickel.

Showing a map of Ukraine’s mineral deposits, he then said Russia currently has control of less than 20% of the country’s mineral resources – but that includes about half its rare earth deposits.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy with the 'Plan of Victory' map. Pic: Reuters
Image:
Zelenskyy said Ukraine has Europe’s largest stores of titanium and uranium. Pic: Reuters

Putin is not just grabbing them [minerals] along with the land, he is already thinking about how to get other partners in his alliance – North Korea, Iran… and he will give them access,” Mr Zelenskyy said.

“This is very rich land. This does not mean that we are giving it away to anyone, even to strategic partners. We are talking about partnership…

“Let’s develop this together, make money, and most importantly, it’s about the security of the Western world.”

The Ukrainian president added that Kyiv and the White House were discussing the idea of using the country’s underground gas storage sites to store American liquefied natural gas, calling it “very interesting”.

He also said he would like to discuss the US having priority when it came to rebuilding Ukraine, saying it would amount to “a lot of money for business”.

‘Not accepting Russia’s ultimatums’

He also insisted that Mr Trump must meet with him before he meets with the Russian president, “otherwise it will look like a dialogue about Ukraine without Ukraine”.

He added: “I don’t know what compromises can be discussed at the negotiating table, we have not reached that point…

“It is important for people to understand that Ukraine is negotiating, not accepting ultimatums from Russia.”

He also stressed Ukraine’s need for security guarantees from its allies as part of any settlement.

It comes as Mr Trump said he may meet with Mr Zelenskyy in the White House as early as next week. The two last met in New York in September last year.

Mr Trump also repeated his interest in meeting the Russian president with whom he said he always had a “good relationship”.

Speaking to reporters while meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Mr Trump said: “I’d like to see it end, just on a human basis. I’d like to see that end. It’s a ridiculous war.”

Read more:
Ukraine peacekeeping force without US troops would be ‘mistake’
Lammy promises £55m for Ukraine during visit

Mr Zelenskyy also told Reuters in his interview that thousands of North Korean soldiers have now returned to fight Kyiv’s forces in the Kursk region of Russia.

A Ukrainian special forces commander told Sky News last month that it appeared that North Korean troops had been temporarily pulled back from the frontline after heavy losses.

The commander, who went by the codename “Puls,” claimed the forces had been seen blowing themselves up with grenades rather than risk capture.

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Hamas names three Israeli hostages it says it will release today

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Hamas names three Israeli hostages it says it will release today

Hamas has released the names of three Israeli hostages it says it will release today in the fifth such swap of a fragile ceasefire in Gaza.

The hostages are Eli Sharabi, Ohad Ben Ami and Or Levy, Hamas armed wing spokesperson Abu Obeida said in a Telegram post.

An Israeli official confirmed Israel had received the three names from Hamas.

In return for the captives’ release, Hamas said it expects 183 Palestinian prisoners to be released.

Jabalia, in northern Gaza, after months of Israel attacks.
Pic: Reuters/Dawoud Abu Alkas
Image:
Jabalia, in northern Gaza, after months of Israeli attacks.
Pic: Reuters/Dawoud Abu Alkas

Both Mr Ami, 56, and Mr Sharabi, 52, were taken from Kibbutz Be’eri during the 7 October attack. The cross-border attack saw around 1,200 Israelis killed and around 250 people taken hostage.

Mr Levy, 34, was abducted from the Nova music festival.

Of the Palestinian prisoners being freed, 18 have been serving life sentences, 54 were serving long sentences and the vast majority, 111, were detained in Gaza during the war.

Eli Sharabi

Mr Sharabi’s wife Lianne Sharabi was born in Bristol.

She, along with their children, 16-year-old Noiya and 13-year-old Yahel, were killed in the 7 October attack.

His brother Yossi was also killed after being taken hostage.

In a statement after news he would be released was announced, Mr Sharabi’s lawyers said the “family has already lost too much… [they] are pleased and relieved that Eli Sharabi is reportedly on the list for release by Hamas”.

It added: “It is long past time to bring Eli home.”

Or Levy

Mr Levy was captured by militants from a bomb shelter near the Nova music festival.

His wife Einav was killed during the 7 October attack. Their son Almog, a toddler, is staying with his grandparents.

Mr Levy is from the city of Rishon Lezion, where he worked as a computer programmer.

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Michael Levy speaks to Sky News about his brother

Some of Mr Levy’s family previously spoke about his kidnapping and the death of his wife.

Speaking around Hanukkah last year, his brother Michael Levy told Sky News’s Yousra Elbagir: “I have three little girls but it won’t be the same. Hanukkah is a happy holiday – you light candles, you sing and eat all sorts of things but for us it is not a real holiday without Or.”

Ohad Ben Ami

Mr Ben Ami, a father of three, was taken hostage with his wife Raz, who was released during the brief ceasefire period in November.

His daughter Ella Ben Ami previously spoke to Sky News about missing her dad Mr Ami, as she pleaded for his release.

“On the eve of Christmas, on the 24 December, it will be his birthday, and I don’t want to celebrate it without him,” she told Sky News in 2023.

Ms Ami was previously one of the first to tell the world what happened on 7 October, calling an Israeli TV channel while hiding.

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Ella Ben Ami: ‘I miss my Dad and I need my Dad with me’ this Christmas Eve

Row over aid access

Earlier on Friday, Hamas accused Israel of breaching the ceasefire accord and held off announcing the names of the Israeli hostages until the deadline had passed.

The militant group claimed Israel delayed the entry of hundreds of trucks carrying food and other humanitarian supplies agreed under the truce deal and held back all but a fraction of the tents and mobile homes needed to provide people shelter in the devastated enclave.

“This demonstrates clear manipulation of relief and shelter priorities,” Hamas said in a statement.

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Trump 100 Day 17: Can Trump take over the Gaza Strip?

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COGAT, the Israeli military agency that is overseeing the aid deliveries into Gaza, denied the accusation.

It added Israel would “not tolerate violations by Hamas”.

The claims and counter-claims highlight the fragility and uncertainty of the ceasefire.

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Gaza ceasefire deal explained

This has been heightened by US President Donald Trump recently saying the US could take over Gaza and move the Palestinian population out.

Israel’s air and ground war in Gaza has killed more than 47,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials, and displaced the majority of the strip’s population.

Read more:
What’s in the ceasefire deal?
The Israel-Hamas war in numbers

Fragile ceasefire deal

So far, 13 of the 33 female, older male and child hostages set to be released in the first phase of the multi-phase agreement have returned to Israel.

Five Thai hostages have also been released.

Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and detainees have been released in exchange, often returning to large crowds.

Work on the second stage of the agreement, aimed at the release of around 60 male hostages and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, has begun.

An Israeli negotiating team was expected to fly to Doha today, according to media reports.

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‘Let’s do a deal’: Zelenskyy touts Ukraine’s rare earth stores to Trump

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'Let's do a deal': Zelenskyy touts Ukraine's rare earth stores to Trump

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has told Donald Trump “let’s do a deal” as he offered the US a partnership over Ukraine’s stores of rare earth and minerals.

Earlier this week, Mr Trump said he wanted Ukraine to supply the US with critical resources in exchange for financial support in its war with Russia.

In an interview with Reuters on Friday, Mr Zelenskyy said: “If we are talking about a deal, then let’s do a deal, we are only for it.”

While emphasising that Kyiv was not proposing “giving away” its resources, he said he was open to a mutually beneficial partnership to develop them jointly.

Ukraine-Russia war latest: Ukrainian forces seize land inside Russia

Rare earths are a group of 17 metals that are vital in the production of high-performance magnets, electric motors and consumer electronics.

Mr Zelenskyy touted the country’s reserves of titanium and uranium as Europe’s largest.

More on Donald Trump

According to the World Economic Forum, Ukraine also has the potential to become a key supplier of lithium, beryllium, manganese, gallium, zirconium, graphite, apatite, fluorite and nickel.

Showing a map of Ukraine’s mineral deposits, he then said Russia currently has control of less than 20% of the country’s mineral resources – but that includes about half its rare earth deposits.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy with the 'Plan of Victory' map. Pic: Reuters
Image:
Zelenskyy said Ukraine has Europe’s largest stores of titanium and uranium. Pic: Reuters

Putin is not just grabbing them [minerals] along with the land, he is already thinking about how to get other partners in his alliance – North Korea, Iran… and he will give them access,” Mr Zelenskyy said.

“This is very rich land. This does not mean that we are giving it away to anyone, even to strategic partners. We are talking about partnership…

“Let’s develop this together, make money, and most importantly, it’s about the security of the Western world.”

The Ukrainian president added that Kyiv and the White House were discussing the idea of using the country’s underground gas storage sites to store American liquefied natural gas, calling it “very interesting”.

He also said he would like to discuss the US having priority when it came to rebuilding Ukraine, saying it would amount to “a lot of money for business”.

‘Not accepting Russia’s ultimatums’

He also insisted that Mr Trump must meet with him before he meets with the Russian president, “otherwise it will look like a dialogue about Ukraine without Ukraine”.

He added: “I don’t know what compromises can be discussed at the negotiating table, we have not reached that point…

“It is important for people to understand that Ukraine is negotiating, not accepting ultimatums from Russia.”

He also stressed Ukraine’s need for security guarantees from its allies as part of any settlement.

It comes as Mr Trump said he may meet with Mr Zelenskyy in the White House as early as next week. The two last met in New York in September last year.

Mr Trump also repeated his interest in meeting the Russian president with whom he said he always had a “good relationship”.

Speaking to reporters while meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Mr Trump said: “I’d like to see it end, just on a human basis. I’d like to see that end. It’s a ridiculous war.”

Read more:
Ukraine peacekeeping force without US troops would be ‘mistake’
Lammy promises £55m for Ukraine during visit

Mr Zelenskyy also told Reuters in his interview that thousands of North Korean soldiers have now returned to fight Kyiv’s forces in the Kursk region of Russia.

A Ukrainian special forces commander told Sky News last month that it appeared that North Korean troops had been temporarily pulled back from the frontline after heavy losses.

The commander, who went by the codename “Puls,” claimed the forces had been seen blowing themselves up with grenades rather than risk capture.

Continue Reading

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