NPR News Now - NPR News: 01-12-2026 9AM EST

Episode Date: January 12, 2026

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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Khorva Coleman. President Trump says Iran has reached out to negotiate with the United States. This comes after Oman, a mediator between the U.S. and Iran, had dispatched its top diplomat to Tehran for talks amid nationwide anti-government protests roiling Iran. NPR's Aib Betrawi has the latest. Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that the U.S. could meet with Iranian officials and that a meeting is being set up.

But he cautioned that the military is also looking at, quote, some very strong options. Trump said if Iran attacks U.S. assets in the Mideast, they will be met with a very powerful force. Iranian authorities have cut off internet across the country for four days now in a bid to stifle protests that they say are being stoked by, quote, terrorists. Rights groups estimate that hundreds of protesters have been killed in the demonstrations that began December 28th. Iran says security personnel have also been killed. Iran's foreign minister Abbas Aragachi repeated the government's position that foreign elements are fueling the violence. The government planned rallies in support of the

Monday. I. Abel Trowey and Pierre News, Dubai. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell says the Justice Department served subpoenas on the central bank late last week. It's about building renovations of Fed offices in Washington, D.C. But Powell says this is really pressure to force him to cave to President Trump and cut interest rates, even if that's not in the interest of Americans. Market futures are sharply lower this morning and Wall Street opens in about half an hour. David Wessel of the Brookings Institution warns if the Fed does what Trump demands, the likely result would be more inflation for Americans. If the market today does react strongly to the latest development,

there's a chance that Treasury Secretary Scott Besson or someone else will persuade the president and the attorney general to back off. Or maybe if more Republican senators besides Senator Tom Tillis, who spoke on this yesterday, we'll talk the administration out of this. He spoke to NPR's morning edition. At this hour, Dow futures are down more than 300 points. The federal government is still beefing up immigration efforts in Minnesota, NPR Serio Martinez Beltran reports

federal authorities will send hundreds more agents to the state this coming week. Right now, there are more than 2,000 federal immigration agents in Minnesota. That's three times the size of the Minneapolis Police Department. This week, more immigration and customs enforcement and border patrol agents are expected to come to the state, to help carry out President Trump's crackdown on immigration. Multiple residents in Minneapolis neighborhoods told NPR they've seen ICE agents going door to door. Vice President J.D. Vans, in a recent news conference, said agents were doing this to find, quote,

criminal illegal aliens. Ice in the past has focused on targeted arrests, so all of this is highly unusual, but this is all part of the Trump administration's effort to deport millions from the U.S. Sergio Martinez Beltran, NPR News, Minneapolis. You're listening to NPR News from Washington. Nurses are walking the picket lines in New York City this morning. 15,000 are on strike from major hospitals. They're asking for a new contract with safer staffing levels and protections from workplace violence. A man with a sharp object barricaded himself in a Brooklyn hospital room last week.

This is believed to be one of the biggest nurses' strikes in New York City history, and it comes during a really bad flu season. The films, one battle after another, and Hamnet, were among the big winners at last night's Golden Globe Awards. NPR's up first was nominated for Best Podcast, but that honor went to a well-known actor and comedian, as NPR's Mandelaide Del Barco reports. The Golden Globe went to comedian Amy Poehler.

On her weekly podcast, Good Hang with Amy Poehler, she shares stories with other celebrities. Her award rivals included SmartLists, co-hosted by her ex, comedian Will Arnett, an armchair expert with Dax Shepard. Also, NPR's daily news podcast up first. I have great respect for all the people that I am nominated with. I'm big fans of all of you, except for NPR. Just a bunch of celebs phoning it in.

So try harder. Poller said her podcast is meant to laugh with people, not at them. Mandali Del Barco, NPR News, Los Angeles. Organizers of next month's Winter Olympic Games in Italy say that world-renowned tenor, Andrea Boccelli, will sing during the opening ceremonies. Other performers will include pop star Mariah Carey and Italian singer Laura Pazini. This is NPR. Listen to this podcast sponsor-free on Amazon Music with a prime membership or any podcast app by subscribing to NPR NewsNowPlus at plus.npr.org. That's plus.npr.org.