NPR News Now: February 3, 2026, 1AM EST

Main Theme

This five-minute NPR News Now episode delivers concise updates on major U.S. and international news—including U.S. government funding negotiations, Trump’s new trade deal with India, developments in Lebanon, a significant business move from SpaceX, and a crime investigation in Arizona.

Key News Segments & Insights

1. Homeland Security Funding Standoff

• Discussion: House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries expresses skepticism about passing a full-year funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) without reforms, particularly concerning immigration enforcement.
• Insight: Tensions center on Democrats demanding changes within DHS, especially after two Americans were shot dead by federal agents.
• Quote:
  • Hakeem Jeffries:
    "ICE and the Department of Homeland Security need to dramatically change. And absent that, then a full year appropriations bill is in deep trouble." (00:32)
• Related Developments:
  • The Senate passed a temporary government funding bill last week, allowing for separate negotiations for DHS appropriations.
  • President Trump urges bipartisan cooperation, while Democrats insist on DHS reforms.

2. Trump Announces New U.S.–India Trade Deal

• Discussion: President Trump claims Indian PM Narendra Modi has agreed to cease purchasing Russian oil, in favor of buying more from the U.S. and possibly Venezuela.
• Insight: The move is positioned as a step to weaken Russia and potentially end the nearly four-year-old war in Ukraine. India will also reportedly remove all tariffs on U.S. goods, while the U.S. will lower tariffs on Indian oil to 18% (down from 25%).
• Financial Details:
  • India allowed to resume Venezuelan oil purchases.
  • U.S. aims to offset lost Russian oil sales with increased American and Venezuelan imports.
• Quote:
  • Deepa Shivaram:
    “Trump claims that this move will help end the war in Ukraine, which is about to reach the end of its fourth year.” (01:17)
• Timestamps:
  • Summary of negotiations (01:17–02:03)

3. Tulsi Gabbard’s Role in Georgia Election Center Search

• Discussion: Tulsi Gabbard explains her presence at an FBI search in Fulton County, Georgia, stating President Trump requested it. She also facilitated a direct phone call between Trump and FBI agents.
• Insight: This is Gabbard’s first full explanation; it’s formally communicated in a letter to Democratic leaders.
• Timestamps:
  • Coverage (02:03–02:17)

4. Israeli Leaflets in Lebanon

• Discussion: The Israeli military is accused of dropping threatening leaflets near a hospital in Bintishbel, southern Lebanon, warning locals to keep away and accusing the hospital of aiding Hezbollah.
• Insight:
  • Hezbollah had halted attacks per a UN-overseen ceasefire, but Israel continues daily cross-border strikes.
  • Civilian casualties are rising: over 330 killed, including at least 127 civilians, per UN figures.
  • Lebanon’s health ministry condemns Israel’s psychological operations targeting the hospital.
• Quote:
  • Jawad Rizkhalla:
    "They depicted Hezbollah members killed by Israel and said the hospital was being used by the militant group... more than 330 people, at least 127 of whom are civilian." (02:34)
• Timestamps:
  • Report from Beirut (02:34–03:12)

5. SpaceX Acquires xAI to Push AI into Space

• Discussion: SpaceX formally acquires Elon Musk’s AI company, xAI, with ambitions to develop space-based AI powered by satellites and solar energy.
• Insight:
  • Ground-based AI infrastructure strains electricity resources; SpaceX positions orbital solutions as sustainable alternatives.
  • Financial angle: SpaceX is profitable ($8B on $15–$16B revenue), while xAI burns about $1B/month and has courted controversy over its chatbot “Grok.”
  • Criticisms of Grok include generating illicit images, spreading conspiracy theories, and antisemitic content.
• Quote:
  • John Ruich:
    "Global electricity demand for AI cannot be met with terrestrial solutions without imposing hardship on communities and the environment. So SpaceX says space based AI is the answer." (03:27)
• Timestamps:
  • Segment (03:12–04:19)

6. Crime Investigation: Disappearance of Savannah Guthrie's Mother

• Discussion: Arizona’s Pima County Sheriff is treating the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, 84, mother of TODAY host Savannah Guthrie, as a crime after disturbing evidence at her Tucson home.
• Insight:
  • Last seen Saturday night, reported missing the next day.
• Timestamps:
  • Coverage (04:19–04:40)

7. Asian Markets Respond to Trade News

• Discussion: The newly announced U.S.–India tariff deal is credited with boosting Asian markets.
• Details:
  • Japan’s Nikkei up 3.9%.
  • Regional stocks rebound in Tuesday trading.
• Timestamps:
  • Markets update (04:40–04:54)

Notable Quotes

• Hakeem Jeffries (Democratic Leader), on DHS funding:
  "ICE and the Department of Homeland Security need to dramatically change. And absent that, then a full year appropriations bill is in deep trouble." (00:32)

• Deepa Shivaram (NPR Correspondent), on the India deal:
  “Trump claims that this move will help end the war in Ukraine, which is about to reach the end of its fourth year.” (01:17)

• Jawad Rizkhalla (from Beirut), on Lebanon:
  "They depicted Hezbollah members killed by Israel and said the hospital was being used by the militant group... more than 330 people, at least 127 of whom are civilian." (02:34)

• John Ruich (NPR), on SpaceX and AI:
  "Global electricity demand for AI cannot be met with terrestrial solutions without imposing hardship on communities and the environment. So SpaceX says space based AI is the answer." (03:27)

Timestamps at a Glance

• 00:14 – DHS funding standoff: Jeffries & government bill negotiations
• 01:17 – Trump/Mo di oil and trade deal (Deepa Shivaram)
• 02:03 – Tulsi Gabbard’s role in Georgia election search
• 02:34 – Israeli military leaflets in Lebanon (Jawad Rizkhalla)
• 03:12 – SpaceX acquires xAI; AI in space (John Ruich)
• 04:19 – Disappearance of Savannah Guthrie’s mother; Arizona investigation
• 04:40 – Asian markets rebound on India trade news

This episode delivers quick, focused updates on U.S. politics, global diplomacy, security, emerging tech, and breaking crime investigations, with succinct reporting from NPR correspondents and notable political voices.