Uzbekistan summons Iranian Ambassador after Samarkand described as Persian
Uzbekistan summoned Iran’s ambassador following claims by several Iranian diplomatic missions that the historical and architectural heri...
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.
Around 11,000 people joined a demonstration in Orléans on Saturday against the National Rally congress, according to the local prefecture.
Typhoon Champi swept past Taiwan on Saturday, leaving one person dead and more than 500 injured as strong winds and torrential rain brought down trees, cut power and disrupted transport across the island.
French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday described a deadly shooting in the towns of Trappes and La Verrière, west of Paris, as a racist attack and ‘a turning point’ for the country.
Israeli forces have maintained a tight closure on Hebron in the occupied West Bank for a second day, with Palestinian media reporting home raids, mass detentions and dozens of residents forced outside following a shooting incident the day before.
Armenian authorities have detained 10 more people in a vote-buying investigation involving the opposition Strong Armenia party, just two days before local elections in the northern town of Stepanavan.
Riot police fired tear gas at protesters in France’s largest cities and more than 1,300 people were arrested during demonstrations against the rising cost of living on Saturday (24 October). Police also used a water cannon on a group of around 500 hooded youths in Paris, after the main rally ended.
Ukraine's military has been hit this month by restrictions on Starshield, the military version of SpaceX's Starlink satellite communications system. Its receivers stopped functioning when mounted on fast-moving objects such as drones, jeopardising some combat and air defence missions.
At least five people were killed and several others injured in overnight attacks across Russia and Ukraine on Sunday, 25 October, as officials reported strikes on residential areas and industrial facilities, while Moscow claimed to have targeted logistics infrastructure and a cargo vessel.
Protests against war and rising living costs took place in major Italian cities on Saturday, with some incidents of violence and clashes, a week after unrest erupted across the country.
Bulgarians are voting in a presidential election on Sunday as deadly drone attacks on merchant vessels in the Black Sea raise security concerns and expose divisions over the country's response to Russia's war in Ukraine.
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