ISTANBUL

Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Thursday, including US President Donald Trump saying a “massive armada” is heading to Iran while urging Tehran to make a deal, the Kremlin announcing that a second round of trilateral peace talks on Ukraine is scheduled for Feb. 1 in Abu Dhabi, and European countries along with Canada and Japan urging Israel to abide by its international obligations.

TOP STORIES

• Trump says ‘massive armada’ headed to Iran, urges Tehran to make deal

US President Donald Trump said a “massive Armada” is headed to Iran, expressing hope that Tehran will “come to the table” and negotiate with Washington.

“A massive Armada is heading to Iran. It is moving quickly, with great power, enthusiasm, and purpose,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

He underlined that the fleet is larger than one that was sent to Venezuela and ready to “rapidly fulfill its mission with speed and violence, if necessary.”

“Hopefully Iran will quickly ‘come to the table’ and negotiate a fair and equitable deal - no nuclear weapons - one that is good for all parties. Time is running out, it is truly of the essence!” he added.

• 2nd round of trilateral Ukraine peace talks scheduled for Feb. 1 in Abu Dhabi: Kremlin

A second round of trilateral peace talks between Russia, Ukraine and the US will take place in the United Arab Emirates’ capital Abu Dhabi on Feb. 1, the Kremlin said.

“Negotiations are scheduled for Feb. 1. Well, tentatively, but that's what we're working with for now,” spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

Peskov also denied that the parties involved in the negotiations are currently not discussing any list of documents and that discussions should continue behind closed doors.

• European countries along with Canada, Japan urge Israel to abide by its international obligations

Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Norway, Portugal, Spain and the UK strongly condemned the recent Israeli demolition of the headquarters compound of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) in East Jerusalem.

"This unprecedented act against a United Nations agency by a UN Member State marks the latest unacceptable move to undermine their ability to operate. We urge the Government of Israel to abide by its international obligations to ensure the protection and inviolability of United Nations premises," the foreign ministers of the 11 countries said in a joint statement.

They urged Israel to halt all demolitions after it forcibly entered the UNRWA headquarters compound in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of occupied East Jerusalem on Jan. 20 and demolished it using bulldozers and heavy machinery.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Iranian officials have reacted strongly to the latest threat issued by US President Donald Trump as a US military fleet moves toward Iranian waters amid escalating tensions between the long-time adversaries.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said intelligence reports indicate that Russia is preparing for a new strike, a move he claimed undermines ongoing diplomatic initiatives, while also revealing that France has pledged additional military support, including aircraft.
• Authorities arrested 16 protesters in the US state of Minnesota for assaulting federal law enforcement officers during demonstrations against immigration operations, according to Attorney General Pam Bondi.
• The UN warned that fighting in Sudan's Kordofan region has displaced more than 88,000 people in recent months as humanitarian access remains severely restricted and civilians face worsening conditions.
• The US will have technical meetings with Greenland and Denmark on the Arctic island, said Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
• Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said Sudan’s North Darfur capital of El Fasher has been largely destroyed and emptied of residents following its takeover by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) after months of a siege.
• Chinese President Xi Jinping has been invited by US President Donald Trump to visit the United States later this year, likely in August or September, said Washington’s top diplomat in Beijing.
• The EU must urgently strengthen its defense capabilities as security threats deepen and the transatlantic relationship undergoes a structural shift, said EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.
• Several Australian states recorded extreme temperatures as heatwaves fueled bushfires that destroyed homes, a day after parts of New South Wales and South Australia saw temperatures rise above 49C (120F).
• Dutch flag carrier KLM said it will not resume flights to the Israeli capital Tel Aviv for now, citing security conditions and operational feasibility.
• Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to meet with his United Arab Emirates counterpart Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Moscow on Jan. 29 to discuss bilateral ties.
• Iran’s foreign minister said that diplomacy cannot succeed under military pressure and “threats” as US President Donald Trump ramped up hints of launching a military strike against Tehran.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Iran says it has 'complete control' of Strait of Hormuz as threat of war with US looms

Iran said it maintains “complete control” over the land, underwater and airspace of the Strait of Hormuz amid fears of a possible US strike against Tehran.

“Iran is not seeking war, but it is fully prepared,” Mohammad Akbarzadeh, an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander, said in comments carried by the Fars News Agency.

“If war breaks out, there will be no retreat, not even by a millimeter, and Iran will move forward,” he stressed.

Akbarzadeh said management of the strategic passage “has moved beyond traditional methods and is now fully intelligent,” allowing Iran to maintain constant oversight of all maritime, surface and underwater movements.

• Amazon to lay off another 16,000 employees to reduce bureaucracy

US e-commerce giant Amazon announced that it plans to cut another 16,000 jobs in a bid to reduce red tape and free up funds for plans to invest extensively in AI.

"The reductions we are making today will impact approximately 16,000 roles across Amazon, and we're again working hard to support everyone whose role is impacted," Amazon said in a statement.

In October, the company laid off 14,000 corporate employees.