Infielder Michael Stefanic and the Blue Jays are in agreement on a minor league deal. Stefanic’s agent Nate Heisler of Klutch Sports relayed the news on X while Stefanic himself took to Instagram to thank the Angels, their fans and his former colleagues for his time with that club, in addition to expressing his excitement about his new opportunity. Stefanic, 29 in February, was an undrafted free agent back in 2018. The Angels signed him at that time and he started to garner attention as a minor leaguer due to his plate discipline and multi-positional abilities, though a clear lack of power. In 2021, he took 554 trips to the plate in the minors, walking in 9.4% of them while only striking out 13.9% of the time. His home run total spiked to 17 that year, even though he had only hit three over the 2018 and 2019 seasons combined. Perhaps that was due to him getting up to the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League but his .336/.408/.493 line that year still translated to a 132 wRC+, indicating he was 32% better than league average. Baseball America ranked him the #22 prospect in the Angels’ system going into 2022 and he went on to make his major league debut that year. He has been sent to the plate 264 times over the past three big league seasons, walking in 8.7% of those while striking out just 15.2% of the time. But he hasn’t yet hit a home run, leading to a fairly empty slash line of .232/.317/.275 and 72 wRC+. He has continued to hit in the minors, however, with a combined line of .349/.444/.456 and 133 wRC+ over the past three years. That wasn’t enough to get him much run at the major league level and he exhausted his final option year in 2024. The Angels passed him through waivers and outrighted him last month, but Toronto will give him a non-roster gig. Stefanic has also played every position on the diamond except for center field and catcher in his professional career, perhaps giving him a shot at carving at a utility or bench role. The Jays have plenty of uncertainty in their position player group at present. First baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and shortstop Bo Bichette are both a year away from free agency. Right fielder George Springer is now 35 years old and has just two years left on his deal. Second base, third base and left field are fairly open. Players like Spencer Horwitz , Ernie Clement , Will Wagner , Nathan Lukes , Leo Jiménez , Davis Schneider , Jonatan Clase , Orelvis Martínez , Addison Barger , Joey Loperfido and Steward Berroa are all on the 40-man roster but Clement and Schneider are the only ones of thar group with more than 112 games of MLB experience. If Stefanic can earn his way onto the roster, he is out of options but he has just a bit more than a year of service time, meaning he can be cheaply retained beyond 2025 if he has a roster spot at season’s end. This article first appeared on MLB Trade Rumors and was syndicated with permission.The best Black Friday pajama deals to keep you cozy this winterPossible tornado strikes downtown Athens777 casino app real money 。

GB News blew £100,000 converting their studio's gender neutral toilets into separate male and female facilities, the Mirror understands. The culture-wars obsessed TV channel announced cost-cutting plans earlier this year, axing 40 jobs after posting an operating loss of £42.4 million. It was revealed in March that GB News' rented Paddington studio features unisex facilities - prompting then-Chipping Barnet MP Theresa Villiers declared to tweet: "This doesn't seem entirely consistent with their apparent enthusiasm for fighting culture wars." But a source told this newspaper senior GB News figures were so infuriated by the "woke" bathrooms that they spent eye-watering sums to "fix" them. They have now been separated into strictly segregated conveniences for Men and Women. "They're taking the p**s," a source close to the channel said. "They've got bogged down in gender issues. Spending a penny is not worth spending a hundred grand. Maybe they were feeling flush." GB News declined to comment. In March, the company said that its audience figures had grown, particularly online where page views increased more than five times. But GB News revealed that its pre-tax loss had risen from £30.7 million in the year to the end of May 2022, to £42.4 million a year later. Despite almost doubling, the company's revenue was still significantly lower than its losses, reaching £6.7 million. The funding came from the company's owner, All Perspectives Limited, backed by hedge fund millionaire Sir Paul Marshall among others. Last year, GB News received £41.0 million from the parent company, bringing the total it now owes to £83.8 million. "The company has strong support from its investors and the directors have no reason to believe that the level of these contributions might vary to a significant degree or be recalled before the group has the resources to repay the investment," GB News said in accounts filed to Companies House. The business reported an average of 295 monthly employees during the year, with wage, social security and pension costs reaching £21.2 million, or around £72,000 per head. The business, which is committed to "promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace," had employed an average of 175 people a year earlier. And it reported it had an average of 2.7 million viewers per month in the year ending May 2023, a rise of 17.8% from the previous year. Its share of regular TV viewing was 0.45%, up from 0.30% a year earlier, according to Barb Audiences. On its digital platform, page views increased by 431% to 51.9 million, GB News revealed. The company earned £5.4 million of its revenue from the UK, while £1.3 million came from other parts of the world . Ad revenue jumped 41.4% to £4.2 million, and digital revenue increased about four times to £2.2 million. Be the first with news from Mirror Politics US ELECTION WHATSAPP: Join our US Election WhatsApp group here to be first to get all the biggest news and results as America heads to the polls. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice . POLITICS WHATSAPP: Be first to get the biggest bombshells and breaking news by joining our Politics WhatsApp group here . We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice . NEWSLETTER: Or sign up here to the Mirror's Politics newsletter for all the best exclusives and opinions straight to your inbox. PODCAST: And listen to our exciting new political podcast The Division Bell , hosted by Mirror interim political editor Lizzy Buchan and Express political editor Sam Lister, every Thursday.

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OXFORD, Miss. (AP) — Sira Thienou scored 16 points with six rebounds, five assists and four steals and No. 18 Mississippi coasted to an 89-24 win over Alabama State on Saturday. Starr Jacobs and Christeen Iwuala both added 12 points and Kennedy Todd-Williams had 11 for the Rebels (5-2), who had a breather after losing to No. 2 UConn by 13 in the Bahamas. Kaitlyn Bryant had seven points to lead the Hornets (2-5), who shot 19% with 33 turnovers and were outrebounded 43-25. Alabama State was 1 of 8 with 11 turnovers in the first quarter, falling behind 24-4. The Hornets were 2 of 11 with seven giveaways in the second quarter when they were outscored 33-6 to trail 57-10 at the half. The Rebels shot 58% with 28 points off turnovers. They scored the first 16 points of the game and the first 24 points of the second quarter. Ole Miss had the last five points of the third quarter and the first seven of the fourth to get the lead to 82-22. The Hornets went 1 of 10 in the final 10 minutes with 10 turnovers. It was Mississippi's third win against teams from the Southwestern Athletic Conference with one more to play. The Rebels play at NC State on Thursday in the SEC/ACC Challenge. ___ 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-basketballSmart motorways to switch off TODAY as part of crucial tech update – check if your journey’s affected

The police began investigating Joshua Morris of Hogsmill Way, in 2021 after the National Crime Agency flagged him for sharing child abuse images online. When officers searched his devices, they found a large number of illegal images, as well as baby and child clothing in his room. Despite being interviewed three times, Morris refused to answer questions. While under investigation, he was placed under a sexual risk order, which he later broke by continuing to view child abuse material. He was arrested again and faced further charges. Morris was sentenced on November 20 at Guildford Crown Court after pleading guilty to several charges. These included: The court also gave Morris a ten-year sexual harm prevention order to limit his future actions. Investigating Officer, DC Connor Leney from our paedophile online investigation team (POLIT) said; “Joshua Morris is a predator who poses a serious risk to children through his online activities. “We are pleased that he will now spend seven years in prison where he won’t be able to cause harm. “If you have any concerns about someone’s activities online and you think they may be involved in predatory and criminal behaviour, please report it to us – we take these offences extremely seriously and will bring those responsible to justice.”

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Giants' Malik Nabers, Tyrone Tracy Become 3rd NFL Rookie Teammates to Reach 1K YardsTrump calls Florida meeting with Trudeau productive amid stiff tariff threatMurray – Britain’s greatest ever player – retired after this summer’s Olympics at the age of 37 after finally admitting defeat in his battle against his body. Many in the game expected the Scot would one day return to tennis and become a coach, particularly due to his love of the sport, hard work and his tactical acumen. He never liked retirement anyway. 🙌 — Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) But it came with some degree of shock on Saturday afternoon when a social media post from Djokovic, playing on Murray’s light-hearted tweet upon his departure, read: “He never liked retirement anyway”. The attached video announced Murray, who he lost to in two Slam finals but beat in four Australian showpieces, would coach him over the winter and through January’s Open in Melbourne. “We played each other since we were boys, 25 years of pushing each other to our limits. We had some of the most epic battles in in our sport. They called us gamechangers, risk-takers, history-makers,” Djokovic said. “I thought our story may be over. Turns out it has one final chapter. It’s time for one of my toughest opponents to step into my corner. Welcome aboard, coach Andy Murray.” Murray, who beat Djokovic to win the US Open in 2012 and Wimbledon in 2013, says he wants to help the 24-time grand slam champion achieve his goals. “I’m going to be joining Novak’s team in the off-season, helping him to prepare for the Australian Open, he said. “I’m really excited for it and looking forward to spending time on the same side of the net as Novak for a change, helping him to achieve his goals.” Djokovic, a week younger than his new coach, added: “I am excited to have one of my greatest rivals on the same side of the net, as my coach. “Looking forward to the start of the season and competing in Australia alongside Andy with whom I have shared many exceptional moments on the Australian soil.” Djokovic beat Murray in the 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2016 Australian Open finals as well as the French Open final in 2016. It was after he unseated Djokovic at the top of the rankings in 2016 that Murray suffered the hip injury which ultimately derailed his career. Since his retirement, Murray has been playing golf with the same dedication he pursued his tennis but will now return to his natural habitat. Djokovic, who split with coach Goran Ivanisevic earlier this year, hopes that adding Murray to his team will help him get back to the top of the game after he went through a calendar year without winning a grand slam for the first time since 2017. Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have developed a stranglehold at the top of the men’s game and Djokovic, who has seen Murray, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal all retire in recent years, is still hoping to move clear of the record 24 grand slams he shares with Margaret Court.

NEW YORK — President-elect Donald Trump’s lawyers formally asked a judge Monday to throw out his hush money criminal conviction , 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 pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, who was convicted of tax and gun charges . People are also reading... Cabinet manufacturer closing Statesville facility, laying off all 74 employees Iredell deputies charge Catawba County men with stealing Duke Energy wire Trump, Musk can learn from North Carolina, Raleigh writer says Letter to the editor: Charging kids to play baseball at Jennings Park is poor idea Iredell-Statesville Schools nutrition department receives award 'The Message' religious sect sprouts destructive groups across globe Iredell-Statesville Schools closed Tuesday due to snow, ice Top vote-getter Houpe: Why am I not chairman of Iredell board of commissioners? North Dakota man brings shed-building expertise to Troutman Lake Norman residents voice concerns with Marshall Steam Station changes Desk jockey dangers: Important facts about ‘sitting disease’ How to spot teen mental health issues and how to deal with them Roster limits in college sports put athletes on chopping block, coaches look for answers Women report widespread misogyny in churches tied to religious group 'The Message' Mooresville’s bid to topple No. 3 seed East Forsyth comes up short in third round “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 prior bid 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. Trump team signs agreement to allow Justice to conduct background checks on nominees, staff ZEKE MILLERAssociated Press 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 Supreme Court ruled 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. Trump’s lawyers cited the ruling to 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. Prosecutors disagreed 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. PHOTOS: Donald Trump's Election Day 2024 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 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 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 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, 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 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 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 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 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) Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email.The issue was the clear leader on 28 per cent, followed by the cost of living on 19 per cent and health on 17 per cent. Economic stability (9 per cent), climate change (4 per cent), crime (2 per cent), local transport and roads (2 per cent) and childcare (2 per cent), all played lesser roles. Immigration – which had been prominent in the list of issues of public concern for much of the year – played a minor role, nominated by just 6 per cent. The housing issue was more prominent among younger voters, with 42 per cent of those under 34 nominating it as the most important issue. More than half (52 per cent) of voters said their standard of living has stayed the same over the past 12 months, while 35 per cent said it has worsened and 13 per cent said it has improved. Those who voted for Sinn Féin (49 per cent), People Before Profit (49 per cent) and Aontú (41 per cent) were much more likely to say their standard of living had worsened. The poll also asked respondents about their second preferences on the ballot paper. The results suggest that expectations of a strong transfer between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael will be borne out – a factor that should help the two parties boost their seat numbers. [ Almost half of voters favour a Fianna Fáil-Fine Gael led coalition, according to exit poll Opens in new window ] Supporters of both parties transferred at higher rates to running mates from the same party. For Fine Gael voters, it was at a rate of 37 per cent to other Fine Gael candidates. Fianna Fáil candidates were the second preference choice of 39 per cent of Fianna Fáil voters. Among Fine Gael voters, 32 per cent said their second preference votes went to Fianna Fáil, while 30 per cent of Fianna Fáil voters said they transferred to Fine Gael. Sinn Féin voters transferred at a rate of 48 per cent to second candidates from the same party. The next highest second preference votes from Sinn Féin supporters was to Independents. The highest second preference transfer rates between arch-rivals Labour and the Social Democrats were to each other. According to the exit poll some 22 per cent of second preferences from Labour voters went to the Social Democrats. Second preferences from Social Democrats supporters went to Labour at a rate of 23 per cent. Almost half of voters in Friday’s general election said they favour a coalition government based on the combination of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. Nearly a third of voters (31 per cent) said they would prefer a coalition of just Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil; a further 9 per cent preferred a government of those two parties plus Independents; while a further 9 per cent said they would like to see a government of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and one or more smaller parties. Combined, this is a total of 49 per cent of voters in the exit poll who want to see a Fine Gael-Fianna Fáil-led government. [ Majority of Independent voters would have backed candidate even if they were in a political party - exit poll Opens in new window ] The next most popular choice was a government led by Sinn Féin without Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil, which was chosen by 22 per cent. Another 7 per cent said they wanted to see a Fianna Fáil-Sinn Féin coalition (including just 9 per cent of Fianna Fáil voters), while 21 per cent said they wanted to see “something else”. The most popular choice for taoiseach was Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin , who was the preferred choice of 35 per cent. He pipped Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald , who was on 34 per cent, while Fine Gael leader Simon Harris was on 27 per cent. Just 5 per cent gave no response. On climate change, a slim majority of voters said the current Government did not go far enough in tackling the issue – significantly more than those who believe it has gone too far. Just under a third of Irish voters – 29 per cent – said the Coalition’s actions were “about right”, while 20 per cent said it had gone too far. The poll, which is a joint project of The Irish Times, RTÉ, TG4 and the Political Science Department of Trinity College Dublin, was conducted by Ipsos B&A among 5,018 voters as they left 253 polling stations across all 43 constituencies on Friday. Colin Gleeson is an Irish Times reporterBy JOSH BOAK WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump loved to use tariffs on foreign goods during his first presidency. But their impact was barely noticeable in the overall economy, even if their aftershocks were clear in specific industries. The data show they never fully delivered on his promised factory jobs. Nor did they provoke the avalanche of inflation that critics feared. This time, though, his tariff threats might be different . The president-elect is talking about going much bigger — on a potential scale that creates more uncertainty about whether he’ll do what he says and what the consequences could be. “There’s going to be a lot more tariffs, I mean, he’s pretty clear,” said Michael Stumo, the CEO of Coalition for a Prosperous America, a group that has supported import taxes to help domestic manufacturing. The president-elect posted on social media Monday that on his first day in office he would impose 25% tariffs on all goods imported from Mexico and Canada until those countries satisfactorily stop illegal immigration and the flow of illegal drugs such as fentanyl into the United States. Those tariffs could essentially blow up the North American trade pact that Trump’s team negotiated during his initial term. Chinese imports would face additional tariffs of 10% until Beijing cracks down on the production of materials used in making fentanyl, Trump posted. Business groups were quick to warn about rapidly escalating inflation , while Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she would counter the move with tariffs on U.S. products. House Democrats put together legislation to strip a president’s ability to unilaterally apply tariffs this drastic, warning that they would likely lead to higher prices for autos, shoes, housing and groceries. Sheinbaum said Wednesday that her administration is already working up a list of possible retaliatory tariffs “if the situation comes to that.” “The economy department is preparing it,” Sheinbaum said. “If there are tariffs, Mexico would increase tariffs, it is a technical task about what would also benefit Mexico,” she said, suggesting her country would impose targeted import duties on U.S. goods in sensitive areas. Related Articles House Democrats on Tuesday introduced a bill that would require congressional approval for a president to impose tariffs due to claims of a national emergency, a largely symbolic action given Republicans’ coming control of both the House and Senate. “This legislation would enable Congress to limit this sweeping emergency authority and put in place the necessary Congressional oversight before any president – Democrat or Republican – could indiscriminately raise costs on the American people through tariffs,” said Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Wash. But for Trump, tariffs are now a tested tool that seems less politically controversial even if the mandate he received in November’s election largely involved restraining inflation. The tariffs he imposed on China in his first term were continued by President Joe Biden, a Democrat who even expanded tariffs and restrictions on the world’s second largest economy. Biden administration officials looked at removing Trump’s tariffs in order to bring down inflationary pressures, only to find they were unlikely to help significantly. Tariffs were “so new and unique that it freaked everybody out in 2017,” said Stumo, but they were ultimately somewhat modest. Trump imposed tariffs on solar panels and washing machines at the start of 2018, moves that might have pushed up prices in those sectors even though they also overlapped with plans to open washing machine plants in Tennessee and South Carolina. His administration also levied tariffs on steel and aluminum, including against allies. He then increased tariffs on China, leading to a trade conflict and a limited 2020 agreement that failed to produce the promised Chinese purchases of U.S. goods. Still, the dispute changed relations with China as more U.S. companies looked for alternative suppliers in other countries. Economic research also found the United States may have sacrificed some of its “soft power” as the Chinese population began to watch fewer American movies. The Federal Reserve kept inflation roughly on target, but factory construction spending never jumped in a way that suggested a lasting gain in manufacturing jobs. Separate economic research found the tariff war with China did nothing economically for the communities hurt by offshoring, but it did help Trump and Republicans in those communities politically. When Trump first became president in 2017, the federal government collected $34.6 billion in customs, duties and fees. That sum more than doubled under Trump to $70.8 billion in 2019, according to Office of Management and Budget records. While that sum might seem meaningful, it was relatively small compared to the overall economy. America’s gross domestic product is now $29.3 trillion, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The total tariffs collected in the United States would equal less than 0.3% of GDP. The new tariffs being floated by Trump now are dramatically larger and there could be far more significant impacts. If Mexico, Canada, and China faced the additional tariffs proposed by Trump on all goods imported to the United States, that could be roughly equal to $266 billion in tax collections, a number that does not assume any disruptions in trade or retaliatory moves by other countries. The cost of those taxes would likely be borne by U.S. families, importers and domestic and foreign companies in the form of higher prices or lower profits. Former Biden administration officials said they worried that companies could piggyback on Trump’s tariffs — if they’re imposed — as a rationale to raise their prices, just as many companies after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 boosted food and energy costs and gave several major companies the space to raise prices, according to their own earnings calls with investors. But what Trump didn’t really spell out is what might cause him to back down on tariffs and declare a victory. What he is creating instead with his tariff threats is a sense of uncertainty as companies and countries await the details to figure out what all of this could mean. “We know the key economic policy priorities of the incoming Trump administration, but we don’t know how or when they will be addressed,” said Greg Daco, chief U.S. economist at EY-Parthenon. AP writer Mark Stevenson contributed to this report from Mexico City.

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CHICAGO — Nearly eight and a half years after being confronted by federal authorities about his own wrongdoing, former Chicago Ald. Daniel Solis has taken the witness stand Thursday in the corruption trial of ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan to testify about his unprecedented turn as an FBI mole. Solis is the 34th prosecution witness — and arguably the most important — to be called in Madigan’s trial, which began Oct. 8. He’s expected to be on the stand for two weeks. Solis, 75, worked undercover for more than two years, making a series of video and audio recordings that prosecutors allege captured Madigan, his powerful Democratic counterpart, scheming to use his official duties to squeeze developers for tax appeal business for his private law firm. Solis, who represented the city’s 25th Ward and was the head of the City Council’s influential Zoning Committee, also testified last year in the corruption trial of former Ald. Edward Burke. But in that case, Solis was called by Burke’s lawyers in a Hail Mary attempt to win acquittal. This time, Solis is being called as one of the pillars of the prosecution’s case, adding import to how he comes across to the jury and also exposing him to a much more wide-ranging cross examination over his own alleged misdeeds. In his opening statement to the jury last month, Madigan attorney Tom Breen made clear there will be no kid-glove treatment of Solis, sarcastically calling him an “absolute beaut” and a morally bankrupt liar with a “decrepit personal and professional life.” Breen also called Solis a “braggart and a BS-er” who had a “decrepit personal and professional life.” He told the jury Solis was given a script by the FBI and anything he said should be treated with suspicion. To be sure, Madigan’s legal team will have plenty of ammunition. Despite his own admittedly illegal acts, Solis was able to cut a deferred prosecution deal with the U.S. attorney’s office that many in Chicago’s legal community say is unprecedented for an elected official, especially one allegedly caught betraying the public trust. As part of the deal, Solis admitted to taking campaign cash from a real estate developer in exchange for official action as Zoning Committee chair. But instead of facing jail time, Solis will see all charges against him dropped next year, leaving him with a clean criminal record. What’s more, the deal could allow Solis to keep collecting his nearly $100,000 annual city pension, which could easily bring in a sizable sum from the taxpayer-funded system over the remainder of his lifetime. When the extraordinary leniency was made official in 2022, some in City Hall, including then-Mayor Lori Lightfoot, complained it was a travesty of justice. But the lead prosecutor on the case, Assistant U.S. Attorney Amarjeet Bhachu, told a federal judge Solis’ cooperation was perhaps “singular” even in the city’s long history of political corruption. “Some may view (Solis’ deal) as being with little precedent, but what Mr. Solis did also was with little precedent,” Bhachu said during a status hearing in Solis’ case two years ago. “He didn’t just talk. He took action. He worked with the federal government for six years to expose corruption.” Solis’ work as an FBI mole began in mid-2016, when he was confronted by investigators who had secretly listened in on hundreds of his phone calls over the course of nearly a year, including conversations where the alderman solicited everything from campaign donations to Viagra pills and sexual services at a massage parlor, court records show. He had already agreed to go undercover for investigators when he traveled to the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia later that summer with the hopes of getting Madigan on tape, the Tribune has previously reported. Instead, Burke walked into the picture and the investigation took an abrupt turn. In testimony in Madigan’s trial last month, in fact, FBI Special Agent Ryan McDonald told the jury that Madigan didn’t resume as a focus until more than a year later. Burke was convicted of an array of corruption schemes last year in large part because of Solis’ cooperation and is now serving 2 years in prison. In her opening statement to the jury in Madigan’s case, Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Streicker outlined a series of schemes involving Solis, including one where Madigan allegedly pushed the governor’s office to place Solis on a six-figure state board position in exchange for the alderman’s help in landing legal business. She showed jurors a copy of a note on Madigan’s law firm stationery that signaled Solis would be interested in sitting on a state labor relations board or on the Illinois Commerce Commission. Madigan’s moves demonstrated how he operated in a “transactional” way, Streicker said. “When Madigan saw an opportunity to enrich himself, he took it,” she said. In another episode, Streicker said, Madigan specifically requested Solis to help connect the longtime speaker with Harry Skydell, the New York-based developer of the sprawling Old Post Office. In 2017, Madigan prepared to “exploit Solis’ power” over a proposed project called Union West in the West Loop, Streicker said. With the project being considered in the City Council where Solis oversaw zoning matters, Solis let Madigan know that the developer understood there was a “quid pro quo” that Madigan’s law firm should get the property tax business, Streicker said. Later, Madigan was recorded using “whisper tones” to give a “false explanation” to Solis and told him to steer clear of using the phrase “quid pro quo,” Streicker said. Breen, meanwhile, countered by playing the exchange that was captured on a shaky video recording Solis made of Madigan explaining that Solis should not use the term “quid pro quo” because what Madigan’s property tax appeals firm is offering high-quality work. ©2024 Chicago Tribune. Visit at chicagotribune.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Hailey Bieber delights fans as she shares rare glimpse of son Jack Blues in sweet family snapBuck Pierce started his CFL career in Vancouver as a player, and that's where he will return for his first job as a head coach. The Lions announced Tuesday that the former quarterback has been hired as the 28th coach in franchise history. He replaces Rick Campbell, who was fired after the Lions posted a disappointing 9-9 record this past season and lost in the West Division semifinal in a year Vancouver hosted the Grey Cup. "Buck was a candidate we identified early in this process as someone who is ready to step in and lead our franchise," Lions general manager Ryan Rigmaiden said in a release. "His track record in the Canadian Football League as both a player and a coach says it all." B.C. Lions fire head coach and co-GM Rick Campbell as part of sweeping changes The Lions are expected to hold a press conference Wednesday morning to introduce their new coach. Pierce comes to the Lions after nine seasons on the coaching staff of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, where he had been offensive co-ordinator since 2020. He helped the Bombers win Grey Cup titles in 2019 and '21 and presided over an offence that included star quarterback Zach Collaros and Canadian rushing leader and 2024 most outstanding player Brady Oliveira. Collaros thrived after joining the Blue Bombers in 2019, when Pierce was quarterbacks coach. He was a CFL all star and the league's outstanding player in 2021 and 2022. 'Didn't have our best game,' but Bombers coach defends decision to keep injured quarterback in Grey Cup Bombers running back Brady Oliveira becomes 4th player to win CFL's top player, top Canadian awards For the 43-year-old Pierce, it's a chance to run a team and return to the city where he started his career. The former quarterback joined the Lions as a free agent in 2005 and spent five seasons there — winning a Grey Cup in 2006 — before being released. He signed with Winnipeg and spent parts of four seasons there before being traded back to B.C. part way through the 2013 campaign. He joined the Bombers staff as running backs coach after announcing his retirement following that season. "I'm extremely excited and honoured to take this next step in my coaching career with the organization that originally brought me here nearly 20 years ago," Pierce said in the release. "The building blocks are in place here and we look forward to getting to work as we strive to bring the Grey Cup back to British Columbia," he said. Pierce sits 10th on the Lions' all-time list with 8,964 passing yards, while his 713 completions are good for eighth spot. The Lions went 22-12-1 with Pierce as the starting quarterback.

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