NPR News Now: 01-22-2026 9AM EST

Host: Korva Coleman
Date: January 22, 2026
Duration: 5 minutes

Episode Overview

This compact NPR News Now episode delivers the latest headlines from around the world in a rapid-fire format. From major geopolitical developments involving President Trump’s new diplomatic moves and European reactions, to law enforcement controversies, breaking Oscar nomination news, and updates on weather extremes—each story gets a concise yet impactful spotlight.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trump’s Greenland Deal & European Summit

[00:18–01:13]

• European leaders are gathering to address President Trump’s request to acquire Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory.

• At the Davos World Economic Summit, Trump asserted he would not use force and announced having a deal framework.

• Trump was quoted as saying the deal offers “total access” without a time limit, distancing it from famous 99-year leases.

• Danish and Greenlandic officials say no details of the deal have been shared with them.

  “Essentially, it’s total access. There’s no end. There’s no time limit. We’re not doing a 99 or a 10 year or anything else.”
  — Unnamed Official/Analyst, [00:40]

• European skepticism centers around lack of transparency and Trump's bypassing of traditional diplomatic channels.

2. Trump’s “Board of Peace” for Gaza

[01:13–01:26]

• Trump launched the Board of Peace initiative, touted as a group to rebuild Gaza post-ceasefire.
• Officials from over a dozen countries signed onto the charter in Davos, though many European nations declined, suspecting it’s meant to overshadow the UN.
• Ukrainian President Zelenskyy had a separate meeting with Trump, but no details were released.

3. US–Russia Talks on Ukraine

[01:26–01:36]

• Trump’s envoys are en route to Moscow for direct talks with President Putin about the ongoing war in Ukraine.
• No additional context or possible outcomes discussed, highlighting the continuing diplomatic uncertainty.

4. Federal Immigration Operations and VP Vance in Minnesota

[01:36–02:40]

• VP J.D. Vance travels to Minnesota, addressing local leaders amid ongoing contentious immigration enforcement.

• ICE agents have been accused of overreach, racial profiling, and wrongful death of Renee Macklin Goode.

• Vance stood by the ICE agent’s actions, holding protest movements responsible for “tragedy.”

  “I can believe that her death is a tragedy while also recognizing that it’s a tragedy of her own making and a tragedy of the far left who has marshaled an entire movement, a lunatic fringe, against our law enforcement officers.”
  — Unnamed Interviewee/Commentator (on behalf of Vance), [02:17]

• Vance’s visit follows his previous trip after a mass shooting in Minneapolis.

5. Oscar Nominations Announced

[02:40–03:07]

• The Academy announced ten contenders for Best Picture, including:
  • Begonia
  • F1
  • Frankenstein
  • Hamnet
  • Marty Supreme
  • One Battle After Another
  • The Secret Agent
  • Sentimental Value
  • Sinners
  • Train Dreams

6. Financial Markets Update

[03:07–03:15]

• Pre-market trading shows the Dow and NASDAQ futures both up by over 200 points.

7. Uvalde School Shooting Officer Acquitted

[03:15–03:47]

• A Texas jury acquitted Adrian Gonzalez, a former school police officer, of failing to act during the tragic 2022 Uvalde mass shooting.

8. EEOC to Vote on Rescinding Harassment Guidance

[03:47–04:32]

• The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) may rescind its 2024 harassment guidance.

• The debate centers on protections for gender identity, specifically naming/pronoun use and bathroom access.

• Commissioner Andrea Lucas led the call for a vote against the guidance; much of the guidance is noncontroversial.

  “95% of it is clear we should...”
  — Craig Lean, Employment Law Firm K&L Gates, [04:21]

  “It shouldn’t be a mystery how to comply with the law.”
  — Andrea Hsu, [04:27]

9. Severe Weather Alert

[04:32–04:56]

• The National Weather Service warns of an Arctic blast across the Northern Plains, with wind chills potentially reaching -50°F.
• The storm is expected to move south, potentially bringing dangerous ice to the Southern Plains and parts of the South.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Essentially, it’s total access. There’s no end. There’s no time limit. We’re not doing a 99 or a 10 year or anything else…”
  — Unnamed Analyst discussing Trump’s Greenland proposal, [00:40]

• “I can believe that her death is a tragedy while also recognizing that it’s a tragedy of her own making and a tragedy of the far left who has marshaled an entire movement, a lunatic fringe, against our law enforcement officers.”
  — Vance surrogate on Minnesota ICE shooting, [02:17]

• “95% of it is clear we should...”
  — Craig Lean on EEOC harassment guidance, [04:21]

• “It shouldn’t be a mystery how to comply with the law.”
  — Andrea Hsu, [04:27]

Segment Timestamps

• Trump/Greenland/European Summit: [00:18–01:13]
• Board of Peace/Ukraine diplomacy: [01:13–01:36]
• VP Vance & Immigration Enforcement in Minnesota: [01:52–02:40]
• Oscar Best Picture Nominations: [02:40–03:07]
• Markets Update: [03:07–03:15]
• Uvalde Officer Acquitted: [03:15–03:47]
• EEOC Harassment Guidance Vote: [03:47–04:32]
• Arctic Blast & National Weather: [04:32–04:56]

This episode packs a whirlwind of major domestic and global headlines into five brisk minutes, balancing political drama, social controversy, celebration of the arts, and urgent weather alerts.