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.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis reshuffled his cabinet on Friday (3 April) in a bid to contain a growing scandal over the alleged fraudule...
A parliamentary vote in Myanmar has elected junta chief Min Aung Hlaing as president, consolidating his grip on power five years after he ousted an...
One crew member from a U.S. warplane shot down over Iran has been rescued, U.S. officials said, as a search continues for a second crew member....
Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz has hailed the growing importance of the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS) am...
Across China, people are taking part in a wide range of activities to honour fallen heroes ahead of the Qingming Festival, a traditional time for r...
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis reshuffled his cabinet on Friday (3 April) in a bid to contain a growing scandal over the alleged fraudulent use of European Union farm subsidies.
One crew member from a U.S. warplane shot down over Iran has been rescued, U.S. officials said, as a search continues for a second crew member.
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it has sent a mid-level delegation to China for formal talks with Pakistan, as both sides meet in Urumqi amid efforts by Beijing to ease tensions between the neighbours.
Iran has strongly condemned U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to bomb the country “back to the Stone Age”, calling his remarks an example of “war crimes and genocide.”
Fears of wider escalation grow despite President Donald Trump saying U.S. strikes on Iran could end within weeks. Meanwhile missile attacks, tanker incidents and rising casualties across Israel, Lebanon and the Gulf heighten risks to regional stability and energy routes.
Four astronauts blasted off from Florida on Wednesday on NASA's Artemis II mission, a high-stakes voyage around the moon that marks the United States' boldest step yet toward returning humans to the lunar surface later this decade in a race with China.
An earthquake of magnitude 7.6 struck in Indonesia's Northern Molucca Sea on Thursday, killing one person, damaging some buildings and triggering tsunami waves, authorities and witnesses said.
President Donald Trump staunchly defended his handling of the month-old U.S.-Israeli war on Iran in a prime-time address on Wednesday, saying the U.S. military was nearing completion of its mission while also reinforcing his threats to bomb the Islamic Republic back to the Stone Age.
One U.S. crew member has been rescued after Iran downed a warplane, while the search continues for a second. At the same time, Iran has officially told mediators it will not meet U.S. officials in Islamabad in the coming days, calling U.S. demands unacceptable, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis reshuffled his cabinet on Friday (3 April) in a bid to contain a growing scandal over the alleged fraudulent use of European Union farm subsidies.
One crew member from a U.S. warplane shot down over Iran has been rescued, U.S. officials said, as a search continues for a second crew member.
Across China, people are taking part in a wide range of activities to honour fallen heroes ahead of the Qingming Festival, a traditional time for remembrance and paying respect to the deceased.
France and South Korea have agreed to strengthen defence ties and energy security cooperation following a two-day visit by French President Emmanuel Macron to Seoul.
In a highly unusual move highlighting shifting narcotics diplomacy, the U.S. has handed over a Chinese fugitive accused of serious drug crimes to authorities in Beijing.
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