Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for January 20th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
1. Trump returns to office, signaling major policy shifts.
Donald Trump takes the oath for a second term as U.S. president, a rare re-election after a break in power. His administration is expected to move swiftly on immigration and economic policies, with global leaders and markets assessing the impact of his agenda.
2. South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol to appear before constitutional court in impeachment trial.
South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol is set to appear before the constitutional court today as it reviews an impeachment motion alleging a violation of his constitutional duties.
Detained under a separate criminal investigation into an attempted imposition of martial law in December, Yoon may have the opportunity to present his defense or answer questions from the judges.
The court will determine whether to permanently remove him from office or reinstate him. Security measures in Seoul have been heightened amid rising political tensions surrounding the case.
3. Marco Rubio confirmed as U.S. secretary of state in Trump’s second term.
The U.S. Senate unanimously confirmed Senator Marco Rubio as secretary of state, marking the first cabinet appointment of President Donald Trump’s second administration. A longtime member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Rubio is known for his strong stance against China, unwavering support for Israel, and advocacy for a hardline policy on Cuba and Venezuela. During his confirmation hearing, he emphasized the need to reduce U.S. reliance on China and suggested that a negotiated end to the war in Ukraine may require territorial concessions. Rubio becomes the first Hispanic person to serve as the nation’s top diplomat.
4. Trump plans meeting with Putin amid calls for dialogue.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, though no date has been set. Trump suggested talks could happen "very soon."
Putin reaffirmed Moscow’s openness to dialogue with Washington, particularly on Ukraine, and emphasized the need to prevent global conflict.
5. EBRD hits record €3 billion investment in Central Asia.
The EBRD invested €2.26 billion in 121 projects across Central Asia in 2024, nearly doubling its 2023 funding. Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan led in financing, while investments focused on sustainable infrastructure, green energy, and small business support.
6. Florentino Pérez re-elected as Real Madrid president until 2029.
Florentino Pérez has been re-elected as Real Madrid president, extending his leadership until 2029 after running unopposed.
The 77-year-old, who has led the club since 2009, has overseen a golden era, securing five La Liga titles and six Champions League trophies, including a historic three-peat from 2016 to 2018.
The U.S. ambassador to Türkiye says Israel and Syria have reached a ceasefire deal supported by Türkiye, Jordan, and regional actors after cross-bor...
The Trump administration has completed a controversial prisoner swap with Venezuela, returning around 250 deported Venezuelans in exchange for 10 Amer...
U.S. President Donald Trump signed the GENIUS Act into law on Friday, creating the first U.S. regulatory framework for dollar-backed stablecoins and m...
German authorities have arrested a Libyan man accused of overseeing torture and sexual abuse at a notorious prison in Tripoli, the International Crimi...
The South Caucasus—comprising Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia—has long been a geopolitical crossroads where regional and global powers intersect.
China has accused foreign intelligence agencies of smuggling rare earth metals out of the country by manipulating shipping logistics and recruiting insiders, according to a statement from the Ministry of State Security.
An explosion at a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department training facility has reportedly claimed the lives of three deputies, according to local media reports on Friday. However, officials have not yet confirmed any casualties.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a phone call on Friday to discuss regional developments, with particular focus on the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Syria, according to a statement released by the Kremlin press service.
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.
China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will send an upgraded ‘version 3.0’ free-trade agreement to their heads of government for approval in October, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Saturday after regional talks in Kuala Lumpur.
Germany's export slump since 2021 is largely driven by deep-rooted competitiveness issues, the Bundesbank warned in its latest report, calling for urgent structural reforms.
Israeli researchers have unveiled an artificial intelligence tool that can determine a person’s true biological age from tiny DNA samples with remarkable precision.
Two Harry Potter actresses, Emma Watson and Zoe Wanamaker, have each received a six-month driving ban after separate speeding offences, both sentenced on the same day at a Buckinghamshire court.
North Korea has stopped foreign tourists from visiting its new Wonsan-Kalma resort just weeks after it welcomed the first Russian visitors.
U.S. President Donald Trump says Coca-Cola has agreed to use real cane sugar in the U.S., though the company has not confirmed the claim.
The U.S. ambassador to Türkiye says Israel and Syria have reached a ceasefire deal supported by Türkiye, Jordan, and regional actors after cross-border strikes this week heightened tensions.
The Trump administration has completed a controversial prisoner swap with Venezuela, returning around 250 deported Venezuelans in exchange for 10 American detainees.
Congo and the M23 rebel group have agreed on a declaration of principles after months of Qatar-mediated talks, aiming to end fighting in the country’s east.
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