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Colts Notebook: Nelson's impact remains eliteSen. Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.) called on President Biden to pardon President-elect Donald Trump Monday — for the sake of balance — a day after the commander in chief issued one to his troubled son, Hunter Biden. “I am just saying, wipe them out,” Manchin, a former Democrat who is retiring from the upper chamber at the end of the year, told CNN. “Why don’t you go ahead and pardon Donald Trump for all his charges and make it, you know, it would have gone down a lot more balanced, if you will,” the senator added. Biden, 82, claimed he decided to issue the sweeping pardon to his 54-year-old son, who earlier this year was convicted of federal gun charges and pleaded guilty to federal tax crimes, because Hunter was being “selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted.” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre defended the move and claimed so-called “war politics” had prompted Hunter’s legal woes. Trump, 78, has similarly claimed that four criminal cases against him — for allegedly mishandling classified documents, attempting to overturn the 2020 election results, falsifying business records and interfering in Georgia’s 2020 presidential election — were politically motivated . The president-elect was charged in all four cases — two federal and two state — after announcing his 2024 White House bid. “The president has to be the president for the next four years, fighting all these criminal [cases] and all this other stuff’s coming after him,” Manchin said. “Just clean that slate up.” The West Virginia senator added that the shocking pardon, which the White House repeatedly insisted over the past two years was not in the offing, made Biden’s legacy “difficult.” Several of Manchin’s Senate colleagues, including a number of Democrats, have slammed the president’s decision to pardon Hunter. “President Biden’s decision put personal interest ahead of duty and further erodes Americans’ faith that the justice system is fair and equal for all,” Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) wrote on X Monday. Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) said it was “wrong” for Biden to absolve his son’s crimes. “A president’s family and allies shouldn’t get special treatment,” Peters said in an X post. “This was an improper use of power, it erodes trust in our government, and it emboldens others to bend justice to suit their interests.” Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) tweeted that the pardon was “unwise.” “President Biden’s pardon of his son Hunter is, as the action of a loving father, understandable — but as the action of our nation’s Chief Executive, unwise,” Welch said. Several House Democrats were also critical of the president. “As a father, I get it. But as someone who wants people to believe in public service again, it’s a setback,” Rep. Greg Landsman (D-Ohio) wrote on X. Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-Md.) argued that the pardon would be used against Democrats in Trump’s second term. “I know that there was a real strong sentiment in, you know, wanting to protect Hunter Biden from unfair prosecution,” Ivey told CNN. “But this is going to be used against us when we’re fighting the misuses that are coming from the Trump administration.” Rep. Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.) dismissed Biden’s claim that his son was being targeted for political reasons. “This wasn’t a politically motivated prosecution,” Stanton wrote on X. “Hunter committed felonies and was convicted by a jury of his peers.” Colorado Democratic Gov. Jared Polis said the pardon sets a “bad precedent that could be abused by later Presidents.” The Mile High State governor, who has been floated as a possible 2028 presidential contender, insisted that the move will “sadly tarnish his reputation.” “When you become President, your role is Pater familias of the nation,” Polis wrote on X. “Hunter brought the legal trouble he faced on himself, and one can sympathize with his struggles while also acknowledging that no one is above the law, not a President and not a President’s son.”By JOSH BOAK WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday voiced his support for the dockworkers union before their contract expires next month at Eastern and Gulf Coast ports, saying that any further “automation” of the ports would harm workers. Related Articles National Politics | Will Kamala Harris run for California governor in 2026? The question is already swirling National Politics | Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people National Politics | Trump taps immigration hard-liner Kari Lake as head of Voice of America National Politics | Trump extends unprecedented invites to China’s Xi and other world leaders for his inauguration National Politics | Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump The incoming president posted on social media that he met Harold Daggett, the president of the International Longshoreman’s Association, and Dennis Daggett, the union’s executive vice president. “I’ve studied automation, and know just about everything there is to know about it,” Trump posted. “The amount of money saved is nowhere near the distress, hurt, and harm it causes for American Workers, in this case, our Longshoremen. Foreign companies have made a fortune in the U.S. by giving them access to our markets. They shouldn’t be looking for every last penny knowing how many families are hurt.” The International Longshoremen’s Association has until Jan. 15 to negotiate a new contract with the U.S. Maritime Alliance, which represents ports and shipping companies. At the heart of the dispute is whether ports can install automated gates, cranes and container-moving trucks that could make it faster to unload and load ships. The union argues that automation would lead to fewer jobs, even though higher levels of productivity could do more to boost the salaries of remaining workers. The Maritime Alliance said in a statement that the contract goes beyond ports to “supporting American consumers and giving American businesses access to the global marketplace – from farmers, to manufacturers, to small businesses, and innovative start-ups looking for new markets to sell their products.” “To achieve this, we need modern technology that is proven to improve worker safety, boost port efficiency, increase port capacity, and strengthen our supply chains,” said the alliance, adding that it looks forward to working with Trump. In October, the union representing 45,000 dockworkers went on strike for three days, raising the risk that a prolonged shutdown could push up inflation by making it difficult to unload container ships and export American products overseas. The issue pits an incoming president who won November’s election on the promise of bringing down prices against commitments to support blue-collar workers along with the kinds of advanced technology that drew him support from Silicon Valley elite such as billionaire Elon Musk. Trump sought to portray the dispute as being between U.S. workers and foreign companies, but advanced ports are also key for staying globally competitive. China is opening a $1.3 billion port in Peru that could accommodate ships too large for the Panama Canal. There is a risk that shippers could move to other ports, which could also lead to job losses. Mexico is constructing a port that is highly automated, while Dubai, Singapore and Rotterdam already have more advanced ports. Instead, Trump said that ports and shipping companies should eschew “machinery, which is expensive, and which will constantly have to be replaced.” “For the great privilege of accessing our markets, these foreign companies should hire our incredible American Workers, instead of laying them off, and sending those profits back to foreign countries,” Trump posted. “It is time to put AMERICA FIRST!”
Roslindale, MA (CommonWealth Beacon) Adrian Ventura, executive director of the Centro Comunitario de Trabajadores (CCT), prepares for a meeting in early December. Ventura co-founded the CCT after the 2007 Michael Bianco Inc. raid in which 361 undocumented workers were arrested. Credit: Sophie Park for CommonWealth Beacon. Credit: Sophie Park for CommonWealth Beacon On a chilly November evening, the first after a string of 70-degree days, people made their way to a former storefront on Acushnet Avenue in New Bedford's North End. Some of the 50 or so gathered made small talk with friends, mainly in Spanish and K"iche", a language spoken by over a million people in rural Mayan communities of Guatemala. Voters had elected Donald Trump to the presidency a second time just two weeks before, and this fact sat heavily in the air among those in attendance -- primarily immigrants from Central America, many of them undocumented -- at the Centro Comunitario de Trabajadores (CCT), or Worker's Community Center. During the campaign, Trump promised voters mass deportations, pledging at points to declare a national emergency and involve the military in rounding up immigrants. He has publicly mused about changing the Constitution to end birthright citizenship. In an appearance on "Meet the Press," Trump said he'd consider deporting US citizen children of deportees to avoid separating families, and his pick for border czar, Tom Homan, said the largest deportation operation in history would start on January 21, the day after Trump's inauguration. The first speaker of the evening was New Bedford Police Chief Paul Oliveira, who was peppered with questions in Spanish about how Trump's deportation plans might affect the work of the local police. If we suffer a hate crime, can we still report it? If Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issues a detainer, do police act on it? "We have nothing to do with ICE," Oliveira reassured the crowd through an interpreter. "Nothing changes between the police and how we interact with the community." After Oliveira, Jennifer Velarde, a New Bedford immigration attorney, stood in the front of the room and began listing ways to prepare for a dramatic shift in immigration policy: Don't open the door to anyone you don't know unless they have a warrant. You have a right to remain silent. Abstain from -- and seek treatment for disorders related to -- alcohol and other mind-altering substances to avoid legal problems. Velarde also advised people to draw up documents granting custody of their children to a trusted person and to ensure their passports are ready to visit parents abroad. "If you know there's a chance you could be deported, now's the time to talk about it with your family," she said. All the advice she had to offer could be summed up in two words: brace yourselves. "There is much about what will happen that we don't know about," Velarde said. "What I do know is much of what I know about immigration [law] is going to change, and it's not going to be pretty." For two centuries, immigrants have sought refuge in New Bedford and have become the backbone of the city's main economic driver -- the fishing industry -- which generates $11.1 billion annually in economic activity, according to a 2019 study commissioned by the Port of New Bedford. Their presence in this city -- extending back to the heydays of the whaling and textile industries -- continues to grow. More than one-fifth of New Bedford's more than 100,000 residents were foreign-born as of the 2023 American Community Survey One-Year Estimate, almost 55 percent of them non-citizens. Immigrant advocates have good reason to think New Bedford may figure prominently on a list of places that will be targeted under an aggressive deportation campaign by the new administration. Activists here founded CCT in the aftermath of the March 2007 Immigration and Customs Enforcement raid -- the largest in US history at the time -- on the Michael Bianco Inc. textile plant in New Bedford's South End, which resulted from a tip from a worker. Agents detained 361 undocumented workers from Cabo Verde, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Portugal, and other countries. One activist with the group, an undocumented Guatemalan man who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to fears of deportation, said CCT was born of struggle and will continue to fight for local workers and the immigrant community under the second Trump administration. Mass deportations on the scale Trump is promising would, many experts say, mean families ripped apart, livelihoods lost, and a drain on the social safety net as undocumented immigrants pay billions into Social Security and Medicare through payroll taxes without being able to access payments or services from the programs themselves. It would not only upend New Bedford's fishing houses but also affect state tax coffers and potentially force many residents to leave in search of jobs. Having lived through the Bianco raid, New Bedford already has more first-hand experience than most communities with deportations at scale. In 2007, more than half of those deported were from Guatemala, and most were indigenous Maya from the district of El Quiché in the nation's northwest. Families were split apart as social services, city agencies, and even schools attempted to navigate the chaos. The raid also made it impossible to ignore how large swaths of the US economy quietly rely on undocumented immigrants. The lack of details about Trump's plans leaves officials, activists, and civilians apprehensive and anxious about the scale, tactics, and impacts of such an operation. Nonetheless, activists in New Bedford say they are sure the city won't escape the consequences. "I'm confident [Trump] will follow through," said a CCT activist who also works with Pescando Justicia (Fishing for Justice), an organization focused on labor conditions in fish houses in New Bedford and the surrounding areas. He asked to remain anonymous due to fears of deportation related to his undocumented status. "Our community is not ready for what's coming." Though a small segment of the Massachusetts economy, fishing and seafood processing dominate New Bedford. City officials tout its status as the largest fishing port in the country when measured by the value of the catch. In 2023, the port's landings were valued at more than $363 million, National Marine Fisheries Service data show. (The second-place port, Dutch Harbor in Alaska, had a catch value of $224.5 million.) Much of this is due to the price of the Atlantic sea scallop, which makes up 80 percent of the New Bedford catch. The city's maritime heritage is key to its identity, with deep roots reaching at least to the 19th century, when it was a world leader in whaling and processed whale products. A history of whaling ships stopping in the Azores and Cabo Verde islands to rest, recrew and resupply planted those communities' roots in the city. Both groups have become an integral part of New Bedford's identity. Those immigrants were vital to the city's maritime industries then and remain so now, whether in the US legally or not, said Helena DaSilva Hughes, president of the Immigrants' Assistance Center (IAC) -- a local social services nonprofit. "You can't talk about how New Bedford is the number one [fishing] port in the country for 20 years without talking about who's doing the work. [The fish houses] are the economic engine of New Bedford," Hughes said, and without immigrant labor "they would cease to function." About 10,000 undocumented people reside in New Bedford, according to the most recent estimate provided by the IAC, a conservative one in Hughes's eyes. She added that her organization is arranging clinics to help families prepare for the worst. "It's not just going to be undocumented immigrants who are deported; legal permanent residents are not citizens yet, and they can be deported as well," she said. "There are a lot of people who are perceived as undocumented but really are not," said Corinn Williams, director of the Community Economic Development Center of Southeastern Massachusetts (CEDC), another local social services nonprofit that works extensively with immigrant populations. "They are under precarious circumstances because a lot of the programs they are here under need to be periodically renewed." Programs such as deferred action for enforcement purposes, childhood arrivals, and Temporary Protected Status have enabled many to stay in the country and work legally in the US, as have asylum policies. Their continuation under a new Trump administration remains an open question. Yet that uncertainty is, to an extent, the point, said Williams, even if deportations do not happen in as flashy a manner as the Bianco raid. "The purpose is to terrorize communities and instill fear," she added. Immigration happens more at an individual level, she added, as each case has its own context and nuance that makes legal processes difficult to navigate. Overwhelm the system, and not only do processes slow, but the resources to help maneuver through the system disappear altogether. "That was the tragedy of the Bianco raid," she said. "It was a big sweep, and people didn't get access to legal counsel. But who has the bandwidth to stand beside every single case?" The Central American presence in New Bedford began in the 1980s due to the confluence of two significant events. The first was the Guatemalan Genocide, a part of that nation's almost 36-year civil war, when the US-backed military regime killed or "disappeared" around 200,000 mostly indigenous Maya. The violence launched a wave of Guatemalan migrants north, many without documentation. The second was a series of strikes by fishermen and fish house workers in the 1980s over earnings, pensions, and hiring practices. The Seafarers International Union of North America strike in December 1985 was broken when non-union workers were brought in to keep the boats in operation. Shortly thereafter, the union dissolved and became one of the many destroyed amid the anti-union sentiment ushered in by the Reagan administration, creating vacancies for new arrivals willing to work at lower rates. As a result of the unions' dissolution, many hiring restrictions were lifted on boats and in New Bedford's more than 45 fish houses and processors. Undocumented workers, initially led by Guatemalan K"iche" and hired through temporary placement agencies, began to stream into New Bedford via Providence, with friends and family often following. That's how the Pescando Justicia activist -- who labored in multiple fish houses for 17 years -- found work. "[Fish houses] would regularly give work to undocumented people," he said in Spanish, adding that he was only aware of two among 50 coworkers at his last job with proper documentation. "They definitely know it, too." His former employer -- Atlantic Red Crab Co. -- has been under investigation by the US Department of Labor for "possible violations of child labor, overtime pay, and anti-retaliation laws," The Public's Radio, Rhode Island's NPR station, reported in September 2023. A year before that, Pescando Justicia began circulating a Code of Conduct for fish house operators and local officials to sign, asking them to respect the rights of all workers regardless of their citizenship status. Around this time, the activist said the company began cutting hours. "They'd hire us because they knew we wouldn't complain because of worries about our status," he said. "When we started [organizing], that's when they came after us." Atlantic Red Crab Co. officials did not respond to a request for comment. But in an interview with The Public's Radio, owner Jon Williams said a 16-year-old found to be working at his plant came through a staffing agency. "It isn't like I hired this person, but the staffing agency sent that person to my building," he said in the interview. "And yes, that person worked in my building. I can't deny that. But sometimes I have 150 people working in my building, and they all wear hairnets and face masks. So it's pretty hard to tell an 18-year-old from a 16-year-old." The most recent census data show that 1,500 Guatemalans now live in New Bedford, though that figure is likely low because many undocumented residents don't respond to the census for fear of being deported. Many familiar with the community say 6,000 is a more accurate estimate. (By 2022, their presence was strong enough for New Bedford Public Schools to enter into an agreement with the Department of Justice to improve interpretation services in K"iche", an indigenous language.) The flow of migrants from Guatemala never stopped as decades of war shattered society and institutions. Immigrants from El Salvador and Honduras -- nations dealing with similarly tumultuous histories and politics -- soon followed. "The processing sector couldn't survive [mass deportations]. It's low wage, hard work." - Daniel Georgianna, a fisheries resource economist Many of those immigrants work on fishing boats and in processing houses, but the actual numbers are difficult to calculate, said Daniel Georgianna, a fisheries resource economist and chancellor emeritus at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. "They don't count undocumented people," he said. "They just don't." Whatever the exact number, Georgianna said undocumented workers are essential to the operation of New Bedford's fish houses. "The processing sector couldn't survive [mass deportations]," he added. "It's low wage, hard work." Representatives from the Port of New Bedford, the National Marine Fisheries Institute, a business group, and multiple seafood processing plants did not respond to requests for comment. Jobs in the fish houses are often monotonous and physically demanding, requiring long hours on one's feet in low-temperature environments with hands submerged in water for long periods, swiftly fileting marine products with sharp tools. "If you ever saw a fish cutter at work, you just wouldn't believe it," Georgianna said. "They filet a fish in 20 seconds and get a better yield than a machine." Should mass deportations begin on the new administration's first day, as Trump frequently says they will, Georgianna conceded wages might increase to attract citizen labor. But with the rise of technology, he suspects most companies would simply freeze the products and ship them overseas for processing before returning to American markets, much like what happened with the textile and garment industries. Once there, transportation costs and the potential impact of tariffs proposed by the president-elect would impact prices in stores and restaurants. He said that is where most Massachusetts residents would feel the effect. "It would cause a large shift, not only immediately but longer term," he said. "Quality would decline, and prices would go up because immigrants do food production. Period." State Rep. Christopher Hendricks, a New Bedford Democrat whose district includes the North End and much of the city's port, concurred. "It could potentially be devastating for New Bedford," Hendricks said of Trump's mass deportation threat. "Especially the fishing fleet in New Bedford. When fish comes off the boat, it gets processed, chances are, by an immigrant from Central America." "I don't know anybody who's not from that community who's gotten a job in fish processing in the last 20 years," he continued. "I hope those companies are vocal about their workforce and their true needs and how it's going to be disruptive." Despite the widespread knowledge of immigrant labor's role in their industry, support for Trump is high among fishermen here. Many were drawn by hopes that he'd lift fishing restrictions and take their concerns about the effects of offshore wind farms on marine habitats seriously. Tyler Miranda, a captain of four scalloping boats docked in New Bedford who voted for Trump in November, said the local impacts of such deportations would be short-term and evolve over time. "I don't think [fish houses] will shut down," he said. "He can't just come through and take everybody; that's just unrealistic." Miranda added that he thinks border crossings need to be brought under control, and not deporting people incentivizes more migrants to come to the United States. "It is not that they've committed any crimes or anything while they're here, but they are here illegally," he said. "Our workforce shouldn't be made up of illegal immigrants." Trump has not released specifics about deportation plans beyond saying he would declare a national emergency and use the military to round people up. (In a December interview with NBC News, Trump said he would like to work with Democrats to figure out a legislative solution to help undocumented immigrants who came to America as children stay in the country legally.) Miranda acknowledges the contributions of immigrants -- with or without documentation -- to the industry. Nonetheless, he said they should face consequences for entering the country illegally. "Unfortunately, there will be some economic ramifications because we're in this position," he said. "Most of them are good, hard-working people. But there's a process for coming to this country." Recent history may have lessons as to what those ramifications may be. Georgianna pointed to the textile and apparel industries that once employed thousands. In the 1920s, there were 70 textile and fabric mills in New Bedford before those began to close and move south to states like Alabama and Virginia where wages were lower. Apparel and stitching mills began employing many immigrants, especially women -- a trend that continued into the 1990s. When the US signed the North American Free Trade Agreement with Canada and Mexico, which became effective in 1994, companies moved millions of jobs to Mexico. According to the Executive Office of Labor and Development, there were 14 textile and fabric mills in New Bedford in 2001. Today, only three remain. The apparel mills, more prominent in the city by the 1990s, dropped from 28 to 13 over the same time period. "I came in [19]77, and there were still a lot of stitching shops in the city," Georgianna said. "They're pretty much gone now." That meant paychecks disappeared, and spending and tax revenues were severely diminished -- a trend made worse by more people leaving the area to find work. According to one city analysis, New Bedford's population dropped by 6 percent in the 1990s. It also led to a 6 percent drop in median household income, from $29,441 in 1989 to $27,569 in 1999. Significant as the effects of the garment and textile industry collapse were, sudden mass deportations could have a far bigger impact given the truncated timescale. The adverse effects would be felt swiftly and widely, activists say. "Southeastern Mass. in general is vulnerable because we haven't enjoyed the boom that happened in the Boston area and we depend on sectors like fishing, manufacturing, construction," Williams, of the Southeastern Massachusetts CEDC, said. Massachusetts has taken center stage in the immigration debate on multiple occasions in recent years. In September 2022, Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida airlifted 50, mostly Venezuelan, asylum seekers to Martha's Vineyard. The ensuing media storm generated widespread public sympathy for their plight. However, many red state governors followed suit, and a steady stream of migrants, most notably 14,000 Haitians, many seeking asylum and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) protections, arrived in the two years since. Stories swamped the local media about the new migrants sleeping in Logan Airport and overwhelming the Massachusetts shelter system, prompting Gov. Maura Healey to declare a state of emergency last year. Consequently, sympathy among sectors of the general public ebbed and gave way to hostility toward the new arrivals. It was against this backdrop that Trump promised to "launch the largest deportation program in American history" on day one of his second term and to deport people "as fast as possible." What that looks like in practice remains to be seen. The logistics of deporting millions of people -- some estimates put the number of undocumented residents as high as 11 million nationwide -- would be costly and have ripple effects across the economy. Massachusetts is home to an estimated 130,300 undocumented immigrants, with a total spending power of $3.7 billion. They tend to work in cleaning, construction, food service, and manufacturing jobs. Nonetheless, several prominent politicians statewide -- including Healey -- have said they will not allow the use of state or municipal resources to assist ICE with enforcement actions. "I think it's absolutely appropriate that there be enforcement and deportation of individuals who commit crime, including violent crime. That's very, very important," Healey told NBC Boston shortly after Trump's victory. "We recognize it would be devastating if there were mass raids, here and across the country, that took out people who've been working in this country for a long time, who have families and kids here." Healey's office declined requests for an interview from CommonWealth Beacon. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has also gone on record to say that the city will be relying on the Boston Trust Act, an ordinance that prohibits Boston police from asking people their immigration status and making arrests on administrative ICE warrants, to resist pressure from the Trump administration to assist in deportations. "The Boston Trust Act puts strict prohibitions on local law enforcement from being pulled into becoming the enforcement arm for the whims of whatever the sort of approach of the federal immigration law might be," Wu said in November on "Boston Public Radio." "Our charge here is to take care of the residents of Boston and to use the resources that we have from all the sources that are available to get things done on the issues that matter." Neither Massachusetts nor New Bedford has sanctuary legislation on the books prohibiting police cooperation with ICE. But a 2017 Supreme Judicial Court ruling declared that police officers in the Commonwealth lack the authority to arrest or hold an individual solely based on an ICE detainer. When asked for comment from New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell, city spokesman Jonathan Darling said municipal authorities are waiting to see how the situation evolves. "The City will monitor potential changes in federal policy on immigration and other areas and will continue to advocate for the interests of New Bedford residents and businesses," he said in an email. "Are we going to break up families like [what] happened in the Bianco case? Little kids, US citizens, who expected to see their mother or father after school and that didn't happen. That's devastating and I think there are better ways of dealing with the issue." - State Rep. Antonio Cabral In the reigning confusion and panic following the Bianco raid, families were separated, and many began their journeys through immigration court. State Rep. Antonio Cabral, a Democrat whose district contains New Bedford's South End and portions of the port, said he remembers the moment vividly. "Are we going to break up families like [what] happened in the Bianco case?" he said. "Little kids, US citizens, who expected to see their mother or father after school and that didn't happen. That's devastating and I think there are better ways of dealing with the issue." He did not feel comfortable speaking about possible actions to navigate such a situation in the coming years until it is clear how Trump's mass deportation plan plays out. "At this point, we don't even know what mass deportation means," Cabral said. Corinn Williams said state and local leaders should be exploring how best to support communities now, though she knows it's difficult when so much is uncertain. Still, she hopes they take these concerns seriously since the mere threat of mass deportation is enough to hamper local activities. "There are certain vulnerabilities we have as a community, and many have told us they don't want to even ride the bus or take their kids to school," she said. "People are going to retrench, and it's creating the kind of terror that stops people from circulating in the community and the economy." Police Chief Oliveira told Commonwealth Beacon that the city's police will continue to serve all members of the community, regardless of their immigration status. "I'm going to continue coming and continue to be an advocate for what they do here in our city," he said. "They're a vital piece of our city. I'm proud of that, and I know they're proud of that." "They're a big part of our workforce here in New Bedford," he continued. "[Mass deportation] would definitely take a toll on our city, and that's why I don't even like speculating on it." The Pescando Justicia activist noted that low wages and the struggle for survival mean that many in the community are unaware of the political situation and the chaos he foresees. "They're only thinking of work and getting their daily bread," he said. "They don't stop to think beyond that." He added that the Bianco raid taught the community a lot and gave many firsthand experiences with family separation. Even though he worries about the potential scale of the coming immigration enforcement, the threat is something he's grown accustomed to. "It's not the first time we've faced massive deportations," he said, noting that millions were deported under the Obama administration. We've lived through them before. It's just that no one talked about it then." He said he and his wife, who is also undocumented, have two US citizen children, aged 15 and 17. The family has made contingency plans and spoken about the possibility of their removal. "My family is psychologically prepared as well," he said. "These are things that our community still needs to do." Williams said it looks like the message is starting to hit home and that people are bracing for the worst even amid the daily struggles for survival. "The day after the election a woman called from St. Luke's Hospital," she recalled. "She just had a daughter and wanted to know how to get her passport so she could come with her parents to Guatemala." The best activists say they can do now is to take Trump at his word and prepare their communities for the worst. That's work that Adrian Ventura, CCT's founder and director, takes on every day. "Look at all we have accomplished," Ventura said to a gathering of 350 mostly K"iche" and Spanish speakers in mid-December, trying to strike a hopeful tone. "We're not going to stop fighting just because Trump won." CCT had once again convened a meeting to help immigrants -- many in attendance had obtained deferred action permits, but many more remained undocumented -- navigate the incoming administration. Oliveira again pledged local police support for the community and immigration attorneys went through the list of actions people could take now to protect themselves. But then the talk turned to the Code of Conduct pledge Pescando Justicia began circulating two years ago, asking the fish houses to agree to advise workers of their schedules with 12 hours' notice, give regular breaks, and refrain from using deportation as a threat. CCT organizers along with Justice at Work, a Boston-based non-profit that helps workers in low-wage jobs, were hoping to get the crowd motivated to stand up for their rights and advocate for better working conditions, despite the changing federal landscape. "Who's going to sign the petition?" asked Ventura, who obtained US citizenship earlier this year. Everyone's hand went up. This story is provided as a service of the Institute for Nonprofit News’ On the Ground news wire. The Institute for Nonprofit News (INN) is a network of more than 475 independent, nonprofit newsrooms serving communities throughout the US, Canada, and globally. On the Ground is a service of INN, which aggregates the best of its members’ elections and political content, and provides it free for republication. Read more about INN here: . Please coordinate with should you want to publish photos for this piece. This content cannot be modified, apart from rewriting the headline. To view the original version, visit:Trump has promised again to release the last JFK files. But experts say don’t expect big revelationsRight now, all eyes are on the Rangers. The team that traded Jacob Trouba last week is having a terrible time: the Rangers have lost eight of their last ten games, and now it’s not working. In a high-pressure market like New York, that’s not acceptable. What’s more, the Rangers have everything they need to be dominant... The problem that’s becoming frequent is the lack of effort on the part of the players. The club’s stars are being blamed for the club’s failings because they haven’t always been there to win lately, and of the lot, there’s Mika Zibanejad who’s being crucified in the public square. The Swede, who is known as a good goal scorer, has scored five goals in 27 games so far this season. But there may be a reason for the maverick’s lack of success in the eyes of Larry Brooks, who covers the team’s activities for the New York Post. The journalist was on the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast ... And he said that Zibanejad is “very sensitive”. I think a lot of the criticism has gone to Zibanejad’s head. He’s very sensitive. Far too sensitive to what other people say about him. – Larry Brooks “I think a lot of the criticism got to [Zibanejad]. He’s very sensitive. Way too sensitive to what other people are saying about him.” @NYP_Brooksie on @spittinchiclets – Nyr_discussion (@DiscussionNyr) December 10, 2024 For sure, if Mika Zibanejad is playing the victim right now, it can’t help. We all have our own way of reacting when we’re criticized/insulted, and that’s why social networks can become dangerous for an athlete who isn’t performing up to his talent... But Zibanejad and the Rangers won’t move forward if they continue to keep their heads down. I mentioned this at the start of the article, but you can’t dismiss the fact that there’s a lot of pressure in New York. Expectations are high year after year because the club has the resources to win, and it’s only natural that people get impatient when they see the club’s disappointing performance of late. Just as in Montreal, the fans in New York are passionate. That said, it’s up to Zibanejad to raise his head and put in the necessary effort as one of the Rangers’ big leaders. His talent hasn’t disappeared now that he’s 31: he’s in a bad way and he needs to change something in his approach. If he doesn’t, he’ll continue to sink, and the fans will continue to make life difficult for him. Overtime – How many wins? The Habs next six games before the Christmas break pic.twitter.com/tRLCE4Whr9 – /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) December 10, 2024 – Happy Christmas! Happy Birthday, Ivan pic.twitter.com/H94TLFRkZY – DansLesCoulisses (@DLCoulisses) December 10, 2024 – Promising. This week on Stanley25: Catherine F. (O.D.) and her sister Alexandra. And we found a way to talk about the Canadiens players #NotTheLanguageInTheirPocket @Jean_JT_Trudel @9millions_ pic.twitter.com/dpEnnVnx1Z – Maxime Truman (@MaximeTruman) December 10, 2024 – Still: And on Amazon: Coast to coast: 230,000, including 32,000 in Quebec https://t.co/Yy4GbihoX6 – Maxime Truman (@MaximeTruman) December 10, 2024 – Yep. It makes a difference! Playing Kaiden Guhle on the left changes everything! It allows the other defenders to be in the right chair. pic.twitter.com/nNtQPxQ4Jb – BPM Sports (@BPMSportsRadio) December 10, 2024 – Love the energy. Is Lane Hutson gonna be the first player to win the Calder with ONLY assists ? @Miseojeu pic.twitter.com/rhCYJcbipw – HFTV (@HFTVSports) December 10, 2024 This article first appeared on Dose.ca and was syndicated with permission.
Cyber Monday shoppers expected to set a record on biggest day for online shoppingBy CHRISTOPHER RUGABER WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday named Andrew Ferguson as the next chair of the Federal Trade Commission . He will replace Lina Khan, who became a lightning rod for Wall Street and Silicon Valley by blocking billions of dollars’ worth of corporate acquisitions and suing Amazon and Meta while alleging anticompetitive behavior . Ferguson is already one of the FTC’s five commissioners, which is currently made up of three Democrats and two Republicans. “Andrew has a proven record of standing up to Big Tech censorship, and protecting Freedom of Speech in our Great Country,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding, “Andrew will be the most America First, and pro-innovation FTC Chair in our Country’s History.” Related Articles National Politics | Donald Trump is returning to the world stage. So is his trolling National Politics | Biden issues veto threat on bill expanding federal judiciary as partisan split emerges National Politics | Trump lawyers and aide hit with 10 additional felony charges in Wisconsin over 2020 fake electors National Politics | After withdrawing as attorney general nominee, Matt Gaetz lands a talk show on OANN television National Politics | What will happen to Social Security under Trump’s tax plan? The replacement of Khan likely means that the FTC will operate with a lighter touch when it comes to antitrust enforcement. The new chair is expected to appoint new directors of the FTC’s antitrust and consumer protection divisions. “These changes likely will make the FTC more favorable to business than it has been in recent years, though the extent to which is to be determined,” wrote Anthony DiResta, a consumer protection attorney at Holland & Knight, in a recent analysis . Deals that were blocked by the Biden administration could find new life with Trump in command. For example, the new leadership could be more open to a proposed merger between the country’s two biggest supermarket chains, Kroger and Albertsons, which forged a $24.6 billion deal to combine in 2022. Two judges halted the merger Tuesday night. The FTC had filed a lawsuit in federal court earlier this year to block the merger, claiming the deal would eliminate competition, leading to higher prices and lower wages for workers. The two companies say a merger would help them lower prices and compete against bigger rivals like Walmart. One of the judges said the FTC had shown it was likely to prevail in the administrative hearing. Yet given the widespread public concern over high grocery prices, the Trump administration may not fully abandon the FTC’s efforts to block the deal, some experts have said. And the FTC may continue to scrutinize Big Tech firms for any anticompetitive behavior. Many Republican politicians have accused firms such as Meta of censoring conservative views, and some officials in Trump’s orbit, most notably Vice President-elect JD Vance, have previously expressed support for Khan’s scrutiny of Big Tech firms. In addition to Fergson, Trump also announced Tuesday that he had selected Jacob Helberg as the next undersecretary of state for economic growth, energy and the environment.
By JOSH BOAK WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday voiced his support for the dockworkers union before their contract expires next month at Eastern and Gulf Coast ports, saying that any further “automation” of the ports would harm workers. Related Articles National Politics | Will Kamala Harris run for California governor in 2026? The question is already swirling National Politics | Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people National Politics | Trump taps immigration hard-liner Kari Lake as head of Voice of America National Politics | Trump extends unprecedented invites to China’s Xi and other world leaders for his inauguration National Politics | Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump The incoming president posted on social media that he met Harold Daggett, the president of the International Longshoreman’s Association, and Dennis Daggett, the union’s executive vice president. “I’ve studied automation, and know just about everything there is to know about it,” Trump posted. “The amount of money saved is nowhere near the distress, hurt, and harm it causes for American Workers, in this case, our Longshoremen. Foreign companies have made a fortune in the U.S. by giving them access to our markets. They shouldn’t be looking for every last penny knowing how many families are hurt.” The International Longshoremen’s Association has until Jan. 15 to negotiate a new contract with the U.S. Maritime Alliance, which represents ports and shipping companies. At the heart of the dispute is whether ports can install automated gates, cranes and container-moving trucks that could make it faster to unload and load ships. The union argues that automation would lead to fewer jobs, even though higher levels of productivity could do more to boost the salaries of remaining workers. The Maritime Alliance said in a statement that the contract goes beyond ports to “supporting American consumers and giving American businesses access to the global marketplace – from farmers, to manufacturers, to small businesses, and innovative start-ups looking for new markets to sell their products.” “To achieve this, we need modern technology that is proven to improve worker safety, boost port efficiency, increase port capacity, and strengthen our supply chains,” said the alliance, adding that it looks forward to working with Trump. In October, the union representing 45,000 dockworkers went on strike for three days, raising the risk that a prolonged shutdown could push up inflation by making it difficult to unload container ships and export American products overseas. The issue pits an incoming president who won November’s election on the promise of bringing down prices against commitments to support blue-collar workers along with the kinds of advanced technology that drew him support from Silicon Valley elite such as billionaire Elon Musk. Trump sought to portray the dispute as being between U.S. workers and foreign companies, but advanced ports are also key for staying globally competitive. China is opening a $1.3 billion port in Peru that could accommodate ships too large for the Panama Canal. There is a risk that shippers could move to other ports, which could also lead to job losses. Mexico is constructing a port that is highly automated, while Dubai, Singapore and Rotterdam already have more advanced ports. Instead, Trump said that ports and shipping companies should eschew “machinery, which is expensive, and which will constantly have to be replaced.” “For the great privilege of accessing our markets, these foreign companies should hire our incredible American Workers, instead of laying them off, and sending those profits back to foreign countries,” Trump posted. “It is time to put AMERICA FIRST!”In the wake of upcoming assembly elections in Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be addressing two public meetings in two weeks. ET Year-end Special Reads Corporate Kalesh: Top family disputes of India Inc in 2024 The world of business lost these eminent people in 2024 Fast, faster, fastest: How 2024 put more speed into your shopping On December 29, PM Modi will lay the foundation stone for a new metro line in Rithala. After the inauguration ceremony, he will address a public meeting in Japanese Park, Rohini. The Delhi BJP is preparing for a massive turn out in the public meeting. State unit has asked all the Mandal presidents to bring at least two buses of people for the meeting in Rohini. Special focus is on Nazafgarh and South Delhi regions and with the PMs meeting the party will reach out to voters of this region. Three BJP MPs Kamaljeet Sehrawat, Yogendra Chandolia and Ramvir Singh Bidhuri have been made the in-charges for the program. On January 3, Modi will inaugurate several projects in Northeast Delhi, the Lok Sabha constituency of BJP MP Manoj Tiwari. One of the projects is inauguration of Delhi- Saharanpur new highway. PM Modi will also address the public meeting after the official program. 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The Election Commission is yet to announce the date of polls in Delhi and it is expected in the second week of January. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )Rising Air Travel Demand: A Key Driver Transforming the Main Landing Gears Market 2024
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The counting for the Irish General Election 2024 concluded on Monday evening, December 2, more than 72 hours after polls opened across Ireland on Friday, November 29. The top three parties are unchanged since Ireland’s last General Election, which was held in February 2020. Fianna Fáil has won 48 Dáil seats this time around, while Sinn Féin won 39 and Fine Gael won 38. Each of the top three parties also saw gains on 2020 - Fianna Fáil is up 10 seats, Sinn Féin is up two, and Fine Gael is up three. However, the number of seats in the Dáil Éireann has also increased since 2020, from 160 to 174. The number of constituencies also increased from 39 to 43. Sign up to IrishCentral's newsletter to stay up-to-date with everything Irish! With 174 seats up for grabs in this year's election, one party would have needed to win at least 88 seats to win the majority and thus control of the Dail. However, no one party fielded enough candidates in the Irish General Election 2024 to win the majority outright. As such, Ireland is likely heading for another coalition government, where parties come together as a bloc to reach the majority. The results of the Irish General Election 2020 also gave way to a three-way coalition between Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, and The Green Party. Micheál Martin (Fianna Fáil), Leo Varadkar (Fine Gael), and Simon Harris (Fine Gael) all served as Taoiseach at different points during the outgoing Dáil. With a combined 86 seats, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael will likely be a part of Ireland's new coalition government. While on the campaign trail, the leaders of both parties vowed not to go into coalition with Sinn Féin. Meanwhile, Sinn Féin said earlier on Monday before counting was finalized that it was contacting the leaders of the Social Democrats, Labour, and "other progressive TDs and groupings this week." With a combined 61 seats, a Sinn Féin - Social Democrats - Labour coalition would need lots of support from other 'progressives' to reach a majority. As parties begin to contact each other in hopes of forming a majority-winning coalition, discussions will now turn to a timeline of when Ireland's next Government will be formed. TD Jack Chambers, Ireland's Minister for Finance, told RTÉ on Monday: “I don’t expect a government to be formed in mid-December, when the Dáil is due to meet on the 18th of December, probably a Ceann Comhairle (speaker) can be elected, and there’ll have to be time and space taken to make sure we can form a coherent, stable government. “I don’t think it should take five months like it did the last time – Covid obviously complicated that. "But I think all political parties need to take the time to see what’s possible and try and form a stable government for the Irish people.” Meanwhile, RTÉ News reports that Fianna Fáil won 21.9% of the first preference votes, followed by Fine Gael with 20.8%, and Sinn Féin with 19%. Voter turnout in the Irish General Election 2024 sunk to 59.7% from 62.9% in 2020. This year's election saw the lowest turnout since 1923, the last time the number was below 60%.Penn State's polarizing QB Drew Allar puts critics on mute and keeps winning games
Human Rights Watch on Monday that Ethiopian authorities immediately reverse the suspension of three human rights organizations–the Centre for the Advancement of Rights and Democracy (CARD), the Association for Human Rights in Ethiopia (AHRE), and Lawyers for Human Rights in Ethiopia (LHR)–so that they can freely operate. The respective organizations have been served suspension letters by the Ethiopian Authority for Civil Society Organizations since November 14, which has seen their activities grind to a halt on the basis that the organizations were politically biased and undermining the country’s national interest. LHR’s operations were for allegedly “failing to maintain political neutrality, acting beyond its designated purpose, and engaging in actions detrimental to the country’s interests and public welfare,” while CARD’s operations were suspended on for a “lack of political neutrality” and for engaging in “activities deemed contrary to the interests of the country.” Each organization has categorically denied the allegations and expressed a commitment to the suspension. One course of objection is that the Authority did not follow the correct procedures under the by failing to provide written notice that they were breaching the law. The timing of the suspensions with their endorsement of a public letter criticizing proposed amendments to the as a veiled attack on free speech and . The proposed amendments would the composition of the Ethiopian Media Authority’s power structure to shift the fate of media licences further under the influence of the Office of the Prime Minister. The actions of the Ethiopian Authority for Civil Society Organizations mark a concerning and lack of accountability in Ethiopia amidst the ongoing conflicts in the Tigray, Amhara, and Oromia regions. Deputy Africa Director Laetitia Bader says, “[t]he government’s latest assault shows that Ethiopia remains among the most inhospitable places to criticize government actions and promote human rights.” HRW has called for an immediate reversal of the organization’s suspensions and for the international community to actively reject the government’s escalating crackdown on fundamental human rights. International Day for the Abolition of Slavery December 2 is the . John Brown hanged On December 2, 1859, militant abolitionist John Brown was hanged for murder and treason in the wake of an unsuccessful attack on the US armory at Harper's Ferry, Virginia.Read John Brown's .None
WASHINGTON: OpenAI CEO Sam Altman on Sunday expressed confidence that US President-elect Donald Trump’s administration would support the artificial intelligence sector to ensure the United States and its allies continue to lead it. Speaking to conservative US broadcaster Fox News on Sunday, Altman said AI technology needed massive infrastructure support and that he believed Trump would be good at providing it. “We need to build that here and we need to be able to have the best AI infrastructure in the world to be able to lead with the technology and the capabilities,” he said. “I believe President-elect Trump will be very good at that.” Altman was responding to a question on the United States’ competition with China on AI, adding “we very much believe that the United States and our allies need to lead this.” The infrastructure that AI technology requires includes huge amounts of electricity, as well as large data centers and technological support in the form of access to advanced semiconductors and computer chips. Altman also said the US Congress needs to pass legislation that erects safeguards for the use of artificial intelligence. “I think, yes. At some point, when it is, what form it should be, I don’t know when that will happen,” he said, responding to a question. “I think it should be a question for society. Like, it should not be OpenAI gets to decide on its own how ChatGPT or how the technology in general is used or not used.” OpenAI has seen its profile skyrocket over recent years as it has become a star player in the growing field of artificial intelligence. — AFPNative American patients are sent to collections for debts the government owes
Human innovation has shaped the world as we know it. From the invention of the wheel 5,500 years ago, to the internet's conception in the 1970s, here are twenty inventions that created modern society. The printing press revolutionised how humans communicate information to each other. Invented sometime between 1440 and 1450 by German inventor Johannes Gutenberg, the press mechanised the process that transferred ink from moveable type to paper. Rapid printing speeds increased how many book and newspaper copies could be made, leading to the widespread dissemination of knowledge for the first time in human history. Forget smartphone maps - imagine sailing on the open ocean with no way of knowing your whereabouts or direction. The first compass was invented in China between 200 B.C. and 100 A.D., using a naturally-magnetised ore called lodestone, before spreading to the West. It meant sailors could travel safely between continents, allowing global trade, exploration, and Western imperialism to spread. This exchange of peoples, goods, and ideas shaped the modern world. Before the compass, sailors relied on the stars for navigation - but during the daytime, or when cloud cover obscured the sky, this proved near impossible. Pills and other forms of contraception have shifted the culture around heterosexual sex in the modern world. Not only can men and women engage in intercourse for pleasure rather than reproductive purposes, but women with access to contraceptives can better control pregnancies, reducing the birthrate in certain parts of the world and increasing the quality of life. Though inconspicuous, these tiny bits of metal date back 2,000 years to Ancient Roman times, when humans discovered how to shape metal. Prior to the invention of nails, wood structures had to be built by interlocking adjacent boards geometrically - a much more arduous construction process. Equally revered and feared, nuclear power was first discovered by Italian scientist Enrico Fermi in the 1930s, leading to the development of several nuclear power plants in the 1950s in Idaho. Nuclear remains widely used around the world today, generating approximately 10 per cent of global energy. The invention of X-rays is quite a spooky story. In 1895, German engineer Wilhelm Conrad Rontgen accidentally discovered that radiation could pass through screens of considerable thickness while leaving a shadow of solid objects, a principle he quickly applied to human tissues and bone. The 'X' in X-ray refers to the unknown rays Rontgen discovered in his experiments. Although ice and cold water have been used to preserve food since ancient times, artificial refridgeration didn't become commercially available until the late 1800s, after German engineer Carl von Linde came up with a process of liquifying gas. In 1914, American engineer Fred Woolf invented the first domestic refrigerator, which transformed the human diet by allowing for more variety, more fresh produce, and fewer trips to the grocery store. This famous accidental discovery by scientist Alexander Fleming led to the invention of the world's first antiobiotic, Penicillin, which fights a large number of bacterial infections. In 1928, Fleming noticed the lid of a bacteria-filled petri dish in his laboratory had accidentally come ajar, contaminating the sample with mold that had killed the bacteria. Penicillin was being mass-produced by 1944. Flight has inspired the imaginations of inventors for centuries, but the first to successfully launch and land an aircraft without crashing were the Wright brothers in 1903. Orville and Wilbur Wright's plane, which they based on a bird in flight, opened the doors to human air travel, which became widely commercially available in the 1960s and 70s. Though we typically know them as the heavy bits of metal that power our TV remotes and torches, batteries are any device that stores chemical energy and converts it into electric energy. The first battery dates back to 1800, when Italian physicist Alessandro Volta wrapped stacked discs of copper and zinc in a cloth, submerged it in salty water and discovered that it conducted energy. Invented at the end of the 19th century, the engine in modern cars and airplanes relies on a chemical reaction (the combustion of fuel) which produces a mechanical motion (the release of high-temperature gas that pushes a piston forward). The internal combustion engine ushered in the Industrial Revolution, and no single inventor can be credited with it. English philosopher and monk Roger Bacon allegedly invented the first magnifying glass made for scientific purposes during the 13th century. However, evidence shows that ancient Egyptians used chips of special crystals to make objects appear larger. Dr Edward Jenner invented the world's first vaccine when he discovered that those previously infected with cowpox were immune to smallpox. Most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted how vaccines are fundamental to global public health. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that approximately 2 million to 3 million lives are saved annually thanks to vaccinations against contagious diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus and measles. The Pantheon and the Colosseum are just two ancient wonders that would not exist without the invention of concrete. The Romans created some of the first concrete in the world by mixing volcanic ash, lime, and seawater, allowing them to construct more ambitious architectural projects that in many cases have lasted over 2,000 years. The Egyptians also used a form of concrete in their buildings as early as 3000 B.C. However, the development of reinforced steel-concrete in 19th century France allowed it to be used more widely in building projects. Before the 1800s, humans relied wholly on natural light sources, much like early humans. This dependence limited productivity to daylight hours, and sleep was dictated by sunset and sunrise. Several scientists took part in creating the lightbulb, though Thomas Edison is most famously credited for its invention as he created the first completely functional lighting system in 1879. With bright light instantaneously available at all hours, human sleep patterns and productivity transformed in a way unprecedented in human history. The telephone in this image is practically obsolete in an age of smartphones, but once, instantaneous communication was no ordinary thing. Though several scientists pioneered in electronic voice transmission technology during the 1800s, Alexander Graham Bell is credited with officially inventing the telephone in 1876. Telephones transformed the speed of communication and redefined global business, even more so with the invention of the cordless mobile phone in 1973. Invented around 3500 B.C, the wheel allowed humans to transport goods, people, and animals over great distances than ever before. The "wheel-and-axle" concept allowed early humans to affix wheels to vehicles, but also proved challenging to make by hand. Wheels not only allowed agriculture and commerce to flourish, but allowed humans to travel great distances at greater speed. Now, wheels are used for many crucial non-transportation purposes, including analogue clocks and wind turbines. One of the newest inventions on this list, the internet is nonetheless something many of us cannot imagine life without. With its technological foundations developed during the 1960s and '70s, the internet was born in 1989 when computer scientist Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web. The Web merged emerging computer technology with the concept of a global information system for the first time, reshaping all facets of society. Although not technically an invention, the discovery of fire must be included here. One of the earliest human discoveries, the use of fire kickstarted the evolution of human civilisation. The campfire offered warmth and a way to cook meat, but also provided a place for humans to gather, communicate, and eventually build societies. Although Artificial Intelligence is a modern buzzword, the invention of AI dates back to over fifty years ago. In the 1950s, computer scientist Alan Turing devised the 'Turing Test' - a series of questions to discern a machine's intelligence. Another computer scientist, John McCarthy, coined the term 'artificial intelligence' in 1955. Today, AI's potential is growing exponentially, already widely employed in e-commerce, web search engines, cars, cyber security, machine translations, and programs like ChatGPT.Teen actor Hudson Meek, who appeared in ‘Baby Driver,’ dies after falling from moving vehicle
NoneBy ALEXA ST. JOHN | Associated Press DETROIT — Electric vehicles had another whirlwind year around the globe, driven by buyers in China, and growth in parts of Europe and the United States, despite headwinds. In a milestone for China, the world’s biggest auto market, EVs hit 50% of new car sales in July. That included pure battery EVs plus plug-inhybrid electric vehicles . Chinese companies such as BYD continue to gain traction worldwide with their inexpensive EVs. RELATED: Thinking of buying an EV? You might want to move quickly Electric vehicles also made headway in Europe and the U.S. Uncertainty around purchase subsidies could complicate matters come 2025, especially under the incoming Trump administration in the U.S. But mainstream consumers remain interested in new models, longer driving ranges, better performance and lower prices. The transition to electric vehicles is an important part of the shift to clean energy. Road transport accounts for around one-sixth of all global emissions from energy, according to the International Energy Agency. Widespread EV adoption could significantly address climate change. Here are five facts about EVs this year. Most of the data comes from consultancy Rho Motion. The global EV market, including pure EVs and plug-in hybrids, grew by 25% year-over-year as of November. Rho Motion estimates 15.2 million EVs had been sold worldwide ahead of the end of the year, and the International Energy Agency expected electrified vehicle sales to reach one in five cars sold globally. Most were in China. Mexico sold roughly 5 times as many EVs this year than last, mostly from Chinese powerhouse automaker BYD, according to Rho Motion. Related Articles Business | Thinking of buying an EV? You might want to move quickly Business | ‘Alarming’ new car prices push Bay Area buyers toward used vehicles, but they’re pricey, too Business | Car insurance premiums are rising: Which Bay Area cities pay more? Business | Walters: Major hurdles ahead for California’s zero-emission vehicle mandate Business | California auto emissions case gets US Supreme Court review Because China’s population is so much larger, its 40% growth year-to-date translates to many more EVs than Mexico’s fivefold increase. Other areas of note are the United Kingdom, which saw a roughly 17% increase year-to-date. That’s interesting to compare to France and Germany, which saw sales decline. In Turkey, the EV market grew by almost 50% year-to-date, driven by Tesla entering the market last year and Togg, a Turkish auto company, ramping up its sales. In Norway, which for years has been in first place for share of vehicles that are electric, 90% of new cars were EVs. The best-selling pure electric vehicles were the Tesla Model Y, followed by the Tesla Model 3 — both globally and in the U.S., according to Rho Motion. The Model Y SUV was released in 2020. Its base version today costs nearly $45,000. The Model 3 was released in 2017. The least expensive version sells for around $42,000. Both have been eligible for a $7,500 tax credit in the U.S. Tesla’s market share stood at 17% of all electric cars across the globe through October, according to Rho Motion. In the U.S., Tesla’s market share was 49% through October. That means the company still has the biggest EV market share. But its hold is shrinking as other auto companies combined sell a growing number of electrics. For example, GM, Ford, Honda and more are offering a wider variety of EVs at lower prices and sizes and are chipping away at Tesla’s longstanding lead. Tesla remains the most valuable auto company in the world, with a market value of $1.4 trillion. Alexa St. John is an Associated Press climate solutions reporter. Follow her on X: @alexa_stjohn . Reach her at ast.john@ap.org . The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org .