AnewZ Morning Brief - February 8th, 2025

Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for February 8th, covering the latest developments you need to know.

1. EU was right to suspend sanctions on Syria: Turkish President Erdogan tells French counterpart

The EU's decision last month to suspend sanctions on Syria was a step in the right direction, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in a telephone call, said Türkiye's Communications Directorate.

Erdogan highlighted the importance of lifting the sanctions in Syria's new post-Assad era and said Türkiye's support for Syria will continue unabated, the directorate noted, adding that the two leaders also discussed ties as well as regional and global issues.

2. Trump directs Elon Musk and DOGE to review Pentagon spending

Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency team will be taking a close look at Pentagon spending to search for potential waste and fraud, President Donald Trump said Friday.

Trump officially established DOGE via an executive order on Jan. 20, the day of his inauguration. Its purpose is to “implement the President’s DOGE Agenda, by modernizing Federal technology and software to maximize governmental efficiency and productivity,” according to the directive.

3. Coast Guard finds wreckage of missing Alaska plane; all 10 on board killed

The U.S. Coast Guard in Alaska found the wreckage of a small plane atop frozen sea ice on Friday, after the aircraft suddenly lost altitude on Thursday and the crash killed all 10 people on board, officials said.

Two U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmers who reached the wreckage could see three bodies inside, and the other seven were presumed to be inside the wreckage, Coast Guard spokesperson Mike Salerno told a press conference.

4. Trump meets with Japanese prime minister as tariff threat looms large

President Donald Trump is meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in a high-stakes visit for a key ally that depends on the United States for security and trade.

At the top of the agenda is military cooperation to deter threats, foreign investment in the U.S., opportunities to develop technology and American energy exports, according to senior Trump administration officials.

5.Georgian PM to pay visit to Uzbekistan

The Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Kobakhidze is set to visit Uzbekistan at the end of February.

The news follows a meeting between the Deputy Minister of Agriculture of Uzbekistan Kahramon Yuldashev with the Chargé d'Affaires of the Georgian Embassy in Uzbekistan David Kotaria, and Senior Counselor Irakli Kandelaki

6. Trial continues for individuals of Armenian origin accused of committing crimes against peace and humanity, war and other grave crimes

On February 7, a preparatory session of the court proceedings began against the citizens of the Republic of Armenia accused of committing crimes against peace and humanity as a result of the Armenian aggression, war crimes—including the planning and conduct of an aggressive war, genocide, violations of the laws and customs of war—as well as terrorism, financing of terrorism, violent seizure and retention of power, and numerous other crimes. Among the accused are Araik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, Davit Babayan, Lyova Mnatsakanyan, and others.

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