Le Journal

Jack Smith Faces Republican Fire in Trump Investigation Testimony Jack Smith, the former U.S. Special Counsel, appeared before the House Judiciary Committee, defending his contentious investigations into ex-President Donald Trump. Amid Republican criticism, Smith reiterated that Trump sought to maintain power following his 2020 electoral defeat, leading to historic prosecutions.Smith's two primary cases were scrutinized by the Republican-led panel, which accounted for allegations of Trump's conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election and unlawfully retaining classified documents. Though the cases were dropped after Trump's 2024 election win, echoes of political bias charges lingered, highlighted by GOP arguments pointing to subpoena issues.Republicans, including Committee Chair Jim Jordan, questioned Smith's motives, suggesting a politically charged pursuit. However, Smith maintained that his investigation targeted justice, not partisanship. Democrats came to Smith's defense, emphasizing his adherence to the law and factual basis in prosecuting Trump.

Operation Sindoor: A Strategic Triumph in Modern Warfare Operation Sindoor, a meticulously coordinated military response, demonstrated India’s evolving strategic capabilities under the leadership of Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi. The operation, which took place in May last year, was a direct retaliation to the brutal Pahalgam terror attack, aiming to neutralize terrorist threats and reaffirm India’s security stance.The operation entailed a comprehensive three-dimensional strategy, involving tactical planning in military, information, and economic domains. Gen Dwivedi emphasized the joint capabilities of India's forces and the increased agility in decision-making, which took adversaries by surprise during the execution of the mission.Post-operation analysis recognized Operation Sindoor as a significant milestone in modern warfare. It marked India’s advancement towards an integrated response system, supported by synchronized efforts of the academic, industrial, and military sectors to ensure national security in a swiftly changing global landscape.

EU's Preparedness Amid Greenland Acquisition Controversy The European Union must stay alert and be prepared to respond decisively to any emerging threats, President Emmanuel Macron announced in Brussels. This statement preceded an urgent EU leaders summit aimed at addressing U.S. President Donald Trump's public interest in acquiring Greenland.Macron emphasized the importance of being “extremely vigilant” and maintaining readiness to deploy the EU's available measures should threats arise, reflecting concerns about potential geopolitical implications.As discussions begin, the EU's stance demonstrates a commitment to strategic preparation and unified response capabilities in the wake of unexpected international developments.

Guinea-Bissau Halts Controversial Hepatitis B Vaccine Study Amid Ethical Concerns Guinea-Bissau has put a hold on a hepatitis B vaccine study funded by the Trump administration, pending ethical review, Health Minister Quinhi Nantot disclosed. The research aims to administer the vaccine to some infants and observe developmental outcomes, prompting ethical concerns over withholding the vaccine from others.The pause arises due to the ethics committee's lack of initial review and is in line with Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya's demand for ethical examination. Kaseya reaffirmed his agency's commitment to prioritizing African interests, while US health officials reiterated their support for proceeding with the study.With a $1.6 million contract awarded to Denmark's university, the project involves following 14,000 newborns for five years, stirring debate as mainstream medical consensus affirms the vaccine's protective effect. Criticism persists as the study's design, initially with no placebo, potentially places infants at risk, raising ethical red flags.