NPR News: 01-11-2026 10AM EST

Summary

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NPR News Now – Summary

Episode: NPR News: 01-11-2026 10AM EST
Date: January 11, 2026
Host: Luis Schiavone

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Episode Overview

This concise NPR News Now episode covers major international and domestic developments as of January 11, 2026. Key stories include escalating U.S.-Cuba-Venezuela relations, unrest in Iran, continued violence in Syria, updates from the Russia-Ukraine war, a preview of the Golden Globes awards ceremony, and an unusual incident in Boston during an NHL game.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. U.S., Cuba, and Venezuela Relations

[00:35–01:47]

• President Trump announced Venezuela will halt all support to Cuba, including oil and financial aid.
• Trump's message, delivered via social media, warned Cuba's leadership to "make a deal before it's too late," referencing Cuba's severe ongoing economic crisis (blackouts, food, gas shortages).
• The U.S. has seized Venezuela’s leader Nicolás Maduro and stepped up the blockade on oil tankers, boarding three vessels since Maduro's ouster.
• Carrie Kahn (NPR) reports from Bogota:
  • “Cuba is suffering its greatest economic crisis in decades… it relies heavily on Venezuelan oil and without, experts warn the economy could collapse, leading to widespread suffering and social unrest.”
  • Growing U.S. pressure could destabilize both Cuba and the wider region.

2. Unrest and Crackdown in Iran

[01:47–03:16]

• Thousands protested in Tehran and other Iranian cities; chants of “death to America” dominated recent parliamentary sessions.
• Iran’s attorney general warned protest participants could be charged as “enemies of God,” a capital offense.
• President Trump declared U.S. support for Iranian protesters, and human rights groups report over 100 casualties—with hospitals overwhelmed.
• Michelle Kellerman (NPR) summarizes:
  • “Videos have been circulating online of security forces using live fire against the protesters.”
  • Protests ignited by economic collapse; Israeli and U.S. officials are in contact, and Iran threatens retaliation against Israel and U.S. bases if attacked.

3. U.S. Strikes ISIS in Syria

[03:16–03:30]

• U.S. Central Command confirms airstrikes on ISIS targets in Syria, in retaliation for last month’s ambush that killed two American soldiers and one civilian.
• No further details given in this briefing.

4. Russia-Ukraine War Update

[03:30–04:00]

• Russian claims: Ukrainian drone attack in Voronets damaged homes, a school, and killed one.
• Ukraine: Russian bombardment killed at least four people in Kyiv.

5. Golden Globes Awards Preview

[04:00–04:45]

• Ceremony airs on CBS/Paramount, hosted by comedian Nikki Glaser.
  • Nikki Glaser [04:08]: "You have to be very delicate about making jokes that aren't going to ruin anyone's night. But people at home want you to make fun of the A listers."
• This year’s film nominee leader: Paul Thomas Anderson’s dark comedy action thriller.
• TV: ‘The White Lotus’ Season 3 earns six drama nominations.
• Notable: A new podcast category, with NPR’s own ‘Up First’ among the contenders.

6. Boston Bruins NHL Game Incident

[04:45–05:07]

• At a packed TD Arena, a fight broke out in the stands during a Bruins-Rangers game.
• Eye-witness Carrie Blythe reports:
  • [04:57] “We noticed that the section kind of emptied out, which was weird because the game was fully packed. And then when we looked ahead, there were a lot of Boston police officers. The detectives came. They started bagging up some evidence.”
• One man fell from a balcony; another was arrested.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• President Trump on Cuba/Venezuela:
  • [00:58] “But not anymore... I strongly suggest they make a deal before it's too late.”
• Carrie Kahn on Cuba's Crisis:
  • [01:19] “Cuba is suffering its greatest economic crisis in decades... it relies heavily on Venezuelan oil and without, experts warn the economy could collapse.”
• Michelle Kellerman on Iran’s Protest Response:
  • [02:33] “Videos have been circulating online of security forces using live fire against the protesters.”
• Nikki Glaser on Awards Show Humor:
  • [04:08] “You have to be very delicate about making jokes that aren't going to ruin anyone's night. But people at home want you to make fun of the A listers.”
• Carrie Blythe on NHL Game Incident:
  • [04:57] “We noticed that the section kind of emptied out, which was weird because the game was fully packed… Boston police officers... detectives came... bagging up some evidence.”

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Timeline of Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamps | |-----------------------------------|:--------------:| | U.S.-Cuba-Venezuela Relations | 00:35–01:47 | | Protests/Crackdown in Iran | 01:47–03:16 | | U.S. Strikes ISIS in Syria | 03:16–03:30 | | Russia-Ukraine War Update | 03:30–04:00 | | Golden Globes Preview | 04:00–04:45 | | Boston Bruins Fight in Stands | 04:45–05:07 |

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This NPR News Now episode offers a succinct, comprehensive snapshot of rapidly developing stories around the world, with timely updates on political tensions, conflict, cultural events, and a striking moment from American sports.

Transcript

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[Luis Schiavone]

Live from NPR News. In Washington, I'm Luis Schiavone. President Trump says Venezuela will no longer send support to Cuba. No oil, no money. Trump posted his position on his social media platform this morning and sent a warning to Cuba's leaders. The threat to Cuba comes more than one week after U.S. forces seized Venezuela's leader Nicolas Maduro. And NPR's Carrie Kahn reports.

[Carrie Kahn]

Trump says for many years Cuba has lived off Venezuela's aid and in exchange, Cuba has provided, quote, security services for two Venezuelan dictators. Writing on social media, Trump posts, but not anymore and added, quote, I strongly suggest they make a deal before it's too late. Cuba is suffering its greatest economic crisis in decades, with the island experiencing blackouts, food shortages and long gas lines. It relies heavily on Venezuelan oil and without, experts warn the economy could collapse, leading to widespread suffering and social unrest. The US has stepped up its blockade of oil tankers coming to and from Venezuela, boarding another ship on Friday. It's the third since the US Removed Maduro from power. Kerry Khan, NPR News, Bogota, Colombia.

[Luis Schiavone]

Iran's Revolutionary Guard says terrorists are behind the upheaval in that nation as thousands of protesters poured onto the streets of Tehran and elsewhere overnight. In Tehran, shouts of death to America rang out in the parliament. This weekend. Iran's attorney general warned anyone taking part in protests will be considered an enemy of God, a death penalty charge, and the government says it will do everything possible to stay in power. President Trump is saying the US Is ready to help as Iranians pursue freedom. There have been casualties, and one human rights group says there have been more than 100. But as NPR's Michelle Kellerman tells us, exact information has been difficult to get from Iran.

[Michelle Kellerman]

The New York based Center for Human Rights in Iran says it's been receiving credible firsthand reports of hospitals packed with injured protesters in Tehran and other cities. Videos have been circulating online of security forces using live fire against the protesters. Rallies began two weeks ago, first in response to the collapsing economy. Israeli sources say Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the protests with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who posted on X that the US Supports the brave of Iran. Iran is warning that any attack would trigger a response against Israel and against US Military bases across the region. Michelle Kellerman, NPR news, Tel Aviv.

[Luis Schiavone]

U.S. central Command says that U.S. forces have hit ISIS targets in Syria. The strike is in response to an ambush last month in Syria that killed two American soldiers and one U.S. civilian. This is NPR News in Washington. In the Russia, Ukraine war this weekend, Russia says a Ukrainian drone stroke strike in the Russian city of Voronets damaged apartment buildings, houses and a school. One person died. A Russian bombardment of Ukraine killed at least four people in Kyiv. The Hollywood awards season continues tonight with the Golden Globes. It will run on CBS and Paramount. NPR's Mandalit del Barco reports.

[Mandalit del Barco]

Comedian Nikki Glaser will once again host the Beverly Hills ceremony. She told CBS MORNING she's ready to poke fun at Hollywood.

[Nikki Glaser]

You have to be very delicate about making jokes that aren't going to ruin anyone's night. But people at home want you to make fun of the A listers.

[Mandalit del Barco]

That includes Golden Globes nominees George Clooney, Julia Roberts and Leonardo DiCaprio, who plays a washed up revolutionary in one battle after Another. Paul Thomas Anderson's dark comedy action thriller leads the film nominations. Among TV shows, the latest season of the White Lotus has the most drama nominations, six in all. And in a new category for podcasts, Amy Poehler and others are competing with NPR's own up first, Mandalit del Barco, NPR News.

[Luis Schiavone]

Ice hockey is well known for the fights on the ice. But yesterday at the TD arena in Boston, attention was on a fight in the stands during a Boston Bruins New York Rangers game. Witness Carrie Blythe.

[Carrie Blythe]

We noticed that the section kind of emptied out, which was weird because the game was fully packed. And then when we looked ahead, there were a lot of Boston police officers. The detectives came. They started bagging up some evidence.

[Luis Schiavone]

A man fell in the balcony and one man was arrested. I'm Luis Giovone, NPR News.

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