NPR News: 02-18-2026 6AM EST

Summary

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NPR News Now – February 18, 2026, 6AM EST

Host: NPR
Episode Theme:
A concise roundup of breaking national and world news focusing on ongoing diplomatic negotiations over Ukraine, tributes to Rev. Jesse Jackson, a high-profile tech trial, immigration debate fallout, faith observances beginning today, and severe weather incidents.

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Major Topics & Insights

1. Ukraine War Negotiations and Global Attention

[00:18-01:26]

• Geneva Talks: A second day of negotiations is ongoing between U.S., Russia, and Ukraine officials in Geneva. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy characterized talks as "difficult" and accused Russia of delaying progress.
  • Zelenskyy: "Yesterday's meetings were difficult."
  • Zelenskyy expresses gratitude for U.S. support.
• Anniversary Note: The fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine approaches next week.
• Ukrainian Perspective:
  • Many in Ukraine believe world focus has shifted elsewhere (Sudan, Gaza).
  • Oleksandr Matvechuk (2022 Nobel Peace Prize winner):
    • "But this is not just a war between two states. This is a war between two systems: authoritarianism and democracy that will remake the world order." [01:00-01:09]
    • Warns of global consequences if Russia prevails, arguing it will embolden other authoritarian regimes.

2. Remembering Reverend Jesse Jackson

[01:26-01:37]

• Passing: Civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson died yesterday.
• Community Response: Vigils and prayers held in Chicago, where he founded the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.
• Tribute falls against a backdrop of Jackson's legacy in faith and advocacy.

3. Meta’s Landmark Social Media Trial

[01:37-02:38]

• Mark Zuckerberg Testifies: CEO of Meta, Mark Zuckerberg, appearing in court over allegations that Instagram is deliberately “hooking” young users.
  • Key Legal Question: Should tech companies bear responsibility for designing potentially harmful social media platforms?
  • Section 230 Shield: Traditionally protects tech firms from liability over user-generated content, but this case argues the platforms are “defective products” designed despite known harms.
• Broader Implications:
  • There are 1,600+ similar social media addiction cases pending.
  • Zuckerberg is expected to highlight Meta’s teen safeguards.
  • Bobby Allen (NPR): "The outcome of this trial could shape 1600 other social media addiction cases still pending." [02:32]

4. DHS Partial Shutdown & Political Fallout

[02:38-02:57]

• Status: Department of Homeland Security remains partially closed due to Congressional disputes over immigration practices.
• Trigger: After fatal shootings by federal agents of two American protesters in Minneapolis last month.
• Political Stalemate: Scarcity of details on negotiations, highlighting partisan tension.

5. US Capitol Incident

[02:57-03:08]

• Security: Capitol Police arrested 18-year-old Carter Camacho of Georgia after he ran towards the west side of the Capitol with a loaded shotgun.

6. Faith Observances Begin: Ash Wednesday & Ramadan

[03:08-04:27]

• Ash Wednesday (Christianity):
  • Marks the start of Lent.
  • National Council of Churches Launch: "Deliver Us From Evil" campaign urging Christians to wear black, pray daily at noon, and post “Deliver Us from Evil” photos on social media.
  • Message: Call for “justice, compassion and protection of the vulnerable.” [03:44]
• Ramadan (Islam):
  • Observed by Muslims globally, involves fasting, prayer, and good works.
  • Ends with Eid Al Fitr on March 18–19.

7. Extreme Weather: Avalanche & Deadly Winds

[04:27-04:56]

• California:
  • Search for 9 missing skiers after an avalanche; 6 rescued.
  • Rescue efforts hampered by winter storm conditions.
• Colorado:
  • Deadly pileup south of Pueblo causes at least 4 deaths, involving over 30 vehicles due to blinding dust and strong winds.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Oleksandr Matvechuk (on Ukraine war):

  • “This is not just a war between two states. This is a war between two systems: authoritarianism and democracy that will remake the world order.” [01:00-01:09]
  • “If Putin gets his way, authoritarians around the world will be encouraged to do the same.” [01:18-01:22]

• NPR’s Bobby Allen (on Meta trial):

  • “The outcome of this trial could shape 1600 other social media addiction cases still pending.” [02:32]

• NPR’s Jason DeRose (on Ash Wednesday campaign):

  • The campaign calls on people of faith to “raise their prophetic voices for justice, compassion and protection of the vulnerable.” [03:44]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Ukraine Talks & Context: 00:18–01:26
• Jesse Jackson Tributes: 01:26–01:37
• Meta Social Media Trial: 01:37–02:38
• DHS Partial Shutdown: 02:38–02:57
• US Capitol Incident: 02:57–03:08
• Ash Wednesday Campaign: 03:08–04:06
• Ramadan Begins: 04:06–04:27
• Avalanche & Weather Disasters: 04:27–04:56

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This episode delivers essential news updates, blending original reporting and direct voices to keep listeners informed on major current events worldwide—capturing not just the headlines, but also the broader context and stakes behind each story.

Transcript

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[NPR News Anchor]

In Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. A second day of talks is underway in Geneva. Among officials from the U.S. russia and Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote online yesterday's meetings were difficult and blamed Russia for trying to drag out the talks. He also thanked the U.S. for its support. The fourth anniversary of Russia's full scale invasion is next week. NPR's Eleanor Beardsley reports. Many Ukrainians believe the world no longer focuses on their plight.

[NPR Correspondent]

Ukrainians know there are other wars, Sudan and Gaza, to attract the world's attention and sympathies. But Ukrainian human rights lawyer in 2022, Nobel Peace Prize winner Oleksandr Matvechuk says this war is different.

But this is not just a war between two states. This is a war between two systems.

Authoritarianism and democracy that will remake the world order.

Putin attempts to convince that country with a strong military potential. A nuclear weapon can break international order.

And dictate the rules. She says if Putin gets his way, authoritarians around the world will be encouraged to do the same. Eleanor Beardsley, NPR News.

[NPR News Anchor]

Keev Tributes continue to pour in for civil rights leader Reverend Jesse Jackson, who died yesterday. A group of faith and community leaders met to hold a vigil in prayer for Jackson yesterday in Chicago. That's where Jackson founded his Rainbow Push Coalition. The CEO of big tech company Meta will testify today in a landmark social media trial. Mark Zuckerberg is facing accusations that Meta's platform, Instagram, has been engineered to hook young people. NPR's Bobby Allen reports.

[NPR Correspondent]

Zuckerberg will take the witness stand and defend Meta's social media apps before a Los Angeles jury. A core question of the trial is whether tech companies should be found legally liable for designing social media apps in ways that have harmed or worsened users mental health. Silicon Valley has long avoided legal repercussions thanks to a federal shield known as section230. It makes it hard to sue tech companies for content users post. But this trial is framing social media platforms as a defective product designed knowing the harms they could cause. Zuckerberg is expected to emphasize Meta's safeguards for teens. The outcome of this trial could shape 1600 other social media addiction cases still pending. Bobby Allen, NPR News.

[NPR News Anchor]

The Department of Homeland Security is still partially shut down as lawmakers disagree over how the agency conducts immigration operations. This comes after federal agents shot and killed two American protesters in Minneapolis last month. Details on negotiations between Democrats and Republicans have been scarce. US Capitol Police say they've arrested an 18 year old man after he ran toward the west side of the Capitol yesterday. They allege Carter Camacho of Georgia was armed with a shotgun. He was intercepted by officers and ordered to the ground. Officials say the shotgun was loaded. This is npr. Today is Ash Wednesday, when Christians begin to observe the season of Lent. NPR's Jason DeRose reports. The National Council of Churches is launching a new prayer campaign beginning today.

[NPR Correspondent]

The campaign is called Deliver Us From Evil, which is a phrase from the Lord's Prayer as described in the Gospel of Matthew. The campaign asks participants to wear black on Ash Wednesday as a visible sign of witness and unity, to pray daily at noon throughout Lent, and to post photos of themselves on social media with a sign saying deliver Us from Evil. The largely progressive National Council of Churches represents more than 30 million Christians from 37 different denominations. It's calling on people of faith to, quote, raise their prophetic voices for justice, compassion and protection of the vulnerable. Jason DeRose, NPR News.

[NPR News Anchor]

Today is also the start of Ramadan for Muslims around the world. The holy month is observed with prayer, fasting and good works for others. The religious month concludes on March 18th and 19th with the Feast of Eid Al Fitr. Rescuers in Northern California are looking for nine missing skiers who were caught in an avalanche. Six other skiers have been rescued. Parts of California are getting a winter storm, and it took rescuers several hours to reach the skiing party. Powerful winds created deadly conditions yesterday in Colorado. Authorities say at least four motorists were killed in a pile up on an interstate south of the city of Pueblo. There was so much blowing dirt drivers couldn't see. Authorities say more than theater. Rather, more than 30 vehicles were involved. This is NPR.

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