NPR News Now – January 9, 2026 – 9AM EST

Host: Korva Coleman
Length: 5 minutes
Summary prepared for those who want the essential details without listening to the episode. Ads and promos omitted.

Episode Overview

This concise morning update focuses on major US and global news, including US job numbers, diplomatic efforts in Venezuela, ongoing tensions and protests in Iran, a Russian missile strike in Ukraine, controversial federal actions in Portland, and developments in the Affordable Care Act subsidies.

Key News Segments & Insights

1. US December Jobs Report ([00:13])

• Jobs growth weaker than expected: The Labor Department announced only about 50,000 jobs were created in December, less than forecasters predicted and lower than November.
• Context: Indicates a potential slowdown in hiring.

2. US–Venezuela Relations & Oil Sector Developments ([00:13]–[00:59])

• President Trump cancels planned military strike on Venezuela: Declares an improved working relationship with the country.
• Oil company involvement: Trump states that multiple US oil companies will invest heavily in Venezuela's oil infrastructure.
  • Notable quote, Trump ([00:44]):

    “14 companies are coming here. They're going to go in, they're going to rebuild the whole oil infrastructure. They're going to spend at least $100 billion. And it's an unbelievable oil that they have and an unbelievable quality of oil and amount of oil.”

• Upcoming White House meetings: Trump will meet both oil executives (today) and Venezuelan opposition leader/Nobel laureate Maria Corina Machado (next week).

3. Iran: Nationwide Protests, Government Response, and International Tensions ([00:59]–[02:07])

• Government crackdown: Iran’s authorities shut down Internet access for over 90 million people in response to ongoing protests, cutting off external connectivity since Thursday.
• Supreme Leader’s blame: Ayatollah Khamenei claims protesters are acting to please President Trump and accuses Israel of inciting violence.
• Human rights abuses: Reports from Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International cite live ammunition used against crowds, leading to fatalities and hundreds detained.
• Background: Protests erupted following a historic drop in Iran’s currency.
• Notable quote, Aya Batrawi ([01:25]):

  "Netblocks, which tracks Internet connectivity around the world, says Internet was halted after Iranian authorities imposed a nationwide blackout... Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International say Iranian police and Revolutionary Guard Corps have used live fire to disperse some of the protests, killing people. Hundreds have also been detained."

4. Russia–Ukraine War: New Missile Deployment ([02:07]–[03:07])

• Hypersonic missile strike: Russia claims to have used its “Ereshnik” nuclear-capable hypersonic missile against energy and drone facilities in Ukraine.
• Alleged retaliation: The strike is described as a response to a supposed Ukrainian drone attack on a residence tied to Putin—an event denied by Ukraine and the US.
• Weapon significance: Russia touts the missile as nearly impossible for Western defenses to stop.
• Incident context: Only the second reported use of the Ereshnik, with prior deployment involving non-explosive warheads.
• Notable quote, Charles Maynes ([02:25]):

  “Russia's Defense Ministry said it had launched the Ereshnik, or hazel tree missile, a nuclear capable weapon that Moscow claims is invincible to Western air defenses due to the way it scatters its payload at high speeds, like nuts falling fast from a tree.”

5. Domestic Security Incidents: Portland Federal Shooting ([03:07])

• Federal agents shoot two in Portland: Border Patrol shot and wounded two people, targeting alleged Venezuelan gang members.
• Local backlash: Portland and Oregon officials demand removal of federal immigration authorities from the city.
• Public protests: Demonstrators rallied in Portland following the incident; comes a day after an ICE agent killed a woman in Minneapolis.

6. Health Care: ACA Subsidies in Jeopardy ([03:38]–[04:48])

• Restoring expired subsidies: The House passed a bill to reinstate health care subsidies lost at the end of December, crucial for those on Affordable Care Act plans. Fate in the Senate unclear.
• Impact on families: Personal story from Ken Warner, a self-employed Connecticut resident facing skyrocketing premiums after enhanced subsidies expired.
  • Notable quote, Ken Warner’s wife ([04:13]):

    “It's about $2,500 a month, which is just insane. I mean, that's just criminal. Like, we can't afford that. Who can afford that? That's another salary, basically.”

  • Ken Warner: Decided to pay the higher January premium to maintain coverage, hoping for a legislative solution or new job-based benefits by year-end.

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Trump on oil investment in Venezuela ([00:44]): “They're going to rebuild the whole oil infrastructure... an unbelievable quality of oil and amount of oil.”
• Aya Batrawi on Iran’s internet shutdown and deadly crackdown ([01:25]): “...Internet was halted after Iranian authorities imposed a nationwide blackout...”
• Charles Maynes on hypersonic missile ([02:25]): “Moscow claims [Ereshnik] is invincible to Western air defenses due to the way it scatters its payload at high speeds, like nuts falling fast from a tree.”
• Ken Warner’s wife on ACA premium spike ([04:13]): “That's another salary, basically.”

Timestamps for Major Topics

• US Jobs Report, US–Venezuela oil, Trump statement: [00:13]–[00:59]
• Iran protests and blackout: [00:59]–[02:07]
• Russia’s new missile strike in Ukraine: [02:07]–[03:07]
• Portland shootings by federal agents: [03:07]–[03:38]
• Congress restores ACA subsidies, family impact: [03:38]–[04:48]

Tone: Concise, factual, with informative urgency; emotional resonance heightened during personal stories and international crises.