18-02-2026

Global News Highlights from February 2026

Date: 18-02-2026
Sources: bbc.com: 3 | cbsnews.com: 3 | cnbc.com: 1 | economist.com: 1 | foxnews.com: 1 | nypost.com: 1 | scmp.com: 1
Image for cluster 1
Image Source:

Source: foxnews.com

Image content: The image depicts a large outdoor event at night, with the Eiffel Tower visible in the background. A crowd is gathered around a stage, where performers are walking along a white path and a group of musicians is seated. The scene is illuminated by spotlights and large screens displaying "PARIS 2024" and the Olympic rings.

Summary

A compilation of major news events from around the world, including updates on the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping case, a shooting at a Rhode Island hockey game, reports of kidnappings and rapes of Alawite women in Syria, and various other news stories covering topics such as inflation, AI investment, and Olympic cultural differences.

Key Points

  • DNA from a glove found near Nancy Guthrie's home did not match any profiles in the FBI's database.
  • A shooting at a Rhode Island high school ice hockey game resulted in the deaths of two people, including the shooter's ex-wife and son.
  • Dozens of women from Syria's Alawite minority have been kidnapped and raped since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's dictatorship.
  • Eight people were killed in a blast and fire at a fireworks shop in eastern China ahead of the Chinese New Year.
  • The mother of Alexey Navalny expressed hope for justice after European nations concluded he was poisoned with epibatidine.
  • Ilia Malinin, Team USA's figure skating star, hinted at an 'inevitable crash' due to Olympic pressure and online hate.
  • The UK's inflation rate decreased to 3% in January 2026, driven by a drop in petrol prices and food prices.
  • Major American tech companies are set to spend $700 billion on capital expenditure, primarily on AI-related data centers.
  • Experts discussed the different cultural visions presented at the 2024 Paris Olympics and the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.
  • Green Bay Packers special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia is stepping down from his role.
  • Hong Kong's top rural leader called on the city to stay vigilant during times of peace based on a Lunar New Year prophecy.

Articles in this Cluster

No DNA matches on glove found in Nancy Guthrie case, police say

The investigation into Nancy Guthrie's kidnapping has hit a roadblock as DNA from a glove found near her home did not match any profiles in the FBI's database. Despite this, authorities remain hopeful that DNA may still play a crucial role in solving the case. The glove was discovered two miles from Guthrie's home and appeared to match one worn by a suspect in doorbell-camera footage taken the night she disappeared. The FBI has been working with the Pima County Sheriff's Department to investigate Guthrie's disappearance, and they have received nearly 40,000 tips from the public. Guthrie's family, including her daughter Savannah Guthrie, a news anchor, have been pleading for her safe return.
Entities: Nancy Guthrie, Pima County, Arizona, FBI, CODISTone: neutralSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

Rhode Island hockey shooter killed ex-wife and son - police

A shooting occurred at a high school ice hockey game in Rhode Island, USA, resulting in the deaths of two people, identified as the shooter's ex-wife and son. The shooter, Robert Dorgan, who also went by the names Roberta Esposito and Roberta Dorgan, was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The incident is believed to be a targeted attack and a family dispute. Several others were injured, including the ex-wife's parents and a family friend, who were hospitalized in critical condition.
Entities: Robert Dorgan, Rhonda Dorgan, Aidan Dorgan, Pawtucket, Dennis M Lynch ArenaTone: negativeSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

Women from Syria's Alawite minority tell of kidnap and rape

The article reports on the kidnapping and rape of women from Syria's Alawite minority since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's dictatorship in December 2024. Dozens of women have been reported missing, with many cases confirmed as kidnappings. The victims and their families have shared their ordeal with the BBC, describing physical and sexual assault, and the failure of the interim government's General Security Service to investigate fully. The kidnappings are linked to sectarian violence in western Syria, where Alawite civilians were targeted by forces loyal to the Sunni Islamist-led government. The article highlights the trauma experienced by the victims and the lack of effective response from the authorities.
Entities: Ramia, Bashar al-Assad, Syrian Feminist Lobby (SFL), Latakia, SyriaTone: emotionalSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

8 dead in blast, blaze in fireworks shop in China ahead of Chinese New Year - CBS News

An explosion and fire at a fireworks shop in eastern China's Jiangsu province killed eight people and injured two others on Sunday, ahead of the Chinese New Year. The blast was caused by a resident improperly setting off fireworks near the store. The incident prompted the Ministry of Emergency Management to urge stricter supervision of fireworks production, transportation, sales, and use to prevent future accidents. The Chinese New Year, marking the start of the year of the horse, is a significant traditional holiday in China, where setting off firecrackers is a customary practice, although many places have banned fireworks due to air pollution concerns.
Entities: China, Jiangsu province, Donghai County, Chinese New Year, Lunar New YearTone: neutralSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

Alexey Navalny's mom hopes for justice as Russia rejects dart frog poisoning assessment by European nations - CBS News

The mother of Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny, who died in a remote penal colony in February 2024, expressed hope for justice after a joint statement by several European nations concluded that he was poisoned with epibatidine, a toxin found in poison dart frogs. Russia's government rejected the assessment, calling it biased and unfounded. The US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, stated that the Trump administration was not disputing the report and found it troubling. Navalny's death was marked by his supporters and family, with his widow Yulia Navalnaya continuing to fight against Putin's regime.
Entities: Alexey Navalny, Vladimir Putin, Lyudmila Navalnaya, Dmitry Peskov, Marco RubioTone: neutralSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

Ilia Malinin hints at "inevitable crash" amid Olympic pressure and online hate - CBS News

Ilia Malinin, Team USA's 'Quad God' star figure skater and current world champion, shared a video on social media hinting at an 'inevitable crash' due to the pressure of competing in the Olympics and online hate. Malinin finished eighth in the individual men's event at the 2026 Winter Olympics, despite being heavily favored to win. He acknowledged the pressure and pride in his finish, but expressed the toll of online hate and pressure on his mental health. Experts, including Dr. Jessica Bartley and Gracie Gold, discussed the importance of mental health support for athletes competing at the Olympic level.
Entities: Ilia Malinin, Team USA, 2026 Winter Olympics, Italy, Milano Cortina Winter GamesTone: emotionalSentiment: negativeIntent: inform

UK inflation Jan 2026

The UK's inflation rate decreased to 3% in January 2026, in line with economists' expectations, driven by a drop in petrol prices, airfares, and food prices. The Bank of England (BOE) expects inflation to fall to near its 2% target by April. The data has increased the likelihood of the BOE cutting its benchmark interest rate in March. Economists believe that the BOE has room to deliver another couple of 25-basis-point rate cuts before hitting the neutral rate. The UK's economy grew by a meager 0.1% in the fourth quarter, and the unemployment rate rose to 5.2% in December, the highest level in five years. Annual wage growth weakened in the last three months of 2025, easing inflationary pressures.
Entities: UK, Bank of England, Office for National Statistics, Grant Fitzner, ReutersTone: neutralSentiment: positiveIntent: inform

The financialisation of AI is just beginning

The article discusses the growing investment in artificial intelligence (AI) and its financialization. Major American tech companies are set to spend $700 billion on capital expenditure this year, primarily on data centers needed for AI. This investment is compared to the $570 billion spent by the oil and gas industry on exploration and production last year. The article suggests that investors are backing firms to spend more on processing data, with 'data is the new oil' becoming a popular saying. The financialization of AI is expected to lead to a new wave of securities, hedges, and collateral.
Entities: Artificial Intelligence, America, The Economist, Donald Trump, RussiaTone: analyticalSentiment: neutralIntent: inform

Paris Olympics 'reinterpreted tradition' vs Milan, says expert | Fox News

The 2024 Paris Olympics and the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics presented two contrasting visions of the Olympic spectacle, reflecting the different cultural and political priorities of their host countries. The Paris ceremony was seen as a bold, decentralized, and potentially divisive celebration of modern France and diversity, while the Milan ceremony was characterized as a more traditional, harmony-focused event that emphasized Italian heritage and national pride. Experts say these differences reflect a broader debate over the role of culture, politics, and identity in the Olympics.
Entities: Paris, Milan, Emmanuel Macron, Giorgia Meloni, Hugh DuganTone: analyticalSentiment: neutralIntent: inform

Packers assistant head coach Rich Bisaccia stepping away in stunner

Green Bay Packers special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia is stepping down from his role, citing personal reflection and a desire to move on. Bisaccia, 65, has been with the team for four years and has been instrumental in their special teams unit. Head coach Matt LaFleur expressed disappointment at Bisaccia's departure, praising his contributions to the team. Bisaccia's departure is the latest coaching change for the Packers ahead of the 2026 season.
Entities: Rich Bisaccia, Green Bay Packers, Matt LaFleur, Raiders, Brian GutekunstTone: positiveSentiment: neutralIntent: inform

‘Stay vigilant even in peace,’ Hong Kong rural leader says in Lunar New Year prophecy | South China Morning Post

Hong Kong's top rural leader, Kenneth Lau Ip-keung, has called on the city to stay vigilant during times of peace and to embrace innovation, based on a prophecy drawn during an annual Lunar New Year ritual at Che Kung Temple. Lau drew a 'neutral' No 22 fortune stick, which he interpreted as a warning to remain cautious amid complex geopolitical tensions and to beware of potential threats hidden within seemingly benevolent actions. The prophecy referenced a story from The Twenty-Four Filial Exemplars about Ding Lan, an orphan who carved wooden statues of his parents and served them as if they were alive.
Entities: Kenneth Lau Ip-keung, Hong Kong, Che Kung Temple, Heung Yee Kuk, Sha TinTone: neutralSentiment: neutralIntent: inform