NPR News Now - NPR News: 01-05-2026 3AM EST

Episode Date: January 5, 2026

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Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Wilman. 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 Nicholas Maduro waged a campaign of narco-terrorism against the U.S. and its citizens. But NPR's Brian Mann says Trump is being accused of hypocrisy because of his pardon of Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernandez, 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. Houston is home to the third largest population of Venezuelan immigrants in the U.S. and has the headquarters for many major. energy companies, the city could be at the center of American efforts to tap Venezuelan oil reserves after U.S. troops detained President Nicolas Maduro. But Houston public media's Natalie Weber tells us the American operation drew mixed reactions across the city this weekend. Singing and waving flags, dozens of Venezuelan immigrants gathered in Houston suburbs to celebrate. Hector Machuca

was among them. It's a lot of emotions, you know, all together like happiness, but at the same time a little worry and we're a little nervous. However, some residents came out to oppose the operation. Caleb Kourowski is an organizer with the Party for Socialism and Liberation, which led a protest over the weekend. I think we already can see the results of U.S. interventions across the world, and we don't think that Venezuela will end up any different. Reaction from Texas leaders remain split.

For NPR News, I'm Nadley Weber in Houston. Ukraine is preparing for diplomatic meetings in Europe this week to talk about ending Russia's war on that country. MPR's Geronika Kisis reports from Kyiv that Ukraine's president says he hopes for a leader's summit in Washington by the end of the month. In his evening video address on Sunday, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky

said he had reshuffled his cabinet to focus on what he called the possible paths ahead. He said, we are preparing for diplomacy, which we are pursuing or continuing the act of defense of our country if our allies pressure in Russia proves insufficient. Ukraine wants peace, he added, but will not give up its strength to anyone. Security advisors from Ukraine's top allies met in Kiev on Saturday to discuss the latest peace proposal brokered by the White House, though the U.S. invasion of Venezuela overshadowed those proceedings. Joanna Kikis and PR News Kyiv.

And you're listening to NPR News. Israel has revoked the licenses of more than three dozen humanitarian organizations. Among them are Doctors Without Borders and Oxfam. They both provide essential services, including medical care. The ban takes place on March 1st. It means the groups cannot bring in supplies or international staff into Gaza. Israel says the new rules are aimed at preventing infiltration into Gaza by militants. Authorities in Nigeria say at least 40 people were killed.

killed an attack on a market in the north of the country this weekend. A number of other people are missing following that attack. Michael Koloki has more. Police say gunmen attacked a market in Demo Village, located in the country's Niger State, looting food items, and burning down market stalls. They say several people were also abducted and that efforts are underway to rescue them.

Demo Village, where the attack occurred, is just a few miles away from a school where more than 300 children and staff were kidnapped last November and later released. Niger is one of several states in Nigeria that have witnessed a spate of armed attacks and abductions over the past several months. The federal government has said it is trying to secure the country

with social commentators calling for more to be done to improve law and order. For NPR News, I'm Michael Kaloki in Nairobi. James Cameron's latest remains at the top of the box office this week, bringing in $40 million. Avatar Fire and Ash has spent three weeks in the number one spot and has grossed $1 billion in World's. wide sales. The animation flick Zootopia 2 was in second, bringing in $19 million in sales at

North American theaters. The House made, meanwhile, placed third. It brought in $14.9 million in sales. I'm Dale Wilman, NPR News.