Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) won a two-thirds majority in the House of Representatives in Sunday's general election, handing Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi a decisive mandate to advance her conservative policy agenda, Kyodo News reported. Crossing the two-thirds threshold of 310 seats in the 465-member lower house allows the LDP to pursue constitutional revision and pass legislation even if it is rejected by the upper House of Councillors, where the ruling coalition remains in a minority. The LDP is the first party in postwar Japan to achieve such a margin, according to Kyodo News. The landslide result marks a sharp increase from the party's pre-election strength of 198 seats and was widely attributed to Takaichi's personal popularity. The LDP and its coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party (JIP), will together command a dominant presence in the chamber, reinforcing Takaichi's position after she took office in October. "We bear an extremely heavy responsibility to focus on steadily delivering on the campaign pledges we have made," Takaichi said during a television program after the victory was reported, Kyodo News said. She also signalled she would largely maintain the current Cabinet lineup, which has enjoyed relatively strong public approval since its launch less than four months ago. The election delivered a major setback to the newly formed Centrist Reform Alliance, whose seats were halved from 167 before the vote. Its co-leaders, Yoshihiko Noda and Tetsuo Saito, hinted at possible resignations following the defeat, Kyodo News reported. Amid prolonged inflation and a deteriorating international security environment, Takaichi has pledged to pursue what she calls a "responsible yet aggressive" fiscal policy while strengthening Japan's defence capabilities. She also urged the JIP, known as Nippon Ishin, to share responsibility within the coalition, even as the party opted not to take Cabinet posts. The JIP added one seat to reach 35, though it struggled to match its senior partner's momentum. "It was an election in which we felt pressure from the LDP," JIP leader Hirofumi Yoshimura told a news conference in Osaka, according to Kyodo News. Among smaller parties, the populist Sanseito, campaigning on a "Japanese First" platform, won 13 seats, up from two, while Team Mirai, which promotes digital technology to boost political participation, entered the lower house for the first time with nine seats, Kyodo News said. Nearly 1,300 candidates contested the election, with 289 seats decided in single-member districts and 176 through proportional representation across 11 regional blocs. Early voting surged to a record 27.02 million ballots, about six million more than in the 2024 election. Voter turnout was estimated at 56.23 per cent, up around two percentage points from the previous race, according to Kyodo's early figures. Japan held a February general election for the first time in 36 years, a decision by Takaichi that drew criticism as heavy snowfall in many areas hampered campaigning and voting. With households under pressure from rising living costs, major parties campaigned on cutting tax burdens. The ruling bloc also sought support for boosting defense spending amid a worsening security environment. Takaichi said her government would accelerate discussions on a two-year suspension of the 8 per cent consumption tax on food, one of the LDP's key campaign pledges, Kyodo News reported. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
09 February,2026 10:20 AM IST | Tokyo | ANIIndia and Malaysia on Sunday vowed to expand their ties in the high-priority sectors of trade and investment, defence, energy, advanced manufacturin, and semiconductors with Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserting that both sides are committed to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. The two sides inked a total of 11 agreements and documents to expand cooperation in a range of key areas, including a framework pact for deeper engagement in the semiconductor sector. “We will pave the way for economic transformation through strategic trust,” Modi said, describing the India-Malaysia relationship as “special”. “We are maritime neighbours. For centuries, our peoples have had deep and cordial ties,” he said in his media statement. Modi also announced India’s decision to establish an Indian Consulate General in Malaysia. In his remarks, Ibrahim noted India’s economic growth and said his country would benefit immensely if it could secure more ways and opportunities to collaborate with New Delhi. “It [India’s economic growth] is one spectacular rise in the international eco and trade scene,” he said, describing use local currencies for bilateral trade as “remarkable”. Modi leaves after two-day visit PM Modi on Sunday left for home after concluding a two-day visit to Malaysia. “A memorable visit concludes! After a successful visit to Malaysia, marked by special warmth and hospitality and anchored in our close cultural bonds, PM @narendramodi has departed for India. The visit produced significant outcomes that will add substantial strength to India-Malaysia ties,” MEA said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
09 February,2026 10:09 AM IST | Kuala Lumpur | AgenciesThe licence to Starlink to enter Pakistan’s satellite internet market is delayed over data security concerns, the ongoing Musk-Trump fallout and competition from Chinese firms, local media reported on Sunday. Starlink, owned by tech billionaire Elon Musk, is among several companies seeking approval to operate in Pakistan, but officials say unresolved security and geopolitical considerations have slowed the approval process. The government has come to know that Starlink could transmit certain data bypassing Pakistan’s monitoring, regulatory and safety checks, reported the Express Tribune, citing sources. “We cannot allow a license to Starlink without ensuring a safety check to ensure the safety of the data of consumers in Pakistan,” a senior government official was quoted as saying by Express Tribune. According to the officials, the row between US President Donald Trump and Musk is another reason Pakistan is not ready to grant security clearance. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
09 February,2026 10:07 AM IST | Islamabad | AgenciesVote counting was underway in Thailand’s early general election on Sunday, seen as a three-way. The battle for support from 53 million registered voters comes against a backdrop of slow economic growth and heightened nationalist sentiment. While more than 50 parties are contesting the polls, only three - the People’s Party, Bhumjaithai, and Pheu Thai — have the nationwide organisation and popularity to gain a winning mandate. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
09 February,2026 10:06 AM IST | Bangkok | AgenciesA study has showed that newborns are capable of yet another impressive cognitive feat even earlier in development. Less than 48 hours after birth, brains of sleeping newborns already follow and anticipate rhythmic patterns in music. Researchers in Hungary played piano pieces by Bach to almost 50 newborns. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
09 February,2026 09:17 AM IST | Budapest | AgenciesSecurity officials of Nepal and India have agreed to close border checkpoints for 72 hours during Nepal’s upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for March 5, with the aim of ensuring a secure polling environment. During the 16th Deputy Inspector General (DIG)-level coordination meeting between Nepal’s Armed Police Force (APF) and India’s Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), held in Biratnagar in Morang district on Friday, both sides agreed to tighten border controls to prevent the infiltration of unwanted elements that could disrupt the elections. “We requested the Indian side to close the border points two days ahead of the election day, and they agreed to our proposal,” DIG Bishnu Prasad Bhatt, spokesperson for the APF, told IANS. “As per the agreement, the border points will remain closed for three days (72 hours), including the election day.” He said that closing border points ahead of elections is a customary practice in both countries. “Since security agencies are extensively deployed at polling centres during elections, it is essential to prevent the movement of unwanted groups across the border,” Bhatt added. According to the APF, the two sides also discussed border security, control of cross-border crimes, prevention of illegal entry of third-country nationals, human trafficking, counterfeit currency, arms and ammunition, as well as the smuggling and trafficking of narcotics. India has repeatedly expressed concerns about possible infiltration by Kashmiri and Pakistani militants taking advantage of the open border between Nepal and India. The meeting also deliberated on the protection of border pillars, facilitation of passenger movement, joint patrols, disaster rescue drills and the conduct of joint sports activities, the APF said. Both sides agreed to identify vulnerable border points, assess potential risks, maintain surveillance over the activities of refugees and migrants, and carry out regular checks at various levels. They also discussed strictly enforcing a ban on the sale, distribution and consumption of intoxicating substances in border areas, according to the APF. “Such coordination meetings are held twice a year, alternately in Nepal and India,” Bhatt said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
08 February,2026 10:44 PM IST | Kathmandu | IANSUS President Donald Trump has confirmed that Washington and Tehran will hold further talks following what he described as "very good" initial discussions in Oman, even as Iran reiterated it would not agree to completely halt uranium enrichment, CNN reported. The talks, held on Friday in the Gulf Arab state of Oman, marked the first round of negotiations between the two sides since the United States and Israel struck Iran last summer. Delegations from both countries participated in indirect discussions mediated by Oman. "Iran looks like it wants to make a deal very badly. We have to see what that deal is," Trump told reporters on Friday. Speaking aboard Air Force One, he said another round of talks would take place "early next week," though Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi later said no date had yet been set. According to CNN, both sides agreed in principle to continue discussions after consulting their respective capitals. The negotiations came amid heightened tensions, including a US military buildup in the Middle East and repeated warnings by Trump that Washington could strike Iran if it refused to sign a nuclear deal or used lethal force against protesters. Ahead of the talks, Araghchi said Iran was entering diplomacy "with open eyes and a steady memory of the past year," while after the meeting he described the discussions as a "good start." However, sharp rhetoric persisted on both sides. Trump said earlier this week that Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei "should be very worried," while Araghchi warned that Iran would target US bases in the region if Washington carried out threats against the Islamic Republic. Despite describing the talks as productive, Trump said on Friday that a "big fleet" was heading toward Iran and would arrive soon, CNN reported. The talks involved Araghchi and US envoy Steve Witkoff, with Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner also participating. While the negotiations were formally indirect, Araghchi told Al Jazeera that he had direct contact with the US delegation and that the two sides exchanged a handshake. Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi acted as mediator. Iranian media said the negotiations were meant to follow a format similar to earlier rounds of talks held before the 12-day Iran-Israel war in June, when Omani mediators shuttled between the two sides. Those talks collapsed after Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear and military facilities, followed by US strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites. According to CNN, the Israeli government has said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to meet Trump in Washington next week to discuss the Iran negotiations. Netanyahu has insisted that any agreement must include limits on Iran's ballistic missile programme and an end to its support for regional proxy groups. Iran, however, has said that discussions were strictly limited to its nuclear programme. Araghchi told Al Jazeera that no talks were held on ballistic missiles or regional proxies. "We are prepared to reach an agreement that assures them that enrichment in Iran will be peaceful," Araghchi said, while stressing that Tehran would not accept a complete halt to enrichment. Iran has offered to accept monitoring and checks to ensure its nuclear programme is not weaponised, in exchange for the lifting of US sanctions. Washington and its allies have rejected Iran's insistence on continuing enrichment, viewing it as a potential pathway to developing nuclear weapons. Following the talks, the US announced new sanctions on Iranian oil and 14 vessels carrying it, signalling continued economic pressure. "Instead of investing in the welfare of its own people and crumbling infrastructure, the Iranian regime continues to fund destabilising activities around the world," State Department deputy spokesperson Tommy Pigott said, as quoted by CNN. The stakes remain high as the US continues to move military assets, including the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group, closer to the region. Trump has previously said an "armada" was moving toward Iran "just in case." Regional countries have been pushing for de-escalation, fearing that a new conflict would destabilise the Middle East and disrupt global energy markets. Iran has warned that any US or Israeli attack would be met with a far stronger response than in previous confrontations, including possible strikes on US bases and disruption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key artery for global oil and gas supplies, CNN reported.
08 February,2026 10:22 AM IST | Washington | ANIPresident Donald Trump endorsed Nexstar Media Group's USD 6.2 billion purchase of broadcast rival Tegna on Saturday, an apparent reversal from earlier criticism of the deal. "We need more competition against THE ENEMY, the Fake News National TV Networks," Trump wrote on social media. "Letting Good Deals get done like Nexstar - Tegna will help knock out the Fake News because there will be more competition. ... GET THAT DEAL DONE." The acquisition, which Nexstar announced in August and requires regulatory approval, would bring together two companies with significant holdings in local broadcast media. Nexstar oversees more than 200 owned and partner stations in 116 markets nationwide and also runs networks like The CW and NewsNation. Meanwhile, Tegna owns 64 news stations across 51 markets. Trump criticised the purchase in November, saying: "If this would also allow the Radical Left Networks to 'enlarge,' I would not be happy." But the companies operate independently of the large broadcast networks such as ABC and NBC. In September, Nexstar, along with the right-leaning Sinclair Broadcast Group, suspended Jimmy Kimmel's ABC late-night talk show for about a week after Kimmel's comments on the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The deal has occurred as the Federal Communications Commission is seeking to reform rules that limit local TV station ownership. Some court decisions have also struck down regulations that limited the number of top TV stations in a single market that one company could own. Nexstar has sought to portray the deal as consistent with the Trump administration's deregulatory moves. "The initiatives being pursued by the Trump administration offer local broadcasters the opportunity to expand reach, level the playing field, and compete more effectively with the Big Tech and legacy Big Media companies that have unchecked reach and vast financial resources," Nexstar CEO Perry Sook said when announcing the deal. Yet some conservative voices still oppose the deal. "The Nexstar deal means dangerous consolidation that will limit competition, harm conservative voices and dramatically increase consumer cable bills," the right-leaning network Newsmax said in a statement. "President Trump was right in November when he called for smaller networks and for keeping TV ownership caps to limit massive broadcast consolidation." This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
08 February,2026 10:18 AM IST | Washington | APDozens 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. The demonstration outside Helicoide prison in Caracas comes during mounting pressure on the government of acting President Delcy Rodriguez to release all people whose detentions months or years ago have been linked by their families and nongovernmental organisations to their political beliefs. Her government last month announced it would free a significant number of prisoners, but families and human rights watchdogs have criticised authorities for the slow pace of the releases. Rodriguez last month also promised to close Helicoide, where torture and other forms of physical and psychological abuse of prisoners have been extensively documented. She said the facility, which was initially built to be a mall, would be turned into a cultural, social and sports centre for police forces and adjacent neighbourhoods. Those gathered Saturday outside the facility included political activists released from prison over the past month. They joined families and friends in prayer before marching about two blocks to reach the doors of Helicoide, where they sang Venezuela's national anthem and chanted "Freedom! Freedom!" "We, as family members, and I personally on behalf of my husband, Freddy Superlano, feel this is a mockery, a lack of respect," Aurora Silva, whose husband is a former lawmaker for the opposition, said. She was referring to the pace of releases since they were announced on January 8 by Rodriguez's brother and National Assembly leader, Jorge Rodriguez. "Releases have been carried out piecemeal, and I believe that's only prolonging the suffering of all the families outside the detention centres." Silva's husband is being held at a facility outside Caracas. The ruling party-controlled National Assembly this week began debating an amnesty bill that could lead to the release of hundreds of prisoners. Such an amnesty is a central demand of the country's opposition and human rights activists, who have so far reacted only with cautious optimism and with demands for more information on the contents of the proposal. Jorge Rodriguez on Friday posted a video on Instagram showing him outside a detention centre in Caracas and saying that "everyone" would be released no later than next week, once the amnesty bill is approved. "Between next Tuesday and Friday at the latest, they'll all be free," he said from the location where the loved ones of detainees have spent weeks waiting for their release. Delcy Rodriguez, who was sworn in as acting president after the capture of then-President Nicolas Maduro by the US military, has expressed hope that the law will help "heal the wounds left by the political confrontation" since the rise to power of the late Hugo Chavez, the self-proclaimed socialist leader who governed Venezuela from 1999 to 2013. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
08 February,2026 10:16 AM IST | Caracas | APPrime Minister Narendra Modi received a ceremonial welcome and Guard of Honour at the Perdana Putra building here on Sunday, as part of his ongoing two-day official visit to Malaysia. The ceremonial reception at Perdana Putra took place after PM Modi's arrival in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, when Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim personally welcomed him at the airport. Malaysian Minister of Human Resources Ramanan Ramakrishnan and Deputy Foreign Minister Lukanisman bin Awang Sauni were also present to extend the welcome. The arrival ceremony featured a red-carpet welcome accompanied by traditional music and dance performances, celebrating the shared cultural heritage between India and Malaysia. Reflecting on the warm reception, PM Modi posted on X: "Deeply touched by the warm welcome extended by my friend, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at the airport. I look forward to our conversations and to further strengthening the bonds of friendship between India and Malaysia." Later, both prime ministers travelled together in the same vehicle to the venue of an Indian community event in Kuala Lumpur, which PM Anwar Ibrahim also attended. Sharing an update on X, PM Modi wrote, "Celebrating the India-Malaysia people-to-people connect! PM Anwar Ibrahim and I are heading to the community programme in Kuala Lumpur." Following these welcoming engagements, PM Modi and PM Anwar Ibrahim are scheduled to hold wide-ranging bilateral discussions on Sunday, February 8. The talks are expected to result in multiple agreements aimed at expanding cooperation across various sectors. In his departure statement before the visit, PM Modi had set the tone by highlighting the priorities of the engagement. "The historic ties between India and Malaysia have seen steadfast progress in recent years. I look forward to my discussions with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and further enhancing our comprehensive strategic partnership," he said. "We will aim to deepen our defence and security ties, enhance our economic and innovation partnership, and expand our collaboration into new domains." External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal underscored the importance of the visit, stating that it carries a "rich agenda and will give a major boost to the special partnership between India and Malaysia". "The visit is expected to impart significant momentum to our close & multi-faceted partnership," he added. This marks PM Narendra Modi's third visit to Malaysia and his first since the two countries upgraded their bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in August 2024. India and Malaysia share deep-rooted relations shaped by common history, civilisation and culture. These ties are further reinforced by Malaysia's Indian-origin population of about 2.9 million, which forms the world's third-largest overseas Indian community. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
08 February,2026 10:08 AM IST | Kuala Lumpur | IANSIt wouldn’t feel like the Super Bowl for them if they weren’t all there. And this might be the last time they all do it. That’s what three old friends were coming to grips with just before this year’s Super Bowl. The trio of octogenarians are the only fans left in the exclusive “never missed a Super Bowl” club. Don Crisman of Maine, Gregory Eaton of Michigan and Tom Henschel of Florida were back for another big game this year. But two of them are grappling with the fact that advancing years and decreasing mobility mean this is probably the last time. “This will definitely be the final one,” said Crisman. “We made it to 60.” This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
08 February,2026 10:06 AM IST | Kennebunk, Maine | AgenciesADVERTISEMENT
