Trump’s global plans; Detention deaths; CFP champ : NPR
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Today’s best stories
President Trump sent text messages to leaders around the worldand in a message he told the Norwegian prime minister that he was trying to take over Greenland in part because he had not received a Nobel Peace Prize. Overnight, Trump shared messages he received from world leaders, including one from French President Emmanuel Macron, who tried flattery then offered to discuss Greenland over dinner. Today, world leaders meet face to face at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where Trump is scheduled to speak on Wednesday.
President Trump speaks with reporters before boarding Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida, January 19, 2026.
Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images
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Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images
- 🎧 White House spokesperson Anna Kelly told NPR that Greenland is important to national security. and the people of this nation would be better served if the United States protected it. However, some world leaders don’t see things the same way as the Trump administration, says NPR’s Danielle Kurtzleben. First. Among those leaders is Macron, who at one point said he didn’t understand what Trump was doing regarding Greenland.
Immigrant advocates and lawyers have expressed growing concerns surrounding conditions at the largest immigration detention center in the United States. In the past six weeks, three people have died while in custody at the tent camp located at Fort Bliss in El Paso. The most recent death occurred last week.
- 🎧 The facility is operated by a private contractor and has a capacity of 5,000 people.with the possibility of expanding, according to Angela Kocherga of NPR station KTEP. At the end of 2025, the center had an average daily population of 2,800 people. The location is considered a hub for ICE because it is so large and close to an airport, making it convenient for deportation flights. The Department of Homeland Security says providing medical care to people in custody is a long-standing practice. However, human rights defenders and lawyers have documented cases of medical neglect, physical violence and unsanitary conditions in the camp.
For more than a century, college football greats have treated the Indiana Hoosiers like a punching bag. Today, those days are over after the team completed a historic undefeated season to win their first national championship. The team defeated the Miami Hurricanes 27-21 last night.
- 🎧 The state of college football has transformed in recent yearspaving the way for the Hoosiers to win, says NPR’s Becky Sullivan. There are no longer restrictions on players transferring to another school or making money. Indiana has also invested tens of millions of dollars more than before in its football program. These adjustments are why some schools that aren’t your traditional powerhouses can seemingly become contenders much more easily than before, Sullivan says.
Look at this
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer speaks in interview with NPR’s Morning edition.
NPR
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NPR
From the biggest names in their fields to experts on the most pressing topics of our time, NPR presents the stories that matter through our in-depth interviews. Immerse yourself in these conversations on your favorite NPR platforms. These interviews are presented on Morning edition, a special First podcast episode, the NPR app and NPR.org.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said her swing state is bracing for the Trump administration’s efforts to disrupt voting this year and in 2028. She did not accuse the administration of specific plans for interference, but said, “It would be a mistake to assume they won’t do it.” Whitmer spoke with NPR as she began her eighth and final year as governor. She is term-limited and is not currently running for anything, although people often mention her as a presidential or vice-presidential candidate. In conversation with Morning edition host Steve Inskeep, Whitmer discusses tariffs, upcoming election security and the prospects of a female president.
Listen to the interview or read and watch a video of the discussion. You can also view the conversation on NPR’s YouTube page.
Deep dive
Federal immigration agents outside the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building Thursday in Minneapolis.
John Locher/AP
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John Locher/AP
The White House is threatening to cut federal funds for sanctuary cities. The president has not specified exactly what funds he wants to cut, although he has set the deadline for February 1. Trump also did not specify which states or cities will be targeted. Check out this explanation of how local governments interact with federal law enforcement on immigration matters and what the White House can and cannot require of them:
- ➡️A sanctuary city refers to a city, state, or county that limits its cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Courts hold that state and city officials have the right to refuse some cooperation, but cannot prevent federal agents from doing their jobs.
- ➡️ Trump has made similar threats to cut funding before, but the courts have ruled against his administration in almost every case. These courts hold that the federal government cannot use funds to force state and local governments to change their immigration policies.
- ➡️ State and city leaders say working with ICE undermines trust and cooperation between local law enforcement and immigrant communities, hampering crime prevention.
3 things to know before you leave
Valentino Garavani takes part in the Valentino fashion show as part of Paris Women’s Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2017.
Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images
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Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images
- Italian fashion designer Valentino Garavani died yesterday at the age of 93.
- The three highest officials of the Catholic archdioceses in the United States have criticized the Trump administration’s foreign policy in a strongly worded statement.
- Thirty-five works by iconic Mexican artist Frida Kahlo were presented yesterday at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston (MFAH) as part of a new exhibition. (via Houston Public Media)
This newsletter was published by Suzanne Nuyen.
