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Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Willman. European Union leaders say they'll defend international law in their territory. That comes in response to President Trump's new threats against Denmark, Greenland and other EU countries. He says he'll place a 10% tarif fund goods from those countries that oppose his effort to take control of Greenland. Terry Schultz reports.
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EU Council President Antonio Costa was asked to respond to Trump's attempt to impose tariffs on Denmark and those countries which have come to its aid. Costa didn't mention Trump or the US but said he wanted to send a very clear message to the whole world. The European Union will always be very firm in defending international law wherever it may be, he said. And of course, starting within the territory of the EU member states, he says he's coordinating a joint response. The EU is responsible for the trade relationships of all its member states and measures cannot be imposed on countries individually. For NPR News, I'm Terry Schultz.
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Tensions remain high in Minneapolis following last week's killing of Renee Macklin good by a federal agent. And as NPR's Sarah Ventri reports, Minnesotans are still making their messages heard.
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A demonstration was organized by right wing activist Jake Lang, who was part of the January 6 Capitol insurrection and later pardoned by President Trump. Videos show Lang being chased away by counter protesters who took to the streets.
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Despite the freezing cold. You should be proud of yourselves. You should go home and look in the mirror and know that if you were alive in the 60s that you'd be on the streets with Martin Luther King and Malcolm X. Be proud of yourself.
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These demonstrations come as the city is on edge following the Trump administration's deployment of around 2500 agents in the area, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Additionally, the Department of Justice is now investigating Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Fry. Sarah Ventri, NPR News, Minneapolis.
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Uganda's president has been declared the winner of that country's latest presidential elections. That extends his 40 year grip on power. And it comes after an election marred by a government imposed Internet blackout and reports of deadly violence. The president's main challenger, meanwhile, says he's in hiding. NPR's Emmanuel Akinwatu has our reports.
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81 year old President Yoweri Museveni is one of Africa's longest serving leaders and has won a seventh election. But the polls have been roundly condemned by rights groups amid an Internet blackout and several election observers banned from monitoring the vote. Museveni's main challenger, 43 year old Bobby Wine, said the results were fake. Police raided the former pop singer's home on Friday night, but Wine escaped to a safe location, he said in a video posted on social media. Dozens of supporters from his National Unity Platform party were killed by police, he said, including 10 who were monitoring the results. Police, however, said seven were killed and accused them of attacking a police station. Emmanuel Akimotu, NPR News, Lagos.
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And you're listening to NPR News. A Ukrainian delegation is in the US this weekend for more talks to discuss an end to its four year old war with Russia. The they're meeting with US Envoy Steve Witkoff, President Trump's son in law Jared Kushner, and Army Secretary Dan Driscoll. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, meanwhile, says the Ukrainians want to convey how ongoing Russian strikes are undermining diplomacy. The former head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau says the Trump administration's sidelining of the agency is hurting affordability for Americans. NPR's Stephen Basaha.
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As our report, a district court judge has temporarily blocked many of the administration's actions to dismantle the cfpb, but also recently wrote the agency is, quote, hanging by a thread. Rohit Chopra was fired from his role leading the CFPB early in Trump's current term. He says the agency's purpose is to protect people's pocketbooks.
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When you do not make sure that financial companies are following the law, that is a tax on on every single American with a bank account or credit card or student loan.
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The bureau's acting director, Russell Vogt, has argued that staff have unfairly punished small lenders and financial institutions. Stephen Bisaha, NPR News.
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Police in New York are still trying to find the drivers of two cars who hit and killed former Nickelodeon star Kiana Underwood Friday. She was 33 years old. Police say Underwood was crossing an intersection in Brooklyn when she was hit with by a black Ford Explorer while in the street. She was then struck by a black and gray sedan. Both drivers left the scene. I'm Dale Willman, NPR News.
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Host: Dale Willman
Date: January 18, 2026
Length: ~5 minutes
Podcast: NPR News Now
This concise episode delivers major global and U.S. news highlights in under five minutes. Tensions between the U.S. and the European Union, unrest in Minneapolis, a controversial election outcome in Uganda, ongoing Ukrainian-Russian negotiations, concerns about U.S. consumer financial protections, and the tragic death of a former TV star are all reported with clarity and brevity.
[00:17–01:14]
"The European Union will always be very firm in defending international law wherever it may be... starting within the territory of the EU member states."
— Antonio Costa ([00:42])
[01:14–02:12]
"You should be proud of yourselves. You should go home and look in the mirror and know that if you were alive in the 60s that you'd be on the streets with Martin Luther King and Malcolm X. Be proud of yourself."
— Unnamed demonstrator ([01:39])
[02:12–03:13]
"Dozens of supporters from his National Unity Platform party were killed by police... including 10 who were monitoring the results."
— Emmanuel Akinwatu, summarizing Wine's video ([02:50])
[03:13–03:51]
[03:51–04:33]
"When you do not make sure that financial companies are following the law, that is a tax on every single American with a bank account or credit card or student loan."
— Rohit Chopra ([04:10])
[04:33–04:56]
"The European Union will always be very firm in defending international law wherever it may be... starting within the territory of the EU member states." ([00:42])
"You should be proud of yourselves. You should go home and look in the mirror and know that if you were alive in the 60s that you'd be on the streets with Martin Luther King and Malcolm X. Be proud of yourself." ([01:39])
"Dozens of supporters from his National Unity Platform party were killed by police... including 10 who were monitoring the results." ([02:50])
"When you do not make sure that financial companies are following the law, that is a tax on every single American with a bank account or credit card or student loan." ([04:10])
This episode packs critical global and national updates into a rapid format, offering clear perspectives on each issue while capturing the urgency and gravity of the news.