↑ Politics and Government In Hearing Transcript, Jack Smith Defends Decision to Indict Trump - The former special counsel accused President Trump of “exploiting” violence on Jan. 6, 2021, according to an interview released by House Republicans.Mamdani Reverses Call to End Mayoral Control of NYC Public Schools - The mayor-elect’s turnaround came as he selected Kamar Samuels to lead New York City’s school system at a precarious moment.The 2025 Politics Yearbook: Most Likely to Be Extreme and Chaotic - How much more chaotic could a second Trump term be? 2025 did not disappoint.Can a Corporation Be Complicit in War Crimes? Sweden Is Trying to Find Out. - It’s Sweden’s longest criminal trial. I was there because of a different historic distinction.Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s First Female Prime Minister, Dies - A leader for three terms, she traded the country’s leadership with Sheikh Hasina, the head of another political dynasty, over decades. She was believed to be 80.Iran’s Currency Collapse Pushes Protesters to the Streets - High inflation and a currency collapse have squeezed Iranians’ budgets, challenging the country’s leaders.For Zelensky, Just Keeping Trump Talking About Ukraine Peace Deal Counts as a Win - Though discussions produced little tangible progress, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine at least avoided the type of setbacks that have blighted earlier meetings.With Critical Decisions Ahead, Netanyahu Faces Mounting Pressure - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel has a series of vexing choices to make in the year ahead on issues including Gaza, conscription and a judicial overhaul, with elections looming.Zero Hour for the Middle East - After more than a decade of wars, from Syria to Gaza, the Middle East is exhausted by conflict. Is it ready to find another way?Families Demand Answers a Year After Deadliest Plane Crash in South Korea - Many details of the Jeju Air disaster that killed 179 people remain unclear despite multiple investigations by officials and protests by the victims’ families.