NPR News Now – February 22, 2026, 7PM EST

Host: Jeanine Herbst | Duration: 5 minutes

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a rapid-fire rundown of major global and U.S. news, ranging from escalating U.S.-Iran nuclear talks, international diplomatic moves in Greenland, a dangerous winter storm in the Northeast, a historic Olympic victory in men’s hockey, and the highlights of the British BAFTA awards.

Key Stories and Insights

1. U.S.-Iran Nuclear Talks Escalate

• Oman Announcement: Next round of U.S.–Iran nuclear negotiations to be held this week in Geneva.
• Tension: Talks seek to avert what Iran warns could become a regional war in case of U.S. attack.
• Trump Administration: President Trump pushes for Iranian concessions, bolstering U.S. military presence in the Middle East—the largest in decades.
• Military Strategy Speculation:

  “In the past, Trump has shown that he prefers military actions that you could call one and done—a quick bombing raid on Iran’s nuclear facilities or a quick raid into Venezuela to nab Maduro. We don’t know if he has the stomach for a long, protracted fight. And if he wants to change the regime in Iran, that’s what it would entail.”
  —Mara Liasson (00:49)

2. Greenland Rejects U.S. Hospital Ship

• Backdrop: President Trump announced, via Truth Social, plans to send a U.S. hospital ship to Greenland, citing alleged widespread illness.
• Greenland’s Response:
  • Prime Minister: Jens Friedrich Nielsen, via Facebook, politely declined, emphasizing Greenland’s public health system and free healthcare for all.
  • Diplomatic Tone: Open to dialogue, but dismisses “random outburst” on social media.
• Context: Unclear if the U.S. move was provoked by a recent U.S. servicemember medical evacuation from Greenland’s capital.

  “Nielsen explains in a Facebook post that a fundamental part of society in Greenland is that there is a public health service where treatment is freely available to all citizens.”
  —Terri Schultz (01:27)
  “He suggests a conversation rather than what he termed a more or less random outburst on social media.”
  —Terri Schultz (01:27)

3. Dangerous Winter Storm Threatens Northeast

• Wide Impact: Blizzard warnings along East Coast—especially New York City—remain in effect until Monday afternoon.
• Forecast: 18 inches to 2 feet of snow, with high snowfall rates and low visibility.
• Public Safety:
  • Travel ban in NYC: All bridges, highways, and streets closed from Sunday night through noon Monday.
  • Emergency Declarations: Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts.
• Meteorologist’s Warning:

  “That’s where we’re going to see the major impacts from snowfall with this system. That includes heavy snowfall rates, which is going to reduce visibility and accumulate on roads very quickly.”
  —Cody Snell, National Weather Service (02:31)

• Advice: Officials urge residents to stay inside; potential for power outages.

4. U.S. Men’s Hockey Team Wins Olympic Gold

• Historic Victory: First Olympic gold in men’s hockey in 46 years; edges out Canada 2–1 in overtime.
• Key Moments: Matt Boldy scores early; Connor Hellebuck makes 41 saves; Jack Hughes nets the overtime winner despite a bloody, chipped-tooth injury.

  “It was a tense, thrilling, fast-paced game…. The rest was a white-knuckled, terrifying ride as the Canadians pressed with chance after chance…. Then it was Jack Hughes, his mouth bloodied, his front tooth badly chipped after taking a stick to the face, who scored the game winner…”
  —Becky Sullivan (03:37)

• Significance: 3rd U.S. gold medal in men’s hockey, first since the ‘Miracle on Ice’ in 1980.

5. BAFTA Awards: Political Thrillers and Gothic Horror

• “One Battle After Another”: Sweeps six prizes, including Best Picture.
• Other Winners:
  • “Sinners” and “Frankenstein” win three awards each.
  • Best Director: Paul Thomas Anderson (“One Battle After Another”)
  • Best Actress: Jessie Buckley (“Hamnet”)
  • Best Actor: Robert Aramayo (“I Swear”)
• Quote:

  “The politically charged action thriller One Battle After Another won six prizes including best picture at Britain’s BAFTA Film Awards.”
  —Jeanine Herbst (04:26)

Notable Quotes and Moments

• On U.S.–Iran talks:

  “…if [Trump] wants to change the regime in Iran, that’s what it would entail.”
  —Mara Liasson (00:49)

• Greenland’s diplomatic response:

  “…he suggests a conversation rather than what he termed a more or less random outburst on social media.”
  —Terri Schultz (01:27)

• Winter storm warning:

  “…major impacts from snowfall with this system. That includes heavy snowfall rates, which is going to reduce visibility and accumulate on roads very quickly.”
  —Cody Snell (02:31)

• On Olympic victory and perseverance:

  “…Jack Hughes, his mouth bloodied, his front tooth badly chipped…who scored the game winner…”
  —Becky Sullivan (03:37)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• U.S.–Iran Nuclear Talks: 00:15–01:08
• Greenland Hospital Ship Dispute: 01:08–02:09
• Northeast Blizzard Warning: 02:09–03:03
  • Meteorologist Cody Snell: 02:31
• Olympic Hockey Gold for U.S.: 03:03–04:26
  • Becky Sullivan’s Game Recap: 03:37
• BAFTA Awards Report: 04:26–04:57

This five-minute episode gave listeners essential updates on pressing international relations, natural disasters, historic sports triumphs, and pop culture highlights—packed with direct quotes and crisp reporting in NPR’s signature concise, balanced tone.