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The World in Brief from The Economist

Norway rebuffs Trump’s threats; Japan to hold election, and more

The World in Brief from The Economist

The Economist

News, Daily News, News & Politics, Global News

4.11.2K Ratings

🗓️ 20 January 2026

⏱️ 5 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Norway’s foreign minister said that tariff threats would not force the country to change its stance on Greenland.

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Transcript

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0:00.0

Hello, you're listening to the free edition of the world in brief from The Economist.

0:11.2

As a reminder, if you subscribe to The Economist, you'll get access to a deeper look at the day ahead, updated three times a day.

0:20.1

If you're already an Economist subscriber, visit

0:22.9

economist.com slash espresso or visit our espresso app to start listening. Here's today's

0:29.5

free edition.

0:35.0

This is the world in brief from The Economist.

0:41.8

Our top stories.

0:44.7

Norway's foreign minister said that tariff threats would not force the country to change its stance on Greenland.

0:52.0

Earlier, Donald Trump hinted in a letter to Norway's Prime Minister

0:55.7

that his bid to purchase Greenland was motivated by his being snubbed for the Nobel Peace Prize.

1:02.7

Mr. Trump has threatened tariffs on the countries that oppose him.

1:07.0

European leaders will meet on Thursday to plan a joint response.

1:12.7

Japan's Prime Minister, Takaiichi Sunai, said she would dissolve Parliament and call a snap general election to be held on February 8th.

1:21.5

Ms. Takayichi hopes to draw on her high approval rating to boost her coalition's slim majority.

1:29.6

She is seeking a stronger mandate to introduce tax cuts and increase defence spending more rapidly as tensions between Japan and China

1:36.5

worsen. Rumen Radev, the president of Bulgaria, said he would resign. The announcement comes amid a prolonged political

1:46.4

crisis which has forced seven parliamentary elections in just four years. Mr. Radev, who has served

1:53.3

in the mostly ceremonial role for nearly nine years, is a popular Eurosceptic, known for his

1:59.4

Russia-friendly views. He is expected to form his own political party.

2:05.1

The Kremlin said Mr Trump invited Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, to sit on the Board of Peace,

2:12.6

a body intended to oversee peacekeeping in Gaza, and that the Russian government is, quote, studying all

2:19.8

details of the offer. Mr. Trump has not confirmed the claim. He has invited several influential

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