All posts tagged: independence movement

After Venezuela, Donald Trump points a finger at Greenland

After Venezuela, Donald Trump points a finger at Greenland

DONALD TRUMP’S appetite in the western hemisphere appears insatiable. Just a day after snatching Nicolas Maduro, Venezuela’s strongman leader, Mr Trump set his sights on his next target: Greenland. “We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security,” the president told reporters aboard Air Force One on January 4th. The MAGA machine stepped into gear. Katie Miller, wife to the president’s influential adviser Stephen Miller, posted a map of Greenland overlaid with the star-spangled banner and a caption reading: “SOON”. PREMIUM President Trump speaking in Florida after the Venezuela incursion. Greenland and Denmark, and much of Europe, are in shock. A year ago, Mr Trump’s threats against the self-governing Arctic territory of 56,000 people, which is part of Denmark, elicited mostly derision and distaste among European leaders. This time is different. “Enough is enough,” responded Jens-Frederik Nielsen, Greenland’s prime minister. “No more pressure. No more innuendo. No more fantasies about annexation.” Mette Frederiksen, Denmark’s prime minister, implored Mr Trump to drop the threats, adding that they “should be taken seriously”. European countries quickly closed ranks: …

France imposes emergency in Pacific territory of New Caledonia as violent unrest turns deadly | World News

France imposed an emergency Wednesday in the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia for at least 12 days, boosting security forces’ powers to quell deadly unrest in the archipelago where indigenous people have long sought independence. Armed clashes and other violence that erupted Monday following protests over voting reforms have left four people dead, including a gendarme, and injured more than 300, French authorities said. French military forces were being deployed to protect ports and airports, to free up police and security forces battling looting, arson and other violence, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announced as the emergency measures kicked in at 8 p.m. Paris time, which was 5 a.m. Thursday in New Caledonia.“Nothing can ever justify violence,” Attal said. “Our absolute priority for the next few hours is the return to order and calm.”The emergency measures give authorities greater powers to tackle the violence, including the possibility of house detention for people deemed a threat to public order and expanded powers to conduct searches, seize weapons and restrict movements, with possible jail time for violators. …