Morning Briefing: Jan. 20, 2026

By Rabia Ali

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news you need to start your Tuesday, including a phone call between Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and his US counterpart Donald Trump, Denmark’s foreign minister saying there was a “misunderstanding” in Washington over his country’s increased military presence in Greenland, and Japan holding snap elections next month.

TOP STORIES

• Sharaa, Trump discuss situation in Syria, affirm support for country’s unity, counterterrorism

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa had a phone call on Monday with his US counterpart, Donald Trump, during which they discussed developments in Syria and affirmed support for the country’s unity and counterterrorism efforts.

According to a statement by the Syrian presidency, the two leaders stressed “the importance of preserving Syria’s territorial unity and independence,” and voiced support for “all efforts aimed at achieving stability.” The statement said both sides underscored the need to “guarantee the rights and protection of the Kurdish people within the framework of the Syrian state.”

The two presidents also agreed “to continue cooperation in combating ISIS (Daesh) and ending its threats,” the presidency said.

• Denmark says Greenland troop moves not aimed at provoking Trump

Denmark’s foreign minister said on Monday that Washington has misunderstood Denmark’s military buildup in Greenland, saying it is aimed at addressing security concerns, not provoking US President Donald Trump.

Lars Lokke Rasmussen said Denmark remains committed to what was agreed with Washington during a meeting last week, including the formation of a working group on Greenland.

"We will do that, and then we have to see what the Americans do," he told Danish media following his meeting with British counterpart Yvette Cooper in London.

Referring to an increase in Denmark's military presence in Greenland, Rasmussen said there was a "misunderstanding" on the American side of recent events in the Arctic territory.

• Japan to hold snap elections on Feb. 8

Japan's first female Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Monday announced that snap general elections will be held on Feb. 8 after she dissolves the parliament later this week.

Addressing a news conference in Tokyo, Takaichi said the parliament will be dissolved on Friday, when lawmakers meet for a scheduled session.

She was elected last October as the 104th prime minister of the country.

The elections were originally scheduled to be held no later than October 2028.

A party or coalition needs at least 233 seats in the 465-member lower house of Japan’s bicameral parliament to elect a prime minister.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• The era of terrorism in the region is over, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday, stressing that the terms of the new ceasefire and full integration agreements in Syria must be met and miscalculations avoided.
• Bulgarian President Rumen Radev announced Monday that he will submit his resignation as head of state, according to the Bulgarian News Agency.
• German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Monday he will try to meet with Trump this week to prevent further escalation in the Greenland dispute.
• Syria's Interior Ministry announced on Tuesday the recapture of 81 out of 120 ISIS (Daesh) detainees that were released by the SDF group from the al-Shaddadi prison in the northeastern Hasakah province.
• The death toll from protests in Iran has risen to 4,029, the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) said on Monday
• The Syrian Army reached the Panorama roundabout at the southern entrance of Hasakah city early on Tuesday, according to information Anadolu obtained from local sources.
• France does not intend to accept the invitation from US President Donald Trump to join an international Board of Peace aimed at resolving the Gaza conflict, sources close to President Emmanuel Macron told BFM TV on Monday.
• The International Criminal Court (ICC) said Monday there was evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Sudan's Darfur region, citing repeated atrocities in El Fasher city and the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war.
• Germany on Monday rejected Trump's tariff threats over Greenland as unacceptable, warning that a trade conflict would produce no winners.
• One Afghan security guard was killed, and two Chinese nationals were injured after a blast in a restaurant in the Afghan capital Kabul on Monday, Chinese state media reported.
• British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said US tariff plans on the UK and other countries "is not the right way to resolve differences within an alliance, nor is it helpful to frame efforts to strengthen Greenland security as a justification for economic pressure."
• Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin has been invited to join the "Board of Peace," a new international body aimed at addressing conflicts, beginning with the situation in Gaza.
• The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo regained control of the eastern city of Uvira on Sunday after M23 rebels withdrew, the military said on Monday.
• US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Monday that her department had arrested over 10,000 migrants in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as part of an ongoing crackdown on immigration.
• A 5.1 magnitude earthquake struck parts of southwestern China, prompting local authorities to evacuate dozens of residents, local media reported on Tuesday.
• The UN on Monday warned that humanitarian operations in the Gaza Strip remain constrained by ongoing impediments, even as the ceasefire agreement passes the 100-day mark.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• World Economic Forum opens in Davos with focus on dialogue and global challenges

The World Economic Forum opened its 56th annual meeting Monday in Davos, Switzerland, with initial sessions focusing on the global economy, technological transformation, artificial intelligence and sustainability amid heightened geopolitical and geo-economic risks.

Held under the theme “A Spirit of Dialogue,” the summit runs through Jan. 23 and is expected to draw nearly 3,000 participants from 130 countries.

• Fitch says US' Greenland tariff threat raises geopolitical risks in Europe

International credit rating agency Fitch Ratings said on Monday that a US threat to impose tariffs on European allies over their opposition to Washington’s push to acquire Greenland has increased geopolitical risks in Europe.

"The threat of Greenland-related US tariffs on European allies and European retaliatory measures will be subject to intense discussions and implementation remains highly uncertain. But it signifies a serious upsurge in transatlantic tensions, increasing pressure in Europe to raise defense spending, posing risks to trade and growth, and weakening deterrence against future Russian aggression," Fitch said in a statement.