NPR News: 02-10-2026 11AM EST

Summary

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NPR News Now – February 10, 2026, 11AM EST

Host: Korva Coleman
Duration: 5 minutes

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Episode Overview

This concise NPR News Now update delivers the latest headlines and global developments as of February 10, 2026, at 11AM EST. Focused on national security, ongoing crises, an international peace effort, and economic updates, the episode presents a rapid-fire summary of key events shaping the day.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Congressional Oversight of Immigration Agencies

[00:15 – 00:54]

• Topic: House committee hearings on the Trump administration's immigration operations, following the killing of two Minneapolis protesters by federal immigration agents.
• Key Figures: Todd Lyons, Acting Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
• Highlights:
  • Lawmakers are scrutinizing three immigration agencies regarding recent fatal incidents involving federal agents.
  • Todd Lyons strongly defends ICE’s ongoing enforcement, aligning with presidential directives.
• Notable Quote:

  “Let me send a message to anyone who thinks they can intimidate us. You will fail. Despite these perils, our officers continue to execute their mission with unwavering resolve. And we are only getting started.”
  — Todd Lyons, ICE Acting Director [00:42]

2. DHS Funding Risks & Congressional Demands

[00:54 – 01:40]

• Topic: Potential shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) due to pending congressional funding.
• Insights:
  • Democrats are demanding operational changes in DHS before approving spending.
• Epstein Investigation:
  • Bipartisan lawmakers accessed unredacted files on Jeffrey Epstein but allege critical information—including names of six implicated men—remains concealed.
  • Congressmen Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna push the Justice Department for full disclosure.

3. Nancy Guthrie Kidnapping Case

[01:40 – 02:14]

• Topic: Ongoing investigation into the kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie, mother of Today Show host Savannah Guthrie.
• Key Points:
  • Family last saw Nancy on January 31st in Tucson; believed to have been unwillingly taken from her home.
  • Savannah Guthrie issues a public online appeal for information.
  • Local media received ransom notes, but the FBI reports no “continued communication” with kidnappers.
• Notable Moment:

  "We are at an hour of desperation. And we need your help."
  — Savannah Guthrie & Bill Chappell [01:52–01:56]

4. International Response to Gaza Ceasefire

[02:14 – 03:07]

• Topic: Indonesia’s plan to send troops to Gaza as the first part of a US-brokered ceasefire agreement.
• Reporting: Daniel Estrin from Tel Aviv.
• Details:
  • Indonesia is training thousands of soldiers for possible deployment.
  • The broader mission and mandate of the proposed international stabilization force remain undefined.
  • US-led fundraising for Gaza’s reconstruction is upcoming, but Israel insists on Hamas disarmament before any rebuilding.
  • Ongoing violence includes further deaths from Israeli military action.
• Notable Quote:

  "Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim country, is the first to announce it's training thousands of soldiers for potential deployment to Gaza."
  — Daniel Estrin, NPR [02:25]

5. Economic Updates

[03:07 – 03:49]

• Wall Street:
  • Dow Jones Industrial Average up more than 200 points.
• Retail Sales:
  • December retail sales report shows flat results due to lower spending on cars, furniture, and electronics; slight increase in groceries and gasoline purchases.
  • Report was delayed by a previous government shutdown.

6. Air Canada Suspends Flights to Cuba

[03:49 – 04:25]

• Reporter: Dan Karpenchuk
• Details:
  • Air Canada suspends flights due to an “ongoing shortage of aviation fuel,” tied to US blocks on Cuba's access to jet fuel.
  • Nine Cuban airports affected, including Havana.
  • Repatriation flights will bring stranded Canadians back.
  • Over 7,200 Canadians are currently in Cuba; government urges travelers to have contingency plans.

7. Peace Walk: Buddhist Monks Arrive in Washington, D.C.

[04:25 – 04:55]

• Story:
  • A group of Buddhist monks, accompanied by their rescue dog, conclude a months-long walk that started in Texas.
  • Their walk for peace has drawn widespread support, with thousands greeting them and a strong following on social media.
  • Plans include visiting significant landmarks like the Washington National Cathedral and the Lincoln Memorial.
• Notable Quote:
  (No direct quotations, but the story’s tone is one of hope and unity.)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Todd Lyons (ICE):
  “Let me send a message to anyone who thinks they can intimidate us. You will fail. Despite these perils, our officers continue to execute their mission with unwavering resolve. And we are only getting started.” [00:42]

• Savannah Guthrie (via Bill Chappell):
  “We are at an hour of desperation. And we need your help.” [01:52–01:56]

• Daniel Estrin (NPR):
  “Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim country, is the first to announce it's training thousands of soldiers for potential deployment to Gaza.” [02:25]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Immigration Agencies Testify and ICE Statement: 00:15–00:54
• DHS Funding & Epstein Files: 00:54–01:40
• Savannah Guthrie Kidnapping Appeal: 01:40–02:14
• Indonesia Troops/Gaza Ceasefire: 02:14–03:07
• Economic Update/Wall Street & Retail Sales: 03:07–03:49
• Air Canada Suspends Cuba Flights: 03:49–04:25
• Buddhist Monks Walk for Peace: 04:25–04:55

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This episode delivers a pressing and timely roundup of national security, political accountability, global conflict resolution efforts, personal and human-interest stories, and updates on travel disruptions and economic trends. The tone throughout is brisk, factual, and empathetic, with a particular emphasis on stories reflecting immediate urgency and ongoing change.

Transcript

[Carvana Announcer]

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[Korva Coleman]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. Top officials from three immigration agencies are testifying before a House committee today. Lawmakers are examining the Trump administration's immigration operations. The this follows the killings of two Minneapolis protesters by federal immigration agents last month. Todd Lyons is the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He insisted ICE will continue to carry out President Trump's directives.

[Todd Lyons]

Let me send a message to anyone who thinks they can intimidate us. You will fail. Despite these perils, our officers continue to execute their mission with unwavering resolve. And we are only getting started.

[Korva Coleman]

Funding for the Department of Homeland Security will run out at the end of this week unless Congress passes a spending bill. Democrats are first demanding changes in the agency's operations. A group of bipartisan lawmakers were given access yesterday to unredacted files of the investigation into late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. But Congressmen Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna say some of the information was still redacted and including the names of six men. They're demanding that the Justice Department publish these. The congressman allege the men were involved in Epstein's actions. Today's show host Savannah Guthrie has released another online message. NPR's Bill Chappell reports she is asking for help in finding her mother.

[Bill Chappell]

Nancy Guthrie's family last saw her on January 31st in Tucson. Law enforcement says she was unwillingly taken from her home. Savannah Guthrie has posted a new video asking for assistance to find her mother.

[Carvana Announcer]

We are at an hour of desperation.

[Korva Coleman]

And we need your help.

[Bill Chappell]

Guthrie pleaded for anyone who might know something about where her mother is to contact police. Local media have received ransom notes related to Nancy Guthrie, but the FBI says it isn't aware of any, quote, continued communication between the Guthrie family and suspected kidnappers. Bill Chappell, NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

The government of Indonesia says it is preparing to send troops to Gaza. This is part of the US brokered ceasefire agreement. NPR's Daniel Estrin has more from Tel Aviv.

[Daniel Estrin]

Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim country, is the first to announce it's training thousands of soldiers for potential deployment to Gaza. The US Is trying to stand up an international stabilization force in Gaza, but it's still unclear what the force's mandate would be. President Trump's Board of Peace is meeting next week in Washington to raise funds for Gaza. RECONSTRUCTION. Israel says it opposes reconstruction until Hamas is disarmed. Meanwhile, attacks continue in Gaza. Health officials there say several Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire. The Israeli military says it struck Hamas militants after armed Palestinians emerged from a tunnel and shot at soldiers. Daniel Estrin, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

[Korva Coleman]

On Wall street, the Dow Jones industrials are up more than 200 points. You're listening to NPR. The Commerce Department says retail sales were mostly flat in December. Today's report was delayed by the government shutdown late last year. The report says consumers spent less for cars, furniture and electronics, but spending was slightly higher for groceries and gasoline. Air Canada says it is suspending its flights to Cuba because of what the airline describes as an ongoing shortage of aviation fuel on the island. Dan Karpenschuk reports the U.S. is blocking Cuba's access to its primary sources of jet fuel.

[Dan Karpenschuk]

Cuban aviation officials say for the next month, jet fuel will not be available at nine airports across the island, including the international airport in Havana. Air Canada says while it is suspending regular flights, it will send planes to Cuba to pick up Canadian travelers who are already there. The airline says it will bring in extra fuel for planes bringing customers home. Meanwhile, Global Affairs Canada says there are more than 7,200 Canadians registered in Cuba. It warns that the situation in the island nation is unpredictable and could deteriorate and that Canadians should be prepared to change their travel plans. For NPR News, I'm Dan Karpenchuk.

[Korva Coleman]

In Toronto, a group of Buddhist monks who are walking for peace have now crossed into Washington, D.C. their destination. The monks began their journey in Texas last October. Their walk of thousands of miles, accompanied by their rescue dog, has been closely followed on social media. They've been greeted by thousands of well wishers on their walk for peace. The monks plan to visit Washington National Cathedral today and the Lincoln Memorial tomorrow. You're listening to npr.

[Todd Lyons]

Listen to this podcast sponsor, free on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or any podcast app by subscribing to NPR News Now [e-mail] that's plus.NPR.org.