- Thursday February 19th, 2026
- "It Is Not A Question of Who Is Right Or Wrong But What Is Right Or Wrong That Counts."
- --Geoff Metcalf
- Providing an on line Triage of the news since 1998
My son has narrated the last book I wrote.
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World & Nation
Fmr Prince Andrew Arrested on Suspicion of Misconduct Over Epstein Ties
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor — formerly Prince Andrew — was arrested Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
He was stripped of his royal titles because of his links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
While he has consistently denied any wrongdoing in connection with his
friendship with Epstein, concerns about Mountbatten-Windsor’s links to
the late financier have dogged the royal family for more than a decade.
But the arrest of a brother of a monarch was an extraordinary
development with no precedent in modern times that will no doubt put
more pressure on the crown.
Top defense contractor announces major move weeks after Dem governor takes office: 'Win for the heartland'
The company said that it is
progressing on a multibillion-dollar investment in 'the world’s most
advanced combat aircraft production facilities' in St. Louis.
After nearly a decade in Virginia, Boeing announced on Wednesday that
it is moving its Defense, Space & Security headquarters out of the
state back to St. Louis. This comes just weeks after new Democratic
Gov. Abigail Spanberger took office, replacing Republican Gov. Glenn
Youngkin.
In a Wednesday statement, Boeing said its decision to move its defense
headquarters to St. Louis emphasizes company leadership’s "commitment
to being present and engaged with teammates who are designing,
producing and delivering vital defense and space products and
capabilities for customers in the U.S. and around the world."
The company said it is progressing on a multibillion-dollar investment
in "the world’s most advanced combat aircraft production facilities,"
including in St. Louis.
Trump’s ‘no-nonsense’ DC crackdown tops 10k arrests as DOJ declares era of ‘unchecked violence is over’
Attorney General Pamela Bondi says
federal surge has 'saved lives' while task force recovers more than
1,000 illegal firearms from streets
President Donald Trump's Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force has
made more than 10,000 arrests since it launched in August 2025, and
recovered more than 1,000 illegal firearms from the streets of the
nation's capital, Fox News Digital has learned.
"President Trump’s federal surge in Washington, D.C. has saved lives
and helped restore our Nation’s beautiful capital city for all
Americans to enjoy," Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a comment to
Fox News Digital. "Thanks to the brave work of Gady Serralta’s
Marshals, our other DOJ components, and our great federal partners, we
have proven that tolerating crime is a policy choice — we choose public
safety."
As of Thursday morning, the task force has carried out 10,018 arrests
and recovered 1,036 illegal firearms, Fox News Digital has learned.
Trump: Board of Peace Will Make UN 'Run Properly'
President Donald Trump on Thursday said his Board of Peace not only
will work with the United Nations on Gaza's future, the board will make
sure the international organization "runs properly."
Speaking at the inaugural Board of Peace gathering at the Donald J.
Trump U.S. Institute of Peace, Trump argued the U.N. has "tremendous
potential" but has "not lived up to that potential."
He touted the new board as an action-oriented alternative to decades of what he portrayed as empty global talk.
Real estate experts blast Mamdani’s math-defying tax plan, warn of higher rents and flight
The democratic socialist mayor's plan could drive up rents and accelerate taxpayer flight to low-tax states
New York City’s democratic socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani has issued an
ultimatum to Albany: tax the ultra-wealthy or face a "last resort" 9.5%
property tax hike to plug a $5.4 billion deficit.
While Mamdani claims he’s protecting the working class, real estate
insiders say the plan is a math-defying disaster that will drive up
rents and accelerate the flight of taxpayers to low-tax states like
Florida and Texas.
Earlier this week, Mamdani issued a preliminary fiscal year 2027 budget
that includes a property tax hike, a prospect he has described as a
"last resort."
Strapped New Yorkers swarm chaotic Mamdani-inspired free grocery store pop-up: We’re 'in pain’
Residents from across five boroughs lined up outside West Village pop-up
On Sunday in a busy stretch of restaurants and boutiques in the West
Village, hundreds of New Yorkers queued up outside a pop-up shop
offering free groceries.
"New Yorkers are in pain," said Nick from Queens, New York, one of
several people Fox News Digital interviewed outside the pop-up, as he
waited to grab pasta sauce, bath soap and a bag of Tide Pods.
The scene was underscored by the city's cost of living woes and anxiety
over who would get a yellow ticket granting entry to the small shop
before it "sold out" of goods.
The pop-up was opened Feb. 12 as a five-day store by
cryptocurrency-based prediction market Polymarket. It comes as
Democratic New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani advances a proposal for
city-run grocery stores aimed at easing rising food costs and broader
affordability pressures.
No evidence Nancy Guthrie was taken across border to Mexico, police say
Investigators confirmed Thursday that they have found no evidence to
suggest Nancy Guthrie was taken across the border into Mexico after her
disappearance.
Authorities communicated with Mexican officials regarding the investigation this week, but that lead has since been ruled out.
Authorities confirmed to both ABC News and NBC News that they do not believe Guthrie was taken across the border.
Epstein Obsessed With Vatican, Conspired With Steve Bannon
Newly released documents from the Justice Department have cast fresh
light on disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein's long-running fixation
with the Catholic Church and his private exchanges with Steve Bannon, a
former adviser to President Donald Trump, about efforts to "take down"
Pope Francis.
The tranche of emails and text messages, dating primarily from 2014 to
2019, reveals a pattern of mockery, ideological hostility, and
political strategizing centered on the Vatican.
Epstein was convicted in 2008 of child sex offenses and later died in
federal custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking
charges.
Iran, US Lean Into Gunboat Diplomacy as Nuclear Talks Hang in Balance
Iran and the United States leaned into gunboat diplomacy on Thursday as
nuclear talks between the nations hung in the balance, with Tehran
holding drills with Russia and the Americans bringing another aircraft
carrier closer to the Mideast.
The Iranian drill and the arrival of the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft
carrier near the mouth of the Mediterranean Sea underscore the tensions
between the nations. Iran earlier this week also launched a drill that
involved live-fire in the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow opening of the
Persian Gulf through which a fifth of the world's traded oil passes.
The movements of additional American warships and airplanes don't
guarantee a U.S. strike on Iran — but it does give President Donald
Trump the ability to carry out one should he choose to do so. He's so
far held off on striking Iran after setting red lines over the killing
of peaceful protesters and Tehran holding mass executions, while
reengaging Tehran in nuclear talks earlier disrupted by the Iran-Israel
war in June.
Voter ID Bill Tops 50 Votes; Faces Senate Filibuster
The SAVE America Act, a
Republican-backed bill requiring proof of citizenship to register to
vote nationwide, has secured support from 50 senators, setting up a
showdown over election integrity in the upper chamber.
The legislation, endorsed by President Donald Trump, passed the House
last week. But in the Senate, it faces the 60-vote threshold needed to
overcome a filibuster — meaning Democrats can block it unless
Republicans find additional support.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., has pledged to bring the
bill to the floor but acknowledged that there are “not even close” to
enough votes to eliminate the filibuster, despite Trump’s calls to
scrap the rule.
Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, the bill’s chief sponsor, has floated the idea
of forcing Democrats into a “talking filibuster,” requiring them to
hold the floor to delay the measure.
Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, last weekend became the 50th Republican to back the bill after revisions addressed her concerns.
What will President Donald Trump decide to do with Iran?
Pay no attention to Iran’s foreign minister. Listen to the crazed ayatollah and his generals
By Hugh Hewitt
US military bolsters presence in Middle East amid tension with Iran
A major battle with Iran appears imminent.
Ought it to be called a war, a battle or a strike?
That depends on what the United States and Israel decide to do and what
President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu call it.
Colbert wasn’t censored by Trump: he’s nothing but a desperate parasite living on Trump’s thin skin
Host Stephen Colbert has manufactured another tale about the
“authoritarian” President Trump trying to use the levers of government
to stomp on his free speech.
On Monday, “The Late Show” spiked an interview with Democratic Senate
hopeful James Talarico, who is facing off against Rep. (D-Texas)
Jasmine Crockett and businessman Ahmad Hassan in the primary on March 3.
Instead, they published it on YouTube and Colbert, whose show is ending
in May, blasted his network for cowing to the censorious Trump.
Stephen Colbert and James Talarico milked CBS spiking their interview
and instead publishing it on Youtube to make themselves free speech
martyrs.
But under the FCC’s equal-time rule, Colbert would have been obligated
to have Crockett on the show. And potentially host the two Republican
primary candidates as well.
