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- Elon Musk’s Greenland Joke Falls Flat at Davos: A Missed Opportunity for Laughter
- Ryanair CEO vs Elon Musk: The Controversial Feud Explained in Detail
- Toby Carvery at risk of eviction for felling a 500-year-old oak tree | News UK
- UK Assists in Commando-Style Capture of Russian Oil Tanker Off France
- Migrants Relocate to Crowborough Army Camp Amid Protests | News UK
- Spain’s Fourth Train Crash in Days: Crane Collision Disrupts Rail Service
- Exploring Trump’s Proposed Greenland Deal: Key Details and Implications
- House of Lords Approves Social Media Ban for Under-16s | News UK
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Elon Musk’s Greenland Joke Falls Flat at Davos: A Missed Opportunity for Laughter
6:52 pm
TL:DR – Elon Musk’s Greenland Joke Falls Flat at Davos: A Missed Opportunity for Laughter
- Elon Musk commented on Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ during his speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
- Musk joked about the board’s peace initiatives, referencing Trump’s Greenland claims.
- Trump’s board, initially focused on Gaza, faces scepticism from the UK and other allies due to concerns about Russian involvement.
- Yvette Cooper highlighted the UK’s cautious approach, emphasising the need for broader discussions in the Gaza peace process.
Elon Musk’s awkward Greenland joke fails to land at Davos | News World
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Elon Musk took the stage at Davos in Switzerland and appeared to take a dig at Donald Trump’s controversial ‘Board of Peace’.
Trump has tried to spotlight his newly proposed Board of Peace at the World Economic Forum this week, but it’s been overshadowed by his threats to seize Greenland, and then by a dramatic retreat from that push.
At the beginning of his speech, Musk told the crowd: ‘I heard about the formation of the peace summit, and I was like, is that p‑i‑e‑c‑e?
‘You know, a little piece of Greenland, a little piece of Venezuela. All we want is peace.’
Attendees chuckled quietly at the joke before Musk quickly moved on to other subjects like tariffs and other issues.
Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ was initially envisioned as a small group of world leaders overseeing the Gaza ceasefire, but has morphed into something far more ambitious.
Skepticism about its membership and mandate has led some traditional US allies not to commit – including the UK.
Musk spoke at the forum about tariffs and other issues (Picture: Getty)
Russian President Vladimir Putin said his country is still consulting with Moscow’s ‘strategic partners’ before deciding to commit.
Britain said they haven’t committed yet over concerns about potential Russian involvement in the plan, the Foreign Secretary has said.
Yvette Cooper said the UK would discuss with allies the ‘different supportive role’ it could play in the Gaza peace process as she faced questions about the prospect of joining the group.
She told BBC Breakfast today: ‘There’s a huge amount of work to do. We won’t be one of the signatories today because this is about a legal treaty that raises much broader issues.
‘And we do also have concerns about President Putin being part of something which is talking about peace when we have still not seen any signs from Putin that there will be a commitment to peace in Ukraine.
‘And to be honest, that is also what we should be talking about.’
Trump held up a signed charter for the Board of Peace at Davos (Picture: AP)
Trump has called his project ‘the Greatest and Most Prestigious Board ever assembled at any time, any place’.
The officials listed included US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.
Former UN special envoy Nickolay Mladenov was also named to the board, alongside billionaire Marc Rowan, World Bank President Ajay Banga, and US Deputy National Security Adviser Robert Gabriel.
Trump previously said the board would include former Prime Minister Tony Blair, whom he called a ‘good man’.
Other officials come from Bahrain, Morocco, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Hungary, Indonesia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Pakistan, Paraguay, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Uzbekistan, and Mongolia.
Ryanair CEO vs Elon Musk: The Controversial Feud Explained in Detail
5:00 pm
TL:DR – Ryanair CEO vs Elon Musk: The Controversial Feud Explained in Detail
- Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary and Elon Musk engaged in a public feud over WiFi after Ryanair rejected Musk’s Starlink satellite as a provider, citing costs.
- O’Leary called Musk an ‘idiot’ and launched a ‘Big Idiot’ seat sale, resulting in increased bookings.
- Musk joked about buying Ryanair, with a majority of his followers supporting the idea.
- Both CEOs leverage their personas for publicity, showcasing a unique blend of humour and provocation in their business strategies.
The ‘big idiot’ feud between Ryanair’s CEO and Elon Musk | News World
Two powerful men are slinging mud at each other as a row over Ryanair’s Wifi connection escalates, with both calling each other the biggest ‘idiot.’
The Ryanair CEO, Michael O’Leary and Elon Musk kicked off the new year with a classic billionaire feud, which has intensified in the last few days.
With a combined net worth of around £575 billion – most of it’s Musk’s – the men have not minced their words after apparently souring business talks, with Musk calling the Ryanair boss an ‘imbecile.’
Here is a breakdown of why the two businessmen are taking jabs at each other – and why they get away with behaviour that would get most people cancelled.
Ryanair has turned the feud with Elon Musk into a business opportunity (Picture: Brian Lawless/PA Wire)
Starlink
The battle of the billionaires started after Ryanair rejected Musk’s Starlink satellite as the budget airline’s potential Wifi provider, saying that the tech installed on planes would require extra fuel and that the fuel drag would cost up to $250 million a year.
Musk said he doubted the company could measure the fuel use ‘accurately.’
O’Leary, who is known for his controversial hot takes, insisted that its passengers won’t pay a penny to use the Internet on board and that it would have to be free.
The world’s richest man asked his followers if he should buy Ryanair and make someone named Ryan its leader (Picture: AP)
He then added fuel to the flames by describing X as ‘cesspit.’ He said: ‘I would pay no attention whatsoever to Elon Musk. He’s an idiot – very wealthy, but he’s still an idiot.’
Musk hit back by calling the Ryanair boss ‘an utter idiot and insufferable chimp.’
‘Big Idiot’ Ryanair sale
Instead of retreating, Ryanair then channelled the controversy into a PR opportunity – a typical move by the budget airline known for its social media posts relishing criticism rather than hiding away from it.
The airline launched the ‘Big Idiot’ seat sale on Tuesday with 100,000 seats going for £16.99, which O’Leary claimed yesterday has led to a ‘dramatic’ increase in bookings and traffic to its website.
Crisis PR expert Lauren Beeching said that from a communications perspective, the biggest standout moment was the ‘Big Idiot’ sale, which makes it clear ‘this was never viewed as reputational risk internally, but as commercial opportunity.’
She told WTX News that the feud aligns ‘perfectly with how both sides already communicate,’ with Ryanair often leaning into humour and provocation and ‘deliberately lowering expectations in a self-aware way.’
But other CEOs might want to steer clear of their tactic of public name-calling.
Lauren continued: ‘Almost any other CEO would struggle to get away with this without raising questions about judgment or leadership.
‘Here, it works because Musk and O’Leary are unusually well-matched. Both have built public personas that thrive on provocation, humour, and being slightly antagonistic.
‘Musk’s online presence is driven by memes and deliberately unserious engagement, while Ryanair has normalised irreverence as a brand voice. Together, it becomes a kind of perfect pairing, entertaining to watch rather than genuinely concerning.’
Could Elon Musk take over Ryanair?
While the row was raging, Musk floated the idea of buying Ryanair over the weekend.
Musk wrote on X: ‘Should I buy Ryan Air and put someone whose actual name is Ryan in charge?’
A PR expert said that Musk and O’Leary can get away with the public feuding because they are seen as provocateurs (Picture: Getty/Reuters)
He then polled his followers asking ‘Buy Ryan Air and restore Ryan as their rightful ruler,’ with over three-quarters of the nearly 900,000 respondents saying yes.
When the airline’s official X account asked Musk that ‘perhaps you need Wifi,’ Musk replied by asking ‘how much would it cost to buy you?’
While the exchanges might seem fun and games, the world’s richest man has previously followed through on threats like this – his takeover of X, formerly known as Twitter in 2017 started with a joking post goading him to buy it.
O’Leary has admitted that he, in fact, likes the Starlink system, but installing it would undermine the airline’s budget operating model.
He said: ‘If Starlink wants to fit our aircraft and pay for the fuel drag, we’d happily put them on board.’
What airlines have free Wifi?
While most airports tend to offer free Wifi, getting hold of a connection on board free of charge is more a game of luck.
Here is a list of airlines that have complimentary standard Wifi on board, and most of them have the option for paid higher-speed connection:
JetBlue
Norwegian
Philippines Airlines
Air New Zealand
Qantas
Malaysia Airlines
Hawaiian Airlines
Fiji Airways
Air India
Toby Carvery at risk of eviction for felling a 500-year-old oak tree | News UK
4:00 pm
TL:DR – Toby Carvery at risk of eviction for felling a 500-year-old oak tree | News UK
- A 500-year-old oak tree was illegally felled by Toby Carvery in north London, sparking community outrage.
- Enfield Council treated the incident as criminal damage and reported it to the police, who found no evidence of wrongdoing.
- The council is seeking eviction of the restaurant for lease breaches, demanding a public apology and reparations.
- The tree, vital for local wildlife, was compared to the recently felled Sycamore Gap tree.
- A trial is expected later this year or early 2027.
Toby Carvery faces eviction after it chopped down a 500-year-old oak tree | News UK
The tree was estimated to be up to 500 years old (Picture: Getty)
A Toby Carvery in north London is facing eviction after its owner cut down an ‘irreplaceable’ 500-year-old tree without council permission.
The oak tree in north London, believed to be 450 to 500 years old, was cut down on April 3, 2025, after the chain’s owner, Mitchells & Butlers, was advised by experts that it was dying and a risk to the public.
Environmentalists and locals claimed the tree’s habitats were important for supporting other wildlife, such as endangered dead wood beetles.
Some compared it to the felling of the landmark Sycamore Gap tree next to Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland.
Enfield Council reported the matter to the Metropolitan Police, which investigated and found ‘no evidence of criminality’, but M&B is now facing eviction for ‘serious breaches’ of their lease.
The council served the notice on October 6 and issued proceedings in Edmonton County Court seeking forfeiture of the lease.
The historic tree was felled last April (Picture: Getty)
Enfield Council said a trial should take place later this year or early in 2027.
Deputy Leader of the council, Tim Leaver, said: ‘The destruction of the ancient Whitewebbs Oak was a reckless act, which caused huge damage to the tree and cut its expected lifespan. It shocked and angered our entire community.
‘This centuries-old tree, sometimes known as the Guy Fawkes Oak, was an irreplaceable part of Enfield’s natural heritage and was felled without the council’s knowledge or consent, in clear breach of the lease governing the site.’
Mr Leaver said M&B failed to ‘engage meaningfully’ with the council or make reparations for the felling.
The council is demanding a public apology and financial reparations for the ‘irreversible damage’.
‘The people of Enfield deserve accountability. This case is about upholding our duty to protect our environment and our shared heritage,’ he added.
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Two weeks after the tree was felled, Toby Carvery chief executive Phil Urban said the company had ‘acted in good faith’ when it authorised the work.
He added: ‘Clearly, the felling of a beautiful old tree is a very emotive subject and is not something that any of us would undertake lightly.
‘I can only apologise for all the upset that it has caused.’
UK Assists in Commando-Style Capture of Russian Oil Tanker Off France
3:50 pm
TL:DR – “UK Assists in Commando-Style Capture of Russian Oil Tanker Off France”
- French maritime authorities intercepted the oil tanker, Grinch, as part of a mission targeting Russia’s shadow fleet.
- The tanker, suspected of flying a false flag, was detained in the Mediterranean.
- It is believed to be transporting Russian oil from Murmansk while displaying the flag of Comoros.
- Such practices are used to evade sanctions and inspections.
- This operation highlights increasing scrutiny over illegal oil transport linked to Russia.
UK helps France seize ‘Russian oil tanker’ in commando-style raid in the Mediterranean | News World
The Grinch, suspected of flying a false flag, is being escorted to a port for further checks (Picture: French Forces)
### France Captures Oil Tanker Targeting Russia’s Shadow Fleet
British intelligence has reported that France captured an oil tanker in a mission targeting Russia’s shadow fleet.
French maritime authorities stated that the vessel, named the Grinch, was intercepted in the Mediterranean.
The ship, suspected of flying a false flag, is currently being escorted to a port for further checks, according to the statement.
### Grinch’s Russian Oil Origins
The Grinch is believed to have been transporting Russian oil from the Arctic port of Murmansk.
It was flying the African flag of Comoros, as identified by the International Maritime Organisation.
Crews often utilize a nation’s flag without its permission to evade sanctions, inspections, or other jurisdictions.
Migrants Relocate to Crowborough Army Camp Amid Protests | News UK
1:00 pm
TL:DR – Migrants Relocate to Crowborough Army Camp Amid Protests | News UK
- The first 27 asylum seekers have arrived at Crowborough army camp for processing.
- The site aims to house 540 asylum seekers, replacing costly hotels.
- Local opposition includes protests over safety concerns and government disregard for community objections.
- Supportive locals, like Aaron Stevens, advocate kindness towards migrants.
- Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood emphasised plans to reduce illegal migration.
- Critics, including Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp, warn of potential crime risks associated with the migrants.
First migrants moved into army camp in Crowborough despite weeks of protests | News UK
The first illegal migrants have arrived at an army camp overnight as part of controversial plans to house 540 asylum seekers at the barracks.
The migrants arrived at Crowborough army camp on a 16-seater coach in the early hours of the morning.
The Home Office has confirmed that 27 asylum seekers have now moved onto the site, where they will be housed for three months while their claim is processed.
The move is part of the government’s plans to end the use of expensive migrant hotels, but has sparked weekly protests in the Sussex town.
The camp will hold 500 male asylum seekers (Picture: Eddie Mitchell)
Does Illegal immigration really put pressure on the NHS?
The coach carrying the first arrivals was bused in under the cover of darkness at 3am this morning, alongside a police escort.
A large police presence remains outside the camp today, with the government stressing there is specialist around-the-clock security in place at the camp.
The leader of the local Wealden District Council said the Home Office ‘hasn’t listened to any of us’ over their objections to the plans.
He added that ‘a lot of people are angry, frightened and worried’ about the camp being used to house the asylum seekers.
UK News has also spoken to locals who want to welcome the migrants.
Aaron Stevens, who helps to run a local group to support refugees, said: ‘We need to try and make the best of the situation, rather than meeting people with hatred.
‘We want to provide support be kind. Our group is apolitical. We want to provide care for them as we did previously for Ukrainians.’
The plans have sparked weekly protests (Picture Stuart Brock/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: ‘Illegal migration has been placing immense pressure on communities.
‘That is why we are removing the incentives that draw illegal migrants to Britain, closing asylum hotels that are blighting communities.
‘Crowborough is just the start. I will bring forward site after site until every asylum hotel is closed and returned to local communities.
‘I will not rest until order and control of our borders is restored.’
More than 400 asylum hotels were opened under the last government, costing £9million a day.
While many have been closed, just under 200 asylum hotels still remain in use.
The arrival of migrants in Crowborough was labelled ‘another day of shame’ by Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philip.
He claimed: ‘We have seen hundreds of crimes committed by illegal immigrants in asylum accommodation, including many rapes, sexual assaults, and even murder.
The Home Office has revealed what the inside of the camp looks like (Picture: Home Office/PA Wire)
‘Now the women and children of Crowborough will be exposed to those risks too.’
Mr Philp complained that 6,000 army and RAF cadets had been kicked out of the barracks for the plan to go ahead.
Stand up to Racism Crowborough told UK News that asylum seekers and refugees were ‘not to blame’.
They added: ‘Crowborough has a proud history of showing kindness and helping people in their hour of need.
‘Refugees fleeing conflicts in Ukraine and Afghanistan have been welcomed by the community with open arms and this occasion is no different.
‘We support local people who are working to make sure these new arrivals are shown hospitality and the best traditions of Crowborough, those of unity and solidarity triumph over the hateful and racist narratives of division.’
Spain’s Fourth Train Crash in Days: Crane Collision Disrupts Rail Service
12:16 pm
TL:DR – “Spain’s Fourth Train Crash in Days: Crane Collision Disrupts Rail Service”
- Spain faces multiple train accidents, including a commuter train crash into a crane in Cartagena.
- Recent tragedies in Adamuz and Barcelona resulted in significant fatalities and injuries.
- Adif halts services due to crane interference; emergency services treat several individuals.
- Investigations into the Adamuz high-speed train crash highlight potential infrastructure failures.
- The tragic story of a lone survivor highlights the human cost of these incidents.
- Ongoing inquiries aim to uncover the causes behind these fatal train collisions in Spain.
Spain suffers fourth train crash in days after crane is hit on tracks | News World
Spain’s Recent Train Crashes: A National Tragedy
Spain has been rocked by another train crash within a week, following the deadly collisions in Adamuz and Barcelona, along with a minor incident.
In the latest event, a commuter train crashed into a crane in southeastern Spain today. The Spanish rail operator Adif raised the alarm, stating that services have been ground to a halt due to “the intrusion into the infrastructure gauge by a crane not belonging to the railway operation,” although further details were not disclosed. Emergency services reportedly treated one person for minor cuts and three for anxiety, according to RTVE.
A Series of Train Collisions
Spain is reeling after a spate of fatal train collisions this week. In Adamuz, 41 people were killed and 123 injured when two trains collided on Sunday. On Tuesday, a train driver was killed and dozens were injured near Barcelona when a wall collapsed onto the tracks, thought to have been caused by heavy rain. A third incident, also in the Barcelona region on Tuesday, saw a train derail after a rock fell on the tracks due to the storm, although no injuries were reported.
The first tragedy struck on Sunday, when two high-speed trains collided and derailed, with victims reportedly thrown for hundreds of meters. On Tuesday, another train driver died and 37 people were injured when a commuter service derailed after hitting a fallen retainer wall. Among the survivors of the Adamuz crash was a six-year-old girl, the sole survivor of her family, who was traveling home after attending a musical.
What Caused the High-Speed Train Crash in Adamuz?
Gareth Dennis, a railway engineer and writer, stated that everyone is on “heightened alert” after these high-profile incidents. However, he noted that there is “no meaningful connection” between the crashes.
He explained that the incident in Barcelona was due to infrastructure failure, while the latest crash involved a crane obstructing the train. “This one is a crane somehow finding its way in front of the train, and they are unrelated to Adamuz, which is likely to have been a rail break,” he said.
Dennis emphasized the importance of investigating what caused the potential rail break and why such a failure was allowed to occur. “Only an investigation can answer that,” he stated.
The official investigation in Adamuz is ongoing as teams sift through the wreckage to locate any remaining victims. Oscar Puente, the Minister for Transport, indicated yesterday that there is an “undeniable possibility” that the marks found on the wheels were due to a track defect.
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