NPR News Now: 02-14-2026 8PM EST

Host: Jeanine Herbst, NPR
Date: February 15, 2026

Overview

This five-minute NPR News Now episode delivers a rapid roundup of major global and national headlines. Stories include U.S.-Europe relations at the Munich Security Conference, a partial federal government shutdown over immigration disputes, new international findings on Alexei Navalny's death, an Olympic victory for speed skater Jordan Stoltz, and the naming of a rare baby elephant at the Smithsonian's National Zoo.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S.-Europe Relations at the Munich Security Conference

(00:15 - 01:15)

• Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed the Munich Security Conference, emphasizing the need for renewed U.S.-European unity while openly criticizing European policies:

  • Critique of a “climate cult” and European immigration policies, which he claims threaten Western culture.
  • Asserted the U.S. is uninterested in being “caretakers of the West’s managed decline,” signaling opposition to a passive Western role.
  • He clarified the U.S. seeks to revitalize ties with Europe, not to separate from it.

  Marco Rubio [00:47]: "We in America have no interest in being polite and orderly caretakers of the West's managed decline."

• Conference organizer Wolfgang Ischinger noted relief among attendees at the absence of divisive topics like U.S. acquisition of Greenland.

2. U.S. Government Partial Shutdown Over Immigration

(01:15 - 02:03)

• A partial federal shutdown began as lawmakers failed to reach consensus on curbing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) immigration forces.

  • Triggered in part by the shooting deaths of two U.S. citizens by ICE agents in Minneapolis.
  • ICE remains funded due to a surplus from the previous, highly contentious budget bill.

  Ron Elving [01:34]: “There's plenty of money on hand for ICE to continue operations, even as other parts of the Department of Homeland Security have to shut down or cut back.”

• Non-immigration DHS operations, notably TSA, are hit:

  • TSA agents continue working unpaid, heightening concerns as the spring travel season approaches.

3. Alexei Navalny’s Death Confirmed as Poisoning

(02:03 - 03:12)

• Joint investigation by Britain, France, Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands found Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was killed using epibatidine, a potent toxin from South American poison dart frogs.

  • Contradicts Russian claims of death by natural causes.
  • Findings reinforce accusations against the Russian government, especially given Navalny’s incarceration at the time.

  Rob Schmitz [02:31]: “Navalny was held in prison when he died, meaning Russia had the means, motive and opportunity to administer the poison…”

• Navalny's widow, Yulia Navalny, called this “a validation” of her assertions that President Putin was responsible.

4. Olympic Speed Skating: Jordan Stoltz’s Continued Success

(03:12 - 03:59)

• Jordan Stoltz wins his second gold medal at the Winter Olympics in Milan, setting a new Olympic record in the 500-meter speed skate.

  • Focus remains forward; Stoltz anticipates strong performances in upcoming events.
  • Fellow athletes and the media praise his achievements and potential.

  Jordan Stoltz [03:51]: “Yeah, I'm really happy so far to win, too. I think if I have a good 1500, it should turn out well. I'm hoping for gold in that.”

  Ping Huang [03:59]: “Medalist Laurent Debray from Canada called Stoles the greatest speed skater of all time.”

• Stoltz is now halfway to his goal of four gold medals.

5. National Zoo Welcomes a Rare Baby Elephant

(04:13 - 04:57)

• Smithsonian’s National Zoo announces the naming of a week-and-a-half-old female Asian elephant: Linh Mai (meaning “clever” in Vietnamese).
  • Linh Mai is only the third elephant ever born at the zoo in 136 years.
  • Name chosen via public voting; over $59,000 raised for elephant care and conservation as part of the campaign.

Memorable Quotes

• Marco Rubio [00:47]: "We in America have no interest in being polite and orderly caretakers of the West's managed decline."
• Ron Elving [01:34]: "There's plenty of money on hand for ICE to continue operations, even as other parts of the Department of Homeland Security have to shut down or cut back."
• Rob Schmitz [02:31]: "Navalny was held in prison when he died, meaning Russia had the means, motive and opportunity to administer the poison..."
• Jordan Stoltz [03:51]: "Yeah, I'm really happy so far to win, too. I think if I have a good 1500, it should turn out well. I'm hoping for gold in that."
• Ping Huang [03:59]: "Medalist Laurent Debray from Canada called Stoles the greatest speed skater of all time."

Timestamps for Major Segments

• U.S.-Europe relations & Munich Security Conference: 00:15 – 01:15
• Federal government partial shutdown & ICE policy: 01:15 – 02:03
• Navalny poisoning investigation update: 02:03 – 03:12
• Olympic speed skating - Jordan Stoltz: 03:12 – 03:59
• National Zoo elephant calf naming: 04:13 – 04:57

This summary captures the essential headlines for listeners who missed the broadcast, providing context, direct speaker quotes, and clear segmentation of each story.