phlboss com
NATO leaders predict era of 2% defense spending 'probably history' as Trump reportedly floats higher target
Stock market today: Wall Street rises at the start of a holiday-shortened week
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey gambling regulators have handed out $40,000 in fines to two sportsbooks and a tech company for violations that included taking bets on unauthorized events, and on games that had already ended. In information made public Monday, the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement fined DraftKings $20,000. It also levied $10,000 fines on Rush Street Interactive NJ and the sports betting technology company Kambi. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
Demonstrators calling for the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, on Dec 7, outside the National Assembly in Seoul. SEOUL – South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has managed to cling on to power for now, after an impeachment motion against him over the Dec 3 martial law debacle failed to reach the two-thirds majority needed for it to pass. Tabled by the 192-member opposition bloc for voting on Dec 7, the motion needed eight more votes from ruling party lawmakers to meet the 200-vote quorum. But the motion fell short with 195 votes – 194 for, and one against, from a ruling party lawmaker. All but three of the 108 ruling People Power Party (PPP) lawmakers boycotted the vote. They were determined to prevent Mr Yoon from being impeached as it would mean a snap presidential election, which the PPP would most likely lose. Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, who lost to Mr Yoon by a sliver of a margin in 2022, is widely tipped to win if a snap election is called. The opposition Democratic Party of Korea said it will propose a new impeachment Bill against Mr Yoon on Dec 11, which will be put to a vote on Dec 14. Two Bills were tabled on Dec 7, the first being a special counsel investigation into corruption allegations surrounding First Lady Kim Keon Hee, and the second was Mr Yoon’s impeachment. PPP lawmakers were seen leaving the plenary hall after voting on the first motion, evidently to abstain from voting on the impeachment motion. The PPP lawmakers’ departure prompted Speaker Woo Won-shik to declare in exasperation: “How do you think the people, the world, and history will view you not voting on the unjust martial law and its aftermath? Aren’t you afraid of the judgment of history? Aren’t you afraid of the judgment of the people? Aren’t you afraid of the judgment of the world?” The Speaker made repeated calls for their return, and eventually three returned to applause from the floor. Mr Ahn Cheol-soo, a three-time presidential candidate, and Ms Kim Ye-ji, a visually impaired politician, had previously indicated they would vote for the impeachment, given the strong public sentiment against the six-hour brush with martial rule. Mr Kim Sang-wook disappointed the opposition members who had cheered his return to the session, when he revealed that he had voted against the motion, as per party stance. Speaker Woo, who declared the plenary session closed at 9.20pm (8.20pm Singapore time), more than four hours after it began, told the floor it was regrettable that Parliament was unable to adhere to the “democratic process on a matter of national importance”, and apologised to the nation on behalf of the National Assembly. Under South Korean Constitution, the Bill could have been open for 72 hours after it was tabled at 12.48am on Dec 5, which meant the National Assembly could have waited till 12.48am on Dec 8. But by 9pm, it was clear that the PPP lawmakers – holed up in another part of the building, supposedly for a party general meeting – were not coming back. Earlier, the Bill for a special counsel probe into Ms Kim’s alleged stock manipulation, election interference and leaking of classified information, failed to pass by two votes. The Bill against Ms Kim had been pushed through three times before, but were vetoed by President Yoon each time, most recently on Nov 26. Following the failed impeachment bid, an outraged Mr Lee, leader of the Democratic Party, criticised the PPP as a “criminal party that has betrayed the country”. Having earlier vowed to repeat the impeachment process until successful, Mr Lee pledged that he would not give up and would “normalise the country” by the end of the year. Nearly 150,000 upset South Koreans had thronged the boulevard outside the National Assembly, calling for the impeachment and arrest of Mr Yoon, while about 20,000 supporters of the conservative PPP gathered at Gwanghwamun in central Seoul, about a 20-minute drive away. Protests were also held in other parts of the country, like Gwangju, where a violent uprising in May 1980 resulted in more than a thousand deaths. The uprising was during the country’s last period of martial rule from October 1979 to January 1982, until Mr Yoon’s late-night declaration of martial law on Dec 3 threw the nation into a tailspin and dredged up painful memories. Kyung Hee University’s political scientist Ahn Byong-jin was among those at the National Assembly protest on Dec 3. The 57-year-old, who was jailed briefly in 1990 for student activism under the rule of then-president Roh Tae-woo, said that as “a Korean citizen, I must express my anger”. The late president Roh was an army general before becoming president from 1988 to 1993. In 1996, he was found guilty of his involvement in the Gwangju massacre and sentenced to 17 years in prison but later received a pardon. Professor Ahn described the Dec 7 impeachment failure as “the end of the story”. He said the next round of impeachment motion will not pass muster, as the opposition is unlikely to get the critical eight votes from the PPP, since party chief Han Dong-hoon has decided to block the impeachment. Mr Han had earlier flip-flopped, stating on Dec 5 that his party would block the impeachment, before declaring the very next day that Mr Yoon needed to be suspended from his presidential duties immediately as he was a danger to the public. He appeared to have softened his stance again after meeting the President on Dec 6, when Mr Yoon denied ordering the arrest of key politicians, including Mr Han. After three days of lying low, Mr Yoon finally apologised to the nation in a televised address on the morning of Dec 7. He said he had been driven to desperation as a leader, and expressed his deepest apology to South Korean citizens “who must have been greatly shocked”. In addition to plummeting approval ratings, Mr Yoon’s presidency has been plagued by repeated pushes by the opposition for legal action against his wife, and his policies have been blocked at every turn by the opposition-dominated National Assembly. Mr Yoon was said to be particularly incensed by the opposition’s 22 impeachment motions against his officials during his term, in particular the latest impeachment motions against the state auditor and three prosecutors, which provoked him to declare martial law on Dec 3. The impeachments against the four high-ranking officials were ultimately passed on Dec 5. In his apology, Mr Yoon also promised to entrust his power to the PPP to stabilise the political situation and “take responsibility for future state affairs”. Dr Bong Young-shik of Yonsei University in Seoul slammed Mr Yoon’s two-minute apology as “insincere and shorter than the time it takes to cook ramyeon (Korean instant noodles)”. “Mr Yoon only said that he would work with his party, without mentioning the National Assembly or the opposition. But they are all stakeholders (in policymaking). So this apology is just superficial.” While PPP leader Han assured the public after the failed impeachment attempt that Mr Yoon would effectively be suspended from duties until he steps down, Dr Bong is convinced it is just an attempt on the part of the PPP to buy time until political rival, Mr Lee, is knocked out of the running. Mr Lee faces possible disqualification as a presidential candidate, after being found guilty on Nov 15 by the Seoul Central District Court of lying about corruption allegations during his 2022 presidential campaign. He was sentenced to a year in prison, suspended for two years. His appeal is due to be heard at the Supreme Court within the next six months. If the guilty ruling is upheld, Mr Lee will not be able to run for president. With him out of the picture, the PPP would be able to repair some damage and field candidates like Mr Han, who garnered 11 per cent in a presidential preference poll of 1,000 respondents released on Dec 6. Mr Lee was most favoured at 29 per cent. Referring to the PPP’s calculus, Dr Bong quipped: “Between national interest and party interest, the latter will prevail.” He predicted that the political stalemate will remain “for a very long time”, with South Korea’s economy likely to take a huge hit from the instability. As for Prof Ahn, he believes that the power of the people will ultimately prevail. Describing the sentiment of the protesters on the ground as “very passionate”, similar to demonstrations during former president Park Geun-hye’s impeachment in late 2016, Prof Ahn said he was surprised to see the younger crowd more outraged than he was. “The younger generation are so angry that they will not give up (on removing Mr Yoon from office) so easily. Eventually Yoon and his faction, they will suffer a very severe punishment. But until that time, we are going to go through a very difficult time.” Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you. Read 3 articles and stand to win rewards Spin the wheel nowTrump taps Charles Kushner, father of his son-in-law, as envoy to France
Quincy, MA, Nov. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Stran & Company, Inc. ("Stran" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: SWAG) (NASDAQ: SWAGW), a leading outsourced marketing solutions provider that leverages its promotional products and loyalty incentive expertise, today announced that it has received a written notification (the "Notification Letter”) from the Listing Qualifications staff of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC ("Nasdaq”) as a result of its failure to file its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 (the "Form 10-Q") in a timely fashion. The Notification Letter advised the Company that it was not in compliance with Nasdaq's continued listing requirements under the timely filing criteria established in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5250(c)(1). Previously, Nasdaq granted the Company an exception until December 16, 2024 to file its delinquent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 (the "Initial Delinquent Filing") and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2024. As a result, any additional Nasdaq exception will be limited to a maximum of 180 calendar days from the due date of the Initial Delinquent Filing, or until December 16, 2024. In accordance with the Nasdaq Listing Rules, the Company has until December 6, 2024 to submit to Nasdaq an update to its original plan to regain compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rules. The Company intends to submit the required update to its plan and take the necessary steps to regain compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rules as soon as practicable. No assurance can be given that the Company will be able to regain compliance with the aforementioned listing requirement or maintain compliance with the other continued listing requirements set forth in the Nasdaq Listing Rules. The Notification Letter has no immediate effect on the listing of the Company's common stock or warrants on The Nasdaq Capital Market. About Stran For over 29 years, Stran has grown to become a leader in the promotional products industry, specializing in complex marketing programs to help recognize the value of promotional products, branded merchandise, and loyalty incentive programs as a tool to drive awareness, build brands and impact sales. Stran is the chosen promotional programs manager of many Fortune 500 companies, across a variety of industries, to execute their promotional marketing, loyalty and incentive, sponsorship activation, recruitment, retention, and wellness campaigns. Stran provides world-class customer service and utilizes cutting-edge technology, including efficient ordering and logistics technology to provide order processing, warehousing, and fulfillment functions. The Company's mission is to develop long-term relationships with its clients, enabling them to connect with both their customers and employees in order to build lasting brand loyalty. Additional information about the Company is available at: www.stran.com . Forward Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements” that are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release may be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate,” "believe,” "contemplate,” "could,” "estimate,” "expect,” "intend,” "seek,” "may,” "might,” "plan,” "potential,” "predict,” "project,” "target,” "aim,” "should,” "will,” "would,” or the negative of these words or other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current expectations and are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Further, certain forward-looking statements are based on assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. These and other risks and uncertainties are described more fully in the section titled "Risk Factors” in the Company's periodic reports which are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are made as of this date, and the Company undertakes no duty to update such information except as required under applicable law. Contacts: Investor Relations Contact: Crescendo Communications, LLC Tel: (212) 671-1021 [email protected] Press Contact: Howie Turkenkopf [email protected]
Nissan and Honda to attempt a merger that would create the world's No. 3 automaker TOKYO (AP) — Japanese automakers Nissan and Honda have announced plans to work toward a merger that would catapult them to a top position in an industry in the midst of tectonic shifts as it transitions away from its reliance on fossil fuels. The two companies said they signed an agreement on integrating their businesses on Monday. Smaller Nissan alliance member Mitsubishi Motors agreed to join the talks. News of a possible merger surfaced earlier this month. Japanese automakers face a strong challenge from their Chinese rivals and Tesla as they make inroads into markets at home and abroad. What a merger between Nissan and Honda means for the automakers and the industry BANGKOK (AP) — Japanese automakers Honda and Nissan will attempt to merge and create the world’s third-largest automaker by sales as the industry undergoes dramatic changes in its transition away from fossil fuels. The two companies said they had signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday and that smaller Nissan alliance member Mitsubishi Motors also had agreed to join the talks on integrating their businesses. Honda will initially lead the new management, retaining the principles and brands of each company. Following is a quick look at what a combined Honda and Nissan would mean for the companies, and for the auto industry. Nordstrom to be acquired by Nordstrom family and a Mexican retail group in $6.25 billion deal Century-old department store Nordstrom has agreed to be acquired and taken private by Nordstrom family members and a Mexican retail group in a $6.25 billion deal. Nordstrom shareholders will receive $24.25 in cash for each share of Nordstrom common stock, representing a 42% premium on the company’s stock as of March 18. Nordstrom’s board of directors unanimously approved the the proposed transaction, while Erik and Pete Nordstrom — part of the Nordstrom family taking over the company — recused themselves from voting. Following the close of the transaction, the Nordstrom Family will have a majority ownership stake in the company. An analyst looks ahead to how the US economy might fare under Trump WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump won a return to the White House in part by promising big changes in economic policy — more tax cuts, huge tariffs on imports, mass deportations of immigrants working in the United States illegally. In some ways, his victory marked a repudiation of President Joe Biden’s economic stewardship and a protest against inflation. It came despite low unemployment and steady growth under the Biden administration. What lies ahead for the economy under Trump? Paul Ashworth of Capital Economics spoke recently to The Associated Press. The interview has been edited for length and clarity. American consumers feeling less confident in December, Conference Board says American consumers are feeling less confident in December, a business research group says. The Conference Board said Monday that its consumer confidence index fell back in December to 104.7 from 112.8 in November. Consumers had been feeling increasingly confident in recent months. The consumer confidence index measures both Americans’ assessment of current economic conditions and their outlook for the next six months. The measure of Americans’ short-term expectations for income, business and the job market tumbled more than a dozen points to 81.1. The Conference Board says a reading under 80 can signal a potential recession in the near future. Stock market today: Wall Street rises at the start of a holiday-shortened week Stocks closed higher on Wall Street at the start of a holiday-shortened week. The S&P 500 rose 0.7% Monday. Several big technology companies helped support the gains, including chip companies Nvidia and Broadcom. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.2%, and the Nasdaq composite rose 1%. Honda's U.S.-listed shares rose sharply after the company said it was in talks about a combination with Nissan in a deal that could also include Mitsubishi Motors. Eli Lilly rose after announcing that regulators approved Zepbound as the first prescription medicine for adults with sleep apnea. Treasury yields rose in the bond market. The internet is rife with fake reviews. Will AI make it worse? Researchers and watchdog groups say the emergence of generative artificial intelligence tools that allow people to efficiently produce detailed and novel online reviews has put merchants, service providers and consumers in uncharted territory. Phony reviews have long plagued many popular consumer websites, such as Amazon and Yelp. But AI-infused text generation tools enable fraudsters to produce reviews faster and in greater volume, according to tech industry experts. The deceptive practice is illegal in the U.S. and becomes a bigger problem for consumers during the holiday shopping season, when many people rely on reviews to buy gifts. A tech company and watchdog group that uses software to detect fake reviews says AI-generated reviews have multiplied. Romanian lawmakers narrowly approve new pro-European coalition during period of political turmoil BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Romanian lawmakers have voted narrowly in favor of a new pro-European coalition government led by incumbent Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu. The move on Monday could usher in an end to a protracted political crisis in the European Union country following the annulment of a presidential election. Parliament approved the new administration in a 240-143 vote in the 466-seat legislature. The new coalition is made up of the leftist Social Democratic Party, the center-right National Liberal Party, the small ethnic Hungarian UDMR party and national minorities. President Klaus Iohannis swore in the new government on Monday night. Government regulators close investigation into Ford Focus recalls Government safety regulators are closing an investigation into two previous recalls of the Ford Focus after determining that Ford Motor Co. has satisfied its concerns. Ford recalled around 1.5 million Ford Focus sedans from the 2012-2018 model years in 2018 because they could lose power. The issue was a malfunctioning canister purge valve and software that didn’t adequately detect when it was stuck open. Ford fixed the software in two separate recalls, but after cars continued to stall, the government opened an inquiry last year. Earlier this fall, Ford offered to replace the canister purge valve on all of the vehicles, satisfying regulators' concerns. AI will eavesdrop on world's wildest places to track and help protect endangered wildlife PUERTO JIMÉNEZ, Costa Rica (AP) — A biologist hid 350 audio monitors across Costa Rica’s tropical rainforests to spy on endangered spider monkeys in order to help protect them. But she had to go back to collect the data and feed those sounds into artificial intelligence systems that can recognize monkey calls. Now tech giant Microsoft's philanthropic arm is hoping to supercharge AI-assisted wildlife research with new solar-powered devices that can capture sounds, images and other wilderness data for a year or more without human intervention. Researchers say more AI wildlife surveillance is urgently needed to monitor the health of species at risk of extinction.
HOUSTON, Nov. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Weatherford International plc (NASDAQ: WFRD) ("Weatherford” or the "Company”) will host a conference call on Thursday, February 6, 2025 to discuss the Company's results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2024. The conference call will begin at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time (7:30 a.m. Central Time). Prior to the conference call, the Company will issue a press release announcing the results and the associated presentation slides will be uploaded to the investor relations section of the Weatherford website. Listeners can participate in the conference call via a live webcast . Alternatively, the conference call can be accessed by registering in advance (which will provide a PIN for immediate access) or by dialing +1 877-328-5344 (within the U.S.) or +1 412-902-6762 (outside of the U.S.) and asking for the Weatherford conference call. Participants should log in or dial in approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the call. A telephonic replay of the conference call will be available until February 20, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. To access the replay, please dial +1 877-344-7529 (within the U.S.) or +1 412-317-0088 (outside of the U.S.) and reference conference number 9530137. About Weatherford Weatherford delivers innovative energy services that integrate proven technologies with advanced digitalization to create sustainable offerings for maximized value and return on investment. Our world-class experts partner with customers to optimize their resources and realize the full potential of their assets. Operators choose us for strategic solutions that add efficiency, flexibility, and responsibility to any energy operation. The Company conducts business in approximately 75 countries and has approximately 19,000 team members representing more than 110 nationalities and 330 operating locations. Visit weatherford.com for more information and connect with us on social media. Contact: Luke Lemoine Weatherford Investor Relations +1 713-836-7777 [email protected]
CALUM McCLURKIN: This prolonged and dreary sideshow threatens legacy of Constitution HillNew disability ministers will ‘champion’ inclusion and accessibility – minister
IF Covid taught us anything, it was a stark reminder of how reliant we are on China, the world's manufacturing superpower, producing nearly a third of everything we use. The pandemic exposed the fragility of global supply chains, especially when much of what we need starts or passes through China. While that’s not a big deal if you’re buying basketballs or jeans, it’s a different story if you’re sourcing essentials like British military uniforms. In a future crisis—or even escalating tensions with China—disruptions to these supply chains could have serious consequences. Imagine reintroducing national service (not an impossibility over the next five years). instead of marching to the parade ground, new recruits might first be heading to the Army Surplus Store for their kit. What’s missing is a clear China strategy. The lack of a unified plan for managing China’s rise—both as an economic powerhouse and a challenger to the global order—has left decision-making fragmented. Questions about security and resilience are often overshadowed by short-term cost savings. Case in point: The UK Defence Committee, during the last Parliament debated whether to source a ceremonial gift from British or Chinese metal, with the Chinese option being £4 cheaper. Eventually the British option was chosen – to avoid bad headlines! If the committee is making such political judgements so is any business having dealings with China. This duality defines the UK’s relationship with China. On one hand, China is seen as a strategic competitor, accused of intellectual property theft, cyber espionage, and using its economic leverage to further geopolitical aims. On the other, it’s the UK’s fourth-largest trading partner, contributing billions to the economy. Yet the playing field is far from level. Chinese companies operate freely in Western markets, while Western firms face barriers in China—restrictive regulations, joint venture requirements, and opaque rules. Without a consistent approach, the UK’s efforts to counter China’s unfair practices are weakened by economic dependency. Next time a crisis hits, we might discover just how costly that ambiguity really is. One thing is for certain, in today’s climate the MOD should know better than to procure uniforms from China! See main story: MoD orders £37m of kit from "national security risk" China /news/uk/1982955/mod-orders-37m-of-kit-from-ChinaNorth Macedonian political party demands ban on TikTok after at least 17 students injuredKeeping the peace at your holiday feast: Letter to the EditorNone
People vent frustrations over insurance after UnitedHealthcare CEO’s shooting
By ADAM GELLER Associated Press , CATHY BUSSEWITZ Associated Press , and MICHAEL LIEDTKE Associated Press NEW YORK -- He's one of the most famous corporate leaders in the world, delivering products embraced by billions. But it's the haters that companies like Mark Zuckerberg's Meta worry about. In an era when online anger and social tensions are increasingly directed at the businesses consumers count on, Meta last year spent $24.4 million on guards, alarms and other measures to keep Zuckerberg and the company's former chief operating officer safe. Some high-profile CEOs surround themselves with security. But the fatal shooting this week of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson while he walked alone on a New York City sidewalk has put a spotlight on the widely varied approaches companies take in protecting their leaders against threats. Thompson had no personal security and appeared unaware of the shooter lurking before he was gunned down. And today's political, economic and technological climate is only going to make the job of evaluating threats against executives and taking action to protect them even more difficult, experts say. "We are better today at collecting signals. I'm not sure we're any better at making sense of the signals we collect," says Fred Burton of Ontic, a provider of threat management software for companies. After Thompson's shooting, Burton said, "I've been on the phone all day with some organizations asking for consultation, saying, 'Am I doing enough?" Since the killing, some health insurers have taken steps to safeguard their executives and rank-and-file workers. Medica, a Minnesota-based nonprofit health care firm, said Friday it is temporarily closing its six offices for security reasons and will have its employees work from home. "Although we have received no specific threats related to our campuses, our office buildings will be temporarily closed out of an abundance of caution," the company said in a statement. A Medica... ADAM GELLER Associated Press , CATHY BUSSEWITZ Associated Press , MICHAEL LIEDTKE Associated PressWith Christmas just around the bend, many Brits are scratching their heads over what stocking fillers to get for their loved ones. If you're in a similar predicament, consider snagging an during Amazon's Black Friday sale. Last year, I gifted an to a family member who was quite technophobic. By "technophobic", I mean someone who needed assistance with online shopping on platforms like eBay and basic computer troubleshooting such as printing tickets or accessing emails. I decided it was high time they got acquainted with 21st-century tech and so, an Echo Dot became their present. I anticipated a polite thank you, a brief trial run over the festive period, and then silence. However, a few weeks after Christmas, I received a call asking how to set up Amazon Music. To my surprise, they had fallen head over heels for the device, enjoying its music-playing capabilities and the fun of posing various questions to it while pottering about the house. Currently, as part of its Black Friday sale. The product has also garnered rave reviews from other purchasers, reports . One buyer commented: "Out of the box, this product feels extremely quality. It has a nice weight to it and the materials used feel premium. Setup was extremely easy using the app and only took five minutes." Some owners however have expressed frustration with the device, particularly with the voice control feature. One user wrote: "Bought it to play BBC Sounds. It just will not. Have tried everything possible that is suggested to rectify the problem but to no avail. "Have linked to my BBC account, have had emails to confirm, have re-set, unplugged, re-plugged, emailed BBC, unlinked and re-linked, re-routed and un-routed and still the bloody thing, when asked to play BBC Radio 4 or any BBC radio programme comes up with some random American radio station or a Kids Skills something or other or, even more annoyingly says 'this is not supported'. "Driven to distraction and three hours of mounting temper and frustration, I shall just go back to my radio, and Alexa and her annoying little ball of pulsing lights can go back from whence she came. As someone said - a very expensive kitchen timer! ". However, other users have had a more positive experience, finding the device to be extremely handy for general questions, playing music, and more. If you're not sold on the Echo Dot, there are alternative options available, such as the Echo Pop for £18.99 at Currys, or the stylish Roberts Revival Petite 2 DAB/DAB+/FM/BT Radio for £92 at Debenhams.
Mid-American Conference football goes all in on November weeknights for the TV viewers
NoneTinubu fires direct shot at Obasanjo, reveals how ex-president underdeveloped NigeriaDonald Trump has nominated Charles Kushner, a businessman who is the father-in-law of Trump’s daughter Ivanka, to serve as US ambassador to France, the president-elect said on Saturday. Kushner, whose job requires Senate confirmation, is the latest of Trump’s picks to have close ties with the incoming president. Kushner’s son, Jared Kushner, is married to Ivanka Trump, and was a close advisor to Trump during his first presidency. “I am pleased to nominate Charles Kushner, of New Jersey, to serve as the US Ambassador to France. He is a tremendous business leader, philanthropist, & dealmaker, who will be a strong advocate representing our country & its interests,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social. “Charlie is the founder & chairman of Kushner Companies, one of the largest & most successful privately held real estate firms in the nation. He was recognized as New Jersey entrepreneur of the year by Ernst & Young, appointed to the US Holocaust Memorial Council, & served as a commissioner, & chairman, of the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, as well as on the boards of our top institutions, including NYU [New York University].” Kushner no longer serves on the board of NYU. In 2005, he pleaded guilty to 18 counts of illegal campaign contributions and tax evasion, as well as witness tampering after he retaliated against his brother-in-law, William Schulder, who was cooperating with federal investigators. According to the US justice department, Kushner admitted to hiring a sex worker to seduce Schulder, videotaping the encounter and sending the tape to Schulder’s wife – Kushner’s sister. He was sentenced to two years in prison. Trump pardoned Kushner in 2020, stating that he “has been devoted to important philanthropic organizations and causes”. Kushner donated $100,000 to a pro-Trump group in 2015, and $1m to a pro-Trump super Pac in 2023 . Sign up to First Thing Our US morning briefing breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what’s happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion “Congratulations to Charlie, his wonderful wife Seryl, their 4 children, & 14 grandchildren,” Trump wrote in his post announcing the nomination. Trump did not mention that three of those grandchildren are also Trump’s grandchildren.
Bill Clinton hospitalized for "testing and observation" after developing feverIdaho has 85 mountain ranges and subranges. Man with Pocatello roots summited the highest peak in eachThe shocking attempted coup by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol caught Koreans and the world by surprise. Even though the country was embroiled in a bitter political divide between progressives and conservatives, the declaration of martial law stunned Koreans and sent shockwaves through Washington and Tokyo. For a few hours, Korea seemed poised on the brink of a potentially violent clash between the armed forces and masses of protesters. The triumph of democratic institutions was rapid and reassuring. The unanimous vote of the National Assembly to overrule the martial law declaration was echoed outside the building by the refusal of civil society, the media, and even the conservative Peoples Power party to bow to threats of repression The celebration of democracy is tempered by the highly uncertain path of the coming months. Yoon is attempting to strike a pose of defiance, hoping he can survive. The National Assembly voted on Saturday evening on impeachment, with demonstrators outside in the streets of Seoul. Ruling party lawmakers walked out on the proceeding, preventing the two-thirds majority vote that would be required to impeach, but the opposition plans to try again. No matter what the outcome, Yoon’s rule is effectively over. An early presidential election will likely lead to the triumph of Democratic party leader Lee Jae-myung, who lost the last contest to Yoon by less than one percent. Many questions remain unanswered, not least why President Yoon took this enormous risk with apparently very little preparation and with the support of only a tiny circle of close allies. How much was the military ready to back Yoon’s insurrection? Why was Washington, which has invested so much in the success of the Yoon government, caught off guard? But what seems clearer is that the replacement of Yoon by the Progressive Democratic Party will bring real change in key areas of South Korean foreign and security policy, beginning with relations with Japan and China, with the United States and with North Korea. Clues to what may be on the progressive agenda were contained in a key paragraph in the impeachment resolution put before the National Assembly. Along with the serious crimes charged against Yoon, most of all an illegal attempt to use the martial law provisions, the resolution offered this indictment of the president’s foreign policy: “In addition, under the guise of so-called ‘value diplomacy,’ Yoon has neglected geopolitical balance, antagonizing North Korea, China, and Russia, adhering to a bizarre Japan-centered foreign policy and appointing Pro-Japan individuals to key government positions, thereby causing isolation in Northeast Asia and triggering a crisis of war, abandoning his duty to protect national security and the people.” Close observers of Korean politics read this as a signal of what progressive foreign policy will look like after Yoon leaves and if Lee Jae-myung becomes President. “Now the opposition party has even more incentive to do a wholesale cleansing of all Yoon policies, including foreign policy,” Benjamin Engel, a visiting professor at Seoul’s Dankook University, told Toyo Keizai Online. “If a normal democratic transition took place we may have seen a somewhat healthier debate on the pros and cons of what Yoon’s foreign policy accomplished and what should be kept or revised. That won’t happen now.” The top of the progressive target list, as the impeachment resolution makes clear, is relations with Japan. The Democratic party has been highly critical of Yoon’s outreach to Japan, arguing that South Korea made repeated concessions to Japan on issues of wartime history such as the forced laborers, without getting much in return. While there is considerable public support for the improvement of relations with Japan, that policy may now be tainted by Yoon’s ignominious downfall. “If the opposition party grasps power, current Korea-Japan relations will go through a very rough time, as well as Korea-US relations,” predicts a former senior South Korean official who remains very engaged in Japan policy. In particular, the progress made in building trilateral security cooperation between Japan, Korea and the US “will no longer be viable.” Influential figures in the opposition Democratic Party who have been involved with Japan for a long time insist that relations can still develop positively, but emphasize the need to get Korean public support and for Japan to be more forthcoming. “The administration’s unilateral foreign policy approach has failed to build political momentum,” National Assembly member Wi Sung-lac, a former diplomat and close foreign policy advisor to former presidential candidate Lee, told this writer. “Public sentiment remains negative, especially on historical issues like Japan’s refusal to apologize and its denial of forced labor.” Wi pledged that if the Democrats return to power, the “stance that Korea-Japan cooperation is necessary will remain unchanged.” But he added, “the pace of progress will depend on Japan’s response. If Japan responds constructively, there is significant potential for improving bilateral relations, though the speed and intensity of that improvement will vary.” The potential shift in government in Seoul poses a challenge to the government of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. The prime minister had been gearing up for a visit to South Korea in January, part of preparations to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Ishiba is himself an advocate of close relations with Korea and has been more willing to confront the issues of Japan’s wartime and colonial past. At the least, this effort will have to deal with months of political uncertainty. At worst, a progressive government will come to power and want to slow down the pace of Korea-Japan ties. And that may be compounded by the return of Donald Trump, who does not share the Biden administration’s commitment to creating more durable trilateral cooperation. “Now, the Japanese government must prepare for a perfect storm,” says Tobias Harris, the head of the Japan Foresight consulting firm. “Yoon will be either severely constrained or removed entirely; the swing to the left feared in Tokyo could happen in 2025 instead of 2027; and Japan will face a US president who not only is skeptical of US alliance commitments but prefers bilateral to multilateral negotiations and has evinced little interest in strengthening trilateral cooperation.” As the impeachment resolution indicates, progressives have also been critical of US attempts to pull Korea into a defacto China containment strategy. If Trump pushes hard in this direction, and makes demands on the alliance such as higher defense cost sharing, he may meet some resistance. “But the alliance with the US is so popular in South Korea, I don’t see Lee or another progressive trying to undermine it,” says Engels. “The major impetus for that will come from Trump” Lee, Engels says, “will be more neutral, I think, in US-China competition. But even liberals have a limit in how close to China they can move. South Korean public opinion will be against it.” One potential area of convergence between Trump and a progressive administration may be an attempt to resume diplomatic engagement with Kim Jong Un and North Korea. The progressive government of Moon Jae-in was a partner to Trump’s first-administration efforts to reach a deal with Kim. Whether the North Koreans will be interested in resuming this effort, even with a change of party in Seoul, is far from clear. “Their current line is that the South is the enemy nation no matter who is in charge,” Fyodor Tertitskiy, an expert on North Korea and a Lecturer at Korea University, told Toyo Keizai Online. “The previous left administration failed to deliver anything substantial for them – so it seems they (or, rather, Kim personally) have lost any hope in South Korea. Having said that, I think they would definitely prefer the Democrats to People’s Power, since at least the left would be far less aggressive, and maybe even deferential in their policy towards Pyongyang.” Indeed, Yoon has led a sharply anti-Communist turn in South Korea. In his martial law declaration, he claimed to be acting to counter pro-North Korean forces who sought to seize control of the South Korean government. Such views have been circulating for the last few years in ultra-conservative circles that saw Yoon as their savior. But Yoon’s attempt to point the finger at Communists “will backfire and undermine his leadership,” says the former senior official. For now, Yoon clings to power in Seoul. The former senior official describes him as having “a seige mentality because of recent all-out political attacks against him and his wife from the opposition party and even from within his own ruling party.” Yoon’s desperation, sadly, may end up destroying one of the most significant achievements of his troubled time in office, the restoration of relations with Japan and the beginnings of serious cooperation.
