Japan PM Takaichi reappointed following election
The move comes 10 days after her historic election win.
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Africa: Nearly Two-Thirds of Maternal Deaths Occur in War-Prone Countries - WHO
[Premium Times] In 2023 alone, an estimated 160,000 women died from preventable maternal causes in fragile and conflict-affected settings.
US sanctions turn International Criminal Court judge’s daily life into a nightmare
French ICC Judge Nicolas Guillou is living a nightmare after the US sanctioned him and other judges for issuing an arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, once again exposing the risk of Europeans' reliance on American services.
Europe’s self-defeating anti-American reflex in confronting Iran
“Challenge.” “Fracture.” Those were the headline words across much of Europe following the Munich Security Conference. Commentators spoke with a certain self-satisfaction about a virtuous “Europe of Peace,” in contrast to the supposedly bellicose posture of U.S. President
How Japan should respond to Trump’s Project Vault
TOKYO — Project Vault represents a structural shift in how the United States will compete for “manufacturing-ready” critical minerals. Japan’s current Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry–Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security’s case-by-case approach risks
In letter to Iowa friends, Xi offers reassurance over Sino-American exchanges
“Chinamaxxing”, the online trend of adopting Chinese culture, surged in popularity among America's Gen Z.
Sign of the times: 'Cry, Wedding and Blood' brings Lorca to life at Spain's National Drama Centre
Spain's National Drama Centre in Madrid presents a production rooted in Deaf culture, directed by Ángela Ibáñez Castaño and performed by Emma Vallejo and Mari López, that recasts Lorca as a cry against violence and shattered dreams.
European bureaucracy threatens Sweden's AI boom, say startups
Sweden’s strong startup game risks overregulation, Sweden’s startup scene says.
Short trips are on the rise in Europe. Here’s where travellers are headed for a long weekend
New data has revealed that cities including Barcelona, Lisbon and Istanbul are among the top spots for a quick getaway.
Iceland saw record temperatures last year. So why are scientists predicting a ‘deep freeze’?
Scientists have expressed growing concern over a major Atlantic current that could collapse and send northern Europe into the next Ice Age.
Witkoff says 'meaningful progress' made as Ukraine talks enter second day
The US special envoy struck an optimistic note after the first day of talks in Geneva, but hopes for a breakthrough remain low.
Greater air pollution exposure is linked to increased Alzheimer’s risk, research finds
People with greater exposure to air pollution may have a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s, according to a new study.
Latest news bulletin | February 18th, 2026 – Morning
Catch up with the most important stories from around Europe and beyond this February 18th, 2026 - latest news, breaking news, World, Business, Entertainment, Politics, Culture, Travel.
Investor optimism on European growth hits record high, survey finds
European investor optimism about economic growth has hit a record high, Bank of America’s latest fund manager survey shows, buoyed by hopes of German fiscal stimulus and defence spending.
‘Glass half full’: Latvian minister says EU must move faster on Ukraine support and defence
The EU will cover €90 billion of Ukraine's financial and military needs over the coming two years, and is working on a 20th package of sanctions to further cripple Russia's ability to finance its war through exports of fossil fuel.
Tax specialist says average Brits saving thousands by making this one change to their property
Homeowners in the UK are quietly pocketing thousands of pounds by trying one simple trick: taking a closer look at their Council Tax band. While most people assume their property is correctly classified, the reality is that misassigned bands are surprisingly common, and
School's 'cost of living cupboard' helps families
Parents can collect dried food, clothes and household goods donated by supermarkets.
Australia to ban citizen from returning to country under rarely-used terror laws
SYDNEY, Feb 18 - Australia said on Wednesday it would temporarily ban one of its citizens held in a Syrian camp from returning to the country, under rarely-used powers aimed at preventing terror activity.
Australian right-wing lawmaker Pauline Hanson denounced over Muslim remarks
Ms Hanson backpedalled earlier in the day, saying she did not in fact believe there were no good Muslims.
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Magic set includes a deck inspired by the videogames
Mutant, ninja, and turtle were all existing keywords in Magic: The Gathering. It was only a matter of time.
Indonesia coal plant closure U-turn sows energy transition doubts
Around Cirebon-1, many residents describe increased respiratory problems since operations began.
US strikes on three more alleged drug trafficking boats kill 11 people, military says
Monday's round of attacks increased the number of fatalities to at least 145 since the Trump administration began targeting people it refers to as "narcoterrorists" aboard small boats in Caribbean waters.
Stephen Colbert Says CBS Released Statement About Pulled James Talarico Interview ‘Without Ever Talking to Me’: ‘I Really Don’t Want an Adversarial Relationship With the Network’
On Monday night’s broadcast of “The Late Show,” Stephen Colbert slammed his home network, CBS, for releasing a statement denying it pulled his interview with Rep. James Talarico off Sunday night’s broadcast, a move he says was done without his knowledge. “Without ever talking
Netflix Threatens ByteDance With ‘Immediate Litigation’ Over Seedance 2.0 AI Clips
Netflix threatened ByteDance with “immediate litigation” on Tuesday, joining three other studios that have condemned the company for enabling copyright infringement via its Seedance 2.0 AI service. Netflix sent a cease-and-desist letter demanding that the Chinese company remove
Africa: Call for Renewed Push to Secure Water and Sanitation Across Africa
[SAnews.gov.za] Namibian President Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called on African leaders to re-energise efforts to improve access to clean water and safe sanitation, saying that delayed investment has left millions vulnerable to climate shocks, poor health, and economic
MQ-9 drones sharpen US eye on China’s Pacific moves
As the US spreads a dense web of MQ-9 Reapers across the Indo-Pacific to monitor China, it is making a high-stakes bet: that persistent drone surveillance will deter Chinese aggression—but these assets also risk exposing a critical vulnerability in America’s defense strategy if
EU adds Vietnam, Turks and Caicos, to list of tax havens
Fiji, Samoa and Trinidad and Tobago have been removed.
Africa: Chairperson of the African Union Commission Mourns the Passing of Hon. Rev Jesse Jackson
[African Union] The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, has joined leaders across the world in mourning the passing of the Hon. Rev. Jesse Louis Jackson, who died at the age of 84. He described him as a towering figure whose life's work
Africa: President Ruto Presides Over NIRU's Inaugural Graduation, Boosting Africa's Intelligence Education
[Capital FM] Nairobi -- President William Ruto on Tuesday presided over the inaugural graduation ceremony of the National Intelligence and Research University (NIRU), marking a historic milestone for the institution and Africa's growing intelligence and security education
Vatican says it will not participate in Trump's 'Board of Peace'
By Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON, Feb 17 (Reuters) - The Vatican will not participate in U.S. President Donald Trump's so-called "Board of Peace" initiative, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's top diplomatic official, said on Tuesday while adding that efforts to handle crisis
Meet the struggling coffee farmers whose harvests are under threat from fossil-fuelled warming
Coffee farmers have urged governments to act to protect harvests from increasing periods of extreme heat.
Suspect in Rhode Island ice hockey shooting killed ex-wife and son
Robert Dorgan - who also went by the name Roberta Esposito - was found dead inside the Pawtucket arena.
Ex-Bersatu deputy president Hamzah: Reset not about me, first step towards correction, improvement
Last week, expulsion notices were sent to 17 Bersatu members.
Wegovy copycat to be priced competitively, up to 60% discount feasible: Indian drugmaker Dr Reddy’s
The company aims to sell 12 million injectable semaglutide pens in the first year of launch.
Africa: Coffee Crops Are Dying From a Fungus With Species-Jumping Genes - Researchers Are 'Resurrecting' Their Genomes to Understand How and Why
[The Conversation Africa] For anyone who relies on coffee to start their day, coffee wilt disease may be the most important disease you've never heard of. This fungal disease has repeatedly reshaped the global coffee supply over the past century, with consequences that reach
Africa: Snakebites - How to Avoid Them and What to Do If You're Bitten
[The Conversation Africa] Imagine walking into tall grass or working barefoot in a field ... and suddenly feeling sharp pain on your foot. You've just been bitten by a snake. This is more than a moment of shock; it could be the beginning of a dangerous medical emergency.
Africa: Maternal Deaths Spike During War and Instability, New Report Warns
[UN News] Nearly two thirds of all maternal deaths worldwide occur in countries marked by conflict or fragility, according to a report released on Tuesday by the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners.
The rising risk of China turning Japanese
The world today is witnessing an unsettling sense of economic deja vu. Beneath the gleaming skyline of Shanghai and the global dominance of China’s electric vehicle industry, the Chinese economy is on a precipice, similar to the one that dashed Japan’s economic miracle three
AI Film Studio Launched by India’s Abundantia Entertainment, InVideo (EXCLUSIVE)
India’s Abundantia Entertainment and AI video technology company InVideo have unveiled a strategic partnership to launch an AI-driven film production studio, backed by an investment of INR100 crores ($11 million) — what the companies are calling the largest structured
Evan Dando’s Wife Speaks Out After He Allegedly Sent Lemonheads Fan Unwanted Explicit Videos
Antonia Teixeira said the musician was struggling with drinking and prescription drug abuse before he was hospitalized for mental health treatment
Trauma is a major barrier to refugees' employment, study finds
Refugees from Ukraine who suffer from potential war trauma are less likely to work than their compatriots who do not. This is the result of a study published as an RFBerlin discussion paper.
Mamdani asks New York State to raise taxes on 'ultra-wealthy' to address city budget deficit
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D) asked Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul to raise taxes on the “ultra-wealthy,” citing a "significant chasm" in the city's $5.4 billion deficit. During a preliminary budget proposal announcement on Tuesday, Mamdani laid out two different “paths” the
Philippine VP Sara Duterte announces presidential run in 2028
The daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte has feuded spectacularly with the incumbent, Bongbong Marcos.
Image: Winter grips Hokkaido, Japan
Northern Japan, especially the island of Hokkaido, is home to some of the snowiest cities in the world. Sapporo, the island's largest city and host of an annual snow festival, typically sees more than 140 days of snowfall, with nearly six meters (20 feet) accumulating on
Economists and environmental scientists see the world differently—here's why that matters
Imagine someone has chronic pain. One doctor focuses on the body part that hurts and keeps trying to fix that single symptom. Another uses a more comprehensive brain-body approach and tries to understand what's keeping the nervous system stuck in alarm mode—perhaps stress, fear
'Pay or he dies', families told as more Egyptians risk Mediterranean crossing
Weeks after Hamdy Ibrahim left his village in Egypt's Nile Delta hoping to reach Europe, his brother's phone rang with a chilling message from Libya: pay now or the boy would die. A smuggler was on the line, demanding 190,000 pounds ($4,000) to secure the 18-year-old's place on
Walz says he'd 'rather eat glass' than fill Klobuchar's Senate seat
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) said on Tuesday that he would “rather eat glass” than replace gubernatorial candidate Amy Klobuchar’s (D-Minn.) in her U.S. Senate seat if she is elected. The lighthearted moment occurred when the governor took a question on the way to the podium at
Philippine Vice President Duterte to run for president in 2028 elections
MANILA, Feb 18 - Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte said on Wednesday that she will run for president in the 2028 elections while blaming incumbent leader Ferdinand Marcos Jr for the country's problems, including corruption.
Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte announces 2028 presidential run
The Marcos administration was now likely to become more openly hostile, said an analyst.