Feb. 14, 2026

Brazil Cuba solidarity reaches new heights as trade unions and social movements launch coordinated efforts to support Cuba amid a severe energy crisis triggered by U.S. pressure. On February 14, 2026, the Unified Federation of Petroleum Workers (FUP) formally requested an emergency meeting with state-owned Petrobras to arrange urgent fuel deliveries to the Caribbean island.

The campaign, dubbed “Petróleo para Cuba” (Oil for Cuba), counters recent threats from U.S. President Donald Trump. He imposed potential tariffs on nations or entities supplying hydrocarbons to Cuba, exacerbating fuel shortages that cause rolling blackouts and disrupt essential services.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/43249696

from +972’s Sunday Recap
+972Magazine [published in Israel]
Feb. 15, 2026

Also:

• ‘I would never do it again’: Inside the struggle to enter and leave Gaza
• Released into exile, Palestinian prisoners navigate freedom on Israel’s terms
• A Palestinian influencer spent 27 months in Israeli prison — for social media posts
• To confront Israeli fascism, we need a new Jewish-Arab party
• The false symmetry of Jewish-Arab partnership
• PODCAST: Documenting the settler takeover of the West Bank

The truth on the other hand, is the unshakable reality that has driven every sanction, every sabotage attempt, and every assassination plot since 1959: Cuba is a threat only to an idea. It is a threat to the imperial doctrine that a small, poor nation in America’s ‘backyard’ must not be allowed to choose socialism, to provide free healthcare and education, and homes to live without the permission of Washington.
For this sin of self-determination, the crime of building a society where capital is not god, Cuba has been punished with the most enduring economic siege in modern history. This is not an ‘embargo’, which I consider to be a sterile, political term. It is a total blockade, designed to constrict and cripple. It is enforced by a plethora of laws with names like the Helms-Burton Act, which terrorises foreign companies from trading with the Island and allows the US to seize ships in international waters. Its goal, as US politician Robert Torricelli once admitted, was to…
‘Wreak havoc’.

The Chinese Embassy in Israel announced on Friday that it has used Israel’s news outlet Channel 12 to refute reports claiming “China has banned all new investment in Israel.” The embassy said those reports arose in coverage are inaccurate.

China encourages Israeli personnel to engage with us in various forms of economic and trade cooperation, and hopes that all sectors will actively safeguard bilateral relations and play an active role in advancing China-Israel friendship and practical cooperation.

China remains Israel's top source of imports in 2024. China kept its position as Israel's largest source of commodity imports for the fifth consecutive year in 2024, according to data issued by Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics, the Xinhua News Agency reported. Israeli imports from China reached a record high of $13.53 billion in 2024, a 19.8 percent increase from the $11.29 billion in 2023, per Xinhua.

KABUL, Afghanistan — Zabihullah Mujahid, the chief spokesman for the Taliban‑led government in Afghanistan, has said that Afghans are prepared to “cooperate and show sympathy” with the people of Iran if the United States launches a military attack, but reiterated that the group does not want conflict between the two countries.

Speaking in an interview with the Pashto service of Radio Iran, Mujahid stated that if Tehran requests assistance in the event of a U.S. attack, Afghanistan’s people are ready — within their capacity — to offer cooperation and solidarity. He also praised Iran’s response in the recent conflict with Israel, saying Tehran “was victorious in the 12‑day war” and would prevail again because it “has the capability, is in the right, and has the right to defend itself.”

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/43236372

Feb. 14, 2026

Despite the inspiration by the Sumud project, the Mexican and Chinese deliveries of aid suggest that there is currently no indication that the U.S. would use its military to prevent humanitarian aid from reaching the island; Israel’s navy, conversely, intercepted the GSF before it reached the Gazan coast.

Major groups participating in the flotilla include Progressive International, an international left-wing activist organization, and Code Pink, a female-led grassroots peace and social justice group.

The flotilla’s mission has been endorsed by a variety of leading international figures, such as Brazilian activist Thiago Ávila, member of Colombia’s Chamber of Representatives María Fernanda Carrascal and U.S. Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib.

Prominent left-wing American streamer Hasan Piker has confirmed his participation in the project. It has also been speculated that prominent Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg will take part.

Israeli forces killed at least 10 Palestinians in air strikes across the Gaza Strip late on Saturday and into Sunday, according to the health ministry.

At least four people were killed in a strike targeting a tent sheltering displaced families west of Jabalia in northern Gaza, while another five were killed in attacks around Khan Younis in the south of the Strip, according to the Palestinian news agency Wafa and Al Jazeera, citing medical sources.

Wafa reported that emergency teams struggled to access the targeted areas because of the intensity of the Israeli bombardment.

THE Israeli government approved a proposal to register large areas of the occupied West Bank as “state property” today.The move by the Israelis is a de facto annexation of Palestinian lands.Israeli broadcaster Kan said the proposal was put forward by the country’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Justice Minister Yariv Levin and Defence Minister Israel Katz.Mr Smotrich said: “We are continuing the settlement revolution to control all our lands.”

Crosspost from https://news.abolish.capital/post/28599

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/43214341

Brett Wilkins
Feb 12, 2026

“We are sailing to Cuba, bringing critical humanitarian aid for its people,” the flotilla organizers said on their website. “The Trump administration is strangling the island, cutting off fuel, flights, and critical supplies for survival. The consequences are lethal, for newborns and parents, for the elderly and the sick.”

“That is why we are launching the Nuestra América Flotilla, setting sail from across the Caribbean Sea in solidarity with the Cuban people,” the organizers continued. “And we are asking for your support, to help us prepare the mission and purchase the food and medicine that we will bring to the Cuban people.”

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/43212707

Feb. 15, 2026

Stoking concerns is news that lack of fuel is hampering the UN World Food Programme’s efforts to relieve suffering from last year’s Hurricane Melissa. The organisation, which keeps a low-key presence on the island, is now having to draw up plans for a new, far larger crisis. “We’re already seeing the impact in the availability of fresh produce in the cities,” said Étienne Labande, the WFP’s country director.

Diplomats expressed concern at how fast the lack of fuel – for electricity, water and the transport of food – could cause extreme suffering. “It’s a matter of weeks,” said one. “The view is that people in rural villages like Viñales may be OK, but those in the cities would be at terrible risk.”

UNITED STATES Secretary of State Marco Rubio gave the green light to European leaders for a new era of colonialism. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday, Mr Rubio offered partnership between the US and Europe to recolonise the global South.He said: “For five centuries, before the end of the second world war, the West had been expanding — its missionaries, its pilgrims, its soldiers, its explorers pouring out from its shores to cross oceans, settle new continents, build vast empires extending out across the globe.”

Crosspost from https://news.abolish.capital/post/28600

As capitalism lurches from crisis to crisis, more and more workers are ‘superexploited’ – they receive less than the minimum deemed ‘socially necessary’ to support themselves and produce the next generation of workers, writes the Marx Memorial Library and Workers’ School

Crosspost from https://news.abolish.capital/post/28597

MSF on Saturday suspended all its noncritical medical operations at Nasser Hospital, citing security breaches that posed “serious” threats to its teams and patients. The Geneva, Switzerland-based charity said there had been an increase in patients and staff seeing armed men in parts of the compound since a United States-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was reached in October last year.

But the hospital said the MSF issued statements that “misrepresent facts and mirror narratives historically used to justify attacks” on hospitals, “despite full transparency and repeated clarification”.

“Such statements are not neutral. They foreseeably endanger Nasser Hospital Complex, serving over one million civilians, by undermining its protected status under international humanitarian law. MSF is aiding in manufacturing consent for attacks against the hospital,” it said.

The Israeli military plans to launch a renewed offensive in Gaza in March to seize more land and push the Yellow Line further west towards the coast of the enclave, Times of Israel reported, quoting officials.

Even as the ceasefire moves closer to the second phase, the Israeli military has drawn up plans for the offensive, citing failure in getting Hamas to disarm, the report quoted an Arab diplomat as saying.

On 10 October 2025, the US brokered a ceasefire under which Israeli forces pulled back to the Yellow Line, allowing them control of more than half of Gaza, roughly 53 per cent of the Strip.

The operation reportedly planned for March is focused on Gaza City and could see Israel build on the area under its control, the report said.

cross-posted from: https://hexbear.net/post/7662537

Snip:

Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei has sharply criticized comments by former US House speaker Nancy Pelosi calling for intensified economic pressure on Iran.

In remarks posted on X on Saturday, Baghaei wrote, “Nancy Pelosi calls on the US administration to ‘cripple’ Iran’s economy so ordinary Iranians—even in rural areas—‘feel the pain.’”

“Deliberately inflicting pain & suffering on civilians for political leverage is the textbook definition of terrorism,” he added, noting, “Only an evil & arrogant mindset can feel entitled to prescribe policies built on civilians' suffering in another country.”

“Legally speaking, this is further evidence of a deliberate & systematic US policy of exacting pain and cruelty on populations it disfavors. Such conduct amounts to ‘crime against humanity.’”

cross-posted from: https://hexbear.net/post/7662527

Snip:

Brazil Cuba solidarity reaches new heights as trade unions and social movements launch coordinated efforts to support Cuba amid a severe energy crisis triggered by U.S. pressure. On February 14, 2026, the Unified Federation of Petroleum Workers (FUP) formally requested an emergency meeting with state-owned Petrobras to arrange urgent fuel deliveries to the Caribbean island.

The campaign, dubbed “Petróleo para Cuba” (Oil for Cuba), counters recent threats from U.S. President Donald Trump. He imposed potential tariffs on nations or entities supplying hydrocarbons to Cuba, exacerbating fuel shortages that cause rolling blackouts and disrupt essential services.

Paulo Neves, a director of the FUP, stressed that Petrobras must act as a sovereign public enterprise. It should resist external intimidation and prioritize concrete diplomatic action over mere statements.

The initiative seeks to create operational and regulatory channels. These would ensure steady energy flows to Cuba while reducing immediate humanitarian risks faced by hospitals, schools, and the general population.

The US military is planning for a potential sustained campaign against Iran should President Donald Trump order an attack, two senior US officials told Reuters.

The officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, emphasised that the move could trigger a significant Iranian retaliation, risking a prolonged regional conflict which could be far more serious than previous confrontations.

They added, without providing detail, that US strikes would not just target nuclear infrastructure, but also Iranian state and security facilities. US attacks on the country last year primarily targeted nuclear sites.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/43164098

Israeli fire kills one and wounds several in Gaza. Palestinian paramedic dies in Israeli detention. Whistleblowers say CPJ held back its index to protect Israel. Western governments move to oust UN rapporteur over remarks on Gaza, UN refuses to support her. Trump to launch Gaza reconstruction fund and Stabilization Force at first “Board of Peace” meeting. Palestinian citizens of Israel suffer disproportionately from crime wave. Widespread Israeli military assaults and settler attacks in the occupied West Bank. Trump administration dismantles the federal government’s ability to regulate greenhouse gases. New York Fed says Americans bear most of the cost of Trump tariffs. New DOJ files reveal hidden-camera footage from Epstein’s Palm Beach office and references to secret recording equipment. Trump administration announces end to ICE operation in Minnesota. Attorney says detained 13-year-old attempted suicide at Texas ICE facility before her family’s deportation. Raskin calls conditions at Baltimore ICE facility “disgraceful” after surprise oversight visit. U.S. to deploy second aircraft carrier to the Middle East. UK High Court rules Palestine Action ban unlawful in landmark victory. Israeli attacks hit southern Lebanon villages. Bangladesh Nationalist Party claims victory in first post-uprising election. Dubai’s DP World replaces chief amid scrutiny over Epstein ties. Mexican aid ships arrive in Havana as U.S. tightens fuel pressure on Cuba. Cuba says no dialogue underway with United States. Russia launches major missile and drone barrage into Ukraine. Turkey says United States and Iran show flexibility on reviving nuclear deal. Turkey and Armenia move toward direct land trade via Georgia in normalization push. Syrian forces take control of former U.S. al-Tanf base as American troops withdraw.

Commentators and figures from the United Arab Emirates are coming to the defence of two state-linked Emirati figures mentioned in the Epstein files.

Sulayem was on Friday replaced as the chairman and chief executive of DP World, the global UAE-owned logistics company, following days of criticism over his friendship with Epstein.

The 71-year-old had been chair of the company - which handles a tenth of the world’s container trade - since 2007, and chief executive since 2016.

“A million thanks to Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem; you have sufficed and fulfilled, and given the very best you have,” wrote Abdulkhaleq Abdulla, a prominent academic seen as a voice representative of the UAE's ruling establishment.