Trump aims to appoint son-in-law’s father as US ambassador to FranceBy JOSH BOAK, Associated Press NANTUCKET, Mass. (AP) — Joe Biden is wrapping up his final Thanksgiving holiday as president on Nantucket, a family tradition that this year seems to be part of a broader farewell to his time in the White House. The Democrat’s four years as president will be bookended by Republican Donald Trump, whose Cabinet nominations, tariff threats and glitzy evenings at Mar-a-Lago, his Florida club, have captured the public’s attention since the November election. Biden dropped out of the presidential contest in July and was replaced on the ticket by Vice President Kamala Harris, who lost to Trump. During his five days on the Massachusetts island, with its picturesque wood shingle homes and sea-shelled beaches, the 82-year-old Biden was still dealing with questions of his legacy. He planned to return to Washington later Saturday, then leave for Angola the next day for his only visit to Africa as president. On Friday, as Biden and his family walked along the quaint brick sidewalks and cobblestone streets that have made Nantucket a wealthy and desirable summer vacation spot, passersby shouted “We love you, Joe.” The Biden contingent included the president’s daughter, Ashley, and son, Hunter, as well as Hunter’s 4-year-old son, Beau. Over the past year, Biden has called Trump’s falsehoods about the government’s hurricane relief “un-American” and repeatedly warned that the incoming president could undermine U.S. democracy and foreign alliances. But when asked by reporters on Thanksgiving Day what he was thankful for, Biden said: “I’m thankful for a peaceful transition of the presidency.” Biden also said he was thankful for his family, the new cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon and the potential for more progress in the Middle East. The president, who has largely avoided reporters’ questions lately, engaged on a number of matters related to Trump and policy. He suggested that “razor-thin” margins of power for Republicans in the next Congress will mean that Trump will have to accept “some real compromise” as he pushes his agenda. “I think there may be a little bit of internal reckoning,” Biden said. Biden also said he hoped Trump would “rethink” his tariff threats against Mexico and Canada, leading American trading partners. “We’re surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, and two allies: Mexico and Canada,” Biden said. “And the last thing we need to do is begin to screw up those relationships. I think we’ve got them in a good place.” Days earlier, Trump had pledged on his social media site, Truth Social, to impose 25% tariffs on both countries until they stopped illegal immigration and blocked the flow of drugs across their border with the United States. The threat caused Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to engage Trump in a phone call and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to fly to Florida on Friday to meet with him. After that phone call, Trump claimed in a post to be “effectively closing our Southern Border,” a statement that Sheinbaum disputed even as she expressed confidence the tariffs would be averted. Mexico has already taken steps to address the issues raised by Trump — a point also raised by Biden. Trump has also threatened an additional 10% tariff on China unless it stops exporting materials used to make the drug fentanyl. Biden told reporters that Chinese President Xi Jinping understood the value of avoiding any missteps in relations with the United States. “The one thing I’m confident about Xi is he doesn’t want to make a mistake,” Biden said. “And I’m not saying that he is our best buddy, but he — he understands what’s at stake.” On Thanksgiving Day, Biden went to a fire station to deliver pumpkin pies with his wife, Jill, and grandson Beau. The first lady told firefighters and police officers that the family has been going to Nantucket for Thanksgiving since 1975, an outing the family has come to call “nana-tucket” in a nod to her central role in establishing the tradition. The firefighters gave the Bidens a pair of baseball caps. The president put his on and asked his grandson, “What do you think?” “It looks good,” said the grandson, who demurred when the president asked him if he would like to be a firefighter. On Friday, the Biden family lunched at the Brotherhood of Thieves restaurant and stopped at Nantucket Bookworks, an art gallery and several other shops. Their afternoon ended with the ceremonial Christmas tree lighting and carolers as crowds took pictures and videos of a grinning Biden. This year’s holiday might carry particular emotional resonance as a respite from some family tumult. In December, Hunter Biden is scheduled to be sentenced on three felonies for purchasing a gun in 2018 when, prosecutors said, he lied on a federal form by claiming he was not illegally using or addicted to drugs. He also faces sentencing in California in December on federal tax charges he pleaded guilty to in September. The president has previously said he would not pardon his son or commute his eventual sentence. Be civil. Be kind.
Hours before dawn, while most Canberrans are fast asleep, the Fyshwick Logement Centre is bustling. Black Friday Sale Subscribe Now! Login or signup to continue reading All articles from our website & app The digital version of Today's Paper Breaking news alerts direct to your inbox Interactive Crosswords, Sudoku and Trivia All articles from the other regional websites in your area Continue The biggest sales period of the year has Australia Post staff processing thousands of parcels in Canberra to keep up with the high demand. Executive general manager Gary Starr says the sorting facility in Fyshwick can process up to 30,000 parcels per day and up to 36,000 during peak periods. To meet the demands, Australia Post has recruited seasonal casuals, extended shifts and brought back weekend operations. Delivery facility manager Dale Hyde says overtime hours are available pre-shift and post-shift, with shifts running from 11pm to 8am and some starting from 2am, 3am and 4am. Organised chaos at the Fyshwick lodgement centre. Picture by Karleen Minney Unlike larger automated hubs, the Fyshwick facility operates entirely on manual labour, which means parcels arriving from Melbourne and Sydney are sorted by hand into postcodes before being loaded into vans for nationwide delivery. As vans travel from across the country, the team handles the sheer volume in "a ballroom of activity", says Hyde. Delivery drivers have plenty of overtime shifts in the lead-up to Christmas. Picture by Karleen Minney He says during this period, drivers are delivering 100 to 200 more parcels than usual. The increased volume is sent from a wide range of businesses across Canberra, both large and small. "We work with every type of business, from those operating large-scale bricks and mortar ... to small businesses operating out of their garage or running a side hustle," says Starr. It's a busy time for Australian retailers, and while small businesses may not be able to compete with big companies, they're making efforts to participate in the cyber sales. "Many small businesses are keen to look at anything they can do to get customers through the door... Black Friday is a really good opportunity to help them do that," says Canberra Business Chamber chief executive Greg Harford. The Fyshwick faclity can process up to 30,000 parcels per day. Picture by Karleen Minney He says consumers expect the biggest sales to be available towards the end of November in the lead-up to Christmas, and many take advantage of lower prices . "Consumers are keen to get out and spend money, in particular during a cost of living crisis," he says. As our inboxes overflow with discounts of up to 80 percent, local businesses are feeling the pressure to keep up. Ryan Mongich, who owns local garden-ware business Eché Pots, says the Black Friday Sales have not met his expectations. "It's difficult for my business to take a large loss on sales to get customers in," he says. Ryan Mongich, who owns local garden-ware business Eché Pots. Picture by Karleen Minney Smaller businesses typically lack the profit margin to fund large discounts and struggle to compete during this period. "A bigger company has the funds to be able to mark down products in order to draw people in, but most small businesses are operating with a much smaller cash flow," he says. He emphasises the importance of prioritising a loyal customer base rather than immediate sales. "I think it's important to have customers want your product at a regular retail price, rather than just come in if there's a sale," he says. It's a good reminder in the midst of the cyber sales to consider local businesses. "The chamber certainly sends the message to customers to get out and support local businesses wherever you can, and use the opportunity surrounding Black Friday to help you stock up and get ready for the festive season," Harford says. Share Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Email Copy More from Canberra Chinese tech firms lobby influence raises alert in Canberra 11m ago No comment s 'Mighty Murrumbidgee' gets some long-awaited care as river restoration begins 11m ago No comment s Albanese facing a new mood of pick and kick 11m ago No comment s 'A ballroom of activity': How Black Friday is hitting those closer to home 11m ago No comment s PM's XI shifts to 50-over format as day one abandoned; What Kohli said to Albo No comment s 'I thought the opportunity had passed': Boland closes in on Test comeback No comment s Newsletters & Alerts View all DAILY Your morning news Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update. Loading... 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DAILY Your favourite puzzles Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Loading...Biden should spell out rules for using U.S. troops against their fellow citizens, Dems sayWhen Evan Keller first set foot in China, he never could have imagined the culinary journey that awaited him. As a young American man with a deep curiosity for different cultures and a passion for food, Evan was eager to explore the vibrant flavors and diverse dishes that the Middle Kingdom had to offer.
In conclusion, the main opposition's criticism of the new government's plan to begin working immediately upon establishment serves as a valuable reminder of the importance of careful deliberation and thoughtful execution in governance. While it is essential for the government to demonstrate initiative and drive, it is equally crucial for them to be mindful of the challenges and complexities involved in implementing their agenda. By addressing the concerns raised by the opposition and adopting a balanced and strategic approach, the new government can maximize its impact and effectiveness in serving the interests of the people.
"Mohamed has always been a positive presence in the dressing room. He is a highly motivated and dedicated player who always gives his best for the team," Henderson stated. "Despite the recent contract discussions, Salah has never let it affect his commitment to the team. He has always been happy here at Liverpool and his focus has always been on helping the team achieve success."
XGP has established itself as a leading subscription service that offers a wide selection of games across various genres, providing players with access to a vast library of high-quality titles. The platform's commitment to delivering exceptional gaming experiences has not gone unnoticed, as evidenced by the multiple nominations received by XGP games for the 2024 TGA awards.
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