NPR News Now - NPR News: 01-05-2026 8AM EST

Episode Date: January 5, 2026

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Kourva Coleman. Members of Congress returned from their holiday recess this week. The U.S. airstrikes on Venezuela and the subsequent arrests of the country's president and first lady are expected to dominate discussions in the short term. NPR's Barbara Sprunt has more. GOP lawmakers have largely been supportive of the operation, but have requested briefings. President Trump is scheduled to meet with all House Republicans Tuesday. Congressional Democrats have denounced the administration's actions.

the White House illegally circumvented Congress, which has not authorized military action against Venezuela. This comes as Congress faces a long to-do list. They have to pass nine appropriations bills by the end of the month or risk another government shutdown. The House is also expected to take up a vote on extending health insurance subsidies that expired at the end of 2025. Barbara Sprint and PR News, Washington. It's not clear when or if the Trump administration will brief congressional Democrats on the Venezuelan military operation. Deposed Venezuelan leader Nicholas Maduro and his wife Celia are scheduled to appear in federal court in New York in a few hours. They're facing federal charges of narco-terrorism and

conspiracy to move drugs into the United States. They have both now arrived at the federal courthouse in New York. People in Venezuela are wondering what's next. Texas Public Radio's David Martin Davies spoke with a Venezuelan resident. In the small Venezuelan In the Venezuelan town of Caripido, eight hours from Caracas. Marianne Garcia says she hasn't been able to sleep since the attack. She was at a street party when suddenly the music was turned off and everyone was told to go home. And she's been in shock ever since.

Garcia said her family in Caracas tell her they're safe, but one of her neighbors is in the Venezuelan National Guard and he was killed. Garcia said she's watched the Venezuelan economy collapse. She said, I'm not going to forgive this government. She said, I'm not going to forgive this government. Garcia said her country needs help. And if President Trump wants Venezuela's oil, then that might be a good thing. For NPR news, I'm David Martin Davies in San Antonio. The pill version of the blockbuster obesity drug Wagovi launches today. NPR Sidney Lepkin has more. Patients can now fill Wagovi pill prescriptions and they can also order the drug online directly from Novo Nordisk for a discount as well as through telehealth platforms. The discounted starting dose of the pill is $149 a month. The higher doses are $299 a month for patients who don't use their health insurance.

The price that affects insurance coverage, called a list price, is the same as the Wagovi injection, around $1,400 a month. Although insurance coverage for weight loss drugs has become more restrictive, the company says people with insurance could have co-pays as low as $25 a month. Sydney Lepkin, NPR News. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. A French court has convicted 10 people of cyberbullying France's first lady Brigitte Macron. They spread online lies about her gender and sexuality. Mrs. Macron said she launched legal proceedings to set an example against harassment.

Ukraine is preparing for diplomatic meetings in Europe this week to talk about ending Russia's war. Ukraine's president says he hopes for a leader's summit in Washington by the end of the month. NPR's Joanna Kikis reports. 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 on 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 Kikisas and PR News Kyiv. The U.S. Mint is releasing new coins into circulation today for the nation's 250th anniversary, but the Trump administration will not release the coins, celebrating women's rights and civil rights activists. The U.S. Mint is considering releasing a $1 coin, it would feature Donald Trump, even though that has never been done for a sitting president. I'm Corva Coleman, NPR News, from Washington.