NosferatuCredit: UniversalIts interesting to trace back the roots of vampire lore in modern culture. Stories of blood-sucking demons predate modern sensibilities, of course, but it was Bram Stokers Dracula that inspired how we think of vampires more than any other work of literature or art. Stokers novel was published in 1897, and just 25 years later the German silent film Nosferatu was released.Despite the story drawing from Transylvanian and other Eastern European folklore, as well as the legends of historical figures such as Vlad the Impaler, there were enough similarities between Dracula and Nosferatu that Stokers estate sued. Its not hard to see why.Both stories feature a CountDracula and Orlok respectivelyresiding in a mysterious castle in a distant land. In each story, a young clerk visits the vampire in his castle and narrowly escapes with his life. In both, the vampire then makes a voyage to the more civilized west, terrorizing the citizens thereWhitby, in England and Wisborg in Germanywhile attempting to seduce a beautiful woman. Dracula and Orlok are each slain, though in different ways. The former is stabbed through the heart, the latter by daylight after being tricked by Ellen, played in Robert Eggers Nosferatu by Lily-Rose Depp. In Bram Stokers Dracula, daylight only weakened a vampires powers, but in Nosferatu it is fatal.There are other differences, of course. Dracula is handsome and charming, a seducer of women. He is the origin of the sexy vampire. Orlok is a hideous monsterand while he is very much a seducer of women in this retelling of Nosferatu, it is never sexy. Orlok is grotesque and monstrous at every turn, a towering husk. Bill Skarsgrd is absolutely marvelous in the role, his breath ragged, his thick Romanian accent at once menacing and more than a little preposterous. It is Ellens bloodher mystic connection to the Otherthat draws Orlok to her, ever since she was a girl, in this rendition of the classic.Nicholas HoultCredit: Focus FeaturesBack in 1922, Stokers estate sued German director F.W. Murnau and won, citing copyright law. But, like Orlok, it was not so easy to kill the film. Copies had already made it to America, where public domain laws were much less strict, and it quickly became a cult classic. Along with Dracula, Nosferatu is one of the most influential pieces of art that shapes our notion of vampires today, inspiring filmmakers and novelists, artists and fans ever since. Eggers version is the fourth Nosferatu, but the film I thought of most while watching was Francis Ford Coppolas Bram Stokers Dracula, which Ive seen much more recently than any version of Nosferatu.Read More: Todays Wordle #1289 Hints, Clues And Answer For Sunday, December 29thThis is a better film, mostly because of the cast. Coppola chose Keanu Reeves and Winona Ryder as his leadsboth of whom struggled enormously with their accentsonly salvaging this casting disaster by picking Gary Oldman for the titular role, and topping that off with Anthony Hopkins as Van Helsing. (Ive enjoyed Reeves and Ryder in many other films, but they were not cut out for Dracula).Eggers leans heavily into both gothic and body horror in Nosferatu, but rounds that out with plenty of camp and homage to the original and its remakes. Its genuinely funny at times, but filled with enough creepiness (and a couple good jump scares) to keep things frightening.Simon McBurneyCredit: Focus FeaturesIts also a brilliant period piece, with an enormous amount of attention to detail. When the young clerk, Thomas Hutter (Nicholas Hoult) makes his way to the Carpathians to bring Count Orlok his property deed, he comes to an inn where hes surrounded by gypsies (or Roma, if were being politically correctthey are referred to as gypsies in the film). They dance around him, laughing at his foreign awkwardness. Inside the inn, wrinkled faces stare up at him grimly from the shadows. The mood is oppressive. An old woman begs him in her foreign tongue not to go to the castle. From this point on, his journey becomes dreamlike, soon descending into a waking nightmare.Ellens entire life has been a nightmare, haunted by Orlok and his diabolical lust. When shes left by Hutter, soon after their honeymoon, she descends into a madness that confounds her friends and the local doctor, Wilhelm Sievers (Ralph Ineson). Shes given ether and tied to the bed. Its only when Professor Albin Eberhart von Franz (Willem Dafoe) is brought to see her that anyone even believes her maladies could be of a supernatural variety.Willem DafoeCredit: Focus FeaturesCinematographer Jarin Blaschke, who worked with Eggers previously on The Lighthouse, The Northman and The Witch, returns here and brings some of his best work yet. The film weaves between color and black and white, between deepest shadow and rainswept Victorian streets. Hutters approach to the castle finds him in a black forest that looks almost more like a surrealist painting than a real place.Orlok is left mostly shrouded, his hulking frame bound in furs and shadow. Sometimes, he is only shadow, long taloned fingers creeping across a wall or curtains, or down Ellens face and figure. Ellens madnesspossession, ratherdrifts between screaming terror and uncomfortable eroticism, which is actually a pretty good way to sum up Nosferatu, which is never sexy in the way so many vampire stories are, but is heaped in sexual menace.The score, by Northman composer Robin Carolan, is as lovely and intense and menacing as the rest of the film, veering between creepy music box melodies and thundering orchestral pieces, filled with forlorn and foreboding strings and haunting choral accompaniments, sweeping between haunting dread and wistful melancholy (you can listen to all 51 tracks on Spotify).Admittedly, this is not a film for everyone. For fans of Eggers previous work, there is much here to bite off and chew, but to newcomers it might be overly strange or too slow or simply confusing. Those unaccustomed to the horror genre may find it altogether too disturbing. The tone may not resonate with everyone. At times it feels almost like a stage play or a melodrama, the way that classic films often do, though I believe this is intentional.As far as Im concerned, Nosferatu is an elegantly macabre masterpiece that pulls all the right levers of horror and period drama, a throwback to an older era of cinema with just enough modern sensibilities, body horror and sex to make it as provocative as it is unsettling. Go see it on the biggest screen you can find.Have you seen Nosferatu? What did you think? Let me know on Twitter, Instagram, Bluesky or Facebook. Also be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel and follow me here on this blog. Sign up for my newsletter for more reviews and commentary on entertainment and culture.

In relationships, its not perfection that binds us, but the choice to embrace and love each other ... [+] exactly as we are.gettyMany people believe that the greatest love stories should be free of flaws, misunderstandings or heartache. Movies, books and social media feeds show us perfectly curated moments, often creating an illusion of what love should look like. But real love doesnt thrive in perfection. It lives and breathes in the beautifully messy, unpredictable and deeply human moments we share with one another.Here are four reasons why imperfect love is not only inevitable, but also deeply healing.1. Imperfection Is AuthenticThe concept of perfect love is a pervasive myth, shaped by fairy tales and romantic comedies that idealize flawless relationships where problems vanish with a kiss or a grand gesture. In reality, unlike these polished narratives, authentic love is imperfect, human and far more fulfilling.When we try to present an idealized version of ourselves to others, we create a faade that hinders genuine connection. Authentic love, by contrast, removes these barriers, creating relationships where partners truly know and accept one another.Research published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology supports this, showing that perceived partner authenticity is strongly associated with positive relationship outcomes, such as greater interpersonal trust, satisfaction and commitment.MORE FOR YOUBeing truly authentic involves embracing ones quirks, vulnerabilities and flaws without fear of judgment. It transforms the relationship into a safe space where both individuals feel seen and valued for who they are.For instance, admitting you dont know how to handle a difficult situation or laughing off a burned dinner instead of feeling embarrassed can build trust and openness. Such moments are an opportunity to signal to a partner: You dont need to pretend for me. I accept you as you are. This mutual vulnerability creates a foundation of honesty, allowing both partners to show up as their true selves.2. Imperfection Is Loves Greatest TeacherWhile society often portrays love as effortless and harmonious when done right, the reality is that moments of imperfection are what strengthen relationships. These experiences offer valuable lessons in patience, communication and understanding, helping couples grow closer.Every challenge faced together is an opportunity to deepen your bond. Disagreements can reveal unmet needs, unspoken desires or hidden fears, while mistakes remind us of our shared humanity, teaching humility, accountability and forgiveness. A relationship that embraces imperfection values growth and learning over blame and the illusion of perfection.For example, consider an argument where you feel misunderstood. Instead of reacting defensively, take a moment to ask, What is my partner really trying to communicate? Shifting from self-defense to curiosity creates room for meaningful dialogue, transforming conflict into collaboration.Similarly, when a mistake occurswhether its forgetting a special date or saying something hurtful in frustrationa sincere apology and a conversation about how to improve next time can strengthen the relationship. Moments of repair are where love proves its resilience, evolving into something deeper and more enduring.3. Imperfection Inspires CreativityWhen love doesnt conform to a prepackaged ideal, it opens the door to creativity. Relationships arent one-size-fits-all, and the rigid script of perfect date nights, grand romantic gestures and flawless communication can feel stifling. Embracing imperfection allows you to break free from these constraints, crafting a love story that reflects your unique personalities, values and circumstances.Ample research shows that creativity can enhance relationships, with creative individuals often perceiving their partners as more attractive than their partners self-assessments or objective ratings.Longitudinal data, from a 2019 study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology suggests that creativity buffers against the decline of passion, acting as an antidote to monotony and routine in relationships.Embracing imperfection grants you the freedom to experiment, adapt and redefine what love looks like. Instead of adhering to traditional notions, you can design a relationship that works best for you both.So next time, be open to the idea thatdate night isnt candlelit dinners but spontaneous hikes. Maybe I love you isnt necessarily spoken every day but shown in consistent acts of service or small gestures. By letting go of rigid ideals, you allow love to take a shape thats uniquely yours, full of spontaneity, innovation and authenticity.4. Imperfection Nurtures AcceptanceImperfect love creates a space where you can show up as your true selfflaws, vulnerabilities and alland still be cherished. This acceptance goes beyond surface-level affection and reaches the core of who you are.Hiding your imperfections in a relationship creates a barrier to intimacy. Maintaining a faade of perfection is also exhausting and prevents your partner from truly knowing you. However, when you let go of the fear of judgment and allow your flaws to be seen, you create a connection based on trust and authenticity. In imperfect love, the focus isnt on fixing each other but on embracing each others humanity.A 2023 study published in the Journal of Family Psychology found that both accepting your partner and feeling accepted by them are crucial to relationship satisfaction. Partner acceptance enhances satisfaction by increasing the other persons sense of being accepted, while also boosting ones own satisfaction through their own felt acceptance.Perhaps the next time youre grumpy after a long day, instead of retreating or putting on a happy face, share how you feel with your partner. When they show their love on these difficult days, support you through struggles and embrace you when youre not at your best, it acts as a reminder that love doesnt depend on perfection.Its also essential to remember that imperfect love celebrates human flaws, not harmful or abusive behavior. Healthy love always prioritizes safety, respect, accountability and care.Such imperfect love, in essence, invites you to be real. And in that realness, you find the true beauty of connection. In the end, its not about loving your partner despite their flaws, but about loving them because of the complete, multifaceted person they are.Do you find it hard to let go of the idea that love must be flawless? Take the Authenticity In Relationships Scale to find out if perfectionism stands in the way of your connection.

Table of ContentsTable of ContentsMac mini (M4)AirPods 4 with ANCiPhone 16iPad mini (7th-generation)MacBook Pro (M4)iPad Pro (M4)Apple took some big swings this year with the Vision Pro and Apple Intelligence. It feels like early days for both of those, though I cant say either have felt like a genuine success.And yet, there were lots of Apple products peppered throughout the year that live up to the companys high reputation of quality. As youll notice, these definitely fall in line with the more established products in Apples ecosystem. But that doesnt take anything away from just how good these were and how much they impressed our team of reviewers here at Digital Trends.Recommended VideosChris Hagan / Digital TrendsThe Mac mini has long been an ignored product in Apples lineup, despite being the most affordable Mac you can buy. It had used more or less the same design for over a decade, despite the bumps to performance in the Apple Silicon era. But in 2024, the Mac mini became impossible to ignore. Not only did the redesign make it more compact, it also received the bump to 16GB as a starting RAM configuration without increasing the price. This is a huge deal for a mini PC that was already so affordable. Theres simply no value in the world of computers quite like the base configuration of the M4 Mac mini right now. Its not perfect the placement of the power button is silly and the storage configuration prices get a bit insane. But as a base, theres just never been a mini PC or Mac of any kind quite like it.RelatedSimon Cohen / Digital TrendsApple launched the AirPods 4 alongside its new iPhone, but also launched an interesting secondary model, eloquently named AirPods 4 with ANC (Active Noise Cancellation). Originally a feature exclusive to the AirPods Pro, you can now get ANC in AirPods for just $179 compared to the $249 of the AirPods Pro 2. The main difference, however, is that it doesnt include ear tips. Though the sound quality wont ever be immersive especially for all ears if ear tips bother you (or gross you out), this is a great way to go.In our review of both pairs of wireless earbuds, we noted that the base AirPods 4 do sound better than the previous generation, and that the ANC model sound even better by nature of the fact that they so successfully remove outside sounds from the sonic canvas. And to sum things up: There is no better ANC in an open-ear earbud. Thats quite a ringing endorsement from our audio experts.Joe Maring / Digital TrendsMuch has been said about the current status of the iPhone and its now very complicated and nuanced lineup. But among all the higher-end options available, our phone reviewers were most impressed by the base iPhone 16. It lacks all the bells and whistles of the Pro and Pro Max models, of course, but for a $799 phone, its probably the iPhone most people should be upgrading to this year. The tweaked design, punctuated by the new color options, really make this stand out compared to previous models, too.Our reviewer, Joe Maring, was really taken aback by the new colors and redesigned camera module on the back, so much so that he says the following: It still looks like an iPhone, but theres enough new here that it feels fresh and exciting in a way the iPhone 16 Pro does not. The 60Hz refresh rate feels a little old-school, as does the lack of an always-on display.But its great to see Apple ensure that its most affordable iPhone (outside the iPhone SE) really feels like something new. In 2024, thats really saying something.Nadeem Sarwar / Digital TrendsIf theres one product category that Apple unequivocally owns, its the small tablet. There are hardly any players left in the game, and thats largely because of just how good the $499 iPad mini really is. Its not trying to replace your MacBook, but its the perfect travel companion or couch device. In 2024, that hasnt changed its just gotten better.In our review, we wrote about just how perfect the form factor is, paired with the silky smooth performance of the A17 Pro chip. Yes, Apple Intelligence features still feel half-baked, but that doesnt change just how fantastic a device the iPad mini still is, now in its 7th generation.It still has some of the problems with the older iPad design, whether thats the awkward webcam placement, the lack of a headphone jack, and the not-quite-bright-enough display. And yet, its a great example of just how good Apples refinements to this under-appreciated product category really have become.Chris Hagan / Digital TrendsBringing the M4 to the MacBook Pro didnt feel like a revelation. We knew it would happen, and it played out very much how we assumed it would, adding a more powerful Neural Engine and significant boost to CPU and GPU performance over the M3.What we didnt expect, however, was the other changes Apple had up its sleeve. For the first time since its launch, the M4 MacBook Pro feels like a really good option, so much so that it successfully undercuts the 15-inch MacBook Air. The most important upgrade is the bump to 16GB of RAM, which finally makes this the Pro device it deserves to be. Add in the option for the really awesome nano-texture display that deflects glare, and youve got the makings of a very solid generational upgrade. The M4 Pro and M4 Max continue to startle with how much GPU performance theyre able to scale up, as always, but the improvement to the 14-inch M4 model really were the most impressive this time around.Nadeem Sarwar / Digital TrendsSet all the debates aside about the direction of the iPad Pro and the future of how it compares with MacBooks. Taken on its own, the M4 iPad Pro is just an immaculate tech product. Apple made a lot of small tweaks to improve the design this time around, whether its changing the position of the webcam for better video calls or just squeezing an insane amount of performance in with the M4.Throw in the insanely bright and vivid tandem OLED display a feature still missing from MacBook Pros and you see how much Apple is able to juice up its iPads with breakthrough technology. According to our testing in the review, the new display tech not only improved image quality but also helped with battery life. Our reviewer boldly called it the best tablet ever Ive ever used.While it hasnt quite arrived, it feels easier than ever to replace a basic laptop or MacBook Air with an iPad Pro, and thats thanks to just how incredible the hardware is. Well keep waiting on the software to catch up, but that doesnt take anything away from just how good this years iPad Pro update was.Editors Recommendations

Costco's first wave of openings in 2025 will be in California, Texas, Michigan, and Massachusetts.The club plans to open about 30 new locations this year, with a little more than half in the US.More recently, the company has been adding new warehouses near existing successful ones.Costco has announced its first wave of openings in 2025Six cities across the US will see new warehouses opening in March, including Brentwood and Highland in California, Prosper and Weatherford in Texas, Genesee County in Michigan, and Sharon in Massachusetts.During the first quarter of Costco's fiscal year, which starts in September, CEO Ron Vachris said the company opened seven new locations, including the 897th warehouse in Pleasanton, California the day before Thanksgiving."That opening had the highest-ever opening day sales for a US warehouse at $2.9 million that day," he said during the quarterly earnings call earlier this month. "We continue to project 29 openings during fiscal year 2025."With pretty remarkable consistency over the years, the club has typically opened about 30 new locations per year, with slightly more than half of those in the US.Apart from details found in local construction permits, Costco remains tight-lipped about where it plans to open new locations until 90 days before the scheduled opening date.More recently, the company has been adding new warehouses near existing successful stores to relieve the pressure on popular locations.The new Pleasanton location is situated between three high-volume warehouses in the Bay Area, and the improved customer experience in terms of better parking and shorter checkout lines is already showing positive results for Costco as shoppers have more elbow room."We see the existing member base coming more frequently and the build-back is quite nice for us," Vachris said.And new locations aren't just good news for shoppers they also present an opportunity for workers who want to start or grow their career with the wholesale club.Working at a new Costco warehouse especially ones that are in newer geographies for the chain is a smart move if you want to advance your career with the retail giant, one manager previously told Business Insider."If you seriously want to get promoted and want to grow in the company, move to some of the areas where they're growing into," he said.

Burglars broke into NBA star Luka Doncic's home and stole $30,000 worth of jewelry on Friday.The FBI said it is investigating a series of burglaries at the homes of pro athletes in the US.The NBA said the FBI has connected the break-ins to a "transnational" South American crime group.Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic's home was the latest residence to be burglarized in a monthslong string of break-ins targeting the houses of professional athletes across the country.Doncic's business manager, Lara Beth Seager, told reporters on Saturday that Doncic's home was targeted by thieves on Friday, according to The Dallas Morning News. A police report obtained by the outlet said the criminals got away with about $30,000 worth of jewelry.Tyler Seguin, a player for the Dallas Stars hockey team, was also the target of a break-in earlier in the year, sources confirmed to the outlet. Seguin is the highest-paid player for the Stars, signing an eight-year, $78.8 million contract in 2018.The Dallas sports stars aren't the first professional athletes to face residential burglaries this year.The NFL issued a security alert on November 21 to the player's union and teams' security directors after break-ins at the homes of Kansas City Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce, who is also Taylor Swift's boyfriend. Sources told NFL.com at the time that the FBI was investigating the break-ins, which the agency believes are connected to a South American crime organization."It's legit," one source familiar with the situation told NFL.com. "It's a transnational crime ring, and over the last three weeks, they've focused on NBA and NFL players, and it's all over the country."The NBA also warned players in November to take additional security precautions following break-ins at the houses of Milwaukee Bucks star Bobby Portis and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley. The home of Celtics star Jaylen Brown's mother was also burglarized. The NBA sent a memo to league officials, which The Associated Press obtained, that said the FBI has connected some of the burglaries to "transnational South American Theft Groups" that are "reportedly well-organized, sophisticated rings that incorporate advanced techniques and technologies, including pre-surveillance, drones, and signal jamming devices."The FBI and Seager did not immediately return requests for comment from Business Insider.

Jimmy Carter was born on October 1, 1924, in the small farming town of Plains, Georgia.Jimmy Carter at 1 year old. Bettmann/Getty Images Carter grew up on his family's 360-acre peanut farm in the nearby community of Archery.His father, James Earl Carter, Sr., was a farmer and businessman, while his mother, Lillian Gordy Carter, was a registered nurse. The Carters were one of few landowning families in Archery.Jimmy Carter as a boy petting a colt in a field circa 1920s. CORBIS/Corbis/Getty Images The New York Times reported that the Carters were also the only white family in town. Despite achieving status in a rural town with a population of only 200, the family grew up in relative poverty.Carter's family didn't have running water until he turned 11 and they didn't get electricity until three years later."The greatest day in my life was not being inaugurated president, [and] it wasn't even marrying Rosalynn it was when they turned the electricity on," the Times reported Carter said. Carter received a bachelor's from the United States Naval Academy.Jimmy Carter in his US Navy uniform. Library of Congress/Corbis/VCG/Getty Images At the time, the Naval Academy did not offer specialized degrees, but Carter later did graduate work in nuclear physics at Union College in Schenectady, New York. Jimmy Carter married Rosalynn Smith of Plains, Georgia, in 1946.Jimmy Carter in Navy military uniform. USNA AAF Though they knew each other distantly as children, a mutual friend formally introduced them while Carter was attending the US Naval Academy.They were married on July 7, 1946, shortly after he had graduated from the academy.Carter and his wife Rosalynn held the record for the longest-married presidential couple. She died on November 19, 2023. Carter went on to serve in the US Navy's Atlantic and Pacific fleets during World War II and the Korean War.Jimmy Carter with sailors aboard USS Wyoming in 1947. Library of Congress/Corbis/VCG/Getty Images He rose to the rank of lieutenant officer and is one of 29 American presidents who have served in the armed forces.He is pictured third from left in the front row. When his father died in 1953, Carter resigned from the Navy and returned home to take over his family's peanut farm.Jimmy Carter on his peanut farm. PhotoQuest/Getty Images After the farm began to falter in the late 1940s, Earl Carter sold the family's farmhouse and surrounding land in 1949. moving the family to nearby Plains. However, after Jimmy Carter returned home and bought back the farm, the business became widely successful under his leadership.In addition to the peanut farm, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter operated Carter's Warehouse, a general-purpose seed and farm supply company in Plains, Georgia.The Carters had four children: Jack, born in 1947; James, born in 1950; Donnel, born in 1952; and Amy, born in 1967. Carter soon became known as a leader in his community.Jimmy Carter with his dog behind a tractor on his peanut farm in Plains, Georgia, in 1970. Archive Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images The Miller Center reported that Carter served as chairman of the county school board and later became the first president of the Georgia Planning Association. In 1962, he was elected to the Georgia Senate. He attempted to run for governor in 1966 but was defeated.Jimmy Carter became the governor of Georgia in 1971.Georgia Governor Jimmy Carter in 1971. Bettmann/Getty Images Carter served on multiple committees as governor and became the Democratic National Committee campaign chairman for the 1974 congressional and gubernatorial elections. Carter announced his candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination on December 12, 1974.Jimmy Carter and his family in 1976. Library Of Congress/Getty Images Carter, pictured with his family in 1976, won his party's nomination on the first ballot at the 1976 Democratic National Convention. His role in the community fueled his desire to enter politics, but his work on the peanut farm became a symbol of his presidential campaign.Presidential candidate Jimmy Carter with an unidentified supporter during a campaign event in Brockton, Massachusetts, in 1976. Mikki Ansin/Getty Images Given that Carter had never held a national office before announcing his candidacy for president, many American voters had never heard of the Georgia politician when he launched his campaign.The Miller Center reported that a Georgia newspaper even ran a front-page headline that read, "Jimmy Who Is Running For What!?" after Carter announced his candidacy.However, a grassroots campaign team hailing from Plains, nicknamed "The Peanut Brigade," helped launch Carter as an outsider completely separated from the scandals of the previous Nixon administration.His campaign slogans focused on Carter's image as an everyday American, choosing phrases like "America Needs Carter, A Man of the Soil" and "Jimmy Carter For All of Us."Carter chose Walter Mondale, a United States senator from Minnesota, as his vice presidential running mate. Jimmy Carter was elected to the presidency on November 2, 1976, defeating the incumbent president, Gerald Ford.Jimmy Carter embraced his wife, Rosalynn, after receiving the final news of his victory in the national general election on November 2, 1976. Hulton Archive/Getty Images In 1973, Ford was appointed to the vice presidency by Richard Nixon and confirmed by Congress under provisions of the 25th Amendment after Vice President Spiro T. Agnew resigned. Less than a year later, in August 1974, Nixon himself resigned, and Ford became president.He was not a popular president, largely due to the aftermath of the Watergate Scandal and the Vietnam War. He also awarded Nixon a full pardon shortly after assuming office, which proved to be a controversial decision.Carter won with 297 electoral votes, a majority stemming from the Southern and Northern states, while Ford secured 240 votes.In 1976, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter were interviewed by Barbara Walters at their Georgia home prior to his inauguration.Barbara Walters interviewed Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter in 1976. Disney General Entertainment Content/Getty Images Photo Archives/Getty Images "I pray that I won't disappoint the American people," President Carter told Walters in the December 1976 interview. Jimmy Carter was sworn in as the 39th president of the United States on January 20, 1977.Jimmy Carter at his inauguration ceremony on January 20, 1977. David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images "This inauguration ceremony marks a new beginning, a new dedication within our government, and a new spirit among us all. A President may sense and proclaim that new spirit, but only a people can provide it," Carter said in his inaugural address."You have given me a great responsibility to stay close to you, to be worthy of you, and to exemplify what you are. Let us create together a new national spirit of unity and trust. Your strength can compensate for my weakness, and your wisdom can help to minimize my mistakes," he continued."Let us learn together and laugh together and work together and pray together, confident that in the end, we will triumph together in the right. The American dream endures. We must once again have full faith in our country and in one another. I believe America can be better. We can be even stronger than before." Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter danced to a live band at the Inaugural Ball in 1977.Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter at the Inaugural Ball in 1977. HUM Images/Getty Images At the inauguration ceremony, Linda Ronstadt performed a cover of Willie Nelson's "Crazy," and Aretha Franklin performed "God Bless America."Thenational anthemwas performed by Cantor Isaac Goodfriend ofAtlanta, a Holocaust survivor. President Carter met with world leaders, including Queen Elizabeth II, during his term.Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip with President Jimmy Carter. Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty Images Carter famously broke royal protocol when he kissed the Queen Mother on the lips during his visit in 1977."I took a sharp step backwards not quite far enough," theQueen Mother is said to have remarked after the encounter, according to Vogue.After Queen Elizabeth passed away on September 8, 2022, Carter called her a "remarkable leader.""Rosalynn and I extend our condolences to the family of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the citizens of the United Kingdom," he wrote in a statement. "Her dignity, graciousness, and sense of duty have been an inspiration, and we join the millions around the world in mourning a remarkable leader."Throughout his presidency, Carter championedhuman rights and attempted to combat the country's energy shortage and economic instability.Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter with their grandchildren. Diana Walker/Getty Images During his presidency, Carter created the Department of Education and the Department of Energy. The White House reported that he also appointed record numbers of women, African Americans, and Hispanics to federal positions. Carter expanded the national park system to include the protection of 103 million acres of Alaskan lands.Jimmy Carter fishing during his presidency. Bettmann / Contributor/Getty Images Carter was also the first president to install solar panels on the roof of the White House, though they were later removed by his successor, Ronald Reagan.In addition to his work in the environment, Carter also established diplomatic relations with China and helped negotiate peace between Egyptian and Israeli leaders at Camp David in 1978, a peace agreement that came to be known as the Camp David Accords. However, ination and interest rates were at near-record highs, and his handling of the Iran Hostage Crisis saw his popularity plunge.President Jimmy Carter at a White House briefing. Harvey Georges/AP Carter claimed an increase of nearly 8 million jobs during his term and a decrease in the budget decit. However, despite his gains, Carter's leadership came under scrutiny as Americans continued to struggle with high ination and unemployment rates, the White House reported.The Iran Hostage Crisis also marred his presidency. On November 4, 1979, Iranian militants stormed the United States Embassy in Tehran and took 66 Americans captive.Thirteen of the captives were released on November 19 and 20, 1979, one was released on July 11, 1980, and the remaining 52 were released on January 20, 1981, over a year after they were initially captured, per the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library.Eight American servicemen and one Iranian civilian were killed during a failed secret mission, spearheaded by Carter in April 1980, to rescue the hostages."As our team was withdrawing, after my order to do so, two of our American aircraft collided on the ground following a refueling operation in a remote desert location in Iran," Carter said in a statement at the time."There was no fighting; there was no combat. But to my deep regret, eight of the crewmen of the two aircraft which collided were killed, and several other Americans were hurt in the accident," Carter continued. "Our people were immediately airlifted from Iran. Those who were injured have gotten medical treatment, and all of them are expected to recover."All of the hostages were eventually returned safely home, but many criticized Carter's lack of military retaliation after the incident, the failed 1980 mission, and the resulting loss of life. Secretary of StateCyrus Vance, who had opposed the mission, resigned in protest after the incident. Carter left office in 1981 after a landslide defeat by Ronald Reagan in November 1980.President Jimmy Carter at Merced College in 1980. Diana Walker/Getty Images "I promised you four years ago that I would never lie to you. So, I can't stand here tonight and say it doesn't hurt," Carter said in his concession speech on November 4, 1980."I've not achieved all I set out to do; perhaps no one ever does. But we have faced the tough issues. We've stood for, and we've fought for, and we have achieved some very important goals for our country," he continued."These efforts will not end with this administration. The effort must go on. Nor will the progress that we have made be lost when we leave office. The great principles that have guided this Nation since its very founding will continue to guide America through the challenges of the future." After he left office, Carter continued to spread his ideals of education and peace.Jimmy Carter, and his wife, Rosalynn, gave members of the press a tour at a special preview of the new Carter Presidential Center in 1986. Bettmann/Getty Images Carter founded the Carter Center, a nongovernmental, nonprofit organization in Atlanta, in 1982 with the goal of advancing human rights and alleviating suffering.CNN reported that it has promoted conict resolution, supervised democratic elections abroad, and worked to combat diseases worldwide, including the near eradication of a tropical disease called Guinea worm.It is adjacent to The Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum, which opened on October 1, 1986. In his later years, Carter remained devoted to his family and community.Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter attended the wedding of Amy Carter and Jim Wentzel on September 1, 1996, in Plains, Georgia. Charles Plant/Handout/Getty Images Following his presidency, the Carters returned to their ranch-style home in Plains, Georgia. The house costs less than the armored Secret Service cars that follow him around, The Washington Post reported in 2018.Pictured, Jimmy Carter attended the wedding of his youngest child, Amy Carter, in 1996. The wedding, held at her family's Pond House estate in Plains, Georgia, was attended by 140 guests, the Los Angeles Times reported. He also became the presidential face of Habitat for Humanity, a charity organization he has worked with for more than 35 years.Jimmy Carter at a construction site for Habitat for Humanity in 1992. mark peterson/Corbis/Getty Images Through their joint work with Habitat for Humanity as part of the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project, the former president and first lady worked alongside 104,000 volunteers and built, renovated, and repaired 4, 390 homes in 14 countries."Habitat provides a simple but powerful avenue for people of different backgrounds to come together to achieve those most meaningful things in life. A decent home, yes, but also a genuine bond with our fellow human beings. A bond that comes with the building up of walls and the breaking down of barriers," Carter said. For his humanitarian efforts, in 2002, Carter became the third American president to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.Jimmy Carter with his Nobel Peace Prize on December 10, 2002. Arne Knudsen/Getty Images Carter was awarded the prestigious prize for "his decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts," The Washington Post reported."God gives us a capacity for choice. We can choose to alleviate suffering. we can choose to work together for peace. We can make these changes and we must," Carter said in his acceptance speech. Jimmy and Carter Rosalynn attended the funeral of former President George H.W. Bush in 2018.President Donald Trump, and former presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and Jimmy Carter attended the funeral of George H.W. Bush in 2018. Matt McClain/The Washington Post/Getty Images They were seated alongside then-President Donald Trump, as well as former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton."Rosalynn and I are deeply saddened by the death of former President George H.W. Bush," Carter wrote in a statement following Bush's death on November 30, 2018. "His administration was marked by grace, civility, and social conscience." His wife, Rosalynn Carter, died in November 2023.Jimmy Carter attended the funeral of former first lady Rosalynn Carter. Alex Brandon/Pool/Getty Images The couple were married for 77 years, the longest of any presidential couple in history.On February 18, 2023, the Carter Center released a statement saying Carter, then 98, had chosen to stop receiving medical intervention and receive hospice care at home after "a series of short hospital stays."Carter attended the funeral of his wife and former first lady Rosalynn Carter on November 29, 2023, in their hometown of Plains. She was 96 years old. Carter is the nation's longest-lived president, having died at age 100.Jimmy Carter in 2018. AP Photo/John Bazemore In 2015, Carter was diagnosed with melanoma, which later spread to four different parts of his brain. He received experimental treatment and went into remission, becoming cancer-free just four months later.At a church service in late 2019, the then-95-year-old said that when he learned he had cancer at 90 years old, he assumed he was "going to die very quickly.""I obviously prayed about it. I didn't ask God to let me live, but I asked God to give me a proper attitude toward death. And I found that I was absolutely and completely at ease with death," Carter said in 2019, CNN reported.He died on December 29, 2024, in his Plains, Georgia home. At age 100, he was the nation's longest-lived president.

Jimmy Carter, the one-term Democratic president who presided over a period of economic sluggishness and social malaise but who distinguished himself with the longest and one of Americas most admirable post-presidencies, has died at the age of 100. He was the longest-lived president in American history.Carter, a single-term former governor of Georgia, was considered a long shot for the Democratic nomination in 1976. But he defeated a crowded field in the primary and incumbent Gerald Ford in the general. His lack of national experience proved to be a liability once in office, as he had an antagonistic relationship with congressional Democrats and failed to make progress on major domestic priorities like universal health insurance and a job guarantee program.On foreign policy, he was initially successful, making peace between Egypt and Israel and negotiating the return of the Panama Canal to Panama. But the seizure of 52 Americans as hostages in Tehran in 1979 came to dominate the end of his term.Former Egyptian President Anwar al-Sadat, Jimmy Carter, and former Israeli Premier Menachem Begin listen to the national anthem before signing the Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty on the north lawn of the White House on March 26, 1979. David Hume Kennerly/Getty ImagesCarter inherited a serious inflation problem from Ford, which only got worse during his administration, peaking at over 14 percent by 1980. The US fell into recession that year, and a tough primary challenge from Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA) and the ongoing Iranian hostage crisis further weakened Carter. He lost reelection to former California Gov. Ronald Reagan that fall in a landslide, a defeat worsened by a strong centrist third-party run by Rep. John Anderson (R-IL).After his defeat, Carter mostly abandoned electoral politics in favor of philanthropy, founding the Carter Center in his native Georgia. Among his most famous charitable endeavors were his support for housing charity Habitat for Humanity, his campaigns to eradicate guinea worm and other diseases worldwide, and his work in monitoring elections abroad to guard against fraud. His charitable work won him the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, at a time when Carter was fervently criticizing the Bush administrations push for war with Iraq.Carters pro-Palestinian views, expressed in his book Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid (2006), made him a more polarizing figure in the mid-00s. But that didnt dull the publics general affection a 2015 poll found him to be Americans most common choice for best ex-president; he was in second place even with Republicans.As the lone Democratic president between Lyndon Johnson and Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter served a transitional role. His fiscally conservative, deregulatory policies and his loss in 1980 paved the way for the flourishing of Reagan-style conservatism in the 1980s and Democrats turn to the center in the 1990s.But his legacy in office is arguably less important than the role he played in establishing a norm for post-presidencies in which ex-presidents take a leading role as statesmen and philanthropists.Carters rise to the presidencyJames Earl Carter Jr. was born in 1924 in the small farming town of Plains, Georgia.His father was a successful peanut farmer who also owned a peanut-shelling company and a general store. After graduating from the Naval Academy and serving seven years on active duty much of it working with nuclear submarines the younger Carter returned to Plains to revive the familys peanut business upon his fathers death in 1953.Carters father, James Earl Carter Sr. (who went by Earl), was a local politician and held a seat in the Georgia House when he died. Carter followed him into elected office, first in 1955 when he won a seat on the Sumter County Board of Education, and then when he was elected to the state Senate in 1962.Jimmy Carter during his time in the Navy. Library of Congress/Corbis/VCG via Getty ImagesGeorgia politics at the time was consumed by the issue of civil rights and the question of desegregation. Carter was no segregationist famously, he declined to join the local White Citizens Council, surviving a brief boycott of his peanut business afterward but he was hardly an uncompromising supporter of civil rights, either. Carter supported a school consolidation that would have furthered integration during his time on the board of education. But in his failed 1966 run for governor, and his successful 1970 bid, he campaigned at all-white schools and attacked rivals as overly integrationist.In his inaugural speech as governor in 1971, Carter told Georgians that the time for discrimination is over and no poor, rural, weak, or black person should ever again have to bear the additional burden of being deprived of the opportunity for an education, a job, or simple justice.The new rhetorical commitment to social justice and his declaration of becoming a born again Christian had been inspired by what Kenneth Morris and other biographers describe as a kind of spiritual awakening, brought on by reading the works of theologians and philosophers like Reinhold Niebuhr, Paul Tillich, and Sren Kierkegaard. In a 1974 speech while governor, he cited Niebuhr and Bob Dylan as profound influences on his sense of morality, citing Dylans Maggies Farm in discussing conditions for farmworkers.Biographer Randall Ballmer argues that this newfound deep commitment to civil rights was sincere, citing Carters record-breaking appointments of African Americans to important posts in the state government, his role in integrating Macons and Spartas schools, and symbolic gestures like unveiling a portrait of Martin Luther King Jr. in the state capitol building, over protests from the Ku Klux Klan.But his gubernatorial record on race was hardly spotless. In 1971, he and Alabama Gov. George Wallace both supported adding an anti-busing plank to the Democratic platform, and in 1973 expressed support for a constitutional amendment to forbid busing as a means of school integration, saying, The rest of the nation is now saying, Maybe those folks down in Georgia, Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi were right after all.Carter with children in Georgia, 1971. Stan Wayman/The Life Picture Collection via Getty ImagesHe was also at the center of the Supreme Courts 1972 decision to ban the death penalty, and the 1976 decision to revive it. After the Court struck down the states death penalty statute in 1972s Furman v. Georgia, Carter and the legislature enacted a new law that would pass constitutional muster. In 1976s Gregg v. Georgia, the court ruled the amendments sufficient. Later, Carter would express remorse for his role in reviving capital punishment.Carter would face Wallace in the 1976 primaries, which had a crowded field of 12 serious candidates. He rode early wins in Iowa and New Hampshire to victory, beating back late challenges from Sen. Frank Church (D-ID) and Gov. Jerry Brown (D-CA).The incumbent, Republican Gerald Ford, very narrowly won his partys nomination after a highly successful primary challenge from Ronald Reagan. By the time of the party conventions, Carter was ahead in the polls by some 33 points.Despite solidly besting Ford in the second presidential debate where Ford made a gaffe by insisting against all evidence that there is no Soviet domination of Eastern Europe the race narrowed dramatically and Carter eked out a 2 percent popular vote win over Ford, winning the Electoral College by sweeping every Southern state but Virginia and Oklahoma.Carter and CongressCarter entered the presidency at a time when liberals had been poised and ready to pass major, transformative legislation.There was wide support in the party including from Carter on the campaign trail for single-payer health care, and while ultimate passage was unlikely, the odds of some kind of major expansion of coverage passing were significant.Under Nixon, a guaranteed minimum income plan had passed the House, and universal day care had passed both houses of Congress, only to be vetoed. Momentum was also growing for the Humphrey-Hawkins Act, a proposal to guarantee a government job to anyone who wants one so long as unemployment is above 3 percent. Carter endorsed it during the campaign, as did the leading figures and institutions of the civil rights movement (including Coretta Scott King) and the labor movement.Coretta Scott King speaks while flanked by President Jimmy Carter and her father-in-law, Martin Luther King Sr., on July 11, 1977. Wally McNamee/Corbis via Getty ImagesBut Carter bungled his relationship with Congress from the beginning. The original sin of his presidency was his handling of a water bill.A month after taking office, Carter decided to eliminate 19 water projects from the budget. Louisianas Russell Long, the conservative Democratic chair of the Senate Finance Committee, saw multiple projects of his gone. A project connecting two rivers on the border between Mississippi and Alabama was canceled, despite being sponsored by Rep. Tom Bevill (D-AL) and Sen. John Stennis (D-MS), who controlled the appropriations subcommittees in charge of water projects in their respective chambers.The way in which many members of Congress found out about their endangered projects was as harmful to the White House as the proposed deletion of the projects themselves, Scott Frisch and Sean Kelly write in Jimmy Carter and the Water Wars: Presidential Influence and the Politics of Pork. Some members of Congress learned of the status of their projects in the newspaper rather than hearing from the president or the Office of Congressional Liaison.Under pressure from lawmakers, Carter chose to sign a water bill that included all the projects he had wanted to eliminate. His brave stand against pork had accomplished nothing except alienate key legislative allies. Carters first budget director, Bert Lance, called the decision to fight the water projects the worst political mistake he made its effects lasted the rest of his term and doomed any hopes we ever had of developing a good, effective working relationship with Congress.Carter did not wind up signing a law guaranteeing full employment, or expanding health care, or establishing universal day care, or providing a minimum income. He faced heavy pressure from the United Auto Workers and other unions, as well as congressional liberals like Ted Kennedy, to introduce a national health insurance plan, but he kept delaying before ultimately deciding he had totally different priorities on health care than the rest of his party did.Carter signs the Windfall Profits Tax Bill as senators and representatives who helped it pass look on in 1980. Wally McNamee/Corbis via Getty ImagesGiven his fiscal conservatism, historian Martin Halpern writes, Carters health care focus in 1977 was on legislation to control hospital costs. Only if fiscal prudence were established first would it be sensible to move forward and spend money on a new program, Carter thought.Full employment was a similar story. In March 1977, just a few months after taking office, the Carter administration privately reached the conclusion that the Humphrey-Hawkins bill is both unnecessary and undesirable, historian Jefferson Cowie writes. Carter chief economist Charles Schultze was a particularly influential opponent, arguing that ensuring 3 percent unemployment would trigger unacceptable levels of inflation.Carter and Schultze demanded that senator and former Vice President Hubert Humphrey (D-MN) and Rep. Augustus Hawkins (D-CA) water down the bill until it was functionally meaningless. The sponsors ultimately caved. And so it was that the Humphrey-Hawkins Full Employment and Balanced Growth Act of 1978 was signed into law. Today, its mainly remembered for its requirement that the Federal Reserve submit a biannual report on monetary policy to Congress, with the chair of the Fed testifying before the House and Senate on its contents.Where Carter did have legislative success was in pushing for deregulation, both of the energy sector and through the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978, which paved the way for budget airlines like Southwest to flourish but which critics argue hasnt lowered fares appreciably. Arguably his greatest domestic achievement was the signing of the Food Stamp Act of 1977, which transformed the nutrition program from a burdensome coupon scheme to a basic safety net for the poor.Carter the executiveInitially, Carter had more success on foreign policy. His greatest achievement came in 1978, when two years of efforts to broker a peace deal between Israel and its Arab neighbors resulted in a historic accord between Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat. He reached an agreement with Panama to cede American control of the Panama Canal Zone, and successfully lobbied the Senate to ratify it.Carter made a point of emphasizing human rights, writing a sympathetic letter to Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov, for instance. But he was inconsistent in applying this principle, and avoided economic sanctions targeting, and divestment from, South Africa, for instance. After the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, Carter, at the urging of national security adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski, had the CIA begin funding armed Afghan resistance groups fighting the Soviets.Carter appointees Charles Schultze and Zbigniew Brzezinski walk with Carter to his home on December 16, 1976. Bettmann Archive/Getty ImagesForeign affairs got the better of Carter by the end of his presidency. The Afghanistan invasion scuttled his efforts at dtente and killed the SALT II arms control treaty.More importantly, though, after the Iranian revolution deposed the American-based authoritarian regime of Shah Reza Pahlavi, Carter reluctantly, under pressure from American allies of the shah like Henry Kissinger, agreed to admit him to the US for medical treatment. In retaliation, Iranian students took 52 soldiers, diplomats, and other Americans hostage in the American embassy.The crisis would last until the end of Carters presidency. While at first he gained a bump in the polls as he became a pseudo-wartime leader (helping him defeat Ted Kennedys primary challenge), as the crisis wore on and Carter tried and failed to negotiate a release for the hostages, his political fortunes flagged. On April 24, 1980, against the advice of Secretary of State Cyrus Vance, the US launched Operation Eagle Claw, a special forces mission designed to rescue the hostages. The mission was aborted due to technical problems, and a US helicopter crashed into a transport plane, killing eight men. As the crisis dragged on and humiliations like Eagle Claw mounted, Carters Gallup approval ratings collapsed from their January high of 58 percent to 31 percent by the end of June.More symbolic events also hurt Carter. On April 20, 1979, Carter had an infamous run-in with a feral swamp rabbit while fishing in Georgia. The story prompted so much mockery that the administration declined to release the official White House photographers documentation of the incident, though it would eventually surface:An official photograph of the Carter rabbit incident. Unnamed White House photographerIt seemed like a metaphor for the Carter administrations failures more generally, with presidential candidate Bob Dole saying, Im sure the rabbit intended the president no harm. In fact, the poor thing was simply doing something a little unusual these days trying to get aboard the presidents boat. Everyone else seems to be jumping ship.On July 15, 1979, in a speech meant to address the ongoing inflation and energy crises, Carter declared that the nation was undergoing a crisis of confidence. It is a crisis that strikes at the very heart and soul and spirit of our national will. We can see this crisis in the growing doubt about the meaning of our own lives and in the loss of a unity of purpose for our nation.Dubbed the malaise speech (despite the word not appearing), the remarks actually improved Carters polling at first. But a week later he undid any progress by firing his whole Cabinet. Vice President Walter Mondale was so aggravated at the speech and its aftermath that he threatened to resign (hed later claim he was just venting).Facing both a surging Reagan who batted off challenges from Dole and George H.W. Bush to win the GOP nomination and John Anderson, a liberal Republican who also fielded a losing GOP primary bid, Carter lost the 1980 general election in a nearly 10-point landslide. He carried only six states and Washington, DC.Carters historic post-presidencyCarter returned to Plains after his defeat. In 1986, he launched the Carter Center and the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta.Starting with a 1989 mission to Panama, at the request of the George H.W. Bush administration, he and the center began monitoring elections in emerging democracies. Carters stand against Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriegas election-rigging earned him bipartisan plaudits. Carter, again at Bushs request, assisted in monitoring the 1990 elections in Nicaragua, and counseled leftist Sandinista leader Daniel Ortega to hand over power peacefully after his party lost.Former President Jimmy Carter talks with Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega (second from right) in Managua, Nicaragua, in August 1989. Paolo Bosio/AFP via Getty ImagesCarter, observing elections, speaks with candidate Daniel Ortega from the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) in Managua, on November 6, 2006. Yuri Cortez/AFP via Getty ImagesJimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn Carter, attach siding to the front of a Habitat for Humanity home being built in LaGrange, Georgia, on June 10, 2003. Erik S. Lesser/Getty ImagesThus, Carters post-presidential reputation as a neutral, respected international diplomat was born. Bill Clinton turned to him to negotiate a nuclear deal with North Korea in 1994. While the effort ended with bad blood and accusations that Carter ignored Clintons directives, the work did help lead to a 1994 deal that temporarily blocked the country from nuclearizing. Carter would later return for talks in 2010 and 2011.Carter also became known for his charity work, at home and abroad. Domestically he was most closely identified with Habitat for Humanity. Perhaps the most remarkable feat of Carters post-presidency was his role in eradicating the guinea worm, a nonfatal but debilitating parasitic infection that affected millions of people as recently as the 1980s. After announcing that his cancer had spread to his brain in 2016, a year after it was first diagnosed, Carter declared, I hope the last Guinea worm dies before I do. That hasnt happened yet, but the worms reach has fallen from 3.5 million people a year in 1986 to only 13 people in 2022 a decline for which the Carter Center deserves a huge amount of credit.His enduring legacy in our politics may well be his approach to the post-presidency. Presidents George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama have all followed his lead as emissaries for later presidents, foundation heads, and fundraisers for apolitical charities. More than Carters conduct as president, his record after leaving office has durably changed American life and the expectations of our leaders.Carter is survived by his children Jack, Chip, Jeff, and Amy; 11 living grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife Rosalynn, to whom he was married for 77 years, from when he was 21 and she was 18 to her death on November 19, 2023 at the age of 97.Portrait of Jimmy Carter, 1971. Stan Wayman/The Life Picture Collection via Getty ImagesYouve read 1 article in the last monthHere at Vox, we're unwavering in our commitment to covering the issues that matter most to you threats to democracy, immigration, reproductive rights, the environment, and the rising polarization across this country.Our mission is to provide clear, accessible journalism that empowers you to stay informed and engaged in shaping our world. By becoming a Vox Member, you directly strengthen our ability to deliver in-depth, independent reporting that drives meaningful change.We rely on readers like you join us.Swati SharmaVox Editor-in-ChiefSee More:

Grete Lajal and Mariam Musa, both 30, are among trailblazers carving out a name for themselves in esports, often seen as a 'staunch boys club'Tech20:48, 29 Dec 2024Mariam Mus at the inaugural Womens Esports Finals in London(Image: Will Ireland/PinPep)Gamer women are levelling up as they overcome tough challenges to break down barriers and achieve success in the world of esports - a traditionally male-dominated space.Londoners Grete Lajal and Mariam Musa, both 30, are among the trailblazers, carving out a name for themselves in what has often been seen as a staunch boys club.The pairs recent victory in the UKs first Womens Esports initiative, a partnership between Sky Broadband and Guild Esports and Gaming, highlights the opportunities emerging for women.And their success is testament to the growing impact women are having in esports.Mariam Musa (Image: PA)The competition saw 15 finalists share a 50,000 prize pool, with the top two, Grete and Mariam, securing professional contracts.And it comes not a moment too soon; research shows a mere 5% of pro-gamers in the UK are women despite making up almost half (47%) of gamers in the country.Mariam, who streams under the name Futheda on the gaming platform Twitch, made her mark by winning the Football Eseries after bossing the field in EA Sports FC 25.Grete Lajal winner of the Racers Eseries with Luke Jones, vice president of Esports at Guild(Image: Will Ireland/PinPep)Reflecting on her journey, she admitted there were initial hesitations entering competitive gaming.She said: "I was nervous to enter tournaments in person because I thought theyd say oh I didnt think you were a girl, and would not take me seriously."But after seeing success in her first tournament, Mariam gained confidence and encouragement to continue and sign up for more.Despite the progress, she acknowledged the challenges. "Its hard being a woman and a person of colour in gaming," Mariam said.Finalists compete at the inaugural Womens Esports Finals in London(Image: Will Ireland/PinPep)"The comments and negativity can be tough, especially when youre streaming and showing your face."But you have to focus on your game, ignore the comments and not let them get to you."For her, creating a more welcoming and supportive environment for women in esports is key to long-term change.Grete, on the other hand, is new to esports.Gamers had the chance of winning a 50,000 prize pot(Image: Will Ireland/PinPep)But she may have unearthed a latent talent for racing after topping the podium to win the Racers Eseries, a sim racing-based competition.Explaining that her family have been involved in motor sports, while her brother is a tennis player, she said: "I think thats where I got my competitive side."I did have some influence from my partner, because he has experience with real life racing and also sim racing."So he was a really good support for me in preparation for the finals after I had qualified."Within our group, there were women similar to me that just stepped into it from the street.Grete Lajal wins the Racers Eseries at the inaugural Womens Esports Finals in London(Image: Will Ireland/PinPep)"They were invited in and just gave it a go, and within those six months leading up to it they put all the effort in to train for the finals."Both Grete and Mariam hope to see more women-only competitions in the future."Its about representation and inspiring women who might never have thought about competing before," Grete said.These two are already helping on that front, as they play their part in changing the game for the next generation of women esports players.Article continues belowFor the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.RECOMMENDED

This Decembers ended up being a pretty big month for movies. After a somewhat limp start, the month really got into gear with Sonic 3andMufasa,both of which have managed to pick up steam during the Christmas period. And as the year comes to a close, those two movies are still duking it out for the top spot, even as the newerNosferatuhas entered the fray. Per Variety, Robert Eggers gothic horror pic came in behind the two kids flicks and has made $40.3 million since its Christmas Day release. Thats almost double its initial $25 million projections, and is now an all-time best open for Focus Features. Its word of mouth has been pretty good, its trailers have lookedverygood, and folks like Eggers previous work. Probably also helps that the trailers dont let you see what Bill Skarsgrds Count Orlok looks like, but the buildup of how freaky he may appear invites curiosity. At the moment, Nosferatu is only out domestically, and its not clear when Universal will put it out for international audiences. Meanwhile,MufasaandSonichave grown domestically and overseas. The former earned $111 million in the US, bringing its global total to $328 million. Things have been looking up for the Lion Kingprequel since Christmas, and the sames true for the Blue Blur: Sonics US take jumped up to $137.5 million, bringing its worldwide total to $211 million. As analyst Luiz Fernando pointed out, the threequels having a rough time in Japan, but itll likely end up making the films a billion dollar franchise when all is said and done, so theres probably at least three more movies on the way. Speaking of billions: its looking more and more sureMoana 2sgoing to join the billion dollar club. Fernando further noted the films box office has grown to $882.5 million worldwide. Its clearly got a long tail, and the same may be true for the last salvo of 2024 releases as we roll right into 2025. Starting off the New Year, weve gotThe Damnedon January 3 andDen of Thieves 2: Panteraon January 10, followed by Universals Wolf Manon January 17. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, whats next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

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