Today is a federal holiday honoring Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Major stories include rising tensions between the US and Europe over President Trump's Greenland proposal and threatened tariffs, the Pentagon placing about 1,500 troops on standby amid Minneapolis protests, and a deadly high-speed train collision in Spain that killed at least 39. Also in the headlines: plans for a $1 billion-funded Gaza reconstruction board and NASA's Artemis II crewed lunar flyby, targeted for early February.
5 Things To Know — Jan. 19: MLK Day, Greenland Tariff Standoff, Minneapolis Troop Standby, Spain Train Crash, Artemis II
People in Nuuk, Greenland, protest on Saturday against President Donald Trump's demand that the Arctic island be ceded to the US. - Marko Djurica/Reuters
Today the nation pauses to honor the legacy of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.; it is a federal holiday, so most post offices, banks and many government agencies are closed.
1. US-Europe Tensions Over Greenland
President Donald Trump renewed a proposal to acquire Greenland and warned he would impose a 10% tariff on "any and all goods" from several European allies that oppose the move. He said the tariff would rise to 25% on June 1 if an agreement is not reached. The announcement sparked protests across Europe and prompted European Union ambassadors to hold an emergency meeting to coordinate a response. U.S. officials say the administration views Greenland as strategically important for national security.
2. Troops Readied Amid Minneapolis Protests
The Pentagon has ordered roughly 1,500 active-duty soldiers to prepare for possible deployment to Minnesota amid continuing clashes between anti-ICE demonstrators and law enforcement in Minneapolis. The demonstrations followed widespread federal immigration raids across the city. Military officials say options are in place should the president order troops, while local leaders including Mayor Jacob Frey have criticized the move as intimidating and unconstitutional.
3. Deadly High-Speed Train Crash in Spain
At least 39 people were killed and dozens more injured when two high-speed trains collided near Adamuz, Spain. One train traveling from Malaga to Madrid with 371 passengers onboard derailed; its rear carriages collided with an oncoming service. Several carriages overturned and plunged down an embankment. The crash prompted national mourning, and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called it a "night of deep pain." Investigators are working to determine the cause of one of Spain's deadliest rail accidents in more than a decade.
4. Proposed Gaza Reconstruction "Board of Peace"
Officials say President Trump's proposed "Board of Peace" to coordinate Gaza reconstruction would offer permanent membership to individuals or organizations that contribute $1 billion. The administration says all funds raised would go to rebuilding Gaza after two years of conflict between Israel and Hamas. Trump said he would chair the board and described it as "the greatest and most prestigious board ever assembled." Invitations reportedly went to international figures including former British prime minister Tony Blair and former central banker Mark Carney; Russia said President Vladimir Putin was reviewing an invitation. Senator Marco Rubio was also named among potential participants.
5. NASA's Artemis II Crewed Flyby Targeted for Feb. 6
NASA's Artemis II, a planned 10-day crewed mission, is scheduled to lift off as soon as Feb. 6. The flight will carry astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen on a lunar flyby; the spacecraft is not equipped to land on the Moon. The mission aims to travel beyond the Moon's far side and could set a new record for the farthest distance humans have traveled from Earth, surpassing Apollo 13. It would also be the first voyage beyond low-Earth orbit for a person of color, a woman and a Canadian astronaut.
Other Headlines
- Sunday's NFL playoff games produced upsets and excitement; the league's final four are set.
- Tech giants race to build AI data centers, raising concerns about the nation's energy readiness.
- A 12-year-old boy is in critical condition after a shark attack in Sydney Harbour; friends were praised for their quick actions.
- Oxfam's annual report finds the world's richest people remain disproportionately likely to hold political power.
- China's historic drop in births could have long-term economic consequences, analysts warn.
- Check your local forecast for weather updates. Plus: a viral clip of a skier who lost a ski mid-air but stuck the landing.
Today's edition of 5 Things AM was edited and produced by CNN's Andrew Torgan. For more CNN news and newsletters, create an account at CNN.com.
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