February 19, 2026 – Global Headlines

1Takaichi, reelected as Japan’s leader, wants to cooperate with US in rare earths development

Story gist: Sanae Takaichi was reelected as Japan’s leader. She expressed intent to cooperate with the United States on rare earths development.
Left
No major left-leaning outlet from our monitored sources covered this story
Center
Takaichi, reelected as Japan’s leader, wants to cooperate with US in rare earths development
— Associated Press News
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Right
No major right-leaning outlet from our monitored sources covered this story
Bias summary: Center outlets like Associated Press frame the story neutrally, focusing on Takaichi’s reelection and stated cooperation with the US on rare earths. Left-leaning outlets provide no coverage, omitting perspectives on environmental impacts or Japan-US relations. Right-leaning outlets also absent, missing emphasis on strategic alliances or resource independence from China.

2With a win over Sweden, the U.S. men’s hockey team will play for an Olympic medal

Story gist: The U.S. men’s hockey team defeated Sweden in overtime during the Olympic quarterfinals. The team advanced to the semifinals.
Left
Team USA knocks out Sweden in overtime to reach Olympic men’s hockey semifinals
— The New York Times
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Center
GAME DAY | U.S. Men to Face Sweden in Quarterfinals of Olympic Tournament
— USA Hockey team
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Right
No major right-leaning outlet from our monitored sources covered this story
Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets like The New York Times frame the U.S. victory triumphantly, using action-oriented language like ‘knocks out’ to highlight drama and success. Center sources such as USA Hockey offer neutral pre-game previews focused on scheduling. Right-leaning outlets provide no coverage, omitting the story and U.S. advancement perspective entirely.

3Exclusive: US plans online portal to bypass content bans in Europe and elsewhere

Story gist: The US plans an online portal to bypass content bans in Europe and elsewhere. The State Department initiative includes a built-in VPN for accessing restricted content such as posts on X fined 120 million euros.
Left
No major left-leaning outlet from our monitored sources covered this story
Center
Exclusive: US plans online portal to bypass content bans in Europe and elsewhere
— Reuters
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Right
🇺🇸 The US State Department is building a portal with a built-in VPN so Europeans can see content their governments banned, including posts on X that got the platform fined 120 million euros. A foreign government has to step in because Europe censored its
— x.com
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Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets absent, omitting coverage and any critical perspective on US intervention. Center (Reuters) frames neutrally as factual US plans without emphasis. Right-leaning portrays positively as US aiding Europeans against government censorship, emphasizing X’s 120 million euro fine and Europe’s overreach, using patriotic emoji.

4Wave of arrests over killing of French nationalist piles pressure on far left

Story gist: French authorities arrested 11 people, including a parliamentary aide, in connection with the killing of activist Quentin Deranque. The arrests relate to the death of the French nationalist.
Left
Parliamentary aide among 11 arrested over killing of French far-right activist
— The Guardian
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Center
Wave of arrests over killing of French nationalist piles pressure on far left
— BBC
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Right
France in shock over murder of young convert and pro-life activist Quentin Deranque
— EWTN News
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Bias summary: Left-leaning Guardian labels victim ‘far-right activist’ and spotlights parliamentary aide arrest, suggesting left ties. Center BBC calls him ‘nationalist’ and stresses ‘pressure on far left.’ Right-leaning EWTN humanizes as ‘young convert and pro-life activist,’ emphasizes ‘murder’ and ‘France in shock,’ evoking sympathy and outrage.