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CLEVLEAND — Shane Bieber's comeback with Cleveland has double meaning. The former Cy Young winner re-signed with the Guardians on Wednesday, a reunion that seemed unlikely when he became a free agent. However, the 29-year-old Bieber decided to stay with the AL Central champions after making just two starts in 2024 before undergoing Tommy John surgery. Bieber agreed last week to a one-year, $14 million contract. The deal includes a $16 million player option for 2026. It seemed like a long shot that Bieber, who is 62-32 with a 3.22 ERA in 132 starts, would return to Cleveland. He had turned down long-term offers in the past from the club, and it was expected he would sign with another contender, likely one on the West Coast. But the California native has a special connection with the Guardians, who selected him in the fourth round of the 2016 draft. Bieber, who won the AL Cy Young in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, threw only 12 innings last season before lingering issues with his elbow forced him to have surgery. He is expected to join Cleveland's rotation at some point in 2025. A two-time All-Star, Bieber was named MVP of the midsummer event in 2019 when it was held in Cleveland. He has the highest strikeout ratio per nine innings (10.2) and third-highest winning percentage (.660) in the franchise's 124-year history. Bieber is one of just three Cleveland pitchers to start five season openers, joining Stan Coveleski (1917-21) and Corey Kluber (2015-19). While Bieber had some elbow issues in the past, he didn't show any issues before being shut down. He struck out 11 in six scoreless innings against Oakland on March 28, and followed that up with six more shutout innings at Seattle on April 2. DALLAS — Pitchers again dominated the big league phase of the Rule 5 draft at the winter meetings, comprising 11 of the 15 unprotected players who were picked Wednesday. The 121-loss Chicago White Sox had the first pick and selected 24-year-old right-hander Shane Smith from the Milwaukee Brewers organization. Smith was an undrafted free agent out of Wake Forest when he was signed by Milwaukee in July 2021. The 6-foot-4, 235-pounder has gone 13-7 with a 2.69 ERA and 203 strikeouts over 157 innings in 19 starts and 54 relief appearances over three minor league seasons. There were 14 teams who made picks in the major league portion of the Rule 5 draft of players left off 40-man rosters after several minor league seasons. Only Atlanta made two selections, after making none since 2017. Atlanta chose right-hander Anderson Pilar from the Miami Marlins with the 11th pick, and then took infielder Christian Cairo from the Cleveland Guardians with the 15th and final pick in the MLB portion. The 26-year-old Pilar was original signed by Colorado as a minor league free agent in 2015 and has pitched in 213 minor league games that included 17 starts. He is 28-20 with a 2.86 ERA. Teams pay $100,000 to take a player in the major league portion. The players must stay on the big league roster all of next season or clear waivers and be offered back to their original organization for $50,000. Six of the 10 players selected during the Rule 5 draft last December — five of them right-handed pitchers — remained last season with organization that selected them. Two of the four position players taken Wednesday by other teams came from the Detroit Tigers organization: catcher Liam Hicks and third baseman Gage Workman. Miami drafted second after Colorado passed making a selection, and took Hicks. Workman was taken by the Chicago Cubs with the 10th pick. Baltimore lost two right-handed pitchers on back-to-back picks, Juan Nunez to San Diego with the 12th pick before Connor Thomas went to Milwaukee. DALLAS — Tom Hamilton, who has called Cleveland games on the radio for 35 seasons, won the Hall of Fame’s Ford C. Frick Award for excellence in broadcasting on Wednesday. Hamilton, 70, joined the team's broadcast in 1990, when he was with Herb Score in the booth and part of the coverage of their World Series appearances in 1995 and 1997. Hamilton became the voice of the franchise when Score retired after that second World Series. Hamilton will be honored during the Hall of Fame’s induction weekend from July 25-28 in Cooperstown, New York. He was selected the hall's Frick Award 16-member committee as the 49th winner. There were 10 finalists on this year's ballot, whose main contributions came as local and national voices and whose careers began after, or extended into, the Wild Card era. The other nine were Skip Caray, Rene Cardenas, Gary Cohen, Jacques Doucet, Ernie Johnson Sr., Mike Krukow, Duane Kuiper, Dave Sims and John Sterling. DALLAS — The Texas Rangers acquired slugging corner infielder Jake Burger from the Miami Marlins on Wednesday in a trade for three minor league players. Burger hit .250 with 29 home runs and 76 RBIs in 137 games for the Marlins last season, with 150 strikeouts in 535 at-bats with 31 walks. He started 59 games at third base and made 50 starts at first. Five days of service time short of being eligible for salary arbitration this offseason, he will be eligible next winter and can become a free agent after the 2028 World Series. Miami got infielders Max Acosta and Echedry Vargas and left-handed pitcher Brayan Mendoza. The acquisition of Burger comes about a month after the Rangers hired former Marlins manager Skip Schumaker as a senior adviser for baseball operations. Luis Urueta, Miami's bench coach the past two seasons, also was added recently to manager Bruce Bochy's on-field coaching staff for 2025. BRIEFLY WHITE SOX: Mike Tauchman is switching sides in Chicago. The White Sox announced a $1.95 million, one-year contract for the outfielder. Tauchman, 34, grew up in Palatine, Illinois, about 35 miles northwest of Chicago, and played college ball for Bradley in Peoria, Illinois. He spent the previous two seasons with the Cubs. TRADE: All-Star left-hander Garrett Crochet was acquired by the Boston Red Sox from the Chicago White Sox for four prospects. Catcher Kyle Teel, infielder Chase Meidroth, right-hander Wikelman Gonzalez and outfielder Braden Montgomery are headed to Chicago. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
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4 Best Cryptos with Long-Term Value to Buy with a $700 Budget and Attain $10,000,000 By 2028The United States Postal Service might have found a way to unite a nation bitterly divided after this month's election: It will release a Betty White stamp. The beloved actor known for roles in "The Golden Girls," "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," "Boston Legal" and others will be on a 2025 Forever stamp, USPS announced this past week. White died in late December 2021 , less than three weeks before her 100th birthday. The Postal Service hasn't announced a release date for the stamp. Betty White speaks Sept. 17, 2018, at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. “An icon of American television, Betty White (1922–2021) shared her wit and warmth with viewers for seven decades,” the Postal Service said in announcing the stamp, which depicts a smiling White based on a 2010 photograph by celebrity photographer Kwaku Alston . “The comedic actor, who gained younger generations of fans as she entered her 90s, was also revered as a compassionate advocate for animals.” People are also reading... Boston-based artist Dale Stephanos created the digital illustration from Alston's photo. "I'd love to send a letter back to my 18-year-old self with this stamp on it and tell him that everything is going to be OK," Stephanos posted on Facebook . USPS wants stamp prices to rise 5 times over the next 3 years Regardless of personal politics, self-proclaimed supporters of Republican President-elect Donald Trump and Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris reacted with delight on social media. "Betty White was my hero, all of my life! I actually had a doll when I was a little girl I named Betty White," one Trump supporter posted on X , formerly Twitter. “Something to make this awful week a little better: We’re getting a Betty White stamp,” a pro-Harris X account posted. White combined a wholesome image with a flare for bawdy jokes . Her television career began in the early 1950s and exploded as she aged. “The only SNL host I ever saw get a standing ovation at the after party," Seth Meyers posted on Twitter after her death. "A party at which she ordered a vodka and a hotdog and stayed til the bitter end.” Photos: Remembering Betty White (1922-2021) Allen Ludden and his wife Betty White, who love to play games, continue a two year gin rummy battle in which she's ahead by a cumulative 6,000 points in Westchester, N.Y. on April 29, 1965. They do it professionally on TV. He's the master of ceremonies on "Password," and she makes frequent guest appearances on game shows. They play games to relax at home. (AP Photo/Bob Wands) Allen Ludden and his wife Betty White admire magnolia blossoms on the lawn of their country home in Westchester, N.Y. on May 14, 1965. (AP Photo/Bob Wands) Actress Betty White in 1965. (AP Photo) Betty White shares a moment backstage at the 28th annual Emmy Awards with Ted Knight after they each won an Emmy for their supporting roles in "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." On the series Miss White played Sue Ann Nivens while Knight played newscaster Ted Baxter. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon) LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 17, 1976: (L-R) "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" co-stars - Ed Asner, Betty White, Mary Tyler Moore and Ted Knight - all won awards at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences 28th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards held at the Shubert Theatre on May 17, 1976 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by TVA/PictureGroup/Invision for the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences/AP Images) Actress Betty White with Ted Knight at the Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, Sept. 13, 1981. (AP Photo/Randy Rasmussen) Betty White and Anson Williams don't seem to faze Buckeye, a St. Bernard, during an awards ceremony during which Williams was honored by the Los Angeles Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals as a friend and lover of animals. Ms. White presented a humanitarian plaque to Williams at the event, which was held in Hollywood, California, Friday, May 1, 1982. (AP Photo/Marc Karody) Actress Betty White with actor John Hillerman arriving at Emmy Awards, Sept. 22, 1985 in Pasadena, California. (AP Photo/LIU) Actresses Betty White Ludden, left, and Mary Tyler Moore, right, smile at each other in Los Angeles, Friday, June 22, 1985 during Annual Meeting of Morris Animal Foundation, at which Ludden announced her retirement as President of the animal health group, held at the Sheraton Universal Hotel in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Nick Ut) These four veteran actresses from the television series "The Golden Girls" shown during a break in taping Dec. 25, 1985 in Hollywood. From left are, Estelle Getty, Rue McClanahan, Bea Arthur and Betty White. (AP Photo/Nick Ut) Actress Betty White poses in Los Angeles, Ca. in June, 1986. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon) Betty White stands backstage at the NBC TV Bob Hope "I Love Lucy" special on Sept. 16, 1989. (AP Photo/Djansezian) Michael J. Fox and Betty White, winners of Emmys for best actor and actress in a comedy series, stand backstage at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, California, Sunday, Sept. 21, 1986 after receiving their honors. (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac) Comedienne Betty White places her hand on the star that was presented posthumously to her husband, Allen Ludden, during ceremonies inducting him into the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood, Los Angeles, Thursday, March 31, 1988. Ludden was honored with the 1,868th star of the famed walkway — between those of White and Tyrone Power. (AP Photo/Nick Ut) Estelle Getty, who plays Sophia, poses with her new husband, who plays Max, and the other "Golden Girls" after taping of episode on Friday, night, Nov. 5,1988 in Hollywood. Left to right are Rue McCLanahan (Blanche), Getty, Gilford, Bea Arthur (Dorothy) and Betty White. (AP Photo/Ira Mark Gostin) Former cast members of the Mary Tyler Moore Show, sans Mary Tyler Moore, are reunited for the Museum of Television and Radio's 9th annual Television Festival in Los Angeles Saturday, March 21, 1992. From left are Gavin MacLeod, Valerie Harper, Cloris Leachman, Betty White and Ed Asner. (AP Photo/Craig Fujii) Actress Betty White, left, writer/producer David E. Kelley, actress Bridget Fonda, and actor Oliver Platt pose at the premiere of their movie "Lake Placid," Wednesday night, July 14, 1999, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Betty White, from "Golden Girls," and Mr. T, Lawrence Tureaud, from "The A Team," pose for photographers at NBC's 75th Anniversary Party, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2002, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Rene Macura) Actors Betty White, left, Georgia Engel, second left, Gavin MacLeod, center, Valerie Harper, second right, and John Amos pose for photographers during arrivals at CBS's 75th anniversary celebration Sunday, Nov. 2, 2003, in New York. (AP Photo/Louis Lanzano) Actress Betty White laughs as an African eagle roosts overhead at the Los Angeles Zoo Monday, Feb. 20, 2006, in Los Angeles, where White was honored as Ambassador to the Animals by the city for her decades of dedication to the humane treatment of animals. (AP Photo/Nick Ut) Betty White poses for photographers on the red carpet before Comedy Central's "Roast of William Shatner," Sunday, Aug. 13, 2006, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Rene Macura) Betty White arrives at the 34th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, on Friday, June 15, 2007. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Beatrice Arthur, left, Betty White, center, and Rue McClanahan, of the Golden Girls, arrive at the TV Land Awards on Sunday June 8, 2008 in Santa Monica, Calif. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles) Actor Henry Winkler, center, is seen Beatrice Arthur, right, and Betty White at the TV Land Awards on Sunday June 8, 2008 in Santa Monica, Calif. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles) In this Nov. 24, 2009 file photo, actress Betty White poses for a portrait following her appearance on the television talk show "In the House," in Burbank, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File) Actress Betty White poses for a portrait on the set of the television show "Hot in Cleveland" in Studio City section of Los Angeles on Wednesday, June 9, 2010. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles) Actress Betty White is seen on stage at the Teen Choice Awards on Sunday, Aug. 8, 2010 in Universal City, Calif. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles) Betty White, a cast member in "You Again," poses with fans holding Betty White masks at the premiere of the film in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2010. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello) Actress Betty White wears a U.S. Forest Ranger hat after being named an Honorary Forest Ranger by the US Forest Service, at the Kennedy Center in Washington Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2010. White has stated in numerous interviews that her first ambition as a young girl was "to become a forest ranger, but they didn't allow women to do that back then". (AP Photo/Cliff Owen) Betty White, left, Bradley Cooper and Scarlett Johansson arrive at the MTV Movie Awards in Universal City, Calif., on Sunday, June 6, 2010. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles) Betty White, left, Kristen Bell, center, and Jamie Lee Curtis, cast members in "You Again," pose together at the premiere of the film in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2010. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello) Betty White, left, accepts the Life Achievement Award from Sandra Bullock at the 16th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on Saturday, Jan. 23, 2010, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) From left, actresses Betty White, Wendie Malick, Valerie Bertinelli, and Jane Leeves pose for a portrait on the set of the television show "Hot in Cleveland" in Studio City section of Los Angeles on Wednesday, June 9, 2010. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles) Alec Baldwin, left, and Betty White are seen on stage at the 17th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday, Jan. 30, 2011 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Betty White attends a book signing for her book 'If You Ask Me (And Of Course You Won't)' at Barnes & Noble in New York, Friday, May 6, 2011. (AP Photo/Charles Sykes) Actress Betty White attends a press conference prior to the taping of "Betty White's 90th Birthday: A Tribute To America's Golden Girl" on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Vince Bucci) Actress Betty White arrives on a white pony as she is honored at a Friars Club Roast sponsored by Godiva, Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at the Sheraton Hotel in New York. (AP Photo/Starpix, Marion Curtis) Betty White, at left, attends her wax figure unveiling at Madame Tussauds on Monday, June 4, 2012 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Katy Winn/Invision/AP) From left, Sgt. 1st Class Chuck Shuck, Actress Betty White and The 2012 American Hero Dog Gabe pose during 2012 American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012, in Los Angeles, Calif. (Photo by Ryan Miller/Invision/AP) Betty White and Cloris Leachman onstage at the 24th Annual GLAAD Media Awards at the JW Marriott on Saturday, April 20, 2013 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Invision/AP) Ellen DeGeneres, left, presents Betty White with the award for favorite TV icon at the People's Choice Awards at the Nokia Theatre on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2015, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) Betty White, left, speaks at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Looking on from right are Alec Baldwin and Kate McKinnon. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!
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Former Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell, who took over the office to become the second female governor in state history after her predecessor resigned amid a corruption scandal, has died. She was 78. Rell died Wednesday at a Florida hospital following a brief illness, her family said in a statement Thursday morning. Rell, a Republican who was born in Virginia and moved to Brookfield, Connecticut, in 1969, served from 2004 until 2011. Known for her candor and compassion — she would personally call and write notes to people when they faced difficult or happy times — Rell was lieutenant governor and took on the governorship during a challenging period for the state. Gov. John G. Rowland was under federal investigation and faced impeachment. Rowland ultimately pleaded guilty to a single federal corruption count and served 10 months in prison. In an interview with The Associated Press in 2010, while preparing to leave office, Rell pointed to her early efforts to “restore honor to the state of Connecticut” as one of her major accomplishments. “Our state had been through so much. And what we really needed to do, what we needed at the time, was to move on, to once again make our residents proud of our state government,” Rell said, adding how her administration worked to reform the state’s campaign finance laws, impose standards for state contracts, and overhaul the state’s ethics commission. Rell was lauded Thursday by figures in both major parties, including her successor, Dannel P. Malloy, a Democrat. “She steadied the ship, and returned a sense of decency and honesty to state government at a time when both were sorely needed,” he said in a statement. Connecticut Republican Party Chairman Ben Proto, who worked with Rell on screening bills when she was a state representative and he was a young attorney with the House Republican caucus, said Rell became governor “almost reluctantly and at a time of great turmoil” but brought “a level of calm and focus” to the state Capitol and the state. “Governor Rell may have ascended to the office of Governor during a tumultuous time, but her calm demeanor, her knowledge of state government, her political acumen and her southern charm, won over many critics and helped put Connecticut back on track," Proto said in a statement, calling her "the exact right person to lead our state at that time.” Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont on Thursday ordered flags to be lowered in her honor. He said Rell, a mother of two and a grandmother of four, represented the “very best of Connecticut values, expanding healthcare and childcare, and making Connecticut one of the first states in the country to recognize same-sex unions.” In 2005, Rell signed legislation making Connecticut the first state to institute same-sex civil unions through its legislature and not a court order. In 2009, she was the first governor to sign legislation that codified the U.S. Supreme Court's gay marriage ruling, transforming civil unions into marriages and redefining marriage in Connecticut as a legal union of two people. Lamont said he and Rell became good friends after he took office. They appeared on stage together last year at the Gov. M. Jodi Rell Center for Public Service at the University of Hartford to discuss the importance of bipartisanship. The center's mission is to promote ethics in government, civil discourse in politics and citizen involvement in public service. “Her style of leadership was not fabricated or manipulated in any way. The Jodi Rell that the people of Connecticut saw in public was the Jodi Rell that she was in real life — calm, rational, caring, approachable, and devoted to her family and to her state.” Rell served as lieutenant governor for 10 years and as a member of the state House for 10 years, representing Brookfield and Bethel. After finishing out Rowland's term, Rell won the 2006 election by a wide margin. She was the state's last GOP governor to date. Five months after taking office, Rell had a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery after breast cancer was discovered following a routine mammogram. Nine days after her surgery, Rell returned to the Capitol to deliver her first State of the State address and was greeted by cheers and a longstanding ovation. Many lawmakers wore pink ribbons in support of breast cancer research. “You know I get embarrassed,” a smiling Rell said, pleading with the crowd to stop the applause. A moderate Republican who advocated for bipartisanship, Rell made a pointed reference to her illness during that speech when she called for an end to partisan politics. “I have been unexpectedly confronted with my own mortality as I was told that I had cancer,” she said. “I am looking at things a little differently now, with different eyes. Eyes more focused on what is truly important, what is truly necessary.” Associated Press Writer Dave Collins contributed to this report.Coming as a big win for Jharkhand Mukti Morcha's Hemant Soren and his allies this election , the party and its allies have managed to retain the state for a second consecutive term. Hemant Soren has also won from Barhait constituency by over 39,000 votes. As of 7 PM, the Election Commission of India's website reported JMM leading in 34 seats while its ally, the Congress, was leading in 16. Jharkhand has had a history of political turmoil, fragmentation and frequent changes of Chief Ministers. JMM's Hemant was also being jailed earlier this year. BJP had banked on leveraging anti-incumbency, corruption charges against Hemant and making inroads into the tribal vote-bank. But JMM has managed to render a huge defeat to BJP and fared well in its performance. Kalpana Soren, Hemant's wife, also contributed in revitalising the party's performance on ground. She has also won from the Gandey seat in Jharkhand with over 17,000 votes. “We passed exam of democracy in Jharkhand, will finalise strategy post election results," said Hemant Soren while addressing a press conference in Ranchi. Meanwhile, Kalpana also told ANI, "This government is the Abua government, this government is the government of the people of Jharkhand. The people have expressed their unwavering faith in Hemant Soren..." But what were the reasons that led towards victory for JMM-led alliance and an electoral defeat for BJP? ADVERTISEMENT REMOVE AD Hemant Soren's Incarceration The arrest of Hemant Soren seemed to have backfired on the BJP. Earlier this year, he was jailed for 5 months for an alleged land scam case. He resigned hours after being arrested on corruption charges, but it seems the sympathy from the incarceration has struck a chord with the people of Jharkhand, especially his already established, strong connection with Adivasi voters. "Jail ke tale tut gaye, Hemant Soren chuth gaye" was the slogan raised by his supporters and JMM saw his arrest as a dent on Adivasi honor. Soren had brought up the fact that he was falsely implicated and this has inadvertently culminated into political ramifications in the election. à¤à¤3⁄4रà¤à¤à¤¡à¥ à¤à¤ à¤1à¥à¤ ठ̧à¥à¤« à¤1à¥à¤à¥¤ à¤à¤à¥ à¤à¥ ठ̈à¤3⁄4 बà¤à¤à¥à¤à¤à¥ - ठ̧िरà¥à¤«à¤1⁄4 à¤à¤à¥ बढà¤1⁄4à¥à¤à¤à¥à¥¤ pic.twitter.com/OQTkwoNxRL — Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (@JmmJharkhand) November 23, 2024 BJP's Communally Charged Campaign Failed In last elections, JMM got 30 seats while BJP settled with only 25. This time, BJP tried hard to cut into and expand their base among tribals with slogans like "Batenge toh katenge," "ek hain toh safe hain," "ghuspethiye," "love jihad" and "land jihad. " Right from Assam's chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Home Minister Amit Shah, all of them pushed the rhetoric of "Bangladeshi infiltrators." After losing Jharkhand, Sarma posted on X how the defeat was "deeply painful for him personally." The loss in Jharkhand is deeply painful for me personally, even though we secured victory in all five by-elections in Assam. I have witnessed the unwavering dedication and relentless efforts of our Karyakartas in Jharkhand, who gave their all in this election. We fought with a⦠— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) November 23, 2024 BJP claimed that 'maati, beti and roti' is in peril due to 'infiltrators' marrying tribal women and seizing their lands and resources. BJP had also shared a deeply anti-Muslim and hateful ad which attracted censure from The Election Commission of India. To counter this alleged outsider influx in tribal areas, BJP had also promised NRC and Uniform Civil Code that would be implemented if they would have won. JMM's 'Maiya Samman Yojana' Push The Jharkhand politics was also dominated by women welfare schemes this election as the state has an astounding 12.8 million women voters. It seems that JMM's Maiya Samman Yojana stood as a better counter to BJP's 'Gogo Didi' scheme, both aiming to woo women voters. JMM offered Rs 1,000 to underprivileged women in the scheme. In response to JMM, BJP said that through their 'Gogo Didi' scheme, they promised Rs 2,100 per month to all women in the state. BJP pledged to transfer money to beneficiaries from the first month after coming to power but it looks like it didn't work. There was also a significant turnout of women voters as it was higher than men in over 85% out of the total 81 assembly constituencies, according to ECI. à¤à¥à¤¤ ठà¤à¥ à¤à¤° à¤aà¥à¤°à¤à¤à¤¡ à¤1à¥à¤à¥à¥¤ pic.twitter.com/mk3Ie2ARui — Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (@JmmJharkhand) November 23, 2024 The Tribal Backlash There are 28 out of the 81 seats which are reserved for Scheduled Tribes and nine are for Scheduled Castes. Adivasis, who make up a quarter of the state's population, are vital to putting together a winning social collation. During the Lok Sabha polls, BJP had lost all 5 tribal-dominated seats - Khunti, Singhbhum, Lohardaga, Rajmahal, and Dumka. Most tribal concentrated regions are Kolhan, Santhal Pargana as well as South Chhotanagpur. In ST seats, JMM and Congress, both seem to have made more headway. BJP also tried to win over tribal voters by bringing back former CM Babulal Marandi and getting JMM-turncoat Champai Soren on their side. But it doesn't seem to have succeeded in countering Hemant Soren's Adivasi-centered campaign. The Jairam Mahato Factor The rise of Jairam Mahato of Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantrikari Morcha may have also affected the BJP adversely. A young OBC Kurmi leader, he is also called 'Tiger Jairam.' He contested from two seats: Dumri and Bermo. The ECI website reported, as of 7 PM that Mahato won from Dumri but lost Bermo constituency to INC's Kumar Jaimangal. Mahatos, who are Kurmis, form around 14% of Jharkhand’s population, making them the largest OBC group in the state. His party may have won over a section of Kurmis who were disenchanted with the Soren government. This vote may have otherwise gone to the BJP and its ally AJSU (All Jharkhand Student's Union). Some other key candidates such as Babulal Marandi won from Dhanwar seat, Champai Soren won from Seraikella and Irfan Ansari of Congress won against Hemant Soren's sister-in-law Sita Soren in Jamtara seat. Back in 2019, JMM won 30 seats while BJP won 25. In 2014, JMM won 19 and BJP managed to win 37 seats. While most exit polls suggested a victory for NDA, few others such as Axis My India had projected 25 seats for BJP and 53 seats for JMM-Congress alliance. The sixth Jharkhand Assembly election was held in two-phases on 13 and 20 November. It saw a record turnout of 67.74% — the highest since the state’s creation in 2000. (At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.) Read Latest News and Breaking News at The Quint, browse for more from news and politics Topics: Jharkhand Hemant Soren jharkhand elections
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The United States Postal Service might have found a way to unite a nation bitterly divided after this month's election: It will release a Betty White stamp. The beloved actor known for roles in "The Golden Girls," "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," "Boston Legal" and others will be on a 2025 Forever stamp, USPS announced this past week. White died in late December 2021, less than three weeks before her 100th birthday. The Postal Service hasn't announced a release date for the stamp. “An icon of American television, Betty White (1922–2021) shared her wit and warmth with viewers for seven decades,” the Postal Service said in announcing the stamp, which depicts a smiling White based on a 2010 photograph by celebrity photographer Kwaku Alston. “The comedic actor, who gained younger generations of fans as she entered her 90s, was also revered as a compassionate advocate for animals.” Boston-based artist Dale Stephanos created the digital illustration from Alston's photo. "I'd love to send a letter back to my 18-year-old self with this stamp on it and tell him that everything is going to be OK," Stephanos posted on Facebook. Regardless of personal politics, self-proclaimed supporters of Republican President-elect Donald Trump and Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris reacted with delight on social media. "Betty White was my hero, all of my life! I actually had a doll when I was a little girl I named Betty White," one Trump supporter posted on X, formerly Twitter. “Something to make this awful week a little better: We’re getting a Betty White stamp,” a pro-Harris X account posted. White combined a wholesome image with a flare for bawdy jokes. Her television career began in the early 1950s and exploded as she aged. “The only SNL host I ever saw get a standing ovation at the after party," Seth Meyers posted on Twitter after her death. "A party at which she ordered a vodka and a hotdog and stayed til the bitter end.”
Destiny 2 Xur Exotics today: All items for sale and where to find him on December 27 What is Xur selling this week? (Image: Charleen Bougourd/Bungie Inc. ) Destiny 2's Christmas event, The Dawning, is still underway – but it feels a little bit sad after the big day has passed. Still, it's Friday, and like a child stockpiling vouchers and cash, we're off to take our strange coins to Xur to buy exotic weapons and armour for our Guardians to see in the New Year with. This year's Final Shape expansion mixed things up for the tentacle-faced NPC, meaning Xur can now sell a much more varied list of items, and he's only ever found in one spot. Luckily for you, we'll cover where he is, and what he has, for December 27 - 31. Here's what Xur is offering for Guardians this week in Destiny 2 (Image: Bungie Inc. ) When and where does Xur appear? While Xur used to appear in multiple places, hopping between planets, he can now be found at Destiny 2's main social space, The Tower. Head to Cayde's ramen shop, and down the alley next to it to find Xur. He only appears from 5PM GMT/ 10AM PDT/ 1PM EDT on Friday to 5PM BST/ 10AM PDT/... Lloyd CoombesSAN DIEGO (AP) — Syracuse coach Fran Brown and Washington State acting coach Pete Kaligis shared a heartfelt hug after their Holiday Bowl news conference on Thursday. Kaligis can certainly use all the support he can get, especially an embrace and some encouraging words from the opposing coach. No. 22 Syracuse (9-3, No. 21 CFP), led by national passing leader Kyle McCord, is a 17-point favorite according to BetMGM in Friday night's Holiday Bowl against the depleted Cougars (8-4), whose season has nosedived since mid-November. After beating future Pac-12 opponent San Diego State 29-26 on Oct. 26 at Snapdragon Stadium, coach Jake Dickert, quarterback John Mateer and the rest of the Cougars were 7-1 and about to jump into The Associated Press Top 25. Now the Cougars are barely recognizable as they return to Snapdragon. Dickert was hired away by Wake Forest, Mateer transferred to Oklahoma and running back Wayshawn Parker left for Utah. Numerous coaches, including the offensive and defensive coordinators, are gone, and more than 20 players have entered the transfer portal. The Cougars, who lost their last three games, are a prime example of how college football's rapidly changing landscape can dramatically affect a program. “Going into the ins-and-outs of the game tomorrow doesn’t matter,” Kaligis said. “We are who we are, we have what we have. I know that’s for both of us.” Kaligis said players who entered the portal after Dickert left can suit up Friday night. “I know we came here with 98 guys. That's who we’re going to show up on the field with.” Kaligis said relationships between players and coaches are more important than ever, even if there's less time to develop trust “and coach them the right way.” “When a staff (member) leaves and guys get in the portal, it’s because of the relationships they have garnered with their position coaches. When that position coach isn’t guaranteed he’s going to be there, that’s who that young man trusts,” Kaligis said. “I’ve been doing this for a long time," he added. "What’s been hard for me, I spent 13 years at Wyoming, I saw three graduating classes. I remember I was the longest-tenured coach there. To see them all the way through. When I came to Wazzu, I was their fourth D-line coach." The Cougs improved to 8-1 by beating Utah State 49-28 on Nov. 9 but then lost three straight, including to Oregon State in the de facto championship game between the two teams left in the Pac-12. They also lost to New Mexico and Wyoming, two of the Mountain West teams that weren't invited to join the reconstituted Pac-12 starting in 2026. McCord, who transferred from Ohio State, rewrote the Orange's record book this season with 4,326 yards passing, 29 touchdowns and 367 completions. He's well within range of breaking Deshaun Watson's ACC single-season record of 4,593, which he set in 15 games in 2016. A win will give Syracuse 10 wins for the first time since 2018 and just the third time since 2000. Brown can become the second Syracuse coach since World War II to record 10 wins in his first season, joining Paul Pasqualoni, who did it in 1991. In their final regular-season game, the Orange rallied from a 21-0 deficit for a 42-38 win against then-No. 6 Miami that knocked the Hurricanes out of ACC title contention and ended their College Football Playoff hopes. McCord threw for 380 yards and three touchdowns. “We want to go out and have a good game,” Brown said. “We have an opportunity of winning 10 games, which means you’re starting to become a successful program, right? Our players haven’t had a chance of winning a bowl game. So there’s a lot of things that are on the line for us to really be able to build our program and being able to move forward.” This will be the teams' second meeting. Syracuse beat Washington State 52-25 in 1979. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
Stoke-on-Trent sheet metal fabricator Grenville Engineering is celebrating 40 years in business this month. The Tunstall firm was established in 1984 as a small but determined team of five shopfloor staff led by Mark Barratt. Armed with a manual punch and Strippit machine, the company set out to make its mark and quickly carving a reputation for quality and precision. A pivotal moment came in 1985 when a partnership was struck with a leading Earth-moving company, setting the stage for Grenville’s growth. Acquiring the company’s first laser-cutting machine in 2000 marked a leap in technological capability, significantly enhancing precision and competitiveness. Between 2005 and 2007, Grenville embraced further transformation with a ground-breaking Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) project. Spearheaded by Dali Dong, this initiative modernised the company’s operations, laying the groundwork for future growth and earning Dali a prestigious KTP award. By 2007, the business was experiencing fast growth. However, this momentum was tested by the 2009 recession. Despite this period of unprecedented challenges, the firm demonstrated its resilience by implementing 3D SolidWorks in the planning office to improve operational efficiency and prepare for recovery. As the market stabilised, Grenville seized the opportunity to expand. Negotiations for the company’s second laser-cutting machine began in late 2009 and three years later Grenville had added a third. This helped achieve more than 12.5 per cent year-on-year increases and reinforced Grenville’s reputation as an industry leader. Dali Dong, Operations Director, said "One of the highlights of my 19 years here has been increasing the end-of-year bonus for all employees significantly - a milestone that symbolises our collective success. We’ve proudly maintained that every year since, and it’s a reflection of how much we value the hard work and dedication of our team." In 2013, Grenville underwent a complete rebrand for its 30th anniversary, aligning its image with its customer-centric vision for the future. Fast-forward to today. Grenville operates from a 58,500-square-foot facility in Tunstall, offering a comprehensive range of services, including design, laser cutting, forming, welding, machining, and assembly. The company also manages its own fleet of delivery vehicles, ensuring efficient and reliable transport of finished products to customers. With recent investments of £800,000 in cutting-edge machinery, such as a CNC tube laser, robotic welding, and milling machines, Grenville has increased capacity and added new capabilities to better serve its diverse customer base. Sales director Stuart Rawlinson began as an apprentice metal worker on the shop floor in 1995. He said: "It’s been incredible to witness the evolution of the business. What stands out to me is how we’re always pushing forward - whether through investing in new technologies each year, attending trade shows, or tackling the challenge of attracting new business. That drive to innovate and grow has made the most impact and keeps things exciting.”In today’s fast-paced world, the intersection of finance and technology is crafting unexpected partnerships. One new concern in the gaming industry is the link between Amazon’s stock price (“亚马逊股价”) and the future of cloud gaming. This connection is becoming increasingly significant as Amazon Web Services (AWS) ventures deeper into the gaming sector. Leveraging AWS technology, Amazon is setting the stage for cutting-edge gaming platforms, disrupting traditional paradigms. As more companies integrate AWS into their gaming infrastructure, fluctuations in Amazon’s stock directly impact the growth potential of cloud gaming services. This bold move places Amazon in direct competition with established players like Microsoft and Google in the cloud gaming space. A significant investment in new gaming technologies could drive up Amazon’s stock, encouraging more developers to rely on its cloud services. As streaming becomes the new frontier in gaming, Amazon’s financial performance might influence broader industry standards and practices. This trend poses an intriguing question: Could the future price of Amazon shares stimulate innovations in gaming technology, or is the industry too volatile for any direct correlation? The influence of Amazon’s stock price on the gaming ecosystem is a new narrative in an ever-evolving tale. As companies continue to adapt to cloud-based models, the role that Amazon’s financial health plays in shaping gaming’s future is both a topic of speculation and a voice of innovation. Amazon’s Stock Price: A New Force in Cloud Gaming’s Future? In a rapidly evolving technological landscape, the blending of finance and technology is forging new bonds, especially in the gaming sector. A focal point of exploration is the intriguing link between Amazon’s stock price and the future trajectory of cloud gaming, a relationship that gains prominence as Amazon Web Services (AWS) solidifies its footprint in the gaming world. AWS’s influence in the gaming sector cannot be understated. By harnessing AWS’s sophisticated cloud infrastructure, Amazon is on the path to redefining gaming platforms and challenging conventional norms. This strategic approach positions Amazon in direct rivalry with tech behemoths such as Microsoft and Google within the cloud gaming sphere. As more gaming companies adopt AWS technology, variations in Amazon’s stock valuation are increasingly perceived as barometers of growth potential for cloud gaming services. The Implication of Stock Prices in Gaming Innovation The relationship between Amazon’s financial health and its stock price is pivotal, particularly because substantial investment in gaming technologies has the potential to propel Amazon’s valuation upward. With cloud gaming as the new battleground, Amazon’s performance on the stock market could become an influential factor shaping industry benchmarks and practices. FAQs: The Link Between Stock Prices and Cloud Gaming Q: How does Amazon’s stock price affect cloud gaming? A: Changes in Amazon’s stock price can impact investor confidence, potentially influencing funding and innovation within its cloud gaming initiatives facilitated by AWS. Q: Is Amazon a serious contender in the cloud gaming market? A: Yes, Amazon’s efforts to integrate advanced AWS technologies into gaming depict it as a formidable competitor to Microsoft and Google. Q: Could fluctuations in Amazon’s financial performance alter gaming industry standards? A: Yes, Amazon’s financial health could dictate industry trends, especially with cloud gaming poised as the next major leap in interactive entertainment. Comparative Analysis: Amazon vs. Competitors in Cloud Gaming While Amazon leverages AWS for gaming, it’s essential to compare its progress with other market players. Microsoft, through its Xbox Cloud Gaming, and Google’s Stadia are major competitors offering extensive cloud-based gaming solutions. Unlike Amazon, Microsoft benefits from a longstanding presence in console gaming, while Google focuses on integrating gaming with its vast ecosystem of services. Economic Trends and Predictions for Cloud Gaming As cloud gaming gains traction, economic forecasts suggest a surge in market demand for seamless, real-time gaming experiences. Amazon’s continued investment in AWS-driven gaming solutions could propel the company to the forefront of this predicted growth spurt. Challenges and Limitations Despite these promising prospects, the industry faces hurdles such as latency issues, licensing complexities, and high initial investment costs. Amazon’s adaptability to these challenges will determine its long-term success in the cloud gaming arena. For further insights on Amazon’s technological innovations, visit the main Amazon domain.Akhil Gogoi urges regional forces to unite against BJP, cites Jharkhand's political successReiterates Commitment to Investing in America to Lower Grocery Prices, Raise Associate Wages, and Support Local Communities Highlights Resilience of Value Creation Model and Strong Momentum to Drive Long-term, Sustainable Growth Board of Directors Authorizes $7.5B Share Repurchase Program including $5B Accelerated Share Repurchase CINCINNATI , Dec. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today terminated its merger agreement with Albertsons after the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon granted the Federal Trade Commission's request for a preliminary injunction to block the proposed merger. After reviewing options, the company determined it is no longer in its best interests to pursue the merger. "Kroger is moving forward from a position of strength. Our go-to-market strategy provides exceptional value and unique omnichannel experiences to our customers which powers our value creation model. We look forward to accelerating our flywheel to grow our alternative profit businesses and generate increased cash flows. The strength of our balance sheet and sustainability of our model allows us to pursue a variety of growth opportunities, including further investment in our store network through new stores and remodels, which will be an important part of our 8 – 11% TSR model over time," said Rodney McMullen , Kroger's Chairman and CEO. America's Grocer is Committed to Lowering Grocery Prices & Investing in Associates "Kroger has an extraordinary track record of investing in America," said McMullen. "We are at our best when we serve others – our customers, associates, and communities – and we take seriously our responsibility to provide great value by consistently lowering prices and offering more choices. When we do this, more customers shop with us and buy more groceries, which allows us to reinvest in even lower prices, a better shopping experience and higher wages. We know this model works because we've been doing it successfully for many years, and this is exactly what we will continue to do." Kroger's ongoing investments in America include: "I appreciate our associates who remained focused on taking care of our customers, communities and each other throughout the merger process," added McMullen. Share Repurchase Program Including Accelerated Share Repurchases Now that Kroger has terminated the merger agreement, the company is ready to deploy its capacity. With its strengthened balance sheet, Kroger will resume share repurchases after a more than two-year pause. Since announcing the merger, Kroger used its strong free cash flow and debt financing to build meaningful balance sheet capacity while maintaining its investment-grade rating. Kroger's Board of Directors approved a new share repurchase program authorizing the repurchase of up to $7.5 billion of common stock. The new repurchase authorization replaces Kroger's existing $1 billion authorization which was approved in September 2022 . Kroger intends to enter an accelerated share repurchase ("ASR") agreement for the repurchase of approximately $5 billion of common stock. "Our strong balance sheet and free cash flows position us to deliver on our commitment to grow the business and return capital to shareholders, maintaining capacity to invest in lower prices and higher associate wages," McMullen said. Kroger expects to continue to generate strong free cash flow and remains committed to its capital allocation priorities including maintaining its current investment grade debt rating, investing in the business to drive long-term sustainable net earnings growth, and returning excess free cash flow to shareholders via share repurchases and a growing dividend over time, subject to board approval. Looking forward, Kroger plans to host an Investor Day event in late spring of 2025 to share an update on its strategic priorities, future growth prospects and long-term financial outlook. Merger Debt Redemption In connection with the termination of the merger agreement, Kroger will begin the process of redeeming the $4.7 billion of its senior notes issued on August 27, 2024 , that include a special mandatory redemption provision in accordance with their terms. The notes will be redeemed at a redemption price equal to 101% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the special mandatory redemption date. Termination of Exchange Offers In connection with the termination of the merger agreement, Kroger has also elected to terminate its previously announced offers to exchange (collectively, the "Exchange Offers") any and all outstanding notes (the "ACI Notes") issued by Albertsons Companies, Inc., New Albertsons, L.P., Safeway Inc., Albertson's LLC, Albertsons Safeway LLC and American Stores Company, LLC (collectively, the "ACI Issuing Entities"), for up to $7,441,608,000 aggregate principal amount of new notes to be issued by Kroger and cash. Kroger has also elected to terminate the related solicitation of consents (the "Consent Solicitation" and, together with the Exchange Offer, the "Exchange Offer and Consent Solicitation") on behalf of the ACI Issuing Entities to adopt certain proposed amendments to the indentures governing the ACI Notes (the "ACI Indentures"). As a result of the Exchange Offer being terminated, the total consideration, including any consent fee, will not be paid or become payable to holders of the ACI Notes who have validly tendered and not validly withdrawn their ACI Notes for exchange in the Exchange Offer, and the ACI Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn for exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be promptly returned to the tendering holders. As a result of the Consent Solicitation being terminated, the proposed amendments to the ACI Indentures and the supplemental indentures previously entered into reflecting such proposed amendments will not become operative. About the Exchange Offers Global Bondholder Services Corporation served as exchange agent and information agent for the now terminated Exchange Offer and Consent Solicitation. You should direct questions and requests for assistance to Global Bondholder Services Corporation at (855) 654-2015 (toll-free) or (212) 430-3774 (banks and brokers), or by email at contact@gbsc-usa.com . About Kroger At The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), we are dedicated to our Purpose: to Feed the Human SpiritTM. We are, across our family of companies nearly 414,000 associates who serve over eleven million customers daily through a seamless digital shopping experience and retail food stores under a variety of banner names , serving America through food inspiration and uplift, and creating #ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities. To learn more about us, visit our newsroom and investor relations site. Forward Looking Statements This press release contains certain statements that constitute "forward-looking statements" about Kroger's financial position and the future performance of the company. These statements are based on management's assumptions and beliefs in light of the information currently available to it. Such statements are indicated by words or phrases such as "achieve," "committed," "confidence," "continue," "deliver," "expect," "future," "guidance," "model," "outlook," "strategy," "target," "trends," "well-positioned," and variations of such words and similar phrases. Various uncertainties and other factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. These include the specific risk factors identified in "Risk Factors" in our annual report on Form 10-K for our last fiscal year and any subsequent filings, as well as the following: Kroger's ability to achieve sales, earnings, incremental FIFO operating profit, and adjusted free cash flow goals may be affected by: the termination of the merger agreement and our proposed transaction with Albertsons and related divestiture plan; labor negotiations; potential work stoppages; changes in the unemployment rate; pressures in the labor market; changes in government-funded benefit programs; changes in the types and numbers of businesses that compete with Kroger; pricing and promotional activities of existing and new competitors, and the aggressiveness of that competition; Kroger's response to these actions; the state of the economy, including interest rates, the inflationary, disinflationary and/or deflationary trends and such trends in certain commodities, products and/or operating costs; the geopolitical environment including wars and conflicts; unstable political situations and social unrest; changes in tariffs; the effect that fuel costs have on consumer spending; volatility of fuel margins; manufacturing commodity costs; supply constraints; diesel fuel costs related to Kroger's logistics operations; trends in consumer spending; the extent to which Kroger's customers exercise caution in their purchasing in response to economic conditions; the uncertainty of economic growth or recession; stock repurchases; changes in the regulatory environment in which Kroger operates, along with changes in federal policy and at regulatory agencies; Kroger's ability to retain pharmacy sales from third party payors; consolidation in the healthcare industry, including pharmacy benefit managers; Kroger's ability to negotiate modifications to multi-employer pension plans; natural disasters or adverse weather conditions; the effect of public health crises or other significant catastrophic events; the potential costs and risks associated with potential cyber-attacks or data security breaches; the success of Kroger's future growth plans; the ability to execute our growth strategy and value creation model, including continued cost savings, growth of our alternative profit businesses, and our ability to better serve our customers and to generate customer loyalty and sustainable growth through our strategic pillars of fresh, our brands, personalization, and seamless; the successful integration of merged companies and new strategic collaborations; and the risks relating to or arising from our proposed nationwide opioid litigation settlement, including our ability to finalize and effectuate the settlement, the scope and coverage of the ultimate settlement and the expected financial or other impacts that could result from the settlement. Our ability to achieve these goals may also be affected by our ability to manage the factors identified above. Our ability to execute our financial strategy may be affected by our ability to generate cash flow. Kroger assumes no obligation to update the information contained herein unless required by applicable law. Please refer to Kroger's reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a further discussion of these risks and uncertainties. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kroger-reiterates-its-commitment-to-lower-prices-and-initiates-new-7-5b-share-buyback-program-302329493.html SOURCE The Kroger Co.
-- Shares Facebook Twitter Reddit Email Former President Jimmy Carter died Sunday in his hometown of Plains, Georgia where he entered home hospice care last year, his son Chip Carter said. He was the longest-living American president at the age of 100, enduring recent battles with health issues as well as treatment for cancer in 2015. His death follows the passing of his wife of more than 75 years, former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, on Nov. 19, 2023, shortly after she was diagnosed with dementia. "Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished. She gave me wise guidance and encouragement when I needed it," Carter wrote in a heartfelt tribute to his wife after her death. "As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me." Carter's grandson, Jason, said in a statement at the time that his grandfather's life was "coming to an end." “(My grandfather) is doing OK,” he said during a speech honoring his grandmother at the Carter Center. “He has been in hospice, as you know, for almost a year and a half now, and he really is, I think, coming to the end that, as I’ve said before, there’s a part of this faith journey that is so important to him, and there’s a part of that faith journey that you only can live at the very end and I think he has been there in that space.” Jason Carter added that Rosalynn's passing was "difficult" for his grandfather. But, he added, the "outpouring of love and support that we, as a family, received from people in this room and from the rest of the world was so remarkable and meaningful to us. And it really turned that whole process into a celebration.” Carter, a Democrat who served as the 39th president of the United States from 1977 to 1981, "decided to spend his remaining time at home with his family and receive hospice care instead of additional medical intervention," The Carter Center said last year. The previous winter, in a moment when he was at his sickest and his family feared the worst, the former president is said to have refused hospital care so he could remain by Rosalynn's side, historian Michael Beschloss told MSNBC following her passing. "I am told that President Carter said, 'No, I want to get home, and be in bed with Rosalynn, and just sit holding hands, and that's the way I'd like to close my life,'" Beschloss said, emphasizing the love the two shared and how their close partnership played a role in Carter's presidency. Related Former first lady Rosalynn Carter dies at 96 after a lifetime of humanitarian work Carter was born on October 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia. He married Rosalynn Smith in 1946, and they had four children — Jack, James III, Donnel and Amy — as well as 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. The Carters celebrated their 77th anniversary on July 7, 2023 and held the record for the longest-wed presidential couple, with George H. W. and Barbara Bush the second longest-wed. After returning home from military service in 1953, Carter rose as an activist in the Democratic Party, opposing segregation and supporting the growing civil rights movement. Carter served as the lesser-known Georgia governor and former state senator who defeated then-President Gerald Ford in the aftermath of the Vietnam War. He connected with many Americans who felt betrayed by former President Richard Nixon and the devastating effects of the war 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 frequently during his campaign for president. On his second day as president, Carter famously pardoned all Vietnam War draft evaders. Throughout the course of his presidency, Carter would have to govern amid Cold War pressures, racial tensions and unpredictable oil markets. Carter was well known for his work in foreign policy, including brokering the Camp David Accords, a peace treaty signed by Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin in 1978. He also restored the Panama Canal back to Panama and signed the SALT II nuclear arms reduction treaty with Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev. He designated millions of acres of land in Alaska as national parks and wildlife reserves. He also appointed a then-record number of women and Americans of color to federal posts and was best known for his promotion of civil rights attorney Ruth Bader Ginsburg to the country's second-highest court. Carter was one of the last Democratic presidents to gain widespread support from the South before the rise of his Republican opponent, Ronald Reagan. Carter lost much of his base after the 444-day hostage crisis in Iran culminated in a failed rescue mission in April 1980, resulting in the deaths of eight Americans. He served one term before losing to Reagan in 1980. In the years after his loss, Carter dealt with a lack of trust from his Democratic colleagues and was treated as a punchline amongst Republicans. However, decades later, he reflected on his presidency with a sense of pride, telling the Associated Press that he did "protect our nation's security and interests peacefully" and "enhance human rights here and abroad." "I'm perfectly at ease with whatever comes," he said in 2015. "I've had an exciting, adventurous and gratifying existence." The loss of a second term ultimately brought about Carter's decades of work in public health and human rights with The Carter Center, whose motto is "wage peace, fight disease, and build hope." Along with his wife Rosalynn, Carter opened the center in 1982 and their work was recognized in 2002 with the Nobel Peace Prize. While the former president spent most of his life in Plains, he traveled the world in his 80s and early 90s, including annual trips with Habitat for Humanity to build homes. Last year, the center celebrated 40 years of promoting democracy worldwide, including monitoring at least 113 elections in Africa, Latin America and Asia since 1989. The Carter Center also worked alongside the World Health Organization to ensure the near-eradication of the tropical disease known as Guinea worm. The former president was concerned with the health of those who did not have access to safe drinking water and were contracting the disease. "I would like to see Guinea worm completely eradicated before I die," he said at a news conference in 2015. "I'd like for the last Guinea worm to die before I do." Due to the Carter Center's work, the end of the destructive parasite is near. "It's an audacious and mind-boggling idea," Emily Staub, the press liaison to health programs for the Carter Center told CNN when Carter entered hospice care. "A whole bunch of people with the Carter Center decided that they were going to eradicate a disease that has no vaccine, no immunity, no medication. It's thousands of years old and has a one-year incubation. The odds are totally stacked against you. And the people that suffer from it speak thousands of different languages, and some have never had outsiders interact with them. "President Carter just jumped in with two feet," she said. Related President Jimmy Carter urges other members of the Democratic Party not to move too far to the left Carter in 2006 delivered the eulogy at the funeral of his close friend Coretta Scott King, the wife of Martin Luther King Jr., and praised her for "breaking down the racial barriers that had separated us one from another for almost two centuries." After the news broke that Carter was entering hospice care last year, Bernice King, the youngest child of Coretta and Martin, said she was joining the nation in praying for him. "Former President Carter's love and compassion for all people set him apart as a leader, servant, and simply a great man striving to achieve a Beloved Community," she wrote . "We are praying that you feel God's grace, mercy, and love as well as the love of your family, The King Center, and the world that you have so graciously served." "I've had the good fortune to meet many presidents, kings, Nobel Peace Prize winners and truly impressive people. Few are as truly good as Jimmy Carter, who at age 98 is now entering hospice," wrote New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristoff. "He leaves this planet so much better than he found it. A great, great, great man." Kai Bird, the former president's biographer, wrote in a guest essay for The Times that Carter "was not what you think." "Jimmy Carter was probably the most intelligent, hard-working and decent man to have occupied the Oval Office in the 20th century," Bird wrote. "A Southern liberal, he knew racism was the nation's original sin. He was a progressive on the issue of race, declaring in his first address as Georgia's governor, in 1971, that 'the time for racial discrimination is over,' to the extreme discomfort of many Americans, including a good number of his fellow Southerners." Bird also reflected on Carter's post-presidential life, writing, "Some of his controversial decisions, at home and abroad, were just as consequential. He took Egypt off the battlefield for Israel, but he always insisted that Israel was also obligated to suspend building new settlements in the West Bank and allow the Palestinians a measure of self-rule." After the release of his 2006 New York Times bestselling book "Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid," Carter gave a radio interview in which he described apartheid to be the "forced separation of two peoples in the same territory with one of the groups dominating or controlling the other," and claimed that Israel's policies resulted in apartheid worse than South Africa's. "When Israel does occupy this territory deep within the West Bank, and connects the 200-or-so settlements with each other, with a road, and then prohibits the Palestinians from using that road, or in many cases even crossing the road, this perpetrates even worse instances of apartness, or apartheid, than we witnessed even in South Africa," Carter said. While the book and his subsequent interviews generated controversy, including some accusing him of antisemitism, Carter continued to stand up for his beliefs in racial equality. "The hope is that my book will at least stimulate a debate, which has not existed in this country. There's never been any debate on this issue, of any significance," he said. "He was not afraid to warn everyone that Israel was taking a wrong turn on the road to apartheid," Bird wrote. "In or out of the White House, Mr. Carter devoted his life to solving problems, like an engineer, by paying attention to the minutiae of a complicated world." The Carter Center carried on its founder's voracious criticism of Israel's treatment of Palestinians in the wake of Israel's ongoing bombardment of Gaza, citing his Nobel Peace Prize speech in their call for a ceasefire in the city, the return of the hostages seized during Hamas' deadly attack and the reinstatement of services and resources to the besieged territory. "In his 2002 Nobel Peace Prize lecture, our founder, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, said, 'We will not learn to live together in peace by killing each other’s children,'" the center wrote in a statement . "His words resonate with us today more than ever as the Israel-Hamas conflict enters a new and even more dangerous phase." "Carter is widely considered a better man than he was a president," The Independent noted in 2009 — a sentiment widely shared by many Americans. Gates Foundation CEO Mark Suzman thanked Carter for his "decades of leadership, service, & wisdom" and wrote, "the future is brighter because of your work." Reverend William J. Barber II reflected on Carter's legacy through a theological lens. "President Jimmy Carter's leadership & moral commitment were so strong that some tried to undermine his legacy by calling him weak," he wrote on Twitter. "The so-called religious right said they wanted a Christian President, but Carter was one, & they stood against him — exposing their hypocrisy. Before Obama, Jimmy Carter broke through the Southern strategy." "Carter walked in the halls of power & never lost his humanity. He never let power and money change him," he added. "As he transitions to life evermore, I pray we forever learn from the model of leadership he showed us as President &, more importantly, as a person." After news broke that Carter was in hospice care, former President Bill Clinton tweeted a picture of him and Carter with the caption, "On this Presidents' Day I'm thinking of President Jimmy Carter." Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter , Crash Course. Residents of Plains, Georgia remember Carter fondly for his "small-town boy" demeanor. He was known to greet everyone he came in contact with, including in one instance every passenger on a commercial flight he took. "President Carter's very unique," Millard Simmons, a lifelong resident of Plains, told the Augusta Chronicle . "President Carter could have lived anywhere in the world he wanted to live, but he wanted to come back to a place that I think he loves; I know he loves." Local pastor Tony Lowden spent time with the former president in his last few days and told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Carter has "given us so much." Carter was an integral figure in the local community and was committed to diversity and inclusion within the church. After the Southern Baptist Union announced in 2000 that they would no longer allow women to become pastors, the former president renounced his membership. "I'm familiar with the verses they have quoted about wives being subjugated to their husbands," he told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2000 . "In my opinion, this is a distortion of the meaning of Scripture. I personally feel the Bible says all people are equal in the eyes of God. I personally feel that women should play an absolutely equal role in service of Christ in the church." Lowden said he looked to Carter for guidance in the aftermath of George Floyd's murder in 2020. "He gave me better advice than anyone could have," Lowden told the outlet. "He told me not to hold back with my advice, even if it's tough. Tell the truth. You're not trying to win an election — you're trying to save America." The two had a rule each time they saw each other for prayer sessions or private conversations: Never say goodbye. Instead, Lowden told Carter three things: I love you, I'll see you again — and there's nothing you can do about it. Read more about Jimmy Carter Former Jimmy Carter aide corrects the record on a misunderstood presidency Jimmy Carter's landmark moment: The birth of the disability rights movement How Reaganism actually started with Carter By Samaa Khullar Samaa Khullar is a former news fellow at Salon with a background in Middle Eastern history and politics. She is a graduate of New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism institute and is pursuing investigative reporting. MORE FROM Samaa Khullar By Tatyana Tandanpolie Tatyana Tandanpolie is a staff writer at Salon. Born and raised in central Ohio, she moved to New York City in 2018 to pursue degrees in Journalism and Africana Studies at New York University. She is currently based in her home state and has previously written for local Columbus publications, including Columbus Monthly, CityScene Magazine and The Columbus Dispatch. MORE FROM Tatyana Tandanpolie Related Topics ------------------------------------------ Jimmy Carter Politics Related Articles Advertisement:LONDON (AP) — Brighton had most of the chances but could not find the net in a 0-0 draw with Brentford that extended the south coast club’s winless run in the Premier League to six games on Friday. It was a frustrating night for the home side and especially Julio Enciso. The Paraguay striker had a host of opportunities to score but couldn’t make them count. Along with Southampton, Brentford has the worst away record in the league with seven losses and two draws and it was easy to see why in this toothless performance. Brentford had an early goal from Yoane Wissa ruled out for offside and, although it came a bit more into the game in the second half, it failed to pressure Icelandic goalkeeper Hakon Valdimarsson, who made his Premier League debut eight minutes before halftime when Mark Flekken went off with a thigh injury. One bright spot for the home side was the return of winger Solly March. He came on as a late substitute to make his first appearance for Brighton since injuring a knee against Manchester City 14 months ago. The result leaves Brighton in 10th place with 26 points, one spot and two points ahead of the Bees. Arsenal was hosting Ipswich in Friday's other game in the Premier League, AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccerTech slump slays Santa rally, weak yen lifts Japan stocks higher
Hugh Dennis is a master of dry British comedy in Outnumbered, but the kids have lost their comedic instinct
