Apple News Today
Episode: Threats, insults, signs of a deal: inside a dizzying 24 hours in Davos
Host: Shumita Basu
Date: January 22, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode covers a whirlwind day at the Davos summit as tensions boiled and then eased over the US push for increased involvement in Greenland, accompanied by sharp exchanges and eventual signs of diplomatic progress. The episode then pivots to stories about severe winter weather across the US, escalating turmoil in Iran, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) controversy, the verdict from the Uvalde shooting trial, and marks the final Sundance Film Festival in Utah.

The Davos Drama: US, Europe, and Greenland

High Stakes Diplomacy Turns to Deal-Making

• The episode opens highlighting a tense day at Davos dominated by threats, insults, and an eventual shift towards diplomatic compromise regarding Greenland.

  • "Insults, threats and finally, what appears to be signs of a deal at Davos on Greenland." – Shumita Basu (00:05)

• At first, the summit was marked by deep divisions:

  • “The rules-based order is fading. The strong can do what they can.” – Trump (01:05)
  • “And the weak must suffer what they must, an endless accumulation of new tariffs.” – Shumita Basu (01:09)
  • “That are fundamentally unacceptable.” – NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte (01:15)
  • “You’re crossing red lines here. We either stand together or we will stand divided.” – EU Representative (01:17)

• The mood abruptly shifts as former President Trump announces a breakthrough:

  • “It looks like we have pretty much the concept of a deal, a deal of ownership. A deal, well, it’s a little bit complex, but we'll explain it down the line.” – Trump to CNBC (01:27)
  • Trump confirms tariffs are off the table and claims the deal is “forever”; however, reports clarify it respects Denmark’s sovereignty—a major concession by the US. (01:36)

• Key Details from the Diplomatic Effort:

  • Negotiated primarily with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, not Denmark or Greenland directly. (01:36)
  • Wall Street Journal: Future talks may address expanded US military presence, European security commitments, and American access to mineral resources. (01:54)
  • The Wall Street rally: the breakthrough ends economic uncertainty induced by the standoff. (01:54)

• Davos “Memorable Moments”:

  • Trump’s provocative rhetoric: “He asked why the US ever quote, gave back Greenland to Denmark following World War II, even though legally it belonged to the Danes before the war. He told the audience at Davos they would be speaking German were it not for American intervention…” (02:15)
  • On NATO loyalty: “The problem with NATO is that we'll be there for them 100%, but I'm not sure that they'd be there for us if we gave them the call.” – Trump (03:07)

• European Pushback & Alliance Tension:

  • Rutte’s response: “Let me tell you, they will, and they did in Afghanistan. As you know, for every American, for every two Americans who paid the ultimate price, there was one soldier from another NATO country who did not come back to his family.” (03:38)
  • Nicholas Burns, former US ambassador to NATO, on long-term fallout: “The Europeans and Canadians are not going to forget the repeated threats of the use of military force by the president himself... That’s the first time since 1949 that any NATO ally has threatened to attack another.” (04:26)

Brutal Winter Weather Sweeps the US

Major Outbreak & Preparation Tips (05:01–08:04)

• “If you live in the Midwest, east coast or Southeast, get ready for some extremely cold weather...” – Shumita Basu (05:01)
• Dangerous winter storm set to impact over 175 million people from New England to Texas with ice, snow, and subzero temperatures. (05:39)
  • “It doesn’t take much for a storm to ramp up in intensity, so folks need to be checking the forecast and have multiple ways to get alerts in case they do lose power.” – Lauren Rosenthal, Bloomberg (00:28, 05:57)
• Atlanta (a major airline hub) and cities in the South are unaccustomed to this scale of storm, raising risks for travel and potential power outages.
  • “You should also prepare for potential power outages, the same way that folks might stock up on food and water, put batteries and flashlights, make sure devices are charged…” – Rosenthal (07:43)

Memorable Advice:

• “Dress warmly, break out those winter sweaters and coats and, you know, be careful about how much time you spend outside in the cold, especially if you're not really used to it.” – Rosenthal (08:04)

Iran: Unrest, Repression, and Hope for Outside Intervention

Clashes and International Implications (08:15–10:53)

• Iranian protests have been brutally suppressed; NGO estimates at least 4,500 deaths and 20,000 arrests. (08:15)
• Trump refuses to rule out military action, continues strong rhetoric against the Ayatollah.
• Iranian-American writer Arash Azizi discusses surprising willingness among some Iranians for US intervention, despite historical wariness due to Iraq and Libya:
  • “A lot of people went on the streets with the hope that somehow Trump will be behind them, whatever that means. But of course, that didn’t quite materialize... a river of blood separates the regime and the people.” (09:32)
  • “These are people who are very wary of the examples of Iraq... but they were interested in a more limited, actually, US intervention in the form of, for example, taking the life of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.” (10:08)
  • “People really liked Trump to do to Khamenei what he had done to Maduro, what she called ‘the Venezuela style operation.’” – Azizi quoting protester Shahzad (10:36)
  • Some voices counter this: “Tying the destiny of Iranian people to foreign intervention is... dangerous and irresponsible.” (10:53)

Other Major Headlines

ICE Raids Without Judicial Warrants (10:54–12:40)

• AP exposes ICE breaking precedent by entering homes on administrative rather than judicial warrants; rights groups alarmed by civil liberties implications.

Uvalde School Shooting Verdict (12:40–13:00)

• Former officer Adrian Gonzalez acquitted over inaction; broader police handling still under scrutiny.

Sundance Film Festival’s Utah Farewell (13:00–13:44)

• Last year at Park City before relocating to Boulder, Colorado.
  • Tribute to Robert Redford, festival founder: “It was always about keeping alive an alternative, which is independent films.” – Robert Redford (13:28)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “It looks like we have pretty much the concept of a deal, a deal of ownership. A deal, well, it’s a little bit complex, but we'll explain it down the line.” – Donald Trump (01:27)
• “Let me tell you, they will, and they did in Afghanistan... for every two Americans who paid the ultimate price, there was one soldier from another NATO country who did not come back to his family.” – Mark Rutte (03:38)
• “The Europeans and Canadians are not going to forget the repeated threats of the use of military force by the president himself...” – Nicholas Burns (04:26)
• “A lot of people went on the streets with the hope that somehow Trump will be behind them, whatever that means. But of course, that didn’t quite materialize…” – Arash Azizi (09:32)
• “People really liked Trump to do to Khamenei what he had done to Maduro, what she called ‘the Venezuela style operation.’” – Arash Azizi (10:36)
• "It was always about keeping alive an alternative, which is independent films." – Robert Redford (13:28)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Davos drama & Greenland deal: 00:05–04:26
• US winter weather alert: 05:01–08:04
• Iran: protest, repression, US response: 08:15–10:53
• ICE warrant controversy: 10:54–12:40
• Uvalde verdict: 12:40–13:00
• Sundance Film Festival’s Utah farewell: 13:00–13:44

This episode richly blends big-picture geopolitical tension, immediate domestic risks, and cultural stories, all with timely commentary and first-hand perspectives from experienced journalists and sources.