Summary4 min read

NPR News Now – 01-18-2026 12PM EST

Host: Nora Ramm
Duration: 5 minutes
Date: January 18, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode delivers the critical top news stories from around the globe, focusing on developments in U.S. domestic security, international diplomacy and conflict, as well as brief updates on sports and global incidents. With correspondents reporting live from Washington, Minneapolis, Copenhagen, Tel Aviv, and Melbourne, this concise roundup expertly captures a moment of heightened tension and global activity.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. U.S. Military Prepared for Possible Minnesota Deployment

[00:16–01:19]

The Pentagon has prepared 1,500 active-duty soldiers from Alaska for possible deployment to Minnesota. These troops are trained for cold-weather operations, addressing extreme Minneapolis temperatures.
This decision follows Governor Tim Walls' mobilization of the Minnesota National Guard to support local law enforcement, as a precaution should unrest escalate.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell emphasized readiness to follow the President’s orders.
President Trump previously threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act, but the situation is currently calm.

“The Department of War is always prepared to execute the orders of the commander in chief if called upon.”
— Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell (reported by Kat Lansdorf, [00:58])

2. U.S.–Europe Tensions Over Greenland and New Tariffs

[01:19–02:11]

President Trump intends to impose tariffs on eight European countries until an agreement is reached for the U.S. to buy Greenland from Denmark.
In response, all eight nations voiced their solidarity with Denmark and Greenland.
A U.S. Congressional delegation met with Danish officials in Copenhagen to reassure Denmark of ongoing bilateral relations.
Senator Jeanne Shaheen highlighted historical US–Danish ties and expressed concern for Danish and Greenlandic people.

“Danish soldiers fought and died alongside Americans in Afghanistan, for example. And she expressed the deep concern that the people of Greenland and Denmark feel.”
— Barbara Sprunt reporting on Sen. Jean Shaheen’s comments ([01:52])

3. Israeli Objections to U.S. Gaza Leadership Plan

[02:11–03:09]

Israel has publicly objected to President Trump’s appointment of a new Gaza executive board designed to replace Hamas.
Israel's concerns focus on the inclusion of Turkey’s foreign minister and a senior Qatari official, both seen as Hamas supporters.
Prime Minister Netanyahu is raising these objections with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, though analysts note Israel has limited options due to U.S. alliances.
President Trump maintains that Qatar and Turkey will be pivotal in demilitarizing Hamas.

“But analysts in Israel say Netanyahu knows there's not much Israel can do about it. Qatar and Turkey are Trump's close allies...”
— Daniel Estrin ([02:55])

4. Power Outages and Conflict in Russian-Occupied Ukraine

[03:09–03:39]

Ukrainian drone strikes have left over 200,000 homes and businesses without power in Russian-occupied southern Ukraine, with subfreezing temperatures raising humanitarian concerns.
Ukraine reports casualties after a Russian attack overnight, highlighting the continuing cycle of violence as the war approaches four years.

5. Stability Crisis in Guatemala Prisons

[03:39–04:07]

Hundreds of anti-riot police intervened in a maximum-security prison in Guatemala to free guards taken hostage during what appears to be a coordinated inmate uprising.
No casualties reported, but dozens of guards remain captive in two other facilities.

6. Australian Open: Venus Williams’ Early Exit

[04:07–04:51]

Venus Williams, 45, accepted a wildcard entry, making history as the oldest player in the singles main draw.
Williams won her opening set but was defeated by Olga Danilovic, who came back to take the next two sets.
Williams continues to compete in the doubles draw.

“Williams, who returned to tennis last season after a 16 month break, is still in the doubles draw at the Australian Open...”
— Lindsay Arkley ([04:38])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“The Department of War is always prepared to execute the orders of the commander in chief if called upon.” — Sean Parnell (quoted by Kat Lansdorf, [00:58])
“Danish soldiers fought and died alongside Americans in Afghanistan, for example. And she expressed the deep concern that the people of Greenland and Denmark feel.” — Barbara Sprunt on Sen. Shaheen’s remarks ([01:52])
“Qatar and Turkey are Trump's close allies, and Trump said in a social media post that those countries would help demilitarize Hamas.” — Daniel Estrin ([03:00])
“Williams, who returned to tennis last season after a 16 month break, is still in the doubles draw at the Australian Open, paired with Ekaterina Alexandrova of Russia.” — Lindsay Arkley ([04:38])

Important Segment Timestamps

[00:16] – Pentagon readies Minnesota deployment
[01:19] – Trump threatens tariffs over Greenland
[02:11] – Israel objects to Trump’s Gaza executive board
[03:09] – Ukrainian drone strike causes mass outages
[03:39] – Guatemala prison uprising
[04:07] – Venus Williams eliminated from Australian Open

This episode is a brisk, informative encapsulation of major global and national events as they unfolded midday, January 18, 2026.

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[00:01]
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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Nora Ramm. The Pentagon has readied 1500 active duty soldiers for possible deployment to Minnesota. A US official confirmed this to NPR, speaking on the condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak publicly. The move comes as Minnesota Governor Tim Walls mobilized the state's National Guard yesterday to help local law enforcement in case they're needed. NPR's Kat Lansdorf reports.
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That official tells NPR that the troops will be coming from Alaska, where they specialize in cold weather operations. It's very cold in Minneapolis right now. Those troops have been placed unprepared to deploy orders in case the situation here escalates. NPR reached out to the Pentagon to confirm. Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said, quote, the Department of War is always prepared to execute the orders of the commander in chief if called upon. President Trump threatened to invoke the Insurrection act last week, but the situation on the ground has been relatively quiet the past few days and local leaders have urged calm. Kat Lansdorf, NPR News, Minneapolis.
[01:19]
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President Trump says he'll impose tariffs on eight European nations until there's an agreement for the US to buy Greenland from Denmark today, all eight nations that they stand in full solidarity with the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of Greenland. A US Congressional delegation delegation visited Copenhagen this weekend to try to reassure Denmark. NPR's Barbara Sprunt reports.
[01:43]
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They met with the Danish prime minister, top officials from Greenland and Denmark, and they also spoke with Danish business leaders because just like there's foreign policy implications here, there's also economic ones as well. I spoke with New Hampshire Senator Jean Shaheen, a Democrat. She pointed to a long history of relations between between the two countries. Danish soldiers fought and died alongside Americans in Afghanistan, for example. And she expressed the deep concern that the people of Greenland and Denmark feel.
[02:11]
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NPR's Barbara Sprunt reporting from Copenhagen. Israel is raising objections to President Trump's new leadership board for Gaza. It's rare public disagreement by Israel to Trump's peace plan for Gaza. NPR's Daniel Estrin reports from Tel Aviv.
[02:28]
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President Trump late Friday announced a new Gaza executive board that will oversee governance in Gaza, replacing Hamas. Israel is objecting to two members of the oversight board, the foreign minister of Turkey and a senior official from Qatar. That's because Israel sees Qatar and Turkey as primary backers of Hamas. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he's asking the matter be raised with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. But analysts in Israel say Netanyahu knows there's not much Israel can do about it. Qatar and Turkey are Trump's close allies, and Trump said in a social media post that those countries would help demilitarize Hamas. Daniel Estrin, NPR News, Tel Aviv.
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And you're listening to NPR News in Washington. Local officials in Russian occupied parts of southern Ukraine say more than 200,000 homes and businesses are without power after Ukrainian drone strike yesterday. Temperatures are well below freezing throughout the region. Russia has frequently targeted Ukraine's energy grid during the nearly four year war. Ukrainian officials say at least one person was killed in a Russian attack overnight. Officials in Guatemala said today that hundreds of anti riot police entered a maximum security prison and freed guards who had been taken hostages by prisoners. No injuries or deaths were immediately reported. Dozens of guards are still being held at two other prisons, apparently part of a coordinated inmate uprising. At the Australian Open tennis tournament, Venus Williams has been eliminated in her first round match. Lindsay Arkley has more on the story.
[04:08]
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45 year old Williams accepted a wildcard entry into the Australian Open, returning to the tournament after five years as the oldest player ever in the singles main draw. Her first round match was against Olga Danilovi of Serbia, ranked 69th in the world and more than two decades younger. Williams took the first set, 7 6, but Danilovic fought back, taking the second set 63 and the decider 6 4. Williams, who returned to tennis last season after a 16 month break, is still in the doubles draw at the Australian Open, paired with Ekaterina Alexandrova of Russia. For NPR News, I'm Lindsay Arkley in Melbourne.
[04:52]
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And I'm Nora Ramm, NPR News, in Washington.
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