Trump announces ‘infinite’ Greenland security deal with Denmark

Trump announces ‘infinite’ Greenland security deal with Denmark

3 hours ago

AFP

Denmark and Greenland both hailed the deal and said they would sign it on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York next week.

US president Donald Trump said the deal would bar Russia and China from setting up bases in Greenland. (EPA Images pic)

WASHINGTON:

US President Donald Trump said Friday that he had struck a deal with Denmark to give Washington “permanent control” over Greenland’s security that would bar Russia and China from setting up bases in the Arctic territory.

Since returning to the White House in January 2025, Trump has repeatedly insisted that Washington needed to control Greenland for strategic reasons, alarming Nato ally Denmark and sparking fierce pushback from the alliance.

Denmark and Greenland — an autonomous territory controlled by Copenhagen — both hailed the deal and said they would sign it on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York next week.

“I am pleased to announce that the United States of America has entered into an Agreement with The Kingdom of Denmark, and Greenland, that gives the United States permanent control over security, and all other needs, in Greenland,” Trump said on his Truth Social network.

“From now on, no US adversary can EVER have a base in Greenland, have a military presence in Greenland, or make sensitive investments in Greenland, without our express written approval.”

The 80-year-old said it was an “‘Infinite Life’ Agreement, there is no end!” and said Washington would immediately start building up a large military presence in the territory.

‘Good agreement’

Trump has repeatedly warned about Russia and China trying to establish a foothold in Greenland amid a strategic battle for supremacy in a warming Arctic, and the State Department left no doubt that they would not be allowed to do so.

“This agreement guarantees that China and Russia cannot have a base in Greenland, they cannot send troops to Greenland, and the necessary mechanisms are in place to prevent investment in sensitive sectors,” a State Department official said.

At the Davos economic forum this past January, Trump reached a purported deal with Nato secretary general Mark Rutte over the future of Greenland, the terms of which have remained vague.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen had said Monday that she was “optimistic” that ongoing discussions with the US and Greenland since January could resolve the dispute.

On Friday, she said she was “pleased that there is a prospect of a good agreement for Greenland, the Kingdom of Denmark and the United States,” adding that it was “good for Nato and Europe.”

Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said the deal with the US “strengthens” the territory’s security.

Nato tensions

Trump gave no details about how the deal would work, and it was not clear if it was linked to or substantially different from the Rutte deal.

But several media outlets have reported that the US wants to open three new military bases in southern Greenland, in addition to the Pituffik base it already has in the north of the territory.

A 1951 defence pact, updated in 2004, already allows Washington to ramp up troop deployments and military installations on the island provided it informs Denmark and Greenland in advance.

At the height of the crisis, Trump would not rule out using force to seize the territory of 57,000 inhabitants, sowing anxiety within the EU and Nato.

Since then, tensions have cooled somewhat, and in an apparent move to assuage Trump, Nato launched a new mission to bolster security in the Arctic.

***

I don't believe a single word of what he said, wakakaka

Archbishop of Canterbury withdraws award from Muslim cleric who praised Osama bin Laden

Archbishop of Canterbury withdraws award from Muslim cleric who praised Osama bin Laden

1 day ago
Aleem Maqbool

Religion editor


PA
Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi, left, is pictured accepting his award from Dame Sarah Mullally


The Archbishop of Canterbury has withdrawn an award given to a Muslim cleric who praised Osama Bin Laden.

Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi received the award for reconciliation and interfaith cooperation from Dame Sarah Mullally last week, on the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

Lambeth Palace faced a backlash after it emerged Ashrafi praised Bin Laden - the architect of the 2001 attacks - as someone who had "been fighting for Islam against the Russians, Americans and British", in comments from 2007.

Ashrafi also reportedly said he would give Bin Laden the title Saifullah, which means "Sword of God". He told the BBC his remarks had been "totally taken out of context".

Lambeth Palace now says "comments made by Imam Ashrafi have come to light that have led (us) to reconsider this award and we can now confirm that the award has been withdrawn".

In presenting the award last week, the Archbishop's office said Ashrafi was being honoured for "his outstanding work as an ambassador of interfaith harmony in Pakistan, known for his commitment to promoting religious tolerance".

His award was presented by Dame Sarah in a ceremony that coincided with the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks in the US in which nearly 3,000 people were killed.

Ashrafi told the BBC that his remarks had been "totally taken out of context" and the backlash had been "an unfair campaign" against him.

He said that he was only speaking about Bin Laden in 2007 in response to "the hurt felt by many Muslims" over a knighthood being awarded to the Satanic Verses author Sir Salman Rushdie.

But he defended the comparison he made between an author and a man who was behind the deaths of thousands of people.

Criticism of Ashrafi has gone beyond his comments about Bin Laden.

In giving him his award for promoting interfaith harmony last week, Lambeth Palace had cited the fact that Ashrafi had intervened in the 2012 case of Rimsha Masih, a young Christian girl in Pakistan falsely accused of blasphemy.

But Ashrafi has otherwise been supportive of Pakistan's blasphemy laws that have led to an estimated 2,000 people being prosecuted since the late 1980s.

They include a disproportionately high number of Pakistan's minority Christians and Ahmadis in particular, but many majority Sunni Muslims too.

Ashrafi claimed the blasphemy laws actually "save lives", stopping people taking matters into their own hands.

But Human Rights Watch said last year that "the laws perpetuate religious discrimination and are used to target the poor and minorities in unlawful evictions and land grabs".

Disturbing admissions from US Republican Congressman

Paul Keating


Disturbing admissions from US Republican Congressman

September 18, 2026


US submarines at HMAS Stirling, B-52 rotations through Tindal and deepening military integration are tying Australia ever more closely to US strategic priorities – including the prospect of war with China over Taiwan, Paul Keating writes.

The claim by Michael McCaul, a visiting US Republican congressman, that US nuclear submarines rotating through Western Australia under the AUKUS pact “could be carrying nuclear weapons” is a very disturbing indication that the West Australian naval facility, HMAS Stirling, will in all likelihood be hosting American nuclear weapons.

In playing down the concern that hosting American nuclear weapons would make Australia a target, McCaul informed us that in his view Australia “was already a target”. I don’t think the community of Perth will be taking comfort from this advice.

With a continent of our own and a border with no one, we would have to be dumbstruck, and go out of one’s way, to become a target for anyone.

In uppity schoolmaster posture, McCaul told us it was “absolutely critical” that Australia backed any US intervention to protect Taiwan in the event of a US strike.

Any thinking Australian will be obliged to immediately ask the question: why would Australia have any interest in putting its cities and communities at risk to act militarily in support of Taiwan?

I have said repeatedly over the years, and will say again – Taiwan is not an Australian interest, certainly not a vital Australian interest, certainly not one we would go to war over.

McCaul made reference to the security alliance between Australia and the United States, co-operation in major battles and membership of the Five Eyes intelligence network. None of these references, no matter how long-standing, would warrant Australia joining an ill-conceived American war with China over Taiwan – a war America would certainly lose. But having lost, scuttle itself back to San Diego, leaving Australia vulnerable to China for having participated in a military escapade against it and its military assets.

These days, wars are won not simply by bravery but by military manufacturing capability. For instance, China’s massive dual-use shipyards allow it to mass produce multiple naval craft simultaneously, launching up to 10 ships per year, whereas the old defence industrial base of the United States is limited to an average 1.5 to two ships per year. And in a real stoush, China would double or triple that number.

The key point is the shape of Asia can only be determined by Asia itself, and not by the application of US military force. MacArthur painfully learnt that lesson in Korea in 1950, and against a preponderantly peasant Chinese military. What hope would the US have now? And what mugs would we be, in being dragged into it.

But other foreboding military events also occurred this week.

The first of six nuclear-capable, likely nuclear-armed B-52 bombers were deployed to the upgraded RAAF base Tindal in the Northern Territory. This is the first permanent deployment of American major bombing aircraft to Australia since World War II. The kind of air power integration the defence minister, Richard Marles, was yodelling approvingly about in Washington with Secretary Hegseth two weeks ago. Marles made a virtue of the continuing and rapid integration of Australian and American military forces. And to nail the trend, this week the government gave Lockheed Martin a A$1.32 billion contract to advance and sustain its Joint Air Battle Management System – a project which will further tie Australia’s air and missile defence assets to those of the United States.

In other words, Australia is now getting locked in and locked up to the military prerogatives of the United States. And as its sovereignty is effectively being shredded, the process is being lauded by the defence minister, who is principally appointed to guarantee its protection.



Paul Keating


Paul Keating was the prime minister of Australia from 1991 to 1996.

Winter Is Coming: Saudis Warn European Refiners Of Crude Shipment Disruptions Next Month

Winter Is Coming: Saudis Warn European Refiners Of Crude Shipment Disruptions Next Month

by Tyler Durden
Friday, Sep 18, 2026 - 10:25 PM


Hopes earlier this week that Saudi Arabia could restore roughly half the capacity of its East-West pipeline and resume crude loadings for Europe faded by the end of the week. The pipeline bypasses the Strait of Hormuz and carries crude to a Red Sea export terminal, making its recovery critical to restoring disrupted shipments to the energy-stricken continent.

Bloomberg reports that Saudi Aramco told at least two European refiners they would receive no crude deliveries next month, with the decision reportedly extending to all European buyers.

The suspension would force refiners to secure replacement barrels elsewhere and bid up crude in international markets, potentially raising feedstock costs and adding pressure to Europe's petroleum products market ahead of the Northern Hemisphere winter, when already tight diesel and natural gas supplies leave limited room for further disruptions.

OECD countries in Europe imported 577,000 barrels a day of Saudi crude in June, according to the latest data from the International Energy Agency. That figure illustrates the scale of the disruption.

Some European buyers are already panicking and rushing to cover the shortfall. Poland's Orlen has issued more than 10 tenders this week seeking alternative supplies, highlighting the urgency of replacing contracted Saudi barrels before winter arrives.

The East-West pipeline shutdown following a drone attack earlier this month has dealt a major blow to an oil market that had already seen Brent crude futures exceed $100 a barrel.



Saudi Arabia had operated the 7 million-barrel-a-day route at full capacity since the start of the US-Iran conflict, as Iranian attacks on shipping brought traffic through the Strait of Hormuz to a near standstill. Those attacks have continued to this week.

The chaos in the Middle East prompted JPM's head of commodities, Natasha Kaneva, to write a wild note to clients on Thursday, warning:


"For the first time since the start of the Iran conflict, we don't have a baseline view. We simply don't know how to model the endgame."

Brent crude trades around $103 a barrel on Friday morning, while WTI trades at $101.

The US diesel crack spread trades around $112 as the global refining crisis raises the risk of "echoes of the 2008 gasoline shock," as recently explained by Bloomberg Intelligence senior commodity strategist Mike McGlone.

***

There's always Russian oil, for those who aren't too proud, wakakaka

Second tanker reported struck in the Strait of Hormuz

 

Iran war: Second tanker reported struck in the Strait of Hormuz

 Live

By Stephen Quillen, Barbara Angopa and Tracy J. Jawad

Published On 18 Sep 202618 Sep 2026

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• The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations says a tanker has been hit by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz. Earlier, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it struck a Togo-flagged tanker as it attempted an “illegal passage” through the strait.
• US President Donald Trump says he is nearing a major choice on whether to “annihilate” his Iranian foes, telling US media that “anything could happen” as he weighs his next move.
• Yemeni government forces said they killed 30 Houthi fighters and wounded 60 during clashes in the Al-Wazi’iyah district of Taiz.
• Tens of thousands of Iranians who have registered with volunteer units, or who wish to sign up, join a pro-government rally in Tehran, with drones and weaponry on parade.

5m ago

(13:42 GMT)

Blast reported at Syrian army site in Ayyash, Deir ez-Zor province

An explosion has taken place in Syria’s Ayyash area, located in the western Deir ez-Zor province, according to local media. The Deir ez-Zor governorate said the blast took place at a Syrian army weapons depot in the area.

EU maritime operation raised alert level of its ships after Houthi attacks: Foreign policy chief Kallas

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has said that the Iran-backed “Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia are unacceptable and sabotage the global economy.”

“Given the worsening security situation, EU Operation ASPIDES has raised the alert level of its vessels as it continues its escort duties,” she added.

Operation ASPIDES is a defensive EU maritime security mission launched in February 2024, to protect merchant shipping from Houthi attacks.

Kallas said she had spoken to the kingdom’s foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, “about diplomatic efforts to end the fighting in Yemen and restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz”.

“Maritime passage must be unimpeded and toll-free,” she added in a post on X. “Europe is helping protect shipping in the Red Sea from Houthi attacks.”

Kallas said she had spoken to Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud [File: Yiannis Kourtoglou/Reuters]

• 47m ago

  (13:00 GMT)

  Armed Israeli settlers attack and abuse farmers north of Hebron

  Armed Israeli settlers have attacked and assaulted farmers in the Wadi al-Shanar area, north of Hebron in the occupied West Bank, Wafa reports.

  The Palestinian news agency said a group of settlers, under the protection of Israeli forces, abused and detained several farmers as they were attempting to access their land in the area, east of the town of Halhul.

  The area is under particular threat from settlement expansion and is constantly subjected to settler attacks, Wafa noted, reporting an increase in the theft and destruction of crops, the uprooting and smashing of fruit trees, as well as demolitions and bulldozing of Palestinian land in the area in recent months.

• 1h ago

  (12:15 GMT)

  

  Across South Asia, 2 billion people face surging costs from distant war

  

  By Alia Chughtai

  India imports about 85 percent of the crude oil it consumes; it is the world’s third-largest crude importer.

  Before the war, Gulf producers, including Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait, were among its major suppliers, while Qatar was a leading source of liquefied natural gas (LNG). India has a more diversified supply network than its South Asian neighbours, with crude also arriving from Russia, Africa and the Americas.

  Pakistan is also highly dependent on imported energy, particularly crude oil, petroleum products and LNG. Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait have traditionally been important oil suppliers, while Qatar is its main long-term LNG provider.

  Bangladesh produces natural gas domestically, but increasingly relies on imported LNG as local production struggles to meet demand. Qatar is one of its main LNG suppliers, while the country also imports refined petroleum products.

  Read more here.

  

  (Al Jazeera)
• 1h ago

  (12:00 GMT)

  WATCH: Conflicts in Middle East push fuel prices in China to record highs

  Fuel prices in China are being driven ever higher as shipping in the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked.

  But China faces no immediate shortage, thanks to its large reserves and diversified import sources.

  Watch Katrina Yu’s report from Beijing:

  

  1:55

  China domestic crude: Conflicts in middle east pushed prices record high
• 2h ago

  (11:45 GMT)

  Two Palestinian women shot by Israeli forces at Gaza’s Nuseirat and Bureij refugee camps

  At least two women have been injured by Israeli gunfire in the Nuseirat and Bureij refugee camps in the central Gaza Strip, reported Wafa.

  The Palestinian news agency said the Al-Awda Medical Complex in Nuseirat reported the arrival of two injured women after Israeli forces fired at tents for displaced persons.