Breaking News Today – Wednesday 18 February 2026

Business News Today 

Social Media Addiction Trial Revealing Major Concerns For Parents

One of the notable claims revealed during testimony at the social media addiction trial that began last week in Los Angeles County Superior Court, reveals that social media addition for children has become problematic. The plaintiff in the lawsuit is identified by her initials “KGM” or her first name, “Kaley.” She, along with her mother and others joining the case, is accusing social media companies of creating “addictive and dangerous” products that led the young users to suffer anxiety, depression, body dysmorphia, eating disorders, self-harm, suicidal ideation, and more.

An Internal research study at Meta dubbed “Project MYST” created in partnership with the University of Chicago, found that parental supervision and controls, such as time limits and restricted access, had little impact on kids’ compulsive use of social media. The study also found that kids who experienced stressful life events were more likely to lack the ability to moderate their social media use appropriately.

Nickel Supply Tightens

Indonesia has moved to tighten state control over the world’s largest nickel supply, after years of anticipation that the metal would anchor a homegrown electric-vehicle industry, and just as global demand begins shifting away from heavy reliance on nickel. The move could still ripple through global EV supply chains as the United States and China ramp up competition on critical minerals. Indonesia is the global leader in nickel production with its share increasing to around 60% in 2024 from 31.5% in 2020, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence. This was sparked by former President Joko Widodo who banned raw ore exports, drawing a surge of Chinese-backed investment into refining. African nations produce around 4% of total global nickel by volume as a comparison, putting Indonesia in the centre of the nickel global stage.

South African Bonds Reflect Optimism

The South African 10-year government bond yield eased further to below 8% and settled around 7.91%, nearing lows last recorded in March 2015. This is broadly reflecting investor optimism with the South African Rand strengthened by a commodity up-cycle and ahead of the 2026 government budget release set for next week. The country’s inflation is seen as anchored and fiscal risks are for now contained although high government debt levels remain a concern. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana will outline South Africa’s fiscal strategy when presenting his budget to lawmakers on February 25, with soaring commodity prices expected to generate a windfall from higher-than-anticipated tax revenues despite lower production volumes. Godongwana is also expected to provide further details on measures designed to foster economic growth and encourage investment. Meanwhile, the upcoming inflation data for January will be closely watched for clues on the SARB’s policy path.

CoCoa Prices Cool Further

Cocoa prices continued their slide to trade near $3,400 per tonne, a fresh low since October 2023, reflecting ongoing weak global demand and resulting restocking in key producing countries. Warehouses in Ghana and the Ivory Coast continue to accumulate unsold cocoa beans, even after Ghana cut farmer payouts to encourage supply. At the same time, ICE cocoa inventories rose to a 4.25-month high of 1,942,367 bags on Friday, signaling that more cocoa is available for immediate delivery than is being absorbed by the market. The accumulation of inventories and delays in sales increases the risk of additional pressure on international prices. Meanwhile, the cocoa market continues to face pressure as favorable weather across West Africa has strengthened production forecasts, fueling expectations of abundant supply, with South America also contributing increased output.

Breaking News Shorts:  

• Anthropic has released a new version of its midsized Sonnet model – Sonet 4.6, keeping pace with the company’s four-month update cycle. In a post announcing the new model, Anthropic emphasised improvements in the new version including: coding, instruction-following, and computer use. Anthropic claims Sonet 4.6 as “the world’s most powerful model for coding, agents, and professional work”.
• The Republic of Congo announced yesterday that it would buy back about $354.3 million in principal amount of its 9.875% amortising notes due in 2032, according to a notice on the London Stock Exchange. It gave the purchase price as $947.50 per $1,000 of the principal amount for an aggregate tender consideration of $346.0 million.
• Copper futures rose more than 1% to around $5.7 per pound this morning, rebounding from a more than one-week low as prices stabilised following recent declines amid a stronger US dollar. The greenback remained firm as investors awaited details from the Federal Reserve’s latest policy meeting for clues on the rate outlook. 
• Arabica coffee futures eased to near $2.8 per pound, the lowest since July 2025, pressured by Brazil’s supply fundamentals and the rising dollar. The supply outlook in the leading producer remains solid, with a strong crop expected in the next (2026/27) season, even though some growing areas continue to face irregular weather conditions.

Markets by Numbers 

Currency markets indicate the US dollar strengthening against major currencies today, with the Greenback trading against the Euro at 1.18442 while trading against the Pound at 1.35562 to the US dollar. The Yen is currently trading at 153.58 to the dollar. The rand (ZAR) is currently trading at around R16.00 against the US dollar.

Commodities:  

• Gold futures have gained momentum today, up by around 1% this morning, and currently trading at around $4932.28 per ounce.  
• Copper prices are trending 1.1% higher today, with prices currently around $57.080 per pound
• Silver futures have gained around 0.7% today, and currently trading around $75.587 per ounce.
• Platinum futures are up by around 2.1% this morning, and currently trading at $2061.40, While Palladium prices are surging, up by over 3.6% this morning, and currently trading around $1743.00 per ounce.
• Brent crude oil prices are trending flat today, and currently at $67.59 with WTI trading higher at $62.47
• Cocoa futures have plunged further by over -5% today, and currently trading around $3466 per ton. 
• Coffee futures are currently sliding and down by over -4.2% today, and currently trading at around $2.8375 per pound

Crypto Currencies: 

• Bitcoin prices are trending 0.5% higher today, and trading at around $67844 per coin currently 
• Ether prices are up around 0.3% today, and are currently trading around $1999.34
• $Trumpcoin are currently trading around $3.551

(All prices quoted at approximately 07H20 Central African Time) 

Africa News Briefs:

• A new Gold Rush has sparked fortune-seekers to flock to an informal settlement in Springs, some 50 kilometres east of Johannesburg in South Africa, in the hope of hitting gold.This began about a week ago when a man digging a fence post at this cattle kraal outside of the city claimed to have found gold.The news spread on social media and within days the field was crowded with many hopeful prospectors digging holes in the ground. With gold prices above $5,000 an ounce, even a small amount of the precious metal outweighs the illegality of the diggers actions. A provincial spokesperson has warned that their prospecting is damaging the environment even as the authorities still have to verify claims that gold exists at the site.
• South Africa will deploy army units alongside police within 10 days to tackle rampant crime fuelled by drugs gangs and illegal miners, the police minister announced yesterday. The move marks the latest in a series of measures by government to contain rampant crime in a country with one of the world’s highest murder rates, averaging about 60 killings a day. Army and police chiefs have finalised “the deployment plan which will begin in the next 10 days”, acting police minister Firoz Cachalia told parliament.