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Jimmy Carter, former US president, dies aged 100

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▪︎Carter and his wife Rosalynn; Reuters image.

by Wale Ewedimi

Former US President Jimmy Carter has died aged 100, the centre he founded has confirmed.

BBC reported that the former peanut farmer lived longer than any president in history and celebrated his 100th birthday in October.

The Carter Center, which advocates for democracy and human rights around the world, said he died on Sunday afternoon at his home in Plains, Georgia. The Democrat served as president from 1977 to 1981, a period beset by economic and diplomatic crises.

After leaving the White House with low approval ratings, his reputation was restored through humanitarian work which earned him the Nobel Peace Prize.

My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and unselfish love,” his son, Chip Carter, said in a statement.

“The world is our family because of the way he brought people together, and we thank you for honouring his memory by continuing to live these shared beliefs.” Carter – who prior to becoming president was governor of Georgia, a lieutenant in the US navy and a farmer – is survived by his four children, 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

His wife, Rosalynn, who he was married to for 77 years, died in November 2023. Since 2018 and the death of George HW Bush, he was the oldest surviving US president.

Carter stopped medical treatment for an undisclosed illness last year and instead began receiving hospice care at his home.

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden said the world had “lost an extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian”.

Describing him as “a dear friend” and “a man of principle, faith and humility”, they added: “

He showed that we are a great nation because we are a good people – decent and honorable, courageous and compassionate, humble and strong.”

“The challenges Jimmy faced as president came at a pivotal time for our country and he did everything in his power to improve the lives of all Americans,” President-elect Donald Trump wrote on social media.

“For that, we all owe him a debt of gratitude.” Carter’s presidency will be remembered for his struggles in dealing with acute economic problems and several foreign policy challenges, including the Iran hostage crisis, which ended with the deaths of eight Americans.

There was, however, a notable foreign policy triumph in the Middle East when he helped broker an accord between Egypt and Israel, signed at Camp David in the US in 1978.

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International

Iran reopens Strait of Hormuz following two-week cease-fire agreement with Trump

Pakistan, which has mediated between Tehran and Washington, said that an immediate ceasefire between Iran and the US had taken effect.

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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz would be possible for two weeks in coordination with Iran’s armed forces “and with due consideration of technical limitations.”

The development follows a two-week ceasefire announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, the Tasnim news agency, which is close to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), reported early on Wednesday.

Pakistan, which has mediated between Tehran and Washington, said that an immediate ceasefire between Iran and the US had taken effect.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif wrote on X that the Islamic Republic of Iran and the U.S., along with their allies, had agreed to an “immediate ceasefire everywhere,” including in Lebanon.“

Trump had made reopening the waterway a condition for the ceasefire and had threatened to target Iran’s energy sector and infrastructure, including bridges, if Tehran failed to comply, setting a deadline of 0000 GMT.

The Strait of Hormuz, crucial to global oil and gas trade, has been largely closed since the United States and Israel launched large-scale attacks on Iran on Feb. 28.

According to a senior U.S. official, Israel will also adhere to what Trump described as a “double sided CEASEFIRE.”

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Oil Prices Rise, Stocks Fall as Trump’s Iran Deadline Looms

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Oil prices climbed sharply while global stocks wavered and mostly declined on Tuesday as President Donald Trump’s looming deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face escalated U.S. strikes heightened geopolitical tensions and investor anxiety.

Brent crude futures rose about 1% to trade near $111 per barrel, with U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude also pushing higher amid fears that prolonged disruption to the critical waterway through which a significant portion of global oil supplies passes could worsen energy shortages. Oil has surged more than 50% since the conflict intensified.

Meanwhile, major U.S. stock indexes showed mixed but largely cautious trading, with many shares slipping as investors weighed the risk of further military escalation, including potential strikes on Iranian power plants and infrastructure.

European and Asian markets were similarly tentative, reflecting broader concerns over inflation, energy costs, and economic fallout from the ongoing Middle East conflict.

Trump has set a firm deadline of 8 p.m. ET Tuesday (1 a.m. GMT Wednesday) for Iran to reach a deal and reopen the strait, warning of decisive action if unmet. He has threatened to “decimate” Iranian bridges and power plants, stating the country “could be taken out in one night.

”Iran has rejected recent ceasefire proposals, calling instead for a permanent end to hostilities, while markets remain on edge with no clear resolution in sight.

Analysts warn that sustained high oil prices could fuel global inflation and slow economic growth, though some investors still hope for a last-minute diplomatic breakthrough.

The developments come as the International Energy Agency has described the current oil and gas crisis linked to the Hormuz blockade as potentially more severe than previous major shocks combined.

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International

Trump warns Entire Iran could be ‘taken out’ Tuesday night

” The entire country could be taken out in one night, and that night might be Tuesday night,” he said.

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US President Donald Trump says Iran could be “taken out” in one night as the deadline set for the country to open the Strait of Hormuz to shipping traffic approaches.

On Saturday, Trump gave Iran 48 hours to comply or risk facing “hell”.

He later threatened that the US would blow up Iran’s power plants and bridges if Tehran failed to adhere to his warning.

The US president said Iran had until Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET (1 am WAT) to make a deal.

In a press conference on Monday, Trump reiterated and intensified his threats.

“The entire country could be taken out in one night, and that night might be Tuesday night,” he said.

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