NPR News: 02-10-2026 2AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now – February 10, 2026, 2AM EST

Host: Giles Snyder
Podcast: NPR News Now
Episode: NPR News: 02-10-2026 2AM EST
Date: February 10, 2026

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Episode Overview

This five-minute NPR News Now episode provides a brisk summary of the latest headlines from U.S. politics, international royal affairs, Olympic controversies, a high-profile missing person case, Super Bowl advertising reactions, and financial market movements in Asia. Despite its brevity, the episode addresses a wide array of current events, emphasizing the political, social, and cultural developments shaping the early hours of February 10, 2026.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Epstein Files Unredacted Review (00:17–01:39)

• Context and Main Points:

  • Maryland Congressman Jamie Raskin and other lawmakers accessed the unredacted Epstein files at the Justice Department.
    • Jamie Raskin’s concerns: unnecessary redactions and failure to protect victims’ identities.
  • Ghislaine Maxwell, serving a 20-year sentence, invoked her Fifth Amendment rights in a video call with the House Oversight Committee.
  • Maxwell’s attorney claimed she would be willing to testify exonerating both President Trump and former President Clinton if Trump granted her clemency.
  • Buckingham Palace, via King Charles, offers support to British police regarding allegations that Prince Andrew shared confidential trade info with Jeffrey Epstein.

• Notable Quote:

  • Jamie Raskin on redactions:

    "I went over there and I was able to determine, at least I believe, that there were tons of completely unnecessary redactions in addition to the failure to redact the names of victims. And so that's troubling to us." (00:33)

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2. British Royal Family and Prince Andrew Investigation (01:39–02:17)

• King Charles’ Response:

  • After being questioned about Prince Andrew's relationship with Epstein, King Charles issues a statement reinforcing support for any investigation and expressing sympathy for victims of abuse.

• Notable Quote:

  • King Charles' statement (via reporter Fatemay Kassab):

    "...the king has made clear, quote, in words and through unprecedented actions, his profound concerns over allegations that continue to come to light about his brother." (01:45)

  • Kassab closes:

    "It adds that the king and queen's thoughts and sympathies have been and remain with victims of all forms of abuse." (02:05)

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3. Trump’s Criticism of U.S. Olympian Hunter Hess (02:17–03:14)

• Incident Details:

  • President Trump lambasts U.S. Olympic skier Hunter Hess on social media after the 27-year-old skier expresses "mixed emotions" about representing the U.S. amid political tensions.
  • Trump calls Hess "a real loser" and remarks, "very hard to root for someone like this."
  • The segment contextualizes Trump’s comment in a broader trend of Olympic athletes facing threats and criticism for political or social statements.
  • USOPC reports an uptick in abusive messages to athletes.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Trump on Hunter Hess (reported by Brian Mann):

    "A real loser... very hard to root for someone like this." (02:30)

  • US Figure Skater Amber Glenn on online threats:

    "I've never had so many people wish me harm before." (03:01)

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4. Savannah Guthrie’s Mother Missing; Public Plea for Help (03:14–03:51)

• Key Details:
  • TODAY Show host Savannah Guthrie and family issue a social media plea for assistance locating their 84-year-old mother, missing for over a week from her Arizona home.
  • The Pima County Sheriff's Department continues the investigation with no suspects or persons of interest identified.
  • Guthrie describes the family's state as "an hour of desperation."

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5. Super Bowl AI Ads & Viewer Reception (03:51–04:26)

• Summary:
  • Several leading AI companies (OpenAI, Google, Meta, Anthropic) aired ads during the Super Bowl, with Anthropic referencing recent ad tests in ChatGPT.
  • These AI-centric ads did not resonate with viewers, according to USA Today’s Ad Meter.
  • The highest-rated ad was for Budweiser, featuring classic Americana imagery.

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6. Asian Markets Rally Post-Japan Election (04:41–04:56)

• Financial Update:
  • Asian stock markets are up, led by Japan’s Nikkei index, which gains over 2% following Prime Minister Sanay Takechi’s electoral victory over the weekend.

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Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Jamie Raskin (on the unredacted Epstein files):

  "There were tons of completely unnecessary redactions in addition to the failure to redact the names of victims. And so that's troubling to us." (00:33)

• Fatema Al Kassab (on the royal family’s response):

  "The king has made clear, quote, in words and through unprecedented actions, his profound concerns…" (01:45)

• Donald Trump (via social media, reported by Brian Mann):

  "A real loser... very hard to root for someone like this." (Hunter Hess incident) (02:30)

• Amber Glenn (on online threats):

  "I've never had so many people wish me harm before." (03:01)

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Notable Segment Timestamps

• Epstein Files & Ghislaine Maxwell: 00:17–01:39
• British Royal Family / Prince Andrew: 01:39–02:17
• Trump vs. Olympian Hunter Hess: 02:17–03:14
• Savannah Guthrie’s Missing Mother: 03:14–03:51
• Super Bowl AI Ads: 03:51–04:26
• Asian Stock Markets Rally: 04:41–04:56

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This episode efficiently captures the evolving headlines across politics, international intrigue, sports controversies, personal tragedies, cultural moments, and economic developments—all in under five minutes, with a direct and news-focused tone.

Transcript

[Capital One Advertiser]

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[Giles Snyder]

Live from NPR News, I'm Giles Snyder, the top House Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, Maryland Congressman Jamie Raskin, was among the first members of Congress who visited the Justice Department Monday to view the unredacted version of the Epstein files.

[Commercial Announcer]

I went over there and I was able to determine, at least I believe, that there were tons of completely unnecessary redactions in addition to the failure to redact the names of victims. And so that's troubling to us.

[Giles Snyder]

Lawmakers began reviewing the unredacted files as Ghislaine Maxwell invoked her Fifth Amendment right not to incriminate herself. She avoided answering questions from members of the House Oversight Committee during a video call to the prison camp where she is serving a 20 year sentence. A Maxwell attorney told lawmakers that if President Trump granted her clemency, she would be willing to testify that neither Trump nor former President Bill Clinton were culpable in wrongdoing. A spokesperson for King Charles says Buckingham palace is ready to support British police in any investigation into the King's brother. His NPR's Fatemay Kassab reports that there are allegations of former Prince Andrew passed on confidential trade information to Jeffrey Epstein. Charles, how long have you known about Andrew and Esty?

[Fatemay Kassab]

After being heckled again about his brother Andrew's friendship with the convicted sex offender, King Charles has now released a statement saying that the king has made clear, quote, in words and through unprecedented actions, his profound concerns over allegations that continue to come to light about his brother. The statement says that if approached by British police as part of their investigation into the disgraced former prince, Buckingham palace stands ready to support them. It adds that the king and queen's thoughts and sympathies have been and remain with victims of all forms of abuse. Fatima Al Kassab, NPR News, live.

[Giles Snyder]

President Trump is using social media to criticize a U.S. olympic skier, calling 27 year old Hunter Hess a loser after Hess voiced concern about political developments in the U.S. here's NPR's Brian Mann reporting.

[Brian Mann]

A growing number of U.S. olympians have voiced criticism in Italy about Trump's immigration crackdown. Hess, from Bend, Oregon, said in a press conference last week he has, quote, mixed emotions to represent the US Right now. Trump fired back Sunday on his Truth Social platform calling Hess a real loser, adding, quote, very hard to root for someone like this. The exchange comes after US Figure skater Amber Glenn said she's received threats and hate online and after voicing support for LGBTQ rights. I've never had so many people wish me harm before, Glenn told NPR. In a statement, the U.S. olympic and Paralympic Committee said it takes threats against U.S. athletes seriously, adding that they'd seen an increase in abusive and harmful messages directed at the athletes. Brian Mann, NPR News, Milan.

[Giles Snyder]

This is NPR News. TODAY show host Savannah Guthrie and her siblings are asking for help from the public in locating their 84 year old mother, presumed kidnapped more than a week ago from her home in Arizona. In the video posted to social media, Savannah Guthrie says her family has reached an hour of desperation. The Pima County Sheriff's Department said Monday that investigators still have not identified any suspects or persons of interest. The super bowl featured several ads for AI companies, but as NPR's John Ruich reports, some of them did not sit well with viewers.

[John Ruich]

OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, had an ad about its computer coding assistant. Google ran one that showed AI making realistic images. Meta showed off its Oakley AI glasses. And Anthropic, which makes a chatbot called Claude, took a dig at OpenAI, which recently started testing ads in ChatGPT.

[Commercial Announcer]

Hey, can I get a six pack quickly? Perfect. That is a clear and achievable goal. But confidence isn't just built in the gym. Tri Step boost max the insoles that add one vertical inch of height and help short king stand tall.

[John Ruich]

None of those or any of the others that focused on or used AI did particularly well with viewers. That's according to USA Today's Ad Meter ratings. Top ad there was for Budweiser, and it featured a Clydesdale horse and a bald eagle. John Ruich, NPR News.

[Giles Snyder]

Stocks in Asia rising. Japan's benchmark is leading the way. The Nikkei up more than 2% following Prime Minister Sanay Takechis election victory over the weekend. I'm Giles Snyder, NPR News.

[Commercial Announcer]

This message comes from Bombas. You need better socks and slippers and underwear because you should love what you wear every day. One purchased equals one donated. Go to bombas. Com NPR and use code NPR for 20% off.