Jimmy Carter, the nation's 39th president who served one volatile term from 1977-81, died at his home in Plains, Georgia, Sunday at 100 after a yearslong battle with cancer during which he demonstrated the same personal strength that he displayed as president. “My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and unselfish love,” said Chip Carter, the former president’s son, in a statement released by The Carter Center. “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 honoring his memory by continuing to live these shared beliefs.” Carter, who lived longer than any U.S. president, had been receiving hospice care, without medical intervention, since February 2023 so he could be with his family after what the Carter Center described as a series of short hospital stays for undisclosed ailments. He is survived by his four children, 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. His wife, Rosalynn, had been diagnosed with dementia in May 2023 and died Nov. 19 at age 96. "Today, America and the world lost an extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian," President Joe Biden said in a statement. "Over six decades, we had the honor of calling Jimmy Carter a dear friend. But, what’s extraordinary about Jimmy Carter, though, is that millions of people throughout America and the world who never met him thought of him as a dear friend as well." Biden was the first sitting senator to endorse Carter for president in 1976, insisting the moderate Southern Democrat was best positioned to defeat incumbent Gerald Ford. Carter would live to see Biden himself elected to the presidency, although he was too ill to attend Biden’s 2021 inauguration. He would famously go on to fulfill his pledge to vote for Biden’s Democratic vice president, Kamala Harris, in October. "To all of the young people in this nation and for anyone in search of what it means to live a life of purpose and meaning – the good life – study Jimmy Carter, a man of principle, faith, and humility," Biden added in his statement. "He showed that we are great nation because we are a good people – decent and honorable, courageous and compassionate, humble and strong." Carter's 43-year post-presidency was the longest in American history. And while his four years in the White House were defined by national and international problems that he was unable to solve, he used his time out of office to work on many charitable projects, fight disease, monitor elections abroad and undertake peace missions that earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. While Carter had what many considered a disappointing presidency, he earned back the respect and affection of people the world over for his work as a humanitarian, human rights advocate and hands-on builder of homes for the needy. The man voters eagerly discarded after one term went on to be considered America’s best former president. Carter once told reporters that, while the presidency was his most important political experience, his work with the Carter Center in Atlanta, an organization named after him and devoted to research and humanitarian activism, was more "personally gratifying." Through the center, Carter said, he could directly help poor people around the world. His post-presidency was impressive in other ways, as Carter demonstrated a deeply felt commitment to his Christian faith and his community. Even though other former presidents cashed in on their time in office with paid speeches and stints on corporate boards – and many never returned to their pre-presidential communities – Carter was different. He made money from his many books, but he wasn't overly materialistic. He brought attention to a now-well-known project called Habitat for Humanity, which builds houses for poor people. The former president and his wife famously participated personally in many building projects. Born James Earl Carter Jr. – and known all his life as Jimmy – the former president came from modest beginnings. He hailed from Plains (population about 600) where his father, James Earl Carter, was a successful farmer and small businessman who for a while ran a grocery store. His mother, the former Bessie Lillian Gordy, was a nurse. Four years after Carter was born, the family moved for a while to nearby Archery, Georgia, even smaller than Plains. Jimmy had three siblings, Gloria, Ruth and Billy, and their father required hard work from all of them around the farm and in his other enterprises. Carter was studious as a boy, also very patriotic and family-oriented. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1946 and married Rosalynn, his sweetheart from home, the following month. He was assigned to the U.S. submarine fleet, serving aboard the USS Pomfret as an electronics officer among other assignments. It was during his Navy career that Carter, training for a role as engineer on a nuclear submarine, was involved with mitigating an incident at a nuclear reactor in Canada. The government of Canada describes the 1952 incident at Chalk River Laboratories in Ontario as “the world’s first nuclear reactor accident,” saying the facility experienced “mechanical problems and operator error that led to overheating fuel rods and significant damage.” Carter was widely credited with helping prevent an accident from spiraling into a disaster. After his father died in 1953, Carter gave up his promising career in the Navy and returned to Plains to help run the family businesses, especially the peanut farm. He won two terms in the state Senate and was elected governor of Georgia as a moderate Democrat in 1970. Serving one term, he audaciously decided to run for president in the 1976 election, casting himself as a maverick, a truth-teller and a Washington outsider. He surprised the political pros by winning the Democratic nomination and narrowly defeating Republican incumbent Ford in the popular vote 50.1% to 48% and 297-240 in the Electoral College. But Carter will always be known for his post-presidency. Mark Peterson | Corbis | Getty Images Former President Carter volunteers at a Habitat for Humanity construction site in 1992. After the White House, he went back to Plains. He wrote his books there, and for years he and Rosalynn made a habit of pedaling their bicycles around the town for recreation. He seemed to know all the local merchants and helped his community by volunteering on community projects and in other ways. He worshiped and taught Sunday school at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, sometimes mowed the lawn there and tidied up after services. There was much for him to forgive in the treatment he received from his critics while he was president, but he tried to move beyond all that. Once an outsider who never fit in with the Washington political arena he struggled to navigate as president, Carter later became the subject of admiration and affection by some of the most prominent figures in American politics. Words of tribute and support came from both sides of the political aisle when the Carter family announced Feb. 18, 2023, that the former president would enter home hospice care for his final challenge – facing a cancer that had spread from his liver to his brain and that he knew amounted to a death sentence. Georgia politicians, from Republican Gov. Brian Kemp to Democratic Sen. Rafael Warnock, issued statements of support. Former President Bill Clinton, a Democrat, tweeted on President’s Day 2023 that he was thinking of Carter – almost 50 years after he first declared his candidacy for the nation’s highest office in December 1974. In a statement after Carter's death, former President Barack Obama and first Lady Michelle Obama lauded him for "the longest, and most impactful, post-presidency in American history." "Elected in the shadow of Watergate, Jimmy Carter promised voters that he would always tell the truth. And he did – advocating for the public good, consequences be damned. He believed some things were more important than reelection – things like integrity, respect, and compassion. Because Jimmy Carter believed, as deeply as he believed anything, that we are all created in God’s image," they said in a statement. Carter elevated his national profile back then with a promise not to lie and a pledge to bring integrity and a common touch to the White House after the imperial reign of Richard Nixon, who resigned amid the Watergate scandal. Ford, as vice president, succeeded Nixon in office but didn't fully connect with the American people despite his personal decency and many years as a distinguished member of the House of Representatives from Michigan. Once in office, Carter did his best to limit the trappings of the imperial presidency. He ordered his staff not to have a band play the martial anthem "Hail to the Chief" when he entered a room. He wore cardigans to show his casual approach and to make the point that he had lowered the thermostats in the White House to save energy. For a while, he carried his own hand luggage aboard Air Force One when traveling. He held town meetings to stay in touch with everyday people. He advocated energy conservation and less reliance on foreign oil. And Americans liked their new president – initially. But as the nation's problems intensified, the public turned on him. The economy got worse. Inflation rose. So did unemployment. Gasoline shortages resulted in huge lines at filling stations across the country and unsettled millions. The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, a signal to many that Carter wasn't perceived as a strong leader internationally and could be defied by America's adversaries. In response, Carter announced a boycott of the Olympic Summer Games in Moscow in 1980, a protest that saw support from a significant number of American allies. READ: Carter concluded that Americans were suffering from an epic loss of confidence. At one point in 1979, he canceled a major energy speech and secluded himself at Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland's Catoctin Mountains. For eight days, he met privately with advisers there and contemplated what to do next. The result was what critics called "the malaise speech." He didn't actually use the word "malaise" but argued that the country was suffering from a profound "crisis of confidence" that damaged the nation's "heart and soul." His critics said Carter was really blaming the country for his own flawed leadership. When he fired half his Cabinet a few days later, he seemed hopelessly adrift. He never recovered politically. "Carter's eventual difficulties with a heavily Democratic Congress sprang as much from his personality and cultural divides within the Democratic Party, as from ideological differences between Carter and his fellow partisans," wrote political scientist Alvin Felzenberg in "The Leaders We Deserved." "Proud that he had won the presidency, without having had to court party power brokers or representatives of special interests, Carter took office believing he owed nothing to the political establishment that he had defeated on the way to the nomination." And his administration scored some successes, at least in retrospect. During 1978, his second year in office, he won Senate approval for transferring control of the Panama Canal to Panama. And he negotiated the Camp David Accords, a major peace agreement between Israel and Egypt. Carter argued in favor of energy conservation, a stance that was not very popular at the time but that resonates much better today. And he made human rights a cornerstone of American foreign policy – a goal that remains widely admired, even though his critics said he was naive and impractical at the time. In one of the worst setbacks to his presidency, Islamic extremists seized the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and held 53 Americans hostage for more than a year. Carter seemed powerless to get them released. When he ordered a rescue mission that failed miserably, his popularity declined even further. In 1980, he suffered a shattering defeat in his bid for reelection, losing to Republican challenger Ronald Reagan by an overwhelming margin and winning just six states and the District of Columbia. He was hurt and embarrassed by this repudiation, and it took him a long time to put the memory behind him. He was particularly proud of having avoided a war during his presidency. And he took comfort in having led the diplomacy that resulted in the freeing of the Iranian hostages, although it happened by design on the very day that Reagan was sworn in as president in January 1981 – too late for Carter to get credit for it. Reagan supporters said the hostages were freed because the Iranian leaders were afraid of what Reagan would do if the crisis persisted. In the decades after his presidency, Carter made a point of tracking political prisoners and working behind the scenes to help secure their release. In 2010 at the age of 85, he traveled to North Korea to secure the release of Aijalon Gomes, who was imprisoned for entering into North Korea from China for what is believed to have been missionary purposes. In a sign of the enduring esteem in which Carter was held, North Korea said it would release Gomes if the former president traveled personally to retrieve him. The final truth about Jimmy Carter was that he concluded, as did so many others, that his real legacy was not being a good politician or a good president but being a good man. There will be public observances in honor of the former president in Atlanta and Washington, according to the Carter Center, followed by a private interment in Plains. The final arrangements for his state funeral are still pending. Former U.S. News political writers Susan Milligan and Kenneth T. Walsh contributed to this report.
TEHRAN – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian conducted an impromptu inspection of the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development headquarters on Saturday, meeting with key ministry officials to assess ongoing national projects. During the meeting, Roads and Urban Development Minister Farzaneh Sadegh Malvajerd and senior staff presented detailed briefings on the ministry's current initiatives and future plans. The discussions centered on critical infrastructure developments, including comprehensive evaluations of the country's rail transportation system, highway networks, and aviation infrastructure. President Pezeshkian emphasized his administration's dedication to ensuring equitable access to transportation services throughout all regions of the country, highlighting the importance of completing existing transport network projects. In his directive to ministry officials, Pezeshkian stressed the urgency of addressing public concerns and fulfilling the ministry's mandated responsibilities. The surprise inspection came amid a busy schedule for the president, who later visited the Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology ahead of Iran's upcoming Student Day celebrations on December 7.NHL Live Tracker: Maple Leafs vs. Capitals
Donald Trump doesn’t exactly have a great record with musicians. He’s infamous for stealing their music and racking up cease-and-desist letters— and even lawsuits —because they don’t want to have any association with him. Unless you’re still hanging onto that Kid Rock poster you bought in the early aughts, you can take some small comfort in knowing that some of your favorite artists are not Trump fans. Earlier this year, Swift’s success has had the Republican world of conspiracists and misogynists claiming the mega pop star was a “deep state” psychological operation created to shift the election away from Trump. In September, she endorsed Kamala Harris —which of course drove conservatives absolutely mad . It made Trump so mad, he posted “I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT!” on his social media site. x x YouTube Video The Puerto Rican popstar backed Kamala Harris on Instagram to his 45 million followers after racist comedian Tony Hinchcliffe called Puerto Rico a “ floating island of garbage ” at Trump’s Nazi-inspired rally at Madison Square Garden in New York City. x x YouTube Video A longtime critic of Trump , the rapper loaned his talents to Vice President Kamala’s campaign at a rally in Michigan, alongside former President Barack Obama. x x YouTube Video Cher endorsed Harris in October, but her history of slamming Trump goes all the way back to his first run for the White House, when she called him “a fucking idiot.” x x YouTube Video The legendary folk singer made it clear she would vote against the orange one if she were a U.S. citizen. “Fuck Donald Trump,” she declared at a concert in October. x x YouTube Video The Puerto Rican superstar singer and actor cut a powerful promo for the Harris campaign, reminding Hispanic voters of Trump’s bigotry. x x YouTube Video Grant took Trump to court for his use of Grant’s hit song “Electric Avenue,” in 2020— and won! x x YouTube Video Trump’s unauthorized use of The White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army” led the group to reunite long enough to slap him with a lawsuit . The front man of the group, Jack White, posted a damning statement on his Instagram account on Election Day. “Americans chose a known, obvious fascist and now America will get whatever this wannabe dictator wants to enact from here on in,” he wrote . x x YouTube Video Williams sent Trump a cease-and-desist letter for playing his hit “Happy” at Trump’s ill-advised rally the same day 11 people were murdered at the Tree of Life Congregation synagogue in Pittsburg, in October 2018. “On the day of the mass murder of 11 human beings at the hands of a deranged ‘nationalist’, you played his song Happy to a crowd at a political event in Indiana,” the letter said. “There was nothing ‘happy’ about the tragedy inflicted upon our country on Saturday and no permission was granted for your use of this song for this purpose.” x x YouTube Video In 2020, he sued Trump over the unauthorized use of his music. “The Plaintiff in good conscience cannot allow his music to be used as a ‘theme song’ for a divisive, un-American campaign of ignorance and hate,” his lawyer wrote in the court filing. x x YouTube Video Beyoncé was one of the many artists demanding Trump stop using their music at rallies. Not only did she tell him to stop playing her hit song “Freedom,” but she gave the Harris campaign explicit permission to use it as Harris’ campaign theme song. x x YouTube Video The music legend penned an anthem for women in service of the anti-Trump movement during this year’s election. x x YouTube Video The Boss released a full video detailing exactly why he was not going to vote for Trump. x x YouTube Video
However, despite the seemingly easy path ahead, Guangsha must not underestimate their opponents. In basketball, anything can happen, and complacency can be a dangerous trap. The team must stay focused, maintain their intensity, and approach every game with the same level of determination and commitment.
Another notable development is the rise of "conscious consumption" on Douyin, with a growing number of brands and influencers promoting sustainability, ethical sourcing, and social responsibility. From eco-friendly fashion brands to zero-waste lifestyle influencers, the platform is becoming a hub for those who seek to make more ethical and environmentally conscious choices in their shopping habits. This shift towards conscious consumption not only reflects changing consumer preferences but also signals a broader cultural shift towards more responsible and values-driven commerce.NEW YORK, Nov. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Gross Law Firm issues the following notice to shareholders of Xiao-I Corporation (NASDAQ: AIXI). Shareholders who purchased shares of AIXI during the class period listed are encouraged to contact the firm regarding possible lead plaintiff appointment. Appointment as lead plaintiff is not required to partake in any recovery. CONTACT US HERE: https://securitiesclasslaw.com/securities/xiao-i-corporation-loss-submission-form/?id=113433&from=3 CLASS PERIOD: March 9, 2023 to July 12, 2024 ALLEGATIONS: The complaint alleges that during the class period, Defendants issued materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) defendants had downplayed the true scope and severity of risks that Xiao-I faced due to certain of its Chinese shareholders’ non-compliance with foreign investment enterprises established by way of round-tripping, including the Company’s inability to use offering proceeds for intended business purposes; (ii) Xiao-I had failed to comply with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in preparing its financial statements; (iii) defendants had overstated Xiao-I’s efforts to remediate material weaknesses in the Company’s financial controls; (iv) Xiao-I was forced to incur significant R&D expenses to effectively compete in the AI industry; (v) Xiao-I had downplayed the significant negative impact that such expenses would have on the Company’s business and financial results; (vi) accordingly, Xiao-I overstated its AI capabilities, R&D resources, and overall ability to compete in the AI market; (vii) as a result of all the foregoing, there was a substantial likelihood that Xiao-I would fail to comply with the NASDAQ’s Minimum Bid Price Requirement; and (viii) as a result, the offering documents and defendants’ public statements throughout the class period were materially false and/or misleading and failed to state information required to be stated therein. DEADLINE: December 16, 2024 Shareholders should not delay in registering for this class action. Register your information here: https://securitiesclasslaw.com/securities/xiao-i-corporation-loss-submission-form/?id=113433&from=3 NEXT STEPS FOR SHAREHOLDERS: Once you register as a shareholder who purchased shares of AIXI during the timeframe listed above, you will be enrolled in a portfolio monitoring software to provide you with status updates throughout the lifecycle of the case. The deadline to seek to be a lead plaintiff is December 16, 2024. There is no cost or obligation to you to participate in this case. WHY GROSS LAW FIRM? The Gross Law Firm is a nationally recognized class action law firm, and our mission is to protect the rights of all investors who have suffered as a result of deceit, fraud, and illegal business practices. The Gross Law Firm is committed to ensuring that companies adhere to responsible business practices and engage in good corporate citizenship. The firm seeks recovery on behalf of investors who incurred losses when false and/or misleading statements or the omission of material information by a company lead to artificial inflation of the company's stock. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. CONTACT: The Gross Law Firm 15 West 38th Street, 12th floor New York, NY, 10018 Email: dg@securitiesclasslaw.com Phone: (646) 453-8903
Zagreb, Dec 29 (AP) Croatia's incumbent President Zoran Milanovic has a sweeping lead in Sunday's election and could win the five-year presidency in the first round, according to an exit poll released immediately after the voting. The poll by the Ipsos polling agency and released by the state HRT television showed Milanovic winning over 50 per cent of the votes, while his main challenger Dragan Primorac, a candidate of the conservative HDZ ruling party trailed far behind with 19 per cent. Also Read | Mikheil Kavelashvili, Former Georgian Footballer, Sworn In As Georgia's President (Watch Video). Milanovic thanked voters in a post on social networks. The first official results are yet to be published. Also Read | China: Lottery Winner Defrauded of INR 11.5 Crore, yet To Receive Winnings Despite Court Victory. Pre-election polls predicted that the two would face off in the second round on January 12, as none of all 8 presidential election contenders were projected to get more than 50 per cent of the vote. Left-leaning Milanovic is an outspoken critic of Western military support for Ukraine in its war against Russia. He is often compared to Donald Trump for his combative style of communication with political opponents. The most popular politician in Croatia, 58-year-old Milanovic has served as prime minister in the past. Populist in style, he has been a fierce critic of current Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and continuous sparring between the two has lately marked Croatia's political scene. Plenkovic, the prime minister, has sought to portray the vote as one about Croatia's future in the EU and NATO. He has labelled Milanovic “pro-Russian” and a threat to Croatia's international standing. “The difference between him and Milanovic is quite simple: Milanovic is leading us East, Primorac is leading us West,” he said. Though the presidency is largely ceremonial in Croatia, an elected president holds political authority and acts as the supreme military commander. Milanovic has criticised the NATO and European Union support for Ukraine and has often insisted that Croatia should not take sides. He has said Croatia should stay away from global disputes, though it is a member of both NATO and the EU. Milanovic has also blocked Croatia's participation in a NATO-led training mission for Ukraine, declaring that “no Croatian soldier will take part in somebody else's war.” His main rival in the election, Primorac, has stated that “Croatia's place is in the West, not the East.” His presidency bid, however, has been marred by a high-level corruption case that landed Croatia's health minister in jail last month and featured prominently in pre-election debates. During the election campaign, Primorac has sought to portray himself as a unifier and Milanovic as divisive. “Today is an extremely important day,” Primorac said after casting his ballot. "Croatia is going forward into the future. Croatia needs unity, Croatia needs its global positioning, and above all Croatia needs peaceful life.” Trailing a distant third in the pre-election polls is Marija Selak Raspudic, a conservative independent candidate. She has focused her election campaign on the economic troubles of ordinary citizens, corruption and issues such as population decline in the country of some 3.8 million. Sunday's presidential election is Croatia's third vote this year, following a parliamentary election in April and the European Parliament balloting in June. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Trump names David Sacks as White House AI and crypto czarThe Vikings have prepared for the game against the Atlanta Falcons without veteran quarterback Stephon Gilmore this week, and on Friday he was officially ruled out ahead of the matchup on Sunday afternoon at U.S. Bank Stadium. ADVERTISEMENT The news isn’t surprising given the fact that Gilmore hasn’t practiced at all this week at TCO Performance Center. He’s been nursing a hamstring injury since last week when he left a victory over the Arizona Cardinals. Though the Vikings believe that Gilmore has avoided anything serious, they are clearly being cautious with him so not to make anything worse. The loss of Gilmore in the short term will thrust veteran cornerback Fabian Moreau into a bigger role on defense. ______________________________________________________ This story was written by one of our partner news agencies. Forum Communications Company uses content from agencies such as Reuters, Kaiser Health News, Tribune News Service and others to provide a wider range of news to our readers. Learn more about the news services FCC uses here .
The incident took place during a routine business meeting at the headquarters of the company, where the high-ranking executive was targeted by the gunman. The assailant, identified as a 32-year-old male with an impressive academic background, opened fire without warning, causing chaos and panic among the employees present. Quick action by security personnel and local law enforcement officers led to the swift apprehension of the suspect, preventing further harm from being inflicted.With cutting-edge technology and groundbreaking storytelling techniques, this real-life dating interactive drama brings the excitement and unpredictability of love to your fingertips. Each decision you make will have repercussions, shaping the relationships you form and the outcomes you experience. Will you pursue a passionate romance, seek a soulmate, or embrace a daring adventure? The possibilities are endless, and the choice is entirely yours.In a shocking turn of events, a massive fire broke out at one of Alibaba's cloud computing data centers, causing panic among hundreds of individuals working inside. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of the morning, saw thick plumes of smoke billowing from the building as employees desperately tried to evacuate the premises.
Evolv Technologies Holdings, Inc. Sued for Securities Law Violations – Investors Should Contact The Gross Law Firm for More Information – EVLV
The incorporation of firework easter eggs in the gameplay serves as a delightful surprise and a nod to the cultural significance of fireworks in Chinese New Year celebrations. It encourages players to immerse themselves in the festive spirit, as they light up the virtual sky with dazzling displays of light and color. This interactive element adds a playful and interactive element to the gameplay, inviting players to engage with the game world in a unique and engaging way.
He is not yet in power but President-elect Donald Trump rattled much of the world with an off-hours warning of stiff tariffs on close allies and China -- a loud hint that Trump-style government by social media post is coming back. With word of these levies against goods imported from Mexico, Canada and China, Trump sent auto industry stocks plummeting, raised fears for global supply chains and unnerved the world's major economies. For Washington-watchers with memories of the Republican's first term, the impromptu policy volley on Monday evening foreshadowed a second term of startling announcements of all manner, fired off at all hours of the day from his smartphone. "Donald Trump is never going to change much of anything," said Larry Sabato, a leading US political scientist and director of the University of Virginia's Center for Politics. "You can expect in the second term pretty much what he showed us about himself and his methods in the first term. Social media announcements of policy, hirings and firings will continue." The first of Trump's tariff announcements -- a 25 percent levy on everything coming in from Mexico and Canada -- came amid an angry rebuke of lax border security at 6:45 pm on Truth Social, Trump's own platform. The United States is bound by agreements on the movement of goods and services brokered by Trump in a free trade treaty with both nations during his first term. But Trump warned that the new levy would "remain in effect until such time as Drugs, in particular Fentanyl, and all Illegal Aliens stop this Invasion of our Country" -- sowing panic from Ottawa to Mexico City. Seconds later, another message from the incoming commander-in-chief turned the focus on Chinese imports, which he said would be hit with "an additional 10% Tariff, above any additional Tariffs." The consequences were immediate. Almost every major US automaker operates plants in Mexico, and shares in General Motors and Stellantis -- which produce pickup trucks in America's southern neighbor -- plummeted. Canada, China and Mexico protested, while Germany called on its European partners to prepare for Trump to impose hefty tariffs on their exports and stick together to combat such measures. The tumult recalls Trump's first term, when journalists, business leaders and politicians at home and abroad would scan their phones for the latest pronouncements, often long after they had left the office or over breakfast. During his first four years in the Oval Office, the tweet -- in those days his newsy posts were almost exclusively limited to Twitter, now known as X -- became the quasi-official gazette for administration policy. The public learned of the president-elect's 2020 Covid-19 diagnosis via an early-hours post, and when Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander Qasem Soleimani was assassinated on Trump's order, the Republican confirmed the kill by tweeting a US flag. The public and media learned of numerous other decisions big and small by the same source, from the introduction of customs duties to the dismissal of cabinet secretaries. It is not a communication method that has been favored by any previous US administration and runs counter to the policies and practices of most governments around the world. Throughout his third White House campaign, and with every twist and turn in his various entanglements with the justice system, Trump has poured his heart out on Truth Social, an app he turned to during his 20-month ban from Twitter. In recent days, the mercurial Republican has even named his attorney general secretaries of justice and health via announcements on the network. "He sees social media as a tool to shape and direct the national conversation and will do so again," said political scientist Julian Zelizer, a Princeton University professor. cjc/ft/dw/bjt
Tencent Video, known for its wide range of content including dramas, movies, variety shows, and documentaries, has attracted a large number of subscribers over the years. The VIP membership, which previously allowed streaming on multiple devices simultaneously, was a major selling point for many users. However, the recent policy change limiting streaming to only one device has left many feeling disappointed and frustrated.
Outspoken actor and director Sean Penn made a call for people to ditch political correctness and truly embrace diversity in thought and action as he received a career honor at the Marrakech Film Festival on Saturday evening. Italian actor Valeria Golino, who has been close to Penn ever since appearing in his 1991 directorial feature debut The Indian Runner , presented the Oscar winner with the award. The ceremony was attended by a raft of cinema heavyweights including this year’s festival jury president Luca Guadagnino, Alfonso Cuarón, Walter Salles, Monica Bellucci, Tim Burton, Justin Kurzel, Jeff Nichols, and Cannes Film Festival President Iris Knobloch among others. “For those of you with any familiarity with me, and what has been my life, you will understand that I don’t often miss the opportunity to say an opinion, and I have one tonight in celebration of this incredible group of people that this festival brings together,” said Penn. The actor went on to make a reference to a 2018 Monk debate in Toronto in which UK actor Stephen Fry argued against political correctness, saying it was fuelling a culture war and extremes of thought on all sides. “I think it’s our job to exploit our diversity in positive ways, and to stand up for it, to embody it,” said Penn. “While Stephen is a very progressive minded person, what he criticized in the liberals on the other side for was that liberalism has become not only in the United States but around the world, this demand for diversity, but not diversity of behavior and not diversity of opinion or language. I would just encourage everybody to be as politically incorrect as their heart desires and to engage in diversity and keep telling those stories,” he added. As part of the tribute the festival is playing a selection of Penn’s films, kicking off on Saturday evening with Gus Van Sant’s 2008 Milk about gay rights California gay rights activist Harvey Milk. The ceremony also screened a tribute reel celebrating highlights of Penn’s career spanning 74 acting credits such as Mystic River , I Am Sam , 21 Grams , Dead Man Walking and 15 films, including his recent Ukraine doc Superpowe r and Flag Day . Golino gave a stirring personal tribute to Penn and his qualities both as an actor, director and human being. “Sean Penn is a man of extraordinary charisma, with a whole personality and a volcanic temperament. It was obvious from his very first films that Sean Penn was not just an actor. Far from the classic figure of the pretty face, he deliberately choses roles with difficult political and social realities,” she said.
On August 20, 2021, Brazilian defender Rafael Pereira da Silva, widely known as Rafael, confirmed his retirement from professional football at the age of 34. The announcement marked the end of a successful and illustrious career that saw Rafael establish himself as a dependable right-back for top clubs in Europe.As Barcelona continues to navigate a season filled with highs and lows, the management will need to address the issues surrounding Lewandowski's integration into the team and work towards building a stronger, more cohesive unit. With the club's ambitions of competing for titles and returning to the pinnacle of European football, the harmony and chemistry within the dressing room will be crucial in achieving success.