live Trump declares U.S. ‘Guardian of Hormuz’, proposes 20% shipping levy
The United States and Iran have significantly escalated their conflict, exchanging heavy missile and drone strikes across the Gulf region. Iran claim...
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 11th of January, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Iran has intensified its security crackdown on ongoing nationwide protests, with reports of dozens of deaths and thousands of arrests. Rights groups confirm at least 65 fatalities, including protesters and security forces. The protests, initially sparked by soaring inflation, have evolved into political demands, calling for the end of clerical rule. The Revolutionary Guards have been deployed, and authorities have accused foreign powers, including the U.S. and Israel, of inciting unrest. International condemnation has increased, with the U.S. and European nations urging restraint.
The U.S. Central Command released videos on 10 January showing jets preparing and conducting multiple airstrikes in Syria, targeting the Islamic State (ISIS). These recent strikes followed the 13 December attack in which two U.S. soldiers and a civilian interpreter were killed by ISIS militants. CENTCOM did not specify casualties from the latest strikes, and the Pentagon has yet to provide further details.
Tens of thousands of protesters marched through Minneapolis on 10 January, condemning the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, 37, by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent. Civil liberties groups have accused ICE of using unjustified lethal force, while the Trump administration claims the agent acted in self-defence. Protests also took place in several U.S. cities, with demonstrators calling for an end to ICE and justice for Good. The incident has intensified tensions between Minnesota's Democratic leaders and the federal government, with local law enforcement launching their own investigation into the shooting.
China, Russia, and Iran have begun a week-long naval exercise off the coast of South Africa, aimed at ensuring the safety of shipping routes and enhancing maritime cooperation. The drills, titled "Exercise WILL FOR PEACE 2026," are being held amid strained relations between these countries and the U.S. The expanded BRICS bloc, which includes China, Russia, South Africa, and several other nations, has increasingly coordinated on political and security issues, drawing criticism from U.S. officials. However, South Africa's government stressed that the exercise is non-political and focused on improving naval capabilities, despite domestic criticism over the country's neutrality.
The 4th Shusha Global Media Forum will bring together nearly 160 media leaders, experts and officials from 54 countries in Azerbaijan's historic city of Shusha on 13-14 July, to discuss journalism’s role in peacebuilding, restoring public trust and tackling challenges.
The U.S. has launched fresh strikes on Iran after Tehran targeted a container ship and said it had again closed the Strait of Hormuz. Iran also claimed to have expanded attacks on U.S. military facilities across the Gulf.
Typhoon Bavi, the strongest storm to hit the eastern coast of mainland China this year, brought heavy rain, strong winds, flooding and landslides after making landfall in Zhejiang province on Sunday. More than 2.8 million people were evacuated to safety ahead of the storm.
President Ilham Aliyev is holding his annual question-and-answer session with international journalists at the 4th Shusha Global Media Forum in Azerbaijan.
Qatar is mourning the death of its former ruler, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who has passed away at the age of 74.
Twelve people have been arrested in connection with an alleged extreme right-wing terrorism plot targeting a major Islamic gathering in Suffolk, prompting counter-terrorism police to declare a major incident and bring the event to an early close.
Ukraine and a group of key Western allies have launched a new air defence coalition to develop a European anti-ballistic missile system that will complement existing defences and reduce reliance on the costly U.S.-made Patriot system.
Russian athletes will once again be allowed to represent their country in international modern pentathlon competitions after the sport's governing body lifted restrictions on their participation, marking another step in Russia's return to international sport.
The AFC/M23 rebel movement is using its response to a small Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo as evidence of its ability to govern territory under its control, establishing parallel health structures and relying partly on support from neighbouring Rwanda.
Britain has moved to target Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and another Iran-linked organisation using new state-threat powers following a series of antisemitic incidents across the country.
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