— BIRTH NAME: James Earl Carter, Jr. — BORN: Oct. 1, 1924, at the Wise Clinic in Plains, Georgia, the first U.S. president born in a hospital. He would become the first president to live for an entire century . — EDUCATION: Plains High School, Plains, Georgia, 1939-1941; Georgia Southwestern College, Americus, Georgia, 1941-1942; Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, 1942-1943; U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, 1943-1946 (class of 1947); Union College, Schenectady, New York, 1952-1953. — PRESIDENCY: Sworn-in as 39th president of the United States at the age of 52 years, 3 months and 20 days on Jan. 20, 1977, after defeating President Gerald R. Ford in the 1976 general election. Left office on Jan. 20, 1981, following 1980 general election loss to Ronald Reagan. — POST-PRESIDENCY: Launched The Carter Center in 1982. Began volunteering at Habitat for Humanity in 1984. Awarded Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. Taught for 37 years at Emory University, where he was granted tenure in 2019, at age 94. — OTHER ELECTED OFFICES: Georgia state senator, 1963-1967; Georgia governor, 1971-1975. — OTHER OCCUPATIONS: Served in U.S. Navy, achieved rank of lieutenant, 1946-53; Farmer, warehouseman, Plains, Georgia, 1953-77. — FAMILY: Wife, Rosalynn Smith Carter , married July 7, 1946 until her death Nov. 19, 2023. They had three sons, John William (Jack), James Earl III (Chip), Donnel Jeffrey (Jeff); a daughter, Amy Lynn; and 11 living grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. ___ Source: Jimmy Carter Library & MuseumIsrael cracks down on Palestinian citizens who speak out against the war in Gaza UMM AL-FAHM, Israel (AP) — In the year since the war in Gaza broke out, Israel's government has been cracking down on dissent among its Palestinian citizens. Authorities have charged Palestinians with “supporting terrorism” because of posts online or for demonstrating against the war. Activists and rights watchdogs say Palestinians have also lost jobs, been suspended from schools and faced police interrogations. Palestinians make up about 20% of Israel's population. Many feel forced to self-censor out of fear of being jailed and further marginalized in society. Others still find ways to dissent, but carefully. Israel's National Security Ministry counters that, “Freedom of speech is not the freedom to incite.” Israel says rabbi who went missing in the UAE was killed TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel says the body of an Israeli-Moldovan rabbi who went missing in the United Arab Emirates has been found, citing Emirati authorities. The statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office on Sunday said Zvi Kogan was killed, calling it a “heinous antisemitic terror incident.” It said: “The state of Israel will act with all means to seek justice with the criminals responsible for his death." Kogan went missing on Thursday, and there were suspicions he had been kidnapped. His disappearance comes as Iran has been threatening to retaliate against Israel after the two countries traded fire in October. Israeli strike kills Lebanese soldier and wounds 18 as Hezbollah fires rockets at Israel BEIRUT (AP) — An Israeli strike on a Lebanese army center has killed one soldier and wounded 18 others. The Hezbollah militant group meanwhile fired around 160 rockets and other projectiles into northern and central Israel on Sunday, wounding at least five people. Israeli strikes have killed over 40 Lebanese troops since the start of the war between Israel and Hezbollah, even as Lebanon's military has largely kept to the sidelines. The Israeli military expressed regret over the strike, saying it occurred in an area of ongoing combat operations against Hezbollah. It said it does not target the Lebanese armed forces and that the strike is under review. The rising price of paying the national debt is a risk for Trump's promises on growth and inflation WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump has big plans for the economy. He also has big debt problem that'll be a hurdle to delivering on those plan. Trump has bold ambitions on tax cuts, tariffs and other programs. But high interest rates and the price of repaying the federal government’s existing debt could limit what he’s able to do. The federal debt stands at roughly $36 trillion, and the spike in inflation after the pandemic has pushed up the government’s borrowing costs such that debt service next year will easily exceed spending on national security. After Trump's Project 2025 denials, he is tapping its authors and influencers for key roles WASHINGTON (AP) — During the campaign, President-elect Donald Trump had hailed what would become Project 2025 as a conservative roadmap for “exactly what our movement will do." Trump pulled an about-face when Project 2025 became a political liability. He denied knowing anything about the “ridiculous and abysmal” plans, even though some were written by his former aides and many allies. Now, after winning the 2024 election, Trump is stocking his second administration with key players in the effort he temporarily shunned. Trump has tapped Russell Vought for an encore as director of the Office of Management and Budget; Tom Homan, his former immigration chief, as “border czar;” and immigration hardliner Stephen Miller as deputy chief of policy. Forecasts warn of possible winter storms across US during Thanksgiving week WINDSOR, Calif. (AP) — Forecasters in the U.S. have warned of another round of winter weather that could complicate travel leading up to Thanksgiving. California is bracing for more snow and rain this weekend while still grappling with some flooding and small landslides from a previous storm. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for California's Sierra Nevada through Tuesday, with heavy snow expected at high elevations. Thousands remained without power in the Seattle area on Saturday after a “bomb cyclone” storm system hit the West Coast earlier in the week, killing two people. Parts of the Northeast and Appalachia also began the weekend with heavy precipitation. Pakistan partially stops mobile and internet services ahead of pro-Imran Khan protest ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan has suspended mobile and internet services “in areas with security concerns” as supporters of imprisoned former premier Imran Khan gear up for a protest in the capital. The government and Interior Ministry made the announcement on X, which is banned in Pakistan. Sunday's protest is to demand Khan's release. He has been in prison for more than a year but remains popular. His supporters rely heavily on social media and messaging apps to coordinate with each other. Pakistan has already sealed off Islamabad and shut down major roads and highways connecting the city with Khan's power bases. Here's what to know about the new funding deal that countries agreed to at UN climate talks BAKU, Azerbaijan (AP) — In the wee hours Sunday at the United Nations climate talks, countries from around the world reached an agreement on how rich countries can cough up the funds to support poor countries in the face of climate change. But it’s a far-from-perfect arrangement, with many parties still unsatisfied but hopeful that the deal will be a step in the right direction. Japan holds Sado mines memorial despite South Korean boycott amid lingering historical tensions SADO, Japan (AP) — Japan has held a memorial ceremony near the Sado Island Gold Mines despite a last-minute boycott of the event by South Korea that highlighted tensions between the neighbors over the brutal wartime use of Korean laborers. South Korea’s absence at Sunday’s memorial, to which Seoul government officials and Korean victims’ families were invited, is a major setback in the rapidly improving ties between the countries. The Sado mines were listed in July as a UNESCO World Heritage Site after Japan moved past years of disputes with South Korea and reluctantly acknowledged the mines’ dark history. Chuck Woolery, smooth-talking game show host of 'Love Connection' and 'Scrabble,' dies at 83 NEW YORK (AP) — Chuck Woolery, the affable, smooth-talking game show host of “Wheel of Fortune,” “Love Connection” and “Scrabble” who later became a right-wing podcaster, skewering liberals and accusing the government of lying about COVID-19, has died. He was 83. Mark Young, Woolery’s podcast co-host and friend, said in an email early Sunday that Woolery died at his home in Texas with his wife, Kristen, present. Woolery, with his matinee idol looks, coiffed hair and ease with witty banter, was inducted into the American TV Game Show Hall of Fame in 2007 and earned a daytime Emmy nomination in 1978. He teamed up with Young for the podcast “Blunt Force Truth” and became a full supporter Donald Trump.One of the key strengths of Atalanta is their ability to handle pressure and perform under challenging circumstances. Years of experience have taught the players at Atalanta how to stay calm and focused in high-pressure situations, whether it be a crucial league match or a must-win Champions League fixture. The team's collective experience has instilled a sense of belief and confidence that they can overcome any obstacle that comes their way.
Rewind 2024: Korea’s top 10 business stories Published: 24 Dec. 2024, 06:00 PARK EUN-JEE [email protected] Audio report: written by reporters, read by AI A television at a train station in Seoul broadcasts footage of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump as he speaks during an election night event on Nov. 6. [AFP/YONHAP] 1. Trump 2.0 ignites fears in Korea over tariffs, currency woes Donald Trump’s landslide election victory in November raised alarms for the Korean economy, as the president-elect’s bold tariff proposals and policy shifts fueled uncertainties for the export-drive nation. The prospect of the incoming second Trump term, which is expected to implement an expansionary fiscal policy, also further strengthened the dollar, pushing the won’s value down. Related Article Rewind 2024: Korea’s top 10 news stories Trump's campaign has proposed a universal base tariff of at least 10 percent on all imports, a policy expected to hit Korea's export-reliant economy hard. The Korea Institute for International Economic Policy estimated that a 10 percent tariff would knock the country's shipments to the United States down by $15.2 billion per year and those to other countries by $7 to $8.9 billion. EV battery stocks were among the hardest hit, as shown in a post-election drop in their share prices, as Trump has repeatedly maintained critical views of EVs and indicated plans to repeal the outgoing Joe Biden administration's expanded manufacturing subsidies. Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun hosts a joint meeting on the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act with the private sector at JW Marriott Seoul. [YONHAP] As concerns have been growing for Korean chipmakers as well, especially with the president-elect’s cabinet nominees hinting at overhauling Biden’s CHIPS Act policy that promised a substantial amount of incentives for investments made on U.S. soil, the Commerce Department has been speeding up the process to finalize their funding deals with companies ahead of Trump's inauguration. SK hynix has been awarded up to $458 million in subsidies for its $3.9 billion chip packaging facility in Indiana on Dec. 19, while Samsung Electronics, which was initially promised up to $6.4 billion, secured direct funding of up to $4.75 billion , as the chipmaker scaled back its investment plans from $45 billion to $37 billion. 2. Exchange rate blows past 1,400 won to the dollar with turbulent end of year An exchange rate of 1,400 won per dollar, once a significant threshold, has become less of an outlier in 2024 as the continued strengthening of the greenback coupled with Korea's political and economic uncertainties sent the local currency plunging to a 15-year low. On Dec. 19, the won tumbled to its weakest point since March 2009 to breach the 1,450 per dollar mark, as the U.S. central bank hinted at a hawkish shift with fewer rate cuts next year. A screen in Hana Bank's trading room in central Seoul shows the Kospi opening and the won trading above 1,450 to the dollar on Dec. 19. [YONHAP] The won's already-sharp weakening trend has accelerated, trading at a two-year low since November, weighed down by U.S. policy shifts, President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law declaration and the country’s waning growth momentum. A won-dollar exchange rate of 1,400 has been widely considered a theoretical threshold to warrant government intervention. Before 2024, the rate had surpassed the mark only during three major financial crises: the 1997 Asian financial crisis, the 2008 global financial crisis and 2022 post-pandemic monetary tightening. While authorities have offered assurances that the country's foreign exchange situation does not constitute a crisis, the consistently high won-dollar rate may stimulate inflation and slow down the pace of rate cuts in the upcoming year for the Bank of Korea (BOK). The central bank kicked off its monetary easing cycle on Oct. 11 with a 25-basis-point reduction to 3.25 percent, its first key rate cut since May 2020, as the country’s headline inflation moderated to below the 2 percent threshold. Bank of Korea Gov. Rhee Chang-yong bangs the gavel at the central bank in central Seoul on Nov. 28. [JOINT PRESS CORPS] The decision followed the U.S. Federal Reserve’s 0.5 percentage point reduction to a range of 4.75 to 5 percent in September, its first easing since 2020. The Fed implemented two additional 25-basis-point rate cuts on Nov. 7 and Dec. 18, to a final range of 4.25 to 4.5 percent for the year. During the same period, the BOK reduced its benchmark rate by an additional 25 basis points to 3 percent in its final rate-setting meeting on Nov. 28, which defied market expectations as the high won-dollar rate has been considered a major risk factor. The BOK, however, prioritized boosting Korea’s weakening growth momentum, as the country faces a harsher trade environment with the incoming U.S. administration’s protectionist policy proposals and an export growth slowdown. 3. Samsung suffers tumultuous year with HBM, labor missteps Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Jun Young-hyun makes a celebratory speech at the Giheung campus in Gyeonggi on Nov. 18. [SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS] Samsung Electronics faced a grueling year in 2024 as it grappled with a prolonged slump in its semiconductor business , prompting its leadership to issue an unprecedented public apology. Adding to its woes, the company confronted a historic labor dispute with its unionized workforce, fueling concerns over a potential existential crisis for a corporation that claimed market capitalization of 16.1 percent in the country’s main bourse as of Dec.18. The year initially showed promise, with its chip division rebounding to profitability in the first quarter after record losses the previous year due to a global chip glut. However, momentum faltered quickly as the year progressed. By the third quarter, earnings had missed estimates, prompting Samsung’s semiconductor chief Jun Young-hyun to issue the first public apology regarding the earnings in the company’s history. Jun acknowledged failures in maintaining a competitive technological edge. While the apology merely contained vague terms, it was clear that the core issue stemmed from Samsung’s shortcomings in high bandwidth memory (HBM) technology — critical for AI chips. Crosstown rival SK hynix continued to secure Nvidia’s approval for successive HBM generations, leaving Samsung struggling to keep pace. Meanwhile, labor unrest escalated as unionized workers staged the first strike in the company’s history over stalled wage negotiations. That talks remain unresolved. Investor frustration was evident as Samsung’s share price sank to the 40,000 won ($28) level in November. In response, the company announced a 10 trillion won share buyback program to restore market confidence. 4. Mercedes-Benz EQE fire damages 880 cars, disrupts 1,600 households Korea’s fear of EV fire reached its peak in 2024 after a Mercedes-Benz EV burst into flames in an underground parking lot in an apartment complex in Incheon in August. The Mercedes EQE sedan exploded on Aug. 1 and damaged as many as 880 nearby cars, including 87 that burned entirely in the parking lot. The incident cut electricity and water supply to some 1,600 households in the apartment complex at the time, with 400 of them having suffered for more than four months now. A Mercedes-Benz executive examines a burned Mercedes EQE sedan in Incheon on Aug. 8. The Mercedes EQE EV explosion damaged as many as 880 vehicles parked in the garage. [NEWS1] A total of 139,067 EVs were sold in Korea through the end of November, according to market tracker CarIsYou, down 7.2 percent compared to same period a year earlier. The exact cause has not been declared, according to the police, as the battery management system in the vehicle that monitors the conditions of the car was destroyed. The Mercedes EV explosion spread anger and fear regarding EV fires after it turned out that the EQE was equipped with batteries made by Chinese company Farasis Energy. Some Mercedes owners launched lawsuits against the German carmaker claiming they'd been deceived by the company after a Mercedes executive said the vehicle would include batteries from Contemporary Amperex Technology, the world’s largest EV battery maker, in an interview. 5. Korean Air completes acquisition of Asiana Airlines Asiana Airlines and Korean Air planes at Incheon International Airport on Nov. 29 [YONHAP] Korean Air finalized the acquisition of Asiana Airlines, bringing the country’s two largest full-service carriers a step closer to initiating a merger to give birth to a top 10 global mega carrier. The country’s flagship airline acquired 63.9 percent of Asiana Airlines on Dec. 12 after obtaining approvals from regulators in all 14 mandatory reporting bodies, including the European Union and the United States. To fulfill merger conditions regarding monopoly concerns, Korean Air divested four European routes — to Paris; Rome; Barcelona, Spain; and Frankfurt — to budget carrier T’way Air and sold off Asiana’s cargo business to Air Incheon. Korean Air will maintain Asiana as a subsidiary airline for two years and finalize the merger process by 2026. The merger could place Korean Air among the 10 biggest airlines in the world, ahead of Japan Airlines. The new integrated airline will own a total of 238 aircraft, of which 203 are passenger planes, with some 27,500 employees including 9,000 flight attendants. The amalgamated carrier will have 186 operational routes with Korean Air’s 114 and Asiana’s 72. The merger will also lead to a merger of three budget carriers: Korean Air-owned Jin Air, and Asiana’s Air Seoul and Air Busan. 6. Korean consortium wins bid for $17 billion Czech nuclear reactor project A view of the new Dukovany nuclear power plant site in the Czech Republic [KHNP] A Korean consortium was selected in July as the preferred bidder for a $17 billion nuclear reactor project in Czech Republic, paving the way for winning the country’s largest nuclear power export deal in history. The selection was critical for Korea as a litmus test to gauge the European nation’s perception of the country as a supplier of nuclear reactors, since the sensitive nature of the facility could convince buyers to favor EU providers. A consortium led by the state-run Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) competed with EDF, France’s state-run electricity corporation, and previously with Westinghouse Electric of the United States. The Korean and Czech governments aim to finalize the deal by March 2025, but some media outlets have speculated that ongoing domestic political turmoil following President Yoon Suk Yeol’s short-lived martial law declaration could hamper the procedure. Both the Seoul and Prague have stated that the process is going as planned. 7. Korean food exports projected to hit $10 billion in 2024 with ramyeon, gimbap surging The global hype for Korean food has yet to fizzle out. Food exports are set to record a yearly high in 2024 on the back of continued strong demand for ramyeon, rice products and snacks. Clockwise from left: ramyeon, chocolate biscuit snacks and frozen gimbap (seaweed rice rolls) [NEWS1, YONHAP] Korea’s food exports hit a fresh high of $9.05 billion through November, up 8.1 percent from the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. The amount is nearing the government’s annual year target of $10 billion. Processed goods led the way. Sales of the top export, instant noodles, rose 30 percent on year to $1.13 billion in the January to November period. Major ramyeon manufacturers laid the groundwork for new production lines and overseas offices over the year in anticipation of even more demand in 2025. Samyang Foods had a smashing year with its Buldak Ramen products and is gunning to even further expand its global reach through its first overseas factory in China as well as new plants in Korea. Shin Ramyun maker Nongshim invested in an export-only plant in Busan and is set to establish a sales unit in Europe next year. Rice products like frozen gimbap (seaweed rice rolls), instant steamed rice and tteokkbokki (spicy rice cakes) also continued to rise thanks to demand in major markets like the United States and China. Snacks and beverage exports also rose by more than 10 percent on year through November. The United States imported $1.4 billion worth of Korean food, up 20 percent on year, during the 11-month period. Sales growth is expected to increase through the end of the year as Korean products hit the shelves of major retailers. China-bound exports increased 7 percent to $1.38 billion. The increase in exports, however, had some downsides for domestic customers. Gim (dried seaweed) prices jumped as demand grew overseas, due to its popularity as both a snack and a gimbap ingredient. 8. AliExpress grows in Korea as TMON, WeMakePrice melt down Chinese e-commerce platforms AliExpress and Temu cemented their strong presence in the Korean market through cheap prices backed by aggressive investments — despite never-ending concerns about their products’ quality and safety. AliExpress became the second most-used shopping app in Korea in the January-October period with 8.48 million average monthly active users according to data from market tracker WiseApp, Retail, Goods. While the number is overshadowed by that of Coupang, which has 31.17 million average monthly users, AliExpress experienced on-year growth of 68 percent while Temu, currently sitting in fourth, grew 179 percent on year and reported 7.21 million average monthly active users. AliExpress announced March that it planned to invest $1.1 billion in Korea in the next three years, including the construction of a $200 million distribution center in the country. Actors Tang Wei, left, and Don Lee serve as ambassadors of AliExpress Korea. [SCREEN CAPTURE] But not all has been smooth sailing. The Korean government banned the import of 1,900 or so products from China in May after claiming to have found toxic materials in certain items such as toys and camping equipment. E-commerce platforms TMON, WeMakePrice and their parent company Qoo10, along with merchants that were operating on the platforms, suffered greatly. The platforms had fallen behind on payments owed to merchants operating on their sites, which were allegedly used in embezzlement, including funding for Qoo10's acquisition of the U.S. shopping platform Wish earlier this year. The three platforms currently owe an estimated 1.85 trillion won ($1.27 billion) and their executives were indicted without detention on Dec. 11. 9. SK Group chairman faces historic divorce settlement SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, left, and his estranged wife Roh Soh-yeong attend an appeals trial at the Seoul High Court on April 16. [YONHAP] SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won’s high-profile divorce case with estranged wife Roh Soh-yeong took an unexpected turn this year when the Seoul High Court significantly increased the property division settlement in Roh’s favor. In May, the court ordered Chey to pay 1.38 trillion won ($960 million) to Roh, marking the most expensive divorce settlement in Korean history and a staggering 20-fold increase from the initial 66.5 billion won determined in the first trial. The higher court sided with Roh’s argument that her late father, President Roh Tae-woo, had played a substantial role in SK Group’s growth, rendering Chey’s SK shares subject to property division. The court assessed the couple’s combined assets at 4 trillion won, awarding Roh 35 percent. Chey promptly appealed , citing "critical errors" in the court’s assessment of Roh’s contributions to the conglomerate’s success. He argued that the court overstated her influence, claiming that much of the company's success is owed to his father and late SK Chairman Chey Jong-hyun. Although the Seoul High Court acknowledged minor calculation errors , it upheld the settlement amount. In November, the Supreme Court accepted Chey’s appeal in another surprise move, deciding to re-examine the case. Should the Supreme Court fully support Chey’s claims, the amount of wealth subject to division could drop to 2 trillion won. 10. Naver-Line leak sparks clash between Korea and Japan Cybersecurity concerns surrounding Line Yahoo (LY), the Tokyo-based operator of the popular messenger Line, spawned a national dispute between Japan and Korea, as the Japanese government pressured Korea’s leading portal, Naver, to cut ties with LY. The issue stemmed from an incident in October 2023 where 510,000 items of private information belonging to Line users were leaked through Naver Cloud, the operator’s subcontractor. In turn, Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications in April ordered LY to develop measures to prevent such occurrences. What aroused concern in Korea was that the ministry also requested LY to review its capital relationship with Naver. LY is 64.5 percent owned by A Holdings, a 50:50 joint venture between Naver and SoftBank. Although Naver retains management rights, relinquishing even a single share would transfer those rights to Japan’s SoftBank, deterring the Korean company’s plans for overseas expansion. As SoftBank and Naver floated the possibility of the latter’s equity divestment in LY, seemingly giving in to Tokyo’s duress, the Korean government belatedly chimed in to oppose the matter. Naver’s entire stake valuation was estimated to be 10 trillion won ($6.8 billion). Following three months of intense negotiations among the involved parties, the tension eased when Naver CEO Choi Soo-yeon stated during the parliamentary audit on July 2 that the company would not be divesting its equity “in the short term.” BY JIN EUN-SOO, LEE JAE-LIM, SARAH CHEA, SHIN HA-NEE, CHO YONG-JUN, KIM JU-YEON, PARK EUN-JEE [ [email protected] ] var admarutag = admarutag || {} admarutag.cmd = admarutag.cmd || [] admarutag.cmd.push(function () { admarutag.pageview('3bf9fc17-6e70-4776-9d65-ca3bb0c17cb7'); });None
Additionally, this incident highlights the need for proper training and education when it comes to operating electric bikes. While they may seem like a convenient mode of transportation, electric bikes require a certain level of skill and knowledge to operate safely. By taking the time to learn how to properly control an electric bike and understanding its limitations, drivers can help prevent accidents and mishaps like the one witnessed in the viral video.WASHINGTON (AP) — The House shut down Democrats ’ efforts Thursday to release the long-awaited ethics report into former Rep. Matt Gaetz , pushing the fate of any resolution to the yearslong investigation of sexual misconduct allegations into further uncertainty. The nearly party-line votes came after Democrats had been pressing for the findings to be published even though the Florida Republican left Congress and withdrew as President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general. Republicans have argued that any congressional probe into Gaetz ended when he resigned from the House. Speaker Mike Johnson also requested that the committee not publish its report, saying it would be a terrible precedent to set. While ethics reports have previously been released after a member’s resignation, it is extremely rare. Shortly before the votes took place, Rep. Sean Casten, D-Ill., who introduced one of the bills to force the release, said that if Republicans reject the release, they will have “succeeded in sweeping credible allegations of sexual misconduct under the rug.” Gaetz has repeatedly denied the claims. Earlier Thursday, the Ethics panel met to discuss the Gaetz report but made no decision, saying in a short statement that the matter is still being discussed. It’s unclear now whether the document will ever see the light of day as lawmakers only have a few weeks left before a new session of Congress begins. It’s the culmination of weeks of pressure on the Ethics committee’s five Republicans and five Democrats who mostly work in secret as they investigate allegations of misconduct against lawmakers. The status of the Gaetz investigation became an open question last month when he abruptly resigned from Congress after Trump’s announcement that he wanted his ally in the Cabinet. It is standard practice for the committee to end investigations when members of Congress depart, but the circumstances surrounding Gaetz were unusual, given his potential role in the new administration. Rep. Michael Guest, R-Miss., the committee chairman, said Wednesday that there is no longer the same urgency to release the report given that Gaetz has left Congress and stepped aside as Trump’s choice to head the Justice Department. Don't let this be the end of the free press. The free press is under attack — and America's future hangs in the balance. As other newsrooms bow to political pressure, HuffPost is not backing down. Would you help us keep our news free for all? We can't do it without you. Can't afford to contribute? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read. You've supported HuffPost before, and we'll be honest — we could use your help again . We view our mission to provide free, fair news as critically important in this crucial moment, and we can't do it without you. Whether you give once or many more times, we appreciate your contribution to keeping our journalism free for all. You've supported HuffPost before, and we'll be honest — we could use your help again . We view our mission to provide free, fair news as critically important in this crucial moment, and we can't do it without you. Whether you give just one more time or sign up again to contribute regularly, we appreciate you playing a part in keeping our journalism free for all. Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages. “I’ve been steadfast about that. He’s no longer a member. He is no longer going to be confirmed by the Senate because he withdrew his nomination to be the attorney general,” Guest said. The Gaetz report has also caused tensions between lawmakers on the bipartisan committee. Pennsylvania Rep. Susan Wild, the top Democrat on the panel, publicly admonished Guest last month for mischaracterizing a previous meeting to the press. Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing and said last year that the Justice Department’s separate investigation against him into sex trafficking allegations involving underage girls ended without federal charges. His onetime political ally Joel Greenberg , a fellow Republican who served as the tax collector in Florida’s Seminole County, admitted as part of a plea deal with prosecutors in 2021 that he paid women and an underage girl to have sex with him and other men. The men were not identified in court documents when he pleaded guilty. Greenberg was sentenced in late 2022 to 11 years in prison. ___ Related From Our Partner
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In conclusion, the potential merger of Lincoln into Ford China presents a promising opportunity for the luxury brand to revitalize its presence in the Chinese market and change its lackluster sales performance. By capitalizing on the synergies, resources, and expertise that Ford can offer, Lincoln may finally unlock its full potential and carve out a more significant market share in China's competitive luxury automobile sector.Australia's S&P/ASX200 index is trading down -0.31% at 8449.00 in early trading. The major US stock indices moved lower in trading on Thursday. The small-cap Russell 2000 fell by -1.25%. The NASDAQ index declined by -0.18%, the S&P index fell by -0.19% and the Dow industrial average fell by -0.55%.
