South-Carolina

South Korean opposition leader is stabbed by knife-wielding man

Published

2 years ago

January 2, 2024

South Korean opposition leader is stabbed by knife-wielding man

SEOUL, South Korea – South Korean opposition leader Lee Jae-myung was stabbed in the neck during a visit in the southeast city of Busan on Tuesday, police said, as few details about the motive for the attack were immediately available.

Lee, the chairperson of the main opposition Democratic Party, was leaving an event on Gadeok island, when an unidentified man pressed through a packed crowd of reporters and supporters and attacked him on the left side of his neck, according to a livestream video of the incident.

Lee, who was seen collapsing on the ground and bleeding in pictures by local media, was taken to the Pusan National University Hospital.

In a press conference outside the hospital, Democratic Party spokesperson Rep. Kwon Chil-seung said that medical professionals “suspect injury to his jugular vein” and “are concerned about additional loss of blood.” Kwon said Lee will be transported to Seoul for surgery.

Kwon called the attack “an act of terrorism against Lee Jae-myung and a serious threat to democracy.”

The attacker apparently posed as a supporter of Lee’s, the livestream footage shows, wearing a headpiece with a supportive message toward Lee. He was arrested on the scene and is being investigated by the police.

The attack comes just three months before South Korea’s general elections, a high-stakes event for both the ruling conservative People Power Party and Lee’s Democratic Party.

President Yoon Suk Yeol, who defeated Lee in the 2022 election with the paper-thin margin of 0.73% of the popular vote – the smallest in the country’s history – has frequently clashed with the parliament, where the DP holds more than 56% of seats.

Yoon’s approval ratings have remained at or below 35% through the past year. His party lost a crucial by-election in a Seoul ward last year, and the party’s former chief Lee Jun-seok, who is widely credited for bringing young male voters to Yoon’s support, recently left the party.

The DP and other opposition parties are pushing for a special probe on the suspected stock price manipulation scandal involving Yoon’s wife.

Lee, meanwhile, has been under intensive investigations by the police and prosecutors for his suspected involvement in a land development scandal and other criminal charges.

Support for his party has been similar to or slightly below the approval ratings of the ruling party in recent months, as the DP struggled with a bribery scandal involving a former chief and a number of lawmakers.

Lee’s visit in Busan on Tuesday – his first official schedule of the new year – is seen as an effort to woo support in the port city, which has traditionally been conservative-leaning.

Construction of a new airport, which was finalized during the liberal president Moon Jae-in’s term, is planned to break ground next year on the island where Tuesday’s attack took place.

President Yoon, according to his spokesperson Kim Soo-kyung, expressed deep concern over Lee’s safety and said such acts of violence should never be tolerated.

South Korea has seen a number of attacks against high-profile politicians in recent years. In 2006, Park Geun-hye, the then head of a conservative party who later became the president, was attacked with a knife during a campaign event. Last year, Lee Jae-myung’s predecessor Song Young-gil was attacked with a blunt weapon in Seoul.

In 2015, the then-U.S. ambassador to South Korea Mark Lippert was attacked on his face by an assailant wielding a knife.

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South-Carolina

House ethics committee investigating SC Republican for alleged overbilling

Published

20 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

House ethics committee investigating SC Republican for alleged overbilling

HUNT VALLEY, Md. (TNND) — The House ethics committee announced Monday it is investigating Representative Nancy Mace, the South Carolina Republican, for potentially improper reimbursement.

Mace may have sought and received reimbursements for Washington property expenses that were greater than the costs she actually incurred. The congresswoman has taken issue with the reliability of the committee’s evidence, however.

The committee began its investigation following a December referral from the House Office of Congressional Conduct (OCC), an independent body that reviews allegations of misconduct. The OCC recommended that the committee investigate Mace’s reimbursement activity since there is “substantial” reason to believe she acted unethically – potentially in violation of House rules, standards of conduct and federal law.

Bills and statements from early 2023 to mid-2024 show that Mace overbilled the House for over $9,000 during that period, the OCC said. She allegedly requested the maximum reimbursement each month, at times receiving over a thousand dollars more than what she was entitled to, although the details of her finances are murky. Mace owned the property with her fiancé, who may have helped pay for it, according to the OCC.

“Based on the information available to the OCC, it appears Rep. Mace was reimbursed amounts exceeding the actual costs incurred for the DC Property during several months in 2023 and 2024,” the office said in its report.

“Further, if Rep. Mace did not pay for 100% of expenses related to the DC property – a determination the OCC could neither reach nor reject due to the Congresswoman’s lack of cooperation – this would increase the disparity between the amounts Rep. Mace was reimbursed and her actual expenses incurred.”

Mace’s lawyer, William Sullivan, Jr., wrote in response to the report in December that the OCC’s conclusions were “fundamentally flawed.” The report appeared to include unverified assertions and materials from the congresswoman’s former fiancé, who has a history of abusive and retaliatory behavior toward her, Sullivan said. The couple’s relationship ended in late 2023 to protect Mace’s “safety and wellbeing,” he noted.

“The Referral Report’s reliance on material and information originating from [the former fiancé] is therefore deeply problematic,” Sullivan wrote. “[The fiancé’s] personal motives, documented misuse of legal process, and demonstrated willingness to advance distorted or incomplete narratives about the Congresswoman raise substantial concerns about the accuracy and fairness of any claims premised upon or aligned with his accounts.”

The ethics committee is in the initial stage of its investigation and is gathering more information before advancing.

Have questions, concerns or tips? Send them to Ray at rjlewis@sbgtv.com.

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South-Carolina

How to watch Tennessee Volunteers: Live stream info, TV channel, game time | March 3

Published

1 day ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

How to watch Tennessee Volunteers: Live stream info, TV channel, game time | March 3

The college basketball slate on Tuesday will include Mike Sharavjamts and the South Carolina Gamecocks (12-17, 3-13 SEC) hosting Nate Ament and the No. 25 Tennessee Volunteers (20-9, 10-6 SEC) at Colonial Life Arena, with the matchup tipping at 6 p.m. ET.

See more details below, including how to watch this game on SEC Network.

Here’s everything you need to prepare for Tuesday’s college hoops action.

South Carolina vs. Tennessee: How to watch on TV or live stream

Game day: Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Game time: 6 p.m. ET
Location: Columbia, South Carolina
Arena: Colonial Life Arena
TV Channel: SEC Network
Live stream: Fubo – Watch NOW (Regional restrictions may apply)

Check out: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

Watch college basketball on Fubo!

Tennessee vs. South Carolina stats and trends

Tennessee is averaging 80.1 points per game (87th-ranked in college basketball) this year, while ceding 69.2 points per contest (62nd-ranked).
The Volunteers are dominating when it comes to rebounding, as they rank third-best in college basketball in boards (40.1 per game) and second-best in boards allowed (25.8 per contest).
Tennessee ranks 32nd in the country with 17.0 assists per game.
The Volunteers are committing 11.6 turnovers per game (240th-ranked in college basketball). They are forcing 10.6 turnovers per contest (231st-ranked).
Tennessee is making 6.8 threes per game (279th-ranked in college basketball). It has a 34.3% shooting percentage (167th-ranked) from three-point land.
With 7.9 threes conceded per game, the Volunteers rank 196th in the country. They are giving up a 30.5% shooting percentage from three-point land, which ranks 29th in college basketball.
Tennessee is attempting 41.3 two-pointers per game this year, which account for 67.7% of the shots it has taken (and 76.2% of the team’s baskets). Meanwhile, it is attempting 19.7 three-pointers per contest, which are 32.3% of its shots (and 23.8% of the team’s buckets).

Tennessee vs. South Carolina Odds and Spread

Spread Favorite: Volunteers (-8.5)
Moneyline: Tennessee (-437), South Carolina (+328)
Total: 143.5 points

NCAA Basketball odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Tuesday at 1:12 a.m. ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub.

Watch college basketball on Fubo!

Follow the latest college sports coverage at College Sports Wire.

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Bombing of Iran could mean South Carolinians paying more for gas

Published

2 days ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Bombing of Iran could mean South Carolinians paying more for gas

U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran have caused a sharp rise in global energy prices.
Analysts predict gas prices will rise in the U.S., including in South Carolina.
The conflict has disrupted oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global transit route.
South Carolina’s average gas price remains lower than the national average, which is approaching $3 per gallon.

An escalating conflict involving U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran in March 2026 has initiated a sharp rise in global energy prices.

Analysts predict a significant uptick in U.S. gasoline prices, including in South Carolina, which often has some of the lowest gas prices in the country.

As of March 2026, AAA reports the national average for regular gasoline is $2.997 per gallon.

Based on projections released earlier this year in the Short-Term Energy Outlook, 2026 was initially forecast to have lower gas prices than 2025. With an expected 6% decrease, translating into approximately a 20-cent-per-gallon drop.

However, due to the conflict, these projections are now uncertain, and prices may not follow the anticipated trend.

“The national average price of gasoline has climbed for a fourth straight week, driven primarily by seasonal tightening and broader market dynamics,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy.

In the week ahead, De Han stated, gasoline prices are likely to face heightened upward pressure as seasonal trends continue and markets navigate this evolving geopolitical landscape, with the national average poised to reach the $3-per-gallon mark for the first time this year.

“Looking ahead, markets will now begin reacting to this weekend’s U.S.-Iran attacks, which have elevated geopolitical risk premiums even in the absence of immediate supply disruption,” said De Haan. “Oil prices have firmed as traders assess the potential for further escalation, and while fundamentals such as inventories and refinery activity remain important anchors, the risk of broader instability, particularly involving key transit routes, has injected fresh uncertainty into energy markets.”

Here’s what South Carolinians need to know.

How much is gas in South Carolina?

South Carolina’s average gasoline price remains significantly lower than the national average.

In South Carolina, the average price for regular gasoline currently stands at $2.666 per gallon, according to AAA. Mid-grade gasoline is priced at $3.099, premium gasoline is $3.494, and diesel is priced at $3.505.

Gas price hikes anticipated as bombing continue in Iran

South Carolina drivers should consider filling up their gas tanks soon to avoid potential price spikes.

Analysts expect crude oil, which ended trading on Friday, Feb. 27, at about $67 a barrel, to open this week at $90 or higher as traders process the news that Iranian forces have restricted traffic through the crucial Strait of Hormuz.

Why are gas prices rising?

Iran is a major oil producer, and the ongoing conflict has disrupted the flow of oil and gas through the Strait of Hormuz, where 20% of the world’s oil passes, according to reports from USA TODAY.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has warned vessels to avoid the area, and major shipping companies like Maersk have suspended all crossings. Saudi Arabia, Iraq and the United Arab Emirates send most of their oil exports through there.

This disruption has and could continue to reduce supply, driving prices up as demand remains steady.

“Too many global economies depend on that corridor to remain blocked,” De Haan said. “Markets price high transaction costs and additional uncertainty, he says, but he is not expecting full closure.”

If access through the strait is limited for an extended period, prices could rise “materially above $100/barrel,” said analysts at TD Securities in a March 1 note.

On the other hand, if access through the strait is guaranteed and hostilities cease, the added costs to account for the extra risk could evaporate in a matter of weeks, the TD team wrote.

“If it becomes clear this week that the tensions with Iran are short-lived, then oil prices will come back to the 60s,” said Rob Thummel, portfolio manager at $9 billion investment manager Tortoise Capital, in emailed remarks to USA TODAY.

Has South Carolina hit highest record average gas prices?

Despite the current spike in gas prices due to the conflict, South Carolina has not yet surpassed its highest recorded average prices, according to AAA.

The record for regular unleaded gasoline in the state was $4.609 per gallon on June 12, 2022.

Diesel hit a peak of $5.638 per gallon on June 10, 2022.

March gas price outlook: What drivers need to know about gas prices

As reported by USA TODAY on Feb. 28, the national average for U.S. gas prices is likely to push above $3 a gallon on March 2 for the first time this year.

Over the next couple of weeks, prices will likely hit at least $3.10 to $3.15 a gallon.

There’s also a normal seasonal increase in gas prices around this time of year, driven by seasonal pipeline maintenance, the transition to more expensive summer-blend fuel, and an increase in driving, according to GasBuddy analysis.

Rob Thummel, portfolio manager at $9 billion investment manager Tortoise Capital, expects gas prices to rise in roughly the same rate as oil prices over the coming weeks.

If crude jumps 10%, gas prices will as well, said Thummel.

Upstate SC Gas landscape

According to GasBuddy, in Greenville, Spartanburg, and Anderson, gas prices have shown similar trends to the national average, with drivers experiencing gradual increases at the pump.

Upstate South Carolina stations are adjusting prices in response to crude oil fluctuations and seasonal factors. Here’s the latest prices as of Mondy, March 2 at noon: