NPR News: 02-18-2026 8AM EST
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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Corva Coleman. U.S.-sponsored peace talks between Russia and Ukraine broke off earlier than expected today in Geneva, but participants are suggesting some progress was made. NPR's Charles Means has more from Moscow.
What are the latest developments in the Russia-Ukraine peace talks?
The Kremlin's lead negotiator, Vladimir Medinsky, gave no explanation for the abrupt end to the meetings, described them as difficult and businesslike, and said they would continue at a later date. Ukraine noted progress in negotiations, a view shared by White House envoy Steve Witkoff, though neither provided further details. Negotiations have bogged down over Russian ultimatums Ukraine surrender territory, including land not controlled by Russian forces, as well as Ukraine's demands for ironclad security guarantees from the U.S. should it even consider a deal. Ahead of the talks, President Trump said the onus was on Kiev to make concessions, saying Ukraine better come to the table fast. Charles Mainz, NPR News, Moscow.
A federal judge has ordered that federal immigration officers cannot detain Kilmar Abrego-Garcia. As NPR's Ximena Bustillo reports, Abrego-Garcia was mistakenly deported to El Salvador by the Trump administration.
In her order, Judge Palazzini says that she has no reason to believe that immigration officers plan to swiftly deport Abrego Garcia. So to avoid his indefinite detention, she ordered that he must remain out of detention while his various cases play out in court. Abrego Garcia was wrongly deported to a prison in El Salvador last year, an order returned by Xenies. The Trump administration brought him back to the U.S. months later, where he now faces federal human smuggling charges. Abrego Garcia denies the allegations. The Trump administration has considered deporting him to various African countries to which he has no ties, but has not taken the steps to do so. Jimena Bustillo, NPR News, Washington.
The Department of Homeland Security is still partially shut down as lawmakers disagree over how the agency conducts immigration operations. This comes after federal agents shot and killed two American protesters last month in Minneapolis. Details on negotiations have been scarce. Northern California is still getting hit by its first major winter storm of the season. Heavy snow has fallen in higher elevations, and officials say teams have rescued six backcountry skiers caught in an avalanche. At least nine others are missing. Greg Michek of CAP Radio has more.
The skiers have been staying at backcountry huts and were heading back when the avalanche struck. The Sierra Avalanche Center had issued a warning for the area just hours earlier. Lead forecaster Brian Schwartz says dangerous conditions are complicating rescue efforts.
The storm is ongoing. You know, it's still snowing anywhere from two to four inches an hour right now, and that avalanche path is reloading with new snow very rapidly.
Truckee-based Blackbird Mountain Guides did not confirm it was one of their tour groups, but it said it was responding to the incident and is in contact with affected clients. For NPR News, I'm Greg Michek.
And you're listening to NPR News from Washington. The condition known as preeclampsia is marked by skyrocketing blood pressure and can be fatal to pregnant women and their babies. Ari Daniel reports on a new drug being tested in South Africa that researchers hope may be the first for the condition.
Kathy Kluver is a professor at Stellenbosch University who studies preeclampsia.
It really is one of the most serious complications of pregnancy.
Prescribing conventional blood pressure medicine is risky because it may also reduce blood flow to the baby. Now, Kluver and her team are testing a new drug at Tigerburg Hospital in Cape Town that appears to reduce the mother's blood pressure while also improving blood flow to the womb.
We were like, we don't believe this. Like, this is impossible.
The researchers say there's still more to learn about how the drug works and whether it can keep mothers pregnant for longer.
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