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1asiabet download Ghana's opposition leader John Mahama officially won the country's election on Monday, easily defeating the ruling party candidate after voters punished the government's economic management and high living costs. Mahama won 56 percent of the votes in Saturday's presidential ballot, compared to the ruling party candidate and Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, who secured 41 percent, the electoral commission said announcing official results. The landslide comeback for former president Mahama ended eight years in power for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) under President Nana Akufo-Addo, whose last term was marked by Ghana's worst economic turmoil in years, an IMF bailout and a debt default. "These eight years have witnessed some of the darkest periods of our governance," Mahama told crowds of supporters blowing horns and whistles in his party office in Accra. "This mandate also serves as a constant reminder of what fate awaits us if we fail to meet the aspirations of our people." Bawumia, a former central banker, had already quickly conceded defeat on Sunday, acknowledging Ghanaians wanted change after the government failed to shake off widespread frustration. Bawumia also said the Mahama's National Democratic Congress (NDC) party had won the parliamentary vote in Saturday's election. Official results for the parliament are still being tallied. Mahama, 66, had previously failed twice to secure the presidency, but in Saturday's election he managed to tap into expectations of change among Ghanaians. He promised to "reset" Ghana, usher in economic revival and renegotiate parts of the country's $3 billion IMF accord. In his acceptance speech, Mahama promised reforms and "severe" measures to bring Ghana back on track. "The journey is not going to be easy... because the outgoing government has plunged our dear nation into the abyss," he said. "I am certain that we shall win the battle." With a history of democratic stability, Ghana's two major parties, the NPP and NDC, have alternated in power equally since the return to multi-party politics in 1992. But Ghana's economic woes dominated the 2024 election, after the continent's top gold producer and world's second cacao exporter went through a debt crisis, the default and currency devaluation. Turnout for Saturday election was 60.9 percent, a slide in participation from 79 percent in the 2020 election, results showed. With a slogan "Break the 8" -- a reference to two, four-year terms in power -- Bawumia had sought to take the NPP to an unprecedented third mandate. But he struggled to break from criticism of Akufo-Addo's economic record. While inflation slowed from more than 50 percent to around 23 percent, and other indicators stabilised, economic concerns were still a clear election issue for most Ghanaians. That frustration opened the way for a comeback from Mahama, who first came to the presidency in 2012 when he was serving as vice president and then President John Atta Mills died in office. During campaigning, the former president also faced criticism from those who remember his government's own financial tribulations and especially the massive power blackouts that marred his time in office. bur/pma/givCal staves off Sacramento State for third straight winNo. 22 St. John's, Georgia pack busy schedule with game on Sunday

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Report: NFL warns players of burglary rings targeting pro athletesThe development, based in Faverdale Industrial Estate is set to include a wide range of amenities such as football and cricket training areas, golf simulators, a gym, a canteen, and even a dedicated padel tennis court, is designed to alleviate this pressure. The new complex aims to address the growing demand for accessible training spaces and amenities in Darlington. (Image: Ward and Sons Holdings Ltd) Francis Ward, director of Ward and Sons and the driving force behind the project highlighted the importance of this development for the town. As someone deeply involved in grassroots sports, Ward emphasised the challenges of finding suitable venues for local teams and coaches. He said: "As a coach for Hurworth Albion football club, I found it to be a real task to find somewhere to train in the winter indoors or outdoors. Same as all the other coaches in grassroots football. "As females are coming into football as fast as males, most clubs are struggling to accommodate for this growth. I also think any facilities can than keep kids off the streets in my opinion is a plus." Ward added: "I have spent years being involved in grassroots sports including boxing and football and I have always found it difficult to find a venue. Even now, we are still travelling to Middlesbrough and other areas to take part in a 6-a-side game as there is no availability in Darlington. "Darlington is a thriving town, with hundreds of new housing developments under construction and new infrastructure to go... Cian Mortimer

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R. Madhavan recollects flying solo, getting royal treatment by airport, airline staffFew would argue that New York City is mired in a housing crisis — as defined by high prices and low vacancies. There’s good evidence for that conclusion. The most recent federal New York City Housing and Vacancy Survey reported a vacancy rate of just 1.4%, “a stark contrast to the 4.54 rate in 2021”. Over the same period, median monthly rent rose from $1,500 to $,1641 — and that includes everything from luxury high-rises to public housing. These sorts of figures drive an ongoing search for solutions to the problem — including, most recently, Mayor Adams’ Dec. 12 announcement of a new city Charter Revision Commission to consider, as he put it, how to “deliver as much affordable housing to working-class New Yorkers and their families.” A thorough examination of New York’s housing policy — both at the city and state level — could include a growing body of economic research regarding rent regulation, which affects the 960,000 “rent-stabilized” apartments whose price is set not by the market but by mayoral appointees. Rent stabilization may provide a good deal for those lucky to benefit from it. But as economists from across the political spectrum increasingly concur, it ultimately harms the city’s housing market for many. Research into the impact of rent control has a long history. Back in 1997, the Harvard economists Edward Glaeser and Erzo Luttner described the “misallocation of housing” that rent controls creates. That was their term for a mismatch between what renters might need and what they choose because the price is cheap — such as folks who might only need a small apartment, but live in a big one because they can afford it. More recently, in 2018, the liberal Brookings Institution cited the same problem: “Once a tenant has secured a rent-controlled apartment, he may not choose to move in the future and give up his rent control, even if his housing needs change.” This “misallocation,” Brookings continued, is not without major consequence, most notably “empty-nest households living in family-sized apartments and young families crammed into small studios.” Last year’s Census analysis of New York housing data suggests that’s exactly what is happening here — as young people crammed into subdivided studios with multiple roommates know well. The difference between rent-regulated and market-rate housing in the Big Apple is stark: Only 94,000 (24%) rent-stabilized tenants had moved (either in or out) in the past year, compared to 221,000 (57%) of market-rate tenants. Rent-stabilized tenants are more likely to stay put — forming a kind of housing blockade for newcomers or households with kids who need more bedrooms. As per the Census, the long-term rent-stabilized tenants were not necessarily low-income: 30% reported incomes above $100,000 a year—in keeping with notorious stories of the actress Mia Farrow and Congressman Charles Rangel enjoying rent-stabilized units. (Farrow inherited hers through her family, as the law permits.) Rent controls, notes the Journal of Housing Economics , lead to a redistribution of income — which can include tenants who become better off at the expense of landlords. As Kenny Burgos, the former Bronx Assemblyman who now heads the New York Apartment Association (NYAA) — which represents the owners of some 400,000 regulated units — notes, the current system “inhibits the natural flow and movement of a normal housing market.” There can be ill-effects on housing quality too, economists are finding, in ways that harm rent-stabilized tenants themselves. In February, 2024, ceonomists at the St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank looked at the physical effects of rent controls. They concluded that “while rent-control policies do restrict rents at more affordable rates, they can also lead to a reduction of rental stock and maintenance, thereby exacerbating affordable housing shortages.” Similarly, new research in the Journal of Housing Economics from March 2024 concluded that “even tenants in the controlled dwellings can suffer from rent control, as maintenance of such dwellings can be reduced, leading to a decreased housing quality.” Once again, the most recent findings from New York reveal these very same market conditions. Its review of “reported housing problems” found that there are more tenant complaints about rodents, leaks, cracks and heating in rent-stabilized units than in the non-regulated. The numbers are striking: 376,000 reports of rodents in regulated units (39% of all), compared to 240,000 in market-rate units (22% of all). The repair needs of older, rent-regulated buildings can even lead to owners simply abandoning them, as Maggie Brunn, president of Brooklyn’s A&E Real Estate, has said . “When an apartment has been lived in for 20 or 30 years, those limits [on rent increases] don’t even come close to the actual costs of rewiring, plumbing and the basic improvements you’d need to rent an apartment that a family would be proud to call home. That means more and more of those desperately needed low-rent apartments are sitting vacant.” That problem has been exacerbated by 2019 New York state legislation which sharply limits rent increases even for rising costs such major capital repairs. Burgos of the NYAA estimates at least 10,000 of such “ghost apartments” lie vacant — because their owners “aren’t allowed to recoup their costs. Inflation, property taxes, insurance.” As a result, he says, “banks won’t lend to them.” That’s exactly what Brookings has found. “Rent control can also lead to decay of the rental housing stock; landlords may not invest in maintenance because they can’t recoup these investment by raising rents.” “The system,” says Burgos, “is not working either for owners or tenants.” But how could this deeply established system — existing, in one form or other, for more than 50 years — actually be adjusted? The experience of another major world city, Buenos Aires, Argentina, suggests doing so might not bring on the chaos and price-gouging tenant advocates would suggest. Late last year, libertarian-leaning Argentine President Javier Milei simply “scrapped” rent controls, as reported in The Wall Street Journal. The effect, it reported, is that “the Argentine capital is undergoing a rental-market boom. Landlords are rushing to put their properties back on the market, with Buenos Aires rental supplies increasing by over 170%. While rents are still up in nominal terms, many renters are securing better (or at least fairer) deals, with a 40% decline in the real price of rental properties when adjusted for inflation.” Simply scrapping rent control like in Buenos Aires would be far more difficult in regulation-laden New York, of course. But, as Burgos notes, even permitting the de-regulation of vacant units could lead to significant improvement — without affecting current tenants. What he calls “vacancy control” stands in the way of the rent increases owners need to invest simply to comply with building codes and lead abatement laws — rather than leaving units vacant. The city’s Charter Commission could help by reducing property taxes or water rates for regulated units. But even a rapid deregulation might not be that consequential in much of the city. Census survey reports that the typical market-rate rent ($2,000) is not fantastically higher than the typical regulated rent ($1,500). In The Bronx, the typical rent for all units — including non-rent stabilized — is just $1,200. Market rents, in other words, can be close to regulated rents in lower-cost neighborhoods. Combined with a wave of vacant units coming back on the market and new investments, New York might follow (or at least tiptoe) in the footsteps of Buenos Aires. Such a move would not only benefit renters, it would save the city the expenses associated with an agency most metropolises don’t possess, the Rent Stabilization Guidelines Board, whose staff sets rent increase recommendations and monitors compliance. What’s more, property owners — including mom-and-pop landlords who own just a few buildings — would no longer have to incur the red tape headaches of registering their buildings every year — and either mailing or hand-delivering the required forms and fees, to be paid, for each unit, both to the state ($13) and the city ($20). Failing to do so means a $500 fine — per apartment. There have been attempts, led by the owners’ lobby, the Rent Stabilization Association (now part of the New York Housing Association), to upend the price control regime through the courts — without success. Most recently, the US Supreme Court declined a challenge based , in part, on the argument that rent regulation was effectively a legal “taking of an owner’s property, without compensation.” The fact that property owners sought to overturn rent regulation through the courts makes clear how difficult it is to change the system legislatively. But city and state officials should take notice of the changing leadership in Washington. In the first Trump Administration, a White House Executive Council singled out rent control for criticism, writing that it can lead to “restricted supply [which] ends up hurting some of the lower-income renters they are intended to help.” New York City’s budget relies on Washington for $100 billion in revenue, including from the Department of Housing and Urban Development — which could attach strings to that aid, including revisions to rent regulation or calling for it to end. Once back in office, Donald Trump — as he often does — could prove a wild card and deregulate New York City’s housing market. Howard Husock is a senior fellow in domestic policy at the American Enterprise Institute.

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The development, based in Faverdale Industrial Estate is set to include a wide range of amenities such as football and cricket training areas, golf simulators, a gym, a canteen, and even a dedicated padel tennis court, is designed to alleviate this pressure. The new complex aims to address the growing demand for accessible training spaces and amenities in Darlington. (Image: Ward and Sons Holdings Ltd) Francis Ward, director of Ward and Sons and the driving force behind the project highlighted the importance of this development for the town. As someone deeply involved in grassroots sports, Ward emphasised the challenges of finding suitable venues for local teams and coaches. He said: "As a coach for Hurworth Albion football club, I found it to be a real task to find somewhere to train in the winter indoors or outdoors. Same as all the other coaches in grassroots football. "As females are coming into football as fast as males, most clubs are struggling to accommodate for this growth. I also think any facilities can than keep kids off the streets in my opinion is a plus." Ward added: "I have spent years being involved in grassroots sports including boxing and football and I have always found it difficult to find a venue. Even now, we are still travelling to Middlesbrough and other areas to take part in a 6-a-side game as there is no availability in Darlington. "Darlington is a thriving town, with hundreds of new housing developments under construction and new infrastructure to go... Cian Mortimerthe peanut farmer who tried to restore virtue to the White House after the Watergate scandal and Vietnam War, then rebounded from a landslide defeat to become a global advocate of human rights and democracy, has died. . The Carter Center said the 39th president died Sunday, , at his home in Plains, Georgia, where he and his wife, who died in November 2023, lived most of their lives. A moderate Democrat, as a little-known Georgia governor with a broad grin, effusive Baptist faith and technocratic plans for efficient government. His promise to never 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 said. Carter’s victory over Republican Gerald Ford, whose fortunes fell after pardoning Nixon, came amid Cold War pressures, turbulent oil markets and social upheaval over race, women’s rights and America’s role in the world. His achievements included brokering Mideast peace by keeping Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin at Camp David for 13 days in 1978. But his coalition splintered under double-digit inflation and the 444-day hostage crisis in Iran. His negotiations ultimately brought all the hostages home alive, but in a final insult, Iran didn’t release them until the inauguration of Ronald Reagan, who had trounced him in the 1980 election. Humbled and back home in Georgia, Carter said his faith demanded that he keep doing whatever he could, for as long as he could, to try to make a difference. He and Rosalynn co-founded in 1982 and spent the next 40 years traveling the world as peacemakers, human rights advocates and champions of democracy and public health. Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, Carter helped ease nuclear tensions in North and South Korea, avert a U.S. invasion of Haiti and and Sudan. By 2022, the center had monitored at least 113 elections around the world. Carter was determined to as one of many health initiatives. the Carters built homes with Habitat for Humanity. The common observation that he was better as an ex-president rankled Carter. His allies were pleased that he lived long enough to see biographers and historians and declare it more impactful than many understood at the time. Propelled in 1976 by voters in Iowa and then across the South, Carter ran a no-frills campaign. Americans were captivated by the earnest engineer, and while an election-year Playboy interview drew snickers when he said he “had looked on many women with lust. I’ve committed adultery in my heart many times,” voters tired of political cynicism found it endearing. The first family set an informal tone in the White House, carrying their own luggage, trying to silence the Marine Band’s traditional “Hail to the Chief” and enrolling daughter, Amy, in public schools. Carter was lampooned for wearing a cardigan and urging Americans to turn down their thermostats. But Carter set the stage for an economic revival and sharply reduced America’s dependence on foreign oil by deregulating the energy industry along with airlines, trains and trucking. He established the departments of Energy and Education, appointed record numbers of women and nonwhites to federal posts, preserved millions of acres of Alaskan wilderness and pardoned most Vietnam draft evaders. , he ended most support for military dictators and took on bribery by multinational corporations by signing the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. He persuaded the Senate to ratify the Panama Canal treaties and normalized relations with China, an outgrowth of Nixon’s outreach to Beijing. But crippling turns in foreign affairs took their toll. When OPEC hiked crude prices, making drivers line up for gasoline as inflation spiked to 11%, Carter tried to encourage Americans to overcome “a crisis of confidence.” Many voters lost confidence in Carter instead after the infamous address that media dubbed his “malaise” speech, even though he never used that word. After Carter reluctantly agreed to admit the exiled Shah of Iran to the U.S. for medical treatment, the American Embassy in Tehran was overrun in 1979. Negotiations to quickly free the hostages broke down, and then eight Americans died when a top-secret military rescue attempt failed. Carter also had to reverse course on the SALT II nuclear arms treaty after the Soviets invaded Afghanistan in 1979. Though historians would later credit Carter’s diplomatic efforts for hastening the end of the Cold war, Republicans labeled his soft power weak. Reagan’s “make America great again” appeals resonated, and he beat Carter in all but six states. Born Oct. 1, 1924, James Earl Carter Jr. in 1946, the year he graduated from the Naval Academy. He brought his young family back to Plains after his father died, abandoning his Navy career, and . Carter reached the state Senate in 1962. After rural white and Black voters elected him governor in 1970, he drew national attention by declaring that “the time for racial discrimination is over.” Carter published more than 30 books and remained influential as his center turned its democracy advocacy onto U.S. politics, monitoring an audit of Georgia’s 2020 presidential election results. After Carter said he felt “perfectly at ease with whatever comes.” “I’ve had a wonderful life,” “I’ve had thousands of friends, I’ve had an exciting, adventurous and gratifying existence.” ___Brayden Long threw for 270 yards and a touchdown and Michael Henwood made a game-saving defensive play to lead Slippery Rock to a 14-7 victory over New Haven (8-3) in first round of the NCAA Division II tournament Saturday. With Slippery Rock (10-1) leading 14-7 late in the third quarter, New Haven’s Daelen Menard hit receiver Logan Schmidt for what looked to be a 60-yard touchdown. Henwood ran Schmidt down and punched the ball out at the 1-yard line, sending it out of the end zone for a touchback. Carson Heckathorn caught a 19-yard touchdown pass, Kylon Wilson scored on a 4-yard run and Logan Ramper caught six passes for 123 yards for SRU, which will visit top-seeded Kutztown next Saturday. Cal (Pa.) 30, East Stroudsburg 27 — Anthony Beitko kicked a 29-yard field goal as time expired to lift Cal (Pa.) (9-2) over East Stroudsburg (10-2) in the first round of the NCAA Division II playoffs. Davis Black threw for 239 yards and ran for two touchdowns for the Vulcans, who will face Ashland (Ohio) in the second round next Saturday. Sean McTaggart threw for 218 yards and two touchdowns for East Stroudsburg, which led 27-19 heading into the fourth quarter. Division I FCS Mercyhurst 21, St. Francis (Pa.) 20 — Adam Urena hit Cameron Barmore with a 29-yard touchdown pass with 42 seconds left in the fourth quarter, followed by a successful 2-point conversion pass from Urena to Ryan Welch, as Mercyhurst (4-7) defeated St. Francis (Pa.) (4-7). Urena threw for 240 yards and two touchdowns to Barmore, who caught eight passes for 129 yards. Nick Whitfield Jr. threw for 245 yards and two touchdowms for St. Francis, which led at halftime, 13-3.

Caprock Group LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Molson Coors Beverage ( NYSE:TAP – Free Report ) by 7.7% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 8,652 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 616 shares during the quarter. Caprock Group LLC’s holdings in Molson Coors Beverage were worth $498,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Family Firm Inc. acquired a new stake in Molson Coors Beverage during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $26,000. Altshuler Shaham Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Molson Coors Beverage during the second quarter worth $27,000. GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC lifted its position in Molson Coors Beverage by 83.8% in the 2nd quarter. GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC now owns 645 shares of the company’s stock valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 294 shares in the last quarter. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC acquired a new position in Molson Coors Beverage in the 3rd quarter worth $35,000. Finally, Gladius Capital Management LP bought a new position in Molson Coors Beverage during the 3rd quarter worth about $42,000. Institutional investors own 78.46% of the company’s stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research analysts recently issued reports on TAP shares. Wells Fargo & Company upgraded Molson Coors Beverage from an “underweight” rating to an “overweight” rating and increased their price objective for the stock from $52.00 to $74.00 in a report on Friday, November 8th. Hsbc Global Res downgraded shares of Molson Coors Beverage from a “hold” rating to a “moderate sell” rating in a report on Friday, November 8th. TD Cowen reduced their target price on shares of Molson Coors Beverage from $58.00 to $56.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, October 8th. Barclays raised their target price on shares of Molson Coors Beverage from $49.00 to $51.00 and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a research report on Monday, November 11th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft boosted their price target on shares of Molson Coors Beverage from $56.00 to $57.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 7th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have given a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Molson Coors Beverage has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $60.31. Molson Coors Beverage Trading Down 0.2 % TAP opened at $60.36 on Friday. The company’s 50 day moving average is $56.73 and its 200-day moving average is $54.46. The company has a market cap of $12.43 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.59, a PEG ratio of 2.35 and a beta of 0.82. Molson Coors Beverage has a 1-year low of $49.19 and a 1-year high of $69.18. The company has a current ratio of 0.99, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46. Molson Coors Beverage ( NYSE:TAP – Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, November 7th. The company reported $1.80 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.67 by $0.13. The firm had revenue of $3.04 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.13 billion. Molson Coors Beverage had a return on equity of 9.24% and a net margin of 6.78%. The business’s quarterly revenue was down 7.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.92 earnings per share. Equities research analysts predict that Molson Coors Beverage will post 5.78 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Molson Coors Beverage Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 20th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 6th will be issued a dividend of $0.44 per share. This represents a $1.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.92%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 6th. Molson Coors Beverage’s payout ratio is 39.64%. Molson Coors Beverage Company Profile ( Free Report ) Molson Coors Beverage Company manufactures, markets, and sells beer and other malt beverage products under various brands in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. The company offers flavored malt beverages including hard seltzers, craft, spirits and energy, and ready to drink beverages. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TAP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Molson Coors Beverage ( NYSE:TAP – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Molson Coors Beverage Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Molson Coors Beverage and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .Cal staves off Sacramento State for third straight win

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By Will Dunham, Reuters Jimmy Carter, the earnest Georgia peanut farmer who as US 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, has died at his home in Plains, Georgia, on Monday, the Carter Centre 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 honouring his memory by continuing to live these shared beliefs." A Democrat, he served as president from January 1977 to January 1981 after defeating incumbent Republican President Gerald Ford in the 1976 US 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 US 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 19 November, 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 US 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 Centre 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 neighbours. 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 unravelling, 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 percent 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 4 November, 1979, revolutionaries devoted to Iran's Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini had stormed the US 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 US 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 US 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 20 January 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 US 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 US ties with China. Carter created two new US 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 behaviour 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 vigourous 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 1 October, 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 labour 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. - ReutersGal Gadot reveals she had blood clot in her brain, emergency surgery

Introduction Last week, we dealt with the challenges of implementing value-based leadership in Africa and the role of Pan-Africanism and regional co-operation, followed by discussion of Nigeria as a model for Value-Based Leadership in Africa and opportunity for such leadership. Today we shall conclude on the Challenges And Opportunities For Value-Based Leadership In Africa. Enjoy. Challenges and opportunities for value-based leadership in Africa (continues). Nigeria’s “Missing Billions” In Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, corruption remains a significant obstacle to development. A glaring example of this is the $20 billion oil revenue scandal that rocked the country in 2014. The then-Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, raised alarm about $20 billion in oil revenue that was unaccounted for by the state-run Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). The scandal highlighted how deeply corruption runs in Nigeria’s oil sector. A critical industry that should be driving national development but has instead been a major source of government mismanagement and graft. The consequences of such corruption are devastating. Despite Nigeria being one of the world’s largest oil producers, over 90 million Nigerians still live below the poverty line as of 2024. Funds that could have been invested in infrastructure, healthcare, and education have been siphoned off by a small elite, leaving the majority of the population in poverty. South Africa’s state capture crisis South Africa, another major player on the continent, has also struggled with high-level corruption, particularly during the presidency of Jacob Zuma. The term “state capture” became synonymous with the Zuma era, referring to the undue influence of private business interests, specifically the Gupta family, over government decisions, BBC News. (2019). State capture: Zuma, the Guptas, and the sale of South Africa. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-8980964 Accessed on the 20th of October, 2024.). Between 2009 and 2018, South Africa witnessed the hollowing out of state institutions, including the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and state-owned enterprises like Eskom and Transnet, as the Zuma administration prioritised the interests of the Guptas over the public good (ibid). This period of state capture significantly damaged South Africa’s economy. Eskom, the country’s national electricity provider, was severely compromised, leading to rolling blackouts (referred to as “load-shedding”) that continue to plague the country to this day (IEA World. (2023). South Africa’s Gendered Electricity Crisis. IEA World. https://www.iea-world.org/south-africas-gendered-electricity-crisis/ Accessed on the 20th of October, 2024.). South Africa’s growth rate during the Zuma years stagnated, and unemployment, particularly among the youth, skyrocketed, exacerbating inequality in the nation. The effects of state capture on public trust were profound, with many South Africans losing faith in their political leaders and institutions. 2. Political Instability and Authoritarianism: Barrier to ethical leadership Another significant challenge to value-based leadership in Africa is the prevalence of political instability and authoritarian regimes. In many African countries, democratic processes are undermined by leaders who cling to power through authoritarian means, stifling dissent, and undermining the rule of law. This often leads to political crises, civil unrest, and coups, all of which create an environment in which value-based leadership cannot thrive. Zimbabwe’s long-running leadership crisis Zimbabwe under Robert Mugabe offers a case study in how authoritarian leadership can erode national institutions and stifle progress. Mugabe, who ruled Zimbabwe for 37 years, consolidated power through a combination of political repression, economic mismanagement, and cronyism. While Zimbabwe was once known as the breadbasket of Africa, Mugabe’s policies such as the controversial land reform program that displaced white farmers without a sustainable plan for agricultural productivity led to widespread food shortages, hyperinflation, and economic collapse. By 2008, Zimbabwe’s inflation rate had reached an astronomical 89.7 sextillion percent per month (Cato Institute. (2017). Zimbabwe Hyperinflates Again: Entering the Record Books for the Second Time in Less Than a Decade. Cato Institute. Accessed on the 20th of October, 2024.), effectively destroying the value of the national currency and pushing millions into poverty (ibid). The lack of value-based leadership during Mugabe’s reign decimated public trust in government and left Zimbabwe’s institutions in tatters. Although Mugabe was eventually forced out of power in a military coup in 2017 (ibid), his legacy of authoritarianism continues to hinder the country’s development. Mali and the rise of coups Political instability remains a persistent challenge in several African nations, particularly in West Africa. Mali has experienced multiple coups in recent years, most recently in 2021, when the military ousted the transitional government. The root causes of these coups are often tied to widespread dissatisfaction with corrupt and ineffective civilian governments. However, the frequent disruptions to the democratic process create a vicious cycle: coups lead to further instability, which undermines any attempts to build strong, value-based governance structures. In Mali, the absence of stable, ethical leadership has also contributed to the rise of extremist groups in the northern regions of the country. The lack of trust in government has created a power vacuum, allowing militant groups to gain ground and further destabilize the region. The situation in Mali is emblematic of the broader challenges facing many African nations, where the failure of leadership has opened the door to conflict, poverty, and underdevelopment. 3. Ethnic and Tribal Divisions: Impediments to Unity and Inclusive Leadership In many African countries, leadership is further complicated by ethnic and tribal divisions, which can fuel conflict and undermine national unity. Leaders who prioritize the interests of their ethnic or tribal group over the broader national interest perpetuate inequality and division, making it difficult to implement value-based leadership that serves the whole population. Kenya’s ethnic politics Kenya provides a prime example of how ethnic divisions can be weaponized in the political arena. Since independence, Kenya’s politics have been heavily influenced by ethnic allegiances, with major political parties often representing specific ethnic groups rather than national interests. This was starkly evident during the 2007–2008 post-election violence, in which more than 1,100 people were killed and 600,000 displaced. The violence erupted after disputed election results that many believed were manipulated along ethnic lines, pitting communities against each other. Although the situation has improved somewhat in recent years, ethnic tensions continue to influence Kenyan politics. In a country where leaders often play to their ethnic base to secure power, value-based leadership which prioritizes inclusivity and national unity remains a challenge. As Kenya prepares for future elections, the question of whether the country can move beyond ethnic politics and embrace leadership that serves all Kenyans remains an open one. South Sudan’s civil war The case of South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation, is another illustration of how ethnic divisions can thwart value-based leadership. South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011, but by 2013, it was engulfed in a brutal civil war, largely along ethnic lines, between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and those aligned with former Vice President Riek Machar. The war, which has left 400,000 dead and displaced millions, has its roots in longstanding ethnic rivalries between the Dinka and Nuer communities. The conflict in South Sudan is a tragic reminder of the consequences of leadership that prioritizes ethnic loyalty over national unity. For value-based leadership to take hold in South Sudan, leaders must work toward reconciliation and inclusivity, ensuring that all ethnic groups feel represented in the national government. Without this shift, the country risks continued division and underdevelopment. 4. Weak Institutions and Lack of Accountability: A Systemic Issue Many African nations struggle with weak institutions that lack the capacity to hold leaders accountable for their actions. In countries where the rule of law is fragile and institutions like the judiciary, law enforcement, and anti-corruption bodies are compromised, it becomes difficult to enforce value-based leadership. Leaders who are not held accountable for corruption, human rights abuses, or mismanagement can continue to act with impunity, perpetuating a cycle of bad governance. Guinea’s fragile democracy In Guinea, weak institutions have allowed leaders to manipulate the constitution for their benefit, undermining democratic norms. In 2020, President Alpha Condé pushed through a controversial constitutional change that allowed him to run for a third term, despite widespread protests. Condé’s actions sparked unrest and were widely seen as a betrayal of Guinea’s fragile democracy. Although he was eventually deposed in a coup in 2021, the damage done to Guinea’s institutions will take years to repair. The lack of strong, independent institutions in Guinea, as in many other African countries, makes it difficult to implement value-based leadership. Without effective checks and balances, leaders can subvert the democratic process to remain in power, often at the expense of the people. Way Forward: Blueprint for embedding value-based leadership in Africa As Africa marches toward a new era of global influence and economic growth, it is critical to recognize that sustainable progress will only come through value-based leadership. This leadership must be rooted in integrity, service, accountability, and an unwavering commitment to the well-being of the people. While challenges such as corruption, political instability, and ethnic divisions continue to undermine governance across the continent, the road to reform is not impossible. Through strategic interventions, Africa can cultivate a generation of leaders who will prioritize the public good over personal gain and bring about transformative change. Below is a blueprint for how this can be achieved. 1. Strengthening Institutions: Building the Pillars of Accountability The cornerstone of value-based leadership is the existence of strong, independent institutions that can hold leaders accountable. In many African nations, institutions such as electoral commissions, anti-corruption agencies, and the judiciary are compromised by political interference, leaving little room for ethical leadership to thrive. To reverse this trend, there must be a renewed focus on institutional reform. Electoral commissions need to be truly independent and transparent, ensuring that elections are free and fair. In countries like Nigeria, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has made strides, but much more needs to be done to safeguard the integrity of elections. Technological solutions such as real-time results transmission and biometric voter identification can help reduce electoral fraud, giving citizens confidence in the democratic process. Similarly, anti-corruption agencies must be empowered to investigate and prosecute corruption at all levels, without fear of political backlash. Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) are examples of institutions that can play a pivotal role in restoring trust in governance, provided they operate with full autonomy and sufficient resources. Moreover, the establishment of robust whistleblower protection laws will encourage citizens to expose corruption without fear of retribution, creating a culture of transparency and accountability. Judicial independence is equally vital. For value-based leadership to flourish, the courts must be free from political control, allowing them to uphold the rule of law impartially. African governments need to ensure that judicial appointments are based on merit and shielded from political influence, so that courts can act as impartial defenders of justice and hold leaders accountable when they overstep their bounds. 2. Investing in Leadership Education: Cultivating the Next Generation of African Leaders Africa’s future rests in the hands of its young population. With more than 60% of the continent’s people under the age of 25, it is imperative to invest in leadership education that promotes values like integrity, service, and ethical decision-making. The next generation of African leaders must be equipped with the tools and knowledge needed to navigate the complexities of governance with a strong moral compass. One critical area for reform is the education system. Leadership development should be integrated into school curricula, from primary education to university levels. This is not merely about teaching leadership theory but also about creating opportunities for students to practice leadership through community service, debate clubs, and student governance roles. Schools must foster a mindset of public service and accountability, shaping young minds to understand that true leadership is about making a positive impact on society. (To be continued). Thought for the week Ultimately, leadership is not about glorious crowning acts. It’s about keeping your team focused on a goal and motivated to do their best to achieve it, especially when the stakes are high and the consequences really matter. It is about laying the groundwork for others’ success, and then standing back and letting them shine – Chris Hadfield. Last line God bless my numerous global readers for always keeping faith with the Sunday Sermon on the Mount of the Nigerian Project, by humble me, Prof Mike Ozekhome, SAN, CON, OFR, FCIArb., LL.M, Ph.D, LL.D, D.Litt, D.Sc, DHL, DA. Kindly come with me to next week’s exciting dissertation.Macy’s Has ‘Cute and Comfy’ $35 Quilted Slippers on Sale for Just $12, and Shoppers Say They're a Great Holiday Gift

'I Was Worried' - Concern Grows For NFL Legend Terry BradshawWhy Miami’s Pop-Tarts Bowl appearance is important even after missing College Football Playoff

One of Squid Game Season 2’s most gruesome moments doesn’t come courtesy of the Netflix show’s violent games, but from a late season bathroom break. Throughout Squid Game Season 2, we know that one of the new season’s most charismatic contestants, the violet-haired, high-as-a-kite rapper “Thanos” ( Choi Seung-hyun ), has it out for crypto influencer Lee Myung-gi ( Yim Si-wan ). Player 230 Thanos, like many others drafted to play this round of Squid Game, lost all of his money investing in a phony crypto stock that Player 333 Myung-gi hyped on his channel. It doesn’t matter that Myung-gi also lost everything in the same gamble; Thanos hates Myung-gi. It’s a tense rivalry that finally boils over at the end of Squid Game Season 2 Episode 8 “O X,” leaving one of the young men murdered. **Spoilers for Squid Game Season 2, now streaming on Netflix** After the third round of games in Squid Game Season 2, the remaining players vote on whether or not they want to keep playing or go home, and the vote is tied. That means there will be a recount the next morning...which also means that with tensions high, violence amongst the players themselves is sure to break out. During a bathroom break, Myung-gi notices that Thanos is trying to bully more votes to his side and calls it out. What follows is first a verbal altercation between the two men that soon turns violent. As fighting breaks out amongst the rival tribes, Thanos comes close to choking Myung-gi to death, but Player 333 has a literal secret weapon. The game masters slipped a metal fork into his dinner. In a moment of desperation, Myung-gi stabs Thanos in the neck with the fork and then proceeds to stab more, killing the rapper. The moment Myung-gi kills Thanos seems to have an immense effect on the young man. He barricades himself in a bathroom stall for the rest of the fight and only returns to the dormitory after everyone else has left. It’s a sequence that Squid Game star Yim Si-wan told Decider was physically grueling on set and sure to have narrative repercussions when we reconnect with Myung-gi in Season 3. “The scene itself, as you could imagine, was not easy to shoot. It was a physically challenging one,” Squid Game star Yim Si-wan told Decider during a virtual roundtable. “The group of actors had to be trained before so that we can coordinate how we move in the scene.” “Also the experience of actually hurting the other person would, of course, cause an emotional distress. Or it would mean an inflection point to any character. So I think it would obviously have made some changes in how he behaves [going forward].” Up until that point, though, Myung-gi had been keeping a relatively low profile in Squid Game. Being responsible for many of the other players’ bad fortunes had already put a huge target on his back, but Yim explained to CinemaBlend’s Alexandra Ramos that he felt Player 333’s violent outburst spoke to the character’s intelligent. “To me, the character Myung-gi, even though he made a series of wrong decisions or choices before, he is actually a smart individual,” he said. “At that moment, he realized, even if he doesn’t take down the people, they’re hostile toward him. He would be the victim or the target of them. So that’s why, I think, that he decided to attack.” During that same roundtable, Yim Si-wan’s co-star Jo Yu-ri revealed that the rest of the characters might not know that Myung-gi is now a murderer. Jo Yu-ri, of course, plays Myung-gi’s pregnant ex-girlfriend, Kim Jun-hee (Player 222), who was also ruined by the crypto scam. At this point in the season, she offers her baby daddy some advice...not knowing he’s now a killer. “I think what Jun-hee was trying to do was telling Myung-gi not to lose his humanity,” Jo Yu-ri said. “Jun-hee actually had no idea what actually happened inside the restroom. Looking at Myung-gi and all of the blood on his face Jun-hee wouldn’t have imagined that Myung-gi actually already has one person got killed.” What’s going to happen if Player 222 learns 333 is a killer? Well, that’s something we assume Squid Game Season 3 will have to tackle...Iowa quarterback Cade McNamara released a statement Friday slamming the "100% false" media reports that suggested he had thrown his final pass for the Hawkeyes. McNamara has been sidelined since sustaining a concussion during the Oct. 26 win against Northwestern. Backup quarterback Brendan Sullivan has started the last two games for the Hawkeyes (6-4, 4-3 Big Ten) but is out with an ankle injury for Saturday's game at Maryland (4-6, 1-6). Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said earlier this week that Jackson Stratton will be the likely starter against the Terrapins if McNamara is unavailable. McNamara's cloudy status prompted speculation on a podcast this week that he was "not mentally ready to play." The podcast hosts from the Des Moines Register and The Athletic also suggested that McNamara -- who played three years at Michigan (2020-22) before transferring to Iowa -- is not "fit to play quarterback in the Big Ten right now." "We don't want to bury his career yet, but it does seem like that interception against Northwestern was his last snap as a Hawkeye," Leistikow said. McNamara, who passed for 1,017 yards with six touchdowns and five interceptions in eight games this season, released a statement updating his current status. "My status is the same as it's always been -- a proud member of this football team," he said. McNamara said he has not yet been cleared to play. He said he was cleared to practice on Sunday but suffered an "adverse reaction" and was unable to practice this week and therefore unable to travel with the team to Maryland. "I have been working with the University of Iowa doctors and trainers, a concussion specialist focused on vision training, as well as engaging in hyperbaric treatments as frequently as possible," McNamara said. "I have every intention to play versus Nebraska next Friday night and I am confident that my teammates will return from Maryland with a win." Including his time with the Wolverines, McNamara has completed 60.9 percent of his passes for 4,703 yards with 31 touchdowns and 15 interceptions in 34 games. --Field Level MediaThe US believes journalist Austin Tice is alive after disappearing in Syria in 2012, Biden says

Fulks puts up 26, Milwaukee defeats IU Indianapolis 88-81The NFL's security division is warning players to be aware of professional burglars targeting the homes of pro athletes. The Athletic reported Thursday that the NFL sent a memo to teams that outlines the threat. "The homes of professional athletes across multiple sports leagues have become increasingly targeted for burglaries by organized and skilled groups," read the memo, which was obtained by The Athletic. "Law enforcement officials have noted these groups appear to exploit team schedules to target athletes' homes on game days." NBC News reported Wednesday that law enforcement is working to figure out whether an international crime syndicate is involved. The Athletic reported that the memo includes tips for home security and also gives recommendations about the use of social media, such as not posting photos of items that would attract thieves. Players also learned via the memo how homes are targeted and how burglars enter. Mahomes hasn't said much about the burglary, other than to call it "disappointing" and "frustrating." "I can't get into too many of the details because the investigation is still ongoing," he said. "But obviously something that you don't want to happen to really anybody, but obviously yourself." It's not clear what was stolen from Mahomes' home in Belton, Mo., during the Oct. 6 incident. But Kelce apparently lost $20,000 in cash in the burglary at his home in Leawood, Kan., the following day when the Chiefs played the New Orleans Saints on "Monday Night Football," according to a police report. The burglary at the home of Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis in River Hills, Wis., occurred Nov. 2 during the Bucks' home game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He said the perpetrators "took most of my prized possessions" and is offering a reward for the return of his property. "Any info that leads to the return of any of my belongings will be rewarded handsomely," Portis said. "Let me know, thank you." --Field Level MediaRegrettably, 2024 was a good year for scammers. Colorado is on pace to see a bigger financial loss from scams by the end of 2024 than the nearly $190 million stolen in 2023. The mass use of artificial intelligence could be driving the surge, according to the Colorado Attorney General’s office. Long gone are the days of using clear misspellings, unprofessional website design and fishy email domains as reliable identifiers for online scams. With the recent explosion of artificial intelligence into everyday life, scammers have transitioned from using flashy pop-up advertisements to duplicating the voices of family members in fake emergency situations to extract money and information. “Artificial intelligence takes existing scam opportunities and puts them on steroids,” Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser said. The FBI Denver Field Office reported scammers stole $187 million from nearly 11,500 Coloradans in 2023. This was an increase of nearly $9 million over the 2022 dollar amount — an upward trend that shows no signs of slowing down in 2024. In 2023, the top three schemes with the largest dollar amount losses in Colorado were investment fraud ($60 million), business email compromise ($57 million) and tech support ($23 million), according to the FBI’s report. Weiser said his office has seen a record-breaking number of scam complaints since 2019, each year greater than the last. The complaints were reported through StopFraudColorado.gov , an education outreach program in the Attorney General’s Office where Coloradans can report cases of fraud and learn about online risks. In 2019, consumers in Colorado filed 9,819 complaints and inquiries with the Consumer Protection Section in the Attorney General’s office. During 2023, the number of complaints hit 20,390. According to the FBI Denver Field Office, Colorado ranks seventh in the nation for complaints per capita. “There’s no question that the use of AI is a part of what’s driving up those scams,” Weiser said. “I hate to say this because it will be a painful occasion, but I’m bracing myself for that number to go up this year,” he added. The most common types of complaints in 2023 were for unauthorized subscriptions and retail services, professional services, automobile sales and services, and home repair services. The fifth most common complaint alerted Weiser’s office of imposter scams. He gave the example of the “grandparent scam,” which involves targeting victims who have a grandchild traveling abroad. The scammer will contact the grandparent, either by email or phone, to tell them that their grandchild is in jail in a different country and they need money right away in order to be released. The selling point comes when scammers use AI to replicate the voice of the grandchild in a phone call, making it more believable. “One of the scary parts is many people have a hard time understanding the difference between the so-called deepfakes made by AI and what’s real, and the implication of this means that everybody needs to practice constant vigilance,” Weiser said. One of the telltale signs that something is a scam is a false sense of urgency. The pressure from the scammer to “act now before things get worse” can keep people from calling appropriate family members or authorities to make sure the call is real. “Don’t trust those calls. Hang up, and then you can call the right source — the bank, for example — and ask, ‘Is there anything going on with my account, or is this a scam?'” he said. “You will have saved yourself a lot of headache and a lot of money by proceeding carefully as opposed to acting immediately.” Weiser explained that the people most vulnerable to these scams are often younger internet users who are less experienced, and older adults who are perhaps overly trusting. “AI is not a brand-new technology, but the widespread use of ChatGPT has taken the adoption of AI to a new level,” Weiser said. Austin Hastings, assistant vice president and data analyst for Colorado-based Alpine Bank, said customers often see repeats of the same types of scams until people stop falling for them — after which scammers select a new strategy and use it until failure. “If there’s a big batch of people that fall for one scam and then ... people start talking to each other, posting things on social media, (they’re) not going to be able to compromise as many people,” he said. “They’re almost incentivized to ‘stay fresh.'” AI technology has been used by scammers to clone the voices of loved ones or employers (often paired with fake caller IDs), forge copies of trusted websites to steal login credentials, hijack smartphones and other devices with malware, and place fake QR codes over parking meters, restaurants and advertisements. Hastings said they’ve seen an increase in reports of fraud involving AI this year, mostly in the form of phishing rather than video or audio manipulation. Part of what’s behind the increase is the ability of AI to mass-produce email and website templates to look like the real thing. Alpine Bank, which serves over 170,000 customers across the state, suggests that its customers be extra vigilant around holidays as scammers are more active during seasons of high spending. Alpine Bank offers the following guidelines to help consumers avoid falling victim to sophisticated scams: “No. 1 would be, don’t click the link. But if you do, communicate it with the bank,” Hastings said. It’s better to report things right away, as timing can impact what kind of help victims can get from their bank. Alpine Bank has worked with victims of scams to recover funds, restrict accounts and coordinate with law enforcement. Another way to avoid becoming the target of scammers is restricting the sharing of personal data, an option enabled by the Colorado Privacy Act in 2021 . The act gives Coloradans the right to opt out of the sale of their personal data or its use for targeted advertising, as well as requiring entities to safeguard personal data. “It’s a dangerous world out there, and AI is making it more dangerous, so please protect yourself and protect those you love,” Weiser said.