Today is Wednesday, February 18th. We'll tell you about a whirlwind of diplomacy as the U.S.

works to strike a peace deal for Ukraine and a nuclear deal for Iran all at once. Also, how

Americans, including presidents, are paying tribute to a civil rights icon. Plus, why a historic

sewage spill has leaders pointing fingers, what a new clinical trial found about a psychedelic

drug's impact on severe depression, and how Taylor Swift made a cameo at the Winter Olympics. Those stories and even more news to know coming up. Welcome to The Newsworthy, all the day's news in less than 15 minutes. I'm Erica Mandy. Thanks so much for being here. Let's do this.

It's a busy week for top American negotiators in Geneva. First, they kicked off indirect nuclear

talks with Iran yesterday. There's a lot of pressure behind them since President Trump has said Iran

must broker a deal or else risk a possible attack. In fact, there's

already a U.S. military buildup happening in the Middle East. But Iran has threatened retaliation,

if attacked, which is a concern for more than a dozen military bases and tens of thousands of

troops in the region. And as yesterday's talks were starting, Iran's military conducted military

drills in the strategic straight of her moods. Despite all the tension, yesterday's talks were starting, Iran's military conducted military drills in the strategic

straight of her moves.

Despite all the tension, yesterday's talks ended with both sides saying some progress had

been made more than in previous meetings.

Still, there was no big breakthrough to report.

The talks reportedly focused on Iran's nuclear program, since the U.S. wants to keep Iran

from being able to develop a nuclear weapon, and Iran wants relief from the U.S. wants to keep Iran from being able to develop a nuclear

weapon, and Iran wants relief from crushing U.S. sanctions. But the U.S. also wants to talk about

ballistic missiles and Iran's support of proxy militia groups in the Middle East. A third round of

talks is expected in the next two weeks. Other talks started up again yesterday, meant to end

Russia's war in Ukraine. But hopes are pretty

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