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.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed, according to the latest data, as uncertainty over the waterway’s reopening kept most s...
Azerbaijan’s strategic rise is turning it from a transit state into a regional rule-setter, with the Middle Corridor giving Baku growing infl...
Uzbekistan plans to open a logistics centre at Georgia’s port of Poti by 2027, with capacity to handle up to 500,000 tonnes of cargo a year, ...
U.S. President Donald Trump says Washington is not seeking an extension of its memorandum of understanding with Iran, claiming the U.S. already controls the Strait of Hormuz through its naval blockade.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed, according to the latest data, as uncertainty over the waterway’s reopening kept most shipowners away. Six commodity vessels crossed the strait on Tuesday, down from nine the day before and below the 10-day daily average of 11.
Iran has said the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the U.S. fulfils the terms of an interim deal, including lifting the maritime blockade and sanctions and releasing Iran’s frozen assets.
Ukraine has targeted at least 20 Wildberries warehouses across Russia since 18 July, disrupting a major logistics network. Kyiv says the strikes aim to disrupt alleged military-linked supplies, while the attacks have caused billions of dollars in losses and wider economic pressure.
Russia said its air defences downed 180 drones over the Moscow region overnight, with 620 drones reportedly targeting the area, according to Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin.
Uzbekistan plans to open a logistics centre at Georgia’s port of Poti by 2027, with capacity to handle up to 500,000 tonnes of cargo a year, as Tashkent strengthens transport links through the South Caucasus.
The U.S. imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court's (ICC) President Tomoko Akane and a senior trial lawyer at the court Abdoulaye Seye on Tuesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.
Ukraine's parliament has approved Yevhenii Khmara as the country's new defence minister, cementing a key leadership change as Kyiv navigates wartime priorities and a broader government reorganisation.
Thai schools conducted active shooter drills on Wednesday (19 August), as authorities moved to strengthen security measures two weeks after a 14-year-old opened fire at a school and killed at least eight people.
Apple has announced a major overhaul of its business terms for apps distributed in the European Union, introducing a five per cent commission on digital transactions outside its App Store and simplifying its fee structure as it seeks to comply with the bloc’s Digital Markets Act (DMA).
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