AnewZ Morning Brief - 19 February, 2026

AnewZ Morning Brief - 19 February, 2026
Anewz

Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 19th of February, covering the latest developments you need to know.

UN Security Council raises alarm over West Bank annexation

The United Nations Security Council has expressed deep concern regarding Israel’s "de facto annexation" of the West Bank, warning that recent expansionist moves threaten the viability of a future two-state solution. While Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar dismissed the criticism, backed by a joint statement from 85 nations, as an "anti-Israeli obsession", the UK says it remains committed to a multilateral approach, planning a separate peace-building conference in March rather than joining the U.S.-led initiative.

Trump convenes inaugural ‘Board of Peace’ meeting

U.S. President Donald Trump is set to convene the first leaders’ meeting of his controversial "Board of Peace" in Washington today, aiming to secure more than $5 billion for Gaza’s reconstruction. Whilst the initiative has secured participation from Israel and several regional powers, key Western allies including the UK and France have declined full membership, citing concerns over the Board’s governance structure, with Trump as chair for life, and concerns it could undermine the United Nations.

Top U.S. commander holds unannounced security talks in Venezuela

The top U.S. military commander for Latin America has made an unannounced visit to Caracas for security talks with Venezuela's interim government. General Francis Donovan’s arrival marks the first such high-level engagement since the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro, signalling Washington’s intent to align the country with U.S. interests and oversee its vast oil sector. The delegation met with interim President Delcy Rodríguez and senior ministers, who both currently face U.S. indictments, to discuss cooperation on counter-narcotics and regional stability as part of President Donald Trump’s wider three-phase stabilisation strategy.

Zuckerberg denies targeting children in landmark court appearance

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has faced intense scrutiny in a Los Angeles courtroom, denying allegations that Instagram deliberately targets children despite internal documents suggesting strategies to recruit "tweens". In a landmark trial concerning youth social media addiction, the tech mogul was pressed on inconsistent age enforcement and engagement tactics, a case that could set a significant legal precedent for widespread litigation against major tech platforms.

Hungary and Slovakia halt diesel exports to Ukraine

Escalating an energy dispute, Hungary and Slovakia have suspended diesel fuel exports to Ukraine with immediate effect, declaring that shipments will not resume until Russian crude oil transit via the Druzhba pipeline is restored. The Slovak government has declared a state of emergency regarding oil supplies and threatened to cut electricity to Kyiv, whilst Hungary insists it cannot jeopardise its own energy security to aid a neighbour.

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