Episode Details

Good morning, you’re listening to BTW Daily News. I’m your host, and today is January 18, 2026. Let’s dive into the headlines that shaped the day.First up, a sharp escalation in trade tensions: President Trump announced new tariffs on eight European allies over the Greenland dispute. The UK, Netherlands, and several other nations have branded the move as “blackmail” and a threat to long‑standing trade relationships. Europe is exploring responses, including possible counter‑tariffs and diplomatic negotiations, as U.S. trade officials vow to defend the president’s policy.Moving on to the NFL, the Seattle Seahawks pulled off a dominant 49‑ball game, outscoring the San Francisco 49ers by 41–6 in a postseason blowout that secured their spot in the NFC Championship. The victory was highlighted by a spectacular defensive collapse that left the 49ers scrambling in the final quarter.In other football news, Broncos quarterback Bo Nix suffered a broken right ankle during a game, ruling him out for the playoffs. Nix’s injury has raised questions about the Broncos’ offensive depth and the team's playoff outlook.Across the Pacific, British qualifier Arthur Fery stunned the tennis world by defeating 20th seed Flavio Cobolli at the Australian Open. The young Croatian, who only recently made his Grand Slam debut, used a relentless serve‑and‑volley game to secure the upset, a story that has already sparked speculation about a breakout season.Shift to aviation: Indonesian authorities recovered the wreckage and a single body from a missing surveillance plane that vanished in mountainous terrain. Early investigations suggest the aircraft, carrying ten crew members, lost contact before contact was lost, but further details are pending.Turning to the Middle East, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, publicly acknowledged the thousands of casualties in recent protests and blamed the United States for fueling tensions. The admission follows President Trump’s remarks on asylum, prompting a sharp rebuke from Iranian officials and mounting international scrutiny.In the U.S. homeland, the Pentagon has readied 1,500 troops for possible deployment to Minnesota as protests continue after the shooting of Irene Good. The readiness plan is part of a broader strategy to stabilize the region while maintaining a rapid response capability.Back on the battlefield, U.S. Central Command confirmed it killed an Al Qaeda‑affiliated leader linked to a deadly ambush in Syria. The operation, carried out by special forces, removed a key operative connected to recent attacks on American service members.Finally, NASA is making progress on its Artemis II mission. The massive space launch vehicle has rolled onto its launch pad, completing a major checkpoint that paves the way for the first crewed crewed trip back to the Moon later this year.That’s the roundup for today. Thank you for tuning in to BTW Daily News. We’ll be back tomorrow with another dose of the latest news—stay informed, stay inspired.