Japan’s Takaichi vows to break with ‘fiscal austerity’ to spark economic revival
This underlines her administration’s commitment to revitalising the economy.
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Japan PM Takaichi warns of China ‘coercion’, vows security overhaul
Her four-month tenure has been marked by a diplomatic dispute with China.
Japan PM Takaichi warns of China 'coercion', vows security overhaul
TOKYO, Feb 20 - Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi warned of growing Chinese \"coercion\" in her first post-election speech to parliament on Thursday, and pledged to overhaul defence strategy, ease curbs on military exports and strengthen critical supply chains.
South Korea's ex-President Yoon apologises after life sentence over martial law
SEOUL, Feb 20 - Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol apologised on Friday for his short-lived declaration of martial law in December 2024, a day after a Seoul court sentenced him to life in prison for masterminding an insurrection.
US imports more from Taiwan than China for first time in decades
US purchase of goods from China plunged 44 per cent in December from 2024.
Wildfire-friendly weather nearly triples: Will outbreaks leave countries scrambling for resources?
The risk of synchronous wildfires is rising - and help won't be as likely to come from neighbouring countries busy with their own flames.
Latest news bulletin | February 20th, 2026 – Morning
Catch up with the most important stories from around Europe and beyond this February 20th, 2026 - latest news, breaking news, World, Business, Entertainment, Politics, Culture, Travel.
'Sled head' and ‘skier’s thumb': The common injuries at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics
Winter Olympic athletes face high injury rates, yet some of the most common injuries go unnoticed.
How ‘smog capital of Poland’ saved 6,000 lives by cutting soot levels
Kraków’s ban on burning solid fuels plus subsidies for cleaner heating has led to clearer air and better health As a child, Marcel Mazur had to hold his breath in parts of Kraków thick with “so much smoke you could see and smell it”. Now, as an allergy specialist at
China’s AI chatbots censor politically sensitive questions, study finds
Chinese AI models were more likely to refuse or inaccurately reply to politically-charged questions than non-Chinese models, a study has found.
Social housing and rent aid: How much do governments spend per person?
Euronews Business examines housing benefits within Europe’s broader social protection spending. The EU has just launched its first Affordable Housing Plan, aiming to ease a deepening housing crunch.
Roma campaigners call for 'grace period' over new road safety rules
The Roma Foundation for Europe has urged the North Macedonian government to implement a “grace period” for documentation, registrations, and licence compliance linked to the country’s new “Safe City” system. The initiative, introduced by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, is
Madrid is crowned Europe’s best destination for 2026
While Spain’s capital took the top spot, Italy dominated the overall rankings.
Hong Kong’s Filmart at 30: From Marketplace to Media Powerhouse
The Asian film market celebrates its 30th edition, spotlighting AI, cross-border IP and Hong Kong’s gateway role to China.
Trump warns of ‘bad things’ if Iran doesn’t make a deal as US ramps up military presence
Trump's latest threat comes as tensions ramp up and as the second US carrier nears the Mideast.
Charges Dropped Against Country Singer Conner Smith After Fatal Car Accident That Left Senior Dead
The musician struck and killed 77-year-old Dorothy "Dot" Dobbins last summer
Ex-South Korea leader Yoon apologises for martial law crisis
Yoon Suk Yeol is facing a life sentence after a court found him guilty of insurrection.
Africa: Africa Deserves UN Security Council Representation, Improved Access to Financing - Angola's UN Envoy
[ENA] Addis Ababa -- Urgent reform of the United Nations system and comprehensive debt relief for African countries are essential to the continent's development and global fairness, Angola's Permanent Representative to the UN, Francisco José da Cruz, said.
Africa: Near Point-of-Care Tests for Tuberculosis - Report
[MSF] Informed by Médecins Sans Frontières' (MSF's) extensive experience in tuberculosis diagnosis and care, this factsheet provides an overview of key technical and operational considerations for the implementation of emerging near point-of-care nucleic acid amplification
Africa: IFJ Backs Calls On Government to Take Next Steps to Enhance Media Freedom
[IFJ] But the Federation also pledged to continue to support SLAJ's advocacy for further action to promote media freedom , especially with respect to Section 44 (2) of the Cyber Security and Crime Act which threatens freedom of expression and media rights.
‘I Can Only Imagine 2’ Review: Now That He’s a Christian Rock Star, Bart Millard Has More Problems Than Ever. But Is He Only Imagining Them?
On the tour bus, Bart and his buddies, like the band manager, Brick (Trace Adkins), an aging biker with the voice of Sam Elliott, engage in a form of badinage I would characterize as bro Christianity. They’re devout, but they’re just dudes. That’s kind of the point. "I Can Only
‘Irreversible on any human timescale’: Scientist reveals best and worst-case scenario for Antarctica
Despite being far away from civilisation, a melting Antarctic’s "disastrous" consequences will ripple across the world, researchers warn.
New drone unit to investigate illegal waste dumping across England
Government announces tougher measures to tackle unlicensed sites as ‘prolific waste criminal’ is ordered to pay £1.4m A new 33-strong drone unit is being deployed to investigate the scourge of illegal waste dumping across England, the government has announced. The improvements
Scientists reveal best- and worst-case scenarios for a warming Antarctica
The climate crisis is warming Antarctica fast, with potentially disastrous consequences. Now scientists have modeled the best- and worst-case scenarios for climate change in Antarctica, demonstrating just how high the stakes are—but also how much harm can still be prevented.
Halting irreversible changes to Antarctica depends on choices made today
Antarctic Peninsula projections show accelerating ice loss, warming oceans and global sea level impacts tied to greenhouse gas emissions.
Indonesia to take deputy commander role in Gaza peacekeeping force: US general
Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had previously said that the country’s military will be deployed strictly for humanitarian purposes and not combat operations.
China’s submarine surge testing Pacific’s undersea balance
China’s accelerating nuclear submarine buildup is no longer just a shipyard story, but a strategic test of whether faster production can be converted into real leverage against US sea power in the Pacific. This month, the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS)
‘He Was So Heroic’: Eric Dane Remembered by His Friends and Costars
Sam Levinson, Alyssa Milano, Maria Shriver, and more paid tribute to the veteran actor after he died following a battle with ALS
Africa: Why Ending Child Marriage Is Key to Advancing Africa's Economic Development
[IPS] By Zuzana Schwidrowski and Omolola Mary Lipede
Africa: Should South Africa Use the Army to Fight Gangs? the Short Answer Is No
[The Conversation Africa] When President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the deployment of the South African National Defence Force to the provinces of Gauteng and the Western Cape in his 2026 State of the Nation Address, he was met with desperate applause by a crime-weary nation.
Africa: African Union - How Does It Make a Difference in Everyday Life and What Would Happen If It Didn't Exist?
[The Conversation Africa] The African Union held its 39th Assembly of Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in February 2026. The two-day assembly produced the usual number of decisions and declarations across African peace and security, trade, governance and
Africa: Spiro Secures $7m Debt From Nithio to Expand Ev Network
[Daba Finance] Spiro has secured a $7 million debt facility from U.S.-based climate fintech Nithio to expand its electric motorcycle fleet and battery-swapping network in Africa.
Vietnam War veterans sue over Trump's proposed triumphal arch
Three Vietnam War veterans on Thursday filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to bar it from constructing his proposed triumphal arch in Washington's Memorial Circle, arguing that it does not have congressional approval. The veterans, along with an architectural
Argentina’s lower house backs Milei labour reform bill without article 44
Argentina’s Chamber of Deputies approved President Javier Milei’s “labour modernisation” bill on Thursday, but with a last-minute change that removed article 44, one of the proposal’s most disputed provisions. Because the text was amended, it must return to the Senate for a
US, China jets briefly face off near South Korea, Yonhap says
US fighter jets reportedly left an airbase in Pyeongtaek for drills above international waters on Feb 18.
Bad Bunny, Carín León Win Big at Premio Lo Nuestro 2026
Premio Lo Nuestro, the longest-running Latin Music awards show in the U.S., held its 38th edition in Miami on Wednesday evening, hosted by Thalia, Nadia Ferreira and Clarissa Molina. The evening was another peak for Bad Bunny, who was the night’s big winner less than two weeks
Indonesia’s Riau province intensifies livestock vaccination amid foot-and-mouth disease outbreak
The number of cases in Riau in 2026 has already surpassed the total number of cases in 2025.
New research reveals critical support gaps for LGBTIQ+ youth facing homelessness
A new European study has outlined the precarious reality facing LGBTIQ+ young people who experience homelessness, revealing patchy support, inconsistent services and an urgent need for coordinated action across Europe.
Remembering Eric Dane: From ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ to ‘Euphoria,’ He Went From McSteamy to an Actor of Surprising Depth
Like many TV watchers, I first took notice of Eric Dane on “Grey’s Anatomy.” His Dr. Mark Sloan — “McSteamy,” in the show’s parlance — was a gleeful agent of chaos, remixing the show’s existing couplings, thanks in large part to Dane’s smoldering charisma, wielded to great
Christine Lagarde: International order is “in danger”
European Central Bank (ECB) president Christine Lagarde warned on Thursday in New York that the international order is “in danger” because the United States has begun to doubt the rules-based system it long supported, in remarks delivered as she received Columbia University’s
Hainan Free Trade Port is the future of globalization
For decades, globalization was widely accepted as an almost inevitable trajectory. The more open an economy, the prevailing logic held, the greater its prospects for growth. Frictionless ports, low tariffs, investment deregulation, and unrestricted capital flows were treated as
Venezuela passes unanimous amnesty law, excluding armed actions and serious crimes
Venezuela’s National Assembly unanimously approved an amnesty law on Thursday aimed at covering people prosecuted or convicted in political-crisis episodes between 2002 and 2025, a measure lawmakers said is designed to speed releases and close related court cases. The bill was
Illinois Senate candidate launches campaign ad featuring people saying 'F--- Trump'
Former Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton (D) on Thursday released a new campaign ad featuring several Prairie State residents, including Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), all saying, "F--- Trump." "They said it, not me," Stratton says in the video posted on her social media. She
Venezuela approves amnesty that may release of hundreds detained for political reasons
Venezuela's acting president has signed into law an amnesty bill that could lead to the release of politicians, activists, lawyers and many others. The approval marks a stark turn for the nation.
Severe violence rises in youth sexual assaults in Sweden, medical records suggest
Physical violence in sexual assaults against young people has become more common and more severe. This is shown in a new doctoral thesis from Karolinska Institutet. The studies cover both women and men and point to the need for clearer clinical procedures and better education
Street Fighter 2 producer Yoshiki Okamoto now makes gacha games and spends half a million dollars on each 'to make sure the people who spend the most don't end up dissatisfied'
You have to think like a whale to catch a whale. I'm pretty sure Herman Melville said that.
‘A New Dawn’ Director Yoshitoshi Shinomiya on His Anime Breakthrough, Makoto Shinkai’s Influence and the Future of Cultural Heritage in Modern Japan
The rising anime filmmaker discusses how his hometown’s vanishing seaside inspired his Berlinale competition entry ‘A New Dawn,’ the concept of “Shuhari” and creating handmade art in a digital world.
Melissa Barrera to Make Broadway Debut in Parody Musical ‘Titanique’ (EXCLUSIVE)
Melissa Barrera is heading to Broadway. Variety has learned exclusively that the “Scream” and “In the Heights” star will make her Broadway debut in the campy spoof “Titanique,” stepping into the role of Rose for the musical’s upcoming Main Stem bow at the St. James Theatre in
Trump says he'll ask DOD to release files on 'UFOs,' 'alien and extraterrestrial life'
President Trump on Thursday said he will direct the Department of Defense and other agencies to release its files about UFOs and "alien and extraterrestrial life" to the public. "Based on the tremendous interest shown," Trump wrote on Truth Social, "I will be directing the