'Trump Is a Real Threat to World Peace' - Former NATO Chief

Jan 20, 2026 | Former NATO Secretary General and ex-Danish Prime Minister Anders Rasmussen has delivered a stark warning over Donald Trump’s threats towards Greenland, saying an attack on the Danish territory would spell the end of NATO and fundamentally undermine the Western alliance.

Speaking to Channel 4 News, Rasmussen has dismissed claims that Denmark has failed to defend Greenland, arguing that the United States already has the right to deploy troops and bases there under a long-standing defence agreement - one it has chosen not to fully use. He warns that Trump’s rhetoric risks eroding the transatlantic relationship and could destabilise the global order.


America is no longer really the leader of the free world. To start with, America is itself no longer free: on the contrary, it is well on its way to autocracy; so how can it be the leader of the free world? Secondly, the free world cannot be led by such a mentally imbalanced man as Trump. The man clearly has mental health issues. I am no medical doctor, but one doesn’t have to be: Trump’s actions and pronouncements SCREAM mental health problems! This geriatric truly has lost the plot. — © Mark Alexander

In Davos, the Rich Talk about ‘Global Threats’. Here’s Why They’re Silent about the Biggest of Them All

THE GUARDIAN: Economic inequality is at the heart of all humanity’s major problems, but the wealthiest refuse to confront a system that benefits them

This week, hundreds of government leaders, heads of state, and business executives are gathering at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos. They will be discussing solutions to the world’s biggest risks and problems.

But everything suggests that, once more, what will not be addressed at their meeting is the biggest threat to humanity and the planet: neoliberal capitalism.

All forms of capitalism are characterised by extensive private ownership of companies as well as the primacy of the profit motive. But the specific neoliberal form of capitalism that has risen to dominance from the late 1970s onwards has additional features: the privatisation of companies previously in public ownership; a shift in power from workers to capital owners; and reduced taxes on entrepreneurs and the richest.

The transition from mixed economies under social democracies to neoliberal capitalism has led to a notable increase of wealth concentration at the top, which is now eroding (and in some places even destroying) our democracies. The absence of a sustained discussion of neoliberal capitalism in elite circles is illogical, since it is the main cause of the other problems that will be discussed at Davos. » | Ingrid Robeyns | Monday, January 19, 2026

• Ingrid Robeyns is an economist and philosopher, and holds the chair in ethics of institutions at Utrecht University. Her most recent book is Limitarianism: The Case Against Extreme Wealth

‘Make America Go Away’: Spoof Maga Caps Soar in Popularity amid Greenland Crisis

THE GUARDIAN: Red caps are becoming a symbol of protest in Denmark as Donald Trump ratchets up the pressure on Greenland

Red baseball caps spoofing Donald Trump’s Maga hats have become a symbol of Danish and Greenlandic defiance against the US president’s threat to seize the frozen territory.

The caps reading “Make America Go Away” – parodying Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan – have gained popularity, along with several variants on social media and at public protests, including a weekend demonstration held in freezing weather in Copenhagen.

European governments are rallying behind Denmark and Greenland, citing the need to defend Arctic regions and warning that Trump’s threats against Greenland undermine western security. » | Associated Press | Tuesday, January 20, 2026

Italian Fashion Designer Valentino Dies Aged 93

THE GUARDIAN: His eponymous label is renowned for its opulent, elegant take on women’s fashion and has a legion of famous fans

Valentino Garavani, the designer central to pioneering Italian glamour with his eponymous fashion house, has died aged 93.

“Valentino Garavani passed away today at his Roman residence, surrounded by his loved ones,” his foundation said on Instagram on Monday. “Valentino Garavani was not only a constant guide and inspiration for all of us, but a true source of light, creativity and vision,” it added.

The designer’s body will lie in state at the foundation’s headquarters in Rome on Wednesday and Thursday, with his funeral due to take place in the Italian capital on Friday.

Italy’s prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, paid tribute, posting on X: “Valentino, undisputed master of style and elegance and eternal symbol of Italian high fashion. Today Italy loses a legend, but his legacy will continue to inspire generations. Thank you for everything.” » | Lauren Cochrane | Monday, January 19, 2026

'It's Farcical' | Putin Named to Gaza Peace Board as Ukrainians Freeze in Kyiv | Jimmy Rushton

Jan 19, 2026 | On today's episode of Superpowers, James is joined by Kyiv-based foreign policy analyst Jimmy Rushton to discuss the recent Russian attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure, Greenland, and Putin's appointment to the Gaza board of peace.

Trump Is Pushing the U.S.-Europe Alliance Onto a Precipice

THE NEW YORK TIMES: As President Trump tries to coerce European leaders over Greenland, they are pondering the unthinkable: Is an 80-year-old alliance doomed?

What happens to an 80-year-old diplomatic alliance when its leading power threatens a military invasion of one member, wages economic war on the others and vows to cultivate political and cultural resistance to their governments? Is the alliance doomed?

That question is being asked in capitals across Europe as leaders rush to respond to President Trump’s rapidly escalating campaign to acquire Greenland over the objections of the people who live there. At issue most urgently is whether resisting Mr. Trump’s territorial ambitions risks damaging Europe’s relationship with the United States beyond repair.

Some leaders — like President Emmanuel Macron of France and Lars Klingbeil, Germany’s finance minister — appear willing to take that risk, urging Europe’s nations to consider deploying an economic “bazooka” in response to Mr. Trump’s latest tariff threats.

Leaders from across Europe are expected to gather in Brussels this week to present a united response to Mr. Trump’s provocations. Veteran observers of European politics said the alliance between Europe and the United States that formed in the aftermath of World War II had already been fundamentally altered.

It is no longer an alliance designed primarily to advance the interests of like-minded democracies, they said. Instead, it is a relationship on Mr. Trump’s terms alone — one in which he wields the leverage that comes from American power to force Europeans to cater to his whims. » | Michael D. Shear | Reporting from Oxford, England | Monday, January 19, 2026

Internet en Iran : les autorités promettent un retour progressif à la normale dans la semaine

LE FIGARO : L’Iran a coupé le 8 janvier sans préavis et de façon inédite toute communication alors que se multipliaient les appels à des manifestations antigouvernementales initialement déclenchées par le marasme économique.

L'accès à l'internet mondial redeviendra progressivement possible en Iran à compter de «cette semaine», a assuré lundi un haut responsable iranien. Au 11e jour d'une coupure sans précédent décidée sur fond de contestation, « internet retrouvera progressivement un fonctionnement normal cette semaine », a déclaré à la télévision d'État Hossein Afshin, vice-président iranien chargé des sciences, des technologies et de l'économie du savoir. » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | lundi 19 janvier 2026

Trump’s Next Greenland Move Will ‘Blow the GOP to Bits’ | Scott Lucas

Jan 19, 2026 | Professor Scott Lucas joins The Trump Report’s Maddie Hale to discuss the US President threatening tariffs on EU allies, whether the Republican Party is divided over Trump’s desires to annex Greenland and the one move Trump could make that would “blow the GOP to bits”.

If it is true that the US wants to destroy the European Union, then the European Union must do everything in its power to destroy the US first. Bring the US to its knees! Be ruthless! Don’t pussy around! Act! By the way, it's beginning to look like Iran after the Revolution had the right idea after all! — © Mark Alexander

Greenland: Will Europe Fight Trump or Surrender

Jan 19, 2026 | Donald Trump wants Greenland - and he’s willing to use tariffs to get it. If European allies refuse to sell, the US president has threatened to escalate trade penalties, weaponising economic pressure rather than military force.

The proposal has sparked alarm across Europe, with some leaders calling for the EU to deploy its so-called “trade bazooka” in response.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has warned that a trade war benefits nobody.

Inside Portugal’s Tascas: Where Food Feels Like Home | Cheers & Chats Ep. 8 | Reupload

Oct 18, 2025 | Tascas are traditional, family-run taverns found across Portugal – known for generous portions, affordable prices, and a strong sense of community. But rising rents and changing lifestyles are putting them at risk. This video takes you inside one of the city’s most authentic Tascas to meet the people behind the food. Let’s visit João’s Tasca, a beloved neighborhood spot, to explore what makes these places so special and why they’re worth preserving. With insights from locals and food experts, this is a portrait of a culinary institution under threat.

Denmark's Foreign Minister 'Surprised' by Trump's Statement

Jan 19, 2026 | Denmark's foreign minister referenced the 'strong statement' from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and said it has given Denmark the belief that the UK and EU will stand behind the nation despite the consequences.

Speaking to Sky's political editor Beth Rigby, Lars Løkke Rasmussen said he was 'surprised' by President Donald Trump's statement - given the meeting he had with Vice President JD Vance and Marco Rubio.

"We made an agreement - the meeting we had last week left me with a clear impression that President Trump honestly wants to acquire Greenland but we also made it crystal clear that this is a red line". "It is not easy when we wake up everyday to new threats," he added.


Let’s face it: Trump is trash! — © Mark Alexander

Steve Schmidt: This Will Turn Catastrophic

Jan 19, 2026 | American politics is now flooded with lies so extreme they overwhelm reality. Steve Schmidt explains how lying has changed over the last quarter century and warns that the Trump regime has driven the country’s crisis into catastrophe.

Ich habe eine einzige, einfache Frage: Warum ist dieser Präsident umzingelt von „Bimbos", von Tussis? — © Mark Alexander

Stevie Wonder : I Just Called To Say I Love You | Reupload

Aug 7, 2018 | Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group | Views on YouTube: 97,555,079

Stevie Wonder : Isn't She Lovely | Reupload

Aug 7, 2018 | Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group | Views on YouTube: 100,256,367

Giorgio Armani Fall/Winter 2026-2027 Men's Fashion Show

Jan 19, 2026 | Watch the Giorgio Armani Fall/Winter 2026-2027 Men's Fashion Show live at 12:30pm CEST on Monday 19th January.

Rôti de veau lardé de bacon

Une capture d'écran tirée de cette recette dans Madame Figaro.
MADAME FIGARO : Gourmande et facile, la recette du rôti de veau lardé de bacon.

Pour la recette, cliquez ici.

Iran : le chef de la police lance un ultimatum aux manifestants pour qu'ils se rendent

LE FIGARO : «Les jeunes qui se sont retrouvés involontairement impliqués dans les émeutes sont considérés comme des personnes trompées, et non comme des soldats ennemis», a indiqué Ahmad-Reza Radan sur la télévision d’Etat.

Le chef de la police iranienne a donné lundi « au maximum trois jours » aux personnes « involontairement impliquées dans les émeutes » pour se livrer aux autorités, leur assurant qu'elles seraient alors traitées avec « plus de clémence ».

« Les jeunes qui se sont retrouvés involontairement impliqués dans les émeutes sont considérés comme des personnes trompées, et non comme des soldats ennemis », a ajouté Ahmad-Reza Radan sur la télévision d’État. L’Iran a été en proie à un vaste mouvement de contestation du pouvoir, déclenché le 28 décembre à Téhéran par des commerçants en colère contre le coût de la vie. » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | lundi 19 janvier 2026

What Level of Support Does the Exiled Son of Iran's Former Shah Enjoy in Iran Today? | DW News

Jan 19, 2026 | Hackers disrupted several Iranian state television channels and used them to broadcast messages of support for the country's exiled crown prince. Shared online videos show two clips of Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi and a message calling on security forces to not "point your weapons at the people." The hacking occurred amid a crackdown by Iranian authorities on widespread anti-government protests. Thousands of demonstrators have been killed in recent weeks, and an internet blackout is currently in place.

Der gefährlichste Mann in Trumps Regierung | Sandra Navidi

Nov 17, 2025 | Von allen einflussreichen Männern in Donald Trumps Regierung ist er vielleicht der mächtigste: Russell Vought. Als Direktor des "Office of Management and Budget" dirigiert und verwaltet er den Umsturz demokratischer Institutionen genauso wie die Angriffe auf soziale Einrichtungen und das Bildungswesen.

Wer ist der Mann, den Medien Trumps Schattenpräsident nennen? Und wie gefährlich kann er Amerika noch werden? Darüber sprechen wir mit US-Expertin und Autorin Sandra Navidi. In ihrem Buch "Die DNA der USA" beschreibt sie, wie es zu den aktuellen Umbrüchen in Amerika kommen konnte.

Ashish Prashar on World Leaders Responding to Trump’s Aggressive Assault on the Global Order

Jan 19, 2026 | Ashish Prashar joins Anthony Davis to discuss how world leaders are responding to Trump’s aggressive assault on the global order. The ‘No New War’ President who has stirred conflict in Gaza, Iran, Yemen and Nigeria. The true reason behind his attacks on Venezuela, Greenland and how NATO can respond without sabotaging the alliance - only on The Weekend Show.

ANTHONY DAVIS can be supported on Patreon here.

Europe Warns Trump of “Dangerous Downward Spiral” and Threatens Tariff Retaliation | BBC News

Jan 18, 2026 | European leaders have united in condemning President Trump’s threat of new tariffs against allies who oppose his plan to annex Greenland. A joint statement of European leaders said: “Tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral”. The statement, signed by the leaders of Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and Finland said: “We are committed to upholding our sovereignty.”

The UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, told the US president in a phone call that he was wrong to make such a threat against NATO allies.

The EU made clear it could impose retaliatory tariffs on American goods or even consider economic sanctions against the United States if the US tariffs were imposed. The head of the European Council announced an emergency summit and said the EU showed “readiness to defend ourselves against any form of coercion”.

Europe’s stance could place it on a collision course with the US. Trump has said he will place sanctions on eight European nations, including the UK, that have deployed troops to Greenland in response to US threats over its future. Jane Hill presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Nick Beake, Joe Pike, Faisal Islam and Katya Adler.


So much for the UK establishment and our Royal Family toadying up to Trump with that ridiculous and unprecedented second state visit. A fat lot of good it has done us! And think of the cost! Much good for the nation, especially for the needy and underprivilieged, could have been done with that wasted taxpayers’ money. Now, as a thank you, Trump is kicking us in the teeth. — © Mark Alexander

Grönland: Trump droht mit neuen Zöllen gegen europäische Staaten

Jan 18, 2026 | In seinem Bestreben, Grönland einzuverleiben, droht nun US-Präsident Donald Trump acht europäischen Staaten mit Strafzöllen, darunter Frankreich, Deutschland und Grossbritannien. Einschätzungen dazu von Fredy Gsteiger, dem SRF-Experten für internationale Sicherheitspolitik.

Donald Trump Links Threats to Seize Greenland to Nobel Prize Snub in Letter

THE GUARDIAN: US president says he no longer feels the need to think ‘purely of peace’ in letter to Norwegian prime minister

Donald Trump has linked his repeated threats to seize control of Greenland to the fact that he has not been awarded the Nobel peace prize in an extraordinary letter sent to the Norwegian prime minister, Jonas Gahr Støre.

The US president said in the letter – the authenticity of which was confirmed by Støre to the Norwegian newspaper VG on Monday – that after failing to win the prize, he no longer felt the need to think “purely of peace”.

“Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars PLUS, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace,” he said, adding he could now “think about what is good and proper” for the US.

Støre told VG that the letter had “come in response to a short message to President Trump from me earlier in the day, on behalf of myself and the President of Finland, Alexander Stubb”. » | Jon Henley, Europe correspondent | Monday, January 19, 2026

When Trump gets an idea in his head, he’s like a dog with a bone! — © Mark Alexander

US Reportedly Considers Granting Asylum to Jewish People from UK

THE GUARDIAN: Trump lawyer Robert Garson told the Telegraph he discussed refuge for those leaving UK over antisemitism

Discussions are reportedly under way within Donald Trump’s administration about the US possibly granting asylum to Jewish people from the UK, according to the Telegraph, citing the US president’s personal lawyer.

Trump lawyer Robert Garson told the newspaper that he has held conversations with the US state department about offering refuge to British Jews who are leaving the UK citing rising antisemitism.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Guardian.
Garson, 49, said he felt the UK was “no longer a safe place for Jews”. He added that recent events – namely an Islamist attack on a synagogue in Manchester and what he described as widespread antisemitism following the Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October 2023 – had led him to believe that British Jews should be given the option of sanctuary in the US.

Some supporters of Israel in the UK cast mass demonstrations there against the Israeli response to the 2023 attack, in which tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians were killed in Gaza, as motivated by antisemitism. » | Marina Dunbar | Sunday, January 18, 2026

Portugal Presidential Election: Socialist Party’s Seguro to Face Far-right Leader in Runoff

THE GUARDIAN: Moderate socialist Antonio Jose Seguro came out on top in the first round, followed by Andre Ventura of the far-right Chega party

Moderate socialist Antonio Jose Seguro came out on top in the first round of Portugal’s presidential election on Sunday, followed by the far-right leader Andre Ventura, and the two will face off in a runoff on 8 February.

In the five decades since Portugal threw off its fascist dictatorship, a presidential election has only once before required a runoff – in 1986 – highlighting how fragmented the political landscape has become with the rise of the far right and voter disenchantment with mainstream parties.

The presidency is a largely ceremonial role in Portugal but wields some key powers, including in some circumstances to dissolve parliament, to call a snap parliamentary election, and to veto legislation. » | Reuters | Monday, January 19, 2026

Ferraris for all and wine on tap: satirical candidate shakes up Portugal’s presidential election: The campaign by ‘Candidate Vieira’ mirrors the country’s growing anti-establishment sentiment »

High-speed Train Collision in Spain Kills At Least 21 | BBC News

Jan 19, 2026 | At least 21 people have died in a train collision in southern Spain and which also left dozens more injured, as authorities warned the death toll could increase in Spain's worst rail collision in more than a decade.

Carriages on a Madrid-bound train derailed and crossed over to the opposite tracks, colliding with an oncoming train in Adamuz, near the city of Córdoba.

Four hundred passengers and staff were onboard both trains, the rail networks said. At least 24 people were seriously injured in the collision, including four children, according to Andalusia's emergency services.


Un article connexe en français sur ce sujet est disponible ici.

Put European and Canadian Troops in Greenland to Deter US | Richard Shirreff

Jan 19, 2026 | "It's absolutely the future of NATO.”

Former NATO Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe General Sir Richard Shirreff tells Times Radio Europe and Canada should "call the bluff" and put troops into Greenland to deter "any aggression, whether Russian, Chinese, or indeed, American".

EU Can Weaponise Tech and Energy to 'Damage' America in Tariff Backlash | Oliver Moody

Jan 19, 2026 | “Europe can do a lot of damage to America, particularly in terms of financial services, tech, energy, arms exports.”

The question Europe will have to answer is how much hurt are they willing to shoulder in an attempt to deter Trump from further Greenland action, says The Times’s Oliver Moody.

Trump’s Greenland Threats Aren't Real, But They're Offensive: John Bolton | NewsNation Prime

Jan 19, 2026 | Former U.S. ambassador John Bolton criticizes President Trump’s escalating rhetoric on acquiring Greenland, possibly by military force, because of security concerns. “This is a tragedy that just unfolds day by day, causing us more and more harm,” Bolton tells “NewsNation Prime.”

Bleak Times in Copenhagen: Danes Feel Betrayed and Bewildered by Trump

THE NEW YORK TIMES: The American president’s vow to get Greenland, the semiautonomous Danish territory, has thrown the tiny, pro-American Nordic nation into crisis.

Henrik Bager, a Danish soldier who served with Americans in Iraq and Afghanistan, said President Trump’s vow to get Greenland from Denmark and his insults about Denmark’s military were “a punch to the gut.”

Rasmus Jarlov, a voluble center-right member of the Danish Parliament and the chairman of its Defense Committee, said that “we know full well that the Americans can destroy us,” but should Mr. Trump, who has not ruled out military force, attack a fellow NATO ally, “of course we will fight back.”

In the next breath, Mr. Jarlov said it was “absolutely so weird to be uttering something like that.”

Casper O. Jensen, a Danish pollster who has lived in the United States and calls it “close to his heart,” sounded like a jilted lover. “I thought we had a really good thing going on,” he said. “Apparently not.”

These are bleak times in Copenhagen, where Danes say they feel betrayed, bewildered and frightened by Mr. Trump’s threats to take over Greenland, the semiautonomous Danish territory and a source of national identity and pride. Greenland, 50 times the size of Denmark, has long made the tiny Nordic nation more of a player on the world stage.

“We’re not small when you add Greenland,” said David Trads, a political commentator and the author of three books on the United States, including his most recent, “America Turns the Clock Back.” “It makes us more important.” » | Elisabeth Bumiller | Photographs by Hilary Swift | Reporting from Copenhagen | Sunday, January 18, 2026

Présidentielle au Portugal : le candidat socialiste en tête au premier tour, le candidat d’extrême droite arrive en deuxième position

LE FIGARO : Antonio José Seguro est arrivé en tête du premier tour de l’élection présidentielle de dimanche au Portugal, suivi par le leader d’extrême droite André Ventura. Le premier ministre Luis Montenegro exclut de donner une consigne de vote pour le second tour, prévu le 8 février

Le candidat socialiste Antonio José Seguro est arrivé en tête du premier tour de l’élection présidentielle de dimanche au Portugal, suivi par le leader d’extrême droite André Ventura, selon deux sondages à la sortie des bureaux de vote réalisés pour les télévisions locales. Favori des sondages publiés avant le vote, le leader d’extrême droite André Ventura est arrivé en deuxième position du premier tour de l’élection présidentielle, se qualifiant ainsi pour le second tour. » | Par Le Figaro avec AFP | dimanche 18 janvier 2026

Whitney Houston, Enrique Iglesias : Could I Have This Kiss Forever

Dec 20, 2019 | Official Music Video for Whitney Houston, Enrique Iglesias - Could I Have This Kiss Forever. | Views on YouTube: 23,810,189

Espagne : un train à grande vitesse déraille en Andalousie, sept morts et 25 blessés graves

LE FIGARO : L’accident a eu lieu à Adamuz, dans la province de Cordoue. Un train à grande vitesse qui devait rejoindre Madrid a déraillé et est venu percuter un deuxième convoi.

Un train à grande vitesse espagnol a déraillé dimanche à Adamuz, dans la province de Cordoue, en Andalousie, ont annoncé les services de secours. L’accident a fait sept morts et 100 blessés, dont 25 graves, selon TVE, qui cite des sources policières. » | Par Adrien Bez avec AFP | dimanche 18 janvier 2026

Whitney Houston : I Wanna Dance With Somebody | Reupload

Oct 25, 2009 | Views on YouTube: 541,910,400

After Trump Reignites a Trade War Over Greenland, Europe Weighs Going All-Out

THE NEW YORK TIMES: Europe’s dependence on the United States for NATO security limits its options. Its strongest response could be retaliating with its own trade “bazooka.”

In a single post on Saturday night, President Trump upended months of progress on trade negotiations with an ultimatum that puts Europe on a crash course with the United States — long its closest ally and suddenly one of its biggest threats.

In the Truth Social post, Mr. Trump demanded a deal to buy Greenland, saying that otherwise he would slap tariffs on a group of European nations, first 10 percent in February, then 25 percent in June.

It appeared to leave little room for Europe to maneuver or negotiate in a harsh and combative era of geopolitics. It also left Europe with few options to counter Mr. Trump without repercussions.

European leaders are loath to accept the forced takeover of an autonomous territory that is controlled by Denmark, a member of both NATO and the European Union.

Officials and outside analysts increasingly argue that Europe will need to respond to Mr. Trump with force — namely by hitting back on trade. But doing so could come at a heavy cost to both the bloc’s economy and its security, since Europe remains heavily reliant on the United States for support through NATO and in Russia’s war with Ukraine.

“We either fight a trade war, or we’re in a real war,” said Jacob Funk Kirkegaard, a senior fellow at Bruegel, a research institute in Brussels. » | Jeanna Smialek | Reporting from Brussels | Sunday, January 18, 2026

Under absolutely NO CIRCUMSTANCES must we Europeans allow Donald Trump to annex Greenland, either forcefully or through commercial means. We Europeans must do WHATEVER IT TAKES, HOWEVER PAINFUL THE CONSEQUENCES, to retain Greenland in Denmark’s jurisdiction. Greenlanders do not want to be Americans, and their wishes must be respected, come what may. — © Mark Alexander

Iran Warns Attack on Khamenei Would Be Declaration of War

THE GUARDIAN: President issues warning amid speculation Donald Trump plans to assassinate or remove supreme leader

Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, warned on Sunday that any attack on the country’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, would be a declaration of war.

In an apparent response to speculation that Donald Trump is considering an attempt to assassinate or remove Khamenei, Pezeshkian said in a post on X: “An attack on the great leader of our country is tantamount to a full-scale war with the Iranian nation.”

The Iranian president also blamed the US for the protests that have rocked Iran over the last two weeks and led to thousands of deaths among demonstrators.

“If there are hardship and constraints in the lives of the dear people of Iran, one of the main causes is the longstanding hostility and inhumane sanctions imposed by the US government and its allies,” Pezeshkian said.

Trump, in an interview with Politico on Saturday, called for an end to Khamenei’s nearly 40-year reign, calling him “a sick man who should run his country properly and stop killing people”. » | Lorenzo Tondo and Deepa Parent | Sunday, January 18, 2026

'Remove Tariffs, Other Barriers': Ursula Corners Trump Hours After US Slaps Tariffs on EU Nations

Jan 18, 2026 | European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered a pointed message on global trade, calling for the removal of tariffs and other trade barriers just hours after the United States imposed new tariffs on EU nations.

Greenlandic Politician Shows Mirror to Trump over Island Invasion Plan: 'He Doesn't Know about...'

Jan 18, 2026 | A Greenlandic politician delivered a sharp response to US President Donald Trump’s controversial comments about Greenland, calling out his lack of understanding of the island’s people.

WIKIPEDIA: Tillie Martinussen »

The Hypocrisy at the Heart of the GOP’s Anti-LGBT Crusade | Best of Lincoln Square

Jan 16, 2026 | The Republican Party’s anti-trans panic isn’t about policy — it’s about unresolved rage and hypocrisy inside its own ranks. Rick Wilson and Stuart Stevens trace the hidden history of closeted gay power brokers in GOP politics and explain how self-hatred helped build today’s culture war. (Originally published March 24, 2025)

«Je me prépare à rentrer dans ma patrie» : Reza Pahlavi, l’irruption controversée d’un sauveur providentiel

LE FIGARO : PORTRAIT - Leader autoproclamé de la transition politique en cas de chute du régime, le fils en exil du dernier chah d’Iran suscite à la fois espoir et méfiance dans son pays d’origine.

Son nom est scandé à tue-tête par certains manifestants. Sa photo est même apparue, brandie au-dessus d’une foule, sur une place de Téhéran. Quarante-sept ans après la chute du chah, Reza Pahlavi s’est imposé comme l’un des visages de la contestation. Depuis le début des manifestations, le 28 décembre, le prince héritier en exil multiplie les apparitions médiatiques et s’imagine en homme providentiel d’un Iran post-République islamique.

« Je me prépare (…) à rentrer dans ma patrie pour être avec vous, grande nation iranienne, lorsque notre révolution nationale aura triomphé. Je crois que ce jour est très proche », lance-t-il, ce samedi 10 janvier, dans une vidéo publiée sur le réseau social X. Après deux jours de manifestations monstres dans les rues du pays, qu’il a personnellement encouragées, le fils du dernier monarque appelle désormais les Iraniens à sortir « munis de drapeaux, d’images et de symboles nationaux, afin d’occuper l’espace public », dans l’objectif de se « préparer à conquérir et défendre les centres-villes ». » | Par Delphine Minoui | dimanche 18 janvier 2026

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The True Story of the Jewish Pianist and the Nazi Officer Who Saved Him | Władysław Szpilman

Jan 16, 2026 | Władysław Szpilman was born in 1911 in Sosnowiec and trained as a pianist in interwar Warsaw, a capital city marked by a vibrant cultural life and the presence of a large Jewish community integrated into urban society. After completing his musical studies in Poland and Germany, he established his career as a performer and composer at Polish Radio, where he achieved national acclaim. On September 23, 1939, while Warsaw was being bombed, he performed a Chopin piece live; the broadcast was interrupted when the building was destroyed during the siege that followed the German invasion of Poland.

With the establishment of the General Government, administered by German authorities such as Hans Frank under the directives of the Reich, the city was subjected to a system of total control. The Jewish population was progressively isolated, confined, and deprived of resources. In 1940, the Warsaw Ghetto was established, where overcrowding, food shortages, and deportations defined daily life. Szpilman lost his family during the major operations of 1942, when most of the ghetto's inhabitants were deported to Treblinka. From then on, his survival depended on forced labor, hiding, and the help of Polish civilians on the so-called "Aryan side."

In 1944, after the Warsaw Uprising and the systematic evacuation of the city, Szpilman remained hidden among the ruins. It was there that he met Wehrmacht Captain Wilm Hosenfeld, who decided not to betray him and provided him with food and shelter during the winter. The entry of Soviet troops in January 1945 brought an end to the German occupation. In the postwar period, Szpilman resumed his musical work in Warsaw, left a written record of the city's destruction, and continued his career as a composer and cultural organizer until the end of the 20th century.

Hungary - A Roma High School | ARTE.tv Documentary

Jan 17, 2026 | In Hungary, discrimination against Roma people goes deep with 40% of Roma living below the poverty line and young people in the community often dropping out of school. The Ambedkar high school, run by headmaster Tibor Derdak tries to help Roma children who would otherwise fall through the cracks in the system.

EU Trade Chief: EU-South America Trade Pact Will Help 'Offset' Impact of US Tariffs | DW News

Jan 18, 2026 | The EU's trade chief says the bloc's new deal with South America’s Mercosur states will help "offset the negative consequences from the increased tariffs imposed by the United States."

Maros Sefcovic spoke to DW in Paraguay after signing the EU’s biggest ever trade deal, which officials hailed as a geopolitical milestone. But the ceremony was overshadowed by threats from US President Donald Trump to slap new tariffs on several European countries opposing his push to acquire Greenland.

Sefcovic said EU leaders were consulting on a joint response. "First and foremost, we again stayed very, very, clear on our principles for us, territorial sovereignty, integrity and international law are absolutely key principles," Sefcovic said, warning fresh US tariffs could trigger a "very dangerous downward spiral."

Sefcovic told DW formally approving an EU-US trade deal struck last year will be "very complicated" after Trump's latest announcements.

Thousands March across Europe over Mass Killings in Iran | DW News

Jan 18, 2026 | Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets across Europe to denounce mass killings in Iran. A human rights monitor says it has verified the deaths of more than 3,000 people during weeks of demonstrations and a violent crackdown on dissent inside the Islamic Republic. Now Iranian expatriates and their supporters are demanding an end to the cleric-run regime.

How the World Order Is Changing | The Global Story Podcast

Jan 15, 2026 | For most of the years since World War 2, many global powers said they adhered to a rules-based international order. Since Donald Trump returned to the White House that idea is falling away. But did it ever exist in reality? And what’s the alternative now?

The BBC’s International Editor Jeremy Bowen wraps up our week of special coverage.

Danes, Greenlanders Protest Trump Plan as EU Leaders Show Outrage over Tariff Threat | DW News

Jan 18, 2026 | US President Donald Trump has threatened to raise tariffs on eight European countries until they allow the US to BUY Greenland.

Trump posted on Truth Social that "starting on February 1st, all of the above-mentioned countries (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, The United Kingdom, The Netherlands, and Finland), will be charged a 10% Tariff on any and all goods sent to the United States of America."

European leaders have warned against what they call a dangerous downward spiral if the levies are implemented, with the EU's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas replying in a post, "China and Russia must be having a field day. They are the ones who benefit from divisions among allies.

If Greenland’s security is at risk, we can address this inside NATO. Tariffs risk making Europe and the United States poorer and undermine our shared prosperity." Meanwhile, thousands of people took to the streets in the Greenlandic and Danish capitals on Saturday against Trump's bid to take over the island.

US Speaker Mike Johnson Says 'Diplomatic Channels Are the Way to Go' over Greenland | BBC News

Jan 18, 2026 | The Speaker of the United States House of Representatives and Donald Trump ally Mike Johnson has told Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg that he doesn’t “foresee military intervention in Greenland” by America. He told the BBC “diplomatic channels are the way to go” when asked about how President Trump planned to acquire Greenland without military action and said his appointment of a Greenland envoy demonstrated that this intention. In an interview recorded before President Trump announced tariffs on the UK and other European countries in response to the Greenland row, Mr Johnson said Donald Trump was “playing chess” in his handling of the issue but that he hadn’t discussed it specifically with the president.

This little chap talks total bollocks! He’s trying tot o defend the indefensible. — © Mark Alexander