NPR News Now - 02-20-2026 7PM EST

Host: Ryland Barton (NPR News)
Date: February 21, 2026
Episode Theme:
A concise update on major U.S. and world news, featuring new executive tariff orders from President Trump following a Supreme Court decision, significant international Olympic results, a major ransomware attack on a U.S. medical institution, progress on NASA’s upcoming moon mission, and a milestone in Barcelona’s iconic Sagrada Familia construction.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump Signs New Global Tariff Executive Order

[00:15–01:25]

• Summary: President Trump has enacted an executive order imposing a 10% global tariff on all countries, effective immediately. This comes after the Supreme Court struck down his earlier broad tariff use, citing constitutional limits. The new tariff will still require congressional approval after 150 days.
• Impact on Importers:
  • Victor Schwartz, founder of Vos Selections (NY-based wine importer), discussed challenges for small businesses.
  • Quote:

    “Finding the money to pay the tariffs put a big hole in our cash flow. When you have to come up with that kind of money, you know, for us, it's like in the six figure range. Where's that money going to come from?... It's been an existential threat.”
    —Victor Schwartz [00:47]

• Legal Context:
  • Supreme Court’s decision limits presidential tariff authority, affecting countries like Mexico and Cuba.

2. International Implications—Mexico & Cuba

[01:25–02:09]

• Mexico:
  • President Trump tried to use national emergency powers to impose 25% tariffs for alleged drug trafficking, but these were ruled unconstitutional.
  • Most Mexican exports (approx. 80%) to the U.S. remain untaxed due to earlier exemptions.
• Cuba:
  • Trump's order threatened tariffs on Mexico for exporting oil to Cuba, relying on emergency powers now restricted by the court.
  • Quote:

    “Where the Supreme Court decision might have a big effect is on an executive order Trump issued on Cuba. ... That executive order relied on the International Emergency Economic Powers act, which the Supreme Court has now said he cannot use to impose tariffs.”
    —Eder Peralta [01:47]

3. Winter Olympics: U.S. vs. Canada Gold Medal Hockey Final

[02:09–02:59]

• Men’s Hockey:
  • U.S. defeated Slovakia 6–2 in the semifinals; Canada narrowly beat Finland 3–2, coming from behind.
  • Final showdown set for Sunday between the U.S. and Canada—a repeat of the dramatic 2010 Vancouver final.
• Highlight Moment:
  • Quote:

    “The Canadians finally tied the game midway through the third period, then won the game with 35.2 seconds left on a goal by Nathan McKinnon.”
    —Steve Futterman [02:28]

• Historical Context:
  • Last U.S.-Canada men’s gold medal match at the Olympics was 2010, with Canada winning in overtime.

4. Norway Breaks Olympic Gold Medal Record

[02:59–03:10]

• Norway has clinched its 17th gold medal at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, surpassing its previous single-Games record (16 in 2022).
• Notable: No direct quotes, but this reasserts Norway’s winter sports dominance.

5. University of Mississippi Medical Center Ransomware Attack

[03:10–03:54]

• Ransomware attack has forced closures and cancellations at the Medical Center, with officials warning of prolonged disruption as investigations continue.
• Security & Privacy: Investigators are probing for compromised patient information.
• No direct quotes in this segment.

6. NASA Prepares for Crewed Moon Mission

[03:54–04:33]

• Mission Status:
  • NASA eyeing a March 6th launch to send four astronauts around the moon. A successful test fueling of the 322-foot rocket followed earlier technical hiccups.
• Quote:

  • “This is really getting real and it's time to get serious and start getting excited.”
    —Lori Glaze, NASA Mission Directorate Lead [04:11]

• Astronaut crew begins two-week quarantine; managers to meet for an all-encompassing readiness review.

7. Sagrada Familia Reaches Maximum Height

[04:33–04:56]

• Barcelona’s iconic church, under construction since 1882, reaches its architectural apex with a cross installed on the central tower.
• Cranes and scaffolding remain; aim to remove the tower scaffolding by June.
• Historical Note: The original architect, Antoni Gaudi, died in 1926.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Victor Schwartz (Wine Importer):
  “Finding the money to pay the tariffs put a big hole in our cash flow... It's been an existential threat.” [00:47]
• Eder Peralta (on Mexico & Cuba):
  “Where the Supreme Court decision might have a big effect is on an executive order Trump issued on Cuba...” [01:47]
• Steve Futterman (Olympics Hockey Semifinal):
  “The Canadians finally tied the game midway through the third period, then won the game with 35.2 seconds left on a goal by Nathan McKinnon.” [02:28]
• Lori Glaze (NASA):
  “This is really getting real and it's time to get serious and start getting excited.” [04:11]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Tariff News & Supreme Court Impact: 00:15–01:25
• International Reaction (Mexico & Cuba): 01:25–02:09
• Winter Olympics Men’s Hockey: 02:09–02:59
• Norway’s Record Gold Medal: 02:59–03:10
• UMMC Ransomware Attack: 03:10–03:54
• NASA Moon Mission Update: 03:54–04:33
• Sagrada Familia Reaches Full Height: 04:33–04:56

This episode delivers succinct, high-impact updates on politics, international affairs, sports, science, and culture, maintaining NPR’s signature neutral and informative tone. Listeners get a snapshot of the day’s most pressing and inspiring stories in just five minutes.