NPR News Now - NPR News: 01-06-2026 6PM EST

Episode Date: January 6, 2026

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Rylan Barton. The Trump administration is marking the fifth anniversary of the January 6th riot with a web page that insists rioters were peaceful that day. The page states that Democrats, quote, staged the real insurrection by certifying a fraud-ridden election, and it says that a Capitol police officer murdered rioter Ashley Babbitt in cold blood. She was fatally shot while climbing through a smashed window at the Capitol. Courts and elections officials nationwide have repeatedly affirmed that Joe Biden won the election in 2020. Venezuela is still in shock after the U.S. apprehended President Nicolas Maduro. NPR's Ader Peralta says many Venezuelans are still waiting to see how their government will change.

Maduro was taken by the United States, and he's in court now in the United States facing charges. But Desi Rodriguez takes over, who was his vice president. And what, you know, some people I spoke to said is she's exactly the same as him. And unless the whole government is taken out, then things will change in Venezuela. NPR's Ader Peralta reporting, leaders from Europe, the U.S., Canada, and NATO have agreed on international defense guarantees for Ukraine. More than two dozen of Ukraine's allies met today in Paris to work out details of a proposal to end Russia's nearly four-year-old war there. But as NPR's Lauren Freire reports, Russia still needs to agree to them. British Prime Minister Kier-Starmer says the U.S. would monitor and verify a ceasefire.

Then Britain and France would send peacekeepers. The UK and France will establish military hubs across Ukraine and build protected facilities. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky calls the plan for equipment, training, and airland and sea support a huge step forward. President Trump's advisor and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, calls it a milestone. Starmor said they made excellent progress, but cautioned that the hardest yards are still ahead. And said Russian President Vladimir Putin is, quote, not showing that he is ready for peace. Lauren Freyer, NPR News, London.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1% today, notching its latest record high. As NPR's Rafael NOM reports, investors are ignoring geopolitics to focus on the economy. Venezuela may be all over the headlines, but it's really not the main story for Wall Street investors. The S&P is also in record high territory, gaining about 6 tenth of a percent. A big reason is optimism about the economy and corporate profits. Although there are certainly signs of weakness across the economy in manufacturing, for example, there are enough positive developments. Take wealthier consumers who continue to spend money.

But investors are bracing for the latest jobs data coming out on Friday, given that the labor market is showing signs of cooling. Rafael NPR News. And you're listening to NPR News from Washington. A Texas Teachers Union is suing the state's education department and accusing it of improperly investigating teachers' social media comments following the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The lawsuit argues that the Texas Education Agency violated the free speech rights of school employees.

Swiss officials say a ski resort bar that caught fire New Year's Eve killing more than 40 people had not been inspected in five years. NPR's Eleanor Beardsley has more. Nicola Ferro, mayor of Carl Montana, said he bitterly regretted the failure to carry out annual inspections and said the investigation would tell how much of a role that played in the disaster. We will assume all of our responsibility, he said. At least 40 people died in the blaze. More than 100 were injured.

The victims were between the ages of 14 and 30. at least 20 were minors. The drinking age in Switzerland is 16. The soundproofing foam on the basement ceiling that caught fire from sparklers was installed in a do-it-yourself job by the owners. They're now under investigation for homicide by negligence. Eleanor Beardsley and Pierre News, Paris. Deaths of on-duty law enforcement officers in the U.S. decreased by nearly 25% in 2025, according to an annual report. The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund says the drop to 100,000 and 11 deaths last year includes decreases in officers killed by firearms and in traffic-related incidents. Officials say training, medical resources, and public awareness account for some of

the decrease, but it also comes down to luck. I'm Ryland Barton. This is NPR News.