(CNN) President-elect Donald Trump is facing his most important day since the election.
Russia just said the unverified report paid for by political opponents is “A COMPLETE AND TOTAL FABRICATION, UTTER NONSENSE. ” Very unfair!

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The Kremlin said on Wednesday it was “total nonsense” that Russian officials had assembled a file of compromising information on U. S. President-elect Donald Trump.
Two U. S. officials said on Tuesday evening that the heads of four U. S. intelligence agencies had last week presented Trump with classified documents which included unverified claims that Russian intelligence operatives had compromising information about him.
Addressing reporters on a conference call, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the dossier containing the claims was a hoax which had been dreamt up to further harm U. S.-Russia relations, which are already at their lowest level since the Cold War.
“It is an attempt to damage our bilateral relations. It is pulp fiction,” said Peskov, who also roundly dismissed as false assertions in the dossier that he himself was heavily involved in running a Russian campaign to undermine defeated presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.
“You have to react to this with a certain humor, but there’s also a sad side to this. Hysteria is being whipped up to maintain a political witch hunt. ” Peskov said the Kremlin did not engage in compiling compromising dossiers on anyone and was focused on building relations with Russia’s foreign partners instead.
On Tuesday evening, Trump dismissed the reports that Russia had compromising information on him. “FAKE NEWS – A TOTAL POLITICAL WITCH HUNT! ” he wrote in a Twitter post.
Asked to respond to the prospect of new U. S. sanctions affecting Russia’s oil and gas sector, Peskov said such measures, if they happened, would damage Russia, bilateral ties, and the global economy.
The Russian energy sector would definitely get compensation if such sanctions were imposed, he added.
Peskov said the Kremlin was unfazed by reports that Trump’s pick for secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, would say at his confirmation hearing on Wednesday that Russia posed a danger.
It has previously praised Tillerson, who has experience of working with top Russian officials in the oil sector.
Peskov said the Kremlin stood by its assessment of Tillerson as someone who was willing to listen and was constructive, but was aware he was likely to be a tough operator too.
“We understand that Tillerson will continue to be quite tough in pursuing his line,” said Peskov, saying the Kremlin was not wearing rose-tinted glasses when it came to the former U. S. oilman.
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Last Updated Jan 11, 2017 11:16 AM EST
Rex Tillerson, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for secretary of state, is testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee at his confirmation hearing. Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tennessee, is the chairman of the panel and Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Maryland, is the committee’s top Democrat.
Rex Tillerson delivers opening statements at his confirmation hearing for secretary of state.
Tillerson said that Mr. Trump has indicated in broad terms during his campaign and in other comments that he believes it’s important that the U. S. does not lightly go into conflicts. The president-elect, Tillerson said, would “seek the engagement of Congress” and “support of Congress” in certain situations abroad and added that it’s “much more powerful when the United States show up with everyone aligned.”
Tillerson said he would want to “keep the status quo until we are able to develop what our approach will be.”
Shaheen also asked if Tillerson would commit to maintaining a U. S. program to support expanded access around the world to quality familiy planning services and reproductive services and ensuring that it’s not conflated with access to abortion. Tillerson said that he understands that the U. S. invests $500,000 a year in those programs, which he said is important, but he didn’t exactly answer her question.
“I think that’s now what we’re witnessing…[the] assertion on their part in order to force a conversation,” Tillerson said about Russia’s role in the global world order.
In what seemed like a surprising statement Tillerson then said, “We aren’t like to ever be friends…our value systems are starkly different.”
Tillerson said that the U. S. needs to move Russia from being an adversary always to being an adversary at times and a partner at times.
Rex Tillerson, the former chairman and chief executive officer of Exxon Mobil, testifies during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing to become U. S. Secretary of State on Capitol Hill in Washington, U. S. January 11, 2017.
Menendez said that sanctions are one of the most essential diplomatic tools in the U. S. arsenal and he pointed out that while Tillerson said during the hearing that sanctions are a “powerful tool,” his previous comments indicate otherwise.
Asked if he has changed his view on sanctions, Tillerson said, “When sanctions are imposed, they are, by design, going to harm American business.”
He added that sanctions are “a powerful tool” and that the U. S. must design them, target and enforce them well.
Tillerson claimed that Exxon “never directly lobbied against sanctions…not to my knowledge.”
Rex Tillerson, the former chairman and chief executive officer of Exxon Mobil, testifies before a Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing on his nomination to be U. S. secretary of state in Washington, U. S. January 11, 2017.
“I do not have sufficient information to make that claim,” Tillerson said, adding that sometimes such incidents occur when people speak up for freedom in oppressive regimes. “In terms of assigning specific responsibilities, I would need to have sufficient information.”
“If confirmed, senator, I would want to examine it, all aspects of it,” Tillerson said.
Rex Tillerson tells the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations that he would have reacted to Russia’s taking of Crimea more forcefully than the Ob…
Asked if Putin is a war criminal, Tillerson said, “I would not use that term.”
Rubio began discussing Russia’s bombing of Aleppo and argued that Putin’s government has conducted war crimes in Aleppo, but Tillerson said those were very critical charges that he’d have to look at more.
Tillerson said he has not received any classified briefings yet because he has not received his clearance yet, but that he did read the unclassified report that the intelligence community released last week on Russia’s interference in the election.
“That report clearly is troubling and indicates that all of the actions you just described were undertaken,” Tillerson said.
Rex Tillerson, the former chairman and chief executive officer of Exxon Mobil, testifies during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing to become U. S. Secretary of State on Capitol Hill in Washington, U. S. January 11, 2017.
“No, sir,” Tillerson said. “That was a taking of territory that was not their’s.”
Cardin said that in Tillerson’s opening statement, he argued that the Obama administration was ineffective in preventing Russia from further encroaching in eastern Ukraine. Cardin asked Tillerson would he would have recommended if he were secretary of state at the time.
“In terms of the taking of Crimea, my understanding is that it caught a lot of people by surprise,” said Tillerson, who then said it was the administration’s weak response after Russia’s taking of Crimea that led to Russia coming across the border into eastern Ukraine.
“I would have recommended that the Ukraine had called its military assets that it had available, put them on the eastern border,” Tillerson said, adding that the U. S. should have supplied them with weapons and offered air surveillance to Ukraine.
Tillerson said that Russian leadership would have understood a “powerful response” such as a more robust supply of U. S. military assets.
“Without question,” Tillerson said.
Cardin asked if Russia falls in that category and Tillerson said, “Yes, sir.”
Tillerson said that he support that Magnitsky law that allows Congress to work to sanction Russia and would comply with that law if confirmed as secretary of state.
“We must also be clear-eyed about our relationship with Russia. Russia today poses a danger, but it is not unpredictable in advancing its own interests. It has invaded Ukraine, including the taking of Crimea, and supported Syrian forces that brutally violate the laws of war. Our NATO allies are right to be alarmed at a resurgent Russia,” he said.
Tillerson said that the U. S. will try to find common ground with the Russian government, but he also said that the U. S. must hold Russia accountable for its actions.
“Where cooperation with Russia based on common interests is possible, such as reducing the global threat of terrorism, we ought to explore these options. Where important differences remain, we should be steadfast in defending the interests of America and her allies. Russia must know that we will be accountable to our commitments and those of our allies, and that Russia must be held to account for its actions,” he said.
“We cannot look the other way at allies who do not meet their obligations; this is an injustice not only to us, but to longstanding friends who honor their promises and bolster our own national security. And we must hold those who are not our friends accountable to the agreements they make,” he said.
He argued that the U. S. must be “honest” about “radical Islam.”
“It is with good reason that our fellow citizens have a growing concern about radical Islam and murderous acts committed in its name against Americans and our friends,” he said. “Radical Islam poses a grave risk to the stability of nations and the wellbeing of their citizens.”
If confirmed as secretary of state, Tillerson said he would ensure that the State Department does its part to support Muslims around the world “who reject radical Islam in all its forms.”
Rex Tillerson, former chairman and chief executive officer of Exxon Mobil, is seated prior to testifying before a Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing on his nomination to be U. S. secretary of state, on Capitol Hill in Washington, U. S. January 11, 2017.
“China has emerged as an economic power in global trade, and our interactions have been both friendly and adversarial. While Russia seeks respect and relevance on the global stage, its recent activities have disregarded American interests. Radical Islam is not a new ideology, but it is hateful, deadly, and an illegitimate expression of the Islamic faith. Adversaries like Iran and North Korea pose grave threats to the world because of their refusal to conform to international norms,” Tillerson said.
“As we confront these realities, how should America respond? My answer is simple. To achieve the stability that is foundational to peace and security in the 21st century, American leadership must not only be renewed, it must be asserted.”
Tillerson appeared to channel Mr. Trump’s campaign slogan, “Make America Great Again,” by improving U. S. leadership internationally and projecting it as a superpower.
“Quite simply, we are the only global superpower with the means and the moral compass capable of shaping the world for good,” he said. “If we do not lead, we risk plunging the world deeper into confusion and danger. But we’ve stumbled. In recent decades, we have cast American leadership into doubt. In some instances, we have withdrawn from the world. In others, we have intervened with good intentions but did not achieve the stability and global security we sought.”
“Yet, I would offer, having a view from the C-Suite at Exxon is not at all the same as the view from the seventh floor of the Department of State. And those who suggest that anyone who can run a successful business can, of course, run a government Agency do a profound disservice to both,” Cardin said.
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker (L) (R-TN) talks with ranking member Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) pror to a Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing on Rex Tillerson’s nomination to be U. S. secretary of state, on Capitol Hill in Washington, U. S. January 11, 2017.
“Mr. Tillerson, leaves some troubling questions about how you view these issues and how you as Secretary of State intend to approach them.
Cardin mentioned that he introduced legislation on Tuesday that would “impose enhanced sanctions on Russia,” which has already received bipartisan support from key lawmakers. He added that he was “disappointed” with Tillerson’s prepared remarks that failed to mention Russia’s interference in the 2016 election.
“We need to stand up to this bully in Moscow and increase the cost for his behavior,” Cardin said. “So I was disappointed that in your prepared opening remarks submitted to the Committee yesterday there was no mention about the direct, confirmed cyberattack by Russia on America.”
Cardin also slammed Mr. Trump for his comments about Israel on Twitter.
“I also need to stress that our important partner in this part of the world – Israel – needs more than tweets about how “great” our relationship is going to be,” he said. “I hope we will hear today a concrete vision with specific proposals for the way forward in strengthening this strategic partnership.”
President-elect Donald Trump will face questions about new and potentially explosive allegations when he holds a news conference on Wednesday. So…
“It’s as we all talked about before, we live in a world where it’s hard to discern what is real and what isn’t,” Corker said about the reports. “That’s why we have committees to delve into those kind of things… I have no way of knowing the veracity of the charges in the document but we do live in a world where let’s face it a lot of that kind of thing is happening.”
Rex Tillerson (R), the former chairman and chief executive officer of Exxon Mobil, takes his seat next to former U. S. Senator Sam Nunn (D-GA) to testify before a Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing on his nomination to be U. S. secretary of state in Washington, U. S. January 11, 2017.
He said that the U. S. has been withdrawing in its leadership role in the world, which he called a “recipe for further chaos.”
The hearing was interrupted briefly by chants from protestors inside the room.
Corker said Tillerson had never met Mr. Trump until he was considered for secretary of state.
Cornyn called Tillerson “uniquely qualified” to lead the State Department.
“Without a doubt, Rex Tillerson is an inspired choice by President-elect Trump for this critical position. The depth and breadth of his experience as an accomplished and successful business leader and skilled negotiator give him a solid understanding of our current geopolitical and economic challenges, making him uniquely qualified to serve in this important office,” he said.
Cruz said the U. S. needs a secretary of state who “understands that America is exceptional.” Cruz said the Obama administration has used the United Nations to circumvent Congress. The former presidential candidate said he looks forward to having a president and secretary of state who will “vigorously defend U. S. sovereignty.”
Rex Tillerson (C), the former chairman and chief executive officer of Exxon Mobil, is flanked by former U. S. Secretary of Defense Bob Gates (L-R), former Senator Sam Nunn (D-GA), Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) as he testifies before a Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing on his nomination to be U. S. secretary of state in Washington, U. S. January 11, 2017.
Nunn’s said that Russia’s values differ from America’s values and “these fundamental differences are very important.” He added that Russia deploys hundreds of nuclear warheads that could be used for ballistic missiles. Nunn called his business experience “very relevant to the world today” and “an asset.”
Gates said Tillerson’s leadership of a major corporation will allow him to “lead the department with skill and respect for the professionals.” Gates said that the new administration was “must thread the needle” between pushing back against Putin’s bullying and Russia’s meddling in other countries and preventing a further downward spiral in the U. S.-Russia relationship.

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It was a speech rich with the great oratory style of Abraham Lincoln, Franklin D Roosevelt, John F Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr, all of whom had faced a nation in crisis.
So, too, did Obama, taking the reins of a nation enduring the Great Recession, the country’s longest post-World War 2 economic crisis, its reputation tarnished by the Bush administration’s handling of the second war with Iraq.
Many of us in South Africa embraced Obama’s ascension as a watershed. There was a particular pride for us in Africa that a black man with a Kenyan father could rise to arguably the most powerful political office in the world.
So when Obama spoke on the steps of the Capitol that day in 2009, he was speaking not only to the US voters who had elected him but to a global community seeking hope amid the contagion of the 2008 economic meltdown, the pain of which is still felt.
Obama’s words that day are as powerful as ever:
“On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord. On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn-out dogmas that for far too long have strangled our politics. “
But, as Obama says goodbye, he surely cannot help see that many in the US have turned their backs on that dream.
In electing Donald Trump, the US has chosen a man who is the exact opposite of what Obama promised, a leader who embodies a fractured, polarised and insular nation.
Will history judge him as a leader ahead of his time? Perhaps. But for now we should simply thank him for shining a light when hope was in short supply.

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