Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 7th of January, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Nationwide protests in Iran have continued with crowds returning to the streets during daylight hours and moving into major economic hubs. Security forces have deployed tear gas and live ammunition to disperse demonstrators, and reports suggest Iranian-backed Iraqi militias are assisting in the crackdown. Human rights organisations have raised alarms over increasing casualties and detentions, while the country continues to downplay the scale of the movement which now includes direct calls for political change and leadership transition.
Leaders from the U.S. and Europe have moved closer to finalising a legally binding security package for Ukraine, which includes a high-tech ceasefire monitoring system and a multinational force led by France and the UK. The guarantees are modelled on NATO’s Article 5 to provide long-term defence assistance and deter future Russian aggression, though the deployment would operate away from the contact line. While President Zelenskyy welcomed the initiative as a major step forward, the agreement still faces significant hurdles regarding ratification by Western parliaments and the U.S. Congress.
The White House has confirmed that President Donald Trump is actively exploring options to acquire Greenland, viewing the resource-rich Arctic island as a vital national security priority to deter adversaries such as Russia and China. Despite adamant rejections of the idea from NATO and Danish leaders, U.S. officials indicate that the administration is considering various strategies, ranging from an outright purchase to a Compact of Free Association. While diplomacy remains the preferred route, the White House noted that the use of military options remains theoretically available, underscoring the President’s determination to secure a deal.
Tensions between Tbilisi and Brussels have deepened after the speaker of Georgia’s parliament, Shalva Papuashvili, publicly questioned the European Union’s ability to function as a global geopolitical guarantor. Citing recent international events, Papuashvili argued that the bloc has lost its capacity to uphold the global order and accused it of applying undue pressure on Georgia regarding democratic reforms and visa policies. Despite the sharp rhetoric, the government maintains that its strategic priorities remain the restoration of territorial integrity and the well-being of the Georgian people.
A magnitude 6.7 earthquake has struck off the coast of Mindanao in the southern Philippines, prompting residents to flee buildings but causing no immediate reports of casualties or major structural damage. Seismologists confirmed that the tremors occurred at a significant depth, which effectively ruled out the threat of a destructive tsunami hitting the region. Authorities in the archipelago, which sits on the seismically active Pacific "Ring of Fire", have advised the public to remain vigilant for potential aftershocks.
Saudi Arabia said its air defences destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca before it could enter prohibited airspace over the holy city, as attacks...
China has officially opened the Pinglu Canal, a $10.75 billion waterway giving the country's landlocked southwest a shorter, direct route to th...
Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held high-level talks in Seoul aimed at expanding South Korean investment, industrial cooperation and partnershi...
U.S. President Donald Trump has again said Iran is keen to reach a deal quickly, but a senior Iranian security official rejected the claim, saying Tehran will not negotiate until its conditions are met.
A Danish military helicopter came within “metres” of being struck by flares fired by a Russian warship, Denmark's Defence Minister Jeppe Bruus said on Tuesday. Russia accused Denmark of carrying out “dangerous manoeuvres” near its ship, and said it was investigating the incident.
Saudi Arabia said its air defences destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca before it could enter prohibited airspace over the holy city, as attacks by the Iran-aligned group deepen regional tensions.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is outlining the EU's priorities in her annual State of the Union address, covering security, support for Ukraine, trade with China, migration, climate and artificial intelligence.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine was carrying out tests on a new weapon to intercept drones and had recorded a successful hit overnight.
China has officially opened the Pinglu Canal, a $10.75 billion waterway giving the country's landlocked southwest a shorter, direct route to the sea and Southeast Asian markets.
Pakistan has condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia at the United Nations, warning that escalating fighting in Yemen and increased activity around the Bab al-Mandab Strait threaten regional stability, global shipping and energy security.
Former Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi has been sentenced to 25 years in prison after being found guilty of war crimes, including murder, torture, cruel treatment and arbitrary detention.
Wednesday's session of the 24th Arab Media Summit in Dubai has shifted the discussion towards a central question for modern media: how can regional news organisations tell their own stories while reaching audiences far beyond their borders?
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine was carrying out tests on a new weapon to intercept drones and had recorded a successful hit overnight.
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