(2026-02-20). Putin aide warns Trump of 'consequences' as Russian warship joins crucial Naval Drills. hindustantimes.com Tensions are rising as Masoud Pezeshkian hailed a deepening strategic axis with Russia amid U.S. strike threats. During talks with Russian officials, Tehran declared a "new chapter" in bilateral ties, signing key agreements and expanding economic cooperation. Joint naval drills in the Sea of Oman saw the Russian corvette Stoikiy dock in Iranian waters, while Moscow warned Washington of "serious consequences" if it attacks. As Iran conducted additional drills near the Strait of Hormuz, reports said Donald Trump was briefed on possible strike options.
(2026-02-20). Trump slams Starmer as U.S. readies Diego Garcia, Jordan bases for Iran strike. hindustantimes.com As Trump blasts Keir Starmer over a "big mistake" on Diego Garcia, the remote island base and Jordan's Muwaffaq Salti Air Base emerge as twin launchpads for any U.S. strike on Iran. With THAAD, F‚Äë15s, F‚Äë35s and carriers massing, Washington quietly builds options while talks with Tehran falter.
(2026-02-20). Trump gives Iran 15-day ultimatum on nuclear deal, Khamenei issues threat. hindustantimes.com U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stark ultimatum to Iran, giving the country up to 15 days to reach a nuclear agreement or face potential military consequences. Speaking to reporters, Trump warned that the U.S. is ready to act if talks fail. In a sharp rebuttal, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's Supreme Leader, declared that Iran possesses weapons capable of sending American warships "to the bottom of the sea" and shared an AI-generated image of a damaged U.S. aircraft carrier. The exchange heightens already tense nuclear negotiations in Geneva, raising fears of renewed confrontation. Watch for details…
(2026-02-20). Trump reveals Iran 'war' plan? Khamenei on notice after US Prez says, 'You'll find out in 10…'. hindustantimes.com U.S. President Donald Trump has signalled that a potential nuclear deal with Iran could be decided within the next 10 days, raising fresh stakes in already tense diplomatic engagements. Speaking at the first formal meeting of the newly formed Board of Peace in Washington, D.C., Trump hinted at a breakthrough — or a collapse — in ongoing negotiations.
(2026-02-20). US, Israel warn Iran amid military buildup. tribune.com.pk 
US President Donald Trump said on Thursday Iran must make a "meaningful deal" in its negotiations with Washington in the next 10 days or else "bad things happen", as he deployed warships, fighter jets and other military hardware in the region. | "It's proven to be over the years not easy to make a meaningful deal with Iran. We have to make a meaningful deal otherwise bad things happen," Trump told the inaugural meeting of the "Board of Peace", his initiative to secure stability in Gaza. | He warned that Washington "may have to take it a step further" without any agreement, adding: "You're going to be finding o…
(2026-02-20). Trump Compares his Gaza Peace Plan to the Melania Movie, and he is Right. juancole.com Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) — President Donald J. Trump Trump again lied in saying that he had resolved 8 wars, even as he seemed intent on fomenting one against Iran. Of Gaza, where the Israeli genocide continues with less visibility, he said, "Gaza is very complex. It's been amazing. I want to thank Steve and Jared for an amazing job. Marco's over there watching. Everybody's fa…
(2026-02-20). 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 Free Narges Coalition 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 (…) | – |
(2026-02-20). Wednesday 2/25: Webinar: While Iran Boils, Trump's "Peace Plan" Threatens Palestinian Existence. indybay.org Online | masspeace.us/palestine-iran…
(2026-02-20). US thanks Pakistan for backing Trump's Gaza plan and joining peace board. geo.tv 
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio poses for a picture with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in Washington, US, February 19, 2026. — X@SecRubioRubio hails "Pakistan's ongoing support of Peace Plan for Gaza".DPM Dar responds…
(2026-02-20). Indonesia pledges 8,000 troops for Gaza force. albawaba.com ALBAWABA- Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on Thursday pledged up to 8,000 troops, and potentially more, to support an International Stabilization Force (ISF) in Gaza, speaking at the inaugural meeting of the newly formed Board of Peace in Washington.Addressing leaders gathered at the White House, Prabowo voiced strong confidence in the U.S.-led initiative, expressing optimism that lasting peace in Palestine could be achieved despite expected challenges."Even with obstacles and difficulties, we are very optimistic that under the leadership of President Donald Trump, this vision of real peace can be realized,…
(2026-02-20). Israel, Gaza, and the Clash of World Orders: Why the UN Condemns What Trump's Board Won't. thinktank.pk As the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza deepens and Israel accelerates controversial actions in the occupied West Bank, an uncomfortable diplomatic contrast has emerged. On one side stands the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), increasingly vocal in condemning Israel's ceasefire violations, annexation moves, and humanitarian restrictions. On the other side is **Donald Trump's self-styled Board of …
(2026-02-20). Trump launches 'Board of Peace' to oversee Gaza stabilization. albawaba.com ALBAWABA- U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday formally launched the "Board of Peace," a new U.S.-led initiative aimed at stabilizing Gaza and advancing broader Middle East diplomacy, during a high-profile event at the White House attended by regional and international leaders.In his keynote address, Trump praised Qatar's role in mediating the October 2025 Gaza ceasefire alongside Egypt and the United States, crediting Doha's diplomacy with helping to end nearly two years of fighting that left more than 70,000 people dead. He announced reconstruction pledges exceeding $5 billion, outlining plans to rebuild inf…
(2026-02-20). 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.
(2026-02-20). World Peace Foundation — DR Congo Africa Opposes U.S. Base Plans for Gaza. worldbeyondwar.org 
We firmly believe that world peace cannot be built on military bases, but on foundations of justice, dignity, and respect for human rights. #WorldBEYONDWar…
(2026-02-20). Global Silence Means License to Israeli Annexation of West Bank. ummid.com If the international community continues to keep silent on the issue, a day is not far off before Israel annexes the whole West Bank and other Palestinian settlements, coupled with its plan to commercialise the Gaza front for the benefit of its American supporters.
(2026-02-20). Netanyahu hails Israel's resurgence war, warns Iran of unimaginable response. hindustantimes.com Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking at a Combat Officers Course graduation, hailed Israel's "war of resurgence," saying the IDF responded with overwhelming force to the Gaza attacks, destroyed terrorist infrastructure "from Gaza to Yemen, from Lebanon to Iran," and freed all hostages. He said Israel had "removed the choke‚Äëring that the Iranian axis of evil tried to place around our neck" and praised officers for charging into "nests of terror," demolishing tunnels, and eliminating large numbers of militants. Netanyahu stressed Israel's close coordination with the United States, n…
(2026-02-20). Trump says Gaza war 'is over', but analysts warn fighting could resume within weeks. scmp.com US President Donald Trump's declaration at the inaugural meeting of his "Board of Peace" that the war in Gaza "is over" belies what regional analysts describe as a mounting risk that Israeli military operations could resume within weeks. | At the gathering in Washington on Thursday, attended by top officials from more than 20 countries, promises of reconstruction and a "bright future" for Gaza were coupled with blunt US warnings that the alternative to disarmament would be a return to war.
(2026-02-20). Trump to build a 350-acre military base in Gaza. albawaba.com ALBAWABA – The Guardian reported Thursday, after examining contracting records by the Board of Peace, that the United States is planning to build a huge military base in the Gaza Strip.The British website revealed that the American administration, headed by U.S. President Donald Trump, wants to build a 5,000-person military base in the war-torn city, spanning over 350 acres.An informed source told the Guardian that several bidders — international construction companies with experience in war zones — have already been shown the area in a site visit where the base is expected to be placed."Trump officia…
(2026-02-20). Billions of dollars raised in Gaza summit. tribune.com.pk 
US President Donald Trump told the first meeting of his Board of Peace on Thursday that nations had contributed $7 billion to a Gaza reconstruction fund that aims to rebuild the enclave once Hamas disarms, an objective that is far from becoming a reality. | The disarmament of Hamas and accompanying withdrawal of Israeli troops, the size of the reconstruction fund and the flow of humanitarian aid to the war-battered populace of Gaza are among the major questions likely to test the effectiveness of the board in the months ahead. | In a flurry of announcements at the end of a long, winding speech to representativ…
(2026-02-20). More than 100 film artists condemn Berlinale's censorship of opposition to Israel's Gaza genocide. wsws.org The open letter quotes Chinese artist Ai Weiwei who described what was taking place in Germany as "doing what they did in the 1930s."
(2026-02-20). Indonesia, Morocco, Kosovo among 5 countries to send troops under Gaza plan. aljazeera.com Kazakhstan and Kosovo have also pledged to participate, while Egypt and Jordan will provide training for police.
(2026-02-20). UK High Court Blocks Starmer's Effort to Label Palestine Action a Terrorist Group. counterpunch.org 
Last year, I was living in the UK when activists from the anti-Zionist, pro-Palestinian direct action group Palestine Action hugely. embarrassed the Royal Air Force and the British government by cutting their way through a security fence surrounding an RAF Airfield in Oxfordshire and spraying red paint on the jet engines of two aircraft known to have assisted Israel's aerial slaughter of Palestinians in Gaza.
(2026-02-20). memories of the Gaza war resurfaced, I left them behind on the road in. haaretz.com This week at Ben-Gurion Airport: An Israeli reservist who served in Gaza processes her experience on a three-month motorcycle trip, and a Mexican tourist who dared to do things in Israel he would never try back home…
(2026-02-20). Saturday 2/21: Hikers for Palestine: Walking in Solidarity with Gaza's Orphans. indybay.org Meet at the Lake Merritt Amphitheater, located on Lake Merritt Boulevard between 12th Street and 1st Avenue…
(2026-02-20). will be Far-right MK says she entered Gaza with dozens of activists. haaretz.com
(2026-02-20). Not Forgetting the Victims: Club Epstein and Crimes Against Humanity. dissidentvoice.org 
With a sex trafficking, flesh peddling empire of favours, logistics and the good time to be had by the powerful, the gigantic scale of Jeffrey Epstein's criminal network continues to disturb. The least savoury digital library on the planet, available through the offices of the US Justice Department as the Epstein Library, is being combed …
(2026-02-20). Epstein estate agrees to $35 million settlement in victim class action. tribune.com.pk 
Jeffrey Epstein's estate has agreed to pay as much as $35 million to resolve a class action lawsuit that accused two of the disgraced financier's advisers of aiding and abetting his sex trafficking of young women and teenage girls, according to a court filing on Thursday. | Boies Schiller Flexner, a law firm representing Epstein victims, announced the settlement in a brief filed in federal court in Manhattan. | The deal, if approved by a judge, would bring an end to a 2024 lawsuit filed against Epstein's former personal lawyer, Darren Indyke and former accountant Richard Kahn, who are co-executors of Epstein's…
(2026-02-20). New Mexico reopens criminal probe related to Jeffrey Epstein's Zorro Ranch. aljazeera.com State officials say the information in unsealed FBI files 'warrant further examination' of a case closed in 2019.
(2026-02-20). UK: Ex-Prince Andrew arrested over Epstein links. ummid.com Former Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who has been in news over his ties with Jeffry Epstein, has been arrested.
(2026-02-20). Gates skips India AI summit amid Epstein scrutiny. tribune.com.pk 
Bill Gates pulled out of India's AI Impact Summit hours before his scheduled keynote on Thursday, as scrutiny over his ties to late financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein intensified following the release of US Justice Department emails. | The abrupt withdrawal of Microsoft's co-founder dealt a fresh blow to a flagship event already marred by organizational lapses, a robot row and complaints of traffic chaos. | The six-day event still notched more than $200 billion in investment pledges for AI infrastructure in India, including a $110 billion plan announced by Reliance Industries on Thursday. | India's Tat…
(2026-02-20). Billionaires and corporate lawyers resign following latest Epstein file release. wsws.org Billionaires, CEOs and corporate attorneys have stepped down after newly released Justice Department files exposed their ties to Epstein. Despite mounting evidence, no new indictments have been issued.
(2026-02-20). Disappearing Bodies: Epstein, ICE, and the Hidden Architecture of Gangster Capitalism. counterpunch.org 
Disappearance under neoliberal fascism does not operate through a single institutional or aesthetic form. Alongside the spectacular violence of ICE raids, militarized policing, and the public staging of racialized terror exists a quieter, long-standing mode of disappearance practiced by elites and insulated from democratic scrutiny. The case of Jeffrey Epstein exposes this hidden register with disturbing
(2026-02-20). Former Prince Andrew arrested by police. albawaba.com ALBAWABA – British police have arrested former Prince Andrew on suspicion of misconduct, local media reported on Thursday.Earlier, the BBC said that cars were spotted outside Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, where Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor stays, on Thursday morning.The arrest comes after Thames Valley Police revealed it was assessing as "quickly as possible" into claims that ex-Prince Andrew had shared confidential reports from his role as the UK's trade envoy with Jeffrey Epstein, the American sex offender.In late January, the U.S. Department of Justice shared over 3 million documents regarding the cause of Jeff…
(2026-02-20). The Epstein Class: They Are the Elites They Pretend to Hate. counterpunch.org 
Attorney General Pam Bondi's contentious House hearing about the Justice Department's handling of the Epstein files offered a clear message to the nation: sex trafficking of women and minors is perfectly acceptable as long as wealthy white men do it. Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced late sex trafficker, fixer, and political networker, was found to have ties to
(2026-02-20). First royal arrest in centuries presents existential crisis for UK's most powerful family. scmp.com Until Thursday morning, it had been nearly four centuries since the arrest of a senior British royal. | On his 66th birthday, the late Queen Elizabeth's favourite son was detained on suspicion of misconduct in public office. By evening, the former prince was released from police custody. But the ongoing investigation will unpick years of lurid allegations about Andrew's ties to the disgraced US financier Jeffrey Epstein that have heaped embarrassment on his brother, King Charles.
(2026-02-20). Homeland Empire Under the Shadow S2E6. therealnews.com 
Transcript | MICHAEL FOX [NARRATION]: Minneapolis has been on fire. | People in the streets against an onslaught from Trump's ICE agents the likes of which the country has never seen. | Homeland Security has deployed thousands of agents, unleashing an assault that has ripped apart families and neighborhoods. They've killed two people under shocking circumstances. Both US citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Federal agents have arrested 4,000 people in Minnesota alone since they launched Operation Metro Surge two months ago. | KRISTI NOEM [CLIP]: But we're surging operations because of the dangerous situat…
(2026-02-20). Venezuela's interim president enacts Amnesty Law that "opens the door to reconciliation" radiohc.cu The interim president of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, enacted the Amnesty Law this Thursday and stated that the legislation opens a door to Venezuela's reconciliation. | "This law opens an extraordinary door for Venezuela to reconcile and learn." to live democratically and rid themselves of hatred; let understanding and recognition prevail. The Amnesty Law goes further," Rodríguez declared. | Indicating that those who approved the law are bringing hope to the country, the interim president maintained that "we are guaranteeing a future of peace and coexistence for our youth. It is an act of selflessness and greatne…
(2026-02-20). IMF warns Venezuela's economy and humanitarian situation is 'quite fragile'. aljazeera.com Figures show Venezuela's public debt sits at roughly 180 percent of its GDP as the country struggles with tumult.
(2026-02-20). Venezuela grants amnesty that could release hundreds of political detainees. aljazeera.com More than 600 people may be in custody for political reasons, one Venezuelan rights group estimates.
(2026-02-20). Endrick turns Lyon's tide in Ligue 1. tribune.com.pk 
Close to bankruptcy just eight months ago, seven-time French champions Lyon have bounced back in style and after a remarkable winning run, a late challenge for the Ligue 1 title is not out of the question. | The club's very survival seemed in doubt when they were condemned to relegation to the second division last June as a punishment for the state of their finances. | They successfully appealed, but Eagle Football Group, the holding company which runs the club, announced in November that losses for last season were over 200 million euros ($235m), with total debts above 500 million euros. | The off-field situa…
(2026-02-20). Is a US Attack on Iran Just Hours Away? thinktank.pk 
A growing storm of geopolitical tension in the Middle East has thrust the world toward a potential flashpoint between the United States and Iran. Multiple reports from U.S. media outlets and international news organisations now suggest that American military forces could be ready to launch strikes against Iran as early as this weekend, even as …
(2026-02-20). 'Regime Cleavage': How the 'Language of Humiliation' is Engineering a Second American Civil War. counterpunch.org 
A January 2026 Gallup poll showed that 89 percent of all Americans expect high levels of political conflict this year, as the country heads toward one of its most decisive midterm elections ever. Gallup, however, was stating the obvious. It is a surprise that not all Americans feel this way, judging by the coarse, often
(2026-02-20). Would you pay $49 a month to drink recycled wastewater? grist.org 
(2026-02-20). Legendary Filmmaker John Sayles on Labor, the Border and the Empire in Films and Novels. counterpunch.org 
In our latest, we talk with legendary filmmaker, screenwriter, actor and novelist John Sayles. We start with a discussion about his new novel "Crucible." But, also talk about labor, class consciousness, portraying the organizer as a hero, the border and the American empire in his, and other, films and novels. John Sayles is an Oscar
(2026-02-20). UK blocks Trump from using RAF base near Swindon for Iran strikes, Chagos deal under strain. ptcnews.tv PTC News Desk: The UK government under Prime Minister Keir Starmer has refused a U.S. request to allow American forces to use British military air bases — including RAF Fairford in England and the joi | UK blocks Trump from using RAF base near Swindon for Iran strikes, Chagos deal under strain…
(2026-02-20). The Erosion of EPA Enforcement Under Trump Creates a Public Health Risk. counterpunch.org 
It's been a tumultuous couple of weeks for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The agency followed through on its plan to rescind the 2009 Endangerment Finding and all the rules and decisions based on it. This action means the federal government no longer considers carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases — which result from burning
(2026-02-20). Belgian workers' one-day strike vs Israel's genocide. workers.org 
Workers spontaneously stopped production and walked out of the FN Herstal factory on Feb. 13 in protest of the visit by Col. Moshe Tetro, a high-ranking officer in the Israel Occupation Force and military attaché to Belgium. He was there as part of a tour led by the Belgian Defense . . . |
(2026-02-20). US Reps Move to Stop Trump's War on Iran. consortiumnews.com Even if war breaks out before he and Thomas Massie can bring a vote in the House next week, Ro Khanna says it's important to get lawmakers on the record so voters can see where they stand. By Jake Johnson…
(2026-02-20). Government Destroys 100 Voluntarily Surrendered Firearms in Moroto. plusnews.ug 
A total of 100 illegal firearms recovered voluntarily under the African Amnesty Month programme have been publicly burnt at Naitakwae Playground in Nadunget Sub-county, Moroto District. The weapons were destroyed in the presence of the general public as a symbolic gesture underscoring the dangers firearms pose and the need to keep them out of the …
(2026-02-20). Could insight from cats lead to breast cancer cures? tribune.com.pk 
Owning a cat offers many health benefits, including reduced stress and emotional support, and new research suggests our feline friends might also offer clues to better treat certain cancers. | That's according to a new study published Thursday in the journal Science, which investigated cancers in cats and found significant parallels with how the disease plays out in humans. | Previous studies had highlighted similar links between dogs and humans, but little research focused on cats, said co-author Louise van der Weyden, a scientist at the British Wellcome Sanger Institute. | Cats, just like dogs, provide "a gr…
(2026-02-20). British PM appoints new cabinet secretary. ecns.cn The Cabinet Office announced on Thursday that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has appointed Antonia Romeo as cabinet secretary and head of the Civil Service.
(2026-02-20). The Attorney General Who Mocked Congress and the Rule of Law. counterpunch.org 
Pam Bondi's combative exchanges and derisive comments before the House Judiciary Committee revealed a contempt for democratic procedure. This was not mere incivility; it was a warning that the separation of powers is being undermined from the top of the Justice Department. One critic called her testimony "wild entertainment." Another journalist said she looked like
(2026-02-20). Ethereum Fortifies For The Future. ummid.com While Ethereum price USD is steady if not brilliant, it is widely viewed by institutional investors as a major player over the next decade.
(2026-02-20). The State of Sexual Union, 2026. counterpunch.org If you're too busy or overwhelmed by life or AI to listen to my sixth annual State of the Sexual Union address (2026), delivered live 2/14/2026 on Active Radio hosted by Hartley Pleshaw on WCAP-AM 980 — now available for your aural edification — here's my single-word 2026 prescription for our very sickened society: Therapy. We need it. I need it, and
(2026-02-20). One dead as Metro bridge pillar collapses in Mumbai. ummid.com One person has been killed and three others are injured after a pillar of an under-construction metro rail bridge collapsed in Mulund, Mumbai Saturday February 14, 2026.
(2026-02-20). Applications open for 2027 Fulbright scholarship program. tribune.com.pk 
The United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP) has opened applications for the 2027 Fulbright Student Program. | Established in 1950 by the governments of the United States and Pakistan, the USEFP has facilitated exchange programs for more than 9,000 Pakistanis and nearly 1,000 Americans. The Fulbright scholarship covers graduate study in the US, including tuition, living expenses, insurance, and air travel. | The USEFP said the program considers a broad definition of merit, including grades, test scores, leadership potential, and commitment to contributing to Pakistan's development. | The schola…
(2026-02-20). Grace Tame event moved after Murdoch coverage fuels harassment campaign. independentaustralia.net 
(2026-02-20). More Kitgum Farmers Express Interest in Growing Coffee. plusnews.ug 
At least 48 farmers in Labongo Amida sub-county, Kitgum district, have registered interest in growing coffee following a sensitisation and training programme aimed at promoting the crop in northern Uganda. Pauline Abalo, a farmer in Lemo East, said she decided to join the training because she is interested in having a steady source of income. …
(2026-02-20). 18 Egyptian workers killed in deadly crash on Port Said—Ismailia road. albawaba.com ALBAWABA- At least 18 Egyptian workers were killed and three others injured on Thursday morning when a heavy transport truck collided with a pickup truck carrying laborers on the Port Said—Ismailia road, security and medical sources said.The crash occurred on the 30 June Axis south of Port Said. The victims, who were from Dakahlia province, were traveling to jobs at fish farms in Port Said when the truck struck their vehicle.Witnesses said the collision was severe, turning what had been a routine work journey during the holy month of Ramadan into a scene of devastation.ŸÖÿµÿ±…
(2026-02-20). How will US-Iran war begin: Details leak before potential conflict – Missiles, jets or invasion in first hit. hindustantimes.com Analysts outline scenarios for a U.S. strike on Iran as Trump's "beautiful armada" of carriers, destroyers and jets masses near Hormuz. With the Ford and Lincoln at sea, 50+ fighters in theatre and submarines ready to fire Tomahawks, any clash could mean weeks of strikes against Khamenei's missile arsenal.
(2026-02-20). The Trump Administration's Catastrophic Census Proposal. counterpunch.org 
The Trump administration recently announced significant changes to the 2026 Operational Test for the 2030 Census. If implemented, the changes would undermine the utility of what should be a broad, multi-site rehearsal of census operations, potentially compromising the validity of the 2030 Census results. The changes transform the test from a safeguard into a source
(2026-02-20). Record-breaking broadcast deal likely in Pakistan history. tribune.com.pk 
Pakistan cricket appears to be on the verge of its most expensive commercial deal ever, which could add billions of rupees to the Pakistan Cricket Board's coffers. | According to sources, a Pakistan Super League franchise is considering offering ‚Ç®4.5 billion annually for the Pakistan Super League broadcast rights. If bid is successful, a four-year agreement worth up to ‚Ç®18 billion could be signed. Matches are likely to be aired on Pakistan Television, the state broadcaster. | Meanwhile, two major sports channels have been disqualified from the bidding race after failing to…
(2026-02-20). China urges tighter full-chain safety oversight for fireworks. ecns.cn The meeting stressed that fireworks retail outlets are strictly prohibited from operating in mixed-use buildings that have retail space on the ground floor and residential units above.
(2026-02-20). Saturday 2/21: Free virtual screening of the documentary film. indybay.org Zoom | us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_rVdt……
(2026-02-20). Walter Reed military hospital formalizes deal with Kaiser Permanente to prepare for mass casualties in future wars. wsws.org The deal was finalized as 31,000 Kaiser workers are on strike across California and Hawaii, underscoring the political significance of their struggle.
(2026-02-20). Trump repeats claim of stopping India-Pakistan conflict, says 200% tariff threat forced de-escalation. ptcnews.tv PTC Web Desk: US President Donald Trump has once again claimed that he prevented a major escalation between India and Pakistan last year by warning both countries of steep economic consequences if hostilities continued.Addressing a gathering of the Board of Peace in Washington on Thursday, Trump said he had threatened to impose 200 per cent tariffs on both nations unless they stepped back from what he described as a rapidly intensifying conflict. According to him, the warning helped de-escalate tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.Trump reiterated his broader assertion that he had played a role in r…
(2026-02-20). Saturday 2/28: Webinar: Rising Global Solidarity Against Genocide: A Conversation with Huwaida Arraf. indybay.org Zoom | www.fosna.org/globalsolidarity…
(2026-02-20). S. Korea's ex-president Yoon sentenced to life in prison on insurrection. independent.co.ug 
SEOUL | Xinhua | South Korea's former President Yoon Suk-yeol was sentenced to life in prison on charges of insurrection stemming from his declaration of emergency martial law, live footage showed Thursday. The Seoul Central District Court delivered its ruling, which was broadcast live to the public, saying the crux of Yoon's martial …
(2026-02-20). Activists celebrate the return of slavery exhibit at Philadelphia's President's House Site. whyy.org From Philly and the Pa. suburbs to South Jersey and Delaware, what would you like WHYY News to cover? More than a dozen people gathered in celebration this afternoon as National Park Service employees restored an exhibit depicting the lives of enslaved people to U.S. District Judge Cynthia Rufe set a Friday deadline for the Trump administration to restore the exhibit at the President's House Site, after several panels were removed in…
(2026-02-20). The Fourth Reich Rises While The People Resist. counterpunch.org 
When Marco Rubio took the stage at the Munich Security Conference on February 15, 2026, and delivered his sputtering paean to "Western civilization," the room of European leaders rose in a prolonged, obedient standing ovation. That applause was not for diplomacy; it was sycophantic submission, a pathetic spectacle of vassals cheering their own subjugation and
(2026-02-20). Job cuts and restructuring continue at Australian universities, facilitated by the trade unions. wsws.org Union deals and enterprise agreements are enabling the Albanese Labor government's pro-corporate and pro-military restructuring of universities.
(2026-02-20). The Poetic Symmetry of Jesse Jackson's Life: Love, Rage, and Leadership. counterpunch.org 
Rev. Jesse Jackson surprised me during a trip to his home state of South Carolina. He asked that I join him in the hospital room of his dying mother, Helen Burns Jackson. I had accompanied him in 2015 to write about his work advocating for then-governor Nikki Haley to accept Medicaid expansion funds from the Obama administration, and for her to remove the Confederate Flag from government property. When his mother became ill, he made his trips to Greenville more frequent, always attaching them to a political purpose. As I was about to learn, Jackson performed a poetic synthesis throughout his 84-years, fusing demo…
(2026-02-20). South Korea's ex-president Yoon sentenced to life in prison on insurrection. ecns.cn South Korea's former President Yoon Suk-yeol was sentenced to life in prison on charges of insurrection stemming from his declaration of emergency martial law, live footage showed Thursday.
(2026-02-20). Caitlin Johnstone: Dems Quietly Back War on Iran. consortiumnews.com Democratic Party leaders are doing nothing to oppose Trump's war plans for Iran because they support those plans. They just don't want to be the ones pulling the trigger. By Caitlin Johnstone Caitlin's Newsletter Reading by Tim Foley The Wall…
(2026-02-20). Trump orders Pentagon, federal agencies to release files on UFOs and aliens. aljazeera.com US president's announcement comes amid a surge of interest following comments on aliens by ex-President Barack Obama.
(2026-02-20). Will Lehman backs plant occupations by Mexican auto parts workers against mass layoffs. wsws.org The Mack Trucks worker and candidate for United Auto Workers president has issued a statement supporting the Mexican auto parts workers fighting mass layoffs by US-based corporations.
(2026-02-20). French politics lurches right after the death of a fascist. wsws.org The death of a fascist near an event organised by France Unbowed (La France Insoumise, LFI) has triggered a right-wing rampage in France.
(2026-02-20). Punjab implements 38 schemes under the 'Climate Resilient Punjab Vision 2024'. tribune.com.pk 
Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said on Friday that, for the first time in the province's history, the Environmental Protection Agency and Climate Change Annual Development Programme schemes have been finalised ahead of schedule under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif's Climate Resilient Punjab Vision 2024, with rapid implementation now underway. | Speaking at a briefing in Lahore, she said work was progressing on 38 Annual Development Programme (ADP) schemes. After providing 5,000 super seeders at a 60 per cent subsidy this year, the government has added another 15,000 super seeders, 5,000 bale…
(2026-02-20). Philippine central bank cuts rates. ecns.cn The Philippine central bank on Thursday said it decided to reduce its target reverse repurchase rate by 25 basis points to 4.25 percent and the interest rates on the overnight deposit and lending facilities to 3.75 percent and 4.75 percent, respectively.
(2026-02-20). India AI Summit in mess after Galgotia University's 'Robot Blunder'. ummid.com A massive controversy unfloded at the India AI Impact Summit Wednesday Februray 18, 2026 after Noida based Galgotia University put on display a Chinese Robot claiming it to be an innovation of its students.
(2026-02-20). PM Shehbaz meets global leaders at 'Board of Peace' summit in Washington. tribune.com.pk 
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with several global leaders, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during his visit to Washington, DC, for the inaugural session of the "Board of Peace". | The discussions centred on global and regional issues, while Secretary Rubio discussed critical minerals, energy-sector development, and investment opportunities for American companies in Pakistan with PM Shehbaz. | According to a statement from the PM's Office, Shehbaz also engaged with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain, President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan, Preside…
(2026-02-20). Messi kicks off MLS season. tribune.com.pk 
Lionel Messi kicks off a critical season for Major League Soccer this weekend as the rapidly growing US domestic league seeks to cash in on a huge spike in interest from the upcoming World Cup. | Messi ⚪ MLS's undisputed flagship star ⚪ will lace up his boots for a fourth year with Inter Miami, who take on South Korean ace Son Heung-min's Los Angeles FC in Saturday's opener at the 70,000-capacity Memorial Coliseum. | It is a suitably splashy start for a season that will be split in two by the 2026 World Cup, which takes place across the United States, Canada and Mexico this summer. | World Cup host countries…
(2026-02-20). 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…
(2026-02-20). 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…
(2026-02-20). Wednesday 2/25: Black History Month Celebration. indybay.org The Spot, Barrios Unidos, 1807 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz…
(2026-02-20). Zimbabwe welcomes EU's easing of travel bans, asset freezes. ecns.cn Zimbabwe welcomes the European Union's (EU) decision to remove all remaining sanctions related to travel bans and asset freezes, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Amon Murwira has said.
(2026-02-20). Jesse Jackson's vision for America embraced environmental justice. grist.org Peggy Shepard walked into her living room on Tuesday morning when her husband told her Jesse Jackson, the civil rights titan from South Carolina, had died. "Immediately tears started coming," said Shepard, co-founder and executive director of WE ACT for Environmental Justice, a New York City-based nonprofit. | Nearly 40 years ago, Jackson had altered the course of Shepard's life. In the late 1980s, she was working as an editor at Time-Life Books, when a colleague mentioned an organizing meeting for Jackson's 1988 presidential campaign in Manhattan's Greenwich Village. "I walked into this Saturday meeting, and…
(2026-02-20). JEE Main Session 1 Result 2026: How and Where to Check. ummid.com The National Testing Agency (NTA) is releasing on the official website 'jeemain.nta.nic.in' the JEE Main 2026 Session 1 result today i.e. Monday February 16, 2026.
(2026-02-20). Philadelphia activists protest Enterprise's complicity with ICE. workers.org 
NO ICE Philadelphia activists delivered a message on Feb. 16 to Enterprise Rent-A-Car, a company helping Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) abduct our migrant neighbors and terrorize communities by renting vehicles to federal agents. Prior to a planned protest, Enterprise shut down their office inside the busy 30th Street Train . . . |
(2026-02-20). Up, Down and Around With Jesse Jackson. counterpunch.org 
(2026-02-20). Protesting Big Oil and Sportswashing. counterpunch.org 
Climate activists are calling out pro sports teams across the U.S. Why? The answer is the teams' sportswashing partnerships with Big Oil. According to activists, sportswashing uses fans' fondness for their pro teams to fog the lethal consequences of fossil fuel sponsorships with Big Oil, e.g., BP America, Phillips 66 and Shell. Call it a
(2026-02-20). Islamabad's electric buses extended to Rawat, aiming to double daily ridership. tribune.com.pk 
The electric bus service in Islamabad has been extended to the Rawat area with special consideration being paid to routes for students, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said on Friday. He made the announcement while inaugurating a dedicated bus depot and charging centre in Islamabad, according to Radio Pakistan. | Addressing the inaugural ceremony, the minister said around 125,000 citizens of Islamabad are currently benefiting from the electric bus service on a daily basis. He added that a target has been set to increase the number of passengers to 250,000 per day. | As per an official statement from the ministr…
(2026-02-20). Saturday 2/21: Make Billionaires PAY! indybay.org corner of Forest Ave & Monroe St | Valley Fair Mall…
(2026-02-20). Iran to Respond Decisively if US Launches Military Aggression: UN Envoy. english.almanar.com.lb Iran respond "decisively and proportionately" to any military aggression, stressing that the United States would bear "full and direct responsibility" for the consequences, the Islamic Republic's permanent mission to the UN warned on Thursday. "The Islamic Republic of Iran has repeatedly stated at the highest level that it neither seeks tension nor war and will …
(2026-02-20). As war with Iran looms, Israel is not watching U.S. plan strikes from the bleachers. haaretz.com U.S. preparations for a broad military attack on Iran grow, and Israel is acting not like a secondary player, but rather an active partner in decision-making, thanks to Netanyahu's insistence on placing Israel at the forefront of a possible confrontation…
(2026-02-20). Pakistan, Philippines hold second Joint Economic Commission meeting. tribune.com.pk 
Pakistan and the Philippines on Friday held the second session of their Joint Economic Commission in Manila, according to a spokesperson for the Ministry of Economic Affairs. | The meeting was co-chaired by Pakistan's Secretary of Economic Affairs Muhammad Humair Karim and the Philippines' Undersecretary for International Trade Allan B Gepty. | Both sides discussed measures to strengthen trade and investment ties, including organising trade exhibitions and a dedicated business forum, the spokesperson said. | PHOTO: MINISTRY OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS | The meeting also reviewed updating the bilateral Double Taxation…
(2026-02-20). International coalition prepares humanitarian convoy to break the blockade against Cuba. radiohc.cu The "Nuestra America" / "Our America" coalition of international movements announced that its humanitarian aid initiative for Cuba will transform into a massive deployment by air, sea, and land. The goal is to deliver food, medicine, and essential goods on March 21st to the Malecón in Havana. This mobilization seeks to break the economic blockade that is suffocating the island, integrating unions, members of parliament, and humanitarian organizations into a global logistics network for collecting supplies. | Prominent international figures such as Swedish activist Greta T…
(2026-02-20). 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.
(2026-02-20). 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.
(2026-02-20). Why AI could matter more to India than to U.S. & China | AI future explained. hindustantimes.com India is at a technological crossroads, again. In the early 2000s, the country powered the IT revolution not by building Silicon Valley, but by staffing it. This time, the stakes are much higher. Artificial Intelligence is not just another tech wave, it is a structural shift that could add up to $4 trillion annually to the global economy. But here's the real question: will India shape this revolution, or simply serve it? As New Delhi hosts Asia's first AI Impact Summit, the country finds itself in a rare geopolitical sweet spot, trusted by the West, engaged with the Global South, and not locked into the U.S.-Chin…
(2026-02-20). King Charles learns Andrew's arrest with 'deepest concern': statement. ecns.cn Britain's King Charles III issued a public statement on Thursday after Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the king's younger brother and former British prince, was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, saying he received the news with "the deepest concern."
(2026-02-20). British vlogger celebrates multicultural Spring Festival in Xinjiang. ecns.cn During the Year of the Horse Spring Festival, British vlogger Luke Johnston joined his Uygur friend Muradil to experience the holiday celebrations across the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
(2026-02-20). Netanyahu is paving a one-way street to a new political reality. haaretz.com President Herzog wants the attorney general to rescue him from the embarrassment of pardoning Netanyahu. The opposition party leaders have plenty of ideas, but implementing them is another story…
(2026-02-20). 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.
(2026-02-20). RIP: Jesse Jackson at the Wattstax concert in Los Angeles, in 1972. indybay.org Rev. Jesse Jackson, head of Operation PUSH, was the MC of the Wattstax concert, in 1972.
(2026-02-20). Ayatollah Khamenei's meeting with the people of Tabriz. unitedworldint.com 
Observations from the venue By Gàºrkan Demir, from Tabriz / Iran On January 17, Iran's Islamic Revolution Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, met with the people of Tabriz in Tehran. This meeting is traditional. It has been held for about 25 years, bringing Ali Khamenei together with the people of Tabriz, who were a cornerstone …
(2026-02-20). US forces in position for illegal attack on Iran. wsws.org The United States has positioned its naval and air forces for a massive assault on Iran in the largest military buildup in the Middle East since the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
(2026-02-20). Friday 2/20: Noisemakers Against Genocide (Israeli Consulate). indybay.org 456 Montgomery, San Francisco…
(2026-02-20). 2/22/26 NALC Letter Carriers Rally At Harry Bridges Plaza. indybay.org LETTER CARRIERS' WORK IS HARDER THAN EVER, AND WE DESERVE HIGHER PAY: | NALC Branch 214 | Harry Bridges Plaza | San Francisco, CA 94111 | 11 AM…
(2026-02-20). World Socialist Revolution is the answer to imperialist war and fascism. wsws.org David North delivered lectures online at the invitation of Social Democracy clubs at Bilkent University and Middle East Technical University, both located in Ankara, Turkey. The lectures were delivered on February 17 and 19.
(2026-02-20). Occupation Intensifies: Wave of Raids, Arrests, and Settler Attacks Sweep West Bank. english.almanar.com.lb The Israeli enemy has launched a campaign of raids and arrests across multiple areas of the occupied West Bank. Cities and refugee camps in the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem witnessed a significant escalation of violence from last night until dawn today, following a series of incursions by Israeli occupation forces. These operations coincided with …
(2026-02-20). The ICRC activities in Russia and Belarus, 2025. icrc.org Facts and Figures…
(2026-02-20). "The worst of the worst" : ICE detains Chilean death squad killer. wsws.org The Trump administration claims ad nauseam that ICE's anti-immigrant dragnet is targeting the "worst of the worst." Whether by chance or design, the detention of Armando Fernández Larios fits the bill.
(2026-02-20). Democrats Aren't Resisting Trump's Iran War Because They Secretly Support It. caitlinjohnstone.com.au The Wall Street Journal CNN A Trump…
(2026-02-20). Founder of U.S. defense tech giant Anduril visits Israel secretly, meets Netanyahu. haaretz.com During his visit, self-described 'radical Zionist' Palmer Luckey also met with senior figures at at least one of Israel's top defense firms, as well as in closed meetings with several defense-tech startups…
(2026-02-20). UN finds 'genocide signs' in El-Fasher. tribune.com.pk 
The United Nations' independent fact-finding mission on Sudan said on Thursday the siege and capture of El-Fasher by a paramilitary group bore "the hallmarks of genocide". | Its investigation concluded that the Rapid Support Forces' (RSF) seizure of the city in Darfur state in October had inflicted "three days of absolute horror" and called for those responsible to be brought to justice. | The mission warned that "urgent protection of civilians is needed, now more than ever" in neighbouring Kordofan state, the flashpoint of fighting since the RSF's capture of El-Fasher, which was marked by ethnic massacres, se…
(2026-02-20). Iraq needs a stronger presidency, says candidate Sardar Abdulla. newarab.com 
(2026-02-20). X files? Trump says he's ordering release of data on UFOs and aliens. tribune.com.pk 
US President Donald Trump said Thursday he is ordering federal agencies to begin "identifying and releasing" government files related to UFOs and aliens, a move sought for decades by some Americans. | "Based on the tremendous interest shown, I will be directing the Secretary of War, and other relevant Departments and Agencies, to begin the process of identifying and releasing Government files related to alien and extraterrestrial life, unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), and unidentified flying objects (UFOs)," Trump posted on his Truth Social platform. | While he did not specify whether classified documents…
(2026-02-20). Anisimova ends Andreeva Dubai defence. tribune.com.pk 
Amanda Anisimova ended a tearful Mirra Andreeva's Dubai title defence on Thursday with a comeback 2-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7/4) victory in the quarter-finals. | The second-seeded American trailed the fifth seed Russian Andreeva by a set and a break before rallying back to complete a two-hour 38-minute win. | She booked a place in the semi-finals of a WTA 1000 event for the fourth time in her career. | "I was almost in tears there at the end," Anisimova said. "It made me emotional seeing her like that. I feel we both won today." | Anisimova next faces fellow American Jessica Pegula who beat Dane Clara Tauson 6-3, 2-6, 6-…
(2026-02-20). Rise of Jamaat-e Islami in Bangladesh and Concerns in India. ummid.com While India, which has historical ties with Bangladesh and its people, will engage with whoever wins the election, a Jamaat win is bound to involve very different calculations for New Delhi.
(2026-02-20). King Charles' brother Andrew arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. ecns.cn Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, Britain's ex-prince and King Charles III's younger brother, was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office on Thursday, British media outlets reported.
(2026-02-20). Rahmani 30 Entrance Test 2026 Result Announced. ummid.com The Rahmani Foundation has declared the result of the Rahmani 30 Entrance Test 2026 on its official website.
(2026-02-20). One killed, 11 injured in Yemen after security forces disperse STC storming. aljazeera.com Protest erupts after the internationally recognised gov't holds its first session in the southern city of Aden.
(2026-02-20). How History Remembers Tipu Sultan. ummid.com It is interesting to note in the RSS series for children on Indian History, they had published a book on Tipu Sultan in the 1970s.
(2026-02-20). Takaichi reelection as Japan's PM confirmed. ecns.cn Sanae Takaichi, leader of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), was elected as the country's 105th prime minister on Wednesday by members of parliament.
(2026-02-20). CUET PG 2026 subject-wise schedule released. ummid.com The National Testing Agency (NTA) has published the subject-wise schedule of the Common University Entrance Test PG (CUET PG) 2026 on its official website.
(2026-02-20). What local businesses should know about where their sites are hosted. independentaustralia.net 
(2026-02-20). Astroturf Alert: $2 Billion in Foreign Cash Behind America's "Grassroots" Climate Movement? wattsupwiththat.com If a comparable sum had flowed from domestic oil companies into policy think tanks questioning renewable mandates, it would dominate headlines for months. Congressional hearings would be scheduled before the ink dried. Editorial pages would thunder about corruption and capture.
(2026-02-20). US drone presence worries China, top neuroscientist moves to Shenzhen: SCMP's 7 highlights. scmp.com We have selected seven stories from this week's news across Hong Kong, mainland China, the wider Asia region and beyond that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. | 1. Why the growing network of American MQ-9 drones is a challenge for China…
(2026-02-20). Arsenal aim to banish title jitters. tribune.com.pk 
Arsenal must banish their untimely bout of title race anxiety as the wobbling Premier League leaders head to Tottenham for the north London derby. | Manchester City can pile pressure on the Gunners with a win against Newcastle, while Michael Carrick heads to Everton aiming to bolster his bid to become Manchester United's permanent manager. | AFP Sport looks at three talking points ahead of this weekend's action: | Saka expects Arsenal to hit back | Defiant Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka is adamant his side will eventually "get over the line" and end their trophy drought. | Mikel Arteta's men are in danger of blow…
(2026-02-20). Israel's Illegal Occupation of Southwestern Syria. counterpunch.org Read Sam's
(2026-02-20). Israeli freelancer platform Fiverr faces revenue drop after losing a third of its value amid AI fears. haaretz.com The capital markets are concerned that Fiverr, which is traded on the New York Stock Exchange, will become irrelevant given developments in artificial intelligence technology. As of Wednesday, the company was trading at $11.33 per share, down from $19.68 at the beginning of the year…
(2026-02-20). Israel A State of Exception Eyes Borders Beyond Palestine. ummid.com Israel has already created that void. In the hands of a genocidal settler-colonial society, the state of exception is a relentless nightmare that will not stop at the borders of Palestine.
(2026-02-20). Or Our Nuclear World, Up Close and Personal. counterpunch.org 
"I'm not scared, you're scared!" is the repeated line in a children's story we recently read to the kids at the Unitarian Universalist version of Sunday school I attend with my children. In that story, a scared bear and a brave rabbit, who (naturally!) are best friends, go on a hike together. Rabbit has to cajole and
(2026-02-20). Wes Jackson: A Misfit Trying to Change the Future of Farming. counterpunch.org 
Wes Jackson's career demonstrates that sometimes the race goes not to the swift but to the unconventional, that the battle can be won not only by the strong but by the stubborn. Straight-A students don't always lead the way. Jackson, one of the last half-century's most innovative thinkers about regenerative agriculture, has won a MacArthur Fellowship, the
(2026-02-20). Three aid workers killed, 4 wounded in RSF drone attack in Sudan's Kordofan. aljazeera.com The attack comes as the UN releases a report which found that RSF actions have hallmarks of genocide in el-Fasher.
(2026-02-20). RRB CEN 06/2025 Exam Date Confirmed. ummid.com The Ministry of Railways has confirmed the examination date and schedule of the Computer Based Test 1 (CBT-1) to be conducted to fill various vacancies as notified under the RRB CEN 06/2025.
(2026-02-20). AG: police use says stalling spyware legislation. haaretz.com Gali Baharav-Miara pushed back against accusations from the police and National Security Ministry, stating that a bill to authorize advanced surveillance has been 'sitting on the government's table for a long time'…
(2026-02-20). The global company Veolia at the heart of NZ's wastewater disaster. wsws.org Active across 56 countries, Veolia epitomises the subordination of vital resources and public services to the profit interests of finance capital, imposing the costs onto the working class.
(2026-02-20). Can the new Federal Coalition be an effective Opposition and start acting like a 'government in waiting' ready to lead? onlineopinion.com.au Can the Federal Coalition become a real opposition, develop policy and be ready for office?
(2026-02-20). Dàºsseldorf Art Academy accused of antisemitism due to performance by Palestinian artist Basma al-Sharif. wsws.org The artist was not criticized for her works, but for several pro-Palestinian posts on Instagram criticizing the Israeli government, including a call to boycott Israel.
(2026-02-20). An Unsettling Climate Warning for Homeownership. counterpunch.org 
Earth's climate system has suddenly shifted to a new phase of global warming acceleration that few saw coming. This ups the ante for risks of severe climate-related disaster scenarios following a record-shattering year in 2025. This directly impacts American homeownership, whether it is compatible with current U.S. energy/climate policies.
(2026-02-20). Two more suspects included in PTI's foreign funding case. tribune.com.pk 
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Friday decided to revise the charge sheet in the foreign funding case against PTI founder Imran Khan and others after two new suspects were added to the probe. | The Islamabad Banking Court on Friday heard the case, summoning two new individuals: PTI Chief Finance Officer Siraj Ahmed and private bank employee Faisal Qazi for questioning. | Judge Abdul Ghafoor Kakar presided over the hearing, with Special Prosecutor Wasiq Malik representing the prosecution. | "The partial charge sheet has already been submitted," Malik told the court. "With the inclusion of two new susp…
(2026-02-20). Deadly tower collapse has locals in Lebanon's Tripoli asking: Are we next? aljazeera.com February 8 collapse killed at least 15 people in Lebanon's second city, where buildings are in poor condition.
(2026-02-20). 8 skiers dead after avalanche in U.S. Northern California. ecns.cn Eight skiers have been killed and one remains missing following an avalanche on Tuesday in Nevada County, US Northern California, local authorities said Wednesday.
(2026-02-20). President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to Be Honored at 34th Annual Africa Peace Awards Ceremony. indybay.org We are pleased to announce that His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai, President of the Republic of Liberia, has been invited by Sac State University President Luke Wood, and he has accepted, as the keynote speaker and distinguished honoree at the 34th Annual Peace Awards Ceremony, an internationally renowned annual event recognizing those with outstanding service and leadership, as well as steadfast commitment to peace, justice, and global harmony.
(2026-02-20). The Way Forward for Bangladesh. ummid.com The way forward for Bangladesh involves strengthening democratic institutions, implementing deep structural economic reforms, and ensuring law and order following the 2024 political transition.
(2026-02-20). Al-Nassr Winning Streak Without Ronaldo Continues. ummid.com Al Nassr Saudi FC defeated FC Arkadag in AFC Cup Round of 16 Leg 2 of 2 match played without its Skipper Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Awwal Park Stadium in Riyadh Wednesday February 18, 2026.
(2026-02-20). India: The international community must call for the immediate release of Umar Khalid. 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 undersigned organisations condemn the 5 January 2026 decision of the Indian Supreme Court to deny bail to human rights defender and student activist Umar Khalid, who has been detained for over five years without trial, in violation of India's obligations under international human rights law. The (…) | – |
(2026-02-20). Germany: 6 years since the racist murders in Hanau. wsws.org Six years after the racist murder attack in Hanau, thousands took to the streets again on February 19 to commemorate the victims. A tenth victim has recently succumbed to his injuries.
(2026-02-20). China announces duty free imports from almost whole of African Continent. ummid.com China has announced to implement zero duty imports from almost whole of the African Continent starting May 01, 2026.
(2026-02-20). 8 skiers dead, 9th missing in California avalanche. tribune.com.pk 
Eight backcountry skiers were confirmed killed and a ninth was presumed to have perished when their tour group was overtaken by a football-field-sized avalanche in California's Sierra Nevada mountains on Tuesday, in the deadliest US avalanche in 45 years, authorities said. | Six survivors were rescued after search teams on skis fought through blinding snow, darkness, treacherous terrain and gale-force winds to reach them in the rugged Castle Peak area near Truckee, California, about 10 miles (16 km) northwest of Lake Tahoe. | The group of 15 skiers, including four guides from outfitter Blackbird Mountain Guide…
(2026-02-20). US pays about $160m towards nearly $4bn in UN dues. aljazeera.com President Trump has slashed foreign aid and repeatedly criticised the United Nations for failing to meet its goals.
(2026-02-20). Ramadan 2026 Moon Sighting in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh: Live Updates. ummid.com The Moon Sighting Committees in India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh have issued advisory to Muslims in the four countries to spot the Crescent Moon, Ramadan Moon or Ramzan Chand, Wednesday 29th Shaban 1447 H, corresponding to February 18, 2026 in the South Asian countries.
(2026-02-20). 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.
(2026-02-20). Trump says he's ordering release of US files on UFOs and aliens. scmp.com US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he was directing the Pentagon and other government agencies to identify and release files related to extraterrestrials and UFOs because of "tremendous interest". | Trump made the announcement in a social media post hours after he accused former president Barack Obama of disclosing "classified information" when Obama recently suggested in a podcast interview that aliens were real.
(2026-02-20). U.S. surges 40% of aging AWACS fleet to Mideast amid rising Iran tensions. hindustantimes.com The U.S.-Iran standoff has moved into the skies, with Washington surging a large share of its aging E-3 Sentry "flying radar" fleet toward Europe and the Middle East. In just days, the U.S. Air Force has deployed 6 of its 16 Boeing E-3 AWACS aircraft-nearly 40 percent of the entire fleet to bases stretching from the U.K. and Germany to the Gulf, in what analysts say could be the final command‚Äëand‚Äëcontrol pieces of a potential air campaign against Iran. These Cold War—era aircraft act as airborne radar and battle management hubs, tracking low-flying drones, cruise missiles…
(2026-02-20). 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.
(2026-02-20). Pressure Jordan – not Israel – to end the Jewish-Arab conflict. onlineopinion.com.au As Arab states reaffirm the two-state formula, a shelved proposal to merge Jordan and Palestine resurfaces. Is the region ignoring its own alternative?
(2026-02-20). 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…
(2026-02-20). CARTOONS: Angus Taylor is seriously talking turkey. independentaustralia.net 
(2026-02-20). The Cuban Revolution Holds Out Against US Imperialism. counterpunch.org 
In January 2026, US President Donald Trump declared Cuba to be an "unusual and extraordinary threat" to US security—a designation that allows the United States government to use sweeping economic restrictions traditionally reserved for national security adversaries. The US blockade against Cuba began in the 1960s, right after the Cuban Revolution of 1959 but has
(2026-02-20). Papuan activist Wenda accuses Jakarta of 'lying' over shot down plane. asiapacificreport.nz 
Asia Pacific Report A West Papuan leader has accused the Indonesian government of lying over its operations and "masking" the military role of some civilian aircraft. Disputing an Indonesian government statement about reported that TPNPB fired upon an aircraft in Boven Digoel, killing both the pilot and copilot, United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP)…
(2026-02-20). How to Start Business in Sharjah with Limited Capital. ummid.com Sharjah offers cost-effective licensing options, flexible office solutions, and simplified registration processes — making it an ideal choice for startups and SMEs operating on tight budgets.
(2026-02-20). Is southern Yemen's next phase being decided on the ground? aljazeera.com Security fragmentation and regional rivalries are reshaping power in southern Yemen.
(2026-02-20). 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.
(2026-02-20). Gunfire erupts in Rawalpindi as police arrest two suspects after chase. tribune.com.pk 
(2026-02-20). North Korea's Kim Jong Un launches key party congress held every 5 years. aljazeera.com Kim focuses on improving economic activity in opening speech at Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea.
(2026-02-20). Washington D.C. declares public emergency after Potomac sewer collapse. wsws.org The District's Potomac sewage emergency stems from long‚Äëneglected infrastructure which will be addressed through prolonged repairs and higher rates on the population and devastated health and livelihoods for River residents.
(2026-02-20). Philippines: Caring for conflict-affected people. icrc.org Facts and figures from January to December 2025…
(2026-02-20). Ukrainian President Zelensky pledges elections, quickly backtracks. wsws.org The fight for democracy and to end the war in Ukraine is inseparable from the struggle to mobilize the working class in Ukraine and internationally against capitalism.
(2026-02-20). 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.
(2026-02-20). House vote battle intensifies as bipartisan lawmakers seek to block Iran strikes without Congress. nationofchange.org Khanna and Massie invoke constitutional authority amid reports of military buildup and rising concerns of expanded war.
(2026-02-20). Joint enforcement drive targets illegal Afghan residents during Ramazan. tribune.com.pk 
(2026-02-20). Many reasons to protest U.S. at Winter Olympics. workers.org 
At the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics, the audience booed U.S. Vice President JD Vance as well as the Israeli delegation. Mass demonstrations outside the events in Milan, Italy, protested the participation by the Zionist apartheid state as well as the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) . . . |
(2026-02-20). Hitler's Moscow to Trump's Minneapolis: When power meets resistance. independentaustralia.net 
(2026-02-20). Iran Crisis Exposes the Impotence of America's Neoliberal War Machine. juancole.com ( This is the third Atlantic
(2026-02-20). PHF interim chief vows to restore hockey's glory, lifts ban on captain Ammad Butt. tribune.com.pk 
Secretary Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani has pledged to revive and strengthen the country's national game after assuming charge as the ad-hoc President of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF). | In a statement on Friday, following his appointment, Wani assured stakeholders of a comprehensive plan aimed at stabilising the federation, rebuilding trust and revamping team management to restore Pakistan's lost glory in international hockey. | "As the newly appointed ad-hoc President of PHF, I assure stakeholders of our commitment to revive and strengthen hockey in Pakistan," he said, addin…
(2026-02-20). "Not worried" : Reactions as Maharashtra annuls 5% Muslim Quota. ummid.com Commenting on the BJP-led Mahayuti government's decision to scrap the 5% reservation granted to Muslims, AIMIM Maharashtra President and former MP, Imtiaz Jaleel, said the decision will not have any impact on the community.
(2026-02-20). Profit Over People: How the World Fuels Sudan's War. counterpunch.org 
Since April 2023, Sudan has been engulfed in a brutal armed conflict that began in Khartoum between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Triggered by disputes over security-sector reform during a stalled democratic transition, the fighting quickly spread nationwide, devastated civilian areas, drew in other armed groups, and crushed the fragile hopes raised by the 2019 overthrow of dictator Omar al-Bashir.
(2026-02-20). Francisco Franco: The Fascist Ego. counterpunch.org 
In 2026, the United States is being ruled by an administration led by a wannabe dictator named Trump. His ego seems to dominate his decisions, while his paranoia encourages him to surround himself with authoritarian individuals eager to prove a strength they have always doubted existed in their persona. Not an intellectual by any measure,
(2026-02-20). Polymarket: Odds of Jesus Christ returning outrank Kamala Harris for 2028. albawaba.com ALBAWABA – The world's largest cryptocurrency-based prediction market, Polymarket, sparked debate on social media after posting that the odds of Jesus Christ returning are higher than Kamala Harris's chance of winning the next 2028 presidential elections. Polymarket took to X (formerly Twitter) and wrote, "The odds of Jesus Christ returning this year have surpassed Kamala Harris's chances of winning the next election." According to the market's official website, the possibility of Jesus Christ returning
(2026-02-20). PHF lifts Ammad Butt ban, promises fresh start for Pakistan hockey. tribune.com.pk 
Just a day after a two-year ban was slapped on national hockey team captain Ammad Butt, Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Interim President Mohyuddin Wani announced Friday that the suspension had been lifted — signalling a reversal in tone as the federation moves to steady itself following recent turbulence. | The ban, imposed with PHF chief Tariq Bugti's resignation, had drawn swift criticism. Bugti stepped down after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered an inquiry into the team's tour of Australia, where players were left scrambling for accommodation in Hobart and forced to cook their own meals and wash…
(2026-02-20). Friday 4/24: Sean Dorsey 22nd Annual Home Season: We Choose Each Other. indybay.org Dance Mission Theater | 3316 24th St, San Francisco, CA 94110…
(2026-02-20). Details of the Cuba's Children, Adolescents and Youth Code. radiohc.cu The entry into force of the Children, Adolescents, and Youth Code (Law 178/2025) has consolidated an institutional system in Cuba designed to guarantee the rights of children and adolescents through the creation of the Comprehensive Protection System, the Granma newspaper reported. | The new framework responds to the 2019 constitutional mandate and the 2022 Family Code, recognizing new generations as full subjects of rights and establishing mechanisms to make them effective. | Among its guiding principles is the recognition of children as developing individuals and subjects of special protection, with shared resp…
(2026-02-20). Grey's Anatomy actor Eric Dane dead at 53 after ALS battle. scmp.com Actor Eric Dane, who played the handsome ‚Å Dr Mark Sloan ‚Å on the hit television ‚Å series Grey's Anatomy, died on Thursday aged 53, his family said, less than a year after revealing that he suffered from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS. | For 15 years, Dane played a plastic surgeon nicknamed "McSteamy" by ‚Äåfemale characters in the show. He also starred in the series Euphoria, and said after the diagnosis he would still return to the set for its third season.
(2026-02-20). Taylor and and 1950s revival. independentaustralia.net 
(2026-02-20). IBT 2010 CSUSF Strikers & Unionists Speak Out About Attacks on Labor & CSU Union Busting. indybay.org Striking IBT 2010 CSUSF building trades workers spoke out about their 4 day unfair labor practice strike. They were joined by other workers including an Amazon Teamster who talked about the role of AI at warehouses.
(2026-02-20). Friday 2/20: Justice for Guillermo Campaign – Stop the deportations, free Guillermo now! indybay.org 630 Sansome St, San Francisco, CA 94111…
(2026-02-20). 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.
(2026-02-20). What Trump's racist video reveals. workers.org 
There is absolutely no denying that Donald Trump is a bonafide white supremacist whose mission is to turn back the clock to the days of enslavement and the Confederacy. He has shown this in both words and deeds with the removal of federal monuments and public artifacts acknowledging that slavery . . . |
(2026-02-20). Trump sets 10-15 day deadline for Iran nuclear deal. geo.tv 
US President Donald Trump speaks ahead of the signing of a ceasefire deal between Cambodia and Thailand on the sidelines of the 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, October 26, 2025. — Reuters Trump warns Iran of 'really bad…
(2026-02-20). Wednesday 2/25: Trivia Night @ San Francisco Green Party New Meeting. indybay.org 2973 16th St, Suite #300 (Wheelchair accessible) San Francisco, CA | This office is right next to the 16th & Mission St BART Plaza.
(2026-02-20). Application for NCET ITEP April 2026 Starts. ummid.com The National Testing Agency (NTA) has started online registration and application process for the National Common Entrance Test (NCET 2026) conducted for admission in Integrated Teacher Education Program (ITEP).
(2026-02-20). South Korea's ex-President Yoon apologises after life sentence over martial law. tribune.com.pk 
Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol apologised on Friday for his short-lived declaration of martial law in December 2024, a day after a Seoul court sentenced him to life in prison for masterminding an insurrection. | In a statement released by his lawyers, Yoon said that while he was sorry for the "frustration and hardship" brought upon the people by his martial law decree, he stood behind the "sincerity and purpose" behind his actions. | The Seoul Central District Court's decision to hand him a life sentence on Thursday was "predetermined," he said, adding that the verdict against him was political re…
(2026-02-20). Rick Smith's Tasers and the Social-Control Economy. counterpunch.org 
Human primates seem extremely keen to shock each other these days. Arizona-based Axon Enterprise, Inc. (formerly Taser International) produces electroshock weapons. And its market cap amounts to tens of billions in USD. Axon's corporate slogan is Protect Life. CEO Rick Smith has gone so far as to suggest that using a Taser 10 is safer
(2026-02-20). Wednesday 2/18: Free Leqaa Power Hour. indybay.org Zoom | zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_X8w0KZBnT4WS……
(2026-02-20). Working for a Nuclear-Free Future, or 85 Seconds to My Own Midnight? juancole.com (
(2026-02-20). Female deejay duo bring rhythm and style to Stanbic Matchplay party. independent.co.ug 
Entebbe, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Valentine's night at the Entebbe Golf Club transformed into an unforgettable fusion of sport and spectacle as the Stanbic Matchplay Challenge kicked off with high-octane action on the greens and an even higher tempo at the 19th hole. The highlight of the night was the much-anticipated takeover by Kampala's …
(2026-02-20). Tragedy of Contemporary Muslim Politics in India. ummid.com The tragedy of contemporary Muslim politics in India lies not in the absence of voices, but in the misalignment between political expression and structural reality.
(2026-02-20). Pakistan jails two lawyers for 17 years over old tweets. globalvoices.org 
The trial moved unusually fast, speeding from indictment to sentencing in under three monthsGlobal Voices Imaan mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha. Screengrab from a video posted on X
(2026-02-20). Illegitimate Hijacking Of Bylaws By New Day At Pacifica Continues. indybay.org The New Day aligned PNB-Pacifica National Board majority is still moving forward to illegally change the bylaws and eliminate many democratic rights for the membership…
(2026-02-20). Germany's "Energy Transition" Hits the Ice: LNG Crisis Exposes the Costs of Shunning Nuclear and Baseload Power. wattsupwiththat.com Baseload power sources — whether nuclear or coal — were dismissed prematurely with pie-in-the-sky magical-thinking that a renewables-centric system could replace them quickly. But the reality of an industrialized society is that demand does not pause when the wind stops blowing or when Baltic ice slows a tanker. In that context, abandoning dispatchable power before firm, proven alternatives are in place looks less like foresight and more like ideology driving policy.
(2026-02-20). China submits first comprehensive policy document outlining its stance on WTO reform. ecns.cn China recently submitted to the World Trade Organization (WTO) a position paper outlining its stance on WTO reform under the current circumstances, the Ministry of Commerce said Thursday.
(2026-02-20). Iran pushes Hezbollah into Israel war? $1 bn in cash & gold sent as Bibi warns of 'painful' blow. hindustantimes.com Iran is reportedly ramping up pressure on Hezbollah to ensure the group joins any future war with Israel, rather than remaining on the sidelines. Ynet reports that Iran's top diplomat visited Lebanon in January in what was seen as a calculated move to push Hezbollah toward direct involvement in the next conflict. During the visit, Abbas Araghchi is said to have secured assurances that Hezbollah would not stay out of the fight if a new war erupts. According to the same report, Iranian financial support to Hezbollah has surged over the past year, surpassing one billion dollars in funding.
(2026-02-20). Labor government moves to bar entry to Australian women and children interned in Syria. wsws.org The Albanese government's actions, echoing the anti-immigrant poison of One Nation, flout warnings of widespread human rights abuses in Syrian internment camps.
(2026-02-20). PM Shehbaz meets DFC chief in Washington, seeks expanded US investment. tribune.com.pk 
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met the chief executive of the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) in Washington on Thursday to discuss expanding economic cooperation and increasing US investment in Pakistan. | During the meeting with DFC Chief Executive Officer Benjamin Black, he acknowledged the agency's investment portfolio of more than $1 billion in Pakistan and said the economic priorities of both countries were aligned, offering mutually beneficial opportunities for business-to-business collaboration. | PM Shehbaz invited the DFC chief to visit Pakistan to explore investment opportunitie…
(2026-02-20). More Canadian buyers turn to INKAS Safes as security concerns grow nationwide. independentaustralia.net 
(2026-02-20). Could Dostoyevsky's 'Accursed Questions' Be a Beneficial Obsession? counterpunch.org 
Centrism [in Great Britain]…Much of our politics now consists of performance rather than governance. The calculations are short-term by design: win the week, dominate the clip, neutralize the headline. The long-term consequences — erosion of empathy, normalization of cruelty, a growing sense that nobody in charge believes what they say — are outsourced to society to endure.
(2026-02-20). Alcaraz books last four berth in Qatar. tribune.com.pk 
Carlos Alcaraz came from behind to beat Karen Khachanov on Thursday and book his spot in the semi-finals of the Qatar Open but it was the end of the road for Jannik Sinner as he lost in three sets to Jakub Mensik. | Playing his first tournament since completing his career Grand Slam at the Australian Open earlier in February, Alcaraz will next face Andrey Rublev for a spot in the final in Doha. | "It was a really close and tight match," Alcaraz said after his 6-7 (3/7), 6-4, 6-3 quarter-final win. | "I think Karen was playing great, but I knew I'd had my chances. I just didn't take them in the first set, so it…
(2026-02-20). Major road crash leaves 18 dead, 3 injured in northeast Egypt. aljazeera.com Road accidents, often linked to speeding, claim thousands of lives each year in Egypt.
(2026-02-20). Wednesday 3/18: Oakland Privacy: Fighting Against the Surveillance State. indybay.org Please email contact@oaklandprivacy.org a few days before the meeting to get up-to-date location information or obtain Zoom meeting access info.
(2026-02-20). New resolution favors investments in renewable energy systems. radiohc.cu With the publication this Thursday of Resolution 41 of 2026 by the Ministry of Finance and Prices (MFP), the country is introducing incentive measures for the import, installation, and use of renewable energy technologies. | According to Yenisley Ortiz Mantecón, Deputy Minister of Finance and Prices, who spoke at a press conference, this regulation aims to accelerate the energy transition in Cuba, benefiting individuals, legal entities, and all economic actors in general. | The new resolution is also part of the Government Program to correct distortions and revitalize the economy, where the recovery of the nation…
(2026-02-20). Minister Stops Catholic Church from Evicting Nsambya Estate Residents. plusnews.ug 
State Minister for Lands, Dr. Sam Mayanja, has intervened to stop the Kampala Archdiocese Land Board from proceeding with the eviction of more than 500 residents from Nsambya Estate in Makindye Division. The minister made the announcement during a meeting with affected residents and the local community at the estate on February 19, 2026, …
(2026-02-20). Affordability and the Health Care Crisis. counterpunch.org 
One of the issues that bothered many economists, including me, were the complaints that people were falling behind — even as the data on wages and inflation consistently showed that wages were outpacing prices, especially for those at the bottom end of the wage distribution. Part of this story was clearly a right-wing effort to
(2026-02-20). Nasa ranks 2024 spacecraft mishap among its worst disasters. scmp.com Nasa on Thursday blamed what it called engineering vulnerabilities in Boeing's Starliner spacecraft along with internal agency mistakes in a sharply critical report assessing a botched mission that left two astronauts stranded in space. | The US space agency labelled the 2024 test flight of the Starliner capsule a "Type A" mishap – the same classification of the deadly Challenger and Columbia shuttle disasters – a category that reflects the "potential for a significant mishap," it said.
(2026-02-20). Frequently asked questions about the ICRC's work in Egypt. icrc.org
(2026-02-20). Ethiopia: "We can finally stop worrying about our next meal" — conflict-affected farmers in North Wollo, Amhara. icrc.org
(2026-02-20). CPJ calls for accountability in Ukrainian journalist surveillance allegations. Lauren Wolfe
(2026-02-20). South Africa: ICRC calls on states to support humanitarian action. icrc.org
(2026-02-20). Kazakhstan: Judicial harassment against journalist Gulnara Bazhkenova and disbarment of her lawyer, Murat Adam. fidh.org
(2026-02-20). Mexico: Investigative files crucial to tracing missing people. icrc.org
(2026-02-20). Hungary: Criminal prosecution of Mr Géza Buzás-Hábel for promoting LGBTQIA+ rights. fidh.org
(2026-02-20). Israeli occupation forces deny access of dozens of Palestinians from the West Bank to Al-Aqsa Moque in Al-Quds on first Friday of the holy month of Ramadan. english.almanar.com.lb
(2026-02-20). Yemen: ICRC's humanitarian impact in 2025, a year of deepening crisis. icrc.org
(2026-02-20). Serbia: Further progress needed to clarify the fate of the missing. icrc.org
(2026-02-20). Urgent call to the African Union Heads of State to address deteriorating rule of law and democracy in Africa. fidh.org
(2026-02-20). China: Briefing for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization on principled humanitarian action. icrc.org
(2026-02-20). Ethiopia revokes Reuters journalists' accreditation following investigative report. CPJ Staff
(2026-02-20). ICRC president elected to a second term. icrc.org
(2026-02-20). Berkeley Library: Abuse of Power. indybay.org
(2026-02-20). ICRC President Urges Renewed Commitment to Laws of War at Westminster. icrc.org
(2026-02-20). A childhood interrupted: How weapon contamination disrupts education in Iraq. icrc.org
(2026-02-20). 1997 Convention on the Prohibition of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction – Ratification kit. icrc.org
(2026-02-20). Oman: ICRC and Ministry of Defense Conclude Advanced IHL Training. icrc.org
(2026-02-20). Turkey: Lengthy prison sentences imposed on ÖHD lawyers and TUAD members for lawful professional and human rights work. fidh.org
(2026-02-20). Israel and the occupied territories: Release and transfer operations under ceasefire agreement completed. icrc.org
(2026-02-20). Cambodian journalist Luot Sophal detained over military water shortage report. CPJ Staff
(2026-02-20). Afghanistan: Operational facts and figures, January to December 2025. icrc.org
(2026-02-20). U2 supports CPJ as it launches new EP 'Days of Ash'. Lauren Wolfe
(2026-02-20). China: Incommunicado detention and possible sentencing of Ms Zhang Yadi, young defender of Tibetan rights. fidh.org
(2026-02-20). Senegalese commentator arrested for remarks about student's death. sentv.info
(2026-02-20). Israeli enemy forces unleash bursts of machine gun fire towards the Lebanese border towns of Shihin, Marwaheen and Yaroun: Al-Manar correspondent in south Lebanon. english.almanar.com.lb
(2026-02-20). Advancing towards a Convention on the prevention and punishment of crimes against humanity. fidh.org
(2026-02-20). Bosnia and Herzegovina: Families of the missing still seek answers. icrc.org
(2026-02-20). Egypt: Expansion of summoning human rights defenders and imposing high financial bail to silence independent voices. fidh.org
(2026-02-20). South Sudan: Civilians pay a high price, as conflict intensifies. icrc.org
(2026-02-20). The ICRC appeals for 1.8 billion Swiss francs for its operations in 2026. icrc.org
(2026-02-20). Cambodian journalists Pheap Phara and Phon Sopheap given 14-year prison sentences for treason. CPJ Staff
(2026-02-20). Russia: Continued arbitrary detention and judicial harassment of Ms Daria Egereva, indigenous peoples' rights defender. fidh.org
(2026-02-20). Israeli occupation forces arrest four paramedics and obstruct the work of press crews at the Qalandiya checkpoint north of occupied Al-Quds (Jerusalem). english.almanar.com.lb
(2026-02-20). ICRC response in northern Syria: Operational update. icrc.org
(2026-02-20). China: High-Level Dialogue Examines Middle East Crisis and International Cooperation. icrc.org
(2026-02-20). Bangladesh launches first-ever Junior Amputee Football Programme, empowering young athletes through sport. icrc.org
(2026-02-20). Cancillería cubana reafirma apoyo a cuerpo diplomático en el país. radiohc.cu El viceministro primero de Relaciones Exteriores de Cuba, Gerardo Peñalver Portal aseguró, desde la red social X, la disposición de la Cancillería de brindar todo el apoyo a los representantes del cuerpo diplomático acreditado en el país, ante la difícil situación que atraviesa la nación antillana. | El dirigente sostuvo este miércoles un encuentro con embajadores y representantes diplomáticos, para intercambiar sobre las afectaciones a su labor derivadas de la nueva medida del Gobierno de Estados Unidos, consistente en bloquear el suministro de combustible hacia Cuba. | Peñalver Portal condenó las acciones de Wa…
(2026-02-20). Nueva Ley de Salud Pública en Cuba: Una apuesta a largo plazo para seguir protegiendo la vida. cubadebate.cu La aprobación de la nueva Ley de Salud por la Asamblea Nacional del Poder Popular, el 22 de diciembre de 2023 implicó, además de la actualización del marco jurídico vigente desde 1983, la consolidación de una visión integral de la salud como derecho humano fundamental, con énfasis en la justicia social, la ética médica y la participación popular.
(2026-02-20). Revitalizan servicios de endoscopía en Sancti Spíritus gracias a solución innovadora. radiohc.cu 
Luego de un año sin funcionar, dos esófagogastroduodenoscopios, más conocidos como endoscopios, de amplio espectro diagnóstico, volvieron a la vida útil gracias al talento innovador de especialistas de los servicios de Gastroenterología del Hospital Provincial General Camilo Cienfuegos y de ingenieros electromédicos del territorio. | Desde la recuperación de dicha tecnología en enero de 2025, se han beneficiado más de 1 400 pacientes con diferentes enfermedades del tracto digestivo superior y de las ubicadas a nivel de esófago, estómago y duodeno, aseguró el doctor Oscar Pérez Rodríguez, especialista de segundo g…
(2026-02-20). Legisladores mexicanos resaltan lazos de amistad con Cuba. radiohc.cu Legisladores del Congreso de la capital mexicana resaltaron los lazos de amistad entre su país y Cuba durante un encuentro con el embajador en la norteña nación Eugenio Martínez. | El diplomático participó en la mesa de trabajo "La Habana Cuba y Ciudad de México 29 años de hermandad y lazos históricos profundos", convocada por el Comité de Asuntos Internacionales del Congreso de la Ciudad de México con motivo del aniversario 29 de los vínculos entre ambas capitales. | La diputada Ana Luisa Buendía destacó que los nexos entre los dos países son de amistad y principios, y que ambos pueblos hermanos comparten un sen…
(2026-02-20). Argentina: Realizan nuevas acciones para recaudar fondos destinados a Cuba. radiohc.cu Los organizadores de la campaña de ayuda a Cuba en Argentina acordaron celebrar festivales musicales a fin de recaudar fondos para adquirir juegos de paneles solares, insumos médicos, medicinas y alimentos con destino a la nación caribeña. | Unas 36 organizaciones populares, políticas, sociales y sindicales del país austral se reunieron en la Casa de la Amistad con Cuba, de Buenos Aires, para evaluar la marcha de la campaña que presentaron el miércoles pasado. | Alberto Mas, uno de los directivos de ese centro solidario, destacó que en tan solo cinco días desde que se comenzó a conocer este noble gesto se recolec…
(2026-02-20). Actualizan tratamiento tributario relacionado con el uso y aprovechamiento de las fuentes renovables de energía (+ PDF). cubadebate.cu La Gaceta Oficial de la República Extraordinaria No. 30, de 19 de febrero de 2026, publica la Resolución 41 del Ministro de Finanzas y Precios del 12 de febrero de 2026 que actualiza los beneficios fiscales asociados al aprovechamiento, importación o utilización de materias primas, componentes, partes, piezas, equipos y accesorios relacionados con el aprovechamiento de las fuentes renovables de energía (FRE).
(2026-02-20). Cuba denounces "collective punishment" against its people by the U.S. radiohc.cu Cuba's Deputy Foreign Minister, Carlos Fernández de Cossío, denounced the United States' political strategy toward the Caribbean island, calling it "collective punishment" that uses the citizenry as "hostages." According to the diplomat, Washington seeks to force political transformations that serve its own interests through the systematic strangulation of the national economy. | Fernández de Cossío explained in a social media post that the US sanctions are tightening "every possible valve," severely impacting the country's basic infrastructure. | Among the most critical consequences, the official pointed to the…
(2026-02-20). Verso Amigo: Un refugio para la memoria y el talento joven en Holguín. radiohc.cu 
En una tarde que transitó entre la memoria histórica y la savia nueva de la creación artística, el espacio ´Verso Amigo ª de la Sociedad Cultural José Martí (SCJM) en Holguín volvió a demostrar que la cultura es un puente generacional inquebrantable. | La cita, celebrada en la sede habitual del Centro de Superación para la Cultura, se convirtió en un homenaje a las aristas más humanas del Apóstol. | Así lo confirmó a la prensa el Máster en Ciencias Héctor Miguel Niles àÅvalos, presidente de la filial holguinera de la SCJM. | Niles, destacó la atmósfera lograda en el encuentro . ´El espacio…
(2026-02-20). Actores Económicos No Estatales entregaron donación a hospital pediátrico habaneroabana. radiohc.cu 
Actores Económicos No Estatales del área de comercialización del Puente de 10O y Boyeros, entregaron una donación de utensilios de limpieza, leche, culeros desechables así como ropa infantil, entre otros al Hospital Pediátrico Universitario William Soler, del municipio capitalino de Boyeros. | Este gesto humanitario, al que se sumaron Sindicalistas del Comercio de Francia, y los Sindicatos Nacionales de Trabajadores de la Salud y del Comercio la Gastronomía y los Servicios, se realiza como parte de las actividades en saludo al Centenario del Comandante en Jefe Fidel Castro Ruz, el aniversario 65 de la creación de…
(2026-02-20). Soprano cubana prenominada a Premios Platino del Cine Iberoamericano. radiohc.cu La soprano y compositora cubana Bárbara Llanes figura entre los 20 prenominados a Mejor Música Original en los Premios Platino, por su trabajo en la coproducción cubano-italiana Baracoa, dirigida por Luis Ernesto Doñas. | El Instituto Cubano de la Música (ICM) informó que el filme alcanzó prenominación, también, en la categoría de Mejor àìpera Prima, consolidando su presencia en el panorama cinematográfico iberoamericano. | La partitura concebida por Llanes se distingue por su versatilidad creativa y la riqueza de su propuesta sonora, lo que definió en parte su inclusión en los Premios Platino del Cine Ibe…
(2026-02-20). Sunday 3/8: Oakland: International Working Day Protest March & Rally – No ICE! Stop Fascism! indybay.org Pergola at Lake Merritt | path near El Embarcadero and Lakeshore Ave | Oakland, CA | BART: Lake Merritt station…
(2026-02-19). Why the Palestinian Right of Return Is Still the Issue. globalresearch.ca Last week, Israel "reopened" the Rafah crossing. Twelve Palestinians were allowed to return home. Twelve people who chose to return to Gaza, despite knowing they might be killed again, because they would rather die on their land than live as …
(2026-02-19). Gaza death toll 50% higher than reported, Lancet study finds. newarab.com 
(2026-02-19). Who Controls Peace in Gaza? The Growing Clash Between Trump's Board and the UN. thinktank.pk The sudden rescheduling of a high-level United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting on Israel-Palestine to accommodate the convening of US President Donald Trump's self-styled Board of Peace is more than a diplomatic coincidence. It signals a deeper transformation in global governance—one where informal, US-led mechanisms threaten to sideline multilateral institutions painstakingly built after World War …
(2026-02-19). The strict and chaotic order of displacement. electronicintifada.net Everyday rhythms in Gaza are dictated by water trucks, market sales and fear of famine, making rest impossible.
(2026-02-19). Rachel Reeves called out as a 'genocide supporter' in supermarket. thecanary.co 
Genocide supporter Rachel Reeves has been called out as — well, a genocide supporter — as she toured a Sainsbury's supermarket: All too true. In December 2025, after more than two years of Israel's genocide in Gaza, she told the racist 'Labour Friends of Israel' that she is a "proud" and "unapologetic" Zionist. She added […] | By
(2026-02-19). The Carefully Contrived Spontaneity of the "Shocking" Epstein Files Release. dissidentvoice.org 
Whenever a "scandal" like the Epstein files dominates the news, we can be certain that it is meant as a distraction from something more sinister on the horizon. The Epstein files have been in the hands of the F.B.I. for eight years or more. Then why have redacted files been released just recently? Cui bono? …
(2026-02-19). Venezuela: Forty days of accelerated counter-revolution. links.org.au 
The pace at which the counter-revolution in Venezuelan politics has unfolded since January 3 is incredible. Luís Bonilla-Molina summarise what has happened so far.
(2026-02-19). Pauline Hanson anti-Islam backlash amid tidal wave of AI misinformation. independentaustralia.net 
(2026-02-19). Video: Trump Just Kicked Canada Out — And Shattered the Global Order. globalresearch.ca In an unprecedented diplomatic move, President Trump has withdrawn Canada's invitation to join his newly formed Board of Peace, just hours after officially launching the initiative in Davos. | This decision came in direct response to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's…
(2026-02-19). Alcaraz, Sinner cruise into Qatar quarters. tribune.com.pk Carlos Alcaraz maintained his 100-percent start to the year by battling past Frenchman Valentin Royer in Doha on Wednesday, while his great rival Jannik Sinner also secured a quarter-final place. | The world number one, who became the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam at the Australian Open earlier this month, notched his ninth straight win of 2025 with a 6-2, 7-5 success despite trailing 5-2 in the second set. | "There were some moments when I thought about a third set, I'm not going to lie, but obviously it was just a small place in my mind that was thinking that," Alcaraz said. | "The rest was…
(2026-02-19). Demis Hassabis: AI as a Catalyst for Revolutionary Scientific Discovery. devdiscourse.com Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis has hailed artificial intelligence (AI) as an instrumental catalyst for rapid scientific discovery. Speaking at the India AI Summit, Hassabis described AI as one of the most transformative forces in human history, drawing parallels to the advent of fire and electricity.
(2026-02-19). Egyptians skip Ramadan staples as prices skyrocket. newarab.com 
Commodity price hikes are dwarfing the financial reach of most Egyptians as they observe fasting in the Islamic month of The ninth month in the Islamic lunar calendar, Ramadan, is always different in The…
(2026-02-19). Lukashenko reaffirms goal of $100m in trade with Zimbabwe. eng.belta.by "As for relations between Belarus and Zimbabwe, there are practically no problems here. We simply need to follow the roadmap we have developed and implement the measures outlined in this plan," the president said.
(2026-02-19). Smalltown Factions Highlight Our Divisions. progressive.org A school board race in rural Pennsylvania perfectly encapsulates the culture wars in 'An American Pastoral.'
(2026-02-19). Grebnev: Belarusians have returned for good, they are afraid of us. eng.belta.by On 18 February, Hanna Huskova took the final eighth place. Gold was won by China's Xu Mengtao, becoming a two-time Olympic champion.
(2026-02-19). N Korea's Kim unveils 50 rocket launchers ahead of key congress. aljazeera.com Kim hails nuclear-capable weapons as 'wonderful' and 'attractive' as N Korea gears up for a once-in-five-year congress.
(2026-02-19). France hit by more than 35 days of rain. aljazeera.com France endures more than 35 days of rain as floods worsen and Storm Pedro threatens Western Europe.
(2026-02-19). Blind and deaf to AUKUS: Australian planners and elusive submarines. onlineopinion.com.au $368 billion for AUKUS, and what does Australia really control? A US congressional report suggests the Virginia-class submarines may never be ours in more than name.
(2026-02-19). US military 'ready to strike' Iran as Tehran, Moscow plan joint naval drills. geo.tv 
The US Navy's Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln leads its strike group during a photo exercise in the Arabian Sea, February 6, 2026. — Reuters Trump to make final decision about striking Iran.White House briefed on military buildup in Middle East. Iran to…
(2026-02-19). Sunday 2/22: Comic Revolutionary Cabaret at Berkeley Unitarian Hall. indybay.org 1924 Cedar Street at Bonita…
(2026-02-19). Zuckerberg to testify in media trial. tribune.com.pk 
Kaley GM started using YouTube at age six, Instagram at 11, then TikTok and Snapchat…
(2026-02-19). Ex-South Korea leader Yoon gets life in prison for insurrection. newarab.com 
A Yoon abruptly declared martial law in a televised address in December 2024, saying drastic measures were needed to root out "anti-state forces". | Although Yoon's bid to impose military rule lasted just six hours, it triggered widespread panic in a nation seen as a beacon of democracy in Asia. | The S…
(2026-02-19). Western Retrenchment Stimulated Beijing's Russian Car Boom. uwidata.com By Mehmet Enes Be≈üer As the world is caught up in western sanctions and an increasingly burgeoning world tariff war, an unlikely victor has made its way on to Russia's roads: Chinese automobiles. Previously sneered at to be cheap and raw copies of Japanese, German, or American automobiles, Chinese vehicles such as Geely, Chery, and …
(2026-02-19). The cowboy who got rich selling veggie burgers. grist.org 
The first thing Andy Barrientes noticed when he showed up for his shift at RMS Foods on Valentine's Day, 2005, was the cloud of black smoke emanating from the building. | A fire had started in the factory around 4: 20 p.m., not long before Barrientes was scheduled to clock in as maintenance manager at the food manufacturing plant in southeastern New Mexico. The blaze had caught his coworkers coming off the day shift by surprise; they reported smelling the smoke before seeing the flames. When Barrientes arrived, he saw the staff huddled together at the park across the street. "Everyone was holding hands," he sai…
(2026-02-19). Kabaka Birthday Run 2026 launched. independent.co.ug 
Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga (5th left), Soumendra Sahu, MD and CEO of Airtel Uganda (5th right), Susan Nsibirwa, MD of Nation Media Uganda (extreme left) and other stakeholders of the 13th Kabaka Birthday run pose for a photo during the launch in Bulange-Mengo Wednesday. | Airtel Uganda and Buganda Launch the 2026 Kabaka Birthday Run with Renewed Commitment to Ending HIV/AIDS in Uganda by 2030 | Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Airtel Uganda and the Buganda Kingdom today reaffirmed their commitment to the fight against HIV/AIDS with the launch of the 13th edition of the Kabaka Birthday Run. Held at Bulange…
(2026-02-19). As Trump signals strike on Iran to ignite prolonged conflict, Israel ramps up defense. haaretz.com The pace of the U.S. military build-up in the Middle East has intensified in recent days and it now appears the administration is considering an attack in the near future. At the same time, the IDF is completing its own preparations for war, and is not ruling out an active part in a U.S. operation…
(2026-02-19). Belarusian Defense Ministry to inventory relations with foreign military attachés. eng.belta.by Representatives of the foreign corps of military diplomats from over 20 states, who are accredited with the Belarusian Defense Ministry, took part in the briefing. They were informed about topical matters of military policy, construction and development of Belarus' Armed Forces.
(2026-02-19). When Is It the Best Option to Sell a Life Insurance Policy. moguldom.com Life insurance provides financial security for loved ones, but the need for this protection can evolve over a lifetime. For some policyholders, premium payments may become difficult to manage, the original reason for the coverage may no longer exist, or a significant need for immediate funds may arise. In these specific situations, a life settlement, …
(2026-02-19). Tech firm spars with Pentagon over unchecked use of AI in warfare, surveillance. infobrics.org The US government is deliberately exerting pressure on private companies to militarize advanced AI. Such trends are deeply disturbing, with Washington DC consistently ignoring the multipolar world's calls to regulate AI, which would prevent the uncontrollable (ab)use of this highly advanced emerging technology, particularly for military purposes.
(2026-02-19). Turkey says Greece-Chevron activity off Crete unlawful. newarab.com 
Athens responded that its policies abide international law. | The
(2026-02-19). What we know so far about arrest of UK's former Prince Andrew. aljazeera.com Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is in custody after being arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
(2026-02-19). IMF Calls for Comprehensive Reforms to Boost Lebanon's Economic Resilience. devdiscourse.com Lebanon's economy remains robust even in the face of regional conflicts, with tourism helping to spur a moderate recovery, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). However, the IMF cautions that sustaining growth will necessitate extensive reforms. Julie Kozack, IMF spokeswoman, highlighted these points during discussions with Lebanese officials following the nation's request for IMF assistance in March 2025.
(2026-02-19). Can Europe reduce its dependence on the US and at what cost? aljazeera.com Trump's tariffs, Greenland and defence spending are testing US-Europe alliance.
(2026-02-19). Oil extends gains on US-Iran tensions, stocks retreat. al-monitor.com Oil prices rose to multi-month highs while global stocks mostly retreated as markets weighed sharpening rhetoric from President Donald Trump on Iran suggesting a military strike was more likely.Brent oil futures finished up nearly two percent at $71.66 a barrel after earlier reaching its highest level since July."Oil is extending its gains, with Brent crude back above $70 a barrel… as fears of a military confrontation between the US and Iran rattled energy markets," said Matt Britzman, senior equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown.
(2026-02-19). Leader of Australia's far-right One Nation party goes on Islamophobic tirade. wsws.org Hanson's comments underscore the reactionary climate that has been cultivated by the political and media establishment, particularly in the wake of the Bondi terrorist attack.
(2026-02-19). Taxi Holguín mantiene el motor encendido en medio de la crisis del transporte. radiohc.cu 
La imagen se repite a lo largo y ancho de la provincia: paradas abarrotadas, rostros que miran al horizonte con la esperanza de ver un punto luminoso que demora en llegar, y el reloj marcando una espera que se vuelve eterna. La crisis de combustible, agravada por el recrudecimiento del bloqueo económico impuesto a Cuba por el vecino norteño, tiene al transporte público en Holguín en una de sus etapas más complejas, servicios urbanos, rurales e interprovinciales se ven afectados. | Sin embargo, en medio de este panorama de escasez y paradas forzosas, hay una entidad que se niega a detenerse. La Agencia Taxi Holguí…
(2026-02-19). Instructores de arte: profesión que salva almas. radiohc.cu En condiciones diferentes, muy complejas para esta isla, pero con el mismo compromiso en el corazón de formar mejores personas, amantes de la cultura de su país, y del humanismo que nos hace más cubanos, este 18 de febrero se celebra el Día del Instructor de arte. | Es el homenaje al aniversario 81 del natalicio de Olga Alonso, la joven que a inicios de la revolución escogió esta profesión y que falleció en un accidente en el cumplimiento de su misión. | Saraday Medina Díaz de Villegas, Presidenta provincial de la Brigada de Instructores de Arte José Martí en Villa Clara labora en la especialidad de teatro en el…