Trump vows ‘no going back’ on Greenland with leaked texts, AI images
President Trump declared there was “no going back” on his campaign to control Greenland, posting AI-generated images of himself holding an American flag on the island and leaked private messages from European leaders. The images included a mock-up showing Canada and Greenland as part of the United States.
- Trump vows ‘no going back’ on Greenland with leaked texts, AI images
- Pentagon cuts 200 NATO positions
- Trump considers Venezuela role for Machado
- David Beckham’s son says he won’t reconcile with his parents
- Spain records second rail disaster in three Days
- Togo expels Burkina Faso’s ex-leader over coup plot
- Congo pitches critical minerals to US investors
- Uganda’s gold exports surge 76% to $5.8bn
Trump shared texts from French President Emmanuel Macron questioning what he was “doing on Greenland” and NATO chief Mark Rutte, while threatening 200% tariffs on French wines and champagne. He refused to rule out using military force to seize the Arctic territory from Denmark. Markets tumbled as European leaders condemned the threats, with Macron saying Europe should not bend to “the law of the strongest.”
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent downplayed concerns at Davos, dismissing what he called “hysteria” over the crisis.
Pentagon cuts 200 NATO positions
The United States plans to eliminate roughly 200 positions from NATO entities that oversee military and intelligence operations, affecting about half the American personnel stationed at these command centers. Among affected bodies are the UK-based NATO Intelligence Fusion Centre, the Allied Special Operations Forces Command in Brussels, and Portugal-based STRIKFORNATO.
The move aligns with the Trump administration’s stated intention to shift resources toward the Western Hemisphere, though officials stressed the changes are small relative to the 80,000 US military personnel stationed in Europe.
Trump considers Venezuela role for Machado
Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado presented President Trump with her Nobel Peace Prize during a White House meeting, leaving the medal in his possession. The Norwegian Nobel Committee clarified that while a medal can change owners, the title of laureate cannot be transferred. Despite the gesture, Trump maintained he doesn’t believe Machado has sufficient support to lead Venezuela following the US capture of Nicolás Maduro.
David Beckham’s son says he won’t reconcile with his parents
Brooklyn Peltz Beckham publicly stated he does not want to reconcile with his parents, soccer legend David Beckham and designer Victoria Beckham, accusing them of trying to ruin his marriage to billionaire heiress Nicola Peltz. In a lengthy Instagram post to his 16.3 million followers, he claimed his mother cancelled making his wife’s wedding dress at the last minute and called him evil for seating his grandmother at their main table.
Spain records second rail disaster in three Days
A commuter train derailed near Barcelona on Tuesday after a retaining wall collapsed onto tracks following heavy rain, killing the driver and injuring 37 people. The accident occurred just two days after a high-speed train collision near Córdoba killed 42 people when a derailed train smashed into an oncoming train on a parallel track.
The twin disasters have cast doubt on Spain’s world-class rail system and prompted calls for a review of its infrastructure.
Togo expels Burkina Faso’s ex-leader over coup plot
Togo arrested and expelled former Burkina Faso president Paul-Henri Damiba after officials in Ouagadougou accused him of orchestrating an assassination plot against current leader Ibrahim Traoré. Damiba, who came to power in a 2022 coup before being ousted eight months later, was arrested Saturday in Lomé and flown back to Burkina Faso. He faces charges including criminal embezzlement, money laundering and incitement to commit offences. West and Central Africa have experienced nine coups since 2020.
Congo pitches critical minerals to US investors
The Democratic Republic of Congo delivered a shortlist of state-owned mining assets to Washington, including manganese, copper-cobalt, gold and lithium projects, as part of a US-brokered minerals partnership. The list includes Gecamines’ Mutoshi copper-cobalt project, Cominiere’s lithium licenses, and several gold permits. The move represents Washington’s most concrete effort yet to challenge China’s dominance in Congo, where Chinese firms control roughly 80% of mining output. The minerals pact is linked to Trump’s broader peace deal between Congo and Rwanda.
Uganda’s gold exports surge 76% to $5.8bn
Uganda’s gold exports hit a record $5.8 billion in the year to November 2025, cementing the precious metal as the country’s leading export commodity. Record global gold prices, improved refining capacity, and rising production drove the 76% jump from the previous year. Gold now accounts for nearly half of Uganda’s total export earnings, though critics note much of the gold refined in Uganda originates from Tanzania, DRC and other neighbours rather than domestic mines.
