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Trending News Today Live Updates on December 24, 2024 : Chicago Pizzeria delights dogs with walk-up 'Treat window' decorated for ChristmasBy LISA MASCARO and ALANNA DURKIN RICHER WASHINGTON (AP) — The House Ethics Committee’s long-awaited report on Matt Gaetz documents a trove of salacious allegations , including sex with an underage girl, that tanked the Florida Republican’s bid to lead the Justice Department . Related Articles National Politics | An analyst looks ahead to how the US economy might fare under Trump National Politics | Trump again calls to buy Greenland after eyeing Canada and the Panama Canal National Politics | House Ethics Committee accuses Gaetz of ‘regularly’ paying for sex, including with 17-year-old girl National Politics | Trump wants mass deportations. For the agents removing immigrants, it’s a painstaking process National Politics | Many Americans have come to rely on Chinese-made drones. Now lawmakers want to ban them Citing text messages, travel receipts, online payments and testimony, the bipartisan committee paints a picture of a lifestyle in which Gaetz and others connected with younger women for drug-fueled parties, events or trips, with the expectation the women would be paid for their participation. The former congressman, who filed a last-minute lawsuit to try to block the report’s release on Monday, slammed the committee’s findings. Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing and has insisted he never had sex with a minor. And a Justice Department investigation into the allegations ended without any criminal charges filed against him. “Giving funds to someone you are dating — that they didn’t ask for — and that isn’t ‘charged’ for sex is now prostitution?!?” Gaetz wrote in one post on Monday. “There is a reason they did this to me in a Christmas Eve-Eve report and not in a courtroom of any kind where I could present evidence and challenge witnesses.” Here’s a look at some of the committee’s key findings: The committee found that between 2017 and 2020, Gaetz paid tens of thousands of dollars to women “likely in connection with sexual activity and/or drug use.” He paid the women using through online services such as PayPal, Venmo, and CashApp and with cash or check, the committee said. The committee said it found evidence that Gaetz understood the “transactional nature” of his relationships with the women. The report points to one text exchange in which Gaetz balked at a woman’s request that he send her money, “claiming she only gave him a ‘drive by.’” Women interviewed by the committee said there was a “general expectation of sex,” the report said. One woman who received more than $5,000 from Gaetz between 2018 and 2019 said that “99 percent of the time” that when she hung out with Gaetz “there was sex involved.” However, Gaetz was in a long-term relationship with one of the women he paid, so “some of the payments may have been of a legitimate nature,” the committee said. Text messages obtained by the committee also show that Gaetz would ask the women to bring drugs to their “rendezvous,” the report said. While most of his encounters with the women were in Florida, the committee said Gaetz also traveled “on several occasions” with women whom he paid for sex. The report includes text message exchanges in which Gaetz appears to be inviting various women to events, getaways or parties, and arranging airplane travel and lodging. Gaetz associate Joel Greenberg, who pleaded guilty to sex trafficking charges in 2021, initially connected with women through an online service. In one text with a 20-year-old woman, Greenberg suggested if she has a friend, the four of them could meet up. The woman responded that she usually does “$400 per meet.” Greenberg replied: “He understands the deal,” along with a smiley face emoji. Greenberg asks if they are old enough to drink alcohol, and sent the woman a picture of Gaetz. The woman responded that her friend found him “really cute.” “Well, he’s down here for only for the day, we work hard and play hard,” Greenberg replied. The report details a party in July 2017 in which Gaetz is accused of having sex with “multiple women, including the 17-year-old, for which they were paid.” The committee pointed to “credible testimony” from the now-woman herself as well as “multiple individuals” who corroborated the allegation. The then-17-year-old — who had just completed her junior year in high school — told the committee that Gaetz paid her $400 in cash that night, “which she understood to be payment for sex,” according to the report. The woman acknowledged that she had taken ecstasy the night of the party, but told the committee that she was “certain” of her sexual encounters with the then-congressman. There’s no evidence that Gaetz knew she was a minor when he had sex with her, the committee said. The woman told the committee she didn’t tell Gaetz she was under 18 at the time and that he didn’t how old she was. Rather, the committee said Gaetz learned she was a minor more than a month after the party. But he stayed in touch with her after that and met up with her for “commercial sex” again less than six months after she turned 18, according to the committee. In sum, the committee said it authorized 29 subpoenas for documents and testimony, reviewed nearly 14,000 documents and contacted more than two dozen witnesses. But when the committee subpoenaed Gaetz for his testimony, he failed to comply. “Gaetz pointed to evidence that would ‘exonerate’ him yet failed to produce any such materials,” the committee said. Gaetz “continuously sought to deflect, deter, or mislead the Committee in order to prevent his actions from being exposed.” The report details a months-long process that dragged into a year as it sought information from Gaetz that he decried as “nosey” and a “weaponization” of government against him. In one notable exchange, investigators were seeking information about the expenses for a 2018 get-away with multiple women to the Bahamas. Gaetz ultimately offered up his plane ticket receipt “to” the destination, but declined to share his return “from” the Bahamas. The report said his return on a private plane and other expenses paid by an associate were in violation of House gift rules. In another Gaetz told the committee he would “welcome” the opportunity to respond to written questions. Yet, after it sent a list of 16 questions, Gaetz said publicly he would “no longer” voluntarily cooperate. He called the investigation “frivolous,” adding: “Every investigation into me ends the same way: my exoneration.” The report said that while Gaetz’s obstruction of the investigation does not rise to a criminal violation it is inconsistent with the requirement that all members of Congress “act in a manner that reflects creditably upon the House.” The committee began its review of Gaetz in April 2021 and deferred its work in response to a Justice Department request. It renewed its work shortly after Gaetz announced that the Justice Department had ended a sex trafficking investigation without filing any charges against him. The committee sought records from the Justice Department about the probe, but the agency refused, saying it doesn’t disclose information about investigations that don’t result in charges. The committee then subpoenaed the Justice Department, but after a back-and-forth between officials and the committee, the department handed over “publicly reported information about the testimony of a deceased individual,” according to the report. “To date, DOJ has provided no meaningful evidence or information to the Committee or cited any lawful basis for its responses,” the committee said. Many of the women who the committee spoke to had already given statements to the Justice Department and didn’t want to “relive their experience,” the committee said. “They were particularly concerned with providing additional testimony about a sitting congressman in light of DOJ’s lack of action on their prior testimony,” the report said. The Justice Department, however, never handed over the women’s statements. The agency’s lack of cooperation — along with its request that the committee pause its investigation — significantly delayed the committee’s probe, lawmakers said.(BPT) - Tech gifts are consistently some of the most popular presents to give and receive during the holidays. In fact, according to the annual Consumer Technology Holiday Purchase Patterns report , a record 233 million U.S. adults (89%) will buy tech products during the 2024 holiday season. But with so many devices out there, it can be hard to decide on the perfect option for the loved one on your list. A tablet like the new Fire HD 8 from Amazon offers the versatility of an all-in-one device, with access to streaming, gaming, video chatting, reading or writing all at your fingertips. Fire HD 8 also features a vibrant 8-inch HD display and lightweight, portable design, for high-quality entertainment on the go. Plus, Fire HD 8 comes with three new AI features that can help you get the most out of your tablet experience. Check them out below and learn how they can help you with daily tasks this holiday season and beyond. 1. Meet your personal writing assistant Do you struggle with writing a heartfelt message or finessing a tricky email? Fear not! Writing Assist is here to help. Writing Assist works as part of your Fire tablet's device keyboard and compatible apps, including email, Word documents and social media. In just a few taps, you can transform your writing from good to great. Try Writing Assist's pre-set styles to turn a simple email into a professionally written note. Or, you can ask Writing Assist for grammar suggestions to make your writing more concise, or elaborate on your ideas. You can even "emojify" your writing to add more fun and personality. 2. Learn more in less time Say goodbye to scrolling through pages of information. The new Webpage Summaries feature allows you to learn pertinent information as quickly as possible. Available on the Silk browser on Fire tablets, Webpage Summaries provides quick insights on web articles. In a matter of seconds, this feature will distill the key points in an article or on a webpage into a clear, concise summary of what you need to know. 3. Get creative with your device wallpaper With Wallpaper Creator, you can easily add a touch of creative flair and customization to your tablet's home screen. You can choose from one of the curated prompts to get started on creating a unique background. Or, if you're ready to let your imagination run wild, type a description of what you'd like to see. For example, you can ask for an image of a tiger swimming underwater or a watercolor-style image of a desert landscape in space. Wallpaper Creator will then turn your vision into a reality, delivering a high-resolution image that you can use as your tablet's wallpaper. Celebrate an AI-powered holiday season Writing Assist, Webpage Summaries, and Wallpaper Creator are now available on Amazon's new Fire HD 8 and other compatible Fire tablet devices, including the latest Fire HD 10 and Fire Max 11 tablets. To learn more, or to order a new Fire tablet this gift-giving season, visit Amazon.com .
Tiang, flanked by Lau (front, second left) and Wong, joins (front, from left) William, Yiing, Ting, Kiew and others in a group photo. SIBU (Dec 30): Kevin Lau hopes all youth members of Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) would emulate the good principles and practices upheld by the party’s leaders. The SUPP Youth Central chairman and SUPP Bawang Assan chief says the leaders have never stopped serving the community in the wake of challenges. “I was first involved in politics and the election more than 10 years ago, during the general election of 2013. “At that time, I was fortunate to meet many leaders in SUPP and personally witnessed how they, despite facing many difficulties, never stopped serving the community. “We may not be at the frontline but we will continue on assisting our party leaders to carry on many good things for the party, and also for Sarawak,” he said at SUPP Youth Dudong’s 10th anniversary celebration at a restaurant here yesterday. Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Michael Tiang represented SUPP president, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, at the function. Meanwhile, SUPP Youth Dudong chairman Councillor Yiing Sy Huat, in his remarks, described yesterday’s event as not only a tribute to the branch’s achievements over the past 10 years, but also as ‘a prelude to a new chapter’. “Youths are the hope of society, and unity is our greatest strength. Let us march forward together toward a brighter future, contributing to the prosperity and development of the Dudong community, and Sarawak as a whole.” In his opening remarks, organising chairman Dexter Kiew expressed hope for every member of the branch’s Youth wing to actively engage in social activities, attend to community needs, and become a driving force for change. Among those present were SUPP Dudong chairman Wong Ching Yong and advisor Datuk Dr Soon Choon Teck, SUPP Pelawan chairman and Sibu Municipal Council SMC chairman, Clarence Ting, and a political secretary to the Sarawak Premier, William Anut.
In Ancient Greece, northern tribes often journeyed to the Oracle of Dodona, a sacred sanctuary where priests and priestesses interpreted the rustling of oak leaves, the behavior of birds, and sounds from bronze cauldrons as messages from the god Zeus. The oracle stood as a beacon of accuracy and wisdom, attracting those seeking guidance – from contemplating rulers and generals to ordinary travelers hoping to understand their fate. Today, the art of prediction is still practiced, although it has evolved. Modern militaries churn through massive amounts of satellite information and real-world data with human analysts and AI. Entire battles can be simulated by computer. Companies use predictive models to forecast demand... weather forecasters use simulations to determine the chance of rain... ...and savvy investors often use these same tools to figure out what comes next in the market. Investors like Tom Yeung, who joins me once a week here at Smart Money to keep you updated about markets, investing, and everything in between. Tom’s market analysis is remarkable. He’s essentially practicing a modern form of auspicy, or the ancient art of divining future events. He has done this most recently by analyzing President-Elect Donald Trump’s current actions and their future effects on the stock market’s potential trajectory. While he’s no divine profit, Tom has a unique approach to predicting market signals, using social media and political developments as his bronze cauldrons and rustling leaves. In today’s Smart Money , I want to share some of Tom’s recent auspicious insights... including why the key to investing in politically sensitive stocks over the next four years will be understanding that Trump needs to be taken seriously, but not literally. Here’s what he has to say... From the Smart Money “Oracle” In November 2016, Google search terms for “move to Canada” spiked 20-fold. Who could blame the millions of worried Americans? The incoming president was a polarizing figure that had campaigned on issues like repealing the Affordable Care Act, eliminating gun-free zones at schools, ending birthright citizenship, and so on. Half the country was terrified. But what came next over the following four years was the same type of prioritization that every American president faces in office. Many campaign promises were kept, while others were watered down or abandoned entirely. It turned out that many of Donald Trump’s promises were about outlining his world views, rather than specific blueprints to implement. A promise to cut the corporate tax rate to 15% was only partially fulfilled. So were goals of raising GDP growth to 4%, saving the coal industry, and so on. Wilder ambitions of “eliminating wasteful spending in every department” went nowhere. Fast-forward to today, and this explains why the betting market’s calling Trump’s “bluff” on imposing 20% across-the-board tariffs. Polymarket, a betting site that correctly predicted Trump’s recent election victory, gives a 38% chance of large tariffs being implemented in his first six months and only a 29% chance he will follow through with a recent threat to impose 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada. Instead, people seem to believe Trump is threatening tariffs as a negotiating tool. Countries like China will see some increase in tariffs, especially if their leaders fail to offer something in return. But many other regions will see room to negotiate lower tariffs (or none at all) in exchange for something else. It’s more than likely that Trump will come to an agreement with Canada to keep the oil and gas taps open. So, we see no reason to panic-sell commodity-producing stocks that export to the United States. Now,the picture is a little more muddled with healthcare stocks . Trump’s selection of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the next head of Department of Health and Human Services ( HHS ) injects enormous uncertainty into the industry. While his well-known vaccine skepticism raises concerns for vaccine manufacturers like Pfizer Inc. ( PFE ) , there are healthcare stocks that remain on the “right” side of Trump’s mandate. ( You can learn more about Eric’s healthcare stock recommendations at Fry’s Investment Report .) In fact, many of Trump’s goals for his second presidency will be good for pharma companies with strong pipelines. This includes repealing the Medicare negotiation provision of the Inflation Reduction Act, reducing Federal Trade Commission oversight of mergers and acquisitions among corporations, lowering corporate taxes, and more. Our investment strategy continues to focus on identifying stocks with attractive valuations, while managing potential political volatility. A New Stock Prediction Tool So, just like the Oracle of Dodona, Tom too makes stock market predictions by interpreting signs from the natural world (in this case, Trump’s current actions). However, he isn’t the only auspice here at InvestorPlace . In fact, my colleague Luke Lango has a new quant system that does the same thing. His new tool – called Auspex – scans over 10,000 stocks to find the ones that meet his strict criteria for fundamental, technical, and sentiment strength. It then divines the immediate future of each stock to tell you which ones are the best over the best month. And the Auspex screener can get you in front of big winners roughly every 30 days. Over a 5-year period from September 2019 to September 2024, Luke’s historical analysis shows the Auspex portfolio, rebalanced monthly, would have returned 1,0534% The S&P 500 only put up 109% over the same 5-year period. So, we’re talking about an outperformance of the market by 9X. And it has beaten the market every single month since Luke started live testing it in July with a small group of his subscribers. It requires just about 10 minutes of work a month, and exposure to only 10 or so equities at a time. On Wednesday, December 11, at 1 p.m. Eastern time , he’ll reveal this new screener to a wider audience during his free The Auspex Anomaly Event next Wednesday. Luke will also reveal the name and ticker symbol of a stock he used Auspex to uncover during this free broadcast. It’s an event that you won’t want to miss. So, be sure to click here to reserve your spot . Regards, Eric FryNYT ‘Connections’ Hints And Answers For Sunday, December 8 (#546)
Roblox ( RBLX 0.63% ) has emerged as a compelling stock market comeback story. After a period of sluggish performance, the gaming platform's growth has reaccelerated, achieving a record number of worldwide users. Still, even with the stock trading at a 52-week high at the time of this writing, shares remain 60% below their November 2021 peak. The good news is that there are plenty of reasons to expect the rally to continue into 2025 and beyond. Here's why. A fantastic growth stock More than simply a video game , Roblox combines social interaction with user-created content and community development. The company features a unique business model that generates revenue through the "Robux" virtual currency, a marketplace for digital items, subscriptions, and even advertisements. Its ability to keep users engaged and spending regularly within the ecosystem is the growth driver. The latest operating results have been impressive. In the third quarter, Roblox hit multiple operating records, starting with its daily active users (DAUs), which climbed by 27% year over year 88.9 million, its highest growth rate since 2021. Similarly, bookings -- an important measure of how much money users are spending on the platform -- increased by 34%, well above the 20% growth rate in Q3 2023. Metric Q4 2022 Q3 2023 Q3 2024 DAUs (in millions) 58.8 70.2 88.9 DAUs growth (YOY) 24% 20% 27% Bookings (in millions) $702 $840 $1,129 Bookings growth (YOY) 10% 20% 34% Source: Roblox. YOY = Year over year On average, users are spending more hours and more money on the platform than ever before. One driver of those trends has been the expanded availability of Roblox on console platforms, including its launch on the Sony PlayStation system late last year. As revenue reached $919 million, up 29% from last year, the momentum has translated into an improving financial position. While Roblox is still not profitable, its free cash flow has turned positive, and there are expectations for narrowing losses as the company works to control costs. Management is projecting confidence, hiking its revenue growth guidance and its target for adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization ( EBITDA ). The takeaway is that Roblox is entering 2025 on a strong note. Metric 2023 2024 (Estimate) Revenue (in billions) $2.799 $3.549 to $3.574 Revenue growth (YOY) 26% 27% to 28% Adjusted EBITDA (in millions) ($171) $125 to $145 Source: Roblox. YOY = Year over year. A catalyst into 2025 Beyond the headline numbers, there's a lot to like about Roblox as a potential investment. With nearly 40% of its users under the age of 13, the company enjoys distinct exposure to members of Gen Z , who are highly active online media consumers. The opportunity for Roblox is to retain this cohort of users as they grow up with an evolving number of experiences within the platform. The upside for the stock is that the trends may still be in the early stages of a global expansion. An important development for the company was its recent announcement that users can receive 25% more Robux by purchasing virtual currency directly from the Roblox website or gift cards. This offer incentivizes gamers to skip third-party app stores run by companies like Apple and Alphabet that take fees on such sales. Depending on the program's success, the initiative could boost Roblox's top-line growth and financial margins over the next several quarters as a catalyst for shares to rally higher. Final thoughts Ultimately, 2025 will be a critical year for Roblox in its efforts to reach sustainable profitability. I'm bullish, and see a good chance its stock price will be higher by this time next year. That said, with the company still operating at a loss and shares trading at a price-to-sales ratio of 8, Roblox will likely remain volatile and sensitive to changing growth expectations. For investors convinced of a bright future for digital entertainment, Roblox is well-positioned to deliver strong shareholder returns over the long run.SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea's embattled President Yoon Suk Yeol avoided an opposition-led attempt to impeach him over his short-lived imposition of martial law , as most ruling party lawmakers boycotted a parliamentary vote Saturday to deny a two-thirds majority needed to suspend his presidential powers. The scrapping of the motion is expected to intensify protests calling for Yoon’s ouster and deepen political chaos in South Korea, with a survey suggesting a majority of South Koreans support the president’s impeachment. Yoon’s martial law declaration drew criticism from his own ruling conservative People Power Party, but the party is also determined to oppose Yoon’s impeachment apparently because it fears losing the presidency to liberals. After the motion fell through, members of the main liberal opposition Democratic Party rallied inside the National Assembly, chanting slogans calling for Yoon's impeachment or resignation. The party's floor leader, Park Chan-dae, said it will soon prepare for a new impeachment motion. Opposition parties could submit a new impeachment motion after a new parliamentary session opens next Wednesday. “We'll surely impeach Yoon Suk Yeol, who is the greatest risk to Republic of Korea,” party leader Lee Jae-myung said. “We'll surely bring back this country to normal before Christmas Day or year's end.” Many experts worry Yoon won’t be able to serve out his remaining 2 1/2 years in office. They say some PPP lawmakers could eventually join opposition parties’ efforts to impeach Yoon if public demands for it grow further. The ruling party risks "further public outrage and national confusion if they don’t find a formula fast for Yoon’s departure,” said Duyeon Kim, a senior analyst at the Center for a New American Security in Washington. PPP chair Han Dong-hun said his party will seek Yoon’s “orderly” early exit but didn’t say when he can resign. Protests against Yoon are swelling On Saturday, tens of thousands of people packed several blocks of roads leading to the National Assembly, waving banners, shouting slogans and dancing. Protesters also gathered in front of PPP’s headquarters near the Assembly, shouting for its lawmakers to vote to impeach Yoon. A smaller crowd of Yoon’s supporters, which still seemed to be in the thousands, rallied elsewhere in Seoul, calling the impeachment attempt unconstitutional. Impeaching Yoon required support from 200 of the National Assembly's 300 members. The Democratic Party and five other small opposition parties, which filed the motion, have 192 seats combined. But only three lawmakers from PPP participated in the vote. The motion was scrapped without ballot counting because the number of votes didn’t reach 200. National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik called the result “very regrettable” and an embarrassing moment for the country’s democracy. If Yoon is impeached, his powers will be suspended until the Constitutional Court decides whether to remove him from office. If he is removed, an election to replace him must take place within 60 days. The president apologizes for turmoil Earlier Saturday, Yoon issued an apology over the martial law decree, saying he won’t shirk legal or political responsibility for the declaration and promising not to make another attempt to impose it. He said would leave it to his party to chart a course through the country’s political turmoil, “including matters related to my term in office.” “The declaration of this martial law was made out of my desperation. But in the course of its implementation, it caused anxiety and inconveniences to the public. I feel very sorry over that and truly apologize to the people who must have been shocked a lot,” Yoon said. Since taking office in 2022, Yoon has struggled to push his agenda through an opposition-controlled parliament and grappled with low approval ratings amid scandals involving himself and his wife. In his martial law announcement on Tuesday night, Yoon called parliament a “den of criminals” bogging down state affairs and vowed to eliminate “shameless North Korea followers and anti-state forces.” The declaration of martial law was the first of its kind in more than 40 years in South Korea. The turmoil has paralyzed South Korean politics and sparked alarm among key diplomatic partners like the U.S. and Japan. “Yoon’s credibility overseas has been undermined by declaring martial law, so he won’t be able to exercise leadership in his foreign policies especially when his days are numbered,” Kim, the analyst, said. “Its government bureaucracy will need to continue business as usual for existing alliance and foreign policy initiatives as best it can because there is a lot of important work to do globally.” Tuesday night saw special forces troops encircling the parliament building and army helicopters hovering over it, but the military withdrew after the National Assembly unanimously voted to overturn the decree, forcing Yoon to lift it before daybreak Wednesday. Eighteen lawmakers from the ruling party voted to reject Yoon’s martial law decree along with opposition lawmakers. PPP later decided to oppose Yoon's impeachment motion. Yoon’s speech fueled speculation that he and his party may push for a constitutional amendment to shorten his term, instead of accepting impeachment, as a way to ease public anger over the marital law and facilitate Yoon’s early exit from office. Lee told reporters that Yoon’s speech was “greatly disappointing” and that the only way forward is his immediate resignation or impeachment. His party called Yoon’s martial law “unconstitutional, illegal rebellion or coup.” Lawmakers on Saturday first voted on a bill appointing a special prosecutor to investigate stock price manipulation allegations surrounding Yoon’s wife. Yoon accused of ordering arrests of politicians On Friday, Han, who criticized Yoon’s martial law declaration, said he had received intelligence that during the brief period of martial law Yoon ordered the country’s defense counterintelligence commander to arrest unspecified key politicians based on accusations of “anti-state activities.” Hong Jang-won, first deputy director of South Korea’s spy agency, told lawmakers Friday that Yoon had ordered him to help the defense counterintelligence unit to detain key politicians including Han, Lee and Woo. The Defense Ministry said Friday it suspended three military commanders including the head of the defense counterintelligence unit over their involvement in enforcing martial law. Vice Defense Minister Kim Seon Ho has told parliament that Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun ordered the deployment of troops to the National Assembly. Opposition parties accused Kim of recommending to Yoon to enforce martial law. Kim Yong Hyun resigned Thursday, and prosecutors imposed an overseas travel ban on him. Kim Tong-hyung And Hyung-jin Kim, The Associated Press
Musk and Trump could delete consumer protections
Unwrap the latest AI features with Amazon Fire TabletsPresident Jimmy Carter recognized there was political value for a young congressman to be seen in proximity to the president. President Jimmy Carter, with U.S. Rep. John Cavanaugh right behind him as Carter suggested, is greeted on the tarmac by Gen. Richard H. Ellis after exiting Air Force One at SAC on Oct 22, 1977. So as Air Force One landed at Offutt Air Force Base in 1977 during Carter’s first presidential visit to the state, he offered Omaha congressman John Cavanaugh a little advice just before they exited the plane. “Stay close, John,” he said. Sure enough, the hundreds who had gathered on the tarmac to greet the president also saw Cavanaugh right in Carter’s shadow, which got Cavanaugh featured in news photos from the day. President Jimmy Carter never enjoyed much electoral success in Nebraska. The Democrat lost to Omaha native Gerald Ford in 1976 and conservative icon Ronald Reagan in 1980. But both during his four years as president and his many years after as an international champion of peace, the modest peanut farmer from Georgia gained a lot of admirers. Cavanaugh and other Nebraskans who met Carter described the former president — who died Sunday, according to his son and multiple news reports — as a kind and genuine man with a personality that sparkled as much as his signature wide-toothed grin. “What a wonderful person,” recalled Cavanaugh, a Democrat whose two terms in the House of Representatives coincided with Carter’s 1977-1981 term as president. Preston Love Jr. of Omaha also mourned Carter’s death at age 100. The North Omaha civic leader and recent Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate had the chance to meet the former president at Carter's home in 1983 as a then-staffer for Rev. Jesse Jackson. “I mourn the fact that he, to this date, has not received his due — as president, and for his post presidential exploits, which have been enormous,” Love said in 2023. Amanda Brewer, Habitat for Humanity of Omaha CEO, met Carter while volunteering to help build a Habitat home in Georgia in 1998 — an encounter that helped to inspire her to a career with the charity. "I think his legacy, and inspiration to me, is that everyone has the ability to make a difference," she said. U.S. Rep. Don Bacon offered prayers Sunday for Carter's family. "From his time as a naval officer, then as a state senator and Governor of Georgia, and finally as President, Jimmy Carter gave a lifetime of service. After serving our country, he set the standard of post-political life with his service to Habitat for Humanity. Carter first came to Nebraska during campaign trips in 1975 and 1976. He had been doing a lot of campaigning across the Missouri River for the Iowa caucuses, the first test of the presidential election cycle. In fact, Carter ultimately wrote the book on how to use early success in Iowa and New Hampshire to propel a bid for a presidential party nomination. Carter was elected in November 1976, though in Nebraska incumbent Ford pulled in 59% of the vote and prevailed in 89 of the state’s 93 counties. Carter that spring also narrowly finished second to Frank Church of Idaho in the Nebraska Democratic primary. Carter’s first visit to the state as president came on Oct. 22, 1977, when he flew into Omaha to tour the Strategic Air Command headquarters at Offutt. At the time, tensions with the Soviet Union were high. The chance that a nuclear war could be waged one day from SAC’s bunker south of Omaha was very real. Carter received a tour of both the underground command post and the doomsday plane that could launch the nation’s nuclear arsenal in a time of emergency. He also picked up the “red phone” and spoke a message of thanks to SAC servicemen around the globe for their work to prevent “the possible destruction of our nation.” At the time, there was a little internal tension within SAC, too. Carter had recently canceled the B-1 bomber program, which was strongly supported by Gen. Richard H. Ellis, the SAC Commander. Carter didn’t back off the decision. He was focused on reducing the deficit at a time of high inflation. He felt the B-1 had been made obsolete by the development of accurate cruise missiles that could fly the same speed and distance and a new generation of B-2 stealth bombers that was on the drawing table. A display at SAC headquarters had included a model of the B-1. Before the president’s visit, it was replaced with a model of a B-52. Carter also toured a B-52 on the Offutt runway. (Reagan as president revived the B-1.) Cavanaugh was given the opportunity to fly into Omaha with Carter. The two talked about depressed farm prices, a chief concern in Nebraska, and the president’s energy bill during the flight. Carter stopped in Nebraska again during a cross-country flight on June 10, 1980, to tour tornado-ravaged Grand Island. A week earlier, a freakish storm sent at least seven tornadoes descending on the city, killing five, injuring 200 and destroying or damaging nearly a third of the city. Touring the devastation with then-Gov. Charles Thone, Carter’s motorcade stopped in front of what had once been the home of Del Kosmicki. The Grand Island man told the president everyone was working together in the recovery. Carter then crossed the street and stood atop the foundation of another former home to speak. Against a backdrop of shattered houses and stripped-bare trees, he told those gathered that God had blessed them by minimizing the damage. He encouraged them to keep their selfless attitudes during the rebuilding to come. "He was very genuine and sincere," Kosmicki told the Grand Island Independent. "I thought he did a really good job." Reagan’s Nebraska campaign chair called Carter’s visit an election-year political stunt. But Thone, a Republican, defended it as a sincere effort by the president to buoy spirits in the city. Later that year, Reagan swept Nebraska with 65% of the vote. Reagan’s landslide victory nationally sent Carter back to his farm in Plains, Georgia. But the loss certainly didn't send Carter into retirement. Carter worked for decades as an international ambassador for peace and human rights, creating an all-new model for post-presidential life. Love had the chance to meet Carter in Plains in 1983. At the time, Love was the lone staffer to Rev. Jesse Jackson as he registered voters in the South and laid the groundwork for Jackson's bid for president in 1988. Carter and his wife Rosalynn were gracious hosts, Love said, providing insight into the presidency and its history and even giving the visitors a tour of the peanut operation. “While President Carter encouraged Rev. Jackson to pursue a run for president, he was very clear and forthright about the pitfalls and the realities of doing such,” Love said. “I felt after meeting him in that situation, a tremendous like and respect for the man.” Amanda Brewer, left, with Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter and Brewer's mother, Kathy Jedlicka. Brewer recalled Carter as a down-to-earth and compassionate man when she met him in 1998 while she and her mom volunteered at a Habitat home in Americus, Georgia, near Plains. Carter and his wife, who died in November 2023, had fully embraced the charity. They became among its biggest advocates and fundraisers, and even picked up hammers and saws themselves. That day, the Carters were going around thanking all the volunteers. "He used his influence, rolled up his sleeves and was willing to do the work," Brewer said. "His values aligned with Habitat's values of putting your faith in action and doing something to make the world a better place." As president, Carter will likely be best known for brokering the peace deal between Egypt and Israel. It was a prelude to his work once out of office. Cavanaugh was present on the White House lawn when the parties signed the Camp David Accords. Carter won the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize "for his decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development." But Cavanaugh said Carter actually accomplished a lot domestically, much of it overshadowed by the Iran hostage crisis and continued economic problems that largely doomed his re-election bid. With his high ethics, Carter was also the right man to lead the nation into the post-Watergate era, Cavanaugh said. “He was always kind, hard-working and thoughtful,” Cavanaugh said. “He was just a sweetheart.” President Jimmy Carter shakes hands during a visit at Offutt Air Force base on Oct. 22, 1977. Capt. David L. Young gives a tour of a B-52 to President Jimmy Carter at Offutt Air Force Base on Oct. 22, 1977. President Jimmy Carter visits Strategic Air Command on Oct 22, 1977. 1977: SAC Commander-in-Chief Gen. Richard H. Ellis leads President Jimmy Carter past experts who man the command post console at Offutt Air Force Base. President Jimmy Carter speaks at the Grand Island airport on June 10, 1980. From left are Nebraska Gov. Charles Thone, Maj. Gen. Edward Binder of the Nebraska National Guard and Grand Island Mayor Bob Kriz. Carter's visit came after seven tornadoes touched down in or near the city, killing five people and injuring 200 on the night of June 3. President Jimmy Carter gives a speech near the destroyed home of Dennis Williams home at 707 Joehnck Road in Grand Island on June 10, 1980. Seven tornadoes touched down in or near the city that, killing five people and injuring 200. President Jimmy Carter gives a speech near the destroyed home of Dennis Williams home at 707 Joehnck Road in Grand Island on June 10, 1980. Seven tornadoes touched down in or near the city that, killing five people and injuring 200. Grand Island Mayor Bob Kriz, Nebraska Gov. Charles Thone and Jimmy Carter at the Grand Generation Center on June 10, 1980. Seven tornadoes touched down in or near the city that, killing five people and injuring 200. Former President Jimmy Carter receives an honorary degree from Creighton University in September 1987. Jimmy Carter speaks in Omaha on June 6th, 1975 during his run for president. President Jimmy Carter, with U.S. Rep. John Cavanaugh right behind him as Carter suggested, is greeted on the tarmac after exiting Air Force One at SAC on Oct 22, 1977. cordes@owh.com , 402-444-1130, twitter.com/henrycordes Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.Imagine a light bulb that has been burning since 1901. Nestled in a quiet Californian fire station, the Centennial Light challenges today’s disposable culture, offering a glimpse into a past where products were built to last. This historical anomaly sets the stage for a broader examination of how planned obsolescence has become embedded in the fabric of our consumer electronics industry, from light bulbs to smartphones. As we explore the evolution from durable goods to disposable gadgets, we uncover this shift’s economic and environmental implications and the legislative pushback it’s now engendering. This narrative takes us from the Centennial Light’s enduring glow to the heated debates in legislative halls worldwide, advocating for a return to durability. The light bulb that outlasted a century A remarkable piece of history illuminates a local fire station in the quiet town of Livermore, California. Known as the Centennial Light, this bulb has been burning for over a century, almost without interruption. Its longevity is so extraordinary that it earned a place in the Guinness Book of World Records. Originally a 60-watt bulb, its carbon filament has gradually dimmed to the equivalent of a 4-watt bulb today due to the natural degradation of its material. The bulb is encased in hand-blown glass, a testament to the craftsmanship of the late 19th century. The Centennial Light’s continuous operation, now surpassing a million hours, starkly contrasts with modern light bulbs. Today’s bulbs predominantly use tungsten filaments, a shift from the carbon filaments of the past. Tungsten, introduced in the early 20th century, has a higher melting point, which allows for brighter and more efficient bulbs. However, despite these advancements, the average modern incandescent bulb does not approach the lifespan of its historic predecessors like the Centennial Light. The Phoebus Cartel and planned obsolescence The phenomenon of short-lived light bulbs can be traced back to a pivotal meeting in 1924. In Geneva, Switzerland, executives from the world’s leading light bulb manufacturers, including Philips, Osram, and General Electric (which had taken over Shelby Electric), convened to address a growing threat to their businesses: bulbs that lasted too long. This meeting marked the formation of the Phoebus Cartel, named after the Greek god of light. The cartel’s goal was straightforward but impactful: to ensure that light bulbs would not last more than 1,000 hours. This strategy, known as planned obsolescence , involved deliberately reducing the lifespan of light bulbs to boost continuous sales. The cartel established standards that artificially limited the durability of bulbs across the global market. Engineers who once sought to extend the lifespan of bulbs were now tasked with finding ways to shorten it, using thinner filaments and altering the bulb design to ensure compliance with the 1,000-hour lifespan. The impact of the Phoebus Cartel’s policies was profound. By limiting bulb life, they increased the frequency of purchases and set a precedent for manufacturing and business practices prioritizing profit over product longevity and consumer value. Although the cartel dissolved in the 1930s due to external pressures and the advent of World War II, its legacy of planned obsolescence has persisted, influencing various industries and shaping consumer products to this day. Similar strategies can be seen in manufacturing appliances with less durable materials, automobiles with inaccessible parts, and batteries designed to degrade over time. Software companies exacerbate this trend by discontinuing support for older versions, forcing costly upgrades. Together, these practices underscore a widespread economic strategy that shapes consumer behavior and impacts environmental sustainability. How LEDs Changed the Spectrum of Lighting The revolution of light-emitting diode (LED) technology marks a significant milestone in the history of lighting. Since their invention in 1907, LEDs initially provided low power and were available only in red. However, by the 1990s, technological advancements introduced high-efficiency, multi-color LEDs that began to surpass incandescent bulbs in efficiency, transforming the lighting industry. This evolution enabled LEDs to emit a wide spectrum of colors and achieve higher luminosity with significantly less energy consumption. The legislative landscape also played a crucial role in the widespread adoption of LED technology. In Europe, stringent regulations phased out less efficient halogen and incandescent bulbs, with bans fully enforced by September 1, 2018, for halogen and earlier for incandescent bulbs on September 1, 2011. These regulations accelerated the shift toward more sustainable lighting solutions, paving the way for LED technology to dominate the market. Today, LED technology is celebrated for its exceptional efficiency and longevity. Modern LED bulbs can provide up to 50,000 hours of light and boast high Color Rendering Index (CRI) values, typically around CRI98, which indicates superior light quality that closely mimics natural sunlight. These attributes have made LEDs the preferred choice not only for residential and commercial use but also for environmental conservation efforts. Despite these advancements and the legal frameworks supporting them, the specter of planned obsolescence still looms over the LED industry. Unfortunately, some LED light bulbs are designed to be intentionally short-lived to encourage consumers to buy new ones. This practice mirrors broader trends across various industries, including controversial strategies like Apple’s battery management, which involved throttling the performance of older iPhones to prompt users to upgrade. These are just some examples of the ongoing challenge of balancing technological innovation with sustainable consumer practices in an industry where the potential for technological durability is often compromised to stimulate continuous consumer spending. The legal battle for longer-lasting products The push for sustainability and consumer empowerment is crystallizing through global Right to Repair legislation, which affects a broad spectrum of industries, from consumer electronics to medical devices. Notable legislation includes New York’s 2022 Digital Fair Repair Act and Colorado’s 2023 Consumer Right To Repair Agricultural Equipment Act, forcing industries to reconsider their design and repair policies. Companies like Apple have become infamous for their planned obsolescence strategies, often necessitating complete device replacements for issues as minor as a cracked screen. Similarly, manufacturers of gaming consoles, such as Sony and Microsoft , design their systems to discourage user repairs, requiring costly services only they can provide. This movement extends beyond electronics, with implications for critical medical devices like pacemakers and insulin pumps, where repair restrictions can impact costs and patient outcomes. By mandating manufacturers to provide repair documentation and parts, legislation in places like the UK, France, and India aims to curb these restrictive practices, ensuring that products are both maintainable and sustainable. The choice stands clear and consequential for both policymakers and the public: maintain the status quo of quick obsolescence or push for a marketplace enriched with durable and repairable products. Such a decision will steer market practices and significantly influence our environmental strategies. The Right to Repair acts are crucial, challenging us to rethink technological practices and prioritize environmental integrity over short-term gains.
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The AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here . SAINT GEORGE, Utah (AP) — Beon Riley’s 18 points helped Utah Tech defeat Denver 68-54 on Tuesday night. Riley also had 11 rebounds for the Trailblazers (2-6). Noa Gonsalves scored 15 points and added eight rebounds and three steals. Justin Bieker shot 4 of 6 from the field and 2 for 3 from the line to finish with 11 points. The Pioneers (3-5) were led in scoring by Sebastian Akins and Josh Lee, who both finished with 11 points. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .After almost 14 months of clashes, Israel and Hezbollah agree to a ceasefire proposed by the United States.
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