Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 28 January, covering the latest developments you need to know.

Zelenskyy condemns Russian strike on civilian train as ‘terrorism’
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has denounced a Russian drone strike on a passenger train in the Kharkiv region as an act of terrorism, after the attack killed five people and set carriages ablaze. The incident followed a deadly overnight barrage on Odesa and critical infrastructure in Kyiv, leaving hundreds of thousands without electricity as rescue workers continue to search through rubble. Amidst the escalation, Mr Zelenskyy urged Western allies to increase pressure on Moscow to secure a just peace, warning that such attacks undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts.

U.S. lawmaker Ilhan Omar attacked with liquid during event
Police in Minneapolis have arrested a man on suspicion of assault after he sprayed Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar with a foul-smelling liquid during a town hall event. The incident occurred as Ms Omar was delivering a speech critical of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and calling for the resignation of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Despite the disruption, the congresswoman remained unharmed and defiantly returned to the stage, telling the audience she would not yield to threats, whilst federal officials work to calm rising tensions in the city following recent fatal shootings by immigration agents.

Putin to host Syrian leader al-Sharaa in Moscow
Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to host his Syrian counterpart, Ahmad al-Sharaa, in Moscow today to discuss the ongoing transitional period in Syria and broader regional developments. The Kremlin has indicated that the talks will focus on strengthening bilateral ties and the situation in the Middle East, with expectations that the status of former President Bashar al-Assad—currently in Russia—will also be addressed. This marks Mr al-Sharaa’s second visit to Russia as the two nations navigate the restructuring of the Syrian state and the future of Russian military bases in the region.

TikTok settles mental health lawsuit as Meta and YouTube face trial
TikTok has reached a confidential settlement in a landmark lawsuit regarding youth mental health, leaving tech giants Meta and YouTube to face a jury trial in California. The case, centred on a teenager’s claims that addictive app design caused severe depression, is set to be a significant test of whether social media companies can be held legally responsible for harms to young users. With TikTok and Snap having settled, the spotlight now turns to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who is expected to testify as the court examines the industry's alleged contribution to the youth mental health crisis.

Trump threatens to cut support if Iraq reinstates al-Maliki
U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Baghdad, threatening to withdraw American support if former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki returns to power during the country's upcoming leadership transition. In a social media post, Mr Trump argued that al-Maliki’s previous tenure descended into chaos and poverty, asserting that his reinstatement would result in the cessation of U.S. aid. The intervention highlights Washington’s deep concerns over Iranian influence and regional stability as Iraqi political blocs negotiate the formation of a new government.

Copied