Historic Election Wins in Thailand and Japan Stir Political Drama and Market Surge – 2/9/2026, 12:25:09 PM

Top world news stories as of February 9, 2026, highlight major election victories in Thailand and Japan, political turmoil in the UK, developments in Israel, and sports results. These are drawn from recent reports on events from February 8.

Key Political Developments

• Thailand: Caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s Bhumjaithai Party secured a dominating win in the February 8 general election, potentially stabilizing politics after instability triggered by a Cambodia border conflict; Anutin called the snap election less than 100 days after taking over from ousted Pheu Thai leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra.[1]
• Japan: Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) achieved a historic supermajority with up to 328 of 465 Lower House seats, enabling tax cuts and military spending against China; her coalition’s win, inspired by Margaret Thatcher, drove the Nikkei 225 up 3.9% to a record 56,363.94, with broader Asian markets rallying (e.g., Seoul’s Kospi +4.1%, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng +1.8%).[1][2]
• United Kingdom: Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Chief of Staff Morgan McSweeney resigned on February 8 amid backlash over appointing Peter Mandelson as Washington ambassador, linked to a Mandelson-Epstein controversy; this exposes Starmer’s vulnerability post-Labour’s 2024 win.[1]
• Israel: The security Cabinet approved measures on February 8 easing Jewish settler land purchases in the West Bank and expanding Israeli enforcement powers over Palestinians, scrapping old restrictions; this affects territories claimed for a Palestinian state under partial PA control.[1]

Business and Markets

Global shares rose following Japan’s election, with Europe’s DAX up 0.6%, FTSE 100 +0.3%, and U.S. tech gains (Nvidia +7.8%); bitcoin neared $70,000, gold hit $5,048.90/oz (+1.4%), and oil dipped (U.S. crude $62.95/barrel).[2]

Sports

Manchester City defeated Liverpool 2-1 on February 8 with a stoppage-time Erling Haaland penalty, closing to six points behind Arsenal in the Premier League title race.[1]

Other sources include live news streams from ABS-CBN and Republic TV, but lack specific details beyond general coverage.[3][4]