NPR News Now — January 13, 2026, 10PM EST

Host: Ryland Barton
Date: January 14, 2026
Duration: 5 minutes

Episode Overview

This episode of NPR News Now delivers a concise update on major global and national developments, including Iran’s government crackdown, Trump administration immigration policies and economic claims, recent climate data, controversial congressional standoff involving the Clintons, allegations against actor Timothy Busfield, and Brazil’s ongoing heatwave. The broadcast highlights the ongoing tensions around global security, U.S. immigration, climate crisis, political controversies, and public safety.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Iran’s Crackdown on Protesters

Timestamp: 00:11–00:55

• Summary:
  Anti-government protests in Iran have led to at least 2,500 deaths, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activist News Agency. President Trump signals a potential military intervention.

• Details:

  • U.S. urging citizens and allies to leave Iran.
  • John Bolton, former Trump adviser, supports regime change in Iran.

• Notable Quote:

  "It's hard to see you're going to get a regime worse than this one, which is the principal sponsor of international terrorism and pursuing nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles that threaten Israel, threaten our Arab neighbors, threaten us."
  — John Bolton [00:37]

2. U.S. Immigration Policy: Somali TPS Ends

Timestamp: 00:55–01:34

• Summary:
  The Trump administration ends Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somali immigrants. Hundreds impacted must leave by March 17th.

• Details:

  • Justified by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem as "prioritizing Americans".
  • TPS exists for those fleeing instability; Somalia faces chronic violence and disasters.

3. President Trump Claims Economic Success

Timestamp: 01:34–02:17

• Summary:
  Trump addresses Detroit Economic Club, emphasizing job protection policies, tariffs, deregulation, and opposition to electric vehicle mandates.

• Details:

  • Tariffs on foreign vehicles and parts.
  • Claims benefits to autoworkers and the auto industry.
  • Removal of electric vehicle mandate and tax credits.

• Notable Quote:

  "I terminated the insane electric vehicle mandate and ended the war on internal combustion engines once and for all. Those engines were gone."
  — Donald Trump [01:57]

• Counterpoint:

  • Quinn Kleinfelter notes these moves forced Detroit automakers to shift away from EVs, costing billions.

4. Climate Change: Warming Reaches Critical Levels

Timestamp: 02:17–03:08

• Summary:
  2025 marked as the third warmest year on record; the globe is nearing the 1.5ºC warming threshold set by international agreements.

• Details:

  • Samantha Burgess, weather scientist, warns "the globe has warmed by about 1.4ºC above pre-industrial level."
  • On current trajectory, 1.5ºC threshold will be reached by decade's end.

• Notable Quote:

  "If warming continues at the same average rate experienced over the last 15 years. Then we will reach 1.5 degree level by the end of this decade."
  — Samantha Burgess [02:38]

• Key Cause:

  • Primary driver: rising greenhouse gases from human activities, especially fossil fuel usage.

5. Political Stand-off: Clintons & Epstein Investigation

Timestamp: 03:08–03:44

• Summary:
  Bill and Hillary Clinton refuse to testify before Congress regarding their connection to Jeffrey Epstein, facing potential contempt proceedings from Republican lawmakers.

• Details:

  • Clintons claim contempt is intended to lead to their imprisonment.

6. Allegations Against Actor Timothy Busfield

Timestamp: 03:44–04:24

• Summary:
  Actor and director Timothy Busfield turns himself in after a warrant is issued for child abuse charges involving two young actors from “The Cleaning Lady.”

• Details:

  • Charges relate to alleged inappropriate contact on set in 2022.
  • Busfield denied intentional wrongdoing, calling it a "playful environment".

• Notable Quote:

  "It was highly unlikely he had ever had physical contact with the boys."
  — Statement from Timothy Busfield, summarized by Mandalit Del Barco [04:20]

7. Extreme Heat in Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro

Timestamp: 04:24–04:54

• Summary:
  Amid severe heatwave (temperatures above 104ºF), Rio de Janeiro zoo animals receive special frozen treats for relief.

• Details:

  • Jaguars, monkeys, and other animals given iced diets tailored by species.
  • Example: some got frozen fruit, others received frozen blood concoctions.

Notable Quotes

• John Bolton on Iran’s regime:

  "It's hard to see you're going to get a regime worse than this one..." [00:37]

• Donald Trump on auto industry policy:

  "I terminated the insane electric vehicle mandate and ended the war on internal combustion engines once and for all." [01:57]

• Samantha Burgess on climate:

  "If warming continues at the same average rate... we will reach 1.5 degree level by the end of this decade." [02:38]

• Timothy Busfield statement, relayed:

  "It was highly unlikely he had ever had physical contact with the boys." [04:20]

Important Timestamps Overview

• 00:11: Iran protests crackdown; John Bolton perspective
• 00:55: Somali TPS termination
• 01:34: Trump addresses Detroit Economic Club; Tariffs and auto industry
• 02:17: 2025 climate records and warnings
• 03:08: Clintons decline Congress testimony
• 03:44: Timothy Busfield child abuse allegations
• 04:24: Rio zoo heatwave animal care

This episode succinctly weaves together global political crises, U.S. policy shifts, climate alerts, celebrity controversy, and human/animal stories driven by record temperatures—serving as a fast-paced, comprehensive news capsule.