NPR News: 01-12-2026 5AM EST

Summary

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NPR News Now – 5AM EST (January 12, 2026)

Host: Dave Mattingly (NPR)
Duration: ~5 minutes

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Episode Overview

This edition of NPR News Now delivers concise reporting on breaking national and international headlines, including U.S.-Iran relations in the wake of Iranian protests, a genocide case at the International Court of Justice, controversy surrounding Federal Reserve renovations, a recap of major Golden Globe winners, and the passing of New Jersey's longest-serving state legislator.

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Key News Segments & Discussions

1. U.S.-Iran Relations Amid Protests

[00:15–01:20]

• Main Story:
  President Trump announced he expects a meeting with Iranian leaders soon, as protests intensify across Iran.

  • Over 500 demonstrators reportedly killed since the start of protests.
  • Trump mentions Iranian leaders called to negotiate, though no meeting date was specified.

• Notable Developments:

  • The U.S. may take “action” ahead of any meeting; specifics not given.
  • Trump is receiving hourly updates on the situation.
  • Efforts to restore internet connectivity in Iran may involve Elon Musk.

• Highlight Quote:

  • Deepa Shivaram:

    “Trump says he’s considering calling Elon Musk to assist in providing internet connectivity in Iran.” [01:10]

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2. Rohingya Genocide Case at The Hague

[01:20–02:24]

• Context:
  The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague is hearing a case against Myanmar over alleged genocide targeting the Rohingya minority, dating to violence in 2017.

• Details:

  • Over 700,000 Rohingya fled to Bangladesh amid widespread violence and atrocities.
  • The UN confirmed genocidal acts by Myanmar’s military.
  • Gambia filed the case in 2019, while Aung San Suu Kyi—Myanmar’s former leader—disputed the charges at the time.
  • Suu Kyi is currently imprisoned following a military coup in 2021; Rohingya remain in camps.

• Highlight Quote:

  • Michael Sullivan:

    “More than 700,000 Rohingya were forced to flee… amid widespread reports of killing, rape and arson, with entire villages being burned to the ground.” [01:38]

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3. Federal Reserve Renovation Controversy

[02:24–03:26]

• Story:
  Fed Chair Jerome Powell faces possible criminal indictment by the Justice Department over $2.5 billion spent renovating Fed buildings in Washington.

• Political Backdrop:

  • The investigation stems from Powell’s 2025 Senate testimony.
  • President Trump calls the renovation cost “excessive” and criticizes Powell for not aggressively lowering interest rates.
  • Powell claims these legal threats are part of a wider campaign to pressure the Fed’s independence on monetary policy.

• New Development:

  • Authorities report a deliberate arson attack on a Jackson, Mississippi synagogue; one suspect has been arrested.

• Highlight Quote:

  • Dave Mattingly:

    “Powell says he believes the threat of charges is part of Trump’s attempt to undermine the Fed’s independence...” [02:53]

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4. Golden Globe Awards: Major Wins

[03:26–04:11]

• Top Honors:

  • “One Battle After Another”

    • Best Comedy or Musical Film
    • Best Director & Best Screenplay: Paul Thomas Anderson
    • Best Supporting Actress: Teyana Taylor
    • Announced by Julia Roberts
    • Now considered an Oscar favorite

  • “Hamnet”

    • Best Dramatic Film
    • Story of Shakespeare coping with his son’s death

  • “Marty Supreme”

    • Timothée Chalamet wins Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical

• Memorable Moment:

  • Julia Roberts announces “One Battle After Another” as the winner. [03:28]

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5. New Jersey Political Figure Passes Away

[04:11–04:53]

• Obituary:

  • Richard “Dick” Cody, longest-serving New Jersey state legislator, dies at 79 from a brief illness.

• Legacy:

  • Elected to State Assembly in 1974, State Senate in 1982
  • Twice served as acting Governor
  • Advocate for mental health and stem cell research

• Highlight Quote:

  • Dave Mattingly:

    “Cody was known as an advocate for mental health awareness and treatment and as a backer of stem cell research.” [04:43]

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Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• On U.S.-Iran Protests:

  • "Trump says he’s considering calling Elon Musk to assist in providing internet connectivity in Iran."
    — Deepa Shivaram, [01:10]

• On Myanmar’s Rohingya Crisis:

  • "More than 700,000 Rohingya were forced to flee...with entire villages being burned to the ground."
    — Michael Sullivan, [01:38]

• On Fed Chair & Administration Tensions:

  • "Powell says he believes the threat of charges is part of Trump’s attempt to undermine the Fed’s independence...”
    — Dave Mattingly, [02:53]

• Golden Globes Memorable Announcement:

  • “The winner is One Battle After Another.”
    — Julia Roberts, [03:28]

• On the late Richard Cody:

  • "Cody was known as an advocate for mental health awareness and treatment and as a backer of stem cell research."
    — Dave Mattingly, [04:43]

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Recap

The episode captures a range of significant stories—from global human rights developments and U.S. politics to cultural milestones and legacy figures—providing listeners with timely, critical updates in less than five minutes. The coverage maintains NPR’s hallmark tone of measured reporting and succinct analysis.

Transcript

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[Dave Mattingly]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Dave Mattingley. President Trump says he expects a meeting with Iranian leaders to take place soon amid ongoing protests in that country. Human rights activists say more than 500 demonstrators have been killed in Iran since the anti government protests began. NPR's Deepa Shivaram has more.

[Deepa Shivaram]

Traveling on Air Force One back to Washington. Trump said Iranian leaders called Saturday to negotiate and said a meeting would be set up, though he didn't specify when that would take place. Trump added that the US Might still take action on Iran before a meeting takes place. The president also didn't specify what kind of action he would take on Iran, but says the military is looking into options and he's getting hourly reports on the protests. In recent weeks, protests have escalated in Iran with reports of hundreds of protesters dead and Internet blackouts on that, Trump says he's considering calling Elon Musk to assist in providing Internet connectivity in Iran. Deepa Shivaram, NPR News, traveling with the president.

[Dave Mattingly]

The International Court of Justice in the Hague is hearing a case today involving accusations of genocide carried out by Myanmar's military against the minority Rohingya. The allegations date back to 2017 and have been denied by the government.

[Michael Sullivan]

As Michael Sullivan explains, More than 700,000 Rohingya were forced to flee to neighboring Bangladesh amid widespread reports of killing, rape and arson, with entire villages being burned to the ground. A UN Fact finding mission concluded the Myanmar military's actions had included genocidal acts. The predominantly Muslim West African country of Gambia filed a formal case against Myanmar and at the court in 2019, where Myanmar's then de facto leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, told the court the facts presented by Gambia were incomplete and misleading. Suu Kyi remains in prison in Myanmar following the military's 2021 coup. The Rohingya continue to languish in camps in Bangladesh. For NPR News, I'm Michael Sullivan in Chiang Mai.

[Dave Mattingly]

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell says the Justice Department is threatening him with a criminal indictment over the cost of renovations to Fed building Washington. It stems from Powell's testimony to the Senate Banking Committee in June of last year. The renovations of the Fed's two office buildings cost $2.5 billion. President Trump has described the price tag as excessive and has repeatedly criticized Powell for not being more aggressive to lower U.S. interest rates. In a video statement, Powell says he believes the threat of charges is part of Trump's attempt to undermine the Fed's independence when it comes to setting rates. Authorities in Mississippi say a weekend fire at a synagogue in Jackson was the result of arson. One person is under arrest. This is NPR News. The movie One Battle After Another was among the big winners at last night's Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills. As Steve Futterman reports, the film captured four honors.

[Steve Futterman]

It is now the Oscar favorite, and.

[Julia Roberts]

The winner is One Battle after Another.

[Steve Futterman]

Julia Roberts made the announcement as One Battle After Another. A sometimes offbeat film depicting the struggles of a group of immigrants as they try to stay in the US Won best comedy or musical film. The film's creator, Paul Thomas Anderson, won best director and best screenplay. And Teyana Taylor won best female supporting actor. Another big winner was Hamnet. Hamnet, which tells the story of William Shakespeare dealing with the death of his son, won best dramatic film. Timothee Chalamet won best actor in a musical or comedy for his performance in Marty Supreme. For NPR News, I'm Steve Futterman in Los Angeles.

[Dave Mattingly]

The longest serving state legislator in New Jersey's history has died. Richard Dick Cody was 79 years old. In a social media post, his family says Cody died after a brief illness. Cody was first elected to the state assembly in 1974 and was later elected to the state senate in 1982. The Democratic also served as president of the state Senate and twice as acting governor of New Jersey. Cody assumed the governor's mansion temporarily three times, though Cody was known as an advocate for mental health awareness and treatment and as a backer of stem cell research. I'm Dave Mattingly, NPR News, in Washington.

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