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Trump basks in Black History Month praise, dodging racism claims By Bo EricksonThu, February 19, 2026 at 1:05 AM UTC 1 1 / 0U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a Black History Month reception at the White House in WashingtonU.S. President Donald Trump speaks, as Ben Carson listens, during a Black History Month reception at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 18, 2026. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque By Bo Erickson WASHINGTON, Feb 18 (Reuters) U.S.

Trump basks in Black History Month praise, dodging racism claims

By Bo EricksonThu, February 19, 2026 at 1:05 AM UTC

1 / 0U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a Black History Month reception at the White House in WashingtonU.S. President Donald Trump speaks, as Ben Carson listens, during a Black History Month reception at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 18, 2026. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

By Bo Erickson

WASHINGTON, Feb 18 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday highlighted top Black administration officials, rejected accusations of racism and promised "a century more" of success for African Americans during a White House celebration marking 100 years of Black History Month.

The president's upbeat remarks ‌stood in contrast to criticism of the administration's ongoing efforts to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion policies. The event also came nearly two weeks ‌after an uproar over a social media post on the president's account that featured a racist depiction of former President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama as apes.

At the time, Senator Tim Scott, a South Carolina Republican, quickly called the video, "the most racist thing I've seen out of this White House." The White House, despite growing outrage, initially defended the post, criticized the "fake outrage," and then ultimately, deleted it.

The president said he didn't see the clip of the Obamas, blamed a staffer for the post, declined to apologize and later said no one was disciplined.

Trump, who is in his second term, has a history of sharing racist rhetoric. He long promoted the false conspiracy theory that Obama, the president from ‌2009 to 2017, was not born in the United ⁠States. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt at a Wednesday briefing said members of the media have "smeared" the president as a racist.

On Wednesday, Trump warmed up the invite-only crowd of around 100 guests by floating compliments to notable Black Americans.

The president twice ⁠complimented Scott, the South Carolina senator, and welcomed to the podium multiple Black administration officials, including Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner, who Trump called "exceptional," former presidential rival and first-term Cabinet secretary Dr. Ben Carson, who Trump said would soon receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and White House pardon czar Alice Johnson, who Trump issued a pardon to in 2020.

"When I met her, I fell in love," Trump said about meeting Johnson.

Trump was cheered as he discussed criminal justice reform from his first term and ‌strict immigration enforcement policies in recent months. "It's no wonder that in 2024 we won more African American voters than any Republican presidential candidate in history," he responded.

Trump in the past year has been criticized for rhetoric targeting immigrant communities, including Somali Americans and immigrants of Latin descent, often framing them within broader arguments about crime, as he did on Wednesday by inviting a Washington, D.C.-area grandmother on stage whose grandson was killed in 2017.

Civil rights advocates and experts have also said Trump's efforts to curb diversity programs and policies could erase decades of progress.

"He keeps it real, just like grandma," Forlesia Cook said at the podium, thanking Trump for urging ‌the National Guard to patrol the capital to keep up the tough approach to crime.

"I love him," Cook said, as the president patted her back, "I don't want to hear nothing you got to say about that 'racist' stuff...get off the man's back. Let him do his job, he's doing the right thing, back up off him!"

Trump, for a second day in a row, touted decades-long relationships ‌with prominent Black Americans to discredit accusations of racism towards him. At the celebration event, the president complimented the loyalty of fighter Mike Tyson for defending him.

After the death of civil rights leader Jesse Jackson on Tuesday, Trump posted 11 photos online of himself next to Jackson and other Black celebrities, and wrote that "despite the fact that I am falsely and consistently called a Racist by the Scoundrels and Lunatics on the Radical Left, Democrats ALL, it ‌was always my pleasure to help Jesse along the way."

Following a chant of "four more years," the president ended Wednesday's event looking ahead.

"This is a very special group of people," Trump said, "So happy Black History Month, happy Black History Year, and happy Black History Century."

(Reporting by Bo Erickson, Steve Holland, and Bianca Flowers; Editing by Kat Stafford and Lincoln Feast)

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Trump basks in Black History Month praise, dodging racism claims

Trump basks in Black History Month praise, dodging racism claims By Bo EricksonThu, February 19, 2026 at 1:05 AM UTC 1...

&x27;The View&x27; cohosts shut down Savannah Chrisley over false AOC claim Anthony Robledo, USA TODAYThu, February 19, 2026 at 1:39 AM UTC 0 "The View" hosts slammed Savannah Chrisley during her week as a guest host on the show over a false claim she made about Rep. Alexandria OcasioCortez being the Democratic Party's presidential pick in the next election. For the Wednesday, Feb. 18 episode of the ABC political talk series, the hot topics discussion focused on a response from the New York congresswoman to a question about whether she supports potential U.S.

'The View' cohosts shut down Savannah Chrisley over false AOC claim

Anthony Robledo, USA TODAYThu, February 19, 2026 at 1:39 AM UTC

"The View" hosts slammed Savannah Chrisley during her week as a guest host on the show over a false claim she made about Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez being the Democratic Party's presidential pick in the next election.

For the Wednesday, Feb. 18 episode of the ABC political talk series, the hot topics discussion focused on a response from the New York congresswoman to a question about whether she supports potential U.S. involvement in the Taiwan-China conflict.

At the Munich Security Conference on Friday, Feb. 13, Ocasio-Cortez, who also goes by AOC, said, "I think what we are hoping for is that we want to make sure that we never get to that point, and we want to make sure that we are moving in all of our economic research and our global positions to avoid any such confrontation."

The conflict in Asia centers on China's view that Taiwan is a breakaway province that rightfully belongs under Beijing's control, while Taiwan rejects this claim and argues it functions as a sovereign, democratic society.

Savannah Chrisley at the annual CPAC DC conference at the Gaylord National Resort in Oxon Hill, Maryland, on Feb. 22, 2025.

On Dec. 29, China deployed troops, warships, fighter jets, and artillery in exercises encircling the island, simulating strikes on land and sea targets and rehearsing a blockade of Taiwan's major ports.

AOC's remarks were scrutinized by politicians and people of the Republican Party, including President Donald Trump, who told reporters on Air Force One on Monday, Feb. 16, that "she had no idea how to answer."

Chrisley says AOC is the Democrats' pick for president in 2028

On "The View," host Joy Behar told critics of AOC's responses to also pay attention to the on-camera mishaps Trump has made before "you start attacking AOC."

"Mispronouncing a word is totally different than not knowing your position on Taiwan. What's important is how you recover from something. Trump, he's done things, and then he's continued on with his speech, and then continued on to meet with world leaders. So, the recovery is what matters, and AOC just didn't have a recovery," Chrisley said.

Moderator Whoopi Goldberg added that she is more forgiving of congressmembers who fumble a question on geopolitics than of misspeaks by the leader of the free world, to which Chrisley replied, "I understand that wholeheartedly. AOC, though, is also the Democrats' pick for the next election."

1 / 0See 19 potential Democratic presidential candidates for the 2028 election

Former U.S. Ambassador to Japan and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel

Without hesitation, the panel slammed the claim as false, with Goldberg repeating "No, no, no! and Behar quipping, "You better tell that to (California Gov.) Gavin Newsom!"

AOC has denied plans for a presidential bid

AOC has not expressed interest in running for president of the United States. At the Munich Security Conference, she told the New York Times she attended "not because I'm running for president, not because I've made some kind of decision about a horse race or a candidacy," but to "sound the alarm bells" about "runaway inequality that is fueling far-right populist movements."

The former "Chrisley Knows Best" star is filling in for cohost Alyssa Farah Griffin during her maternity leave from Feb. 17-20, ABC confirmed.

Griffin welcomed her first child with husband Justin Griffin on Feb. 10, Goldberg announced the next morning on "The View." ABC had previously said that several guest hosts would fill in for Griffin in the meantime.

Other hosts of "The View" include Sara Haines, Sunny Hostin and Ana Navarro.

Contributing: Saman Shafiq, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Savannah Chrisley slammed by 'The View' cohosts over remarks on AOC

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'The View' cohosts shut down Savannah Chrisley over false AOC claim

&x27;The View&x27; cohosts shut down Savannah Chrisley over false AOC claim Anthony Robledo, USA TODAYThu, Feb...

Tom Noonan, &x27;Manhunter&x27; and &x27;Robocop 2&x27; actor, dies at 74 KiMi Robinson, USA TODAYThu, February 19, 2026 at 1:42 AM UTC 0 Tom Noonan, the character actor known for roles in "Heat," "Manhunter" and "The Monster Squad," has died, according to social media posts from his friends. He was 74, according to his IMDB page. Fred Dekker, Noonan's "Monster Squad" director, shared the news of Noonan's death in a Feb. 17 Facebook post. He wrote, "It's with great sadness that I share the passing of Tom Noonan (April 12, 1951 February 14, 2026).

Tom Noonan, 'Manhunter' and 'Robocop 2' actor, dies at 74

KiMi Robinson, USA TODAYThu, February 19, 2026 at 1:42 AM UTC

Tom Noonan, the character actor known for roles in "Heat," "Manhunter" and "The Monster Squad," has died, according to social media posts from his friends. He was 74, according to his IMDB page.

Fred Dekker, Noonan's "Monster Squad" director, shared the news of Noonan's death in a Feb. 17 Facebook post. He wrote, "It's with great sadness that I share the passing of Tom Noonan (April 12, 1951 - February 14, 2026)."

Dekker went on to praise Noonan's "indelible performance" in his 1987 horror-comedy film, in which Noonan played Frankenstein's monster. The role became Noonan's after Dekker was "knocked out" by watching the actor play serial killer Francis Dolarhyde, aka "the Tooth Fairy," in Michael Mann's 1986 horror film "Manhunter."

"Manhunter" actor Tom Noonan has died at 74, his "Monster Squad" director Fred Dekker shared on Feb. 17.

"He found the make-up arduous and annoying (he was fond of tearing it off after we wrapped, and one night didn't even bother to take it off; just drove home in his Frankenstein appliance)," Dekker recalled in his post. "But all in all, he was the proverbial gentleman and scholar, and the world has lost a great talent. R.I.P. Tom. Thanks for the great work."

USA TODAY has reached out to Noonan's representatives for comment.

Mann, who directed Noonan in not only "Manhunter" but also "Heat" – the 1995 crime thriller starring Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Val Kilmer and Jon Voight that was snubbed by the Oscars – shared a tribute on Feb. 18 that opened up about their "magical" meeting.

"Terribly sad about Tom Noonan passing. In casting Manhunter I auditioned about 10-15 actors in New York when Tom walked in the door and said, 'I don't want to talk. I just want to read.' He read and it was magical," Mann wrote in a social media post.

Tom Noonan in a scene from Michael Mann's 1986 horror film "Manhunter."

"I based Dollarhyde less on the novel's character and more on a convicted killer whom I met and with whom I corresponded who was doing life in Vacaville. I took Tom into that world and he made it his own," the post continued.

"It was an automatic to cast Tom in a wheelchair as Kelso in 'Heat.' He did so much more fine work, but it was as the battered child become a killer adult – both alive in the same bottle – that projected the range and deep soul of this so acute and committed artist. Rest in peace, Tom."

1 / 0Passages 2026 – Robert Duvall, James Van Der Beek, more stars we lost

Robert Duvall, the Academy Award-winning actor known for his roles in Hollywood classics such as "The Godfather" and "Apocalypse Now," has died at 95.

Duvall died "peacefully" at home on Feb. 15 in Middleburg, Virginia, a representative for the actor confirmed. He was with his wife, Luciana Duvall.

During a seven-decade stage, TV and screen acting career, Duvall disappeared into a stunning range of strong-willed characters, leading to seven Oscar nominations and a best actor win for his role as a down-and-out country singer in 1983's "Tender Mercies."

Actor Jerry O'Connell also remembered Noonan as a "legend" in an Instagram post.

He wrote, "My first TV interview was with Tom Noonan for a local NYC show called MIDDAY(?). I was so nervous. Tom was so kind. I saw him in every (NYC) play he was in after. He bought my brother and I tickets to Eddie Murphy's RAW (we were too young to purchase)."

Tom Noonan was a familiar onscreen villain after playing the Tooth Fairy in 'Manhunter'

Noonan became accustomed to playing antagonists on camera after his breakout role in "Manhunter," which was based on Thomas Harris' "Red Dragon," the first of his Hannibal Lecter novels. Noonan also played the main villain, Cain, in the 1990s "Robocop 2" and the Ripper in 1993's "Last Action Hero."

Aside from his film roles ("Heaven's Gate," "Seraphim Falls" and "Synecdoche, New York" among them), Noonan also had TV appearances on the AMC series "Hell on Wheels," "The X-Files," "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," "Louie," and "The Blacklist." Per IMDB, his final role was a voice acting role in the HBO animated comedy series "Animals."

Off-screen, Noonan was a playwright who adapted his stage production, "What Happened Was…," into a 1994 indie film costarring Karen Sillas that received acclaim at the Sundance Film Festival that year. This was followed by 1995's "The Wife," based on his play "Wifey."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tom Noonan dies – 'Manhunter' and 'Robocop 2' actor was 74

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Tom Noonan, 'Manhunter' and 'Robocop 2' actor, dies at 74

Tom Noonan, &x27;Manhunter&x27; and &x27;Robocop 2&x27; actor, dies at 74 KiMi Robinson, USA TODAYThu, Februa...

Shia LaBeouf and Mia Goth Separated Last Year: &x27;Their Relationship Has Always Been Complicated&x27; (Exclusive Source) Jack SmartThu, February 19, 2026 at 2:54 AM UTC 0 Shia LaBeouf in July 2025; Mia Goth in October 2025 Dave Benett/WireImage; Michael Loccisano/Getty Shia LaBeouf and Mia Goth are no longer together, a source tells PEOPLE The pair first began dating in 2012 and welcomed a daughter in 2022 "They weren't getting along and had a lot of drama last year," says an insider Shia LaBeouf and Mia Goth separated last year, PEOPLE can confirm.

Shia LaBeouf and Mia Goth Separated Last Year: 'Their Relationship Has Always Been Complicated' (Exclusive Source)

Jack SmartThu, February 19, 2026 at 2:54 AM UTC

Shia LaBeouf in July 2025; Mia Goth in October 2025

Dave Benett/WireImage; Michael Loccisano/Getty

Shia LaBeouf and Mia Goth are no longer together, a source tells PEOPLE

The pair first began dating in 2012 and welcomed a daughter in 2022

"They weren't getting along and had a lot of drama last year," says an insider

Shia LaBeouf and Mia Goth separated last year, PEOPLE can confirm.

The two actors have been together on and off since 2012. LaBeouf, 39, and Goth, 32, welcomed a daughter together in 2022.

"Their relationship has always been complicated. They weren't getting along and had a lot of drama last year," a source tells PEOPLE exclusively of the pair, adding that LaBeouf moved from their home in Los Angeles to New Orleans.

The Frankenstein star "encouraged" LaBeouf to move out, the insider says. "She loves him, but she also doesn't need him. She's very independent. She has her own life, her own career and her priority is their daughter."

"Shia loves their daughter and stays in touch," the source adds.

Reps for LaBeouf and Goth did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.

— sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

The news follows the latest in LaBeouf's series of arrests. The Honey Boy writer and star is facing two counts of simple battery after an alleged altercation after midnight on Feb. 17 during Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans. TMZ obtained a video showing the shirtless star receiving medical treatment from paramedics outside a bar in the city's French Quarter.

Shia LaBeouf and Mia Goth in January 2025

Police said in a New Orleans Police Department report that LaBeouf punched two men, leading to the arrest. They claimed the actor was ejected from a bar, at which point he struck one victim, left the scene and later returned, striking the same victim and assaulting a second person.

Upon his release from a hospital for treatment of unknown injuries, LaBeouf was arrested, per the police report. Hours later on Feb. 18, the Transformers actor was spotted on Bourbon Street dancing with other revelers, holding jail release paperwork in his mouth. Following the altercation, he wrote, "Free me," on his X (formerly Twitter) account, also uploading a selfie of him wearing sunglasses and beads.

LaBeouf and Goth met while filming Lars von Trier's Nymphomaniac: Vol. II in 2012. In 2015, a video of the pair having a heated argument was made public. In 2016, the couple wed in a Las Vegas ceremony, although officials confirmed that year that they were not legally married. Following a divorce announcement in 2018, LaBeouf and the British actress were spotted in 2020 with wedding rings on. They welcomed daughter Isabel in 2022.

Mia Goth and Shia LaBeouf in 2014

LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty

The pair have mostly kept their relationship under wraps through the years.

"Out of this newfound discovery of real love in my life [comes] this kid," the Even Stevens alum told Jon Bernthal on the Real Ones podcast in 2022. Goth, meanwhile, called parenting "a really psychedelic experience" and her daughter "the greatest gift of my life" in an October 2025 interview with Elle.

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Shia LaBeouf and Mia Goth Separated Last Year: 'Their Relationship Has Always Been Complicated' (Exclusive Source)

Shia LaBeouf and Mia Goth Separated Last Year: &x27;Their Relationship Has Always Been Complicated&x27; (Exclu...

Bad Bunny lands first lead acting role in the film "Porto Rico" Kiki Intarasuwan Wed, February 18, 2026 at 11:14 PM UTC 0 Bad Bunny is set to star in his first leading role in the film "Porto Rico" alongside Javier Bardem, Viggo Mortensen and Edward Norton. The feature film, described as "an epic Caribbean western and historical drama," will be René Pérez Joglar's directorial debut. Pérez Joglar, known as Residente, is a 34time Latin Grammy and Grammyaward winning Puerto Rican rapper and actor who recently starred in "Frank & Louis," which premiered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival.

Bad Bunny lands first lead acting role in the film "Porto Rico"

Kiki Intarasuwan Wed, February 18, 2026 at 11:14 PM UTC

Bad Bunny is set to star in his first leading role in the film "Porto Rico" alongside Javier Bardem, Viggo Mortensen and Edward Norton.

The feature film, described as "an epic Caribbean western and historical drama," will be René Pérez Joglar's directorial debut. Pérez Joglar, known as Residente, is a 34-time Latin Grammy and Grammy-award winning Puerto Rican rapper and actor who recently starred in "Frank & Louis," which premiered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival.

Pérez Joglar and Bad Bunny, born Benito Martínez Ocasio, are longtime collaborators and friends. Two of Puerto Rico's biggest stars are now coming together for "Porto Rico," which will tell a story of the island based on true events.

Bad Bunny and Residente attend The Latin Recording Academy's 2021 Person of the Year Gala on Nov. 17, 2021, in Las Vegas. / Credit: John Parra/Getty Images

"I have dreamed of making a film about my country since I was a child. Puerto Rico's true history has always been surrounded by controversy," Pérez Joglar said in a news release. "This film is a reaffirmation of who we are — told with the intensity and honesty that our history deserves."

While "Porto Rico" will be Bad Bunny's first lead role, the artist has appeared in several other high-profile films, including Darren Aronofsky's "Caught Stealing," and "Happy Gilmore 2," acting alongside Adam Sandler and Travis Kelce.

The Oscar-winning film director Alejandro González Iñárritu is executive producing the film, which is in pre-production. Its release date has not been set.

The film was co-written by Pérez Joglar and Academy Award-winning screenwriter Alexander Dinelaris, who wrote "Birdman," which was directed by Iñárritu and starred Norton.

Norton, who is producing the film, likened "Porto Rico" to other iconic films that he and Pérez Joglar love like "The Godfather" and "Gangs of New York."

"Everybody knows what a poet of language and rhythm René is," Norton said in the news release. "Now they're going to see what a visual visionary he is as well. And bringing him and Bad Bunny together to tell the true story of Puerto Rico's roots is going to be like a flame finding the stick of dynamite that's been waiting for it."

Pérez Joglar earlier this month congratulated Bad Bunny on social media following his Super Bowl halftime show, sharing multiple images of them together over the years and saying "Orgulloso de ti," which translates to "I'm proud of you."

Bad Bunny and Puerto Rican rapper Residente take part of a demonstration demanding then-Gov. Ricardo Rossello's resignation in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on July 17, 2019. / Credit: ERIC ROJAS/AFP via Getty Images

The two have long been outspoken about Puerto Rico and its rich history. In 2019, they helped lead protests urging then-Gov. Ricardo Rosselló to resign following corruption arrests in his office and his role in a vulgar group chat.

Massive avalanche sweeps away skiers in California

H.R. McMaster reacts to Trump's efforts to stop Iran's nuclear progress

Iran remains prepared to defend itself, foreign minister says as nuclear talks with U.S. continue

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Bad Bunny lands first lead acting role in the film "Porto Rico"

Bad Bunny lands first lead acting role in the film "Porto Rico" Kiki Intarasuwan Wed, February 18, 2026 at 11...

Ukraine dissatisfied with &x27;difficult&x27; talks, US sees &x27;meaningful progress&x27; By John Revill and Olivia Le PoidevinWed, February 18, 2026 at 11:11 PM UTC 1 1 / 0U.S.mediated peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in GenevaKremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky walks out the InterContinental hotel on the day of U.S.mediated peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, in Geneva, Switzerland, February 18, 2026.

Ukraine dissatisfied with 'difficult' talks, US sees 'meaningful progress'

By John Revill and Olivia Le PoidevinWed, February 18, 2026 at 11:11 PM UTC

1 / 0U.S.-mediated peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in GenevaKremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky walks out the InterContinental hotel on the day of U.S.-mediated peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, in Geneva, Switzerland, February 18, 2026. REUTERS/Pierre Albouy

By John Revill and Olivia Le Poidevin

GENEVA, Feb 18 (Reuters) - Two days of peace talks in Geneva between Ukraine and Russia ended on Wednesday without a breakthrough as President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he was dissatisfied with the outcome while Washington reported "meaningful progress".

Officials from Moscow and Kyiv said the discussions in Geneva were difficult. At the ‌conclusion, the delegations said they would meet again, without providing a date, while Zelenskiy and the White House suggested discussions could occur soon.

Ukraine has faced sustained pressure from ‌U.S. President Donald Trump to agree to a deal that could mean painful concessions, as Russian forces pound its power grid and slowly advance on the battlefield.

Zelenskiy, speaking in his nightly video address, said: "As of today, we cannot say that the result is sufficient.

"The military discussed certain issues seriously and substantively. Sensitive political matters, possible compromises and the necessary meeting of leaders have not yet been sufficiently addressed."

He said it was important that European representatives were present in Geneva and described holding a next round of talks later this month as appropriate.

In an interview on YouTube with journalist Piers Morgan, Zelenskiy said that negotiators had moved closer to an agreement on how a ceasefire to end the war would be monitored.

"They're closer to the result that we will have a paper where it will be written all the details, how it can or it ‌has to be monitored after, immediately after ceasefire," he said.

He said ⁠the "painful and difficult" issue of territory could be addressed by a meeting of the two countries' leaders.

In Washington, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said there was "meaningful progress made" with pledges "to continue to work towards a peace deal together".

Leavitt suggested there would be another set of talks soon. But she said ⁠Trump viewed the situation, nearly four years into the war, as "very unfair, not just for Russians and Ukrainians who have lost their lives" but also for U.S. taxpayers who have provided financial support to Ukraine.

In Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia's negotiating team would brief President Vladimir Putin on the talks and acknowledged the delegation's leader had called the discussions "difficult".

As the two sides met for a second day with mediation by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, Zelenskiy wrote on X that Russia was "trying to drag out negotiations that could already have reached the final stage."

Moments after his statement, ‌the delegations broke off the talks.

DIFFICULT, BUT BUSINESS-LIKE

Russia's chief negotiator, former culture minister Vladimir Medinsky, described the talks as "difficult, but business-like".

Medinsky spoke with the Ukrainians for nearly two hours after formal talks ended, according to a representative of Kyiv's chief negotiator, Rustem Umerov.

A spokesperson for Zelenskiy said the formal part of the talks had addressed territory in Ukraine's east and the fate of the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, both persistent sticking points.

Moscow wants Ukraine to cede the roughly 20% of the eastern region of Donetsk that Russian forces have been unable to conquer - something Kyiv has repeatedly rejected.

Kyiv, meanwhile, wants Zaporizhzhia, Europe's largest nuclear plant, to be operated by the U.S. and Ukraine, which Russia dismisses as unacceptable.

Tuesday will be the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion, which has killed hundreds ‌of thousands, driven millions from their homes and ravaged Ukrainian cities, towns and villages. Russia denies deliberately targeting civilians.

Trump has twice suggested in recent days that Kyiv must make sure a deal is agreed quickly. He told reporters on Monday: "Ukraine better come to the table fast. That's all I'm telling you."

ZELENSKIY: UNFAIR CONCESSIONSIn an interview with the U.S. news outlet Axios, Zelenskiy was quoted as saying that it was "not fair" that Trump kept publicly demanding concessions from ‌Ukraine, not Russia.

Zelenskiy also said any plan requiring Ukraine to give up territory that Russia had not captured in the east would be rejected if put to a referendum.

Kyiv wants strong U.S.-backed security guarantees to prevent future Russian attacks in the event of a peace deal.

The Geneva meeting follows two rounds of U.S.-brokered talks in Abu Dhabi that made no breakthrough.

Both Zelenskiy and Umerov have made a point of repeatedly thanking the U.S. for its mediation in recent weeks.

Zelenskiy has expressed concern that U.S. congressional elections in November could draw Washington's ‌attention away from efforts to end the conflict.

In all, Russia occupies about 20% of Ukraine's national territory, including Crimea, seized and annexed in 2014.

It is advancing slowly along the roughly 1,200 km (750-mile) front line; analysts say it has gained about 1.5% of Ukraine since early 2024.

(Reporting by John Revill, Olivia Le Poidevin and Steve Holland; Writing by Daniel Flynn and Dan Peleschuk; Editing by Kevin Liffey, Ron Popeski and Cynthia Osterman)

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Ukraine dissatisfied with 'difficult' talks, US sees 'meaningful progress'

Ukraine dissatisfied with &x27;difficult&x27; talks, US sees &x27;meaningful progress&x27; By John Revill ...

Twenty One Pilots Release FanFavorite &x27;Drag Path&x27; — with One Edit Daniela AvilaWed, February 18, 2026 at 11:30 PM UTC 0 Twenty One Pilots in January 2026 in Los Angeles Kevin Mazur/Getty Twenty One Pilots released "Drag Path" with an accompanying music video on Tuesday, Feb. 17 The song was originally a bonus track on their limited edition expansion of Breach After the song's limited release, it gained traction on social media and inspired a TikTok trend Twenty One Pilots is giving the fans what they want.

Twenty One Pilots Release Fan-Favorite 'Drag Path' — with One Edit

Daniela AvilaWed, February 18, 2026 at 11:30 PM UTC

Twenty One Pilots in January 2026 in Los Angeles

Kevin Mazur/Getty

Twenty One Pilots released "Drag Path" with an accompanying music video on Tuesday, Feb. 17

The song was originally a bonus track on their limited edition expansion of Breach

After the song's limited release, it gained traction on social media and inspired a TikTok trend

Twenty One Pilots is giving the fans what they want.

The musical duo, which is comprised of Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun, dropped "Drag Path" on Tuesday, Feb. 17 with an accompanying animated music video.

"Drag Path" was originally an exclusive bonus track on Breach: Digital Remains, which is a limited-edition expansion of their 2025 album Breach. At the time, however, the song was only available for one week.

Since then, the song has found new life on social media — and the duo decided to get back in the studio to record a new, shortened version of the song. Though it was previously unavailable on streaming, the song amassed more than 1.5B views across over 75K creates, according to a press release.

The song also created a trend on social media, where creators would post reflective videos using the term "drag path" to describe memories, objects or moments that have left a lasting emotional mark.

On Instagram, the "Heathens" performers explained their reason for releasing the song.

"We had not wanted to release 'Drag Path' officially because we wanted to respect those who purchased it back when they album was being released, so that's why we've waited. But now we want to release it," Joseph, 37, said.

"What we're gonna do is we're gonna release it with a slightly different edit to it so that those who bought it have a more original version of it," he added. "So the official released version is gonna be a little bit different, structurally."

"Most of it is intact, but I wanted to save something special for those who purchased it originally," he said, adding that they adore the music video with visual by Tobias Gundorff. "We're in a rehearsal space now, working on maybe playing this song live this year. Hopefully you'll like it."

At the end of the video, Dun, 37, quipped that they "finally" like the song — and that's why they decided to release it.

Twenty One Pilots in New York City in December 2024

Theo Wargo/Getty

The release of "Drag Path" comes only days ahead of the premiere of their new concert film, titled More Than We Ever Imagined, which opens in theaters on Feb. 26.

According to a release, the film "provides a never-before-seen look inside one of the biggest nights of the band's career as they performed to a sold-out stadium of 65,000 fans in Mexico City."

This month, the band will also embark on a headlining festival run across North America, the United Kingdom and Europe. The "Stressed Out" musicians will perform through the summer and wrap in September at Sommo Festival.

on People

Original Article on Source

Source: "AOL Entertainment"

Source: Entertainment

Published: February 18, 2026 at 06:45PM on Source: PRIME TIME

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