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Liz Cheney in 2024? Deep skepticism emerges in key states

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Liz Cheney in 2024? Deep skepticism emerges in key states

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Because the solar set in Wyoming, U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney described her blowout loss as the start of a extra consequential step in her political profession. She summoned Abraham Lincoln, who misplaced elections for the Home and Senate and nonetheless went on to grew to become one of many nation’s most achieved presidents.

However within the days since, would-be supporters in key states have brazenly expressed skepticism a few Cheney presidential run, even one solely designed to dam Donald Trump’s return to the White Home.

In truth, Republican voters and native officers in three of the states that matter most in presidential politics — Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina — imagine the soon-to-be-unemployed congresswoman has little path to relevancy in a 2024 presidential major, by no means thoughts a path to victory. Some sympathizers worry she would truly assist Trump if she runs.

Such is the colossal political problem forward for Cheney, a Republican looking for to remodel a 37-percentage-point home-state loss right into a nationwide marketing campaign to destroy Trump’s White Home ambitions. There is no such thing as a precedent for what she hopes to perform.

“The Republican Social gathering is much more numerous than it’s given credit score for, and there will probably be some quantity of people that discover her, and her message, interesting, however that’s removed from saying that there could be a heat reception, or a big reception,” stated Micah Caskey, a Republican state consultant in South Carolina. “I don’t see a Liz Cheney candidacy as being viable.”

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Within the hours after she conceded her Wyoming congressional major to a little-known Trump acolyte, Cheney’s crew transferred leftover marketing campaign funds into a brand new entity she named “The Nice Process,” borrowing a phrase from Lincoln’s Gettysburg Deal with. She vowed to dedicate the weeks earlier than the November midterms to defeating Trump loyalists who proceed to advertise the lie that the 2020 election was stolen.

“I will probably be doing no matter it takes to maintain Donald Trump out of the Oval Workplace,” Cheney advised NBC’s “At the moment” present. She acknowledged she is considering a 2024 presidential run. “I’ll decide within the coming months.”

Cheney, the 56-year-old daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, has not dominated out working in 2024 as a Republican or an impartial. However these near her now imagine an impartial run would seemingly entice extra assist from Democrats than Republicans, which might undermine her targets. Due to this fact, if she runs, it could nearly actually be as a Republican.

Her crew believes that Cheney would enter the 2024 Republican contest because the undisputed chief of the anti-Trump lane, which might embody the likes of Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ailing., and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. The Cheney identify is universally recognized, they observe, and she or he enjoys a nationwide fundraising base that introduced in additional than $15 million for her failed reelection bid. She would even have the assist of her father and maintains shut ties to former President George W. Bush, who hosted a fundraiser for Cheney final fall.

She is going to proceed to play a number one position within the Home investigation into the Jan. 6 rebel, which is ready to host one other spherical of hearings in September.

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Regardless of these elements, there was little signal of enthusiasm for Cheney within the states probably to resolve the subsequent GOP presidential nomination.

Voters have been brazenly celebrating her loss on the Iowa State Truthful, a must-stop for presidents and presidential contenders ever because the state started internet hosting the nation’s opening presidential major contest a half-century in the past.

“It’s celebration day on the Iowa Republican Social gathering. Liz Cheney is outta right here!” crowed Debra Wyna, a Des Moines-area GOP volunteer and 57-year-old retired salon proprietor. “Liz Cheney is a swamp monster.”

Different voters who stopped by the GOP sales space have been much less pointed than Wyna however no much less dismissive of Cheney’s political ambitions.

“I’m by no means going to vote for her as a result of I imagine she betrayed the Republican Social gathering by voting to question President Trump,” stated Janet Diers, a 67-year-old retired particular schooling instructor from rural western Iowa.

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Gentry Collins, a veteran Iowa and nationwide Republican operative who opposes Trump, stated he has “nice respect” for Cheney, however he doesn’t see how she wages a viable marketing campaign for president.

“The place do the votes come from? Perhaps she aggregates the anti-Trump vote, however that’s not sufficient,” stated Collins, a former political director for the Republican Nationwide Committee. “She’s my form of Republican, however I don’t see a gap.”

It was a lot the identical throughout New Hampshire, which historically hosts the nation’s second Republican major contest.

Whereas the state prides itself on ushering in presidential candidates each 4 years, Republican Gov. Chris Sununu, who has mocked Trump, declined a chance to welcome a potential Cheney marketing campaign when given the chance.

“The governor has given no thought or consideration as to who could or could not run for president in 2024,” Sununu spokesperson Ben Vihstadt stated. “He’s solely centered on the midterms in lower than 100 days, and firmly believes each second spent speculating about 2024 is a waste of time.”

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Early presidential major jockeying has been underway for a number of months. And the primary Republican presidential announcement might come any time. Trump is weighing whether or not to declare his presidential intentions earlier than or after the midterms.

Republican presidential prospects have been flocking to Iowa and New Hampshire for months already. The guests embody former Vice President Mike Pence, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Sen. Tom Cotton and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is one other frequent identify mentioned by native Republican major voters, although he has but to make an look.

Cheney herself delivered a speech in New Hampshire late final 12 months, declaring that Trump was at conflict with the rule of regulation.

Caskey, the South Carolina state consultant, believes Trump could also be weak in a small Republican discipline, however a big Republican discipline would divide the anti-Trump vote and assist Trump declare his social gathering’s nomination once more.

“I believe Donald Trump is the odds-on favourite to win if he runs, however I don’t assume he has an assured path to victory,” Caskey stated. “I believe the extra candidates that become involved, the extra seemingly it’s that he succeeds.”

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Matthew Bartlett, a veteran New Hampshire Republican operative who labored in Trump’s State Division however give up after the Jan. 6 rebel, stated there’s loads of buzz throughout the state about presidential candidates — save one.

“Not one particular person is speaking about Liz Cheney,” Bartlett stated. “I don’t assume she is aware of what she’s doing.”

Nationally, round 7 in 10 Republicans proceed to assist Trump. That quantity could have jumped within the days after the FBI executed a search warrant at his Florida property, although critics observe that Trump’s a number of authorized entanglements might finally harm his standing. Cheney, in the meantime, is lumped close to the underside with Pompeo and Haley, amongst others, in early public polling.

Voters are likely to agree with the political professionals.

Claire Potter wore a Cheney T-shirt on a current journey to Conway, New Hampshire, to “categorical my admiration as a Democrat” for the place she has taken in opposition to Trump. Potter, a historical past professor at The New Faculty in New York, additionally donated $25 to the Cheney marketing campaign.

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Simply don’t count on her to vote for Cheney in 2024.

“I don’t hope that she runs for president,” Potter stated. “I believe that might be actually dicey by way of retaining Trump out of the White Home. However I belief her political instincts round what she does subsequent.”

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Related Press author Meg Kinnard in Columbia, South Carolina, contributed to this report.

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Comply with AP for full protection of the midterms at https://apnews.com/hub/2022-midterm-elections and on Twitter, https://twitter.com/ap_politics.

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What a merger between Nissan and Honda means for the automakers and the industry

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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.

An industry shakeup

The ascent of Chinese automakers is rattling the industry at a time when manufacturers are struggling to shift from fossil fuel-driven vehicles to electrics. Relatively inexpensive EVs from China’s BYD, Great Wall and Nio are eating into the market shares of U.S. and Japanese car companies in China and elsewhere.

Japanese automakers have lagged behind big rivals in EVs and are now trying to cut costs and make up for lost time.

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Nissan, Honda and Mitsubishi announced in August that they will share components for electric vehicles like batteries and jointly research software for autonomous driving to adapt better to dramatic changes in the auto industry centered around electrification. A preliminary agreement between Honda, Japan’s second-largest automaker, and Nissan, third largest, was announced in March.

A merger could result in a behemoth worth about $55 billion based on the market capitalization of all three automakers.

Joining forces would help the smaller Japanese automakers add scale to compete with Japan’s market leader Toyota Motor Corp. and with Germany’s Volkswagen AG. Toyota itself has technology partnerships with Japan’s Mazda Motor Corp. and Subaru Corp.

What would Honda need from Nissan?

Nissan has truck-based body-on-frame large SUVs such as the Armada and Infiniti QX80 that Honda doesn’t have, with large towing capacities and good off-road performance, said Sam Fiorani, vice president of AutoForecast Solutions.

Nissan also has years of experience building batteries and electric vehicles, and gas-electric hybird powertrains that could help Honda in developing its own EVs and next generation of hybrids, he said.

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“Nissan does have some product segments where Honda doesn’t currently play,” that a merger or partnership could help, said Sam Abuelsamid, a Detroit-area automotive industry analsyt.

While Nissan’s electric Leaf and Ariya haven’t sold well in the U.S., they’re solid vehicles, Fiorani said. “They haven’t been resting on their laurels, and they have been developing this technology,” he said. “They have new products coming that could provide a good platform for Honda for its next generation.”

Why now?

Nissan said last month that it was slashing 9,000 jobs, or about 6% of its global work force, and reducing global production capacity by 20% after reporting a quarterly loss of 9.3 billion yen ($61 million).

Earlier this month it reshuffled its management and its chief executive, Makoto Uchida, took a 50% pay cut to take responsibility for the financial woes, saying Nissan needed to become more efficient and respond better to market tastes, rising costs and other global changes.

Fitch Ratings recently downgraded Nissan’s credit outlook to “negative,” citing worsening profitability, partly due to price cuts in the North American market. But it noted that it has a strong financial structure and solid cash reserves that amounted to 1.44 trillion yen ($9.4 billion).

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Nissan’s share price has fallen to the point where it is considered something of a bargain. A report in the Japanese financial magazine Diamond said talks with Honda gained urgency after the Taiwan maker of iPhones Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., better known as Foxconn, began exploring a possible acquisition of Nissan as part of its push into the EV sector.

The company has struggled for years following a scandal that began with the arrest of its former chairman Carlos Ghosn in late 2018 on charges of fraud and misuse of company assets, allegations that he denies. He eventually was released on bail and fled to Lebanon.

Honda reported its profits slipped nearly 20% in the first half of the April-March fiscal year from a year earlier, as sales suffered in China.

More headwinds

Toyota made 11.5 million vehicles in 2023, while Honda rolled out 4 million and Nissan produced 3.4 million. Mitsubishi Motors made just over 1 million. Even after a merger Toyota would remain the leading Japanese automaker.

All the global automakers are facing potential shocks if President-elect Donald Trump follows through on threats to raise or impose tariffs on imports of foreign products, even from allies like Japan and neighboring countries like Canada and Mexico. Nissan is among the major car companies that have adjusted their supply chains to include vehicles assembled in Mexico.

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Meanwhile, analysts say there is an “affordability shift” taking place across the industry, led by people who feel they cannot afford to pay nearly $50,000 for a new vehicle. In American, a vital market for companies like Nissan, Honda and Toyota, that’s forcing automakers to consider lower pricing, which will eat further into industry profits.

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AP Auto Writer Tom Krisher contributed to this report from Detroit.

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US military conducts successful airstrikes on Houthi rebel forces in Yemen

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US military conducts successful airstrikes on Houthi rebel forces in Yemen

The U.S. military confirmed it conducted airstrikes in Yemen, saying it targeted a missile storage site and a command-and-control center operated by Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the successful strikes in a release Saturday, saying they were meant to “disrupt and degrade” Houthi operations.

“CENTCOM forces conducted the deliberate strikes to disrupt and degrade Houthi operations, such as attacks against U.S. Navy warships and merchant vessels in the Southern Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb and Gulf of Aden,” CENTCOM said in a news release.

DISAPPROVAL MOUNTS BOTH AT HOME AND ABROAD AS US AVOIDS DIRECT ACTION AGAINST HOUTHI REBELS

The U.S. military successfully conducted airstrikes in Yemen, saying it targeted a missile storage site and a command-and-control site operated by Iran-backed Houthi rebels. (CENTCOM via X)

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Footage from CENTCOM showed F/A-18’s taking off. The agency said it also used assets from the Navy and the Air Force.

US NAVY SHIPS REPEL ATTACK FROM HOUTHIS IN GULF OF ADEN 

“The strike reflects CENTCOM’s ongoing commitment to protect U.S. and coalition personnel, regional partners and international shipping,” it said.

Houthi rebels

Houthi followers burn the Israeli and American flags on the outskirts of Sana’a, Yemen. (Mohammed Hamoud/Getty Images)

The attacks against shipping are ongoing, and Houthi militants have vowed to continue until Israel ends its campaign in Gaza.

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The terrorist group has targeted more than 100 merchant vessels since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023.

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Fact check: How deadly was 2024 for journalists?

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Fact check: How deadly was 2024 for journalists?

An estimated 104 journalists lost their lives in 2024, with Palestine the most dangerous territory.

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An estimated 104 journalists were killed worldwide over the past year, according to data shared earlier this month by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).

Another report by NGO Reporters Without Borders (RSF) puts the figure at 54, but its methodology means it only includes killings that are considered “directly related” to journalists’ professional activity.

Both organisations say that Palestine is the deadliest place on earth for journalists. More than half (55) of the 104 killings reported by IFJ were Palestinian media professionals in Gaza, while a further six were killed in Lebanon.

At least 138 journalists have been killed in Gaza since the war between Israel and Hamas broke out on 7 October 2023, making the country one of the “most dangerous in the history of modern journalism, behind Iraq, the Philippines and Mexico,” according to the IFJ.

Reporters without Borders has described the number of killings in Gaza as “an unprecedented bloodbath”.

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Israel firmly denies it has intentionally targeted any journalists, but has recognised some that have been killed in its airstrikes on Gaza.

The 104 total killings reported by the IFJ is a slight decrease on the 129 they reported on in 2023, which is considered the bloodiest year for journalists since 1990.

How do other world regions fare?

Asia Pacific is the world’s second most dangerous region for journalists, after the Middle East, according to the IFJ.

It recorded 20 deaths in the region in 2024, of which 70% happened in the southern Asian countries of Pakistan, Bangladesh and India.

The region has seen an “upsurge” in violence, according to the IFJ, with deaths increasing sharply from the 12 recorded in 2023.

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Africa was the third most dangerous region for journalists at eight deaths, five of them in war-torn Sudan.

The number of journalists killed in south, central and north America has dropped sharply over the past two years, from 30 in 2022 to six in 2023, and another six in 2024. Mexico, considered to be one of the deadliest places in the world to do journalism, continues to see “threats, intimidation, kidnappings and murders” against journalists, particularly due to reporting on drug trafficking.

Number of journalists behind bars on the rise

According to IFJ estimates on 10 December, there were 520 journalists in prison across the world, considerably more than in 2023 (427) and 2022 (375).

China, including Hong Kong, accounts for most of journalists behind bars, followed by Israel and Myanmar.

The IFJ says the figures show how “fragile” the independent press is and how “risky and dangerous” the profession of journalism has become.

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