One day, when actor and comedian Rosie O'Donnell was in her 50s, her body ached and her arms felt sore, but she pushed through the pain, not realizing she was having a massive heart attack. She had surgery to put in a stent that saved her life. Shortly after her 2012 heart attack, O'Donnell shared her experience on her blog. During her 2015 television standup special, she spoke about how the experience changed her life. The segment included a heart attack acronym the comedian coined: HEPPP (hot, exhausted, pain, pale, puke). O'Donnell's candidness about her heart attack helped spread awareness about how it can present differently in women. She's one of countless celebrities over the years who have opened up about their health conditions, including breast cancer, HIV, depression, heart disease and stroke. When celebrities reveal and discuss their health issues, the impact can be far-reaching. It not only helps to educate the public, but it also can reduce stigma and inspire others. "Health disclosures by celebrities do matter, and we know this from decades of research across a lot of different health conditions and public figures," said Dr. Jessica Gall Myrick, a professor of health communication at Pennsylvania State University in University Park. "They absolutely do influence people." Some of the earliest celebrity health disclosures happened in the 1970s and 1980s with U.S. presidents and first ladies. When first lady Betty Ford was diagnosed with breast cancer just weeks after Gerald Ford became president in 1974, she spoke openly about her diagnosis, inviting photographers into the White House and helping make talk of cancer less taboo. In 1987, first lady Nancy Reagan used her breast cancer diagnosis as a chance to advocate for women to get mammograms. Her disclosure came two years after President Ronald Reagan's colon cancer diagnosis, about which the couple was equally as vocal. "Individuals throughout the country have been calling cancer physicians and information services in record numbers," the Los Angeles Times reported after Nancy Reagan's widely publicized surgery. The public showed a similar interest years earlier following Betty Ford's mastectomy. Another major milestone in celebrity health disclosures came in 1991, when 32-year-old NBA superstar Earvin "Magic" Johnson revealed he had tested positive for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. "Life is going to go on for me, and I'm going to be a happy man," Johnson assured fans during a news conference. He immediately retired, only to return to the Los Angeles Lakers in 1996. His disclosure, along with his work as an advocate for safe sex, helped shatter stigmas around HIV and AIDS. Calls to testing centers increased significantly in the days and weeks after Johnson's announcement. "That celebrity disclosure really helped people see there was a wider susceptibly to HIV," Gall Myrick said. "People were more likely to say, 'I need to think about my own risks.' It was very powerful." When it comes to heart and stroke health, President Dwight Eisenhower helped make heart attacks less frightening and mysterious. During a news conference in 1955, millions of Americans learned from the president's doctors about his heart condition, his treatment, and concrete steps they could take to reduce their own heart attack risk. Other notable figures have shared their health experiences over the years. Soap opera legend Susan Lucci , who was diagnosed with heart disease in 2018, has advocated for women's heart health. Basketball great Kareem Abdul Jabbar talks about his irregular heartbeat, known as atrial fibrillation, and advocates for regular health screenings. Lawyer, author and television personality Star Jones continues to speak about heart disease risk after having lifesaving heart surgery in 2010. Longtime TV and radio personality Dick Clark brought stroke and aphasia into the national spotlight when he returned to hosting "New Year's Rockin' Eve" in Times Square just a year after his 2004 stroke and continued until his death in 2012. And actor and comedian Jamie Foxx recently revealed he had a stroke last year. "Celebrity disclosures represent teachable moments," said Dr. Seth M. Noar, director of the Communicating for Health Impact Lab at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. "Searches for different health conditions often spike in the wake of these types of announcements. They cause people to think about these health issues, learn more about them, and in some cases change their behaviors." Celebrities have also highlighted the importance of CPR and the use of an automated external defibrillator, or AED, to restore a person's heartbeat if they experience cardiac arrest. Interest in CPR and AEDs spiked in 2023 after Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin went into cardiac arrest during an NFL game broadcast on national TV. Views of the American Heart Association's hands-only CPR pages jumped more than 600% in the days following Hamlin's cardiac arrest. Three months later, around 3 million people had watched the AHA's CPR video. Family members of celebrities who have died from a heart issue have also spread awareness. After actor John Ritter died of an undiagnosed aortic dissection in 2003, his wife, actor Amy Yasbeck, started the Ritter Foundation to raise awareness about the condition and help others avoid a misdiagnosis. A literature review published in Systematic Reviews in 2017 found that people are conditioned to react positively to celebrity advice. Research also has found that people often follow advice from celebrities who match how they perceive – or how they want to perceive – themselves. The most effective celebrity disclosures are frequently the ones that tell a compelling story and include clear steps people can take to apply lessons the celebrity learned to their own health situation, Gall Myrick said. "People are more likely to take action when they feel confident and capable." Research has shown that celebrity disclosures often impact calls to hotlines and page views on health-related websites, and they can spark behavioral and even policy changes. Anecdotally, Gall Myrick said, people ask their doctor more questions about health conditions and request medical screenings. Celebrities can have a big impact because people tend to have parasocial relationships with them, Gall Myrick said. These are one-sided relationships in which a person feels an emotional connection with another person, often a celebrity. People may feel as if they know the basketball player they've watched on the court for years, or the Hollywood actor they've followed, she said. They want to comfort them after a health disclosure. Social media has only increased this feeling of familiarity, as celebrities regularly share mundane – but fascinating – details of their daily lives, like what they eat for breakfast, their favorite socks, or the meditation they do before bed. "We spend a lifetime being exposed to celebrities through the media, and over time, you get to know these public figures," Gall Myrick said. "Some feel like friendships." A study published in the journal Science Communication in 2020 compared reactions to actor Tom Hanks, who had COVID-19 early in the pandemic, and an average person with COVID-19. Researchers found that participants identified more with Hanks when it came to estimating their own susceptibility to COVID-19. The participants also felt more emotional about the virus that causes COVID-19 when thinking about it in relation to Hanks versus an average person. When a celebrity reveals a health condition, it's a surprise that may feel personal, especially if they are well-liked and the health issue is dramatic and sudden. "We feel like we know them, and the emotional response is what can then push people out of their routine," Gall Myrick said. Noar said a celebrity health story is often a more interesting and powerful way to learn about a health condition than just the facts, which can feel overwhelming. People are drawn to the slew of media coverage that typically follows a celebrity disclosure, he said. "Some of these high-visibility public figures' stories are now woven into some of these illnesses," Noar said. For example, Angelina Jolie is often linked to the BRCA1 gene mutation after the actor shared she had a preventive double mastectomy because of her elevated breast cancer risk and had her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed because of her increased risk for ovarian cancer. "It's a narrative, a story that humanizes the condition in a way that very informational communication really doesn't," Noar said. "People remember it, and it can potentially be a touch point." After a disclosure, patients may bring up a celebrity's story during a doctor's appointment and connect it to their own care. Today's multiplatform digital culture only amplifies celebrity messages. "You're seeing everyday people react to these events, and that can have a ripple effect too," Gall Myrick said. "We know from research that seeing messages more than once can be impactful. Often it's not just one billboard or one commercial that impacts behavior; it's the drip drip drip over time." Still, there's a cautionary tale to be told around the impact of celebrity health news, especially if the celebrity has died. An unclear cause of death may lead to speculation. Gall Myrick said that guesswork could potentially end up hurting rather than helping if patients were to act on misinformation or a lack of information. "Maybe the death was atypical or it needs more context," she said. "That's where advocacy groups and public health organizations come in. They need to be prepared for announcements or disclosures about celebrity deaths, and to fill in some of those gaps." American Heart Association News covers heart and brain health. Not all views expressed in this story reflect the official position of the American Heart Association. Copyright is owned or held by the American Heart Association, Inc., and all rights are reserved. Sign up here to get the latest health & fitness updates in your inbox every week!
SANTA ANA, Calif., Dec. 13, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — In a groundbreaking move for the property management and inspection industry, DrBalcony ( drbalcony.com ) introduces its cutting-edge app, a pioneering digital platform designed to revolutionize the balcony inspection process. This innovative tool empowers homeowners, property managers, and Homeowner Associations (HOAs) with a streamlined, intuitive experience, eliminating inefficiencies and redefining how inspections are managed. With a user-friendly interface and advanced features, the DrBalcony App transforms what was once a complex, time-consuming process into one that is seamless and efficient. Users can now obtain instant quotes, create and manage projects, and schedule inspections—all with just a few taps on their devices. “At DrBalcony, we are passionate about reimagining property management through technology,” said Greg, VP of Sales of DrBalcony. “The app reflects our dedication to simplifying inspections while upholding safety and compliance standards. With over 2,500 inspections completed, we’re proud to offer a solution that sets a new benchmark for convenience and reliability.” FEATURES THAT SET THE DRBALCONY APP APART Instant Quotes: Receive transparent, accurate pricing for inspections without waiting days for a response. Project Management Made Simple: Track, manage, and oversee your inspection projects effortlessly from start to finish. Hassle-Free Scheduling: Book inspections at a time that works best for you—no back-and-forth emails or phone calls required. The DrBalcony App is tailored to meet the specific needs of California property owners, offering features designed to ensure the integrity of balcony structures while making compliance with state laws like SB 721 and SB 326 more accessible than ever. Learn more: https://drbalcony.com/services/ A SOLUTION BACKED BY REAL RESULTS “For years, the balcony inspection process has been frustrating and inefficient,” shared Omid, CEO of DrBalcony. “This app eliminates unnecessary complications. From instant quotes to straightforward scheduling, it’s a game-changer.” DOWNLOAD THE DRBALCONY APP TODAY The DrBalcony App is now available for download and marks a significant leap forward in property management. By addressing common pain points in the inspection process, DrBalcony ensures peace of mind for property owners, engineers, and HOAs, all while maintaining safety and compliance with California’s strict balcony safety regulations . About DrBalcony: DrBalcony leverages innovative technology to enhance balcony inspection, focusing on efficiency, safety, and customer-centric solutions. With a mission to simplify the complex, DrBalcony has become a trusted name in the balcony inspection industry, ensuring compliance and safety standards are met with ease. Learn more: https://drbalcony.com/ . Your property’s safety has never been simpler—download the DrBalcony App today! NEWS SOURCE: DrBalcony Keywords: Real Estate, DrBalcony, Balcony Inspections, home inspection, safety, app, solution, service, SB 326, SB 721, SANTA ANA, Calif. This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (DrBalcony) who is solely responsibile for its accuracy, by Send2Press® Newswire . Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed. Story ID: S2P122836 APDF15TBLLI To view the original version, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/drbalcony-app-redefines-balcony-inspections-with-unparalleled-efficiency/ © 2024 Send2Press® Newswire, a press release distribution service, Calif., USA. Disclaimer: This press release content was not created by nor issued by the Associated Press (AP). Content below is unrelated to this news story.TORONTO — Canada is aiming to cut its emissions in half by 2035 compared to 2005 levels, the federal government announced Thursday, a target more modest than what a federal advisory body had previously recommended. The target of reducing emissions by 45 to 50 per cent balances both ambition and achievability, Environment and Climate Change Minister Steven Guilbeault said in an interview. "I think it's important to send a signal to the Canadians, Canadian businesses, provinces, municipalities and other stakeholders who care deeply about this, that we're continuing on the fight against climate change in Canada," he said. He added that the target's lower end accounts for potential headwinds, including how United States president-elect Donald Trump approaches key climate policies. Trump has called climate change a hoax and promised to roll back legislation that funnels money to green energy projects in his second term. Last time he was in office, he pulled the U.S. out of a major United Nations climate pact. "As a responsible government, we have to account for the possibilities that it may be more difficult in the coming years to continue moving forward because our major trading partner may decide to take a different course when it comes to tackling climate change," Guilbeault said. In a report published in September, Canada's Net-Zero Advisory Body recommended an emissions reduction target of 50 to 55 per cent. The report says a target in the government's chosen range of 45 to 50 per cent would risk "putting Canada too far behind its net-zero goal and would likely represent insufficient ambition" compared to its partners, including other G7 countries. Catherine Abreu, a climate policy analyst, called the target "pathetic" and out of step with the United Kingdom's and Japan's more ambitious goals, despite volatile U.S. politics. "I think with this target, we're seeing Canada have a much more extreme reaction to that political volatility than any other G7 country. This target is really going to make Canada stick out like a sore thumb," said Abreu, who sits on the advisory body, but was not speaking on its behalf. Federal legislation required Ottawa to set the target this month as one of its checkpoints on the path to Canada's goal to achieve net zero by 2050, which means achieving an even balance between emissions that are put into the atmosphere versus emissions that are captured and neutralized. Global emissions need to hit net zero by around mid-century if the world wants to limit global warming to around 1.5 C and avert some of climate change's most severe impacts, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a scientific body of the United Nations. Canada's advisory body has said the government is already at risk of missing its 2030 target of a 40 to 45 per cent emissions cut, even if it implements all of its current climate plans. Guilbeault said his Liberal government has "done a lot in the last few years, but there's still a long way to go." Several of the government's existing or planned policies intended to reduce emissions have come under fire from Conservative opposition. That includes the consumer carbon price and a proposed emissions cap on the oil and gas industry. Canada's emissions fell by about seven per cent from 2005 to 2022, with the electricity sector accounting for the greatest share of cuts, according to Canada's official reporting. On the other side of the ledger, oil and gas sector emissions increased by 11 per cent. Stewart Elgie, a law professor and the director of the Environment Institute at the University of Ottawa, said "actions speak louder than targets." "Ottawa has taken more climate action in the past eight years than we saw in the previous 25. And it's working; emissions are falling after decades of rising. We're finally moving in the right direction; now we must pick up the pace," he said. The target released Thursday received mixed reception from others in Canada's climate policy circles. It is a "reasonable" approach, said Mark Zacharias, executive director at Clean Energy Canada, a climate and clean energy think tank at Simon Fraser University. He said provinces will also have to step up with actions to drive down emissions, such as policies to increase adoption of energy efficient heat pumps and electric vehicles. "Setting a target that you can meet actually allows you to back calculate around what ... policies you need in place to get there, and it becomes a very, very reasonable discussion around how to get to a particular target," said Zacharias. It's not good enough, suggested Caroline Brouillette, executive director of Climate Action Network Canada, a network of climate advocacy groups. She called the new target "weak." "The federal government could have used this target to set a bold vision to diversify our economy towards affordable, reliable energy sources, and reduce our dependence on the whims of belligerent climate deniers," she wrote in a statement. "Instead, it has chosen to cave." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 12, 2024. Jordan Omstead, The Canadian Press
F or decades it was the signature taste of Florida : orange juice from the state’s plentiful groves advertised to a thirsty nation as “ your daily dose of sunshine ”. But now another hyperactive hurricane season, paired with the dogged persistence of an untreatable tree disease known as greening, has left a once thriving citrus industry on life support. Only 12m boxes of oranges will have been produced in Florida by the end of this year, US Department of Agriculture (USDA) forecasts show , the lowest single-year yield in almost a century. The figure is 33% lower than a year ago, and less than 5% of the 2004 harvest of 242m boxes. It is also dwarfed by the 378m boxes expected to be produced this year in Brazil, the world’s largest grower and exporter of oranges. Each box weighs 90lbs (41kg) and contains an average 300 pieces of fruit depending on variety. As a result, Florida-produced juice that used to be a staple of the breakfast table has become an expensive luxury for many families, and some growers who have struggled to keep up with rising production costs and ever-shrinking returns have sold their land for development and left the industry for good. Despite promising research , scientists still have no solution for citrus greening, the insect-borne disease known as Huanglongbing (HLB), 20 years after it began spreading through Florida’s agricultural heartland, causing blotchy leaves and misshapen and bitter-tasting fruit. Greening has reduced citrus production in Florida by 75% during that time, the USDA says. And a proportion of groves that did escape have been ripped apart by more frequent and destructive hurricanes. According to Florida Citrus Mutual, the state’s largest trade group representing 2,000 growers, about 70% of the most productive groves were ravaged by Hurricane Milton in October, just before harvesting. “It’s been really painful, a real double whammy,” said Wayne Simmons, a fifth-generation Floridian and citrus farmer who owns the LaBelle Fruit Company, and about 250 acres (100 hectares) of groves, 30 miles west of Lake Okeechobee. Simmons was president of the Gulf Citrus Growers Association, a group of farmers across five counties in the south-west of the state looking out for each others’ interests. But the advocacy group disbanded in May, one year short of its 40th anniversary, after its membership dwindled to fewer than 20. And that was before Milton, and Hurricane Helene only two weeks prior, wreaked further devastation on trees, farms and livelihoods. “Things down here started going downhill after Hurricane Irma in 2017, and after that, basically, we lost acreage and we lost membership,” Simmons said. “And certainly you can’t have an association if you don’t have any acreage or members. That was kind of the downfall of it, little by little. Throw in a couple more hurricanes and greening, and it’s been extremely tough.” Some of the growers, Simmons said, had simply had enough and sold their land for development. “They’re planting houses and solar panels now,” he said. “I say that off the cuff, and thank goodness they have a source, but that land will never go back to agriculture. Some of it is being fenced and cattle put in, but that’s a poor cash flow situation. You’re not going to make money off of the cattle business.” Malcolm Manners, professor in citrus science at Florida Southern College, noted that greening had also become an issue in other major citrus producing countries that have been making up the Florida shortfall, especially Brazil, where 38% of trees in its citrus belt showed symptoms of HLB last year, according to the growers’ association Fundecitrus . He said that added to the urgency for researchers to find a cure or a workaround. “There’s been some work done with CRISPR technology , where they’re modifying genes that are already there, and that seems to be promising, but those trees are not yet on the market,” he said. “Once you have a variety on the market, it takes probably two or three years for the nursery industry to multiply it up, then it goes into the groves and takes another three or four years to start harvesting. “You’re talking a decade from getting such a tree before you really modify the orange juice market worldwide, so there’s hope, but while we’re doing all this waiting, more and more people just keep going out of business.” Despite what he calls a “frustrating” season for growers, Matt Joyner, the chief executive of Florida Citrus Mutual, said he was confident of better times ahead. “We have a lot of tools now, just in the last 18-24 months, to deal with citrus greening that we had not had prior, and so tree health, a lot of the metrics that we’ve been looking for as we’ve been looking for solutions, are finally coming around,” he said. “So there’s some optimism that if we could just have a few good seasons without Mother Nature taking an impact, we’d really have a chance to start to turn the corner and rebuild.” Joyner said that his members were committed to regrowing their industry “in the perfect environment for what we do”. “Florida is synonymous with citrus, the orange is on the license plate. Anybody that that has visited, 100 years ago or today, has seen the citrus groves and smelled the orange blossoms, stopped by the roadside stands,” he said. “To get the gift fruit when you’re up north from a Florida producer is really special, and these growers take great pride... you’ve got fifth, sixth, seventh generation growers that all they want to do is grow oranges.” Simmons, meanwhile, said he and several others who made up the Gulf coast group plan to stay in the business. “I don’t know if I’m stubborn or hard-headed, but I still have the land and I’m hanging in there. I don’t want to do anything else,” he said. “We tried peaches and we tried blueberries, we tried olives and a multitude of crops, but nothing grows in Florida like an orange tree. It hurts, it’s disappointing and it will never be like it was in its heyday, but Florida will always have some citrus.”
PLAINS, Ga. (AP) — Newly married and sworn as a Naval officer, Jimmy Carter left his tiny hometown in 1946 hoping to climb the ranks and see the world. Less than a decade later, the death of his father and namesake, a merchant farmer and local politician who went by “Mr. Earl,” prompted the submariner and his wife, Rosalynn, to return to the rural life of Plains, Georgia, they thought they’d escaped. The lieutenant never would be an admiral. Instead, he became commander in chief. Years after his presidency ended in humbling defeat, he would add a Nobel Peace Prize, awarded not for his White House accomplishments but “for his decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.” The life of James Earl Carter Jr., the 39th and longest-lived U.S. president, ended Sunday at the age of 100 where it began: Plains, the town of 600 that fueled his political rise, welcomed him after his fall and sustained him during 40 years of service that redefined what it means to be a former president. With the stubborn confidence of an engineer and an optimism rooted in his Baptist faith, Carter described his motivations in politics and beyond in the same way: an almost missionary zeal to solve problems and improve lives. Carter was raised amid racism, abject poverty and hard rural living — realities that shaped both his deliberate politics and emphasis on human rights. “He always felt a responsibility to help people,” said Jill Stuckey, a longtime friend of Carter's in Plains. “And when he couldn’t make change wherever he was, he decided he had to go higher.” Carter's path, a mix of happenstance and calculation , pitted moral imperatives against political pragmatism; and it defied typical labels of American politics, especially caricatures of one-term presidents as failures. “We shouldn’t judge presidents by how popular they are in their day. That's a very narrow way of assessing them," Carter biographer Jonathan Alter told the Associated Press. “We should judge them by how they changed the country and the world for the better. On that score, Jimmy Carter is not in the first rank of American presidents, but he stands up quite well.” Later in life, Carter conceded that many Americans, even those too young to remember his tenure, judged him ineffective for failing to contain inflation or interest rates, end the energy crisis or quickly bring home American hostages in Iran. He gained admirers instead for his work at The Carter Center — advocating globally for public health, human rights and democracy since 1982 — and the decades he and Rosalynn wore hardhats and swung hammers with Habitat for Humanity. Yet the common view that he was better after the Oval Office than in it annoyed Carter, and his allies relished him living long enough to see historians reassess his presidency. “He doesn’t quite fit in today’s terms” of a left-right, red-blue scoreboard, said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who visited the former president multiple times during his own White House bid. At various points in his political career, Carter labeled himself “progressive” or “conservative” — sometimes both at once. His most ambitious health care bill failed — perhaps one of his biggest legislative disappointments — because it didn’t go far enough to suit liberals. Republicans, especially after his 1980 defeat, cast him as a left-wing cartoon. It would be easiest to classify Carter as a centrist, Buttigieg said, “but there’s also something radical about the depth of his commitment to looking after those who are left out of society and out of the economy.” Indeed, Carter’s legacy is stitched with complexities, contradictions and evolutions — personal and political. The self-styled peacemaker was a war-trained Naval Academy graduate who promised Democratic challenger Ted Kennedy that he’d “kick his ass.” But he campaigned with a call to treat everyone with “respect and compassion and with love.” Carter vowed to restore America’s virtue after the shame of Vietnam and Watergate, and his technocratic, good-government approach didn't suit Republicans who tagged government itself as the problem. It also sometimes put Carter at odds with fellow Democrats. The result still was a notable legislative record, with wins on the environment, education, and mental health care. He dramatically expanded federally protected lands, began deregulating air travel, railroads and trucking, and he put human rights at the center of U.S. foreign policy. As a fiscal hawk, Carter added a relative pittance to the national debt, unlike successors from both parties. Carter nonetheless struggled to make his achievements resonate with the electorate he charmed in 1976. Quoting Bob Dylan and grinning enthusiastically, he had promised voters he would “never tell a lie.” Once in Washington, though, he led like a joyless engineer, insisting his ideas would become reality and he'd be rewarded politically if only he could convince enough people with facts and logic. This served him well at Camp David, where he brokered peace between Israel’s Menachem Begin and Epypt’s Anwar Sadat, an experience that later sparked the idea of The Carter Center in Atlanta. Carter's tenacity helped the center grow to a global force that monitored elections across five continents, enabled his freelance diplomacy and sent public health experts across the developing world. The center’s wins were personal for Carter, who hoped to outlive the last Guinea worm parasite, and nearly did. As president, though, the approach fell short when he urged consumers beleaguered by energy costs to turn down their thermostats. Or when he tried to be the nation’s cheerleader, beseeching Americans to overcome a collective “crisis of confidence.” Republican Ronald Reagan exploited Carter's lecturing tone with a belittling quip in their lone 1980 debate. “There you go again,” the former Hollywood actor said in response to a wonky answer from the sitting president. “The Great Communicator” outpaced Carter in all but six states. Carter later suggested he “tried to do too much, too soon” and mused that he was incompatible with Washington culture: media figures, lobbyists and Georgetown social elites who looked down on the Georgians and their inner circle as “country come to town.” Carter carefully navigated divides on race and class on his way to the Oval Office. Born Oct. 1, 1924 , Carter was raised in the mostly Black community of Archery, just outside Plains, by a progressive mother and white supremacist father. Their home had no running water or electricity but the future president still grew up with the relative advantages of a locally prominent, land-owning family in a system of Jim Crow segregation. He wrote of President Franklin Roosevelt’s towering presence and his family’s Democratic Party roots, but his father soured on FDR, and Jimmy Carter never campaigned or governed as a New Deal liberal. He offered himself as a small-town peanut farmer with an understated style, carrying his own luggage, bunking with supporters during his first presidential campaign and always using his nickname. And he began his political career in a whites-only Democratic Party. As private citizens, he and Rosalynn supported integration as early as the 1950s and believed it inevitable. Carter refused to join the White Citizens Council in Plains and spoke out in his Baptist church against denying Black people access to worship services. “This is not my house; this is not your house,” he said in a churchwide meeting, reminding fellow parishioners their sanctuary belonged to God. Yet as the appointed chairman of Sumter County schools he never pushed to desegregate, thinking it impractical after the Supreme Court’s 1954 Brown v. Board decision. And while presidential candidate Carter would hail the 1965 Voting Rights Act, signed by fellow Democrat Lyndon Johnson when Carter was a state senator, there is no record of Carter publicly supporting it at the time. Carter overcame a ballot-stuffing opponent to win his legislative seat, then lost the 1966 governor's race to an arch-segregationist. He won four years later by avoiding explicit mentions of race and campaigning to the right of his rival, who he mocked as “Cufflinks Carl” — the insult of an ascendant politician who never saw himself as part the establishment. Carter’s rural and small-town coalition in 1970 would match any victorious Republican electoral map in 2024. Once elected, though, Carter shocked his white conservative supporters — and landed on the cover of Time magazine — by declaring that “the time for racial discrimination is over.” Before making the jump to Washington, Carter befriended the family of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., whom he’d never sought out as he eyed the governor’s office. Carter lamented his foot-dragging on school integration as a “mistake.” But he also met, conspicuously, with Alabama's segregationist Gov. George Wallace to accept his primary rival's endorsement ahead of the 1976 Democratic convention. “He very shrewdly took advantage of his own Southerness,” said Amber Roessner, a University of Tennessee professor and expert on Carter’s campaigns. A coalition of Black voters and white moderate Democrats ultimately made Carter the last Democratic presidential nominee to sweep the Deep South. Then, just as he did in Georgia, he used his power in office to appoint more non-whites than all his predecessors had, combined. He once acknowledged “the secret shame” of white Americans who didn’t fight segregation. But he also told Alter that doing more would have sacrificed his political viability – and thus everything he accomplished in office and after. King's daughter, Bernice King, described Carter as wisely “strategic” in winning higher offices to enact change. “He was a leader of conscience,” she said in an interview. Rosalynn Carter, who died on Nov. 19 at the age of 96, was identified by both husband and wife as the “more political” of the pair; she sat in on Cabinet meetings and urged him to postpone certain priorities, like pressing the Senate to relinquish control of the Panama Canal. “Let that go until the second term,” she would sometimes say. The president, recalled her former aide Kathy Cade, retorted that he was “going to do what’s right” even if “it might cut short the time I have.” Rosalynn held firm, Cade said: “She’d remind him you have to win to govern.” Carter also was the first president to appoint multiple women as Cabinet officers. Yet by his own telling, his career sprouted from chauvinism in the Carters' early marriage: He did not consult Rosalynn when deciding to move back to Plains in 1953 or before launching his state Senate bid a decade later. Many years later, he called it “inconceivable” that he didn’t confer with the woman he described as his “full partner,” at home, in government and at The Carter Center. “We developed a partnership when we were working in the farm supply business, and it continued when Jimmy got involved in politics,” Rosalynn Carter told AP in 2021. So deep was their trust that when Carter remained tethered to the White House in 1980 as 52 Americans were held hostage in Tehran, it was Rosalynn who campaigned on her husband’s behalf. “I just loved it,” she said, despite the bitterness of defeat. Fair or not, the label of a disastrous presidency had leading Democrats keep their distance, at least publicly, for many years, but Carter managed to remain relevant, writing books and weighing in on societal challenges. He lamented widening wealth gaps and the influence of money in politics. He voted for democratic socialist Bernie Sanders over Hillary Clinton in 2016, and later declared that America had devolved from fully functioning democracy to “oligarchy.” Yet looking ahead to 2020, with Sanders running again, Carter warned Democrats not to “move to a very liberal program,” lest they help re-elect President Donald Trump. Carter scolded the Republican for his serial lies and threats to democracy, and chided the U.S. establishment for misunderstanding Trump’s populist appeal. He delighted in yearly convocations with Emory University freshmen, often asking them to guess how much he’d raised in his two general election campaigns. “Zero,” he’d gesture with a smile, explaining the public financing system candidates now avoid so they can raise billions. Carter still remained quite practical in partnering with wealthy corporations and foundations to advance Carter Center programs. Carter recognized that economic woes and the Iran crisis doomed his presidency, but offered no apologies for appointing Paul Volcker as the Federal Reserve chairman whose interest rate hikes would not curb inflation until Reagan's presidency. He was proud of getting all the hostages home without starting a shooting war, even though Tehran would not free them until Reagan's Inauguration Day. “Carter didn’t look at it” as a failure, Alter emphasized. “He said, ‘They came home safely.’ And that’s what he wanted.” Well into their 90s, the Carters greeted visitors at Plains’ Maranatha Baptist Church, where he taught Sunday School and where he will have his last funeral before being buried on family property alongside Rosalynn . Carter, who made the congregation’s collection plates in his woodworking shop, still garnered headlines there, calling for women’s rights within religious institutions, many of which, he said, “subjugate” women in church and society. Carter was not one to dwell on regrets. “I am at peace with the accomplishments, regret the unrealized goals and utilize my former political position to enhance everything we do,” he wrote around his 90th birthday. The politician who had supposedly hated Washington politics also enjoyed hosting Democratic presidential contenders as public pilgrimages to Plains became advantageous again. Carter sat with Buttigieg for the final time March 1, 2020, hours before the Indiana mayor ended his campaign and endorsed eventual winner Joe Biden. “He asked me how I thought the campaign was going,” Buttigieg said, recalling that Carter flashed his signature grin and nodded along as the young candidate, born a year after Carter left office, “put the best face” on the walloping he endured the day before in South Carolina. Never breaking his smile, the 95-year-old host fired back, “I think you ought to drop out.” “So matter of fact,” Buttigieg said with a laugh. “It was somehow encouraging.” Carter had lived enough, won plenty and lost enough to take the long view. “He talked a lot about coming from nowhere,” Buttigieg said, not just to attain the presidency but to leverage “all of the instruments you have in life” and “make the world more peaceful.” In his farewell address as president, Carter said as much to the country that had embraced and rejected him. “The struggle for human rights overrides all differences of color, nation or language,” he declared. “Those who hunger for freedom, who thirst for human dignity and who suffer for the sake of justice — they are the patriots of this cause.” Carter pledged to remain engaged with and for them as he returned “home to the South where I was born and raised,” home to Plains, where that young lieutenant had indeed become “a fellow citizen of the world.” —- Bill Barrow, based in Atlanta, has covered national politics including multiple presidential campaigns for the AP since 2012.
Delaware judge reaffirms ruling that invalidated massive Tesla pay package for Elon MuskBangladesh has called on Myanmar to address the ongoing crisis in the Rakhine state and its borders, stressing that it cannot engage in negotiations with non-state actors, such as the Arakan Army. Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain conveyed this message to Myanmar during an informal consultation held on Thursday in Thailand. During the meeting, Hossain also emphasised that peace and stability in the region would remain elusive without a resolution to the Rohingya crisis. Senior representatives from Bangladesh, Myanmar, India, China, Laos, and other nations attended the consultation focused on Myanmar. "I informed Myanmar that the border is no longer under your control. Non-state actors like the Arakan Army are controlling it. As a state, we cannot engage with them. Myanmar must find a way to resolve the issues related to the border and Rakhine," Hossain yesterday told reporters in the capital, sharing details of his discussions at the consultation. In reply, Myanmar said they are trying to regain control of the border. Hossain said that the meeting focused on a few key issues regarding Myanmar, including the border, drug trafficking, arms smuggling, human trafficking, and its political future. On Myanmar's political future, Hossain noted that all participants expressed support for its efforts to resolve internal issues and move forward. "Everyone said they would support Myanmar, and if they choose a federal structure, we will not intervene. But we want a resolution," Hossain said. The meeting on Thursday was chaired by Thailand's Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsar. The attendees included Myanmar's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister U Than Swe, Laos's Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, and China's Deputy Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu. Meanwhile, speaking as the chief guest at an international seminar in Dhaka yesterday, the foreign adviser said peace in Myanmar is crucial to unlocking the full potential of the Bay of Bengal and its surrounding countries and that peace cannot be achieved without solving the Rohingya crisis. "Peace and order will not be possible in Myanmar, and consequently in the region, unless the safe and secure return of Rohingyas to their homes," he said at the seminar titled "Reconnecting the Bay of Bengal Region: Exploring the Convergence of Interest," at the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) in the capital. Noting that a civil war situation is currently prevailing in Myanmar, he said at least 1.2 million Rohingyas, who have fled the Rakhine state facing extreme atrocities, have fled to Bangladesh in the last seven years. "There has been no progress in their repatriation and the situation is further complicated by a non-state actor, the Arakan Army, taking control of the entire border with Bangladesh," he said. "It is incumbent on Myanmar and the regional powers to create a congenial atmosphere for their return," said the foreign adviser. Supported by the Embassy of Japan, the BIISS, in collaboration with the Institute of Developing Economies (IDE-JETRO), hosted the international seminar. He said that the Bay of Bengal has emerged as a focal point of geopolitical and economic activity with its vast natural resources, crucial shipping routes, and potential for economic integration. Touhid said the countries surrounding the Bay and other stakeholders should align their diverse interests, "ensuring that the Bay of Bengal becomes a region of collaboration rather than conflict; a hub of connectivity rather than contention". He said the Bay has been historically a commercial and cultural hub. However, its strategic importance has grown immensely as it links South and Southeast Asia, two growing economic zones, to the global economy. "By fostering strategic partnerships, embracing a unified vision, and adopting innovative approaches, we can unlock the vast potential of this region, benefiting all stakeholders and creating a legacy of prosperity for future generations," he observed. He said Bangladesh is uniquely poised to become a regional transit hub and a key player in the global value chain with its strategic location and growing industrial base. "In order to unlock these possibilities, Bangladesh must address pressing challenges and seize emerging opportunities," the adviser said. He acknowledged that initiatives like the "Bay of Bengal Industrial Value Chain," championed by Japan, provide a blueprint for achieving this transformation by leveraging investment, technology, and labour. The adviser also lauded Japan's overall contribution to Bangladesh's development. Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Iwama Kiminori, BIISS Chairman Gousal Azam Sarkar and Director General Major General Iftekhar Anis, among others, spoke at the event. Responding to a question about a potential new influx of Rohingyas, Hossain said, though the government is concerned, he does not believe such an event is on the cards. Hossain reaffirmed Bangladesh's policy of not allowing any further Rohingya refugees to enter the country. However, he acknowledged that, under certain circumstances, Bangladesh had to accept 60,000 Rohingyas through various unofficial routes. "They are coming through multiple routes, making it very difficult to stop [the infiltrations]," Hossain said, adding that widespread corruption is making the task more difficult. Bangladesh has called on Myanmar to address the ongoing crisis in the Rakhine state and its borders, stressing that it cannot engage in negotiations with non-state actors, such as the Arakan Army. Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain conveyed this message to Myanmar during an informal consultation held on Thursday in Thailand. During the meeting, Hossain also emphasised that peace and stability in the region would remain elusive without a resolution to the Rohingya crisis. Senior representatives from Bangladesh, Myanmar, India, China, Laos, and other nations attended the consultation focused on Myanmar. "I informed Myanmar that the border is no longer under your control. Non-state actors like the Arakan Army are controlling it. As a state, we cannot engage with them. Myanmar must find a way to resolve the issues related to the border and Rakhine," Hossain yesterday told reporters in the capital, sharing details of his discussions at the consultation. In reply, Myanmar said they are trying to regain control of the border. Hossain said that the meeting focused on a few key issues regarding Myanmar, including the border, drug trafficking, arms smuggling, human trafficking, and its political future. On Myanmar's political future, Hossain noted that all participants expressed support for its efforts to resolve internal issues and move forward. "Everyone said they would support Myanmar, and if they choose a federal structure, we will not intervene. But we want a resolution," Hossain said. The meeting on Thursday was chaired by Thailand's Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsar. The attendees included Myanmar's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister U Than Swe, Laos's Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, and China's Deputy Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu. Meanwhile, speaking as the chief guest at an international seminar in Dhaka yesterday, the foreign adviser said peace in Myanmar is crucial to unlocking the full potential of the Bay of Bengal and its surrounding countries and that peace cannot be achieved without solving the Rohingya crisis. "Peace and order will not be possible in Myanmar, and consequently in the region, unless the safe and secure return of Rohingyas to their homes," he said at the seminar titled "Reconnecting the Bay of Bengal Region: Exploring the Convergence of Interest," at the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) in the capital. Noting that a civil war situation is currently prevailing in Myanmar, he said at least 1.2 million Rohingyas, who have fled the Rakhine state facing extreme atrocities, have fled to Bangladesh in the last seven years. "There has been no progress in their repatriation and the situation is further complicated by a non-state actor, the Arakan Army, taking control of the entire border with Bangladesh," he said. "It is incumbent on Myanmar and the regional powers to create a congenial atmosphere for their return," said the foreign adviser. Supported by the Embassy of Japan, the BIISS, in collaboration with the Institute of Developing Economies (IDE-JETRO), hosted the international seminar. He said that the Bay of Bengal has emerged as a focal point of geopolitical and economic activity with its vast natural resources, crucial shipping routes, and potential for economic integration. Touhid said the countries surrounding the Bay and other stakeholders should align their diverse interests, "ensuring that the Bay of Bengal becomes a region of collaboration rather than conflict; a hub of connectivity rather than contention". He said the Bay has been historically a commercial and cultural hub. However, its strategic importance has grown immensely as it links South and Southeast Asia, two growing economic zones, to the global economy. "By fostering strategic partnerships, embracing a unified vision, and adopting innovative approaches, we can unlock the vast potential of this region, benefiting all stakeholders and creating a legacy of prosperity for future generations," he observed. He said Bangladesh is uniquely poised to become a regional transit hub and a key player in the global value chain with its strategic location and growing industrial base. "In order to unlock these possibilities, Bangladesh must address pressing challenges and seize emerging opportunities," the adviser said. He acknowledged that initiatives like the "Bay of Bengal Industrial Value Chain," championed by Japan, provide a blueprint for achieving this transformation by leveraging investment, technology, and labour. The adviser also lauded Japan's overall contribution to Bangladesh's development. Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Iwama Kiminori, BIISS Chairman Gousal Azam Sarkar and Director General Major General Iftekhar Anis, among others, spoke at the event. Responding to a question about a potential new influx of Rohingyas, Hossain said, though the government is concerned, he does not believe such an event is on the cards. Hossain reaffirmed Bangladesh's policy of not allowing any further Rohingya refugees to enter the country. However, he acknowledged that, under certain circumstances, Bangladesh had to accept 60,000 Rohingyas through various unofficial routes. "They are coming through multiple routes, making it very difficult to stop [the infiltrations]," Hossain said, adding that widespread corruption is making the task more difficult.After a Snoop Dogg figurine and other merchandise was stolen from a St. Thomas games store earlier this week, its owners scored when their Facebook post motivated two shoplifters to return the items a day later. Marty Hancox, founder and co-owner of Fan of the Sport, was unpacking stock on Monday at the shop in the Elgin Centre shopping mall that sells sports memorabilia, trading cards and board games. He discovered a Pop Funko, a type of figurine depicting famous people and pop culture characters, was missing, said co-owner Dionne Turner, Hancox’s partner. After a search of the store failed to turn up the figurine of rapper Snoop Dogg, Hancox checked the store’s surveillance tapes, Turner said. The video showed that around 1:30 p.m., two females had pocketed the Snoop Dogg Pop Funko, a Pop Funko of X-Men character Wolverine, and a Toronto Maple Leafs coffee mug, Turner said. “I said, ‘I’m posting this online because we’ve had issues before,’” she said. “The police, they try to help, but there’s only so much they can do . . . and that’s how it all started.” This time, rather than contacting police, Turner and Hancox decided to post a video and several still images of the two females who had pocketed about $80 worth of merchandise to the store’s Facebook page around 4 p.m. on Monday, Turner said. Both Hancox and Turner said it wasn’t the cost of the items that motivated the post. Hancox said it was “more the principle of they took stuff” with Turner noting money is “out of our pocket ,too.” “We didn’t really like it, to kind of shame them on Facebook, but I thought, we’ll give it a try, and sure enough within 24 hours they contacted us,” Hancox said. He believes the pair were likely “getting pressure from family and friends” who saw their picture, he said. Turner said the two females returned the stolen property on Tuesday evening, and that the names of the shoplifters were never learned, nor were there were hard feelings. “I thanked them for bringing this stuff back,” Turner said, and told them she was “really impressed because it took a lot of guts to come in here and face me.” “We don’t care what their names are, we’re just happy we got our items back,” Hancox said. A spokesperson from the St. Thomas police stated by email that a property crime analyst with the department called shoplifters returning stolen property “very rare.” Turner said the shoplifters had mentioned they were having difficulty affording Christmas gifts, which she empathized with, but “they just went the wrong way about it. “I didn’t want them to get ostracized because everybody knew who they (are) now,” Turner said. “We got this stuff back, we’re going to drop it (and) hopefully they learned their lesson.” The post with the video and images of the shoplifters was removed and another was uploaded to Fan of the Sport’s Facebook page giving thanks to the pair for returning the stolen property and thanking customers and friends for sharing the post. The post has received an outpouring of support and even some kudos to the pair who returned the items. “Glad they came in and had a civil conversation and apologized,” wrote Facebook user Rebecaa Seeley. Tammy Crosby wrote: “That’s amazing news! That takes a lot of accountability on their part. Well done.” Turner appreciated the compassion for the two women as well. “I got teary eyed when I was reading the comments,” she said. “I was really, really impressed that everybody kind of supported them and agreed.”
Researchers, advocacy group team up to map Surrey's toxic drug crisis
Celebrities can spark change when they speak up about their healthThe Apple iOS 18 has been rolled out and it brings some important features including call recording, hiding apps and much more. Well, as users are installing the latest update there has been reports of battery draining issue. Battery draining issue is a massive issue and if you are one of those who are facing it, you should not worry about that. We have mentioned some hacks through which you can improve the battery health on your iPhone (post iOS 18 update) Have you ever wondered that a mere restart can fix a lot of things? Yes! You read it right. If you are facing battery draining issue after applying Apple iOS 18 on your iPhone, you can restart it and the issue might get fixed. Simultaneously press and hold the side button and either volume button. After some seconds you can see the sliders. Now, drag the slider to right in order to turn off the iPhone. Just wait for 30 seconds or 1 minute and then start the device. In case you are facing the issue of battery drainage on your device post the iOS 18 update, you can simply relax and let your device finish the background processing. Post a new update, the device takes some time to finish background processing and you need not worry if you face the issue of battery. If you are using an older iPhone and facing battery drainage post iOS 18 update, you should ensure whether you battery is alright or not. Open Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging In case the maximum capacity is more than 80% there are no issues. However, if the battery capacity falls below 80% you might need to be worried. You can ensure that you device will keep good battery health if you avoid battery draining issue on your iPhone. In order to check which application is draining you battery health massively, you have to go to the settings and find that. If you find an app that is unused, simply uninstall it. In case you have an app that is used on regular basis and consuming a lot of battery you can update it. Updating your existing application can work wonders. An updated can save you from the issue of battery drainage. Making sure that all the apps are up-to-date can save you from battery drainage issue.
( MENAFN - media OutReach Newswire) HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 30 December 2024 - AS Watson Group and Al-Futtaim Group jointly announce the opening of Watsons' new flagship store at City Centre Bahrain Mall, signifying the Watsons' entry into a new market alongside the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and Qatar. This also marks the third store opening in three months in Bahrain, strengthening its presence across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Strategic Market, Huge Potential Bahrain is one of the six countries of the GCC, presenting a dynamic and potential market with a surging demand for health and beauty products, driven by a predominantly young population – over two-thirds of Bahrainis are under the age of 35 – who are pursuing high-quality products. Increased awareness of beauty trends, influenced by social media and lifestyle shifts, has led customers to greater spending on personal grooming. As a trusted beauty expert, Watsons is well-positioned to bring world-class brands and products that meet their needs, ensuring a seamless O+O (Offline plus Online) customer experience while celebrating and enhancing Arabic beauty. With a projected market growth of USD38.8 million at a compound annual growth rate of 5% from 2024 to 2029, Bahrain presents an exciting opportunity for Watsons as part of its expansion strategy. Dr. Malina Ngai, Group CEO of AS Watson Group , expressed her excitement about this milestone, "The expansion of Watsons health and beauty retail experience into Bahrain is an important milestone in our commitment in the GCC region. Just as important, this new flagship store further strengthens our partnership with Al-Futtaim Group to serve customers in this vibrant region where high-quality beauty and health products are increasingly in demand." Mr. Simon Naga, V ice President of Al-Futtaim Group , emphasised the strategic importance of this expansion, "The opening of our flagship Watsons store in Bahrain is a testament to our commitment to enhancing customer experiences across the region. As we continue to expand our footprint in the GCC market, we focus on delivering innovative retail solutions that meet the evolving needs of consumers." Watsons is "Where Beauty Comes to Shine" The 200-square-meter flagship store leverages Bahrain's strategic location in the Gulf, showcasing over 200 local and international brands across meticulously designed zones. Key areas include the innovative Derma Zone, which features internationally-renowned products alongside personalised skincare recommendations, and the enticing Skincare Zone, where customers can explore popular K-beauty and J-beauty brands. Additionally, the store includes a chic Makeup Zone and Sustainable Zone, each thoughtfully tailored to meet a diverse range of customer needs. As Watsons continues to expand, it remains committed to delivering exceptional customer experiences and high-quality products that empower customers to Look Good, Do Good, and Feel Great. MENAFN29122024003551001712ID1109040284 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Mind on Money: Time for a deeper look at Bitcoin
Rams claim CB Emmanuel Forbes off waivers from Washington
COMMENT AI use by law enforcement to identify suspects is already problematic enough, but civil liberties groups have a new problem to worry about: the technology being employed to draft police reports. The American Civil Liberties Union published a report this week detailing its concerns with law enforcement tech provider Axon's Draft One , a ChatGPT-based system that translates body camera recordings into drafts of police reports that officers need only edit and flesh out to ostensibly save them time spent on desk work. Given the importance of police reports to investigations and prosecutions and the unreliability already noted in other forms of law enforcement AI, the ACLU has little faith that Draft One will avoid leading to potential civil rights violations and civil liberty issues. "Police reports play a crucial role in our justice system," ACLU speech, privacy and technology senior policy analyst and report author Jay Stanley wrote. "Concerns include the unreliability and biased nature of AI, evidentiary and memory issues when officers resort to this technology, and issues around transparency. "In the end, we do not think police departments should use this technology," Stanley concluded. It's worth pointing out that Axon doesn't have the best reputation when it comes to thinking critically about innovations: Most of the company's ethics board resigned in 2022 when Axon announced plans to equip remote-control drones with tasers. Axon later paused the program following public blow-back. Draft One , however, has already been in the hands of US law enforcement agencies since it was launched in April. It's not clear how many agencies are using Draft One, and Axon didn't respond to questions for this story. This vulture can personally attest to the misery that is writing police reports. In my time as a Military Policeman in the US Army, I spent plenty of time on shifts writing boring, formulaic, and necessarily granular reports on incidents, and it was easily the worst part of my job. I can definitely sympathize with police in the civilian world, who deal with far worse - and more frequent - crimes than I had to address on small bases in South Korea. That said, I've also had a chance to play with modern AI and report on many of its shortcomings, and the ACLU seems to definitely be on to something in Stanley's report. After all, if we can't even trust AI to write something as legally low-stakes as news or a bug report , how can we trust it to do decent police work? LLMs, while amazingly advanced at imitating human writing, are prone to unpredictable errors [that] may be compounded by transcription errors, including those resulting from garbled or otherwise unclear audio in a body camera video That's one of the ACLU's prime concerns, especially given report drafts are being compiled from body camera recordings that are often low-quality and hard to hear clearly. "LLMs, while amazingly advanced at imitating human writing, are prone to unpredictable errors [that] may be compounded by transcription errors, including those resulting from garbled or otherwise unclear audio in a body camera video," Stanley noted. In an ideal world, Stanley added, police would be carefully reviewing AI-generated drafts, but that very well may not be the case. The report notes that Draft One includes a feature that can intentionally insert silly sentences into AI-produced drafts as a test to ensure officers are thoroughly reviewing and revising the drafts. However, Axon's CEO mentioned in a video about Draft One that most agencies are choosing not to enable this feature. The ACLU also points out privacy issues with using a large language model to process body camera footage: That's sensitive police data, so who exactly is going to be handling it? According to Axon's website, all Draft One data, including camera transcripts and draft reports, are "securely stored and managed within the Axon Network," but there's no indication of what that network entails. Despite Microsoft's insistence that police aren't allowed to use Azure AI for face recognition , that apparently doesn't apply to letting an AI write police reports, as Axon indicated in an April press release that Draft One "was built on top of Microsoft's Azure OpenAI Service platform." Not exactly confidence inspiring given Microsoft's and Azure's security track record of late. "When a user (such as Axon) uploads a document or enters a prompt, both of those are transmitted to the LLM's operator (such as OpenAI), and what that operator does with that information is not subject to any legal privacy protections," the ACLU report states. "Axon claims here that 'no customer [ie, police] data is going to OpenAI,' but normally in order to have an LLM like ChatGPT analyze a block of text such as the transcript of a bodycam video, you normally send that text to the company running the LLM, like OpenAI, so I'm not sure how that would work in the case of Draft One," Stanley told The Register in an emailed statement. We've asked Axon where data is processed and stored, but again, we haven't heard back. If OpenAI isn't getting access, Microsoft may be, at the very least. The ACLU is also concerned that using AI to write police reports lacks transparency, especially if the modified version of ChatGPT used as the basis of Draft One has system prompts instructing it to behave in a certain way, which it likely does like most LLMs. "That's an example of the kind of element of an AI tool that ought to be public," the ACLU report argued. "If it's not, a police AI system could well contain an instruction such as, 'Make sure that the narrative is told in a way that doesn't portray the officer as violating the Constitution.'" We've asked Axon for a look at Draft One's system prompts. "This elasticity of human memory is why we believe it's vital that officers give their statement about what took place in an incident before they are allowed to see any video or other evidence," the ACLU stated in the report. Draft One bypasses that issue by generating a draft report primarily based on audio captured by body cameras, which officers ideally should not rely on exclusively to provide their own testimony. If an officer reviewing an AI-generated report notices, for example, that something illegal they did wasn't captured by their camera, they never need to testify to that fact in their report. Conversely, if an officer lacked probable cause to detain or arrest a suspect, but their camera picks up audio in the background that justifies their action, then post-hoc probable cause could again disguise police misconduct. "The body camera video and the police officer's memory are two separate pieces of evidence," Stanley wrote. "But if the police report is just an AI rehash of the body camera video, then you no longer have two separate pieces of evidence - you have one, plus a derivative summary of it." Along with potentially assisting police to cover up misconduct or create after-the-fact justifications for illegal actions, the ACLU also pointed out another issue identified by American University law professor Andrew Guthrie Ferguson: It makes them less accountable for their actions. In a paper written earlier this year covering many of the same concerns raised by the ACLU, and cited as inspiration for its report, Ferguson pointed out that making police officers write reports can serve as a disciplinary check on their use of power. Police have to justify the use of discretionary power in reports, which Ferguson and the ACLU pointed out serves as a way to remind them of the legal limits of their authority. "A shift to AI-drafted police reports would sweep away these important internal roles that reports play within police departments and within the minds of officers," the ACLU wrote. "This is an additional reason to be skeptical of this technology." At the end of the day, some police are using this technology now, though Stanley believes its use is likely confined to only a few agencies around the US. Axon isn't the only company offering similar products either, with Policereports.ai and Truleo both offering similar services. The ACLU told us it's not aware of any cases involving the use of AI police reports that have been used to prosecute a defendant, so we have yet to see these reports stand up to the legal scrutiny of a courtroom. ®The gifts are half-wrapped (or half-bought!), one string of lights on the tree is out and the stockings have not yet been hung by the chimney with care. And somewhere on the ever-growing to-do list is the dish you promised to bring to Christmas dinner. With just a few days left to throw something together, that realization can be panic-inducing. But never fear! With a quick trip to the store for just a few ingredients, it’s possible to whip up something tasty and festive at the last minute. Easy-to-make appetizers, simple sides and impressive desserts are just a few steps away with these ideas. For a no-fuss way to fancy up a staple side, Dan Robinson, former chef and owner of Kaleidoscope Cafe in Lawrenceville, said “loaded mashed potatoes” are a great option. “Leave the skins on and fold in bacon and cheese and sour cream when you mash,” he said. Robinson also said to not be afraid of the freezer aisle of your local grocery store when it comes to sides. “Frozen riced cauliflower is fast and can be flavored in numerous ways,” he said. Heating up cauliflower rice and then adding in savory flavorings — such as roasted garlic and shredded Parmesan cheese or sauteed mushrooms — can elevate a side that only took a few minutes to prepare (and no one has to know it wasn’t made from scratch). It doesn’t get easier — or more crowd-pleasing — than wrapping something in bacon and calling it a day. In the case of Erin Alvarez, a local food blogger also known as The Almond Eater’s favorite appetizers, those things are dates. The recipe requires only three things: bacon, dates and brown sugar. Just take 24 pitted dates, wrap them each in a slice of bacon, dust with brown sugar and secure with a toothpick. Then bake at 375 for 12 minutes — turning once for even cooking — or until the bacon is cooked through. For something “merry and bright,” Sausalido’s chef/owner/inventor Nick Mineo recommends a salty-sweet vegetable side. He said to wash two pounds of Brussels sprouts and cut them in half, then toss with olive oil. After roasting at 375 for 40 minutes, mix in two cups of dried cranberries for a sweet, zesty note. For a unique flavor, he advised his own spice blend, Energy Salt, which is available online at sausalido.net and at several local retailers, including Labriola’s, Soergel Orchards and Strip District Meats. It contains some fragrant and delicious additions that work well with the sprouts and cranberries. “The ginger, turmeric and black pepper actually make you feel better and give you a boost of natural energy that you need this holiday season,” Mineo said. Alvarez has a delicious addition to your table of holiday pies. Her gingerbread pie has only five steps — and you can use a store-bought pie crust to simplify even more. The filling is eggs, brown sugar, milk, molasses, melted butter, cornstarch and warming spices (cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and ginger). It takes 30 minutes to bake and can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge until it’s carted to your family dinner. It’s topped with homemade whipped cream (but no one will tell if you use store-bought). Alvarez said that the pie is “a smooth, silky texture that tastes like gingerbread ... it’s both light and decadent.” Find the full recipe at thealmondeater.com/gingerbread-pie. For something else simple to make in big batches, Robinson recommended bread pudding, “because of the infinite flavors that can be applied to a very simple formula.” Bread pudding can be made with so many different things: leftover bread, croissants and sturdier pastries. Plus, he said, you can add in frozen, canned or dried fruit so that you don’t have to do any chopping. Chopped nuts and chocolate chips are also common in bread puddings and are easy to measure by the handful and toss in. He’s made combinations like bourbon cherry — using chocolate donuts and dried cherries; peanut butter and banana; and apple chai. “Throw stuff together and hold it together using a basic custard,” he said. Basic custard for bread pudding uses one egg for every cup of liquid (milk or half-and-half, but you can add in some bourbon or rum for flavor), and four ounces of whatever bread or pastry you’re using for every egg and cup of liquid. Make sure to leave some time for the bread to soak up the custard before throwing it in the oven at 350 for at least half an hour, checking for doneness by inserting a knife and seeing if it comes out clean. Make ahead or day of your event — just warm up a little before serving. Alvarez also suggested another dessert that can be made ahead — chocolate peanut butter fudge. It only has five ingredients: sweetened condensed milk, butter, chocolate, peanut butter and vanilla extract. Many Christmas cookie bakers may already have those staples sitting around, and it’s a super-simple recipe: just melt together the chocolate, melted butter, condensed milk and vanilla, pour into an 8x8 pan, and swirl in the peanut butter. Then refrigerate (or pop into the freezer for 30 minutes, if you don’t have much time). See the full recipe at thealmondeater.com/chocolate-peanut-butter-fudge . Amanda Bacharach, executive sous chef at The Porch at Schenley in Oakland, has an idea for those looking to get a little bit creative. She recommended baking cupcakes and craftily decorating them with fun, seasonal flourishes. For example, inverting an ice cream cone so it’s pointed up on top of a cupcake and then covering it with green frosting will make it look like a Christmas tree. “One year, I did white covered with sprinkles for snow,” she said. It’s also less of a mess when it comes to dishes and makes serving simple, and it’s a unique dessert that will stand out on a dessert table laden with typical holiday fare. “If you don’t like apple pie or you don’t like pumpkin pie, it’s something a little different,” she said. Peppermint cupcakes decorated with candy canes and hot chocolate cupcakes with marshmallow frosting are popular options. Mineo has catered about 150 holiday parties this year alone, and he had some general tips for those stressing about their culinary contributions: remember the reason for the season. “The best advice I could give is keep it simple,” he said. “Remember why you’re celebrating. Don’t let the anxiety of planning the event ruin the ultimate picture of what you’re trying to do, and that’s gather with people and spread holiday cheer.”
Will Howard put the rose in his mouth, smiled, flexed for the cameras and ran to his offensive line for a picture. After thanking the unit for keeping him upright throughout the game — Ohio State did not allow a sack — the Buckeyes quarterback ran to do an interview with ESPN. Then, he had one more stop before heading to the locker room — the student section to celebrate Ohio State’s 42-17 win over Tennessee in the first round of the College Football Playoff. It was pure joy and excitement for the Kansas State transfer who came to Ohio State to play in games like this. He came to Ohio State to win a national championship, raise his NFL Draft stock and share the moments with his family along the way. GO DEEPER Mandel's Final Thoughts: Are CFP first-round blowouts the committee's fault? He had plenty of reasons to celebrate. In the biggest game of his short Ohio State career, he completed 24 of 29 passes for 311 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. It was one of Howard’s best games of the season, and the seventh time he completed at least 80 percent of his attempts — an Ohio State record. Advertisement Howard was one of many Buckeyes who shined on the big stage. Jeremiah Smith , the national freshman of the year by many outlets, caught six passes for 103 yards and two touchdowns. Emeka Egbuka had five receptions for 81 yards. And running backs TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins each had two rushing touchdowns. Chess not Checkers. pic.twitter.com/chf6OEtiZR — Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) December 22, 2024 After weeks of hearing how bad the offense was in the 13-10 loss to Michigan , Ohio State let everything loose against Tennessee and showed exactly why it has been referred to as the most talented team in the country. Ohio State had four receivers catch a pass on Saturday, all of them former five-star recruits — Smith, Egbuka, Carnell Tate and Brandon Inniss , who had a 6-yard reception with the backups. Henderson, too, was a five-star recruit, and Judkins has turned into one of the best running backs in the country. Bottom line: Ohio State was more talented than Tennessee, but for the first time this season — in a big game — the Buckeyes took advantage of their talent gap and left no doubt about the result. It was clear from the start that the coaching staff was punching all of the right buttons. “We called this game more aggressively, there’s no doubt about that,” coach Ryan Day said. “But we also did some things in this game that maximized what we had in our strengths and minimized our deficiencies.” Howard was thrilled with the game plan. “You saw. It was a pretty good game,” he said when asked what excited him about the coach’s plan to attack Tennessee. It was more than “pretty good.” It was Ohio State’s best offensive game since the loss to Oregon . Ohio State scored 42 points and averaged 7.4 yards per play and 4.7 yards per rushing attempt against a Tennessee defense that ranks in the top 10 nationally in all three categories. Advertisement Ohio State jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter, scoring on its first three possessions — drives of 75 68 and 58 yards. The start made people wonder where this offense was in the last game against Michigan, and also the week before that against Indiana , when the Buckeyes had their two lowest yardage outputs of the season. Day knew they didn’t play well in those games and something had to change. “We got the punt return and a turnover in the red zone, but we really didn’t play great on offense against Indiana, to be honest,” Day said. “Then (we) went into the last game and we still didn’t know the ramifications with what was going on based on what we had going on up front.” What changed? Well, Ohio State was much more aggressive, both in its play calling and also its play on the field. Ohio State has been criticized for being soft and a team that plays uptight at times. That wasn’t the case on Saturday, and it was evident from the start. “For three weeks, everyone in the world was telling us we sucked,” offensive lineman Donovan Jackson said. “Half the fan base was telling us we sucked. Almost every analyst, expert and anyone with a podcast was telling us we sucked. We took it personally. That’s not how we were going to go out. ... We went out there and played with our hair on fire, that was the message all week.” The Buckeyes scored on a 75-yard drive to open the game. Four of the five plays were passes, including a 37-yard touchdown toss to Smith. That drive set the tone for the rest of the game and sent a message to Tennessee. “It was the execution,” Day said. “There were a lot of things in that last game we look back on that we didn’t execute very well. There were things we needed to do better (with) scheme, but we also needed to execute. ... There was a confidence coming out of that first quarter, but even in warm-ups you could feel it. There was a confidence that built in practice.” Advertisement When Ohio State plays with that level of confidence, and aggression, it’s not just an offense that’s hard to stop — it’s a complete team that has the potential to win a national championship. The defense, which had been an issue for some of Day’s previous teams, hasn’t given up more than two touchdowns in a game since the Oct. 12 loss to Oregon. There was pressure on the offense to step up and prove it could produce in a big game. Michigan might have been the wake-up call that this offense — and its coaches — needed. On Saturday, the Buckeyes reminded everyone that they possess the best set of skill players in the country. And when they are aggressive and play loose, they’re hard to stop. “Getting the ball in our playmaker’s hands is huge, in space,” Howard said. “Giving those guys opportunities to get in space and do what they do is huge. We did a heck of a job with that tonight.” (Photo: Joseph Maiorana / Imagn Images)
First Nations sound alarm about mysterious and smelly discharge flowing into the Hope Slough