Tom Burgis

Greenland’s government has issued a strong warning to Greenland Energy, a Texas oil company linked to Donald Trump, after drilling equipment was unloaded on the island’s eastern coast without confirmed approval. The company plans exploratory wells in Jameson Land, where it claims up to $1tn in crude could exist, although Greenland halted new oil licences in 2021 on environmental grounds and the proposed site may fall within a Ramsar-protected conservation area. Greenland Energy says regulatory discussions have progressed and intends to begin drilling in October, while Greenlandic leaders must weigh environmental and legal concerns against fears that refusing permission could intensify Trump’s pressure to control the territory.

A Texas-based company, Greenland Energy, backed by figures linked to Donald Trump, is pushing to begin oil drilling in Greenland’s Jameson Land despite lacking the necessary government permissions. Company representatives claim vast oil reserves and have chartered equipment for transport, while Greenland’s authorities dispute their assertions and express concern over the project’s political ties and potential environmental harm. The initiative aligns with Trump allies’ renewed push to bring Greenland under US control and fits into broader US strategic ambitions. Environmental experts warn that drilling would affect protected wetland habitats, while local Greenlandic leaders fear geopolitical pressure. The company’s investor base includes prominent Trump-aligned figures, and a forthcoming documentary by Phil McGraw aims to promote its efforts, prompting shareholder speculation about political boosts to its stock price.

Andrew Bailey stated he could identify and resist lobbying after Nigel Farage urged him to drop Bank of England plans for a central bank digital currency that could affect the interests of Christopher Harborne, a major Reform UK donor. Bailey confirmed no policy changes resulted from Farage’s intervention, despite Farage claiming otherwise. Harborne’s undisclosed £5m gift has triggered investigations into Farage, prompting his resignation as MP, while multiple parties plan to boycott a proposed byelection. Labour figures called for scrutiny of potential lobbying rule breaches as the Bank maintains its consideration of a digital currency.

Trump’s second term has enabled his businesses to generate more than $2bn, exemplifying a growing trend of political leaders in western democracies using public office for personal enrichment. Figures such as Nigel Farage and Pauline Hanson are similarly leveraging influence for financial gain, often through cryptocurrency ventures backed by wealthy patrons. Experts warn that ethical norms are eroding, institutions are being weakened, and the concentration of wealth and power risks state capture. Despite investigations and public concern, many voters continue to support leaders who monetise their positions, driven by polarized political identities and disinformation environments.

Nigel Farage faces a call for investigation by the parliamentary standards commissioner over claims he lobbied the Bank of England to drop plans for a state-backed digital currency that could benefit major donor Christopher Harborne. Labour MPs argue Farage’s private meeting with governor Andrew Bailey, along with his public advocacy for stablecoins and opposition to the digital pound, may breach lobbying rules following substantial donations and a £5m personal gift from Harborne, a major investor in Tether. Requests have been made for transparency over the meeting as questions grow about donor influence on financial policy, while the Bank maintains the meeting was part of normal political engagement.

Nigel Farage pressed Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey to abandon plans for a central bank digital currency, a policy that could reduce demand for stablecoins produced by Tether, in which major Reform UK donor Christopher Harborne holds a significant stake. Harborne’s extensive funding of Reform UK and past lobbying activity has prompted concern over potential influence on crypto policy. Labour’s Anna Turley plans to ask regulators to investigate Farage’s actions. Submissions from an industry group representing Tether warned that Britcoin could undermine private stablecoins. Critics also call for transparency over Farage’s meeting with Bailey as the UK government develops its crypto regulatory framework.

A little-known company with close ties to Donald Trump and his political allies is poised to secure more than $1bn in energy contracts in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including the Southern Interconnection gas pipeline. Despite lacking experience, AAFS Infrastructure and Energy has received strong backing from the Trump administration, reshaping US involvement in the Balkans and raising concerns about conflicts of interest and corruption. Bosnian officials are divided, with some seeing US-linked contractors as a path to breaking political deadlock, while others warn of bypassing competitive tendering and falling under political pressure. The project intersects with regional power struggles, particularly with Serb leader Milorad Dodik, whose sanctions were recently lifted by the Trump administration as he seeks US favor while pursuing separatist aims. The pipeline’s approval is nearing completion, deepening US influence and shifting regional energy strategy away from Russian gas.

Christopher Harborne, a crypto billionaire operating largely from Thailand, has become the dominant funder of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK, contributing over £22m and shaping the party’s financial viability. His wealth stems from early investments in bitcoin, Ethereum and especially Tether, the world’s largest stablecoin issuer, in which he holds a significant stake. Farage’s growing embrace of crypto aligns with Harborne’s interests, as have shifts in positions by Conservative leaders who also received his donations. Tether faces ongoing scrutiny for its opaque reserves and widespread illicit use, and international authorities have investigated related financial risks. As Labour moves to restrict large overseas donations, Harborne may need to return to the UK to continue supporting Reform. Concerns persist among experts and lawmakers about the influence of foreign-linked crypto wealth on British democracy and policy direction.

EU officials warned Bosnia that awarding a major gas pipeline contract to AAFS, a little‑known company tied to Donald Trump’s allies, could jeopardize its EU accession prospects. The legislation enabling AAFS to receive the contract without a tender drew criticism from Transparency International, prompting Brussels to intervene and insist on alignment with EU energy rules. The project would connect Bosnia to LNG supplies via Croatia, reducing dependence on Russian gas, but raises concerns in Brussels about a key energy asset being controlled by figures close to Trump. Support for the pipeline from Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik and broader involvement of Trump‑aligned individuals has heightened political sensitivities around the project.

A Guardian investigation found that confidential UK Biobank health data had been exposed online dozens of times after researchers inadvertently published sensitive datasets on platforms such as GitHub. The leaked files included large numbers of hospital diagnoses and were detailed enough for researchers to infer individuals’ medical histories when combined with minimal external information. UK Biobank disputed that the exposures posed re‑identification risks and said it had taken extensive steps to remove leaked data and tighten researcher training. Experts described the scale of repeated leaks as alarming and highlighted growing tensions between large‑scale data‑driven medical research and the need to protect participant privacy.

Elliptic traced more than $500m in Tether stablecoins passing through accounts linked to Iran’s central bank, suggesting a strategy to circumvent sanctions and stabilize the rial. The findings raise scrutiny of Nigel Farage’s promotion of Tether, whose shareholder Christopher Harborne is a major Reform UK donor. Tether asserts compliance with sanctions and cooperation with global law enforcement, having frozen some illicit accounts, though many connected to Iran’s central bank remain active. The report highlights rising illicit demand for Tether amid Iran’s restricted access to the global banking system.

Trump-linked operatives Jesse Binnall and Joe Flynn are pursuing a major contract to build Bosnia’s Southern Gas Interconnection pipeline, representing a newly formed US firm despite its lack of industry experience. Their involvement follows Trump’s recent policy moves in the Balkans and comes as Bosnia seeks alternatives to Russian gas. While the US embassy supports the venture as standard commercial diplomacy, questions arise over potential conflicts due to their roles in challenging the 2020 US election. The project is positioned to shift regional energy dependence, amid broader political maneuvering involving figures such as Michael Flynn and Milorad Dodik.

Ronald Lauder encouraged Donald Trump in 2018 to pursue the acquisition of Greenland, a proposal that later aligned with Lauder’s growing business ventures on the island. Trump’s renewed push to obtain Greenland, even by force, has raised tensions with Denmark and prompted concerns over conflicts of interest. Lauder’s investments in Greenland, including springwater exports and potential hydroelectric projects, expanded as Trump escalated rhetoric about asserting US control over the territory. Lauder was also linked to a consortium seeking access to Ukrainian lithium, which coincided with Republican pressure for the US to secure Ukraine’s mineral resources and a subsequent Washington–Kyiv minerals deal. The developments have intensified scrutiny of how business interests of Trump allies intersect with US foreign policy during his second term.