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Democrats Seek to Calm European Allies Ahead of Trump’s Potential 3-Year Tenure
In Munich, a gathering of opposition politicians took place, where they presented an alternative to the America First policy and positioned themselves as potential future leaders of their parties.
At the Munich Security Summit, all eyes were on US Secretary of State Marco Rubio as European leaders anxiously awaited his address on Saturday, seeking clarity on the tone he would adopt.
Although his speech did not entirely alleviate their concerns, it was perceived as a reassuring message to allies that despite potential strain in US relations under Donald Trump, they would not be severed.
Rubio was not the sole American voice at the security summit, as other prominent figures also made their presence known.
Even if Rubio's remarks had been less well-received, with sharp criticism of Europeans similar to those made by Vice-President JD Vance at the previous year's conference, other American politicians were on hand to offer a more conciliatory tone, echoing the Persian poet's wisdom that difficult times are transient.
California Governor Gavin Newsom spoke at a conference event on Friday, emphasizing that Donald Trump's presidency is temporary, stating, "He'll be gone in three years."
Newsom was among dozens of American legislators and governors in attendance, including some Democrats who may potentially vie for the party's 2028 presidential nomination.
Many of these individuals stressed that the US would maintain its strong partnership with Europe, reiterating sentiments similar to those expressed by Rubio, albeit without his critique of cultural decline on the continent.
Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire stated, "The reason we're here is to provide reassurance that we understand how important our European allies are."
Senator Thom Tillis, a Republican, echoed this sentiment, noting that the US and Europe are not engaged in a "civil war" and cautioning American allies against becoming mired in the rhetoric of domestic politics.
This has proven challenging in recent times, given Trump's imposition of steep tariffs on numerous US trading partners and his expressed desire, along with some of his top aides, to reshape the global order, harness American military power, and refocus US foreign policy on the western hemisphere.
One notable example of this shift in American outlook is Trump's repeated expressions of interest in purchasing Greenland, which he reiterated before departing for a weekend in Florida on Friday.
Trump's propensity for pushing boundaries and testing the limits of his authority has not been confined to foreign policy, prompting several Democrats to address domestic concerns during the Munich conference.
Virginia Senator Mark Warner warned that Trump's discussions of nationalizing elections and implementing strict voter identification requirements via executive order jeopardize the freedom and fairness of the upcoming November midterm congressional elections.
Warner expressed his dismay, stating, "I never thought I would say that in 2026 America."
Trump has defended his efforts, including the proposed SAVE act, which would introduce a national voter identification requirement through legislative means, citing their popularity among a significant majority of Americans and the need to prevent voter impersonation.
Senators Mark Kelly and Elissa Slotkin, who recently faced an unsuccessful indictment attempt by the Department of Justice related to a video urging US soldiers to disregard "illegal" orders, commented on being in the administration's spotlight.
Slotkin observed that America is "going through something profound" and expressed optimism, saying, "We'll get through it."
Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was a major draw at the conference, aside from Rubio, and highlighted the connection between growing wealth inequality, a key focus of her domestic policy agenda since her 2018 congressional victory, and the rise of authoritarian governments.
Ocasio-Cortez emphasized the urgent need for western democracies to address economic disparities and deliver tangible benefits to the working class, warning that failure to do so would lead to a more isolated world dominated by authoritarian regimes that similarly neglect the needs of working people.
Ocasio-Cortez's perspective on the necessity for western democracies to provide a compelling alternative to authoritarian governments aligns with views expressed by Joe Biden during his presidency, albeit from a different wing of the Democratic Party.
In contrast, Trump's "America First" foreign policy and emphasis on preserving Western culture present a distinct worldview, one that resonated with a plurality of Americans who voted to return him to the White House in 2024, setting the stage for a tumultuous year that included Vance's confrontational Munich speech.
While Rubio has sought to mitigate some of the tensions, the Democrats attending the Munich conference aimed to provide a more distinct counterpoint to Trump's vision.
Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego noted, "Right now, Europe just wants us to be better, right? And I think this has been a very good conference to reassure nerves." He added, "Sometimes you have to remind them that this is not all Trump … We're still here."
News
At Least 30 Dead in Nigeria Village Attacks by Motorbike-Borne Assailants
In Niger state, Nigeria, attackers killed their victims by shooting or slashing their throats, set homes ablaze, and took several individuals captive.
A series of dawn attacks by gunmen on motorcycles has resulted in the deaths of dozens of people across three villages in north-western Nigeria.
According to reports obtained by AFP, armed individuals carried out fatal shootings and throat cuttings, set homes ablaze, and took an unspecified number of people hostage in Niger state.
These attacks, which occurred on Saturday morning, are situated near the location of a suspected jihadist massacre that took place earlier this month, claiming over 100 lives in a similar style of assault.
For years, armed groups known as bandits have been responsible for attacks and kidnappings in Nigeria, with a notable surge in reports from the western and central regions in recent times.
In the early morning hours, bandits launched an attack on the village of Tunga-Makeri.
Wasiu Abiodun, a spokesperson for the Niger State police, informed AFP that six fatalities were confirmed in Tunga-Makeri.
Abiodun added that several houses were torched and an unspecified number of individuals were taken captive during the incident.
The majority of the casualties were reported in the nearby village of Konkoso, which was the second to be attacked.
Witnesses told AFP that nearly all the homes in Konkoso were reduced to ashes, and four women were abducted by the bandits.
Following the attack on Konkoso, the bandits proceeded to Pissa, where they set a police station on fire and claimed one life, according to eyewitness accounts.
Reuters reported a death toll of approximately 32 across the three villages, while AFP put the number at a minimum of 46; the possibility of additional attacks in nearby villages remains unclear, and the toll may rise further.
A security report cited by AFP indicated that the bandits arrived on 41 motorcycles, with each vehicle carrying two or three men.
Nigeria's leaders face mounting pressure to address the issue of violence, as jihadist groups remain active in the north-west and separatist insurgents operate in the south-east.
On Christmas Day, the US conducted strikes targeting Islamist militants in Nigeria's northern Sokoto state, with President Donald Trump warning of potential further action "if they continue to kill Christians".
Organisations monitoring political violence in Nigeria have noted that many victims of jihadist violence are, in fact, Muslim.
News
Investigation Reveals Navalny Possibly Poisoned with Frog Toxin, Diplomat Andrew Faces Probe
Several news outlets are highlighting the discovery that a toxin derived from a dart frog was used in the killing of a prominent Russian opposition figure.
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Nancy Guthrie’s Disappearance Captivates America Amid Bitcoin Ransom Demand
The high profile of Samantha Guthrie has contributed to her mother’s disappearance becoming a widely followed story across the country.
As dawn broke over the desert, YouTuber Jimmy Williams observed hundreds of his subscribers flocking to his online chat room, all eager to discuss the latest developments in a high-profile case.
With his laptop perched on his knees and his iPhone illuminated by a ring light, Williams dedicates several hours daily to analyzing the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, sharing his findings with a rapidly expanding audience of true crime enthusiasts.
On 1 February, Nancy Guthrie vanished from her Tucson, Arizona, home, with authorities suspecting she was taken against her will in the early morning hours.
Williams is among numerous curious onlookers and amateur investigators who have converged on the area, drawn by the mystery surrounding Guthrie's disappearance.
The influx of spectators has transformed a quiet, mid-sized city popular with retirees into a global media sensation, captivating audiences worldwide.
Despite ongoing investigations, police have yet to identify any suspects in Guthrie's abduction, prompting her daughter, Today show presenter Savannah Guthrie, to appeal to the public for assistance in locating her mother.
As a familiar face on US morning television, Savannah Guthrie has found herself at the intersection of hope and uncertainty, a position she has often witnessed in her interviewees.
This time, however, the roles are reversed, and instead of posing questions, Savannah Guthrie is awaiting answers about her mother's disappearance.
Morning television programs often foster a sense of intimacy between hosts and their audience, frequently focusing on human-interest stories that resonate with viewers.
In November, Savannah Guthrie had invited viewers into her mother's home as part of a Today Show segment, a gesture that now serves as a poignant reminder of her mother's absence.
Kelly Himes, a resident living near Nancy Guthrie's home in the shadow of the Catalina Mountains, felt compelled to pay her respects by stopping to say a prayer and leaving flowers at the end of the driveway, a gesture echoed by many in the community.
Himes shared her thoughts with the BBC, noting that Nancy Guthrie's age, height, and hair resemble those of her own mother, making her disappearance feel deeply personal and relatable.
Savannah Guthrie's celebrity status has had a dual impact on the search for her mother, generating unprecedented attention and resources while also sparking intense speculation and false leads.
Two weeks after Nancy Guthrie's disappearance, investigators announced the discovery of several gloves, with the closest one found approximately two miles from her home.
The sheriff's department clarified that reports of a glove being found inside or on the property of Nancy Guthrie's home were inaccurate, providing a necessary correction to the narrative.
For Williams' growing audience, speculation surrounding the case only serves to heighten its intrigue and fascination.
Since Nancy Guthrie's disappearance, Williams' YouTube channel, Dollyvision, has gained over 8,000 new subscribers, a testament to the public's interest in the case.
Williams described the interest in Nancy Guthrie's disappearance as "massive," reflecting the widespread attention the case has received.
According to Williams, the nature of Nancy Guthrie's disappearance defies traditional kidnapping scenarios, instead embodying a "new age" of crime characterized by unfamiliar patterns and methods.
The era of ransom demands made from cut-out magazine letters appears to be a relic of the past, replaced by more sophisticated and elusive tactics.
The advent of secure servers, secret IP addresses, and untraceable Bitcoin accounts has transformed the landscape of kidnapping, but former FBI hostage negotiator Chip Massey remains confident that Nancy Guthrie's kidnappers will be apprehended.
Referencing the video footage of a masked individual on Nancy Guthrie's doorstep before her disappearance, Massey believes that someone will recognize the suspect based on their behavior or body language.
Massey noted that the attention surrounding this case is unparalleled, and while a mask can conceal a face, it cannot hide a person's identity entirely.
The widespread distribution of missing person flyers featuring Nancy Guthrie's photo, combined with highway billboards promoting the FBI's tip line, has made the case impossible to ignore, even for those who do not follow the news, with the White House confirming that the FBI will allocate its "full resources" to the investigation.
Massey observed that the immense public engagement in the search for Nancy Guthrie will ultimately make it challenging for the suspect to evade detection, as the scrutiny will lead to mistakes and, ultimately, capture.
As yellow ribbons adorn the trees surrounding Nancy Guthrie's home, the passing days without news of her whereabouts are gradually replacing hope with a deepening sense of unease.
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