NPR News Now — 02-21-2026, 9PM EST

Main Theme:
This brief episode provides an updated snapshot of major national and international news, highlighting urgent stories in U.S. politics, international trade, media policy, weather alerts, military actions, and a much-anticipated Olympic hockey showdown.

Key News Stories & Insights

1. President Trump Raises Global Tariffs Again

[00:15]

• President Trump has announced a new increase in global tariffs, raising them from 10% (announced yesterday) to 15%.
• He is employing a different executive authority following the Supreme Court's recent decision striking down most of his previous measures; this authority only lasts 150 days before requiring congressional approval.
• International Response:
  • Eleanor Beardsley reports that European leaders are "whipsawed" by these sudden escalations.
  • The EU may delay the ratification of a previously negotiated trade deal and has already drafted a list of $93 billion in U.S. goods to target for retaliatory tariffs.
  • There’s mention of a potential "trade bazooka," a mechanism that could significantly restrict American companies' access to the EU’s lucrative market of 450 million consumers.

“The US and the EU negotiated a trade deal last summer, but it's actually not been ratified by the European Parliament and they could hold that back and there are now calls for them to do so.”
— Eleanor Beardsley, [00:44]

2. FCC Pushes for Patriotic Programming

[01:15]

• The FCC launches the "President's Pledge America" campaign, encouraging broadcasters to feature more “patriotic, pro-America content” to mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
• Chloe Veltman reports this is framed as a solution to the “decline in civics education.”
• FCC Chairman Brendan Carr cited Schoolhouse Rock! as an exemplar and suggests programming such as:
  • Playing the Star-Spangled Banner or Pledge of Allegiance daily
  • Spotlighting music by John Philip Sousa and Duke Ellington

“Carr's suggestions also include starting each day with the Star Spangled Banner or Pledge of Allegiance and airing works by such US Composers as John Philip Souza and Duke Ellington.”
— Chloe Veltman, [02:12]

3. Major Winter Storm Threatens East Coast

[02:24]

• The National Weather Service issues blizzard warnings from Long Island through New York City and southern Connecticut, effective from Sunday morning through Monday afternoon.
• Selena Simmons Duffin details anticipated “heavy wet snow,” severe winds, hazardous travel, and heightened risk of power outages and coastal flooding.
• Residents are advised to:
  • Prepare three days' worth of non-perishable supplies and medicine
  • Charge electronic devices
  • Gather warm clothing, blankets, and first aid kits

“The winter storm...will bring heavy wet snow that's expected to come down quickly for many hours, creating hazardous travel conditions. High winds are also expected, which increase the risk of power outages and coastal flooding.”
— Selena Simmons Duffin, [02:32]

4. U.S. Military Targets Drug Trafficking Vessel

[03:13]

• U.S. Southern Command confirms another airstrike, reportedly killing three people on a vessel accused of narcotrafficking in the eastern Pacific.
• The incident marks the 43rd such strike since September, with a death toll now at 148.
• No further commentary or details are provided.

5. Olympic Gold Medal Men’s Ice Hockey Preview: U.S. vs. Canada

[04:09]

• Anticipation is high for the U.S.-Canada men’s hockey gold medal game, highlighted as “the most watched hockey game in years.”
• Pros are allowed to participate for the first time in over a decade, stacking both teams with NHL stars.
  • Canada: Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Macklin Celebrini
  • U.S.: Five NHL team captains, Auston Matthews, goalie Connor Hellebuyck
• Becky Sullivan recalls the rivalry: last year’s split in the NHL “Four Nations Face-Off,” with McDavid’s OT goal clinching the final for Canada.
• Historical context: Canada leads with 9 Olympic men’s hockey golds; the U.S. has 2, the last being the celebrated 1980 “Miracle on Ice.”

“Last year in the NHL, four nations face off. The Americans took the first game 3 to 1, but the Canadians won the final 3, 2 on an overtime goal by McDavid that's left the Americans hungry for revenge.”
— Becky Sullivan, [04:33]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Eleanor Beardsley [00:44]:
  “They've already identified $93 billion worth of US goods that they could slap tariffs on. And there's something else they could use...the trade bazooka...could enact huge restrictions on US companies having access to the EU market.”
• Chloe Veltman [02:12]:
  “Carr's suggestions also include starting each day with the Star Spangled Banner or Pledge of Allegiance and airing works by such US Composers as John Philip Souza and Duke Ellington.”
• Selena Simmons Duffin [02:32]:
  “The winter storm...will bring heavy wet snow that's expected to come down quickly for many hours, creating hazardous travel conditions.”
• Becky Sullivan [04:33]:
  “Canada has won nine Olympic men's hockey gold medals all time. The U.S. only has two, the last, of course, in 1980 with the Miracle on ice.”

Quick Reference: Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:15] — Trump global tariffs escalate; international response
• [01:15] — FCC launches patriotic program push
• [02:24] — Major East Coast blizzard warning
• [03:13] — Pentagon strikes suspected drug vessel
• [04:09] — U.S. vs Canada Olympic men’s hockey gold medal preview

Overall Tone: Concise, urgent, covering a breadth of issues with brief expert analysis and context for developing stories.