live Bab el-Mandeb shipping slumps after Houthi attacks on Saudi oil sites
Ship traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait fell to its lowest level in months on Sunday after Yemen's Houthi movement attacked Saudi oil facilities...
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.
Russian authorities said 11 people, including four children, had been killed by Ukraine in an overnight attack on a holiday camp, accusing Kyiv on Saturday of deliberately targeting civilians.
Iran will halt its own attacks as long as the United States maintains its pause on strikes, but Tehran remains sceptical of U.S. intentions, a senior Iranian source told on Sunday.
Ship traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait fell to its lowest level in months on Sunday after Yemen's Houthi movement attacked Saudi oil facilities along the Red Sea coast, while vessel movements through the Strait of Hormuz also remained subdued despite a pause in U.S.-Iran tensions.
Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called on Saturday for Russia and Ukraine to freeze the conflict and return to peace talks, saying a negotiated settlement remained possible despite the entrenched positions of both sides.
Marvel Studios used its return to San Diego Comic-Con to reveal several major projects, including a new Ghost Rider film starring Ryan Gosling and the long-awaited Black Panther 3.
The number of confirmed Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo has risen to 3,200, including 1,405 deaths, according to government data released on Sunday, highlighting the scale of an outbreak that continues to challenge health authorities and aid agencies.
The 27 July edition of Daybreak covers a pause in fighting between the U.S. and Iran, the latest developments in Russia's war against Ukraine, and mass evacuations as wildfires continue to spread across France and Spain.
French President Emmanuel Macron convened an interministerial crisis meeting on 26 July as wildfires spread across southwest France, with flames advancing to within 15 kilometres of the city of Bordeaux.
The United Nations will choose its next secretary-general this summer, with António Guterres set to leave office after two terms. Several candidates have entered the race to become the UN’s 10th chief, but the selection process remains shaped by negotiations among major powers.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has defended the 2026 World Cup, accusing critics of focusing on negativity while overlooking what he said was a tournament that united people across borders and cultures.
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