Overview of NPR News: 02-09-2026 3AM EST
This 3 a.m. ET edition of NPR News highlights U.S. political bargaining over Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding with a looming partial government shutdown, international and domestic headlines (Hong Kong, Israel, Nigeria), sports results (NFL/Super Bowl recap and Olympic wins), and economic calendar items (delayed January jobs report). Short sponsor spots for Mint Mobile bookend the newscast.
Top story — DHS funding standoff and shutdown risk
- Context: Congress must fund DHS by midnight Friday to avoid a partial shutdown that would affect agencies such as the Coast Guard, TSA and FEMA.
- Political impasse:
- House and Senate Democrats (led by Sen. Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries) have demanded reforms in DHS after two Minnesotans were killed by DHS agents in January. Demands include judicial-warrant requirements, improved identification for DHS officers, and new use-of-force standards.
- Senate GOP leadership (Sen. John Thune) called those demands "unrealistic."
- Jeffries said negotiations have stalled: "we haven't heard back from the White House or... Speaker Mike Johnson or Leader Thune" on the proposals.
- Notable detail: Even if DHS funding lapses, the administration's mass-deportation operations would reportedly still have funding to continue.
Domestic news highlights
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Seattle Seahawks win Super Bowl
- Result: Seattle Seahawks beat the New England Patriots, 29–13.
- Game note: Seahawks defense dominated; Patriots did not score until the fourth quarter when they were already trailing.
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Economic calendar and jobs data
- The January jobs report (originally due Friday) was delayed because Labor Department staff were briefly sent home during a government shutdown; it is now scheduled for Wednesday.
- The release will show whether the recent sluggish job growth picked up in January and will include an annual revision expected to show that 2025 job growth was weaker than initially reported.
- Investors will also watch a December retail sales report; consumer spending—especially by higher-income households—remains a principal driver of U.S. growth.
International news
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Hong Kong — Jimmy Lai sentenced
- Jimmy Lai, 78, the pro-democracy activist and media proprietor, was sentenced to 20 years in prison under China’s national security law after a high-profile trial.
- Family reports sharp health decline: his daughter said he lost significant weight and has multiple health issues; legal team argues the sentence is effectively life imprisonment.
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Israel and the West Bank
- Israel’s Security Cabinet approved measures to strengthen Israeli control over the occupied West Bank and reduce powers of the Palestinian Authority.
- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called the measures dangerous and appealed for international intervention.
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Nigeria — deadly crash
- A passenger-carrying truck crash in northern Nigeria killed at least 30 people and injured others. Officials blamed reckless driving; the story underscores frequent road fatalities tied to poor road conditions and lax enforcement.
Sports and Olympics
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Alpine skiing
- Breezy Johnson won Olympic gold in downhill for the U.S., edging Germany’s Emma Aicher by 0.04 seconds. She is the second American woman (after Lindsey Vonn) to win Olympic downhill gold.
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Figure skating
- Ilia Malinin landed five quadruple jumps and scored 200.03 points, helping the U.S. win team figure skating gold. He edged Japan’s Shun Sato in a head-to-head moment when teams were tied.
Notable quotes
- Hakeem Jeffries: "Unfortunately, we haven't heard back from the White House or Mike Johnson or Speaker or Leader Thune in terms of the demands that we've put on the table." (on stalled DHS negotiations)
- Senate Majority Leader John Thune: called Democratic demands on DHS "unrealistic" (as reported).
Quick facts & numbers
- DHS funding deadline: midnight Friday.
- Seahawks vs. Patriots: 29–13.
- Jimmy Lai sentence: 20 years.
- Nigeria crash fatalities: at least 30.
- Mint Mobile sponsor: plans starting at $15/month (first three months deal noted).
What to watch / next steps
- Whether Congress reaches a deal on DHS funding before the Friday deadline and how that affects DHS operations and deportation activities.
- Wednesday’s January jobs report and the annual employment revision that could downgrade 2025 job growth.
- Any international reactions or legal appeals related to Jimmy Lai’s 20-year sentence.
- Developments on Israeli policy in the West Bank and international responses.
Sponsored messages: the broadcast included Mint Mobile ads offering a promotion starting at $15/month (first three months).