NPR News Now – January 14, 2026 – 10AM EST

Host: Jeanine Herbst
Length: ~5 minutes

Episode Overview

In this concise five-minute news roundup, NPR delivers updates on top international and domestic developments. Key topics include U.S. political tensions over Greenland, New York's proposed immigration law changes, real estate market fluctuations, strained Canada-China relations, and the latest climate findings.

Breaking Down the Headlines & Key Segments

1. U.S. Push to Take Over Greenland

• [00:16–01:25]
  • President Trump is lobbying NATO to support his intentions to take control of Greenland, labeling any lesser outcome “unacceptable.”
  • Franco Ordonez (Reporter): Highlights that Trump is willing to resort to “military force if necessary,” justifying that U.S. control is essential for national security due to “Russian and Chinese activity in the region.”
  • Reactions:
    • Greenland’s Prime Minister reiterates loyalty to Denmark and warns about a looming “geopolitical crisis.”
    • Danish Prime Minister underscores that “the future of NATO is at stake.”
  • Memorable quote:
    “President Trump and his top aides have repeatedly claimed that control of Greenland is a national security issue for the United States, citing Russian and Chinese activity in the region.” — Franco Ordonez [00:41]

2. New York’s Proposed Immigration Restrictions

• [01:25–02:13]
  • Governor Kathy Hochul moves to restrict federal immigration agents (ICE) by barring access to schools, hospitals, and houses of worship without a warrant.
  • Walter Wuthman (Reporter): Details several existing state laws already limiting police cooperation with ICE.
  • Hochul proposes allowing lawsuits against ICE agents in state courts for “injuries or property damage.”
  • Memorable quote:
    “New York will not allow the use of state resources to assist in federal immigration raids on people who have not committed serious crimes.” — Unnamed New York official [01:50]

3. Markets & Economic Updates

• [02:13–03:05]
  • Home Sales:
    • Existing home sales up 5% in December 2025.
    • Mortgage rates dropped from nearly 7% to just over 6%; average home price over $405,000.
  • Retail & Trade:
    • Retail sales rose 0.6% in November.
    • Trump’s tariffs reduced U.S. imports from China, but China’s exports to the rest of the world rose 5.5%.
    • China’s trade surplus set a record at $1.2 trillion.
  • Wall Street Opening:
    • Dow down 204, NASDAQ down 308, S&P 500 down 56.
  • Memorable quote:
    “The US is buying less from China, but China is flying plenty of other buyers around the world.” — Scott Horsley [02:40]

4. Canada-China Diplomacy Amid U.S. Tensions

• [03:05–03:58]
  • Canadian PM Mark Carney is in Beijing, aiming to expand trade as U.S.-Canada relations deteriorate following Trump's statement about annexing Canada.
  • Background: Diplomatic friction since 2018 involving the arrest of Huawei’s CFO and subsequent detainment of Canadians in China (since released).

5. Global Climate Update

• [03:58–04:44]
  • 2025 marked the third warmest year on record.
  • Samantha Burgess (European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts): Earth has warmed by about 1.4°C since pre-industrial times; at this pace, the 1.5°C threshold could be reached by decade’s end.
  • Primary driver: Increasing greenhouse gas concentrations, mainly from fossil fuel combustion.
  • Notable quote:
    “If warming continues at the same average rate experienced over the last 15 years, then we will reach [the] 1.5 degree level by the end of this decade.” — Samantha Burgess [04:12]
  • 2024 was hottest out of the last 11 record-breaking years.

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• On the U.S.-Greenland standoff:
  • “Control of Greenland is a national security issue for the United States, citing Russian and Chinese activity in the region.”
    — Franco Ordonez [00:41]
• On New York’s immigration stance:
  • “New York will not allow the use of state resources to assist in federal immigration raids on people who have not committed serious crimes.”
    — State Official [01:50]
• On climate urgency:
  • “If warming continues at the same average rate...we will reach 1.5 degree level by the end of this decade.”
    — Samantha Burgess [04:12]

Timeline of Key Segments

| Time | Segment | |----------|---------------------------------------------| | 00:16 | Greenland takeover push & NATO meeting | | 01:25 | NY's immigration law proposals | | 02:13 | Economic & market updates | | 03:05 | Canada-China relations | | 03:58 | 2025 climate report | | 04:44 | Market recap & sign-off |

Summary & Takeaways

This edition of NPR News Now encapsulates a shifting global order—highlighting U.S. assertiveness over Greenland, deepening divides in immigration enforcement, ongoing economic repercussions of international trade friction, new diplomatic overtures by Canada, and the increasingly urgent climate crisis. Memorable quotes from officials and subject-matter experts underscore the gravity of these developments as 2026 unfolds.