The decision to target a left winger in the upcoming transfer window reflects Arsenal's desire to inject more creativity and width into their attacking play. By adding a player who can stretch opposition defenses and provide natural width on the left flank, the Gunners hope to unlock new dimensions in their attacking strategy and increase their goal-scoring output.Emotional intelligence, often defined as the ability to recognize, understand, and manage one's own emotions as well as those of others, plays a crucial role in sports and leadership. In the context of professional football, emotional intelligence can manifest in various ways – from remaining calm under pressure during a high-stakes match to supporting teammates in moments of adversity. Both Messi and Mbappé exemplify this trait through their actions on and off the field, demonstrating a level of maturity that goes beyond their technical skills.
Seven to eight personnel from the Taliban forces were killed along the Durand Line in the Upper Kurram district on Saturday, as the Afghan Taliban targeted Pakistborder posts in Ghozgarhi, Matha Sangar, Kot Ragha and Tari Mengal areas using both light and heavy weaponry, the Dawn reported. ET Year-end Special Reads What kept India's stock market investors on toes in 2024? India's car race: How far EVs went in 2024 Investing in 2025: Six wealth management trends to watch out for According to Dawn, one Pakistani soldier was killed and 11 others were also wounded it said, citing security sources. However, the Taliban forces claimed that 19 Pakistani soldiers were killed in the retaliatory attacks. The Taliban forces used both light and heavy weaponry to target border posts in the areas of Ghozgarhi, Matha Sangar, Kot Ragha, and Tari Mengal, the Dawn reported. This came days after Pakistani aircraft carried out aerial bombardments in Afghanistan's Barmal district of Paktika province, which killed 46 people with six people getting injured. The Pakistani military said the airstrikes were aimed at bases of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in the region, resulting in the deaths of several militants and the destruction of four TTP bases, Khaama Press reported, citing the Pakistani media outlets close to the Pakistani Army. 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According to Dawn, citing sources, TTP militants tried to enter Pakistani territory through Taliban checkpoints on Friday night but were unsuccessful and were reportedly involved in retaliatory actions alongside the Taliban. "After the infiltration attempt failed, militants and Afghan forces jointly opened fire on Pakistani posts with heavy weapons on Saturday morning. The firing was effectively responded to, and there are confirmed reports of heavy losses on the Afghan side, with over 15 militants dead and many others wounded," a source said as quoted by Dawn. (ANI) (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
Stockholders Approved Merger on October 25, 2024 $2.50 Per Share Merger Consideration Unanimously Approved by SPAR Group Board of Directors AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Dec. 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SPAR Group, Inc. SGRP ("SGRP", "SPAR Group" or the "Corporation"), a provider of merchandising, marketing and distribution services, in response to media and investor inquiries, affirms intent to close the proposed acquisition (the "Proposed Acquisition") by Highwire Capital. As previously announced, SPAR Group entered into the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated August 30, 2024, by and among SGRP, Highwire Capital and Highwire Merger Co. I, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Highwire Capital, whereby SPAR Group is to be acquired by Highwire Capital in an all cash transaction. SPAR Group's stockholders approved the transaction in a special meeting conducted on October 25, 2024. "We remain committed to completing this transaction and delivering value to our shareholders," said Mike Matacunas, President and CEO of SPAR Group. "We are also excited about the performance of our business and the favorable response from clients, partners and employees to this merger." "Highwire Capital is committed to the completion of this transaction," said Rob Wilson, CEO of Highwire Capital. "We are addressing final lender requirements and expect to close soon. The commitment letter with our lenders, which had an expiration date of December 15, 2024, has been extended to January 15, 2025 to allow time for the completion of the remaining requirements." About Highwire Capital Highwire Capital transforms middle-market businesses by integrating innovative technologies with traditional operating models. By driving efficiency and fostering industry advancements, Highwire Capital revitalizes established entities into leading platforms for disruption and growth. About SPAR Group, Inc. SPAR Group is an innovative services company offering comprehensive merchandising, marketing and distribution solutions to retailers and brands. We provide the resources and analytics that improve brand experiences and transform retail spaces. We offer a unique combination of scale and flexibility with a passion for client results that separates us from the competition. Forward-Looking Statements This press release (this "Press Release") contains "forward-looking statements" within the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, made by, or respecting, the Corporation. Forward-looking statements include information concerning the Proposed Acquisition. "Forward-looking statements" are defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and other applicable federal and state securities laws, rules and regulations, as amended. All statements (other than those that are purely historical) are forward-looking statements. Words such as "may," "will," "expect," "intend," "believe," "estimate," "anticipate," "continue," "plan," "project," or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions also identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements made by the Corporation in this Press Release may include (without limitation) statements regarding: risks, uncertainties, cautions, circumstances and other factors ("Risks"). Those Risks include (without limitation): the impact of the news of the Proposed Acquisition or developments in it; the nature, cost and outcome of any legal proceedings related to the Proposed Acquisition; uncertainty of satisfaction of closing conditions respecting the Proposed Acquisition; the impact of the Corporation's continued strategic review process, or any resulting action or inaction, should the Proposed Acquisition not occur; the impact of selling certain of the Corporation's subsidiaries or any resulting impact on revenues, earnings or cash; the impact of adding new directors or new finance team members; the potential n continuing negative effects of the COVID pandemic on the business of the Corporation and its subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company"); the Corporation's potential non-compliance with applicable Nasdaq director independence, bid price or other rules; the Company's cash flow or financial condition; and plans, intentions, expectations, guidance or other information respecting the pursuit or achievement of the Corporation's corporate objectives. You should carefully review and consider the Company's forward-looking statements (including Risks and other cautions and uncertainties) and other information made, contained or noted in or incorporated by reference into this Press Release, but you should not place undue reliance on any of them. The results, actions, levels of activity, performance, achievements or condition of the Company (including its affiliates, assets, business, clients, capital, cash flow, credit, expenses, financial condition, foreign exchange, income, liabilities, liquidity, locations, marketing, operations, performance, prospects, revenues, sales, strategies, taxation or other achievement, results, Risks, trends or condition) and other events and circumstances planned, intended, anticipated, estimated or otherwise expected by the Company (collectively, "Expectations"), and our forward-looking statements (including all Risks) and other information reflect the Company's current views about future events and circumstances. Although the Company believes those Expectations and views are reasonable, the results, actions, levels of activity, performance, achievements or condition of the Company or other events and circumstances may differ materially from our Expectations and views, and they cannot be assured or guaranteed by the Company, since they are subject to Risks and other assumptions, changes in circumstances and unpredictable events (many of which are beyond the Company's control). In addition, new Risks arise from time to time, and it is impossible for the Company to predict these matters or how they may arise or affect the Company. Accordingly, the Corporation cannot assure you that its Expectations will be achieved in whole or in part, that it has identified all potential Risks, or that it can successfully avoid or mitigate such Risks in whole or in part, any of which could be significant and materially adverse to the Corporation and the value of your investment in the Corporation's common stock. These forward-looking statements reflect the Corporation's Expectations, views, Risks and assumptions only as of the date of this Press Release, and the Corporation does not intend, assume any obligation, or promise to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements (including any Risks or Expectations) or other information (in whole or in part), whether as a result of new information, new or worsening Risks or uncertainties, changed circumstances, future events, recognition, or otherwise. Media Contact: Investor Relations Contact: Highwire Capital Contact: Ronald Margulis Sandy Martin Ben Hudson RAM Communications Three Part Advisors Highwire Capital, LLC 908-272-3930 214-616-2207 ben@highwire.capital ron@rampr.com smartin@threepa.com © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Sean 'Diddy' Combs denied bail a third time as he awaits sex trafficking trial
BETHESDA, Md. , Dec. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- AGNC Investment Corp. (Nasdaq: AGNC) ("AGNC" or the "Company") announced today that its Board of Directors has declared cash dividends on the outstanding depositary shares 1 of the following series of preferred stock for the fourth quarter 2024: Series of Preferred Stock Ticker Per Annum Dividend Rate Dividend Per Depositary Share 1 7.00% Series C Fixed-to-Floating Rate AGNCN 10.01991% 2 $0.64016 6.875% Series D Fixed-to-Floating Rate AGNCM 9.24091% 3 $0.59039 6.50% Series E Fixed-to-Floating Rate AGNCO 9.90191% 4 $0.63262 6.125% Series F Fixed-to-Floating Rate AGNCP 6.125 % $0.3828125 7.750% Series G Fixed-Rate Reset AGNCL 7.750 % $0.48438 1. Each depositary share represents a 1/1,000th interest in a share of preferred stock. 2. The Series C Depositary Shares accrue dividends at a floating rate equal to Three-Month CME Term SOFR plus 0.26161% plus 5.111%. The dividend rate for the dividend period ending January 14, 2025 is 10.01991% per annum. 3. The Series D Depositary Shares accrue dividends at a floating rate equal to Three-Month CME Term SOFR plus 0.26161% plus 4.332%. The dividend rate for the dividend period ending January 14, 2025 is 9.24091% per annum. 4. The Series E Depositary Shares accrue dividends at a floating rate equal to Three-Month CME Term SOFR plus 0.26161% plus 4.993%. The dividend rate for the dividend period ending January 14, 2025 is 9.90191% per annum. The dividend for each series of outstanding preferred stock is payable on January 15, 2025 to holders of record as of January 1, 2025 . For further information or questions, please contact Investor Relations at (301) 968-9300 or IR@AGNC.com . ABOUT AGNC INVESTMENT CORP. Founded in 2008, AGNC Investment Corp. (Nasdaq: AGNC) is a leading investor in Agency residential mortgage-backed securities (Agency MBS), which benefit from a guarantee against credit losses by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, or Ginnie Mae . We invest on a leveraged basis, financing our Agency MBS assets primarily through repurchase agreements, and utilize dynamic risk management strategies intended to protect the value of our portfolio from interest rate and other market risks. AGNC has a track record of providing favorable long-term returns for our stockholders through substantial monthly dividend income, with over $13 billion of common stock dividends paid since inception. Our business is a significant source of private capital for the U.S. residential housing market, and our team has extensive experience managing mortgage assets across market cycles. To learn more about The Premier Agency Residential Mortgage REIT , please visit www.AGNC.com , follow us on LinkedIn and X , and sign up for Investor Alerts . CONTACT: Investor Relations - (301) 968-9300 View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/agnc-investment-corp-declares-fourth-quarter-dividends-on-preferred-stock-302329441.html SOURCE AGNC Investment Corp.As lights ready to come on, Ladysmith Festival of Lights still good for businessIn the unforgiving world of football, reputations can be made or broken in an instant. The story of Manchester United's number 10 serves as a stark reminder of the fine line between success and failure in the beautiful game. Only time will tell what the future holds for this player and the club, but one thing is certain - change is on the horizon.
'Democracy and freedom': Jimmy Carter's human rights efforts in Latin AmericaMoreover, Messi's contract renewal is also crucial for the financial stability of the club. The Argentine forward's return has already generated a buzz and excitement among fans, leading to increased ticket sales, merchandise revenue, and sponsorship opportunities. By securing Messi's future at the club, Barcelona can capitalize on this momentum and continue to grow their brand both on and off the field.GOP Senators Express Confidence In Pete Hegseth's Confirmation as Pentagon Chief
The NFL has faced ongoing controversy for years regarding the potential link between chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and football-related injuries, with no resolution in sight. More News: Blood Test Can Benefit NFL Concussion Return-to-Play Decisions Although the league settled a lawsuit filed by over 4,500 former players who claimed the NFL downplayed the risks of brain trauma, the family of Ed Lothamer, a former defensive tackle who played eight seasons for the Kansas City Chiefs, argues that the league treats players with CTE as "throwaways" and is "just waiting for everyone to die." In a sobering new profile with The Kansas City Star , Ryan Lothamer-Welch, daughter of the deceased Chiefs player, went into detail regarding feeling "shunned" by the NFL due to her father's struggle with CTE. Despite the settled lawsuit, Lothamer-Welch feels that the NFL is doing little for players diagnosed with CTE. "I felt like they treated a lot of the guys that built that league on their backs like they were throwaways ..." Lothamer-Welch said. "It's just human nature. I mean, people care about what's happening today. They're not so interested in what happened yesterday or what's going to happen 10 years down the road." It is worth noting for context that the $765 million settlement by the NFL , which was intended to help cover treatment for players with CTE, dementia, or other brain-related illnesses after suffering on-field concussions, has been heavily criticized and accused of "routinely [failing] to deliver money and medical care to former players suffering from dementia and CTE." According to an investigation by The Washington Post , the NFL has allegedly failed to follow through on its responsibility to provide payouts, exploiting medical loopholes to avoid covering these expenses. After reviewing 15,000 pages of documents from more than 100 former players, the Post said players regularly saw "their claims denied by the administrative law firm that oversees the settlement. Reportedly, medical personnel who worked for the NFL "simply overruled physicians who actually evaluated players" and would reclassify dementia symptoms on non-football-related causes. Over a dozen players "failed to qualify for settlement money or medical care and then died, only to have CTE confirmed via autopsy." A recent survey by JAMA Neurology found that one-third of former professional football players suspect they suffer from CTE); the study is one of the most extensive to explore former NFL players' perceptions of their cognitive health. Ed Lothamer passed away in 2022, at the age of 80. Following his death, his family donated his brain to the UNITE Brain Bank, where researchers confirmed a diagnosis of stage 4 CTE, the most severe form of the condition. He had been drafted by the Chiefs in 1964 and was part of a defense renowned for its future Pro Football Hall of Famers. Despite numerous injuries, he played in 88 games and started 35 as the Chiefs appeared in two of the first four Super Bowls. "We were told he had some type of "dementia," with some forward-thinking doctors alluding to possible CTE and he had gotten a number of opinions over the years about his volatile and diminishing condition..." Lothamer-Welch wrote in a personal story at the Concussion Legacy Foundation . "My father made $42,000 during his final season in the NFL , which we now realize was the price he exchanged for his brain." More News: Professional Athletes' Homes Are Being Targeted by Robbery Ring Although Lothamer was a plaintiff in the settlement and had been formally diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2016, his case is among many that the NFL has managed to sidestep, offering neither a payout nor any acknowledgment. To the Lothamer family, this appears to be part of a deliberate strategy by the league, even as they continue to hope that an attorney might help them secure compensation and, perhaps, some form of validation from the NFL . Instead, they've felt increasingly discouraged by the legal process. "They are just waiting for everybody to die," Elisabeth Lothamer, the widow of the former Chiefs player said. "I mean, it's just what they're doing." For more on the NFL , head to Newsweek Sports .To address these issues and bolster Arsenal's left flank, several steps can be taken. Firstly, Arsenal must prioritize the recruitment of a dynamic and reliable left-back who can provide both defensive stability and attacking impetus. A player who can complement Saka's playing style and form a cohesive partnership on the left side will be crucial in unlocking his full potential.
As fans eagerly await the next round of matches, the battle at the top of the table promises to be intense and exciting. With teams fighting for every point, the English Premier League is shaping up to be one of the most competitive seasons in recent memory. Stay tuned for more thrilling action as the drama unfolds on the pitch.The potential sale of Rashford would represent a significant change in direction for Manchester United, who have traditionally been reluctant to part ways with homegrown talent. However, with the club keen to rebuild and refresh the squad under new manager Erik ten Hag, no player is said to be off limits in the transfer market.
This incident serves as a reminder of the prevalence of fake news and rumors in today's digital age. With the rise of social media and instant messaging platforms, information can spread rapidly and without proper verification, leading to confusion, panic, and misguided actions. It underscores the need for individuals to be vigilant, critical, and discerning when consuming and sharing information online.As we mark the one-year anniversary of the "Short Essay" incident, it is clear that Dong Yuhui's journey towards redemption and growth is far from over. The lessons learned from this experience have shaped his approach to writing, business, and personal development in profound ways. Through humility, self-reflection, and a commitment to continuous improvement, Dong Yuhui has not only weathered the storm but emerged stronger, wiser, and more determined than ever before.
ATLANTA — Jimmy Carter, the peanut farmer who won the presidency in the wake of the Watergate scandal and Vietnam War, endured humbling defeat after one tumultuous term and then redefined life after the White House as a global humanitarian, has died. He was 100 years old. The longest-lived American president died on Sunday, more than a year after entering hospice care, at his home in the small town of Plains, Georgia, where he and his wife, Rosalynn, who died at 96 in November 2023, spent most of their lives, The Carter Center said. “Our founder, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, passed away this afternoon in Plains, Georgia,” the center said in posting about his death on the social media platform X. It added in a statement that he died peacefully, surrounded by his family. Businessman, Navy officer, evangelist, politician, negotiator, author, woodworker, citizen of the world — Carter forged a path that still challenges political assumptions and stands out among the 45 men who reached the nation’s highest office. The 39th president leveraged his ambition with a keen intellect, deep religious faith and prodigious work ethic, conducting diplomatic missions into his 80s and building houses for the poor well into his 90s. “My faith demands — this is not optional — my faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever I can, for as long as I can, with whatever I have to try to make a difference,” Carter once said. A president from Plains A moderate Democrat, Carter entered the 1976 presidential race as a little-known Georgia governor with a broad smile, outspoken Baptist mores and technocratic plans reflecting his education as an engineer. His no-frills campaign depended on public financing, and his promise not to deceive the American people resonated after Richard Nixon’s disgrace and U.S. defeat in southeast Asia. “If I ever lie to you, if I ever make a misleading statement, don’t vote for me. I would not deserve to be your president,” Carter repeated before narrowly beating Republican incumbent Gerald Ford, who had lost popularity pardoning Nixon. Carter governed amid Cold War pressures, turbulent oil markets and social upheaval over racism, women’s rights and America’s global role. His most acclaimed achievement in office was a Mideast peace deal that he brokered by keeping Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin at the bargaining table for 13 days in 1978. That Camp David experience inspired the post-presidential center where Carter would establish so much of his legacy. Yet Carter’s electoral coalition splintered under double-digit inflation, gasoline lines and the 444-day hostage crisis in Iran. His bleakest hour came when eight Americans died in a failed hostage rescue in April 1980, helping to ensure his landslide defeat to Republican Ronald Reagan. Carter acknowledged in his 2020 “White House Diary” that he could be “micromanaging” and “excessively autocratic,” complicating dealings with Congress and the federal bureaucracy. He also turned a cold shoulder to Washington’s news media and lobbyists, not fully appreciating their influence on his political fortunes. “It didn’t take us long to realize that the underestimation existed, but by that time we were not able to repair the mistake,” Carter told historians in 1982, suggesting that he had “an inherent incompatibility” with Washington insiders. Carter insisted his overall approach was sound and that he achieved his primary objectives — to “protect our nation’s security and interests peacefully” and “enhance human rights here and abroad” — even if he fell spectacularly short of a second term. And then, the world Ignominious defeat, though, allowed for renewal. The Carters founded The Carter Center in 1982 as a first-of-its-kind base of operations, asserting themselves as international peacemakers and champions of democracy, public health and human rights. “I was not interested in just building a museum or storing my White House records and memorabilia,” Carter wrote in a memoir published after his 90th birthday. “I wanted a place where we could work.” That work included easing nuclear tensions in North and South Korea, helping to avert a U.S. invasion of Haiti and negotiating cease-fires in Bosnia and Sudan. By 2022, The Carter Center had declared at least 113 elections in Latin America, Asia and Africa to be free or fraudulent. Recently, the center began monitoring U.S. elections as well. Carter’s stubborn self-assuredness and even self-righteousness proved effective once he was unencumbered by the Washington order, sometimes to the point of frustrating his successors. He went “where others are not treading,” he said, to places like Ethiopia, Liberia and North Korea, where he secured the release of an American who had wandered across the border in 2010. “I can say what I like. I can meet whom I want. I can take on projects that please me and reject the ones that don’t,” Carter said. He announced an arms-reduction-for-aid deal with North Korea without clearing the details with Bill Clinton’s White House. He openly criticized President George W. Bush for the 2003 invasion of Iraq. He also criticized America’s approach to Israel with his 2006 book “Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid.” And he repeatedly countered U.S. administrations by insisting North Korea should be included in international affairs, a position that most aligned Carter with Republican President Donald Trump. Among the center’s many public health initiatives, Carter vowed to eradicate the guinea worm parasite during his lifetime, and nearly achieved it: Cases dropped from millions in the 1980s to nearly a handful. With hardhats and hammers, the Carters also built homes with Habitat for Humanity. The Nobel committee’s 2002 Peace Prize cites his “untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.” Carter should have won it alongside Sadat and Begin in 1978, the chairman added. Carter accepted the recognition saying there was more work to be done. “The world is now, in many ways, a more dangerous place,” he said. “The greater ease of travel and communication has not been matched by equal understanding and mutual respect.” ‘An epic American life’ Carter’s globetrotting took him to remote villages where he met little “Jimmy Carters,” so named by admiring parents. But he spent most of his days in the same one-story Plains house — expanded and guarded by Secret Service agents — where they lived before he became governor. He regularly taught Sunday School lessons at Maranatha Baptist Church until his mobility declined and the coronavirus pandemic raged. Those sessions drew visitors from around the world to the small sanctuary where Carter will receive his final send-off after a state funeral at Washington’s National Cathedral. The common assessment that he was a better ex-president than president rankled Carter and his allies. His prolific post-presidency gave him a brand above politics, particularly for Americans too young to witness him in office. But Carter also lived long enough to see biographers and historians reassess his White House years more generously. His record includes the deregulation of key industries, reduction of U.S. dependence on foreign oil, cautious management of the national debt and notable legislation on the environment, education and mental health. He focused on human rights in foreign policy, pressuring dictators to release thousands of political prisoners. He acknowledged America’s historical imperialism, pardoned Vietnam War draft evaders and relinquished control of the Panama Canal. He normalized relations with China. “I am not nominating Jimmy Carter for a place on Mount Rushmore,” Stuart Eizenstat, Carter’s domestic policy director, wrote in a 2018 book. “He was not a great president” but also not the “hapless and weak” caricature voters rejected in 1980, Eizenstat said. Rather, Carter was “good and productive” and “delivered results, many of which were realized only after he left office.” Madeleine Albright, a national security staffer for Carter and Clinton’s secretary of state, wrote in Eizenstat’s forward that Carter was “consequential and successful” and expressed hope that “perceptions will continue to evolve” about his presidency. “Our country was lucky to have him as our leader,” said Albright, who died in 2022. Jonathan Alter, who penned a comprehensive Carter biography published in 2020, said in an interview that Carter should be remembered for “an epic American life” spanning from a humble start in a home with no electricity or indoor plumbing through decades on the world stage across two centuries. “He will likely go down as one of the most misunderstood and underestimated figures in American history,” Alter told The Associated Press. A small-town start James Earl Carter Jr. was born Oct. 1, 1924, in Plains and spent his early years in nearby Archery. His family was a minority in the mostly Black community, decades before the civil rights movement played out at the dawn of Carter’s political career. Carter, who campaigned as a moderate on race relations but governed more progressively, talked often of the influence of his Black caregivers and playmates but also noted his advantages: His land-owning father sat atop Archery’s tenant-farming system and owned a main street grocery. His mother, Lillian, would become a staple of his political campaigns. Seeking to broaden his world beyond Plains and its population of fewer than 1,000 — then and now — Carter won an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating in 1946. That same year he married Rosalynn Smith, another Plains native, a decision he considered more important than any he made as head of state. She shared his desire to see the world, sacrificing college to support his Navy career. Carter climbed in rank to lieutenant, but then his father was diagnosed with cancer, so the submarine officer set aside his ambitions of admiralty and moved the family back to Plains. His decision angered Rosalynn, even as she dived into the peanut business alongside her husband. Carter again failed to talk with his wife before his first run for office — he later called it “inconceivable” not to have consulted her on such major life decisions — but this time, she was on board. “My wife is much more political,” Carter told the AP in 2021. He won a state Senate seat in 1962 but wasn’t long for the General Assembly and its back-slapping, deal-cutting ways. He ran for governor in 1966 — losing to arch-segregationist Lester Maddox — and then immediately focused on the next campaign. Carter had spoken out against church segregation as a Baptist deacon and opposed racist “Dixiecrats” as a state senator. Yet as a local school board leader in the 1950s he had not pushed to end school segregation even after the Supreme Court's Brown v. Board of Education decision, despite his private support for integration. And in 1970, Carter ran for governor again as the more conservative Democrat against Carl Sanders, a wealthy businessman Carter mocked as “Cufflinks Carl.” Sanders never forgave him for anonymous, race-baiting flyers, which Carter disavowed. Ultimately, Carter won his races by attracting both Black voters and culturally conservative whites. Once in office, he was more direct. “I say to you quite frankly that the time for racial discrimination is over,” he declared in his 1971 inaugural address, setting a new standard for Southern governors that landed him on the cover of Time magazine. 'Jimmy Who?' His statehouse initiatives included environmental protection, boosting rural education and overhauling antiquated executive branch structures. He proclaimed Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the slain civil rights leader’s home state. And he decided, as he received presidential candidates in 1972, that they were no more talented than he was. In 1974, he ran Democrats’ national campaign arm. Then he declared his own candidacy for 1976. An Atlanta newspaper responded with the headline: “Jimmy Who?” The Carters and a “Peanut Brigade” of family members and Georgia supporters camped out in Iowa and New Hampshire, establishing both states as presidential proving grounds. His first Senate endorsement: a young first-termer from Delaware named Joe Biden. Yet it was Carter’s ability to navigate America’s complex racial and rural politics that cemented the nomination. He swept the Deep South that November, the last Democrat to do so, as many white Southerners shifted to Republicans in response to civil rights initiatives. A self-declared “born-again Christian,” Carter drew snickers by referring to Scripture in a Playboy magazine interview, saying he “had looked on many women with lust. I’ve committed adultery in my heart many times.” The remarks gave Ford a new foothold and television comedians pounced — including NBC’s new “Saturday Night Live” show. But voters weary of cynicism in politics found it endearing. Carter chose Minnesota Sen. Walter “Fritz” Mondale as his running mate on a “Grits and Fritz” ticket. In office, he elevated the vice presidency and the first lady’s office. Mondale’s governing partnership was a model for influential successors Al Gore, Dick Cheney and Biden. Rosalynn Carter was one of the most involved presidential spouses in history, welcomed into Cabinet meetings and huddles with lawmakers and top aides. The Carters presided with uncommon informality: He used his nickname “Jimmy” even when taking the oath of office, carried his own luggage and tried to silence the Marine Band’s “Hail to the Chief.” They bought their clothes off the rack. Carter wore a cardigan for a White House address, urging Americans to conserve energy by turning down their thermostats. Amy, the youngest of four children, attended District of Columbia public school. Washington’s social and media elite scorned their style. But the larger concern was that “he hated politics,” according to Eizenstat, leaving him nowhere to turn politically once economic turmoil and foreign policy challenges took their toll. Accomplishments, and ‘malaise’ Carter partially deregulated the airline, railroad and trucking industries and established the departments of Education and Energy, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. He designated millions of acres of Alaska as national parks or wildlife refuges. He appointed a then-record number of women and nonwhite people to federal posts. He never had a Supreme Court nomination, but he elevated civil rights attorney Ruth Bader Ginsburg to the nation’s second highest court, positioning her for a promotion in 1993. He appointed Paul Volker, the Federal Reserve chairman whose policies would help the economy boom in the 1980s — after Carter left office. He built on Nixon’s opening with China, and though he tolerated autocrats in Asia, pushed Latin America from dictatorships to democracy. But he couldn’t immediately tame inflation or the related energy crisis. And then came Iran. After he admitted the exiled Shah of Iran to the U.S. for medical treatment, the American Embassy in Tehran was overrun in 1979 by followers of the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Negotiations to free the hostages broke down repeatedly ahead of the failed rescue attempt. The same year, Carter signed SALT II, the new strategic arms treaty with Leonid Brezhnev of the Soviet Union, only to pull it back, impose trade sanctions and order a U.S. boycott of the Moscow Olympics after the Soviets invaded Afghanistan. Hoping to instill optimism, he delivered what the media dubbed his “malaise” speech, although he didn’t use that word. He declared the nation was suffering “a crisis of confidence.” By then, many Americans had lost confidence in the president, not themselves. Carter campaigned sparingly for reelection because of the hostage crisis, instead sending Rosalynn as Sen. Edward M. Kennedy challenged him for the Democratic nomination. Carter famously said he’d “kick his ass,” but was hobbled by Kennedy as Reagan rallied a broad coalition with “make America great again” appeals and asking voters whether they were “better off than you were four years ago.” Reagan further capitalized on Carter’s lecturing tone, eviscerating him in their lone fall debate with the quip: “There you go again.” Carter lost all but six states and Republicans rolled to a new Senate majority. Carter successfully negotiated the hostages’ freedom after the election, but in one final, bitter turn of events, Tehran waited until hours after Carter left office to let them walk free. 'A wonderful life' At 56, Carter returned to Georgia with “no idea what I would do with the rest of my life.” Four decades after launching The Carter Center, he still talked of unfinished business. “I thought when we got into politics we would have resolved everything,” Carter told the AP in 2021. “But it’s turned out to be much more long-lasting and insidious than I had thought it was. I think in general, the world itself is much more divided than in previous years.” Still, he affirmed what he said when he underwent treatment for a cancer diagnosis in his 10th decade of life. “I’m perfectly at ease with whatever comes,” he said in 2015. “I’ve had a wonderful life. I’ve had thousands of friends, I’ve had an exciting, adventurous and gratifying existence.”Penticton Vees captain Conyr Hellyer is heading east when his time in the BCHL comes to an end. Hellyer has committed to play next season at Clarkson University, based in Potsdam, N.Y., the Vees announced Tuesday, Dec. 10. The Alberta-born forward has 15 points in 18 games this season, his first as captain of the Vees. “I’m excited for a new chapter with Clarkson,” Hellyer said. “Their staff and facilities are the professional environment that I was looking for and I was immediately impressed with what they had to offer." Hellyer, who was named Penticton's captain ahead of the 2024-2025 campaign, is slated to be the team's lone representative at the 2025 BCHL's three-on-three all-star game next month in Salmon Arm. This season is his fourth in junior hockey, as the forward played for the Okotoks Oilers for two years before coming to Penticton in the fall of 2023. Hellyer and the Vees are back in action on Friday, Dec. 13, when they host the West Kelowna Warriors at the South Okanagan Events Centre.
OpenAI's much-anticipated AI model Sora has finally been launched, causing a surge in traffic that led to the official website experiencing severe congestion. Meanwhile, in the realm of automotive innovation, Xiaomi founder Lei Jun announced that their newest electric vehicle, the YU7, would be released ahead of schedule, unveiling its true potential to the world. On the other hand, tech giant Apple surprised many by declaring their lack of interest in Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), sparking discussions and debates across the industry.MLB's 2025 regular season is inching closer with each passing day. Before Opening Day arrives, several big-name free agents need a new home. One player still on the open market is long-time Baltimore Orioles slugger Anthony Santander. Where could the switch-hitter be headed this winter? The Orioles don't appear to be a likely landing spot after the club signed outfielder Tyler O'Neill to a three-year deal. Despite that, Santander has several potential suitors in the American League East. Teams like the Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox could all justify pursuing the 30-year-old. While Yardbarker's Colin Cerniglia is predicting the Red Sox will miss out on third baseman Alex Bregman , he thinks Boston will land Santander. "The Boston Red Sox will double down on offense, adding Santander's switch-hitting power to their lineup," Cerniglia wrote. Santander picked the perfect time to have a career year. His 2024 campaign included a .814 OPS, 44 home runs, 102 RBI and 91 runs scored through 665 plate appearances. The slugger's efforts earned him his first All-Star Game selection and a Silver Slugger Award. He also earned down-ballot votes for the American League MVP Award. Santander finished 14th in the voting. Spotrac is projecting a five-year, $89 million contract for Santander. However, there's a chance the eight-year veteran's next deal reaches nine figures. The Athletic's Tim Britton projected a five-year, $105 million guarantee for him at the start of the offseason. The outfielder's compensation will mostly depend on the number of teams still serious about signing him now that other options are off the board. More MLB: Four-Time All-Star Slugger Pete Alonso Predicted to Sign With NL ContenderThe United States Air Force still has around 200 Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II (aka Warthogs) remaining in service . These are spread out over around 10 bases around the country (including Air National Guard Bases). Additionally, Warthogs are deployed to various other bases around the United States and abroad for a range of missions (including exercises and combat deployments). While the Air Force no longer sees a future for the close-air-support A-10 Warthog, the Army has found a new role for the close-air-support AH-64 Apache as a deep strike platform . Notably, the A-10 Warthog uses missiles and not its General Electric GAU-8/A Avenger autocannon in most missions (although it does use its autocannon in anger from time to time). Here are the air bases where the A-10 Warthogs are permanently deployed (although note that this is constantly changing). The final years of the A-10 Thunderbolt II The United States Air Force took delivery of 716 A-10 Warthogs. Some of those were lost to accidents and to combat damage over the years. Over the last few years, the Air Force has been gradually retiring the Warthog as the F-35A has come into service in larger numbers and as the Air Force refocuses from counter-insurgency to large-scale combat operations against peer adversaries. The A-10 is being replaced by the F-35A fighter jet (although its close air support role is also being replaced by a range of systems). Air Force bases with A-10 Warthogs (list may be incomplete): US Air Force command: Hill Air Force Base, Utah: Air Force Materiel Command Moody Air Force Base, Georgia: 23rd Wing, 476th Fighter Group Osan Air Force Base, South Korea 51st Fighter Wing (ending January 2025) Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada: 53rd Wing (for testing and evaluation), 57th Wing Eglin Air Force Base, Florida: 53rd Wing (for testing and evaluation), 96th Test Wing Gowen Field ANGB, Idaho: 124th Fighter Wing Selfridge ANGB, Michigan: 127th Wing Warfield ANGB, Maryland: 175th Wing (divesting of A-10s from fall 2024) Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona: 355th Fighter Wing, 924th Fighter Group Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri: 442nd Fighter Wing, 495th Fighter Group After the planned withdrawal of A-10s from South Korea in early 2025, all the permanent bases for the A-10 will be in the contiguous United States. Two notable bases that host A-10 squadrons are Whiteman (where the USAF's fleet of B-2 Spirit stealth bombers are based) and Davis-Monthan (home to three remaining A-10 squadrons and the massive boneyard). While the legendary A-10 is not considered survivable on the modern battlefield, it was used in combat in December 2024 against targets in the Middle East (which lack air defense capabilities). A few dozen more A-10s are expected to be retired in Fiscal Year 2025 with the final airframes expected to retire by the end of the decade . There is a possibility that the A-10s may see a new lease on life in a foreign air force as Congress has instructed the Pentagon to investigate the possibility of transferring A-10s to Jordan . The type entered service in 1976. Squadrons progressively retiring their A-10s A-10s withdrawn from South Korea Today, around 200 A-10s remain in service and the number of squadrons that operate them and bases that host them is falling. In November 2024, the Air Force announced it would be withdrawing the last of the Warthogs from their base at Osan Air Force Base in South Korea . The Air Force stated , " Starting in January 2025, the 25th Fighter Squadron at Osan Air Base will begin a phased withdrawal of its 24 A-10 aircraft, with completion expected by the end of fiscal year 2025. Additionally, Seventh Air Force F-16s are undergoing a series of avionics system upgrades, bringing the aircraft closer to fifth-generation capabilities as they increase both the survivability and accuracy of the weapon system ." A-10s have been in South Korea since the early 1980s and this is set to come to an end around January 2025. In its place, the Air Force will station F-16 Fighting Falcons that have been upgraded with "fifth-generation-like" technology. In Korea, the A-10s are under the command of the 51st Fighter Wing and are flown by the 25th Fighter Squadron. Davis-Monthan's 354th Fighter Squadron deactivated On 13th September 2024, the Air Force announced that the 355th Wing's 354th Fighter Squadron and the 354th Fighter Generation Squadron (together known as the Bulldogs) that had been operating A-10 Warthogs had been inactivated at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona. They had supported 1,300 troops in contact and flown some 35,000 combat sorties (during which they had fired more than a quarter million 30mm rounds from the A-10's powerful autocannon). The two squadrons have now retired all 36 of their A-10 Thunderbolt IIs. The Air Force stated , " For more than 30 years, the 354th FS consisted of A-10 pilots who conducted close air support, forward air control in airborne, and close air support, for theater commanders worldwide ." It added, " Originating in 1942, long before the first A-10 arrived at [Davis-Monthan], the 354th FS had a history of activation and inactivation to support threats of the times. In 1992, the squadron was redesigned to exclusively support the A-10s at [Davis-Monthan]. " The 357th Fighter Squadron (also part of the 355th Wing at Davis-Monthan) continues to operate the Warthog. Additionally, the 45th and 47th Fighter Squadrons at Davis-Monthan (assigned to the 924th Fighter Group) also operate A-10 Warthogs. Indiana's 163rd transitioning to F-16s Meanwhile, the 163rd Fighter Squadron of the Indiana Air National Guard's 122nd Fighter Wing (located at Fort Wayne Air National Guard Station in Indiana) divested its Thunderbolts in 2023 and is currently transitioning to the F-16 Fighting Falcon. Warfield ANGB 175th Fighter Wing In March 2024, the Air Force announced that Warfield Air National Guard Base in Maryland had been selected to transition from an A-10 to a cyber wing mission. It stated, " replacing the aging A-10 Thunderbolt IIs at the 175th Fighter Wing with a cyber mission will create a natural synergy between cyber assets at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland, and the 175th Cyberspace Operations Group already operating out of Warfield ANGB. " This involves the divestment of the 21 A-10s at Warfield ANGB and at the time the Air Force stated that the divestment was expected to begin in "fall 2024." At the time of writing (December 2024), the status of these divestments and the transition to a cyber role is unclear. The Warthog is one of the most famous names in the USAF combat aircraft arsenal. But where exactly does that nickname come from? A-10 Warthogs in the boneyard While Davis-Monthan still has three squadrons flying the A-10 (the 45th, 47th, and 357th Fighter Squadrons), the associated boneyard is home to many more. These Warthogs are placed in the boneyard to salvage for parts and to keep until a decision is made to sell them, reactivate them, or scrap them. In April 2023, The War Zone reported the boneyard was receiving the first Warthogs in years (the last time a large number were sent to the boneyard was in 2014). At the time, a batch of 21 Warthogs was expected to be divested and sent to the boneyard. The first of these was a Warthog with the serial number 80-019. This particular airframe started its career as an A-10A and was later upgraded to the C model and locked a total of 14,125 flight hours over its career. A-10s at the Davis-Monthan boneyard Boneyard A-10 inventory: 100 in March 2023 (49 A-10As and 51 A-10Cs) 2014 to March 2023: No significant numbers of A-10s were sent to the boneyard 21 A-10s: Number expected in 2023 Almost 4,000 Total number of aircraft at the boneyard 78 A-10s: Number of A-10s excepted to arrive in boneyard over 3-5 years (starting from Feb 2024) Before the arrival of the new batch, The War Zone stated there were 100 A-10s at the boneyard at Davis-Monthan (49 A-10As and 51 A-10Cs). One interesting A-10 arrived in the boneyard in 2019. It had been pulled out of the boneyard in 2013 and had been highly modified as a flying storm-chasing laboratory (called the SPA-10 Thunderhog). The program took place under the National Science Foundation and after the program collapsed, the A-10 was returned to the boneyard. In February 2024, the Air and Space Forces Magazine reported more A-10s were arriving at the boneyard. Speaking of the first A-10 arrival at the time, it added, " The jet is the first of 78 A-10s at Davis-Monthan that will be retired over the next three to five years ." It is unclear when the older A-10s will be scrapped at the boneyard or if they will continue to add up there over the coming years. As a side note, with around 4,000 aircraft in storage at the boneyard, that is almost the same as the Air Force's total inventory of non-training and non-UAV aircraft in service.