NPR News Now - NPR News: 01-21-2026 11AM EST

Episode Date: January 21, 2026

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Live from NPR News in Washington on Kourva Coleman, President Trump says he won't use American military might to take over Greenland. He spoke today at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland. Trump's come under withering criticism from allies, especially in Europe. NPR's Eleanor Beardsley reports, Trump said he's calling for immediate talks over the ownership of Greenland. He did not back down on wanting to own it. He kept calling it a little piece of ice that sitting there undefended Europeans consider that NATO defends it, you know, when they consider the U.S. and NATO partner, and he has disdain for the allies. He called NATO ungrateful. He called Denmark ungrateful.

He twisted history saying we gave Greenland back to Denmark, but we never owned Greenland. Earlier, Trump said he'd impose initial tariffs of 10% on eight European nations if they don't give in. Some European officials say if Trump does that, the European Union Parliament may respond with a tariff package of $100 billion on American goods. Not long after Trump said he would not use military force in Greenland, markets rose on Wall Street. The Dow Jones Industrial average is up about 480 points. Trump is speaking to world leaders in Davos, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is not among them,

and Pierre's Emily Fang explains. Netanyahu cannot travel to Switzerland for fear of being arrested. The International Criminal Court in the Hague issued arrest warrants against him and the former defense minister, Yoav Galaunt, for alleged war crimes. crimes they committed in Gaza during Israel's war with Hamas. Israel has strongly protested the warrants, and its president, Isaac Herzog, said this week that Netanyahu's exclusion from the forum was a, quote, reward for terror and said the charges should be lifted. Netanyahu did say this

week that Israel was joining President Trump's Board of Peace Organization, originally pitched to help govern Gaza, but is being designed to have a much broader international mandate. Emily Fang and peer news Tel Aviv. A controversial lawyer with close ties to President Trump is now out as the top federal prosecutor in eastern Virginia. And Pierre's Kerry Johnson reports Lindsay Halligan left the U.S. Attorney's job after a long legal battle. This week, Judge David Novak accused Halligan of, quote, masquerading as the U.S. attorney for weeks after another federal judge disqualified her from the post. Halligan had no prior experience as a prosecutor and had worked as a personal lawyer to the president. Her effort to prosecute Trump foes Jim Comey and Letitia James ended in failure. After court ruled she was improperly installed in the job.

Attorney General Pam Bondy said Halligan's departure is a significant loss for the Justice Department, but that she will continue to serve the president. The federal courts in eastern Virginia are seeking applicants to serve as the interim U.S. attorney. Carrie Johnson, NPR News, Washington. On Wall Street, the Dow is up about 1%. So is the NASDAQ. You're listening to NPR. Health officials in South Carolina are reporting more diagnosed measles cases.

There have been 88 more cases in the state's current outbreak since Friday. There are at least 646 known cases in the state so far. Dozens of students at Clemson and Anderson universities have been quarantined. The U.S. could be at risk of losing its measles-free designation. The American Heart Association says deaths from heart disease in the U.S. have declined following a COVID-era spike. NPR's Allison Aubrey reports heart disease remains the top cause of death for men and women across the country. Heart disease and stroke account for more than a quarter of all deaths in the U.S. with a death occurring about every 34 seconds.

Cardiologist Dr. Stacey Rosen of the American Heart Association says the downward trend marks the end of a pandemic-related anomaly. The good news is encouraging to see. Unfortunately, though, the prevalence of risk factors for heart disease and stroke continue to rise. Including high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes, especially among young adults, so the declines could reverse again. Rosen estimates about 70% of heart disease could be prevented or delayed with lifestyle changes, including exercise, a healthy diet, and not smoking.

Alison Aubrey, NPR News. The body of famed Italian fashion designer Valentino is now lying in state in Rome. His funeral is Friday. Valentino was beloved by stars and American first ladies. I'm Corva Coleman, NPR News in Washington. Listen to this podcast sponsor-free on Amazon Music with a prime membership or any podcast app by subscribing to. NPR News Now Plus at plus.npr.npr.org. That's plus.npr.org.