USA

WASHINGTON, Dec 7 (Reuters) - U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock beat Republican challenger Herschel Walker in a Georgia runoff election that fortified Democrats' Senate majority and handed the Republican Party another bitter loss to cap a disappointing midterm election season.

Here are some takeaways from Warnock's victory:

TRUMP'S SLATE SUFFERS ANOTHER BLOW

Walker's loss won't mute the building criticism in Republican circles that former President Donald Trump cost the party dearly in the midterm elections by backing unelectable candidates.

UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- UN General Assembly (UNGA) President Csaba Korosi on Tuesday urged the international community to view the current global humanitarian crisis with "empathy and solidarity" and step up support for people in dire need.

During the UNGA plenary on strengthening the coordination of UN humanitarian and disaster relief assistance, including special economic assistance, Korosi said, "I appeal to you to look at the needs around you with empathy and solidarity."

NEW YORK, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- Oil prices fell further on Tuesday as traders grew fearful that central bank policy tightening would induce an economic recession and cripple demand for energy.

The West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for January delivery lost 2.68 U.S. dollars, or 3.5 percent, to settle at 74.25 dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It marked the lowest front-month contract finish since Dec. 23, 2021, according to Dow Jones Market Data.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- A jury in New York City found on Tuesday former President Donald Trump's namesake real estate company guilty of criminal tax fraud.

The jury found the two entities of the Trump Organization guilty as charged on all counts, including scheme to defraud, conspiracy, criminal tax fraud, and falsifying business records.

Trump was not a defendant in the case that related to a scheme by his company to avoid taxes on compensation in the form of perks to its executives.

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (AP) — A handful of centenarian survivors of the attack on Pearl Harbor are expected to gather at the scene of the Japanese bombing on Wednesday to commemorate those who perished 81 years ago.

That’s fewer than in recent years, when a dozen or more traveled to Hawaii from across the country to pay their respects at the annual remembrance ceremony.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Expedited drug approvals slowed this year as the Food and Drug Administration’s controversial accelerated pathway came under new scrutiny from Congress, government watchdogs and some of the agency’s own leaders.

With less than a month remaining in the year, the FDA’s drug center has granted 10 accelerated approvals — fewer than the tally in each of the last five years, when use of the program reached all-time highs.

The program allows drugs to launch in the U.S. based on promising early results, before they are proven to benefit patients.

ATLANTA (AP) — Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock defeated Republican challenger Herschel Walker in a Georgia runoff election Tuesday, ensuring Democrats an outright majority in the Senate for the rest of President Joe Biden’s current term and capping an underwhelming midterm cycle for the GOP in the last major vote of the year.

UNITED NATIONS, Dec 06 (APP): Despite global progress in expanding use of the Internet and information communications technology (ICT), the digital divide between developed and developing countries remains wide, Pakistan has said during an online discussion organized by a UN body that conducts independent research on international security issues.

WASHINGTON/PHOENIX, Ariz., Dec 6 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden will visit TSMC's (2330.TW) Arizona plant on Tuesday as the Taiwanese chipmaker said it will more than triple its planned investment there to $40 billion, among the largest foreign investments in American history.

The investment is a big win for Biden after supply chain issues disrupted the U.S. economy early in his presidency.

Dec 6 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia will host a China-Arab summit on Dec. 9 attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping, with the leaders of the two countries expected to discuss trade ties and regional security.

Xi's visit comes at a time when U.S.-Saudi ties are at a nadir, uncertainty weighs on global energy markets with the West imposing a price cap on Russian oil and as Washington warily eyes China's growing influence in the Middle East.