NPR News Now – February 16, 2026, 6AM EST

Host: Windsor Johnston
Duration: 5 minutes

Episode Overview

This quick news update provides a snapshot of key global and national events as of early February 16, 2026. Major stories include Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s diplomatic trip to Europe, the ongoing partial U.S. government shutdown over immigration enforcement, a copyright dispute involving Chinese AI video tech, severe weather incidents across the U.S., a historic Winter Olympics record, and new polling data regarding President Trump’s Greenland policies.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Secretary of State Rubio’s European Diplomacy Tour

[00:15–01:15]

• Summary: Secretary Marco Rubio concludes a European visit aiming to strengthen U.S. alliances, especially with Slovakia and Hungary, both close Trump allies with strong Russian ties.
• Details:
  • Slovakia: Rubio meets Prime Minister Robert Fico to discuss energy and security, building on recent discussions with President Trump.
  • Hungary: Meets PM Viktor Orbán, noted for his anti-immigrant and Christian nationalist stances, which align with some U.S. MAGA movement sentiments.
• Notable Quote:

  “Under President Trump, this administration is going to make not just Slovakia, but Central Europe a key component of how we engage the continent and the world.”
  — Marco Rubio ([00:52])

2. U.S. Government Partial Shutdown Over Immigration Enforcement

[01:15–02:00]

• Summary: Day three of a partial government shutdown after Congress failed to agree on funding for the Department of Homeland Security. Main sticking points center on new restrictions for ICE operations.
• Details:
  • Democrats push for body cameras, visible IDs, and judicial warrants for ICE agents.
  • Workers at agencies like TSA and FEMA are working unpaid.
• Notable Quote:

  “I think some of the asks are just, I think they’re unreasonable because there is no racial profiling…The masks right now are for officer safety reasons.”
  — Tom Homan, U.S. Border Czar ([01:42])

3. ByteDance Faces Copyright Pressure Over AI Video Generator

[02:00–03:11]

• Summary: ByteDance, Chinese tech company, under fire from major U.S. studios (including Disney) over alleged unlicensed use of intellectual property in their AI video tool, Sea Dance 2.0.
• Details:
  • Viral videos featuring celebrities and copyrighted characters sparked backlash.
  • The Motion Picture Association accuses ByteDance of “disregarding copyright law.”
  • ByteDance promises to strengthen safeguards, but provides few specifics.
• Notable Quote: (Summary from report, no direct quote)

4. Severe Weather Strikes Southeast and California Braces for Storms

[03:11–03:51]

• Summary:
  • Tornado watches and damage reported in parts of the Southeast, especially around Lake Charles, Louisiana.
  • Northern California prepares for a major storm (thunderstorms, high winds, heavy mountain snow).
• Notable Quote: None provided.

5. Winter Olympics: Johannes Høsflot Klæbo Becomes Most Decorated Gold Medalist

[03:51–04:19]

• Summary: Norwegian skier Johannes Høsflot Klæbo wins his ninth Olympic gold, breaking the Winter Games record, after contributing to his country’s relay win in Milan.
• Details:
  • Previous golds: 3 (2018), 2 (2022), 4 (2026).
  • Still two more events left for Klæbo at these Games.
  • Overall Olympic gold record (all sports): 23, held by swimmer Michael Phelps.
• Notable Quote:

  "It feels amazing. I'm really proud of what I've achieved and it's also special to do this together with the team."
  — Johannes Høsflot Klæbo ([04:12])

6. Poll: Americans Disapprove of Trump’s Handling of Greenland

[04:33–04:55]

• Summary: New AP/NORC poll finds roughly 70% disapprove of President Trump’s approach to Greenland—higher even than his overall foreign policy disapproval. Only 24% approve.
• Notable Data:
  • 7 in 10 Americans disapprove of Trump’s Greenland policy.
  • Disapproval on Greenland is higher than for other foreign policies.

Notable Quotes

• Marco Rubio ([00:52]):
  “Under President Trump, this administration is going to make not just Slovakia, but Central Europe a key component of how we engage the continent and the world.”

• Tom Homan ([01:42]):
  “I think some of the asks are just, I think they’re unreasonable because there is no racial profiling…The masks right now are for officer safety reasons.”

• Johannes Høsflot Klæbo ([04:12]):
  "It feels amazing. I'm really proud of what I've achieved and it's also special to do this together with the team."

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Rubio’s Europe Trip: 00:15–01:15
• Government Shutdown & Immigration: 01:15–02:00
• ByteDance AI Copyright Controversy: 02:00–03:11
• Southeast Tornado Damage & California Storm Prep: 03:11–03:51
• Winter Olympics Record: 03:51–04:19
• Greenland Polling: 04:33–04:55

Tone

The NPR team maintains its usual neutral, concise, and slightly formal tone, delivering quick, fact-based snapshots with soundbites from newsmakers and on-the-ground correspondents.

For more news and updates, visit npr.org.