live Iran, U.S. make competing claims over control of Strait of Hormuz
Iran says the Strait of Hormuz remains under its control, rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim of “total control” over t...
Key elections in New Jersey, Virginia, and New York City are entering their final stretch, with the latest polls showing competitive contests that have attracted national attention in the Mayoral elections.
New Jersey
In the gubernatorial race, a recent AtlasIntel poll conducted between 25 and 30 October shows Democrat Mikie Sherrill narrowly leading Republican Jack Ciattarelli by 0.9% points, 50.2% to 49.3%, within the survey’s two-point margin of error. The poll surveyed more than 1,600 likely voters and indicates a nearly even split across the state.
Former President Barack Obama appeared at a rally for Sherrill on 1 November, highlighting the race’s importance for the Democratic Party. Early voting trends suggest slight Democratic momentum, with mail-in ballot returns reportedly outpacing Republican returns compared with the same stage in 2024.
Virginia
Governor Abigail Spanberger appears positioned for reelection, with a recent poll showing her leading Republican Winsome Earle-Sears 56% to 44%.
The state’s attorney general race remains close, with Democrat Jerra Jones polling at 51% against incumbent Jason Miyares’ 49%. Early voting indicates increased Democratic engagement compared with the 2024 cycle, though officials caution that past elections have seen significant changes on Election Day.
New York City
In the mayoral contest, polling shows incumbent Zohran Mamdani leading former Governor Andrew Cuomo 41% to 34%, with Republican Curtis Sliwa at 24%. The seven-point margin has narrowed since earlier polling, largely due to gains by Cuomo among older, moderate Democrats. Analysis indicates higher turnout among older voters than in the primaries, with increased participation from younger voters as well.
The race has drawn national attention, with former President Donald Trump criticising Mamdani in a recent interview. Mamdani, a self-identified democratic socialist, has received endorsements from New York Governor Kathy Hochul and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Former President Barack Obama also spoke with Mamdani by phone, praising his campaign and offering to serve as a “sounding board,” though he did not issue a formal endorsement.
Overall Trends
A recent poll shows 46% of registered voters would vote for the Democratic candidate in their district if the midterms were held today, compared with 44% for the Republican candidate, with 9% undecided or not planning to vote. The poll also found that 59% of Americans disapprove of President Trump’s job performance, while 64% say he is expanding presidential power too far.
While early voting data suggest some Democratic momentum, analysts emphasise that high turnout on Election Day could influence the outcome in all three contests.
Disruption in the Strait of Hormuz has increased the strategic importance of Bab al-Mandab, raising fears that instability in both waterways could trigger a wider global energy and trade crisis.
Flights at Catania airport in Sicily will remain suspended until early Friday as ash from Mount Etna continues to disrupt air travel, following hundreds of cancellations and diversions over the past week.
Iran says the Strait of Hormuz remains under its control, rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim of “total control” over the strategic waterway and insisting it will not reopen until Washington fulfils its commitments under an interim deal.
Iran and the United States remain at loggerheads over efforts to agree a permanent end to the war in the Gulf, according to a senior Iranian source who said there had been no progress in talks to revive the interim deal agreed in June and define a timeframe to implement it.
Russia has accused Ukraine of threatening global grain supplies after recent strikes on Black Sea agricultural infrastructure, while Moscow carried out a new overnight attack on Ukraine’s major Danube port of Izmail.
One person has been killed and six others injured after an explosion at a petroleum storage facility at the Port of Rotterdam, prompting an investigation into the cause.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas met Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Wednesday for talks focused on Gaza, Palestinian statehood and regional security.
Taiwan staged military defence drills on Wednesday as China concluded joint naval exercises with Indonesia in waters east of the island.
Washington’s counter-narcotics push is expanding as Colombia’s new conservative government backs deeper security cooperation.
Meta said it had removed more than 750,000 Facebook and Instagram accounts suspected of belonging to Australians under 16, as the country’s internet regulator weighs enforcement action over its teen social media ban.
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