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tnt sports Nazarbayev University Crisis: Shigeo Katsu Demands Audit TransparencyAn efficient and multi-functional chocolate, candy machine:Table Top Chocolate Depositor-SMD10-S 11-22-2024 11:28 PM CET | Industry, Real Estate & Construction Press release from: ABNewswire In the fiercely competitive food processing industry, having a high-performance, versatile and convenient machine is one of the key factors for the success of an enterprise. Table Top Chocolate Depositor-SMD10-S is like a shining star in the chocolate and It shines a unique light in food processing fields such as soft candy, bringing unprecedented convenience and efficiency to production. What is Table Top Chocolate Depositor-SMD10-S? It is a Chocolate Molding Machine and automatic gummy depositor with excellent functions .Table Top Chocolate Depositor-SMD10- [ https://www.lst-machine.com/table-top-chocolate-depositor-smd10-s-product/]S [ https://www.lst-machine.com/table-top-chocolate-depositor-smd10-s-product/ ] is a top-notch Chocolate Molding Machine and automatic gummy depositor with many amazing features. It's compact, space saving table top design is a must. In a production workshop where every inch of land is valuable, this design allows it to be flexibly placed without taking up a lot of space, saving valuable site resources for the company. This is not only conducive to optimizing the production layout, but also can increase the number of equipment in a limited space and improve overall production capacity. Image: https://www.lst-machine.com/uploads/%E5%9B%BE%E7%89%8712.png IMG1:Table Top Chocolate Depositor-SMD10-S Its advantages are also reflected in operation. The automation touch panel is a highlight, with a simple and intuitive interface and convenient and fast operation. Just like using a smartphone, operators can complete various complex settings and operations by simply tapping on the panel. This greatly reduces the skill requirements for operators and reduces training costs and time. Moreover, even non-professionals can quickly get started, avoiding production problems caused by human operating errors. Image: https://www.lst-machine.com/uploads/%E5%9B%BE%E7%89%8722-300x212.png IMG2:Automation touch panel The 2 Servo motor + PLC controlled depositing system is the key to its efficient operation. This advanced control system is like an "intelligent commander" that can accurately direct every action to ensure the accurate deposition of the soft candy raw materials. Whether it is the size, shape or weight of chocolate, soft candy and hard candy, it can be precisely controlled, greatly improving the consistency and quality of the product. The 10 pistons included with adjustable & removable nozzles are the core elements of precise production. The adjustable and removable nozzles on these pistons are like precise "magic wands" that can accurately control the deposit amount according to the needs of different chocolate products. The depositing weight is between 1 and 4.67 grams,and the depositing times are as high as 30 - 60 times per minute. This highly precise and efficient deposition capability ensures that each piece of chocolate has a perfect shape and weight, greatly reducing raw material waste and improving the product qualification rate. Furthermore, the 25L Cooker is a powerful "backing" in the production process of chocolate , soft candy and hard candy . It has sufficient capacity to meet the needs of large-scale continuous production and reduce the trouble of frequent addition. The electric heating system combined with variable temperature control creates an ideal temperature environment for chocolate processing. This is like creating an exclusive "comfort zone" for chocolate. Within this temperature range, the texture, taste and gloss of chocolate can reach the best state. Moreover, the equipment adopts SSS304 material, with a maximum heat resistance of up to 130 degrees C. This high-quality material ensures the stability and durability of the equipment in a long-term high-temperature processing environment, reduces the cost of equipment maintenance and replacement, and saves a lot of money for the company. Image: https://www.lst-machine.com/uploads/%E5%9B%BE%E7%89%8731.png IMG3:Cooker: 25L tank capacity The 12L hopper capacity provides a stable supply of raw materials for continuous production. During the production process, there is no need to stop frequently for feeding, which ensures the continuity of production and improves production efficiency. The design of 10 nozzles/pistons further enhances its deposition capacity. Whether it is making small and exquisite soft candies or larger soft candy products, it can easily cope with and meet diverse market needs. This efficient deposition system not only increases production speed, but also achieves higher output while ensuring quality, bringing more economic benefits to the company. Image: https://www.lst-machine.com/uploads/%E5%9B%BE%E7%89%8741-300x225.png IMG4:12L Hopper capacity Image: https://www.lst-machine.com/uploads/%E5%9B%BE%E7%89%8751.png IMG5:10Pcs Nozzles/Pistons The size of the equipment is also very considerate. Its size is 620 * 550 * 600mm, and the transportation package is a wooden box with a size of 73 * 68 * 76cm . This compact size and reasonable packaging design make the equipment more convenient during transportation, and it can easily pass through narrow passages and door openings, reducing the difficulties and damage risks during transportation. During installation, there is no need for large lifting equipment and complicated installation processes. It can be quickly installed and put into use, saving a lot of time and energy for the company. Machine Pictures Main Description Image: https://www.lst-machine.com/uploads/%E5%9B%BE%E7%89%876.png Table Top Depositor-SMD10-SCompact,space saving table top design 10 pistons included with adjustable & removable nozzles Depositing times:30-60 times/min Depositing weight: 1 to 4.67 grams 2 Servo motor+PLC controlled depositing Hopper capacity:12L Electric heating system and variable temperature control Power input : 110-240V AC 50-60Hz Material : SSS304 Maximum heat : 130 degrees C Nozzles/Pistons:10pcs Machine size (L*W*H): 620*550*600mm wooden case package:73*68*76cm Cooker: 25L tank capacity Image: https://www.lst-machine.com/uploads/%E5%9B%BE%E7%89%877.png Air-cylinder Press Demoulder Equiped with 2 strong air cylinder for pressingIt usually works with soft and hard silicone moulds.It can be customized according to different mould and candy sizeThe operation is simple and convenient. Image: https://www.lst-machine.com/uploads/%E5%9B%BE%E7%89%878.png Mold Tray*Customized size for different silicone mould.*Made of SSS304*standard size :400*500mm*By using a tray to hold silicone molds, thedepositing process can be more stable andconvenient. Image: https://www.lst-machine.com/uploads/%E5%9B%BE%E7%89%879.pngImage: https://www.lst-machine.com/uploads/%E5%9B%BE%E7%89%8710.png Silicone Molds Various designs of options So, How to use Table Top Chocolate Depositor-SMD10-S? Step 1: Environment 1. Before using the Table Top Chocolate Depositor-SMD10-S, first ensure that the device is placed on a stable workbench and the surrounding environment is clean and free of debris. 2. Check the power connection, confirm that the power input of the equipment (110 - 240V AC 50 - 60Hz) matches the workshop power supply, and ensure that it is well grounded to ensure safe operation. 3. Check whether the 25L sugar boiling pot and 12L hopper are clean. If necessary, clean them to prevent impurities from mixing into the chocolate or soft candy raw materials and affecting product quality. Step 2: Add raw materials prepared candy and chocolate ingredients into a 25L sugar boiling pot. Be careful not to exceed the pot's capacity limit to prevent the ingredients from overflowing. At the same time, ensure that the ingredients are evenly distributed in the pot to avoid excessive accumulation of ingredients that affects the stirring effect and the funnel feeding effect. Step 3: Temperature setting 1. Enter the temperature setting interface through the automated touch panel operation. For chocolate processing, set the appropriate boiling temperature in the variable temperature control function according to the type of chocolate and process requirements. Generally speaking, different chocolate recipes may require different temperature ranges, but make sure the temperature is within the maximum heat resistance of the equipment, 130 degrees C. 2. When making soft candy, if the soft candy raw materials have specific heating requirements, also set the corresponding temperature parameters on the panel and start the electric heating system to make the raw materials reach the ideal processing temperature. Step 4: Piston and nozzle adjustment 1. Adjust the parameters of 10 pistons using the automated touch panel according to the product specifications. The working state of each piston can be set individually, such as open or closed, to meet the deposition mode of products of different shapes or sizes. 2. Adjust the adjustable and removable nozzle. If you need to produce larger chocolate blocks or soft candies, you can choose a larger nozzle; if you want to make small and delicate products, replace it with a small nozzle. After adjustment, make sure the nozzle is firmly installed to avoid loosening or leakage during the deposition process. Step 5: Production operation 1. After completing the above preparations, start the production program on the automated touch panel. The equipment will start running according to the preset parameters, controlled by 2 servo motors and PLC (2 Servo motor + PLC controlled depositing). 2. During the production process, the operating status of the equipment can be monitored in real time through the touch panel, including parameters such as the number of depositions and deposition weight. If any abnormality is found, such as uneven deposition, excessive weight deviation, etc., the equipment can be paused in time for adjustment. Step 6: Shut down and clean 1. When the production task is completed, first turn off the equipment's heating system and let the equipment cool down naturally for a while. 2. After the device has cooled down, turn off the power switch. 3. Clean the equipment and remove the remaining raw materials in the sugar boiling pot and hopper. At the same time, disassemble the nozzle for cleaning to prevent the residual raw materials from solidifying and affecting the next use. Wipe the surface of the equipment with a clean damp cloth to keep the equipment clean. In terms of efficiency, Table Top Chocolate Depositor-SMD10-S is a model in the industry. Whether it is a Chocolate Molding Machine, an automatic gummy depositor or a Table top gummy depositor, each of its functions is carefully designed around the core goal of efficient output. The fast and precise deposition capacity, the perfect combination of a large-capacity sugar boiling pot and a hopper, and a stable and reliable control system together constitute an efficient production system. In addition, it adapts to the power input of 110 - 240V AC 50 - 60Hz , and can operate stably in different power environments, further improving its practicality and efficiency in actual production. This means that companies do not need to equip the equipment with special power facilities, which reduces the threshold and cost of using the equipment. Whether in the domestic or international market, this equipment can easily adapt to different power standards, providing strong support for the company's global production and sales. In the end, Table Top Chocolate Depositor-SMD10-S [ https://www.lst-machine.com/table-top-chocolate-depositor-smd10-s-product/]is a versatile, high-quality equipment that combines high efficiency, convenience and stability . It is one of the ideal choices for food processing companies to enhance their competitiveness and achieve sustainable development . Media Contact Company Name: Chengdu LST Science and Technology Co., Ltd Email:Send Email [ https://www.abnewswire.com/email_contact_us.php?pr=an-efficient-and-multifunctional-chocolate-candy-machinetable-top-chocolate-depositorsmd10s ] Phone: 0086 15528001618 Country: China Website: https://www.lst-machine.com/ This release was published on openPR.Cadiz Inc. Declares Quarterly Dividend for Q4 2024 on Series A Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock

Jimmy Carter, the peanut farmer who won the presidency in the wake of the Watergate scandal and Vietnam War, endured humbling defeat after one tumultuous term and then redefined life after the White House as a global humanitarian, has died. He was 100 years old. The longest-lived American president died on Sunday, more than a year after entering hospice care, at his home in the small town of Plains, Georgia, where he and his wife, Rosalynn, who died at 96 in November 2023, spent most of their lives, The Carter Center said. "Our founder, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, passed away this afternoon in Plains, Georgia," the center said in posting about his death on the social media platform X. It added in a statement that he died peacefully, surrounded by his family. As reaction poured in from around the world, President Joe Biden mourned Carter's death, saying the world lost an "extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian" and he lost a dear friend. Biden cited Carter's compassion and moral clarity, his work to eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil and human rights, promote free and fair elections, house the homeless and advocacy for the disadvantaged as an example for others. "To all of the young people in this nation and for anyone in search of what it means to live a life of purpose and meaning - the good life - study Jimmy Carter, a man of principle, faith, and humility," Biden said in a statement. "He showed that we are a great nation because we are a good people - decent and honorable, courageous and compassionate, humble and strong." Biden said he is ordering a state funeral for Carter in Washington. Businessman, Navy officer, evangelist, politician, negotiator, author, woodworker, citizen of the world - Carter forged a path that still challenges political assumptions and stands out among the 45 men who reached the nation's highest office. The 39th president leveraged his ambition with a keen intellect, deep religious faith and prodigious work ethic, conducting diplomatic missions into his 80s and building houses for the poor well into his 90s. "My faith demands - this is not optional - my faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever I can, for as long as I can, with whatever I have to try to make a difference," Carter once said. A moderate Democrat, Carter entered the 1976 presidential race as a little-known Georgia governor with a broad smile, outspoken Baptist mores and technocratic plans reflecting his education as an engineer. His no-frills campaign depended on public financing, and his promise not to deceive the American people resonated after Richard Nixon's disgrace and U.S. defeat in southeast Asia. "If I ever lie to you, if I ever make a misleading statement, don't vote for me. I would not deserve to be your president," Carter repeated before narrowly beating Republican incumbent Gerald Ford, who had lost popularity pardoning Nixon. Carter governed amid Cold War pressures, turbulent oil markets and social upheaval over racism, women's rights and America's global role. His most acclaimed achievement in office was a Mideast peace deal that he brokered by keeping Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin at the bargaining table for 13 days in 1978. That Camp David experience inspired the post-presidential center where Carter would establish so much of his legacy. Yet Carter's electoral coalition splintered under double-digit inflation, gasoline lines and the 444-day hostage crisis in Iran. His bleakest hour came when eight Americans died in a failed hostage rescue in April 1980, helping to ensure his landslide defeat to Republican Ronald Reagan. Carter acknowledged in his 2020 "White House Diary" that he could be "micromanaging" and "excessively autocratic," complicating dealings with Congress and the federal bureaucracy. He also turned a cold shoulder to Washington's news media and lobbyists, not fully appreciating their influence on his political fortunes. "It didn't take us long to realize that the underestimation existed, but by that time we were not able to repair the mistake," Carter told historians in 1982, suggesting that he had "an inherent incompatibility" with Washington insiders. Carter insisted his overall approach was sound and that he achieved his primary objectives - to "protect our nation's security and interests peacefully" and "enhance human rights here and abroad" - even if he fell spectacularly short of a second term. Ignominious defeat, though, allowed for renewal. The Carters founded The Carter Center in 1982 as a first-of-its-kind base of operations, asserting themselves as international peacemakers and champions of democracy, public health and human rights. "I was not interested in just building a museum or storing my White House records and memorabilia," Carter wrote in a memoir published after his 90th birthday. "I wanted a place where we could work." That work included easing nuclear tensions in North and South Korea, helping to avert a U.S. invasion of Haiti and negotiating cease-fires in Bosnia and Sudan. By 2022, The Carter Center had declared at least 113 elections in Latin America, Asia and Africa to be free or fraudulent. Recently, the center began monitoring U.S. elections as well. Carter's stubborn self-assuredness and even self-righteousness proved effective once he was unencumbered by the Washington order, sometimes to the point of frustrating his successors. He went "where others are not treading," he said, to places like Ethiopia, Liberia and North Korea, where he secured the release of an American who had wandered across the border in 2010. "I can say what I like. I can meet whom I want. I can take on projects that please me and reject the ones that don't," Carter said. He announced an arms-reduction-for-aid deal with North Korea without clearing the details with Bill Clinton's White House. He openly criticized President George W. Bush for the 2003 invasion of Iraq. He also criticized America's approach to Israel with his 2006 book "Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid." And he repeatedly countered U.S. administrations by insisting North Korea should be included in international affairs, a position that most aligned Carter with Republican President Donald Trump. Among the center's many public health initiatives, Carter vowed to eradicate the guinea worm parasite during his lifetime, and nearly achieved it: Cases dropped from millions in the 1980s to nearly a handful. With hardhats and hammers, the Carters also built homes with Habitat for Humanity. The Nobel committee's 2002 Peace Prize cites his "untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development." Carter should have won it alongside Sadat and Begin in 1978, the chairman added. Carter accepted the recognition saying there was more work to be done. "The world is now, in many ways, a more dangerous place," he said. "The greater ease of travel and communication has not been matched by equal understanding and mutual respect." Carter's globetrotting took him to remote villages where he met little "Jimmy Carters," so named by admiring parents. But he spent most of his days in the same one-story Plains house - expanded and guarded by Secret Service agents - where they lived before he became governor. He regularly taught Sunday School lessons at Maranatha Baptist Church until his mobility declined and the coronavirus pandemic raged. Those sessions drew visitors from around the world to the small sanctuary where Carter will receive his final send-off after a state funeral at Washington's National Cathedral. The common assessment that he was a better ex-president than president rankled Carter and his allies. His prolific post-presidency gave him a brand above politics, particularly for Americans too young to witness him in office. But Carter also lived long enough to see biographers and historians reassess his White House years more generously. His record includes the deregulation of key industries, reduction of U.S. dependence on foreign oil, cautious management of the national debt and notable legislation on the environment, education and mental health. He focused on human rights in foreign policy, pressuring dictators to release thousands of political prisoners. He acknowledged America's historical imperialism, pardoned Vietnam War draft evaders and relinquished control of the Panama Canal. He normalized relations with China. "I am not nominating Jimmy Carter for a place on Mount Rushmore," Stuart Eizenstat, Carter's domestic policy director, wrote in a 2018 book. "He was not a great president" but also not the "hapless and weak" caricature voters rejected in 1980, Eizenstat said. Rather, Carter was "good and productive" and "delivered results, many of which were realized only after he left office." Madeleine Albright, a national security staffer for Carter and Clinton's secretary of state, wrote in Eizenstat's forward that Carter was "consequential and successful" and expressed hope that "perceptions will continue to evolve" about his presidency. "Our country was lucky to have him as our leader," said Albright, who died in 2022. Jonathan Alter, who penned a comprehensive Carter biography published in 2020, said in an interview that Carter should be remembered for "an epic American life" spanning from a humble start in a home with no electricity or indoor plumbing through decades on the world stage across two centuries. "He will likely go down as one of the most misunderstood and underestimated figures in American history," Alter told The Associated Press. James Earl Carter Jr. was born Oct. 1, 1924, in Plains and spent his early years in nearby Archery. His family was a minority in the mostly Black community, decades before the civil rights movement played out at the dawn of Carter's political career. Carter, who campaigned as a moderate on race relations but governed more progressively, talked often of the influence of his Black caregivers and playmates but also noted his advantages: His land-owning father sat atop Archery's tenant-farming system and owned a main street grocery. His mother, Lillian, would become a staple of his political campaigns. Seeking to broaden his world beyond Plains and its population of fewer than 1,000 - then and now - Carter won an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating in 1946. That same year he married Rosalynn Smith, another Plains native, a decision he considered more important than any he made as head of state. She shared his desire to see the world, sacrificing college to support his Navy career. Carter climbed in rank to lieutenant, but then his father was diagnosed with cancer, so the submarine officer set aside his ambitions of admiralty and moved the family back to Plains. His decision angered Rosalynn, even as she dived into the peanut business alongside her husband. Carter again failed to talk with his wife before his first run for office - he later called it "inconceivable" not to have consulted her on such major life decisions - but this time, she was on board. "My wife is much more political," Carter told the AP in 2021. He won a state Senate seat in 1962 but wasn't long for the General Assembly and its back-slapping, deal-cutting ways. He ran for governor in 1966 - losing to arch-segregationist Lester Maddox - and then immediately focused on the next campaign. Carter had spoken out against church segregation as a Baptist deacon and opposed racist "Dixiecrats" as a state senator. Yet as a local school board leader in the 1950s he had not pushed to end school segregation even after the Supreme Court's Brown v. Board of Education decision, despite his private support for integration. And in 1970, Carter ran for governor again as the more conservative Democrat against Carl Sanders, a wealthy businessman Carter mocked as "Cufflinks Carl." Sanders never forgave him for anonymous, race-baiting flyers, which Carter disavowed. Ultimately, Carter won his races by attracting both Black voters and culturally conservative whites. Once in office, he was more direct. "I say to you quite frankly that the time for racial discrimination is over," he declared in his 1971 inaugural address, setting a new standard for Southern governors that landed him on the cover of Time magazine. His statehouse initiatives included environmental protection, boosting rural education and overhauling antiquated executive branch structures. He proclaimed Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the slain civil rights leader's home state. And he decided, as he received presidential candidates in 1972, that they were no more talented than he was. In 1974, he ran Democrats' national campaign arm. Then he declared his own candidacy for 1976. An Atlanta newspaper responded with the headline: "Jimmy Who?" The Carters and a "Peanut Brigade" of family members and Georgia supporters camped out in Iowa and New Hampshire, establishing both states as presidential proving grounds. His first Senate endorsement: a young first-termer from Delaware named Joe Biden. Yet it was Carter's ability to navigate America's complex racial and rural politics that cemented the nomination. He swept the Deep South that November, the last Democrat to do so, as many white Southerners shifted to Republicans in response to civil rights initiatives. A self-declared "born-again Christian," Carter drew snickers by referring to Scripture in a Playboy magazine interview, saying he "had looked on many women with lust. I've committed adultery in my heart many times." The remarks gave Ford a new foothold and television comedians pounced - including NBC's new "Saturday Night Live" show. But voters weary of cynicism in politics found it endearing. Carter chose Minnesota Sen. Walter "Fritz" Mondale as his running mate on a "Grits and Fritz" ticket. In office, he elevated the vice presidency and the first lady's office. Mondale's governing partnership was a model for influential successors Al Gore, Dick Cheney and Biden. Rosalynn Carter was one of the most involved presidential spouses in history, welcomed into Cabinet meetings and huddles with lawmakers and top aides. The Carters presided with uncommon informality: He used his nickname "Jimmy" even when taking the oath of office, carried his own luggage and tried to silence the Marine Band's "Hail to the Chief." They bought their clothes off the rack. Carter wore a cardigan for a White House address, urging Americans to conserve energy by turning down their thermostats. Amy, the youngest of four children, attended District of Columbia public school. Washington's social and media elite scorned their style. But the larger concern was that "he hated politics," according to Eizenstat, leaving him nowhere to turn politically once economic turmoil and foreign policy challenges took their toll. Carter partially deregulated the airline, railroad and trucking industries and established the departments of Education and Energy, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. He designated millions of acres of Alaska as national parks or wildlife refuges. He appointed a then-record number of women and nonwhite people to federal posts. He never had a Supreme Court nomination, but he elevated civil rights attorney Ruth Bader Ginsburg to the nation's second highest court, positioning her for a promotion in 1993. He appointed Paul Volker, the Federal Reserve chairman whose policies would help the economy boom in the 1980s - after Carter left office. He built on Nixon's opening with China, and though he tolerated autocrats in Asia, pushed Latin America from dictatorships to democracy. But he couldn't immediately tame inflation or the related energy crisis. And then came Iran. After he admitted the exiled Shah of Iran to the U.S. for medical treatment, the American Embassy in Tehran was overrun in 1979 by followers of the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Negotiations to free the hostages broke down repeatedly ahead of the failed rescue attempt. The same year, Carter signed SALT II, the new strategic arms treaty with Leonid Brezhnev of the Soviet Union, only to pull it back, impose trade sanctions and order a U.S. boycott of the Moscow Olympics after the Soviets invaded Afghanistan. Hoping to instill optimism, he delivered what the media dubbed his "malaise" speech, although he didn't use that word. He declared the nation was suffering "a crisis of confidence." By then, many Americans had lost confidence in the president, not themselves. Carter campaigned sparingly for reelection because of the hostage crisis, instead sending Rosalynn as Sen. Edward M. Kennedy challenged him for the Democratic nomination. Carter famously said he'd "kick his ass," but was hobbled by Kennedy as Reagan rallied a broad coalition with "make America great again" appeals and asking voters whether they were "better off than you were four years ago." Reagan further capitalized on Carter's lecturing tone, eviscerating him in their lone fall debate with the quip: "There you go again." Carter lost all but six states and Republicans rolled to a new Senate majority. Carter successfully negotiated the hostages' freedom after the election, but in one final, bitter turn of events, Tehran waited until hours after Carter left office to let them walk free. At 56, Carter returned to Georgia with "no idea what I would do with the rest of my life." Four decades after launching The Carter Center, he still talked of unfinished business. "I thought when we got into politics we would have resolved everything," Carter told the AP in 2021. "But it's turned out to be much more long-lasting and insidious than I had thought it was. I think in general, the world itself is much more divided than in previous years." Still, he affirmed what he said when he underwent treatment for a cancer diagnosis in his 10th decade of life. "I'm perfectly at ease with whatever comes," he said in 2015. "I've had a wonderful life. I've had thousands of friends, I've had an exciting, adventurous and gratifying existence."Nine local young adults with disabilities have gained valuable skills — and the confidence to pursue jobs within the community — after graduating from Hill Country Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Centers' vocational apprenticeship program (VAP) last week. The program provides individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities or mental health challenges with the classroom education and hands-on work experience needed to be successful in the workforce upon graduation. The graduation ceremony took place Friday morning at the New Braunfels Church of Christ Community Life Center. The nine students represented Hill Country MHDD’s second graduating class of apprentices. Through partnering with the New Braunfels Food Bank and the city, VAP coordinator Kesha Hawkins said apprentices received phenomenal opportunities such as working in sign fabrication, at the library and on fleet maintenance. “They have gained so many skills — confidence, customer service, operating a power jack and a baler machine,” Hawkins said. “I mean, that is just pretty awesome and just some of the things that they’ve learned — sorting and categorizing groceries and stocking them on shelves and making sure that they are forward facing and just making sure that the experience for those that are going to the food bank is one that is memorable.” The program shows apprentices that the sky is the limit and they are capable of anything they set out to do, Hawkins said. It also shows the local community not to put limitations on anyone. Cailin Cronin, human resources manager with the city of New Braunfels, offered some encouraging words to the nine students. “Graduates, as you all move forward remember that this program is more than just a certificate or recognition,” Cronin said. “It’s a testament to your ability to overcome challenges, learn and contribute meaningfully to your community and to your workplaces. Whether you’re stepping into a new job after this, continuing your education or pursuing other goals, just know that your contributions are valuable and that you have the power to inspire others.” Graduate Vivian Mellon-Nelson said it was a privilege to learn from this program as she addressed her fellow graduates. “Walt Disney once said, ‘We keep moving forward, opening new doors and doing new things because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths,’” she said. “When I first started this program, I did not realize how much I would grow as an individual. I have learned so much from this program and I can imagine how much my other fellow graduates feel in learning and knowing so much about the workforce." It was a bittersweet graduation ceremony because the program has lost its funding, so the students represent the final graduating class in New Braunfels, Hawkins said. The program’s original funding came from ARPA funds through the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. “We are hoping that we can find some sustainability, that hopefully the legislators would be willing to put this on the books to make this a permanent entity within the community,” Hawkins said. “It’s definitely needed, not just for the sake of the IDD individuals but also for the community at large.”

Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. For decades, it was all about Margaret. Sure, Norma, Joyce, Betty and Beryl had their moments in the sun, but in mid-20th century Australia, Margaret was overwhelmingly the most popular girl’s name. There was barely a year between 1929 and 1952 when Margaret wasn’t top of the heap for newborn girls. Worldwide, too, it was the era of Margarets: Thatcher (the PM), Windsor (the princess), Attwood (author of The Handmaid’s Tale ), Olley and Preston (artists), Court (tennis star) and, at a pinch, actress Ann-Margret (of Bye Bye Birdie fame – YouTube it ). Then, in 1953, this incredible reign just ended. Having already slipped to second spot in NSW, in Victoria the drop was precipitous. Margaret pushed aside by Susan, Christine and Jennifer. By 1956, according to state records, Julie and Karen were more popular too; the year after, Debra and Wendy squeezed Margaret further down the ranks. Just over a decade later, she couldn’t make the top 50, buried in a sea of Lisas, Sharons, Susans and the new frontrunner, no doubt inspired by the Beatles song of the same name from 1965, Michelle . Margaret occasionally made the top 100 – just – in the early 1970s and mysteriously popped up in Victoria’s top 50 in 2000, incongruously surrounded by her Generation-Z cousins Taylah, Mia, Chelsea, Zoe and Maddison. And then she was gone from the top of the charts for good. Audrey, an ancient Anglo-Norman name, similarly prevailed through the 1930s only to vanish, notwithstanding the popularity of Audrey Hepburn’s 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany’s . Yet despite being sent to Siberia for decades, Audrey suddenly reappeared in 2007 and last year, hers was the 26th-most popular baby name in Victoria and 33rd in NSW. Why do names fall in and out of favour? Why do some get “upcycled” through the generations (Daisy, Jack, William, Ruth) while once “It” names like Donald, Phyllis, Doreen, Roslyn, and Frank don’t so much? How much does your own name date you? Princess Margaret had one of the most popular first names of her generation. Credit: Getty Images, digitally tinted Did we have names when we were living in caves? If you believe the 1966 Hollywood caveman epic One Million Years B.C. , whose promotional material confidently promised “this is the way it was”, prehistoric people had names such as Tumak, Sakana and Nupondi. In her breakout role, Raquel Welch played the animal-skin-clad tribeswoman Loana. It’s not completely outlandish, evolutionary social psychologist Francis McAndrew tells us from Knox College in Illinois. “There really is no historical record that goes back far enough to document this,” he says. “In our early prehistoric societies, everyone knew everyone else personally, so names would not have been necessary to identify someone in the modern sense. However, there had to be some way of referring to individuals when they were discussed, so some sort of naming had to occur pretty early.” First, or single, names (think Madonna, Maradona, Plato, Elvis) were the norm by the time writing was scratched into clay tablets in Egypt, China and Mesopotamia around 3200 BC. Some historians cite the first mention of a name as probably that of a public servant in the Mesopotamian city of Uruk (in present-day Iraq) who “signed” their tablets “Kushim” in cuneiform script . Tablets from the Sumerian empire of 3100 BC record the names of slave owner Gal-Sal and slaves Enpap-x and Sukkalgir. Raquel Welch as Loana and English John Richardson as Tumak in One Million Years B.C. in 1966. Credit: Getty Images, digitally tinted Those may have dropped out of common usage (actually, why not Enpap-x?) but a handful of ancient monikers are still relatively common: the Greek names Alexander and Alexandra are in records kept by the Hittites around 1280 BC; Theodora dates from at least this time; in Scandinavia you might have met a Freya (named for the Norse goddess of love, fertility, battle and death). Susan is believed to have its origins in the ancient Egyptian word for water lily, sSn, possibly via the Hebrew Shoshanah and the ancient Greek Sousanna. Noah, the second-most popular boy’s name for babies born in NSW in 2023 and the most popular name in several European nations, dates back to the ark, of course. Single names today are usually the preserve of celebrities, either because they adopt their own (Rihanna, Sting, Bono, Morrissey) or that’s how they become known (Bowie, Jagger, Adele). Brazilian soccer players, too, commonly choose to go by a single name, or mononym (Ronaldo was born Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima; Pelé, Edson Arantes do Nascimento). In 1970, a Brazilian child was named Tospericargerja after the football team that won the soccer World Cup that year: “Tos” from Tostão, “pe” from Pelé, “ri” from Rivelino, “car” from Carlos Alberto, “ger” from Gérson, and “ja” from Jairzinho.) In everyday life, a person who changed his birth name to a mononym tells us, a single name can be problematic – filling out forms online, for example, usually requires two names in two boxes. “Every system should cope with the full variety of naming practices that exist in Australia, and most don’t,” says Stilgherrian, a freelance journalist and commentator from Sydney, who legally changed his name decades ago. “I get into lots of conversations about, where did it come from? One of the most popular guesses is that it’s Armenian. If nothing else, it’s a conversation starter.” The widespread adoption of surnames arrived much later, possibly first in ancient China, around 2000 years ago, to facilitate census-taking. The Romans, too, favoured multiple names, which might relate you to your clan or tribe. He of Brutus fame was Marcus Junius Brutus; a fellow assassin, Gaius Cassius Longinus. By the early Middle Ages in the Arabic-speaking world, it became common to take a surname that referenced both your lineage – “son of” – and your origins, perhaps from a famous ancestor or place. It’s believed the Norman conquest of 1066 popularised the idea of surnames to the early Britons; the invading Frenchmen referenced their home towns in a surname. Meanwhile, as the human population grew, along with growth in trade and the desire to collect taxes, it grew increasingly difficult to identify people by their first names alone – “John who?” Says McAndrew: “Many, if not most, surnames developed as a way of identifying people either by occupation or by the geographical location from which they came.” Think Hill or Craig, from crag, or de Porta. And, at least in English-speaking lands, Archer, Baker, Cook, Constable, Farmer, Fisher and Hunter. “It seems like people had to start talking about John the carpenter to distinguish him from John the tailor or John from Kerry.” Francis’ own surname, McAndrew, derives from one of his ancestors being the “son of Andrew”. Et tu, Brute? Assassins Gaius Cassius Longinus, played by John Gielgud, and Marcus Junius Brutus (James Mason) in a 1953 MGM production of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. Credit: Getty Images, digitally tinted What are the rules and customs about names? Some countries and cultures are relatively laissez-faire about names. In Australia, while rules vary from state to state, you can be pretty creative – with a few caveats. In both NSW and Victoria, for example, you can choose whatever you like as long as it is not obscene or offensive; not more than 38 characters long (in Victoria) or 50 (in NSW); does not contain characters that are unpronounceable, such as “A!3xand3er Brown”; and is not misleading, such as “Commander” or “Duke of Edinburgh”. (The singer Prince would have failed on several counts, especially when he changed his name to an indecipherable symbol.) In both states, the registries of births, deaths and marriages can scotch “impractical” names, such as “Alexander is the Best Brown” or “A.L.E.X.A.N.D.E.R Brown”. Overseas, Chinese first names traditionally consist of one or two characters that are given to symbolise the parents’ aspirations for a child’s characteristics, such as 欣妍 (Xīn yán, meaning “vitality or beauty”) and 可欣 (Kě xīn, “merits admiration”). It’s not uncommon for Chinese nationals to change their given names several times during their lifetime nor for younger people, particularly students of English, to adopt a Western-sounding nickname, such as Eric or Wellington. “I have had students who change nicknames three times in one year,” says Peyman Sabet, who teaches at Curtin University in Perth. “It’s as simple as, one morning, they will say they’re changing their nickname.” ‘Names given to girls often drew inspiration from resilient plants such as pine, cedar, bamboo and chrysanthemum, symbols of strength, health and longevity.’ Arabic names are generally divided into three parts: given, middle and family. The middle names reference forebears: the Saudi ruler commonly known as “MBS” has the full name Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud (“bin” meaning son of). Many Muslims will give their sons Muhammad (or variant spelling) as a first name, then, to distinguish them from other Muhammads, a second name they use in daily life, such as Muhammad Firas or Muhammad Hosni. Muhammad is the most common name in the world, but only recently began to chart in the most popular names in Australia; it’s now the 36th-most popular boy’s name in NSW, and 27th in Victoria. Arabs might also be known by their kunya, an alternate name that references their oldest child, traditionally the eldest son (but not necessarily today). This follows the style “Abu (father of) Ali” or “Umm (mother of) Fatima”. In Japan, naming can prove controversial. There was outrage in 1993, for example, when parents wanted to call their daughter Akuma, meaning devil; and, in 2019, an 18-year-old named Prince told interviewers his life had been filled with shame and embarrassment as a result of his parents’ decision. The government has recently clamped down on unconventional choices. Parents’ choices have reflected societal changes, says Ivona Baresova, a Czech researcher who has studied Japanese and Taiwanese naming conventions. “At the end of the 19th century, names given to girls often drew inspiration from resilient plants such as pine, cedar, bamboo and chrysanthemum, symbols of strength, health and longevity, which were vital in an era marked by high infant mortality and challenging living conditions. Today, plant-inspired feminine names reflect a different ideal. Modern names often feature flowers like jasmine, cherry, or apricot blossoms, evoking an image of beauty, affection and kindness, qualities appreciated in contemporary life.” Brazilian footballer Pele, born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, signs autographs in 1970. Credit: Getty Images, digitally tinted Parents can run foul of naming regulations in Scandinavia, too. In 1999, Finns Mika and Jaana Johansson named their son “Axl Mick” but were refused by the Population Registration Authority as the spelling did not comply with Finnish naming practice. The couple pursued the authority through the courts, arguing that Axl was common in Denmark and Norway (usually as Aksel or Axel) and was pronounceable in Finnish. In 2007, the European Court of Human Rights found that their rights had been breached and the name was acceptable, despite it missing its usual vowel. “The name was not ridiculous or whimsical, nor was it likely to prejudice the child.” Terhi Ainiala, professor of Finnish language at the University of Helsinki, tells us many rules apply to name-giving in Finland. “It is forbidden to give a name that is clearly of the surname type as a first name,” Ainiala says, of one rule. In Iceland, surnames are usually either parents’ first name, followed by -son (son of) or -dottir (daughter of) ... Singer Björk Guðmundsdóttir is the daughter of Guðmundur. Which brings us to Iceland. Surnames there are not fixed but are usually either parents’ first name, followed by -son (son of) or dottir (daughter of). As in: Ólafsson (son of Olaf) or Jónsdóttir (daughter of Jon). Singer Björk Guðmundsdóttir is the daughter of Guðmundur. Inga Arnadottir, Iceland’s honorary consul-general to Australia, is Inga, “daughter of Arni” (Arna is the feminine case of Arni). So, how do Icelanders know each other’s lineage? Well, they might not, says Arnadottir: “How do people know which family you’re from and who you’re related to? I mean, it is a small country, less than half a million people there now.” Though she notes: “You meet a guy at the bar and ... and you think, well, I just wonder how related we are.” (Icelanders can check their genealogy on a database going back to the 9th century .) Choosing a first name can be complex. To protect Iceland’s cultural heritage, the Mannanafnanefnd (Human Names Committee) maintains a register of some 4200 allowable names (based on grammar, spelling and whether they may cause the bearer harm) and meets to adjudicate on the introduction of new ones. (The Icelandic alphabet has 32 letters, including the unique characters Þ, ð and æ, which can produce some confounding names for the unfamiliar, such as Blær, Snævarr and Álfdís.) In July, the committee approved six new names: Núri and Foster for boys, Roj, Ana, Ahelia and Maríabet for girls. Björk Guðmundsdóttir’ is the daughter of Guðmundur. Why do some names get recycled over generations? Amelia, an ancient name with Latin roots meaning industrious or fertility, was popularised with the birth of Princess Amelia in 1783, the 15th and last child of England’s King George III. Alas, by the 20th century, Amelia had all but vanished. Yet in Australia, she reappeared in the 1980s, creeping on to the top 100 register in Victoria in 1988 in 99th place. By 1999, she was in the top 50, had hit the top 20 by 2004, and today is regularly first or second in both NSW and Victoria, usually accompanied by her similarly revived cousins Audrey, Charlotte, Matilda, Ruby and Ava. Meanwhile, Oliver, another ancient name (Oliver Cromwell brought it into disrepute in the 17th century), regularly claims the top spot among boys’ names these days, but didn’t even begin to chart in the top 100 until the late 1980s. It’s all about timing, says Ainiala. “Parents generally do not want to give their children the names of their own generation or their parents’ generation, as they feel too familiar and worn out and may be associated with unpleasant personal images,” she says. “Instead, these older-generation names are seen as fresher alternatives.” Not that long ago, you’d find several children in a classroom sharing the same name – David, Mary, Susan, Kylie, perhaps. It’s less likely today, says Jean-Francois Mignot, who researches demographic trends at the French National Centre for Scientific Research in Paris. “More and more parents are choosing relatively original, distinctive and individualising first names for their children, which allow them to appear unique or to stand out from the crowd,” he tells us. Amelia enjoyed a renaissance a couple of centuries after the naming of Princess Amelia, born in 1783. Credit: Getty Images, digitally tinted It’s a long-running trend. In the 1810s, most newborns in France were given one of the top 10 most popular names (Jacques, Marguerite); today, there is much more variation: think Lina and Romy, Gabriele and Jules. From the 1900s to the 2010s, the number of different first names given at least once to each sex at the French civil registry increased from about 1500 to about 6500 per year. “Fashion for first names has also been changing more quickly since the early 20th century,” says Mignot. This is just as true in Denmark, says Birgit Eggert, a linguist at the University of Copenhagen, with “fewer people having the most common names and more people having very rare names and alternative spellings of names”. At the same time, she says, “A kind of wave motion in name fashion can be seen, such that many names reappear in every third generation. Newborn children are thus often given names that are known from their great-grandparents’ generation.” Perhaps, as Andrew Colman from the University of Leicester concluded in his 1983 study on the attractiveness of names: “When names are either very unfamiliar or very familiar, they are not generally liked very much, but at some intermediate level of familiarity they achieve peak popularity.” Increasingly, parents are also choosing names that translate internationally, Iceland possibly being an exception, linguist Anna-Maria Balbach tells us from Yale University in the United States. “In most European countries, especially in Central and Western Europe, there is a strong trend towards common name favourites and thus a strong internationalisation of the most popular first names in Europe.” Sofia is currently top across several nations (or Sophia, Zofia, Sofija) followed by Mia. For boys, Noah, again, is in first place in five countries, with Luka (or Luca) second. Biblical names, in particular, travel well: Adam, Eve, Noah, Daniel, Luke and Mia (from Mary). Russell Crowe plays Noah in the 2014 movie: Noah is a hardy perennial among name favourites. Credit: Getty Images, digitally tinted Katrine Kehlet Bechsgaard, also at Denmark’s University of Copenhagen, tells us the educational background of parents can factor in name choices. In one study of naming motives, she found “parents with longer educations tended to choose more historically established names whereas parents with shorter educations were more likely to choose less established names.” In Australia, too, parents are travelling back through time to seek unusual names, such as Maxwell, Elliot, Theodore, Eleanor and even Harriet, observes Mark McCrindle, a demographer who has studied naming practices in Australia for decades. “People are going for more traditional names,” he tells us. “So they’re reaching back to their grandparents’ era, which is quite interesting, rather than using the very contemporary names. It’s a trend that’s emerged in the last decade, and it’s amazingly consistent.” Victorian-era botanicals are popular right now: Ivy, Daisy, Rose, Poppy, Lily, Jasmine and Violet (though Heather, Iris and Hyacinth, not so much). Falling out of favour, says McCrindle, are those creative or phonetic spellings, such as Taylah, Charli and Maddison, that emerged in the early 2000s. “These new names died off quite quickly. And we suddenly discovered some history. Partly it’s that people recognise that their children are going to live for a long time and that contemporary trends might eventually seem old and dated. And people realise this is a tricky name to spell the non-traditional way, [and] they’re going to be forever spelling it out.” Absolutely, says Pierre-Louis Plumejeau-Wilby, who grew up in Australia and is the son of a French father and English mother, now working as a parliamentary assistant in Britain. “I reckon I still get asked once a week, ‘How do I pronounce your surname?’” he tells us from London, explaining that his double-double-barrelled name is a result of his parents taking an old family name, Pierre, from his father and adding to it his mother’s choice, Louis, in a compromise deal – while also combining their surnames. If he eventually has a son of his own, he says he will maintain the “Pierre” tradition, if not the double-double barrel. “Especially since my dad died. I just think it’s good to continue it.” Oh, and he has a middle name, too – John. A classic botanical name, albeit a contraction of Emilie, not Lily: Lillie Langtry, born Emilie Charlotte Le Breton, in 1885. Credit: Getty Images, digitally tinted Can your name determine your future? Viennese psychoanalyst Herbert Silberer wrote: “A man’s name is like a shadow ... it follows him all his life.” But what effect does it have on your destiny? The concept of nominative determinism , how your name might determine your life’s path, is believed to have first appeared in a humorous article in New Scientist magazine in the mid-1990s, no doubt to debunk the idea that a baby with the surname “Taylor” would be fated to endure a lifetime of cutting cloth. Yet hunt around, and you can find some famously appropriate examples of the name fitting the career: urology researchers Splatt and Weedon; polar author Daniel Snowman; the high jumper Nathan Leeper; a firefighter called Les McBurney. Cardinal Sin was a Filipino cleric, and there’s the Bulgarian Olympic gymnast Silviya Topalova. Earlier this year, science author Jesse Singal did a deep dive into the notion for The New York Times , uncovering research that suggested people’s names not only influenced their decisions about which professions to go into but also about where to live, drawing them to towns and streets with names similar or identical to their own. But he also found a professor at the University of Pennsylvania who comprehensively dismantled the idea, showing that “implicit egotism” was more likely at fault. Still, writes Singal, “the continued interest in the idea – across centuries and, arguably, against the evidence – is in itself revealing, highlighting humans’ deep-seated desire for order in a chaotic universe and the role science plays in satisfying that need ... In a strange, mystical way, isn’t it comforting to think that you ended up in San Francisco not because of the vicissitudes of geography and employment but because you’re named Fran?” Most popular names given in Australia in 2023 Isla, Amelia, Charlotte, Olivia, Mia, Ava, Matilda, Harper, Lily, Hazel. Oliver, Noah, Henry, Leo, Theodore, Hudson, Luca, William, Charlie, Jack. – from McCrindle, Australian state and territory records Either way, parents have, for millennia, sought advice before naming their children. The ancient Romans believed “nomen est omen”, the name is an omen. In China, parents might go to a fortune teller for guidance, says Shuge Wei, a senior lecturer at ANU. “They try to fix what might be in difficulty in the future, and try to fix that problem by giving a name then addressing that effect. [There’s a] huge industry behind it.” In Taiwan, says Ivona Baresova, “a poorly chosen name is thought to bring misfortune to the bearer’s future life. When asked about the origin of their name, many Taiwanese simply state that it was chosen by a fortune teller.” Hindus traditionally choose a name through the elaborate ritual of the Barasala. In the first few days after the birth of a child, a birth chart is plotted by astrologers to select the initial syllable of the child’s name, explains Thilagavathi Shanmuganathan in Names, the International Journal of Onomastics (the study of names). Then, on an auspicious day, “rice grains are spread on a bronze dish, and the father writes the chosen name on the rice grains using a stick rolled in gold wrapper while chanting the name of the main deity. This is drawn from the traditional saying that in every grain of rice, your name is written. The baby’s father then whispers the selected name into the child’s right ear thrice and says a prayer. The need to repeat the name three times symbolises the three main deities in Hinduism.” Researcher Jean-Francois Mignon calls himself Jeff in English ‘because in English, Jean is a female first name, and because this first name is hell to pronounce for English speakers.’ In the West, religious or spiritual aspects of naming might have waned, but many parents still agonise to the extent they will hire a professional naming expert. Social media has only added to the anxiety, says Colleen Slagen, a US-based naming consultant who charges up to $600 for a consultation (note that an Australian-based rival charges up to $4999 for a “bespoke” package that includes Zoom calls, ongoing naming support and unlimited revisions for up to three months). “If someone posts that they had a baby named Eloise, even if they’re not someone you interact with in person, it may feel ‘taken’,” Slagen tells us. “Social media has also sped up the exchange of ideas and the speed with which trends come and go ... This can cause a paradox of choice that makes it harder to settle on the one .” Conversely, some parents, particularly in the United States, don’t bother picking a name at all, instead just adding “jnr” or “III” to the father’s name: Robert F. Kennedy Jr, Donald Trump Jr, William Randolph Hearst III. It can be advantageous, says Francis McAndrew, and can strengthen the bond between fathers and their kids, although it can also carry “high expectations for the son on the part of the father”. Some people change their own names to increase a family bond: in Britain, TV presenter Dawn Porter switched to Dawn O’Porter after marrying actor Chris O’Dowd, and Brooklyn Beckham took his wife’s surname as a new middle name. It was a common migrant experience, meanwhile, in the 1950s and 1960s to Anglicise or change a Greek or Italian name to assimilate or simply end the torturous ritual of explaining pronunciations. Indeed, researcher Jean-Francois Mignon calls himself Jeff in English, he says, “because in English, Jean is a female first name, and because this first name is hell to pronounce for English speakers”. People are so aggrieved by mispronunciations, says cultural diversity consultant Fiona Swee-Lin Price, that she is contracted by universities to correctly read out the names of students at graduation ceremonies. Awkward mispronunciations are hard to avoid, though, Price says, as it’s essentially trying to speak an unfamiliar language. “There’s a lot of preaching going on and not a lot of teaching. I think people are a bit too quick to make it an individual’s responsibility to get someone’s name right.” Research suggests employers still discriminate on the basis of names. In a study in 2023, Monash University economist Andreas Leibbrandt and a colleague sent 12,000 job applications to over 4000 job advertisements in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, using identical resumes but with confected names drawn from six different ethnic groups. The results showed ethnic minorities received 57.4 per cent fewer callbacks for leadership positions than applicants with English names. “If you look at the impact of the name in the Australian context and compare it to international studies in other countries,” Leibbrandt tells us today, “it’s certainly one of the most pronounced differences as compared to other countries.” It’s unsurprising, then, that in Australia’s Muslim community, some people still feel pressure to change their names or go by names that are easier for Anglo-Australians to pronounce, says Adel Salman of the Islamic Council of Victoria. “People do it for various reasons, just to fit in, for fear of being teased at school, because they believe it will increase their job prospects or their prospects of securing rental accommodation,” he tells us. “Some people in their work life, they’re called ‘Mo’, but in their family and social circles, they use the proper name, ‘Mohammed’.” And, no, Adel’s name is not pronounced like that of the English singer Adele. “For a lot of my life, he says, “People would call me ‘Adele’, and I never corrected that. But maybe 15, 20 years ago, I actually started to tell people, ‘Actually, no, it’s pronounced AH-dull.’” Our new Explainer anthology, Why Do People Queue for Brunch? The Explainer Guide To Modern Mysteries is in bookstores December 3. It’s also available for pre-order and subscribers are being offered a 25 per cent discount (full price is $32.99) until December 12. See here for details . Credit:BREAKING NEWS Ex-Mississippi State running back Dontae Walker, who served jail time for drug possession, dead READ MORE: Michael Strahan's daughter gives health update from Bahamas By JACK BEZANTS Published: 19:13 GMT, 28 December 2024 | Updated: 19:26 GMT, 28 December 2024 e-mail View comments Dontae Walker, a former Mississippi State running back, has died. The program announced his death on Saturday, posting a short statement on social media which read: 'The Mississippi State Family mourns the passing of Dontae Walker. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends and teammates.' Walker rushed for more than 1,800 yards and 22 touchdowns during his time with the team. He is best know for featuring in the 'Snow Bowl' in 2000 against Texas A&M, where his team fought back for a narrow 43-41 win. Walker seemed destined for the NFL but he was cut from the team after reporting back for his senior year overweight. And after his college career ended, Walker was arrested for cocaine and marijuana possession and sentenced to 25 years in prison in 2005. The Mississippi State Family mourns the passing of Dontae Walker. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends and teammates. pic.twitter.com/mreFj0EFV7 — Mississippi State Football (@HailStateFB) December 28, 2024 He was released from prison in 2009, serving four years, and went back to school to finish his degree at Belhaven University. 'I wanted to cry when they called my name,' he said to The Clarion Leger back in 2013. 'It's been a long ride and I have been working hard. I want people to see I am a productive member of society.' Of his time in jail, he said: 'I overcame that mishap. The good Lord gave me another chance. I didn't make it to the NFL, but the good Lord gave me another chance.' A cause of death has not been given. Mississippi Share or comment on this article: Ex-Mississippi State running back Dontae Walker, who served jail time for drug possession, dead e-mail Add comment

Victor Wembanyama went to a park in New York City and played 1-on-1 with fans on Saturday. He even lost a couple of games. Not in basketball, though. Wemby was playing chess. Before the San Antonio Spurs left New York for a flight to Minnesota, Wembanyama put out the call on social media: “Who wants to meet me at the SW corner of Washington Square park to play chess? Im there,” Wembanyama wrote. It was 9:36 a.m. People began showing up almost immediately. Washington Square Park is a known spot for chess in New York — Bobby Fischer among others have famously played there, and it's been a spot used for multiple movie scenes featuring the game. Wembanyama was there for an hour in the rain, from about 10-11 a.m. He played four games, winning two and losing two before departing to catch the Spurs' flight. Wembanyama had been trying to get somewhere to play chess for the bulk of the team's time in New York — the Spurs played the Knicks on Christmas and won at Brooklyn on Friday night. The schedule never aligned, until Saturday morning. And even with bad weather, he bundled up to make it happen. He posed for photos with a couple of dozen people who showed up, braving a morning of cold rain to play chess with one of the NBA's biggest stars. “We need an NBA players only Chess tournament, proceeds go to the charity of choice of the winner,” he wrote on social media after his chess trip was over. Wembanyama is averaging 25.2 points and 10.1 rebounds this season, his second in the NBA after winning rookie of the year last season. AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBAAker ASA ( OTCMKTS:AKAAF – Get Free Report ) was the target of a significant decline in short interest during the month of November. As of November 15th, there was short interest totalling 7,000 shares, a decline of 58.1% from the October 31st total of 16,700 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 0 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently ∞ days. Aker ASA Stock Performance Shares of OTCMKTS AKAAF opened at $49.65 on Friday. Aker ASA has a 52-week low of $49.65 and a 52-week high of $49.65. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $49.66 and its 200-day moving average price is $51.93. About Aker ASA ( Get Free Report ) Read More Receive News & Ratings for Aker ASA Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Aker ASA and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .TOUCHING tributes for the late Jimmy Carter have started to flood in for the "extraordinary leader" who has died aged 100. Joe Biden and Donald Trump have led the heartfelt messages to the beloved former president whose death was confirmed by his family earlier today. Carter, the oldest president in history , and the only one to become a centenarian, has been survived by five other American commander-in-chiefs who have all left touching homages to the great man. President-elect Donald Trump remembered Carter for his leadership and urged Americans to keep the late president's loved ones in their " hearts and prayers". Trump wrote on Truth Social: "The challenges Jimmy faced as President came at a pivotal time for our country and he did everything in his power to improve the lives of all Americans. "For that, we all owe him a debt of gratitude. Read more on jimmy carter "Melania and I are thinking warmly of the Carter Family and their loved ones during this difficult time." He later posted a second statement which acknowledged the pair's political and philosophical differences but praised Carter's clear love for America. "He truly loved and respected our Country, and all it stands for," Trump added. "He worked hard to make America a better place, and for that I give him my highest respect. Most read in The US Sun "He was a truly good man and, of course, will be greatly missed. He was also very consequential, far more than most Presidents, after he left the Oval Office." The man Trump is set to replace in the White House in just a few weeks time in Joe Biden described Carter as an "extraordinary leader, statesman, and humanitarian". The fellow Democrat and close friend posted the loving tribute alongside his wife Jill. They said: "Over six decades, we had the honor of calling Jimmy Carter a dear friend." "He was a man of great character and courage, hope and optimism. We will always cherish seeing him and Rosalynn together." Joe, 82, has now taken on the title as the oldest living president following the passing of Carter. Barack Obama - the youngest living American leader - commended the late humanitarian with his wife Michelle. They said: "Maranatha Baptist Church will be a little quieter on Sundays, but President Carter will never be far away — buried alongside Rosalynn next to a willow tree down the road, his memory calling all of us to heed our better angels. "Michelle and I send our thoughts and prayers to the Carter family, and everyone who loved and learned from this remarkable man." Former President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary also praised Carter's commitment to service. They praised him for his "long and good life" and applauded his belief in faith and selflessness. The final remaining president, George W. Bush, joined his wife Laura to call Carter “a man of deeply held convictions” who “dignified the office ". International tributes Tributes to the statesman even came from overseas as the UK's Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer lauded Carter's service. The British PM said he “redefined the post-presidency with a remarkable commitment to social justice and human rights at home and abroad”. King Charles III also described the former US president as a “committed public servant” who “devoted his life to promoting peace”. Sir Tony Blair soon followed with a powerful statement. It read: "Jimmy Carter's life was a testament to public service; from his time in office, and the Camp David Accords, to his remarkable commitment to the cause of people and peace round the world over the past 40 years. "I always had the greatest respect for him, his spirit and his dedication. "He fundamentally cared and consistently toiled to help those in need." PRESIDENT CARTER Carter , the 39th president of the United States , has died after nearly two years in hospice care. His son Chip Carter confirmed the former president died at his Georgia home on Sunday around 3:45 pm ET. Carter peacefully passed away surrounded by his family who paid an emotional tribute to the former leader. His son Chip said: “My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and unselfish love. “My brothers, sister, and I shared him with the rest of the world through these common beliefs. "The world is our family because of the way he brought people together, and we thank you for honoring his memory by continuing to live these shared beliefs.” Public events will commemorate Carter in Atlanta and Washington, D.C. and a state funeral will be held, The Carter Center confirmed. The former president decided to live out the remainder of his days at his home in Plains, Georgia . Carter, the beloved Democrat and Nobel Peace Prize winner, had experienced several health issues in recent years including melanoma that spread to his liver and brain. He became the longest-living president and the first to make it 100 years old. Carter's death came over a year after the death of his wife, Rosalynn Carter , who died on November 19, 2023, at age 96. Two days before her death, Rosalynn joined her husband in hospice care at their home in Georgia. The former first lady and fierce advocate for mental health was diagnosed with dementia in early 2023. READ MORE SUN STORIES Before his death, Jimmy Carter was the first to pay tribute to his wife of 77 years, "Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished. "She gave me wise guidance and encouragement when I needed it. As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me."

Art Evans, an actor renowned for his roles in “A Soldier’s Story” and “Die Hard 2,” has died at the age of 82 due to complications arising from a yearslong battle with diabetes. “My beloved transitioned on Saturday, December 21, 2024,” she wrote. “I’m devastated beyond the moon but I am so appreciative of the beautiful life we shared.” Born on March 27, 1942, in Berkeley, California, the acclaimed film and stage performer’s career spanned over five decades. “His laughter, passion, and love of life will be deeply missed. While our hearts are heavy, we celebrate the legacy of joy and inspiration he leaves behind.” After studying drama at the Los Angeles-based theater company the Theatre of Being, Art Evans later acted in a Broadway production of “The Amen Corner” in 1965. Throughout the 1970s, the actor appeared in more than a dozen film and television roles, including “Amazing Grace” (1974), “Chico and the Man” (1976), “Big Time” (1977), “Youngblood” (1978), and “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” (1979). Evans landed his breakout role in 1984, portraying Private Wilkie in the war drama “A Soldier’s Story,” starring alongside actors Denzel Washington, Adolph Caesar, and David Alan Grier. The film was nominated for “Best Motion Picture” at the Golden Globes the following year. In 1990, the actor starred in the Bruce Willis-led thriller “Die Hard 2,” playing Leslie Barnes, an air traffic controller who helps Willis’s character, John McClane, thwart a terrorist attack. In a statement posted to Instagram, the streaming service HBCU+ said Evans “shined as an outstanding performer through the years.” “I always loved seeing Art on the red carpet,” added Pennacchio. “He was always just so nice and fun to interview. May he R.I.P.” Actress and comedian Dahéli Hall also posted a tribute online, noting that she felt honored to have been a part of Evans’s life. “Don’t worry, Uncle Art, your Babe will always be loved and cared for and I will continue to bring her joy and laughter—rest until we meet again.”It’s become commonplace for presidents and politicians to consort with musicians, but that was not the case in the Seventies, when the two worlds barely collided. Starting with his run for governor of Georgia in the Sixties and continuing through his presidential campaign the following decade, Jimmy Carter proudly and openly associated with rock-era musicians. Aretha Franklin and Paul Simon played at his inauguration in 1977, and not surprisingly, he was friendly with the leading Southern rock bands of the time (some of whom came from his own home state). Carter also tapped into the financial clout of rock & roll: When fans bought tickets to Carter benefits that featured the Allman Brothers Band, the Marshall Tucker Band, and others, his campaign was able to claim the sales amounted to small donations (and thereby matched federal funds). In a previously unpublished interview conducted in February 2023, just over a year before he died , former Allmans singer-guitarist-songwriter Dickey Betts talked with RS about his memories of Carter. Carter died on Sunday, Dec. 29, at the age of 100. He was quite a guide to us. When he was running for governor [in 1966], he ran against Lester Maddox, who was the biggest bigot in the country. We were embarrassed to say we were from Georgia. When Jimmy became governor [in 1970], he totally changed the attitude in Georgia. All of a sudden, Georgia became the Peach State again. Jimmy had a unique way. He was friends with our manager, Phil Walden, and Phil told us about him. He came by the studio a few times. That’s where we met him. He was listening to recordings we were doing for Brothers and Sisters . He showed up and had a good time with us and we had dinner together. We weren’t used to that sort of thing at all, but we thought, “This guy’s all right.” He probably had his favorite songs but he never brought it up. He did say he liked “Ramblin’ Man.” He said it was a real working-man’s song. Editor’s picks The 100 Best TV Episodes of All Time The 250 Greatest Guitarists of All Time The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time The 200 Greatest Singers of All Time We became close to him, and he asked us if we’d help with his campaign [with benefit concerts]. We’d met governors and things like that, but they never really included us. Jimmy was a friend to rock music, so a lot of the guys helped him out a great deal. At the time, the government said it would match money you raised on your own [for a campaign]. He didn’t take money from the Allman Brothers. The [fans who bought tickets] knew the show was going to a good cause. I’ve got a letter on the wall here that says, “Thanks for your advice.” [ Laughs ] It makes me really proud to have Jimmy Carter write a letter like that to me. He was a very nice and intelligent man. He took the trouble to go to Gregg [Allman]’s funeral. And he really cared for the American people. You can see that the way he did more after he was president than while he was in office, with Habitat for Humanity and the work he did that helped the American people out quite a bit. People don’t realize how great and meaningful somebody is until they pass away. I don’t know much about politics, but he said, “If I set a good example, everyone would do good.” It ain’t that way at all in Washington. They’re vicious people. Bill Clinton followed his model, but he could fight back and outsmart ‘em. I remember going to a jazz concert at the White House [1978]. Of course, I got there and I left my damn ID at home. The Marines said, “Oh, go ahead in.” They knew me very well and knew I wasn’t going to do any harm. Jimmy was walking around the premises and someone said, “Go over and talk to him,” but I didn’t want to bother him. Then I went to use the men’s room in the White House, and as I was coming out, I ran into Jimmy with a group of people and he said, “Ladies and gentlemen, this is Dickey Betts, one of the best songwriters around nowadays.” That just floored me.

Himachal govt to set up potato processing plant in Una: CMVictor Wembanyama plays 1-on-1 chess with fans in New York

SINGAPORE: After two decades, the baton changed hands in the city-state in 2024, a planned transition to the fourth generation of People’s Action Party politicians. Ties with India were elevated this year. Economist Lawrence Wong, 51, succeeded Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, 72, who relinquished his position in May after holding the office since 2004. Both belong to the ruling party that has been driving Singapore’s economic progress for more than five decades. As India and Singapore celebrate 60 years of diplomacy in 2025, the two countries elevated their bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in September. Indian High Commissioner to Singapore Shilpak Ambule called 2024 an “eventful year for India-Singapore relations”. He said the elevation of bilateral ties would support India’s economic growth in the years ahead. During Modi’s visit, the two sides also announced their intention to collaborate in the semiconductor industry. India is also looking at major investments from Singaporean companies. The 2nd round of the India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable in August was an unprecedented gathering of ministers. Four senior ministers from India and six from Singapore explored opportunities in new fields. “This 4+6 meeting was unprecedented for both sides. The 10 senior ministers have identified digitalisation, skills development, sustainability, healthcare and medicine, advanced manufacturing and connectivity as pillars for further strengthening bilateral cooperation,” Ambule said. “We also had several other ministerial and official level visits from both sides throughout the year, signifying the importance given by both sides to the bilateral relations,” he added. During Modi’s visit, the two sides decided to set up a Cyber Policy Dialogue and an inaugural dialogue was held in Singapore in October. Wong joined Modi when India launched the Declaration on Digital Public Infrastructure, AI and Data for Governance at the G20 Summit in Brazil in November. The Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s engagement with India in 2024 has helped strengthen the economic links between the two nations, with SICCI providing local firms with market outreach and advice on the Indian market, former prime minister Lee Hsien Loong said. The chamber has participated in global investment summits, roadshows and trade missions, including key areas like telecommunications. SICCI sparked “India Fever”, an initiative to deepen trade, investment, and diplomatic ties. “This initiative has fuelled six successful trade missions in the last 18 months, all led by SICCI Internationalising sub-committee,” its chairman Neil Parekh Parekh said. Key events in 2024 included the inaugural ASEAN-India Women Scientists Conclave, an e-workshop on digital health and medical technologies and another on the green economy. Singaporean Minister for Home Affairs and Law K Shanmugam attended the World Tamil Diaspora Day 2024 in Chennai in January at the invitation of the Tamil Nadu government. Tamil is one of the four official languages in Singapore, reflecting the close-knit ties between the two nations. The 31st edition of the Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX) was held in India in October. Soldiers from both countries took part in Agni Warrior, another regular military exercise. The 12th edition of Joint Military Training was held in India from October 4 to December 16. India also hosted the expanded 4th edition of the Singapore-India-Thailand Maritime Exercise in November. Back home, a Singapore court sentenced S Iswaran, a cabinet member for 13 years, to a year in prison for obstructing justice and receiving more than USD 300,000 worth of gifts in the city-state’s first political corruption trial for nearly half a century.Art Evans, an actor renowned for his roles in “A Soldier’s Story” and “Die Hard 2,” has died at the age of 82 due to complications arising from a yearslong battle with diabetes. “My beloved transitioned on Saturday, December 21, 2024,” she wrote. “I’m devastated beyond the moon but I am so appreciative of the beautiful life we shared.” Born on March 27, 1942, in Berkeley, California, the acclaimed film and stage performer’s career spanned over five decades. “His laughter, passion, and love of life will be deeply missed. While our hearts are heavy, we celebrate the legacy of joy and inspiration he leaves behind.” After studying drama at the Los Angeles-based theater company the Theatre of Being, Art Evans later acted in a Broadway production of “The Amen Corner” in 1965. Throughout the 1970s, the actor appeared in more than a dozen film and television roles, including “Amazing Grace” (1974), “Chico and the Man” (1976), “Big Time” (1977), “Youngblood” (1978), and “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” (1979). Evans landed his breakout role in 1984, portraying Private Wilkie in the war drama “A Soldier’s Story,” starring alongside actors Denzel Washington, Adolph Caesar, and David Alan Grier. The film was nominated for “Best Motion Picture” at the Golden Globes the following year. In 1990, the actor starred in the Bruce Willis-led thriller “Die Hard 2,” playing Leslie Barnes, an air traffic controller who helps Willis’s character, John McClane, thwart a terrorist attack. In a statement posted to Instagram, the streaming service HBCU+ said Evans “shined as an outstanding performer through the years.” “I always loved seeing Art on the red carpet,” added Pennacchio. “He was always just so nice and fun to interview. May he R.I.P.” Actress and comedian Dahéli Hall also posted a tribute online, noting that she felt honored to have been a part of Evans’s life. “Don’t worry, Uncle Art, your Babe will always be loved and cared for and I will continue to bring her joy and laughter—rest until we meet again.”