NPR News Now - NPR News: 02-06-2026 12PM EST

Episode Date: February 6, 2026

NPR News: 02-06-2026 12PM ESTLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. President Trump has posted a racist depiction of former president Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama on his social media platform. In the first week of Black History Month, the image appeared in the middle of the night on the president's truth social feed. NPR's deepest shiverum reports. The video clip shows the Obama's depicted as apes. White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt says the clip says the clip Trump post. posted is from a, quote, internet meme that depicts Trump as king of the jungle, while Democrats are shown as characters from the Lion King. Leavitt also said to, quote, please stop the fake outrage. Trump has a history of making racist remarks toward black people. For years, he pushed the false narrative that Obama was not born in the U.S. In addition, he's used derogatory language to describe

African countries. He's also tried to falsely claim former Vice President Kamala Harris, quote, turned black. Harris identifies as black and Indian American. Deepa Shiveram, NPR News. Talks have wrapped over Iran's nuclear program. NPR's Greg Mirey reports U.S. and Iranian officials are meeting, even as President Trump positions American forces in the region for a potential strike. There is a chance if these talks, which are taking place in Oman, are limited to Iran's nuclear program. Now, this is what Iran wants. And Iran is in a position of real weak. and it's likely to make some concessions. It's suffered multiple setbacks in the past two years,

and this includes the U.S. and Israeli bombing campaign against nuclear facilities last June. That's NPR's Greg Myrie reporting. The president of Cuba says his country is ready for talks with the United States despite ongoing U.S. sanctions. NPR's Ader-Peralta reports from Mexico City. On national television Cuban President Miguel Diascanal said Cuba is at a perilous junction. and to survive, it would begin implementing some of the same rationing

it put in place after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Diazcanel calls the U.S. blockade of oil criminal. How will our vital systems survive without fuel, he asks. Cubans are tired of sacrifice, he says, but what else could they do? If we don't sacrifice and resist, what else will we do? Give up? Diazcanel did open the door to negotiations with the Trump administration, but he said they would only happen if they were on equal fully.

with no pressure or preconditions. The White House warned Cuba should be careful what it says about President Trump. Adapralta, NPR News, Mexico City. Forecasters say the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic will get hit with more frigid air this weekend. Strong winds could knock down power lines and some areas may see snow squalls. It follows several days of record low temperatures across the region and parts of the south. On Wall Street, the Dow is up 952 points. This is NPR News. France and Canada will open new consulates in the capital of Greenland today. The announcement comes after President Trump reignited interest in acquiring the island. The diplomatic expansion signals efforts by both countries to boost their presence in Greenland,

a Danish territory that's become a growing focus of global competition. Trump's push to claim the island, which he's framed as a national security issue, alarmed U.S. allies, and sparked a broader debate over our sovereignty and security. The opening ceremonies for the Winter Olympic Games are set for later today in northern Italy. They're centered around the city of Milan and the ski resort town of Cortina. NPR's Ping Wong reports many U.S. winter athletes will find these locations familiar. The biathlon events will take place in Antolt's Antraselva near the border with Austria. Deidre Irwin, America's top female biathlete says the U.S. has an advantage here.

Our coach, our head coach for the last eight years now, he is from the Antoltz Valley, born and raised, and our wax staff has been waxing there, and most of them have been ski racing there since they were kids. Irwin is among many U.S. winter athletes who regularly train and compete in the mountains of northern Italy. The cross-country skiing stadium in Valdefiame is an annual stop on the racing circuit. Many of the sites in Cortina harken back to the 1956 winter games there, such as the Olympia della Tophane, an iconic run for women's alpine skiing. Ping Huang, NPR News, Milan. On Wall Street, the Dowop 956 points, the NASDAQ up 350. This is NPR.