Armed conflicts and attacks

Widespread civil disorder arises in Uvira, South Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo amid M23 rebel advances from Bukavu. At least thirty deaths are reported, along with looting and a prison break of 228 Congolese soldiers imprisoned for desertion. (Reuters)

• https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/rebel-advance-causes-panic-congolese-border-town-uvira-2025-02-19/

Armed conflicts and attacks

Following a meeting between Chadian president Mahamat Déby and a diplomatic envoy of Congolese president Félix Tshisekedi, the Congolese government formally requests military support from Chad in their ongoing conflict against the M23 movement. (Anadolou Agency)

• https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/dr-congo-seeks-chad-s-support-to-combat-m23-rebels-report/3486999

Armed conflicts and attacks

The United Nations Security Council holds an emergency meeting in response to rapid territorial gains made by M23 rebels, with U.N. special envoy for Congo Bintou Keita saying the council needed to take "urgent and decisive steps to avert a wider regional war." (AP)

• https://apnews.com/article/un-congo-m23-rwanda-congo-1bdddcf00dd15e0e4898fb0197e96920

Armed conflicts and attacks

Puntland police capture several IS–Somalia militants accused of involvement in extortion and bombings in Bosaso, the capital of the Bari Region, amid ongoing military operations in the Cal Miskaad mountains. (Garowe Online)

• https://garoweonline.com/en/news/somalia/somalia-puntland-forces-capture-isis-members-involved-in-extortion-and-bombings

Armed conflicts and attacks

At least one person is killed and 14 others are injured in Russian missile and drone strikes across Ukraine, including a large drone attack on energy infrastructure in Odesa that leaves 160,000 residents without heating and electricity. (The Kyiv Independent)

• https://kyivindependent.com/attacks-127/

International relations

Russian President Vladimir Putin praises the high-level talks with the U.S. in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as a "first step" towards restoring full diplomatic ties with the United States. (The Moscow Times)

• https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/02/19/putin-praises-us-russia-talks-as-first-step-toward-restoring-ties-a88081

Law and crime

Denmark announces 50 billion kroner in defense spending over the next two years, citing an increased threat from Russia, bringing the country's total defense spending to the highest in more than 50 years. (BBC News)

• https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c62e2158mkpt

Science and technology

Polish police inspects several tanks from a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket that crashed in the country after its reentry into the atmosphere during the night. (BBC) (TVN24)

• https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c62z3vxjplpo
• https://tvn24.pl/poznan/wielkopolska-znaleziono-kolejny-niezidentyfikowany-obiekt-st8313991

Science and technology

Apple Inc. announces the iPhone 16e, discontinuing all remaining Lightning port iPhones and the home button third-generation iPhone SE. (9to5Mac)

• https://9to5mac.com/2025/02/19/apple-just-discontinued-three-products-the-iphone-se-iphone-14-and-14-plus/