Harry and Meghan to step back as senior members of the royal family, Jonathan speaks on Presidency 2023 rumours, Man United suffers another injury blow. Stay in the know with our Rave News Digest which summarizes five of the hottest global news you need to catch up on, saving you time and energy. Consider it your daily news fix.
Here is a rundown of five of the hottest news topics…
1. The US sanctions South Sudan vice-president
The United States has imposed financial sanctions on one of the vice presidents of South Sudan for his involvement in human rights abuses. A statement from the US treasury says Taban Deng Gai arranged the disappearance and deaths of the human rights lawyer, Samuel Dong Luak, and an opposition politician, Aggrey Idry. It said he did this in order to strengthen his position within the opposition party, the SPLM-IO.
In 2018 President Salva Kiir and the rebel leader Riek Machar signed a peace deal aimed at ending a civil war that displaced almost four million people. There is however growing international concern that the deal could still unravel as a unity government has still not been formed.
2. Putin and Erdogan call for Libya ceasefire
The Turkish and Russian presidents, who back opposing sides in the Libyan conflict, have called for a ceasefire in the war-torn country to begin at midnight on Sunday, January 12. Recep Tayyip Erdogan was joined by Vladimir Putin in Istanbul on Wednesday to inaugurate a new pipeline carrying gas to Europe, but the pair commented on the Libyan situation and rising US-Iran tensions.
In a joint statement, Turkey and Russia called on all parties in Libya to “declare a sustainable ceasefire, supported by the necessary measures to be taken for stabilising the situation on the ground and normalising daily life in Tripoli and other cities.”
UN special envoy ‘angry’ at foreign meddling in Libya. They also said Washington and Tehran should prioritise diplomacy, warning that the recent exchange of attacks could lead to a new cycle of instability in the region.
3. Harry, Meghan to step back as ‘senior’ royals
Britain’s Prince Harry and his wife Meghan will step back as senior members of the royal family and spend more time in North America, the couple said in a historic statement Wednesday.
“We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the royal family and work to become financially independent while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen,” they said in a statement released by Buckingham Palace.
“After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution,” they added. “We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America.”
The shocking news from Harry and Meghan follows a turbulent year for the royal family. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex spent Christmas in Canada after speaking of the pressure of being in the spotlight following their wedding and son Archie’s birth in May.
Harry and Meghan had previously announced they would miss Christmas with Queen Elizabeth and the rest of the royal family, choosing to spend it instead with the duchess’ mother, Doria Ragland.
4. I never said I was under pressure to contest 2023 presidency – Jonathan
A former president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, on Wednesday, said it is untrue that he said he was under pressure to contest the 2023 presidency.
Some online platforms had published that Jonathan said he was under immense pressure to contest the presidency in 2023 and that he had been promised the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party, should he decide to contest.
Jonathan’s spokesman, Mr Ikechukwu Eze, in an interview with said it was untrue that the ex-president made such comments. He said such reports had surfaced in some online platforms in the past, adding that such insinuations never emanated from Jonathan. According to him, Jonathan has not made any comment on the coming 2023 elections.
5. Man United suffer major injury blow ahead of Liverpool clash
Manchester United will almost certainly be missing another key player when they visit Liverpool in the Premier League later this month. United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was already resigned to being without midfield duo Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay for the trip to Anfield on Sunday week. But now it has emerged centre-back Harry Maguire will also be facing a spell on the sidelines after suffering a torn hip muscle.
While no timescale has been set for his recovery, Maguire is unlikely to feature against Liverpool.
Cover photo credit: Instagram – sussexroyals
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