Denmark sends conscripts to Greenland as Arctic tensions grow

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By Reuters | Posted by TOE  For the first time in recent history, Danish conscripts have been deployed to Greenland, as Denmark moves to bolster its presence in the Arctic ​after U.S. demands to acquire the territory. U.S. President Donald Trump has ‌repeatedly sought  to acquire  the semi-autonomous Danish island, citing national security concerns and accusing Copenhagen of neglecting Arctic defence. Denmark and Greenland have firmly rejected the idea. The conscripts are part of the ​first cohort under Denmark’s new  extended conscription programme , aimed at producing soldiers able to ​operate in one of the kingdom’s most strategically important and challenging ⁠regions. “It shows presence that we’re here and not just thinking of our own ​skin. And also thinking of the people in Greenland,” 19-year-old conscript David told Reuters. Copenhagen ​has pledged billions of dollars to strengthen Arctic defences after Denmark’...
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Death toll from Kenyan floods rises to 108

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Weeks of heavy rains and flooding have ​now killed 108 ‌people in Kenya, the National Police Service said on Saturday in an ‌updated ​death ⁠toll.

Flash floods, which ⁠began on the evening of March 6, have caused widespread destruction ​in the East African nation, sweeping ⁠away dozens ⁠of vehicles, disrupting ​air travel, and damaging ​power infrastructure.

Over 2,700 families ‌have been displaced across the country, authorities said on Friday.

While ⁠the intensity of rainfall has eased in some areas, ⁠police ‌cautioned that ⁠the risk of ​flooding ‌persists due to ​overflowing drainage ⁠systems and waterlogged ground.

SOURCE: REUTERS AND AGECIES



from The Times Of Earth https://ift.tt/XiA3hYz

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