NPR News Now – January 2, 2026, 3AM EST

Host: Shea Stevens (NPR Anchor)
Episode Summary: This five-minute news update spotlights key national and international stories, including Zora Mamdani’s historic swearing-in as New York City mayor, a tragic fire in Switzerland, major visa policy changes under the Trump administration, developments in US–Venezuela relations, Sudan’s humanitarian crisis, and rising military tensions across the Taiwan Strait.

1. New York City Welcomes Progressive Mayor Zora Mamdani

[00:18–00:56]

• Swearing-In Ceremony:
  • Zora Mamdani, a progressive Democrat, is inaugurated as the new mayor of New York City.
  • Vermont US Senator Bernie Sanders administered the oath at the ceremony.
• Inaugural Remarks:
  • Mamdani signals an activist approach to governance and rejects the notion of lowering public expectations:
    • Quote (Zora Mamdani at 00:40):
      “In writing this address, I have been told that this is the occasion to reset expectations, that I should use this opportunity to encourage the people of New York to ask for little and expect even less. I will do no such thing.”
  • Mamdani commits City Hall to proactively use its powers to make NYC more affordable and improve residents’ lives.
• Tone: Confident, bold, and progressive.

2. Deadly Fire in Swiss Resort Claims Dozens of Lives

[00:56–01:55]

• Incident Overview:
  • A devastating fire broke out at the Constellation bar in the Swiss ski resort of Prinzmantina during New Year’s Eve celebrations.
  • At least 40 people have died and 115 are injured, many in critical condition.
• Response & Community Impact:
  • Emotional scenes as people continue searching for missing relatives.
  • The incident has left the small community “in deep shock.”
  • Quote (Sarah Rainsford, BBC at 01:23):
    “The fire then was so fierce, causing such severe burns that identifying everyone is difficult. ... There is now a small shrine close to the scene with flowers and candles and notes written to the dead from a small community in deep shock.”
• Ongoing Investigation:
  • Authorities are still working to determine the cause of the blaze.

3. Trump Administration Drastically Revokes US Visas

[01:55–02:45]

• Visa Revocations:
  • 85,000 visas revoked in 2025, over twice the number from 2024.
  • Over 8,000 student visas included in the total.
• Official Explanation:
  • Primary reasons: DUIs, assaults, theft (almost half the cases).
  • The State Department also targeted those whose speech "does not align with American values."
• Quote (Ximena Bustillo, NPR at 02:09):
  “DUIs, assaults and theft were among some of the top reasons why visas were revoked, accounting for almost half of the revocations last year. The State Department also moved forward with revoking the visas of students and others whose speech they say, does not align with American values.”
• Context:
  • Reflects a wider administration effort to cut legal pathways for migration.

4. Venezuela and US Discuss Counter-Narcotics Cooperation

[02:45–03:54]

• Maduro’s Remarks:
  • Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro appears willing to negotiate an anti-drug agreement with the US.
  • Expresses suspicions that the US wants regime change to control Venezuelan oil.
• US Actions:
  • The US has launched nearly three dozen attacks on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean and East Pacific since September, resulting in at least 115 deaths.

5. Washington, D.C. Golf Course Lease Dispute

[03:54]

• Lease Cancellations:
  • The Trump administration cancels leases for three public golf courses managed by a nonprofit, despite $8.5 million in capital improvements from the National Links Trust.
• Ongoing Management:
  • The Trust will temporarily continue running the golf courses.

6. Sudan Keeps Critical Border Crossing Open for Aid

[03:54–04:35]

• Humanitarian Update:
  • US acknowledges Sudan for keeping Adre border crossing open for humanitarian aid during an ongoing civil war (now nearly three years old).
• Significance:
  • The Adre crossing, at the Chad border, is vital for delivering life-saving supplies into Sudan.
  • Sudanese authorities extended the crossing’s open status to March 2026.
  • Quote (Michael Kaloki, NPR at 03:54):
    “According to the UN, Adre… is a critical lifeline for delivery of life-saving assistance into Sudan… The conflict in Sudan has led to a humanitarian crisis with thousands killed and millions displaced.”

7. Taiwan Responds to Chinese Military Drills

[04:35–04:56]

• Regional Tensions:
  • Taiwan’s President Lai Ching Te vows to defend the island’s sovereignty against China’s “expansionist ambitions.”
  • The statement follows large-scale Chinese military exercises around Taiwan and US plans for a major arms sale to Taiwan.
• Quote (Shea Stevens, NPR at 04:35):
  “President Lai Ching Te vows to defend against what he calls China’s expansionist ambitions. China’s military drills were held amid anger over US plans to sell a massive arms package to Taiwan.”

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Zora Mamdani Rejects Lowered Expectations:

  “I have been told … that I should use this opportunity to encourage the people of New York to ask for little and expect even less. I will do no such thing.”
  — Mayor Zora Mamdani, 00:40

• Swiss Community Grieves Fire Tragedy:

  “The fire then was so fierce, causing such severe burns that identifying everyone is difficult...”
  — Sarah Rainsford (BBC), 01:23

• Sharp Visa Policy Shift:

  “DUIs, assaults and theft were among some of the top reasons why visas were revoked ... The State Department also moved forward with revoking the visas of students and others whose speech they say, does not align with American values.”
  — Ximena Bustillo, 02:09

• Sudan’s Border Crossing as Lifeline:

  “According to the UN, Adre… is a critical lifeline for delivery of life-saving assistance into Sudan… The conflict in Sudan has led to a humanitarian crisis with thousands killed and millions displaced.”
  — Michael Kaloki, 03:54

Key Timestamps

• 00:18: NYC Mayor Zora Mamdani sworn in
• 01:23: Swiss fire tragedy updates
• 02:09: Visa revocation statistics and rationale
• 03:54: Sudan border crossing for aid
• 04:35: Taiwan’s response to China’s military exercises

This fast-paced NPR News Now episode provides a concise but impactful snapshot of major world events—ranging from progressive political shifts and international humanitarian crises to evolving US foreign policy and rising global tensions.