Pres. Trump announces new ‘reciprocal’ tariffs on what he declares “Liberation Day”

President Donald Trump unveiled new tariffs at a White House Rose Garden event yesterday, in which the President detailed sweeping ‘reciprocal’ tariffs on goods imported into the United States, in order to promote US manufacturing.

Mr. Trump opened his remarks declaring, “This is Liberation Day,” stating that “April 2, 2025 will forever be remembered as the day American industry was reborn, the day America’s destiny was reclaimed and the day that we began to make America wealthy again.”

The President aid he would sign a “historic executive order instituting reciprocal tariffs on countries throughout the world … Reciprocal. That means they do it to us and we do it to them. Very simple. Can’t get any simpler than that.”

Trump confirmed that his administration will impose 25% tariffs on auto imports starting Thursday at midnight: “None of our companies are allowed to go into other countries. That’s why, effective at midnight, we will impose a 25% tariff on all foreign made automobiles.”  He later held up a chart while speaking, showing the United States would charge a 34% tax on imports from China, a 20% tax on imports from the European Union, 25% on South Korea, 24% on Japan and 32% on Taiwan.

In announcing the tariffs the President said: “It’s our declaration of economic independence. For years, hardworking American citizens were forced to sit on the sidelines as other nations got rich and powerful, much of it at our expense. But now it’s our turn to prosper. Taxpayers have been ripped off for more than 50 years … But it is not going to happen anymore.”

Trump added that “jobs and factories will come roaring back” and that the reciprocal tariffs will usher in a “golden age” for the country: “We will supercharge our domestic industrial base, we will pry open foreign markets and break down foreign trade barriers and ultimately more production at home will mean stronger competition and lower prices for consumers.”

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NYC Mayor Eric Adams has corruption case dismissed with prejudice

A federal judge in New York on Wednesday permanently dismissed corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Judge Dale Ho dismissed the case with prejudice, meaning it cannot be revived.  While the Justice Department sought to have the case dismissed to free up Adams to cooperate with the mayor’s immigration agenda, they had wanted the case dismissed without prejudice – meaning it could be brought again.

Judge Ho said he could find no other example of the government dismissing charges against an elected official to enable the official to facilitate federal policy goals.  In a 78-page opinion, Judge Ho wrote Tuesday: “DOJ’s immigration enforcement rationale is both unprecedented and breathtaking in its sweep, and DOJ’s assertion that it has ‘virtually unreviewable’ license to dismiss charges on this basis is disturbing in its breadth, implying that public officials may receive special dispensation if they are compliant with the incumbent administration’s policy priorities. That suggestion is fundamentally incompatible with the basic premise of equal justice under the law.”  Ho added: In light of DOJ’s rationales, dismissing the case without prejudice would create the unavoidable perception that the Mayor’s freedom depends on his ability to carry out the immigration enforcement priorities of the administration, and that he might be more beholden to the demands of the federal government than to the wishes of his own constituents. That appearance is inevitable, and it counsels in favor of dismissal with prejudice.” (per CNN.)

The Department of Justice moved to dismiss the charges in February, saying that continuing them interfered with the mayor’s ability to govern, thereby threatening “federal immigration initiatives and policies.” The department asked that the charges be “dismissed without prejudice,” allowing for the case to be potentially carried out at a later date.

Adams, who is up for reelection this fall, was indicted last year in the Southern District of New York on five counts in an alleged long-standing conspiracy connected to improper benefits, illegal campaign contributions and an attempted cover-up. He has said the charges are politically motivated and pleaded not guilty.

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Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez to take full ownership of Minnesota Timberwolves after dispute with Glen Taylor

Glen Taylor has agreed to a resolution with the Marc Lore-Alex Rodriguez group regarding their dispute over ownership of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Lore and Rodriguez are acquiring 100% ownership of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx at the same $1.5 billion price tag the sides reached in 2021. As part of the agreement, Taylor decided not to appeal an arbitrators’ ruling from February that ruled in favor Lore-Rodriguez in a dispute over the sale contract.  The NBA has started the transfer process, including ultimately holding a Board of Governors vote.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania: “After years long battle, Glen Taylor and Marc Lore-Alex Rodriguez have agreed to complete full ownership to Lore-Rodriguez, sources tell ESPN. Taylor will not appeal Minnesota arbitrators that ruled in favor of Lore-Rodriguez in February. NBA will start transfer process.”

Per Charania, Taylor will not appeal the Minnesota arbitration decision that ruled in favor of Lore and Rodriguez in February. Lore and Rodriguez will acquire 100% ownership of the Timberwolves and the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx for $1.5 billion, the price the two sides agreed on in 2021.

Taylor, 83, purchased the Wolves in 1994 for $94 million, saving the team from a possible relocation to New Orleans. He put the team on the market and pulled it over several times over the last two decades. Lore and Rodriguez initially agreed to purchase the team from Taylor in 2021 in a three-part sale. The first two tranches, totaling 36% of the teams, changed hands for about $500 million as planned. But in March 2024, Taylor called off the sale when he believed Lore and Rodriguez breached terms of the sale agreement and missed a deadline to finalize the deal. There was a disagreement and the issue eventually went to arbitration, which Lore and Rodriguez eventually prevailed in a split decision among a three-judge panel.

Over the last six weeks, the Lore-Rodriguez group and Taylor held discussions and came to an agreement to finalize the deal. In the meantime, Lore and Rodriguez continued to add new partners to their group including billionaire (and former New York City mayor) Michael Bloomberg, billionaire former Google executive Eric Schmidt and Blue Owl Capital – an NBA-approved private equity fund. The group raised an additional $950 million and put it in escrow to demonstrate they were prepared to execute the transaction.

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Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill agrees to 9-year, $135 million extension

Yahoo Sports’ Russell Dorsey confirmed Wednesday that San Diego Padres’ outfielder Jackson Merrill has agreed to a nine-year, $135 million extension with the team. The deal includes a $30 million club option for a 10th season and has a maximum value of $204 million (depending on incentives). The extension will not kick in until the 2026 MLB season.

Merrill would have been eligible for arbitration after the 2026 season and for free agency after the 2029 World Series. The team option for 2035 that would convert to a player option if Merrill has a top-five finish in MVP voting at any point during the contract.

Merrill, who turns 22 on April 19, made his major league debut last season and became an All-Star, batting .292 with 24 home runs, 90 RBI and 16 stolen bases. He finished second in National League Rookie of the Year behind to Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes.

Merrill opened the 2025 season as a middle-of-the-order bat for the Padres, and is hitting .400 through the team’s first six games. The Padres are off to a strong 6-0 to start off the season.

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See Jon Hamm in trailer for Apple TV+ series ‘Your Friends & Neighbors’

Apple TV+ is previewing the upcoming drama series Your Friends & Neighbors, starring Jon Hamm.

The new trailer for Your Friends & Neighbors, debuting Friday, Apr. 11, stars the ‘Mad Men’ alum as hedge fund manager Andrew “Coop” Cooper ,” who resorts to robbing houses in his upscale neighborhood after being fired – not long after going through a divorce.

The show, which was already renewed for a sophomore season back in November, also stars Amanda Peet, Olivia Munn, Hoon Lee, Mark Tallman, Lena Hall, Aimee Carrero, Eunice Bae, Isabel Marie Gravitt and Donovan Colan.

Season 1 is slated to premiere April 11; see the trailer – HERE.

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Famous friends pay tribute to Val Kilmer after his death at age 65

Famous friend and former colleagues of Val Kilmer are paying tribute to the actor, after news broke of his death yesterday at the age of 65.

Kilmer’s daughter Mercedes told The New York Times in a statement that her father died of pneumonia on Tuesday. Kilmer had battled throat cancer, which robbed him of his voice, for more than a decade.

Kilmer was also known for his roles in Top Gun, Willow, Top Secret, Real Genius, The Doors, Thunderheart, True Romance, Batman Forever, Prince of Egypt, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and Top Gun: Maverick. Prime Video also released a documentary in 2021 about the Kilmer titled Val, who stepped away from Hollywood at the height of his career

Director Francis Ford Coppola posted on Instagram: “Val Kilmer was the most talented actor when in his High School, and that talent only grew greater throughout his life. He was a wonderful person to work with and a joy to know — I will always remember him.”

Actor Josh Brolin wrote: “See ya, pal. I’m going to miss you,” Brolin wrote. “You were a smart, challenging, brave, uber-creative firecracker. There’s not a lot left of those. I hope to see you up there in the heavens when I eventually get there. Until then, amazing memories, lovely thoughts. ❤💔❤💔❤💔💎 #valkilmer #marktwain.”

Cher – who was romantically involved in the 1980s with Kilmer and remained friends with him after their relationship ended – wrote in a post on X: “VALUS Will miss u,” actress and hitmaker. U Were Funny, crazy, pain in the a–, GREAT FRIEND, kids💜U, BRILLIANT as Mark Twain, BRAVE here during ur sickness.”

Actress Jennifer Tilly posted: “A long time ago, I was auditioning for the movie The Doors. It was kind of a cattle call. They paired together potential Jims with potential Pamela’s. And they were running behind so we were spilling out of the casting office, sitting on the porch, the lawn, and the driveway. All of a sudden, a sixties convertible came screeching up, blaring Doors Music at top volume. And a guy jumped out and strode inside: He had wild hair and he was barefoot, shirtless, and wearing nothing but a pair of tight leather pants. We all looked at each other like… Who is this guy? We were more than a little shook by the sheer audacity of his entrance. Well of course it was Val Kilmer and from that minute on, nobody else stood a chance. Rip King.”

Kilmer was previously married to actress Joanne Whalley from 1988 until their divorce in 1996. The former couple shared daughter Mercedes Kilmer and son Jack Kilmer.

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AG Pam Bondi orders Justice Department to seek death penalty for Luigi Mangione

Attorney General Pamela Bondi announced Tuesday she is directing federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty for Luigi Mangione if he is convicted of the December murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Mangione is accused of gunning down Thompson outside a Hilton hotel in Midtown Manhattan as the CEO headed to an investors conference on Dec. 4, and was later arrested in Altoona, Pennsylvania five days after the murder.

Mangione is facing federal charges for stalking and killing Thompson as well as the use of a silencer in a crime of violence. One of the federal charges against Mangione, murder through use of a firearm, makes him eligible for the death penalty if convicted.

Bondi said in a statement that “Mangione’s murder of Brian Thompson — an innocent man and father of two young children — was a premeditated, cold-blooded assassination that shocked America.  After careful consideration, I have directed federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty in this case as we carry out President [Donald] Trump’s agenda to stop violent crime and Make America Safe Again.”

Bondi called the killing of Thompson “an act of political violence,” and further alleges that “Mangione’s actions involved substantial planning and premeditation and because the murder took place in public with bystanders nearby, may have posed grave risk of death to additional persons.”

Mangione’s attorney, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, called the decision to seek the death penalty “political,” and said it “goes against the recommendation of the local federal prosecutors, the law, and historical precedent. While claiming to protect against murder, the federal government moves to commit the pre-meditated, state-sponsored murder of Luigi. By doing this, they are defending the broken, immoral, and murderous healthcare industry that continues to terrorize the American people.  We are prepared to fight these federal charges, brought by a lawless Justice Department, as well as the New York State charges, and the Pennsylvania charges, and anything else they want to pile on Luigi. This is a corrupt web of government dysfunction and one-upmanship. Luigi is caught in a high-stakes game of tug-of-war between state and federal prosecutors, except the trophy is a young man’s life.”

Mangione has pleaded not guilty to all charges, and his legal team confirmed he consents to a preliminary hearing under the Speedy Trial Act.  He has yet to enter a plea on the federal charges, including murder through the use of a firearm, which would make him eligible for the death penalty if convicted. He is due back in federal court on April 18.

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Sen. Cory Booker breaks record with marathon 24-hour speech on Senate floor protesting Trump administration

New Jersey Democratic Sen. Cory Booker broke a record Tuesday evening after speaking for more than 24 hours in a marathon speech, in which he protested the Trump administration and what he called the national “crisis” that President Trump and Elon Musk has created.

Booker began delivering the marathon speech starting on Monday evening and continuing into Tuesday for at least 24 hours and 19 minutes — which surpassed (at 7:19 ET) the previous record set by Sen. Strom Thurmond, who filibustered the Civil Rights Act of 1957 for 24 hours and 18 minutes. Booker’s speech, however, is not considered a filibuster, as it is not occurring during debate on a specific measure to block proceedings.

Booker, 55, took the floor at 7 p.m. Monday, announcing that he intended to disrupt “the normal business of the United States Senate for as long as I am physically able.”  The senator painted his speech as a warning over the “grave and urgent” threat Americans faced from the Trump administration, arguing that “bedrock commitments to the country are being broken. Unnecessary hardships are being borne by Americans of all backgrounds, and institutions which are special in America, which are precious, which are unique in our country, are being recklessly — and I would say even unconstitutionally — affected, attacked and even shattered.”

The Senator from New Jersey cited the legacy of leaders including late congressman and civil rights activist John Lewis, whom he said stood up “when this country was facing crossroads, was facing crises, they stood up. I rise today in an unusual manner. Tonight, I rise with the intention of getting in some good trouble. I rise tonight because I believe sincerely that our country is in crisis… These are not normal times in America, and they should not be treated as such.” Booker spent time reading letters from constituents who say they have been harmed by the Trump administration’s policies, and condemned the administration’s policies, including trade wars and mass firings of government workers, as well as deportation issues.

On occasion, Booker yielded to his Democratic colleagues on the floor who encouraged his effort – including Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, and Sens. Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware, Andy Kim of New Jersey, Peter Welch of Vermont, Dick Durbin of Illinois and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York. At noon on Tuesday, Booker briefly paused for the chaplain to say a prayer (as is required under Senate rules during a continuous session) but continued to hold the floor.

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NBA suspends 5 players after Pistons-Timberwolves fight

The NBA announced on Tuesday that they have suspended five players for their roles in a scuffle during the second quarter of a game between the Detroit Pistons and Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday. The incident in question occurred in the second quarter of Minnesota’s 123-104 win over Detroit; when the fight occurred, the Wolves trailed the Pistons 39-30, before Minnesota rallied to win 123-104.

Pistons center Isaiah Stewart received a two-game ban, while Pistons forward Ron Holland II and guard Marcus Sasser will miss one game. Timberwolves forward Naz Reid and guard Donte DiVincenzo were also suspended one game apiece. NBA executive vice president for basketball operations Joe Dumars said Stewart received a longer suspension for escalating the on-court altercation,” adding that his suspension is based on Stewart’s “repeated history of unsportsmanlike acts.”

ESPN’s Bobby Marks detailed the cost for each player: “Here are the suspension amounts: Detroit: Isaiah Stewart: $206,897 * Ron Holland: $46,812 * Marcus Sasser: $15,403. Minnesota: Naz Reid: $80,382 * Donte DiVincenzo: $65,776

During the scuffle, Reid took exception to a foul by Holland, and that sparked a shoving match that spilled into the front row of fans.  As a result, Stewart, Holland, Sasser Reid and DiVincenzo were all ejected from the contest, in addition to Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff and Timberwolves assistant Pablo Prigioni.

Bickerstaff told reporters after the game: “There was things said by their assistant coach and I’m in the same boat our guys are in. We’re going to defend each other. I’m not going to let people say belligerent things about my guys. It’s that simple. He said what he said, he knows what he said.”

Reid and DiVincenzo missed Tuesday’s game against the Denver Nuggets; while Holland II, Sasser and Stewart will begin their individual suspensions Wednesday.

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Pitcher Garrett Crochet agrees to six-year, $170M extension with Boston Red Sox

Pitcher Garrett Crochet has agrees to a six-year, $170 million contract extension with the Boston Red Sox, per sources via ESPN. Crochet’s new deal will start in 2026 and runs through the 2031 season, including an opt-out after the 2030 campaign.  The Red Sox later announced on X: “Crochet is here to stay.”

ESPN’s Jeff Passan posted on X: “BREAKING: Left-hander Garrett Crochet and the Boston Red Sox are in agreement on a six-year, $170 million contract extension, sources tell ESPN. The deal starts in 2026 and includes an opt-out after 2030. By far the largest deal ever for a pitcher with 4+ years of service.”  Passan added: “Garrett Crochet’s $170 million deal with the Red Sox does not include any deferred money, per sources. The previous record for a 4+ player was Jacob deGrom’s five-year, $137.5 million deal, which included an opt-out after the fourth season. Crochet can opt out at 31 years old.”

Crochet, 25, joined the Red Sox via trade from the Chicago White Sox in December, playing this season on a one-year, $3.8 million contract. The veteran left-handed pitcher, who entered the league as the No. 11 overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft, went 9-19 with a 3.29 ERA over the first 105 appearances of his MLB career. Crochet went 6-12 with a 3.58 ERA over 32 starts en route to his first All-Star selection in 2024; an in his first start of the 2025 campaign, the lefty allowed five hits and two runs in a 5-2 win over the Texas Rangers on Thursday in Arlington, Texas.

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