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A federal judge has temporarily blocked President Donald Trump's decision to bar CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House grounds, ordering the administration early Thursday to restore the outlets' access. The ruling is the latest development in a growing dispute between Trump and news organizations whose coverage he has criticized. Trump announced the ban Friday, accusing the outlets of publishing what he called “fake news.” His administration later argued that some of their reporting posed a national security risk. The three outlets challenged the decision in court, arguing that the ban violated the First Amendment because they were targeted based on the content of their reporting. US District Judge Timothy Kelly ordered the White House to “immediately return, reinstate, and restore” the outlets' access. He issued a temporary restraining order that will remain in effect for 14 days, saying the news organizations had met the legal requirements and were likely to succeed in arguing that their press passes had been revoked without proper legal process. “This is a high bar, but Plaintiffs have met it,” Kelly wrote. The decision provides temporary relief to the outlets as tensions between Trump and news organizations continue to grow. Kelly said the government must establish clear standards for conduct that could justify revoking a press pass. He described the White House's explanation of what constituted objectionable reporting as “so vague it hardly does the trick.” Kelly, who was nominated by Trump in 2017, previously ordered CNN journalist's access to be restored in a similar case in 2018. The judge heard arguments Wednesday. Temporary restraining orders are generally intended to preserve the existing situation while a court considers a case in greater detail. “This is a strong ruling vindicating freedom of the press, due process and the rule of law,” Theodore Boutrous Jr., an attorney for the three outlets, said in an emailed statement. The White House did not immediately respond to an Associated Press request for comment. Judge questions national security argumentDuring an emergency hearing Wednesday, Kelly said he was required to follow previous rulings in similar First Amendment cases, even when the government disagreed with them. The White House had argued that some of the previous cases cited by the outlets were wrongly decided. “Maybe,” Kelly wrote, “but this Court is bound by D.C. Circuit precedent, full stop.” Kelly also rejected the administration's argument that the press-pass revocations were necessary for national security, saying the government had provided little evidence to support the claim. “Nothing in the record ... suggests that the revocation of Plaintiffs' hard passes was motivated by national security concerns,” he wrote. He also expressed doubt that revoking the outlets' press passes actually advanced the government's stated national security interests. Lawyers debate White House accessBoutrous told the court that the outlets faced immediate and lasting harm from losing access, particularly during major international events. “We're at war. We have world leaders coming to Washington,” he said. Justice Department attorney Michael Velchik repeated the administration's argument that the president has authority to decide who receives access to the White House. “Access to the White House is a privilege, not a right,” Velchik said. Velchik argued that Trump was not targeting the outlets because of their political viewpoints, noting that the president had also strongly criticized other news organizations without banning them. “The president should be able to take immediate action to protect national security,” he told the court. Boutrous disputed that argument, saying the administration only raised national security after the outlets filed their lawsuit. “Suddenly it's a national security case,” he said. Boutrous also argued that Trump's repeated criticism of negative coverage supported the outlets' claim that the ban was linked to their reporting. White House cites specific reportsIn a court filing Tuesday, administration lawyers provided letters sent to the three outlets listing what they described as “a non-exhaustive list of reporting incidents” that allegedly threatened national security or spread false information. The examples included CNN's reporting about “top-secret” construction details involving an East Wing bunker, MS NOW's reporting about an alleged leak investigation and Politico's publication of a document about funding for the White House ballroom that included detailed descriptions of Secret Service security improvements. The administration also cited additional examples in separate letters. Politico's letter listed six incidents, including a June report that quoted an unnamed senior administration official discussing whether a preliminary agreement could end the conflict with Iran. The report appeared to refer to a background briefing arranged by the White House, during which an official spoke to reporters anonymously under rules established by the administration. Several other news organizations also reported the official's comments. Other networks suspend Trump coverageThe ban also prompted other news organizations to take action in support of the three outlets. A five-network US press pool that rotates coverage of the president and includes CNN suspended its coverage of Trump's events. The networks continued the suspension after Wednesday's hearing. At Joint Base Andrews, where Trump formally welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping, journalists from Fox News, CBS and NBC were present but did not record video. Other television outlets present included NewsNation, Newsmax, Right Side Broadcasting Network, One America News and LindellTV, according to signs displayed on their cameras and tripods. Before Wednesday's hearing, other news organizations, including The Associated Press, filed an amicus brief urging the court to immediately restore CNN, MS NOW and Politico's access to the White House.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian delivered a defiant speech at the United Nations on Wednesday, while his government played down recent talks with the United States. Meanwhile, another ship attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz was hit by a projectile, highlighting the risks that continue to disrupt traffic through the key waterway as the nearly seven-month war continues. Here are the latest developments from the Middle East. Pezeshkian calls US attacks ‘cowardly’ Pezeshkian said the Iranian people had been victims of what he described as terrorism by the United States. In a rare wartime address to the UN General Assembly, he displayed images of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and more than 150 schoolchildren who were killed during the early days of the conflict. “We have only defended ourselves. We are not terrorists,” he said. “Our innocent people have been the targets of cowardly attacks and aggressions imposed upon our country.” Referring to the United States, Pezeshkian added, “Yes, they did hit us, but we did not bend the knee.” Rubio says Trump remains open to agreement Pezeshkian spoke a day after US President Donald Trump told the same gathering that he could “annihilate” Iran if an agreement was not reached soon to end the conflict. Later, Trump described a meeting between his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner and Iranian officials as “a very good meeting.” Tehran, however, played down the talks, with Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei saying they were “not anything new.” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday that Trump remained open to an agreement that would allow Iran to become “a great and prosperous country.” Rubio said Iran's nuclear programme and what he described as its “support of terrorism” were obstacles to reaching a deal. If those policies continued, he said Trump could consider “a number of options,” including further military action. Iranian hard-liners criticize talks with US Hard-line figures in Iran criticized Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi for engaging with US officials at the UN, prompting a response from rival political factions in Tehran. Lawmaker Ebrahim Rezaei called on Araghchi to explain his decision to meet with “the aggressor enemy” in a post on X. Ali Ahmadnia, a media official for the Iranian president, responded by posting an AI-generated image showing Araghchi as a wounded warrior. “How can a soldier be on the battlefield while the home front is being weakened from within?!” Ahmadnia wrote on X. He added that the Iranian delegation in New York was operating in coordination with the relevant institutions. US-backed group proposes Gaza reconstruction plan The US-backed Board of Peace has proposed a six-month, $2.45 billion plan to begin reconstruction and establish governance in Gaza as Trump's ceasefire initiative faces difficulties. At a meeting in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, the group's governors presented a 66-project plan covering infrastructure, education and health. The projects are intended to support Trump's 20-point proposal to end the Israel-Hamas war. The proposal comes as the wider US-backed plan has largely stalled. Although the ceasefire has reduced the heaviest fighting and improved humanitarian conditions, the Israeli military has expanded its control over Gaza and now occupies about 60% of the territory. Hamas has not surrendered its weapons, while an international military force and a new government have yet to enter Gaza. Reconstruction has also not begun, with most Palestinians still living in tent camps or the remains of their homes. “The need is immense,” the board said, estimating that rebuilding Gaza's physical infrastructure would cost about $35.2 billion over the medium term, followed by another $71.4 billion over the next 10 years. Ship hit in Strait of Hormuz A cargo ship was struck in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said, citing a security officer from an unidentified company. The vessel was hit by an “unknown projectile,” leaving two people injured, UKMTO said. The crew abandoned the ship after it caught fire, leaving it adrift. It was the first reported attack on a vessel in two days, and no group immediately claimed responsibility. The incident highlighted the continuing risks facing ships using the strategic waterway. Some vessels appear to be making what are known as “dark passages” without transmitting identification signals. Iran and the United States have maintained competing blockades, while commercial traffic remains far below prewar levels, according to ship-tracking data from analytics firm Kpler. Before the conflict, about one-fifth of the world's traded oil passed through the narrow waterway, along with significant amounts of natural gas, fertilizer and other petroleum products. Ambassador's son seriously injured in West Bank attack The son of Israel's ambassador to the United States was seriously injured in a vehicle-ramming attack in the occupied West Bank. Neria Leiter, an Israeli military reservist, “needs a miracle,” Ambassador Yechiel Leiter said in a social media post. Leiter's older son, Moshe Yedidya Leiter, who also served in the Israeli military, was killed in Gaza about a month after the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, attack that triggered the Gaza war. According to Israeli military and law enforcement officials, a Palestinian man drove his vehicle into a security checkpoint near the settlement of Beit Horon on Wednesday afternoon, seriously injuring the soldier. Israeli forces opened fire as the man tried to flee and killed him, officials said. Additional military forces were deployed in the area afterward. The location is near a major highway connecting Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog both expressed wishes for Leiter's recovery. Herzog described him as “fighting for his life” in a social media post. Major Arab parties barred from Israeli elections Israel's election commission voted Wednesday to disqualify major Arab political parties and candidates from participating in next month's elections. The move followed requests from two right-wing parties, including Netanyahu's Likud party. They argued that the candidates were barred under a law targeting those who reject Israel's existence, incite racism or support armed struggle against Israel. The decision affects the United Arab List, a religious Arab Muslim party also known by its Hebrew name Ra'am, and the Joint List, an alliance of left-wing and Arab-majority parties. Ra'am leader Mansour Abbas described the decision as a “political, illegitimate, and anti-democratic move” and said the party would appeal to the Supreme Court. The elections will be the first in Israel since the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks that led to the ongoing war.

Syria's interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa strongly criticized Israel's military presence in southern Syria and said the Golan Heights remains an inseparable part of Syrian territory. Speaking at the UN General Assembly, al-Sharaa said Israel had carried out more than 500 air and artillery strikes in Syria since he took power nearly two years ago. He also said Israeli forces had made about 1,200 ground incursions and detained nearly 300 people during the period. Al-Sharaa condemned Israel's control of the Golan Heights, which Israel captured from Syria during the 1967 Middle East war and annexed in 1981. In 2019, then-US President Donald Trump recognized Israeli sovereignty over the territory, reversing decades of US policy. The United Nations and most of the international community continue to regard the Golan Heights as occupied Syrian territory and do not recognize Israel's annexation. “No attempts at imposing a fait accompli can undermine the legitimacy of our state, the sovereignty of our law, or the force of international law,” al-Sharaa said. “The Golan will remain Syrian land.” Israel has maintained control over part of southern Syria since the fall of Bashar Assad, describing the move as a defensive measure to prevent possible attacks on Israeli territory. Al-Sharaa said Syria remains committed to a 1974 agreement that created a demilitarized buffer zone between Israeli and Syrian forces, with UN peacekeepers deployed to help maintain calm in the area. He called on Israel to withdraw its forces to the positions held on Dec. 8, 2024, when insurgents led by al-Sharaa ousted longtime Syrian leader Bashar Assad and Israel began deploying forces into the area. On Tuesday, al-Sharaa joked during an Atlantic Council event that he had asked US President Donald Trump why he did not give Israel New Jersey instead of the Golan Heights.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged world leaders Wednesday to increase pressure on Russia by cutting its revenues and limiting its ability to continue the war against Ukraine. Addressing the UN General Assembly, Zelenskyy said Russian President Vladimir Putin remains the main obstacle to ending what he called a “ridiculous and never-ending war.” “Our target is Russia's ability to finance this war, to drag it out, to make it more brutal and more destructive,” Zelenskyy said. “Russia's finances and Russia's production are what must be stopped if Putin is to be stopped.” He argued that when Russia continues to earn money from international trade, it has less incentive to pursue diplomacy. “Russia's revenues must remain a target,” he said. Earlier Wednesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov clashed with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and European supporters of Ukraine during a UN Security Council meeting. Lavrov also met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the General Assembly to discuss the war. US discusses possible limited ceasefireRubio later told reporters that Russia and Ukraine have shown interest in a limited ceasefire that would stop attacks on grain shipments and energy infrastructure. Both countries are major grain exporters, while their energy facilities have increasingly come under drone and missile attacks. Rubio said reaching even a limited agreement would be difficult but worthwhile. He noted that Zelenskyy has publicly supported such a proposal and said the United States would be willing to help implement it. Russia's Foreign Ministry did not mention a possible partial agreement on grain shipments in its statement following the Lavrov-Rubio meeting. Instead, it repeated Moscow's position that the root causes of what it calls its “special military operation” must be addressed. At the Security Council, Lavrov said Russia would not “pause” its military action, arguing that European countries would use such a pause to supply Ukraine with more weapons. He also did not mention a possible grain or energy agreement. Lavrov described Ukraine's government as “terrorists” and said Russia's military operation was aimed at protecting its security and the rights of Russian speakers. Lavrov is scheduled to address the General Assembly on Saturday. Zelenskyy questions Putin's commitment to peaceZelenskyy said Russia's actions raised doubts about whether Putin genuinely wants to end the fighting. “Something always seems to stop Putin from saying, ‘That's it. Enough. Peace,’” he said. “The more freedom Putin has to act, the more dangerous the world becomes for everyone else,” Zelenskyy added. The war has affected countries far beyond Ukraine and Russia, disrupting global supplies of fuel, fertilizer and grain while deepening political divisions between Russia and Western countries. Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, initially expecting to capture Kyiv within days. Ukraine resisted the invasion, and the war has continued for more than four years, with front-line positions in eastern and southern Ukraine remaining largely unchanged since last year. Western analysts estimate that more than 500,000 Russian troops have been killed and that Ukraine has suffered more than 500,000 military casualties, including as many as 140,000 deaths. Neither Russia nor Ukraine publishes its own casualty figures. Russia, Ukraine intensify drone attacksRussia and Ukraine have increased their long-range drone and missile attacks in recent months. Russian drones struck Kyiv on Wednesday, killing two people and injuring 23 others, according to Ukrainian officials. Two more people were injured in a strike that caused a major fire at a shopping mall in the southern city of Zaporizhzhia. Russia's Defense Ministry said its forces had targeted Ukrainian military-industrial and energy facilities, logistics centers and sea vessels overnight. The ministry also said Russian air defenses intercepted more than 500 Ukrainian drones over several Russian regions, Crimea, the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea. Russia seized Crimea from Ukraine and illegally annexed the peninsula in 2014. Zelenskyy calls for more pressure on RussiaZelenskyy told the General Assembly that Russia had used about 63,000 attack drones of various types against Ukraine so far this year. He said Ukraine had shown that it could continue defending itself despite facing a much larger military. “Limit his money. Limit his war,” Zelenskyy told world leaders, urging them to prevent Russia from obtaining financial resources and foreign fighters. He also said Ukraine needs to strengthen its military and has successfully tested four new jet-powered interceptor drones against Iranian-designed Shahed drones used by Russia. Zelenskyy highlighted agreements and programmes with several countries involving drones and anti-ballistic missile systems. He also warned about the growing role of artificial intelligence in warfare, saying autonomous weapons could eventually make battlefield decisions without direct human control. “We need peace before we reach that point,” he said. Zelenskyy rejected the idea that Ukraine wants war, saying its focus on weapons, defence and sanctions is a response to Russia's invasion. “Ukrainians did not choose this war,” he said. “We choose not to die. … We are defending ourselves.”

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told the U.N. General Assembly that global peace cannot be achieved while ignoring Palestine, describing Gaza as a symbol of the failure of international mechanisms to prevent civilian suffering. Addressing the assembly, Pezeshkian said that Palestine "remains an open wound on the conscience of the international community." He noted that despite decades of U.N. resolutions, occupation and violence have continued unabated. The Iranian president emphasized that as long as occupation, aggression and injustice persist, "resistance will continue". "Gaza, despite relentless killing and widespread devastation, has strengthened the people’s faith in resistance, and resistance cannot be destroyed by bombs and siege; this is human nature," Pezeshkian said. He further questioned the choices left to displaced populations under fire, asking, "If a human being is driven from his or her land, they will resist. If their homes are subjected to bombings and aggression and attacks, they will resist; what other choice do they have?". With inputs from Al Jazeera

New Zealand's new firearms laws came into force on Wednesday, marking the biggest overhaul of the country's firearms regulatory system in more than 40 years, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee said. Most provisions of the Arms Act 2026 and Arms Regulations 2026 took effect, replacing legislation dating from 1983 and regulations from 1992 with a system designed to improve public safety, simplify compliance and rebuild trust with licensed firearm owners, McKee said in a statement. Firearms Safety and Education New Zealand also began operating as the country's independent firearms regulator, separate from police, she added. "Firearms are used by New Zealanders to put food on the table, earn a living, manage pests, protect biodiversity, compete in sport and enjoy the outdoors," she noted. "That is why getting this system right matters." The new law strengthens measures against unlawful firearms activity, including disqualifying gang members from holding firearms licenses and introducing new offenses targeting emerging criminal behavior, while simplifying requirements for licensed owners, she said, adding that it also establishes an independent review committee for license holders to challenge regulatory decisions. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin is becoming increasingly willing to take risks as the war in Ukraine drags on and Moscow seeks to divide NATO allies, a senior NATO commander said Tuesday. Air Chief Marshal Sir John Stringer, NATO’s deputy supreme allied commander for Europe, told The Associated Press at a security conference in Estonia that Putin was becoming “increasingly cavalier, dangerous and risk accepting.” Stringer warned NATO members to respond carefully to a growing number of Russian-linked incidents, saying Putin could seek to provoke the alliance into an “overreaction.” Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has warned that Russia could deliberately target NATO countries with drones or missiles while claiming the attacks were accidental. French President Emmanuel Macron has also ordered preparations to protect critical infrastructure from potential drone and cyberattacks. However, some European officials have urged caution. A British defense official said the UK does not assess that Putin is seeking a direct confrontation with NATO. Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics also said there was no evidence of a Russian military buildup near his country’s borders. “The perspective of direct military attack is not correct,” Rinkevics told reporters on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker similarly said Putin “does not want a conflict with NATO,” while noting that Russian-linked sabotage and other hybrid activities were more concerning. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said NATO must remain prepared and strong, warning that any serious Russian action would draw a firm response. European countries have faced repeated Russian drone incursions and other covert activities since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. An AP review found more than 210 incidents by March 2026, including vandalism, propaganda, arson, sabotage and cyberattacks, up from 59 a year earlier. Stringer said some drone incursions into NATO airspace could be accidental, particularly when Russian electronic warfare disrupts drones during attempts to counter Ukrainian attacks. But he said Moscow could deliberately escalate such activity. Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal said the distinction between negligence and deliberate targeting can be difficult to establish. He and Stringer said the rise in covert Russian activity was largely linked to Western support for Ukraine. Stringer said Putin was seeking to create divisions among NATO members because Russia’s campaign in Ukraine was not progressing as Moscow had hoped. Michal said Russia was increasing pressure across Europe in an effort to weaken Western support for Kyiv. He said a conventional Russian attack on Europe was currently unlikely because of NATO’s deterrent and Russia’s military commitments in Ukraine. Baltic leaders expect Russian attacks on infrastructure to increase as winter approaches and see little prospect of diplomatic progress before spring. Michal said the Russian threat would remain until Putin changes his military objectives, arguing that continued support for Ukraine is the strongest means of deterrence.

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed an agreement with Denmark and Greenland designed to strengthen security in the Arctic and North Atlantic. The deal could allow the United States to expand its military presence in Greenland while reducing tensions caused by Trump’s repeated calls for the island to become part of the United States. The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York, days after Trump announced plans to increase the U.S. military presence in Greenland while keeping the territory under Danish control. The arrangement would remain valid even if Greenland eventually becomes independent. “This is tremendous for Europe and for the United States and for everybody,” Trump said shortly before the signing. “And for Greenland, it's going to be incredible.” Trump has sought to acquire Greenland since at least 2019. During his second term, he has also threatened to take control of the semiautonomous territory from Denmark, a fellow NATO member. When asked Tuesday whether the United States had abandoned the idea of acquiring Greenland, Trump did not directly answer. U.S. Military Has Maintained a Presence in Greenland for DecadesRepresentatives from the United States, Denmark and Greenland spent months negotiating the agreement in an effort to address U.S. security concerns about the resource-rich Arctic island. Trump’s interest in Greenland had created tensions within NATO. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen previously warned that a U.S. takeover could threaten the future of the Atlantic alliance. The dispute also caused concern among Greenland’s approximately 56,000 residents and strained relations between Washington, Copenhagen and their European Union partners. European countries responded by increasing security activities and financial assistance involving Greenland. Economic interests and the island’s natural resources have also influenced discussions about its future. Around two-thirds of Greenland lies within the Arctic Circle, where declining sea ice has created new potential shipping routes. The United States has maintained a military presence in Greenland for decades. Since 1945, however, that presence has declined from thousands of troops stationed across 17 bases and installations to about 200 personnel at Pituffik Space Base in northwestern Greenland. The facility supports U.S. and NATO operations involving missile warnings, missile defense and space surveillance. Speaking at the U.N. General Assembly before the agreement was signed, Trump said the United States would immediately begin developing a larger military presence in suitable locations, including the construction of two major bases. Denmark’s parliament approved legislation last year allowing U.S. military bases on Danish territory. The measure expanded on a 2023 agreement reached with the Biden administration that provided American forces with broad access to Danish air bases. Trump has previously argued that the United States must “take Greenland” to prevent Russia or China from gaining control of the territory. Although he has said he would prefer to negotiate a deal, he has also stated that the United States would obtain Greenland “one way or the other.” Agreement Would Continue if Greenland Gains IndependenceThe agreement, released by the three governments following the signing, permits the United States to modernize and expand its activities at Pituffik Space Base. It also allows Washington to establish defense areas at Narsarsuaq in southern Greenland and Mestersvig in the east. The United States could establish additional defense areas and expand military facilities or operations elsewhere on the island. The agreement calls for contracts related to the construction, maintenance and removal of such facilities to be awarded to Greenlandic businesses whenever possible. The accord also provides the U.S. military with broad access across Greenland, including underwater routes. The three parties said they share an interest in ensuring U.S. military access to Greenland to help defend NATO territory, Greenland and North America, including through Trump’s planned “Golden Dome” missile defense system. Frederiksen said no specific decision had yet been made regarding that system. Countries outside NATO would be prohibited from establishing manned or unmanned military facilities in Greenland or maintaining a permanent military presence there unless all signatories agree. The agreement has no specified expiration date. If Greenland becomes independent, it would remain in NATO and assume the rights and responsibilities currently held by Denmark under the agreement. Signatories Describe the Deal as a Positive DevelopmentFrederiksen described the agreement as a long-term arrangement that benefits the United States, Greenland, Denmark and NATO as a whole. “Mr. President, you have been very clear: You don’t want adversaries to come too close,” she said. “I fully agree.” Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen described the agreement as a “win-win-win” arrangement, emphasizing the shared security interests of Greenland and the United States. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, who played a role in easing tensions during the height of the dispute in January, also welcomed the agreement. In a post on X, he said the deal, together with NATO’s increasing involvement in Arctic security, would strengthen collective security and contribute to greater stability in the region. However, some Greenlandic officials said the tensions had damaged trust. Naaja Nathanielsen, one of Greenland’s two representatives in Denmark’s parliament and a former government minister, told The Associated Press that the dispute had been extremely difficult for Greenland’s population. She said many people had experienced fear and uncertainty about the possibility of losing their country and their livelihoods. Still, Nathanielsen described the new agreement as a major positive development and said it represented the first binding international agreement Greenland had signed as a country. She said it was an important step toward greater self-government and a stronger role for Greenland in international discussions. Frederiksen also expressed relief following the signing, saying that the Kingdom of Denmark was in a better position than it had been the previous day. She ended the post-signing news conference by joking that the participants would soon go out for a cold beer. Other NATO members also welcomed the development. Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics said the announcement was positive, although many details remained to be resolved. Rinkevics added that he hoped the Greenland dispute would now be settled, saying that the prolonged disagreement between close allies had been uncomfortable.

At least 11 people were killed and three others injured after three gunmen opened fire at a house party in South Africa, according to police. Police said one of the victims was a woman who was believed to be pregnant. The incident took place Tuesday night in KwaMakhutha township, about 30 kilometers (19 miles) south of Durban on South Africa’s eastern coast. According to police, the victims were attending a gathering at the house when the attackers entered and began shooting. Authorities said they were conducting a search for the suspects.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s interest in acquiring Greenland, the semiautonomous territory of NATO ally Denmark, first became public in 2019. The following is a timeline of developments that have since contributed to tensions between Washington and its European allies. August 2019: During his first term, Trump expresses interest in purchasing Greenland but says it is “not No. 1 on the burner.” Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen dismisses the idea as “an absurd discussion.” Trump later says he canceled a planned trip to Denmark after Frederiksen made a “nasty” statement rejecting his proposal. Dec. 22, 2024: Weeks before beginning his second term, Trump revives his interest in Greenland, declaring that “the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity.” Greenland’s Prime Minister Múte Bourup Egede responds that “we are not for sale and will never be for sale.” Jan. 7, 2025: Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr., visits Greenland. Trump, then president-elect, says he will not rule out using military force to take control of the territory. March 11, 2025: Greenlanders elect a new parliament, with Jens-Frederik Nielsen’s Demokraatit party emerging victorious. Soon afterward, all five parties represented in the legislature reject Trump’s calls for U.S. control of Greenland. March 27, 2025: Four of the five parties in Greenland’s parliament agree to form a coalition government, with Nielsen as prime minister. March 28, 2025: Vice President JD Vance visits the U.S. Pituffik Space Base in northwestern Greenland and accuses Denmark of failing to invest sufficiently in the island’s security. March 29, 2025: Denmark’s foreign minister criticizes the tone of U.S. criticism. Trump says he has never taken “military force off the table.” Aug. 27, 2025: Denmark’s Foreign Ministry summons the top U.S. diplomat in Copenhagen after a Danish broadcaster reports that at least three people linked to Trump have been conducting covert influence operations in Greenland. Dec. 21, 2025: Trump announces that Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry will serve as the U.S. special envoy to Greenland. Landry says it is an honor to serve in the role “to make Greenland a part of the U.S.” Dec. 22, 2025: The leaders of Denmark and Greenland reiterate that the United States will not take over Greenland. Denmark’s foreign minister says he will summon the U.S. ambassador. Jan. 4, 2026: Discussion of a possible U.S. takeover of Greenland intensifies after the United States removes Nicolás Maduro as president of Venezuela. Jan. 5, 2026: Danish Prime Minister Frederiksen says an American military takeover of Greenland would effectively mark the end of NATO. Jan. 6, 2026: Major European leaders join Frederiksen in issuing a statement defending Greenland’s sovereignty. The White House says “utilizing the U.S. military is always an option” for Trump. Jan. 8, 2026: Trump says in an interview that the United States needs to possess all of Greenland rather than simply rely on a longstanding treaty that gives Washington broad access to the territory for military purposes. Jan. 13, 2026: Greenlandic Prime Minister Nielsen says Greenland would choose Denmark “if we have to choose between the United States and Denmark here and now.” Jan. 14, 2026: The Danish and Greenlandic foreign ministers meet in Washington with Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. They agree to establish a working group, but Denmark and the White House subsequently give sharply different accounts of its purpose. Denmark announces plans to strengthen its military presence in the Arctic, while several European allies say they will send small numbers of troops to Greenland for Arctic security reconnaissance. Danish media later report that Copenhagen prepared for a potential conflict, including deploying explosives and blood supplies. Jan. 16, 2026: Trump says he may impose tariffs on countries that do not support U.S. control of Greenland. Jan. 17, 2026: Trump says he will impose a 10% import tax beginning in February on goods from eight European countries because of their opposition to U.S. control of Greenland. Jan. 19, 2026: In a text exchange with Norway’s prime minister, Trump links his position on Greenland to not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize and says he no longer feels “an obligation to think purely of Peace.” Jan. 21, 2026: Hours after saying he wants Greenland “including right, title and ownership,” Trump withdraws the threatened tariffs against European countries. He says he reached an agreement with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on a “framework of a future deal” on Arctic security. Jan. 28, 2026: Technical discussions involving the United States, Denmark and Greenland on an Arctic security agreement begin. Feb. 21, 2026: Trump says he will send a hospital ship to Greenland, claiming many people there are sick and lack adequate medical care. His announcement comes after Denmark’s military says its forces evacuated a crew member from a U.S. submarine off Greenland for urgent medical treatment. Greenlandic Prime Minister Nielsen responds, “no thank you,” to the proposed hospital ship. July 7, 2026: Trump renews tensions ahead of a NATO summit, saying Greenland “should be controlled by the United States, not by Denmark.” Frederiksen reiterates that Greenland is “not for sale” and says Denmark is “ready to defend every inch of NATO including our own territory” in the event of an attack. Sept. 18, 2026: Trump announces that he has reached a deal to strengthen the U.S. military presence in Greenland. Danish officials respond cautiously, with Frederiksen emphasizing that the planned agreement recognizes Denmark’s sovereignty and the Greenlandic people’s right to self-determination. Sept. 22, 2026: Trump signs an agreement with Denmark and Greenland to expand the U.S. military presence, describing it as “tremendous for everyone.” However, he does not respond to questions about whether his effort to acquire Greenland is now off the table.