Wednesday 18 February 2026

Disasters

A gas explosion at a lead mine in Bashar, Plateau State, Nigeria, kills at least 38 miners working underground and injures 27 others.

Human rights in Gabon

Gabon indefinitely suspends access to social media platforms YouTube and TikTok citing concerns they undermine social cohesion and threaten national security.

Ecuadorian conflict

Four people are killed and two others are injured in a drive-by shooting outside of a school in Guayaquil, Guayas Province, Ecuador.

Censure of José Jerí

Following two rounds of voting, José María Balcázar succeeds the removed José Jerí as interim President of Peru.

Business

American e-commerce company eBay announces it will acquire Depop from Etsy for $1.2 billion, merging two of the largest secondhand e-commerce platforms in the world.

2028 Philippine presidential election

Philippine vice president Sara Duterte announces her candidacy in the next presidential election.

Myanmar civil war

The state-run Myanmar Alin newspaper reports that Bo Nagar, leader of the anti-government Burma National Revolutionary Army, surrendered to the Burmese military after clashes with other rebel groups.

Cambodian–Thai border dispute

Cambodian prime minister Hun Manet claims that Thai forces are occupying Cambodian territory beyond Thailand's claimed territory.

Terrorism in Australia

Australia issues a temporary exclusion order barring one citizen held in a Syrian detention camp from returning to the country under counter-terrorism legislation, citing the citizen's possible links to Islamic State members.

2026 Japanese general election

Sanae Takaichi is re-appointed Prime Minister of Japan by the House of Representatives after winning the legislative election.

Disasters

Twelve people are killed in an explosion and fire at a fireworks shop in Xiangyang, Hubei, China.

China–Poland relations

Poland bans all Chinese-made vehicles from entering its military sites, citing data security concerns regarding onboard sensors.

United States intervention in Syria

The United States announces that it will withdraw all remaining military troops from Syria, formally ending its 12-year military presence in the country.

Middle Eastern crisis

A security officer is killed and another is injured in an attack by the Islamic State in Raghib, Deir ez-Zor Governorate, Syria.

Gaza war

Two Palestinians, including one child, are killed by Israeli attacks in Gaza.