1 000 fish

Ahsoka Season 2 Filming Start Date Reportedly Revealed (And It’s Soon)“I’VE ordered champagne” were the first words Barbara Taylor Bradford said to me when I interviewed her in 2015. We met at The Dorchester, her home from home whenever she visited London, where she was holding court in a quiet corner of the swanky hotel. 10 Author Barbara Taylor Bradford died on Sunday, aged 91 10 The author amassed a huge fortune from her books - pictured Barbara on her 21st birthday Credit: PA Dressed to the nines, with a perfectly made up face and coiffed hair that hinted at her twice-weekly visits to the stylist, she looked nothing like the 81 years old she was at the time. Barbara, who died on Sunday, aged 91 , following a short illness at her home in New York City, was every inch the best-selling author honoured by Queen Elizabeth with an OBE for her contribution to women’s literature. Clearly beloved by the hotel staff, they fussed around her, making sure she had everything she needed. And she was kind and courteous in return — as she was to all who met her. READ MORE ON CELEBS TAY GIG BILL Huge cost of policing Taylor Swift's London gigs & blue-light escort revealed GOLDPLAY Enormous boost Coldplay, Beyonce and Harry Styles gigs gave to economy revealed Although we had chatted on many occasions on the phone, this was the first time we had spoken face to face. You would imagine someone who had sold 90 million books — making a rumoured £160million from sales — might be bored by the interview pro­cess and give standard, predictable answers. But she was a wonderful, generous hostess and although we were there to chat about her latest release, she asked me questions and genuinely wanted to know about my life. The interview lasted well over two hours — and remains one of my favourite encounters. Most read in Celebrity 'NO PATIENCE' Propper brands Rangers' opponents long ball merchants and calls out own fans BALLSED UP Lorraine apologises on air for using phrase she 'didn't know' was a swear word HO HO NO! ‘Rip off’ ride at popular Scots Christmas market slammed by furious parents a&e dash Hollyoaks star Ali Bastian rushed to hospital after heartbreaking cancer diagnosis Known for writing incredible sweep­ing sagas, her first novel A Woman Of Substance was published in 1979, when she was 46. It was an immediate hit. Legions of fans A rags to riches story, it told how Emma Harte, a servant in rural Yorkshire, went on to head up a huge business empire. Best-selling A Woman of Substance author dubbed %e2%80%98Queen of the genre%e2%80%99 Barbara Taylor Bradford dies aged 91, This Morning.mp4 It sold more than 30million copies and was adapted into a 1984 TV miniseries, starring Jenny Sea­grove as young Emma, Deborah Kerr as her in later life and Liam Neeson as her friend Shane “Blackie” O’Neill. It was the beginning of a career spanning more than 40 years and 40 novels — each received rapturously by her legions of adoring fans. Our latest meeting was in 2019, to talk about her book, In The Lion’s Den, but it was a very different encounter. Her beloved husband, Robert — who she met when she was 28 — had recently died from a stroke aged 92. Again, we met for tea at The Dorchester, and although she tried to put on her game face, it was clear that Barbara was utterly broken. Tears weren’t far away, as she held my hand and told me his last words to her had been, “I love you”. But despite her obvious distress, she was determined to continue making the most of her remaining years — plus Bob had told her never to stop writing so she was keen to honour his wishes. Although her books sold tens of millions of copies, making her one of the world’s wealthiest writers, and she loved her luxuries, she stayed grounded — with fish and chips her favourite meal, coated in lashings of malt vinegar. Even when she discovered her solidly working-class mum was probably the illegitimate daughter of the Marquess of Ripon, a Yorkshire aristocrat, she never took a DNA test. Yet she was rumoured to have maintained the heating of a lake at her former Connecticut home, which a farmer had installed to keep swans warm in winter. 10 Jenny Seagrove as heroine Emma in 1984 Channel 4 series A Woman Of Substance Credit: Rex 10 Barbara with The Sun's Natasha Harding Credit: Supplied And she sold her 13-room Manhattan apartment for £6.7million in 2013 to actress Uma Thurman. But right until the end, Barbara grafted — and her work ethic was second to none. She followed a strict routine, beginning at 6am where she used a typewriter to bash out her novels. She also read the papers every day and had opinions about everything from the royals to politics and the importance of reading. It was why she was so happy to be an ambassador for charities and not-for-profit organisations including the UK’s National Literacy Trust, Literacy Partners in the US, Women In Journ­alism and Reporters Without Borders. Always a supporter of women, she twice chaired the judges for The Sunday Times Write Stuff competition which encouraged the next generation of female fiction writers. Barbara was born and bred in Leeds and came from a working-class family, who adored literature. During one of our book-related chats she told me she was “force-fed books from a very young age”, and was reading confidently by four years old. At primary school — where she was in the same class as future author and playwright Alan Bennett — she dreamed of being a writer. She had her first story published in a children’s magazine when she was ten. 'Powerhouse of glamour’ Her first job, aged 15, was in the Yorkshire Evening Post’s typing pool. Determined to follow her dream to be a reporter, she surreptitiously slipp­ed her stories into the sub-editor’s tray. When the editors realised, they pro­m­oted her and she became the paper’s only female reporter at the time. By the age of 18, she was its Woman’s Editor. While working at the paper she met a fellow journalist who she said was “lanky and dishevelled with acne”. He kept trying to talk to her, she said, even after she turned him down for a date at the cinema — it was actor Peter O’Toole. Always ambitious, Barbara moved to London aged 20 when Fleet Street called. Her career went from strength to strength and she worked as fashion editor of Woman’s Own magazine. In 1961, when she was 28, Barbara met her husband, Robert, a German- born successful American film producer. 10 Proud Barbara with her OBE at Buckingham Palace in 2007 Credit: PA 10 The author with devoted husband Robert in London in 1993 Credit: PA They married on Christmas Eve, 1963, and moved to New York. There, Barbara wrote for an interior decoration column that was syndicated to 183 newspapers — even though Robert was wealthy enough that she did not need to work. Her first books were about home design. They included The Complete Encyclopedia Of Homemaking Ideas in 1968. She also wrote a string of entries in the How To Be The Perfect Wife series. When A Woman Of Substance was published, Barbara was over the moon. She had the success she had always dreamed of. She said she wrote books about sexy, scrappy, hard-working women. “What I really wanted to do was to write about a very strong woman, because I’m strong,” she told an interviewer in 1983. “That doesn’t mean I’m tough or hard but I have the strength to meet adversity, not to give in,” she said. Actress Jenny Seagrove, 67, paid tribute to a “dear friend” and “powerhouse of glamour and warmth”. She said: “Success never diluted her warmth and humour or her ability to relate to everyone she met, whether a cleaner or a princess. “She never, ever forgot that she was just a girl from Yorkshire that worked hard and made good.” Charlie Redmayne, chief executive of publisher HarperCollins, said: “She was a natural storyteller, deeply proud of her Yorkshire roots. She would regale us of her time working on the Yorkshire Evening Post with fellow reporter Keith Waterhouse and Peter O’Toole, the dawn of the Soho cafe society, and the many happy years shared with the love of her life, her husband, Bob. Generous and thoughtful Other friends included Sean Connery , Christopher Plummer, Boris Johnson and Joan Rivers. She was also a huge fan of Queen Elizabeth. Maria Boyle, who worked as Barbara’s personal PR for more than 15 years, said: “Book signings were always busy, queues were guaranteed. “Fans would travel from afar, bring­ing old copies of her novels for her to sign while buying the latest release. “One American reader even brought a copy of A Woman Of Substance with a bullet hole in it. Barbara was alarmed, asked what had happened and the lady said her husband shot the book as she was reading it so much. Her books became like Bibles to many.“ When I wrote A Woman Of Substance I didn’t think, ‘I’m going to write about a woman warrior who conquers the world and smashes the glass ceiling’. But I did want to write about them in a positive way Barbara “Readers would frequently tell her their story and cite how her books changed their lives — ‘It inspired me to set up a business’, ‘It helped me through some dark times’ or ‘It gave me courage to change my career’. Barbara told one paper: “When I wrote A Woman Of Substance I didn’t sit down and think, ‘I’m going to write about a woman warrior who conquers the world and smashes the glass ceiling’. But I did want to write about women in a positive way. “At the time there were a lot of very sexy books out there but the women didn’t come out of them very well.” One of Barbara’s favourite shops in London was Fortnum & Mason and she would visit every time she was in the capital — where she would order gifts for those she worked with. And me. I wasn’t the only one to be touched by her kindness. Maria said: “Barbara gave generously. “She waived royalties, donated fees and contributed work freely. “During the pandemic, she gifted one of her books so it could be adapted for blind readers and wrote a 25,000-word short story for a national newspaper when asked for just 5,000. “In the interview which went alongside it, Barbara quoted her hero Winston Churchill, telling them to “KBO” (Keep Buggering On) — and she did that throughout her own life.” She was frequently described as the “grand dame of blockbusters”, “Queen of the genre”, and she absolutely was. My lasting memories of Barbara were she was kind, generous and thoughtful. She had an incredible work ethic and was one of those rare people who are both interested and interesting. Read more on the Scottish Sun 'DISAPPOINTED' Harry Potter steam train blasted by passengers who 'dreaded' return journey COLD BEERS SPFL side spotted going for a PINT after their bus got stuck in the snow May she rest in peace. For more on Barbara’s books, go to barbarataylorbradford.com. 10 A Woman Of Substance was Barbara's first novel Credit: Supplied 10 Secrets From The Past was one of her most popular books Credit: Handout 10 Letter From a Stranger was released in 2011 10 A Man of Honour is another Yorkshire classic from Barbara

An archbishop's knock formally restores Notre Dame to life as winds howl and heads of state look on

49ers QB Brock Purdy resumes throwing but status for this week remains unknownO3 Mining (OTCMKTS:OQMGF) Trading 0.3% Higher – Still a Buy?

NoneNEW YORK , Nov. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ --The global travel market size is estimated to grow by USD 5.50 trillion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 18.52% during the forecast period. Growing popularity of experiential travel is driving market growth, with a trend towards increasing international tourist footfall. However, threat from growing terrorism poses a challenge. Key market players include Accor S.A., American Express Global Business Travel GBT, Balkan Holidays Ltd., BCD Travel Services BV, Booking Holdings Inc., Carlson Inc., Corporate Travel Management Ltd., Expedia Group Inc., Fareportal Inc., Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd., G Adventures, JPMorgan Chase and Co., JTB Corp., MakeMyTrip Ltd., Marriott International Inc., Omega World Travel Inc., PT Global Digital Niaga, Traveloka, The Scott Travel Group Ltd., Travel Leaders Group Holdings LLC, World Travel Holdings, and World Travel Inc., Airbnb, Inc., Hilton Worldwide, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean Group. Key insights into market evolution with AI-powered analysis. Explore trends, segmentation, and growth drivers- View Free Sample PDF Market Driver Inbound tourism has experienced significant growth worldwide, leading to an increase in the number of tourists and demand for travel activities. Business travel, both international and domestic, is a significant contributor to this trend. The presence of numerous multinational corporations drives corporate visits, boosting the travel industry. Online travel platforms cater to the rising demand for travel activities from an increasing number of international tourists, primarily from North America , Europe , and the Pacific region. Government initiatives, such as improved connectivity through new airports, further fuel tourism growth. Overall, these factors are expected to expand the global travel market during the forecast period. The travel industry is experiencing significant shifts driven by trends such as the growing middle class population, heightened security and health concerns, and the increasing role of foreign tour operators and online platforms. Digital transformation is at the forefront, with tourists relying on online resources for trip planning, booking flight tickets and hotels, and even renting cars. Economic stability and leisure activities continue to be key motivators for vacations and holiday packages. The pandemic has created an acquisition opportunity for online travel agents, with promotional activities and new year holidays driving bookings. Mobile apps and holiday packages for international cities cater to elite travelers seeking new experiences in unexplored destinations. The luxury travel market remains strong, with a focus on security and personalized services. Overall, the online travel market is thriving, offering tourists convenience, affordability, and access to a world of new opportunities. Request Sample of our comprehensive report now to stay ahead in the AI-driven market evolution! Market Challenges Terrorist activities have grown globally since 2016, with the primary goal being to instill fear and alter people's behavior. An example is the bombing on January 1, 2023 , at a Kabul checkpoint near the commercial airport, resulting in injuries and fatalities. This incident directly affects industries like hotels and travel, as border clearances experience delays and stricter inspections. Furthermore, heightened security around oil and gas pipelines and electricity transmission lines leads to increased costs. Travel insurance and reinsurance also become more expensive. Consequently, the rise in terrorist activities may impede the expansion of the global travel market during the forecast period. The travel market faces various challenges in both the tourism sector and beyond. Micro trips are popular, but providing personalized services, reliable transport, and professional interaction remains crucial for customer satisfaction. Political stability is essential for business growth, especially for customized tours and private tours. Technological advancements, such as the adoption of IoT, impact airlines, cruise liners, hotels, and resorts. Natural disasters and stringent immigration policies pose risks. Business, sports, and cultural events drive domestic and overseas travel. Governmental support and infrastructural development are vital for addressing challenges like public transportation and accommodation facilities. Rapid globalization and the interconnected world increase competition, requiring technical integration and online booking platforms. Social media networks and influencer marketing influence travel decisions. Country revenue depends on addressing challenges like political instability, natural disasters, and stringent immigration policies. Discover how AI is revolutionizing market trends- Get your access now! Segment Overview This travel market report extensively covers market segmentation by 1.1 Transportation 1.2 Hotel 1.3 Travel activities 2.1 Leisure 2.2 Business 3.1 APAC 3.2 Europe 3.3 North America 3.4 South America 3.5 Middle East and Africa 1.1 Transportation- The Travel Market is a thriving industry that connects service providers with customers seeking unique travel experiences. It offers various opportunities for businesses to expand their reach and increase sales. By utilizing effective marketing strategies and providing exceptional customer service, companies can attract and retain customers. The Travel Market also encourages innovation and collaboration, allowing businesses to offer competitive prices and diverse offerings. Overall, it is a dynamic and profitable sector that continues to grow and evolve. Download a Sample of our comprehensive report today to discover how AI-driven innovations are reshaping competitive dynamics Research Analysis The online travel market has experienced significant shifts in the wake of the pandemic, with a growth in domestic tourism and an increase in bookings for New Year holidays. Mobile apps have become essential tools for travelers, allowing them to easily compare holiday packages, book flights, hotels, car rentals, and more. The adoption of IoT technology in the tourism sector offers new experiences and personalized services, creating opportunities for innovation. However, political instability, natural disasters, and stringent immigration policies pose challenges. The acquisition of smaller players in the online travel market presents opportunities for growth, particularly in the luxury travel market catering to elite travelers. Unexplored destinations and micro trips are also gaining popularity as travelers seek new experiences. Business and sports travel are expected to rebound as restrictions ease. Despite these trends, the tourism sector continues to face uncertainty and must adapt to changing consumer preferences and external factors. Market Research Overview The online travel market has seen a significant growth during the pandemic as people look for acquisition opportunities in the tourism sector. Domestic tourism has become a popular choice for travelers, leading to an increase in bookings for new year holidays. Mobile apps and online travel agents offer convenience for holiday packages, car rentals, and international city explorations. The luxury travel market caters to elite travelers seeking new experiences in unexplored destinations. Micro trips and personalized services are also in demand, as is reliable transport and professional interaction. Political stability, customized tours, and private tours are essential for some travelers, while others prioritize baby boomers, Gen X, and millennials' preferences. Technological advancements, such as the adoption of IoT, have transformed the industry, with online booking platforms, travel websites, and rapid globalization playing key roles. However, challenges such as political instability, natural disasters, and stringent immigration policies persist. Business, sports, and leisure activities continue to drive travel, with economic stability and infrastructure development crucial for the tourist industry's digital transformation. Online resources, flight tickets, hotels, and trip planning remain essential, with health and security concerns also influencing travel decisions. Foreign tour operators and online platforms cater to various tourist destinations, while influencer marketing, travel blogs, and user-generated content shape travel trends. Country revenue depends on public transportation, accommodation facilities, and the middle class population's growing demand for travel. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Sector Transportation Hotel Travel Activities Type Leisure Business Booking Type Mode of Travel Geography APAC Europe North America South America Middle East And Africa 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio

Deerfield Healthcare Technology Acquisitions (OTCMKTS:DFHTU) Stock Price Down 2.2% – Here’s What HappenedFormer Chicago Alderman Daniel Solis returned to the Everett McKinley U.S. Courthouse Monday. Solis is facing one federal count of bribery under a deferred prosecution agreement. The ex-alderman began cooperating with federal investigators in 2016. Separately Monday, former Chicago Alderman Daniel Solis, former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and Madigan codefendant Michael McClain enter the federal court building in Chicago Monday, Nov. 25, 2024. U.S. government attorney Diane MacArthur first introduced a recording of Madigan and Solis nearly two years before the alderman started cooperating with the government. The recording involved a conversation with Chinese developer, See Wong, who wanted to build a hotel on a parcel of land in Chicago’s Chinatown neighborhood. The land was owned by the state of Illinois at the time, but Solis said a zoning change would be required from the city in order for a hotel to be built. At Madigan’s request, Solis said he facilitated the meeting on Aug. 8, 2014, at Madigan’s law firm, Madigan and Getzendanner, about the land along Wentworth Avenue between Archer Avenue and Cermak Road. Madigan’s law partner, Bud Getzendanner, discussed how successful the firm had been in working with hotels to make sure they were not taxed more than necessary. ”A large component of your expense for hotels is real estate taxes,” Getzendanner said during the recorded meeting. Getzendanner said the firm charged 12.5% of the tax savings obtained. Madigan told Wong and an interpreter about the quality of service his firm provided. “We don’t take a second seat to anybody,” Madigan said. The developer then asked for a picture with Madigan and Solis. Solis told the group that Wong would benefit from working with Madigan. “If he works with the Speaker, he will get anything he needs for that hotel,” Solis said on the recording. Solis testified that he meant the city would provide the zoning change the developer needed from the city if the developer hired Madigan’s law firm. Solis said the zoning change was approved, but the proposed hotel was never built. MacArthur asked Solis about the bribery charge he is still facing, which Solis said involved the redevelopment of a property in Chicago from a restaurant to a residential building in 2015. Solis said two problems prevented the project from moving forward: labor unions’ perceived lack of representation in the development and residents' concerns in the ward. The former alderman admitted that he solicited a campaign contribution from the developer or from one or more of the developer’s vendors while the project’s zoning change was still under consideration. Solis said he believed the developer was on board and that he would be getting donations from the developers’ vendors. The zoning change was approved by the city council, Solis said. He testified he solicited and accepted campaign contributions from other developers who had matters pending before the city council’s zoning committee. Solis then testified about about a variety of things like massages that turned sexual, trips to Las Vegas, tickets to professional sporting events, no-paperwork six-figure loans he'd paid back. He even admitted to an extramarital affair he had with an interpreter. Solis said he was separated from his wife for about five years and their house went into foreclosure. He also confessed that he lied to a collection agency by saying he was out of work. MacArthur asked Solis about his sister, Patti Solis Doyle, who worked on campaigns for former Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, former President Bill Clinton and former U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton, D-New York. Solis Doyle also managed Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign in 2008. Solis said his sister was involved in a hotel project in which the developer offered her $100,000. Solis said his sister offered to split the sum with her brother. As chairman of the city’s zoning committee, Solis said he told his sister he could not accept money regarding a hotel development. Solis said his sister told him there would be another way she could compensate him. The former alderman said he did receive funds from his sister for referring her to his friend Brian Hynes’ state vendor assistance program. Monday afternoon, Solis testified that FBI agents visited his home on June 1, 2016, and played audio and video recordings. After considering an attorney, Solis said he decided to cooperate with the FBI a few days later and agreed to let investigators tap his phone. Solis also said he told an attorney friend that he was cooperating with the FBI in regard to an investigation of an organization he was involved in. Solis said he made recordings for several investigations he was involved in as part of his deferred prosecution agreement. He began communicating with Madigan after receiving a voicemail message on June 12, 2017. Solis said he discussed the Chinatown land deal, his interest in getting a state board appointment, and referring clients to Madigan’s law firm while cooperating with the government from June 2016 to December 2017. Solis admitted that he was not really interested in a state board appointment, but he raised the issue with Madigan at the direction of law enforcement. Solis said he began communicating with Madigan codefendant Michael McClain about the Chinatown parcel in the fall of 2017. He said he had to continue to perform his duties as an alderman while cooperating with the FBI because of “the farce” that he was involved in. Solis discussed a 2017 redevelopment project that required a zoning change involving a Union West development in Chicago’s West Loop. MacArthur played a recording, dated June 12, 2017, of Madigan asking Solis about the development. During the call, Solis told the speaker he would try to arrange an introduction for Madigan with the developers. In a subsequent call, Solis promised to arrange a meeting and said, “I think these guys get it, the quid pro quo and how it works.” When MacArthur asked Solis why he said that, Solis said he didn’t know and said it was “dumb.” MacArthur asked Solis if he used the words “quid pro quo” at the direction of law enforcement. “No,” Solis said. Union West developer Andrew Cretal agreed to meet with Madigan and told Solis, “confidentially,” that his company was working with Goldman Sachs as an equity partner and that he would “circle back” with Solis. MacArthur played a recording of Madigan privately telling Solis not to use the words, “quid quo pro.” The conversation immediately preceded the meeting Cretal and the Union West group had at Madigan's and Getzendanner’s law office. During the meeting, Madigan repeated to Cretal’s group what he had said to See Wong. “We don’t take a second seat to anybody,” Madigan said. Solis said he met with Madigan again privately after the meeting with the intention of discussing the Chinatown parcel. Solis said he had been having frequent meetings about the land with potential developers. During the recording, Solis said that nothing could really happen until the state transferred the land. Connie Mixon, professor of Political Science and director of the Urban Studies Program at Elmhurst University, served as an expert witness at the corruption trial of longtime Chicago Democrat Ed Burke, who served on the city council from 1969 to 2023. A jury convicted Burke in December 2023 on 18 counts of racketeering, bribery, attempted extortion and conspiracy to commit extortion and using interstate commerce to facilitate an unlawful activity. Mixon said that Solis also testified as a cooperating witness during Burke’s trial. “It seemed as if, in the sentencing for the Burke trial, the judge did take a bit of exception to the fact that Solis, who also had potential criminal charges, was essentially getting away without any sort of repercussions,” Mixon told The Center Square. Mixon described Solis as a damaged witness. “He’s absolutely damaged, but as much as he’s damaged, you have the words on the wiretap. Having the defendants’ words played in the courtroom, they are really the witness against themselves when you have those wiretaps,” Mixon explained. Before the jury was seated Monday morning, prosecutors said they would provide the court with revised jury instructions by Dec. 3. Judge John Robert Blakey said he could deny admittance of new materials after that date if he deemed them to be untimely. Madigan and McClain are charged with 23 counts of bribery, racketeering and official misconduct. The trial is scheduled to resume Tuesday morning in Chicago.

By KENYA HUNTER, Associated Press ATLANTA (AP) — As she checked into a recent flight to Mexico for vacation, Teja Smith chuckled at the idea of joining another Women’s March on Washington . As a Black woman, she just couldn’t see herself helping to replicate the largest act of resistance against then-President Donald Trump’s first term in January 2017. Even in an election this year where Trump questioned his opponent’s race , held rallies featuring racist insults and falsely claimed Black migrants in Ohio were eating residents’ pets , he didn’t just win a second term. He became the first Republican in two decades to clinch the popular vote, although by a small margin. “It’s like the people have spoken and this is what America looks like,” said Smith, the Los Angeles-based founder of the advocacy social media agency, Get Social. “And there’s not too much more fighting that you’re going to be able to do without losing your own sanity.” After Trump was declared the winner over Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris , many politically engaged Black women said they were so dismayed by the outcome that they were reassessing — but not completely abandoning — their enthusiasm for electoral politics and movement organizing. Black women often carry much of the work of getting out the vote in their communities. They had vigorously supported the historic candidacy of Harris, who would have been the first woman of Black and South Asian descent to win the presidency. Harris’ loss spurred a wave of Black women across social media resolving to prioritize themselves, before giving so much to a country that over and over has shown its indifference to their concerns. AP VoteCast , a survey of more than 120,000 voters, found that 6 in 10 Black women said the future of democracy in the United States was the single most important factor for their vote this year, a higher share than for other demographic groups. But now, with Trump set to return to office in two months, some Black women are renewing calls to emphasize rest, focus on mental health and become more selective about what fight they lend their organizing power to. “America is going to have to save herself,” said LaTosha Brown, the co-founder of the national voting rights group Black Voters Matter. She compared Black women’s presence in social justice movements as “core strategists and core organizers” to the North Star, known as the most consistent and dependable star in the galaxy because of its seemingly fixed position in the sky. People can rely on Black women to lead change, Brown said, but the next four years will look different. “That’s not a herculean task that’s for us. We don’t want that title. ... I have no goals to be a martyr for a nation that cares nothing about me,” she said. AP VoteCast paints a clear picture of Black women’s concerns. Black female voters were most likely to say that democracy was the single most important factor for their vote, compared to other motivators such as high prices or abortion. More than 7 in 10 Black female voters said they were “very concerned” that electing Trump would lead the nation toward authoritarianism, while only about 2 in 10 said this about Harris. About 9 in 10 Black female voters supported Harris in 2024, according to AP VoteCast, similar to the share that backed Democrat Joe Biden in 2020. Trump received support from more than half of white voters, who made up the vast majority of his coalition in both years. Like voters overall, Black women were most likely to say the economy and jobs were the most important issues facing the country, with about one-third saying that. But they were more likely than many other groups to say that abortion and racism were the top issues, and much less likely than other groups to say immigration was the top issue. Despite those concerns, which were well-voiced by Black women throughout the campaign, increased support from young men of color and white women helped expand Trump’s lead and secured his victory. Politically engaged Black women said they don’t plan to continue positioning themselves in the vertebrae of the “backbone” of America’s democracy. The growing movement prompting Black women to withdraw is a shift from history, where they are often present and at the forefront of political and social change. One of the earliest examples is the women’s suffrage movement that led to ratification in 1920 of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution , which gave women the right to vote. Black women, however, were prevented from voting for decades afterward because of Jim Crow-era literacy tests, poll taxes and laws that blocked the grandchildren of slaves from voting. Most Black women couldn’t vote until the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Black women were among the organizers and counted among the marchers brutalized on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Alabama, during the historic march in 1965 from Selma to Montgomery that preceded federal legislation. Decades later, Black women were prominent organizers of the Black Lives Matter movement in response to the deaths of Black Americans at the hands of police and vigilantes. In his 2024 campaign, Trump called for leveraging federal money to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs in government programs and discussions of race, gender or sexual orientation in schools. His rhetoric on immigration, including false claims that Black Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, were eating cats and dogs, drove support for his plan to deport millions of people . Tenita Taylor, a Black resident of Atlanta who supported Trump this year, said she was initially excited about Harris’ candidacy. But after thinking about how high her grocery bills have been, she feels that voting for Trump in hopes of finally getting lower prices was a form of self-prioritization. “People say, ‘Well, that’s selfish, it was gonna be better for the greater good,”’ she said. “I’m a mother of five kids. ... The things that (Democrats) do either affect the rich or the poor.” Some of Trump’s plans affect people in Olivia Gordon’s immediate community, which is why she struggled to get behind the “Black women rest” wave. Gordon, a New York-based lawyer who supported the Party for Socialism and Liberation’s presidential nominee, Claudia de la Cruz, worries about who may be left behind if the 92% of Black women voters who backed Harris simply stopped advocating. “We’re talking millions of Black women here. If millions of Black women take a step back, it absolutely leaves holes, but for other Black women,” she said. “I think we sometimes are in the bubble of if it’s not in your immediate circle, maybe it doesn’t apply to you. And I truly implore people to understand that it does.” Nicole Lewis, an Alabama-based therapist who specializes in treating Black women’s stress, said she’s aware that Black women withdrawing from social impact movements could have a fallout. But she also hopes that it forces a reckoning for the nation to understand the consequences of not standing in solidarity with Black women. “It could impact things negatively because there isn’t that voice from the most empathetic group,” she said. “I also think it’s going to give other groups an opportunity to step up. ... My hope is that they do show up for themselves and everyone else.” Brown said a reckoning might be exactly what the country needs, but it’s a reckoning for everyone else. Black women, she said, did their job when they supported Harris in droves in hopes they could thwart the massive changes expected under Trump. “This ain’t our reckoning,” she said. “I don’t feel no guilt.” AP polling editor Amelia Thomson DeVeaux and Associated Press writer Linley Sanders in Washington contributed to this report. The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.WASHINGTON – Working-class voters helped Republicans make steady election gains this year and expanded a coalition that increasingly includes rank-and-file union members, a political shift spotlighting one of President-elect Donald Trump’s latest Cabinet picks: a GOP congresswoman, who has drawn labor support, to be his labor secretary. Oregon Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer narrowly lost her bid for a second term this month, despite strong backing from union members, a key part of the Democratic base but gravitating in the Trump era toward a Republican Party traditionally allied with business interests. Recommended Videos “Lori’s strong support from both the Business and Labor communities will ensure that the Labor Department can unite Americans of all backgrounds behind our Agenda for unprecedented National Success - Making America Richer, Wealthier, Stronger and more Prosperous than ever before!” Trump said in a statement announcing his choice Friday night. For decades, labor unions have sided with Democrats and been greeted largely with hostility by Republicans. But with Trump's populist appeal, his working-class base saw a decent share of union rank-and-file voting for Republicans this year, even as major unions, including the AFL-CIO and the United Auto Workers , endorsed Democrat Kamala Harris in the White House race. Trump sat down with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters union leadership and members this year, and when he emerged from that meeting, he boasted that a significant chunk of union voters were backing him. Of a possible Teamsters endorsement, he said, “Stranger things have happened.” The Teamsters ultimately declined to endorse either Trump, the former president, or Harris, the vice president, though leader Sean O’Brien had a prominent speaking slot at the Republican National Convention. Kara Deniz, a Teamsters spokesperson, told the Associated Press that O’Brien met with more than a dozen House Republicans this past week to lobby on behalf of Chavez-DeRemer. “Chavez-DeRemer would be an excellent choice for labor secretary and has his backing,” Deniz said. The work of the Labor Department affects workers’ wages, health and safety, ability to unionize, and employers' rights to fire employers, among other responsibilities. On Election Day, Trump deepened his support among voters without a college degree after running just slightly ahead of Democrat Joe Biden with noncollege voters in 2020. Trump made modest gains, earning a clear majority of this group, while only about 4 in 10 supported Harris, according to AP VoteCast, a sweeping survey of more than 120,000 voters nationwide. Roughly 18% of voters in this year's election were from union households, with Harris winning a majority of the group. But Trump's performance among union members kept him competitive and helped him win key states such as Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin. Chavez-DeRemer was one of few House Republicans to endorse the “Protecting the Right to Organize” or PRO Act, which would allow more workers to conduct organizing campaigns and add penalties for companies that violate workers’ rights. The measure would weaken “right-to-work” laws that allow employees in more than half the states to avoid participating in or paying dues to unions that represent workers at their places of employment. Trump's first term saw firmly pro-business policies from his appointees across government, including those on the National Labor Relations Board. Trump, a real estate developer and businessman before winning the presidency, generally has backed policies that would make it harder for workers to unionize. During his recent campaign, Trump criticized union bosses, and at one point suggested that UAW members should not pay their dues. His first administration did expand overtime eligibility rules, but not nearly as much as Democrats wanted, and a Trump-appointed judge has since struck down the Biden administration’s more generous overtime rules. He has stacked his incoming administration with officials who worked on the Heritage Foundation’s “Project 2025” blueprint, which includes a sharp swing away from Biden’s pro-union policies. “Chavez-DeRemer’s record suggests she understands the value of policies that strengthen workers’ rights and economic security,” said Rebecca Dixon, president and CEO of National Employment Law Project, which is backed my many of the country’s major labor unions. “But the Trump administration’s agenda is fundamentally at odds with these principles, threatening to roll back workplace protections, undermine collective bargaining, and prioritize corporate profits over the needs of working people. This is where her true commitment to workers will be tested.” Other union leaders also issued praise, but also sounded a note of caution. “Educators and working families across the nation will be watching ... as she moves through the confirmation process,” the president of the National Education Association, Becky Pringle, said in a statement, “and hope to hear a pledge from her to continue to stand up for workers and students as her record suggests, not blind loyalty to the Project 2025 agenda.” AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler welcomed the choice while taking care to note Trump's history of opposing polices that support unions. "It remains to be seen what she will be permitted to do as secretary of labor in an administration with a dramatically anti-worker agenda,” Shuler said.

With a focus on human rights, US policy toward Latin America under Jimmy Carter briefly tempered a long tradition of interventionism in a key sphere of American influence, analysts say. Carter, who died Sunday at the age of 100, defied the furor of US conservatives to negotiate the handover of the Panama Canal to Panamanian control, suspended aid to multiple authoritarian governments in the region, and even attempted to normalize relations with Cuba. Carter's resolve to chart a course toward democracy and diplomacy, however, was severely tested in Central America and Cuba, where he was forced to balance his human rights priorities with pressure from adversaries to combat the spread of communism amid the Cold War standoff with the Soviet Union. "Latin America was fundamental and his global policy was oriented toward human rights, democratic values and multilateral cooperation," political analyst Michael Shifter of the Inter-American Dialogue, a think tank in Washington, told AFP. During his 1977-1981 administration, which was sandwiched between the Republican presidencies of Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan, the Democrat sought to take a step back from US alignment with right-wing dictatorships in Latin America. An important symbol of Carter's approach was the signing of two treaties in 1977 to officially turn over the Panama Canal in 1999. "Jimmy Carter understood that if he did not return the canal to Panama, the relationship between the United States and Panama could lead to a new crisis in a country where Washington could not afford the luxury of instability," said Luis Guillermo Solis, a political scientist and former president of Costa Rica. Carter called the decision, which was wildly unpopular back home, "the most difficult political challenge I ever had," as he accepted Panama's highest honor in 2016. He also hailed the move as "a notable achievement of moving toward democracy and freedom." During his term, Carter opted not to support Nicaraguan strongman Anastasio Somoza, who was subsequently overthrown by the leftist Sandinista Front in 1979. But in El Salvador, the American president had to "make a very uncomfortable pact with the government," said Shifter. To prevent communists from taking power, Carter resumed US military assistance for a junta which then became more radical, engaging in civilian massacres and plunging El Salvador into a long civil war. Carter took a critical approach to South American dictatorships in Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay, suspending arms deliveries and imposing sanctions in some cases. But his efforts "did not achieve any progress in terms of democratization," said Argentine political scientist Rosendo Fraga. The American president also tried to normalize relations with Cuba 15 years after the missile crisis. He relaxed sanctions that had been in force since 1962, supported secret talks and enabled limited diplomatic representation in both countries. "With him, for the first time, the possibility of dialogue rather than confrontation as a framework for political relations opened up," Jesus Arboleya, a former Cuban diplomat, told AFP. But in 1980, a mass exodus of 125,000 Cubans to the United States, with Fidel Castro's blessing, created an unexpected crisis. It "hurt Carter politically with the swarm of unexpected immigrants," said Jennifer McCoy, a professor of political science at Georgia State University. Castro continued to support Soviet-backed African governments and even deployed troops against Washington's wishes, finally putting an end to the normalization process. However, more than 20 years later, Carter made a historic visit to Havana as ex-president, at the time becoming the highest-profile American politician to set foot on Cuban soil since 1959. During the 2002 visit, "he made a bold call for the US to lift its embargo, but he also called on Castro to embrace democratic opening," said McCoy, who was part of the US delegation for the trip, during which Castro encouraged Carter to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at a Cuban All-Star baseball game. "Castro was sitting in the front row and we were afraid he would rise to give a long rebuttal to Carter's speech. But he didn't. He just said, 'Let's go to the ball game.'" In the years following Carter's presidency, Ronald Reagan (1981-1989) would go on to resume a full-frontal confrontation with Cuba. Decades later, Barack Obama (2009-2017) opened a new phase of measured normalization, which Donald Trump (2017-2021) brought to an end. US President Joe Biden promised to review US policy toward Cuba, but hardened his stance after Havana cracked down on anti-government protests in 2021. "Carter showed that engagement and diplomacy are more fruitful than isolation," McCoy said.NoneTrident Reports First Half 2024 Unaudited Financial Results