Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 16th of January, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Trump unveils 'Board of Peace' to oversee Gaza transition
U.S. President Donald Trump has officially announced the formation of a "Board of Peace" to supervise Gaza’s reconstruction and governance, describing the body on Truth Social as the "most prestigious" ever assembled. While specific members are yet to be revealed, the initiative marks the launch of the second phase of the U.S. ceasefire plan, which involves full demilitarisation and the backing of a newly appointed "Palestinian Technocratic Government" to manage the Strip during the transitional period.
Carney and Xi seek to reset Canada-China relations
In a significant move to rebuild diplomatic ties, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has met with President Xi Jinping in Beijing, suggesting that a renewed strategic partnership could deliver "historic" economic gains for both nations. The visit, the first by a Canadian leader since 2017, focuses on deepening collaboration in agriculture and finance as both Ottawa and Beijing seek to diversify their trade interests amidst escalating tariff pressures from the Trump administration.
Stun grenade explosion injures 18 at Russian training centre
Russian authorities have launched an investigation after a stun grenade explosion at an Interior Ministry vocational training centre in the Republic of Komi left at least 18 people injured. The blast, which occurred during a personnel exercise in the regional capital of Syktyvkar, sparked a fire and forced the evacuation of 200 people, with health officials confirming that four of the victims remain in an extremely serious condition.
White House reports halt to 800 executions in Iran
The White House confirmed on Thursday that Iranian authorities have suspended 800 scheduled executions amidst ongoing anti-government protests, though President Donald Trump has warned that "all options remain on the table" regarding a U.S. response. As Washington imposes fresh sanctions on senior officials and tracks illicit financial flows from the regime, human rights groups estimate that the crackdown has already resulted in more than 2,600 deaths. Iran says it doesn't seek escalation or confrontation but says that any act of aggression "will be met with a decisive, proportionate, and lawful response."
Venezuelan Machado gifts Nobel medal to Trump during White House visit
Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to President Donald Trump during an historic meeting at the White House, describing the gift as a symbolic gesture of brotherhood in the fight against tyranny. While the President accepted the honour and praised Machado’s bravery, administration officials clarified that U.S. policy remains focused on rebuilding Venezuela’s economy and oil sector following the recent capture of Nicolas Maduro.
Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has moved swiftly to consolidate his authority following the dismissal of his long-time ally Kamchybek Tashiev, head of...
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards navy held military exercises in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday (16 February), state-linked media reported. The drill too...
A man accused of carrying out Australia’s deadliest mass shooting in nearly three decades appeared briefly in a Sydney court on Monday (16 February)...
The 2026 Munich Security Conference (MSC) unfolded over three intense days in Munich, confronting a defining question of our era: has the post-Second ...
ByteDance will take steps to prevent the unauthorised use of intellectual property on its artificial intelligence (AI) video generator Seedance 2.0, t...
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards navy held military exercises in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday (16 February), state-linked media reported. The drill took place a day before renewed nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Washington in Geneva.
The 2026 Munich Security Conference (MSC) unfolded over three intense days in Munich, confronting a defining question of our era: has the post-Second World War international order collapsed - and if so, what will replace it?
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Geneva on Monday ahead of a second round of indirect nuclear talks with the United States, according to Iranian state media.
Azerbaijan and Serbia have formally launched a Strategic Partnership Council, marking a new phase in bilateral relations and placing cooperation under direct presidential oversight.
U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker said China has the power to bring an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine, arguing that Beijing is enabling Moscow’s military campaign.
Austria’s Janine Flock won the gold medal in the women’s skeleton event at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on Saturday.
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani said the United States could evaluate its own interests separately from those of Israel in ongoing negotiations between Tehran and Washington.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday (15 February) called it “troubling” a report by five European allies blaming Russia for killing late Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny using a toxin from poison dart frogs.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday that Russia’s decision to change the leadership of its delegation for upcoming peace talks in Geneva appeared to be an attempt to delay progress.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards navy held military exercises in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday (16 February), state-linked media reported. The drill took place a day before renewed nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Washington in Geneva.
A man accused of carrying out Australia’s deadliest mass shooting in nearly three decades appeared briefly in a Sydney court on Monday (16 February), facing terrorism and murder charges over the 14 December attack on a Jewish Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach that left 15 people dead.
The 2026 Munich Security Conference (MSC) unfolded over three intense days in Munich, confronting a defining question of our era: has the post-Second World War international order collapsed - and if so, what will replace it?
The United States has carried out its first air transport of a nuclear microreactor on a cargo plane, flying the unit from California to Utah in a demonstration designed to show the technology can be rapidly deployed for military and civilian use.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 16th of February, covering the latest developments you need to know.
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