Nato allies have entered urgent crisis talks following former US President Donald Trump's renewed threats to impose tariffs on countries opposing American ambitions to annex Greenland. The escalating diplomatic row, described by one European Union diplomat as "blackmail," has prompted warnings from members including the UK of a potential "dangerous downward spiral."
European Diplomacy in Turmoil Over Arctic Ambitions
The tensions flared over the weekend as Trump continued to threaten retaliatory tariffs against Nato allies. This comes amidst protests in both Copenhagen and Nuuk, Greenland, where demonstrators waved Greenlandic flags in opposition to the proposed annexation. European Union diplomats are now engaged in emergency discussions, with analysts suggesting the bloc's previous strategy of appeasement towards the former president has failed.
World stock markets are reportedly bracing for significant turbulence in response to the geopolitical instability. In a related development, Reuters reports that Australia is among nations invited to join Trump's proposed "board for peace," further complicating the international landscape.
Scrutiny Over Carbon Credit Claims and Koala Conservation Paradox
Separately, climate campaigners are demanding an investigation into Aetium, an Australian carbon credit scheme. The company, which offers credits for solar panels and electric vehicles, faces allegations of potentially misleading customers, with critics labelling its offerings as "junk."
In environmental news, Australia faces a complex conservation challenge with its iconic koala. A paradoxical situation has emerged where koala populations are declining in north-eastern states but have become so overabundant in parts of Victoria and South Australia that they are causing severe defoliation and facing starvation. Experts indicate there are no straightforward solutions to this dual crisis.
National and International News Roundup
In domestic Australian affairs, political tensions are high as parliament returns for a special sitting. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has split his contentious hate speech and gun law omnibus bill in two in an effort to pass post-Bondi reforms, with Jewish leaders warning that the community remains at risk without strengthened laws.
On the world stage, Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian issued a stark warning that any attack targeting Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would be considered a declaration of war. Meanwhile, far-right members of Israel's ruling coalition have rejected a US-backed plan for Gaza's postwar governance.
In a positive development from the UK, scientists have created a simple DNA blood test to predict effective breast cancer treatment before it begins. In sports, Emma Raducanu advanced at the Australian Open, while Senegal faced Morocco in the Africa Cup of Nations final.
Other notable stories include a shark attack in Sydney's Vaucluse, a controversy over author Randa Abdel-Fattah's inclusion in the Adelaide Writers' Week program, and a report on the prevalence of ultra-processed foods in Western diets.
