Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 8th of February, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Voters braved deep snow on Sunday in a rare February election expected to hand Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi a major win, with polls placing her coalition near 300 seats. Her growing youth appeal, known as “Sanakatsu”, and a pledge to cut the consumption tax have shaped the campaign, though some older voters fear future financial strain. Severe weather halted dozens of transport services and could lower turnout, potentially boosting organised blocs such as Komeito. Polls close at 8pm with exit poll projections due shortly after.
Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, said Tehran would target U.S. bases across the Middle East if American forces launch new attacks, stressing host countries would not be the intended target. His remarks followed constructive but incomplete indirect nuclear talks in Oman, with no date yet set for the next round despite U.S. President Donald Trump signalling they could resume next week.
Saudi Arabia and Syria signed five agreements worth $5.3 billion covering aviation, telecommunications, water projects and major digital infrastructure. Signed at the People’s Palace by President Ahmad al-Sharaa and Saudi minister Khalid al-Falih, the deals launch new investment channels, including the Elaf Fund and the Silk Link digital corridor. Plans also include upgrading Aleppo airport and creating a new low-cost airline, Nas Syria.
Suspected sabotage near Bologna brought Italy’s rail network to a halt on Saturday, delaying trains by up to three hours as the Winter Olympics entered their first full day. Police reported three coordinated incidents: a track switch cabin set on fire near Pesaro, cut signalling cables in Bologna and a rudimentary explosive device found by nearby tracks. Bologna’s high-speed station was temporarily closed, with traffic only gradually recovering. No group has claimed responsibility.
Fujiyoshida has cancelled its cherry blossom festival, saying overtourism around Arakurayama Sengen Park has disrupted daily life with overcrowding, litter, trespassing and pressure on school routes. Mayor Shigeru Horiuchi said residents’ dignity was being threatened as daily visitor numbers surged past 10,000. The park will stay open, and the city will add patrols, parking and toilets to cope with expected crowds. The decision comes as Japan struggles to manage record tourism levels at major sites.
A senior Iranian official has warned Israel to “prepare for what is coming”, insisting that Tehran’s response to the latest escalation in the Mi...
Governments across the region responded swiftly to Israel’s strikes on Iran, closing airspace, issuing travel advisories and activating contingency ...
As the strikes on Tehran began on Saturday (28 February), Touraj Shiralilou sent us this report from the Iranian capital....
The United States has begun "major combat operations" in Iran, President Donald Trump has confirmed, as Israel said it had launched a "pre-emptive" mi...
Cuba has released extensive details of a deadly midweek shootout at sea, showing rifles, pistols and nearly 13,000 rounds of ammunition that it says w...
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 26th of February, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 23rd of February, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 22nd of February, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 19th of February, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Tensions between the U.S. and Iran are escalating, with Washington ordering a significant military build-up in the region and multiple countries evacuating diplomatic staff amid fears of further instability.
The United States has begun "major combat operations" in Iran, President Donald Trump has confirmed, as Israel said it had launched a "pre-emptive" missile strike against Iranian targets. Iran has retaliated with strikes over Israel.
Ankara has rejected media reports claiming it plans to deploy military forces into Iranian territory in the event of a U.S. attack on the Islamic republic.
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s special envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, arrived in Geneva and may hold talks with U.S. officials, according to the RIA news agency.
Two people were killed and around 40 injured when a tram derailed in central Milan on Friday (27 February), a spokesperson for the local fire service said.
A senior Iranian official has warned Israel to “prepare for what is coming”, insisting that Tehran’s response to the latest escalation in the Middle East will be made openly and without limits.
Cuba has released extensive details of a deadly midweek shootout at sea, showing rifles, pistols and nearly 13,000 rounds of ammunition that it says were carried by a group of exiles who attempted to enter the island by speedboat.
Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers said on Friday (27 February) they were ready to negotiate after Pakistan bombed their forces in several Afghan cities, including Kabul and Kandahar, and Islamabad declared the neighbours were now in "open war".
Tensions between the U.S. and Iran are escalating, with Washington ordering a significant military build-up in the region and multiple countries evacuating diplomatic staff amid fears of further instability.
Two people were killed and around 40 injured when a tram derailed in central Milan on Friday (27 February), a spokesperson for the local fire service said.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment