The Daily Briefing

YOUR MORNING NEWS ROUNDUP

Mon Jan 19 2026

Nicole Fallert
Reporter & Newsletter Writer

Monday honors the life and legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr . Welcome to the Daily Briefing. Here's what's breaking this morning:

•	The Nobel Prize cannot be "passed on" to others, the Nobel Foundation says.
•	They kept guns locked up. Their son still shot his father, police say.
•	Will the Supreme Court let Trump take control of the Fed?

Nicole Fallert here, know what's open and closed for MLK Day today. Monday's news to know includes the latest on Greenland, a historic day in Virginia and the college football season finally comes to a close.

EU mulls response as Trump's Greenland threats continue

European Union ambassadors reached a broad agreement on Sunday to intensify efforts to dissuade President Donald Trump from imposing tariffs on European allies, while also preparing retaliatory measures should the American president follow through on his threats to take Greenland.

The consideration comes as Trump announced that eight NATO countries will face a 10% tariff on all goods sent to the United States, effective Feb. 1, until the U.S. is allowed to buy Greenland, a step that major EU states decried as blackmail. The tariff would increase to 25% on June 1 if a deal to purchase the region is not reached, Trump said.

Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland signed Sunday's statement, which said "tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral."

French President Emmanuel Macron floated using the European Union's "trade bazooka" anti-coercion instrument against the U.S. as part of numerous exchanges with European leaders, a diplomat told USA TODAY.

More news to know now

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Man arrested by ICE in Minnesota dies in detention facility: Victor Manuel Diaz, 36, who is originally from Nicaragua, has died at a detention camp in El Paso, Texas, while facing deportation, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Diaz is the third detainee to have died at the sprawling detention facility. Meanwhile, voters say Trump has gone too far in immigration efforts.

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One year of Trump. One year after the Trump administration returned to the White House, almost every hardship that he broadly promised to fix during the presidential contest two years ago − halving energy costs, making housing affordable or ending inflation − either remains a problem or has gotten worse , economic indicators show. Meanwhile, Republican divisions threaten to derail what could be Trump's last chance to pass significant legislation in Congress. As Trump enters the second year of his second term, USA TODAY interviewed ordinary Americans around the country to hear their perspectives.

Take a look

'The history and the gravity of this moment are not lost on me'

Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger is sworn into office at the Virginia State Capitol Saturday in Richmond, Virginia.

Alex Wong, Getty Images

With her hand on her grandmother's Bible, former House Democrat and CIA officer Abigail Davis Spanberger took the oath of office Saturday and became the first female governor in Virginia history. It was a day steeped in history in numerous ways.

Bowl Games

Indiana, Miami meet in CFP national title game

The college football national championship is finally here. The final obstacle to Indiana's first ever football national championship is Miami, once a powerhouse of the sport. Our columnist thinks this is why Indiana could win. Prep for the game by meeting the 10 most important players to watch and learning why Hoosiers Coach Curt Cignetti isn't focused on the attention surrounding his program. And yes, Trump will be at the game.

Before you go

•	Hudson Williams brought the heat to Milan Fashion Week.
•	What's the deal with protein?
•	Wash your sheets the right way.

Have feedback on the Daily Briefing? Shoot Nicole an email at NFallert@usatoday.com.

Column: Remember what MLK Jr. demanded, not just the comfort of his words

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, DC, at 1964 Independence Avenue, SW, referencing the year the Civil Rights Act Of 1964 became law.

This Martin Luther King Jr. Day must demand rupture. A break from habits that keep producing the same footage, the same statements, the same funerals.

READ MORE