Drew Quartermaine ( Cameron Mathison ) and Willow Corinthos’ ( Katelyn MacMullen ) illicit tryst on General Hospital , which was caught on video, is made public in the most embarrassing way, leaving the cheating duo to face the music. Mathison admits he never expected the story to take the twists and turns it has when he first started sharing scenes with MacMullen, whose Willow is already married to Michael Corinthos. “It felt very much initially like a chemistry test between the two of us,” he recalls. “Katey and I always worked really well together, and then all of a sudden, Drew and Willow dabbled into a little bit more than just a close friendship, and I had no idea that it would be to this extent. I had no idea that it would blow up Port Charles. I had no idea that Drew’s character would almost do a 180 as far as what he’s willing to do and the sacrifices he’s willing to make for this love for this woman. So, it’s way bigger and wilder and more disruptive than I ever could have imagined, which I say in an exciting way.” Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Cardlytics reports that card-linked cash-back offers represent a strategic stocking stuffer for smart shoppers navigating the expensive holiday landscape. Click for more. Holiday spending hacks: How to unwrap savings without sacrificing festive cheer
Several major updates have emerged on Trevor Zegras' devastating knee injury
Consumer Reports: Fraud reports spike 125% due to fake online salesStunning photos show lava erupting from Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano
New Delhi: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, on Saturday inaugurated India's first bio-bitumen-based National Highway stretch on NH-44 in Mansar, Nagpur, Maharashtra. This stretch has been developed using lignin-based bio-bitumen technology by Praj Industries, in collaboration with CSIR - Central Road Research Institute (CRRI), National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), and Oriental. The use of lignin as a sustainable binder marks a significant breakthrough in flexible pavement technology, addressing the challenge of bitumen scarcity and reducing India's dependency on imports, which currently constitute 50 per cent of the total supply. This innovation contributes to global sustainability goals by generating revenue for bio-refineries, mitigating stubble burning, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 70 per cent compared to fossil-based bitumen. Leveraging India's abundant lignocellulosic biomass, this development aligns with the nation's vision for sustainable industrial growth. Speaking on the occasion, Gadkari emphasised that fostering advancements in green technologies and promoting industrial sustainability aligns with Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji's vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. He highlighted that this initiative paves the way for large-scale domestic production and a self-reliant, sustainable future for India. Speaking to the media after the event, Gadkari said, "There are 400 projects in the country to make CNG from biomass...CNG is much cheaper than petrol, and the pollution caused by CNG is also less than petrol... CNG saves a lot of money...farmers will benefit a lot from this." Earlier, the Union Minister, speaking in Jaipur informed that currently, 400 projects are in process, and 40 of them are already completed. CNG is being produced from parali in these projects and this has resulted in the use of a total of 60 lakh tonnes of parali, which has helped reduce pollution, he stated. He further added that due to the burning of stubble in Punjab and Haryana, there is a problem of pollution in Delhi. "Now we are making CNG from the rice straw...Now the farmers, who are the 'annadata' and 'urjadata,' will become 'bitumendata'... This will help in creating value from waste and benefit the farmers also," he added.AP Trending SummaryBrief at 5:32 p.m. EST
It's been a while since Katherine Webb has made headlines but that all changed this week. Webb, who was named Miss Alabama USA in 2012, has officially agreed to a deal with CollXab, a public relations agency that is run by Arleigh Banner. The brand promises to handle its client's future partnerships with great care. "Katherine is more than a beauty queen," CollXab wrote on Instagram . "She's a force to be reckoned with—beauty, brains, and a magnetic TV presence. Remember Miss Alabama USA 2012 and that iconic 2013 BCS National Championship moment? Say no more. Welcome aboard, Katherine." Here's more on CollXab's CEO : She has spent her career planning and managing high-profile events for clients whose profiles range from diverse industries. She has secured extensive press coverage, social impressions and increased visibility for countless brands by sourcing and securing successful partnerships and marketing opportunities. Along the way, she has formed lasting, genuine relationships with a network of influencers, VIPs and decision-makers at national talent and PR agencies. Webb shared this announcement from CollXab on her own Instagram page. View the original article to see embedded media. Webb became a fan favorite in the college football world during the 2013 BCS National Championship Game. At that time, she was dating Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron. McCarron and Webb have been married since 2014. They share three sons together. McCarron has not yet commented on Webb's latest career move. Hopefully, the next chapter of Webb's career is an awfully successful one. Related: 3 Best Swimsuit Photos Of AJ McCarron's Wife, Katherine Webb
A 20-foot “snow lady” with long eyelashes, pink gloves and a jaunty cap is captivating Alaska residents, according to reports. Her name is “Snow Ella,” and she was created by Cyrus Aldeman, owner of Anchorage Trolley Tours, according to the Anchorage Daily News. Aldeman and helpers used a telephone pole as the base, the news outlet reported, and they had to start using donated snow after their original supply was melting. He said Snow Ella was inspired by Anchorage’s famed Snowzilla . In a Dec. 18 Facebook post, Aldeman thanked “my whole team” for bringing her to life. A search on social media shows plenty of evidence that people and groups in Anchorage are making pilgrimages to see the snow lady, with posters sharing messages like, “Me and the home girl Snow-Ella wanna wish you and your family a Merry Christmas!” Snow Ella drew some critiques on Reddit , including for her snowy coat that’s not exactly pristine white. But others wrote things like, “she’s cute!!!” and “this thing rules” and, simply, “spectacular!” Aldeman said he thinks she’s lovely . “I think she looks great, she’s spunky, she’s weird, she’s different,” he told KTUU. “I think she’s perfectly imperfect....I love her.” Man builds 15-foot tumbleweed snowman in New Mexico. Learn the touching reason why Man found pulling sled full of items stolen from homes and cars, Washington cops say Driver stops to pee and raids crashed FedEx truck for Christmas gifts, Indiana cops say
WASHINGTON — American Airlines briefly grounded flights nationwide Tuesday because of a technical problem just as the Christmas travel season kicked into overdrive and winter weather threatened more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. Government regulators cleared American flights to get airborne about an hour after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered a national ground stop for the airline. The order, which prevented planes from taking off, was issued at the airline's request. The airline said in an email that the problem was caused by trouble with vendor technology that maintains its flight operating system. An American Airlines employee wearing looks toward quiet check-in counters Tuesday in the American terminal at Miami International Airport in Miami. Dennis Tajer, a spokesperson for the Allied Pilots Association, a union representing American Airlines pilots, said the airline told pilots at 7 a.m. Eastern that there was an outage affecting the system known as FOS. It handles different types of airline operations, including dispatch, flight planning, passenger boarding, as well as an airplane's weight and balance data, he said. Some components of FOS have gone down in the past, but a systemwide outage is rare, Tajer said. Flights were delayed across American's major hubs, with only 37% leaving on time, according to Cirium, an aviation analytics company. Out of the 3,901 domestic and international American Airlines flights scheduled for Tuesday, 19 were canceled. Cirium noted that the vast majority of flights departed within two hours of their scheduled departure time. A similar percentage — 36% — arrived at their destinations as scheduled. Meanwhile, the flight-tracking site FlightAware reported that 3,712 flights entering or leaving the U.S., or serving domestic destinations, were delayed Tuesday, with 55 flights canceled. It did not show any flights from American Airlines. Cirium said Dallas-Fort Worth, New York's Kennedy Airport and Charlotte, North Carolina, saw the greatest number of delays. Washington, Chicago and Miami experienced considerably fewer delays. Travelers wait in line for security checks Tuesday at the Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles. Amid the travel problems, significant rain and snow were expected in the Pacific Northwest at least into Christmas Day. Showers and thunderstorms developed in the South. Freezing rain was reported in the Mid-Atlantic region near Baltimore and Washington, and snow fell in New York. Because the holiday travel period lasts weeks, airports and airlines typically have smaller peak days than they do during the rush around Thanksgiving, but the grind of one hectic day followed by another takes a toll on flight crews. Any hiccups — a winter storm or a computer outage — can snowball into massive disruptions. That is how Southwest Airlines stranded 2 million travelers in December 2022, and Delta Air Lines suffered a smaller but significant meltdown after a worldwide technology outage in July caused by a faulty software update from cybersecurity company CrowdStrike. Many flights during the holidays are sold out, which makes cancellations even more disruptive than during slower periods. That is especially true for smaller budget airlines that have fewer flights and fewer options for rebooking passengers. Only the largest airlines, including American, Delta and United, have "interline agreements" that let them put stranded customers on another carrier's flights. An American Airlines employee wearing a Santa Claus hat walks through the American terminal Tuesday at Miami International Airport in Miami. This will be the first holiday season since a Transportation Department rule took effect that requires airlines to give customers an automatic cash refund for a canceled or significantly delayed flight. Most air travelers were already eligible for refunds, but they often had to request them. Passengers still can ask to get rebooked, which is often a better option than a refund during peak travel periods. Finding a last-minute flight on another airline tends to be expensive. An American spokesperson said Tuesday was not a peak travel day for the airline — with about 2,000 fewer flights than the busiest days — so the airline had somewhat of a buffer to manage the delays. The groundings happened as millions of travelers were expected to fly over the next 10 days. The Transportation Security Administration expects to screen 40 million passengers through Jan. 2. Airlines expect to have their busiest days on Thursday, Friday and Sunday. American Airlines employees check in travelers Tuesday in the American terminal at Miami International Airport in Miami. Many flights during the holidays are sold out, which makes cancellations more disruptive than during slower periods. Even with just a brief outage, the cancellations have a cascading effect that can take days to clear up. About 90% of Americans traveling far from home over the holidays will be in cars, according to AAA. "Airline travel is just really high right now, but most people do drive to their destinations, and that is true for every holiday," AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz said. Gasoline prices are similar to last year. The nationwide average Thursday was $3.04 a gallon, down from $3.13 a year ago, according to AAA. Charging an electric vehicle averages just under 35 cents per per kilowatt hour, but varies by state. Transportation-data firm INRIX says travel times on the nation's highways could be up to 30% longer than normal over the holidays, with Sunday expected to see the heaviest traffic. "It's not the destination, it's the journey," said American essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson. Ralph clearly was not among the travellers on one of more than 350 cancelled or 1,400 delayed flights after a worldwide tech outage caused by an update to Crowdstrike's "Falcon Sensor" software in July of 2023. U.S. airlines carried nearly 863 million travellers in 2023, with Canadian carriers accounting for another 150 million, many of whom experienced lost luggage, flight delays, cancellations, or were bumped off their flights. It's unclear how many of them were compensated for these inconveniences. Suffice it to say, posting a crabby rant on social media might temporarily soothe anger, but it won't put wasted money back in pockets. Money.ca shares what to know in order to be compensated for the three most common air travel headaches. Bags elected to go on a vacay without you? Check off the following: If you expect a large payout, think again. Tariffs (air carrier contracts) limit the compensation amounts for "loss of, damage to, or the delay in delivery of baggage or other personal property." In the case of Air Canada, the maximum payout is $1,500 per passenger in the currency of the country where the baggage was processed. To raise that limit, purchase a Declaration of Higher Value for each leg of the trip. The charge is $0.50 for each $100, in which case the payout limit is $2,500. For Delta Air Lines, passengers are entitled to up to $3,800 in baggage compensation, though how much you'll receive depends on your flight. Delta will pay up to $2,080 for delayed, lost, and damaged baggage for international travellers, almost half of what U.S. domestic passengers can claim. If your flight is marked delayed for more than 30 minutes, approach the gate agent and politely request food and hotel vouchers to be used within the airport or nearby. Different air carriers and jurisdictions have their own compensation policies when flights are delayed or cancelled. For example, under European Union rules, passengers may receive up to 600 Euros, even when travelling on a non-EU carrier. Similarly, the DOT states that travellers are entitled to a refund "if the airline cancelled a flight, regardless of the reason, and the consumer chooses not to travel." However, US rules regarding delays are complicated. Some air carriers, such as Air Canada, do not guarantee their flight schedules. They're also not liable for cancellations or changes due to "force majeure" such as weather conditions or labour disruptions. If the delay is overnight, only out-of-town passengers will be offered hotel accommodation. Nevertheless, many airlines do offer some compensation for the inconvenience. If your flight is marked delayed for more than 30 minutes, approach the gate agent and politely request food and hotel vouchers to be used within the airport or nearby. In terms of cash compensation, what you'll get can differ significantly based on things like departure location, time, carrier, and ticket class. The DOT offers a helpful delay and cancellations dashboard designed to keep travellers informed about their compensation rights. The dashboard is particularly helpful because, as the DOT states on its website, "whether you are entitled to a refund depends on a lot of factors—such as the length of the delay, the length of the flight, and your particular circumstances." The Canadian Transportation Agency is proposing air passenger protection regulations that guarantee financial compensation to travellers experiencing flight delays and cancellations, with the level of compensation varying depending on the situation and how much control the air carrier had. The proposed regulations include the following: The airline is obligated to complete the passenger's itinerary. If the new ticket is for a lower class of service, the air carrier would have to refund the cost difference; if the booking is in a higher class of service, passengers cannot be charged extra. If the passenger declines the ticket, the airline must give a full refund, in addition to the prescribed compensation. For overnight delays, the air carrier needs to provide hotel accommodation and transportation free-of-charge. Again, if you are unsatisfied, the Canadian Transportation Agency or Department of Transportation may advocate on your behalf. Passengers get bumped because airlines overbook. When this happens, the air carrier must compensate you. For international flights in the US, the rate is 200% of your one-way fare to your final destination, with a $675 maximum. If the airline does not make travel arrangements for you, the payout is 400% of your one-way fare to a maximum of $1,350. To qualify, you must check-in by the stated deadline, which on international flights can be up to 3 hours ahead. Keep in mind that if you accept the cash, you are no longer entitled to any further compensation, nor are you guaranteed to be rebooked on a direct flight or similar type of seat. Don't be too quick to give up your boarding pass. Negotiate for the best compensation deal that would include cash, food and hotel vouchers, flight upgrade, lounge passes, as well as mileage points. But avoid being too greedy—if the gate attendant is requesting volunteers and you wait too long, you'll miss the offer. According to Air Canada's tariff, if a passenger is involuntarily bumped, they'll receive $200, in cash or bank draft, for up to a two-hour delay; $400 for a 2-6 hours delay; and $800 if the delay is over six hours. (Air Canada was forced to raise its payouts in 2013 due to passenger complaints.) The new rules would raise the payout significantly: $900 for up to six hours; $1,800 for 6-9; and $2,400 for more than nine hours, all to be paid within 48 hours. Statistically speaking, Delta Airlines is the carrier most likely to bump. A few years ago, Delta raised its payout maximum to $9,950, while United Airlines tops out at $10,000. This story was produced by Money.ca and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Ducks forward Trevor Zegras underwent surgery Thursday to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports. He’s estimated to return to the lineup in six weeks. Zegras has already missed three games with the injury, which he suffered on Dec. 4 against the Golden Knights. The 23-year-old fell awkwardly following a faceoff in the defensive zone, collapsing on his leg while skating backward away from the dot. He did not return to the game and landed on injured reserve shortly thereafter. Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff reported Tuesday that Zegras was seeking a second opinion on how to move forward from the then-undisclosed lower-body issue but evidently quickly decided on surgery. As such, he’ll likely miss a tad more than if he opted to try to rehabilitate the tear without a surgical procedure, but this decision carries far less risk for re-injury. The team anticipates his knee will return to full strength when he’s back in the lineup shortly before the season pauses for the 4 Nations Face-Off, Eric Stephens of The Athletic relays. Zegras will now miss significant time for the second season in a row with a lower-body issue, even if it’s not as long of an absence as initially feared. The 2019 ninth overall pick missed 20 games in the early going last year with an undisclosed lower-body issue before undergoing ankle surgery in January that cost him another 31 contests. Those injuries largely offered an explanation for Zegras’ poor production last season, even when he was in the lineup. His 15 points in 31 games worked out to a 40-point pace over a full season, a stark downturn from the career-best 23 goals and 65 points he’d put up the year before. It’s been more of the same in 2024-25, managing just 10 points in 24 games before landing on the shelf. He’s averaging 16:57 per game as he’s bounced around the top nine, the lowest since his rookie season, and he’s also logged a career-worst 45.5 CF% at even strength. Zegras is the second Ducks forward to undergo meniscus surgery in the first few months of the campaign, joining fellow top-nine piece Robby Fabbri on IR. While neither had been particularly productive in the early going — Fabbri had only two goals in 14 games before getting hurt — it’s still not an easy thing to swallow for a Ducks team scoring 2.37 goals per game, second-worst in the league. A six-week return timeline puts Zegras back in the lineup on Jan. 23 against the Penguins, meaning he’s slated to likely miss another 20 games while recovering. The New York native is in the second season of a three-year, $17.25M deal. This article first appeared on Pro Hockey Rumors and was syndicated with permission.The everyday Jinnah Quaid-i-Azam is not just a title or name of a person; it is synonymous with freedom, independence, and heroism ‘There are only two ways of learning in life,’ said Jinnah to his son Mohammed Ali. ‘What are they, father?’ he replied. ‘One is to trust the wisdom of your elders and their superior knowledge, to accept their advice and do exactly as they suggest.’ ‘And what is the other way, father?’ ‘The other way is to go your own way, to learn by making mistakes, to learn by hard knocks and kicks in life.’ Till the very last day of his life, Quaid-i-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, always took his own way. Quaid-i-Azam is not just a title or the name of a person; it is synonymous with freedom, independence, and heroism. The life of a hero is marked by events that embody the essence of independence and self-realization. A hero’s journey can be described as a monomyth, a cyclical pattern where the hero embarks on an adventure, crosses the threshold from the ordinary world, faces and overcomes crises, and returns transformed, carrying the elixir that can heal or save his people. In the monomyth of Quaid-i-Azam, freedom and independence rest at the core; they are the very heartbeat of his journey. Jinnah’s lineage, too, hinted at an inherent defiance of norms. His father, Jinnahbhai Poonja, was born in 1857, the year of the Indian Rebellion, and later chose to leave his ancestral village of Paneli to seek broader horizons in Gondal and eventually Karachi. This daring spirit was inherited by Quaid-i-Azam, who would later go on to break the wheel of colonial dominance and give birth to a new nation. Born weak and frail on a Sunday in Kharadar, Karachi, Jinnah’s survival itself was a quiet testament to his resilience. Defying early doubts about his health, he not only thrived but went on to embody a personality that consistently surpassed expectations. The early years of Quaid-i-Azam’s life marked the beginning of his hero’s journey. Like an ordinary child, he enjoyed playing games and winning in them, establishing himself as a leader among his friends. At six, he began his education with Gujarati lessons at home, although he showed little interest in reading and preferred games instead. At nine, school posed an unexpected challenge for him. Finding himself outperformed by other students, Quaid-i-Azam chose an unconventional route; he quit school, preferring to accompany his father to work instead. Yet, his stint at the office taught him a humbling lesson: without education, he commanded little respect. Back at school, Jinnah displayed newfound dedication, attending Sind Madrasahtul-Islam, a high school on Newnham Road. Despite occasional shifts between schools, likely a reflection of his restless and perfectionist spirit, he persisted and paved way for his future accomplishments. By the age of 10, Jinnah had developed a passion for horseback riding, a sport that brought him immense joy. Accompanied by his school friend Karim Kassim, the two boys would ride for miles, finding in nature the inspiration for his philosophy of life. To Quaid-i-Azam, the verticality of trees, flowers, domes, and even human posture symbolised aspiration and dignity. This observation cemented his resolve to always look ahead and carry himself with pride. At around fifteen, Quaid-i-Azam faced instability in his life, marking the crisis phase of his monomyth. True to his character of independence and defiance of norms, he confronted challenges directly. After marrying Emi Bai in Paneli, he broke a village tradition by convincing her parents to let her accompany him to Karachi, bypassing the customary one-month stay with her family. Soo after, the General Manager of Grahams Trading Co., an Englishman and close friend of Quaid-i-Azam’s father, offered him a chance to join their Head Office in London as an apprentice for three years, where he could learn practical business administration. He left for London in a ship. During the voyage, when warned about pickpockets in Port Said, Quaid-i-Azam took it as a challenge to his sense of responsibility and confidently explored the streets of Port Said alone. Once in London, Quaid-i-Azam worked at Grahams Trading Co., braving cold, heavy rains every day. While working, he immersed himself in the British liberal environment. He developed a habit of reading the morning paper before finishing his breakfast. He admired the achievements of British leaders, whose speeches were followed with great reverence by the people. He often found himself questioning his own purpose; yes, money was important, but he realised he could never be a leader or a hero for the betterment of his countrymen if he stayed on this path. Inspired by the English leaders, Quaid-i-Azam saw that many of them had studied law. True to his nature, he broke free from the obligation to work at Grahams and decided to pursue the Bar. Though deeply immersed in English culture, Quaid-i-Azam always remained a Muslim at heart. He chose to join Lincoln’s Inn, not just for its academic reputation but also because he saw the name of the Prophet (PBUH) engraved on its entrance alongside the greatest law-givers in history. Despite facing personal and financial challenges, including the death of Emi Bai, and his mother, and the severe losses in his father’s business, Quaid-i-Azam managed to pass the Bar. During his time at Lincoln’s Inn, he expanded his intellectual horizons, obtaining a reader’s ticket to the British Museum and engaging in extensive reading. He often spent Sundays at Hyde Park Corner, where soap-box orators inspired him with their ability to captivate audiences despite lacking formal education. He also frequented the House of Commons, closely observing the parliamentary eloquence of figures like Mr. Gladstone, Lord Morley, Mr. Joseph Chamberlain, Mr. Balfour, and Irish patriot Mr. T.P. O’Connor, skills he would later emulate with great success. During his time in London, he also actively campaigned for Dadabhoy Naoroji. Quaid-i-Azam led a full life, balancing his studies for the Bar, managing finances, engaging in politics, and caring for his family. Amidst these responsibilities, he cultivated a deep interest in literature, particularly Shakespeare, whose works he enjoyed throughout his life. Though he dreamed of acting, especially playing Romeo at the Old Vic, he redirected his ambition toward being a hero on a larger stage, leading millions. His return to Karachi marked the final phase of his monomyth, where he would leave a lasting impact on the world. After relocating to Bombay, Quaid-i-Azam faced early struggles in his career, unable to secure a single brief as a barrister. Despite this, he remained composed, walking the courts daily without income, while internally battling frustration. His social connections eventually led him to a position as a Presidency Magistrate. His performance earned him praise, and when his temporary appointment ended, Sir Charles Ollivant offered him a permanent judicial position with a significant salary. But Quaid-i-Azam declined, confident that he would soon earn more in a single day. His refusal exemplified his independence and ambition, traits noted by Sir Chimanlal Setalvad, “Jinnah had always, even in his junior days, shown considerable independence and courage. He never allowed himself to be overborne either by the judge or the opposing Counsel.” His family had settled in Bombay, and Quaid-i-Azam made it a point to visit them every Sunday in Khoja Mohallah. From then on, Quaid-i-Azam became a pioneering leader for the Muslim struggle in India, never allowing his declining health to slow him down. His capacity to sleep at will helped him manage the exhaustion from his tireless work. Despite physical discomfort, he continued his efforts, saying, “Have you ever heard of a general taking a holiday when his army is fighting for its survival?” Even when bedridden, he would rise to speak, knowing that the Muslims drew their strength from him. His chauffeur, Mohammad Hanif Azad, noted that Quaid-i-Azam had a fondness for good shoes and owned many pairs. He also enjoyed playing billiards, though often alone. “He would take a cue in his hand, survey the balls carefully, fondly rub his fingers on the cue, and then take his shot. He would be so happy when he scored.” Quaid-i-Azam was a heavy smoker, consuming about fifty cigarettes daily. He felt very happy when hosting parties at his home, where he would order special dishes to ensure his guests had plenty to enjoy. For a change, he would sometimes go to the Taj Hotel for a meal, as he liked to eat there. Despite a lifelong aversion to doctors and medicine, he defied his deteriorating health, insisting on continuing his work. His determination was evident as, at times, he would go to bed in his clothes and shoes on after attending events. On one occasion, when a lady compounder was called to check his temperature, she refused to tell him the reading. Quaid-i-Azam admired her firmness, saying, “I like people who can be firm and refuse to be cowered down.” Quaid-i-Azam had a love for roses, particularly carnations, and preferred to keep them in his surroundings. At night, he wore silk pajamas, a lifelong habit, despite often shivering with cold. His mind remained focused on the country’s issues, even when his body was weakening. His thoughts were consumed by Pakistan, Kashmir, refugees, and the constitution. Every day at Ziarat, a table and chair were laid for him in the lawn, and he used to work. It was only a few days before his departure that he stopped working. Saleh Mohammad, his gardener at Ziarat, also recalled that Quaid-i-Azam would walk along the road that led from the Residency to the swimming pool, a distance of about two furlongs. When advised to move to Karachi for treatment, he agreed, saying, “I was born there... I want to be buried there.” When it was time to leave, he refused to travel in a pajama suit, insisting on dressing properly as he always had. In his final moments, as his health worsened, he expressed his readiness to depart, stating, “No, I am not,” when told that he would be okay and live. Quaid-i-Azam, the hero of our nation, lived a life that continues to advocate for freedom and independence. His life stands as a testament to the unwavering pursuit of freedom, not just in the political sense, but in freeing the heart, mind, and soul. The Quaid-i-Azam had a singular goal, and he relentlessly sought freedom from every obstacle that stood in his way. His life teaches us countless lessons, with the most significant being the importance of confronting difficulties head-on. It is through overcoming these challenges that a hero is forged. Much like a caterpillar struggling within a cocoon, unaware that the effort is vital to its transformation into a butterfly, we too must embrace our struggles. Without them, we would not realise our true potential. As we remember Quaid-i-Azam, it is important for us to reflect on our own lives. Are we striving to be free? Are we pursuing independence in all its forms, as he did?
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Colorado secured what it said was record insurance coverage for quarterback Shedeur Sanders and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter as the star duo opted to rather than sit out and prepare for the NFL draft. Colorado would not disclose the amount of insurance coverage each received, citing privacy laws. Coach Deion Sanders and athletic director Rick George both said it was the largest in college football history. “We happen to have two players that are probably going to be the first two picks of the NFL draft,” Sanders said Monday. “We all know who those two are and they have received, I think, the highest number of coverage that has ever been covered in college football. It far exceeds anyone that has ever played this game of college football.” While college programs maintain insurance policies for their athletes in case of injury, Colorado increased disability coverage for its entire roster in the Alamo Bowl. Sanders, the coach of the No. 20 Buffaloes, ensured his QB son and received larger policies since both are expected to be among the top 10 selections in the upcoming NFL draft. “It was his idea we should get disability insurance for our athletes for this game to ensure that they played and if there was some kind of injury that they would be well taken care of," George said. “So, we worked together on that. We’re excited about it. We think it’s great that all our players are playing in the game. That’s what all bowl games should be like.” Colorado (9-3, No. 23 CFP) will face the 17th-ranked BYU Cougars (10-2, No. 17 CFP) in the Alamo Bowl on Saturday. While most teams are scrambling with starters opting out of bowl games this year to enter the transfer portal or NFL draft, the Buffaloes did not lose any player on their two-deep roster. “It’s more than what I got (when he played at Kansas State),” Colorado linebackers coach Andre’ Hart said. “They gave us a helmet and said pop this on your leg and get out there and play. For them to get that (increased insurance coverage), I just think it’s beneficial. To talk about where the game is, where it’s going and how leadership is taking care of the players, I thought that’s excellent.” Shedeur Sanders completed 337 of 454 passes for 3,926 yards and 35 touchdowns this season. Many scouting services have Sanders rated as the top quarterback in this year's draft. Hunter received the Heisman Trophy as a two-way standout at cornerback and wide receiver. He had 92 receptions for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns and as a cornerback had four interceptions, broke up 11 passes and limited the opposition to 22 receptions on 688 defensive snaps. “They’ve taken care of us, everybody,” Colorado running back Micah Welch said. “It really means a lot to have every teammate up here. That's a big thing. What I like about Coach Prime, they’re taking care of us.” Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up . AP college football: andJimmy Carter, the peanut farmer who won the US presidency in the wake of the Watergate scandal and Vietnam War, endured humbling defeat after one tumultuous term and then redefined life after the White House as a global humanitarian, has died. He was 100 years old. The longest-lived American president died on Sunday, more than a year after entering hospice care, at his home in the small town of Plains, Georgia, where he and his wife, Rosalynn, who died at 96 in November 2023, spent most of their lives, The Carter Center said. “Our founder, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, passed away this afternoon in Plains, Georgia,” the center said in posting about his death on the social media platform X. It added in a statement that he died peacefully, surrounded by his family. Businessman, Navy officer, evangelist, politician, negotiator, author, woodworker, citizen of the world — Carter forged a path that still challenges political assumptions and stands out among the 45 men who reached the nation’s highest office. The 39th president leveraged his ambition with a keen intellect, deep religious faith and prodigious work ethic, conducting diplomatic missions into his 80s and building houses for the poor well into his 90s. “My faith demands — this is not optional — my faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever I can, for as long as I can, with whatever I have to try to make a difference,” Carter once said. A president from Plains A moderate Democrat, Carter entered the 1976 presidential race as a little-known Georgia governor with a broad smile, outspoken Baptist mores and technocratic plans reflecting his education as an engineer. His no-frills campaign depended on public financing, and his promise not to deceive the American people resonated after Richard Nixon’s disgrace and U.S. defeat in southeast Asia. “If I ever lie to you, if I ever make a misleading statement, don’t vote for me. I would not deserve to be your president,” Carter repeated before narrowly beating Republican incumbent Gerald Ford, who had lost popularity pardoning Nixon. Carter governed amid Cold War pressures, turbulent oil markets and social upheaval over racism, women’s rights and America’s global role. His most acclaimed achievement in office was a Mideast peace deal that he brokered by keeping Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin at the bargaining table for 13 days in 1978. That Camp David experience inspired the post-presidential center where Carter would establish so much of his legacy. Yet Carter’s electoral coalition splintered under double-digit inflation, gasoline lines and the 444-day hostage crisis in Iran. His bleakest hour came when eight Americans died in a failed hostage rescue in April 1980, helping to ensure his landslide defeat to Republican Ronald Reagan. Carter acknowledged in his 2020 “White House Diary” that he could be “micromanaging” and “excessively autocratic,” complicating dealings with Congress and the federal bureaucracy. He also turned a cold shoulder to Washington’s news media and lobbyists, not fully appreciating their influence on his political fortunes. “It didn’t take us long to realize that the underestimation existed, but by that time we were not able to repair the mistake,” Carter told historians in 1982, suggesting that he had “an inherent incompatibility” with Washington insiders. Carter insisted his overall approach was sound and that he achieved his primary objectives — to “protect our nation’s security and interests peacefully” and “enhance human rights here and abroad” — even if he fell spectacularly short of a second term. Ignominious defeat, though, allowed for renewal. The Carters founded The Carter Center in 1982 as a first-of-its-kind base of operations, asserting themselves as international peacemakers and champions of democracy, public health and human rights. “I was not interested in just building a museum or storing my White House records and memorabilia,” Carter wrote in a memoir published after his 90th birthday. “I wanted a place where we could work.” That work included easing nuclear tensions in North and South Korea, helping to avert a U.S. invasion of Haiti and negotiating cease-fires in Bosnia and Sudan. By 2022, The Carter Center had declared at least 113 elections in Latin America, Asia and Africa to be free or fraudulent. Recently, the center began monitoring U.S. elections as well. Carter’s stubborn self-assuredness and even self-righteousness proved effective once he was unencumbered by the Washington order, sometimes to the point of frustrating his successors. He went “where others are not treading,” he said, to places like Ethiopia, Liberia and North Korea, where he secured the release of an American who had wandered across the border in 2010. “I can say what I like. I can meet whom I want. I can take on projects that please me and reject the ones that don’t,” Carter said. He announced an arms-reduction-for-aid deal with North Korea without clearing the details with Bill Clinton’s White House. He openly criticized President George W. Bush for the 2003 invasion of Iraq. He also criticized America’s approach to Israel with his 2006 book “Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid.” And he repeatedly countered U.S. administrations by insisting North Korea should be included in international affairs, a position that most aligned Carter with Republican President Donald Trump. Among the center’s many public health initiatives, Carter vowed to eradicate the guinea worm parasite during his lifetime, and nearly achieved it: Cases dropped from millions in the 1980s to nearly a handful. With hardhats and hammers, the Carters also built homes with Habitat for Humanity. The Nobel committee’s 2002 Peace Prize cites his “untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.” Carter should have won it alongside Sadat and Begin in 1978, the chairman added. Carter accepted the recognition saying there was more work to be done. “The world is now, in many ways, a more dangerous place,” he said. “The greater ease of travel and communication has not been matched by equal understanding and mutual respect.” Carter’s globetrotting took him to remote villages where he met little “Jimmy Carters,” so named by admiring parents. But he spent most of his days in the same one-story Plains house — expanded and guarded by Secret Service agents — where they lived before he became governor. He regularly taught Sunday School lessons at Maranatha Baptist Church until his mobility declined and the coronavirus pandemic raged. Those sessions drew visitors from around the world to the small sanctuary where Carter will receive his final send-off after a state funeral at Washington’s National Cathedral. The common assessment that he was a better ex-president than president rankled Carter and his allies. His prolific post-presidency gave him a brand above politics, particularly for Americans too young to witness him in office. But Carter also lived long enough to see biographers and historians reassess his White House years more generously. His record includes the deregulation of key industries, reduction of U.S. dependence on foreign oil, cautious management of the national debt and notable legislation on the environment, education and mental health. He focused on human rights in foreign policy, pressuring dictators to release thousands of political prisoners. He acknowledged America’s historical imperialism, pardoned Vietnam War draft evaders and relinquished control of the Panama Canal. He normalized relations with China. “I am not nominating Jimmy Carter for a place on Mount Rushmore,” Stuart Eizenstat, Carter’s domestic policy director, wrote in a 2018 book. “He was not a great president” but also not the “hapless and weak” caricature voters rejected in 1980, Eizenstat said. Rather, Carter was “good and productive” and “delivered results, many of which were realized only after he left office.” Madeleine Albright, a national security staffer for Carter and Clinton’s secretary of state, wrote in Eizenstat’s forward that Carter was “consequential and successful” and expressed hope that “perceptions will continue to evolve” about his presidency. “Our country was lucky to have him as our leader,” said Albright, who died in 2022. Jonathan Alter, who penned a comprehensive Carter biography published in 2020, said in an interview that Carter should be remembered for “an epic American life” spanning from a humble start in a home with no electricity or indoor plumbing through decades on the world stage across two centuries. “He will likely go down as one of the most misunderstood and underestimated figures in American history,” Alter told The Associated Press. James Earl Carter Jr. was born Oct. 1, 1924, in Plains and spent his early years in nearby Archery. His family was a minority in the mostly Black community, decades before the civil rights movement played out at the dawn of Carter’s political career. Carter, who campaigned as a moderate on race relations but governed more progressively, talked often of the influence of his Black caregivers and playmates but also noted his advantages: His land-owning father sat atop Archery’s tenant-farming system and owned a main street grocery. His mother, Lillian, would become a staple of his political campaigns. Seeking to broaden his world beyond Plains and its population of fewer than 1,000 — then and now — Carter won an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating in 1946. That same year he married Rosalynn Smith, another Plains native, a decision he considered more important than any he made as head of state. She shared his desire to see the world, sacrificing college to support his Navy career. Carter climbed in rank to lieutenant, but then his father was diagnosed with cancer, so the submarine officer set aside his ambitions of admiralty and moved the family back to Plains. His decision angered Rosalynn, even as she dived into the peanut business alongside her husband. Carter again failed to talk with his wife before his first run for office — he later called it “inconceivable” not to have consulted her on such major life decisions — but this time, she was on board. “My wife is much more political,” Carter told the AP in 2021. He won a state Senate seat in 1962 but wasn’t long for the General Assembly and its back-slapping, deal-cutting ways. He ran for governor in 1966 — losing to arch-segregationist Lester Maddox — and then immediately focused on the next campaign. Carter had spoken out against church segregation as a Baptist deacon and opposed racist “Dixiecrats” as a state senator. Yet as a local school board leader in the 1950s he had not pushed to end school segregation even after the Supreme Court’s Brown v. Board of Education decision, despite his private support for integration. And in 1970, Carter ran for governor again as the more conservative Democrat against Carl Sanders, a wealthy businessman Carter mocked as “Cufflinks Carl.” Sanders never forgave him for anonymous, race-baiting flyers, which Carter disavowed. Ultimately, Carter won his races by attracting both Black voters and culturally conservative whites. Once in office, he was more direct. “I say to you quite frankly that the time for racial discrimination is over,” he declared in his 1971 inaugural address, setting a new standard for Southern governors that landed him on the cover of Time magazine. His statehouse initiatives included environmental protection, boosting rural education and overhauling antiquated executive branch structures. He proclaimed Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the slain civil rights leader’s home state. And he decided, as he received presidential candidates in 1972, that they were no more talented than he was. In 1974, he ran Democrats’ national campaign arm. Then he declared his own candidacy for 1976. An Atlanta newspaper responded with the headline: “Jimmy Who?” The Carters and a “Peanut Brigade” of family members and Georgia supporters camped out in Iowa and New Hampshire, establishing both states as presidential proving grounds. His first Senate endorsement: a young first-termer from Delaware named Joe Biden. Yet it was Carter’s ability to navigate America’s complex racial and rural politics that cemented the nomination. He swept the Deep South that November, the last Democrat to do so, as many white Southerners shifted to Republicans in response to civil rights initiatives. A self-declared “born-again Christian,” Carter drew snickers by referring to Scripture in a Playboy magazine interview, saying he “had looked on many women with lust. I’ve committed adultery in my heart many times.” The remarks gave Ford a new foothold and television comedians pounced — including NBC’s new “Saturday Night Live” show. But voters weary of cynicism in politics found it endearing. Carter chose Minnesota Sen. Walter “Fritz” Mondale as his running mate on a “Grits and Fritz” ticket. In office, he elevated the vice presidency and the first lady’s office. Mondale’s governing partnership was a model for influential successors Al Gore, Dick Cheney and Biden. Rosalynn Carter was one of the most involved presidential spouses in history, welcomed into Cabinet meetings and huddles with lawmakers and top aides. The Carters presided with uncommon informality: He used his nickname “Jimmy” even when taking the oath of office, carried his own luggage and tried to silence the Marine Band’s “Hail to the Chief.” They bought their clothes off the rack. Carter wore a cardigan for a White House address, urging Americans to conserve energy by turning down their thermostats. Amy, the youngest of four children, attended District of Columbia public school. Washington’s social and media elite scorned their style. But the larger concern was that “he hated politics,” according to Eizenstat, leaving him nowhere to turn politically once economic turmoil and foreign policy challenges took their toll. Carter partially deregulated the airline, railroad and trucking industries and established the departments of Education and Energy, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. He designated millions of acres of Alaska as national parks or wildlife refuges. He appointed a then-record number of women and nonwhite people to federal posts. He never had a Supreme Court nomination, but he elevated civil rights attorney Ruth Bader Ginsburg to the nation’s second highest court, positioning her for a promotion in 1993. He appointed Paul Volker, the Federal Reserve chairman whose policies would help the economy boom in the 1980s — after Carter left office. He built on Nixon’s opening with China, and though he tolerated autocrats in Asia, pushed Latin America from dictatorships to democracy. But he couldn’t immediately tame inflation or the related energy crisis. And then came Iran. After he admitted the exiled Shah of Iran to the U.S. for medical treatment, the American Embassy in Tehran was overrun in 1979 by followers of the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Negotiations to free the hostages broke down repeatedly ahead of the failed rescue attempt. The same year, Carter signed SALT II, the new strategic arms treaty with Leonid Brezhnev of the Soviet Union, only to pull it back, impose trade sanctions and order a U.S. boycott of the Moscow Olympics after the Soviets invaded Afghanistan. Hoping to instill optimism, he delivered what the media dubbed his “malaise” speech, although he didn’t use that word. He declared the nation was suffering “a crisis of confidence.” By then, many Americans had lost confidence in the president, not themselves. Carter campaigned sparingly for reelection because of the hostage crisis, instead sending Rosalynn as Sen. Edward M. Kennedy challenged him for the Democratic nomination. Carter famously said he’d “kick his ass,” but was hobbled by Kennedy as Reagan rallied a broad coalition with “make America great again” appeals and asking voters whether they were “better off than you were four years ago.” Reagan further capitalized on Carter’s lecturing tone, eviscerating him in their lone fall debate with the quip: “There you go again.” Carter lost all but six states and Republicans rolled to a new Senate majority. Carter successfully negotiated the hostages’ freedom after the election, but in one final, bitter turn of events, Tehran waited until hours after Carter left office to let them walk free. At 56, Carter returned to Georgia with “no idea what I would do with the rest of my life.” Four decades after launching The Carter Center, he still talked of unfinished business. “I thought when we got into politics we would have resolved everything,” Carter told the AP in 2021. “But it’s turned out to be much more long-lasting and insidious than I had thought it was. I think in general, the world itself is much more divided than in previous years.” Still, he affirmed what he said when he underwent treatment for a cancer diagnosis in his 10th decade of life. “I’m perfectly at ease with whatever comes,” he said in 2015. “I’ve had a wonderful life. I’ve had thousands of friends, I’ve had an exciting, adventurous and gratifying existence.” APCourt challenge over vote to extend post-Brexit trading arrangements dismissed