Summary4 min read

NPR News Now — February 19, 2026, 5PM EST

Brief Overview

This NPR News Now episode delivers the latest headlines from national and international news, including the arrest of former Prince Andrew, Team USA’s gold in women’s ice hockey, economic updates on the U.S. trade deficit, a notable automotive recall from Nissan, developments at the White House, and NASA’s critique of the Starliner mission. In just five minutes, listeners receive a snapshot of major stories, summarized for quick consumption.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Former Prince Andrew Arrested and Released in UK-Epstein Probe

[00:16–01:18]
Former Prince Andrew was arrested in eastern England on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Investigation centers on whether he passed sensitive government information to Jeffrey Epstein.
Police released him from custody, but he remains under investigation.
UK authorities are reviewing Andrew’s correspondence with Epstein, after new documents emerged from the U.S. Justice Department.
Andrew previously settled a lawsuit with one of Epstein’s victims but continues to deny wrongdoing.
Notable insight: The misconduct charge carries a possible life sentence; details are still emerging.

“Photos show a distressed looking Andrew hunched in the backseat of a car being driven away from the station.”
— Lauren Frere, NPR News, London [00:38]

2. U.S. Women’s Hockey Team Wins Olympic Gold

[01:18–02:06]
Team USA triumphed over Canada in a dramatic overtime finish, winning 2–1 at the Winter Olympics in Italy.
The U.S. scored the game-tying goal with just over two minutes left, forcing overtime and eventually clinching the gold medal.
Despite being outplayed, the Americans’ strategic decision to pull their goalie paid off. Canada earns silver for the third time.

"Canada held the high scoring US offense scoreless until 2 minutes, 4 seconds were left in the game. … And in overtime, the U.S. wins."
— Steve Futterman, NPR News, Milan [01:30]

"The US Rules Olympic women's ice hockey."
— Steve Futterman, [01:52]

3. U.S. Trade Deficit and Economic Snapshot

[02:06–02:58]
The U.S. trade gap widened sharply in December 2025, surpassing $70 billion, despite President Trump’s heightened tariffs.
The 2025 overall deficit was just over $900 billion, a negligible decrease from the previous year (only 0.2%).
New unemployment benefit claims dipped, signaling hiring is slow but layoffs are also minimal.
Walmart’s strong quarterly results reflect cautious consumer spending, even among upscale shoppers.

“For all of 2025, the trade deficit was just over $900 billion. That’s down from the previous year, but only by about 2/10 of 1%.”
— Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington [02:19]

4. Market and Policy Briefs

[02:58–03:49]
Wall Street closed down across major indexes: Dow (-267), NASDAQ (-70), S&P 500 (-19).
President Trump’s appointees on the federal Commission of Fine Arts approved plans for a large ballroom on the former White House East Wing site. The National Trust for Historic Preservation is suing to block construction.

5. Major Nissan Recall

[03:49–04:31]
Nissan announced a recall of nearly 645,000 Rogue SUVs due to two separate engine defects:
- Loss of drive power and broken throttle gears.
- Engine bearing failures that may cause hot oil discharge and fire risk.
The recall affects nearly all U.S. Rogues manufactured in recent years.
Dealers will update software and replace components as necessary.

“The Rogue is built at Nissan's flagship American factory outside Nashville... This recall affects virtually all Rogues made and sold in the United States in the last few years.”
— Blake Farmer, NPR News, Nashville [04:11–04:25]

6. NASA Criticizes Boeing over Starliner Mission

[04:31–04:55]
NASA’s administrator issued strong criticism of Boeing and agency leadership after Starliner left two astronauts aboard the ISS for nearly nine months.
A newly released 300-page report details serious technical and oversight failures tied to the spacecraft’s first crewed flight in 2024.

“NASA released a 300 page report detailing technical and oversight failures tied to Starliner's first crewed flight in 2024.”
— NPR News, Washington [04:48]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“Photos show a distressed looking Andrew hunched in the backseat of a car…”
— Lauren Frere [00:38]
“Canada held the high scoring US offense scoreless until 2 minutes, 4 seconds were left in the game. … And in overtime, the U.S. wins.”
— Steve Futterman [01:30]
“The US Rules Olympic women's ice hockey.”
— Steve Futterman [01:52]
"For all of 2025, the trade deficit was just over $900 billion. That's down from the previous year, but only by about 2/10 of 1%."
— Scott Horsley [02:19]
“This recall affects virtually all Rogues made and sold in the United States in the last few years.”
— Blake Farmer [04:25]
"NASA released a 300 page report detailing technical and oversight failures tied to Starliner's first crewed flight in 2024.”
— NPR News [04:48]

Timestamps for Important Segments

00:16–01:18: Prince Andrew arrested/released in Epstein information leak probe
01:18–02:06: U.S. women's hockey team wins Olympic gold
02:06–02:58: Economic news: Trade deficit, unemployment claims, Walmart, stocks
02:58–03:49: Market close, White House construction plans, Nissan recall begins
03:49–04:31: Details on Nissan Rogue recall
04:31–04:55: NASA critiques Boeing over Starliner mission report

This concise, punchy news episode provides listeners with the essentials on major breaking stories, ranging from royal scandals and Olympic triumphs to economic and safety updates, true to the NPR News Now format.

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Transcript11 lines

[00:01]
A
This message comes from Carvana, who makes buying and financing your next car easy. Thousands of vehicles, terms up front and 100% online. Even get it delivered to your door. Buy your car the easy way with Carvana. Delivery fee may apply.
[00:16]
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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. The former Prince Andrew has left a police station in eastern England after spending the day in custody. He was arrested this morning in an investigation into whether he passed sensitive government information to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. NPR's Lauren Frere reports from London.
[00:38]
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Photos show a distressed looking Andrew hunched in the backseat of a car being driven away from the station. Police say he was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, which carries up to life in prison. Police confirmed his release but say he's still under investigation. Andrew settled a past lawsuit with one of Epstein's underage victims, but denies any wrongdoing. Now police are sorting through Andrew's correspondence with the disgraced financier, part of which was in the latest files released by the U.S. justice Department. They're probing whether Andrew abused his role as a UK Trade envoy by passing confidential information to Epstein. Lauren Fryer, NPR News, London.
[01:18]
B
The U.S. women's hockey team has won the gold at the Winter Olympics in Italy. Steve Fetterman reports. Team USA came from behind to beat its arch rival Canada, 2:1 in overtime.
[01:31]
D
It was a game full of drama and emotion. Canada held the high scoring US offense scoreless until 2 minutes, 4 seconds were left in the game. The US desperate, pulled its goaltender. The Americans had an extra attacker on the ice, and that's when the US Scored the tying goal. That forced the game into overtime. And in overtime, the U.S. wins. Canada may have outplayed the U.S. overall in this game, but but the U.S. ends up with the gold medal. Canada ends up with silver for the third time. The US Rules Olympic women's ice hockey. For NPR News, I'm Steve Futterman in Milan.
[02:07]
B
The U.S. trade deficit jumped more than expected in December. NPR's Scott Horsley reports. For all of last year, the trade gap barely budged despite President Trump's much higher tariffs.
[02:19]
E
The US trade gap widened sharply in December, topping $70 billion. Exports were down during the month, while imports were up. For all of 2025, the trade deficit was just over $900 billion. That's down from the previous year, but only by about 2/10 of 1%. New applications for unemployment benefits dipped last week as 206,000 people applied for aid. The modest numbers suggest that while US Employers are not adding a lot of jobs. They're not laying a lot of people off, either. Walmart reported another strong quarter of sales and profits as even upscale shoppers go looking for discounts. The retail giant issued a cautious forecast, though, about what's ahead. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.
[02:59]
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Stocks traded lower today on Wall Street. The Dow Jones industrial Average was down 267 points at the close. The NASDAQ composite down 70 points. The S&P 500 fell 19. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. A federal panel of President Trump's appointees has approved plans to build a large ballroom on the site of the former White House East Wing. The US Commission of Fine Arts signed off on the design. The project would replace the East Wing, which demolished. The National Trust for Historic Preservation has filed a lawsuit in federal court to block construction. Nissan is recalling nearly 645,000 vehicles over safety issues. Blake Farmer of member station WPLN reports. It's one of the automaker's largest recalls in years.
[03:49]
F
For months, Nissan's been fielding complaints and warranty claims about engine issues with its best selling model. The fuel efficient Rogue SUV uses a tiny but turbocharged three cylinder engine. And out comes this recall. They're potentially two separate. Roughly half of the recalled vehicles, the issue is a loss of drive power and broken throttle gears. The other half may have an issue with engine bearings that can lead to discharging hot oil, adding fire risk to the loss of drive power. Dealers will reprogram software and replace parts if needed. The Rogue is built at Nissan's flagship American factory outside Nashville, not far from its North American corporate headquarters. This recall affects virtually all Rogues made and sold in the United States in the last few years. For NPR News, I'm Blake Farmer in Nashville.
[04:31]
B
The administrator of NASA has sharply criticized Boeing and agency leadership over the troubled Starliner mission that left two astronauts on the International Space Station for nearly nine months. NASA released a 300 page report detailing technical and oversight failures tied to Starliner's first crewed flight in 2024. This is NPR News in Washington.
[04:56]
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