AnewZ Morning Brief - 17 February, 2026
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 17th of February, covering the latest developments you need to...
Romanians head to the polls for a decisive presidential election run-off between a hard-right nationalist and a centrist independent, with implications for EU unity, NATO stability, and the nation’s economy.
Romania is holding a pivotal presidential election run-off on Sunday, with voters choosing between hard-right nationalist George Simion and centrist independent Nicusor Dan. The outcome is expected to impact the country’s economic trajectory and its role within the European Union and NATO.
Simion, 38, swept the first round, leading to the collapse of the pro-Western government and triggering significant capital outflows. He opposes military aid to Ukraine and is critical of EU leadership. Dan, 55, a staunch supporter of NATO and the EU, has focused his campaign on fighting corruption and maintaining security amid Russian threats.
The elected president will hold significant influence over foreign policy, defense, and the economy, including the appointment of a prime minister tasked with reducing Romania’s large budget deficit.
Simion’s victory could signal growing euroscepticism in Central Europe, aligning Romania with Hungary and Slovakia’s leadership, while Dan’s win would reinforce pro-European policies.
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani said the United States could evaluate its own interests separately from those of Israel in ongoing negotiations between Tehran and Washington.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday (15 February) called it “troubling” a report by five European allies blaming Russia for killing late Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny using a toxin from poison dart frogs.
Cuba’s fuel crisis has turned into a waste crisis, with rubbish piling up on most street corners in Havana as many collection trucks lack enough petrol to operate.
Norway is holding a commanding lead in the medal standings with 12 golds and a total of 26, with Italy having an historic performance on home soil on the ninth day of the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics on Sunday (15 February).
Iran is pursuing a nuclear agreement with the U.S. that delivers economic benefits for both sides, an Iranian diplomat was reported as saying on Sunday (15 February), days before a second round of talks between Tehran and Washington.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 17th of February, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Former U.S. President Barack Obama said aliens are “real,” but emphasised that he never encountered any indication of extraterrestrial contact while in office.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his government would not assist Australian families of suspected Islamic State (IS) militants return home from a Syrian camp.
The Pentagon has threatened to designate artificial intelligence firm Anthropic as a “supply chain risk” amid a dispute over the military use of its Claude AI model, according to a report published Monday.
Representatives of Ukraine, Russia and the United States are set to meet in Geneva for a third round of trilateral negotiations aimed at ending the nearly four-year war, even as both sides intensify military pressure on the ground.
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