On Saturday morning, Long Island Rail Road employees commenced a strike after negotiations over salary increases between the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and five labor unions reached an impasse.

Over 3,500 LIRR workers, spanning roles such as engineers, signalmen, and trainmen, initiated the strike at 12:01 a.m. following intense discussions centered on wage increases. Union representatives have emphasized that wage hikes are essential to counterbalance inflation’s impact.

“The responsibility for this strike lies with the LIRR,” stated Sean M. O’Brien, the Teamsters’ general president, in a Saturday announcement.

“For years, union workers have dedicated themselves to the railroad, consistently negotiating in good faith for equitable contracts. The LIRR is leaving passengers in the lurch while refusing to offer just wages, benefits, and respect to BLET Teamsters and other diligent union members,” O’Brien continued.

The strike is anticipated to disrupt travel for nearly 300,000 passengers, with only a few shuttle buses available for essential personnel and those unable to work remotely during weekdays. MTA chief Janno Lieber and Governor Kathy Hochul have advised other commuters to work from home as a temporary solution.

“LIRR service is suspended until further notice because of a strike,” the railroad wrote on X early Saturday.

“Avoid nonessential travel and work from home if possible. We will have limited shuttle bus service on weekdays for essential workers and those who cannot telecommute.”

Union officials said they did everything the could to reach a deal but had no choice but to walk off the job.

“To every LIRR passenger whose trip is disrupted, know that the MTA left us no choice but to strike,” said Gil Lang, general chairman of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen’s (BLET) General Committee.

“We don’t want to be on the picket line. But after three years without raises, we cannot make anymore compromises to cover for the MTA’s mismanagement.”

Workers are expected to begin picketing at Penn Station at 7 a.m. Saturday, union officials said.

The dispute between the MTA and the coalition of labor groups involves contracts that became amenable in 2023 and centers on pay and work rules for train workers.

The sides have agreed on retroactive raises of 3% in 2023, 3% in 2024 and 3.5% in 2025, but remain at odds on the unions’ request for a 5% pay raise in 2026.

Union leaders say they need higher wages to keep up with inflation.

“We’re not asking for the moon and stars. We’re asking for an agreement that keeps pace with inflation,” a source at one of the unions involved in the negotiations told The Post Wednesday.

“They’re coming up with lump-sum payments rather than putting the money in our wages.”

Gary Dellaverson, the MTA’s lead labor negotiator, said Wednesday that in recent meetings, the authority has offered individual lump-sum payments over the remaining 12 months of the contract rather than the wage increases the unions are seeking.

But union officials argue that lump-sum payments do not raise base pay and would leave workers effectively stuck at 2025 wage levels when the next round of bargaining begins.

Negotiations reportedly continued late into Friday night as the strike deadline loomed, with riders rushing to return to Long Island before service was disrupted.

“At this point, we have no idea what’s going to happen, and we’re just kind of waiting to figure it out,” commuter Jordan Rund told ABC 7 News Friday night, noting how working from home isn’t an option for him.

“I work in the West Village, so for me to drive all day from Long Island to the west side, it would take me like over two hours to be able to get there. So, it’s kind of a hassle.”

Commuter Dana Camera told the outlet working from home is out of the question for her.

“I do ultrasounds for pregnant women and gynecology and so on and I have to be there,” she said. “I can’t do that remotely.”

Options will be slim for the LIRR’s daily riders who can’t work from home during the strike. 

The MTA has planned rush‑hour shuttle buses for essential workers from five Long Island stations into Queens, at a projected cost of roughly $325,000 to $550,000 per day.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani warned riders to expect “heavier-than-usual traffic,” crowded transit and longer travel times as the strike continues.

“City Hall and agencies across the administration are actively coordinating preparedness and contingency efforts to maintain continuity for commuters and support New Yorkers as conditions evolve,” Mamdani said in a Friday night post on X.

“The MTA has announced that limited weekday bus service will be available for essential workers and others who cannot telecommute.
We encourage New Yorkers to stay informed, plan ahead and check for updates and travel guidance as more information becomes available.”

State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli estimated the strike could cost up to $61 million in lost economic activity per day, based on prior analysis, inflation and rider trends.

“A LIRR strike will be felt far beyond the tracks, triggering the loss of millions of dollars per day in lost economic activity, disrupting thousands of riders and throwing the region’s transit service into chaos and gridlock,” DiNapoli said in a statement Friday.

“I urge the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and its union partners to expedite reaching a reasonable settlement so we can avoid the widespread disruption of a strike.”

A historic Chicago church in the Little Italy area is once again welcoming visitors after undergoing an extensive two-year renovation.

The Shrine of Our Lady of Pompei, known as the oldest continuously operating Italian-American Roman Catholic Church in the Chicago Archdiocese, is marking its return.

ABC7 had the exclusive opportunity to explore the renovated church before the grand reopening celebrations on Friday night.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

For the first time since closing, the church hosted a special Mass to commemorate its reopening after the extensive renovations.

The ceremony was attended by numerous donors and prominent Catholic figures, including Cardinal Blase Cupich, the Archbishop of Chicago, who performed a blessing of the altar at the newly restored Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii.

“Wow, unbelievable really,” Mass attendee Andrew Velasquez said.

The restoration made a strong impression on Velasquez. He doesn’t live there anymore, but says he grew up on nearby Polk Street.

“This is a beautiful church,” Velasquez said. “I made my first Holy Communion here in 1956.”

ABC7 was invited inside the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii for an exclusive tour alongside Father Richard Fragomeni.

:10 seconds from start of interview SOT Father Richard N. Fragomeni / Ph.D., Rector

“I hope they feel a breath of fresh air. I really do,” Fragomeni said. “I hope that there’s a sense of, ‘ah, there’s light.’

Father Fragomeni detailed the two-year process to update the church, and to also restore the interior to its Italian-American roots.

“The ancestors gave us these beautiful windows, and all we did was brighten them up by allowing the natural light to come in,” Fragomeni said. “There’s no lights on it here, so that we are bathed in the natural light of Christ, of God, of creation.”

For more than 100 years this church has served as a tribute to Italian-American immigrants, and though the demographics of this neighborhood have changed over the years, the church remains a place for generations of Roman Catholics marking life’s milestone moments.

“There’s this strong sense that this is still the mother church of where the Italians migrated,” Fragomeni said.

An old church is new again, leaving Catholics hoping for another 100-year run in the historic neighborhood.

“Just really put the spirit back in your heart to see this beautiful shrine come to life tonight,” Mass attendee Jeff Fizer said.

Friday night’s festivities were a closed-door celebration to thank the many donors who made the renovation possible.

Sunday morning will be the first celebration Mass open to the public.

President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping recently engaged in diplomatic discussions over an opulent multi-course lunch during a crucial summit in Beijing. This culinary display of international camaraderie, however, was juxtaposed with stringent security measures as the American delegation prepared to leave China.

While the leaders delved into matters of trade and regional security amidst a fusion of traditional Chinese flavors and Western culinary techniques, the atmosphere of cordiality seemed to dissipate before reaching the airport. There, U.S. staff were instructed to discard all electronic devices and gifts acquired during their visit, highlighting the underlying tension of the diplomatic engagement.

The elaborate menu for the working lunch set the stage for these high-level talks, beginning with a delicate seafood soup featuring minced codfish, and crispy, stir-fried lobster balls that offered a taste of the sea.

Main courses showcased a blend of East meets West, with dishes such as pan-seared beef fillet stuffed with morel mushrooms, alongside classic Chinese offerings like Kung Pao chicken and scallops. These were accompanied by braised seasonal greens mixed with bamboo shoots, mushrooms, and beans, offering a vibrant and flavorful array.

The meal concluded with a savory touch of stewed beef nestled in a bun, accompanied by steamed pork and shrimp dumplings. To finish, guests indulged in a sweet selection of chocolate brownies, fresh fruit, ice cream, and a choice of coffee or tea, rounding off the diplomatic feast with a touch of universal indulgence.

However, the camaraderie of the dining room did not extend to the flight home.

As the American delegation prepared to board Air Force One, staff members were required to surrender every item provided by their Chinese hosts.

Credentials, commemorative pins and burner phones issued to the delegation for the duration of the trip were collected by security personnel and discarded in a bin at the bottom of the aircraft’s stairs.

China’s President Xi Jinping shakes hands with US President Donald Trump at a state banquet at the Great Hall of the People 

China’s President Xi Jinping makes a toast during the state banquet

Despite the public appearance of the president enjoying local delicacies, US security protocols typically dictate a far more controlled experience

As the American delegation prepared to board Air Force One, staff members were required to surrender every item provided by their Chinese hosts

Credentials, commemorative pins and burner phones issued to the delegation for the duration of the trip were collected by security personnel and discarded in a bin at the bottom of the aircraft’s stairs

While the two leaders discussed trade and regional security over a meal featuring both traditional Chinese flavors and Western techniques, the atmosphere of hospitality stopped short of the tarmac, where US staff were ordered to dispose of all electronics and gifts received during the visit

The strict security measures at the airport and the high level of food preservation underscore the deep-seated mutual suspicion that remains a hallmark of US-China relations, even amidst the most formal displays of diplomatic friendship

According to standard procedure, nothing obtained in China was permitted onto the plane to mitigate the risk of surveillance or cyber-intelligence threats.

The suspicion surrounding the trip may have even extended to the food served at the Great Hall of the People.

Despite the public appearance of the president enjoying local delicacies, US security protocols typically dictate a far more controlled dining experience.

Former Secret Service agent Joseph Petro wrote in his 2005 memoir, ‘Standing Next to History,’ that nothing edible is allowed near the president unless the Secret Service knows exactly where it originated and who handled it.

Petro noted that when the President attends a state banquet, he is often eating the same dishes as other guests, but his specific portion has been prepared by White House stewards.

For events in foreign countries, these stewards often go as far as sourcing ingredients in the United States and bringing them abroad to recreate the local menu.

Petro described the process as diplomatic theater, where the president appears to be participating in a genuine culinary exchange while eating food prepared exclusively by his own team.

These stewards often dress to match the local waitstaff, blending into the environment while ensuring the president’s plate never leaves their sight.

The White House did not respond to inquiries regarding whether the President consumed the food prepared by the Chinese chefs or if his meal was a staged American substitute.

The strict security measures at the airport and the high level of food preservation underscore the deep-seated mutual suspicion that remains a hallmark of US-China relations, even amidst the most formal displays of diplomatic friendship.

Africa’s leading public health authority announced a fresh Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Friday, with the disease claiming 65 lives and resulting in 246 suspected cases in the remote Ituri province.

The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that health officials are currently examining whether this outbreak is linked to the Ebola Zaire strain, which is notorious for being the most lethal and recognizable form of the virus, or if it involves a different variant.

In a related development, Uganda reported an Ebola-related fatality involving a Congolese national. Authorities indicated that the case was imported from Congo, raising concerns about cross-border transmission.

The outbreak is primarily affecting the Mongwalu and Rwampara health zones in eastern Congo. This region, situated near the borders of Uganda and South Sudan, poses a potential regional transmission threat due to factors such as mining-related travel, inadequate infrastructure, and ongoing security issues.

Health workers clad in protective gear are attending to Ebola patients within isolation tents, as seen in Beni, Congo, on July 13, 2019. (Photo by Jerome Delay/AP)

Ebola is a highly contagious and often fatal disease spread through bodily fluids including blood, vomit and semen. Symptoms can include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain and internal bleeding.

The Africa CDC said only four of the deaths have so far been laboratory confirmed, while testing and sequencing efforts continue to determine the exact strain involved in the outbreak.

Initial tests suggested the outbreak may not involve the Ebola Zaire strain, which was responsible for Congo’s devastating 2018-2020 epidemic that killed more than 1,000 people.

Health workers walk with a boy suspected of having the Ebola virus at a treatment center in Beni, eastern Congo, on Sept. 9, 2018. (Al-hadji Kudra Maliro/AP)

The World Health Organization (WHO) said it sent a response team to the region last week to help local officials investigate the outbreak and collect samples.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Congo has a “strong track record” responding to Ebola outbreaks and announced the agency is releasing $500,000 in emergency funding to support containment efforts.

Health authorities said Congo has stockpiles of Ebola treatments and approximately 2,000 doses of the Ervebo vaccine, though officials cautioned the vaccine is only effective against the Ebola Zaire strain and not against Sudan or Bundibugyo variants.

A health worker sprays disinfectant on a colleague after working at an Ebola treatment center in Beni, eastern Congo, on Sept. 9, 2018. (Al-hadji Kudra Maliro/AP)

This marks Congo’s 17th recorded Ebola outbreak since the virus was first identified in the country in 1976.

The Mets’ last triumph over a team with a winning record feels like a distant memory. In fact, you’d have to turn the calendar back to March 30 to find such a victory. That day, the Mets outplayed the rising Cardinals, and everything seemed promising in Queens. However, that moment now feels as if it belongs to a different era.

On that victorious day, the Mets boasted a 3-1 record, with all their wins coming against teams from the unexpectedly competitive NL Central. Yet, since that match, the team has struggled significantly, enduring a 0-12 streak against teams with winning records. This includes their 5-2 loss to the Yankees during the Subway Series opener at a surprisingly subdued Citi Field. It’s a harsh reality—twelve consecutive losses against winning teams.

To put it plainly, the current Mets team is far from impressive. Adding to their woes is a streak of unfortunate luck that seems to haunt them.

I hate to be blunt, but this isn’t a very good Mets team. And unfortunately, it’s a very unlucky one too. 

Chelsea Handler has taken a strong stance against Spencer Pratt’s potential political career, likening him to former President Donald Trump in a candid video shared on social media.

The comedian, who is 51 years old, cautioned her audience about considering the former ‘The Hills’ star, 42, as a suitable candidate for Los Angeles mayor. Handler emphasized that his background as a reality TV personality does not equate to political experience.

“If you’re watching this, remember that a straight, white male who gained fame from reality TV and lacks any government experience should not be viewed as a serious political contender,” Handler stated in an Instagram video she posted on Friday.

She continued, “Have we learned anything yet? The standards couldn’t be lower, and it’s time to raise the bar.”

In the video, Handler is seen enjoying a drink made from her own canned Vodka Lemonade, a product she introduced in collaboration with the beverage company Owl’s Brew.

Pratt, who has been gaining momentum in the race, quickly hit back at the clip, sharing a video of comedian Shane Gillis roasting Handler by reminding fans that she attended a dinner at convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s home.

Chelsea Handler, 51, blasted Spencer Pratt’s, 42, political ambitions in a profanity-laced video that compared him to Donald Trump 

Handler warned her followers that the Hills alum (pictured on The View) is a ‘former reality star’ and should not be considered as a candidate in the Los Angeles mayoral campaign

‘Most of you have probably never heard of Chelsea Handler, so here’s an introduction!’ he wrote in a caption of the clip, which he posted on X.

Gillis and Handler traded barbs during Netflix’s The Roast of Kevin Hart on Sunday.

‘Speaking of tossing tiny shrimp into a child’s mouth, Chelsea Handler went to dinner at Jeffrey Epstein’s house in 2010,’ he said, to groans from the live audience in Los Angeles.

Gillis had been homing in on Handler’s admission in 2021 that she attended a dinner party at the disgraced financier’s Manhattan townhouse an unknown number of years ago.

‘Look it up, there’s articles. It wasn’t like a big party, there were like seven people there. It was like Prince Andrew and Woody Allen were there,’ Gillis continued.

Also in attendance was talk show host Charlie Rose, Katie Couric and Allen’s third wife, Soon-Yi Previn, Handler previously told actor Rob Lowe on his podcast. 

Handler said that the dinner party was the only time she ever saw Epstein, who reportedly died by suicide in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on child sex-trafficking charges.

‘I’ve never been on the private island and I’ve never been on his plane. I’ve met him one time and that was the time,’ she told Lowe.

‘This is a reminder that a straight, white male former reality star that has no previous experience in government should not be a legitimate political candidate,’ she said in a clip

‘Have we learned anything yet? The bar is on the f*****g floor, people, and I need you to jump over it,’ the comedian added while pouring herself a drink of vodka

A number of Handler’s famous pals agreed with her in the comments of her video, with actress Busy Philipps writing, ‘i love you thank you good lord’

However, others sided with Pratt, with one commentator calling her ‘tone-deaf’ and writing, ‘Your reality isn’t ours’

Pratt quickly hit back at the clip, sharing a video of comedian Shane Gillis roasting Handler by reminding fans that she attended a dinner at convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s home

Handler previously said that the party was the only time she ever saw Epstein (pictured), who reportedly died by suicide in jail in 2019, while awaiting trial on child sex-trafficking charges 

A number of Handler’s famous pals agreed with her in the comments of her video, with actress Busy Philipps writing, ‘i love you thank you good lord.’

Marisa Tomei left a number of applause emojis, while actor Henry Winkler commented with fire emojis.

However, others sided with Pratt, with one commentator asking Handler: ‘Do you actually live here, have you driven around LA lately? Do you think we need another Democratic candidate to run our beautiful city? I’m a huge fan Chelsea but come on. They burned our town down man.’

Another wrote, ‘Nothing more tone-deaf than a celebrity living behind gates and armed security telling ordinary people how to vote while families dodge naked addicts on the way to school. Your reality isn’t ours.’

Pratt’s feud with Handler goes back to the late 2000s when she relentlessly tore into him and his wife Heidi Montag on her show Chelsea Lately.

It comes after Pratt shut down allegations that his bid for Los Angeles mayor is being filmed for a reality TV show.

The former MTV star is currently running against rivals Mayor Karen Bass, Councilwoman Nithya Raman, and progressive Christian minister Rae Huang.

TMZ and Deadline claimed that The Hills alum had signed up for an unscripted series to document his campaign for mayor.

Pratt announced he was running for the position in January, one year after his Pacific Palisades home burned down in the deadly Los Angeles wildfires.

However, a spokesperson for Pratt shut down the allegations in a statement to The Wrap on Thursday.

‘This is inaccurate. There is no series in production and cameras have not been following the campaign.’

Pratt’s feud with Handler goes back to the late 2000s when she relentlessly tore into him and his wife Heidi Montag on her show Chelsea Lately; Pratt and Montag pictured April 29

Pratt has been surging in the polls since his debate against Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Councilwoman Nithya Raman

The spokesperson further stated that Pratt has not signed any contract to film a reality show that follows his run for L.A. mayor. ‘He does not have any signed contract. No contract exists related to this because it isn’t true.’

Pratt also responded to a report that he has been living in a Bel-Air hotel amid his campaign after previously claiming he had been residing inside a trailer after his home burned down last year.

Pratt offered his response on X by penning, ‘Hey guys, why don’t they wanna talk about why I need a hotel in the first place? Karen Bass let my home burn down. Also 6,000 of my neighbors. NBD.’

The former reality star also told TMZ that he has been living at the hotel for safety reasons after receiving death threats amid his bid for mayor.

Earlier this month, Pratt took part in a debate alongside Bass and Raman which resulted in his chances of winning surging afterwards.

And he has also received support from his close friends and other celebrities, including reality star Kristin Cavallari, music producer David Foster, comedian Heather McDonald, and Paris Hilton.

Meanwhile, in a separate incident, an Alabama resident has been charged following allegations that he fatally shot his son’s 22-year-old girlfriend two months ago. The victim, a recent graduate from Auburn University, had just embarked on her career journey in interior design.

The young woman, identified as Whitney Harlow Robeson, was originally from Virginia. On March 7, she tragically succumbed to a gunshot wound at a residence on Deer Trail in Trussville, Alabama, situated roughly 15 miles from Birmingham.

Authorities were alerted at around 9:30 p.m., and emergency personnel swiftly transported her to a nearby hospital, where she was declared deceased a little over an hour later.

Following a thorough investigation, Trussville police have charged Jeffrey Scott Towers, the 54-year-old father of Robeson’s boyfriend, with reckless manslaughter. Public records reveal that both Towers and his son, who also graduated from Auburn, reside at the Deer Trail location.

Jeffrey Towers, a 54-year-old from Trussville, Alabama, is charged with manslaughter in the shooting death of 22-year-old Whitney Robeson. (Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office)

Court records have not revealed details of the shooting or evidence surrounding the charges against Towers, other than to allege he shot Robeson.

In a statement, Towers’ attorneys John Amari and Dain Stewart called Robeson’s death a “tragic event.”

Whitney Robeson, 22, studied interior design at Auburn before getting a job at RH, formerly known as Restoration Hardware. (Instagram/@whitneyharlowdesign)

“We know that the facts will show that Mr. Towers has no criminal history, has been a productive and upstanding citizen for his entire life and is not guilty of these charges,” they wrote.

Robeson’s death was initially reported as accidental to the Jefferson County Coroner/Medical Examiner’s Office, according to AL.com.

In an online obituary, Robeson’s family revealed she had wanted to work in interior design since her childhood, inspired by shows on HGTV.

Whitney Robeson, a 22-year-old Auburn University graduate from Richmond, Virginia, was shot and killed on March 7 at a home in Trussville, Alabama. (Instagram/@whitneyharlowdesign)

After graduating summa cum laude from Auburn’s interior design program, she got a job as a trade consultant for RH, formerly known as Restoration Hardware, doing just that.

She grew up in Richmond, where she had been a lifeguard and a clerk at boutique shops downtown, according to the obituary.

Towers has been freed after posting $30,000 bail. He’s due back in court on July 22.

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