US President Donald Trump has announced punitive tariffs against eight European countries that oppose his plans for Greenland. The ten percent surcharges are to be introduced on 1 February and are to remain in effect until the Arctic island is acquired. The EU plans to reach a decision on countermeasures at a special summit to be held in theext few days. Commentators make their own recommendations for responses.

For the first time in 40 years, the Portuguese presidential election will go into a second round. On 8 February, the socialist candidate António José Seguro (31 percent) will face off against the right-wing populist André Ventura (23.5 percent). The candidate of the ruling conservative PSD party came in fifth in the first round of voting on Sunday. Portuguese media take stock.

According to a representative of the Iranian government, 5,000 people have been killed during the recent wave of protests in Iran, 500 of whom were members of the security forces. The Sunday Times puts theumber of deaths at 16,500 or more, however. Washington had initially stated it would stage a military intervention. Then, on Wednesday, Donald Trump announced there would beo intervention forow as the regime had cancelled its plans to carry out executions.

US President Donald Trump welcomed Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado to the White House on Thursday to discuss the future of her country, Venezuela. At the end of the meeting, Machado presented the president with the Nobel Peace Prize medal she received last year, citing his commitment to the freedom of the Venezuelan people. Commentators are appalled.