Overview of NPR News: 02-08-2026 6PM EST
This edition of NPR News covers international and domestic headlines: Ukraine's new sanctions targeting foreign suppliers of drone/missile components to Russia; a U.K. political resignation tied to an Epstein-linked appointment; the ongoing investigation and family plea in the suspected abduction of NBC anchor Savannah Guthrie’s mother; injuries and results from the Milan–Cortina Winter Olympics; accessibility innovations for blind Super Bowl fans; weekend box office results; and a sponsored message from Wealthfront.
Major stories
Ukraine imposes new sanctions on foreign suppliers
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced sanctions on some foreign manufacturers and suppliers of components used in Russian drones and missiles.
- He said Russia continues to obtain critical parts by circumventing sanctions and that production of these weapon systems would be impossible without those components.
- Targets named include companies based in China, Panama, and the UAE, and sanctions cover both suppliers (witting or unwitting) and the missile/drone manufacturers themselves.
- Reporters note Russia’s nightly strikes continue but have dropped in frequency and intensity recently, with analysts saying Russia is running low on supplies; some missiles used against Ukraine this year were newly produced, indicating depletion of older stockpiles.
UK political fallout over Epstein-linked appointment
- British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, resigned amid pressure for his role in appointing Peter Mendelssohn (named in the transcript) — described as a friend of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein — to an ambassadorship to the U.S.
- Mendelssohn resigned from the House of Lords after newly released emails tied him to Epstein; Starmer had previously removed him from a diplomatic post last fall over the connection.
- McSweeney acknowledged he was wrong to help secure the appointment.
Suspected abduction of Nancy Guthrie — family plea and ransom developments
- Savannah Guthrie and her siblings posted a video asking potential abductors to return their mother, Nancy, and saying “we will pay.”
- The post came seven days after Nancy Guthrie’s suspected abduction from her Tucson-area home.
- The family said they received a message and understand it; local station KOLD reportedly received a second message (contents unclear), following an earlier ransom note that set a Monday deadline. Authorities have not publicly confirmed next steps if the deadline is missed.
Winter Olympics: Lindsey Vonn crash; U.S. wins figure skating gold
- Former Olympic downhill champion Lindsey Vonn (transcript spelling varies) crashed 13 seconds into her downhill run and underwent surgery for a broken left leg; the crash came about a week after she reportedly tore her ACL.
- U.S. skater Breezy Johnson won gold in the downhill event (reported as the first U.S. medal at these Games).
- The U.S. also won its first gold in figure skating at the Milan–Cortina Winter Games.
Super Bowl accessibility — haptic tablets for blind/low-vision fans
- Some blind and low-vision fans at the Super Bowl will use haptic tablets (tabletop devices that simulate the field) to feel ball movement in real time while listening to play-by-play.
- Scott Thornhill, executive director of the American Council of the Blind, who lost his sight gradually after childhood, will use the device and described it as an emotional, full-circle experience — allowing him to “know again” plays like handoffs and running direction.
Box office: Send Help tops slow Super Bowl weekend
- Top results for the weekend:
- Send Help (R-rated survival thriller) — estimated $10 million (second weekend), $53 million worldwide.
- Solo Mio (Kevin James comedy, Angel Studios) — $7 million debut.
- Iron Lung (low-budget indie) — $6 million this weekend, $31 million two-week total on a $3 million budget.
Key takeaways
- Ukraine is targeting foreign component suppliers to degrade Russia’s ability to build drones and missiles; evidence suggests Russian stockpiles are being depleted.
- Political fallout continues in the U.K. over appointments tied to Jeffrey Epstein associations, costing a senior aide his job.
- The Nancy Guthrie case remains active and emotionally fraught for her family; public requests and ransom-related communications are ongoing.
- The Winter Olympics featured both tragedy (Vonn crash) and success (U.S. figure skating gold).
- Accessibility tech (haptic/tabletop devices) is being used to make live sporting events like the Super Bowl more inclusive for blind and low-vision fans.
- The Super Bowl weekend box office remains modest, with small-budget films achieving notable returns.
Notable quotes
- Zelensky (on X): “Producing this weaponry would be impossible without critical foreign components.”
- Savannah Guthrie’s family (video): “We beg you now to return our mother to us so that we can celebrate with her... And we will pay.”
- Scott Thornhill (on using haptic device): “The fact that I could know again that it [was] a handoff to the running back who [is] running to the right side...”
Additional notes
- Transcript contains several likely transcription name variations (e.g., “Lindsay Vaughn” vs. Lindsey Vonn; “Peter Mendelssohn” as reported). Names and spellings in this summary follow the most likely intended references but may differ from the raw transcript.
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