U.S. athletes secured gold and bronze medals in Olympic bobsled, while the U.S. women's hockey team advanced to the gold medal match, as international diplomacy saw officials from the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine preparing for talks in Geneva this week. Meanwhile, Israel announced plans to begin land registration in the West Bank, and the Munich Security Conference concluded with European leaders seeking less reliance on the United States.
In Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Americans Elana Meyers Taylor, 41, and Kaillie Humphreys, 40, won gold and bronze medals, respectively, in a thrilling four-heat bobsled race on Monday, February 16, 2026, according to NPR News. Taylor came from behind in the final heat to secure her victory. Also on Monday, the U.S. women's hockey team dominated their Olympic semifinal match against Sweden, winning 5-0 and earning a spot in the gold medal match, as reported by NPR News.
Simultaneously, diplomatic efforts continued. Officials from Russia, Ukraine, and the U.S. were scheduled to meet in Geneva on Tuesday for further talks aimed at ending the ongoing war in Ukraine, as stated by NPR Politics. The meeting comes as the conflict nears its fourth anniversary.
In the Middle East, Israel announced it would begin a contentious land regulation process in a significant portion of the occupied West Bank, potentially giving Israel control over large areas for future development, according to a government decision on Sunday, February 15, 2026, as reported by The Associated Press via NPR Politics. This move could lead to further complications in the region.
The Munich Security Conference concluded with a focus on Europe's future. The conference, which featured a keynote speech by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, saw European leaders seeking a future less dependent on the United States, according to NPR Politics. The conference followed a previous year's event where Vice President Vance's lecture on free speech and democracy reportedly shocked many European leaders.
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