Dem representative admits to working with Mexico to sneak oil into Cuba, despite blockade

A Democratic lawmaker is drawing backlash after saying she spoke with foreign ambassadors about getting oil to Cuba despite US sanctions, defending the outreach as “literally our right and responsibility.” Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., made the remarks during a recent Seattle briefing following a congressional delegation trip to Cuba, where she discussed the island’s worsening fuel shortages and US policy toward the communist regime. “I was in conversations with the ambassadors from Mexico and some other places … trying to figure out how to get oil there,” Jayapal said during the briefing, calling the situation on the island “a crisis beyond imagination.” Jayapal…

76ers couldn’t hold Jalen Brunson down forever in Knicks crunch time

Jalen Brunson was searching for answers. He was searching for his shot.  The Knicks superstar was forcing the action, missing his first three shots. Nearly nine minutes passed before he scored his first points. More than 10 minutes elapsed before he hit his first field goal. When Game 2 of…

A.J. Minter gets removed from Mets rehab assignment over hip issue

DENVER — The anticipated return of a key Mets reliever has been placed on hold.  A.J. Minter is dealing with left hip discomfort, according to manager Carlos Mendoza, and has been removed from his minor league rehab assignment. The lefty reliever was completing a rehab at Triple-A Syracuse from lat…

How Burger King’s turnaround is taking a bite out of McDonald’s

Beef patties aren’t the only thing sizzling at Burger King — and its booming business is taking a bite out of McDonald’s. The fast food chain owned by Restaurant Brands International reported an eye-popping 5.8% increase in comparable sales at its US eateries – its highest growth in nine quarters…

Popular Italian food brand accused of ‘tomato fraud’ in new lawsuit

It’s a canned conspiracy. Two Californians are suing Cento Fine Foods for allegedly committing “tomato fraud” — claiming the fruits in its canned products are not the coveted “Ferrari” of tomato varieties they boast, according to a saucy new lawsuit. The plaintiffs alleged that New Jersey-based Cento is the “primary…

Midterm handicapper unveils new House ratings for pivotal 2026 races across the US

The University of Virginia’s Center for Politics shifted 17 House races Wednesday in response to redistricting, primary elections and congressional scandals.  Nine of the organization’s race-ratings changes were made in Florida, where Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a new GOP-friendly congressional map into law earlier this week.  On balance, the…

San Francisco crazy high business taxes could get even worse

San Francisco has been a case study in how not to run a city, but a new report is amplifying the alarm as voters consider a CEO tax that some are calling a poison pill for the epicenter of tech. The Bay Area Council Economic Institute released a study on…

Beaming Newsom schmoozes Dem heavyweights at Jesse Jackson memorial — as Obama makes telling gesture about gov’s future

A Cheshire Cat-looking Gov. Gavin Newsom appeared to use civil rights icon Jesse Jackson’s memorial service Friday as a campaign event — as the rumored 2028 presidential hopeful was spotted schmoozing Democratic heavyweights, including former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. The lame-duck California governor was pictured working the room…

Saks Fifth Avenue parent closing 15 more stores in bankruptcy — here are the locations

Saks Global said Friday it was closing 15 more stores as the luxury retailer, which filed for bankruptcy earlier this year, tries to cut losses and focus on more profitable, higher-end locations. The company has largely completed the process of shutting down underperforming stores with Friday’s announcement, but was still working with some landlords to finalize…

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