Storm, Protests, and Power Plays Dominate News

Japan's ultra-conservative Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is poised to significantly increase her power following a snap election, while the Winter Olympics in Italy saw both triumph and tragedy, and a Russian citizen was detained in Dubai in connection with the shooting of a general in Moscow. These events unfolded on a busy weekend, according to multiple reports from Sky News.

Exit polls suggested Takaichi's coalition is projected to win between 302 and 366 of the 465 seats in the lower house, well above the 233 needed for a majority, according to national broadcaster NHK. This would solidify her control over the government.

Meanwhile, the Winter Olympics saw a devastating crash for US skiing legend Lindsey Vonn in the women's downhill skiing final. Vonn, 41, who had ruptured her ACL less than two weeks prior, crashed just 13 seconds into her run. She was reported to be in a stable condition, as confirmed by her team. The games also saw protests near a venue, with Italian police firing tear gas and water cannons at demonstrators who threw projectiles. Approximately 10,000 people had taken to the streets of Milan on Saturday to protest housing costs and the environmental impact of the Games.

In other news, a Russian citizen, Lyubomir Korba, was arrested in Dubai on suspicion of shooting Lieutenant General Vladimir Alexeyev in Moscow on Friday, according to Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB). The FSB, the main successor to the Soviet-era KGB secret police, released a statement confirming the arrest.

Finally, Storm Marta continued to batter Spain and Portugal, forcing 11,000 people to evacuate their homes. A man, believed to be about 70, died in Portugal after his car was swept away by floodwaters. A second body was found in Malaga, Spain, on Friday, not far from where a woman was swept away by a river.