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Databricks nears record $9.5 billion VC raise, eyes extra $4.5 billion debtATLANTA (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. As reaction poured in from around the world, President Joe Biden mourned Carter’s death, saying the world lost an “extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian” and he lost a dear friend. Biden cited Carter’s compassion and moral clarity, his work to eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil and human rights, promote free and fair elections, house the homeless and advocacy for the disadvantaged as an example for others. “To all of the young people in this nation and for anyone in search of what it means to live a life of purpose and meaning – the good life – study Jimmy Carter, a man of principle, faith, and humility,” Biden said in a statement. “He showed that we are a great nation because we are a good people – decent and honorable, courageous and compassionate, humble and strong.” Biden said he is ordering a state funeral for Carter in Washington. 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.” Sanz is a former Associated Press reporter.Is There a Dune: Prophecy Episode 7 Release Date or Part 2? By Curious about the of or if the series has concluded? Set 10,000 years before Dune trilogy, it follows two Harkonnen sisters facing threats to humanity and establishing the Bene Gesserit sect. Fans are eager for updates on a potential or clarity on the series’ ending. Let’s explore the possibilities for new episodes or if the current season has wrapped up. Is there a Dune: Prophecy Episode 7 release date and time? HBO’s renowned series Dune: Prophecy is a captivating sci-fi drama created by Diane Ademu-John. Season 1 debuted on November 17, 2024, and concluded on December 22, 2024, with 6 episodes. Given the finite ending of the sixth episode, there won’t be a seventh one for the time being. In the gripping finale titled “The High-Handed Enemy,” Tula grapples with Desmond’s true identity, while the acolytes stumble upon a heartbreaking secret that the Sisterhood has kept hidden for years. At the same time, Valya puts her plan into action to help Ynez escape, leading to an intense showdown with the increasingly formidable Desmond. Will there be a Dune: Prophecy Part 2 with more episodes? Season 1 of Dune: Prophecy follows Valya and Tula Harkonnen as they lead the Bene Gesserit Sisterhood, trying to make their mark on the Imperium’s politics. But things get complicated when Desmond Hart shows up with mysterious powers and stands against the Sisterhood. The season wraps up with a shocking showdown that leads to a major death, leaving a power vacuum in its wake. Following the first season’s end, fans have a ton of questions, thanks to its cliffhanger ending, especially with the Sisterhood facing threats from both inside and out. Everyone’s buzzing about whether Dune: Prophecy will get a Season 2. Luckily, fans can rejoice the show is on HBO and Max. The network decided to renew it just days before the Season 1 finale. The cast of Dune: Prophecy includes , , Travis Fimmel, Jodhi May, Tabu, Sarah-Sofie Boussnina, Chloe Lea, Chris Mason, Shalom Brune-Franklin, Mark Strong, Jade Anouka, and many more. While waiting for the second season, viewers can catch up on all the episodes of Dune: Prophecy Season 1 streaming now on HBO and Max. Ayesha, an SEO Content Writer/Editor for Coming Soon. With a degree in Social work, she has been creating content as a Digital marketer for the last 3 years. Recently, Ayesha has taken up skincare as a hobby on Instagram, where she shares budget-friendly skincare routines along with quick and simple tips and tricks. To get in touch with her, make sure to follow her on Instagram. Share articleCanadian Dollar’S Tumble: A Perfect Storm Brews
A Solana investor who has held their position for four years recently achieved a remarkable 12,343% return on investment. This milestone has caught the attention of the crypto market, particularly with the investor reinvesting in a new contender expected to deliver comparable results within just four months. Rexas Finance (RXS) emerges as the favored choice, offering a groundbreaking tokenization model that bridges real-world assets and blockchain technology. The Rise of Rexas Finance RXS Rexas Finance stands out as a leader in real-world asset (RWA) tokenization, enabling seamless integration of physical assets into blockchain networks. The platform transforms how individuals and institutions acquire, own, and manage assets, such as real estate, gold, and fine art. Through its unique system, investors can acquire fractional ownership of assets, democratizing access to traditionally exclusive markets. Rexas Finance simplifies investing in high-value markets, such as real estate and commodities, through fractional ownership. An investor from Asia, for instance, can own a fraction of a restaurant in Europe, earning passive income from rentals or profit-sharing without significant upfront capital. This approach removes barriers like high entry costs and liquidity challenges, making asset investment accessible to a broader audience. Real estate tokenization—the platform’s flagship feature—is especially impactful, targeting a market valued in the trillions. Comprehensive Ecosystem Tools Key features of Rexas Finance include: Rexas Token Builder: A tool enabling users to tokenize assets like real estate, commodities, or stocks, creating liquidity and expanding investment opportunities. QuickMint Bot: Available on Telegram and Discord, this bot facilitates rapid token minting across Ethereum and other EVM-compatible blockchains. 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Rexas Finance’s credibility is further bolstered by its CertiK audit and listings on CoinMarketCap and CoinGecko. These endorsements not only validate the project’s security and compliance but also enhance visibility among crypto enthusiasts, traders, and institutional investors. The platform’s plans to debut on three top-tier exchanges add another layer of anticipation for its future. A New Contender in the Crypto Market The decision to reinvest in Rexas Finance reflects growing confidence in its innovative approach to tokenization. By addressing long-standing issues in asset management, such as illiquidity and inaccessibility, RXS positions itself as a transformative force in the crypto market. Its ability to integrate traditional asset classes into blockchain networks is not merely a theoretical promise but an operational reality, with tools and infrastructure already in place. Investors eyeing substantial returns are drawn to the platform’s potential to deliver exponential growth. Beyond real estate, Rexas Finance tokenizes commodities and art, unlocking value across diverse markets. For instance, the global commodities market, estimated at $121.2 trillion, represents a vast opportunity for fractional ownership. Similarly, tokenized art offers liquidity and accessibility in a market previously dominated by high-net-worth individuals. 🔥 $RXS Presale Stage 10 Sold Out 🔥 We’re excited to announce that Rexas Finance Presale Stage 10 has been sold out! ✅ Presale Stage 11 is now live, with the price per token increasing to $0.175 🚀 Don’t miss your chance to get in early! ⭐️ Buy Now: https://t.co/tNJAsvBiYe ... pic.twitter.com/6lg1WFwnkH Conclusion The extraordinary success of the Solana investor underscores the potential of early and strategic crypto investments. Rexas Finance, with its focus on real-world asset tokenization and a robust ecosystem, stands poised to replicate—if not surpass—these returns in a shorter timeframe. As the RXS presale progresses and anticipation builds for its official launch, the platform’s innovative model continues to attract attention from both seasoned and new investors. For more information about Rexas Finance (RXS) visit the links below: Website: https://rexas.com Win $1 Million Giveaway: https://bit.ly/Rexas1M Whitepaper: https://rexas.com/rexas-whitepaper.pdf Twitter/X: https://x.com/rexasfinance Telegram: https://t.me/rexasfinance 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.
‘Cult of Love’ Review: Shailene Woodley and Barbie Ferreira Make Their Broadway Debuts in Leslye Headland’s Electric Family DramaArticle content British Columbians will be saving less than many other Canadians with the federal government’s GST/HST tax break. The holiday relief from federal sales tax, announced Thursday, applies to the GST or HST on grocery items, restaurant meals, some alcoholic beverages, children’s clothing and toys, print newspapers and Christmas trees from Dec. 14 to Feb. 15. The tax break is expected to save Canadians about $1.6 billion over two months. But British Columbians — who pay five per cent GST and seven per cent provincial sales tax at the till — are going to be saving only the GST on qualifying items while still paying the PST. Meanwhile, consumers in the five provinces that have an HST will save 13 or 15 per cent on their purchases. The harmonized sales tax, or HST, is collected by the federal government, which then sends the provincial share to the respective provincial governments. It would be up to the B.C. government to remove its PST if it chooses to do so. Postmedia News reached out to Premier David Eby’s office to ask if the province plans to cut the PST over the holidays, but did not receive a response. In a news release outlining the savings, the federal Finance Department said a family in B.C. who spent $2,000 on qualifying items would save about $100 over the two months. But a family in Ontario that spent $2,000 on the same basket of goods would get about $260 in savings, more than double the B.C. tax break, because Ontario has a 13 per cent HST. “The issue with the HST is that it would have been very difficult to only charge the provincial component,” said Steeve Mongrain, an economics professor at Simon Fraser University. Instead, Ottawa would likely strike a deal with provinces with HST. “In Ontario, for example, I don’t know what agreement they have. Would the federal government absorb and remit the provincial share to the province, or is the province willing to join in and face the fiscal burden of giving up the tax (revenue)?” New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt appeared surprised by the federal announcement, telling CBC News the tax cut could cost her province $62 million in revenue. She said she expected Ottawa to “help keep us whole.” Carson Binda, B.C. director with the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, said he believes the federal government will need to reimburse at least some of the provinces for lost HST revenue after examining its tax agreements with them. But B.C. would likely not be reimbursed if it removed its PST. “That’s a problem because B.C. is the epicentre of the affordability crisis,” he said. Five provinces in Canada use the HST — Ontario, Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. B.C. adopted the single-tax HST in 2010, but reverted to separate GST and PST three years later after a thin majority voted to scrap the HST in a binding provincewide referendum in 2011. Binda said B.C.’s large deficit may have “eroded the province’s ability to be flexible to match the federal tax cut. Fiscal irresponsibility has consequences.” He would rather have seen the federal government make permanent tax cuts, or halt expected tax increases, like the carbon tax increase. “Tax cuts, not just temporary holidays, are the solution,” he said. “This is a Band-Aid.” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also announced Ottawa will be distributing a $250 cheque next spring to every Canadian who earned less than $150,000 a year. The rebate is expected to be distributed to 18.7 million Canadians before the next election. The rebate makes better sense than the temporary GST/HST tax break, said Mongrain. The tax break is difficult for retailers — who have to adjust till programming, among other things — and opens the door to tax evasion by shady businesses who may mislabel items. The selection of items that qualify for the tax break also seems arbitrary, he said. “Garments are fine, but not things exclusively for sports. Beer under seven per cent is exempted, but not if it’s more than that. Wine is, but not spirits. I’d love to have been in that room when they were trying to decide what’s exempted.” Many items that will receive a GST break are already exempt from B.C.’s PST, including books, newspapers, children’s clothing, child car seats and basic groceries, including restaurant meals, while others, like artificial Christmas trees and toys, are not. The B.C. government has promised a $1,000 tax cut for the average family every year, starting with a direct rebate next year. Greg Wilson, B.C. director of government relations for the Retail Council of Canada, said news of the tax holiday is generally positive because retail sales have been “a bit soft” in B.C. While numbers have been flat or slightly up in terms of dollar amounts, the number of transactions is down. “If consumers have more money in their pockets, we look at that as a positive,” he said. But the two-month GST exemption will create extra work for retailers, who must either take off the GST on all applicable items in the next three weeks, or pay the company that manages their point of sale system to do it, not just once, but twice, when GST needs to be added again in February. Large retailers typically schedule price changes months in advance, so the tax break will be a scramble at an already a busy time. “But if consumers have more money to spend, how can retailers be upset?” he said. Wilson said there will also be some quirks to work out, similar to those that already exist around PST exemptions. Food merchants will need to figure out which foods are snacks and which are staples, while liquor retailers will need to examine the alcohol content of individual types and brands of beer to see if they exceed seven per cent. “There’s a lot of nuance,” he said. “It will be hard for small businesses that will need to do this themselves.” Wilson said he would have preferred to tax cuts with a lasting impact. He also wondered if people would delay their Christmas shopping to avoid paying GST on some items and risk not being able to find them in stock after Dec. 15. Mongrain said consumers will welcome the tax break during the holiday season, but he thinks the GST/HST break is more a political move than efficient economics. He said he’d have preferred seeing two rounds of the $250 rebate instead. “This looks like a great thing, but what is it going to accomplish versus just sending a cheque to people?” chchan@postmedia.com gluymes@postmedia.com
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Jimmy Carter, the United States’ longest-lived president, was never afraid of speaking his mind. Forthright and fearless, the Nobel Prize winner took pot-shots at former prime minister Tony Blair and ex-US president George W Bush among others. His death came after repeated bouts of illness in which images of the increasingly frail former president failed to erase memories of his fierce spirit. Democrat James Earl “Jimmy” Carter Jr swept to power in 1977 with his Trust Me campaign helping to beat Republican president Gerald Ford. Serving as 39th US president from 1977 to 1981, he sought to make government “competent and compassionate” but was ousted by the unstoppable Hollywood appeal of a certain Ronald Reagan. A skilled sportsman, Mr Carter left his home of Plains, Georgia, to join the US Navy, returning later to run his family’s peanut business. A stint in the Georgia senate lit the touchpaper on his political career and he rose to the top of the Democratic movement. But he will also be remembered for a bizarre encounter with a deeply disgruntled opponent. The president was enjoying a relaxing fishing trip near his home town in 1979 when his craft was attacked by a furious swamp rabbit which reportedly swam up to the boat hissing wildly. The press had a field day, with one paper bearing the headline President Attacked By Rabbit. Away from encounters with belligerent bunnies, Mr Carter’s willingness to address politically uncomfortable topics did not diminish with age. He recently said that he would be willing to travel to North Korea for peace talks on behalf of US President Donald Trump. He also famously mounted a ferocious and personal attack on Tony Blair over the Iraq war, weeks before the prime minister left office in June 2007. Mr Carter, who had already denounced George W Bush’s presidency as “the worst in history”, used an interview on BBC radio to condemn Mr Blair for his tight relations with Mr Bush, particularly concerning the Iraq War. Asked how he would characterise Mr Blair’s relationship with Mr Bush, Mr Carter replied: “Abominable. Loyal, blind, apparently subservient. “I think that the almost undeviating support by Great Britain for the ill-advised policies of President Bush in Iraq have been a major tragedy for the world.” Mr Carter was also voluble over the Rhodesia crisis, which was about to end during his presidency. His support for Robert Mugabe at the time generated widespread criticism. He was said to have ignored the warnings of many prominent Zimbabweans, black and white, about what sort of leader Mugabe would be. This was seen by Mr Carter’s critics as “deserving a prominent place among the outrages of the Carter years”. Mr Carter has since said he and his administration had spent more effort and worry on Rhodesia than on the Middle East. He admitted he had supported two revolutionaries in Mugabe and Joshua Nkomo, and with hindsight said later that Mugabe had been “a good leader gone bad”, having at first been “a very enlightened president”. One US commentator wrote: “History will not look kindly on those in the West who insisted on bringing the avowed Marxist Mugabe into the government. “In particular, the Jimmy Carter foreign policy... bears some responsibility for the fate of a small African country with scant connection to American national interests.” In recent years Mr Carter developed a reputation as an international peace negotiator. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his commitment to finding peaceful solutions to international conflicts, his work with human rights and democracy initiatives, and his promotion of economic and social programmes. Mr Carter was dispatched to North Korea in August 2008 to secure the release of US citizen Aijalon Mahli Gomes, who had been sentenced to eight years of hard labour after being found guilty of illegally entering North Korea. He successfully secured the release of Mr Gomes. In 2010 he returned to the White House to greet President Barack Obama and discuss international affairs amid rising tensions on the Korean peninsula. Proving politics runs in the family, in 2013 his grandson Jason, a state senator, announced his bid to become governor in Georgia, where his famous grandfather governed before becoming president. He eventually lost to incumbent Republican Nathan Deal. Fears that Mr Carter’s health was deteriorating were sparked in 2015 when he cut short an election observation visit in Guyana because he was “not feeling well”. It would have been Mr Carter’s 39th trip to personally observe an international election. Three months later, on August 12, he revealed he had cancer which had been diagnosed after he underwent surgery to remove a small mass in his liver. Mr Obama was among the well-wishers hoping for Mr Carter’s full recovery after it was confirmed the cancer had spread widely. Melanoma had been found in his brain and liver, and Mr Carter underwent immunotherapy and radiation therapy, before announcing in March the following year that he no longer needed any treatment. In 2017, Mr Carter was taken to hospital as a precaution, after he became dehydrated at a home-building project in Canada. He was admitted to hospital on multiple occasions in 2019 having had a series of falls, suffering a brain bleed and a broken pelvis, as well as a stint to be treated for a urinary tract infection. Mr Carter spent much of the coronavirus pandemic largely at his home in Georgia, and did not attend Joe Biden’s presidential inauguration in 2021, but extended his “best wishes”. Former first lady Rosalynn Carter, the closest adviser to Mr Carter during his term as US president, died in November 2023. She had been living with dementia and suffering many months of declining health. “Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished,” Mr Carter said in a statement following her death. “She gave me wise guidance and encouragement when I needed it. As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me.”
A disturbing video surfaced on social media, showing workers in a Gajak factory in Bathinda crushing the sweet with their feet. The footage, recorded by a social worker, also claimed that peanuts were being peeled using similar unhygienic methods. The video quickly went viral, prompting immediate action from local authorities. ET Year-end Special Reads What kept India's stock market investors on toes in 2024? India's car race: How far EVs went in 2024 Investing in 2025: Six wealth management trends to watch out for What is Gajak? Gajak, a popular winter snack, is traditionally made with sesame seeds, peanuts, jaggery, and ghee. Known for providing warmth and energy during cold seasons, it is a specialty in states like Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana. However, a recent incident in Bathinda, Punjab, has raised serious concerns about its production practices. — TrueScoopNews (@TrueScoopNews) Factory found operating illegally An investigation revealed that the factory in Goniana Mandi was operating without a valid license. The health department confirmed the lack of hygiene standards and seized 4.5 quintals of Gajak. Samples were collected for testing, and officials sealed the premises to protect public health. Owner faces legal action Vinod Kumar, the factory owner, has been issued a challan and ordered to appear in the Bathinda ADC office . District Health Officer Amritpal Singh confirmed that the case would be heard in court, and if proven guilty, Kumar could face fines ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 1 lakh. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
The Biggest Game Releases of December 2024 2025 is fast approaching but before you start looking ahead to next year, 2024 has a few more video games left at the bottom of its stocking - so many, in fact, that we felt it was worth making a video about them. Here are December 2024’s biggest game releases.
Jimmy Carter Dies: Longest-Living U.S. President Was 100
Duke of York ‘ceased all contact’ with spy-accused man after concerns raisedBrazos Home Care Receives the Reader's Choice Award for Excellence in Home Care for Veterans in Bryan, TX
Charvarius Ward will join the list of 49ers missing Monday night’s game against the Lions at Levi’s Stadium after the team ruled him out Sunday afternoon. The veteran cornerback and his girlfriend, Monique Cook, have been expecting the birth of a baby boy. The team cited personal reasons for Ward’s absence after coach Kyle Shanahan indicated Friday that Ward had good news but declined to explain further. Two months ago, Ward and Cook lost their first-born daughter unexpectedly at 23 months old. Ward missed three games in the wake of the devastating loss. As a pending free agent, Ward may have played his last game for the 49ers. He has been with the team the last three seasons after signing as a free agent from Kansas City, earning Pro Bowl honors last year as the top corner on an NFC champion team. He has 51 tackles and seven passes defensed this season after 72 tackles and five interceptions in 2023, including a two-pick, one-touchdown day last Dec. 17 at Arizona . In his absence, more will be thrust on the recently extended Deommodore Lenoir against the Lions’ air attack, and rookie Renardo Green will likely start in Ward’s place. Free agent signee Isaac Yiadom also may see more playing time. Along with Ward, left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) and linebacker Dre Greenlaw (calf) were ruled out earlier this week, as were guards Aaron Banks (knee) and Spencer Burford (calf). Williams was placed on injured reserve and Greenlaw is also out for the season.
AI is a game changer for students with disabilitiesNVDA stock is up 182% year-to-date and if this year's trend continues, the stock could rally in anticipation of a positive Q4 earnings announcement. With Nvidia's market capitalization closing in on $3.3 trillion, it's the second-most valuable company behind ( ). A bull call spread is created through buying a call and then selling a further out-of-the-money call. The long call gets you bullish exposure. Selling the further out-of-the-money call reduces the cost of the trade but also limits the upside. Going out to the March expiration will encompass the Q4 earnings announcement set for around late February A 140-strike call option is trading around 14.65, and the 145 call is around 12.40. Buying the 140 call and selling the 145 call creates a bull call spread. The trade cost in this case is $225 (difference in the option prices multiplied by 100), and the maximum potential profit is $275 (difference in strike prices, multiplied by 100 less the premium paid). A bull call spread is a risk-defined strategy. You always know your worst-case scenario ahead of time. If Nvidia closes below 140 on March 21, the most the trade loses is the roughly $225 premium paid. But unlike a long call on its own, the potential gains are also capped above 145. No matter how high Nvidia stock might go, the most the trade profits is $275. The break-even price for the trade is equal to the long call strike plus the premium, which in this case would equal 142.25. In terms of trade management, if the stock dropped below 130, or if the spread value dropped from $225 to $110, I would consider closing early for a loss. To revisit a past trade, on ( ) expired worthless last week for a full profit.