Simple loops on 2-bridge spheres in 2-bridge link complements

The purpose of this note is to announce complete answers to the following questions. (1) For an essential simple loop on a 2-bridge sphere in a 2-bridge link complement, when is it null-homotopic in the link complement? (2) For two distinct essential simple loops on a 2-bridge sphere in a 2-bridge link complement, when are they homotopic in the link complement? We also announce applications of these results to character varieties and McShane's identity.