President Donald Trump makes new threats to Iran amid growing United States military presence, former Prince Andrew is arrested over his connection to Jeffrey Epstein, and the search for Nancy Guthrie seems to hinge on DNA evidence.
It’s Friday, February 20, 2026, and this is the news you need to know to start your day. Today’s edition of the Morning Wire podcast can be heard below:
Trump Tells Iran That Time Is Ticking Short
As the United States military buildup in the Middle East continues, President Trump offered new threats to Iran on Thursday as the world holds its breath.
Nuclear talks, both formal and informal, have continued to stall this week, with the Trump administration reportedly furious over Iran’s refusal to give in on a number of key points — mainly the dismantling of their uranium enrichment facilities. On Tuesday, the regime asked for two weeks to come up with a new proposal, but the growing sense in Washington is that they’re simply stalling, trying to buy time for a potential nuclear breakthrough, and preparing for an armed conflict if it comes to that. While the president has said he’s still open to diplomacy, his actions say the time for negotiating may be over.
Over the last 24 hours, the historic military buildup in the Middle East continued, with a steady stream of tankers, warships, and fighter jets arriving by the hour.
Prince Andrew Arrested
British police arrested former Prince Andrew on Thursday in connection with his contact with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein – and Andrew’s brother, King Charles, has responded.
Hilary Fordwich, media host and former head of Global Bd, joined Morning Wire to discuss the controversy. Thames Valley Police arrested former Prince Andrew, now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, on his 66th birthday at 8 a.m. on Thursday. He has since been released, though it is unknown on what terms he was let go.
“Ironically, obviously there’s all the debauchery from the photographs we’ve seen – he’s always claimed his innocence – but this is due to the misuse in public office of information, misuse of information as a trade envoy, passing secrets and trade private issues onto Jeffrey Epstein,” said Fordwich. “So, he betrayed his mother, his entire family, the Royal Family, and his nation.”
DNA Evidence In Guthrie Case
It’s day 20 in the search for Nancy Guthrie, and it seems the case is now hanging in the balance on DNA evidence.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has insisted that the case has not grown cold. One of the main leads law enforcement currently has is DNA found on a black glove believed to belong to the suspect. After testing, the DNA was not found to match anyone in CODIS, a database of DNA profiles.
Meanwhile, the bounty for information in the case drew a significant donor. Michael Hupy, president of Milwaukee Crime Stoppers, sent a $100,000 check through Crime Stoppers to 88-Crime in Tucson in hopes of generating new leads.
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