[2026-02-18 14:04 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Daily News

Title: Youtube back online after a temporary outage - DailyNews

Snippet: Youtube appears to be returning to normal operations after a significant technical disruption left millions of users staring at blank screens earlier today.

Read full article: https://dailynews.lk/2026/02/18/breaking-news/953507/youtube-back-online-after-a-temporary-outage/

[2026-02-18 13:54 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 92]

Source: Daily News

Title: Widespread showers expected across multiple provinces - DailyNews

Snippet: Showers will occur at times in Northern, North-central, Central, Uva, Eastern and Southern provinces.

Read full article: https://dailynews.lk/2026/02/18/local/953501/widespread-showers-expected-across-multiple-provinces/

[2026-02-18 12:30 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South China Morning Post

Title: ‘A very good thing’: Japan’s Takaichi steps back from Liancourt Rocks pledge

Snippet: Analysts say Takaichi’s decision not to send a cabinet minister to the event shows she is ‘protecting ties’ with Seoul amid regional tensions

Read full article: https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3343856/japans-takaichi-steps-back-liancourt-rocks-pledge-sign-softer-line-south-korea

[2026-02-18 11:00 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South China Morning Post

Title: ‘The game is over’: South Korea braces for Yoon Suk-yeol’s insurrection verdict

Snippet: Two earlier convictions have defined Yoon’s martial law decree as part of an insurrection plot, raising the stakes ahead of Thursday’s ruling

Read full article: https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3343837/south-koreas-yoon-awaits-verdict-insurrection-rulings-mount-game-over

[2026-02-18 11:00 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Rappler

Title: LGUs in the Philippines

Snippet: Luzon COA affirms ex-Nueva Ecija town mayor liable for negligence in municipal hall fire Luzon Baguio lawmaker moves to strengthen long-standing anti-epal ordinance Feb 10, 2026 1:46 PM PHT Share in Chat Share article Facebook X (Twitter) Copy Link Copied Luzon COA calls out Camarines Sur capitol over ‘epal’ practices Feb 10, 2026 9:41 AM PHT Share in Chat Share article Facebook X (Twitter) Copy Link Copied Visayas Dumaguete City councilor proposes FOI ordinance, flags ‘performative’ transparency Feb 6, 2026

Read full article: https://www.rappler.com/topic/local-government-units-philippines/

[2026-02-18 10:48 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Asia Times

Title: China is stuck with zombie sanctions against Takaichi government - Asia Times

Snippet: Keep independent journalism alive

Read full article: https://asiatimes.com/2026/02/china-is-stuck-with-zombie-sanctions-against-takaichi-government/

[2026-02-18 09:18 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South China Morning Post

Title: Bipartisan push grows for Quad summit before Trump’s China trip

Snippet: Lawmakers urge White House to rally Indo-Pacific partners ahead of high-stakes Xi meeting, citing leverage and coordination concerns

Read full article: https://www.scmp.com/news/us/politics/article/3343854/bipartisan-push-grows-quad-summit-trumps-china-trip

[2026-02-18 07:42 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 90]

Source: South China Morning Post

Title: Canada launches huge defence plan to curb reliance on Trump’s US

Snippet: Prime Minister Mark Carney has become one of the most prominent global voices criticising the US president’s administration

Read full article: https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3343851/canada-launches-huge-defence-plan-curb-reliance-trumps-us

[2026-02-18 07:00 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Daily News

Title: Popularity rating : Govt must turn optimism into results - DailyNews

Snippet: The Government has a key advantage. Public support is with it in the implementation of policies. The Government can take decisions without any fear of public resentment. If that is the case, the Government should make use of this opportunity to ramp up efforts to accelerate the implementation of economic reforms such as restructuring the State owned enterprises and the improvement of business climate.

Read full article: https://dailynews.lk/2026/02/18/general-opinion/953221/popularity-rating-govt-must-turn-optimism-into-results/

[2026-02-18 06:58 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Daily News

Title: Welfare schemes for journalists will be a reality this year - Deputy Minister - DailyNews

Snippet: Mass Media Deputy Minister Dr. Kaushalya Ariyarathna informed Parliament that the Government has taken steps to implement various welfare schemes for journalists this year.

Read full article: https://dailynews.lk/2026/02/18/local/953401/welfare-schemes-for-journalists-will-be-a-reality-this-year-deputy-minister/

[2026-02-18 06:45 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Daily News

Title: Treat Imran Khan fairly in jail: Former captains appeal to Pakistan - DailyNews

Snippet: Fourteen legendary captains from five countries including Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev and Australian Greg Chappell, appealed to the Pakistan government on Tuesday about ensuring proper treatment for Pakistan’s 1992 World Cup-winning captain Imran Khan, who has been in jail for more than two years now.

Read full article: https://dailynews.lk/2026/02/18/world/953430/treat-imran-khan-fairly-in-jail-former-captains-appeal-to-pakistan/

[2026-02-18 06:35 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Daily News

Title: PARLIAMENT - DailyNews

Snippet: Abolishing of MPs’ pensions in line with mandate given by the people – PM

Read full article: https://dailynews.lk/2026/02/18/politics/953320/parliament-91/

[2026-02-18 06:33 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Daily News

Title: Lankan women cricketers in 106 run win - DailyNews

Snippet: Ama Kanchana (on left) with Skipper Anushka Sanjeevani

Read full article: https://dailynews.lk/2026/02/18/sports/953142/lankan-women-cricketers-in-106-run-win/

[2026-02-18 06:30 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Daily News

Title: Bid to revive hockey in Kandy District - DailyNews

Snippet: Kandy District Hockey Association headed by Dr. R. Maheswaran and its hard working secretary A. Ashraoff together with the rest of the committee are all-out to give the game the best this year. Hockey is a widely popular sport over here in Kandy and the sport has a rich history.

Read full article: https://dailynews.lk/2026/02/18/sports/953145/bid-to-revive-hockey-in-kandy-district/

[2026-02-18 06:30 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Daily News

Title: Russian Cyber security Gains Traction in Global South - DailyNews

Snippet: Russian cyber security solutions have become increasingly sought after by countries in the Global South and East amid the growing discreditation of most leading Western IT firms, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin told Sputnik. According to the senior diplomat, Russian companies are offering cybersecurity solutions that are in high demand among nations in the Global South and East.

Read full article: https://dailynews.lk/2026/02/18/local/953379/russian-cyber-security-gains-traction-in-global-south/

[2026-02-18 05:40 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Deutsche Welle

Title: Czech Republic: Government attacks public TV and radio

Snippet: Czech Television and Czech Radio currently have the highest audience and listener numbers in the Czech Republic, with licensing fees generating €450 million ($532 million) annually. For three decades, the public broadcaster has functioned successfully and independently.

Read full article: https://www.dw.com/en/czech-republic-government-attacks-public-television-and-radio/a-76009348

[2026-02-18 05:12 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South China Morning Post

Title: Texas sues TP-Link, alleging Chinese government access to its devices

Snippet: The move comes despite the Trump administration having reportedly paused its own proposed ban on the company’s sales ‌in the US

Read full article: https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3343846/texas-sues-tp-link-alleging-chinese-government-access-its-devices

[2026-02-18 02:30 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South China Morning Post

Title: Exclusive | Hasan Piker talks about his controversial China trip – and ‘thinking Chinese thoughts’

Snippet: One of the most influential political commentators among young Americans, Piker claims Americans are ‘taught to hate China’, calling it ‘stupid’

Read full article: https://www.scmp.com/news/us/diplomacy/article/3343845/hasan-piker-talks-about-his-controversial-china-trip-and-thinking-chinese-thoughts

[2026-02-18 01:16 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South China Morning Post

Title: Sri Lanka ends MP pensions in continued crackdown on elite perks

Snippet: The government scrapped the privileges of former leaders after ex-president Mahinda Rajapaksa refused to vacate a government bungalow

Read full article: https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/south-asia/article/3343842/sri-lanka-ends-parliamentary-pensions-prune-perks-politicians

[2026-02-18 00:31 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South China Morning Post

Title: UK court rules London police can require officers to disclose Masonic membership

Snippet: Freemasons had challenged the policy, saying that it amounted to creating a discriminatory ‘blacklist’

Read full article: https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3343841/uk-court-backs-london-police-rule-forcing-officers-declare-freemasonry

[2026-02-17 23:35 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Deutsche Welle

Title: Germany's governing CDU seeks reforms at party conference

Snippet: "Bound by responsibility" is the motto of the upcoming Christian Democratic Union (CDU) federal party conference in Stuttgart, set to take place February 20 and 21. It is the first large meeting of the conservative party since its leader Friedrich Merzbecame German chancellor in May 2025 and the Union parties of the CDU and their Bavarian counterparts the Christian Social Union (CSU) once again led Germany's federal government.

Read full article: https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-governing-cdu-eyes-reforms-at-party-conference/a-76002817

[2026-02-17 23:20 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Deutsche Welle

Title: Spain to investigate big tech over AI child abuse imagery

Snippet: Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced Tuesday that the Spanish government had ordered prosecutors to investigate social media platforms X, Meta, and TikTok for allegedly spreading AI-generated child sexual abuse material.

Read full article: https://www.dw.com/en/spain-to-investigate-big-tech-over-ai-child-abuse-imagery/a-76002528

[2026-02-17 21:53 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South China Morning Post

Title: US civil rights icon Jesse Jackson dies at 84: ‘my constituency is the damned’

Snippet: The Baptist minister’s two presidential runs helped lay the groundwork for the election of America’s first black president, Barack Obama

Read full article: https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3343832/us-civil-rights-leader-jesse-jackson-dies-84-leaving-legacy-political-firsts

[2026-02-17 21:51 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Deutsche Welle

Title: طارق رحمان د بنګله دیش د نوي صدارعظم په توګه لوړه وکړه

Snippet: نن، سه شنبه (د ۲۰۲۶م کال د فيبرورۍ ۱۷) د بنګله ديش ناسيوناليست ګوند (بي ان پي) د نوې ټاکل شوې پارليماني ډلې په غونډه کې ۶۰ کلن طارق رحمان د ګوند د مشر په توګه انتخاب شو. د تېرې اونۍ د عمومي ټاکنو په ترڅ کې بي ان پي ګوند دوه په دريمه برخه اکثريت ترلاسه کړی وو.

Read full article: https://www.dw.com/ps/bangladeshs-new-prime-minister-is-sworn-in-after-his-partys-landslide-election-win/a-76002823

[2026-02-17 21:27 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Deutsche Welle

Title: Bangladesh's new prime minister sworn in after landslide win

Snippet: Tarique Rahman has been sworn in as the new prime minister of Bangladesh after his Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) handily won parliamentary elections last week.

Read full article: https://www.dw.com/en/bangladeshs-new-prime-minister-sworn-in-after-landslide-win/a-76002477

[2026-02-17 21:17 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: RT News

Title: READ MORE: Former cricket greats appeal to Pakistan for better treatment of Imran Khan

Snippet: Over a dozen retired cricket players have appealed to Islamabad to treat imprisoned former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan in a more “humane” manner amid reports that his health is deteriorating.

Read full article: https://www.rt.com/news/632657-former-cricket-greats-appeal-to/

[2026-02-17 21:15 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Daily News

Title: Sri Lanka to host inaugural BIMSTEC expert meeting - DailyNews

Snippet: The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal for Sri Lanka to host the inaugural meeting of an expert group established under the BIMSTEC framework to strengthen cooperation on fiscal and monetary policy among member states.

Read full article: https://dailynews.lk/2026/02/17/local/952911/sri-lanka-to-host-inaugural-bimstec-expert-meeting/

[2026-02-17 21:14 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Daily News

Title: Cabinet approves US$ 50 Million for Digital Transformation Project - DailyNews

Snippet: The Sri Lankan government has finalized negotiations with the World Bank Group to secure a US$ 50 million loan (provided in Special Drawing Rights – SDR) to fund the Sri Lanka Digital Transformation Project.

Read full article: https://dailynews.lk/2026/02/17/local/952914/cabinet-approves-us-50-million-for-digital-transformation-project/

[2026-02-17 21:07 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Daily News

Title: Government boosts rural connectivity with tower subsidies - DailyNews

Snippet: The Cabinet has approved a strategic move to accelerate the ‘Communication to Villages’ national project, aiming to achieve 100% 4G broadband coverage across the island.

Read full article: https://dailynews.lk/2026/02/17/local/952904/government-boosts-rural-connectivity-with-tower-subsidies/

[2026-02-17 21:01 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Daily News

Title: New Director General appointed for Coast Guard Dept - DailyNews

Snippet: The Cabinet of Ministers has officially approved the appointment of Rear Admiral Rohan Joseph as the new Director General of the Coast Guard Department, effective immediately.

Read full article: https://dailynews.lk/2026/02/17/local/952890/new-director-general-appointed-for-coast-guard-dept/

[2026-02-17 20:29 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Daily News

Title: Government moves forward with USD 400 million World Bank reform financing - DailyNews

Snippet: The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the Government of Sri Lanka’s proposal to secure USD 400 million from the World Bank to support its ongoing economic reform program. The funding will be provided under the Sri Lanka Resilience, Stability, and Economic Reform Program over a three-year period from 2026 to 2028.

Read full article: https://dailynews.lk/2026/02/17/local/952880/government-moves-forward-with-usd-400-million-world-bank-reform-financing/

[2026-02-17 19:58 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Deutsche Welle

Title: Dégel des relations entre Niamey et Alger

Snippet: Le chef du régime militaire du Niger, le général Abdourahamane Tiani, et le président algérien Abdelmadjid Tebboune ont affiché lundi un dégel de leurs relations bilatérales crispées depuis des mois, en annonçant notamment le lancement du premier tronçon du gazoduc transsaharien passant par le Niger.

Read full article: https://www.dw.com/fr/niger-algerie-rechauffement/a-75999065

[2026-02-17 19:33 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Daily News

Title: Treat Imran Khan fairly: Gavaskar, Kapil Dev join 14 captains in appeal to Pak Govt - DailyNews

Snippet: Imran Khan, the former Pakistan Prime Minister who also led the men’s team to the 1992 World Cup title, received support from the cricket fraternity on Tuesday as 14 former international captains signed a petition urging the Pakistan government and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to ensure proper medical facilities for the 73-year-old, who is currently in jail.

Read full article: https://dailynews.lk/2026/02/17/breaking-news/952870/treat-imran-khan-fairly-gavaskar-kapil-join-14-captains-in-appeal-to-pak-govt/

[2026-02-17 18:45 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: RT News

Title: Former Pakistani PM Imran Khan denied medical care in prison – sister

Snippet: Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has been denied medical care in prison, his sister has alleged.

Read full article: https://www.rt.com/news/632640-former-pakistani-pm-imran-khan/

[2026-02-17 18:26 UTC+10:00] [Politics / Federal] [Factuality: 100]

Source: The Age

Title: Who are the IS brides trying to get home?

Snippet: Seven women and 14 children who have been stuck in Syrian internment camps for years are trying to make their way home. Earlier this month, four women and nine children returned to Australia.

Read full article: https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/who-are-the-isis-brides-trying-to-get-home-20260217-p5o333.html?ref=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss_feed

[2026-02-17 18:18 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Daily News

Title: Sri Lanka and Japan sign Economic Cooperation Agreement - DailyNews

Snippet: Sri Lanka and Japan formalized a new framework for economic cooperation with the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) yesterday (16) at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development auditorium. The agreement was signed during the Sri Lanka–Japan Intergovernmental Economic Policy Dialogue, aimed at strengthening bilateral economic relations.

Read full article: https://dailynews.lk/2026/02/17/local/952849/sri-lanka-and-japan-sign-economic-cooperation-agreement/

[2026-02-17 18:14 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Rappler

Title: PROFILE: Department of Finance

Snippet: The Department of Finance (DOF) manages the government’s financial resources. Its tasks include policy formulation, income generation, resource mobilization, debt management, and financial market growth. It also maintains the pursuit of critical duties, such as revenue generation, resource mobilization, debt management, and financial market expansion.

Read full article: https://www.rappler.com/topic/department-finance/

[2026-02-17 17:27 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: ABC News

Title: Topic:Housing Policy

Snippet: A "creative industries hub" and around 1,000 new homes will be built on the former Edith Cowan University (ECU) campus in Mount Lawley — but the site's makeover will take 10 to 15 years.

Read full article: https://www.abc.net.au/news/topic/housing-policy

[2026-02-17 15:00 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Rappler

Title: Vietnam

Snippet: The Philippines is not being written off — it is being re-rated. Whether that re-rating turns favorable will depend less on headline growth numbers and more on how quickly reforms move from policy papers to measurable outcomes.

Read full article: https://www.rappler.com/topic/vietnam/

[2026-02-17 14:31 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South China Morning Post

Title: Hong Kong airport’s second terminal to fully open, serve 15 airlines from May 27

Snippet: Transport and logistics minister Mable Chan says the two terminals will complement each other and ‘greatly enhance’ the airport’s capacity

Read full article: https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/3343786/hong-kong-airports-second-terminal-fully-open-serve-15-airlines-may-27

[2026-02-17 14:06 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 90]

Source: Daily News

Title: Actor Robert Duvall, who starred in The Godfather, dies aged 95 - DailyNews

Snippet: Actor Robert Duvall, who appeared in The Godfather and Apocalypse Now, has died at the age of 95.

Read full article: https://dailynews.lk/2026/02/17/breaking-news/952808/actor-robert-duvall-who-starred-in-the-godfather-dies-aged-95/

[2026-02-17 13:47 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 92]

Source: Daily News

Title: Over 75mm rainfall expected today - DailyNews

Snippet: Showery condition is expected to enhance in Northern, Northcentral, Central, Uva and Eastern provinces in next few days from today.

Read full article: https://dailynews.lk/2026/02/17/local/952802/over-75mm-rainfall-expected-today/

[2026-02-17 12:41 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Deutsche Welle

Title: Australia rules out repatriating citizens from Syrian camp

Snippet: Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his ‌government wouldn't ⁠repatriate Australian citizens held for years in a Syrian camp.

Read full article: https://www.dw.com/en/australia-rules-out-repatriating-citizens-from-syrian-camp/a-75997548

[2026-02-17 12:30 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South China Morning Post

Title: Okinawa voters shift away from concerns over US military presence

Snippet: Analysts point to a shift in priorities among younger Okinawans as a possible factor in the alliance’s bruising defeat in the election

Read full article: https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3343763/what-next-okinawas-anti-base-alliance-after-japan-election-loss

[2026-02-17 11:00 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: South China Morning Post

Title: ‘Heroic era’: why North Korea’s Kim is lauding Ukraine war sacrifices

Snippet: The new homes for families of fallen soldiers are part of a push to showcase tangible achievements before the party congress, analysts say

Read full article: https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3343750/why-north-koreas-kim-lauding-ukraine-war-sacrifices-key-party-congress-looms

[2026-02-17 07:22 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Deutsche Welle

Title: Israeli government approves new West Bank land policy

Snippet: To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video

Read full article: https://www.dw.com/en/israeli-government-approves-new-west-bank-land-policy/video-75997045

[2026-02-17 07:00 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Daily News

Title: Bangladesh election affirms democratic Islamist governance in South Asia - DailyNews

Snippet: The retreating Western power bloc, as it ravages West Asia, may continue to demonise Islam but the planet’s most populous region, South Asia, seems to be democratically affirming the youngest of the four major religions in both its societal and political dimensions. Bangladesh’s national elections last Thursday, one of its freest in decades, has given a landslide to a liberal Islamist political party while also establishing a conservative Islamist movement as the main legislative opposition.

Read full article: https://dailynews.lk/2026/02/17/general-opinion/952411/bangladesh-election-affirms-democratic-islamist-governance-in-south-asia/

[2026-02-17 07:00 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Daily News

Title: Post poll Bangladesh faces many challenges but rapprochement with India is a silver lining - DailyNews

Snippet: The new government of Bangladesh headed by Tarique Rahman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has a range of issues facing it as it assumes office on Tuesday.

Read full article: https://dailynews.lk/2026/02/17/features/952451/post-poll-bangladesh-faces-many-challenges-but-rapprochement-with-india-is-a-silver-lining/

[2026-02-17 06:54 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]

Source: Daily News

Title: ‘Govt can distinguish between GMOA’s genuine grievances and political motives’ - DailyNews

Snippet: Deputy Health Minister Hansaka Wijemuni said yesterday that the Government possesses the political maturity to distinguish between the genuine grievances of doctors and the political agendas of the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA).

Read full article: https://dailynews.lk/2026/02/17/local/952687/govt-can-distinguish-between-gmoas-genuine-grievances-and-political-motives/

[2026-02-17 06:47 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 90]

Source: Daily News

Title: La Bamba, let’s Samba! - DailyNews

Snippet: “What a beautiful world this will be What a glorious time to be free” – I.G.Y. (What a Beautiful World)

Read full article: https://dailynews.lk/2026/02/17/features/952569/la-bamba-lets-samba/