Reuters World News Lagarde, avalanche, nuclear and peace talk
Feb 18, 2026
A deadly Sierra Nevada avalanche and the search for missing skiers. Reported plans for a major central bank leader to step down and political maneuvering over a successor. Allegations of an underground nuclear blast in western China and denials from Beijing. U.S. envoys juggling simultaneous crisis talks on Iran and Ukraine. A celebrity arrest at Mardi Gras.
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Deadly Sierra Nevada Avalanche
- An avalanche swept the Castle Peak area near Truckee, engulfing a group that included four ski guides.
- As many as 10 skiers were missing while rescuers faced heavy snow and whiteout conditions delaying help.
Lagarde Plans Early ECB Exit
- Christine Lagarde plans to leave the ECB before France's presidential election to give Emmanuel Macron input on her successor.
- Markets will focus on succession and monetary policy implications for months as the process unfolds.
Tourist Flows Shift To Asia
- U.S. travel to Europe is slowing amid economic and geopolitical worries while Chinese and Indian visitors rise.
- Chinese tourists are forecast to jump 28% and Indian visitors by 9%, offsetting the U.S. decline.