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pg fortune 99bet Robotics is a fascinating field that has come a long way in recent years. What was once cutting-edge and prohibitively expensive for consumer-grade projects has rapidly become accessible to the hobby and DIY communities. The Barobo Mobot, for instance, is a cheap modular robot kit that's great for entry-level builders. Other examples of this are the projects that are powered by Raspberry Pi's miniature computers. These small form-factor single-board PCs are extremely popular among makers of all kinds for several reasons. They're compact, they won't break the bank , they have several underrated features and upgrades , and their open-source license has given users access to an ever-growing of programs and engineering blueprints for all kinds of projects–including robots. In fact, there are several robot kits that you can purchase that are designed specifically for Raspberry Pi integration. Some of them are easy to assemble and make an excellent option for robo-enthusiasts of any level, while others are more complex and might be better suited to those with a bit more experience. One of the best ways to determine the difficulty level of one of these projects is to look at the steps you need to take to assemble the robot and the programming level required to make it operational. It's also good to take some time to look at user reviews from those who have previously decided to use the kit and see what they have to say about its difficulty. Starting off with one of the highest-reviewed robots on Amazon, we have the SunFounder PiCar-X . There are a lot of different car-focused robots out there, as they are one of the simpler and more efficient designs to create and operate. This makes them an excellent place to start for someone who is new to robotics, but it could also be a fun project for a more experienced engineer. The PiCar-X has a camera and microphone integrated into its design and Chat GPT 4o built into its software, giving it a wide range of unique AI-powered functions. "PiCar-X with ChatGPT-4o enables voice interactions and visual recognition, making it smarter and more responsive," says SunFounder . Users can chat, do math and otherwise interact with it. It also has line following and obstacle avoidance capabilities, and it knows Python and Scratch programming languages. The robot has a 4.5 out of 5 star rating on Amazon. "This PiCarX is going to be a great project for my 9 [year old] son and me," wrote one reviewer . "It comes with everything you need to complete it, except a Raspberry Pi, which you have to purchase separately." The PiCar-X is compatible with the Pi 5, 4, 3B, 3B+, and Zero 2 W. Next up, we have the Freenove 4WD Smart car . This is an intermediate project that would make an excellent choice for enthusiasts who've got some practice with robotics and computer software. The Freenove model has a lot of features that help set it apart despite its simple design. The car has four wheels and a rotating camera head. It features pan-tilt, real-time video, face tracking, line tracking, light tracing, obstacle avoidance, RGB, and a buzzer. The car is controlled by an app that you can download on a computer or a mobile device. The basic kit doesn't include a battery or the Raspberry Pi itself. Those are purchased separately. It's compatible with the Pi 5, 4B, 3B+, 3B, and 3A+ out of the box, though it can be made to be compatible with the Pi 2B, B+, A+, Zero 1.3, and Zero W with the purchase of additional hardware. It will also need two 3.7V 18650 rechargeable batteries and a suitable charger. This is one of higher-reviewed Raspberry Pi robots on Amazon. It has a 4.3 out of 5 stars, with reviewers praising its value and design, but with a more mixed response to its ease of assembly and functionality. "You should [be very comfortable] with computers and computer hardware parts," wrote one reviewer . "Troubleshooting experience will come [in handy,] especially with Linux operating system – you must be comfortable with Linux terminal and various commands. Medium-level Python programming skills will make this project easier." Freenove makes a few different Raspberry Pi-powered kits and another one worth considering is the Big Hexapod Robot . Wheels may be fast, efficient, and practical for robotics, but they aren't the most interesting form of mobility out there. This robot has six legs that it can use to scuttle about on the floor. The Big Hexipod has multiple walking modes, allowing it to walk in straight lines or curve and balance on uneven surfaces. It has the same real-time video functionality as the car, with face recognition and ultrasonic ranging as well as an auto rest feature, RGB, and a buzzer. It doesn't come with a Pi, but is compatible with the Raspberry Pi 5, 4B, 3B+, 3B, and 3A+ out of the box and can be made to be compatible with the 2B, B+, A+, Zero 1.3, and Zero W with the purchase of extra parts. It also requires the separate purchase of four 3.7V 18650 rechargeable batteries. This little guy has a 4.4 out of 5 on Amazon, with most reviewers claiming that it is designed well, fun to build, and made from quality parts. Unsurprisingly, the chief complaint was from users who struggled with mobility when they couldn't get the leg servos to move correctly. Others were pleased with the movement, however. "It's fast," Mediaboxent Lab stated in its review. "I was surprised how fast this thing moved." There are quite a few robots out there modeled after man's best friend. There's one from Freenove and one from Elecfreaks , but the SunFounder PiDog is one of the best kits for those who are still learning. It's also one of the more creatively designed, aesthetically pleasing models. The PiDog "features 12 servos and sensors for vision, hearing, and touch, says SunFounder . "Integrated with ChatGPT-4o, it responds to complex queries. With app control and FPV, users can manage PiDog and see its view in real-time. It supports Python programming and includes a rechargeable battery." It's also designed to perform 32 different pre-programmed "dog-like" actions. Not only can it walk and sit like a dog, but it can also wag its tail, scratch its ears, stretch out, and do tricks. It has a built-in speaker and that allows it to respond to audio, visual, and even touch cues. There are a variety of instructions, video tutorials, and technical support services available. The bot is compatible with the Raspberry Pi 4B, 3B+, 3B, and Zero 2W. It has a 4.2 out of 5 stars on Amazon. Most users are impressed with the value, the clarity of the included instructions, and the quality of the software, while the biggest complaints were from users who didn't like the smaller parts and fasteners included in the kit. Those looking to build something a bit more solid might prefer to pick up a project like the Yahboom Smart Tank . This bot has a much more rigid and durable structure than the others featured thus far. This model is designed for use with the Raspberry Pi 4B. It has a blue aluminum chassis, utilizes thick tracks with metal couplings for mobility, and is powered by a 370 motor. This allows it to move forward, rotate, and climb inclines up to 60-degrees. It has real-time video transmission via an HD USB camera with 2DOF pan and tilt functionality that transmits over the Pi's 5G connectivity to an app. This can be used to control the tank on PC or via mobile. "It can also complete some AI recognition functions through the camera," says Yaboom . "Both expansion board and frame we are providing the corresponding extended interface, users can expand and use it according to the information provided by us." The Smart Tank has a 3.8 out of 5 on Amazon. Customers loved the options for programming and found the tank to generally be fun and easy to build, though they suggested that this might be a bit complicated for a beginner. "I would not recommend this as a starting place in robotics or programming," wrote one reviewer. "No one is going to hold your hand here. But if you need a tracked vehicle with all the basic sensors to experiment with, this is the kit to buy!" While most reviews were positive, there were also a handful of people who reported issues with the Bluetooth connectivity and some were disappointed that the tank itself was smaller than they'd believed when they bought it. Finally, we have the Makeblock mBot Ultimate 2.0 . This is a 10-in-1 robot-building kit that allows you to design any one of a handful of different styles of robot from a single collection of over 160 components. You can build a robotic ram tank, a camera dolly, a robotic bartender, a catapult ram, a robot ant, one of two 3D capture rigs, a rolling tank, a self-balancing robot, or a detecting robot. You can also program them using one of three programming languages: Scratch, Arduino, and Python. Each of these robots is powered by an included MegaPi control board, but their capabilities can be expanded into more advanced projects by adding either an Arduino or Raspberry Pi computer. According to MakeBlock , adding a "Raspberry Pi is an option to have better features on mBot Ultimate. It is not required, but you can use it to connect a Raspberry Pi camera or sensors and transfer data by serial communication." This makes the kit accessible to beginners, while simultaneously leaving plenty of room for more advanced roboticists to make their own, more advanced configurations. This kit has a 4.3 out of 5 on Amazon. Most reviews liked the build quality and child-friendly design, while others were less impressed with the included instructions and overall value. "The Makeblock Ultimate 2.0 educational robot kit is a great platform for learning or creating robotics projects whether you study by yourself or learn in the classroom at school," said CNX Software in their review. "The structure is strong, durable, and colorful. The MegaPi control board can support a range of Makeblock modules or even off-the-shelf sensors bought from third parties." In creating this list, we worked to find an array of easily-accessible robotics kits that were powered by Raspberry Pi computers. We wanted to provide a variety of options–featuring several types of robots that each had different feature sets and ranges of complexity for coders and engineers at every skill level. To do this, we took a look at the models that were available from some of the biggest manufacturing names in the field. We started by narrowing the list down to those that were compatible with the Raspberry Pi platform and then further refined it by looking at both customer reviews and professional reviews where possible. We used these consumer reports to judge how approachable these kits were to those who were new to robotics and to check for the most common problems that users encountered during assembly and configuration.CEDC, city police deploy mobile video surveillance unitChristmas Day community gathering in Georgetown

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Jimmy Carter passes at 100Qatar, Korea unite to address climate change at major seminar

Home improvement is a process that's never truly finished, whether you just need a new wall socket to support a growing collection of Christmas decorations or you're looking to tackle a total landscaping revamp ahead of the spring growing season. Home improvement can be an endless and ever-evolving pursuit. That's where the major tool manufacturers come in. For every job there's a unique tool that's best suited to handling its novel conditions, limitations, and demands. Take the installation of base boards, for example. Nailing these trim features in place is the standard practice, but a standard hammer and nail combination leaves much to be desired. A delicate finish nailer provides the appropriate impact power, alongside a tiny nail head and precise delivery that's simply unmatched with any other tool or approach. As is often the case, when seeking a quality product to streamline whatever task you're working on, a trusted brand name is often the target. DeWalt is officially owned by Stanley Black & Decker , but the brand itself is one of the most commonly sought tool names, with a huge range of products and accessories to get any job done right. There are lots of affordable DeWalt tools , and just as many premium ones, which is part of why the brand is a common favorite among professionals and DIY home improvers alike. Here are some of the brand's best products to tackle a bevy of home improvement tasks, some of which might be totally new to you. Many people working through home improvement projects for the first time are simply blind to the reality that drills come in all shapes and sizes. Across major tool brands, drill options that scale down the body for easier use in tight places are common. While high powered drills like DeWalt's stud and joist drill (a high tech DeWalt tool that replicates and even eclipses corded power) might be a part of your knowledge base, standard right angle drills are a lot less known. The DeWalt 20V Max 3⁄8-Inch Right-Angle Drill/Driver delivers a paddle-type trigger and 90-degree drilling capability to transform your non-standard drilling tasks. Projects living between the studs in a wall cavity, for instance, might require some unconventional thinking or a contorted body to get a standard drill to operate as needed: Not so with a right-angle drill. The tool is just 4 inches from front to back, allowing the chuck to slip into even the tightest areas to provide drilling or fastening power exactly where it's needed. The tool delivers 292 in-lb of torque, more than enough to tackle routine home improvement requirements. Finding the space to get working on your projects isn't always easy. From staging areas to actual working room, home improvement commands a lot of physical real estate. Even small jobs like fixing a minor hole in drywall requires a good few tools and plenty of open area. Moreover, that's not including the workspace that's required to make cuts and go about installing a patch seamlessly. The best DIYers and pros know that bringing your workpiece up to standing height (roughly where your wrist falls to when your arms are placed straight down) makes a job — any job — far easier. Cutting a drywall plug on a table or workbench takes less effort and is faster than bending down to do it on the ground. This is where tools like DeWalt's Collapsable Heavy Duty Work Stand comes into the fold. The collapsable frame folds down into a tiny package that's easy to move around, making it great for pros who travel to their jobs. It's also easy to store in your garage if you're a homeowner working on a repair task by yourself. The stands can accommodate large tools like one of DeWalt's miter saws, or a pair of them can come together to provide a solid base to place a temporary worktop across. These stands weight 15.4 pounds, and are built from aluminum. A single stand can handle a workload capacity of 1,000 pounds, and a pair can be set up rapidly to support whatever mobile bench top needs you might have for any home improvement job. The utility of a pressure washer is nearly endless. They serve all manner of cleanup tasks admirably. A gas-powered pressure washer is even more versatile than one of its plug-in competitors, too, because it can go anywhere you do to handle a greater volume of power hosing requirements. The DeWalt Cold Water Gas Pressure Washer (Model number: DXPW61299; rated at 3,600 PSI at 2.5 GPM) is a solid middle ground solution suited to tackling any number of home improvement projects you might find yourself embroiled in. It's a high powered solution for cleaning driveways, siding, walls, and even cars or roofing surfaces. The pressure washer delivers high powered output alongside five nozzle options to dial in the perfect concentration of water to blast away whatever you're trying to clean. The washer includes a premium 25-foot steel braided hose that's abrasion and kink resistant. The AAA Triplex pump provides consistent water pressure and a longevity that pros and DIYers alike can get behind. It's powered by a Honda GX200 engine that's characterized by an easy startup and durable output. Pressure washers find their way consistently into the workflow of home improvers, and this one's a great selection that can handle anything you might face off against. Don't want to go the pressure washer route? That's perfectly alright; they can be expensive, and even the smallest pressure washers are quite bulky and can be difficult to operate at times as a result. Instead of a full fledged power washer, DeWalt also offers a 20V Max 550 PSI Cordless Power Cleaner . The cleaner pairs up with DeWalt's standard battery packs and simply connects to a hose to provide a steady stream of pressurized cleaning flow. It's not going to deliver the same grime stripping prowess of a fully operational power washer, but that's not always the right tool for the job. If you're washing down windows, hitting the gutters, or spraying down the car, a lighter duty option is likely the perfect tool for the task. The cleaner magnifies garden hose flow by ten times, creating a potent jet of water. The power cleaner includes a soap bottle to add additional sudsy cleaning power and features four nozzles for the perfect jet stream for your cleaning needs. The suction hose allows you to funnel in fresh water from a source other than a garden hose when constraints limit availability, as well, adding even more to the tool's versatility by opening up the use of any fresh water source you can find. Going the other direction, sometimes you don't need to spray water at a project area, but rather remove a reservoir of liquid from your targeted space. The DeWalt 1⁄3 Horsepower Submersible Sump Pump is a great selection when flooding or a broken pipe finds its way into your life. The pump can be submerged and features a cast iron impeller within the stainless steel body to prevent clogging. The impeller also allows the pump to attack solids up to a 1⁄2-inch that may be lurking within the water to be removed. The pump features a 10-foot power cord as well as a thermally protected motor to prevent overheating even during lengthy water removal processes. The tool pumps at up to 75 gallons per minute or 4,500 per hour. The pump is also capable of lifting pumped liquid up to 25 feet for ample moisture removal in a variety of unique circumstances and conditions. Nailers are a common tool in serious home improvement enthusiasts' arsenals, but typically you only see finish tools or brad nailers, which only scratch the surface of what these power tools can do. It's well established now that nailers can be operated free from the hose connection that once dominated the space. Pneumatic nailers reliant on compressed air were once the standard. While powerful, they're obviously less than portable considering the additional gear that must travel along with the relatively small bodied tool. Today, battery power and potent spring technology allow for totally cordless operation. A nailer that most home improvers aren't likely to have encountered before takes nail driving power to another level, though. DeWalt's 20V Max XR Cordless Concrete Nailer delivers enough juice to drive nails into concrete and steel workpieces. This means that you can tackle installation jobs revolving around a home built from block rather than timber and drywall, or handle building projects that require some components to be fastened down to an exterior wall, steel frame, or concrete foundation slab. As part of DeWalt's XR lineup (meaning "extreme runtime"), this tool offers both improved battery performance and power output, too. It uses the same batteries as DeWalt's other power tools in the range and doesn't run on compressed air, so introducing this solution to your existing workflow is literally as easy as picking one up at your local retailer (or online). Any home improver knows the value of a tape measure. However, many home improvement enthusiasts find over the course of their projects that they are unable to conveniently and accurately measure long distances. A standard tape measure is difficult to use over lengthy spans — for instance, in accurately sketching out a new garden landscape to scale. You may also find that the tool isn't long enough to handle some sections in one measurement, so measuring in two or more segments may be necessary, contributing another error-prone feature to the task. A laser measurement tool solves this problem entirely. The DeWalt Laser Tape is easy to use and delivers accurate measurements over up to 330 feet. This makes it perfect for calculating dimensions inside and out. The tape can store 20 measurement captures for added redundancy when transposing your figures onto a drawing or writing up cut lists, too. It's IP54 rated for durable outdoor use in varied weather conditions, and can offer volume and Pythagoras calculations to go beyond simple line measurements. The tape also features 1⁄4-inch threading for use with tripods. DeWalt also makes an "Atomic" range laser tape that's smaller (see: the difference between DeWalt XR and Atomic ) for those who want an overwhelmingly portable laser measurement option. A cordless drill isn't typically going to turn any heads, especially if it's laid out in a standard configuration that's easily recognizable and delivers much the same output as any other in its class. The DeWalt 20V Max XR Brushless three-Speed Drill/Driver looks like many other 18 to 20 volt cordless drills, but it has a few secrets up its sleeves that go far beyond the standard fare offered by even some of the most sophisticated drills on the market. As the name implies, the drill features three speed settings for the most precise drilling performance you can dial in on just about any tool in this class. The vast majority of cordless drills feature two, but this one's third speed setting brings access to a far wider range of power and speed performance options. The brushless motor provides enhanced durability and apparently up to a 57% runtime improvement over brushed alternatives, while the 1⁄2-inch ratcheting nitro-carburized metal chuck delivers heavy duty gripping performance. With the help of carbide teeth within the chuck, the drill offers immense bit handling strength and an incredible depth of versatility throughout any kind of drilling or driving application you may face in a project. Whether it's a delicate tile project or rough lumber or concrete-based work, the three-speed DeWalt drill/driver is a solid option to reach for. Sticking with the theme of drills, DeWalt also makes numerous specialty drills with oddly shaped bodies or project-specific output ranges. The 1⁄2-Inch Spade Handle Drill from DeWalt is a corded tool that delivers a variable speed trigger with a reversible switch ranging from zero to 550 rpm for high torque output that's essential when drilling through tough material or mixing home improvement solutions (concrete, plaster, or paint, for instance). The drill's 120V motor is a potent powerplant that won't let the tool down on even the most demanding mixing and drilling jobs. The tool's layout provides a three-position side handle and a quasi-pistol grip-type trigger for a firm grasp. It also introduces a spade handle that can be configured in two positions on the back end of the drill to help control movement as you work through mixing duties or a tough drilling need. Specifically, beyond the tool's superiority as a mixing asset, the drill is great as a pairing for hole saws and auger and spade bit drilling. Rather than creating a small hole in your target material, this drill is specifically designed to produce high torque for larger material removal in both steel and wood workpieces. Returning again to the world of nailers, many home improvement enthusiasts simply don't have access to a robust and rapid nailing solution. Specifically, DIYers are unlikely to have both a rough lumber treatment and finish nailer that can handle delicate trim work and other installation duties. Often, those outside the profession don't even understand the full range of cordless nailing options they have available to them. A great example of the DeWalt 20V Max XR 15 Gauge Cordless Angled Finish Nailer . It's a solid choice to managing finish installation tasks like installing drawer faces, crown molding or baseboard, or even setting hardwood flooring boards. The nailer offers tool-free depth adjustment to deliver nails to just the right spot with each new project. It also features a selection trigger to opt for contact actuation or sequential firing, giving you precise control over how nails are delivered and how deep you'll sink them. A brushless motor underpins the entire experience, giving you longevity and intense power output. The nailer also features a micro nose build to give users better line of sight toward the target workpiece for easier nailing and better accuracy with each strike. The DeWalt USB Rechargeable Green Cross Line Laser Base Kit is a kind of secret weapon — many homeowners new to DIY won't realize that a laser level is far and away the best option for dialing in perfect lines on every task. Those who are aware of the value these provide often incorrectly believe they're prohibitively expensive, and therefore reserved for pros. However, DeWalt's USB Rechargeable laser kit is available from retailers like Acme Tools for less than $300. This is a versatile piece of kit — it's portable and you won't even need to dedicate a precious system battery to power it, which DIYers with only a few to bridge batteries their entire power tool collection will appreciate. With a USB cable included, recharging the tool anywhere is a simple as a quick plug-in, just like your phone. The laser level delivers accuracy within 1⁄8-inch at 30 feet, offering more than enough precision to handle any project you might be working on around the house, and with an 11 hour runtime it can reliably deliver all day support for your work. Up to 150 foot visual and 330 foot detectable ranges make it ideal for outdoor improvements too, such as laying down a new fence line. Having reliably straight and level lines dramatically improves your workflow as a DIYer, and a laser tool means you won't have to fiddle with your spirit level any longer. The final product from DeWalt that can tremendously impact your work as a home improvement enthusiast isn't a tool in the classical sense. Yet, storage and organization are perhaps the most important tool-adjacent features in any workspace. From your desk at the office to the kitchen cabinets underpinning your nightly sojourn to the chopping board and stovetop, organization and a personalized knowledge of how your things are kept clean and tidy makes a world of difference in everything you busy yourself with every day. The same is true for your DIY tools. DeWalt's Toughsystem 5-in-1 Modular Workstation features a dolly for mobile functionality around your garage or in any room you might be tackling an update. It also includes two 30-inch deep drawer units, and two smaller 15-inch deep drawers. Nearly every inch of the outer dimensions is augmented with some kind of functionality inclusion, too. Handle segments along the top edges make for easy hanging and integrated recess rails allow for the addition of small baskets and other hanging expansions. There's also a worktop above the drawers with a cup holder to help you get in your morning cup of Joe while you ponder the work to be done.

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) — Trailing by one at the 40-yard line with 14 seconds to play and no timeouts, Illinois coach Bret Bielema sent in a play known as “church” to Luke Altmyer. The quarterback was to hit a receiver who was to go to the ground immediately. The offense would rush to the line of scrimmage and Altmyer would spike the ball to set up a potential winning field goal. Pat Bryant caught the pass at the 22 and then called his own split-second audible. Seeing a path to the end zone, the star receiver ran across the field on the way to the winning touchdown with 4 seconds left, sending the Illini to a wild 38-31 victory over Rutgers on Saturday. “Coach called a perfect play," Bryant said. "A play we run all the time in our two-minute drill. I caught the ball and saw the sideline and saw nobody was over there. I had one guy to beat. I gave him a little move. I heard everybody jump and say ’Get out, get out,' but I put trust in myself and scored a touchdown.” Bryant's ninth TD reception of the season capped a roller-coaster finish to a Big Ten game that featured three lead changes in the final 3:07. Illinois (8-3, 5-3) was down 31-30 when it sent long kicker Ethan Moczulski out for a desperation 58-yard field goal. Rutgers coach Greg Schiano called for a timeout right before Moczulski’s attempt was wide left and about 15 yards short. After the missed field goal was waved off by the timeout, Bielema sent his offense back on the field. “Pat is so aware of his surroundings," Bielema said after Bryant finished with seven catches for a career-high 197 yards. “He saw that corner and took off.” Schiano didn't second-guess his timeout but said he should have called it well before Moczulski kicked. “They made one more play than we did,” Schiano said. Rutgers (6-5, 3-5) gave up a safety on the final kickoff return, throwing a ball out of bounds in the end zone as players passed it around hoping for a miracle touchdown. Altmyer was 12-of-26 passing for 249 yards and two touchdowns. He put Illinois in front with a 30-yard TD run with 3:07 to go. He passed to Josh McCray on the 2-point conversion, making it 30-24. Rutgers responded with a 10-play, 65-yard drive. Athan Kaliakmanis had a 15-yard run on fourth down. He passed to running back Kyle Monangai for a 13-yard TD with 1:08 remaining. Illinois then drove 75 yards in eight plays for the win. “That's big-time football,” Monangai said. "They made a great play at the end of the game. I think we we played our hearts out to the end, to the very end, even that last play. Illinois did the same. They’re a great team. The chips fell their way today.” Kaliakmanis was 18 for 36 for 174 yards and two touchdowns. He also had 13 carries for 84 yards and two TDs. Monangai had a career-high 28 carries for 122 yards. Kaliakmanis found Ian Strong for a 2-yard touchdown in the final seconds of the first half, and he scored on a 1-yard run to lift Rutgers to a 24-15 lead early in the fourth quarter. Illinois responded with Aidan Laughery’s 8-yard TD run, setting the stage for the dramatic finish. The start of the second half was delayed because of a scrum between the teams. There were no punches thrown and the officials called penalties on both schools. Monangai become the third player in Rutgers history to rush for 3,000 yards when he picked up 4 on a third-and-1 carry early in the second quarter. The defending conference rushing champion joins Ray Rice and Terrell Willis in hitting the mark. Illinois: The great finish keeps the Illini in line for its first nine-win season since 2007 and a prestigious bowl game this season. Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights were seconds away from their first in-conference three-game win streak since joining the Big Ten in 2014. Illinois: At Northwestern next Saturday. Rutgers: At Michigan State next Saturday. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-pollWatch: Belfast astronomer on mission to stop asteroid strike on Earth

With Rs 200 crore salary, who is India’s highest paid villain?

ATLANTA — Jimmy Carter, the peanut farmer who won the presidency in the wake of the Watergate scandal and Vietnam War, endured humbling defeat after one tumultuous term and then redefined life after the White House as a global humanitarian, has died. He was 100 years old. The longest-lived American president died on Sunday, more than a year after entering hospice care, at his home in the small town of Plains, Georgia, where he and his wife, Rosalynn, who died at 96 in November 2023, spent most of their lives, The Carter Center said. “Our founder, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, passed away this afternoon in Plains, Georgia,” the center said in posting about his death on the social media platform X. It added in a statement that he died peacefully, surrounded by his family. 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 president from Plains A moderate Democrat, Carter entered the 1976 presidential race as a little-known Georgia governor with a broad smile, outspoken Baptist mores and technocratic plans reflecting his education as an engineer. His no-frills campaign depended on public financing, and his promise not to deceive the American people resonated after Richard Nixon’s disgrace and U.S. defeat in southeast Asia. “If I ever lie to you, if I ever make a misleading statement, don’t vote for me. I would not deserve to be your president,” Carter repeated before narrowly beating Republican incumbent Gerald Ford, who had lost popularity pardoning Nixon. Carter governed amid Cold War pressures, turbulent oil markets and social upheaval over racism, women’s rights and America’s global role. His most acclaimed achievement in office was a Mideast peace deal that he brokered by keeping Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin at the bargaining table for 13 days in 1978. That Camp David experience inspired the post-presidential center where Carter would establish so much of his legacy. Yet Carter’s electoral coalition splintered under double-digit inflation, gasoline lines and the 444-day hostage crisis in Iran. His bleakest hour came when eight Americans died in a failed hostage rescue in April 1980, helping to ensure his landslide defeat to Republican Ronald Reagan. Carter acknowledged in his 2020 “White House Diary” that he could be “micromanaging” and “excessively autocratic,” complicating dealings with Congress and the federal bureaucracy. He also turned a cold shoulder to Washington’s news media and lobbyists, not fully appreciating their influence on his political fortunes. “It didn’t take us long to realize that the underestimation existed, but by that time we were not able to repair the mistake,” Carter told historians in 1982, suggesting that he had “an inherent incompatibility” with Washington insiders. Carter insisted his overall approach was sound and that he achieved his primary objectives — to “protect our nation’s security and interests peacefully” and “enhance human rights here and abroad” — even if he fell spectacularly short of a second term. 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.”Central Regional finished with two title winners and three finalists to take the top spot in the team race of the Rumble in the Pines, hosted by Lakewood. JayAnna Hahn took the 132-pound title with a 9-2 decision win over Clayton’s Sophia Holmdes and Jade Hahn outlasted Gateway’s Shaelie Young for a 1-0 decision win in 185-pound final. Liliana Alicea took the runner-up spot at 165, falling to Ridgewood’s Kamila Castro in the final. 12/29 - 9:30 AM Girls Wrestling Final Becton 36 Lakewood 105 Ridgewood got another first place finish out of Francesca Gusfa, who earned an 11-1 major over Emely Diaz Santos (Morris Hills) in the 100-pound final. Trenton’s Princessstorm Woody (107), Bordentown’s Madison Blumenthal (114), Paramus Catholic’s Abby Naddeo (120), Garfield’s Faustyna Przedworski (126), Ocean City’s Danna Ramirez (138), North Brunswick’s Gabrielle Roberts (145), Clayton’s Alexus Paden (152) and Palmyra’s Samantha Domask (235) also won titles. The N.J. High School Sports newsletter is now appearing in mailboxes 5 days a week. Sign up now! Follow us on social: Facebook | Instagram | X (formerly Twitter)Australia's prime minister said Sunday he was ready to "engage" with billionaire X owner Elon Musk over his criticism of the government's ban on under-16s joining social media. Anthony Albanese hailed the parliament's Thursday passage of landmark legislation requiring social media firms to take "reasonable steps" to prevent young teens from having accounts. The law, which will come into effect after 12 months, gives few details of how it will be enforced, including how sites like Facebook, Instagram and X will verify users' ages. Musk -- who has been named Donald Trump's government efficiency chief in the incoming US administration -- posted on X last month that the law "seems like a backdoor way to control access to the Internet by all Australians". "We will talk to anyone," Albanese said when asked if he would discuss the legislation with Musk. "With regard to Elon Musk, he has an agenda. He's entitled to push that as the owner of X, formerly known as Twitter," Albanese told Australian public broadcaster ABC. When the interviewer mentioned that Musk was also Trump's "right-hand man", the prime minister replied: "We will engage, we will engage." Social media firms that fail to comply with the new law face fines of up to Aus$50 million (US$32.5 million) for "systemic breaches". Musk's platform in October lost a legal bid to avoid a US$417,000 fine levelled by Australia's online watchdog, which has accused X of failing to stamp out harmful posts. The government will decide over the next 12 months how to implement the ban, Albanese said, insisting, however, that it would not require people to provide identification. "The obligation will be on social media companies to do everything they can to make sure that those people under 16 don't have access to social media," the prime minister said. "We know that social media companies have more information about you and I than some of our friends do," he added. "We know that they are able to do that, and the obligation will be on them." Albanese said he was "determined" to implement the legislation. "I've met parents who have had to bury their children as a result of the impact that social media has had as a result of bullying, and we need to do something about it," he said. Several social media giants have promised to work with the government on implementing the law. But they have also criticised the legislation, saying it was "rushed", full of unanswered questions, and did not take into account the views of experts who opposed it. The UN children's charity UNICEF Australia warned this week that the law was no "silver bullet" against online harm and could push kids into "covert and unregulated" spaces online. djw/mp/cwl