
The Headlines Trump’s New Greenland Threat Outrages Allies, and China’s Birthrate Plunges
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Jan 19, 2026 Alexandra Stevenson, Shanghai bureau chief for The New York Times, dives deep into China’s alarming birthrate crisis, discussing the cultural and economic shifts causing young couples to delay or forgo parenthood. She highlights how policy changes contribute to this trend, significantly impacting the country’s demographic future. The conversation also touches on the potential ramifications of such a decline on China's global standing. Additionally, a fascinating look at the unexpected resurgence of chimney sweeps in London spices up the discussion!
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Tariff Threat Strains NATO Relations
- President Trump threatened tariffs on NATO allies to pressure Denmark over Greenland, raising diplomatic alarm across Europe.
- EU officials prefer negotiation to retaliation because they depend on U.S. military support, especially for NATO and Ukraine defense.
Europe Weighs Trade 'Bazooka' Versus Talks
- The EU considered using an 'anti-coercion instrument' to punish U.S. companies doing business in Europe as leverage against Trump.
- European leaders nonetheless leaned toward talks to avoid a deeper rupture that would harm NATO cooperation.
Court Rebukes ICE Use Of Force
- A federal judge ordered ICE to stop using excessive force after plaintiffs described pepper-spray and weapons incidents during protests in Minnesota.
- Christy Noem defended agents and denied such incidents even when shown video evidence, illustrating official pushback.

