NPR News Now – 9AM EST, February 26, 2026

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Duration: ~5 minutes
Main Theme: The episode delivers a fast-paced roundup of major global and national news, focusing on diplomatic tensions with Iran, a violent incident involving a Florida-based boat in Cuba, developments in the Epstein case implicating notable U.S. figures, memorials for civil rights leader Justine Jackson, and a notable resignation at Harvard.

Key News Points & Insights

1. US-Iran Talks & Heightened Sanctions

[00:11–00:52]

• Geneva hosts third round of US-Iranian nuclear negotiations amidst increasing US pressure.
• US expands sanctions targeting Iran's missile, drone, and oil networks, aiming to coerce Tehran into a new deal.
  • Quote [00:38], Marco Rubio (US Secretary of State):

    "Iran poses a very grave threat to the United States and has for a very long time... you can see them always trying to rebuild elements of [their nuclear program]."

• After Iran talks, Geneva will also see a Ukrainian delegation meeting with US envoys, setting up trilateral talks with Russia.

2. Violent Incident in Cuban Waters

[00:52–01:54]

• Cuba’s Interior Ministry reports a Florida-registered boat entered Cuban waters with “terrorist intent.”
• Gunfight ensued: 4 dead, 6 injured.
• Cuban authorities claim the boat’s occupants were planning attacks; US promises investigation.
  • Quote [01:35], Kiki Naranjo (friend of survivor):

    “They are all men who want Cuba to be free... they grew tired of promises by politicians.”

• The U.S. pledges an investigation and appropriate reaction.

3. Missing Epstein Files & Political Repercussions

[01:54–02:54]

• DOJ reviews Jeffrey Epstein files after NPR uncovers missing documents from the public database.
• The files relate to allegations against President Trump of sexual abuse of a minor in the 1980s.
• Rep. Robert Garcia (ranking Oversight Democrat) demands an explanation from AG Pam Bondi.
  • Quote [02:22], Stephen Fowler (NPR):

    "The missing documents relate to a woman who said she was sexually abused by both Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump when she was a minor in the early 1980s."

• DOJ claims missing documents are duplicates, privileged, or linked to ongoing investigations.

4. Congressional Probe: Clinton Testimonies

[02:54–03:31]

• Hillary Clinton to testify before House Oversight (behind closed doors) in New York regarding Epstein probe.

• Bill Clinton scheduled to testify the next day.

• Both deny knowledge of Epstein’s crimes and face no accusations of wrongdoing.

• Harvard’s Larry Summers (former Treasury Secretary) will resign at the end of the school year, amid Epstein-related scrutiny.

  • Summers' name appears “hundreds of times” in newly-released Epstein files.

5. Remembering a Civil Rights Leader

[03:31–04:39]

• Memorials begin for Justine Jackson, who died at 84.
• Jackson’s body lies in repose at Chicago’s Rainbow Push Coalition, which he founded.
• Son, Yusef Jackson, commemorates his father:
  • Quote [04:16], Yusef Jackson:

    “And so now his soul is freed to be with our mighty ancestors, his remains left to be honored and remembered.”

• Upcoming observances in South Carolina (his birthplace), Washington, D.C., and a Chicago funeral.

6. Market Brief

[04:39–04:54]

• US futures up: Dow +0.2%, Nasdaq +1%.

Notable Quotes

• Marco Rubio [00:38]:

  “Iran poses a very grave threat to the United States and has for a very long time... you can see them always trying to rebuild elements of [their nuclear program].”

• Kiki Naranjo [01:35]:

  “They are all men who want Cuba to be free... they grew tired of promises by politicians.”

• Stephen Fowler, paraphrasing Oversight letter [02:22]:

  "The missing documents relate to a woman who said she was sexually abused by both Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump when she was a minor in the early 1980s."

• Yusef Jackson [04:16]:

  “And so now his soul is freed to be with our mighty ancestors, his remains left to be honored and remembered.”

Timestamps for Major Segments

• US-Iran Talks & Sanctions: 00:11–00:52
• Florida-Registered Boat Incident in Cuba: 00:52–01:54
• Epstein Files & Oversight Inquiries: 01:54–02:54
• Clintons & Harvard’s Summers – Congressional/Epstein fallout: 02:54–03:31
• Justine Jackson Memorials: 03:31–04:39
• Market Update: 04:39–04:54

This episode efficiently summarizes complex, high-stakes developments in global diplomacy, domestic politics, and societal remembrance, maintaining the urgency and matter-of-fact style characteristic of NPR’s hourly news updates.