U.S. president-elect Donald Trump and those in his corner continue to muse about annexing Canada, though Canadian officials have largely sidestepped those comments. In a post on the social media platform X, Eric Trump shared a doctored photo of his father purchasing Canada, Greenland and the Panama Canal on Amazon, with the phrase “We are so back!!!” Since winning the presidential election in November, Trump has repeatedly referred to Canada as the “51st state.” On Trump’s Truth Social platform, he’s also repeatedly referred to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as the “governor” of Canada. Trump has also threatened 25 per cent tariffs against Canada, which has prompted discussions at both the federal and provincial levels on the best way to deal with the incoming Trump government. Carleton University professor Aaron Ettinger said federal officials have rightly been dismissing the social-media posts and maintained a “focus like a laser beam” on the real and “existential threat” of tariffs. “This strikes me as being profoundly unserious,” said Ettinger, who has studied Canada-U.S. relations during the first Trump presidency. “These are taunts; these are churlish provocations that are not mature, and do not reflect just how serious the coming trade war is,” he said. Ettinger said Trump is likely continually posting about Canada because it plays well to his supporters, without being seen as a real threat of annexation. “We know his moves. He makes fun of, he belittles, he mocks, because he can,” he said. But he said that a vacuum of leadership in Ottawa from embattled Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is spurring “the freelancing of some of the provincial leaders” in response to Trump’s comments. For example, Ontario Premier Doug Ford weighed in on Trump’s postings on Dec. 18, telling media that “we’ll never be the 51st state. We’re Canada; we’re proud to be Canadians. We’ll always fight for that.” Ettinger said civil society is similarly better to focus on convincing Americans to not impose damaging tariffs on Canada, instead of amping up anti-Trump rhetoric. “Canadians should worry first about what Canada’s actual national interests are,” he said. “We’re not going to out-trash talk Donald Trump, so don’t even bother trying and focus instead on the core stuff that really matters.” In response to Trump’s threats, the Trudeau Liberal government has unveiled a $1.3 billion spending package over six years to address Trump’s threats, which concern border security and the flow of illegal drugs into the United States. Canada’s ambassador to the U.S. Kirsten Hillman has repeatedly characterized Trump’s comments as gentle ribbing between two close countries. Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said on Dec. 13 that she has quipped to Republican senators that they could join Canada as the eleventh province. Greenland’s head of government, Múte Bourup Egede, suggested that Trump’s latest calls to purchase the territory from Denmark would be as meaningless as those made in his first term. “Greenland is ours. We are not for sale and will never be for sale,” he said in a statement. “We must not lose our years-long fight for freedom.” Panama President José Raúl Mulino has also rebuffed Trump’s musing about taking over the Panama Canal. “Every square metre of the canal belongs to Panama and will continue to,” he said in a video, to which Trump fired back on his social media site, “We’ll see about that!”Jim Harbaugh, Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers celebrated in the locker room Saturday after they wrapped up a playoff spot with a 40-7 victory over the New England Patriots . But even as they realized one goal by making the postseason, Harbaugh tried to keep things focused on the road ahead by stressing: “There's more to do.” The Chargers (10-6) go into the regular-season finale at Las Vegas knowing they will be at least the AFC's sixth seed and avoid a trip to Buffalo for the wild-card round. Los Angeles currently is in line to face Baltimore in a Harbaugh Bowl rematch, but it has an outside shot at the fifth seed and a trip to Houston if Cincinnati beats Pittsburgh next weekend. While Harbaugh credited his players for the turnaround from five wins last year to double-digit victories this season, Herbert gave most of it to Harbaugh and first-year general manager Joe Hortiz. “They have done such a great job of getting the right guys here. You look in the locker room and everybody plays for each other,” Herbert said. “(Harbaugh's) a competitor, and he wants to win no matter what it is. It definitely shows, and it’s the way everyone fights for him, wants to play for him, and respects him.” Harbaugh is the fifth coach in NFL history to win at least 10 games in his first season with two teams. He is also the eighth to make the playoffs in his first season with two teams. “Very little to do with me. If it goes right, then it’s our players. They’re doing a great job. It’s gone bad a couple times. That’s on me,” he said. “I’ve been drinking the Kool-Aid here from day one, I can’t give enough credit to Derwin James, Justin Herbert, and those two in particular. And Khalil Mack and Rashawn Slater. I mean, stalwarts. Brad Bozeman has come in. He’s been a stalwart. There’s a bunch. There’s probably, like — I counted it up early. There was maybe 15, 15 stalwarts that we had, and it’s grown since then.” Even though the Chargers are 3-5 against teams with winning records at the time they've played them, they are 7-1 against teams that were at or under .500. Four of those wins against opponents with losing records have come by at least 17 points, the first time since 2017 the Bolts have won that many games by as big a margin. Since halftime of their Dec. 19 game against Denver, the Chargers have outscored the Broncos and Patriots 61-13 over six quarters. “That’s the type of football we want to be playing in December, January, and hopefully on. That’s the type of football you want to be playing, especially in these big games like that. It was really good to see,” Herbert said. Offensive coordinator Greg Roman has said throughout the season it's tough to use the full playbook when the Chargers have short drives. They came into Saturday's game ranked 26th with only 23 possessions of at least 10 plays, but they had four against the Patriots, leading to three touchdowns and a field goal. It was the first time since Week 10 last season against Detroit they have had at least four drives of double-digit plays. Kickoff return coverage. The Chargers have allowed nine kick returns of at least 30 yards, eighth most in the league. New England's Alex Erickson had three returns for 90 yards, including 34 and 31 yards. RB J.K. Dobbins was activated off injured reserve and provided a boost to the offense with 76 yards on 19 carries and a touchdown. Dobbins, who missed four games due to a knee injury, has set career highs in scrimmage yards (983) and rushing yards (842) in his first season with the Chargers. WR D.J. Chark was targeted four times but didn't have a catch. Chark was signed during the offseason to provide experience and speed to a young receiver group. However, he missed the first half of the season with a hip injury and has played sparingly since his return. He has three receptions on the season. Three starters — RB Gus Edwards (ankle), LB Denzel Perryman (groin) and OG Trey Pipkins (hip) — were inactive. WR Joshua Palmer (heel) and DB Elijah Molden (shin) were injured in the second half. 77 and 1,054 — Receptions and receiving yards by Ladd McConkey, both records for a Chargers rookie. 5 — Consecutive seasons by Herbert with at least 3,000 passing yards and 20 touchdown passes, tied with Peyton Manning and Russell Wilson for the most to start a career. 2 — Sacks by Derwin James Jr. against the Patriots, the first time in the safety's seven-year career he has had multiple sacks in a game. The Chargers go for their first season sweep of the Raiders since 2018 in the regular-season finale. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFLWASHINGTON — The federal government spent up to $267 million of your money to study and counteract so-called “misinformation” since President Biden took office in January 2021 — as President-elect Donald Trump vows to bar official use of the term . The funds doled out to universities, nonprofits and private companies spiked from $2.2 million in 2020, the final full year of Trump’s first term, to a staggering $126 million in 2021 before tapering off — even as leading US public health officials were imposing mandates they later admitted had no scientific basis — the taxpayer-transparency group OpenTheBooks said in a report released Friday. The findings were released by the group, which was founded by Republican budget hawks, as Trump’s Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) looks for areas to trim wasteful spending, and after Trump himself pledged to ax the terms “misinformation” and “disinformation” from the federal lexicon. OpenTheBooks does not account for the cost of in-house efforts by the Biden White House and various executive branch agencies to fight purportedly incorrect speech, including by pressuring social media companies to censor content. Proponents of fighting alleged “misinformation” argue that it’s in the public’s interest to weed out incorrect claims — with Biden personally accusing social media companies of “killing people” by platforming posts critiquing the COVID-19 vaccine in 2021, as anti-“misinformation” spending surged. Opponents of speech-policing argue it both violates the First Amendment and prevents vigorous debate and competing narratives that allow for a more full understanding of issues of public concern. Critics also note that much of what is initially deemed “misinformation” later turns out to either gain broad evidentiary support or outright confirmation, such as the theory that COVID-19 leaked from a Chinese lab that was doing risky US-funded “gain of function” research. Another example is the fact that mandated masks, vaccination, social distancing and economic shutdowns were largely ineffective due to evolving COVID variants or significant side-effects and unintended social consequences. At the same time, the Biden administration was colluding with big tech platforms to police Americans’ free speech online — leaning on Facebook, Twitter and other sites to yank even light-hearted or satirical posts about the pandemic . Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg issued a belated mea culpa in August 2024, telling House Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) in a letter that “senior Biden administration officials, including the White House, repeatedly pressured” his company to wrongly “censor” COVID content. Some government diktats, such as the requirement that people remain six feet apart, actually had no specific evidentiary justification, former federal infectious disease chief Dr. Anthony Fauci later admitted. More than two-thirds of the “misinformation” research grants flowed from the Department of Health and Human Service and focused primarily on COVID-19, but also touched on other areas such as climate change. Other big spenders included the National Science Foundation ($65 million), the State Department ($12 million), the Pentagon ($2.9 million) and the Justice Department ($1.7 million). Universities reaped COVID windfall The OpenTheBooks report includes links to federal grant award documents that includes the term “misinformation” and found that major universities raked in millions, particularly by focusing on COVID-19-related issues such as vaccine hesitancy. “Federal spending records show at least $127 million tax dollars funding anti-misinformation efforts directly related to COVID-19 for a variety of activities,” the report read, “from on-the-ground advocacy working to dispel vaccine misinformation, to scientific studies on how supposed “misinformation” is spread online.” The top identified recipient was the City University of New York, which received more than $3.6 million, including nearly $3.3 million from the Department of Health and Human Services for research beginning in September 2022 on how people with mental health disorders can be steeled against “misinformation” with “online attitudinal inoculation.” “Informed by inoculation theory, attitudinal inoculation leverages the power of narrative, values and emotion to strengthen resistance to misinformation and reduce hesitancy and is well-suited for low-information audiences and ideologically polarized or conspiratorial groups,” read’s CUNY’s description of the project, due to end in August 2025. “The proposed research project will leverage the infrastructure of ... a large and geographically diverse community-based US cohort, to tailor and test the effectiveness of a brief digital attitudinal inoculation intervention to increase vaccination among adults with anxiety or depression symptoms.” An additional $328,000 went to CUNY in August 2022 from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to study how alleged “misinformation,” including about climate change and COVID-19, spreads on social media. “Understanding how information flows and its impact on human behavior is important for determining how to protect society from the effects of misinformation, propaganda and fake news,” reads the description of the research, due to end in July 2025. “The research has two main goals: First, it will spot and predict opinion trends and identify users’ polarization on topics of broad interest to society (eg, climate change or the COVID-19 pandemic). Second, it will track information propagation to understand its role in shaping opinion trends and identify the factors that are important for its spread and adoption.” The NSF also handed over $5 million to George Washington University to focus on “misinformation” aimed “at members of expert communities” including “misinformation-driven harassment campaigns [that] have particularly large impacts on those at the forefront of efforts to accurately inform the public, including journalists, scientists, and public health officials.” AnotherNSF grant, of $14 million, went to the University of Michigan for an “American National Elections Study” that homed in on “the spread of misinformation, support for political violence, affective polarization, racial conflict, and threats to the legitimacy of our electoral institutions.” The University of Pennsylvania was awarded more than $2.3 million in September 2022 for “investigating and identifying the heterogeneity in COVID-19 misinformation exposure on social media among black and rural communities to inform precision public health messaging.” That research, running through 2027 seeks to “develop strategies to detect trusted and accurate ‘signals’ amidst dynamic misinformation ‘noise.'” The cash windfall for “misinfo” experts came as leading US public health officials were spreading false narratives of their own. Fauci, now retired, admitted to a House committee earlier this year that COVID-era restrictions like maintaining six feet of distance and masking young children lacked any scientific basis. “It sort of just appeared. I don’t recall,” Fauci said in a January transcribed interview with the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic about the social distancing mandate imposed on federal agencies, businesses and schools. “Just an empiric decision that wasn’t based on data or even data that could be accomplished.” “At the time, 4,000, 5,000 people a day were dying,” Fauci said in a June hearing before the same committee about masking mandates, before admitting: “There was no study that did masks on kids.” Librarian escape room, ‘slandering’ Trump One way the government fought “misinformation” was through funding an online “escape room” run by librarians, according to the federal records. The University of Washington was awarded a $249,691 grant from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services in September 2021 to “deploy a tested escape room prototype in 10 public libraries” and to “co-design camps around Black Lives Matter and fandom to demonstrate use of the design kit for creating interest-driven escape rooms.” “By building and deploying an online escape room hosted by librarians, the grant will improve libraries’ capabilities to address misinformation through innovative educational programming,” the description says. At least one of the grants focused specifically on how Trump — who controversially promoted use of the drug hydroxychloroquine during the pandemic and rarely wore a mask, while saying others were free to do so — allegedly fueled distrust “thus making [people] more vulnerable to misinformation generally.” George Washington University received a $199,516 NSF grant in May 2022 for a two-year project “to study how populist politicians distorted COVID-19 pandemic health communication to encourage polarized attitudes and distrust among citizens, thus making them more vulnerable to misinformation generally.” The proposal says “focus is on four countries — Brazil, Poland, Serbia and the US — all led by populist leaders during the pandemic.” OpentheBooks derided that expenditure as a “brazen instance” of spending being used for “slandering” Trump. Other major university recipients of funds included Wake Forest University, which received more than $2.8 million, and the University of Texas, which got nearly $2.2 million. Defense and tech industry also among recipients An array of companies also received federal grants for “misinformation” projects. The Department of Health and Human Services awarded $300,000 to Melax Technologies for “real-time surveillance of vaccine misinformation from social media platforms using ontology and natural language processing technologies.” HHS granted $299,964 to Gryphon Scientific for “systematic understanding and elimination of misinformation online.” And the Department of Homeland Security awarded $1,205,826 via the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to defense contractor Guidehouse from 2023 to 2024 for “misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation analysis.” Guidehouse had previously produced a report that touched upon “the public’s perception of [FEMA’s role in the COVID-19 crisis.” The technology not-for-profit Meedan received an award for $5.7 million from the National Science Foundation in September 2021 for a three-year project titled, “Fact champ fact-checker, academic and community collaboration tools, combating hate, abuse and misinformation with minority-led partnerships.” Trump team looks to trim Trump announced shortly after his Nov. 5 election victory that Musk, the billionaire owner of X and chief executive of Tesla and SpaceX, would lead an extra-governmental effort to identify cost savings — after the president-elect himself vowed to dismantle federal efforts to police alleged “misinformation” in his second term. It’s unclear how much of the pending grant money could be clawed back — and grants already were tapering downward after peaking in 2021, with just $18.4 million in new “misinformation”-related awards identified in 2024. In a policy video released shortly after launching his campaign in November 2022, Trump said, “The censorship cartel must be dismantled and destroyed — and it must happen immediately.” “Within hours of my inauguration, I will sign an executive order banning any federal department or agency from colluding with any organization, business, or person, to censor, limit, categorize, or impede the lawful speech of American citizens,” Trump said . “I will then ban federal money from being used to label domestic speech as ‘mis-‘ or ‘dis-information’. And I will begin the process of identifying and firing every federal bureaucrat who has engaged in domestic censorship — directly or indirectly — whether they are the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Health and Human Services, the FBI, the DOJ, no matter who they are.”
MIRPUR ( AJK) : Dec 08 (APP):, (UrduPoint / Point - 9th Dec, 2024) Like rest of the , the people of and Kashmir on both sides of the , will observe Universal Human Rights Day on Tuesday, 10. Kashmiris will reiterate their long-standing unanimous demand for early end of the ongoing massive human rights abuses against innocent population in illegally occupied and Kashmir (IIOJK) state as well as by similar aggressive forces in various other parts of the . In Azad Kashmir, major function to mark the Day will be hosted by AJK-based Kashmiris international NGO - Kashmir Institute of International Relations (KIIR). The ceremony comprising a grand seminar, will be held to invite the attention of the international community including human rights forums towards the deteriorating conditions of the humanity in bleeding vale of IIOJK where the occupation forces were engaged in large scale human rights violations defying international norms and commitments by denying Kashmiris their legitimate right to self determination, said Wani, Chairman of the KIIR, while talking to APP here . The Human Rights Day on 10th of every year recognizes the work of human rights defenders worldwide who act to end discrimination. Acting alone or in groups within their communities, every day human rights defenders work to end discrimination by campaigning for equitable and effective laws, reporting and investigating human rights violations and supporting victims. While some human rights defenders are internationally renowned, many remain anonymous and undertake their work often at great personal risk to themselves and their families. The Day commemorates the day in 1948 the General adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. When the General adopted the Declaration, with 48 states in favor and eight abstentions, it was proclaimed as a "common standard of achievement for peoples and nations", towards which individuals and societies should "strive by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance". Although the Declaration with its broad range of political, civil, social, cultural and economic rights is not a binding document, it inspired more than 60 human rights instruments which together constitute an international standard of human rights. It be added that today, the general consent of Member States on the basic Human Rights laid down in the Declaration makes it even stronger and emphasizes the relevance of Human Rights in our daily lives. The High Commissioner for Human Rights, as the main rights official, and her Office play a major role in coordinating efforts for the yearly observation of Human Rights Day. In Azad Kashmir, elaborated programs have been chalked out for organizing ceremonies to mark the Day will be including in division under the auspices of various human rights organizations with the coordination of the members of the . The organizers said that the speakers would particularly emphasize the need of making collective efforts by the international community to ensure the complete protection of human rights over the particularly in those areas where the people were being denied their due rights. They will call for the measures by the international human rights outfits to move for ensuring the grant of basic human rights in the areas including in the strife-torn held Kashmir state where the occupying forces were involved in large scale human rights abuses against the local population since last 77 years to suppress their long standing demand for a free and fair plebiscite under the auspices of the resolutions on Kashmir allowing the Kashmir people to decide about their destiny granting the Kashmiris their internationally-acknowledged birth right to self determination.
Indian Railways is taking significant steps towards enhancing the safety and efficiency of its operations by accelerating the deployment of the advanced Kavach 4.0 automatic train protection system. It is speeding up to deploy an advanced Kavach 4.0 - automatic train protection system across its key routes. Kavach 4.0 is an enhanced comprehensive, technology-driven solution developed by Indian Railways to prevent accidents and ensure the smooth operation of trains, providing an additional layer of safety and control, according to officials. According to a press release issued, all the locomotives where a lower version of Kavach was installed will be replaced with the upgraded Kavach 4.0. Over NF Railway approximately 1966 RKM of length from Malda Town to Dibrugarh have been identified for implementation of Kavach. The implementation of Kavach 4.0 by Indian Railways across its key routes is a broader initiative to modernize its infrastructure and improve safety standards. By leveraging technology such as Kavach 4.0, the connectivity system will ensure smoother operations, minimizing human error and most importantly preventing accidents. The Kavach 4.0 system is built upon several critical technological components, including Station Kavach, which receives information from Loco Kavach and signalling systems to guide the locomotive and RFID tags, which are installed along the tracks at regular intervals and signal point to monitor the train's location and direction. Over the past period, Indian Railways has been taking several steps to cut down train accidents. By rolling out Kavach 4.0, Indian Railways is committed to making rail travel even safer for passengers. This step is part of a larger plan to strengthen the railway network and boost safety measures across the rail network of the country. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by DNA staff and is published from ANI)
Jamie Carragher slams ‘absolutely braindead’ Tottenham star after Chelsea defeatTrump team signs agreement to allow Justice to conduct background checks on nominees, staff
By BILL BARROW, Associated Press ATLANTA (AP) — Jimmy Carter, the peanut farmer who won the presidency in the wake of the Watergate scandal and Vietnam War, endured humbling defeat after one tumultuous term and then redefined life after the White House as a global humanitarian, has died. He was 100 years old. The longest-lived American president died on Sunday, more than a year after entering hospice care , at his home in the small town of Plains, Georgia, where he and his wife, Rosalynn, who died at 96 in November 2023 , spent most of their lives, The Carter Center said. Businessman, Navy officer, evangelist, politician, negotiator, author, woodworker, citizen of the world — Carter forged a path that still challenges political assumptions and stands out among the 45 men who reached the nation’s highest office. The 39th president leveraged his ambition with a keen intellect, deep religious faith and prodigious work ethic, conducting diplomatic missions into his 80s and building houses for the poor well into his 90s. “My faith demands — this is not optional — my faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever I can, for as long as I can, with whatever I have to try to make a difference,” Carter once said. A moderate Democrat, Carter entered the 1976 presidential race as a little-known Georgia governor with a broad smile, outspoken Baptist mores and technocratic plans reflecting his education as an engineer. His no-frills campaign depended on public financing, and his promise not to deceive the American people resonated after Richard Nixon’s disgrace and U.S. defeat in southeast Asia. “If I ever lie to you, if I ever make a misleading statement, don’t vote for me. I would not deserve to be your president,” Carter repeated before narrowly beating Republican incumbent Gerald Ford, who had lost popularity pardoning Nixon. Carter governed amid Cold War pressures, turbulent oil markets and social upheaval over racism, women’s rights and America’s global role. His most acclaimed achievement in office was a Mideast peace deal that he brokered by keeping Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin at the bargaining table for 13 days in 1978. That Camp David experience inspired the post-presidential center where Carter would establish so much of his legacy. Yet Carter’s electoral coalition splintered under double-digit inflation, gasoline lines and the 444-day hostage crisis in Iran. His bleakest hour came when eight Americans died in a failed hostage rescue in April 1980, helping to ensure his landslide defeat to Republican Ronald Reagan. Carter acknowledged in his 2020 “White House Diary” that he could be “micromanaging” and “excessively autocratic,” complicating dealings with Congress and the federal bureaucracy. He also turned a cold shoulder to Washington’s news media and lobbyists, not fully appreciating their influence on his political fortunes. “It didn’t take us long to realize that the underestimation existed, but by that time we were not able to repair the mistake,” Carter told historians in 1982, suggesting that he had “an inherent incompatibility” with Washington insiders. Carter insisted his overall approach was sound and that he achieved his primary objectives — to “protect our nation’s security and interests peacefully” and “enhance human rights here and abroad” — even if he fell spectacularly short of a second term. Ignominious defeat, though, allowed for renewal. The Carters founded The Carter Center in 1982 as a first-of-its-kind base of operations, asserting themselves as international peacemakers and champions of democracy, public health and human rights. “I was not interested in just building a museum or storing my White House records and memorabilia,” Carter wrote in a memoir published after his 90th birthday. “I wanted a place where we could work.” That work included easing nuclear tensions in North and South Korea, helping to avert a U.S. invasion of Haiti and negotiating cease-fires in Bosnia and Sudan. By 2022, The Carter Center had declared at least 113 elections in Latin America, Asia and Africa to be free or fraudulent. Recently, the center began monitoring U.S. elections as well. Carter’s stubborn self-assuredness and even self-righteousness proved effective once he was unencumbered by the Washington order, sometimes to the point of frustrating his successors . He went “where others are not treading,” he said, to places like Ethiopia, Liberia and North Korea, where he secured the release of an American who had wandered across the border in 2010. “I can say what I like. I can meet whom I want. I can take on projects that please me and reject the ones that don’t,” Carter said. He announced an arms-reduction-for-aid deal with North Korea without clearing the details with Bill Clinton’s White House. He openly criticized President George W. Bush for the 2003 invasion of Iraq. He also criticized America’s approach to Israel with his 2006 book “Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid.” And he repeatedly countered U.S. administrations by insisting North Korea should be included in international affairs, a position that most aligned Carter with Republican President Donald Trump. Among the center’s many public health initiatives, Carter vowed to eradicate the guinea worm parasite during his lifetime, and nearly achieved it: Cases dropped from millions in the 1980s to nearly a handful. With hardhats and hammers, the Carters also built homes with Habitat for Humanity. The Nobel committee’s 2002 Peace Prize cites his “untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.” Carter should have won it alongside Sadat and Begin in 1978, the chairman added. Carter accepted the recognition saying there was more work to be done. “The world is now, in many ways, a more dangerous place,” he said. “The greater ease of travel and communication has not been matched by equal understanding and mutual respect.” Carter’s globetrotting took him to remote villages where he met little “Jimmy Carters,” so named by admiring parents. But he spent most of his days in the same one-story Plains house — expanded and guarded by Secret Service agents — where they lived before he became governor. He regularly taught Sunday School lessons at Maranatha Baptist Church until his mobility declined and the coronavirus pandemic raged. Those sessions drew visitors from around the world to the small sanctuary where Carter will receive his final send-off after a state funeral at Washington’s National Cathedral. The common assessment that he was a better ex-president than president rankled Carter and his allies. His prolific post-presidency gave him a brand above politics, particularly for Americans too young to witness him in office. But Carter also lived long enough to see biographers and historians reassess his White House years more generously. His record includes the deregulation of key industries, reduction of U.S. dependence on foreign oil, cautious management of the national debt and notable legislation on the environment, education and mental health. He focused on human rights in foreign policy, pressuring dictators to release thousands of political prisoners . He acknowledged America’s historical imperialism, pardoned Vietnam War draft evaders and relinquished control of the Panama Canal. He normalized relations with China. “I am not nominating Jimmy Carter for a place on Mount Rushmore,” Stuart Eizenstat, Carter’s domestic policy director, wrote in a 2018 book. “He was not a great president” but also not the “hapless and weak” caricature voters rejected in 1980, Eizenstat said. Rather, Carter was “good and productive” and “delivered results, many of which were realized only after he left office.” Madeleine Albright, a national security staffer for Carter and Clinton’s secretary of state, wrote in Eizenstat’s forward that Carter was “consequential and successful” and expressed hope that “perceptions will continue to evolve” about his presidency. “Our country was lucky to have him as our leader,” said Albright, who died in 2022. Jonathan Alter, who penned a comprehensive Carter biography published in 2020, said in an interview that Carter should be remembered for “an epic American life” spanning from a humble start in a home with no electricity or indoor plumbing through decades on the world stage across two centuries. “He will likely go down as one of the most misunderstood and underestimated figures in American history,” Alter told The Associated Press. James Earl Carter Jr. was born Oct. 1, 1924, in Plains and spent his early years in nearby Archery. His family was a minority in the mostly Black community, decades before the civil rights movement played out at the dawn of Carter’s political career. Carter, who campaigned as a moderate on race relations but governed more progressively, talked often of the influence of his Black caregivers and playmates but also noted his advantages: His land-owning father sat atop Archery’s tenant-farming system and owned a main street grocery. His mother, Lillian , would become a staple of his political campaigns. Seeking to broaden his world beyond Plains and its population of fewer than 1,000 — then and now — Carter won an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating in 1946. That same year he married Rosalynn Smith, another Plains native, a decision he considered more important than any he made as head of state. She shared his desire to see the world, sacrificing college to support his Navy career. Carter climbed in rank to lieutenant, but then his father was diagnosed with cancer, so the submarine officer set aside his ambitions of admiralty and moved the family back to Plains. His decision angered Rosalynn, even as she dived into the peanut business alongside her husband. Carter again failed to talk with his wife before his first run for office — he later called it “inconceivable” not to have consulted her on such major life decisions — but this time, she was on board. “My wife is much more political,” Carter told the AP in 2021. He won a state Senate seat in 1962 but wasn’t long for the General Assembly and its back-slapping, deal-cutting ways. He ran for governor in 1966 — losing to arch-segregationist Lester Maddox — and then immediately focused on the next campaign. Carter had spoken out against church segregation as a Baptist deacon and opposed racist “Dixiecrats” as a state senator. Yet as a local school board leader in the 1950s he had not pushed to end school segregation even after the Supreme Court’s Brown v. Board of Education decision, despite his private support for integration. And in 1970, Carter ran for governor again as the more conservative Democrat against Carl Sanders, a wealthy businessman Carter mocked as “Cufflinks Carl.” Sanders never forgave him for anonymous, race-baiting flyers, which Carter disavowed. Ultimately, Carter won his races by attracting both Black voters and culturally conservative whites. Once in office, he was more direct. “I say to you quite frankly that the time for racial discrimination is over,” he declared in his 1971 inaugural address, setting a new standard for Southern governors that landed him on the cover of Time magazine. His statehouse initiatives included environmental protection, boosting rural education and overhauling antiquated executive branch structures. He proclaimed Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the slain civil rights leader’s home state. And he decided, as he received presidential candidates in 1972, that they were no more talented than he was. In 1974, he ran Democrats’ national campaign arm. Then he declared his own candidacy for 1976. An Atlanta newspaper responded with the headline: “Jimmy Who?” The Carters and a “Peanut Brigade” of family members and Georgia supporters camped out in Iowa and New Hampshire, establishing both states as presidential proving grounds. His first Senate endorsement: a young first-termer from Delaware named Joe Biden. Yet it was Carter’s ability to navigate America’s complex racial and rural politics that cemented the nomination. He swept the Deep South that November, the last Democrat to do so, as many white Southerners shifted to Republicans in response to civil rights initiatives. A self-declared “born-again Christian,” Carter drew snickers by referring to Scripture in a Playboy magazine interview, saying he “had looked on many women with lust. I’ve committed adultery in my heart many times.” The remarks gave Ford a new foothold and television comedians pounced — including NBC’s new “Saturday Night Live” show. But voters weary of cynicism in politics found it endearing. Carter chose Minnesota Sen. Walter “Fritz” Mondale as his running mate on a “Grits and Fritz” ticket. In office, he elevated the vice presidency and the first lady’s office. Mondale’s governing partnership was a model for influential successors Al Gore, Dick Cheney and Biden. Rosalynn Carter was one of the most involved presidential spouses in history, welcomed into Cabinet meetings and huddles with lawmakers and top aides. The Carters presided with uncommon informality: He used his nickname “Jimmy” even when taking the oath of office, carried his own luggage and tried to silence the Marine Band’s “Hail to the Chief.” They bought their clothes off the rack. Carter wore a cardigan for a White House address, urging Americans to conserve energy by turning down their thermostats. Amy, the youngest of four children, attended District of Columbia public school. Washington’s social and media elite scorned their style. But the larger concern was that “he hated politics,” according to Eizenstat, leaving him nowhere to turn politically once economic turmoil and foreign policy challenges took their toll. Carter partially deregulated the airline, railroad and trucking industries and established the departments of Education and Energy, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. He designated millions of acres of Alaska as national parks or wildlife refuges. He appointed a then-record number of women and nonwhite people to federal posts. He never had a Supreme Court nomination, but he elevated civil rights attorney Ruth Bader Ginsburg to the nation’s second highest court, positioning her for a promotion in 1993. He appointed Paul Volker, the Federal Reserve chairman whose policies would help the economy boom in the 1980s — after Carter left office. He built on Nixon’s opening with China, and though he tolerated autocrats in Asia, pushed Latin America from dictatorships to democracy. But he couldn’t immediately tame inflation or the related energy crisis. And then came Iran. After he admitted the exiled Shah of Iran to the U.S. for medical treatment, the American Embassy in Tehran was overrun in 1979 by followers of the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Negotiations to free the hostages broke down repeatedly ahead of the failed rescue attempt. The same year, Carter signed SALT II, the new strategic arms treaty with Leonid Brezhnev of the Soviet Union, only to pull it back, impose trade sanctions and order a U.S. boycott of the Moscow Olympics after the Soviets invaded Afghanistan. Hoping to instill optimism, he delivered what the media dubbed his “malaise” speech, although he didn’t use that word. He declared the nation was suffering “a crisis of confidence.” By then, many Americans had lost confidence in the president, not themselves. Carter campaigned sparingly for reelection because of the hostage crisis, instead sending Rosalynn as Sen. Edward M. Kennedy challenged him for the Democratic nomination. Carter famously said he’d “kick his ass,” but was hobbled by Kennedy as Reagan rallied a broad coalition with “make America great again” appeals and asking voters whether they were “better off than you were four years ago.” Reagan further capitalized on Carter’s lecturing tone, eviscerating him in their lone fall debate with the quip: “There you go again.” Carter lost all but six states and Republicans rolled to a new Senate majority. Carter successfully negotiated the hostages’ freedom after the election, but in one final, bitter turn of events, Tehran waited until hours after Carter left office to let them walk free. At 56, Carter returned to Georgia with “no idea what I would do with the rest of my life.” Four decades after launching The Carter Center, he still talked of unfinished business. “I thought when we got into politics we would have resolved everything,” Carter told the AP in 2021. “But it’s turned out to be much more long-lasting and insidious than I had thought it was. I think in general, the world itself is much more divided than in previous years.” Still, he affirmed what he said when he underwent treatment for a cancer diagnosis in his 10th decade of life. “I’m perfectly at ease with whatever comes,” he said in 2015 . “I’ve had a wonderful life. I’ve had thousands of friends, I’ve had an exciting, adventurous and gratifying existence.” ___ Former Associated Press journalist Alex Sanz contributed to this report.AP Sports SummaryBrief at 6:24 p.m. EST
Former Trump White House official Olivia Troye has issued a stark warning for women entering the incoming administration. “TheTrump White House’s chauvinistic male-dominated culture will be exacerbated by the presence of Elon Musk, JD Vance, Donald Trump Jr., Matt Gaetz, Pete Hegseth, and other ‘bros’ in positions of authority or influence,” Troye, who served as former Vice President Mike Pence ’s national security adviser, wrote on her Substack on Thursday. “It will be an intimidating environment, but stay true to your values, even when it is uncomfortable or unpopular. Remember, you have only yourself to face in the mirror every day.” Since leaving the administration, Troye has become an outspoken critic of Trump and campaigned on behalf of his Democratic rival Kamala Harris in 2024. In her post, Troye also urged women to seek out female allies and warned that they would face the “male gaze” and “locker room talk” in the administration. The latter phrase is a reference to Donald Trump’s defense after the Access Hollywood tape, in which he said a recording of him bragging about groping women was exaggerated macho banter. “It’s beyond time for Olivia Troye to go back to doing whatever the hell she was doing before she threw her integrity in the toilet to get her face on liberal television because she clearly has no idea what she’s talking about,” Trump-Vance transition spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt told The Independent . “President Trump just selected the first female Chief of Staff in history and I’m greatly looking forward to serving as the youngest Press Secretary in history. He has also chosen several other women to serve in his Cabinet, and there will be thousands of strong, independent women who fill the ranks across his Administration. President Trump empowers women and anyone who has their head on straight can see that.” Multiple members of and nominees in the new administration have been accused of sexual misconduct towards women, including Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth, Health and Human Services nominee Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Department of Government Efficiency head Elon Musk, and since-withdrawn attorney general nominee Matt Gaetz. They have all denied wrongdoing and have not been charged with any crimes related to the allegations. A jury found Trump liable for sex abuse against former Elle columnist E. Jean Carroll.Jimmy Carter has died at 100; longest-lived U.S. presidentBirthday parties come with a lot of politics, but one mum is struggling big time with her situation. Kristen Fox, who is a mum to almost five-year-old twin girls, was shocked to find out only one of her twins had been invited to a birthday party and wrestled with what to do about it. "I knew this day would come, but I was so not prepared for it. It's been bugging me the entire drive to work," she said in a video shared on TikTok . "Last night, we received an invitation for one of my two twin girls to go to a birthday party. Yeah, one of the two of them. Watch the video above. READ MORE: Man calls wife 'selfish' after leaving in-laws out of Christmas day plans "And if you're new, I have almost five-year-old twins ... they're in the same class, and the invite came and it was only for one of them." Fox said she knew this was going to come up eventually, but hoped it wouldn't be so soon. "I feel like it's an all-or-nothing situation," she continued. "So either both are going to the party or none are going to the party. The gut is that I'm going to message the mom who I don't know and just say, 'Hi. Thanks so much for the invite. I wanted to see if it was for one or both of the girls to come since they're in the same class. Either answer is fine. But just let me know'." But, she added if the answer is just one of the girls, then she'll RSVP 'No'. READ MORE: The 10 most common items kids swallow - and a warning to parents READ MORE: Expert reveals her all-time favourite classic girl names "I literally cannot think about the hurt that that will cause in the girl that was not invited," she finished. Now, while Fox may have thought she was handling the tricky situation the right way, people in the comments had a lot of feelings about it and urged her to just let one daughter go. "Twin here... PLEASE don't take away the opportunity of the one child to attend bc the other was not invited. That's life. I love the idea of going to do something fun one on one during the party time," replied one woman. "Imagine the invited twin – I can't go to the bday bc my sisters feelings are more important then mine. That's the message being set," commented another woman. For a daily dose of 9honey, subscribe to our newsletter here Another agreed and replied, "I have twins who are now grown. I agree with others that it's ok for one to do something without the other. It's important to have their own identity and to learn that early on." The overwhelming response was that the mum needs to let them be their own people and build their own friendships, although there were some who felt like she should just RSVP no to save any hassle. FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE : Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.
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OTTAWA — U.S. president-elect Donald Trump and those in his corner continue to muse about annexing Canada, though Canadian officials have largely sidestepped those comments. In a post on the social media platform X, Eric Trump shared a doctored photo of his father purchasing Canada, Greenland and the Panama Canal on Amazon, with the phrase "We are so back!!!" Since winning the presidential election in November, Trump has repeatedly referred to Canada as the "51st state." On Trump's Truth Social platform, he's also repeatedly referred to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as the "governor" of Canada. Trump has also threatened 25 per cent tariffs against Canada, which has prompted discussions at both the federal and provincial levels on the best way to deal with the incoming Trump government. Carleton University professor Aaron Ettinger said federal officials have rightly been dismissing the social-media posts and maintained a "focus like a laser beam" on the real and "existential threat" of tariffs. "This strikes me as being profoundly unserious," said Ettinger, who has studied Canada-U.S. relations during the first Trump presidency. "These are taunts; these are churlish provocations that are not mature, and do not reflect just how serious the coming trade war is," he said. Ettinger said Trump is likely continually posting about Canada because it plays well to his supporters, without being seen as a real threat of annexation. "We know his moves. He makes fun of, he belittles, he mocks, because he can," he said. But he said that a vacuum of leadership in Ottawa from embattled Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is spurring "the freelancing of some of the provincial leaders" in response to Trump's comments. For example, Ontario Premier Doug Ford weighed in on Trump's postings on Dec. 18, telling media that "we'll never be the 51st state. We're Canada; we're proud to be Canadians. We'll always fight for that." Ettinger said civil society is similarly better to focus on convincing Americans to not impose damaging tariffs on Canada, instead of amping up anti-Trump rhetoric. "Canadians should worry first about what Canada's actual national interests are," he said. "We're not going to out-trash talk Donald Trump, so don't even bother trying and focus instead on the core stuff that really matters." In response to Trump's threats, the Trudeau Liberal government has unveiled a $1.3 billion spending package over six years to address Trump's threats, which concern border security and the flow of illegal drugs into the United States. Canada's ambassador to the U.S. Kirsten Hillman has repeatedly characterized Trump's comments as gentle ribbing between two close countries. Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said on Dec. 13 that she has quipped to Republican senators that they could join Canada as the eleventh province. Greenland's head of government, Múte Bourup Egede, suggested that Trump's latest calls to purchase the territory from Denmark would be as meaningless as those made in his first term. "Greenland is ours. We are not for sale and will never be for sale," he said in a statement. "We must not lose our years-long fight for freedom." Panama President José Raúl Mulino has also rebuffed Trump's musing about taking over the Panama Canal. "Every square metre of the canal belongs to Panama and will continue to," he said in a video, to which Trump fired back on his social media site, "We'll see about that!" This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 24, 2024. — With files from The Associated Press Dylan Robertson, The Canadian PressHow Ugandan providers block Melbet and Ways to restore access to the bookmaker's websiteHorror, myth and a feminist reworking of Thomas Mann: Olga Tokarczuk’s The Empusium defies classificationTrump says he can't guarantee tariffs won't raise US prices and won't rule out revenge prosecutions WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump says he can’t guarantee his promised tariffs on key U.S. foreign trade partners won’t raise prices for American consumers. And he's suggesting once more that some political rivals and federal officials who pursued legal cases against him should be imprisoned. The president-elect made the comments in a wide-ranging interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press” that aired Sunday. He also touched on monetary policy, immigration, abortion and health care, and U.S. involvement in Ukraine, Israel and elsewhere. Trump often mixed declarative statements with caveats, at one point cautioning “things do change.” Europe's economy needs help. Political chaos in France and Germany means it may be slower in coming BRUSSELS (AP) — Europe's economy has enough difficulties, from tepid growth to trade tensions with the U.S. Dealing with those woes is only getting harder due to the political chaos in the two biggest European countries, France and Germany. Neither has a government backed by a functioning majority, and France could take a while yet to sort things out. But some problems aren't going to wait, such as what to do about U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's America First stance on trade and how to fund stronger defense against Putin's Russia. ‘Moana 2’ cruises to another record weekend and $600 million globally “Moana 2” remains at the top of the box office in its second weekend in theaters as it pulled in another record haul. According to studio estimates Sunday, the animated Disney film added $52 million, bringing its domestic total to $300 million. That surpasses the take for the original “Moana” and brings the sequel's global tally to a staggering $600 million. It also puts the film in this year's top five at the box office. “Wicked” came in second place for the weekend with $34.9 million and “Gladiator II” was third with $12.5 million. The 10th anniversary re-release of Christopher Nolan's “Interstellar” also earned an impressive $4.4 million even though it played in only 165 theaters. Federal appeals court upholds law requiring sale or ban of TikTok in the US A federal appeals court panel on Friday unanimously upheld a law that could lead to a ban on TikTok as soon as next month, handing a resounding defeat to the popular social media platform as it fights for its survival in the U.S. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled that the law - which requires TikTok to break ties with its China-based parent company ByteDance or be banned by mid-January — is constitutional, rebuffing TikTok’s challenge that the statute ran afoul of the First Amendment and unfairly targeted the platform. TikTok and ByteDance — another plaintiff in the lawsuit — are expected to appeal to the Supreme Court. Executive of Tyler Perry Studios dies when plane he was piloting crashes in Florida ATLANTA (AP) — The president of Atlanta-based Tyler Perry Studios has died when the small plane he was piloting crashed on Florida’s Gulf Coast. The studio confirmed on Saturday that Steve Mensch, its 62-year-old president and general manager, had died Friday. The crash happened in Homosassa, about 60 miles north of Tampa. Photos from the scene show the plane having come to rest upside down on a road. Mensch helped advocate for Georgia’s film tax credit of more than $1 billion a year. Perry hired Mensch to run his namesake studio in 2016. Mensch died as Perry released his war drama, “The Six Triple Eight." The film was shot at the Atlanta studio. US added a strong 227,000 jobs in November in bounce-back from October slowdown WASHINGTON (AP) — America’s job market rebounded in November, adding 227,000 workers in a solid recovery from the previous month, when the effects of strikes and hurricanes had sharply diminished employers’ payrolls. Last month’s hiring growth was up considerably from a meager gain of 36,000 jobs in October. The government also revised up its estimate of job growth in September and October by a combined 56,000. Friday’s report also showed that the unemployment rate ticked up from 4.1% in October to a still-low 4.2%. The November data provided the latest evidence that the U.S. job market remains durable even though it has lost significant momentum from the 2021-2023 hiring boom, when the economy was rebounding from the pandemic recession. Stock market today: Wall Street hits more records following a just-right jobs report NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks rose to records after data suggested the job market remains solid enough to keep the economy going, but not so strong that it raises immediate worries about inflation. The S&P 500 climbed 0.2%, just enough top the all-time high set on Wednesday, as it closed a third straight winning week in what looks to be one of its best years since the 2000 dot-com bust. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 0.3%, while the Nasdaq composite climbed 0.8% to set its own record. Treasury yields eased after the jobs report showed stronger hiring than expected but also an uptick in the unemployment rate. Killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO spotlights complex challenge companies face in protecting top brass NEW YORK (AP) — In an era when online anger and social tensions are increasingly directed at the businesses consumers count on, Meta last year spent $24.4 million to surround CEO Mark Zuckerberg with security. But the fatal shooting this week of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson while walking alone on a New York City sidewalk has put a spotlight on the widely varied approaches companies take to protect their leaders against threats. And experts say the task of evaluating threats against executives and taking action to protect them is getting more difficult. One of the primary worries are loners whose rantings online are fed by others who are like-minded. It’s up to corporate security analysts to decide what represents a real threat. Days after gunman killed UnitedHealthcare's CEO, police push to ID him and FBI offers reward NEW YORK (AP) — Nearly four days after the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, police still do not know the gunman’s name or whereabouts or have a motive for the killing. But they have made some progress in their investigation into Wednesday's killing of the leader of the largest U.S. health insurer, including that the gunman likely left New York City on a bus soon after fleeing the scene. The also found that the gunman left something behind: a backpack that was discovered in Central Park. Police are working with the FBI, which on Friday night announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. USDA orders nationwide testing of milk for bird flu to halt the virus The U.S. government has ordered testing of the nation’s milk supply for bird flu to better monitor the spread of the virus in dairy cows. The Agriculture Department on Friday said raw or unpasteurized milk from dairy farms and processors nationwide must be tested on request starting Dec. 16. Testing will begin in six states — California, Colorado, Michigan, Mississippi, Oregon and Pennsylvania. The move is aimed at eliminating the virus, which has infected more than 700 dairy herds in 15 states.
Strengthening Canada-U.S. Critical Mineral Partnership Amid Rising Geopolitical TensionsCenter Point Pirates bounce back
India News | Rajnath Singh Becomes 1st Defence Minister to Visit Mhow in 24 Years, Lauds Indian Army's Training InstitutesCrazy Rich Asians 2 Update: Jon M. Chu Expands on Why Movie Isn’t Happening Soon By Director Jon M. Chu has given another , revealing why he thinks the film isn’t going to happen anytime soon. What is the latest Crazy Rich Asians 2 update? Speaking to Deadline as part of their Crew Call podcast, Chu was asked about the status of a potential sequel to Crazy Rich Asians. The director noted that as of now, he wouldn’t ask anyone from the first film’s all-star cast to return unless things are worth it. “I won’t bring everyone back unless it’s worth it. There’s too much on the line for everybody,” said Chu, before noting that they’ve been trying, but haven’t landed on something just yet. “I want the best thing. I want it to be worthy of what Crazy Rich Asians 1 was. We’ve tried all different versions. It’s hard because people think the first movie is like the book, but it actually is not. It’s the right spirit, but the plotting is very different. And so, you can’t just go and translate. And we’ve tried versions and the fact is, is that we just haven’t gotten there.” As of now, Chu says he hard at work on the Broadway adaptation of the movie and novel; he considers this to be the sequel as of now. “To me, that sequel right now is that the Broadway musical that we’re working on. That’s very exciting and very fun.” The first Crazy Rich Asians released in 2018, and was based on the 2013 novel of the same name by Kevin Kwan. The film featured an absolute all-star cast, including Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Gemma Chan, Lisa Lu, Awkwafina, Ken Jeong, and Michelle Yeoh. (Source: ) Anthony Nash has been writing about games and the gaming industry for nearly a decade. When he’s not writing about games, he’s usually playing them. You can find him on Twitter talking about games or sports at @_anthonynash. Share article
Creative Global Technology Holdings Ltd Prices 1.25M Share IPO at $4/shCALGARY, Alberta, Nov. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Carbeeza Inc. (" Carbeeza " or the " Company ") (TSXV:AUTO) (OTCQB: CRBAF) announces that Maria Nathanail and Evan Baptie have resigned as directors of the Company, effective November 22, 2024. "Maria and Evan have provided sound advice with respect to corporate governance and on behalf of the Board Directors we all wish to thank them for their service in this regard," said Sandro Torrieri, CEO. The Company continues to meet all independent director requirements and is currently actively seeking new directors to fill these recent vacancies. Carbeeza Inc. Carbeeza is a Canadian-based software company whose platform is targeted to the automotive marketplace. It is the first application to harness the power of Artificial Intelligence to accurately predict the best financing scenario for consumers, all while keeping the consumer anonymous. Using state-of-the-art technology, Carbeeza brings the process of buying a car right to the phone, tailor-made for the consumer. Carbeeza is highly beneficial to both consumers and auto dealers. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF CARBEEZA INC. Sandro Torrieri, Chief Executive Officer Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. For further information please contact: Sandro Torrieri, Chief Executive Officer Email: [email protected] Telephone: 1-855-216-8802 Website: www.carbeeza.com
Traveling this holiday season? 10 things the TSA wants you to knowTHIS is the shocking moment a toddler walked out of his cell in Syria’s infamous Saydnaya military prison, a site dubbed the "industrial torture chamber" of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. The boy's confusion was met with cries of "Allahu Akbar" — "God is greatest" — as jubilant rebel fighters stormed the facility near Damascus, unlocking doors and freeing hundreds of female inmates. 7 A little boy is seen leaving his cell in Syria’s infamous Saydnaya military prison Credit: X @realMaalouf 7 Rebels stormed the facility near Damascus and freed numerous female inmates Credit: X @realMaalouf Saydnaya prison, notorious for its systemic torture and mass executions, symbolised the Assad regime's brutal reign. Amnesty International reports estimated that between 5,000 and 13,000 prisoners were hanged there since 2011. Inmates endured years of dehumanising conditions, with women and children often imprisoned alongside political detainees in a calculated campaign of fear. Footage shared on social media captured the heart-rending scene. READ MORE ON SYRIA HUNT FOR TYRANT Assad in Russia after rumours swirled over missing Syrian president SNATCH & GRAB Syrian rebels loot banks & ransack Assad's millions after toppling tyrant Women wept with joy and children clung to newly freed relatives as rebels cut through padlocks and swung open cell doors. The toddler, hesitating at the threshold of his cell, became an emblem of innocence in a place synonymous with horror. Rebel fighters ushered survivors into waiting buses, which transported them to safety and reunion with loved ones. “We celebrate with the Syrian people the news of freeing our prisoners,” a rebel spokesperson declared. Most read in The Sun CITY CENTRE DRAMA Police lock down busy street in major Scots city after person hit by bus ACE 'ATTACKED' Hearts star 'HEADBUTTED in shock pub attack' as man accused of assault PILL PLOT Scots mum pocketed 25k pills & flogged them on side at chemist where she worked HUNT FOR TYRANT Mystery over Assad & wife's whereabouts as plane VANISHES off radar “This marks the end of the era of injustice in Saydnaya prison.” Head of Hafez al-Assad Statue Dragged Through Streets of Hama after Syrian rebel takeover The prison's liberation comes amid a cascade of events that are toppling Assad's 24-year rule. After seizing Damascus in a swift and decisive offensive, rebel forces declared victory and announced that the city was "free of Assad." The dictator fled the capital on Sunday, reportedly aboard a plane that disappeared from radars. It is understood he has sought refuge in Moscow and is currently under Russian protection. The collapse of Assad's regime ignited celebrations across Syria. In the capital, thousands poured into the streets, waving rebel flags and lighting flares. Statues of Assad and his late father, Hafez, were toppled in symbolic acts of defiance. At Assad’s presidential palace, rebels filmed themselves looting valuables, including luxury vehicles and designer goods. While Damascus rejoiced, chaos unfolded in the wake of the regime's collapse. 7 Syrian opposition fighters celebrate after the Syrian government collapsed in Damascus, Syria, on Sunday Credit: AP 7 Islamist-led Syrian rebel fighters shoot in the air in the early hours of Sunday after taking over the central city of Homs overnight Credit: AFP 7 Rebels stormed embassies, including those of Iran and Italy, looting property and forcing evacuations. Assad loyalists who had not fled were paraded through the streets under armed guard. The broader conflict, however, remains complex. While the fall of Assad is celebrated, Syria is still fractured. Rebel leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani, a controversial figure, has vowed inclusivity, stating that “Syria is for everyone, no exceptions.” Yet, tensions persist among various factions, with Turkish-backed forces clashing with Kurdish groups in the north, and ISIS maintaining a foothold in remote areas. The rebels face the monumental task of rebuilding a nation shattered by 13 years of war. An estimated half a million Syrians have died, and millions more have been displaced. Rebel leaders have pledged to establish a transitional government and rebuild the country on principles of democracy and pluralism. International reactions to Assad's fall are mixed. Read more on the Scottish Sun 'vicious circle' I live in Scotland's benefits hotspot -I've only worked 4 years of my life SPLIT THE PACK I'm one of the best ever snooker stars but I wouldn't be if I was born later Israel has conducted airstrikes on suspected chemical weapon sites in Syria, and Russian military bases in the country are on high alert. Meanwhile, US President-elect Donald Trump has also stated that America should remain uninvolved in the uprising. 7 Rebel forces have made a swift offensive through Syria in the past few days Credit: Reuters 7 Tyrant Bashar al-Assad has meanwhile fled to Moscow and is currently under Russian protection Credit: EPAKylan Boswell added 13 points, Tomislav Ivisic had 11 and Morez Johnson Jr. finished with 10 points and 13 rebounds for the Illini (4-1), who shot 25% (10 for 40) from 3-point range but committed just nine turnovers. Tre White grabbed 11 rebounds and Kasparas Jakucionis seven for Illinois, which outrebounded the Hawks 59-38. Jalen Ware scored 10 points and Christopher Flippin had 10 rebounds for Maryland Eastern Shore (2-6), which had its lowest point total of the season. The team's previous low came in 102-63 loss to Vanderbilt on Nov. 4. Illinois is unbeaten in four home games. Maryland Eastern Shore is winless in six road games. Illinois: Coming off a 100-87 loss Wednesday to No. 8 Alabama, the Illini had no trouble dominating the overmatched Hawks. They led 35-15 at halftime and extended the lead to as many as 52 points in the second half. Maryland Eastern Shore: The Hawks couldn’t match Illinois’ height and depth and were slowed by 15 turnovers. After struggling at the start of the game, the Illini went on a 17-0 run over a seven-minute stretch to move in front 25-8 with 5:15 to go in the first half. Maryland Eastern Shore struggled from the field, shooting 22% (15 for 68), including 5 for 20 on 3-pointers. Illinois hosts Little Rock on Monday. Maryland Eastern Shore plays at No. 20 Arkansas on Monday. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball
Get Reliable Hybrid Inverters and Explore the Best Solar Products for Sale at Huijue SolarStrictly Come Dancing contestant Montell Douglas made it through the dreaded dance-off for the second time. The 38-year-old athlete received 35 points for her Salsa with Johannes Radebe to Don't Leave Me This Way by Thelma Houston, bagging fourth place on the leader board. But the couple failed to win enough votes from Strictly viewers to avoid the bottom two, forcing them to dance again to progress through to this week. Montell made history two years ago as the first British woman to compete in both the Summer and Winter Olympics. She raced in the 100m sprint and 4x100m relay in Beijing in 2008, setting a British record of 11.05 seconds in the former, before competing in bobsleigh in the 2022 Winter Games, also in Beijing. Image: PA) PA) The star, who played Fire in the BBC's reboot of Gladiators, is now wowing viewers with... (Image: BBC)TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are determined to not get ahead of themselves. Sunday’s 30-7 rout of the New York Giants began a six-game, regular season-ending stretch in which the Bucs (5-6) will face five opponents that currently have losing records. The victory coming out of the team’s bye week stopped a four-game skid and moved the three-time defending NFC South champions within one game of first-place Atlanta in the division. The Falcons swept the season series, so the Bucs essentially trail the Falcons by two games with six remaining. They’re in a good position to chase their fifth consecutive playoff berth, but can hardly assume they’ll benefit from having an easy remaining schedule. “We’re hoping it builds confidence. We have belief that we’re still sitting and controlling our own destiny,” quarterback Baker Mayfield said of beating the Giants. “But it’s not just going to happen,” Mayfield added. “So, we have to take it one week at a time. And you find the recipe for success within your work week. ... You try to emulate that week after week and continue to build it.” The Los Angeles Chargers, who entered Monday night’s game against Baltimore at 7-3, are the only opponent remaining on Tampa Bay’s schedule that currently has a winning record. The Bucs will face division rival Carolina (3-8) twice in the next six weeks. They’ll also host Las Vegas (2-9) and New Orleans (4-7) and play the Chargers and Dallas Cowboys (4-7) on the road. “We can’t get comfortable,” rookie running back Bucky Irving said. “We just got to keep our foot on the gas and keep running.” The offense continues to put up big numbers, finishing with 450 yards against the Giants. It’s the fifth time Tampa Bay has gained more than 400 yards this season. The Bucs have now scored 30-plus points six times, second in the NFL behind Buffalo’s eight. There wasn’t a lot to fault in the team’s performance against the Giants, although coach Todd Bowles said both the offense and defense could have been done a better job closing out the game late. “For the most part we executed on both sides of the football,” Bowles said. “Still like to have finished the game a little better, but they came back (from the bye week) mentally tougher, and they came ready to play.” Irving averaged more than 7 yards per carry in rushing for 87 yards on 12 attempts. He also had six receptions for 64 yards, finishing with a season-high 151 yards from scrimmage. Just when it looked as if the defense was beginning to trend the right way health-wise, the Bucs lost safety Jordan Whitehead (pectoral) and linebacker Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (ankle) to injuries on Sunday. Bowles said Monday he was still awaiting an update on the severity of Whitehead’s injury. Tryon-Shoyinka has an ankle sprain. LT Tristan Wirfs (knee) sat out against the Giants and his status will be evaluated as the week progresses. 11. With wide receiver Mike Evans back on the field after missing three games with a hamstring injury, Mayfield completed passes to 11 different players, tying a team record. “He obviously changed the game, even when he's not getting the ball,” Mayfield said. “It's huge that we have him in.” At Carolina, the second of three consecutive games vs. last-place teams the Bucs will face during their stretch run. They’ll also host the Panthers on Dec. 29. “It’s an NFC South battle, and all of them are going to be hard. None of them are going to be easy,” Bowles said. “I think (coach) Dave (Canales) has done an excellent job taking on that team and it’s taking over his personality right now,” Bowles added. “They’re playing pretty good football. ... It’s going to be a tough battle.” AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Q: I recently heard someone talking about a crested cactus and am intrigued. What are they, and how do you look after them? A: These unusual specimens are a great addition to any indoor cactus collection. The term doesn’t refer to a specific variety, but rather a mutation (or type of damage to the growth points) that can occur to many varieties of cacti and succulents, explains Justin Hancock of Costa Farms. Kiersten Rankel , an expert from plant-care app Greg, says this mutation is called ‘fasciation’, and causes the plant's growing tip to fan out, creating a wavy, fan-like shape instead of the usual cylindrical or rounded growth. ‘Because it’s a difference in growth habit, most crested cacti don’t require different or specialized conditions than the species they came from,’ Justin says. But if you need some general guidelines, the tips below will help. Provide the right growing environment A potted Myrtillocactus geometrizans cristata In general, provide bright light (the more light, the better), and average household relative humidity levels, advises Justin. ‘They prefer a stable temperature of 65-85°F, and should be kept safe from freezing temperatures,’ Kiersten adds. ‘A sunny windowsill is ideal.’ This highly-rated Bluetooth thermometer and humidity monitor from Govee at Amazon will help you keep the surroundings optimal. Add to your collection with this striking six-inch plant, shipped as a bare root from small business Succulent Addiction. Other crested varieties are available, too. Justin Hancock is a Costa Farms horticulturist with over 25 years in the industry. A plant enthusiast and educator, he has a degree in horticultural science and has worked in garden centers and botanical gardens, as a garden designer, and in garden publishing (including at Better Homes and Gardens ). He has experience gardening across the country, from Minnesota to Oregon to Miami. Justin is also co-host of the Costa Farms podcast Plant Rx . Kiersten Rankel is a certified Louisiana Master Naturalist and regularly volunteers with local community gardens and nonprofits to help restore critical ecosystems along the Gulf Coast. She earned her master's degree from Tulane University in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology after her undergraduate degree in Environmental Biology, also from Tulane. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking and tending to her 150+ houseplants and vegetable garden. Avoid overwatering A closer look at the Mammilaria cristata cactus Knowing how to water a cactus is key if you want these plants to thrive. ‘Cacti tend to be low-water plants, depending on the species, so you may want to water once every 10 to 20 days or so, depending on your conditions,’ says Justin. 'In brighter spots and if you fertilize, your plant will grow a little faster and want a bit more water than the same plant would if it were in lower light levels and not fertilized.' He recommends inserting a wooden toothpick into a drainage hole of the pot, which will help monitor moisture levels. ‘Leave it there for a few seconds then slowly pull it out. If it’s clean, then your cactus is probably a little dry and could benefit from watering. If there’s enough moisture in the soil that bits of soil adhere to the toothpick, then it’s probably moist enough.’ Repot when rootbound Generally, crested cacti won't need regular repotting It’s generally a good idea to repot houseplants when they become rootbound. ‘Because cacti tend to have relatively small root systems, you may find it takes several years for the cactus to need repotting,’ says Justin. When repotting your cactus , Justin suggests gently wrapping it in a towel or wearing thick leather gloves to protect your hands from the spines. Transfer it to a larger pot (‘it’s best to go one pot size up, so if your cactus is in a two-inch-diameter pot, go to a three-inch-diameter pot’), filled with a potting mix suitable for succulents and cacti. ‘The best time to repot is in spring, at the start of the growing season,’ adds Kiersten. ‘Allow the plant to acclimate for a few days before watering again.’ ‘There don’t tend to be too many challenges specific to growing crested cacti varieties indoors – they’re generally the same challenges as other indoor cacti,’ says Justin. ‘Watch for pests – particularly mealybugs (which can appear like small, white, cottony bits on the plant), which can be treated with an insecticidal soap or insecticide.’ Overwatering is a common concern for indoor cacti, he adds, as is too little light. According to Justin, many different cacti and succulents have crested forms. These include Cereus spegazzinii f. cristata , Echeveria pulvinata f. cristata , Euphorbia lactea f. cristata , Myrtillocactus geometrizans f. cristata , and Pachycereus marginatus f. cristata. One common example is the brain cactus, Mammillaria elongata f. cristata , Justin adds. It grows in a unique shape often compared to a human brain, he says, but the regular form ( Mammillaria elongata ) looks more traditional, with finger-like growth. Looking for more advice on indoor cacti? Our guide on how to grow cacti from cuttings will help you expand your collection for free.
