NPR News Now: 2PM EST – January 3, 2026

Episode Overview

This NPR News Now episode, hosted by Nora Ram, delivers a concise roundup of major global and national news events in under five minutes. The focus is on the dramatic US military intervention in Venezuela, subsequent celebrations in Florida’s Venezuelan community, ongoing protests in Iran, a deadly fire in Switzerland, Hollywood’s box office performance, and a growing measles outbreak in South Carolina.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. US Military Operation in Venezuela

• Presidential Defense of Intervention
  [00:15] President Trump publicly defended the US-led removal of Venezuelan President Maduro, asserting that it serves American interests and ensures regional stability.

  • Americans will assume control of Venezuela’s administration.
  • Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will be directly involved.
  • US oil companies are to take over Venezuela’s oil reserves, with military support for security.

• Notable Quote:
  "It's in the US Interest to surround itself with good neighbors."
  — President Trump [00:23]

• Commentator Support
  [00:46] An unnamed commentator praised the operation’s humanitarian intent:

  • Emphasized the expected improvement in Venezuela’s prosperity and independence.
  • Highlighted the relief it would bring to Venezuelan Americans.

  Quote:
  “They suffered. They suffered. So much was taken from them. They're not going to suffer anymore.”
  — Unnamed Commentator [00:55]

2. Venezuelan-American Celebrations in Florida

• Community Reactions
  [01:05] In Doral, Miami, a stronghold of Venezuelan expatriates, celebrations erupted.

  • Large gatherings at El Arepaso restaurant with hugging, chanting, and singing.
  • Many are contacting relatives in Venezuela to share the news of Maduro’s arrest.

• Quote:
  “I know for a fact that a lot of people want to go back. The issue is, do we have a safe environment to be able to grow, to be able to, you know, just prosper as human beings in what this world is nowadays?”
  — Michelle Guerra, community member [01:38]

• Demographic Context
  [01:50] Doral’s population is about 40% Venezuelan or of Venezuelan descent.

  • After 26 years of political strife, a sense of hopeful change is palpable.

3. Legal Action Against Maduro

• US Charges Announced
  [02:01] Attorney General Pam Bondi revealed indictments against Maduro and his wife in the Southern District of New York.

  • Charges: conspiracy to commit narco-terrorism, cocaine importation, weapons possession.
  • Bondi pledged comprehensive prosecution:
    “They will face the full wrath of American justice on American soil.”
    — Pam Bondi [02:11]

• Developments in Venezuela
  [02:25] Carrie Khan, reporting from Rio de Janeiro, shared:

  • Social media filled with posts about explosions in Caracas.
  • Vanessa Silva, a reporter in Caracas, described fires at the military airport that were swiftly extinguished, and hours of military aircraft activity overhead.

4. Iran Protests and US Warning

• Iran’s Response to Protests
  [02:47] Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei issued stern remarks about the week-long anti-government protests:

  • Labeled demonstrators as rioters to be stopped.
  • At least 10 protestors killed so far.
  • President Trump warned of US intervention if peaceful protestors are harmed.

• Quote:
  “The rioters must be put in their place.”
  — Ayatollah Ali Khamenei [02:48]

5. Disaster at Swiss Ski Resort

• Deadly New Year’s Fire
  [03:28] Authorities investigate a fire at a Swiss ski resort that killed at least 40 and injured over 100.
  • Suspected cause: sparkling candles atop champagne bottles brought too close to a ceiling.

6. Movie Industry: Global vs. US Box Office

• International Box Office Recovery
  [03:41] While North American audiences remained hard to lure back to theaters in 2025, international markets surged.

  • Hollywood blockbusters saw more than half earnings from overseas.
  • North American box office growth: +1%
  • International box office growth: +16% to $24.6 billion.
  • Noteworthy: China’s animated fantasy "Ney Zha 2" was the year's biggest film.

• Quote:
  “Fire and Ash and the car racing movie F1, which each did quite well in the US, did twice as well in other countries.”
  — Bob Mondello, NPR [03:52]

7. Growing Measles Outbreak in South Carolina

• Public Health Alert
  [04:29] Nine new measles cases reported in South Carolina’s lowest-vaccinated county.
  • State total: 185 cases, disproportionately affecting children.
  • Outbreak worse than similar events in other states.

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• President Trump:
  "It's in the US Interest to surround itself with good neighbors." [00:23]

• Unnamed Commentator (on relief for Venezuelans):
  "They suffered. They suffered. So much was taken from them. They're not going to suffer anymore." [00:55]

• Michelle Guerra (on returning to Venezuela):
  "I know for a fact that a lot of people want to go back. The issue is, do we have a safe environment to be able to grow, to be able to, you know, just prosper as human beings in what this world is nowadays?" [01:38]

• Pam Bondi (US Attorney General, on prosecution):
  "They will face the full wrath of American justice on American soil." [02:11]

• Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (on Iran protests):
  "The rioters must be put in their place." [02:48]

• Bob Mondello (on box office differences):
  "Fire and Ash and the car racing movie F1, which each did quite well in the US, did twice as well in other countries." [03:52]

Key Timestamps

• 00:15–01:05: Venezuela operation and US administration’s stance
• 01:19–01:50: Florida’s Venezuelan community reaction
• 02:01–02:25: US charges against Maduro and on-the-ground Caracas reports
• 02:47: Iran protests and Khamenei’s response
• 03:28: Swiss ski resort fire update
• 03:41–04:20: Hollywood’s box office in 2025 vs. global performance
• 04:29: South Carolina measles outbreak update

This summary captures all significant news updates, public reactions, and context from the broadcast, offering a clear view of global and domestic headlines as of January 3, 2026, 2PM EST.