Libre News of The World. Thursday the 19th of February 2026

Subscribe today so you never miss an episode! Today on Libre News of The World, we covered Canada’s defence strategy pivot toward domestic arms production (https://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/canada-launches-huge-defence-plan-to-curb-reliance-on-us/news-story/2182760aed509f15437adcde8b5ea58b), the United States’ diplomatic pressure on Iran following Geneva nuclear talks (https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/nuclear-talks-iran-not-willing-to-acknowledge-trumps-red-lines-says-jd-vance/articleshow/128481870.cms), and Guatemala ending emergency powers after a gang violence crackdown in Central America (https://apnews.com/article/e26881cf07c0a4a55faf4030734b3298). We reported on Chile’s cherry export slump linked to weaker Chinese demand (https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2026/02/18/2003852477), Argentina’s massive Andes mining investment boom (https://www.bnamericas.com/en/features/the-pillars-of-the-giant-us182bn-mining-district-that-vicuna-is-shaping-from-argentina), and a deadly fireworks explosion in China ahead of Lunar New Year (https://apnews.com/article/bb438f51f10bbd16c0d05196135b2813). Australia’s high-speed rail ambitions (https://www.9news.com.au/national/prime-minister-anthony-albanese-teases-announcement-of-highspeed-rail-connecting-east-coast-cities/776b67a2-e778-4c28-83dc-0ab0e8fe32bf), New Zealand’s slip on the global corruption index (https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/587162/nz-is-slowly-slipping-on-the-global-corruption-index-is-it-time-for-an-anti-corruption-agency), and Japan’s influenza epidemic warning (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-03367-z) followed. We examined South Korea’s looming constitutional verdict on a former president (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/feb/17/yoon-suk-yeol-south-korea-trial-verdict), Vietnam’s diplomatic outreach to Washington (https://tuoitrenews.vn/vietnams-party-general-secretary-to-lam-to-visit-us-for-gaza-board-of-peace-meeting-103260217104302864.htm), Africa’s electric transport expansion (https://apnews.com/article/ev-africa-rideence-saglev-nigeria-kenya-f5082b95fccade232f00023aa4640b69), Turkey’s proposed LGBT legislation (https://www.turkishminute.com/2026/02/17/turkey-to-imprison-lgbt-advocates-criminalize-same-sex-ceremonies-in-new-bill-report/), Saudi Arabia’s Ramadan declaration (https://gulfnews.com/world/gulf/saudi/saudi-arabia-confirms-first-day-of-ramadan-1.500446178), Egypt’s state-owned enterprise reforms (https://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2026/02/16/deputy-pm-says-egypt-prepares-60-state-companies-for-sovereign-fund-transfer-egx-listing/), Iran’s Hormuz drills amid nuclear talks (https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/iran-temporarily-closes-strait-of-hormuz-amid-us-nuclear-talks-11051442), international condemnation of Israel’s West Bank actions (https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/85-countries-back-statement-condemning-israel-for-deepening-its-control-of-west-bank/), France’s strengthened partnership with India (https://m.economictimes.com/news/economy/foreign-trade/no-boundaries-to-partnership-with-france-says-pm-narendra-modi-french-president-emmanuel-macron/articleshow/128476884.cms), Italy’s upcoming judicial reform referendum (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Italian_constitutional_referendum), Spain’s €120 billion housing fund (https://arab.news/8yb6p), Portugal’s storm recovery (https://jorgebranco.substack.com/p/storms-pass-but-widespread-damage), Azerbaijan’s sentencing of a former Karabakh leader (https://www.civilnet.am/en/news/1003405/ruben-vardanyan-sentenced-to-20-years-by-azerbaijan/), arson fears in the United Kingdom (https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/feb/17/bothwell-glasgow-town-arson-attacks), Scotland’s deep freeze and budget strain (https://news.stv.tv/politics/scotland-may-need-to-cut-free-university-and-benefits-amid-budget-strain-think-tank-suggests), Ireland’s semiconductor innovation hub launch (https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/news-and-events/department-news/2026/february/20260217.html), Germany’s transport strikes (https://www.thelocal.de/20260217/where-strikes-will-hit-drivers-and-commuters-in-germany-this-week), Scandinavian climate defences (https://www.nordiccooperation.org/news/scandinavian-nations-boost-climate-defences), Iceland’s storm-driven coastal erosion (https://people.com/famous-black-sand-beach-in-iceland-disappears-amid-weeks-of-severe-storms-11905786), Uzbekistan’s 20.5 billion dollar reform programme (https://daryo.uz/en/2026/02/16/uzbekistan-approves-2026-reform-programs-with-205bn-domestic-and-504bn-foreign-financing/), Russia’s expanding industrial cooperation with Uzbekistan (https://www.trend.az/business/4153329.html), Ukraine’s stalled peace talks amid escalating attacks (https://m.economictimes.com/news/international/world-news/russia-ukraine-talk-peace-in-geneva/articleshow/128478040.cms), and India’s ambition to lead global artificial intelligence development (https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/india-has-talent-entrepreneurial-energy-to-become-ai-powerhouse-pm-modi-11050969). 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