Megaphone diplomacy with Trump only makes things worse for Greenland

Without knowing the precise contents of their conversations, it is difficult to say with certainty why Karoline Leavitt, as White House spokesperson and on behalf of Donald Trump, brought up the option of using military force to take over Greenland.

However, given the timing, it seems to have been a defiant – and typically touchy – response to the polite but firm “joint statement” issued by the leaders of Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and the UK. They declared nothing less than the legal and moral truth that: “Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland.”

Yet President Trump, fairly obviously, thinks it’s also a matter for the United States and, as he puts it, “national and international security”. Evidently, he was irked.

Of course, to some degree, what Ms Leavitt said about force was a truism: “Utilising the US military is always an option at the commander-in-chief’s disposal.” So it is – but the commander-in-chief has previously ruled out armed intervention; for example, in the case of Canada.

Ms Leavitt’s reference to force was pointed, and one to which the Greenlanders, Danes and Europeans have no adequate rejoinder. In terms of power, the United States can easily acquire Greenland, and most other places, without much difficulty. After the success of the Venezuelan mission – as well as the bombings in Iran and, to a lesser extent, the protection of Nigerian Christians – confidence in that capacity has grown. At the same time, inhibitions about breaking international law have evaporated.

One of Mr Trump’s senior aides, Stephen Miller, has been the most militantly outspoken member of the White House team on this point, no doubt reflecting Mr Trump’s own preferences: “The US is the power of Nato. For the US to secure the Arctic region, to protect and defend Nato and Nato interests, obviously Greenland should be part of the US … Nobody’s going to fight the US over the future of Greenland.”

All that European leaders can really do in the face of an America veering off into becoming a rogue state is to use reason and diplomacy to try and influence those elements in Washington that still understand the dangers that the ultras in the White House are entertaining.

Somehow, someone needs to talk sense to Mr Trump – and most effectively, that will be done privately.

The principal argument that needs to be put, unfortunately neglected in the joint statement, is that Greenland does not have to change its constitutional status in order for it to be defended to the satisfaction of the US. The Americans can already station as many missiles, as many troops, as many ice breakers and submarines, even, perhaps, nuclear weapons on this vast island to protect the American homeland from any conceivable attack or incursion.

As the European leaders did point out, Greenland is Nato territory, and increasingly important as the ice cap recedes and the waterways open up. If Mr Trump wanted, he could devise a scheme whereby Greenland, and Canada for that matter, could also be placed, for a fee, under the defensive “Golden Dome” he wants to cover the continental United States with, safe from Russian or Chinese rockets.

There is another puzzle that the president needs to be gently challenged about. Why is he so very concerned about Russian ships being “all over” Greenland when one of the main strategic goals of his foreign policy is to normalise relations with the Kremlin and do deals with Vladimir Putin, as with Ukraine?

What is the Russian threat? Why does America need to fortify Greenland from Russia if President Putin is President Trump’s (more or less) respected friend and partner? China is more of a regional challenger, but, as the Danes point out, they’ve kept Beijing well away from Greenlandic resource assets. It’s also true that states such as Canada, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland are also essential allies across the Arctic region.

The truth may be that Mr Trump is acquisitive by nature, and simply wants to take over Greenland to access its mineral resources as much as for its security benefits. Yet, within reasonable environmental limits, American companies could mine and operate on the island without it becoming US territory, and make money and enhance US energy security just the same. Greenland doesn’t have to become the 51st state of the union for economic development to proceed.

These are the kinds of arguments that can be pursued by America’s allies confidentially, through the usual channels. Mr Trump, more than most, is not amenable to “megaphone diplomacy”.

A figure such as the former defence secretary Sir Ben Wallace can accuse President Trump of trying to “thieve” Greenland’s mineral assets – and he’d be right. In an ideal world, Sir Ben would also be correct to say that the prime minister must be less “mealy-mouthed” in condemning his actions. But with Europeans woefully short of defence resources and still so dependent on America for weapons and technology, impugning the president would be counterproductive.

President Trump famously works through personal relationships and requires a degree of respect – if not outright deference. Diplomacy is the best route forward, and the preservation of Nato – until such time as Europe can look after its own defence – has to be the aim.

It is also a time for creativity and exploring whether an agreed change in the status of Greenland would be in the interests of all. Some kind of “free association” with the US, for example, or a “leaseback” of sovereign territory, could be a solution to those tensions.

In time, an independent Greenland might also emerge with its own ideas. None, though, would be sustainable without them being agreed by the Danish parliament and, most importantly, the people of Greenland through a referendum. For the time being, nothing should be done to weaken what remains of the Western alliance any further.

Former England manager Kevin Keegan diagnosed with cancer

Football legend Kevin Keegan has been diagnosed with cancer, his family has said.

In a statement published on Wednesday, his family said the former England international was recently admitted to hospital for “further evaluation of ongoing abdominal symptoms”.

“These investigations have revealed a diagnosis of cancer, for which Kevin will undergo treatment,” the statement continued.

“Kevin is grateful to the medical team for their intervention and ongoing care.

“During this difficult time, the family are requesting privacy, and will be making no further comment.”

The statement was released by Newcastle United, who Keegan both played for and managed and remains closely associated with.

Affectionately known as ‘King Kev’, he scored 204 goals in 592 appearances during an illustrious club career, and 21 goals in 63 international caps.

He began his playing career at Scunthorpe United before moving to Liverpool, where he won three First Division titles as well as two Uefa Cups, the FA Cup and the European Cup.

The 74-year-old later had spells at Hamburg – where he won the Bundesliga, was twice named European Footballer of the Year, and reached the European Cup final – and Southampton before he joined Newcastle.

He helped the Magpies secure promotion from the Second Division in his second season.

He retired in 1984 before moving into management, returning to Newcastle in 1992. Newcastle sealed promotion to the Premier League in his first full season, and he later took charge of Fulham, England, and Manchester City before a second spell with Newcastle in 2008, his most recent managerial role. That ended in a falling out with then-owner Mike Ashley and Keegan won a constructive dismissal case against the club.

Murderer who absconded from prison arrested after week-long manhunt

A convicted murderer and a second prisoner who absconded from prison on New Year’s Day have been arrested, police have said.

Matthew Armstrong, 35, and Daniel Washbourne, 40, left HMP Leyhill, South Gloucestershire, between 5pm and 8pm on 1 January.

Avon and Somerset Police said both Armstrong and Washbourne had been arrested on Wednesday.

Armstrong, who was convicted of murdering someone during a robbery in Warwickshire in 2009, was arrested by Warwickshire Police officers near Henley-in-Arden train station just before 12pm.

A member of the public had reported seeing Armstrong, who is now in police custody.

Washbourne, who has previous convictions for violence against a person and false imprisonment, was arrested in Bristol city centre at about 1.30am.

He was initially taken to hospital after officers found him with pre-existing injuries but is also now in police custody, a police spokesperson said.

The spokesperson added: “Armstrong has also been arrested on suspicion of robbery, in connection with an incident in a village near Leyhill, which happened at around 6.45pm on Wednesday December 31, the night before he absconded from HMP Leyhill.

“A man had forced his way into a home and threatened the occupants before stealing a mobile phone and a quantity of cash.

“Following this incident, we’ve carried out a number of inquiries, including interviews with the victims and house-to-house inquiries, which have led to Armstrong being arrested on suspicion of committing this offence.”

A third man, Aaron Thomas, was arrested by Avon and Somerset Police in Bristol on Saturday 3 January. The 39-year-old has since been charged with escaping lawful custody. He appeared before the magistrates on Monday 5 January and is set to next appear at Bristol Crown Court in February.

Snow-hit UK village experiencing ‘worst winter in 25 years’

A village in Aberdeenshire has seen 30cm (just under 1ft) of snow in “one of the worst winters in 25 years”, according to locals.

Doug Griffin, 58, has lived in Insch, Aberdeenshire, for 25 years, and said the weather conditions – which have caused the village to be cut off – are “remarkable” and “exceptional”.

He said that while residents are used to snow, the drifts on Wednesday were currently 30cm (just under 12in) deep, and had been higher on Tuesday before they thawed.

Mr Griffin, a father-of-two who works from home for the North Sea Transition Authority, said that on Tuesday the drifts had been around 50cm deep.

He said that a snowplough had cleared the entrance to the local Co-op, which he photographed on Tuesday evening with piles of snow reaching almost to the roof.

Mr Griffin said: “It has been a long time since we have had anything like this; it is very different here.

“We moved up to the northeast 25 years ago. The first winter was quite bad, 2010 was quite bad, but this might be the worst.

“I was going round to the Co-op to get some stuff, and it took my breath away.

“They ploughed the road, I think they had cleared some of the car park.

“I think there’s about 30cm of snow lying everywhere at the moment.

“It is slightly wetter today, and I think some of the snow in Aberdeen has gone.

“At my front door, the depth is about 30cm. We are snowed in. We have not been able to get out of the village for a few days.”

He said that a snowplough had cleared the road on Monday, but that delivery lorries struggled to reach the village due to being around two miles from the A96, and compared the situation at the local supermarket to the food shortages during the pandemic.

Mr Griffin said: “The snow is not going away, it is going to be well below freezing. It looks like it may be milder next week.

“There has been nothing like this since 2010 – it is quite remarkable. It makes it really difficult to do anything.

“There were people getting frustrated last night because the shop hadn’t stocked up. We are not used to it. We do get snow, but it is nothing like this – it is exceptional.

“People are helping each other out. My wife has been to see our elderly neighbours. I think it’s a bit like Covid – a lot of the shelves are completely empty.

“Lorries can’t get to the Co-op as they can’t get to the road. Insch is about two miles from the A96 – when they turn into places like this, they can’t get in.

“It has not been the start of the year we would have wanted.”

Britain’s nuclear threat can’t deter Putin, ex-military chief warns

The UK and its Nato allies must upgrade their military capabilities if the coalition of the willing in Ukraine is to be a successful deterrence against Vladimir Putin, a former military chief has warned.

In a damning report for the Policy Exchange thinktank, Sir Jock Stirrup, a former Royal Air Force commander and chief of defence staff, said the UK has been hamstrung by an “outdated nuclear doctrine” and needs to recognise that deterrence relies “on a spectrum of capabilities, not just nuclear weapons themselves”.

It recommends that the UK and its allies restart large-scale military exercises with a nuclear element to demonstrate that there could be a “slide” into full nuclear war as a “cognitive deterrence” to Russia, China and others.

It comes as Sir Keir Starmer announced that the UK will deploy peacekeeping troops alongside France to Ukraine if a ceasefire is agreed with Russia.

The prime minister, who ducked making a statement to the Commons on the plan, has refused to say how many armed forces personnel could be sent to the wartorn country and conceded that MPs would get to vote on the deployment first. According to reports, the UK force could be as few as 7,500 troops.

However, Sir Keir has been warned by Sir Richard Shirreff, who served as Nato’s deputy supreme allied commander in Europe, and ex-defence secretary Gavin Williamson that he would need at least 50,000 troops in Ukraine to deter Putin from attacking again, with the UK army currently totalling fewer than 80,000.

The international situation heated up on Wednesday with the seizure of the Russian-flagged oil tanker, Bella 1, which was linked to Venezuela, by the US with the help of the UK.

Posting on social media, the US European Command confirmed the seizure and said it was due to “violations of US sanctions”, following a two-week pursuit across the Atlantic Ocean, in a move that could see Donald Trump risk a dispute with Mr Putin.

Sir Jock’s report – named The Deterrence Theory of Sir Michael Quinlan – was co-authored with the co-ordinator of Policy Exchange’s Nuclear Enterprise Commission, Daniel Skeffington.

They claimed: “It is clear that western powers failed to deter Russian aggression in Ukraine because they failed to exercise deterrence in terms that are meaningful to its leaders.”

They noted that the UK had become reliant on submarine-based nuclear deterrents, but warned: “Deterrence works as a ‘package’: in deterrence theory there is no clear divide between nuclear and conventional weapons. Deterrence, therefore, rests on a spectrum of capabilities, not just nuclear weapons themselves.”

They added: “Deterrence cannot be based simply on possessing capabilities; it must be accompanied by the demonstrable ability and will to use them.”

Policy Exchange’s paper also argues that Britain’s intellectual capacity for thinking about nuclear weapons, which was once at the forefront of allied deterrence doctrine, has significantly degraded since 1989. As the security environment has steadily worsened, this has created gaps which have been exploited by the UK’s adversaries, it said.

The paper noted: “In the last twenty years, of course, the evidence of President Putin’s aggressive expansionist intent and the rapid development of China’s nuclear capabilities have brought us full circle to the consideration of deterrence between states and alliances.”

The broad concerns outlined in the report come as the UK and European allies are reconsidering their defence footprints and expenditure.

Sir Keir has set an ambition of spending 3.5 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on defence and security, and urged other allies to follow suit, with Donald Trump making it clear that the US expects Europe to pay for its own defence in the future.

Threats by Mr Trump to take Greenland from Denmark, with the US refusing to rule out using military action to seize the territory, as well as the situation in Ukraine, have forced European leaders to reconsider their reliance on the US for defence.

However, concerns are being raised over the UK and France’s capabilities to guarantee peace in Ukraine.

Sir Richard Shirreff, who served as Nato’s deputy supreme allied commander in Europe between 2011 and 2014, said allied forces would need at least 50,000 troops in Ukraine to deter an attack from Russia.

Meanwhile, former defence secretary Gavin Williamson warned that a token number would not be enough and said that the UK would need an equivalent of “the army of the Rhine” of more than 40,000 stationed in West Germany after the Second World War as a Cold War deterrent.

Downing Street sources said that they expect other countries to get involved, with Germany already suggesting it too will sign up to the coalition of the willing force.

Inside the living traditions of the Pyrenees of Catalonia

The Catalan Pyrenees is rightly celebrated as one of Europe’s great year-round adventure playgrounds. The region is packed with the kind of sensational ski resorts that make it one of the continent’s great winter destinations, and when the snow melts it transforms into a green, lake-dotted hikers’ idyll. What’s less well-known is that beyond the famous trails and peaks, the hills of Catalonia contain towns and villages alive with tradition, where the people enthusiastically maintain vibrant cultural practices some of which stretch for hundreds of years.

Take, for example, the Patum of Berga, a tradition that’s been celebrated annually during the feast of Corpus Christi for more than six centuries. Originally staged to teach people about the Holy Scriptures, the Patum has evolved over time into an intense and riotous carnival, which always lives up to its former name: Bullícia del Santíssim Sagrament (frenzy of the Blessed Sacrament). These days, locals crowd the streets to watch processions and performances featuring drummers and Guites (figures with a dragon’s head, giraffe’s neck, mule’s body, and horse’s tail), angels and mace-wielding demons, giants dancing to traditional Catalan melodies, and simulated battles in which the heroes always triumph. Because of the annual differences in the Easter cycle, it doesn’t have a fixed date but always takes place between the end of May and the end of June (in 2026, the main festival runs June 3rd-7th).

Similarly raucous is the fiery summer Fallas festival in the high Pyrenees, which celebrates the summer solstice. The festivities take places in 17 villages, each of which has a slightly different tradition but all of which involve young people lighting two-metre-long flaming torches on high points in the mountains. They then walk towards their villages, dancing and drawing patterns with the lighted torches, guided by a local leader, until they reach a bonfire in the central square, which they light with the torch and traditional dances are performed.

Fire is a consistent theme across many of the longstanding traditions of the Catalan Pyrenees. Over in the village of Les in the Val d’Aran, Falles are quite different. The Crema de Eth Haro, which takes place on the eve of Saint John’s Day at the end of June, involves the burning of a tall fir tree trunk that was planted the year before. While the trunk burns, young people spin balls of fire called halhes (made of cherry bark and wire), the sparks of which are thought to bring the fire to every corner of the village.

The region is also home to some rich culinary traditions with long histories. Take, for example, the Carnaval de Solsona, a quirky, nine-day celebration where giant puppets parade through the streets, pranks unfold in the squares, and the whole town gathers for communal meals. Alongside the playful chaos, locals come together to share hearty winter dishes and regional specialities made from Solsonès produce, from rich stews to pork-based favourites. It’s a festival that blends satire, pageantry and food, bringing generations together around long tables in the main square to celebrate community, seasonality and the enduring flavours of the region.

For those looking for a rich sense of lived history, the Pyrenees of Catalonia are not just about festivals and food, the buildings are magnificent too. For an astonishing insight into life in the 12th and 13th Centuries, head to the beautifully preserved Romanesque churches in the Vall de Boí, near the border with Aragon. In all of Europe, Catalonia has perhaps the greatest collection of Romanesque murals; some of them in the National Art Museum of Catalonia in Barcelona, others in situ in these nine stunning churches. Don’t miss Sant Climent de Taüll, which was consecrated back in 1123; its atmospheric interior and beautiful tower are a portal to distant time through video mapping.

Plan your sustainable trip to the Pyrenees of Catalonia at visitpirineus.com/en

Drivers warned not to drink at all as limit set to be slashed in England and Wales

Pubgoers who want to drive shouldn’t drink any alcohol at all, the government has said, after announcing plans to tighten the drink-drive limit in England and Wales as part of a new road safety strategy.

The strategy – which is the first of its kind in more than a decade – aims to reduce deaths and serious injuries on Britain’s roads by 65 per cent by 2035, and by 70 per cent for children under 16.

The drink-drive limit in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is currently 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath, which is the highest in Europe alongside Malta.

Under the strategy, this may be reduced to 22 micrograms in England and Wales, bringing those nations into line with Scotland, which cut its drink-drive limit in 2014.

The strategy also proposes to require some convicted drink-drivers to have alcolocks fitted to their vehicles, and new powers to suspend driving licences for people suspected of drink or drug-driving offences.

While the blood alcohol limit has not been cut to zero, transport minister Lilian Greenwood urged pub-goers to leave their cars at home or have an alcohol-free beverage.

Asked whether people should just not drink at all if they want to drive, Ms Greenwood told Sky News: “That’s probably the best advice. If you’re going to drive, don’t have a drink. If you want to have a drink, leave your car at home.”

She added: “I’ve sat down with numerous families over the last 18 months, and they’re asking us to take action. Last year, 260 people were killed as a result of drink driving. That’s unacceptable.”

But she insisted that plans to tighten the drink-drive limit do not aim to stop people having a “great night out”.

“We don’t want to stop people from going to the pub and having a great night out. What we’re just saying is don’t take your car,” Ms Greenwood told Times Radio.

“So that might mean that you know, some places you’ll be able to take a bus or a taxi.

“In other places, you’re going out with a group of mates, one of you agrees to be the designated driver.

“I know from working with the pub trade, how many great low alcohol drinks there are out there now, most of our favourite brands produced in a low alcohol version, so people have lots of opportunities to do something, to choose a different drink when you want to go out and you know, and enjoy yourself in the pub.”

She also said there was evidence from Scotland cutting its drink drive limit that it did not have a “significant impact” on the pub trade.

Other planned measures to be consulted on include introducing mandatory sight tests once drivers reach 70, a minimum learning period for new drivers, and a crackdown on uninsured drivers and illegal number plates.

This is understood to include cosmetic enhancements to plates that don’t meet industry standards.

Learners could also have to wait six months between their theory test and practical driving test as part of the plans. It is understood the government believe this could lower the backlog, as drivers are better prepared to pass first time.

The Department for Transport (DfT) said 22 European countries have made “more progress than the UK” in reducing road crash deaths.

The number of people killed on Britain’s roads has generally declined since the 1970s, but the decrease has slowed since 2010.

There were 7,763 road deaths in 1972, 1,850 in 2010 and 1,602 in 2024.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “Every life lost on our roads is a tragedy that devastates families and communities.

“For too long, progress on road safety has stalled. This strategy marks a turning point. We are taking decisive action to make our roads safer for everyone, from new drivers taking their first lessons to older motorists wanting to maintain their independence.

“The measures we are announcing today will save thousands of lives over the coming decade.”

The DfT said some drink-drive offenders may be required to have alcolocks installed in their vehicles as a condition of being allowed to drive again – devices which prevent a vehicle from being started or driven unless the motorist passes a breath test.

They are already used in several countries – such as Australia, Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands and the US – in return for shorter driving bans.

Officials hope introducing sight tests for drivers aged 70 and above will help protect all road users.

Drivers are currently not subjected to mandatory tests once they obtain their licence, no matter how old they become, although they are required to inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) if they are no longer fit to drive.

AA president Edmund King described the strategy as a “radical reframing of road safety”, while RAC road safety spokesperson Rod Dennis said it “can’t come soon enough” as he particularly welcomed the long-awaited reintroduction of casualty reduction targets and the possible use of alcolocks.

Nicholas Lyes, director of policy and standards at charity IAM RoadSmart, said the measures are “robust policies to make our roads safer” following a “lost decade” in reducing deaths and serious injuries from crashes.

Karen Tyrell, chief executive of charity Drinkaware, said the proportion of drink-driving collisions which cause fatalities has nearly doubled since 2015, so it is “vital that this change is coupled with strong enforcement”.

Trump lashes out at Nato after criticism of US military ambitions

President Donald Trump has lashed out at Nato after the alliance made several critical comments about US military ambitions in recent days.

The US leader said that if it weren’t for his involvement “Russia would have all of Ukraine right now”, adding that Russia had “zero fear of Nato” without the support of the US.

“Without my involvement, Russia would have ALL OF UKRAINE right now,” he wrote in a post on Truth Social on Wednesday.

“Russia and China have zero fear of Nato without the United States, and I doubt Nato would be there for us if we really needed them.”

He continued: “Everyone is lucky that I rebuilt our military in my first term, and continue to do so. We will always be there for Nato, even if they won’t be there for us.”

It comes as President Volodymyr Zelensky said he hoped to meet Trump very soon, possibly in Washington DC, as peace talks continued in Paris.