JQJO — General news · Page 39

Nearly two years after Shohei Ohtani chose the Dodgers in free agency, the Toronto Blue Jays will face him first in Game 1 of the World Series at Rogers Centre on Friday at 8 p.m. ET, airing exclusively on FOX. Manager John Schneider joked he wants back the Blue Jays cap and Decoy’s jacket gifted during their 2023 meeting in Dunedin; Ohtani smiled that they’re “in my garage.” The Dodgers star follows a strong season and a three-homer, six-shutout-innings NLCS performance, as Los Angeles and Toronto meet on baseball’s biggest stage.

JPMorgan Chase asked a court to end what it calls “abusive billing” by Charlie Javice and Olivier Amar, saying it has covered nearly $115 million in their legal costs under its agreement from buying their startup, Frank. In a late-Friday filing, the bank said Javice’s lawyers billed about $60.1 million and Amar’s about $55.2 million, with one firm reimbursed $35.6 million. A Delaware court earlier ruled JPMorgan must advance fees under the 2021 acquisition agreement. Javice, 33, and Amar were convicted of duping the bank. JPMorgan warned of “irreparable” harm and called the fees “patently excessive.”

The US will deploy the USS Gerald R Ford and accompanying warships to Latin America, marking the biggest escalation of its Caribbean build-up. Defense secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the carrier strike group after a tenth strike on alleged drug-trafficking boats since September left 43 dead. The Trump administration frames the mission as counter-narcotics, even as Washington sanctions Colombia's President Gustavo Petro and Trump vows potential land attacks. The Pentagon says the force will target illicit networks; B-52s, F-35s and 10,000 troops are already in the region. Arrival timing was not disclosed.

The USDA says it won’t tap its $6 billion contingency fund to cover November SNAP benefits, warning states they won’t be reimbursed if they pay out anyway, according to a memo obtained by CNN. Without a reversal, roughly 42 million people could miss food assistance as the shutdown that began October 1 drags on. The agency cites legal limits on using reserves, while Democrats and advocates argue USDA is obligated to use them and other funds to meet roughly $8 billion in costs. Political pressure is mounting as WIC was sustained only by a $300 million tariff-revenue shift.

Cameron Crowe’s memoir The Uncool revisits his years as a wunderkind rock journalist and the unlikely making of Fast Times at Ridgemont High. He recalls a family-shaped draft, a withering early rejection, editor Susan Bolotin’s support, and a title change from Stairway to Heaven. Hollywood chapters follow: producer Art Linson’s backing, David Lynch’s polite pass, Amy Heckerling’s hire, Sean Penn’s immersive Spicoli, and wary studio execs. A grim test screening gave way to a packed Tempe theater and a youth-driven hit—boosting Vans’ checkerboard shoes—and prompting calls for more teen films as Crowe embraced screenwriting.

Granted unusual access to the Lakers through his friendship with LeBron James, former NBA player and assistant Damon Jones is charged in a federal gambling probe that led to arrests of Jones, Chauncey Billups and Terry Rozier. Prosecutors allege Jones, with Billups, joined alleged mafia members in a scheme to defraud poker players, and sold advance, private availability information on James and other Lakers to bettors. Jones wasn’t on staff in 2022-23 but hovered around the team; sources say James was unaware. Indictments cite bets tied to Feb. 9, 2023 and Jan. 15, 2024 games.

Federal officials said Friday the Trump administration canceled a planned surge of immigration enforcement across the Bay Area, not just San Francisco. DHS also dropped plans to bring staff from Los Angeles. Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, citing Alameda County Sheriff Yesenia Sanchez, confirmed the cancellation. The reversal followed agents staging at the Coast Guard base in Alameda, which drew more than 200 protesters, and Trump’s claim that tech executives persuaded him to call off the San Francisco deployment. Local leaders expressed cautious relief and urged vigilance.

Six members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee sent a bipartisan letter Friday to NBA commissioner Adam Silver, seeking a briefing by Oct. 31 after indictments of Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier and Damon Jones in federal investigations. The panel asked for details on alleged NBA-related illegal gambling, steps to curb leaks of nonpublic information, and whether to reevaluate betting partnerships. It also sought clarity on regulatory gaps. Silver said on The Pat McAfee Show that stronger federal regulation and tighter limits on promotion and advertising are needed to deter manipulation and combat bad fan behavior in arenas.

Pakistan banned the hard-line Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan after deadly clashes with police, with the federal cabinet unanimously citing "violent and terrorist activities." The crackdown, centered in Punjab, followed a march from Lahore to Islamabad that devolved into street battles in Lahore and Murdike. Police raided leader Saad Rizvi’s home, sealed linked mosques and seminaries, and affiliates now face anti-terror charges. Authorities blocked roads and cut mobile internet ahead of a planned rally at the U.S. Embassy. Analysts tie the move to security concerns and U.S. ties. A 2021 ban was lifted; officials now demand a "hard state" response.

An indictment unsealed in Brooklyn alleges a leak by 'Co-Conspirator 8'—whose career details match Portland coach Chauncey Billups—about a plan to tank a March 24, 2023 game against the Bulls, prompting roughly $100,000 in bets before injury news became public. Portland lost 124-96 as its top four scorers sat. Billups is not charged in that betting case. He was, however, arrested in Portland in a separate Brooklyn case alleging a poker-cheating scheme; he was placed on leave. His lawyer denies wrongdoing. The betting indictment also names six men, including Terry Rozier and Damon Jones.