February 18, 2026 – Israel Headlines

1More than 80 states at UN condemn Israel’s plans to expand in occupied West Bank

Story gist: More than 80 states at the United Nations condemned Israel’s plans to expand settlements in the occupied West Bank.
Left
‘Jordan is next’: West Bank annexation signals ‘silent transfer’
— Al Jazeera
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Center
More than 80 states at UN condemn Israel’s plans to expand in occupied West Bank
— France 24
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Right
No major right-leaning outlet from our monitored sources covered this story
Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets like Al Jazeera frame the story with alarmist tone, emphasizing quotes like ‘Jordan is next’ and ‘silent transfer’ to highlight escalation fears and displacement. Center outlets like France 24 use neutral, factual headlines mirroring the event. Right-leaning coverage is absent, omitting perspectives that might defend Israel’s actions or question UN condemnations.

2‘I literally felt naked’: Angolan journalist Teixeira Cândido targeted with Predator spyware

Story gist: Angolan journalist Teixeira Cândido was targeted with Predator spyware developed by Intellexa. The spyware used tactics including fake escort services and greetings cards against journalists in Angola.
Left
Fake escort services to greetings cards: Intellexa spyware targets journalists in Angola
— Haaretz
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Center
‘I literally felt naked’: Angolan journalist Teixeira Cândido targeted with Predator spyware
— Committee to Protect Journalists
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Right
No major right-leaning outlet from our monitored sources covered this story
Bias summary: Left-leaning Haaretz emphasizes spyware tactics like fake escort services and greetings cards targeting Angolan journalists broadly. Center CPJ personalizes via Cândido’s quote on feeling ‘naked,’ focusing on individual vulnerability. Right-leaning outlets omit coverage entirely, absenting any perspective on spyware use against journalists.

3Vance Says Iran Is Ignoring Core U.S. Demands in Talks

Story gist: U.S. official Vance stated Iran is ignoring core U.S. demands in nuclear talks. Oman reported good progress during the talks in Geneva.
Left
No major left-leaning outlet from our monitored sources covered this story
Center
Iran-US tensions: Oman says ‘good progress’ made during nuclear talks in Geneva
— Hindustan Times
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Right
Vance Says Iran Is Ignoring Core U.S. Demands in Talks
— The Wall Street Journal
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Bias summary: No left-leaning coverage provided, omitting optimistic or conciliatory perspectives. Center outlets like Hindustan Times frame the story around Iran-U.S. tensions but emphasize Oman’s report of ‘good progress’ in Geneva. Right-leaning Wall Street Journal focuses on Vance’s statement, highlighting Iran’s non-compliance with U.S. demands in a critical tone toward Iran.

4Forecast: Significant drop in temperatures, air pollution remains

Story gist: Meteorological services forecast a significant drop in temperatures in mountainous highlands and inland plateaus. Air pollution is expected to remain, with a cold air mass affecting the country in coming days.
Left
Meteorology forecasts very cold weather in mountainous highlands & inland plateaus
— www.saba.ye
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Center
Forecast: Significant drop in temperatures, air pollution remains
— Ynetnews
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Right
Meteorology: Cold Air Mass to Affect Country in Coming Days
— www.saba.ye
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Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets emphasize ‘very cold weather’ in vulnerable highland and plateau areas, heightening severity. Center outlets balance temperature drop with persistent air pollution mention. Right-leaning outlets describe a neutral ‘cold air mass’ impacting the whole country, omitting pollution and regional details for broader scope.