ISTANBUL

Here is a rundown of all the news you need to start your Thursday, including ICE shooting and killing a woman in the US state of Minnesota; Venezuela's state-run oil company saying it is advancing talks with the US on oil sales and; ​​​US secretary of state to meet Danish officials next week amid Greenland tensions

TOP STORIES

ICE shooting kills woman in US state of Minnesota

An American woman was killed after being shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent during an enforcement operation in the US city of Minneapolis, triggering conflicting accounts by local and federal authorities.

The Department of Homeland Security said the woman, a 37-year-old white individual whose identity was not immediately made clear, attempted to strike officers with her vehicle, prompting an agent to fire in "self-defense."

Local officials disputed that account, with Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey saying he reviewed video of the shooting and rejected claims that it was justified, calling it a reckless use of force. He demanded that federal immigration agents leave the city.

Gov. Tim Walz echoed the mayor's view, urging the public against believing the “propaganda machine” of the Department of Homeland Security.

"The state will ensure there is a full, fair, and expeditious investigation to ensure accountability and justice," he wrote on US social media company X.

Venezuela's state-run oil company says it is advancing talks with US on oil sales

Venezuela's state-run oil company PDVSA said that it was engaged in negotiations with the US for the sale of oil.

"This process is being carried out under schemes similar to those currently in place with international companies such as Chevron, and is based on a strictly commercial transaction, adhering to principles of legality, transparency, and mutual benefit," the company said in a statement.

It underscored its commitment to building alliances that support national development and contribute to global energy stability.

President Donald Trump announced that interim authorities in Venezuela had agreed to transfer between 30 million and 50 million barrels of sanctioned oil to the US to be sold at market price.

The White House later said Trump would hold a meeting with oil executives to discuss possible involvement in Venezuela's oil sector.

​​​US secretary of state to meet Danish officials next week amid Greenland tensions

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he will have a meeting with Danish officials next week, after Denmark requested talks amid rising tensions following President Donald Trump’s threats to annex Greenland.

"I'm not here to talk about Denmark or military intervention. I'll be meeting with them next week. We'll have those conversations with them then," Rubio told reporters on Capitol Hill when asked about the possibility of military intervention.

He added that Trump’s interest in Greenland “is not new,” noting that the president raised the issue during his first term and previous US administrations have also examined the matter of how to acquire Greenland.

It came as the Trump administration said it is weighing options to acquire Greenland, according to a statement from the White House.

NEWS IN BRIEF

US President Donald Trump warned American defense contractors that dividends, stock buybacks and high executive compensation will be blocked until weapons production and maintenance significantly improve.

US forces announced the seizure of the Russian-flagged oil tanker Marinera, previously known as M/V Bella 1, in the North Atlantic Ocean for “violations of U.S. sanctions.”

The PKK/YPG terror group, operating under the name of SDF, resumed shelling of residential neighborhoods in Aleppo in northern Syria, Syrian media reported.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Türkiye will continue to assess joint steps it can take with Malaysia in the defense of the industry field, "guided by the win-win principle."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged the US to target Ramzan Kadyrov, the leader of Russia’s Chechnya region, with an "operation" comparable to the recent capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Russian forces struck two ports in Ukraine’s Odesa region, killing one person and injuring at least eight, Ukrainian officials claimed.

The Greek Cypriot Administration officially took the rotating presidency of the EU Council, with an opening ceremony in Nicosia.

British Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy has begun a two-day visit to Washington, DC, using the trip to highlight the “special relationship” between the UK and the US, and to take part in America’s 250th anniversary celebrations.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer came under sharp questioning from opposition leader Kemi Badenoch on Ukraine, Greenland and relations with the US during the first prime minister’s questions session of 2026.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres met Venezuela's UN Ambassador Samuel Moncada, where he reiterated his position on the US military action in Venezuela and offered the UN's support for an inclusive national dialogue.

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney will travel to China later this month, marking the first visit by a Canadian prime minister in eight years, according to a statement.

Two Palestinians were killed and three injured in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City, a medical source said, marking a new violation of a ceasefire deal.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

US factory orders down more than expected in October

US new durable goods orders declined 1.3% in October from the previous month, according to the delayed data released by the Census Bureau.

New orders for manufactured durable goods fell by $8.1 billion to $604.8 billion in October.

The drop followed a 0.2% monthly increase in September. The orders were up in two of the last three months.

Germany's labor market posts worst December figures since 2010

The number of unemployed workers in Germany rose by 23,000 in December, compared to the previous month, due to the weak economy and winter holidays, with the labor market seeing its worst December figures since 2010, German Federal Employment Agency data showed.

The data said the unadjusted number of unemployed rose 23,000 in December compared to November, to 2.9 million.

The increase occurred due to the labor market struggling to recover from a weakening economy and the winter holidays before Christmas and the New Year.