NPR News Now – February 8, 2026, 6PM EST
Host: Jeanine Herbst, NPR
Duration: 5 minutes
Main Theme:
A concise roundup of major breaking stories in geopolitics, domestic affairs, the Olympics, sports accessibility, and weekend box office results.
Key Stories & Insights
1. Ukraine Imposes Sanctions Over Russian Weapons Components
[00:34]
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced new sanctions targeting foreign companies supplying critical components for Russian drones and missiles used against Ukraine.
- Eleanor Beardsley (NPR, Poltava) reports:
- Zelenskyy posted on X stressing that the production of such weaponry is impossible without foreign parts, which Russia continues to acquire by circumventing existing sanctions.
- Sanctions specifically directed at companies based in China, Panama, and the UAE.
- Experts note a reduction in Russia’s drone and missile strike frequency and intensity, likely due to dwindling supplies.
- Recently fired missiles were produced this year, “proof that Russia has gone through much of its original stockpile.”
- Notable Quote ([00:43], Eleanor Beardsley):
- “Producing this weaponry would be impossible without critical foreign components, which the Russians continue to obtain by circumventing sanctions, Zelenskyy wrote on X.”
2. British Political Scandal: Epstein Connection
[01:16]
- Morgan McSweeney, British PM Keir Starmer’s chief of staff, resigned following criticism over his part in appointing Peter Mandelson (linked to Jeffrey Epstein) as US ambassador.
- Mandelson, a past House of Lords member, stepped down after new Epstein-related emails surfaced.
- Starmer previously fired Mandelson due to Epstein associations.
3. Savannah Guthrie’s Family Addresses Mother's Abduction
[02:02]
- Savannah Guthrie (NBC Today host) and her siblings released a cryptic Instagram video appealing to their mother Nancy’s suspected abductors.
- The message comes seven days after Nancy’s disappearance from her Tucson-area home.
- Guthrie family confirmed receiving a message and are prepared to pay as demanded.
- A second communication, unspecified in content, was sent to local TV station KOLD with a reported Monday deadline.
- Notable Quote ([02:09], Savannah Guthrie):
- “We beg you now to return our mother to us so that we can celebrate with her.”
- Notable Quote ([02:14], Katia Mendoza, Arizona Public Media):
- “Savannah Guthrie says the family has received a message and that they understand and we will pay.”
4. Winter Olympics Updates: Lindsey Vonn Injured, US Medal Wins
[02:42]
- Lindsey Vonn underwent left leg surgery after a crash during her downhill run, just a week post-ACL tear; the 41-year-old is a seasoned Olympian.
- Vonn’s teammate, Breezy Johnson, won gold in downhill—the first US medal at these Games.
- US also took gold in figure skating at Milan Cortina.
5. Accessible Super Bowl Experience for Blind and Low Vision Fans
[03:35]
- For the first time, blind and low vision fans attending the Super Bowl can use haptic tablets to “feel” the ball’s movement on the field, accompanied by real-time play-by-play audio.
- Scott Thornhill, Executive Director, American Council of the Blind, shares emotional impact:
- Diagnosed with a retinal disease at age 8, this was his inaugural Super Bowl.
- The device is a tactile tabletop field replica.
- Thornhill, a former college football player, describes the experience as “full circle.”
- Notable Quote ([03:57], Scott Thornhill, American Council of the Blind):
- “The fact that I could know again that it's a handoff to the running back who's running to the right side, that—just those little things.”
- Notable Quote ([04:05], Eva Pukach, NPR):
- “Thornhill played football through college and says it'll be an emotional full circle experience for the game to be fully accessible for him again.”
6. Weekend Box Office Results
[04:17]
- “Send Help,” an R-rated survival thriller, topped the box office with $10 million in its second week; $53 million global total.
- “Solo Mio,” a Kevin James rom-com from Angel Studios, debuted at $7 million—considered a big success for the studio.
- Indie horror-thriller “Iron Lung” took third, with $6 million this weekend and $31 million in two weeks off a $3 million budget.
Memorable Moments & Quotes
- Ukraine Sanctions:
- "Ukraine is introducing new sanctions against companies that continue to supply such components, wittingly or unwittingly…” – Eleanor Beardsley ([00:43])
- Savannah Guthrie’s Plea:
- “We beg you now to return our mother to us so that we can celebrate with her.” – Savannah Guthrie ([02:09])
- Accessible Super Bowl:
- “The fact that I could know again that it's a handoff to the running back who's running to the right side, that—just those little things.” – Scott Thornhill ([03:57])
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Ukraine sanctions on drone/missile companies: [00:34–01:16]
- British political scandal/Epstein associations: [01:16–02:02]
- Savannah Guthrie’s family abduction message: [02:02–02:42]
- Winter Olympics updates: [02:42–03:35]
- Super Bowl accessibility innovation: [03:35–04:17]
- Weekend box office report: [04:17–04:56]
This episode provides a fast-paced, tightly-packed summary of evolving international and national headlines, with human interest stories and notable sports moments delivering both gravitas and heartwarming details.
