NPR News Now — January 15, 2026, 12AM EST

Host: Giles Snyder, NPR
Length: 5 minutes
Theme: The latest top news stories from around the world, updated hourly.

Episode Overview

This brief news segment brings listeners up to date on several major global and national stories, focusing on:

• Violent government crackdown on protests in Iran
• U.S. and European involvement in Greenland security tensions
• Immigration-related tensions and enforcement in Minneapolis
• U.S. Senate developments around war powers and Venezuela
• Health hazards facing quartz countertop workers
• Record demand for FIFA World Cup tickets

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Antigovernment Protests in Iran & U.S. Response

[00:18–01:09]

• Violence in Iran: Ongoing antigovernment protests have been met with reported state violence. A U.S.-based rights group claims over 2,500 deaths, though independent verification is lacking.
• Jason Rezaian’s Perspective:
  • Former Iranian prisoner and journalist, Rezaian, advocates U.S. focus on the people of Iran rather than engagement with the current regime, particularly regarding nuclear matters.
    • Quote: “Engagement with the Iranian regime right now, especially around the nuclear program, would be a mistake. I think our focus should be centered on the people of Iran and their aspirations.” — Jason Rezaian [00:43]
    • He links a stable and open Iranian society to broader regional and U.S. interests.
• Political Response: President Trump pledges repeated support for Iranian protesters.

2. European Military Exercise in Greenland Amid Tensions

[01:09–02:09]

• Deployment: France and Germany will send soldiers to Greenland for a joint military exercise, aiming to enhance security in the region.
• Backdrop:
  • The exercise comes after unproductive talks between Denmark, Greenland, and U.S. officials regarding disputed territorial claims.
  • The European Parliament “unequivocally condemns the Trump administration’s statements regarding Greenland,” characterizing them as “a blatant challenge to international law... and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of a NATO ally.”
    • — Eleanor Beardsley, NPR [01:27]
• Notable Moment: Highlights growing friction between the U.S. and European allies over Arctic territory.

3. Immigration Enforcement & Community Tension in Minneapolis

[02:09–03:15]

• Incident: Federal officer shoots a person in the leg during an arrest after being attacked with a shovel—another violent episode linked to heightened immigration enforcement.
• On the Ground:
  • NPR witnesses multiple rapid, street-level arrests by federal agents in unmarked cars with covered faces, targeting individuals unable to prove legal status.
  • City’s atmosphere is tense following a recent shooting by an ICE agent.
  • Department of Homeland Security shares a past interview where Stephen Miller asserts federal immunity for agents during enforcement activities.
    • Quote: “They are everywhere. The immigration enforcement operations include arresting people in the streets. NPR was able to witness multiple of those arrests today, including one at a bus stop.” — Sergio Martinez Beltran [02:32]

4. Senate War Powers Debate Regarding Venezuela

[03:15–03:50]

• Legislative Block:
  • Senate Republicans, with Vice President J.D. Vance breaking a 50-50 tie, dismiss a resolution aiming to limit President Trump’s war powers in Venezuela.
  • Notably, Republican Senators Hawley and Young reversed their initial support for the measure.

5. Health Hazards for Quartz Countertop Workers

[03:50–04:34]

• Issue: Hundreds of countertop workers have become seriously ill due to silica dust exposure while cutting raw quartz slabs.
• Industry Response:
  • Rebecca Schult, attorney for Cambria (major manufacturer), states companies lack control over third-party manufacturers’ workplace conditions.
    • Quote: “Cambria has no control over these third party businesses and their dangerous conditions.” — Rebecca Schult [04:07]
  • Cambria seeks a lawsuit ban against manufacturers.
• Regulation Call:
  • OSHA's former head, David Michaels, argues companies must take responsibility for their products' safety.
  • Ongoing lawsuits prompt manufacturers to petition Congress for legal protection.

6. FIFA World Cup Ticket Frenzy

[04:34–04:57]

• Demand:
  • FIFA announces over 500 million ticket requests for this year’s World Cup, with most applications from Germany, England, and Brazil.
  • The tournament will take place in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.
  • Application window closed after 33 days.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Engagement with the Iranian regime right now... would be a mistake. I think our focus should be centered on the people of Iran and their aspirations."
  — Jason Rezaian [00:43]

• "Cambria has no control over these third party businesses and their dangerous conditions."
  — Rebecca Schult, Cambria legal counsel [04:07]

• “They are everywhere. The immigration enforcement operations include arresting people in the streets. NPR was able to witness multiple of those arrests today, including one at a bus stop.”
  — Sergio Martinez Beltran, Minneapolis correspondent [02:32]

• The European Parliament “unequivocally condemns the Trump administration's statements regarding Greenland, saying his talk constitutes a blatant challenge to international law…”
  — Eleanor Beardsley [01:27]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Iran Protests and U.S. Response: 00:18–01:09
• France, Germany, and Greenland Military Exercise: 01:09–02:09
• Minneapolis Immigration Enforcement: 02:09–03:15
• Senate War Powers and Venezuela: 03:15–03:50
• Quartz Worker Health Hazards: 03:50–04:34
• World Cup Ticket Demand: 04:34–04:57

This concise five-minute update offers listeners a snapshot of global power struggles, domestic law enforcement issues, health and safety in the workplace, and sports enthusiasm, all marked by the authoritative and even-handed tone characteristic of NPR News.