zbet game Former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., attends the cocktail hour of New York Young Republican Club’s annual gala at Cipriani Wall Street, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura) President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., closes a door to a private meeting with Vice President-elect JD Vance and Republican Senate Judiciary Committee members, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) Former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., center, attends the cocktail hour of New York Young Republican Club’s annual gala at Cipriani Wall Street, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura) Former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., attends the cocktail hour of New York Young Republican Club’s annual gala at Cipriani Wall Street, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura) By LISA MASCARO and ALANNA DURKIN RICHER WASHINGTON (AP) — The House Ethics Committee’s long-awaited report on Matt Gaetz documents a trove of salacious allegations , including sex with an underage girl, that tanked the Florida Republican’s bid to lead the Justice Department . Related Articles National Politics | President-elect Trump wants to again rename North America’s tallest peak National Politics | An analyst looks ahead to how the US economy might fare under Trump National Politics | Trump again calls to buy Greenland after eyeing Canada and the Panama Canal National Politics | House Ethics Committee accuses Gaetz of ‘regularly’ paying for sex, including with 17-year-old girl National Politics | Trump wants mass deportations. For the agents removing immigrants, it’s a painstaking process Citing text messages, travel receipts, online payments and testimony, the bipartisan committee paints a picture of a lifestyle in which Gaetz and others connected with younger women for drug-fueled parties, events or trips, with the expectation the women would be paid for their participation. The former congressman, who filed a last-minute lawsuit to try to block the report’s release on Monday, slammed the committee’s findings. Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing and has insisted he never had sex with a minor. And a Justice Department investigation into the allegations ended without any criminal charges filed against him. “Giving funds to someone you are dating — that they didn’t ask for — and that isn’t ‘charged’ for sex is now prostitution?!?” Gaetz wrote in one post on Monday. “There is a reason they did this to me in a Christmas Eve-Eve report and not in a courtroom of any kind where I could present evidence and challenge witnesses.” Here’s a look at some of the committee’s key findings: The committee found that between 2017 and 2020, Gaetz paid tens of thousands of dollars to women “likely in connection with sexual activity and/or drug use.” He paid the women using through online services such as PayPal, Venmo, and CashApp and with cash or check, the committee said. The committee said it found evidence that Gaetz understood the “transactional nature” of his relationships with the women. The report points to one text exchange in which Gaetz balked at a woman’s request that he send her money, “claiming she only gave him a ‘drive by.’” Women interviewed by the committee said there was a “general expectation of sex,” the report said. One woman who received more than $5,000 from Gaetz between 2018 and 2019 said that “99 percent of the time” that when she hung out with Gaetz “there was sex involved.” However, Gaetz was in a long-term relationship with one of the women he paid, so “some of the payments may have been of a legitimate nature,” the committee said. Text messages obtained by the committee also show that Gaetz would ask the women to bring drugs to their “rendezvous,” the report said. While most of his encounters with the women were in Florida, the committee said Gaetz also traveled “on several occasions” with women whom he paid for sex. The report includes text message exchanges in which Gaetz appears to be inviting various women to events, getaways or parties, and arranging airplane travel and lodging. Gaetz associate Joel Greenberg, who pleaded guilty to sex trafficking charges in 2021, initially connected with women through an online service. In one text with a 20-year-old woman, Greenberg suggested if she has a friend, the four of them could meet up. The woman responded that she usually does “$400 per meet.” Greenberg replied: “He understands the deal,” along with a smiley face emoji. Greenberg asks if they are old enough to drink alcohol, and sent the woman a picture of Gaetz. The woman responded that her friend found him “really cute.” “Well, he’s down here for only for the day, we work hard and play hard,” Greenberg replied. The report details a party in July 2017 in which Gaetz is accused of having sex with “multiple women, including the 17-year-old, for which they were paid.” The committee pointed to “credible testimony” from the now-woman herself as well as “multiple individuals” who corroborated the allegation. The then-17-year-old — who had just completed her junior year in high school — told the committee that Gaetz paid her $400 in cash that night, “which she understood to be payment for sex,” according to the report. The woman acknowledged that she had taken ecstasy the night of the party, but told the committee that she was “certain” of her sexual encounters with the then-congressman. There’s no evidence that Gaetz knew she was a minor when he had sex with her, the committee said. The woman told the committee she didn’t tell Gaetz she was under 18 at the time and that he didn’t how old she was. Rather, the committee said Gaetz learned she was a minor more than a month after the party. But he stayed in touch with her after that and met up with her for “commercial sex” again less than six months after she turned 18, according to the committee. In sum, the committee said it authorized 29 subpoenas for documents and testimony, reviewed nearly 14,000 documents and contacted more than two dozen witnesses. But when the committee subpoenaed Gaetz for his testimony, he failed to comply. “Gaetz pointed to evidence that would ‘exonerate’ him yet failed to produce any such materials,” the committee said. Gaetz “continuously sought to deflect, deter, or mislead the Committee in order to prevent his actions from being exposed.” The report details a months-long process that dragged into a year as it sought information from Gaetz that he decried as “nosey” and a “weaponization” of government against him. In one notable exchange, investigators were seeking information about the expenses for a 2018 get-away with multiple women to the Bahamas. Gaetz ultimately offered up his plane ticket receipt “to” the destination, but declined to share his return “from” the Bahamas. The report said his return on a private plane and other expenses paid by an associate were in violation of House gift rules. In another Gaetz told the committee he would “welcome” the opportunity to respond to written questions. Yet, after it sent a list of 16 questions, Gaetz said publicly he would “no longer” voluntarily cooperate. He called the investigation “frivolous,” adding: “Every investigation into me ends the same way: my exoneration.” The report said that while Gaetz’s obstruction of the investigation does not rise to a criminal violation it is inconsistent with the requirement that all members of Congress “act in a manner that reflects creditably upon the House.” The committee began its review of Gaetz in April 2021 and deferred its work in response to a Justice Department request. It renewed its work shortly after Gaetz announced that the Justice Department had ended a sex trafficking investigation without filing any charges against him. The committee sought records from the Justice Department about the probe, but the agency refused, saying it doesn’t disclose information about investigations that don’t result in charges. The committee then subpoenaed the Justice Department, but after a back-and-forth between officials and the committee, the department handed over “publicly reported information about the testimony of a deceased individual,” according to the report. “To date, DOJ has provided no meaningful evidence or information to the Committee or cited any lawful basis for its responses,” the committee said. Many of the women who the committee spoke to had already given statements to the Justice Department and didn’t want to “relive their experience,” the committee said. “They were particularly concerned with providing additional testimony about a sitting congressman in light of DOJ’s lack of action on their prior testimony,” the report said. The Justice Department, however, never handed over the women’s statements. The agency’s lack of cooperation — along with its request that the committee pause its investigation — significantly delayed the committee’s probe, lawmakers said.Five things to know about QB Brandon Allen, the 49ers’ starter against the Packers this weekend38 yrs on, stigma around HIV haunts 40K +ve people in city

Big Tech is warming up to Trump — to gain what?

Join this golf club and you’ll get 7 ‘home’ courses across the USLarson Financial Group LLC Increases Position in CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE:CNP)

Delhi: JP Nadda chairs BJP’s ‘Sangathan Parv Workshop’ to discuss organisational electionsLaw firm founder steps up battle to clear out leadership

The Portuguese coach arrives with an impressive CV, leading Sporting CP to two league titles in four years, as well as two Taca da Ligas and a Supertaca Candido de Oliveira. But Amorim has a tough job ahead of him as he seeks to return to the top after 11 years without a league title — during which time they’ve won just five major trophies. is, at least, boosted by the fact United won three and drew one of their four games under interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy, compared to one win from Erik ten Hag’s last eight games in charge. The 39-year-old’s tenure begins away at Ipswich Town on Sunday. Amorim will know that if he’s to be a success at Old Trafford, he’ll need big performances from United’s biggest stars. That has always been the case, even under legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who could call upon a host of incredible leaders during his glittering time in charge of the Red Devils. There has arguably been no Man Utd captain more iconic than Roy Keane, however, with the Irishman winning seven Premier League titles, four FA Cups and a Champions League title — including guiding United to the treble in 1999. Speaking to former United right-back and pundit Gary Neville ahead of this weekend’s trip to Portman Road, Amorim has admitted he’d love to have Roy Keane at his disposal now. “Roy Keane was a massive player and I like players with character. I think they can improve. It was not just what Roy Keane did on the pitch, it was the way he influenced the others. I think that is very important in one player,” Amorim said. “You must have this kind of player in the big clubs. I hope we’ll have in the future players like Roy Keane.” On Ferguson, Amorim added: “Sir Alex Ferguson, you want to ask so many things. I think he will talk about horses. I don’t understand anything about horses. But it will be amazing to meet that kind of character.”None

Indiana St. 83, Iona 80NULGE vs CBN: Court to deliver judgement on Kano LG allocation

A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah commenced on Nov. 27, 2024, aiming to halt 14 months of hostilities that began in October 2023. The agreement, brokered by the United States and France, mandates a 60-day cessation of violence. Key provisions include Hezbollah withdrawing its fighters north of the Litani River and Israel gradually pulling back its forces from southern Lebanon. A multinational committee, led by the U.S., will oversee compliance, with Lebanese troops deployed to enforce the terms. The conflict has inflicted significant losses on both sides. Hezbollah's leader, Hassan Nasrallah, was killed, and the group's military infrastructure suffered considerable damage. Israel has also faced casualties and displacement of civilians in its northern regions. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the ceasefire allows Israel to address other regional threats, including those posed by Iran, while remaining vigilant against potential violations. Despite the ceasefire, concerns persist about its durability. Past agreements, such as the 2006 U.N. Resolution 1701, failed to fully disarm Hezbollah, leading to skepticism about the current deal's enforcement. The Lebanese army, weakened by economic challenges, faces difficulties in maintaining stability in the south. Many Lebanese citizens, eager for peace, worry about the potential for renewed conflict. Newsweek has reached out to regional experts to assess the ceasefire's prospects and its implications for future stability in the Middle East. Yezid Sayigh, Historian, Senior Fellow, Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut I doubt that Hezbollah will undermine the ceasefire, as it badly needs respite from the Israeli onslaught. So, the key factor affecting the ceasefire's durability could be Netanyahu's political calculus: might there come a moment when he has greater interest in undermining the ceasefire than in preserving it over the coming two months? On the one hand, he faces significant domestic opposition to the agreement and must maneuver to keep his far-right partners on board so as to secure his tenure as PM and delay facing trial on criminal charges. It will not help matters that Israel is now bogged down in a war in Gaza that has no end in sight, and that will erode his standing at home. This suggests that Netanyahu may have an interest in resuming armed conflict with Hezbollah and, potentially, escalating with Iran. On the other hand, conversely, I can't really see why Netanyahu would have accepted a ceasefire with Hezbollah unless he's getting the message that U.S. president-elect Donald Trump wants the war to stop before his inauguration. If true, then Netanyahu's interest in maintaining good relations with Trump outweighs any other consideration and tilts the balance towards maintaining the ceasefire unless Hezbollah makes it impossible to do so. Henri J. Barkey, Associate Professor, International Relations, Lehigh University I think the ceasefire will hold. There will be violations, no doubt, as Hezbollah cannot control all of its militants. It is not a regular army. The reasons why it will hold are the following: On the Israeli side, they have inflicted as much damage on Hezbollah as they could. From now on, it is a question of diminishing returns. The Israeli army, which is based on reserves, is exhausted. Netanyahu is also desperate to show tangible success, i.e., the return of the refugees from northern Israel back to their homes. Bibi has little to show so far; this is his only success. Ceasefire in the north puts pressure on Hamas . More critical is Hezbollah's reasons. Lebanon has suffered enormously, but this was not the result of a decision made by the Lebanese government but by Hezbollah and probably Iran to start a war on the day after Hamas attacked Israel. It was a war of choice and a terrible miscalculation. Among the Lebanese people, the traditional Hezbollah supporters, the Sh'ia, suffered even more. They, too, did not want this. It is also important to remember that Hezbollah started firing missiles and forcing Israelis to move out of the North in October 2023. Still, the Israelis did not start their invasion until a year later, which means Hezbollah could have reconsidered and stopped firing missiles, drones, etc. They did not. Hezbollah is weakened and needs to confront the angry Lebanese, and it clearly did not make sense to continue fighting with most of their leadership and equipment destroyed. It has to show that it will rebuild destroyed villages and infrastructure. James Gelvin, Middle East Scholar, Department of History at the University of California There is a very good chance that the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah will hold. Hezbollah seems to have been a reluctant participant in the Israel-Hamas war. As a member of the Axis of Resistance—to which Hamas also belongs—Hezbollah couldn't have sat the conflict out. But Hezbollah is part of the Lebanese political fabric and bringing death and destruction to Lebanon, particularly when Lebanon is going through an economic crisis, was not a wise or popular move. After the pager incident, the assassination of Hezbollah leaders, the Israeli invasion of south Lebanon, and the Israeli bombing campaign, Hezbollah needs time to lick its wounds and rebuild. As for Israel, the IDF has accomplished its goal of pushing Hezbollah back from Lebanon's border with Israel. While in the south Israel's untenable war aim is to destroy Hamas, Israel's war aim in the north was to weaken and displace Hezbollah. The 60,000 Israelis evacuated from the north, at great expense, will be able to return to their homes. And the Israeli military will be able to concentrate on the southern front, which has always been the only front that really matters to Israel. Finally, the ceasefire reduces the IDF's manpower needs, and makes it possible to sidestep drafting ultraorthodox Israelis—a political minefield for Netanyahu.Kathmandu, Nov. 30: The four-day-long 6th Asian Population Association (APA) Conference ended on Saturday with intensive debates and deliberations from politicians, scholars, practitioners, demographers and officials from different countries. Starting on November 27, the 6th APA Conference witnessed policymakers, researchers, and international experts and their discussions on the pressing demographic issues of Asia. In the concluding remarks, Minister for Labour, Employment and Social Security Sharat Singh Bhandari praised the APA Conference for providing a great platform for dialogue and collaboration on pressing demographic challenges facing Asia. Minister Bhandari also made commitments to improving the lives of Nepali migrant workers by enhancing their legal protection, access to healthcare, and skills development. The National Organizing Committee stated that the conference featured 237 presentations and 186 poster presentations, spanning over 17 themes, along with 59 oral sessions and four poster sessions. The presentations were about population dynamics including aging populations, migration, gender equality, health disparities, and the implications of climate change. The conference explored the complex interplay between social, economic, and demographic factors, leveraging contemporary demographic data and analysis to address critical population challenges, Chairperson of the National Organizing Committee of 6th APA Conference Prof Dr Yogendra Bahadur Gurung stated. "It aimed to foster collaborative discussions and provide innovative solutions to address the pressing demographic challenges in Asia, ultimately contributing to sustainable development efforts in this region," Prof Dr Gurung said. The conference discussed the Asian countries' major characteristics in population dynamics and stated that East Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia are experiencing significant demographic shifts, including low fertility rates, increasing life expectancy, and evolving marriage patterns. The scholars at the conference stated that the rise of digital nomads is reshaping migration and labor markets, contributing to developing economies but facing challenges in taxation, stability, and integration. Education and policy investments were key to harnessing human capital, achieving demographic dividends, and ensuring sustainable development, the scholars highlighted in their presentations. According to the scholars present at the 6th APA, marriage patterns and fertility decisions are influenced by factors like education, gender attitudes, and economic conditions, leading to delayed marriages in some countries. Likewise, the experts stated that gender-specific interventions are crucial for improving maternal and child health and addressing issues like stunting, anemia, and low birth weight. As stated, climate change impacts have intensified food insecurity and health risks, particularly for the population engaged in agriculture and those living in coastal. The conference concluded that girl trafficking in Nepal's border regions persisted despite awareness. "Gender, societal norms, culture, and poverty influenced health, contraceptive use, disease prevention, mental health, education, and empowerment, requiring culturally sensitive interventions," the conference concluded. Concluding that migration was shaped by cultural norms, care needs, and systemic challenges, the conference has made a recommendation that the labour migration policies should ensure access to education, healthcare, social security, and protection from harm. It said that parental migration impacts children's mental health, with higher risks for internal migrants’ children. According to Prof Dr Gurung, who is also the Head of the Central Department of Population Studies of Tribhuvan University, the overall presentations in all sessions emphasized critical areas for policy reform and development across Asia. "Key topics included migrant rights, labor conditions, reproductive health, and gender-sensitive policies. The discussions also highlighted the need for family support for migrant workers, the importance of sub-national population projections, and the growing demand for urban resilience in rapidly expanding cities." Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli had inaugurated the 6th APA Conference which was organized by the Central Department of Population Studies, Tribhuvan University, and supported by the Government of Nepal, International Organization for Migration (IOM), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and other organizations.(RSS)

LUCKNOW The Samajwadi Party has started preparations for the 2027 UP assembly polls through its PDA panchayats across the state. The party will be organising at least five such gatherings in all districts of the state and the responsibility has been entrusted on the party’s state president Shyam Lal Pal. A few senior leaders believe that the PDA plank brought success for the party in the Lok Sabha elections, and this should not be changed till the 2027 elections. PDA was coined by party chief Akhilesh Yadav, which denotes Pichhda, Dalit and Alpasanhkyak (Backwards, Dalit and Minorities). “The responsibility for PDA panchayats has been given to our state president. This is our old political line in which we strengthen underprivileged people and make them aware about their rights, said SP leader Udaiveer Singh. Replying to a query if the PDA plank will work for the party in 2027 polls, Singh said: “If caste-based census is done, it will be clear which section of the society has how much share, what should be their representation, etc. Through democracy and Constitution, we will keep fighting for social justice of the marginalised section of the society.” “The PDA card is like a gamble for the SP...they took advantage of it in the Lok Sabha elections but things didn’t go well for them in the assembly bypolls. They are going to retain their PDA plan in the absence of anything better,” opined journalist Ratan Mani Lal. “For now, the PDA plank is full of possibilities for the party. There are no major elections before 2027, and I don’t see any logic in change strategy before the UP polls,” he added.

Ben Stokes to undergo hamstring surgery as England captain ruled out for three monthsNone