NPR News: 02-09-2026 11AM EST
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What recent developments involve Ghislaine Maxwell and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer?
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Corova Coleman. The chair of the House Oversight Committee, James Comer, says convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell has appeared virtually before his committee this morning. But he says she has formally refused to answer questions about her criminal role with late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is struggling to keep his job over his handling of a scandal involving Epstein. NPR's Lauren Freyer reports from London.
First, Starmer's chief of staff resigned over his role recommending one of Epstein's friends as ambassador to Washington. Now Starmer's communications chief has stepped down as well. Opposition politicians and even some members of Starmer's own party resigned. are calling for the prime minister to resign over his judgment in naming Peter Mandelson as ambassador. Starmer has said he regrets that and has apologized to Epstein's victims.
What are the latest updates in the search for Savannah Guthrie's mother?
Meanwhile, a royal spokesperson says Prince William and his wife Kate are deeply concerned about the latest Epstein files. William's uncle Andrew, no longer a prince because of his own Epstein ties, is now alleged to have passed confidential trade information to the sex offender. Lauren Freyer, NPR News, London.
This is the second week in the search for the mother of Today Show host Savannah Guthrie. Officials believe Nancy Guthrie was abducted from her home in Tucson, Arizona. The Guthrie family released another video over the weekend saying they will pay for her return. But NPR's Bill Chappell reports authorities don't have strong leads in the case.
Pima County Sheriff's Department put out an update essentially saying they're still working to find Nancy Guthrie and investigators have repeatedly been seen working in and around the house this past weekend even. But the Sheriff's Department also said they haven't identified any suspects or people of interest or vehicles that might be connected to the case.
NPR's Bill Chappell reporting.
How is AI being proposed to address healthcare challenges in the US?
The head of Medicare and Medicaid, Dr. Mehmet Oz, is facing criticism. He has suggested that AI avatars could help solve the health care crisis in underserved areas of the United States. NPR's Windsor Johnston has more.
At a recent health care forum, Dr. Ross said digital AI avatars are the best way to expand access to care. An AI avatar is a computer-generated doctor on a screen designed to interact with patients. But Carrie Henning-Smith, a health researcher at the University of Minnesota, says that approach could turn vulnerable communities into a test case.
I don't like the idea of rural populations being treated as guinea pigs. We're seeing a rural places as the laboratory for that.
Oz's comments sparked backlash online.
What criticisms has Dr. Mehmet Oz faced regarding AI in healthcare?
Some mocked the idea of replacing nurses with cartoons. But some health care experts say AI can be an important tool used in medicine, and in many cases already is. Windsor Johnston, NPR News.
On Wall Street, stocks have turned positive. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is up mostly 60 points at this hour. You're listening to NPR News. A court in Iran has sentenced Nobel Peace Prize winner Nargis Mohammadi to prison again. Her lawyer says she's been sentenced to another seven years. Mohammadi is a women's rights campaigner who had already been in prison. She was temporarily released for medical reasons in 2024.
What recent news surrounds Nobel Peace Prize winner Nargis Mohammadi?
American skier Lindsay Vaughn is resting in stable condition in a hospital in Italy. The iconic skier had just started her Olympic alpine downhill event when she crashed and had to be flown off the mountain. She was hospitalized where officials say Vaughn underwent surgery to address a fracture in her left leg. The online lending marketplace LendingTree says people should expect fewer roses and chocolates this Valentine's Day. A new survey finds Americans are planning to spend nearly $50 less on the holiday this year. And Pierre-Steven Bissaha has more.
LendingTree says the jewelry items it tracks are up almost 8 percent from last year. Chocolates up nearly 12 percent. Matt Schultz is LendingTree's chief consumer finance analyst.
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Chapters
6 chapters
1
What recent developments involve Ghislaine Maxwell and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer?
0:00–0:50
2
What are the latest updates in the search for Savannah Guthrie's mother?
0:50–1:48
3
How is AI being proposed to address healthcare challenges in the US?
1:48–2:37
4
What criticisms has Dr. Mehmet Oz faced regarding AI in healthcare?
2:37–3:17
5
What recent news surrounds Nobel Peace Prize winner Nargis Mohammadi?
3:17–4:03
6
How are Americans planning to celebrate Valentine's Day amid rising costs?
4:03–4:39