FM Aragchi: Iran prepared for war but open to nuclear talks
Iran does not seek war with Israel or the United States but is prepared to respond if attacked, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Thursd...
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 6th of September, covering the latest developments you need to know.
1. Trump renames Pentagon the 'Department of War' in executive order
U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday renaming the Department of Defence as the “Department of War,” reviving a title last used in the aftermath of World War Two. He said the move reflected a new “attitude” for the U.S. military. The Pentagon quickly changed signage at its Arlington headquarters, adjusting Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth’s title to “Secretary of War” and that of his deputy, Steve Feinberg, to “Deputy Secretary of War.” Hegseth, who has long pushed for the rebrand, said, “We’re going to go on the offense, not just on defense. Maximum lethality, not tepid legality.”
2. Trump says India and Russia 'lost' to China after Xi summit
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that India and Russia appear to have been “lost” to China after their leaders met with Chinese President Xi Jinping this week, before later clarifying that Washington had not lost New Delhi. “Looks like we've lost India and Russia to deepest, darkest, China. May they have a long and prosperous future together!” Trump wrote in a social media post, sharing a photo of the three leaders together at Xi’s summit in China. Later in the day, he told reporters he did not believe the U.S. had lost India.
3. Treasury Secretary Bessent calls for 'entire' review of Fed
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Friday called for a wide-ranging re-examination of the Federal Reserve’s role and authority, including its control over interest rate policy, as the Trump administration steps up its campaign to assert greater oversight over the central bank. The push reflects a growing effort by the White House to scrutinise an institution long considered independent from day-to-day politics, with its autonomy seen by many economists as essential to maintaining stability and credibility in U.S. financial markets.
4. Zelenskyy meets Slovakia's Fico, says Ukraine will respond to Russia's energy attacks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Friday (5 September) that Kyiv would continue targeting Russian energy infrastructure in response to repeated strikes on Ukraine’s own facilities, despite complaints from Slovakia and Hungary over disruptions to their oil supplies. His remarks followed his first high-level meeting with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in Uzhhorod, near the Slovak border. The two leaders have previously clashed over energy issues, with Slovakia and Hungary maintaining purchases of Russian oil and gas even as most EU states have reduced dependence since Russia’s 2022 invasion.
Open-source intelligence (OSINT) sources reported a significant movement of U.S. military aircraft towards the Middle East in recent hours. Dozens of U.S. Air Force aerial refuelling tankers and heavy transport aircraft were observed heading eastwards, presumably to staging points in the region.
Snow and ice stalled travellers in northwest Europe on Wednesday, forcing around a thousand to spend the night in Amsterdam's Schiphol airport but delighting others who set out to explore a snow-blanketed Paris on sledges and skis.
Diplomatic tensions between Tokyo and Beijing escalated as Japan slams China's export ban on dual-use goods. Markets have wobbled as fears grow over a potential rare earth embargo affecting global supply chains.
Two people have been killed after a private helicopter crashed at a recreation centre in Russia’s Perm region, Russian authorities and local media have said.
U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that Iran could face a strong response from the United States if its authorities kill protesters amid ongoing unrest.
Russian drone and missile attacks on Kyiv early on Friday (9 January) killed at least 4 people, injured at least 19, and caused significant damage to residential buildings and critical infrastructure, Ukrainian officials said.
Venezuela has released prominent Venezuelan-Spanish rights activist Rocío San Miguel and four other Spanish citizens, Spanish authorities said on Thursday (8 January). Local rights groups report that promised releases of Venezuelan political prisoners are yet to materialise.
Türkiye’s United Nations envoy called on the international community on Thursday to maintain strong support for the elimination of Syria’s remaining chemical weapons, stressing that the task is both a legal obligation and a critical priority for regional security and humanitarian protection.
Georgia has said it will clarify the circumstances surrounding the U.S. seizure of a Russian‑flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic and is seeking information on its Georgian crew members.
President Donald J. Trump has signed a Presidential Memorandum directing the withdrawal of the United States from 66 international organisations, including both non-United Nations entities and several UN-related bodies.
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