
Xi Jinping Highlights People-to-People Ties as U.S.-China Relations Show Signs of Stabilization
Feb 18, 2026 06:11 am UTC| Politics Economy
Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed the enduring importance of people-to-people exchanges between China and the United States, emphasizing that cooperation between the two nations will continue regardless of...

Asian Stocks Rise as Japan Tech Shares Rebound Ahead of Fed Minutes and PCE Data
Feb 18, 2026 05:45 am UTC| Economy
Asian stock markets moved higher on Wednesday, led by a rebound in Japanese technology shares, even as lingering concerns over artificial intelligence continued to weigh on the broader tech sector. Trading activity across...

RBNZ Holds OCR at 2.25% as Inflation Set to Ease Toward 2% Target
Feb 18, 2026 05:43 am UTC| Central Banks Economy
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) kept its official cash rate (OCR) unchanged at 2.25% on Wednesday, signaling that monetary policy will remain supportive as inflation gradually moves back toward the midpoint of its...

Oil Prices Steady as U.S.-Iran Nuclear Talks and Fed Outlook Shape Market Sentiment
Feb 18, 2026 05:41 am UTC| Economy
Oil prices were largely unchanged in Asian trading on Wednesday after posting sharp losses in the previous session, as progress in U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations eased concerns about potential supply disruptions. The...

Christine Lagarde Reportedly Set to Exit ECB Before End of Term
Feb 18, 2026 05:39 am UTC| Economy Central Banks
Christine Lagarde is expected to step down as President of the European Central Bank (ECB) before completing her full eight-year term, according to a report published Wednesday by the Financial Times. The report cited a...

Asian Currencies Steady in Thin Lunar New Year Trade; NZ Dollar Drops After RBNZ Holds Rates
Feb 18, 2026 05:36 am UTC| Economy
Asian currencies were largely unchanged on Wednesday as subdued Lunar New Year trading kept market activity light across the region. With major financial centers such as China and Hong Kong closed for the holiday, foreign...

Japan’s Exports Surge 16.8% in January, Narrowing Trade Deficit Amid Import Decline
Feb 18, 2026 00:22 am UTC| Economy
Japans exports rose sharply in January, marking a fifth consecutive month of growth and signaling continued resilience in the countrys external sector. According to data released Wednesday by Japans Ministry of Finance,...