Qatar tribune THE murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan has spotlighted the fury that many Americans feel toward the nation’s dysfunctional health insurance system. It has also tapped a profane undercurrent in national discourse today that makes otherwise rational people think it’s acceptable to express such fury with dehumanizing jokes and memes about the violent taking of a life. What isn’t getting enough attention, but should, is the alleged instrument of that violence. Murder suspect Luigi Mangione was arrested in Pennsylvania carrying a “ghost gun” that authorities believe was the murder weapon. It’s part of a burgeoning industry of untraceable weapons that Congress should have cracked down on years ago — but that, thanks to congressional paralysis on any issue addressing gun violence, might soon enjoy expanded federal protection. America’s federal gun laws are woefully inadequate, as proven by our worst-in-the-advanced-world firearms death rates, but there are some current restrictions that help. Firearms manufacturers are required to stamp each new gun with a serial number. Acquisition and transfer records are required when the weapon is sold and resold. Criminal background checks are required for any gun purchase made through a federally licensed dealer. All of it is designed to both prevent gun violence and to aid police in tracking down perpetrators of violence when it happens. “Ghost guns” are guns assembled by buyers from mail-order kits and/or 3D-printer plans instead of being sold as fully functioning weapons. The only logical reason for this roundabout process is to make it easier for people who aren’t supposed to have weapons to get them — and to make it harder for police to trace them when they’re used in crimes. Common sense dictates that, regardless of how a gun came into being, federal requirements regarding serial numbers and the rest should still apply. A gun assembled at home can be used to kill with just as much finality as one bought in a gun shop. Yet because of the gun lobby’s hold over American politics, the legal status of ghost guns today remains in limbo. Congress, at the gun lobby’s bidding, has refused to specify in federal law that ghost guns must come under the same restrictions as other guns. The Biden administration responded with administrative rules that require manufacturers of ghost gun components to adhere to the same regulations as firearms manufacturers, including stamping the parts with serial numbers and keeping relevant sales records. Opponents sued to overturn those restrictions, arguing that gun kits aren’t guns — never mind that they can be assembled by buyers into functioning weapons in as little as 30 minutes. The US Supreme Court heard arguments in the case (Garland v. VanDerStok) in October; its opinion is pending. But the incoming Trump administration could render the case moot. During President Donald Trump’s first term, he loosened federal regulations on 3D-printer technology related to ghost guns and sided with the gun lobby on most issues. Trump could summarily rescind the Biden administration’s ghost-gun restrictions upon retaking office. All indications are that his fellow Republicans who will control both chambers of Congress would back such a move. Congressional Republicans have consistently supported a hands-off approach to an industry that exists for literally no reason but to hamper law enforcement in criminal investigations. More and more criminals are figuring that out. The number of ghost guns recovered at crime scenes has exploded 10-fold in just the past five years, from under 1,800 in 2016 to more than 19,000 in 2021, according to data from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. While the assassin could just as easily have killed Thompson with a standard-issue handgun, the fact that it was apparently a ghost gun could conceivably complicate the case against Mangione. Police say the ghost gun found on Mangione is “consistent” with the type of gun used in the killing. But that doesn’t provide the solid link they might be able to establish if they could work with a serial number, manufacturing records, background checks and other law enforcement tools that, by intentional design, are not available for ghost guns. In other words, the fact that Mangione allegedly used such a gun to carry out the murder could in theory make it more difficult to prosecute him. If so, will Republicans continue to shield the unrestricted proliferation of this made-for-crime industry from even the minimum firearms standards currently on the books? It’s not a rhetorical question. By failing to pass commonsense legislation stamping ghost-gun restrictions into federal law, Congress aids the criminals who are aided by this niche of the firearms industry. Remember that the next time some gun-lobby politician waxes on about supporting “law and order.” Copy 16/12/2024 10
Tudor and Cashel host Historical Society Lunch and Learn
TORONTO — There’s never a dull moment in the travel industry and that’s especially true for Canada’s airlines. This past year was a strong one for Canada’s carriers. While it wasn’t the gold rush of 2023, demand was still high, and another year of revenge travel kept plenty of bookings coming in. As the airlines worked to maximize loads and streamline operations for the most efficient networks, there were schedule and operational changes, leading to headaches for many travel advisors. The year ended with execs from four of Canada’s biggest carriers testifying before a parliamentary committee on contentious issues ranging from carry-on baggage fees to aviation industry reform. Travelweek connected with six airlines – Air Canada, WestJet, Porter Airlines, Air Transat, Sunwing Airlines and Flair Airlines – to get their take on 2024 highlights, and what’s on the horizon for 2025. __________________________________________________________________________ AIR CANADA Lisa Pierce VP, Global Sales & Air Canada Vacations 2024: “This year was incredible, and a key accomplishment was returning to stability and growth after the pandemic. This was highlighted by our decision to resume service to Beijing and increase our Shanghai flights, as China is a very important market. As well, there were other increases in the Pacific, with capacity up 31 per cent in the third quarter over 2023 and an exciting new route to Manila. 2025: “In 2025, customers will benefit from new technology throughout their journey, including biometric boarding options, more WiFi access, and even a new aircraft type as the first two A320 XLRs are due to arrive later this year. There are also important milestones such as the 40th anniversary of Aeroplan in 2024 and the 50th anniversary of ACV in 2025, which we celebrate not only as past accomplishments, but also because they speak to Air Canada’s long-term commitment to the future.” __________________________________________________________________________ WESTJET Jeff Hagen VP, Commercial Development & Strategic Partnerships 2024: “As part of our ambitious growth strategy, WestJet has made significant strides in expanding air connectivity across Canada. This summer, we enhanced our presence in Eastern Canada, strengthening connections to key Western Canadian destinations and restarting transoceanic flights from Halifax and St. John’s. Additionally, we launched new service between Calgary and Seoul, South Korea, solidifying YYC as a global hub for WestJet. We also unveiled two new offerings: UltraBasic fares, providing more affordable options, and Extended Comfort, enhancing the flying experience with extra space and convenience. 2025: “Looking ahead to 2025, we’re excited to complete the integration of Sunwing Airlines, which will further augment our ability to serve sun and leisure destinations for travellers across the country. We’ll also be rolling out several initiatives to improve affordability and convenience for Canadian travellers, including our partnership with TELUS to offer free in-flight WiFi.” __________________________________________________________________________ PORTER AIRLINES Edmond Eldebs Senior VP & Chief Commercial Officer 2024: “Porter’s reach is expanding rapidly across North America. We are already the third-largest airline at Toronto Pearson Airport and the second-largest serving the combined Canada-U.S. markets from there. Our growing presence is disrupting the status quo and giving passengers genuine alternatives that previously didn’t exist. This winter season, we added substantially more flight options and became a real player in sun destinations, such as Florida (14 routes, from four Eastern Canada airports, to six destinations), California (Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and Palm Springs), Las Vegas (from Toronto-Pearson, Ottawa and Montréal) and Phoenix. As we take on more aircraft, we will continue to expand our elevated economy service to more sun destinations and increase frequencies. “Porter continues to expand our joint venture with Air Transat. The flow of passengers on both carriers means that Porter is able to develop a more robust North American network by increasing flight frequency on key domestic and transborder routes, and entering into new markets with less point-to-point traffic. Air Transat is then able to focus its capacity and destinations on transatlantic and sun routes that integrate with Porter flights. The joint venture also allows customers to book stand-alone flights on each airline through our respective distribution channels.” 2025: “We’re done a lot of research over the last year to better understand what Porter passengers want and expect in a loyalty program. Not only the types of ways they want to earn and redeem their points, but the underlying tenets of loyalty that represent what people want and expect from a brand. In 2025, we’ll be adding earning and redemption options with partner airlines to the VIPorter program, introducing a credit card and broadly improving the program to maximize the benefits for frequent travellers.” __________________________________________________________________________ AIR TRANSAT Marie-Eve Vallières Senior Advisor, PR & Content 2024: “2024 was a year of bold initiatives and concrete progress, reinforcing our position as a leader in leisure travel and setting the stage for even greater accomplishments in the years ahead. One of Air Transat’s outstanding operational achievements in 2024 was the successful insourcing of passenger and ramp services at Montreal-Trudeau earlier this year. We’re very pleased to report a 7-percentage-point improvement in our on-time performance in the fourth quarter compared to the same period last year. This marks the second consecutive quarter of significant progress, largely due to this massive transition. “On the network front, 2024 was a year of exciting growth. We launched flights to Lima and Marrakesh, marking our expansion into a new continent, and announced upcoming flights to Valencia in 2025. These additions highlight our dedication to connecting travellers with unique and culturally rich destinations. Strategically, our joint venture with Porter Airlines continues to be a game-changer, enhancing connectivity across Canada and laying the foundation for future growth. Finally, we continue to excel in customer experience. Our customer satisfaction rating (CSAT) saw continued improvement in the fourth quarter, reflecting the exceptional service that has earned us multiple accolades, including the Skytrax award for World’s Best Leisure Airline for the sixth time. 2025: “At Air Transat, our commitment is to ensure that anyone who flies with us feels they’re getting great value from every aspect of the journey, from the warm hospitality on board to the destinations we thoughtfully select. We are carrying forward the energy that drove our 2024 introductions of Marrakesh and Lima as we ramp up frequencies on key routes like Toronto–Amsterdam, Toronto–Montego Bay, and Toronto–Varadero in 2025. In fact, with 26 direct European routes now available from Toronto, Montreal, and Quebec City, we’re establishing ourselves as the only airline in the Americas opening doors to a wealth of curated, extraordinary places. Our evolving transatlantic and South networks underscore our trailblazing role in helping travellers see more of the world on their own terms.” __________________________________________________________________________ SUNWING AIRLINES Len Corrado President 2024: “Our biggest accomplishment has to be our people. Sunwing Airlines has been successful because of our team of EPIC employees across all areas of the business, from our head office employees to our cabin crew and pilots, our maintenance and engineering team, and our partners on the frontline at the airport interacting with customers. This past November we also marked a milestone – 19 incredible years of service in the industry, helping to make our customers’ vacation dreams come true. We could not be prouder of all that we’ve accomplished together during this time.” 2025: “2025 is a big year for us. It will be Sunwing Airlines’ last winter in service, which is bittersweet, but we are looking forward to making this our best winter season yet. Our incredible airline team will remain focused on prioritizing the safety of our customers and employees throughout the travel journey, and on helping customers make incredible vacation memories to last a lifetime.” __________________________________________________________________________ FLAIR AIRLINES Eric Tanner VP of Revenue Management & Network Planning 2024: “In 2024, Flair became the only airline offering direct flights from Vancouver International Airport and Toronto Pearson International Airport to Guadalajara International Airport (GDL), with up to three flights per week from each city. We’ve been warmly welcomed in Guadalajara as a vital link connecting friends, family, and business opportunities between Mexico and Canada. “Despite inflation, Flair continues to carry over 4.5 million travellers annually, with a 3% year-over-year increase in load factors. We’re making air travel better, more affordable, and accessible for Canadians. In 2024, Flair delivered the highest flight completion rate and one of the best On-Time Performance (OTP) records among Canadian airlines. To strengthen that promise, we launched Canada’s first On-Time Guarantee (OTG), ensuring passengers can rely on us to get home, see loved ones, and attend important events – on time and at the right price.” 2025: “Expect more daily flights between Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), making same-day trips between British Columbia and Alberta easier than ever. Flair is committed to making Canada more connected – affordably. Beyond offering lower fares and streamlined services, Flair is committed to delivering the ‘gift of connection.’ Flair is creating opportunities for lasting memories and positive experiences.”
The Detroit Lions will play without two high draft picks in rookie cornerbacks Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. while possibly getting back veteran Emmanuel Moseley against the host Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. Arnold was downgraded Saturday from questionable to out because of a groin injury. He was limited at practice on Thursday and participated in a full practice on Friday. The Lions drafted Arnold with the 24th overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft out of Alabama. Arnold, 21, has started all 10 games and has 38 tackles and six passes defended. Rakestraw (hamstring) was placed on injured reserve after not practicing all week. He already had been ruled out for Sunday's game. Detroit picked Rakestraw in the second round (61st overall) out of Missouri. He has played in eight games and has six tackles. Rakestraw, 22, has played on 46 defensive snaps (8 percent) and 95 special teams snaps (42 percent). Moseley had full practice sessions all week and was activated from injured reserve on Saturday but was listed as questionable for Sunday. The 28-year-old is in his second season with Detroit and appeared in one game last season before going on IR in October 2023. He was placed on IR on Aug. 27 with a designation to return. Moseley played from 2018-22 for the San Francisco 49ers and had 162 tackles, four interceptions -- one returned for a touchdown -- and 33 passes defensed in 46 games (33 starts). Detroit elevated linebacker David Long on Saturday for game day. Long, 28, signed with the practice squad on Tuesday after the Miami Dolphins released him on Nov. 13. He had started six of eight games for the Dolphins this season and had 38 tackles. In other Lions news, the NFL fined wide receiver Jameson Williams $19,697 for unsportsmanlike conduct for making an obscene gesture during a touchdown celebration in last Sunday's 52-6 home win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, the NFL Network reported Saturday. Williams, 23, scored on a 65-yard pass from Jared Goff with 12:55 remaining in the third quarter. --Field Level MediaJimmy Carter, the United States’ longest-lived president, was never afraid of speaking his mind. Forthright and fearless, the Nobel Prize winner took pot-shots at former prime minister Tony Blair and ex-US president George W Bush among others. His death came after repeated bouts of illness in which images of the increasingly frail former president failed to erase memories of his fierce spirit. Democrat James Earl “Jimmy” Carter Jr swept to power in 1977 with his Trust Me campaign helping to beat Republican president Gerald Ford. Serving as 39th US president from 1977 to 1981, he sought to make government “competent and compassionate” but was ousted by the unstoppable Hollywood appeal of a certain Ronald Reagan. A skilled sportsman, Mr Carter left his home of Plains, Georgia, to join the US Navy, returning later to run his family’s peanut business. A stint in the Georgia senate lit the touchpaper on his political career and he rose to the top of the Democratic movement. But he will also be remembered for a bizarre encounter with a deeply disgruntled opponent. The president was enjoying a relaxing fishing trip near his home town in 1979 when his craft was attacked by a furious swamp rabbit which reportedly swam up to the boat hissing wildly. The press had a field day, with one paper bearing the headline President Attacked By Rabbit. Away from encounters with belligerent bunnies, Mr Carter’s willingness to address politically uncomfortable topics did not diminish with age. He recently said that he would be willing to travel to North Korea for peace talks on behalf of US President Donald Trump. He also famously mounted a ferocious and personal attack on Tony Blair over the Iraq war, weeks before the prime minister left office in June 2007. Mr Carter, who had already denounced George W Bush’s presidency as “the worst in history”, used an interview on BBC radio to condemn Mr Blair for his tight relations with Mr Bush, particularly concerning the Iraq War. Asked how he would characterise Mr Blair’s relationship with Mr Bush, Mr Carter replied: “Abominable. Loyal, blind, apparently subservient. “I think that the almost undeviating support by Great Britain for the ill-advised policies of President Bush in Iraq have been a major tragedy for the world.” Mr Carter was also voluble over the Rhodesia crisis, which was about to end during his presidency. His support for Robert Mugabe at the time generated widespread criticism. He was said to have ignored the warnings of many prominent Zimbabweans, black and white, about what sort of leader Mugabe would be. This was seen by Mr Carter’s critics as “deserving a prominent place among the outrages of the Carter years”. Mr Carter has since said he and his administration had spent more effort and worry on Rhodesia than on the Middle East. He admitted he had supported two revolutionaries in Mugabe and Joshua Nkomo, and with hindsight said later that Mugabe had been “a good leader gone bad”, having at first been “a very enlightened president”. One US commentator wrote: “History will not look kindly on those in the West who insisted on bringing the avowed Marxist Mugabe into the government. “In particular, the Jimmy Carter foreign policy... bears some responsibility for the fate of a small African country with scant connection to American national interests.” In recent years Mr Carter developed a reputation as an international peace negotiator. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his commitment to finding peaceful solutions to international conflicts, his work with human rights and democracy initiatives, and his promotion of economic and social programmes. Mr Carter was dispatched to North Korea in August 2008 to secure the release of US citizen Aijalon Mahli Gomes, who had been sentenced to eight years of hard labour after being found guilty of illegally entering North Korea. He successfully secured the release of Mr Gomes. In 2010 he returned to the White House to greet President Barack Obama and discuss international affairs amid rising tensions on the Korean peninsula. Proving politics runs in the family, in 2013 his grandson Jason, a state senator, announced his bid to become governor in Georgia, where his famous grandfather governed before becoming president. He eventually lost to incumbent Republican Nathan Deal. Fears that Mr Carter’s health was deteriorating were sparked in 2015 when he cut short an election observation visit in Guyana because he was “not feeling well”. It would have been Mr Carter’s 39th trip to personally observe an international election. Three months later, on August 12, he revealed he had cancer which had been diagnosed after he underwent surgery to remove a small mass in his liver. Mr Obama was among the well-wishers hoping for Mr Carter’s full recovery after it was confirmed the cancer had spread widely. Melanoma had been found in his brain and liver, and Mr Carter underwent immunotherapy and radiation therapy, before announcing in March the following year that he no longer needed any treatment. In 2017, Mr Carter was taken to hospital as a precaution, after he became dehydrated at a home-building project in Canada. He was admitted to hospital on multiple occasions in 2019 having had a series of falls, suffering a brain bleed and a broken pelvis, as well as a stint to be treated for a urinary tract infection. Mr Carter spent much of the coronavirus pandemic largely at his home in Georgia, and did not attend Joe Biden’s presidential inauguration in 2021, but extended his “best wishes”. Former first lady Rosalynn Carter, the closest adviser to Mr Carter during his term as US president, died in November 2023. She had been living with dementia and suffering many months of declining health. “Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished,” Mr Carter said in a statement following her death. “She gave me wise guidance and encouragement when I needed it. As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me.”
J&K launches 100-day drive to end TB
Porter's 26 lead Middle Tennessee over South Florida 95-88Mr 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. pic.twitter.com/aqYmcE9tXi — The Carter Center (@CarterCenter) December 29, 2024 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.” 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”. 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.Qatar tribune THE murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan has spotlighted the fury that many Americans feel toward the nation’s dysfunctional health insurance system. It has also tapped a profane undercurrent in national discourse today that makes otherwise rational people think it’s acceptable to express such fury with dehumanizing jokes and memes about the violent taking of a life. What isn’t getting enough attention, but should, is the alleged instrument of that violence. Murder suspect Luigi Mangione was arrested in Pennsylvania carrying a “ghost gun” that authorities believe was the murder weapon. It’s part of a burgeoning industry of untraceable weapons that Congress should have cracked down on years ago — but that, thanks to congressional paralysis on any issue addressing gun violence, might soon enjoy expanded federal protection. America’s federal gun laws are woefully inadequate, as proven by our worst-in-the-advanced-world firearms death rates, but there are some current restrictions that help. Firearms manufacturers are required to stamp each new gun with a serial number. Acquisition and transfer records are required when the weapon is sold and resold. Criminal background checks are required for any gun purchase made through a federally licensed dealer. All of it is designed to both prevent gun violence and to aid police in tracking down perpetrators of violence when it happens. “Ghost guns” are guns assembled by buyers from mail-order kits and/or 3D-printer plans instead of being sold as fully functioning weapons. The only logical reason for this roundabout process is to make it easier for people who aren’t supposed to have weapons to get them — and to make it harder for police to trace them when they’re used in crimes. Common sense dictates that, regardless of how a gun came into being, federal requirements regarding serial numbers and the rest should still apply. A gun assembled at home can be used to kill with just as much finality as one bought in a gun shop. Yet because of the gun lobby’s hold over American politics, the legal status of ghost guns today remains in limbo. Congress, at the gun lobby’s bidding, has refused to specify in federal law that ghost guns must come under the same restrictions as other guns. The Biden administration responded with administrative rules that require manufacturers of ghost gun components to adhere to the same regulations as firearms manufacturers, including stamping the parts with serial numbers and keeping relevant sales records. Opponents sued to overturn those restrictions, arguing that gun kits aren’t guns — never mind that they can be assembled by buyers into functioning weapons in as little as 30 minutes. The US Supreme Court heard arguments in the case (Garland v. VanDerStok) in October; its opinion is pending. But the incoming Trump administration could render the case moot. During President Donald Trump’s first term, he loosened federal regulations on 3D-printer technology related to ghost guns and sided with the gun lobby on most issues. Trump could summarily rescind the Biden administration’s ghost-gun restrictions upon retaking office. All indications are that his fellow Republicans who will control both chambers of Congress would back such a move. Congressional Republicans have consistently supported a hands-off approach to an industry that exists for literally no reason but to hamper law enforcement in criminal investigations. More and more criminals are figuring that out. The number of ghost guns recovered at crime scenes has exploded 10-fold in just the past five years, from under 1,800 in 2016 to more than 19,000 in 2021, according to data from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. While the assassin could just as easily have killed Thompson with a standard-issue handgun, the fact that it was apparently a ghost gun could conceivably complicate the case against Mangione. Police say the ghost gun found on Mangione is “consistent” with the type of gun used in the killing. But that doesn’t provide the solid link they might be able to establish if they could work with a serial number, manufacturing records, background checks and other law enforcement tools that, by intentional design, are not available for ghost guns. In other words, the fact that Mangione allegedly used such a gun to carry out the murder could in theory make it more difficult to prosecute him. If so, will Republicans continue to shield the unrestricted proliferation of this made-for-crime industry from even the minimum firearms standards currently on the books? It’s not a rhetorical question. By failing to pass commonsense legislation stamping ghost-gun restrictions into federal law, Congress aids the criminals who are aided by this niche of the firearms industry. Remember that the next time some gun-lobby politician waxes on about supporting “law and order.” Copy 16/12/2024 10
3266**2050Victors Home Solutions recognized as 2024 Roofing Contractor of the Year
Every year, millions of travelers share their impressions of their favorite countries and cities, forming ratings of the most popular tourist destinations. Travel preferences change, but some places remain consistently attractive to visitors. The Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards 2024 announced the winners in 22 categories, where the choice of more than 168,000 participants became the basis for summarizing the results. OBOZ.UA offers to find out about the countries, cities, and regions that topped this year's ratings. The most desirable countries: Australia, Canada, and Japan For the third time in four years, Australia has won the title of the most desirable country in the world, thanks to the rich culture of indigenous peoples and unique natural landscapes. Travelers appreciate Australia for its combination of modern megacities and remote wilderness areas. Canada was awarded silver in the ranking, and Japan won the bronze medal for its combination of traditional culture and modern technology. European leadership: Italy and Croatia Italy has once again confirmed its status as the most popular country in Europe. In addition to the famous Venice and Florence, lesser-known places attract the attention of tourists: Bologna, Matera, and Umbria. Croatia, which received silver, offers tourists fabulous landscapes of the coast and islands. The bronze award went to France, a traditional center of culture and gastronomy. The most attractive cities in the world: Tokyo, Singapor,e and Rio de Janeiro Tokyo has become the leader among the most attractive cities in the world for the first time. This city fascinates with its combination of ancient temples and modern skyscrapers. The silver prize went to Singapore with its futuristic architecture, and the bronze to Rio de Janeiro with its world-famous carnivals and beaches. The best European cities: Madrid and Istanbul Madrid won gold among European cities thanks to the opening of the Gallery of Royal Collections, which added to its cultural importance. Istanbul won silver for its unique status as a city on the border of Europe and Asia, and Dubrovnik, with its medieval architecture, received a bronze award. The most desirable regions of the world: Galapagos Islands and the Greek Islands The Galapagos Islands have become the most attractive region in the world, offering unique opportunities for observing rare animals. In Europe, the Greek islands, are known not only for their beauty but also for sustainable tourism, for example, cars are prohibited on Hydra. The best islands: Sri Lanka and Malta Sri Lanka has risen to the top of the ranking for the first time thanks to its new Pekoe Trail, a hiking route that runs through tea plantations. In Europe, Malta took the gold with its rich historical heritage and natural beauty. A new tourist destination Uzbekistan, as part of the Silk Road, won gold in the Best New Destination category for the first time. Samarkand and Bukhara continue to fascinate with their history and architecture, and the country's natural landscapes only add to its appeal. Gastronomic leader France has once again confirmed its dominance in the field of gastronomic tourism. From Michelin-starred restaurants to traditional village markets, the culinary culture of this country remains unsurpassed. Subscribe to the OBOZ.UA channels in Telegram and Viber to keep up with the latest events.
Hackers hit Rhode Island benefits system in major cyberattack. Personal data could be released soon.
ATLANTA (AP) — Jimmy Carter, the peanut farmer who tried to restore virtue to the White House after the Watergate scandal and Vietnam War, then rebounded from a landslide defeat to become a global advocate of human rights and democracy, has died. He was 100 years old . The Carter Center said the 39th president died Sunday, more than a year after entering hospice care , at his home in Plains, Georgia, where he and his wife, Rosalynn, who died in November 2023, lived most of their lives. A moderate Democrat, Carter ran for president in 1976 as a little-known Georgia governor with a broad grin, effusive Baptist faith and technocratic plans for efficient government. His promise to never 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 said. Carter’s victory over Republican Gerald Ford, whose fortunes fell after pardoning Nixon, came amid Cold War pressures, turbulent oil markets and social upheaval over race, women’s rights and America’s role in the world. His achievements included brokering Mideast peace by keeping Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin at Camp David for 13 days in 1978. But his coalition splintered under double-digit inflation and the 444-day hostage crisis in Iran. His negotiations ultimately brought all the hostages home alive, but in a final insult, Iran didn’t release them until the inauguration of Ronald Reagan, who had trounced him in the 1980 election. Humbled and back home in Georgia, Carter said his faith demanded that he keep doing whatever he could, for as long as he could, to try to make a difference. He and Rosalynn co-founded The Carter Center in 1982 and spent the next 40 years traveling the world as peacemakers, human rights advocates and champions of democracy and public health. Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, Carter helped ease nuclear tensions in North and South Korea, avert a U.S. invasion of Haiti and negotiate cease-fires in Bosnia and Sudan. By 2022, the center had monitored at least 113 elections around the world. Carter was determined to eradicate guinea worm infections as one of many health initiatives. Swinging hammers into their 90s, the Carters built homes with Habitat for Humanity. The common observation that he was better as an ex-president rankled Carter. His allies were pleased that he lived long enough to see biographers and historians revisit his presidency and declare it more impactful than many understood at the time. Propelled in 1976 by voters in Iowa and then across the South, Carter ran a no-frills campaign. Americans were captivated by the earnest engineer, and while an election-year Playboy interview drew snickers when he said he “had looked on many women with lust. I’ve committed adultery in my heart many times,” voters tired of political cynicism found it endearing. The first family set an informal tone in the White House, carrying their own luggage, trying to silence the Marine Band’s traditional “Hail to the Chief" and enrolling daughter, Amy, in public schools. Carter was lampooned for wearing a cardigan and urging Americans to turn down their thermostats. But Carter set the stage for an economic revival and sharply reduced America's dependence on foreign oil by deregulating the energy industry along with airlines, trains and trucking. He established the departments of Energy and Education, appointed record numbers of women and nonwhites to federal posts, preserved millions of acres of Alaskan wilderness and pardoned most Vietnam draft evaders. Emphasizing human rights , he ended most support for military dictators and took on bribery by multinational corporations by signing the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. He persuaded the Senate to ratify the Panama Canal treaties and normalized relations with China, an outgrowth of Nixon’s outreach to Beijing. But crippling turns in foreign affairs took their toll. When OPEC hiked crude prices, making drivers line up for gasoline as inflation spiked to 11%, Carter tried to encourage Americans to overcome “a crisis of confidence.” Many voters lost confidence in Carter instead after the infamous address that media dubbed his “malaise" speech, even though he never used that word. After Carter reluctantly agreed to admit the exiled Shah of Iran to the U.S. for medical treatment, the American Embassy in Tehran was overrun in 1979. Negotiations to quickly free the hostages broke down, and then eight Americans died when a top-secret military rescue attempt failed. Carter also had to reverse course on the SALT II nuclear arms treaty after the Soviets invaded Afghanistan in 1979. Though historians would later credit Carter's diplomatic efforts for hastening the end of the Cold war, Republicans labeled his soft power weak. Reagan’s “make America great again” appeals resonated, and he beat Carter in all but six states. Born Oct. 1, 1924, James Earl Carter Jr. married fellow Plains native Rosalynn Smith in 1946, the year he graduated from the Naval Academy. He brought his young family back to Plains after his father died, abandoning his Navy career, and they soon turned their ambitions to politics . Carter reached the state Senate in 1962. After rural white and Black voters elected him governor in 1970, he drew national attention by declaring that “the time for racial discrimination is over.” Carter published more than 30 books and remained influential as his center turned its democracy advocacy onto U.S. politics, monitoring an audit of Georgia’s 2020 presidential election results. After a 2015 cancer diagnosis, Carter said he felt “perfectly at ease with whatever comes.” “I’ve had a wonderful life,” he said. “I’ve had thousands of friends, I’ve had an exciting, adventurous and gratifying existence.” ___ Contributors include former AP staffer Alex Sanz in Atlanta. Bill Barrow, The Associated Press