Top U.S. & World Headlines — February 17, 2026

Reverend Jesse Jackson, a prominent civil rights leader and two-time presidential candidate, died at his Chicago home at age 84. He was a close associate of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., present at his assassination, and later founded the Rainbow Push Coalition. Jackson was the first African-American to greet Nelson Mandela upon his release from prison in 1990 and advocated for expanding constitutional voting rights.

Amy Goodman announces his death and details his history, including his work with Dr. King and founding the Rainbow Push Coalition. A clip of Jackson from 2017 discusses voting rights.

A second round of indirect talks between the Trump administration and Iranian officials is underway in Geneva, focusing on limits to Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. Iran stated it would not accept zero uranium enrichment. Concurrently, Iran staged war games in the Strait of Hormuz, while the US Navy deployed a second aircraft carrier strike group to the Arabian Sea. US officials are considering a multi-week attack on Iran, and Senator Lindsey Graham visited Tel Aviv to reassure Israel of unified US-Israeli policy against Iran.

Report on Geneva talks, Iran's stance, military exercises, US carrier deployment, Trump administration's consideration of attack, and Senator Graham's visit and statement.

Ukrainian and Russian officials are meeting in Geneva for US-brokered peace talks ahead of the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion. Russia demands Ukraine cede 20% of eastern Donetsk, which Ukraine refuses. US Senators Richard Blumenthal and Sheldon Whitehouse met with Ukrainian President Zelensky, vowing to pass a bill against Russia. Senator Blumenthal advocated for supplying Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles and ironclad US security guarantees.

Details of Geneva talks, Russia's demands, Ukraine's refusal, US Senator visits, and Blumenthal's specific proposals for military aid and security guarantees.

A senior Hamas leader involved in ceasefire negotiations, Basim Naim, stated Hamas will not agree to demands for unilateral disarmament or total demilitarization of the Gaza Strip. This follows reports that President Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu had agreed on a two-month deadline for Hamas to disarm. The World Health Organization reported at least 21 patients killed during the 2024 siege of Al-Shifa hospital. The UN Development Program head, Alexander Dru, highlighted that 90% of Gaza's population lacks basic housing and called for greater aid access.

Hamas's rejection of disarmament, Trump-Netanyahu agreement, criminal complaint regarding Al-Shifa hospital siege, WHO report on casualties, and UNDP Administrator Dru's statement on housing crisis.

President Trump labeled Cuba a 'failed nation' and refused to rule out military action to topple its government, despite ongoing talks. Cuba's deputy foreign minister criticized US officials for blaming Cuba's difficulties on internal issues rather than the US blockade. The Trump administration's fuel blockade has exacerbated a severe humanitarian and economic crisis, compounding the 1962 US economic embargo. Spain's foreign ministry announced it would use UN channels to send humanitarian aid to Cuba, following activist rallies in Mexico City protesting the US blockade.

Trump's remarks on Cuba, Cuban deputy foreign minister's response, details of the US blockade and its impact, and Spain's commitment to humanitarian aid.

Minnesota's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension reported the FBI formally refused to grant access to evidence in the killing of Alex Prey, shot by Border Patrol and Customs agents in Minneapolis. Six of the ten rounds fired were while Prey was motionless. The FBI also previously withheld information in the shootings of Julio Cesarosis by ICE agents and Renee Nicole Mlin Good by a border patrol officer. Democratic Governor Tim Walls criticized the FBI's withholding of evidence, demanding impartial investigations.

Minnesota BCA's statement, details of Alex Prey's shooting, mention of previous incidents (Cesarosis, Mlin Good), and Governor Walls's public criticism.

Attorney General Pam Bondi faces bipartisan criticism for claiming all Epstein documents were released, despite nearly three million pages remaining with the Justice Department. Republican Congressman Tom Massie, co-author of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, expressed no confidence in Bondi and criticized President Trump for not being transparent. Thomas Pritsker resigned as executive chair of Hyatt Hotels due to his links to Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, having been in regular contact with Epstein post-2008 plea deal. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass called for Casey Wasserman to step down as chairman of the 2028 Olympic Games over his Epstein ties. Investigations into former Arab World Institute president Jack Lang and Columbia University faculty members for Epstein links are also ongoing.

Bondi's statement and Massie's counter-claim, Massie's criticism of Trump, Pritsker's resignation and reasons, Bass's call for Wasserman's resignation, and other ongoing investigations.