(2026-02-18). VP JD Vance says U.S. keeping 'all options on table' in Iran nuclear talks. hindustantimes.com U.S. Vice President JD Vance said he spoke with U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff on Tuesday about ongoing American negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program, following the latest round of indirect talks in Geneva and Oman-mediated channels. He reiterated that Washington's primary red line is preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and warned that while the U.S. prefers a diplomatic resolution, President Donald Trump is keeping "all options on the table," underscoring that military action remains a possibility if diplomacy fails. Watch for more…
(2026-02-18). Iran tempts Trump with 'trillion-dollar' nuclear deal pitch. scmp.com After US and Iranian negotiators agreed on Tuesday to a set of "guiding principles" at their nuclear talks in Geneva mediated by Oman, Tehran went further — framing any eventual deal as a commercial proposition, not just a security arrangement. | Iran is pitching access to its vast energy and mineral reserves as what it has called a "trillion-dollar opportunity" for American firms. In doing so, analysts say Tehran is speaking the language of a US president known for his deal-making…
(2026-02-18). People Turn to Poison Quick. counterpunch.org 
As the Buzzcocks sang in Ever Fallen in Love, "You spurn my natural emotions…" But I'm not talking romance here. I'm talking the spurning of a city's plural identity. Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the billionaire founder of the Ineos chemicals group and co-owner of Manchester United—worth over £17 billion, and reckoned to be the seventh richest
(2026-02-18). Iran FM hails 'new window' in nuclear talks, warns US against military threats. hindustantimes.com Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has urged the United States to immediately halt threats of military force, calling fresh talks in Geneva a "new window of opportunity" in the long-running nuclear dispute. While signaling openness to a negotiated and sustainable resolution, Araqchi warned that Iran is fully prepared to defend itself, stressing that the consequences of any attack would extend beyond its borders.
(2026-02-18). Iran humiliates Trump again? Araghchi drops nuclear deal bombshell before US can even address press. hindustantimes.com Iran's top diplomat Abbas Araghchi has dropped a new statement on the ongoing nuclear negotiations with the United States, reaffirming Tehran's insistence on protecting its nuclear rights while rejecting U.S. pressure and one-sided demands. Araghchi confirmed afater second round of talks that an agreement with the U.S. over "guiding principles" has been established.
(2026-02-18). War-hardliner Bezalel Smotrich won't send his own daughter to IDF as Iran threatens to take revenge. hindustantimes.com As Israel weighs the risk of being dragged into an Iran conflict if US—Iran nuclear talks in Geneva collapse, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich is under fire for saying he would "educate" his own daughter not to serve in the IDF, even as the army pleads for more manpower after years of war. His remarks highlight a long‚Äërunning split in Israel's religious community over women's military service and fuel accusations that powerful politicians play by a different set of rules than frontline soldiers preparing for a possible new war with Iran. Watch for details…
(2026-02-18). JD Vance says Iran talks Tehran still rejects Trump nuclear red lines. haaretz.com
(2026-02-18). Iran: Additional prison sentences against Narges Mohammadi. fidh.org The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a partnership of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), and The condemn the additional prison sentences handed down to human rights defender, writer, and journalist Narges Mohammadi this week, and urges the international community to take concrete steps to protect the safety and psychological well-being of the Nobel Peace Prize laureate to prevent the aggravated (…) | – |
(2026-02-18). Amid destruction, loss, Gaza clings to Ramadan traditions with resilience. aljazeera.com Gaza families struggle to find joy during Ramadan amid war's devastation, financial hardship, and displacement.
(2026-02-18). Australian universities on trial: The Albanese government's "report card" against dissent. wsws.org Labor's immediate aim is to silence opposition to the ongoing genocide in Gaza, but the broader intent is to establish a framework to stifle basic democratic rights, protests and free speech.
(2026-02-18). Over 80 film workers slam Berlin festival's silence on Israel's Gaza war. aljazeera.com Tilda Swinton and Javier Bardem among actors and directors expressing dismay at Berlinale's 'anti-Palestinian racism'.
(2026-02-18). Algorithms and AI have turned Gaza into a Laboratory of Death. juancole.com The Israeli artificial intelligence system known as Lavender…
(2026-02-18). The Ticking Time Bomb Looming Over Gaza, And Other Notes. caitlinjohnstone.com.au ‚ùñ | One under-discussed ticking time bomb is the way Israel keeps saying it's going to resume incinerating Gaza if Hamas doesn't disarm while Hamas keeps saying it won't disarm. Netanyahu's office
(2026-02-18). ICRC president: States must harness momentum to improve Gaza's dire humanitarian situation in next phase of ceasefire. icrc.org The following is a quote attributable to ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric on the urgent need to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
(2026-02-18). Gaza welcomes Ramadan amid fragile 'ceasefire' and fears of renewed war. aljazeera.com Despite displacement, Gaza families strive to create joy this Ramadan, navigating grief, scarcity, and fragile peace.
(2026-02-18). Vatican refuses to participate in the Gaza 'Board of Peace'. albawaba.com ALBAWABA – Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's top diplomat, said the Vatican will not participate in the Gaza "Board of Peace" initiative launched by U.S. President Donald Trump, according to AFP.Parolin said the Vatican "will not participate in the Peace Council because of its unique nature, which is of course different from that of other countries."He added, "One of our concerns is that, at the international level, the United Nations should be the primary body managing these crises. This is one of the points we insist upon."Pope Leo, who's the first American pope, was invited to join the board last month, b…
(2026-02-18). UN panel says Epstein abuses may constitute 'crimes against humanity'. aljazeera.com Experts say newly released documents show the need for an independent investigation into Epstein's sex-trafficking ring.
(2026-02-18). US corporate media slanders anger over Epstein cover-up as "conspiracy theories" wsws.org As millions of Epstein files remain hidden, the US corporate press, including the New York Times and Washington Post, have published articles dismissing documented crimes and cover-ups as "conspiracies" and "antisemitism."
(2026-02-18). UN raises alarm over scale of abuse in Epstein files. geo.tv 
Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, the only former Epstein associate convicted in connection with his activities.— AFP
(2026-02-18). Investigan en Nuevo México el rancho de Epstein: øPor qué no se actuó ante las denuncias? cubadebate.cu A partir de este martes, una comisión legislativa conocida como la Comisión de la Verdad comenzará a sesionar en Nuevo México con el objetivo de esclarecer los hechos ocurridos en la propiedad que perteneció al fallecido Jeffrey Epstein, ubicada en el condado de Santa Fe. El grupo está conformado por cuatro legisladores estatales.
(2026-02-18). Venezuela: Dismantle Repressive Apparatus. hrw.org Click to expand Image | Venezuelan acting President Delcy Rodriguez speaks with her brother, National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez, during a ceremony marking the opening of the new judicial year at the Supreme Tribunal of Justice in Caracas, Venezuela, January 30, 2026. | © 2026 AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos…
(2026-02-18). Venezuela ALBA News, 2.17.2026: Solidarity Campaigns for Cuba; Washington has to Negotiate with the Chavistas; Interview with Venezuela Acting President Delcy Rodriguez. afgj.org 
Nuestraamericaflotilla.org: We are sailing to Cuba, bringing critical humanitarian aid for its people A growing coalition of international organizations, including Progressive International, The People's Forum, CODEPINK, and allied movements across the Americas and beyond is coming together to launch the Nuestra América Flotilla to Cuba in March, 2026, a humanitarian and solidarity mission to the island at…
(2026-02-18). PLA conducts combat readiness patrols in South China Sea. ecns.cn Naval and air forces under the Chinese People's Liberation Army Southern Theater Command carried out a combat readiness patrol in the South China Sea from Sunday to Monday, a spokesperson said on Tuesday.
(2026-02-18). (W.E. Talk) Japanese lawmaker says deeply uneasy about Takaichi staying in power, urges Japan to reaffirm 'no more war' pledge. ecns.cn Shiro Hanatani, a local city councilor from Japan, stated on the " W.E. Talk" program of China News Network that he is concerned that if Sanae Takaichi continues in power, her policies will become increasingly hawkish, and that the Takaichi administration's continued push for military buildup and expansion will further heighten tensions in Asia.
(2026-02-18). Peru impeaches President Jose Jeri over corruption allegations. aljazeera.com Peru's Congress has ousted President Jose Jeri just four months into his term over multiple corruption allegations.
(2026-02-18). Dubai keeps Ramadan tradition alive with daily cannon fire. geo.tv 
Dubai police prepares Ramadan cannons to signal crescent sighting at seven locations across the city. — X@DubaiPoliceHQ
(2026-02-18). (W.E. Talk) Chinese, Japanese experts warn Japan's military buildup could push the country to the brink of danger. ecns.cn Japanese politics continues to show a right-leaning trend, with the government taking frequent actions in the realm of security policy. Speaking on China News Network's "W.E. Talk" program, Chen Yang, a young scholar specializing in Japanese affairs and a visiting research fellow at Liaoning University's Institute of Japan Studies, warned that Japan's recent military buildup has steadily eroded its long-standing "exclusively defense-oriented posture," posing a growing threat to regional security.
(2026-02-18). China upgrades Xiong'an high-tech zone to national level. ecns.cn China's State Council has approved the upgrade of the Hebei Xiong'an high-tech industrial development zone to a national-level high-tech industrial development zone, according to an official statement released on Friday.
(2026-02-18). Iran, Russia to conduct naval drills in Gulf amid US tension. newarab.com 
The The drills, which an Iranian naval commander said are set to practice "counter[ing] activities threatening maritime security and safety", come after Iran's navy held exercises in the Strait of Hormuz, following increased tension with the
(2026-02-18). Kifah Afifi: Palestinian Refugees Will Never Give Up Their Right of Return. counterpunch.org 
Although Israel strives to erase the Palestinian refugees' right of return by dismantling UNRWA, Palestinians will never give up their rights, vows historical Palestinian resistance fighter Kifah Afifi. The Palestinians residing in Lebanon (222,000, according to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees) did not lose their connection to the land they were deprived of, and
(2026-02-18). Quick start for Spring Festival: 'Becoming Chinese' in the Year of the Horse. ecns.cn Lately, "Becoming Chinese" is trending overseas, with a wave of overseas netizens joking that they're living through a "very Chinese time". As the Year of the Horse Spring Festival arrives, Draco Malfoy has unexpectedly gone viral, turning into a festive icon. | Countries like France, Malta, and Belarus have released their Year of the Horse commemorative postage stamps, showing how the Spring Festival is going global.
(2026-02-18). Stephen Colbert says CBS pulled interview with Texas Democratic candidate. aljazeera.com US late-night show host says CBS pulled interview from Monday's broadcast over fears it could violate new FCC guidance.
(2026-02-18). Peru's Congress approves motions to impeach President Jose Jeri. ecns.cn Peru's Congress on Tuesday approved seven censure motions to impeach the country's President Jose Jeri, who must leave office immediately.After announcing the results, acting President of the Congress Fernando Rospigliosi declared the presidency of the Congress vacant."ÄÄ…
(2026-02-18). New report documents France's human rights abuses during New Caledonia unrest. wsws.org Despite its damning exposures, the Human Rights Commission's report will not lessen French colonial domination, sustained for over 170 years by brute military force.
(2026-02-18). Uganda submits bid to host 2031 African Games. independent.co.ug 
KAMPALA, UGANDA | Xinhua | Uganda has submitted a formal bid to the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) to host the 2031 African Games, officials confirmed on Tuesday. "It is the first time we are announcing this, but we submitted a bid late last year and now we have experts in the country to carry …
(2026-02-18). New Zealand parliament members wish Chinese People a happy Year of the Horse. ecns.cn As the Chinese New Year approaches, New Zealand members of Parliament, led by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, delivered their New Year greetings in Chinese, wishing the Chinese people a happy New Year, smooth progress, and the strength to gallop ahead in the Year of the Horse.
(2026-02-18). RFK Jr's AI Gives the US Some Needed Health Advice: What Foods Should I Put Up My Rectum? counterpunch.org 
"Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could that they didn't stop to think if they should." Yes, the United States Department of Health and Human Services has some unique health advice coming from their website-based AI chatbot. A brave individual asked the AI what are the foods that are recommended by
(2026-02-18). Israel's Perilous Death Penalty Bill Also Endangers Diaspora Jews. counterpunch.org The debate over Israel's death penalty bill has reignited the question of whether non-Israeli Jews have a right to weigh in on Israeli social issues. Many Israeli proponents of the legislation routinely dismiss Jews like me in the Diaspora who are against it, based solely on the fact that we do not live in Israel
(2026-02-18). This is What Winning Looks Like. indybay.org We are going to win, this much is clear. Not because love is stronger than hate, not because of our unquenchable passion for freedom, but because our enemies are all dumber than a box of hammers. Maybe even two boxes. Anyone who doubts this need only review the events of the past two weeks.
(2026-02-18). Lawsuit Seeks to Protect Monarchs Under Endangered Species Act. indybay.org Trump Administration Fails to Finalize Overdue Protections for Iconic Butterfly…
(2026-02-18). Kitagwenda Chairperson Out on Bail. plusnews.ug 
Ismail Mushemeza Kambanda, the Kitagwenda District Chairperson, is out on bail after spending time on remand since December 2025 over allegations of fraud. Mushemeza was arrested in December 2025 by officers attached to the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SHACU), working jointly with the Criminal Investigations Directorate and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, on …
(2026-02-18). The Kremlin bans WhatsApp. wsws.org WhatsApp was used by over two thirds of the population. For many, it was the main means of communication with friends and family abroad.
(2026-02-18). Zelensky says Foreign-made parts in Russian strike show West still feeding Putin. hindustantimes.com Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has sharply warned that Russia's latest massive missile and drone strike relied on "thousands" of foreign-made components, including parts originating from companies in the United States, Europe, Japan and other countries, and urged partners to finally block all such supply chains to Moscow's arms industry. He argues this indirect flow of critical electronics and components through third countries means that not only Iran and other obvious suppliers, but also Western economies, are—often unknowingly—helping Vladimir Putin sustain and build his war machine, and ca…
(2026-02-18). Ronda Rousey, Gina Carano end MMA retirements to fight in May. aljazeera.com Rousey will return to MMA for the first time in nearly a decade when she challenges ‚Å Carano on ‚Å May 16 in California.
(2026-02-18). Cambodian PM says Thailand occupying 'deep' territory after ceasefire. aljazeera.com Hun Manet calls for border demarcation and says US President Donald Trump's Board of Peace could 'play a role'.
(2026-02-18). Auto parts workers occupy plants across northern Mexico after 4,000 jobs cut. wsws.org The shutting down of six First Brands' auto-parts maquiladoras has led to plant occupations along with efforts by Morena and its allied union bureaucracy to contain the struggle.
(2026-02-18). Wednesday 5/27: Sacramento Regional Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony on 2026 Memorial Day. indybay.org West Sacramento River Walk | Memorial Plaza…
(2026-02-18). China reports current account surplus in 2025. ecns.cn China's current account recorded a surplus of 734.9 billion U.S.The capital and financial accounts, including net errors and omissions for the fourth quarter, recorded a deficit of 760.2 billion U.S. dollars in 2025.
(2026-02-18). Pay Our Wage Increase! IBT2010 Teamsters CSUSF Strike Rally & Solidarity With Other Unions. indybay.org Over 1,000 CSU building trades workers who are members of IBT Local 2010 launched a 4 day unfair labor strike against the CSU management and Trustees. The strikers rallied in CSUSF.
(2026-02-18). IGG launches new five-year strategy to fight corruption. independent.co.ug 
IGG to decentralize ombudsman role, integrate anti-corruption across government Kampala, Uganda | URN & XINHUA | The Inspectorate of Government (IG) unveiled its five-year strategic plan aimed at embedding anti-corruption measures across government operations. Speaking at the launch in the capital, Kampala, Inspector General of Government Naluzze Aisha Batala said the plan is designed to …
(2026-02-18). 2026 Memorial Day – Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony Honoring US Colored Troops. indybay.org 1,918 United States Colored Troops enlisted from the State of California. Memorial Day initially honored those fallen soldiers during our US Civil War. Together we raise the official Juneteenth Flag and honor all fallen soldiers on the battlefields helping preserve our freedoms.
(2026-02-18). Peru's interim president impeached after 4 months in office. albawaba.com ALBAWABA – Peru's Congress agreed on Tuesday to impeach interim president Jose Jeri, over accusations of hiring women in his government in an unfair way.Jeri, 39, was not only accused of the irregular hiring of several women, but he was also suspected of graft involving a Chinese businessman, AFP reported Tuesday.It is worth noting that the interim president took office last October, replacing Dina Boluarte, who was also impeached following demonstrations against Peru's corruption and a wave of violence linked to organized crime.For the second time in less than six months, Peru's Congress has voted to oust the co…
(2026-02-18). ICRC President: Respect for international humanitarian law preserves pathways back to peace. icrc.org Speech given by Mirjana Spoljaric, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross: Maastricht Die Natalis — Honorary Doctorate Ceremony…
(2026-02-18). Expanding nurses strikes in California and New York raise need for unified struggle. wsws.org The decisive task is the building of independent rank-and-file committees to take control of the struggles from the union bureaucracies and organize a unified fight for safe staffing and public healthcare.
(2026-02-18). Wednesday 2/25: Fighting Modern McCarthyism: Lessons from Yesterday. indybay.org New Valencia Hall, 747 Polk St. San Francisco, 94109…
(2026-02-18). Kivumbi lawyers seek independent probe into murder charges. independent.co.ug 
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The legal team of Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, the Butambala County Member of Parliament, has asked the court to order an independent investigation into the murder charges leveled against their client. Kivumbi's lawyers, led by Medard Lubega Ssegona, requested that the court compel the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions …
(2026-02-18). France arrests nine over killing of far-right activist Quentin Deranque. aljazeera.com Quentin Deranque, 23, was beaten to death by far-left activists in France's Lyon last week.
(2026-02-18). Bangladesh at the Crossroads: Elections and the Future of the World's Eight Largest Country. counterpunch.org 
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) won a sweeping victory in the 12 February 2026 elections, securing 212 of 300 parliamentary seats. This victory represents not merely a change of government. It is the culmination of a political process that began not with the spontaneous anger of students on the streets of Dhaka in 2024, but
(2026-02-18). Germany's Merz chides standing ovation for Rubio at Munich Security Conference. scmp.com German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed irritation over the standing ovation for US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Munich Security Conference. | "I wasn't in the hall and even if I had been, I would have found it difficult to stand up," Merz said on the political podcast Machtwechsel ("change of power"), which is due to be released on Wednesday.
(2026-02-18). Saudi Arabia weighs Turkish KAAN jet as leverage amid F-35 uncertainty | Trump. hindustantimes.com Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is reportedly weighing a potential fighter jet deal with Turkey, a move that could recalibrate Riyadh's long-standing defense dependence on Washington. Ankara's fifth-generation KAAN jet, developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries, is said to be under serious consideration as Saudi Arabia keeps its procurement options open amid uncertainty over a U.S. F-35 package. Analysts suggest Riyadh's outreach to Ankara may be less about replacing the U.S. and more about leverage—pressuring Washington for deeper technology transfer, co-production, and a more favorable F-35 arrange…
(2026-02-18). Mystery deepens over MBZ's health as foreign visits get abruptly cancelled | UAE. hindustantimes.com Questions are swirling over the whereabouts and health of Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan after two high-profile visits were abruptly cancelled within 24 hours. Recep Tayyip Erdogan cited a "health problem" while postponing his trip and later deleted a message wishing MBZ a speedy recovery. Kyriakos Mitsotakis also cancelled his visit, opting instead for a phone call. The Emirates News Agency released a routine readout with no mention of health concerns. In the absence of official clarification, social media has been flooded with unverified speculation, including claims of internal rivalry involving Tahnoun bin Zayed…
(2026-02-18). China wins speed skating men's team pursuit bronze at Milan-Cortina Games. ecns.cn Unity and shared determination proved decisive as China claimed a breakthrough bronze medal in the men's speed skating team pursuit at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, Chinese skaters told Xinhua on Tuesday.
(2026-02-18). Nine skiers missing, 6 trapped after north California mountains avalanche. aljazeera.com Rescuers battle blizzard to save six skiers found trapped after avalanche in the Sierra Nevada mountains in western US.
(2026-02-18). The Apocalyptic President: The Personification of an Imperial Power (and Planet) in Decline. juancole.com ( And yet here we are, not once (yes, all of us can make a…
(2026-02-18). Sick 2-month-old baby deported after falling ill in south Texas ICE concentration camp. wsws.org Juan Nicolás, two months old, was sent back to the Dilley family detention center before being deported despite suffering from a severe illness.
(2026-02-18). Quick Start for Spring Festival: Year of the Horse. ecns.cn "Becoming Chinese" is trending worldwide, with overseas netizens joking about living in a "very Chinese moment."
(2026-02-18). Police arrest man with shotgun running towards US Capitol building. aljazeera.com The suspect, identified as Carter Camacho from the US state of Georgia, was wearing a tactical vest and gloves.
(2026-02-18). Christians, Muslims commence fasting on the same day in 2026. independent.co.ug 
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | In a coincidence of calendars, Christians and Muslims around the world will commence their respective periods of fasting on the same day this year. For Christians, Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 18, a date determined by the ecclesiastical calendar and linked to the timing of Easter. In the …
(2026-02-18). New York nurses in "uprising" against union boss's attempts to sabotage strike. wsws.org NYSNA president Nancy Hagans, a member of Mayor Mamdani's transition team, is facing calls for resignation after conspiring to shut down the nurses' strike.
(2026-02-18). Thursday 2/19: Tell Target to STAND UP TO ICE! indybay.org Metreon Target: 789 Mission Street. Meet on the sidewalk by the Mission Street entrance.
(2026-02-18). Video: Over 80 UN states condemn Israeli measures in occupied West Bank. aljazeera.com More than 80 UN nation ambassadors have condemned Israeli measures to tighten its control of the occupied West Bank.
(2026-02-18). 'Net-zero' is not affordable by the 6 billion living in poverty. onlineopinion.com.au Shockingly, 80% of the 8 billion on planet Earth, or more than 6 billion, are living on less than $10/day.
(2026-02-18). Rubio, Orban seal US-Hungary civil nuclear cooperation deal in Budapest. hindustantimes.com U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban participated in a joint press conference and a signing ceremony for the U.S.-Hungary Intergovernmental Agreement on Civil Nuclear Cooperation. Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó was also present during the event in Budapest, Hungary, on February 16, 2026. Watch for more details…
(2026-02-18). Xi sends congratulatory message to 39th African Union Summit. ecns.cn Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday sent a congratulatory message to Joao Lourenco, rotating African Union (AU) chairperson and Angolan president, and Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, chairperson of the AU Commission, extending warm congratulations to African countries and people over the 39th AU Summit.
(2026-02-18). BP Whiting workers denounce USW betrayal, call for national strike to defend jobs. wsws.org Refinery workers at BP Whiting speak out against the isolation of their facility's contract by the USW.
(2026-02-18). Comicomment: One step from the fall. ecns.cn Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi recently stated on a television program that she is "trying to create an environment" to visit the notorious Yasukuni Shrine, a site that commemorates 14 convicted Class-A war criminals from WWII. This alarming rhetoric reveals not only a disregard for historical justice but also the intentions of Japan's right wing to revive a militarist past.
(2026-02-18). Erdogan warns against foreign interference in Horn of Africa during Ethiopia visit. albawaba.com ALBAWABA- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has cautioned against foreign interference in the Horn of Africa, warning that external involvement risks turning the region into a battleground for competing powers. Speaking at a joint press conference in Addis Ababa alongside Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Erdogan criticized Israel's recognition of Somaliland, saying the move would serve neither Somaliland's interests nor those of the broader region."We believe countries in the region should work on solutions to their problems," Erdogan said, stressing the need for dialogue and regional ownership of securi…
(2026-02-18). Tax Billionaires Demo at Palo Alto Tesla. indybay.org Celebrating an entire year of protesting at Tesla locations in Palo Alto.
(2026-02-18). Spring festival gala highlights China's tech ambitions via robotics showcase. ecns.cn The Year of the Horse's Spring Festival Gala, the world's most-watched television event, has delivered a powerful statement: China's technological spotlight has decisively shifted to robotics.
(2026-02-18). Precarious Work, Precarious Care: Income Instability and Interruptions in Health Care Access. counterpunch.org 
Access to health care is one of the key indicators of workers' well-being, but monthly volatile income may undermine the continuity and affordability of care access. With the rise of precarious employment over the past few decades, it is not uncommon for employers to be reluctant to offer health insurance or other benefits. Further, workers
(2026-02-18). South Australian nurses to strike at Adelaide hospital over Labor government wage cuts. wsws.org The 20,000 nurses and midwives across the state want to fight further wage cuts and dire conditions but the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation is working to isolate their struggles to individual hospitals.
(2026-02-18). Philippine VP Sara Duterte announces 2028 presidential bid. ecns.cn Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte announced on Wednesday that she will bid for the presidency in 2028. Duterte formally confirmed her plans to seek the country's highest post at a press conference, the first to make public plans to run for president of the Philippines.
(2026-02-18). INTERNSHIP AT THE BUSINESS, HUMAN RIGHTS AND ENVIRONMENT DESK – 6 MONTHS. fidh.org The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) is an NGO that brings together nearly 200 civil society organisations around the world. Founded in 1922, it is committed to defending fundamental freedoms and the universality of the rights defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Independent of any government and recognised for its expertise, FIDH works to strengthen mechanisms for the protection of human rights and defenders through advocacy campaigns, investigations into (…) | – |
(2026-02-18). Teachers union bureaucrat falsely claims to support a "general strike," while insisting school workers "Obey Now, Grieve Later" wsws.org An NEA bureaucrat defends the union's anti-strike injunctions to teachers during national walkouts against ICE with the phony claim that the union supports a general strike in 2028.
(2026-02-18). Zelensky says Trump's peace demands focused only on Ukraine 'not fair'. scmp.com Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said US President Donald Trump was exerting ‚Å undue pressure on him in ‚Å trying to secure a resolution to ‚Å the nearly four-year-old war pitting Kyiv against Moscow. | Zelensky, in an interview with US website Axios published on Tuesday, also said any plan requiring Ukraine to give up territory that Russia had not captured in the eastern Donbas region would be rejected by Ukrainians ‚Äåif put to a referendum.
(2026-02-18). U.S. strikes three suspected narco vessels in Pacific, 11 reported killed. albawaba.com ALBAWABA- The United States military has carried out three lethal strikes on vessels it says were involved in drug smuggling operations in the Eastern Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, killing 11 people, U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) announced on Tuesday. Two of the strikes occurred in the Eastern Pacific, where four people were killed in each attack, and the third in the Caribbean resulted in three deaths. SOUTHCOM said intelligence indicated the vessels were transiting known narcotics trafficking routes and were operated by groups it has designated as terrorist organizations, but provided no independent v…
(2026-02-18). (W.E. Talk) Japan should reflect on history and repair relations with China: experts. ecns.cn Japan's House of Representatives election results announced on Feb. 9 delivered victory for the ruling bloc. The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) secured 316 seats, surpassing the two-thirds threshold on its own, while the ruling coalition with Nippon Ishin no Kai expanded the ruling majority to 352 seats. Incumbent Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is widely expected to secure re-election as prime minister when the parliament convenes on Feb. 18.
(2026-02-18). PNG one step away from blacklist, warns global money laundering watchdog. asiapacificreport.nz By Kaya Selby, RNZ Pacific journalist Papua New Guinea is under a close watch for money laundering, running a risk of being abandoned by global investors. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has placed PNG on its "grey list" due to "strategic deficiencies" in government oversight. The grey-list means that watchdog officials are monitoring closely,…
(2026-02-18). Chinese and Indian tourists to boost Europe's travel market amid US slowdown. scmp.com Chinese and Indian tourists are set to make up for a potential slowdown in growth from US travellers to Europe this year, according to a survey published on ‚ÄåWednesday by the European Travel Commission, with international arrivals to the continent set to rise by 6.2 per cent. | This is the first sign of a slowdown in…
(2026-02-18). Fake escort services and Day cards: Israeli-owned Intellexa spyware targets and exploits journalists in Angola. haaretz.com An investigation reveals that the Israeli-owned Intellexa spyware was used to hack the head of Angola's journalists union as he was fighting the regime's surveillance of reporters. Fake news sites mimicking Angolan media were part of a broader campaign, Amnesty finds…
(2026-02-18). Updates: Israel steps up attacks, land takeover across occupied West Bank. aljazeera.com Ramped-up raids, violent settler attacks and bulldozed homes – Israel escalates its assault on the occupied West Bank.
(2026-02-18). Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao to face Ruslan Provodnikov in April. aljazeera.com Eight-division ‚Å world champion Pacquiao will face former junior welterweight world ‚Å champion ‚Å Provodnikov on April 18.
(2026-02-18). Mexico to keep Cuba aid flowing, pauses fuel as Sheinbaum slams US sanctions. hindustantimes.com Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum has confirmed that her government will keep sending humanitarian aid to Cuba — including food and other essential supplies — but will not provide fuel "for now," even as U.S. tariffs tighten on countries selling oil to the island and deepen Cuba's ongoing economic and services crisis. She has condemned Washington's reinforced sanctions, reiterated Mexico's opposition to such economic measures in the name of "cooperative solidarity," and simultaneously signaled a non‚Äëinterventionist line by saying Mexico will likely only send its UN ambassador as a…
(2026-02-18). The Apocalyptic President. counterpunch.org 
Once upon a time, if you had described Donald Trump's America to me (the second time around), I would have thought you mad as Alice in Wonderland's proverbial hatter — or, if you were a fiction writer, I would have considered your plot so ludicrous that, after reading a few pages, I would undoubtedly have tossed your
(2026-02-18). Monday 3/2: Crossing State Lines for Abortion Access: Short Films and Panel Discussion. indybay.org Roxie Theater, 3117 16th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103…
(2026-02-18). Social Security Administration tells callers that suicide is an option. indybay.org The Social Security Administration Has Been Telling Callers Recently Who Have Been Expressing Suicidal Thoughts, That Suicide Is An Option.
(2026-02-18). Sentimental Value: We will have to take their word for it. wsws.org The movie has been nominated for nine Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best International Feature Film.
(2026-02-18). Global pressure does little to stop Israel's anti-Palestinian policies. aljazeera.com Many Israelis see condemnation as evidence of anti-Semitism, rather than a verdict on their government's actions.
(2026-02-18). Philippines: Caring for conflict-affected people. icrc.org Facts and figures from January to December 2025…
(2026-02-18). Friday 2/20: 2026 Folsom Black History Month Celebration – From Negroland to Negro Bar, Alta California. indybay.org Folsom Community Center | 52 Natoma Street | Folsom, California…
(2026-02-18). Upcoming Meetings to Resist Service Cutback and Homeless Sweeps. indybay.org Four meetings are planned in the next week to inform and mobilize folks in the wake of unwise and abusive decisions to cut back services for those outside and increase sweeps that seize their property, endanger their health, and terrorize their communities.
(2026-02-18). Iran, war, and the illusion of control. onlineopinion.com.au Bombing Iran will not topple the regime. It will ignite the Gulf, spike global energy prices, and harden Tehran's resolve. Diplomacy, not decapitation, offers stability.
(2026-02-18). Misplaced Mourning: Farewelling the CIA World Factbook. counterpunch.org For those with a sense of humour, consulting alleged facts compiled by an agency specialising in subterfuge, subversion, deception and plain mendacity must surely have been a delightful exercise. That delightful exercise would seem to have concluded earlier this month with an announcement by the US Central Intelligence Agency that it would no longer be publishing its
(2026-02-18). Too much attention? Why coverage of Israel and Palestine dominates global media. haaretz.com Even without the human headline-generator of UN Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, the volume of published news on Israel and Palestine dwarfs other conflicts. Why is this — and will it ever end?
(2026-02-18). Xi sends Chinese New Year card in return to friends in U.S. state of Iowa. ecns.cn Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday replied to friends in the U.S. state of Iowa and sent them a Chinese New Year card extending his festive wishes, saying that regardless of how the situation evolves, the desire of the Chinese and American peoples for exchanges and cooperation will not change.
(2026-02-18). Xi Story: Celebrating Spring Festival with the people. ecns.cn On the first day of the Chinese New Year, the festive atmosphere in central Beijing rises to a new pitch.
(2026-02-18). Philippine VP Sara Duterte announces run for president in 2028. aljazeera.com Announcement follows multiple impeachment complaints against the vice president over allegations of corruption.
(2026-02-18). Show trial in Hungary: German anti-fascist Maja T. sentenced to 8 years in prison. wsws.org The case of Maja T. exemplifies how neo-Nazis, the right-wing extremist Hungarian government of Viktor Orbán, the compliant Hungarian judiciary, the Trump administration and German authorities, courts, media and politicians are working closely together to persecute anti-fascists and leftists and eliminate democratic rights.
(2026-02-18). How Leftist Male Supremacy Birthed the Women's Movement. counterpunch.org 
The women's movement sprang into the world from 1960s and 1970s leftism, a leftism that was, not to put too fine a point on it, blatantly male supremacist. Men on the left back then generally regarded women's liberation as bourgeois feminism — they were wrong, but seeing what's happened with contemporary identity politics, their leeriness was perhaps, only perhaps, prophetic. Putting that issue aside, however, leftist men at that time were, for the most part, horribly sexist, as activist and well-known Yippie Nancy Kurshan, who lived for years with the even more famous Yippie Jerry Rubin, makes clear in her…
(2026-02-18). Saturday 2/28: Community Teach-In about Hindutva and Zionism. indybay.org First Unitarian Church of San José | 160 North 3rd Street | San José, CA 95112…
(2026-02-18). 'Quid pro quo': How Indian firms fund parties whose governments help them. aljazeera.com
(2026-02-18). Unlocking Chinese Cities | Kiln fires of 'Capital of Porcelain' ignite the dreams of ceramic artists worldwide. ecns.cn The kiln fires of Jingdezhen, known as the "Capital of Porcelain," produce delicate china cups, plates and bowls for everyday use, as well as exquisite artistic ceramics. | Since the Song Dynasty, Jingdezhen porcelain has crossed oceans to reach more than 120 countries, serving as a messenger of cultural exchange.
(2026-02-18). Sunday 3/8: Corte Madera: Brave Women for a Free America – March & Rally Against Fascism. indybay.org Corte Madera Town Park | 498 Tamalpais Drive | Corte Madera, CA, 94925…
(2026-02-18). Shekel climbs, profits drop: next for Israeli exporters if Bank of Israel stays idle? haaretz.com Israeli manufacturers are worried the strong shekel is hurting exports, shrinking profits and pushing companies to move abroad, as exports could fall by $10 billion and the government could lose over $3 billion in taxes. The central bank is holding off to avoid triggering inflation…
(2026-02-18). Retired Street Artist Renews Call To Declare Graffiti War On Billionaire Backed Bilal. indybay.org Supervisor Bilal Mahmood has used city resources to speed up buffing graffiti holding him accountable for harm to working class and poor people.
(2026-02-18). Team China stays resilient after a disappointing night. ecns.cn Chinese short-track speed skater Liu Shaoang competes in the men's 1,500m Final A at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on Saturday."It was a regret tonight that we got blocked and then taken down when we were gaining on fast," a calm Liu said of the crash after the 1,500m Final A.
(2026-02-18). US murders 11 people with airstrikes on boats in both Caribbean and Pacific. wsws.org The US military killed 11 people Monday in strikes on three boats in the eastern Pacific and Caribbean Sea, in the deadliest single day of the Trump administration's killing spree off the Latin American coast since September.
(2026-02-18). A Worker-Led Alternative to Billionaire-Owned News in DC. counterpunch.org 
The Washington Post's decision — at the behest of billionaire Jeff Bezos — to fire, according to some estimates, over 40 percent of the newsroom is devastating for journalism and the DC area. Despite its storied history and name recognition,…
(2026-02-18). A quarter century of impact: CCBU's journey of growing with Uganda. independent.co.ug 
OPINION | EMMY HASHAKIMANA | On 3 April 2025, Coca-Cola Beverages Uganda (CCBU) celebrates 25 years of refreshing Uganda. This milestone is a moment of pride and gratitude as we reflect on our journey and how deeply it is woven into the fabric of the country we call home. When CCBU, a company in the Coca-Cola …
(2026-02-18). Left Voice: An accomplice of labor bureaucracy in Minneapolis. wsws.org Over the past month, as Minneapolis became the epicenter of an explosive confrontation between the working class and the Trump administration's authoritarian offensive, Left Voice provided a revealing case study in the role of the political pseudo-left.
(2026-02-18). Roofless Ramadan: Morocco's flood-displaced families in limbo. newarab.com 
(2026-02-18). (W.E. Talk) Expert: Repairing China-Japan ties after election a test for Tokyo's diplomacy. ecns.cn Domestically, the long-term economic stagnation, rising prices, and depreciation of the yen have created a compounded negative effect. On the international front, issues such as how to repair China-Japan relations and maintain the stability in the Japan-U.S. alliance have become unavoidable challenges for the Japanese government.
(2026-02-18). Sunday 3/1: Boycott Chevron Picket. indybay.org Chevron Corporate Station | 5500 Telegraph Ave, Oakland | (Telegraph at 55th)…
(2026-02-18). Sunday 2/22: Comic Revolutionary Cabaret at Berkeley Unitarian Hall. indybay.org 1924 Cedar Street at Bonita…
(2026-02-18). Kobebe Dam Dries Up Again, Over 50,000 Cattle Left Without Water in Moroto. plusnews.ug 
The Kobebe dam in Lotisan sub-county, Moroto district, has suddenly dried up again due to siltation, leaving over 50,000 cattle without access to water. The dam, constructed in 2010 by the Ministry of Water and Environment for 6.7 billion Shillings, had been a vital lifeline for local herdsmen and was already struggling to cope with …
(2026-02-18). How police chief changed his tune on in Arab communities. haaretz.com Amid a surge in homicides since the start of the year, Police Commissioner Danny Levy made an unusual statement this week, claiming that various factors are hampering the force's ability to tackle violence in Arab society. His assertions, however, are at odds with the facts…
(2026-02-18). Khamenei taunts Trump, warns Iran can sink US warships, strike Gulf bases. hindustantimes.com Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has delivered a combative warning to Washington, mocking claims by Donald Trump that the U.S. commands the world's strongest military. Khamenei suggested even the most powerful force could be "slapped" into collapse, asserting that Iran possesses weapons capable of sending hostile warships "deep under the sea." The rhetoric comes amid claims of a rapidly expanding Iranian missile arsenal—reportedly exceeding 3,000 projectiles with ranges up to 3,000 km—placing U.S. bases and naval assets across the Gulf within striking distance.
(2026-02-18). UNEB Asks Kotido Pupils to Defend PLE Performance Amid Withheld Results. plusnews.ug 
Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has asked candidates from Kotido Army Primary School in Kotido Municipality to appear and defend their performance in the 2025 Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE). The examining body withheld results for 45 candidates on suspicion of external assistance during the exams, while only 17 pupils received their results. In a letter …
(2026-02-18). Israeli elections panel allows lawyers with ties to ruling Likud party to vie for adviser post. haaretz.com By law, committee members must have no personal or business affiliation with a political party. Nonetheless, Haaretz has learned that one of the candidates is Guy Busi, an attorney who represented Likud Minister Amihai Chikli in the High Court and defended Netanyahu on Channel 14 panels…
(2026-02-18). Comicomment: Backward road, dead end. ecns.cn Following the recent election, Japanese Prime Minister and Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Sanae Takaichi swiftly signaled her intention to accelerate constitutional revision, stating that she would "create an environment in which a national referendum on revising the constitution can be held as soon as possible."
(2026-02-18). Tesla Demonstrators Say "Tech Lords Betrayed America" indybay.org On the one year anniversary of weekly protests outside Tesla showrooms nationwide (with a few international locations as well) protesters in Palo Alto were not shy.
(2026-02-18). When Cruelty Seems Like a Joke. counterpunch.org I felt a familiar chill reading reports last week that ICE agents in Colorado have been leaving "death cards"—Ace of Spades cards custom-printed with the words "ICE/Denver Field Office"—in the vehicles of immigrants they have detained. The gesture is theatrical and unmistakably deliberate. It's not just that these cards recall the actions of American GIs
(2026-02-18). Fiji's president warns against sowing 'seeds of fear' ahead of elections. asiapacificreport.nz By Koroi Hawkins, RNZ Pacific editor Fiji President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu has urged legislators not to sow seeds of "fear and division" as the country moves towards a general election later this year. Speaking at the opening of the fourth and final session of Parliament before the polls, Ratu Naiqama called on political leaders and…
(2026-02-18). Saturday 2/21: ICE Out of the Bay! Organizing Meeting. indybay.org Oakland Public Library, César Chávez Branch | 3301 E 12th St, Oakland, CA | (near Fruitvale BART)…
(2026-02-18). Friday 2/20: Fight for a Free Palestine! Rally and March. indybay.org St. James Park, corner of 1st St & E St. John St, San Jose…
(2026-02-18). 'Tug of war': Democrats push Trump to release New York City tunnel funds. aljazeera.com New York Governor Kathy Hochul said the $77m released Tuesday falls short of the amount owed for the transport project.
(2026-02-18). Was Netanyahu diagnosed with blood cancer. albawaba.com 
ALBAWABA – Social media platforms are buzzing with reports claiming that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was diagnosed with blood cancer and that his health is deteriorating.Several people online shared a picture of Netanyahu and wrote, "BREAKING: Israeli PM Netanyahu is facing a critical health condition, he has blood cancer, diagnosed yesterday." Many others added that the Israeli PM was not only diagnosed with blood cancer, but also stage 3 prostate cancer.One of…
(2026-02-18). Saturday 2/21: Make Billionaires PAY! indybay.org corner of Forest Ave & Monroe St | Valley Fair Mall…
(2026-02-18). Map of California Factory Farms Exposes Hidden Supply Chains Behind "Humane" Labels. indybay.org The first-of-its-kind map at FactoryFarmWatch.org is the most comprehensive single source of information on CA's 1300+ industrial animal farms…
(2026-02-18). US to change colors of Trump's Air Force One planes. albawaba.com ALBAWABA – The U.S. Air Force will adopt a new paint scheme for its executive fleet, including the next-generation presidential aircraft, using red, white, gold, and dark blue.The new design departs from the traditional white and blue color scheme adopted since the presidency of John F. Kennedy and incorporates elements from a previous proposal by President Donald Trump that also included red, white, gold and dark blue.That proposal was scrapped in 2022 after the Air Force concluded that using darker colors could cause overheating issues.USA Today reported that the new colors will be applied to the VC-25B – the m…
(2026-02-18). Immigration attorney Eric Lee warns ICE mass detention is spearhead for dictatorship in MS Now interview. wsws.org Appearing on MS Now, Lee exposed the brutal conditions facing detained immigrants, many of them children, and warned that the rapid expansion of ICE internment camps is a threat to all workers and their families.
(2026-02-18). China to grant zero-tariff treatment to 53 African countries. ecns.cn China will grant zero-tariff treatment to 53 African countries that have diplomatic relations with China starting from May 1, 2026, CCTV reported on Saturday.
(2026-02-18). Working Together to Respect Human Rights and Humanitarian Law. icrc.org This speech was delivered by Megan Rock, Head of the ICRC's Regional Delegation in the Pacific, at the Commonwealth Law Minister's Meeting on 11 February 2026 in Nadi, Fiji…
(2026-02-18). Xi extends Chinese New Year greetings to ring in Year of Horse. ecns.cn Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivers a speech at a reception to usher in the Chinese New Year at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 14, 2026.
(2026-02-18). Friday 2/27: Anera Interfaith Iftar. indybay.org Amoura Restaurant 713 Linden Ave South San Francisco, CA 94080…
(2026-02-18). With its Togg EV, Türkiye emerges as 4th Biggest European Electric Car Market. juancole.com Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) — Türkiye has become an ordinary European country when it comes to electric car and hybrid sales. In fact, it is the fourth largest market for EVs in geographical Europe, after France, Germany and the UK! Although it is a relatively wealthy G20 country by overall GDP, because of its large population of 87 million, its nominal per capita GDP is only about $18,000 per year, putting it below Romania and Greece. So it comes as a surprise that Turks are buying EVs at rates substantially higher than do Romanians or Greeks. | New car and light commercial vehicle purchases came to 1…
(2026-02-18). Senegal Arrests 12 Men Using Punitive Anti-LGBT Laws. hrw.org Click to expand Image | Dakar, Senegal, March 21, 2024. | © 2024 Mosa'ab Elshamy/AP Photo | The recent detention of 12 men in Senegal using homophobic laws have intensified concerns over the country's criminalization of same-sex relations and the safety of people living with HIV and/or AIDS.On February 9, gendarmes in Dakar arrested 12 men on various charges, including "acts against nature" and the alleged intentional transmission of HIV. The men could face up to five years in prison, with fines of 100,000 to 1,500,000 CFA (about US$180 to 2,700) for alleged same sex conduct, as well as up to ten years in…
(2026-02-18). Soroti's Youth Livelihood Funds: Millions Given, Little Returned. plusnews.ug 
Soroti District has received nearly UGX 990 million under the Youth Livelihood Programme since 2014. But twelve years later, only 25 percent of the funds have been recovered, several youth projects have collapsed, and youth unemployment remains high — raising questions about whether the programme has truly delivered on its promise of economic empowerment. The …
(2026-02-18). Explained | Deserters and dodgers: What led to a violent Haredi riot this week in Israel? haaretz.com Mass demonstrations over military conscription have grown more frequent as the government seeks to advance legislation on exemptions, turning the issue into a flashpoint in Israeli society as the country approaches a general election later this year…
(2026-02-18). UKMTO warns of suspicious skiff activity near the Gulf of Aden. albawaba.com ALBAWABA- The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) issued a security alert on Monday after a merchant vessel reported suspicious activity approximately 70 nautical miles southwest of Aden, Yemen, in the Gulf of Aden.According to the advisory, the vessel was approached and hailed by a white skiff carrying five individuals, followed by the presence of two additional skiffs in the area. An exchange involving warning shots was reported, though authorities clarified that no weapons were directly aimed at the merchant ship. The incident was subsequently classified as "suspicious activity," with no casualtie…
(2026-02-18). ICRC response in northern Syria: Operational update. icrc.org
(2026-02-18). Egypt: Expansion of summoning human rights defenders and imposing high financial bail to silence independent voices. fidh.org
(2026-02-18). Mexico: Investigative files crucial to tracing missing people. icrc.org
(2026-02-18). DR Congo: As more people are wounded in South Kivu violence, they struggle to get treatment. icrc.org
(2026-02-18). Oman: ICRC and Ministry of Defense Conclude Advanced IHL Training. icrc.org
(2026-02-18). Ethiopia: "We can finally stop worrying about our next meal" — conflict-affected farmers in North Wollo, Amhara. icrc.org
(2026-02-18). From sham to scam: Overview of the 2025-2026 fraudulent election in Myanmar. fidh.org
(2026-02-18). Modi Govt Reaches Out to Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh, Signals Thaw in Bilateral Ties. coastaldigest.com
(2026-02-18). Mangaluru | Arogya Bhavan Plan Dropped; Health Dept to Shift to Praja Soudha's 3rd Floor. coastaldigest.com
(2026-02-18). ICRC President Urges Renewed Commitment to Laws of War at Westminster. icrc.org
(2026-02-18). Srinivas Group of Institutions Founder Dr CA A Raghavendra Rao Passes Away at 88. coastaldigest.com
(2026-02-18). Ethiopia revokes Reuters journalists' accreditation following investigative report. CPJ Staff
(2026-02-18). Philippine journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio denied bail, to remain in prison after 6 years. CPJ Staff
(2026-02-18). Advancing towards a Convention on the prevention and punishment of crimes against humanity. fidh.org
(2026-02-18). China: High-Level Dialogue Examines Middle East Crisis and International Cooperation. icrc.org
(2026-02-18). CPJ nominates Philippine journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio for UNESCO's Guillermo Cano Prize. CPJ Staff
(2026-02-18). AI Summit | Uttar Pradesh University Displays Chinese Robot as Own, Clarifies After Row. coastaldigest.com
(2026-02-18). A childhood interrupted: How weapon contamination disrupts education in Iraq. icrc.org
(2026-02-18). The ICRC appeals for 1.8 billion Swiss francs for its operations in 2026. icrc.org
(2026-02-18). South Sudan: Civilians pay a high price, as conflict intensifies. icrc.org
(2026-02-18). China: Briefing for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization on principled humanitarian action. icrc.org
(2026-02-18). ICRC president elected to a second term. icrc.org
(2026-02-18). Bangladesh launches first-ever Junior Amputee Football Programme, empowering young athletes through sport. icrc.org
(2026-02-18). Israel and the occupied territories: Release and transfer operations under ceasefire agreement completed. icrc.org
(2026-02-18). Russia: Alarming arbitrary arrest, detention and judicial harassment of Ms Daria Egereva, indigenous peoples' rights defender. fidh.org
(2026-02-18). Afghanistan: Operational facts and figures, January to December 2025. icrc.org
(2026-02-18). Urgent call to the African Union Heads of State to address deteriorating rule of law and democracy in Africa. fidh.org
(2026-02-18). Bosnia and Herzegovina: Families of the missing still seek answers. icrc.org
(2026-02-18). Senegalese news commentator arrested, accused of spreading false news. seneweb.com
(2026-02-18). Turkey: Lengthy prison sentences imposed on ÖHD lawyers and TUAD members for lawful professional and human rights work. fidh.org
(2026-02-18). Ramadan 2026: Coastal Karnataka to Begin Fasting on Feb 19. coastaldigest.com
(2026-02-18). Kazakhstan: Judicial harassment against journalist Gulnara Bazhkenova and disbarment of her lawyer, Murat Adam. fidh.org
(2026-02-18). Cambodian journalist Luot Sophal detained over military water shortage report. CPJ Staff
(2026-02-18). Yemen: ICRC's humanitarian impact in 2025, a year of deepening crisis. icrc.org
(2026-02-18). The Global International Humanitarian Law Initiative to hold a High-level Conference on Humanity in War in Jordan in 2026. icrc.org
(2026-02-18). China: Incommunicado detention and possible sentencing of Ms Zhang Yadi, young defender of Tibetan rights. fidh.org
(2026-02-18). More Than a Competition: The Journey of Uganda's IHL Moot Court Winners. icrc.org
(2026-02-18). Serbia: Further progress needed to clarify the fate of the missing. icrc.org
(2026-02-18). Somalia: One year on, families reeling from conflict in Puntland. icrc.org
(2026-02-18). Sheinbaum se reúne con ministro canadiense para reforzar la inversión y el comercio bilateral. cubadebate.cu Claudia Sheinbaum, sostuvo un encuentro privado en Palacio Nacional con una delegación oficial y empresarial de Canadá, encabezada por el ministro de Comercio y Asuntos Intergubernamentales, Dominic LeBlanc. El objetivo del diálogo fue profundizar los lazos comerciales y fomentar una mayor inversión canadiense en territorio mexicano.
(2026-02-18). Donativo de México se distribuye en tres provincias cubanas e Isla de la Juventud. radiohc.cu El Ministerio del Comercio Interior (Mincin), de Cuba, informó desde sus redes sociales que este martes comenzó la distribución del donativo de alimentos y productos de aseo enviado por el Gobierno de México, recibido recientemente en la capital. | La ayuda beneficiará a residentes de las provincias occidentales de Artemisa, La Habana, Mayabeque y el municipio especial Isla de la Juventud, con prioridad para niños de 0 a 13 años, adultos mayores de 65, embarazadas y menores con bajo peso y talla. | Precisó la entidad que también se atenderán núcleos familiares en situación de vulnerabilidad en La Habana y Mayabeq…
(2026-02-18). Presidente Díaz-Canel dialogó con líder de Patria Grande de Argentina. radiohc.cu El primer secretario del Comité Central del Partido Comunista de Cuba (PCC) y presidente de la República, Miguel Díaz-Canel recibió al compañero Juan Grabois, líder de Patria Grande de Argentina, con quien sostuvo un diálogo fraterno. | Durante el encuentro sostenido con el dirigente argentino en el Palacio de la Revolución, el mandatario agradeció su solidaridad con el pueblo y con el PCC y reafirmó ´los lazos históricos que unen a la Revolución cubana y al movimiento popular argentino ª. | Díaz-Canel destacó el significado de la visita en un contexto internacional particularmente complejo.Te reconoce…
(2026-02-18). Cuba continúa priorizando el enfrentamiento a las drogas. radiohc.cu Autoridades encargadas de la prevención y enfrentamiento a las drogas en Cuba ratificaron este martes el deber sagrado del país con la salud y bienestar de su población y la humanidad ante el tráfico de drogas, contemplado en la política de tolerancia cero a la proliferación de ese flagelo. | La titular del Ministerio de Justicia (Minjus), Rosabel Gamón Verde, señaló en conferencia de prensa que la lucha contra los estupefacientes se realiza en un escenario internacional complejo caracterizado por la expansión sostenida de la producción, consumo y diversificación de las sustancias psicoactivas ilícitas. | La mini…
(2026-02-18). Canciller cubano califica bloqueo energético como desafío a todos los Estados. radiohc.cu El titular del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Cuba, Bruno Rodríguez calificó este martes las medidas estadounidenses adoptadas el pasado 29 de enero como un desafío de grandes proporciones a todos los Estados. | En su cuenta en la red social X, el canciller recalcó que la decisión imperialista fue tomada bajo la falacia de la supuesta intimidación a la seguridad nacional y consiste en amenazar con aranceles punitivos a los países que exporten combustible a Cuba.Equivale a limitar, con pretextos absurdos, la prerrogativa soberana de cada país a la hora de determinar si exporta y a qué destino exporta sus p…
(2026-02-18). Trump renueva por un año la orden que permite interceptar barcos con destino a Cuba. cubadebate.cu El gobierno de EEUU, a través de una disposición publicada en el Registro Federal, ha decidido prorrogar por un año más una medida ejecutiva que faculta la interceptación y revisión de embarcaciones, tanto nacionales como de otras banderas, que tengan como destino Cuba. La justificación señala que La Habana no ha ofrecido garantías suficientes.
(2026-02-18). Over 80 UN member states condemn Israel's de facto annexation of West Bank. aljazeera.com UN warns that Israel's plan will lead to widespread dispossession of Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank.
(2026-02-18). Buscan alternativas en Granma para acercar la alimentación a la población. radiohc.cu 
En medio de la actual situación que vive Cuba, complejizada por el recrudecimiento del bloqueo norteamericano y la aplicación de medidas que restringen la entrada al país del combustible necesario para la vida cotidiana, en la provincia de Granma, ubicada en el oriente de la Mayor de las Antillas, se adoptan alternativas para acercar la alimentación a la población. | Así lo precisa Mariela Sánchez Jerez, Directora del Grupo Empresarial de Comercio en la provincia, quien señala que el objetivo principal es acercar los servicios fundamentales a la comunidad. | Destaca la directiva que los productos se estarán tra…
(2026-02-18). U.S. president calls Cuba a "failed nation" and refuses to rule out military action. radiohc.cu U.S. President Donald Trump called Cuba a "failed nation" and refused to rule out military action aimed at toppling its government. Trump spoke to reporters aboard Air Force One, saying: "And they [Cuba] should absolutely make a deal, because it's a humanitarian threat. We'll see how it all turns out, but Cuba and us, we are talking. In the meantime, there's an embargo. There's no oil. There's no money. There's no anything." | Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío responded to Trump's remarks, writing: "It is frequent for U.S. officials and diplomats to claim that U.S. aggression is not respons…
(2026-02-18). Breve historia de una frustración. cubadebate.cu "Los cubanos todos confiaban en que tendrían siempre en el gobierno americano eficaz apoyo en sus sueños de libertad…". Así expresaba el general del Ejército Libertador En ≠rique Collazo en la obra Los Americanos en Cuba, al argumentar la tristeza y el desengaño que la intervención imperial de 1898 había representado para el pueblo cubano.
(2026-02-18). Un reemsamblaje imperialista cálidamente aplaudido por las élites europeas. cubadebate.cu El discurso del Secretario de Estado norteamericano en Munich resulta sumamente interesante para dar un vistazo en la "trastienda teórica" de aquellos que detentan el poder del gigantesco aparato político y militar en Estados Unidos hoy. Según varios analistas asistimos a un reemsamblaje imperialista cálidamente aplaudido por las élites europeas.
(2026-02-18). Cuba lamenta fallecimiento de reverendo Jesse Jackson. radiohc.cu 
El primer secretario del Comité Central del Partido Comunista de Cuba y presidente de la República, Miguel Díaz-Canel junto al ministro de Relaciones Exteriores, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, expresaron sus condolencias por el fallecimiento del reverendo Jesse Jackson. | Mediante su cuenta oficial en la red social X, el mandatario cubano envió sentidas condolencias a la familia, los allegados y el pueblo de Estados Unidos por el deceso de quien fuera un activo luchador por los derechos civiles y la justicia en su país y defensor de las causas justas en otras partes del mundo. | Nuestras sentidas condolencias a la fam…
(2026-02-18). Saturday 2/21: Palestine and the Palestinian People before October 7th – Lecture 4. indybay.org Edith Stone Room, Albany Library | 1247 Marin Ave, Albany…
(2026-02-18). Japanese PM Takaichi's cabinet resigns. ecns.cn Cabinet ministers of the Takaichi administration submitted letters of resignation en masse at a cabinet meeting, which started shortly after 9 a.m. local time, as parliament is set to convene for a new session in the afternoon to elect a new prime minister.
(2026-02-17). Trump's Operation Windlord Revealed: Is US Moving Its Nuke Tech Via C-17s To Strike Khamenei & Iran. hindustantimes.com U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemasters are transporting a next-generation micro nuclear reactor, WARD250, under Operation 'Windlord'—a Pentagon-backed push to modernise energy resilience at American military bases. The move comes amid renewed nuclear tensions with Iran, ongoing indirect talks in Oman, and reports of Tehran accelerating work at Bushehr, Isfahan, and Natanz. The timing has fueled speculation over whether the repositioning is routine modernization—or strategic signaling as nuclear deadlines loom.
(2026-02-17). US and Iran set for high-stakes nuclear talks in Geneva as threat of war looms. tribune.com.pk 
The US and Iran hold indirect talks in Geneva on Tuesday aimed at resolving their long-running nuclear dispute, with little clear indication of compromise as Washington masses a battle force in the region. | US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will take part in the negotiations, which are being mediated by Oman, a source briefed on the matter told Reuters, alongside Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi. | Yet the US military is simultaneously preparing for the possibility of weeks of operations against Iran if President Donald Trump orders an attack, two US officials told Reuters. | Iran itself began a…
(2026-02-17). Headlines for February 17, 2026. democracynow.org Civil Rights Icon Rev. Jesse Jackson Dies at 84, Second Round of Indirect Talks Between U.S. and Iranian Officials Underway in Geneva, Ukrainian and Russian Officials Meet in Geneva Today for U.S.-Brokered Peace Talks, Drop Site News: Senior Hamas Leader Says Group Will Not Follow Calls to Unilaterally Disarm, Trump Calls Cuba a "Failed Nation" and Refuses to Rule Out Military Action, Minnesota Investigators Say FBI Refusing to Share Evidence in Alex Pretti's Killing, AG Bondi Faces Bipartisan Criticism After Telling Congress All Epstein Files Have Been Released…
(2026-02-17). Iran sends full team to Geneva, demands firm US sanctions relief in new talks. hindustantimes.com Iran says this week's indirect nuclear talks with the United States in Geneva differ from the 2025 rounds by fielding a full multi‚Äëdisciplinary team and putting concrete, guaranteed sanctions relief at the center of its agenda. Tehran also frames the negotiations as taking place in an atmosphere of deep mistrust after the 2025 strikes on its nuclear facilities, with the IAEA's demand for greater inspection access now a pivotal part of the diplomatic track. Watch for more…
(2026-02-17). Financial Brief: A Weekly Roundup on the Geopolitics of Money Feb 17. moderndiplomacy.eu EXECUTIVE TAKEAWAYS A week of cautious markets and sovereign stress. Asian equities traded tentatively as oil rose on U.S.-Iran talks, with markets pricing de-escalation before Geneva produced anything concrete. The dollar steadied awaiting Fed minutes and U.S. GDP, while Japan's near-stagnant Q4 growth strengthened Takaichi's fiscal stimulus case while undermining BOJ rate hike justification, a …
(2026-02-17). Dozens of film figures condemn Berlin Film Festival on Gaza. al-monitor.com More than 80 film industry figures including Oscar-winning actors Javier Bardem and Tilda Swinton issued a statement on Tuesday slamming the Berlin Film Festival's "silence" on Gaza. The signatories to the open letter, sent to AFP, said they were "appalled" by the festival's "institutional silence" and "dismayed" at its "involvement in censoring artists who oppose Israel's ongoing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza".
(2026-02-17). Jeffrey Epstein's Sinister Shadow Over West Asia. scheerpost.com Kit Klarenberg Substack In late January, the US Department of Justice dumped millions of documents detailing the criminal activities of US oligarch and serial paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, including his vast rolodex of paedophilic celebrities, financiers, politicians and public figures. The tranche is so vast, independent journalists and researchers have barely scratched the surface yet. But preliminary …
(2026-02-17). Hillary Clinton accuses Trump of Epstein cover-up, insists 'nothing to hide'. scmp.com Former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton has accused President Donald Trump of orchestrating a "cover-up" over files related to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to an interview with the BBC. | "Get the files out. They are slow-walking it," Clinton, who is due to testify before a Congressional committee on the issue, told the British broadcaster in an interview in Berlin published on Monday.
(2026-02-17). Repatriation Flights From US to Venezuela Steadily Increase. orinocotribune.com Caracas ( Recent flight data and statistics
| Since the start of 2026, 13 repatriation flights have arrived in Venezuela from the US…
(2026-02-17). Capital accumulation and the rise of a new Venezuelan capitalist class (2002-2026). links.org.au 
Luís Bonilla-Molina — The new unified capitalist class has gone further than even the capitalist class of the Fourth Republic in shedding any nationalist character and accepting the colonial protectorate status that the US seeks to impose.
(2026-02-17). Qatar PM arrives in Venezuela on first trip since Maduro's ouster: What to know. al-monitor.com Qatar is moving to shore up ties with Venezuela as the US seeks greater control over the South American country's oil revenues.
(2026-02-17). When ICE Agents Lie: DOJ Drops Charges Against 2 Minneapolis Men Falsely Accused of Attempted Murder. democracynow.org 
Two ICE officers have been placed on administrative leave and are accused of lying under oath about an incident in Minneapolis last month involving two Venezuelan immigrants, one of whom was shot in the leg by an agent. After the incident, the two Venezuelan men, Alfredo Alejandro Aljorna and Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, were charged with felony assault, falsely accused of beating an ICE officer with a broom and snow shovel. Sosa-Celis was shot in the right thigh. While the Department of Homeland Security originally claimed the two men had attacked the agent, video evidence and witness testimonies contradicted the acc…
(2026-02-17). Trump vuelve a amenazar a Cuba. radiohc.cu El presidente de Estados Unidos, Donald Trump volvió a amenazar a Cuba este lunes, instando a sus autoridades a llegar ´absolutamente ª a un acuerdo con Washington. | ´Cuba es ahora mismo un Estado fallido y ni siquiera tiene combustible para aviones para que despeguen. Están bloqueando su pista de aterrizaje", declaró a los periodistas a bordo del Air Force One. | Al mismo tiempo, evitó responder si estaba considerando la posibilidad de llevar a cabo una operación militar contra el país caribeño, similar a la que utilizó en Venezuela el pasado 3 de enero, al secuestrar al presidente Nicolás Ma…
(2026-02-17). Mainstream media ignore Restore Britain's blatant anti-semitism and Islamophobia. thecanary.co 
The mainstream media are choosing to ignore blatant anti-semitism and Islamophobia from Rupert Lowe's new racist party, Restore Britain. Hey I wonder if this party unambiguous believing that Jewish people can't be British will receive much press attention. pic.twitter.com/j4dB7YuP2f — linkshund (@linkshund) February 17, 2026 During an interview with Talk TV, Charlie Downes, campaigns director and […] | By
(2026-02-17). Hariri's Future Movement Will Stand in Lebanon's May Elections. globalresearch.ca On February 14, Saad Hariri announced the return of the Future Movement (Tayyar al-Mustaqbal) …
(2026-02-17). Glass injuries on Goa beaches demand practical, incentivised remedy: DRS. ummid.com Recurring injuries from broken glass on Goa's beaches have begun to draw attention to how waste is managed after consumption.
(2026-02-17). Zelensky warns of massive Russian energy strikes ahead of Geneva peace talks. hindustantimes.com Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that Russia is preparing new "massive" strikes on Ukraine's energy system just as Kyiv, Moscow, and Washington head into US‚Äëbrokered trilateral talks in Geneva. He cautioned that the more Russia exploits the last cold days of winter to hit civilians and infrastructure, the harder it will be for anyone to reach real peace agreements with Moscow. Watch for more…
(2026-02-17). Solar Eclipse February 17, 2026 – Time and List of Cities, Countries to Watch. ummid.com An Annular Solar Eclipse, also called as Ring of Fire, will be witnessed Tuesday February 17, 2026 and will be visible in parts of South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Argentina, Chile and other countries but not in India, Saudi Arabia and other Asian countries.
(2026-02-17). Rubio's Munich Speech Detailed Trump 2.0's Envisaged New World Order. thealtworld.com What Trump 2.0 wants to do is lead Western Civilization's comprehensive reforms with a view towards building a nascent civilization-state that would then unrestrainedly wield its restored collective strength to coerce rising rivals into subordinating themselves to it for restoring unipolarity. | Marco Rubio, who's one of the most powerful figures in the US due to his roles as Secretary of State and National Security Advisor, gave an
(2026-02-17). Israeli city threatens to close Haredi-owned mall for ordering to remove pictures of women. haaretz.com After the Hasidic group who recently bought the only mall in Arad ordered that 'all female symbols be removed' from the area, the municipality threatened to close the mall, emphasizing that it serves 'a secular city'…
(2026-02-17). "Keep Hope Alive" : Remembering Rev. Jesse Jackson, Civil Rights Icon Who Twice Ran for President. democracynow.org 
Civil rights icon Reverend Jesse Jackson died Tuesday at the age of 84. Jackson is known for working closely with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference during the civil rights movement, and he later ran two groundbreaking presidential campaigns in 1984 and 1988, when he pushed to cut the Pentagon budget while increasing domestic spending on education, housing and healthcare. Jackson was also involved in international campaigns from the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa to supporting Palestinian self-determination. We remember his legacy and air interviews from his many…
(2026-02-17). 'Keir Starmer's Government Is Ignoring Growing Demands to Come Clean on Russian Interference in Our Democracy. bylinetimes.com Over the past week Keir Starmer's Government has continued to resist transparency about the extent and reach of the Russian shenanigans around Brexit, despite introducing an electoral bill billed as a bid to combat foreign political interference. | Last week over 20 MPs spoke in support of a petition which demanded a full public inquiry into the Russian interference in British politics. Not one MP from Reform UK attended. | Answering for the Government, the Security Minister Dan Jarvis did depart from the previous Government's view that a public inquiry was unnecessary because "there is no evidence that the ou…
(2026-02-17). Ritu Tawde takes over as Mumbai Mayor. ummid.com BJP Corporator, Ritu Tawde, has sworn in as the New Mayor of Mumbai Wednesday February 11, 2026.
(2026-02-17). Cristiano Ronaldo scores 962nd career goal as Al-Nassr defeats Al-Fateh. ummid.com Playing against Al-Fateh after his much talked about protest, Cristiano Ronaldo led Al-Nassr Saudi FC to its 7th consecutive victory in the Saudi Pro League 2025-26 group match Saturday February 14, 2026.
(2026-02-17). States Are Expanding Trans Bathroom Ban Bills to Encompass Private Businesses. truthout.org In the modern anti-transgender panic, several states have passed laws banning transgender people from restrooms consistent with their gender identity. Early bills focused primarily on K-12 schools, but the scope quickly expanded. Some states extended bans to even private colleges and universities. Others adopted sweeping "government building" prohibitions, barring transgender people from restrooms… |
(2026-02-17). Sri Lanka removes Pakistan from negative visa lists after Naqvi meeting. tribune.com.pk 
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has ordered the immediate removal of Pakistan from all "negative" visa lists after a meeting with Federal Interior Minister and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. | The development is being viewed as a significant step towards easing travel concerns for Pakistani citizens and strengthening bilateral ties. | During the meeting, Naqvi raised the issue of visa difficulties faced by Pakistani nationals. Taking prompt notice, President Dissanayake directed authorities to remove Pakistan from all negative visa categories, providing relief to Pakistani travellers and the business…
(2026-02-17). Is the MAHA movement building a genuine counter-elite? onlineopinion.com.au Covid shattered trust in our elites. Now MAHA seeks not power for its own sake, but a politics restrained by Orwell's 'common decency'.
(2026-02-17). Nunez double keeps Al-Hilal unbeaten in Asian Champions League. newarab.com 
Saudi Pro League leaders Former Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez scored twice for Simone Inzaghi's side, including the 77th-minute winner, as the four-times champions finished on top of the western group phase standings with seven wins and a draw from eight matches. | Shabab Al-Ahli confirmed their pro…
(2026-02-17). Jesse Jackson's Legacy: From Marching with MLK to Building the Rainbow Coalition. democracynow.org 
We look back on the life and legacy of civil rights icon Reverend Jesse Jackson, who died Tuesday at the age of 84. From marching with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to building the Rainbow Coalition in his two presidential runs and beyond, "Jackson's life contributed to making this country more democratic, more inclusive, more fair," says Howard University political science professor Clarence Lusane. | We also speak with activist Larry Hamm, who co-chaired Jackson's 1988 presidential campaign in New Jersey. Hamm first met Jackson in 1971 and says he was "audacious" above all else.
(2026-02-17). Trump threatens executive order to curb voting in midterm election. wsws.org The White House is moving to rig the outcome of the election or cancel altogether.
(2026-02-17). Lukashenko identifies 'immediate' tasks for Belarusian government. eng.belta.by Aleksandr Lukashenko stated: "Right now the government's top-priority task of immediate urgency is to promptly stop the decline in the manufacturing sector and to reduce the stock in storage."
(2026-02-17). Historic Shankaracharya Temple Project Launched in Jammu & Kashmir. devdiscourse.com The Shri Shankaracharya temple complex, dedicated to the revered Adi Shankaracharya, is set to grace the Trikuta hills of Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district. The foundation stone was laid by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, marking an event anticipated since the project's conceptualization in 1967.
(2026-02-17). Pasadena church looks back on ordeal by fire. anabaptistworld.org Rob Muthiah was preparing to teach a membership class at Pasadena Mennonite Church one day in October when he thought to reach for a familiar tool, the Martyrs Mirror. Then he remembered his copy of the book, which famously describes the death by burning of many early Anabaptists, had itself been turned to ash.
(2026-02-17). Chinese leaders extend Spring Festival greetings to retired senior officials. ecns.cn President Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders have visited or entrusted others to visit retired senior officials to extend greetings ahead of the Spring Festival, which falls on Feb. 17 this year.
(2026-02-17). Eight countries, UN condemn Israel's W. Bank land registration. newarab.com 
Eight countries, including Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, strongly condemned Israel's decision to Eight countries said such policies constitute a "dangerous escalation that will further heighten tensions and instability" in the territory and wider region. Eight countries said such policies constitute a "dangerous escalation that will further he…
(2026-02-17). UK government drops plans to delay May council votes. newarab.com 
British Prime Minister Starmer survived a leadership crisis last week, and his governing Labour Party is widely expected to suffer heavy losses in the May polls following the rise of Nigel Farage's populist The government had permitted some councils to postpone their elections…
(2026-02-17). Reclaiming the Past – California Africana 365 along the American River Parkway. indybay.org 100 years ago Negro History Week officially established by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, 50 years ago US President Gerald Ford recognized Black History Month, May 2026 California Africana 365 – Leidesdorff Ranch comes alive…
(2026-02-17). The general strike and building the anti-monopoly coalition. cpusa.org 
The growing discussion around the potential for a general strike in the United States is a sign of the times. It reflects our working class exploring the extent of its power in the face of capitalism's deepening systemic crisis and the fascist danger emanating from the Trump regime. | For communists, this is a pressing strategic question. What is our Marxist-Leninist view of the role such a tactic should play in the struggle to block fascism and build toward socialism? The answer lies not in romantic declarations, but in the concrete work of building a united, labor-led movement capable of decisive political a…
(2026-02-17). Live: Ramadan 2026 Moon Sighting in Saudi Arabia Today. ummid.com Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Turkey, Jordan and other Arab states in the Middle East will sight the Ramadan 2026 Moon (Ramadan Moon Sighting 1447) today i.e. Tuesday February 17, 2026 to confirm the beginning of the Holy Month of Fasting.
(2026-02-17). Who really leads NATO now? America half-withdrawing from European security. infobrics.org NATO's command reshuffle reflects a deeper political shift driven by US pressures, While Washington retains the top military post, its day-to-day influence is thinning. The Alliance now faces an unresolved dilemma: leadership without responsibility. Can Germany really lead NATO?>
(2026-02-17). Fact Sheet: Narendra Modi and His Hindutva Politics. ummid.com Prime Minister Modi and his Hindutva politics have failed both domestically and on the international stage due to a lack of vision.
(2026-02-17). EU reassures Hungary and Slovakia: No immediate risk to oil supplies. moderndiplomacy.eu The European Commission announced that there is no immediate risk to oil supplies in Hungary or Slovakia due to the recent disruption of Russian oil flows through Ukraine. Both countries have sufficient emergency stocks, with each holding 90 days' worth in reserve, as required by EU law. Slovakia's government also confirmed that its fuel supply …
(2026-02-17). MENA Sports Wrap: Ronaldo returns to Al-Nassr after boycott. newarab.com 
(2026-02-17). Al-Nassr Captain Ronaldo ends protest after all demands met. ummid.com Portuguese National Football Legend, who is also leading Saudi FC Al Nassr, has finally ended protest after all his demands are met.
(2026-02-17). KCET 2026: Here's Why Last Date of Application Extended. ummid.com The Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) has extended the last date of application for the Karnataka Common Entrance Test 2026 or KCET 2026, the compulsory entrance exam conducted for admission in Engineering, Medical, Pharmacy and other professional degree courses.
(2026-02-17). Black history is America's history. anabaptistworld.org This February marks the 50th anniversary of the national commemoration of Black History Month, proclaimed by President Gerald Ford in 1976 as part of the bicentennial celebrations.
(2026-02-17). Erdogan and Greek PM postpone UAE visits amid MBZ health. albawaba.com ALBAWABA- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan abruptly postponed his planned visit to the United Arab Emirates on Sunday, citing a "health problem" affecting UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.Erdogan's office briefly posted a statement on X expressing concern and wishing MBZ a swift recovery, then deleted it, fueling speculation about underlying diplomatic frictions. The Turkish leader said the trip would be rescheduled for a "convenient later date."Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis had similarly deferred his Abu Dhabi visit on Friday, officially due to domestic scheduling conflicts, thou…
(2026-02-17). SPL 25/26: Ivan Toney replaces Cristiano Ronaldo as Top Goal Scorer. ummid.com Ivan Toney of Al Ahli Saudi FC has replaced Al-Nassr Skipper Cristiano Ronaldo as Top Goal Scorer after MatchWeek22 (MW22) in the ongoing season of Saudi Pro League (SPL) 2025/26.
(2026-02-17). From Yiwu to Global: How creative pet products win over global merchants. ecns.cn A woman entrepreneur in Yiwu strives to innovate, bringing creative pet products to the rest of the world. Click the video to discover what makes Yiwu's pet creations so impressive!
(2026-02-17). Stormont health minister's drugs trial ban plays political games with trans lives. thecanary.co 
LGBTQIA+ advocacy group The Rainbow Project (TRP) have "unequivocally" condemned Northern Ireland Executive health minister Mike Nesbitt's decision to further perpetuate the discrimination of trans people. Nesbitt has chosen to suspend the region's participation in a clinical trial of puberty blockers. In a statement, TRP said: This decision runs contrary to the Executive's stated agreement […] | By
(2026-02-17). What a Federal Court Taught Us and What Universities Must Learn About Anti-Zionism vs. Antisemitism. counterpunch.org 
Judge Richard Stearns's order does not deny that antisemitism exists or that it must be confronted. It rejects something else: the increasingly common practice of treating criticism of Israel as presumptively antisemitic—an accusation that can be leveraged to trigger investigations, discipline-and-punish processes, lawsuits and public vilification. That definitional slippage has become a tool for constricting debate about Israel's genocide in Palestine—often under the banner of combating hate. The result is a narrowed campus conversation in which certain viewpoints are treated a priori as uniquely sus…
(2026-02-17). IMF maintains growth forecast while inflation concerns persist: Martin Iglesias on what SMEs need to know. independentaustralia.net 
(2026-02-17). Spain's Popular Front At 90: The Anti-Fascist Struggle That Changed The World. popularresistance.org Ninety years ago, the people of Spain delivered a forceful rebuke to right-wing extremism and opened one of the most dramatic chapters in working-class history. The election victory on Feb. 16, 1936, of the Popular Front (Frente Popular)—an alliance of socialists, communists, republicans, and other democratic forces—was much more than a routine parliamentary transition of government. | It was a mass uprising at the ballot box, fueled by workers, farmers, women, and youth. They were determined to defend democracy and push forward with reforms that had been long-delayed by a series of right-wing adminis…
(2026-02-17). US lawmakers call on congressman to resign over remarks about Muslims. tribune.com.pk 
US lawmakers on Monday called for Republican Congressman Randy Fine to resign after he made controversial remarks about Muslims on social media. | The Florida lawmaker wrote on X on Sunday: "If they force us to choose, the choice between dogs and Muslims is not a difficult one." He was responding to a post by Palestinian-American activist Nerdeen Kiswani, who had said that dogs "definitely have a place in society, just not as indoor pets" because "they are unclean." | If they force us to choose, the choice between dogs and Muslims is not a difficult one. | — Congressman Randy Fine (@RepFine) February 15,…
(2026-02-17). Are disabled Ugandans being left out of digital ID system? independent.co.ug 
Gaps in Uganda's digital ID rollout could exclude people with disabilities from critical public services SPECIAL REPORT | RONALD MUSOKE | When on Feb. 9, Claire Ollama, the friendly and polyglottic Registrar of the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), declared the nationwide digital ID registration and renewal exercise "successfully concluded," the numbers seemed to tell …
(2026-02-17). Denmark's Prime Minister Suffers from Delusions and Calls All Russians "Crazy" dissidentvoice.org Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen's world view and threat statements as well as her disturbing stereotyping of the Russian people are beyond normal and must be seen as a threat to Denmark's and Europe's future.
(2026-02-17). UHRC to Byanyima: Besigye's victims also need justice. independent.co.ug 
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Chairperson of the Uganda Human Rights Commission, Mariam Wangadya, has said that although Dr. Kizza Besigye, as an accused person, is entitled to justice, his alleged victims are equally entitled to the same. In a February 10, 2026, letter, written to Edith Byanyima on behalf of the Byanyima family …
(2026-02-17). Ukraine's Olympic sign bearer was a Russian woman: 'I have to be worried'. scmp.com Anastasia Kucherova, a Russian living in Milan, voiced her opposition to Russia's war against Ukraine with a highly symbolic, if anonymous, act: carrying the Ukraine team placard during the opening ceremony of the Milan Cortina Winter Games. | Kucherova was swathed in a long, hooded silver puffer coat, her eyes covered with dark glasses — like all the other placard bearers for the 92 nations competing in the Olympics. The Ukraine sign was illuminated for the crowd to read.
(2026-02-17). BRICS 2026- Implications for a Multipolar World. infobrics.org India ,being the founding member of the BRICS and QUAD, supposedly on two opposing ends of the spectrum, believes that BRICS is not anti-West but a non-Western alternative representing cross continental aspirations of major economies and countries from the Global South…
(2026-02-17). Independent UN body condemns on UN expert on Palestinian rights. al-monitor.com By Olivia Le PoidevinGENEVA, Feb 17 (Reuters) – An independent United Nations body on Tuesday condemned what it described as vicious attacks based on disinformation by several European ministers against the organisation's special rapporteur for Palestine, Francesca Albanese.In the past week several European countries, including Germany, France and Italy, called for Albanese's resignation over her alleged criticism of Israel. Albanese, an Italian lawyer, denies making the remarks.
(2026-02-17). Bangladesh: BNP registers landslide victory in National Elections. ummid.com The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), projected to win over 200 of the total 300 seats in Jatiya Sangsad, has already won more than 151 seats in the Bangladesh National Elections where counting of votes are in the final stage.
(2026-02-17). Israeli election panel weighs ban on parties tracking non-voters at polling stations. haaretz.com Justice Noam Sohlberg, who chairs the Central Elections Committee, asked the attorney general to weigh in on the practice of party representatives reporting voter names in real time – amid warnings that it constitutes a significant violation of privacy and the principle of ballot secrecy…
(2026-02-17). SOUTHCOM Blows Up Three Boats in the Waters of Latin America, Killing 11 People. news.antiwar.com US Southern Command on Tuesday announced that its forces launched three separate strikes on alleged drug-running boats in the waters of Latin America the night before, blowing up three small vessels and killing at least 11 people. The command said that two of the boats were targeted in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, where eight people …
(2026-02-17). Ring Scraps Flock Partnership Following Uproar Over Super Bowl AI Commercial. truthout.org Ring, the doorbell and security systems company owned by Amazon, announced last week it was canceling its partnership with surveillance company Flock Security following immense backlash to a Super Bowl commercial touting its artificial intelligence (AI) technology. The integration with Flock was first announced in October. Ring released a statement on February 12 stating that the planned… |
(2026-02-17). Operation Shanela II nets over 16 000 suspects. sanews.gov.za Operation Shanela II nets over 16 000 suspects | Over 16000 suspects have been arrested in recent Shanela II operations across the country, the South African Police Service (SAPS) said. ⚪ Conducted between 9 and 15 February across the provinces, a total 16 565 suspects were arrested. ⚪ The police operations were conducted together with other law enforcement agencies. ⚪ According to the police, the suspects include those involved in serious crimes such as carjacking, armed robbery, murder, rape, sexual assault, drug dealing, and contravention of the Firearms Control Act. ⚪ Moreover, police in Gauteng traced a…
(2026-02-17). Trump Tesla Takedown – Year One. indybay.org Valentine's day protest celebrates first year of resistance to Trump – Musk attack on our democracy…
(2026-02-17). US pressure mounts on Ukraine as it enters Geneva talks with Russia. moderndiplomacy.eu Negotiators from Ukraine and Russia started two days of peace talks in Geneva on Tuesday, with U. S. President Donald Trump urging both sides to quickly reach an agreement to end the ongoing conflict. The main issue to be discussed is land, particularly Russia's demand for Ukraine to surrender the remaining 20% of the Donetsk …
(2026-02-17). Kevin Cox: South Africa In History's Shadow. newleftreview.org Why is South Africa seemingly still mired in the income and spatial segregation patterns of the apartheid era? Standard explanations focus on the ANC, either as too neoliberal or too statist. Kevin Cox looks instead at the making of classes—and expropriation of African farmers—in conditions of globalization's labour shock.
(2026-02-17). History of World War II: How Much Did the Weather Contribute to the Wehrmacht's Defeat? The Nazi-Soviet War. globalresearch.ca [Author's Note: The article below, first published by GR in March 2022, focuses mainly on the effects of the Russian climate on Nazi Germany's invasion of the USSR. Although it was not very clear at the time, Operation Barbarossa …
(2026-02-17). West Bank: PA kills 2 children arresting father wanted by Israel. newarab.com 
Ali Samara, 16, was killed after officers opened fire on the family's vehicle at the entrance to the town of Tammun in the northern West Bank, according to relatives.
(2026-02-17). Family wants daughter's death investigated as Saudi postmortem blames "natural causes" independent.co.ug 
Jinja, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The family of 31-year-old, Fauza Musubika, of Mpungwe village, in Kagoma town council, of Jinja district who was hired as a housemaid have been shocked by…
(2026-02-17). Life is Hard to Get Used To, Prisoners Remind Me. counterpunch.org 
The concept of "getting used to" anything in life is an interesting one. Where I've encountered it, the implication is that, over time, one becomes more accustomed. The idea that anything can be gotten used to, in my opinion, is a kind of gut-reaction understanding of life that is not borne out by the experience
(2026-02-17). Lithuania tightens Russophobic measures against Soviet banknotes and its bearers. infobrics.org Baltic countries implement strict policies against Soviet memory.
(2026-02-17). Erdogan postpones UAE visit over Al Nahyan's health. tribune.com.pk 
Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced a postponement of his visit to Abu Dhabi due to a health issue involving Emirati leader Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, but later deleted…
(2026-02-17). Lukashenko: Speed of implementing planned measures and projects is crucial. eng.belta.by The president added that the strategic areas for the country's development were determined by the Belarusian People's Congress.
(2026-02-17). Belarus, India identify growth areas in exchange trading. eng.belta.by According to the press service, supplies of agricultural products, woodworking goods, and chemical industry items will become the main focus areas for the development of exchange trading between Belarus and India in the near future.
(2026-02-17). Egypt's Alexandria is being battered by climate change. newarab.com 
High waves have damaged facilities along the beach in the northern Alexandria, Over the decade, the city has experienced extreme weather, including highe…
(2026-02-17). Stabbing kills 1 and injures 2 in Sydney, Australia. albawaba.com ALBAWABA – A man was killed, and two others were critically injured in a stabbing attack in Sydney, Australia, police announced on Tuesday, as reported by DPA.Emergency services were called to a suburb in western Sydney at around 10 a.m. local time after reports that a man had stabbed several people and then fled the scene, according to a statement from New South Wales Police. The attack occurred on a busy shopping street.Senior Police Officer Simon Glaser said paramedics treated three people for serious injuries, including a man in his 30s or 40s who died at the scene.A man has been arrested over a "highly confr…
(2026-02-17). Lukashenko: Economy is now the real battlefield in 'almost wartime' conditions. eng.belta.by The economy has become the real battlefield, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he received the government's report for 2025.
(2026-02-17). Notable Black Folks Who Died In 2026. newsone.com 
UPDATE — Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, 11: 20 a.m. EST: We love our Black celebrities. Period. No matter how famous they get or how big the stages become, there's always a different kind of pride that comes with seeing Black folks win. It feels personal, like their success is proof that we can make it too, …
(2026-02-17). Kyiv Undermines European Cooperation by Ignoring the Rights of Estonian Investors. globalresearch.ca While Estonia demonstrates record-breaking support for Ukraine by providing significant volumes of military, humanitarian, and financial assistance, Kyiv appears to be responding with "black ingratitude," systematically undermining the interests of Estonian business on its territory. Paradoxically, a country striving to …
(2026-02-17). Lindsey Graham praises UAE for doing 'everything Israel asked'. newarab.com 
(2026-02-17). Breaking Barriers: Removing Discriminatory Language in Uttar Pradesh. devdiscourse.com The Uttar Pradesh Assembly marked a pivotal moment on Tuesday by approving amendments designed to eliminate the term 'Kushtashram' from municipal regulations. This legislative change targets the lingering stigma against individuals affected by leprosy, aiming to provide them with dignity and respect in the community.
(2026-02-17). Kennedy's attack on science and public health finds a platform on Theo Von's podcast. wsws.org Declaring he was "not scared of a germ" and that "he snorted cocaine off toilet seats," RFK Jr used Theo Von's platform to advance mistrust of science and undermine collective public health protections.
(2026-02-17). Mission High UESF Educators Celebrate Strike Victory with Students, Parents & Supporters. indybay.org Teachers, students and parents celebrated the end of the strike at Mission High in San Francisco and talked about their victory.
(2026-02-17). Air Force Maintenance Staff Can't Stop Buying Fancy Knives With Tax Dollars. theintercept.com 
They call them "box cutters," but everyone on the flightline knows what the term really means. The blades slide out at the push of a button, revealing high-end knives made and marketed for active combat. They cost the federal government hundreds of dollars each — and come free to maintenance workers in the Air Force who order them through the supply system and hand them out as favors. | For nearly a decade, Air Force maintenance units spent more than $1.79 million in taxpayer funds buying 5,166 high-end knives and other luxury items, including switchblades and combat-style tactical knives with no legitim…
(2026-02-17). Unique Pokemon card sells for US$16.5 million, smashing world record. scmp.com An extremely rare Pokemon card owned by American YouTuber Logan Paul has sold for US$16,492,000, smashing the record for the most expensive trading card sold at an auction. | The supposedly unique PSA 10-graded Pikachu Illustrator was originally bought by Paul in another record-breaking sale in 2021 for US$5.28 million.
(2026-02-17). A Palestinian citizen of Israel, jailed for 27 months over Oct. 7 posts, tries to make sense of it all. haaretz.com Influencer Abed al-Rahem Haj-Yahya spent his early twenties in Gilboa Prison after being charged for incitement over Instagram posts. Now the 24-year-old reflects on his arrest, the conditions behind bars — and what it means to leave prison carrying the weight of those he met inside…
(2026-02-17). Ramadan Peace Gesture: Afghanistan Releases Captured Pakistani Soldiers. devdiscourse.com In a gesture of goodwill during Ramadan, Afghanistan has released three Pakistani soldiers captured during intense cross-border clashes last October, according to government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid.
(2026-02-17). Arabs vs Persians: Ending the Anti-Islamic Hatred. muslimskeptic.com Ethnonationalism can be understood as an immense moral distortion. It trains individuals to evaluate reality according to whether a given position advances the perceived interests or prestige of one's ethnic group. This is as opposed to being in terms of Islam and its specific parameters of truth, justice, or ethical right and wrong. In ethnonationalist …
(2026-02-17). European officials try to convince citizens to support militarization. infobrics.org German and UK officials use anti-Russian rhetoric to spread fear among ordinary Europeans.
(2026-02-17). Lukashenko recalls 2020 events, warns against complacency. eng.belta.by Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko demanded that no complacency be | allowed in any area as he heard the government's 2025 report on 17 | February…
(2026-02-17). Strengthening Ties: Modi Invites Rahman to India. devdiscourse.com In a diplomatic gesture aimed at fortifying bilateral ties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended an invitation to Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and his family to visit India. The gesture underscores the strong cultural bond and shared aspirations between the neighboring nations.
(2026-02-17). Hoy en Con Filo: øCuál es la Cuba que queremos? cubadebate.cu A los que creen en los Milei y los Trump del mundo, a los que se imaginan que la Cuba capitalista será distinta a la anterior al 59 ¥ -o ni siquiera saben lo que eso significa-, a los que invocan fuerzas místicas y sobrenaturales para acabar con nosotros, les decimos: aquí estamos y aquí estaremos, los revolucionarios, los que creemos en la soberanía.
(2026-02-17). EEUU captura petrolero Verónica III en aguas internacionales. radiohc.cu El Departamento de Guerra de Estados Unidos informó a través de su cuenta en la red social X sobre la captura del petrolero Verónica III en aguas internacionales. | Según el comunicado oficial, la embarcación fue interceptada tras un extenso seguimiento que se extendió desde el mar Caribe hasta el océano Ândico. | Según la dependencia, "con la esperanza de escapar, el buque intentó desafiar la cuarentena [aprobada] por el presidente Trump. Lo rastreamos desde el Caribe hasta el océano Ândico, acortamos la distancia y lo detuvimos". | La captura del Verónica III se enmarca en el bloqueo naval que Estados Unidos ma…
(2026-02-17). Sunday 2/22: Baked Goods Not Bombs. indybay.org Colusa Circle, Kensington (neat the Farmers Market)…