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Philippines ex-President arrested on ICC warrant over drug killings

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Philippines ex-leader Duterte

Philippine police have arrested former president Rodrigo Duterte after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant accusing him of crimes against humanity over his deadly “war on drugs”.

The 79-year-old was taken into police custody shortly after his arrival at Manila airport from Hong Kong on Tuesday.

Latest reports from local media say he is on board a private jet on the airport tarmac. Earlier, his daughter said he was being “forcibly” sent to the Hague in the Netherlands, where the ICC sits.

A press conference from the presidential palace is expected soon.

Duterte has offered no apologies for his brutal anti-drugs crackdown, which saw thousands of people killed when he was president of the South East Asian nation from 2016 to 2022, and mayor of Davao city before that.

Upon his arrest on Tuesday, he questioned the basis for the warrant, asking: “What crime [have] I committed?” in a video posted online by his daughter Veronica Duterte.

“If I committed a sin, prosecute me in Philippine courts, with Filipino judges, and I will allow myself to be jailed in my own nation,” he said in a later video.

In response to his arrest, a petition was launched on his behalf in the Supreme Court – urging them not to comply with the request.

In it, Duterte urged the court to refrain from “enforcing or assisting in the enforcement of any ICC-issued warrants… and to suspend all forms of cooperation with the ICC while the case is pending”.

Credit: bbc.com

Men who have too little sex could face deadly consequences, scientists discover

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A lack of sex could almost double men’s risk of being sent to an early grave, a study suggests.

An analysis of data from 20,000 people found males with low libido were two thirds more likely to die, compared to those with a higher sexual appetite.

These findings remained true even after experts accounted for other factors like smoking, alcohol use, obesity levels, underlying health conditions and exercise.

This suggested it was the lack of sexual interest that increased the risk of death, though the authors say further studies are needed.

It follows separate research that suggested celibate men have an increased risk of cancer or other long-term illnesses – but have a lower chance of a heart attack.

In the Japanese study, experts examined data from over 7,500 men and 11,000 women over the age of 40 and then tracked their health outcomes for seven years.

At the start of the study all participants were asked if they had ‘any interest in people of the opposite sex’. Answers of ‘no’ were defined as lack of sexual interest.

Analysis of the data found men who reported a lack of sexual appetite had 69 per cent higher risk of dying over the course of the study.

When looking at specific causes of death, men who didn’t have sex were found to have a 72 per cent higher chance of dying from cancer.

However, these men were not found to have a greater risk of developing the disease in the first place.

Although women were more than twice as likely as men to report lower libido, scientists didn’t find a link between a lack of interest in sex and a higher mortality risk in females.

The study authors from Yamagata University said the research suggests a lack of sexual interest could increase the risk of death among older adult men.

‘Based on our results, we suggest that lack of sexual interest itself contributes to an increased risk of all-cause mortality, independent of established risk factors in men over 40 years old,’ they wrote.

The study’s findings, published in the journal PLOS One, are observational, meaning they cannot prove that lower libido harms men’s health directly.

The authors note that although they accounted for several factors, there could be other aspects influencing the results.

They noted that men reporting a lack of sexual interest were more likely to drink more, have diabetes, laugh less, experience some kind of psychological distress, and have lower levels of education.

But they highlighted men with a lower sex drive were more likely to report lacking ‘ikigai’ — a Japanese term for a reason for living, or the joy and goal of having a life worth living.

‘Based on these results, we speculate that maintaining sexual interest may be related to positive psychological wellbeing and “ikigai” especially among men,’ they said.

However, they added: ‘Further study is required to clarify the mechanisms which underlie the preventive effects of sexual interest on mortality.’

The Japanese study isn’t the first to suggest sex could have a protective effect on men’s health.

A British study of more than 5,700 over-50s found men who have less sex saw their risk of serious illness rise by more than two-thirds.

Experts from Anglia Ruskin University found these men were 63 per cent more likely to be diagnosed with cancer and 41 per cent more likely to develop a long-standing illness.

Dr Lee Smith, senior author of the study, credited sexual activity being a form of exercise as a potential explanation.

‘It is important to remember that sex is a form of physical activity, albeit often performed at a moderate intensity, which burns around 3.6 calories a minute,’ Dr Smith said.

‘All exercise comes with health benefits and sex is no different.’

Another British study, conducted on about 1,000 Welsh men in the 90s, found regular sex slashed death rates by about 50 per cent.

Other research on specific serious health issues has also suggested regular lovemaking could protect men from an early demise.

American research found men who have sex frequently are up to 45 per cent less likely to develop life-threatening heart conditions than men who only have sex once a month or less.

Credit: dailymail.co.uk

Feature: Nkrumah, Jesus and Allah A Mausoleum, a Cathedral and a Village

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Feature

The previous government spent $3.5 million of state funds to renovate the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum, and we heard no sound nor cryor any form of protests from the NDC and Nkrumaists.

Then it embarked upon the construction of a national cathedral, which would have united all Christians in Ghana, who are made of over 25 million people out of the over 35 million Ghanaians.The National Chief Imam on behalf of Muslims, supported this project with a donation of GH¢50,000.00.

Unfortunately, there was an outcry when it came public that the cathedral was being funded with the use of state funds. NDC Christians led other Christians to go on the rampage, coming out boldly to discredit the construction of the cathedral. And they even misquoted Scriptures to demonise the project.

Some of the criticismswere however justified, because of the perceived corruption going on in the execution of the project.But there was no constructive criticism.

The committee managing the project were from among the top eliteof the Ghanaian clergy. When it was perceived, that funds were being diverted by some of these ‘hallowed’men, some of the innocent ones left the group to continue their anointed duties as shepherds of their flocks.

One thing however did not take place. None of the deserted clergymen came out to tell us, the Gentiles, why they left the project. And none of those saintly ones remembered the Bible passage in Galatians 2: 11, when Paul publicly rebuked Peter in the face for his inconsistencies, so no one rebuked anyone. It may be that they believed in the cocktail of Matthew 7:1 and Psalm 105:15, which rather sounded more like this “do not judge; touch not my anointed ones and do my prophets, no ‘shame’!”

Or did they momentarily become Catholics and heard the private confessions of their sinful colleagues, andabsolved their sins by saying, “your sins are forgiven, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Go and sin, here, no more?”

This page came out with suggestions that the churches alone can raise funds to construct the Cathedral which was estimated to cost $400 million and be jointly owned by all the Christian churches.

Can we look at things this way? Assuming that twenty-five per cent of the total Christian population regularly attend church, with each of them donating at least GH¢10.00 monthly, GH¢62.5 million would have been realised in a month, or GH¢750 million ($131 million) by the year ending 2020 and that could have settled the cost of the foundation and maybe, get the construction to go above floor level.

Using end of year dollar rates for 2021 (GH¢6.18), 2022 (GH¢10.20), 2023 (GH¢11.20) and 2024 (GH¢14.78) plus current rate of GH¢15.49projected as same by end of year, the total donation to be made by Christians who always attend church will amount to $492 million. The project would have completed and paid off without state funds. The National Cathedral project has stalled to this day because of lack of funds.

Instead of accepting the concept of a National Cathedral and coming out to make better alternative suggestions about its site and funding, the NDC and Nkrumaists used that opportunity not to heal the nation but to divide it further apart.

They loudly kept silent over the $3.5 million used to modernise Kwame Nkrumah’s tomb. Then it dawned on Ghanaians that most Christians on that side of the divide, revere and honour Nkrumah more than they do, Jesus Christ; believing he was the real Christ who will make them seek the political kingdom and all would be added unto them. The only quotation from the Sacred Scriptures which they hold to be true is Matthew 22:21 which to them, Christ asked them to give unto Nkrumah what belongs to Nkrumah; and sotheybelong to Nkrumah body, soul, mind and spirit.

After all,to them, Nkrumah is the only founder of this nation and so anything on national scale must be given to him. So, just as the Spirit of God hovered over the waters (Genesis 1:2) during the creation of this earth and universe, to them, so did Nkrumah’s spirit hover over the members of the Gold Coast Aborigines’ Rights Protection Society in 1897, to inspire them to begin the struggle and take steps towards our independence. That was twelve years before Kwame Nkrumah was born.

The National Cathedral saga gave birth to the perception that never will the state commit funds or even show support and give approval to any project undertaken by any religion in Ghana.

Ghanaians who are very religious seemed to separate religion from state and politics, so that if the chief fetish priest of Akpatsakokoe, opens a new and very modern shrine, the DCE will not be the guest of honour neither will he be physically present at the function.

So, it seemed to be the new accepted order, until the NDC arrived. After condemning the idea of funding and constructing the National Cathedral with state funds and making it a mortal sin, the NDC was the last group of people to lead a government to fund the construction of any religious edifice with state funds.

Ghanaians woke up to another shock from the NDC, when H.E. John Dramani Mahama, in Season 1 Episode 3 of the series of “The Value is the Same,”was heard saying that he was going to build a Hajj Village for Muslim pilgrims on the airport grounds. And he made it clear, unlike his predecessor who first told us he was going to use his wages and proceeds from his family’scocoa farms to build the cathedral but it turned out that it was taxpayers’ pocket change he used, H.E. John Mahama told the truth and shamed the devil and made it known that every Ghanaian, home and abroad, Christian and Muslim, traditionalist and atheist will pay something small for the construction of the Hajj Village, which we are told is designed as a little smaller version of Kotoka International Airport’s Terminal 3.

The Hajj Village will include a mosque, an ablution area, accommodation, a health centre, a market, catering services, immigration desks, and check-in counters.

Truth must be told, how can such a building which will have, a large mosque, a hotel, a hospital and a market the size of Malam Attamarket, be a smaller version of Terminal 3?

Ghanaians must brave themselves, because this project can exceed the projected cost of the construction of the National Cathedral. And government is saying the funds will come from Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and Ghana Airport Company Limited (GACL), so Ghanaians should relax. But funds from these institutions are state funds. This is the same kind of excuse the NDC gave when asked to explain how a terminal at our airport could cost ten times more than an airport built from scratch in Ethiopia. We must look at more than $600 million for this Hajj Village.

But the main issue is not the cost of the Hajj Village, but for the turn-around from condemning the construction of a Christian National Cathedral with state funds for the majority Christians, to fully funding the construction of a Hajj Village for the minority Muslims with state funds.

Razak Opoku on March 3, 2025, in his article, in the Ghanaian Chronicle entitled, JustifyingThe Use Of Public Funds To Construct A Hajj Village?was spot on when he described President Mahama as playing double standards; for in breath he said the National Cathedral should be built without recourse to public funds and in another he said the permanent Hajj Village will be built with public funds.

Christians go for pilgrimages all year round, but do not have even a lounge at the airport to receive them.The Muslims go on pilgrimage once in a year but they deserve a Hajj Village which will become productive less than a month in a year. Seriously, should Christians not start thinking of having a Pilgrimage Village at the airport?

I am not against the construction of the Hajj Village, but what is confusing Ghanaians now is that how can the NDC Christians turn the minds of Christians in this country, against a national cathedral, because it was state funded, but are now going to build a Hajj Village with state funds.

Such a magnificent edifice with an imposing mosque to be located at our airport, could only stamp an Islamic state status on Ghana, when we are not. With over 71%Christians, Ghana should have state edifices to stamp Christ on this country, as a Christian state, either directly built by the state or by a church and ‘nationalized’ by the state, as in the case of the Washington National Cathedral in the United States.

If it is now okay for the NDC to use state funds to build a Hajj Village including a mosque, then this government have no excuse not completing the National Cathedral.

Slowly some Christians are turning Ghana into an Islamic state with a Muslim minority. Our Foreign Ministry has a department for pilgrimages, yet it is only Islamic pilgrimages that are made top priority national issues.

A Hajj Village, should be accepted by all, and so must a National Cathedral and Antoa, Nogokpo and other traditional shrines must become revered national heritage sites.

On the other hand, why doesn’t the government scrap this idea of Hajj Village and build budget hotels at the airport, as proposed by the late Hon. Kofi Adda, then Aviation minister? During Hajj pilgrimages, the hotels should only be open for Muslim pilgrims. Then for the rest of the year, they could serve passengers with accommodation. If a Hajj Village at all cost, the question is who will be maintaining it? Is it the state or the National Chief Imam’s office?

For peace in our land, every religion should be respected.

Hon. Daniel Dugan

Jamie Carragher insists lack of striker is not Arsenal’s biggest problem

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Mikel Arteta

Jamie Carragher has insisted that Arsenal‘s lack of a recognised striker is not their biggest problem in comments made while appearing on Monday Night Football.

Speaking on Sky Sports ahead of West Ham United’s game at home to Newcastle United, Carragher revealed how he thinks Arsenal must improve elsewhere.

The Gunners suffered yet another blow in their bid for a first Premier League title in 21 years as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Despite being without attackers Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli due to injury, Carragher thinks Mikel Arteta‘s side are missing ‘more creative players’.

Analysing Arsenal’s game at home to the Hammers on February 22, Carragher pointed to their inability to create high-quality chances as a reason why they lost further ground in the title race.

The former Liverpool defender also highlighted their inefficiency in chance creation in Arsenal’s next game away to Nottingham Forest.

Summarising his thoughts on the matter, Carragher said: ‘Forget bringing in a number 9, the first thing they might have to do is more creative players’.

Carragher’s comments come after Arteta walked out of a TV interview when he was asked about Arsenal’s fading title hopes.

Credit:  dailymail.co.uk

 

Man United to build a stunning 100,000-capacity new stadium

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Manchester United will attempt to build a stunning, 100,000-capacity new Old Trafford under a vast ‘umbrella’ – complete with a public plaza twice the size of Trafalgar Square and their own version of Wembley Way in a breathtaking ‘city of the future’.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe will today vow to deliver ‘the world’s greatest football stadium’ and Mail Sport can share the staggering plans drawn up by renowned British architect Lord Norman Foster, which include a cheeky nod to Manchester’s infamous climate.

Three giant towers, inspired by the Red Devils’ trident, dominate the skyline and effectively hold up the ‘umbrella’ – a sweeping glass and steel canopy above that will keep fans dry inside and outside what would be comfortably Britain’s biggest stadium.

A huge wraparound scoreboard also features, along with a three-storey museum and canal-side restaurants as part of a vast fan village in a project Ratcliffe says will ‘preserve the essence of Old Trafford… while transforming the fan experience only footsteps from our existing home’.

Man United have also ambitiously proposed that the stadium, which would become the largest covered space in the world, will be completed within a timeframe of just five years.

Foster himself declares that the imposing venue will bring fans ‘closer than ever to the pitch’ and focus on bringing the noise: ‘acoustically cultivating a huge roar’.

A series of spectacular drawings show that the new Old Trafford would be pushed back from the site of United’s existing, iconic home of more than a century. Their own, tree-lined version of Wembley Way would stretch from beyond the current Holy Trinity statue to well inside the existing Old Trafford with land currently used for a car park and freight terminal behind the Stretford End coming in to play.

On one side the bowl-shaped venue would straddle the canal, with a series of sheltered bridges allowing fans to cross into a cavernous arena.

One of the towers, which stretches high above a new, two-tiered Stretford End aimed at cranking up the volume, features a not-for-the-faint-hearted viewing platform suspended in the air. Along both sides are three tiers with a host of corporate offerings. They will seek to fund the estimated £2bn needed for the stadium themselves while seeking government support for the wider infrastructure and regeneration project.

Credit:  dailymail.co.uk

Maradona medical team on trial for football icon’s death

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Maradona

The long-awaited trial of medical staff who treated the late Argentine football legend Diego Maradona has started in the capital, Buenos Aires.

Maradona was convalescing when he died of a heart attack at his home in 2020, aged 60. He had been recovering at home from surgery on a brain blood clot earlier that month.

Prosecutors allege that Maradona’s death could have been avoided and accuse the hospital staff of medical negligence.

The defendants say Maradona had refused further treatment and should have stayed in hospital for longer after his operation.

They risk prison terms between eight and 25 years if convicted on the charge of “homicide with possible intent”.

In an opening statement, the prosecution said it intended to submit “solid” evidence that no member of the team “did what they were supposed to do” in the “horror theatre” that was Maradona’s death bed.

“Today, Diego Armando Maradona, his children, his relatives, those closest to him, and the Argentine people, deserve justice,” prosecutor Patricio Ferrari told the court.

Investigators have classified the case as culpable homicide, a crime similar to involuntary manslaughter, because they said the accused were aware of the seriousness of Maradona’s health condition but did not take the necessary measures to save him.

The defendants in the case are a neurosurgeon, a psychiatrist, a psychologist, a medical co-ordinator, a nursing co-ordinator, a doctor and the night nurse.

The night nurse previously said he had seen “warning signs”, but had received orders “not to wake” Maradona.

More than 100 witnesses will testify at the trial, which is expected to last until July.

Credit: bbc.com

“We will abolish the 10% withholding tax on Sports winnings” –Finance Minister

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Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson

Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has announced the elimination of the Electronic Transactions Levy (E-Levy) and the 10% betting tax, citing their failure to meet revenue expectations and their contribution to Ghana’s cost-of-living crisis.

Presenting the 2025 Budget Statement and Economic Policy to Parliament on March 11, 2025, Dr. Forson emphasized that scrapping these levies, originally introduced by the previous administration, is a critical step toward easing financial pressures on Ghanaians and supporting economic recovery.

The decision follows widespread calls from football fans and bettors who argued that the betting tax significantly reduced their winnings, leaving them with little to no profit.

Local football team merchandise

The betting tax, in particular, had drawn frustration from Ghana’s youth, who saw it as a hindrance amid scarce formal employment opportunities.

Dr. Forson also assured Parliament that the government would focus on improving revenue collection efficiency rather than introducing new taxes.

This approach, he said, would ensure sufficient funding for development projects without increasing the financial strain on citizens.

Credit: citisportsonline.com

Today’s 2nd Leg UEFA Champions League Fixtures & Previews

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Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid

Atlético Madrid, Real Madrid to re-enact Madrid derby

Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid reconvene for the second leg of their Champions League last 16 tie at the Metropolitano on Wednesday night, with Los Blancos leading 2-1 after a nail-biting clash last week.

This fixture in the Champions League has always gone Real Madrid’s way, whether that be the 2014 and 2016 finals, or the 2017 semi-finals, but Atletico should have hope, considering they have lost just one of the last seven home games against their bitter rivals.

In cup competitions, Atleti are unbeaten in the last five meetings, winning four against Real, and they must win again here if they are to have a chance of progression following last week’s defeat.

Real Madrid will know they have to be on top form to get the better of their city rivals, especially at this venue, with a raucous crowd behind them.

After winning eight straight away games at the Calderon between 2008 and 2014, Real have since won just three in 17, enjoying very little success since Atletico moved to the Metropolitano.

Real are yet to win away at Atletico in Europe in three previous attempts, but their pedigree in this competition means they will still be the favourites.

Real Madrid have won every previous European tie against Atletico, also finding a way to get over the line in two Champions League finals against their local rivals, and they are the favourites to do so again.

Credit: sportsmole.co.uk

 

Lille welcome Borussia Dortmund for the return leg

Still on course for a historic Champions League achievement, Lille welcome Borussia Dortmund for the return leg of their round of 16 tie on Wednesday.

Serhou Guirassy, Dortmund

The Mastiffs have the opportunity to reach the quarter-finals for the first time ever, following an impressive performance in the first leg last Tuesday.

Not the most obvious of advantages, but after battling to a 1-1 draw at Dortmund, Lille have every reason to believe they can make history, especially with Stade Pierre-Mauroy standing as an imposing fortress in European competition.

Lille boast a formidable record at the ground, winning 10 of their last 12 continental matches, including three of four outings in this season’s league phase, having edged Sturm Graz 3-2, stunned holders Real Madrid 1-0 and dismantled Feyenoord 6-1, only dropping points in a 1-1 stalemate against Juventus before that.

Their strength at Stade Pierre-Mauroy was evident once again in Ligue 1 at the weekend, as Bruno Genesio‘s side battled past bottom-placed Montpellier HSC 1-0.

Victory on Wednesday would see Lille claim their first-ever knockout tie triumph in the Champions League, though they will need to break a familiar pattern, with last week’s result marking the third consecutive draw in meetings between these sides.

Their previous encounters came in the UEFA Cup fourth round in 2001-02, when a goalless stalemate in Germany was followed by a 1-1 scoreline in France, allowing Dortmund to progress on away goals.

This is a tough one to call, given Lille’s strong home record in the Champions League and Dortmund’s pedigree in the competition.

Credit: sportsmole.co.uk

 

PSV need an extraordinary comeback to upset Arsenal

Barring one of the most extraordinary comebacks in football history, let alone the Champions League, Arsenal will be celebrating progression to the quarter-finals after Wednesday’s last-16 second leg at home to PSV Eindhoven.

Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard and Declan Rice celebrating a goal

Records were sent tumbling in the Gunners’ 7-1 annihilation of Peter Bosz‘s side in the first leg, but Mikel Arteta‘s returned to their toothless ways in the Premier League over the weekend.

To say that the 7-1 scoreline did not tell the full story of the first leg seems ludicrous, but Arsenal will be under no illusions that they were let off the hook a couple of times in Eindhoven.

Arsenal becomes the first side to ever score seven goals away from home in a Champions League knockout game.

Following what should be the most stress-free match of the season for the home crowd, a tantalising quarter-final with either Atletico Madrid or Real Madrid will be next on the menu, but not before Arsenal bid to equal another Champions League goalscoring record on Wednesday night.

PSV can therefore hold out for an uneventful draw, not that it will make much difference as Arsenal stroll into the last eight without breaking a sweat.

Credit: sportsmole.co.uk

 

Aston Villa host Club Brugge with a two-goal advantage

Aiming to book their place in the Champions League quarter-finals, Aston Villa welcome Club Brugge to Birmingham on Wednesday, starting the second leg of the sides’ last-16 tie with a two-goal advantage.

Leon Bailey, Aston Villa

After Brugge’s late implosion in Belgium, Villa are certainly in the driving seat, and they must now try to finish the job at Villa Park.

As Unai Emery has lost only three of his last 19 home games in Europe’s top tournament – across spells with four different clubs, including four so far at Villa – their Basque boss certainly knows how to make home advantage pay.

Following a prolonged sticky spell, Emery’s men have recently won their last three games across all competitions, helping them put one foot in the Champions League’s last eight – where they would meet either Liverpool or Paris Saint-Germain – and qualify for the FA Cup quarter-finals.

While Aston Villa are much tougher to beat on home turf, Club Brugge have already proven to be fearless, and they will expect to put pressure on their hosts’ suspect defence.

With a handy advantage following last week’s first leg, Villa should still get the job done – albeit facing a few scares.

Credit: sportsmole.co.uk

 

FIXTURES

Lille 17:45 Borussia Dortmund

Arsenal 20:00 PSV

Aston Villa 20:00 Club Brugge

Atlético Madrid 20:00Real Madrid 

Greenland goes to polls in vote dominated by Trump and independence

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Trump again said he wanted the US to annex Greenland

Residents of Greenland are going to the polls in a vote that in previous years has drawn little outside attention – but which may prove pivotal for the Arctic territory’s future.

US President Donald Trump’s repeated interest in acquiring Greenland has put it firmly in the spotlight and fuelled the longstanding debate on the island’s future ties with Copenhagen.

“There’s never been a spotlight like this on Greenland before,” says Nauja Bianco, a Danish-Greenlandic policy expert on the Arctic.

Greenland has been controlled by Denmark – nearly 3,000km (1,860 miles) away – for about 300 years. It governs its own domestic affairs, but decisions on foreign and defence policy are made in Copenhagen.

Now, five out of six parties on the ballot favour Greenland’s independence from Denmark, differing only on how quickly that should come about.

Voting takes place over 11 hours at 72 polling stations, and ends at 20:00 local time on Tuesday (22:00G).

The debate over independence has been “put on steroids by Trump”, says Masaana Egede, editor of Greenlandic newspaper Sermitsiaq.

The island’s strategic location and untapped mineral resources have caught the US president’s eye. He first floated the idea of buying Greenland during his first term in 2019.

Since taking office again in January, he has reiterated his intention to acquire the territory. Greenland and Denmark’s leaders have repeatedly rebuffed his demands.

Credit: bbc.com

Ukraine says talks with U.S. are “very constructively”

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky

Top Trump administration officials are meeting with a Ukrainian delegation in Saudi Arabia, the latest round of high-stakes talks as the US seeks to strike deals to end Russia’s war in Ukraine. While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is not in the meeting, a senior Ukrainian official said the talks “started very constructively.”

Ukraine’s presidential chief of staff Andriy Yermak posted during a break in discussions that the talks between the United States and Ukraine are a “work in progress.”

Yermak and the Ukrainian defense and foreign ministers are part of the Ukrainian delegation, which does not include President Volodymyr Zelensky.

“Work in progress,” Yermak said on Telegram during a pause in Tuesday’s meeting, currently in its fourth hour.

When the meeting broke earlier, CNN asked White House national security adviser Mike Waltz how the meeting was going, and Waltz responded “getting there.”

In a related development, The Kremlin has neither confirmed nor denied reports that US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff will visit Moscow this week, as spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said he will provide information regarding the potential trip in a timely manner.

Asked about reports that Witkoff would visit the Russian capital on Thursday, and possibly meet President Vladimir Putin, Peskov said Tuesday:

“Of course, the United States, as a country that takes the initiative in terms of finding ways to peacefully resolve the situation around Ukraine, will inform the Russian side about the contacts after today’s contacts in Jeddah with the Ukrainians. This is normal practice. As to when and how the American side does this, we will inform you in due time.”

Credit: cnn.com

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