International
Biden, and Trump pay last respect as Carter is buried
The funeral gathered political figures across the spectrum, celebrating a statesman whose impact resonated globally.
▪︎ Biden touched Carter’s coffin/ Getty Image
The funeral of former President Jimmy Carter on Thursday was marked by heartfelt tributes from leaders, family, and close associates, ABC News reports.
President Joe Biden highlighted Carter’s unwavering commitment to dignity, justice, and integrity in his eulogy, emphasising lessons of character and respect.
“We have an obligation to give hate no safe harbor and to stand up to — [what] my dad said, the greatest sin of all — the abuse of power,” Biden said, as all of the former presidents looked on.
“It’s not about being perfect, none of us are perfect.
We’re all fallible.”Jimmy Carter, throughout his life, he showed us what it means to be a practitioner of good works and a good and faithful servant of God, and of the people,” Biden said.
Carter’s grandson, Jason Carter, called him the “definition of integrity,” reflecting on his grandfather’s consistency in private and public life, as well as his pioneering environmental and humanitarian efforts.
Carter’s domestic policy adviser, Stuart Eizenstat, praised his moral compass and bipartisan approach, noting Carter’s role in advancing civil rights and prioritising human rights in US foreign policy.
Former United Nations Ambassador Andrew Young spoke to Carter’s sensitivity and spirituality, recalling his efforts to foster unity and equality.
“I don’t mean this with any disrespect, but, it’s still hard for me to understand how you could get to be president from Plains, Georgia, Young noted prompting a big laugh from the crowd in the cathedral.
“He never wavered from his commitment to God almighty and his love of all of God’s children,” Young added. Carter, who passed away at the age of 100 on December 29, 2024, was remembered as a leader whose vision transcended his time.
His legacy, including the near-eradication of Guinea worm disease, stands as a testament to his lifelong service.
The funeral gathered political figures across the spectrum, celebrating a statesman whose impact resonated globally.
Former US Vice Presidents Al Gore and Mike Pence, Karen Pence, former US President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former US President George W. Bush, Laura Bush, former US President Barack Obama, US President-elect Donald Trump, Melania Trump, US President Joe Biden, first lady Jill Biden US Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff attend the state funeral for Carter at Washington National Cathedral.
International
Trump blasts Pope Leo for criticism of U.S. foreign policy
Trump said Leo is “Weak on Crime, Weak on Nuclear Weapons, does not sit well with me
President Donald Trump on Sunday blasted Pope Leo XIV over the Roman Catholic pontiff’s criticism of the U.S. war with Iran.
The president said in a Truth Social post he does not “want a Pope who criticizes the President of the United States because I’m doing exactly what I was elected, IN A LANDSLIDE, to do.”
Leo, the first U.S.-born pope, and other church leaders have also at times been sharply critical of Trump’s domestic immigration policies.
Trump linked the pope’s ascension to his return to office as president.“Leo should be thankful because, as everyone knows, he was a shocking surprise,” Trump said.
“He wasn’t on any list to be Pope, and was only put there by the Church because he was an American, and they thought that would be the best way to deal with President Donald J. Trump. If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican.”
Trump said Leo is “Weak on Crime, Weak on Nuclear Weapons, does not sit well with me, nor does the fact that he meets with Obama Sympathizers like David Axelrod, a LOSER from the Left, who is one of those who wanted churchgoers and clerics to be arrested,” referring to a recent meeting between the pope and President Barack Obama’s former political aide.
International
Hungarian opposition wins election landslide
Results based on 81.5% of votes counted showed the center-right, pro-EU Tisza party of Peter Magyar winning 137 seats for a crucial two-thirds majority in the 199-member parliament, defeating Orban’s Fidesz party.
Photo: President of the Tisza Party, Peter Magyar / CNBC
Hungary’s veteran nationalist leader Viktor Orban conceded defeat on Sunday after a landslide election victory by the upstart opposition Tisza party, ending Orban’s 16-year rules.
Results based on 81.5% of votes counted showed the center-right, pro-EU Tisza party of Peter Magyar winning 137 seats for a crucial two-thirds majority in the 199-member parliament, defeating Orban’s Fidesz party.
“The election results are not final yet, but the situation is understandable and clear,” Orban, 62, said at the Fidesz campaign offices.
Some of his supporters who had gathered outside cried as they watched him speak on TV screens.
“The election result is painful for us, but clear.”Election officials estimated turnout at a record of 79% or more, in an election that many Hungarians saw as a watershed moment for their country.
Tisza’s Magyar, 45, had cast the vote as a choice between “East and West,” warning voters that Orban and his confrontational stance towards Brussels would take the country further away from the European mainstream.
International
Oil jumps 7% to above $100 ahead of US blockade of Strait of Hormuz
U.S. Central Command said U.S. forces would begin implementing the blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports at 10 a.m. ET (1400 GMT) on Monday.
Oil prices jumped above $100 a barrel on Monday as the U.S. Navy prepared to block ships from reaching Iran via the Strait of Hormuz, a move that could restrict Iranian oil exports, after Washington and Tehran failed to reach a deal to end the war.
U.S. Central Command said U.S. forces would begin implementing the blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports at 10 a.m. ET (1400 GMT) on Monday.
Reuters reported that Brent crude futures rose $6.71, or 7.05%, to $101.91 a barrel by 0104 GMT after settling 0.75% lower on Friday.
U.S. West Texas Intermediate was at $104.16 a barrel, up $7.59, or 7.86%, following a 1.33% loss in the previous session.
“The market is now largely back to conditions before the ceasefire, except now the U.S. will block the remaining up to 2 million barrels per day Iranian linked flows through the Strait of Hormuz as well,” said Saul Kavonic, head of energy research at MST Marquee.
President Donald Trump said on Sunday the U.S. Navy would start blockading the Strait of Hormuz, raising the stakes after marathon talks with Iran failed to reach a deal to end the war, jeopardising a fragile two-week ceasefire.
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