Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

Arab and Islamic countries mark start of Ramadan on different days

Scenes of welcoming Ramadan, with celebrations unfolding across Arab and Islamic countries as some begin the holy month on Wednesday and others on Thursday, following differing moon-sighting decisions.

Developments after concluding another round of Iran-US nuclear talks

Reactions following the second round of indirect Iran-US nuclear talks in Geneva, Switzerland, under Omani mediation, with cautious optimism over a more constructive atmosphere and initial agreement on guiding principles, while further negotiations remain pending.

Reactions to Israeli Cabinet measures on West Bank

More European reactions following the Israeli Security Cabinet's recent decision to approve measures aimed at reshaping the legal and civil framework in the occupied West Bank and expanding the unlawful annexation of the territory.

US-Ukraine-Russia talks in Geneva

The 3rd round of trilateral negotiations for Moscow-Kyiv peace between Ukraine, the US, and Russia is expected to continue for a second day in Geneva. The InterContinental Hotel remains the main venue of the talks. According to media reports, the sides are focused on discussions of territorial issues and energy ceasefire. Both Moscow and Kyiv are also expected to hold separate bilateral talks with the US representatives.

Reactions expected from Washington, Moscow, and Kyiv.

The negotiations come a week before the fourth anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine war, with the armed conflict still underway. The first two rounds of the talks were held in the UAE.

German chancellor attends political party event in Trier

Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz attends a political party event in the southwestern Trier city, as the annual gathering, known as Ash Wednesday, is a long-standing tradition in German politics, where leaders from different political parties deliver combative speeches. Merz appears alongside other Christian Democratic Union party members.

Germany's defense chief visits NATO exercise

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius is set to visit troops participating in NATO exercise Steadfast Dart-2026 at the Putlos training area, northern Germany, where he will observe an amphibious demonstration before holding a press conference.

Denmark's king visits Greenland

Danish King Frederik X begins his three-day visit to Nuuk, the capital of Greenland. The visit, announced last month, comes amid the ongoing Greenland dispute between transatlantic allies.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman to hold weekly press briefing

Russia's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova will hold a weekly press briefing in the capital Moscow on current foreign policy issues.

Youth Forum of Foreign Policy Meetings in Memory of Vitaly Churkin

The 4th Vitaly Churkin Youth Forum to be held in Moscow on Feb.18-21, focusing on diplomacy in hybrid wars and building a just world order amid the rise of the "global majority." Topics include nuclear non-proliferation and sovereignty. Speakers include officials, historians, and journalists. The Alexander Gorchakov Public Diplomacy Fund is a Russian think tank founded by former President Dmitry Medvedev in 2010. The organization is closely linked to the Russian Foreign Ministry.

Trump to attend Black History Month reception

US President Donald Trump will attend a reception marking Black History Month at the White House. He is later scheduled to attend a closed-door policy meeting at the Oval Office.

Peruvian lawmakers to vote for next interim president

Members of Peru’s Congress will vote to decide who will replace Jose Jeri, the country’s former interim president who was removed from office in a series of censure measures on Tuesday, just four months into his tenure.

UN Security Council to discuss Libya, Palestine

The UN Security Council will hold a regular briefing on the situation in Libya. Special representative and head of the UN Support Mission in Libya, Hanna Serwaa Tetteh, will brief the council on recent political, security, and humanitarian developments in the country.

The council will later hold its monthly briefing on the Middle East, including the “Palestinian question.” The event will take place at the ministerial level, with UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper expected to chair. Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo and two civil society representatives are expected to brief the council.

Venezuela’s interim authorities to hold talks with visiting Qatari premier

Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani arrived in Venezuela for high-level talks. Al Thani is set to first meet with Venezuela’s interim head of state, Delcy Rodriguez.

DR Congo, M23 rebels to begin Angola-brokered ceasefire

Developments as the Democratic Republic of Congo and AFC/M23 rebel group are set to begin a ceasefire under a proposal put forward by Angolan President Joao Lourenco following intensified fighting in the east.

Sanae Takaichi retains her role as Japan's 1st female premier

Japanese parliament reelected Sanae Takaichi as the country's first female prime minister. The fresh vote was due after her ruling Liberal Democratic Party secured a landslide victory in the Feb. 8 lower house snap election.

France’s Macron attends AI Impact Summit in India

French President Emmanuel Macron participates in AI Impact Summit in New Delhi during a three-day visit to the South Asian nation. More than 100 countries are attending the summit.

Brazil’s Lula visits India

Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva kicks off a five-day state visit to India, where he will also participate in the AI Impact Summit.

THE ECONOMY

UK inflation

The UK will release monthly CPI data for January. In December, the British annual inflation was up to 3.4%.

US durable goods orders

The US will share the monthly durable goods orders data for December. In November, the durable goods orders climbed 5.3% on a monthly basis. The country will also release industrial production and housing data.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Annexation by stealth? Israeli measures in West Bank test US red lines

Report examining whether recent Israeli actions in the occupied West Bank amount to de facto annexation despite opposition from US President Trump.

The story analyzes new settlement expansion, land designations, infrastructure integration and administrative changes that analysts say are steadily consolidating Israeli control over the territory. As Washington has publicly opposed formal annexation, the report explores whether Israel’s incremental measures are effectively reshaping realities on the ground without an official declaration.

The report assesses how these developments may strain US-Israel dynamics and test Washington’s stated red lines, with comments from Yonatan Mizrachi of Peace Now’s Settlement Watch Team and Mairav Zonszein, senior analyst for Israel at the International Crisis Group.

PROFILE – Power broker to pariah: Mandelson sparks Britain’s biggest political scandal in decades

Report examining the rise and abrupt fall of longtime Labour heavyweight Peter Mandelson following fresh revelations linking him to late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The story traces Mandelson’s decades-long political career, highlighting the influence that earned him nicknames such as the “spin doctor” and “Prince of Darkness.” It also revisits earlier controversies and resignations that punctuated his time in government.

The report details the crisis triggered by newly released Epstein files, prompting Mandelson’s resignation from the Labour Party and the House of Lords and fueling what commentators describe as Britain’s biggest political scandal in decades that has led to senior staff resignations from the Starmer government, police investigations and mounting scrutiny of political accountability.