NPR News: 02-10-2026 1AM EST

Summary

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NPR News: 02-10-2026 1AM EST

Host: Giles Snyder
Date: February 10, 2026
Episode Theme:
A concise news roundup covering key national and international developments, with focus areas including U.S. congressional investigations, security and technology updates from Ukraine, Olympic sports highlights, landmark social media litigation, and New Orleans culinary culture.

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Key Stories & Discussion Points

1. Ghislaine Maxwell Invokes Fifth Before House Oversight

• [00:16-00:58]
  • Summary:
    • Kentucky Congressman James Comer, Republican chairman of the House Oversight Committee, reported that Ghislaine Maxwell, currently incarcerated, declined to testify before the committee investigating connections related to Jeffrey Epstein.
    • Maxwell appeared via video call from her Texas prison and invoked her Fifth Amendment right, refusing to answer questions unless granted clemency by former President Trump.
  • Key Insight:
    • Lawmakers remain intent on seeking information about co-conspirators and delivering justice for survivors.
  • Notable Quote:
    • “As expected, Elaine Maxwell took the Fifth and refused to answer any questions. This obviously is very disappointing.” – Rep. James Comer [00:35]
    • “We sincerely want to get to the truth to the American people and justice for the survivors. That's what this investigation's about.” – Rep. James Comer [00:46]

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2. SpaceX Moves to Block Russian Military Use of Starlink in Ukraine

• [00:58-02:15]
  • Summary:
    • SpaceX introduces a “white list” system requiring Starlink terminals in Ukraine to be registered by civilian and military users, aiming to cut off unauthorized access—specifically Russian forces using Starlink to coordinate drone operations.
    • On-the-ground impact: Reports from local business owners and Ukrainian military personnel note the move is already “making a difference,” with diminished Russian drone capability and fewer injuries among Ukrainian soldiers.
  • Key Insight:
    • Strategic technological restrictions, combined with economic sanctions, are seen as viable paths to ending the conflict.
  • Notable Quotes:
    • “Right now, the entire front on the enemy's side has stopped. He says SpaceX cut off their technology and this has been effective.” – Anton Sadyukov via Eleanor Beardsley [01:46]
    • “He says since Russian forces have been blocked from using Starlink, they are seeing fewer wounded Ukrainian soldiers.” – Sgt. Oleksiy Mikolyuk via Eleanor Beardsley [02:07]

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3. Record-Breaking Nights in Olympic Speed Skating

• [02:15-03:12]
  • Summary:
    • At the Winter Olympics in Milan, speed skaters are shattering records across three consecutive nights.
    • Femke Kok (Netherlands) and Jutte Leerdom (Netherlands) each set new Olympic records in quick succession.
    • U.S. skater Brittany Bowe narrowly missed the podium, finishing just behind Japan’s Miho Takagi, who previously held the Olympic record.
  • Atmosphere:
    • Highlighted by enthusiastic support from Dutch fans in the stadium.
  • Notable Quote:
    • “The stadium was a sea of orange. The stands were filled with fans of Team Netherlands giving huge cheers whenever their speed skaters raced.” – Ping Huang [02:25]
    • “So far, speed skating leads in setting new Olympic records at these Games.” – Ping Huang [03:07]

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4. Social Media on Trial: Lawsuits and EU Scrutiny

• [03:12-04:12]
  • Summary:
    • A Los Angeles trial opens with Instagram (Meta) and YouTube (Google) facing accusations of deliberately designing addictive platforms harmful to children.
    • TikTok and Snap were previously named but settled out of court.
    • In parallel, the European Union is actively investigating TikTok’s design (autoplay, infinite scroll) for potential harm, threatening fines up to 6% of annual revenue.
  • Key Insight:
    • Global scrutiny intensifies over the effects of social media on children’s physical and mental health.

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5. Mardi Gras Traditions: King Cake Class in New Orleans

• [04:12-04:51]
  • Summary:
    • New Orleans Culinary and Hospitality Institute holds King Cake baking classes as Carnival season begins.
    • Both culinary professionals and beginners participate, eager to honor tradition and infuse their own touches, such as adding coffee liqueur and bourbon to the cake.
  • Notable Quote:
    • “I think we all like love King cake maybe and we know how important it is to the culture and so we want to do it justice.” – Sierra Francois [04:31]
    • “[Her cake] comes out of the oven puffed up and golden brown, her first contribution to a rich tradition.” – Aubrey Yuhas [04:45]

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Memorable Moments & Quotes with Timestamps

• Rep. James Comer [00:35]:
  “As expected, Elaine Maxwell took the Fifth and refused to answer any questions. This obviously is very disappointing.”

• Anton Sadyukov via Eleanor Beardsley [01:46]:
  “Right now, the entire front on the enemy's side has stopped. He says SpaceX cut off their technology and this has been effective.”

• Ping Huang [02:25]:
  “The stadium was a sea of orange. The stands were filled with fans of Team Netherlands giving huge cheers whenever their speed skaters raced.”

• Sierra Francois [04:31]:
  “I think we all like love King cake maybe and we know how important it is to the culture and so we want to do it justice.”

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Noteworthy Timestamps

• Ghislaine Maxwell’s appearance & refusal: [00:16-00:58]
• SpaceX cuts Starlink access in Ukraine: [00:58-02:15]
• Olympic speed skating records: [02:15-03:12]
• Social media addiction trial in LA, EU regulatory update: [03:12-04:12]
• King Cake class in New Orleans: [04:12-04:51]

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This episode offers a brisk yet rich snapshot of politics, international conflict, sports, legal controversies, and American tradition—packing global currents into a clear, five-minute news digest.

Transcript

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[Giles Snyder]

Live from NPR News, I'm Giles Snyder. The Republican chairman of the House Oversight Committee, Kentucky Congressman James Comer, says it did not come as a surprise that Ghislaine Maxwell chose to stay silent Monday, Wednesday, when faced by lawmakers investigating the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

[James Comer]

As expected, 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.

[Giles Snyder]

Maxwell appeared before House Oversight in a video call from the federal prison camp in Texas where she is serving a 20 year sentence. She invoked her Fifth Amendment right not to incriminate herself, refusing to answer questions unless President Trump grants her clemency first. SpaceX is now cutting off illegal users of its Starlink satellites in Ukraine. NPR's Eleanor Beardsley reports on the move that's hindering Russian forces in the east who illegally use Starlink to propel their drones down deeper into Ukraine.

[Eleanor Beardsley]

There is now what's known as a white list where civilian and military users of Starlink in Ukraine must register their terminals. Anton Sadyukov sells and adapts Starlink terminals. He told newspaper the Kyiv it's already making a difference right now. The entire front on the enemy's side has stopped. He says SpaceX cut off their technology and this has been effective. NPR visited a hospital and an undeclosed site in the east where, where Sergeant Oleksiy Mikolyuk says cutting access to technology and tough economic sanctions are the only way to end the war, because war is money.

[Giles Snyder]

We're seeing it every day.

[Eleanor Beardsley]

He says since Russian forces have been blocked from using Starlink, they are seeing fewer wounded Ukrainian soldiers. Eleanor Beardsley, NPR News, Kyiv.

[Giles Snyder]

At the Winter Olympics, speed skaters are breaking records. NPR's Ping Huang reports. New speed records have been set three nights in a row.

[Ping Huang]

The stadium was a sea of orange. The stands were filled with fans of Team Netherlands giving huge cheers whenever their speed skaters raced. They were not disappointed. Late in the event, Dutch speed skater Femke Kok set an olympic record, finishing two and a half laps on the track in one minute, 12.59 seconds minutes later, her teammate Jutte Leerdom beat that time by about a quarter of a second, setting a new new Olympic record. US Skater Brittany Bowe, who holds the world record in this distance, just missed the podium. She finished fourth by a fraction of a behind Miho Takagi from Japan, who set the last olympic record in 2022 in Beijing. Bo's next event is the women's 500 meters on Sunday. So far, speed skating leads in setting new Olympic records at these Games. Ping Huang, NPR News, Milan.

[Giles Snyder]

This is NPR News. A trial that could have a big effect on social media companies is underway in Los Angeles. Opening statements began Monday in LA County Superior Court in a trial in which Instagram, parent company met and Google's YouTube are facing claims that their platforms deliberately addict and harm children. TikTok and Snap are originally named in the lawsuit but settled for undisclosed sums. Meanwhile, the European Union is accusing TikTok of an addictive design that harms children and is seeking changes to protect users. EU regulators say TikTok has not adequately addressed features such as Autoplay and Infinite scroll and how they affect physical and mental health. TikTok could face possible fine of up to 6% of its annual revenue before Carnival season ends. With Fat Tuesday later this month, it's time for a King Cake. Aubrey Yuhas, a member station WWNO in New Orleans, reports on beginning bakers learning an old custom.

[Aubrey Yuhas]

Students at New Orleans Culinary and Hospitality Institute are setting up for a four hour King Cake class, hauling stand mixers to their workstations. Some people in today's class already work in the restaurant industry, but their baking experience is limited. Like Sierra Francois, I think we all.

[Charles Schwab Announcer]

Like love King cake maybe and we know how important it is to the culture and so we want to do it justice.

[Aubrey Yuhas]

And they aren't afraid to experiment. To her classic cinnamon filling, Francois adds coffee liqueur and bourbon. Her finished cake comes out of the oven puffed up and golden brown, her first contribution to a rich tradition.

[Giles Snyder]

I'm Giles Snyder. This is NPR News.

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