NPR News Now — January 5, 2026, 12AM EST

Host: Dale Willman
Duration: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

This NPR News Now episode offers a concise update on world and national events for January 5, 2026. The main focus is on new developments in Venezuela after the capture of President Nicolas Maduro by U.S. forces, the ongoing diplomatic fallout, and the implications of U.S. actions. The episode also includes updates on Olympic speed skating qualifiers and the latest box office results.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. US Policy and Leadership in Venezuela

• Story: President Trump declares his administration will run Venezuela following the U.S.-led capture of President Nicolas Maduro.
• Clarification from Secretary of State Marco Rubio:
  • On NBC News, Rubio clarifies U.S. intentions, emphasizing policy guidance rather than direct governance:
    • Quote [00:43]:

      "It's not running, it's running policy. The policy with regards to this, we want Venezuela to move in a certain direction because not only do we think it's good for the people of Venezuela, it's in our national interest."
      — Marco Rubio

  • No current U.S. troops in Venezuela; U.S. presence limited to sanction enforcement, notably involving oil and maritime operations.
    • Quote [00:59]:

      "Our military is helping the Coast Guard conduct a law enforcement function which is not just the capture of Maduro, but the enforcement of our sanctions."
      — Marco Rubio

  • U.S. naval quarantine persists, with authorities poised to continue oil tanker seizures if necessary. U.S. troop deployment has not been ruled out for the future.

2. Maduro Capture and Accusations of Hypocrisy

• Background: President Trump justifies the capture of Maduro as part of a campaign against narco-terrorism, accusing Maduro of drug-related crimes.
• Criticism: NPR’s Brian Mann highlights accusations of hypocrisy directed at Trump, referencing his recent pardon of Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez (convicted on drug charges).
  • Quote [01:46]:

    "Trump said Hernandez and other alleged drug criminals were prosecuted unfairly by the Biden administration. Now it's important to say the Trump administration has not offered evidence that Hernandez or any other drug defendants were treated unfairly by the Justice Department... But now, because of Trump, Hernandez is free while Nicolas Maduro is in U.S. custody."
    — Brian Mann

3. European Union Response

• Diplomatic Update: The EU issues its first official statement since Maduro's capture, reflecting division and caution among member states.
  • Only 26 out of 27 EU nations signed the statement; Hungary abstained.
  • The statement avoids direct criticism of the U.S. but emphasizes dialogue and adherence to international law.
  • Key message: Urges U.N. Security Council members (U.S., Russia, Britain, China, France) to uphold international security principles.
    • Notable segment [02:29]:
      • The EU statement expresses the need for a, "negotiated, democratic, inclusive and peaceful solution to the crisis", underscoring discomfort with unilateral U.S. action.
      • — Terry Schultz

4. Olympic Speed Skating Trials

• Coverage: Update from Milwaukee as trials for the U.S. Olympic speed skating team conclude.
  • Veteran Brittany Bowe wins women's 1500 meters, securing her spot in a fourth Winter Games.
    • Quote [03:50]:

      "Competition drives me. Winning drives me. Performing better than expectation drives me, and I just really have a desire to be the best."
      — Brittany Bowe

  • Greta Myers qualifies after a re-skate following early disqualification.
  • Emory Lehman qualifies for his fourth Winter Olympics by winning the men's 1500m.

5. Box Office Rankings

• Results:
  • "Fire and Ash" leads for the third straight week, grossing another $40 million, totaling over $1 billion worldwide.
  • "Zootopia 2", "The Housemaid", "Marty Supreme", and "Anaconda" round out the top five.
  • [04:21 onwards]

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Marco Rubio on U.S. intentions in Venezuela [00:43]:

  "It's not running, it's running policy. The policy with regards to this, we want Venezuela to move in a certain direction because not only do we think it's good for the people of Venezuela, it's in our national interest."

• Rubio on U.S. military involvement [00:59]:

  "Our military is helping the Coast Guard conduct a law enforcement function which is not just the capture of Maduro, but the enforcement of our sanctions."

• Brian Mann on Trump’s controversial pardon [01:46]:

  "...but now, because of Trump, Hernandez is free while Nicolas Maduro is in U.S. custody."

• Brittany Bowe on motivation [03:50]:

  "Competition drives me. Winning drives me. Performing better than expectation drives me, and I just really have a desire to be the best."

Segments & Timestamps

| Time | Topic | |------------|----------------------------------------------| | 00:17-01:22| U.S. policy in Venezuela, capture of Maduro | | 01:22-02:13| Trump’s justification, Hernandez pardon | | 02:13-03:12| European Union response | | 03:12-04:21| Olympic speed skating qualifiers | | 04:21-04:57| Box office update |

Summary

This NPR News Now episode details dramatic international developments concerning Venezuela, highlighting differing U.S. and EU approaches and underlying accusations of policy double standards. The broadcast also celebrates athletic milestones in speed skating and tracks blockbuster performances at the box office. The news is delivered in NPR’s signature, concise style, providing listeners with a well-rounded snapshot of the day’s most important stories.