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2025-01-10   

elephant circus Mangaluru: Carmel School proudly celebrates diamond jubilee

VNET Group, Inc. ( NASDAQ:VNET – Get Free Report )’s stock price gapped up before the market opened on Thursday . The stock had previously closed at $3.72, but opened at $4.02. VNET Group shares last traded at $4.20, with a volume of 1,607,830 shares. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research firms have commented on VNET. Citigroup started coverage on shares of VNET Group in a research report on Wednesday, September 4th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $4.00 target price on the stock. UBS Group upped their price objective on shares of VNET Group from $6.40 to $7.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, November 29th. HSBC upgraded shares of VNET Group from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $5.20 target price for the company in a report on Wednesday, October 9th. Hsbc Global Res raised VNET Group to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 9th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded VNET Group from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and raised their price target for the stock from $3.10 to $5.00 in a research report on Friday, November 29th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, five have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $4.78. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on VNET Group VNET Group Price Performance Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Ballentine Partners LLC acquired a new stake in VNET Group in the 2nd quarter valued at about $36,000. Wolverine Trading LLC acquired a new stake in VNET Group in the third quarter valued at approximately $46,000. AXA S.A. purchased a new position in VNET Group in the second quarter worth approximately $65,000. Walleye Capital LLC purchased a new position in VNET Group in the third quarter worth approximately $115,000. Finally, Blue Trust Inc. grew its holdings in VNET Group by 785.4% during the 3rd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 42,074 shares of the information technology services provider’s stock worth $172,000 after acquiring an additional 37,322 shares in the last quarter. 72.83% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. VNET Group Company Profile ( Get Free Report ) VNET Group, Inc, an investment holding company, provides hosting and related services in China. It offers managed hosting services consisting of managed retail services, such as colocation services that dedicate data center space to house customers' servers and networking equipment, as well as allow customers to lease partial or entire cabinets for their servers; interconnectivity services that allow customers to connect their servers; value-added services, including hybrid IT, bare metal, firewall, server load balancing, data backup and recovery, data center management, server management, and backup server services; cloud services that allow customers to run applications over the internet using IT infrastructure; and VPN Services that extend customers' private networks by setting up connections through the public internet. See Also Receive News & Ratings for VNET Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for VNET Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

Luke DeCock: After Fenway Bowl fizzle, as their new coach might say: Tar Heels are on to BelichickThe Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine may try to shoot down Russian Kedr ballistic missiles with available means. There is a chance to do so after the missiles break up into six warheads. It is these individual units that can theoretically be shot down. This was reported by NV, citing sources in the Ukrainian Defense Forces. It is known that the Russian missile system "Kedr" (or "Oreshnik" as Russian dictator Vladimir Putin called it) is a fairly recent development of the Russian defense industry. However, it is not a product of "the latest technology," as the Kremlin leader assured, but a modernization of Soviet equipment. "The Kedr is not an intercontinental missile, but it can still be a nuclear weapon. And, again, despite Putin's claims, this missile is not so invulnerable. "When the missile is gaining altitude, the main warheads are separated into 6 warheads. Currently, it may be difficult for Ukraine to shoot down such missiles. The most likely way to defeat them would be to shoot down the individual warheads rather than the entire missile," the publication noted. The Air Force can try to do this even with existing means. However, according to NV sources, Ukraine is already negotiating with the United States to obtain weapons capable of shooting down intercontinental missiles. These could be modernized Patriot missile defense systems or the American Aegis or THAAD missile defense systems. The Defense Forces share the opinion of experts that Russia used the Kedr to strike the Dnipro River on November 21 to intimidate Ukrainians and Europeans with the possibility of a direct nuclear strike. "Also, NV's interlocutor in the security and defense sector believes that the strike with such a missile could have been aimed at persuading the United States to negotiate an end to the war," the report said. Although the missile did not have a nuclear warhead during its first use, the source does not rule out that Russia may continue to blackmail with tactical nuclear weapons in the future. However, the transition from threats to their implementation, according to NV's source, will be "the Kremlin's biggest mistake, which will ultimately lead to his defeat." As a reminder, on November 21, Russia fired missiles from Tu-95MS and an intercontinental ballistic missile down the Dnipro River at Ukraine. The combined massive attack on the city's enterprises and critical infrastructure lasted from 5 to 7 am. According to the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Russian troops launched an intercontinental ballistic missile from Astrakhan region of the Russian Federation, an X-47M2 Kinzhal aeroballistic missile from a MiG-31K fighter jet in Tambov region, and seven X-101 cruise missiles from Tu-95MS strategic bombers (launch area – Volgograd region). "As a result of the anti-aircraft combat, the units of the Air Force anti-aircraft missile forces destroyed six X-101 missiles. The other missiles were destroyed without any significant consequences," the Air Force said. The moment of the Russian attack on Dnipro with an intercontinental ballistic missile was caught on video. According to the DIU, the missile's approach time to the Dnipro was 15 minutes. According to the deputy head of the DIU, Major General Vadym Skibitskyi, Russia probably has up to 10 Oreshnik missiles, and that it may test-fire all of them in the future. The same day, November 22, his superior, Budanov, stated that as of October, the Russians had planned to produce two such missiles. On the evening of the attack, Putin issued a statement to Russians. In particular, he said that Russia had used "one of its newest Russian medium-range ballistic missile systems with a non-nuclear hypersonic ballistic missile, the Oreshnik, to strike the industrial complex in Dnipro. The dictator added that the world allegedly has no means of countering Russia's Oreshnik. Putin called the use of an intercontinental ballistic missile on a Ukrainian city "a response to the strikes by American and British weapons on Russian territory" and announced the start of mass production of these missiles. However, the very next day, a part from the Oreshnik found in the Dnipro exposed the Kremlin's lies. Western media began to calculate the time of the Oreshnik missile's approach to EU capitals. Given that, according to the American Institute for the Study of War, Putin wants to intimidate the West and Ukraine with this missile, his plan was partially successful. Meanwhile, OBOZ.UA has shown what the village of Kapustyn Yar looks like, from the range named after which missiles are launched at $10 million each. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber . Do not fall for fakes!

Odisha leads the way in climate-resilient and inclusive agriculture, says top official PTI Updated: December 29th, 2024, 20:08 IST in Metro , Sci-Tech 0 Pic- X/Arabinda Kumar Padhee Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on WhatsApp Share on Linkedin Bhubaneswar: Odisha is emerging as a leader in sustainable agricultural practices with a focus on inclusivity, diversification, and climate resilience, according to Arabinda Kumar Padhee. Padhee is the Principal Secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment of the Government of Odisha. Also Read 2024 missed the climate moment but all’s not lost 3 hours ago PM Modi praises farmers of Kalahandi for ‘vegetable revolution’ 5 hours ago In an interview with PTI, Padhee shed light on the state’s comprehensive vision to transform agriculture into a sustainable and equitable growth driver. “Agriculture contributes 22 per cent to Odisha’s Gross Value Added (GVA) and sustains 55-60 per cent of its population, particularly in rural and tribal areas. Yet, with 45-50 per cent of the farmland dependent on rainfall, the state is prioritising region-specific strategies to address these vulnerabilities,” he said. Collaborative efforts with global research organisations, such as the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), are central to this transformation, he added. On the crop pattern of the state, he said that while paddy remains dominant, the state is actively promoting high-value crops such as vegetables, pulses, oilseeds, and millets, and initiatives like Agri-Production Clusters are fostering diversification. Additionally, rice-fallow management ensures improved soil fertility and increased farmer incomes by introducing pulses and oilseeds in fallow lands. As Odisha encounters frequent natural calamities like floods and cyclones, Padhee said that the climate is indeed a significant challenge for us, as between 1972 and 2022, only three years have been free from extreme weather events, including floods, droughts, and cyclones. “We are focusing on making our agricultural practices climate-resilient. Odisha has introduced submergence-tolerant rice varieties like Swana-Sub1, which can survive up to 12 days of flooding, drought-resistant crops, and salt-tolerant strains,” he told PTI. A dedicated Climate Resilience Cell integrates sustainability into every new project, positioning the state as a pioneer in adaptive agriculture, he added. When asked about the state’s smallholder farmers, the Principal Secretary said that with smallholders making up over 92 per cent of Odisha’s farmers, collective bargaining through Farmers’ Producer Organisations (FPOs) is enhancing market access. “Digital tools provide crop-specific advice, while initiatives like Mukhyamantri Krushi Udyog Yojana foster rural entrepreneurship. Women farmers are at the forefront, benefitting from higher subsidies, skill development programs, and decision-making roles,” he told PTI. Highlighting the state’s traditional crops, Padhee said that Odisha has gained national recognition for reviving traditional crops like millets, known for their resilience and nutritional value. “We are trying to bring out our forgotten foods of the state. Forgotten foods are those that were hitherto used to be cultivated, but they have gone out of the fields of the farmers. So we are trying to bring such crops into the fold,” he said. Odisha already has a Forgotten Food Policy, and we recently held an international symposium on forgotten foods that highlighted the importance of underutilised crops in addressing food security and environmental sustainability, he added. “In conclusion, our vision is rooted in inclusivity, sustainability, and resilience,” said Padhee. “By leveraging technology, climate-smart practices, and evidence-based policies, we aim to enhance productivity while ensuring equitable growth for smallholders, women, and tribal communities.” Padhee added that Odisha is setting an example for sustainable agricultural development across India with its focus on organic farming, agrobiodiversity, and climate-smart practices. PTI Tags: AGRICULTURE Arabinda Kumar Padhee Farmer Odisha Share Tweet Send Share Suggest A Correction Enter your email to get our daily news in your inbox. Leave this field empty if you're human:By JILL COLVIN NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump wants to turn the lights out on daylight saving time. In a post on his social media site Friday, Trump said his party would try to end the practice when he returns to office. “The Republican Party will use its best efforts to eliminate Daylight Saving Time, which has a small but strong constituency, but shouldn’t! Daylight Saving Time is inconvenient, and very costly to our Nation,” he wrote. Setting clocks forward one hour in the spring and back an hour in the fall is intended to maximize daylight during summer months, but has long been subject to scrutiny. Daylight saving time was first adopted as a wartime measure in 1942. Lawmakers have occasionally proposed getting rid of the time change altogether. The most prominent recent attempt, a now-stalled bipartisan bill named the Sunshine Protection Act , had proposed making daylight saving time permanent. The measure was sponsored by Florida Sen. Marco Rubio , whom Trump has tapped to helm the State Department. Related Articles National Politics | Trump’s lawyers rebuff DA’s idea for upholding his hush money conviction, calling it ‘absurd’ National Politics | Ruling by a conservative Supreme Court could help blue states resist Trump policies National Politics | A nonprofit leader, a social worker: Here are the stories of the people on Biden’s clemency list National Politics | Nancy Pelosi hospitalized after she ‘sustained an injury’ on official trip to Luxembourg National Politics | Veteran Daniel Penny, acquitted in NYC subway chokehold, will join Trump’s suite at football game “Changing the clock twice a year is outdated and unnecessary,” Republican Sen. Rick Scott of Florida said as the Senate voted in favor of the measure. Health experts have said that lawmakers have it backward and that standard time should be made permanent. Some health groups , including the American Medical Association and American Academy of Sleep Medicine, have said that it’s time to do away with time switches and that sticking with standard time aligns better with the sun — and human biology. Most countries do not observe daylight saving time. For those that do, the date that clocks are changed varies, creating a complicated tapestry of changing time differences. Arizona and Hawaii don’t change their clocks at all.

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What a merger between Nissan and Honda means for the automakers and the industryAnother factor that may be driving this trend is the desire to strengthen balance sheets and improve liquidity. With economic uncertainty looming and regulatory requirements becoming more stringent, smaller banks are under pressure to ensure that they have enough liquidity to weather any potential storms. By raising deposit rates, these banks are not only attracting more deposits but also improving their overall financial health.BOISE, Idaho — Freshman wide receiver George Dimopoulos threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Dane Pardridge on the first play of double overtime and Jordan Hansen ended the game on a fourth-down sack to give Northern Illinois a 28-20 victory over Fresno State on Monday in the Idaho Potato Bowl. Dimopoulos, who played quarterback in high school, also converted the two-point conversion when he passed it to quarterback Josh Holst for his second completion of the season. Holst, a freshman walk-on, was making just his third start at quarterback as NIU was without starter Ethan Hampton, who entered with 1,600 yards and 12 touchdowns to go with six interceptions. Holst completed 18 of 30 passes for 182 and two touchdowns for Northern Illinois (8-5). He was also intercepted on the first play of the game. Both teams missed a 35-yard field goal in the final three minutes of regulation, including Dylan Lynch's third miss of the game on the final play to send it to overtime. Fresno State started overtime with a touchdown when Bryson Donelson was left wide open out of the backfield to haul in a 9-yard touchdown pass. NIU needed five plays, and a defensive holding penalty, to score as Holst found Grayson Barnes for a 3-yard touchdown. Donelson finished with 15 carries for 82 yards and a touchdown for Fresno State (6-7). He added three catches for 28 yards and another score. Dual-threat quarterback Joshua Wood was 16 of 23 for 180 yards and a touchdown. Mac Dalena made six catches for 118 yards to help go over 1,000 yards for the season. Fresno State was without 14 players, including starting quarterback Mikey Keene after he transferred to Michigan. Two top-three receivers, Jalen Moss and Raylen Sharpe, also did not play as the Bulldogs were forced to use five new starters. UTSA 44, COASTAL CAROLINA 15: Owen McCown threw for 254 yards and a touchdown and UTSA scored the opening 27 points of the Myrtle Beach Bowl to cruise past short-handed Coastal Carolina in Conway, S.C. UTSA (7-6) broke away in the second quarter by scoring a touchdown on three straight drives for a 21-0 lead. McCown was 14 of 17 in the first half, including a 6-yard touchdown pass to Patrick Overmyer. McCown also scored on a 35-yard run after breaking two tackles near the end zone. The other score was a 9-yard touchdown run by Brandon High. Coastal Carolina (6-7) finished the first half with just 140 total yards — 60 coming on the final drive. The Chanticleers punted on five straight drives to begin the game — with the longest possession lasting seven plays for 25 yards. UTSA added short field goals on its opening two drives of the second half, while Coastal Carolina started with two straight three-and-out drives. UTSA ended CCU’s third drive on Jakevian Rodgers’ first career interception to extend the program's single-game streak with an interception and a sack to 23 games. CCU’s first touchdown came on the first play of the fourth quarter when Bryson Graves caught a 50-yard touchdown pass from Tad Hudson. But UTSA’s Chris Carpenter returned the ensuing kickoff for a 93-yard touchdown to make it 34-7. It was the largest margin of victory in the five-year history of the Myrtle Beach Bowl. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Jimmy Carter, the 39th US president, has died at 100When choosing an eye cream, consider your specific concerns—such as hydration, anti-aging, puffiness, or dark circles. SK-II offers deep hydration, Jurlique targets fine lines, CeraVe is perfect for sensitive skin, and Laneige addresses puffiness and firmness. Select the best eye cream based on your skin's unique needs. People frequently notice the eyes first, and the sensitive skin surrounding them is among the first places to exhibit indications of stress, ageing, and exhaustion. The eye area needs specific treatment for everything from fine lines and wrinkles to puffiness and dark circles. This article will shed light on the world of eye creams and provide you the information you need to select the best product for hydrating, brightening, and revitalising your eyes. 1. SK-II SKINPOWER Eye Cream 2.5g Image Source- Zalora.com.my Order Now The SK-II SKINPOWER Eye Cream is an anti-aging eye cream designed to hydrate and improve the skin's resilience against daily stressors. It features SK-II's signature ingredient, PITERATM, along with InfinitPower Technology. Key Features: 2. Jurlique Herbal Recovery Signature Eye Cream (15ml/0.5oz) Image Source- Zalora.com.my Order Now Jurlique's Herbal Recovery Signature Eye Cream is a deeply nourishing, anti-aging treatment designed specifically for the delicate skin around the eyes. This luxurious cream is formulated with a blend of powerful botanicals and natural-based antioxidants. Key Features: 3. CeraVe Eye Repair Cream (14ml) Image Source- Zalora.com.my Order Now The CeraVe Eye Repair Cream is a hydrating eye cream designed to address common concerns like dark circles and puffiness. Key Features: 4. Laneige Bouncy & Firm Eye Sleeping Mask - 20g - Depuff, Firm & Blur Fine Lines Image Source- Zalora.com.my Order Now Laneige's Bouncy & Firm Eye Sleeping Mask is a refreshing, overnight treatment designed to target puffiness, firm the under-eye area, and reduce the appearance of fine lines. This innovative eye mask features a unique Cooling Cloud Texture. Key Features: In conclusion, the type of eye cream you choose will depend on your particular problems, such as dark circles, puffiness, anti-aging, or hydration. A rich, botanical approach to nourishing and revitalising the skin is provided by Jurlique's Herbal Recovery Signature Eye Cream, while SK-II's SKINPOWER Eye Cream is perfect for individuals looking for deep hydration and anti-aging benefits. For sensitive skin, CeraVe's Eye Repair Cream offers a mild, calming solution that hydrates for a long time. For people who want to address puffiness and increase skin elasticity, Laneige's Bouncy & Firm Eye Sleeping Mask is a fantastic overnight remedy. Because every product has different substances and advantages, choosing the best one will rely on your preferences and the demands of your skin. Disclaimer: The above mentioned article is a sponsored feature. This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of IDPL, and IDPL claims no responsibility whatsoever. Stay informed on all the latest news , real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in india news and world News on Zee News.

From US to UK to Germany, Elon Musk cosies up to the right wing

Overall, the new trailer for "The Lord of the Rings: The Battle of Rohan" promises an epic and immersive cinematic experience for fans of the fantasy genre. With its stunning animation, compelling storytelling, and unforgettable characters, this film is sure to captivate audiences and transport them to the magical world of Middle-earth. Get ready to embark on a journey like no other as the battle for Rohan unfolds on the big screen this December 14th.The vegetable store, located in a bustling market area, was found to have been selling vegetables that exceeded the allowable limits for pesticide residues. Authorities conducted random inspections and samples of various vegetables were taken for testing. The results revealed that a significant number of the vegetables sold by the store had levels of pesticide residue far above the safety standards.

NAPLES, Fla. – Narin An handled the windy conditions with a hot putter on Thursday, making four straight birdies around the turn and finishing with an 8-under 64 for a one-shot lead in the CME Group Tour Championship. At stake for the 60-player field is a $4 million prize to the winner, the largest single-day payoff in women's golf. Recommended Videos Nelly Korda already has won more than that during her sterling season of seven wins. Now she faces an eight-shot deficit over the next three days at Tiburon Golf Club if she wants to end her year in fitting fashion. Korda, coming off a victory last week, couldn't make amends for her three bogeys and had to settle for an even-par 72. She has come from behind in four of her victories, and still has 54 holes ahead of her. But it has made the task that much tougher. Everything felt easy for An, a 28-year-old from South Korea who has never won on the LPGA and has never cracked the top 10 in any of the 16 majors she has played. “Today my putt really good,” An said. “The speed was good and the shape was good. I just try to focus a little bit more.” She had a one-shot lead over Angel Yin, who shot 30 on the back nine, including an eagle on the par-5 17th hole that most players can easily reach in two. Former U.S. Women's Open champion Allisen Corpuz and Marina Alex were at 66, with Lydia Ko leading the group at 67. Despite the wind so typical along the Gulf Coast of Florida, 27 players — nearly half the field — shot in the 60s. “It's a good head start for the big ol' prize we get at the end of the week,” Yin said. Whoever wins this week is assured of breaking the 17-year-old LPGA record for most money earned in season. The record was set by Lorena Ochoa in 2007 at $4,364,994, back when the total prize money was about half of what it is now. Ochoa earned $1 million for winning the Tour Championship in 2007. The opening round followed a big night of awards for the LPGA Tour, where Korda officially picked up her first award as player of the year, which she clinched earlier this month . Ko was recognized for her big year, highlighted by an Olympic gold medal that put her into the LPGA Hall of Fame. She regained plenty of focus for the opening round on a course where she won just two years ago. “The course isn't easy,” Ko said. “I set a goal of shooting 3 under today, and somebody shot 8 under. I was like, ‘OK, maybe I need to make a few more birdies.’ It's a course that can get away from you as much as you can shoot some low scores, so I’m just trying to stick to my game plan and go from there.” Also in the group at 67 was Albane Valenzuela of Switzerland, already celebrating a big year with her debut in the Solheim Cup and her first appearance in the Tour Championship. She made a late run at her first LPGA title last week at Pelican Golf Club, and kept up her form. And she can see the finish line, which is appealing. “I everyone is looking at that $4 million price tag,” Valenzuela said. “I try not to look too much at the result. I feel like in the past I’ve always been stuck on results, and ultimately all I can do is control my own round, my own energy, my own commitment. “It's the last week of the year. It’s kind of the bonus week. No matter what, everyone is having a paycheck.” ___ AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golfAs an artist known for his mesmerizing large-scale installations and explosive pyrotechnic artworks, Cai Guo-Qiang's work often delves into themes of conflict, creation, and destruction. His provocative use of gunpowder as a medium to create intricate patterns and mesmerizing visuals speaks to the fragility and transience of life itself.

National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal crucial to make India leading maritime nation: SonowalAs the gates of the prison opened and he stepped out into the sunlight, the man found himself overcome with a flood of emotions - relief, disbelief, and overwhelming joy. The simple act of running freely, feeling the wind on his face and the ground beneath his feet, was a testament to the newfound sense of liberation and empowerment he experienced in that moment.

BriaCell Therapeutics Announces Closing of $5.5 Million Public OfferingNo. 2 Ohio State takes control in the 2nd half and runs over No. 5 Indiana 38-15 COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Will Howard passed for two touchdowns and rushed for another, TreVeyon Henderson ran for a score and No. 2 Ohio State beat previously undefeated No. 5 Indiana 38-15. All Ohio State has to do now is beat Michigan at home next Saturday and it will earn a return to the Big Ten championship game for the first time since 2020 and get a rematch with No. 1 Oregon. The Ducks beat Ohio State 32-31 in a wild one back on Oct. 12. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.Information Services Market Size, Forecast 2031 by Key Companies- Agence France-Presse, Associated Press, British Library, New York Public Library, Thomson Reuters

With a focus on human rights, US policy toward Latin America under Jimmy Carter briefly tempered a long tradition of interventionism in a key sphere of American influence, analysts say. Carter, who died Sunday at the age of 100, defied the furor of US conservatives to negotiate the handover of the Panama Canal to Panamanian control, suspended aid to multiple authoritarian governments in the region, and even attempted to normalize relations with Cuba. Carter's resolve to chart a course toward democracy and diplomacy, however, was severely tested in Central America and Cuba, where he was forced to balance his human rights priorities with pressure from adversaries to combat the spread of communism amid the Cold War standoff with the Soviet Union. "Latin America was fundamental and his global policy was oriented toward human rights, democratic values and multilateral cooperation," political analyst Michael Shifter of the Inter-American Dialogue, a think tank in Washington, told AFP. During his 1977-1981 administration, which was sandwiched between the Republican presidencies of Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan, the Democrat sought to take a step back from US alignment with right-wing dictatorships in Latin America. An important symbol of Carter's approach was the signing of two treaties in 1977 to officially turn over the Panama Canal in 1999. "Jimmy Carter understood that if he did not return the canal to Panama, the relationship between the United States and Panama could lead to a new crisis in a country where Washington could not afford the luxury of instability," said Luis Guillermo Solis, a political scientist and former president of Costa Rica. Carter called the decision, which was wildly unpopular back home, "the most difficult political challenge I ever had," as he accepted Panama's highest honor in 2016. He also hailed the move as "a notable achievement of moving toward democracy and freedom." During his term, Carter opted not to support Nicaraguan strongman Anastasio Somoza, who was subsequently overthrown by the leftist Sandinista Front in 1979. But in El Salvador, the American president had to "make a very uncomfortable pact with the government," said Shifter. To prevent communists from taking power, Carter resumed US military assistance for a junta which then became more radical, engaging in civilian massacres and plunging El Salvador into a long civil war. Carter took a critical approach to South American dictatorships in Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay, suspending arms deliveries and imposing sanctions in some cases. But his efforts "did not achieve any progress in terms of democratization," said Argentine political scientist Rosendo Fraga. The American president also tried to normalize relations with Cuba 15 years after the missile crisis. He relaxed sanctions that had been in force since 1962, supported secret talks and enabled limited diplomatic representation in both countries. "With him, for the first time, the possibility of dialogue rather than confrontation as a framework for political relations opened up," Jesus Arboleya, a former Cuban diplomat, told AFP. But in 1980, a mass exodus of 125,000 Cubans to the United States, with Fidel Castro's blessing, created an unexpected crisis. It "hurt Carter politically with the swarm of unexpected immigrants," said Jennifer McCoy, a professor of political science at Georgia State University. Castro continued to support Soviet-backed African governments and even deployed troops against Washington's wishes, finally putting an end to the normalization process. However, more than 20 years later, Carter made a historic visit to Havana as ex-president, at the time becoming the highest-profile American politician to set foot on Cuban soil since 1959. During the 2002 visit, "he made a bold call for the US to lift its embargo, but he also called on Castro to embrace democratic opening," said McCoy, who was part of the US delegation for the trip, during which Castro encouraged Carter to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at a Cuban All-Star baseball game. "Castro was sitting in the front row and we were afraid he would rise to give a long rebuttal to Carter's speech. But he didn't. He just said, 'Let's go to the ball game.'" In the years following Carter's presidency, Ronald Reagan (1981-1989) would go on to resume a full-frontal confrontation with Cuba. Decades later, Barack Obama (2009-2017) opened a new phase of measured normalization, which Donald Trump (2017-2021) brought to an end. US President Joe Biden promised to review US policy toward Cuba, but hardened his stance after Havana cracked down on anti-government protests in 2021. "Carter showed that engagement and diplomacy are more fruitful than isolation," McCoy said. bur-lp-rd-jb/lbc/mlr/bfm/sst/bbk(Note: This article is a sample based on the provided topic and word count requirements, written in English as per your request.)

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