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WASHINGTON - Jimmy Carter held a unique place in US politics: he was the oldest former president and a Nobel peace laureate, but his one term in office was forever tainted by his inability to end the 1979 Iran hostage crisis. Carter, who died Sunday at the age of 100, arguably wielded his greatest influence not during his 1977-1981 term in the White House, but in the decades following, when he served as a global mediator, rights activist and elder statesman. The Southern Democrat, who left 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in January 1981 after a crushing election loss to Ronald Reagan, was perceived as naive and weak in the dog-eat-dog world of Washington politics. Even within his own party, the Georgia native with the broad toothy grin -- a "born-again" Christian who taught Sunday school well into his 90s -- was something of a persona non grata for a long time. But as the years passed, a more nuanced image of Carter emerged, one that took in his post-presidential activities and reassessed his achievements, like the brokering of a peace deal between Israel and Egypt. He placed a commitment to human rights and social justice at the core of his tenure as the 39th president of the United States. That dedication later served as the cornerstone of The Carter Center, which he founded in 1982 to pursue his vision of world diplomacy, earning broad international praise. Carter represented a new generation of Southern men who were more tolerant and progressive on issues of race. The former president -- who had been both a naval officer and a peanut farmer -- heartily embraced his roots. "I am a Southerner and an American," said Carter, a virtual unknown on the national political scene when he launched his presidential campaign ahead of the 1976 election. - From farm to White House - James Earl Carter Jr. -- the full name he rarely used -- was born on October 1, 1924 in the small farm town of Plains, Georgia, south of Atlanta -- the same town where he lived out his golden years. After seven years in the navy, where he worked on the nuclear submarine program and rose to the rank of lieutenant, he returned home to run the family peanut farm. But eventually, politics came calling. He served in Georgia's state senate and took over as governor in 1971. Only a few years later, his unlikely White House bid began. Carter arrived in Washington in January 1977, sworn in to head a country needing a strong leader to dispel the gloom left over from the Vietnam War, the Watergate scandal and a deep recession. For the first time since 1968, the Democrats controlled the White House and Congress, so hopes were high as Carter took office. - 'Extraordinarily difficult' - He enjoyed a strong first two years, with high approval ratings. A shining moment of his term in office was the historic 1978 Camp David Accords signed by Israel's Menachem Begin and Egypt's Anwar Sadat, which ultimately led to a peace treaty the following year. Carter also established diplomatic relations with China following the rapprochement initiated by then-president Richard Nixon, and endorsed solar energy, even installing solar panels on the White House. But his administration hit numerous snags, the most serious being the Iran hostage crisis and the disastrous failed attempt to rescue the 52 captive Americans in 1980. His handling of the renewed oil crisis in 1979-1980 was also sharply criticized. Images of cars lined up at gas stations were long associated with his presidency. In the wake of Carter's defeat at the polls, the Democratic Party weathered a political storm -- 12 years of Republican presidents in Reagan and George H.W. Bush. Even now, few Democrats claim to be picking up Carter's mantle. In a biography published in 2010, historian Julian Zelizer, a professor at Princeton University, said Carter had fallen victim to "an extraordinarily difficult set of circumstances that would have challenged any president." - 'Best ex-president' - But Carter bounced back in perhaps the most spectacular reinvention of any US leader and was often called America's "best ex-president." Carter founded his eponymous center in Atlanta and emerged as a prominent international mediator, tackling some of the most intransigent global dilemmas -- including North Korea and Bosnia in the 1990s. He monitored dozens of elections around the world, from Haiti to East Timor, and went to Cuba in 2002 for a historic meeting with then longtime communist leader Fidel Castro to prod him on human rights. Carter won a host of awards including the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize and the highest US civilian award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He won three Grammys for best spoken-word album, a category that included audiobooks. Carter maintained a busy schedule into his 90s. He and wife Rosalynn helped build houses for the charity Habitat for Humanity for decades. Rosalynn died in November 2023 at age 96. The couple had three sons and a daughter. In August 2015, Carter revealed he had cancer on his brain and was undergoing radiation treatment. At the time of his diagnosis, Carter said that while the presidency was the "pinnacle" of his political career, "life since the White House has been personally more gratifying." During a church service in November 2019 in Plains, Carter looked back -- with serenity, and a touch of humor -- at his battle with cancer. "I assumed, naturally, that I was going to die very quickly," he said. "I obviously prayed about it. I didn't ask God to let me live, but I asked God to give me a proper attitude toward death." "And I found that I was absolutely and completely at ease with death."Tasmanian tiger resurrection team announces bold new plan for Australia

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Rethink the university Top management seems to believe that adding buildings, departments, and students is synonymous with institutional success The concept of a university in Pakistan has long been misunderstood and misapplied, reduced to a model that prioritises physical expansion and quantity over quality. Across the country, university leadership tends to equate success with more academic departments, larger student intakes, and grander physical infrastructure. Yet, despite this expansion, public-sector universities remain trapped in a perpetual financial crisis, struggling to meet their basic operational expenses. This situation reflects not only an economic inefficiency but also a broader misunderstanding of the purpose and role of a university. In Pakistan, the university model is often about ‘bricks and mortar’ rather than the intellectual and innovative pursuits that define world-class institutions. Top management seems to believe that adding buildings, departments, and students is synonymous with institutional success. The fundamental question, however, is whether these additions translate into intellectual growth, research excellence, and societal progress. Unfortunately, the answer is often no. Our universities have become degree mills, churning out graduates who are ill-equipped to think critically, innovate, or contribute meaningfully to society. At the heart of this issue lies a glaring misallocation of resources. Public-sector universities, with their limited budgets, prioritise infrastructure over faculty development and intellectual enrichment. They could aptly be called ‘professor-less universities’, as the bulk of their funding is spent maintaining physical structures rather than investing in the human capital needed to drive academic excellence. Faculty members, who should be the cornerstone of any university, are often underfunded, under-trained, and sidelined in the decision-making process. Even more troubling is the imbalance between faculty and supporting staff in Pakistani universities. When compared to neighbouring countries, Pakistan has an alarmingly high ratio of non-academic to academic staff. This bureaucratic bloat adds significant costs while contributing little to the university’s intellectual output. Rather than focusing on nurturing a vibrant academic culture, universities are bogged down by excessive administrative overheads. The current university model in Pakistan seems primarily designed to distribute degrees rather than provide a meaningful education. Students often leave these institutions with diplomas in hand but without the critical thinking, creativity, or problem-solving skills needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world. The global benchmark for universities is institutions like Stanford, where innovation, intellectual rigor, and societal impact are key metrics of success. In stark contrast, Pakistani universities lack the ‘thinking component’ that distinguishes great academic institutions. This culture of intellectual stagnation is pervasive. Faculty rarely engage in critical thinking or cutting-edge research, and students are rarely encouraged to question, explore, or innovate. This lack of a thinking culture stifles innovation and growth, both within universities and in society at large. How can a nation progress when its centers of learning are devoid of critical thought? The relevance of universities globally is already under scrutiny in the era of artificial intelligence (AI) and rapid technological advancement. As the nature of work evolves, traditional degree programs are becoming less relevant, with employers increasingly valuing skills, creativity, and adaptability over academic credentials. In this context, Pakistani universities risk becoming even more obsolete if they do not adapt. To remain relevant, universities in Pakistan must embrace this global shift and align their curricula, teaching methods, and institutional objectives with the demands of the modern world. This requires a fundamental rethinking of what a university is and what it should aim to achieve. At its core, a university should be a hub for knowledge creation, critical thinking, and innovation. It should foster an environment where students and faculty are encouraged to question assumptions, explore new ideas, and contribute meaningfully to society. To achieve this, Pakistan’s university model must undergo a complete transformation: Universities must prioritise intellectual pursuits over physical expansion. This means creating an academic culture that values critical thinking, creativity, and research. Faculty should be empowered to pursue innovative research and engage students in meaningful intellectual discussions. Students, in turn, should be encouraged to question, explore, and think independently. Faculty is the backbone of any university. Investing in their training, research opportunities, and professional growth is essential. Universities should allocate significant resources to attract, retain, and develop talented faculty members who can inspire students and drive academic excellence. The excessive administrative overhead in Pakistani universities must be addressed. By streamlining operations and reducing bureaucratic inefficiencies, universities can redirect resources toward academic priorities. A leaner administrative structure would also help create a more dynamic and responsive academic environment. The curriculum in Pakistani universities needs a complete overhaul. It should be designed to equip students with the skills, knowledge, and adaptability needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Emphasis should be placed on interdisciplinary learning, problem-solving, and hands-on experiences. The transformation of universities cannot be dictated solely by top management or external stakeholders. Faculty members must play a central role in this process. Universities should foster a culture of open debate and collaboration among faculty to develop a shared vision for the future. The transformation of universities in Pakistan requires a collective effort. Policymakers, university leaders, faculty, students, and society at large must engage in a broader debate about the purpose and role of higher education. This debate should not be confined to boardrooms or policy documents; it must permeate the academic community and the public sphere. At the same time, action is needed. Universities must begin implementing reforms that align with their core mission of creating a thinking society. This requires courage, vision, and a willingness to challenge the status quo. It also requires adequate funding and a commitment to prioritising intellectual enrichment over physical expansion. The current university model in Pakistan is unsustainable and ineffective. It fails to prepare students for the challenges of the modern world, stifles innovation, and drains resources without delivering meaningful outcomes. To address these issues, Pakistan must reimagine its universities as centers of thought, creativity, and innovation. This requires a fundamental shift in priorities, from infrastructure and bureaucracy to faculty and intellectual pursuits. The writer is associate professor at the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE). He can be reached at: dr.iqbaln@gmail.comThese travelers are fed up, looking for 'simpler times.' Here's where they're going.

EAST LANSING, Mich. — The sight was a common one for Andrew Kolpacki. For many a Sunday, he would watch NFL games on TV and see quarterbacks putting their hands on their helmets, desperately trying to hear the play call from the sideline or booth as tens of thousands of fans screamed at the tops of their lungs. When the NCAA's playing rules oversight committee this past spring approved the use of coach-to-player helmet communications in games for the 2024 season, Kolpacki, Michigan State's head football equipment manager, knew the Spartans' QBs and linebackers were going to have a problem. "There had to be some sort of solution," he said. As it turns out, there was. And it was right across the street. Kolpacki reached out to Tamara Reid Bush, a mechanical engineering professor who not only heads the school's Biomechanical Design Research Laboratory but also is a football season ticket-holder. Kolpacki "showed me some photos and said that other teams had just put duct tape inside the (earhole), and he asked me, 'Do you think we can do anything better than duct tape,?" Bush said. "And I said, 'Oh, absolutely.'" Bush and Rylie DuBois, a sophomore biosystems engineering major and undergraduate research assistant at the lab, set out to produce earhole inserts made from polylactic acid, a bio-based plastic, using a 3D printer. Part of the challenge was accounting for the earhole sizes and shapes that vary depending on helmet style. Once the season got underway with a Friday night home game against Florida Atlantic on Aug. 30, the helmets of starting quarterback Aidan Chiles and linebacker Jordan Turner were outfitted with the inserts, which helped mitigate crowd noise. DuBois attended the game, sitting in the student section. "I felt such a strong sense of accomplishment and pride," DuBois said. "And I told all my friends around me about how I designed what they were wearing on the field." All told, Bush and DuBois have produced around 180 sets of the inserts, a number that grew in part due to the variety of helmet designs and colors that are available to be worn by Spartan players any given Saturday. Plus, the engineering folks have been fine-tuning their design throughout the season. Dozens of Bowl Subdivision programs are doing something similar. In many cases, they're getting 3D-printed earhole covers from XO Armor Technologies, which provides on-site, on-demand 3D printing of athletic wearables. The Auburn, Alabama-based company has donated its version of the earhole covers to the equipment managers of programs ranging from Georgia and Clemson to Boise State and Arizona State in the hope the schools would consider doing business with XO Armor in the future, said Jeff Klosterman, vice president of business development. XO Armor first was approached by the Houston Texans at the end of last season about creating something to assist quarterback C.J. Stroud in better hearing play calls delivered to his helmet during road games. XO Armor worked on a solution and had completed one when it received another inquiry: Ohio State, which had heard Michigan State was moving forward with helmet inserts, wondered if XO Armor had anything in the works. "We kind of just did this as a one-off favor to the Texans and honestly didn't forecast it becoming our viral moment in college football," Klosterman said. "We've now got about 60 teams across college football and the NFL wearing our sound-deadening earhole covers every weekend." The rules state that only one player for each team is permitted to be in communication with coaches while on the field. For the Spartans, it's typically Chiles on offense and Turner on defense. Turner prefers to have an insert in both earholes, but Chiles has asked that the insert be used in only one on his helmet. Chiles "likes to be able to feel like he has some sort of outward exposure," Kolpacki said. Exposure is something the sophomore signal-caller from Long Beach, California, had in away games against Michigan and Oregon this season. Michigan Stadium welcomed 110,000-plus fans for the Oct. 26 matchup between the in-state rivals. And while just under 60,000 packed Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon, for the Ducks' 31-10 win over Michigan State three weeks earlier, it was plenty loud. "The Big Ten has some pretty impressive venues," Kolpacki said. "It can be just deafening," he said. "That's what those fans are there for is to create havoc and make it difficult for coaches to get a play call off." Something that is a bit easier to handle thanks to Bush and her team. She called the inserts a "win-win-win" for everyone. "It's exciting for me to work with athletics and the football team," she said. "I think it's really exciting for our students as well to take what they've learned and develop and design something and see it being used and executed." Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Do you struggle to get a solid 40 winks every night? You might want to try a product that's gone viral online now that it's (finally!) back in stock — and on sale — at Amazon. has plenty of fans, including who swears she has a "seven-minute window before I pass out" after spraying this on her pillow. Tired of counting sheep? This combination of melatonin and essential oils aims to help soothe frazzled nerves and ease you into a deep, restorative sleep. This spray rarely stays in stock long at Amazon (let alone on sale). With this deal, you can score each bottle in the three-pack for just under $6 apiece — not bad at all for the promise of a more restful night. contains melatonin, a hormone your body produces in response to darkness. It helps regulate your sleep-wake cycle and can be used as a supplement to help you conk out at night, according to . The spray also contains scents of and , both of which have been shown to improve sleep quality. It's important to point out that research has been done only on melatonin that people ingest (drink or swallow), not receive olfactorily (via their nose). But an army of 4,600-plus Amazon shoppers swear by . Pros 👍 "A couple of sprays and I drifted off to sleep without tossing and turning! Was meaning to only take a one-hour power nap, but it turned out to be a three-hour nap! I'm not complaining about it. ... I know I will sleep good tonight!" "This really helped myself and my children get good rest," . "After dinner and baths, I sprayed the beds and pillows right before bed and my children were asleep shortly after. I like that it's not very strong and my children had no issues with feeling groggy the next morning." "I know melatonin doesn't work like a sleeping pill, but there's something about this that makes me go to sleep so easily," . "And it just smells so great when I go into my room. I'm just inhaling deeply because it smells so wonderful, and the scent lingers. It even stays on my pajamas and I just smell so good. I love it. My husband is very sensitive to smells and he does not mind the smell of this." Cons 👎 While most shoppers like the scent, a few reported the opposite. "So I'm not thrilled with the smell, but I do think it helps with relaxation," explained . "I mean the smell isn't horrible, but [it's] not something I would pick." cautions users that a little goes a long way. "I sprayed my entire flat sheet but not my pillows," they explained. "Well, I forgot the ceiling fan was on and it moved the mist over the entire bed area, including my pillows. ... I felt the spray on my lips, my face, my hands and it tingled. It took about an hour to dissipate so I can't say it helped me fall asleep quickly. Since then, I only do one spritz near the foot of my bed without the fan on, much better results." This dermatologist-tested spray is cruelty-, paraben- and phthalate-free. If you have , you'll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. . (And by the way, those without still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.) DeWalt 20V Cordless Handheld Vacuum Shark 2-in-1 Pet Pro Cordless Vacuum iRobot Roomba Robot Vacuum Hometopia Outdoor Faucet Cover, 2-Pack Magnelex Magnetic Wristband Pulidiki Car Cleaning Gel Rubbermaid Reveal Power Scrubber Khelfer Electric Spin Scrubber Levoit OasisMist Smart Hotspring Mist Humidifier DeWalt 20V Max Cordless Drill and Impact Driver Solo Stove Mesa XL Our Place Always Pan 2.0 Keurig K-Café Barista Bar Ninja Foodi 8-Quart DualZone Air Fryer KitchenAid Classic Series 4.5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer

League of Women Voters December Lunch & Learn Should Nebraska Support a Convention of the States?Egyptian-Gulf alliance launches Mahawer Developments with EGP 7bn investmentThe corner of 53rd Avenue and 18th Street in Bettendorf received extra light Sunday night as Chabad Lubavitch of the Quad Cities lit a menorah for Hannukah. Sunday marked the fifth night of the festival which lasts eight days and nights. The event commemorates a period in Jewish history when Assyrian-Greeks took control of Jerusalem and tried to ban Jewish customs and religious practices. But a small group of Jewish people fought and drove them from Jerusalem, reclaiming the temple. Despite having a one-day supply of oil to light the menorah in the temple, it stayed lit for eight days. The holiday is celebrated by traditions such as singing songs, playing the game of dreidel and eating oil-based foods such as latke, a potato pancake, as well as lighting menorahs. Hannukah, also spelled Chanukkah, spreads the message that good triumphs evil and light will conquer darkness, according to a news release from Chabad. People are also reading... "At this fraught time for the Jewish community, with war in Israel and American Jews facing a major rise in antisemitism, this year we are doing more to celebrate Hanukkah with joy and Jewish pride,” said Rabbi Shneur Cadaner. “The menorah and Hanukkah represent freedom of the human spirit, freedom from tyranny and oppression, and of the victory of good over evil.” At Sunday's ceremony, battery operated votive candles were spread out among the crowd as the rabbi and his wife, Chana Cadaner, spoke about the significance of lighting candles to commemorate bringing light into the world. "We add light to the world and we make it a better place," she said, asking participants to turn on their lights one by one. "We are a community that spreads light no matter how dark it may seem around us." This year’s celebrations carried extra significance as it marks 50 years since the first public menorah was lit at the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia in 1974. The public menorah was lit after the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, launched a worldwide campaign in 1973 to build awareness and promote observance of Hanukkah, according to a news release. As a small crowd gathered at the busy intersection in Bettendorf, Mayor Bob Gallagher lit the ceremonial first candle on the menorah and wished a peaceful and happy holiday to all. The Quad-Cities' menorah is one of more than 15,000 large public menorahs throughout the world, including menorahs in front of the White House, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, the Great Wall of China and Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate. Hanukkah Menorah Lightning 2023 Joe McCoy lights the giant menorah at 18th St. and 53rd Ave., the future home of the Chabad Center, on Sunday in Bettendorf. The Quad Cities Jewish community gathered to light a giant menorah on the fourth day of Hanukkah. Guests smile after the first candle is lit Sunday on the giant menorah at 18th St. and 53rd Ave. in Bettendorf. The Quad Cities Jewish community gathered to light a giant menorah on the fourth day of Hanukkah on Sunday, Dec. 10, in Bettendorf. Rabbi Shneur Cadaner holds the torch to light the giant menorah on Sunday, December 10, in Bettendorf. The Quad Cities Jewish community gathered to light a giant menorah on the fourth day of Hanukkah on Sunday, December 10, in Bettendorf. Robert Lewis, a retired chef, gives a blessing in Hebrew before lighting a candle on the menorah on Sunday, December 10, in Bettendorf. The Quad Cities Jewish community gathered to light a giant menorah on the fourth day of Hanukkah on Sunday, December 10, in Bettendorf. Mayor of Bettendorf, Bob Gallagher, speaks to guests before the menorah lighting ceremony on the fourth day of Hanukkah on Sunday, December 10, in Bettendorf. The Quad Cities Jewish community gathered to light a giant menorah on the fourth day of Hanukkah on Sunday, December 10, in Bettendorf. The Quad Cities Jewish community gathered to light a giant menorah on the fourth day of Hanukkah on Sunday, December 10, in Bettendorf. Stay up-to-date on what's happening Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly! {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.

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via ZUMA/ Alamy Reaction returns with the daily briefing on 6 January and Iain Martin's newsletter later that week. Until then, Happy New Year from our team. Prepare for a tarrifying age - Tim Marshall, Reaction columnist And lo! On the 20th day, the Orange One will rise in the West and there shall be a tarrifying age. In the East, there will be gnashing of teeth and the Dragon will trade blow for blow, but its ships will sail many oceans because it knows that a fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult. The Germani shall choose a new leader, but remain a House divided, and the Angel Merkel will weep. But unto them, and their neighbours, shall come gold to build a mighty army, but still the Orange One will tarrify. The Bear shall cease smiting, but only to rest a while before it smites once more. The Israelites too shall rest on their swords, but then look Eastwards, beyond the Euphrates, and hear rumours of war. The scent of Musk shall be all around and incense many, but the Geek shall inherit the Earth. And, oh Believers, Leeds United will return to the Promised Land that is known as the Premier League. And they were amazed. Prepare for an epic Musk-Trump fallout - Rachel Cunliffe, New Statesman's associate political editor and former deputy editor at Reaction I am done making predictions. Between Brexit, the Covid pandemic and Russia invading Ukraine, pretending to be prophetic has started to seem rather pointless. But here's one thing I'm virtually certain of: in 2025, best bros Donald Trump and Elon Musk will have the most epic falling out. Oh I know they seem inseparable now, with Musk reinventing himself as Trump's right-hand man to slash the government and using the social media site he bought as the unofficial mouthpiece for the Trump Presidency 2.0. But think about it. Do either of these men strike you as content to play second fiddle? They are both the very definition of Main Character Syndrome. Musk will get... REACTION