An Ignoble Experiment: The 7: Why President Biden pardoned his son; Syria’s civil war; the earliest country music recording; and more

2024/12/02

The 7: Why President Biden pardoned his son; Syria’s civil war; the earliest country music recording; and more

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Good morning. It's Monday, Dec. 2, and Post personal finance columnist Michelle Singletary just launched a series about scams that con Americans from their savings — and how anyone can fall victim. Start here with Part 1. Now let's catch up from the weekend.

President Joe Biden gave his son, Hunter, a full and unconditional pardon.

For what? Hunter Biden, 54, was found guilty of felony gun charges in Delaware in June and pleaded guilty to tax evasion in California in September. Sentencing was set for this month.
Why it's controversial: The president had pledged not to use his power to protect his only surviving son. But last night, he said Hunter had been "selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted."

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Lawmakers expressed doubt about Donald Trump's pick for FBI director.

Who is he? Kash Patel, a staunch Trump loyalist and critic of the agency. Director Christopher Wray, appointed by Trump in 2017, would have to resign — or be fired — for Patel to take over.
Other picks: Trump said he would nominate his son-in-law's father, Charles Kushner, to be ambassador to France and his daughter's father-in-law, Massad Boulos, as a senior adviser.
What else to know: Trump's tariff threat could affect your wallet — from cars to beer.

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Syrian rebels have taken control of the country's largest city.

The latest: Rebels captured Aleppo this weekend and are advancing south. It's the most serious challenge to President Bashar al-Assad in years amid Syria's civil war, raging since 2011.
Why now? The rebels had regrouped and seized on the weakness of the government's key allies — Russia, Iran and Hezbollah — as they were distracted by other wars.

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Nations failed to secure a treaty to reduce plastic pollution.

Why? Talks among more than 170 countries collapsed yesterday after oil-rich nations pushed back on efforts to reduce plastic production. Negotiators hope to resume talks next year.
In related news: Scientists say it's a bad idea to reuse single-use plastics like takeout containers and water bottles because they leach chemicals and shed microplastics.

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Lake-effect snow continues to bury the Northeast.

The scene: Some places reported as much as 46 inches yesterday as extremely cold air passed over the Great Lakes. It caused problems on a busy travel day but didn't stop the Buffalo Bills.
In other news: Wildfires have become more frequent in the eastern U.S., surprising firefighters. And tsunami researchers are hunting for clues about the next big Pacific Northwest quake.

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More all-cash buyers are snapping up homes.

The numbers: The share of home buyers paying all cash hit 33% in August, data shows. To see where all-cash buyers snagged homes in your neighborhood, click here.
The problem: That makes it even harder for first-time home buyers, who made up only 24% of purchasers between July 2023 and June 2024 — a historic low.

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The earliest known country music recording has been found.

The specialty label Archeophone Records has issued a 45-rpm record of New Orleans singer Louis Vasnier performing "Thompson's Old Gray Mule." (Archeophone Records)

What is it? New Orleans singer Louis Vasnier performing "Thompson's Old Gray Mule" — 133 years ago. An independent label rereleased the song last month — you can listen here.
Why it's significant: The country music industry has long overlooked Black artists — but it turns out the oldest country recording in existence featured a Black singer.