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Residents of Brown’s Motel in Ellicott City scramble in wake of building’s abrupt closure, impending demolition
FISI stock hits 52-week high at $28.14 amid robust annual growthBy ADAM GELLER A ceasefire deal that could end more than a year of cross-border fighting between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group won backing from Israeli leaders Tuesday, raising hopes and renewing difficult questions in a region gripped by conflict. Hezbollah leaders also signaled tentative backing for the U.S.-brokered deal, which offers both sides an off-ramp from hostilities that have driven more than 1.2 million Lebanese and 50,000 Israelis from their homes. An intense bombing campaign by Israel has killed more than 3,700 people, many of them civilians, Lebanese officials say. But while the deal, set to take effect early Wednesday, could significantly calm the tensions that have inflamed the region, it does little directly to resolve the much deadlier war that has raged in Gaza since the Hamas attack on southern Israel in October 2023 that killed 1,200 people. Hezbollah, which began firing scores of rockets into Israel the following day in support of Hamas, has previously said it would keep fighting until there was a stop to the fighting in Gaza. Here’s what to know about the tentative ceasefire agreement and its potential implications: The agreement reportedly calls for a 60-day halt in fighting that would see Israeli troops retreat to their side of the border while requiring Hezbollah to end its armed presence in a broad swath of southern Lebanon. President Joe Biden said Tuesday that the deal is set to take effect at 4 a.m. local time on Wednesday (9 p.m. EST Tuesday). Under the deal, thousands of Lebanese troops and U.N. peacekeepers are to deploy to the region south of the Litani River. An international panel lead by the U.S. would monitor compliance by all sides. Biden said the deal “was designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities.” Israel has demanded the right to act should Hezbollah violate its obligations. Lebanese officials have rejected writing that into the proposal. Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz insisted Tuesday that the military would strike Hezbollah if the U.N. peacekeeping force, known as UNIFIL , does not provide “effective enforcement” of the deal. A Hezbollah leader said the group’s support for the deal hinged on clarity that Israel would not renew its attacks. “After reviewing the agreement signed by the enemy government, we will see if there is a match between what we stated and what was agreed upon by the Lebanese officials,” Mahmoud Qamati, deputy chair of Hezbollah’s political council, told the Qatari satellite news network Al Jazeera. “We want an end to the aggression, of course, but not at the expense of the sovereignty of the state” of Lebanon, he said. The European Union’s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, said Tuesday that Israel’s security concerns had been addressed in the deal also brokered by France. After months of cross-border bombings, Israel can claim major victories, including the killing of Hezbollah’s top leader, Hassan Nasrallah, most of his senior commanders and the destruction of extensive militant infrastructure. A complex attack in September involving the explosion of hundreds of walkie-talkies and pagers used by Hezbollah was widely attributed to Israel, signaling a remarkable penetration of the militant group. The damage inflicted on Hezbollah has come not only in its ranks, but to the reputation it built by fighting Israel to a stalemate in the 2006 war. Still, its fighters managed to put up heavy resistance on the ground, slowing Israel’s advance while continuing to fire scores of rockets, missiles and drones across the border each day. The ceasefire offers relief to both sides, giving Israel’s overstretched army a break and allowing Hezbollah leaders to tout the group’s effectiveness in holding their ground despite Israel’s massive advantage in weaponry. But the group is likely to face a reckoning, with many Lebanese accusing it of tying their country’s fate to Gaza’s at the service of key ally Iran, inflicting great damage on a Lebanese economy that was already in grave condition. Until now, Hezbollah has insisted that it would only halt its attacks on Israel when it agreed to stop fighting in Gaza. Some in the region are likely to view a deal between the Lebanon-based group and Israel as a capitulation. In Gaza, where officials say the war has killed more than 44,000 Palestinians, Israel’s attacks have inflicted a heavy toll on Hamas, including the killing of the group’s top leaders. But Hamas fighters continue to hold scores of Israeli hostages, giving the militant group a bargaining chip if indirect ceasefire negotiations resume. Hamas is likely to continue to demand a lasting truce and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza in any such deal. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas offered a pointed reminder Tuesday of the intractability of the war, demanding urgent international intervention. “The only way to halt the dangerous escalation we are witnessing in the region, and maintain regional and international stability, security and peace, is to resolve the question of Palestine,” he said in a speech to the U.N. read by his ambassador.
'Far-left radical': Progressive House Dems elect police defunding proponent despite calls to moderate
AUSTIN, Texas — State lawmakers are reviving an effort to allow the State of Texas to govern the city of Austin. State Rep. Briscoe Cain , a Republican from Deer Park, filed House Bill 274 ahead of the upcoming legislative session. It would allow the legislature to create a "District of Austin." It is a bill that state lawmakers have introduced before, but it has never gained traction. In a press release, Cain cited bad governing, homicide rates, violent crime and other public safety-related concerns as reasons for "Austin's declining ability to govern as the state capital effectively." He said it highlights "systemic leadership failures, compounded by the defunding of police and policies that deprioritize public safety, leaving the state capital exposed to unacceptable risks." "Our state employees and visitors to the Capitol deserve to feel safe," Cain said in a statement . "The City of Austin has failed to govern responsibly, and its negligence endangers those who come here to serve Texans and our constituents who participate in state government." By sheer numbers, Austin has seen an uptick in homicides since the pandemic, spiking to 88 homicides per year in 2021. The annual number, however, has stayed below that level in the years since. So far this year, the Austin Police Department said it has investigated 65 homicides , which is not far off of last year's total of 73. Looking at that data compared to population growth, the homicide rate rose to about nine people killed per 100,000 residents in 2021, and that number has been hovering between six and eight homicides per 100,000 residents in the years since. The legislation would establish the District of Austin from the current boundaries of the city of Austin. The district would follow the current laws in Austin. However, state lawmakers would have the power to amend or repeal laws, ordinances or policies they do not like. The Lieutenant Governor and Speaker of the House would need to approve any amendment to the district's charter. Cain proposed the bill back in 2021, but it did not pass. State Rep. Jared Patterson proposed a similar bill in 2023 that also failed in committee. In a post on X on Monday, Cain said he felt compelled to re-file it this year. "For far too long, city leaders have thumbed their nose at the Capitol and turned their backs on their own citizens," Cain's post read. "A District of Austin will keep residents and visitors safe." Re-filed legislation I first filed in 2021 to create the District of Austin. For far too long, city leaders have thumbed their nose at the Capitol and turned their backs on their own citizens. A District of Austin will keep residents and visitors safe. #txlege https://t.co/kDUvAr05Er "This is a red meat bill from Republicans. This is a sort of a wish list kind of thing for Republicans over the last couple of legislative sessions," Scott Braddock, editor of the Quorum Report, said. "This is virtue signaling from Republicans. They argue that Austin is too liberal and sucks, so the state of Texas, which Republicans run, should run it instead." The resolution is a constitutional amendment to allow the Legislature to create a district that serves as the seat of government. If it were to pass the Legislature, it would still need to be approved by voters. But Braddock said there is almost no chance it would get that far. "Two-thirds of the members of the Texas House and Texas Senate would have to vote for it, and then it would be voted on by the people of Texas," Braddock said. "The problem with that, for Republicans, is that there are no Democrats who would vote for this, certainly not enough to get to 100 votes in the Texas House, which is a requirement for this to pass." Austin is a home-rule city, meaning it operates under a charter. That city charter is considered Austin's constitution. In response, Austin Mayor Kirk Watson cited the fact that U.S. News and World Report named Austin one of the best places to live based on the high quality of life, strong job market and overall desirability and value. "Austin is a pretty great town. It's a great town to start a career or business," Watson said in a statement. "It's a great town for innovators and people who are vibrant, vital and looking to the future with new ideas. It's a great town to have fun, enjoy good food and even better music." Watson also pointed out that the Milken Institute ranked Austin as the best-performing large city in 2024. He said the proposed bill from state lawmakers would not do much to address the challenges the city is facing. "The Texas Legislature has been hostile to all Texas cities in recent years, but it's long had a special and unnecessary antipathy for its state capital," Watson said. "It's been an effective political tool for some in control of the Capitol but isn't particularly helpful when we're actually trying to solve our shared problems." Cain said the city's "focus on controversial political initiatives rather than infrastructure and public service has raised questions about its ability to manage the responsibilities of hosting the state capital." "This is about more than governance – it's about safety, accountability, and protecting the integrity of Texas' state government," Cain said in a statement. "Austin's failures are not just an embarrassment; They threaten the people who live and work here and the citizens who visit. The District of Austin will provide the focused, accountable leadership necessary to address these challenges head-on." If it were to pass, the District of Austin would be established on Jan. 1, 2026. You can read the full text of the bill here . The 89th legislative session starts on Jan. 14.In the Christian Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem , between ancient stone alleys and the scent of incense, lies the home of Jerusalem's own Santa Claus. Just a five-minute walk from Jaffa Gate, we find ourselves before a large, Christmas-decorated door with a long line of cheerful retirees from Ashkelon, all excitedly waiting to have their photo taken with the local Santa. Meet Issanis Kassissieh, a local basketball legend and an avid admirer of Santa Claus' social messages and joy. He has transformed the first floor of his family’s historic home into a museum dedicated to the character that represents Christmas Day, the very day we visited. Jerusalem's Santa Claus ( Video: Assaf Kamar ) The Jerusalem Santa, who swapped the snow reindeer for a Mediterranean camel, brings the holiday spirit to one of the most complex cities in the world. "My message is one of joy, love and peace," he says with a smile. How did you become Jerusalem's Santa Claus? "I'm originally from an old Christian family in the Old City. I was always fascinated by the figure of Santa Claus and how he brings joy to so many people worldwide. A few years ago, I decided to take it a step further and become Santa myself. I built a home here with a Christmas atmosphere every day of the year. Since then, people from all over the world come to visit. For me, it's more than just a costume; it's a way of life that brings light and joy to the hearts of all who come here. I always tell myself that if I can make someone happy, then I've done my job. It’s exciting every single time." Santa Claus' charming son, who studied luxurious Italian-style suit design in Naples, pours me a cup of well-spiced hot wine, intensifying the magical experience. A delicate scent of cinnamon fills the air. The place is perfectly decorated with a tall, colorful Christmas tree and traditional decorations on the walls. Before me stretches a long line of elderly visitors who came to see Santa, all with eyes sparkling like children. "It's amazing," says one visitor, "I feel like I've returned to my childhood." 4 View gallery ( Photo: Assaf Kamar ) Get the Ynetnews app on your smartphone: Google Play : https://bit.ly/4eJ37pE | Apple App Store : https://bit.ly/3ZL7iNv The local Santa Claus holds many cherished memories related to the joy he brings to visitors. "I'll never forget the time a group of Holocaust survivors came here," he recalls. "They were with a guide who told them about my place, and they were very moved. "One of them, an elderly man, told me he hadn't seen anything like this since he was a small child. He even started singing a Christmas song from when he was young. It was a very emotional moment for me because I realized how many memories and how much meaning the figure of Santa Claus holds." 4 View gallery ( Photo: Assaf Kamar ) How does the local Jerusalem crowd react? "As you know, Jerusalem has a unique mix of cultures. There are sometimes surprises. Muslims, Jews, Christians—all come here. Not long ago, a Jewish family came, especially because their children had heard about me at school. They were very excited, and I gave them a small gift—a snow globe. The father told me, 'It may not be part of our culture, but it's a message of joy and peace, and that's what we need.' That was a moment when I felt how my magic could connect people." 4 View gallery ( Photo: Assaf Kamar ) The walls of Santa's office are filled with certificates from professional Santa Claus schools in the United States, where Kassissieh learned to bake exquisite Christmas cookies like in the movies and to call out "Ho Ho Ho" professionally. "I have to admit, it's not easy to keep high energy all the time. People from all over the world expect to see Santa Claus at his best. So even when I'm tired, I put myself aside and focus on their joy. The physical part, like preparations, the costume, and the heat in summer, is part of the challenge. But in the end, their smile is worth it. "My message is simple: joy, love and peace. It doesn't matter where you come from, what your religion is, or what language you speak. In the end, we all want the same things: to live in peace, make others happy and find small moments of happiness. I believe that especially during the holidays, we have an opportunity to pause and focus on what truly matters. This is the busiest time of the year for me. I make sure there are enough gifts for everyone who comes, especially the children." >New York, NY, Dec. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FROGE, the community-driven meme coin, is experiencing a meteoric rise in popularity following its unexpected inclusion in OpenAI’s #OpenAI12Days livestream series. The livestreams, which launched earlier this month, have featured FROGE-themed Easter eggs that have captivated audiences worldwide, igniting a frenzy of interest among crypto enthusiasts and beyond. In just 24 hours after the livestream series debuted, FROGE’s market cap surged to unprecedented heights, reaching new all-time highs. This surge highlights the growing influence of the project, which combines the charm of meme culture with the power of blockchain innovation. A Spotlight Moment with OpenAI This isn’t the first time FROGE has captured the public’s imagination. Last year, FROGE imagery was spotted on the laptop of one of OpenAI’s co-founders in a New York Times feature, marking the project as an underground favorite within tech circles. Now, with its Easter egg appearances in OpenAI’s livestream series, FROGE is cementing its role as a cultural touchstone in both the crypto and AI communities. The livestreams, set to conclude on December 20th, have provided an unprecedented platform for FROGE to showcase its creativity and community-driven ethos. As viewers hunt for Easter eggs, the project has gained momentum, attracting attention from new investors, developers, and enthusiasts alike. More Than a Meme Coin While FROGE embraces its playful, meme-driven origins, the project is much more than a passing trend. Its robust ecosystem already includes: Frogeswap: A decentralized exchange tailored for simplicity and accessibility. Mobile Game: A completed and widely enjoyed game, emphasizing engagement and fun. Upcoming Innovations: The FROGE team is gearing up to launch a crypto wallet and a Telegram Mini-App, demonstrating its commitment to utility and expanding its ecosystem. The sold-out FROGE NFT project further underscores the community’s enthusiasm and support for the project. The Power of Community-Driven Projects FROGE’s rise is a testament to the creative potential of community-driven cryptocurrency initiatives. By merging blockchain innovation with cultural relevance, FROGE has carved out a unique space in the crypto world. As the unofficial official mascot of OpenAI’s livestream series, FROGE embodies the convergence of AI, meme culture, and decentralized finance. Join the Movement As the #OpenAI12Days livestreams continue to spark excitement, the FROGE community is buzzing with anticipation for what’s next. With its rich history, vibrant community, and ambitious roadmap, FROGE is proving that meme coins can be both fun and impactful. For more information about FROGE and its growing ecosystem, visit https://froge.vip/ . Join the conversation on Twitter at https://x.com/frogevip or connect with the community on Telegram at https://t.me/frogevipportal . About FROGE FROGE is a community-driven cryptocurrency project that blends the creativity of meme culture with the power of blockchain technology. With a thriving ecosystem and a focus on innovation, FROGE is redefining what it means to be a meme coin in today’s rapidly evolving crypto landscape. Website | Twitter | Telegram | Reddit | DEXTools | Medium | YouTube | NFT Collection https://froge.vip/ Disclaimer: The information provided in this release is not investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is recommended that you practice due diligence (including consultation with a professional financial advisor) before investing in or trading securities and cryptocurrency .
HIGHWOOD ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD. ANNOUNCES EARLY REPAYMENT OF PROMISSORY NOTE AND 2025 CAPITAL UPDATESaquon Barkley became the ninth running back in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards in a single season as the Philadelphia Eagles clinched the NFC East title with victory over the Dallas Cowboys. The 27-year-old achieved the feat with a 23-yard run during the fourth quarter of the Eagles’ crushing 41-7 success at Lincoln Financial Field. Barkley is 100 yards short of Eric Dickerson’s record of 2,105 yards, set in 1984 for the Los Angeles Rams, ahead of next week’s regular season finale against the New York Giants. Single-season rushing record in reach. @saquon @Eagles pic.twitter.com/iSHyXeMLv1 — NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2024 However, he could be rested for that game in order to protect him from injury ahead of the play-offs. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers kept alive their dreams of reaching the play-offs by overcoming the Carolina Panthers 48-14. Veteran quarterback Baker Mayfield produced a dominant performance at Raymond James Stadium, registering five passing touchdowns to equal a Buccaneers franchise record. he BAKED today 👨🍳 pic.twitter.com/eFX9fd1w5P — NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2024 The Buffalo Bills clinched the AFC conference number two seed for the post season with a 40-14 success over the New York Jets at Highmark Stadium. Josh Allen passed for 182 yards and two touchdowns, while rushing for another. Buffalo finish the 2024 regular season undefeated at home, with eight wins from as many games. The Indianapolis Colts’ hopes of reaching the play-offs were ended by a 45-33 defeat to the Giants. FINAL: Drew Lock accounts for 5 TDs in the @Giants victory! #INDvsNYG pic.twitter.com/N8HJYth09F — NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2024 Malik Nabers exploded for 171 yards and two touchdowns and Ihmir Smith-Marsette broke a 100-yard kick-off return to give the Giants their highest-scoring output under head coach Brian Daboll. Quarterback Drew Lock threw four touchdown passes and accounted for a fifth on the ground to seal the win. Elsewhere, Mac Jones threw two touchdowns to help the Jacksonville Jaguars defeat the Tennessee Titans 20-13, while the Las Vegas Raiders beat the New Orleans Saints 25-10.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. "Our founder, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, passed away this afternoon in Plains, Georgia," the center said in posting about his death on the social media platform X. It added in a statement that he died peacefully, surrounded by his family. 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 president from Plains 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. And then, the world 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." 'An epic American life' 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. A small-town start 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. 'Jimmy Who?' 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. Accomplishments, and 'malaise' 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. 'A wonderful life' 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.
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The slump in the number of people heading to the shops during Boxing Day sales signals a return to declining pre-pandemic levels, an analyst has said. Boxing Day shopper footfall was down 7.9% from last year across all UK retail destinations up until 5pm, MRI Software’s OnLocation Footfall Index found. However, this year’s data had been compared with an unusual spike in footfall as 2023 was the first “proper Christmas” period without Covid-19 pandemic restrictions, an analyst at the retail technology company said. It found £4.6 billion will be spent overall on the festive sales. Before the pandemic the number of Boxing Day shoppers on the streets had been declining year on year. The last uplift recorded by MRI was in 2015. Jenni Matthews, marketing and insights director at MRI Software, told the PA news agency: “We’ve got to bear in mind that (last year) was our first proper Christmas without any (Covid-19) restrictions or limitations. “Figures have come out that things have stabilised, we’re almost back to what we saw pre-pandemic.” There were year-on-year declines in footfall anywhere between 5% and 12% before Covid-19 restrictions, she said. MRI found 12% fewer people were out shopping on Boxing Day in 2019 than in 2018, and there were 3% fewer in 2018 than in 2017, Ms Matthews added. She said: “It’s the shift to online shopping, it’s the convenience, you’ve got the family days that take place on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.” People are also increasingly stocking-up before Christmas, Ms Matthews said, and MRI found an 18% increase in footfall at all UK retail destinations on Christmas Eve this year compared with 2023. Ms Matthews said: “We see the shops are full of people all the way up to Christmas Eve, so they’ve probably got a couple of good days of food, goodies, everything that they need, and they don’t really need to go out again until later on in that week. “We did see that big boost on Christmas Eve. It looks like shoppers may have concentrated much of their spending in that pre-Christmas rush.” Many online sales kicked off between December 23 and the night of Christmas Day and “a lot of people would have grabbed those bargains from the comfort of their own home”, she said. She added: “I feel like it’s becoming more and more common that people are grabbing the bargains pre-Christmas.” Footfall is expected to rise on December 27 as people emerge from family visits and shops re-open, including Next, Marks and Spencer and John Lewis that all shut for Boxing Day. It will also be payday for some as it is the last Friday of the month. A study by Barclays Consumer Spend had forecast that shoppers would spend £236 each on average in the Boxing Day sales this year, but that the majority of purchases would be made online. Nearly half of respondents said the cost-of-living crisis will affect their post-Christmas shopping but the forecast average spend is still £50 more per person than it was before the pandemic, with some of that figure because of inflation, Barclays said. Amid the financial pressures, many people are planning to buy practical, perishable and essential items such as food and kitchenware. A total of 65% of shoppers are expecting to spend the majority of their sales budget online. Last year, Barclays found 63.9% of Boxing Day retail purchases were made online. However, a quarter of respondents aim to spend mostly in store – an 11% rise compared with last year. Karen Johnson, head of retail at Barclays, said: “Despite the ongoing cost-of-living pressures, it is encouraging to hear that consumers will be actively participating in the post-Christmas sales. “This year, we’re likely to see a shift towards practicality and sustainability, with more shoppers looking to bag bargains on kitchen appliances and second-hand goods.” Consumers choose in-store shopping largely because they enjoy the social aspect and touching items before they buy, Barclays said, adding that high streets and shopping centres are the most popular destinations.Doctor Who Christmas-Special Recap: A Star Is Born
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