Author: Emily Harper

A message attributed to U.S. President Donald Trump tied his push for control of Greenland to the fact that he did not receive the Nobel Peace Prize last year, according to two European officials who described the note’s contents. The officials said the message was sent to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and circulated among European diplomats in Washington. In the message as relayed by the officials, Trump referenced “8 Wars” he said he had stopped and suggested the Nobel decision changed his posture, adding that peace would remain “predominant” while giving him latitude to pursue what he viewed…

Agreement Signed After Decades of Negotiations The European Union and Mercosur formally signed a long-negotiated free trade agreement in Asuncion, Paraguay, on Jan. 17, 2026, closing a process that stretched more than 25 years. The deal is designed to deepen commercial links at a time of widening trade frictions and a broader shift toward protectionist policies in multiple regions. Mercosur comprises Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Bolivia, although a newer member of the bloc, is not included in the current agreement but could potentially join later, while Venezuela remains suspended and outside the pact. The agreement still requires approval in…

A Historic Return to the Launch Pad NASA has taken a major step toward restoring human missions beyond low Earth orbit as its most powerful rocket was transferred to the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center. The move marks a critical milestone in preparations for the first crewed lunar flyby in more than half a century, signaling a renewed push to extend human exploration deeper into space. The massive Space Launch System rocket, topped with the Orion crew capsule, was slowly transported from the Vehicle Assembly Building to the pad using a heavy-duty crawler originally designed for the Apollo and…

Revolut, the London-based financial technology company, said it has applied for a full banking license in Peru, positioning the Andean nation as the firm’s latest entry point in a broader regional expansion. The move represents Revolut’s fifth planned market expansion in Latin America, following previously announced intentions to build a presence in Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, and Argentina. The company, valued at about $75 billion, has framed its expansion strategy around accelerating growth in higher-potential markets while broadening its product suite beyond its core app-based offerings. In announcing the Peruvian filing, Revolut described the license application as part of a longer-term…

Federal Response Intensifies as Unrest Grows Tensions in Minnesota have entered a new phase as the Pentagon ordered roughly 1,500 troops to prepare for a possible deployment to the state. The move comes amid sustained protests directed at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations following the fatal shooting of a Minneapolis woman by an ICE officer. While no final order has been given to send troops onto the ground, the directive places military units on heightened readiness as the federal government weighs its next steps. Two battalions from the 11th Airborne Division have been instructed to prepare in case presidential…

A Diplomatic Shift in a Tense Global Climate Canada has taken a significant step toward redefining its relationship with China, signaling a clear diplomatic pivot as tensions with its traditional ally, the United States, continue to shape Ottawa’s foreign policy calculations. During a high-level meeting in Beijing, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to pursue what both sides described as a new strategic partnership designed to stabilize trade ties and expand cooperation in key economic sectors. The visit marked the first time in several years that a Canadian leader traveled to China, underscoring how far…

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada will reduce its 100% tariff on Chinese electric vehicles as part of an exchange for lower Chinese tariffs on key Canadian farm exports, announcing the arrangement after two days of meetings in Beijing. Carney described the recent trajectory of ties as “more predictable,” arguing the latest steps show measurable outcomes after a period of strained diplomacy and trade friction. The announcement followed Carney’s meetings with senior Chinese officials, including a Friday session with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People. Carney’s trip marked the first visit to China by…

The ultra-large Disney Adventure has made a short call in the United States while repositioning from Europe to Asia, arriving at Port Canaveral, Florida, on January 15, 2026. Port officials indicated the vessel is scheduled to remain alongside until January 27, a stop of roughly 12 days, before resuming its delivery voyage toward Singapore, which is slated to become the ship’s year-round homeport. After departing Germany on January 4, the ship crossed the Atlantic with a brief stop in Freeport, Bahamas, on January 14, and then continued to Florida. The planned onward route from Port Canaveral includes a Panama Canal…

A Landmark Stadium Returns to a Historic Site Plans have been unveiled for a monumental new stadium in Washington, D.C. that would bring the Washington Commanders back to the former RFK Memorial Stadium site along the Anacostia River waterfront. The proposed venue is designed as a major civic landmark, carefully aligned with the U.S. Capitol and the Washington Monument in accordance with the historic L’Enfant Plan, which shaped the capital’s original layout. The project envisions a roofed stadium with capacity for approximately 70,000 spectators. Its exterior features white vertical lamellas that echo classical and Greco-Roman colonnades, reinforcing a visual connection…

A New Cultural Landscape Beyond the Museum Walls The Rijksmuseum is preparing a major expansion of its public presence by creating a large-scale sculpture garden that will extend the museum experience beyond its historic building. The new open-air complex, known as the Don Quixote Pavilion and Garden at the Rijksmuseum, will introduce a freely accessible cultural landscape in the heart of Amsterdam, combining modern and contemporary sculpture with landscape design and architectural reuse. This initiative represents a significant shift in how the Rijksmuseum engages with the public. Instead of limiting encounters with art to interior galleries, the museum is opening…