Constructors crowned the largest tower of Barcelona's unfinished Sagrada Familia basilica with a final piece on Friday, setting the peak of the world's tallest church at 172.5 metres (566 feet).
Jonathan Milan won a second straight sprint finish to take the fifth stage of the UAE Tour in Dubai on Friday.
US economic growth cooled much more than expected in the final months of 2025, government estimates showed Friday, capping the first year of Donald Trump's return to the presidency.
- Benfica investigate video of fans' monkey gestures
- French minister pledges tight security at rally for killed activist
Sports
World champion freestyle skier Finley Melville Ives is "stable and positive" following a hard fall during men's freeski halfpipe qualifying at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics on Friday.
February 20, 2026
RECENT NEWS
X appeals EU's 120-mn-euro fine over digital content violations
Culture
February 20, 2026
A Thai court sentenced a prominent lawyer to more than two years for royal insult on Friday, a rights group said, bringing his combined sentence for monarchy reform activism to over three decades.
February 20, 2026
RECENT NEWS
Mary Ann Pajo watched quietly as cemetery workers opened her son's tomb in Manila this week and removed his body for examination by a forensic pathologist.
February 20, 2026
Fledgling Indian artificial intelligence companies showcased homegrown technologies this week at a major summit in New Delhi, underpinning big dreams of becoming a global AI power.
February 20, 2026
A UN panel on artificial intelligence will work towards "science-led governance", the global body's chief said Friday as leaders at a New Delhi summit weighed their message on the future of the booming technology.
February 20, 2026
Politics
Ukraine's Paralympic athletes will skip the Opening Ceremony of the Milan-Cortina Winter Games next month in protest at the International Paralympic Committee's decision to allow Russian athletes to compete under their national flag, Ukraine's National Paralympic Committee has said.
February 20, 2026
RECENT NEWS
Former prince Andrew hunkered down Friday at home on the king's private estate after hours of police questioning, as his stunning arrest tipped the British monarchy into an unprecedented crisis in its modern era.
"I love Israel!" Three little words rarely heard together in the Muslim world, and yet have become a common phrase in Somaliland, the breakaway region of Somalia.
An airport in Florida will soon be renamed after US President Donald Trump, after a bill proposing the change was approved by the state's legislature on Thursday.
Dozens of fans flocked to a Japanese zoo on Friday to catch a glimpse of a baby macaque who shot to social media stardom months after being abandoned by his mother.
February 20, 2026
Economy
Equities were mixed and oil prices rose on Friday after Donald Trump ratcheted up Middle East tensions by hinting at possible military strikes on Iran if it did not make a "meaningful deal" in nuclear talks.
February 20, 2026
RECENT NEWS
When one of the few lawmakers willing to call out corruption in single-party Laos was left off the candidate list ahead of this weekend's heavily managed election, a rare wave of dissent erupted.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vowed to lift living standards as he opened a landmark congress, state media said Friday, offering a glimpse of economic strains within the sanctions-hit nation.
Cricket's T20 World Cup moves into the Super Eights stage on Saturday after two weeks of intense action in the 20-team tournament in India and Sri Lanka.
Pakistan and New Zealand will clash in Colombo on Saturday as the second "Super Eights" phase of the T20 World Cup kicks off without former champions Australia, who shockingly failed to make it out of their group.
February 20, 2026
- UN touts panel for 'human control' of AI as leaders weigh message
- Victorious Takaichi promises 'strong and prosperous' Japan
- Ex-South Korea leader apologises for martial law crisis
- Ex-S. Korea leader apologises for martial law crisis
- Messi kicks off MLS season in key World Cup year
- Teen burnout to Olympic gold: Alysa Liu 'looking to inspire others'
- Cunningham stars as NBA-leading Pistons ease past Knicks
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