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US sex-abuse watchdog fires investigator after learning of his arrest for stealing drug money DENVER (AP) — The U.S. Center for SafeSport abruptly fired one of its investigators last month after learning he’d been arrested for stealing money confiscated after a drug bust he was part of during his previous job as a police officer. Jason Krasley left his job with the Allentown Police Department in Pennsylvania in 2021 and was hired by the Denver-based SafeSport center to look into sensitive cases involving sex abuse and harassment. The center said it conducts multiple interviews and a “comprehensive background check” of potential employees. The center said it was looking into cases Krasley handled to make sure they were dealt with appropriately. Jim Larrañaga steps down at Miami, Bill Courtney takes over to finish season CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) — Jim Larrañaga has stepped down as Miami’s men’s basketball coach effective immediately. Larrañaga will be replaced by associate head coach Bill Courtney — one of Larrañaga’s best friends for the past three decades or so — for the remainder of the season. The now-former coach says he loves the university but believes it's the right time to step away. Larrañaga says "I’ve tried every which way to keep this going.” Larrañaga joins a long line of prominent college basketball coaches who have left their jobs in recent years citing the changes in the game and the challenge of coaching in the Name, Image and Likeness era. Detroit Red Wings fire coach Derek Lalonde, name Todd McLellan as his replacement The Detroit Red Wings have fired coach Derek Lalonde and named Todd McLellan as his replacement. The move a day after Christmas comes after the Red Wings lost 21 of their first 34 games this season. They're on a three-game skid. Assistant Bob Boughner was also fired and Trent Yawney hired to work on McLellan's staff. McLellan signed a multiyear contract to start his fourth NHL head coaching job. Lalonde was nearly midway through his third season with Detroit after winning the Stanley Cup twice as an assistant with Tampa Bay. Penn State offensive coordinator Kotelnicki's creativity has the Nittany Lions humming in the CFP Penn State's offense is thriving under first-year offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki. The Nittany Lions are one of a handful of Power Four schools averaging 200 yards per game rushing and receiving heading into their College Football Playoff quarterfinal against Boise State. Penn State has one of the most unique offensive weapons in the country in tight end Tyler Warren. Warren has 92 receptions this season and has become a threat out of the backfield, rushing for 197 yards and two touchdowns. Pat Riley says the Miami Heat will not trade Jimmy Butler ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — If Jimmy Butler wants a trade, the Miami Heat have no plans to make him happy. Heat President Pat Riley — in a rare move — spoke out to address rumors Thursday, saying the team has no plans to trade Butler. It’s a clear sign that, if necessary, the team will be willing to let Butler leave as a free agent and get nothing in return. Riley says in a release distributed by the team "we usually don’t comment on rumors, but all this speculation has become a distraction to the team and is not fair to the players and coaches.” Organizers say two sailors have died in Sydney to Hobart yacht race amid wild weather conditions SYDNEY (AP) — Organizers said that two Sydney to Hobart sailors have died at sea amid wild weather conditions that forced line honors favorite Master Lock Comanche to withdraw among mass retirements. The race will continue as the fleet continues its passage to Constitution Dock in Hobart, with the first boats expected to arrive later on Friday or early Saturday morning. The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, which administers the yacht race, has said that one sailor each on entrants Flying Fish Arctos and Bowline were killed after being struck by the boom, a large horizontal pole at the bottom of the sail. Haaland penalty failure and Fernandes red card pile on woes for City and United in Premier League Erling Haaland’s failure from the penalty spot and Bruno Fernandes’ latest red card have compounded the woes of Manchester City and Manchester United on another tough day for the two Premier League giants. City dropped more points in its improbably poor run of form by drawing 1-1 at home to Everton. Haaland had a spot kick saved by England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford in the 53rd minute. The four-time defending champions have only won one of its last 13 games in all competitions. While City is languishing in seventh place, United is even further adrift in 14th place after a 2-0 loss at lowly Wolverhampton. Fernandes was sent off in the 47th. Simona Halep withdraws from Australian Open qualifying because of knee and shoulder pain MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Two-time Grand Slam champion Simona Halep has pulled out of Australian Open qualifying and a tuneup tournament in Auckland, New Zealand, because of pain in her knee and shoulder. Thursday's news represents the latest interruption of her comeback from a drug suspension. Halep posted on social media that she was feeling poorly after participating in an exhibition event in Abu Dhabi. The 33-year-old Romanian said she is planning to next enter the Transylvania Open in her home country, where play begins Feb. 3. Halep was granted a wild-card entry for qualifying in the Australian Open last week. Mahomes throws 3 TDs as Chiefs clinch AFC's top seed by breezing past the skidding Steelers 29-10 PITTSBURGH (AP) — Patrick Mahomes passed for 320 yards and three touchdowns and the Kansas City Chiefs locked up the top seed in the AFC for the fourth time in seven seasons with a 29-10 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The two-time defending Super Bowl champions raced to an early 13-point lead and were never really threatened by the Steelers (10-6). Pittsburgh has dropped three straight to see its chances of capturing the AFC North take another hit. Travis Kelce caught eight passes for 84 yards and a touchdown. Kelce also became the third tight end in NFL history to reach 1,000 receptions, joining Tony Gonzalez and Jason Witten. Jackson breaks Vick's NFL rushing record for QBs in Ravens' rout over Texans HOUSTON (AP) — Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson passed Michael Vick for the most yards rushing by a quarterback in NFL history in a 31-2 win over the Houston Texans in Wednesday. Jackson moved past Vick on a 6-yard run in the third quarter. Jackson had 87 yards rushing to give him 6,110 yards, moving him past Vick, who piled up 6,109 in his 13-year career.

AP News Summary at 8:29 p.m. ESTNo crazy buzzer-beater. No last-minute miracle. After so much heartache over so many years, UCLA finally shook off its Gonzaga jinx under coach Mick Cronin on Saturday afternoon at Intuit Dome. It looked like the Bruins might be in store for more misfortune when Sebastian Mack fouled Gonzaga’s Ryan Nembhard on a driving layup with 8.1 seconds left, sending Nembhard to the line for the free throw that could tie the score. But the basketball gods finally smiled upon the Bruins. Nembhard missed the free throw and UCLA’s Skyy Clark chased down the rebound before getting fouled. He made both free throws to give the No. 22 Bruins a breathless 65-62 victory over the No. 14 Bulldogs. It was the first victory over Gonzaga for Cronin at UCLA after having dropped his first four meetings, including a pair of heartbreakers on game-winning shots in the NCAA tournament. A heavily pro-Bruins crowd cheered the team on its way off the court after it shook off its 16-point collapse against North Carolina from last weekend. Forward Eric Dailey Jr. scored 18 points to lead four players in double figures for the Bruins (11-2), who made 12 of 24 three-pointers. Gonzaga (9-4) had multiple chances to forge another late win. Bulldogs guard Dusty Stromer rose for a three-pointer that could have given his team the lead with 17 seconds left, but the shot was off the mark and Clark grabbed the rebound before getting fouled. Clark got both of his free throws to roll in, providing the Bruins with a 63-62 lead. UCLA was the team that needed a little luck this time. Mack redeemed himself — and gave the Bruins a 61-60 advantage with 33 seconds left — when he made a floater as he was fouled. He sank the free throw after having previously missed two on his team’s previous possession. Gonzaga forward Graham Ike was a gamelong problem for the Bruins, scoring in a variety of ways around the basket while finishing with 24 points on 11-for-16 shooting. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs unleashed the sort of harassing defense normally associated with the Bruins, making every UCLA possession a slog. With point guard Dylan Andrews’ slump deepening, the Bruins often struggled to produce good shots — or, in a few cases, any shot while committing a shot-clock violation. Andrews was benched down the stretch in favor of Mack, who made the play his team needed. The halftime score — UCLA 27, Gonzaga 25 — looked like a misprint given the Bruins shot only 29% and committed nine turnovers. The advantage came thanks mostly to UCLA making five of 12 three-pointers (compared to Gonzaga’s two of 11), forcing the Bulldogs into 11 turnovers and grabbing two more rebounds than their counterparts. The Bruins looked like they were headed to a much larger cushion after Clark used a crossover move to free himself for a jumper that capped an 11-0 run for his team, giving UCLA a 24-13 lead. Tensions momentarily rose late in the first half when Gonzaga guard Khalif Battle was assessed a flagrant-2 foul and ejected for clobbering Dailey, the contact prompting Cronin to shed his suit jacket before conversing with officials about the play. The loss of their third-leading scorer seemed to galvanize the Bulldogs the rest of the first half. They went on to hold UCLA scoreless for more than four minutes while rolling off a 9-0 push that wiped out most of the Bruins’ big lead. UCLA played without center William Kyle III, who was sidelined by an unspecified medical issue, according to a team spokesperson.

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Social media firms raise 'serious concerns' over Australian U-16 ban

Black-eyed peas came to us from Africa. Because of their distinctive flavor, low cost and “stick to your ribs” characteristic, black eyes were and continue to be the preferred pea of the South. An old Southern legend claims that eating black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day will bring good luck for the entire year. You be the judge... real truth or simply superstition? One thing is for certain, black-eyed peas have impressive nutritional attributes. For example, they are low in fat, high in fiber and folic acid and good sources of protein, iron and carbohydrates. Plus, they are cholesterol-free. Because they are peas, they do not require pre-soaking; however, to cut cooking time, black eyes should be “hot washed.” Hot Washing For each pound of dry black-eyes, add 10 cups of cold water in a pot and heat to boiling on high, set aside for two to three minutes, then pour off water. They have now been “hot washed.” For recipes that require cooking the black eyes with other ingredients, merely pour off the “hot wash” water and follow the cooking instructions in the recipe. For other recipes that call for “cooked black-eyes,” add enough chicken, beef or vegetable broth, or water to cover black-eyes with 2 inches of liquid. Cook at a simmer until tender, approximately 30-45 minutes. Do not add salt. Helpful hints: At a gentle boil, black-eyes usually cook in 20-40 minutes; test for doneness several times during cooking. Black-eyes are best firm when used for salads and when they will be cooked further in casseroles, soups or stews. Store black-eyes in a moisture-proof container and keep in a cool, dry place. Southern-Style Black-Eyed Peas Ingredients: • 1 lb. dry black-eyed peas • 1⁄2 medium onion, diced • 1 medium carrot, thinly sliced • 1 Serrano pepper, seeded and thinly sliced (optional) • 4 oz. Smoke-flavored lean ham, visible fat removed, diced • 5 cups water or stock (beef, chicken, or vegetable) First prepare black-eyes according to “hot wash” method. Crock Pot Directions: Place all ingredients in crock pot. Cook on low setting for 8-10 hours or until black-eyes are tender. Stove Top Directions: Place all ingredients in a large pot. Add water or stock, bring to a boil and then reduce heat to medium. Cook for one hour or until beans are tender. If necessary, add more water to keep the mixture well covered. May be served over hot rice, with cornbread or a la carte. Makes 8 1-cup servings. Nutrition Analysis per Serving: Calories 211; Fat 2g; Fiber 11g; Folate 83% of RDA.Ex-OpenAI engineer who raised legal concerns about the technology he helped build has died

King and PM honour former US president Jimmy Carter after his death aged 100

WOOD carvers from Tugaya, Lanao del Sur, known for their intricate wood carving and brasswares featuring Okir and other Maranao patterns, are set to enhance their craft through technical training programs under an initiative by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). The Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI) of the DOST has partnered with Tugaya’s local government and Bangsamoro agencies of the Ministry of Science and Technology-BARMM (MOST-BARMM) and the Ministry of Trade, Investment and Tourism-BARMM (MTIT-BARMM) in launching the “Likhain at Linangin Obra mula sa Kahoy [LiLOK]: Valuing the Wood Carving Industry in the Philippines” program. The project aims to improve the quality, marketability, and sustainability of Tugaya’s wood carving industry, while preserving its cultural heritage. “We are confident that the LiLOK program will significantly contribute to the development of the local wood carving industry in the Philippines. Indeed, there are science-based solutions even for challenges related to arts and culture,” DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. said. Several key challenges identified by artisans include issues with wood drying, finishing and preservation, alongside the dwindling supply of raw materials and declining interest in carving among women and youth. Based on the US Foreign Agricultural Service’s report, the Philippines relies on imports for 75 percent of its wood and wood products, with the bulk of these consisting of plywood, veneered panels, laminated wood, and both coniferous and non-coniferous wood, either sawn or chipped lengthwise. Further data from the Climate Change Commission indicated that from 2001 to 2022, the country experienced a loss of 1.42 million hectares of forested land, marking a 7.6 percent decline in its overall tree cover. The LiLOK program will address these concerns through “science-based interventions, technical training, and value chain mapping,” which will document Tugaya’s cultural history and suggest strategies for market expansion. “Again, this is another milestone project for DOST-FPRDI as we continue our commitment to use science, technology and innovation to protect and preserve our local culture,” DOST-FPRDI Director Rico J. Cabangon said. A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the initiative was signed on December 2, at the Provincial Tourism Office in Marawi, Lanao del Sur, led by DOST-FPRDI Director Cabangon, MOST Lanao del Sur Provincial Director Alinader Sarangani, MTIT BARMM Lanao del Sur Provincial Director Mohammad Aquil A. Mamanite, and LiLOK Project Leader Jennifer M. Conda. The initiative will also collaborate with partners, such as the University of the Philippines Open University and UP Los Baños Forestry Development Center, to harmonize policies on the wood carving sector and provide technical support. Funded by the National Research Council of the Philippines, the program will extend its reach to other carving communities across the country, including those in Hungduan, Ifugao; Guagua, Pampanga; Paete, Laguna; Palawan; and Mogpog, Marinduque. Image credits: DOST-FPRDI PHOTOSuchir Balaji, a former OpenAI engineer and whistleblower who helped train the artificial intelligence systems behind ChatGPT and later said he believed those practices violated copyright law, has died, according to his parents and San Francisco officials. He was 26. Balaji worked at OpenAI for nearly four years before quitting in August. He was well-regarded by colleagues at the San Francisco company, where a co-founder this week called him one of OpenAI's strongest contributors who was essential to developing some of its products. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Get the latest need-to-know information delivered to your inbox as it happens. Our flagship newsletter. Get our front page stories each morning as well as the latest updates each afternoon during the week + more in-depth weekend editions on Saturdays & Sundays.

Ex-OpenAI engineer who raised legal concerns about the technology he helped build has died

Ex-OpenAI engineer who raised legal concerns about the technology he helped build has diedConsumers shop at a supermarket in Zaozhuang, Shandong province, in November. (Sun Zhongzhe/Xinhua) China's policymakers are set to take a more proactive approach to macroeconomic policies in the year ahead, aiming to tackle both short-term challenges arising from lackluster demand and structural issues, said economists. Citing the recently concluded Central Economic Work Conference, they said the country is fine-tuning its macroeconomic strategy, marking a significant shift toward a consumption-driven economy as it prepares for expansionary fiscal and monetary policies in 2025. "The deficit ratio for 2025 is likely to be the highest on record," said Xiong Yuan, chief economist at Guosheng Securities, anticipating that the government would set the projected deficit-to-GDP ratio for 2025 at 3.5-4 percent or higher in March, up from 3 percent for this year. The Chinese government started to release the annual projected deficit ratio in 2010, with the highest reading in 2020 at 3.6 percent as COVID-19 hit, according to market tracker Wind Info. Xiong said next year's quota of special local government bonds is expected to increase to more than 4.5 trillion yuan ($616.5 billion) from a record high of 3.9 trillion yuan this year, in addition to special treasury bonds of over 2 to 3 trillion yuan in 2025, up from 1 trillion yuan for 2024. Xiong's remarks came as the Central Economic Work Conference held in December pledged to implement more proactive and effective macroeconomic policies, boost domestic demand, drive the integration of sci-tech innovation and industrial innovation, and stabilize the real estate sector and stock markets. The nation will maintain basic equilibrium in the balance of payments and better synchronize the income growth of households and economic expansion, according to the meeting. "While promoting industrial sectors was the top task last year, expanding domestic demand is in the top spot this year," said Lu Ting, chief China economist at Nomura. Lu said that the conference called for more specific measures to support consumption, including increasing basic pension payments, raising fiscal subsidies for basic medical insurance, and developing policies to boost fertility. "Overall, the conference adds support to our relatively optimistic view on fiscal policies in 2025 and our view that Beijing may stick to the 'around 5 percent' GDP growth target in 2025," he said. According to the conference, policymakers pledged to roll out more initiatives to boost consumption, including greater strides in equipment upgrades and consumer goods trade-in programs. Looking forward, Lu said policymakers might consider an increase in spending on social security for lower-income households and encouraging childbirth. "We especially expect policymakers to significantly increase payments to those rural pensioners (55 percent of total pensioners) whose average monthly pension income is only 225 yuan," he said. "They may also increase financial support for families with a second or third child. And they may also waive part of the annual 400 yuan fee on basic medical insurance for low-income individuals." As the conference reiterated a "more proactive fiscal policy", Lu said his team forecasts a total of 3.6 trillion yuan in incremental borrowing for 2025 versus 2024, or around 2.6 percent of GDP. "We expect the official deficit ratio to be raised from 3 percent this year to 4 percent next year," he said. "We expect net financing from central government special bonds to be raised to 1.5 trillion yuan from 1 trillion yuan in 2024." Regarding local government special bonds, Lu said his teams expect a small increase to 4.5 trillion yuan in 2024. Echoing the meeting of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee held earlier this month, the Central Economic Work Conference statement vowed to conduct a "moderately accommodative" monetary policy, switching away from a "prudent" monetary policy for the past 14 years. "The use of words 'moderately accommodative' for monetary policy is the first time since the meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee in July 2010, when China was still dealing with the aftermath of the global financial crisis," Lu added. "The readout emphasizes the dual roles of aggregate and structural monetary policy instruments, leaving room for potential incremental policies from these People's Bank of China structural facilities." The Central Economic Work Conference also promises to launch policy rate cuts and reserve requirement ratio cuts in a timely manner or whenever it is deemed appropriate, maintaining sufficient liquidity, leading the growth rate of aggregate financing and monetary supply to be mostly aligned with the expected targets of economic growth and price inflation. "The focus on the policy rate and RRR cuts is consistent with our view, as we forecast two rounds of policy rate cuts in the first quarter and second quarter of 2025, respectively, and one 50-basis-point RRR cut before end-2024 and two 50-basis-points RRR cuts in 2025," Lu said. With the help of a raft of government measures aimed at stimulating domestic demand and stabilizing growth in the second half of this year, China's economy showed sustained recovery with the latest economic indicators pointing to green shoots of a steady rebound heading into 2025. Data released by the National Bureau of Statistics showed that China's value-added industrial output grew 5.4 percent year-on-year in November, up from a 5.3 percent rise in the previous month. "This improvement reflects the impact of a series of incremental policy measures that have bolstered market confidence and supported demand recovery," said Wang Qing, chief macroeconomic analyst at Golden Credit Rating International. Looking ahead, Wang believes that the demand for consumption and investment will continue to pick up amid a series of stimulus measures, driving strong growth in industrial production. "Industrial production growth will remain robust in December, likely in the range of 5 percent to 6 percent." NBS data showed that the growth of retail sales slowed to 3 percent year-on-year in November from 4.8 percent in October, while fixed-asset investment saw 3.3 percent year-on-year growth during the January-November period, down from 3.4 percent in the first 10 months. Wang said the growth rate of retail sales slowed in November, as this year's "Double 11" shopping festival presale started earlier, shifting some consumer demand from November to October. With consumption-boosting policies taking effect gradually and the gradual improvement in consumer sentiment, Wang estimated retail sales to grow around 4.5 percent year-on-year in December. "We anticipate that in 2025, policy measures to stimulate consumption will be further ramped up," he said. Among these measures, Wang said the country may fund a 600 billion yuan trade-in deal for consumer goods to spark household demand, and the range of subsidized products is likely to expand to include consumer electronics, home furnishings, and other durable goods. Meanwhile, he believes fiscal support for childbirth might be piloted next year, such as one-time or monthly subsidies for families with newborns, with the support scale potentially reaching 100 billion yuan. "There may also be a nationwide issuance of consumption vouchers and subsidies in 2025, which would expand the scope of consumption stimulation from durable goods to include general merchandise and service consumption," he said. "This reflects an important shift in the current macroeconomic policy direction, where the previous countercyclical investment policies with a key emphasis on investment are now shifting toward a more balanced approach, prioritizing both consumption and investment, with an increased focus on consumption."

Will there be a day of mourning? Inside the full plans for Jimmy Carter's state funeral and what happens next READ MORE: From peanut farmer to president: How Jimmy Carter rose to the Oval Office By STEPHEN M. LEPORE FOR DAILYMAIL.COM Published: 20:18 EST, 29 December 2024 | Updated: 20:26 EST, 29 December 2024 e-mail View comments Jimmy Carter will become the sixth American president to be given an official state funeral at the United States Capitol as the nation prepares to honor its late commander-in-chief. Carter has died at the age of 100, almost two years after announcing he would spend his final days in hospice care . His son Chip Carter, 74, confirmed the former president had died in his Georgia home on Sunday around 3.40 pm ET. President Biden was expected to declare an official 'day of mourning' for the deceased during a speech from the Oval Office on Sunday night. Is there a state funeral for Jimmy Carter’s death? Joe Biden , in a statement released Sunday afternoon, did not immediately announce a day of mourning but did declare Carter will receive a state funeral. 'To honor a great American, I will be ordering an official state funeral to be held in Washington D.C. for James Earl Carter, Jr., 39th President of the United States, 76th Governor of Georgia, Lieutenant of the United States Navy, graduate of the United States Naval Academy, and favorite son of Plains, Georgia, who gave his full life in service to God and country,' Biden said. A date has not yet been set for the funeral. Fox News reported that Carter's body will likely lie in state at the Capitol Rotunda starting on or about January 6 . Jimmy Carter will become the sixth American president to be given an official state funeral at the United States Capitol as part of the nation's mourning of its late Commander-in-Chief Carter's body will likely lie in state at the Capitol Rotunda starting on or about January 6 A total of 12 presidents and 34 people have lied in state at the Rotunda, the last being late Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in 2022. Will there be a day of mourning after Jimmy Carter's death? While no day of mourning was officially declared in the statement, it is typically held several days after the president's death. Richard Nixon's took place five days after his death, Gerald Ford's was a week following his to coincide with his funeral, George H.W. Bush's was four days after he died and Reagan was six days. Carter follows Lyndon Johnson, Ronald Reagan, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford and George H.W. Bush as having such events. Nixon's was unique in that, in accordance with the former president's wishes, none of the elements of the state ceremonies occurred in the nation's capital but rather at his presidential library in California. The sitting president will also command all flags to be at half-mast for 30 days, meaning they will be flying low upon Donald Trump's inauguration in mid-January. Where will Jimmy Carter be buried? Presidential funerals traditionally last five days and come in three different stages, with ceremonies held in the president's home state and then Washington, before concluding where the deceased has chosen to be buried. Carter has long planned to be buried next to his late wife of 77 years, Rosalyn Carter, at the Plains, Georgia home they shared, according to People News . Mourners leave flowers at The Carter Memorial Center in Atlanta Carter has long planned to be buried next to his late wife of 77 years, Rosalyn Carter, at the Plains, Georgia home they shared The sitting president and his family are considered in charge of planning the funeral ceremonies. The Washington portion of the state funeral occurs at the Washington National Cathedral. The funeral usually ends in a procession down Pennsylvania Avenue, where the White House is located. Honor guards form a rifle party and fire a three-volley salute over the gravesite, according to Reader's Digest . Then, the body will be sent back to Georgia for the burial. The families of some presidents, including George H.W. Bush in 2018, chose to do so by train so that the people across the country can pay respects. When did Jimmy Carter die? Carter died at the age of 100 on Sunday afternoon at around 3:40pm, his family announced. The Democrat former peanut farmer, who served one term in the White House from 1977 to 1981 and dedicated the rest of his life to charity, decided against more medical treatment and entered hospice in February 2023 after a string of hospital stays. At 100 years old, he was the longest-lived former president in America’s history. Carter's four years as president were blighted by an oil crisis that forced Americans to line up for gas and the Iran hostage situation that stretched into the final moments of his administration before Ronald Reagan took over. The sitting president will also command all flags to be at half-mast for 30 days, meaning they will be flying low upon Donald Trump's inauguration in mid-January The Washington portion of the state funeral occurs at the Washington National Cathedral. Presidents Trump, Obama, Clinton, Carter and Biden are all pictured at George H.W. Bush's 2018 funeral But the Navy veteran's dedication to philanthropy meant he quickly became one of the most beloved figures in American politics. One of his final public appearances was to celebrate his 100th birthday on October 1, surrounded by family and friends at his Georgia home. With Carter's death, there are now only five living presidents – Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, now President-elect Donald Trump and current President Joe Biden. Carter was born on October 1, 1924, with the rarely-used full name James Earl Carter, Jr. and was raised during the Great Depression. The son of a Georgia peanut farmer, he said that farming, talk of politics, and devotion to the Baptist faith were pillars of his upbringing. Carter graduated from the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, in 1946 and married Rosalynn Smith shortly afterward. The couple had three sons - John William (Jack), James Earl III (Chip), Donnel Jeffrey (Jeff) - and a daughter, Amy Lynn. They also had 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Their grandson Jeremy Davis Carter died of a heart attack at the age of 28 in 2015. Rosalynn passed away Sunday, November 19 at 2:10pm at her home in Plains, Georgia. The former first lady was a passionate champion of mental health, caregiving and women's rights. Carter graduated from the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, in 1946 and married Rosalynn Smith shortly afterward. The couple had three sons - John William (Jack), James Earl III (Chip), Donnel Jeffrey (Jeff) - and a daughter, Amy Lynn The son of a Georgia peanut farmer, he said that farming, talk of politics, and devotion to the Baptist faith were pillars of his upbringing A statement from the Carter Center on her death noted: 'She died peacefully, with family by her side.' She was honored with a wreath-laying at her namesake medical center in Americus, Georgia, followed by her casket lying in repose at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library in Atlanta. The next day on November 28, 2023, U.S. leaders and politicians gathered with Jimmy Carter for her funeral at Glenn Memorial Church in Atlanta, Georgia. In attendance were President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden and former President and first lady Bill and Hillary Clinton – as well as past first ladies Melania Trump, Michelle Obama and Laura Bush. On November 29, the Carter family held a more personal funeral service for Rosalynn at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia where former President Carter attended in a wheelchair. Jimmy Carter served seven years as a Naval Officer before returning to Georgia, where he entered state politics in 1962. Eight years later, he was elected governor of Georgia. He launched a bid for the White House in 1974 and built momentum over the next two years. While president, he established two new cabinet-level departments: the Department of Energy and the Department of Education. He installed solar panels on the roof of the White House - only for Reagan to take them down. Both during and after his presidency, he became known as an international human rights champion. Joe Biden Georgia Share or comment on this article: Will there be a day of mourning? Inside the full plans for Jimmy Carter's state funeral and what happens next e-mail Add comment(Excerpted from Falling Leaves, an autobiographical anthology by LC Arulpragasam) I became aware of a Sri Lankan mannerism on a two-hour ferryboat to Ischia in 1967. My wife and I were on this ferry on our way from Naples to Ischia, an Italian island just off Capri. We were on one side of the large ferry, while the bar was at the other end, about 20 yards away. Since I was going to get myself a beer, I asked my wife whether she wanted a drink and she indicated ‘Yes’ with her head. So I crossed the ferry to the bar and ordered the two drinks. The barman, hardly looking up from washing the glasses, asked me briskly: ‘You are from Ceylon, Sir?’ I almost dropped with surprise. First, hardly any Italian knew at that time where Ceylon was, or even that it existed. But secondly, how could he have guessed my nationality just by looking at me? Surprised, I asked him how he could have guessed this so quickly. Smilingly he replied: ‘I saw you asking your wife if she would have a drink, and she shook her head from side to side, signifying ‘No’. But then you came across and ordered a drink for her – which means that she said ‘Yes’. The only place where shaking your head to indicate ‘No’ means ‘Yes’ is in Ceylon!’ I was surprised, first, because I myself had not noticed this seeming ‘contradiction’ before. But secondly, I could not resist asking him how he could possibly have known this. He replied smiling, that he had been a prisoner of war in Ceylon during World War II in the 1940s – and remembered this Ceylonese trait even 25 years later! So Sri Lanka remains the country, where we shake our heads, understood elsewhere to signify ‘No’, when we actually mean ‘Yes’! As a matter of interest, the barman also told me that the happiest years of his life were spent ‘in prison’ in Ceylon, roaming the hills of Diyatalawa where the Italian prisoners were supposed to be confined! The British must have been confident that their prisoners would not escape from their haven (heaven) to go back to war-torn Europe! ‘Sigñora, your Midriff is Showing’ In Italy today, women at the age of 50 are usually slim, elegant, well-groomed and sexy. This was not the case in Italy in the 1960’s when women over 50 (especially in the south) often had a ‘pasta roll’ around their waist, usually dressed in black dresses and black stockings, as a sign of mourning for some long-departed member of the family. My wife, on the other hand, usually dressed in her full sari with a choli blouse, which coyly showed a bit of midriff. When visiting a supermarket, this was the cause of some consternation among two elderly Italian ladies, modestly dressed in baggy black gowns. After talking agitatedly among themselves, one of the ladies, not being able to contain herself any longer, came across to my wife and said: ‘Pardon me, Sigñora, but your midriff is showing’ (in Italian: ‘ nuda’ , meaning ‘nude’). My wife taken aback and nonplussed, looked down at her midriff and asked in surprise: ‘What’s wrong with my midriff?’ The old lady, even more agitated, replied that it was ‘ nuda’ . At this point my wife looked at the old lady’s legs and said ‘Sigñora, but your legs are showing’. (In South Asia at that time, it was considered immodest for a woman, especially an older woman, to show her legs: but this was obviously not so in western society). The old lady, equally taken aback, looked down at her legs and said: ‘What’s wrong with my legs?’ And my wife replied: ‘They are nuda ’. The old lady was puzzled. Not knowing what to make of this weird exchange, she walked back to her companion for more animated discussion! We were amused at this cross-cultural exchange: of two cultures speaking across each other, but not to each other, in terms that neither could understand. It is equally interesting to note changes within the same culture over time. On a typical Italian or western street today, in the year 2014, girls walk around with whole midriffs exposed, showing also their belly buttons, suitably embellished with rings, while their ‘hipsters’ are worn so low that they are in danger of falling off altogether! I wonder what the Italian old ladies would say to this now! Along the same lines, the exposure of female legs is either a matter of good taste, sexiness or shame, depending on the culture or country concerned. In the Indian sub-continent (including Nepal, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka) it is not decent for women to expose their legs, least of all above the knee, although it is customary, fashionable and sexy in the western world to do so. Going farther afield, in China, one notes that legs were not considered sexy at all – nor a matter of pride, shame or sexiness. Traditionally in China (before Mao’s time) women wore the cheongsam, a long dress with a slit all the way up the thigh. On the other hand, these same Chinese women in those days were embarrassed to show their necks, favoring high collars so that their necks would not be exposed! This is in contrast to women in the Indian sub-continent, who have no problem in showing their necks but do have problems in showing their thighs! Sex in Samoa Growing up in colonial Ceylon, I was shocked to the depths of my prudish soul to read Margaret Mead’s ‘ Coming of Age in Samoa’ . (I know that her findings have subsequently been challenged by Dr. Derek Freeman; but since the final verdict is not in, I shall treat her observations as valid for purposes of this article). When I was personally able to visit the Pacific islands in the 1970s, instead of free sex, the girls after colonization and Christianization, now wear grass skirts over their jeans and only sing hymns to hula music! According to Margaret Mead, young boys and girls in Samoa in the 1920s, ranged around in groups, swimming together and having fun and sex together. Teenage girls slept with many boys and even had children by them. More interesting to me (later) was how the social, moral and family organization accepted these activities and absorbed their consequences. First, in the Samoan context at that time, it was not shameful or sinful for boys and girls to have sex before marriage – even at the age of fourteen or fifteen. Secondly, if a girl of that age were to give birth to a child, this was quite normal, and not a matter of shame. Hence, thirdly, this was not a bar to the future marriage of the girl, since a man would marry her especially because she had already proved that she could bear children, which was important for his future family. Fourthly, there was no question of the child being ostracized or abandoned, because it would be gladly taken into the extended family or kin group, since an extra pair of working hands was an asset rather than a liability. Fifthly, these arrangements allowed a woman to have sex throughout her entire child-bearing period, starting at puberty and lasting till she no longer wanted sex. When I read Margaret Mead in later years, what impressed me most was how these arrangements relating to sex and the family had been so rationally organized (internally consistent) within the Polynesian society from a biological, social and economic point of view. The same can be said of the Nayar community in Kerala, India, in the late 19 th and early 20 th centuries. The facts as I know them are recounted only to illustrate a different set of such arrangements. The Nayar community in Kerala was at that time a strongly matriarchal and matrilineal society. It was agrarian-based, with property passing from mother to daughter along the female line, such that a son did not inherit property. This brought about not only an interesting arrangement of sexual ethics but also concomitant arrangements regarding marriage, the family, and the distribution of labor, income and property. The main economic and social activity at that time centered round the cultivation of land. Since the woman in the family owned the land, she made all the decisions relating to its disposition and cultivation. She also made the family decisions in the household, including the choice of who would work for her and who would sleep with her. As for daily or nightly arrangements, the chosen ‘husband’ for the night would leave his garment and slippers outside her door, so that others could see that she was otherwise engaged for that night. Since the children from this arrangement were known as the mother’s children, the identity of the actual biological father ceased to be of importance. The fathers of the children were all ‘uncles’, who continued to live and work in the household and were supported by it in their old age. The resulting children were looked after by the family/household. Under this arrangement, the land (the economic base) was cultivated, while social and economic security was ensured for members of the extended household. Here again, sexual arrangements seem to be in harmony with biological, family, social and economic needs and organization. Needless to say, these arrangements are not more ‘moral’ or ‘immoral’ than those in western societies today – only different, and also more internally consistent. When Margaret Mead wrote of teenage sex in Samoa in the 1920s, the western world reacted with moral outrage at the immorality, licentiousness and sinfulness of it all. This was a time in the west when sex before marriage was a sin and when children born out of wedlock were ostracized by law and custom. However, today in the west, teenage sex seems to be more the norm than the exception, with surveys showing that over 40 per cent of teenagers have had sex before they leave high school. While this was still considered socially shameful and morally reprehensible in the year 2000, the social scene is moving so fast that already by 2013, unwed single women are planning to get pregnant outside wedlock. Today in the western world, there is sex among teens, sex before marriage, couples living together without marriage, sex outside marriage, and multiple divorces. Sounds familiar? Exactly! In less than 70 years, western society, the dominant culture today, has gone back (regressed?) or advanced (progressed?) to equate to the sexual practices of Samoa in the 1930s! Thereby hangs a cautionary tale!

In a troubling display of selective accountability, Minnesota Republican Rep. Michelle Fischbach, a member of the House Ethics Committee, voted to withhold the investigative report on former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla. This report, ultimately made public, revealed deeply disturbing allegations: sexual misconduct, illicit drug use, misuse of state records, diversion of campaign funds for personal gain, acceptance of impermissible gifts, and even sharing inappropriate videos on the House floor. Despite these findings, Fischbach attempted to keep this information hidden from the public. Minnesotans deserve to know why. Fischbach frequently speaks about the need for accountability in government. Recently, she accused Gov. Tim Walz of failing to provide proper oversight, claiming, “Minnesotans’ tax dollars meant to help the vulnerable are being stolen by fraudsters... Minnesotans deserve answers.” Yet her actions tell a different story. When faced with a chance to hold a powerful member of her own party accountable, Fischbach chose to shield Gaetz instead of demanding justice for his alleged victims. This pattern isn’t new. Fischbach’s brand of “ethics” seems to prioritize partisan loyalty over the very integrity she claims to champion. Her vote to suppress the report aligns with a broader trend of covering for political allies, regardless of the harm their actions inflict on individuals or public The allegations against Gaetz include crimes that should disqualify any person from public office. Fischbach’s willingness to suppress the report is not just a betrayal of her role on the Ethics Committee—it’s a betrayal of every Minnesotan who values transparency and accountability. Her actions undermine the principles of justice and make a mockery of the Ethics Committee’s purpose. Fischbach’s decision to shield Gaetz is particularly alarming given her public rhetoric about ethical governance. If her idea of ethics involves protecting individuals accused of sexual misconduct, then her values are deeply misaligned with those of her constituents. Minnesotans deserve leaders who uphold the same ethical standards they demand of others, regardless of party affiliation. Fischbach’s actions reveal a stark disconnect between her public statements and her conduct. By voting to withhold the Gaetz report, she demonstrated that her loyalty lies not with the people of Minnesota, but with protecting powerful men who abuse their positions. It’s time to hold her accountable for her hypocrisy and demand leaders who embody the principles they espouse. Minnesotans, ask yourselves: Who does Michelle Fischbach truly serve? Is she working for the people of her district, or is she using her position to shield misconduct and perpetuate a culture of impunity? Rita Nau lives in Fergus Falls, Minn.US charges may slow Adani Group’s fundraising plans