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.
A large fire has broken out in a commercial building near Tsutenkaku Tower, a famous tourist landmark in Osaka, Japan. Emergency teams are on the scene, with dark smoke visible over the city.
Kazakhstan will build 41 waste processing plants with a total capacity of 1.1 million tons annually, creating over 4,500 jobs and attracting significant private investment, while satellite imagery has helped remove thousands of landfills.
Algeria’s Speaker of the Council of the Nation, Saleh Goudjil, has called on France to take full responsibility for the lasting effects of nuclear tests conducted in the Algerian desert during the colonial period, highlighting the ongoing suffering of local populations.
The U.S. Senate confirmed Marco Rubio as Secretary of State, marking President Trump’s first Cabinet appointment of his second term.
A large fire has broken out in a commercial building near Tsutenkaku Tower, a famous tourist landmark in Osaka, Japan. Emergency teams are on the scene, with dark smoke visible over the city.
Russia has expressed its readiness to assist in normalizing relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, as Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov emphasized during talks with Armenia's Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs met at the World Economic Forum in Davos to discuss bilateral ties. Rinkēvičs offered condolences for the recent plane crash, while Aliyev stressed the importance of continued cooperation.
A fire ravaged a shopping mall in Culiacán, Mexico, on January 16, 2025, causing significant damage, including the collapse of the roof housing a casino. Emergency responders worked to control the blaze, with one injury and two others treated for nervous breakdowns. Cause remains unknown.
The International Circus Festival in Monaco shows incredible performances from talented circus artists around the world.
As we approach 2025, extreme weather events are becoming the new normal. From heatwaves to flooding, climate change is accelerating and reshaping life on Earth. In this article, we explore how these shifts will affect our ecosystems, economies, and daily lives in the years ahead.
A large fire has broken out in a commercial building near Tsutenkaku Tower, a famous tourist landmark in Osaka, Japan. Emergency teams are on the scene, with dark smoke visible over the city.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs met at the World Economic Forum in Davos to discuss bilateral ties. Rinkēvičs offered condolences for the recent plane crash, while Aliyev stressed the importance of continued cooperation.
UNESCO urges ethical AI use in education, emphasizing human agency and investment in teacher-student training, as part of International Education Day 2025.
A large fire has broken out in a commercial building near Tsutenkaku Tower, a famous tourist landmark in Osaka, Japan. Emergency teams are on the scene, with dark smoke visible over the city.
Russia has expressed its readiness to assist in normalizing relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, as Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov emphasized during talks with Armenia's Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs met at the World Economic Forum in Davos to discuss bilateral ties. Rinkēvičs offered condolences for the recent plane crash, while Aliyev stressed the importance of continued cooperation.
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