NPR News: 02-09-2026 12PM EST

Summary

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NPR News Now – February 9, 2026, 12PM EST

Host: Nora Ramm
Network: NPR
Episode Type: News Update

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Episode Overview

This episode delivers key developments in U.S. politics, international affairs, security, and culture in under five minutes. Notable stories include the latest Congressional investigations into the Epstein case, looming government funding issues, Israeli actions in the West Bank, Vice President Vance's diplomatic trip to the Caucasus, avalanche warnings in Italy, a major sentencing in Hong Kong, and widespread excitement over Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show.

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Key News Highlights

Congressional Hearing: Ghislaine Maxwell & Epstein Investigation

[00:15] – [00:57]

• The House Oversight Committee questioned Ghislaine Maxwell virtually, as she is serving 20 years in prison for sex trafficking.
• Maxwell invoked the Fifth Amendment and refused to answer any committee questions.
• Chairman James Comer (R-KY) expressed disappointment and emphasized the committee’s intent to uncover truths about Epstein's crimes and potential co-conspirators.
  • Notable Quote:
    • “Elaine Maxwell took the Fifth and refused to answer any questions. This obviously is very disappointing. We had many questions to ask about the crimes she and Epstein committed, as well as questions about potential co conspirators. We sincerely want to get to the truth to the American people and justice for the survivors.” – James Comer (00:35)
• The committee plans to continue its inquiry, including public questioning of former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, both of whom have requested to testify publicly.

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DHS Budget Crisis & Potential Government Shutdown

[01:00] – [02:00]

• Congress has five days left to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
• Top Democrats are awaiting a response from the White House regarding DHS funding after recent incidents in which DHS agents shot and killed two U.S. citizens.
• House and Senate Democrats are withholding support until demands are addressed.
• Political stakes are high, especially regarding the Hispanic vote. Republican Rep. Tony Gonzalez suggests communication, not just policy, must improve:
  • Notable Quote:
    • “And if we want to keep that long term, we do have to make a shift, not necessarily in policy but in communication.” – Tony Gonzalez (01:47)
• Oversight hearings on the DHS killings will be held this week in Congress.

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Israeli Cabinet Moves to Strengthen West Bank Control

[02:02] – [03:00]

• Israel approved measures making it easier for settlers to buy real estate in the West Bank and increased Israeli authority over demolitions in Palestinian-administered cities.
• The government aims to “ensure land reserves for future Jewish settlement” and expands control over two ancient religious sites.
• Jordan and Egypt condemned the move; international concerns grow over potential annexation.
• Prime Minister Netanyahu will meet President Trump at the White House to discuss Iran.
  • Notable Segment:
    • “The new measures would also grant Israeli authorities power to carry out demolitions in Palestinian cities administered by the Palestinian Authority.” – Daniel Estrin (02:31)

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Vice President J.D. Vance Visits Armenia and Azerbaijan

[03:00] – [03:20]

• VP Vance is on a three-day diplomatic mission to further a U.S.-brokered peace deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan, aimed at ending conflict in the region.

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International Headlines

[03:20] – [04:07]

• Italy: At least 10 people have died in avalanches in the Alps due to an “exceptionally unstable snowpack.”
• Hong Kong: Media tycoon Jimmy Lai was sentenced to 20 years for conspiracy to endanger national security and publishing seditious materials under Beijing's 2020 security law.
  • Lai, aged 78 and in poor health, had been a vocal critic of the Chinese government. Two former employees received shorter sentences.

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Bad Bunny Steals the Super Bowl Halftime Show

[04:07] – [04:47]

• Puerto Rican global superstar Bad Bunny headlined the Super Bowl halftime show, capturing as much—if not more—attention than the game itself.
• In San Juan, fans celebrated him as a symbol of Puerto Rican pride.
  • Notable Quote:
    • “We don't know anything about the Super Bowl. The super bowl belongs to Benito.” – Mirelis Pinaros Rojas, San Juan (04:19)
  • Sisters Mirelis and Arelis Pinaros Rojas expressed overwhelming excitement and pride at his representation of the island on a global stage.

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Memorable Moments & Quotes

• James Comer on Maxwell’s refusal:
  “We sincerely want to get to the truth to the American people and justice for the survivors.” (00:40)

• Tony Gonzalez on GOP strategy:
  “We do have to make a shift, not necessarily in policy but in communication.” (01:47)

• San Juan fans on Bad Bunny:
  “The super bowl belongs to Benito.” (04:19)
  “The feeling doesn't fit inside her chest of watching him for 15 minutes represent an entire island.” (04:32)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• House Epstein Hearing & Maxwell: 00:15 – 00:57
• DHS Funding & Political Fallout: 01:00 – 02:00
• Israeli Measures in West Bank: 02:02 – 03:00
• VP Vance's Caucasus Mission: 03:00 – 03:20
• Global News (Avalanche, Hong Kong): 03:20 – 04:07
• Bad Bunny at Super Bowl: 04:07 – 04:47

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This concise episode distills the day’s most impactful events, ranging from high-profile investigations and international politics to cultural milestones, providing listeners with need-to-know updates in a matter-of-fact, accessible tone.

Transcript

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[Nora Ramm]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Nora Ramm. The House Oversight Committee attempted to question Ghislaine Maxwell today about her time with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The hearing was virtual since she's serving 20 years in prison for sex trafficking. Committee Chairman James Comer says she wouldn't talk as expected.

[James Comer]

Elaine Maxwell took the Fifth and refused to answer any questions. This obviously is very disappointing. We had many questions to ask about the crimes she and Epstein committed, as well as questions about potential co conspirators. We sincerely want to get to the truth to the American people and justice for the survivors. That's what this investigation's about.

[Nora Ramm]

Comer says the hearings into Epstein will continue. He says the questioning of former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will be made public. The Clintons are asking to testify publicly rather than be deposed in private. Congress has five days left to agree on a budget for the Department of Homeland Security. NPR's Luke Garrett reports the government may.

[Luke Garrett]

Be heading toward another partial shutdown. Top Democrats sent their DHS demands to the White House last week, but say they've received no response. Here's House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

[Hakeem Jeffries]

The ball is in the court right now of the Republicans.

[Luke Garrett]

Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer are withholding their party's support for DHS funding after its agents shot and killed two U.S. citizens. GOP representative Tony Gonzalez told CBS News the Hispanic vote is at stake for the Republican Party.

[Tony Gonzalez]

And if we want to keep that long term, we do have to make a shift, not necessarily in policy but in communication.

[Luke Garrett]

This week, the House and Senate will hold oversight hearings on the two DHS killings in Minnesota. Luke Garrett, NPR News, Washington.

[Nora Ramm]

The Israeli Cabinet has approved a series of measures to strengthen Israeli control in the occupied west bank and to weaken the powers of the Palestinian Authority. NPR's Daniel Esterin has more from Tel Aviv.

[Daniel Estrin]

The new measures would allow the Israeli government and settlers to more easily purchase real estate in the West Bank. A Cabinet minister who announced the decision said this would ensure land reserves for future Jewish settlement. The new measures would also grant Israeli authorities power to carry out demolitions in Palestinian cities administered by the Palestinian Authority. And Israel would have more control over two ancient religious sites. Jordan and Egypt condemned the move and warned against Israeli annexation of territory where Palestinian want a sovereign state. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet President Trump on Wednesday at the White House to discuss Iran negotiations. Daniel Estrin, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

[Nora Ramm]

Vice President J.D. vance is visiting Armenia and Azerbaijan on a three day trip. He's seeking to advance a US Brokered deal to end the conflict between the former Soviet republics. This is NPR News. Rescue officials in Italy are urging maximum caution in the Alps after a string of deaths in the past week. At least 10 people died in avalanches triggered by an exceptionally unstable snowpack. A Hong Kong court today sentenced Jimmy Lai to 20 years in prison. The former media tycoon had been convicted in December of conspiracy to endanger national security and to publish seditious materials Prosecuted under a 2020 law imposed by China. He and his newspaper have been frequent critics of Beijing. Two of his former employees received shorter sentences. Lai is 78 and said to be in poor health. For millions of super bowl viewers, the big draw yesterday wasn't the game, it was the halftime show and its global star. From Puerto rico, Bad Bunny. NPR's Isabella Gomez Sarmiente watched with fans in San Juan.

[Isabella Gomez Sarmiento]

Sisters Mirelis and Arelis Pinaros Rojas lined up for a special viewing party of Bad Bunny's halftime show hours before the game started. They say they don't keep up with the sport. We don't know anything about the Super Bowl. Mirelli says the super bowl belongs to Benito. They came for the 15 minutes of his performance, and they say their excitement can't be. It's so much. Ar says the feeling doesn't fit inside her chest of watching him for 15 minutes represent an entire island. Isabela Gomez Sarmiento, NPR News, San Juan.

[Nora Ramm]

By the way, Seattle 129 13. I'm Nora Ramm, NPR News, in Washington.

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