Summary4 min read

NPR News Now – 02-16-2026 3PM EST

Host: Nora Ramm (NPR)
Date: February 16, 2026
Length: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This NPR News Now update delivers quick headlines on top global and national stories: an ongoing investigation into a fatal police shooting in Minnesota, diplomatic progress (and stalemates) regarding Russia’s war in Ukraine, the U.S. Women’s Hockey Team’s Olympic triumph, a high-profile murder case in Australia, the mass migration for Lunar New Year in China, and the passing of legendary actor Robert Duvall.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. FBI Withholds Evidence in Minnesota Police Shooting (00:16–01:17)

Background: Minnesota’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) investigates the fatal shooting of Alex Preddy, an ICU nurse killed by Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis on January 24.
FBI’s Stance: The BCA has been repeatedly denied access to evidence collected by federal authorities.
Quotes & Context:
- “Superintendent Drew Evans says the FBI gave word last week that no materials would be turned over.” — Brian Bax [00:42]
- Evans, quoted regarding the FBI’s decision:
  “Concerning and unprecedented.” — Drew Evans (as relayed by Brian Bax) [00:53]
Implications: The BCA will continue its own investigation into both the Preddy case and the shooting of Renee Macklin Good earlier in January.

2. Geneva Peace Talks: Russia, Ukraine, and U.S. (01:17–02:11)

Upcoming Talks: Russia, Ukraine, and U.S. representatives (including White House envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner) meet in Geneva to discuss ending Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Sticking Points:
- Territorial concessions vs. security guarantees.
- Russia demands Ukraine cede land, including areas it doesn’t yet control.
- Ukraine remains skeptical:
  - “Why should we give what Russia has been unable to take in four years?” — Charles Maynes quoting the Ukrainian stance [01:46]
- Ukraine also seeks “ironclad security guarantees” from the West, wary of further attacks.
Pressure on Ukraine:
- President Zelensky feels U.S. pressure to sign a deal, as revealed in a speech in Munich.
Notable Quote:
- “These are assurances that Russia won’t simply attack again.” — Charles Maynes [01:56]

3. U.S. and Iran Set for Indirect Talks on Nuclear Program (02:11–02:21)

Diplomacy: U.S. and Iran to hold indirect nuclear negotiations in Geneva, coinciding with the peace talks.

4. U.S. Women’s Ice Hockey Advances to Olympic Gold Medal Game (02:21–03:10)

Result: U.S. Women's Hockey beats Sweden 5–0 in Olympic semifinals.
Game Highlights:
- Early lead and dominant second period (four goals in nine minutes).
- Team has reached every Olympic final except one since 1998.
Quote:
- “The U.S. jumped out to a 1-nothing lead in the first period, then blew the game wide open in the second.” — Steve Futterman [02:42]
Next Up: Waiting to learn Thursday's opponent for the final.

5. Major Terrorism Trial Opens in Sydney, Australia (03:10–03:56)

Case Details: Navid Akram, accused of killing 15 at a Jewish festival in 2025, appears in court for the first time (59 total charges).
Additional Facts: Second gunman (his father) was killed by police.

6. China’s Spring Migration for Lunar New Year (03:56–04:32)

Scale of Travel: 3.5 billion trips estimated in the "Chunyun" period.
Context: The migration reflects both urbanization and the enduring pull of family reunification.
Quote:
- “This torrent of travelers…has come to represent China’s rapid urbanization and the hard work of people who work far from home.” — Emily Feng [04:23]
Atmosphere: Videos show crowded train stations and airports, illustrating the celebratory chaos.

7. Passing of Actor Robert Duvall (04:32–04:55)

Details: Robert Duvall dies peacefully at home at age 95, as confirmed by his wife.
Legacy: Renowned for roles in "The Godfather," "Apocalypse Now," "The Great Santini," and as Boo Radley in "To Kill a Mockingbird."
Quote:
- “Robert Duvall was 95.” — Nora Ramm [04:50]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“Concerning and unprecedented.” — Drew Evans on FBI withholding evidence [00:53]
“Why should we give what Russia has been unable to take in four years?” — Ukrainian negotiating stance via Charles Maynes [01:46]
“The U.S. jumped out to a 1-nothing lead in the first period, then blew the game wide open in the second.” — Steve Futterman on U.S. Women’s Hockey [02:42]
“This torrent of travelers…has come to represent China’s rapid urbanization and the hard work of people who work far from home.” — Emily Feng [04:23]
“Robert Duvall was 95.” — Nora Ramm [04:50]

Timestamps for Important Segments

Minnesota Police Shooting/FBI Withholding Evidence: 00:16–01:17
Ukraine-Russia-US Geneva Talks: 01:17–02:11
US-Iran Nuclear Talks: 02:11–02:21
U.S. Women’s Ice Hockey Olympic Win: 02:21–03:10
Sydney Terrorism Trial: 03:10–03:56
China’s Lunar New Year Migration: 03:56–04:32
Robert Duvall Obituary: 04:32–04:55

Summary

This edition of NPR News Now delivers concise but thorough updates on pressing international, national, and cultural stories, with clear journalistic insight and memorable quotes, making it a vital five-minute snapshot for informed listeners.

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Transcript11 lines

[00:01]
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[00:16]
Nora Ramm
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Nora Ramm. Minnesota criminal investigators have again been denied access to evidence and information collected by federal authorities after the fatal shooting of Alex Preddy. Minnesota Public Radio's Brian Bax reports the state officials received a formal notice from the FBI.
[00:37]
Brian Bax
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension had been shut out from the outset, but the BCA continued to seek access to evidence. Superintendent Drew Evans says the FBI gave word last week that no materials would be turned over. Preddy, an ICU nurse would was killed by Border Patrol agents. Minneapolis, on January 24th. At least two officers fired multiple shots. The BCA's Evans calls the lack of cooperation, quote, concerning and unprecedented. He says state authorities will continue their own investigation into the Preddy case, as well as the fatal shooting of a second citizen. Renee Macklin good earlier in January. For NPR News, I'm Brian Baxd in St. Paul.
[01:18]
Nora Ramm
Another round of talks on ending Russia's war in Ukraine opens tomorrow in Geneva. Representatives from Russia, Ukraine and the US Will take part. White House envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Trump's son in law, will represent the U.S. nPR's Charles Maynes reports from Moscow. There is much to discuss.
[01:38]
Charles Maynes
U.S. efforts have really bogged down on the issue of territorial concessions versus security agreements. Russia is demanding Ukraine cede territory, including parts claimed but not occupied by Russian forces. Ukraine maybe understandably argues, why should we give what Russia has been unable to take in four years, or if they're somehow to agree to that, and then certainly they want to see ironclad security guarantees from the west and from the US in particular. These are assurances that Russia won't simply attack again. But speaking in Munich over the weekend, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made it clear he's under pressure from the White House to sign onto a deal.
[02:12]
Nora Ramm
NPR's Charles Mainz reporting from Moscow. Also in Geneva, tomorrow the US And Iran will hold indirect talks on Iran's nuclear program at the Winter Olympics. The US Women's ice hockey team has advanced to the gold medal match with a 50 win over Sweden. Now they wait to see who they will play in Thursday's final. Steve Futterman reports from Milan.
[02:35]
Steve Futterman
It is a very familiar spot for the Americans since women's ice hockey became an Olympic Sport in 1998 the US has failed to make the gold medal game only once. This semifinal match here against Sweden to turned out to be no contest. The US jumped out to a 1 nothing lead in the first period, then blew the game wide open in the second, scoring four times, the four goals coming within a nine minute span. The US Women came here to Milan as the favorites to win the gold medal. They are now one game away from achieving their goal. For NPR News, I'm Steve Futterman in Milan.
[03:11]
Nora Ramm
You're listening to NPR News in Washington. In Sydney, Australia, a man accused of killing 15 people at a Jewish festival last year appeared in court for the first time today. Navid Akram did not enter a plea. He faces 59 charges, including 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act. A second gunman, his father, was killed in a shootout with police. People across Asia are preparing to celebrate the Lunar New Year tomorrow. In China, the holiday means a rush to get home. But with hundreds of millions of people traveling by bus, air and train in what NPR's Emily Fang says is jokingly termed the spring Migration, transportation authorities said.
[03:57]
Emily Feng
Travelers made about 3.5 billion trips during this year's Chunyun, or spring migration, many made by people leaving cities to see parents in the countryside or to reunite with their partners after months of working apart. Travelers posted videos of crowded train stations and airports, which have boosted the number of trips trips to accommodate the rush of people. This torrent of travelers in the two week run up to the Lunar New Year has come to represent China's rapid urbanization and the hard work of people who work far from home. Emily Feng, NPR News.
[04:33]
Nora Ramm
Actor Robert Duvall has died. His wife posted on social media that he died peacefully at home yesterday. Duvall starred in the Godfather, Apocalypse now and the Great Santini. He he played the silent Boo radley in the 1962 classic To Kill a Mockingbird. Robert Duvall was 95. I'm Nora Ramm, NPR News, in Washington.
[04:55]
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