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📰 Trump tariffs Iran

📰 Trump tariffs Iran

and UAE-Somalia row

Ross Crabtree & Billy Robinson
January 13, 2026

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President Trump announced a 25% tariff on any nation conducting business with Iran following a crackdown on protesters, while Somalia canceled all defense and maritime agreements with the United Arab Emirates.

These events coincide with a FARC dissident leader calling for a rebel alliance against possible U.S. intervention in Colombia and the USS Abraham Lincoln performing live-fire exercises in the South China Sea.

Top 5 Stories

1️⃣🇺🇸🇮🇷 Trump announces 25% tariff on countries doing business with Iran: President Trump announced that any country doing business with Iran will face a 25% tariff on all business with the U.S., effective immediately, as pressure escalates over Tehran's violent crackdown on protests that has left nearly 600 dead, with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi claiming the situation is under control while remaining open to diplomacy.

2️⃣🇸🇴🇦🇪 Somalia annuls UAE defense and port agreements following sovereignty row: The Somali federal government has revoked all security and maritime deals with the United Arab Emirates, leading to a hurried evacuation of Emirati military hardware and personnel from the port city of Bosaso and other bases. The decision follows allegations that the UAE facilitated the covert escape of wanted Yemeni separatist leader Aidarous al-Zubaidi through Somali territory to Abu Dhabi without Mogadishu's authorization.

3️⃣🇬🇱🇩🇪🇺🇸 Germany pledges increased Arctic role as Trump threatens Greenland seizure: Germany said it would assume greater responsibilities in the Arctic after President Trump threatened to seize Greenland "one way or the other," prompting Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen to describe the situation as a "decisive moment" and warning that any US move to take Greenland by force would destroy 80 years of transatlantic security links.

4️⃣🇨🇴🇺🇸 FARC dissident leader calls for rebel alliance against U.S. intervention: Iván Mordisco, head of the largest FARC dissident faction, released a video urging rival guerrilla groups to form a united "insurgent bloc" to oppose potential U.S. military action in Colombia. The appeal follows remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump, who suggested a military operation against the country "sounds good" after the recent U.S. capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

5️⃣🇺🇸 USS Abraham Lincoln conducts live-fire drills in South China Sea: The USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) recently executed a series of live-fire exercises and replenishment-at-sea operations in the South China Sea, areas Beijing claims as sovereign. These maneuvers, which took place between January 5 and 11, 2026, included testing the Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) and conducting flight operations with F-35C Lightning II stealth fighters.

Major Story

🇺🇸🇷🇺 US condemns Russian missile deployment amid peace efforts

During a United Nations Security Council meeting, the United States characterized Russia's recent combat use of a nuclear-capable Oreshnik ballistic missile as a dangerous escalation that threatens to intensify the conflict.

The US deputy ambassador emphasized that these actions occurred while the Trump administration seeks to facilitate peace negotiations, noting that Russia previously supported a UN resolution to end the war.

Moscow defended the strike as a retaliatory measure against an alleged attempt to target a presidential residence, though Kyiv and Washington have disputed the accuracy of that claim.

While Russian officials stated military operations will persist until Ukraine accepts specific negotiation conditions, Ukrainian representatives asserted that Russia’s perceived strength is an illusion masking economic vulnerabilities.

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Other News

1️⃣🇭🇺🇵🇱 Hungary grants asylum to Poland's fugitive former Justice Minister: Zbigniew Ziobro announced on Monday that the Hungarian government has granted him asylum to escape what he characterizes as "political repression" and "personal revenge" orchestrated by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Ziobro faces investigations into the alleged illegal purchase of Pegasus spyware and the misuse of public funds, charges that Polish officials describe as a flight from justice.

2️⃣🇵🇸🇺🇸 Hamas to dissolve Gaza administration for technocratic leadership: Hamas announced it will disband its current Gaza government once an unaffiliated technocratic committee takes control under a US-brokered plan, though specific members remain unconfirmed and require potential vetting by Israel and the United States. President Donald Trump’s "Board of Peace" is set to supervise this transition alongside disarmament and reconstruction efforts, while Hamas officials concurrently seek meetings with international mediators to progress the ceasefire's next phase.

3️⃣🇯🇵🇰🇷🇨🇳 Japan and South Korea leaders meet amid China tensions: Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung held talks in Nara focused on deepening bilateral cooperation, with China expected to loom large in discussions following Takaichi's recent remarks over a potential Taiwan contingency and Beijing's announcement of new export controls over dual-use materials.

4️⃣🇷🇺 Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov hospitalized with kidney failure: Ukrainian intelligence reports that Ramzan Kadyrov is currently undergoing dialysis in a critical condition, prompting the Kremlin to evaluate potential successors for the regional leadership. Most prominent candidates include Chechen Prime Minister Magomed Daudov, "Akhmat" special forces commander Apti Alaudinov, and Kadyrov’s 20-year-old son, Akhmat, who was recently appointed acting Deputy Head of the republic's government.

5️⃣🇺🇸🇻🇪 Trump threatens to block ExxonMobil from Venezuela after CEO calls country 'uninvestable': President Trump said he might block ExxonMobil from investing in Venezuela after CEO Darren Woods called the country "uninvestable" during a White House meeting, citing the need for legal changes and durable investment protections before re-entering the market where the company's assets were previously seized twice.