BBC News Briefing

18 February, 2026

Sofia Lotto Persio

Hello. The second day of US-mediated talks between Ukraine and Russia have ended after mere hours. My colleague Laura Gozzi has the latest. From Syria, BBC News Arabic hears reports of abduction and assault against dozens of women belonging to the Alawite minority. And finally, see the newly identified ancient species named after the scientist's former teacher.

TOP OF THE AGENDA

Latest talks end without agreement

Five men sit at a table in front of the russian, US, Swiss and Ukrainian flags. Flower arrangements are laid in front of the table.

Russia currently occupies roughly 20% of Ukraine, including large parts of the eastern Donbas region. Credit: Reuters

A Ukrainian spokesperson says a second day of talks with Russia ended after about two hours on Wednesday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called the talks "difficult" and accused Russia of "trying to drag out the process". He said both sides had agreed to continue negotiations. Russian negotiator Vladimir Medinsky described the talks as "difficult, but business-like". On Tuesday, US special envoy Steve Witkoff said the talks had "brought about meaningful progress" to end the war, as the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine approaches.

Read now

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NEWS FROM THE UK

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William: The Prince of Wales has talked about taking time to "understand my emotions" in a frank conversation about mental health.

Brewdog: A man expects to lose £12,000 ($16,000) put into the brewery's "Equity for Punks" scheme now that the firm is preparing for a sale.

BEYOND THE HEADLINES

Alawite women tell of kidnap and rape

Designed collage image showing a woman in a black niqab against a background of Syrian buildings and hillside - her face is not visible. Behind and to the left of her is the silhouette of a masked man.

The Alawite sect is an offshoot of Shia Islam that makes up about 10% of Syria's population.

Dozens of women in Syria have been kidnapped since the fall of the regime of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. Nearly all those reported missing are members of the Alawite minority to which the ousted leader belongs. Two Alawite women and the families of three others have shared details of abduction and assault with the BBC.

Read their stories