Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Briefing: here are the top news stories for January 18th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
1. Israel approves a ceasefire agreement for Gaza.
The Israeli government approved a Gaza ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal after a lengthy Cabinet meeting. According to the prime minister's office, prisoner releases will start Sunday. The deal was first cleared by the Security Cabinet before ministerial discussions.
2. Severe cold forces Trump inauguration indoors.
President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration will take place inside the U.S. Capitol on Monday rather than outdoors because of severe cold, the first time in 40 years that U.S. presidential inaugural ceremonies will be moved indoors.
"There is an Arctic blast sweeping the Country. I don’t want to see people hurt, or injured, in any way," Trump said on his Truth Social platform on Friday. "Therefore, I have ordered the Inauguration Address, in addition to prayers and other speeches, to be delivered in the United States Capitol Rotunda," Trump added.
The last time an inauguration was moved indoors because of the bitter cold was in 1985 for former Republican President Ronald Reagan's second swearing-in when the afternoon wind chill fell into the range of minus 10 to minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 23 to minus 29 degrees Celsius).
3. TikTok says it will go dark Sunday in US without assurance from Biden.
TikTok warned late Friday it will go dark in the United States on Sunday unless President Joe Biden's administration provides assurances to companies like Apple and Google that they will not face enforcement actions when a ban takes effect.
The statement came hours after the Supreme Court upheld a law banning TikTok in the United States on national security grounds if its Chinese parent company ByteDance does not sell it, putting the popular short-video app on track to go dark in just two days.
4. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey has arrived in Baku.
During his visit, Hakan Fidan is set to engage in several high-level discussions focused on enhancing Azerbaijan-Türkiye cooperation across political, military, economic, trade, transportation, and energy sectors.
5. Putin and Pezeshkian deepen defence ties with 20-year pact.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian deepened military ties between their countries on Friday by signing a 20-year strategic partnership that is likely to worry the West.
Under the agreement, Russia and Iran will boost cooperation in a range of areas including their security services, military drills, warship port visits and joint officer training.
6. Statements made by U.S. Congress on January 20 tragedy anniversary.
U.S. Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus co-chairs honour the 35th anniversary of January 20, reflecting on its impact as a pivotal moment in Azerbaijan's fight for independence.
The co-chairs of the Congressional Azerbaijan Caucus, Steve Cohen, a Democrat from Tennessee, and Robert Aderholt, a Republican from Alabama, issued statements marking the 35th anniversary of January 20, the Day of National Mourning in Azerbaijan.
7. Kazakhstan breaks its record for new car sales in 2024.
Kazakhstan achieved a new record for new car sales in 2024, surpassing 205,000 units, nearly 7,000 more than the previous year. This milestone came despite a mid-year slowdown, followed by a strong recovery in the last few months.
8. Tajikistan launches its first digital art gallery showcasing the work of local activists.
The Khujand branch of the NGO Office of Civil Liberties has opened Tajikistan's first digital art gallery, highlighting the work of local activists. The gallery features art addressing key social issues like domestic violence, discrimination, and environmental threats, showcasing various forms, including digital art, photography, stories, and videos.
On 12 August, Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov spoke by phone with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan....
The move highlights Turkish Airlines' ongoing commitment to grow its international network, particularly in key markets like China, amid global aviati...
A wildfire on the Peloponnese peninsula near the city of Patras triggered evacuation orders for at least a dozen villages on Tuesday, 12 August, as fi...
U.S.-based Newsmax television channel has aired a special programme devoted to the landmark Washington summit between the leaders of Azerbaijan and Ar...
The joint military exercise between Armenia and the United States of America has kicked off today 12th August 2025 according to the country’s defenc...
On 12 August, Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov spoke by phone with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan.
The move highlights Turkish Airlines' ongoing commitment to grow its international network, particularly in key markets like China, amid global aviation recovery.
U.S.-based Newsmax television channel has aired a special programme devoted to the landmark Washington summit between the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia, mediated by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Pop singer Madonna appealed on Instagram for Pope Leo XIV to visit Gaza and “bring light to the children before it’s too late,” calling him “the only one of us who cannot be denied entry” and urging action to prevent child starvation.
The world’s biggest dance music festival faces an unexpected setback as a fire destroys its main stage, prompting a last-minute response from organisers determined to keep the party alive in Boom, Belgium.
A powerful eruption at Japan’s Shinmoedake volcano sent an ash plume more than 3,000 metres high on Sunday morning, prompting safety warnings from authorities.
According to the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), a magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck the Oaxaca region of Mexico on Saturday.
A resumption of Iraq’s Kurdish oil exports is not expected in the near term, sources familiar with the matter said on Friday, despite an announcement by Iraq’s federal government a day earlier stating that shipments would resume immediately.
'Superman' continued to dominate the summer box office, pulling in another $57.25 million in its second weekend, as theatres welcome a wave of blockbuster competition following a challenging few years for the film industry.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and U.S. President Donald Trump will hold their first summit on 25 August in Washington to discuss ways to deepen their alliance and expand cooperation in economic security, according to Lee’s office.
In Monterrey, Mexico, a new AI-powered robot dog named “Waldog” is drawing attention to animal abuse and welfare.
Homelessness in the United States is at record highs and still rising in 2025. A federal count last year found over 770,000 people without a home, a crisis fuelled by scarce affordable housing, rising costs, migration pressures, and the pandemic’s lasting impact.
The Russian and Belarusian armed forces will hold joint strategic drills in Belarus from 12 to 16 September, the Belarusian Defence Ministry announced on Tuesday.
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