Global stock markets rose Wednesday as traders assessed company earnings and economic data, while oil prices surged more than four percent on a toughening US posture towards Iran.
CEO Mark Zuckerberg said Wednesday he regretted Meta's slow progress in identifying underage users on Instagram, as he faced stinging criticism at a landmark social media trial over accusations that his company deliberately hooked under-13s.
Eileen Gu is one of the biggest names at the Milan-Cortina Olympics. That's obvious from how her answer to AFP's question about her performance at the Games has gone viral.
- Hamilton feeling 'connected' to new Ferrari car at test sessions
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Sports
Mitch Marner scored in overtime as Canada saw off the Czech Republic 4-3 on Wednesday to advance to the Olympic men's ice hockey semi-finals.
February 18, 2026
RECENT NEWS
Major US naval, air buildup sets stage for potential Iran war
Politics
February 18, 2026
Mitch Marner scored in overtime as Canada saw off the Czech Republic 4-3 to advance to the Olympic men's ice hockey semi-finals along with Slovakia, who dispatched Germany 6-2 on Wednesday.
February 18, 2026
RECENT NEWS
The Seattle Seahawks have officially been put up for sale, the club said on Wednesday, just weeks after the NFL franchise won the Super Bowl.
February 18, 2026
Irish rockers U2 released their first collection of new songs in nearly a decade on Wednesday, featuring a collaboration with singer Ed Sheeran and a Ukrainian musician and soldier.
February 18, 2026
The director of the Berlin Film Festival on Wednesday rejected accusations from more than 80 film industry figures that the festival had helped censor artists who oppose Israel's actions in Gaza.
February 18, 2026
Sports
Jannik Sinner powered past Alexei Popyrin in straight sets on Wednesday to reach the last eight of the Qatar Open and edge closer to a possible final meeting with Carlos Alcaraz.
February 18, 2026
RECENT NEWS
US pop star Taylor Swift was crowned the biggest-selling global artist of 2025, industry body IFPI announced Wednesday, the fourth consecutive year and sixth time she has claimed its annual prize.
Italian Antonio Tiberi took the overall lead of the UAE Tour from Remco Evenepoel after winning the third stage on Wednesday.
A Paris prosecutor Wednesday called on potential victims of US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein to come forward, as magistrates investigate possible offences committed in France or involving French victims or perpetrators.
Defending champions India beat a spirited Netherlands team by 17 runs on Wednesday ahead of their meeting with South Africa in the Super Eights of the T20 World Cup.
February 18, 2026
Sports
Prop Archie Griffin has warned Wales to beware his Bath teammate Finn Russell when they face the fly-half's Scotland team in the Six Nations in Cardiff on Saturday.
February 18, 2026
RECENT NEWS
Rescuers were conducting an "all-hands" search Wednesday for nine backcountry skiers who went missing after an avalanche in the mountains of California, where a huge storm has dumped several feet of snow.
US star Mikaela Shiffrin fittingly brought the curtain down on the alpine skiing programme at the Winter Olympics with a long-awaited gold in the women's slalom in Cortina d'Ampezzo on Wednesday.
Global stock markets rose Wednesday as traders assessed company earnings and economic data, while oil prices barreled ahead three percent following US-Iran talks.
Peru's Congress is set to name a new president Wednesday -- the country's eighth in a decade -- after Jose Jeri was impeached on graft allegations barely four months into his term.
February 18, 2026
- First woman envoy for Palestine dies in France: family
- Laser-etched glass can store data for millennia, Microsoft says
- Intense US naval, air power buildup sets stage for potential Iran war
- Slovakia beat Germany to reach Olympic men's ice hockey semis
- Greece to claim Nazi atrocity photos found on Ebay: minister
- US energy chief says IEA must 'drop' focus on climate change
- Shiffrin remembers deceased dad after Olympic slalom gold
- Environmental groups sue Trump administration over dismantled climate rule