Timeline: Jimmy Carter, 1924-2024My Chemical Romance star's tragic final post before being discovered dead at home
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Sunday identified agriculture and Information Technology (IT) as the twin engines to drive Pakistan towards a sustainable economic growth, stressing that the government did not have any magic wand to fix the country's plethora of problems at once. Talking to the media following a meeting with farmers and stakeholders in Kamalia in Toba Tek Singh district, the minister emphasised that the country did not run on charities but on taxes. In this regard, he added, efforts were afoot to eliminate corruption and plug the leakages. The minister reaffirmed the government's commitment to promoting an export-led economic growth and hoped the country would be put on the path to a "sustainable" Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate in the next year. "We are an import-based economy. Whenever imports increase, there comes a shortage of dollars, and then we have a balance of payments problem, then we run towards the IMF [International Monetary Fund]," the minister said. "We do not have a magic wand that this [problem] will go away at once. Therefore, we have to tackle it in such a way that there is growth, and the growth is on the basis of exports," he said. "We are very clear agriculture and IT have to lead this country as we move forward," he added. "We should find solution and promote these [IT and agriculture] sectors for sustainable economic development," the minister stressed. He expressed concern that despite numerous research institutions in the agriculture sector, the desired results of higher crop yields could not be achieved. In the last six months, the minister said, the government achieved macroeconomic stability – a crucial foundation for GDP growth. He highlighted the improvement in vital economic indicators, saying that inflation had fallen to a single digit while the interest rate had also come down and was heading towards a single digit. "As the interest rate comes down, it will come down further and go towards a single digit, because doing business at 23, 24% borrowing is one thing, and doing business at 10, 11% or 8, 9% borrowing is another thing," he told the media persons. Tax collection "I will be the last person to say that we have achieved what we had said but building on these achievements, Pakistan's economy is poised to transition towards sustainable growth from 2025 onwards," he added. Aurangzeb reiterated the government's commitment to bringing reforms in taxation, energy, and State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) sectors. He also said that the government planned to simplify taxation process, ensure digitisation, and reduce human intervention. He stressed the need for improving the tax-to-GDP ratio, which currently stood at 9-10%, and aimed to increase it to 13.5%. "The country does not run on charity, the country runs on taxes. We will increase it [tax-to-GDP ratio]. Reforms are under way in this regard," he added. "We are bringing reforms in the institutions. Because of leakages in the tax system, the salaried class is burdened, now the salaried class has reached a point where we cannot go further. Therefore, other sectors will have to be brought into the tax net, everyone will have to pay taxes," he said. However, he warned that there were problems. "We are trying to control them. We are eliminating corruption and leakages," he added. He appealed for national unity for the sake of the country and for the sake of a charter of economy, saying that "we are because of Pakistan." As part of the reforms, the minister continued, the government should have a minimum role in running businesses. Instead, the minister stressed a more robust role of the private sector. He added that the government's role should be reduced to regulating them to prevent monopolies. "The more the government gets out of businesses, the better. The private sector should take the lead and we have to take care of regulation, so that it does not become a monopoly. He warned that government intervention was tantamount to a form of corruption because of licencing. Wherever we intervene, we commit corruption. It means licencing; it means that we do such things for you when you provide us with such things. "It will be better that the government gets out of everything [running businesses]," the minister stated. Aurangzeb expressed the hope that energy tariffs would come down, as efforts were afoot to plug leakages in the distribution companies (DISCOS). He said that the government was determined to go to the doorsteps of stakeholders instead of merely sitting in Islamabad. (WITH INPUT FROM APP) COMMENTS Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive. For more information, please see ourOur community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Pregnant Charlotte Dawson has been tormented by "pathetic" trolls who have gone as far as to report her to social services, making false claims that she's given her three year old son alcohol. The Ex on the Beach celeb, mum to Noah, three, and Jude, one, with her partner Matt Sarsfield, 32, is expecting a baby girl. Yet, her journey through motherhood has been marred by false accusations from online haters, leading to several visits by the already stretched-thin social services, including one where she was accused of drinking during pregnancy. Celebrating her 32nd birthday, the Lancashire reality star raised a toast with Nozeco, a non-alcoholic bubbly, and posted the moment online, only to face the upsetting ordeal of explaining herself to officials after being reported. Daughter of the late comedian Les Dawson, Charlotte is no stranger to the limelight but has faced relentless scrutiny from her social media audience. In an interview with The Sun , she expressed her frustration: "They ring social services all the time, whenever there is anything on my Instagram. It's pathetic. I have no idea who it is but they just won't give up. I've not heard anything for a few weeks but I'm sure I will do soon. I don't know who it is and I don't really care any more because it's just pathetic." Charlotte Dawson has hit back at the "terrible" pranksters who have been making false reports about her to social services, saying their actions divert help from those in genuine need. Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, the Lytham influencer expressed frustration over the situation, especially since she's always been transparent with her followers. Charlotte explained: "Because I'm very open and honest, I don't get it. Even though I clearly state that it was a Nozeco and show the bottle, but apparently I'm lying.", reports the Mirror . During a peaceful retreat at the Lakes Hotel and Spa in Windermere—a favourite spot she often visits with her partner Matt—the TV personality took to Instagram to address the ongoing issue. In her post, she defiantly wrote: "I'm showing you all the nozeco cos apparently I'm drinking when I'm preggo to the idiot who is still ringing social services on me and rang on my birthday. I will get my say one day and I can't wait. You low life, you didn't win or ruin my birthday. I just laugh at you because you live an extremely sad life and waste social services time when they have people who really need their help."
Hundreds of prisoners were released from jail as part of the terms of the Good Friday Agreement. The government was lobbied to do more to assist former paramilitaries to get jobs and integrate back into society months after being released from prison in 1998. Declassified files show the then Northern Ireland Office minister, Adam Ingram, resisting the pressure by stating society was “not yet at the stage where all of the shutters could go up”, expressing concerns that ex-prisoners could end up teaching the children of their victims. The Good Friday Agreement in 1998 largely ended decades of violence in Northern Ireland and led to the establishment of the Stormont powersharing Assembly. The deal also saw the release from prison of hundreds of paramilitary prisoners. The issue of how to integrate them back into society was the subject of a meeting in December 1998 between Mr Ingram and Projex 2000, a private sector group which included representatives of ex-prisoners. Among those who attended the meeting for Projex 2000 were John White of the Ulster Democratic Party (UDP), Brendan Mackin of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU), businessman Ken Cleland and Paul Mageean of the Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ). A minute of the meeting shows that the minister advised the group to start lobbying the local parties in the Assembly as he said much of the responsibility for what they were concerned about would fall to Stormont. Mr Cleland says the government had committed to providing assistance for politically motivated prisoners in the Good Friday Agreement, but there had been “no tangible signs of this apart from the prisoner releases”. It adds: “The Minister pointed out that it was difficult to avoid comparisons with politically motivated prisoners and ‘ordinary decent criminals’. “There was already a huge reaction in society to the prisoner release programme.” The group raised concerns about the exclusion of former political prisoners from compensation schemes and highlighted difficulties in finding employment, suggesting a partnership between the prisoner groups, the government and the private sector. The minute states: “John White interjected to say that the prisoner groups were also concerned about media reporting that prisoners were getting huge sums of money on leaving prison.” It continues: “Mr Mackin said the reality at present is that prisoners’ groups do not see anything tangible coming from the Good Friday Agreement. “It seemed to him to be a complete waste of resources for prisoners to come out of prison highly educated but unable to get jobs.” The minister responded that the government had “taken a lot of gambles with no payback”. The minute continues: “As an after-thought he (Mr McCleland) added that it was ironic that someone like David Ervine may end up as a Minister in the New Assembly yet would be unable to employ civil service staff who were politically motivated ex-prisoners. “Again, the Minister emphasised that we are not yet at the stage where all of the shutters could go up. “There were legitimate concerns that ex-prisoners could end up for instance teaching the children of their victim.” The minute adds: “He emphasised that every ex-prisoner does not become a good guy so we have to move cautiously.” It says Mr Mageean said it was “ironic that the Government had signed up to the release of several hundred prisoners but yet would not allow them to get a job in somewhere like a passport office”. It continues: “The Minister reminded him that a sizeable part of the Northern Ireland community are not signed up to the (Good Friday Agreement), we have to move carefully; there is a much wider issue here.” As an action point after the meeting, the minister said he would write to all political parties in the Assembly to ask them to nominate someone to deal with the issue of prisoner re-integration.
The government was lobbied to do more to assist former paramilitaries to get jobs and integrate back into society months after being released from prison in 1998. Declassified files show the then Northern Ireland Office minister, Adam Ingram, resisting the pressure by stating society was “not yet at the stage where all of the shutters could go up”, expressing concerns that ex-prisoners could end up teaching the children of their victims. The Good Friday Agreement in 1998 largely ended decades of violence in Northern Ireland and led to the establishment of the Stormont powersharing Assembly. The deal also saw the release from prison of hundreds of paramilitary prisoners. Among those who attended the meeting for Projex 2000 were John White of the Ulster Democratic Party (UDP), Brendan Mackin of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU), businessman Ken Cleland and Paul Mageean of the Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ). A minute of the meeting shows that the minister advised the group to start lobbying the local parties in the Assembly as he said much of the responsibility for what they were concerned about would fall to Stormont. Mr Cleland says the government had committed to providing assistance for politically motivated prisoners in the Good Friday Agreement, but there had been “no tangible signs of this apart from the prisoner releases”. “There was already a huge reaction in society to the prisoner release programme.” The group raised concerns about the exclusion of former political prisoners from compensation schemes and highlighted difficulties in finding employment, suggesting a partnership between the prisoner groups, the government and the private sector. The minute states: “John White interjected to say that the prisoner groups were also concerned about media reporting that prisoners were getting huge sums of money on leaving prison.” It continues: “Mr Mackin said the reality at present is that prisoners’ groups do not see anything tangible coming from the Good Friday Agreement. “It seemed to him to be a complete waste of resources for prisoners to come out of prison highly educated but unable to get jobs.” The minister responded that the government had “taken a lot of gambles with no payback”. The minute continues: “As an after-thought he (Mr McCleland) added that it was ironic that someone like David Ervine may end up as a Minister in the New Assembly yet would be unable to employ civil service staff who were politically motivated ex-prisoners. “Again, the Minister emphasised that we are not yet at the stage where all of the shutters could go up. “There were legitimate concerns that ex-prisoners could end up for instance teaching the children of their victim.” It says Mr Mageean said it was “ironic that the Government had signed up to the release of several hundred prisoners but yet would not allow them to get a job in somewhere like a passport office”. It continues: “The Minister reminded him that a sizeable part of the Northern Ireland community are not signed up to the (Good Friday Agreement), we have to move carefully; there is a much wider issue here.” As an action point after the meeting, the minister said he would write to all political parties in the Assembly to ask them to nominate someone to deal with the issue of prisoner re-integration.
The Taliban terrorist organization governing Afghanistan was among the global actors celebrating the demise of the Iran-backed regime of Bashar Assad in Syria, congratulating the Sunni jihadist outfit Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) following Assad’s flight from the country on Sunday. HTS, an al-Qaeda offshoot militia with similar repressive politics to the Taliban, had been fighting the Assad regime for years before a surprise breakthrough in late November, when its fighters captured the city of Aleppo. Syria has been in a state of civil war since 2011, when Assad, who received support from the world’s premier sponsor of terrorism Iran, crushed violent protests against his family’s decades-long rule of the country. Following the capture of Aleppo, HTS stormed multiple cities and faced little resistance from Assad’s army. On Saturday, HTS leaders announced they had reached Damascus, sending Assad fleeing to Russia. HTS is currently the entity in power in Syria and claims to be relying on Mohammed al-Bashir, a political ally of the militia, to serve as “caretaker” prime minister and build a functional government out of the anti-Assad resistance. HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani told CNN last week that he intends to impose an Islamist regime on the country, alarming the nation’s sizeable Christian population. While HTS is a radical Islamist terror organization, Assad was also responsible for a long list of atrocities against his own people before fleeing the country. In the aftermath of his departure, scores of political prisoners, many disappeared for decades, have begun to resurface from their detention centers. The news agency Al Jazeera published a report on Tuesday showing the tortured bodies of dead political prisoners at a prison morgue. The Taliban, which seized power in Afghanistan in similar form in 2021, welcomed the arrival of another Sunni Islamist government to the world. The jihadists’ “foreign ministry” issued a statement congratulating “the leadership of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) movement and the people of Syria on their recent advancements resulting in the removal of factor of conflict and instability,” referring to Assad. “We express hope that the remaining phases of the revolution will be managed in a way that secures a peaceful, unified, and stable system,” Taliban jihadists said. “It is hoped that the power transition process is advanced in a manner that lays the foundations of a sovereign and service-oriented Islamic government in line with the aspirations of the Syrian people;” their statement continued, recommending the use of a “general amnesty” for remaining members of the Assad regime. The terrorists also suggested HTS adopt “a positive foreign policy with world countries that safeguards Syria from the threat of negative rivalries of foreign actors and creates conditions for the return of millions of refugees.” “Moreover, IEA-MoFA calls on all foreign actors involved in Syria to adopt policies of positive engagement & cooperation, both with each other and with the new leadership, that enables Syria to embark on a path towards good governance, security, and stability,” the statement concluded, a message apparently meant for the U.S. government and the greater West. Unlike the Afghan Taliban, HTS is officially on America’s list of designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations. The U.S. is offering a $10 million bounty for information leading to al-Jolani’s capture. The terror chief is working to present himself as a preferable diplomatic partner to Assad, however. CNN noted that his rebrand includes wearing blazers and gushed that the jihadist is “soft-spoken with a well-groomed beard” in a recent profile. Al-Jolani was unapologetic in his remarks to a female CNN reporter, who covered her head in the interview, about his goals of imposing sharia on the country, however. “People who fear Islamic governance either have seen incorrect implementations of it or do not understand it properly,” he declared , before promising to protect minority groups. The Taliban similarly presented a “moderate” image to the world after storming Kabul and sending then-Afghan President Ashraf Ghani fleeing . The Taliban is a violent, extremist Islamic organization that ruled Afghanistan in the 1990s with an iron fist, essentially erasing the civil rights of women entirely and imposing onerous limitations on the rights of all citizens. The Taliban of 2024 strongly resembles that of 1997, but prior to the restoration of repressive sharia , the group promised an “inclusive” government. “We will be witnessing the formation of a strong Islamic and inclusive government, Inshallah ,” top Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told reporters during the first press conference after the fall of Kabul in August 2021. “We will do our most to make sure that everybody is included in the country, even those people against us in the past, so we are going to wait until those announcements are made.” “We’re continuing our communication with them we will do our most to make sure that all Afghans are included,” he insisted. “Nobody should be left out, or any anybody with interests to serve the nation, they’re not going to be ignored. So the future government will be inclusive.” The Taliban has since banned women from leaving their homes unless necessary, from obtaining an education, and from speaking aloud almost entirely. Mujahid published a list of Taliban “women’s rights” achievements in November. Follow Frances Martel on Facebook and Twitter.TikToker teaching science hopes short-form video will become part of curriculum
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); KEY POINTS of THIS STORY Operation Destabilise Success : The UK’s NCA led an international effort that dismantled two major Russian-speaking criminal networks laundering millions of dollars. Criminal Activities : The networks funded ransomware attacks, drug trafficking, and Russian espionage, laundering over $2.3 million in ransomware payments. Global Reach: These networks operated in 30 countries, using cryptocurrency and cash-for-crypto methods to fund illicit activities . Arrests and Seizures : Authorities arrested 84 individuals, seized £20 million in cash and crypto, and imposed US sanctions on key figures. Blockchain Analysis : The operation highlighted the critical role of blockchain tracing in combating cyber and traditional organized crime. A joint international effort led by the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) has successfully disrupted two large-scale Russian-speaking criminal networks involved in laundering millions of dollars in illegal funds. Dubbed Operation Destabilise, the investigation exposed a network of financial transactions that supported various criminal activities, including ransomware attacks, drug trafficking, and Russian espionage. Two networks, identified as “Smart” (led by Ekaterina Zhdanova) and “TGR” (led by Rossi, Chirkinyan, and Bradens), were instrumental in facilitating the movement of illegal funds across borders, often using cryptocurrency as a primary tool. Authorities found that between 2022 and 2023, these networks laundered over $2.3 million (£20 million) in ransomware payments made to the Ryuk ransomware group , provided financial support to notorious criminal organizations like the Kinahan crime syndicate known for drug and arms trafficking, and facilitated funding of Russian espionage operations, helping to bypass financial sanctions imposed on Russia. According to the NCA’s press release , the network had a global reach, with operations spanning across 30 countries, including the UK, Russia, the Middle East, and South America. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Further probing revealed the techniques employed to hide the origin of ill-gotten funds, often involving cash-for-crypto transactions. Criminal gangs used cryptocurrency to reinvest in their illegal business, buying more drugs and firearms without transferring physical money across borders. This financial service allowed these groups to continue their violent activity. The operation resulted in the arrest of 84 individuals and the seizure of over £20 million in cash and cryptocurrency. Additionally, the US Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has imposed sanctions on four entities and five individuals associated with the TGR network. These sanctions target key figures involved in laundering money for Russian elites and cyber criminals. The operation was a collaborative effort involving multiple international law enforcement agencies, including the UK Metropolitan Police Service, French police, the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). “While these organisations have sought to exploit emerging technologies such as cryptocurrency to obscure their activities, the inherent traceability of blockchain has proven invaluable in unravelling their activities that operated on a truly global scale, moving billions of dollars for a range of different threat actors,” the NCA’s head of cyber intelligence, Will Lyne, stated. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); This operation has significantly disrupted the activities of various criminal organizations, including ransomware groups, drug traffickers, and Russian intelligence services. It has also exposed the complex ways in which cybercrime and traditional organized crime intersect. RELATED TOPICS Russian Court Jails Four REvil Ransomware Gang Members Leading French IT firm Sopra Steria hit by Ryuk ransomware Russian Man Extradited to US over Phobos Ransomware Attacks Dark Web Hydra Market Mastermind Sentenced to Life by Russia Hacker Wanted by FBI in Ransomware Attacks Arrested in Russia
RJ Johnson, Daylen Berry lift Charleston Southern to surprising 83-79 victory over Miami
Jimmy Carter had the longest post-presidency of anyone to hold the office, and one of the most active. Here is a look back at his life. 1924 — Jimmy Carter was born on Oct. 1 to Earl and Lillian Carter in the small town of Plains, Georgia. 1928 — Earl Carter bought a 350-acre farm 3 miles from Plains in the tiny community of Archery. The Carter family lived in a house on the farm without running water or electricity. 1941 — He graduated from Plains High School and enrolled at Georgia Southwestern College in Americus. 1942 — He transferred to Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. 1943 — Carter’s boyhood dream of being in the Navy becomes a reality as he is appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. 1946 — He received his naval commission and on July 7 married Rosalynn Smith of Plains. They moved to Norfolk, Virginia. 1946-1952 — Carter’s three sons are born, Jack in 1947, Chip in 1950 and Jeff in 1952. 1962-66 — Carter is elected to the Georgia State Senate and serves two terms. 1953 — Carter’s father died and he cut his naval career short to save the family farm. Due to a limited income, Jimmy, Rosalynn and their three sons moved into Public Housing Apartment 9A in Plains. 1966 — He ran for governor, but lost. 1967 — Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter’s fourth child, Amy, is born. 1971 — He ran for governor again and won the election, becoming Georgia’s 76th governor on Jan. 12. 1974 — Carter announced his candidacy for president. 1976 — Carter was elected 39th president on Nov. 2, narrowly defeating incumbent Gerald Ford. 1978 — U.S. and the Peoples’ Republic of China establish full diplomatic relations. President Carter negotiates and mediates an accord between Egypt and Israel at Camp David. 1979 — The Department of Education is formed. Iranian radicals overrun the U.S. Embassy and seize American hostages. The Strategic Arms Limitations Treaty is signed. 1980 — On March 21, Carter announces that the U.S. will boycott the Olympic Games scheduled in Moscow. A rescue attempt to get American hostages out of Iran is unsuccessful. Carter was defeated in his bid for a second term as president by Ronald Reagan in November. 1981 — President Carter continues to negotiate the release of the American hostages in Iran. Minutes before his term as president is over, the hostages are released. 1982 — Carter became a distinguished professor at Emory University in Atlanta, and founded The Carter Center. The nonpartisan and nonprofit center addresses national and international issues of public policy. 1984 — Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter volunteer one week a year for Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit organization that helps needy people in the United States and in other countries renovate and build homes, until 2020. He also taught Sunday school in the Maranatha Baptist Church of Plains from the mid-’80s until 2020. 2002 — Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. 2015 — Carter announced in August he had been diagnosed with melanoma that spread to his brain. 2016 — He said in March that he no longer needed cancer treatment. 2024 — Carter dies at 100 years old. Sources: Cartercenter.org, Plains Historical Preservation Trust, The Associated Press; The Brookings Institution; U.S. Navy; WhiteHouse.gov, Gallup
The NHS has been told to pause a forthcoming trial that campaign groups say is without in place as recommended by the . It is the first trial of puberty blockers since Baroness Cass, a leading paediatrician, published a report in April that said the evidence base for their effectiveness was weak. In a letter to , the Health Secretary, gender-critical activists called for NHS England to agree to several conditions before proceeding with the trial. These included a “strict set of inclusion and exclusion criteria” to prevent vulnerable children taking part, establishing “services in place to support those patients who are harmed by their participation” and an equivalent trial of psychosocial interventions for those with early childhood onset . Puberty blockers have not been routinely prescribed on the NHS since the Cass review was published. The protocol for the trial is set to be published this month with recruitment expected to begin in January. The signatories to the letter, authored by Genspect UK, include LGB Alliance, Thoughtful Therapists, Transgender Trend and other activist groups. They wrote: “We believe the study faces significant practical and ethical challenges, particularly if it aims to be compliant with, and build on, the findings of the Cass review. “Given the historic failings identified by Cass in the way research has been conducted in this area, we believe there is a strong public interest in transparency and openness.” The campaigners are attempting to put pressure on the health service to follow through on the recommendations of Cass’s final report, which was accepted in full earlier this year by the NHS as well as both the Labour and Conservative parties. Baroness Cass told The Telegraph: “The final report and recommendations from the review were published in April 2024. The recommendations were accepted in full by NHS England and it is now for it, together with partner organisations and stakeholders, to work through how they are best implemented.” A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “The NHS is reforming gender identity services to ensure safe, evidence-based care for young people. The design of the puberty blocker trial and wider work to improve services for children and young people with gender dysphoria have been carefully developed within the framework provided by Dr Hilary Cass’ review. “Any future clinical trial will be subject to rigorous ethical oversight, with comprehensive safeguarding measures and support services in place for participants. The trial design, including inclusion criteria and safety protocols, will be thoroughly scrutinised to protect young people’s wellbeing.” An NHS England spokesperson said: “The fact is any trial will be subject to the usual stringent safeguards, follow best practice, developed by experts and all overseen by NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research), as well as having to secure the usual ethical and study design approvals. “A national research and oversight board has also been established to ensure research is embedded at the heart of new services as they are shaped and developed, chaired by Sir Simon Wessely [regius professor of psychiatry at the Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London] and includes Dr Cass as a member.”Telangana CM announces setting up of industrial hub in KodangalArticle content Ross Skov says his 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor reminds him of a rough and ready toy Tonka truck he played with as a kid. Nostalgic as that is, the Tonka toy resemblance was not the reason the Calgarian bought his Raptor. He’d been driving a 2007 F-150 XLT , but as he approached retirement he wanted to upgrade and get a truck he would enjoy and last him for years to come. “I set the benchmark high and went for a Raptor,” he says, but as easy as that sounds, it took many months of consideration before Skov decided to purchase his Raptor new from Metro Ford in Calgary. He took delivery in March of 2017. “I research everything extensively,” Skov says, and adds, “It usually takes me two or three years before I make a decision, and I’d looked at these Raptors for years before pulling the trigger on this one – this was not an impulse buy.” A fourth generation Albertan, Skov says pickups were simply part of his family’s lifestyle. His dad worked in the auto industry, and Skov says he was exposed to trucks built by GM, Ford and Dodge. At 18, he bought a 1972 GMC Sierra Grande Camper Special. It wasn’t his favourite, but GMC trucks were what he continued to drive daily, with a few other makes sprinkled in for variety. That brought him to his ’07 Ford, and then the pursuit of a Raptor. At the time he purchased, Skov was not able to spec out his Raptor build. “Basically, I had to take what I could get,” he says. But he’s certainly not disappointed. His truck is fully loaded, with front and rear locking differentials, front and rear proximity sensors, heated and cooled seats, heated steering wheel and carbon fibre inserts in the interior trim. It has a higher-end Sony stereo and a trailer tow package with brake controller. His Raptor is finished in a colour Ford calls Avalanche, while the interior is black leather. New for 2017, Skov’s Raptor is the second-generation high-performance off-road truck Ford built. From 2010 to 2014, Ford offered the first-generation Raptor, based on the F-150 but with upgraded Fox suspension, improved chassis and body modifications such as different grille and extended fenders. Then, in 2017, Ford launched a new F-150 Raptor. The automaker made it lighter and put a new twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6 capable of 450 horsepower and 510 lbs-ft of torque under the hood. A 10-speed automatic transmission handles that power. Raptors are serious off-road trucks, and Skov has always enjoyed getting off the beaten path. He also tows with his trucks, and currently pulls a 22-foot travel trailer. “We’ve towed with the Raptor all over,” he says, “from Oregon to California, Arizona and Utah. We’ll tow down, set up camp, and go explore in the truck.” He also enjoys his Raptor for how it handles both rough stuff and asphalt. “Most daily driver trucks are not great for off-road adventures,” he says. “But the Raptor is really nice when driving on or off-road.” Further to his Tonka toy analogy, he appreciates how his Raptor presents itself as, “All purpose, with no bling – everything is there for a reason, either to protect the vehicle or make it easier to get in. Even the exhaust pipes are cool as they tuck up under the rear bumper.” Skov is six-feet tall and has no trouble getting in and out of the truck, and neither does his wife. He says all grab handles are in the right spot, and the rear doors open generously when loading groceries or the family’s two Yorkie terriers. “It’s a trick ride inside,” he says. “There’s a lot of information available in the instrument panel, and it’s beneficial to read the manual and take the Ford courses.” The course is the Raptor Assault training school hosted by Ford in Tooele, Utah. “You use one of their Raptors and you get a coach,” Skov explains. “And they coach you through hill climb, hill descent, rock crawl – you experience it all in their trucks and it builds confidence in doing the same in your own.” He attended Raptor Assault in 2017, and then in 2024 went to the inaugural Raptor Rally for F-150, Bronco and Ranger Raptor owners near Fairfield, Utah. At the Raptor Rally, Skov was coached to do it all again, but this time in his own truck. One of his favourite experiences was the sand event, where he was taught how to get his Raptor up on the deep sand and then plane along. Even after all the hard use his Raptor’s seen, which now has more than 100,000 kilometres on the odometer, he says interior fit and finish remains excellent, and overall “quality and construction is fantastic.” Driver and passenger comfort is also above par, he says. The seats are very supportive, and both are capable of multi power adjustments. Of the EcoBoost engine, he’s impressed. “It’s more motor than that truck needs, in my opinion, and it gets really good fuel economy,” he says. “I’ll get 14 to 15 miles per gallon when towing,” he adds. “And that 10-speed is something else, it’s never in the wrong gear and always in the right power range.” His enthusiasm continues, “The ride is comfortable under all conditions, the brakes are good – I’m still on my original pads – and overall utility is great.” An abundance of tie down points in the 5.5-foot box allow Skov to haul snowmobiles and motorcycles . It’s also hauled dirt and gravel, and furniture, all with ease. When pulling their trailer, Skov says while being cognizant he is towing, the truck makes it easy to forget there is something behind the Raptor. The truck is quiet, and the exhaust sound is not unpleasant. Skov plans to keep his Ford a very long time, and adds, “Yes, I’m a fan of the Raptor — I’m a huge fan.” What another Raptor owner is saying Ross Skov’s appreciation for the Raptor is not unique. On the FordRaptorForum.com , in March 2017 after taking delivery of a Raptor, a buyer who’d never even sat in one said: “Some things you just don’t know until you see it and drive it. I’m talking about things like seat comfort, visibility, ergonomics etc. Well, I’m pleased to say that in my opinion the truck excels in all of these areas. About 12 hours after taking delivery, I embarked on a 23-hour drive from TX to CA. I had a travel companion with me, so we were able trade off driving and resting. We pushed through and only stopped for meals and gas. The long trip home gave me a good sense of ergonomics and seat comfort, and I couldn’t be happier.” The same owner ended his post with, “Bottom line – I seriously love this truck. It’s really the perfect truck in my opinion. It’s comfortable, capable, and SO good to look at. I’m literally looking for reasons to drive places. In fact, I’m going to go see if my wife needs anything from the store...” Sign up for our newsletter Blind-Spot Monitor and follow our social channels on X , Tiktok and LinkedIn to stay up to date on the latest automotive news, reviews, car culture, and vehicle shopping advice.
Timeline: Jimmy Carter, 1924-2024
The King and the Prime Minister have paid tribute to Jimmy Carter following the former US president’s death on Sunday aged 100. In a message to the American people, the King expressed “great sadness” at the news of Mr Carter’s death, describing him as “a committed public servant” who “devoted his life to promoting peace and human rights”. He added: “His dedication and humility served as an inspiration to many, and I remember with great fondness his visit to the United Kingdom in 1977. “My thoughts and prayers are with President Carter’s family and the American people at this time.” Mr Carter, a former peanut farmer, served one term in the White House between 1977 and 1981 and spent his post-presidency years as a global humanitarian, winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. Sir Keir Starmer said Mr Carter had “lived his values in the service of others to the very end” through “decades of selfless public service”. Praising a “lifelong dedication to peace” that saw him win the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, Sir Keir added: “Motivated by his strong faith and values, President Carter redefined the post-presidency with a remarkable commitment to social justice and human rights at home and abroad.” Tributes to Mr Carter followed the announcement of his death by his family on Sunday, more than a year after he decided to enter hospice care. His son, Chip Carter, said: “My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and unselfish love.” Very sorry to hear of President Carter’s passing. I pay tribute to his decades of selfless public service. My thoughts are with his family and friends at this time. — Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) US President Joe Biden, one of the first elected politicians to endorse Mr Carter’s bid for the presidency in 1976, said the world had “lost an extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian”. He said: “Over six decades, we had the honour of calling Jimmy Carter a dear friend. But, what’s extraordinary about Jimmy Carter, though, is that millions of people throughout America and the world who never met him thought of him as a dear friend as well. “With his compassion and moral clarity, he worked to eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil rights and human rights, promote free and fair elections, house the homeless, and always advocate for the least among us.” Vice President Kamala Harris said Mr Carter “reminded our nation and the world that there is strength in decency and compassion”. “His life and legacy continue to inspire me — and will inspire generations to come,” she said. “Our world is a better place because of President Carter.” Other UK politicians also paid tribute to Mr Carter. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said he was “an inspiration” who “led a truly remarkable life dedicated to public service with a genuine care for people”. Scottish First Minister John Swinney described the former president as “a good, decent, honest man who strove for peace in all that he did”, while Welsh First Minister said he was “a remarkable man” and “a humanitarian and scholar”. Former prime minister Sir Tony Blair said Mr Carter’s “life was a testament to public service”. He added: “I always had the greatest respect for him, his spirit and his dedication. He fundamentally cared and consistently toiled to help those in need.” Gordon Brown, another former prime minister, said it was a “privilege” to have known Mr Carter, who “will be mourned, not just in America, but in every continent where human rights are valued”. Mr Carter is expected to receive a state funeral featuring public observances in Atlanta, Georgia, and Washington DC before being buried in his hometown of Plains, Georgia. A moderate democrat born in Plains in October 1924, Mr Carter’s political career took him from the Georgia state senate to the state governorship and, finally, the White House, where he took office as 39th president in the wake of the Watergate scandal and the Vietnam War. His presidency saw economic disruption amid volatile oil prices, along with social tensions at home and challenges abroad including the Iranian revolution that sparked a 444-day hostage crisis at the US embassy in Tehran. But he also brokered the Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel, which led to a peace treaty between the two countries in 1979. After his defeat in the 1980 presidential election, he worked more than four decades leading The Carter Centre, which he and his late wife Rosalynn co-founded in 1982 to “wage peace, fight disease, and build hope”. Under his leadership, the Carter Center virtually eliminated Guinea Worm disease, which has gone from affecting 3.5 million people in Africa and Asia in 1986 to just 14 in 2023. Mrs Carter, who died last year aged 96, had played a more active role in her husband’s presidency than previous first ladies, with Mr Carter saying she had been “my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished”. Earlier this year, on his 100th birthday, Mr Carter received a private congratulatory message from the King, expressing admiration for his life of public service