NPR News Now – 01-03-2026 11AM EST

Host: Nora Ram | Date: January 3, 2026

Overview

This fast-paced episode of NPR News Now covers breaking international headlines, including the dramatic U.S. operation in Venezuela resulting in the capture of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, reactions from global players like Russia and Iran, an update on a tragic fire in a Swiss ski resort, a science explainer on Earth's orbit and the seasons, and a report on a growing measles outbreak in South Carolina.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S. Operation in Venezuela

• President Trump's Announcement (00:33–01:19)
  • President Trump is set to speak on the overnight U.S. operation in Venezuela.
  • Announces that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife have been taken aboard a U.S. warship.
  • Trump described observing the operation in real time from Mar-a-Lago.
• Details of the Operation
  • Few injuries reported, none fatal on the U.S. side.
  • Trump highlighted the breach of secure locations:

    "And they just broke in and they broke into places that were not really able to be broke into, you know, steel doors that was were put there for just this reason and they got taken out in a matter of seconds." – President Trump [01:04]

2. Legal and Political Fallout

• Criminal Charges Against Maduro
  • U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announces Maduro and his wife face charges in the Southern District of New York, including:
    • Conspiracy to commit narco-terrorism
    • Conspiracy to import cocaine
    • Weapons possession
  • Bondi: Maduro and his wife "will face the full wrath of American justice on American soil." (01:33)

3. On-the-Ground in Venezuela (01:59–02:20)

• Local Perspective from Caracas
  • Vanessa Silva, reporting from near the La Carlota military airport, describes multiple explosions, fires quickly extinguished, and ongoing overhead military activity.

4. International Reactions

• Russia’s Condemnation (02:20–03:11)

  • Russian Foreign Ministry labels U.S. actions as “unfounded” and "an unacceptable assault on Venezuela's sovereignty."
  • Despite verbal support, Moscow does not escalate; notes previous refusal to provide military aid to Maduro.

    "The Kremlin reportedly rebuffed a request by Nicolas Maduro for direct military assistance in the fall, a result, analysts say, of Moscow's desire to maintain good relations with the Trump administration." – Charles Maynes [02:31]

• Iran’s Supreme Leader Responds (03:11)

  • Ayatollah Ali Khamenei proclaims Iran will “not yield to the enemy,” responding to Trump’s threats regarding protester safety.
  • Ongoing demonstrations in Iran have led to at least ten deaths.

5. Other Major Stories

Deadly Fire in Switzerland (03:11–04:11)

• Fatal fire at a Swiss ski resort on New Year's Day claims at least 40 lives.
• Cause: Decorative candles on champagne bottles ignited ceiling material; renovations and soundproofing foam under investigation.

Perihelion Explained (04:11–04:50)

• Earth will be closest to the sun at 12:15pm EST.
• Joe Palko explains that Earth's tilt, not distance from the sun, causes the seasons:

  "Longer time bathed in sunlight does more to explain changes in temperature than slight changes in distance." – Joe Palko [04:11]

Measles Outbreak in South Carolina (04:50–05:12)

• 9 new measles cases reported in a county with the state's lowest vaccination rate; total cases in SC reach 185.
• Children more heavily affected than in other recent outbreaks.

Notable Quotes by Segment

• President Trump:

  "They just broke in and they broke into places that were not really able to be broke into...steel doors...and they got taken out in a matter of seconds." [01:04]

• Charles Maynes (NPR, Moscow):

  "...Moscow has stopped short of challenging the US more forcefully amid a months-long pressure campaign by the Trump administration..." [02:31]

• Joe Palko:

  "Longer time bathed in sunlight does more to explain changes in temperature than slight changes in distance." [04:11]

Important Timestamps

• 00:33 – President Trump’s statement on Venezuela
• 01:33 – Details of charges against Maduro and his wife
• 02:20 – Russia’s response to the U.S. action
• 03:11 – Iran protests and deadly Swiss fire coverage
• 04:11 – Earth’s perihelion and science explainer
• 04:50 – South Carolina measles outbreak

This five-minute bulletin delivers concise updates on major world events with direct reports from NPR correspondents and local voices, capturing the urgency and gravity of the day’s breaking news.