Today's Top Stories from NBC News

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2026

In today's newsletter: Trump is set to speak to European leaders reeling from his push to take control of Greenland at the World Economic Forum. The Supreme Court weighs a bid to fire Lisa Cook. And measles cases are on the rise, while vaccination rates for the disease are declining.

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▼ The Lead

In ritzy Davos, Trump to meet with world leaders he's pressured over Greenland

President Donald Trump is expected to arrive at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, today and hold a series of meetings with European leaders rattled by his aggressive push to take control of Greenland.

Trump recently vowed to hit Denmark and seven other European nations with 10% tariffs next month unless they cut a deal to give up the island, and he hasn't ruled out the use of military force to take it.

Although Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen warned the prospect of a U.S. invasion can't be ruled out, Trump told reporters, "I think things are going to work out pretty well."

The president has consistently cited national security concerns with Russia and China as his reason to annex the island. But despite a wall of world leaders weighing retaliatory measures against the U.S. in the face of Trump's threats, one former administration diplomat said, "There's a lot of crocodile tears in Europe."

"They'll go to Davos and go to Trump's hotel suite and close the doors, and they'll look Trump in the eye and say, 'What do you really want, Donald?' Let's cut the B.S.," he added. "That's how it works," said Gordon Sondland, who was ambassador to the European Union during Trump's first term.

Trump will deliver a speech at the forum this morning after arriving later than planned — his Air Force One plane returned to Joint Base Andrews on Tuesday night following a "minor electrical issue" en route to Davos.

More politics news:

Tuesday marked one year since Trump was inaugurated for his second term. Polls show his approval ratings have taken a hit, as some of his key political strengths have become weaknesses.

The Justice Department sent subpoenas to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and other state leaders, widening the investigation into whether the officials conspired to impede law enforcement during immigration operations.

The Trump administration says DOGE may have allowed an unnamed political advocacy group to gain access to state voter rolls.

The Supreme Court will consider Trump's attempt to fire Federal Reserve board member Lisa Cook in a stunning dispute that could have huge ramifications for the economy and structure of government.

Under the Federal Reserve Act, presidents are restricted from removing governors unless there's evidence of wrongdoing, and Trump has said he wants to oust Cook over mortgage fraud allegations.

Cook has denied those claims and has pushed for the chance to refute them before she can be removed. The Supreme Court previously refused to fire her immediately and instead scheduled oral arguments, suggesting the administration may face an uphill battle.

Notably, Jerome Powell is expected to attend today's arguments. The Federal Reserve chair, who is currently under investigation by the Justice Department, has also been under Trump's spotlight for not lowering interest rates enough to his liking.

The Trump administration's handling of Cook and Powell has raised alarm among former Fed officials and critics who say the Federal Reserve must remain independent from the White House to be effective.

Read the full story here.

After a year marked by measles outbreaks across the U.S., is the virus now endemic?

Measles has been eliminated in the U.S. since 2000, a designation that indicates the virus is no longer constantly circulating. But experts are troubled that the recent spread of the deadly virus could mean its status might change. After one year of continuous transmission, the virus is considered endemic, meaning always present.

Most U.S. counties are seeing a steady rise in vaccine exemptions for religious or personal beliefs among children entering kindergarten, according to a study in the journal JAMA, based on a data investigation by NBC News in partnership with Stanford University.

The U.S. saw more measles cases in 2025 than in any year since 1991, and vaccination coverage has dropped below 95% in many states – the target threshold for curbing the spread. Without immunity from a vaccine or prior infection, about 9 in 10 people exposed will get it.

A decision by the Pan American Health Organization on whether the U.S. will lose its elimination status is expected in November.

Read the full story here.

▼ Read All About It

Actor Timothy Busfield was released from jail Tuesday while he awaits trial on child sex abuse charges.

NASA astronaut Sunni Williams, whose planned one-week stay in space stretched to nine months due to spacecraft problems, has retired.

American chess grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky had multiple drugs, including methamphetamine, in his system when he died last year, a toxicology report says.

Brooklyn Beckham broke his silence on Instagram, accusing his parents, David and Victoria Beckham, of controlling him for years and leaking stories to the press.

Duke University is suing its star quarterback Darian Mensah, alleging he agreed to stay at the school before making a last-minute announcement that he was entering the transfer portal.

▼ Staff Pick

Smaller portions, more protein: How GLP-1s are quietly changing chain restaurant menus

It's no secret that American chain restaurants have been eager to jump on the protein craze. I wanted to know if virality was prompting these menu additions, or if there was something more. Turns out, a growing number of restaurants have said they are catering their menus to the large number of Americans now taking GLP-1 drugs for weight loss. Smaller portion offerings and new items packed with protein align with diet changes that those taking the medications adhere to.

So, it appears that restaurants are listening to their customers and tweaking their menus based on how their customers' diets are changing. If diners feel there are healthier options that align with their diets, they are more likely to eat out more, while also being able to maintain the balanced and nutrient-rich diets they need, and that could have upsides for people's health — and restaurants' bottom lines.

— Rebecca Cohen, breaking news reporter

▼ NBC Select: Online Shopping, Simplified

Gentler upgrades are on the agenda. Our editors rounded up the best skin care products designed for sensitive skin, flagged a strong deal on a Roku smart TV for cozy nights in, and highlighted Samsonite's winter sale if future travel is already on your mind. Thoughtful picks that make everyday life a little easier.