Donald Trump indicated that the UK's decision to cede the Chagos Islands to Mauritius is a factor in his interest in acquiring Greenland. Speaking from Davos, Switzerland, Trump utilized his Truth Social platform to criticize the UK's plan to transfer Diego Garcia, a US military base site, to Mauritius. He also released private text messages from French President Emmanuel Macron and NATO's Mark Rutte, reaffirming his view that acquiring Greenland is crucial for national and global security.
MLK Day Observances and Social Tensions
Martin Luther King Jr Day was observed across the US with parades and services. The celebrations occurred amidst concerns regarding racial and social equality and the Trump administration's actions in Minneapolis. Rev Al Sharpton, at a Harlem rally, referenced the death of Renee Good, who was killed by an immigration officer in Minneapolis, and criticized the potential deployment of national guards and additional ICE agents. Wisdom Cole of the NAACP highlighted increased fears within diverse and immigrant communities, noting an urgent tone for observances due to perceived increases in police and state violence. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani discussed inequality as an economic issue at the Brooklyn Academy of Music's annual event.
Kristi Noem's Statements on Minneapolis Enforcement
Kristi Noem initially denied that federal agents were using chemical agents against protesters in Minneapolis. After being presented with video evidence, she stated that her department only uses such agents in situations involving violence to maintain order. These comments were made as tensions remained high following the Trump administration's deployment of federal officers to the city for "Operation Metro Surge." A federal judge had previously ordered federal law enforcement to cease using pepper spray against peaceful protesters.
Other News Items
- Brooklyn Peltz Beckham reportedly severed ties with his family via social media.
- The aurora borealis was expected to be visible across Canada and northern US states due to a significant magnetic field disturbance.
- A UPS driver rescued a centenarian woman from a burning home near Los Angeles.
China's Population Decline
China's population decreased for the fourth consecutive year in 2025. Registered births fell to 7.92 million, a 17% reduction from the previous year and the lowest recorded rate since 1949, despite policies aimed at increasing birth rates.
Cultural and Climate Updates
- A review of "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms," a Game of Thrones spin-off, was published.
- An article by Stefan Merrill Block detailed his experience with unregulated homeschooling in 1990s Texas.
- Research indicates that Antarctic penguins have significantly altered their breeding season, a change attributed to climate change, posing potential threats to their food access and survival.
"Make America Go Away" Caps
Red baseball caps parodying Donald Trump's "Make America Great Again" hats have become a symbol of Danish and Greenlandic opposition to the US president's proposed acquisition of Greenland. The caps, which read "Make America Go Away" and "Nu det NUUK!", gained popularity on social media and at protests.