NPR News: 02-13-2026 5PM EST

Summary

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NPR News Now - 5PM EST, February 13, 2026: Episode Summary

Overview

This fast-paced NPR News Now episode delivers a five-minute roundup of major national and international events on February 13, 2026. Hosted by Rylan Barton, it covers breaking developments on U.S. military actions, shifting diplomatic dynamics, government staffing changes, the latest from NASA, library passport services, Olympic controversies, and an upcoming solar eclipse.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. U.S. Military Moves and Presidential Remarks

• President Trump at Fort Bragg (00:15):
  • President Trump commended U.S. special forces for last month's operation that removed Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
  • Trump emphasized projecting power:
    • “Sometimes you have to have fear because that’s the only thing that really will get the situation taken care of.”
      — Donald Trump [00:35]
  • Announced deployment of a second aircraft carrier group to the Middle East amid stalled nuclear deal negotiations with Iran.
  • Expressed openness to a deal:
    • “I’d love to see if we could make a deal. They’ve been difficult to make a deal. … In case we don’t make a deal, we’ll need it.”
      — Donald Trump paraphrased by Rylan Barton [00:55]
  • Recent talks with Iran have not materialized.

2. Munich Security Conference: European Defense Commitments

• Germany Calls for Stronger European Security (01:22):
  • Chancellor Friedrich Merz highlighted Europe's need to bolster its military strength relative to Russia.
    • “Russia’s GDP is … 2 trillion euros. The GDP of the European Union is 10 times higher … and yet today Europe is not 10 times stronger than Russia.”
      — Friedrich Merz, quoted by Rob Schmitz [01:29]
  • Urged Europeans to “flip the switch in our minds”—a call for enhanced collective defense.
  • Emphasized Europe’s freedom is “no longer simply a given, it is under threat.”

3. U.S. Health & Human Services Department Shakeup

• Leadership Changes at HHS (01:57):
  • Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. announced officials taking on new roles overseeing the department’s main agencies (FDA, CMS, CDC).
  • Two top aides leaving: General Counsel Mike Stewart and Deputy Jim O’Neill, who also served as interim CDC director.
    • “An HHS spokesperson didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.”
      — Rob Stein [02:40]

4. NASA Mission Update

• Crew Replacement Launch to ISS (02:47):
  • NASA and SpaceX launch a crew to replace astronauts involved in the first-ever medical evacuation from the International Space Station.
  • New crew includes astronauts from the US, France, and Russia; due to arrive next day.
  • Spacewalks remain on hold due to a recent medical issue on board.

5. US Stocks and Economy

• Steady Markets (03:23):
  • U.S. stock markets hold steady, buoyed by favorable inflation data.

6. Passport Application Changes at Public Libraries

• State Department Directive (03:34):
  • Libraries ordered to halt passport application services effective immediately.
  • Many librarians express concern, noting the long history of the service and public dependence.
    • Congressional members challenge the abrupt change in a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

7. Olympic Protest and Controversy

• Ukrainian Skeleton Athlete Banned (03:49):
  • Athlete Vladyslav Heraskevich banned for wearing a helmet honoring Ukrainian athletes killed in the Russia-Ukraine war.
  • IOC rules strictly prohibit expressions on the field of play.
    • “The IOC does allow comments when an athlete is not competing … like at news conferences and on social media.”
      — Steve Futterman [04:06]
  • Appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport denied; athlete removed 45 minutes before event.

8. Upcoming Solar Eclipse

• Rare ‘Ring of Fire’ Event (04:34):
  • Only visible in Antarctica; partial eclipse visible from southern Chile and southeast Africa.
  • Anticipation for the first solar eclipse of 2026.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Trump’s Take on Power and Diplomacy:
  “Sometimes you have to have fear because that’s the only thing that really will get the situation taken care of.”
  — Donald Trump at Fort Bragg [00:35]
• European Security in Focus:
  “Russia’s GDP … 2 trillion euros. The GDP of the European Union is 10 times higher … and yet today Europe is not 10 times stronger than Russia.”
  — Chancellor Friedrich Merz (reported by Rob Schmitz) [01:29]
• Olympic Protest Boundaries:
  “The IOC does allow comments when an athlete is not competing … like at news conferences and on social media.”
  — Steve Futterman [04:06]

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Important Timestamps

• 00:15: President Trump addresses troops at Fort Bragg; discusses Maduro and Iran.
• 01:22: German Chancellor Merz’s speech at Munich Security Conference.
• 01:57: HHS personnel shakeup under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
• 02:47: SpaceX launches new ISS crew after medical emergency.
• 03:34: Public libraries ordered to stop passport services; Congressional pushback.
• 03:49: Ukrainian athlete banned from Olympics for protest helmet.
• 04:34: Preview of ‘Ring of Fire’ solar eclipse.

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Tone

The episode delivers concise, matter-of-fact reporting with minimal commentary, in NPR’s characteristic neutral and informative style. Direct quotes from world leaders and officials add gravity and insight to key moments.

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For full details, tune in to the episode or follow NPR’s live updates.

Transcript

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[Rylan Barton]

See Terms Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Rylan Barton. During an appearance at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, President Trump praised special forces for last month's raid that removed Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro. Trump told troops and their families that the operation against MA bureau shows America's military might and makes enemies fear the.

[Donald Trump]

US Sometimes you have to have fear because that's the only thing that really will get the situation taken care of. We have a situation right now where we sent a very big carrier group to Iran. I'd love to see if we could make a deal. They've been difficult to make a deal. I thought we would have had a deal last time. They wish they did.

[Rylan Barton]

Trump says he's moving a second aircraft carrier into the Middle East. As he pressed presses Iran to make a deal over its nuclear program. Trump says, quote, in case we don't make a deal, we'll need it. Days ago, Trump suggested another round of talks with Iran was at hand. That hasn't materialized. The Munich security conference kicked off today, drawing leaders from around the world. The chancellor of Germany told attendees that his country will build the largest army in Europe. NPR's Rob Schmitz reports.

[Rob Schmitz]

In one of the first speeches of the three day conference, German Chancellor Friedrich Mears told those gathered that Russia's GDP is currently worth 2 trillion doll trillion euros. The GDP of the European Union is 10 times higher, Meirtz said, and yet today Europe is not 10 times stronger than Russia. Meirz called on European leaders to flip the switch in our minds. He said that in the era of great powers, Europe's freedom is no longer simply a given, it is under threat. Rob Schmitz, NPR News, Munich.

[Rylan Barton]

The Trump administration appears to be shaking up parts of the Health and Human Services department. According to CNN, two top aides are leaving. NPR's Rob Stein has the story.

[Rob Stein]

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Announced several Trump administration officials were adding new roles to help them oversee the department's main agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. At the same time, two of the secretary's top aides reportedly leaving Kennedy's general counsel, Mike Stewart, and Kennedy's second in command, Jim o'. Neill. O' Neill has also been serving as the interim director of the cdc. An HHS spokesperson, didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. Rob Stein, NPR News.

[Rylan Barton]

The replacements for the astronauts involved in NASA's first medical evacuation are on their way to the International Space Station. SpaceX launched the fresh crew this morning from Florida. The four astronauts are representing the US France and Russia and should reach the orbiting lab tomorrow. NASA had put spacewalks on hold after an astronaut experienced a serious medical problem. US Stocks steady today after an encouraging update on inflation. This is NPR News. The State Department has ordered non profit public libraries to stop taking passport applications. The agency started sending cease and desist orders, which take effect today. Librarians say the service has worked for years and residents still call every day. Members of Congress from several states pushed back in a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. They say the change is abrupt. At the Winter Olympics in Italy, an appeal by a Ukrainian skeleton athlete who wanted to wear a helmet honoring victims of the Russian Ukraine war has been rejected. Steve Futterman reports.

[Steve Futterman]

Bladislav her was banned from participating in his event on Thursday after insisting on wearing a helmet honoring Ukrainian athletes killed during the war. The International Olympic Committee said the helmet was a violation of rules that specifically prohibit expressing views on the field of play. The IOC does allow comments when an athlete is not competing, like at news conferences and on social media. Haraskiewicz took the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. An arbitrator ruled that the ILC's rules on expression do provide a reasonable balance. Heraskevich was removed from the competition 45 minutes before his event was set to begin. For NPR News, I'm Steve Futterman in Milan.

[Rylan Barton]

The first solar eclipse of the year is almost here, but very few people will see it. The Ring of Fire eclipse will only be visible in Antarctica. More people will see a partial eclipse with small bites taken out of the sun from the tip of Chile and bits of southeastern Africa. I'm Ryland Barton. This is NPR News from Washington.

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