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NoneThere wasn’t much that was aesthetically pleasing about watching Kenny Pickett play quarterback Sunday. He wears gloves, for one thing, because he finds that they’re more comfortable and help him better grip a football. But no quarterback who wears gloves appears as graceful and fluid throwing the ball as a quarterback who doesn’t wear them. What’s more, on every pass, whether it was a go route to DeVonta Smith or a screen to Saquon Barkley, Pickett seemed to be putting all his might into every throw. None of these observations meant that Pickett had a poor game in the Eagles’ 41-7 romp over the Cowboys, in the victory that clinched for them the NFC East title and at least the No. 2 seed in the conference playoff bracket. On the contrary, despite some skittish moments early on, Pickett was excellent: 10-for-15, 143 yards, one passing touchdown, one Tush Push touchdown. His style of play was reminiscent of a previous Eagles backup QB, Jeff Garcia, and his production was, too. Pickett left the game with just less than nine minutes remaining in the third quarter after taking a shot to his already-sore ribs from the Cowboys’ Micah Parsons. But then Tanner McKee stepped in for Pickett, tossed a touchdown to A.J. Brown on a beautiful back-shoulder throw, and the Eagles just rolled along. Hello, 13-3. Goodbye, any worries about Jalen Hurts’ absence. At least for the moment. And it might be only a moment. Had Hurts suffered a knee sprain or bruised shoulder last Sunday against the Washington Commanders, everyone would have a clearer sense of his immediate future. There would be a more reliable and defined timeline for his return. But he didn’t sprain his knee or bruise his shoulder. He was concussed, and though he wanted to get back into action immediately, there’s really no telling when he’ll be able to play again. He might pass the league-mandated protocol in the next few days and be ready to go for the postseason’s first round, in two weeks, or ... the Eagles’ medical staff might not clear him at all. Head trauma is that unpredictable, and it demands that much patience and care. With Hurts at full health, the Eagles are an obvious favorite to reach and, once there, win the Super Bowl. And in most such situations, when a quarterback who is that valuable to his team goes down, that team would be so crippled that it would no longer be considered a championship contender. Take Patrick Mahomes away from the Kansas City Chiefs or Josh Allen from the Buffalo Bills, of course, and those teams aren’t nearly so formidable, and the same principle applies to those QBs who are a tier below Mahomes and Allen: Jared Goff with the Detroit Lions, say, or Hurts with the Eagles. Even Sunday’s lopsided outcome at Lincoln Financial Field doesn’t necessarily mean the Eagles would be just hunky-dory in the playoffs if Hurts is still sidelined. The Cowboys didn’t have Dak Prescott or CeeDee Lamb or Trevon Diggs, and they weren’t exactly tearing up the NFL this season when those were healthy, anyway. Remember, though: The Eagles have a long history of surviving, even thriving, after losing their starting quarterback to injury. In 2002, Donovan McNabb broke his ankle, and the Eagles kept winning with Koy Detmer and A.J. Feeley. In 2006, Garcia filled in for McNabb and became a folk hero for his contributions to an out-of-nowhere run to a division title and the NFC divisional round. And no one around here needs reminding of what happened after Carson Wentz had his left knee torn up in early December 2017. That overwhelming doubt that usually accompanies seeing a star quarterback limp or stagger to the sideline? Yeah, Nick Foles caused a lot of it to evaporate forever. Those episodes don’t have much direct relevance to this particular Eagles team in this particular Eagles season. But they do serve as good reminders that whether Pickett or McKee or Ian Book turns out to be the one taking snaps in another meaningful game, there’s still a chance, maybe a good one, that this team — especially this team, with this collection of skill-position standouts, with this offensive line, with this defense — can withstand being without Hurts. The Eagles have been here before. These Eagles look like they can handle it. (Mike Sielski is a columnist for the The Philadelphia Inquirer .) ©2024 The Philadelphia Inquirer, LLC. Visit at inquirer.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Star, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. It’s been a tough few days at Hillsborough as the Owls’ rough run of form on home soil continued after Makhtar Gueye gave Rovers a 1-0 victory to follow up on the 1-1 draw against Preston over the weekend. Röhl didn’t pull any punches after the Lilywhites result, criticising his players for the way that they performed, but despite a worse result on Tuesday night he admitted that he couldn’t fault his ranks too much. Advertisement Advertisement The Star has a dedicated Sheffield Wednesday WhatsApp Channel to bring the latest news, analysis and team & injury updates direct to your phone. Simply click here to join “My team invested a lot,” Röhl told The Star afterwards. “Both teams were well organised and there was not much in it, not so many chances for both teams. The data is similar, but it’s a similar story in these tight games, especially when we play against teams that are ahead of us. I’m honest I think there is something in every game, but there is a difference between a mid table position and top of the table. "These types of games you have to win if you have the opportunity... I said this to my players, it was a 50/50 - we played a team with four wins in a row and who are in a good mode. We are close, but not close enough.” He also told Radio Sheffield, “I must say, from the performance I feel ok with my team. I cannot find so many things that they didn’t try, and the last days it’s really been a topic of how we work against the ball, how we are connected, and how we are ready to run to close. All the things we did.” Advertisement Advertisement Watch every episode of All Wednesday with Joe Crann - interviews, opinion and insight on the Owls every week, on demand on Shots TV here Wednesday are now back on the road as they travel to Oxford United this weekend, and they’ll be desperate to get back to winning ways once again after a frustrating couple of results in South Yorkshire.
The AA calls for Rachel Reeves to use 'permanent methods' on potholes to fix roadsVANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MAX Power Mining Corp. ( ; ) (“ ” or the “ ”) announces a non-brokered private placement for a minimum of 3,825,000 units (the “Units”) of the Company at a price of C$0.20 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of $765,000; and up to a maximum of 5,000,000 Units for aggregate gross proceeds of $1,000,000 (the “Offering”) targeting strategic investors. The Offering, using the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption (“LIFE”), is scheduled to close on or about November 29, 2024 (the “Closing Date”) and completion of the Offering is subject to certain conditions including the receipt of all necessary approvals, including the approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange (“CSE”). The Company plans to use the net proceeds of this financing for exploration, evaluation and potential acquisition of additional properties, general and administrative expenses which will include funds for marketing and investor relations fees, and cash for working capital. Each Unit will consist of one common share in the capital of the Company and one-half of one non-transferable common share purchase warrant (each whole common share purchase warrant, a “Warrant”). Each whole Warrant will be exercisable to acquire one share at an exercise price of $0.30 per share for a period of 24 months from the date of issuance, subject to an acceleration right. If, at any time after the date of issuance of the Warrant, the closing price of the Company’s common shares on the CSE (or such other stock exchange on which the common shares may be traded from time to time) is at or above C$0.45 per share for a period of 10 consecutive trading days (the “Triggering Event”), in which event the Company may, within 5 days of the Triggering Event, accelerate the expiry date of the Warrants by giving notice thereof to the holders of the Warrants, by way of news release, and in such case the Warrants will expire on the first day that is 30 calendar days after the date on which such notice is given by the Company announcing the Triggering Event and all rights of holders of such Warrants shall be terminated without any compensation to such holder. Certain insiders of the Company may acquire Units in the Offering. Any participation by insiders in the Private Placement would constitute a “related party transaction” as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (“MI 61-101”). However, the Company expects such participation would be exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 as the fair market value of the Units subscribed for by the insiders, nor the consideration for the Units paid by such insiders, would exceed 25% of the Company’s market capitalization. Subject to compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and in accordance with National Instrument 45-106 – Prospectus Exemptions (“NI 45-106”), the Offering is being made to purchasers resident in each of the Provinces of Canada, except Quebec, pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A of NI 45-106 (the “Exemption”). The securities offered under the Exemption will not be subject to a hold period in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws. There is an offering document (the “Offering Document”) related to the Offering that can be accessed under the Company’s profile at and on the Company’s website at: . Prospective investors should read this Offering Document before making an investment decision. In connection with the Offering, the Company may pay finder’s fees consisting of: (i) cash finder’s fees of up to 7% of the gross proceeds of the Offering; and (ii) finder warrants (“Finder’s Warrant”) in an amount equal to up to 7% of the number of Units issued pursuant to the Offering, exercisable at a price of C$0.35 per common share for a period of 24 months following the closing date of the Offering which will also be subject to the above acceleration clause. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”) or under any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act, as amended, and applicable state securities laws. MAX Power is an innovative mineral exploration company focused on North America’s shift to decarbonization. MAX Power is a first mover in the rapidly growing Natural Hydrogen sector, through strategic alliances with Calgary-based Chapman Hydrogen & Petroleum Engineering Ltd., and European- based Larin Engineering HHC. MAX Power also holds a portfolio of properties in the United States and Canada focused on critical minerals. These properties are highlighted by a recent diamond drilling discovery at the Willcox Playa Lithium Project in southeast Arizona. “Mansoor Jan” CEO MAX Power Mining Corp. Company Contact , 778-655-9266
Trump vows to block Japanese steelmaker from buying US Steel, pledges tax incentives and tariffs
The Time Is Right for the Invesco S&P GARP ETF's Value-Conscious ApproachWhen Katja Vogt considers a Jaguar, she pictures a British-made car purring confidently along the Italian coastline — a vision of familiarity that conveys "that dreaming, longing feeling we all love." She's not sure what to think about Jaguar now after the 89-year-old company announced a radical rebranding that featured loud colors and androgynous people — but no cars. Jaguar, the company says, will now be JaGUar. It will produce only electric vehicles beginning in 2026. Bad attention is good attention, Jaguar execs would appear to believe. The car brand has prompted mockery online for posting a glitzy ad without a single car in it. Say goodbye to British racing green, Cotswold Blue and black. Its colors are henceforth electric pink, red and yellow, according to a video that sparked backlash online. Its mission statement: "Create exuberance. Live vivid. Delete ordinary. Break moulds." "Intrigued?" @Jaguar posted on social media. "Weird and unsettled" is more like it, Vogt wrote on Instagram. "Especially now, with the world feeling so dystopian," the Cyprus-based brand designer wrote, "a heritage brand like Jaguar should be conveying feelings of safety, stability, and maybe a hint of rebellion — the kind that shakes things up in a good way, not in a way that unsettles." Jaguar was one of several iconic companies that announced significant rebrandings in recent weeks, upending a series of commercial — and cultural — landmarks by which many modern human beings sort one another, carve out identities and recognize the world around them. Campbell's, the 155-year-old American icon that artist Andy Warhol immortalized in pop culture decades ago, is ready for a new, soupless name. Comcast's corporate reorganization means there will soon be two television networks with "NBC" in their name — CNBC and MSNBC — that will no longer have any corporate connection to NBC News, a U.S. legacy news outlet. CNBC One could even argue the United States itself is rebranding with the election of former President Donald Trump and Republican majorities in the House and Senate. Unlike Trump's first election in 2016, he won the popular vote in what many called a national referendum on American identity. Are we, then, the sum total of our consumer decisions — what we buy, where we travel and whom we elect? Certainly, it's a question for those privileged enough to be able to afford such choices. Volumes of research in the art and science of branding — from "brandr," an old Norse word for burning symbols into the hides of livestock — say those factors do contribute to the modern sense of identity. So rebranding, especially of heritage names, can be a deeply felt affront to consumers. "It can feel like the brand is turning its back on everything that it stood for — and therefore it feels like it's turning its back on us, the people who subscribe to that idea or ideology," said Ali Marmaduke, strategy director with the Amsterdam-based Brand Potential. He said cultural tension — polarization — is surging over politics, wars in Russia and the Mideast, the environment, public health and more, creating what Marmaduke said is known as a "polycrisis": the idea that there are several massive crises converging that feel scary and complex. Campbell's soups "People are understandably freaked out by that," he said. "So we are looking for something that will help us navigate this changing, threatening world that we face." Trump's "Make America Great Again" qualifies. So did President Joe Biden's "Build Back Better" slogan. Campbell's soup itself — "Mmm Mmm Good" — isn't going anywhere, CEO Mark Clouse said. The company's new name, Campbell's Co., will reflect "the full breadth of our portfolio," which includes brands like Prego pasta sauce and Goldfish crackers. None of the recent activity around heritage brands sparked a backlash as ferocious as Jaguar's. The company stood as a pillar of tradition-loving British identity since World War II. The famous "leaper" cat Jaguar logo is pictured in 2019 at the Auto show in Paris, France. Jaguar said its approach to the rebrand was rooted in the philosophy of its founder, Sir William Lyons, to "copy nothing." What it's calling "the new Jaguar" will overhaul everything from the font of its name to the positioning of it's famous "leaper" cat. "Exuberant modernism" will "define all aspects of the new Jaguar world," according to the news release. The approach is thought to be aimed at selling fewer cars at a six-figure price point to a more diverse customer base. The reaction ranged from bewilderment to hostility. Memes sprouted up likening the video to the Teletubbies, a Benetton ad and — perhaps predictably — a bow to "woke" culture as the blowback intersected with politics. Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly.
With Boston College trailing defending champion Miami, Flutie threw the Hail Mary and found receiver Gerard Phalen, who made the grab while falling into the end zone behind a pair of defenders for a game-winning 48-yard TD. Flutie and many of his 1984 teammates were honored on the field during BC’s 41-21 victory over North Carolina before the second quarter on Saturday afternoon, the anniversary of the Eagles’ Miracle in Miami. “There’s no way its been 40 years,” Flutie told The Associated Press on the sideline a few minutes before he walked out with some of his former teammates to be recognized after a video of The Play was shown on the scoreboards. It’s a moment and highlight that’s not only played throughout decades of BC students and fans, but around the college football world. “What is really so humbling is that the kids 40 years later are wearing 22 jerseys, still,” Flutie said of his old number. “That amazes me.” That game was played on national TV the Friday after Thanksgiving. The ironic thing is it was originally scheduled for earlier in the season before CBS paid Rutgers to move its game against Miami, thus setting up the BC-Miami post-holiday matchup. “It shows you how random some things are, that the game was moved,” Flutie said. “The game got moved to the Friday after Thanksgiving, which was the most watched game of the year. We both end up being nationally ranked and up there. All those things lent to how big the game itself was, and made the pass and the catch that much more relevant and remembered because so many people were watching.” There’s a statue of Flutie winding up to make The Pass outside the north gates at Alumni Stadium. Fans and visitors can often be seen taking photos there. “In casual conversation, it comes up every day,” Flutie said, when asked how many times people bring it up. “It brings a smile to my face every time we talk about it.” A week after the game-ending Flutie pass, the Eagles beat Holy Cross and before he flew off to New York to accept the Heisman. They went on to win the 49th Cotton Bowl on New Year’s Day. “Forty years seem almost like incomprehensible,” said Phalen, also standing on the sideline a few minutes after the game started. “I always say to Doug: ‘Thank God for social media. It’s kept it alive for us.”’ Earlier this week, current BC coach Bill O’Brien, 55, was asked if he remembered where he was 40 years ago. “We were eating Thanksgiving leftovers in my family room,” he said. “My mom was saying a Rosary in the kitchen because she didn’t like Miami and wanted BC to win. My dad, my brother and I were watching the game. “It was unbelievable,” he said. “Everybody remembers where they were for the Hail Mary, Flutie pass.”Jimmy Carter, the 39th US president, has died at 100
We’re embarking on silent economic revolution in Ogun, says AbiodunAfter being blown out in Buffalo by a score of 40-14, it’s clear that the 2024 NFL season can’t come to an end soon enough for Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets . The Bills took an early lead and never looked back. It may have looked like a game the Jets would be able to keep close as they had multiple drives that landed them in Buffalo territory. However, the Jets failed to capitalize as Aaron Rodgers finished the day with two interceptions. Tyrod Taylor would come on in relief of Rodgers and lead a couple of touchdown drives that saw Garrett Wilson and Tyler Conklin find the end zone. The loss drops the Jets to 4-12 which has them currently slated to pick sixth in the draft. This article first appeared on JetNation.com and was syndicated with permission.Notre Dame puts losing streak in past, turns focus to Dartmouth
By Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — Ayden Pereira rushed for 136 yards on 17 carries and threw for a touchdown and Merrimack’s defense smothered Fordham 19-3 in a season finale. Jay Thompson had three solo sacks and was credited with four of Merrimack’s 11 sacks. The Rams (2-10) finished with just four first downs and were held to minus-29 yards rushing and 31 total yards offense. The Warriors (5-6) also made two interceptions. Pereira was 12-of-15 passing for 131 yards, connecting with Jalen McDonald for a 12-yard touchdown and a 16-3 lead late in the third quarter. Lliam Davis’s field goal made it 19-3 in the fourth quarter. After Kendal Sims blocked a Fordham punt out of the end zone for a safety, Jermaine Corbett went over from a yard out for a 9-0 lead in the first quarter. Bennett Henderson had Fordham’s only points with a 43-yard field goal. Get the latest Boston sports news Receive updates on your favorite Boston teams, straight from our newsroom to your inbox. Be civil. Be kind.By John Hanna, The Associated Press TOPEKA, Kan. — Republicans made claims about illegal voting by noncitizens a centerpiece of their 2024 campaign messaging and plan to push legislation in the new Congress requiring voters to provide proof of U.S. citizenship. Yet there’s one place with a GOP supermajority where linking voting to citizenship appears to be a nonstarter: Kansas. That’s because the state has been there, done that, and all but a few Republicans would prefer not to go there again. Kansas imposed a proof-of-citizenship requirement over a decade ago that grew into one of the biggest political fiascos in the state in recent memory. The law, passed by the state Legislature in 2011 and implemented two years later, ended up blocking the voter registrations of more than 31,000 U.S. citizens who were otherwise eligible to vote. That was 12% of everyone seeking to register in Kansas for the first time. Federal courts ultimately declared the law an unconstitutional burden on voting rights, and it hasn’t been enforced since 2018. Kansas provides a cautionary tale about how pursuing an election concern that in fact is extremely rare risks disenfranchising a far greater number of people who are legally entitled to vote. The state’s top elections official, Secretary of State Scott Schwab, championed the idea as a legislator and now says states and the federal government shouldn’t touch it. “Kansas did that 10 years ago,” said Schwab, a Republican. “It didn’t work out so well.” Steven Fish, a 45-year-old warehouse worker in eastern Kansas, said he understands the motivation behind the law. In his thinking, the state was like a store owner who fears getting robbed and installs locks. But in 2014, after the birth of his now 11-year-old son inspired him to be “a little more responsible” and follow politics, he didn’t have an acceptable copy of his birth certificate to get registered to vote in Kansas. “The locks didn’t work,” said Fish, one of nine Kansas residents who sued the state over the law. “You caught a bunch of people who didn’t do anything wrong.” Kansas' experience appeared to receive little if any attention outside the state as Republicans elsewhere pursued proof-of-citizenship requirements this year. Arizona enacted a requirement this year, applying it to voting for state and local elections but not for Congress or president. The Republican-led U.S. House passed a proof-of-citizenship requirement in the summer and plans to bring back similar legislation after the GOP won control of the Senate in November. In Ohio, the Republican secretary of state revised the form that poll workers use for voter eligibility challenges to require those not born in the U.S. to show naturalization papers to cast a regular ballot. A federal judge declined to block the practice days before the election. Also, sizable majorities of voters in Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina and the presidential swing states of North Carolina and Wisconsin were inspired to amend their state constitutions' provisions on voting even though the changes were only symbolic. Provisions that previously declared that all U.S. citizens could vote now say that only U.S. citizens can vote — a meaningless distinction with no practical effect on who is eligible. To be clear, voters already must attest to being U.S. citizens when they register to vote and noncitizens can face fines, prison and deportation if they lie and are caught. “There is nothing unconstitutional about ensuring that only American citizens can vote in American elections,” U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, of Texas, the leading sponsor of the congressional proposal, said in an email statement to The Associated Press. After Kansas residents challenged their state’s law, both a federal judge and federal appeals court concluded that it violated a law limiting states to collecting only the minimum information needed to determine whether someone is eligible to vote. That’s an issue Congress could resolve. Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach, a strong support of requiring new voters to provide proof of their U.S. citizenship when registering, answers questions during an interview with The Associated Press, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, in his office in Topeka, Kan. (AP Photo/John Hanna) AP The courts ruled that with “scant” evidence of an actual problem, Kansas couldn’t justify a law that kept hundreds of eligible citizens from registering for every noncitizen who was improperly registered. A federal judge concluded that the state’s evidence showed that only 39 noncitizens had registered to vote from 1999 through 2012 — an average of just three a year. In 2013, then-Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, a Republican who had built a national reputation advocating tough immigration laws, described the possibility of voting by immigrants living in the U.S. illegally as a serious threat. He was elected attorney general in 2022 and still strongly backs the idea, arguing that federal court rulings in the Kansas case “almost certainly got it wrong.” Kobach also said a key issue in the legal challenge — people being unable to fix problems with their registrations within a 90-day window — has probably been solved. “The technological challenge of how quickly can you verify someone’s citizenship is getting easier,” Kobach said. “As time goes on, it will get even easier.” The U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear the Kansas case in 2020. But in August, it split 5-4 in allowing Arizona to continue enforcing its law for voting in state and local elections while a legal challenge goes forward. Seeing the possibility of a different Supreme Court decision in the future, U.S. Rep.-elect Derek Schmidt says states and Congress should pursue proof-of-citizenship requirements. Schmidt was the Kansas attorney general when his state’s law was challenged. “If the same matter arose now and was litigated, the facts would be different,” he said in an interview. But voting rights advocates dismiss the idea that a legal challenge would turn out differently. Mark Johnson, one of the attorneys who fought the Kansas law, said opponents now have a template for a successful court fight. “We know the people we can call,” Johnson said. “We know that we’ve got the expert witnesses. We know how to try things like this.” He predicted “a flurry — a landslide — of litigation against this.” Initially, the Kansas requirement’s impacts seemed to fall most heavily on politically unaffiliated and young voters. As of fall 2013, 57% of the voters blocked from registering were unaffiliated and 40% were under 30. But Fish was in his mid-30s, and six of the nine residents who sued over the Kansas law were 35 or older. Three even produced citizenship documents and still didn’t get registered, according to court documents. “There wasn’t a single one of us that was actually an illegal or had misinterpreted or misrepresented any information or had done anything wrong,” Fish said. He was supposed to produce his birth certificate when he sought to register in 2014 while renewing his Kansas driver’s license at an office in a strip mall in Lawrence. A clerk wouldn’t accept the copy Fish had of his birth certificate. He still doesn’t know where to find the original, having been born on an Air Force base in Illinois that closed in the 1990s. Several of the people joining Fish in the lawsuit were veterans, all born in the U.S., and Fish said he was stunned that they could be prevented from registering. Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab gavels a meeting of the state’s presidential electors in the state Senate chamber to a close, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, at the Statehouse in Topeka, Kan. Schwab championed a proof-of-citizenship requirement for new voters as a legislator but now says states shouldn’t enact one. (AP Photo/John Hanna) AP Liz Azore, a senior adviser to the nonpartisan Voting Rights Lab, said millions of Americans haven’t traveled outside the U.S. and don’t have passports that might act as proof of citizenship, or don’t have ready access to their birth certificates. She and other voting rights advocates are skeptical that there are administrative fixes that will make a proof-of-citizenship law run more smoothly today than it did in Kansas a decade ago. “It’s going to cover a lot of people from all walks of life,” Avore said. “It’s going to be disenfranchising large swaths of the country.” Associated Press writer Julie Carr Smyth in Columbus, Ohio, contributed to this report. 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the peanut farmer who tried to restore virtue to the White House after the Watergate scandal and Vietnam War, then rebounded from a landslide defeat to become a global advocate of human rights and democracy, has died. . The Carter Center said the 39th president died Sunday, , at his home in Plains, Georgia, where he and his wife, who died in November 2023, lived most of their lives. A moderate Democrat, as a little-known Georgia governor with a broad grin, effusive Baptist faith and technocratic plans for efficient government. His promise to never deceive the American people resonated after Richard Nixon’s disgrace and U.S. defeat in southeast Asia. “If I ever lie to you, if I ever make a misleading statement, don’t vote for me. I would not deserve to be your president,” Carter said. Carter’s victory over Republican Gerald Ford, whose fortunes fell after pardoning Nixon, came amid Cold War pressures, turbulent oil markets and social upheaval over race, women’s rights and America’s role in the world. His achievements included brokering Mideast peace by keeping Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin at Camp David for 13 days in 1978. But his coalition splintered under double-digit inflation and the 444-day hostage crisis in Iran. His negotiations ultimately brought all the hostages home alive, but in a final insult, Iran didn’t release them until the inauguration of Ronald Reagan, who had trounced him in the 1980 election. Humbled and back home in Georgia, Carter said his faith demanded that he keep doing whatever he could, for as long as he could, to try to make a difference. He and Rosalynn co-founded in 1982 and spent the next 40 years traveling the world as peacemakers, human rights advocates and champions of democracy and public health. Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, Carter helped ease nuclear tensions in North and South Korea, avert a U.S. invasion of Haiti and and Sudan. By 2022, the center had monitored at least 113 elections around the world. Carter was determined to as one of many health initiatives. the Carters built homes with Habitat for Humanity. The common observation that he was better as an ex-president rankled Carter. His allies were pleased that he lived long enough to see biographers and historians and declare it more impactful than many understood at the time. Propelled in 1976 by voters in Iowa and then across the South, Carter ran a no-frills campaign. Americans were captivated by the earnest engineer, and while an election-year Playboy interview drew snickers when he said he “had looked on many women with lust. I’ve committed adultery in my heart many times,” voters tired of political cynicism found it endearing. The first family set an informal tone in the White House, carrying their own luggage, trying to silence the Marine Band’s traditional “Hail to the Chief” and enrolling daughter, Amy, in public schools. Carter was lampooned for wearing a cardigan and urging Americans to turn down their thermostats. But Carter set the stage for an economic revival and sharply reduced America’s dependence on foreign oil by deregulating the energy industry along with airlines, trains and trucking. He established the departments of Energy and Education, appointed record numbers of women and nonwhites to federal posts, preserved millions of acres of Alaskan wilderness and pardoned most Vietnam draft evaders. , he ended most support for military dictators and took on bribery by multinational corporations by signing the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. He persuaded the Senate to ratify the Panama Canal treaties and normalized relations with China, an outgrowth of Nixon’s outreach to Beijing. But crippling turns in foreign affairs took their toll. When OPEC hiked crude prices, making drivers line up for gasoline as inflation spiked to 11%, Carter tried to encourage Americans to overcome “a crisis of confidence.” Many voters lost confidence in Carter instead after the infamous address that media dubbed his “malaise” speech, even though he never used that word. After Carter reluctantly agreed to admit the exiled Shah of Iran to the U.S. for medical treatment, the American Embassy in Tehran was overrun in 1979. Negotiations to quickly free the hostages broke down, and then eight Americans died when a top-secret military rescue attempt failed. Carter also had to reverse course on the SALT II nuclear arms treaty after the Soviets invaded Afghanistan in 1979. Though historians would later credit Carter’s diplomatic efforts for hastening the end of the Cold war, Republicans labeled his soft power weak. Reagan’s “make America great again” appeals resonated, and he beat Carter in all but six states. Born Oct. 1, 1924, James Earl Carter Jr. in 1946, the year he graduated from the Naval Academy. He brought his young family back to Plains after his father died, abandoning his Navy career, and . Carter reached the state Senate in 1962. After rural white and Black voters elected him governor in 1970, he drew national attention by declaring that “the time for racial discrimination is over.” Carter published more than 30 books and remained influential as his center turned its democracy advocacy onto U.S. politics, monitoring an audit of Georgia’s 2020 presidential election results. After Carter said he felt “perfectly at ease with whatever comes.” “I’ve had a wonderful life,” “I’ve had thousands of friends, I’ve had an exciting, adventurous and gratifying existence.” ___
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) should remain volatile during the first half of 2025, weighed down by renewed US-China trade tensions and a slowing global economy, particularly the two economic superpowers, says Bualuang Securities (BLS). Chaiyaporn Nompitakcharoen, managing director of the research department, said BLS projects a SET index average of 1,485 points in 2025. If there are positive factors, such as interest rate cuts or increased foreign capital inflows, the index could climb to 1,585 points. The Thai economy faces additional pressure from weakened exports, notably declining demand from China and the US, said the brokerage. However, the second half of the year may see an economic recovery driven by government stimulus measures and a rebound in tourism, he said. The research team recommends investors adjust their portfolios, prioritising stocks with strong fundamentals and consistent dividend payouts, such as the retail, healthcare and tourism sectors. Diversification into bonds and international markets is encouraged to mitigate the effects of market volatility, noted the brokerage. Mr Chaiyaporn said the Thai stock market's recovery in the second half of the year would also hinge on interest rate reductions by the US Federal Reserve and the Bank of Thailand, as well as domestic economic stimulus measures. "Initiatives like the launch of an entertainment complex project to attract foreign tourists would provide a broader boost to the economy," he added. Meanwhile, headwinds for the Thai stock market include the nation's ageing population, less domestic spending and declining profitability of listed companies, while household and government debts are at the ceiling. Thai businesses are failing to adequately capitalise on new technologies to drive the economy and stock market. As much as 36% of the SET is weighted by highly cyclical stocks, such as companies in personal loans, hire-purchase, commodities, refineries, oil, petrochemicals, construction, construction materials, real estate development, agriculture and shipping. "We recommend investors diversify their portfolio to assets in the global market as they have higher growth potential and less volatility," he said. Investors seeking steady returns in a volatile market should consider financial tools such as structured notes, which offer potential returns of 6-10% annually. The brokerage recommends investing in equities for around 65-70% of the total portfolio, mainly those in the US, Vietnam and India, while Thai stocks should account for 10-15%, as overseas markets now offer better chances of a good return. BLS emphasises the importance of being prepared for volatility and closely monitoring market conditions in early 2025, a period fraught with uncertainties, said Mr Chaiyaporn.