NPR News: 02-18-2026 1PM EST

Summary

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NPR News Now – February 18, 2026, 1PM EST: Episode Summary

Overview

This five-minute NPR News Now update offers a concise roundup of major international and national news, with key stories including the status of Russia–Ukraine peace talks, legal and political fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein case, a federal lawsuit over historical erasure at US national parks, a rescue following a California avalanche, an Olympic gold for skier Mikaela Shiffrin, and China’s technological showcase of kung fu robots during the Lunar New Year.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Russia–Ukraine Peace Talks Stall, But “Progress” Claimed

• [00:15–01:12]
  • Reporting From Geneva/Moscow: Russia–Ukraine peace talks ended earlier than planned but not without what participants called “some progress.”
  • Kremlin Stance: Russia’s lead negotiator, Vladimir Medinsky, gave the meetings a “difficult and businesslike” characterization, offering no reason for the abrupt halt.
  • Ukraine & US Response: Both Ukraine and US envoy Steve Witkoff echoed a cautious optimism but withheld details.
  • Sticking Points: Talks are bogged down by Russian ultimatums regarding Ukrainian territorial concessions—including land not currently held by Russia—and Ukraine’s demands for US security guarantees.
  • US Political Posture: President Trump commented before the talks:
    • Quote: “The onus was on Kyiv to make concessions, saying Ukraine better come to the table fast.” (Charles Manes quoting Trump, 00:56)

2. Les Wexner Deposed Over Epstein Ties; Global Investigations Widen

• [01:12–01:58]
  • Legal Action: L Brands founder Les Wexner is being deposed in Ohio for his long-standing relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, after recent DOJ document releases mentioned him over a thousand times.
  • Wexner’s Defense: Wexner continues to deny knowledge of Epstein’s crimes.
  • French Probes: In France, prosecutors announced two new cases investigating Epstein’s sex crimes and financial dealings and are calling for more alleged victims to step forward.

3. National Park Rangers Sue Over “Erasing History”

• [01:12–02:45]
  • New Lawsuit: Conservation and historical groups are suing the Trump administration, accusing it of “unlawfully erasing history at national parks.”
  • Specific Examples:
    • The lawsuit cites instances such as the removal of an exhibit in Philadelphia memorializing nine people enslaved by George Washington, and eliminating information on climate change impacts in the parks.
  • Executive Action: The suit contends these actions stem from an executive order, suggesting the Interior Department exceeded its authority.
    • Quote: “The government has betrayed that trust.” (Kristen Wright, citing the lawsuit, 02:04)

4. Lake Tahoe Avalanche: Search and Rescue Update

• [02:45–03:29]
  • Incident: Nine backcountry skiers are missing after an avalanche near Lake Tahoe; six were rescued, two hospitalized.
  • Ongoing Search: Local authorities are continuing the search effort.

5. Mikaela Shiffrin Ends Olympic Medal Drought in Milan

• [03:29–03:55]
  • Olympic Achievement: American skier Mikaela Shiffrin wins gold in women’s slalom, her first Olympic medal since 2018, marking the end of an eight-year drought.
    • Quote: “When she saw her name on top, there was a huge smile on her face. She pumped her arm in the air.” (Steve Futterman, 03:44)

6. China’s Lunar New Year: Kung Fu Robots Take Center Stage

• [03:55–04:50]
  • Technological Display: The annual Chinese Lunar New Year show featured humanoid robots performing martial arts alongside human masters, underscoring advances by companies like Unitree, which expects to ship 10,000 robots this year.
  • National Showcase: The gala, traditionally highlighting dance and acrobatics, is increasingly becoming a showcase of China’s latest technology.
    • Quote: “Rows of prancing, punching robots wearing red satin vests took the stage at the most-watched Lunar New Year show in China.” (Emily Fang, 04:08)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Difficult and businesslike… The onus was on Kyiv to make concessions, saying Ukraine better come to the table fast.”
  — Charles Manes (00:45–00:56), reporting on the Russia–Ukraine talks and quoting President Trump.
• “The government has betrayed that trust.”
  — Kristen Wright (02:04), reading the lawsuit’s charges against the Trump administration.
• “When she saw her name on top, there was a huge smile on her face. She pumped her arm in the air.”
  — Steve Futterman (03:44), detailing Shiffrin’s reaction to her Olympic gold.
• “Rows of prancing, punching robots wearing red satin vests took the stage at the most watched Lunar New Year show in China.”
  — Emily Fang (04:08), setting the scene for China’s technology display.

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Russia–Ukraine Talks: [00:15–01:12]
• Les Wexner/Epstein Investigation & French DOJ: [01:12–01:58]
• National Park Rangers Lawsuit: [01:58–02:45]
• Lake Tahoe Avalanche: [02:45–03:29]
• Mikaela Shiffrin’s Olympic Gold: [03:29–03:55]
• China’s Lunar New Year Kung Fu Robots: [03:55–04:50]

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Tone and Language

• The podcast maintains a brisk, neutral, fact-driven tone characteristic of NPR’s news updates, using precise language, brief direct statements, and occasional evocative descriptions, especially in the Olympic and China segments.

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Transcript

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[Lakshmi Singh]

Live from NPR News, I'm Lakshmi Singh. US Sponsored peace talks between Russia and Ukraine broke off earlier than expected today in Geneva, Switzerland. However, participants are suggesting that some progress was made. And NPR's Charles Mournes has more from Moscow.

[Charles Manes]

The Kremlin's lead negotiator, Vladimir Medinsky, gave no explanation for the abrupt end to the meetings, but 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 have bogged down over Russian ultimatums. Ukraine 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 Manes, NPR News, Moscow.

[Lakshmi Singh]

L Brand's founder, Les Wexner, is being deposed in Ohio today about his long friendship with a late convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein. Members of a congressional committee are questioning the billionaire after his name appeared more than a thousand times in the documents the Justice Department recently released on Epstein. Wexner denies he had any knowledge of the financier's sex crimes. In the in the wake of the millions of documents released in the U.S. prosecutors in Paris, France, announced they have launched two new investigations into Epstein sex crimes and finances. They're asking alleged victims to come forward if they have not already done so. The association of National Park Rangers is suing the Trump administration in federal court. Members say the government is unlawfully erasing history at national parks. Here's NPR's Kristen Wright.

[Kristen Wright]

The lawsuit filed in Boston by conservation and historical groups, says for more than 150 years the federal government has been entrusted to operate the national parks to memorialize and commemorate US History, but that the government has betrayed that trust. The complaint says there are, quote, countless examples, including the tearing down of an exhibit in Philadelphia a few weeks ago honoring the lives of nine people enslaved by George Washington. And the suit points to the removal of signs noting the impact of climate change on the parks. The groups argue the Interior Department has exceeded its authority. The changes stem from an executive order. A White House spokesperson tells the Associated Press the lawsuit is premature and that the agency is still reviewing the nation's exhibits. Kristin Wright, NPR News.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Nine backcountry skiers are missing following yesterday's avalanche near Lake Tahoe in California. They were part of a larger tour group. The Nevada County Sheriff's Office says six people were rescued in an hours long operation. Two skiers were admitted to the hospital. US Stocks are trading higher this hour. The Dow is up 310 points or more than half a percent. From Washington, this is NPR News. American skier Mikaela Shifrin has won a gold medal in the women's slalom, her final race of the 2026 Winter Olympics. Steve Futterman reports from Milan. Shifrin is considered one of the best US skiers but had not won an Olympic medal since 2018 until today.

[Steve Futterman]

Mikayla Shiffrin's eight year Olympic medal drought comes to an end in her best the women slalom. Shifrin led after the first run by more than 8/10 of a second. When she completed her second run, she remained on top. After she crossed the finish line, she looked to the video board. When she saw her name on top, there was a huge smile on her face. She pumped her arm in the air. For NPR News, I'm Steve Futterman in Milan.

[Lakshmi Singh]

Kung fu robots are the stars of an annual Chinese Lunar New Year Show. NPR's Emily Fang reports. They've also highlighted China's advances in robotics.

[Emily Fang]

Rows of prancing, punching robots wearing red satin vests took the stage at the most watched Lunar New Year show in China. They traded kicks with human martial arts masters and did backflips and twists. The robots were made by a Chinese company called Unitree. It is one of three Chinese humanoid robotics firms highlighted in the Lunar New Year's gala show. The company's CEO told Chinese media after the show he was expecting to ship about 10,000 of these humanoid robots this year. China's Lunar New Year's Eve gala showcases the best dance, acrobatic and comedic talent across the country, and increasingly also the country's technology. Emily Fang, NPR News.

[Lakshmi Singh]

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