winph4

winph4 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!”Agora, Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results

Leicester could be snubbed by Graham Potter for a THIRD time as they begin search to replace sacked Steve Cooper, with two former Man United managers on their radar

Graybar Names Bryant L. Summers District Vice President in St. LouisBy 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 | Unique among ‘Person of the Year’ designees, Donald Trump gets a fact-check from Time magazine National Politics | Trump’s lawyers rebuff DA’s idea for upholding his hush money conviction, calling it ‘absurd’ National Politics | Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time 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 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!”

Toronto-based online brokerage and wealth management firm has laid off an undisclosed number of employees. Questrade has previously said that it had more than 2,000 employees globally. The layoffs were first reported by and confirmed by BetaKit. “This change is not reflective of the state of [Questrade’s] underlying businesses, which continue to be very healthy, but is intended to better align with the strategic direction of the business going into 2025 and beyond,” a spokesperson from Questrade said in an email statement to BetaKit. “The organization remains committed to its mission and to challenging the status quo of financial services in Canada.” Founded in 1999, Questrade provides a discount brokerage platform to Canadians. Much like Wealthsimple, Questrade users can open self-directed stock-trading and investment accounts as well as managed portfolios. The company claims to have more than $60 billion in assets under its administration. While Questrade is making cuts, its biggest competitor, Wealthsimple, is adding staff. Wealthsimple co-founders, CPO Brett Huneycutt and CEO Michael Katchen joined in October to discuss the company’s journey, its recent growth, and how they plan to build “the largest Canadian financial institution.” To help it get there, the company plans to triple its headcount in Alberta to 105 by the end of 2025 as it recruits for engineering, product, client experience, sales, and operations roles in the province. Questrade managed to beat Wealthsimple to the digital mortgage space with the official launch of in March 2022. Marketed as a “quick, easy-to-use mortgage service,” the direct-to-consumer prime mortgage service was provided by Community Trust Company, which Questrade in 2019. However, it appears the offering was short-lived, as QuestMortgage is now offline, trade publication reported this past September. The now reads: “We’re always looking for ways to serve our customers better. So while we’re busy making improvements, we’re unable to accept new mortgage applications at this time.” BetaKit asked Questrade about the current status of QuestMortgage but did not receive a response by publication time. Mortgages have been on Wealthsimple’s for years, and the company finally entered the digital mortgage space earlier this year through a with Toronto-based digital mortgage startup Pine.

AP Sports SummaryBrief at 6:11 p.m. ESTFox News hosts are advising the incoming Trump administration to hire public relations professionals so it can control coverage of the fallout from immigration policies like mass deportation. On Monday’s edition of “Fox & Friends,” co-host Brian Kilmeade said incoming Trump “border czar” Tom Homan “needs a PR team” once the administration begins advancing its immigration agenda. Kilmeade laid out a scenario where liberal critics of Homan might discuss children and families affected by the new policies. “I think it’s important, when Tom Homan rolls this out, they want to show the image of Tom Homan callously saying these families that have been here nine years and they’re just trying to work under the radar they’re the problem,” Kilmeade added. Lawrence Jones, his fellow co-host, agreed. “You know what’s going to happen on the other side. You’re going to have AOC and company crying at the gates, again.” Jones concluded, “You’ve got to have a media strategy.” His reference to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was a frequently mentioned (in conservative circles) 2018 protest she participated in against the Trump administration’s family separation policy and children being housed in a tent city in El Paso, Texas. The international and domestic fallout to the separation policy was a hallmark of Trump’s first term and what the Fox hosts are hoping to avoid via their on-air advice. Concerns are elevated following a recent appearance from Homan on Fox where he said the incoming administration would pursue cutting off federal funds from states whose governors refuse to comply with mass deportation. Not only was the United States criticized around the world on family separation, but reunification of those families is also a project that the Biden administration has had to focus on for four years —with some families still torn apart. The advice offered by the Fox hosts is not merely punditry, but an acknowledgement that there is a revolving door between the political world around Trump and the conservative network. Trump hires faces from Fox, implements Fox-backed policies, and Fox responds by manipulating the news to assist Trump and amplifying pro-Trump rhetoric and ideas. In this instance Fox is effectively giving Trump a heads-up and marching orders, and history shows he is very likely to do as instructed. Campaign Action

Cher on the Humor and Heartbreak of Her Extraordinary New Memoir

Trump offers support for dockworkers union by saying ports shouldn’t install more automated systemsThey’re really in uncharted waters. The coastal country of Indonesia is milking its abundance of fish to compensate for a drastic cow shortage for programs like school lunches. As local fishermen off the shores of the city of Indramayu haul loads of ponyfish, they are sent twice a day to a factory to be deboned and ground into a fine, white, protein-filled powder. Later, the milk of the sea is brought to another facility for a sugary flavor of either strawberry or chocolate, the Wall Street Journal reported . Fittingly, the powder simply needs water added. “It just tastes like normal milk, at least to me,” said manager Mafatihul Khoiri of milk maker Berikan Protein Initiative, which began distribution last year. Local media reports have cast on the fishy topic as it is being mulled over for the Southeast Asian nation’s school lunch programs in the new year. It is touted there as a good source of protein, and experts hope that fish milk could net a $4.5 billion industry that puts 200,000 people to work, according to the Journal. The unorthodox idea of incorporating fish nutrients into everyday life isn’t anything unique to the area, which is looking for answers on combatting cow shortages. Fish collagen is a typical protein used in the United States for skin care, and the European Union employed scientists to work out a way of removing chemicals that cause salmon protein powder’s pungent, marine smell last year. Rasmus Ree, a researcher with the EU-funded research institute Norce, said what Indonesia is fishing for “is something that would be useful, and hopefully economically viable.” Drinkers of the milk also have not expressed an intolerance for its taste. A 23-year-old named Rosaedah even proclaimed it “delicious!” after having the beverage on three occasions. However, some nutrition experts are sour on the concept for reasons related to ultra-processing as it is mixed with sugar and artificial sweetening. Locally, the Jakarta Post also called fish milk “more of a political distraction than a meaningful nutritional intervention.” Even Indonesian Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin believes there are other ways to manage the bovine scarcity. “We can grow cows ... Or we can import the milk from Australia. Or we can buy an Australian cow company or milk company,” he told the Journal. “There are many, many, many options to do before we are milking the fish,” he said.The Prime Minister said the season was a time to remember the importance of “being there for one another”, including in “the more difficult times”. He also expressed hope for “peace, particularly in the Middle East as the birthplace of the Christmas story” amid spiralling conflict across the region. The message comes after a challenging first five months in office for the Labour Government and against the backdrop of a flatlining economy and rising inflation. Sir Keir said: “This Christmas, people will be travelling up and down the country. Heading home, visiting relatives and loved ones to celebrate together the hope and joy of this special season. “It’s a time to remind ourselves what’s really important. Family. Friendship. And fellowship between all people. “Being there for one another – in these celebrations, as well as the more difficult times.” To our military and veterans, the whole nation thanks you for the sacrifices you make to keep us safe. My government will serve you as you have served your country. I wish you and your families a very happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year. pic.twitter.com/LphMZog6np — Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) December 22, 2024 The Prime Minister sought to strike an optimistic note following another year of political upheaval for Britain, which saw Labour win a landslide victory after a surprise election called by Rishi Sunak in the summer. After taking office in July, the new Government made a series of unpopular decisions as ministers confronted the realities of creaking public services and strained national finances. As well as dealing with the economic inheritance, Sir Keir said he needed to fix a “broken society” which manifested itself in summer riots across the country after the Southport knife attack. Sir Keir said: “This Christmas, I will be hoping for peace, particularly in the Middle East as the birthplace of the Christmas story. “I’ll be looking towards a better, brighter future for every person and celebrating the joy and wonder that Christmas brings. “So, from my family to yours, I hope you have a very merry Christmas.” The message comes after revised official figures released on Monday indicated that UK gross domestic product (GDP) showed no growth between July and September. Downing Street defended the Government’s record so far when asked about the data, telling reporters: “We had to take those tough decisions to lay the foundations of growth such that we can then deliver the higher living standards over this Parliament that people want to see.” The Prime Minister also used his message to thank those spending Christmas serving others, including in the NHS and emergency services, the armed forces, churches and charities. “I know that this is not an easy time for everyone, and my thoughts are with all those who are lonely this Christmas. “Having a tough time, missing a loved one. You are not alone,” he said. Meanwhile, Kemi Badenoch said Christmas was a time to reflect on “all that’s happened in the year” and “support all of those people who need our assistance”. “I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone, not just in the Conservative Party or in my constituency, but across the country,” the Tory leader said. “For all that you have been doing in your communities, supporting each other and helping to keep all our towns, villages and places going. “I think that Christmas is a time for us to reflect on all that’s happened in the year. “Sometimes we have amazing years. “Sometimes, like when I lost my dad, we have difficult years and we’re commiserating, but we do it together. “But it’s a time for us to support all of those people who need our assistance, who need our help, who need our support.” She added: “And I’m looking forward to 2025. “I wish you all the very best for the New Year and all of the exciting things to come.” Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said: “This year, I’ve had the chance to spend time with some amazing young carers. “Incredible young people who will spend this Christmas doing what they do all year round; looking after loved ones who are ill or disabled. “Carers embody the Christmas spirit of love, selflessness and generosity. “So I hope we can all take some time to think of them, and keep them in our hearts. “And wish them – and everyone – a Christmas full of peace, joy and love.”

Ukraine Supports Stabilizing Syria, Zelenskiy Says As He Again Warns Of Russia-North Korea Cooperation

Stock market today: Wall Street rises at the start of a holiday-shortened week