Sunday Briefing: Federal Shooting in Minnesota, Syria Ceasefire Extended, Trump Threatens Canada With Sweeping Tariffs
The United States, the Middle East, and global trade relations dominated headlines this Sunday, as a deadly federal law enforcement operation unfolded in Minnesota, Syria extended a fragile ceasefire with the YPG SDF, and President Donald Trump escalated economic pressure on Canada over its ties with China.
Federal Agent Kills Armed Suspect in Minnesota
The suspect reportedly shot dead by federal agents today in Minneapolis drew a gun on them and defensive shots were fired, authorities say
Nonetheless, expect increased unrest in the Twin Cities starting immediately
Monitoring the situation . . .
pic.twitter.com/quELjjtAxA— Border Hawk (@BorderHawkNews) January 24, 2026
A US Border Patrol officer fatally shot an armed individual during a targeted operation in Minneapolis, marking the second such incident in Minnesota this month. The Department of Homeland Security said the operation took place at 9.05 am local time and involved a suspect wanted for violent assault.
According to DHS, the individual approached officers carrying a 9mm semi-automatic handgun. Officers attempted to disarm him, but the suspect violently resisted, leading to the fatal shooting. The incident has renewed scrutiny over federal immigration enforcement activities in the state, which have already triggered protests and political tension in recent weeks.
President Donald Trump later urged Minnesota officials to allow Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to operate freely, warning that failure to clear the state of undocumented immigrants would result in harsher federal measures.
Syria Extends Ceasefire With YPG SDF
After the ceasefire deal between the SDF and the Syrian government expired, I joined @VanierCyril on @AJEnglish to share thoughts about what might come next. As I thought, the ceasefire has now been extended to allow for the transfer of ISIS detainees, but major risks lie ahead. pic.twitter.com/gEdyCIfctw
— Will Todman (@WillTodman) January 24, 2026
Syria has extended its ceasefire with the YPG SDF terror organization for an additional 15 days, according to a statement from the Defense Ministry carried by the Syrian Arab News Agency. The ceasefire will apply across all operational sectors of the Syrian Army and came into effect at 11 pm on January 24.
The ministry said the extension is intended to support a US-led operation to evacuate ISIS detainees currently held in SDF-run prisons and transfer them to Iraq. The announcement followed the expiration of a previous four-day truce, after which Damascus stated that it would reassess its next steps.
Meanwhile, the Syrian Army accused the YPG SDF of bringing reinforcements from PKK militants based in Iraq’s Qandil Mountains into the northeastern province of Hasakah. Syrian authorities also announced the resumption of oil extraction from fields recaptured from the group, signaling a renewed push to consolidate control over strategic resources.
Trump Threatens Canada With 100 Percent Tariffs
🚨 BREAKING: Trump Threatens 100% Tariffs on Canada Over China Trade Deal
U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose 100 percent tariffs on all Canadian goods entering the United States if Canada proceeds with its recently negotiated trade and strategic partnership… pic.twitter.com/iUVqq4U759
— FinancialPress.com (@FinancialPress_) January 24, 2026
President Donald Trump threatened to impose 100 percent tariffs on all Canadian goods entering the United States if Ottawa reaches a trade agreement with Beijing. Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump warned that Canada would face immediate economic consequences if it became a transit point for Chinese products entering the US market.
Trump referred to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney as “governor” and said he would be sorely mistaken if he allowed Canada to serve as a drop-off port for Chinese exports. The remarks add to growing uncertainty in North American trade relations and raise the prospect of a new tariff confrontation between Washington and Ottawa.
Global Developments in Brief
Across Europe, tensions flared after Trump questioned NATO’s role in Afghanistan, prompting criticism from leaders in Norway, Denmark, and the United Kingdom. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer held a call with Trump following public outrage in the UK, while Danish officials said the comments were deeply hurtful to veterans.
In the Middle East, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met in Jerusalem with US envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to discuss the Gaza war, the Rafah border crossing, and Iran. Türkiye’s intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin met with Hamas representatives in Istanbul, while President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said efforts to eradicate ISIS terrorism in the region were intensifying.
Elsewhere, trilateral talks between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States concluded in Abu Dhabi, with negotiations set to resume next week. Algeria summoned a French diplomat over a controversial television documentary, and Nordic and Baltic foreign ministers urged Russia to stop targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
Severe weather dominated the United States, where more than 14,000 flights were canceled amid a major winter storm, and Trump approved emergency declarations for 12 states. Heavy rain and snowfall in Afghanistan killed at least 61 people and injured more than 100.
Business and Energy
Libya’s prime minister announced that the country’s oil production reached a 12 year high of 1.37 million barrels per day in 2025, driven by the reopening of multiple oil fields and the launch of the first exploration licensing round in 17 years.
Türkiye and Libya also agreed to expand cooperation in oil and renewable energy during a joint economic commission meeting in Tripoli, committing to closer collaboration in both onshore and offshore energy projects.
As geopolitical tensions, trade threats, and security concerns converge, the coming week is expected to bring further developments across diplomacy, energy markets, and international security.