Newshour

European countries harden their response to President Trump's repeated threats to take over Greenland. We hear from a Swedish Member of the European Parliament pressing for the EU to take the strongest possible action against potential US tariffs.
Also in the programme: the head of the United Nations talks to the BBC about what he sees as a new world order, with the US putting itself above the law. and there are no obvious explanations for what caused a horrific high-speed train crash in the south of Spain.
(Photo: The European Central Bank (ECB) building is seen in the background as a cargo ship is docked in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, 19 January 2026. Credit: Ronald Wittek/Shutterstock)

Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen says "Europe won't be blackmailed", as she and other European leaders continue to weigh their response to US President Donald Trump's tariff threats over Greenland. Trump says he will impose new taxes on eight European nations, including Denmark, in February if they oppose his proposed takeover of Greenland.
Also on the programme: The Syrian government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces have agreed an immediate ceasefire after nearly two weeks of fighting; and we hear about revolutionary treatment for people with an aggressive form of leukaemia, or blood cancer, which is being offered to patients in the UK.
(Photo: Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen speaks at a press conference in Copenhagen, Denmark on the 13th of January 13, 2026. Credit: Liselotte Sabroe/Ritzau Scanpix/via REUTERS)

European Union ambassadors will hold an emergency meeting later today in Brussels to discuss their response to Mr Trump's threat of tariffs on European countries opposing his plan to acquire Greenland. The US president has said that he will introduce a 10% levy on goods produced by eight countries.
We speak to the former foreign minister of Germany, Annalena Baerbock.
Also in the programme: government forces make advances after two weeks of fighting in Syria; and the world's only nocturnal parrot comes back from the brink of extinction.
(Photo: woman waves a Greenlandic flag during protest against U.S. President Donald Trump's annexation demands on January 17, 2026. Credit: REUTERS/Marko Djurica).

Donald Trump says he'll impose 10% tariffs on eight European allies including Germany, France, Britain, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway and the Netherlands who are opposed to his plan to purchase Greenland. These would come into force from February 1st and remain in place until a deal is done on the autonomous Danish territory. Trump said the levies would go up to 25% from June 1st. The US president says the vast Arctic Island is critical to America's national security.
Also in the programme: We hear from Uganda's sports minister on President Museveni's re-election; and more reaction to the appointment of a Gaza "Board of Peace."
(Picture: US President, Donald Trump. Credit: REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/File Photo)

Uganda’s opposition leader, Bobi Wine, has urged his supporters to hold non- violent protests following presidential elections on Thursday. In a video posted on X, Wine questioned the credibility of the vote, saying results could not be verified after members of his party were arrested amid an ongoing internet shutdown.

Also in the programme: the new ‘Board of Peace’ for Gaza; and US politicians visit Denmark amid tensions over Greenland.

(Photo: A man cycles past a campaign billboard of Uganda's President, following the general elections in Kampala, Uganda January 16, 2026. CREDIT: REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya)