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Saturday, May 17, 2025
Home Blog Page 8

Donald Trump to Impose Additional 10% Tariff on China

President Donald Trump has announced that he is planning to hit goods from China with a new 10% tariff.

Imports from China already face taxes at the border of at least 10%, after a Trump tariff order that went into effect earlier this month.

President Trump also said on February 27 he intended to move forward with threatened 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, which are set to come into effect on March 4.

His comments came as officials from Mexico and Canada were in Washington for discussions aimed at heading off that plan.

Donald Trump had announced the plans for 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada for February 4 unless the two nations increased border security.

He paused the measures for a month at the last minute after the two countries agreed to increase border funding and talk more about how to combat drug trafficking.

Trump inauguration
Image source: rawpixel.com

On social media, President Trump wrote that he did not think enough action had been taken to address the flow of fentanyl to the US.

“Drugs are still pouring into our Country from Mexico and Canada at very high and unacceptable levels,” he wrote, adding that “a large percentage” of the drugs were made in China.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, at a press conference from the country’s National Palace, said in response: “As we know, [Trump] has his way of communicating.”

She added: “I hope we can reach an agreement and on March 4 we can announce something else.”

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau also said his country was working hard to reach a deal, warning tariffs from the US would prompt an “immediate and extremely strong response”.

Donald Trump’s threats against Mexico and Canada have raised widespread alarm, as the North American economy is closely connected after decades of operating under a free trade agreement.

Leaders of the two countries have previously said they would impose retaliatory tariffs on the United States if the White House went ahead with its plans.

Tariffs are a tax collected by the government and paid for by the business bringing the goods into the country.

China, Mexico and Canada are America’s top three trade partners, together accounting for more than 40% of imports into the US last year.

Economists have warned tariffs on goods from the three countries could lead to higher prices in the US on everything from iPhones to avocados.

Donald Trump’s call for an additional 10% levy on goods from China – which he said would also go into effect on Tuesday – had not been previously announced, though during his presidential campaign he backed border taxes on Chinese products of as much as 60%.

On February 27, as tariff talks intensified, two imprisoned alleged leaders of the violent Zetas cartel long sought by the US – Miguel Angel Trevino Morales and his brother Oscar – were extradited.

Mexican media said they were part of a larger group of drug lords sent from Mexico to the US – a major step in terms of US-Mexico security relations.

Gene Hackman and Wife Betsy Arakawa Found Dead at Home

Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa appeared to have been dead for “quite a while” when the couple and their dog were found dead on February 26 at their home in New Mexico, police say.

The 95-year-old Oscar-winning actor was discovered in a side room near the kitchen of the house in Santa Fe, while his wife Betsy Arakawa, a 65-year-old classical pianist, was found in a bathroom.

Authorities reported no signs of injury but deemed the deaths “suspicious enough” to investigate and have not ruled out foul play. No cause of death was given.

In a wide-ranging career, Gene Hackman won two Academy Awards for The French Connection and Unforgiven.

The Santa Fe County Sheriff’s office confirmed the deaths.

“On 26 February, 2025, at approximately 1:45pm, Santa Fe County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to an address on Old Sunset Trail in Hyde Park where Gene Hackman, his wife Betsy Arakawa, and a dog were found deceased,” the office said.

In a news conference on February 27, Sheriff Adan Mendoza said: “It sounds like they had been deceased for quite a while, and I don’t want to guess in reference to how long that was.”

He added: “There was no immediate sign of foul play. Haven’t ruled that out yet.

“This is an investigation, so we’re keeping everything on the table.”

Image source: Wikimedia Commons

A sheriff’s detective who responded to the scene said that they believed the couple had been dead for some time because of Betsy Arakawa’s “decomposition” and “mummification” in the hands and feet.

“The male decedent also showed obvious signs of death, similar and consistent with the female decedent,” said the search warrant.

Near Betsy Arakawa’s head was a portable heater, which the detective determined could have been brought down in the event that she abruptly fell to the ground.

Authorities say they have requested carbon monoxide and toxicology tests for both Gene Hackman and his wife, and that a cause of death has not yet been determined as they await the results of the autopsy.

A prescription bottle and scattered pills were on the bathroom countertop close to her body. The couple’s German Shepherd dog was found dead in a bathroom closet near to Betsy Arakawa.

Gene Hackman was discovered wearing grey tracksuit bottoms, a blue long-sleeve T-shirt and brown slippers. Sunglasses and a walking cane were next to the body.

The detective suspected that the actor had fallen suddenly.

The circumstances of their death were “suspicious enough in nature to require a thorough search and investigation”, said the search warrant, because the person who called emergency services found the front door of the property open.

However, the detective observed no sign of forced entry into the home. Nothing appeared out of place inside. Neither was there any indication that belongings had been rummaged through, or that any items had been removed.

Two other, healthy dogs were discovered roaming the property – one inside and one outside.

Gene Hackman’s last big-screen appearance came as Monroe Cole in Welcome to Mooseport in 2004, after which he stepped back from Hollywood for a quieter life in New Mexico.

Germany Elections 2025: CDU’s Friedrich Merz Expected to Win as Far Right AfD Is Set for Strong Second Place

German voters are going to the polls after an intense election campaign dominated by the country’s faltering economy and a succession of deadly attacks that have made migration and security a focal issue.

Friedrich Merz, the 69-year-old conservative leader, is in pole position to become Germany’s next chancellor in a vote closely watched in Europe and the US.

He promises to fix most problems in four years – a tall order for Europe’s biggest economy and a creaking infrastructure.

If Friedrich Merz’s Christian Democrats (CDU) win, he will need to forge an alliance with at least one other party, most likely Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrats, whose government collapsed late last year.

On the eve of the vote, he was adamant there would be no deal with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which is poised to become the second biggest political force, ahead of Olaf Scholz’s center-left party.

Some 59.2 million Germans are eligible to vote, and while millions already have by post, polls indicate as many 20% were undecided ahead of election day.

The polls close at 18:00 local time with a clear idea of a result likely to emerge during the evening.

Friedrich Merz promises strong leadership in Europe, but Berlin is also under pressure to loosen the budget strings for its military.

As Ukraine’s second-biggest provider of military aid, Germany’s next government will face a US president who has condemned President Volodymyr Zelensky as a dictator and fractured the West’s united front against Russia.

Image source: Wikipedia

German political leaders have also been shocked by US Vice-President JD Vance, who has met the AfD’s candidate for chancellor, Alice Weidel, and called for an end to the long-standing taboo of talking to the far-right.

In Germany, that taboo is known as a firewall or brandmauer.

Friedrich Merz was accused of breaking it last month when he used their support in parliament. There were protests against the far-right in several German cities on February 22.

The AfD is already popular in several eastern states, but is rapidly growing in the west too, attracting support among younger Germans via TikTok.

One Weidel campaign video has had four million views.

Her message is simple: Vote AfD, break the firewall and change German politics.

The AfD wants a vote on leaving the EU if it can’t reform it, to scrap climate change measures, build nuclear power plants, and repair gas lines and relations with Russia.

The AfD has embraced a highly controversial policy called “remigration”, which it defines as deporting migrants who have committed crimes. But the term can also refer to the mass deportation of migrants and their descendants.

If fewer parties make it into the 630-seat Bundestag, it will be more straightforward to form a coalition with a majority.

The economic liberals, the Free Democratic Party (FDP), were in the outgoing government but risk oblivion on the day of the vote along with left-wing populist party BSW.

The Left party, however, has seen a resurgence in recent days and pollsters suggest it will become the fifth largest party after the Greens.

“See You in Court”: Donald Trump and Maine Governor Clash on Trans Athletes

President Donald Trump asked Maine Governor Janet Mills if her state would comply with the executive order he signed banning transgender athletes from women’s sports. He didn’t like her answer.

The president was addressing Democratic and Republican governors at the White House, when the confrontation occurred.

He was about an hour into the meeting with a bipartisan group of governors when he suddenly remembered that the leaders of Maine had been resisting an executive order he signed banning transgender athletes from women’s sports.

Trump inauguration
Image source: rawpixel.com

“Is Maine here?” he wondered aloud. “The governor of Maine?”

“Yeah,” Gov. Janet Mills answered from across the room. “I’m here.”

Referring to the executive order, President Trump asked: “Are you not going to comply with that?”

“I’m complying with the state and federal laws,” the governor said, rather pointedly.

During the exchange, President Trump told Governor Mills: “You better do it because you’re not going to get federal funding.”

“See you in court,” the governor shot back.

“Good,” he said, sounding surly.

“I’ll see you in court. I look forward to that. That should be a real easy one.” He paused and then added, “and enjoy your life after governor, because I don’t think you’ll be in elected politics.”

Governor Mills responded in a statement on February 21, saying her state “will not be intimidated by the President’s threats.”

On February 6, President Donald Trump signed an executive order preventing transgender women from competing in female sports categories.

Pope Francis Treated For A “Complex Clinical Situation”

The Vatican has announced that Pope Francis is being treated for a “complex clinical situation” and will remain in hospital for as long as necessary.

The 88-year-old pontiff was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on February 14 to undergo treatment and tests for bronchitis.

On February 17, the Vatican said Pope Francis has a “polymicrobial infection” of his respiratory tract, which has required a change in his treatment.

A later update added that the Pope was “proceeding with the prescribed treatment” in a stable condition and did not have a fever. He also undertook some work and reading while in hospital on February 17.

“Pope Francis is touched by the numerous messages of affection and closeness that he has been receiving in recent hours,” a statement added.

“He especially wants to extend his thanks to those who are hospitalized at this time, for the affection and love they have expressed through drawings and messages of good wishes; he prays for them and asks that they pray for him.”

Before his admission last week, Pope Francis had bronchitis symptoms for several days and had delegated officials to read prepared speeches at events.

Image source Wikimedia

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni also told reporters on February 17 that the pontiff was in good spirits.

A short statement on his condition said: “All tests carried out to date are indicative of a complex clinical picture that will require appropriate hospitalization.”

The pontiff’s weekly general audience, which is usually held each Wednesday, has been cancelled for this week, the statement added.

Over the weekend, the Vatican said the Pope was stable and that he’d been told to have “complete rest” to aid his recovery.

Over the weekend he held a video call with the Holy Family Parish in Gaza, led by Father Gabriel Romanelli.

Pope Francis has been hospitalized several times during his 12 years as leader of the Roman Catholic Church and has suffered a number of health issues throughout his life, including having part of one of his lungs removed at age 21.

“Montoya, Por Favor”: How Spain’s Temptation Island Episode Broke the Internet

If you’ve been anywhere near social media over the past two weeks, you’ll know the raw drama setting the internet ablaze this award season hasn’t come from Hollywood, but the love tragedy played out in clips posted from Spanish version of the reality TV show Temptation Island.

The quote has resulted in memes and videos popping up everywhere and is a clip from the eighth season of Spanish reality show.

In the reality show La Isla de las Tentaciones (Temptation Island), a contestant named José Carlos Montoya watched live footage of his girlfriend cheating on him. His shocked reaction, including the now-viral phrase “Montoya, por favor,” has taken social media by storm, making the clip an international sensation.

It’s from the third episode where contestant José Carlos Montoya is shown that his girlfriend Anita Williams getting up close and personal with a new addition to the Villa.

Jose Carlos Montoya’s spiralling meltdown at watching his girlfriend Anita cheat with another man is like an uncensored Love Island on steroids.

Image source: Telecinco

In Temptation Island, couples are taken to a tropical island, separated and sent to separate villas filled with attractive singles ready to test their loyalty.

Naturally, there are cameras rolling so that the participants can have the chance to check up on what (or who) their other half is doing. In a final twist, every move made is recorded for the other half to see. Why sign up for this? The couples that participate are usually at a critical juncture in their relationship, and believe that proving their loyalty could help them.

Forced to watch a real-time stream of the betrayal, Montoya’s emotions swell until he snaps, breaking all the show’s rules.

Blind to the now infamous pleas of host Sandra Barneda (“Montoya, por favor!”), he rampages down the beach to confront the pair, tugging at his shorts in anguish as lightning streaks across the sky.

A second clip shows the resulting confrontation: Anita flips the script, calling out Montoya’s own indiscretions before collapsing in tears, begging for forgiveness.

The clip began going viral on X, formerly Twitter, when it was posted by user @ProjectLabX who wrote: “La Isla de las tentaciones esta siendo CINE y Montoya es el goat,” which translates to “The island of temptations is cinema and Montoya is the Goat,” and it received 93.6m views and 122,000 likes.

It continued to go viral on the platform when it was posted on the same day (February 4) by @PopCulture2000s who captioned the clip: “this is CINEMA…Montoya..the tension… you don’t need to speak Spanish to understand, this is insane,” and it got 101.8m views, and 278,000.

Ukraine: European Leaders Set to Hold Emergency Summit on Trump’s Peace Talks with Russia

EU and British leaders are set to gather next week for an emergency summit on the war in Ukraine in response to concerns the US is moving ahead with Russia on peace talks that will lock out the continent.

It comes after President Donald Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine said European leaders would be consulted but not take part in any talks between US and Russia over ending the war.

The meeting will take place on February 17, according to two EU officials.

Senior White House figures are also due to meet Russian and Ukrainian negotiators in Saudi Arabia in the coming days, US officials say.

In remarks likely to raise concern in Ukraine and among European allies, special envoy Keith Kellogg said previous negotiations had failed because too many parties had been involved.

“It may be like chalk on the blackboard, it may grate a little bit, but I am telling you something that is really quite honest,” he said on February 15.

UK PM Keir Starmer will discuss the views of European leaders when he visits President Trump at the White House at the end of this month.

A further meeting of European leaders together with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected after Keir Starmer returns from Washington.

Polish foreign minister Radoslaw Sikorski said France’s President Emmanuel Macron had called the summit of European leaders, which has not yet been announced by the French president.

Radoslaw Sikorski said: “President Trump has a method of operating, which the Russians call reconnaissance through battle. You push and you see what happens, and then you change your position, legitimate tactics. And we need to respond.”

Michael Schumacher: Three Convicted in Blackmail Plot

A German court has given a jail sentence to a man who tried to blackmail the family of ex-Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher. Two others were given suspended sentences for their role in the affair.

Yilmaz T, 53, was jailed for three years for threatening to upload 900 personal photos, almost 600 videos and confidential medical records to the dark web unless the Schumacher family paid 15 million euros.

His 30-year-old son was given a six-month suspended sentence for aiding and abetting extortion. A former security guard at Michael Schumacher’s home, who denied any involvement, received a two-year suspended sentence.

Michael Schumacher has not been seen in public since a 2013 ski accident which resulted in serious brain injuries. His family have kept his medical condition private.

The father and son had admitted most of the charges and Yilmaz T, a nightclub bouncer in Constance in southern Germany, told the court that what he had done was “very, very disgusting”.

In his confession he said he had received two hard drives from the security guard, Markus F, who was accused of passing the sensitive files for a “five figure sum”.

Michael Schumacher injured himself in a skiing accident in the French Alps

One hard drive is believed never to have been recovered.

The judge blamed the security guard for allowing the blackmail attempt to start. The Schumacher family’s lawyer said they would challenge his suspended sentence.

Markus F had been working for the family 18 months before Schumacher’s ski accident.

According to the defence, Michael Schumacher’s wife Corinna had asked him to digitise the family’s private photos. They argued that the material went missing after his contract was terminated.

The court heard that the father and son had emailed the Schumacher family samples of the stolen files.

Recordings of phone calls made to the Schumacher family were also played in court.

In one of these conversations, Yilmaz T told the family that rather than trying to blackmail them, he was offering to act as a broker in returning the files and identifying their source in what he called a “clean deal”.

The family alerted local authorities in Switzerland who tracked the source of the threat to Germany and the three men were arrested in June 2024.

The Schumachers’ lawyer, Thilo Damm, said the sentences were too lenient for what was the “ultimate betrayal” and they planned to appeal.

“We do not agree with everything the court said. You can rest assured that we will exhaust all legal possibilities at our disposal,” he said.

He also voiced concern that a hard drive remained missing despite multiple searches of the defendants’ properties.

Munich Attack: 28 Injured as Car Plows Into Crowd

At least 28 people have been injured after a 24-year-old Afghan asylum seeker drove a car into a crowd of people in the German city of Munich, Germany, on February 13, police have said.

Officers said they were treating the incident as a suspected attack and the suspect, who has been arrested, was known to police for theft and drug offences.

Munich police said the car, a Mini Cooper, accelerated and ploughed into the back of a rally by the Verdi trade union at about 10:30 local time during a strike by public sector workers.

Employees of day-care centers, hospitals, sanitation facilities and public swimming pools had joined the strike, calling for higher pay and longer holidays.

More than 1,000 people were reportedly at the scene.

A major response operation was launched in the Dachauer Strasse area and one shot was fired at the vehicle by police before the driver was detained at the scene.

It is unclear whether the suspect was injured.

Photo by Chuck Henjes

A police spokesman told local broadcaster BR that police are checking whether there was a link between the demonstration and the incident.

The crash happened hours before VP JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenski were due to arrive in the city for the Munich Security Conference – but police say they don’t believe it’s related.

Munich’s mayor Dieter Reiter said children were among those injured.

According to local outlet BR24, injured people are being treated at multiple hospitals around Munich, including a children’s hospital and the Munich Red Cross Clinic.

Some of the injured include employees of the Munich city administration, Munich’s deputy mayor Dominik Krause told the outlet.

Several participants at the trade union rally had brought their children with them, “which makes the act even more heinous”, Krause said.

The suspect is a 24-year-old asylum seeker from Afghanistan, German police said, adding that his motive was unclear.

Bavarian interior minister Joachim Herrmann said the suspect had been known to police for drug and shoplifting offences.

According to the the German Press Agency, the suspect came to Germany in 2016 as a minor but had his asylum application rejected in 2017 and has been required to leave the country since autumn 2020.

Dmytro Kozyura: Ukraine Arrests SBU Senior Figure on Suspicion of Working as Russian Agent

Colonel Dmytro Kozyura, a senior figure in Ukraine’s intelligence service (SBU), has been arrested on suspicion of working as a Russian agent.

The service did not name the man, who it said was chief of staff of its anti-terrorism center, but Ukrainian media quoting sources in the SBU say he is Col. Kozyura.

Local media showed Dmytro Kozyura handcuffed while being arrested by SBU head Vasyl Malyuk.

A statement said there were at least 14 instances in which the suspect, who it described as a “rat”, had collected and transmitted information to Russia. The SBU said the investigation involved audio and video monitoring, as well as gaining access to mobile phones and computers.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine has announced numerous operations to expose Russian agents on its soil.

Ukraine flag map sticker, geography illustration vector. Free public domain CC0 image.

The SBU head had been personally involved in the investigation into the suspect and headed the operation to arrest him, the SBU statement said, adding that he reported directly on its progress to President Volodymyr Zelensky.

It said Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) recruited him in Vienna in 2018. He was “mothballed” for several years and his handlers only resumed contact with him last December.

“Thanks to encrypted programme bookmarks, we got into the traitor’s gadgets – mobile terminals, computers,” Vasyl Malyuk said in a video statement posted on the SBU website.

“We basically lived with him, conducted audio and video monitoring. In the process of all this, we managed to efficiently document the collection and transmission of relevant information by the traitor to the enemy.”

Vasyl Malyuk added the SBU had been feeding Moscow disinformation during the course of the investigation.

“The self-cleansing of the SBU continues. No matter how the enemy tries to penetrate our ranks… he will not be able to do it successfully. Because we detect them in a timely manner, document them and detain them.”

US Inflation Worsens in January as CPI and Tariff Risk Hike Expectations

US inflation increased by more than expected in January 2025,as higher egg and energy prices helped to push up the cost of living for Americans.

Inflation rose to 3%, its highest rate for six months, and above the 2.9% expected by economists.

The rise comes weeks after the Federal Reserve decided to hold interest rates, saying there was significant uncertainty about where the economy might be headed.

It poses a challenge to President Donald Trump, who made tackling inflation a centerpiece of his election campaign last year, but has put forward policies, such as higher tariffs on imports, that economists say risk pushing up prices.

The uptick in prices last month was wide-ranging, affecting car insurance, airfare, medicine and other basics.

Grocery prices climbed 0.5% over the month, compared with 0.3% in December, as egg prices surged more than 15% amid shortages caused by outbreak of avian flu.

That marked the biggest monthly increase in nearly a decade, the Labor Department said.

Prices for clothing, by contrast, declined, while rents and other housing related costs increased 4.4% over the last year, marking the smallest 12-month increase since January 2022.

Core inflation, which strips out food and energy and is seen by analysts as a better measure of underlying trends, was 0.4% over the month, the fastest pace since March.

The Federal Reserve raised interest rates sharply starting in 2022, hoping higher borrowing costs would cool the economy and ease pressures that were pushing up prices.

It had started cutting rates in September, saying it wanted to avoid any further cooling.

But signs of persistent inflation above the bank’s 2% target in recent months prompted it to keep interest rates unchanged in January.

Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell told Congress on February 11 that the bank was in little hurry to cut rates further.

He noted that it remained unclear how Trump’s tariff plans would shape the Fed’s policies, since the measures could prompt a slowdown in the economy, alongside a rise in prices.

On February 12, President Trump called on the Fed to lower interest rates to go “hand-in-hand” with tariffs.

However, some analysts said after the report that they were no longer expecting any rate cuts this year.

In morning trade, the major stock indexes in the US opened lower, while interest rates charged on US government debt climbed as investors bet that borrowing costs would remain higher for longer.

President Trump Wants to Get Rid of The Penny

In an announcement on his Truth Social media account, President Donald Trump told US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has been told to stop minting one-cent coins, or pennies as they are widely called.

“Let’s rip the waste out of our great nations budget, even if it’s a penny at a time,” the president’s post said, describing the move as a cost-cutting measure.

It comes after Elon Musk’s unofficial Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) drew attention to the cost of minting pennies in a post on X last month.

Image source: needpix.com

The debate over the cost and usefulness of pennies has been a long-running one in the US.

“This is so wasteful,” President Trump said.

“I have instructed my Secretary of the US Treasury to stop producing new pennies.”

According the US Mint’s 2024 annual report, making and distributing a one cent coin costs 3.69 cents.

US government officials and members of Congress have in the past proposed discontinuing the penny without success.

While its detractors have argued that the zinc and copper coin is a waste of money and resources, those who support it say that the coin keeps prices lower and boosts fund-raising for charities.

Other countries have discontinued similar coins. Canada ditched its one-cent coin in 2012 citing the cost of minting it and its falling purchasing power due to higher prices.

China’s Tit-for-Tat Import Taxes on American Goods Come Into Effect

China’s tit-for-tat import taxes on some American goods came into effect on February 10, as the trade war between the world’s two biggest economies escalates and President Donald Trump threatens to hit more countries with tariffs.

China announced the plan on February 4, minutes after new US levies of 10% on all Chinese products came into effect.

On February 9, President Trump said he would impose a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminium imports into the US.

Speaking to reporters on Air Force One en route to the Super Bowl, the president also said he was planning reciprocal tariffs on other nations – but did not specify which ones would be targeted.

China’s latest tariffs on US goods include a 15% border tax on imports of US coal and liquefied natural gas products. There is also a 10% tariff on American crude oil, agricultural machinery and large-engine cars.

Last week, Chinese authorities launched an anti-monopoly probe into technology giant Google, while PVH, the US owner of designer brands Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger, was added to Beijing’s so-called “unreliable entity” list.

China has also imposed export controls on 25 rare metals, some of which are key components for many electrical products and military equipment.

Donald Trump’s announcement over the weekend of plans to impose a 25% tax on the US’s steel and aluminium imports comes days after he reached deals with Canada and Mexico to avoid 25% tariffs that he had threatened on all goods from the countries.

He introduced similar measures during his first term as president, imposing 25% tariffs on steel and 10% on aluminium, but later granted several trading partners duty-free quotas – including Canada, Mexico and Brazil.

The European Union (EU) import taxes were not resolved until the Biden administration took over the White House.

There was no mention of which countries, if any, would be granted similar exemptions if these new tariffs are implemented in the following days.

Donald Trump’s intention to implement reciprocal tariffs would fulfil an election campaign pledge to levy tariffs at the same rates that are imposed on US goods.

He also said import taxes for vehicles remained on the table after reports he was considering exemptions to universal tariffs.

President Trump has repeatedly complained that EU tariffs on imports of American cars are much higher than US levies.

Elon Musk’s DOGE Blocked From Accessing Treasury Department Records

Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has been blocked from accessing the personal financial data of millions of Americans in Treasury Department records, according to court documents.

District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer issued a preliminary injunction on February 8 to prohibit access, ordering Elon Musk and his team to immediately destroy any copies of records.

The move comes after 19 state attorneys general sued the Trump administration after DOGE, a cost-cutting initiative led by Elon Musk, was given access to the records.

They argued access for Elon Musk, a “special government employee”, and DOGE, which is not an official government department, violated federal law.

In a post on X, Elon Musk called the ruling “absolutely insane”.

“How on Earth are we supposed to stop fraud and waste of taxpayer money without looking at how money is spent?” he wrote.

Image source Flickr

The Democratic state attorneys general sued Donald Trump, the Treasury Department and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on February 7.

Judge Engelmayer’s order, issued early on February 8, said the states would “face irreparable” harm without immediate relief.

“That is both because of the risk that the new policy presents of the disclosure of sensitive and confidential information and the heightened risk that the systems in question will be more vulnerable than before to hacking,” the order read.

The order restrains the defendants from granting access to Treasury Department records containing personally identifiable or confidential information to special government employees, political appointees, and other employees from outside the department.

The injunction restricts anyone else from accessing those records other than civil servants who need to do so for their work at the Bureau of Fiscal Services and have passed background checks.

The judge further ordered any person among those restricted to immediately destroy copies of records.

The conditions will remain in place until the next court hearing on February 14.

New York Attorney General Letitia James, who was among the coalition of attorneys general who brought the lawsuit, said the Trump administration had given Musk and DOGE “unprecedented access” to personal data.

“Over the past week, my office has heard from more than a thousand New Yorkers who were afraid they would lose their privacy and the critical funding their communities count on because of Musk and DOGE’s interference,” she said.

Elon Musk has been heavily involved in upheaval during Donald Trump’s second term, with DOGE leading major cuts at the US Agency for International Development (USAID), which distributes billions of dollars of aid globally.

10 Essential Tips for a Stress-Free Move to Your New Home

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Moving into a new home can be an exciting milestone, but it’s no secret that the process can also be stressful. From packing up your belongings to scheduling logistics, the to-do list can feel overwhelming. The good news? With careful planning and organization, you can make your move smooth and hassle-free.

Here are 10 essential tips to help you transition effortlessly into your new home.

1. Start Planning Early

The earlier you start, the better. Create a moving timeline at least 6-8 weeks before moving day. Outline key tasks like booking a moving company, decluttering, and notifying utility companies of your new address. This preparation reduces last-minute scrambles and keeps you on track.

2. Declutter Before You Pack

Before you start boxing up your items, take an honest inventory of what you need versus what you can live without. Donate, recycle, or sell any items you no longer use. A lighter load will save both time and money on moving expenses.

3. Label Everything Clearly

Labeling is key to staying organized. Use markers to note the contents of each box as well as the room it belongs to in your new home. Include keywords like “fragile” for breakable items. Consider color-coding different boxes for efficiency.

4. Pack a “First Night” Essentials Box

Pack a separate box or bag with items you’ll need on your first night in the new home. Include toiletries, medications, a change of clothes, chargers, important documents, and basic kitchen essentials. This ensures comfort and convenience right after the move.

5. Hire a Professional Moving Company

While handling the move yourself might seem cost-effective, professional movers can significantly reduce stress. Experts like Mike Hammer Moving provide a seamless moving experience, from packing services to secure transport of your cherished belongings.

6. Protect Your Valuables with Care

For items of high value, such as jewelry, electronics, and important documents, pack them separately and transport them yourself. This provides peace of mind and ensures they’re handled with the utmost care.

7. Take Advantage of Technology

Modern tools can simplify your move. Use apps like Sortly for inventorying your items or Moving Checklist Pro to manage your timeline. Technology is a great aid in staying organized every step of the way.

8. Notify Utilities and Update Addresses

Make a list of utility providers (electricity, water, internet) and notify them about your move well in advance. Don’t forget to update your address for banks, subscriptions, and insurance. The last thing you want is delayed bills or correspondence.

9. Check Your New Home Before Moving

Ensure your new home is ready before you start moving in. Conduct a walkthrough to check for repairs, cleanliness, and utility setup. Address any outstanding tasks before unloading your items to make the transition smoother.

home renovation

10. Take Time to Celebrate Your New Space

Once the moving chaos settles, take time to relax and appreciate your new home. Unpack gradually while setting up your space in a way that feels comfortable and personal. Moving marks the start of a new chapter, so enjoy the process.

Final Thoughts

Moving doesn’t have to be a daunting experience. By following these 10 tips, you can tackle your relocation with confidence and ease. Whether it’s a downsize, an upgrade, or simply a change of scenery, proper planning and professional support will make all the difference.

For a stress-free and efficient move, consider professional help. Your new home is just a well-organized move away.

Philadelphia Medical Jet Crash Kills Six People

A small medical transport plane crashed into several buildings in Philadelphia on January 31, killing all six people on board and at least one other person on the ground, Mayor Cherelle Parker has confirmed.

The jet was on a medical transport trip, heading to Tijuana, Mexico, with a short stop-over in Missouri. It was carrying a child patient and her mother, along with two pilots, a doctor and paramedic. They were all Mexican nationals.

Just one minute after take-off, the Learjet 55 plummeted to the ground. Videos show the plane coming down quickly and sparking a huge fireball.

Nineteen others were injured, though Mayor Cherelle Parker said that number could still change.

Speaking at a news conference on February 1, Philadelphia city managing director Adam Thiel said it would probably be “days or more” until officials are able to confirm “the number of folks who perished in this tragedy and the outcome of those who were injured”.

He added that there is still “a lot of unknowns about who was where” when the crash happened.

The girl being transported to Mexico had just finished medical treatment for a life-threatening illness at Shriners Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia.

Image source: Wikimedia Commons

The flight was bound for Springfield, Missouri for a short stop-over, before continuing onto Tijuana.

The plane left Northeast Philadelphia Airport at about 18:07 local time on January 31, rose to 1,500ft, turned slightly right, then slightly left, then began a steep descent, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) officials said.

The crash occurred less than four miles away. Flight logs show the plane was in the air “for only a minute” before it crashed, Mayor Parker said.

No issues were reported from the plane to air traffic control, and controllers who attempted to get a response from the flight crew did not receive one, NTSB chair Jennifer Homendy said.

Witnesses described shrapnel damaging cars and sending burning debris into the streets. Photos of the aftermath show mangled, burnt-out vehicles and a deep gouge in the street.

Fire officials said there were five separate fires sparked by the crash, but they were contained and extinguished.

The crash happened just blocks from the Roosevelt Mall, a three-storey shopping centre in a densely populated part of Philadelphia, the fifth biggest city in the US.

The area is filled with terraced housing and shops. Many properties lost power after the crash.

Donald Trump Offers Federal Workers Eight Months Pay to Quit Jobs

In a major effort to shrink and reform the US government, President Donald Trump has offered federal workers the option to resign and receive pay for eight months.

In an email, the Trump administration has asked almost all government employees to decide by February 6 whether they want to be part of a “deferred resignation” program that will mean them leaving their jobs no later than the end of September.

Those who received the email have voiced confusion about what the deal would mean in practice.

The website of the US Office of Personnel Management (OPM) gives an outline of the plans, stating on an FAQs page that those who accept the deal are “not expected to work”, except in rare cases.

It also says anyone who decides to quit will be exempt for the remainder of their contracts from Trump’s requirement that they work in the office rather than at home.

Senior Trump officials told US media that the plan could save the government up to $100 billion.

Delivering the offer, a message from the OPM, the government’s HR agency, highlighted planned reforms including a requirement that most employees work in their offices five days a week.

Image source: Wikimedia Commons

Since returning to the White House last week, Trump has already declared the end of Covid-era home working practices.

The OPM said the offer was available to “all full-time federal employees” – excluding certain staff such as postal workers, members of the military, immigration officials, and some national security teams.

Workers wishing to take the deal were asked to reply to the email with the word “resign” in the subject line. The offer has been described as “very generous” by the White House.

The message also warned of future downsizing that could impact those who chose to stay. “We cannot give you full assurance regarding the certainty of your position or agency but should your position be eliminated you will be treated with dignity,” it read.

Stephen Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff for policy, told CNN that federal workers were “overwhelmingly left of centre”, and that it was “essential” for President Trump to “get control of government”.

The move has been condemned. In a statement to US media, the head of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) union warned that this “purging” process would have “vast, unintended consequences that will cause chaos for the Americans who depend on a functioning federal government”.

The returning Donald Trump repeatedly pledged to cut the size of the government and slash federal spending while on the campaign trail.

The president tasked Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy with leading an advisory body focused on cutting regulations, spending, and headcounts within the federal government. Ramaswamy has since left this new Department of Government Efficiency (DoGE) to run for governor of Ohio.

Donald Trump Frees Proud Boys and Oath Keepers Leaders

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President Donald Trump set free more than 1,500 people charged for the Capitol riot in January 6, 2021.

Former Proud Boys leader Henry “Enrique” Tarrio and Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes have been also released from prison.

Within less than 24 hours of Trump pardoning or commuting sentences of those who tried to violently overturn the 2020 election, the riot’s two most prominent leaders left prison.

Donald Trump is also dismissing charges against those charged, but not yet tried, for the riot.

Stewart Rhodes, who was not pardoned but had his sentence commuted, is waiting at the jail for defendants to be freed.

The former US Army paratrooper and Yale-educated lawyer had been charged for leading a contingent of his Oath Keepers members to Washington.

Though Rhodes did not enter the Capitol, he directed his members from outside, and was sentenced in 2023 to 18 years in federal prison.

Henry Tarrio was found guilty of seditious conspiracy – a rarely used charge of planning to overthrow the government – over the riot. He was not in Washington DC during the riots but directed others involved.

He received a sentence of 22 years, one of the longest given.

Image source: Anadolu Agency

Amid the pardons and commutations, President Trump also signed an order directing the Department of Justice to drop all pending cases against suspects accused in the riot.

Many of those people have been in jail in Washington DC for more than a year, with Donald Trump often referring to them during his campaign as “hostages” as they awaited trial.

A leading advocate for those defendants – Edward R. Martin – has also been made the acting US Attorney for Washington DC, showing the depth of Trump’s desire to quickly end the prosecutions. The Washington office was in charge of trying the cases connected to 6 January 2021.

Democrats have condemned the release of more than 1,000 people as an attempt to rewrite history and sanitize the violence of the riot which led to multiple deaths.

Donald Trump has described the day as “peaceful”.

Donald Trump’s First Executive Orders Signed After Taking Office

President Donald Trump signed a flurry of executive orders issued following his inauguration.

After being sworn in as US president again, Donald Trump wasted no time in using his powers to act on a range of policy priorities.

Immigration

President Trump has proclaimed that “America’s sovereignty is under attack”, declaring this to be a national emergency that allows him to free up more funding to reinforce the border with Mexico.

Closing the border

The president has told the military to “seal the borders” – citing the flow of illicit drugs, human smuggling and crime relating to crossings.

Birthright citizenship

Donald Trump has ordered that officials deny the right to citizenship to the children of migrants either in the US illegally or on temporary visas.

Terrorism designation for gangs and cartels

The president has designated drug cartels and international gangs as foreign terrorist organizations.

‘Remain in Mexico’ and no more ‘catch and release’

Donald Trump has re-implemented his “Remain in Mexico” policy from his first term. This returned about 70,000 non-Mexican asylum seekers across the border to await hearings, before being cancelled by President Joe Biden.

The order also shut down a major Biden-era immigration pipeline: a sponsorship initiative that allowed up to 30,000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela to fly to the US.

Death penalty for some immigrant criminals

Donald Trump has ordered that the federal death penalty be reinstated. It would apply to any “capital crime committed by an alien illegally present in this country” and anyone convicted of murdering a law-enforcement officer.

Refugee resettlement

Donald Trump has suspended the US refugee resettlement programme, though details remain unclear.

Trump inauguration
Image source: rawpixel.com

Climate and energy

Pull out of the Paris agreement (again)

President Trump has signed off on withdrawing from the Paris climate agreement – the landmark international deal to limit rising global temperatures. He previously withdrew in 2017, before Joe Biden re-entered.

Alaskan fuel

He signed an executive order titled “unleashing Alaska’s extraordinary resource potential”, pledging to “unlock” oil, gas and other natural resources from the state.

World Health Organization

Donald Trump signed an executive order to begin the process of withdrawing the US from the UN’s health body, the WHO.

This marks the second time Donald Trump has ordered the US be pulled out of the WHO, after Biden re-entered it. He was critical of how the Geneva-based institution handled Covid-19.

Diversity and gender

Transgender people

Trump has declared that the US will only recognize “two sexes, male and female. These sexes are not changeable and are grounded in fundamental and incontrovertible reality”.

DEI

Trump has also halted all “diversity, equity and inclusion” (DEI) programmes within the federal government – labelling them “radical and wasteful”.

TikTok

Donald Trump has signed a directive postponing by 75 days the implementation of a law that would ban TikTok in the US. TikTok had briefly been shut the day before the inauguration, to comply with the law – which demands that a new American owner be found.

Inauguration: Donald Trump Sworn In as 47th US President

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Donald Trump has taken the oath of office as the 47th President of the United States.

He swears to “preserve, protect and defend” the Constitution.

It is the first time since the 1890s that a president who was defeated in an election has returned victorious to take the oath for a second time.

Donald Trump was sworn into office on two Bibles – one given to him by his mother, and the Lincoln Bible.

That one has been used by several other previous presidents – including Abraham Lincoln in 1861.

Donald Trump begins his speech as president by addressing his fellow presidents and others attending the event, including former Vice-President Kamala Harris and former President Joe Biden.

Image source: rawpixel.com

“The golden age of America begins right now,” he said.

“From this day forward, our country will flourish and be respected.

“I will very simply put America first.”

Donald Trump also hits out at the Biden administration and its handling of the migrant crisis, saying the country has a crisis of “trust” in its government

Tech billionaires, cabinet nominees and former presidents are all at the ceremony in the rotunda of the US Capitol.

Minutes before Donald Trump took the oath, Joe Biden issued pardons for members of his family.

Donald Trump is set to declare a “national emergency” at the US-Mexico border, declare drug cartels as terrorists, and scrap government diversity programmes as part of a blitz of executive orders in the coming hours.

But he won’t announce tariffs on trade partners today, officials say.

Joe Biden Pardons Anthony Fauci and Jan 6 Riot Committee

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President Joe Biden has pre-emptively pardoned Covid response chief Anthony Fauci and the members of the January 6 riot investigation to prevent what he called “unjustified… politically motivated prosecutions”.

The outgoing president said: “Our nation owes these public servants a debt of gratitude for their tireless commitment.”

Donald Trump, who will be inaugurated on January 20, regularly clashed with Dr. Fauci during the pandemic and has suggested he would take action against those who tried to hold him accountable for the January 6 Capitol riot.

Joe Biden also issued a pre-emptive pardon to Mark Milley, a former chairman of the Join Chiefs of Staff, who last year described Donald Trump as “fascist to the core”.

Joe Biden’s statement said that the pardons should “not be mistaken as an acknowledgment” that any of those covered “engaged in any wrongdoing”.

Image source: Wikipedia

Democrats had warned the outgoing president against such action. Adam Schiff, a Senator for California, said Joe Biden could set a “precedent” for “each president hereafter on their way out the door giving out a broad category of pardons”.

Anthony Fauci told media that he “truly appreciated” Biden for taking action, adding that the possibility of prosecution has created “immeasurable and intolerable distress” on his family.

“Let me be perfectly clear, I have committed no crime and there are no possible grounds for any allegation or threat of criminal investigation or prosecution of me,” he added.

General Mark Milley, 66, thanked Joe Biden in a statement and stated that he did not wish spend the rest of his life “fighting those who unjustly might seek retribution for perceived slights”.

“I do not want to put my family, my friends, and those with whom I served through the resulting distraction, expense, and anxiety,” he said.

Joe Biden’s pardons cover all members of the House Select Committee investigating the January 6 riot, as well as their staff members and the officers who testified.

Former US Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn said he was “eternally grateful” to Joe Biden, „not just for this pre-emptive pardon, but for his leadership and service to this nation”.

„Unfortunately, the political climate we are in now has made the need for [a pardon] somewhat of a reality,” he said.

„I, like all other public servants, was just doing my job and upholding my oath.”

Donald Trump in December backed a call for the FBI to investigate fellow Republican Liz Cheney over her role in leading Congress’s probe.

The incoming president is set to pardon some of those convicted of crimes related to the riot.

“You’re going to see something tomorrow,” Donald Trump said on January 19, in reference to the January 6 rioters.

“I think you’ll be very, very happy.”

On the campaign trail, Donald Trump railed against “enemies from within”, and has endorsed several figures who have vowed retribution against his foes to join his cabinet.

CRPS Awareness: Understanding the Condition and Supporting Loved Ones

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Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a medical condition that remains under-recognized yet has a significant impact on those who suffer from it. It is a chronic pain disorder often triggered by an injury, surgery, stroke, or other trauma, but its exact cause is not fully understood. For loved ones of individuals with CRPS, understanding the condition and learning how to offer support are crucial steps toward providing meaningful help and fostering resilience.

This guest post aims to shed light on CRPS, its symptoms, and effective ways to support individuals navigating life with this challenging condition.

What is CRPS and Who Does It Affect?

CRPS is characterized by prolonged or excessive pain that often appears disproportionate to the initial injury or trauma that triggered it. Though it can occur in any part of the body, it is most commonly reported in the arms, legs, hands, or feet. Researchers identify two subtypes of CRPS:

  • CRPS Type I (formerly known as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy): Occurs without a confirmed nerve injury.
  • CRPS Type II (formerly known as Causalgia): Includes a confirmed nerve injury.

While CRPS can affect anyone, it is slightly more common in women than men and generally affects individuals between the ages of 20 and 50. However, it is a condition that can occur at any age and requires more societal awareness so that sufferers receive timely diagnosis and care.

Recognizing CRPS Symptoms

One of the complexities of CRPS lies in its varied and often unpredictable symptoms. Some of the most common signs include:

  • Chronic pain that is burning, throbbing, or otherwise persistent.
  • Swelling and sensitivity in the affected area.
  • Temperature or color changes in the skin.
  • Decreased mobility or stiffness in the affected joint or limb.
  • Abnormal sweating in localized regions.

Symptoms can range from mild to severe and may worsen over time if untreated. Early diagnosis and intervention are critical in managing CRPS effectively.

How to Support a Loved One with CRPS

Being a source of support for someone with CRPS can feel overwhelming at times, but even small efforts can make a large difference. Here are some practical steps you can take:

1. Educate Yourself About CRPS

Start by learning as much as possible about CRPS through reputable medical resources. Understanding the condition will better equip you to have empathetic and informed conversations with your loved one. Organizations like Pascal Health Institute provide excellent resources that are easily accessible to the public.

2. Practice Active Listening

Listen without judgment and validate their pain. Living with CRPS often means battling feelings of frustration or isolation, so creating a safe environment for open communication can be incredibly comforting.

3. Encourage Professional Care

Individuals with CRPS often require a team of healthcare professionals, including pain specialists, physical therapists, and psychologists. Encourage your loved one to seek professional support, and offer to help them book appointments or accompany them when needed.

4. Offer Practical Support

Ask how you can help with their day-to-day responsibilities, whether that means running errands, meal preparation, or helping with medications. Small acts of help can remove some stress from their daily life.

5. Support Mental Health

Living with chronic pain takes a toll on emotional wellbeing. Encourage healthy coping mechanisms such as mindfulness, relaxation techniques, or therapy with a trained mental health professional. Acknowledge their feelings and remind them that professional mental health support is always an option.

6. Be Patient and Flexible

CRPS can fluctuate in severity, and sufferers might have good days and bad days. Be patient, and understand that their limitations may change from one day to the next.

Building Awareness is Key

CRPS Awareness Month, observed every November, serves as the perfect opportunity for communities to come together and raise awareness about this condition. Whether by sharing educational content, participating in awareness campaigns, or ensuring inclusivity for individuals living with CRPS, we can all contribute to better understanding and recognition of the syndrome.

By increasing awareness and understanding the condition, society can play its part in dismantling ignorance, promoting early diagnoses, and advocating for advanced treatment solutions. Institutions like Pascal Health Institute continue to lead the way in addressing complex health challenges with innovative care models.

Final Thoughts

CRPS is a challenging condition that affects not only the individual but also their support network, yet it is possible to make a meaningful impact through empathy, education, and collaboration. By taking the time to understand CRPS and offering thought-out, compassionate support, you can play a vital role in empowering a loved one to lead their best possible life.

TikTok Goes Offline in US Hours Before New Law Banning Platform Comes Into Effect

Video-sharing app TikTok has gone offline in the US, hours before a new law banning the platform was due to come into effect.

A message appearing on the app for users in the US said a law banning TikTok had been enacted, meaning “you can’t use TikTok for now”.

TikTok was banned over concerns about its links to the Chinese government and had been given a deadline of January 19 to be sold to an approved US buyer.

Image by krittiyanee thumjaikul from Pixabay

President Joe Biden had said he would leave the issue to his successor. President-elect Donald Trump has said he will “most likely” give TikTok a 90-day reprieve from a ban once he takes office on January 20.

“The 90-day extension is something that will be most likely done, because it’s appropriate,” Donald Trump told NBC News on January 18.

“If I decide to do that, I’ll probably announce it on Monday.”

Users reported the app had also been removed from both Apple and Google’s US app stores and TikTok.com was not showing videos.“We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office,” the message displayed after the ban went into force read.

$Trump: Donald Trump Launches His Own Meme Coin, Price Soars Overnight

President-elect Donald Trump has launched his own memem coin, $Trump, which quickly soared in market capitalization to several billion dollars.

Donald Trump’s release of the meme coin comes as he prepares to take office on January 20 as 47th president of the US.

The venture was co-ordinated by CIC Digital LLC – an affiliate of the Trump Organization – which has previously sold Trump-branded shoes and fragrances.

Meme coins are used to build popularity for a viral internet trend or movement, but they lack intrinsic value and are extremely volatile investments.

By January 18, hours after its launch, the market capitalization for $Trump reached nearly $5.5 billion, according to CoinMarketCap.com.

CIC Digital LLC and Fight Fight Fight LLC, a company formed in Delaware earlier this month, own 80% of the tokens. It is unclear how much money Trump might make from the venture.

“My NEW Official Trump Meme is HERE! It’s time to celebrate everything we stand for: WINNING!” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social as he announced the meme coin on January 17.

Image source: Wikimedia Commons

Some 200 million of the digital tokens have been issued and another 800 milllion will be released in the next three years, the coin’s website said.

“This Trump Meme celebrates a leader who doesn’t back down, no matter the odds,” the website said.

It included a disclaimer noting the coin is “not intended to be, or the subject of” an investment opportunity or a security and was “not political and has nothing to do with” any political campaign, political office or government agency.

Critics accused Donald Trump of cashing in on the presidency.

Such digital tokens are notorious for speculators using hype to pump up the value before selling at the top of the market, leaving latecomers to count their losses as the price crashes.

Cryptocurrency investors are hoping the Trump administration will boost the industry.

President Joe Biden’s regulators cited concerns about fraud and money laundering as they cracked down on crypto companies by suing exchanges.

Donald Trump was previously skittish about cryptocurrency, but at a Bitcoin conference in Nashville last year he said America would be “the crypto capital of the planet” once he returned to Washington.

His sons Erik and Donald Jr announced their own crypto venture in 2024.

Buy Greenland Plan: Danish PM Calls Donald Trump to Discuss Arctic Security

Denmark’s PM Mette Frederiksen has told US President-elect Donald Trump that it is up to Greenland to decide its own future.

Donald Trump sparked turmoil in Copenhagen and Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, last week when he signalled that the US wanted to acquire the huge arctic island, which is an autonomous territory of Denmark.

In a 45-minute phone call on January 15, Mette Frederiksen told Donald Trump that Denmark was prepared to increase its responsibility for security in the Arctic.

She also reiterated the statements of the Greenland PM, Mute Egede, who recently said that Greenland was not for sale.

Donald did not react to the call publicly. However, he reposted on his TruthSocial account a 2019 poll that indicated 68% of Greenlanders supported independence from Denmark.

A referendum on independence is thought to be on the cards and Denmark has said it would respect any result.

When he was last president, Donald Trump said he wanted to buy Greenland. When Mette Frederiksen called the proposal “absurd”, he abruptly canceled a trip to Denmark.

Image source: picryl.com

Mette Frederiksen said that in her phone call with Donald Trump, she also emphasized that “Danish companies contribute to growth and jobs in the US, and that the EU and the US have a common interest in strengthened trade.”

Last week, Donald Trump threatened Denmark with high tariffs if the country did not give up Greenland.

The suggestion set off alarm bells among Danish industry leaders, as the US is Denmark’s second largest export market and any targeted tariffs would have a significant impact on the Danish economy.

On January 16, PM Frederiksen will hold what Danish media dubbed a “crisis meeting” with business leaders, including the CEOs of beer giant Carlsberg and drugmaker Novo Nordisk, which produces obesity and diabetes drugs popular in the US.

She is also due to host an extraordinary Foreign Policy Council meeting with members from across parliament.

Greenlandic member of parliament Aaja Chemnitz said she was satisfied with PM Frederiksen’s line that any decision about Greenland should be taken by Greenlanders.

Earlier this week, Mute Egede said his government was ready to start a dialogue with the incoming Trump administration.

Donald Trump’s comments and his son’s visit to Greenland last week sparked huge concern in Denmark. Faced with the prospect of angering what she repeatedly called “Denmark’s closest ally”, Frederiksen measured her words while emphasising Greenland’s right to self-determination.