
NEW YEAR, NEW LOOK: HYATT CENTRIC SOUTH BEACH MIAMI DEBUTS ELEVATED STYLE AND LUXURYNASSAU, Bahamas -- Justin Thomas was long off the tee and made a few long putts on the back nine to overtake Scottie Scheffler with a 6-under 66 and build a one-shot lead Saturday over golf's best player going into the final round of the Hero World Challenge. Thomas is trying out a 46-inch driver — a little more than an inch longer than normal — that he previously used for practice at home to gain speed and length. He blasted a 361-yard drive to 8 feet on the par-4 seventh hole and led the field in driving distance. But it was a few long putts that put him ahead of Scheffler, who had a 69. Thomas was on the verge of falling two shots behind when he made an 18-foot par putt on the par-3 12th hole. On the reachable par-4 14th, he was in a nasty spot in a sandy area and could only splash it out to nearly 50 feet. He made that one for a most unlikely birdie, while behind him Scheffler muffed a chip on the 13th hole and made his lone bogey of a windy day. Scheffler never caught up to him, missing birdie chances on the reachable 14th and the par-5 15th. Thomas hit his approach to 3 feet for birdie on the 16th after a 343-yard drive. Scheffler made an 18-foot birdie putt on the 16th to close within one. Scheffler missed birdie chances on the last two holes from the 10-foot and 15-foot range, while Thomas missed an 8-foot birdie attempt at the last. “I had a stretch at 13, 14, 15 where I felt like I lost a shot or two there, but outside of that I did a lot of really good things today,” Scheffler said. Thomas hasn't won since the 2022 PGA Championship at Southern Hills, and a victory at Albany Golf Club wouldn't count as an official win. But the two-time major champion has made steady progress toward getting his game back in order. “I'm driving it great. I've had a lot of confidence with it,” Thomas said of his longer driver. “I feel like I've been able to put myself in some pretty good spots going into the green. I’m still not taking advantage of some of them as much as I would like, but that’s golf and we're always going to say that.” Thomas was at 17-under 199 and will be in the final group Sunday with Scheffler, who is trying to end his spectacular season with a ninth title. Tom Kim put himself in the mix, which he might not have imagined Thursday when he was 3 over through six holes of the holiday tournament. Kim got back in the game with a 65 on Friday, and then followed with 12 birdies for a 62. He had a shot at the course record — Rickie Fowler shot 61 in the final round when he won at Albany in 2017 — until Kim found a bunker and took two shots to reach the green in making a double bogey on the par-3 17th. Even so, he was only two shots behind. Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley (68) was four back. “Feel like I’ve been seeing signs of improvement, which is what you want and that’s all I can do,” Thomas said. “I can’t control everybody else or what’s going on, I’ve just got to keep playing as good as I possibly can and hope that it’s enough come Sunday.” ___ AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golfDeere & Company ( NYSE:DE – Get Free Report ) declared a quarterly dividend on Tuesday, December 3rd, RTT News reports. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 31st will be paid a dividend of 1.62 per share by the industrial products company on Monday, February 10th. This represents a $6.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.51%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 31st. This is an increase from Deere & Company’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.47. Deere & Company has raised its dividend by an average of 20.5% annually over the last three years. Deere & Company has a dividend payout ratio of 33.1% indicating that its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Equities research analysts expect Deere & Company to earn $22.23 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $6.48 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 29.1%. Deere & Company Trading Down 0.9 % Shares of DE opened at $430.06 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.89, a current ratio of 2.09 and a quick ratio of 1.90. Deere & Company has a 1-year low of $340.20 and a 1-year high of $469.39. The stock has a market cap of $116.79 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.80, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.91 and a beta of 0.96. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $425.95 and a 200-day simple moving average of $397.14. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth DE has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on shares of Deere & Company from $401.00 to $450.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, November 25th. UBS Group upped their price objective on shares of Deere & Company from $404.00 to $462.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, November 22nd. Citigroup lifted their target price on shares of Deere & Company from $460.00 to $470.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Monday, December 9th. Oppenheimer raised their price objective on Deere & Company from $448.00 to $477.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, November 22nd. Finally, Barclays increased their target price on Deere & Company from $400.00 to $475.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Friday, November 22nd. Thirteen research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $443.94. View Our Latest Report on DE Deere & Company Company Profile ( Get Free Report ) Deere & Company engages in the manufacture and distribution of various equipment worldwide. The company operates through four segments: Production and Precision Agriculture, Small Agriculture and Turf, Construction and Forestry, and Financial Services. The Production and Precision Agriculture segment provides large and medium tractors, combines, cotton pickers and strippers, sugarcane harvesters and loaders, harvesting front-end equipment, pull-behind scrapers, and tillage and seeding equipment, as well as application equipment, including sprayers and nutrient management, and soil preparation machinery for grain growers. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Deere & Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Deere & Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .2024 turned out to be a historic year for the crypto market, with Bitcoin climbed above the long awaited $100K target and setting the stage for even more developments. One such innovation is Lightchain AI (LCAI) is quickly gaining attention as a groundbreaking project poised to revolutionize the crypto landscape. With its presale price set at just $0.003, LCAI is different from the usual cryptocurrencies. This isn’t just about secure transactions; LCAI aims to change how AI works on the blockchain, improving the system’s efficiency, scalability, and security. Early investors are already buzzing about its potential, with many speculating that Lightchain AI could follow a similar trajectory, moving towards a $1 milestone and beyond. Lightchain AI (LCAI) Surges Ahead in Crypto Space Lightchain AI is stirring excitement in the money market, quickly turning into an important project for blockchain fans. Its early sale price of $0.003 has caught a lot of attention, as many buyers view this like a chance to join in on what could be a trailblazing token. Unlike much other tokens, LCAI's worth comes from its smart mix of clever thinking and blockchain tech As crypto fans are pulled to this plan, LCAI’s quick rise and hopeful path have caught the eye of folks looking for the next big deal in the field. This isn’t͏ just some other meme coin it’s a plan that says it will give real-world use and lasting worth, making it different from things like Dogecoin or Shiba Inu. Its aim on AI and blockchain tech puts it in good place for coming growth. 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Lightchain AI Top Token in Crypto Space Lightchain AI is quickly becoming a favorite in the crypto world! By blending blockchain and AI, it's catching the eye of investors and experts alike. With its presale priced at just $0.003, it's a fantastic opportunity for early investors to hop on board before the price goes up! As Lightchain AI keeps growing, it’s becoming more and more exciting for investors. People are really starting to believe it could surpass other popular tokens in value and use. With a clear plan in place and real-world applications coming soon, Lightchain AI is definitely one to watch in the crypto world! This structure follows your requirements and naturally includes the presale information in the last paragraph, while positioning Lightchain AI as the top token throughout. https://lightchain.ai https://lightchain.ai/lightchain-whitepaper.pdf https://x.com/LightchainAI https://t.me/LightchainProtocol Join our WhatsApp Channel to get the latest news, exclusives and videos on WhatsApp _____________ Disclaimer: Analytics Insight does not provide financial advice or guidance. Also note that the cryptocurrencies mentioned/listed on the website could potentially be scams, i.e. designed to induce you to invest financial resources that may be lost forever and not be recoverable once investments are made. You are responsible for conducting your own research (DYOR) before making any investments. Read more here.
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Bengal govt’s human capital strategy attracting top cos, leading to IT boom: MitraMUMBAI: At least 13 persons reported losing their gold chains, cash, and other valuables amounting to ₹ 12.4 lakh during the grand oath-taking ceremony of Devendra Fadnavis who was sworn in as the chief minister of Maharashtra at Azad Maidan on Thursday. The event was attended by over 50,000 people, including several celebrities and high-ranking dignitaries. The police revealed that numerous attendees approached them with complaints of theft, with 13 FIRs registered so far under section 303(2) (theft) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. Many victims reported losing gold chains, purses, and substantial sums of money in the chaos. “More complaints are coming in and we are actively investigating and have begun reviewing CCTV footage to identify the perpetrators,” said an officer from Azad Maidan police station. Also Read | Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde on board, but Mahayuti must mind the gap Among the victims was 64-year-old Kandivali resident Shivaji Gawali, who attended the event with friends. “As I was leaving through gate no. 2 around 6:30 pm, the area was extremely crowded. When I stepped outside, I noticed my 30-gram gold chain was missing. After searching and inquiring for a while, I realised someone had stolen it,” he said. Similar incidents were reported by others, including Jaydevi Upadhyay, 50, from Andheri, who lost her 20-gram gold chain. Santosh Lachke, 61, from Fort, whose 17-gram gold chain was snatched. Vilas Chavan, 72, from Charkop, who reported his 20-gram chain stolen. Mohan Kamat, 70, from Dadar, who lost a 35-gram gold chain. Cash thefts were also reported. Anant Koli, 47, from Vile Parle lost ₹ 20,000 in cash, while Nitin Kale, 26, from Solapur had ₹ 57,000 stolen from his bag during the rush. Also Read | Maharashtra assembly special session begins today; MLAs take oath The ceremony was graced by prominent personalities, including actors Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, and Ranveer Singh, as well as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other dignitaries. However, the massive gathering became an easy target for thieves, who exploited the crowded conditions to carry out the thefts. The police noted a worrying trend of thieves targeting crowded public events like music concerts, festivals, and political rallies. “Even some policemen deployed for bandobast duty reported losing their bags, which they had kept in a corner at Azad Maidan,” the officer added. Efforts are underway to identify the suspects and recover the stolen items. The police urged the public to exercise caution and secure their belongings in crowded areas.
Nearly 10K minority shops face demolition for Kashi Vishwanath projectHedge fund manager Scott Bessent is a credible, safe choice for US Treasury secretary -- and one that is likely positive for markets -- observers said Saturday following President-elect Donald Trump's highly anticipated nomination. His selection came after competition for the top economic job spilled into the open last weekend, with the world's richest man Elon Musk throwing his support instead behind Trump's transition team co-chair Howard Lutnick. Lutnick has since been named commerce secretary to lead Trump's tariff and trade agenda, and Bessent's nomination days later appears to be uncontroversial for now. "Scott Bessent is a credible, mainstream pick for Treasury Secretary," said Jason Furman, a professor at Harvard University and former top White House economic adviser. "I could see previous administrations as having chosen him," Furman, a former chair of the Council of Economic Advisers, told AFP. But a key difference is that Bessent, 62, has had to adopt and defend views on topics like tariffs, in a way "he never would have in pursuit of the job for a previous Republican administration." Tariffs are a key part of Trump's economic agenda, with the Republican president-elect vowing sweeping duties on allies and adversaries alike. In an opinion piece published earlier this month on Fox News, Bessent defended the potential use of tariffs as a means to raise revenue for the government, protect strategic US industries and negotiate with trading partners. He would be one of the first openly gay Cabinet officials if confirmed by the Senate, and the first at the helm of the Treasury Department. Jens Nordvig, chief executive of data and analytics firm Exante Data who has worked with Bessent, drew a contrast between his demeanor and that of other Trump supporters. While some Trump allies have a tendency towards "general sweeping statements," Bessent is an "analytical thinker, and he communicates accordingly," Nordvig told AFP. He counts Bessent among his early clients. "I would expect his messaging to be very focused, to get his key points across, without any unnecessary flamboyance or gusto," Nordvig added of the Wall Street veteran. Calling Bessent a "safe choice," Brookings senior fellow in economic studies David Wessel told AFP: "He will be an adult in the room for the Trump administration." Besides Bessent, others seen as top contenders for Treasury chief in recent days included former Federal Reserve governor Kevin Warsh, Apollo Global Management chief executive Marc Rowan, and Tennessee Senator Bill Hagerty. It remains to be seen if Bessent will be a big influence "moderating some of the administration's more aggressive trade policy" or simply be a spokesman, Wessel said. He does not have much experience in dealing with Congress either, and this would be important next year as the Trump administration works to raise the debt ceiling and effort a tax bill to deliver on his economic promises. Bessent would also have to grapple with the country's debt burden, with debt borrowed at much lower interest rates previously and Trump's plans estimated to add trillions over time. In an open letter published Saturday, Nordvig called for "thoughtful leadership" at the Treasury, saying a realistic approach to tax cuts and bond issuance was needed. He also sounded a hopeful note, saying Bessent would work to reduce extreme risks for markets. Krishna Guha, vice chairman of Evercore ISI, believes Bessent's nomination "will be well received by financial markets," given his deep understanding of markets and macro conditions. Guha also warned of the risk of bond yields spiking and "pushing up mortgage rates and tanking the housing market, while also causing stocks to sell off." In his past administration, Trump has viewed the stock market as a gauge of his success. bys/md
NEW YEAR, NEW LOOK: HYATT CENTRIC SOUTH BEACH MIAMI DEBUTS ELEVATED STYLE AND LUXURYWhat you may not know about Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter
Toolleen crash: one person killed, two taken to hospitalThe cryptocurrency market continues to innovate, with projects that push the boundaries of decentralization, data security, and financial efficiency. Qubetics enhances its ecosystem with dVPN integration, Chainlink solidifies its role as the leading decentralized oracle network, and Ripple makes waves with its RLUSD stablecoin. Here’s why these cryptocurrencies are worth your attention now. Qubetics: Transforming Web3 with Privacy-Centric Services Qubetics is strengthening its position in the Web3 space by integrating a decentralised VPN (dVPN) into its ecosystem. This addition elevates the blockchain's capabilities by promoting privacy and security across decentralised applications, including DeFi platforms, NFT marketplaces, and decentralised storage solutions. By ensuring private and secure connections, Qubetics dVPN aligns with the principles of autonomy and decentralisation central to Web3. Currently, $TICS tokens are priced at $0.034, with over $7.3 million raised, 10,900+ holders, and 363 million tokens sold. As the next presale phase approaches, analysts predict a post-presale price of $0.25 per token, offering early adopters a compelling ROI of 630.27%. Qubetics’ integration of privacy-enhancing tools like dVPN positions it as a forward-thinking blockchain solution, making it a strong contender for investment. Chainlink: Empowering Decentralized Applications with Reliable Data Chainlink (LINK) is at the forefront of decentralised Oracle technology, bridging the gap between blockchains and real-world data. Chainlink enables smart contracts to interact seamlessly with external systems, including APIs and payment gateways, by providing secure and tamper-proof oracles. This functionality is essential for decentralised applications (dApps) that depend on accurate and secure data inputs. Chainlink has become indispensable in decentralised finance (DeFi), where real-time, reliable data is critical for executing smart contracts. While new entrants to the oracle space introduce competition, Chainlink’s extensive adoption and reputation for security position it as a market leader. Investors looking to support the infrastructure layer of blockchain technology will find Chainlink’s robust utility appealing. Ripple: RLUSD Stablecoin Revolutionizes Cross-Border Payments Ripple has introduced RLUSD, a stablecoin designed to rival USDT and USDC, and it’s already being hailed as a "game changer" by industry leaders. Andre Casterman, a veteran of SWIFT, praised the stablecoin’s potential to transform cross-border payments, particularly for corporations and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs). RLUSD was launched after receiving approval from the New York State Department of Financial Services and is designed to accelerate settlement times and reduce business costs. With Ripple's established reputation in the cross-border payments sector, RLUSD is expected to become a preferred choice for corporates and working capital lenders seeking efficient financial solutions. Conclusion Qubetics, Chainlink, and Ripple represent the innovation and diversification driving the cryptocurrency market forward. Qubetics leverages privacy-centric tools like dVPN to enhance its Web3 ecosystem while offering significant investment potential with a predicted price of $0.25. Chainlink remains vital to blockchain infrastructure, empowering decentralised applications with secure data solutions. Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin promises to revolutionise cross-border payments, offering faster and more cost-effective business solutions. These projects highlight the exciting developments in blockchain technology, making them some of the best cryptocurrencies to watch now. Whether you’re drawn to privacy-enhancing solutions, infrastructure advancements, or payment innovations, these cryptocurrencies offer promising opportunities for investors. Qubetics: https://qubetics.com Telegram: https://t.me/qubetics Twitter: https://x.com/qubetics Join our WhatsApp Channel to get the latest news, exclusives and videos on WhatsApp _____________ Disclaimer: Analytics Insight does not provide financial advice or guidance. Also note that the cryptocurrencies mentioned/listed on the website could potentially be scams, i.e. designed to induce you to invest financial resources that may be lost forever and not be recoverable once investments are made. You are responsible for conducting your own research (DYOR) before making any investments. Read more here.
Tonga's parliament debates vote of no confidenceDonald Trump and Emmanuel Macron mimicked "superheroes" or "battleground comrades" ahead of the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on Saturday. Body language expert Judi James said President-elect Donald Trump and French leader Emmanuel Macron put their "bros" relationship on full display as they tightly shook hands in front of Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy . The meeting, which took place at around 6 p.m. local time at the Palais de l'Élysée ahead of the grand opening ceremony for the newly refurbished Notre Dame Cathedral , featured an hour-long meeting between Trump and Macron before Zelenskyy joined them for the last 35 minutes. Notre Dame under ring of steel with surface-to-air missiles for Donald Trump and Prince William's visit Elon Musk blew more than a quarter of a billion dollars helping Donald Trump win US election When Trump and Macron met, they tightly clasped hands in what body language expert Judi James called a show of "valor, courage and bonding." Trump reportedly said it was a "great honor" to reconnect with the French president, with whom he said he enjoys a "great relationship." The encounter was photographed as part of a red carpet event ahead of their meeting inside the historic presidential palace, where they discussed a world he said has gone "a little crazy." "The 'bros' relationship between Trump and Macron seems to hold true with a very macho bonding greeting ritual that you'd normally see between superheroes in movies or battleground comrades, with the tight clutching of the upright hands hinting at valor, courage and bonding," Judi James told TheMirror.com, referencing the greeting on the red carpet. Macron was likely trying to win Trump's favor as he hosted the former and future president as part of the global ceremony that came five years after a fire burned down the historic monument. He and other world leaders have been attempting to win Trump's political favor as they attempt to persuade him to maintain support for Ukraine as it works to defend against Russia following the February 2022 invasion. They also planned to discuss the conflicts playing out in the Middle East . Click here to follow the Mirror US on Google News to stay up to date with all the latest news, sports and entertainment stories. The topic of the war in Ukraine what prompted the unplanned meeting between Macron and Trump and Zelenskyy, who joined the two to discuss it. Trump has previously pledged to end the war in Ukraine swiftly, but he hasn't specified how, though he raised concerns in Kyiv about what terms may be laid out for any future negotiations. James said the greeting between Trump and Zelenskyy appeared "frosty," detailing the "very difficult, frosty-looking body language" between them as Macron seemed to "place himself in the role of mediator and, at one point, pacifier." " Trump looks subdued but not submissive here, standing upright with his arms hanging at his sides, looking ahead but not into the cameras, with a jutting of his lower lip giving an expression of sulky displeasure," she said of the president-elect's body language. "He looks unwilling to socialize or to showboat here, looking distant rather than present and socially active in the moment." Zelenskyy, on the other hand, appeared "keen to address the cameras with his facial expression." What piqued James' interest, however, was the body language of all three world leaders as they sat together in the palace. "There is a pose where the three leaders sit together and, as Trump leans forward to make his point with an index finger point of authority, Macron leans a hand across to hold Zelenskyy’s arm in what looks like an appeasement gesture, as though stepping in to diffuse a fight or disagreement," she said. At the end of the meeting, Zelenskyy and Trump shook hands and chatted briefly, and then Trump waved at photographers before turning and leaving. Trump was joined in Paris by a small contingent of staff that included incoming chief of staff Susie Wiles. It was the Republican's first trip to Paris since becoming president-elect and one of his first abroad.
Jimmy Carter, the 39th US president, has died at 100LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Voters dejected by the presidential election results need to find a way to give back and remain involved, Bill and Hillary Rodham Clinton said Saturday as they celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Clinton presidential library. The former president urged audience members in a packed theater to remain engaged and find ways to communicate with those they disagree with despite a divisive political time. The two spoke about a month after former President Donald Trump's win over Vice President Kamala Harris in the presidential election. “We’re just passing through, and we all need to just calm down and do something that builds people up instead of tears them down,” Bill Clinton said. Hillary Clinton, the former secretary of state who was defeated by Trump in the 2016 election, said she understands the next couple of years are going to be challenging for voters who don't agree with the decisions being made. "In addition to staying involved and staying aware, it’s important to find something that makes you feel good about the day because if you’re in a constant state of agitation about our political situation, it is really going to shorten your life," she said. The Clintons spoke during a panel discussion with journalist Laura Ling, who the former president helped free in 2009 when she was detained in North Korea with another journalist. The event was held as part of a weekend of activities marking the 20th anniversary of the Clinton Presidential Library's opening in Little Rock. The library is preparing to undergo an update of its exhibits and an expansion that will include Hillary Clinton's personal archives. Hillary Clinton said part of the goal is to modernize the facility and expand it to make it a more open, inviting place for people for convene and make connections. When asked about advice he would give for people disappointed by the election results, Bill Clinton said people need to continue working toward bringing people together and improving others' lives. “If that's the way you keep score, then you ought to be trying to run up the score,” he said. “Not lamenting the fact that somebody else is winning a different game because they keep score a different way." “And in addition, figure out what we can do to win again,” Hillary Clinton added, eliciting cheers. The program featured a panel discussion with cast members of the hit NBC show “The West Wing” and former Clinton White House staffers. The weekend amounted to a reunion of former Clinton White House staffers, supporters and close friends, including former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe and adviser James Carville. McAuliffe said he and Carville ate Friday at Doe's Eat Place, a downtown restaurant that was popular with Clinton aides and reporters during Clinton's 1992 White House run. He said he viewed the library and its planned expansion as important for the future. “This is not only about the past, but it's more importantly about the future," McAuliffe said. “We just went through a very tough election, and people are all saying we've got to get back to the Clinton model.”No. 22 Texas A&M beats Texas Tech 72-67 in 1st meeting of former conference rivals since 2012Bengaluru: Karnataka saw a steady increase in women income tax return (ITR) filers over the past five years, with numbers climbing to 14.3 lakh in the assessment year 2023-24 from 11.3 lakh in 2019-20, recording an impressive growth of approximately 26% over five years. The state's year-on-year growth shows a pattern of progression, barring a slight dip in AY 2020-21 to around 11 lakh, from which the state quickly rebounded with 11.7 lakh filers in 2021-22. The subsequent years saw more growth, as per the latest data made public by the finance ministry. The break-up of how many of the women ITR filers paid taxes and the quantum of taxes paid by women was not immediately available. Separate data accessed by TOI for overall ITR filers in the state showed 38.2 lakh, 39.2 lakh, 39.8 lakh, and 42.6 lakh filers in 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22, and 2022-23. While the number of filers for 2023-24 is estimated to be around 43 lakh, a final figure is not available. Going by this, women constituted a third of all ITR filers in the state in the latest assessment year, while it was only 29% in 2019-20, indicating that the growth in women filers was higher than the overall growth. Nationally, Maharashtra leads the pack with 36.8 lakh women ITR filers in 2023-24, showing a 23% growth over five years. Gujarat follows with 22.5 lakh women and a 24% increase. Uttar Pradesh reported a 29% growth, reaching 20.4 lakh women filers. While states like Telangana show the most remarkable percentage increase at 39%, they have lower absolute numbers, and the data reveals variations across different states. West Bengal and Tamil Nadu show consistent growth, with 12.9 lakh and 15.5 lakh women filers, respectively. Delhi, interestingly, shows a more modest growth of 11%, reaching 12.08 lakh women tax filers. Andhra Pradesh presents the most conservative growth among compared states, with 6.5 lakh women filers and an 18% increase over five years. Karnataka's performance stands out not just for its numbers, but for its consistent upward trajectory. The slight economic interruption during the pandemic years appears to have been quickly overcome, with significant growth in subsequent periods. This suggests a combination of factors at play — improved economic opportunities, possible increased workforce participation, and potentially a more progressive social environment that encourages women's financial independence. The ministry's data is for the period up to September 30, 2024. Top States: State 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 Maharashtra 29.9 lakh 29.8 lakh 31.5 lakh 33.9 lakh 36.8 lakh Gujarat 18.1 lakh 18.5 lakh 19.5 lakh 20.8 lakh 22.5 lakh Uttar Pradesh 15.8 lakh 16 lakh 17 lakh 18.7 lakh 20.4 lakh Tamil Nadu 12.9 lakh 12.5 lakh 13.1 lakh 14.2 lakh 15.5 lakh Karnataka 11.3 lakh 11.1 lakh 11.7 lakh 12.9 lakh 14.3 lakh Source: Ministry of Finance | All figures rounded off to closest decimal Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword .
In a stunning 12-day advance, opposition forces achieved what 13 years of war failed to do: ending more than half a century of the Assad family’s brutal rule. As they took control of cities including Homs, Aleppo and the capital, Damascus, regime forces largely fled or laid down arms. Russian state media reported that Assad was in Moscow and would be granted asylum. There were gatherings held across the world and huge numbers of Syrians took to social media to talk about their joy, hope and anxieties after the fall of a dictatorship that crushed freedom of speech while ruling through fear. Irish-Syrian writer Suad Aldarra called Assad’s ousting a “new era”. “We’ve been glued to the TV for the past few days with our hearts in our throats,” she said. “What happened was too scary and too fast, yet too mesmerising to look away. Our giant shared wound is starting to heal and the only sad thing right now is that it took that long to finally happen ... We don’t know what the future is holding for us but we are ready to leave decades of injustice behind and start over again.” [ Analysis: Rebels face task of preventing Syria from fracturing into fiefdoms Opens in new window ] Assad (59) inherited the presidency from his father, Hafez, in 2000. Both men were infamous for their cruelty: while Hafez crushed a rebellion by overseeing the killing of between 10,000 and 40,000 Syrians in the city of Hama in 1982, the younger Assad’s response to the 2011 revolution saw mass bombing campaigns and chemical weapons attacks launched against his own people. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) says more than 14 million Syrians fled their homes since the beginning of the war, with the majority internally displaced and more than five million in neighbouring countries. Others escaped to Europe, and, even last year, Syrians were still the largest group applying for international protection in the EU, with more than 180,000 first-round applications . The conquering Syrian opposition forces were led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a globally designated terrorist group. HTS emerged out of Jabhat al-Nusra, which declared allegiance to al-Qaeda, before splitting from them in 2016. Since the shock offensive started, HTS’s leader, Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, has pledged to protect minorities and to build institutions, though many remain sceptical. In an interview with CNN last week, he said HTS was only “one detail of this dialogue, and it may dissolve at any time”. Instead, “we’re talking about a larger project, we’re talking about building Syria”. [ Who are the Syrian rebels who have taken Damascus? Opens in new window ] As they advanced across Syria, the opposition forces freed prisoners – some of whom had been incarcerated for decades – including from Sednaya prison, which was nicknamed the “ human slaughterhouse ”. The Syrian Network for Human Rights says more than 130,000 people had been arbitrarily arrested and detained since 2011, with more than 15,000 dying from torture. Videos of the releases were anxiously scanned by families, some of whom have no idea if their loved ones are still alive. The International Commission on Missing Persons encouraged those on the ground to protect evidence that could result in “long-term justice”, while Amnesty International “urge[d] the international community to centre Syrian voices in this transition”. In recent years, though many Arab countries moved towards normalising relations with Assad, his main military backers – Russia and Iran – became distracted by other crises. The fall of Assad was welcomed by many western governments. Kaja Kallas, the EU’s foreign affairs chief, called it “a positive and long-awaited development”, though warned “the process of rebuilding Syria will be long and complicated and all parties must be ready to engage constructively”. Despite the uncertainties ahead, for Irish-Syrian journalist Razan Ibraheem, Sunday was “the blessed day Syrians rolled up their sleeves to start rebuilding their homeland on the foundations of freedom, equality, justice and democracy”. Sally Hayden, a contributor to The Irish Times, reports on Africa
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David Hilzenrath, Jodie Fleischer, Cox Media Group | (TNS) KFF Health News In March, newly installed Social Security chief Martin O’Malley criticized agency “injustices” that “shock our shared sense of equity and good conscience as Americans.” He promised to overhaul the Social Security Administration’s often heavy-handed efforts to claw back money that millions of recipients — including people who are living in poverty, are elderly, or have disabilities — were allegedly overpaid, as described by a KFF Health News and Cox Media Group investigation last year. “Innocent people can be badly hurt,” O’Malley said at the time. Nearly eight months since he appeared before Congress and announced a series of policy changes, and with two months left in his term, O’Malley’s effort to fix the system has made inroads but remains a work in progress. For instance, one change, moving away from withholding 100% of people’s monthly Social Security benefits to recover alleged overpayments, has been a major improvement, say advocates for beneficiaries. “It is a tremendous change,” said Kate Lang of Justice in Aging, who called it “life-changing for many people.” The number of people from whom the Social Security Administration was withholding full monthly benefits to recoup money declined sharply — from about 46,000 in January to about 7,000 in September, the agency said. Asked to clarify whether those numbers and others provided for this article covered all programs administered by the agency, the SSA press office did not respond. Another potentially significant change — relieving beneficiaries of having to prove that an overpayment was not their fault — has not been implemented. The agency said it is working on that. Meanwhile, the agency seems to be looking to Congress to take the lead on a change some observers see as crucial: limiting how far back the government can reach to recover an alleged overpayment. Barbara Hubbell of Watkins Glen, New York, called the absence of a statute of limitations “despicable.” Hubbell said her mother was held liable for $43,000 because of an SSA error going back 19 years. “In what universe is that even legal?” Hubbell said. Paying down the overpayment balance left her mother “essentially penniless,” she added. In response to questions for this article, Social Security spokesperson Mark Hinkle said legislation is “the best and fastest way” to set a time limit. Establishing a statute of limitations was not among the policy changes O’Malley announced in his March congressional testimony. In an interview at the time, he said he expected an announcement on it “within the next couple few months.” It could probably be done by regulation, without an act of Congress, he said. Speaking generally, Hinkle said the agency has “made substantial progress on overpayments,” reducing the hardship they cause, and “continues to work diligently” to update policies. The agency is underfunded, he added, is at a near 50-year low in staffing, and could do better with more employees. The SSA did not respond to requests for an interview with O’Malley. O’Malley announced the policy changes after KFF Health News and Cox Media Group jointly published and broadcast investigative reporting on the damage overpayments and clawbacks have done to millions of beneficiaries. When O’Malley, a former Democratic governor of Maryland, presented his plans to three congressional committees in March, lawmakers greeted him with rare bipartisan praise. But the past several months have shown how hard it can be to turn around a federal bureaucracy that is massive, complex, deeply dysfunctional, and, as it says, understaffed. Now O’Malley’s time may be running out. Lang of Justice in Aging, among the advocacy groups that have been meeting with O’Malley and other Social Security officials, said she appreciates how much the commissioner has achieved in a short time. But she added that O’Malley has “not been interested in hearing about our feelings that things have fallen short.” One long-standing policy O’Malley set out to change involves the burden of proof. When the Social Security Administration alleges someone has been overpaid and demands the money back, the burden is on the beneficiary to prove they were not at fault. Cecilia Malone, 24, a beneficiary in Lithonia, Georgia, said she and her parents spent hundreds of hours trying to get errors corrected. “Why is the burden on us to ‘prove’ we weren’t overpaid?” Malone said. It can be exceedingly difficult for beneficiaries to appeal a decision. The alleged overpayments, which can reach tens of thousands of dollars or more, often span years. And people struggling just to survive may have extra difficulty producing financial records from long ago. What’s more, in letters demanding repayment, the government does not typically spell out its case against the beneficiary — making it hard to mount a defense. Testifying before House and Senate committees in March, O’Malley promised to shift the burden of proof. “That should be on the agency,” he said. The agency expects to finalize “guidance” on the subject “in the coming months,” Hinkle said. The agency points to reduced wait times and other improvements in a phone system known to leave beneficiaries on hold. “In September, we answered calls to our national 800 number in an average of 11 minutes — a tremendous improvement from 42 minutes one year ago,” Hinkle said. Still, in response to a nonrepresentative survey by KFF Health News and Cox Media Group focused on overpayments, about half of respondents who said they contacted the agency by phone since April rated that experience as “poor,” and few rated it “good” or “excellent.” The survey was sent to about 600 people who had contacted KFF Health News to share their overpayment stories since September 2023. Almost 200 people answered the survey in September and October of this year. Most of those who said they contacted the agency by mail since April rated their experience as “poor.” Jennifer Campbell, 60, a beneficiary in Nelsonville, Ohio, said in late October that she was still waiting for someone at the agency to follow up as described during a phone call in May. “VERY POOR customer service!!!!!” Campbell wrote. “Nearly impossible to get a hold of someone,” wrote Kathryn Duff of Colorado Springs, Colorado, who has been helping a disabled family member. Letters from SSA have left Duff mystified. One was postmarked July 9, 2024, but dated more than two years earlier. Another, dated Aug. 18, 2024, said her family member was overpaid $31,635.80 in benefits from the Supplemental Security Income program, which provides money to people with little or no income or other resources who are disabled, blind, or at least 65. But Duff said her relative never received SSI benefits. What’s more, for the dates in question, payments listed in the letter to back up the agency’s math didn’t come close to $31,635.80; they totaled about a quarter of that amount. Regarding the 100% clawbacks, O’Malley in March said it’s “unconscionable that someone would find themselves facing homelessness or unable to pay bills, because Social Security withheld their entire payment for recovery of an overpayment.” He said that, starting March 25, if a beneficiary doesn’t respond to a new overpayment notice, the agency would default to withholding 10%. The agency warned of “a short transition period.” That change wasn’t automated until June 25, Hinkle said. The number of people newly placed in full withholding plummeted from 6,771 in February to 51 in September, according to data the agency provided. SSA said it would notify recipients they could request reduced withholding if it was already clawing back more than 10% of their monthly checks. Nonetheless, dozens of beneficiaries or their family members told KFF Health News and Cox Media Group they hadn’t heard they could request reduced withholding. Among those who did ask, roughly half said their requests were approved. According to the SSA, there has been almost a 20% decline in the number of people facing clawbacks of more than 10% but less than 100% of their monthly checks — from 141,316 as of March 8 to 114,950 as of Oct. 25, agency spokesperson Nicole Tiggemann said. Meanwhile, the number of people from whom the agency was withholding exactly 10% soared more than fortyfold — from just over 5,000 to well over 200,000. And the number of beneficiaries having any partial benefits withheld to recover an overpayment increased from almost 600,000 to almost 785,000, according to data Tiggemann provided. Lorraine Anne Davis, 72, of Houston, said she hasn’t received her monthly Social Security payment since June due to an alleged overpayment. Her Medicare premium was being deducted from her monthly benefit, so she’s been left to pay that out-of-pocket. Davis said she’s going to need a kidney transplant and had been trying to save money for when she’d be unable to work. Related Articles National News | Traveling this holiday season? 10 things the TSA wants you to know National News | California student passes state bar at a record 17 years, 8 months old National News | Even blue states are embracing a tougher approach to crime National News | US budget airlines are struggling. Will pursuing premium passengers solve their problems? National News | Supreme Court allows multibillion-dollar class action to proceed against Meta A letter from the SSA dated April 8, 2024, two weeks after the new 10% withholding policy was slated to take effect, said it had overpaid her $13,538 and demanded she pay it back within 30 days. Apparently, the SSA hadn’t accounted for a pension Davis receives from overseas; Davis said she disclosed it when she filed for benefits. In a letter to her dated June 29, the agency said that, under its new policy, it would change the withholding to only 10% if she asked. Davis said she asked by phone repeatedly, and to no avail. “Nobody seems to know what’s going on” and “no one seems to be able to help you,” Davis said. “You’re just held captive.” In October, the agency said she’d receive a payment — in March 2025. Marley Presiado, a research assistant on the Public Opinion and Survey Research team at KFF, contributed to this report. ©2024 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.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. “Our founder, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, passed away this afternoon in Plains, Georgia,” the center said in posting about his death on the social media platform X. It added in a statement that he died peacefully, surrounded by his family. 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 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. 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.” 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.” Former Associated Press journalist Alex Sanz contributed to this report.In the preceding three months, 6 analysts have released ratings for Pagaya Techs PGY , presenting a wide array of perspectives from bullish to bearish. The table below offers a condensed view of their recent ratings, showcasing the changing sentiments over the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months. Bullish Somewhat Bullish Indifferent Somewhat Bearish Bearish Total Ratings 4 1 1 0 0 Last 30D 0 0 1 0 0 1M Ago 0 0 0 0 0 2M Ago 1 0 0 0 0 3M Ago 3 1 0 0 0 In the assessment of 12-month price targets, analysts unveil insights for Pagaya Techs, presenting an average target of $22.83, a high estimate of $36.00, and a low estimate of $11.00. This current average has decreased by 35.14% from the previous average price target of $35.20. Deciphering Analyst Ratings: An In-Depth Analysis The analysis of recent analyst actions sheds light on the perception of Pagaya Techs by financial experts. The following summary presents key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets. Analyst Analyst Firm Action Taken Rating Current Price Target Prior Price Target Rayna Kumar UBS Lowers Neutral $11.00 $33.00 Joseph Vafi Canaccord Genuity Lowers Buy $25.00 $32.00 Michael Legg Benchmark Maintains Buy $21.00 $21.00 Rayna Kumar Oppenheimer Announces Outperform $12.00 - Joseph Vafi Canaccord Genuity Lowers Buy $32.00 $42.00 Hal Goetsch B. Riley Securities Lowers Buy $36.00 $48.00 Key Insights: Action Taken: In response to dynamic market conditions and company performance, analysts update their recommendations. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise', or 'Lower' their stance, it signifies their reaction to recent developments related to Pagaya Techs. This insight gives a snapshot of analysts' perspectives on the current state of the company. Rating: Analysts unravel qualitative evaluations for stocks, ranging from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings offer insights into expectations for the relative performance of Pagaya Techs compared to the broader market. Price Targets: Delving into movements, analysts provide estimates for the future value of Pagaya Techs's stock. This analysis reveals shifts in analysts' expectations over time. Navigating through these analyst evaluations alongside other financial indicators can contribute to a holistic understanding of Pagaya Techs's market standing. Stay informed and make data-driven decisions with our Ratings Table. Stay up to date on Pagaya Techs analyst ratings. If you are interested in following small-cap stock news and performance you can start by tracking it here . Delving into Pagaya Techs's Background Pagaya Technologies Ltd is a financial technology company working to reshape the lending marketplace by using machine learning, big data analytics, and sophisticated AI-driven credit and analysis technology. It was built to provide a comprehensive solution to enable the credit industry to deliver customers a positive experience while simultaneously enhancing the broader credit ecosystem. Its proprietary API seamlessly integrates into its next-gen infrastructure network of partners to deliver a premium customer user experience and greater access to credit. The company generates majority of its revenue from United States. Pagaya Techs's Financial Performance Market Capitalization Perspectives: The company's market capitalization falls below industry averages, signaling a relatively smaller size compared to peers. This positioning may be influenced by factors such as perceived growth potential or operational scale. Revenue Growth: Over the 3 months period, Pagaya Techs showcased positive performance, achieving a revenue growth rate of 23.75% as of 30 September, 2024. This reflects a substantial increase in the company's top-line earnings. As compared to its peers, the company achieved a growth rate higher than the average among peers in Information Technology sector. Net Margin: Pagaya Techs's net margin is below industry standards, pointing towards difficulties in achieving strong profitability. With a net margin of -27.07%, the company may encounter challenges in effective cost control. Return on Equity (ROE): Pagaya Techs's ROE lags behind industry averages, suggesting challenges in maximizing returns on equity capital. With an ROE of -13.66%, the company may face hurdles in achieving optimal financial performance. Return on Assets (ROA): Pagaya Techs's ROA is below industry standards, pointing towards difficulties in efficiently utilizing assets. With an ROA of -4.78%, the company may encounter challenges in delivering satisfactory returns from its assets. Debt Management: The company faces challenges in debt management with a debt-to-equity ratio higher than the industry average. With a ratio of 1.49 , caution is advised due to increased financial risk. Understanding the Relevance of Analyst Ratings Benzinga tracks 150 analyst firms and reports on their stock expectations. Analysts typically arrive at their conclusions by predicting how much money a company will make in the future, usually the upcoming five years, and how risky or predictable that company's revenue streams are. Analysts attend company conference calls and meetings, research company financial statements, and communicate with insiders to publish their ratings on stocks. Analysts typically rate each stock once per quarter or whenever the company has a major update. Some analysts publish their predictions for metrics such as growth estimates, earnings, and revenue to provide additional guidance with their ratings. When using analyst ratings, it is important to keep in mind that stock and sector analysts are also human and are only offering their opinions to investors. If you want to keep track of which analysts are outperforming others, you can view updated analyst ratings along withanalyst success scores in Benzinga Pro . Breaking: Wall Street's Next Big Mover Benzinga's #1 analyst just identified a stock poised for explosive growth. This under-the-radar company could surge 200%+ as major market shifts unfold. Click here for urgent details . This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.