1. The U.S. Federal Reserve on Wednesday held its benchmark lending rate steady between 5.25 and 5.50 percent for a fourth consecutive time. After the two-day Federal Open Market Committee meeting, Fed Chair Jerome Powell said that a rate cut in March is "probably not the most likely case."
2. The main opposition Democratic Party on Thursday rejected the ruling party’s proposal that would have granted small businesses an additional two-year grace period from the Serious Accidents Punishment Act. The application of the act was expanded to businesses with fewer than 50 employees last Saturday.
3. The fourth Winter Youth Olympics will conclude on Thursday with a celebration of feats accomplished by teenage athletes over the past two weeks. Organizers of Gangwon 2024 said Tuesday that the closing ceremony will begin at 8 p.m. Thursday under the theme, "Shine Again."
