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.
Protesters and police clashed in Nepal leaving two dead and 17 injured as demonstrators rallied to demand the return of the constitutional monarchy.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance visited Greenland’s Pituffik military base amid renewed calls from President Trump for U.S. control of the island. The trip sparked protests, with Greenland’s leader calling it a "lack of respect." Trump insists Greenland is vital for U.S. security and global stability.
The model aims to enhance Alibaba’s presence in the generative AI sector and is available as open-source.
Ukrainian officials stated on Friday that the terms of a proposed mineral deal with the United States remain unsettled, following reports that Washington is seeking all of Ukraine’s natural resource income until wartime aid is repaid.
Protesters and police clashed in Nepal leaving two dead and 17 injured as demonstrators rallied to demand the return of the constitutional monarchy.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance criticized Denmark’s handling of Greenland’s security during a visit to the U.S. base at Pituffik.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance visited Greenland’s Pituffik military base amid renewed calls from President Trump for U.S. control of the island. The trip sparked protests, with Greenland’s leader calling it a "lack of respect." Trump insists Greenland is vital for U.S. security and global stability.
Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) pilots, monitoring a Chinese navy warship as it navigated Australian waters, were alerted to a live-fire exercise via a civilian radio broadcast, defense officials revealed on Tuesday.
Mexican forces have dismantled a massive meth lab in Zacatecas, dealing a blow to a Sinaloa Cartel faction.
Russian forces carried out a drone attack on Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, late Wednesday, injuring at least twenty one people and causing structural damage, according to Ukrainian officials.
As the world shifts toward clean energy at an ever-accelerating pace, large economies are scrambling to secure reliable supply chains for rare earth minerals. These minerals, once seen as mere industrial components, have become a political tool in the global power struggle
A devastating overnight drone attack on Kyiv, attributed to Russian forces, resulted in the deaths of three people, including a five-year-old child, and left ten others injured.
Protesters and police clashed in Nepal leaving two dead and 17 injured as demonstrators rallied to demand the return of the constitutional monarchy.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance criticized Denmark’s handling of Greenland’s security during a visit to the U.S. base at Pituffik.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance visited Greenland’s Pituffik military base amid renewed calls from President Trump for U.S. control of the island. The trip sparked protests, with Greenland’s leader calling it a "lack of respect." Trump insists Greenland is vital for U.S. security and global stability.
Protesters and police clashed in Nepal leaving two dead and 17 injured as demonstrators rallied to demand the return of the constitutional monarchy.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance criticized Denmark’s handling of Greenland’s security during a visit to the U.S. base at Pituffik.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance visited Greenland’s Pituffik military base amid renewed calls from President Trump for U.S. control of the island. The trip sparked protests, with Greenland’s leader calling it a "lack of respect." Trump insists Greenland is vital for U.S. security and global stability.
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