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Today’s top stories
The Justice Department released more than 3 million files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein on Friday, exposing a sprawling web of powerful figures who vied for his counsel. The DOJ’s internal notes revealed the extent of allegations made against Epstein and others who have not faced criminal charges for sex trafficking. NPR has reviewed the documents. Here are four takeaways from the latest release of the Epstein files.
A document that was included in the Department of Justice release of the Jeffrey Epstein files, photographed Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, shows a diagram prepared by the FBI attempting to chart the network of Epstein’s victims and the timeline of their alleged abuse.
Jon Elswick/AP
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Jon Elswick/AP
- ➡️ Annie Farmer, who testified that Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell abused her at 16, tells NPR that the DOJ’s release of victims’ names and images is “really disgusting.” The release did not redact victims’ names and included photos of nude women and girls.
U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff will arrive in Turkey this week to reopen negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program. Joined by allies like Turkey and Qatar, Witkoff aims to cool regional tensions. The meeting carries immense weight as President Trump weighs military strikes on Iran. If the U.S. launches an assault, Iran has warned it could lead to a regional war.
- 🎧 Trump may be playing for time when it comes to making a deal in an effort to build up the U.S.’ military force in the region, NPR’s Jackie Northam tells Up First. The buildup would provide Trump with significant leverage to implement the kind of behavioural changes he wants from Iran. A stronger military presence in the area would also reassure regional allies that the U.S. will protect them if there is a shift toward war with Iran.
“Bring her home,” Today show host Savannah Guthrie wrote on social media, pleading for people to pray for her missing 84-year-old mother. Authorities in Tucson, Ariz., have said little publicly, but investigators believe someone took Nancy Guthrie from her home against her will. Officials continued their overnight search for Nancy by using drones, dogs, and helicopters.
- 🎧 Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said that the “state of the home” is concerning and that Nancy couldn’t have left on her own. Officials believe someone took her in the middle of the night. Arizona Public Media reporter L.M. Boyd says the Tucson community is deeply engaged and worried about the Guthries. Nancy’s neighbor, Kathleene Hearne, describes their area as very quiet. The residents, many of whom are older retired couples, keep to themselves.
The partial government shutdown has entered its fourth day, and the House has the power to end it today. Trump is encouraging the House to approve a six-bill plan from the Senate that would fund most of the government. The bill would fund the Department of Homeland Security for two weeks, giving lawmakers time to negotiate changes to how federal agents conduct their jobs. NPR’s Claudia Grisales says she expects these DHS negotiations to be difficult because both sides are skeptical that two weeks is enough time. Ahead of the midterms, Democrats and Republicans are motivated to own immigration enforcement reform as a campaign talking point.
