International

The Northern Irish unionist leader resigns after being accused of sexual crimes

The leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) of Northern Ireland, Jeffrey Donaldson, resigned from office after being accused of alleged sexual crimes committed in the past.

According to the public broadcaster BBC, the 61-year-old politician faces a rape charge, among other charges, arising from a police investigation that began a few months ago, after two women denounced him.

The so far head of the second Northern Irish, Protestant and pro-British political formation, was arrested and charged on Thursday along with a 57-year-old woman, and they must appear on April 24 before justice.

The DUP, which was the majority in Northern Ireland until the historic electoral victory of the Catholic-pro-Irish Sinn Féin in 2022, explained in a statement that Donaldson informed them by letter of the accusations, which he denies, and of his resignation with immediate effect.

“According to the party’s statutes, the board has suspended him from affiliation pending the outcome of the judicial process,” he said in the note.

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This Friday, the formation unanimously appointed Gavin Robinson, so far its deputy leader, as acting leader while internal elections are organized.

The Northern Irish Police indicated, without identifying the accused, that a 61-year-old man has been charged with “non-recent sexual crimes” and a 57-year-old woman, of “helping and inciting additional crimes.”

Elected leader of the DUP in 2021, Donaldson is Northern Ireland’s oldest deputy in the British House of Commons, where he initially joined in 1997 with the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP). He was decorated by Elizabeth II in 2016 for his services to politics.

He managed the return of the DUP to the Northern Irish Government – which had been suspended since February 2022 – after reaching an agreement with the United Kingdom Executive to guarantee the status of the British province within the United Kingdom in the face of the divergences imposed by Brexit.

On February 3, Michelle O’Neill, of Sinn Féin, assumed the position of chief minister of Northern Ireland, with the deputy minister being the deputy of the DUP Emma Little-Pengelly.

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The unionists left the Belfast Government in February 2022 for their rejection of the Brexit Protocol for Northern Ireland – later replaced by the Windsor Framework Agreement – which imposed border controls between Great Britain and the region in order to avoid a physical border on the island of Ireland, in compliance with the 1998 peace agreements.

International

US panel backs Trump-themed coin amid controversy

The United States Department of the Treasury confirmed to AFP that the Commission of Fine Arts approved the design of a new collectible coin featuring Donald Trump, with members of the commission appointed by the current administration.

According to the proposal, the coin will feature an image of Trump standing with clenched fists over a desk on the obverse, while the reverse will display an eagle, a traditional symbol of the United States.

The sale price of the collectible has not yet been disclosed, although the United States Mint typically offers similar items for more than $1,000.

“There is no more iconic portrait for the front of these coins than that of our president Donald Trump,” U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach said in a statement sent to AFP. He added that two additional coins — a $1 piece and a one-ounce gold coin — are also under consideration.

However, the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC), another body responsible for reviewing new coin proposals, declined to discuss the Trump design in late February.

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“Only nations governed by kings or dictators place the image of a sitting leader on their currency,” said Donald Scarinciat the time. “No country in the world has minted coins featuring a democratically elected leader during their term in office,” he added.

When contacted by AFP, the Treasury Department did not immediately respond to requests for further comment.

International

Fed’s Waller warns of rising inflation risks amid Middle East conflict

Christopher Waller, a governor at the Federal Reserve, said Friday that he is increasingly concerned about the inflationary impact of the ongoing conflict involving United States and Israel against Iran, particularly due to the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Waller, who had supported interest rate cuts over the past year amid concerns about the labor market, said he has shifted his stance in recent weeks due to rising inflation risks.

“Since the Strait of Hormuz was closed, it suggests this conflict could be much more prolonged and that oil prices will remain elevated for longer,” Waller said in an interview with CNBC.

“Therefore, this indicates that inflation is a greater concern than I had previously assessed,” he added.

Waller also backed the Federal Reserve’s decision earlier this week to keep interest rates unchanged, signaling a more cautious approach as global geopolitical tensions continue to affect economic outlooks.

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International

Brazil offers to mediate Colombia-Ecuador tensions, calls for restraint

The government of Brazil has offered to mediate in the ongoing tensions between Colombia and Ecuador, while calling on both nations to exercise restraint.

In a statement released Wednesday, Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the parties involved to act with moderation and seek a peaceful resolution to the dispute.

“Brazil encourages all sides to act with moderation in order to find a peaceful solution to the controversy. It stands ready to support dialogue efforts aimed at preserving peace and security in the region,” the statement said.

Brazil also expressed “serious concern” over reports of deaths in the border area between Colombia and Ecuador, noting that the circumstances surrounding the incidents have not yet been clarified.

The diplomatic move comes amid rising tensions between the neighboring countries, increasing regional concern over stability and security along their shared border.