Top World News

Feb 16, 2026 - World

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, as Japan misses growth forecasts for the final three months of 2025Japan has slotted in at the bottom of the G7 growth table, along with the UK:With Canada and the US yet to report their GDP data for October-December, here’s what we know so far:Germany: +0.3% in Q4 2025Italy: +0.3%France: +0.2%UK: +0.1%Japan: 0.1%US: Due on 20th FebruaryCanada: Due on 27th February“Virtually flat prices in February really needs to be viewed alongside what happened in January.After the prolonged uncertainty in the run up to the late November Budget, plus the usual Christmas slowdown, we saw activity pick up again from Boxing Day. Many sellers, some of whom had been holding back because of the Budget, came to market in early 2026 with renewed confidence, which helped to drive that bumper January price rise. Continue reading...

Feb 16, 2026 - World

Four candidates from minority communities, including two Hindus, won in the recent general elections in Bangladesh, with all being nominees of the BNP, which is set to form the government.

Feb 16, 2026 - World

A Chicago teen who spoke out for her father's release after he was detained last fall by immigration officials in a deportation case has died after battling a rare form of cancer.

Feb 16, 2026 - World

Analysis reveals big regional disparities as critics say Labour’s proposed levy could slow uptake of EVsDrivers in the south-west of England would pay nearly four times as much as those in London as a result of Labour’s mileage-based tax on electric cars, according to analysis of official data.The 3p-a-mile road charge, announced in the autumn budget and due to take effect in 2028, is expected to raise £1.1bn a year, partly offsetting the loss of fuel duty revenues as drivers switch from petrol to electric vehicles. Continue reading...

Feb 16, 2026 - World

ACCC alleges the supermarket breached the law by offering ‘illusory’ discounts on many products with ‘Down Down’ promotionFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastColes disguised price increases on at least 245 products by offering discounts that were “literally true” but also “utterly misleading”, the competition regulator has argued at the beginning of a high-profile court case.A federal court battle between the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and Coles began on Monday, testing allegations the supermarket breached the law by offering “illusory” discounts on many everyday products. Continue reading...