Morning Briefing: Jan. 26, 2026

ISTANBUL

Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Monday, including the Syrian Army saying the YPG/SDF terror organization launched more than 25 suicide drone attacks in a recent breach of a newly extended ceasefire, a private jet carrying eight people crashing in the US state of Maine, and a ferry with more than 300 passengers sinking off Basilan province in the southern Philippines, leaving multiple people dead.

TOP STORIES

• Syrian Army says SDF targeted its positions in Aleppo countryside with over 25 suicide drones, breaching ceasefire

The Syrian Army said the YPG/SDF terrorist organization launched more than 25 suicide drone attacks on its positions in the Aleppo countryside, breaching a newly extended ceasefire, the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported.

The army’s Operations Command said in a statement that SDF forces targeted Syrian Army deployment sites around the Ayn al-Arab area, also known as Kobani, using more than 25 FPV (first-person view) type explosive drones. The attacks resulted in the destruction of four army vehicles.

The SDF also targeted the M4 highway and nearby villages, wounding a number of civilians, the statement added.

• Private jet carrying 8 people crashes in northeastern US state

A small private jet carrying eight people crashed at Bangor International Airport in the northeastern US state of Maine, sources told CNN.

The extent of the passengers' injuries is currently unknown.

“Please avoid the airport. The runway is closed at this time,” the airport said in a statement on social media.

It added that the incident is under investigation and that first responders are on the scene.

• At least 15 dead after ferry carrying over 300 passengers sinks in southern Philippines

At least 15 people died after a ferry carrying more than 300 passengers sank off Basilan province in the southern Philippines.

Another 43 are missing, according to GMA News Online.

The vessel, identified as the M/V Trisha Kerstin 3, was en route to Jolo Island in Sulu province.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• The US State Department announced that it will "impose visa restrictions and revoke the visas" of two members of Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council (TPC) and their immediate family members.
• The Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) and the Turkish Red Crescent (Kizilay) dispatched 11 trucks carrying humanitarian aid to Syria’s Ayn al-Arab area (Kobani) to support civilians affected by ongoing clashes.
• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said that it has agreed to a limited reopening of the Rafah Crossing as part of US President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan for Gaza.
• At least six deaths were reported as a massive winter storm pummeled eastern and southern states in the US.
• Illegal Israeli settlers assaulted a Palestinian child in the West Bank and attempted a ramming attack on a vehicle carrying several children in the latest wave of settler violence in the occupied territory.
• Three Palestinians were killed and six others injured in Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip, marking a new violation of the Oct. 10 ceasefire agreement, sources said.
• The armed wing of Hamas said it informed mediators of the location of the body of the last Israeli soldier held in Gaza and that Israeli forces are searching an area based on the information provided.
• A US delegation met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in West Jerusalem to discuss progress and planning for the implementation of the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire framework, US envoy Steve Witkoff said.
• The Malian army said it carried out airstrikes against terrorist groups in the country's southwest, hitting a “significant movement” of militants near the Mourdiah area.
• The South Sudan People's Defense Forces (SSPDF) called for the immediate evacuation of civilians, humanitarian organizations and UN personnel from opposition-controlled areas in Jonglei State ahead of a major military offensive.
• A growing number of Danes are turning to local and European digital platforms following renewed statements by US President Donald Trump to take over Greenland.
• The death toll from a landslide in Indonesia rose to 25 as search and rescue operations continued for dozens of people who are reported missing in West Java, local media reported.
• Two people were killed and a third was injured in Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon, marking a new violation of the November 2024 ceasefire agreement, the Lebanese Health Ministry said.
• The Turkish Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) sent aid to civilians affected by fighting in Syria's Ayn al-Arab (Kobani) area.
• Israeli Settlement Affairs Minister Orit Strock denounced US President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” as a “bad plan,” calling on Israel to occupy the Gaza Strip.
• At least five people, including two children and an elderly woman, were killed after a fire broke out at a four-story furniture store in Hyderabad, southeastern India.
• The Syrian Army opened two humanitarian corridors with Hasakah and Aleppo in the country’s northeast in coordination with local authorities in the two provinces, the military said.
• Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani called the transfer of ISIS (Daesh) detainees from Syria to Iraqi prisons “temporary,” urging countries to repatriate their nationals from among the terrorist group’s members.
• British police arrested 86 people on suspicion of aggravated trespass after protesters breached the grounds of a prison in west London during a demonstration in support of a Palestine Action activist, authorities said.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Iran’s internet shutdown causes daily losses of over $20 million, tech group says

Iran’s internet shutdown since the outbreak of anti-government protests has caused economic losses exceeding $20 million per day, according to the country’s leading technology industry body.

Ali Hakim-Javadi, head of Iran’s Computer Engineers Organization, told the news website Entekhab that the most heavily affected sectors since the shutdown on Jan. 8 are digital companies and IT service providers.

Businesses that rely on continuous access to the global internet have seen a sharp decline in transactions, he said, adding that some companies have been forced to halt operations entirely.

• Poland in no rush to adopt euro as economy outperforms eurozone, says finance minister

Poland’s economic performance has weakened the case for adopting the euro, Finance Minister Andrzej Domanski said, arguing that the country is now outperforming most members of the eurozone.

In remarks to the Financial Times, Domanski said Poland is “better served by retaining the zloty for now,” citing faster growth and improving economic indicators.

“Our economy is now doing clearly better than most of those that have the euro,” he said.

“We have more and more data, research and arguments to keep the Polish zloty.”

His remarks mark a shift under Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who backed adopting the euro during his first term in 2008.