Headline

Supreme Court Judge Refuses To Step Aside In Trump Case

Published

1 year ago

May 30, 2024

A conservative Supreme Court justice on Wednesday rejected calls to recuse himself from cases involving Donald Trump after flags linked to the former president’s false election fraud claims were flown outside his home and vacation property.

Justice Samuel Alito, in a letter to the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said the flags were flown by his wife and did not meet the conditions for recusal in the court’s code of conduct.

Alito has been facing recusal calls since The New York Times reported this month that an inverted American flag was flown outside his home in the weeks following the January 6, 2021 storming of the US Capitol by Trump supporters.

A similarly provocative “Appeal to Heaven” flag featuring a pine tree on a white background was flown outside the Alito vacation home in New Jersey last summer, according to the newspaper.

Both flags have been associated with Trump’s false claims that he won the 2020 election over Democrat Joe Biden.”

Alito, in his letter, said he had “nothing whatsoever” to do with the flying of the upside down American flag outside his Virginia home.

“As soon as I saw it, I asked my wife to take it down, but for several days, she refused,” he said.

He said his wife flew the flag in response to a neighbor who had “displayed a sign attacking her personally.”

As for the flag flown outside their vacation home, Alito said he “had no involvement in the decision to fly that flag” and neither he nor his wife was aware that it was associated with Trump’s so-called “Stop the Steal Movement.”

“My wife is fond of flying flags. I am not,” he said.

“A reasonable person who is not motivated by political or ideological considerations or a desire to affect the outcome of Supreme Court cases would conclude that this event does not meet the applicable standard for recusal,” he added.

– ‘Appearance of bias’ –

Trump, in a post on Truth Social, praised Alito for “showing the INTELLIGENCE, COURAGE, and ‘GUTS’ to refuse stepping aside from making a decision on anything January 6th related.”

Alito, 74, who was nominated by Republican president George W. Bush, is considered one of the most conservative justices on the nine-member court and was the author of the June 2022 opinion overturning the constitutional right to abortion.

Dick Durbin, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and a number of other Democratic lawmakers had called for Alito to recuse himself from cases involving Trump and the 2020 election.

“Flying an upside-down American flag – a symbol of the so-called ‘Stop the Steal’ movement – clearly creates the appearance of bias,” Durbin said.

The high court is currently weighing two cases which address January 6, including a Trump claim of presidential immunity in his election interference case. Rulings are due in late June or early July.

Another conservative justice on the court, Clarence Thomas, 75, has ignored calls to recuse himself on grounds that his wife took part in the drive to keep Trump in power even after he lost the election.

The Supreme Court adopted an ethics code in November of last year following a series of scandals over lavish gifts and luxury vacations received by Thomas and Alito, both of whom have denied any impropriety.

AFP

Headline

PHOTOS: Xi, Putin, Kim At Beijing Parade As China Flaunts Military Might

Published

5 hours ago

September 4, 2025

Editor

In a spectacle of military might, China commemorated the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II with a grand parade on Wednesday, leaving observers worldwide questioning the balance of global power.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, flanked by Russia’s Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, oversaw the event at Tiananmen Square in Beijing.

The event showcased an array of cutting-edge weapons, including nuclear, artificial intelligence-powered, laser, and robotic weapons, that highlighted China’s rapid advancements in defence technology, a development heavily scrutinised by Western defence officials, according to the BBC.

The parade, dubbed Victory Day, featured over 10,000 troops, hundreds of vehicles, and aircraft flyovers, drawing at least 50,000 spectators and leaders from more than 25 nations, including allies like Iran.

But BBC reported it was notably boycotted by Western countries. According to Al Jazeera, only two European leaders, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, were present.

Xi’s address emphasised China’s “unstoppable” rise and that “the Chinese nation is never intimidated by any bullies and always forges ahead.”

He insisted the country “should stay firmly on the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics.”

China unveils new weapons even Trump can’t overlook

Central to the parade was the unveiling of groundbreaking weapons systems that tell China’s leap in military strength.

Beijing’s power is not just in its numbers, backed by its huge economy, but also by increasing innovation and self-reliance.

Its hypersonic glide and cruise missiles, for example—weapons that travel at above Mach 5—are largely unmatched by anything the US or its allies have in their arsenal.

Its J20 ‘Mighty Dragon’ fighter jet employs 5th generation stealth technology, while its LY-1 directed-energy laser system (DEW), mounted on an eight-wheeled truck and described as the “world’s most powerful” for intercepting missiles and drones.

The JL-1 air-launched ballistic missile also made its first appearance, alongside giant underwater submarine drones, drone boats, unmanned helicopters, and multiple new unmanned aerial vehicles.

Trump, who was notably missing from the grand parade, berated Xi in a post on Truth Social on Wednesday for not recognising US’s contribution to China’s emancipation.

“The big question to be answered is whether or not President Xi of China will mention the massive amount of support and ‘blood’ that the United States of America gave to China to help it to secure its FREEDOM from a very unfriendly foreign invader,” Trump posted.

“Many Americans died in China’s quest for Victory and Glory. I hope that they are rightfully Honoured and Remembered for their Bravery and Sacrifice!”

Trump also criticised Putin and Kim for conspiring against his country.

“Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un, as you conspire against the United States of America.

“May President Xi and the wonderful people of China have a great and lasting day of celebration.”

World’s mightiest arsenal: US or China?

Observers view the parade as a direct message to Washington, especially amid trade disputes and regional flashpoints in regions like Taiwan and the South China Sea.

An analyst, famously known as Trademan on X, said on Wednesday, “While the West debates, Beijing fires photons,” adding that the event is a message that China isn’t just playing catch-up but rewriting the rules of engagement.

However, experts believe that while China is fast catching up, the US still maintains an edge in terms of operations.

Speaking with BBC, assistant professor in the military transformations programme at the Nanyang Technological University of Singapore, Michael Raska, argued the US military has a culture that gives more leeway for units on the ground to make decisions and innovate, “whereas China is top-down.”

“You can have flashy platforms and systems, but they will not move a finger until they receive an order from the top.”

“The US military excels because there’s a bottom-up mission type of culture, where units can make decisions as the situation evolves,” he said.

Headline

Xi, Putin Discuss Immortality, Organ Transplants At Beijing Parade

Published

5 hours ago

September 4, 2025

Editor

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed life-prolonging organ transplants and immortality as they conversed before Beijing’s massive military parade this week, according to comments picked up by state media microphones.

Historic images showed Xi shaking hands and speaking with Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as they walked down a red carpet by Tiananmen Square, in scenes viewed as a challenge to US President Donald Trump.

“These days… 70 years old,” Xi said in Mandarin as he walked beside Putin and Kim, footage from state broadcaster CCTV showed.

Xi’s translator, conveying his remarks to Putin, is then heard in Russian quoting a line from a Tang dynasty poem: “In the past, it used to be rare for someone to be older than 70 and these days they say that at 70 one’s still a child.”

Putin then turned towards Xi, speaking while gesturing with his hands, though this is inaudible on the CCTV feed.

The same Chinese translator then relayed Putin’s remarks to Xi.

“With the… development of biotechnology, human organs can be continuously transplanted, people could get younger as they grow older, and may even become immortal,” Putin said, according to the translator.

Xi then spoke again in Mandarin as the camera cut away: “Predictions are, in this century, it may be… possible to live to 150 years old.”

Putin confirmed the exchange during a press briefing on Wednesday.

“Ah, I think it was when we were going to the parade that the Chairman spoke about this,” he told reporters, referring to Xi.

“Modern means — both health improvement and medical means, and then even all kinds of surgical ones related to organ replacement — allow humanity to hope that active life will continue not as it does today,” Putin added.

The Chinese and Russian leaders, both 72, have not expressed any intention of stepping down.

While Xi’s predecessors, Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao, relinquished power after 10 years in office, he abolished term limits in 2018, and in 2023, he was handed a third term as Chinese president.

AFP

Headline

US Commits $32.5m To Support Food Security In Nigeria

Published

21 hours ago

September 3, 2025

Editor

The United States Government has committed $32.5m to the United Nations World Food Programme to support food and nutrition assistance for hundreds of thousands of people affected by conflict in Nigeria.

According to a statement released by the US Embassy in Abuja on Wednesday, the funding will enable WFP Nigeria to reach approximately 764,205 vulnerable individuals in the Northeast and Northwest regions of the country.

These areas have been severely impacted by ongoing insecurity and displacement, with millions struggling to access necessities.

The assistance package includes general food distributions as well as targeted nutritional support.

Among the beneficiaries are 41,569 pregnant and breastfeeding women and girls, and 43,235 children who will receive specialised nutrition support through electronic food vouchers, according to the statement.

“World Food Program Nigeria, with US Government’s contribution of $32.5m, will provide food assistance and nutrition support to internally displaced persons across conflict-affected areas.

“With the US Government’s donation, the World Food Programme Nigeria will provide food and nutrition assistance to 764,205 beneficiaries across Northeast and Northwest Nigeria.

“This includes complementary nutrition top-ups for 41,569 pregnant and breastfeeding women and girls and 43,235 children through electronic food vouchers,” the statement read.

On December 18, 2024, PUNCH Online reported that the United States Agency for International Development has denounced recent media reports misrepresenting US agricultural initiatives in Nigeria, stating that its programmes operate transparently and align with the country’s laws.

In a statement issued by the US Mission in Nigeria, USAID highlighted the significant achievements of its agricultural collaboration with Nigeria, which it claimed has supported over five million Nigerian farmers since 2019.

The agency maintained it has boosted food production and strengthened rural economies across the country through its efforts.