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apex slot casino CALGARY, Alberta (AP) — A Ukrainian girls’ hockey team is in Canada for a few days of peace and hockey in an arena that doesn’t have a missile-sized hole in its roof. After 56 hours of travel to Calgary, including a 24-hour bus ride from Dnipro to Warsaw, Poland, that required army escort for a portion of it, the Ukrainian Wings will join Wickfest, Hayley Wickenheiser’s annual girls’ hockey festival, on Thursday. The squad of players aged 11 to 13 was drawn from eight different cities in Ukraine, where sport facilities have been damaged or destroyed since Russia started its invasion in February 2022. “They all have a personal story of something awful happening,” said Wickenheiser. “We give them a week of peace and joy here, and I hope they can carry that with them. “We know full well they’re going back to difficult circumstances. It’s tough that way.” Nine players are from Kharkiv, where pictures show a large hole in the roof of the Saltovskiy Led arena where the girls’ team WHC Panthers once skated. “It was our home ice arena, and we played all our national team championships in this ice arena,” said Kateryna Seredenko, who oversees the Panthers program and is the Wings general manager. RELATED COVERAGE Minnesota Frost rookie Claire Thompson trades stethoscope for hockey stick to resume playing career PWHL New York Sirens’ trajectory points up with addition of rookie star Sarah Fillier and new home PWHL releases neutral-site schedule with games ranging from North Carolina to the Pacific Northwest Ukraine’s Olympic Committee posted photos and wrote in a Facebook post Sept. 1 that Kharkiv’s Sport Palace, which was home to multiple hockey teams, was also destroyed in an attack on the city. Seredenko says the Wings’ arduous journey to Calgary was worth it because it gives the girls hope. “It’s not a good situation in Ukraine, but when they come here, they can believe that everything will be good, everything will be fine, of course we will win soon and we must play hockey. We can’t stop because we love these girls and we will do everything for them,” she said. “So many girls on this Ukrainian team are future players of the national team.” Wickenheiser, a Hockey Hall of Famer , is the assistant general manager of player development for the Toronto Maple Leafs and a doctor who works emergency room shifts in the Toronto area. The six-time Olympian and four-time gold medalist organized her first Wickfest after the 2010 Winter Games. She’s had teams from India, Mexico and the Czech Republic attend over the last decade and a half, but never a team that ran the Ukrainians’ gauntlet of logistics. The Canadian Partnership for Women and Children’s Health took on the task of arranging visas and paying for the team’s travel. “We care about women and children’s health. Sport is such a symbol. When you see a group of girls coming off the ice all sweaty and having worked hard on the ice, it’s a symbol of a healthy girl,” said chief executive officer Julia Anderson. “That’s a healthy kid that’s able to participate in sport. We really believe if we can get girls there, whether they’re in an active war zone, or here in Canada, those girls will change the world.” The Wings aren’t the first Ukrainians to seek a hockey haven in Canada since the war began. An under-25 men’s team played four games against university squads in early 2023 to prepare for that year’s world university games. Ukrainian teams have also twice played in the Quebec City International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. “It’s the first time in Ukrainian history where a girls’ team is coming to Canada to a very good tournament,” Seredenko said. “They can see how they can play in their future. And they can see how it is to play hockey in Canada.” ___ AP sports: https://apnews.com/sportsPride, bragging rights and more than $115M at stake when final college playoff rankings come out

A Nov. 20 Instagram post ( , ) shows images of New York Judge Juan Merchan, President-elect Donald Trump and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. “BREAKING: Donald Trump's sentencing for 34 criminal charges in the state of New York abruptly adjourned by Judge Merchan without explanation. All charges have been dropped,” reads text in the image, which is a screenshot of a . “The Lawfare against Trump is over!” A version of the claim received more than 1,000 likes in less than a day before it was deleted. Versions of the claim also circulated widely and . | | The case was paused following the presidential election but was not "dropped" or dismissed when the original post was shared. On the day the post was made, a Trump attorney asked Merchan for 30 days to form a more robust argument for dismissal. Trump was of 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal a hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election. Merchan after Trump won a second presidential term, and attorneys for the president-elect . But when the X post was shared, that request had not been formally made, much less granted. Nor are there any reports from legitimate media outlets about a dismissal on or before Nov. 19. : Instead, in , Trump attorney Todd Blanche previewed his argument for tossing out the case. Its “immediate dismissal” is constitutionally mandated, he wrote, “to facilitate the orderly transition of executive power” after the election. He the case by Dec. 20. Had Trump’s conviction already been “dropped,” as the post claims, that move would make no sense. The social media posts note the but appear to mischaracterize precisely what that means in this context. The proceedings were , not summarily brought to an end, as is made clear in a from attorneys on both sides. Assistant District Attorney in light of the unprecedented circumstances of a president-elect facing criminal sentencing while his inauguration approaches. The subject line of his email references a “request for adjournment.” Trump attorney Emil Bove replied to express the president-elect's desire to join the request, which was . Stephen Suhovsky, , then notified the attorneys that Merchan granted the stay and told prosecutors to . In , Bragg recommended that Merchan set a schedule for Trump’s attorneys to submit their formal request for a dismissal, then give prosecutors until Dec. 9 to respond. He also said he and supports adjourning all other aspects of the case until the dismissal request is decided.USA TODAY previously debunked false claims that ” and that not only was Trump’s but he was also awarded a refund of $500 million. USA TODAY reached out to several social media users who shared the claim but did not immediately receive any responses. New York State Unified Court System, Nov. 10, New York State Unified Court System, Nov. 19, New York State Unified Court System, Nov. 19, LexisNexis, accessed Nov. 20,—Zimbabwe’s delegation at this month’s United Nations climate conference in Azerbaijan featured two Belarusian businessmen who have faced allegations of dubious activities in Africa, according to . Aleksandr Zingman and Oleg Vodchits were among 21 representatives of Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife present in Baku, according to a list of COP29 participants published by the U.N. on November 11. The list describes Zingman as the “honorable consulate of Zimbabwe in Belarus,” and as having a paid or contractual relationship with Zimbabwe’s government. Vodchits, meanwhile, is listed as an “adviser” to Zimbabwe who attended the conference as the country’s guest. Environmental campaigners said they were surprised and concerned at the two men’s presence in the delegation to COP29, where countries that have signed the U.N.’s Convention on Climate Change negotiate new carbon emissions targets with the goal of halting global warming. The news comes as several prominent climate experts, former U.N. officials and world leaders signed an last week calling for reform of the COP annual conferences, due in part to the increasingly heavy presence of fossil fuel lobbyists and other corporate interests. In a written response to OCCRP, Zingman’s lawyer, Daniel Delnero, confirmed that both men had attended COP29 as advisers. “Mr Zingman and Mr Vodchits offer advice and counsel to the Zimbabwe delegation regarding navigating the political and business environment of CIS countries,” Delnero said. Azerbaijan is a member of the Commonwealth of Independent States, an association of former Soviet republics, as is Belarus. Vodchits, 38, did not respond to requests for comment. Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Information and Ministry of Environment also did not respond to questions. “I was really surprised with the news that they are part of the Zimbabwe delegation [at COP29],” Farai Maguwu, the executive director at Zimbabwe’s Center for Natural Resource Governance, told OCCRP of the two men. Regai Tsunga, a human rights advocate and former opposition member of parliament in Zimbabwe, called their presence in the Ministry of Environment’s COP29 delegation “irregular.” “This reflects negatively on the Zimbabwe government,” he added, pointing to Zingman’s alleged ties to “unsustainable mining.” Zingman and Vodchits made headlines in African media in 2021 after being in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Zingman’s Dubai-based company, Aftrade DMCC, specified that the reason for the incident was arms dealing allegations, which Zingman strongly denied. He was released without charge. An Aftrade said that Zingman’s “colleague,” Oleg Vodchits, was detained alongside Zingman. , drawing on documents accessed through the Pandora Papers leak, also found that Zingman, 57, co-owned a Zimbabwean gold mining venture, Zim Goldfields, with the son of a senior Belarusian official. Aftrade that Zingman had any involvement with the gold venture. “Mr. Zingman’s arrest in the DRC was politically motivated and, ultimately, he was cleared of any wrongdoing by DRC authorities after being detained and subjected to intense, unlawful interrogation for a two-week period,” Zingman’s lawyer told OCCRP. “Mr. Zingman was not charged with any crimes and does not have any involvement with the arms trade or mining industry.” was engaged in riverbed mining until that practice was banned by Zimbabwe’s government in September 2020, for environmental reasons. Two months later, Zimbabwe’s government declared that ten illegal gold miners were feared to have been “buried alive” and that two bodies had been recovered, on the site of “Zimgold fields.” The company did not respond to the claims at the time. In 2023, detailed how the company had violated the country’s mining laws and contributed to the pollution of the Odzi and Mutare rivers. Local residents and health officials blamed a cholera outbreak in the area on the contamination of water sources, which the Zimbabwe National Water Authority said had occurred “as a result of the operations of a mining company.” “Zim Goldfields never became operational,” Delnero told reporters. “The company was formally dissolved in 2020.” As evidence, Zingman’s lawyer shared a document showing the dissolution in 2020 of Midlands Goldfields Limited. Midlands is the U.K. company through which Zingman held a stake in Zim Goldfields, OCCRP reported in 2021. Delnero did not share any Zim Goldfields dissolution documents, and he later added: “Mr. Zingman does not have any involvement with Zim Goldfields.” Zingman’s name has also been linked to an online disinformation campaign. In 2020, some of the controlled by a notorious disinformation software promoted favourable stories about Zingman and his business in a concerted and automated campaign, . Zingman’s lawyer said at the time that his client had never engaged in disinformation campaigns. Last year, Africa Intelligence reported that Zingman and Vodchits had formed ties with the administration of Kenyan President William Ruto. , again as advisers, according to the news site. Source:Croatian presidential election heads to 2nd round

By JOSH BOAK WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump loved to use tariffs on foreign goods during his first presidency. But their impact was barely noticeable in the overall economy, even if their aftershocks were clear in specific industries. The data show they never fully delivered on his promised factory jobs. Nor did they provoke the avalanche of inflation that critics feared. This time, though, his tariff threats might be different . The president-elect is talking about going much bigger — on a potential scale that creates more uncertainty about whether he’ll do what he says and what the consequences could be. “There’s going to be a lot more tariffs, I mean, he’s pretty clear,” said Michael Stumo, the CEO of Coalition for a Prosperous America, a group that has supported import taxes to help domestic manufacturing. The president-elect posted on social media Monday that on his first day in office he would impose 25% tariffs on all goods imported from Mexico and Canada until those countries satisfactorily stop illegal immigration and the flow of illegal drugs such as fentanyl into the United States. Those tariffs could essentially blow up the North American trade pact that Trump’s team negotiated during his initial term. Chinese imports would face additional tariffs of 10% until Beijing cracks down on the production of materials used in making fentanyl, Trump posted. Business groups were quick to warn about rapidly escalating inflation , while Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she would counter the move with tariffs on U.S. products. House Democrats put together legislation to strip a president’s ability to unilaterally apply tariffs this drastic, warning that they would likely lead to higher prices for autos, shoes, housing and groceries. Sheinbaum said Wednesday that her administration is already working up a list of possible retaliatory tariffs “if the situation comes to that.” “The economy department is preparing it,” Sheinbaum said. “If there are tariffs, Mexico would increase tariffs, it is a technical task about what would also benefit Mexico,” she said, suggesting her country would impose targeted import duties on U.S. goods in sensitive areas. House Democrats on Tuesday introduced a bill that would require congressional approval for a president to impose tariffs due to claims of a national emergency, a largely symbolic action given Republicans’ coming control of both the House and Senate. “This legislation would enable Congress to limit this sweeping emergency authority and put in place the necessary Congressional oversight before any president – Democrat or Republican – could indiscriminately raise costs on the American people through tariffs,” said Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Wash. But for Trump, tariffs are now a tested tool that seems less politically controversial even if the mandate he received in November’s election largely involved restraining inflation. The tariffs he imposed on China in his first term were continued by President Joe Biden, a Democrat who even expanded tariffs and restrictions on the world’s second largest economy. Biden administration officials looked at removing Trump’s tariffs in order to bring down inflationary pressures, only to find they were unlikely to help significantly. Tariffs were “so new and unique that it freaked everybody out in 2017,” said Stumo, but they were ultimately somewhat modest. Trump imposed tariffs on solar panels and washing machines at the start of 2018, moves that might have pushed up prices in those sectors even though they also overlapped with plans to open washing machine plants in Tennessee and South Carolina. His administration also levied tariffs on steel and aluminum, including against allies. He then increased tariffs on China, leading to a trade conflict and a limited 2020 agreement that failed to produce the promised Chinese purchases of U.S. goods. Still, the dispute changed relations with China as more U.S. companies looked for alternative suppliers in other countries. Economic research also found the United States may have sacrificed some of its “soft power” as the Chinese population began to watch fewer American movies. The Federal Reserve kept inflation roughly on target, but factory construction spending never jumped in a way that suggested a lasting gain in manufacturing jobs. Separate economic research found the tariff war with China did nothing economically for the communities hurt by offshoring, but it did help Trump and Republicans in those communities politically. When Trump first became president in 2017, the federal government collected $34.6 billion in customs, duties and fees. That sum more than doubled under Trump to $70.8 billion in 2019, according to Office of Management and Budget records. While that sum might seem meaningful, it was relatively small compared to the overall economy. America’s gross domestic product is now $29.3 trillion, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The total tariffs collected in the United States would equal less than 0.3% of GDP. The new tariffs being floated by Trump now are dramatically larger and there could be far more significant impacts. If Mexico, Canada, and China faced the additional tariffs proposed by Trump on all goods imported to the United States, that could be roughly equal to $266 billion in tax collections, a number that does not assume any disruptions in trade or retaliatory moves by other countries. The cost of those taxes would likely be borne by U.S. families, importers and domestic and foreign companies in the form of higher prices or lower profits. Former Biden administration officials said they worried that companies could piggyback on Trump’s tariffs — if they’re imposed — as a rationale to raise their prices, just as many companies after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 boosted food and energy costs and gave several major companies the space to raise prices, according to their own earnings calls with investors. But what Trump didn’t really spell out is what might cause him to back down on tariffs and declare a victory. What he is creating instead with his tariff threats is a sense of uncertainty as companies and countries await the details to figure out what all of this could mean. “We know the key economic policy priorities of the incoming Trump administration, but we don’t know how or when they will be addressed,” said Greg Daco, chief U.S. economist at EY-Parthenon. AP writer Mark Stevenson contributed to this report from Mexico City.

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Grocery stores are no longer just places to shop — they’ve evolved into hybrid hubs, bridging the physical and digital worlds. Alongside customers browsing the aisles, grocery store employees are busy picking and packing online orders for same-day delivery. This shift is driven by rising consumer demand for convenience, with platforms like Instacart, Uber Eats and DoorDash expanding beyond meal to grocery delivery. The trend is just part of a larger digital transformation sweeping through the retail and commerce landscape, redefining how groceries move from shelf to doorstep. Today’s customers expect seamless integration between online and offline experiences. While many grocers aspire to achieve a unified commerce strategy, some face challenges in identifying the best path forward. Unified commerce in the grocery sector focuses on integrating all sales channels — online, in-store, and mobile — into a single, cohesive brand platform. This approach ensures consistent customer experiences, such as real-time inventory visibility, smooth transitions between shopping channels, and centralized data for more informed decision-making. For grocers, unified commerce includes connecting systems for inventory, payments, fulfillment and customer engagement. By doing so, they can align their digital and physical strategies, meeting the rising demand for convenience and transparency. Online grocery shopping is no longer a niche, according to a . It’s mainstream, with 69% of consumers now shopping digitally for groceries, and 47% purchasing 25% to 50% of their groceries online. This behavioral shift underscores the need for grocers to adopt omnichannel capabilities. Meeting customer expectations requires: prefer home delivery, highlighting the importance of fast fulfillment and real-time order tracking. A unified experience across physical and digital channels is now essential to remain competitive. Grocers face the dilemma of relying on third-party platforms like Instacart and DoorDash, or investing in a digital transformation strategy that puts their own websites and apps at the forefront of the customer shopping experience. To stay competitive and minimize the burden on their often-limited digital teams, they can adopt a pragmatic composability approach to create flexible, modular web systems that evolve with their needs. This approach allows for the gradual integration of new technologies without major overhauls on their website. This strategy can enable: Seamless integration of third-party vendors or marketplaces, increasing product variety without adding to inventory overhead. Enhanced fulfillment options such as curbside pickup or home delivery. A more personalized and streamlined shopping journey across digital and physical touchpoints. In a competitive landscape, retaining customers is crucial, with 68% of consumers , and 53% valuing loyalty awards. Grocers need a unified commerce strategy that integrates their digital platforms with in-store experiences, putting more control over the customer journey in their hands. A digital transformation strategy that includes seamless online and offline touchpoints, paired with loyalty programs, can boost customer retention. Offering personalized rewards, both online and in-store, creates a consistent experience, increasing engagement and fostering long-term loyalty. Real-time inventory synchronization across digital and physical channels is essential for grocers to maintain accurate stock levels at every touchpoint, reducing the likelihood of stockouts and minimizing customer frustration. s, real-time order tracking is a critical feature. This strategy not only enhances operational efficiency, but also meets growing consumer expectations for immediate and reliable updates, particularly important during high-demand periods like holidays. With accurate stock visibility, grocers can ensure that customers receive their orders on time, whether it’s for home delivery or in-store pickup. As digital grocery shopping becomes more mainstream, grocers must optimize their click-and-collect and home-delivery systems to meet the demand for convenience. Seamless integration between online orders and physical fulfillment ensures efficient operations, helping grocers manage high order volumes while offering fast, reliable services. This integration also enables grocers to offer multiple fulfillment options. To enhance the customer experience with unified payments and checkout, grocers should focus on integrating payment systems that provide a seamless, consistent experience across all platforms, both online and in-store. Simplifying the checkout process by enabling quick, secure payments, such as digital wallets, mobile payments, loyalty points and contactless options, reduces friction. This is especially crucial, as consider price their primary factor when choosing an online grocery service. By making the payment process easier, grocers can increase satisfaction, loyalty, and reduce cart abandonment. The grocery industry is evolving rapidly. Grocers must adopt a unified commerce strategy in order for their artificial intelligence-powered inventory systems and optimized delivery networks to be utilized to their true potential. Grocers who act decisively in this era of choice and convenience — embracing “concierge commerce” — will not only meet today’s demands, but also anticipate tomorrow’s opportunities.

Qatar tribune QNA Baku Chairperson of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) HE Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah held a series of high-level meetings on the sidelines of the NHRC’s participation in a session of the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 29) in Baku. The NHRC chairperson met with Commissioner for Human Rights of Azerbaijan Sabina Aliyeva, Member of the Azerbaijani Parliament and Chairman of the Executive Board of the Social Research Centre Zahid Oruj and President of the Azerbaijan Institute for Democracy and Human Rights Dr Ahmed Shahidov. In her meeting with Sabina Aliyeva, Attiyah discussed enhancing cooperation between the NHRC and the Azerbaijani Commission, focusing on joint efforts, particularly awareness programmes and initiatives aimed at disseminating, promoting, and protecting human rights in both Qatari and Azerbaijani societies. The discussions also included coordinating efforts to draft a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to formalise collaboration. The proposed MoU would cover the exchange of expertise, experiences, and best practices, with a particular focus on staff development, preparing reports, and adapting to advancements in digital systems. During her meeting with Zahid Oruj, Attiyah emphasised the critical role of social studies, particularly those related to family dynamics as the cornerstone of societal cohesion. She highlighted that strong family units result in cohesive, interconnected societies that enjoy their fundamental rights. Attiyah stressed the importance of enhancing capacities for preparing analytical studies to monitor societal development, identify challenges, and propose solutions.She expressed NHRC’s readiness to collaborate with the Social Research Centre in Azerbaijan by organising joint training courses for employees of both institutions in the field of analytical studies. During her discussions with Dr Ahmed Shahidov, Attiyah underlined the need to implement the MoU signed between the NHRC and the Azerbaijan Institute for Democracy and Human Rights. This agreement focuses on exchanging expertise and building partnerships in areas such as handling and processing petitions, collaborating with governmental and non-governmental entities, and sharing best practices. Attiyah also explored the Institute’s efforts in promoting a culture of human rights within Azerbaijani society. She reiterated that the National Human Rights Committee , as part of its strategic plan for 2024-2030, has adopted executive activities aimed at strengthening international and regional cooperation. These initiatives align with the MoU’s provisions and are designed to be implemented through well-structured, scientifically grounded programmes tailored for international and regional collaboration. Copy 24/11/2024 10

Chicago Bears coaches are prioritizing improved game management. 3 things we learned Thursday at Halas Hall.But on Thursday, Trump's attempt to act with impunity showed a crack as Matt Gaetz , his choice for attorney general, withdrew from consideration. Trump had named Gaetz, a Florida congressman, to be the country's top law enforcement official even though he was widely disliked by his colleagues, has little legal experience and was accused of having sex with an underage girl, an allegation he denied. After being plagued by investigations during his first presidency, Trump wanted a devoted ally in charge of the Justice Department during his second. However, it was never obvious that Gaetz could win enough support from lawmakers to get confirmed. Now the question is whether Gaetz was uniquely unpalatable, or if Trump's other picks might exceed his party's willingness to overlook concerns that would have sunk nominees in a prior political era. The next test will likely be Pete Hegseth, who Trump wants to lead the Pentagon despite an allegation of sexual assault that he's denied. Sen. Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican who serves on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said the controversy over Gaetz would have little bearing on Trump’s choices for other positions. “One at a time,” he said. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Connecticut Democrat, suggested otherwise, claiming “the dominoes are falling.” “The drip drip of evidence and truth is going to eventually doom some others,” he said. Trump's election victory was a sign that there may not be many red lines left in American politics. He won the presidential race despite authoritarian, racist and misogynist rhetoric, not to mention years of lies about election fraud and his role in sparking the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. He was also criminally convicted of falsifying business records to pay hush money, and he was found liable for sexual abuse in a civil case. Empowered by voters who looked past his misconduct and saw him as a powerful agent of change, Trump has shown no deference to Washington norms while working to fill his second administration . Although some of his personnel choices have extensive experience in the areas they've been chosen to lead, others are personal friends and Fox News personalities who have impressed and flattered Trump over the years. Several have faced allegations involving sexual misconduct . Hegseth, an Army veteran and Fox News host, is facing the most scrutiny after Gaetz. Once Trump announced Hegseth as his nominee for Pentagon chief, allegations emerged that he sexually assaulted a woman in California in 2017. The woman said he took her phone, blocked the door to the hotel room and refused to let her leave, according to a police report made public this week. Hegseth told police at the time that the encounter had been consensual and denied any wrongdoing, the report said. However, he paid the woman a confidential settlement in 2023. Hegseth's lawyer said the payment was made to head off the threat of a baseless lawsuit. Trump’s choice for secretary of health and human services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has faced allegations of misconduct too. A woman who babysat for him and his second wife told Vanity Fair magazine that Kennedy groped her in the late 1990s, when she was 23. Kennedy did not deny the allegation and texted an apology to the woman after the article was published. That isn't the only hurdle for Kennedy; he's spent years spreading misinformation and conspiracy theories about vaccines, raising fears about making him a top health official in the new administration. Linda McMahon, chosen by Trump to be education secretary, is fighting a lawsuit connected to her former company, World Wrestling Entertainment. She’s accused of knowingly enabling sexual exploitation of children by an employee as early as the 1980s, and she denies the allegations. Tulsi Gabbard is another person who could face a difficult confirmation battle, but for very different reasons. The former Democratic representative from Hawaii has been a vocal Trump ally, and he chose her to be national intelligence director. But there's grave concern by lawmakers and national security officials over Gabbard’s history of echoing Russian propaganda. Critics said she would endanger relationships with U.S. allies. Gaetz was investigated by federal law enforcement for sex trafficking, but the case was closed without charges and Republicans have blocked the release of a related report from the House Ethics Committee. However, some allegations leaked out, including that Gaetz paid women for sex. One of the women testified to the committee that she saw Gaetz having sex with a 17-year-old girl, according to a lawyer for the woman. As Gaetz met with senators this week, it became clear that he would face stubborn resistance from lawmakers who were concerned about his behavior and believed he was unqualified to run the Justice Department. “While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction,” Gaetz wrote on social media when announcing his withdrawal. Sen. Mike Braun, an Indiana Republican, said he believed there were four to six members of the caucus who would have voted against Gaetz, likely dooming his nomination, and “the math got too hard.” He said some of the issues and allegations around Gaetz were “maybe beyond the pale." “I think there were just too many things, it was like a leaky dike, and you know, it broke," Braun said. Trump thanked Gaetz in a post on Truth Social, his social media website, without addressing the substance of the allegations against him. “He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect,” Trump wrote. Associated Press writers Mary Clare Jalonick, Stephen Groves and Lisa Macaro contributed from Washington. Jill Colvin in New York and Adriana Gomez Licon in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, also contributed.

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