Top World News

Feb 16, 2026 - World

Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chen's, next property purchase may soon make them Amazon founder Jeff Bezos' neighbour in Miami, Florida.

Feb 16, 2026 - World

Larry the cat celebrates 15 years on Sunday as the British government's official rodent-catcher and unofficial first feline, a reassuring presence who has served under six prime ministers. Sometimes it seems like they have served under him.

Feb 16, 2026 - World

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial news, as Japan misses growth forecasts for the final three months of 2025UK consumer sentiment continued to sink this month, as households grow more worried about debt levels.A poll of consumer confidence from data firm S&P Global has found that morale continued to drop in February, although not as quickly as in January.Consumers signal stronger rise in debt alongside a quicker deterioration in loan availabilityAppetite for major spending recedes to weakest in ten monthsSentiment regarding labour market conditions at lowest since last June“The mood among UK households matches the dismal weather seen so far this year across the country. Although the overall degree of gloom has lifted slightly since January, consumer confidence continues to run at one of the lowest levels seen over the past two years.A period of prolonged rain and a dearth of sunshine have no doubt not helped to lift the low spirits seen among households, but there’s more going on here than just bad weather. Households are growing increasingly worried about debt in particular, especially as a rising need for credit was met with the steepest decline in availability of loans since August 2024. Continue reading...

Feb 16, 2026 - World

German defence minister Johann Wadephul says French president Macron needs to make ‘difficult decisions’ and to ‘act accordingly’ to meet NATO spending targetsIn a radio interview with broadcaster Deutschlandfunk yesterday, Germany’s foreign minister Johann Wadephul suggested that France needs to boost its defence spending.“He repeatedly and correctly refers to our pursuit of European sovereignty,” Wadephul said of French President Emmanuel Macron. “Anyone who talks about it needs to act accordingly in their own country.” Continue reading...

Feb 16, 2026 - World

Board considering whether to re-engage in move that could prompt a second bidding war with NetflixBusiness live – latest updatesWarner Bros Discovery (WBD) is reportedly weighing reopening sales talks with Paramount Skydance, in a move that could spark a fresh bidding war with Netflix for the Hollywood film and TV company.Members of the board of WBD are discussing whether to re-engage with Paramount, which is pursuing a hostile $108.4bn (£76.8bn) cash takeover directly with shareholders in a bid to derail an agreed deal with Netflix, according to Bloomberg. Continue reading...