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Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter died Sunday, confirmed by his family to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Washington Pos t. He was 100 years old. Born James Earl Carter, Jr., in Plains, Georgia, on October 1, 1924, the Democrat pursued state politics before he was elected to one term in the White House, where he served as the 39th president between 1977 and 1981. Carter's mother was a nurse, and his father was a businessman and farmer who grew peanuts, cotton, sugar and corn. The National Park Service currently oversees the Carter family farm as part of the Jimmy Carter National Historical Park, which is open to visitors. Carter attended public school in his hometown before enrolling in Georgia Southwestern College and the Georgia Institute of Technology. He ultimately graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1946 and served as an officer in the U.S. Navy for seven years. Once his time at the academy was completed, Carter married Rosalynn Smith, who later became the first lady during Carter's time in office. The couple had three sons and one daughter and would be married for 77 years, the longest marriage in presidential history. Carter first decided to pursue a career in politics in the early 1960s, when he was elected to the Georgia Senate . He launched his first gubernatorial campaign ahead of the 1966 election and lost, but went on to win his second bid for governor four years later, becoming the state's 76th elected leader and serving from January 1971 through January 1975. After a brief time overseeing the Democratic National Committee , Carter announced his intention to run for president in late 1974. He defeated incumbent Republican Gerald Ford with 297 electoral votes to Ford's 240, with former Minnesota Senator Walter Mondale joining the new Democratic administration as Carter's vice president. Mondale died in 2021 at 93. In a statement Carter released at the time, he remembered Mondale as "the best vice president in our country's history" and a "dear friend." While president, Carter was credited with encouraging a peace agreement in the Middle East that ultimately resulted in the Camp David Accords, which the Office of the Historian at the U.S. Department of State described as "historic." The White House archives lists the Panama Canal treaties and an agreement between the U.S. and the Soviet Union restricting nuclear weapon production as some of Carter's biggest victories overseas. In the U.S., Carter pursued deregulation in a handful of industries, including energy and transportation, and pushed for new environmental protections. The U.S. Department of Education also launched during his time in office. Carter's presidency is often remembered by the Iran hostage crisis and struggles at home as the U.S. faced an economic downturn. A White House Historical Association overview of Carter's administration credited the hostage crisis—which continued for more than a year and didn't end until Carter's final day as president—with impacting the Democrat's unsuccessful bid for re-election. Carter lost the 1980 election with 41 percent of the popular vote and just 49 electoral college votes. He was succeeded by Republican Ronald Reagan. Shortly after leaving the White House, Carter established The Carter Center in Atlanta with his wife and in collaboration with Emory University. The former first lady was Carter's "full partner" in their efforts at the nonprofit and was continuing her work by chairing its Mental Health Task Force as of January, according to her co-founder page on the organization's website. The Carter Center was created "on a fundamental commitment to human rights and the alleviation of human suffering" and describes its continuing mission as seeking "to prevent and resolve conflicts, enhance freedom and democracy, and improve health." In 2002, the Norwegian Nobel Committee announced Carter was its choice for the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize "for his decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development." At the time of the announcement, the committee recognized Carter's work on the Camp David Accords while he was president, as well as his efforts in protecting democratic elections overseas and defending human rights through the Carter Center. More recently, Carter continued voicing his positions on voting rights in his own country as a slew of states weighed the implementation of new election-related restrictions. In March 2021, Carter criticized his home state's legislature for pursuing election-related legislation that he said seemed "to be rooted in partisan interests, not in the interests of all Georgia voters." "As our state legislators seek to turn back the clock through legislation that will restrict access to voting for many Georgians, I am disheartened, saddened, and angry," Carter said at the time. Two months later, the Carters were visited at their home in Georgia by President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden . Carter had previously congratulated Biden on his win in the 2020 election through a statement in which he and Rosalynn said they both "look forward to seeing the positive change they bring to our nation." In the years before his death, and following a series of hospital stays, Carter began hospice care at home, opting to spend his remaining time surrounded by family. Rosalynn, who was also in hospice care at their Georgia home following a diagnosis of dementia, died in November 2023. Carter is survived by his four children, Jack, James, Donnel and Amy, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. This is a developing news story and will be updated with more information.Racist message left on Santa letters at Tennessee museum, visitors say
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has applauded Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State for his “Giant Strides” in governance as he approaches the two-year milestone in office. The party reflected on significant advancements in infrastructure, healthcare, and grassroots empowerment under his leadership. In a statement released via its official X handle on Friday, the PDP wrote, The @OfficialPDPNig Government in Osun State under HE Ademola Adeleke has made significant strides in various sectors since assuming office in the last two years.” The statement followed the announcement by the Osun State Government of a 16-day lineup of events to celebrate Adeleke’s second anniversary as governor. PDP commended Adeleke for prioritizing infrastructure, particularly road construction and rehabilitation. According to the statement, over 90 kilometers of intercity roads have been completed across Osun’s nine federal constituencies, enhancing connectivity, boosting economic activities, and facilitating the seamless movement of goods and people. This initiative has transformed the state’s economy, fostering development and enhancing the quality of life for residents,” the PDP stated. So, the party lauded Adeleke’s investment in grassroots empowerment. Nearly N389.5 million in grants has been distributed to 50 communities and 13 vulnerable groups to fund micro-projects tailored to specific local needs. These initiatives have fostered inclusivity, improved local development, and addressed unique community challenges. “These projects promote grassroots development, empowering communities and ensuring vulnerable groups are not left behind,” the statement emphasized. Additionally, healthcare sector under Adeleke’s administration has undergone key reforms, particularly through the expansion of the state’s health insurance scheme. The scheme now covers 23,000 pensioners, ensuring access to quality healthcare for retired public servants. Also, the administration resolved longstanding pension issues, disbursing N28 billion in payments for backlogs of pensions and gratuities owed by previous governments. “Governor Adeleke has demonstrated his commitment to the welfare of pensioners, alleviating the burden of unpaid entitlements and ensuring prompt payments,” the party stated. The PDP summarized Adeleke’s achievements, affirming that his administration has significantly improved the lives of Osun citizens through transformative policies and initiatives. The hashtag #AdelekeIsWorking has gained traction among his supporters, reflecting public endorsement of his governance. Adeleke, who was declared the winner of the 2022 Osun governorship election by the Independent National Electoral Commission with 403,371 votes, defeated the incumbent, Adegboyega Oyetola of the APC, who garnered 375,027 votes. He was sworn in on November 28, 2022.
Nigel Pickford is one of the world's leading experts at finding shipwrecks—and their treasure. But if you're picturing a swashbuckling pirate type, think again. Consider this description in a lengthy New Yorker profile by Sam Knight: "Pickford is seventy-eight, with white hair, crooked teeth, and a mild, understated manner that could be mistaken entirely for gentleness, or English politeness, but is also the mark of a lifetime spent among secrets." Or as Pickford's wife, Rosamund, puts it: "He's not an adventurer. He's a detective."... John Johnson
Jeremy Clarkson has backpedalled on his previous comments about why he bought his farm, saying he thought it would be a “better PR story if I said I bought it to avoid paying tax”. The TV presenter and journalist defied doctors’ orders by joining thousands of farmers in London on Tuesday to protest against agricultural inheritance tax changes. The 64-year-old, who fronts Prime Video’s Clarkson’s Farm, which documents the trials of farming on his land in Oxfordshire, wrote in a post on the Top Gear website in 2010: “I have bought a farm. There are many sensible reasons for this: Land is a better investment than any bank can offer. The government doesn’t get any of my money when I die. And the price of the food that I grow can only go up.” Clarkson also told the Times in 2021 that avoiding inheritance tax was “the critical thing” in his decision to buy land. Addressing the claim in a new interview with The Times, the former Top Gear presenter said: “I never did admit why I really bought it.” The fan of game bird shooting added: “I wanted to have a shoot – I was very naive. I just thought it would be a better PR story if I said I bought it to avoid paying tax.” Clarkson was among the thousands who took to the streets this week to protest over the changes in the recent Budget to impose inheritance tax on farms worth more than £1 million and he addressed the crowds at the march in central London. He told the newspaper he is not happy to be the public face of the movement, saying: “It should be led by farmers.” The presenter said he does not consider himself a farmer because there are “so many basic jobs” which he cannot do, but he feels his role is to “report on farming”. Earlier this month, it was confirmed Clarkson’s Farm, which has attracted huge attention to his Diddly Squat farm shop, had been renewed for a fifth series. Asked whether the issue behind the tax protest is that rural poverty is hidden, Clarkson agreed and said his programme was not helping to address the situation. “One of the problems we have on the show is we’re not showing the poverty either, because obviously on Diddly Squat there isn’t any poverty”, he said. “But trust me, there is absolute poverty. I’m surrounded by farmers. I’m not going out for dinner with James Dyson. “It’s people with 200 acres, 400 acres. Way past Rachel Reeves’s threshold. They are f*****.” The newspaper columnist also presents Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? on ITV. The Grand Tour, his motoring show with former Top Gear colleagues Richard Hammond and James May, ended in September. Discussing whether he might move into politics, Clarkson said: “I’d be a terrible political leader, hopeless. “I’m a journalist at heart, I prefer throwing rocks at people than having them thrown at me.” However, he said he would be “100% behind any escalation” after the farmers’ march. Clarkson revealed last month he had undergone a heart procedure to have stents fitted after experiencing a “sudden deterioration” in his health which brought on symptoms of being “clammy”, a “tightness” in his chest and “pins and needles” in his left arm. He said in a Sunday Times column that one of his arteries was “completely blocked and the second of three was heading that way” and doctors said he was perhaps “days away” from becoming very ill. Asked if he is thinking about retiring, the Doncaster-born celebrity said: “Probably not. It depends when you die, I always think. “You’d be surprised, us Northerners are made of strong stuff.”Should the U.S. increase immigration levels for highly skilled workers?SumUp Unveils POS Lite: A Cost-Effective Solution for U.S. Microbusinesses
South Korea president’s arrest possible in theory, but has many obstacles