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fb 777 casino Community business leaders gathered to network and learn at Hometrust Bank on Evans Avenue on Wednesday for a Morristown Area Chamber of Commerce membership breakfast. Hometrust Bank County Executive Jessica Rich said the year has gone well for the bank, but the Asheville, North Carolina based institution was greatly affected by Hurricane Helene, which devastated the region. “Many of the communities that we serve, especially in North Carolina, were impacted by Helene and over the past few months we have seen some some inspiring dedication from our employees,” Rich said. “While the storm has forced many of our businesses to close including some of our branches, we continue to serve our customers. “It was kind of a challenge at times... ...It took our HR department about a week and a half to find most of our folks to make sure they were okay (since telephones and roads were down). We’re pleased that everybody was found and everybody was good.” Rich said Hometrust was able to persevere by holding to high standards and continuing their pursuit of quality. She said the bank’s efforts had been recognized several times in the past year. Their accolades for 2024 include status as a “certified best place to work,” a ranking of 156 in Newsweek Magazine’s Most Loved Workplace list, recognition by American Banker as one of the Best Banks to Work For, rankings in a top community banking list by S&P Global market Intelligence and placement in the Top 100 Forbes 15th Annual Best Banks List. “We’ve had a lot of recognition this year we’re excited about that,” Rich said. “We’re very proud to be a part of this prestigious group of people and we were all able to do this as a result of operating in a higher interest rate environment as well as dealing with the hurricane.” Hometrust and Covenant Health sponsored the breakfast, which was catered by Jersey Girl Catering After Rich spoke to the gathered Chamber members, Morristown-Hamblen Health System President Gordon Lintz spoke about developments at Hamblen County’s hospital. “We have something new that we piloted at Morristown-Hamblen West and we now offer at our main hospital, and that is our Emergency Call Ahead service,” Lintz reported. “So we have a number, 423-492-6906, that you can call. You call that number and you can find out the wait times at the main ER as well as the West ER. You can put your name on a list and either come in or you can wait at home and we’ll call you back when it’s about your time. We’ve done what I call a ‘soft opening’ with that concept and it’s going very, very well.” The program is designed for non-emergency patients experiencing events like simple lacerations, flu symptoms or strains/sprains. It is not intended to replace a call to 911 for anyone who thinks they are experiencing a life-threatening medical emergency. Lintz then spoke about the hospital’s intensivist service. The hospital’s intensivists are “board certified fellowship trained ICU physicians that are staffing our ICU along with our hospitalist program.” The intensivists have provided benefits to critical care patients at the hospital. MHHS will see a new program in 2025 called “Hospital at Home.” Lintz said the program is currently being piloted at two of Covenant Health’s hospitals in Knoxville. “With our technology today we can do a lot of things very differently and a lot more care we can provide in the home,” he said. Lintz went on to describe various happenings at the hospital including expansion of robotic surgery options, an additional CT scanner, two new retinal physicians, a new general surgeon and a renovation project that will add 12 beds to the hospital. He finished his remarks by telling the crowd that discussions about the next step at the Morristown-Hamblen West location has begun. “We’re going through a planning process to look at what will come next at Morristown-Hamblen West. And although Santa is not delivering an answer this year, as soon as I hear, I will certainly let you know.”Nick Kyrgios says positive tests for duo are ‘disgusting’ and ‘a horrible look’Kellyanne Conway Confronted Meghan McCain at Women’s Power Summit

GivingTuesday estimates $3.6B was donated this year, an increase from 20231. A truly mind-blowing wall-crawling robot gecko that seems to defy the laws of physics?? This adorable little gizmo can scale walls and literal ceilings while mimicking the same movements of an actual gecko, operated by a remote to move it in any direction. Check out a TikTok of the robot lizard in action. Promising review: "This lizard is amazing! It crawls on walls with the remote control, and it's just wild to watch in action. Super easy to operate — my kids picked it up right away and have been having a blast. It’s sturdy, fun, and totally unique. I’d highly recommend this toy to anyone looking for something different and entertaining for kids (and adults, honestly)! — k_grays Get it from Amazon for $26.49 . 2. A PopLite personal popcorn maker with a built-in serving bowl that will give them 8 cups of movie theater-quality popcorn in two mere mortal minutes. Reviewers especially love that the popcorn doesn't burn, and the machine doesn't leave unpopped kernels like the usual microwave brands. Check out a TikTok of the popcorn maker in action. Promising review: " This little popcorn popper is perfect ! No fuss, no mess, no chasing popcorn kernels!! Fabulous! Easy to use — the popcorn maker part fits into the bowl part for easy storage. This is one perfect unit!" — Chrystal Get it from Amazon for $34.99 . Psst — if you're looking for something delicious to pair this gift with, try this internet-famous popcorn salt that makes it taste like movie theater popcorn! 3. A brand-new satin-lined Carhartt beanie , a hairstyle-friendly version of the iconic originial Carhartt knit beanie so beloved that it's amassed over 88,800 5-star ratings on Amazon. This version is designed for all hair types to help prevent hair breakage, frizzing, and general "hat head" issues that come with wearing a beanie. Check out a TikTok of the satin-lined Carhartt beanie in action. Promising review: "Fits great and looks good. Made of good quality materials and keeps you warm on those 20-degree days." — Edward Kephart Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in six colors). 4. A "Cup Cozy Pillow" to keep everything steady on their bed or couch when they're one silly little beverage away from accidentally turning themselves into a LaCroix swamp. This will not only keep all their accessories upright and on hand, but it also has expandable cup holes to fit mugs, water bottles, and snacks, with an insulating foam that keeps drinks hot or cold for longer periods. Cup Cozy Pillow is a small business that specializes in family-friendly snack and drink organizers. Check out a TikTok of the Cup Cozy Deluxe Pillow in action. Promising review: "This thing is great! I’m home on maternity leave with my new baby and spend most of my time on the couch under a sleeping baby. This product makes it easy for me to keep my drinks, remote, etc close by even with dogs running around . It’s a little more expensive than I would have liked but it works and I love it so money well spent!" — Amber Get it from Amazon for $34.99 (available in three styles and eight patterns). 5. Or a gaming/reading/laptop pillow so they can prop their hands up while they're playing video games, typing, or reading on their Kindle or iPad. This supports their arms for a more ~ergonomically friendly~ experience whether they're in bed or on a couch, and even features a lil' side pocket for things like remote controls, glasses, and — of course — emergency snacks. Check out a TikTok of the gaming pillow in action. Promising review: "I work from home a few days a week, and every once in a while, my work extends into the evening hours. I have a home office, but sitting at my desk all day is sometimes very tiring. I purchased this big memory foam desk pillow so that I can relax on my couch and still put my laptop up and have a comfortable working area. This pillow is big but very comfortable. It has armrests that wrap around your sides, and they also have little pockets for random things like your cell phone or the remote. It’s so nice to just lean back into my comfortable couch and have this big soft desk in front of me." — Jenn Butterfield Get it from Amazon for $47.99 (available in three styles). 6. A NeeDoh Nice Cube , an *elite* quiet sensory fidget toy — this goo-filled, delightfully colorful fidget has a satisfying squish and weight to it, and reviewers love that it doesn't have the kind of stickiness that picks up debris and makes it hard to clean. Schylling is a small business that specializes in modern and retro toys, games, and sets. Check out a TikTok of the Needoh in action (where users are suggesting to try ~freezing~ it for even a completely different texture). Promising review: "High quality and very durable! This cube is fantastic for any age and any need. The cube provides slight resistance when compressed, which is both stress-relieving and satisfying!!! Once squeezed, it quickly returns to its natural shape. A great choice!" — Joe stevenson Get it from Amazon for $9.11 (the color is either blue, pink, or purple and gets selected for you at random)! 7. A stuffed waffle maker to introduce them to the infinite glory of stuffing food into a pillowy warm carb — I'm talking jam, cheesy eggs, meats, NUTELLA (!!), pie filling, peanut butter, the whole nine yards. I'm truly shaking thinking about amassing this kind of breakfast power. Promising review: "I bought this after I saw a video on TikTok, so I had an idea about the yummy waffles I could make. First waffles were stuffed with apple pie filling. Second ones with scrambled eggs with bacon and cheese . Just amazing!!! The only way you could make this better is to send a chef!! I definitely recommend watching a video on TikTok or YouTube to inspire you before you start!!" — Adirondackdarling Get it from Amazon for $49.99 . 8. A rainbow Lego brick puzzle for all the bright, fun shenanigans of putting Legos together without the CONSTANT TERROR OF STEPPING ON ONE AND FEELING PAIN IN THE EIGHTH DIMENSION. Check out a TikTok of the rainbow Lego puzzle in action. Promising review : "I got this for my parents for Christmas, and assembled it with them over the next couple of weeks. It is visually interesting despite the simplicity, cut very well, packaged in an environmentally friendly way (no plastic bags), and it was a big hit with them . It was challenging to assemble (all the colors are in different locations and it's 1,000 pieces) without being too hard (certain colors are only touching in particular places, the orientation of the word Lego on the bricks is a clue, etc. The level was perfect — challenging enough to be satisfying without being frustrating to work on. Highly recommend. " — Ariadneowl Get it from Amazon for $17.03. 9. A two-slice touch screen toaster with all the fanciness of the $350 TikTok-famous version and none of the "YIIIIKESSSSS" of the price tag. This lets them select seven different toastiness levels for their bread, and specify if they're putting other carbs in there, like bagels, English muffins, waffles, and even gluten-free bread. Check out a TikTok of the toaster in action. Promising review: "I love this toaster! It has all the options I need: lifter, countdown timer, visual icon of the toast colors, and all the toast varieties anyone could want, from white to grain to bagel to waffle to English muffin to gluten-free. It not only has reheat and defrost options, you can even add more toasting time, too. Truly, it has all the bells and whistles anyone could want and is easy to use. " — Tanya Feddern-Bekcan Get it from Amazon for $45.99+ (available in six colors and in a four-slice toaster style). 10. A mini inflatable tube guy for their desk to cheer them on (or remind them to take a lil' dance break whenever they overwork themselves). Promising review: "OMG! I love this guy! These things, large and small, will ALWAYS make me laugh. My husband bought the desk version for me, and I can always count on it to make me laugh. My co-workers love it, too. People just stop by to turn him on for a quick pick-me-up. I would recommend getting the AC plug since batteries can run down fast. I think we should create a community of fellow air-dancer-havers and post clips of our little guys dancing to our favorite songs. Anyone in?" — Mark "Saw this on TikTok. Cool desk decoration." — Robert Get it from Amazon for $8.58 . 11. A Lego flower bouquet they will have WAY too much fun setting up with their own unique, customizable flair the instant they open the box. Why gift them regular flowers when you can gift them the kind that last forever?? Check out a TikTok of the Lego bouquet in action. Promising review : "This is a great gift for anyone who loves flowers. They are as sturdy as they get since they're Legos, and although they do take a while to build, it's a very fulfilling process. Love it and would set aside as something to gift to several people at any point. They look beautiful!!" — Gaby Get it from Amazon for $47.99 . 12. Taylor Swift: The Ultimate Fan Edition Little Golden Book Biography , an update to last year's version that now includes 22 bonus pages (!!) with activities, trivia, and — be still me Swiftie heart — STICKERS. Just like the OG version of this book, it features illustrations and a simple narrative from Taylor's yeehaw days when there were teardrops on her guitar to her current Eras tour days when she's basically carrying the global economy on her back. (Girl math.) Check out a TikTok of the Taylor Swift Golden Book in action! Promising review : "The quality of this book was amazing. I love the section that has dedicated to Taylor and Travis. I love the Swifty quizzes and the stickers." — Lilly Get it from Amazon for $8.78 . 13. Clinique Almost Lipstick Tinted Lip Balm in Black Honey that TikTokers go feral for — this cult-classic, lightweight, slightly glossy shade is beyond "holy grail" status because it matches skin tones so beautifully that I'm personally starting to suspect witchcraft, after seeing so many TikToks of it in action. I was very adamant about not buying this for the longest time because I am stubborn about "expensive" beauty products, but this is worth every penny and then some . It's so lightweight and layerable, it's foolproof to apply, and I have yet to wear a single outfit it doesn't complement??? I love watching it instantly elevate a casual look or add simple elegance to dressy ones. I wear it every day now, and after weeks of use, I've barely made a dent . Also, and maybe this is just me, but I tend to get pigment on my teeth with a lot of lip products, and I've simply never had an issue with this magic stick. Anyway, watch this TikTok of someone using it on their lips AND cheeks , because I did and oops, this lipstick FELL into my cart. Get it from Amazon for $25 (also available in pink honey !). 14. A crowd-favorite Jeopardy! day-to-day calendar with a new 2025 version guaranteed to be just as wildly interesting, wacky, and brain-scratching as all the other years before it. This is a huge hit for families, roommates, and offices, because you can even tally your scores and see who "wins" at the end of each week! Check out a TikTok account that follows the 2024 Jeopardy! calendar . Promising review: "We are giving everyone a Jeopardy! calendar for Christmas. You will learn things you never would know without the Jeopardy! answers. Just love it!" — martin Get it from Amazon for $13.15 . 15. A Renpho percussion massager they won't even know how badly they need until they're using it — this gizmo is great for releasing knots, aches, and muscle tension, whether they got it from working at a desk too long or an intense workout. Read more about what massage guns can (and can’t) do, plus how to use them, at Cleveland Clinic . Check out a TikTok of the massager in action. Promising review: " I have tried EVERYTHING for my feet, nothing works and I am always in pain. I tried it out and I thought wow, that feels AWESOME. But the true test is how do you feel the next day right? You cannot always walk around with a massage gun in your hand. The next day, I felt AMAZING. AMAZING. I used it on my hubby's back too, and he said he felt so much better today as well! In addition, this one is way QUIETER than my original massage gun. It's just really a quality piece. You won't be disappointed in this one. It really is what it says. I know it is hard to choose from all the models on the internet, but this one is the real deal. It's worth the money if you have pain." — L Johnson Get it from Amazon for $69.99 (get this price by clipping the $20 off coupon on the product page; available in three colors). 16. A Mason jar-inspired cold brew coffee maker to save them (*crunches numbers*) one bajillion dollars at coffee shops, and a whole lot of time to boot. All they have to do is put their favorite coffee grounds in this pitcher and let them steep overnight. Now they can finally be the cool, aloof barista with amazing cold brew on tap they want to see in the world. Promising review : "This is the best way to have coffee without the acid and still have the caffeine. Easy to use and so much cheaper than buying cold brew coffee. I have bought several over the years for friends. I’ve owned mine now for four years and still love it." — Terry "Absolutely love this cold brew coffee maker. TikTok made me buy it. I use it all the time. I use 1 cup of ground coffee and 7 cups of filtered water. Once I pull out the coffee filter, I top it off with more water. I add coffee to my chocolate protein shakes every day!" — Connie Forbes Get it from Amazon for $19.94 (available in three sizes and several styles). 17. An Airplane Pocket tray cover that slides seamlessly over an airplane tray to create an instant, deeply convenient hub — this comes with a number of pockets so they can keep track of all their devices, snacks, and other odds and ends without rooting around for them in the gross back pocket or their carry-on the whole flight. Bonus: This bb is an excellent way to prevent touching a germ-y tray, and it's fully machine washable. Check out a TikTok of the Airplane Pockets tray table cover in action. Airplane Pockets is a small business that specializes in sanitary, portable travel organization products. I used this on a roundtrip from NYC to Tokyo, both with connecting flights in Canada, and cannot sing its praises enough. It fit all four of the different tray tables I used it on and was so ridiculously handy for keeping track of all my littler odds and ends like AirPods, the plane's headphones, earplugs, a sleep mask, a book, gum, a scrunchie, and little snacks. The hanging end of it easily tucked into the built-in sleeve of the seat in front of me for takeoff and when other passengers needed to scoot past me in my aisle seat. Usually, I feel like a hot mess and get frustrated rooting around in the grimy sleeve for my stuff, and this was such a refreshing solution! Several flight attendants even asked where I got it to buy one for themselves! Get it from Amazon for $26.99. 18. A Yonanas fruit soft-serve maker to magic any frozen fruit into an ice cream or sorbet texture so they can have a yummy frozen treat made to their *precise* favorite fruit combos. A lot of folks with dietary restrictions swear by this to get their ice cream kicks! Promising review: "I saw one of these in action at a friend's house like five years ago and thought it was just a made up memory, because making ice cream out of solely frozen fruit seems wild. But when I saw a TikTok about it I immediately went to Amazon and bought it. Literally this was the BEST decision of my life. I cannot believe still how amazing this thing is! It makes the creamiest, best tasting fruit ice cream ever. It’s easy to take apart and clean, and super easy to use." — DMCKAY Get it from Amazon for $36.99 . 19. Hues And Cues , a DELIGHTFUL party game that's easy and fun to play no matter how well the guests know each other. It comes with a board of 480 color swatches — the aim of the game is to make your friends guess which color swatch you're looking at with either one-word or two-word clues. Whoever gets the closest to the color in each round gets the most points! Check out a TikTok of Hues and Cues in action. I played this at a friend's apartment with a mix of people I did and didn't know, and we all had a BLAST. It was a fun opportunity for us to reference hyper specific things when trying to lock down a specific shade (if memory serves, "zombie Barney" and "aggressive banana" were ones that got thrown around) and to get to know each other's tastes and ways of looking at the world. The rules and scoring system are super easy to learn, too, so there wasn't a big hurdle getting everyone on board. I highly recommend for some good, wholesome, often laugh out loud party fun! Get it from Amazon for $19.96 . 20. A set of delightfully ~~tingly~~ self-heating soothing foot masks made with Epsom salts, lavender, and peppermint perfect for anyone whose step count is "too many." Nothing like a lil' self-care on those aching feet to lift their spirits! Check out a TikTok of the foot masks in action. I'm a long-ish distance runner, and these were certainly an interesting experience for my feet! You slide them on and, after a few minutes, feel a tingling, mildly burning (in a good way) sensation. It doesn't quite numb your feet, but it relaxes them. I kept them on for 30 minutes and then toweled my feet off, and the tingling sensation slowly faded over the next 30 minutes. After that, my feet felt very refreshed and relaxed at a time of day when they're usually aching from all the miles I put in. The whole thing was a mess-free, easy process, and I will definitely keep them on hand for longer run days! Promising review: "Very soothing. My husband and l used these on our European vacation, and they definitely felt good on our feet!" — KS2018 Get a set of three pairs from Amazon for $11.97 . 21. A set of espresso martini mix packets that make this beloved cocktail a little TOO easy to recreate at home — all they need to do is add vodka and water, and BOOM. They're living their most delicious life (and have "Espresso" stuck in their head for the rest of the day). Craftmix is a small business that specializes in instant drink mixers. Check out a TikTok of the espresso martini packets in action. Promising review: "The closest thing to creating a drink from scratch as you can get! Tried the variety pack and the espresso martini mix, and it was a hit with folks, and most couldn't believe it when I told them it came from a packet . Especially if you're thinking of hosting or making drinks in batches, Craftmix is a real timesaver. Would definitely recommend and plan on repurchasing for future get-togethers!" — Kenneth Walfred Fojas Get a pack of 12 from Amazon for $16.99 (available in eight other flavors and a variety pack). 22. Murdle, Volume 1 , a true essential for anyone who relaxes to true crime podcasts or Only Murders in the Building. The book is full of murder 100 mystery-themed logic puzzles with four different levels of difficulty that they can do solo or with pals, and in order or out of order (although if they do it in order, they get the full scoop on Deductive Logico and Inspector Irratino, whose hilarious misadventures guide you through the book). Check out a TikTok of Murdle in action. The best part?? Once you finish "Murdling," you can use your sleuthing skills on Volume 2 , Volume 3 , and a whole BUNCH of other themed Murdle books ! Promising review: "The puzzles are a lot of fun but the characters, story lines, and other details take the Murdle experience to another level. I have no idea how the author came up with all of this creativeness! You can Murdle solo or with friends. I look forward to future volumes but this one will keep me busy for awhile!" — Liz Gately Get it from Amazon for $10.25 . 23. A set of vinyl coasters to give their coffee table a delightfully retro nostalgic touch *and* protect it from the perils of condensation. Check out a TikTok of the coasters in action. Promising review : "These are awesome! Each little coaster looks like a record and the bottom has a bit of rubber to keep it from shifting. The funny thing is they all have cute sayings on them for the song name. Like 'No Marks on the Table' by The Nostalgics. I’ve received a bunch of compliments and chuckles at the silly 'song names.' I also sent these as a gift to a music lover and it was very well received! " — ra2151 Get a set of six from Amazon for $5.99 . 24. The I Love Trader Joe's Cookbook , which is basically a life hack for taking the most delicious food on earth and making it even better? They won't be able to stay humble with that kind of culinary power in their hands. Check out a TikTok of the Trader Joe's cookbook in action. Promising review : "For Trader Joe's lovers everywhere, this is a fantastic cookbook! It is filled with hints and tips, shopping guidelines, nicely organized recipe categories, and beautiful mouthwatering pictures. I love how the recipes note if they are gluten-free or vegetarian, etc. I ❤ Trader Joe's and I ❤ this cookbook!" — Love My Bookish Life Get it from Amazon for $9.99 . 25. A pair of glowing lightsaber chopsticks to bring balance to The Force *and* to their sushi. Check out a TikTok of the lightsaber chopsticks in action. As you can see from the above GIF, I bought these for myself, and I love them to pieces. TBH, I use them as decor every bit as much as I use them to eat. Sometimes I just keep them in my work area to light them up during the day to feel fancy. They toggle back and forth between a bunch of different colors, like red, blue, yellow, purple, and multicolor, so you can either make them match *or* have a red and blue one together and bring ~balance~ to the Force. Get it from Amazon for $9.97 . 26. A handy adjustable neck reading light , because they shouldn't let the sun and/or the humans living with them decide when their Designated Reading Time is over!! This flexible neck light comes with three brightnesses that all keep the focus on the page, so they can keep the strain off their eyeballs without disturbing anyone else's darkness. Reviewers also swear by these for crafts with fine detail work, like painting and embroidery. Promising review: "I had seen this product from someone I follow on TikTok and they have a great review on it. I absolutely love it!! I t’s great because it hangs around your neck and it’s lightweight. It has three different light settings on it so you can choose what is best for your eyes. And it also has a 30-minute timer you can set in case you fall asleep, so it will go off and you don't have to worry about it staying on the whole time. I highly recommend it!!" — Tabatha C. Get it from Amazon for $20.99 (available in eight colors). 27. A mushroom growing kit that grows right there in the packaging, so they can add some sweet, sweet umami flavors to all their favorite dishes by sautéing, roasting, or air frying them up. Back To The Roots is a California-based small business founded by two college friends that specializes in indoor gardening kits with a mission to reconnect families to food. Check out a TikTok of the mushroom kit in action. Promising review: "We received this as a gift last Christmas. I have since sent it to two other people as gifts. Super easy to use and the yield was good." — CKB Get it from Amazon for $19.99 . 28. A TikTok and Kindle remote control ring so they can scroll through videos or turn pages without wrangling with their phone or tablet. This is the ideal accessory for anyone who likes to be cozy in bed or anyone who likes to use exercise equipment with a screen distracting them! This lets you scroll up and down, swipe right and left, pause and start, and adjust volume. Promising review: "Chiiiiiile let me tell you I got this hooked up to my iPad annnnnd my iPhone and life is so much better. This little ring is AWESOME. It works my Pandora, iHeart Radio, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, I mean everything I use, IT REALLY WORKS ! You can even like the posts on all the sites. I be under my covers just scrolling, y’all this thing even adjusts the volume. The booklet tells you everything. This is a must have. I am extremely happy with this purchase and I’ve been using it everyday even at work ." — Deb! Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in six colors). 29. A "Gracula" garlic crusher , because you know what? If a 108-year-old vampire lurking moodily in the trees in the Pacific Northwest isn't going to fall in love with them and grant them immortality, one might as well make their life in the kitchen a little easier. Check out a TikTok of the Gracula in action. Promising review: "I love this little guy. I found him on a BuzzFeed list and had to have it as soon as I saw it! I’ve minced as many as five cloves in it in seconds. It’s a little tricky getting all of the garlic out once minced (I use a silicone basting brush to get most of it but I always use more than the recipe calls for anyway so it’s not a deal breaker). Cleanup is a breeze because he goes right in the dishwasher! " — Barbie Get it from Amazon for $18.99 . 30. A pair of horizontal glasses , because not being able to watch Netflix and starfish on their bed simultaneously is a scam. Now you can help them out-scam it. Promising review: "I saw these on a couple of TikTok videos and immediately bought them. They are literally the best thing I’ve ever bought. I was scared they wouldn't fit over my glasses but they do just fine. I use them to read, watch TV, and scroll through my social media all while lying down. Such a great buy!" — Kivy Get them from Amazon for $13.99 . 31. A hands-free portable phone charger that sticks right onto their phone plug and chills there so easily that they might forget it's there in the first place. This mini charger is designed to give one full iPhone battery per charge, making it a lifesaver for busy humans, particularly ones who love traveling. Check out a TikTok of the charger in action. Promising review: "I used these several times for the past year, traveling for business and leisure. It is always a challenge to find an outlet at the airport since some airports do not offer a charging station. Using those types can also be a security risk. That's why I love using these portable chargers. They are lightweight and fit in my travel handbag/or small backpack pocket. The portable chargers take about 30–35 minutes to fully charge if dead. Once charged, they charge fast and hold a charge for many hours." — J "I carry this in my purse. Never have to deal with a phone running out of power. Purchased a second one as a gift." — Connie R. Get it from Amazon for $18.99 (available in eight colors and in two-packs). 32. A Silly Poopy's Hide & Seek game , aka any parents' dream — this gizmo keeps kids entertained for hours of fun hiding it all over the house, where it makes little noises to give clues about where to find it. It's basically all the joy of playing hide and seek, except it's the *toy* hiding, not the humans. What Do You Meme? is a small business that specializes in adult and family games. Check out a TikTok of the Silly Poopy in action. Promising review: "Let me tell you that if you want hours of endless fun of hide and go seek without having to hide yourself, this is a must get! When it's hidden it makes various toot noises and says stuff so the kids know if they are close. And when they find it and press the button to do and sing the silly poopy dance ... even you will dance and sing along!!! Doesn't need batteries and come on, it's poop? Who doesn't think poop and toot noises are funny and if they don't they are lying to themselves. A must-have for fun with your kids without barely doing any work!! " — andrea kelli gorman Get it from Amazon for $12.99 (also available as an egg !). 33. Laneige Lip Glowy Balm , which unsurprisingly went just as TikTok viral as everyone's beloved Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask — the glowy balm has the same delightful flavors (including the iconic GUMMY BEAR!!) and hydrates lips with the *chef's kiss* lightweight, moisturizing blend that doesn't get all sticky and goopy like competitors. Promising review: "Laneige lip balm lives up to the TikTok hype. The Gummy Bear scent is awesome. Don't need to constantly reapply because the formula is moisturizing. Definitely will order other scents." — Charlotte T. "Literally the love of my lips’ life. Bought for myself and loved it so much I’ve been ordering more to gift to friends." — fablav Get it from Amazon for $19 (available in four flavors, including Peach, Berry, Grapefruit, and Gummy Bear). 34. A *mini* Magic Bullet Juicer that's absolutely perfect for juicing newbies, since its small profile and affordable price make it a lot less of of a commitment. They're going to be swimming in fresh OJ and celery juice in NO time! Check out a TikTok of the mini juicer in action. Promising review : "I’ve already made juice 10 times. I went from being a beginner juicer to making juice several times a day. Very easy to learn and VERY EASY TO CLEAN. That’s not something I say often because I have no dishwasher, but it’s safe and easy. LOVE!" — H Get it from Amazon for $47.99 . 35. A handy dandy condiment fork with a holder they can wrap right around a jar of olives or pickles so it'll always be at their disposal when they suddenly *need* a pickle but don't want to put their hands in the jar. This is also great for late-night snacking shenanigans, since they won't wake up half the house looking for a clean fork. Check out a TikTok of the condiment fork in action. Promising review : "Great kitchen item. Forks are great to get pickles out of the jar, but if you have kids/lazy people (lol) you know that dirty hands are going into that jar. 😉 This has really prevented that from happening . It comes with two different rings to fit whatever size jar, a stabber holder, and a stabbing stick." — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $8.99 . 36. A tiny milk frother that makes rich, creamy froths in seconds, because why stop at regular tea and coffee when they can have velvety-soft milk tea and lattes? Promising review: "So I’ll admit I got this on a whim after a TikTok video, however I’m in love with this thing! It’s so much fun to use and you make your at home drinks feel so much more special. It’s easy to use and froths pretty quickly if you’re on the fence I’d say what are you waiting for buy it already!" — Denise Get it from Amazon for $16.99 (available in seven styles). 37. A cult-favorite portable blender , and BOY do I mean portable — it charges so they can operate it wherever they are, and it's as small as a water bottle, so once they blend their ingredients, they can swap out the lid and drink straight from it. Smoothie o'clock just became every damn time of the day. Promising review: " Yes, I did it. I bought the TikTok blender and I don't regret it one bit. I can create any smoothie I want, from healthy to dessert shakes for the kids. So easy to use, charge and clean. It's a must-buy!!!" — Debby from Warren Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in five colors). Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.

Wayne Rooney has encouraged I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! viewers to vote for his wife to do a Bushtucker Trial as he feels she would want to “put herself to the test”. The former England footballer, 39, said he was “proud” of how Coleen was doing in the Australian jungle in a post on social media on Saturday. The couple, who first met at school and began dating aged 16, share four sons – Kai Wayne, Klay Anthony, Kit Joseph and Cass Mac. Proud of on she’s doing great ❤️ Me and the boys would love to see her doing a trial and we know she’d want to put herself to the test. If you can download the app and let’s get voting! 🗳️🕷️🐍 — Wayne Rooney (@WayneRooney) “Proud of @ColeenRoo on @imacelebrity she’s doing great”, he wrote on X, formerly Twitter, alongside a collage of photos of her on the show. “Me and the boys would love to see her doing a trial and we know she’d want to put herself to the test. “If you can download the #ImACeleb and let’s get voting!” During the first task of the series, BBC Radio 1 presenter Dean McCullough chose to partner up with TV personality Coleen as he hailed her as “Wagatha Christie”. Rooney, 38, was given the nickname when she accused Rebekah Vardy, who is married to Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy, of leaking her private information to The Sun in a viral post on social media. In July 2022, a judge at the High Court found the post was “substantially true”. During Vardy’s stint on I’m A Celebrity, she became the third celebrity to leave, saying the series helped her become more tolerant. Earlier this week, Liverpool-born Coleen told her fellow campmate that going to court over her feud with Vardy was her “worst nightmare” as she felt she was “putting on a show for the whole world”. However, she said she was not scared about making the viral post which kicked off the dispute, saying: “I just didn’t think it would have the impact it did, because I was just that sick and tired of it, it was draining.” Later in the episode, Rooney became emotional over the loss of her sister Rosie, after boxing star Barry McGuigan spoke about the death of his daughter. I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! continues on ITV1 and ITVX.

TikToker Breckie Hill Adds To Rumours Barry Keoghan Cheated On Sabrina Carpenter With HerOnline child exploitation spiked during lockdowns. Police worry it's here to stay

New footage shows gunman on the phone and in Starbucks before killing UnitedHealthcare CEO By MELISSA KOENIG FOR DAILYMAIL.COM Published: 23:27 GMT, 4 December 2024 | Updated: 23:50 GMT, 4 December 2024 e-mail 2 View comments The gunman who shot and killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson early Wednesday morning was earlier spotted talking on the phone and inside a local Starbucks. The unidentified killer was caught on surveillance footage loitering around the Hilton Hotel in Manhattan about 10 minutes before he opened fire, the New York Times reports. At around 6.30am, he appeared to be making a phone call as he walked down the sidewalk just about 175 feet from where Thompson, 50, was shot and killed. He was also spotted standing by a counter at a nearby Starbucks dressed in all black with his face mostly obscured by a balaclava ahead of the shooting. By 6.45am, surveillance footage obtained by DailyMail.com showed Thompson, a father of two, walking in front of the Hilton when the gunman drew a large gun fitted with a silencer and shot him in the back. At first, Thompson was able to stumble down the street, but the gunman followed and continued firing at the CEO as he fell to the ground, hitting him in the chest and calf before he fled the scene on a bike. Police said he escaped into Central Park, sparking a massive city-wide manhunt for the killer. They say the shooting appears to have been targeted at Thompson, and are investigating the possibility it was motivated by a grudge against the insurance company, the largest health insurer by market share in America, according to ABC 7. The unidentified man who shot and killed UnitedHealthcare CEO was spotted at a counter at a nearby Starbucks in the moments before he opened fire Thompson had been slated to speak at an investor meeting at the Hilton Hotel Wednesday morning, in which he would announce United Healthcare's hugely profitable 2025 financial outlook - including expected revenues of more than $450 billion. His schedule was widely known, and witnesses have said the suspected gunman even knew which door Thompson was going to emerge from before opening fire. Witness Amar Abdelmula, a driver, told PIX11 of the moment he heard gunshots: 'I wasn't paying attention and then I heard the shot. 'It was silent gun, black gun. (I) saw him after he shot him, and he was running across the street. I tried take a picture, but too far away, not clear. 'I was shocked. First time I see crime in front of me,' he added. 'I was afraid he (would) shoot me too, my car, I saw everything.' Michael Dissen, who was at the hotel for a different conference, also told DailyMail.com he heard a ‘commotion’ at around 7.05am. ‘I just heard all these sirens and I thought, “New York City”, but then I went up and had coffee and I saw everyone looking at their phones and I saw what happened,' he said. Brian Thompson, 50, had been slated to speak at an investor meeting at the Hilton Hotel Wednesday morning when he was killed Witnesses said the shooter knew which door Thompson was going to emerge from before opening fire Footage showed NYPD officers performing CPR on the CEO, before he was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition. He was later pronounced dead Still, the investor conference reportedly began without interruption at 8am on the second floor of the Hilton until news of the shooting began to circulate. Without knowing it was Thompson who was hit, one attendee told the group that 'someone got shot outside.' CEO of parent company United Healthgroup Andrew Witty is said to have halted the meeting at the hotel just after 8am upon hearing of the tragedy. He told attendees: 'We’re dealing with a very serious medical situation with one of our team members. As a result, I’m afraid, we’re going to have to bring to a close the event.' Police say the shooting appears to have been targeted at Thompson, and are investigating the possibility it was motivated by a grudge against the insurance company A Hilton worker told DailyMail.com that staff members were left shaken by the assassination at their doorstep A Hilton worker, who asked to remain anonymous, told DailyMail.com in the aftermath that staff have been left shaken by the public assassination on their doorstep. 'For this to happen in this area, it’s weird,' he said. 'For this guy to do it around here with all these cameras and everything, there’s got to be something behind it. I mean obviously there was, you have to be pretty crazy to do something like that.' Hours after the shooting, flags outside the UnitedHealthcare headquarters in Minnetonka, Minnesota were lowered to half-staff as the company said in a statement it was 'deeply saddened and shocked' by the news of Thompson's death. 'Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him,' the insurer said in a statement. 'We are working closely with the New York Police Department and ask for your patience and understanding during this difficult time. Our hearts go out to Brian’s family and all who were close to him.' Thompson, seen at the United Healthcare charity golf event earlier this year, was described by the company as 'a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him' United is the biggest health insurer by market share in America. The company has been the subject of frequent protests by activists for allegedly systematically denying care for patients. One such protest earlier this year led to the arrests of 11 people outside the United Healthcare headquarters in Minnetonka, Minnesota. The company made headlines in February after it was subjected to a cyber-attack which cost $872 million. In fact, Thompson's wife, Paulette 'Pauley' Thompson, 51, has said her husband had been receiving 'some threats' before his trip to New York. 'Basically, I don’t know, a lack of coverage? I don’t know details. I just know that he said there were some people that had been threatening him,' she told NBC News. Thompson was also being investigated by the Department of Justice for antitrust violations and accused of insider trading. The department launched a probe into whether the private company was unfairly restricting competitors and running a monopoly. Then in May, the City of Hollywood Firefighters’ Pension Fund initiated a complaint against Thompson and other executives, accusing the CEO of failing to tell investors about the federal probe before he unloaded over 31 percent of his stock, taking in $15.1 million in proceeds. In legal documents, the fund said Thompson and other company execs sold over $117 million worth of UnitedHealth common stock during the four-month period when insiders knew about the federal antitrust investigation but the public did not. The California Public Employees’ Retirement System, America's largest state public pension fund, then joined that complaint in October and filed an amendment seeking a jury trial against the UnitedHealth execs including Thompson. Thompson is survived by his wife Paulette 'Pauley' Thompson, 51, and their two children who live in the family's $1.5 million home in Maple Grove, Minnesota He is now survived by his wife Pauley and their two children who live in the family's $1.5 million home in Maple Grove, Minnesota. 'We are shattered to hear about the senseless killing of our beloved Brian,' she told ABC 7 following her husband's untimely death. 'Brian was an incredibly loving, generous, talented man who truly lived life to the fullest and touched so many lives,' she said. 'Most importantly, Brian was an incredibly loving father to our two sons and will be greatly missed. 'We appreciate your well wishes and request complete privacy as our family moves through this difficult time.' Her sister Elena Reveiz told the New York Times that she was stunned by the news of her brother's slaying. 'He was a good person and I am so sad,' she said, describing Thompson as a good father to his two children. Minnesota governor and 2024 Democratic nominee for Vice-President Tim Walz, who was pictured with Thompson in 2022, also said the shooting was 'horrifying news and a terrible loss for the business and health care community in Minnesota.' Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey added in his own statement: 'This is a shocking and devastating loss for our whole community. ‘Shocking’ is the only word I can find at the moment.' New York Times Brian Thompson Minnesota Share or comment on this article: New footage shows gunman on the phone and in Starbucks before killing UnitedHealthcare CEO e-mail Add commentBarclays PLC Sells 23,774 Shares of Informatica Inc. (NYSE:INFA)

Nick Kyrgios says positive tests for duo are ‘disgusting’ and ‘a horrible look’YPSILANTI, Mich. (AP) — On a damp Wednesday night with temperatures dipping into the 30s, fans in sparsely filled stands bundled up to watch Buffalo beat Eastern Michigan 37-30 on gray turf. The lopsided game was not particularly notable, but it was played on one of the nights the Mid-American Conference has made its own: A weeknight. “A lot of the general public thinks we play all of our games on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, not just some of them in November,” MAC Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher said in a telephone interview this week. “What it has done is help take what was a pretty darned good regional conference and has given it a national brand and made it a national conference.” When the conference has played football games on ESPN or ESPN2 over the last two seasons, the linear television audience has been 10 times larger than when conference schools meet on Saturdays and get lost in the shuffle when viewers have many more choices. The most-watched MAC game over the last two years was earlier this month on a Wednesday night when Northern Illinois won at Western Michigan and there were 441,600 viewers, a total that doesn’t include streaming that isn’t captured by Nielsen company. During the same span, the linear TV audience has been no larger than 46,100 to watch two MAC teams play on Saturdays. “Having the whole nation watching on Tuesday and Wednesday night is a huge deal for the MAC,” Eastern Michigan tight end Jere Getzinger said. “Everybody wants to watch football so if you put it on TV on a Tuesday or Wednesday, people are going to watch.” ESPN has carried midweek MAC football games since the start of the century. ESPN and the conference signed a 13-year extension a decade ago that extends their relationship through at least the 2026-27 season. The conference has made the most of the opportunities, using MACtion as a tag on social media for more than a decade and it has become a catchy marketing term for the Group of Five football programs that usually operate under the radar in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and New York. Attendance does tend to go down with weeknight games, keeping some students out of stadiums because they have class or homework and leading to adults staying away home because they have to work the next morning. “The tradeoff is the national exposure,” Buffalo coach Pete Lembo said. “You know November nights midweek the average fan is going to park on the couch, have a bowl of chips and salsa out in front, and watch the game from there." When the Bulls beat Ball State 51-48 in an overtime thriller on a Tuesday night earlier this month, the announced attendance was 12,708 and that appeared to be generous. There were many empty seats after halftime. “You watch the games on TV, the stadiums all look like this,” Buffalo fan Jeff Wojcicki said. “They are not packed, but it’s the only game on, and you know where to find it.” Sleep and practice schedules take a hit as well, creating another wave of challenges for students to attend class and coaches to prepare without the usual rhythm of preparing all week to play on Saturday. “Last week when we played at Ohio in Athens, we had a 4-four bus ride home and got home at about 3:30 a.m.,” Eastern Michigan center Broderick Roman said. “We still had to go to class and that was tough, but it's part of what you commit to as an athlete.” That happens a lot in November when the MAC shifts its unique schedule. During the first two weeks of the month, the conference had 10 games on Tuesdays and Wednesdays exclusively. This week, there were five games on Tuesday and Wednesday while only one was left in the traditional Saturday slot with Ball State hosting Bowling Green. Next week, Toledo plays at Akron and Kent State visits Buffalo on Tuesday night before the MAC schedule wraps up with games next Friday and Saturday to determine which teams will meet in the conference title game on Dec. 7 in Detroit. In all, MAC teams will end up playing about 75% of their games on a Saturday and the rest on November weeknights. When the Eagles wrapped up practice earlier this week, two days before they played the Bulls, tight end Jere Getzinger provided some insight into the effects of the scheduling quirk. “It's Monday, but for us it's like a Thursday,” he said. Bowling Green coach Scot Loeffler said he frankly has a hard time remembering what day it is when the schedule shift hits in November. “The entire week gets turned upside down,” Loeffler said. “It’s wild, but it’s great for the league because there’s two days a week this time of year that people around the country will watch MAC games.” AP freelance writer Jonah Bronstein contributed to this report. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-footballThe fresh arrests in Pakistan in connection with the recent boat capsize incidents in Libya and Greece, and several earlier incidents, reflect how human-trafficking is largely a family-run business, and also how freely criminals are allowed to operate in the country. The arrested individuals include a woman from the so-called Jajja network of Sialkot. According to media reports, members of the network, mainly managed by a few siblings and their spouses, are based in several countries which helps them extort their victims several times over - first in Pakistan, when a person pays to be smuggled abroad, and then at various stops along the route, when traffickers threaten them to pay more, either on the spot or via friends and relatives in Pakistan, if they want to continue on the way to their intended destinations. The Jajjas were involved in a fraudulent work visa scheme, and some of their victims were on board the boats that recently sank in Greek and Libyan waters. Law enforcement also revealed several 'new' routes taken by trafficked individuals, including going to Saudi Arabia on legitimate Umrah visas, then being smuggled to Egypt, from where they would be taken to Libya for the eventual journey to Europe. Though still dangerous, the relative initial safety of this route - compared to land crossings via Iran or Afghanistan - may encourage people to sign up with human smugglers. It is also worth noting that several people who have been arrested or booked are middlemen based in rural areas, where most of the 'recruiting' takes place. However, none of the politically connected masterminds who handle operations in Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar and Karachi have been touched. One of the problems identified by experts is that lack of anti-trafficking legislation at the provincial level has hindered law enforcement, as provinces do not always strictly enforce national-level anti-trafficking regulations. This allows some criminals to stay under the radar by operating outside their local law enforcement's jurisdictions, while the kingpins can use their connections to hide in plain sight. COMMENTS Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive. 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Sportscaster Greg Gumbel dies from cancer at age 78SMU owns second half in win over Longwood

Former President Jimmy Carter, who served from 1977 to 1981, has died at age 100. The 39th president of the United States was widely admired for his global humanitarian work. Carter won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. He was the son of a peanut farmer from Georgia. Former President Jimmy Carter, who rose from humble beginnings in rural Georgia to the White House and was renowned for his charity work around the globe, has died. Advertisement He was 100 years old and passed peacefully in his Plains, Georgia home, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported on Sunday, citing Carter's son, Chip. The Carter Center in February 2023 announced that Carter would enter hospice care to "spend his remaining time at home with his family" following several hospital stays. After almost a year and a half in hospice, Carter's grandson, Jason, said the former president was "coming to the end." Advertisement Carter had previously been treated for brain and liver cancer, was hospitalized after a fall in 2019, and had surgery the same year to relieve a buildup of pressure around his brain. Presidents often fade into the background after they leave the White House, but Carter — the 39th president of the United States — was in many ways a more popular, impactful figure after his single tumultuous term from 1977 to 1981. Carter has often been referred to as the best ex-president in history, a compliment he seemed to embrace . Advertisement He came to be admired for his amiable demeanor and lifelong dedication to public service and humanitarianism. Carter was a US Navy veteran and a Nobel laureate. He was preceded in death by his wife of 77 years, Rosalynn Carter, who died in November 2023 at age 96. He is survived by his four children , 11 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren. Carter with, from left, former President George H.W. Bush, then-President-elect Barack Obama, then-President George W. Bush, and former President Bill Clinton at the White House in 2009. J. Scott Applewhite/AP The peanut farmer who became president Carter, whose full name was James Earl Carter Jr., was born October 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia. His father was a peanut farmer who'd served in the Georgia state legislature. His mother, Lillian Gordy Carter, served as a nurse, civil- and women's-rights activist, and Peace Corps volunteer in India at the age of 68 in 1966. The Carters were deeply tied to their Baptist faith. Advertisement Carter graduated from the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, in 1946. He served in the Navy for seven years before returning to Georgia to take over his family's peanut farm after his father died. In a photograph from September 1966, then-Georgia state Sen. Jimmy Carter hugs his wife, Rosalynn, at his Atlanta campaign headquarters. Horace Cort/Associated Press 'I'll never tell a lie' Carter entered state politics as a Democrat in the early 1960s and in 1970 was elected to the Georgia governorship. In 1974, he announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for president. Initially, Carter was pegged as a long shot given his lack of political connections and the fact he was relatively unknown nationally. Advertisement But Carter painted himself as an honest outsider with strong morals at a time when many Americans were disillusioned with Washington over the Watergate scandal, and his campaign gradually gained momentum. He repeatedly told voters, "I'll never tell a lie." Carter's longtime embrace of civil rights was also crucial to his victory. Advertisement After being elected governor, Carter declared during his inaugural address, "I say to you quite frankly that the time for racial discrimination is over." Carter, then Georgia's governor, announcing his Democratic candidacy for the US presidency in Atlanta. AP He carried these sentiments into his presidential campaign and allied himself with key Black members of Congress. Carter received overwhelming support from Black voters, especially in the South, which propelled him to the White House. Carter won the Democratic nomination in July 1976, choosing then-Sen. Walter Mondale of Minnesota as his running mate against President Gerald Ford, the Republican incumbent. Carter defeated Ford in November of that year, winning 50.1% of the popular vote and capturing 297 electoral votes to Ford's 240. Advertisement The Georgian swept the Deep South, the last Democrat to do so on the presidential level, while also carrying important battlegrounds like Ohio and Pennsylvania. The informal president As president, Carter sought to portray himself as a man of the people and make the presidency more accessible. After he was sworn in, Carter and his wife walked to the White House, launching an informal tradition followed by subsequent presidents at their inaugurations. Advertisement He also spoke and dressed in a less formal manner and held frequent press conferences. Carter with his wife, Rosalynn, and their daughter, Amy. The Carters started a tradition by walking the parade route from the Capitol to the White House following his inauguration. Suzanne Vlamis/AP Carter entered office as a popular figure pushing for ambitious programs to address the country's myriad social and economic woes. His administration had a historically large number of women, Black, and Latino members and staff. Though Carter's image as an "outsider" seemed to be advantageous during his campaign, it hurt him with Congress once he was in the White House. He struggled to get lawmakers on board with his bold proposals for reform, and his approval ratings tanked as he struggled to push his proposals through the legislative branch. Advertisement A scandal in the summer of 1977 didn't help matters. At the time, Bert Lance, the director of the Office of Management and Budget, was accused of being involved in dubious financial activities as a Georgia banker. Carter at first defended Lance, whom he saw as a close friend, but ultimately called on him to resign. In 1979, amid an energy crisis and recession, Carter delivered his infamous "crisis in confidence" speech, contending that the nation needed to restore its faith in itself. The speech was well-received at first but was ultimately not a particularly successful selling point. Carter with Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh at Buckingham Palace. PA Images via Getty Images Carter's biggest accomplishments were in foreign policy Despite the many challenges Carter faced, his presidency wasn't without major accomplishments. Advertisement On the domestic front, his achievements included establishing the Department of Education and the Department of Energy and expanding the national parks system. His actions helped lay the framework for future administrations to tackle America's educational and energy needs. But Carter's biggest accomplishments as president came in the foreign-policy arena. He facilitated the first peace treaty between Israel and Egypt, known as the Camp David Accords. Carter also established full diplomatic relations between the US and China and orchestrated two important treaties between the US and Panama. Advertisement Carter with Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin on the North Lawn of the White House as they finished signing the Camp David Accords. Bob Daugherty/AP Carter also stood up to the Soviet Union on human rights and completed negotiation of the SALT II nuclear-limitation treaty (though the treaty ultimately fell through with the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan). Related stories The Iranian hostage crisis and Carter's downfall Carter's progress in the realm of foreign policy was in many ways overshadowed by the 1979 Iran hostage crisis. Amid a revolution in Iran that saw a pro-US government ousted, a mob of students stormed the US Embassy in Tehran and took the staff members as hostages. The revolutionary Iranian government, led by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, supported the actions of the students. The US Embassy staff members were ultimately held hostage for hundreds of days. Advertisement The timing of the crisis and Carter's perceived failure to secure the release of the hostages, which included a disastrous military operation that failed to rescue them, was deeply damaging to his image domestically. Combined with an economy in turmoil, the hostage crisis was a large part of the reason Carter lost reelection in a landslide to former Gov. Ronald Reagan of California in 1980. In that race, Carter's support had diminished across the South and in the Midwestern and Northeastern states that boosted his first presidential bid; he earned 49 electoral votes to Reagan's 489. Carter's administration negotiated the release of the hostages during his final days in office, and they were freed the same day as Reagan's inauguration. Advertisement The post-presidency peacemaker Carter spent most of his postpresidential years championing human rights and pushing for peace in various corners of the world. He founded The Carter Center to focus on such issues in 1982 and played an active role with Habitat for Humanity until the end of his life. Jimmy Carter, Rosalynn Carter, and former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan concluding a visit to a polling center in South Sudan. Pete Muller/AP As a private citizen, Carter worked for peace everywhere from North Korea to Haiti. He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for what the Norwegian Nobel Committee described as 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." Related stories Staying humble After he left the White House, Carter moved back to Plains, Georgia. Advertisement He's the only US president in the modern era to return to the two-bedroom house he lived in before ascending to the highest office in the land. Carter favored a humble lifestyle. He was known to fly on commercial airliners, unlike other past presidents who preferred private jets, and was filmed walking up and down the aisle to shake the hands of other passengers. —USA TODAY (@USATODAY) June 13, 2017 He also cost US taxpayers far less per year than any other former president, according to the General Services Administration, in large part because he avoided extravagances. Advertisement Carter was a former president longer than anyone else in US history. Staying true to principles In 1954, the chief of police and a Baptist minister in Plains asked Carter to join the local White Citizens' Council, a pro-segregation organization. The peanut farmer said no, and a few days later the men came back to tell Carter he was the only white man in the community who hadn't joined. Carter told them he didn't care. Advertisement The police chief and minister returned a third time and said they would pay the $5 membership fee for Carter if that's what was holding him back. He was also warned that his peanut business would face a boycott if he didn't join. In response, Carter told them : "I've got $5. And I'd flush it down the toilet before I'd give it to you." Throughout Carter's long life, he frequently proved unafraid to stray from the pack, even if it made him at times unpopular.