07/02/2026

SATURDAY | FEB 7, 2026

9 Trump wants name on airport, station WASHINGTON: US media reported on Thursday that President Donald Trump has offered to unfreeze federal infrastructure o President offers quid pro quo arrangement to free frozen funding for federal infrastructure Jerry Nadler called the attempt to rename the airport and station an “extortion racket”. Trump also unveiled a early September last year, insisting that it is effectively at war with alleged “narco-terrorists” operating out of Venezuela.

island has long dreamt of cutting its ties to Denmark one day. The decision to open diplomatic missions is also a recognition of Greenland’s growing autonomy, laid out in its Self-Government Act 2009, said Nissen. “In terms of their own quest for sovereignty, the Greenlandic people will think to have more direct contact with other European countries.” That would make it possible to reduce Denmark’s role “by diversifying Greenland’s dependence on the outside world so that it is not solely dependent on Denmark and can have more ties for its economy, trade, investments, politics and so on”, echoed Gad. – AFP DOWN BERLIN AIRPORT FRANKFURT: Berlin’s international airport stayed closed yesterday because of iced runways and it was unclear when takeoffs and landings would resume, German news agency DPA cited an airport spokesperson as saying. Airlines had to delay or cancel departing flights after snow and freezing rain hit the airport on Thursday. “Due to weather conditions, no takeoffs or landings are currently possible,” the airport said on its website. The German Weather Service warned on Thursday of an increased risk of black ice in the west and northwest of Brandenburg. – Reuters SIX TRAPPED AFTER MINE EXPLOSION BOGOTA: Six workers were trapped underground after an explosion on Thursday at a coal mine in central Colombia, local firefighters told AFP. “A methane gas explosion was reported at a coal mine but we do not know the condition of the people who are trapped,” said Choconta Volunteer Fire Department commander Albeiro Aguillon. Authorities and rescue teams were trying to reach the mine, which was blocked by debris. Accidents such as cave-ins and explosions are not uncommon at mining sites in Colombia, especially at mines that operate illegally and do not take necessary safety precautions. – AFP RUNWAY ICE SHUTS Last week, relatives of two Trinidadian men killed last year in a strike on a boat the military said was carrying drugs filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the US government. It is the first such case to be brought against the Trump administration over its missile strikes in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. – AFP But it has provided no definitive evidence that the vessels are involved in drug trafficking, prompting heated debate about the legality of the operations, which have expanded from the Caribbean to the Pacific. Late last month, the US military carried out another strike in the eastern Pacific, killing two alleged drug traffickers.

funding if the top Senate Democrat would help rename a major airport and train station after him. Trump has sought to leave his mark on the country in an unprecedented image and building campaign. In December last year, Trump’s handpicked board of the Kennedy Centre, an arts complex and memorial to late president John F. Kennedy, voted to rename itself the “Trump-Kennedy Centre”. He has also pushed for the construction of an “Independence Arch” similar to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris and launched the construction of a new White House ballroom, tearing down the storied Assembly on Thursday unanimously approved in a first reading the draft Amnesty Law for Democratic Coexistence, aimed at laying the groundwork for national reconciliation, Xinhua reported. “Words are healing, but they can also hurt. Let us insist on words of healing,” said National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez, urging opposition members to “continue being brave” despite potential campaigns against reconciliation. United Socialist Party of Venezuela Legislator Jorge Arreaza, who introduced the initiative, called it an “ethical obligation” to heal wounds, promote dialogue and rebuild trust for the benefit of the Venezuelan people. Progressive Advance Legislator Luis Romero, from the opposition, described the law as a “formidable opportunity” for national reconciliation, particularly following the US attacks on Jan 3, and praised Venezuelan Acting President Delcy Rodriguez for initiating the debate as a courageous step. The 29-article law establishes a pluralistic special commission for reconciliation to oversee its implementation. Amnesty will not apply to crimes such as war crimes, crimes against humanity, serious human rights violations, homicide, drug trafficking or embezzlement of public funds. – Bernama-Xinhua France, which oppose US President Donald Trump’s wish to control Greenland, opened consulates in the Danish autonomous territory’s capital yesterday in a show of support for the local government. Since returning to the White House last year, Trump has repeatedly insisted that Washington needs to control the strategic, mineral-rich Arctic island for security reasons. He last month backed off his threats to seize Greenland after saying he had struck a “framework” deal with Nato Chief Mark Rutte to ensure greater American influence. A US-Denmark-Greenland working

government website to offer low-cost prescription drugs on Thursday called TrumpRx. In a separate development, the US military on Thursday said it killed two alleged drug traffickers in a strike on a boat in the eastern Pacific, bringing the death toll from Washington’s campaign to at least 128. “Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations,” the US Southern Command said, adding that “no US military forces were harmed” in the operation. Trump’s administration began targeting alleged smuggling boats in

(RM63 billion) in blocked federal funds, meant to be used for a tunnel connecting them. Trump’s moves to insert his name and likeness across the government is unprecedented. Buildings and infrastructure are typically named after presidents once they leave office or die, to avoid overt politicisation. The Treasury has confirmed reports that drafts have been drawn up for a commemorative US$1 coin featuring Trump’s image, even though there are laws against displaying the image of a sitting or living president on money. New York Representative

building’s East Wing to make way. New York’s Penn Station and Washington’s Dulles International Airport are also in Trump’s sights, CNN and NBC reported. Citing unnamed sources, the outlets reported that Trump offered a quid-pro-quo for the held-up funding, meant for a New York infrastructure project, if New York Senator Chuck Schumer agreed to help get the train station and airport named after him. Schumer rebuffed the offer, the broadcasters reported. New York and New Jersey are suing for the US$16 billion

Venezuela unanimously approves draft amnesty law CARACAS: Venezuela’s National

BR I E F S

Relatives of political prisoners holding a vigil outside the Helicoide detention centre after the National Assembly approved the amnesty law in Caracas on Thursday. – REUTERSPIC

Canada and France open consulates in Greenland COPENHAGEN: Canada and

and Canada as an ally, as a friend of Greenland and the European allies also,“ said Danish Institute of International Studies Ulrik Arctic expert Pram Gad. “It is a small step, part of a strategy in which we are making this problem European,” said think tank Europa security and defence analyst Christine Nissen. “The consequences are obviously not just Danish. It is European and global.” According to Strandsbjerg, the two consulates, which are attached to the French and Canadian embassies in Copenhagen, would give Greenland an opportunity to “practise” being independent, as the

French President Emmanuel Macron announced Paris’s plans to open a consulate during a visit to Nuuk in June, during which he expressed Europe’s “solidarity” with Greenland and criticised Trump’s ambitions. Newly appointed French consul Jean-Noel Poirier has previously served as ambassador to Vietnam. Canada announced in late 2024 that it would open a consulate in Greenland to boost cooperation. The opening of the consulates is “a way of telling Trump that his aggression against Greenland and Denmark is not a question for Greenland and Denmark alone, it is also a question for European allies

group has been established to discuss ways to meet Washington’s security concerns in the Arctic, but the details of the talks have not been made public. While Denmark and Greenland have said they share Trump’s security concerns, they have insisted that sovereignty and territorial integrity are a “red line” in the discussions. “It is a victory for Greenlanders to see two allies opening diplomatic representations in Nuuk,“ said University of Greenland political scientist Jeppe Strandsbjerg. “There is great appreciation for the support against what Trump has said.”