NPR News Now: February 2, 2026, 6PM EST — Episode Summary

Overview

This NPR News Now episode delivers a concise, five-minute roundup of top stories in national and international news. Critical topics include the ongoing US government shutdown, the fallout from new Jeffrey Epstein files, US policy shifts on rare earth elements, updates on a tragic Congolese mine disaster, an Olympic qualifying scandal, and a curious Italian art controversy.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. US Government Shutdown and Funding Standoff

• [00:15–01:21]

  • The US government remains partially shut down. President Trump urges House Republicans to back a compromise funding package from the Senate.
  • The shutdown stems from disagreement over changes made after the death of Alex Preddy in a federal agent shooting. While some agencies would reopen, DHS funding is only set for two weeks pending further negotiations on immigration enforcement reforms.
  • The political compromise is polarizing:
    • Some Democrats consider it insufficient.
    • Some Republicans think it concedes too much.
  • As a result, workers at agencies like Defense, Transportation, and Health and Human Services face furloughs or must work unpaid.

  Notable Quote:

  "It's not clear the House has enough bipartisan votes to approve the plan, with some Democrats saying it falls short and some Republicans saying it goes too far."
  — Claudia Grisales, [01:05]

2. Release of Jeffrey Epstein Files

• [01:21–02:03]

  • Over 3 million files related to Jeffrey Epstein have been released, spotlighting his connections in politics, academia, and entertainment.
  • Noteworthy revelations include:
    • Private meetings with the founder of the 4chan Image Board.
    • Financial advice exchanges with Deepak Chopra.
    • Social invites to prominent figures even after Epstein’s 2008 sex crime conviction.
  • NPR underscores that mentioning individuals in the documents does not imply guilt or affiliation in Epstein's crimes.

  Notable Quote:

  "Conversing with Epstein and being in the files do not imply any wrongdoing or affiliation with those crimes."
  — Stephen Fowler, [01:51]

3. Rare Earth Stockpile and China Policy

• [02:03–02:20]

  • President Trump announces a nearly $12 billion US stockpile of rare earth elements, positioning it as a strategic move to reduce US dependency on China.
  • Context: China controls a dominant share of rare earth mining (70%) and processing (90%), which are vital for electronics and defense.

  Notable Quote:

  "We're now creating this reserve for American industry so we don't have any problems."
  — President Trump, [02:11]

4. Closure of the Kennedy Center and India Tariffs

• [02:20–02:51]
  • President Trump proposes a two-year closure of the Kennedy Center, following artist boycotts after leadership changes and renaming. This is contingent on board approval.
  • Tariffs on Indian imports will be reduced from 25% to 18% after Indian PM Narendra Modi agrees to cease Russian oil purchases. This is part of US efforts to pressure Russia amid its invasion of Ukraine.

5. Congo Mine Disaster

• [02:51–03:27]
  • A landslide at an eastern Congo mine, under M23 rebel control since 2024, kills at least 200.
  • Both rebels and the Congolese government blame each other. The region was already suffering from displacement crises.

6. Olympic Sledding Scandal: Katie Ulander

• [03:27–04:33]

  • US Olympic hopeful Katie Ulander is denied a spot at the Milan Cortina Winter Games after an appeal.
  • Ulander alleges a Canadian coach manipulated the qualifying point system.
  • The relevant international sports body agrees manipulation occurred, but a Court of Arbitration for Sport review finds it lacks jurisdiction. Ulander remains sidelined.

  Notable Quote:

  "The US Olympic and Paralympic Committee called Ulander's treatment unfair. A major international sled federation also said point manipulation did occur, but Ulander was still sidelined."
  — Brian Mann, [04:12]

7. Italian Church Art Scandal

• [04:33–04:54]
  • A cherub bearing a striking resemblance to Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, discovered in Rome’s Basilica of San Lorenzo, sparks a minor scandal.
  • Both the local diocese and Italian Culture Ministry launch investigations into recent church renovations.

Timestamps for Major Segments

• US shutdown and funding deal: [00:15–01:21]
• Epstein files and new revelations: [01:21–02:03]
• Rare earth elements, US-China relations: [02:03–02:20]
• Kennedy Center closure, Indian tariffs: [02:20–02:51]
• Congo mine disaster: [02:51–03:27]
• US sledder’s Olympic appeal denied: [03:27–04:33]
• Italian church cherub controversy: [04:33–04:54]

Memorable Moments

• Rare bipartisan struggles over budget and immigration reform.
• The breadth of Jeffrey Epstein’s high-profile contacts, with careful framing about implications.
• An extraordinary move to protect US interests in rare earths against Chinese monopolization.
• An Olympic athlete’s dashed dreams amid international intrigue and point manipulation.
• The odd, headline-grabbing story of an Italian PM’s likeness immortalized as a cherub.

This episode captures breaking national and global events with direct reporting and succinct analysis—classic "NPR News Now" style, balancing urgency with context and reliability.