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Pigeon (OTCMKTS:PGENY) Shares Down 8% – Time to Sell?EXCLUSIVE Kevin Jonas and wife Danielle get in the Christmas spirit as they decorate a stunning New York mansion Have YOU got a story? Email tips@dailymail.com By HEIDI PARKER FOR DAILYMAIL.COM Published: 14:31 EST, 12 December 2024 | Updated: 14:50 EST, 12 December 2024 e-mail 58 shares 4 View comments Advertisement Jonas Brothers singer Kevin Jonas and his wife, Danielle, have gotten in the Christmas spirit this week. They were seen posing in a stunning two-story white mansion as they gave it some Yuletime razzle dazzle before Santa comes to town. They decorated their tree with gold and white ornaments while adding wreaths and stockings by the fireplace. The 37-year-old singer and his 38-year-old spouse of 15 years looked to be in great spirits as they also wrapped gifts for family members from Lowe's. They were seen having fun as they looked at tools and decorative items while by a Christmas tree. 'Creating a cozy, festive home is my favorite holiday tradition. This year, I found everything I needed at @loweshomeimprovement to make decorating effortless and stylish,' Danielle shared. This comes after they revealed they are 'not ruling out' the possibility of having baby number three after focusing on 'health time.' The former Disney channel star, 36 - who revealed his skin cancer diagnosis in June - opened up about the topic during an episode of The Viall Files podcast. Jonas Brothers singer Kevin Jonas and his wife, Danielle, have gotten in the Christmas spirit this week They were seen posing in a stunning two-story white mansion as they gave it some Yuletime razzle dazzle before Santa comes to town The musician notably tied the knot with Danielle, 37, back in 2009 and the couple share daughters Alena, 10, and Valentina, seven. 'If it's God's will, we'll see,' Kevin told host Nick Viall, and explained, 'It's like, we took some health time for my wife. She has Lyme disease, so she really wanted to get that right.' 'She's kind of only coming out of it now, in a good way, which is wonderful. Like all things, it just takes time and figuring out your life. But definitely not ruling it out.' If the couple do welcome a third child, Jonas expressed to Viall that it would feel 'like a firstborn again' due to Alena and Valentina being a little older. 'My oldest daughter came downstairs this morning and she had a cold ice roller on her face while she made herself breakfast. Like, she's 10,' the star stated. 'She came down dressed, made herself breakfast and was getting ready for camp and rolling her face, like, my life is amazing right now. I'll take it.' The father-of-two added, 'Do I want to be changing diapers? Maybe not, but at the same time, I love babies and I love having kids, so why not? Let's go.' However, the Jonas Brothers member revealed that his youngest daughter isn't too thrilled on the prospect of being an older sister. They decorated their tree with gold and white ornaments while adding wreaths and stockings by the fireplace The 37-year-old singer and his 38-year-old spouse of 15 years looked to be in great spirits as they also wrapped gifts for family members from Lowe's They were seen having fun as they looked at tools and decorative items while by a Christmas tree. Here she is seen wrapping a toolbox They were also seen in the dining room as they lit pale lavender candles more videos 1 2 3 Watch video Shawn Mendes talks celebrity relationships with John Mayer Watch video Selena Gomez shows off engagement ring from fiance Benny Blanco Watch video Bella Hadid documents last year and 8 months of horse riding Watch video Ally Lewber with Kathy Hilton before beau James Kennedy arrest Watch video Sophie Rain opens up about companies trying to buy her virginity Watch video Morgan Wallen pleads guilty to two counts of reckless endangerment Watch video Meghan Trainor gets emotional with 'shining light' Hoda on Today show Watch video It's official: Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco are engaged! Watch video She said yes! Lenny Hochstein proposes to Katharina Mazepa Watch video Serena Williams shows off fit figure in athletic outfit Watch video Bre Tiesi candidly discusses open relationship with Nick Cannon Watch video Juliet Mills and hubby Maxwell Caulfield at 'Landman' premiere Read More Angelina Jolie flashes her chest tattoo as she makes the rare move of discussing her insecurities '[Alena] wants to have another kid. Our second does not. Our second is our little rock star [and] she's like, "No way. No babies."' Kevin and Danielle first met in 2007 while on vacation with their families in the Bahamas, and tied the knot two years later at Oheka Castle in Long Island, New York. The lovebirds welcomed their first child in 2014, followed by their second daughter in 2016. The pair have previously opened up about parenthood during an interview with E! News last year in August 2023. 'Sometimes, what they say is not what really what they mean,' Jonas said of his daughters while talking to the outlet. 'And when they're telling us how they feel, sometimes there's something else really going on. I think you try to listen past the listening. And we're still working on that.' He had on a gray hoodie and sweatpants as she wore a blue suit in velvet The exterior was decorated with multi colored bulbs and wreaths as they changed into sweaters and blue jeans This comes after they revealed they are 'not ruling out' the possibility of having baby number three after focusing on 'health time.' The former Disney channel star, 36 - who revealed his skin cancer diagnosis in June - opened up about the topic during an episode of The Viall Files podcast more videos 1 2 3 Watch video Shawn Mendes talks celebrity relationships with John Mayer Watch video Selena Gomez shows off engagement ring from fiance Benny Blanco Watch video Bella Hadid documents last year and 8 months of horse riding Watch video Ally Lewber with Kathy Hilton before beau James Kennedy arrest Watch video Sophie Rain opens up about companies trying to buy her virginity Watch video Morgan Wallen pleads guilty to two counts of reckless endangerment Watch video Meghan Trainor gets emotional with 'shining light' Hoda on Today show Watch video It's official: Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco are engaged! Watch video She said yes! Lenny Hochstein proposes to Katharina Mazepa Watch video Serena Williams shows off fit figure in athletic outfit Watch video Bre Tiesi candidly discusses open relationship with Nick Cannon Watch video Juliet Mills and hubby Maxwell Caulfield at 'Landman' premiere Danielle also reflected on their two children growing up, and expressed, 'It's hard to let go.' 'I'm a sucker in that I always want to see them happy, and it's hard because you don't want to give them everything.' The TV personality - who also struggles with eczema - discussed being open and honest with her children. 'I think with them seeing me go through what I've gone through and being like, "I know this is rough right now. But there's something that's going to help me."' Last month in June, Kevin revealed to his fans that he had been diagnosed with skin cancer after a cancerous mole had been found on his forehead - which was removed during surgery. In a video uploaded to his main Instagram page, he got candid with his fans and also encouraged his followers to get checked. (L-R) Nick Jonas, Joe Jonas and Kevin Jonas of the Jonas Brothers perform on Day 3 of Festival in Quebec in July 'So today I am getting a basal-cell carcinoma removed from my head,' he explained shortly before undergoing the procedure. After quickly sharing a glimpse of the mole, the music artist said, 'Yes, that is an actual little skin cancer guy that has started to grow. And now I have to get surgery to remove it, so here we go.' He also updated his fans not long after the surgery while sitting inside a vehicle. 'Alright, I'm done. Now it's time to heal. Heading home. Make sure to get those moles checked, people.' In the caption of the post, the actor gave a 'friendly reminder' for others 'to get your moles checked.' The Jonas Brothers were recently on tour. On October 16 with the final concert taking place in Krakow, Poland. Jonas Brothers Kevin Jonas New York Share or comment on this article: Kevin Jonas and wife Danielle get in the Christmas spirit as they decorate a stunning New York mansion e-mail 58 shares Add comment
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Saquon Barkley tops 2,000 yards rushing and moves within 100 of Dickerson's record PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Saquon Barkley became the ninth running back in NFL history to top 2,000 yards rushing in a season, reaching the milestone with a 23-yard run in the fourth quarter against the Dallas Cowboys. That rush gave Barkley 2,005 yards with one game left and left him exactly 100 yards from Eric Dickerson’s record of 2,105, set in 1984 for the Los Angeles Rams. Barkley could potentially top the record in next week’s finale against the New York Giants. However, that game will be mostly meaningless for the Eagles, who could opt to rest Barkley to protect him from injury ahead of the playoffs. Bills clinch the AFC's No. 2 seed with a 40-14 rout of the undisciplined Jets ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Josh Allen threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score and the Buffalo Bills clinched the AFC’s No. 2 seed with a 40-14 rout of the New York Jets. The Bills put the game away by capitalizing on two Jets turnovers and scoring three touchdowns over a 5:01 span in the closing minutes of the third quarter. Buffalo’s defense forced three takeaways overall and sacked Aaron Rodgers four times, including a 2-yard loss for a safety in the second quarter. The five-time defending AFC East champion Bills improved to 13-3 to match a franchise single-season record. Saquon Barkley tops 2,000 yards rushing as Eagles beat Cowboys 41-7 to clinch NFC East PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Saquon Barkley rushed for 167 yards to top 2,000 on the season, backup quarterback Kenny Pickett ran and threw for scores before departing with injured ribs, and the Philadelphia Eagles clinched the NFC East title by routing the Dallas Cowboys 41-7. Barkley has 2,005 yards and needs 101 in next week’s mostly meaningless regular-season finale to top Eric Dickerson and his 2,105 yards for the Los Angeles Rams in 1984. The Eagles led 24-7 in the third quarter when Pickett was drilled by defensive end Micah Parsons, ending his first start in place of the concussed Jalen Hurts. Penn State coach James Franklin says Nick Saban should be college football's commissioner SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Penn State coach James Franklin believes college football needs a commissioner and he even has a candidate in mind: former Alabama coach Nick Saban. Franklin made the suggestion Sunday at Penn State’s College Football Playoff quarterfinals media day ahead of the Fiesta Bowl. The sixth-seeded Nittany Lions are preparing for their game against No. 3 seed Boise State on Tuesday. The veteran coach was responding to a question about Penn State’s backup quarterback situation after Beau Pribula transferred to Missouri before the playoff. Pribula’s decision highlighted some of the frustrating aspects of a new college football world in the Name, Image and Likeness era and the transfer portal, forcing players to make tough decisions at inopportune times. Mayfield throws 5 TD passes and Bucs keep playoff, NFC South hopes alive with 48-14 rout of Panthers TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Baker Mayfield threw for 359 yards and five touchdowns to help the Tampa Bay Buccaneers keep their division and playoff hopes alive with a 48-14 rout of the Carolina Panthers. The team’s fifth win in the past six weeks nudged the first-place Bucs a half-game ahead of Atlanta for the best record in the NFC South at 9-7. The Falcons played on the road later Sunday night at Washington. Atlanta holds the tiebreaker in the division race and can end Tampa Bay’s three-year reign as NFC South champions by beating the Commanders and winning again next week at home against the last-place Panthers. Lakers send D'Angelo Russell to Nets in trade for Dorian Finney-Smith, Shake Milton LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Lakers have traded guard D’Angelo Russell to the Brooklyn Nets for forward Dorian Finney-Smith and guard Shake Milton. The Lakers also sent forward Maxwell Lewis and three second-round draft picks to Brooklyn. Russell averaged a career-low 12.4 points per game for the Lakers this season in a diminished role under new coach JJ Redick. Finney-Smith is a steady 3-and-D wing who fills an obvious need for the Lakers. Russell is being traded by the Lakers to the Nets for the second time in his career. He also made the move in 2017. LeBron James at 40: A milestone birthday arrives Monday for the NBA's all-time scoring leader When LeBron James broke another NBA record earlier this month, the one for most regular-season minutes played in a career, his Los Angeles Lakers teammates handled the moment in typical locker room fashion. They made fun of him. Dubbed The Kid from Akron, with a limitless future, James is now the 40-year-old from Los Angeles with wisps of gray in his beard, his milestone birthday coming Monday, one that will make him the first player in NBA history to play in his teens, 20s, 30s and 40s. He has stood and excelled in the spotlight his entire career. Rising Sun Devils: Arizona State looks to pull off another big surprise at the Peach Bowl ATLANTA (AP) — As they prepare for Arizona State’s biggest game in nearly three decades, the guys who made it happen aren’t the least bit surprised to be rated a nearly two-touchdown underdog in the College Football Playoff. That’s a familiar position for the Sun Devils. They've been an underdog most of the season. Of the eight teams still vying for a national championship, there’s no bigger surprise than 11-2 Arizona State. The Sun Devils went 3-9 a year ago and were picked to finish dead last in their first season in the Big 12 Conference. Now, they're getting ready to face Texas in the Peach Bowl quarterfinal game on New Year’s Day. Penn State's polarizing QB Drew Allar puts critics on mute and keeps winning games SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Even when Penn State quarterback Drew Allar gets some praise, it’s usually a backhanded compliment. They say he’s a good game manager and stays within himself, or that he doesn’t try to do too much. They mention he might not be flashy, but he gives the team a chance to win. And here’s the thing about Penn State since Allar stepped under center: The Nittany Lions have won games. A lot of them. Sometimes that’s hard to remember considering the lukewarm reception he often gets from fans. The polarizing Allar has another chance to quiet his critics on Tuesday, when Penn State plays Boise State in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals at the Fiesta Bowl. Feels like 1979: Nottingham Forest moves into 2nd place behind rampant Liverpool in Premier League The Premier League table is starting to have a 1979 kind of feel to it with Liverpool at the top of the standings and Nottingham Forest in second place as the closest challenger. Liverpool padded its lead with a 5-0 rout of West Ham on Sunday while upstart Nottingham Forest climbed into second place by beating Everton 2-0 to continue its surprising push for a Champions League place. Manchester City marked Pep Guardiola's 500th game in charge by beating Leicester 2-0 but is still 14 points behind Liverpool having played a game more.
Ccc intelligent solutions exec Mary Jo Prigge sells $1.25m in stockThe federal government led by Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerian workers of the implementation of the newly approved national minimum wage FG assured organised labour that states will implement the wage starting from January 2025, thereby appealing to workers to exercise patience Minister of Labour, Muhammad Dingyadi, made the plea and gave the assurance on Thursday during a meeting with members of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCN) CHECK OUT: Education is Your Right! Don’t Let Social Norms Hold You Back. Learn Online with LEGIT. Enroll Now! Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements. FCT, Abuja - On Thursday, December 12, the federal government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said many states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will comply with the new national minimum wage by January 2025. The Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, made this known on Thursday when he received a delegation of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCN) at the ministry's headquarters in Abuja. Read also LG autonomy: What will happen to govs who tamper with LGA funds, circumvent Supreme Court judgement Daily Trust reported that he specifically appealed for patience from the workers, stating that his ministry was yet to know the states that have complied and those yet to do so. PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Instagram - get the most important news directly in your favourite app! Speaking further, the minister also noted that four or five states were yet to comply with the new minimum wage while some have complied with it to some level. He stated thus: “The FCT said it will comply with the new minimum wage in January. But your FCT chapter is saying that they want it done right now. I am not sure whether that is fair. “Many states are going to do it in January.” Additionally, he noted that the ministry had taken note of all the issues in contention and assured that all of them were going to be looked at thoroughly, and resolved amicably. Read more on minimum wage: Minimum wage: Zamfara governor says payments may be jeopardised in some states, gives reason NLC lambasts PDP as Nigerian governor approves higher minimum wage Read also “Let heaven fall”: Drama as Wike ignores Senate order, vows to continue FCT demolitions Bayelsa LG workers to get N80,000 minimum wage Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the Bayelsa state government approved the demand of organised labour to pay the new N80,000 minimum wage to Local Government workers. The state government, which had earlier approved the N80,000 minimum wage for workers in the state employ, also promised to add to the December salaries of its workers the differentials that will arise from the ongoing discussions on the template used in paying the new wage last month. PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ find the “Recommended for you” block on the home page and enjoy! Source: Legit.ng
With sustainable practices and cutting-edge snowmaking technology, Canada's ski industry ensures the future of winter recreation while supporting communities nationwide. TORONTO, Dec. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Winter sports enthusiasts across Canada eagerly anticipate the first snowfall, signaling the start of a season filled with fresh air and fun in a snowy wonderland. However, a changing climate is making those first flakes increasingly unpredictable, challenging an industry that supports communities and promotes healthy lifestyles nationwide. In response, the Canadian Ski Council has launched snowissnow.ca , a resource showcasing the industry's commitment to sustainability and innovation. The initiative provides a behind-the-scenes look at how Canada's ski areas are adapting to ensure snowy days remain a hallmark of winter for generations to come. Why is it Important for Canadians to Know that Snow is Snow? "Responsibility and resilience are at the heart of the ski industry's investment in snowmaking,” says Paul Pinchbeck, President and CEO of the Canadian Ski Council. Snowmaking is essential for ski operations across Canada, providing consistent snow coverage that enhances the experience for recreational skiers. "It ensures visitors can enjoy the slopes even during fluctuating temperatures and unpredictable weather while supporting the communities that rely on winter tourism,” Pinchbeck adds. Snowmaking also plays a vital role in kickstarting the winter season, offering early access to slopes before natural snowfall is dependable. This early-season reliability not only attracts visitors eager to embrace winter activities but also supports competitive athletes by providing critical training opportunities. As a foundation of operations, snowmaking bolsters the resilience of Canada's ski industry and its capacity to adapt to the challenges posed by climate change. Snowfall Trends and the Need for Adaptation Snowfall data from Environment Canada reveals that winter in Canada is changing. While snow cover has decreased in regions like the Pacific Coast and the Rockies, areas in southern Canada and central British Columbia have seen an increase in days with snow cover. Meanwhile, the Weather Network's 2024/2025 Winter Forecast predicts near- to above-normal precipitation across most of Canada, ensuring an active winter ahead. The Economic and Health Impacts of Snowmaking Ski areas are at the heart of many communities, supporting the economy through job creation and attracting millions of visitors annually. For example, Canada's ski areas welcome 17.9 million skier visits annually, including 2.4 million active skiers and riders, and generate $4.4 billion in spending. Beyond economics, skiing and snowboarding deliver significant health benefits. Outdoor activity improves cardiovascular health, balance, strength, and coordination while supporting mental well-being. Studies show that skiers may be at a lower risk of anxiety disorders like Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.) and benefit from natural boosts to sleep, metabolism, and immune function. Snowmaking: A Modern, Sustainable Solution The stakes are high, and the industry is taking a proactive approach to adapting to the many challenges it faces. Snowmaking technology has evolved dramatically, becoming more efficient and environmentally friendly. The snowissnow.ca resource seeks to provide insights into the snowmaking process while debunking myths about made snow. Key facts about snowmaking: About the Canadian Ski Council The Canadian Ski Council is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting skiing and snowboarding across Canada. Through a variety of programs and initiatives, the Council works to make winter sports accessible to all Canadians, fostering a love for the outdoors and encouraging active, healthy lifestyles. Visit www.skicanada.org for more information or follow the Canadian Ski Council on social media: X: @CDNSKICOUNCIL | Instagram: goskiinggosnowboarding | Facebook: GoSkiingGoSnowboarding | LinkedIn: canadian-ski-council | YouTube: CanSkiCouncil #SkiCanada #GoSkiingGoSnowboarding #SnowStartKidzPass #CanadianLiftPass #Winter20242025 MEDIA CONTACT: Leslie Booth Communications & Media Liaison Canadian Ski Council [email protected] 416.427.1588Ferris wheel ban Imposed: Singh
Jimmy Carter, the peanut farmer who tried to restore virtue to the White House after the Watergate scandal and Vietnam War, then rebounded from a landslide defeat to become a global advocate of human rights and democracy, has died. He was 100 years old . The Carter Center said the 39th president died Sunday afternoon, more than a year after entering hospice care , at his home in Plains, Georgia, where he and his wife, Rosalynn, who died in November 2023, lived most of their lives. The center said 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. A moderate Democrat, Carter ran for president in 1976 as a little-known Georgia governor with a broad grin, effusive Baptist faith and technocratic plans for efficient government. His promise to never 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 said. Keep up with the latest NKY news with our daily newsletter Sign up Carter’s victory over Republican Gerald Ford, whose fortunes fell after pardoning Nixon, came amid Cold War pressures, turbulent oil markets and social upheaval over race, women’s rights and America’s role in the world. His achievements included brokering Mideast peace by keeping Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin at Camp David for 13 days in 1978. But his coalition splintered under double-digit inflation and the 444-day hostage crisis in Iran. His negotiations ultimately brought all the hostages home alive, but in a final insult, Iran didn’t release them until the inauguration of Ronald Reagan, who had trounced him in the 1980 election. Humbled and back home in Georgia, Carter said his faith demanded that he keep doing whatever he could, for as long as he could, to try to make a difference. He and Rosalynn co-founded The Carter Center in 1982 and spent the next 40 years traveling the world as peacemakers, human rights advocates and champions of democracy and public health. Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, Carter helped ease nuclear tensions in North and South Korea, avert a U.S. invasion of Haiti and negotiate cease-fires in Bosnia and Sudan. By 2022, the center had monitored at least 113 elections around the world. Carter was determined to eradicate guinea worm infections as one of many health initiatives. Swinging hammers into their 90s, the Carters built homes with Habitat for Humanity. The common observation that he was better as an ex-president rankled Carter. His allies were pleased that he lived long enough to see biographers and historians revisit his presidency and declare it more impactful than many understood at the time. Propelled in 1976 by voters in Iowa and then across the South, Carter ran a no-frills campaign. Americans were captivated by the earnest engineer, and while an election-year Playboy interview drew snickers when he said he “had looked on many women with lust. I’ve committed adultery in my heart many times,” voters tired of political cynicism found it endearing. The first family set an informal tone in the White House, carrying their own luggage, trying to silence the Marine Band’s traditional “Hail to the Chief” and enrolling daughter, Amy, in public schools. Carter was lampooned for wearing a cardigan and urging Americans to turn down their thermostats. But Carter set the stage for an economic revival and sharply reduced America’s dependence on foreign oil by deregulating the energy industry along with airlines, trains and trucking. He established the departments of Energy and Education, appointed record numbers of women and nonwhites to federal posts, preserved millions of acres of Alaskan wilderness and pardoned most Vietnam draft evaders. Emphasizing human rights , he ended most support for military dictators and took on bribery by multinational corporations by signing the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. He persuaded the Senate to ratify the Panama Canal treaties and normalized relations with China, an outgrowth of Nixon’s outreach to Beijing. But crippling turns in foreign affairs took their toll. When OPEC hiked crude prices, making drivers line up for gasoline as inflation spiked to 11%, Carter tried to encourage Americans to overcome “a crisis of confidence.” Many voters lost confidence in Carter instead after the infamous address that media dubbed his “malaise” speech, even though he never used that word. After Carter reluctantly agreed to admit the exiled Shah of Iran to the U.S. for medical treatment, the American Embassy in Tehran was overrun in 1979. Negotiations to quickly free the hostages broke down, and then eight Americans died when a top-secret military rescue attempt failed. Carter also had to reverse course on the SALT II nuclear arms treaty after the Soviets invaded Afghanistan in 1979. Though historians would later credit Carter’s diplomatic efforts for hastening the end of the Cold war, Republicans labeled his soft power weak. Reagan’s “make America great again” appeals resonated, and he beat Carter in all but six states. Born Oct. 1, 1924, James Earl Carter Jr. married fellow Plains native Rosalynn Smith in 1946, the year he graduated from the Naval Academy. He brought his young family back to Plains after his father died, abandoning his Navy career, and they soon turned their ambitions to politics . Carter reached the state Senate in 1962. After rural white and Black voters elected him governor in 1970, he drew national attention by declaring that “the time for racial discrimination is over.” Carter published more than 30 books and remained influential as his center turned its democracy advocacy onto U.S. politics, monitoring an audit of Georgia’s 2020 presidential election results. After a 2015 cancer diagnosis, Carter said he felt “perfectly at ease with whatever comes.” “I’ve had a wonderful life,” he said. “I’ve had thousands of friends, I’ve had an exciting, adventurous and gratifying existence.” Before you go.... Can you help us make a difference? 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Off the couch and into the fireGermany's CDU, currently favorites to lead the next German government, wants to cut unemployment benefits for Ukrainian war refugees, on the grounds that it discourages them from finding work. Germany's center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Christian Social Union (CSU) — currently leading in polls ahead of the election on February 23 next year — want to cut welfare benefits and get more of the country's 5.5 million long-term unemployed into the labor market. They are also openly questioning whether Ukrainians should receive the standard unemployment benefit, called Bürgergeld ("citizens' income") rather than the lower asylum-seeker benefits. Following Russia's full-fledged invasion of Ukraine , refugees arriving in Germany and were subject to an EU Council Directive for temporary protection in the event of a mass influx of displaced persons for whom the regular asylum procedures do not apply. They were granted temporary residency status and entitled to full social welfare benefits. The CSU's Stephan Stracke, social policy spokesman for the CDU/CSU's parliamentary group, told DW that while anyone fleeing "war and violence" had a right to protection, "This does not mean, however, that there must be an automatic entitlement to the citizen's income in Germany." Instead, Stracke said, newly arrived Ukrainian war refugees should receive asylum-seeker benefits "at first." Political row breaks out in Germany over Ukrainian refugees To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Integration into the job market Germany is currently home to around 1.2 million Ukrainian refugees, around 530,000 of whom are classified by the Federal Employment Agency as eligible to work and entitled to citizens' income (as of May 2024). That means they receive an unemployment benefit of up to €563 ($596) per month plus their rent and heating costs paid by the state. There is an extra allowance for children, staggered by age, and around 360,000 of the Ukrainian refugees in Germany are children. Stracke's proposal — for Ukrainians to receive the standard asylum seekers' benefit instead — would mean that Ukrainians would receive only €460 per month. The CDU's move is part of a general planned overhaul of the Bürgergeld system if they get into power, which will include tougher sanctions for refusing work and more mandatory visits to the authorities. The tougher comments on Ukrainian refugees are not new among German conservatives: Two years ago, CDU leader Friedrich Merz, who is predicted to head Germany's next government questioned the Ukranians' need for protection: "We are now experiencing a form of social tourism among these refugees: to Germany, back to Ukraine, to Germany, back to Ukraine," Merz told the Bild TV outlet in 2022 , triggering widespread outrage. Ukrainians across Europe In a newly updated study, the German Institute for Employment Research (IAB) found that Germany was struggling to integrate Ukrainians into the job market, at least compared with other countries — but also that the situation was improving: Only 27% of Ukrainians in Germany had found work as of March this year, compared to 57% in Lithuania and 53% in Denmark (though that was still ahead of Ukrainians in Norway, Spain, and Finland, where only around 20% had found work). — and finding childcare and schooling has become increasingly difficult. According to Germany's right-wing parties, like the CDU and the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) , the high number of refugees living off social welfare is partly down to the amount of money they receive. "Germany has obviously not been particularly successful in getting Ukrainian refugees into work so far," said Stracke. "Other European countries are doing much better. That is why we in Germany have to give more weight to the principle of supporting and challenging people to find work." Getting qualifications recognized But the IAB study also shows that the proportion of Ukrainians in work is steadily rising in all the European countries — and that there is little evidence to show that there is a correlation with the amount of state help they receive. More significant factors than benefits, the IAB said, were language barriers and demand for labor in the low-wage sector, where it is easier to find work. Iryna Shulikina, executive director at the Berlin-based NGO Vitsche, which supports Ukrainian refugees in Germany, said Ukrainians encounter several obstacles to finding work in Germany, most notably getting through the bureaucratic process. According to the IAB, some 72% of Ukrainian refugees have either a university degree or a vocational qualification — more than other refugees or the German working population in general. "When they come here, they face the difficulties of getting their diplomas approved here," Shulikina said. To name one example: Though Germany faces a shortage of medical workers, Shulikina said she had spoken to Ukrainian medical workers who needed two and a half years to get to the stage where they could work: Applying for work, getting their documents and qualifications approved, doing the necessary tests, learning the language. "It's a real challenge," she said. Talk about sending Ukrainians back plays into Putin’s hands: Fabian Funke, German MP To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Election puts pressure on refugees Whether a likely CDU-led government will succeed in changing conditions for Ukrainian refugees will depend also on its coalition partners: The center-left Social Democrats (SPD) are less inclined to crack down on social welfare recipients, while leading members of the neoliberal Free Democrats (FDP) , have already expressed their support for recategorizing Ukrainian war refugees — even though the party's parliamentary group declined to state an official position to DW for this article. Shulikina put the current political debate on the issue of Bürgergeld down to election campaigning and did not accept the argument that the citizens' income was keeping Ukrainian refugees at home. "All the people I know who are refugees and have anything to do with the Job Center are doing everything possible to end this relationship," she said. "It's very humiliating and annoying. You are very dependent, and you are not perceived as an equal part of society — you're asked about every cent you spend and how and when. I don't believe there are a lot of people who enjoy getting Bürgergeld." Lyudmyla Mlosch, chairperson of the Central Council of Ukrainians in Germany (ZVUD), said many Ukrainians she knows in Germany don't want to be here at all. "I know a lot of people here who are dreaming of going home, but they have no home — they've lost everything," said Mlosch. "Of course they need support." But Mlosch did admit that some Ukrainians are more desperate than others: Those from the regions in the east that are under almost continual bombardment from Russia are more in need of state help, for example, as are older or sick people, or people who have no savings. "They don't need to all be put in the same bracket. But younger people who can work, they could have their money reduced, I could admit that," she said. Edited by Rina Goldenberg While you're here: Every Tuesday, DW editors round up what is happening in German politics and society. You can sign up here for the weekly email newsletter Berlin Briefing.
Former US president Jimmy Carter dies aged 100
Notable quotes by Jimmy Carter
Mr Carter, a former peanut farmer, served one term in the White House between 1977 and 1981, taking over in the wake of the Watergate scandal and the end of the Vietnam War. After his defeat by Ronald Reagan, he spent his post-presidency years as a global humanitarian, winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. His death on Sunday was announced by his family and came more than a year after he decided to enter hospice care. He was the longest-lived US president. Our founder, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, passed away this afternoon in Plains, Georgia. — The Carter Center (@CarterCenter) His son, Chip Carter, said: “My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights and unselfish love. “My brothers, sister and I shared him with the rest of the world through these common beliefs. “The world is our family because of the way he brought people together, and we thank you for honouring his memory by continuing to live these shared beliefs.” Mr Carter is expected to receive a state funeral featuring public observances in Atlanta and Washington DC before being buried in his home town of Plains, Georgia. A moderate democrat born in Plains in October 1924, Mr Carter’s political career took him from the Georgia state senate to the state governorship and finally the White House, where he took office as the 39th president. His presidency saw economic disruption amid volatile oil prices, along with social tensions at home and challenges abroad including the Iranian revolution that sparked a 444-day hostage crisis at the US embassy in Tehran. But he also brokered the Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel, which led to a peace treaty between the two countries in 1979. After his defeat in the 1980 presidential election, he worked for more than four decades leading the Carter Centre, which he and his late wife Rosalynn co-founded in 1982 to “wage peace, fight disease, and build hope”. Mrs Carter, who died last year aged 96, had played a more active role in her husband’s presidency than previous first ladies, with Mr Carter saying she had been “my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished”. Earlier this year, on his 100th birthday, Mr Carter received a private congratulatory message from the King, expressing admiration for his life of public service.
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