BBC News Briefing

20 January, 2026

Sofia has long brown hair and brown eyes and is wearing a green top.

Sofia Lotto Persio

Hello. US President Donald Trump has published texts apparently received from French President Emmanuel Macron and Nato chief Mark Rutte related to Greenland and other foreign policy issues. We have the latest. Also, we look at who is set to join the US-led Gaza Board of Peace. And finally, watch as a community comes together to clean up a "chip wreck".

TOP OF THE AGENDA

Trump sets out Greenland stance

US President Donald Trump on the airport tarmac with Air Force One behind him. The president has his hands and mouth open as he speaks to a boom mic. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum stands to the president's left and watches him speak.

Trump threatened eight European allies with 10% tariffs if a deal over Greenland is not reached. Credit: Reuters

President Trump has shared messages from Macron and Rutte on his social media platform Truth Social, offering an insight into his discussions with allies on foreign policy issues such as Greenland. He also shared an illustration depicting himself planting a US flag in Greenland. In another post, he described the UK's deal to hand the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, and lease back a key military base, as an "act of great stupidity", months after he endorsed the move. The posts come ahead of Trump's highly anticipated speech at the World Economic Forum on Wednesday, where he has said he will tell European leaders "we have to have" Greenland. "It's going to be an interesting Davos," he told reporters.

Follow live updates

Analysis: European leaders are stating to realise their softly-softly approach to Trump needs a rethink, writes Europe editor Katya Adler.

Gary Cohn: IBM's vice chairman, a former economics adviser to Trump, tells economics editor Faisal Islam that "Greenland will stay Greenland".

Inauguration anniversary: Analysis editor Ros Atkins examines Donald Trump’s first year back in office - in numbers.

WORLD HEADLINES

Four rescuers dressed in black, one wearing a high-viz jacket, walk around behind a derailed carriage on a trackbed strewn with debris.

Spain investigators probe 'gap' in rail

A faulty or damaged weld on a rail is being investigated as a factor in Sunday's high-speed train crash, Spanish media report.

More details >

Demonstrators stand in a row in front of members of US Customs and Border Protection and other law enforcement officials, near the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building. Federal agents are dressed in black and wearing gas masks that cover their face. Demonstrators are wearing plain clothes. Some in the back are waving an upside-down American flag.

US probes ICE church protest in Minnesota

Justice department officials have accused protesters of "desecrating a house of worship", saying they will investigate.

What happened >

A close-up shot of a solemn Bobi Wine looking into the camera. he has short black curly hair and beard, and brown eyes.

Bobi Wine won't contest election result in court

Speaking to the BBC from hiding, the Ugandan opposition leader cited a lack of confidence in the judiciary.

Read more >

A man wearing a wetsuit and carrying a surfboard stands on a rock near the ocean

Surfer injured in fourth shark attack in Australia

A 39-year-old man has suffered a wound to his chest in the fourth attack along the New South Wales coastline in under 48 hours.

What to know >

Fashion designer Valentino walks the runway with Naomi Campbell and Gisele Bündchen at the end of his 1999/2000 Haute Couture show in Paris, France, in July 1999.

Valentino's life and work remembered

The late Italian fashion designer dressed some of the most famous women and men of recent decades.

See highlights >

NEWS FROM THE UK

Chinese embassy: Plans for a new, huge site in London have been approved by the government after years of debate over security risks.

Brooklyn Peltz-Beckham: The eldest child of Sir David Beckham and Lady Beckham has said he does not want to reconcile with his parents.

Northern Lights: Images and videos have captured the spectacle of skies across the UK illuminated in pink and green hues.

BEYOND THE HEADLINES

US-led Gaza 'Board of Peace' takes shape

A composite image of Ajay Banga, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.

The board is part of Trump's 20-point plan to end the war between Israel and Hamas war. Credit: Reuters/Getty Images/EPA

President Trump has confirmed Russia's President Vladimir Putin was one of the world leaders invited to join a US-proposed Gaza "Board of Peace", which is expected to temporarily oversee the running of the territory and its reconstruction. Members are still being invited. Some of Trump's top advisers, the World Bank president and a private equity billionaire are among those who have joined - but no Palestinians or women have been announced so far.

Find out more