NPR News: 02-18-2026 10AM EST

Summary

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NPR News Now: 02-18-2026 10AM EST

Main Theme

This episode provides a rapid update on key national and international news events as of February 18, 2026, covering developments in US-brokered Russia-Ukraine peace talks, the Department of Homeland Security shutdown, controversy over FBI handling of Georgia election ballots, financial and health sector updates, Olympic highlights, exercise science, and a security incident at the U.S. Capitol.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks in Geneva

[00:00–01:11]

• U.S.-sponsored negotiations between Russia and Ukraine ended suddenly but reportedly made some progress.

• Kremlin’s lead negotiator Vladimir Medinsky provided no clear reason for the abrupt cessation, labeling talks as “difficult and businesslike.”

• Disputes center on:

  • Russia’s demands for Ukrainian territorial concessions (including areas not currently held by Russian forces).
  • Ukraine’s insistence on “ironclad security guarantees” from the U.S. to enter any agreement.

• President Trump called on Ukraine to "come to the table fast," indicating U.S. pressure on Kyiv to compromise.

  “Ukraine better come to the table fast.” — President Trump, reported by Charles Maynes [00:55]

2. Homeland Security Partial Shutdown

[01:11–01:38]

• The Department of Homeland Security remains partially closed due to congressional deadlock.
• Democrats: Demand reforms in the Trump administration’s federal immigration enforcement.
• Republicans: Opposed to proposed changes, leading to ongoing budget impasse.

3. FBI Seizure of Georgia Election Ballots

[01:38–02:13]

• Fulton County officials allege the FBI misled a judge to seize 2020 election ballots.

• Filing claims agents failed to specify a crime and omitted exculpatory evidence about the lack of fraud.

• NPR’s affidavit review confirms state investigations found no fraud; Joe Biden clearly won the county.

  “The Fourth Amendment demands probable cause, not possible cause.” — Fulton County’s court filing, quoted by Stephen Fowler [01:52]

4. Markets Surge, New Flu Vaccine For Review

[02:13–03:06]

• FDA reverses itself, will now review Moderna’s flu vaccine, prompting a surge in Moderna stock.
• Health Secretary Robert Kennedy continues to question mRNA vaccine technology, despite its pandemic success.
• Homebuilding: December saw modest gains, but 2025 remained weak due to affordability concerns.
• Dow Jones up approx. 250–281 points, NASDAQ also up.

5. Olympic Gold for Mikaela Shiffrin / Why Cross-Country Skiers Are Unique

[03:06–04:26]

• Mikaela Shiffrin wins gold in women’s slalom—her first Olympic medal since 2018.
• Scientific exploration of athlete performance:
  • VO2max (maximum oxygen uptake) highest among cross-country skiers.
  • Stephen Seiler (exercise physiologist):

    "Skiing is the only sport that we're standing upright and we're using all four limbs at the same time." — Stephen Seiler [04:06]

6. U.S. Capitol Security Incident

[04:26–04:55]

• Capitol Police apprehend an 18-year-old man running toward the building with a loaded shotgun.
• The suspect also had tactical gear and protective equipment in his car; Congress was not in session.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Ukraine better come to the table fast.” — President Trump, reported by Charles Maynes [00:55]
• “The Fourth Amendment demands probable cause, not possible cause.” — Fulton County’s court filing, via Stephen Fowler [01:52]
• “Skiing is the only sport that we're standing upright and we're using all four limbs at the same time.” — Stephen Seiler [04:06]
• Mikaela Shiffrin’s gold medal victory stands out as her first Olympic win in eight years [03:06].

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Timestamps of Important Segments

• Russia-Ukraine Talks Breakdown: 00:00–01:11
• DHS Partial Shutdown: 01:11–01:38
• FBI Ballot Seizure in Georgia: 01:38–02:13
• Financial News & Flu Vaccine Update: 02:13–03:06
• Olympics: Shiffrin’s Gold & VO2max Science: 03:06–04:26
• Capitol Security Incident: 04:26–04:55

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This concise, informative episode covers critical issues shaping domestic and international discourse, from geopolitics and security to health innovation, sports science, and market trends—delivered in NPR’s trademark clear, factual style.

Transcript

[A]

This message comes from Carvana, who makes buying and financing your next car easy. Thousands of vehicles, terms up front and 100% online. Even get it delivered to your door. Buy your car the easy way with Carvana. Delivery fee may apply. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. US Sponsored peace talks between Russia and Ukraine broke off earlier than expected today in Geneva. However, participants are suggesting some some progress was made. NPR's Charles Mainz has more from Moscow.

[B]

The Kremlin's lead negotiator, Vladimir Medinsky, gave no explanation for the abrupt end to the meetings, described them as difficult and businesslike, and said they would continue at a later date. Ukraine noted progress in negotiations, a view shared by White House envoy Steve Witkoff, though neither provided further details. Negotiations a bogged down over Russian ultimatums, Ukraine's surrendered territory, including land not controlled by Russian forces, as well as Ukraine's demands for ironclad security guarantees from the US should it even consider a deal Ahead of the talks, President Trump said the onus was on Kyiv to make concessions, saying Ukraine better come to the table fast. Charles Maynes, NPR News, Moscow.

[A]

The Department of Homeland Security remains partially shut down. Congress has not approved a spending bill for the agency. Democrats are demanding changes in how the Trump administration conducts federal immigration operations. Republicans have not agreed. Officials in Georgia's Fulton county say the FBI misled a judge in order to seize 2020 election ballots last month. NPR Stephen Fowler reports on a new court filing.

[C]

The FBI got a magistrate judge to sign off on the seizure, but lawyers for Fulton county want those ballots back. County officials say federal agents did not tell the truth about what they were looking for and, among other things, didn't actually allege a crime was committed, writing that, quote, the the Fourth Amendment demands probable cause, not possible cause. An NPR review of the affidavit found the FBI also omitted key findings from state investigations that found no evidence of fraud and confirmed that Joe Biden won the overwhelmingly Democratic county in 2020. Stephen Fowler, NPR News, Atlanta.

[A]

Stocks opened higher this morning after the Food and Drug Administration said it will review a new flu vaccine after all. NPR's Scott Horsley reports. The Dow Jones industrial average jumped about 281 points in early trading.

[D]

Doc and vaccine maker Moderna opened higher after the FDA changed course and said it will review the company's new flu vaccine last week. The agency had rejected the shot, which, like Moderna's COVID 19 vaccine, is built around messenger RNA. Health Secretary Robert Kennedy has been critical of MRNA and other vaccines, even though the technology is credited with saving millions of lives during the pandemic. Home builders broke ground on more homes in December than they did the month before. But homebuilding activity for all of 2025 remains subdued. A new survey from the national association of Home Builders shows builders confidence is slumping, as many would be buyers struggle to afford new homes. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

[A]

On Wall street, the Dow is now up about 250 points. The NASDAQ is up more than 200 points. This is NPR. American skier Mikayla Shiffrin has won a gold medal today in the women's slalom. This is her first Olympic medal since 2018. She's also an eight time world champion and considered one of the best American skiers. The Winter Olympics offers a full spectrum of athleticism, from figure skating to curling. But as NPR's Jonathan Lambert reports, one sport may have the best athletes, at least by one scientific measure.

[E]

For an athlete to work hard, their muscle cells need oxygen. The more oxygen they can get, the harder they can go. Scientists call the maximum amount of oxygen an athlete can use during exercise VO2max. Scientists have measured VO2max across all kinds of athletes, and cross country skiers consistently rank towards the top. Stephen Seiler, an exercise physiologist at the University of Agdar, explains why cross country.

[D]

Skiing is the only sport that we're standing upright and we're using all four limbs at the same time.

[E]

That means their cardiovascular systems are working overtime to fuel all those muscles and fight gravity because they're upright. Years of this training can push a skier's VO2 max towards its upper limits. Jonathan Lambert, NPR News.

[A]

U.S. capitol Police have arrested an 18 year old man. He ran toward the west side of the Capitol building yesterday armed with a shotgun. Officers intercepted him and ordered him to the ground. Officials say the gunman was wearing a tactical vest and gloves and also had a Kevlar helmet and gas mask in his vehicle. Officials also say the shotgun was loaded. Congress is not in session. This is npr.

[E]

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