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FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried hoped to be US president someday, says ex-girlfriend/hedge-fund CEO

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:09 GMT

By KEN SWEET and LARRY NEUMEISTER | Associated PressNEW YORK — Caroline Ellison, the tech executive who ran Sam Bankman-Fried ‘s hedge fund while sometimes dating him, testified Tuesday that he directed her to commit crimes before his cryptocurrency empire collapsed last November. She also revealed that her former boss thought he might be U.S. president someday.With Bankman-Fried watching from his courtroom seat, Ellison, 28, said at the New York City trial that she committed fraud, conspiracy to commit fraud and money laundering with Bankman-Fried and others as they stole from customers and investors in FTX, a company Bankman-Fried started, and lenders to his hedge fund, Alameda Research.“He directed me to commit these crimes,” she said of Bankman-Fried.Repeatedly, Ellison made clear that Bankman-Fried was behind the biggest financial moves in his companies, to the point that bitcoins he created were sometimes called “Sam’s coins.”She described him as “very ambitious” and envisioni...

Yglesias: Congress needs a centrist rebellion for shared governance

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:09 GMT

If there’s one thing everyone in the House of Representatives can agree on these days, it’s that they are mad.The most radical House Republicans are angry that former Speaker Kevin McCarthy didn’t deliver on all the promises they extorted from him to give him the job in the first place. Moderate Republicans are furious that Democrats didn’t bail out McCarthy after he tempted the wrath of the radicals by agreeing to move a continuing resolution and avert a government shutdown. And Democrats are upset that the whole shutdown drama even happened at all, since it could have been avoided had McCarthy just stuck to the deal he made to resolve the debt ceiling showdown earlier this year.It’s possible to adjudicate the balance of rage, but the simple truth is that moderates in both parties have been unduly passive — not just in this Congress, but for the last several.It’s not as if better models don’t exist. Power in the Alaska legislature, for example, is shared by a coalition of moderate ...

Former Kings coach Barry Melrose retires from ESPN after revealing Parkinson’s diagnosis

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:09 GMT

EL SEGUNDO –– Barry Melrose, the coach who guided the Kings to the 1993 Stanley Cup Final, announced Tuesday he was stepping away from his post-coaching job as a broadcaster after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.“I’ve had over 50 extraordinary years playing, coaching and analyzing the world’s greatest game, hockey. It’s now time to hang up my skates and focus on my health, my family, including my supportive wife Cindy, and whatever comes next,” said Melrose, 67, in a statement.Melrose played nearly 500 professional games on defense between the NHL and the competing World Hockey Association, most notably with the Toronto Maple Leafs. His career in coaching began at 35 and was encapsulated almost entirely within three campaigns stewarding the Kings. His tenure was highlighted by his first season, which preceded a Wayne Gretzky-led dash to a Final that saw the Kings upended by an indefatigable bunch of Montreal Canadiens.He coached Kings general manager Rob Blake and Kings pre...

Recipe: Fried Onion Burgers, an Oklahoma specialty, make an irresistible meal

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:09 GMT

Fried Onion Burgers feature sliced onions mixed in with the ground beef. (Photo courtesy of America’s Test Kitchen) Fried Onion Burgers are an Oklahoma specialty, a version that boasts a crisp crust of caramelized onions on the meat patty. It’s a technique that can turn burgers into an irresistible meal.The raw onion isn’t layered on top of the meat. Instead, the 1/8-inch thick onion slices are salted and wrung out in a clean towel to remove excess water. Ground beef is formed into balls and pressed against a mound of onions to form a patty and in the process the onions stick.Traditionally these burgers are topped with slices of American cheese. That’s fine, but I prefer sliced cheddar or provolone. If you like, you can butter and grill the buns, and then top with lettuce, tomato, and pickles.Fried Onion BurgersYield: 4 servingsINGREDIENTS1 large yellow onion, halved, placed cut side down, cut into 1/8-inch thick crosswise slices1 1/2 teaspoons salt, divide use3/4 teaspoon blac...

Disneyland raises prices for most daily admission tickets and all annual passes

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:09 GMT

Disneyland raised prices nearly across the board effective today, Oct. 11, for every type of ticket except the most basic day pass, which will remain $104 per day. The highest daily admission price, usually charged on the busiest days, increased 8.4%, from $179 to $194, for a one-park, one-day pass.Prices also went up for Magic Key annual passes, parking and Genie+ cut-the-line benefits.Related ArticlesTravel | Pixar’s ‘Turning Red’ boy band 4*Town is coming to Disneyland — but for what? Travel | Disneyland offers deep discounts on kids’ tickets in early 2024 Travel | Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk announces new rides opening next spring Travel | Disneyland theme park expansion envisions 16 rides and an outdoor show Travel | See inside Disneyland’s $6,000 a night two-story DVC Grand Villa suite “We are constantly adding new, innovative attractions and entertainment to our parks and, with our broad array of p...

Hamas’ attack on Israel pushes foreign policy into the 2024 race. That could benefit Nikki Haley

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:09 GMT

FILE - Republican presidential candidate and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley speaks during a town hall, Oct. 9, 2023, in Boone, Iowa. Haley has long tried to set herself apart from her Republican presidential rivals on foreign policy. The war provoked by Hamas' attack on Israel has shaken American politics — and put the primary race inside her wheelhouse. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)(AP/Charlie Neibergall) FILE - Republican presidential candidate and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley speaks during a town hall, Oct. 9, 2023, in Boone, Iowa. Haley has long tried to set herself apart from her Republican presidential rivals on foreign policy. The war provoked by Hamas' attack on Israel has shaken American politics — and put the primary race inside h...

Overturned tractor trailer on I-95 leads to delays before Quantico

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:09 GMT

Listen live to WTOP for traffic updates on the 8s and when it breaks.A crash on the northbound lanes of Interstate 95 in Stafford County has led to extensive delays for the Wednesday morning commute, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation.The backup was caused by an overturned tractor trailer blocking the interstate before Marine Corps Base Quantico at Exit 148, the Metropolitan Area Transportation Operations Coordination said in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.The crash resulted in one injury. An investigation is ongoing.All northbound lanes were blocked at around 5:55 a.m. and drivers were at a standstill as towing crews were on the way to the scene, but by 6:12 a.m. they were diverting traffic between Exit 143, at VA-610/Garrisonville, and Exit 148 in a left lane.Officials have moved the tractor trailer to the shoulder and are now working to reopen all northbound lanes.Delays remain, starting before Virginia state Route 630. This is ...

Sacrifice and togetherness fuels Fiji’s Rugby World Cup run. It has even enchanted King Charles III

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:09 GMT

Sacrifice and camaraderie have been the guiding principles for Fiji’s players in their bid to make history at the Rugby World Cup.They were together, arm in arm, back in July on a rainy and windy afternoon in Sigatoka, a town on the main island of Viti Levu, when they trudged 100 meters up a hill through wet sand early in a grueling World Cup training camp.They were together when the Flying Fijians — as they are fondly known — marked their arrival in France by gathering on a stage in the center of a town in Bordeaux’s suburbs to sing for the locals and later got in a huddle to sing a hymn, “Au Rai Vei Kemuni,” for King Charles III during the monarch’s state visit.They were together when bouncing back from a cruel opening loss to Wales to beat Australia for the first time in 69 years, underscoring their billing as a potential surprise package at the Rugby World Cup.And they were together when they helped teammate Josua Tuisova grieve after he was told his 7-year-old son, Tito, ...

Man United great Rooney hired as Birmingham City manager

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:09 GMT

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester United and England great Wayne Rooney was appointed manager of Birmingham City on Wednesday.Rooney, who left his position as coach of MLS team D.C. United on Sunday, has signed a three-and-a-half-year contract. “My job is to elevate the club to the next level and I can’t wait to get started,” Rooney said. “I know what the expectations are and our job is to deliver.”Birmingham is currently in sixth place in England’s second division. It parted ways with former manager John Eustace on Monday, leading to speculation of Rooney being hired as his replacement.“Wayne is a born winner,” said Birmingham co-owner and chairman Tom Wagner. “We believe, with the support of his coaching staff, the club, and our supporters, he will take Blues forward on the next stage of our journey. His playing philosophy will help to realise the ambitions we have set for Birmingham City.“Wayne has been preparing for an opportunity like this since he e...

How to complain about your upcoming student loan bill

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:09 GMT

The return of federal student loan bills may feel like a bad dream. And if poor guidance from your servicer, an incorrect balance or other account errors keep you up at night, consider filing a complaint.Borrowers filed about 101,500 student loan complaints with the Federal Student Aid office in 2022 – more than double from 2021 – and that number is poised to increase this year as repayment starts.A student loan complaint could resolve your issue and help other borrowers in similar situations. Here are expert tips on how to make a complaint that gets results.KNOW WHEN TO COMPLAINStudent loan complaints help flag errors in the system, like discrepancies with loan payments or balances, incorrect advice from your servicer, or a wrongfully denied student loan discharge or consolidation application.Complaints generally don’t help with affordability issues. Consider an income-driven repayment plan or the 12-month student loan on-ramp if you’re struggling to pay. And if you have concerns a...