NPR News Now – 9AM EST, February 18, 2026

Host: Korva Coleman
Episode Theme: Morning news headlines covering legal, international, business, sports, religious, and weather updates.

1. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg to Testify in Civil Trial

• [00:00] Korva Coleman introduces the episode from NPR’s Washington bureau.
• The CEO of Meta (parent company of Facebook and Instagram), Mark Zuckerberg, will testify in a highly anticipated civil trial in Los Angeles against social media platforms Instagram and YouTube.
  • The accusation: creating products that addict young people.
  • Companies claim protection under federal law.
• [00:40] Bobby Allen Reports:
  • Social media platforms invoke Section 230, a law offering a "legal shield" from accountability for user-generated content.
    • “It’s been described as an impenetrable fortress for Silicon Valley.” – Bobby Allen [00:43]
  • Plaintiff lawyers are shifting tactics, now using product liability law:
    • The argument: platforms are like “defective products,” similar to faulty cars or toasters, and tech companies should be liable as manufacturers.

2. Alleged Chinese Nuclear Test Evidence

• [01:09] The Pentagon has released new evidence of what it claims was a secret Chinese nuclear test from six years ago.
• [01:23] Jeff Brumfield Reports:
  • On June 22, 2020, seismic sensors in Kazakhstan detected a minor event initially thought to be an earthquake.
  • US arms control official Christopher Yaw:
    • “It is quite consistent with what you would expect from a nuclear explosive test.” – Christopher Yaw [01:38]
  • Not all agree:
    • Ben Dando, seismologist at NORSAR, says data are inconclusive.
      • “We can’t really confirm or deny whether a nuclear test took place at this point.” [01:55]
  • Context: China is heavily expanding its nuclear arsenal; Pentagon believes the country could have nuclear warheads by 2030.

3. U.S. Renter Market Trends

• [02:11] Renter conditions in the U.S. are improving, with increased bargaining power for tenants.
• [02:29] Stephen Bisaha Reports:
  • Some areas (Boston, NYC, San Jose) still heavily favor landlords, but “empty apartments across most of the country are pushing rents down.”
  • Median asking rent in the 50 largest metros: just under $1,700, down 1.5% year-over-year.
  • Vacancy rates up: 7.6% nationwide.
  • Key cause: New apartment construction, especially in the Sun Belt, though building is expected to slow due to rising vacancies.

4. Sports Update: Olympic Gold for Mikaela Shiffrin

• [03:09] Brief market update: Dow futures are higher in premarket trading.
• [03:29] Steve Futterman Reports from Milan:
  • American skier Mikaela Shiffrin ends her eight-year Olympic medal drought with a gold in women’s slalom.
    • Led after the first run by over 0.8 seconds, maintained lead in the second.
    • “When she saw her name on top, there was a huge smile on her face. She pumped her arm in the air.” – Steve Futterman [03:36]
  • Shiffrin, 30, previously won an Olympic medal in 2018 and has been struggling since.

5. Religious Observances: Ramadan and Lent

• [04:05] The month of Ramadan begins for Muslims, observed with prayer, fasting, and acts of charity; concludes March 18–19 with Eid al-Fitr.
• Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent for Christians, a period of reflection leading up to Easter.
• Notable overlap: This year, Lent and Ramadan begin on the same day.

6. Deadly Weather in Colorado

• [04:32] Powerful winds provoke deadly pileup on Colorado interstate near Pueblo.
  • At least four fatalities; over 30 vehicles involved in a “brownout” due to blowing dirt and low visibility.

Noteworthy Quotes

• "It’s been described as an impenetrable fortress for Silicon Valley."
  — Bobby Allen on Section 230 [00:43]
• “It is quite consistent with what you would expect from a nuclear explosive test.”
  — Christopher Yaw, arms control official [01:38]
• “We can’t really confirm or deny whether a nuclear test took place at this point.”
  — Ben Dando, NORSAR seismologist [01:55]
• “When she saw her name on top, there was a huge smile on her face. She pumped her arm in the air.”
  — Steve Futterman describing Mikaela Shiffrin [03:36]

Timestamps of Key Segments

• Meta Trial / Section 230: 00:00–01:09
• Chinese Nuclear Test Allegation: 01:09–02:11
• Rental Market Trends: 02:11–03:09
• Olympic Sports Update: 03:09–04:05
• Religious Observances & Weather: 04:05–04:55

Summary Tone:
Factual, clear, concise—mirroring NPR’s direct newscast style.
Utility:
This episode delivers key updates across technology law, international relations, economy, sports, religion, and severe weather, succinctly informing listeners of the morning’s top stories.