NPR News: 01-05-2026 1AM EST

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NPR News Now 4 min 4 speakers 6 chapters transcribed 1 month ago

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What did the U.S. say about taking control of Venezuela after capturing its president?

Dale Willman 0:01

Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Wilman. After U.S. forces captured Venezuela's president on Saturday, President Trump said his administration will now run Venezuela. But on Sunday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio gave a more nuanced response. He said the U.S. will instead manage the country through the use of sanctions. But the purpose of the sanctions, he said, will be clear.

Marco Rubio 0:22

And the goal of the policy is to see changes in Venezuela that are beneficial to the United States first and foremost because that's who we work for, but also we believe beneficial for the people of Venezuela who have suffered tremendously. We want a better future for Venezuela, and we think a better future for the people of Venezuela also is stabilizing for the region and makes the neighborhood we live in a much better and safer place.

How are U.S. oil interests shaping the new sanctions policy on Venezuela?

Dale Willman 0:46

Rubio was speaking Sunday on NBC's Meet the Press. President Trump has made clear that the US operation in Venezuela is about at least in part control of that country's oil, but experts say it's not just about Venezuelan oil, as NPR's Julius Simon tells us.

Julia Simon 1:03

Venezuela has massive oil resources, and US oil companies first started drilling there a century ago. But around two thousand seven, then President Hugo Chavez forcibly renegotiated oil contracts. ExxonMobil and Conico Phillips left and took Venezuela to court. The courts ordered Venezuela pay the companies over $11 billion combined. Oil experts tell MPR that for some oil companies, coming back could be a way to recoup money owed. Next door to Venezuela is Guyana, a key emerging oil player with a big ExxonMobil presence. For years, Guyana and Venezuela have had territorial disputes, also related to oil.

What are the latest flood warnings and risks for the San Francisco Bay area?

Julia Simon 1:44

Oil experts tell MPR with President Maduro gone, US oil investments in Guyana are more secure. Julia Simon, NPR News.

Dale Willman 1:52

More storms are expected in California over the next twenty four hours. That's where the risk of flooding continues for areas along the San Francisco Bay shoreline. A coastal flood advisory for San Francisco is in effect through Monday afternoon. KQED's Billy Cruz has more on that story.

Billy Cruz 2:10

After historic king tides and storm surge inundated low-lying places across the San Francisco region, tides are still higher than normal, according to meteorologists. There is a possibility of water up to two feet above ground level, and widespread rain across the region is only making matters worse. Laney Hendricks is a spokesperson for Marin County in the Bay Area.

How is the community commemorating the victims of the Swiss ski‑resort fire?

Unknown 2:34

We are still seeing fairly high tides. Looking ahead, uh, while they're you know, the rain is tapering off, we still have, you know, moderate to high tides in the forecast again for tomorrow. So we may not necessarily be in the clear on flooding.

Billy Cruz 2:48

The National Weather Service has issued flood watches across the state. For NPR News, I'm Billy Cruz in San Francisco.

Dale Willman 2:56

And you're listening to NPR News. A mass and silent procession was held Sunday at the Swiss ski resort, where forty people died in the fire earlier on New Year's Eve, and many others were injured. Officials now say all those who died have been identified, but they're not providing names yet. The BBC's Sarah Rainsford has her reports.

What happened in the recent gunmen raid on a village in northern Nigeria?

Sarah Rainsford 3:21

There is a mass at St. Christopher's Church this morning. The normal Sunday Mass has become a mass for the victims of the tragedy on New Year's Eve here. And people here, of course, gathering to remember the many victims of this horrific fire. And so, of course, for the families who had been hoping against hope that perhaps their relatives, their children in many cases, were in hospital somewhere unidentified yet. They're getting the worst possible news. They're now beginning the grieving process knowing.

Dale Willman 3:49

The BBC's Sarah Rainsford with our story. Gunmen raided a village in northern Nigeria this weekend and killed at least 30 villagers.

Why was the cable bridge in Berlin set on fire and what were the impacts?

Dale Willman 3:57

A number of other people remain missing following that attack. State police say the gunmen fired on the village and also burned down the local market and a number of houses. A spokesman for the Catholic Church in the area where the attack occurred.