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treasures of aztec slot demo Kitchens will lead Tar Heels in Fenway Bowl against UConn. Another ex-Browns coach is standing by's new rom-com landed on our screens over the festive period – and viewers have given their verdict on the series. Based on Beth O'Leary's popular romance novel of the same name, the six-parter follows exes Addie (Emma Appleton) and Dylan (Laurie Davidson) who are forced to travel in a campervan from Bristol to Spain together to attend the wedding of a mutual friend. Taking to social media, viewers heaped praise on the series, which also stars Isabella Laughland (Harry Potter) as Addie's sister Deb, David Jonsson (Rye Lane) as Dylan's friend Marcus, Angus Imrie (Fleabag) as Rodney, and Hannah (Bridgerton) as Grace. One person penned: " " while another added: "Second chance and close proximity trope delivered. Enjoyed Addie and Dylan." A third fan binge-watched all six episodes in one sitting, writing: "I usually hate the miscommunication trope, but #theroadtrip did it SO WELL! I just binged the whole show in one go," while another encouraged others to tune in: "Go watch #TheRoadTrip for a good end of year/start of a new one." For those yet to tune into the series, here's the official synopsis: "When Addie sets off from Bristol on an epic road trip to a wedding in Spain with her sister Deb, she's barely out of the city when her knackered VW campervan is rear-ended by a speeding Porsche containing her ex, Dylan, and his obnoxious best friend Marcus. but – headed to the same wedding and with best man Dylan's ride totalled – Addie agrees to put their differences aside and travel together." It continues: "A thousand miles is a long time to be stuck in a campervan with so much buried history though, especially when you're on your way back to the exact place you first fell in love. The mystery of Addie and Dylan's breakup looms large. What really did happen? Why have they had no contact? Who, if anyone, was to blame? It’s going to be a bumpy ride..." You may also like Unlike the book, which is set in the UK, Addie and Dylan's road trip takes place in Spain, as they attempt to make it to a wedding held at the villa where they first met. Speaking about the change in location, author Beth told Paramount+ that while she misses the original setting, the European backdrop adds a layer to the story. "I'm going to give you a totally honest answer to this – I slightly miss the UK setting for the road trip itself!" she said. " versus the iconic ones we usually see on screen. Like, the M3 is so comically dull. But I have to say the team have done an amazing job of keeping that vibe with a different and more visually exciting setting. And actually, I love the symmetry of their journey taking them back to the exact villa where it all began. I think that’s so smart, and really adds a layer to the story."

NEW YORK (AP) — More shoppers than ever are on track to use ‘buy now, pay later’ plans this holiday season, as the ability to spread out payments looks attractive at a time when Americans still feel the lingering effect of inflation and already have record-high credit card debt. The data firm Adobe Analytics predicts shoppers will spend 11.4% more this holiday season using buy now, pay later than they did a year ago. The company forecasts shoppers will purchase $18.5 billion worth of goods using the third-party services for the period Nov. 1 to Dec. 31, with $993 million worth of purchases on Cyber Monday alone. Buy now, pay later can be particularly appealing to consumers who have low credit scores or no credit history, such as younger shoppers, because most of the companies providing the service run only soft credit checks and don’t report the loans and payment histories to the credit bureaus, unlike credit card companies. This holiday season, buy now, pay later users can also feel more confident if a transaction goes awry. In May, the CFPB said buy now, pay later company must adhere to other regulations that govern traditional credit, such as providing ways to demand refunds and dispute transactions. To use a buy now, pay later plan, consumers typically sign up with bank account information or a debit or credit card, and agree to pay for purchases in monthly installments, typically over eight weeks or more. The loans are marketed as requiring no or low interest, or only conditional fees, such as for late payment. Klarna, Afterpay and Affirm are three of the biggest buy now, pay later companies. But consumer advocates warn that shoppers who sign up for the payment plans using a credit card can be hit with more interest and fees. That's because individuals open themselves up to interest on the credit card payment, if it's carried month to month, on top of any late fees, interest, or penalties from the buy now, pay later loan itself. Experts advise against using a credit card to pay for these plans for this reason. Consumer watchdogs also say the plans lead consumers to overextend themselves because, for example, not paying full price up front leaves, in the shopper’s mind at least, more money for smaller purchases . They also caution consumers to keep careful track of using multiple buy now, pay later services, as the automatic payments can add up, and there is no central reporting, such as with a credit card statement. “Buy now, pay later can be an innovative tool for purchases you’re going to make anyway,” said Mark Elliott, chief customer officer at financial services company LendingClub. “The challenge is that it does fuel overspending.” For merchants, that’s part of the appeal. Retailers have found that customers are more likely to have bigger cart sizes or to convert from browsing to checking out when buy now, pay later is offered. One report from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York cited research that found customers spend 20% more when buy now, pay later is available. “The reality is that the increased cost-of-living and inflation have put more people in a situation where they’re already relying on revolving credit,” Elliott said. “The psychographics of ‘buy now, pay later’ may be different — people don’t think of it as debt — but it is.” If a consumer misses a payment, they can face fees, interest, or the possibility of being locked out of using the services in the future. Emily Childers, consumer financial expert for personal-finance technology company Credit Karma, said that internal data shows member credit card balances are up more than 50% for Gen Z and millennial members since March 2022, when the Fed started raising interest rates. “Young people are entering this holiday season already in the red,” she said. “And, based on what we’re seeing in the data, they’re continuing to bury their heads in the sand and spend.” The Associated Press receives support from Charles Schwab Foundation for educational and explanatory reporting to improve financial literacy. The independent foundation is separate from Charles Schwab and Co. Inc. The AP is solely responsible for its journalism.

Judge to hear arguments on whether Google's advertising tech constitutes a monopoly ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — The Justice Department and Google are set to make closing arguments in a trial alleging Google’s online advertising technology constitutes an illegal monopoly. The arguments in federal court Monday in northern Virginia come as Google is already facing a possible breakup of the company over its ubiquitous search engine. The Justice Department says it will seek the breakup of Google to remedy its search engine monopoly. The case focuses not on the search engine but on technology that matches online advertisers to consumers on the internet. A judge is expected to rule by the end of the year. ‘Busiest Thanksgiving ever’: How the TSA plans to handle record air travel DALLAS (AP) — The Thanksgiving travel rush is expected to be bigger than ever this year. AAA predicts that nearly 80 million people in the U.S. will venture at least 50 miles from home between Tuesday and next Monday — most of them by car. Thanksgiving Day falling so late this year has altered traditional travel patterns. At airports, the Transportation Security Administration says it could screen a record number of U.S. air travelers on Sunday. Meanwhile, the head of the Federal Aviation Administration says a shortage of air traffic controllers could cause flight delays. Transportation analytics company INRIX says roads could be congested on Monday with both commuters and returning holiday travelers. Macy’s says employee hid up to $154 million in expenses, delaying Q3 earnings Macy’s says it’s delaying the release of its fiscal third-quarter earnings results after it discovered an up to $154 million accounting-related issue. The company did provide some preliminary results for its third quarter, including that net sales fell 2.4% to $4.74 billion. It anticipates reporting its full third-quarter financial results by Dec. 11. Warren Buffett gives away another $1.1B and plans for distributing his $147B fortune after his death OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Investor Warren Buffett renewed his Thanksgiving tradition of giving by announcing plans Monday to hand more than $1.1 billion of Berkshire Hathaway stock to four of his family's foundations, and he offered new details about who will be handing out the rest of his fortune after his death. Buffett has said previously that his three kids will distribute his remaining $147.4 billion fortune in the 10 years after his death, but now he has also designated successors for them because it’s possible that Buffett’s children could die before giving it all away. Buffett said he has no regrets about his decision to start giving away his fortune in 2006. Workers at Charlotte airport, an American Airlines hub, go on strike during Thanksgiving travel week CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Service workers at Charlotte Douglas International Airport have gone on strike during a busy week of Thanksgiving travel to protest what they say are unlivable wages. Employees of ABM and Prospect Airport Services authorized the work stoppage in North Carolina that started Monday morning. Union spokesperson Sean Keady says the strike is expected to last 24 hours. The companies contract with American Airlines to provide services such as cleaning airplane interiors, removing trash and escorting passengers in wheelchairs. Airport officials say this holiday travel season is expected to be the busiest on record. The companies have acknowledged the seriousness of a strike during the holiday travel season. At the crossroads of news and opinion, 'Morning Joe' hosts grapple with aftermath of Trump meeting The reaction of those who defended “Morning Joe” hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski for meeting with President-elect Trump sounds almost quaint in the days of opinionated journalism. Doesn't it makes sense, they said, for hosts of a political news show to meet with such an important figure? But given how “Morning Joe” has attacked Trump, its viewers felt insulted. Many reacted quickly by staying away. It all reflects the broader trend of opinion crowding out traditional journalist in today's marketplace, and the expectations that creates among consumers. By mid-week, the show's audience was less than two-thirds what it has typically been this year. ‘Buy now, pay later’ is more popular than ever. It can cost more than you think NEW YORK (AP) — More shoppers are using ‘buy now, pay later’ plans heading into Black Friday and the holiday season, as the ability to spread out payments looks attractive at a time when Americans still feel the lingering effect of inflation and already have record-high credit card debt. Experts say the short-term loans can lead consumers to overextend themselves and warn that those who use credit cards for the service face higher interest expenses. The data firm Adobe Analytics predicts shoppers will spend 11.4% more this holiday season using buy now, pay later than they did a year ago. Commerce Department to reduce Intel's funding on semiconductors LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Biden administration plans on reducing part of Intel’s $8.5 billion in federal funding for computer chip plants around the country, according to three people familiar with the grant who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations. The reduction is largely a byproduct of the $3 billion that Intel is also receiving to provide computer chips to the military. President Joe Biden announced the agreement to provide Intel with up to $8.5 billion in direct funding and $11 billion in loans in March. The changes to Intel’s funding are not related to the company’s financial record or milestones. Stock market today: Wall Street rises near records as Treasury yields ease NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks are rising near records and adding to last week’s gains. The S&P 500 rose 0.2% Monday and was just below its all-time high set two weeks ago. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 395 points to its own record set on Friday, while the Nasdaq composite was 0.1% higher. Treasury yields also eased in the bond market after President-elect Donald Trump said he wants Scott Bessent, a hedge fund manager, to be his Treasury Secretary. Bessent has advocated for reducing the U.S. government’s deficit, which could soothe some worries that had been building on Wall Street. Judge in Alex Jones' bankruptcy case to hear arguments on The Onion's bid for Infowars A federal judge in Texas is set to hold a hearing on whether the satirical news outlet The Onion made a valid bid for the Infowars platforms of conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, who alleges a bankruptcy auction was marred by fraud and collusion. The hearing is set for Monday afternoon. It's not clear how soon the bankruptcy judge will rule. He could allow The Onion to move forward with its purchase, order a new auction or even name the only other bidder as the winner. Jones filed for bankruptcy after being ordered to pay nearly $1.5 billion in defamation lawsuits by families of victims of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut.Fidelity National Financial, Inc. ( NYSE:FNF – Get Free Report ) has received an average rating of “Hold” from the five brokerages that are covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. The average 12-month price objective among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $63.80. Several research analysts have issued reports on FNF shares. Truist Financial upped their price target on Fidelity National Financial from $64.00 to $70.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, November 11th. Barclays boosted their target price on Fidelity National Financial from $56.00 to $59.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 8th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their price target on Fidelity National Financial from $63.00 to $64.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 10th. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on FNF Fidelity National Financial Trading Down 1.2 % Fidelity National Financial ( NYSE:FNF – Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 6th. The financial services provider reported $1.30 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.41 by ($0.11). Fidelity National Financial had a net margin of 5.57% and a return on equity of 13.72%. The business had revenue of $3.60 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.32 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.23 EPS. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 29.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts forecast that Fidelity National Financial will post 4.57 EPS for the current fiscal year. Fidelity National Financial Increases Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 17th will be issued a dividend of $0.50 per share. This is an increase from Fidelity National Financial’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.48. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 17th. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.55%. Fidelity National Financial’s payout ratio is currently 72.73%. Insider Activity at Fidelity National Financial In related news, Director Sandra Douglass Morgan sold 2,092 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $56.33, for a total transaction of $117,842.36. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 32,386 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,824,303.38. This trade represents a 6.07 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website . 5.20% of the stock is owned by insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Fidelity National Financial A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in FNF. Capital Performance Advisors LLP acquired a new position in shares of Fidelity National Financial in the third quarter worth $32,000. Brooklyn Investment Group purchased a new position in Fidelity National Financial in the third quarter valued at about $35,000. True Wealth Design LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Fidelity National Financial during the 3rd quarter worth about $41,000. UMB Bank n.a. raised its stake in shares of Fidelity National Financial by 280.6% during the 3rd quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 685 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $43,000 after purchasing an additional 505 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Larson Financial Group LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Fidelity National Financial by 141.1% during the 3rd quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 687 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $43,000 after buying an additional 402 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.17% of the company’s stock. Fidelity National Financial Company Profile ( Get Free Report Fidelity National Financial, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides various insurance products in the United States. The company operates through Title, F&G, and Corporate and Other segments. It offers title insurance, escrow, and other title related services, including trust activities, trustee sales guarantees, recordings and reconveyances, and home warranty products. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Fidelity National Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Fidelity National Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

Ghana’s President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, delivered a reflective speech on December 27, 2024, at the official commissioning of the newly constructed Accra STEM Academy at East Legon, expressing his deep desire to be remembered as the president who prioritized education. The launch of the Academy marks a significant milestone in the government’s broader vision to improve Ghana’s education system and develop a skilled workforce that can contribute to the country’s long-term development. In his keynote address, President Akufo-Addo underscored the transformative strides his administration has made in the education sector, from the implementation of the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy to the establishment of institutions like the Accra STEM Academy. He emphasized that these initiatives were designed to equip future generations with the skills necessary to tackle both domestic challenges and global opportunities. The Accra STEM Academy, a key component of his education agenda, is set to address one of Ghana’s pressing needs: a shortage of qualified engineers. By focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education, the Academy aims to provide students with the critical knowledge and practical expertise required to drive innovation in fields essential for the country’s development. President Akufo-Addo expressed optimism that the seeds his administration has planted in the education sector will bear fruit in the years to come, leading to a more educated, innovative, and resilient Ghana. “The foundation for a brighter future has been laid,” he said, asserting that the investments made in education will shape the country’s destiny. The President also called on Ghanaians to protect the educational vision and ensure that institutions like the Accra STEM Academy continue to inspire future generations. In his closing remarks, Akufo-Addo reminded the nation that education is the key to unlocking the country’s potential, urging students to thrive and contribute to Ghana’s development. As Ghana looks toward the future, the importance of education as a driver of economic growth and innovation has never been clearer. The launch of the Accra STEM Academy is a step towards building a knowledge-based economy, with the potential to position Ghana as a leader in science and technology across the region. However, the real challenge lies in ensuring that these ambitious projects translate into tangible results, with the success of this Academy serving as a litmus test for the government’s broader education reforms. By investing in STEM education, President Akufo-Addo aims not only to improve the quality of human capital but also to create a pipeline of skilled professionals who can meet the demands of the country’s evolving economy. This vision of an educated and technologically advanced Ghana reflects a broader global trend where nations are prioritizing educational infrastructure to secure a competitive edge in the 21st century economy. Whether this will leave a lasting legacy for the President will depend on how well these programs are sustained and scaled in the coming years.

Why Blockchain Will Be More Disruptive in 2025 It was designed to be used in cryptos like Bitcoin , but now, blockchain is ready on the cusp of revolutionizing a whole range of industries in ways that were never considered possible. Blockchain will be much more disruptive in 2025 purely and simply because businesses and industries across most sectors are embracing it. This technology will be more significant than digital currency by 2025 and will spur radical changes in finance, healthcare supply chain management, and many other sectors. The reasons that make blockchain more disruptive this year will explain why. The core of blockchain technology lies in its decentralized architecture, a stark contrast to traditional systems where central authorities control data. Blockchain's distributed ledger ensures that data records are replicated across multiple locations, rendering it impossible to manipulate the system from a single point. This decentralized environment fosters trust through cryptographic principles, ensuring data integrity and security. By 2025, the global blockchain market is projected to reach $39.7 billion, growing at a CAGR of 69.4% (Source: MarketsandMarkets). As more companies adopt blockchain technology, they will realize that its decentralized nature enhances security, efficiency, and transparency while eliminating the need for intermediaries like banks and insurance companies. This shift is expected to decrease costs by up to 30%, accelerate transaction speeds by 50%, and minimize fraud risks by 80% (Source: World Economic Forum). Blockchain technology is revolutionizing various industries, extending far beyond its impact on cryptocurrency. By 2025, blockchain is expected to be vital in transforming the financial system, enabling faster, cheaper, and safer transactions. According to a report by Accenture, blockchain-based systems can reduce transaction costs by up to 80% and increase transaction speed by up to 90% (Source: Accenture). Moreover, blockchain will continue to disrupt traditional payment systems, including peer-to-peer transactions, eliminating the need for intermediaries. Cross-border payments, which currently take an average of 3-5 days and incur high fees, will become near-instant and cost-effective, with blockchain-based systems projected to save up to $20 billion in transaction costs by 2025 (Source: Juniper Research). Additionally, blockchain's transparent nature will help combat money laundering and fraudulent activities, with the global anti-money laundering (AML) market expected to reach $1.4 billion by 2025, driven in part by blockchain adoption (Source: MarketsandMarkets). Smart contracts will be everywhere by 2025 because they automatically execute and enforce the terms of a contract. Self-executing contracts mean faster, more secure agreements between parties without the need for intermediaries like lawyers or notaries. It will transform industries that are based on contracts: real estate , insurance, and even employment agreements. The health industry is well-positioned to adopt blockchain technology, as it holds vast amounts of sensitive patient data across various systems. By 2025, blockchain is expected to facilitate a secure and centralized environment for managing health records among different authorized parties, ultimately enhancing patient care while reducing administrative burdens. Blockchain's immutable ledger ensures that patients' medical records remain unaltered and protected from tampering, which significantly decreases the likelihood of data breaches. This enhances patients' control over their health information and fosters trust in healthcare providers. Additionally, implementing blockchain in pharmaceutical supply chains will improve transparency and help eliminate counterfeit drugs from the market, thereby enhancing drug safety. Moreover, blockchain’s ability to track the origin of drugs and medical equipment will help minimize fraud and counterfeiting, which are prevalent issues in the industry. Over time, healthcare providers will likely begin integrating blockchain solutions into their daily operations, leading to a more efficient, secure, and cost-effective system. One of the most promising applications of blockchain technology is in supply chain management. The sectors most impacted will be manufacturing, agriculture, and logistics, as blockchain will provide end-to-end visibility throughout these supply chains. By 2025, companies will be able to fully track the journey of goods from their origin to their final destination using blockchain. The immutable ledger of blockchain will simplify the verification of product authenticity, significantly reducing the risk of counterfeit goods. This is particularly beneficial for industries such as luxury goods, pharmaceuticals, and food, where it is crucial to ensure that products are genuine and safe. Consumers will also benefit from increased transparency , allowing them to trace the origins of the products they purchase and confirm that they adhere to ethical and sustainability standards. Additionally, blockchain technology will enhance the efficiency of supply chains by minimizing paperwork and administrative tasks. Smart contracts will automate transactions between suppliers, significantly reducing delays and improving overall efficiency. The tracking capabilities of blockchain will also help businesses quickly respond to changes in the market, further reducing potential issues. Blockchain's impact will extend beyond finance, revolutionizing sectors like education, voting systems, and entertainment by 2025. In education, blockchain will enable the secure and transparent verification of academic credentials, making it easier for employers to confirm qualifications. This is particularly significant, given that the global education technology market is projected to reach $252 billion by 2026, with blockchain-based solutions expected to play a key role in enhancing credential verification and authentication (Source: MarketsandMarkets). In voting systems, blockchain technology will provide a transparent, secure, and auditable way to conduct elections, reducing the risk of fraud and increasing voter trust. According to a report by West Virginia University, blockchain-based voting systems can reduce election costs by up to 90% and increase voting participation by up to 20% (Source: West Virginia University). The entertainment industry will also undergo significant disruption, as blockchain enables direct connections between content creators and audiences, cutting out intermediaries and ensuring fairer revenue distribution. The global digital entertainment market is expected to reach $4.8 trillion by 2025, with blockchain-based platforms poised to capture a significant share of this growing market (Source: PwC). Blockchain technology holds significant potential and, over time, is expected to greatly disrupt various industries. By 2025, it is predicted that blockchain will transform business practices by providing safer and more transparent systems, as well as opening new opportunities in nearly every sector. The ongoing innovation in blockchain technology suggests that the next few years will be transformative. Those who embrace these advancements will be well-positioned for success in a rapidly changing world.

The Chicago Bears once again fell to an NFC North opponent for the second consecutive week, this time to the Minnesota Vikings in overtime, 30-27 at Soldier Field on Sunday. Chicago was able to force overtime with a Cairo Santos field goal after it recovered an onside kick following a touchdown drive and successful two-point conversion. It took 22 total seconds for the Bears to tie the game. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Thanks for the feedback.

The number of Republican women who own guns has jumped from just under one in five to more than three out of ten. Gallup divided decades of survey results into “six-year groups” and found that whereas 19 percent of Republican women owned guns from 2007-2012, now 33 percent of Republican women do. This means more Republican women own guns than do Democrat men, only 29 percent of whom own a weapon. Gun ownership among Independent men shows a five percentage slide, down to 39 percent. On the other hand, six out of ten Republican men own guns, making them the dominate political demographic among gun owners. When viewed outside of political identification, 43 percent of all men and 20 percent of all women are “likely to own guns.” AWR Hawkins is an award-winning Second Amendment columnist for Breitbart News and the writer/curator of Down Range with AWR Hawkins , a weekly newsletter focused on all things Second Amendment, also for Breitbart News. He is the political analyst for Armed American Radio, a member of Gun Owners of America, a Pulsar Night Vision pro-staffer, and the director of global marketing for Lone Star Hunts. He was a Visiting Fellow at the Russell Kirk Center for Cultural Renewal in 2010 and has a Ph.D. in Military History. Follow him on Instagram: @awr_hawkins . You can sign up to get Down Range at breitbart.com/downrange . Reach him directly: awrhawkins@breitbart.com.The underlying reason for this slide continuing was a problem long before that. An offense led by dynamic rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels that was among the NFL's best for a long stretch of the season put up just nine points and 169 yards for the first three-plus quarters against Dallas before falling behind 20-9 and teeing off on the Cowboys' conservative defense. “We just couldn’t really get it going,” said receiver Terry McLaurin , whose lengthy touchdown with 21 seconds left masked that he had just three catches for 16 yards through three quarters. “We’ve got to find a way to start faster and sustain drives, and that’s everybody: the whole coaching staff and the offensive players just going out there and figuring out ways that we can stay on the field.” This is not a new problem for Washington, which had a season-low 242 yards in a Nov. 10 home loss to Pittsburgh and 264 yards four days later in a defeat at Philadelphia. Since returning from a rib injury that knocked him out of a game last month, Daniels has completed just under 61% of his passes, after 75.6% over his first seven professional starts. Daniels and coach Dan Quinn have insisted this isn't about injury. The coaching staff blamed a lack of adequate practice time, but a full week of it before facing the Cowboys did not solve the problem. It is now fair to wonder if opponents have seen enough film of offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury's system to figure it out. “I think teams and coordinators are going to see what other teams have success against us and try to figure out how they could incorporate that into their scheme," Daniels said after going 12 of 22 for 80 yards passing through three quarters in the Dallas game. "We’ve been in third and longer a lot these past couple games, so that’s kind of where you get into the exotic pressures and stuff like that. We’ve just got to be better on first and second downs and stay ahead of the chains.” Daniels has a point there, and it predates this losing streak. The Commanders have converted just 36% of third-down opportunities (27 for 75) over their past seven games after 52% (31 for 60) in their first five. That challenge doesn't get any easier with Tennessee coming to town Sunday. The Titans, despite being 3-8, have the second-best third-down defense in the league at 31.6%. The defense kept the Commanders in the game against Dallas, allowing just 10 points until the fourth quarter and 20 total before kickoff return touchdowns piled on to the other side of the scoreboard. Even Cooper Rush's 22-yard touchdown pass to Luke Schoonmaker with five minutes left came after a turnover that gave the Cowboys the ball at the Washington 44. The defense spending more than 35 minutes on the field certainly contributed to fatigue as play wore on. The running game that contributed to a 7-2 start has taken a hit, in part because of injuries to top back Brian Robinson Jr. The Commanders got 145 yards on the ground because Daniels had 74 on seven carries, but running backs combined for just 57. Daniels could not say how much the rushing attack stalling has contributed to the offense going stagnant. “You’ve got to be able to run the ball, keep the defense honest,” he said. "We got to execute the plays that are called in, and we didn’t do a good job of doing that.” Linebacker Frankie Luvu keeps making the case to be first-year general manager Adam Peters' best free agent signing. He and fellow offseason addition Bobby Wagner tied for a team-high eight tackles, and Luvu also knocked down three passes against Dallas. Kicker Austin Seibert going wide left on the point-after attempt that would have tied the score with 21 seconds left was his third miss of the game. He also was short on a 51-yard field goal attempt and wide left on an earlier extra point. Seibert, signed a week into the season after Cade York struggled in the opener, made 25 of 27 field goal tries and was 22 of 22 on extra points before injuring his right hip and missing the previous two games. He brushed off his health and the low snap from Tyler Ott while taking responsibility for not connecting. “I made the decision to play, and here we are,” Seibert said. “I just wasn’t striking it well. But it means a lot to me to be here with these guys, so I just want to put my best foot moving forward.” Robinson's sprained ankle and fellow running back Austin Ekeler's concussion from a late kickoff return that led to him being hospitalized for further evaluation are two major immediate concerns. Quinn said Monday that Ekeler and starting right tackle Andrew Wylie are in concussion protocol. It's unclear if Robinson will be available against Tennessee, which could mean Chris Rodriguez Jr. getting elevated from the practice squad to split carries with Jeremy McNichols. The Commanders still have not gotten cornerback Marshon Lattimore into a game since acquiring him at the trade deadline from New Orleans. Lattimore is trying to return from a hamstring injury, and the secondary could use him against Calvin Ridley, who's coming off a 93-yard performance at Houston. 17 — Handoffs to a running back against Dallas, a significant decrease from much of the season before this losing streak. Don't overlook the Titans with the late bye week coming immediately afterward. The Commanders opened as more than a touchdown favorite, but after the results over the weekend, BetMGM Sportsbook had it as 5 1/2 points Monday. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflTesla and Rivian have been embroiled in a lawsuit in which the former accused the latter of having stolen battery technology by poaching Tesla employees. It sounds like the two automakers are finally about to settle the lawsuit, which has been going on for 4 years. In 2020, by hiring former Tesla employees and encouraging them to bring documents. Rivian has denied the allegations. When Tesla filed the lawsuit, it wasn’t clear what trade secrets Tesla was claiming Rivian had stolen. However, we noted that the employees listed in the lawsuits were two recruiters, an EHS manager, and a manager of Tesla’s charging networks. The automaker claimed that these employees brought “documents consisting of highly sensitive trade secret, confidential, and proprietary engineering information” when they went to work for Rivian. A year later, Tesla expanded the lawsuit At first, the companies tried to settle out of court, but it didn’t work out, so . Over a year later, we now learn that Tesla had notified the court that it expects to file to get the lawsuit dismissed after reaching a conditional agreement with Rivian. The company didn’t disclose the details of the settlement (via ): Tesla didn’t disclose specifics about the agreement in a court filing, but told a California state judge that it expects to seek dismissal of the case by Dec. 24 upon satisfactory completion of the terms. Neither Tesla nor Rivian have commented on the reported settlement. While Tesla has claimed that it somewhat open-sourced its patents, we have previously noted that it’s not exactly the case. Tesla claims to let other companies use its patented technology as long as they themselves don’t sue them over patent rights. And in this specific case, Tesla alleges that Rivian has specifically hired employees to steal technologies. Again, Rivian has denied the allegation. The terms are unknown, but in similar cases, it often involves things like some level of access to make sure that no proprietary technology is being used or has been used. The lawsuit is not exactly clear, but based on the timeline and the allegations of “next-gen batteries”, Tesla could have been talking about its 4680 battery cells, although those are cells. It could also be the structural battery pack. Rivian is expected to use . and subscribe to the . Tesla is a transportation and energy company. It... Fred is the Editor in Chief and Main Writer at Electrek. You can send tips on Twitter (DMs open) or via email: fred@9to5mac.com Through Zalkon.com, you can check out Fred’s portfolio and get monthly green stock investment ideas. Get interesting investment ideas by Fred Lambert ChargePoint Home WiFi Enabled Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger

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Asit Patel’s move from Winnipeg to Calgary in a few weeks will be a little more expensive than he’d hoped. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * Asit Patel’s move from Winnipeg to Calgary in a few weeks will be a little more expensive than he’d hoped. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? Asit Patel’s move from Winnipeg to Calgary in a few weeks will be a little more expensive than he’d hoped. That’s because the provincial gas tax is being reinstated next Wednesday, and the 12.5-cents added to every litre pumped is going to be an unwelcome goodbye hug when he and his family bid farewell to Manitoba. Premier Wab Kinew announced Monday that the tax, which was 14 cents per litre before the government temporarily suspended it a year ago as an “affordability measure” to help Manitobans navigating inflationary prices on almost everything, was going back into effect Jan. 1. Premier Wab Kinew announced the government will cut the provincial fuel tax by 10 percent on Jan. 1, 2025. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Free Press files) Patel, his two parents, brother and sister-in-law are hoping to find more opportunities and a better way of life in Alberta. “I’m expecting around $600-$700 (for fuel),” Patel said Tuesday while waiting at 204 Fuels on Waverley Street, noting he’s renting a U-Haul truck to get the family’s bare necessities to their new home. “We’re basically going to Calgary with three beds and a couple of boxes. We’re starting fresh.” Patel said his family can’t afford to take any more than what would fit in the back of the rental truck, meaning some of their belongings will be left behind. Moving companies are out of the question. It’s too expensive, he said, partly because of high fuel prices across the Prairies. “We know we have to pay the (fuel) taxes, but it needs to be reasonable,” said Patel’s father Umesh. “Every common person will be affected by this.” The province said the 1.5-cent-per-litre cut from the previous levy will be permanent. “Our government keeps our word,” Kinew said in a news release Monday. “We said we’d cut the fuel tax and we did. We said it would last 12 months and it did. Now we’re going further by bringing in a permanent cut to the fuel tax to make it one of the lowest in Canada.” Kinew’s government revealed last week that its projected 2024-2025 deficit has soared by $513 million, to $1.3 billion. The result of the yearlong gas tax holiday cost the province an estimated $340 million in lost revenue in 2024. The province expects to collect $78 million per quarter from the reinstated 12.5-cent fuel tax, which will be a revenue loss of $28 million over the fiscal year compared to the estimated $340 million that would have been collected at 14 cents per litre. Finance Minister Adrien Sala wouldn’t say why government decided to cut the tax by 10 per cent or how it arrived at that figure. “We knew that the gas tax holiday had an enormous impact for Manitobans in saving them money,” Sala told the Monday. “Manitobans continue to face affordability challenges and we wanted to make sure we continue to provide them the help that they need.” The 204 Fuels gas bars have some of the lowest prices in the city — charging 111.9 cents per litre of regular gas when he was filling up, a cent cheaper than Costco on McGillivray Boulevard, which requires a membership to get the discounted price. A Shell gas bar on south Pembina Highway near the Perimeter posted the regular fuel price at $129.9 per litre Tuesday. Sandeep Hangra said she’s disappointed that the gas tax is coming back. Her husband recently lost his job as a long-haul truck driver and is now working as a driver with a ride-hailing company to try to make ends meet. They’re thinking about moving back to India because life has become too expensive here, she said. When they arrived in Canada in 2017, the monthly rent for their apartment was just under $1,000. It has since doubled. “There’s too much inflation and no jobs,” she said. Meanwhile, Christina Harris said the gas tax is returning at a bad time. “Especially with the cost of things going up, it’s just that much more on top of everything else,” she said. Harris said she expects to wait in gas bar lines over the next few days in order to fill up at the best price before the tax kicks in again. “It makes a difference when you commute back and forth to work, having to get gas two or three times per week,” she said. “It adds up.” Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Harris is expecting to feel the impact of rising fuel prices, but as a motorist, she knows there aren’t many alternatives. “We don’t have a choice,” she said. Gas tax holiday critics, however, support its return. Molly McCracken, Manitoba director of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, guessed that one in five residents of the province didn’t benefit from the yearlong “affordability measure,” presumably because they neither own nor have access to a vehicle. scott.billeck@freepress.mb.ca Scott Billeck is a general assignment reporter for the . A Creative Communications graduate from Red River College, Scott has more than a decade’s worth of experience covering hockey, football and global pandemics. He joined the Free Press in 2024. . Every piece of reporting Scott produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the ‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about , and . Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider . Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support. Scott Billeck is a general assignment reporter for the . A Creative Communications graduate from Red River College, Scott has more than a decade’s worth of experience covering hockey, football and global pandemics. He joined the Free Press in 2024. . Every piece of reporting Scott produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the ‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about , and . Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider . Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support. Advertisement AdvertisementBROOKLYN, N.Y. , Dec. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- This New Year's Eve, elevate your celebrations with the world's most luxurious cookie cake: The Dank Decadence Cookie Cake , by Laced Bakes , the innovative infusion bakery redefining indulgence. 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Quantities are limited—don't miss out on this one-of-a-kind treat. Coming Soon: Stay tuned for the grand opening of Laced Bakes' members-only lounge in Brooklyn , offering exclusive events, infused menu items, and a community space for food and cannabis enthusiasts alike. For more details, visit www.lacedbakes.com or follow us on social media: Instagram: @laced.bakes | TikTok: @lacedbakes | Facebook: Laced Bakes | X: @lacedbakes | Discord: @lacedbakes Elevate your indulgence with Laced Bakes. Contact: Crystal Grant , Founder of Laced Bakes, press@lacedbakes.com Location : 1096 Broadway, Brooklyn, NY 11221 Website : www.LacedBakes.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/laced-bakes-launches-the-dank-decadence-cookie-cake-the-ultimate-luxury-treat-that-delivers-302339021.html SOURCE Laced Bakes( MENAFN - GetNews) Andrew Young, Wellesley, Massachusetts. Andrew Young, the visionary CEO and Managing Partner of Conjugate Group, a leader in biotechnology staffing solutions, has announced the launch of his personal blog. This new platform will serve as a central hub for sharing his extensive professional experiences, innovative ideas, and practical advice within the biotech industry. With over two decades of experience in biotechnology staffing, Andrew has been at the forefront of addressing some of the most pressing challenges in the industry. His new blog aims to empower and inspire both seasoned professionals and newcomers in the biotech space by providing valuable insights into navigating this dynamic and rapidly evolving field. The blog will feature a variety of content including in-depth articles, case studies, personal anecdotes, and expert advice, all drawn from Andrew's rich career. Topics will range from strategic staffing solutions and career development to emerging technologies and trends in biotech. “I am thrilled to launch this blog as a platform to connect with the broader biotech community and share the lessons I've learned throughout my career,” said Andrew Young.“I hope to inspire current and future biotech professionals by providing them with the tools and knowledge necessary for success.” The blog is now live and accessible to readers who are interested in deepening their understanding of the biotech industry and gaining insights from one of its most experienced leaders. For more information, please visit his website here . About Andrew Young: Andrew Young is the CEO and Managing Partner of Conjugate Group, based in Wellesley, Massachusetts. He has founded several companies that focus on innovative staffing solutions in biotechnology. Andrew is known for his strategic thinking and commitment to advancing the biotech sector through leadership and innovation. MENAFN24122024003238003268ID1109028543 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.

ROSEN, A TOP-RANKED LAW FIRM, Encourages Zeta Global Holdings Corp. Investors to Secure Counsel ...

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About AiRROBO AiRROBO is a smart home appliance brand with a focus on AI-enabled technologies. Supported by world-leading AI and humanoid robotic company, UBTECH Robotics, AIRROBO is aiming to bring the most cutting-edge technology to more and more households around the globe, making smart home a new norm of life. Find out more at us.air-robo.com . CONTACT: Kristy Luo , sihui.luo@ubtrobot.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dont-miss-these-incredible-airrobo-black-friday-deals--unbeatable-prices-await-302314818.html SOURCE AiRROBOAaron Judge wins second AL MVP in 3 seasons. Shohei Ohtani expected to win NL honorSOUTH BEND — Marcus Freeman didn’t jump around it Monday. The significance of the loss of fifth-year graduate defensive tackle Rylie Mills was not minimized. “You can’t replace Rylie Mills,” Freeman said. “I mean, yes, the production, but the leadership, a captain, very similar to the things I said about Benjamin Morrison when he was out. You feel awful for him as a person, a guy that decided to come back, improve his draft stock, be a captain. “The value he provided this team is tremendous, and he’s done an excellent job as a football player and a leader, but you have to replace the production. You got to replace what he did for our defense in different ways, and so we have capable guys that will step up, that have stepped up all year, that we’re very confident in, and those guys will have a bigger role this week.” Mills, who went down after a sack in the third quarter of Notre Dame’s College Football Playoff first-round game against Indiana a week ago, is now lost for the season. The captain and emotional leader was 32nd in the country in sacks (7.5). No defensive lineman on the Fighting Irish roster has registered more snaps this season. When asked Friday, defensive coordinator Al Golden gave a sharp “never” when asked if he has ever led a defense this plagued by the injury bug. Having lost several pieces this season already, Golden’s unit continues to be dominant. Life without Mills will still be a big change. “We just don’t flinch,” Golden said. “At the end of the day, we feel badly for whoever has been injured, in this case, Rylie. Rylie’s meant a lot to this program and obviously the Coach Freeman era, not just necessarily our defense, but just the era itself, just being a leader. “You feel badly for him, but at the same time, we just don’t flinch. We move forward, and it’s time for somebody else to have an opportunity, and I know they’ll be ready.” Heading into Wednesday’s CFP quarterfinal matchup between No. 7-seed Notre Dame (12-1) and No. 2 Georgia (11-2) at the Allstate Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, the Fighting Irish possess the third-best scoring defense (13.8 points allowed per game) and fourth-best pass defense (162.3 pass yards allowed per game). Where the Fighting Irish are less successful, though, is when covering the ground game. Allowing 133 yards rushing per game, it’s the unit Mills made such an impact on that will have to adjust, again. “I think we’re an elite defense, but any good defense we need to be good on both,” defensive lineman Howard Cross III said. “So this is a great challenge, an exciting challenge for all of us. Everyone on defense is extremely excited for this opportunity to play.” Cross made his first appearance since November last week against the Hoosiers. He finished with one assisted tackle. Addressing the injury to his linemate Mills, Cross also mentioned part of being excited for the challenge of facing the Bulldogs comes from the test it brings. “I’m just so excited to have this opportunity,” Cross said. “I know they’re one of, if not the best, interior offensive lines in the nation (and it) makes me more excited. Just being able to go out there and test my skills and just have fun. And I’m emphasizing the fun part for me.” The injury to Mills is the latest for an Irish bunch that has been one of the collective best units in the nation. Golden, a finalist for the 2024 Broyles Award which is given to the top assistant coach in college football, has had to work around major losses to Morrison (Week 7) and defensive linemen Jordan Botelho (Week 3), Boubacar Traore (Week 5) and now Mills. As Georgia prepares to start sophomore quarterback Gunner Stockton as SEC Championship game starter Carson Beck remains sidelined the rest of the season, Golden isn’t going to focus too long on what could have been. Instead, Cross, Gabriel Rubio and Donovan Hinish will be next in line to carry the load. “First of all, Gabe has a ruggedness and a high motor,” Golden said. “The screen play that he made the other day on the perimeter, that forced a third-and-3, I think that’s emblematic of who he is as a player, right?” “I think we’ll look at this as Game 1 to Game 2 for Howard,” Golden said when running through what he saw from Cross’ first game back since November. “We expect a big jump for him in conditioning and really just about every aspect. He looks so much better right now. He’s more comfortable. I can’t speak for him, but it looks like he’s not in pain anymore, so we appreciate him gutting that out the other night, and he’s markedly better now. We just can’t wait to let him go.”

By Will Dunham WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Jimmy Carter, the earnest Georgia peanut farmer who as U.S. president struggled with a bad economy and the Iran hostage crisis but brokered peace between Israel and Egypt and later received the Nobel Peace Prize for his humanitarian work, died at his home in Plains, Georgia, on Sunday, the Carter Center said. He was 100. “My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and unselfish love,” said Chip Carter, the former president’s son. “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.” The Carter Center said there will be public observances in Atlanta and Washington. These events will be followed by a private interment in Plains, it said. Final arrangements for the former president's state funeral are still pending, according to the center. Jimmy Carter, a Democrat, served as president from January 1977 to January 1981 after defeating incumbent Republican President Gerald Ford in the 1976 U.S. election. Carter was swept from office four years later in an electoral landslide as voters embraced Republican challenger Ronald Reagan, the former actor and California governor. Carter lived longer after his term in office than any other U.S. president. Along the way, he earned a reputation as a better former president than he was a president - a status he readily acknowledged. His one-term presidency was marked by the highs of the 1978 Camp David accords between Israel and Egypt, bringing some stability to the Middle East. But it was dogged by an economy in recession, persistent unpopularity and the embarrassment of the Iran hostage crisis that consumed his final 444 days in office. In recent years, Carter had experienced several health issues including melanoma that spread to his liver and brain. Carter decided to receive hospice care in February 2023 instead of undergoing additional medical intervention. His wife, Rosalynn Carter, died on Nov. 19, 2023, at age 96. He looked frail when he attended her memorial service and funeral in a wheelchair. Carter left office profoundly unpopular but worked energetically for decades on humanitarian causes. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 in recognition of his "untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development." Carter had been a centrist as governor of Georgia with populist tendencies when he moved into the White House as the 39th U.S. president. He was a Washington outsider at a time when America was still reeling from the Watergate scandal that led Republican Richard Nixon to resign as president in 1974 and elevated Ford from vice president. "I'm Jimmy Carter and I'm running for president. I will never lie to you," Carter promised with an ear-to-ear smile. Asked to assess his presidency, Carter said in a 1991 documentary: "The biggest failure we had was a political failure. I never was able to convince the American people that I was a forceful and strong leader." Despite his difficulties in office, Carter had few rivals for accomplishments as a former president. He gained global acclaim as a tireless human rights advocate, a voice for the disenfranchised and a leader in the fight against hunger and poverty, winning the respect that eluded him in the White House. Carter won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his efforts to promote human rights and resolve conflicts around the world, from Ethiopia and Eritrea to Bosnia and Haiti. His Carter Center in Atlanta sent international election-monitoring delegations to polls around the world. A Southern Baptist Sunday school teacher since his teens, Carter brought a strong sense of morality to the presidency, speaking openly about his religious faith. He also sought to take some pomp out of an increasingly imperial presidency - walking, rather than riding in a limousine, in his 1977 inauguration parade. The Middle East was the focus of Carter's foreign policy. The 1979 Egypt-Israel peace treaty, based on the 1978 Camp David accords, ended a state of war between the two neighbors. Carter brought Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin to the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland for talks. Later, as the accords seemed to be unraveling, Carter saved the day by flying to Cairo and Jerusalem for personal shuttle diplomacy. The treaty provided for Israeli withdrawal from Egypt's Sinai Peninsula and establishment of diplomatic relations. Begin and Sadat each won a Nobel Peace Prize in 1978. By the 1980 election, the overriding issues were double-digit inflation, interest rates that exceeded 20% and soaring gas prices, as well as the Iran hostage crisis that brought humiliation to America. These issues marred Carter's presidency and undermined his chances of winning a second term. HOSTAGE CRISIS On Nov. 4, 1979, revolutionaries devoted to Iran's Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini had stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, seized the Americans present and demanded the return of the ousted shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who was backed by the United States and was being treated in a U.S. hospital. The American public initially rallied behind Carter. But his support faded in April 1980 when a commando raid failed to rescue the hostages, with eight U.S. soldiers killed in an aircraft accident in the Iranian desert. Carter's final ignominy was that Iran held the 52 hostages until minutes after Reagan took his oath of office on Jan. 20, 1981, to replace Carter, then released the planes carrying them to freedom. In another crisis, Carter protested the former Soviet Union's 1979 invasion of Afghanistan by boycotting the 1980 Olympics in Moscow. He also asked the U.S. Senate to defer consideration of a major nuclear arms accord with Moscow. Unswayed, the Soviets remained in Afghanistan for a decade. Carter won narrow Senate approval in 1978 of a treaty to transfer the Panama Canal to the control of Panama despite critics who argued the waterway was vital to American security. He also completed negotiations on full U.S. ties with China. Carter created two new U.S. Cabinet departments - education and energy. Amid high gas prices, he said America's "energy crisis" was "the moral equivalent of war" and urged the country to embrace conservation. "Ours is the most wasteful nation on earth," he told Americans in 1977. In 1979, Carter delivered what became known as his "malaise" speech to the nation, although he never used that word. "After listening to the American people I have been reminded again that all the legislation in the world can't fix what's wrong with America," he said in his televised address. "The threat is nearly invisible in ordinary ways. It is a crisis of confidence. It is a crisis that strikes at the very heart and soul and spirit of our national will. The erosion of our confidence in the future is threatening to destroy the social and the political fabric of America." As president, the strait-laced Carter was embarrassed by the behavior of his hard-drinking younger brother, Billy Carter, who had boasted: "I got a red neck, white socks, and Blue Ribbon beer." 'THERE YOU GO AGAIN' Jimmy Carter withstood a challenge from Massachusetts Senator Edward Kennedy for the 1980 Democratic presidential nomination but was politically diminished heading into his general election battle against a vigorous Republican adversary. Reagan, the conservative who projected an image of strength, kept Carter off balance during their debates before the November 1980 election. Reagan dismissively told Carter, "There you go again," when the Republican challenger felt the president had misrepresented Reagan's views during one debate. Carter lost the 1980 election to Reagan, who won 44 of the 50 states and amassed an Electoral College landslide. James Earl Carter Jr. was born on Oct. 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia, one of four children of a farmer and shopkeeper. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1946, served in the nuclear submarine program and left to manage the family peanut farming business. He married his wife, Rosalynn, in 1946, a union he called "the most important thing in my life." They had three sons and a daughter. Carter became a millionaire, a Georgia state legislator and Georgia's governor from 1971 to 1975. He mounted an underdog bid for the 1976 Democratic presidential nomination, and out-hustled his rivals for the right to face Ford in the general election. With Walter Mondale as his vice presidential running mate, Carter was given a boost by a major Ford gaffe during one of their debates. Ford said that "there is no Soviet domination of Eastern Europe and there never will be under a Ford administration," despite decades of just such domination. Carter edged Ford in the election, even though Ford actually won more states - 27 to Carter's 23. Not all of Carter's post-presidential work was appreciated. Former President George W. Bush and his father, former President George H.W. Bush, both Republicans, were said to have been displeased by Carter's freelance diplomacy in Iraq and elsewhere. In 2004, Carter called the Iraq war launched in 2003 by the younger Bush one of the most "gross and damaging mistakes our nation ever made." He called George W. Bush's administration "the worst in history" and said Vice President Dick Cheney was "a disaster for our country." In 2019, Carter questioned Republican Donald Trump's legitimacy as president, saying "he was put into office because the Russians interfered on his behalf." Trump responded by calling Carter "a terrible president." Carter also made trips to communist North Korea. A 1994 visit defused a nuclear crisis, as President Kim Il Sung agreed to freeze his nuclear program in exchange for resumed dialogue with the United States. That led to a deal in which North Korea, in return for aid, promised not to restart its nuclear reactor or reprocess the plant's spent fuel. But Carter irked Democratic President Bill Clinton's administration by announcing the deal with North Korea's leader without first checking with Washington. In 2010, Carter won the release of an American sentenced to eight years hard labor for illegally entering North Korea. Carter wrote more than two dozen books, ranging from a presidential memoir to a children's book and poetry, as well as works about religious faith and diplomacy. His book "Faith: A Journey for All," was published in 2018. (Reporting and writing by Will Dunham; Additional reporting by Jasper Ward; Editing by Bill Trott, Diane Craft and Lisa Shumaker)