NPR News Now – January 10, 2026, 1PM EST
Host: Dwahilisai Kowtao (NPR)
Episode Theme:
A concise update on global and national news, covering the ongoing protests in Iran, police protests in Minneapolis, economic news, international naval exercises, and the NFL playoffs.
Iran Protests Intensify Amid Communication Blackout
- [00:32 – 01:40]
- Host Dwahilisai Kowtao introduces the segment; correspondent Jackie Northam reports from NPR.
- Protests in Iran have entered their second week, with significant government crackdown.
- Internet and phone lines remain cut, signaling government attempts to control information.
- Iranian Attorney General labels protesters “enemies of God,” a charge that carries the death penalty.
- Demonstrations are among the largest since the current wave began:
"They chanted death to the dictator, meaning Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and some mosques were set on fire." (Jackie Northam, 00:55)
- Human rights groups report dozens of civilian deaths and hundreds more detained.
- Context: Ongoing economic struggles and a recent, damaging Israeli attack on Iran’s military and intelligence leadership have weakened the regime.
- International angle:
- President Trump warns: "The US will hit hard if Iran kills protesters."
- Ayatollah Khamenei responds, telling Trump to focus on problems in the US.
- Memorable moment:
“These protests come at a time when the regime is particularly vulnerable.” (Jackie Northam, 01:08)
Minneapolis Police Protest After Fatal Shooting
- [01:40 – 02:17]
- 29 people arrested overnight during protests responding to the ICE killing of Renee Good.
- Sparked by video footage showing Good’s final moments.
- Ron Elving, NPR’s Senior Contributor, analyzes conflicting accounts:
"So millions have seen the video of Renee Good trying to get away from Officer Jonathan Ross, but the president said Good ran the officer over. There is no tape that shows that, but there are angles that suggest she may have grazed him." (Ron Elving, 01:59)
- Highlights the ambiguity in available evidence and the complexities of police use-of-force cases.
- Federal government excludes Minnesota officials from the investigation.
- Notable quote:
"...it is possible to imagine an officer under these circumstances believing he's about to be struck." (Ron Elving, 02:14)
Economic and Market Update
- [02:17 – 03:15]
- Scott Horsley, NPR, reports a disappointing December jobs report: only 50,000 jobs added.
- 2025 saw a significant decline in job growth compared to 2024—down over 70%.
- Political news: The ouster of Venezuela’s president gives a boost to oil company stocks, especially Chevron (up nearly 4%).
- Retail gasoline prices drop; U.S. stock markets positive for the week:
- S&P 500: up 1.6%
- Nasdaq: up 1.9%
- Dow Jones: up 2.3%
- Key line:
"Investors mostly shrugged off the report from the Labor Department showing US employers added just 50,000 jobs in December." (Scott Horsley, 02:36)
CDC Flu Season Update
- [03:15 – 03:23]
- Federal officials report over 15 million flu cases in what’s described as a “moderately severe” flu season.
- Source: CDC
South African Naval Drills with China, Russia, and Iran
- [03:23 – 04:19]
- South Africa hosts week-long naval exercises involving China, Russia, and Iran off Cape Town.
- South African officials stress: this is not a BRICS operation but for "safety and stability of shipping routes."
- U.S. response: President Trump criticizes BRICS nations, threatens a 10% tariff, calls BRICS policies “anti-American.”
- Contextual note: The drills highlight geopolitical alignments and tensions.
Sports: NFL Playoffs and College Football
- [04:19 – 05:00]
- NFL Playoffs:
- Wild card round opens with Los Angeles Rams vs. Carolina Panthers, followed by the Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers rivalry.
- Bears-Packers game’s TV coverage is limited to local markets; broader audiences need streaming services like Amazon Prime Video.
- NFL playoffs continue for two more weekends; Super Bowl scheduled for February 8th.
-
"Despite the expected intensity of the game, it’s only being broadcast over the air in Chicago, Milwaukee, and Green Bay." (Chuck Kornbach, 04:34)
- College Football:
- Indiana advances to its first national championship after defeating Oregon 56–22 in the Peach Bowl.
- NFL Playoffs:
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Iran Protests: 00:32–01:40
- Minneapolis Police Protest: 01:40–02:17
- Economy & Markets: 02:17–03:15
- CDC Flu Report: 03:15–03:23
- Naval Exercises/BRICS: 03:23–04:19
- NFL & Peach Bowl: 04:19–05:00
Notable Quotes
- On Iran protests: “These protests come at a time when the regime is particularly vulnerable.” – Jackie Northam (01:08)
- On Minneapolis police video: “There is no tape that shows that, but there are angles that suggest she may have grazed him.” – Ron Elving (02:07)
- On the jobs report: “Investors mostly shrugged off the report from the Labor Department showing US employers added just 50,000 jobs in December.” – Scott Horsley (02:36)
Summary:
This episode offers a rapid overview of major events: Iran’s escalating protests and harsh government response, police protests in Minneapolis over a controversial shooting, weak U.S. job growth but rising stock markets, ongoing flu season concerns, international naval exercises involving rivals and partners off South Africa, and sports excitement with NFL playoff openers and Indiana’s college football breakthrough.