The ACTUAL NEWS: Wednesday, December 4th 2024 Recap
President Biden Tours Lobito Port Terminal in Angola, Dr. Biden Honors Military Families in Italy, Trump's New Nominees, and Much More Actual News
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Biden and Hichilema Discuss U.S.-Zambian Cooperation and Economic Growth
President Joe Biden met with Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema to strengthen the U.S.-Zambian relationship, focusing on shared goals for economic and democratic progress. They discussed key infrastructure projects, including the Lobito Trans-Africa Corridor and a new rail line connecting Zambia with Angola, supported by a $491 million Millennium Challenge Corporation compact. The U.S. will invest $458 million, with Zambia contributing $33 million. Both leaders emphasized the importance of attracting private sector investments and fostering resilient democracies to support sustainable growth. They also reaffirmed their commitment to advocating for global debt reform to prevent high debt burdens from hindering development.
Biden and Tshisekedi Discuss Economic Cooperation and Peace in the DRC
President Joe Biden met with President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to strengthen bilateral ties and discuss key issues, including the Lobito Trans-Africa Corridor. The two leaders emphasized the importance of creating favorable conditions for private sector investment in the DRC, focusing on good governance, transparency, and ensuring the country’s wealth benefits all its people. President Biden also encouraged continued support for the Luanda Process, aimed at peacefully resolving the ongoing conflict in eastern Congo.
President Biden Tours Lobito Port Terminal, Highlights Regional Infrastructure Development
President Joe Biden visited the Lobito Port Terminal in Angola, a key site for the Lobito Trans-Africa Corridor connecting the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Joined by Angolan President João Lourenço and other African leaders, including Presidents Félix Tshisekedi of the DRC and Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia, Biden toured the port, observing shipping containers, railway cars, and copper pallets. The port serves as a vital transportation hub for goods such as grains, agricultural products, and raw minerals.
During the tour, Biden was briefed on operational improvements and upcoming infrastructure upgrades, funded by the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation. A $553 million loan from the DRC to the Lobito Atlantic Railway was also announced to enhance the 1,300 km rail line from Lobito to the DRC border, aiming to boost regional and international trade.
The visit, marked by the sight of American General Electric locomotives and the presence of snipers for security, concluded with a brief photo opportunity.
President Biden Highlights U.S. Commitment to the Lobito Corridor at Food Factory Summit
President Biden, alongside African leaders, visited the Carrinho Food Processing Factory to emphasize the importance of the Lobito Corridor in transforming Africa's infrastructure and economy. Speaking about the potential of the project to reduce travel time across the continent and shift Africa from a food importer to an exporter, Biden announced an additional nearly $600 million investment in agriculture, railways, and the corridor's development. With U.S. investments totaling $4 billion, he highlighted the transformative impact on trade and regional cooperation.
During the visit, Biden engaged with other leaders in a series of discussions and delivered a statement underscoring the U.S. commitment to Africa’s future. His remarks highlighted the project's significance, likening it to the U.S. transcontinental railroad in laying the groundwork for a prosperous future. The event concluded with Biden expressing his enthusiasm for returning to ride the completed railway, further solidifying his commitment to the project's success.
FLOTUS Celebrates Military Families at NAS Sigonella During Final Overseas Trip
On a crisp, bluebird day, First Lady Jill Biden made her final overseas visit as First Lady to Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella in Catania, Italy, where she celebrated the holiday season with military families and honored the base’s 65th anniversary. The motorcade, passing groves of orange and olive trees, arrived at the town square, where about 150 people, many in uniform, gathered to greet her.
As Christmas carols played over the speakers, the anticipation in the air was palpable. The base’s middle-high school band performed both the Italian and American national anthems before the First Lady took the stage. Captain Aaron Shoemaker, the commanding officer of NAS Sigonella, welcomed the crowd and introduced FLOTUS, highlighting how her visit marked a special occasion for the service members and their families.
FLOTUS began her remarks by emphasizing the deep connection between the Biden family and the military. “The Bidens are a military family,” she said, acknowledging the sacrifices made by service members and their families. “Thank you for your service, your sacrifices, and for being part of the military community.”
She went on to discuss the Biden administration’s ongoing efforts to support military families, including her Joining Forces initiative, which focuses on improving the lives of military spouses and families. She highlighted a new initiative designed to help military spouses work remotely, ensuring they have employment opportunities “no matter where they are stationed.”
As she often does, FLOTUS expressed her pride in serving as First Lady, calling it “the honor of my life.” She also noted that this visit marked the final leg of her overseas travels. “I saved the best for last,” she said, eliciting cheers from the crowd.
The First Lady’s visit to NAS Sigonella is part of her broader efforts to support the military-connected community through the Joining Forces initiative, which she launched to recognize the sacrifices and contributions of military families, caregivers, and survivors. Over the past four years, she has visited more than 25 military installations and worked with over 125 partners to amplify the voices of military families.
NAS Sigonella, established in 1959 and known as the “Hub of the Med,” plays a key role in supporting U.S. and NATO forces in the region. The base houses nearly 6,000 service members, civilians, and family members, making it an important outpost for both logistical and operational support.
The First Lady’s visit to NAS Sigonella is just one stop on her final overseas tour, which will continue with a visit to her ancestral hometown of Gesso, Italy, before she heads to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
First Lady’s Heartfelt Tribute to Her Ancestral Roots in Gesso, Italy
During a visit to Gesso, Italy, First Lady of the United States, Jill Biden, expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and reflected on her family’s journey from Gesso to America. She shared the story of her great-grandparents, Gaetano and Conchetta Giacoppa, who emigrated from Gesso in search of a better life, and how their values of loyalty, hard work, and hospitality shaped her family's success in America. Highlighting the importance of cultural heritage, she spoke of her pride in being the first Italian-American First Lady and her efforts to celebrate Italian-American traditions. Jill Biden also gifted Gesso a European Holly tree as a symbol of the enduring connection between the town and its descendants in the U.S.
China Imposes Export Ban on Key Minerals to U.S., Escalating Trade Tensions
On Tuesday, China implemented a ban on the export of critical minerals, including gallium, germanium, and antimony, to the United States. This move follows the U.S.'s recent crackdown on China's semiconductor sector and strengthens China's enforcement of limits on dual-use minerals that have both civilian and military applications. The ban, which cites national security concerns, affects key materials used in semiconductors, infrared technology, weaponry, and electric vehicle batteries. The U.S. is evaluating the new restrictions and plans to respond accordingly. China's decision heightens fears that other vital minerals, like nickel and cobalt, could be targeted next.
South Korea’s President Faces Impeachment Motion
Opposition leaders submitted the motion just hours after President Yoon Suk Yeol rescinded his extraordinary declaration of martial law.
The South Korean opposition plans to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol and charge him with treason, along with the ministers of defense and internal affairs.
The president has not appeared in public since the imposition of martial law and the attempted seizure of parliament.
QUICK NEWS
Senior White House aides are debating whether President Biden should grant preemptive pardons to Senator-elect Adam Schiff, Anthony Fauci, and former Congresswoman Liz Cheney. The concern is that these individuals, among others, could be targeted by the Trump administration.
The 47th Annual Kennedy Center Honors will be held on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Queen Latifah will host the ceremony, which will honor: Francis Ford Coppola, The Grateful Dead, Bonnie Raitt, Arturo Sandoval, and The Apollo. POTUS, VP, SGOTUS are confirmed to be in attendance.
President-elect Donald Trump's choice to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration, Chad Chronister, said on Tuesday he was withdrawing from consideration, becoming the second Trump pick to do so soon after being nominated.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is considering dropping his nominee to lead the Pentagon, Pete Hegseth, and nominating Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in his place, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the discussions.
Ukraine is expected to receive $50 Billion from frozen Russian assets in coming weeks. Secretary of State Blinken stated: "We are currently preparing to allocate $50 billion from frozen Russian assets to Ukraine. These funds will be distributed by us and Europe in the coming weeks, providing support to Ukraine for the next year."
NPR and Religion News Service (RNS) announced the formation of a new partnership to report on the impact of religion in our public and personal lives. The partnership also will help fill the gap caused by the reduction in the number of journalists covering religion, as newspapers and news organizations nationwide have closed. The collaboration will create original audio and digital news stories that will appear in both NPR and RNS, leveraging NPR's national reach and RNS's deep expertise in religion reporting.
President-elect Donald Trump has announced the return of Peter Navarro, a former adviser and convicted felon, to the White House for his second administration. Navarro will serve as a senior counselor for trade and manufacturing. Trump praised Navarro's experience and policy expertise, noting his background as a trade adviser during Trump's first term. Navarro, who was sentenced to prison for contempt of Congress related to the January 6 attack, has continued to defend his actions, claiming his conviction was politically motivated.
Donald Trump announced that Jared Isaacman, founder and CEO of Shift4 Payments, will lead NASA in his upcoming administration. Isaacman, who previously worked with Elon Musk on private spacewalks and funded multiple SpaceX missions, also heads Draken International, a defense contractor. Trump highlighted Isaacman’s passion for space, “astronaut experience” as reasons for his suitability to lead NASA into a new era of exploration.
People close to Trump suggest he should dramatically reshape access to the president, proposing that MAGA-aligned podcasters, internet personalities, and media outlets take the place of major television networks, The New York Times, and The Washington Post in the front rows of the White House press room.
NATO Foreign Ministers Convene in Brussels to Address Russia, Middle East, and Ukraine
NATO Foreign Ministers wrapped up two days of meetings in Brussels on Wednesday (December 4) addressing Russia’s escalating campaign of hostile actions in NATO countries.
During the two-day meeting NATO Allies also met with His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan to discuss the situation in the Middle East and the importance of NATO cooperating even more closely with its partners in the region.
NATO Ministers also met with Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, and with Kaja Kallas, the new EU High Representative, in the NATO-Ukraine Council. They discussed Ukraine’s most urgent needs, as well as what more Allies can do to provide critical ammunition and air defenses.
The head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Sybig, brought the Budapest Memorandum to NATO headquarters.
"Today marks the 30th anniversary of this essay. This is a real proof, a real reminder that all long-term decisions on the long-term security of Ukraine are inappropriate and unacceptable. This document, this paper could not ensure the security of Ukraine and transatlantic security," the Ukrainian minister said.
Russian Warship Fires on German Helicopter in the Baltic, Heightening Tensions
A Russian warship fired warning shots at a German military helicopter conducting a reconnaissance mission over the Baltic Sea, escalating already fraught relations between NATO allies and Moscow. The incident, described as an "unacceptable act of aggression" by Germany, occurred during a broader effort to monitor increasing Russian military activity in the region. While the German helicopter returned safely, the firing of signal rounds has raised concerns about military protocols and the risks of accidental conflict. NATO is expected to address the incident in upcoming discussions, emphasizing the need for clear communication to prevent further escalation in the strategically critical Baltic Sea.
NATO Naval Forces Protecting Critical Underwater Infrastructure
Undersea infrastructure, including data cables, electricity connectors and pipelines, is vital for our societies. During exercise Freezing Winds, NATO Allies exercised off the coast of Finland to enhance the surveillance and protection of critical underwater infrastructure.
In the frigid cold waters off the coast of Finland, NATO Allies gathered for Freezing Winds 24 – an exercise in the protection of critical underwater infrastructure (CUI) such as gas and oil pipelines and internet cables.
Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group One (SNMCMG1) trained in using uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUV) to survey the seabed and identify simulated threats to CUI. The exercise involved more than 4,000 personnel from 15 Allies and more than 30 naval vessels, including those from Standing NATO Maritime Group One (SNMG1). Exercise Freezing Winds ran from 20 until 29 November 2024. Participating nations included: Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Footage includes shots of the Finnish Navy preparing for the deployment of dummy sea mines, the deployment of UUVs and soundbites from Commander Beata Krol, Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group One, Commander Thomas Rasmussen, Standing NATO Maritime Group One and a Mine Warfare Officer from the Finnish
U.S.-Belarusian Democratic Movement Hold Strategic Dialogue in Vilnius
The U.S. Department of State hosted the second Strategic Dialogue with Belarusian democratic leaders in Vilnius, Lithuania, on December 4. Co-chaired by U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary Christopher W. Smith and Belarusian leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the dialogue included representatives from various U.S. agencies and Belarusian civil society. Discussions focused on the human rights abuses under the Lukashenka regime, including the imprisonment of 1,300 political prisoners, and the need for their unconditional release. The U.S. also condemned Belarus’s role in supporting Russia's war in Ukraine and reiterated its support for free, fair elections in Belarus. The dialogue underscored U.S. commitment to supporting Belarusian sovereignty and democracy, and the bravery of those fighting for freedom in Belarus.
Trump Advisers Propose Controversial Plans to End Ukraine War, Ceding Territory to Russia
Donald Trump's advisers are exploring proposals to end the Ukraine war, including plans that would allow Russia to retain large parts of Ukrainian territory. Key figures, including Trump's incoming Russia-Ukraine envoy, Keith Kellogg, suggest removing NATO membership for Ukraine and pushing both Moscow and Kyiv into negotiations using a mix of incentives and pressures. These proposals involve freezing current front lines, halting U.S. military aid unless Ukraine agrees to talks, and offering security guarantees to Ukraine post-agreement. However, Ukrainian President Zelenskiy, despite territorial losses, continues to pursue NATO membership and is wary of compromising on occupied regions. Analysts express doubts about the feasibility of these proposals, especially given Russia's intransigence and Putin’s apparent strategy of consolidating further territorial gains. Trump’s ability to negotiate peace within his stated timeline remains uncertain, with opposition from both Ukraine and some U.S. lawmakers expected.
C.E.O. of UnitedHealthcare Is Killed in Midtown Manhattan
Brian Thompson, 50, was shot in what people briefed on the investigations said appeared to be a targeted attack. The police are still searching for the gunman.
NYPD Update:
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