Jimmy Carter, the 39th U.S. president, has died at 100FTC: Evolv Oversold Abilities of AI-Powered Weapon Detector

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ONION lattes are set to crop up in coffee shops as the odd blend has taken root on social media. TikTokers have been experimenting with unusual ingredients and recipes. One of the most popular is the onion latte — which has racked up 20 million views this year. Bosses at Reviva Coffee say shops will follow the trend which involves adding cut up or dried onions, shallots or spring onions to a latte . Most have it chilled as an onion ice latte, but some have it heated up for a warm and spicy treat. But the most popular new trend is a “cracking” latte — where chocolate is spread on the inside of a plastic cup and hardened in the fridge. read more on money When a coffee is poured inside, the cup is squeezed so the chocolate shell cracks. Clips have gathered 50 million TikTok views. Kinder Bueno lattes attracted 11 million users, caramel “cloud” latte videos were watched five million times and lemon coffee recipe clips had four million views. A Reviva Coffee spokesman said: “Onion coffee shows a bold year ahead for recipe experimentation, blurring lines between bizarre and downright delicious.” Most read in MoneyUkraine relies on military and financial aid from international partners to sustain its military campaign, especially the U.S. and Europe. On Sunday, Donald Trump told NBC's "Meet the Press" that Ukraine will "possibly" receive less military aid once he takes office. After the election of Donald Trump and a Republican sweep of both chambers of Congress, the risk of the United States cutting its funding for Ukraine is a real possibility, stoking concerns among leaders in Europe on what it means for the ongoing conflict. > 24/7 San Diego news stream: Watch NBC 7 free wherever you are Trump has previously expressed he would end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours and has been vocally critical of funding the war-torn nation alongside hardline Republican congressmen, who almost blocked a critical aid package in April of this year . On Sunday, Trump told NBC's "Meet the Press" that Ukraine will "possibly" receive less military aid once he takes office. But according to experts that spoke to CNBC, there is reason to believe Europe, which is Ukraine's biggest donor, can make up the shortfall if the U.S. withdraws or tightens that funding. Ukraine relies on military and financial aid from international partners to sustain its military campaign, especially the U.S. and Europe. According to the Kiel Institute of Economy's Ukraine Support Tracker , which has been tracking funding to Ukraine since January 2022 up until October 2024, Europe has committed 241 billion euros ($255 billion) in aid and the U.S. has committed 119 billion euros. Out of this, Europe has actually allocated 125 billion euros and the U.S. 88 billion euros, thus far. Money Report European markets set to open lower as investors digest European Central Bank rate cut New AI winners beyond Big Tech are set to emerge, UK fund manager predicts Both Europe and the U.S. have provided "a comparable amount of military aid," Pietro Bomprezzi, the project lead of the Ukraine Support Tracker, told CNBC. As Ukraine's largest donor and neighbor, Europe would face the brunt of costs if U.S. aid runs out and isn't renewed under Trump. In the tracker's latest press update released last week, Christoph Trebesch, the head of the Ukraine Support Tracker, stated: "With the current funding due to end, all eyes are now on the incoming U.S. administration and its willingness to support Ukraine." European leaders have convened several times since the election to bolster support for Ukraine, with many countries doubling up on their commitments. Germany, which is Europe's biggest donor to Ukraine, has repeatedly reiterated its support for Ukraine and pledged further military aid on a surprise visit to Kyiv last week: "Ukraine can rely on Germany," Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz said. Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who has repeatedly blocked EU funding to Ukraine, offered a different tone last month, stating that Europe would not be able to fill in the gap financially if the U.S. withdraws aid. But according to analysts who spoke to CNBC, Europe can fill the gaps, and has several ways to do so. In its latest update on Dec. 5 , the Ukraine Support Tracker stated that the use of profits from frozen Russian assets, which are "primarily available to European donors," "could help them compensate for the loss of U.S. funds in the future." Jacob Funk Kirkegaard, a senior fellow at the Brussels-based Bruegel think tank, told CNBC that "making up for U.S. financial support for Ukraine would be very easy for the EU," by using instruments such as new common debt, bilateral donations, and seizing the 250 billion euro in frozen Russian assets and distributing them to Ukraine. Nigel Gould-Davis, a senior fellow for Russia and Eurasia at The International Institute for Strategic Studies, stated that seizing and distributing frozen Russian assets would be a "game changer." While the G7's $50 billion loan using interest payments from Russian assets is a small step in this direction, the EU can do more as it has full control over these assets. "At a stroke, if [the G7] had the will to do so, it could provide a huge slice of the aggressor's money and put it to defend Ukraine," Gould-Davis said. The main reason this hasn't been done is due to a fear among certain EU members on the financial consequences, he added. There are also other ways Europe can fill in the gaps. Kirkegaard mentioned the Danish model of financing Ukraine: Instead of sending over Western-made weapons, which are more expensive to produce, countries could directly finance Ukraine's military industrial complex. Even in the case of withdrawal of critical U.S. weaponry, Kirkegaard points out that they can still be purchased: European countries could agree to a trade deal, like China did in 2018, and agree to purchase American-made products, in this case weapons to supply to Ukraine in exchange for a relief on tariffs. It is "an entirely political choice" how much Europe devotes to defend itself and Ukraine, said Gould-Davies. He frames it as a balance of resources versus a balance of resolve — the balance of resources is in Europe's favor, but the balance of resolve is in Russia's: If Europe has the political will to make use of its advantage in resources, Ukraine's defense can greatly be bolstered. Max Bergman, the director of the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studiesn told CNBC that while European countries are likely to increase aid in the case of U.S. withdrawal "it is unclear if Ukraine can survive the gap between the withdrawal of U.S. aid and the ramp up of European defense production." In the case that Europe didn't step up its aid in the case of U.S. withdrawal, Ukraine would lose the war: "The danger is that we see in Kyiv in 2026 what we saw in Kaboul in 2021 — a military collapse, leading to the end of Ukraine and Ukrainian democracy." Also on CNBC SEC says Cantor Fitzgerald, led by Trump Commerce pick Lutnick, broke law NJ drones don't pose national security or public safety threat, FBI says U.S. charges 14 North Koreans in $88 million identity theft and extortion caseNEW DELHI: ISRO is set to launch two satellites on Monday night from the Sriharikota spaceport to demonstrate docking and undocking of spacecraft in orbit, which will make India the fourth country in the world to achieve the feat. The Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) warhorse rocket Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) will place the two satellites -- SDX01 and SDX02 -- in a 476-km circular orbit and attempt the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDEx) in the first week of January, the space agency officials said. "This mission will mark India's entry into the exclusive league of nations capable of mastering space docking," Union Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh said. The SpaDEx mission is expected to be a stepping stone for India's future endeavours in space exploration which include getting rocks and soil from the moon on Earth, the proposed Bharatiya Antariksha Station and landing an astronaut on the lunar surface. Only the US, Russia and China have mastered space docking technologies. "The primary objective of the SpaDeX mission is to develop and demonstrate the technology needed for rendezvous, docking, and undocking of two small spacecraft (SDX01, which is the Chaser, and SDX02, the Target) in a low-Earth circular orbit," an ISRO official said. The secondary objective of the mission includes demonstration of the transfer of electric power between the docked spacecraft, which is essential for future applications such as in-space robotics; composite spacecraft control and payload operations after undocking. "This capability is vital for India's lunar and interplanetary missions. Docking technology enables multi-launch missions and supports future human spaceflight," Singh said. After the demonstration of docking and undocking experiments, the two satellites will continue to orbit the Earth for standalone missions for two years. The SDX01 satellite is equipped with a High Resolution Camera (HRC) and SDX02 has two payloads -- Miniature Multispectral (MMX) payload and Radiation Monitor (RadMon). These payloads will provide high-resolution images, natural resource monitoring, vegetation studies and on-orbit radiation environment measurements which have numerous applications, ISRO said. The PSLV-C60 mission also carries 24 payloads from various ISRO labs, private start-ups and educational institutions for carrying out experiments in space. These 24 payloads are mounted on the fourth stage of the PSLV rocket which remains in orbit for a few weeks before falling back on the Earth. PS4-Orbital Experiment Module (POEM) provides an opportunity for the scientific community to carry out certain in-orbit microgravity experiments for an extended duration of up to three months using the platform, which otherwise would end up as space debris immediately after the mission objective of injecting the primary payloads of the mission.

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.Kendall Bostic, Makira Cook power No. 22 Illinois women to 85-66 victory over Oregon State

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Reddit is taking down posts linking to the manifesto of the suspected shooter of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The company says it’s enforcing a longstanding policy, but its actions have angered and frustrated some users. Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old who was arrested and charged with murder earlier this week, has been the subject of widespread fascination online since New York police first released images of the suspected killer. Small excerpts of the 261-word manifesto were published by the New York Times , while journalist Ken Klippenstein obtained and published it in its entirety on his Substack Tuesday. Links to Klippenstein's newsletter containing the manifesto began to disappear off Reddit, with some being removed by individual subreddits' community moderators and some being taken down by Reddit staff. In a widely viewed post in r/popculturechat , a moderator explained that Reddit had instructed them to remove posts of the manifesto. “We have officially been notified by Reddit that we must adhere strictly to their site-wide rules regarding violent content,” moderator clemthearcher wrote. “Specifically, Reddit has told us that we are not allowed to post Luigi Mangione’s manifesto, even if it is reported neutrally.” Reddit removed a post linking to the manifesto in r/interestingasfuck, which had nearly 20,000 upvotes, which was later detailed in a lengthy post in r/subredditdrama. Posts were also removed from other subreddits, including r/witchesVsPatriarchy and r/antiwork. Engadget confirmed that the site now automatically blocks posts attempting to link to the Substack post with the manifesto. Though the move has angered many Redditors, the company says it’s not a new policy. A Reddit spokesperson confirmed that “manifestos related to violent acts” violate the company’s violent content rules, which state: The policy further refers to posts “containing mass killer manifestos or imagery of their violence” an example of violating content (Magione has not been accused of mass murder). The Reddit spokesperson confirmed that Redditors are permitted to discuss the manifesto, including news coverage of it, as long as they don’t violate other aspects of the company’s rules. While it’s not unusual for social media users to accuse a company of “censorship” amid disputes over content moderation, Reddit’s actions come at a time when many online commentators have expressed sympathy for Mangione, who has become something of a “ folk hero ” in some corners of the internet. His actions have also put the American healthcare system under renewed scrutiny as people have shared their experiences with insurance company denials in the wake of the shooting. “I’m sure Reddit’s admins find themselves far more aligned with the class of people like Brian Johnson (sic) than they do with the rest of us," one commenter wrote in response to moderator clemthearcher’s post in r/popculturechat, "so the only violence they care to moderate is that against Brian Johnson (sic) - not misogyny, racism, homophobia, or the rampant greed of our healthcare industry which has killed or caused the suffering of hundreds of thousands of people.”My earliest memory of “Wicked” is of the now-ubiquitous, Elphaba-green sign outside of the Gershwin Theater. I had just turned 13 and was with my mom on a special trip for my birthday, and we were waiting in line for the “Wicked” ticket lottery. The show was just under a year old, and there was a massive crowd of girls and women all hoping for their names to be called. Like most of them, we walked away from the emerald-green glow of the marquee disappointed but not devastated — because we didn’t even truly know what we were missing. It’s hard to remember a time like that, when a show could premiere on Broadway without clips instantly leaking onto social media or people posting their reactions to trailers or clips on TikTok. Then, the only guaranteed way to listen to the soundtrack was to buy a physical CD, which was hard to find. Everything was less accessible. It’s easy to forget how much longer we waited for the things that we wanted to see — and that once we did see them, we could still be surprised by what happened. This is what excites me the most about the “Wicked” movie. If you subtract the inescapable marketing campaign , the lengthy, emotional global press tour and the annoying debates on social media about singing in the theater, at its core, I think Jon M. Chu’s “Wicked: Part 1” democratized a story that’s only been accessible to those with the physical proximity and financial ability to attend a stage production. While the marketing and buzz have ensured that few (if any) people will be able to enter the movie without some idea of what to expect, they’ll still have the chance to go and experience it themselves. It wasn’t until almost three years after that trip to New York that my mom and I finally saw “Wicked.” We were visiting Chicago, and she got us tickets for a production there. I was on the cusp of turning 16, and it’s hard to describe the immediate, visceral love that I felt for the show and the way it flips the story of the classic 1939 film “The Wizard of Oz” on its head. From the moment the Wicked Witch of the West is given a name — Elphaba — the musical humanizes her. Everything, from her green skin to the lens through which she sees the world, makes her different. Elphaba feels like she has nothing in common with Glinda, a popular girl and the future Good Witch; she’s “not that girl,” as she sings. Yet she craves friendship and belonging and love, and this between how Elphaba feels and what she wants made both my mom and me feel seen. We immediately purchased the CD of the soundtrack from the merch booth after the show. We spent that fall belting “Popular” or “Defying Gravity” on the way to school or soccer practice. Eventually, over the next decade, we’d see the show together more times than I can count. The last time we saw it together was the spring of 2018 before my mom died, while I was pregnant with my daughter. My mom would have loved the movie because it captures the awe we felt when we saw it for the first time. From the unbelievable voices of Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba) and Ariana Grande (Glinda) as they sing live to the cinematic scale of the sets built for each scene (have you heard about the 9 million tulips yet?) to the Oz-ian details of Paul Tazewell’s costumes and Frances Hannon’s hair and make-up design, the movie is a marvel. It’s so good that it’s hard to remember that it’s only the first half of the story. The film ends with “Defying Gravity,” the final song before the intermission in the stage production. There’s still a second act to follow. While the movie has received overwhelmingly positive reviews, it has also been criticized for its length and the fact that the story was broken up into two movies in the first place. But there hasn’t been enough conversation around what this division has done to the story itself. It assumes audiences know the story already: either they’ve read Gregory Maguire’s novel, on which the musical was based, or they’ve seen the show before. Many theater kids want to assume ownership of “Wicked,” as if it was adapted to the big screen just for people like them. But that’s not the reality, and I wonder how this two-part setup changes the takeaway for people who will experience this retelling for the first time. Fans who plan to see the movie because they love “The Wizard of Oz” may even be disappointed because, other than a shot of Dorothy, the scarecrow, the tinman and the cowardly lion walking toward the Emerald City, the characters from that film don’t appear in “Wicked: Part I.” Their stories are woven into Elphaba’s in a way that won’t become apparent until the second film. Fans who are excited because they’ve always wanted to see “Wicked” may be left with a false impression that it’s a less complicated, simpler story than it is. “Part I” ends at the moment when Elphaba and Glinda have reconciled their differences to support each other as best friends headed in different directions, and as Elphaba has finally claimed her power for herself. That ending — while tense, because Elphaba is being scapegoated as a wicked witch even though she’s trying to help Oz — leaves room for things to get better. Even when the viewer takes into account Glinda’s complicated glimmer of vindication as she lights the effigy of Elphaba on fire in the opening sequence, there’s still room for Elphaba to conquer evil. However, fans of the musical know that what follows is far less hopeful. In the second act, Elphaba’s good deeds are punished, and while goodness wins in the end, the form of goodness that prevails isn’t “good” at all. The first movie follows so closely to the stage production that I expect the second will reveal these truths when it is released in November 2025 (if people show up to see it). Other news outlets have retreated behind paywalls. At HuffPost, we believe journalism should be free for everyone. Would you help us provide essential information to our readers during this critical time? We can't do it without you. Can't afford to contribute? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read. You've supported HuffPost before, and we'll be honest — we could use your help again . We view our mission to provide free, fair news as critically important in this crucial moment, and we can't do it without you. Whether you give once or many more times, we appreciate your contribution to keeping our journalism free for all. You've supported HuffPost before, and we'll be honest — we could use your help again . We view our mission to provide free, fair news as critically important in this crucial moment, and we can't do it without you. Whether you give just one more time or sign up again to contribute regularly, we appreciate you playing a part in keeping our journalism free for all. Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages. Still, I’ve been thinking a lot about what this forced intermission does, and it really is forcing us all to “ hold space ” for “Defying Gravity.” With a storyline that has clear political parallels to today’s world, maybe this pause isn’t a bad thing — and neither is the way it simplifies the first part of the story. Maybe being left with an image of Elphaba rising into the air to proclaim her power from the system that is trying to ground her is the kind of hope women and people of color need right now. Maybe it’s OK to let ourselves escape into the wonderful hope of “Part I” — and not think about how “Part II” is a year away. Related From Our Partner

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Better Enterprise Software Stock: ServiceNow vs. SalesforceFrom Laide Raheem, Abeokuta A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Toyin Amuzu, has called for the release of Gaffar Asaolu, political aide to the party’s governorship candidate in the 2023 general elections, Oladipupo Adebutu, from the police custody. Asaolu was arrested by the men of Ogun State Police command for his alleged involvement in violence during the local government election held last Saturday. Amuzu in a statement on Sunday in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, faulted the “arbitrary arrest and detention” of Asaolu, demanding his release from police detention. The PDP chieftain, who flayed the Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, for allegedly ordering the arrest of Asaolu, urged the governor to face the growing security concerns in the state, rather than engaging in political witch-hunts of members of the opposition party. He said that the continuous detention of the Director of Finance of the Atiku-Okowa Campaign Committee in the 2023 general elections, on trump up charges at the behest of the governor is unfair and I just. Amuzu, however, condemned the killer squad tag, unfair arrest and detention of Asaolu, citing his connection to Adebutu, who was also arrested twice by the DSS and police. He said that Adebutu was later released when no evidence was found against him, while Asaolu remains in detention, pointing out that “this is a clear case of political persecution and an affront to democracy” “The government should focus on addressing the real security challenges facing our state, which include ritual killings, cult clashes and killings, robbery, kidnapping, and political violence especially from the ruling party rather than harassing innocent citizens, Amuzu added in the statement. . He, therefore, called on the state government to respect the Rule of Law and ensure that all citizens are treated fairly and justly. “The illegal arrest and detention of citizens without sufficient evidence is a clear violation of their fundamental human rights. The people of Ogun State deserve better, and it’s time for the government to take action to address the growing security concerns and put an end to political witch-hunts”, the 2023 House of Representatives PDP candidate submitted.

In such a modern and technology-driven world, nothing can beat celebrating the Christmas season the old-fashioned way. These old-fashioned ideas are simple and economical, but they are also fun and memorable. Of course, including family and friends is the most important part, but after that, traditional customs and your own imagination can make the season of giving a special one. Making your own Christmas presents is always a nice sentiment. You can almost guarantee that your gifts will be unique, and nobody will duplicate them. Whatever you make won’t be available at the local Wal-Mart. There is also something special about the time and effort that goes into making your gifts. Your homemade items will have extra meaning, and people will sincerely appreciate it. You may even learn some new skills while making your presents, and the new skills will help you in gift-giving for many years. Another old-fashioned idea is to create a traditional feel in your home. Pick a night and turn off the computer, television and lights. Sit with your loved ones by candlelight and the glow of the Christmas tree and enjoy hot cider, cookies and other holiday treats. All of you could take turns telling your favorite Christmas memory, or someone could read a traditional holiday story. To further enjoy the Christmas spirit, go outside and sing Christmas carols under the light of the moon and the stars. Everyone could sing while looking inside at the Christmas tree and the glow of the candles. Afterwards, come back inside and warm up with some hot chocolate. This will bring a smile to even the biggest scrooge. You can also spread the Christmas spirit to your neighbors. Walk around your neighborhood and personally deliver Christmas cards. Give your neighbors a smile and a personal holiday greeting. You can even include a small treat bag with your Christmas cards. The treat bags would be even nicer if you included your very own homemade goodies. Your neighbors would appreciate your effort, and you might even make their day. The smiles on their faces would be thanks enough. Even a little bit of technology has made its way into an old-fashioned Christmas. Gather around with your loved ones and watch holiday classics such as “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “Miracle on 34th Street” or “A Christmas Story.” These great films have aged nicely, and they are still fun to watch year after year. Many youngsters would be seeing these classics for the very first time. An old-fashioned Christmas game can add to your fun even more. Make a circle with your family and friends. Get a small ball, beanbag or other small object. Toss the object randomly to people in the circle. When someone catches the object, they have a split second to say a word that relates to Christmas. If they can’t think of one, then they sit out. The last person standing is the winner. Both adults and children can enjoy this simple game. Naturally, nothing is more traditional during the Christmas season than thinking of others. You can meet with family and friends and combine as much food as you can. Then, load up the food and take it to a food bank. The food bank would be excited to see such a big donation, and you can make a big difference in people’s lives and spread more Christmas cheer. Christmas is such a beautiful time of the year, but it can come and go quickly. Don’t forget to stop and spend time with the people you love. And with some creativity and a few traditional ideas, you can enjoy the pleasures of an old-fashioned Christmas. Blair Bryant, freelance writer and fiction author.From AI Visionary to Industry Leader: Himanshu Sinha on Transforming Enterprises with Machine Learning and Generative AI