7 years 8d
Xerox Holdings Corp. stock underperforms Thursday when compared to competitorsLongest-lived US president was always happy to speak his mind
ATLANTA (AP) — Jimmy Carter, the peanut farmer who won the presidency in the wake of the Watergate scandal and Vietnam War, endured humbling defeat after one tumultuous term and then redefined life after the White House as a global humanitarian, has died. He was 100 years old. The longest-lived American president died on Sunday, more than a year after entering hospice care, at his home in the small town of Plains, Georgia, where he and his wife, Rosalynn, who died at 96 in November 2023, spent most of their lives, The Carter Center said. Businessman, Navy officer, evangelist, politician, negotiator, author, woodworker, citizen of the world — Carter forged a path that still challenges political assumptions and stands out among the 45 men who reached the nation’s highest office. The 39th president leveraged his ambition with a keen intellect, deep religious faith and prodigious work ethic, conducting diplomatic missions into his 80s and building houses for the poor well into his 90s. “My faith demands — this is not optional — my faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever I can, for as long as I can, with whatever I have to try to make a difference,” Carter once said. A president from Plains A moderate Democrat, Carter entered the 1976 presidential race as a little-known Georgia governor with a broad smile, outspoken Baptist mores and technocratic plans reflecting his education as an engineer. His no-frills campaign depended on public financing, and his promise not to 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 repeated before narrowly beating Republican incumbent Gerald Ford, who had lost popularity pardoning Nixon. Carter governed amid Cold War pressures, turbulent oil markets and social upheaval over racism, women’s rights and America’s global role. His most acclaimed achievement in office was a Mideast peace deal that he brokered by keeping Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin at the bargaining table for 13 days in 1978. That Camp David experience inspired the post-presidential center where Carter would establish so much of his legacy. Yet Carter’s electoral coalition splintered under double-digit inflation, gasoline lines and the 444-day hostage crisis in Iran. His bleakest hour came when eight Americans died in a failed hostage rescue in April 1980, helping to ensure his landslide defeat to Republican Ronald Reagan. Carter acknowledged in his 2020 “White House Diary” that he could be “micromanaging” and “excessively autocratic,” complicating dealings with Congress and the federal bureaucracy. He also turned a cold shoulder to Washington’s news media and lobbyists, not fully appreciating their influence on his political fortunes. “It didn’t take us long to realize that the underestimation existed, but by that time we were not able to repair the mistake,” Carter told historians in 1982, suggesting that he had “an inherent incompatibility” with Washington insiders. Carter insisted his overall approach was sound and that he achieved his primary objectives — to “protect our nation’s security and interests peacefully” and “enhance human rights here and abroad” — even if he fell spectacularly short of a second term. And then, the world Ignominious defeat, though, allowed for renewal. The Carters founded The Carter Center in 1982 as a first-of-its-kind base of operations, asserting themselves as international peacemakers and champions of democracy, public health and human rights. “I was not interested in just building a museum or storing my White House records and memorabilia,” Carter wrote in a memoir published after his 90th birthday. “I wanted a place where we could work.” That work included easing nuclear tensions in North and South Korea, helping to avert a U.S. invasion of Haiti and negotiating cease-fires in Bosnia and Sudan. By 2022, The Carter Center had declared at least 113 elections in Latin America, Asia and Africa to be free or fraudulent. Recently, the center began monitoring U.S. elections as well. Carter’s stubborn self-assuredness and even self-righteousness proved effective once he was unencumbered by the Washington order, sometimes to the point of frustrating his successors. He went “where others are not treading,” he said, to places like Ethiopia, Liberia and North Korea, where he secured the release of an American who had wandered across the border in 2010. “I can say what I like. I can meet whom I want. I can take on projects that please me and reject the ones that don’t,” Carter said. He announced an arms-reduction-for-aid deal with North Korea without clearing the details with Bill Clinton’s White House. He openly criticized President George W. Bush for the 2003 invasion of Iraq. He also criticized America’s approach to Israel with his 2006 book “Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid.” And he repeatedly countered U.S. administrations by insisting North Korea should be included in international affairs, a position that most aligned Carter with Republican President Donald Trump. Among the center’s many public health initiatives, Carter vowed to eradicate the guinea worm parasite during his lifetime, and nearly achieved it: Cases dropped from millions in the 1980s to nearly a handful. With hardhats and hammers, the Carters also built homes with Habitat for Humanity. The Nobel committee’s 2002 Peace Prize cites his “untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.” Carter should have won it alongside Sadat and Begin in 1978, the chairman added.Carter accepted the recognition saying there was more work to be done. “The world is now, in many ways, a more dangerous place,” he said. “The greater ease of travel and communication has not been matched by equal understanding and mutual respect.” ‘An epic American life’ Carter’s globetrotting took him to remote villages where he met little “Jimmy Carters,” so named by admiring parents. But he spent most of his days in the same one-story Plains house — expanded and guarded by Secret Service agents — where they lived before he became governor. He regularly taught Sunday School lessons at Maranatha Baptist Church until his mobility declined and the coronavirus pandemic raged. Those sessions drew visitors from around the world to the small sanctuary where Carter will receive his final send-off after a state funeral at Washington’s National Cathedral. The common assessment that he was a better ex-president than president rankled Carter and his allies. His prolific post-presidency gave him a brand above politics, particularly for Americans too young to witness him in office. But Carter also lived long enough to see biographers and historians reassess his White House years more generously. His record includes the deregulation of key industries, reduction of U.S. dependence on foreign oil, cautious management of the national debt and notable legislation on the environment, education and mental health. He focused on human rights in foreign policy, pressuring dictators to release thousands of political prisoners. He acknowledged America’s historical imperialism, pardoned Vietnam War draft evaders and relinquished control of the Panama Canal. He normalized relations with China. “I am not nominating Jimmy Carter for a place on Mount Rushmore,” Stuart Eizenstat, Carter’s domestic policy director, wrote in a 2018 book. “He was not a great president” but also not the “hapless and weak” caricature voters rejected in 1980, Eizenstat said. Rather, Carter was “good and productive” and “delivered results, many of which were realized only after he left office.” Madeleine Albright, a national security staffer for Carter and Clinton’s secretary of state, wrote in Eizenstat’s forward that Carter was “consequential and successful” and expressed hope that “perceptions will continue to evolve” about his presidency. “Our country was lucky to have him as our leader,” said Albright, who died in 2022. Jonathan Alter, who penned a comprehensive Carter biography published in 2020, said in an interview that Carter should be remembered for “an epic American life” spanning from a humble start in a home with no electricity or indoor plumbing through decades on the world stage across two centuries. “He will likely go down as one of the most misunderstood and underestimated figures in American history,” Alter told The Associated Press. Small-town start James Earl Carter Jr. was born Oct. 1, 1924, in Plains and spent his early years in nearby Archery. His family was a minority in the mostly Black community, decades before the civil rights movement played out at the dawn of Carter’s political career. Carter, who campaigned as a moderate on race relations but governed more progressively, talked often of the influence of his Black caregivers and playmates but also noted his advantages: His land-owning father sat atop Archery’s tenant-farming system and owned a main street grocery. His mother, Lillian, would become a staple of his political campaigns. Seeking to broaden his world beyond Plains and its population of fewer than 1,000 — then and now — Carter won an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating in 1946. That same year he married Rosalynn Smith, another Plains native, a decision he considered more important than any he made as head of state. She shared his desire to see the world, sacrificing college to support his Navy career. Carter climbed in rank to lieutenant, but then his father was diagnosed with cancer, so the submarine officer set aside his ambitions of admiralty and moved the family back to Plains. His decision angered Rosalynn, even as she dived into the peanut business alongside her husband. Carter again failed to talk with his wife before his first run for office — he later called it “inconceivable” not to have consulted her on such major life decisions — but this time, she was on board.”My wife is much more political,” Carter told the AP in 2021. He won a state Senate seat in 1962 but wasn’t long for the General Assembly and its back-slapping, deal-cutting ways. He ran for governor in 1966 — losing to arch-segregationist Lester Maddox — and then immediately focused on the next campaign. Carter had spoken out against church segregation as a Baptist deacon and opposed racist “Dixiecrats” as a state senator. Yet as a local school board leader in the 1950s he had not pushed to end school segregation even after the Supreme Court’s Brown v. Board of Education decision, despite his private support for integration. And in 1970, Carter ran for governor again as the more conservative Democrat against Carl Sanders, a wealthy businessman Carter mocked as “Cufflinks Carl.” Sanders never forgave him for anonymous, race-baiting flyers, which Carter disavowed. Ultimately, Carter won his races by attracting both Black voters and culturally conservative whites. Once in office, he was more direct. “I say to you quite frankly that the time for racial discrimination is over,” he declared in his 1971 inaugural address, setting a new standard for Southern governors that landed him on the cover of Time magazine. ‘Jimmy Who?’ His statehouse initiatives included environmental protection, boosting rural education and overhauling antiquated executive branch structures. He proclaimed Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the slain civil rights leader’s home state. And he decided, as he received presidential candidates in 1972, that they were no more talented than he was. In 1974, he ran Democrats’ national campaign arm. Then he declared his own candidacy for 1976. An Atlanta newspaper responded with the headline: “Jimmy Who?” The Carters and a “Peanut Brigade” of family members and Georgia supporters camped out in Iowa and New Hampshire, establishing both states as presidential proving grounds. His first Senate endorsement: a young first-termer from Delaware named Joe Biden. Yet it was Carter’s ability to navigate America’s complex racial and rural politics that cemented the nomination. He swept the Deep South that November, the last Democrat to do so, as many white Southerners shifted to Republicans in response to civil rights initiatives. A self-declared “born-again Christian,” Carter drew snickers by referring to Scripture in a Playboy magazine interview, saying he “had looked on many women with lust. I’ve committed adultery in my heart many times.” The remarks gave Ford a new foothold and television comedians pounced — including NBC’s new “Saturday Night Live” show. But voters weary of cynicism in politics found it endearing. Carter chose Minnesota Sen. Walter “Fritz” Mondale as his running mate on a “Grits and Fritz” ticket. In office, he elevated the vice presidency and the first lady’s office. Mondale’s governing partnership was a model for influential successors Al Gore, Dick Cheney and Biden. Rosalynn Carter was one of the most involved presidential spouses in history, welcomed into Cabinet meetings and huddles with lawmakers and top aides. The Carters presided with uncommon informality: He used his nickname “Jimmy” even when taking the oath of office, carried his own luggage and tried to silence the Marine Band’s “Hail to the Chief.” They bought their clothes off the rack. Carter wore a cardigan for a White House address, urging Americans to conserve energy by turning down their thermostats. Amy, the youngest of four children, attended District of Columbia public school. Washington’s social and media elite scorned their style. But the larger concern was that “he hated politics,” according to Eizenstat, leaving him nowhere to turn politically once economic turmoil and foreign policy challenges took their toll. Accomplishments, and ‘malaise’ Carter partially deregulated the airline, railroad and trucking industries and established the departments of Education and Energy, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. He designated millions of acres of Alaska as national parks or wildlife refuges. He appointed a then-record number of women and nonwhite people to federal posts. He never had a Supreme Court nomination, but he elevated civil rights attorney Ruth Bader Ginsburg to the nation’s second highest court, positioning her for a promotion in 1993. He appointed Paul Volker, the Federal Reserve chairman whose policies would help the economy boom in the 1980s — after Carter left office. He built on Nixon’s opening with China, and though he tolerated autocrats in Asia, pushed Latin America from dictatorships to democracy. But he couldn’t immediately tame inflation or the related energy crisis. And then came Iran. After he admitted the exiled Shah of Iran to the U.S. for medical treatment, the American Embassy in Tehran was overrun in 1979 by followers of the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Negotiations to free the hostages broke down repeatedly ahead of the failed rescue attempt. The same year, Carter signed SALT II, the new strategic arms treaty with Leonid Brezhnev of the Soviet Union, only to pull it back, impose trade sanctions and order a U.S. boycott of the Moscow Olympics after the Soviets invaded Afghanistan. Hoping to instill optimism, he delivered what the media dubbed his “malaise” speech, although he didn’t use that word. He declared the nation was suffering “a crisis of confidence.” By then, many Americans had lost confidence in the president, not themselves. Carter campaigned sparingly for reelection because of the hostage crisis, instead sending Rosalynn as Sen. Edward M. Kennedy challenged him for the Democratic nomination. Carter famously said he’d “kick his ass,” but was hobbled by Kennedy as Reagan rallied a broad coalition with “make America great again” appeals and asking voters whether they were “better off than you were four years ago.” Reagan further capitalized on Carter’s lecturing tone, eviscerating him in their lone fall debate with the quip: “There you go again.” Carter lost all but six states and Republicans rolled to a new Senate majority. Carter successfully negotiated the hostages’ freedom after the election, but in one final, bitter turn of events, Tehran waited until hours after Carter left office to let them walk free. ‘A wonderful life’ At 56, Carter returned to Georgia with “no idea what I would do with the rest of my life.” Four decades after launching The Carter Center, he still talked of unfinished business. “I thought when we got into politics we would have resolved everything,” Carter told the AP in 2021. “But it’s turned out to be much more long-lasting and insidious than I had thought it was. I think in general, the world itself is much more divided than in previous years.” Still, he affirmed what he said when he underwent treatment for a cancer diagnosis in his 10th decade of life. “I’m perfectly at ease with whatever comes,” he said in 2015. “I’ve had a wonderful life. I’ve had thousands of friends, I’ve had an exciting, adventurous and gratifying existence.”___ From our archives Jimmy Carter might be America’s best ex-president Jimmy, Rosalynn Carter mark 75 years of ‘full partnership’ Jimmy Carter lives a modest life in his Georgia hometown Jimmy Carter and Playboy: How ‘the weirdo factor’ rocked 2976
Put politics aside and act on online harms, mother of sextortion victim tells MPsWith a focus on human rights, US policy toward Latin America under Jimmy Carter briefly tempered a long tradition of interventionism in a key sphere of American influence, analysts say. Carter, who died Sunday at the age of 100, defied the furor of US conservatives to negotiate the handover of the Panama Canal to Panamanian control, suspended aid to multiple authoritarian governments in the region, and even attempted to normalize relations with Cuba. Carter's resolve to chart a course toward democracy and diplomacy, however, was severely tested in Central America and Cuba, where he was forced to balance his human rights priorities with pressure from adversaries to combat the spread of communism amid the Cold War standoff with the Soviet Union. "Latin America was fundamental and his global policy was oriented toward human rights, democratic values and multilateral cooperation," political analyst Michael Shifter of the Inter-American Dialogue, a think tank in Washington, told AFP. During his 1977-1981 administration, which was sandwiched between the Republican presidencies of Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan, the Democrat sought to take a step back from US alignment with right-wing dictatorships in Latin America. An important symbol of Carter's approach was the signing of two treaties in 1977 to officially turn over the Panama Canal in 1999. "Jimmy Carter understood that if he did not return the canal to Panama, the relationship between the United States and Panama could lead to a new crisis in a country where Washington could not afford the luxury of instability," said Luis Guillermo Solis, a political scientist and former president of Costa Rica. Carter called the decision, which was wildly unpopular back home, "the most difficult political challenge I ever had," as he accepted Panama's highest honor in 2016. He also hailed the move as "a notable achievement of moving toward democracy and freedom." During his term, Carter opted not to support Nicaraguan strongman Anastasio Somoza, who was subsequently overthrown by the leftist Sandinista Front in 1979. But in El Salvador, the American president had to "make a very uncomfortable pact with the government," said Shifter. To prevent communists from taking power, Carter resumed US military assistance for a junta which then became more radical, engaging in civilian massacres and plunging El Salvador into a long civil war. Carter took a critical approach to South American dictatorships in Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay, suspending arms deliveries and imposing sanctions in some cases. But his efforts "did not achieve any progress in terms of democratization," said Argentine political scientist Rosendo Fraga. The American president also tried to normalize relations with Cuba 15 years after the missile crisis. He relaxed sanctions that had been in force since 1962, supported secret talks and enabled limited diplomatic representation in both countries. "With him, for the first time, the possibility of dialogue rather than confrontation as a framework for political relations opened up," Jesus Arboleya, a former Cuban diplomat, told AFP. But in 1980, a mass exodus of 125,000 Cubans to the United States, with Fidel Castro's blessing, created an unexpected crisis. It "hurt Carter politically with the swarm of unexpected immigrants," said Jennifer McCoy, a professor of political science at Georgia State University. Castro continued to support Soviet-backed African governments and even deployed troops against Washington's wishes, finally putting an end to the normalization process. However, more than 20 years later, Carter made a historic visit to Havana as ex-president, at the time becoming the highest-profile American politician to set foot on Cuban soil since 1959. During the 2002 visit, "he made a bold call for the US to lift its embargo, but he also called on Castro to embrace democratic opening," said McCoy, who was part of the US delegation for the trip, during which Castro encouraged Carter to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at a Cuban All-Star baseball game. "Castro was sitting in the front row and we were afraid he would rise to give a long rebuttal to Carter's speech. But he didn't. He just said, 'Let's go to the ball game.'" In the years following Carter's presidency, Ronald Reagan (1981-1989) would go on to resume a full-frontal confrontation with Cuba. Decades later, Barack Obama (2009-2017) opened a new phase of measured normalization, which Donald Trump (2017-2021) brought to an end. US President Joe Biden promised to review US policy toward Cuba, but hardened his stance after Havana cracked down on anti-government protests in 2021. "Carter showed that engagement and diplomacy are more fruitful than isolation," McCoy said. bur-lp-rd-jb/lbc/mlr/bfm/sst/bbk
Former US President Jimmy Carter dies at 100, Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports
Slate Office REIT ( TSE:SOT.UN – Get Free Report )’s stock price traded up 53.7% on Friday . The stock traded as high as C$0.65 and last traded at C$0.63. 754,588 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 748% from the average session volume of 88,969 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.41. Slate Office REIT Price Performance The company has a current ratio of 0.47, a quick ratio of 0.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 329.26. The stock has a market capitalization of C$50.64 million, a PE ratio of -0.19 and a beta of 1.35. The business has a fifty day moving average price of C$0.51 and a 200-day moving average price of C$0.44. Slate Office REIT Company Profile ( Get Free Report ) Slate Office REIT is an open-ended real estate investment trust. The REIT's portfolio currently comprises 43 strategic and well-located real estate assets located primarily across Canada's major population centres including one downtown asset in Chicago, Illinois. The REIT is focused on maximizing value through internal organic rental and occupancy growth and strategic acquisitions. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Slate Office REIT Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Slate Office REIT and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
NonePublished 5:31 pm Saturday, December 7, 2024 By Data Skrive Today’s NBA schedule has a lot in store. Among the 12 contests is the Houston Rockets facing the Los Angeles Clippers. Here you can find info on live coverage of all of today’s NBA action. Sign up for NBA League Pass to get access to games, live and on-demand, and more for the entire season and offseason. Watch ESPN originals, The Last Dance and more NBA content on ESPN+. Use our link to sign up for ESPN+ or the Disney bundle. Not all offers available in all states, please visit BetMGM for the latest promotions for your area. Must be 21+ to gamble, please wager responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact 1-800-GAMBLER .
A person’s face is covered by a Chinese flag fluttering in the wind in Beijing in an undated photograph.Photo: Bloomberg ‘UNITED FRONT’: Beijing provides Internet ‘influencers’ with templates and directions, such as criticizing Taiwanese politicians, the rapper said By Chung Li-hua and Esme Yeh / Staff reporter, with staff writer 請繼續往下閱讀... Taiwanese rapper Chen Po-yuan (陳柏源) in a video showed how the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) bribes Taiwanese online influencers in its “united front” efforts to shape Taiwanese opinions. The video was made by YouTuber “Pa Chiung (八炯)” and published online on Friday. Chen in the video said that China’s United Front Work Department provided him with several templates and materials — such as making news statements — with some mentioning Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) politician Hung Hsiu-chu (洪秀柱) and New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi (侯友宜) and asking him to write a song criticizing the Democratic Progressive Party. 請繼續往下閱讀... He said he had produced content for China as requested, but did not receive the royalties as promised by a Beijing-based management company for his song Chinese Bosses (中國老總), which is sung in an exaggerated Taiwanese accent with lyrics implying a pleasant life for businesspeople in China. Chen said he also founded a company in China jointly with a business partner from the Jinjiang Taiwan Compatriots Friendship Association, who worked as his manager and later poached all his employees and capital invested in the company. He was labeled as a fraud and a “Taiwanese independence separatist,” and attacked by Chinese Internet trolls, after he released an online video condemning his former business partner for betraying him. “I finally realized the hard way that where I was staying [China] was not a place of democracy,” Chen said, adding that there is a huge difference between democratic Taiwan and autocratic China. The Mainland Affairs Council yesterday said it is in control of the situation where Taiwanese influencers allegedly vilify the government’s policies, lure Taiwanese to work in China or engage in “united front” campaigns requested by the Chinese government. The National Security Act (國家安全法) prohibits people from engaging, initiating, funding, hosting, manipulating, directing or developing an organization for a foreign country, including China, Hong Kong and Macau, external hostile forces, or any type of organizations, institutions, or groups established or controlled by them, or a representative dispatched by such organizations, institutions or groups, the council said. The Anti-Infiltration Act (反滲透法) prohibits people from receiving instructions, being commissioned or funded by external hostile forces to engage in activities that disrupt social order, spread disinformation or interfere with elections, it said. Article 33-1 of the Act Governing Relations Between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area (臺灣地區與大陸地區人民關係條例) prohibits individuals, juristic persons, organizations or other institutions from engaging in any form of cooperation with the Chinese military, political parties or any organization of a political nature, it added. 新聞來源: TAIPEI TIMES 不用抽 不用搶 現在用APP看新聞 保證天天中獎 點我下載APP 按我看活動辦法Harlequins orchestrated two fantastic French fêtes last season - against Bordeaux-Bègles and Racing 92 - but on Saturday these great showmen were doused in the opening round of the Champions Cup on a gruesome Parisian evening. Stuart Lancaster’s French aristocrats - fighting a bout of flu this week - were displaced from their usual abode. La Défense Arena is still being disassembled after the Olympics, so the match took place in less glamorous surroundings, in Créteil, the home of a French fourth-tier football club. The outstanding Nolan Le Garrec aside, Racing 92 hardly put on the model of a wet-weather performance, but in the end their three handsome tries were enough to defeat Harlequins, whose French exploits of late have tended to be more successful in the warm and dry. That being said, the weather in Paris was abysmal. For evidence look no further than Adam Jones, that battle-hardened warhorse of 100 caps in the Welsh front row, who was forced to wear gloves. Double-takes all round. Marcus Smith returned at fly-half after an autumn rest last week but we were robbed of a tantalising head-to-head at No 10 owing to Owen Farrell’s groin injury which was operated on last month. Farrell was present in Créteil, however, watching from the stands alongside former Saracens and England team-mate Mako Vunipola, himself now at Vannes in the Top 14, and Racing 92’s Henry Arundell. It would be churlish to be too critical given the conditions, but the match was pockmarked by elementary handling errors and general clumsiness as both teams slipped and slid about in the sodden Parisian night. Harlequins were certainly the more sensible of the two sides as far as a wet-weather strategy was concerned - by default, given that Racing 92 appeared not to have one at all - but the visitors lost a little of their pragmatism in the opposing 22 after showing plenty of it to get there. Alex Dombrandt, captain on the night, gave the visitors the lead after jinking past opposite number Jordan Joseph - whose appalling attempted tackle could, perhaps, kindly, be attributed to the conditions - at the back of a maul and Harlequins will be ruing several more points-scoring opportunities. The Premiership side have made their name on the back of their devil-may-care nature but they turned down a handful of kickable opportunities in the first half in favour of going for the try, and failed to convert all of them except for Dombrandt’s opener. One kickable shot was spurned in favour of a phase attack which ended in a scuffed Smith drop-goal attempt, which seemed ill-conceived in the extreme. In such inclement weather, away at French heavyweights, under the floodlights? Take the points. It meant that when Racing 92 did ignite - as, with such individual firepower, they always have a tendency to do - they had earnt a two-score lead by half time. At no point did the hosts give even the slightest hint that they were planning on adjusting their tactics to suit the conditions and both of their tries, incredibly, came in the most stylish of fashion. First, Vinaya Habosi got on the end of an Antoine Gibert cross-kick, before offloading inside to Cameron Woki, with the flanker popping up to Le Garrec; second, Josua Tuisova cannoned through Jack Kenningham before offloading deftly to Habosi, who managed to free his arms to Woki and two pairs of hands later Wame Naituvi was sliding over in the corner. The half-time deficit and lack of ruthlessness did not stop Harlequins, however. Will Porter’s snipe from the base - and Smith’s conversion - levelled the scores but their resurgence was hampered by a Lennox Anyanwu sin-binning, for a tip-tackle on Ibrahim Diallo. It looked utterly hideous but Diallo was leaping and how much of a role Anyanwu actually played was up for debate. Le Garrec nudged the hosts in front for a Harlequins offside before Racing 92 struck again in style. Naituvi went on a mazy run and Gibert’s sumptuous crossfield kick found Max Spring unmarked, and the full-back cantered home to score. Jordan Joseph was held up by a Harlequins boot but Le Garrec stretched Racing 92’s lead further off the tee, and not even two late yellow cards could stop the hosts avenging last season’s defeat and washing Harlequins away into the night. 0-5 Dombrandt try, 5-5 Le Garrec try, 7-5 Le Garrec con, 12-5 Naituvi try, 12-10 Porter try, 12-12 Smith con, 15-12 Le Garrec pen, 20-12 Spring try, 23-12 Le Garrec pen. 12-5 M Spring; V Habosi (Tedder 53), G Fickou (c), J Tuisova, W Naituvi; A Gibert, N Le Garrec; G Gogichashvili (Julien 52), J Tarrit (Chat 52), L-M Mazibuko (Kharaishvili 52), B Palu (Sanconnie 54), F Sanconnie (Baudonne 46), C Woki, I Diallo, J Joseph (Zinzen 68). Le Bail, Lancaster. Yellow card: Tuisova 78, Diallo 79 L Halfpenny; C Murley, L Northmore, L Anyanwu (Beard 61), N David; M Smith (J Evans 68), W Porter (Care 59); W Jones (Els 66), J Walker, S Kerrod (Lamositele 57), D Lamb, S Lewies (W Evans 68), C Cunningham-South (Chisholm 58), J Kenningham, A Dombrandt (c). Riley. Yellow card: Anyanwu 51 C Busby 5,497 10:00 PM GMT FT: Racing 92 23 Harlequins 12 A perfect start to the Champions Cup campaign for hopefuls Racing 92 although it was far from a flawless performance by the Parisiens who failed to go for the jugular and get the bonus point even though the opportunities presented themselves. For Harlequins it was a disappointing night, especially considering they were all over the French outfit in the first half. The bottom line was that the hosts took their chances even when things weren’t going their way. After that early second half try from Will Porter, everyone must have thought that was the catalyst for a Quins resurgence but Racing held firm, stayed organised and got the win they ultimately deserved. 09:53 PM GMT 79 mins: Racing 92 23 Harlequins 12 Diallo also sent to sin bin. 13-man Racing only need to hold tough for another minute as Quins go searching for the losing bonus point. They knock it on though and that’s it. Game over. Full time and its a hard faught victory for Racing. 09:51 PM GMT 77 mins: Racing 92 23 Harlequins 12 Dombrandt heads for the corner flag in a last ditch attempt to salvage something from the game but Racing hold strong once again. Time is of the essence. Quins get a penalty. Tuisova in the sin bi. The visitors kick it into touch. This is their last shot. 09:39 PM GMT 66 mins: Racing 92 23 Harlequins 12 It’s all going Racing’s way now...or is it? The Parisiens think they have another try but there is a foot underneath the ball and it’s chalked off. Le Garrec puts it between the posts anyway from the penalty to extend the Racing advantage. By the way the hosts are one try away from a bonus point. 09:32 PM GMT TRY! Racing 92 20 Harlequins 12 It had been coming. And what a move it was. Max Spring gets on the end of a flowing sumptuous sequence of play to put distance between the sides. Le Garrec misses the conversion. 09:28 PM GMT 59 mins: Racing 92 15 Harlequins 12 Racing edge back in front thanks to the accuracy from the penalty of Le Garrec, who will be plying his trade at La Rochelle next season. 09:25 PM GMT 57 mins: Racing 92 12 Harlequins 12 The momentum is ebbing and flowing but neither side is budging. Racing looking dangerous but failing to take advantage of the extra man. 09:24 PM GMT 55 mins: Racing 92 12 Harlequins 12 Racing are definitely imposing themselves on the opposition more now. Racing win a penalty after attacking Quins around the ruck. They kick it into touch. 09:17 PM GMT 51 mins: Racing 92 12 Harlequins 12 It’s going to be a yellow card and 10 minutes in the bin for Quins’ Anwanyu who seems to have lifted Racing’s Diallo up and almost spear tackled him to the ground. Dangerous tackle. 09:11 PM GMT 48 mins: Racing 92 12 Harlequins 12 Quins are applying some serious pressure but Racing are holding strong. Le Garrec clears to relieve some of it but Quins keep on coming. They’ve had to defend for their lives for the first 10 minutes of the second period. 09:07 PM GMT 47 mins: Racing 92 12 Harlequins 12 Smith takes off down the right flank, beating one man, and another. He lays it off to Cunningham-South who fumbles but it hits the ref in the process so he calls for a scrum. 09:05 PM GMT TRY! 43 mins: Racing 92 12 Harlequins 12 Second half underway in Paris. And it’s a fast start for Quins. Will Porter picks it from the maul, fakes a pass and he’s off towards the paint where crashes down between two Racing players for Quins’ second try. Smith makes the conversion. All square. "Like a matador, he's sold them all!" 🎙️ Will Porter finds a gap, races through it and scores a fantastic try for 🃏 — Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) 08:51 PM GMT HT: Racing 92 12 Harlequins 5 Hard to say the lead is deserved by Racing but unlike Quins they have taken their opportunities, even though there has been few. Quins have looked promising until the final pass. They’ll need to tidy up their game in the second period. 08:49 PM GMT TRY! 39 mins: Racing 92 12 Harlequins 5 It’s been basically all Quins in this first half but whenever Racing have had an opportunity they’ve taken it. From one end to the other, you might even say it was completely against the run of play, Racing score their second try of the game. Fijian winger Wame Naituvi goes over for the hosts’ second try on 39 minutes. Conversion missed by Le Garrec. Racing 92 extend their lead! 🔵⚪ Wame Naituvi scores a brilliant try for the home side just before the break 👏 — Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) 08:41 PM GMT 37 mins: Racing 92 7 Harlequins 5 In case you’re watching and wondering why Racing’s spectacular La Defense Arena looks a little, er, underwhelming, it’s because the game is not at Racing’s magnificent indoor theatre in Nanterre with the enhanced acoustics. It has been out of commission since its use for the Paris Olympics in the summer. For the moment, Racing are playing at the slightly less salubrious surrounds of the 12,000-capacity Stade Dominique-Duvauchelle in the south-eastern suburb of Creteil. 08:39 PM GMT 35 mins: Racing 92 7 Harlequins 5 I think, since Le Garrec’s sumptuous score, it would be fair to label this as “one for the purists”... 08:38 PM GMT 33 mins: Racing 92 7 Harlequins 5 It looked like another Quins try might be looming but Racing pinch it from the lineout and halt the momentum. Quins not be accurate or ruthless enough with the amount of ball they’ve had so far. 63% possession to be precise. 08:34 PM GMT 28 mins: Racing 92 7 Harlequins 5 Racing can’t seem to get away from their own end line though... Another scrum opportunity for Quins coming up. The players set. the ball eventually rolls out to Smith who throws it to Porter. They switch the play. Harlequins move the bal nicely but meet a Racing wall once more 08:31 PM GMT 27 mins: Racing 92 7 Harlequins 5 Quins push Racing towards their own end line in the maul but Racing hold the momentum and celebrate the turnover like they’ve just scored a try 08:29 PM GMT 25 mins: Racing 92 7 Harlequins 5 Dombrandt attempts to bulldoze through the Racing wall near the 22. The ref deems the challenge of the Racing player to be illegal and Quins get a penalty. 08:27 PM GMT TRY! 16 mins: Racing 92 7 Harlequins 5 Racing 92 have just made a mockery of this Parisian tempest scoring a try which was as delicate as it was devastating. It came largely against the run of play, too; in terms of wet-weather management, Harlequins have started the better and look sturdier at the set piece. Nolan Le Garrec’s try has shown that, regardless of the weather, the hosts can strike from anywhere. But there’s more than one way to skin a cat and if Quins’ foundations remain solid then the visitors will believe. Conversion made too. 08:19 PM GMT TRY! 10 mins: Racing 92 0 Harlequins 5 The first ten minutes here saw Quins dominate proceedings but Racing have settled into the game now a little. Opening try for Harlequins after a massive effort from the pack The lineout is well executed and is Alex Dombrandt who breaks a tackle and crashes over the line for the first try of the night. No conversion though 0-5 it is. "Great footwork! What a finish!" 🎙️ Alex Dombrandt with the opening try of the game for in France 🃏 — Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) 07:49 PM GMT Around the grounds Around the European grounds there were some interesting results to kickstart the 2024/2025 Investec Champions Cup campaign. Bath 20 La Rochelle 24 (yesterday) Sharks 39 Exeter Chiefs 21 Clermont 28 Benetton 0 Stormers 14 Toulon 24 Northampton 38 Castres 8 Munster 33 Stade Francais 7 Saracens 27 Bulls 5 07:35 PM GMT The stats Before these two heavyweights go toe-to-toe in Paris, here are some eyebrow raising stats to ponder... Racing averaged the most metres per possession (12.6), second-most metres per carry (4.4), and third-most post-contact metres per carry (1.1). They had the best gain line success rate (50.8%) last season. They made the most carry metres (563) and post-contact metres (140) per game. Max Spring has made more carry metres than any other player in the French Top 14 so far this season, a total of 721. He has also made 12 clean breaks in his eight appearances for the club this season. Marcus Smith was the top point-scorer (85) in last year’s Champions Cup. He also assisted the most line breaks (14) and beat the most defenders (24) for Harlequins. Will Evans won the joint-most turnovers (13) last season, including nine jackals, putting him first on that particular leaderboard. Harlequins made 84 visits to the 22 metre line (3rd) last season, and scored an average of 2.88 points per entry (3rd). However, they also conceded the most 22 metre line entries (89). 07:02 PM GMT The teams Spring; Habosi, Fickou (capt), Tuisova, Naituvi; Gibert, Le Garrec; Gogichashvili, Tarrit, Mazibuko, Palu, Sanconnie, Woki, Diallo, Joseph. Chat, Julien, Kharaishvili, Baudonne, Zinzen, Le Bail, Lancaster, Tedder. Halfpenny; Murley, Northmore, Anyanwu, David; Smith, Porter; Jones, Walker, Kerrod, Lamb, Lewies, Cunningham-South, Kenningham, Dombrandt (capt). Riley, Els, Lamositele, Chisholm, Evans, Care, Evans, Beard. 06:54 PM GMT Racing 92 v Harlequins live blog Good evening all and welcome to the first round of the Investec Champions Cup where Racing 92 take on the Harlequins. I’ll be taking you through all of the action on the Telegraph’s live blog so make sure to tune in. In team news, Harlequins have recalled England stars Marcus Smith and Chandler Cunningham-South for the opener. Fly-half Smith and flanker Cunningham-South are back in the fold after a granted rest period following England’s Autumn Nations Series. Lock Dino Lamb is also set to make his 100th appearance the club. Meanwhile, Racing 92 - finalists in 2016, 2018 and 2020 - will have to do without fly-half Owen Farrell who misses this game through injury. France centre Gael Fickou will captain the side at number 13. Director of Rugby Stuart Lancaster emphasised this week the importance of a European run for the French outfit. “The Champions Cup is an important goal for all of us, the players and the club,” said Lancaster. “We came close to winning this competition in 2018 and 2021. We look forward to it. “Last week, our poor start to the game cost us dearly, we are determined not to repeat the same mistake this weekend. “We were hit by a small flu epidemic this week so Will Rowlands and Thomas Laclayat had to withdraw, but as always it creates opportunities for other players such as Lee-Marvin Mazibuko who has been patiently waiting for his chance.” On the topic of form, Quins lost against Bristol Bears in their last Premiership game while the hosts have also lost their past two matches, including a narrow defeat at the hands of Toulouse.
Longest-lived US president was always happy to speak his mindAngola/USA - 31 Years of Diplomatic RelationsMinister Nara Lokesh Unveils Skill Census To Boost Youth Employment
NoneRick Higgins: 'He sees people and he's always there to lend a hand'
PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron expressed “gratitude” Saturday to those who saved, helped and rebuilt Notre Dame Cathedral. “I stand before you ... to express the gratitude of the French nation,” Macron said at the reopening ceremony. “Tonight, the bells of Notre Dame are ringing again. And in a moment, the organ will awaken,” sending the “music of hope” to Parisians, France and the world. Macron spoke in front of 1,500 guests invited to celebrate the restoration of Paris’ 12th-century cathedral which was nearly destroyed by a fire in 2019. They included world leaders like President-elect Donald Trump , U.S. first lady Jill Biden, Britain’s Prince William and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below. PARIS (AP) — Howling winds couldn’t stop Notre Dame Cathedral ’s heart from beating again. With three resounding knocks on its doors by Paris Archbishop Laurent Ulrich, wielding a specially designed crosier carved from fire-scorched beams, the monument roared back to life Saturday evening. For the first time since a devastating blaze nearly destroyed it in 2019, the towering Gothic masterpiece reopened for worship, its rebirth marked by song, prayer, and awe beneath its soaring arches. The ceremony, initially planned to begin on the forecourt, was moved entirely inside due to unusually fierce December winds sweeping across the Île de la Cité, flanked by the River Seine. Yet the occasion lost none of its splendor. Inside the luminous nave, choirs sang psalms, and the cathedral’s mighty organ, silent for nearly five years, thundered to life in a triumphant interplay of melodies. The restoration, a spectacular achievement in just five years for a structure that took nearly two centuries to build, is seen as a moment of triumph for French President Emmanuel Macron, who championed the ambitious timeline — and a welcome respite from his domestic political woes . The evening’s celebration, attended by 1,500 dignitaries, including President-elect Donald Trump, Britain’s Prince William, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, underscored Notre Dame’s enduring role as both a spiritual and cultural beacon. Observers see the event as Macron's, and his intention to pivot it into a fully fledged diplomatic gathering, while highlighting France’s ability to unite on the global stage despite internal political crises. Monumental feats of restoration Inside, 42,000 square meters of stonework — an area equal to six soccer pitches — were meticulously cleaned, revealing luminous limestone and intricate carvings. Overhead, 2,000 oak beams, nicknamed “the forest,” were used to rebuild the spire and roof, restoring the cathedral’s iconic silhouette. The thunderous great organ, with 7,952 pipes ranging from pen-sized to torso-wide, resounded for the first time since the fire. Its newly renovated console, boasting five keyboards, 115 stops, and 30 foot pedals, was a marvel of restoration, reawakening a cornerstone of Notre Dame’s identity. Guests gradually filing into the cathedral for the evening reopening ceremonies were awestruck by the renovated interiors, many whipping out cellphones to capture the moment. “It’s a sense of perfection,” said François Le Page of the Notre Dame Foundation, which raised nearly half of the €900 million ($950 million) in donations for the restoration. He last visited in 2021, when the cathedral was cloaked in scaffolding. “It was somber,” he said. “It’s night and day.” The Rev. Andriy Morkvas, a Ukrainian pastor who leads the Volodymyr Le Grand church in Paris, reflected on his first visit to Notre Dame in over a decade. “I didn’t recognize it,” he said. “God is very powerful; He can change things.” He expressed hope that the cathedral’s revival could inspire peace in his homeland, drawing strength from the presence of Ukraine’s president. “I think that will have a big impact,” he said. “I hope Notre Dame and Mary will help us resolve this conflict.” The reopening of Notre Dame comes at a time of profound global unrest, with wars raging in Ukraine and the Middle East. For Catholics, Notre Dame’s rector said the cathedral “carries the enveloping presence of the Virgin Mary, a maternal and embracing presence.′′ “It is a magnificent symbol of unity,” Dumas said. “Notre Dame is not just a French monument—it is a magnificent sign of hope.” The international range of dignitaries coming to Paris underline the cathedral’s significance as a symbol of shared heritage and peace. Canadian visitor Noelle Alexandria, who had traveled to Paris for the reopening, was struck by the cathedral’s ability to inspire. “She’s been nearly ruined before, but she always comes back,” Alexandria said. “Not many of us could say the same after such tragedy, but Notre Dame can.” Historical details enrich the occasion Guests entered through Notre Dame’s iconic western façade, whose arched portals adorned with biblical carvings were once a visual guide for medieval believers. Above the central Portal of the Last Judgment, the Archangel Michael is depicted weighing souls, as demons attempt to tip the scales. These stone figures, designed to inspire both awe and fear, set the stage for a ceremony steeped in history. Inside, the hum of hundreds of guests awaiting the service filled the cathedral with human sounds once more — a stark contrast to the construction din that echoed there for years. Tuners restoring the great organ often worked through the night to find the silence needed to perfect its 7,952 pipes, ranging from pen-sized to torso-wide. Notre Dame echoed to the sound of a sustained standing ovation after the showing of a short movie that documented the gargantuan rebuilding effort. Outside, the word “MERCI” — thank you — was projected against the cathedral’s iconic western facade. The movie showed the terrible wounds left by the inferno — the gaping holes torn into its vaulted ceilings and the burned roof. But that was followed by images of all types of artisans, many using traditional handicraft techniques, who collectively restored Notre Dame to look better now than ever. "We went from night to light," said one of the workers in the movie. Macron's political woes The celebration is expected to give a much-needed boost to embattled Macron, whose prime minister was ousted this week , plunging the nation’s politics into more turmoil. The French president, who has called Notre Dame's reopening “a jolt of hope,” will address the gathering. He had hoped the occasion would briefly silence his critics and showcase France’s unity and resilience under his leadership. Macron's presidency now faces its gravest crisis after the government's collapse this week in a historic no-confidence vote that toppled Prime Minister Michel Barnier. The vote followed months of political gridlock after snap elections in June. Calls are now growing louder from opposition forces for Macron to resign. But he vowed Thursday to remain in office until the end of his term in 2027, and said he'll name a new prime minister within days. As France struggles with economic woes and social unrest, Notre Dame's rebirth celebrations form a stark contrast. Security is tight for this global event Security will be high through the weekend, echoing measures taken during the Paris Olympics earlier this year. The Île de la Cité — the small island in the River Seine that is home to Notre Dame and the historic heart of Paris— is closed to tourists and non-residents. Police vans and barriers blocked cobblestoned streets in a large perimeter around the island, while soldiers in thick body armor and sniffer dogs patrolled embankments. A special security detail is following Trump. Public viewing areas along the Seine’s southern bank will accommodate 40,000 spectators, who can follow the celebrations on large screens. For many, Notre Dame’s rebirth is not just a French achievement but a global one — after the reopening, the cathedral is set to welcome 15 million visitors annually, up from 12 million before the fire. Sylvie Corbet, Yesica Brumec, Marine Lesprit and Mark Carlson in Paris contributed. Associated Press religion coverage receives support through The AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
Syrian insurgents reach the capital's suburbs. Worried residents flee and stock up on suppliesWith a focus on human rights, US policy toward Latin America under Jimmy Carter briefly tempered a long tradition of interventionism in a key sphere of American influence, analysts say. Carter, who died Sunday at the age of 100, defied the furor of US conservatives to negotiate the handover of the Panama Canal to Panamanian control, suspended aid to multiple authoritarian governments in the region, and even attempted to normalize relations with Cuba. Carter's resolve to chart a course toward democracy and diplomacy, however, was severely tested in Central America and Cuba, where he was forced to balance his human rights priorities with pressure from adversaries to combat the spread of communism amid the Cold War standoff with the Soviet Union. "Latin America was fundamental and his global policy was oriented toward human rights, democratic values and multilateral cooperation," political analyst Michael Shifter of the Inter-American Dialogue, a think tank in Washington, told AFP. During his 1977-1981 administration, which was sandwiched between the Republican presidencies of Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan, the Democrat sought to take a step back from US alignment with right-wing dictatorships in Latin America. An important symbol of Carter's approach was the signing of two treaties in 1977 to officially turn over the Panama Canal in 1999. "Jimmy Carter understood that if he did not return the canal to Panama, the relationship between the United States and Panama could lead to a new crisis in a country where Washington could not afford the luxury of instability," said Luis Guillermo Solis, a political scientist and former president of Costa Rica. Carter called the decision, which was wildly unpopular back home, "the most difficult political challenge I ever had," as he accepted Panama's highest honor in 2016. He also hailed the move as "a notable achievement of moving toward democracy and freedom." During his term, Carter opted not to support Nicaraguan strongman Anastasio Somoza, who was subsequently overthrown by the leftist Sandinista Front in 1979. But in El Salvador, the American president had to "make a very uncomfortable pact with the government," said Shifter. To prevent communists from taking power, Carter resumed US military assistance for a junta which then became more radical, engaging in civilian massacres and plunging El Salvador into a long civil war. Carter took a critical approach to South American dictatorships in Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay, suspending arms deliveries and imposing sanctions in some cases. But his efforts "did not achieve any progress in terms of democratization," said Argentine political scientist Rosendo Fraga. The American president also tried to normalize relations with Cuba 15 years after the missile crisis. He relaxed sanctions that had been in force since 1962, supported secret talks and enabled limited diplomatic representation in both countries. "With him, for the first time, the possibility of dialogue rather than confrontation as a framework for political relations opened up," Jesus Arboleya, a former Cuban diplomat, told AFP. But in 1980, a mass exodus of 125,000 Cubans to the United States, with Fidel Castro's blessing, created an unexpected crisis. It "hurt Carter politically with the swarm of unexpected immigrants," said Jennifer McCoy, a professor of political science at Georgia State University. Castro continued to support Soviet-backed African governments and even deployed troops against Washington's wishes, finally putting an end to the normalization process. However, more than 20 years later, Carter made a historic visit to Havana as ex-president, at the time becoming the highest-profile American politician to set foot on Cuban soil since 1959. During the 2002 visit, "he made a bold call for the US to lift its embargo, but he also called on Castro to embrace democratic opening," said McCoy, who was part of the US delegation for the trip, during which Castro encouraged Carter to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at a Cuban All-Star baseball game. "Castro was sitting in the front row and we were afraid he would rise to give a long rebuttal to Carter's speech. But he didn't. He just said, 'Let's go to the ball game.'" In the years following Carter's presidency, Ronald Reagan (1981-1989) would go on to resume a full-frontal confrontation with Cuba. Decades later, Barack Obama (2009-2017) opened a new phase of measured normalization, which Donald Trump (2017-2021) brought to an end. US President Joe Biden promised to review US policy toward Cuba, but hardened his stance after Havana cracked down on anti-government protests in 2021. "Carter showed that engagement and diplomacy are more fruitful than isolation," McCoy said. bur-lp-rd-jb/lbc/mlr/bfm/sst/bbkHe has made a monumental history; breaking barriers and shattering shells not just as the current richest man globally but the wealthiest man to ever walk the surface of Planet Earth! By crossing the hitherto unreachable threshold of $400 billion (£345 billion) and going ahead to hit a staggering net worth of a mouth-watering $500 billion as at December 2024 he is richer than both Microsoft CEO, Bill Gates and Amazon’s Jeff Bezos with their combined net worths that is according to Bloomberg Billionaires Index (BBI). Reading through these recent epochal achievements the million-naira question that gripped the mind of yours truly concerns what he has done differently to achieve these feats. That one unique man under discourse is none other than Elon Musk, the South African -American business icon whose rare innovations in cutting -edge technologies through Space X, Tesla, Neuralink and the Boring Company have revolutionalised the way we live. While Space X, his private aerospace engineering company is a game – changer and pioneering space exploration and satellite internet, Tesla, the electric vehicle manufacturing company is raking in the dollars due to expanding patronage. There are certainly several significant lessons to glean from Musk as individuals, who want to be better at our various businesses and professional ventures, more so in the new year of 2025. One of such important factors is to understand that all the veritable ideas of the life – changing inventions and innovations that have led to the production of electricity, air conditioner, refrigerator, television, traffic light, motorcycles, cars, aeroplane, cell phone, lap top, internet connectivity and such others as even tooth brush, all emanated from man’s mindset. The mind, according to the famous motivator, Norman Vincent Pearle is made of two parts- the subconscious and the conscious. Whereas, thoughts, ideas, wishes, and dreams are like seeds sown into the fertile field of the subconscious mind, the eventual decisions and actions taken are products of our conscious mind. The lesson hereby is the imperative of having a firm control of our mindset, as Musk has done. Once that is achieved one is able to open the horizon of the mindset. That of course, is what transpired in that of great scientists such as Leonardo Da Vinci, Isaac Newton, Pythagoras, Marie Curie, and our own Silas Adekunle and Prof. Philip Emeagwali. To them and other creative minds including artists, poets, novelists, film makers and creative chefs the word impossible does not exist. Not at all! That perhaps, explains why Musk thinks that going to Planet Mars is a possibility, travelling from New York City to London through an underground tunnel, taking but a few hours is a possibility. So, it is up you to come to terms with the difficulties you have had in the past years, including 2024 and muster the mental will to break the limitations that have held you captive. If Elon Musk could think about spaceships that travel much faster than those currently in place and work on the ideas, why not you? What it means therefore is to master your mind, but do so with a Positive Mental Attitude ((PMA) as Vincent Pearle admonished. With such a PMA you should be able to identify your God-given talents, skills and passion. What is it that you do so effortlessly while others find it an uphill task to achieve? What gives you that inner joy, contentment. and eventual fulfilment in life? What, as the renowned American media mogul, Oprah Winfrey asked is that passion you can easily display even without being paid for it? Whatever it might be that is what you should identify and cash on to make not just a living but a reasonable one at that. Is it to be a tailor, hair dresser, teacher to the ignorant, nurse to sick, and lawyer to defend the defendless? Is it to clean the dirty environment? Or perhaps, you love to play football as Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman do? What about finding it engaging to repair to repair broken down vehicles, television sets, and cell phones? It does not matter what. Even it could be to be a comedian and crack other people ‘s ribs. Recall that our own popular actress, Mercy Johnson once hawked pure water along some Lagos streets, while the now world acclaimed singer, Patorankin also hawked rat killers in the same city streets. Even ace comedian Ali Baba once trekked all the way from Ikorodu to Victoria Island in search of a white-collar job. But unknown to them they had tremendous talents hidden deep within them. So, like gold and diamond that are not found floating on the surface of the soil, we all have to dig deeper to bring out the pearls within, hone them from their rustic appearance to glow and shine for the world to see, admire and learn from. Year 2025 is the time to do so. Yet, to succeed you to do away with all forms of negativity. Say goodbye to doubts, don’ts, discouragement and delays. Those are the devilish doctrines that often lead to frustrating failures in life. That is the salient reason great scientists turn deaf ears to such demeaning and dehumanising principles. For instance, Isaac Newton was told by one of his science teachers that he was a failure and would amount to nothing in life. Similarly, Charles Darwin the man whose father laughed at as only good at chasing rabbits in the field did not listen to his bearer when he came up with his brilliant scientific research on the ‘Origin of Species’ and the history making ‘Evolution Theory’ way back in 1859. Even the Wright Brothers who were told by friends to forget the “crazy idea” of flying their airplane, that it would never work defied all negativity when they did what was then thought as impossible at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, precisely on December 17, 1903. What it means therefore, is not to listen to discouraging remarks of the traducers. They are nothing but destiny destroyers. Doing away with all forms of discouragement is one step forward towards achieving your goals come 2025. After that is the deployment of the unfailing principles of positivity, ‘can do it’ spirit, team work with those who believe in your vision, focus, and being a problem -solver with your creativity and innovations. Yes, you can! It takes vision of what exactly you want to achieve as your goals and within set timeframe, in addition to the practical application of the four C principles of character, courage, confidence, and commitment. Not left out are the 3 H philosophies of honour, honesty of purpose, humility, integrity, in addition to continuous learning and the ability to adapt to the dynamics of life. As Benjamin Franklin rightly noted: ” Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement and success have no meaning”. For all these to come to pass there is the need to make sacrifices of energy, time and valuable resources. And that is because success is not served a la carte or on a platter of gold. That brings to the fore the significance of the persistent pursuit of your set goals. You must therefore, never give up. Instead, turn your stumbling blocks into stepping stones, as the late Chinese Kung Fu actor, Bruce Lee once admonished, to lift you to higher grounds. To do that you must muster the courage to keep going forward, against all odds. For instance, the legendary American politician, Abraham Lincoln ( of blessed memory ) failed twice in business, several times as a politician but he did not give up. Eventually, fate smiled on him as he was sworn in as America’s 16th president. In a similar spirit of doggedness, the scientists who worked on producing Dolly, the first ever cloned sheep failed 277 times! What could have happened if they gave up at the 276th attempt? The answer is obvious. It would also be recalled that Elon Musk ‘s fortunes fell to $137 billion in 2022 but he did not cave in. Today, he is the history maker. The message is crystal clear- never give up. As Ray Kroc the man who bought the franchise of Mc Donald aptly stated: ” persistence pays”. So, as 2025 is placed before us as an empty canvas before a painter, what we make of it would be determined by our vision, passion, self-belief in our dreams, experiences and how well we deploy our senses of sight, smell, taste, hearing, thinking and the critical decisions we make. But one unfailing principle in our choices is that of being problem-solvers with the power of creativity. Interestingly, that is exactly what Elon Musk has done with 13% share in Tesla, and 42% share in Space X, which as at December 2024 was valued at $350 billion. In addition, he owns 79% share in X Corp by his $ 44 billion acquisition in 2022. Going forward, we must be futuristic in the running of our businesses, upgrading the processes with cutting -edge technologies as Musk has wisely done. But firstly, ” know thyself and to thyself be true.” Welcome to 2025, your best year ever!The Split Barcelona episode 1 recap: a shocking secret throws a family wedding into chaos
Carter, 39th president, dies at 100
Athletic Bilbao vs. Real Madrid: Head-to-head record and past meetings
President-elect Donald Trump issued a stark warning Monday over the ongoing hostage crisis in Gaza , as regional tensions escalated with the first reported Hezbollah attack since implementation of a ceasefire along Israel's northern border. In a message posted to his Truth Social platform, Trump demanded immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas , warning of unprecedented retaliation if the order goes unheeded by his inauguration date of January 20. "Please let this TRUTH serve to represent that if the hostages are not released prior to January 20, 2025, the date that I proudly assume Office as President of the United States, there will be ALL HELL TO PAY in the Middle East," Trump said, adding that "Those responsible will be hit harder than anybody has been hit in the long and storied History of the United States of America. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW!" Newsweek contacted the Trump transition team via email on Monday for comment. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who advises Trump on foreign policy, particularly regarding the Middle East, previously told Axios that the president-elect wants a ceasefire and hostage deal before taking office. "Trump is more determined than ever to release the hostages and supports a ceasefire that includes a hostage deal. He wants to see it happening now," Graham said following recent meetings with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu . President Joe Biden and Trump discussed the Gaza hostages during a two-hour Oval Office meeting just two weeks ago. Additional meetings occurred between White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan and Trump's incoming national security adviser, U.S. GOP Representative Mike Waltz of Florida, as well as between Biden's top Middle East adviser Brett McGurk and Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. At the moment, 101 hostages remain in Gaza, including seven American citizens, with Israeli intelligence services believing roughly half are still alive. The crisis began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostages. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, more than 44,000 Palestinians have been killed in more than a year of war. Trump's warning coincided with fresh violence along the Israel-Lebanon border. On Monday, the Israeli military reported that Hezbollah launched two projectiles toward Mount Dov, a contested area in the Shebaa Farms region. Israeli military correspondent Yoav Zeyton confirmed the projectiles fell in open areas, causing no casualties or damage. Hezbollah characterized the attack as a "defensive and warning response" to alleged Israeli ceasefire violations. Trump transition spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told Axios that Trump "was reelected because the American people trust him to lead our country and bring stability and peace back to the Middle East." White House officials say Biden intends to continue pushing for a hostage deal until his last day in office, even if Trump ultimately gets credit for a deal. A Hamas delegation is scheduled to visit Cairo on Saturday to discuss new Egyptian proposals for a Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal. This article includes reporting from the Associated Press.