Polls opened Sunday in parliamentary elections that Japan's popular Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi hopes will give her struggling party a big enough win to push through an ambitious conservative political agenda.
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Portugal chooses between a moderate and a populist in runoff presidential election
Center-left Socialist candidate António José Seguro is heavily favored to defeat hard-right populist André Ventura in Portugal's runoff presidential election Sunday in a vote that will test the depth of support for Ventura's brash style of politics.
February 8, 2026
Ukraine businesses struggle to cope as Russian attacks bring power cuts and uncertainty
It is pre-dawn in the historic Podil district of the Ukraine capital, Kyiv, and warm light from the Spelta bakery-bistro's window pierces the darkness outside. On a wooden surface dusted with flour, the baker Oleksandr Kutsenko skilfully divides and shapes soft, damp pieces of dough. As he shoves the first loaves into the oven, a sweet, delicate aroma of fresh bread fills the space.
February 8, 2026
Kim expected to issue major policy goals at North Korea party congress in late February
North Korea will convene a major political conference later this month, the country's state media said Sunday, where leader Kim Jong Un is expected to outline his domestic and foreign policies for the next five years.
February 8, 2026
Haiti's presidential council dissolves after rocky tenure as unelected US-backed ruler remains
Haiti's presidential council stepped down on Saturday after almost two years of tumultuous rule alongside a U.S.-backed prime minister, who is expected to remain in power as the country prepares for the first general elections in a decade.
February 8, 2026
Families of Venezuelans detained for political activism demand their release outside infamous prison
Dozens of relatives and friends of Venezuelan opposition leaders, human rights defenders and others detained for their political activities protested Saturday outside a notorious prison in the capital to demand the immediate release of their loved ones.
February 8, 2026
Anna Odine Stroem of Norway hoped for silver and ended up with gold in Olympic ski jumping
Anna Odine Stroem entered the women's normal ski jumping competition Saturday thinking the best she could do was finish second.
February 7, 2026
Italians collect medals on a feel-good first day for the hosts at the Milan Cortina Olympics
The 2026 Winter Games are off to a promising start for host nation Italy with gold, silver and bronze on the first day of medal events.
February 7, 2026
Israel says Netanyahu will meet with Trump on Wednesday about Iran talks
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Wednesday about American talks with Iran, his office said Saturday, while Iran's foreign minister threatened U.S. military bases in the region a day after the discussions.
February 7, 2026
Rescuers recover bodies of miners trapped in Colombia coal mine
Search and rescue personnel on Saturday finished recovering the bodies of a group of miners who were trapped earlier this week inside an informal coal mine following a methane gas explosion.
February 7, 2026
Drone attack by paramilitary group in Sudan kills 24, including 8 children, doctors' group says
A drone attack by a notorious paramilitary group hit a vehicle carrying displaced families in central Sudan on Saturday, killing at least 24 people, including eight children, a doctors' group said, a day after a World Food Program aid convoy was targeted.
February 7, 2026
US gave Ukraine and Russia a June deadline to reach agreement to end war, Zelenskyy says
The U.S. has given Ukraine and Russia a June deadline to reach a deal to end the nearly four‑year war, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told reporters, as Russian strikes on energy infrastructure forced nuclear power plants to cut output on Saturday.
February 7, 2026
Italian police fire tear gas as protesters clash near Winter Olympics hockey venue
Italian police fired tear gas and a water cannon at dozens of protesters who threw firecrackers and tried to access a highway near a Winter Olympics venue on Saturday.
February 7, 2026