Described by the Queen Mother as the only man since her husband "to have had the effrontery to kiss me on the lips", Jimmy Carter's presidency was never far from controversy . Her Majesty would later recall how the moment - just months after he was sworn in as US leader - caused her to take "a sharp step backwards, although not far enough". It was just one of the numerous mishaps that plagued Carter during his ill-fated time in the White House. The Nobel Peace Prize winner died this afternoon after living out his final months in his hometown. Confirming his death, the Carter Centre posted on X: “Our founder, former US President Jimmy Carter , passed away this afternoon in Plains, Georgia." Following his death at 100, the outpouring of tributes to America's 39th leader showed the depth of affection felt more for what he did after his presidency than during it. Before his death today, Carter defied illness and death for years. When his melanoma spread to his brain in 2015, he drew praise for announcing it publicly. Even as he underwent treatment, he continued to teach Sunday school in his home town's Baptist church. Within months, he announced that he was cancer-free. Four years later, Carter fell at least three times, at one point breaking a hip and at another requiring 14 stitches. Each time he bounced back, even showing up for a Habitat for Humanity home-building project shortly after one stumble. But he has slowly retreated from public life lately, making fewer and fewer appearances or statements and was unable to attend President Biden's inauguration in January 2021. However, he lived long enough to outlast two presidents who followed him and his own vice president, Walter Mondale. He became the longest-living president in March 2019 when he passed former President George H.W. Bush, who died four months before. Although Carter, nicknamed Jimmy Cardigan after once wearing a jumper for a televised speech, left the White House after one of the biggest landslide defeats of the modern era, he was one of very few US leaders to be memorialised while still alive. The evolution of his legacy was unusual as he had such a long period between the end of his unpopular presidency and the announcement at the weekend that he would undergo no further treatment to die peacefully at his home. Carter's time in the White House was marred by his struggles to respond to formidable challenges, including a major energy crisis, high inflation, and unemployment. He took office after Gerald Ford left the entire US government in disarray. Carter entered the Oval Office facing mounting challenges - an energy crisis, Soviet aggression and, above all, a deep mistrust of leadership by voters. In foreign affairs, he reopened US relations with China and tried to broker peace in the historic Arab-Israeli conflict, but was damaged late in his term by a hostage crisis in Iran. Carter's diagnosis of America's "crisis of confidence" did little to boost his flagging popularity, and in 1980 he was defeated in the general election by Ronald Reagan. Over the following decades, Carter built a distinguished career as a diplomat, humanitarian and author, pursuing conflict resolution in countries around the globe. He was awarded the Noble Peace Prize in 2002 "for his decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development." President Carter taught all of us what it means to live a life of grace, dignity, justice, and service. Michelle and I send our thoughts and prayers to the Carter family, and everyone who loved and learned from this remarkable man. https://t.co/dZHL0Nu0Tj Born in Plains, Georgia, in October 1924, Carter attended the US Naval Academy graduating in 1946. Already, he had a solid moral compass installed in him by his nurse mother, "Miz" Lillian. She set an example for her son by crossing the strict lines of segregation in 1920s Georgia to counsel poor African American women on health care. Shortly after passing out of the navy, he married Rosalynn Smith, having four children together. But tragedy struck in July 1953 as while he was preparing to serve as an engineering officer on the submarine Seawolf, his father, Earl, died from cancer. Carter returned home and was able to rebuild his family's struggling peanut warehouse business after a crippling drought. Ironically the legume became the symbol of his presidential campaign. Active in community affairs and a deacon at the Plains Baptist Church, he launched his political career with a seat on his local board of education. In 1962, he won the election to the Georgia State Senate as a Democrat, running for the governor's office four years later, finishing a disappointing third. The loss sent Carter into a depression, which he overcame by finding renewed faith as a born-again Christian. He ran again for the governorship in 1970 and won. A year later, Carter was featured on the cover of Time magazine as one of a new breed of young political leaders in the South, known for their moderate racial views and progressive economic and social policies. Initially, Carter was a political phenomenon, a new-generation Democrat who, after a single term as governor of the Peach State, shocked the political world by beating a host of better-known rivals to capture his party's presidential nomination in 1976. A year later, he would oust the incumbent Republican president, Ford. Over four years in office, he sought to restore trust in government following the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal, ushering in reforms meant to transform politics. He mediated the historic Camp David Accords, making peace between Israel and Egypt, an agreement that remains the foundation of Middle East relations. But a sour economy, rocketing inflation, and a 444-day hostage crisis in Iran where 52 American diplomats were held captive undercut his public support. Ultimately, it cost him his re-election bid, losing to Ronald Reagan in 1980. Carter spent his post-presidency, however, on a series of philanthropic causes around the world, like building houses for the poor, combating disease, promoting human rights in places of repression, monitoring elections and seeking to end conflicts. His work as a former president in many ways came to eclipse his time in the White House, eventually earning him the Nobel Peace Prize and rehabilitating his image in the eyes of many Americans. "Between the time he left office and entered hospice care, he got to sit back and enjoy the adulation of a grateful nation," Jeffrey Engel, the director for the presidential history centre at Southern Methodist University, said. "The passage of time smoothed out the rough edges of his political career. "If Carter had died in 1982, there would be less adulation than he is receiving right now." Joseph Crespino, the Jimmy Carter Professor of History at Emory University, called his resilience "remarkable." "Instead of sulking about not winning the second term, he used his influence and prominence from his position in politics to help millions of people and win the Nobel Peace Prize," he said. When asked about regrets, Carter spoke of his in his autobiography "A Full Life: Reflections at Ninety." The former president said he was upset by how his kiss with the Queen Mother was portrayed. He wrote how he didn't regret puckering up to Her Majesty, describing it as "lightly on the cheek" as the pair said goodnight after dinner at Buckingham Place in May 1977. However, much like his presidency, its impact never left those affected most by his actions. To her dying day, the Queen Mother had two hates, as detailed in her 2009 biography - oysters and being kissed by a US president.Donald Trump’s election interference and classified documents cases dismissed
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — The NFL removed New England Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers from the commissioner exempt list on Monday, making him eligible to participate in practice and play in the team’s games. Peppers missed seven games since being placed on the list on Oct. 9 after he was arrested and charged with shoving his girlfriend’s head into a wall and choking her. The league said its review is ongoing and is not affected by the change in Peppers’ roster status. Braintree, Massachusetts, police said they were called to a home for an altercation between two people on Oct. 7, and a woman told them Peppers choked her. Police said they found at the home a clear plastic bag containing a white powder, which later tested positive for cocaine. Peppers, 29, pleaded not guilty in Quincy District Court to charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and possession of a Class “B” substance believed to be cocaine. At a court appearance last week a trial date was set for Jan. 22. “Any act of domestic violence is unacceptable for us,” Patriots coach Jerod Mayo said after the arrest. “With that being said, I do think that Jabrill has to go through the system, has to continue to go through due process. We’ll see how that works out.” A 2017 first-round draft choice by Cleveland, Peppers spent two seasons with the Browns and three with the New York Giants before coming to New England in 2022. He was signed to an extension this summer. He played in the first four games of the season and missed one with a shoulder injury before going on the exempt list, which allows NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to place a player on paid leave while reviewing his case. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl The Associated PressAP Trending SummaryBrief at 5:34 p.m. EST
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Iranian 'mothership' linked to drones in New Jersey mysteriously missing from its port in Persian GulfAs she prepared to leave for winter vacation, Tracey Pauline Albert, a master’s student at Columbia University originally from India, took no chances with her return plans. Her flight back to the U.S. was carefully scheduled to land well before Jan. 20. Columbia is one of a handful of U.S. colleges and universities that have been cautioning their international student bodies to return to campus early to avoid any travel delays. Some schools are specifically advising students to arrive before President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20. The University of Southern California, Cornell University, Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are among the schools that have advised concerned students to return to campus early. “There is a palpable sense of anxiety among internationals regarding the ambiguity surrounding immigration policies,” Albert, who is studying for a Master of Public Administration, told NBC News via email. “Small adjustments, like ensuring one is back in the U.S. before key dates such as January 20th, are manageable. However, the question of what comes after remains.” For students like Albert, who carefully navigate the complexities of living and studying in the U.S., the looming uncertainty of Trump’s second term has reignited fears of travel bans and stricter immigration rules. Schools say they are attempting to help, providing resources for visa holders and saying they can help mobilize in the event of an emergency. “Based on previous experience with travel bans that were enacted in the first Trump Administration ... the Office of Global Affairs is making this advisory out of an abundance of caution,” a University of Massachusetts Amherst office wrote on Instagram . “We are not able to speculate on what a travel ban will look like if enacted, nor can we speculate on what particular countries or regions of the world may or may not be affected.” Though not directly referencing inauguration, a note from Harvard said that it’s monitoring immigration policy closely. It encouraged international students to arrive well before the start of the semester. Referencing Trump’s Muslim travel ban, which was first put into effect just days after he took office in 2017, Cornell encouraged students to carry their papers with them at all times when traveling. “Ensure that they are up to date, and bring additional paperwork demonstrating your purpose at Cornell,” the university wrote . Lingering Muslim ban-driven fears Trump’s initial executive order, signed a week into his first term, barred all travelers from seven Muslim-majority countries for 90 days. It left some students and faculty who were out of town stranded or held at the airport. “For most of the students, they were essentially stopped from boarding the flight,” said Gaurav Khanna, an associate professor of economics and immigration scholar at the University of California, San Diego. “There were a lot of students who did get detained. Some, for instance, if they were transiting through Canada, they couldn’t get on the last leg.” The ban was ruled unconstitutional, but was ultimately upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018. President Joe Biden repealed it when he took office in 2021. Though it’s unclear whether Trump will reinstate the ban, students have expressed concern over past controversial statements he’s made about deporting protesters on college campuses. “When I am president, we will not allow our colleges to be taken over by violent radicals,” Trump said at a rally in New Jersey earlier this year. “If you come here from another country and try to bring jihadism or anti-Americanism or antisemitism to our campuses, we will immediately deport you.” Though the largest numbers of international students in the U.S. come from India and China, experts say even the fear of potential bans could create a chilling effect on enrollment at universities. For Chinese students especially, this post-Covid fear coincides with a dip in their enrollment numbers at U.S. schools. “Given the tensions with China and the large number of students from China, there is this uncertainty,” Khanna said. “That can hurt not just the students, but the universities broadly. Even if the administration doesn’t actually end up doing anything in the short run, that fear might not go away for a while, and as a result it’s going to hurt enrollment.”Aries Daily Horoscope Today, December 27, 2024 predicts excel in your career
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CHEYENNE – The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has a new chief of wildlife. Dan Smith will lead the wildlife division to manage Wyoming’s diverse and charismatic fauna, as well as Game and Fish’s largest division. A native of Wyoming, Smith began his college education at the University of Wyoming and later earned a bachelor’s degree in wildlife conservation biology from Arizona State University in 1993. He worked as a game warden in Arizona before returning to Wyoming and joining the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. Smith moves into the role of chief after living in Cody for 22 years, serving as a game warden, regional access coordinator and then as the regional wildlife supervisor. "We were fortunate to have an excellent group of candidates prepared to fill this role. Dan has been a champion of wildlife management in Wyoming for many years, and he will excel in leading the wildlife division and contributing to the leadership of Game and Fish," said Angi Bruce, director of Game and Fish, in a news release. The wildlife division is responsible for management of wildlife-related topics including big game, non-game, carnivores and wildlife disease and health. Game wardens, wildlife biologists, habitat biologists and others are housed within the division. Smith replaces Rick King, the previous wildlife chief, who retired after 29 years with Game and Fish. "I have really enjoyed my time in Cody. As I move to Cheyenne, I am honored and excited about the new challenges, opportunities and responsibilities this new role will bring," Smith said. "I look forward to continuing to work with the people of Wyoming to conserve the wildlife resource we all deeply value and care about." Get any of our free email newsletters — news headlines, sports, arts & entertainment, state legislature, CFD news, and more.Mother orca and children make ‘grocery shopping’ trip near downtown Vancouver
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The challenges affecting Guam’s tourism industry today stem from deep and systemic issues that require thoughtful attention. While the relocation of the military from Okinawa to Guam provides short-term economic activity, it does not contribute directly to the recovery of our tourism sector. Instead, it absorbs valuable resources, strains local infrastructure, and perpetuates the perception of Guam as a military outpost rather than the tropical paradise it once was known for. At the same time, Guam faces significant geographic and economic challenges. High operating costs, limited flight connectivity post-pandemic, and fierce competition from regional destinations like Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam exacerbate our struggles. These destinations have not changed from pre-COVID to present conditions; they remain competitive because they continue to offer affordable travel packages, modern infrastructure, and cultural experiences that attract tourists from our key markets. Meanwhile, Guam has seemingly become Okinawa overnight, creating an environment Japan, our largest tourist market, does not want. Japan rejects the so-called “Tip of the Spear” atmosphere in favor of the “Hafa Adai Spirit,” which has historically drawn visitors to our island. It is clear that we are now competing against overwhelming odds and may never regain the market share the GVB board aims to achieve without addressing these foundational issues. Adding to these challenges is the recent resignation of former Governor Carl T.C. Gutierrez as general manager and CEO of the Guam Visitors Bureau. His departure, reportedly due to tactful and deliberate actions by the GVB board and political leaders, is both disappointing and concerning. Governor Gutierrez brought unparalleled experience, leadership, and dedication to Guam’s tourism sector at a time when visionary guidance is needed most. His resignation raises serious questions about the priorities of the board and our political leaders, particularly as it appears to cater to outside interests rather than addressing the critical needs of our island. It is nauseating to now see advertisements in the daily paper soliciting a new general manager with such a generic job description, as if to depict that Mr. Gutierrez failed in his efforts to recover our tourism market share in the region. This completely disregards Guam’s unique situation. Such oversimplified messaging fails to consider the deeper, systemic challenges Guam faces and does a disservice to the hard work and progress made under Mr. Gutierrez’s leadership. This situation reflects a broader failure to focus on the root causes of Guam’s tourism struggles. The big picture remains clear: these problems go far beyond surface-level concerns like “cleaning toilets.” Guam needs balanced leadership that fosters sustainable solutions, revitalizes our tourism industry, and restores confidence among stakeholders. While the military buildup absorbs much of the labor and construction resources, the vision of “One Guam” has fallen by the wayside. What happened to initiatives that aimed to create a balance beneficial for both the military and the private sector? Guam’s livelihood depends on finding this equilibrium. We worry about being at the front of a nuclear war, but when the dust settles after the military buildup, I am concerned about our fragile island becoming so small and dependent on the federal government. We risk being overshadowed and displaced by the immense, non-taxable military industry, falling back into the very reality General Murray described in his 1945 secret message to Congress: that Guam has no economic value to the United States and remains subservient to its will. Our island deserves better than to be left in such a state, and it is time for leadership that puts our people first, fostering self-sufficiency and dignity.Nick Sirianni's finest hour: Without Jalen Hurts, the coach leads the depleted Eagles to an NFC East title over the CowboysSocial media users are misrepresenting a report released Thursday by the Justice Department inspector general's office, falsely claiming that it's proof the FBI orchestrated the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021. The watchdog report examined a number of areas, including whether major intelligence failures preceded the riot and whether the FBI in some way provoked the violence. Claims spreading online focus on the report's finding that 26 FBI informants were in Washington for election-related protests on Jan. 6, including three who had been tasked with traveling to the city to report on others who were potentially planning to attend the events. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — What began as a childhood hobby more than six decades ago has led to what might be Africa’s largest butterfly collection in a suburb of Kenya’s capital. Steve Collins, 74, was born and raised in western Kenya. By the age of 5, he was fascinated by butterflies and started building a collection that has grown to more than 4.2 million, representing hundreds of species. “My parents encouraged us to look for butterflies after visiting the Congo and were gifted a trapping net by some friends,” Collins said. “By the time I was 15 years old, I was already visiting other countries like Nigeria to study more about butterflies.” During his 20-year career as an agronomist, Collins dedicated his free time to research. He established the African Butterfly Research Institute in 1997. Now, running out of space and time, he hopes to hand it over to the next generation. On his 1.5 acres (0.6 hectare) of land, hundreds of indigenous trees and flowering bushes form a well-knit forest. Hundreds of butterflies dance from one flower to another, at times landing on Collins’ hand. His collection is private, although it was initially open to the public when he ran it as an education center between 1998 and 2003. Collins has 1.2 million butterflies from across Africa delicately pinned in frames and stored in rows of shelves, with another 3 million in envelopes. “They need to be kept in dark spaces,” he said. “The form of storage also ensures the dried butterflies are not eaten by other insects, parasites and predators. We also ensure we apply insecticides once a year to keep them safe.” Julian Bayliss, an ecologist specializing in Africa and a visiting professor at Oxford Brookes University, said he has collected butterflies for Collins over two decades. “There is a large part of that collection that is completely irreplaceable because a large part of Africa’s habitat is being destroyed,” Bayliss said. Africa is vulnerable to climate change, with periods of prolonged drought and serious flooding destroying forests and other butterfly habitats. Bayliss suggested digitizing the collection to make it accessible worldwide. Whoever takes it over “needs to be an institution that is well-founded, well-funded and secure,” he said. Scott Miller, an entomologist at the Smithsonian Institution, met Collins almost 30 years ago. He said such collections provide critical information that could show environmental changes over 60 years. “These physical specimens, you can actually keep going back to them to get new layers of information as you learn more or you get a different technology or you get different questions,” he said. Collins is concerned that soon he will no longer be able to sustain his research. He said his most prized butterfly costs $8,000 — which he keeps from sight, concerned about possible theft — and hopes to sell the collection to an individual or research institution. The costs of running his institute are high. An annual budget posted in 2009 on the Lepidopterists’ Society of Africa website was $200,000. Collins estimates that the specimens and other assets are worth $8 million. “This has been my hobby for decades, and I can’t put a price on what I have done so far. I’m currently seeking to ensure the species are in safe hands when I’m out of this world,” he said. ___ Associated Press journalist Khaled Kazziha in Nairobi, Kenya, contributed to this report. Magdalene Mwaniki, The Associated Press
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