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SOLAR POWER A cross Pakistan, a sweeping shift toward solar energy is underway as the adoption of solar installations, both large and small, accelerates across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. Spurred by falling costs and the promise of energy independence, this solar surge is reshaping the nation’s energy landscape. But as this transformation unfolds, it is also exposing a troubling divide. For many who cannot afford the upfront costs of solar systems, dependence on the grid is becoming increasingly costly. With the burden of grid maintenance falling disproportionately on grid-dependent consumers, Pakistan faces an energy crisis that could drive even deeper economic divides. Under Pakistan’s current net-metering policy, those who invest in solar, whether for home, business, or industry, enjoy significant savings. By generating their own electricity and selling excess power back to the grid, they can offset or even eliminate their utility bills. But this setup creates a critical imbalance. Grid-dependent consumers, many of whom are already struggling to afford their energy costs, are shouldering an increasing share of the costs needed to maintain and stabilize the grid. At a recent seminar organised by the Institute of Policy Studies, ‘Navigating the Solar Surge: Ensuring Equitable Energy Access in Pakistan’s Power Sector’, experts emphasised the urgency of addressing these disparities. As solar adoption continues to grow, the fixed costs of running the grid -- including transmission, distribution, and voltage control -- are being transferred to those who cannot afford to generate their own power. For low- and middle-income households, small businesses, and communities in underserved areas, these rising tariffs are already difficult to bear. According to Khalid Rehman, chairman of the Institute of Policy Studies, “Those who depend on the grid are effectively paying more to keep it running as solar adopters contribute less... We’re heading towards an energy system that could make electricity unaffordable for millions if adjustments aren’t made.” The financial strain on grid-dependent consumers has become evident, particularly in light of rising energy tariffs. With high inflation, families are facing impossible choices between basic living costs and their monthly energy bills. Those tied to the grid now bear an increasing share of costs for infrastructure and operations that solar adopters bypass. As a result, many low-income households and small businesses face the reality of energy poverty, where even essential power becomes unaffordable. Beyond financial impacts, the shift to solar is also testing the limits of Pakistan’s power infrastructure, which was designed for centralised, grid-based generation. The influx of distributed solar systems is introducing operational challenges, especially in managing energy flow fluctuations, a phenomenon known as the ‘duck curve’. During daylight hours, solar power floods the system, lowering demand on the grid; after sunset, demand surges as solar generation declines. This prevalent challenge of demand variation calls for immediate action on adopting better price signal mechanisms for daytime grid demand increase and managing economics. On the technical front, we have a plethora of options to consider. From advanced dispatch schedule models to flexible ramping products there is a variety of combinations available with the system operator to manage grid stability. Countries leading in renewable energy, such as Germany, Australia, and the US, have addressed similar issues by introducing policy reforms that promote equitable renewable adoption. Shifting from net metering to ‘net billing’, for example, ensures that solar exports are credited at a rate that reflects actual grid costs, rather than subsidising one group of consumers at the expense of another. Other measures, like minimum monthly fees and demand charges, also help distribute costs fairly, ensuring that all users contribute to grid upkeep. Pakistan, however, has been slow to adapt, leaving grid-dependent consumers with few protections as the shift to solar accelerates. If current policies remain unadjusted, the growing imbalance will only widen, leaving Pakistan’s most vulnerable consumers at risk of being left behind. For policymakers, the path forward is clear. As Abu Bakar, head of Energy and Sustainability at Amreli Steels, remarked at the seminar, Pakistan’s energy transition cannot leave grid-dependent consumers behind. He added that to be sustainable, this transition must benefit everyone, not just those who can afford to install solar systems. Creating a fair and resilient energy future for Pakistan means ensuring that grid-dependent consumers are not burdened with the costs of an unbalanced system. This will require policy reforms that protect these consumers from bearing an undue financial load, while also promoting the continued growth of solar. By rethinking net metering policies, incentivising investment in grid-stabilising technologies, and implementing fair cost-sharing measures, Pakistan can build an energy system that is both green and equitable. As the country moves toward a cleaner energy future, the benefits of solar should extend to all, not only to those who can afford the shift to solarisation. A just energy transition will require thoughtful, inclusive policy measures that balance the promise of solar with the pressing needs of those who remain fully reliant on traditional energy sources. A few visible options can be tagging buy-back rates to a floating percentage of your energy purchase price, imposing fixed charges to counter the cost shift on-grid consumers and also overhauling the regulatory structure of incentive schemes by incorporating exit clauses and introducing programme caps. The key here is not to reinvent the wheel but rather swift action by the policymakers to ensure a just transition for all. The writer is an energy economist with a focus on optimising global energy systems.TORONTO (AP) — The Utah Hockey Club said players were forced to walk to their game against the Maple Leafs after their bus got stuck in Toronto traffic Sunday night. The team posted a video on social media of team members walking to Scotiabank Arena, with player Maveric Lamoureux saying the bus was “not moving at all.” Several city streets had been closed during the day for the annual Santa Claus parade. The Maple Leafs earned their fourth consecutive win by defeating Utah 3-2. The viral incident prompted Ontario Premier Doug Ford to call the congestion “embarrassing” and “unacceptable,” highlighting his government’s plan to address the city’s gridlock through bike lane legislation. It wasn’t the first time a Toronto visitor had to ditch their vehicle to make it to an event on time. In June, former One Direction band member Niall Horan had to walk through traffic to get to his concert at Scotiabank Arena. AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels rushed for 127 yards, throwing for another 227 and for three touchdowns, including the game-winning touchdown pass to Zach Ertz. The Commanders staged a dramatic comeback from a 10-point deficit at half-time, sending them to the play-offs for the first time in four years. PLAYOFF BOUND!!!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/djmqZv3kH6 — Washington Commanders (@Commanders) December 30, 2024 The win was enough to give the Los Angeles Rams the NFC West title as it ended the Seattle Seahawks hopes ahead of their meeting in the final week of the season. The Falcons need other results to go their way along with a win over the Carolina Panthers in their final game. Saquon Barkley became the ninth running back in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards in a single season as the Philadelphia Eagles clinched the NFC East title with a victory over the Dallas Cowboys. The 27-year-old achieved the feat with a 23-yard run during the fourth quarter of the Eagles’ crushing 41-7 success at Lincoln Financial Field. Barkley is 100 yards short of Eric Dickerson’s record of 2,105 yards, set in 1984 for the Los Angeles Rams, ahead of next week’s regular season finale against the New York Giants. Single-season rushing record in reach. @saquon @Eagles pic.twitter.com/iSHyXeMLv1 — NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2024 However, he could be rested for that game in order to protect him from injury ahead of the play-offs. The Minnesota Vikings scored their ninth consecutive win after hanging on to beat the Green Bay Packers 27-25. Sam Darnold threw touchdowns to Cam Akers, Jordan Addison and Jalen Nailer, pushing his total for the season to 35. The victory set up a final-week showdown with the Detroit Lions for both the division title and top seed in the NFC. The Miami Dolphins kept themselves in the play-off race with a 20-3 victory over the Cleveland Browns. With Dolphins’ quarterback Tua Tagovailoa out with a hip injury, replacement Tyler Huntly threw for 225 yards and a touchdown. he BAKED today 👨🍳 pic.twitter.com/eFX9fd1w5P — NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2024 Miami will need to beat the New York Jets and hope the Denver Broncos lose to the Kansas City Chiefs to clinch the final AFC wildcard berth. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers kept alive their dreams of reaching the play-offs by overcoming the Carolina Panthers 48-14. Veteran quarterback Baker Mayfield produced a dominant performance at Raymond James Stadium, registering five passing touchdowns to equal a Buccaneers franchise record. The Buffalo Bills clinched the AFC conference number two seed for the post season with a 40-14 success over the New York Jets at Highmark Stadium. Josh Allen passed for 182 yards and two touchdowns, while rushing for another. Buffalo finish the 2024 regular season undefeated at home, with eight wins from as many games. The Indianapolis Colts’ hopes of reaching the play-offs were ended by a 45-33 defeat to the Giants. FINAL: Drew Lock accounts for 5 TDs in the @Giants victory! #INDvsNYG pic.twitter.com/N8HJYth09F — NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2024 Malik Nabers exploded for 171 yards and two touchdowns and Ihmir Smith-Marsette broke a 100-yard kick-off return to give the Giants their highest-scoring output under head coach Brian Daboll. Quarterback Drew Lock threw four touchdown passes and accounted for a fifth on the ground to seal the win. Elsewhere, Mac Jones threw two touchdowns to help the Jacksonville Jaguars defeat the Tennessee Titans 20-13, while the Las Vegas Raiders beat the New Orleans Saints 25-10.NEW YORK (AP) — Shohei Ohtani wins his third MVP and first in the NL following a historic offensive season with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
There were topics Pat Narduzzi wanted to discuss with reporters Monday at his final regular-season news conference of 2024. Eli Holstein wasn’t one of them. But the manner in which Pitt’s starting quarterback suffered a lower-body injury was certainly up for discussion. The last question of the 18-minute news conference concerned Holstein’s condition after he left Pitt’s game at Louisville on Saturday with what looked like a serious injury. Holstein’s game action ended at that point, but he did return to the field on crutches and watched the rest of Pitt’s 37-9 defeat. Nardzzi offered no medical update on Holstein, but he did acknowledge the injury is not season-ending. “We get a hip-drop tackle (on Holstein), which is illegal in the NFL,” he said. “That’s two in two weeks. You would think if the National Football League says it’s too dangerous, we (college football) would say it’s too dangerous.” The textbook hip-drop tackl e occurs when a defender grabs a ball carrier from the side and swivels his hips away from his opponent, elevates his feet and allows his unsupported body weight, including his hips, to land on the other man’s legs. The NFL banned the hip-drop tackle in March after reviewing 20,000 tackles from the previous two seasons. The league said hip-drop tackles cause lower extremity injuries at a rate 20 times higher than other tackles. It’s also illegal in rugby and Australian Rules Football. “I don’t know if people are coaching it. I know we don’t coach it,” Narduzzi said. “I haven’t seen one done yet by our football team. If it’s being coached, it’s bad for the game of college football.” Narduzzi said the hip-drop tackle can become even more problematic next season under new roster limitations in the pending House vs. NCAA settlement. If Holstein can’t play, Nate Yarnell is next in line. His backup in the Louisville game was walk-on David Lynch, not Ty Dieffenbach, who is on scholarship. Narduzzi indicated that Lynch, a redshirt freshman from East Greenwich, R.I., has made a more significant impact in practice than Dieffenbach, a redshirt freshman from Calabasas, Calif. “When you get your snaps, you’ve got to make your snaps worthwhile,” Narduzzi said. “And it just seemed like we weren’t getting what we wanted out of Ty right now. I don’t care if you’re a walk-on or scholarship player.” Narduzzi previously chose walk-on kicker Sam Scarton over Ben Sauls, who finally won the job in 2022 and has become one of the nation’s best this season. “We’re playing the best players. We’re trying to win football games,” Narduzzi said. “We felt David gave us the best chance of winning right now. Doesn’t mean that Ty doesn’t have more talent. But you have to have talent on the field. You have to have it between the ears and (have) work and effort into it to be that guy. When you get three snaps in practice as a backup or third-team guy, you’ve got to make them mean something. “I feel bad for Ty. Love him. He’s a great kid. But you’ve got to be ready. Maybe he would have been a gamer, done a better job. I don’t know.” On the subject of his team’s fourth consecutive loss, Narduzzi blamed poor run defense, interceptions (one thrown by each of the three quarterbacks) and his two failed decisions to convert fourth-and-short. The first interception by Holstein was on the goal line at the end of what Narduzzi called “just a beautiful drive.” “This is what it’s supposed to look like. It’s a game of emotion and momentum and we got a little deflated there.” Of his decision-making, Pitt’s coach — as he has done many times during the losing streak — shouldered the blame after defending the decisions immediately after the game Saturday. “The days go by and 48 hours later, I’m a knucklehead,” he said. “I should have just punted the ball, played field position. You’re playing a top 20 offense (No. 15 now). We knew Louisville was talented on offense. Don’t put our defense in that position. “I told our team (Sunday) night, that’s on me. I have to know that maybe we’re shorthanded on offense (by injuries). Don’t want to say wave the white flag, but be smart and punt it away and make them go 90.”Shohei Ohtani wins his third MVP and first in the NL following a historic offensive season with the Los Angeles Dodgers
Biden Orders Gov't Org Responsible for Weather Forecasts to Use 'Special' Indian KnowledgeTiger Woods will not play in Hero World Challenge
Private aviation entrepreneur Kenny Dichter is getting phygital on his new journey to reinvent the sports and lifestyle experience space, announcing partnerships with FanDuel and BetMGM this afternoon. Dichter helped broaden access to private jets via jet card start-ups Marquis Jet Partners in 2001 and then Wheels Up in 2013. For private flyers, the guaranteed availability jet cards made booking private flights as easy as an email, phone call or tapping on an app. As a thank you for spending hundreds of thousands and millions of dollars, both offered hospitality at top sporting events, including the Super Bowl and Masters golf championship. Those events, where high net worth members mixed with each other, star athletes and performers, created longstanding friendships and even business partnerships. It also inspired his newest venture. After exiting Wheels Up last year, he launched REAL SLX this past September. Phygital is described as leveraging digital and physical experiences to create a more robust customer experience and, in the process, gaining a bigger share of wallet. Via REAL SLX, partners like FanDuel and BetMGM, both digital businesses, will now be able to reward key customers with money can't buy access and experiences during marquee sporting events. According to Dichter, who appeared with Scott Wapner on CNBC this afternoon, REAL SLX will hold what he describes as its 2025 tent-pole events during the Super Bowl in New Orleans, the Women's Collegiate Basketball Final Four in Tampa, the Masters golf tournament week in Augusta, the Kentucky Derby in Louisville, the U.S. Open Tennis Championships in New York City and the Ryder Cup, being held at Bethpage State Park on Long Island. Previous Dichter events enabled his millionaire next-door private jet clients to rub elbows with top entertainers, athletes, coaches and executives from the worlds of music and sports. They included the likes of Hall of Fame NFL superstar Deion Sanders, now the head football coach at the University of Colorado and four-time Super Champion Joe Montana to Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred and Deputy Commissioner Noah Garden and often ended up in Page Six . Pollster Frank Luntz on CNN said of Dichter's latest endeavor, "There's a company in the process of being founded that's going to offer real people a real opportunity to get behind the scenes, to jump the ropes, to get in the front row of the things that matter most to them and is being led by somebody I'm calling the Willy Wonka of 2024, and he's got a whole bunch of golden tickets to give to anyone tired of politics and just wants to have fun." Rao's, the New York City eatery where you must know a regular to get a reservation, and its Chef Dino Gatto will be part of the events. In addition to the famous meatballs, Dichter events typically featured Q&A sessions with famous athletes and musical performances in a setting that provided a convivial atmosphere, something he says not only created memories and friendships but also a host of business deals. Dichter says there are no plans to sell individual memberships this time, meaning access will be via his corporate partners. The start-up's debut will be next month at the PGA versus LIV Golf match in Las Vegas, where Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler will face off against Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka. Dichter says, "As the official experience partner, we'll provide special access and hospitality for our members and partners."NEW YORK , Nov. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Halper Sadeh LLC, an investor rights law firm, is investigating the following companies for potential violations of the federal securities laws and/or breaches of fiduciary duties to shareholders relating to: Liberty Broadband Corporation (NASDAQ: LBRDA)'s sale to Charter Communications, Inc. for 0.236 of a share of Charter common stock per share of Liberty Broadband common stock. If you are a Liberty shareholder, click here to learn more about your legal rights and options . Berry Global Group, Inc. (NYSE: BERY)'s sale to Amcor plc for 7.25 Amcor shares for each Berry share. Upon closing of the proposed transaction, Berry shareholders will own approximately 63% of the combined company. If you are a Berry shareholder, click here to learn more about your rights and options . Retail Opportunity Investments Corp. (NASDAQ: ROIC)'s sale to Blackstone for $17.50 per share. If you are a Retail Opportunity shareholder, click here to learn more about your rights and options . Premier Financial Corp. (NASDAQ: PFC)'s sale to WesBanco, Inc. for 0.80 of a share of WesBanco common stock for each share of Premier common stock. If you are a Premier shareholder, click here to learn more about your rights and options . Halper Sadeh LLC may seek increased consideration for shareholders, additional disclosures and information concerning the proposed transaction, or other relief and benefits on behalf of shareholders. We would handle the action on a contingent fee basis, whereby you would not be responsible for out-of-pocket payment of our legal fees or expenses. Shareholders are encouraged to contact the firm free of charge to discuss their legal rights and options. Please call Daniel Sadeh or Zachary Halper at (212) 763-0060 or email sadeh@halpersadeh.com or zhalper@halpersadeh.com . Halper Sadeh LLC represents investors all over the world who have fallen victim to securities fraud and corporate misconduct. Our attorneys have been instrumental in implementing corporate reforms and recovering millions of dollars on behalf of defrauded investors. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Contact Information: Halper Sadeh LLC Daniel Sadeh, Esq. Zachary Halper, Esq. One World Trade Center 85th Floor New York, NY 10007 (212) 763-0060 sadeh@halpersadeh.com zhalper@halpersadeh.com https://www.halpersadeh.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/shareholder-investigation-halper-sadeh-llc-investigates-lbrda-bery-roic-pfc-on-behalf-of-shareholders-302314338.html SOURCE Halper Sadeh LLPThe Centre for Ageing Better said data analysed on its behalf suggested more than a fifth of people in this age group are living in a poor-quality home that could be making their existing health condition worse. It said people from black and minority ethnic backgrounds, those living in London and those who have a serious health condition or disability are more likely to be affected. Data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing covering 2022/23 was analysed by the National Centre for Social Research on behalf of the charity. It found an estimated 4.5 million people aged 50 or older in England with a health condition aggravated by the cold are living in a home with one or more serious problems. Some 2.8 million were aged between 50 and 70, while 1.7 million were aged 70 and older. Health conditions included respiratory diseases, congestive heart failure, heart disease and lung conditions, including asthma. Housing problems identified in the research included damp, water leaks, bad condensation, electrical or plumbing problems, rot and decay. While some 2.2 million people over 50 with health and housing problems owned their home outright, the biggest proportion of people (51%) with such issues lived in rented accommodation. The charity said older renters with a health condition were up to three times more likely to have five or more issues with their home than someone in the same age group who owns their home. Those with a health condition that can be affected by poor housing who had a significant issue in their homes were most likely to live in London (52%) followed by the North East (35%) and the North West (35%), the West Midlands and the East of England (both on 28%), and the South West (27%). Almost half (46%) of people aged 50 and above from black and minority ethnic backgrounds with one of the health conditions had at least one problem with their home, which the charity said amounted to almost 500,000 people. Among white people in this age group it was just under one in three (32%). The research also suggested people from black and minority ethnic backgrounds living with a health condition were also more than twice as likely to have five or more issues with their housing compared with their white counterparts – 15% compared with 6%. Dr Carole Easton, the charity’s chief executive, said not only does the research show the difficulties faced by those living in poor housing, but it is also “very bad news” for both the economy and the NHS. She said: “Our latest research shows that our poor-quality housing crisis is putting people with health conditions in their 50s, 60s and beyond, in harm’s way. “This is obviously terrible for those individuals who live in homes that carry a very real risk of making them sick, particularly when winter comes around. “But it is also very bad news for the country. Older workers living in homes that are making their health conditions worse are going to be less likely to be able to work and help grow the economy. “Older people whose serious health conditions are made worse by their homes will require treatment, putting additional winter pressures on our health system. “All could be averted if we tackled poor-quality housing with the urgency and priority it demands.” Holly Holder, deputy director for homes at the charity, said the Government must “fix this hidden housing crisis by delivering a national strategy to tackle poor quality housing across all tenures and committing to halving the number of non-decent homes over the next decade”. She added: “No-one should have to live in a home that damages their health, yet it is the norm for far too many people in England today. “By failing to address poor-quality homes we are limiting the lives of some of the country’s poorest and most vulnerable people. “Our new analysis shows that the combination of health and house problems are most likely to impact groups of people who are already disadvantaged by multiple health and wealth inequalities.” A Government spokesperson said: “Despite the challenging inheritance faced by this Government, through our Plan for Change we’re taking action to improve housing conditions across all tenures and ensure homes are decent, safe and warm – especially for the most vulnerable. “We’re consulting on reforms to the Decent Homes Standard next year to improve the quality of social and privately rented housing, and introducing Awaab’s Law to both sectors to tackle damp, dangerous and cold conditions for all renters in England. “Our warm homes plan will also help people find ways to save money on energy bills and deliver cleaner heating, with up to 300,000 households to benefit from upgrades next year.”
Malema speaks against infiltration of the EFF, takes jab at ZumaJimmy Carter wore a button-down shirt in Khartoum. It was a sweltering morning and the sun shone on the Nile as the clamorous city was rousing to life. Carter was in the Sudanese capital to monitor the 2010 election that was certain to extend the rule of autocrat Omar Hassan Ahmed Bashir, who had been indicted on international charges of crimes against humanity. Carter was not deterred. He believed the first multiparty election in decades — no matter how flawed — would bring the war-scarred country closer to democracy. His blue eyes agleam, his trousers pressed, the former president, a wanderer accustomed to the planet's cruel and harsh predicaments, offered coffee and pastries in his hotel room. He was optimistic but knew well what could happen when leaders with outsize ambitions controlled holy men and armies. I was in town covering the story for the Los Angeles Times, and a representative from the Carter Center called and invited me to breakfast. Carter, who died Sunday at 100 , was president when I was a teenager. I knew him well from TV — that swoop of hair, Southern accent and disarming resolve that confronted a post-Watergate world of gas lines, inflation, the Iranian hostage crisis and a sense that America was adrift. His presidency had been much maligned. But his second act as humanitarian, house builder, Guinea worm exterminator and Nobel Peace Prize winner was a portrait of perseverance and grace. An aide greeted me when I entered the hotel room. She quietly vanished. Carter walked in and sat on a small couch. Coffee was poured. A Danish slid onto a plate, a bit of fruit. Fishing boats were busy in the currents below and tea ladies dressed in plumes of colors stoked fires beneath blackened kettles on the corners. Carter spoke about Sudan — its possibilities and dangers, and the fact that in coming months the country's south, with its vast oil reserves, would hold an independence referendum on whether to secede from the north. Would Bashir relinquish the south to let it be governed by a former enemy in a cowboy hat, who presided over a territory with fewer than 100 miles of paved roads and a population that was 80% illiterate? Carter knew the personalities and pitfalls, the egos and secrets, the maps and ledgers. He had traveled across Sudan; years earlier he'd brokered a ceasefire in its civil war. He always went to the source, to places of refugees, poverty, disease and despair. To see and bear witness, much like the Bible school teacher he was back in Plains, Ga. He didn't know what would happen. But he had hope. The sun rose higher in the midmorning sky. The room quieted. "You're based in Cairo," he said. "Yes." He leaned closer. "Tell me about things," he said. "What's happening?" I felt like I was being quizzed by a man who had read countless dossiers and was intimate with the rise and fall of power. It was at once intimidating and bracing. The restlessness and anger in the Arab world were nearing a breaking point that would erupt months later. Tunisia would ignite into nationwide protests. An uprising in Egypt would bring down President Hosni Mubarak. Tremors would spread from Syria and Yemen and from Libya to Bahrain. There were few inklings when we met of what would unfold, but the Middle East that Carter had spent so much time navigating was about to come undone yet again. He mostly wanted to discuss the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the possibilities, no matter how remote, of any progress toward reconciliation on that front. In 1978, Carter had held talks at Camp David with Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat that would lead to a historic peace treaty. Carter believed then — apparently wrongly, given the problems that would come — that the pact would bring wider regional stability. And he hoped it would one day lead to a two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians. Carter would later face criticism for his opinions on the issue. Many Jews and others were angered by his 2006 book, "Palestine Peace Not Apartheid," which they saw as painting Israel as an aggressor and being overly sympathetic to Palestinians. Carter defended the book as well as his meetings with Hamas, which critics argued enhanced the stature of the militant group that the U.S. and Israel consider a terrorist organization. Carter later told an audience in Cairo that apartheid "is the exact description of what's happening in Palestine now." But his vision remained focused, his commitment to peace unwavering. Three years later, in his book "We Can Have Peace in the Holy Land," Carter wrote: "Everyone who engages in Middle East peacemaking is bound to make mistakes and suffer frustrations. Everyone must overcome the presence of hatred and fanaticism, and the memories of horrible tragedies. Everyone must face painful choices and failures in negotiations. Nevertheless, I am convinced that the time is ripe for peace in the region." It was questionable then, and appears no less easier now. Carter had been in hospice since before Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7 and killed some 1,200 people. Israel has been retaliating with an ongoing bombardment of the Gaza Strip that health authorities there say has killed more than 45,000 Palestinians. The Carter Center released a statement late last year saying: "The violence must stop now. There is no military solution to this crisis, only a political one that acknowledges the common humanity of both Israelis and Palestinians, respects the human rights of all, and creates a path for both societies to live side by side in peace." It would have been good to have heard Carter's own voice, his Southern-inflected resolve and traveler's wisdom. What struck me most in that Khartoum hotel room were his empathy and his insatiable need to know. He was relentless in his pursuit, to track down threads and unfold scenarios, to follow the great maneuverings and go where needed — like to Sudan, where years earlier he'd landed to try to help end fighting between Bashir's troops and rebels who later ascended to power in a new country. Bashir was overthrown in 2019, and Sudan is again in turmoil. It is difficult to mend the hard corners of the world. To find justice amid the stain of transgression. Carter's gift was his capacity to wonder; to know the bitter truths and imagine something better. ©2024 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
US Plan For Fiji Buildup Follows ‘Hijacking’ of Island Nation’s Democracy to Flip It Against China
NEW YORK -- As New York City prosecutors work to bring murder charges against Luigi Mangione in the brazen killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, supporters of the suspect are donating tens of thousands of dollars for a defense fund established for him, leaving law enforcement officials worried Mangione is being turned into a martyr. Several online defense funds have been created for Mangione by anonymous people, including one on the crowdfunding website GiveSendGo that as of Sunday morning had raised over $100,000. NOTE: The video above is from a previous report. The GiveSendGo defense fund for the 26-year-old Mangione was established by an anonymous group calling itself "The December 4th Legal Committee," apparently in reference to the day Mangione allegedly ambushed and gunned down Thompson in Midtown Manhattan as the executive walked to his company's shareholders conference at the New York Hilton hotel. "We are not here to celebrate violence, but we do believe in the constitutional right to fair legal representation," the anonymous group said in a statement. The crowdfunding campaign prompted donations from thousands of anonymous donors across the country, many of them leaving messages of support for Mangione, including one person who called themselves "A frustrated citizen" and thanked Mangione for "sparking the awareness and thought across this sleeping nation." The GiveSendGo fund for Mangione appeared to be briefly taken down before it was restored on Thursday. In a statement to ABC News, a spokesperson for GiveSendGo said the company "operates with a principle of not preemptively determining guilt or innocence." "Our platform does not adjudicate legal matters or the validity of causes. Instead, we allow campaigns to remain live unless they violate the specific terms outlined in our Terms of Use. Importantly, we do allow campaigns for legal defense funds, as we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to access due process," the GiveSendGo spokesperson said. The spokesperson added, "We understand the concerns raised by such campaigns and take these matters seriously. When campaigns are reported, our team conducts a thorough review to ensure they comply with our policies. While other platforms may choose a different approach, GiveSendGo's core value is to provide a space where all individuals, no matter their situation, can seek and receive support, with donors making their own informed decisions." Other crowdfunding sites such as GoFundMe have also taken down campaigns soliciting donations for Mangione's defense. "GoFundMe's Terms of Service prohibit fundraisers for the legal defense of violent crimes," the crowdfunding website said in a statement. "The fundraisers have been removed from our platform and all donors have been refunded."Amazon and Etsy have removed from their websites merchandise featuring Mangione, including T-shirts and tote bags reading "Free Luigi" and the phrase "Deny, Defend, Depose," words police said were etched in the shell casings discovered at the scene of Thompson's homicide. "Celebrating this conduct is abhorrent to me. It's deeply disturbing," Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg told ABC News senior investigative reporter Aaron Katersky in an interview Wednesday night. "And what I would say to members of the public, people who as you described are celebrating this and maybe contemplating other action, that we will be vigilant and we will hold people accountable. We are at the ready." Prosecutors at the Manhattan district attorney's office have begun presenting evidence to a grand jury as they work to try to secure an indictment against Mangione, sources told ABC News on Thursday. Mangione's attorney, Thomas Dickey of Altoona, Pennsylvania, where the suspect was arrested Monday following a five-day manhunt, said his client is presumed innocent and will plead not guilty to any charges filed against him. Mangione is contesting extradition to New York. Asked about people contributing to Mangione defense funds that have popped up, Dickey said, "People are entitled to their opinion and, like I said, if you're an American and you believe in the American criminal justice system, you have to presume him to be innocent and none of us would want anything other than that if that were us in their shoes. So, I'm glad he had some support." In a later interview on CNN, Dickey said he is leaning toward not accepting any money from his client's supporters for his defense. "To be honest with you, I probably wouldn't," Dickey told CNN. "I just don't feel comfortable about that. So, I don't know. I haven't given that much thought. Obviously, my client appreciates the support that he has, but I don't know, it just doesn't sit right with me, really." Retired FBI special agent Richard Frankel said that in previous politically-charged violent crimes, suspects have received unsolicited support. "We saw it with the Unabomber," said Frankel, an ABC News contributor, referring to Ted Kaczynski -- the mathematician-turn-domestic terrorist who blamed technology for a decline of individual freedom and mailed handcrafted explosives to targeted individuals between 1978 and 1995. Frankel said Eric Rudolph, who detonated a bomb in Atlanta's Centennial Olympic Park during the 1996 Olympic Games and carried out three additional bombings as he eluded capture for five years, also attracted supporters. "In my opinion, they're supporting individuals who have committed potentially terrorist acts, but it's a politically charged act," Frankel said Referring to the Thompson killing, Frankel added, "You can be up in arms about the healthcare industry, but you can't threaten or actually hurt members of the healthcare industry." Most recently, Marine veteran Daniel Penny was acquitted of criminally negligent homicide in the chokehold death of Jordan Neely, a homeless man who was acting erratically on a New York City subway, after supporters donated more than $3 million to his legal defense fund. Law enforcement officials have expressed concern that Mangione is being turned into a martyr. Someone this week pasted "wanted posters" outside the New York Stock Exchange naming other executives. A bulletin released Wednesday by the Delaware Valley Intelligence Center, a multi-agency law enforcement intelligence-sharing network based in Philadelphia, included a photo of a banner hanging from an overpass reading, "Deny, Defend, Depose." "Many social media users have outright advocated for the continued killings of CEOs with some aiming to spread fear by posting 'hit lists,'" the bulletin, obtained by ABC News, reads. Meanwhile, New York Police Department investigators continue to build a murder case against Mangione, who is being held in Pennsylvania on charges stemming from his arrest there, including illegal possession of ghost gun and fraudulent identification. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to the charges in Pennsylvania. On Wednesday, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said that the three shell casings recovered at the scene of Thompson's shooting matched the gun found in Mangione possession when he was arrested. She also confirmed that Mangione's fingerprints were recovered from a water bottle and the wrapper of a granola bar found near the crime scene.