NPR News Now - NPR News: 01-03-2026 11PM EST

Episode Date: January 4, 2026

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Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Wilman. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is now in New York. The president and his wife were captured by the U.S. military in the capital city of Caracas in an attack during the early hours of this morning. NPR's Jasmine Garst reports. The Venezuelan president arrived at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York, late Saturday night. He and his wife, Celia Flores, have been charged with narco-terrorism conspiracy,

cocaine importation conspiracy, and weapons, offense. in Manhattan federal court. Following the Venezuelan president's detention, President Trump said the U.S. would indefinitely, quote, run the country and seize Venezuela's massive oil reserves. Meanwhile, President Maduro's vice president, Delci Rodriguez, publicly accused the U.S. of invading Venezuela under false pretenses and said, quote, there's only one president in this country

and his name is Nicolas Maduro Moros. Jasmine Garst, NPR News, New York. In Philadelphia, meanwhile, more than 100 people took to the streets today to protest the U.S. military action in Venezuela. W.H.Y's Emily Neal has more. Katie Mernicki protested what she said is a, quote, illegal act on the part of the United States. I think it's criminal and disgusting that our government is spending their time and money, kidnapping presidents of other countries instead of taking care of people here at home.

Nellie Jimenez-Arevelo says she, she and some other Venezuelan Americans welcome the fall of Maduro, even as they question the Trump administration's ongoing attacks on Venezuelan immigrants in the U.S. I do not agree with many of the things that the federal government is doing. However, I think this was the only way that Maduro was going to leave Venezuela. Venezuelan leaders in Philadelphia planned a vigil Sunday to pray for the country's future. For NPR in Philadelphia, I'm Emily Neal. The head of the United Nations has expressed deep alarm over the U.S. strike on Venezuela

and the capture of its president and his wife. As NPR's Jackie Northam reports, Venezuela and Colombia have both requested an urgent U.N. Security Council meeting for Monday to discuss the U.S. attack. In a statement delivered by his spokesperson, U.N. Secretary General Antonio Gutierich said the U.S. strike on Venezuela and the capture of Maduro set a dangerous precedent and warned of the, quote, whirring implications for the region. Gutierrez stressed the importance of respecting international law. The Security Council met twice recently over the increasing tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela.

In a social media post the U.S. ambassador to the U.N., Mike Walts, said Maduro was an illegitimate dictator and that the U.S. action in Venezuela is not regime change, it's justice. Jackie Northam, NPR News. And you're listening to NPR. news. The start of the new year comes with lots of ideas for what will be in and what will be out, especially when it comes to food.

Predictions for the trendy new foods and flavors to watch in 2026 include cabbage, black currant, and cinnamon rolls. And Piers Netta Ullaby reports. The predictions come from chefs, industry analysts, and influencers. And they range from flavors like guava and black sesame to fiber maxing, more fiber in everything. On TikTok, an influencer named Casey Carter, responded to a Whole Foods list of 2026 predictions. They say vinegars will be all the rage, as well as beef tallow.

But I wonder what cardiologists have to say about that. Other food predictions for 2026 from other industry leaders include more creative tiramisus with flavors like banana or peanut butter and jelly and celery in desserts. Neda Ulibe, NPR News. In a sign that leaders in Iran may be taking a more aggressive approach with protesters, Their Iran's supreme leader Saturday insisted that what he calls rioters must be put in their place. The week-long demonstrations were sparked by the country's struggling economy. At least two more people were killed Saturday from violence surrounding the protests

that raises the death toll so far to at least 10. South Korea's military says North Korea launched ballistic missiles toward the sea early Sunday morning. It says the missiles were fired toward North Korea's eastern waters. Experts say North Korea is likely increasing weapons tests to show its attention. achievements in the defense sector ahead of the ruling Workers Party Congress. The U.S. Joint Chief of Staff, meanwhile, says it's monitoring the situation. I'm Dale Wilman, NPR News.