NPR News Now: 02-18-2026 9PM EST — Detailed Summary

Episode Overview

This NPR News Now update, anchored by Rylan Barton, delivers top national and global stories in five minutes, focusing on diplomatic developments around Gaza, Congressional investigations into Les Wexner and Jeffrey Epstein, dramatic moments at the Winter Olympics, financial news, Hollywood's battle against AI-generated content, and the Pope’s remarks on Ash Wednesday.

Key News Stories & Insights

1. White House "Board of Peace" for Gaza

Time: 00:17–01:14

• Main Point: The White House is convening representatives from over 40 nations for President Trump’s so-called “Board of Peace,” aiming to organize funding and troops for stabilizing Gaza.
• US Ambassador Mike Waltz emphasizes action and humanitarian needs:
  • Quote [00:49]: “The Board of Peace, colleagues, is a board of action and we will build upon this progress already made by addressing Gaza’s early recovery and its humanitarian needs.” — Mike Waltz
• Over $5 billion in commitments are expected.
• 27 nations have formally joined, but only Indonesia has pledged troops so far.
• Dismisses criticism regarding the board’s composition as complaints from the "chattering classes."

2. Les Wexner Deposed on Jeffrey Epstein Ties

Time: 01:14–02:10

• Main Point: Congressional Democrats question billionaire Les Wexner in Ohio regarding his association with Jeffrey Epstein.
• Wexner’s statement: Claims naivety and being fooled by Epstein; denies wrongdoing.
• Allegations: Epstein allegedly used access to Wexner’s companies, including Victoria’s Secret, for sex trafficking.
• House Oversight Ranking Member Robert Garcia is skeptical:
  • Quote [01:54]: “I do not believe when Mr. Wexner says that he did not have a personal relationship or a friendly relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, I think that is bogus.” — Robert Garcia
• No Republican legislators participated, only staff attended.

3. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Drama

Time: 02:10–03:07

• Main Point: Both the US and Canadian men’s ice hockey teams narrowly escaped elimination in Olympic quarterfinals, winning in overtime.
• US vs. Sweden:
  • US nearly won in regulation, but Sweden tied with 91 seconds left.
  • Quinn Hughes scored overtime winner for the US.
• Canada vs. Czechia:
  • Canada made a late regulation comeback and won in overtime.
• Both teams advance to semifinals, keeping the gold medal match dream alive.
• Notable Moment:
  • “The dream gold medal match of the US vs Canada was on the brink twice on Wednesday—in the end, both the Americans and Canadians survived, but each had to do it in overtime.” — Steve Futterman [02:21]

4. U.S. Financial Markets Update

Time: 03:07–03:14

• The S&P 500 rose by more than 0.5%, and the Dow increased by 0.25%.

5. Skiing Safety Debates after Lindsey Vonn Crash

Time: 03:14–03:48

• U.S. skier Lindsey Vonn’s recent Olympic crash has reignited calls to improve ski-binding mechanisms.
• Industry leaders are developing new “smart binding” systems with algorithms that detect loss of control, akin to airbags in ski suits.

6. Hollywood Pushes Back Against AI Video Tool

Time: 03:48–04:37

• Netflix, Disney, and the Motion Picture Association are threatening legal action against ByteDance (the Chinese tech company) over its new AI video creation tool, Sea Dance 2.0.
• The tool can generate hyper-realistic versions of popular TV and film characters; a recent viral video showed a fight scene with AI-generated likenesses of Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt.
• Netflix sent a cease and desist letter; concerns center on copyright and the use of protected images.
• ByteDance Statement: Says it respects intellectual property and is improving safeguards, but specifics are unclear.

7. Pope Leo’s Ash Wednesday Address

Time: 04:37–04:55

• Pope Leo begins the Lenten season by lamenting the erosion of international law and justice due to ongoing wars.
• He revives traditional Ash Wednesday practices that his predecessor, Pope Francis, could not perform in later years.
• Quote:
  • “…lamenting what he called the ashes of international law and justice that have been left by today’s wars and conflicts.” — Rylan Barton summarizing Pope Leo's address

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Mike Waltz [00:49]: “The Board of Peace, colleagues, is a board of action and we will build upon this progress already made by addressing Gaza's early recovery and its humanitarian needs.”
• Robert Garcia [01:54]: “I do not believe when Mr. Wexner says that he did not have a personal relationship or a friendly relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, I think that is bogus.”
• Steve Futterman [02:21]: “The dream gold medal match of the US vs Canada was on the brink twice on Wednesday … in the end, both the Americans and Canadians survived, but each had to do it in overtime.”
• Rylan Barton [04:37]: “Pope Leo opened the church's Lenten season, lamenting what he called the ashes of international law and justice that have been left by today's wars and conflicts.”

Important Timestamps

• 00:17: White House “Board of Peace” on Gaza
• 01:14: Congressional questioning of Les Wexner about Jeffrey Epstein
• 02:10: Men’s Olympic ice hockey upsets
• 03:07: U.S. stock market closes higher
• 03:14: Olympic skiing bindings debate
• 03:48: Hollywood vs. ByteDance AI video tool
• 04:37: Pope Leo’s Ash Wednesday remarks

This episode offers a rapid yet thorough sweep of the day’s most urgent developments, capturing both global diplomatic efforts and cultural controversies with NPR’s trademark conciseness and clarity.