NPR News: 02-08-2026 2PM EST

Summary of NPR News: 02-08-2026 2PM EST

by NPR

5m•February 8, 2026
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Overview of NPR News: 02-08-2026 2PM EST

This edition of NPR News (anchored by Nora Rahm) delivers a compact roundup of U.S. and international political developments, defense policy changes, public health updates, election results in Japan and Portugal, Winter Olympics results, and lighter human-interest coverage from the Puppy Bowl — plus sponsor messages. Key items include Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s accelerated trip to Washington to meet President Trump amid renewed U.S.–Iran talks; the U.S. Defense Department ending certain education ties with Harvard; and a concerning rise in pediatric flu deaths.

Major headlines

Netanyahu to meet President Trump as U.S. opens talks with Iran

  • Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a sudden, earlier-than-planned trip to Washington to meet President Trump on Wednesday.
  • The meeting comes as the U.S. and Iran held the first negotiations since the U.S. attacked Iranian nuclear sites last June.
  • Iran’s foreign minister said the nuclear program is negotiable but its missile program is not (described as defensive).
  • Israel views Iran’s ballistic missiles and support for regional proxies as central security concerns and says any talks must include limits on missiles and proxy activity.
  • Israeli officials in the report suggested some expect a U.S. military strike on Iran to be inevitable despite negotiations.

Pentagon ends professional programs with Harvard

  • The U.S. Department of Defense announced it is cutting ties with Harvard University for professional military education, certificate programs, and fellowships.
  • Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (transcript spelled variously) said officers returned from Harvard with “radical ideologies” that were detrimental to fighting effectiveness; service members already enrolled can finish their programs.
  • The decision follows public criticism from the Defense Secretary and signals a shift in military–academic relationships.

Flu season: pediatric deaths rise; possible second peak

  • The CDC reported eight additional child influenza deaths in the past week, bringing the season’s pediatric death toll to at least 52.
  • Clinic and hospital visits for flu symptoms have started to rise again, suggesting a potential second peak in an unusually severe season.
  • For context, last season influenza claimed over 280 children.
  • The CDC recently made a controversial policy change to stop recommending routine flu shots for all children (mentioned in the report).

International & political updates

Japan: ruling party wins large lower-house majority (preliminary)

  • Preliminary results show Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s party won about a two-thirds majority in Japan’s lower house.
  • That supermajority would allow the government to overcome objections in the upper house and push its agenda more easily.

Portugal: presidential runoff today

  • Voters are choosing between a center-left socialist candidate and a hard-right populist in a runoff.
  • Polling suggests the center-left socialist, campaigning as a moderate able to work with the center-right government, is favored to win.

Sports and culture

Winter Olympics: U.S. wins first medal

  • Breezy Johnson won gold in the women’s downhill, earning the U.S. its first medal of the Games.
  • Teammate Lindsey Vonn (reported as “Vaughn” in the transcript) crashed out early in her run.

Puppy Bowl promotes adoption ahead of Super Bowl

  • The 21st annual Puppy Bowl featured about 150 dogs from 72 shelters, including senior-dog-focused teams (Team Oldies/Team Goldies) and fun teams like Team Fluff vs. Team Ruff.
  • The event emphasizes pet adoption and drew nearly 13 million viewers; it airs on Animal Planet ahead of the Super Bowl (reported matchup: New England Patriots vs. Seattle Seahawks).

Notable details & numbers

  • 8 new pediatric influenza deaths in the past week; at least 52 total for the season.
  • Over 280 pediatric flu deaths last season.
  • Puppy Bowl: ~150 dogs, 72 shelters, ~13 million viewers.
  • Pentagon policy: ends professional military education/certificate/fellowship programs with Harvard; current students can complete studies.

Notable quotes (as reported)

  • Iran’s foreign minister: nuclear program negotiable; missile program defensive and not up for negotiation.
  • Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth: many officers returned from Harvard with “radical ideologies” that do not improve our fighting ranks; “too many of our officers came back looking too much like Harvard.”

Sponsorship mentions

  • Warby Parker: promoted as a one-stop shop for eyewear, contacts, and eye exams.
  • Lisa (mattress): 30% off plus $50 off with promo code NPR.

Takeaways

  • Israel–U.S. diplomatic activity is intensifying around Iran negotiations; missile limits and proxy activity remain core Israeli concerns.
  • The Pentagon’s break with Harvard signals heightened scrutiny of military–academic relationships and cultural concerns within the ranks.
  • The U.S. influenza season remains severe with rising pediatric fatalities and signs of a second peak; public-health policy on childhood flu vaccination has recently shifted and is controversial.
  • Elections in Japan and Portugal could reshape governance dynamics; sports and cultural coverage provide lighter counterpoints (Olympics, Puppy Bowl).

(Names in the transcript showed varied spellings — this summary uses more commonly known spellings where recognizable: Pete Hegseth; Sanae Takaichi; Lindsey Vonn.)