The Daily Populous

Wednesday February 18th, 2026 day edition

image for Zelenskyy: Unfair that Trump publicly urges Ukraine, not Russia, to make concessions for peace

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said it is "not fair" that US President Donald Trump continues to publicly call on Ukraine, rather than Russia, to make concessions for the sake of peace.

Details: Zelenskyy argued that, although it may be easier for Trump to put pressure on Ukraine than on Russia, a path to a lasting peace cannot be built by effectively giving victory to Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

Trump has in recent days twice said that the responsibility for making concessions lies with Zelenskyy.

Details: Zelenskyy also thanked Trump for his peace efforts and said that his discussions with US negotiators – Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner – do not involve the kind of pressure Trump uses publicly.

"We respect each other," Zelenskyy said, adding that he is "not such a person" who easily gives in to pressure.

He believes the sides largely agreed on a US-led mechanism to monitor a ceasefire using drones, if one is reached.

The groups will continue their work on the morning of 18 February, with statements from the sides expected afterwards. »

Child protective services called after parents express concerns about high school’s Turning Point USA event

Authored by independent.co.uk

A Turning Point USA event for Maryland high schoolers was reported to child protective services after parents expressed “serious concern” about their children’s safety at the meeting.

There has been a surge in young people joining Turning Point USA in the wake of its founder, Charlie Kirk’s, assassination last year.

The Independent has contacted Turning Point USA and the Calvert County Board of Education for comment. »

Epstein files suggest acts that may amount to crimes against humanity, say UN experts

Authored by theguardian.com
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The experts said crimes outlined in documents released by the US justice department were committed against a backdrop of supremacist beliefs, racism, corruption and extreme misogyny.

The crimes, they said, showed a commodification and dehumanisation of women and girls.

A law, approved by Congress with broad bipartisan support in November, requires all Epstein-related files to be made public. »

No, It’s Not Back to Business as Usual

Authored by theatlantic.com

Just like last year, this group was hoping to hear how the U.S. administration is planning to contribute to these projects.

In the hours and days afterward, I did not meet a single person of any nationality who thinks that the American-European relationship is returning to business as usual.

None of that is business as usual either. »