AnewZ Morning Brief - 8 January, 2026

AnewZ Morning Brief - 8 January, 2026
Anewz

Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 8th of January, covering the latest developments you need to know.

Minneapolis protests erupt after fatal ICE shooting

Protests broke out in Minneapolis following the fatal shooting of a 37-year-old U.S. citizen by a federal immigration agent during an enforcement operation. While the Department of Homeland Security maintains the agent acted in self-defence, Mayor Jacob Frey and local officials have condemned the incident as a reckless abuse of power, contradicting the federal narrative. President Donald Trump has defended the agent, blaming the unrest on the ‘Radical Left’, whilst the FBI and local authorities launch a joint investigation into the death.

Yemen crisis deepens as separatist leader misses Riyadh talks

The rift between coalition allies Saudi Arabia and the UAE has widened after the leader of Yemen’s southern separatists, Aidarous al-Zubaidi, failed to attend crisis talks in Riyadh. As Saudi-backed forces reportedly advance towards Aden and accuse al-Zubaidi of treason, his whereabouts remain unclear, with conflicting reports suggesting he may have fled to Somalia or Abu Dhabi. The diplomatic standoff threatens to escalate military tensions in southern Yemen, further complicating efforts to resolve the long-running conflict.

Trump questions NATO loyalty whilst pledging support

U.S. President Donald Trump has asserted that Washington will ‘always be there’ for NATO, whilst simultaneously casting doubt on whether the alliance would reciprocate in a crisis. Writing on Truth Social amidst diplomatic tensions with Denmark over Greenland, Trump insisted that Russia and China only respect the alliance due to American involvement. His remarks highlight continued friction regarding burden-sharing and the future role of the U.S. within the transatlantic security pact.

Azerbaijan sends new fuel shipment to Armenia

Azerbaijan is set to deliver a commercial consignment of petrol and diesel fuel to Armenia today as part of the two nations' developing peace agenda. The shipment, which follows an initial delivery in December, involves 3,800 tons of oil products sold at international market rates. This latest economic exchange underscores a commitment to strengthening commercial ties between the neighbours following their recent agreements.

Storm Goretti brings travel chaos and city skiing to Europe

Severe winter weather has swept across northwest Europe, forcing around 1,000 stranded passengers to sleep at Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport after ice and snow grounded hundreds of flights. Whilst the Netherlands and wider region grappled with significant transport disruption, including flight cancellations in Brussels and trapped trains in the Balkans, Parisians embraced the rare freeze by skiing down Montmartre and sledging beneath the Eiffel Tower. Conditions are expected to ease today, though the storm has already triggered widespread school closures and road delays from Poland to Spain.

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