NPR News Now – January 11, 2026, 1AM EST

Host: Dale Willman
Length: ~5 minutes

Main Theme

This hourly news update features concise, up-to-the-minute reporting on major global and national stories: ongoing protests in Iran, Venezuela’s release of political prisoners, political tensions between the U.S. and Greenland, the death of Grateful Dead musician Bob Weir, a mass shooting in Mississippi, and U.S. military strikes in Syria.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Continuing Protests in Iran

[00:19 – 01:19]

• Economic Protests Spark Unrest
  • Protests began at the end of December, with large numbers of shopkeepers taking to the streets against worsening economic conditions.
  • Inflation in Iran is near 50%; the rial currency has lost half its value since September.
  • The movement has expanded beyond economic concerns to wider unrest.
• Government Crackdown
  • Internet and phone service are down, making on-the-ground assessment difficult.
  • Human rights groups report at least 116 protesters killed over two weeks.
  • Notable Quote: “Iran’s attorney general Washington warned this weekend that anyone protesting will be considered an enemy of God.” — Dale Willman [01:06]

Release of Political Prisoners in Venezuela

[01:19 – 02:14]

• Prisoner Releases
  • The US and Venezuela agreed to release high-profile political prisoners; only 18 have been freed so far.
  • President Trump asserts that the US requested these releases, with Venezuelan compliance.
• Scene at the Prison
  • Families wait outside El Helicoide, described as the “most feared detention facility.”
  • Venezuela’s congressional leader, Jorge Rodriguez, calls the move a “gesture seeking peace.”
  • Releases include party members of Nobel laureate Maria Corina Machado and five Spanish citizens.
  • Human Rights Reaction: Disappointment at “paltry” releases — over 800 political prisoners remain.
  • Notable Quote: “Those released so far include members of the political party led by Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado and five Spanish citizens. Human rights groups decry the paltry number of releases and say more than 800 political opponents remain imprisoned.” — Carrie Kahn [01:51]

US–Greenland Tensions Escalate

[02:14 – 03:13]

• Rising Rhetoric
  • President Trump increases statements about the US “taking over Greenland,” saying it will occur “one way or another.”
  • Greenland’s leaders issue a rare joint statement demanding respect and denouncing external interference.
• Greenland’s Position
  • They stress self-determination: “We do not wish to be Americans... We wish to be Greenlanders.”
  • Danish survey: nearly 40% of Danes believe US may attempt an invasion.
  • Notable Quote: “The leaders of Greenland’s political parties issued a joint statement demanding that, quote, the United States’ disregard for our country must come to an end. [...] We do not wish to be Americans, they went on. We do not wish to be Danes. We wish to be Greenlanders.” — Terry Schultz [02:39]

Obituary: Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead

[03:13 – 04:14]

• Bob Weir’s Death Announced
  • Founding member of the Grateful Dead, died at 78 from lung issues.
  • He played a key role as the youngest member, with signature guitar style and vocals.
  • Stayed with the band until Jerry Garcia’s death; repeatedly reunited for new lineups and live shows.
  • Notable Quote: “For decades, Weir and his bandmates transformed their improvisational, psychedelic sound from an output of San Francisco’s hippie scene to a massively appealing subculture.” — Isabella Gomez Sarmento [03:44]

Mississippi Mass Shooting & US Strikes in Syria

[04:14 – 04:58]

• Mississippi Shooting
  • A 24-year-old man, Derek Amore, charged with murdering six people in West Point, MS.
  • Victims include family members and the pastor and brother at a local church.
  • Suspect captured later at a police roadblock.
• US Strikes in Syria
  • US Central Command reports strikes on Islamic State targets starting December 19, in response to the December deaths of two US soldiers and a contractor.
  • 70 targets in central Syria were hit.

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Topic | Speakers | Timestamp | |-------|----------|-----------| | Iran Protests & Crackdown | Dale Willman, Jackie Northam | 00:19–01:19 | | Venezuela Political Prisoners | Dale Willman, Carrie Kahn | 01:19–02:14 | | US–Greenland Tension | Dale Willman, Terry Schultz | 02:14–03:13 | | Bob Weir Obituary | Dale Willman, Isabella Gomez Sarmento | 03:13–04:14 | | Mississippi Shooting, US–Syria Strikes | Dale Willman | 04:14–04:58 |

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On Iranian Protesters:
  “Anyone protesting will be considered an enemy of God.”
  — Dale Willman, reporting [01:06]
• On Low Numbers of Prisoner Releases:
  “Human rights groups decry the paltry number of releases and say more than 800 political opponents remain imprisoned.”
  — Carrie Kahn [01:51]
• On Greenland’s Position:
  “We do not wish to be Americans. We do not wish to be Danes. We wish to be Greenlanders.”
  — Terry Schultz quoting joint statement [02:56]
• On Bob Weir’s Influence:
  “For decades, Weir and his bandmates transformed their improvisational, psychedelic sound from an output of San Francisco’s hippie scene to a massively appealing subculture.”
  — Isabella Gomez Sarmento [03:44]

Summary

This NPR News Now episode succinctly covers turbulent protests in Iran and a harsh government crackdown, a controversial and slow-moving prisoner release in Venezuela, diplomatic friction as the U.S. asserts intentions toward Greenland, the passing of Grateful Dead icon Bob Weir and his cultural legacy, a tragic mass shooting in Mississippi, and increased U.S. military actions in Syria. Each story is handled with NPR’s characteristic brevity and reliability, giving listeners a quick but informative sweep of the current global news landscape.