NPR News Now – 7AM EST, February 16, 2026

Host: Windsor Johnston
Location: NPR News, Washington

Episode Overview

This five-minute NPR News Now segment provides concise updates on major stories worldwide as of the morning of February 16, 2026. Stories include the UN's explosive cleanup efforts in Gaza, Virginia's congressional map redraw efforts, the Colin Gray school shooting case in Georgia, a mass shooting court case in Sydney, China’s expanded tourist visa policy, and a brief market update.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. UN Delays Major Explosive Cleanup in Gaza

• [00:14-01:11]
• The United Nations Mine Action Service is only clearing explosive ordnance for humanitarian use, avoiding broader removal in civilian areas.
  • They’re cautious not to be seen as taking weapons from Hamas before a formal demilitarization agreement.
• US Involvement: The US is working on plans to disarm Hamas, but questions remain about whether Hamas will retain small arms temporarily.
• Israeli Stance: Prime Minister Netanyahu insists Hamas must surrender its assault rifles and estimates "70% of Hamas's tunnels in Gaza are still intact."
  • Quote:
    “Hamas would need to give up its assault rifles... 70% of Hamas’s tunnels in Gaza are still intact.”
    — Daniel Estrin reporting (01:05)

2. Virginia Ballot Measure to Redraw Congressional Maps

• [01:11-02:13]
• Democrats aim to counter GOP gerrymandering by supporting a ballot measure allowing the party to redraw Virginia's congressional map, possibly gaining four seats.
  • The effort is in response to President Trump’s push for Republican-favoring maps nationwide.
• Legal Update: Virginia's Supreme Court cleared the way for the measure. Special election scheduled for April.
• Democratic Commitment:
  • Quote:
    “We will spend tens of millions of dollars to make sure that the Republicans do not successfully manipulate voters in Virginia and that voters have all of the information necessary to make a decision.”
    — Hakeem Jeffries (01:47)
• Comparison given to GOP-led map redrawing in Texas, North Carolina, and Missouri in 2025.

3. Georgia School Shooting Prosecution: The Colin Gray Trial

• [02:13-02:51]
• Case Details: Colin Gray faces trial, accused of giving his 14-year-old son a semi-automatic rifle for Christmas, which the son used to kill two students and two teachers near Atlanta in 2024.
• Broader Context: This case signals a shift in legal accountability for gun owners in school shooting cases.
  • Quote:
    “Colin Gray is being accused of child cruelty by providing a weapon with reckless disregard of the danger that that might pose to other children and by committing that child cruelty to other children which resulted in the death of those other children.”
    — Timothy Litton, Georgia State University (02:34)
• Gray is charged with second-degree murder; prosecutors cite warnings about the child's risk.

4. Sydney Mass Shooting Suspect's Court Appearance

• [02:51-03:56]
• The man accused of killing 15 during a Jewish festival at Bondi Beach faced his first court date.
• Legal Status:
  • Suspect hasn't entered pleas yet.
  • Charges include murder and terrorist acts.
• Privacy: Gag order remains, protecting the identity of victims and survivors.

5. China Expands Visa-Free Travel for Tourists

• [03:56-04:43]
• China expands its 30-day visa-free entry to Canadians and Brits to boost tourism.
  • Follows high-level meetings with leaders from both countries.
• Global Context: Many countries have received this privilege, but the US has not; US-China tourism remains heavily reduced post-pandemic.
• Academic Exchanges: US student numbers studying in China plummeted from 11,000 (pre-pandemic) to a few hundred.
  • Quote:
    “Weeks after China’s leader Xi Jinping met with the prime ministers from Canada and the United Kingdom, Beijing is welcoming tourists from those two countries to stay for up to 30 days without a visa.”
    — Emily Feng (03:56)

6. Markets and Holidays

• [04:43-04:54]
• Asian markets closed mixed; Tokyo and Shanghai down, Hong Kong up.
• Wall Street closed for President’s Day; NYSE trading resumes Tuesday.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Israeli PM on Hamas’s Arsenal:
  “70% of Hamas’s tunnels in Gaza are still intact.”
  (Daniel Estrin reporting, 01:08)

• On Virginia Redistricting:
  “We will spend tens of millions of dollars to make sure that the Republicans do not successfully manipulate voters in Virginia...”
  — Hakeem Jeffries, House Minority Leader, (01:47)

• Legal Expert on School Shooting Liability:
  “Colin Gray is being accused of child cruelty by providing a weapon with reckless disregard of the danger that that might pose..."
  — Timothy Litton, Georgia State University (02:34)

• China’s Visa-Free Expansion:
  “Weeks after China’s leader Xi Jinping met with the prime ministers from Canada and the United Kingdom, Beijing is welcoming tourists from those two countries to stay for up to 30 days without a visa.”
  — Emily Feng (03:56)

Timestamps of Major Segments

• UN and Gaza Explosives Cleanup: 00:14–01:11
• Virginia Ballot Measure/Redistricting: 01:11–02:13
• Colin Gray School Shooting Trial: 02:13–02:51
• Sydney Mass Shooting Court Case: 02:51–03:56
• China’s Visa-Free Policy & Tourism: 03:56–04:43
• Markets & Holidays: 04:43–04:54

This NPR News Now episode delivers brief but on-point updates about global security, US electoral politics, gun law accountability, international crime, travel policy, and economic news, maintaining a neutral and fact-focused tone throughout.