NPR News Now – January 9, 2026, 11PM EST

Host: Dale Willman
Length: 5 minutes
Theme: Key developments in U.S. foreign relations, domestic affairs, the economy, health/environment, and international crises.

Episode Overview

This episode covers President Trump’s repositioning of Venezuela as a U.S. ally, public split over America’s role in the world, a major shakeup in the opera world, the latest jobs report, alarming new research on plastic burning, and developing immigration news, plus a brief update on the Syrian ceasefire.

Major News Segments & Insights

1. U.S.-Venezuela Relations and Global Power Dynamics

[00:11–01:05]

• President Trump announced a newly cooperative relationship with Venezuela’s leadership under acting President Delsey Rodriguez.
• He emphasized the U.S. would not tolerate interference from Russia or China in Venezuela.
• Quote (Trump, 00:35):

  "They seem to be an ally, and I think it'll continue to be an ally. And we don't want to have Russia there. We don't want to have China there."

• Trump plans to meet the Venezuelan opposition, including Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corino Machado, highlighting his administration’s bid to maintain sole U.S. influence.

2. Americans Divided on Foreign Policy

[01:05–01:56]

• An NPR Ipsos poll shows widened division:
  • Democrats: Support promoting democracy and human rights abroad.
  • Republicans: Prefer focusing on U.S. enrichment and use of military power.
• Field interview (Kim Long, Trump supporter, 01:37):

  "He was big with drugs and he just wasn't treating his people right. Even the people from Venezuela were happy to see him go."

• Reuters poll reflected a nation divided: "One third was for it, a third against, and one third wasn't sure.”

3. Washington National Opera Leaves Kennedy Center

[01:56–02:53]

• Opera departs its long-time home due to new Kennedy Center policies mandating productions be fully funded up-front, conflicting with typical philanthropic and ticket-driven support models.
• Opera Artistic Director Francesca Zambelo:
  Quote (Zambelo, 02:36):

  "I am deeply saddened to leave the Kennedy Center."

• Kennedy Center Executive Director Richard Grinnell, via social media, stated the split allows the Center flexibility to host international opera productions.

4. December Jobs Report and College Football Update

[02:53–03:25]

• U.S. employers added 50,000 jobs (below expectations).
• Unemployment dropped to 4.4%.
• Quick mention: Indiana leading Oregon 56–15 in the college football playoffs late in the fourth.

5. Burning Plastic Poses Worsening Global Crisis

[03:25–04:09]

• New study: Households in 24+ low-income countries are burning plastic waste for heat or cooking.
• Jonathan Lambert (03:25):

  "A study... reveals that many households in low income countries are burning that plastic trash... Nearly one in three people surveyed... reported being aware... 16% said they'd done it themselves."

• Burning plastic releases toxic fumes, compounding health and environmental threats.
• Plastic waste is projected to triple by 2060.

6. Immigration Program Temporarily Protected by Federal Judge

[04:09–04:39]

• Judge will issue a temporary restraining order to protect a program benefiting over 10,000 relatives of citizens/green card holders.
• Plaintiffs push for urgency as protections for people from seven Latin countries were set to end January 14.

7. Ceasefire Update: Aleppo, Syria

[04:39–04:54]

• Ceasefire in Aleppo after three days of conflict; allowed withdrawal window expired with no fighters leaving.
• Fighting displaced approximately 140,000 people.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• President Trump (on Venezuela):
  “We don’t want to have Russia there. We don’t want to have China there.”
  [00:35]
• Kim Long (on Maduro):
  “He was big with drugs and he just wasn’t treating his people right. Even the people from Venezuela were happy to see him go.”
  [01:37]
• Francesca Zambelo (on WNO & Kennedy Center):
  “I am deeply saddened to leave the Kennedy Center.”
  [02:36]
• Jonathan Lambert (on burning plastic):
  “…nearly one in three people surveyed by researchers reported being aware of households burning plastic. 16% said they’d done it themselves…”
  [03:25]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:11–01:05 | Trump on Venezuela and global rivals
• 01:05–01:56 | Division over foreign policy; poll and public opinion
• 01:56–02:53 | Washington National Opera departs Kennedy Center
• 02:53–03:25 | Jobs report; college football
• 03:25–04:09 | Burning plastic: global health/environment alert
• 04:09–04:39 | Immigration program court update
• 04:39–04:54 | Syria: Aleppo ceasefire and refugee crisis

Tone & Language

News delivery is brisk, factual, and clear—voicing a sense of urgency for top stories, especially in U.S. global posture and environmental concerns, while remaining empathetic in coverage of the opera departure and Syrian crisis.

This concise daily episode is essential listening for anyone needing a fast yet thorough briefing on current U.S. and world events.