NPR News: 02-13-2026 10AM EST - NPR News Now

Summary4 min read

NPR News Now – 02-13-2026 10AM EST

Date: February 13, 2026
Host: Korva Coleman
Episode Theme: Concise, up-to-date coverage of major national and international news items from economic headlines and government actions to global sports and technology stories.

Key News Stories and Insights

1. U.S. Inflation Report and Market Reaction

Summary:
January’s inflation numbers were lower than projected, fueling optimism but also uncertainty among investors.
- Consumer prices rose 2.4% year-on-year, the lowest increase in recent months.
- Gasoline prices helped temper overall inflation, despite ongoing increases in groceries and rent.
- Market reaction was cautious: Dow Jones slipped about 80 points at opening.
- The Federal Reserve is expected to keep rates steady at the next meeting, but there’s growing speculation about a rate cut in April.
Notable Quote:
- Scott Horsley (01:01):
  "Although inflation has been cooling, prices are still climbing faster than the Federal Reserve would like."
Timestamps: 00:00–01:08

2. Department of Homeland Security Funding Standoff

Summary:
Looming partial shutdown of DHS as Congress struggles to pass a funding bill, complicated by demands for reform in immigration enforcement.
- Senate failed to move a bill forward.
- Democrats are pressing for significant changes after federal agents shot Minneapolis protesters.
- A federal judge ordered DHS to guarantee legal access for detainees at a local immigration facility:
  - Must allow lawyers, give 72-hour notice before transfers, and inform detainees of destinations.
Notable Quote:
- Matt Sepik (01:45):
  "The plaintiffs allege that the department has been blocking detainees from visiting with and calling immigration attorneys."
Timestamps: 01:08–02:01

3. Insider Trading Allegations on Prediction Markets

Summary:
Israeli authorities cracked down on suspected insider trading involving the online platform Polymarket.
- A military reservist and a civilian charged with bribery and obstruction of justice for allegedly using classified information to engage in betting.
- Ex-SEC official Joe Grundfest criticized the risks such actions pose to military integrity.
- A recent $400,000 win by a Polymarket trader on a political event in Venezuela drew attention, though it didn’t result in charges.
Memorable Quotes:
- Joe Grundfest (02:41):
  "It's a situation where people seeking to line their own pockets are willing to put at risk the militaries to whom they have pledged oaths of loyalty."
- Bobby Allen (02:50):
  "Polymarket operates an overseas exchange outside the reach of American regulation."
Timestamps: 02:01–03:06

4. UN Votes to Create AI Oversight Panel

Summary:
The UN General Assembly approved a scientific panel to assess Artificial Intelligence's risks and impacts.
- The Trump administration, in a rare dissenting vote, argued that the UN should refrain from AI regulation.
Timestamps: 03:07–03:24

5. Olympic Disqualification and Free Speech

Summary:
Ukrainian skeleton sled racer Vladislav Heraskevic is appealing his Olympic disqualification over a helmet memorializing athletes killed in Russia’s invasion.
- IOC holds the design is “political speech,” but critics note similar memorials were allowed (e.g., 9/11 tributes in 2002).
- The Court of Arbitration for Sport is reviewing his case urgently.
Notable Quote:
- Brian Mann (03:55):
  "Critics point out the IOC has allowed memorials in past Olympics. Those killed in the 9/11 terror attacks were honored repeatedly at the Salt Lake City Games in 2002."
Timestamps: 03:24–04:33

6. Olympic Highlights: Men’s Figure Skating

Summary:
Anticipation builds for the men’s singles figure skating final at the Olympics.
- American Ilya Malinin is in contention to win gold and possibly complete a groundbreaking quadruple axel.
Timestamps: 04:33–04:55

Memorable Quotes by Segment

On Inflation
Scott Horsley (01:01):

"Although inflation has been cooling, prices are still climbing faster than the Federal Reserve would like."
On DHS and Detainees
Matt Sepik (01:45):

"The plaintiffs allege that the department has been blocking detainees from visiting with and calling immigration attorneys."
On Prediction Markets and National Security
Joe Grundfest (02:41):

"It's a situation where people seeking to line their own pockets are willing to put at risk the militaries to whom they have pledged oaths of loyalty."
On Olympic Memorials and Free Speech
Brian Mann (03:55):

"Critics point out the IOC has allowed memorials in past Olympics. Those killed in the 9/11 terror attacks were honored repeatedly at the Salt Lake City Games in 2002."

Episode Flow and Tone

Direct, factual, and urgent in style.
Prioritizes clarity and neutrality with brief but impactful descriptions and quotes from officials and journalists.
Designed to inform listeners rapidly on a wide range of key headlines and developments.

For listeners seeking quick yet comprehensive updates on pressing global and domestic events, this episode delivers a balanced snapshot with key voices and direct reports.

Loading summary

Transcript12 lines

[00:01]
A
This message comes from Carvana Finance. And buy your next vehicle with Carvana. Shop a huge selection, customize terms to fit your budget, and buy completely online. No hassle, no pressure. Get the car you love, the easy way with Carvana. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. Stocks opened lower this morning after a better than expected report from the labor department on inflation. NPR's Scott Horsley reports. The Dow Jones industrial average slid about 80 points in early trading.
[00:30]
B
Consumer prices in January were up 2.4% from a year ago. That's a smaller annual increase than the previous month and slightly lower inflation than forecasters were expecting. Prices rose just 0.2% between December and January. Falling gasoline prices during the month helped to offset some of the increase in rents and grocery prices. Although inflation has been cooling, prices are still climbing faster than the Federal Reserve would like. The central bank is widely expected to hold interest rates steady when policymakers meet next month, but the odds of a rate cut at the following meeting in late April have increased slightly. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.
[01:09]
A
The Department of Homeland Security will partially shut down late tonight unless Congress can agree on a funding bill. The Senate failed yesterday to advance one. Democrats are demanding major changes to immigration enforcement. This comes after federal agents shot and killed two Minneapolis protesters last month. A federal judge has given an order to the Department of Homeland Security. The agency must make sure that people held at an immigration detention facility near Minneapolis have access to lawyers. From Minnesota Public Radio, Matt Sepik has more.
[01:42]
C
U.S. district Judge Nancy Brazel also says DHS must wait 72 hours before moving detainees out of the state and must inform them of their destination. Her order comes in response to a lawsuit from a human rights group. The plaintiffs allege that the department has been blocking detainees from visiting with and calling immigration attorneys.
[02:01]
A
Matt sipic, Israeli authorities have arrested several people and charged two of them because they're suspected of using classified information to bet on the online platform Polymarket. The action comes as there are growing concerns about insider trading showing up online in prediction market sites. NPR's Bobby Allen explains.
[02:24]
D
Israeli officials say a military reservist and a civilian have been indicted on charges of bribery and obstruction of justice. The authorities didn't reveal what the bets were exactly or how much the individuals allegedly made. Former securities and Exchange Commissioner Joe Grundfest says the incident has likely put militaries around the world on edge.
[02:41]
C
It's a situation where people seeking to line their own pockets are willing to put at risk the militaries to whom they have pledged oaths of loyalty.
[02:50]
D
Last month, a Polymarket Trader made $400,000 for predicting Venezuela leader Nicolas Maduro would be toppled. It did not trigger criminal charges. Polymarket operates an overseas exchange outside the reach of American regul. Polymarket didn't return a request for comment. Bobby Allen, NPR News.
[03:06]
A
On Wall street, the Dow is now down about 30 points. The Nasdaq is down about 40. You're listening to NPR. The United Nations General assembly has voted to create a scientific panel to study the effects and the risks of artificial intelligence. The Trump administration was one of two votes at the UN against this. The Trump administration says the UN should stay out of AI regulation. A skeleton sled racer from Ukraine who was disqualified from the Milan Cortina Olympics for wearing a controversial helmet is appealing that decision. Olympic officials say the helmet shows athletes killed in Russia's full scale invasion and has violated rules against political speech. NPR's Brian Mann has more.
[03:54]
C
International Olympic Committee President Kirstie Coventry said at a press conference Friday she respects Vladislav Heraskevic's desire to honor athletes killed in Ukraine during the war, but she's standing by the ruling that his helmet painted with faces of the dead, amounts to political speech. Critics point out the IOC has allowed memorials in past Olympics. Those killed in the 911 terror attacks were honored repeatedly at the Salt Lake City Games in 2002. Haraskiewicz is now appealing his disqualification to an international sports tribunal. The Court of Arbitration for Sport said in a statement they're reviewing the matter with urgency. Men's skeleton racers compete here again today. Brian Mann, NPR News, Cortina d', Ampezzo, Italy.
[04:34]
A
There are other Olympic events set for today. One of the most anticipated is the men's singles figure skating. American Ilya Malinin could capture a gold medal. Supporters are also eagerly waiting to see if he can complete a quadruple axel during his Olympic performance. I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News.
[04:55]
C
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