Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for 21 October, covering the latest developments you need to know.
1. Sanae Takaichi becomes Japan’s first female prime minister
Sanae Takaichi was voted in by parliament as Japan’s first female prime minister after winning the Liberal Democratic Party leadership on Tuesday,.
Takaichi is known for her nationalist positions, including visiting the Yasukuni shrine and favoring constitutional revision, while also planning to increase the number of female cabinet ministers.
A former interior and economic security minister, Takaichi is expected to host U.S. President Donald Trump next week.
2. Colombia recalls ambassador after Trump threatens tariffs and aid cuts
Colombia has recalled its ambassador from Washington on Monday, following U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to impose new tariffs and halt financial aid.
The tensions escalated after Trump called Colombian President Gustavo Petro an "illegal drug leader," a remark his government called offensive.
Petro criticised U.S. military strikes on Caribbean vessels, which have killed dozens, and vowed to protect Colombia’s sovereignty.
3. Trump and Albanese sign $8.5 billion critical minerals deal to counter China
U.S. President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese signed a critical minerals agreement on Monday aimed at countering China and boosting Indo-Pacific security.
The deal includes a $1 billion investment from each country more than six months in mining and processing projects.
Trump also backed a strategic nuclear-powered submarine deal with Australia during the summit.
The agreement targets deposits of critical minerals valued at $53 billion, according to a White House statement.
4. Azerbaijan and Iran discuss current state of bilateral relations
Azerbaijani President’s Representative on special assignments, met with Iranian officials, including Foreign Minister, Deputy Foreign Minister, and Iranian Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs on 20 October.
The meetings focused on the current state of Azerbaijan-Iran relations and highlighted Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s visits to Azerbaijan.
Officials discussed prospects for further strengthening friendship and good neighborliness, building on recent agreements between the two countries’ leaders.
5. Iran’s Khamenei rejects Trump’s offer for renewed nuclear talks
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Monday rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s offer for renewed nuclear negotiations, dismissing Trump’s claim that the U.S. has destroyed Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
Khamenei called U.S. claims about bombing Iran’s nuclear industry “inappropriate, wrong and coercive.”
Western powers accuse Iran of secretly pursuing nuclear weapons, while Tehran maintains its program is for civilian energy purposes only.
Azerbaijan and the United Arab Emirates have signed a Letter of Intent on defence cooperation during President Ilham Aliyev’s working visit to Abu D...
Belgian authorities are examining suspected cases of infants falling ill after consuming recalled Nestle baby formula, amid warnings that confirmed in...
France has approved its 2026 budget after Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu survived two no-confidence votes in the National Assembly on Monday, ending...
Rome has begun charging tourists 2 euros to step down to the Trevi Fountain’s basin area, a measure aimed at easing overtourism and funding maintena...
U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday announced a new trade agreement with India that will see Washington reduce tariffs on Indian imports, after New ...
Azerbaijan and the United Arab Emirates have signed a Letter of Intent on defence cooperation during President Ilham Aliyev’s working visit to Abu Dhabi, marking a new step in expanding military ties between the two strategic partners.
France has approved its 2026 budget after Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu survived two no-confidence votes in the National Assembly on Monday, ending months of political tension that had unsettled investors.
U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday announced a new trade agreement with India that will see Washington reduce tariffs on Indian imports, after New Delhi pledged to stop buying Russian oil and increase purchases from the U.S. and potentially Venezuela.
U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi are expected to meet in Istanbul on Friday for renewed discussions on Iran’s nuclear programme, according to reporting by Axios.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the United States has begun negotiations with European leaders over Greenland and that an agreement is already taking shape.
The United States accused Cuba of interfering with the work of its top diplomat in Havana on Sunday (1 February) after small groups of Cubans jeered at him during meetings with residents and church representatives.
Dmitry Medvedev, said European countries have failed to defeat Russia in Ukraine and have instead inflicted serious economic damage on themselves, as he criticised EU policy, praised Donald Trump as a leader who seeks peace, and said Russia would “soon” achieve military victory in the war.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned that any U.S. military attack on Iran would spark a wider regional conflict, Iranian semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on Sunday.
U.S. president Donald Trump said Iran is “seriously talking” with the United States and expressed hope that negotiations could lead to an outcome acceptable to Washington.
Ukraine is creating a white list for Starlink terminals to ensure only verified devices stay active, after officials warned that Russian forces were attempting to use the network during the Ukraine conflict.
A drone incident at a military base in Przasnysz has triggered a police inquiry in Poland as security agencies across Europe confront a growing number of unauthorised devices entering restricted airspace.
Nigeria has filed 57 terrorism-related charges against nine men accused of planning and executing a June 2025 attack in Benue state that killed about 150 people.
France has approved its 2026 budget after Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu survived two no-confidence votes in the National Assembly on Monday, ending months of political tension that had unsettled investors.
U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday announced a new trade agreement with India that will see Washington reduce tariffs on Indian imports, after New Delhi pledged to stop buying Russian oil and increase purchases from the U.S. and potentially Venezuela.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment