Day: February 16, 2026

It’s not yet three weeks since Benfica’s epic 4-2 win in the last game of the group stage which saw a 98th minute goal from goalkeeper Anatolly Trubin qualify Jose Mourinho’s side for the play-off, while condemning Real Madrid to play two extra games it could have done without in a packed season, News.az reports, citing BBC.
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Real Madrid paid a heavy price for that defeat, with both Raul Asencio and Rodrygo shown red cards in the closing moments and both are suspended for Tuesday’s return to Lisbon.
Asencio’s suspension is a problem given that Dean Huijsen is struggling for form in central defense, as shown by the penalty he conceded in Saturday’s 4-1 win at home to Real Socieda. With David Alaba the only other available central defender, Arbeloa will have to choose between the Austrian or dropping Aurelien Tchouameni back from midfield.
Jude Bellingham is also out with his hamstring injury, but Kylian Mbappe should be available after sitting out against Real Sociedad due to a slight physical problem.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s return at right back gives the team more creative options, with the former Liverpool defender’s ability to hit long passes, along with his effectiveness from set pieces.
Benfica coach Mourinho is of course well known to Real Madrid after his spell as coach and Mourinho has even been mooted as a possible replacement for Arbeloa if things down work out for the former B-team boss between now and the end of the season.
Mourinho knows Real Madrid’s strengths and weaknesses and had Arbeloa as one of his lieutenants during his years at the Bernabeu, so not just the tactical, but also the psychological battle between the two is likely to be points of interest in the two games over the coming week. 

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In a statement, the AL denounced the Israeli move “in the strongest terms,” saying the step is “a null and void unilateral measure” aimed at imposing new facts on the ground and serving as a preparatory step toward the annexation of the occupied Palestinian territories, News.az reports, citing ABC News.
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Entrenching the policy of illegal settlement activity undermines the prospects for achieving a just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution, it added.
The continuation of these policies would exacerbate tensions and threaten security and stability in the region, leading to further violence and instability, the AL warned, calling for an urgent intervention by the international community, especially the UN Security Council.
Israel on Sunday approved a plan to register West Bank land as “state property,” a move that could strengthen Israeli claims and facilitate settlement expansion. The plan, submitted by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Justice Minister Yariv Levin, and Defense Minister Israel Katz, was approved by the cabinet, according to a joint statement.
For the first time since the 1967 Middle East war, which brought the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza under Israeli control, the cabinet authorized a land registration process in the West Bank. The Land Registry and Settlement of Rights, a government authority under the Justice Ministry, will carry out the process with dedicated staff and budget.

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The BNGRC said more than 420,000 people were affected across 25 districts in five regions in eastern and central Madagascar. The cyclone also damaged more than 49,000 houses and destroyed over 25,000 houses, News.Az reports, citing Aljazeera.
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Authorities are continuing to assess damage and carry out relief operations in the affected areas, while assistance to impacted populations is underway.
The Malagasy government declared a “state of national disaster” on Feb. 11 in response to the widespread devastation caused by Cyclone Gezani.

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The event was held to mark the upcoming Spring Festival, or Chinese New Year – the most important traditional holiday in China and a time for family reunions, News.Az reports, citing CNBC.
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At Heathrow, a Spring Festival send-off ceremony featured red lanterns, spring couplets and intricate paper-cut window decorations, all traditional elements associated with the holiday. Staff distributed holiday gift packs and cultural souvenirs to travelers, while many passengers stopped to learn about Spring Festival traditions and take photos.
Organizers said the event aimed to allow foreign travelers to experience the festive spirit before arriving in China, while also creating a warm holiday atmosphere for overseas Chinese communities.
The lively celebration comes amid growing interest in travel to China. For an increasing number of international travelers, visiting China has become part of their travel plans, driven by curiosity about the country’s rich culture, modern cities and diverse landscapes.
Thomas Berger, a French national working in the United Kingdom, was embarking on his first trip to Asia. His itinerary includes five Chinese cities – Beijing, Xi’an, Chengdu, Zhangjiajie and Shanghai – combining historical landmarks, modern urban life and natural scenery. Chengdu, he said, was the destination he most looked forward to, particularly for its cuisine.
Berger said much of his travel planning was based on online resources, especially short-form travel videos. In recent years, content tagged “China Travel” has gained popularity across global social media platforms, where foreign bloggers and tourists document their experiences and share practical tips.
Despite traveling to China for the first time, Berger said he felt reassured after hearing from others that the country is “super safe,” an impression echoed by several travelers interviewed at the airport.
Emil Ive, a retail manager making his first trip outside Europe, planned to visit Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing and Sichuan. Chongqing held particular significance for him, as he would meet a Chinese friend there for the first time after connecting online through a shared interest in each other’s cultures. He said communication had been facilitated by translation functions on the messaging app WeChat.
For project manager Kaelan Meehan, the journey carried personal meaning. His destination included Qiqihar in northeast China, the hometown of his wife. The trip marked his fourth visit to China and his first experience of winter in the country’s northeast. He said he looked forward to spending time with family amid the snowy landscape.
To further facilitate cross-border travel, China will extend its visa-free policy to ordinary passport holders from Canada and the United Kingdom starting Feb. 17, 2026, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Sunday.
The announcement was welcomed by Meehan and his wife, who said they hoped to bring his parents on a future visit so both families could reunite.
Some travelers have already spent extended periods in China. Lucas Richman, a Chinese-language student at Durham University currently on exchange at Zhejiang University, boarded a flight to Shenzhen before continuing by high-speed rail to Hangzhou. Speaking fluent Mandarin, he said he seeks to explore widely and interact with local residents to deepen his understanding of Chinese culture. During the Spring Festival, he planned to celebrate with fellow international students at a guesthouse in Moganshan in east China’s Zhejiang Province.
Zhang Li, director of the China National Tourist Office in London, said the Spring Festival serves not only as an emotional symbol for the Chinese people but also as an important window through which the world can better understand China.
“Hosting send-off events at overseas airports allows travelers to feel the festive atmosphere from the very beginning of their journey,” Zhang said.

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