NPR News: 02-13-2026 7PM EST

Summary

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NPR News Now: 02-13-2026 7PM EST

Date: February 14, 2026
Host: Ryland Barton (NPR)

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Episode Overview

This five-minute NPR News Now episode delivers a rapid-fire summary of major global developments. Key topics include U.S. military posturing toward Iran and ongoing nuclear negotiations, President Trump’s politicization of a troop visit, calls for renewed transatlantic unity in security, a new NASA crew bound for the International Space Station, a thwarted Paris terror attack, Olympic controversy over political messaging, and a look at chocolate prices despite market shifts.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Middle East Tensions: U.S. Military Buildup and Iran Negotiations

[00:15 – 01:12]

• Main Point: The U.S. Navy is sending a second aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, to the Middle East, reflecting concerns over a potential conflict with Iran amid ongoing nuclear talks.
• Military Readiness: The move aims to “further bolster the U.S. presence in the Middle East.”
• Presidential Position: President Trump’s reasoning:
  • "In case we don't make a deal." (attributed by Greg Myre, 00:34)
• Diplomacy Ongoing: While military assets in the region increase, diplomatic negotiations continue, though no new meetings have been announced.
• Insight: The U.S. balances show-of-force with continued diplomatic engagement.

2. President Trump Blends Military Visit with Campaigning

[01:12 - 02:03]

• Main Point: During a visit to Fort Bragg to honor Special Forces, Trump pivots to explicit political messaging, an unusual breach of apolitical tradition before active-duty troops.
• Event Details:
  • Official purpose: Thank troops involved in the capture of Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela.
  • Trump invites Michael Whatley, favored Senate candidate, to speak.
• Quote (Donald Trump):
  • "We had a big, big victory just recently that you know very well, a victory like they've never seen. So I'd just like you to say a couple of words, Michael, congratulations." (Michael Whatley as introduced by Trump, 01:37)
• Reporter’s Note:
  • “This is a break with the norm of avoiding overt political messaging in front of troops in uniform, but far from the first time Trump has done it.” (Tamara Keith, 01:46)
• Insight: The incident highlights ongoing debates over the politicization of the military.

3. Renewing Transatlantic Alliances Amid Global Uncertainty

[02:03 - 02:34]

• Main Point: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, at the Munich Security Conference, urges the U.S. and Europe to “repair and revive transatlantic trust together.”
• Quote (Friedrich Merz):
  • “Even the U.S. isn't powerful enough to go it alone in a world whose old order has withered.” (Ryland Barton paraphrasing, 02:03)
• Call to Action: Merz presses Europe to strengthen its militaries as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues.

4. NASA Crew Launches to International Space Station

[02:34 – 03:13]

• Main Point: NASA’s Crew 12 mission launches from Florida, sending a new international crew to the ISS.
• Mission Voices:
  • “Three, two, one, Ignition and liftoff. Go Falcon, Go Dragon. And Godspeed Crew 12.” (Launch broadcast, Brendan Byrne, 02:34)
• Crew Composition: Two Americans, a French astronaut, and a Russian cosmonaut.
• Context: They replace a reduced crew after a first-ever medical evacuation from the station last month.

5. Foiled Terror Attack in Paris

[03:13 – 04:09]

• Main Point: French police stop an attempted attack at the Arc de Triomphe; the assailant, recently released from a lengthy prison term, is killed on the scene.
• Event Details:
  • Suspect stabbed a police officer during a ceremonial flame rekindling at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
  • The suspect was known for prior attacks on police.
• Quote (President Emmanuel Macron):
  • "In the face of Islamic terrorism, the republican flame will always resist." (Rebecca Rossman reporting Macron’s post, 03:28)
• Insight: Prompt police action underscores France’s ongoing struggle with terrorism.

6. Olympic Political Messaging Ban Upheld

[04:09 – 04:34]

• Main Point: Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladislav Heraskevich remains disqualified for wearing a helmet memorializing victims of Russia’s invasion, due to IOC rules against political statements.
• Next Steps: Heraskevich is expected to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

7. Chocolate Prices Remain High Despite Cocoa Price Drop

[04:34 – 04:57]

• Main Point: Cocoa prices have plummeted since last Valentine’s Day, but consumer prices for chocolate remain high due to long-term contracts and sustained demand.
• Insight: Economic dynamics behind product pricing often lag behind raw commodity trends.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• President Trump (via Greg Myre):
  • "In case we don't make a deal." (00:34)
• President Trump introducing Senate candidate (via Tamara Keith):
  • "We had a big, big victory just recently that you know very well, a victory like they've never seen. So I'd just like you to say a couple of words, Michael, congratulations." (01:37)
• Chancellor Merz paraphrased (Ryland Barton):
  • “Even the U.S. isn't powerful enough to go it alone in a world whose old order has withered.” (02:03)
• Crew 12 Launch Audio:
  • “Three, two, one, Ignition and liftoff. Go Falcon, Go Dragon. And Godspeed Crew 12.” (02:34)
• President Macron (via Rebecca Rossman):
  • "In the face of Islamic terrorism, the republican flame will always resist." (03:28)

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Timeline of Major Segments

| Time | Segment | Topic | |----------|-----------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:15 | U.S. Navy Build-Up/ Iran Talks | U.S. sends second carrier, diplomatic moves, Trump’s statement | | 01:12 | Trump at Fort Bragg | Thanks troops, political message, Michael Whatley | | 02:03 | Munich Security Conference | Chancellor Merz, U.S.-Europe relations, Russia-Ukraine context | | 02:34 | NASA Crew Launch | Crew 12 to ISS, recent evacuation background | | 03:13 | Paris Terror Attack Thwarted | Attack at Arc de Triomphe, suspect background, Macron’s message | | 04:09 | Olympic Disqualification | Heraskevich memorial helmet, IOC ban, meeting Zelensky | | 04:34 | Chocolate Prices | Cocoa drop, retail prices, industry reasoning |

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Conclusion

This tightly packed episode provides a snapshot of critical world events and issues—from military posturing and political norms at home to global security, scientific advancement, acts of violence thwarted, and economic oddities in everyday items. Each segment blends authoritative reporting with notable on-the-ground voices and statements from global leaders.

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Transcript

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[RYLAND Barton]

See Terms live from NPR News in Washington, I'm RYLAND Barton. The U.S. navy is sending a second aircraft carrier to the Middle east as part of a military buildup for a possible attack on Iran. As NPR's Greg Myre reports, the U.S. and Iran are also negotiating in an attempt to avoid a conflict.

[Greg Myre]

The USS Gerald R. Ford is being sent from the Caribbean to the Mediterranean to further bolster the U.S. presence in the Middle East. Asked why he made the decision, President Trump said, in case we don't make a deal. The president says he'd prefer a negotiated agreement with Iran on its nuclear program, but is also warned of a possible strike. The US And Iran held talks a week ago. More talks are expected but haven't been announced. The US Already has thousands of troops, dozens of warplanes and roughly a dozen ships, including another aircraft carrier in the region. Greg Myhrey, NPR News, Washington.

[RYLAND Barton]

The military has a long tradition of staying apolitical, but as NPR's Tamara Keith reports, President Trump turned a trip to Fort Bragg to thank the troops into a campaign rally.

[Tamara Keith]

Thanking Special Forces troops who were involved in capturing Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela was the official reason for visit to North Carolina. But in the middle of his remarks, Trump called up his favored candidate in the state's U.S. senate race.

[Michael Whatley]

We had a big, big victory just recently that you know very well, a victory like they've never seen. So I'd just like you to say a couple of words, Michael, congratulations.

[Tamara Keith]

And then Michael Whatley, the former Republican Party chairman, delivered a quick pitch for his campaign. This is a break with the norm of avoiding overt political messaging in front of troops in uniform, but but far from the first time Trump has done it. Tamara Keith, NPR News.

[RYLAND Barton]

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called on the US And Europe to, quote, repair and revive transatlantic trust together. During the opening ceremony of the Munich Security Conference. He said that even the US Isn't powerful enough to go it alone in a world whose old order has withered. He called on European nations to build their militaries as Russia continues to invade Ukraine for four people are on their way to the International Space Station. NASA's Crew 12 mission launched this morning from Florida. Central Florida Public Media's Brendan Byrne reports.

[Brendan Byrne]

Three, two, one, Ignition and liftoff. Go Falcon, Go Dragon. And Godspeed Crew 12.

The international crew is made up of two US astronauts, one from France and a Russian cosmonaut. The crew is making the trip in SpaceX's Dragon space capsule will take them about 34 hours to reach the station and dock. Once at the station, the crew is scheduled to spend eight months living and working aboard. This mission replaces a crew that left the station early. A health issue with one of the astronauts prompted the first medical evacuation of the station last month. Since then, the station has been operating with a reduced crew of three. For NPR News, I'm Brendan Byrne in Orlando.

[RYLAND Barton]

And this is NPR News from Washington. French President Emmanuel Macron says police thwarted an attempted terrorist attack at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. As Rebecca Rossman reports, the suspect, who's now dead, was known to police.

[Rebecca Rossman]

It happened at around 6pm local time. A man wielding a knife stabbed a police officer who was participating in a daily rekindling of the flame at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, located just under the Arc de Triomphe. The officer was lightly injured. The assailant was killed by other officers. France's interior minister says the suspect was known to authorities and recently completed a 17 year prison sentence in Belgium for attacking two police officers. France's anti terrorism unit has opened an investigation. In a post on X, Macron said in the face of Islamic terrorism, the republican flame will always resist. For NPR News, I'm Rebecca Rossman in Paris.

[RYLAND Barton]

Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladislav Heraskevich has lost his bid to overturn an Olympic disqualification over his helmet memorializing Ukrainians killed during Russia's invasion. The International Olympic Committee says the design violates rules barring political messaging. He's expected to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky this weekend. Cocoa prices have fallen nearly 70% since last Valentine's Day, but that won't make heart shaped boxes of chocolate or even chocolate Easter bunnies more affordable this year. Chocolate makers have long term contracts that may still require them to pay more for cocoa. And if shoppers are still willing to pay higher prices, candy companies aren't inclined to lower them. You're listening to NPR News from Washington.

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