Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 31st of December, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Protests over Iran’s soaring cost of living have spread across the country, with students joining shopkeepers and merchants in Tehran. The rial’s sharp decline and inflation surpassing 42% have fueled frustration. President Pezeshkian has called for dialogue, but unrest continues to grow amid a worsening economic crisis.
Russia carried out an overnight drone attack on Ukraine’s Odesa region, damaging residential buildings and infrastructure, and injuring four people, including three children. The attack adds to a series of Russian strikes on the key Black Sea port, with extensive damage to high-rise apartments.
Germany’s military planners warn that cyberattacks, sabotage, and disinformation could signal the onset of a new war, according to a confidential government document. The Operational Plan for Germany (OPLAN) details how the country would defend itself in a major NATO conflict. The plan underscores the importance of civilian infrastructure in military operations and highlights Germany’s role as a critical NATO logistics hub. Hybrid warfare tactics from Russia have already been on the rise.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended Israel's airstrikes on Gaza following a ceasefire, stating U.S. President Donald Trump expressed no concerns about the actions. Netanyahu emphasised the need to disarm Hamas for peace in Gaza and warned Iran over its missile drills, stating any escalation would have serious consequences.
Thieves took advantage of the Christmas holiday closure to drill into a Sparkasse bank branch in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, making off with at least €10 million in cash and valuables from customers’ deposit boxes. Police confirmed the crime was discovered early on 29 December after a fire alarm was triggered. Authorities are investigating the break-in, which involved drilling through a concrete wall and accessing several thousand vaults. Witnesses reported seeing suspects with large bags in a nearby parking garage and a stolen black Audi leaving the area. Police are still working to identify the perpetrators.
Donald Trump has said the U.S. will resume bombing Iran if Tehran doesn't "behave," at the sidelines of the G7 summit in France. Earlier, the U.S. ...
Britain has announced an additional £8 million ($11 million) to help Pakistan combat illegal migration, human trafficking and organised crime, while ...
The Netherlands has announced a new €500 million military support package for Ukraine, focused on drones and air defence systems, as Western allies ...
China has condemned new UK sanctions against two Chinese companies accused of supplying materials used by Russia's military, calling the measures ille...
Kazakhstan will begin routing selected government expenditures worth more than 100 million tenge ($190,000) through its digital tenge platform, expand...
Britain has announced an additional £8 million ($11 million) to help Pakistan combat illegal migration, human trafficking and organised crime, while praising Islamabad's role in diplomacy that helped secure the recent U.S.-Iran agreement.
The Netherlands has announced a new €500 million military support package for Ukraine, focused on drones and air defence systems, as Western allies intensify efforts to strengthen Kyiv's position in its war against Russia.
The UK has secured more than £1.3 billion in new international investment for battery storage, energy infrastructure and technology projects, with major commitments from companies based in France and India.
U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that a preliminary agreement with Iran remains fragile, saying Washington could resume military action if Tehran fails to meet its commitments.
Donald Trump has said the U.S. will resume bombing Iran if Tehran doesn't "behave," at the sidelines of the G7 summit in France. Earlier, the U.S. President criticised Israel for its tactics against Hezbollah, saying it was unnecessary to bomb entire apartment buildings to tackle militants.
A strong 6.7-magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia's Sulawesi island early Tuesday, killing at least one person and injuring four, according to emergency authorities.
U.S. President Donald Trump said a preliminary agreement to end the war in the Gulf has been signed by the U.S. and Iran, though details have yet to be made public and both countries said a permanent truce is yet to be negotiated.
Australia's weather bureau warned on Tuesday that an El Niño weather pattern has formed in the tropical Pacific and could intensify in the second half of 2026, becoming one of the strongest events recorded in seven decades.
Ukraine has said it struck an oil refinery in Russia’s Moscow region, marking one of the deepest reported attacks into Russian territory in recent months.
The Netherlands has announced a new €500 million military support package for Ukraine, focused on drones and air defence systems, as Western allies intensify efforts to strengthen Kyiv's position in its war against Russia.
China has condemned new UK sanctions against two Chinese companies accused of supplying materials used by Russia's military, calling the measures illegal and warning of possible retaliation if they are not lifted.
The UK has secured more than £1.3 billion in new international investment for battery storage, energy infrastructure and technology projects, with major commitments from companies based in France and India.
U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that a preliminary agreement with Iran remains fragile, saying Washington could resume military action if Tehran fails to meet its commitments.
China has sanctioned Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and his immediate family, banning them from entering mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao. Beijing says the move responds to repeated remarks by Teodoro that it claims have undermined China's sovereignty and bilateral relations.
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