Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 1st of January, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Ukrainian and European officials have rejected Russia’s claim that Ukraine tried to strike a residence of President Vladimir Putin with drones, calling the allegation unfounded and destabilising for peace talks. U.S. intelligence assessments reported by the Wall Street Journal found no evidence of such an attack, while EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the claim was a “deliberate distraction” as negotiations continue.
People around the world marked the arrival of 2026 with fireworks, traditions and muted commemorations, as hopes for peace and stability shaped New Year messages. Celebrations began in the Pacific and spread west, from Sydney’s major fireworks display to Seoul’s bell-ringing ritual, while some cities scaled back events after recent tragedies. In Kyiv and Moscow, residents welcomed the new year with renewed calls for an end to the war.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine wants the war to end but will not accept a “weak” peace that risks prolonging the conflict. In his New Year address, he said a U.S.-led deal is about 90% ready, with territory the main obstacle, and insisted any agreement must secure lasting peace without sacrificing Ukraine’s future.
President Ilham Aliyev said Azerbaijan closed 2025 as a year of peace, security and stability, crediting national unity for the country’s achievements. In the New Year and World Azerbaijanis Solidarity Day address, he said the Patriotic War victory was sealed politically and internationally, reconstruction is advancing, and Azerbaijan remains committed to peace while staying vigilant amid global instability.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has criticised Israel’s decision to ban electricity or water supplies to facilities run by the UN Palestinian refugee agency, warning it would seriously hinder humanitarian operations. Several Western countries said the move, alongside restrictions on international NGOs in Gaza, could force the closure of vital services, including healthcare facilities.
A fragile EU–U.S. trade deal is under strain following U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff threats over Greenland. European leaders are now force...
Russia’s liquefied natural gas transit through Azerbaijan is emerging as a strategically significant development for Armenia at a time of rising dom...
Türkiye and Uzbekistan have established a new institutional framework for security and foreign policy coordination. Held in Ankara on Tuesday (20 Jan...
China's proposed embassy in the UK would be built near the Tower of London and cover about 600,000 square feet, according to planning documents, makin...
“I’m seeking immediate negotiations to once again discuss the acquisition of Greenland by the U.S.,” US President Donald Trump told the World Ec...
Russia’s liquefied natural gas transit through Azerbaijan is emerging as a strategically significant development for Armenia at a time of rising domestic pressure on energy supplies, according to political analyst Fuad Karimli.
Türkiye and Uzbekistan have established a new institutional framework for security and foreign policy coordination. Held in Ankara on Tuesday (20 January), the first meeting in the “4+4” format assembled the Turkish and Uzbek ministers for foreign affairs, defense, the interior, and intelligence.
“I’m seeking immediate negotiations to once again discuss the acquisition of Greenland by the U.S.,” US President Donald Trump told the World Economic Forum. During his Wednesday (21 January) address, he once more cited national security concerns as the reason for wanting to own the Arctic island.
Protesters in Washington D.C. joined the "Free America" walkout on Tuesday to rally against U.S. government policies, coinciding with the one-year anniversary of President Donald Trump's second term.
Italian fashion designer Valentino Garavani has died at the age of 93, his foundation said on Monday.
More than 100 vehicles were involved in a massive pileup on Interstate 96 in western Michigan on Monday (19 January), forcing the highway to shut in both directions amid severe winter weather.
U.S. President Donald Trump said he would impose a 200% tariff on French wines and champagnes after France declined to join his proposed Board of Peace on Gaza initiative.
Syria's Interior Ministry said on Tuesday that about 120 Islamic State detainees escaped from Shaddadi prison, after the Kurdish website Rudaw reported that a spokesperson for the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, Farhad Shami, said around 1,500 Islamic State members had escaped.
Syrian government troops tightened their grip across a swathe of northern and eastern territory on Monday after it was abruptly abandoned by Kurdish forces in a dramatic shift that has consolidated President Ahmed al-Sharaa's rule.
A fragile EU–U.S. trade deal is under strain following U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff threats over Greenland. European leaders are now forced to weigh up not only their immediate response but also what a deeper trade confrontation could entail.
China's proposed embassy in the UK would be built near the Tower of London and cover about 600,000 square feet, according to planning documents, making it one of the largest diplomatic missions in the world.
“I’m seeking immediate negotiations to once again discuss the acquisition of Greenland by the U.S.,” US President Donald Trump told the World Economic Forum. During his Wednesday (21 January) address, he once more cited national security concerns as the reason for wanting to own the Arctic island.
Protesters in Washington D.C. joined the "Free America" walkout on Tuesday to rally against U.S. government policies, coinciding with the one-year anniversary of President Donald Trump's second term.
In a move reinforcing the "Fortress America" doctrine that has rattled global markets, the United States plans to reduce personnel within critical NATO command centres.
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