NPR News: 02-14-2026 12PM EST

Summary

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NPR News Now — February 14, 2026, 12PM EST

Host: Nora Ramm | Source: NPR News
Theme: Key stories in global politics, U.S. governance, and notable Olympic developments

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Episode Overview

This edition of NPR News Now delivers concise reporting on the latest international diplomacy at the Munich Security Conference, the ongoing U.S. government shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security, anticipated executive actions on elections by President Trump, a pivotal Supreme Court appeal regarding New York's congressional maps, and sports controversies at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

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Key Stories & Discussion Points

1. U.S.-European Relations & Ukraine – Munich Security Conference

[00:15–01:17]

• Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke at the Munich Security Conference, aiming to reassure European allies of the U.S. commitment to transatlantic ties under President Trump.
  • “The Trump administration does not want to abandon the transatlantic alliance. The ties are deep and historic.” — Nora Ramm (00:21)
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed attendees, emphasizing the persistent threat from Russia nearly four years into its full-scale invasion.
  • Zelenskyy called for expedited air defense aid, noting devastation to Ukrainian infrastructure:
    “There isn't a single power plant in Ukraine not damaged by Russian airstrikes.” — Nora Ramm (01:07)
  • Zelenskyy underscored the importance of unity among allies:
    “Russia invests in breaking unity… Our unity is the best interceptor against Russia’s aggressive plans.” — Volodymyr Zelenskyy (00:42)
  • He insisted any peace agreement must secure real security guarantees for Ukraine and Europe.

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2. U.S. Government Shutdown: Homeland Security Funding Lapses

[01:17–02:17]

• A critical portion of the federal government, including the Department of Homeland Security, is shut down due to Congress' failure to pass a funding bill, mainly over immigration enforcement disagreements.
  • Congress has adjourned for a recess; there's no imminent resolution.
• Senate Majority Leader John Thune suggested a deal is possible:
  • “If people are operating in good faith and actually want a solution, that deal space is there. I think this can get done.” — John Thune (01:51)
• Reporter Sam Greenglass explained essential services like FEMA and TSA will continue, but the shutdown deepens government dysfunction.

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3. Presidential Moves on Election Law

[02:17–03:10]

• President Trump announced plans for a new executive order on election security, aiming to mandate stricter voter ID, despite states' constitutional authority over elections.
  • “Section 1, Article 4 of the Constitution is clear. States are in charge… with the only exception being if Congress steps in.” — Miles Parks (02:27)
  • Trump asserts new requirements will come for midterms, “whether approved by Congress or not.”
• A similar Republican-backed bill passed the House, but faces strong opposition and is unlikely to advance in the Senate.

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4. New York Congressional Map Dispute

[03:10–03:32]

• New York Republicans appealed to the Supreme Court to halt a state-ordered redraw of congressional districts found to dilute Black and Latino votes.
  • A revised map would likely benefit Democrats in the upcoming House races.
  • The GOP opposes changes prior to the November midterm elections.

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5. Olympics Update: Curling Controversy and Men’s Figure Skating

[03:32–04:55]

Curling

• [03:48–04:32]
  The Canadian men’s curling team’s victory over Sweden was marred by allegations of cheating — Swedes accused Canadians of touching the stone past the hogline (illegal in curling).
  • Tension escalated with Team Canada’s Mark Kennedy responding with an expletive.
  • “Officials… did not see a double touch, so they couldn’t call it. The controversy is unusual in curling, a sport that prides itself on good sportsmanship.” — Ping Wang (04:05)
  • Officials will now monitor rock throws more closely.

Men’s Figure Skating

• [04:32–04:55]
  U.S. skater Ilia Milinin, known as the “Quad God,” faltered in the medal event, falling twice and placing eighth after failing to land his signature quadruple axel.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Our unity is the best interceptor against Russia’s aggressive plans.”
  — Volodymyr Zelenskyy ([00:42])

• “If people are operating in good faith… that deal space is there. I think this can get done.”
  — John Thune ([01:51])

• “Trump said there would be new voter ID requirements for the midterms, quote, whether approved by Congress or not.”
  — Miles Parks ([03:00])

• “The controversy is unusual in curling, a sport that prides itself on good sportsmanship…”
  — Ping Wang ([04:10])

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Munich Security Conference & Ukraine — [00:15–01:17]
• Homeland Security Shutdown — [01:17–02:17]
• Trump’s Planned Election Order — [02:17–03:10]
• NY Congressional Maps Supreme Court Case — [03:10–03:32]
• Olympic Curling Cheating Accusations — [03:48–04:32]
• Men’s Figure Skating Results — [04:32–04:55]

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Summary prepared for listeners seeking a comprehensive update on the latest news in U.S. politics, international security, and sports, as reported on the midday edition of NPR News Now.

Transcript

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[Nora Ramm]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Nora Rahm. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke to the Munich security conference today, seeking to reassure Europeans that the Trump administration has does not want to abandon the transatlantic alliance. He said the ties are deep and historic. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also spoke. He asked for more help in fighting Russia nearly four years after Russia's full scale invasion.

[Volodymyr Zelenskyy]

While we invest in interceptors and protection, Russia invests in breaking unity between all of us. Our unity with you, unity in Europe, unity in the Euro Atlantic community. They want to break it. Why? Because our unity is the best interceptor against Russia's aggressive plans.

[Nora Ramm]

He asked for speeder deliveries of air defense systems, that there isn't a single power plant in Ukraine not damaged by Russian airstrikes. He said any agreement to end the war must include real security guarantees for Ukraine and Europe. A critical part of the federal government is shut down and Congress is not in session to reopen it. The Department of Homeland Security is officially without normal funding after lawmakers failed to reach an agreement to restrain the conduct of immigration officers. NPR's Sam Greenglass has more.

[Sam Greenglass]

It is the third shutdown in as many months, and despite ongoing back and forth between the White House and congressional Democrats, a deal is not close. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said this week that could change.

[John Thune]

I think if people are operating in good faith and actually want a solution, that deal space is there. I think this can get done.

[Sam Greenglass]

But lawmakers have left town for a week long recess. And though they could be called back, this partial shutdown is more likely to last through the week or beyond. In addition to immigration enforcement, the department also includes FEMA and tsa. Critical functions will continue during the shutdown. Sam Greenglass, NPR News, Washington.

[Nora Ramm]

President Trump says he's planning to sign a new executive order on elections before this year's midterms. But the Constitution puts states in charge of voting. NPR's Miles Parks reports.

[Miles Parks]

Section 1, Article 4 of the Constitution is clear. States are in charge of administering the times, places and manner of holding elections, with the only exception being if Congress steps in to make a nationwide law. But for his entire presidency, Trump has been trying to push that boundary in different ways. He's already had one executive order on voting blocked by the courts. Now he's promising another one to force states to add new document requirements for people to cast ballots. Republicans in the House did pass a law this week aimed at similar new requirements, but it's not expected to overcome a Senate filibuster. Still, in a social media post, Trump said there would be new voter ID requirements for the midterms, quote, whether approved by Congress or not. Miles Parks, NPR News, Washington.

[Nora Ramm]

You're listening to NPR News in Washington. Republicans in New York are asking the Supreme Court to delay the redrawing of congressional voting districts. A state court had found that a district in New York City violates the state constitution by diluting black and Latino votes. A new map would give Democrats a chance to pick up an additional seat in the House of Representatives. Republicans opposed changes to the map before the midterm elections in November. At the Olympics, a preliminary curling match is marred by accusations of cheating. NPR's Ping Wang reports.

[Ping Wang]

On Friday, the Canadian men's team won a round robin match against Sweden, but the victory was overshadowed by an altercation in curling. Players throw a granite stone down the ice. They must release it before it crosses the hogline or it gets removed from play. During the match, the Swedes accused the Canadiens more than once of touching the stone after it had passed the line, and Mark Kennedy on Team Canada responded with an expletive. Game officials who sit at either end of the sheet say they didn't see a double touch, so they couldn't call it. The controversy is unusual in curling, a sport that prides itself on good sportsmanship, in which players are supposed to call their own fouls. Sports officials have issued a language warning to the Canadians and will assign officials to watch the rock throws going forward. Ping Huang, NPR News, Milan.

[Nora Ramm]

In men's figure skating, American Ilia Milinin was the clear favorite going into the men's medal event, but he fell twice and finished in eighth place. He was unable to perform his signature jump, the quadruple axel, which had earned him the nickname the Quad God. I'm Nora Ramm, NPR News in Washington.

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