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bloodline cockfighting Israeli-Moldovan rabbi living in UAE goes missing; Israeli officials fear he may have been kidnapped DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — An Israeli-Moldovan rabbi living in the United Arab Emirates has gone missing, with Israeli authorities raising the suspicion he may have been kidnapped as tensions remain high with Iran. Zvi Kogan has been missing since noon Thursday. That's according to what the Israeli prime minister’s office said Saturday. The office said: "Since his disappearance, and against the backdrop of information that this was a terrorist incident, an extensive investigation has been opened in the country.” Emirati officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment Saturday. State-run media in the UAE, an autocratic federation of seven sheikhdoms on the Arabian Peninsula and home to Abu Dhabi and Dubai, did not immediately report the incident. Alyssa Nakken, first full-time female coach in MLB history, leaving Giants to join Guardians CLEVELAND (AP) — Alyssa Nakken, the first woman to coach in an MLB game, is leaving the San Francisco Giants to join the Cleveland Guardians. Nakken made history in 2022 when she took over as first-base coach following an ejection. A former college softball star at Sacramento State, Nakken joined the Giants in 2014 and was promoted to a spot on manager Gabe Kapler’s staff in 2020, becoming the majors’ first full-time female coach. Nakken has been hired as an assistant director within player development for the Guardians, who won the AL Central last season under first-year manager Stephen Vogt. Nakken, 34, will work with former Giants coaches Craig Albernaz and Kai Correa. Officer kills pet dog mistaken for a coyote in Massachusetts town. The owner says it was unnecessary An animal control officer shot and killed a pet dog in a Massachusetts town after mistaking it for a coyote in an incident local police are describing as a sad mix-up. Police in Northbridge, Massachusetts, say the shooting happened on Tuesday after police received a call of a report of a coyote in a residential backyard. Police say the animal control officer went into the woods to look for the coyote and found what they thought was the animal in a threatening position and shot it. The incident happened as communities around Massachusetts and the country have dealt with an uptick in interactions between coyotes and people. Kendrick Lamar surprises with new album 'GNX' LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kendrick Lamar gave music listeners an early holiday present with a new album. The Grammy winner released his sixth studio album “GNX” on Friday. The 12-track project is the rapper’s first release since 2022’s “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers.” Lamar’s new album comes just months after his rap battle with Drake. The rap megastar will headline February's Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show in New Orleans. The 37-year-old has experienced massive success since his debut album “good kid, m.A.A.d city” in 2012. Since then, he’s accumulated 17 Grammy wins and became the first non-classical, non-jazz musician to win a Pulitzer Prize. NBA memo to players urges increased vigilance regarding home security following break-ins MIAMI (AP) — The NBA is urging its players to take additional precautions to secure their homes following reports of recent high-profile burglaries of dwellings owned by Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis and Kansas City Chiefs teammates Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. In a memo sent to team officials, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press, the NBA revealed that the FBI has connected some burglaries to “transnational South American Theft Groups” that are “reportedly well-organized, sophisticated rings that incorporate advanced techniques and technologies, including pre-surveillance, drones, and signal jamming devices.” Ancient meets modern as a new subway in Greece showcases archaeological treasures THESSALONIKI, Greece (AP) — Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city, is opening a new subway system, blending ancient archaeological treasures with modern transit technology like driverless trains and platform screen doors. The project, which began in 2003, uncovered over 300,000 artifacts, including a Roman-era thoroughfare and Byzantine relics, many of which are now displayed in its 13 stations. Despite delays caused by preserving these findings, the inaugural line has been completed, with a second line set to open next year. Conor McGregor must pay $250K to woman who says he raped her, civil jury rules LONDON (AP) — A civil jury in Ireland has awarded more than $250,000 to a woman who says she was raped by mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor in a Dublin hotel penthouse after a night of heavy partying. The jury on Friday awarded Nikita Hand in her lawsuit that claimed McGregor “brutally raped and battered” her in 2018. The lawsuit says the assault left her heavily bruised and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. McGregor testified that he never forced her to do anything and that Hand fabricated her allegations after the two had consensual sex. McGregor says he will appeal the verdict. At least 19 people are sick in Minnesota from ground beef tied to E. coli recall U.S. health officials say at least 19 people in Minnesota have been sickened by E. coli poisoning tied to a national recall of more than 167,000 pounds of potentially tainted ground beef. Detroit-based Wolverine Packing Co. recalled the meat sent to restaurants nationwide. Minnesota state agriculture officials reported multiple illnesses and found that a sample of the product tested positive for E. coli, which can cause life-threatening infections. No illnesses have been reported outside of Minnesota. Symptoms of E. coli poisoning include fever, vomiting, diarrhea and signs of dehydration. Actor Jonathan Majors’ ex-girlfriend drops assault and defamation lawsuit against once-rising star NEW YORK (AP) — Jonathan Majors’ ex-girlfriend has dropped her assault and defamation lawsuit against the once-rising Hollywood star after reaching a settlement. Lawyers for Majors and Grace Jabbari agreed to dismiss the case with prejudice Thursday. Jabbari is a British dancer who had accused Majors of subjecting her to escalating incidents of physical and verbal abuse during their relationship. Representatives for Majors didn’t respond to emails seeking comment Friday. Jabbari’s lawyer said the suit was “favorably settled” and her client is moving on with “her head held high.” Majors was convicted of misdemeanor assault and harassment last December and sentenced to a yearlong counseling program. Hyundai, Kia recall over 208,000 electric vehicles to fix problem that can cause loss of power DETROIT (AP) — Hyundai and Kia are recalling over 208,000 electric vehicles to fix a pesky problem that can cause loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. The recalls cover more than 145,000 Hyundai and Genesis vehicles including the 2022 through 2024 Ioniq 5, the 2023 through 2025 Ioniq 6, GV60 and GV70, and the 2023 and 2024 G80. Also included are nearly 63,000 Kia EV 6 vehicles from 2022 through 2024. The affiliated Korean automakers say in government documents that a transistor in a charging control unit can be damaged and stop charging the 12-volt battery. Dealers will inspect and replace the control unit and a fuse if needed. They also will update software.Rising tech stocks pull Wall Street to another record By

The Group MPP "TGMPP" Raises $7.5 Billion in AUM $1.875 Billion Quarterly in 2025 12-03-2024 10:46 PM CET | Business, Economy, Finances, Banking & Insurance Press release from: Getnews / PR Agency: Press Release Power Image: https://www.getnews.info/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/1733249787.jpeg The Group MPP (TGMPP) announces a major milestone with $7.5 billion in assets under management (AUM). Positioned for growth, TGMPP will manage $1.875 billion quarterly in 2025 across real estate, motion pictures, cryptocurrency, and stocks and bonds. New York, NY - December 3, 2024 - The Group MPP (TGMPP) has secured $7.5 billion in assets under management (AUM). Based in South Dakota, the limited liability company, with corporate headquarters in New York City, announced that with this groundbreaking achievement, TGMPP will manage $1.875 billion in AUM over each of the next four quarters of 2025. "For a new company, this is a tremendous achievement," Chairman and CEO Lee Andrew Myers stated. Speaking from TGMPP headquarters in New York City, he continued, "We are thrilled and ready to meet the challenges in the four distinct areas chosen for our fund: real estate, motion pictures, cryptocurrency, and stocks and bonds." TGMPP is redefining hedge fund investment through an advanced and creative strategy that will also include precious commodities, particularly gold, Vice Chairman Russell E. Berge explained. "Leveraging a unique blend of insured certified assets and expert asset management, TGMPP aims to set a new standard in commodity-based investments while maintaining a commitment to principal protection and sustainable growth," he said this week, adding, "Our focus on gold reserves as a foundational asset positions TGMPP to deliver significant value to investors while navigating economic uncertainties with precision." Hedge funds remain a favored choice for affluent investors seeking flexible, high-return strategies in unpredictable markets. With a rise in high-net-worth individuals globally, TGMPP is well-positioned to meet growing demand with a strategy that prioritizes value-driven growth and innovative asset management. The company's distinctive approach to digitizing assets and eliminating intermediaries underscores its commitment to long-term stability and consistent returns. "Embracing the latest technology to digitize assets, we have established a dual-layered system that not only guarantees returns but also solidifies its commitment to meeting investor expectations," Myers said. TGMPP's business model is built upon a foundation of deep industry relationships, financial acumen, and a forward-thinking approach to commodity investment. By eliminating middlemen and harnessing the power of insured and certified assets, the company is poised to deliver unparalleled value to its investors and redefine the standards of commodity-based hedge fund investments. As the company navigates the complexities of the financial markets, commitment to tradition, accuracy, and consistent progress will remain unwavering. The Group MPP's dedication to principal protection and steady, sustainable growth will further solidify its position as a leader in the industry. "Eschewing the short-term allure of high-risk investments in favor of a disciplined and value-driven strategy, we plan to provide investors with a distinctive opportunity: a hedge fund that prioritizes long- term stability and consistent returns, setting a new benchmark for excellence and trust in the financial world," the chairman concluded. The Group MPP is owned and managed by an experienced team of founders, including Lee Andrew Myers, Russell E. Berge, Shirley Craig, Jeffery Clarke Meyers, and Charles Addessi, in their capacity as the board members, portfolio managers, advisors, and financial analysts. Visit TGMPP's website https://www.tgmpp.com to learn more about our team and business plan. Media Contact Company Name: The Group MPP Contact Person: Shirley Craig Email: Send Email [ http://www.universalpressrelease.com/?pr=the-group-mpp-tgmpp-raises-75-billion-in-aum-1875-billion-quarterly-in-2025 ] Phone: (929) 235-8307 City: New York State: New York Country: United States Website: https://www.tgmpp.com This release was published on openPR.NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — More than 2 years after Tennessee abruptly halted the execution of inmate Oscar Smith — admitting that correction officials were not following their own execution protocols — the state has announced a new method that could allow it to resume executions halted since May 2022 . But that won’t happen right away. The Tennessee Department of Correction announced in a brief statement Friday it had “completed its revision of the lethal injection protocol, which will utilize the single drug pentobarbital .” The Department did not immediately release the new protocol to the public or give any further details. Kelley Henry, chief of the federal public defender’s habeas unit that represents many of Tennessee’s death row inmates, said the announcement was “notable for its lack of detail.” “The secrecy which shrouds the execution protocol in Tennessee is what allowed TDOC to perform executions in violation of their own protocol while simultaneously misrepresenting their actions to the courts and the public,” Henry said in a text message to The Associated Press. Smith’s 11th hour reprieve from execution came after Henry requested the results of required purity and potency tests for the lethal injection drugs that were to be used on him. Documents obtained through a public records request later showed that at least two people knew that the lethal injection drugs the state planned to use hadn’t undergone some required testing. A subsequent independent review found the state had has not complied with its own lethal injection process ever since it was revised in 2018. RELATED COVERAGE Takeaways from AP’s report on social safety nets in states that ban abortion In states that ban abortion, social safety net programs often fail families Titans and Jags meet for 2nd time in 4 weeks, but with QB Mason Rudolph starting for Tennessee Commissioner Frank Strada took over the Correction Department in January 2023, the same month its top attorney and inspector general were fired . In announcing the new protocol on Friday, Strada said, “I am confident the lethal injection process can proceed in compliance with departmental policy and state laws.” Henry noted that death row inmates have an ongoing lawsuit in federal court challenging Tennessee’s previous lethal injection protocol, which used three different drugs in series. They put the case on hold pending the state’s review and revision of the procedure. Their agreement with the state gives them 90 days to look over the new protocol and decide whether to amend their complaint to challenge it. Henry said no new execution dates should be set while their court case is ongoing. She also noted that the U.S. Department of Justice is currently reviewing the use of pentobarbital in its executions. “We know from the scientific data that single drug pentobarbital results in pulmonary edema which has been likened to waterboarding,” she said.

Some tech industry leaders are pushing the incoming Trump administration to increase visas for highly skilled workers from other nations. Related Articles National Politics | Trump threat to immigrant health care tempered by economic hopes National Politics | In states that ban abortion, social safety net programs often fail families National Politics | Court rules Georgia lawmakers can subpoena Fani Willis for information related to her Trump case National Politics | New 2025 laws hit hot topics from AI in movies to rapid-fire guns National Politics | Trump has pressed for voting changes. GOP majorities in Congress will try to make that happen The heart of the argument is, for America to remain competitive, the country needs to expand the number of skilled visas it gives out. The previous Trump administration did not increase the skilled visa program, instead clamping down on visas for students and educated workers, increasing denial rates. Not everyone in corporate America thinks the skilled worker program is great. Former workers at IT company Cognizant recently won a federal class-action lawsuit that said the company favored Indian employees over Americans from 2013 to 2022. A Bloomberg investigation found Cognizant, and other similar outsourcing companies, mainly used its skilled work visas for lower-level positions. Workers alleged Cognizant preferred Indian workers because they could be paid less and were more willing to accept inconvenient or less-favorable assignments. Question: Should the U.S. increase immigration levels for highly skilled workers? Caroline Freund, UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy YES: Innovation is our superpower and it relies on people. Sourcing talent from 8 billion people in the world instead of 330 million here makes sense. Nearly half our Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants or their children. Growing them also relies on expanding our skilled workforce. The cap on skilled-worker visas has hardly changed since the computer age started. With AI on the horizon, attracting and building talent is more important than ever. Kelly Cunningham, San Diego Institute for Economic Research YES: After years of openly allowing millions of undocumented entrants into the country, why is there controversy over legally increasing somewhat the number having desirable skills? Undocumented immigration significantly impacts lower skill level jobs and wages competing with domestic workers at every skill level. Why should special cases be made against those having higher skills? Could they just not walk across the border anyway, why make it more inconvenient to those with desirable skills? James Hamilton, UC San Diego YES: Knowledge and technology are key drivers of the U.S. economy. Students come from all over the world to learn at U.S. universities, and their spending contributed $50 billion to U.S. exports last year. Technological advantage is what keeps us ahead of the rest of the world. Highly skilled immigrants contribute much more in taxes than they receive in public benefits. The skills immigrants bring to America can make us all better off. Norm Miller, University of San Diego YES: According to Forbes, the majority of billion-dollar startups were founded by foreigners. I’ve interviewed dozens of data analysts and programmers from Berkeley, UCSD, USD and a few other schools and 75% of them are foreign. There simply are not enough American graduates to fill the AI and data mining related jobs now exploding in the U.S. If we wish to remain a competitive economy, we need highly skilled and bright immigrants to come here and stay. David Ely, San Diego State University YES: Being able to employ highly skilled workers from a larger pool of candidates would strengthen the competitiveness of U.S. companies by increasing their capacity to perform research and innovate. This would boost the country’s economic output. Skilled workers from other nations that cannot remain in the U.S. will find jobs working for foreign rivals. The demand for H-1B visas far exceeds the current cap of 85,000, demonstrating a need to modify this program. Phil Blair, Manpower YES: Every country needs skilled workers, at all levels, to grow its economy. We should take advantage of the opportunity these workers provide our employers who need these skills. It should be blended into our immigration policies allowing for both short and long term visas. Gary London, London Moeder Advisors YES: San Diego is a premiere example of how highly skilled workers from around the globe enrich a community and its regional economy. Of course Visa levels need to be increased. But let’s go further. Tie visas and immigration with a provision that those who are admitted and educated at a U.S. university be incentivized, or even required, to be employed in the U.S. in exchange for their admittance. Bob Rauch, R.A. Rauch & Associates NO: While attracting high-skilled immigrants can fill critical gaps in sectors like technology, health care and advanced manufacturing, increasing high-skilled immigration could displace American workers and drive down wages in certain industries. There are already many qualified American workers available for some of these jobs. We should balance the need for specialized skills with the impact on the domestic workforce. I believe we can begin to increase the number of visas after a careful review of abuse. Austin Neudecker, Weave Growth YES: We should expand skilled visas to drive innovation and economic growth. Individuals who perform high-skilled work in labor-restricted industries or graduate from respected colleges with relevant degrees should be prioritized for naturalization. We depend on immigration for GDP growth, tax revenue, research, and so much more. Despite the abhorrent rhetoric and curtailing of visas in the first term, I hope the incoming administration can be persuaded to enact positive changes to a clearly flawed system. Chris Van Gorder, Scripps Health YES: But it should be based upon need, not politics. There are several industries that have or could have skilled workforce shortages, especially if the next administration tightens immigration as promised and expected. Over the years, there have been nursing shortages that have been met partially by trained and skilled nurses from other countries. The physician shortage is expected to get worse in the years to come. So, this visa program may very well be needed. Jamie Moraga, Franklin Revere NO: While skilled immigration could boost our economy and competitiveness, the U.S. should prioritize developing our domestic workforce. Hiring foreign nationals in sensitive industries or government-related work, especially in advanced technology or defense, raises security concerns. A balanced approach could involve targeted increases in non-sensitive high-demand fields coupled with investment in domestic STEM education and training programs. This could address immediate needs while strengthening the long-term STEM capabilities of the American workforce. Not participating this week: Alan Gin, University of San DiegoHaney Hong, San Diego County Taxpayers AssociationRay Major, economist Have an idea for an Econometer question? Email me at phillip.molnar@sduniontribune.com . Follow me on Threads: @phillip020How major US stock indexes fared Monday, 12/2/2024

Tim Hardaway Jr.’s start to the season with the Detroit Pistons took a turn for the worse after the forward sustained three hits to the head in quick succession in his team’s Emirates NBA Cup game against the Miami Heat on November 12th. His father, Tim Hardaway Sr. joined Mark Jackson’s podcast to discuss what he went through as he saw his son take a nasty fall in the game. He described how, as a father, it was difficult to see his son in pain, and he recalled how he felt concerned seeing him hit the ground. He mentioned how he kept talking to himself, almost urging his son to stand up so that he’d know he was okay. He said, He was relieved that Hardaway Jr. passed concussion protocol and was declared fit to return to the court after the scary incident. Tim Hardaway Jr.’s head injury The Pistons beat the Heat 123-121 in overtime, but their celebrations were muted due to the nasty hit that their veteran forward took in the third quarter. He took an elbow to the face, and a knee to his head, then crashed headfirst on the court and had to be taken to the locker room in a wheelchair. The game had to be halted for several minutes as medical staff tended to Hardaway, who at one point tried to stand up but then sat back down on the court. According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, Hardaway underwent a CAT Scan as there were concerns that he had sustained a severe brain injury. Fortunately, the results were negative. Despite being cleared by the doctors, he was forced to enter the league’s concussion protocol and had to miss a few games for the Pistons. He was averaging 12.5 points per game and hitting 45.7% of his 3-point attempts before the injury. His three-game absence has certainly affected his game, as he’s only scored two points in each of his two outings since. Of course, given the nature of the injury, he was never expected to come back and produce at the same level, but the Pistons will be hoping his return to full health will be sooner rather than later. His leadership and 3-point shooting were essential to the team that has fared much better than expected this season.

Except 3, most kin of ex-CMs fail to clinch victory

The Dodgers have had a “preliminary dialogue” with utility man Tommy Edman regarding a potential extension, per a report from Jon Morosi of MLB Network . It’s unclear how far those initial talks progressed, but there’s no indication that a deal between the two sides is particularly close at this time. Edman, 29, came to L.A. as part of the three-team swap between the Dodgers, Cardinals, and White Sox that brought Michael Kopech to L.A. and sent Erick Fedde to St. Louis just before the trade deadline this summer. At the time, Edman hadn’t played in the majors at all in 2024 due to setbacks in his rehab from offseason wrist surgery. The switch hitter ultimately made his Dodgers debut on August 19 and made a strong first impression down the stretch. With the Dodgers, the versatile defender split time between center field and shortstop while hitting a respectable .237/.294/.417 (98 wRC+) with six homers and six steals in 153 trips to the plate during the regular season. His performance reached a new gear during the postseason, however, as he again split time between shortstop and center field as the Dodgers mixed-and-matched between Gavin Lux , Miguel Rojas , and Enrique Hernandez up the middle. Amid those frequent position changes, Edman was able to maintain a high level of offensive production as he hit .328/.354/.508 with two homers, five steals, and five doubles in 16 playoff games. That strong performance was key to the club’s World Series championship and even earned him MVP honors for his work in the NLCS against the Mets. Looking ahead to 2025, Edman seems likely to be penciled into center field for the club’s Opening Day roster although his impressive versatility should allow him to second or third base, shortstop, or an outfield corner should the Dodgers require it. Edman’s performance in the regular season with L.A. was more or less in line with what he had done throughout his career with the Cardinals. While his rookie season saw him slash an excellent .304/.350/.500 (124 wRC+) in 349 trips to the plate as a part-time player, he settled in as more of an average to slightly below average bat who generates value with his defense, versatility, and baserunning once he became a more regular fixture in the St. Louis lineup. From 2020 to 2023, Edman appeared in 504 of the club’s 546 regular season games and hit .258/.314/.392 (92 wRC+) with 42 home runs and 92 steals. He also connected for 104 doubles (plus 12 triples) during that time while playing quality defense at every position on the diamond except for first base and behind the plate. Overall, Edman’s profile is not entirely dissimilar to those of Hernandez and Chris Taylor , who have spent eight and nine years respectively in Dodger blue thanks to their valuable versatility. With Edman just one year away from free agency, the Dodgers would likely have to pay something close to free agent prices to retain the switch-hitter beyond next season barring a hometown discount from the southern California native. Taylor received a four-year, $60M contract in free agency from the Dodgers after hitting the market following an age-30 season that saw him earn All-Star honors, though that deal hasn’t worked out very well for L.A. to this point and the club may not be comfortable committing to Edman at that same level. With Edman already due to make $9.5M in his final year before free agency next year, perhaps a three-year deal at an AAV similar to that the Dodgers offered Taylor could make some sense for both sides. This article first appeared on MLB Trade Rumors and was syndicated with permission.Canada Post says it has removed the deadline for its Santa Claus letter program amid an ongoing national workers’ strike that has halted mail delivery leading up to the holiday season. Some 55,000 workers walked off the job more than two weeks ago, suspending mail service — and a program that helps deliver up to 1.5 million letters from Canadian kids to the North Pole each year. The postal service says in a statement that while the initial deadline to mail a letter to Santa with the iconic H0H 0H0 postal code was Dec. 6, it has now removed the deadline from its website. It says once operations resume, it will ensure that all letters make it to the North Pole and receive a reply, but it cannot guarantee delivery dates. Canada Post says since the program began more than 40 years ago, Santa’s North Pole post office has delivered replies to more than 45 million letters. During the strike, some communities have stepped up to deliver Santa’s mail themselves, offering their own local programming on social media to make sure letter writers receive a reply by Christmas. The strike entered its 19th day as the Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping weekend came to a close. Canada Post said Monday it was waiting for the union to respond to a framework it presented over the weekend for reaching negotiated agreements. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers has said it’s reviewed the proposal. It said Canada Post has moved closer to the union’s position on some issues, but the framework “still remains far from something members could ratify.” One of the sticking points has been a push to add weekend delivery, with the union and Canada Post disagreeing over how the rollout would work. The federal government has been under pressure from the business community to intervene in the strike but has said that’s not in the cards.PHILADELPHIA, PA — Governor Josh Shapiro has taken decisive action to address a critical funding gap for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) , redirecting $153 million in federal highway capital funds to ensure the transit agency can maintain operations and avoid immediate service cuts and fare hikes . This temporary measure, announced Friday at Philadelphia’s Frankford Transportation Center, will avert a planned 21 percent fare increase and preserve SEPTA services through at least July 2025. SEPTA, which provides vital transportation for approximately 800,000 daily riders across Southeastern Pennsylvania, faced a looming fiscal shortfall due to the expiration of federal pandemic relief funds. This financial strain threatened to disrupt access to public transit for workers, students, and families, with severe consequences for the region’s economy and mobility. “As Governor, I have a responsibility to serve every region of our Commonwealth — rural, suburban, and urban,” said Governor Shapiro during the announcement. He emphasized the importance of public transit in connecting Pennsylvanians to work, education, and essential services, noting that SEPTA is a lifeline for many residents. “By flexing these federal highway capital funds, we are preventing devastating service cuts and fare increases while we work toward a long-term funding solution for mass transit.” The decision to reallocate federal highway capital funds comes after months of legislative impasse. While the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed bipartisan legislation three times in 2024—legislation modeled on the Governor’s budget proposal to increase public transit funding—the state Senate failed to act. This inaction left SEPTA facing an imminent fiscal crisis. Governor Shapiro’s directive authorizes PennDOT to redirect funds originally allocated for projects not yet underway. Crucially, this approach does not impact ongoing infrastructure projects across the Commonwealth, ensuring that progress on roads and bridges will continue uninterrupted. State Representative Ed Neilson, reflecting on the broader implications, praised the Governor’s leadership but highlighted the urgency of finding a sustainable solution. “SEPTA is a lifeline for people in Philadelphia and the outlying counties, providing almost 800,000 people daily with transportation they might not otherwise have,” Neilson said. He stressed the economic ripple effects of robust public transit, noting that “for every dollar invested in transit, we generate $5 in economic activity.” While the redirection of $153 million offers immediate relief, it underscores the persistent structural challenges facing public transportation funding in Pennsylvania and nationwide. Leaders across government agree that SEPTA’s fiscal challenges are a symptom of a larger issue requiring long-term solutions. “This isn’t just about buses; this is about jobs,” Neilson remarked. “Without additional long-term funding, other public transit agencies across Pennsylvania—urban, suburban, and rural—will soon face the same tough choices about service cuts and fare increases.” Governor Shapiro echoed this sentiment, acknowledging this measure as a temporary fix. “While this funding shift provides critical relief, it is not a long-term solution,” he said, pledging to work with legislative leaders from both parties to secure sustainable funding for public transit across the Commonwealth. The Governor’s action also secured commitments from the five counties that fund SEPTA to increase their local contributions. This additional funding will enable SEPTA to maintain its focus on safety, cleanliness, and critical infrastructure investments as it prepares for major upcoming events, including the nation’s 250th anniversary, the FIFA World Cup, and the MLB All-Star Game in 2026. These joint efforts are intended to stabilize SEPTA’s fiscal situation while buying time for the legislature to act on comprehensive transit funding reform. Yet without a permanent solution, advocates fear the financial challenges threatening SEPTA today could soon spread to other transit systems across the state. Governor Shapiro emphasized the broader stakes of ensuring reliable, affordable public transportation. “Mass transit is about more than moving people from point A to point B,” he said. “It’s about sustaining local economies, creating opportunities, and ensuring every Pennsylvanian—no matter where they live—can thrive.” With this emergency intervention, the Commonwealth has avoided an immediate crisis for SEPTA. However, the race is now on for lawmakers to craft a sustainable plan that supports public transportation not just in Southeastern Pennsylvania but statewide. For SEPTA’s 800,000 daily riders and countless others who depend on transit services, the stakes could not be higher. For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN .

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Hannah Hidalgo scored 24 points and No. 6 Notre Dame defeated JuJu Watkins and third-ranked Southern California 74-61 on Saturday in a marquee matchup on the West Coast. Watkins and the Trojans (4-1) fell behind early and were down 21 points in the fourth quarter. She had 24 points, six rebounds and five assists. Hidalgo came out shooting well, hitting 5 of 8 from the floor in the first quarter and had 16 points at the break. She added six rebounds and eight assists. Hidalgo's backcourt mate, Olivia Miles, added 20 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for the Fighting Irish (5-0). Even though Hidalgo outshone her, Watkins’ imprint was all over the game. A documentary about her life aired on NBC leading into the nationally televised game. A buzz arose when Snoop Dogg walked in shortly before tipoff wearing a jacket in USC colors with Watkins' name and number on the front and back. Her sister, Mali, sang the national anthem. Notre Dame: The Irish struck quickly, racing to a 20-10 lead in the opening quarter. Even after cooling off a bit, they never trailed and stayed poised when the Trojans got within three in the second and third quarters. USC: The Trojans were without starting guard Kennedy Smith, whose defense on Hidalgo would have proven valuable. It was announced shortly before tipoff that she had a surgical procedure and will return at some point this season. The Trojans got within three points three times but the Irish remained poised and never gave up the lead. Notre Dame's defense forced the Trojans into 21 turnovers, which led to 22 points for the Irish. Watkins, Kaleigh Heckel and Talia von Oelhoffen had five each. USC was just 1 of 13 from 3-point range Notre Dame plays TCU on Nov. 29 in the Cayman Islands Classic. USC plays Seton Hall in the Women's Acrisure Holiday Invitational on Nov. 27 in Palm Desert, California. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball

The WNBA's 2025 regular-season schedule will give us an immediate look at both the newest team and the newest No. 1 pick on opening day on May 16. But we will have to wait for the first WNBA Finals rematch. The league released its 2025 schedule Monday -- broadcast and streaming details will be released next spring -- with the Dallas Wings and their top pick (expected to be UConn 's Paige Bueckers ) and the expansion Golden State Valkyries both playing on the first day. The Wings will host the Minnesota Lynx and the Valkyries will host the Los Angeles Sparks . But the New York Liberty and the Lynx won't meet until July 30, the first of their four matchups. That's unless they meet again (as they did last season) in the Commissioner's Cup final, which is July 1. The Lynx won that 2024 title, but the Liberty won a hotly contested five-game Finals series for their first WNBA championship. A lot will happen between now and the start of the league's 29th season, including the Golden State expansion draft Friday (6:30 p.m. ET, ESPN), free agency signings beginning in February and the 2025 draft in April. All of it will affect rosters and matchups. But based on what we know now, here are the 10 must-see games -- spread throughout each team's 44-game regular season -- to watch in 2025. May 17: Chicago Sky at Indiana Fever One of the WNBA's geographic rivalries -- Chicago's Wintrust Center and Indiana's Gainbridge Fieldhouse are 182 miles apart -- became spicier last season. Rookies Caitlin Clark of Indiana and Kamilla Cardoso and Angel Reese of Chicago brought more eyes to this series than ever before. Indiana, which won the season series 3-1, made the playoffs; Chicago didn't. The Sky are slotted to add another lottery pick -- No. 3 -- in the draft, and both teams have new coaches (Stephanie White for the Fever, Tyler Marsh for the Sky). It will be the first of five meetings between the teams in 2025. May 21: Dallas Wings at Minnesota Lynx It's the second meeting between these teams in the season's first five days, but this one projects as Bueckers' homecoming game in Minneapolis. The Wings missed the playoffs last season, finishing 9-31, and fired coach Latricia Trammell despite her leading Dallas to the semifinals the year before. Longtime coach Curt Miller is now Dallas' general manager; the Wings haven't hired a coach yet. Bueckers, one of the front-runners for the 2024-25 NCAA national player of the year with UConn, projects as the favorite for WNBA Rookie of the Year. Editor's Picks Expansion Valkyries tip off 2025 WNBA schedule 50m Michael Voepel Which WNBA players might hear their name called in the Valkyries' expansion draft? 10d Kevin Pelton WNBA coaching changes for 2025: Sparks hire Utah Utes' Roberts as head coach 13d ESPN May 27: Atlanta Dream at Los Angeles Sparks Two of the league's new coaches, the Dream's Karl Smesko and the Sparks' Lynne Roberts, left their college teams early this season to go to the WNBA. This will be their first matchup as pro coaches, and a chance to see some big-time young stars like Atlanta's Rhyne Howard and Los Angeles' Rickea Jackson (and Cameron Brink if she has returned from a knee injury that cut short her rookie season). June 7: Las Vegas Aces at Golden State Valkyries This will be the first meeting between Aces coach Becky Hammon and her former assistant, Natalie Nakase, coach of the Valkyries. Another of Hammon's former assistants, the Sky's Marsh, will first meet up with the Aces on Aug. 25 in Chicago. June 17: Las Vegas Aces at Minnesota Lynx Top stories of the week from Get exclusive access to thousands of premium articles a year from top writers. • NBA's 25 under 25: Wemby, Sengun, more » • 20 best games of Rivalry Week were ...» • Recruiting: 5-stars flip; UGA, PSU seek QB » More ESPN+ content » Las Vegas' A'ja Wilson was the unanimous MVP last season, while Minnesota's Napheesa Collier was one vote shy of unanimous runner-up and won the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year award. The two stars are in the primes of their careers, and this will be their first meeting of 2025. July 13: Dallas Wings at Indiana Fever This projects as the second meeting between Clark and Bueckers, who faced off in the NCAA tournament twice in their careers. UConn won their 2021 Sweet 16 game; Iowa won their 2024 national semifinal. Indiana and Dallas first meet on June 27 in Texas. July 15: Indiana Fever vs. Connecticut Sun (Boston) Stephanie White left the Sun to return to her home state of Indiana and her second stint as Fever coach. She led Connecticut in the WNBA's first game at Boston's TD Garden last season in August, a 69-61 win over Los Angeles. Now she returns with Indiana and star attraction Clark for what's likely to be another sellout at TD Garden. Aug. 10: Minnesota Lynx at New York Liberty This is the first time the teams will meet at Barclays Center since the decisive Game 5 of the 2024 championship series. (Unless, again, they play there for the Commissioner's Cup in July.) Game 5 and the title went to the Liberty, 67-62 in overtime on Oct. 20. Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve was furious with the officiating afterward, proclaiming, "This s--- was stolen from us." The league opted not to fine her. Aug. 13: New York Liberty at Las Vegas Aces The Aces beat the Liberty in the 2023 Finals, but New York avenged that with a 3-1 semifinal series victory over Las Vegas last season on the way to its first WNBA title. This will be the third meeting of the season between the Liberty and Aces, and Las Vegas' Wilson and New York's Breanna Stewart , who between them have five MVP awards. Sept. 11: Phoenix Mercury at Dallas Wings Did we see Diana Taurasi's final WNBA game last season? Or might she come back for a 21st year in the league, in which case this could be her regular-season finale. If Taurasi returns, this could be her fourth meeting of the season against fellow UConn star Bueckers. The first would be June 11, Taurasi's 43rd birthday, in Phoenix.

Loons season already a success regardless of result in Sunday’s Western Conference semifinal

NEW YORK — President-elect Donald Trump’s lawyers formally asked a judge Monday to throw out his hush money criminal , arguing continuing the case would present unconstitutional “disruptions to the institution of the Presidency.“ In a filing made public Tuesday, Trump’s lawyers told Manhattan Judge Juan M. Merchan that dismissal is warranted because of the “overwhelming national mandate granted to him by the American people on November 5, 2024.” They also cited President Joe Biden’s recent of his son, Hunter Biden, who was convicted of . “President Biden asserted that his son was ‘selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted,’ and ‘treated differently,’" Trump’s legal team wrote. The Manhattan district attorney, they claimed, engaged in the type of political theater "that President Biden condemned.” Prosecutors will have until Dec. 9 to respond. They have said they will fight any efforts to dismiss the case but indicated a willingness to delay the sentencing until after Trump’s second term ends in 2029. Former President Donald Trump walks to make comments to members of the news media May 30 after a jury convicted him of felony crimes for falsifying business records in a scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election at Manhattan Criminal Court in New York. In their filing Monday, Trump's attorneys dismissed the idea of holding off sentencing until Trump is out of office as a “ridiculous suggestion.” Following Trump’s election victory last month, Merchan halted proceedings and indefinitely postponed his sentencing, previously scheduled for late November, to allow the defense and prosecution to weigh in on the future of the case. He also delayed a decision on Trump’s to dismiss the case on immunity grounds. Trump has been fighting for months to reverse his conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal a $130,000 payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels to suppress her claim that they had sex a decade earlier. He says they did not and denies wrongdoing. Taking a swipe at Bragg and New York City, as Trump often did throughout the trial, the filing argues that dismissal would also benefit the public by giving him and “the numerous prosecutors assigned to this case a renewed opportunity to put an end to deteriorating conditions in the City and to protect its residents from violent crime.” Clearing Trump, the lawyers added, also would allow him to “to devote all of his energy to protecting the Nation.” The defense filing was signed by Trump lawyers Todd Blanche and Emil Bove, who represented Trump during the trial and since were selected by the president-elect to fill senior roles at the Justice Department. A dismissal would erase Trump’s historic conviction, sparing him the cloud of a criminal record and possible prison sentence. Trump is the first former president to be convicted of a crime and the first convicted criminal to be elected to the office. Trump takes office Jan. 20. Merchan hasn’t set a timetable for a decision. Merchan could also decide to uphold the verdict and proceed to sentencing, delay the case until Trump leaves office, wait until a federal appeals court rules on Trump’s parallel effort to get the case moved out of state court or choose some other option. Prosecutors cast the payout as part of a Trump-driven effort to keep voters from hearing salacious stories about him. Trump’s then-lawyer Michael Cohen paid Daniels. Trump later reimbursed him, and Trump’s company logged the reimbursements as legal expenses — concealing what they really were, prosecutors alleged. Trump pledged to appeal the verdict if the case is not dismissed. He and his lawyers said the payments to Cohen were properly categorized as legal expenses for legal work. A month after the verdict, the that ex-presidents can’t be prosecuted for official acts — things they did in the course of running the country — and that prosecutors can’t cite those actions to bolster a case centered on purely personal, unofficial conduct. argue that the hush money jury got some improper evidence, such as Trump’s presidential financial disclosure form, testimony from some White House aides and social media posts made during his first term. and said the evidence in question was only “a sliver” of their case. If the verdict stands and the case proceeds to sentencing, Trump’s punishments would range from a fine to probation to up to four years in prison — but it’s unlikely he’d spend any time behind bars for a first-time conviction involving charges in the lowest tier of felonies. Because it is a state case, Trump would not be able to pardon himself once he returns to office. Presidential pardons apply only to federal crimes. Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump, with Melania Trump and Barron Trump, arrives to speak at an election night watch party, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at an election night watch party, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives at an election night watch party at the Palm Beach Convention Center, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks as Melania Trump looks on at an election night watch party, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Republican Presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives with former first lady Melania Trump and son Barron Trump at the Palm Beach County Convention Center during an election night watch party, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks as former first lady Melania Trump listens after they voted on Election Day at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks as former first lady Melania Trump listens after they voted on Election Day at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks as former first lady Melania Trump listens after they voted on Election Day at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks after voting on Election Day at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks as former first lady Melania Trump listens after they voted on Election Day at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks after voting on Election Day at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump, joined by, from right, Melania Trump and Barron Trump, arrives to speaks at an election night watch party, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives to speak at an election night watch party, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Republican Presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives with =former first lady Melania Trump and son Barron Trump at the Palm Beach County Convention Center during an election night watch party, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives at an election night watch party at the Palm Beach Convention Center, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives at an election night watch party at the Palm Beach Convention Center, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at an election night watch party, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives at an election night watch party at the Palm Beach Convention Center, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at an election night watch party, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump and former first lady Melania Trump walk after voting on Election Day at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump and former first lady Melania Trump walk after voting on Election Day at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives at an election night watch party at the Palm Beach Convention Center, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks after voting on Election Day at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks after voting on Election Day at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump visits his campaign headquarters, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at an election night watch party, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email.

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Daily Post Nigeria Rivers APC: ‘Judgement nullifying congresses will not stand’ – Okocha Home News Politics Metro Entertainment Sport Politics Rivers APC: ‘Judgement nullifying congresses will not stand’ – Okocha Published on December 23, 2024 By Ifunanya Obeme-Ndukwe The Tony Okocha-led All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers State has warned that it will expel party members who use the courts to tarnish the party’s reputation. Speaking during a media chat in Port Harcourt on Sunday, Okocha disclosed that the party is appealing the recent judgement by Justice Godwin Ogbondah, which invalidated the state congresses held in November 2024. A Rivers State High Court, presided over by Justice Ogbondah, had on Friday ruled the congresses invalid, stating that they were conducted in violation of an existing court order. The suit was initiated by three aggrieved APC members—Okwu Joebrown-Ndike, Peace Oganu, and Samuel Uchegbule—who alleged that they were excluded from the congress process despite purchasing forms. Okocha stated: “The day I was sworn in, I extended an olive branch to everybody. I said, come, let’s work together. But where it becomes impossible, and they are embarrassing the party, I will not sit idly by while they embarrass Mr. President. “The APC is Mr President’s political party. For the National Chairman and 18 members of the National Working Committee, including Deputy National Chairmen (South) and other influential members, to come down here, anybody going behind, thinking they have the law and the cash to throw around, to embarrass the national secretariat of our party—I will not stand for it. I will expel them. “Please take this message: I said I will expel them. If the kitchen is too hot, you get out.” Okocha, the National Working Committee-backed State Chairman of the APC in Rivers State, clarified that the party’s national secretariat had announced the dates for the congresses well in advance, ensuring the process was open to all members interested in contesting for various positions, including the chairmanship. He further explained that he ran unopposed for the position of state chairman during the congress, attributing his unchallenged candidacy to the confidence party members have in his leadership. Okocha added: “Forms were sold. I bought my form for N3 million—please look at the records. Chairmanship aspirants bought for N3 million, same as Deputy Chairmen, cascading down to the Secretary. I bought mine for N3 million, and I was ready for the election. I was campaigning everywhere if anybody was ready to contest against me. “But the people said, ‘You have done well. There’s no reason for us to change the winning team.’ I’m not aware of any court process whatsoever. I can’t be a soothsayer to know about anything called a court process. For what? By whom? “Do you mean that our party leadership is so daft, so stupid, that they had to come down personally? I’ll tell you the process in our party: when you are elected, you carry the elected members of the executive committee to Abuja, where the National Working Committee will inaugurate you in a conference hall. But this case was different—that’s to show love.” Okocha emphasised the supremacy of the party, citing Supreme Court judgements cautioning against judicial interference in internal party affairs. He dismissed the recent court ruling, stating: “That judgement, as far as we are concerned, has no effect. We will keep doing what we are doing because we are within the ambits of the law. The party is supreme, and neither Ogbomanu nor anyone else they assign the matter to will decide for us how we run our political party in Rivers State.” Okocha further accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara of exploiting the judiciary to create unrest within the APC in Rivers State. He criticised the governor for meddling in APC affairs and urged him to focus instead on re-registering himself as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, claiming Fubara is no longer recognised as a PDP member. Okocha alleged that the governor has compromised the integrity of the state judiciary, describing it as his “supermarket,” where cases are assigned to judges of his choosing. “All this braggadocio he is navigating around APC—he could have used it to register himself. I thought he would use all his powers as governor, all his influence, to put himself back into the PDP. He is not a member of any political party. “I can tell you, if there is any election in the state, he has no party. The party that would have sponsored him—the PDP—will never present him because he is not their member. “Now he is in the business of trying to divide and rule and make a mess of the entire judiciary,” Okocha concluded. Related Topics: okocha Rivers APC Don't Miss 2027: APC vows to retake Adamawa as reconciliation committee meets state, LG executives You may like Rivers: God’s wrath may fall on Fubara, belongs to no party – APC Chairman, Okocha INTERVIEW: Nwauju opens up on individuals destroying Rivers APC, reveals only solution Rivers crisis: Okocha-led APC defies court order, holds state congress Rivers APC: Party rejects planned congress, accuses Okocha of flouting rule of law Attempts by Okocha to block Rivers LG allocations tantamount to coup – APC Rivers Crisis: Eze reacts to Okocha’s claims 27 lawmakers did not defect to APC Advertise About Us Contact Us Privacy-Policy Terms Copyright © Daily Post Media LtdArt Cashin, Wall Street veteran and CNBC regular, dies at age 83