NPR News Now - NPR News: 01-06-2026 1PM EST

Episode Date: January 6, 2026

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This week on up first, the Trump administration and Venezuela. Can the U.S. run a foreign government, as the president says? They simply may not adopt the policies that Trump would like to see. It's a complex, fast-moving story. As always, we're working overnight and every night so you can start each morning knowing what matters. Listen up first on the NPR app or wherever you get podcasts. Live from NPR News, I'm Lakshmi-Sang. Days after the U.S. military raid announced for Venezuela and President Nicolas Maduro,

European leaders are worried about the Trump administration's renewed threats to seize Greenland to bolster U.S. national security. European leaders are warning that doing so would threaten the existence of NATO. Here's NPR's Rob Schmitz. In a joint statement, the heads of state of countries such as France, Germany, the U.K. and Denmark, reaffirmed support for Arctic security, reminding the Trump administration that Greenland, as a territory of Denmark, is part of NATO. and that it is only for Denmark and Greenland to decide on matters concerning Greenland.

Danish Prime Minister Metta Fredrickson says a U.S. takeover of Greenland would amount to the end of NATO, while Greenland's prime minister says Greenland should not worry about a U.S. takeover, saying the mineral-rich territory is nothing like Venezuela and that it wishes to build ties with the U.S. Rob Schmitz and Pierre News. Democratic U.S. Senator Markelly of Arizona is firing back after Defense Secretary Pete Hegsev said, He was taking administrative action against Kelly. Hegsef is accusing Kelly of sedition for taking part in a video message to U.S. service members to not follow illegal orders. On CNN, Kelly said Hegsev said the same thing as he reacted to a 2016 video attributed to Liberty Forum and YouTube.

He was correct, and isn't this the height of hypocrisy? Pete Hegsa says something in 2016 specifically about Donald Trump. I sent something generically about you must follow the law, the uniform, Code of Military Justice. His case, it seems to be fine. My case, the President wanted me hanged, executed, prosecuted, and now they wanted to moat me. In a social media statement, Hexov said he has begun a formal 45-day process to reduce Kelly's rank and retirement pay. The Pentagon is mounting a six-month review of women in ground combat jobs, according to a memo obtained by NPR. The review is set to determine the effectiveness of having several thousand feet.

female soldiers and Marines in infantry armor and artillery, a decade after those positions were open to them. Here's NPR's Tom Bowman. The memo from Defense Undersecretary Anthony Tata calls for Army and Marine Corps leaders to provide data on the readiness, training, casualties, and command climate of ground combat units. Tata is also asking for any internal studies on the integration of women in ground combat, which is open to them in 2015. Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson tells NPR the review is designed to make sure the military is the most lethal. She said Defense Secretary Hegseth will not compromise standards.

As a Fox news anchor, Hegseth opposed women in ground combat, but he said during his confirmation hearing in January that women can serve in ground combat if they meet the same requirements as men. Tom Bowman, NPR News. This is NPR. The Wyoming Supreme Court has struck down bans on abortion in the red state as unconstitutional. One law sought to restrict abortions to cases involving rape or ancestor when a pregnant woman's life is in danger. A second law banned abortion pills.

The plaintiffs argue the laws violated a state constitutional amendment, allowing competent adults to make decisions about their own health care. Attorneys for the state of Wyoming argued unsuccessfully that the amendment was not written to apply to abortion. Research shows you don't need to do much strength training to get results. NPR's Woolstone has details. Cardiovascular health, metabolism, your brain, longevity, resistance training can help all of these. That's why exercise scientists like Stuart Phillips, who's at McMaster University,

are promoting the idea of a minimum dose. In other words, how little can you get away with and still see benefits? The message is a good one, and it doesn't really require a whole lot, and it can be lighter, it can be heavier. Philip says even just once a week, two to three sets with four or five exercises can go a long way. In fact, one study from researchers in the U.K. followed nearly 15,000 people for seven years. All they did was 20 minutes a week, and people typically got anywhere from 30% to 50% stronger. Will Stone, NPR News. At last check on Wall Street, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up four.

412 points, more than 3 quarters of a percent, at 49,390. This is NPR News.