NPR News: 02-08-2026 5PM EST
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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Janine Herbst. President Trump is calling on Republicans in Congress to, quote, fix U.S. elections. NPR's Luke Garrett reports this comes days after Trump said he wants to nationalize voting, raising bipartisan alarm.
What recent actions has President Trump taken regarding U.S. elections?
In a social media post, Trump directed the GOP-controlled Congress to fight for voter ID requirements, proof of citizenship, and a partial ban on mail-in voting. Trump said U.S. elections are, quote, rigged, stolen, but provided no evidence to support this claim. Democratic Senator Adam Schiff of California criticized Trump's demands and his previous call to nationalize elections. Here's Schiff on ABC News. He's basically telling us he intends to interfere in this upcoming election. Schiff said Congress and the Supreme Court will not rein Trump in, and it'll be up to voters in 2026. But not all Democrats criticized Trump's demands. Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman told Fox News on Sunday, voter ID requirements are, quote, not a radical idea.
Luke Garrett, NPR News, Washington.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he's taking a sudden trip to Washington to meet with President Trump this week. And Piers Daniel Estrin reports it comes as the U.S. holds talks with Iran.
Netanyahu says he'll meet Trump on Wednesday. That's a week earlier than when Netanyahu had initially planned to travel to Washington. The US and Iran held their first round of negotiations Friday since the US attacked Iran's nuclear sites last June. Iran's foreign minister says its nuclear program can be negotiated, but that its missile program is for defense purposes and is not up for negotiation. But Iran's missile program is what worries Israel. Iranian missiles hit civilian and military sites in Israel during the June war. Netanyahu says any negotiations with Iran must include limitations on its ballistic missiles and ending support for militant proxy groups in the region. Israeli officials believe despite the U.S.
talks with Iran, a U.S. attack on Iran is inevitable. Daniel Estrin, NPR News, Tel Aviv.
Exposure to wildfire pollution is being linked to more than 24,000 deaths in the U.S. a year. And Pierce Jeff Brady reports climate change is making large wildfires more likely.
Scientists focus this research on small particles found in wildfire pollution such as smoke. These particles can lodge in the lungs and enter the bloodstream. They worsen existing health problems and lead to potentially deadly heart and lung illnesses. More people are being exposed to this pollution because of climate change and more homes being built close to wild areas. The study authors noted President Trump's shift away from climate policies as a critical and underappreciated risk, given their findings. Scientists from institutions including Harvard and Mount Sinai's medical school published their research in the journal Science Advances. Jeff Brady, NPR News.
And you're listening to NPR News from Washington. American alpine ski racer Lindsey Vonn has undergone surgery for a broken left leg, according to the AP, after crashing in the Winter Olympics downhill race. In a statement on X, U.S. Ski and Snowboard says she's in stable condition. Vonn crashed today 13 seconds into her downhill run and was transported from the scene of the crash by helicopter. The 41-year-old was competing just over a week after tearing an ACL in her left knee. She's trying to become the oldest alpine skier, male or female, to win an Olympic medal. She's already made history as the first American woman to win gold at the downhill at the 2010 Olympics. It's Super Bowl Sunday as the Seattle Seahawks face the New England Patriots.
Steve Futterman has more.
When the season began, neither the Seahawks or the Patriots were viewed as realistic Super Bowl contenders. Yet here they are. The Patriots have engineered one of the biggest turnarounds in league history. Last season they won just four games. Today they are trying to win number 18. New England coach Mike Rabel says fans can appreciate their rags to riches rise.
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