South County Mail

Missouri and the World

Donald Trump

Iran conflict is exposing tensions between America and its Gulf allies

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The ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran is exposing growing tensions between Washington and some of its longtime Gulf allies, as regional governments face increasing security risks tied to the presence of American military bases.

That argument is at the center of a new interview published by Analyst News featuring Khaled Abou El Fadl, a professor at the UCLA School of Law specializing in human rights and Islamic law.

In the interview, El Fadl argued that Gulf states built their security strategies around reliance on the United States, but are now facing the consequences as Iranian retaliation increasingly targets American military facilities across the region. [Read more…] about Iran conflict is exposing tensions between America and its Gulf allies

Ohio governor race could become one of 2026’s biggest political battlegrounds

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The race for governor in Ohio is shaping up to become one of the most closely watched political contests of the 2026 midterm elections after Democrat Amy Acton secured her party’s nomination and set up a November showdown with Republican businessman Vivek Ramaswamy.

Acton, who became nationally known during the Covid-19 pandemic as Ohio’s public health director under current Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, easily won the Democratic primary, according to Decision Desk HQ. Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur aligned with President Donald Trump, won the Republican nomination.

The election could become historic regardless of the outcome. [Read more…] about Ohio governor race could become one of 2026’s biggest political battlegrounds

Why the 2026 governor races could reshape American politics

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More than 30 governorships will be contested across the United States during the 2026 midterm elections, with several key races expected to shape the future direction of American politics on issues ranging from abortion and healthcare to education, voting rights and LGBTQ+ policy.

A new analysis published by The 19th highlights a series of closely watched gubernatorial contests unfolding in battleground states and politically divided regions across the country.

Many of the races involve open seats as term-limited governors step aside, creating opportunities for new political figures to emerge ahead of the 2028 presidential election cycle. [Read more…] about Why the 2026 governor races could reshape American politics

Tennessee lawmaker protests redrawing of majority-Black congressional district

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A tense special session of the Tennessee legislature ended this week with Republican lawmakers approving a new congressional map that redraws the state’s only majority-Black district, prompting protests from Democratic lawmakers and voting-rights advocates.

At the center of the protest was state Sen. Charlane Oliver, who disrupted proceedings throughout the week and, in the final moments before the vote, climbed onto her desk in the Senate chamber holding a banner reading “Jim Crow 2.0” and “Stop the TN Steal”.

Dressed in white, Oliver then began singing “Lift Every Voice and Sing”, often referred to as the Black National Anthem. [Read more…] about Tennessee lawmaker protests redrawing of majority-Black congressional district

Even major oil producers are preparing for a post-oil future

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The decision by the United Arab Emirates to leave OPEC after nearly six decades may signal more than a disagreement over production quotas.

According to a new analysis published by The Conversation, the move reflects growing concern among some major oil-producing countries that the long-term future of global oil demand may be weaker than previously expected.

The UAE officially announced its departure from OPEC after 59 years amid rising geopolitical tensions, disagreements over production strategy and accelerating changes in the global energy market. [Read more…] about Even major oil producers are preparing for a post-oil future

‘Friendshoring’ could become the next phase of globalization

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As tensions between the United States and China continue reshaping the global economy, economists and policymakers are increasingly focusing on a new concept that could define the next era of international trade: “friendshoring”.

Rather than bringing manufacturing fully back home, countries and multinational corporations may instead shift production and investment toward politically friendly nations.

A new analysis published by The Conversation argues that friendshoring may allow globalization to continue in a different form, even as trade between the world’s two largest economies becomes more strained. [Read more…] about ‘Friendshoring’ could become the next phase of globalization

Trump may have removed Maduro – but Venezuela’s future is still unclear

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Four months after US forces captured Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro and removed him from power, Venezuela remains caught between economic reform, political uncertainty and unresolved questions about democracy.

A new analysis published by The Conversation argues that while the country is beginning to reverse years of socialist economic policies, many of the structures that supported Maduro’s government remain firmly in place.

Following Maduro’s capture by US forces in January, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez assumed leadership of the country and has begun implementing economic reforms with support from the Trump administration. [Read more…] about Trump may have removed Maduro – but Venezuela’s future is still unclear

Trump’s support in Europe may be weaker than it looks

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US President Donald Trump may still enjoy strong support among some European conservative movements, but political tensions in Italy suggest that backing for Trump-style politics across Europe could be more fragile than it appears.

A new analysis published by The Conversation argues that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has begun distancing herself from Trump after initially building close ties with his political movement.

Meloni, leader of the far-right Brothers of Italy party, spent years cultivating relationships with American conservatives and became closely associated with Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement. [Read more…] about Trump’s support in Europe may be weaker than it looks

Can Brazil become America’s most important partner in South America?

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Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva traveled to Washington last week for a closely watched meeting with US President Donald Trump, as both countries attempt to stabilize a relationship shaped increasingly by trade, strategic minerals, organized crime and growing geopolitical competition in Latin America.

The private talks at the White House lasted about three hours on May 7, although neither side issued a formal joint statement afterward.

Despite political differences between the two leaders, the meeting highlighted what analysts increasingly see as a pragmatic shift in US-Brazil relations, driven less by ideology and more by economic and strategic interests. [Read more…] about Can Brazil become America’s most important partner in South America?

Ted Turner, founder of CNN and pioneer of 24-hour cable news, dies aged 87

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Ted Turner, the outspoken media billionaire who founded cable news giant CNN and helped transform television journalism, has died at the age of 87.

According to a report by Sky News, Turner died on Wednesday after a long battle with Lewy body dementia, a degenerative neurological disease that causes symptoms similar to Parkinson’s disease.

Turner launched CNN in 1980 as the world’s first 24-hour all-news television network, fundamentally changing the way people consumed news by making live coverage available around the clock. [Read more…] about Ted Turner, founder of CNN and pioneer of 24-hour cable news, dies aged 87