Tech firms must remove ‘revenge porn’ in 48 hours or risk being blocked Companies could face large fines or have their services blocked in the UK if they fail to comply The Independent UK · Feb 19
Fortified tunnels, repaired missile sites: Is Iran preparing for US strike? What satellite images show Satellite imagery from Iran shows that the Khamenei-regime is accelerating efforts to fortify key nuclear and missile sites, as the United States ramps up its military presence in the region and warns that time for diplomacy is running out. The Times of India · Feb 19
UN hits out at Trump's ‘Board of Peace’ ahead of inaugural meeting in Washington Members of the United Nations Security Council have sent out a clear message ahead of US President Donald Trump’s inaugural Board of Peace gathering – the fragile Gaza ceasefire must become permanent, and unilateral moves in the West Bank risk closing the door on a two-state solution. Radio France Internationale · Feb 19
‘Days Of Ash’: U2 surprise drop six ‘songs of defiance’ - one in response to ICE shootings U2 is the latest band to release new music in the wake of the deadly Minneapolis ICE shootings, following Bruce Springsteen’s tribute track to Renee Good and Alex Pretti, both shot and killed by ICE agents. Euronews · Feb 19
Iran and the US lean into gunboat diplomacy as nuclear talks hang in balance Iran and the United States are both applying naval pressure to the talks over Tehran's nuclear program The Independent UK · Feb 19
Newsletter: Several EU countries ‘up in arms’ over Commissioner Šuica’s Board of Peace trip Also in this newsletter: Political jostling for the European Central Bank presidency begins amid rumours of Lagarde’s early departure; and an exclusive story on the new procedure agreed to select the host of the European Customs Authority. Euronews · Feb 19
‘I fear for my daughter’s future’: Families in Zimbabwe struggle to survive a year after Trump’s aid cuts ON THE GROUND: One year after Donald Trump’s aid cuts, villagers and farmers in Zimbabwe’s parched Mwenezi district – hit hard by the climate crisis – are being forced to make some tough decisions to survive. Tawanda Karombo reports The Independent UK · Feb 19
Wait for Supreme Court tariff decision reveals potential fallout As the Supreme Court mulls the legality of the president's tariffs, evidence of a decision's potential fallout has emerged across Washington. Roll Call · Feb 19
Australia bar declared ‘crime scene’ after police seize posters depicting Trump and Netanyahu in Nazi uniforms Owner of cafe in Canberra says posters were ‘demonstrably anti-fascist in their message’ The Independent UK · Feb 19
UN Security Council warns Israeli West Bank plans threaten Gaza truce The security council's meeting came on the eve of US President Donald Trump’s first Board of Peace gathering to discuss the future of the Palestinian territories. Euronews · Feb 19
State politics color reception to Trump’s AI ‘framework’ order Supporters of AI regulation say their states stand by going ahead on AI laws while Congress and the executive branch take their time. Roll Call · Feb 19
When is the shutdown ‘snapping point’? Don’t ask the House In the midst of a fierce fight over Trump’s immigration policies, some in the House are hoping that history won’t repeat itself. Roll Call · Feb 19
Politics live: Starmer ‘determined’ to see through Chagos Islands deal despite Trump’s latest tirade The president warned against the loss of the US-UK military base on Diego Garcia The Independent UK · Feb 19
Ukraine-Russia war latest: Over 1,000 Kenyans to fight in Putin’s war as EU says Kremlin not ready for peace At least one Kenyan has died on Ukraine war frontline The Independent UK · Feb 19
Euronews · Feb 19 Putin tells Cuban FM Russia will not accept recent US sanctions against Havana Speaking with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez in Moscow, Putin reminded his guest that Russia “will not accept anything of the sort” when discussing the sanctions against the country.
The Independent UK · Feb 19 As political pressure prompts exodus of Minnesota prosecutors, some defendants catch a break The federal prosecutor’s office in Minnesota has been gutted by a wave of career officials resigning or retiring over objections to Trump administration directives
The Guardian - UK · Feb 19 Authoritarians, strongmen and dictators: who is on Trump’s Board of Peace? Representatives of repressive regimes from around the world are flying to Washington for the inaugural meeting of the body
The Guardian - UK · Feb 19 The US is dragging Europe back to the days of white supremacism. Our leaders are playing along People like me were targets of the Islamophobia that gripped the west after the US-led ‘war on terror’. Now I fear a chilling sequel is on the way, says Shada Islam, a Brussels-based commentator on EU affairs
The Guardian - UK · Feb 19 US funding for global internet freedom ‘effectively gutted’ Programme that funds groups building tech to evade oppressive government controls under serious threat
The Independent UK · Feb 19 FCC Chair Brendan Carr claps back at Stephen Colbert over ‘Late Show’ interview controversy Stephen Colbert claims CBS told him not to broadcast an interview with Senate candidate James Talarico
The Times of India · Feb 19 Trump admin appoints Covid lockdown critic Dr Jay Bhattacharya as CDC chief The director of the National Institutes of Health is poised to take on one of the most powerful roles in American public health. Dr Jay Bhattacharya, an Indian-origin physician and health economist, is set to become acting head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), according to reports…
The Independent UK · Feb 19 Asian shares advance, tracking a Wall St rally led by Nvidia Asian shares are higher after U.S. stocks advanced, led by computer chip giant Nvidia
The Independent UK · Feb 19 Lawmaker says the US deported a sick baby, while authorities say the child was medically cleared A U.S. representative from Texas says immigration authorities deported a 2-month-old baby with bronchitis to Mexico along with his family
The Independent UK · Feb 19 Hegseth wastes his time on things ‘well below his pay grade’ as purge of dissenting Pentagon officials continues, report says Col. Dave Butler was reportedly ousted after a long career as a public affairs official for the U.S. Army
Axios · Feb 19 Coca-Cola bottler sued by federal agency over work event that excluded men It's the 1st lawsuit related to workplace diversity that the agency has filed during Trump's second term.