分类： politics

In a highly anticipated congressional appearance, former Special Counsel Jack Smith delivered a robust defense of his investigations into Donald Trump during a tense House Judiciary Committee hearing on Thursday. The televised session provided Smith with a national platform to articulate his case despite never having the opportunity to present it in court.

Smith asserted that his team had compiled ‘proof beyond a reasonable doubt’ demonstrating that the former president orchestrated a ‘criminal scheme’ to subvert the 2020 election results. ‘Rather than accepting his electoral defeat, President Trump engaged in systematic criminal activities to overturn the outcome and prevent the constitutional transfer of power,’ Smith testified.

The special counsel, appointed in 2022 by Attorney General Merrick Garland, emphasized that his charging decisions were made ‘without regard to President Trump’s political association, activities, beliefs, or 2024 presidential candidacy.’ Smith brought two major cases against Trump—one concerning election interference and another regarding mishandling of classified documents—both of which were discontinued following Trump’s November 2024 election victory, consistent with Justice Department policy against prosecuting sitting presidents.

The hearing revealed stark partisan divisions. Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) accused Smith of orchestrating a politically motivated campaign ‘to get President Trump’ and prevent his return to the White House. ‘The good news is the American people saw through it,’ Jordan declared.

In contrast, Representative Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) praised Smith’s professionalism, noting that Trump’s criticisms stemmed from the prosecutor having ‘pursued the facts and followed the law.’ Smith maintained that he would have made identical charging decisions regardless of the subject’s political affiliation, stating: ‘No one should be above the law in this country.’

The appearance follows Smith’s closed-door testimony last month and occurs against the backdrop of Trump’s continued verbal attacks, including recent characterizations of the prosecutor as ‘deranged.’

ABUJA, Nigeria—A high-level security dialogue between the United States and Nigeria commenced in Abuja on Thursday amid diplomatic friction, as a senior U.S. official called for stronger protections for Nigerian Christians following a mass kidnapping in Kaduna state. Allison Hooker, the U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, emphasized the urgent need for Nigeria to safeguard Christian communities and ensure their right to religious practice. Her remarks, however, conspicuously omitted any reference to Muslim victims of widespread violence, sparking criticism over the selective framing of Nigeria’s security crisis.

The dialogue follows sustained pressure from the Trump administration, which has characterized violence against Christians in Nigeria as “genocide” and “persecution.” This narrative is firmly rejected by the Nigerian government and independent analysts, who note that the country’s multifaceted security threats—including banditry, jihadist insurgency, and farmer-herder conflicts—afflict both Christians and Muslims indiscriminately.

Hooker, the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit Nigeria under the Trump administration, referenced the recent abduction of over 170 individuals from several churches in Kaduna. The attack, attributed to armed criminal groups known locally as “bandits,” initially drew denial from police authorities, further exacerbating public outrage. Survivors described a coordinated assault in which villagers were beaten and forced into the bush. One escapee, Ishaku Danzumi Kurmin, recounted hiding in a water well to avoid recapture.

For many residents, such kidnappings have become a grim routine. Alice Joseph, 42, lamented that her parents were among those seized—the latest in a series of family abductions spanning four years. “I now have no solace but God,” she said, reflecting the despair gripping affected communities.

While the U.S. delegation prioritized discussions on protecting Christians and countering terrorism, it overlooked the plight of Muslim victims caught in overlapping conflicts. Nigeria faces escalating violence from bandit gangs in the northwest, a persistent jihadist insurgency in the northeast, and resource-driven clashes in the central regions—all of which claim lives across religious lines.

Hooker also inaccurately claimed that all victims of a recent mass abduction at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Niger state were Christian, despite confirmation from local Christian associations that Muslim students were among those kidnapped. This error underscored concerns about the U.S. approach to Nigeria’s complex security landscape, which requires nuanced, inclusive strategies rather than singular religious framing.

The talks concluded with commitments to advance security cooperation, though the omission of Muslim victims signals ongoing diplomatic challenges in aligning U.S. and Nigerian priorities.

DAVOS, Switzerland — U.S. President Donald Trump formally inaugurated the “Board of Peace” during a high-profile signing ceremony at the World Economic Forum on Thursday. The newly established international body, which requires a $1 billion fee for permanent membership, has already drawn significant criticism over its funding model and controversial list of participant nations.

Leaders and senior officials from 19 countries joined Trump on stage for the charter signing, including staunch allies such as Argentina’s Javier Milei and Hungary’s Viktor Orban. Trump, who serves as the board’s chairman, remarked that the assembled leaders were “in most cases very popular leaders, some cases not so popular,” acknowledging the divisive nature of some invitations.

Originally conceived to oversee post-war peace efforts in Gaza following the Hamas-Israel conflict, the board’s charter now envisions a broader mandate in international conflict resolution. This expansion has raised concerns among diplomatic circles that Trump intends to position the organization as a potential rival to the United Nations, though Trump emphasized the board would operate “in conjunction” with the UN.

The membership criteria have proven particularly contentious. Russian President Vladimir Putin, who launched the invasion of Ukraine four years ago, has received an invitation to join. Trump confirmed Putin’s agreement to participate, while the Kremlin stated the invitation remains under consideration. The $1 billion membership requirement has prompted accusations that the board could become a “pay-to-play” version of the UN Security Council.

Notable absences marked the ceremony, with key U.S. allies including the United Kingdom and France declining to attend. British officials confirmed their non-participation earlier Thursday, reflecting widespread skepticism among traditional Western partners.

The signing nations predominantly represented governments with close ties to Trump or those seeking to demonstrate allegiance to the U.S. administration. Participants included officials from Bahrain, Morocco, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Indonesia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Pakistan, Paraguay, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, and Mongolia.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces an International Criminal Court arrest warrant related to the Gaza conflict, affirmed his intention to join despite not attending the ceremony. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the board’s initial focus would be “first and foremost on making sure that this peace deal in Gaza becomes enduring.” Trump delivered a stern warning that Hamas must disarm under the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire accord or face elimination.

The board’s launch coincides with Trump’s expressed frustration over not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize, despite his claims of having ended eight conflicts during his presidency.

In related diplomatic developments, Trump is scheduled to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Davos following the ceremony to discuss ceasefire negotiations in Ukraine. Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff revealed that talks with Moscow have made “a lot of progress” and have been narrowed to “one issue,” though he declined to specify the nature of this remaining obstacle. Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to travel to Moscow for further discussions before proceeding to Abu Dhabi for military-to-military talks.

Zelensky has expressed concerns that Trump’s highly publicized effort to acquire Greenland—which has dominated Davos discussions and strained transatlantic relations—might divert attention from Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. In a significant development, Trump announced Wednesday evening that he had reached a “framework of a future deal” with NATO chief Mark Rutte, resulting in the waiver of tariffs scheduled to hit European allies on February 1. Although details remain scarce, sources indicate the agreement will involve renegotiation of a 1951 Greenland defense pact.

DAVOS, Switzerland — In a significant address at the World Economic Forum, WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala issued a stern warning about the escalating global trend toward protectionist trade policies. While acknowledging that approximately 72% of international commerce still operates under established WTO frameworks, she expressed deep concern about recent deviations from multilateral trade principles.

The former Nigerian finance minister highlighted the complex challenges facing global trade governance, particularly regarding how nations justify protectionist measures under the guise of national security interests. “In this environment we have now, where certain countries feel ‘we need to fight for our national interests’, how do we proceed?” she questioned during a panel discussion. “What are the measures that are legitimate, and which are not? And if it’s national security, who determines your national security? What are the guardrails?”

Her comments came amid renewed protectionist actions from the United States, where President Donald Trump has implemented multiple tariff measures since returning to office one year ago. These actions, aimed at addressing trade imbalances and promoting domestic reindustrialization, represent a broader pattern of countries increasingly prioritizing national interests over multilateral cooperation.

Okonjo-Iweala emphasized the critical need for WTO reform, particularly regarding its decision-making processes. The organization currently operates on a consensus basis among its 166 member states, a system she described as ineffective. “The way we make decisions — it’s not working,” she stated bluntly, calling for greater “nimbleness” in addressing contemporary trade challenges.

These issues will take center stage at the upcoming WTO Ministerial Conference in Cameroon (March 26-29), where institutional reform and the tension between national sovereignty and international trade rules will dominate discussions. The organization faces mounting pressure to adapt its governance structures as countries including India and the United States continue to block progress on various negotiations.

COPENHAGEN (AFP)—The Danish government issued a firm rebuttal on Thursday regarding U.S. President Donald Trump’s claims of a negotiated ‘framework’ concerning Greenland, explicitly stating that NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte possesses no authority to negotiate on Denmark’s behalf. This declaration came just one day after Trump announced he had abandoned earlier threats to forcibly acquire the autonomous Danish territory and instead reached a preliminary agreement following discussions with Rutte at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen emphasized the nation’s position in a televised statement, clarifying, ‘The position of Denmark and that of Greenland are the same, and no negotiations were held yesterday with NATO about our sovereignty.’ She reiterated that sovereignty is non-negotiable, asserting that only the governments of Denmark and Greenland itself are empowered to make decisions concerning their territory.

While details of the discussed arrangement remain undisclosed, a source familiar with the Trump-Rutte dialogue revealed that the United States and Denmark are set to renegotiate a longstanding 1951 defense pact pertaining to Greenland. The same source confirmed that the highly sensitive topic of placing U.S. military bases on the island under American sovereignty was not part of the discussions.

Echoing the Prime Minister’s sentiments, Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen took to social media to affirm that Rutte ‘cannot negotiate an agreement on behalf of Denmark or Greenland.’ Despite this, Poulsen acknowledged Rutte’s ‘loyal work to maintain unity within NATO’ and described it as ‘very positive’ that the alliance is seeking to enhance Arctic security measures. He concluded with a definitive national stance: ‘We have a clear red line. We will not cede sovereignty over parts of the kingdom.’

In the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s catastrophic impact on Jamaica, Janice McIntosh has launched her campaign for re-election to the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council’s southern United States representative position. The Category 5 storm’s devastation has underscored the critical need for organized diaspora engagement, according to McIntosh, who is among six candidates vying to lead the 13-state bloc.

The Florida-based candidate emphasized that her central mission involves fortifying connections between southern U.S. Jamaicans and decision-makers in their homeland. “The diaspora represents one of Jamaica’s most significant untapped resources,” McIntosh stated in an interview with Observer Online. “My objective centers on creating structured channels for communication, coordination, and collaboration to ensure diaspora voices, skills, and resources contribute meaningfully to Jamaica’s sustainable development.”

McIntosh brings substantial credentials to her candidacy, having resided in South Florida since 2009 while serving eleven years as Jamaica National Bank’s chief representative officer—a role that required consistent liaison with Jamaican institutions. Her extensive community work in Lauderhill, which hosts South Florida’s largest Jamaican population, further strengthens her qualifications.

The electoral process, administered by Jamaica’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, will conduct online voting from January 28 through February 20. The southern region’s winner will succeed Peter Gracey, elected in 2023, and will join newly elected representatives from the U.S. northeast, west Midwest, and Canadian regions.

McIntosh characterizes her approach as “people-centered and highly engaged,” rejecting ceremonial representation in favor of active bridge-building and consistent follow-through with diaspora organizations, community leaders, and Jamaican citizens across demographic groups.