NPR News Now — February 14, 2026, 11AM EST

Overview

This five-minute news update delivers a succinct roundup of major global and national stories, with a focus on U.S.–Europe relations, investigations into Alexei Navalny’s death, U.S. immigration policy expenditures, a Canadian mass shooting, France’s efforts to address declining birth rates, and concerns over cuts to the U.S. Census Bureau. The reporting is tightly structured, balancing political analysis, investigative reporting, and social context.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S.–Europe Relations and Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s Remarks

[00:16–01:13]

• Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s Position:
  • Emphasized the enduring bond between the U.S. and Europe but acknowledged mistakes on both sides.
  • Criticized what he termed Europe’s “climate cult” and mass migration policies, claiming they threaten Western culture.
  • Called for U.S. and Europe to “work together not to rationalize a broken system, but to fix it.”
    • Notable quote (Rubio, via Kellerman):

      “We in America have no interest in being polite and orderly caretakers of the West’s managed decline.” [00:45]

  • Made it clear that the Trump administration seeks to “revitalize an old friendship,” not separate from Europe.
  • The absence of previous provocations (such as talk of “taking over Greenland”) was met with relief by European participants.
    • Notable moment:

      “Some in the room breathed a sigh of relief. There was no talk about taking over Greenland or other transatlantic irritants.” (Michelle Kellerman) [00:53]

2. Poisoning of Russian Opposition Leader Alexei Navalny

[01:13–02:07]

• Scientific Conclusion:
  • Researchers from five European countries found Navalny was poisoned with a rare toxin found on poison dart frogs from South America, not naturally found in Russia.
  • British authorities believe only the Russian state had “means, motive and opportunity.”
• Kremlin Response:
  • No official comment yet in light of new claims. Previously, Russian authorities have attributed Navalny's death to illness.
    • Notable quote (Joe Inwood):

      “The British government say there is no innocent explanation and only the Russian state had the means, motive and opportunity to kill Alexei Navalny.” [01:56]

3. Costs of U.S. Third Country Deportations

[02:07–03:04]

• Report Findings:
  • Trump administration spent at least $40 million on “third country deportations.”
  • Over $32 million went to five countries (including Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, and Palau) to accept deportees.
  • An estimated $7.2 million was spent on deportation flights.
  • Concerns raised over sending deportees to countries with histories of human rights violations.
• Sen. Jeanne Shaheen’s Perspective:
  • The reported cost is likely an undercount due to incomplete data.
    • Context commentary:

      “Some of these countries have records of human rights violations and corruption. The Trump administration has aggressively cracked down on illegal and legal migration, deporting hundreds of thousands of people.” (Sergio Martinez Beltran) [02:47]

4. U.S. Congressional Budget Impasse

[03:04]

• Congressional Deadlock:
  • Lawmakers recessed for a week without a Homeland Security budget agreement, resulting in the department running out of funds at midnight.

5. Canadian Mass Shooting Tragedy

[03:15]

• Incident Details:
  • A vigil was held after an 18-year-old killed six people at a school and his mother and brother before dying by suicide.
• Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Support:
  • Expressed national solidarity, stating,

    “Millions of Canadians will always be with you.”

6. France’s New Plan to Address Declining Birth Rates

[03:50–04:32]

• Government Initiative:
  • Beginning this summer, every person turning 29 in France will receive a letter urging consideration of parenthood and information on fertility preservation.
  • The measure is part of a 16-point plan; the letter describes support including publicly funded egg freezing for women aged 29-37, and details on how fertility affects men.
  • The effort follows the lowest fertility rate in France in over a century, raising questions about pensions.
    • Criticism:
      Some lawmakers argue that the root issue is the rising cost of childcare, rather than lack of awareness.
    • Notable summary (Rebecca Rossman):

      “Last year, France's fertility rate fell to its lowest levels in over a century, raising concerns about how the country will fund its pension system in the decades ahead.” [04:23]

7. Concerns Over U.S. Census Bureau Funding Cuts

[04:32–04:55]

• Civil Rights Leaders’ Alarm:
  • Cuts to the Census Bureau could hinder preparations and operational tests crucial for the 2030 census.
  • Potential impact on the accuracy of congressional and federal funding allocations nationwide.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Marco Rubio (via Kellerman) [00:45]:

  “We in America have no interest in being polite and orderly caretakers of the West’s managed decline.”

• Wolfgang Ischinger’s Response (via Kellerman) [00:53]:

  “Some in the room breathed a sigh of relief. There was no talk about taking over Greenland or other transatlantic irritants.”

• Joe Inwood [01:56]:

  “The British government say there is no innocent explanation and only the Russian state had the means, motive and opportunity to kill Alexei Navalny.”

• Rebecca Rossman [04:23]:

  “Last year, France's fertility rate fell to its lowest levels in over a century, raising concerns about how the country will fund its pension system in the decades ahead.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• U.S.-Europe Relations: 00:16–01:13
• Navalny Poisoning Update: 01:13–02:07
• Third Country Deportations Cost: 02:07–03:04
• Congressional Budget Impasse: 03:04
• Canadian Mass Shooting Vigil: 03:15
• France’s Birth Rate Plan: 03:50–04:32
• Census Bureau Cuts Concern: 04:32–04:55

Summary Takeaway

This newscast highlights escalating international tensions, shifting alliances, and the long-term social and fiscal impacts of government policies on both sides of the Atlantic. It covers fast-moving news stories with on-the-ground reporting, reflecting NPR’s concise, factual, and globally-minded journalistic tone.