NPR News Now – February 15, 2026, 5AM EST

Host: Windsor Johnston
Duration: 5 minutes
Format: Rapid-fire headline news update

Episode Overview

This episode provides a concise roundup of the top global and domestic news stories at the hour. The main themes include disruptions caused by a partial US government shutdown, US-Europe diplomatic signals, developments on Iran nuclear negotiations, legal disputes in food regulations, and market shifts affecting chocolate prices.

Key Stories & Insights

1. Government Shutdown Affects US Airports and Agencies

[00:16–01:28]

• TSA Impacts:
  Travelers may experience delays at US airports as TSA screeners continue operations without pay due to a partial government shutdown.

• DHS Agencies:

  • Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) largely unaffected because of prior funding boosts from Republicans, referred to as the "one big beautiful bill."
  • Agencies like the Coast Guard, TSA, and FEMA are either furloughing workers or operating with unpaid critical staff.

• Political Impasse:

  • Congress missed a Friday night deadline to fund the Department of Homeland Security.
  • The Senate is gridlocked: Republicans seek Democratic votes, but Democrats want changes to federal immigration policies.
  • No immediate resolution: Lawmakers have started a weeklong recess, though “bipartisan negotiations will continue.”

    “Even as many lawmakers left town for a week long recess, leaders argued the bipartisan negotiations will continue.”
    — Claudia Grisales [01:23]

2. Marco Rubio’s Munich Speech Sends Mixed Signals to Europe

[01:28–02:15]

• Rubio’s Messaging:
  At the Munich Security Conference, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio received applause for emphasizing Europe as a vital partner but chose to highlight cultural and religious ties over democratic values.

• European Reaction:

  • While some attendees felt “relief,” others questioned Rubio’s pivot from “shared values of democracy and a rules-based order” toward “Christianity and … civilizational alliances.”

    “He talked a lot about shared values, but not the shared values of democracy and a rules based order, which he called an overused term. It was more about Christianity and what he called civilizational alliances.”
    — Michelle Kellerman [01:55]

3. Iran Awaits US Commitment on Nuclear Talks

[02:15–03:08]

• Tehran’s Stance:
  • Iranian Foreign Minister Takhtravanchi indicates Tehran is open to “compromises” if the US shows willingness to lift sanctions.
  • Skepticism persists due to President Trump’s mixed signals, including recent comments on “regime change.”
  • Iran wary of US military buildup in the region, warning of potential conflict.

    “He also questioned America’s military buildup in the region, warning that another war would be dangerous for everyone.”
    — Lise Doucet [03:02]

4. US Judge Blocks USDA Demands for SNAP Data

[03:08–03:30]

• Food Assistance Privacy:
  A federal judge blocked the Trump administration’s effort to force states to share detailed data, including immigration status, on food assistance recipients (SNAP), after a lawsuit from 22 states.

5. UK Supreme Court Bans 'Oat Milk' Label

[03:30–04:26]

• Dairy vs. Oat Drinks:
  • UK Supreme Court rules vegan products cannot be labeled as “milk” after a lawsuit by dairy farmers.
  • Oatly, a leading oat beverage company, must adjust product labeling, although “alt-milk” remains viable for marketing purposes.

    “Oatly is still allowed to call itself an alt milk company and to use the word milk on T shirts and TV ads in the UK but it’s not allowed to label any food products as such.”
    — Lauren Frere [04:15]

6. Falling Cocoa Prices, Yet Rising Chocolate Costs

[04:26–04:55]

• Price Paradox:
  • Global cocoa prices have dropped ~70% year over year.
  • However, US chocolate costs at retail rose 14% in early 2026—adding to increases from 2025.
  • Factors for this disconnect are not detailed in the brief.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• On DHS negotiations:

  “Even as many lawmakers left town for a week long recess, leaders argued the bipartisan negotiations will continue.”
  — Claudia Grisales [01:23]

• On Rubio’s new framing:

  “He talked a lot about shared values, but not the shared values of democracy and a rules based order, which he called an overused term. It was more about Christianity and what he called civilizational alliances.”
  — Michelle Kellerman [01:55]

• On Iran/US talks:

  “He also questioned America’s military buildup in the region, warning that another war would be dangerous for everyone.”
  — Lise Doucet [03:02]

• On oat milk ruling:

  “Oatly is still allowed to call itself an alt milk company and to use the word milk on T shirts and TV ads in the UK but it’s not allowed to label any food products as such.”
  — Lauren Frere [04:15]

Segment Timestamps

• [00:16] Top story: US government shutdown affects airports and agencies
• [01:28] Marco Rubio’s Munich speech redefines US-Europe alliance
• [02:15] Iran sends signals to US over nuclear deal posture
• [03:08] US judge blocks federal push for SNAP recipient data
• [03:48] UK’s oat milk label ban
• [04:26] Chocolate prices rising despite dropping cocoa prices

Final Note

This segment offers a compact yet comprehensive overview of urgent governmental, diplomatic, legal, and economic news, highlighting shifting alliances, legislative gridlocks, and changing product regulations affecting consumers both in the US and abroad.