This news brief provides a comprehensive look at global affairs for mid-February 2026, headlined by a partial U.S. government shutdown triggered by disputes over immigration enforcement. International tensions are prominent, featuring strained relations between the United States and Europe following the Munich Security Conference and upcoming peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in Geneva. In the Middle East, the report covers Gaza reconstruction efforts under a new "Board of Peace" alongside escalating American warnings toward Iran's nuclear program. Additionally, the text details the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, which have been marred by transit sabotage, and the humanitarian crisis resulting from intensified fighting in Sudan. Domestic American stories, such as the search for Savannah Guthrie’s missing mother and the release of controversial Epstein-related files, further round out this snapshot of current events.