Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 27 January, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Trump dispatches Border tsar Tom Homan to Minneapolis operation
President Donald Trump has dispatched his designated border tsar, Tom Homan, to oversee federal operations in Minneapolis following days of escalating tensions and the removal of Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino. The decision comes after a private phone conversation with Governor Tim Walz, whom the White House is urging to hand over criminal undocumented migrants in exchange for scaling back the federal presence. While Bovino returns to his former role in California, administration officials insist his transfer is unrelated to the fatal shooting of U.S. citizen Alex Pretti, despite conflicting reports surrounding his departure.
Israel recovers final hostage as Rafah crossing set to reopen
The Israeli military has confirmed the recovery of the remains of Ran Gvili, the last hostage held in Gaza, fulfilling a critical condition for the reopening of the Rafah crossing. President Trump hailed the operation as an "amazing job" on Truth Social, marking the conclusion of the initial phase of his US-brokered peace plan. With all 251 hostages now accounted for—either released or confirmed deceased—Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has authorised the reopening of the border, paving the way for the next stage of the agreement which includes the formation of a technocratic Palestinian government.
French MPs vote to ban social media for under-15s
French lawmakers have overwhelmingly approved a key article in a new bill that bans children under the age of 15 from accessing social media platforms, a move strongly backed by President Emmanuel Macron. The legislation, which also prohibits mobile phones in high schools, requires platforms to implement robust age-verification systems or face penalties, with educational sites remaining the only exemption. While the government aims for the law to take effect by September, critics warn that strict enforcement may conflict with existing EU regulations.
NATO chief warns Europe against separate defence force
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has dismissed calls for a standalone European defence force, warning that such a move would please Vladimir Putin by fracturing transatlantic security. Speaking in Brussels, Rutte asserted that Europe cannot defend itself without the US nuclear umbrella and urged member states to increase defence spending within the NATO framework instead. He also confirmed that recent talks with President Trump regarding Greenland focused on countering Russian and Chinese influence in the Arctic, rather than questions of sovereignty.
Trump hikes tariffs on South Korea over stalled trade deal
President Trump has announced an increase in tariffs on South Korean goods from 15% to 25%, citing the failure of Seoul’s legislature to ratify a $350 billion trade agreement reached last year. The sudden hike targets major sectors including automobiles and pharmaceuticals, catching South Korean officials off guard as they attempt to navigate currency instability and falling exports to the US. While Seoul scrambles to negotiate, analysts suggest the move reflects Washington's growing impatience with delays in implementing the investment pact.
A U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding aimed at ending war between the two countries has been signed electronically by President Donald Trump and Ira...
The U.S. has announced new visa restrictions targeting individuals it says are undermining peace efforts in Ethiopia, focusing on hardline members of ...
The European Parliament has adopted one of its strongest resolutions on Georgia to date, calling for the release of political prisoners, backing sanct...
A Ukrainian drone strike has hit an oil refinery in south-east Moscow for the second time in three days, triggering a major fire, disrupting flights a...
The United Arab Emirates has introduced a minimum age of 15 for social media use, becoming the first country in the Arab world to impose such a restri...
The U.S. has announced new visa restrictions targeting individuals it says are undermining peace efforts in Ethiopia, focusing on hardline members of the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) and their immediate family members amid rising tensions in the country's north.
A Ukrainian drone strike has hit an oil refinery in south-east Moscow for the second time in three days, triggering a major fire, disrupting flights across the Russian capital and highlighting growing vulnerabilities in the country's energy infrastructure.
The United Arab Emirates has introduced a minimum age of 15 for social media use, becoming the first country in the Arab world to impose such a restriction amid growing global concerns about the impact of digital platforms on children.
The Caspian Sea has retreated by up to 35 kilometres along Kazakhstan's coastline since 2006, raising fresh concerns about the future of the world's largest inland body of water and the communities, industries and ecosystems that depend on it.
Donald Trump has said the U.S. will resume bombing Iran if Tehran doesn't "behave," at the sidelines of the G7 summit in France. Earlier, the U.S. President criticised Israel for its tactics against Hezbollah, saying it was unnecessary to bomb entire apartment buildings to tackle militants.
A U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding aimed at ending war between the two countries has been signed electronically by President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Meanwhile, Israel has continued to carry out lethal strikes on southern Lebanon.
U.S. President Donald Trump said a preliminary agreement to end the war in the Gulf has been signed by the U.S. and Iran, though details have yet to be made public and both countries said a permanent truce is yet to be negotiated.
A cyber extortion group has claimed it stole more than a terabyte of data from Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk after the company allegedly refused to pay a $25 million ransom.
American technology company Snap has launched its first augmented-reality (AR) glasses for consumers, marking a major push into wearable computing as tech firms race to redefine personal devices in the AI era.
The U.S. has announced new visa restrictions targeting individuals it says are undermining peace efforts in Ethiopia, focusing on hardline members of the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) and their immediate family members amid rising tensions in the country's north.
A Ukrainian drone strike has hit an oil refinery in south-east Moscow for the second time in three days, triggering a major fire, disrupting flights across the Russian capital and highlighting growing vulnerabilities in the country's energy infrastructure.
The United Arab Emirates has introduced a minimum age of 15 for social media use, becoming the first country in the Arab world to impose such a restriction amid growing global concerns about the impact of digital platforms on children.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has welcomed the recent agreement between the U.S. and Iran, saying it could help stabilise the Middle East and ease pressure on global energy and food markets.
More than 100 Chinese companies approved for inclusion on the United States' most powerful trade restriction list have not yet been formally added, as Washington has decided, for now, not to proceed, according to a report by Reuters.
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