tariff

US says reached deal with Taiwan to lower tariffs, boost investments

BY BEIYI SEOW WITH JOY CHIANG IN TAIPEI

  • Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te had pledged to boost investments in the United States and increase defense spending as his government tried to lower US duties, and avoid a toll on its semiconductor chip exports.
  • The United States said Thursday that it has signed a deal with Taiwan to reduce tariffs on goods from the democratic island, while increasing Taiwanese semiconductor and tech companies' investments in America.
  • Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te had pledged to boost investments in the United States and increase defense spending as his government tried to lower US duties, and avoid a toll on its semiconductor chip exports.
The United States said Thursday that it has signed a deal with Taiwan to reduce tariffs on goods from the democratic island, while increasing Taiwanese semiconductor and tech companies' investments in America.
The agreement, the US Commerce Department said, "will drive a massive reshoring of America's semiconductor sector."
Under the deal, Washington will lower tariffs on Taiwanese goods to 15 percent, down from a 20 percent "reciprocal" rate meant to address US trade deficits and practices it deems unfair.
Taiwanese Premier Cho Jung-tai praised negotiators on Friday for "delivering a well-executed home run".
"These results underscore that the progress achieved so far has been hard-won," Cho said.
Sector-specific tariffs on Taiwanese auto parts, timber, lumber and wood products will also be capped at 15 percent, while generic pharmaceuticals and certain natural resources will face no "reciprocal" duties, the US Commerce Department added.
Meanwhile, Taiwanese chip and tech businesses are set to make "new, direct investments totalling at least $250 billion" in the United States to build and expand capacity in areas like advanced semiconductors and artificial intelligence, the department said.
Taiwan will also provide "credit guarantees of at least $250 billion to facilitate additional investment by Taiwanese enterprises," the department said adding that this would support the growth of the US semiconductor supply chain.
Taiwan's government said the new tariff will not stack on top of existing duties, which had been a major concern for local industries.
"Of course it's good that the reciprocal tariff has been lowered to 15 percent -- at least it puts us on par with our main competitors South Korea and Japan," said Chris Wu, sales director for Taiwanese machine tool maker Litz Hitech Corp. 
But, given the company's single-digit profit margins, "there is no way we can absorb the tariff" for US customers, he said. 
The department's announcement did not mention names, but the deal has key implications for Taiwanese chipmaking titan TSMC, the world's biggest contract maker of microchips used in everything from Apple phones to Nvidia's cutting-edge AI hardware.
In an interview with CNBC, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said TSMC has bought land and could expand in Arizona as part of the deal.
"They just bought hundreds of acres adjacent to their property. Now I'm going to let them go through it with their board and give them time," he said.
TSMC did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Taiwanese producers who invest in the United States will also be treated more favorably when it comes to future semiconductor duties, the Commerce Department said.
Firms building new US chip capacity may import up to 2.5 times their planned capacity without paying sector-specific duties during construction. The quota lowers to 1.5 times once projects are completed.
A day prior, US officials held off imposing wider chip tariffs, instead announcing a 25 percent duty on certain semiconductors meant to be shipped abroad -- a key step in allowing Nvidia to sell advanced AI chips to China.
Ryan Majerus, a former US trade official, told AFP that although chip tariffs are currently narrowly targeted, Washington "signaled there is certainly potential for it to grow."
Majerus, now a partner at law firm King & Spalding, added that the deal had parallels to those with other US partners. The European Union and Japan, for example, both also secured a 15-percent tariff rate.

'Self-sufficient'

"The objective is to bring 40 percent of Taiwan's entire supply chain and production, to domestically bring it into America," Lutnick told CNBC.
"We're going to bring it all over, so we become self-sufficient in the capacity of building semiconductors," he added.
The agreement comes after months of negotiations.
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te had pledged to boost investments in the United States and increase defense spending as his government tried to lower US duties, and avoid a toll on its semiconductor chip exports.
Taiwan is a powerhouse in the manufacturing of semiconductor chips, which are the lifeblood of the global economy, as well as other electronics.
But US President Donald Trump previously accused Taiwan of stealing the US chip industry, and his administration had made clear it wants more of the critical technology made on American soil.
Taiwan's trade surplus in goods with the United States was around $74 billion in 2024. More than half of its exports to the United States are information and communications technology products -- including semiconductors.
bys/iv/jgc/amj/ane

attack

Afghan man goes on trial over deadly Munich car-ramming

BY RALF ISERMANN

  • The Munich attack came a month after another Afghan man had carried out a knife attack on a kindergarten group that killed two people, including a two-year-old boy, in the city of Aschaffenburg.
  • An Afghan man goes on trial in Germany on Friday accused of ramming a car into a crowd in Munich last year, killing a two-year-old girl and her mother and injuring dozens.
  • The Munich attack came a month after another Afghan man had carried out a knife attack on a kindergarten group that killed two people, including a two-year-old boy, in the city of Aschaffenburg.
An Afghan man goes on trial in Germany on Friday accused of ramming a car into a crowd in Munich last year, killing a two-year-old girl and her mother and injuring dozens.
The suspect, partially identified as Farhad N., faces two charges of murder and 44 of attempted murder, with prosecutors saying he acted out of a "religious motivation" and expected to die in the attack.
The vehicle rampage in February 2025 was one of several deadly attacks linked to migrants which inflamed a heated debate on immigration ahead of a general election that month.
Farhad N., who was 24 at the time, is accused of deliberately steering his BMW Mini into a 1,400-strong trade union street rally in Munich on February 13.
The vehicle came to a halt after 23 metres (75 feet) "because its front wheels lost contact with the ground due to people lying in front of and underneath the car", according to the charge sheet.
A 37-year-old woman and her young daughter were both hurled through the air for 10 metres and sustained severe head injuries of which they died several days later.
Prosecutors have said Kabul-born Farhad N. "committed the act out of excessive religious motivation", and that he had uttered the words "Allahu Akbar", meaning "God is the greatest", after the car rampage.
"He believed he was obliged to attack and kill randomly selected people in Germany in response to the suffering of Muslims in Islamic countries," they said when he was charged in August.
However, he is not believed to have been part of any Islamist militant movement such as the Islamic State group.

Spate of attacks

Farhad N. arrived in Germany in 2016, at the height of the mass migrant influx to Europe. His asylum request was rejected but he was spared deportation, found work and was able to remain in the country.
Police said Farhad N. worked in security and was heavily engaged in fitness training and bodybuilding.
The Munich attack came a month after another Afghan man had carried out a knife attack on a kindergarten group that killed two people, including a two-year-old boy, in the city of Aschaffenburg.
The perpetrator was later ordered to enter psychiatric care after judges found he had acted during an acute psychotic episode.
In December 2024, six people were killed and hundreds wounded when a car ploughed into a Christmas market in the eastern city of Magdeburg. A Saudi man was arrested and is currently on trial.
Several Syrian nationals were also arrested and charged with attacks or plots at around the same time, including a knife attack that killed three people at a street festival in the city of Solingen.
Germany took in more than a million asylum seekers in 2015-2016 at the height of Europe's migrant crisis -- an influx that has proved deeply divisive and fuelled the rise of the far-right AfD. 
Conservative Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who took power last May, has vowed to crack down on criminal migrants and has ramped up deportations of convicts to Afghanistan.
Germany in December also deported a man to Syria for the first time since that country's civil war broke out in 2011.
fec/fz/jh/ceg

Greenland

NATO chief's tactic on Trump's Greenland threats? Change topic

BY MAX DELANY

  • The alliance chief insisted his energy was squarely on making sure NATO was doing enough to protect the Arctic -- a key justification in Trump's rationale for wanting Greenland.
  • US President Donald Trump's demands to take over NATO ally Denmark's territory Greenland have thrust alliance chief Mark Rutte into an uncomfortable position.
  • The alliance chief insisted his energy was squarely on making sure NATO was doing enough to protect the Arctic -- a key justification in Trump's rationale for wanting Greenland.
US President Donald Trump's demands to take over NATO ally Denmark's territory Greenland have thrust alliance chief Mark Rutte into an uncomfortable position.
His strategy for now: say as little as possible and try to change the subject. 
Facing warnings the crisis could tear the 76-year-old military alliance apart, the former Dutch premier has sought to keep himself and NATO out of the fray. 
Instead, he's tried to deflect Trump's desires by stubbornly focusing on joint efforts to boost Arctic security, dodged tricky questions and even kept on praising the US leader. 
That approach hasn't always gone down too well.
At a meeting with members of the European Parliament this week Rutte was repeatedly put on the spot.
"Allow me to address you as the guy who's looking after all of us," said agitated Danish lawmaker Stine Bosse.
"Please give us an indication of what this alliance can do if two countries within the alliance cannot agree?"
Rutte, however, remained unfazed. 
"My role as secretary general, I'm very clear -- I never ever comment when there are discussions within the alliance," he stonewalled. "You work behind the scenes."
The alliance chief insisted his energy was squarely on making sure NATO was doing enough to protect the Arctic -- a key justification in Trump's rationale for wanting Greenland.
"I believe there is a bigger issue at stake here, and that is the defence of the high north, the defence of the Arctic area," Rutte said. 
He then went even further and repeated his argument that Trump has in fact made NATO's alliance stronger by forcing others to spend more on defence. 
"I know you will all hate me now saying this, but this is what I believe," he said.

'Keep the Americans onboard'

That sangfroid is a large part of the reason why Rutte is in the job.
Billed as a "Trump-whisperer", he is one of a handful of European leaders who have been able to win the ear of the unpredictable US president.
The wily political operator converted the goodwill into a major success at NATO's summit this summer by securing a landmark spending deal that kept Trump happy.
Among diplomats at the alliance's headquarters, there is a general understanding of Rutte's low-key approach.
"It's difficult for Rutte to take the lead here as he has to keep the alliance together and keep the Americans onboard," said Jamie Shea, a former senior NATO official now with Chatham House think tank. 
"He can't take the European side against Washington." 
While some European leaders like Denmark's Mette Frederiksen and France's Emmanuel Macron have been more outspoken -- the concrete steps taken so far have focused on reinforcing NATO's position in Greenland and the Arctic.  
Copenhagen has sent more troops to the island and other European powers have dispatched personnel as a possible prelude to a bigger NATO deployment.  
Shea said Rutte needs to hammer out the details for a potential NATO mission in the Arctic and get Trump to agree to it as a possible part of the solution. 
"He needs to work behind the scenes quickly but quietly to sell the idea to the US," Shea said. 

'Silver bullet'

The furore over Greenland comes at a delicate time as Europe grapples with Trump's push to end Russia's war in Ukraine. 
After months of nudging, Washington finally seems to have drawn closer to Kyiv's position -- but any progress is fragile.
Meanwhile NATO itself is eyeing a potentially combustible summit with Trump in Turkey this summer where allies will have to show him they're making good on the vow to spend more.
"Rutte knows that if he fails now he could get burnt and lose his capital with Trump," a senior NATO diplomat told AFP.
"He wanted to save his silver bullet for Ukraine, but maybe now will have to try to manufacture another one for Greenland."
But if Trump does eventually press ahead with his threats against Greenland, possibly even resorting to force, the NATO chief may not have an option but to intervene more forcefully.
"Rutte still has a responsibility, which is to decide when he thinks it is most appropriate to chip in," said Camille Grand, another former senior NATO official.
"At the moment, he says he is not getting involved in disputes between member states. That may work for now, but at some point he risks being caught up in it".
The man himself appears to be unperturbed. 
"I'm thoroughly enjoying the role and the job," he said, when an EU lawmaker asked if he feared being the last NATO secretary general.
"I was not planning to quit already, but I'm sure there will be a successor someday".
del/ub/phz/ceg

conflict

Venezuela's Machado says she 'presented' Trump with Nobel medal

BY DANNY KEMP

  • "I presented the president of the United States the medal of the Nobel Peace Prize," Machado told reporters outside the US capitol, where she met with lawmakers after having lunch with Trump at the White House.
  • Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado said Thursday she "presented" her Nobel Peace Prize medal to Donald Trump, in a bid to win over the US president who had sidelined her since overthrowing Nicolas Maduro.
  • "I presented the president of the United States the medal of the Nobel Peace Prize," Machado told reporters outside the US capitol, where she met with lawmakers after having lunch with Trump at the White House.
Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado said Thursday she "presented" her Nobel Peace Prize medal to Donald Trump, in a bid to win over the US president who had sidelined her since overthrowing Nicolas Maduro.
Her "wonderful gesture of mutual respect," as Trump called it Thursday, comes after the Republican said the award should have gone to him instead -- and after he refused to back Machado following the January 3 US military operation to capture Maduro.
"He deserves it, and it was a very emotional moment," Machado later told broadcaster Fox News in an interview.
Despite the gesture, Trump has backed Maduro's vice president Delcy Rodriguez over Machado -- so long as she toes Washington's line, particularly on access to Venezuela's vast oil reserves.
"I presented the president of the United States the medal of the Nobel Peace Prize," Machado told reporters outside the US capitol, where she met with lawmakers after having lunch with Trump at the White House.
Machado, 58, said it was "recognition for his unique commitment with our freedom."
It was not immediately clear if Trump actually kept the award following the closed-door meeting.
The Norwegian Nobel committee says its prizes cannot be transferred.
- 'Not afraid' - 
Trump had campaigned hard to win last year's Nobel Peace Prize for what he says are his efforts to stop eight wars.
Instead it went to Machado, who appeared in Oslo last month to collect her prize -- following a daring escape from Venezuela by boat -- and then dedicated it to Trump.
Venezuela's opposition has argued and presented evidence that Maduro stole the 2024 election from the candidate of Machado's party, Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia -- claims supported by Washington.
But Trump has said that Machado does not have enough support among Venezuelans, and opted to stick with former Maduro loyalist Rodriguez.
Trump and Rodriguez had their first telephone call on Wednesday and the White House said Thursday he "likes what he's seeing" with Venezuela's interim leaders.
Rodriguez said however that Thursday her government was "not afraid" of a diplomatic clash with Washington.
"We know they are very powerful. We know they are a lethal nuclear power...we are not afraid to confront them diplomatically, through political dialogue," said Rodriguez.
Rodriguez was delivering Maduro's state of the nation address to parliament while the toppled Venezuelan leader is in a New York jail facing drug trafficking charges.
By contrast Machado, who campaigned for years to end leftist Maduro's rule, was greeted by jubilant supporters as she left the White House.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said as the lunch started that Machado was a "remarkable and brave voice for many of the people of Venezuela."
But while Leavitt said Trump was "committed to hopefully seeing elections in Venezuela one day," she would not give a timeline.

Sixth tanker seizure

Since Maduro's capture, Trump has said the United States will "run" Venezuela -- exerting pressure through a naval blockade and threats of further attacks -- but has appeared content to let Rodriguez remain in power so long as oil keeps flowing.
US forces on Thursday seized a sixth oil tanker in its campaign to control the South American country's critical fossil fuel sector.
Separately, the first US-brokered sale of Venezuelan oil, worth around $500 million, has been finalized, a US official told AFP on Thursday without identifying the buyer.
Rodriguez in her speech also announced plans for legal reforms to Venezuela's oil sector -- which currently limit the involvement of foreign entities -- but did not give specific details.
Washington has also hailed the release of dozens of political prisoners in the past week, though hundreds remain behind bars.
Meanwhile the shockwaves from the lightning US raid that toppled Maduro continue to reverberate.
Cuba paid tribute on Thursday to 32 soldiers killed in the operation, some of whom had been assigned to Maduro's protection team, in a ceremony attended by revolutionary leader Raul Castro.
burs-dk/sla/jgc

Global Edition

Vietnam leader seeks more power at party congress

BY TY MCCORMICK

  • An internal Communist party position was added as a fifth pillar last year.
  • Vietnam's leaders convene next week for a once-every-five-years congress, where General Secretary To Lam is looking to cement control over the Communist Party ruling one of Asia's fastest-growing economies.
  • An internal Communist party position was added as a fifth pillar last year.
Vietnam's leaders convene next week for a once-every-five-years congress, where General Secretary To Lam is looking to cement control over the Communist Party ruling one of Asia's fastest-growing economies.
The nation of 100 million people is both a repressive one-party state and a regional economic bright spot, with the party seeking to deliver rapid expansion to underpin its claim to legitimacy.
But its leaders face challenges from tensions between its main trading partners the United States and China, along with mounting environmental and social pressures domestically.
Since he ascended to the top role just 17 months ago, Lam has enthusiastically pursued an anti-corruption drive, thinned and streamlined bureaucracy, and accelerated infrastructure investment in reforms officials describe as a "revolution".
Lam will remain the party's top leader, according to sources briefed on key internal deliberations.
But he is seeking the presidency as well -- a dual role similar to Xi Jinping in neighbouring China -- and experts say clinching it will signal the supremacy of his security-dominated faction.
"If he manages to claim both positions, Vietnam's leadership model will shift from consensus decision-making or collective leadership towards more authoritarian rule," said Le Hong Hiep, a senior fellow at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore.
Lam's reach will depend on who else secures top posts and politburo positions during the January 19-25 conclave, particularly from the more conservative military faction that opposes Lam and his changes.
One source briefed on last month's party deliberations told AFP Lam's bid for expanded powers was provisionally approved.
But some reports suggest he had to shelve his presidential ambitions to secure support for his reform agenda.
- Ministries abolished - 
Lam rose rapidly to the pinnacle of Vietnamese power after a long career with the secretive public security ministry.
He was named president -- considered the second-most important job in Vietnamese politics -- in May 2024, after his predecessor was sacked for corruption.
Less than two months later the incumbent general secretary Nguyen Phu Trong died and Lam succeeded him in turn -- later relinquishing the post of president.
In his short tenure as party chief, he has eliminated whole layers of government -- abolishing eight ministries or agencies and cutting nearly 150,000 jobs from the state payroll, while pushing ambitious rail and power projects.
Experts say he will focus on spurring private sector, digital and technological growth as the manufacturing hub seeks to break into the club of upper middle-income countries by the end of the decade. 
That would mean raising GDP per capita by 70 percent from today's $5,000.
Vietnam has proved surprisingly resilient in the face of new 20 percent tariffs imposed by Donald Trump, clocking eight-percent growth last year.
But the balancing act between the United States and China has grown tougher, while the expectations of millions of young people are rising.
Housing affordability has become a major issue, as has pollution that blankets major cities in toxic smog.
"Buying a house has never really been part of my plan because I never thought it was something I could afford," said Kim, 23, a researcher in Ho Chi Minh City who still lives with her parents. 
She hoped the leadership "will pay more attention to inequality", asking to be identified only by her first name for fear of retribution. 

'More like China'

The ruling party tolerates little dissent and regularly jails its critics, more than 160 of whom are behind bars, according to Human Rights Watch.
But unlike in present-day China or the Kim dynasty's North Korea, political power in Vietnam has not traditionally been concentrated in one paramount leader.
Its collective system of government rests on four pillars: the party chief, president, prime minister and the chairman of the National Assembly. An internal Communist party position was added as a fifth pillar last year.
Lam would be the first person to be named to both the top two jobs simultaneously by a party congress, rather than stepping in following a holder's death.
If he is, said Derek Grossman of the University of Southern California, "Vietnam will become more like China and North Korea rather than maintaining a separation of powers".
bur-tym/slb/mjw/abs

Trump

As Trump turns screws, how long can Europe play nice?

BY EMMA CHARLTON AND CAMILLE CAMDESSUS

  • One headspinning year down, three more to go. 
One headspinning year down, three more to go. 
Buffeted by a US superpower turned hostile under Donald Trump, Europe is struggling to set red lines as its once-close ally attacks its laws, eggs on the far-right -- and threatens its sovereignty in Greenland.
Any lingering doubts over the shifting winds in Washington were laid to rest with the release of last month's US security strategy taking most virulent aim not at China or Russia, but at the European Union.
Europe had barely absorbed that shock when it was blindsided by the US president's vow to wrest mineral-rich Greenland from EU and NATO member Denmark -- by force if need be.
European nations scrambled a military mission to Greenland to try to defuse Trump's threat -- but pushing back at the US president is easier said than done.
"Telling Trump 'You can't do that,' is not language that he understands," summed up one EU diplomat, granted anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter.
"We must appease Trump, not poke the beast."
The bottom line is that Europe's hands are tied: the continent is surging defence spending to break its security reliance on the United States -- but for now, it still needs US help to end the Ukraine war, and deter the looming Russian threat to its east.
In that spirit leaders have stopped well short of calling out Trump's threats -- levied right as the Europeans held crunch talks with US envoys on locking in post-war security guarantees for Ukraine.  
Instead they have reached for their now-familiar Trump playbook: avoid escalation at all costs, and work to mollify the US president -- until the next time.
The half-dozen Europeans with a direct line to Trump, from France's Emmanuel Macron and Italy's Giorgia Meloni to NATO chief Mark Rutte, can claim some successes with this strategy, namely in clawing back a seat at the table of talks to end the Ukraine war.
But as Denmark's leader Mette Frederiksen warned this week, with three quarters of Trump's presidency left to run, there is reason to expect "the most challenging part" is yet to come.
And Europe may not be able to play nice forever.

Election tests loom

Trump's threats to Greenland are just one part of the picture.
Last year's trade standoff with Washington saw Europe strong-armed into what was widely seen as a lopsided deal.
Since then Team Trump has pressed an all-out assault branding Europe's civilisation moribund, imposing sanctions over digital rules it calls censorship, and vowing to boost political forces aligned with the president's MAGA ideology.
Strongman Viktor Orban can expect the weight of US foreign policy behind him in Hungary's April elections, with Elon Musk's X acting as a force multiplier for hard-right narratives.
And France's 2027 election looms as a key test.
Trump's camp has "formulated quite clearly" it would welcome a far-right win in the nuclear-armed EU heavyweight, said Tara Varma, European policy expert at the German Marshall Fund of the United States.
"We have to take them at their word," she warned, saying Europe needs to rethink tools designed to counter political meddling from regimes like Russia -- to meet the new US threat.

A 'bazooka' for Greenland?

The spectre of MAGA-fuelled interference feeds into the critical issue of whether the EU has the mettle to keep US tech giants in check.
So far the EU has stared down threats of US retaliation to keep enforcing its laws against online abuses and disinformation, with fines on X and others.
But even penalties in the hundreds of millions are seen as small fry for the likes of Musk -- who pours expletive-laden scorn on the EU and its rules.
So what more can Europe do to try to turn the tables?
Simple, say advocates of tougher action: play the economic card, as America's biggest bilateral trade partner.
When it comes to Greenland, European law professor Alberto Alemanno says the bloc's "most tangible threat" to deter Trump is freezing the US trade deal -- an idea gaining ground in the EU parliament.
The tough question is where to draw the line.
"Do we need the territorial integrity of the European Union to be breached? Do we need to see boots on the ground, to see the Americans entering into Greenland, in order to justify this?" asked Alemanno.
Beyond that, the bloc has a powerful weapon called the anti-coercion instrument -- never used before -- that allows for curbing imports of goods and services and has been invoked as a way to push back over tech and trade, and now Greenland.
Deploying the trade "bazooka," as it is dubbed, is one idea being brainstormed in Brussels but still seen as a long shot.
"Europe has a number of cards up its sleeve -- and it's chosen consciously or unconsciously not to use them," said the German Marshall Fund's Varma.
But at some point, she warned, "it might have to."
ec/del/st/ceg

Trump

One year on, it's all about Trump. But for how long?

BY DANNY KEMP

  • At times Trump has also cultivated what looks like a cult of personality, revamping the White House and building a $400 million ballroom, and adding his name to the famed Kennedy Center for the performing arts.
  • On a sunny January morning in Florida, Donald Trump went shopping for marble and onyx for his new White House ballroom.
  • At times Trump has also cultivated what looks like a cult of personality, revamping the White House and building a $400 million ballroom, and adding his name to the famed Kennedy Center for the performing arts.
On a sunny January morning in Florida, Donald Trump went shopping for marble and onyx for his new White House ballroom. A few hours later, he was bombing Venezuela.
It was just one day in an extraordinary year since his return to office, but it summed up how Trump has reshaped the US presidency through the sheer force of his own personality.
And as he enters his second year back in the White House, Trump is increasingly acting as if there are no checks on his power -- either at home or abroad.
"He has really personalized the presidency," Noah Rosenblum, professor of law at New York University, told AFP.
If the former reality TV star's first term dominated news cycles because of its chaos, Trump's second has done so because of a single-minded determination to stamp his mark on the world's most powerful job.
He began with a freewheeling Oval Office appearance on January 20, 2025, during which he pardoned hundreds of pro-Trump rioters who attacked the US Capitol four years earlier.
The Republican leader has kept up the pace ever since. 
An unprecedented blitz of executive orders, outrageous pronouncements and directives for the persecution of his political opponents came in the following days and months.
Trump has shaken the foundations of American democracy as the country prepares to mark its 250th anniversary, caused global turmoil with his tariffs and upended the global order.
"There is one thing. My own morality," Trump, who is the first convicted felon to be elected president, told The New York Times when asked if there were limits on his power.
At times Trump has also cultivated what looks like a cult of personality, revamping the White House and building a $400 million ballroom, and adding his name to the famed Kennedy Center for the performing arts.
And 2026 dawned with an unapologetic Trump Unbound: ordering the capture of Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro, threatening Greenland and sending immigration agents on a deadly operation into Minnesota.
Rosenbaum said the past year had "revealed that the old system had less legitimacy and was more fragile than I had understood, than was widely understood." 

'Expect trouble'

Trump has begun 2026 with a bang. Yet it could also finally show the limits of a presidency that revolves around the whims of one man who will turn 80 years old in June.
The biggest inflection point could come in November's midterm elections. 
While these votes for the control of Congress are always effectively a referendum on sitting presidents, this year's will more than ever be a verdict on Trump himself.
His approval numbers remain low, with the White House battling to show that his economic plans are working despite voter anger over affordability.
If Republicans take a hammering, there are questions about whether Trump could seek to overturn the results, like he tried when Democrat Joe Biden beat him to the presidency in 2020.
"I expect trouble," William Galston of the Brookings Institution told AFP.
"He is more actively involved in the management of the midterms than any president I've seen."
Galston said however that Trump was unlikely to be able to mount any meaningful challenge if Republicans lose control of the House, which would leave him a lame duck president for the remaining two years of his term.
Trump faces challenges on other fronts too. The Supreme Court could clip Trump's wings on tariffs, while his bypassing of Congress by the use of executive orders could also backfire, said Galston. 
"The problem with governing by fiat is that what you weave by day, your successor can unravel by night, which leads to far fewer permanent achievements," Galston said.
With Venezuela, Iran, Greenland, Ukraine and Gaza on Trump's agenda in 2026, the self-professed "America First" president also appears preoccupied by foreign policy.
"That's a problem politically because a lot of the people who voted for him didn't vote for that, they voted for them to focus on the economy. He's paid a significant price for that," added Galston.
dk/jgc/mlm

unrest

Key Colombia guerrilla group backs pact to fight US, commander tells AFP

BY DAVID SALAZAR

  • Ivan Mordisco, Colombia's most wanted rebel, who leads his own dissident group, has called for a unity pact to repel the United States. 
  • The commander of Colombia's largest guerrilla group on Thursday backed calls for warring leftist militias to unite to repel any US military operations in the country.
  • Ivan Mordisco, Colombia's most wanted rebel, who leads his own dissident group, has called for a unity pact to repel the United States. 
The commander of Colombia's largest guerrilla group on Thursday backed calls for warring leftist militias to unite to repel any US military operations in the country.
"If it's to defend the homeland against foreign aggression, we'll join the fight," ELN leader Antonio Garcia told AFP, responding to calls for factions to unite. 
President Donald Trump, after ousting Nicolas Maduro as president in neighboring Venezuela, has suggested US forces may train their guns on targets in Colombia next.
Trump has argued Colombia -- the world's largest producer of cocaine -- is not doing enough to stop drug trafficking to the United States.
Ostensibly a leftist insurgent force, the 6,000-person-strong ELN doubles as one of Latin America's most powerful drug-trafficking organizations.
It controls a swath of the Colombia-Venezuela border region and, before the ouster of Maduro, had close ties to Caracas. 
Colombian intelligence sources allege that Garcia himself lived in Venezuela until recently. 
After Maduro was toppled by US forces, many guerrilla leaders are believed to have returned to Colombia. 

United front

Other Colombian guerrilla groups have reacted angrily to Maduro's removal from power, claiming a US colonialist plot.
Ivan Mordisco, Colombia's most wanted rebel, who leads his own dissident group, has called for a unity pact to repel the United States. 
"We know we have had our differences in the past... but today we are facing a common enemy" in the United States, said Mordisco, leader of the remnants of the dissolved FARC armed movement, also thought to have rear bases in Venezuela. 
"We summon you urgently to a summit of insurgent commanders from Colombia and all over our America," he said, in a video sent to media. 
"Let us forge a great insurgent front to drive back our enemies." 
In a message from hiding, Garcia told AFP that his group would be willing to fight US forces. 
The ELN "does what it must at each stage of the struggle," he said. 
Colombia's Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez has said guerrillas seek unity because "the threat of lethal action" against them is now greater. 
Under intense pressure from Washington and after a series of personal spats with Trump, Colombia's president Gustavo Petro has agreed to "joint action" against the ELN and other drug smugglers. 
Trump had once told Petro -- himself a former guerrilla -- to "watch his ass" and hit the Colombian president and his family with sanctions.
But after an ice-breaking phone call, Trump will host him at the White House in February.
Colombia accuses the ELN of launching attacks and kidnappings of Colombian soldiers and retreating to rear-base locations in Venezuela. 
Attacks on ground targets in Colombia would signal a broadening of Trump's military operations against alleged drug traffickers.
Since September, US forces are believed to have killed more than 100 people in strikes on alleged trafficking boats in the Caribbean and Pacific. 
Colombia and Venezuela share a porous 2,200-kilometer (1,400-mile) border where various armed groups vie for control of the profits from drug trafficking, illegal mining, and smuggling. 
Washington and Bogota have enjoyed security cooperation for decades, but ties have deteriorated since Trump began his second term last January. 
das-arb/md

conflict

Venezuelan interim leader vows oil sector reform after Maduro ouster

  • Without providing details, interim president Delcy Rodriguez told parliament Thursday there would be reforms to Venezuela's Hydrocarbons Law, which limits the involvement of foreign entities in exploiting the nationalized resources.
  • Venezuela's interim president on Thursday announced pending legal reforms to the country's critical fossil fuel sector, as she seeks to recalibrate ties with Washington following the US military ouster of her predecessor, Nicolas Maduro.
  • Without providing details, interim president Delcy Rodriguez told parliament Thursday there would be reforms to Venezuela's Hydrocarbons Law, which limits the involvement of foreign entities in exploiting the nationalized resources.
Venezuela's interim president on Thursday announced pending legal reforms to the country's critical fossil fuel sector, as she seeks to recalibrate ties with Washington following the US military ouster of her predecessor, Nicolas Maduro.
Since the January 3 capture of Maduro, US President Donald Trump has asserted that the United States essentially controls Venezuela, while making clear that accessing its vast oil reserves is a key goal of the intervention.
Sanctioned by Washington since 2019, Venezuela sits on about a fifth of the world's oil reserves and was once a major crude supplier to the United States.
But it produced only around one percent of the world's total crude output in 2024, according to OPEC, having been hampered by years of underinvestment, sanctions and embargoes.
Without providing details, interim president Delcy Rodriguez told parliament Thursday there would be reforms to Venezuela's Hydrocarbons Law, which limits the involvement of foreign entities in exploiting the nationalized resources.
The changes would also touch on so-called anti-blockade provisions which give the government tools to counteract US sanctions in place since 2019.
Trump has recently pressed top oil executives to invest in Venezuela.
Exxon Mobil and ConocoPhillips exited in 2007 after refusing demands by then-president Hugo Chavez to cede majority control to the state. They have been fighting to recoup billions of dollars they say Venezuela owes them.
Chevron is the only US firm operating in Venezuela, under a special sanctions exemption license.
The US Department of Energy has unveiled a plan to develop Venezuela's oil industry and has begun marketing Venezuelan crude.
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright has said Washington will control the sales of Venezuelan oil "indefinitely."
Rodriguez said the envisioned legal reform would result in money for "new fields, to fields where there has never been investment, and to fields where there is no infrastructure."
The South American country produced over one million barrels of oil per day (bpd) in 2025 -- up from a historic low of about 360,000 -- but still far from the three million bpd it was pumping 25 years ago.
Oil exports are Venezuela's main source of revenue.
afc-bc/jt/dg/mlr/des

children

Social media sites block 4.7 million underage accounts in Australia

  • "Given the vast number of online services and the fast-evolving nature of the tech industry, it's impossible to list all of the services which meet the conditions and are obliged to comply with the social media minimum age obligation," she said.
  • Tech giants have blocked 4.7 million accounts under Australia's world-first social media ban for under-16s, the country's online safety watchdog said Friday.
  • "Given the vast number of online services and the fast-evolving nature of the tech industry, it's impossible to list all of the services which meet the conditions and are obliged to comply with the social media minimum age obligation," she said.
Tech giants have blocked 4.7 million accounts under Australia's world-first social media ban for under-16s, the country's online safety watchdog said Friday.
Initial figures showed platforms were taking meaningful action to remove underage users, Australia's eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said.
"It is clear that eSafety's regulatory guidance and engagement with platforms is already delivering significant outcomes," she said in a statement.
Australia has required big platforms including Meta, TikTok and YouTube to stop underage users from holding accounts since the legislation came into force on December 10 last year.
Companies face fines of Aus$49.5 million (US$33 million) if they fail to take "reasonable steps" to comply.
Billionaire Mark Zuckerberg's Meta said last week it had removed 331,000 underage accounts from Instagram, 173,000 from Facebook, and 40,000 from Threads in the week to December 11.
But Meta repeated its call for app stores to be required to verify people's ages and get parental approval before under-16s can download an app.

Fighting circumvention

This was the only way to avoid a "whack-a-mole" race to stop teens migrating to new apps to avoid the ban, the company said.
Australia's eSafety Commissioner said it takes time to verify ages accurately, but it expects platforms to improve their performance.
"It is also the responsibility of industry to prevent circumvention, as outlined in eSafety's industry guidance," the regulator said.
Inman Grant said it was too early to say whether platforms were complying completely but early signs were encouraging.
"While some kids may find creative ways to stay on social media, it's important to remember that just like other safety laws we have in society, success is measured by reduction in harm and in resetting cultural norms," she said.
Downloads of lesser known platforms such as BlueSky and Lemon8 surged ahead of the implementation of the teen social media ban.
But both social media sites recognised that they were covered by the legislation, and they were cooperating with the Australian regulator, Inman Grant said.
"Given the vast number of online services and the fast-evolving nature of the tech industry, it's impossible to list all of the services which meet the conditions and are obliged to comply with the social media minimum age obligation," she said.
"As I have said for some time now, our compliance focus will remain on platforms with the highest number of Australian users."
djw/msp

UN

Threats to Iran spike 'volatility': UN official

  • Until Wednesday, the United States was threatening military action against Iran should it carry out the death penalty against people arrested over the protests -- and Washington's envoy to the UN said Thursday all options were still "on the table."
  • A senior UN official warned on Thursday that threats of military action against Iran, like those made by US President Donald Trump, increased "volatility" in the protest-torn country.
  • Until Wednesday, the United States was threatening military action against Iran should it carry out the death penalty against people arrested over the protests -- and Washington's envoy to the UN said Thursday all options were still "on the table."
A senior UN official warned on Thursday that threats of military action against Iran, like those made by US President Donald Trump, increased "volatility" in the protest-torn country.
Iran was shaken over the last week by some of the biggest anti-government protests in the history of the Islamic republic, although the demonstrations appear to have diminished in the face of repression and a week-long internet blackout. 
Until Wednesday, the United States was threatening military action against Iran should it carry out the death penalty against people arrested over the protests -- and Washington's envoy to the UN said Thursday all options were still "on the table."
"We note with alarm various public statements suggesting possible military strikes on Iran. This external dimension adds volatility to an already combustible situation," UN Assistant Secretary-General Martha Pobee told the UN Security Council.
"All efforts must be undertaken to prevent any further deterioration."
Iran's representative at the meeting Gholamhossein Darzi accused Washington of "exploitation of peaceful protests for geopolitical purposes."
Trump's statements were "aimed at reigniting unrest," he said.
Iranian-American journalist Masih Alinejad, invited to address the Council by Washington, said "all Iranians are united" against the clerical system in Iran. 
"Millions of Iranians flooded into the streets demanding that their money stop being stolen and sending to Hamas, to Hezbollah, to Houthi" fighters, she said referring to Tehran-backed armed groups.
In October a US judge jailed two men for 25 years each Wednesday for a plot to murder Alinejad allegedly hatched by Tehran.
Iranians "welcomed when President Trump offered to rescue unarmed people being shot in their heart, in their chest by the security forces inside Iran," said Alinejad who was become a prominent face of criticism of the Iranian government in the United States.
US ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz said the United States "stands by the brave people of Iran period."
"The level of repression that the Iranian regime has unleashed on its own citizens, its own people, has repercussions for international peace and security," he added.
gw/sla

Global Edition

Oil prices slump after Trump eases concerns over Iran

  • But later in the day there was "kind of a roll-back in the megacap stock and semiconductors," said Briefing.com analyst Patrick O'Hare.
  • Oil prices tumbled Thursday after US President Donald Trump moderated his rhetoric on Iran, while US stocks bounced back after two down days.
  • But later in the day there was "kind of a roll-back in the megacap stock and semiconductors," said Briefing.com analyst Patrick O'Hare.
Oil prices tumbled Thursday after US President Donald Trump moderated his rhetoric on Iran, while US stocks bounced back after two down days.
International oil benchmarks Brent North Sea crude and West Texas Intermediate slumped more than four percent after Trump on Wednesday said he would "watch it and see" on possible intervention in the Islamic republic.
Trump added that he had been told that the killings of protesters there had stopped.
Crude prices had surged over recent days as Trump talked about coming to the aid of the Iranian people over the crackdown on demonstrations, sparking concerns over possible disruption to global supplies.
"As tensions are dialed down between Iran and the US, the political risk premium is rapidly getting priced out of the oil price," said XTB research director Kathleen Brooks.
In stock market trading, a forecast-busting fourth-quarter net profit by Taiwanese chipmaking titan TSMC helped turn around investor sentiment.
The tech-rich Nasdaq piled on more than one percent early in the session behind large gains among leading chip companies. 
But later in the day there was "kind of a roll-back in the megacap stock and semiconductors," said Briefing.com analyst Patrick O'Hare.
The weakening of US equities followed remarks from US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick indicating that semiconductor companies that don't build in the United States could face 100 percent tariffs.
All three US indices finished moderately higher, with the broad-based S&P 500 up 0.3 percent.
Investment banks Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs surged 5.8 percent and 4.6 percent after reporting strong profits on surging revenues tied to mergers and acquisitions.
In European trading, London's top-tier FTSE 100 index hit a fresh record high after official data showed that Britain's economy rebounded in November.
Frankfurt rose as traders reacted to news that Germany's economy eked out meager growth in 2025, dodging a third straight year of recession.
The Paris stock market fell slightly, dragged down in part by a drop in the share price of TotalEnergies in the wake of oil's retreat.
In Asia, Tokyo closed down 0.4 percent, cooling off after gains fueled by speculation that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi would call an election to capitalize on strong public approval ratings.
Silver prices, which have surged to records in recent weeks, moved 0.3 percent lower after tumbling more than seven percent at one point. Gold prices also retreated modestly.

Key figures at around 2115 GMT

Brent North Sea Crude: DOWN 4.2 percent at $63.76 per barrel
West Texas Intermediate: DOWN 4.6 percent at $59.19 per barrel
New York - Dow: UP 0.6 percent at 49,442.44 (close) 
New York - S&P 500: UP 0.3 percent at 6,944.47 (close)
New York - Nasdaq Composite: UP 0.3 percent at 23,530.02 (close)
London - FTSE 100: UP 0.5 percent at 10,238.94 (close)
Paris - CAC 40: DOWN 0.2 percent at 8,313.12 (close)
Frankfurt - DAX: UP 0.3 percent at 25,352.39 (close)
Tokyo - Nikkei 225: DOWN 0.4 percent at 54,110.50 (close)
Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.3 percent at 26,923.62 (close)
Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 0.3 percent at 4,112.60 (close)
Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.1605 from $1.1644 on Wednesday
Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.3377 from $1.3443
Dollar/yen: UP at 158.63 yen from 158.46 yen
Euro/pound: UP at 86.75 pence from 86.61 pence
burs-jmb/iv

unrest

South Korea's ex-leader Yoon faces first court verdict over martial law chaos

BY KANG JIN-KYU

  • And the former leader and top prosecutor has remained defiant, saying his martial law declaration was a lawful exercise of his presidential authority.
  • A South Korean court will rule Friday on whether former president Yoon Suk Yeol obstructed justice during his disastrous martial law declaration and in its chaotic aftermath, the first in a series of verdicts for the disgraced ex-leader.
  • And the former leader and top prosecutor has remained defiant, saying his martial law declaration was a lawful exercise of his presidential authority.
A South Korean court will rule Friday on whether former president Yoon Suk Yeol obstructed justice during his disastrous martial law declaration and in its chaotic aftermath, the first in a series of verdicts for the disgraced ex-leader.
Yoon briefly suspended civilian rule in South Korea for the first time in more than four decades on December 3, 2024, prompting massive protests and a showdown in parliament.
Now ousted from power, he faces multiple trials for actions taken during that debacle and in the turmoil that followed.
Among them are charges he committed obstruction of justice by allegedly excluding cabinet members from a martial law planning meeting as well as blocking investigators from detaining him.
Seoul's Central District Court is scheduled to deliver its ruling on that case at 2:00 pm (0500 GMT) on Friday.
The case mainly centres on accusations that Yoon instructed presidential security personnel to block investigators from entering his residential compound to execute an arrest warrant in January last year.
The first attempt failed after authorities encountered buses parked to block the entrance. They later succeeded in entering the compound and bringing Yoon in for questioning.
Prosecutors have called for a 10-year prison term, while Yoon has insisted no law was broken.
The sentencing will be aired live.

Yoon defiant

It comes days after prosecutors in a separate case demanded Yoon be sentenced to death for his role as the "ringleader of an insurrection" in orchestrating the imposition of martial law.
They argued Yoon deserved the severest possible punishment as he had shown "no remorse" for actions that threatened "constitutional order and democracy".
If he is found guilty it is highly unlikely the sentence will actually be carried out -- South Korea has had an unofficial moratorium on executions since 1997.
Yoon was seen smiling in court as the prosecutors demanded the punishment.
And the former leader and top prosecutor has remained defiant, saying his martial law declaration was a lawful exercise of his presidential authority.
In closing remarks on Tuesday, he insisted the "exercise of a president's constitutional emergency powers to protect the nation and uphold the constitutional order cannot be deemed an act of insurrection".
He accused the then-opposition party of having imposed an "unconstitutional dictatorship" through their control of the legislature.
"There was no other option but to awaken the people, who are the sovereign."
The court is scheduled to rule on the insurrection charges on February 19.
Yoon also faces a separate trial on charges of aiding the enemy, over allegations he ordered drone flights over North Korea to bolster his case for declaring martial law.
kjk/oho/mjw

trade

Long-awaited EU-Mercosur trade pact set for signing

BY HUGO OLAZAR WITH MARTIN RASCHINSKY IN BUENOS AIRES

  • For the South American bloc, it was a rare victory at a time of "crisis and internal fragmentation" on how to deal with threats from Trump against countries such as Venezuela and Cuba.
  • The European Union and South American bloc Mercosur are set to sign an agreement Saturday, more than 25 years in the making, to create one of the world's largest free trade areas.
  • For the South American bloc, it was a rare victory at a time of "crisis and internal fragmentation" on how to deal with threats from Trump against countries such as Venezuela and Cuba.
The European Union and South American bloc Mercosur are set to sign an agreement Saturday, more than 25 years in the making, to create one of the world's largest free trade areas.
Agreed in Brussels last week despite opposition from European farmers who fear for their bottom line, the pact is finally set to be signed in the Paraguayan capital Asuncion.
Together, the EU and Mercosur account for 30 percent of global GDP and more than 700 million consumers.
The treaty eliminates tariffs on more than 90 percent of bilateral trade.
It is meant to favor exports of European cars, machinery, wines, and spirits to Mercosur, which will in exchange have easier access for its beef, sugar, rice, honey and soy.
The agreement has been under negotiation since 1999 between the EU and Mercosur founding members Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and Paraguay, which holds the bloc's rotating presidency.
Bolivia is also a member, but was not among the bloc's founders and will not be a party to the pact.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is scheduled to travel to Rio de Janeiro on Friday with European Council head Antonio Costa to meet President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. 
They will fly from there to Asuncion for the signing.
In addition to host president Santiago Pena, Uruguay's president Yamandu Orsi will also attend the signing, but Brazil's Lula will not travel to Paraguay, a presidential source told AFP Thursday.
The source said the signing was initially planned as a ministerial-level event, and Paraguay had issued "last-minute" invitations to some presidents.
The attendance of Argentina's leader Javier Milei is not confirmed.

'Historic day'

Lula last week hailed an "historic day for multilateralism" after the EU agreement, in the face of an "international context of growing protectionism and unilateralism."
The European Commission, which negotiated the text, failed to win over all member states, with heavyweight France leading an ultimately unsuccessful push to sink it.
Ireland, Poland, Hungary and Austria also voted against the accord, but this was not enough to block it after holdout Italy ultimately threw its weight behind the pact.
Argentine trade analyst Luciana Ghiotto told AFP the agreement was essential "to show that there is a third way without tying ourselves to the United States or China" in a time of heightened unilateralism.
"It is the longest-running negotiation worldwide, and the rush to conclude it has to do with (US President) Donald Trump's administration and its massive use of tariffs," she added.
Arguing that the existing trade regime was unfavorable to his country, Trump has imposed tariffs on a vast array of products imported to the United States from all over the world, since he returned to the White House a year ago.
For the EU, the deal with Mercosur "is a way to shore up autonomy and a place as a significant actor internationally," said political scientist Alejandro Frenkel of Argentina's University of San Martin.
For the South American bloc, it was a rare victory at a time of "crisis and internal fragmentation" on how to deal with threats from Trump against countries such as Venezuela and Cuba.
After Saturday's signing, the pact must still be ratified by Mercosur members and the European Parliament, where a majority in favor is still not certain.
European farmers fear the deal will lead to an influx of cheaper South American products due to production standards considered less stringent.
Thousands have been protesting in France, Poland, Ireland, and Belgium in recent days.
In a bid to allay fears, the European Commission announced a crisis fund and safeguards allowing for the suspension of preferential tariffs in case of a damaging surge in imports.
bur-mry/lm/mlr/iv/des

Global Edition

'Gigantic explosion', fire in Dutch city of Utrecht, four hurt

  • Several buildings collapsed right in the historic heart of Utrecht, with firefighters waiting for the all-clear before searching debris for potential victims.
  • A huge blast and fire broke out Thursday in the central Dutch city of Utrecht, with several buildings collapsing and at least four people lightly injured, according to the mayor.
  • Several buildings collapsed right in the historic heart of Utrecht, with firefighters waiting for the all-clear before searching debris for potential victims.
A huge blast and fire broke out Thursday in the central Dutch city of Utrecht, with several buildings collapsing and at least four people lightly injured, according to the mayor.
"As far as we know now, there are four victims: two people treated by paramedics at the scene, one taken to hospital with minor injuries, and another who became unwell after the events," Sharon Dijksma told reporters.
"Fortunately, according to initial reports, there is no one seriously injured directly by the explosion," she added.
After several hours, firefighters succeeded in extinguishing the blaze that broke out at around 3:30pm (1430 GMT) following what emergency services described as a "gigantic" explosion.
Authorities are still investigating the cause of the blast but a gas leak is the main hypothesis -- no foul play is currently suspected.
Several buildings collapsed right in the historic heart of Utrecht, with firefighters waiting for the all-clear before searching debris for potential victims.
However, no one has been reported missing and authorities believe the buildings were empty at the time of the explosion.
An AFP reporter on the scene saw several firefighters with ladders trying to access buildings.
Shattered glass littered the streets that were cordoned off to the public, according to this reporter.
After the explosion, TV images showed a plume of smoke rising above the ancient city centre and rubble strewn across the streets.
"I knew right away that this was bad," NOS quoted one witness, Margot Schroevers, as saying. 
"The ground was shaking," she said.
ric/ach  

Greenland

European military mission in Greenland as US aim 'remains intact'

BY PIERRE-HENRY DESHAYES

  • But the White House dismissed this saying it would not deflect plans to take control of the island.
  • The White House on Thursday said a European military mission taking shape in Greenland would not deter President Donald Trump from pursuing control of the autonomous, mineral-rich Danish territory.
  • But the White House dismissed this saying it would not deflect plans to take control of the island.
The White House on Thursday said a European military mission taking shape in Greenland would not deter President Donald Trump from pursuing control of the autonomous, mineral-rich Danish territory.
Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen insisted meanwhile that "dialogue and diplomacy are the right way forward", hailing the fact that a dialogue was now "underway".
The developments came a day after a White House meeting failed to resolve "fundamental disagreement" over Greenland, which Trump insists Washington needs to ensure its security.
Two Danish troop transport planes landed in Greenland on Wednesday. Britain, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden have also announced the deployment of military personnel as part of a reconnaissance mission to Greenland's capital Nuuk, under Denmark's "Arctic Endurance" exercise organised with NATO allies.
The modest military reinforcements -- 13 soldiers from Germany, for example -- are meant to prepare armed forces for future exercises in the Arctic, according to European defence sources.
"A first team of French service members is already on site and will be reinforced in the coming days with land, air, and maritime assets," French President Emmanuel Macron said.
Germany's defence ministry said the aim was to "explore the framework conditions for possible military contributions to support Denmark in ensuring security in the region".
But the White House dismissed this saying it would not deflect plans to take control of the island.
"I don't think troops in Europe impact the president's decision-making process, nor does it impact his goal of the acquisition of Greenland at all," Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told a briefing when asked about the deployment.
Russia meanwhile dismissed as a "myth" it posed a danger to Greenland.
Part of Danish territory "has been included in Washington's arbitrarily defined sphere of US interests," Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.
"Against this backdrop, the myth of some kind of Russian threat, rigorously promoted by Denmark and other members of the European Union and NATO for many years, is especially hypocritical."
  

'NATO consensus'

The foreign ministers of Denmark and Greenland met with US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington on Wednesday.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said in a statement Thursday that "a working group" was being set up to discuss how Arctic security could be improved.
"However, this does not change the fact that there is a fundamental disagreement, because the American ambition to take over Greenland remains intact," Frederiksen said.
"There is consensus within the NATO alliance that a strengthened presence in the Arctic is crucial for European and North American security," she said.
Trump has argued that if the United States does not take Greenland, "China or Russia will", deriding Danish efforts to increase security for Greenland as amounting to "two dogsleds".
Denmark says it has invested almost $14 billion in Arctic security.
The Russian embassy in Belgium, where NATO is headquartered, said the arrival of NATO forces in Greenland was concerning.

'It's very frightening'

On the streets of Nuuk, where red and white Greenlandic flags fly in shop windows, on apartment balconies and on cars and buses in a show of national unity, some residents have described anxiety over the geopolitical tensions.
"It's very frightening because it's such a big thing," said Vera Stidsen, a 51-year-old teacher.
"I hope that in the future we can continue to live as we have until now: in peace and without being disturbed," she told AFP.
After attending the White House talks, Denmark's Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen posted Thursday on Facebook: "We agree on the objective: enhancing long term security in the Arctic. But we disagree on the method."
"This is 2026 -- you can trade with people, but you don't trade people."
After the meeting, Trump for the first time sounded conciliatory on Greenland, acknowledging Denmark's interests even if he again said he was not ruling out any options.
"I think something will work out," Trump said.
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland will meet a visiting US congressional delegation on Friday and Saturday in Copenhagen, their offices said.
The bipartisan delegation will discuss strengthening security in the Arctic and deepening trade relations, according to Democratic Senator Chris Coons.
burs-ach/md

conflict

Venezuela's Machado meets Trump for 'positive' talks despite snub

BY DANNY KEMP

  • After the meeting, Machado, who campaigned for years to end leftist Maduro's rule, met jubilant supporters outside the White House.
  • Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado met Donald Trump Thursday for what the White House called "positive" talks -- despite the US president sidelining her and openly coveting her Nobel Peace Prize.
  • After the meeting, Machado, who campaigned for years to end leftist Maduro's rule, met jubilant supporters outside the White House.
Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado met Donald Trump Thursday for what the White House called "positive" talks -- despite the US president sidelining her and openly coveting her Nobel Peace Prize.
Since toppling Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, Trump has said that Machado doesn't have the support of the oil-rich country's people and has instead backed Maduro's deputy, Delcy Rodriguez.
In a bid to keep on Trump's good side, the 58-year-old Machado has even offered to share her Nobel award with Trump, and the president indicated she might give it to him when they meet.
After the meeting, Machado, who campaigned for years to end leftist Maduro's rule, met jubilant supporters outside the White House.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump had been "looking forward" to his lunch with Machado, their first meeting since the dramatic US military operation that captured Maduro on January 3.
"He's expecting it to be a good and positive discussion with Ms Machado, who is really a remarkable and brave voice for many of the people of Venezuela," Leavitt told reporters as the meeting got underway -- notably without the typical presence of media.
Trump would also be "talking to her about the realities on the ground in the country and what is taking place."

 'Likes what he's seeing'

For now, though, the US president has thrown his backing behind interim president Rodriguez, particularly after saying that Caracas had secured US access to Venezuela's oil.
"The president likes what he's seeing" from the interim government, Leavitt said, adding that Trump was "committed to hopefully seeing elections in Venezuela one day," but without specifying when.
Machado, during her lunch with Trump, is expected to have sought to bring the issue of a democratic transition back into the foreground.
As for the Nobel she won for her long struggle against Maduro's rule, Trump said he understood she "wants to" give it to him, adding in a Fox News interview that it "would be a great honor." 
The Norwegian Nobel Committee said however that that was impossible.
"Once a Nobel Prize is announced, it cannot be revoked, shared, or transferred to others. The decision is final and stands for all time," it said in a post on X.
"A medal can change owners, but the title of a Nobel Peace Prize laureate cannot."
After Machado appeared in Oslo last month to collect her Nobel prize -- following a daring escape by boat -- she did not return to Venezuela and remained in effective exile.
Venezuela's opposition has argued and presented evidence that Maduro stole the 2024 election from the candidate of Machado's party, Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia -- claims supported by Washington.

Sixth tanker seized

Since Maduro's capture, Trump has said that the United States will "run" Venezuela but has appeared content to let Rodriguez remain in power.
Trump on Wednesday called Rodriguez a "terrific person". Rodriguez said the call was "productive and courteous," and characterized by "mutual respect."
Washington has in particular focused on its economic demands, particularly access to Venezuelan oil.
US forces on Wednesday seized a sixth oil tanker in its campaign to control oil leaving the fossil fuel-rich South American country.
Marines and sailors apprehended the Tanker Veronica in the Caribbean without incident in a pre-dawn raid, the US military said on social media, with a video showing soldiers rappelling onto a vessel's deck.
Separately, the first US-brokered sale of Venezuelan oil, worth around $500 million, has been finalized, a US official told AFP on Thursday without identifying the buyer.
Washington has also hailed the release of dozens of political prisoners in the past week, though hundreds remain behind bars.
Meanwhile the shockwaves from the lightning US raid that toppled Maduro continue to reverberate.
Cuba paid tribute on Thursday to 32 soldiers killed in the operation, some of whom had been assigned to Maduro's protection team, in a ceremony attended by revolutionary leader Raul Castro.
burs-dk/des

Global Edition

US says Iran halts executions as Gulf allies pull Trump back from strike

BY STUART WILLIAMS WITH HAITHAM EL-TABEI IN RYIADH

  • Trump had said Wednesday he had received assurances from "very important sources on the other side" that executions would not go ahead, as Gulf allies scrambled to pull him back from military action.
  • The United States on Thursday said Iran halted 800 executions of protesters under pressure from President Donald Trump, after Gulf allies appeared to pull him back from military action over Tehran's deadly crackdown on demonstrations.
  • Trump had said Wednesday he had received assurances from "very important sources on the other side" that executions would not go ahead, as Gulf allies scrambled to pull him back from military action.
The United States on Thursday said Iran halted 800 executions of protesters under pressure from President Donald Trump, after Gulf allies appeared to pull him back from military action over Tehran's deadly crackdown on demonstrations.
Iran was shaken over the last week by some of the biggest anti-government protests in the history of the Islamic republic, although the demonstrations appear to have diminished over the last few days in the face of repression and a week-long internet blackout.
While Washington has stepped back from military action, the White House said Thursday that "all options remain on the table for the president". 
"The president understands today that 800 executions that were scheduled and supposed to take place yesterday were halted," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters. 
She said Trump had warned Tehran of "grave consequences" if the killing of demonstrators continued.
The Treasury also announced new sanctions targeting Iranian officials on Thursday, with Tehran already under crippling restrictions over its nuclear programme that contributed to the economic woes that sparked protests.
The Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) NGO said on Wednesday that Iranian security forces had killed at least 3,428 protesters, warning that the final toll would be far higher.
Trump had said Wednesday he had received assurances from "very important sources on the other side" that executions would not go ahead, as Gulf allies scrambled to pull him back from military action.
With the belligerent rhetoric on all sides appearing to tone down for now, a senior Saudi official told AFP on Thursday that Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman led efforts to talk Trump out of an attack, fearing "grave blowbacks in the region".
The Gulf trio "led a long, frantic, diplomatic last-minute effort to convince President Trump to give Iran a chance to show good intention", the official said on condition of anonymity.
A second Gulf official confirmed the talks, adding that a message was also conveyed to Iran that attacking US regional facilities would "have consequences".
Asked about a New York Times report that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Trump against strikes, Leavitt said: "Look, it's true that the president spoke with (him), but I would never give details about their conversation without... the express approval by the president himself."
Iranian authorities have lashed out at "rioters" who they claim were backed by Israel and the US, vowing fast-track justice that activists fear will translate into a spree of executions.

'No hanging today'

In telephone talks on Thursday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told his Saudi counterpart Faisal bin Farhan that Iran would defend itself "against any foreign threat", according to a statement.
On Wednesday, Saudi Arabia informed Iran it would not allow its airspace or territory to be used to attack the country, two sources close to the kingdom's government told AFP.
The Swiss foreign ministry, which represents US interests in Iran, said Iranian security chief Ali Larijani spoke by phone on Wednesday to senior Swiss diplomat Gabriel Luechinger.
Bern offered to "contribute to the de-escalation of the current situation", the ministry said.
Later on Thursday the country summoned Iran's ambassador to voice its "greatest concern" over the crackdown on nationwide protests, a foreign ministry official said.
The developments came hours ahead of a UN Security Council meeting on Iran later on Thursday, which was requested by the US.
Up until Wednesday, the United States was threatening military action against Iran should it carry out the death penalty against people arrested over the protests.
Attention had focused on protester Erfan Soltani, 26, in prison in Karaj outside Tehran since his arrest, and who rights groups said was due to be executed on Wednesday.
On Thursday, the Iranian judiciary said Soltani has "not been sentenced to death" and was facing charges of propaganda against Iran's Islamic system.
If he is convicted, "the punishment, according to the law, will be imprisonment".
In an interview with US network Fox News, Araghchi said there would be "no hanging today or tomorrow".
Commenting on Truth Social, Trump said: "This is good news. Hopefully, it will continue!"

'Significant cost'

Araghchi said the Iranian government was "in full control" and reported an atmosphere of calm after what he called three days of "terrorist operation".
Despite the internet shutdown, new videos from the height of the protests, with locations verified by AFP, showed bodies lined up in the Kahrizak morgue south of Tehran, as distraught relatives searched for loved ones.
Another video circulating on social media, said to be from Wednesday, showed people gathered for the funeral of a labourer killed during the protests chanting "Death to Khamenei" and "this year Seyyed Ali (Khamenei) will be overthrown".
AFP was able to verify the location of the video as Abdanan in the western province of Ilam, but not its date.
Meanwhile, the Canadian government confirmed on Thursday that one of its citizens was killed in the protest.
The unnamed Canadian "died at the hands of the Iranian authorities", Foreign Minister Anita Anand said.
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court

Syrian activist Sarah Mardini acquitted of migrant trafficking in Greece

  • The 2022 Netflix film "The Swimmers" is inspired by the story of Mardini and her sister Yusra, who was one of 10 athletes who competed in the Rio Olympics for a Refugee Team.
  • A Greek court Thursday acquitted Syrian competitive swimmer and activist Sarah Mardini, whose rescue of her sister inspired a hit Netflix film, and 23 others of migrant trafficking.
  • The 2022 Netflix film "The Swimmers" is inspired by the story of Mardini and her sister Yusra, who was one of 10 athletes who competed in the Rio Olympics for a Refugee Team.
A Greek court Thursday acquitted Syrian competitive swimmer and activist Sarah Mardini, whose rescue of her sister inspired a hit Netflix film, and 23 others of migrant trafficking.
The verdict came almost a month after the start of their trial at a court on Lesbos, ending a legal ordeal for the activists since 2018.
They had been charged in the Greek island with "forming a criminal organisation" and "illegally facilitating the entry of third-country nationals into Greece".
"All defendants are acquitted of the charges" because their aim was "not to commit criminal acts but to provide humanitarian aid", presiding judge Vassilis Papathanassiou told the court.
Prosecutor Dimitris Smyrnis had earlier recommended their acquittal, emphasising that "no independent basis establishing the criminal liability of the defendants has been demonstrated".
Mardini, a 30-year-old Syrian who sought refuge in Germany in 2015, was present at the court along with her Irish-German co-defendant Sean Binder, AFP said.
The 2022 Netflix film "The Swimmers" is inspired by the story of Mardini and her sister Yusra, who was one of 10 athletes who competed in the Rio Olympics for a Refugee Team.
Their family made the perilous journey across the Aegean Sea in 2015, and the sisters saved other people from drowning along the way.
This is the second time Greece has brought criminal charges against the volunteers.
In 2023, they were acquitted in another case involving offences related to their humanitarian work, including "espionage".
In 2018, Mardini was part of a group of volunteer activists with the NGO ERCI trying to help migrants reach the island of Lesbos from Turkey.
She was arrested at the time and spent three months in prison in Greece. 
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Venezuela

Cuba pays tribute to soldiers killed in Maduro capture

  • President Miguel Diaz-Canel and Castro, the 94-year-old retired former Cuban leader, were present in full military uniform to receive the soldiers' remains early Thursday.
  • Cuba paid tribute on Thursday to 32 soldiers killed in the US military strike that ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, in a ceremony attended by revolutionary leader Raul Castro.
  • President Miguel Diaz-Canel and Castro, the 94-year-old retired former Cuban leader, were present in full military uniform to receive the soldiers' remains early Thursday.
Cuba paid tribute on Thursday to 32 soldiers killed in the US military strike that ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, in a ceremony attended by revolutionary leader Raul Castro.
Havana, under pressure from US President Donald Trump, had decreed two days of tribute for the men, some of whom had been assigned to Maduro's protection team.
Twenty-one of the soldiers were from the Cuban interior ministry, which oversees the intelligence services, officials have said. The others were from the military.
President Miguel Diaz-Canel and Castro, the 94-year-old retired former Cuban leader, were present in full military uniform to receive the soldiers' remains early Thursday.
Their urns, draped in Cuban flags, were unloaded from a plane at Havana's Jose Marti International Airport, according to footage broadcast on state TV.
At the event, Interior Minister General Lazaro Alberto Alvarez expressed the country's respect and gratitude for the soldiers he said had "fought to the last bullet" during US bombings and a raid by US special forces who seized Maduro and his wife from their Caracas residence on January 3.
"We do not receive them with resignation; we do so with profound pride," the minister added, and said the United States "will never be able to buy the dignity of the Cuban people."
The soldiers' bodies were then transported in Jeeps to the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces, with Cubans lining the streets and applauding the procession.
Residents of the capital can pay their respects throughout the day, which will close with a gathering outside the US embassy in Havana.

'Manipulation'

The homage serves as an opportunity for Cuba to make a display of national unity at a time it is batting away pressure from US President Donald Trump.
Trump on Sunday urged Cuba to "make a deal," the nature of which he did not divulge, or face the consequences.
The Republican president, who says Washington is now effectively running Venezuela, has vowed to cut off all oil and money that Caracas had been providing to ailing Cuba.
Cuba, which is struggling through its worst economic crisis in decades, has reacted defiantly to the US threats even as it reels from the loss of a key source of economic support.
Havana has dismissed as "political manipulation" a US announcement of humanitarian aid for victims of Hurricane Melissa, which hit last October and killed nearly 60 people across the Caribbean.
"The US government is exploiting what might seem like a humanitarian gesture for opportunistic purposes and political manipulation," Cuba's foreign ministry said in a statement in response.
It added Washington had not been in touch about the delivery, which it would welcome "without conditions."
Jeremy Lewin, the senior US official for foreign assistance, on Thursday cautioned Havana not to "politicize" the help.
"We look at this as the first, the beginning of what we hope will be a much broader ability to deliver assistance directly to the Cuban people," he said.
US-Cuba relations have been tense for decades but hit a new low after the US capture of Maduro and his wife.
Twenty-three Venezuelan soldiers were also killed in the US strike that saw Maduro and his wife whisked away to stand trial in New York on drug-trafficking charges.
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