#Today’s #News: #Eclipse, Diplomacy, and More https://gemini.google.com/share/88dbf3db8335 Today is **Tuesday, February 17, 2026**, and it is a significant day for both celestial events and global diplomacy. ### 🌑 Astronomical Highlight: “Ring of Fire” Solar Eclipse The first solar eclipse of 2026 occurs today. It is an **annular solar eclipse**, often called a “Ring of Fire” because the moon is at its farthest point from Earth and cannot completely cover the sun. * **Visibility:** The full “ring” effect is primarily visible from **Antarctica**. * **Partial Views:** Southern parts of Africa (including Cape Town), South America (Chile and Argentina), and island nations like Madagascar can se

#Today‘s  #News:  #Eclipse, Diplomacy, and More  gemini.google.com/share/88db…
Today is **Tuesday, February 17, 2026**, and it is a significant day for both celestial events and global diplomacy.

### 🌑 Astronomical Highlight: “Ring of Fire” Solar Eclipse

The first solar eclipse of 2026 occurs today. It is an **annular solar eclipse**, often called a “Ring of Fire” because the moon is at its farthest point from Earth and cannot completely cover the sun.

* **Visibility:** The full “ring” effect is primarily visible from **Antarctica**.
* **Partial Views:** Southern parts of Africa (including Cape Town), South America (Chile and Argentina), and island nations like Madagascar can see a partial eclipse.
* **Next Up:** A total solar eclipse is expected on **August 12, 2026**, which will be visible in parts of Europe.

### 🌍 Global Geopolitics & Diplomacy

* **Middle East “Board of Peace”:** A Trump-led initiative called the **Board of Peace** is convening in Washington for inaugural policy discussions regarding the reconstruction of Gaza. A $5 billion plan has been proposed to rebuild the region, though some G7 nations have expressed hesitation over the inclusion of Russia in these talks.
* **U.S.-Iran Nuclear Talks:** High-stakes negotiations are underway in **Geneva**. Simultaneously, Iran has temporarily closed the **Strait of Hormuz** for live-fire military drills, citing maritime safety concerns as tensions remain high.
* **China’s Lunar New Year:** Today marks the official start of the **Year of the Fire Horse**. It is a major economic moment for China, as officials look to the Spring Festival to boost domestic consumption.
* **Munich Security Conference Echoes:** Following meetings between U.S. Secretary of State **Marco Rubio** and China’s **Wang Yi**, both nations have signaled a desire for 2026 to be a year of “mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.”

### 🇺🇸 U.S. National News

* **In Memoriam:** Civil rights icon **Jesse Jackson** has passed away at the age of 84. His family confirmed he died peacefully on Tuesday morning.
* **DHS Shutdown:** The Department of Homeland Security remains partially shut down as the Senate and the administration clash over immigration enforcement funding and tactics.
* **Healthcare Policy:** A new “Great Healthcare Plan” initiative is being rolled out, which includes a requirement for hospitals and insurers to post their prices publicly to encourage consumer shopping.
* **Presidents’ Day Follow-up:** Following yesterday’s holiday, Governor **Tony Evers** is set to deliver his final State of the State address in Wisconsin tonight.

### ❄️ Weather & Sports

* **Winter Storms:** A major winter storm is moving into the U.S. Midwest (particularly Minnesota), with blizzard warnings in effect through Wednesday night.
* **Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics:** The Games are in full swing, though controversy has erupted in the **curling** events over “double touch” infractions and officiating disputes.
* **Cricket Milestone:** Afghanistan’s **Rashid Khan** has made history by becoming the first bowler to reach **700 wickets in T20 cricket**.

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**Would you like more details on the “Board of Peace” discussions or a deeper look at the current U.S. Department of Homeland Security shutdown?**

— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Feb 17, 2026