Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 24th of January, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Starmer condemns Trump Afghanistan comments as ‘insulting’
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has condemned President Donald Trump’s claim that NATO troops stayed off the front lines in Afghanistan, calling the comments “insulting and frankly appalling” and stressing that they diminish the sacrifice of British and allied forces. Starmer said the remarks caused genuine hurt and called for an apology, noting the UK lost 457 personnel. Prince Harry and veterans’ groups also criticised the comments, while the White House declined to respond directly.
Iran warns of ‘all-out war’ if attacked
A senior Iranian official has warned that any strike on the country would be viewed as an “all-out war,” as the U.S. reinforces its military presence in the Middle East with an aircraft carrier group and additional air defences. The official said Iran’s forces are on high alert and would “respond in the hardest way possible” to any attack. Washington says the buildup is defensive, while Tehran argues it risks triggering escalation. The warning comes amid Iran’s deadliest unrest in decades and continued U.S. pressure, though both sides say diplomatic channels remain open.
Trump thanks Azerbaijan and Armenia, announces Vance visit in February
U.S. President Donald Trump has thanked President Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan for maintaining last August’s peace deal, saying Vice President J.D. Vance will visit both countries in February to advance what he calls the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity. He added that Washington would deepen its strategic partnership with Azerbaijan, pursue peaceful nuclear cooperation with Armenia, and expand semiconductor and defence equipment deals, including sales of U.S.-made body armour and boats.
Germany divided over possible World Cup boycott
Germany is split over whether to boycott the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the U.S. if President Donald Trump moves ahead with annexing Greenland, a step widely seen in Europe as violating international law. CDU lawmakers Jürgen Hardt and Roderich Kiesewetter said participation would be difficult to justify under such circumstances. Sports Minister Christiane Schenderlein said the decision ultimately rested with sporting federations. An INSA poll found 47% support a boycott, while 35% oppose it, reflecting broader unease over Trump’s foreign policy.
Russia and China oppose Western ‘militarisation’ of Asia-Pacific
Russia and China have accused Western countries of trying to militarise the Asia-Pacific region, saying they will step up coordination with Southeast Asian states in response. After talks in Beijing, officials criticised plans for Nato-style military infrastructure and so-called Indo-Pacific strategies, while promising deeper engagement with Asean. Discussions also covered Myanmar, Afghanistan and the Korean Peninsula, with both sides highlighting growing trade and momentum in bilateral ties.
Yemen’s Houthis have claimed responsibility for the recent drone and missile strikes on Saudi Aramco facilities in Dhahran and Riyadh and at ...
Ukraine's soldiers have had their access to Starlink satellite internet restricted. Kyiv's troops use the terminals, made by Elon Musk...
Greek students braved heavy rain to pitch tents outside parliament in Athens on Tuesday, demanding affordable housing and more education funding as...
The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said late Monday that it intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched by the Houthi group toward Khamis Mushait in southwestern Saudi Arabia.
Yemen’s Houthis have claimed responsibility for the recent drone and missile strikes on Saudi Aramco facilities in Dhahran and Riyadh and at King Khalid International Airport in Saudi Arabia, vowing to carry out more attacks in the coming days.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia hit at least six energy targets in deadly strikes across Ukraine, showing Moscow is unwilling to accept the energy ceasefire announced by U.S. President Donald Trump.
The Kremlin on Monday rejected a 60-day ceasefire idea proposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to allow his country to hold presidential elections, saying it wanted an overall peace deal instead.
Thousands of young Georgians leave the country each year in search of better economic opportunities, with many moving west. As questions grow over Georgia’s European path, AnewZ spoke to people who have emigrated about what it would take for them to return.
Ukraine's soldiers have had their access to Starlink satellite internet restricted. Kyiv's troops use the terminals, made by Elon Musk's SpaceX, to pilot drones. A source in Ukraine's Defence Ministry said the restrictions would make it harder for Kyiv's army to down Russian drones.
Pope Leo has been diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer, after surgeons removed the lower lobe of his right lung. The Vatican says the tumour was detected during a routine health check, but its stage and whether it has spread remain unknown.
Greek students braved heavy rain to pitch tents outside parliament in Athens on Tuesday, demanding affordable housing and more education funding as rising living costs put university places beyond the reach of some students.
A former Ukrainian military officer has gone on trial in Germany, accused of orchestrating the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline explosions that disrupted a major route for Russian gas supplies to Europe.
Argentina has asked the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, a judicial body which settles maritime disputes, to halt British-authorised oil activity near the Falkland Islands, escalating a sovereignty dispute over the archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean.
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