Top Stories • February 18, 2026

At the Munich Security Conference, Secretary of State Marco Rubio led the U.S. delegation as potential 2028 contenders including Governor Gavin Newsom, Governor Gretchen Whitmer, and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez drew global attention. Rubio promoted President Trump’s foreign-policy agenda, while critics challenged it on the international stage. The fight for control of Congress is intensifying ahead of the midterms, with courts and lawmakers reshaping congressional maps nationwide. A ruling has ordered New York to redraw districts, while partisan redistricting efforts continue across multiple states that could shift control of the House. In California, a major rescue operation is underway after an avalanche struck a guided backcountry skiing group near Castle Peak. Authorities say approximately 15 skiers were caught, six have been rescued, and nine remain missing as more than 40 responders battle blizzard conditions. At the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, Mikaela Shiffrin captured slalom gold — her third Olympic title — while Norway’s Johannes Klæbo secured his fifth gold medal of these Games. Medal standings show Norway leading with 31, Italy second with 24, and the United States third with 21 as the Olympics head into their final days.

Daniel Compatangelo reports.