AnewZ Morning Brief - 17 January, 2026
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 17th of January, covering the latest developments you need to ...
Snapchat will start charging users who store more than 5GB of photos and videos in its Memories feature, prompting backlash from long-time users.
Since 2016, Snapchat’s Memories feature has allowed users to save previously posted content. Now, anyone exceeding 5GB of storage will need to pay to keep their content accessible. Snap has not confirmed exact pricing for UK users but will roll out changes gradually worldwide. The charges won't begin until twelve months time, according to the American technology company.
The company said the move will let it continue improving Memories, noting that over one trillion posts have been saved since the feature’s launch. Users exceeding the 5GB limit will be offered a temporary 12-month storage period and can also download content to their devices.
Initial pricing for the 100GB plan starts at $1.99 per month, while Snapchat+ subscribers get 250GB at $3.99 per month. Snap said the vast majority of users store less than 5GB and will not be affected.
Social media users criticised the decision, calling it unfair and greedy, particularly those who have used the free storage for years. Some warned of high bills or losing memories if they do not subscribe.
Experts, including social media consultant Drew Benvie, say paid storage could eventually become standard across all major platforms.
At least four people were injured after a large fire and explosions hit a residential building in the Dutch city of Utrecht, authorities said.
A railway power outage in Tokyo disrupted the morning commute for roughly 673,000 passengers on Friday (16 January) as two main lines with some of the world's busiest stations were halted after reports of a fire.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that the international situation is worsening and that the world is becoming more dangerous, while avoiding public comment on events in Venezuela and Iran.
A SpaceX capsule carrying a four-member crew home from orbit in an emergency return to earth necessitated by an undisclosed serious medical condition afflicting one of the astronauts splashed down safely early on Thursday (15 January) in the Pacific Ocean off California.
President Donald Trump announced Thursday evening that the long-awaited “Board of Peace” to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction has officially been formed.
Ashley St. Clair, mother of one of Elon Musk’s children, has filed a lawsuit against Musk’s company xAI, alleging that its AI tool Grok generated explicit images of her, including one portraying her as underage.
Britain’s Royal Navy has successfully conducted the maiden flight of its first full-sized autonomous helicopter, designed to track submarines and carry out high-risk maritime missions amid rising tensions in the North Atlantic.
Dubai is set to launch commercial air taxi services by the end of the year, according to the emirate’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
Astronomers have observed a white dwarf - a highly compact Earth-sized stellar ember - that is creating a colourful shockwave as it moves through space, leaving them searching for an explanation.
Apple will use Google’s Gemini artificial intelligence (AI) models for its revamped Siri voice assistant later this year, in a multi-year deal that strengthens the tech giants’ partnership and boosts Alphabet’s position in the race against OpenAI.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment