News
Memorial services for Rev. Jesse Jackson expanded to include South Carolina and Washington, DC
By SOPHIA TAREEN
CHICAGO (AP) — Memorial services honoring the life of the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. will be expanded beyond Chicago with events in Washington, D.C., and South Carolina, the late civil rights leader’s organization announced Thursday.
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Jackson, a protégé of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and two-time presidential candidate, died earlier this week at age 84 after battling a rare neurological disorder that affected his ability to move and talk.
Jackson will still lie in repose next week at the Chicago headquarters of his Rainbow PUSH Coalition with a public celebration of life and homegoing services to follow, though dates for Chicago events have been changed. Formal services were added, scheduled from March 1 to March 4 in Washington, D.C., and South Carolina, where Jackson was born and raised.
Rainbow PUSH did not offer further details.
Jackson’s adult children gathered outside the family home in Chicago on Wednesday, saying the funeral services would be large gatherings where everyone would be welcomed. They also vowed to continue his decades of advocacy.
“Although his body is absent from us, his spirit suffuses and infuses us, and it charges us to continue with the work,” said Santita Jackson, his eldest child.
Show Caption1 of 3Santita Jackson speaks during a news conference regarding the death of her father, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, outside the family home Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley) ExpandIn Chicago, a public celebration of life will be held at House of Hope, a 10,000-seat church, on March 6, followed by private homegoing services the next day at Rainbow PUSH, which will be livestreamed.
Jackson rose to prominence six decades ago as a protégé of King, joining the voting rights march King led from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. King later dispatched Jackson to Chicago to launch Operation Breadbasket, a Southern Christian Leadership Conference effort to pressure companies to hire Black workers. Jackson was with King on April 4, 1968, when the civil rights leader was killed.
Venezuela approves amnesty bill that could see release of hundreds detained for political reasons
By REGINA GARCIA CANO, Associated Press
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela’s legislature on Thursday approved an amnesty bill that could lead to the release of politicians, activists, lawyers and many others, effectively acknowledging that the government has held hundreds of people in prison for political motivations.
The approval marks a stark turn for the South American nation, where authorities have for decades denied holding any political prisoners. It is the latest policy reversal following the stunning U.S. military raid in the country’s capital, Caracas, to capture then-President Nicolás Maduro.
Acting President Delcy Rodríguez, who proposed the bill late last month, is expected to sign the measure.
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The bill could benefit opposition members, activists, human rights defenders, journalists and many others who were targeted by the ruling party over the past 27 years. The debate was suspended last week after lawmakers were unable to agree on some issues, including whether people who left the country to avoid detention can be granted amnesty, and laid bare the resistance from some ruling-party loyalists to see opposition members be granted relief.
Rodríguez proposed the bill weeks after the U.S. military captured Maduro on Jan. 3 in Caracas and took him to New York to face drug trafficking charges.
Venezuela’s government has been quick to comply with orders from the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, including last month’s overhaul of the country’s oil
As presented last week, the bill’s purpose is to grant people “a general and full amnesty for crimes or offenses committed” during specific periods since 1999 that were marked by politically-driven conflicts in Venezuela, including “acts of politically motivated violence” in the context of the 2024 presidential election. The aftermath of that election led to protests and the arrest of more than 2,000 people, including minors.
Lawmakers voted in favor of the measure’s purpose, but they paused the debate over disagreements on who it would cover, such as people whom the government has accused of various offenses but have evaded trial by hiding in Venezuela or seeking exile abroad. Ruling party lawmakers, including Maduro’s son, insisted during last week’s debate that those individuals should appear before the justice system first to qualify for amnesty as Venezuela’s law does not allow people to be tried in absentia.
“When one sins, I don’t absolve myself at home; I must go to church, I will go to confession (and say), ’Father, I confess that I have sinned,” Nicolás Maduro Guerra said, comparing the church with Venezuela’s justice system. “Therefore, the ritual of saying, ‘I came to the rule of law, and I acknowledge that we are under the law, under strong institutions that have endured and upheld the republic’ … is important.”
His statement, however, ignores that many of the accused, including people currently in prison, often face trumped up charges, are denied attorneys and lack access to any evidence against them. It also overlooks that cases are overseen by rubber-stamping, ruling-party faithful judges.
General amnesty has long been a central demand of Venezuela’s opposition and human rights organizations, but they have viewed the proposal with cautious optimism and raised several concerns about eligibility and implementation.
Venezuela-based prisoners’ rights group Foro Penal estimates more than 600 people are in custody for political reasons.
In the days after Maduro’s capture, Rodríguez’s government announced it would release a significant number of prisoners. But relatives and human rights watchdogs have criticized the slow pace of releases. Foro Penal has tallied 448.
Families hoping for the release of their loved ones have spent days outside detention facilities. A few began a hunger strike on Saturday.
Daily Horoscope for February 20, 2026
General Daily Insight for February 20, 2026
Our illusions are likely to come into contact with reality today. At 11:54 am EST, structured Saturn chases down dreamy Neptune in bold Aries, demanding accountability where imagination has roamed too recklessly. Disappointing realizations are possible, but this is also a great opportunity to simplify big dreams into doable steps. The emotional Moon then squares expansive Jupiter, potentially adding mood swings to this mix. We don’t have to solve all the world’s problems today, but we can look for manageable ways to start!
AriesMarch 21 – April 19
Aries, start fresh with clear, honest intent. Serious Saturn pairs up with imaginative Neptune in your 1st House of Identity, urging you to shape a vision with honest limits. You may feel torn between a bold leap and a misty plan. Perhaps you can’t know the whole picture at this time, so look for a first step that makes sense. With the information you gather from that, you can decide what to do next. Still, try to have a basic idea of where you’re going!
TaurusApril 20 – May 20
Quiet structure could currently give your thoughts room to unfold. Karmic Saturn conjoins spiritual Neptune in your 12th House of Spirituality, calling for a routine that protects your rest time. If you notice old worries surfacing in strange dreams, write them down, and try to dig into what’s bringing them up right now. Perhaps you won’t be as available to your friends as you’re used to being — you need to deal with your own stuff, and no one else can do that for you.
GeminiMay 21 – June 20
What future are your friendships building now? Responsible Saturn checks in with spacey Neptune in your 11th House of Friendship and Aspirations, asking you to turn hopes into plans your community can rely on. You may feel scattered by options, so pick a shared goal and outline who does what, because clarity keeps enthusiasm supportive rather than chaotic. If an organization proposes a costly event, suggest a pilot version with clear roles before committing funds. Clarify promises so teamwork stays joyful and genuinely supportive today.
CancerJune 21 – July 22
Making a public statement could currently be necessary. As results-driven Saturn nudges nebulous Neptune in your 10th House of Career and Status, others might need you to give a progress update on a significant project. Although you may prefer the safety of keeping things vague, a proposal naming specific dates and resources shows care for the people who rely on your leadership. Offering them an opportunity to provide feedback could ultimately help you too. Set clear milestones to protect your reputation and reduce stress now.
LeoJuly 23 – August 22
Your horizon shimmers with practical promise. Practical Saturn meets idealistic Neptune in your 9th House of Travel and Learning, encouraging you to turn a quest into a structured path. Although you may want to maximize the potential for excitement, a realistic timeline and savings plan can support your adventure without draining your fire. If a course or trip sounds vague, request the syllabus or itinerary before you enroll or buy tickets. Build the map so your courage reaches real places soon.
VirgoAugust 23 – September 22
Deep trust grows through careful, kind agreements. Restrictive Saturn unites with elusive Neptune in your 8th House of Shared Resources, asking you to firm up boundaries around money and closeness. You may sense fuzzy expectations, so put numbers and roles in writing while keeping your tone warm and your analysis practical. If a partner suggests merging accounts, start with a shared budget and agree on a schedule for regularly reviewing it together. Set fair terms so closeness feels safe and generous today.
LibraSeptember 23 – October 22
Finding a comfortable balance in your relationships could be challenging now. As boundary-setting Saturn conjoins compassionate Neptune in your 7th House of Partnership, you may want to be treated better, but you also probably don’t want to come down hard on someone who still has good in them. Perhaps the solution is not all or nothing. You don’t have to kick a frustrating person out of your life entirely — just spending less time with them might provide the relief you need!
ScorpioOctober 23 – November 21
Knowing your limits could currently be crucial. Disciplined Saturn encounters illusory Neptune in your 6th House of Work and Health, pushing you to define tasks and protect your focus from distractions. You may feel pulled into others’ crises, so set priorities early and channel your depth into finding meaningful solutions. If a colleague drops a project on your desk, ask for a deadline and confirm what success looks like before accepting. The last thing you need is a moving target!
SagittariusNovember 22 – December 21
Tending a creative spark could currently help it grow into a roaring fire. Ambitious Saturn collaborates with fanciful Neptune in your 5th House of Creativity and Play, asking you to shape inspiration into something you can finish. Although you may want to say yes to every idea, picking one that you’re able to bring to life today is probably the best way to get yourself motivated to do more going forward. Choose focused fun to build confidence and lasting delight.
CapricornDecember 22 – January 19
Your domestic life may call for grounded choices at this time. As realistic Saturn meets dreamy Neptune in your 4th House of Home and Family, you might need to either let go of a particular fantasy or commit to making it happen. Are you trapped by nostalgia for the past or by a longing for a perfect future that hasn’t taken place yet? Neither desire is easy to deal with, but older relatives could at least offer you a more balanced take on historical events.
AquariusJanuary 20 – February 18
Which words truly match your intentions? Crystallizing Saturn joins forces with elusive Neptune in your 3rd House of Communication, asking you to shape wispy ideas into clear messages that travel well. As you draft and redraft, read your work aloud and remove flourishes. Simple language carries your originality further, and it shows respect for busy listeners. The full range of emotions that your subject matter stirs in you isn’t necessarily relevant to your audience. Say less with care to be heard and trusted widely.
PiscesFebruary 19 – March 20
Security can grow as wise boundaries shape dreams. Authoritative Saturn conjoins nebulous Neptune in your 2nd House of Resources, helping you anchor tender values in a realistic budget. You may drift toward magical thinking, so separate needs from nice-to-haves, and price your time honestly. If someone asks for volunteer work, offer a smaller window or a fairer rate to prevent burnout — even when you’re supporting a good cause, your gifts deserve care! Honor your worth to protect stability and gentle generosity today.
