NPR News Now – February 19, 2026, 12AM EST

Host: Giles Snyder
Duration: Approximately 5 minutes
Summary Date: February 19, 2026

Episode Overview

This NPR News Now episode provides listeners with concise updates on major global and national stories, including diplomatic initiatives for Gaza, the partial Department of Homeland Security shutdown, the Ukraine-Russia peace talks, remembrances of Reverend Jesse Jackson, and commentary on U.S. tariffs and economic policy. The episode is delivered in NPR’s factual, measured tone, highlighting key quotes from officials and significant newsmakers.

Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. International Meeting on Gaza – "Board of Peace" Initiative

Timestamps: [00:16]–[01:15]

• President Trump is convening a meeting of representatives from over 40 nations on Thursday, aiming to mobilize financial and military support for Gaza. This coalition is dubbed the "Board of Peace."

• U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz addressed the UN Security Council, emphasizing action and dismissing critics.

  "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 ([00:50])

• Key facts:

  • Over $5 billion expected to be announced.
  • 27 countries have formally joined the effort.
  • So far, only Indonesia has committed to sending stabilization troops.

2. DHS Shutdown Blame Game

Timestamps: [01:15]–[02:30]

• White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt accuses Democrats of causing the partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (now in its fifth day).
• Key issues:

  • Federal workers (FEMA, Coast Guard, TSA) are working without pay.

  • The latest Democratic proposal is described by Levitt as "unserious."

  • Democrats are demanding changes to immigration enforcement, including:

    • Banning face mask use by agents.
    • Requiring arrests to be made with a judicial warrant.

    "They have chosen to act against the American people for political reasons. And now we have FEMA workers, the men and women of the United States Coast Guard, men and women of TSA who keep our airports moving, who will be working without paychecks for no good reason other than the Democrats wanting to pick a fight with Donald Trump. And the president thinks that is irresponsible and despicable."
    — Caroline Levitt ([01:22])

3. Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks in Geneva

Timestamps: [02:30]–[03:12]

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reports minor progress in recent talks in Geneva: an agreement is near on ways to monitor any future ceasefire.

• Monitoring would involve international parties, including the U.S.

• However, there is little progress on a ceasefire itself or on territorial disputes—the contentious Donbas region remains unresolved.

  "The military understand how to monitor a ceasefire and the end of the war if there is a political will, he says. However, there is not much progress on a ceasefire itself, as well as on territorial issues."
  — Polina Litvinova ([02:30])

4. Remembering Reverend Jesse Jackson

Timestamps: [03:12]–[04:07]

• The children of the late Reverend Jesse Jackson spoke publicly, reflecting on his civil rights legacy following his recent passing.

• Santita Jackson (eldest daughter) noted the family believed Jackson might not live past 39, the age Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, but highlighted Jackson’s long commitment to King's mission.

  "There is no one who's been more faithful to the mission of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King than Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson Sr."
  — Cheryl Corley, paraphrasing Santita Jackson ([03:47])

• The family pledges to continue his fight against racism, poverty, and for voting rights, urging others to join.

5. U.S. Tariffs and Economic Policy

Timestamps: [04:07]–[04:55]

• Kevin Hassett, President Trump's top economic adviser, criticized Federal Reserve economists for research indicating American companies and consumers are shouldering the bulk of recent U.S. tariffs.
• He called the New York Fed research paper “an embarrassment” in a CNBC interview, though its findings are corroborated by other sources.

6. Markets & Business Highlights

Timestamps: [04:40]–[04:55]

• Asian markets: Some closed for Lunar New Year, but Japanese stocks are up, tracking Wall Street gains.
• Nvidia: Shares rose following Meta's announcement to use Nvidia chips for AI data centers, boosting market sentiment.

Notable Quotes

• Mike Waltz (U.S. Ambassador):
  "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." ([00:50])

• Caroline Levitt (White House Press Secretary):
  "They have chosen to act against the American people for political reasons... the president thinks that is irresponsible and despicable." ([01:22])

• Polina Litvinova (NPR, Kyiv):
  "There is not much progress on a ceasefire itself, as well as on territorial issues. The Kremlin wants the entire Donbas... Ukraine refuses to give up on lands that Russia does not control." ([02:30])

• Santita Jackson (Eldest Daughter):
  "There is no one who's been more faithful to the mission of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King than Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson Sr." ([03:47])

Episode Flow & Tone

• The broadcast maintains a brisk pace with succinct reporting, informed by official statements and on-the-ground correspondents. The language remains direct, occasionally highlighting emotional or pointed statements, especially concerning the DHS shutdown and remembrance of Jesse Jackson.

For First-Time Listeners

This episode is ideal for those seeking a rapid, clear overview of key global and U.S. news developments as of mid-February 2026. It offers direct quotes from major officials and frames each story with context—valuable even for those without prior knowledge of ongoing events.