NPR News Now - NPR News: 01-02-2026 3AM EST

Episode Date: January 2, 2026

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Shea Stevens. Progressive Democrat Zora Mamdani has taken office as mayor of New York City, Vermont U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders administered the oath during the swearing-in ceremony. In his inaugural remarks, Mamdani promised to confront resident concerns audaciously beginning day one. In writing this address, I have been told that this is the occasion to reset expectations. that I should use this opportunity to encourage the people of New York to ask for little and expect even less. I will do no such thing. Mamdani says City Hall will no longer be shy about using its powers to improve the lives of average New Yorkers.

He campaigned on a promise to make living in the city more affordable. Hundreds gathered for a vigil in the Swiss ski resort of Prans Montana to honor victims of a fire that broke out during a New Year celebration. As the BBC's Sarah Rainsford reports, Swiss officials say the blaze killed at least 40 people and left at least 115 others injured. There are people here still searching for relatives who were in the Constellation Bar on New Year's Eve. The fire then was so fierce, causing such severe burns that identifying everyone is difficult. Those injured are being treated in hospitals across Switzerland and abroad. The condition of many is described as critical.

The investigation into what caused this fire continues. There is now a small shrine close to the scene with flowers and candles and notes written to the dead from a small community in deep shock. The BBC Sarah Rainsford reporting. The drop administration revoked tens of thousands of visas in 2025. It is part of a wider effort to cut down on legal forms of migration. More from NPR's Hima Bustillo. 85,000 visas of all categories were revoked.

last year. That's according to the State Department, one of the agencies that oversees visa permissions. This includes more than 8,000 student visas, and the number is more than double what it was in 2024. In a statement to NPR, a spokesperson for the department said DUIs, assaults, and theft were among some of the top reasons why visas were revoked, accounting for almost half of the revocations. Last year, the State Department also moved forward with revoking the visas of students and others whose speech, they say, does not align. with American values. Humana Bustillo, NPR News, Washington. Venezuela and President Nicholas Maduro is indicating a willingness to negotiate an agreement

with the United States on fighting drug trafficking. In a taped interview aired on state television, Maduro said that the U.S. wants to force his nation to change its government in order to seize Venezuelan oil. The U.S. has carried out nearly three dozen strikes on suspected drug smuggling boats in the Caribbean and East Pacific since early September. killing at least 115 people. This is NPR. The Trump administration has canceled leases for three public golf courses in Washington, D.C. A nonprofit that managed courses on federal property over the past five years says the Interior Department canceled its 50-year lease.

The National Links Trust says the lease cancellations came after the government spent $8.5 million on capital improvements. The trust has agreed to continue managing the D.C. golf courses for now. The United States is hailing Sudan for keeping a key border crossing open as the country's nearly three-year-old civil war continues. Michael Koloki has the latest. In a statement, Massad Bulos, President Trump's senior advisor for African affairs, said the U.S. commenced the decision by Sudanese authorities to extend the opening of the Adre border crossing for humanitarian access. According to the UN, Adre, which lies along Sudan's border with Chad, is a critical lifeline for delivery of life-saving assistance into Sudan.

In September last year, Sudanese authorities had said the crossing would remain open to humanitarian aid convoys until the end of 2025, but recently announced an extension until the end of March this year. The conflict in Sudan has led to a humanitarian crisis, with thousands killed and millions displaced. For NPR News, and Michael Kaluki in Nairobi. Taiwan is vowing to defend its sovereignty in wake of China's live military exercises around the island. President Lai Ching-Tai vows to defend against what he calls China's expansionist ambitions. China's military drills were held amid anger over U.S. plans to sell a massive arms package to Taiwan. This is NPR News.