NPR News: 02-14-2026 2PM EST - NPR News Now

Summary4 min read

NPR News Now – 02-14-2026 2PM EST

Host: Nora Rahm (and NPR team)
Date: February 14, 2026
Length: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This five-minute NPR News Now update delivers the latest international and domestic news highlights, focusing on US-European relations at the Munich Security Conference, new findings in the death of Alexei Navalny, costs and controversies of US third-country deportations, immigration enforcement and DHS shutdown, changes to Census Bureau operations, Olympic speed skating triumphs, and a lighthearted note on Olympic Village condom shortages.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. US Diplomacy at the Munich Security Conference

[00:25-01:03]
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio addresses European allies, emphasizing the US commitment to the transatlantic alliance amid concerns about the Trump administration's stance.
- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen responds positively, while Democratic lawmakers at the conference aim to reassure European partners about ongoing US support.
Notable Quote:
- “So in a time of headlines heralding the end of the transatlantic era, let it be known and clear to all that this is neither our goal nor our wish, because for us Americans, our home may be in the Western Hemisphere, but we will always be a child of Europe.”
  — Marco Rubio ([00:42])

2. Navalny Poisoning Confirmed

[01:03-02:12]
- Five European countries (Britain, France, Germany, Sweden, Netherlands) confirm Alexei Navalny, the Russian opposition leader, was poisoned with epibatidine, a deadly toxin.
- Russia maintains he died of natural causes, but evidence suggests otherwise; the statement accuses Russia of having the "means, motive, and opportunity."
- Yulia Navalnaya, Navalny's widow, welcomes the announcement, seeing it as confirmation of her long-standing position.
Notable Quote:
- “Navalny was held in prison when he died, meaning Russia had the means, motive and opportunity to administer the poison to him.”
  — Rob Schmitz ([01:45])

3. US Third Country Deportations

[02:12-03:06]
- A report commissioned by Senator Jeanne Shaheen finds the Trump administration has spent at least $40 million deporting migrants to third countries, including Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, and Palau.
- Over $32 million went to host countries, with $7.2 million spent on deportation flights, and the report claims these figures are likely undercounts.
- Raises concerns due to human rights questions in some receiving countries.

4. Immigration Enforcement, DHS Shutdown

[03:06-03:40]
- Following the deaths of two US citizens at the hands of enforcement officers, some Democrats push for restrictions on immigration operations; partisan gridlock results in a Department of Homeland Security shutdown.

5. Census Bureau Cuts and Civil Rights

[03:40-04:00]
- The Trump administration is planning “major cuts” to the Census Bureau, affecting rural communities and reducing language support, which may lead to unreliable population data for political and funding decisions.

6. Olympics: Jordan Stolz’s Speed Skating Triumph

[04:00-04:40]
- American speed skater Jordan Stolz wins a second gold (500m, setting an Olympic record at 33.77 seconds), edging Dutch competitor Jenning Debo by 0.11 seconds.
- Stolz is now halfway to his goal of four golds, with two more events ahead.
Notable Quote:
- “Jordan Stolz came here with hopes of possibly winning four gold medals. He is now halfway there after winning the 500 meter...with an Olympic record time of 33.77 seconds.”
  — Steve Futterman ([04:00])

7. Olympic Village Condom Shortage

[04:40-05:04]
- Organizers in Milan rush to restock after a surprising 10,000-condom shortage on Valentine’s Day.
- “Clearly the show’s Valentine’s Day is in full swing,” says IOC spokesman Mark Adams.
- Offers a lighter end to a newscast packed with serious news.

Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

Marco Rubio:
“...we will always be a child of Europe.” ([00:42])
Rob Schmitz (on Navalny):
“Navalny was held in prison when he died, meaning Russia had the means, motive and opportunity to administer the poison...” ([01:45])
Steve Futterman (on Stolz’s race):
“He is now halfway there after winning the 500 meter...with an Olympic record time of 33.77 seconds.” ([04:00])

Timeline of Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |------------|------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:25-01:03| US-Europe relations at Munich Security Conference | | 01:03-02:12| Navalny poisoning announcement | | 02:12-03:06| Costs and implications of US third-country deportations | | 03:06-03:40| Immigration enforcement controversy, DHS shutdown | | 03:40-04:00| Census Bureau cuts and civil rights concerns | | 04:00-04:40| Olympics: Jordan Stolz’s speed skating gold | | 04:40-05:04| Olympic Village condom shortage |

Closing Note

This NPR News Now update delivers a compact, topical rundown of the day’s major stories—ranging from sharp international scrutiny to moments of sports achievement and a touch of Olympic humor—all in NPR’s signature sober, informative tone.

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Transcript11 lines

[00:02]
A
What allows Olympic figure skaters to land a jump on ice that most of us couldn't land on solid ground? And how do snowboarders defy gravity? Maybe even better than Cynthia Erivo. Come learn the science that allows Olympic athletes to push the boundaries of what the human body is capable of with shortwave. Listen in the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts.
[00:26]
B
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Nora Ram. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke to the Munich security conference today, seeking to reassure Europeans that the Trump administration does not want to abandon the transatlantic alliance. He said the ties are deep and historic.
[00:43]
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So in a time of headlines heralding the end of the transatlantic era, let it be known and clear to all that this is neither our goal nor our wish, because for us Americans, our home may be in the Western Hemisphere, but we will always be a child of Europe.
[01:04]
B
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she was much reassured by the speech. Some Democratic lawmakers from the US Are attending the conference. They said they wanted to assure European leaders that they can again count on the US After President Trump leaves office. Five European countries announced today authorities are confident that Alexei Navalny, the Russian opposition leader who died in prison two years ago, was poisoned. NPR's Rob Schmitz reports.
[01:33]
D
A statement from Britain, France, Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands states that authorities conclude Navalny was poisoned with the lethal toxin epibatidine found in poison dart frogs in South America. Russia claimed the opposition leader died of natural causes, but according to the statement, poisoning was, quote, highly likely the cause of his death. Navalny was held in prison when he died, meaning Russia had the means, motive and opportunity to administer the poison to him, read the statement. Navalny's widow, Yulia Navalnya, told reporters at the Munich Security Conference that the finding is a validation of her long standing assertion that Russian President Vladimir Putin was responsible for her husband's death. Rob Schmitz, NPR News, Munich.
[02:13]
B
It's cost at least $40 million so far for the Trump administration to deport migrants to a third country. That's according to a report commissioned by Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen. NPR Sergio Martinez Beltran reports.
[02:27]
E
The report is based on a review of agreements through January, staff, travel and communications with U.S. and foreign government officials. The report states that the U.S. has sent more than $32 million to five countries to accept third country deportees, including Equ, Guinea, Rwanda and Palau. It estimates the Trump administration spent more than $7.2 million on third country deportation flights. The senator says that's likely an undercount 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, NPR News, Austin.
[03:07]
B
Some congressional Democrats are calling for restrictions on immigrant enforcement operations after Officers killed two U.S. citizens last month. They did not reach an agreement with Republicans, so the Department of Homeland Security has been shut down. This is NPR News. In Washington. The Trump administration is planning major cuts in the Census Bureau, scheduled to conduct a test of its operations this year. It's removing rural communities from the count and reducing support for languages other than English, which may lower participation. Civil rights activists say this affects the bureau's ability to produce reliable population numbers for redistributing political representation and federal spending. In 2030 at the Olympics in Italy, American speed skater Jordan Stoles has won a second gold medal. Steve Futterman reports from Milan.
[04:00]
F
Jordan Stoles came here with hopes of possibly winning four gold medals. He is now halfway there after winning the 500 meter. Eventually, Stolz came through with an Olympic record time of 33.77 seconds. That was just 11/100 of a second better than his main rival, Jenning Debo from the Netherlands. The two were together in the same pairing, making it essentially a gold medal match race. It's the second time here in Italy that stoles has beaten DeBeau. Earlier, he edged him in the thousand meter event. The 21 year old American is set to compete two more times in the 1500 meter race and the mass start. For NPR News, I'm Steve Futterman.
[04:40]
B
In Milan, officials are racing to deal with a shortage in Olympic Village condoms. Some 10,000 were available free, but they're all gone. Organizers say they're restocking after a higher than anticipated demand. International Olympic Committee spokesman Mark Adams says clearly the show's Valentine's Day is in full swing. I'm Nora Rahm, NPR News in Washington.
[05:05]
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