SOFAZ signs $1.4bn cooperation deal with Brookfield as Azerbaijan deepens Davos investment push
Azerbaijan’s State Oil Fund, State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ), has signed a long-term strategic cooperation agreement worth up to $1.4 billion w...
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.
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.
Several locally-developed instant messaging applications were reportedly restored in Iran on Tuesday (20 January), partially easing communications restrictions imposed after recent unrest.
There was a common theme in speeches at the World Economic Forum on Tuesday (20 January). China’s Vice-Premier, He Lifeng, warned that "tariffs and trade wars have no winners," while France's Emmanuel Macron, labelled "endless accumulation of new tariffs" from the U.S. "fundamentally unacceptable."
Dozens of beaches along Australia's east coast, including in Sydney, closed on Tuesday (20 January) after four shark attacks in two days, as heavy rains left waters murky and more likely to attract the animals.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington would “work something out” with NATO allies on Tuesday, defending his approach to the alliance while renewing his push for U.S. control of Greenland amid rising tensions with Europe.
Venezuela’s oil exports under a flagship $2bn supply deal with the U.S. reached around 7.8 million barrels on Wednesday, vessel-tracking data and state-run PDVSA documents show, with shipments accelerating after Washington eased its blockade — but not enough for PDVSA to fully reverse output cuts.
Azerbaijan’s State Oil Fund, State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ), has signed a long-term strategic cooperation agreement worth up to $1.4 billion with Brookfield Asset Management on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, officials said.
A senior official at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said on Wednesday that roughly 6% of U.S. air travellers are not presenting identification that meets stricter federal standards, as the agency prepares to start charging passengers without enhanced ID a $45 fee from 1 February.
The United States is placing renewed emphasis on regional partnerships that offer predictability, security cooperation and economic continuity as instability deepens across the Middle East and parts of Eurasia
A fire alarm prompted the partial evacuation of the Davos Congress Centre on Wednesday evening while Donald Trump was inside the building attending the World Economic Forum, Swiss authorities said.
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