NPR News Now – Feb 19, 2026, 12PM EST

Host: Lakshmi Singh, NPR News
Episode Theme:
This fast-paced five-minute news update covers major national and global headlines, including dramatic developments in international diplomacy, surprising royal legal action, U.S. political campaigning, union protests, and the upcoming Olympic ice hockey gold medal game.

1. U.S. Pledges Billions to New "Board of Peace" for Gaza

[00:26-01:06]

• Announcement: President Trump pledges $10 billion to the newly inaugurated "Board of Peace," an international body his administration created to oversee Gaza's rebuilding.
• International Support: Other countries have committed a collective $7 billion.
• Intentions and Concern:
  • Trump claims:

    "Board of Peace is one of the most important and consequential things I think that I'll be involved in." (Trump, 00:47)

  • Some U.N. members worry this may rival the Security Council's power.
• Related Developments: The U.N. convened to discuss Israel-Hamas ceasefire and protests of Israel's West Bank expansion plans.

2. Historic Arrest: Prince Andrew Detained Over Epstein Allegations

[01:06-02:25]

• Event: Former Prince Andrew, brother of King Charles, is arrested amidst the "Epstein files" investigation—the first senior royal arrest in centuries.
• Official Statement: King Charles expresses concern but underscores due process:

  "...what follows now is a, quote, full, fair and proper process, but expressed deepest concern over his brother's arrest." (Lauren Frere reporting, 01:40)

• Investigation Details:
  • Police searched Windsor Castle and Sandringham Estate.
  • Accusation: Misconduct in public office, possibly passing government secrets to Jeffrey Epstein during Andrew's Trade envoy era.
  • Potential penalty: Up to life in prison.
  • Andrew "strenuously denies any wrongdoing."
• Context: Andrew previously settled a lawsuit related to Epstein's underage victims after admitting friendship with Epstein.

3. U.S. Political & Economic Update

[02:25-03:33]

• Trump Campaigns:
  • Visiting Rome, Georgia as early voting starts to replace Marjorie Taylor Greene.
  • Advocates for his administration’s economic management.
• Public Sentiment:
  • Recent NPR/PBS News/Marist poll finds only 36% approval of Trump’s economic and foreign policy handling.
  • Key voter concerns: economic impact of tariffs, mass deportations, Medicaid cuts.
• Stock Market Snapshot:
  • Dow Jones down 331 points (over half a percent).

4. Nurses Union Protests Against ICE

[03:33-04:16]

• Action:
  • National Nurses United (200,000+ members) protests against federal immigration authorities nationwide, seeking to abolish ICE and redirect its funding to healthcare.
• Union’s Stance:
  • Nurses argue ICE threatens public health, proposing hospitals should be sanctuaries:

    "Hospitals are places of sanctuary, and to nurses, nobody is illegal and nobody should, you know, put off seeking care because of the threat of ICE."
    — Pomai Neal, nurse, Santa Clara, CA (03:54)

• Assurance: Protests arranged around shifts to maintain patient care.

5. Olympic Preview: US vs. Canada in Women's Ice Hockey Gold Medal Match

[04:16-05:01]

• Event:
  • The U.S. faces Canada in the Olympic gold medal game for women’s ice hockey—a matchup dominated by these two teams since 1998.
• Stats & Dynamics:
  • U.S. is favored, having defeated Canada 5-0 in preliminaries.
  • Taylor Heise (US team):

    "Nothing matters. It's the gold medal game. Everyone's going to show up, and if they don't, they're not meant to be there. So I think when we focus on what we can do, we're so good."
    (Heise, 04:47)

  • Historic record: U.S. holds 2 golds, Canada 5 (including 2022).

Notable Quotes

• Trump: "Board of Peace is one of the most important and consequential things I think that I'll be involved in." (00:47)
• King Charles (via statement): "Full, fair and proper process, but expressed deepest concern over his brother's arrest." (01:40)
• Pomai Neal (nurse): "Hospitals are places of sanctuary, and to nurses, nobody is illegal and nobody should, you know, put off seeking care because of the threat of ICE." (03:54)
• Taylor Heise (US Hockey): "Nothing matters. It’s the gold medal game. Everyone’s going to show up..." (04:47)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• U.S. Board of Peace for Gaza: 00:26–01:06
• Prince Andrew Arrested: 01:06–02:25
• Trump’s Campaign/Economic Update: 02:25–03:33
• Nurses Protest Against ICE: 03:33–04:16
• Olympic Ice Hockey Gold Medal Preview: 04:16–05:01

This episode delivers a concise, up-to-the-minute briefing across diplomacy, royal scandal, politics, organized labor action, and sports—reflecting NPR’s signature blend of urgency, clarity, and depth.