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Nordic diplomats have rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s claims that Russian and Chinese vessels are operating near Greenland, calling the assertions unfounded. According to a report by the Financial Times, two senior Nordic diplomats with access to NATO intelligence briefings said there have been no signs of Russian or Chinese ships or submarines in waters around Greenland in recent years. Reuters said it could not independently verify the report, while the White House and NATO did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Diplomats cited by the FT said intelligence assessments do not support the narrative of heightened foreign naval activity near the island. One senior official was quoted as saying there were “no ships, no submarines,” while another dismissed claims that the waters around Greenland were “crawling” with Russian and Chinese vessels, noting that any such activity was instead concentrated on the Russian side of the Arctic. Vessel-tracking data from MarineTraffic and LSEG also showed no Chinese or Russian ship presence near Greenland.

Trump has repeatedly argued that the United States must control Greenland—an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark—to prevent Russia or China from gaining a foothold in the strategically located and resource-rich region. Denmark has disputed these claims, with Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen saying the portrayal of foreign ships and large Chinese investments near Nuuk was inaccurate. Greenland’s assembly has since moved up a meeting to discuss its response to U.S. statements, amid growing concern among the island’s 57,000 residents over renewed pressure from Washington.

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US President Donald Trump has mocked French President Emmanuel Macron, claiming he pressured France into sharply raising prescription drug prices by threatening steep tariffs on French imports. Addressing Republican lawmakers, Trump recounted a dramatic exchange in which he said France initially resisted his demand to increase drug prices, arguing that Americans were paying far more than consumers in Europe.

Trump alleged that he then issued an ultimatum, warning of a 25% tariff on all French products, including wine and champagne, unless Paris complied. According to Trump, the threat worked swiftly, with Macron purportedly agreeing to raise drug prices significantly to avoid the tariffs. Trump used the episode to argue that the United States has long subsidised global healthcare costs and that his “Most Favoured Nation” policy was designed to reverse that imbalance.

The former president further claimed that similar tariff threats led other countries to agree within minutes to raise drug prices, resulting in lower costs for Americans. He said the policy would tie US prescription prices to the lowest rates charged internationally and promised steep reductions under the plan. Neither Macron nor the French government has responded publicly to Trump’s remarks.

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Denmark and Greenland have urged US President Donald Trump to stop making statements about taking over Greenland after he reiterated his interest in the Arctic island in a recent media interview. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said such remarks were unacceptable, stressing that the United States has no right to annex Greenland or any part of the Danish kingdom.

Trump said the US “needs Greenland” for defence purposes, comments that came shortly after he claimed Washington would run Venezuela following the capture of its president. The remarks sparked concern in Denmark that Greenland, a self-governing Danish territory, could face similar rhetoric or pressure. Frederiksen said the threats were inappropriate toward a close ally and ignored the clear stance of Greenland’s people that the territory is not for sale.

Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen also criticised Trump’s comments as disrespectful, particularly references linking Greenland to military intervention. Greenland’s strategic location and mineral resources have long drawn US interest, and Trump recently appointed a special envoy to the island. While Greenland has the right to seek independence, it remains economically reliant on Denmark, which has been working to strengthen ties with the island while increasing Arctic defence cooperation with the US.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Florida on Sunday to discuss a revised U.S.-brokered peace plan aimed at ending nearly four years of war with Russia. The talks come amid intensified Russian attacks on Kyiv, which Zelensky said prove that Moscow “doesn’t want peace.” The leaders will meet at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence, where security guarantees for Ukraine and territorial issues are expected to dominate discussions.

The meeting follows a massive Russian missile and drone assault on Kyiv over the weekend that killed at least two people, injured dozens and damaged energy infrastructure, leaving large parts of the capital without heating. Zelensky said the bombardment was Russia’s response to diplomatic efforts, while Moscow accused Ukraine of delaying a peaceful resolution. Russia currently controls most of the eastern Donbas region, a key sticking point in negotiations.

Zelensky has expressed optimism about the updated 20-point peace plan, calling it a “foundational document” that is close to completion, though Trump cautioned that no deal would proceed without his approval. European and Nato leaders have reiterated support for Kyiv, with Zelensky urging “strong positions” to push talks forward. Despite diplomatic momentum, continued fighting on both sides underscores the fragility of any potential agreement.

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Germany said on Thursday it would work to convince U.S. President Donald Trump to reverse his decision to exclude South Africa from next year’s G20 summit in Florida. Trump has repeatedly accused South Africa’s black-majority government of mistreating its white population, citing widely debunked claims of attacks on white farmers. These assertions led Washington to boycott the recent G20 summit in Johannesburg, despite the group adopting a joint declaration on climate and global challenges.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office said several G20 members had privately expressed support for Pretoria after Trump’s comments. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz publicly stated he would lobby Trump to extend an invitation to South Africa, stressing that G20 and G7 forums should not be reduced without solid justification. South Africa, however, said it would not campaign for backing from individual countries, noting the delicate diplomatic position many face with the United States.

Trump’s criticism intensified after he claimed South Africa mishandled the handover of the G20 presidency—an allegation Pretoria denies, saying the U.S. delegation was not present at the time. Although it is unclear how the U.S. could formally block South Africa’s participation, experts suggest visa denials could be one tactic. The dispute adds fresh strain to already tense U.S.–South Africa trade negotiations, which have been affected by new U.S. tariffs and cuts to financial assistance earlier this year.

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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that closed-door peace discussions in Geneva on Sunday marked major progress towards a draft U.S. proposal aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. Speaking to reporters after meeting a Ukrainian delegation, Rubio described the session as the most productive since the administration took office, calling it “probably the best meeting and day we’ve had so far in this entire process.”

The talks are ongoing in Geneva and involve collaborative efforts to refine joint proposals, with participation expected from European partners. Andriy Yermak, Chief of Staff to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, called the discussions “very productive,” confirming that another round of meetings would continue later on the same day. He expressed appreciation for U.S. support and diplomatic engagement.

Yermak publicly thanked the United States and President Donald Trump for their commitment to pursuing peace, echoing Zelenskiy’s earlier message of gratitude. The acknowledgment followed recent comments by Trump on social media suggesting Kyiv had shown insufficient appreciation for U.S. assistance. Both sides signaled optimism about advancing negotiations that could shape the next phase of diplomatic efforts.

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Pope Leo has advised American students to avoid using artificial intelligence to complete their homework, saying it should be used as a tool for personal growth rather than a shortcut. Speaking via live video from the Vatican to about 15,000 young people gathered at a Catholic youth conference in Indianapolis, the pope said AI is rapidly becoming a defining force in society, but should be used responsibly and in ways that build knowledge, not replace effort.

In the 40-minute dialogue, Leo — the first U.S.-born pope — answered questions about faith, friendships, and personal development. He urged the young audience to make real connections and rely on human relationships over digital replacements.

Pope Leo also briefly touched on U.S. politics, reiterating his call for compassion in immigration debates. Criticizing divisive rhetoric, he emphasized that Christians should be “bridge builders rather than wall builders” and reminded listeners that the Church is not bound to any political party but is meant to guide conscience and promote wisdom and love.

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President Donald Trump has granted Hungary a one-year exemption from US sanctions on Russian oil and gas imports, marking a diplomatic win for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. The decision, confirmed by a White House official, follows Orban’s visit to Washington, where he argued that his landlocked nation faced severe energy supply challenges without Russian imports. Trump acknowledged Hungary’s unique position and noted the difficulty of finding alternative sources of oil and gas.

The exemption comes just weeks after the US imposed harsh sanctions on major Russian energy companies, warning of penalties for nations continuing trade with them. As part of the deal, Hungary agreed to purchase several hundred million dollars’ worth of US natural gas, though the arrangement is expected to unsettle many European capitals critical of Orban’s pro-Russia stance. The move underscores the close personal and political ties between Trump and Orban, who share similar right-wing populist views.

During their meeting, the two leaders also discussed the ongoing war in Ukraine, with Trump hinting at future peace talks involving Russian President Vladimir Putin. Orban reiterated his belief that Ukraine cannot win the conflict without a “miracle,” arguing that only the United States and Hungary genuinely seek peace. Despite tensions with the European Union, Trump praised Orban as a strong and pragmatic leader and urged Europe to accord him greater respect.

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One of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s top economic officials has rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s claims that Russia’s economy is on the brink of collapse. Trump, in remarks on Tuesday, said Russia faced “long lines waiting for gasoline” and urged Putin to end the war in Ukraine, which he said was making Russia “look bad.” In response, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said Russia’s domestic fuel supply remains stable, with a balance maintained between production and consumption.

Speaking at an energy conference in Moscow, Novak emphasized that the government was taking all necessary steps to ensure continued stability in the domestic market. “We have a stable domestic market supply, we see no problems in this regard,” he said, countering Western reports of shortages. Russia’s economy, however, has shown signs of slowing, with GDP growth forecasted at 1% for 2025, compared to over 4% in the past two years.

Recent gasoline shortages in some peripheral regions were attributed to high interest rates deterring winter stockpiling and Ukrainian drone attacks that damaged refinery capacity. The Kremlin has since prioritized fuel distribution to affected areas, maintaining that the economy is deliberately cooling to prevent overheating. Moscow insists its economy has adapted to Western sanctions, while Western analysts argue that rising pressure could eventually strain Russian society and force policy shifts over the prolonged Ukraine conflict.

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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s high-risk gamble of extending Donald Trump an unprecedented second state visit appears to have paid off, with the former U.S. president announcing £150 billion ($203 billion) of corporate investment in the UK’s technology, finance, and energy sectors. The move provided Starmer with a much-needed political boost after weeks of domestic challenges and showcased his ability to manage a mercurial Trump without public fallout.

The centrepiece of the visit was a commitment from U.S. giants, including private equity firm Blackstone pledging £100 billion over the next decade and Microsoft announcing a £22 billion investment. Trump, determined to secure America’s lead in the global AI race against China, pushed for Britain to align closely with U.S. firms in developing AI infrastructure. “We’re committed to ensuring that the UK has a secure and reliable supply of the best AI, hardware and software on Earth,” Trump said during a joint press event.

While the deal was hailed as a landmark win for Britain’s economy, critics warned it risks leaving the UK dependent on U.S. technology and vulnerable to Trump’s unpredictable politics. Analysts argued that heavy reliance on U.S. infrastructure could undermine Britain’s leverage with both Washington and Brussels, its largest trading partner. Still, observers noted Starmer’s diplomatic finesse had won Britain favourable treatment from Trump compared to other countries, with the former president praising him: “I just want to thank you, Mr Prime Minister, for the great job I think you’re doing.”

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