Overview of NPR News: 02-08-2026 10AM EST
This edition of NPR News (10 AM ET) covers a range of national and international headlines: the U.S. Defense Department cutting ties with Harvard University, Savannah Guthrie's public plea about her missing mother, Lindsey Vonn’s crash at the Winter Olympics, U.S.–Israel and Iran diplomatic developments, Japan’s snap election exit polls, and a BMW recall. Short sponsor messages from Charles Schwab and NetSuite bracket the bulletin.
Key stories (quick list)
- Pentagon ends professional military education, certificate programs, and fellowships with Harvard University.
- Today Show anchor Savannah Guthrie and her siblings make a public appeal after 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie is reported missing in Tucson, AZ.
- American alpine skier Lindsey Vonn crashes in the women’s downhill at the Milan–Cortina Olympics and is airlifted from the course; teammate Breezy Johnson wins gold.
- Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expected to meet President Trump amid U.S. talks with Iran; Israel wants broader limits on Iran’s activities.
- Exit polls show Japan’s conservative leader (reported as Sanae Takaichi) and the Liberal Democratic Party winning a decisive victory in snap lower-house elections.
- NHTSA recalls more than 87,000 BMW vehicles for an engine-starter overheating/fire risk; dealers to replace the part free of charge.
Story details
Pentagon severs ties with Harvard
- The Defense Department announced it will end all professional military education, certificate programs, and fellowships with Harvard University.
- Defense Secretary (identified in the broadcast as Pete Hegseth) — himself a Harvard alumnus who later denounced the school — said many officers returned from Harvard having adopted "radical ideologies that do not improve our fighting ranks." He added that officers "came back looking too much like Harvard."
- Service members already enrolled will be allowed to complete their studies.
Savannah Guthrie’s public plea over missing mother
- Today Show anchor Savannah Guthrie posted a video with her siblings appealing to whoever is holding their mother to return her.
- Nancy Guthrie, 84, disappeared from her Tucson, Arizona home last week; police say circumstances suggest an abduction.
- From the video (as quoted in the broadcast): "We received your message and we understand. We beg you now to return our mother to us so that we can celebrate with her... This is the only way we will have peace... we will pay."
Lindsey Vonn crash at the Winter Olympics; Breezy Johnson wins gold
- At the Milan–Cortina Olympics (run reported in Cortina), Lindsey Vonn, 41, crashed early in the women's downhill after catching an arm on a gate and launching into the air.
- She twisted on the first jump, landed hard with skis tangled, was tended to on the snow for over 10 minutes, and was airlifted by helicopter.
- Vonn had been attempting a comeback after tearing her ACL in a late pre-race; she had completed training runs earlier that week.
- U.S. teammate Breezy (Breezy Johnson) won the Olympic gold in the downhill — the second American woman to win downhill gold since Vonn in Vancouver 2010.
Netanyahu–Trump meeting and Iran diplomacy
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to meet President Trump in Washington amid ongoing U.S. talks with Iran.
- The meeting follows Iranian foreign ministry comments threatening U.S. bases after indirect discussions held in Oman.
- Netanyahu’s office says Israel wants any agreement to also address Iran’s nuclear program, its ballistic missile capabilities, and its support for armed groups across the region.
Japan exit polls: Takaichi and LDP ahead
- NHK exit polls showed (reported) Sanae Takaichi and the Liberal Democratic Party winning a standalone majority in the lower house.
- If confirmed, a two-thirds or standalone majority would let the LDP override upper-house opposition and give Takaichi a stronger mandate for her conservative agenda — including potential increases in defense spending.
- The result represents a comeback for the LDP after recent electoral setbacks.
BMW recall
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says BMW North America is recalling over 87,000 vehicles because an engine starter can overheat and potentially catch fire.
- Dealers will replace the problematic part at no cost to owners.
Notable quotes
- Defense official (reported): "Many officers received radical ideologies that do not improve our fighting ranks."
- Defense official: "Too many of our officers came back looking too much like Harvard."
- Savannah Guthrie (from posted video): "We received your message and we understand. We beg you now to return our mother to us... This is the only way we will have peace... we will pay."
Practical takeaways / what to watch next
- Pentagon–Harvard: Expect statements from Harvard and broader debate about military–academic relationships; look for official Pentagon policy guidance on alternative professional education options.
- Nancy Guthrie: Follow Tucson police releases for developments or public requests for tips.
- Lindsey Vonn: Monitor updates about her injuries and official medical statements; Olympic event coverage will continue with more details.
- U.S.–Iran diplomacy: Watch for outcomes from the Oman talks and any U.S.–Israel discussions after the Netanyahu–Trump meeting.
- Japan election: Check official results from NHK and Japan’s election authorities to confirm exit-poll projections and implications for legislation.
- BMW owners: If you own a recent BMW, check NHTSA notices and contact your dealer to schedule the no-cost starter replacement.
Sponsors noted in the broadcast
- Charles Schwab: message about wealth-management choices and self-directed trading (schwab.com).
- NetSuite by Oracle: promoted as an AI-enabled cloud ERP; offered guide "Demystifying AI" at netsuite.com/story.