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As TikTok bill steams forward, online influencers put on their lobbying hats to visit WashingtonWashington, Dec 30 (IANS): World leaders and US politicians have offered their condolences following the death of former US President Jimmy Carter, who passed away on Sunday. Carter, who as president brokered peace between Israel and Egypt and later received the Nobel Peace Prize for his humanitarian work, has died at the age of 100. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden "Today, America and the world lost an extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian. Over six decades, we had the honour of calling Jimmy Carter a dear friend. But, what's extraordinary about Jimmy Carter, though, is that millions of people throughout America and the world who never met him thought of him as a dear friend as well." US Vice President Kamala Harris "President Jimmy Carter was guided by a deep and abiding faith -- in God, in America, and in humanity. Jimmy Carter's life is a testament to the power of service -- as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy, the 76th Governor of Georgia, and the 39th President of the United States. He reminded our nation and the world that there is strength in decency and compassion." US President-Elect Donald Trump "The challenges Jimmy faced as President came at a pivotal time for our country and he did everything in his power to improve the lives of all Americans. For that, we all owe him a debt of gratitude." "Melania and I are thinking warmly of the Carter Family and their loved ones during this difficult time. We urge everyone to keep them in their hearts and prayers." President George W. Bush "Laura and I send our heartfelt condolences to Jack, Chip, Jeff, Amy, and the entire Carter family. James Earl Carter, Jr., was a man of deeply held convictions. He was loyal to his family, his community, and his country. President Carter dignified the office. And his efforts to leave behind a better world didn't end with the presidency. His work with Habitat for Humanity and the Carter Center set an example of service that will inspire Americans for generations." Former US President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton "From his commitment to civil rights as a state Senator and Governor of Georgia; to his efforts as President to protect our natural resources in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, make energy conservation a national priority, return the Panama Canal to Panama, and secure peace between Egypt and Israel at Camp David; to his post-Presidential efforts at the Carter Center supporting honest elections, advancing peace, combating disease, and promoting democracy; to his and Rosalynn's devotion and hard work at Habitat for Humanity -- he worked tirelessly for a better, fairer world." Egypt President Abdel Fatah Al-Sisi "In this moment of sorrow, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the family of former American President Jimmy Carter, as well as to the President and the people of the United States of America. His significant role in achieving the peace agreement between Egypt and Israel will remain etched in the annals of history, and his humanitarian work exemplifies a lofty standard of love, peace, and brotherhood. His enduring legacy ensures that he will be remembered as one of the world's most prominent leaders in service to humanity." US Secretary of State Antony Blinken "Throughout decades of public service, President Carter embodied integrity, compassion, and a commitment to advancing the freedom, security, and welfare of others. He channelled that spirit into his foreign policy, from negotiating the return of the Panama Canal to its host nation to developing arms control agreements with the Soviet Union. And he brought it to his every exchange and conversation, from heads of state to ordinary citizens. President Carter also showed us what can be achieved through tireless and principled diplomacy, mediating a landmark deal with Israel and Egypt that helped forge peace between two nations that had spent decades at war. His efforts are an important reminder of what's possible, especially amidst renewed conflict and suffering in the region." Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau "Jimmy Carter's legacy is one of compassion, kindness, empathy, and hard work. He served others both at home and around the world his entire life -- and he loved doing it. He was always thoughtful and generous with his advice to me. My deepest condolences to the Carter family, his many loved ones, and the American people who are mourning a former President and a lifelong humanitarian. May his selfless service continue to inspire us all for years to come." Panama President Jose Raul Mulino "I offer my condolences to the family and the people and Government of the United States on the death of former President Jimmy Carter. His stint in the White House was marked by difficult times and were crucial for Panama in negotiating and signing the Torrijos-Carter Treaties in 1977, which transferred the (Panama) Canal into Panamanian hands and made our country truly sovereign. May his soul rest in peace." Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro "The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela regrets the death of former President of the United States of America, Jimmy Carter, and extends its most sincere condolences to his family and friends. Former President Carter was a man of proven commitment to peace and dialogue. His contributions to global politics and his dedication to peace have left an indelible mark on the world." French President Emmanuel Macron "Throughout his life, Jimmy Carter has been a steadfast advocate for the rights of the most vulnerable and has tirelessly fought for peace. France sends its heartfelt thoughts to his family and to the American people." Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese "President Carter rose from humble beginnings to leave a remarkable legacy. Beyond being elected to the Presidency or being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, Jimmy Carter's legacy is best measured in lives changed, saved and uplifted." Vice President-Elect JD Vance "Jimmy Carter dedicated his life to serving this country. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his loved ones. May he Rest in Peace." Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer "Today, we mourn the loss of one of our most humble and devoted public servants, President Jimmy Carter. President Carter personified the true meaning of leadership through service, through compassion, and through integrity. From his legacy as President to his dedication to improving human rights across the globe, and his tireless efforts alongside his wife Rosalynn, in building a better world through Habitat for Humanity, he inspired millions with his unwavering commitment to justice and equality." British Prime Minister Keir Starmer "I was very sorry to hear of President Carter's passing and I would like to pay tribute to his decades of selfless public service. His presidency will be remembered for the historic Camp David Accords between Israel and Egypt, and it was that lifelong dedication to peace that saw him receive the Nobel Peace Prize. Motivated by his strong faith and values, President Carter redefined the post-presidency with a remarkable commitment to social justice and human rights at home and abroad." US Senator Mitch Mcconnell "Elaine and I join the Senate and the nation in mourning the passing of our 39th President, Jimmy Carter. President Carter served during times of tension and uncertainty, both at home and abroad. But his calm spirit and deep faith seemed unshakeable. Jimmy Carter served as our Commander-in-Chief for four years, but he served as the beloved, unassuming Sunday school teacher at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia for forty. And his humble devotion leaves us little doubt which of those two important roles he prized the most." US House Speaker Mike Johnson "Today, the thoughts of Americans and the prayers of Congress are lifted on behalf of the Carter family. President Carter's story was one of humble beginnings, and his life is a testament to the boundless opportunities available in this great nation. Because of his work in brokering the Camp David Accords and his advocacy with Habitat for Humanity, the world is a more peaceful place, and more Americans have a place to call home. No one can deny that President Carter led an extraordinary life of service to his country. May he rest in peace." UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres "I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of the 39th President of the United States of America, James Earl 'Jimmy' Carter, Jr. I extend my deepest condolences to the Carter family and the government and people of the United States. President Carter's leadership contributed significantly to international peace and security, including the landmark Camp David Accords, the SALT II Treaty and the Panama Canal Treaties. President Carter's commitment to international peace and human rights also found full expression after he left the presidency. He played a key role in conflict mediation, election monitoring, the promotion of democracy, and disease prevention and eradication. These and other efforts earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 and helped advance the work of the United Nations. President Carter will be remembered for his solidarity with the vulnerable, his abiding grace, and his unrelenting faith in the common good and our common humanity. His legacy as a peacemaker, human rights champion and humanitarian will endure." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky "We express our heartfelt condolences to the American people and to the family of former US President Jimmy Carter on his passing. He was a leader who served during a time when Ukraine was not yet independent, yet his heart stood firmly with us in our ongoing fight for freedom. We deeply appreciate his steadfast commitment to Christian faith and democratic values, as well as his unwavering support for Ukraine in the face of Russia's unprovoked aggression. He devoted his life to promoting peace in the world and defending human rights. Today, let us remember: peace matters, and the world must remain united in standing against those who threaten these values. May his memory be eternal." Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban "The memory of President Jimmy Carter will always be cherished in Hungary. By returning the Holy Crown to the people of Hungary at the end of the 70's, he gave freedom-loving Hungarians hope in a hopeless time. I would like to express my deepest condolences to the Carter family and the American people."
East Carolina wins 71-64 over StetsonSri Ramakrishna commissioned his spouse Sri Sarada Devi to carry his spiritual legacy forward. He was the prophet of the new age. He first realized and then offered a religion suited to the modern world. Sarada witnessed intimately what that religion was and how he gave it by examples at every movement of his life. Likewise, Ramakrishna, too, thoroughly scanned her to find out how pure and powerful she was under the guise of an unassuming ordinary woman and how surely capable of bearing the brunt he wished to lay on her. They knew each other like the palms of their hands. Therefore, there was a clear understanding between them regarding their joint responsibility to show The Light towards Peace. Hence, they peculiarly deemed themselves equal. It was notably more peculiar to Sarada’s conduct to have accepted this as correct, being a woman of such a period when a married woman would have imagined it a blasphemy to consider herself of the same status as her husband. To be able to comprehend the true significance and import of the nuances of her husband’s spiritual practices and accomplishments spoke of another of Sarada’s astonishing peculiarities that established her absolute right to become his spiritual consort to do his work without any hesitation or dithering. Sarada’s amazing rise from a disciple and wife of Ramakrishna to his spiritual height didn’t happen by any slip-shod means. It happened in consequence of her silent, serene, sustained prayers and austerities in the seclusion of the Purdah. Advertisement Her heart and mind flowed incessantly in quiet contemplation steadily to trances, away from public gaze, which endowed her with a celestial Peace. “Instead of luxuriating in the enjoyment of inner peace, (she) worked till the last moment of her life to transmit that peace to others.” She also gave the secret of having peace to us. She said: “If you want peace, do not find fault with others. Rather see your own faults. Learn to make the world your own. No one is a stranger, my child; the whole world is your own.” She palpably demonstrated this secret at every moment in her life. Sarada was not known beyond a small circle of her close associates during her husband’s lifetime. No male follower of her husband saw her face. She was self-effacing and shy. Advertisement Moreover, the stringent social norms for a married Brahmin woman did not permit her to mix with others outside her caste. She did not have the minimum access to formal education because of the restrictions in force against wo m en’s education then, particularly in rural areas. In this way, she virtually lived an incarcerated life. But then, she was too sharp and receptive, because of which she easily learnt by hearing and watching her husband who taught her every detail of household work and how to still remian detached from it, attaching the mind to God relentlessly. She found her husband by no means dogmatic or exclusive. With her elevated common sense she internalized everything for which Ramakrishna lived. “Therefore, today, she is a model for householders and world renouncing monks.” Sarada covertly grew to be modern in thought and perception in spite of her traditional demeanour of extreme simplicity. She wore no slippers or stitched clothes and slept on a mat on the floor. She woke up much before sunrise and sat in meditation, after finishing her bath. The whole day she did back-breaking labour by serving her husband and cooking for his guests, who came without notice until late at night. None other than two or three widows who guarded her from trespassers knew how she managed them quietly. She was never unhappy about that hard life. She said her heart was always full of joy like a pitcher full of water. Her husband worshipped her and let her realize that she was Divine Mother, as a result of which she consciously acted as the mother of the universe. Her husband saw Kali in her, and she also saw Kali in him. Both were in that way confirmed of their Divine non-difference. Sarada affirmed this by worshipping herself, placing her photo beside Ramakrishna’s on an altar. To a few of her spiritually mature disciples she revealed her divine aspect. These novelties evidently made her modern amidst the traditional saints. So, their lives and works were recognized as Divine Plays, which were seen as directly proportional to and complimentary with one another. It was only when her husband passed away that she stepped out in public. Earlier, no one had even seen her photograph. Now she freely visited places and took it upon herself to discharge the duty her husband had allotted her. She initiated both men and women from all castes as well as from other races with no reservations. She ‘deepened’ the faith of her disciples in Ramakrishna’s teaching of the validity of all religions for realizing God, as the one suited to the present age. She said she was ‘mother of all’, whether saint or sinner. She gracefully gave mantras to sanysins, and sanyasa to brahmacharini. Her motherhood knew no distinctions. It was her forte where she did not brook the slightest encroachment, not even her husband’s. Above all, Sarada took the reins of the Ramakrishna Order in her hand. She didn’t even allow Swamiji to do things which she thought were incorrect. Everyone in the Order was at her beck and call. Each was under her protective care. Benign scolding sometimes issued from her for correction, but not a single word of condemnation ever. Hers was a voice of reason and righteousness, difficult to ignore. On the other hand, her dealings with people and society were unprecedented for any woman during that period of Indian history. She was overtly denying communal differences, dearly treating men and women of other communities as her own children. She was feeding them and sometimes eating with them as well in her house without the fear of being ostracized. She went to the extent of letting foreign ladies stay with her, for which she was even ready to part with the company of upper-caste close devotes who disliked it. She strongly advocated girl’s education despite the opposition of bigoted conservative Hindus. She opened a primary school in her village where no provision of education for poor children was available. She dug a tube-well there for clean drinking water, after observing people drinking contaminated pond water. For irrigation purposes, she sought Government help to dig a canal from the nearest rivulet. For 34 years she, thus, continuously worked for the temporal and spiritual welfare of mankind with a pragmatic, progressive and modern outlook, fulfilling her husband’s expectation from her. She set a perfect example of how to translate his teachings in practice effectively, which was a clear illustration of practical Vedanta. Her followers are now forming organizations to work in her fashion, emulating the Vedantic religion and philosophy she reflected in her day-today behaviour and activity in the simplest terms. For instance, there is an organization in Coventry, England called ‘Sarada Vedanta Society’ where people are being educated giving primacy to her life and teachings. As its name indicates, so also its shrine, where her photograph is placed in the middle, instead of Ramakrishna’s, shifting from tradition. The appeal of Sarada Devi increased by and by. She was at last out of her husband’s shadow. People of all walks of life thronged for her blessings and guidance. She became legendary for her divine character, love and affection. Even after almost 125 years of her departure, the intensity of her attraction remains sky high. It was observed that a conspicuous awakening was occurring among women everywhere with her advent. Marking this, Swami Vivekananda’s brother disciple and the second president of the Ramakrishna Order, Swami Shivananda said: “Holy Mother (Sarada Devi) assumed a human body to awaken the womanhood of the entire world. Don’t you see, since her advent, what an amazing awakening has set in among the women of the world? They are now resolved to build up their lives gracefully and advance in all directions. A very surprising renaissance is swaying women in the fields of spirituality, politics, science, literature, etc. And more will come. This is the play of the Divine Power. Ordinary mortals cannot understand this mystery.” Swamiji believed Sarada Devi was born to revive the glory of womanhood. He said “making her nucleus, once more will Gargis and Maitreyis be born into the world”. He planned to start an organization for this purpose, in which she would be ‘the central figure’. Keenly studying her personality, Sister Nivedita wrote: “In her, one sees realized that wisdom and sweetness to which the simplest of women may attain. And yet, to myself the stateliness of her courtesy and great open mind are almost as wonderful as her sainthood. I have never known her hesitate, in giving utterance to large and generous judgement, however new or complex might be the question put before her.” Anyone can see the far reaching and magnifying impact of her life (22 December 1853- 20 June1920) of 67 years in modern times. Today, she is dear to everyone who knows about her. Her sublime matriarchal influence is transforming countless minds, cutting across castes, communities, countries and the fallen. She said: “I am the mother of the wicked, as I am the mother of the virtuous. Never fear. Whenever you are in distress, just say to yourself, ‘I have a mother.’” (The writer is associated with Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Narendrapur) AdvertisementUN raises death toll for recent Cite Soleil massacre in Haiti’s capital
Former US president Jimmy Carter dies aged 100I Saw the TV Glow Director Teases Next Movie as Hybrid of 2 Projects By ‘s has been hailed as one of the best films of 2024, and at a recent Q&A session, the director teased what to expect from her next movie with two very unique comparisons. What did Jane Schoenbrun say about her next movie? Speaking during a Q&A session at a showing of I Saw the TV Glow (via ), Schoenbrun said that her next movie, titled Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma, is in the works. She also described the film as “Portrait of a Lady on Fire set in a Friday the 13th sequel.” Schoenbrun didn’t dive into the film’s plot too much aside from that, but in a previous interview with , she did say that the movie would be “all about sex,” specifically learning about sex after transitioning. “My next movie is all about sex––essentially a movie about learning to enjoy sex after transition,” said Schoenbrun. “Pre-transition, it wasn’t that I was asexual––I had plenty of desire––but having good sex in the wrong body was impossible. What was available was full dissociation, which is obviously a theme in the first two films.” In a , the movie is said to both “honor and critique” the serial killer genre, hinting that the movie will be a slasher of some sort. Schoenbrun’s I Saw the TV Glow released earlier this year via A24, and was a success both critically and at the box office, where it earned $5.3 million. Anthony Nash has been writing about games and the gaming industry for nearly a decade. When he’s not writing about games, he’s usually playing them. You can find him on Twitter talking about games or sports at @_anthonynash. Share articleTORONTO — Canada's main stock index pushed higher to end Monday up almost 150 points on light trading action, while U.S. stock markets also gained ahead of the Christmas break. "Today is a quiet pre-Christmas Day of trading," said Kevin Burkett, a portfolio manager at Victoria, B.C.-based Burkett Asset Management. While markets in both Canada and the U.S. were mild, Burkett suggests watching the markets closely during the holiday season, a contrast to what's typically a sleepy period for markets. "We're continuing to watch markets very closely here because you've got some tectonic plate shifting in terms of the macroeconomic backdrop," he said. "It's all the political conversations both in Canada and in the U.S." Burkett added fiscal policy seems to be disconnected from monetary policy in the post-pandemic period. "The fiscal policy may shift and that shift absolutely has market implications both in the short and long term," he said. The S&P/TSX composite index was up 149.50 points at 24,748.98. Statistics Canada released its latest numbers on Canada's economic growth, up 0.3 per cent in October — driven by the mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction sector. The loonie continued its slide, trading for 69.47 cents US compared with 69.61 cents US on Friday. The telecom sector was the biggest loser at the closing on TSX, which Burkett attributed to "tax loss selling happening at the end of the year." Competition Bureau Canada announced on Monday it was suing Rogers Communications Inc. for allegedly making misleading claims about its infinite wireless plans. The stock price for Rogers, which is hovering near 52-week lows, fell 0.7 per cent on Monday. Meanwhile, BCE was down almost 1.4 per cent and Telus dropped 0.9 per cent. Burkett suggested the day's poor performance among telecom companies was likely tax loss selling since it's almost the end of the year. "It's been a tough year for the communication services sector," he said. South of the border, communications services was the top-performing sector, led by large-cap tech companies. Several big technology companies helped support the gains, including chip companies Nvidia and Broadcom. In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 66.69 points at 42,906.95. The S&P 500 index was up 43.22 points at 5,974.07, while the Nasdaq composite was up 192.29 points at 19,764.89. The February crude oil contract was down 22 cents at US$69.24 per barrel and the February natural gas contract was down six cents at US$3.35 per mmBTU. The February gold contract was down US$16.90 at US$2,628.20 an ounce and the March copper contract was down one cent at US$4.09 a pound. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 23, 2024. Companies in this story: (TSX: GSPTSE, TSX: CADUSD, TSE: BCE, TSE: RCI. B) Ritika Dubey, The Canadian Press
Coote was sacked earlier this month after the emergence of a video in which he made derogatory remarks about Liverpool and their former manager Jurgen Klopp. Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) said that a thorough investigation had concluded he was “in serious breach of the provisions of his employment contract, with his position deemed untenable”. “Supporting David Coote continues to be important to us and we remain committed to his welfare,” PGMOL’s statement on December 9 added. Coote had the right to appeal against the decision but PA understands the Nottinghamshire referee has decided not to. The video which triggered PGMOL’s investigation into Coote’s conduct first came to public attention on November 11. In it, Coote is asked for his views on a Liverpool match where he has just been fourth official, and describes them as “s***”. He then describes Klopp as a “c***”, and, asked why he felt that way, Coote says the German had “a right pop at me when I reffed them against Burnley in lockdown” and had accused him of lying. “I have got no interest in speaking to someone who’s f****** arrogant, so I do my best not to speak to him,” Coote said. Later in the video, Coote again refers to Klopp, this time as a “German c***”. The Football Association opened its own investigation into that video, understood to be centred on that last comment and whether Coote’s reference to Klopp’s nationality constituted an aggravated breach of its misconduct rules. The investigation by PGMOL which led to Coote’s contract being terminated is also understood to have looked at another video which appeared to show Coote snorting a white powder, purportedly during Euro 2024 where he was one of the assistant VARs for the tournament. European football’s governing body UEFA also appointed an ethics investigator to look into the matter.
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LONDON — A woman who claimed mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor “brutally raped and battered” her in a Dublin hotel penthouse was awarded nearly 250,000 Euros ($257,000) on Friday by a civil court jury in Ireland. The woman said the Dec. 9, 2018, assault after a night of partying left her heavily bruised and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. McGregor shook his head as the jury of eight women and four men returned the verdict after deliberating for about six hours in the High Court in Dublin. He was mobbed by cameras as he left court but did not comment. The former UFC champion later posted on his X social media account that he planned to appeal the decision . McGregor testified that he never forced the woman to do anything against her will and said she fabricated the allegations after the two had consensual sex. The woman’s voice and hands trembled as she read a statement outside the courthouse, saying she would never forget what happened to her but would now be able to move on with her life. She thanked her family, partner, friends and all the supporters that had reached out to her online, but particularly her daughter. “She has given me so much strength and courage over the last six years throughout this nightmare to keep on pushing forward for justice,” the woman said. “I want to show (her) and every other girl and boy that you can stand up for yourself if something happens to you, no matter who the person is, and justice will be served.” Her lawyer told jurors that McGregor was angry about a fight he had lost in Las Vegas two months earlier and took it out on his client. “He’s not a man, he’s a coward,” attorney John Gordon said in his closing speech. “A devious coward and you should treat him for what he is.” The woman had to take several breaks in her emotional testimony as she said McGregor threatened to kill her during the encounter. A paramedic who examined the woman the next day, testified that she hadn’t seen someone with that intensity of bruising. The woman said McGregor put her in a chokehold several times and later told her, “Now you know how I felt in the Octagon where I tapped out three times,” referring to an Oct. 6 fight at UFC 229 in Las Vegas when he lost via submission to lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov , followed by a wild post-fight brawl . She feared she would die and never see her daughter again. “He let me go and I remember saying I was sorry, as I felt that I did something wrong and I wanted to reassure him that I wouldn’t tell anyone so he wouldn’t hurt me again,” she said. She said she then let him do what he wanted and he had sex with her. Police investigated the woman’s complaint, but prosecutors declined to bring charges, saying there was insufficient evidence and a conviction was unlikely. McGregor said the two had sex that was athletic and vigorous, but not rough. He said “she never said ‘no’ or stopped” and testified that everything she said was a lie. “It is a full-blown lie among many lies,” he said when asked about the chokehold allegation. “How anyone could believe that me, as a prideful person, would highlight my shortcomings.” McGregor’s lawyer told jurors they had to set aside their animus toward the fighter. Related Articles “You may have an active dislike of him, some of you may even loathe him – there is no point pretending that the situation might be otherwise,” attorney Remy Farrell said. “I’m not asking you to invite him to Sunday brunch.” The defense said the woman never told investigators McGregor threatened her life. They also showed surveillance video in court that they said appeared to show the woman kiss McGregor’s arm and hug him after they left the hotel room. Farrell said she looked “happy, happy, happy.” McGregor said that when he was first questioned by police, he read them a prepared statement. On the advice of his lawyer, he refused to answer more than 100 follow-up questions."Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" To keep reading, please log in to your account, create a free account, or simply fill out the form below.
Review: Nicole Kidman commands the erotic office drama ‘Babygirl’WASHINGTON — With some of President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet and other presumptive nominees facing an uncertain path to confirmation, some Republicans have considered embracing recess appointments to allow Trump to temporarily fill vacancies without Senate approval. But that approach might come with its own complications. Many GOP senators have hesitated to cede authority over confirmations. With 53 Republican seats, nominees that can’t get majority support shouldn’t proceed, they argue. Former Florida GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz’s withdrawal as Trump’s selection for attorney general, then, would be an example of how the system should work. Other senators have said that if the Democratic minority next year uses delay tactics — of the sort Republicans themselves employed regarding President Joe Biden’s judicial nominees before the Thanksgiving break, for example — Republicans will be more willing to allow recess appointments. “If we in the Senate do our job correctly, we won’t need to worry about a recess appointment,” Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., said. “Now, if my Democratic colleagues don’t cooperate, then the issue of a recess appointment may be pertinent.” One less-likely scenario is that Trump proceeds with recess appointments by using an extraordinary and never-before-used constitutional power to force a Senate recess. Nonetheless, any actions taken by those recess appointees could be challenged in court and potentially brought to a stop. There are signs that even the conservative-dominated Supreme Court, with three Trump appointees, would find those moves to be unconstitutional. How recess appointments work The Constitution permits the president to circumvent the confirmation process for vacancies that “happen” during “the Recess of the Senate.” If appointed during a recess, officials could potentially serve until the end of the next session, or in this case, through the end of the 119th Congress. The Congressional Research Service has identified 139 recess appointments made by President Bill Clinton, 171 made by President George W. Bush and 32 made by President Barack Obama. Neither Trump in his first term nor President Joe Biden made any recess appointments. Although not unanimous, there is some sympathy for the recess appointment argument among Senate Republicans. Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., offered qualified support, arguing that there’s plenty of recent precedent. “I hope President Trump does at least 33 recess appointments. ... Because Obama did 32. So if anybody thinks that recess appointments are something new and different, you need to kind of study just a couple of administrations back,” Tillis told reporters. But he said recess appointments should be off-limits for Cabinet-level positions. “That should be absolutely off the table,” Tillis said. “These positions are too important and carry too much weight internationally to take a shortcut.” Supreme Court ruling Recess appointments declined under Obama because the Senate began staying in session year-round by convening in brief “pro forma” sessions every three days during break periods, such as the chamber’s summer recess. In 2014, the Supreme Court ruled in National Labor Relations Board v. Noel Canning that the Constitution allows the president to fill any existing vacancy, but only if the Senate has been in recess for at least 10 days. Under the 2014 ruling, the Senate can choose to allow the president to make recess appointments by agreeing with the House to adjourn for at least 10 days. The court’s decision also left open the possibility for the president to make appointments by forcing a Senate recess. That plan, in theory, would exploit Article 2, Section 3, of the Constitution that allows the president to adjourn Congress “to such Time as he shall think proper” when the two chambers are unable to agree on a time for adjournment. Ed Whelan, an attorney and senior fellow for the Ethics and Public Policy Center, recently explained in National Review how such a scenario could play out. First, the House can adopt a concurrent resolution providing for adjournment of both the House and the Senate for at least 10 days, Whelan wrote. The resolution would not be debatable in the Senate and could be adopted by a majority vote, though opposing senators could attempt to filibuster with amendments and procedural motions. Then, the Senate could choose to adopt the resolution, which would allow time for Trump to make appointments. Or it could reject the resolution, which could allow Trump to assert his constitutional power to adjourn Congress when a “disagreement” exists with respect to the time of adjournment. With the Senate gone for at least 10 days, the president could then begin filling vacancies. Nuclear option Of course, it’s no sure thing the House would even act to adopt a recess resolution. In comments to reporters before Thanksgiving, Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., appeared to defer to Senate prerogatives when it comes to presidential nominees, pointing out that “the Senate has advice and consent responsibility under the Constitution. They have to vet candidates, of course, and they will.”’ And with House Republicans expected to hold a razor-thin majority, it’s unclear whether such a resolution could receive enough votes for adoption, even if supported by GOP leadership. Additionally, if the Senate simply rejects or declines to act on a House-originated adjournment resolution, that might not constitute a “disagreement” that Trump could exploit, according to Whelan and other experts. Andy Craig, an adjunct scholar at the libertarian-leaning Cato Institute, wrote that the House and Senate would have to adopt conflicting adjournment resolutions that specify different dates before the president can step in to adjourn them. Simply rejecting the resolution, or refusing to consider it, wouldn’t be enough to trigger the president’s adjournment power, he wrote. James Wallner of the center-right R Street Institute expressed a similar sentiment in a recent social media post, arguing the Senate “can’t have an opinion until it takes action to have one — to disagree.” But with Trump and his own attorneys constantly looking for novel interpretations of executive authority, it’s possible they take the position that a disagreement has occurred anyway. The effectiveness of any recess appointees would almost immediately be cast into doubt, however, as the move could trigger a slew of litigation against agencies led by recess-appointed officials. It could take some time to work its way through the courts, according to Stanford law professor Anne Joseph O’Connell, who said each recess appointee would need to be challenged by a separate plaintiff with standing. “The Supreme Court could then consolidate cases or accept one case and hold the others to be remanded to consider the decision in the case they hear,” she said. Conservative pushback Litigation regarding any potential Trump recess appointees could set the stage for the Supreme Court to invalidate them by taking a more restrictive stance than it did in its 2014 ruling. That case involved an instance of presidential overreach, the court found, when Obama made three recess appointments to the NLRB after concluding that the Senate was unavailable to consider nominations, even though it had convened periodically for pro forma sessions. The Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the appointments were invalid, and a majority, which included the liberal justices and swing-justice Anthony Kennedy, held that the Senate must be in recess for at least 10 days before the president can make a recess appointment. But the conservative justices strongly disagreed with the majority’s understanding of the Recess Appointments Clause and took a position that Senate Republicans had urged them to adopt. In an amicus brief, the entire Senate Republican Conference during the 113th Congress urged the court to severely curtail the recess appointment power. Among those who signed the brief, 21 are still currently serving in the Senate. Republicans called on the court to hold that the “recess” defined in the Constitution means only the recess that occurs after the Senate ends its regular annual session, and excludes an “intra-session” adjournment, which occurs when the Senate temporarily takes a break during its annual session for various reasons, like a holiday or district work period. They also urged the justices to rule that the president may only fill positions that become vacant during that narrowly defined recess. Obama’s recess appointments, the senators wrote, “cannot be justified by the Recess Appointments Clause without distorting that provision’s text and purpose beyond recognition: The appointments were made neither during ‘the Recess of the Senate,’ but instead in an intrasession adjournment, nor to fill ‘vacancies that ... happen[ed] during the Recess,’ but to preexisting openings.” Additionally, the senators suggested that the Supreme Court should conclude “that the President cannot unilaterally declare the Senate in ‘Recess’ against its will,” as Obama did by refusing to recognize its pro forma sessions. Aligning with Senate Republicans, Justice Antonin Scalia wrote a concurring opinion arguing recess appointment power should allow only appointments during the break between the Senate’s formal annual sessions, and only for vacancies that came into existence during that intermission. Three conservatives currently on the court, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel A. Alito Jr., joined the late justice’s opinion. Because an attempt by Trump to fill positions with recess appointments would likely occur during the Senate’s regular session and would involve positions that did not become vacant during the recess between annual sessions, the Supreme Court’s current conservative majority might rule that such appointments are unconstitutional. Whelan predicts that the three conservative justices appointed by Trump during his first term — Neil M. Gorsuch, Brett M. Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett — would also be skeptical of a broad recess appointment power that allows intrasession appointments and appointments to preexisting vacancies. “It’s a very safe bet that Justice Gorsuch, Justice Kavanaugh, and Justice Barrett would agree with Scalia if they were looking at the issues afresh. So that would make a six-justice majority among the current members of the Court,” Whelan wrote.
Tributes have begun pouring in for former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, the architect of India's economic reforms who passed away earlier tonight in Delhi aged 92. His death was announced by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi, where he was admitted to the emergency ward at around 8.30 PM in a critical condition. The AIIMS bulletin said he was "treated for age-related medical conditions and had sudden loss of consciousness at home" on 26 December. Writing on X, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi said, "I have lost a mentor and guide. Millions of us who admired him will remember him with the utmost pride." Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge issued a statement that read: "Undoubtedly, history shall judge you kindly, Dr. Manmohan Singh ji! "With the passing of the Former Prime Minister, India has lost a visionary statesman, a leader of unimpeachable integrity, and an economist of unparalleled stature. His policy of Economic Liberalisation and Rights-based welfare paradigm profoundly transformed the lives of crores of Indians, virtually creating a Middle Class in India and lifting crores out of poverty. Also Read: Architect of liberalisation Dr Manmohan Singh passes away at 92 I mourn the loss of a lifelong senior colleague, a gentle intellectual and a humble soul who embodied the aspirations of India, having risen through the ranks with unwavering dedication." The man who famously spoke of studying under the dim light of kerosene lamps in his village without electricity and went on to become a storied academic was the copybook reluctant politician, almost stumbling into the rough and tumble of mainstream politics. He was the proverbial dark horse when Sonia Gandhi stepped back from taking the prime minister’s post, ignoring the clamour from her party, and chose him instead. And so Manmohan Singh the academic bureaucrat became the 14th prime minister of India in 2004. Theirs was a partnership that lasted 10 years, the equation between Sonia Gandhi and Singh often cited for its equanimity and an example of how a working relationship should really be. Notwithstanding the inevitable tensions. Singh also had to balance the interests of the United Progressive Alliance’s coalition partners. Also Read: What Dr Manmohan Singh was asked at his final press meet, 10 years ago today Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted, "Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji and I interacted regularly when he was PM and I was the CM of Gujarat. We would have extensive deliberations on various subjects relating to governance. His wisdom and humility were always visible." Also posting on X, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra wrote, "Few people in politics inspire the kind of respect that Sardar Manmohan Singh ji did. His honesty will always be an inspiration for us and he will forever stand tall among those who truly love this country as someone who remained steadfast in his commitment to serve the nation despite being subjected to unfair and deeply personal attacks by his opponents." Born in the village of Gah in undivided Punjab, now in Pakistan, Dr Singh's family witnessed first-hand the tragic Partition of 1947, and he often spoke of communal harmony throughout his long public life. A renowned economist and respected figure in India and abroad, Dr Singh's profile on the website pmindia.gov reads, "Dr Singh completed his matriculation examinations from the Punjab University in 1948. His academic career took him from Punjab to the University of Cambridge, UK, where he earned a First Class Honours degree in Economics in 1957." Singh followed this up with a DPhil in Economics from Nuffield College at Oxford University in 1962. His book India's Export Trends and Prospects for Self-Sustained Growth was an "early critique of India's inward-oriented trade policy", the profile reads. He served two terms as India's prime minister from 2004-14, besides his earlier stints as Union finance minister in PM P.V. Narasimha Rao's cabinet, as well as governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). A man of few words but immense wisdom, he often spoke of communal harmony and democratic values that are at the core of India as a nation. At an event in Amritsar in 2004 marking the 400th anniversary of the installation of the Guru Granth Sahib , he had recalled his roots. "The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, touched an emotional chord while addressing a mammoth gathering in Amritsar, recalling his roots and paying tributes to the teachings of Guru Granth Sahib," reads a September 2004 statement carried on the website archivepmo.nic.in. Congress MP and general-secretary (organisation) posted on X, saying: "Soft-spoken, sober, and always dignified, he had a steely resolve. He was the technocratic transformer of the Indian economy through his 1991, 1992, and other budgets. His Prime Ministership saw revolutionary legislation relating to rural employment, tribal rights, reservations for scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and OBCs, primary education, food security, and land acquisition. "The Indo-US nuclear agreement was a landmark that enhanced India's global status. His Prime Ministership saw the highest GDP growth rate in the country’s history." Dr Singh's fellow former RBI governor D. Subbarao recalled his association with Singh, who died on Thursday. "I had experience with him as prime minister and as finance secretary and late as governor. What I would say about Dr Manmohan ... that he was a great listener. "He did not speak very much. But whenever he spoke, it has lots of substance," Subbarao, who was RBI governor from 2008-13, said. Rajiv Kumar, former Niti Aayog vice-chairman, recalled that during his stint as finance minister, Dr Singh was always open to meeting economists even at short notice. Kumar also said Dr Singh encouraged him to join ADB (Asian Development Bank) in Manila. Kumar was an economic advisor in the DEA then. Union minister Nitin Gadkari mourned the loss, saying he was profoundly saddened by the passing away of Singh. Gadkari said Dr Singh's invaluable contribution to shaping India's economic trajectory remains a cornerstone of our nation's progress. "A leader of unparalleled humility and quiet strength, he always placed the country's welfare above all else," he said in a post on X. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her shock over Dr Singh's demise. She extended her condolences to the bereaved family of the former PM, and remembered her days of working with Singh, saying she would miss his affection. "Profoundly stunned and saddened by the sudden demise of our former prime minister Manmohan Singh ji . I had worked with him and saw him from very close quarters in the Union cabinet. His erudition and wisdom were unquestionable, and the depth of the financial reforms ushered in by him in the country are widely acknowledged," Banerjee wrote on X. "The country will miss his stewardship and I shall miss his affection. My sincere condolences to his family, friends and followers," she added. Hailed for putting India on the road to liberalisation and privatisation in the early 1990s, Dr Singh was criticised for turning a blind eye to charges of corruption. The going often got tough. During his first tenure as prime minister, the coalition began to unravel when India signed a civil nuclear deal with the US. It almost cost his government with the Left parties pulling out of the UPA coalition. However, his government survived. "I honestly hope history would be kinder to me than the contemporary media, or for that matter, the opposition parties in Parliament," he had said famously in January 2004. Today, the decade with Singh at the helm of affairs is widely believed to be an era of unprecedented growth and prosperity, his journey to the acme of India’s governance and political power unique in the annals of India’s politics. With PTI inputs Follow us on: Facebook , Twitter , Google News , Instagram Join our official telegram channel ( @nationalherald ) and stay updated with the latest headlines
Americans are exhausted by political news. TV ratings and a new AP-NORC poll show they’re tuning outYes, there is a ground beef recall, but not for beef sold at grocery storesSRF: What does the group of 100-year-olds in Switzerland look like? Daniela Jopp: There are 2,086 centenarians in Switzerland. Of these, 80% are women. Almost half of them live in care facilities, the other half live in private households. That’s quite astonishing, because 80 years ago there were only a handful of 100-year-olds. SRF: How are 100-year-olds doing in Switzerland? DJ: A look at well-being reveals an astonishing finding: in Switzerland, 92% of centenarians say they are satisfied with their lives. This is a remarkable result that has also been observed in previous studies in other countries, but never to such a high degree. It seems that Swiss centenarians are particularly satisfied with their lives. SRF: What factors explain this satisfaction? DJ: Objective health does not play a central role. Although centenarians have an average of six physical limitations and often also cognitive impairments, these factors have little influence on satisfaction. What’s far more important are psychological aspects, such as the feeling of not being lonely. So-called psychological strengths are particularly decisive: a belief in one’s own control over life, optimism, a positive view of the future, a sense of meaning in life, and a strong will to live. These elements are the most important drivers of well-being in old age. SRF: What kind of personalities are these centenarians in Switzerland? DJ: We know that certain personality traits, such as extroversion, that is, whether you like approaching people, or a positive basic attitude, play a role and are partly genetically determined. We also see that many of the Swiss centenarians have not had an easy life. A third have lost at least one child, one of the most difficult life events. It is a combination of a genetic predisposition for optimism and dealing with crises that helps them to remain exceptionally resilient and thus probably live longer. SRF: How important are genetics? DJ: Numerous studies have investigated this and show that it is not primarily our genes but our lifestyle that is decisive for our lifespan. Genetics only play a role of around 25%. The larger proportion of 70% to 80% depends on a healthy diet, exercise, mental fitness and social relationships, as well as a positive attitude to life and a sense of purpose. SRF: What role do personal interests and hobbies play? DJ: An exciting observation from my studies on centenarians is that many of them pursue a deep passion. Whether it’s a close bond with their family, for example, by actively supporting their grandchildren, or a strong interest in politics, art or other areas of life – this dedication seems to inspire them. I think we can learn from the centenarians how important it is to realise at a younger age what really inspires and drives us. It is precisely these passions that not only give us purpose and energy, but often carry us into old age. Translated from German using DeepL/amva/gwCHICAGO (AP) — The Seattle Seahawks placed running back Kenneth Walker III on injured reserve prior to their game against the Chicago Bears on Thursday because of an ankle injury. Walker hurt his ankle in last week's loss to Minnesota and left that game after sitting out the previous two because of a calf problem. He also missed two weeks in September with an oblique issue. Walker has run for 573 yards and seven touchdowns on 153 carries. A second-round draft pick by Seattle in 2022, he has 2,528 yards rushing and 24 TDs in his career. Walker could, in theory, return if the Seahawks win two playoff games, though their postseason hopes were slim entering the game against Chicago. Seattle (8-7) trailed the NFC West-leading Los Angeles Rams (9-6) by one game with two to play. The Seahawks' best path to the postseason was to win the final two regular-season games and have Los Angeles lose to Arizona on Saturday. Seattle visits the Rams to close the regular season. With Walker out, Seattle signed rookie running back George Holani off the practice squad. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL The Associated Press