As the sun rises over the ice-covered mountains of Nuuk fjord, Greenland, one of the world’s last wild frontiers, finds itself at the center of international debates about sovereignty and independence. Following remarks from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, in which he refused to rule out taking Greenland by force, residents across the island are voicing their opposition.

On December 16, Trump made waves with his controversial statement regarding Greenland’s status, prompting a wave of discontent among locals. “Greenland belongs to Greenlanders,” says a local fisherman, whose words echo a sentiment voiced throughout the island. “Trump can visit, but that’s it.”

Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, has long been a place of strong local identity, and residents like Kaaleeraq Ringsted, a 73-year-old church elder, have expressed outrage at the idea of selling or ceding the island. “Greenland is not for sale,” Ringsted states, recalling how he learned to fish and hunt with his father and grandfather. He, like many others, wants to preserve the land and its ways of life for future generations.

Further emphasizing local sentiment, Angutimmarik Hansen, a sheep farmer, dismisses the idea of selling Greenland to the U.S. as “stupid.” Although he acknowledges the island’s economic challenges, he insists, “We can work with the people of the USA, but not at the expense of our sovereignty.”

Despite these objections, the U.S. is still an influential presence in Greenland, and political figures like Jørgen Boassen, a businessman and supporter of Trump, suggest there is potential for economic collaboration with the U.S. “They are welcome to come and see what our country is like,” he says.

In Nuuk, Greenland’s capital and the world’s northernmost capital city, the conversation has shifted from rejection to reflection. Local leaders like Kuno Fencker, a member of Greenland’s parliament, argue that Greenland must be able to negotiate directly with the U.S. on matters like defense, security, and economic development, rather than through Denmark. Fencker believes that a sovereign Greenland could benefit from international cooperation, though he recognizes the island would need financial support, especially from the U.S. and Denmark.

However, the push for independence is not without its complexities. Greenland receives significant subsidies from Denmark, and any move toward full independence could come with economic challenges. “We are not naïve,” says Fencker, acknowledging the potential costs but emphasizing the importance of self-determination.

At the same time, Greenlanders are still grappling with the legacy of colonialism and injustices committed during Danish rule. Memories of forced sterilizations of Inuit women in the 1960s and 70s remain a painful chapter in the island’s history.

Greenland’s Prime Minister, Mute Egede, has stated, “We do not want to be Danish, we do not want to be American, we want to be Greenlandic,” underscoring the island’s desire for autonomy. Meanwhile, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has tread carefully, acknowledging the feelings stirred by Trump’s remarks but also highlighting Greenland’s ongoing relationship with Denmark.

The debate about Greenland’s future is far from over. As the island’s residents continue to navigate complex issues of independence and self-determination, Trump’s rhetoric has thrust the conversation into the global spotlight. Yet, the message from Greenland is clear: its destiny will be determined by the voices of its people, not foreign powers.

President Joe Biden has presented Pope Francis with the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction, the highest civilian honor in the United States, calling the pontiff “a light of faith, hope, and love that shines brightly across the world.” This marks the only time Biden has awarded the prestigious honor with distinction during his presidency.

Originally, Biden had planned to present the medal in person during a trip to Rome, scheduled to be his final overseas visit as president. However, he canceled his travel plans to focus on managing the devastating wildfires in California. Instead, the White House confirmed that Biden awarded the medal during a phone call with Pope Francis, where they also discussed global peace efforts and the alleviation of suffering.

This is the only instance during Biden’s presidency in which he has presented the award with distinction, a distinction he himself received in 2017 from then-President Barack Obama when Biden was Vice President. Obama only awarded the honor with distinction once during his presidency.

The citation for Pope Francis praised his tireless commitment to serving the poor, his role as a loving pastor who engages with children, and his call for peace and environmental protection. The award also highlighted his efforts in fostering interfaith dialogue and reaching out to those in need.

As Biden prepares to leave office on January 20, he has been honoring prominent figures, including supporters and allies, in recent weeks. Since taking office, Biden has awarded fewer Presidential Medals of Freedom compared to his predecessors. For instance, President Barack Obama awarded 118 medals during his presidency, while Biden has given out 19.

On January 4, Biden bestowed the Presidential Medal of Freedom to a diverse group of individuals, including celebrity chef José Andrés, Irish rock star Bono, and basketball legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson. Other notable recipients included world-renowned conservationist Jane Goodall, iconic fashion designer Ralph Lauren, and actor Denzel Washington.

Despite the relatively low number of awards compared to his predecessors, Biden’s honorees represent a broad spectrum of fields, from entertainment and activism to business and human rights. The recipients have had significant impacts in their respective areas, and their accomplishments have been recognized for advancing causes such as racial justice, public health, environmental conservation, and equality.

As Biden’s time in office draws to a close, his legacy of awarding the Presidential Medal of Freedom continues to honor individuals whose contributions have shaped the world in meaningful ways.

Italy has applied to revoke the arrest of Iranian engineer Abedini Najafabadi Mohammad, who was detained in Milan just days before Iranian authorities arrested Italian journalist Cecilia Sala. The application, filed on Saturday by Justice Minister Carlo Nordio, seeks to overturn the arrest of Mohammad, who was apprehended at Milan Malpensa Airport on December 16 under a US warrant.

The Milan Court of Appeal is set to hold a hearing on Wednesday to decide whether to extradite Mohammad to the United States. However, even if the court rules in favor of extradition, Nordio has the authority to reject the decision and choose to keep him in Italy.

The move has raised suspicions among political commentators, who speculate that a potential agreement was reached between Italy and Iran. It is believed that Italy may have promised not to extradite Mohammad to the US in exchange for Iran’s release of Cecilia Sala. Sala, a freelance journalist for Il Foglio newspaper and Chora Media, was arrested in Tehran just three days after Mohammad’s detention. She was held for 21 days in Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison before being freed and returning to Italy on January 8.

The US Justice Department accuses Mohammad and another Iranian citizen of supplying Iran with drone technology that was allegedly used in a January 2024 attack on a US outpost in Jordan, resulting in the deaths of three American soldiers.

The timing of the two arrests has fueled speculation about a potential diplomatic deal between Italy and Iran. Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni recently visited the Mar-a-Lago club in Florida, owned by former US President Donald Trump, adding to the intrigue surrounding the situation. However, no official confirmation has been made by the US, Italy, or Iran regarding whether any such deal has been struck.

The case remains at the center of international attention, with both Italy and Iran closely monitoring the developments. Mohammad’s fate now lies in the hands of the Milan Court of Appeal, which will decide whether he will be extradited to face charges in the US or remain in Italy, amid the ongoing geopolitical tension.