Thailand held an early general election on Sunday, February 8, 2026, with vote counting underway in a race that observers viewed as a three-way contest. The election, which saw more than 50 parties vying for support, is taking place against a backdrop of slow economic growth and heightened nationalist sentiment, according to the Associated Press.
The main contenders in the election were the People's Party, Bhumjaithai, and Pheu Thai, as reported by NPR. The election was seen as a battle among competing visions of progressive, populist, and old-fashioned patronage politics. Approximately 53 million registered voters were eligible to participate.
In other international news, indirect talks between the U.S. and Iran began over Iran's nuclear program. This has raised concerns for an Iranian-American journalist, Abdolreza Valizadeh, who is being held in Evin prison in Tehran. Ryan Fayhee, Valizadeh's lawyer, expressed his concern for his client, according to NPR.
Meanwhile, Danish veterans of the war in Iraq are seeking an apology from President Trump. The veterans are reportedly upset over Trump's recent comments about NATO allies in Afghanistan and his past attempts to acquire Greenland. In an interview last month at Davos, Trump appeared to denigrate NATO allies, as reported by NPR.
In sports, Italy is feeling like home turf for many U.S. Olympic athletes. American athlete Jessie Diggins, the world's top-ranked female cross-country skier, recently competed in Italy's Val di Fiemme, according to NPR.
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