Thailand's conservative prime minister was heading for a victory in the country's general election Sunday, television stations projected, with his party set to be by far the largest in parliament after riding a wave of nationalism.
Lindsey Vonn crashed out of the Winter Olympics downhill on Sunday, brutally ending the American skiing great's improbable dream of winning a medal despite competing with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.
Newly-crowned Olympic downhill champion Breezy Johnson said her heart ached for Lindsey Vonn after witnessing her American teammate crash heavily out of alpine skiing's blue riband event on Sunday.
- Takaichi on course for landslide win in Japan election
- Wales coach Tandy will avoid 'knee-jerk' reaction to crushing England loss
Politics
Sanae Takaichi, a staunch conservative who admires Margaret Thatcher, entrenched her leadership on Sunday four months after becoming Japan's first woman prime minister, but she has shown little appetite for framing it around gender.
February 08, 2026
RECENT NEWS
UK foreign office to review pay-off to Epstein-linked US envoy
Economy
February 08, 2026
French authorities have arrested five suspects after a magistrate and her mother were held captive last week for around 30 hours in a cryptocurrency ransom plot, prosecutors told AFP on Sunday.
February 08, 2026
RECENT NEWS
Jacob Bethell and Harry Brook scored quick fifties but Nepal took regular wickets as England made 184-7 on Sunday in their opening Group C match of the T20 World Cup in Mumbai.
February 08, 2026
Lindsey Vonn crashed out of the Winter Olympics downhill on Sunday, ending the American skiing great's improbable dream of winning a medal despite competing with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.
February 08, 2026
Hyundai is preparing to launch the Ioniq 3, a compact EV that will slot below the Ioniq 5. Inspired by the Concept Three unveiled in 2025, the production car will ride on a 400‑volt version of the E‑GMP platform and feature pixelated LED lighting, active aero shutters and a lounge‑like cabin. Two battery options are expected: a 58.3 kWh pack yielding around 270 miles of range and an 81.4 kWh pack delivering roughly 375 miles (WLTP). A front‑mounted motor producing about 201 hp should propel the car to 60 mph in roughly 7.5 seconds with a top speed near 105 mph. Vehicle‑to‑load bidirectional charging will be included.Hyundai is also reportedly developing a high‑performance Ioniq 3 N with dual motors and 288 bhp for a sub‑six‑second 0–60 mph time. The infotainment system will debut the new Pleos software, enabling over‑the‑air updates and Apple CarPlay Ultra. Designers intend to create a “living room” interior with flexible seating and sustainable materials.
February 08, 2026
Politics
Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi was projected Sunday to have won a thumping victory in snap elections, in a result that could however rile China and worry financial markets.
February 08, 2026
RECENT NEWS
Renault has reimagined its iconic Twingo as a purely electric city car. Built on the AmpR Small platform, the new model uses a lithium‑iron‑phosphate battery with 27.5 kWh of usable capacity and an 80 hp motor. This combination gives a WLTP range of about 163 miles (approximately 263 km). Standard charging is via a 6.6 kW AC charger, with options for 11 kW AC and 50 kW DC; the latter takes the battery from 10 to 80 percent in 30 minutes. A one‑pedal mode delivers strong regeneration for urban driving.The Twingo E‑Tech is slated to hit the European market in early 2026 with a target price below €20,000. Early adopters can secure an R Pass from December 2025, gaining priority ordering and perks such as a 1:43 scale model and early test drives. Inside, a seven‑inch digital instrument cluster is paired with a ten‑inch infotainment screen running Google services and voice control. Sliding rear seats allow the boot to expand to 360 litres, and up to 24 driver‑assistance systems—including automated emergency braking and lane‑keeping—make this tiny EV surprisingly sophisticated.
Lancia’s revival begins with an all‑new Ypsilon supermini. Built on Stellantis’s CMP platform, it comes as a battery‑electric or 48‑volt mild‑hybrid. The electric Ypsilon uses a 51 kWh battery and a front‑mounted motor rated at 115 kW (156 hp), delivering up to 403 km of WLTP range and more than 500 km in urban use. DC fast charging takes the battery from 20 to 80 percent in 24 minutes, or adds 100 km of range in 10 minutes, while consumption is rated at 14.3–14.6 kWh/100 km. The mild‑hybrid pairs a 1.2‑litre three‑cylinder with a 48‑V system to produce 100 hp and achieve 0–100 km/h in 9 seconds.The cabin is co‑created with furniture maker Cassina, combining sustainable textiles with a minimalist design. Lancia’s SALA (Sound Air Light Augmentation) interface manages lighting, climate and media across dual displays. Half of the surfaces passengers touch are made from recycled or eco‑friendly materials. Outside, the Ypsilon wears a reinterpretation of Lancia’s grille, round Stratos‑inspired rear lights and clean lines.
The Cupra Raval translates Cupra’s rebellious spirit into an urban electric hatch. Derived from the UrbanRebel concept, it rides on the Volkswagen Group’s MEB+ architecture and will be built in Martorell. Launching in early 2026, the Dynamic and Dynamic Plus versions deliver 210 hp and up to 450 km of range, while the VZ Extreme pushes output to 226 hp and adds an electronic limited‑slip differential and adaptive chassis tuning.Two battery sizes—expected around 38 kWh and 56 kWh—will enable sub‑7‑second 0–62 mph acceleration. Styling borrows from the edgy UrbanRebel with angular headlamps, bold creases and copper‑coloured details. Inside, a driver‑focused cockpit features configurable digital instruments, a large infotainment screen and an optional 12‑speaker Sennheiser audio system.
Volkswagen’s ID.Polo ushers the iconic Polo name into the electric age. Pre‑sales begin at the end of April 2026. Built at the Martorell plant in Spain, the compact five‑door model is the first production car on VW’s updated MEB+ platform. Pricing will start below €25,000.Customers can choose between 37 kWh and 52 kWh batteries powering 85 kW, 99 kW or 155 kW motors; the GTI variant with 166 kW arrives later. The larger battery delivers up to 450 km of range and supports DC charging at up to 130 kW. New assistance systems include Travel Assist with traffic‑light and stop‑sign recognition.
February 08, 2026
Politics
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Sunday ruled out Tehran ever giving up uranium enrichment in its negotiations with Washington, insisting it will not be intimidated by the threat of war with the United States.
February 08, 2026
RECENT NEWS
Opener Tim Seifert struck a blistering 65 off 42 balls to lead New Zealand's highest-ever run in a T20 World Cup as they beat Afghanistan by five wickets on Sunday.
Gulbadin Naib struck a rapid half-century to guide Afghanistan to 182-6 after an early wobble against New Zealand in the T20 World Cup on Sunday.
"One Battle After Another" director Paul Thomas Anderson won top honors at the Directors Guild of America Awards in Los Angeles on Saturday, solidifying his film's position as a strong favorite for the Oscars.
Even with its legendary image of glitz and glamour, diamond icon De Beers has struggled to attract a buyer after nearly two years on a market dulled by falling prices and the allure of lab-grown gems.
February 08, 2026
- NFL embraces fashion as league seeks new audiences
- What's at stake for Indian agriculture in Trump's trade deal?
- Real Madrid can wait - Siraj's dream night after late T20 call-up
- Castle's monster night fuels Spurs, Rockets rally to beat Thunder
- Japan votes in snow-hit snap polls as Takaichi eyes strong mandate
- Pakistan's capital picks concrete over trees, angering residents
- Berlin's crumbling 'Russian houses' trapped in bureaucratic limbo
- Neglected killer: kala-azar disease surges in Kenya