NPR News Now – 4AM EST, January 3, 2026

Host: Dale Willman
Episode Theme: Quick roundup of breaking news and major events across the world and in the US, with live updates.

Main Theme & Purpose

This five-minute NPR News Now episode delivers the latest headlines as of 4AM EST, January 3, 2026. Leading with a breaking story about a US military operation in Venezuela, it also covers a significant Denver fire, astronomical events, a milestone in HIV transmission elimination, major college football results, and Olympic hockey team announcements.

Key Stories & Insights

1. US Military Operation in Venezuela

[00:17–01:28, 04:48]

• Early morning US military action reported in Caracas and other regions.
  • Multiple explosions hit both civilian and military sites.
  • Venezuelan government condemns US "aggression" on the international stage.
  • The White House has made no comment; the Pentagon refers inquiries upward.
  • President Nicolas Maduro calls for national defense and declares a "state of external disturbance".
  • The airspace over Venezuela and Curaçao has been closed to US pilots due to “safety of flight risks.”

Notable Quotes:

"The Venezuelan government said it rejects, condemns and denounces before the international community the extremely grave military aggression carried out by the current U.S. government."
— Carrie Kahn, [00:43]

"Maduro has declared a state of external disturbance and called for an immediate move to arms struggle."
— Carrie Kahn, [01:01]

• Associated Press reports ([01:28]) the FAA has warned pilots to avoid Venezuela and Curaçao due to "ongoing military activity."

2. Major Fire in Denver

[01:46–02:13]

• Fire breaks out at a downtown Denver apartment complex under construction.
• Nearby buildings evacuated; temporary shelter set up in Glendale.
• Fire was so large its smoke showed up on local weather radar.
• Over 100 firefighters on site; one firefighter injured, but no other injuries reported.

3. Supermoon and Astronomical Events

[02:13–03:11]

• January 3rd marks the first supermoon of 2026—closer and brighter, challenging to distinguish visually.
• Quadrantid meteor shower will be washed out by the moon’s brightness.
• Jupiter visible below the moon tonight.
• 2026 features 13 full moons, with May hosting a blue moon and a total lunar and solar eclipse (the latter not visible in the US).

Notable Quotes:

"If you like to moongaze, you can also check out bright Jupiter, which will be right below the moon."
— Nell Greenfield Boyce, [02:41]

"This is the last supermoon until November."
— Nell Greenfield Boyce, [02:44]

4. Brazil Eliminates Mother-to-Child HIV Transmission

[03:11–04:04]

• WHO certifies Brazil’s elimination of mother-to-child HIV transmission—first for a country over 100 million people.
• 19 countries (and territories) worldwide have similar certification.
• Brazil’s achievement credited to its universal and free healthcare.
• In the US, transmission rates are under 1%, but lack of WHO certification.

Notable Quotes:

"Brazil is the most populous country in the Americas and the first country of more than 100 million people to achieve this milestone. Their success is in large part due to the country's universal and free healthcare."
— Gabriela Emmanuel, [03:35]

5. College Football Bowl Game Results

[04:04–04:46]

• Wake Forest over Mississippi State (43–29): QB Robbie Ashford throws for 303 yards and 3 TDs, rushes for 2 more.
• Navy beats Cincinnati (35–13); Texas State tops Rice (41–10).
• SMU beats Wake Forest (43–29) is also reported (possibly a reporting error or overlapping games).

6. US Olympic Hockey Teams Announced

[04:46–04:56]

• 36-year-old Hilary Knight to make her fifth Olympic appearance for the US women's team.
• Several 2022 Beijing Olympians return; women’s team expected to contend for gold.

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• "Multiple explosions were heard around 2am... Two explosions hit the runway of the military airport La Carlota inside the capital."
  — Carrie Kahn, [00:53]

• "The smoke plume from the fire was so large it could be seen for a time on local weather radar."
  — Dale Willman, [02:06]

Important Timestamps

• [00:17–01:28] US Military action in Venezuela
• [01:28–01:46] FAA airspace warning
• [01:46–02:13] Denver fire coverage
• [02:13–03:11] Supermoon and astronomical events
• [03:11–04:04] Brazil’s HIV victory
• [04:04–04:46] College football results
• [04:46–04:56] Olympic hockey team announcements

Overall Tone

• Urgent and factual, focusing on fast-paced delivery of breaking news, major global headlines, and uplifting scientific milestones.

This summary captures the key stories, time markers, memorable lines, and the urgency of this NPR News Now episode, providing a comprehensive briefing for listeners, even if they missed the broadcast.