NPR News Now - NPR News: 01-21-2026 2PM EST

Episode Date: January 21, 2026

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President Trump says he wants Greenland for national security. But at least one Trump official has said it's also about critical minerals. Geologist Greg Barnes knows these minerals well. I just couldn't believe that something of this size and quality was there's sitting out there. On the indicator from planet money, is this really a land of untapped natural riches? Listen on the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts. Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Nora Rom. President Trump spoke today to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

He insisted the U.S. must acquire Greenland, despite repeated statements by officials in Greenland and Denmark, that the island is not for sale. All we're asking for is to get Greenland, including right title and ownership, because you need the ownership to defend it. You can't defend it on a lease. number one, legally it's not defensible that way, totally. And number two, psychologically, who the hell wants to defend a license agreement or at least, which is a large piece of ice in the middle of the ocean? Trump said he would not use force to obtain the territory, but called for immediate negotiations.

He also urged Denmark and the rest of NATO to stand aside. The Supreme Court heard arguments today testing the limits of the President's power to fire a member of the Federal Reserve's governing board. NPR's Scott Horsley reports the case comes as President Trump has been waging a pressure campaign for the Central Bank to lower interest rates. The Trump administration says the President was within his rights to fire Fed Governor Lisa Cook over allegation she made false statements on mortgage applications, even though Cook denies any wrongdoing. During oral arguments, Cook's lawyer Paul Clement said, When it comes to the central bank, lawmakers deliberately put limits on the president's firing power to insulate the Fed from political pressure. Congress, political animals, one in all, knew better than anyone that the short-term temptations

to lower interest rates and have easy money was a disaster in the long term, but was going to be irresistible. Trump has insisted interest rates should be much lower, but Cook and other Fed policymakers are expected to hold rates steady when they meet next week. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington. A controversial lawyer with close ties to President Trump is now out as the top federal prosecutor in eastern Virginia. NPR's Kerry Johnson reports Lindsay Halligan left the U.S. attorney 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 Bondi 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 310 points. the S&P 500 is up 35. This is NPR News in Washington. State television in Iran today released the government's official death toll from the crackdown on anti-government protests.

It says 3,117 people were killed. The Human Rights activist news agency says it's verified 4,560 deaths, with thousands more under review. The American Heart Association says deaths from heart disease in the U.S. have declined. But heart disease remains the top cause of death. NPR's Alison Aubrey reports. 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. Allison Aubrey and PR News. The House Oversight Committee is holding a hearing today on whether former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton should be held in contempt of Congress. The Clinton say that the subpoena is ordering them to testify about Jeffrey Epstein are not valid and they do not have to testify. I'm Nora Rahm. NPR News in Washington.