As Donald Trump's threat to buy Greenland stirs global controversy, Denmark's foreign minister reaffirms their recognition of Greenland's autonomy and dismisses any possibility of the island becoming a US state. However, amid increased US interest in the Arctic region, Trump's willingness to use force or economic measures to acquire Greenland has prompted concerns from European allies. As talks between Greenland's leader and the Danish king take place, there is a growing focus on the island's push for independence and allegations of colonial-era mistreatment.
Trump's Greenland Ambitions: A Saga of Sovereignty, Autonomy, and Geopolitics
Donald Trump's 2019 proposal to purchase Greenland from Denmark sparked a global outcry. The move highlighted a clash of interests in the Arctic region and raised questions about Greenland's autonomy and the future of international relations in the far north.
Background: Greenland's Colonial Past and Autonomy
Greenland, the world's largest island, has been a Danish territory since 1814. However, a process of home rule began in 1979, giving Greenland significant autonomy in domestic affairs. Greenland's population of 56,000 is predominantly Inuit, and the island has a strong drive for independence.
Trump's Proposal and Denmark's Response
In August 2019, Trump reportedly expressed interest in buying Greenland for strategic military purposes. Denmark's Foreign Minister Anders Samuelsen promptly dismissed the proposal as "absurd" and reaffirmed Greenland's autonomy within the Danish realm.
Geopolitical Concerns
Trump's proposal coincided with increased US interest in the Arctic, which is becoming more accessible due to climate change. The region holds vast mineral resources and potential shipping routes, making it a strategic hotspot. Trump's willingness to use force or economic pressure to acquire Greenland raised concerns among European allies, who feared a potential disruption to the stability of the Arctic.
Greenland's Independence Movement
Amid the controversy, Greenland's independence movement gained momentum. Greenland's Prime Minister Kim Kielsen and King Frederik of Denmark held talks to discuss the island's future. Kielsen emphasized Greenland's right to self-determination and expressed concern about Denmark's handling of the Trump proposal.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
Why did Trump want to buy Greenland? Trump reportedly wanted to acquire Greenland for military purposes, as it would give the US greater access to the Arctic region.
Can Denmark sell Greenland? Denmark cannot legally sell Greenland without the consent of the Greenlandic people. Greenland enjoys autonomy in domestic affairs and has a strong drive for independence.
Will Greenland become independent? Greenland's future status is uncertain. The island is seeking greater autonomy, but complete independence would require a referendum approved by both Greenland and Denmark.
What is the significance of the Arctic region? The Arctic is becoming increasingly accessible due to climate change. It holds vast mineral resources and potential shipping routes, making it a strategic geopolitical hotspot.
What is the history of Denmark's colonial rule in Greenland? Denmark has been in control of Greenland since 1814, but has gradually granted the island greater autonomy. There are allegations of colonial-era mistreatment, which have become a topic of debate in recent years.
China has rebuked India's support for the Dalai Lama's choice to be the sole selector of his successor, stating that India should tread carefully on Tibet-related issues to avoid damaging relations with Beijing. This comes after Indian Union Minister Kiren Rijiju made comments supporting the Dalai Lama's decision to choose his own successor, saying it is a matter of religious belief and not politics. China insists on their 'Golden Urn' procedure for selecting the Dalai Lama's successor and has warned India to stay clear of any commitments to the Tibetan spiritual leader.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign tour to Trinidad & Tobago has sparked interest in the upcoming Bihar assembly elections. During his visit, he praised the Indian community's contributions to the Caribbean country and made strategic remarks pointing towards the state's electorate. The cultural and spiritual ties between India and Trinidad & Tobago continue to deepen, with PM Modi presenting symbolic gifts to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and other Indian-origin leaders.
The Madras High Court has rejected an appeal filed by a group of medical aspirants in Tamil Nadu, seeking a re-examination of NEET UG 2025. The court noted that allowing the request would have a significant impact on over two million students across the country, who have already taken the exam. The bench, comprising Justice J Nisha Banu and Justice M Jothiraman, upheld an earlier verdict and dismissed the petition, stating that there were no significant issues with the overall conduct of the exam. It was also noted that an expert committee's statistical analysis found no significant difference in the number of questions attempted by students at the concerned centres, confirming that the alleged power outage did not impact their performance.
With origins in India, the ancient practice of yoga has gained global recognition for its holistic benefits on physical, mental, and spiritual health. Designated by the United Nations, International Yoga Day is observed on June 21, and this year's theme is "Yoga for One Earth, One Health." As the day approaches, here are some wishes, quotes, and slogans to share with loved ones to celebrate the journey of the self through the practice of yoga. Let yoga lead you to inner peace and a healthier, happier you.
In a disturbing instance of language vigilantism, former MP Rajan Vichare and his supporters beat and coerced a group of non-local traders into apologising for not speaking Marathi. The incident took place in Thane, where Vichare had summoned the traders to his office after a Marathi-speaking youth was allegedly abused and assaulted at the railway station. This raises concerns over the safety of traders and the growing trend of forcing the use of regional languages. Such incidents must be dealt with strictly to prevent further cases of language vigilantism.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was greeted with a traditional Bhojpuri Chautaal performance upon his arrival in Trinidad and Tobago for his first official visit to the Caribbean nation. During his visit, PM Modi also met with members of the Indian community and praised their contributions to the country's development. This visit marks the first bilateral visit to Trinidad and Tobago by an Indian Prime Minister in 25 years and highlights the strong cultural and historical ties between the two nations. Stay updated on this historic visit and other breaking news from India and around the world on News24.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarks on a two-day visit to Trinidad and Tobago, a country with strong ties to India due to the large Indian-descended population. Modi is welcomed by Trinidadian Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and will have meetings with the country's leaders. He will also receive the nation's highest honor and address parliament. While celebrations are expected, some have raised concerns about Modi's human rights record.
The confirmation of a 19-month-old child as Pakistan's 14th polio case of 2025 highlights the continued struggle to eradicate the disease in the country. The distrust in vaccinations caused by a 2011 CIA operation using a fake vaccination campaign to locate Osama bin Laden has hindered the efforts of health workers. This setback serves as a reminder of the long road ahead in eradicating polio in Pakistan.
Pakistan's efforts to seek membership in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have hit a snag as Indonesia and Singapore are likely to join India in opposing Islamabad's bid. This move is part of Pakistan's recent strategy to internationalise its issues with India, which New Delhi has consistently opposed. However, China's influence over Cambodia may tip the scales in Pakistan's favor.
A young man from Taiwan, identified as Zhang, had both his feet amputated after spending 10 hours in a bucket of dry ice as part of a fraudulent insurance claim. He and his accomplice, Liao, faked an accident and submitted insurance claims worth over NT$41.26 million. The shocking incident has led to charges of fraud and intentional self-harm, with the mastermind, Liao, being sentenced to six years in prison. The case has sparked outrage on social media over the lengths people will go to for financial gain.