The news article from the German source SZ vouches significant developments in the country as of February 17, 2026. It reports that the Landesverband of the AfD in Niedersachsen has been officially classified as 'extremist', marking the classification of another party branch as validated far-right, and the first in western German states. This designation allows authorities to implement expanded surveillance measures, including the potential deployment of informants, which could significantly affect the political landscape and operations of the AfD in the region.

In a separate piece of news, the article announces the passing of Jesse Jackson, an influential US civil rights activist and former politician, who died at the age of 84. Jackson became widely recognized in the 1960s for his commitments to civil rights, working alongside prominent figures like Martin Luther King Jr. His legacy as a Baptist minister and politician marks an important chapter in the struggle for racial equality in the United States, and his death resonates beyond American borders, reflecting on the universal quest for justice and civil rights.

Lastly, the article discusses a controversial incident involving ZDF's ‘Heute-Journal’, where AI-generated images were utilized in a segment on deportations in New York. The use of misleading visuals led to public backlash, prompting the network to apologize and remove the content from their media archive, raising critical questions about the reliability of AI in journalism and the editorial standards of news organizations. The incident underscores the challenges media faces in upholding truth while embracing technological advancements and their implications on public perception and misinformation.