- 12 hours ago
* Nearly 70 rights groups denounce E.U. migration plan as 'ICE-style' crackdown
* Argentina: Unions confirm 24-hour general strike for February 19
These and more stories now!
🌐Join teleSUR's community and be part of a space where your ideas matter.
https://chat.whatsapp.com/KLABTE41aSj3ioYabXQQ6K
🗣 Don't be left behind, join teleSUR's Channel
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va98Z437Noa2tjytCt1N
Web💬 https://www.telesurenglish.net/
X🧶 https://twitter.com/telesurenglish
Instagram 📸 https://www.instagram.com/telesurenglish/?hl=es
Facebook 📱 https://www.facebook.com/teleSUREnglishOfficial
YouTube ⏯ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmuTmpLY35O3csvhyA6vrkg
TikTok👌🏼 https://www.tiktok.com/@telesurenglish?_t=8hMLCY0a6z7&_r=1
* Argentina: Unions confirm 24-hour general strike for February 19
These and more stories now!
🌐Join teleSUR's community and be part of a space where your ideas matter.
https://chat.whatsapp.com/KLABTE41aSj3ioYabXQQ6K
🗣 Don't be left behind, join teleSUR's Channel
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va98Z437Noa2tjytCt1N
Web💬 https://www.telesurenglish.net/
X🧶 https://twitter.com/telesurenglish
Instagram 📸 https://www.instagram.com/telesurenglish/?hl=es
Facebook 📱 https://www.facebook.com/teleSUREnglishOfficial
YouTube ⏯ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmuTmpLY35O3csvhyA6vrkg
TikTok👌🏼 https://www.tiktok.com/@telesurenglish?_t=8hMLCY0a6z7&_r=1
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:09The General Confederation of Labour and the United Trade Union Front confirmed a 24-hour
00:15general strike in Argentina on February 19. Nearly 70 right groups slam proposed EU migration
00:27reforms, warning they mirror controversial US policies and threaten to turn public services
00:33into tools for immigration enforcement.
00:40And Latin American countries celebrate the 2026 carnival with ancestral fusions and
00:45lively expressions of cultural resistance always with the great joy that represents them.
00:56Hello and welcome to From the South from the headquarters of Telesur Studios in Caracas.
01:01My name is Pablo Micheliche. We begin with the news. Stay with us.
01:18The General Confederation of Labour and the United Trade Union Front confirmed a 24-hour
01:24general strike in Argentina on February 19. The Chamber of Deputies is debating the Labour
01:29reform bill proposed by Javier Millet's government which was recently approved by the Senate.
01:35The legislative session is expected to take place on Thursday, February 19,
01:39which will mark the fourth general strike against the current administration
01:44according to union sources. A national strike will be held with the participation of all
01:49transportation workers including those from the General Union of Associations of Transportation Workers.
01:55The strike will affect bus, train, taxi and flight services in the city of Buenos Aires and the Buenos Aires
02:02metropolitan area.
02:09Moving now to Cuba, the government assures that the national budget will maintain its social and
02:14humanistic character while continuing to prioritize and guarantee fundamental rights despite the brutal
02:19imperialist assault by the United States. Finance and Price Minister Vladimir Reguero
02:25assured that rights such as health, education, security and social assistance even in the
02:30context of severe economic constraints will remain a priority for the country. In this regard,
02:36the head of the ministry reiterated that the allocation of resources continue to be directed
02:41toward strategic sectors that impact citizens' quality of life. Reguero has also emphasized that the
02:48criminal restrictions imposed by Washington will not be a reason to roll back the social
02:53achievement of the revolution.
03:00In this context, the Cuban Ministry of Public Health states that more than 32,000 pregnant women
03:07are at risk due to the fuel blockade imposed by the United States. A fuel shortage is affecting
03:13primary health care for mothers and children, limiting access to obstetricians, ultrasounds,
03:19vital well-being, monitoring and genetic testing for pregnant women. Likewise, the energy crisis is
03:26causing the immobilization of commissions for the care of high-risk maternal morbidity and critical
03:33newborns, as well as delays in childhood vaccinations and medical transport.
03:43Moving now to Nicaragua, Co-President Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo delivered more than 100
03:49transport units to Nicaraguan Cooperative. During an official ceremony, Co-President Daniel Ortega
03:55condemned those who insist on promoting war, bloodshed and the construction of atomic weapons in the world.
04:01He also condemned the actions of powers that oppress and exploit free and sovereign peoples through
04:08threat and aggression. In this sense, Co-President Ortega assured that the peoples of the world
04:13reject the promotion of war while urging humanity to continue the struggle for global peace.
04:24In this context, at an official ceremony, Nicaraguan Co-President Daniel Ortega
04:28calls for the continuation of the global struggle for peace and condemn those who insist on promoting
04:34war in the world.
04:39That should be the behavior of humanity, that we treat each other as brothers and sisters,
04:47and not that we unleash so much wrath, so much war, so much bloodshed.
05:01And here the struggle must continue to be the struggle for peace, even if they insist on war,
05:12even if they insist on achieving this by building more atomic weapons, even if they insist on launching
05:20atomic weapons against the peoples of the world. Deep down, the peoples of the world reject this behavior.
05:32Rechazan ese comportamiento. Reject terrorist acts. Rechazan esa actitud.
05:40Because terrorists are those who act in this way.
05:44Terroristas. Porque terroristas son los que actúan de esa manera.
05:49On Sunday in Venezuela, the Supreme Court of Justice issued an extradition order against
05:54Venezuelan businessman Francisco Javier D'Agostino Casado.
05:58This citizen was recently arrested by Italian authorities to face charges for unleashed financial
06:03crimes related to the illegal sale of Venezuelan oil through front companies.
06:08According to Venezuelan journalist Eligio Rojas, the investigation points to his unleashed involvement
06:14in a scheme that sold crude oil without paying the proceeds to the state to do the treatment
06:20of the state-owned oil company PDVSA.
06:28In other news, Mexico closed 2025 as the country with the lowest unemployment rate in the Organization
06:34for Economic Cooperation and Development at 2.6%, practically half of the organization's average.
06:41According to the OECD, unemployment among its member countries closed 2025, an average of 5%,
06:49a relatively stable level since April 2022. Meanwhile, Mexico recorded the third-lowest
06:55youth unemployment rate in the Organization, 5.7%. Sweden, Spain, Chile and Finland exceeded 20%,
07:04meaning that at least one in five young people is unemployed. Also, the U.S. recorded an
07:10unemployment rate of 4.4% and the youth unemployment rate stood at 10.45%. While in Canada, these figures
07:19were 6.8% were 6.8% and 13.3% respectively.
07:26Well, it's a source of pride for everyone. There you have it. Unemployment. The other day, we announced
07:37that we are in third place among the countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and
07:42Development in recognition of the government. And they said, oh, no, it's not true. This comes from publications.
07:54But Japan is at the top. 2.6%, December 2025.
08:16For those who say that the transformation does not yield results.
08:21And now we have a short break coming up. But first, remember, you can join us on TikTok at
08:25Telesur English, where you will find news in different formats, news updates, and much more.
08:32We will be right back still with us.
08:58We will be right back still with us.
09:00Welcome back. Nearly 70 right groups slam proposed EU migration reforms, warning they
09:06mirror controversial US policies and threaten to turn public services into tools for immigration
09:12enforcement. In a joint letter, the groups expressed concern about police raids in both
09:17public and private spaces, as well as the risk of racial profiling. They warned that new policies
09:24could oblige European Union member states to actively detect undocumented migrants, effectively turning
09:30everyday spaces, public services, and community interactions into tools of enforcement similar
09:36to those used by immigration and customs enforcement in the United States. Campaigners are calling on
09:43European institutions and national governments to reject measures they say will blur the line between
09:49public services and immigration enforcement, warning that such policies could undermine fundamental
09:55rights and erode trust within communities.
10:03United Nations experts declared Monday that the so-called EPSON files contain disturbing and credible
10:09evidence of systematic and large-scale sexual abuse, trafficking, and exploitation of women and girls.
10:14According to the experts, the acts committed by the former US financier and his cronies could amount
10:21to sexual celebrity, reproductive violence, enforced disappearance, torture, inhuman and degrading
10:27treatment, and femicide. The specialists also conclude that the scale, nature, systematic character,
10:33and transnational reach of a number of these atrocities may reasonably meet the legal
10:39efforts of crimes against humanity. The expert's statement comes after the US Department of Justice released more than three million
10:47pages,
10:482,000 videos, and 180,000 images of the so-called EPSON files.
10:58In the United States, the death toll rises to three after a shooting during a school hockey game in the
11:03city of Portooket in the state of Rhode Island. The incident occurred at the Lynch Arena ice skating rink during
11:12a youth sport event. Local authorities
11:14coordinated off the area and asked citizens to stay away from the site. According to preliminary reports from security agencies,
11:22one of the fatal victims was a minor,
11:25another was the least shooter, and the third victim died in the hospital. In addition, all the people were injured
11:32and transferred to nearby
11:33hospitals for medical attention. According to local media reports, the attacker was a man who shot his wife and children
11:41inside the stadium. This event has once again recandled the debate on gun control in the United States.
11:53Spanish doctors went to a strike across the country Monday in response to the government's proposed reform of the
11:59so-called Framework Institute, which regulates working conditions for public health care professionals.
12:05The strike was joined by the sector's main trade organizations, such as the Spanish Confederation of Medical
12:12Unions and the Andalusian Medical Union, which demand their own collective agreement and improved
12:18working conditions due to the overworked and professional exercitation. Unions also demand that doctors
12:25maintained a differentiated professional and salary classification based around their training and
12:31responsibility.
12:37Iranian Foreign Minister Abaksarachi and the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency,
12:44Rafael Grossi, met in the Swiss city of Geneva on Monday ahead of bilateral talks to be held on Tuesday
12:51between the Persian nation and the United States. According to Iran's Foreign Ministry,
12:55the meeting focused on technical issues related to Tehran's cooperation within the agency in the
13:02framework of safeguarding cooperation and the Persian Parliament's law that maintains its suspension
13:09and that of the agency inspections following the US attacks on the country's nuclear facilities.
13:15Moreover, Iran's technical viewpoints regarding its indirect negotiations with the United States were
13:21also discussed. The top Iranian diplomat arrived in the city early on Monday for the second round of
13:27indirect negotiations with the United States over Iran's peaceful nuclear program.
13:37Iran began the smart control of the Strait of Hormuz naval exercises in order to verify
13:43the response capacity of the Islamic revolutionary corps corps to possible threats in the region. The
13:50Iranian Navy prepares for maneuvers after the concentration of US warships in the Middle East despite
13:55the tensions and US attacks. The Iranian government maintains its position of being open to dialogue
14:01but assures that it will be prepared for any threat. Iran is one of the country with civilian nuclear
14:08technologies which export radio pharmaceuticals to other nations for cancer treatment reportedly applying
14:15its nuclear advances for peaceful purposes.
14:40Israeli occupation forces continue to violate international law
14:44and the integrity of Palestinian territory by moving forward with the expansionist plans in the West Bank
14:49classifying it as a leased state property. On Sunday, Israel as far-right ministers approved an
14:55initiative to claim large areas of the occupied West Bank as state property if Palestinians cannot prove
15:02ownership by reactivating a land registration process that had been suspended since 1967, prompting a regional
15:10outcry and accusations of the de facto annexation. Israeli organizations denounced that this new move gives
15:17Israel a legal avenue that systemizes the dispossession of Palestinian land to further Israeli settlements,
15:24expansion and cement the upper-height regime.
15:32In this context, the European Union called on Israel to reverse the measures they described as illegal under
15:38international law, highlighting that Europe does not recognize Israel's at least sovereignty over an occupied territory.
15:46As for our position, it has always been very clear and consistent in the sense that we have long held
15:54the position of not recognizing Israel's sovereignty over the territories occupied by Israel
16:00since June 1967. In accordance with the United Nations Security Council's resolutions,
16:06we reiterate that annexation is illegal under international law and we call on Israel to reverse this decision.
16:16Egypt and Qatar also expressed their strong opposition to the Israeli government's announcement
16:20of a land registration process in the occupied West Bank. Arab countries asserted that this step
16:26reinforces the sionist regime's control over Palestinian territory. In addition, the Israeli cabinet
16:31approved new guidelines last Sunday and made up facilitating the purchase of land by Israeli colonialists.
16:38Condemnation also multiplied in the region as Egypt and Qatar condemned these announcements as a
16:43dangerous escalation designed to consolidate the Israeli control over the occupied West Bank
16:48and a violation of international agreements.
16:59And we have a second short break coming up, but before we invite you to visit our Facebook page,
17:03at Telesur English. There you will be able to watch our top stories, special live coverage or much more.
17:09Follow our page and activate the notification button to stay up to date on the world's most recent events.
17:13Financial break, don't go away.
17:45Welcome back on more than 60 beaches in the state of La Guaira, Venezuela and celebrate Carnival 2022.
17:50Authorities emphasized that the coastal region continues to be the favorite destination for visitors,
17:57highlighting the massive turnout at the beaches of Los Caracas, Manayuata and Xuxa.
18:04They reported that the state has seen a significant increase in hotel occupancy during the season.
18:09In this regard, the government of La Guaira installed eight stages on the main beaches,
18:14where entertainment festivals are held, including dance therapy, sports competitions and concerts,
18:20for the enjoyment of all families.
18:28In Bolivia, citizens celebrated the Carnival of Peace, combining dances from the Indian communities.
18:33A folklore parade began at noon, toward the sound of more than six thousand fraternities,
18:39who performed various traditional rhythms in colorful costumes.
18:42The musical exhibition brought together dances such as the Tinku and the Llamerada,
18:47with music from the valleys, as well as dances from the Bolivian lowlands, such as the Takirari.
18:54Another feature is the Yiska and Ata blends, that blends expressions from the oldest Aymara provinces,
19:00while the Salai of recent origin is characterized by small jumps by men and women.
19:11In the province of Herrera, thousands of people gathered in Oku this Carnival Monday to celebrate the festivities of Kim
19:18Momo.
19:19This Carnival Monday, the citizens, as we already said, gathered in the district of Oku, the land that pulls,
19:25to pay tribute to the country's most authentic traditions and celebrate the festivities of Kim Momo in style,
19:32on a day that transformed the town streets into a vibrant mosaic of color, music and living culture.
19:38The Oku Carnival stands as a beacon of rural identity. What sets this festival apart is its unique structure in
19:46Panama,
19:47the friendly rivalry and community work of three tunas or streets. This typical and cultural style is not only
19:54experienced in the streets but is also embodied in every detail from the traditional clothing and indigenous music
20:01to the way of celebrating, which prioritizes the preservation of the customs inherited from the ancestors over foreign fashions.
20:15And in Brazil, the third day of Carnival in Sao Paulo marks the consolidation of the Festival of Kim Momo
20:21with large parades and majestic displays by the samba schools at the unhebbing Sambodromo.
20:27The Carnival celebration has more than 600 street parades authorized to march through different neighborhoods,
20:33south of the capital of Sao Paulo, and thousands of visitors take part in the festivities.
20:39This Monday, Sao Paulo continues with the traditional parades at the city's Sambodromo, where the classic samba school performs.
20:46Likewise, samba schools of the special groups, flows, songs and tributes bring color to the runway.
20:57Moving now to Argentina, the great carnival celebration continues in the province of Jujuy.
21:03In the central square, some continue with energy to keep throwing foam and talk while the majority rest
21:10and buy handicraft. Also, small groups parade through the streets, led by members wearing devil costumes
21:17who cross paths in a game between musicians and dancers.
21:26And during the carnival in Barranquilla, Colombia, the Grand Parade of Dance Groups
21:30enhanced the festivities with colorful and folkloric dance groups. The Grand Parade of Comparsals is
21:36essentially a parade of choreographies where traditional composers and fantasy composers come together.
21:43A unique display of elaborate aesthetics, large-scale structures and a visual narrative that blends
21:49modernity and popular heritage. The event is an authentic representation of Barranquilla,
21:55a legacy of Caribbean rhythms that preserves cultural roots.
22:03And Peru also experiences the magic of carnival. The streets of the northern city of Celedin
22:09are filled with excitement. During carnival, dozens of neighborhoods showcase their best artistry
22:16through their dance, troupes and allegorical floats, which parade despite the weather.
22:21A total of 13 neighborhoods and dozens of institutions participate in the 2026 celebrations
22:27in a parade that lasts several hours and covers a distance of more than five kilometers.
22:37Moving now to Europe, in Spain, the streets are also filled with music costumes and bold criticism
22:43during the Andalusian carnival, reflecting people's sentiments. In the form of uncensored satire and shared joy,
22:50songs full of irony and criticism composed by the different groups participating in the festival are
22:56performed. The Andalusian carnival parades through the city center, singing mocking verses about everyday
23:03issues and local figures. Traditionally, it is a carnival of closeness, focusing more on social criticism
23:10and neighborhood humor than on large floods of mass tourism.
23:19And with that information, we have come to the end of this news brief. But remember, you can find
23:23this and many other stories on our website at www.telesureenglish.net. And you can also join us on social
23:27media.
23:28We are on Facebook, Instagram, Telegram and TikTok.
23:32For the last few years, my name is Paolo Micelicci and thank you for watching.
Comments