NPR News Now: 2AM EST, January 18, 2026

Brief Overview

This episode of NPR News Now delivers concise updates on several major global and domestic developments as of January 18, 2026. The news covers escalating tensions over Greenland, immigration enforcement controversy in the U.S., the closure of a refugee camp in Qatar, the latest on U.S. military withdrawals in Iraq, NASA’s Artemis mission to the Moon, U.S. airstrikes in Syria, and condemnation from Iran’s Supreme Leader towards President Trump.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Tensions over Greenland and U.S.-Europe Relations

[00:19 - 01:02]

• President Trump’s Actions
  • President Trump announces a 10% tariff on European countries opposing U.S. efforts to take control of Greenland.
  • A bipartisan congressional delegation is in Denmark to try to ease tensions.
• European Response
  • Senator Chris Coons reports widespread concern among Greenlanders and European leaders.
    • Quote: “The folks we've met with are respectful but alarmed. We heard compelling comments about how families across Greenland can't sleep at night. Children are crying to their parents.” – Chris Coons [00:40]
    • He notes Denmark’s leadership is taking the U.S. moves very seriously.

2. Immigration Enforcement and Local Law Enforcement Pushback

[01:02 - 01:57]

• DHS Recruitment of Local Police
  • The Department of Homeland Security faces backlash from advocacy groups over recruiting local police to assist ICE, especially in Minnesota.
  • Local law enforcement officials are expressing frustration at the attempts to “poach” officers.
    • Quote: “Heard directly from local police chiefs and local police departments who are enraged by this attempt to poach local police officers.” – Naina Gupta, American Immigration Council [01:34]
• ICE Expansion
  • ICE has received more than 220,000 job applications recently and is on track to hire thousands of new officers, according to DHS.

3. Closure of Afghan Refugee Camp in Qatar

[01:57 - 02:54]

• Camp as Saliyah Shutdown
  • The U.S. plans to close Camp as Saliyah by March 31, 2026. The camp has sheltered Afghans who assisted U.S. forces and relatives of U.S. citizens.
  • The State Department indicates no plan to send these refugees back to Afghanistan; they may seek visas if resettled in a third country, though no country has yet been identified.
  • Support for relocating Afghan allies has waned, with the Trump administration largely halting visa processing for Afghans.
    • Summary Quote: “Advocates say about 150 people there are related to U.S. troops... The camp will be closed by March 31.” – Quill Lawrence [02:12]

4. U.S. Military Withdrawal from Iraq

[02:54 - 03:30]

• Base Closures and Continued Presence
  • U.S. forces have fully withdrawn from an air base in western Iraq under a 2024 agreement to wind down anti-ISIS operations.
  • A small contingent remains due to ongoing concerns in Syria.

5. NASA Prepares for Artemis Moon Mission

[03:30 - 04:15]

• Rocket Transport and Launch Preparation
  • NASA has moved its Artemis mission rocket to Launch Pad 39B, a four-mile journey taking much of a day.
  • The upcoming wet dress rehearsal, a comprehensive pre-launch test, is next. The lunar mission could launch as early as February.
  • The mission aims for a 10-day orbit of the Moon, with three American and one Canadian astronaut. Long-term Artemis goals include future Mars missions.
    • Quote: “The goal of the mission Artemis is to soon return Americans to the moon for research and observation. Eventually, astronauts hope to make missions to Mars.” – Alana Wise [03:30]

6. New U.S. Airstrikes in Syria & Iran’s Response

[04:15 - 04:58]

• Strikes in Response to U.S. Casualties
  • U.S. launched strikes in Syria, targeting Bilal Hassan al Jassim, tied to a December 2025 attack that killed two U.S. soldiers and a civilian.
• Iran Condemns President Trump
  • Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei publicly labels President Trump a "criminal" for supporting Iranian protesters.
    • The December protests resulted in thousands killed and many arrested; Khamenei blames demonstrators and accuses Trump of incitement.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Chris Coons on European Alarm:
  “The folks we've met with are respectful but alarmed. We heard compelling comments about how families across Greenland can't sleep at night. Children are crying to their parents.” [00:40]

• Naina Gupta on ICE Recruitment:
  “Heard directly from local police chiefs and local police departments who are enraged by this attempt to poach local police officers.” [01:34]

• Alana Wise on the Artemis Mission:
  “The goal of the mission Artemis is to soon return Americans to the moon for research and observation. Eventually, astronauts hope to make missions to Mars.” [03:30]

Timestamps for Major Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |---------------------------------------|-------------| | U.S.-Greenland Tensions | 00:19-01:02 | | DHS & Local Police for ICE | 01:02-01:57 | | Afghan Refugee Camp Closure | 01:57-02:54 | | U.S. Withdrawal from Iraq | 02:54-03:30 | | NASA Artemis Moon Mission | 03:30-04:15 | | U.S. Strikes in Syria, Iran Response | 04:15-04:58 |

This summary captures the essential points and distinct tone of the news updates as delivered by NPR, reflecting the fast-paced and informative style characteristic of their newsroom reporting.