FirstUp: WEF begins in Davos, Nato chief’s meet with Greenland, Danish leaders... News today

The 2026 World Economic Forum annual meeting will begin in Davos, Switzerland, today. This year, US President Donald Trump has confirmed his return to the summit, joining leaders like Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the European Union’s Ursula von der Leyen.

In other news, Nato chief Mark Rutte is set to meet Denmark’s Minister of Defence, Troels Lund Poulsen, and Greenland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Research, Vivian Motzfeldt, at Nato Headquarters in Brussels today. This comes amid renewed threats by Donald Trump to gain control of the Arctic island. On Saturday (January 17), Trump shocked Europe as he announced sanctions against several countries that reject any US claim to Greenland.

Read this and more news updates lined up across the world for today.

WEF’s annual meeting begins

All eyes will be on Davos as the World Economic Forum’s 2026 Annual Meeting begins from today until January 23. It will be attended by 60 heads of state, including US President Donald Trump, Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and the EU’s Ursula von der Leyen.

A total of 850 CEOs and chairs of the world’s top companies will be among the 3,000 participants from 130 countries expected in the Alpine resort this year, the forum says. From India, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Reliance Industries Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani, and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis are among India’s top delegation for the summit.

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The theme of the five-day summit is “A Spirit of Dialogue”, focusing on cooperation in a contested world. Among various topics, the participants will debate geopolitics, quantum economy, green growth and the future of AI.

Trump’s renewed threat to slap Europe with tariffs unless Greenland is handed over to the United States is set to cast a long shadow over WEF.

Nato chief to meet Danish and Greenland leaders

Nato (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) chief Mark Rutte is set to meet Denmark’s Minister of Defence, Troels Lund Poulsen, and Greenland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Research, Vivian Motzfeldt, at Nato Headquarters in Brussels amid the US’s annexation threats to the Arctic island.

According to the bloc’s press service statement, “On Monday, January 19 (Today), Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte will meet at Nato headquarters in Brussels with Denmark’s Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen and Greenland’s Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt. No media access is planned.”

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The meeting comes two days after Trump’s announcement to impose sanctions against several European countries that reject any US claim to Greenland.

Japan’s Takaichi expected to call a snap election

In Japan, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is expected to provide more detailed plans to dissolve the lower house for a snap election today. Several media reports suggest that Takaichi is considering setting the election date for February 8.

After meeting with Takaichi last week, Secretary General of the Liberal Democratic Party, Shunichi Suzuki, told reporters, “We need to seek a fresh mandate,” CNBC reported.

“One reason for dissolving parliament is that the previous election was under the LDP–Komeito government; the public has not yet rendered a verdict on the change in our coalition partner,” Suzuki said as quoted by the media publication. He also added that the prime minister will lay out her election plans at a press conference on Monday (January 19), which is today.

CBI’s summons to TVK chief Vijay

According to agency sources, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has summoned Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief and actor Vijay again for questioning today in connection with the probe into the Karur stampede tragedy.

The probe agency recorded his statement for more than six hours on Monday (January 12, 2026). The agency wanted to continue the questioning on Tuesday (January 13); however, the TVK president requested another date due to Pongal. The Supreme Court, on Monday (January 12), ordered the CBI to take over the probe into the Karur stampede. The stampede took place during a political rally organised by actor-turned-politician Vijay’s party that claimed 41 lives, according to media reports.

With inputs from agencies