Top U.S. & World Headlines — February 18, 2026

The US military conducted 42 known strikes on small vessels near Latin America since September, resulting in 145 deaths, including 11 in recent strikes. These operations, which followed the US attack on Venezuela and abduction of President Maduro, have been criticized by advocacy groups like the Washington Office on Latin America for denying due process to those killed, as no evidence of drug trafficking was provided.

The US military says it's carried out strikes on three boats in the Caribbean and Pacific, killing at least 11 people. Again, providing no evidence that the boats were carrying drugs. Since September, the US military has carried out 42 known strikes on small vessels in the waters near Latin America, killing at least 145 people. The recent strikes come weeks after the US attacked Venezuela and abducted its president Nicolas Maduro and his wife who are to face trial in New York on drugs, weapons, and narco terrorism charges. The Washington Office on Latin America, an advocacy group, said quote, 'Those being killed by US military strikes at sea are denied any due process whatsoever.'

During nuclear negotiations in Geneva, Iran temporarily closed parts of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical international waterway through which 20% of the world's oil passes. This action was accompanied by a warning from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei about potential repercussions for powerful armies, while Iran's foreign minister expressed cautious optimism about the ongoing discussions.

As US and Iranian officials held negotiations over Iran's nuclear program in Geneva, Switzerland Tuesday, Iran temporarily closed parts of the Strait of Hormuz, a key international waterway through which 20% of the world's oil passes. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned, quote, 'The strongest army in the world might sometimes receive such a slap that it cannot get back on its feet.' Thran's foreign minister cautioned more work still needs to be done in reaching a nuclear deal but expressed some optimism about the negotiations.

Peru's interim President Jose was impeached by Congress for failing to disclose meetings with Chinese businessmen under investigation, just four months after taking office. This marks the sixth time a Peruvian president has left office before the end of their term in the past decade, reflecting deep-seated political volatility, which was met with public celebrations in Lima.

Peru's Congress has impeached interim Peruvian President Jose for failing to disclose meetings with Chinese businessmen who are under investigation. His ouster came just about four months after taking office. He's the former head of Peru's Congress who also oversaw the removal of his predecessor Dena Baloarte and he is the sixth Peruvian president in the past decade to leave office before the end of a term. Residents of the capital Lima took to the streets to celebrate his impeachment.

Federal judges intervened in two high-profile immigration cases. US District Judge Paulinis blocked the Trump administration's attempt to rearrest Kilmargo Garcia, a Maryland father wrongfully sent to an El Salvador prison, criticizing DHS for 'purposely and for no reason ignored the one country that has consistently offered to accept Abrao Garcia as a refugee.' Separately, an immigration judge blocked the deportation of Mosen Madawi, a Columbia University graduate and green card holder, who was detained for his outspoken support for Palestinian rights.

A federal judge has blocked efforts by the Trump administration to rearrest Kilmargo Garcia, the Maryland father, who was wrongfully sent to El Salvador's notorious SAT mega prison last March... US District Judge Paulinis said in a ruling Tuesday, the Trump administration quote made one empty threat after another to remove him to countries in Africa with no real chance of success... Judge Zenis blasted the Trump administration for quote purposely and for no reason ignored the one country that has consistently offered to accept Abrao Garcia as a refugee and to which he agrees to go... In more related immigration news, an immigration judge has blocked the Trump administration from deporting Mosen Madawi, a graduate of Columbia University who was detained last April over his outspoken support for Palestinian rights.

DHS spokesperson Trisha Mclofflin resigned amidst intensifying scrutiny over the agency's use of deadly force and public backlash against the deployment of federal agents. The resignation followed reports that her husband's company, The Strategy Group, was granted part of a $220 million contract to run an anti-immigration advertising campaign for DHS, leading to calls for DHS Secretary Christy Gnome's impeachment.

Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Trisha Mclofflin, one of the most vocal supporters of President Trump's immigration crackdown and deportation campaign, is resigning. The move comes amidst intensifying scrutiny over DHS's use of deadly force and public backlash against President Trump's deployment of federal agents to Chicago, Minneapolis, and other cities nationwide. Earlier this year, Public Citizen reported Mclofflin's husband's company, The Strategy Group, was granted part of a $220 million contract to run an anti-immigration advertising campaign for DHS. ProPublica also reported last year Mclofflin's husband, Boojo, worked on one of DHS Secretary Christy Gnome's ads filmed at Mount Rushmore. This comes as calls grow for Gnome's impeachment and resignation.

Late Show host Stephen Colbert accused CBS and the Trump administration of censorship after the network reportedly blocked him from airing an interview with Texas Democrat James Telerico. CBS cited FCC 'equal time' rules, but Colbert insisted he was barred. The controversy is amplified by CBS being owned by Paramount SkyDance, run by Trump ally David Ellison, and the potential for a Warner Brothers Discovery acquisition requiring approval from Trump's FCC.

Late Show host Steven Colbear is accusing the Trump administration and CBS of censorship after the network informed The Late Show... that he could not air an interview with James Telerico, a Texas Democrat running for Senate. CBS said in a statement, quote, 'The late show was not prohibited by CBS from broadcasting the interview with Texas State Representative James Telerico. The show was provided legal guidance that the broadcast could trigger the Federal Communication Commission's equal time rule'... CBS is currently owned by Paramount Sky Dance, run by Trump ally David Ellison, the son of Oracle founder Larry Ellison, who's repeatedly visited the White House during President Trump's second term. Paramount has restarted talks with Warner Brothers Discovery to acquire the company after Warner Brothers previously rejected Paramount's hostile takeover bid last year. The takeover would require the approval of Trump's FCC.