Noontime News Recap: Iran tensions widen as Ukraine strikes Russia and ECB rate hike bets firm
Iran and Oman have agreed a temporary shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz, but Tehran says the waterway will stay closed until the United States meets its demands, keeping pressure high on one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints. 🔗The United States has added fresh sanctions pressure on Iran and warned that countries and companies still trading with Tehran could face secondary penalties, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected diplomacy with Iran and repeated claims linked to Donald Trump’s threat posture. 🔗 🔗In the wider Middle East, the United Nations condemned Israel’s threat to expel Palestinians from... [Continue Reading]
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Trump-backed candidates win Republican runoff races in South Carolina and Oklahoma
Donald Trump has secured two projected Republican runoff victories in South Carolina and Oklahoma, giving the former president a boost after a series of losses for his endorsed candidates. US media projected that Darline Graham won the South Carolina contest against veteran congressman Ralph Norman, while Mike Mazzei won the Oklahoma runoff for governor against state attorney general Gentner Drummond. The results were reported on Tuesday and were presented as a sign that Trump still retains significant influence over Republican voters.In South Carolina, Trump campaigned directly for Graham, travelled to the state and held a telephone rally on the eve... [Continue Reading]
Trump touts endorsements, signaling continued influence over Republican elections
President Donald Trump made multiple posts on Truth Social in the last hour: - "RT @realDonaldTrumpMy Endorsements are stronger than ever, Not to mention the fact that good people are getting elected that never had the chance! Here is an accurate list of the last number of seasons. There has never been anything close! It is an Honor that I take very seriously. The few that lost were done out of loyalty. It was almost impossible for them to win but, I felt obligated to go with them because they were, in my opinion, good people!" - "RT @katy_libertyMark Levin... [Continue Reading]
UN Security Council straw poll puts Guyana's Rodrigues Birkett ahead in race for next secretary-general
The United Nations Security Council has held a second informal straw poll in the race to choose the next secretary-general, with Guyana's Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett emerging as the leading candidate. The vote took place on Friday as the council continued its search for consensus ahead of Antonio Guterres' departure at the end of December. The poll is non-binding, but it is one of the main steps used to narrow the field before a formal recommendation is sent to the General Assembly.According to the results circulated after the vote, Rodrigues Birkett received eight votes to encourage, three to discourage and four... [Continue Reading]
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Nigeria's PDP faces internal crisis as election campaign begins
Nigeria's Peoples Democratic Party is facing a fresh test of survival as the campaign for January's general election officially begins. The party, once the dominant force in Nigerian politics, is now described as being on the brink of extinction. A factional struggle over who is in charge has escalated into court action, raising questions about whether the party can remain relevant at the ballot box.The party was founded in 1998 and rose quickly after the end of military rule a year later. Its presidential candidates Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Musa Yar'Adua and Goodluck Jonathan held power for 16 years, while the... [Continue Reading]

