Libre News of The World. Friday the 20th of February 2026

Subscribe today so you never miss an episode! Today on Libre News of The World we covered Canada positioning itself as a strategic European energy and security supplier (https://www.ft.com/content/896752ab-9980-44d5-9db2-45a863731dee), the United States celebrating Latin music’s global influence at Premio Lo Nuestro in Miami (https://as.com/us/tikitakas/premio-lo-nuestro-2026-fecha-horario-canal-de-tv-y-como-seguir-online-la-gala-en-usa-f202602-n/), and Mexico facing a sharp rise in disappearances linked to cartel violence (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/feb/16/mexico-disappearances-increase). We reported on record sargassum seaweed blooms threatening Caribbean tourism (https://www.breakingbelizenews.com/2026/02/18/international-news-record-sargassum-bloom-drifts-toward-cancun-and-caribbean-resorts/), Brazil’s Carnival driving an unprecedented tourism surge (https://www.visahq.com/news/2026-02-18/br/carnival-2026-drives-record-tourist-surge-squeezing-brazils-hotels-and-flights/), and Colombia resuming peace talks with the Gulf Clan (https://www.apnews.com/article/ca10d09808309e46c66b1887ad26c430). China faced scrutiny after deadly fireworks explosions (https://apnews.com/article/1bd93aaa34085dcb885ce0ac504d9a79), Australia launched a Victorian inquiry into far-right online radicalisation (https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/feb/18/far-right-influencers-homophobic-attacks-dating-apps-investigation-ntwnfb7), and New Zealand held interest rates steady (https://aapnews.com/news/rates-on-hold-in-new-zealand-as-breman-era-begins). Japan confirmed new political leadership (https://www.nippon.com/en/news/yjj2026021800138/), South Korea awaited a landmark insurrection verdict (https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20260219001800315), and Vietnam saw strong Tet market demand (https://en.vietnamplus.vn/fresh-food-demand-increases-on-second-day-of-lunar-new-year-post337987.vnp). Across Africa, tourism investment accelerated through a global virtual expo (https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/2026-virtual-tourism-show-159-exhibitors-from-africa-indian-ocean-islands-and-192-buyers-confirmed-a-game-changer-for-global-travel-industry/), Turkey confirmed the Ramadan start date (https://gulfnews.com/world/mena/ramadan-2026-countries-officially-confirm-first-day-of-fasting-1.500441939), and Saudi Arabia announced its own Ramadan timeline (https://www.travelandleisureasia.com/sea/news/ramadan-2026-saudi-arabia-malaysia-indonesia-bahrain/). Egypt intensified diplomatic efforts amid United States and Iran tensions (https://www.newarab.com/analysis/why-egypt-has-become-key-mediator-amid-us-iran-tensions), Iran conducted naval drills near the Strait of Hormuz during nuclear talks (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-18/iran-announces-closure-of-hormuz-strait-amid-us-nuclear-talks/106356970), and Israel faced renewed United Nations warnings over West Bank conditions (https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/2026/02/18/un-warns-gaza-not-at-peace-as-west-bank-situation-rapidly-deteriorates-security-council-told/). France battled severe flooding from winter storms (https://www.euronews.com/2026/02/16/france-on-record-flood-alert-as-storms-slam-spain-with-deadly-winds), Italy restored its national visa system after a digital upgrade freeze (https://www.visahq.com/news/2026-02-18/it/italian-visa-system-back-online-after-week-long-global-upgrade-freeze/), and Spain entered the race for European Central Bank leadership (https://www.ft.com/content/40edff13-2ee6-4452-81c7-d2dd2201d4fc). Portugal emerged as a strategic European data-centre hub (https://www.theportugalnews.com/news/2026-02-18/portugal-stablished-as-emerging-data-centre-market/969169), Azerbaijan deepened cooperation with Georgia (https://evrimagaci.org/gpt/azerbaijan-and-georgia-deepen-ties-with-new-agreements-530089), and the United Kingdom strengthened cybersecurity collaboration with Azerbaijan (https://report.az/en/military/azerbaijani-and-uk-servicemen-involved-in-cybersecurity-training-exercise). Scotland’s election outlook tightened (https://www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/article/snp-edges-towards-holyrood-majority-with-64-seats-nqv26b65m), Ireland assessed artificial intelligence’s impact on young workers (https://www.thesun.ie/tech/16556009/ai-irish-jobs-finance-tech-warning-ireland/), Germany warned of demographic decline (https://www.ft.com/content/7b15f616-a06a-4290-abab-0c4cb698c9a7), Scandinavia reopened debate on euro adoption (https://www.eunews.it/en/2026/02/17/sweden-now-considers-adopting-the-euro-we-are-in-a-new-world-its-right-to-evaluate/), Iceland anticipated tourism growth (https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/iceland-joins-the-uk-netherlands-spain-france-italy-and-more-as-tourism-booms-with-polands-new-visa-free-travel-access-to-183-countries-all-you-need-to-know/), Uzbekistan launched an artificial-intelligence-driven tourism push (https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/uzbekistans-digital-silk-road-targeting-12-million-tourists-in-2026-with-an-ai-revolution/), Russia tightened control over foreign media (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64612053), Ukraine reported intensified front-line pressure (https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/2/19/ukraine-reports-russian-offensive-pressure), and India expanded climate partnerships with African nations (https://www.livemint.com/news/india/india-expands-climate-partnership-with-african-nations-11673456543218.html). These news summaries were written using AI technology. While every effort has been made to ensure factual accuracy, occasional mistakes or omissions may occur. Your understanding is appreciated, and we warmly welcome any feedback to help us continue improving the quality of our reporting. Thank you for being part of our journey. Ad free episodes available at https://www.patreon.com/LibreNewsofTheWorld