WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — An online spat between factions of Donald Trump's supporters over immigration and the tech industry has thrown internal divisions in his political movement into public display, previewing the fissures and contradictory views his coalition could bring to the White House. The rift laid bare the tensions between the newest flank of Trump's movement — wealthy members of the tech world including billionaire Elon Musk and fellow entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and their call for more highly skilled workers in their industry — and people in Trump's Make America Great Again base who championed his hardline immigration policies. The debate touched off this week when Laura Loomer , a right-wing provocateur with a history of racist and conspiratorial comments, criticized Trump’s selection of Sriram Krishnan as an adviser on artificial intelligence policy in his coming administration. Krishnan favors the ability to bring more skilled immigrants into the U.S. Loomer declared the stance to be “not America First policy” and said the tech executives who have aligned themselves with Trump were doing so to enrich themselves. Much of the debate played out on the social media network X, which Musk owns. Loomer's comments sparked a back-and-forth with venture capitalist and former PayPal executive David Sacks , whom Trump has tapped to be the “White House A.I. & Crypto Czar." Musk and Ramaswamy, whom Trump has tasked with finding ways to cut the federal government , weighed in, defending the tech industry's need to bring in foreign workers. It bloomed into a larger debate with more figures from the hard-right weighing in about the need to hire U.S. workers, whether values in American culture can produce the best engineers, free speech on the internet, the newfound influence tech figures have in Trump's world and what his political movement stands for. Trump has not yet weighed in on the rift, and his presidential transition team did not respond to a message seeking comment. Musk, the world's richest man who has grown remarkably close to the president-elect , was a central figure in the debate, not only for his stature in Trump's movement but his stance on the tech industry's hiring of foreign workers. Technology companies say H-1B visas for skilled workers, used by software engineers and others in the tech industry, are critical for hard-to-fill positions. But critics have said they undercut U.S. citizens who could take those jobs. Some on the right have called for the program to be eliminated, not expanded. Born in South Africa, Musk was once on an a H-1B visa himself and defended the industry's need to bring in foreign workers. “There is a permanent shortage of excellent engineering talent," he said in a post. “It is the fundamental limiting factor in Silicon Valley.” Trump's own positions over the years have reflected the divide in his movement. His tough immigration policies, including his pledge for a mass deportation, were central to his winning presidential campaign. He has focused on immigrants who come into the U.S. illegally but he has also sought curbs on legal immigration , including family-based visas. As a presidential candidate in 2016, Trump called the H-1B visa program “very bad” and “unfair” for U.S. workers. After he became president, Trump in 2017 issued a “Buy American and Hire American” executive order , which directed Cabinet members to suggest changes to ensure H-1B visas were awarded to the highest-paid or most-skilled applicants to protect American workers. Trump's businesses, however, have hired foreign workers, including waiters and cooks at his Mar-a-Lago club , and his social media company behind his Truth Social app has used the the H-1B program for highly skilled workers. During his 2024 campaign for president, as he made immigration his signature issue, Trump said immigrants in the country illegally are “poisoning the blood of our country" and promised to carry out the largest deportation operation in U.S. history. But in a sharp departure from his usual alarmist message around immigration generally, Trump told a podcast this year that he wants to give automatic green cards to foreign students who graduate from U.S. colleges. “I think you should get automatically, as part of your diploma, a green card to be able to stay in this country," he told the “All-In" podcast with people from the venture capital and technology world. Those comments came on the cusp of Trump's budding alliance with tech industry figures, but he did not make the idea a regular part of his campaign message or detail any plans to pursue such changes. Michelle L. Price, The Associated Press
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Live updates of the second test between New Zealand and England at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. After Harry Brook (123) led England to 280, the Black Caps fell to 86-5 at stumps on day one Tom Blundell and nightwatchman Will O’Rourke were dismissed on the second morning Gus Atkinson wrapped up the tail with three wickets in as many deliveries The Black Caps’ team meetings must be brief affairs based on all the topics that apparently go unmentioned. Tom Latham’s side will remain unchanged for the second cricket test against England, starting on Friday at the Basin Reserve, as the hosts opted for a typically steady approach despite last week’s eight-wicket loss at Hagley Oval. Poor fielding and unconvincing batting left New Zealand trailing 1-0 in the series, the same scoreline that greeted these teams on their last trip to Wellington. It was then, in February 2023, the Black Caps became the third team in history to win a match after being asked to follow-on, a one-run margin making for a test no observer would ever forget. It’s also a test no home player had discussed this week, with Latham disappointing a narrative-chasing press pack by pointing to the differences in teams 22 months later. Indeed, England will have five new faces – including an entirely new bowling group – while the home side have selected four – with only Matt Henry and Tim Southee returning from their attack. Southee’s place could have been under threat after the veteran had been the least effective of the seam quartet in Christchurch. But despite spinning allrounder Mitchell Santner joining the squad, Latham said Southee’s potential omission was never raised. Instead, Southee will play the penultimate match in what will end a 107-test career, needing five sixes to reach 100 and a much unlikelier 13 wickets to finish with 400. Test rookie Nathan Smith loomed as the odd man out had conditions led the Black Caps to believe the Basin pitch would offer turn, a prospect discounted by Latham when confirming a “fantastic” Smith would play at his home ground. Spinners Nathan Lyon and Glenn Phillips did enjoy success when Australia won at the venue in March, but that came in warmer and drier weather at the end of the home summer. “The wicket took a little bit of spin, which surprised us,” Latham said. “But going by the games here [this season], the Wellington first-class games, I think the balance that we’ve gone with is the right balance for this for this wicket. “We obviously have some spin options in that top seven anyway. We think it’s the right fit.” Phillips was set to remain at No 7, despite the allrounder having in the last three months been left stranded on 49 not out in Galle, 48no in Pune and 58no in the first test. Latham said then that no discussions had occurred about an elevation ahead of Tom Blundell to No 6, with the wicketkeeper now averaging 13.5 in 14 tests since last March. Tom Blundell has been returning quickly to the pavilion in recent tests. Photo / Photosport That barren run began following Blundell’s pivotal 90 in the improbable revival against England, an innings that lifted his average to 55.2 in six tests at the Basin Reserve. “He’s another guy that’s playing at home in front of his home crowd – home ground, which he’s familiar with – so I know he’ll be looking forward to getting another opportunity,” Latham said. “We fully back Tom in terms of his ability to score runs and do a good job behind the stumps. We know what a quality player he is. “Cricket is a funny game – you’re only one innings away from being back in form. We’re certainly right in behind Tom; we know the important role that he plays in the side, especially with his keeping as well.” An unchanged England, conversely, will again play without a specialist wicketkeeper, after Ollie Pope took the gloves and moved from No 3 to No 6 to replace the injured Jordan Cox in Christchurch. That switch was out of necessity; this time, with Ollie Robinson having flown out to join the squad, it’s by choice. And it’s a choice the Black Caps could feasibly make if Will Young were to open and either Latham or Devon Conway shifted down the order. Young has never been at his best opening – averaging 22.8 in 12 tests and 43.9 in seven batting further down. Chances are, an alteration of such significance was never discussed. New Zealand team to play England Tom Latham (c), Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell, Glenn Phillips, Nathan Smith, Matt Henry, Tim Southee, Will O’Rourke The Alternative Commentary Collective is covering every home Black Caps test this summer. Listen to live commentary here. Kris Shannon has been a sports journalist since 2011 and covers a variety of codes for the Herald. Reporting on Grant Elliott’s six at Eden Park in 2015 was a career highlight.
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DOHA, Qatar , Dec. 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On December 25, 2024 , the First JETOUR Fan's Festival and the Launch of T2 i-DM was held in Qatar , themed "Think Future". During the event, JETOUR launched its user brand "Traveler" in the Middle East and its first hybrid model, JETOUR T2 i-DM. The launch event highlights JETOUR's commitment to exploring sustainable travel modes and ambition to become the "The World's Leading Brand in Hybrid Off-road Vehicles" under the "Travel+" strategy. JETOUR T2 i-DM not only inherits the strengths of T2 series, but also achieves high energy efficiency, high performance, high safety, and high intelligence with its advanced hybrid technology, i-DM. With a maximum combined power of 280kW and torque of 610N•m, T2 i-DM boasts a NEDC pure electric range of 139km and an overall range exceeding 1,000km at just 0.8L/100km, addressing range anxiety and promoting green travel. Mr. Dai Lihong, executive vice president of JETOUR Auto, emphasized technology's role in producing world-class products. The launch also introduced "Traveler", enriching user experience through diverse products and superior performance. This year, JETOUR has ranked third in sales across the Qatari auto market. The Fan's Festival invited user representatives from across the Middle East to witness the unveiling of "Traveler", experiencing "Travel+" culture through city tours and co-creation workshops. JETOUR prioritizes users, listening to their needs and co-creating products, brand, and lifestyle. Through "Traveler," JETOUR aims to provide richer travel experiences and benefits globally, leveraging the platform to spread the "Travel+" culture worldwide. Mr. Alex Tan , Vice President of JETOUR International, said, "Serving 'JETOUR users' and being 'a user-oriented JETOUR' are JETOUR's development philosophy. JETOUR will continue to build a travel community centered around users, cars, and lifestyles, sharing the joy of traveling together with users." JETOUR also partnered with Diamond League to promote athletics in Qatar and the Middle East , embodying JETOUR Speed and the brand's image of breakthroughs and innovations. With T2 selling over 150,000 units globally, T2 i-DM will continue its success to meet customers' needs and reshape the hybrid SUV market. The launch of T2 i-DM marks JETOUR's new journey towards "the World's Leading Brand in Hybrid Off-road Vehicles." JETOUR plans to introduce more hybrid and off-road models, providing customers with eco-friendly and diversified travel choices. With its innovative spirit and user-oriented philosophy, JETOUR will lead the global automotive industry towards a more sustainable and smarter future. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-launch-of-jetour-t2-i-dm-reshaping-the-hybrid-suv-market-302339886.html SOURCE JETOUR AUTO