NPR News Now - NPR News: 01-05-2026 12AM EST

Episode Date: January 5, 2026

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On Ye Gods with Scott Carter, hear from The Faithful. I told my very Catholic mother that she needs to meet Jesus. The faithless. I just so don't believe in God. And the fearless. Serve people, connect with people. That's how we thrive. If life's a mystery, we investigate, who'd done it?

I pray that the humor God. Listen religiously to Ye gods with Scott Carter, wherever you get your podcasts. Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Wilman. President Trump says his administration will run Venezuela after U.S. forces captured President Nicholas Maduro Saturday. But on Sunday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio offered a more nuanced response saying the U.S. will run the country's policy through sanctions. And Pierre's Luke Garrett reports. Trump pointed to Rubio, along with others in his administration, when asked who will run Venezuela. But Rubio said this on NBC News. It's not running, it's running policy. The policy with regards to this, we want Venezuela to move in a certain direction. Because not only do we think it's good for the people of Venezuela, it's in our national interest.

said that no U.S. troops are currently in Venezuela and that the U.S. will influence the country through oil sanction enforcement. Our military is helping the Coast Guard conduct a law enforcement function, which is not just the capture of Maduro, but the enforcement of our sanctions. The Secretary of State said the U.S. naval, quote, quarantine remains in place and that boat strikes and oil tanker seizures will continue if needed. He, like Trump, did not rule out future use of U.S. troops in Venezuela. Luke Garrett, NPR News, Washington. President Trump has argued that the U.S. captured Venezuela's president, in part because of the U.S. war on drugs. Administration officials say Maduro waged a campaign of narco-terrorism against the U.S. and its citizens.

But at PR's Brian Mann says Trump is being accused of hypocrisy because of his pardon of Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, who was also, who was convicted last year on drug charges. Trump said Hernandez and other alleged drug criminals were prosecuted unfairly by the Biden administration. Now, it's important to say the Trump administration has not offered evidence that Hernandez or any other drug defendants were treated unfairly by the Justice Department under Biden. Hernandez was convicted by an independent jury in a federal trial, but now because of Trump, Hernandez is free while Nicholas Maduro is in U.S. custody. That's NPR's Brian Mann.

The European Union has issued its first joint statement since the U.S. apprehended Maduro. As Terry Schultz reports, the block is taking a... a cautious approach, avoiding criticism with the Trump administration's actions, even though they're clearly uncomfortable with them. Only 26 of the 27 EU member governments signed on to the statement, Hungary refused. In it, the EU only mentions the U.S. once, to say it is in close contact with the United States, as well as regional and international partners, to support and facilitate dialogue with all parties involved, leading to a negotiated, democratic, inclusive, and peaceful solution

to the crisis. U urges that the principles of international lobby upheld, emphasizing that members of the United Nations Security Council, quote, have a particular responsibility to uphold those principles as a pillar of the international security architecture. The permanent members of the Security Council are the U.S., Russia, Britain, China, and France. For NPR News, I'm Terry Schultz in Brussels. And you're listening to NPR News. Long-track speed skaters wrap up their attempt to qualify for the U.S. Olympic team Monday. during team trials in Milwaukee. As Chuck Wormbrough reports,

the veteran competitor, Brittany Bo, won another race Sunday in an event that also included an unusual re-skates. Florida resident Brittany Boe was already scheduled to compete at next month's Milan-Cortina Olympics in what will be her fourth winter games. Bo added to her schedule Sunday by winning the women's 1,500 meters. The 37-year-old says she always wants to win. Competition drives me, winning drives me.

me performing better than expectation drives me, and I just really have a desire to be the best out there. Minnesota's Greta Myers also qualified for the Olympic 1500 meters, but only after having to re-skate, she was disqualified during her first effort. Illinois native Emery Lehman won the men's 1500 and is going to his fourth winter games. For NPR news, I'm Chuck Quirmbach in Milwaukee. Avatar Fire and Ash remains at the top of the box office for the third week in a row, bringing in an additional $40 million in North American theaters. The James Cameron Flick has now cleared $1 billion in worldwide sales. Zootopia 2, meanwhile, was second, adding another $19 million to its total, while the House Maid finished in 3rd with $14.9 million. And Marty Supreme brought in $12.6 million to finish in fourth, while Anaconda landed.

landed in fifth with $10 million in sales. I'm Dale Wilman, NPR News.