NPR News Now – February 18, 2026, 4PM EST

Host: Lakshmi Singh
Duration: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This concise NPR News Now update (4PM EST) delivers the latest headlines across politics, global crises, legal news, business, and pop culture. The edition covers Mark Zuckerberg's court testimony in a groundbreaking social media trial, developments from the Russia-Ukraine conflict with a focus on American businesses, fallout from a deadly California avalanche, President Trump's new outreach following racist posts, a landmark church abuse settlement, changes at federal health agencies, and the battle for the top of the pop music charts.

Key Topics & Discussion Points

1. Social Media Liability Trial: Zuckerberg Testifies

[00:01-00:54]

• Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified today in Los Angeles at a trial that could change how social media companies are held responsible for youth addiction to platforms like Instagram and Facebook.
• NPR’s Bobby Allen details how companies have traditionally relied on Section 230 to protect themselves from liability, but plaintiffs are now pushing product liability arguments.
• Notable Insight:
  • "These platforms are essentially defective products like a defective car or a defective toaster, and that Meta and Google, the equivalent of a manufacturer, should be held liable."
    — Bobby Allen [00:39]

2. Deadly Avalanche in Lake Tahoe

[00:54]

• Authorities confirm eight skiers died in an avalanche; search continues for one missing person.

3. Senate Democrats in Ukraine: Attacks on American Businesses

[00:54-01:46]

• A Democratic Senate group visited Odesa, highlighting increased Russian attacks on American business interests.
• Senator Richard Blumenthal described the extent of the targeting:
  • "Open season on American business. There are about 600 major businesses here. Nearly half of them have been directly and purposefully attacked. The American people deserve to know that Putin is targeting American businesses."
    — Richard Blumenthal [01:29]
• Push for more stringent sanctions: Blumenthal calls on countries to stop buying Russian gas, suggesting "strong incentives" be used.

4. President Trump and Black History Month Amid Racism Controversy

[01:46–02:34]

• Despite recent outrage over racist social media posts, President Trump holds a Black History Month reception:
  • Trump highlights African Americans’ historical military contributions:
    • "Nearly 10,000 African Americans fought for the Patriot cause in the Revolutionary War... helping secure our independence. In every generation since, from the Buffalo Soldiers to the Tuskegee Airmen, black Americans have stepped forward to defend the flag and to defend our country."
      — President Trump [02:08]
• Recent controversy: The White House faced backlash after Trump's account posted a video depicting the Obamas’ heads superimposed on apes (early February).
• Trump, while denying racism, reiterates claims his policies have benefited communities of color.

5. Business & Legal Updates

[02:34–03:23]

• Market Update: Dow closed up by 129 points.
• Catholic Diocese Settlement:
  • New Jersey's Catholic Church agrees to a $180 million payout to settle clergy sex abuse allegations. The survivors committee accepted the agreement unanimously.
• Federal Health Agency Shakeup:
  • Amid a contentious pre-midterm climate over health policies, Jay Bhattacharya (NIH director) will also temporarily lead the CDC as President Trump searches for a permanent replacement.

6. Pop Music Chart Battle

[03:23–04:30]

• J. Cole’s new album, The Fall Off, debuts at #1 on Billboard—his seventh straight chart-topper.
  • "At number one, the new album by rapper J. Cole number The Fall Off, is his seventh record and his seventh to top the albums chart."
    — Stephen Thompson [03:46]
  • Quoted lyric: "Fell off and fell on my face." — J. Cole [03:56]
  • "But I knew I'd find a way." — J. Cole [03:59]
• Bad Bunny’s post-Super Bowl album, Debe Tirar Más Fotos, lands at #2. He dominates the singles chart with four top 10 tracks, led by "DTMF" at #1.

7. Daily Market Recap

[04:30]

• The Dow up 129 points, S&P up 38, Nasdaq up 175.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Bobby Allen (on social media lawsuits):
  • "These platforms are essentially defective products like a defective car or a defective toaster." [00:39]
• Sen. Richard Blumenthal:
  • "Open season on American business...Nearly half of them have been directly and purposefully attacked." [01:29]
• President Trump:
  • "Nearly 10,000 African Americans fought for the Patriot cause..." [02:08]
• J. Cole:
  • "Fell off and fell on my face." [03:56]
  • "But I knew I'd find a way." [03:59]
• Stephen Thompson (on music charts):
  • "At number one, the new album by rapper J. Cole... his seventh to top the albums chart." [03:46]

Additional Highlights

• No new information on the missing skier in the Tahoe avalanche.
• Jay Bhattacharya’s dual leadership at NIH and CDC underscores turbulence in federal health leadership.

This episode provides a swift, comprehensive overview of the day’s most consequential news across legal, political, and cultural domains, tailored for listeners seeking a quick yet thorough update.