Blasts in Ahvaz and port of Bandar Abbas leave five dead
Four people were killed in a gas explosion in Ahvaz near the Iraqi border, while a separate blast at the port of Bandar Abbas left one dead and severa...
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 10th of January, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Trump renews push for U.S. control of Greenland amid Russia, China warnings
U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington should acquire Greenland to prevent it from falling under the influence of Russia or China, citing strategic shipping routes, critical minerals and growing military activity in the Arctic. Speaking at the White House, Trump argued that existing defence arrangements with Denmark are insufficient and that only full U.S. ownership could guarantee the island’s security, despite Greenland’s autonomous status and limited public support for joining the U.S. The remarks drew criticism from European allies, who said any decision on Greenland’s future rests with Greenland and Denmark.
Indonesia blocks Grok as pressure mounts over AI sexualised images
Governments in Europe and Asia are stepping up scrutiny of X and its Grok chatbot after AI-generated sexualised images triggered regulatory action, with Indonesia becoming the first country to block access to the tool. Grok is developed by xAI, while X, formerly Twitter, is the platform on which it operates. The move follows criticism of xAI and X, both owned by Elon Musk, after Grok was used to create non-consensual sexualised images, including images of children. While xAI has restricted image generation to paying users, regulators in the UK and EU say the measure does not address core legal and safety concerns, arguing unlawful content should not appear regardless of subscription status.
North Korea claims South Korean drone violated its airspace
North Korea has accused South Korea of flying a surveillance drone into its airspace on 4 January, calling it a violation of sovereignty ahead of a major ruling party congress, according to state media KCNA. Pyongyang said the drone launched from near Incheon, flew about eight kilometres inside its territory and was shot down, while Seoul denied operating drones on the date cited and said an investigation is under way. Analysts have questioned the claim, noting the alleged drone appeared to be low-grade equipment and arguing the timing may be linked to Kim Jong Un’s push to frame the two Koreas as hostile states.
Storm Goretti batters northern Europe with snow and power cuts
Storm Goretti has brought gale-force winds, heavy snow and freezing temperatures across northern Europe, triggering widespread power outages, flight cancellations and transport disruption. Hundreds of thousands of homes were reported to have lost electricity in France and the United Kingdom, while rail operators halted services in Germany and flights were cancelled in the Netherlands. Authorities also reported infrastructure damage, factory closures and rising power prices, with disruption extending into central and southeastern Europe, including flooding in Albania and storm damage in Türkiye.
Türkiye considers joining Saudi-Pakistan defence alliance
Türkiye is reportedly in advanced talks to join a defence pact between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, a move that could reshape security dynamics in the Middle East and South Asia. The pact, signed in September, reportedly includes a collective defence clause similar to NATO’s Article 5, according to regional security analysts, and Türkiye’s potential entry would deepen trilateral cooperation on defence, technology and regional security. Analysts say the move reflects Ankara’s efforts to strengthen strategic partnerships amid uncertainty over U.S. engagement, while also signalling a broader realignment as historic rivalries give way to closer military and economic coordination.
Catherine O’Hara, the celebrated Canadian actress and comedy legend, has died at the age of 71, her publicist confirmed on Friday. She passed away at her home in Los Angeles following a brief illness.
The U.S. Department of Justice on Friday made public more than three million pages of documents on Jeffrey Epstein, the late financier and convicted sex offender, including investigative records referencing U.S. President Donald Trump, tech mogul Elon Musk and Britain’s former Duke of York.
The Kremlin said on Friday (30 January) that Russian President had received a personal request from his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump. The request was to halt strikes on Kyiv until 1 February to create a favourable environment for peace negotiations.
Bangladesh and Pakistan on Thursday (29 January) resumed direct flight services after 14 years, marking a milestone in the revival of relations between the two Muslim-majority nations.
The United Nations faces the risk of “imminent financial collapse” because of unpaid contributions, including substantial arrears from the United States, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned.
Japan and Britain have agreed to deepen co-operation on critical mineral supply chains and economic security, as both countries seek to reduce vulnerabilities in global trade and strengthen ties with like-minded partners.
Protesters took to the streets in Minneapolis on Friday, 30 January, joined by student walkouts across the United States, demanding the withdrawal of federal immigration agents after two U.S. citizens were fatally shot in the city.
The United Nations faces the risk of “imminent financial collapse” because of unpaid contributions, including substantial arrears from the United States, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned.
The U.S. Department of Justice on Friday made public more than three million pages of documents on Jeffrey Epstein, the late financier and convicted sex offender, including investigative records referencing U.S. President Donald Trump, tech mogul Elon Musk and Britain’s former Duke of York.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 30th of January, covering the latest developments you need to know.
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