History has been kind to Jimmy Carter in a way the present never was during his one term as US president. His four years were dogged by economic "stagflation", which began during the term of his predecessor Richard Nixon, and America's stumbles on foreign policy. The surprise 1980 landslide loss to Ronald Reagan was deemed a referendum on Carter's leadership. Voters had daily reminders that their commander in chief was unable to free the dozens of Americans held captive in an embassy in the Iranian capital, Tehran. The enduring myth that Carter failed to act was strengthened by the fact the release of the hostages came after his departure from the White House. But when the crisis began 444 days earlier, no-one could have anticipated how long it would last, and how it would shape American politics. The fall of the Shah of Iran The seeds of the hostage crisis were planted in the chaos of Iran's Islamic Revolution. Iran and the United States had been on friendly terms while Mohammad Reza Pahlavi was the Shah of Iran — the country's royal ruler. The Shah came to the throne in Tehran during World War II and his power in the oil-rich country was shored up in the 1950s after the US and UK backed a coup to depose the country's democratically elected prime minister. Carter hosted a state dinner for the Shah and his wife at the White House in November 1977 and, in turn, the Shah entertained Carter in Tehran on New Year's Day in 1978. But over the ensuing year, the Shah faced violent unrest at home as religious leader Ayatollah Khomeini returned from exile to overthrow the autocrat. The Shah fled to Egypt on January 16, 1979, and a month later the government collapsed. In October, the Shah arrived in New York to undergo surgery, angering Khomeini and his supporters, who demanded he be returned to stand trial. Khomeini called for a "purge" of "American-loving rotten brains", and encouraged activist students to "expand their attacks" against the US and Israel, America's major ally in the Middle East. The 52 hostages On November 4, 1979, hundreds of Iranian students breached the gates of the US embassy in Tehran. They quickly occupied the compound. Some had intended a peaceful sit-in, but the situation deteriorated rapidly. The armed mob took 66 Americans hostage. Consular employee Robert C Ode, who at 65 was the oldest person taken captive, recalled in his diary that the students tied his hands behind his back so tightly with nylon cord that it cut off the circulation. I strongly protested the violation of my diplomatic immunity, but these protests were ignored. Some students attempted to talk with us, stating how they didn't hate Americans — only our US government, President Carter, etc. We were not permitted to talk to our fellow hostages and from then on our hands were tied day and night and only removed while we were eating or had to go to the bathroom. Six American diplomats were able to avoid capture and spent three months hiding in the Canadian and Swedish embassies — their rescue would later be the plot of the 2012 movie Argo . About the same time as the US embassy was occupied, the British embassy was also stormed by Iranian students, but they left after several hours. Khomeini condoned the occupation of the embassies, threatening to do "whatever is necessary" to bring the Shah back for trial and force Britain to hand over exiled prime minister Shapour Bakhtiar. Two weeks later, on Khomeini's orders, the demonstrators freed five women and eight black men. Non-American hostages were also freed. Another American hostage was released on July 11, 1980 due to illness. The remaining 52 were moved around the compound constantly, handcuffed, beaten, tortured and forced to undergo mock executions at gunpoint. Operation Eagle Claw ends in disaster Carter took significant steps to sanction Iran in the first few months of the hostage crisis. He froze Iranian assets, stopped importing oil from Iran and expelled 183 Iranian diplomats from the US. Fifty thousand Iranian students in America were also told to report to the nearest immigration office and warned they would be deported if they were found to be in violation of the terms of their visas. But the militants didn't relent, and threatened to burn the embassy and kill the hostages if the US attempted any military action against Iran. Carter's actions worked in Khomeini's favour as he sought to free Iran from America's control and use his supreme powers to roll out Islamic doctrine. At 1am on April 25, 1980, the White House revealed it had attempted a military operation to rescue the hostages, known as Operation Eagle Claw. But the operation had failed: eight US servicemen were dead and several others injured. The rescuers got nowhere near the embassy — the mission was aborted when three of the eight helicopters suffered various equipment failures. As they withdrew from the rendezvous point in the desert, one of the helicopters collided with a transport plane, killing crew on both aircraft. Their bodies were taken to the embassy in Tehran, where they were put on display during a press conference. Iran arranged for them to be returned to the US the following month. A post-White House legacy Carter took full responsibility for the failed rescue attempt. With the hostages' lives at stake, he couldn't risk another military operation in Iran, and had to walk the slow diplomatic path to secure their freedom. Stephen Loosley from the United States Studies Centre at Sydney University says news coverage of the crisis was extensive for a time when media didn't run 24/7. "Both [US news anchors] Ted Koppel and Walter Cronkite would keep a laser-like focus on the hostage crisis," Mr Loosley says. "They'd keep the number of hostages up on the screen every night, and the number of days that the hostages had been incarcerated. "Americans never really lost sight of the fact that their people were imprisoned in a very hostile environment in Tehran." On July 27, 1980, the Shah died in a Cairo military hospital. The return of his wealth to Iran became a key part of the agreement to free the hostages, known as the Algiers Accords. The accords were signed on January 19, 1981, the day before Carter was due to leave the White House. He'd lost the November 1980 election to Republican candidate Ronald Reagan, a former Hollywood actor and governor of California. The hostages were meant to be released while Carter was still president, but a delay meant they were freed in the first few hours of Reagan's administration on January 20. "The Iranians refused to give Carter the satisfaction of saying the hostages were released on his watch," Mr Loosley says. "Ronald Reagan is viewed as the president who secured the release of the hostages, because of the timing." In the next decade, Reagan would be credited with playing a major role in ending the Cold War, while Carter faded into relative obscurity Carter described the Iran hostage crisis as "the most difficult period of my life". The hostages themselves were traumatised by the ordeal and spent more than 30 years fighting for compensation, which was granted in 2015. Mr Loosley says Americans look more favourably on what Carter did after his time in the White House. The Carter Center, a not-for-profit set up by Carter and his wife Rosalynn in 1982, worked to improve human rights and health worldwide. One of its greatest achievements was the near-eradication of Guinea worm disease, caused by a water-borne parasite. The Carters also built homes with social housing organisation charity Habitat for Humanity. "He's looked upon with a fair amount of affection and respect," Mr Loosley said. "Unfortunately his presidency is seen as somewhat of a low point in in the post-war period because of the Iran hostage crisis." ABC
WASHINGTON (AP) — For years, Pat Verhaeghe didn’t think highly of Donald Trump as a leader. Then Verhaeghe began seeing more of Trump’s campaign speeches online and his appearances at sporting events. There was even the former president’s pairing with Bryson DeChambeau as part of the pro golfer’s YouTube channel series to shoot an under-50 round of golf while engaging in chitchat with his partner. “I regret saying this, but a while ago I thought he was an idiot and that he wouldn’t be a good president,” said the 18-year-old first-time voter. “I think he’s a great guy now.” Verhaeghe isn't alone among his friends in suburban Detroit or young men across America. Although much of the electorate shifted right to varying degrees in 2024, young men were one of the groups that More than half of men under 30 supported Trump, , a survey of more than 120,000 voters, while Democrat Joe Biden had won a similar share of this group four years earlier. White men under 30 were solidly in Trump’s camp this year — about 6 in 10 voted for Trump — while young Latino men were split between the two candidates. Most Black men under 30 supported Democrat Kamala Harris, but about one-third were behind Trump. Young Latino men’s views of the Democratic Party were much more negative than in 2020, while young Black men’s views of the party didn’t really move. About 6 in 10 Latino men under 30 had a somewhat or very favorable view of the Democrats in 2020, which fell to about 4 in 10 this year. On the other hand, about two-thirds of young Black men had a favorable view of the Democrats this year, which was almost identical to how they saw the party four years ago. “Young Hispanic men, and really young men in general, they want to feel valued," said Rafael Struve, deputy communications director for Bienvenido, a conservative group that focused on reaching young Hispanic voters for Republicans this year. “They're looking for someone who fights for them, who sees their potential and not just their struggles.” Struve cited the during a July rally in Pennsylvania as one of the catalyzing moments for Trump’s image among many young men. Trump, Struve said, was also able to reach young men more effectively by like podcasts and digital media outlets. “Getting to hear from Trump directly, I think, really made all the difference," Struve said of the former president's appearances on digital media platforms and media catering to Latino communities, like town halls and business roundtables Trump attended in Las Vegas and Miami. Not only did Trump spend three hours on Joe Rogan's chart-topping podcast, but he took up DeChambeau's “Break 50” challenge for the golfer's more than 1.6 million YouTube subscribers. Trump already had an edge among young white men four years ago, although he widened the gap this year. About half of white men under 30 supported Trump in 2020, and slightly less than half supported Biden. Trump's were bigger. His support among both groups increased by about 20 percentage points, according to AP VoteCast — and their feelings toward Trump got warmer, too. It wasn’t just Trump. The share of young men who identified as Republicans in 2024 rose as well, mostly aligning with support for Trump across all three groups. “What is most alarming to me is that the election is clear that America has shifted right by a lot,” said William He, founder of Dream For America, a liberal group that works to turn out young voters and supported Harris’ presidential bid. With his bombastic demeanor and a policy agenda centered on a more , Trump framed much of his campaign as a pitch to men who felt scorned by the country’s economy, culture and political system. Young women also slightly swung toward the former president, though not to the degree of their male counterparts. It's unclear how many men simply did not vote this year. But there's no doubt the last four years brought changes in youth culture and how political campaigns set out to reach younger voters. Democrat Kamala Harris' campaign rolled out policy agendas tailored to Black and Latino men, and the campaign enlisted a range of leaders in Black and Hispanic communities to make the case for the vice president. Her campaign began with a from many young voters, epitomized in memes and the campaign's embrace of pop culture trends like the pop star . Democrats hoped to channel that energy into their youth voter mobilization efforts. “I think most young voters just didn’t hear the message,” said Santiago Mayer, executive director of Voters of Tomorrow, a liberal group that engages younger voters. Mayer said the Harris campaign’s pitch to the country was “largely convoluted” and centered on economic messaging that he said wasn’t easily conveyed to younger voters who were not already coming to political media. “And I think that the policies themselves were also very narrow and targeted when what we really needed was a simple, bold economic vision,” said Mayer. Trump also embraced pop culture by appearing at UFC fights, football games and appearing alongside comedians, music stars and social media influencers. His strategists believed that the former president’s ability to grab attention and make his remarks go viral did more for the campaign than paid advertisements or traditional media appearances. Trump's campaign also heavily cultivated networks of online conservative platforms and personalities supportive of him while also engaging a broader universe of podcasts, streaming sites, digital media channels and meme pages open to hearing him. “The right has been wildly successful in infiltrating youth political culture online and on campus in the last couple of years, thus radicalizing young people towards extremism,” said He, who cited conservative activist groups like Turning Point USA as having an outsize impact in online discourse. “And Democrats have been running campaigns in a very old fashioned way. The battleground these days is cultural and increasingly on the internet.” Republicans may lose their broad support if they don't deliver on improving Americans' lives, Struve cautioned. Young men, especially, may drift from the party in a post-Trump era if the party loses the president-elect's authenticity and bravado. Bienvenido, for one group, will double down in the coming years to solidify and accelerate the voting pattern shifts seen this year, Struve said. “We don’t want this to be a one and done thing,” he said. ___ Associated Press writer Joey Cappelletti in Lansing, Michigan, and AP polling editor Amelia Thomson-DeVeaux contributed to this report. Matt Brown, The Associated PressJimmy Carter, the 39th US president, has died at 100
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Saturday he had an “excellent conversation” with Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago club after the president-elect's threat to impose significant tariffs on two of America’s leading trade partners raised alarms in Ottawa and Mexico City . It was unclear, as Trudeau headed back to Canada from Florida, whether the conversation had alleviated Trump’s concerns. A person familiar with the details of the leaders' hastily arranged meeting Friday night said it was a “positive wide-ranging dinner that lasted three hours.” The official, who was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity, said topics included trade, border security, fentanyl, defense, Ukraine, NATO, China, the Mideast and pipelines, as well as the the Group of Seven meeting in Canada next year. The Republican president-elect has threatened to impose tariffs on products from Canada and Mexico if the countries don’t stop what he called the flow of drugs and migrants across their borders. He said he would impose a 25% tax on all products entering the U.S. from Canada and Mexico as one of his first executive orders when he takes office in January. As he was leaving his West Palm Beach hotel, Trudeau stopped briefly to answer a reporter’s question about the dinner meeting, saying it was "an excellent conversation." Trump’s transition team did not respond to questions about what the leaders had discussed. Trump, during his first term as president, once called Trudeau “weak” and “dishonest,” but it was the prime minister who was the first G7 leader to visit Trump since the Nov. 5 election. "Tariffs are a crucial issue for Canada and a bold move was in order. Perhaps it was a risk, but a risk worth taking,” Daniel Béland, a political science professor at McGill University in Montreal. Among those at the dinner were Howard Lutnick, Trump's pick for commerce secretary; North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, in line to lead the Interior Department; and Mike Waltz, Trump's choice to be his national security adviser. Accompanying Trudeau were Canada's public safety minister, Dominic LeBlanc, whose responsibilities include border security, and Katie Telford, Trudeau's chief of staff. Trudeau had said earlier Friday that he would resolve the tariffs issue by talking to Trump. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said a day earlier after speaking with Trump that she is confident a tariff war with the United States will be averted. Trudeau said Trump got elected because he promised to bring down the cost of groceries but now he's talking about adding 25% to the cost of all kinds of products including potatoes from Prince Edward Island in Atlantic Canada. “It is important to understand that Donald Trump, when he makes statements like that, he plans on carrying them out. There’s no question about it,” Trudeau said before his leaving for Florida. “Our responsibility is to point out that he would not just be harming Canadians, who work so well with the United States, but he would actually be raising prices for Americans citizens as well and hurting American industry and business,” he added. To Nelson Wiseman, professor emeritus at the University of Toronto, Trump "doesn’t need convincing that new tariffs on Canadian products would not be in U.S. interests. He knows that, but cannot say it because it would detract from what he has said publicly. His goal is to project the image that he gets action when he talks.” Those tariffs could essentially blow up the North American trade pact that Trump’s team negotiated during his first term. Trudeau noted they were able to successfully renegotiate the deal, which he calls a “win win” for both countries. Trump made the tariff threat Monday while citing an influx of migrants entering the country illegally, even though the numbers at the Canadian border pale in comparison to those at the U.S.-Mexico border. Trump also spoke about fentanyl from Mexico and Canada, even though seizures from the Canadian border are few in comparison to the Mexican border. Canadian officials say lumping Canada in with Mexico is unfair but say they are ready to make new investments in border security. When Trump imposed higher tariffs during his first term in office, other countries responded with retaliatory tariffs of their own. Canada, for instance, announced billions of new duties in 2018 against the U.S. in a response to new taxes on Canadian steel and aluminum. Canada is the top export destination for 36 U.S. states. Nearly $3.6 billion Canadian (US $2.7 billion) worth of goods and services cross the border each day. ___ Gillies reported from Toronto.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Jaden Green and Geoffrey Jamiel scored on long plays in the fourth quarter and unseeded Lehigh rallied to defeat No. 9 Richmond 20-16 on Saturday in a first-round game of the FCS playoffs. Lehigh advances to a second-round game at eighth-seeded Idaho on Dec. 7. The Mountain Hawks trailed 16-7 early in the fourth quarter after Richmond's Sean Clarke scored on a 7-yard pass from Camden Coleman. Green dashed 65 yards for a touchdown on the next play from scrimmage and Lehigh trailed 16-14 with 10 1/2 minutes remaining. The Mountain Hawks (9-3) forced a three-and-out, then Jamiel and Hayden Johnson connected on a 56-yard pass play for the go-ahead touchdown. The Spiders were stopped short of midfield on their final drive but nearly came up with a huge play when Lehigh's Quanye Veney muffed the punt at his own 14-yard line. Ignatious Williams recovered the loose ball for Lehigh to preserve the win. Johnson completed 14 of 18 passes for 199 yards. Jamiel caught 10 for 137 yards. Coleman was 24-of-37 passing for 199 yards. Zach Palmer-Smith had 107 yards rushing for Richmond (10-3). Richmond had 249 yards of total offense in the first half but managed only three short field goals by Sean O'Haire. The scoring drives were 76, 70 and 64 yards and Richmond controlled the ball for nearly 21 minutes in the first half. Lehigh took a 7-6 lead on Johnson's 7-yard TD pass to Logan Galletta, but the Spiders answered with O'Haire's third field goal for a 9-7 halftime lead. This is 13-time Patriot League champion Lehigh's first playoff appearance since 2017. Lehigh and Richmond will have a rematch in the 2025 season opener at Lehigh. It will be Richmond's debut as a member of the Patriot League. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-footballPakistan, Turkiye agree to strengthen ties
NEW YORK (AP) — Sneaking a little ahead of line to get on that plane faster? American Airlines might stop you . In an apparent effort to reduce the headaches caused by airport line cutting, American has rolled out boarding technology that alerts gate agents with an audible sound if a passenger tries to scan a ticket ahead of their assigned group. This new software won't accept a boarding pass before the group it's assigned to is called, so customers who get to the gate prematurely will be asked to go back and wait their turn. As of Wednesday, the airline announced, the technology is now being used in more than 100 U.S. airports that American flies out of. The official expansion arrives after successful tests in three of these locations — Albuquerque International Sunport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Tucson International Airport. The initial response from customers and American employees "has exceeded our expectations," Julie Rath, American’s senior vice president of airport operations, reservations and service recovery, said in a statement. She added that the airline is “thrilled" to have the technology up and running ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday . American got lots of attention when it unveiled its gate-control testing last month. Analysts say that isn't surprising. It's no secret that line cutting in airports hits a nerve. Whether intentional or not, just about every air traveler has witnessed it, noted Henry Harteveldt, an airline industry analyst with Atmosphere Research Group. It can add to frustrations in what can already be a tense environment, with particular anxiety around passengers wanting to sit together or rushing for some overhead bin space. Harteveldt doesn't see American's recent move as “shaming” customers who cut the line. “What it is intended to do is bring order out of chaos,” he said. "And I hope it will defuse any potential flare ups of anger (from) people who simply think they're entitled to board out of turn .... It’s just not fair." Harteveldt added that he thinks this change will enhance the experiences of both customers and gate agents. Others say more time will tell. Seth Miller, editor and founder of air travel experience analysis site PaxEx.aero , said he can see the benefits of more orderly and universal gate-control enforcement, particularly for airlines. But he said he isn't “100% convinced this is perfect for passengers" just yet. Families, for example, might be booked on several different reservations across more than one group, he said. Airlines typically have workarounds for that, and American noted Wednesday that customers traveling with a companion in an earlier group can simply have a gate agent “override the alert” to continue boarding. Still, Miller said, “you have to go through the extra hoops.” And a difficult customer still might choose to hold up the line and argue when they're not allowed to board, he added. Another question is whether customers who encounter a beep will walk away feeling embarrassed. But Harteveldt said he was happy to learn that American's alert is “not a bellowing sound that can be heard throughout the terminal,” or accompanied by your name read over a loudspeaker, noting that this is important to avoid feelings of shame. Expanding this technology just a week before peak Thanksgiving travel could be “both good and bad,” Harteveldt adds. On one hand, the tech could help significantly improve the boarding process during such a busy time, he said, but airport employees might also have appreciated more time to prepare. Both Miller and Harteveldt said they wouldn't be surprised if other carriers soon follow American's lead. Headaches over airport line cutting are far from new. While maybe not to the extent of American's new tech, Miller noted he's seen gate agents from other airlines ask people to leave a line and wait for their group. Harteveldt added that he's been to some airports in Asia and Europe with “sliding doors” that ensure passengers are in the right group before boarding a plane. The more than 100 airports that American is now using its gate-control technology in are all spoke, or non-hub, locations — including Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The airline says it expects to further expand to its hubs and other airports in the coming months.
Business Don't miss out on the headlines from Business. Followed categories will be added to My News. The ASX 200 is expected to open steady in its return after the Christmas break. ASX futures suggest the key domestic index will open at 8218 points, marginally lower than its last close of 8220.90 points. The Aussie dollar is trading around US62.20c. Bitcoin, having recently retreated from above $US100,000, is trading under $US96,000. Wall Street muted on return Wall Street’s three major indexes traded flat in the first session after Christmas as jobless figures came in slightly better than expected. The S&P 500 shed a marginal 2.5 points, the tech-focused Nasdaq dipped 0.1 per cent and the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.1 per cent. Profit-taking hit Magnificent 7 stocks Amazon and Tesla. Amazon closed 0.9 per cent lower to $US227.05 and Tesla lost 1.7 per cent to $US454.13. American jobless claims in the week to 21 December dropped slightly to 219,000 from 220,000 the week prior. The data counts Americans who make initial filings for unemployment benefits. More Coverage The defining trends for private wealth in 2025 Justin Gilmour Big companies funding Trump’s inauguration Rebecca Ballhaus, Dana Mattioli, Shalini Ramachandran and Maggie Severns Originally published as ASX to open steady; Wall St muted on return Join the conversation Add your comment to this story To join the conversation, please log in. Don't have an account? Register Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout More related stories Business Billionaire battle: ‘Pratt abdicated responsibility’ Billionaire Alex Waislitz says his ex-wife failed to involve herself in the affairs of their family business, and called a court case she lodged against him ‘embarrassing’. Read more Business Property chiefs see costs burden easing Leading property bosses say pricing pressures that have driven hundreds of construction firms out of business are stabilising, but energy and labour costs remain a concern. Read moreNo. 4 South Carolina women rout Purdue 99-51
President-elect Donald Trump took to Truth Social on Christmas Day to suggest that hockey legend Wayne Gretzky should run for Prime Minister of Canada — or, as Trump put it, " Governor of Canada." "I just left Wayne Gretzky, 'The Great One' as he is known in Ice Hockey circles," Trump wrote . "I said, 'Wayne, why don't you run for Prime Minister of Canada, soon to be known as the Governor of Canada - You would win easily, you wouldn't even have to campaign.'" "He had no interest," Trump continued. "But I think the people of Canada should start a DRAFT WAYNE GRETZKY Movement. It would be so much fun to watch!" The prodding follows recent statements from Trump suggesting that Canada could become the 51st state of the United States. Earlier in December, after dining with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Trump jokingly referred to Trudeau as the "Governor of the Great State of Canada." During the Mar-a-Lago dinner, Trump reportedly said that Canada should join the U.S. as a state, claiming many Canadians would save on taxes and benefit from military protection. The president-elect also criticized Canada's trade policies and questioned why the U.S. provides subsidies to its northern neighbor. While Gretzky has expressed no interest in politics, Trump's comments have sparked a flurry of online debate about his repeated "51st state" suggestions. Meanwhile, Trudeau has yet to publicly respond to Trump's remarks.None
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies and right-handed pitcher Joe Ross finalized a $4 million, one-year contract on Monday. Ross can earn an additional $1 million in bonuses for days on the active roster: $333,333 each for 60 and 120, and $333,334 for 170. The 31-year-old Ross made 10 starts and 25 total appearances for the Milwaukee Brewers last season. He went 3-6 with a 3.77 ERA. Selected by the San Diego Padres in the first round of the 2011 amateur draft, the 6-foot-4 Ross has pitched in 123 career games across seven seasons with the Washington Nationals and Brewers. In his career, he has combined for a 4.19 ERA with 469 strikeouts to 170 walks. He's 29-34 with a 4.19 career ERA. Story continues below video Ross is the latest in an offseason of minor moves for the NL East champs. The Phillies acquired left-hander Jesús Luzardo from the Miami Marlins and signed free-agent outfielder Max Kepler to a $10 million, one-year deal. AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLBAP Trending SummaryBrief at 6:06 p.m. EST
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Canada’s Trudeau returns home after Trump meeting without assurances that tariffs are off the tableRoyal enthusiasts were all abuzz on Christmas morning as the three young royals took center stage, accompanying Kate Middleton and Prince William to their traditional church visit in Sandringham. However, it's Prince Louis who has captured everyone's attention with his uncanny resemblance to a certain family member. The six year old prince was brimming with excitement alongside brother Prince George, 11, and sister Princess Charlotte, 9, as he received gifts from well-wishers, including stuffed animals, after the service on December 25. Inside the royal home with tragic past where Sarah Ferguson spent Christmas Prince William's 'secret' sister to join royals' Christmas after terrible fights over 'broken homes' Social media was quickly flooded with comments about Louis's striking similarity to his maternal grandfather, Michael Middleton. One fan gushed, "This young man looks so much like his maternal grandfather! The resemblance is uncanny! " Among the treasures Prince Louis collected were a box of Cadbury's chocolates, Christmas crackers, bouquets, and an array of stuffed toys. With his arms laden with presents, he proudly showed his haul to his siblings and parents, at times struggling to manage the bounty. Echoing the sentiment, another fan posted, "All I see is Michael Middleton" while another exclaimed, "Prince Louis is the spitting image of Grandad Michael Middleton! " A further comment read: "Prince Louis is Michael Middleton's mini-me." At this year's Together at Christmas service, which was hosted by the Princess of Wales and brought together the royal family and special guests for the festive season, Kate's parents, Michael and Carole Middleton, were present to support their daughter, reports the Express . Kate's parents were spotted in the audience at Westminster Abbey, beaming with pride as their daughter led the evening with grace. The three royal children accompanied their parents on a short walk from Sandringham House to St Mary Magdalene Church for the special 11am service. The Princess of Wales, holding hands with her youngest, Louis, looked radiant in a festive green coat by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. This year, about 45 guests, including Camilla's children, celebrated Christmas at Sandringham. Among the guests were food writer Tom Parker Bowles, 50, and art curator Laura Lopes, 46, along with their families, marking their first time celebrating Christmas at Sandringham. DAILY NEWSLETTER: Sign up here to get the latest news and updates from the Mirror US straight to your inbox with our FREE newsletter.
Elon Musk admitted that the H1-B visas are “broken” and floated a potential fix as he sought to cool a raging civil war within the MAGA base over the immigration program for highly skilled foreign workers. Just a day after vowing to “go to war on this issue” and telling detractors to “F— yourself,” Musk, the world’s richest man, acknowledged some of the criticisms of the program getting abused and argued that the US should make it more costly to hire foreigners. “Easily fixed by raising the minimum salary significantly and adding a yearly cost for maintaining the H1B, making it materially more expensive to hire from overseas than domestically,” Musk wrote on X late Saturday in response to a thread claiming H1-B visas were being used to hire low-wage programmers and developers. “I’ve been very clear that the program is broken and needs major reform,” he added. “I’m confident that the changes made in the @realDonaldTrump administration will make America much stronger.” The controversy continued to boil even after President-elect Trump waded into the debate on Saturday , telling The Post that, “I’ve always liked the visas, I have always been in favor of the visas. That’s why we have them.” Shortly before Christmas, several MAGA diehards including Laura Loomer began raging against the Dec. 22 announcement of venture capitalist Sriram Krishnan to serve as the incoming Trump administration’s senior policy adviser for artificial intelligence (AI). Loomer, 31, in particular, began fuming at the growing influence of the “tech bros” in Trump’s orbit who harbor comparatively lax views on immigration. From there, a rift opened between the MAGA base over the H1-B visa system — which allows highly skilled foreign workers into the country if companies show they can’t find American talent to fill the roles.. The program is particularly favored by Silicon Valley — and critics (some using racist language) pointed out that many of the tech workers from India. Musk and fellow Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) co-head Vivek Ramaswamy, 39, eventually chimed in and defended H1-B visas, which allow up to some 65,000 guest workers into the US. The tech bros contended that H1-B visas are crucial to the US attracting top-tier talent for the development of cutting-edge technologies such as AI and that it has been a boon for the economy. On the other side, immigration hardliners argued that the program was effectively indentured servitude — trapping foreigners at certain companies due to their desire to stay in the US — and that companies were exploiting the system for cheaper labor. Critics also lamented the lack of the US education system’s ability to produce more top-notch talent in occupations that dominate H1-B visas. Under his first administration, Trump ratcheted up restrictions on the program. And in his forthcoming second administration, he’s tapped immigration hardliner Stephen Miller as his deputy chief of staff for policy. Musk, who is South African-born and became a US citizen in 2002, went on a tirade against critics of H1-B visas during the heated spat. “The reason I’m in America along with so many critical people who built SpaceX, Tesla and hundreds of other companies that made America strong is because of H1B,” he fumed on X Friday. “Take a big step back and F— YOURSELF in the face. I will go to war on this issue the likes of which you cannot possibly comprehend.” Musk argued that H1-B visas are necessary for companies to recruit “the top ~0.1% of engineering talent.” Ramaswamy, who was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, had also caused a stir with a lengthy X post that slammed American culture for celebrating high school jocks over math nerds. In that post, he also tore into popular sitcoms and movies that he claimed promulgated that culture. Throughout the discourse over H1-B visas, Musk had repeatedly maintained that the H1-B visa system needed to be “overhauled” and reformed” — something Ramaswamy had echoed as well. Both Musk and Ramaswamy have suggested that the H1-B visa system needs to be remolded into something that is more meritocratic. Others, including conservative pundit Ann Coulter and former White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon had railed against Musk — claiming the visa program takes jobs and kills away from Americans.
Michael Croley | (TNS) Bloomberg News In the old days of 2016, when golfers visited the Dormie Club in West End, North Carolina — 15 minutes from the hotbed of American golf, Pinehurst — they were greeted by a small, single-wide trailer and a rugged pine straw parking lot. Related Articles Travel | Travel: These cruise ships will make their maiden voyages in 2025 Travel | It’s beginning to look like another record for holiday travel Travel | Yes, you can take your cookies through a TSA checkpoint — if they meet these requirements Travel | For airports, background music no longer is an afterthought Travel | Review: ‘‘Auana,’ Cirque du Soleil’s first resident show in Hawaii, stays true to its roots That trailer is now long gone. A gate has been installed at the club’s entrance and a long driveway leads to a grand turnaround that sweeps you past a new modern clubhouse that’s all right angles, with floor-to-ceiling glass. Seconds after you exit your car, valets are zipping up in golf carts, taking your name, then your bags, handing you keys to your own golf cart, and then zipping off to drop your luggage in the four-bedroom cottage where you’ll stay. A short walk past an expansive putting green you’ll find the pro shop — and then you’ll see the club’s most elegant feature: its golf course. The changes have all come about because Dormie Club was acquired in 2017 by the Dormie Network, a national group that owns seven private golf facilities from Nebraska to New Jersey. (“Dormie” is a word for being ahead in golf — the names were coincidences.) A key to the network’s success has been its ability to find clubs ripe for acquisition, with outstanding golf courses and existing on-site lodging or the room to build it, says Zach Peed, president of the company and its driving force. After investing in Arbor Links Golf Club in Nebraska City, Nebraska, in late 2015, Peed believed he saw an opening in the golf market: a new model of hospitality for traveling professionals who wanted a pure golf experience that eschewed the pools and pickleball courts of their home clubs. His clubs would become dream golf-only getaways for avid players and their pals. “Dormie Network’s concept was sparked by having played competitive golf in college, combined with an element of experiencing and understanding hospitality,” says Peed. “It made sense to blend the two to create golf trips that had more value than just playing golf. We want genuine hospitality to help create unforgettable memories and new friendships.” Part of that formula has been in the lodging strategy; in North Carolina, 15 four-bedroom cottages now are a short golf cart ride from the main clubhouse. In each, golfers all have their own king-size bed and en suite bathroom. A large common room is dominated by a flatscreen television along with a well-stocked bar and snacks. That ability to be both social, or tucked away in your room, extends to the expansive new clubhouse, where a high-ceilinged bar area with blond wood creates an inviting space for dining and drinking, and several hideaway rooms allow for more private diners with just your group. So far, their commitment to hospitality has been helping them expand in both membership and club usage in the increasingly competitive market for traveling golfers. Major players such as Bandon Dunes, Pinehurst Resort, and the Cabot Collection have created — or renovated — a new paradigm where golfers get dining and lodging that’s as showcase-worthy as the courses they play. Comfortable sheets and options beyond pub food aren’t luxuries anymore, but staples for many group trips. Dormie has answered that call by focusing on both the big details and the small ones, like having the dew wiped off each golf cart at dawn outside guest cottages before the day begins or having a tray of cocktails delivered to golfers as their final putt falls on the 18th green. These touches may seem over-the-top, but they stand out in a world where golf travel is increasingly popular — and expensive — after the pandemic lockdowns. Since 2020 there has been an explosion in participation in the sport, with new golfers picking up the game and avid golfers playing more: According to the National Golf Foundation, a record 531 million rounds were played in 2023, surpassing the high of 529 million set in 2021. Supreme Golf, a public golf booking website, reports in its latest analysis that the average cost of a tee time has increased to $49 in 2024 from $38 in 2019, a 30% increase. Those cost increases are also on par (pun intended) with the costs of private clubs and initiation fees during that same period, where membership rosters that were dwindling pre-COVID now have waitlists 50 to 60 people deep, according to Jason Becker, co-founder and chief executive officer of Golf Life Navigators, which matches homebuyers with golf course communities. “There’s been an absolute run on private golf. If we use southwest Florida as an example, where there are 158 golf communities, this time last November, only five had memberships available,” he said. That inability to find a club close to home has pushed avid golfers to look farther afield, choosing national memberships at clubs that require traveling, usually via plane, to play. Dormie has capitalized on this growing segment, offering two types of memberships: First, a national membership, where members pay an initiation fee and monthly dues just as they would at a local club, but instead of one club they have access to seven. The second option is a signature membership for companies, “which allows businesses to use our properties for entertainment needs and requires a multiyear commitment,” Peed says. The network also offers a limited number of regional memberships for those living within a certain distance of one of its clubs. Dormie Network declined to provide the cost of memberships or monthly dues and wouldn’t give membership numbers, but the clubs are structured to lodge roughly 60 golfers, max, on-site at any given property at any time. The total number of beds across the network’s portfolio of properties has increased from 84 in 2019 to 432 today. It saw a jump from 10,000 room nights in 2019 to 48,000 in 2023. This September, Dormie opened GrayBull in Maxwell, in Nebraska’s, Sandhills region. Dormie Network tabbed David McLay Kidd to build the course, who also built the original course at Oregon’s famed Bandon Dunes. Kidd says of the property GrayBull sits on, “It’s like the Goldilocks thing: not too flat, not too steep. It’s kind of in a bowl that looks inwards, and there are no bad views.” That kind of remote destination, where the long-range views are only Mother Nature or other golf holes, is what drives many traveling golfers these days. Peed says his team leaned on years of knowledge from Dormie’s acquisitions as they built GrayBull, which started construction in 2022. “We had an understanding of how our members and guests use the clubs that allowed us to take a blank canvas in the Sandhills of Nebraska and combine all of the greatest aspects of each Dormie property into one.” ©2024 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Pat yourself on the back and breathe a huge sigh of relief — you made it through Christmas! (As for you Hannukah celebrants — hang in there!) Hopefully, your nearest and dearest loved their gifts, and you got a few things you wanted, too. If not, never fear — Walmart has thousands of markdowns this weekend, and there's a good chance something (or some things) on your wish list is on sale. A new ? Cozy ? A coveted ? Yep, all marked down at Walmart right now. If the idea of scrolling through page after page of products sounds stressful after these past few weeks, that's totally understandable. Luckily, we've still got plenty of shopping stamina, and we've collected a bunch of the best weekend deals at Walmart for you. How about for a cool $70 off? And these sparkling ? They're down to just $18 but look so much more expensive. Pair them with a cashmere sweater for work or a black dress for a night out. There are loads more expert-approved deals from top brands like Skechers, Shark and Serta up for grabs at Walmart this weekend. Keep scrolling for more must-buys starting at just $7. If boring silver cutlery is just not your style, grab this colorful Carote set while it's over 80% off. It comes with six knives that you can use to carve meats, slice bread, peel potatoes and so much more. Even better, each blade comes with a protective cover to preserve its sharpness and keep it safely stored. Don't let its slim profile fool you: This cordless wonder has a powerful motor that provides the intense suction you need to pick up all that dirt, pet hair, dust and debris from carpets, hardwood floors, tile and more. When fully charged, it will give you up to 40 minutes of nonstop cleaning — ample time to give the entire house a once-over. The Yahoo reader favorite is down to $80, which is pretty close to the lowest price we've seen it. Your winter wardrobe isn't complete without this plaid button-down shirt. It has a slightly oversized fit and a curved hem to flatter a variety of shapes, and it's ideal for layering with tees and jackets. Plus, it comes in 14 plaid shades — and it's just $15. (And yes, that means you can buy more than one color!) Hoops are a style staple, not least because they look beautiful dressed up or down. These C&C earrings take that look to the next level, with 18-karat white gold plating, tastefully crusted with dazzling Swarovski crystals. Another plus: They're hypoallergenic and contain no lead or nickel, so they won't cause problems for even the most sensitive skin. Equal parts decorative and functional, this 64" x 21" stunner will up the elegance factor of any room (and you'll be able to give your outfit a once-over before you head out the door). More than 5,000 shoppers think it's worthy of a five-star rating, this is one deal you'll "reflect" on fondly. The cleaning has to get done, but you can give your weary arms a break by letting this nifty doodad do all of the hard work. Its bristles spin at a rate of up to 400 rotations per minute to bust away grime from grout, the tub and pretty much anywhere that could use a deep clean. It comes with seven heads for targeting different areas of your home — and at 70% off, it's a no-brainer. Not ready to drop hundreds of dollars on ? Then consider these bluetooth earbuds that are down to just $10 this weekend. More than 400 shoppers have given them a five-star rating, with many saying they're impressed with the quality. "These are very comfortable around my ears. The sound quality is great. For the price, I am very impressed," one customer commented. Another added, "I just recieved these headphones, put them on, and not even a half song into them I can tell these are going to be a solid pair. I turned the volume up halfway, and the music is clear and I can't hear outside noise. Hoping for these to last a long time because these sound phenomenal." If you've never slipped your foot inside a Dearfoams shoe, it's time. They're soft and supportive, and this pair is designed with temperature-regulating technology to prevent your tootsies from getting too hot or cold. They're available in three colors in sizes 5-12, and they're machine washable. What's not to love? Real talk: Those threadbare towels in your linen closet have served you well, and it's time to retire them. Luckily, replacements won't break the bank, seeing as this cotton set is a mere $10 for a bath towel, hand towel and washcloth. At this price, grab several sets to have on hand for guests. Good luck choosing between the 20-plus colors. Monopoly is fun, but who has hours to spend sitting around waiting for the game to end? If you want your buying and selling fix without the massive time commitment, Monopoly Deal is the way to go. It's designed for two to five people, can be played in as little as 15 minutes and it's just as fun as the original. "Short and fun!" raved one fan. "I don't play original board game anymore as it takes way too much time. This game has all the strategy and is still very entertaining! Love it. Buy It!" Give plant lovers everlasting blooms with this 758-piece set. The nine adorable plants and flowers can even be split among family members. A number of reviewers gushed that this was their first time building Legos since childhood and agreed that this was a wonderful reintroduction. With Sorry, players have no option but to turn on each other to try to win the game. You'll chase your opponents around the board while trying to get your pawns to the finish line. Cards tell you to move forward and back and can even send you back to the start, making for an exciting evening. The young ones will enjoy a taste of the open road (er, driveway) by cruising around in this sturdy two-seater. Older kids can steer it manually, but it also comes with a remote control that parents can operate if they choose. Safety features include seatbelts (of course) and non-deflatable wheels, as well as LED lights for when the sun starts to set. Need a sleek little laptop for tasks like web browsing and word processing? We've found one for an equally sleek little price. Features include an anti-glare display, 4GB RAM, 128GB flash storage, and up to 12 hours of battery life. Got a new TV for Christmas? Lucky you! Now, take it to the next level with a soundbar. This best-selling Samsung model connects easily via an HDMI cable and has surround sound capabilities. "Exceptional product, great price," one shopper noted in their review. "Significantly enhanced my home entertainment setup." Another fan commented, "This soundbar on my Samsung 65-inch TV is absolutely amazing. I replaced an LG soundbar for this one and oh what a difference. Perfect sound, easy hook up and it even comes with parts for hanging it on the wall just below my TV. Great deal for perfect sounds." If you've had an iPad on your wishlist, this is the most recent version and it's on rare sale. (It's not quite as low as it was for Black Friday/Cyber Monday, but it's one of the best prices we've seen otherwise.) As the unofficial Goldilocks of tech (less bulky than a laptop but larger than a smartphone), this tablet keeps you connected on the go or at home, and you can use it for everything from reading books to taking notes to watching videos. Our tech editor named this the owing to its "under-the-hood improvements, including a faster processor, more RAM (4GB instead of 3GB), Bluetooth 5.0 (up from 4.2) and a USB-C charging port." Experience the ultimate in home entertainment with this sleek TV. With perfect blacks and vibrant colors, every show and movie dazzles. And with Dolby Vision, it gives you a true cinematic experience in your living room. Grab it now and save $400. "Watching TV is now like going to the movies!" gushed one fan. "Football games are really cool as we feel like we are in the stadiums." Don't want to shell out big bucks for a new TV? No worries — you can upgrade your home theater for just $19 with this Roku streamer. Just plug it into your TV and connect to your Wi-Fi, and soon you'll be bingeing everything during the cold winter months. You'll save a whopping $120 with this deal, so if your old telly's on the fritz, go ahead and add this highly rated (as in, more than 21,000 five-star ratings) smart TV to your cart. It boasts 4K Ultra HD resolution for crystal-clear imagery as well as easy access to all of your favorite streaming platforms right on the home screen. Windy winter storms are a-coming, and sometimes the resulting fallen branches are a bit too large to be cut down to size by hand. This chainsaw is lightweight and simple to use, but don't let the demure size fool you. With a 6-inch blade, it has more than enough cutting power to handle most jobs. The handle comes with a rubberized grip that makes it easy to hold, even with just one hand, as well as a lock button that means you won't accidentally start things up while carrying it. 'Tis the season for frozen car batteries, which is why this jump starter — now discounted a whopping $120 — can literally be a lifesaver. It comes with intelligent clamps that will notify you if there are any issues and LED lights so you can see at night. It also works as a strobe light or an SOS light in an emergency and as a power bank for your electronic devices. Shoveling snow the old-school way can be exhausting, not to mention nearly back-breaking. With an electric option like this one, you'll have a whole lot of help cleaning up after Mother Nature's latest onslaught. It weighs just 8.8 pounds, meaning you can quickly clear your driveway, sidewalks, patios and more with less strain — the shovel will leave a 12-inch clearing path and blows snow up to 20 inches away. Your car emergency kit isn't complete without a tire pressure gauge. This easy-to-read digital model works in just seconds and has a handy light so you can see the screen in the dark. Shoppers give it 4.7 out of 5 stars and say it really is simple to use. "Easy to use and quick and handy! Works well both night and daytime. Won't drive without it and good for your bikes too!" one person noted. Cold weather calls for soul-warming soups and stews prepared in this Drew Barrymore slow cooker. It's extra large so that you can cook big batches, and the presets make meals like chili foolproof. There are nine aesthetically pleasing colors to choose from, all of which have elegant gold accents. Preparing homemade meals is much more enjoyable when you're not cooking with scratched, gunky pots and pans. If yours are ready to be replaced, you don't have to spend a fortune. These are made from induction-ready granite material, so they're safe for all stovetops, and nonstick so they're great for any at-home chef. Save over 60% on this hardworking set. Grill up burgers rain or shine with this indoor griddle. The family-size 14-inch grill top is large enough to feed the whole crew, but compact enough to tuck away. It heats up to 500°F to sear meats, veggies and more. Oh yeah, and the nonstick grill plate is removable, so it's easy to clean. "Amazing indoor grill, I use it every day," raved one five-star fan. "This is honestly my greatest kitchen gadget purchase I've ever made, it requires no oil when cooking and tastes just like it came off of my outdoor grill." Not every cooking job requires turning on the oven, you know? This versatile countertop gadget not only bakes and broils, but it also air fries, grills and toasts. Whether you want fries, cookies or another go at last night's leftovers, this Cuisinart model is up for the job. The word in this mixer's name isn't a throwaway — this timeless kitchen standby will do all the heavy lifting for you, whether you're cooking or baking a culinary treat. Score $100 off on the 4.5-quart tilt-head model in gorgeous colors like the pictured Pistachio. People of all pronouns ( ) scream for ice cream — yes, even when it's cold. This wildly popular appliance will satiate everyone's sweet tooth until it's warm enough for the ice cream truck to roll around. It churns out everything from ice cream and sorbet to milkshakes and more — just add your ingredients, freeze overnight, press a button and ta-da! Plus, you'll be able to customize your creation with your favorite mix-ins. This price beats Amazon's, so "scoop" it up while you can. Check out our full for more. Been dyin' to try a Dyson? Now would be a great time to snag this lightweight dust destroyer, considering it's 50% off. It can run for up to 40 minutes before needing a recharge, and because it's cordless, you won't have to look for a free outlet each time to move it to a different room. Oh, and it comes with several cleaning attachments, has a whole-machine filtration system and is effective on both hard and carpeted flooring. A soft, supportive pillow that also prevents overheating at night? Yes, please! More than 3,000 shoppers have given these never-flat pillows a perfect five-star rating. "Finally found a pillow that doesn't hurt my neck!" one satisfied shopper raved. "I'm a side sleeper. I've been through many pillows. My closet is a graveyard for brand new pillows that don't work. This pillow is just firm enough and doesn't make me hot." Another wrote, "This is truly the best cooling and most comfortable pillow I've used in decades." Save time, space and money with this two-in-one cleaner, which vacuums and mops to clean up just about any mess you're likely to come across on your floor. It's cordless, with a 30-minute runtime on a full charge, and safe for all sealed hard floors and surfaces. Are you one of those people who's always cold? There's a good chance you already have a pretty good collection of throw blankets around the house, but that shouldn't stop you from snagging this Eddie Bauer style while it's on sale. It's available in three sizes, made from a soft, cozy fleece and it's machine washable. If there's one type of Shark we're always happy to run into, it's one that's on sale. Complete with a HEPA filter, this bad boy will help purify the air while it sucks up dust bunnies. Yes, you can really score an authentic Michael Kors purse at Walmart. Whether for work or weekend errands, this spacious purse is roomy enough for everyday essentials, plus a book, planner or tablet. And the warm brown color means it will match any outfit in your closet. March your way into a loved one's heart this holiday season by gifting them a pair of comfy, all-day walking shoes — and grab another for yourself while you're at it. These Skechers slip-ons have a soft, breathable mesh upper and memory foam insole for cushioning and support. Wide-width options ensure a cozy fit for everyone. Trends come and go, but a classic puffer jacket will always stick around. This simple pick features the most flattering quilted pattern and is topped off with a cozy faux fur-lined collar. It also has zip-closure pockets so you can securely stash all your essentials. Snag it in any of four colors in sizes S to 3X. If your go-to bags have seen better travel days, it's time to level up. Lightweight and durable, each piece of this three-piece luggage set suitcase has 360-degree silent spinner wheels, so you can easily maneuver around the airport and book it during those tight layovers. Inside, you'll find zippered dividers to keep your belongings secure. Oh, and did we mention you can choose from five colors? Can we take a second to swoon over these precious puppy slip-ons? They're just too cute — not to mention incredibly soft, cushy and warm to keep your dogs (pun intended) cozy all winter. The nonslip soles offer stability on slick surfaces. Snag a few styles while they're nearly 50% off. (Don't miss the bear, bull, butterfly, cat and sea turtle options.) Want to feel more confident with every smile? It's time to brighten things up. These strips promise to remove over 15 years of stains after just seven days of consistent use. The advanced-seal no-slip grip on these strips will keep them firmly in place to let them work their magic, leaving your teeth up to eight levels whiter. If your current toothbrush isn't cutting it, this electric one will leave them feeling cleaner than they've been in ages. To accomplish this noble task, it uses 8,800 plaque-slaying strokes per minute. You'll also get eight brush heads, which can cost a pretty penny on their own. As much as we love the , it's admittedly a splurge — and this five-in-one set promises the same quick hairstyling, but for a fraction of the price. With blow-drying, straightening, curling, styling and electrostatic brush head attachments, it's like having a salon right at your fingertips. Want to save even more? Make sure you’re signed up for . It’s easy to . You’ll get free shipping and grocery delivery, savings on gas and prescriptions, exclusive access to major deals, and more.