In a startling revelation, former US President Donald Trump has directly connected his repeated threats to acquire Greenland to his failure to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. The link was made in an extraordinary letter sent to the Norwegian Prime Minister, Jonas Gahr Støre.
Nobel Prize Snub Fuels Aggressive Stance
The authenticity of the letter was confirmed by Prime Minister Støre himself to the Norwegian newspaper VG. In it, Trump stated that after missing out on the prestigious award, he no longer felt compelled to prioritise peaceful diplomacy. "Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars PLUS, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace," Trump wrote. He added this freed him to "think about what is good and proper" for the United States.
Støre responded by clarifying that the Norwegian government does not award the prize, a duty held by an independent Nobel committee. This diplomatic incident escalated over the weekend when Trump threatened to impose a 10% tariff on imports from several European nations, including Denmark, Norway, and the UK, starting 1 February. The tariff would remain until the US is permitted to purchase the Arctic island of Greenland.
European Backlash and Military Preparations
The European Union is now considering retaliatory tariffs and potentially severe economic sanctions in response to what one European minister labelled "blackmail." Meanwhile, on the domestic front, the Pentagon has placed approximately 1,500 active-duty soldiers from Alaska on prepare-to-deploy orders. This move is for a potential mission to Minnesota, where large-scale protests have occurred against a government immigration deportation drive.
This military preparation follows Trump's threat to invoke the Insurrection Act if Democratic officials in Minnesota do not stop protesters from impeding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey dismissed the idea of a military deployment as "ridiculous," warning it would only inflame tensions in a city already hosting around 3,000 federal immigration and border patrol officers.
Spain Mourns After Deadly Train Collision
In a separate tragedy, at least 39 people have been killed and 12 are in intensive care after two trains collided in southern Spain. The crash occurred near Adamuz in Córdoba province on Sunday evening when a high-speed Iryo train derailed and crossed onto the opposite track, striking an oncoming train operated by the state rail company, Renfe.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described it as a night of "deep pain for our country." Emergency services in Andalucía confirmed that 122 people were treated for injuries, with 48 still hospitalised.
Other Key Developments
Oxfam's annual inequality report revealed a record number of billionaires were created last year, with collective wealth reaching $18.3tn. The charity accused governments of yielding to the "brazen" political influence of the wealthy while global efforts against poverty stall.
In the US, tensions around transgender rights were highlighted as the Supreme Court heard a pivotal case on whether trans children can participate in school sports. Advocates noted a marked increase in hostility and aggression from opposing groups at related rallies in Washington DC.
Finally, a never-before-seen home video from May 1950, showing a young Martin Luther King Jr. with his then-girlfriend Betty Moitz, has surfaced. It is believed to be the earliest known film recording of the civil rights leader in motion.
