Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its stake in Piper Sandler Companies ( NYSE:PIPR – Free Report ) by 1.3% during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 205,226 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 2,689 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. owned 1.16% of Piper Sandler Companies worth $58,245,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Mesirow Institutional Investment Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Piper Sandler Companies in the second quarter worth $10,139,000. Millennium Management LLC boosted its holdings in Piper Sandler Companies by 66.0% during the second quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 77,804 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $17,908,000 after acquiring an additional 30,942 shares during the period. Nicholas Investment Partners LP acquired a new stake in shares of Piper Sandler Companies in the second quarter valued at about $5,950,000. Sei Investments Co. lifted its position in shares of Piper Sandler Companies by 101.2% during the 2nd quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 44,675 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $10,282,000 after purchasing an additional 22,471 shares during the last quarter. Finally, SG Americas Securities LLC lifted its position in shares of Piper Sandler Companies by 1,576.2% during the 2nd quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 20,081 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $4,622,000 after purchasing an additional 18,883 shares during the last quarter. 72.79% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Piper Sandler Companies Stock Up 0.4 % Shares of PIPR opened at $342.99 on Friday. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $324.46 and its 200 day moving average price is $295.22. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.10 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 36.64 and a beta of 1.39. Piper Sandler Companies has a 12-month low of $152.59 and a 12-month high of $351.80. Piper Sandler Companies Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 13th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 22nd will be given a dividend of $0.65 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 22nd. This represents a $2.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.76%. Piper Sandler Companies’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 27.78%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several brokerages have commented on PIPR. StockNews.com downgraded Piper Sandler Companies from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, October 28th. JMP Securities reiterated a “market perform” rating on shares of Piper Sandler Companies in a research note on Tuesday, September 17th. Check Out Our Latest Report on Piper Sandler Companies Piper Sandler Companies Company Profile ( Free Report ) Piper Sandler Companies operates as an investment bank and institutional securities firm that serves corporations, private equity groups, public entities, non-profit entities, and institutional investors in the United States and internationally. It offers investment banking services and institutional sales, trading, and research services for various equity and fixed income products; advisory services, such as mergers and acquisitions, equity and debt private placements, and debt and restructuring advisory; raises capital through equity and debt financings; underwrites municipal issuances; and municipal financial advisory and loan placement services, as well as various over-the-counter derivative products. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PIPR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Piper Sandler Companies ( NYSE:PIPR – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Piper Sandler Companies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Piper Sandler Companies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
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Former US president Jimmy Carter has died aged 100. Mr Carter, a former peanut farmer, served one term in the White House between 1977 and 1981, taking over in the wake of the Watergate scandal and the end of the Vietnam War. After his defeat by Ronald Reagan, he spent his post-presidency years as a global humanitarian, winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. His death on Sunday was announced by his family and came more than a year after he decided to enter hospice care. He was the longest-lived US president. Our founder, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, passed away this afternoon in Plains, Georgia. — The Carter Center (@CarterCenter) His son, Chip Carter, said: “My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights and unselfish love. “My brothers, sister and I shared him with the rest of the world through these common beliefs. “The world is our family because of the way he brought people together, and we thank you for honouring his memory by continuing to live these shared beliefs.” World leaders have paid tribute to Mr Carter, including US President Joe Biden, who was one of the first politicians to endorse Mr Carter for president in 1976 and said the world had “lost an extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian”. He said: “Over six decades, we had the honour of calling Jimmy Carter a dear friend. But, what’s extraordinary about Jimmy Carter, though, is that millions of people throughout America and the world who never met him thought of him as a dear friend as well. “With his compassion and moral clarity, he worked to eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil rights and human rights, promote free and fair elections, house the homeless, and always advocate for the least among us. “He saved, lifted, and changed the lives of people all across the globe.” Irish President Michael D Higgins said Mr Carter was “a principled man who dedicated his life to seeking to advance the cause of peace across the world”. He added: “On behalf of the people of Ireland, may I express my sympathies to President Carter’s children and extended family, to President Joe Biden, to the people of the United States, and to his wide circle of colleagues and friends across the globe.” Mr Carter is expected to receive a state funeral featuring public observances in Atlanta and Washington DC before being buried in his home town of Plains, Georgia. A moderate democrat born in Plains in October 1924, Mr Carter’s political career took him from the Georgia state senate to the state governorship and finally, the White House, where he took office as the 39th president. His presidency saw economic disruption amid volatile oil prices, along with social tensions at home and challenges abroad including the Iranian revolution that sparked a 444-day hostage crisis at the US embassy in Tehran. But he also brokered the Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel, which led to a peace treaty between the two countries in 1979. After his defeat in the 1980 presidential election, he worked for more than four decades leading the Carter Centre, which he and his late wife Rosalynn co-founded in 1982 to “wage peace, fight disease, and build hope”. Under his leadership, the Carter Center managed to virtually eliminate Guinea Worm disease, which has gone from affecting 3.5 million people in Africa and Asia in 1986 to just 14 in 2023. Mrs Carter, who died last year aged 96, had played a more active role in her husband’s presidency than previous first ladies, with Mr Carter saying she had been “my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished”. Earlier this year, on his 100th birthday, Mr Carter received a private congratulatory message from the King, expressing admiration for his life of public service.
2 / 10 Jay-Z has had a pretty rough week with the sexual assault allegations he’s had to weather. But even though he and the fam seem to be throwing up a united front in celebration of Blue Ivy’s ” the Beyhivye is losing its mind wondering what is thinking. — Noah A. McGee 3 / 10 Jay-Z has had a pretty rough week with the sexual assault allegations he’s had to weather. But even though he and the fam seem to be throwing up a united front in celebration of Blue Ivy’s ” the Beyhivye is losing its mind wondering what is thinking. — Noah A. McGee 4 / 10 As the continues to play out in the court of public opinion, many are wondering if and when the rapper and his ties to the NFL will be severed—if at all. — Shanelle Genai 5 / 10 might find herself in the same boiling hot water as her ex-boyfriend, Sean “Diddy” Combs, and Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter after the singer was caught on camera fighting with Diddy on the same night of the alleged rape. — Phenix S Halley 6 / 10 Despite the against in a new lawsuit filed over the weekend, 50 Cent seems to be the figure enjoying the controversy these moguls have found themselves in the most. — Noah A. McGee 7 / 10 s of are now against the . The latest to do so is rapper and former collaborator . — Noah A. McGee 8 / 10 The fallout from the Jay-Z allegations continues to rock the world and Black internet at large. Since the rapper was named in a bombshell rape lawsuit on , it seems like is taking to their favorite social media platform (TikTok) to share their opinions, perspectives, and thoughts on Jay, from why they think this has been a long time coming, to how his sudden response to the lawsuit may or may not have hurt his standing in the court of public opinion. — Jared Alexander 9 / 10 Given the shocking lawsuit accusing both , and Sean “Diddy” Combs, of raping a 13-year-old girl, folks have been wondering just how close the two were or how they even came to be colleagues over the years. — Kalyn Womack 10 / 10The year began with a 7.5 earthquake in Japan. Conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine continued to rage. Simone Biles soared in the Olympics. . Steph Curry and LeBron James teamed up to win gold. America was captivated by a rare solar eclipse. five years after a devastating fire. A former president was convicted of 34 felonies. The current one stumbled badly in a high-stakes debate, and announced he would not seek a second term. . And a daughter of Oakland joined the race to try to become America’s first. to Quincy Jones, Joe Lieberman, Dr. Ruth Westheimer, Pete Rose, Ethel Kennedy, Bob Newhart, Toby Keith, O.J. Simpson, Shelley Duvall, Kris Kristofferson and Phil Donahue. The stock market hit record highs. Hurricane Helene cut a deadly swath across the South. One of the world’s most brutal dictators was driven out of Syria. The Bay Area saw its own share of big news stories in 2024 as well, some linked closely to world and national events, and many with implications for next year. Here are the top 10: She had not planned to run until 2028. But when Joe Biden announced on July 21 that he would become the first president since Lyndon Johnson in 1968 not to seek re-election, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic Party rallied around her. Harris, a former San Francisco prosecutor, California attorney general and U.S. senator, would have been only the second president born in California, after Richard Nixon. She had 107 days to organize a campaign and barnstorm the country. She beat the Republican nominee, Donald Trump, in their only debate. She raised more than $1 billion. But she came up short. Voters still stinging over inflation that swept the world after the Covid pandemic, unhappy about illegal immigration and estranged from a party that many said was out of touch with working class concerns, chose Trump. He won all seven swing states. Republicans took back the Senate and kept a slim majority in the House. Where does Harris, 60, go next? She could seek the presidency again in 2028. Or she may announce a run next year for California governor in 2026. That would likely clear the Democratic field, and make her the odds-on favorite to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom. He was the most famous Bay Area athlete in any sport, considered by some historians to be the greatest baseball player ever. The “Say Hey Kid” came out of the segregated South, joined the Negro Leagues, and played in the majors from 1951 to 1973, nearly all with the Giants. Mays’ legendary playing style — from his cannon arm to the way he raced around the bases so fast that his helmet flew off — marked a career with 660 home runs and 24 all-star appearances. No one was surprised when the Giants built a statue of him in front of their waterfront ballpark in 2000, and coronated the address “24 Willie Mays Plaza.” “Mays is the only man in baseball I’d pay to see play,” fellow Hall-of-Famer Ty Cobb once said. A fixture at Giants games for years, a mentor to hundreds of players and beloved by fans, Mays died June 18 at age 93 in Palo Alto. Ten days later, another Giants Hall-of-Famer, Orlando Cepeda, died at age 86. The Giants have struggled since winning the World Series in 2014, winning the National League West only once. On Sept. 30, after firing president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi, they named former MVP catcher Buster Posey to the job. Opening Day is April 4. Bay Area voters are known for being tolerant. This year they hit their limit. Fed up with car break-ins, retail theft, attacks on elderly residents, drug dealing and squalid homeless encampments, San Franciscans dumped Mayor London Breed and replaced her with fellow Democrat Daniel Lurie, heir to the Levi Strauss fortune. Not to be outdone, East Bay voters and Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price by landslide margins. Meanwhile, every Bay Area county voted to approve Proposition 36, a statewide ballot measure to toughen sentences for theft and selling drugs like fentanyl, despite opposition from Newsom. The lesson for candidates in 2025? If voters don’t feel safe, your political career may not be either. The Federal Correctional Institution, Dublin had been famous for housing inmates like Patty Hearst, “Hollywood Madam” Heidi Fleiss and actress Felicity Huffman, who was convicted in the Varsity Blues bribery scandal. The Alameda County prison became infamous, however, after the Associated Press, 60 Minutes and others documented rampant sexual abuse of inmates by prison guards and staff. Since 2021, at least eight FCI Dublin employees have been charged, including former warden Ray Garcia, who was sentenced last year to nearly 6 years in prison. This month, the Federal Bureau of Prisons announced it was permanently closing FCI Dublin, and agreed to pay $116 million to 103 women who filed a class-action lawsuit. “We were sentenced to prison. We were not sentenced to be assaulted and abused,” said former Dublin prisoner Aimee Chavira. On Sept. 26, the Oakland Athletics played their last home game, ending a 57-year run. They beat the Texas Rangers 3-2 in front of a sell-out crowd at the Oakland Coliseum. With the loss of the Warriors to San Francisco in 2019 and the Raiders to Las Vegas in 2020, the A’s were the last major pro sports team left in Oakland. The city lost part of its identity and a gathering site for generations of families. “I started crying after the final moment,” said A’s fan Jesus Ventura. “I felt a deep, deep sadness.” After moving to Oakland from Kansas City in 1968, the A’s won four World Series in 1972, 1973, 1974 and 1989. Fans cheered as Reggie Jackson blasted home runs, Rickey Henderson stole bases, and greats like Vida Blue, Catfish Hunter and Dennis Eckersley struck out opposing hitters. But as the Oakland Coliseum aged, the A’s failed to build a new facility in San Jose, Fremont or Oakland. Billionaire owner John Fisher, heir to the Gap fortune, announced plans last year to move the team to Las Vegas. Enraged fans launched a “sell the team!” campaign. But Major League owners gave him the OK. On Dec. 5, Las Vegas officials greenlit plans for a $1.75 billion domed stadium, with $380 million in public funds, scheduled to open in 2028. Until then, the A’s will play at Sutter Health Park, a minor league field in West Sacramento. Adding to the heartache of A’s fans, the team’s Hall of Fame hometown hero Rickey Henderson, who holds the record for most stolen bases, died just days before what would have been his 66th birthday on Christmas Day. It’s a common cliche: “Every vote counts.” A Silicon Valley congressional race this year proved it true. After congresswoman Anna Eshoo announced she was retiring from the 16th Congressional District, 11 candidates ran to succeed her, including former San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo, Assemblyman Evan Low and Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian. After the March 5 primary, an amazing thing happened. Liccardo led, but fellow Democrats Low and Simitian, fighting for the other spot on the general election ballot, were tied following weeks of counting. Each had 30,249 votes. After a recount, Low won by 5 votes. In November, the more moderate , 58%-42%, to represent the district, which stretches from Pacifica to San Jose. He will be sworn in Jan. 3. Most vestiges of the Covid pandemic are gone. But it is still decimating public transit. Because so many people continue to work from home, BART, the Bay Area’s largest public transit system, has seen ridership collapse from roughly 400,000 a day to fewer than 200,000 most days now. The agency, which operates 50 stations in five counties, raised fares by 5%. It still faces a $35 million deficit in 2026 and a staggering $385 million shortfall in 2027. Federal Covid money is running out, and the new Trump administration isn’t likely to give California a bailout. Critics say BART needs to cut bloated union benefits and staffing, and continue to reduce crime on its trains. Other Bay Area transit agencies also face shortfalls, and warn that if they cut service, traffic will increase for everyone on freeways. The agencies have tried to draft a tax increase for the 2026 ballot, but so far haven’t been able to agree. The question for 2025 may not be whether there will be cuts on hours and routes — but how big will they be? They had so much promise. With offensive stars like George Kittle, Brandon Aiyuk, Christian McCaffrey and quarterback Brock Purdy, a stacked defense and a 12-5 record, the 49ers rolled into Las Vegas on Feb. 11 looking to dethrone the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs. But in the most-watched TV show in history, with 123 million viewers, the Niners’ first Super Bowl victory since 1995 wasn’t to be. They led 19-16 with 1:53 left in the game. But future Hall-of-Fame quarterback Patrick Mahomes drove the Chiefs down the field, resulting in a game-tying field goal with 3 seconds left. In overtime, he broke 49ers’ fans hearts, covering 75 yards in 13 plays for the winning touchdown. The 49ers fired their defensive coordinator after the game. Relentless injuries this season to stars like Aiyuk, McCaffrey, Nick Bosa and Trent Williams caused them to miss the playoffs entirely. In 2025 they are expected to sign Purdy to a long-term deal. And although there are lots of question marks, they are lucky the NFC West is considered a relatively easy division. Hope springs eternal. San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus got a lot of attention in 2024. But it wasn’t for arresting criminals. On Dec. 4, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors voted to place a measure on the March ballot that would allow them to remove a sheriff for “flagrant or repeated neglect of duties, misappropriation of public funds, willful falsification of documents, or obstructing an investigation.” The unanimous vote came after the board hired retired Superior Court Judge LaDoris Cordell to investigate allegations of wrongdoing. She concluded that Corpus hired her boyfriend to be chief of staff, gave him improper authority, used racial and homophobic slurs and bullied employees. Corpus denies the allegations. In November, she ordered the arrest of Carlos Tapia, a critic who serves as president of the San Mateo County Deputy Sheriff’s Association, for time card fraud. But on Dec. 16, San Mateo County District Attorney Stephen M. Wagstaffe said no crime was committed and he won’t file charges. Will San Mateo County’s first female sheriff get the boot? Voters will have the final say in three months. College campuses across California were the site of raucous demonstrations following the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack by Hamas against Israel, sparking a massive counterattack by Israeli forces in Gaza that has killed more than 40,000 people. Hundreds of students and other protesters were arrested at Cal, Stanford, UC Santa Cruz and other campuses after refusing to leave pro-Palestinian encampments and occupying buildings. Some Jewish students said they were harassed and threatened. In August, UC system President Michael Drake banned encampments and said students would face discipline if they blocked others or wore masks as intimidation. Cal State followed suit. This fall, protests were muted. Biden has dispatched negotiators to the Middle East to try and broker a cease-fire. On Dec. 16, Trump announced that he had a “very good talk” with Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and warned “all hell is going to break out” if Hamas does not release the remaining hostages by Jan. 20, the day Trump takes office.Ikea India's losses swell, sales growth falls to 6-year low
Published 5:42 pm Thursday, December 12, 2024 By Data Skrive When the Nashville Predators play the Dallas Stars on Thursday at 8:00 PM ET, will Gustav Nyquist score a goal? Below, we dig into the stats and trends you need to consider before making any prop bets. Sign up for ESPN+ today to watch 1,000+ out-of-market NHL games, ESPN+ Hockey Night & more. Odds to score a goal this game: +390 (Bet $10 to win $39.00 if he scores a goal) Place your bets on any NHL matchup at BetMGM. Sign up today using our link. Catch NHL action all season long on Fubo. Catch NHL action all season long on Max. Bet on this or any NHL matchup at BetMGM. Not all offers available in all states, please visit BetMGM for the latest promotions for your area. Must be 21+ to gamble, please wager responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact 1-800-GAMBLER .Neal Maupay: Whenever I’m having a bad day I check Everton score and smileA massive fire at a carton factory inside the Karnaphuli Export Processing Zone (EPZ) was brought under control after a two-hour operation involving eight fire service units and a Navy team on Saturday evening. The blaze, which erupted around 6:30 PM at Unity Accessories factory, spread rapidly due to the presence of flammable materials, including a large stock of paper. Abdur Razzak, Deputy Assistant Director of Chattogram Fire Service, said that the fire was contained by 8 pm. "The presence of highly combustible materials made it difficult to control the fire,” he said. No immediate casualties or a damage estimate were reported. Investigation into the cause of the fire is underway, he added. UNB/MBAfter almost a decade of entertaining her neighbourhood with a massive lights display, Golden Square's bringer of cheer Janine Dole is calling time on her annual tradition. or signup to continue reading Every year, Janine puts up an interactive display in her front yard and hands out treats to eager children. "It just makes my day to see all the children happy," she said. "I've got nine grandbabies, so I love doing it for them and it just makes me really happy." Two years ago, she raised money for cancer research in honour of her parents, who both died of the disease. As she was getting older, and given the time and money it took to put up a display, Ms Dole said she came to the decision to pull the plug on having a large display. "I'm getting older and I work cleaning every day, five days a week, and I'm just tired," she said. "I get home and we stay out here till about 10.30pm." Although she planned to sell or give away most of her decorations, there was a possibility Ms Dole's daughter Brianna McDonald would pick up the tradition. "She said maybe last year was the last year, and then we had our final baby and she was like 'oh, okay, one more year'," she said. The mum-of-four said was always a special time in Bendigo, with excitement building until December 25. Christmas lights provided a fun - and free - activity for families. "Everything's so expensive, even going and getting Christmas photos can be such a difficult time for families," Ms McDonald said. "It's the end of the year for kids; we've got uniforms and book lists and everything for next year; we've got birthdays, we've got Christmas, we've got everything. "It's just so nice to be able to bring some kind of festive spirit." Neighbour Mary Cuskelly said she'd be sad to see Ms Dole end her tradition. "We live in a court and every year on Christmas Eve the neighbours from every house, and others from the adjoining streets, come together with their fold-up chairs and tables to share food and drinks and to enjoy the spectacle of the lights and to feel the love and friendship of each other at such a wonderful and special time," she said. If this would be her last year, Janine was determined to make it memorable. She has organised a special night featuring an appearance from Mrs Claus, with free photos and gifts, on December 21 from 6.30pm at her house on Taplan Court, Golden Square you won't miss it. Jonathon has been living and working in Bendigo since March 2021, currently working as a general reporter. Contact him on jonathon.magrath@austcommunitymedia.com.au. Jonathon has been living and working in Bendigo since March 2021, currently working as a general reporter. Contact him on jonathon.magrath@austcommunitymedia.com.au. DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. 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With a focus on human rights, US policy toward Latin America under Jimmy Carter briefly tempered a long tradition of interventionism in a key sphere of American influence, analysts say. Carter, who died Sunday at the age of 100, defied the furor of US conservatives to negotiate the handover of the Panama Canal to Panamanian control, suspended aid to multiple authoritarian governments in the region, and even attempted to normalize relations with Cuba. Carter's resolve to chart a course toward democracy and diplomacy, however, was severely tested in Central America and Cuba, where he was forced to balance his human rights priorities with pressure from adversaries to combat the spread of communism amid the Cold War standoff with the Soviet Union. "Latin America was fundamental and his global policy was oriented toward human rights, democratic values and multilateral cooperation," political analyst Michael Shifter of the Inter-American Dialogue, a think tank in Washington, told AFP. During his 1977-1981 administration, which was sandwiched between the Republican presidencies of Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan, the Democrat sought to take a step back from US alignment with right-wing dictatorships in Latin America. An important symbol of Carter's approach was the signing of two treaties in 1977 to officially turn over the Panama Canal in 1999. "Jimmy Carter understood that if he did not return the canal to Panama, the relationship between the United States and Panama could lead to a new crisis in a country where Washington could not afford the luxury of instability," said Luis Guillermo Solis, a political scientist and former president of Costa Rica. Carter called the decision, which was wildly unpopular back home, "the most difficult political challenge I ever had," as he accepted Panama's highest honor in 2016. He also hailed the move as "a notable achievement of moving toward democracy and freedom." During his term, Carter opted not to support Nicaraguan strongman Anastasio Somoza, who was subsequently overthrown by the leftist Sandinista Front in 1979. But in El Salvador, the American president had to "make a very uncomfortable pact with the government," said Shifter. To prevent communists from taking power, Carter resumed US military assistance for a junta which then became more radical, engaging in civilian massacres and plunging El Salvador into a long civil war. Carter took a critical approach to South American dictatorships in Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay, suspending arms deliveries and imposing sanctions in some cases. But his efforts "did not achieve any progress in terms of democratization," said Argentine political scientist Rosendo Fraga. The American president also tried to normalize relations with Cuba 15 years after the missile crisis. He relaxed sanctions that had been in force since 1962, supported secret talks and enabled limited diplomatic representation in both countries. "With him, for the first time, the possibility of dialogue rather than confrontation as a framework for political relations opened up," Jesus Arboleya, a former Cuban diplomat, told AFP. But in 1980, a mass exodus of 125,000 Cubans to the United States, with Fidel Castro's blessing, created an unexpected crisis. It "hurt Carter politically with the swarm of unexpected immigrants," said Jennifer McCoy, a professor of political science at Georgia State University. Castro continued to support Soviet-backed African governments and even deployed troops against Washington's wishes, finally putting an end to the normalization process. However, more than 20 years later, Carter made a historic visit to Havana as ex-president, at the time becoming the highest-profile American politician to set foot on Cuban soil since 1959. During the 2002 visit, "he made a bold call for the US to lift its embargo, but he also called on Castro to embrace democratic opening," said McCoy, who was part of the US delegation for the trip, during which Castro encouraged Carter to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at a Cuban All-Star baseball game. "Castro was sitting in the front row and we were afraid he would rise to give a long rebuttal to Carter's speech. But he didn't. He just said, 'Let's go to the ball game.'" In the years following Carter's presidency, Ronald Reagan (1981-1989) would go on to resume a full-frontal confrontation with Cuba. Decades later, Barack Obama (2009-2017) opened a new phase of measured normalization, which Donald Trump (2017-2021) brought to an end. US President Joe Biden promised to review US policy toward Cuba, but hardened his stance after Havana cracked down on anti-government protests in 2021. "Carter showed that engagement and diplomacy are more fruitful than isolation," McCoy said. bur-lp-rd-jb/lbc/mlr/bfm/sst/bbk