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.
A powerful explosion has been reported at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, raising fresh concerns over aviation security in Saudi Arabi...
At least 12 people, including three children, have been killed in a Russian attack on the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia, a day after U.S. Presiden...
Turkic states are assessing the feasibility of passport-free travel between countries using national ID cards, Kürşad Zorlu, the Deputy Chair...
Leaders of countries from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) have agreed to hold coordinated population censuses around 2030. They took the decision at the CIS Council of Heads of State meeting in Awaza, Turkmenistan on Friday, media reported.
Britain and Israel have reached a temporary compromise over the future of the British Consulate General in East Jerusalem, easing a diplomatic dispute that had threatened to further strain relations between the two countries.
South African judge Navanethem “Navi” Pillay won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday “for her efforts to promote peace and international law,” the Norwegian Nobel Committee said.
The Nobel Peace Prize 2026 will be announced on Friday, 9 October, bringing one of the world's most closely watched awards back into focus.
The U.S. has imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Friday (9 October) escalating tensions with European allies and potentially targeting companies that provide services to the tribunal. The move came hours after former ICC judge Navi Pillay won the Nobel Peace Prize.
At least 12 people, including three children, have been killed in a Russian attack on the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia, a day after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a deal to ease sanctions on Russian diesel.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has criticised U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to ease sanctions on Russian diesel exports, questioning why Moscow was granted an economic benefit without an apparent concession towards ending the war in Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed surprise after Donald Trump mediated the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace agreement in 2025, the U.S. President said at a rally in New York state on Friday.
The United Nations has condemned a sharp rise in attacks on civilians in Ukraine, reporting that more than 100 people were killed and at least 429 injured in a single week as Russian strikes hit residential areas, passenger buses and critical infrastructure.
Air quality in Singapore plunged to “very unhealthy” levels on Friday, 9 October, as thick haze engulfed the city-state ahead of Sunday's Formula One Grand Prix, while Max Verstappen claimed pole position for Saturday's Sprint race.
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