NPR News Now – January 9, 2026, 7PM EST

Host: Ryland Barton
Duration: ~5 minutes
Summary Compiled by: NPR News Summarizer

Episode Overview

This episode delivers concise updates on major global and U.S. news stories as of January 9, 2026, focusing on law enforcement actions, legal proceedings against former world leaders, unrest in Iran, environmental health concerns, and a cultural preservation project in the UK.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Law Enforcement Shootings and Legal Standards

[00:15–01:08]

• Incident: Federal immigration agents shot three people in vehicles this week—resulting in the death of a woman in Minnesota and injuries to two in Portland, Oregon.
• State Concerns: Oregon officials report being excluded from investigations.
• Legal Context:
  • Objective Standard: Officers must have an "objectively reasonable perception" of imminent threat to justify shooting into cars.
  • Supreme Court Precedent:
    • The May decision in Barnes v. Felix requires courts to consider not just the moment of the shooting but the broader context leading up to it.
    • Actions or decisions by the officer prior to the incident, such as whether they could have stepped out of harm’s way, can become relevant in court.

Notable Quote:

"The standard is that the officer has to be have an objectively reasonable perception that there's a imminent threat. ... the Supreme Court amplified that... You have to look beyond just the split second of decision and look at the context of the situation."
— Martin Costi, NPR ([00:38])

2. Prosecution of Nicolas Maduro and Questions of Immunity

[01:08–02:08]

• Issue: The prosecution of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, charged with narco-terrorism and cocaine trafficking, may take years due to complexity.
• Immunity Question:
  • Maduro’s lawyer argues he may be entitled to "head of state immunity"—a protection based on his claim of still being Venezuela’s president.
  • A New York court will decide if Maduro is the country’s recognized leader, affecting immunity status.
  • U.S. presidential powers in foreign affairs, including government recognition, are broad.
  • Recent Supreme Court decisions (notably involving President Trump) grant substantial immunity to presidents for official acts, potentially relevant in Maduro’s case.

Notable Quote:

"Legal scholars say Maduro might have an argument that he deserves immunity for possible official acts in the indictment, such as using the military to organize flights."
— Kerry Johnson, NPR ([01:23])

3. Protests and Internet Blackout in Iran

[02:08–03:07]

• Nationwide Unrest: Protests have gripped Iran for about two weeks, triggered by a plunge in the country's currency value.
• Government Response:
  • Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accuses demonstrators of acting to "please President Trump" and being "mercenaries for foreigners."
  • Iran claims Israel is inciting violence.
  • Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International report police and Revolutionary Guards fired on protesters, killing some and detaining hundreds.
• Communication Blackout: Internet access has been shut down nationwide since Thursday to curtail unrest.

Notable Quote:

"The country of more than 90 million people has been without Internet since Thursday... Internet was halted after Iranian authorities imposed a nationwide blackout."
— Aya Batraui, NPR ([02:25])

4. U.S. Stock Market Hits Record Highs

[03:07–03:18]

• Market Update: The S&P 500 rose 0.6% following mixed jobs data, reaching new record levels.

5. Landfill Tragedies and Plastic Burning in Low-Income Countries

[03:18–04:29]

• Disaster Report:
  • Two people dead and 36 missing after a landfill avalanche of garbage in a yet unspecified location.
  • Landfills in many cities pose ongoing safety and health risks.
• Plastic Burning Insight:
  • New research shows burning plastic for heating and cooking is more common in low-income countries than previously thought.
  • One-third of surveyed households are aware of plastic burning; 16% have done it.
  • Burning plastic produces toxic fumes, threatening health and food safety.
  • With plastic waste projected to triple by 2060, risks will intensify.

Notable Quote:

"Each year, humanity produces over a billion tons of plastic... Burning plastic can create toxic fumes that harm health and contaminate food."
— Jonathan Lambert, NPR ([03:45])

6. David Bowie’s Childhood Home to Become Public Exhibit

[04:29–04:57]

• Restoration Plan:
  • London's Heritage Trust plans to restore David Bowie’s childhood cottage in Bromley to how it looked in the 1960s.
  • Set to open to the public in 2027, with creative workshops for children.
  • Celebrates Bowie’s legacy and aims to inspire creativity.

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Law Enforcement Shooting Standards: [00:15–01:08]
• Maduro Prosecution & Immunity: [01:08–02:08]
• Iran Protests & Internet Blackout: [02:08–03:07]
• U.S. Markets Update: [03:07–03:18]
• Landfill Disaster & Plastic Burning: [03:18–04:29]
• David Bowie Home Restoration: [04:29–04:57]

Memorable Moments

• The legal nuance added by the Supreme Court to police use-of-force cases, emphasizing context over mere split-second judgments.
• The complex intersection of international law, U.S. foreign policy, and criminal indictments in the Maduro case.
• The chilling effect of Iran’s nationwide Internet blackout during a time of civil unrest.
• Research highlighting how burning plastic for fuel in low-income countries endangers health globally.
• The cultural effort to preserve David Bowie’s formative environment for public inspiration.