AnewZ Morning Brief - 19 January, 2026

Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for 19 January, covering the latest developments you need to know.

Scores dead and dozens injured in Spanish rail disaster

At least 21 people have died and 75 others were hospitalised after a high-speed train derailed and collided with an oncoming service in southern Spain on Sunday evening. The accident happened near Adamuz in the province of Cordoba, about 360 km (223 miles) south of the capital Madrid. There were around 400 passengers on the two trains, most of them Spaniards travelling back to and from Madrid after the weekend. It was unclear how many tourists could be onboard as January is not holiday season in Spain.

President Trump: 'it will be done' on getting 'Russian threat' away from Greenland

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that Denmark has not been able to do anything to get the "Russian threat" away from Greenland, and said, "Now it is time, and it will be done!!!" Trump has repeatedly insisted he will settle for nothing less than ownership of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark. Leaders of both Denmark and Greenland have insisted the island is not for sale and does not want to be part of the United States.

Chile declares state of catastrophe as wildfires kill at least 18 people

President Gabriel Boric has declared a state of catastrophe in two southern regions of Chile after raging wildfires, fuelled by extreme heat and strong winds, claimed at least 18 lives. Approximately 20,000 residents have been forced to evacuate their homes in Ñuble and Bío Bío as firefighters battle 24 active blazes that have already consumed nearly 8,500 hectares of land. With temperatures forecast to reach 38C, authorities warned that the adverse weather conditions are severely hampering efforts to control the spread of the fires.

Portugal heads for first presidential runoff in decades
Portugal will hold a presidential runoff for the first time since 1986 after moderate Socialist Antonio Jose Seguro topped Sunday’s first round of voting without securing an absolute majority. Seguro, who won 31.1% of the vote, will face far-right leader Andre Ventura, who secured 23.5%, in a second ballot on 8 February. While the result highlights the rapid rise of the anti-establishment Chega party, analysts suggest the Socialist candidate remains the favourite to win the final vote due to the polarised nature of Ventura’s support base.

Iran warns U.S., judiciary hints at unrest executions

Iran’s president warned on Sunday that any U.S. strike on the country would trigger a “harsh response” from Tehran, as nationwide unrest continues and tensions with Washington remain high. The warning came after an Iranian official in the region said at least 5,000 people, including around 500 security personnel, had been killed in protests that erupted across the country late last month. Against this backdrop, Iran’s state broadcaster was briefly hijacked on Sunday (18 January), airing footage of anti-government protests and a message from exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, according to opposition-linked outlets.

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