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Canada has warned the United States to respect its sovereignty after reports that Alberta separatists held informal discussions with US officials, while Washington said it offered no support.

This comes as Venezuela approved oil sector reforms alongside limited US sanctions relief, Burkina Faso dissolved all political parties under a military decree, and Germany outlined plans for a national satellite-based missile warning system.

Read more below ⤵️

Top 5 Stories

1️⃣ 🇨🇦🇺🇸 Canada warns US over Alberta separatist talks: Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said the US should respect Canadian sovereignty after reports that Alberta separatists met US officials, with the White House saying no support was offered. The contacts drew criticism from other premiers, while separatists said the discussions were informal and exploratory.

2️⃣ 🇻🇪🇺🇸 Venezuela signs oil reform as US eases sanctions: Interim President Delcy Rodriguez signed an oil reform law expanding private participation, capping royalties and moving disputes outside Venezuelan courts as the US loosened some oil-related sanctions. The changes follow US pressure after Nicolás Maduro’s abduction, with Washington calling the relief limited and critics raising sovereignty concerns.

3️⃣ 🇧🇫 Burkina Faso dissolves all political parties: Burkina Faso’s military government issued a decree dissolving all political parties and transferring their assets to the state, with officials citing divisions and weakened social cohesion. The decision comes amid a broader crackdown on dissent and ongoing insurgency-related security challenges.

4️⃣ 🇩🇪🇪🇺 Germany plans satellite missile detection system: Germany said it aims to develop a national space-based missile detection capability, open to European cooperation, to reduce reliance on US early warning systems. Officials said discussions are ongoing, though timelines and budgets remain undefined despite warnings of urgent threats.

5️⃣ 🇺🇸🇷🇺🇺🇦 Trump claims temporary pause in Russian strikes: President Trump said Vladimir Putin agreed not to attack Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities for a week due to extreme cold, though Russia has not confirmed the claim. President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine expects the agreement to be honoured despite continued attacks on energy infrastructure.

Major Story

🇺🇸🇨🇺 Trump threatens tariffs on oil supplied to Cuba

US President Donald Trump said the United States may impose tariffs on countries that sell or provide oil to Cuba, outlining the move in an executive order that did not specify tariff rates or name potential targets. The order describes Cuba’s government as an “unusual and extraordinary threat” and accuses Havana of hosting adversaries of the United States, while stating that measures could apply to any country supplying oil to the island directly or indirectly. 

Trump said Cuba’s situation had worsened after Venezuela stopped sending oil and financial support following the seizure of President Nicolás Maduro by US forces on 3 January, noting that Venezuela had previously supplied about 35,000 barrels per day. US actions against Venezuelan oil shipments have contributed to fuel shortages and electricity blackouts in Cuba, while Cuban officials said the country has the right to import fuel without US interference and the Cuban government declined to comment.

Other News

1️⃣ 🇸🇾 Syria grants citizenship to Kurds: Syria ordered the immediate rollout of a decree granting citizenship to all Kurds, including those previously stateless, with a February 5 deadline. The move follows government advances against the SDF and coincides with reports of displacement and shortages in northern regions.

2️⃣ 🇮🇷🇹🇷 Iran seeks talks in Ankara to avert conflict: Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi will hold talks in Ankara as Turkey attempts to mediate amid US military threats. Officials on all sides said diplomacy and military preparations are continuing, with no direct US-Iran talks or agreement announced.

3️⃣ 🇪🇺🇮🇷 EU designates IRGC as terrorist organisation: The EU designated Iran’s Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organisation and sanctioned additional officials and entities over protest repression. Iranian officials criticised the move, while the EU said it triggers asset freezes and criminal penalties for support.

4️⃣ 🇪🇺🇺🇸 EU moves to cut reliance on US LNG: The EU said it will seek to diversify away from US liquefied natural gas after President Trump’s Greenland threats highlighted energy vulnerabilities. Officials said alternative suppliers are being pursued, though US gas remains essential in the short term.

5️⃣ 🇲🇲🇦🇸🇪🇦 ASEAN rejects Myanmar elections: ASEAN said it does not recognise Myanmar’s recent elections claimed by a military-backed party, confirming it has not endorsed any phase of the vote. The bloc continues to withhold recognition of the junta amid concerns over exclusions and guaranteed military control.

6️⃣ 🇬🇧🇨🇳 Starmer opens door to Xi UK visit: UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said talks with Xi Jinping strengthened relations and signalled openness to a future UK visit by the Chinese leader. The prospect drew domestic criticism over security and sanctions, while Starmer said risks would be approached cautiously.

7️⃣ 🇺🇸🇷🇺🇺🇦 Donetsk dispute blocks peace deal, Rubio says: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the unresolved status of Donetsk remains the key obstacle to a Russia-Ukraine peace deal. He said other issues have narrowed, but Kyiv rejects ceding the region and Moscow maintains its claim.

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