Bitter Kabul winter leaves vulnerable Afghan families in crisis
Freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall have pushed vulnerable Afghan families to breaking point, adding new pressure to a country already battered b...
As Joe Biden’s time in the White House draws to a close, his presidency faces intense examination. Key decisions and controversies throughout 2024 have sparked debates about his leadership and the legacy he leaves behind.
As Joe Biden’s presidency concludes, questions about his legacy have taken centre stage. Throughout 2024, his administration faced criticism over key decisions that defined his final year in office.
Delays in delivering military aid to both Israel and Ukraine were among the most contentious issues. Critics argue that these delays prolonged conflicts, raising concerns about the administration's strategic approach.
Domestically, inefficiencies in Biden’s green energy programmes drew attention. Despite allocating $3 billion for electric trucks, only 93 vehicles were delivered. Similarly, a $7.5 billion investment in charging stations resulted in just 200 installations, sparking questions about the management of taxpayer funds.
Biden also faced backlash for pardoning his son, Hunter Biden, despite earlier promises not to grant clemency. The move was justified by the president as a response to political pressures, but it raised significant public trust concerns.
Controversial clemencies further added to the debate. By late 2024, Biden granted clemency to 37 federal death-row inmates, including those convicted of severe crimes, drawing criticism for policy inconsistency.
In foreign policy, Biden refrained from imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court despite actions against U.S. allies. Additionally, his perceived failure to fulfil a 2021 promise to avenge the Abbey Gate bombing remained a point of contention.
A virtual event in September 2024 also attracted controversy when Biden referred to Trump supporters as “garbage” while condemning rhetoric about Puerto Rico. Although the comment was later clarified, it sparked widespread debate.
As the Biden presidency ends, his final year is being examined closely, with critics and supporters debating the long-term impact of his decisions.
The S&P 500 edged to a record closing high on Tuesday, marking its fifth consecutive day of gains, as strong advances in technology stocks offset a sharp selloff in healthcare shares and a mixed batch of corporate earnings.
Residents in Syria’s Kurdish-majority city of Qamishli have stepped up volunteer patrols amid growing pressure from the country’s Islamist-led government, expressing deep mistrust of Damascus despite a fragile U.S.-backed ceasefire.
Liverpool confirmed direct qualification to the UEFA Champions League round of 16 with a 6-0 win over Qarabağ at Anfield in their final league-phase match. Despite the setback, Qarabağ secured a play-off spot, with results elsewhere going in the Azerbaijani champions’ favour on the final matchday.
Iraq's former Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki said on Wednesday that he rejects U.S. interference in Iraq's internal affairs, after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to cut off support to the country if Maliki was picked as prime minister.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa stressed to U.S. President Donald Trump in a phone call on Tuesday the importance of unifying international efforts to prevent the return of "terrorist groups", including Islamic State.
“For some weeks now, we have been seeing with increasing clarity the emergence of a world of great powers,” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Thursday (29 January), declaring that Europe had found “self-respect” in standing up for a rules-based global order.
Colombian authorities on Wednesday (28 January) located a missing plane carrying 15 people in the northeast of the country, with no survivors found, an Air Force source and local media said.
Chinese authorities say they've carried out capital punishment against a group of individuals tied to notorious telecommunications fraud syndicates operating across the southern border, according to state news agency Xinhua.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's Liberal Democratic Party is likely to increase its number of parliamentary seats and gain a majority in the lower house, a preliminary survey by the Nikkei newspaper showed on Thursday (29 January).
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 29th of January, covering the latest developments you need to know.
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