Superintendent Howard Hepburn did not shy away from the challenges facing the district, saying enrollment is down and more schools will have to close.

“We will have to close schools again this year. We have to align ourselves to our enrollment realities and inherently align ourselves to our budget realities,” Hepburn said.

The superintendent said the district has about 50,000 vacant seats, and projections show the decline is continuing.

At the same time, Broward schools are expanding their curriculum to attract and support students.

All elementary schools will now offer at least three special courses, including art and physical education.

“These are challenging times for us financially, but we prioritize our students first and went through the budget line by line, and we did some trade-offs to make sure something like this could happen,” Hepburn said.

The district is also adding special space programs and expanding access to high-tech tools, including 3D printing and virtual reality. Technology currently available in a lab at Nova Middle School will be offered across the district.

Students using the virtual reality equipment can create 3D drawings while building skills like spatial reasoning.

Hepburn said the goal remains to provide opportunities for all students.

Early voting starts Monday, and election workers spent Friday putting the finishing touches on all 23 early voting locations, including the Office of the Supervisor of Elections in Doral.

Miami-Dade Supervisor of Elections Alina Garcia said her office is focused on making the voting process smooth and efficient for voters.

“It’s five minutes, but you have to do your homework,” Garcia said. “People take long because they don’t know who their candidates are.”

Early voting will run through Aug. 16.

For specific hours and voting locations, check your county elections website or by clicking this link.

The push for expanded use of Starlink comes as Zelenskyy looks for alternate ways to mitigate the need for U.S. Patriot air defense systems to thwart the steady barrage of Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian territory. The interceptors are in shorter supply as the U.S. and Israeli war against Iran continues to rage, and Trump on Friday appeared to back away from a recent commitment to give Ukraine a license to produce them.

Zelenskyy made the request directly to Trump in an Oval Office meeting this week during his whirlwind trip to Washington, according to one person familiar with the matter. He also told lawmakers later on Capitol Hill that he wanted Starlink to help with targeting inside Russia, according to a person in the room. Both officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive private discussions. Trump did not commit to Zelenskyy’s request.

Zelenskyy has been pushing to expand Starlink use for weeks

Musk has allowed the Ukrainians to use Starlink inside their own territory, including in Ukrainian regions occupied by the Russians, but has restricted use of the satellite system inside Russia.

Zelenskyy has been making the case for expanded use of Starlink with U.S. officials for at least several weeks. The White House, the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington and officials at SpaceX, which owns Starlink, did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Zelenskyy’s request. Zelenskyy’s efforts to get Musk’s permission to use Starlink to help with Ukrainian attacks inside Russia was first reported by The Atlantic.

Granting permission for an expanded use of Starlink could come with risk for Musk. The Associated Press reported in December that two NATO-nation intelligence services suspect Russia is developing a new anti-satellite weapon to target Musk’s Starlink constellation with destructive orbiting clouds of shrapnel.

The intelligence findings were shown to the AP on condition that the services involved were not identified, and the news organization was not able to independently verify the findings’ conclusions.

Russia views Starlink as a grave threat, the findings indicate. The thousands of low-orbiting satellites have been pivotal for Ukraine’s survival against Russia’s full-scale invasion, which began in February 2022.

Ukrainian leader also pitched US lawmakers during recent visit

Zelenskyy had traveled to Washington to attend Sen. Lindsey Graham's memorial service and used the visit to check in with Trump and allies on Capitol Hill.

Zelenskyy visited the Capitol following his meeting with Trump in the White House earlier in the day. Senators said the requests the Ukrainian president made were similar to what he had told them earlier in July during a meeting at the NATO summit in Turkey.

“They need access to Starlink long term to make their longer-range and intermediate-range systems more accurate,” said Sen. Mike Rounds, a Republican from South Dakota, who is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

“They prefer to be exactly on target, as opposed to, in the general area,” Rounds said. “He made that pretty clear.”

Zelenskyy spoke with lawmakers late Tuesday evening ahead of a Senate vote on a punishing new Russia sanctions package, which advanced toward a final vote expected next week.

Zelenskyy also reiterated Ukraine's need for more U.S. Patriots and the previously discussed licensing agreement so Ukraine could start producing the system in house, said Rounds, who was part of the delegation of U.S. lawmakers at the NATO conference in Ankara.

“There was a consistency from what President Zelenskyy shared with us in Turkey two weeks ago to what he shared with us again once again, in terms of what their needs are,” Rounds said. “It’s pretty straightforward.”

Trump appears to edge away from Patriots licensing commitment

But Trump appeared to edge away from the earlier commitment to give Ukraine a license to make Patriots for its military needs during a gathering of his Cabinet at the presidential retreat at Camp David, Maryland, on Friday.

Trump at the NATO summit in Turkey declared “we’ll give them the right to make Patriots” to counter missile attacks from Russia in their more than four-year war.

The president told reporters on Friday that the licensing matter remains under discussion and said he hasn't made a decision on it.

“We’re talking about it. But it’s a hard thing to give away that kind of technology,” Trump said.

Trump's relationship has improved with Zelenskyy as Ukraine has gained strength on the battlefield with Russia in recent months. And Zelenskyy has sought to portray that his war with Russia is connected to the U.S. and Israel's conflict with Iran.

U.S. intelligence has shown that Tehran provided Russia with drones to use against Ukraine. More recently, Russia has prepared to ship drones for Iran, including upgraded versions of the technology that Tehran originally supplied to Moscow after its invasion of Ukraine, according to U.S. and European officials.

Zelenskyy said ahead of this week's visit to Washington that he'd share evidence with the United States that shows Russia is assisting Iran in targeting U.S. bases in the Middle East via satellite surveillance.

Zelenskyy also has been making the case to the Trump administration that his country is well positioned to help the U.S. counter Iranian drone attacks on U.S. bases in the Middle East and Gulf allies' infrastructure.

“He has been very emphatic they are going to provide more aid to us in unmanned warfare, aerial unmanned warfare, which has been so instrumental in Iran — his people have been there, they’ve been providing technology and know-how — and they’re ready, willing and able to do it in even greater magnitude,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat from Connecticut, who sits on the Armed Services Committee. “He was very emphatic on that point.”

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AP writers John Leicester in Paris and Emma Burrows in London contributed reporting.

Skattebo declared himself nearly fully healthy at New York Giants training camp, nine months removed from his gruesome right ankle and leg injury. But after getting into some hot water with the organization for doing a backflip and landing awkwardly on that surgically repaired ankle earlier this month, he's planning to stay grounded for a while.

“Obviously, I do some dumb things here and there, but I learn from it,” Skattebo said Friday. “We’ll see when game time comes around. But right now, we’re focused on training camp, and we’ll keep the backflips off the field for now.”

Skattebo alarmed, among others, coach John Harbaugh and general manager Joe Schoen when they saw video of the backflip at Fanatics Fest in New York on July 18. He turned out to be fine, but a text message and some difficult conversations followed.

“He’s a young man that’s still getting used to the spotlight and in New York City, and you've got to be conscious of your actions, not only from a health standpoint but a perception standpoint,” Schoen said. “He knows I’d rather him not do that, especially this close to camp.”

It is not the first time Skattebo has been second-guessed for something off the field since reaching the NFL and getting hurt. He took part in a WWE show in November, weeks after surgery, took criticism from radio hosts but was not worse for the wear.

The botched backflip was a much riskier endeavor the Giants would rather he not repeat.

“The big picture message is you want to take care of yourself," Harbaugh said. "You want to take care of your team: do everything you can do to be healthy, be back, be right, be good.”

The 24-year-old running back declared in May he'd be ready for the season opener Sept. 13 against Dallas. Skattebo also told the coaching staff he'd be good for the start of camp and hit that deadline.

As a result, he has no limitations and is doing just about as well as he can.

“I've felt 99%,” Skattebo said. “I think the 100% is when I put shoulder pads on and I'm able to hit someone. That's when I tell you I'm 100%, but for now I'm 99.9% OK."

Skattebo will get that chance when the pads go on beginning Monday.

A 2025 fourth-round pick out of Arizona State, Skattebo rushed for 410 yards and five touchdowns on 101 carries before having his rookie year cut short Oct. 26 at Philadelphia. This past spring, he set a goal of playing 17-plus games and rushing for over 2,000 yards on 300 carries.

Skattebo didn't shy away from those lofty aspirations — which would give him a top-10 season in league history — but his main focus is on moving past the injury and rehab process and getting back to what he does best.

"It was a long, hard road," Skattebo said. “It’s time to play football.”

Malik Nabers did not practice Friday

After being the talk of the start of camp for getting on the field for individual drills after his own lengthy rehab from a torn ACL, Malik Nabers did not take part in practice Friday. Harbaugh called it “part of the process.”

“We’ll work through it, and every single day will be what it is that given day,” Harbaugh said. “He’s worked real hard, made a lot of progress and that’s what we decided to do today for practice.”

Neither Nabers nor the Giants have set a timetable for his return to game action.

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Wilton Manors police identified the suspect as 20-year-old Daniel Selvin.

The shooting happened around 5:15 a.m. at the Palm Gardens shopping center near North Andrews Avenue and Northeast 26th Drive, according to investigators.

Police said surveillance video from the shopping plaza shows people running for cover as gunfire erupted and a bullet struck the ground.

According to a witness, an argument happened before several shots were fired.

Dwayne Lewis told Local 10 News he was waiting at a nearby bus stop when he heard the gunshots.

“From the car, I probably heard three or four,” Lewis said.

Police said a woman was shot in the leg and taken to the hospital. Lewis said she appeared calm and alert after the shooting.

“I think she’ll be alright,” he said.

A bullet also went through the driver’s-side window of a Honda Accord parked at the shopping center.

Lewis said he saw an argument before the shooting.

“They were just arguing and I heard a woman say, ‘Baby, no; baby, no,’ then he just let off some shots,” Lewis said. “Then the two he was shooting at just ran inside the little office area there, the tax office. The shooter turned around and went away to his car.”

Police said the suspect initially fled the scene in a white vehicle.

Officers provided aid to the injured woman before Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue transported her to Broward Health Medical Center.

The victim remained hospitalized as of Friday afternoon. Police have not released additional details about Selvin’s arrest or what led detectives to identify him as the suspect.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact the Wilton Manors Police Department or Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-8477.

Clenney, 30, has been in the Miami-Dade jail since August 2022, charged with second-degree murder in the stabbing death of her boyfriend Christian Obumseli.

Miami police said the crime happened on April 3, 2022 at the One Paraiso condominium building, located at 3131 NE Seventh Ave. in the city’s Edgewater neighborhood.

Clenney ― also known as Courtney Tailor ― admitted to stabbing Obumseli, 27, after an altercation, though her attorneys claimed the then-25-year-old did so in self-defense.

Prosecutors said Obumseli was unarmed and the stabbing was not in self-defense.

Clenney was facing a possible life sentence.

Her attorneys declined to comment further on the plea deal ahead of an Aug. 10 hearing in Miami-Dade court.

Larry Handfield, the attorney for the Obumseli family, told Local 10 News that his clients were very involved in the conversations about the plea, saying all parties have agreed to a resolution and that the agreement will start their healing process.

According to an Opa-locka Police Department arrest report, the suspect was identified as Kolei Kulani McKinney, 41, of northwest Miami-Dade. His attorney, Stephan Lopez, said McKinney is a Miami Gardens police officer and a U.S. Navy veteran.

The report states that McKinney and the victim had been in a romantic relationship for about eight months but maintained separate residences.

Investigators said the incident began around 5:45 a.m. July 17 after the couple, who were driving separately, stopped near Northwest 22nd Avenue and State Road 9 in Opa-locka following what the victim described as McKinney driving erratically.

According to the report, McKinney got into the passenger seat of the victim’s vehicle, where the two argued.

The victim told detectives McKinney said, “I can’t f---ing take this no more; I’m just going to end this s---,” before pulling a black handgun from his waistband, pointing and waving it toward the windshield," investigators said.

The report states the victim asked McKinney to put the firearm away. Instead, investigators said he threw it onto the dashboard, continued acting erratically and repeatedly struck the passenger-side dashboard.

According to the report, when the victim asked McKinney to leave her vehicle, he grabbed her by the neck with both hands and began choking her. Investigators said he then placed the handgun in the vehicle’s center console and told her, “Here, you want to end it, just f---ing end it.”

The victim told detectives she feared for her life because she did not know what McKinney intended to do after he pulled out a gun, according to the report.

Authorities said the victim reported the incident to the Miami Gardens Police Department on July 19, and an Opa-locka police officer completed the initial incident report.

According to investigators, McKinney was served with a temporary injunction on July 20. The victim later told detectives that McKinney contacted her and asked her to recant her statement and stop cooperating with the investigation, the report states.

The report also states that McKinney also contacted the victim by phone on July 22 while she was at work, prompting her to file a separate report with the Fort Lauderdale Police Department alleging he violated the temporary injunction.

Investigators noted they observed no visible injuries on the victim’s neck during an interview, and there were no known witnesses or surveillance video capturing the altercation.

Police said McKinney voluntarily surrendered at the Opa-locka Police Department on Thursday while accompanied by Lopez. He was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.

Jail records show McKinney is facing one count each of aggravated assault with a firearm, illegal use or display of a firearm while committing a felony and misdemeanor witness or victim tampering.

As of Friday evening, he remained jailed at TGK on a $6,000 bond.

In a statement to Local 10 News, Lopez said McKinney “vehemently denies these allegations” and alleged the claims were “manufactured by an obsessed woman” who had been stalking and harassing his client. Lopez also said McKinney previously sought, but was unable to obtain, an injunction against her for alleged stalking and harassment.

According to an arrest report from the Miami Beach Police Department, Francisco Javier Lara, 55, who is a teacher from Austin, Texas, was arrested on two counts of child neglect without great bodily harm.

Police said officers responded to reports of a child running in and out of traffic near 33rd Street and Pinetree Drive at about 12:15 p.m.

Officers located the pre-teen running southbound before he entered a home in the 3000 block of Pinetree Drive, where officers were able to safely secure him, authorities said.

Investigators said the boy was unable to provide much information but was able to give officers a phone number belonging to his foster father. The child was then taken to the Miami Beach Police Department while officers worked to locate his caregiver.

Using police databases and cellphone location information, detectives traced the number to Lara and determined he was staying at the Catalina Hotel on Collins Avenue, the arrest report stated.

According to the report, when detectives knocked on the hotel room door, Lara eventually answered and appeared unaware that one of the children was missing until detectives asked about his foster son’s whereabouts.

“Utilizing compassion and patience, we were able to get his name and a phone number which allowed out detectives to get a location of where his father was at,” Miami Beach Police Detective Christopher Bess told Local 10’s Rosh Lowe.

The report states that officers detected a strong odor of alcohol on Lara’s breath. When asked what time it was, he reportedly told detectives he believed it was around 7 a.m., although it was approximately 2 p.m.

Inside the hotel room, detectives also found the child’s 10-year-old nonverbal foster brother, who also has autism, authorities said.

The boy was taken to the police station along with his brother, where victim advocates provided both children with food and shoes, the report stated.

According to authorities, during a post-Miranda interview, Lara told detectives he had traveled to Miami Beach from Texas with his two foster children for a vacation and planned to return home with them Friday.

Police said Lara claimed that he had put the children to bed around 9 p.m. on Wednesday before leaving the hotel room around midnight to eat at a nearby Mexican restaurant and have several alcoholic drinks. He told detectives he consumed four to five drinks at the restaurant before going to another bar, where he had two additional alcoholic beverages, the report stated.

According to the report, Lara told investigators he returned to the hotel around 4 a.m., found both children asleep and then “passed out,” remembering nothing else until police knocked on his hotel room door later that day.

However, detectives said hotel surveillance video showed Lara returning to the hotel at 5:10 a.m., leaving again at 9:03 a.m., and returning once more at 10:29 a.m. Police said Lara told investigators he had no recollection of leaving the room again and admitted it was his fault for drinking too much and blacking out.

According to the report, surveillance footage captured the eldest boy leaving the hotel alone while Lara was out before running north on Collins Avenue.

A review of employment records confirmed Lara worked as an elementary school teacher for Miami-Dade County Public Schools last year. He now lives in Texas and was visiting Miami Beach on vacation, authorities said.

Police confirmed that both boys were handed over to the Florida Department of Children and Families as Lara was taken into custody.

As of Friday afternoon, Lara was being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on a $2,000 bond.

The leadership change came as police continue searching for people involved in a fatal, gang-related shootout at a food festival near the Space Needle last weekend. A 15-year-old was arrested at the scene and has been charged with assault, but charging documents say the gun he was seen firing wasn't involved in the deaths of two bystanders.

Wilson and then-Police Chief Shon Barnes faced criticism for being slow to release key information about the shootout on Sunday, including whether suspects remained at large.

Barnes, who was the city's second Black police chief, has been credited with boosting the recruitment of officers and helping reduce crime downtown. A number of Black community organizations, a major business group and several City Council members issued statements criticizing Wilson's decision to replace him Thursday.

At a news conference Friday with Andre Sayles, a Seattle deputy chief the mayor named as interim chief, Wilson credited Barnes for his service and said that as mayor she had a clearer window into the operations at the Seattle Police Department than her critics.

The lack of communication about a mass shooting at a major public event in Seattle was not the only reason she asked Barnes to resign, she said.

“There were multiple factors,” Wilson said. “The events of Sunday played into it.”

Sayles told the news conference the department would boost police staffing at public festivals for the remainder of the summer. He also said he believed investigators are close to finding and arresting additional suspects in the shootout.

The gunfire erupted in the waning hours of the Bite of Seattle, an annual three-day festival that draws hundreds of food and retail vendors and performers. Three people, including a suspect, were killed, and four people were wounded. One of the people injured was a 2-year-old boy.

Broadcasters like ABC, Carr said in an interview on the Fox Business Network, “struck a deal with the American people. You broadcasters get subsidized access, free access to a valuable public resource, the airwaves, worth billions of dollars. In exchange, you have to operate in the public interest.”

“Look, as a country, we should have a trusted, respected news media, and we’re not there,” Carr told anchor Maria Bartiromo. “So I hope more broadcasters return to their public interest obligations.”

The FCC has been pushing ABC

The remarks came a day after ABC, issuing another salvo in an ever-escalating battle with President Donald Trump’s FCC, again accused the agency of a brazen attempt to chill its constitutionally protected free speech — and by extension, that of every media outlet in the country.

ABC accused the agency of retaliating against it simply because it doesn't like the political content of ABC’s shows.

The network's new comments came in its latest filing to the agency, expressing its formal opposition to the FCC's early review, launched in April, of eight ABC local broadcast licenses well before they expire.

“There is no question why the Commission is singling out these eight stations,” the filing said. “Each is owned by ABC, and the Administration has openly and repeatedly called for the revocation of ABC’s licenses, because it dislikes the content and viewpoints expressed on ABC network programs.”

“The retaliation against ABC is a signal to every media company in the country,” it continued. “Accommodate the Administration’s view of what news coverage should look like or pay the price. … The tools vary; the objective does not: a media industry too fearful of official reprisal to report the news freely. “

The license review is only one part of a long-simmering confrontation between ABC and the FCC. The network is also battling Carr’s efforts to make "The View,” a talk show whose hosts and guests have frequently angered Trump, subject to equal-time rules — a question ABC says the agency itself resolved more than two decades ago.

The rules require granting equal airtime to competing candidates for office. Bona fide news programs are exempt. The FCC qualified the show as such in a 2002 decision.

Kimmel has also been a target

Trump has also repeatedly called for late-night host Jimmy Kimmel to be fired.

When the FCC launched its early review of ABC’s licenses in April, it came amid a fight with Kimmel over a joke that offended Trump. The agency, however, cited diversity, equity and inclusion practices at the company, and Carr brought them up in the Fox interview.

Operating in the public interest, he said, “means you can’t run news distortions, broadcast hoax. You can’t be engaging in this invidious form of DEI discrimination.” He did not elaborate.

In its filing Thursday, ABC referred to over 140,000 comments from viewers, part of the public comment period on the issue, posted to the FCC website — more than 95% of which it said were supportive of ABC’s position.

“The outpouring of support for the Stations has been unprecedented for a license renewal proceeding," it said. “These supporters span the ideological spectrum but share a fundamental commitment to free speech and press freedom.”

In its lengthy filing, ABC also noted how rare it is that the FCC would call for early license renewal applications.

“Until the day before the Commission took this step, it had not called for license renewal applications ahead of schedule for more than fifty years,” ABC said. “The Commission’s departure from those norms lays bare what is really going on: the Administration is retaliating against ABC for the exercise of its First Amendment rights.

"That alone should stop these proceedings in their tracks.“

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Jocelyn Noveck covers the intersection of media and entertainment for The Associated Press.

Agobiado por el fétido olor que llega desde la orilla, el mesonero mexicano Alan Vázquez observaba desde la barra de un restaurante vacío en la turística localidad de Playa del Carmen, en el Caribe mexicano, cómo el sargazo descompuesto teñía de marrón las aguas turquesas.

“Es triste que un lugar tan bonito y tan alegre, que era para la fiesta y para brindar emociones a la gente, haya terminado así”, dijo el mesonero de 32 años.

Vázquez admitió que teme correr la misma suerte que otros cuatro compañeros que fueron despedidos hace dos meses ante la merma de turistas que ha golpeado a hoteles y comercios del estado de Quintana Roo, una de las joyas del turismo mexicano, donde las ventas cayeron 30% en la primera mitad del año, según estimaciones del empresariado local.

La cantidad de sargazo en las costas del Caribe mexicano se ha cuadruplicado este año en comparación con 2025 y es 27 veces mayor que el promedio histórico. Hasta junio ya se habían acumulado unas cinco millones de toneladas, según el Observatorio de Oceanografía Óptica de la Universidad de Florida.

El sargazo que está llegando al Caribe es de las especies Sargassum natans y Sargassum fluitans, originarias del Atlántico y que flotan gracias a vesículas de aire.

Para María Eugenia Allende Arandía, oceanóloga de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, el sargazo se ha vuelto un “problema muy severo” para las comunidades de las costas caribeñas.

Pese a la adversidad, Vázquez afirmó que no está dispuesto a rendirse ni a retornar a su estado natal de Michoacán, de donde salió hace 12 años. “Me adoptó Playa del Carmen y no lo voy a dejar ahora, sé que las cosas van a mejorar”.

Un problema que se expande por el Caribe

En Puerto Rico el sargazo ha cubierto las aguas que rodean zonas turísticas muy frecuentadas, entre ellas La Parguera.

“No recuerdo haber tenido tanta concentración en tantos sitios a la vez”, expresó Waldemar Quiles, secretario de Recursos Naturales del territorio estadounidense.

En 2025 una cantidad récord de 40 millones de toneladas métricas de sargazo flotó a la deriva por el océano Atlántico. Gran parte acabó en la costa de Puerto Rico, lo que llevó al gobernador a declarar el estado de emergencia.

“Ya no se trata de un fenómeno aislado”, señaló Emmanuel Maldonado González, sociólogo medioambiental de la Universidad de Carolina del Este. “Se está convirtiendo en un peligro cada vez mayor”.

Aunque el sargazo proporciona un lugar de cría para animales como tortugas, peces y aves marinas, también reduce el oxígeno del agua, asfixia las raíces de los manglares e impide que la luz solar llegue a los corales y a las praderas marinas. Una vez que llega a la costa también impide que las tortugas recién nacidas alcancen el océano, según los científicos.

La macroalga contiene altos niveles de arsénico y otros metales pesados y contaminantes orgánicos. Al descomponerse en las playas produce sulfuro de hidrógeno, un gas que huele como huevos podridos que puede causar irritación respiratoria.

El sargazo también ha llegado a las costas de las Islas Vírgenes de Estados Unidos donde actualmente se puede caminar cerca de siete metros mar adentro sin mojarse los pies, según la consultora medioambiental Amy Dempsey, quien consideró la situación como la peor en los últimos cinco años.

Es la primera vez que los científicos observan un crecimiento a gran escala del sargazo en zonas como el Caribe y el Golfo de México. Por lo general, estas algas se reproducen de forma asexual a medida que se desplazan desde África occidental, explicó Brian Barnes, científico marino y profesor asistente de investigación de la Universidad del Sur de Florida.

El sargazo que ha comenzado a reproducirse en la región antes de lo habitual este año tiene su origen en la cifra récord de 40 millones de toneladas métricas registrada el año pasado.

“La floración de 2025 fue tan grande que, en realidad, nunca desapareció”, explicó Barnes. “Fue suficiente para dar lugar a una nueva floración a nivel local”.

Pesca del sargazo en alta mar, la estrategia mexicana

El gobierno de México dejó desde hace siete años en manos de la Secretaría de Marina la recolección de las miles de toneladas de sargazo que llegan a diario a sus costas en el Caribe.

Para esa operación, de la que participan unos 500 marinos, se han dispuesto 11 buques sargaceros, un buque oceánico, un sargacero anfibio, 18 embarcaciones menores y 16.000 metros de barrera de contención que se han colocado en puntos de alta afluencia turística en las localidades de Cancún, Tulum, Puerto Morelos, Playa del Carmen y Mahahual.

Según las autoridades esta operación permite recoger alrededor de 1.200 toneladas de sargazo por día, apenas el 30% de lo que llega al Caribe mexicano.

Ante la previsión de un aumento en el arribo de la macroalga y su consecuente efecto social, económico y ambiental, la presidenta mexicana Claudia Sheinbaum anunció la víspera una inversión de unos 115 millones de dólares para adquirir dos remolcadores, seis sargaceras costeras, barreras de contención y otros equipos para elevar este año a 1.800 toneladas diarias la recolección y llevarla a 4.000 toneladas diarias el próximo año. Todas las embarcaciones serán construidas por la Armada mexicana.

Con las nuevas embarcaciones se busca incrementar la recolección en el mar y no en las playas, que concentran en la actualidad la mayor parte de la actividad, dijo a The Associated Press el contralmirante Topiltzin Flores Jaramillo, coordinador de la Estrategia de Contención del Sargazo.

La reutilización es otra alternativa

Desde la empresa privada, la academia y el gobierno se han impulsado varias iniciativas para reutilizar el sargazo como una alternativa para enfrentar el fenómeno y garantizar una fuente de ingresos a las comunidades costeras mexicanas.

Una de esas iniciativas es impulsada por un grupo interdisciplinario de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México que desde 2021 trabaja en siete escuelas de las comunidades turísticas de Cozumel, Akumal y Puerto Morelos, en Quintana Roo, para promover entre los adolescentes proyectos para la reutilización del sargazo en la elaboración de jabones, calzado y libretas, entre otros productos, indicó Allende Arandía, una de las integrantes del grupo de investigadores.

También diferentes empresas privadas de ese estado han desarrollado pequeñas plantas para procesar la macroalga y transformarla en biofertilizantes, ladrillos y hasta productos cosméticos.

La empresa mexicana Carbonwave se dedica a la transformación del sargazo en bioestimulantes agrícolas y emulsionantes cosméticos.

Rafael Carranza, director de Operaciones y Finanzas de Carbonwave, reconoció que aunque el arranque de la planta en 2020 fue difícil, en los últimos años han logrado posicionar el bioestimulante agrícola en el mercado local e incluso exportarlo a Estados Unidos, Ecuador y Brasil.

El año pasado la planta procesó cerca de 300 toneladas de sargazo fresco y este año espera superar esa meta, precisó Carranza.

En tanto, el gobierno mexicano busca coordinar los esfuerzos internacionales para combatir el sargazo y tiene previsto celebrar un encuentro el 1 y 2 de octubre con países del Caribe, Brasil y Japón.

La secretaria de Medio Ambiente, Alicia Bárcena, dijo la víspera que la ayuda de Brasil es fundamental porque la falta de tratamiento del agua en el Amazonas hace que cuando desemboca en el mar tenga más compuestos que alimentan el alga. Agregó que Japón ya ha mostrado su disposición a apoyar con barcos balleneros que ya no utiliza y que pueden ser adaptados para recolectar sargazo.

Antonio Oseguera Cervantes worked for cartels with his brother Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, the drug lord known as “El Mencho” who was killed by the Mexican army in February, according to federal prosecutors.

El Mencho co-founded and led the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación, known by its Spanish-language acronym CJNG. Last year, President Donald Trump’s administration designated the CJNG and other cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.

Antonio Oseguera Cervantes, 67, of Michoacán, Mexico, faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison. U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell is scheduled to sentence him on Nov. 13.

Besides the conspiracy charge, Oseguera Cervantes also pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking conspiracy.

Oseguera Cervantes was transferred from Mexico to the U.S. for prosecution in February 2025. He was a member of the Milenio Cartel before his brother co-founded the CJNG.

Trump told reporters at Camp David on Friday morning that administration officials had “agreed not to have a fund” that compensates his political allies, yet made clear that he disagrees with that decision.

The comments came hours after an early morning social media post in which Trump said people who had been prosecuted by the Justice Department — many of them for their involvement in the violent Jan. 6, 2001, attack on the Capitol — “are suffering still, many ruined, and I felt that they should be given compensation for what has been done to them.”

Trump’s reluctant declaration that the fund won't be created came as Republican Sens. John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, both members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, say they won’t support Todd Blanche’s nomination for attorney general until they see that promise in writing. They have been working for weeks with the White House and Blanche, who is now the acting attorney general, to produce a document to that effect, but both senators have said they aren’t satisfied so far.

“The President made it clear today that the so-called Anti Weaponization Fund is still alive, which is exactly why we are attempting to formally end it,” Tillis said after Trump’s initial social media post.

Trump said in his post that Blanche should be immediately confirmed and is a “pawn in this whole thing.”

Cornyn, Tillis want promises in writing

Blanche said at a hearing two months ago that the anti-weaponization fund would not move forward after Republican senators revolted and held up an immigration funding bill.

But Tillis, who is retiring when his term ends in January, and Cornyn, who lost reelection this year after Trump endorsed his primary opponent, said they want to ensure that the White House doesn’t reverse course, especially as Trump continues to argue that a fund is needed.

The Justice Department has provided the senators with language that says Blanche’s May 18 order establishing the “Anti-Weaponization Fund” is “rescinded and shall have no force or effect,” according to a document reviewed by The Associated Press.

Cornyn and Tillis have said they also want some clarifications on a separate piece of the settlement that would grant Trump and members of his family immunity from tax audits. Cornyn said this week that it was his understanding that the audits could extend to more than 100 different Trump organization subsidiaries into the future.

“Todd Blanche said it was limited to the parties to the litigation — and it was retrospective, not prospective,” Cornyn said. “And all we’re doing is asking them to put that in writing.”

Blanche nomination is delayed in the Senate

The Judiciary Committee postponed a vote on Blanche’s nomination that had been scheduled for Thursday morning after Tillis and Cornyn said they needed more from the administration before they could provide the necessary votes.

After the meeting was delayed, Trump said in a social media post that he might pull Blanche’s nomination and resubmit it after Cornyn and Tillis leave office next year. But the two sides continued to negotiate through Thursday afternoon, when Blanche, Cornyn and Tillis met on Capitol Hill.

On Friday, a person familiar with the negotiations said talks had been positive but the senators were still awaiting a new offer from the Justice Department. The person requested anonymity to discuss the private negotiations.

The two senators have repeatedly said the Justice Department seemed interested in reaching an agreement, but the White House wouldn’t budge even to aid the confirmation of Trump’s loyal former personal attorney, who has aggressively pursued the administration’s priorities as acting attorney general.

“I think as far as Blanche and the Department of Justice, we were pretty much on the same page,” Cornyn said Thursday. “But then when the president got wind of it, he wasn’t willing to go along with it.”

Tillis said Blanche has been “has been forthright, thoughtful and patient” but attributed the holdup to an “incompetent personal adviser” to the president, even as Trump himself continued to advocate for the fund.

Behind the scenes, Trump legal adviser Boris Epshteyn is being blamed as an obstacle to an agreement that would let Blanche move forward, according to three people who have direct knowledge of the discussions and requested anonymity to discuss them.

Saying the AP’s “sources are wrong,” White House communications director Steven Cheung said “anyone trying to assign blame to the President or his team has no earthly idea of what is going on and clearly is trying to deflect from the issue at hand — Todd Blanche will be an exceptional Attorney General and he should be confirmed immediately.”

Also on Friday, Trump’s attorneys notified a court it would appeal a judge’s scathing ruling that characterized the settlement of the president’s lawsuit against the IRS as an improper exercise in self-dealing. The judge in her order earlier this month referred one of Trump’s attorneys for potential disciplinary action and criticized Blanche’s involvement in the settlement, given his prior representation of Trump.

Blanche has said he disagrees “with the judge’s insinuations” about him.

Settlement fund could have benefited Jan. 6 rioters

Even as they are usually deferential to Trump, a number of Republican senators have expressed strong objections to the settlement.

“The criminals who assaulted police officers and defiled our nation’s Capitol are not ‘great American patriots’ who are ‘victims of government abuse,’” Tillis said, echoing Trump’s comments about the rioters who could potentially have received payouts. On his first day back in office, Trump pardoned more than 1,500 people who had been charged in the attack.

Republican Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana said Thursday that the majority of Senate Republicans aren’t comfortable with the settlement fund.

“Blanche said it’s dead, and he testified that it’s not coming back,” Kennedy said. “But for whatever reason, somebody didn’t want to put it in writing.”

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Associated Press writers Eric Tucker and Lisa Mascaro contributed to this report.

Según la Oficina del Sheriff de Broward (BSO), agentes y equipos de Oakland Park Fire Rescue respondieron alrededor de las 6:35 p.m. del miércoles a la intersección de Northwest 44th Street y Northwest 31st Avenue tras reportes de un accidente.

Los detectives informaron que Milton Pérez, de 51 años, conducía un BMW 640i modelo 2012 en dirección sur por Northwest 31st Avenue, acercándose a Northwest 44th Street, cuando ocurrió el accidente.

Los investigadores dijeron que una mujer, cuya identidad no ha sido divulgada públicamente, giraba a la izquierda desde Northwest 31st Avenue hacia Northwest 44th Street cuando el BMW impactó su Honda Civic modelo 2014.

Según los detectives, el impacto provocó que el Civic girara en sentido contrario a las agujas del reloj. Mientras el vehículo giraba, la conductora salió expulsada por la ventana del lado del pasajero y quedó junto al vehículo.

Paramédicos de Oakland Park Fire Rescue declararon muerta a la mujer en el lugar, informaron los investigadores.

Según la BSO, Pérez fue trasladado a un hospital local con heridas que no ponen en peligro su vida.

Los detectives no han informado a quién consideran responsable de la colisión.

La investigación continúa en curso.

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According to the Broward Sheriff’s Office, deputies and Oakland Park Fire Rescue crews responded around 6:35 p.m. Wednesday to the intersection of Northwest 44th Street and Northwest 31st Avenue following reports of a crash.

Detectives said 51-year-old Milton Perez was driving a 2012 BMW 640i southbound on Northwest 31st Avenue, approaching Northwest 44th Street when the crash occurred.

Investigators said a woman, whose identity has not been publicly released, was making a left turn from Northwest 31st Avenue onto Northwest 44th Street when the BMW struck her 2014 Honda Civic.

According to detectives, the impact caused the Civic to rotate counterclockwise. As the vehicle spun, the driver was ejected from the passenger-side window and came to rest next to the vehicle.

Paramedics with Oakland Park Fire Rescue pronounced the woman dead at the scene, investigators said.

Perez was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries, according to BSO.

Detectives have not said who they believe was at fault for the collision.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Daniel Ramirez, de 47 años y residente de Lubbock, Texas, fue arrestado la mañana del viernes por el Departamento de Policía de Miami en una terminal de cruceros de Royal Caribbean en PortMiami. Enfrenta un cargo grave de agresión.

La Policía de Miami informó que el incidente ocurrió el domingo por la noche después de que la empleada sorprendiera a Ramirez “dentro de un área exclusiva para empleados consumiendo guarniciones” y le pidiera que dejara de hacerlo.

Las autoridades indicaron que Ramirez respondió: “Perra, ¿qué quieres que haga, que lo escupa?”, y ambos abandonaron el área del bar.

Sin embargo, según el informe de arresto del Departamento de Policía de Miami, el gerente de la mesera la llamó nuevamente después de que Ramirez presentara una queja.

“Según la víctima, (Ramirez) le dijo al gerente que ninguna mujer podía decirle qué hacer y que la víctima debía ser reprendida”, señala el informe de arresto.

La Policía informó que el gerente le pidió a la mesera que fingiera que estaba siendo reprendida.

Las autoridades indicaron que más tarde, después de que la víctima entró por la puerta principal para hablar con otro empleado, Ramirez “la empujó con fuerza, provocando que cayera contra un perchero metálico”.

“Como resultado de la caída, la víctima se golpeó la cabeza y se fracturó uno de los dientes frontales”, señala el informe.

La Policía informó que la víctima logró tomarle fotografías antes de que se marchara, pero cuando Ramirez “se dio cuenta de que ella lo estaba fotografiando, se dio la vuelta, le golpeó el teléfono celular de la mano, la empujó en el rostro y provocó que cayera al suelo” y perdiera el conocimiento. Luego, Ramirez huyó, según la Policía.

Según el informe, un agente del Departamento de Policía de Miami “intentó entrevistar a la familia que permanecía en la mesa con el acusado para obtener la identidad de (Ramirez)”, pero todos se negaron a cooperar o proporcionar información.

La Policía informó que, tras recibir la pista de Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers, logró identificar a Ramirez y la víctima lo reconoció en una rueda de reconocimiento.

Alrededor de las 6:40 a.m. del viernes, la Policía indicó que la Oficina de Aduanas y Protección Fronteriza de Estados Unidos (CBP) informó al Departamento de Policía de Miami que había detenido a Ramirez en el puerto.

Los investigadores señalaron que, al ser detenido, Ramirez “de manera espontánea manifestó que había ‘chocado con una mujer’”.

La Policía indicó que posteriormente se negó a hablar con los investigadores del Departamento de Policía de Miami.

Hasta la tarde del viernes, Ramirez permanecía detenido en el Centro Correccional Turner Guilford Knight y, según los registros de la cárcel en línea, su fianza figuraba como “pendiente de fijarse”.

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According to an arrest report, Maguadalupe Barajas Sandoval, 66, and Cynthia Leslie Hurtado, 35, were arrested Thursday by the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office following a multi-agency investigation involving the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

The report states investigators began looking into the operation in July 2025 after receiving information that Barajas Sandoval and other suspects were involved in trafficking “multi-pound quantities of crystalline methamphetamine” from Las Vegas to the Miami area.

Investigators said the organization used USPS facilities in Nevada to mail packages containing methamphetamine to Miami-Dade County.

The report states undercover agents received multiple shipments during the investigation that tested positive for methamphetamine.

According to the report, investigators in June intercepted two USPS Priority Mail Express packages addressed to undercover agents in Miami.

The report states one of those packages contained about 1,425 grams of suspected methamphetamine, or roughly 3 pounds, while another contained about 955 grams, or roughly 2 pounds.

The report also states undercover agents arranged several drug purchases from the suspects and sent payments through Zelle accounts connected to members of the alleged organization.

Investigators said Barajas Sandoval, Hurtado and other suspects communicated with undercover agents about the drug transactions, including arranging payments and shipments.

Barajas Sandoval is facing five counts each of controlled substance importation into Florida, trafficking more than 200 grams of amphetamine and unlawful use of a communications device, according to jail records. Hurtado is facing four counts each of the same charges.

As of Friday, Barajas Sandoval was being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on a $1.025 million bond. Hurtado was also being held at TGK on an $820,000 bond.

Según un informe de arresto, Maguadalupe Barajas Sandoval, de 66 años, y Cynthia Leslie Hurtado, de 35, fueron arrestadas el jueves por la Oficina del Sheriff de Miami-Dade tras una investigación conjunta en la que participaron el Departamento de Cumplimiento de la Ley de Florida (FDLE), Investigaciones de Seguridad Nacional (HSI), la Administración para el Control de Drogas (DEA) y el Servicio de Inspección Postal de Estados Unidos.

El informe indica que los investigadores comenzaron a indagar sobre la operación en julio de 2025 tras recibir información de que Barajas Sandoval y otros sospechosos estaban involucrados en el tráfico de “múltiples libras de metanfetamina cristalina” desde Las Vegas hacia el área de Miami.

Los investigadores dijeron que la organización utilizaba instalaciones del Servicio Postal de Estados Unidos (USPS) en Nevada para enviar por correo paquetes que contenían metanfetamina al condado Miami-Dade.

El informe indica que agentes encubiertos recibieron múltiples envíos durante la investigación que dieron positivo a metanfetamina.

Según el informe, en junio los investigadores interceptaron dos paquetes de USPS Priority Mail Express dirigidos a agentes encubiertos en Miami.

El informe señala que uno de esos paquetes contenía aproximadamente 1,425 gramos de presunta metanfetamina, es decir, alrededor de tres libras, mientras que otro contenía aproximadamente 955 gramos, o alrededor de dos libras.

El informe también indica que agentes encubiertos coordinaron varias compras de droga con los sospechosos y enviaron los pagos a través de cuentas de Zelle vinculadas con miembros de la presunta organización.

Los investigadores dijeron que Barajas Sandoval, Hurtado y otros sospechosos se comunicaban con los agentes encubiertos sobre las transacciones de droga, incluida la coordinación de pagos y envíos.

Según los registros de la cárcel, Barajas Sandoval enfrenta cinco cargos de importación de sustancias controladas a Florida, cinco cargos de tráfico de más de 200 gramos de anfetamina y cinco cargos por uso ilegal de un dispositivo de comunicación. Hurtado enfrenta cuatro cargos por cada uno de esos mismos delitos.

Hasta el viernes, Barajas Sandoval permanecía detenida en el Centro Correccional Turner Guilford Knight con una fianza de $1,025,000 USD. Hurtado también permanecía detenida en el TGK con una fianza de $820,000 USD.

Both notes initially went to a Tucson television station days after the 84-year-old mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie went missing from her home outside Tucson on Feb. 1. Authorities have not said whether Nancy Guthrie is still alive.

The Pima County Sheriff's Department said “we believe these distinctive linguistic characteristics may be recognizable to someone who knows or has interacted with the notes’ writer.”

The first note, sent Feb. 2, said Guthrie was safe but scared and would be released unharmed once her captors received $4 million in cryptocurrency, with the ransom amount increasing if the first demand was not met.

It said Guthrie would be released within 12 hours if the payment was received. It also included a threat to kill her if the ransom wasn’t paid.

"Your mother is aware of this and her life is in your hands,” the first note read. “It is in the best interest of everyone to have this completed as soon as possible.”

The second note was sent Feb. 6 and said Guthrie died shortly after she was taken. “She is buried in nature now,” the second note said. “Nothing you could have done could have changed the outcome.” The note ends with an apology, “We are truly sorry.”

Investigators hope the writing itself will help identify its author

The sheriff’s department said the notes reveal a distinctive pattern of word choices and provide insight into the writer’s mindset. The agency said someone who knows the notes’ writer may recognize the patterns.

Authorities similarly used a suspect’s own writings as a tool to apprehend Theodore “Ted” Kaczynski, branded the “Unabomber” by the FBI. Kaczynski, who killed three people and injured 23 others with mail bombs over a 17-year span, pressured The Washington Post, in conjunction with The New York Times, to publish his 35,000-word manifesto in 1995. Federal authorities encouraged its publication, leading Kaczynski’s brother and sister-in-law to recognize the syntax and anti-technology themes and tip off the FBI, bringing to a close the agency’s longest and costliest investigation at the time.

In a statement Friday, the sheriff’s department also appealed to people who may know something about the case, saying it may be difficult to come forward due to a personal relationship with someone involved or just for their own safety.

“We recognize relationships and loyalties change over time as do people and their perspectives,” the sheriff’s department wrote. “It is not too late to come forward.”

Authorities say new evidence suggests the kidnapping was planned

The sheriff’s office also said Friday that two videos recovered from Guthrie’s doorbell camera might be from two separate days and indicate an unidentified male prepared ahead of when Guthrie was taken. Authorities are seeking information on anyone who was behaving differently, changed their physical appearance, suddenly left the Tucson area, or had a noticeable or unexplained interest or disinterest in the case.

“Investigators continue to pursue every available technological and investigative lead,” the sheriff’s office said. “However, community members remain a vital resource as we seek to provide answers for Nancy’s family.”

On Feb. 4, Savannah Guthrie and her siblings first shared a video statement saying they were aware of media reports of a purported ransom letter and that they were ready to talk and listen, but they wanted proof that their mother was alive. Camron Guthrie, the brother of the “Today” co-anchor, said the following day that the family had not heard directly from whoever took their mother.

A day after the second note was sent, Savannah Guthrie said on Feb. 7 that the siblings received a message and “understand,” without sharing details. She said they were begging for their mother to be returned to them. “We will pay,” Guthrie said.

The family has continued to share their pleas for information in videos posted to social media.

Two men previously detained have filed a lawsuit

Also, two men detained and released early in the investigation into Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance are seeking a combined $3 million against a southern Arizona sheriff’s department. In a legal claim, they say they were wrongfully held by law enforcement.

The claim made Thursday against Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos’ department centers on the separate detentions of Carlos Alfredo Palazuelos and Daniel Maddow on Feb. 10. It said they were released hours later but have suffered from having been mentioned in the investigation.

Nanos’ office declined to comment on the notice of claim, a necessary precursor to filing a lawsuit against government entities.

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Associated Press writer Hannah Schoenbaum in Salt Lake City contributed to this report.

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Daniel Ramirez, 47, of Lubbock, Texas, was taken into custody by the Miami Police Department Friday morning at a Royal Caribbean cruise terminal at PortMiami. He’s facing a felony battery charge.

Miami police said the incident happened on Sunday evening after the employee spotted Ramirez “inside an employee-only area consuming garnishes” and told him not to eat them.

Authorities said Ramirez responded, “B----, what do you want me to do, spit it out?” and both left the bar area.

However, according to an MPD arrest report, the server’s manager called her back over after Ramirez made a complaint.

“According to the victim, (Ramirez) told the manager that no woman was allowed to tell him what to do and that the victim needed to be reprimanded,” the arrest report states.

Police said the manager told the server to pretend like she was being reprimanded.

Authorities said later, after the victim went inside through the front entrance to talk to another employee, Ramirez “forcefully shoved her, causing her to fall into a metal garment rack.”

“As a result of the fall, the victim struck her (head) and chipped one of her front teeth,” the report states.

She was able to snap photos of him before he left, police said, but when Ramirez “realized she was photographing him, he turned around, struck the cellular phone out of her hand, pushed her in the face and caused her to fall to the ground” and lose consciousness. Ramirez fled, police said.

According to the report, an MPD officer “attempted to interview the family who had remained at the table with the defendant in an effort to obtain (Ramirez’s) identity,” but they all refused to cooperate or provide information.

Police said after receiving the Crime Stoppers tip, they were able to identify Ramirez and the victim picked him out of a lineup.

At around 6:40 a.m. Friday, police said U.S. Customs and Border Protection informed MPD that they apprehended Ramirez at the port.

Investigators said Ramirez, upon being apprehended, “spontaneously stated that he had ‘run into a lady.’”

Police said he later declined to speak with MPD investigators.

“I’m really thankful that he was apprehended and arrested and that he’s sitting there thinking about his actions,” the server, who has asked to remain anonymous, told Local 10 News. “It’s very disgusting ― and I wonder how he would feel if it was done to somebody in his family.”

As of Friday afternoon, Ramirez was being held in the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center with a bond listed as “to be set” in online jail records.

Una zona clave del océano Pacífico que se usa para medir la fuerza de El Niño alcanzó esta semana su nivel más cálido e intenso jamás registrado por 15ta semana desde que se formó, lo cual es muy temprano en su ciclo de vida, informaron científicos de la Universidad de Columbia.

El Niño, un calentamiento natural del Pacífico cerca del ecuador que distorsiona los patrones meteorológicos en todo el mundo, no alcanzará su punto máximo sino hasta dentro de varios meses y debería durar hasta la primavera de 2027. La Organización Meteorológica Mundial OMM), un organismo de la ONU, advirtió el viernes que probablemente desencadenará calor extremo, sequía y lluvias intensas hasta bien entrado el próximo año.

“Hace dos meses advertí que El Niño estaba llegando a nuestra puerta. Ahora está dentro de la casa, y subiendo la temperatura”, dijo el viernes a los periodistas el secretario general de las Naciones Unidas, Antonio Guterres. “Ya hemos soportado un verano de extremos: domos de calor que rompieron récords, incendios forestales apocalípticos que arrasan España, Francia y mucho más allá, miles de vidas perdidas en condiciones abrasadoras”.

“Pero según la ciencia más reciente, esto es solo un acto de preparación”, afirmó Guterres, y añadió que, a medida que El Niño se fortalezca, estará “echando leña a un planeta que ya está en llamas”.

“Estamos en territorio desconocido”, sostuvo. “La crisis climática está a toda marcha”.

La mayoría de los modelos de pronóstico por computadora muestran que este fenómeno de El Niño probablemente romperá el récord histórico de intensidad cuando alcance su punto máximo, en algún momento hacia finales del otoño o por esas fechas, pero eso no está garantizado, señalaron los científicos.

Se avecinan extremos caóticos de lluvia, sequía y un calor nunca visto

Aún es temprano en la vida —casi de un año— de un El Niño típico como para ver muchos efectos directos, pero llegarán, indicaron los científicos, lo cual coincide con las advertencias de Guterres. Los efectos de El Niño se combinarán con el calentamiento global de largo plazo provocado por la quema de carbón, petróleo y gas.

“Estamos viendo algo que es el julio más cálido jamás registrado para esa región específica”, utilizada como indicador de El Niño, dijo Jeffrey Shaman, climatólogo de la Universidad de Columbia. “Dentro de un año, va a hacer muchísimo calor en el hemisferio norte. Y posiblemente tengamos un verano como nunca hemos experimentado a nivel mundial”.

Pero antes de eso, es probable que el potente fenómeno cause cambios en los patrones de lluvia que traerán extremos caóticos a distintas partes del mundo en otoño e invierno. Hay una alta probabilidad de sequía e incendios forestales en Indonesia, India y otras partes de Asia, el sur y el este de Australia, zonas de Sudamérica y regiones del sur de África, advirtió la OMM. Otras áreas, entre ellas, gran parte de Estados Unidos y el sur de Europa afectado por incendios, recibirán lluvias por encima del promedio.

“Este El Niño, que se desarrolla sobre el telón de fondo de un calor oceánico sin precedentes y temperaturas en aumento, brinda a los gobiernos y las comunidades una ventana de oportunidad para anticipar riesgos y actuar antes de que se desplieguen los impactos”, dijo Celeste Saulo, secretaria general de la OMM.

El Niño amplifica el calentamiento causado por el ser humano

Aunque El Niño y el cambio climático son fenómenos separados, sus efectos crean una combinación dañina, y la gente no toma este vínculo con la seriedad suficiente, dijo Guterres.

“Escuchamos mucho sobre calor, sequía e incendios forestales récord, pero no lo suficiente sobre el verdadero cambio que impulsa estos eventos: la crisis climática que se acelera, alimentada por los combustibles fósiles”, expresó Guterres.

Guterres señaló que el mundo está demasiado absorto en dramáticas guerras en Ucrania, Oriente Medio y Sudán como para notar los peligros del cambio climático. Además, “existe una campaña deliberada, en particular por parte de la industria de los combustibles fósiles y algunos países, para fingir que los problemas que estamos presenciando en realidad no existen”.

La ONU debe ser más activa y movilizar la opinión pública “para decirles a los gobiernos que es hora de reconocer esta amenaza como una amenaza existencial para todos nosotros”, declaró a los periodistas.

Gran parte del calor producido por la quema de combustibles fósiles queda atrapado en los océanos, pero “durante un El Niño el océano, en cierto sentido, puede devolver parte de las acumulaciones de calor del calentamiento global a la atmósfera”, explicó Shaman. Aunque este El Niño terminará, el calor liberado permanece en el aire, junto con las temperaturas más altas, que volverán a subir en el próximo El Niño, agregó.

Guterres pidió más sistemas de alerta temprana y sistemas de enfriamiento para afrontar el calor extremo. Afirmó que la industria y los gobiernos deben hacer que el trabajo sea más seguro, y destacó la industria de la confección, que cuenta con 90 millones de trabajadores, la mayoría mujeres. En 17 de los 23 mayores centros de fabricación de ropa, los días peligrosamente calurosos aumentaron en más de un 10% en los últimos 20 años, “y sin embargo la mayoría de las marcas globales no fija ningún estándar de calor para las fábricas que las abastecen”.

Pero, sobre todo, dijo Guterres, “el mundo debe dejar de alimentar la crisis.... Más carbón, petróleo y gas provocarán un futuro más combustible”.

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Borenstein informó desde Washington.

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La cobertura climática y ambiental de The Associated Press recibe apoyo financiero de múltiples fundaciones privadas. La AP es la única responsable de todo el contenido. Encuentra los estándares de la AP para trabajar con organizaciones filantrópicas, una lista de las fundaciones y las áreas de cobertura que financian en AP.org.

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Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de AP con la ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.

Friday marks the last day of a contract under which the federal government pays for legal services for children who enter the U.S. without a parent or guardian. The government contracts out those services to a network of nearly 100 legal groups across the country that provide services to roughly 20,000 children.

The Trump administration did not immediately respond to a request for comment on why it was allowing the contract to expire. But it comes as the administration has redoubled its efforts to achieve its policy of mass deportations, and after migrant children became a target for removal from the country during the first year of President Donald Trump’s second term in office.

As part of the expiring contract, the legal groups can enter government-funded shelters and give presentations to children about their legal rights, and directly represent the children as they go through immigration court proceedings.

But as that contract ends, the providers say it’s unclear what will happen come Monday or whether they'll be able to visit their clients in the shelters where they live.

“We have no understanding of what’s going to happen to those children come next week. We don’t know if they’re going to have legal representation. The government as of yet has not identified who will take over this representation,” said Melissa Lopez, the executive director of Estrella El Paso, during a news conference earlier this week. The organization currently represents 243 unaccompanied children in western Texas and New Mexico.

The providers say their ability to enter the shelters, check on their clients and give presentations to new arrivals serves as an important oversight measure for a vulnerable population. The providers warn that without a lawyer to assist them in court and help them navigate the complexities of immigration law, children will be much more likely to be deported back to countries they initially fled.

“The government is trying to eliminate our work in this program because they know that without attorneys children will be deported,” said Lopez.

Health and Human Services, which is responsible for caring for unaccompanied migrant children while they are in government care and which administers the contract, did not respond to a request for comment Friday.

In a Texas immigration court, children play with action figures as lawyer warns of future

Dozens of children and teens filed early Friday morning into the Harlingen courthouse for a hearing before an immigration judge. In the lobby, other children waiting for their hearings played with puzzles and action figures or drew in coloring books.

One 8-year-old boy walked into the courtroom holding an Etch-a-Sketch as he sat next to his attorney.

These were children who had come to the U.S. without a parent or guardian and now their cases were making their way through the immigration courts. But Lauren Fisher Flores, an attorney for the American Bar Association’s ProBar project, which is contracted to provide legal services in southwestern Texas, warned the court of the looming contract expiration.

She explained that come Monday, lawyers wouldn't be able to provide the legal information sessions that they usually give to children in shelters that let children know their rights and lawyers also would no longer be able to step in and provide the “Friend of the Court” services where they assist those children who sometimes show up in court without a lawyer. Fisher Flores said the organization didn't know what the government's plan was going forward.

“We sincerely hope there will be someone to step in next week,” she said.

The judge thanked the attorney and said she was sorry to hear the news.

Legal groups already laying off staff after months of no payments

The end of the contract comes as the legal service providers representing these children say they have not been paid for more than half a year. The organizations say that the Trump administration has been withholding payments as it demands detailed information from the providers about their clients that the providers say they have never been asked for before and that they ethically cannot provide.

“They are clearly trying to destroy the program by grinding down the financial health of nonprofits. We’ve seen layoffs and furloughs, and we will see a lot more of that if these invoices aren’t paid,” said Michael Lukens, the executive director of the Amica Center

Some groups have been trying to secure private funding to continue their work, while others have begun laying off staff and shuttering offices. ProBar in south Texas this week laid off 20% of its staff.

Mid-South Immigration Advocates is a nonprofit law firm based in Memphis, Tennessee, which helps over 400 unaccompanied minors. The organization’s legal director, Sally Joyner, said the organization is owed over $500,000 from the federal government to reimburse them for their work with the children. They've already had to lay off seven employees since 2025 and more layoffs are planned. They're closing their physical offices in Nashville and Memphis at the end of September and expect to close their law firm entirely soon.

As their budget tightens, she said they're doing everything they can to continue representing the children who are their clients. She warns that without attorneys to represent them, migrant children, including infants and teens, could be ordered deported in the coming weeks.

“These are kids who have been living in our communities, going to our schools for you know three, four, five years,” Joyner said. “Some of them they only know the United States and will have gone to high school, graduate high school just in time for ICE to send them to prison.”

Migrant children coming to the U.S. alone usually have special protections

Migrant children traveling alone are usually entrusted to U.S. government care, and there are various legal protections that apply to them once they’re in the U.S. and navigating the immigration system, including the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008.

The law said the government should facilitate legal representation for children put into deportation proceedings.

With some limited exceptions, it requires that children be placed in the “least restrictive setting possible,” which generally means they can be released to a sponsor, such as a relative in the U.S., while their immigration proceedings play out.

The children can apply for a specially protected status if they can’t return to their home country because of abuse or neglect and they can also apply for asylum.

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Santana reported from Sacramento. Associated Press reporter Laura Turbay in Little Rock contributed to this report.

The Big Ten calls its reputation as a top-heavy conference unfair.

Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti considers those three College Football Playoff championships — from Michigan in 2023, Ohio State in 2024 and Indiana in 2025 — testaments to the league’s strength from top to bottom.

“You cannot send your top teams out into the CFP unless they’ve played — and have them be successful, which we have been very successful — if they’re not going through a gauntlet in the regular season,” Petitti said this week. “This idea that the middle of our conference isn’t hard is just not right.”

The balance of power between college football’s heavyweight conferences has been a major talking point at the leagues’ media days.

Petitti spoke to reporters while standing beside the Big Ten’s three recent CFP trophies. Illinois coach Bret Bielema said the SEC was living in the past. Indiana coach Curt Cignetti said “there’s no doubt” the Big Ten is best.

“The numbers speak for themselves,” Cignetti said. “We don’t run a hype machine up here in the Midwest. We believe everything is earned, not given. When we fall short, we say, ‘We fell short.’ We don’t cry a river, whine and complain. That’s why we’re the best.”

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey argued his league’s case a week earlier.

“When you look at our schedule, no one has created the kind of weekly competition that exists in the Southeastern Conference,” Sankey said.

Five different SEC schools combined to win 13 national titles from 2006-22, but no SEC team has reached any of the last three championship games.

Both have evidence to support their claims

In the first two years under a 12-team CFP format, seven different SEC schools have made eight playoff appearances. The Big Ten had four schools total seven playoff berths.

Certain metrics support the idea that the 16-team SEC is stronger than the 18-school Big Ten at the bottom. ESPN’s Bill Connelly produces the SP+ rankings, a predictive measure rating each team’s efficiency while adjusting for tempo and an opponent’s strength.

The Big Ten had three of the top four teams in the 2025 season-ending SP+ rankings, while the SEC had nobody in the top five. But seven Big Ten programs ranked below the lowest SEC team on the list: No. 67 Kentucky.

Recent head-to-head results favor Big Ten

Over the last two seasons, the Big Ten went 10-7 against the SEC, including a 3-0 playoff record and a 5-2 mark in other bowl games. The Big Ten won as an underdog in all five of those non-playoff victories.

Illinois produced two of those upsets, beating South Carolina in the Citrus Bowl in 2024 and defeating Tennessee in the Music City Bowl last season. So Bielema had reason to feel good about himself and his conference this week when he commented that SEC backers “kind of want to live in 2005 forever.”

The 2005 reference was curious because Texas won the title that season when it was still a Big 12 member, a year before the SEC began a string of seven straight titles. Bielema said he chose 2005 because that’s the year before his head coaching career began at Wisconsin.

“The transfer portal and revenue share or NIL, however you want to describe it, when those two elements came into college football, the whole world changed,” said Bielema, who went 29-34 while coaching SEC school Arkansas from 2013-17. “I mean, it’s overly obvious to say that, but I think anything to predate that is just a different time in college football. It just is.”

Big Ten capitalizes on changing times

Fourteen of the 22 playoff games over the last two years have featured Big Ten teams, including two in which conference rivals faced off. No wonder even Big Ten coaches with SEC backgrounds claim bragging rights.

“I just look at what the stats are, you know, and the last three years, the national champion has come out of this conference,” said Purdue’s Barry Odom, who went 25-25 at Missouri from 2016-19. “You also look at the number of playoff wins compared to any other conference, we’ve won twice as many as the next conference in the playoffs.”

UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava has experience playing in both conferences after reaching the playoff with Tennessee in 2024.

“I think it’s two great leagues — two great, physical leagues,” Iamaleava said. “I think the SEC brings a lot of physicality, but over the years, it’s kind of leveled out in terms of the playing field. I think everybody is able to get high-level athletes. ... I think there’s definitely a lot of tough SEC teams, so that every week is going to be a game, but I feel the same way in the Big Ten.”

The intensity of the debate frustrates coaches eager to settle it on the field, perhaps with more head-to-head matchups.

“You never hear in the NFL, ‘Wow, the NFC’s better than the AFC,’” Washington coach Jedd Fisch said. “You don’t ever hear, ’Check us out, we’ve won the Super Bowl the last few years.' We’ve kind of made this some competition rather than just take a step back and say, ‘Who cares?’ Let’s play.”

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AP freelance writer Luke DeCock contributed to this report.

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AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

Two major rail unions praised the proposed rule announced Friday that would also strengthen the standards for certifying that crews can safely operate a train.

The government had concerns after inspecting two Texas railyards near the border last fall on the two railroads directly affected by these restrictions on Mexican crews — Union Pacific and CPKC. UP didn’t immediately respond but CPKC and the Association of American Railroads trade group declined to comment while they study the rule.

The Federal Railroad Administration sent letters to both CPKC and UP in December after those inspections found several instances of train crews having trouble understanding English. The government urged those railroads to reexamine their practices and make sure that Mexican crews can speak English and don’t operate a train more than 10 miles (16 kilometers) inside America.

The Federal Railroad Administration said at the time the concern was that these Mexican crews bringing trains into Union Pacific’s Eagle Pass rail yard and CPKC’s facility in Laredo were having a hard time understanding operating bulletins and U.S. regulations that require information about hazardous materials and emergency responses to be maintained in English.

Both UP and CPKC have pledged to make sure they were following the existing rules, including that the Mexican crews do not travel more than 10 miles into the United States. But now the federal government wants to strengthen the rules “because railroad crews must be able to communicate fully and accurately when crossing into the United States, most notably with dispatchers and emergency responders during a crisis, as a safety-critical function.”

This rail safety effort aligns closely with the Transportation Department's efforts to ensure that truck drivers can understand English, so they can read road signs and warnings and communicate with first responders after an accident or during an inspection. The government has tried to withhold millions of dollars in highway funding from New York and California because it isn’t satisfied with the steps those states have taken to make sure the commercial driver’s licenses they issue are valid.

Mark Wallace, the national president of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen union, has been raising concerns about this practice of using Mexican train crews for several years because of safety, security and job concerns.

The union has said that the handoffs used to happen right at the border, but now Union Pacific and CPKC routinely ask Mexican crews to bring trains several miles over the border to one of their railyards where the crew switches can be done more safely. But the firm 10-mile (16-kilometer) restriction in this rule will prevent the railroads from expanding this practice to railyards further into America like the union said UP was considering in New Mexico.

“Trains originating from Mexico, operated by foreign crews were unable to communicate with dispatchers in English and the language barrier posed a hazard in the event of a derailment or other incident,” Wallace said.

But the railroads have said that this practice of using Mexican train crews to bring the trains into railyards in America was developed in 2018 with the approval of the first Trump administration to address smuggling concerns. When trains are stopped at the border smugglers often try to conceal drugs or other contraband aboard them and immigrants might jump aboard to get into the United States.

It is also routine for Canadian crews to bring trains a few miles over the northern border with the United States before handing off to American crews.

The SMART-TD union that represents conductors and other rail workers also said the provisions of the rule that will prohibit train crews from using a system that's similar to cruise control for freight trains when they take their certification tests will help ensure they can operate a train safely.

“Railroad certifications should represent proven ability, not simply possession of a certificate,” said Jared Cassity, who is SMART-TD’s top safety expert. “When lives are on the line, the FRA must know that an engineer can safely operate a train, not just supervise a computer doing it.”

A draft notice published Friday in the Federal Register says a nearly year-long review “provided sufficient data” to suggest the bond program effectively enforces compliance with visa conditions, and would be made permanent.

The notice is to be formally released on Monday, the day the program becomes permanent, and additional countries may be added to the list, which can be found here. The pilot program set the maximum bond amount at $15,000, with lower amounts of $5,000 and $10,000 based on a consular officer’s discretion. The final regulation raises the maximum to $20,000 and removes the $5,000 low-end payment.

The program requires holders of passports from the affected countries to pay the bond to be interviewed for business and tourist visas — known as B1 and B2 visas — to travel to the United States. The bond is refunded if the visa application is denied or, if granted, if the person adheres to the visa terms.

The Trump administration rolled out the program last August to crack down on visa overstays and as part of its broader efforts to curtail illegal migration. The government estimates that arresting and deporting visitors who have overstayed their visa costs about $18,000 per person.

State Department officials have hailed the program as a great success. In 2024, nearly 45,500 visitors from the 50 countries in the program overstayed their visas, according to the notice. In the first 10 months of the pilot visa bond program, the number of overstays from those countries was fewer than 50, it said.

Critics have said it imposes an unnecessarily harsh burden on people from impoverished countries to visit family members or to pursue education or business opportunities in the U.S.

According to government projections and statistics from the first year of the program, the State Department initially expected that about 2,000 visa applicants would be required to post the bond. Instead, the department found that roughly 20,000 applicants were covered by the bond requirement.

Nearly half of those applicants chose not to pay the bond and there was an 83% decline in the number of business and tourist visas issued to citizens of countries on the list.

“The department expects that this final rule will contribute to the continued reduction of demand for B1/B2 visa applications from nationals of countries subject to the program,” the notice said.

The week before the Jacksonville Jaguars opened training camp, Hunter was photographed wearing a police vest posing with Sheriff T.K. Waters and members of the Jacksonville Fire Rescue Department. It had the look of a ride-along, though Hunter wasn't saying.

“I was just out there just having fun with Sheriff T.K.,” Hunter said Friday.

Hunter, the Heisman Trophy winner out of Colorado whom the Jaguars made the No. 2 pick in last year's draft, has enough to keep him occupied in training camp. Hunter is returning from injury, his rookie year ending two months into the season when he tore knee ligaments during noncontact drills.

In seven games, he played 324 snaps at receiver and 162 snaps at cornerback. The plan to use him on both sides of the ball has not changed, especially after the Jaguars shored up the core of their secondary by re-signing Montaric “Buster” Brown in March.

Hunter has been wearing a teal jersey for offense in three days of camp, with a white bib and his No. 12 he can slip on when he plays in the secondary.

“How do we balance his reps here, knowing that we’re trying to ease him in, but he also at some point needs to get double the amount that a normal player gets,” coach Liam Coen said. “And so what does that ramp-up look like? We have it all kind of mapped out ... on every single practice schedule, his reps are highlighted in here — where he’s in, what plays he’s in, where he’s at on the field. We’ve been extremely intentional about it.”

Hunter, who had surgery Nov. 11 to repair the lateral collateral ligament in his right knee, was limited during offseason workouts. But he used that time to build up some 10 pounds of muscle in his upper body and managed to get even faster.

He was clocked running at 22.6 mph at the team's facility last week.

“I was a small guy coming in. Everybody was like, ’Gain weight, gain weight,’” Hunter said. “I was scared at first. I'm like: ‘Dang, I’ve never played at this weight. I'm going to feel heavy, not going to be able to do what I do.' Training and being able to put those months in — not just on the grass but in the weight room — just putting in extra work, it made me feel lighter on my feet when I finally touched the grass.”

He looked like he was flying on grass when he ran the 22.6 mph — no pads, no one around him, not in a game — but it was another indication all was well.

“I'm trying to hit 23 now,” Hunter said. “That's the next goal.”

The Jaguars could use the production considering how much they gave up in a trade to get the second pick in 2025 — their No. 5 pick last year and No. 1 pick this year. They won nine of their last 10 games last year after Hunter was injured to win the AFC South.

For his part, Hunter feels like last year never happened in terms of his health.

“I put nine months in, so it doesn’t feel like I’m coming off an injury,” he said. "Just get the rust off right now. I’ve been gone for nine months, not able to be out here with my teammates for nine months, so finally being able to hit the grass, knock the rust off and just continue to click with the quarterbacks and click with the defense.”

Defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile said Hunter is getting back into the flow, and the added muscle in his upper body is noticeable.

“You never want to see anybody get injured, but I think he really put his best foot forward in the weight room as he was recovering from a lower-body injury,” Campanile said. “He just looks really physical in the team work and in the individual period. So he's done a good job.”

And now it's all football, though the Engine 36 B-Shift crew said in its Facebook post for Hunter to let them know when he was ready for a ride-along.

“We promise, it's just as hot as training camp,” the post said.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

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Hallandale Beach police said officers responded to a 911 call about a shooting at approximately 10:39 p.m. Monday near the 1000 block of Pembroke Road.

Officers arrived and found the victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds inside a vehicle, police said.

Police say they provided emergency aid until Broward Sheriff’s Office Fire Rescue personnel arrived. Salomon later died from his injuries.

Detectives said their preliminary investigation indicates the shooting occurred at 642 NW Fourth Court.

According to investigators, the vehicle travelled to Pembroke Road, where the call for help was made.

The motive for the shooting remains under investigation, with no arrests made, police said.

Detectives added that they have no information indicating there is an ongoing threat to the public.

According to the department, this case remains active, and detectives continue to work through evidence and interviews to identify those responsible.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Hallandale Beach Police Department at 954-457-1400 or Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-8477. Tips to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and tipsters may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000 if the tip leads to an arrest and conviction.

La Policía de Hallandale Beach informó que los agentes respondieron a una llamada al 911 por una balacera aproximadamente a las 10:39 p.m. del lunes cerca de la cuadra 1000 de Pembroke Road.

Los agentes llegaron al lugar y encontraron a la víctima dentro de un vehículo con múltiples heridas de bala, informó la Policía.

La Policía indicó que los agentes brindaron asistencia de emergencia hasta la llegada del personal de Broward Sheriff’s Office Fire Rescue. Posteriormente, Salomon murió a causa de sus heridas.

Los detectives informaron que la investigación preliminar indica que la balacera ocurrió en el 642 de Northwest Fourth Court.

Según los investigadores, el vehículo se desplazó hasta Pembroke Road, donde se realizó la llamada de auxilio.

La Policía informó que el motivo de la balacera continúa bajo investigación y que no se han realizado arrestos.

Los detectives agregaron que no tienen información que indique una amenaza continua para el público.

Según el departamento, el caso permanece activo y los detectives continúan analizando las pruebas y realizando entrevistas para identificar a los responsables.

Cualquier persona con información debe comunicarse con el Departamento de Policía de Hallandale Beach al 954-457-1400 o con Broward Crime Stoppers al 954-493-8477. Las denuncias a Crime Stoppers pueden hacerse de forma anónima y quienes proporcionen información podrían ser elegibles para una recompensa de hasta $5,000 USD si esta conduce a un arresto y una condena.

The deadline is Monday at 6 p.m. EDT.

Skubal — a 29-year-old left-hander who will be a free agent this offseason — is in the midst of another strong year for the Detroit Tigers after winning back-to-back Cy Youngs in 2024 and 2025. The left-hander missed about five weeks earlier in the season because of surgery to remove loose bodies in his elbow, but he has bounced back quickly.

He's been excellent over his last five starts, with a 2.03 ERA and 41 strikeouts in 31 innings.

One thing complicating Skubal's availability is the Tigers have played better of late and they're hanging around the American League wild-card race, just 4 1/2 games back for the final playoff spot going into Friday's games — albeit with five teams ahead of them. But if a juicy offer is presented, it'll be hard to say no.

Detroit's uncertain playoff fate is a common problem for teams as the deadline approaches.

There is a handful of obvious buyers at the deadline like the Yankees, Rays, Brewers, Braves and Dodgers. There is also a small group of obvious sellers like the Rockies, Giants, Angels, Mets, Athletics and Royals.

But that leaves nearly 20 other teams who are in the middle and could be buyers, sellers or a combination of both.

Here's a look at some of the top trade candidates as Monday's deadline approaches.

The starting pitchers

— Peralta, Mets: The right-hander has had a disappointing season, which is a common refrain for the Mets, but his strikeout numbers are still good. He was excellent for the Brewers over the previous three seasons. If he can fix his command issues, he could help a contender.

— Joe Ryan, Twins: Another powerful arm, the right-hander has been an All-Star in each of the past two seasons. It's unclear if the Twins are buyers or sellers in a crowded American League race — they added reliever A.J. Minter from the Mets on Friday, so continued buying seems more likely. If the Twins decide to move Ryan, though, it could bring back a solid return.

— Foster Griffin, Nationals: The veteran lefty has been outstanding in his return to MLB after spending three seasons in Japan with a 12-2 record and 2.76 ERA. The Nationals are still in the mix for a playoff spot in the National League, but they will likely still be willing to listen to offers.

— Reid Detmers, Angels: The left-hander has been a bright spot in a mostly dismal season for the Angels with 145 strikeouts in 125 innings. Los Angeles will want a sizable return for the 27-year-old, who is still under team control for the next two seasons.

— Clay Holmes, Mets: The 33-year-old made a successful transition from reliever to starter in 2025 and was having another solid season before he fractured his right fibula on a comeback liner in May. The right-hander is in the midst of a minor-league rehab assignment and nearing his return.

— Robbie Ray, Giants: The two-time All-Star and 2021 Cy Young winner doesn't have the wipeout, strikeout stuff that he possessed early in his career, but he's been very good for San Francisco this season with a 10-6 record and 3.08 ERA.

The relief pitchers

— Miller, Padres: The game's most dominant closer, Miller has a jaw-dropping 85 strikeouts over 45 2/3 innings, 28 saves and an 0.79 ERA. Relievers usually don't command huge returns during trade deadline deals, but Miller is an exception, particularly because the 6-foot-5 righty is still under team control for three more years.

— Adrián Morejón, Padres: The left-handed Cuban has been a key part of the Padres' bullpen for the past three seasons. He's a free agent after the season which means he could be on the move.

— Luke Weaver, Mets: The veteran righty has found his niche after making the full-time move to the bullpen in 2024. He's not necessarily a closer, but he does have some experience in the role. He was very good for the Yankees in the playoffs during their run to the World Series in 2024.

— Jeff Hoffman, Blue Jays: The right-hander lost his job as the team's closer earlier this season, but his strikeout numbers are still excellent with 72 punchouts over 46 innings.

Position players

— Luis Arraez, Giants, 2B: The three-time batting champion and four-time All-Star is in the midst of one of his best seasons and has flashed improved defense at second base. He is an elite contact hitter who rarely strikes out and is a free agent after the season.

— Ryan Jeffers, Twins, C: Jeffers recently returned from the injured list and has a career-high .928 OPS this season. His ability to provide pop from the right side will make him a popular trade target, though the Twins might not be willing to make a deal since they're still in the playoff hunt.

— Daulton Varsho, Blue Jays, OF: The 30-year-old slugger is one of the game's better athletes and won a Gold Glove in 2024. He's an upcoming free agent, but he has playoff experience and can still provide great defense with some left-handed power.

— CJ Abrams, Nationals, SS: Washington will want a big return for the All-Star shortstop, who is in the midst of his best year and is under team control for the next two seasons. But if a contender is willing to offer a big package of prospects, the ascending Nationals will likely listen.

— Zach Neto, Angels, SS: Neto has been one of the Angels' best players over the last three seasons. He's a solid defender and provides a good amount of right-handed power, though his strikeout numbers have been high this season.

— Luis García Jr., Nationals, 1B: The left-handed slugger has quietly put together his best season with 23 homers and 76 RBIs. He doesn't walk much, but has one more year of team control and is still just 26 years old.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation on Friday jointly announced the proposed changes to the Community Reinvestment Act, a law that requires regulators to document how well banks do in lending to low-to-middle income neighborhoods. It would be the first major revision of the law’s rules and regulations in nearly three decades.

Under the proposed revisions, bank examiners would put more weight on the lending banks do in certain communities and geographies, and less on how many branches they open or how much in deposits they take in from a local community.

The number of banks that would need to comply with the law would be reduced as well. The definition of a small bank will increase from banks with under $412 million in assets to banks with $1 billion in assets. Banks between $1 billion and $10 billion in assets will now be classified as an intermediate bank.

This would reduce the number of banks who need to comply with parts of the CRA by 800 banks. Only 86 banks, or roughly 3% of all institutions, would be subject to the full extent of CRA under the new regulations.

Another change that is likely to be fought over relates to how banks give money to community development groups. Under the CRA, banks can donate money to local organizations that do poverty or low-income housing work in their communities to show they are providing resources to a local community. The new regulations could narrow the groups and programs that banks could donate to in order to meet those obligations.

In a summary of the changes, the bank regulators said these changes would ensure community development grants “are not diverted to activist causes or consumed by excessive operating costs.” Banks would also need to collect more detailed information on who gets their community grants, including addresses, which would give more transparency to who is receiving grants from banks.

That change could negatively impact groups like the National Community Reinvestment Coalition, an umbrella group for community development groups that often receive money from banks under the CRA. The new rules discourage banks making grants to national organizations and instead focus their grants on local groups.

Jesse Van Tol, the CEO of NCRC, said that it was “unfortunate” that the bank regulators were politicizing grant making under the CRA.

“CRA was created to work for low-to-middle income people. A lot of these changes are going to discourage banks from making grants, particularly in rural areas, where I expect there will be significant drops in activity,” Van Tol said.

The proposal announced Friday by the OCC and FDIC did not include the other major bank regulator, the Federal Reserve. Banking groups had been pushing for a joint proposal from all three regulators, to make sure all three were aligned on the same requirements under the CRA.

The CRA was passed in 1977 to combat redlining, a practice whereby banks would discriminate against the poor and minorities by choosing not to lend or open branches in minority-majority neighborhoods or in poor neighborhoods.

The law is complex, requiring banks to document how they do business in the cities and areas they operate in. Banks must sit for regular examinations to see whether they are complying with the law. A bad CRA examination could restrict a bank’s ability to open new branches or merge with another bank or have other consequences. The data collected through CRA is also used by the Department of Justice in redlining cases.

The last major revision of the CRA’s regulations happened in 1995, and there have been repeated attempts by administrations of both parties to update the rules to reflect how banking and financial services have changed in the past 30 years. But those revisions have repeatedly failed, either due to opposition from other regulators, the banks, or community groups, or have been blocked by courts. The Biden administration tried its own revisions of the CRA rules but those changes were blocked by courts in Texas.

The proposed rules will now go out for a 60-day comment period where they will be finalized after banks, community groups and other parties have a chance to weigh in on the changes.

Some 27 million metric tons of self-sustaining sargassum have been recorded in the Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico in July, according to a report released Friday by the University of South Florida’s Optical Oceanography Lab.

The prickly seaweed covers miles of coastline, releasing a foul smell as it rots onshore.

This year marks the first time that scientists have observed sargassum growing in large quantities in areas including the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico, instead of being swept into those areas by ocean currents.

The algae usually reproduces asexually as it travels from Western Africa, said Brian Barnes, a marine scientist and research assistant professor at the University of South Florida. “None of this is normal,” he said. “Every year is a little bit of a new story.”

The Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt has been growing since 2011, dumping an increasing amount of seaweed along coastlines in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. Experts have said that agricultural runoff, warming waters and changes in wind, current and rain could be factors.

The sargassum that began reproducing in the region earlier than usual this year stems from a record 40 million metric tons reported last year.

“The 2025 bloom was so big it never really left,” Barnes said. “It was enough to start a new bloom locally.”

Seaweed threatens tourism

Sargassum levels in the Caribbean reached record levels in June, while the amount present in the Gulf hit 5 million metric tons in June, nearly double last year’s record, according to the University of South Florida.

Scientists expect 2026 to be the second largest amount of sargassum recorded in the Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico, noting that June alone saw 34 million metric tons, which was only 10% lower than the year-earlier period.

Mexico said Thursday it plans to invest $115 million to tackle the blooming algae, which poses an environmental and economic threat. The government estimates that up to 9,000 tons reach its Caribbean coastline on the worst days. Given current resources, Mexico says it can only gather 1,200 tons of sargassum a day.

On a recent evening, Alan Vázquez closed the restaurant where he works as a waiter in the popular tourist town of Playa del Carmen because there were no customers. He had resisted closing for several hours, hoping he would receive a tip and salvage the day, but vast quantities of decomposing sargassum are turning the famed turquoise waters black, driving away tourists.

“It’s sad that such a beautiful and lively place...has ended up like this,” Vázquez said.

He fears suffering the same fate as four of his colleagues who were laid off two months ago due to a drop in tourism that has devastated hotels and businesses in the state of Quintana Roo, one of Mexico’s tourism gems, where sales fell 30% in the first half of the year, according to estimates from local businesses.

In Puerto Rico, sargassum blankets the waters around popular tourist areas, including La Parguera.

“I don’t recall ever having that much concentration in so many places at once,” said Waldemar Quiles, the U.S. territory’s natural resources secretary.

Much of the record sargassum reported last year ended up along Puerto Rico’s coastline, prompting the governor to declare a state of emergency.

It surpassed the previous record set in 2022 with a peak of some 22 million metric tons.

“It’s not a one-off event anymore,” said Emmanuel Maldonado González, an environmental sociologist at East Carolina University. “It’s becoming a growing hazard.”

Experts warn proliferation will worsen

Patches of sargassum in open waters provide a healthy breeding ground for wildlife, including turtles, fish and seabirds, and can be “a bit of an oasis of life in the middle of the ocean,” Barnes said.

But once it’s closer to shore, it reduces oxygen in the water, smothers mangrove roots and blocks sunlight from reaching coral and sea grass.

Once it washes ashore it can prevent newly hatched sea turtles from reaching the ocean, while the heavy machinery used to remove it from beaches risk destroying fragile turtle nests, scientists say.

“The coastlines are not built for this,” Barnes said.

In the U.S. Virgin Islands, people are walking up to 25 feet (seven meters) on mats of seaweed before even reaching the water, according to Amy Dempsey, an environmental consultant.

“This is by far the worst I’ve seen it in the last five years,” she said. “We are getting slammed in the Virgin Islands.”

The smell of rotten eggs permeates communities where large piles of decaying sargassum emit ammonia and hydrogen sulfide.

“The effects of these gases on people can be severe,” warns the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, noting it can cause nausea, headaches and lung irritation.

Used in composting and bioenergy production

Officials on the French Caribbean island of Martinique recently opened a shelter to temporarily house those affected by the toxic gases after residents protested.

So far this year, crews in Martinique have collected more than 11,500 tons of sargassum — including 638 tons in four days alone this month — according to government data. Sea barriers catch some of the seaweed, while crews on shore collect the remainder by hand, storing and processing it for composting and bioenergy production.

Researchers at the University of South Florida and the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration used artificial intelligence and found that from 2003 to 2022, macroalgae blooms increased by more than 13% per year in the tropical Atlantic and Western Pacific.

Overall, the blooms reached 16.9 million square miles (43.8 million square kilometers), according to a study published earlier this year.

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Associated Press reporter María Verza in Mexico City contributed.

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Deputies identified the suspects as David Williams, 44, of Miami, and Alexander Oscar, 46.

According to the report, surveillance video captured Williams and Oscar entering MIA through the curbside arrivals area on multiple occasions and walking to baggage carousels, where the pair removed luggage before leaving the terminal and entered “waiting vehicles.”

Investigators said the thefts happened in April and involved multiple cases at MIA.

They said in one case, Williams and Oscar allegedly stole luggage valued at $6,305 from Carousel 26.

In another case, the pair allegedly took luggage valued at approximately $4,000 from that same carousel, according to deputies.

The report also states Williams was captured on surveillance video in several other incidents, allegedly removing luggage from carousels 22, 23 and 25 at MIA.

Investigators said the total value of property stolen in all cases was listed at $27,205.

Jail records show Williams is facing six counts of third-degree grand theft, while Oscar is facing two counts of the same charge.

Records show Williams was previously arrested on one count of armed robbery with a deadly weapon in an unrelated case.

As of Friday afternoon, both men were being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, with Williams’ bond set at $20,000 and Oscar’s set at $7,500.

Los agentes identificaron a los sospechosos como David Williams, de 44 años, de Miami, y Alexander Oscar, de 46.

Según el informe, videos de vigilancia captaron a Williams y Oscar entrando al Aeropuerto Internacional de Miami por el área de llegadas en la acera en múltiples ocasiones y caminando hasta las bandas de reclamo de equipaje, donde ambos retiraban maletas antes de salir de la terminal y abordar “vehículos que los esperaban”.

Los investigadores informaron que los robos ocurrieron en abril e involucraron múltiples casos en el aeropuerto.

Indicaron que, en uno de los casos, Williams y Oscar presuntamente robaron equipaje valorado en $6,305 USD de la banda de reclamo 26.

En otro caso, ambos presuntamente sustrajeron equipaje valorado en aproximadamente $4,000 USD de esa misma banda, según los agentes.

El informe también señala que Williams fue captado en videos de vigilancia en varios incidentes adicionales, presuntamente retirando equipaje de las bandas de reclamo 22, 23 y 25 del aeropuerto.

Los investigadores informaron que el valor total de la propiedad robada en todos los casos asciende a $27,205 USD.

Los registros de la cárcel muestran que Williams enfrenta seis cargos de hurto mayor en tercer grado, mientras que Oscar enfrenta dos cargos por el mismo delito.

Los registros también muestran que Williams había sido arrestado anteriormente por un cargo de robo a mano armada con un arma mortal en un caso no relacionado.

Hasta la tarde del viernes, ambos permanecían detenidos en el Centro Correccional Turner Guilford Knight. La fianza de Williams fue fijada en $20,000 USD y la de Oscar en $7,500 USD.

The Trump administration has faced pushback from some European allies over the use of air bases in support of its war with Iran.

But lawmakers in Bulgaria — a member of NATO and the European Union — voted earlier in July to allow the deployment of up to eight U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft, as well as 250 personnel with personal weapons and ammunition and airfield equipment, at Bezmer Air Base.

Under a 2006 U.S.-Bulgaria defense agreement, the Bezmer facility, about 260 kilometers (160 miles) southeast of the capital, Sofia, is a joint-use facility. Any new use of the base requires parliamentary approval.

The deployment, requested by the U.S. Embassy in Bulgaria, is authorized until Oct. 1, 2026.

U.S. President Donald Trump thanked Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev in a Truth Social post for allowing the deployment “despite Iran’s threats.”

On Thursday, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova assured her Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, that the deployment “in no way means a change in Bulgaria’s approach toward Iran." The two countries are important trade partners.

A Bulgarian Foreign Ministry statement quoted Petrova as saying “it was out of the question" that any direct military actions linked to the conflict in the Middle East would be carried out from Bulgarian territory.

The statement did not indicate what Araghchi said. But the Bulgarian state news agency, BTA, said Araghchi protested to Petrova over Bulgaria’s support for U.S. military operations against Iran during a telephone conversation initiated by the Bulgarian side. The report cited a report from Iran's state-run IRNA news agency.

Residents of the village of Bezmer and nearby settlements, including the regional capital Yambol, have staged peaceful protests in recent days against the deployment of the U.S. aircraft.

Government officials visited the region to address people’s fears, assuring them that the deployment is solely for logistical missions involving in-flight refueling outside Bulgarian airspace.

The Democrat's office released more than 700 pages of tax filings spanning four years for reporters to review, offering a window into Newsom's finances as he prepares to leave office and considers a 2028 presidential bid. Newsom’s office did not release returns for 2025, because the couple filed for an extension and will complete those returns in October.

The returns show the Newsoms' income has remained relatively consistent since when he took office in 2019, when the couple reported $1.7 million in annual income. The exception was in 2021, when the family sold a house for nearly $6 million in Marin County, making roughly $800,000 from the sale. That year, they made $4.2 million and paid more than $1 million in federal and state taxes. They earned roughly $2 million in 2022.

The release of the couple's tax filings comes as their finances have been under scrutiny after the U.S. Justice Department launched investigations into the Newsoms, the governor announced last month. Newsom has blasted the probes as politically motivated.

It was the first time Newsom released returns since 2022.

Newsom made nearly $200,000 annually from serving as governor, but most of his income comes from winery and restaurant businesses that he put in a blind trust when he took office. The returns don’t name each individual business, making it impossible to know which ones gained and lost money.

The PlumpJack Group, a company he owns that includes a suite of wineries and restaurants, is now run by his sister and cousin.

His wife Jennifer Siebel Newsom, a film director, lost money most years from Girls Club Entertainment, a production company she founded. The business produced “Miss Representation,” a 2011 documentary about disparaging portrayals of women and girls in media, and two other films.

The Newsoms paid between roughly $14,000 and $44,000 a year for childcare for three of their four children, according to the tax filings.

They gave between $40,000 and $65,000 in gifts to charity each year, mostly through monetary donations. They also donated thousands of dollars worth of clothing, toys and other items to thrift stores and nonprofits, including in 2022, when they gave away Armani business wear they originally bought for $45,000 to a racial justice organization in Oakland.

La propuesta de la Oficina de Reclamación exime por ahora a Colorado, Utah, Nuevo México y Wyoming de enfrentar recortes obligatorios. Pero se trata de una solución temporal, mientras los estados que dependen del río siguen enfrentados por un plan de gestión a largo plazo para el recurso menguante que abastece de energía a enormes extensiones del oeste norteamericano.

Según el plan, los estados de la Cuenca Baja podrían afrontar recortes colectivos de hasta 3 millones de acres-pie (130.000 millones de pies cúbicos) hasta 2036, “sujeto a la hidrología”, de acuerdo con un comunicado de prensa del Departamento del Interior. Eso equivale aproximadamente a suficiente agua para abastecer a más de 25 millones de personas al año.

El plan también permitiría liberaciones anuales de entre 5 millones y 12 millones de acres-pie desde el lago Powell, el segundo embalse más grande de la cuenca. En el marco federal de 10 años, las decisiones de gestión del agua se tomarán cada dos años.

“Este marco proporciona la flexibilidad para responder a condiciones hidrológicas cambiantes, al tiempo que preserva la oportunidad de que los estados de la cuenca sigan trabajando hacia soluciones duraderas por consenso”, declaró el secretario del Interior, Doug Burgum, en un comunicado.

Los recortes propuestos en los estados de la Cuenca Baja —California, Arizona y Nevada— serían los mayores hasta la fecha y podrían tener enormes impactos en ciudades y granjas: precios del agua más altos, mayor dependencia del agua subterránea, más tierras agrícolas fuera de producción y mandatos de conservación en lugares donde antes no existían.

El plan federal llega tras años de negociaciones estancadas y un invierno con sequía récord que llevó los embalses del río Colorado a mínimos históricos combinados. Se espera que los funcionarios federales finalicen el plan en los próximos días.

Más de 40 millones de personas en siete estados, varias naciones tribales y México, así como agricultores, fauna silvestre, industrias y la energía hidroeléctrica, dependen del menguante río Colorado, de 2.334 kilómetros (1.450 millas). Años de uso excesivo, combinados con el aumento de las temperaturas y la sequía, han reducido gravemente los caudales del Colorado en comparación con décadas pasadas.

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The Associated Press recibe apoyo de la Walton Family Foundation para la cobertura de políticas ambientales y sobre agua. La AP es la única responsable de todo el contenido. Encuentra los estándares de la AP para trabajar con organizaciones filantrópicas, una lista de las fundaciones y las áreas de cobertura que financian en AP.org.

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Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de AP con ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.

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According to the Florida Lottery, the case stemmed from a joint investigation by the agency’s Division of Security and the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General.

Investigators said the investigation began after a Florida Lottery player reported that a winning Pick 4 ticket she mailed through the U.S. Postal Service never arrived at its intended destination.

According to an arrest report, the winning ticket was purchased at a Publix store in Tampa and was worth $2,600. Because the prize exceeded the $599 maximum payout that can be claimed at a lottery retailer, the terminal instructed that the ticket be returned to the player, investigators said.

They said the winner later mailed the ticket to a relative in Fort Lauderdale to help pay for another person’s funeral expenses, but the ticket was never successfully delivered.

A Florida Lottery inspector determined the ticket was instead redeemed June 19 at the Florida Lottery’s Miami District Office by 28-year-old Lakaysha Kenya Lockhart. Investigators later identified Lockhart as a USPS letter carrier assigned to the Oakland Park post office.

According to her arrest report, Lockhart, who has listed addresses in Lauderhill and Hollywood, “was not known to, approved or authorized by the ticket owner” to redeem the winning ticket.

Authorities said Florida Lottery special agents and USPS OIG investigators conducted a joint operation that led to Lockhart’s arrest on July 23. They said Lockhart admitted after her arrest to stealing the winning lottery ticket and redeeming it at the Miami District office.

“Our players deserve confidence that every Lottery prize is protected through strong security measures and diligent oversight,” Florida Lottery Secretary Reginald D. Dixon said in a statement. “I commend our Division of Security for their outstanding investigative work and thank our partners at the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General and the Broward County Sheriff’s Office for their collaboration in protecting the integrity of Florida Lottery games and bringing this case to a successful resolution.”

Jail records show Lockhart is facing one count of grand theft, dealing in stolen property, filing a false claim for payment, and two counts of unlawful use of a two-way communications device and mail theft.

Florida Lottery officials said that because the offenses occurred in multiple judicial circuits, the cases will be prosecuted separately.

Lockhart was not listed as an inmate in Broward County jail records as of Friday morning.

A USPS spokesperson told Local 10 News that Lockhart joined the agency on April 21, 2025, and remains employed by USPS but is currently off duty.

A key area of the Pacific Ocean used to measure the strength of El Nino this week reached its warmest and most intense level ever recorded for the 15th week since it formed, which is early in its lifetime, scientists at Columbia University reported.

El Nino — a natural warming of the Pacific near the equator that warps weather patterns worldwide — won't peak for several months and should last through spring 2027. The World Meteorological Organization, a U.N. agency, cautioned on Friday that it will likely trigger extreme heat, drought and rainfall well into next year.

“Two months ago, I warned that El Nino was arriving on our doorstep. Now it is inside the house — and turning up the heat,” United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told reporters Friday. “We have already endured a summer of extremes — record-shattering heat domes; apocalyptic wildfires raging in Spain, France and far beyond; thousands of lives lost in the scorching conditions.”

“But according to the latest science, this is only a warm-up act,” Guterres said, saying as the El Nino strengthens it will be “adding fuel to a planet already on fire.”

“We are in uncharted territory,” he said. “The climate crisis is in overdrive.”

Most computer forecast models are showing that this El Nino will likely break the all-time record for intensity when it peaks, sometime late fall or so, but that's not guaranteed, scientists said.

Chaotic extremes in rain, drought and unheard of heat coming

It's still early in the nearly yearlong life of a typical El Nino to see many direct effects yet, but they are coming, scientists said, agreeing with Guterres’ warnings. El Nino's effects will combine with the long-term global warming from the burning of coal, oil and gas.

“We’re seeing something that is the warmest July ever recorded for that specific region," used as an El Nino indicator, Columbia University climate scientist Jeffrey Shaman said. "A year from now, it’s going to be very hot in the Northern Hemisphere. And we’re going to possibly have a summer like we’ve never experienced globally."

But before then, the strong El Nino is likely to cause changes in rainfall patterns that will bring chaotic extremes to different parts of the world in fall and winter. There's a strong chance of drought and wildfires in Indonesia, India and other parts of Asia, south and east Australia, chunks of South America and southern regions in Africa, the WMO warned. Other areas, including much of the United States and fire-struck Southern Europe will get above average rain.

“This El Nino, developing against the backdrop of unprecedented ocean heat and rising temperatures, provides governments and communities with a window of opportunity to anticipate risks and act before impacts unfold,” said WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo.

El Nino amplifies human-caused warming

While El Nino and climate change are separate phenomena, their effects create a harmful combination — and people aren't taking the connection seriously enough, Guterres said.

“We hear much about record heat, drought and wildfires — but not enough about the real change that is driving these events: the accelerating climate crisis powered by fossil fuels," Guterres said.

Guterres said the world gets too absorbed by dramatic wars in Ukraine, the Middle East and Sudan to notice the dangers of climate change. On top of that, “there is a deliberate campaign, namely by the fossil fuel industry and some countries in order to pretend that that the problems that we are witnessing indeed do not exist.”

The U.N. must be more active and mobilize public opinion “to tell governments it’s time to recognize this threat as an existential threat to us all,” he told reporters.

Much of the heat from the burning of fossil fuels gets trapped in the oceans, but “during an El Nino the ocean in some sense gets to return some of the heated buildups of global warming back to the atmosphere,” Shaman said. Even though this El Nino will end, the released heat sticks around in the air, along with the higher temperatures, which will jump up again the next El Nino, he added.

Guterres called for more early warning systems and cooling systems to handle extreme heat. He said industry and governments need to make work safer, highlighting the garment industry, which has 90 million workers, most of them women. In 17 of the 23 biggest clothing making hubs, dangerously hot days jumped by more than 10% in the past 20 years, “yet most global brands set no heat standard for the factories that supply them.”

But mostly, Guterres said, “the world must stop fueling the crisis.... More coal, oil and gas will lead to a more combustible future."

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Borenstein reported from Washington.

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Sin embargo, el funcionario —que habló durante la conferencia presidencial matutina— no quiso dar por cerrado el caso ocurrido en plena celebración del Día de Muertos en el occidente de México y que tuvo un fuerte impacto en todo el país.

García Harfuch dijo que todavía tiene que declarar el pricipal inculpado, el jefe de una célula muy violenta del cártel llamada “Los Rs” que fue detenido el jueves y quien presuntamente ordenó y financió el asesinato del alcalde.

El capturado es Ramón Ángel Álvarez Ayala, alias “R1”, y con su arresto suman 31 las personas detenidas por el homicidio de Manzo, entre ellas integrantes del círculo de seguridad que lo custodiaba el día en que fue asesinado.

Álvarez Ayala ya había sido detenido por el Ejército junto con dos hermanos en 2012 acusado de provocar incendios y narcobloqueos en Guadajalara, la capital de Jalisco. Las autoridades de entonces lo consideraban el número dos del Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación, detrás de "El Mencho".

Todos obtuvieron su libertad en 2022 y siguieron delinquiendo en el occidente de México financiándose con el tráfico de drogas y la extorsión a productores de limón, aguacate, ganaderos y a comerciantes y transportistas.

García Harfuch dijo ya se puso en contacto con agencias de Estados Unidos para saber las imputaciones que R1 tiene en ese país, donde el cártel es uno de los ocho designados por el gobierno estadounidense como organizacines terroristas. El secretario subrayó que aunque el intercambio de información con los estadounidenses es permanente, la acción fue una investigación del gabinete de Seguridad mexicano.

En la operación para su captura llevada a cabo en Atotonilco —Jalisco— por fuerzas federales, fue detenida otra persona y un sospechoso murió.

García Harfuch señaló que de acuerdo con la evidencia —comunicaciones y transferencias bancarias— R1 fue el principal autor intelectual de la muerte de Manzo, pero “los indicios que tenemos por dos testimonios y por intervenciones telefónicas autorizadas por un juez es de que ('El Mencho') tenía conocimiento del homicidio”. “El Mencho” fue muerto en un operativo en febrero.

“Ya se irá acreditando exactamente el móvil", agregó, pero algunos detenidos dijeron sentir “una provocación del presidente municipal (Manzo) hacia el grupo criminal” porque cuando las fuerzas federales hacían alguna detención, el alcalde estaba presente y hacía alusiones al cártel, explicó el secretario.

Manzo, exdiputado del oficialista Morena y luego uno de sus críticos, era visto como el único político que intentaba limpiar de narcos su territorio. Había depurado a la policía municipal, presumía las capturas en redes y visitaba a los vecinos en las zonas más complicadas. En octubre de 2025, un mes antes de su asesinato, había pedido ayuda al gobierno federal.

Su homicidio y el de un popular líder limonero, también en Michoacán, provocó que el gobierno de Claudia Sheinbaum incrementara sus efectivos en el estado, azotado por el crimen organizado desde hace décadas y donde tienen presencia numerosos grupos criminales.

La balacera fue reportada en el área de Northwest Second Avenue y la calle 12.

Según la agente Kenia Fallat, de la Policía de Miami, la víctima recibió un disparo en el torso.

Fallat indicó que un equipo de Miami Fire Rescue respondió al lugar y trasladó a la víctima al Centro de Trauma Ryder del Hospital Jackson Memorial, donde permanece en estado crítico.

La investigación continúa en curso.

No se divulgaron de inmediato más detalles.

Cualquier persona con información sobre la balacera debe comunicarse con el Departamento de Policía de Miami o con Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers al 305-471-8477.

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Deputies said Sandra Elvira-Paez, 44, was also illegally giving patients massages and injections.

Arrest records show Elvira-Paez was taken into custody at the home, located in the 8900 block of Southwest 215th Lane, on Thursday afternoon. She faces four felony charges.

According to an MDSO arrest report, deputies found Elvira-Paez and three post-operative patients at the home. Deputies said there were also two employees, one of whom was her son.

Those patients told deputies that they were receiving care out of the home and paid up to $450 per night for services. They additionally told deputies, according to the report, that Elvira-Paez had given them “numerous” massages and “also injects them with their anti-coagulant medication.”

According to the report, Elvira-Paez told deputies that she’s licensed to give massages in her native Colombia, but deputies said she’s not licensed to give massages ― or provide “any type of medical services” ― in Florida.

Authorities said Elvira-Paez was also improperly disposing medical waste.

Deputies arrested her on charges including practicing medicine without a license and operating an assisted living facility without a license, plus felony and misdemeanor charges related to improper waste disposal.

Records show she was set to be released from the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on a nearly $11,000 bond Friday.

Los agentes informaron que Sandra Elvira-Paez, de 44 años, también realizaba masajes y aplicaba inyecciones a los pacientes de manera ilegal.

Los registros de arresto muestran que Elvira-Paez fue detenida el jueves por la tarde en la vivienda, ubicada en la cuadra 8900 de Southwest 215th Lane. Enfrenta cuatro cargos graves.

Según el informe de arresto de la Oficina del Sheriff de Miami-Dade, los agentes encontraron a Elvira-Paez y a tres pacientes en recuperación tras cirugías en la vivienda. También había dos empleados, uno de ellos su hijo.

De acuerdo con el informe, los pacientes dijeron a los agentes que recibían atención en la vivienda y pagaban hasta $450 USD por noche por los servicios. También afirmaron que Elvira-Paez les había realizado “numerosos” masajes y que “además les aplicaba su medicamento anticoagulante”.

Según el informe, Elvira-Paez dijo a los agentes que cuenta con licencia para dar masajes en su natal Colombia, pero los agentes indicaron que no tiene licencia para realizar masajes ni para prestar “ningún tipo de servicio médico” en Florida.

Las autoridades informaron que Elvira-Paez también desechaba de manera inadecuada los residuos médicos.

Los agentes la arrestaron por cargos que incluyen ejercer la medicina sin licencia y operar un centro de residencia asistida sin licencia, además de cargos graves y menores relacionados con la eliminación inadecuada de residuos.

Los registros muestran que estaba previsto que fuera liberada el viernes del Centro Correccional Turner Guilford Knight tras pagar una fianza de casi $11,000 USD.

Según la Lotería de Florida, el caso surgió de una investigación conjunta entre la División de Seguridad de la agencia y la Oficina del Inspector General del Servicio Postal de Estados Unidos.

Los investigadores informaron que la investigación comenzó después de que una jugadora de la Lotería de Florida reportó que un boleto ganador de Pick 4 que había enviado por correo a través del Servicio Postal de Estados Unidos nunca llegó a su destino.

Según el informe de arresto, el boleto ganador fue comprado en una tienda Publix de Tampa y tenía un valor de $2,600 USD. Debido a que el premio superaba el límite máximo de $599 USD que puede cobrarse en un establecimiento autorizado de la lotería, el sistema indicó que el boleto debía ser devuelto a la jugadora, informaron los investigadores.

Indicaron que la ganadora posteriormente envió el boleto por correo a un familiar en Fort Lauderdale para ayudar a cubrir los gastos funerarios de otra persona, pero el boleto nunca fue entregado.

Un inspector de la Lotería de Florida determinó que el boleto fue cobrado el 19 de junio en la oficina del Distrito de Miami de la Lotería de Florida por Lekaysha Kenya Lockhart, de 28 años. Posteriormente, los investigadores identificaron a Lockhart como una cartera del USPS asignada a la oficina postal de Oakland Park.

Según el informe de arresto, Lockhart, quien tiene direcciones registradas en Lauderhill y Hollywood, “no era conocida por la propietaria del boleto ni estaba autorizada o aprobada por ella” para cobrar el premio.

Las autoridades informaron que agentes especiales de la Lotería de Florida e investigadores de la Oficina del Inspector General del USPS realizaron una operación conjunta que condujo al arresto de Lockhart el 23 de julio. Indicaron que, tras su arresto, Lockhart admitió haber robado el boleto ganador y haberlo cobrado en la oficina del Distrito de Miami.

“Nuestros jugadores merecen la confianza de que cada premio de la Lotería está protegido mediante sólidas medidas de seguridad y una supervisión rigurosa”, dijo en un comunicado el secretario de la Lotería de Florida, Reginald D. Dixon. “Reconozco el extraordinario trabajo investigativo de nuestra División de Seguridad y agradezco a nuestros socios de la Oficina del Inspector General del Servicio Postal de Estados Unidos y de la Oficina del Sheriff de Broward por su colaboración para proteger la integridad de los juegos de la Lotería de Florida y lograr una resolución exitosa de este caso”.

Los registros de la cárcel muestran que Lockhart enfrenta un cargo de hurto mayor, uno por tráfico de propiedad robada, uno por presentar un reclamo falso de pago y dos cargos por uso ilegal de un dispositivo de comunicación bidireccional y robo de correspondencia.

Funcionarios de la Lotería de Florida informaron que, debido a que los delitos ocurrieron en múltiples circuitos judiciales, los casos serán procesados por separado.

Hasta la mañana del viernes, Lockhart no figuraba como reclusa en los registros de la cárcel del condado Broward.

Local 10 solicitó una declaración al Servicio Postal de Estados Unidos sobre su arresto.

La investigación se desarrolla en el centro comercial Palm Gardens, ubicado junto a North Andrews Avenue y Northeast 26th Drive.

Michaila Hightower, de Local 10, se encontraba en el lugar cuando un hombre fue detenido y colocado en la parte trasera de una patrulla.

En el suelo del centro comercial se podían observar lo que parecía ser sangre y prendas de vestir.

Dwayne Lewis, quien presenció la balacera, dijo a Hightower que una mujer había recibido un disparo en una pierna, aunque la Policía no confirmó de inmediato esa información.

“La víctima estaba justo a mi lado. Estaba perdiendo mucha sangre”, dijo.

Lewis contó que esperaba en una parada de autobús cercana cuando ocurrió la balacera.

“Desde el auto, probablemente escuché unos tres o cuatro disparos”, dijo.

Lewis señaló que parecía haber una pelea en el centro comercial antes de la balacera.

“Solo estaban discutiendo y escuché a una mujer decir: “Cariño, no; cariño, no”. Entonces él simplemente comenzó a disparar”, dijo Lewis. “Luego, las dos personas a las que les disparaba corrieron hacia una pequeña oficina, la oficina de impuestos. El tirador se dio la vuelta y regresó a su auto”.

Además del concreto manchado de sangre, también se observó un impacto de bala en la ventana del lado del conductor de un Honda Accord.

“Lo único que decía era: “Por favor, llamen a una ambulancia”. Estaba hablándole a una joven”, dijo Lewis.

A pesar de haber recibido un disparo en una pierna, Lewis dijo que la víctima permanecía tranquila y consciente.

At a televised news conference, military spokesman Lt. Gen. Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry said Pakistan had targeted only hideouts and infrastructure used by the Pakistani Taliban, known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, during that period, and said those killed in the strikes were militants.

He said the operations were carried out in self-defense to protect the lives of people in Pakistan.

Chaudhry questioned recently released reports by the U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, or UNAMA, and Amnesty International, saying they relied largely on accounts from Afghans despite what he described as restrictions on freedom of expression under Taliban rule.

He also accused Afghanistan’s Taliban government of sheltering militants responsible for attacks inside Pakistan and said international rights organizations had failed to document such violence.

“These are double standards,” Chaudhry said, asking how many times rights groups had documented civilian casualties caused by U.S.-led coalition airstrikes during the war in Afghanistan.

Chaudhry’s remarks came days after UNAMA, in a report on the human rights situation in Afghanistan, said it had documented 499 civilians killed and 1,216 wounded in fighting between Pakistan and Afghanistan despite international efforts to reduce tensions.

Pakistan and Afghanistan have exchanged fire intermittently for months, but tensions escalated sharply in February, when Afghan forces launched a cross-border raid into Pakistan in retaliation for Pakistani airstrikes inside Afghanistan. Islamabad later declared it was in “open war.”

Pakistan often accuses Afghanistan of harboring militants who carry out deadly attacks inside Pakistan, especially the Pakistani Taliban. The group is separate from, but allied with, the Afghan Taliban, which has ruled Afghanistan since it returned to power in the country in 2021 amid the chaotic withdrawal of U.S.-led troops. Afghanistan denies providing sanctuary to militants.

In the deadliest reported attack in the recent fighting, a Pakistani airstrike struck a drug-treatment center in the Afghan capital Kabul in March, killing hundreds of civilians. Amnesty International said last week the bombing should be investigated as a possible war crime.

Chaudhry defended the strikes, saying Pakistan had carried out operations in Kabul and elsewhere with precision to target militant infrastructure supporting attacks inside Pakistan. He said Pakistan is also continuing operations inside the country against “Khawarij,” a term Pakistan uses for TTP and affiliated groups.

According to Chaudhry, Pakistan has recorded 3,145 “terrorism incidents” since January.

He said Pakistan had killed 2,084 militants since January, while 819 Pakistanis, including soldiers, police officers and civilians, had been killed. He said security forces had carried out 40,348 intelligence-based operations across the country during the same period.

Chaudhry also said Afghanistan-based militants had carried out 28 suicide attacks in Pakistan since January and alleged that most were carried out by Afghan nationals or people associated with Afghanistan’s security forces. He alleged that drug addicts had been recruited to carry out suicide bombings.

“Not every drug addict is a terrorist, but every suicide bomber was a drug addict,” he said.

Chaudhry said Pakistan launched a new counterterrorism operation earlier this year following a surge in militant violence and would continue the campaign. “We will continue these operations,” he said, adding that Pakistan was winning the fight against terrorism and, “God willing, we will win.”

He also accused the outlawed Baloch Liberation Army and TTP of directing attacks in Pakistan’s insurgency-hit southwestern Balochistan province from Afghanistan. Balochistan has long faced a separatist insurgency led by BLA that accuses the government of discrimination and exploiting the province’s natural resources. The government denies the allegations.

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The shooting was reported in the area of Northwest Second Avenue and 12^th Street.

According to Miami police Officer Kenia Fallat, the victim was shot in the torso.

She said a Miami Fire Rescue crew responded to the scene and transported the victim to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center, where he is listed in critical condition.

The investigation remains ongoing.

No other details were immediately released.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the Miami Police Department or Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477.

CBS Sports announced Friday that the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback was on leave “until further notice.” JJ Watt will join Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson as CBS Sports’ lead NFL team during Romo’s absence.

Romo, 46, was arrested July 23 after he was stopped while driving south on Interstate 43 in Wisconsin. According to the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office report, Romo performed poorly on field sobriety tests before getting taken into custody, booked and released.

He has a court date set for Sept. 21.

CBS Sports’ announcement comes after citations released by the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office indicated an open bottle of an alcoholic beverage was found in the passenger’s side of Romo’s black Jeep during an inventory before it was towed.

According to the citations, police stopped Romo after he was seen passing cars in a gore area, which separates interstate traffic from cars entering from an on-ramp. Police said Romo questioned what a gore area was during the stop.

Body camera footage released earlier this week showed Romo telling deputies he had been coming from a golf course and was on his way “to visit grandma and grandpa” when he was stopped. A deputy told Romo he suspected him of being impaired because he had “red glassy eyes” and an “odor of an intoxicating alcoholic beverage.”

Romo went to high school about 35 miles from Milwaukee in Burlington, Wisconsin.

He has been the lead game analyst for CBS’ NFL coverage since 2017 after making four Pro Bowl appearances during an NFL career that ran from 2004-16 and was spent entirely with Dallas.

Romo remains the Cowboys’ franchise leader in career touchdown passes with 248. He held the franchise record for career passing yards (34,183) until Dak Prescott overtook him last season.

Watt joined CBS in 2023. He was an analyst on “The NFL Today” for two seasons before teaming with Ian Eagle on the network’s No. 2 crew beginning last season.

Romo wasn’t expected to have his first game until the opening Sunday of the regular season on Sept. 13. CBS will air a preseason game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Philadelphia Eagles on Aug. 28.

CBS likely will reveal its game assignments and announcer pairings for the first three weeks of the regular season in the next couple of weeks.

___

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Indiana Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray drew the ire of Trump in December when he voted against the redistricting plan after saying for weeks that it didn't have enough support to pass. The rejection came after intense lobbying from Trump, Vice President JD Vance, national conservative groups and others.

Bray, who has held his leadership position since 2018, said in a statement Friday that he would not seek reelection to the post when Senate Republicans choose their leaders in November. His current Senate term runs through 2028 and he will remain in office, albeit not as the Republican Senate leader.

Trump reacted to the news in a social media post by saying Bray had “foolishly led,” the state Senate, noting the May primary defeats of those who defied him on the redistricting plan.

Bray did not mention Trump or the redistricting fight in his statement announcing his position to step down from the leadership position. Bray said holding the job “has been among the most significant honors of my life, but it’s time for the Senate to choose another leader."

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The sheriff’s office says the free event will take place on Aug. 4 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and will bring together enforcement, first responders, military personnel and community members.

The agency says National Night Out helps strengthen neighborhood partnerships and raise crime prevention awareness.

The sheriff’s office said attendees will have the opportunity to meet deputies, police officers, firefighters and members of the military, while learning about the agencies and organizations that help keep the Keys safe. Food and refreshments will also be provided.

The agency says the National Night Out events will be held in four locations spread across the Keys:

• Key Largo Community Park in Key Largo

• Founders Park in Islamorada

• Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Aviation Hangar at the Florida Keys Marathon International Airport in Marathon

• Truman Waterfront in Key West

Depending on the location, the sheriff’s office says visitors can explore displays from specialized units, including the Dive Team, SWAT, and Crime Scene Investigation.

Also expected to participate are representatives from the U.S. Coast Guard, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida Highway Patrol, Monroe County Fire Rescue, and other fire districts, Monroe County schools, chambers of commerce and more.

La Oficina del Sheriff informó que el evento gratuito se llevará a cabo el 4 de agosto de 5:30 p.m. a 7:30 p.m. y reunirá a agentes del orden, socorristas, personal militar y miembros de la comunidad.

La agencia indicó que National Night Out ayuda a fortalecer las alianzas entre los vecindarios y las autoridades, además de crear conciencia sobre la prevención del crimen.

La Oficina del Sheriff señaló que los asistentes tendrán la oportunidad de conocer a agentes, policías, bomberos y miembros de las Fuerzas Armadas, mientras aprenden sobre las agencias y organizaciones que ayudan a mantener seguros los Cayos de Florida. También habrá comida y refrigerios.

La agencia informó que los eventos de National Night Out se realizarán en cuatro lugares de los Cayos:

• Key Largo Community Park, en Key Largo

• Founders Park, en Islamorada

• Hangar de Aviación de la Oficina del Sheriff del condado Monroe, en el Aeropuerto Internacional Florida Keys Marathon, en Marathon

• Truman Waterfront, en Key West

Dependiendo del lugar, la Oficina del Sheriff indicó que los visitantes podrán recorrer exhibiciones de unidades especializadas, entre ellas el Equipo de Buceo, SWAT y la Unidad de Investigación de la Escena del Crimen.

También se espera la participación de representantes de la Guardia Costera de Estados Unidos, la Comisión de Conservación de Pesca y Vida Silvestre de Florida (FWC), la Patrulla de Carreteras de Florida, Monroe County Fire Rescue, otros distritos de bomberos, escuelas del condado Monroe, cámaras de comercio y otras organizaciones.

El programa gastronómico anual incluye restaurantes participantes que ofrecen menús especiales para el brunch, el almuerzo y la cena hasta septiembre, con varias novedades que se suman a la lista de este año.

Entre los restaurantes que debutan en Miami Spice se encuentran Daniel’s Miami, Yamashiro, Maple & Ash y Zuma.

Daniel’s Miami ofrece cuatro experiencias gastronómicas Miami Spice, que incluyen menús de brunch y almuerzo por 40 dólares y opciones de cena que oscilan entre los 65 y los 95 dólares.

Los comensales pueden elegir entre platos como empanadas de carne Wagyu, lubina a la parrilla, costillas de ternera Wagyu estofadas y mero con costra de sémola de maíz de Florida, además de cócteles especiales creados para Miami Spice.

Yamashiro también participa por primera vez con un brunch dominical de 40 dólares y un menú de cena de 95 dólares que incluye platos de inspiración japonesa, entre ellos su característico bacalao negro.

Maple & Ash también se une a Miami Spice por primera vez, brindando a los comensales la oportunidad de experimentar el servicio de mesa y los platos estrella de este lujoso restaurante de carnes a precios especiales.

“Lo diseñamos todo en torno a la diversión”, dijo Kam Losonsky, chef ejecutivo de Maple & Ash. “Disfrutarás de una experiencia de lujo”.

El menú Miami Spice del restaurante incluye tartar de atún y filete mignon con trufa.

“Estás obteniendo opciones que realmente no vas a encontrar en ningún otro lugar, especialmente a este precio”, dijo Losonsky.

Entre los demás restaurantes participantes se encuentra Jaya at The Setai , que ofrece menús de almuerzo y cena de inspiración asiática con platos como Pad Thai, curry Panang y costillas cortas galbi a la barbacoa coreana.

Zuma ofrece menús de almuerzo y cena con precios de $35 y $60, respectivamente. Durante el Miami Spice, los comensales podrán disfrutar del famoso pastel de queso con arce de Zuma Vail, junto con otros platos favoritos del público del año pasado, entre los que se incluyen:

1. Pollo karaage con aderezo de limón y chile
2. Gyoza de gambas y bacalao negro
3. Salsa teriyaki de salmón y pepinillos encurtidos.

CATCH Miami Beach ofrece un menú de cena de 65 dólares con opciones de mariscos, sushi y carnes, mientras que Le Jardinier, galardonado con una estrella Michelin , regresa con almuerzos y cenas de tres platos de inspiración francesa.

También participan Stubborn Seed , restaurante con estrella Michelin , donde los comensales pueden disfrutar de una cena de tres platos con delicias como pollo con trufa y pavlova de cítricos, y Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink , que ofrece almuerzos y cenas de tres platos con menús que varían a lo largo de la temporada para mostrar ingredientes frescos de origen local.

Miami Spice, que se extiende hasta finales de septiembre, no solo ofrece a los comensales la oportunidad de probar nuevos restaurantes, sino que también ayuda a los restaurantes a darse a conocer a nuevos clientes.

Para obtener más información sobre Miami Spice y una lista de los restaurantes participantes, haga clic aquí.

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The annual dining program features participating restaurants offering special brunch, lunch and dinner menus through September, with several newcomers joining this year’s lineup.

Among the restaurants making their Miami Spice debut are Daniel’s Miami, Yamashiro, Maple & Ash and Zuma.

Daniel’s Miami is offering four Miami Spice dining experiences, including $40 brunch and lunch menus and dinner options ranging from $65 to $95.

Diners can choose from dishes including Wagyu beef empanadas, grilled branzino, braised Wagyu beef short rib and Florida grits-crusted grouper, along with specialty cocktails created for Miami Spice.

Yamashiro is also participating for the first time with a $40 Sunday brunch and $95 dinner menu featuring Japanese-inspired dishes, including its signature black cod.

Maple & Ash is also joining Miami Spice for the first time, giving diners the chance to experience the luxury steakhouse’s tableside service and signature dishes at special prices.

“We build everything around fun,” said Maple & Ash executive chef Kam Losonsky. “You’re getting a luxurious experience.”

The restaurant’s Miami Spice menu includes tuna tartare and filet mignon with truffle.

“You’re getting options you really aren’t gonna get anywhere else, especially for this price point,” Losonsky said.

Other participating restaurants include Jaya at The Setai, which is offering Asian-inspired lunch and dinner menus featuring dishes such as Pad Thai, Panang curry and Korean barbecue galbi short rib.

Zuma is offering lunch and dinner menus priced at $35 and $60. During Miami Spice, guests can enjoy the restaurant’s signature Maple Cheesecake from Zuma Vail, along with fan favorite dishes from last year, including:

1. Chicken karaage with chili lemon dressing
2. Prawn and black cod gyoza
3. Salmon teriyaki sauce and pickled cucumber

CATCH Miami Beach is serving a $65 dinner menu with seafood, sushi and steak selections, while Michelin-starred Le Jardinier returns with French-inspired three-course lunches and dinners.

Also participating are Michelin-starred Stubborn Seed, where diners can enjoy a three-course dinner featuring dishes such as truffle chicken and citrus pavlova, and Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink, which is offering three-course lunches and dinners with menus that rotate throughout the season to showcase fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

Miami Spice, which lasts through the end of September, not only gives diners a chance to try new restaurants, but also helps restaurants introduce themselves to new customers.

For more information on Miami Spice and a list of participating restaurants, click here.

After being driven past two businesses relevant to the narrative of the January 2023 killings, jurors were escorted in groups of six to view the inside of the house, including the basement where the children died. During the roughly 40-minute visit, the jury also saw the yard where Clancy was found after jumping from a second-story window.

Journalists were kept away by a police barricade, but court officers could be seen through the trees escorting jurors to and from the bus along the site of the Clancy family’s former driveway. The home now has a new owner.

Clancy herself did not attend the visit to the home, which she hasn't seen since the day of the killings. Her lawyers argue she was in the grip of postpartum psychosis, a rare mental illness linked to the stress, sleep deprivation and hormonal changes that follow childbirth.

___

EDITOR’S NOTE: This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988.

___

Jurors in U.S. criminal cases often are expressly told not to visit the scene of the events in question. There are a number of rationales for not doing so — among other things, the site may have changed in the interim between an alleged crime and a trial.

But courts sometimes allow juries to make a supervised excursion as a group, for reasons that can include assessing distances or features that aren’t thought to come across fully in photos.

Such excursions have happened in a number of high-profile cases, including the 2023 murder trial of South Carolina attorney Alex Murdaugh, the 2022 sentencing trial of Parkland, Florida, school shooter Nikolas Cruz, the 2015 Massachusetts murder trial of former New England Patriots player Aaron Hernandez and the 1995 murder trial of O.J. Simpson.

Jurors in Clancy's trial retraced the route her then-husband, Patrick Clancy, took when she asked him to pick up takeout food and medicine for daughter Cora on the night of the killings. He returned to find the children dead and his then-wife badly injured and bleeding in the yard.

The panel was driven past the restaurant — about 5.5 miles (9 kilometers) from the family’s former home in Duxbury, a town south of Boston — and the pharmacy, about a mile (1.6 km) from the house.

Prosecutors say the errands were a ruse to get her husband out of the house. They say Lindsay Clancy, a former labor and delivery nurse, acted intentionally and is criminally responsible for the deaths of children Cora, 5; Dawson, 3; and Callan, 8 months.

Her lawyers don't dispute that she killed the children, but they say she had bipolar disorder and her condition worsened while she was on antidepressants prescribed after the birth of her third child. She believed a voice was telling her to “kill the children so you can kill yourself,” according to her lawyers.

Lindsay Clancy remains paralyzed from the waist down after using multiple methods to try to end her life that night.

If convicted of murder, she faces life in prison without parole. If found not guilty due to a lack of criminal responsibility, she would be committed to a state mental health facility.

___ Associated Press writer Jennifer Peltz contributed from New York.

El gobierno cubano anunció ayer, al cierre de la reunión anual de la Asamblea Nacional, que está considerando permitir que los exiliados cubanos visiten la isla, permanezcan el tiempo que deseen e inviertan en Cuba.

Sin embargo, los exiliados cubanos con ciudadanía estadounidense aún enfrentan algunas restricciones impuestas por el Departamento del Tesoro de Estados Unidos.

30 de julio: Cuba crea su primer banco privado bajo el Banco Central de Cuba, dice el primer ministro

El primer ministro de Cuba, Manuel Marrero, anunció esta semana que Cuba está creando su primer banco privado bajo el Banco Central de Cuba, que es administrado por el gobierno cubano y cuyo presidente forma parte del Consejo de Ministros del gobierno.

¿Por qué querría un inversionista extranjero invertir en un sistema así, sin protección para su dinero?

Actualización del 29 de julio: Cinco destacados economistas en Cuba publican informe titulado “Una propuesta para transformar la economía cubana”

Cinco destacados economistas en Cuba acaban de publicar un informe titulado “Una propuesta para transformar la economía cubana”. El documento presenta un diagnóstico estructural de la actual crisis económica que enfrenta el país y propone, como objetivo estratégico, la creación de una economía social de mercado sustentada por un Estado democrático regido por el Estado de derecho.

Aunque el informe es positivo, el problema que observo es la creación de un Estado democrático. Debemos recordar que Cuba no tenía una democracia antes del inicio de la Revolución Cubana en 1959. La transición de un Estado totalitario que ha tenido una economía centralizada durante casi 68 años podría tomar tiempo. Un tiempo que Cuba y su población no tienen debido a la actual crisis económica.

Actualización del 27 de julio: 73 años del inicio de la Revolución Cubana

Ayer se conmemoró el 73 aniversario desde que Fidel Castro, Raúl Castro y su grupo de rebeldes atacaron el Cuartel Moncada en Santiago de Cuba. El 26 de julio de 1953 es considerado el inicio de la Revolución Cubana.

Al igual que en el poema de Robert Frost, “El camino no tomado”, la Revolución Cubana tomó un rumbo que destruyó al país y “nunca miró atrás”. Hoy, Cuba se encuentra al final de lo que Fidel llamó sus días de gloria.

Actualización del 24 de julio: La Administración Trump anuncia una serie de nuevas sanciones contra Cuba

El jueves, la Administración Trump anunció una serie de nuevas sanciones contra Cuba dirigidas al conglomerado militar del gobierno, GAESA. Sin embargo, esta vez también incluye a empresas como Coral S.A., que asumieron operaciones de algunos sectores de GAESA para evitar las sanciones de Estados Unidos y mantener en funcionamiento las operaciones de importación en Cuba.

La pregunta que muchos académicos que seguimos a Cuba nos hacemos es si la estrategia de Estados Unidos en adelante es obligar a Cuba a vender eventualmente algunos de los activos de GAESA a Estados Unidos.

Actualización del 23 de julio: Estados Unidos continúa enviando señales contradictorias sobre lo que hará con Cuba

El pasado lunes, el Departamento de Estado de Estados Unidos emitió un informe de 100 páginas titulado “Cuba: La capital del comunismo del siglo XXI”, en el que expone por qué Cuba representa una amenaza para la seguridad nacional no solo de Estados Unidos, sino del mundo entero. El gobierno cubano reaccionó de inmediato y no solo criticó el informe, sino que acusó al secretario de Estado, Marco Rubio, de amenazar a la isla.

El miércoles, durante una conferencia de prensa en Filipinas, Rubio, al ser consultado por un periodista sobre cuál era el plan de Estados Unidos para Cuba, utilizó un tono mucho más diplomático y dijo que Estados Unidos sigue dispuesto a negociar con Cuba.

Washington continúa enviando señales contradictorias sobre lo que hará con Cuba. Lo que sí sabemos es que la estrategia utilizada en Venezuela no produjo un cambio de régimen.

Actualización del 21 de julio: Llegará a Cuba la primera ayuda humanitaria desde Estados Unidos

Hoy llegará a Cuba la primera ayuda humanitaria como parte del ofrecimiento del secretario de Estado, Marco Rubio, para ayudar al pueblo cubano mientras enfrenta la peor situación económica desde principios de la década de 1990. El cargamento de hoy incluye 700 kits de higiene y 700 paquetes de alimentos que serán distribuidos directamente al pueblo cubano por Catholic Relief Services Caritas Cuba y otras organizaciones religiosas.

El secretario Rubio quiere dejar claro al pueblo cubano que Estados Unidos lo respalda y está dispuesto a seguir ayudándolo como parte del compromiso de $100 millones USD en ayuda humanitaria.

Actualización del 20 de julio: Cuba libera al artista Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara

El pasado sábado, Cuba liberó al artista y líder opositor Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara tras cumplir cinco años en prisión. Otero Alcántara fue uno de los líderes del Movimiento San Isidro, que impulsó grandes protestas en toda la isla hace cinco años.

Al llegar a Miami, Otero Alcántara agradeció a la comunidad cubanoamericana por su apoyo y pidió a Cuba liberar a todos los presos políticos.

Actualización del 16 de julio: Departamento de Defensa de Estados Unidos paga $3 millones USD a personal afectado por el Síndrome de La Habana

El Departamento de Defensa de Estados Unidos ha pagado $3 millones USD en compensación al personal estadounidense afectado por la misteriosa condición conocida como Síndrome de La Habana, realizando el primer pago bajo la Ley de La Habana de 2021.

El Síndrome de La Habana apareció por primera vez en 2016, cuando diplomáticos y oficiales de inteligencia estadounidenses en La Habana, Cuba, reportaron síntomas inusuales, entre ellos intensa presión en la cabeza, mareos, náuseas, alteraciones auditivas y problemas de memoria.

Actualización del 14 de julio: Nuevas sanciones de Estados Unidos aumentan la presión sobre la economía controlada por los militares en Cuba

El lunes, Estados Unidos impuso nuevas sanciones dirigidas a empresas controladas por GAESA, el conglomerado económico militar de Cuba, así como a algunas de las brigadas militares responsables de reprimir protestas como las que vimos recientemente.

¿Cuánto tiempo más podrá resistir el gobierno cubano? Continúa llegando información a funcionarios estadounidenses que indica que hay sectores dentro del gobierno cubano cada vez más preocupados por cuánto tiempo más podrán sobrevivir sin negociar con el gobierno de Estados Unidos antes de enfrentar un colapso total de su sistema.

Actualización del 10 de julio: ¿Tiene el nieto de Raúl Castro plena autoridad para negociar por el gobierno cubano?

Como esperaba, parece haber una pequeña grieta dentro del círculo más cercano del gobierno cubano. Algunos han criticado a Raulito, el nieto de Raúl Castro, por ofrecer negociar directamente con el presidente Trump. La crítica se centra en si realmente tiene plena autoridad para negociar en nombre del gobierno cubano o si solo negocia en representación de la familia Castro.

Ayer, el Partido Comunista de Cuba (PCC) respaldó los esfuerzos de Raulito, pero la cúpula militar ha permanecido en silencio.

Actualización del 8 de julio: Las Naciones Unidas no tienen derecho legal para levantar el embargo de Estados Unidos a Cuba

Cada año, Cuba argumenta ante las Naciones Unidas que el embargo económico de Estados Unidos es la causa de sus problemas económicos. Cada año, Cuba pierde más apoyo para ese argumento. Las Naciones Unidas no tienen un derecho legítimo ni legal para levantar el embargo. Solo el Congreso de Estados Unidos puede hacerlo.

La maquinaria de propaganda del gobierno cubano ha fracasado. La mayoría de los cubanos en la isla, incluidos economistas cubanos, responsabilizan al gobierno cubano por las actuales malas condiciones económicas.

Actualización del 6 de julio: Nieto de Raúl Castro dice que Cuba está dispuesta a negociar con Estados Unidos

Reuters informó esta mañana que Raulito, nieto de Raúl Castro y conocido como “El Cangrejo”, anunció que Cuba está dispuesta a negociar con Estados Unidos. La pregunta que debemos hacernos es si Raulito negocia en nombre de la familia Castro o del gobierno cubano.

Sabemos que Cuba ha estado vendiendo algunos de sus activos, incluidos algunos pertenecientes al conglomerado económico militar GAESA, durante las últimas semanas. El intento de Cuba por atraer inversión extranjera no ha despertado mucho interés debido al temor de perder el dinero invertido.

Actualización del 2 de julio: La cultura del miedo en Cuba complica una transición democrática

Cuando hablamos de Cuba, normalmente nos concentramos en su sistema político y económico centralizado. Sin embargo, no reconocemos que las personas que han vivido bajo regímenes totalitarios han tenido que sobrevivir dentro de una cultura del miedo. Ese sistema de gobierno crea un conjunto psicológico de actitudes y valores que ayudan a definir el comportamiento diario para alinear los deseos y necesidades de la población con las restricciones impuestas por el gobierno.

Romper esos comportamientos podría requerir años de preparación y cambio psicológico. Por lo tanto, la transición de un Estado totalitario hacia alguna forma de gobierno democrático podría tomar tiempo.

Las actualizaciones de junio del Dr. Andy S. Gomez pueden consultarse haciendo clic aquí.

El Dr. Andy S. Gomez es el analista de Cuba de Local 10. Gomez es considerado uno de los principales expertos sobre Cuba. Trabajó en educación superior durante 32 años antes de retirarse de la Universidad de Miami en 2012.

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Pembroke Pines police said Antonio Lee Rogers, 27, claimed the girl had choked on formula.

According to an arrest warrant authored on July 22, Rogers called 911 on Oct. 10, 2025 to report the “choking,” saying that the 4-month-old “was not breathing and her mouth was turning blue.”

Medics took the girl to Memorial Hospital Miramar in critical condition, the warrant states. Police said she was “lifeless” upon arriving at the emergency room but doctors were able to intubate and revive her.

According to the warrant, she was later taken to Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital and doctors determined that the girl’s injuries, which included a traumatic brain injury with a brain bleed, were not consistent with Rogers’ claim that she choked on formula.

Authorities said medical imaging showed that she older brain bleed injuries that indicated a prior incident of shaking.

Now under the care of her grandmother, the girl still requires “extensive medical treatment due to her injuries,” including “home health nursing,” according to police.

Records show police took Rogers into custody on Wednesday on charges of aggravated child abuse and child neglect with great bodily harm.

As of Friday, he was being held without bond in the Broward Sheriff’s Office’s Paul Rein Detention Facility in Pompano Beach.

La Policía de Pembroke Pines informó que Antonio Lee Rogers, de 27 años, afirmó que la niña se había atragantado con fórmula.

Según una orden de arresto redactada el 22 de julio, Rogers llamó al 911 el 10 de octubre de 2025 para reportar que la bebé se estaba “atragantando”, diciendo que la menor de 4 meses “no estaba respirando y que su boca se estaba poniendo azul”.

Los paramédicos trasladaron a la niña al Memorial Hospital Miramar en estado crítico, según la orden de arresto. La Policía indicó que la menor llegó “sin signos de vida” a la sala de emergencias, pero los médicos lograron intubarla y reanimarla.

De acuerdo con la orden de arresto, posteriormente fue trasladada al Hospital Infantil Joe DiMaggio, donde los médicos determinaron que las lesiones de la niña, que incluían una lesión cerebral traumática con una hemorragia cerebral, no eran compatibles con la versión de Rogers de que se había atragantado con fórmula.

Las autoridades informaron que los estudios médicos también revelaron hemorragias cerebrales antiguas que indicaban un incidente previo de sacudidas.

Ahora bajo el cuidado de su abuela, la niña aún requiere “tratamiento médico especializado debido a sus lesiones”, incluido “servicio de enfermería a domicilio”, según la Policía.

Los registros muestran que la Policía arrestó a Rogers el miércoles por cargos de abuso infantil agravado y negligencia infantil que causó lesiones corporales graves.

Hasta el viernes, permanecía detenido sin derecho a fianza en el Centro de Detención Paul Rein de la Oficina del Sheriff de Broward en Pompano Beach.

The retreat, about an hour northwest of Washington, has been the backdrop for presidential summits and smaller-scale meetings since Franklin Roosevelt established it during World War II. Friday’s meeting isn’t Trump’s first at Camp David, but he has spent less time at the compound than other presidents, and typically spends weekends at his own properties, including Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, and his golf courses in New Jersey and Virginia.

Here's a look at some key dates and prominent visitors in the camp's history, assembled using archival material from The Associated Press, the National Archives, and presidential libraries.

1942 — Roosevelt established the camp as Shangri-La, a reference from James Hilton's novel “Lost Horizon.” Roosevelt had liked to relax on a presidential yacht, but the military and Secret Service started to worry about his safety on the open water during World War II. Roosevelt asked the National Park Service to identify sites within 100 miles of the White House that he could use for rest and picked what is now known as Camp David.

1943 — Roosevelt hosted Winston Churchill, who went on a fishing trip with the president and discussed the Normandy invasion at the retreat.

1953 — Dwight Eisenhower renamed the facility Camp David after his grandson and father.

1959 — Eisenhower hosted Nikita Khrushchev, the first time a Soviet leader had come to the United States.

1971 — Richard Nixon met with economic advisers amid inflation and a looming run on gold, leading eventually to an announcement ending the gold-backed dollar.

1973 — Nixon hosted his Soviet counterpart, Leonid Brezhnev.

1978 — Jimmy Carter hosted Egypt’s Anwar Sadat and Israel’s Menachem Begin, resulting in the Camp David Accords signed in 1979. Unlike at the White House, where journalists come and go, the news media are barred from Camp David, unless they are invited to cover an event, like Friday’s summit.

1984 — Ronald Reagan, the president who spent the most time at Camp David, hosted British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher for the first time.

1990 — George H.W. Bush hosted Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.

1992 — Camp David's only wedding occurred when Bush’s daughter, Dorothy, married Bobby Koch at Evergreen Chapel at the facility.

2000 — Bill Clinton hosted a summit with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat.

2001 — George W. Bush met with British Prime Minister Tony Blair early in the year and held post 9/11 meetings ahead of the Afghanistan invasion later in the year.

2003 — Bush hosted Russian President Vladimir Putin.

2012 — Barack Obama hosted the G8 Summit.

2015 — Obama hosted Persian Gulf nations for a summit.

2019 — Trump canceled a secret weekend meeting at Camp David with Taliban and Afghanistan leaders after a bombing in Kabul that killed 12 people, including an American soldier. ———

Associated Press journalist Darlene Superville contributed archival reporting for this timeline.

Según el departamento, los nuevos oficiales penitenciarios elegibles en instituciones seleccionadas también podrían calificar para un bono de retención existente de $5,000 USD, lo que eleva el total de incentivos disponibles hasta $6,000 USD.

Las instituciones con un bono de $6,000 USD incluyen:

• Apalachee CI (Sneads)
• Florida State Prison (Raiford)
• Franklin CI (Carrabelle)
• Gulf CI (Wewahitchka)
• Hamilton CI (Jasper)
• Jackson CI (Malone)
• Liberty CI (Bristol)
• Northwest Florida Reception Center (Chipley)
• Okeechobee CI (Okeechobee)
• Santa Rosa CI (Milton)
• Taylor CI (Perry)

El departamento informó que los oficiales serán elegibles para recibir los bonos después de obtener la certificación de la Comisión de Normas y Capacitación en Justicia Penal de Florida.

“El Departamento Penitenciario de Florida está comprometido con invertir en los hombres y mujeres que deciden servir y apoyar la misión de seguridad pública de Florida”, dijo en un comunicado Hope Gartman, subsecretaria adjunta de Instituciones.

Gartman agregó que una carrera en el sistema correccional ofrece un salario competitivo, beneficios para empleados, oportunidades de ascenso y la posibilidad de generar un impacto significativo en la seguridad pública.

Según el Departamento de Correcciones de Florida (FDC), los oficiales penitenciarios recién contratados reciben un salario inicial de $22 USD por hora y cuentan con capacitación remunerada, beneficios de jubilación por trabajo de alto riesgo, beneficios para empleados del estado de Florida y oportunidades de desarrollo profesional.

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According to the department, eligible new correctional officers at select institutions may also qualify for an existing $5,000 retention bonus, bringing the total available incentives to as much as $6,000.

Institutions with a $6,000 bonus include:

• Apalachee CI (Sneads)
• Florida State Prison (Raiford)
• Franklin CI (Carabelle)
• Gulf CI (Wewahitchka)
• Hamilton CI (Jasper)
• Jackson CI (Malone)
• Liberty CI (Bristol)
• Northwest Florida Reception Center (Chipley)
• Okeechobee CI (Okeechobee)
• Santa Rosa CI (Milton)
• Taylor CI (Perry)

The department said officers become eligible for the bonuses after receiving certification through the Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission.

“The Florida Department of Corrections is committed to investing in the men and women who choose to serve and support Florida’s public safety mission,” Assistant Deputy Secretary of Institutions Hope Gartman said in a statement.

Gartmen added that a career in corrections offers competitive pay, employee benefits, opportunities for advancement, and the chance to make a meaningful impact on public safety.

According to the FDC, newly hired correctional officers earn a starting salary of $22 per hour and receive paid training, high-risk retirement benefits, State of Florida employee benefits, and opportunities for career advancement.

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Rosemary Carrera, founder of 305 Pink Pack, created the nonprofit after her own battle with Stage 2 breast cancer. Following months of chemotherapy and radiation, she said she wanted to ensure others wouldn’t have to navigate treatment alone.

“Unless you’ve been through a cancer diagnosis, you have no idea what it’s like,” Carrera said.

A licensed optometrist, wife and mother, Carrera founded 305 Pink Pack in 2020 to help bridge the gap between a cancer diagnosis and everyday life. The organization connects patients with essential resources, including transportation to treatments, childcare assistance and practical support during recovery.

“We will connect you to what you need and what can help you during this time,” Carrera said.

In addition to support services, the nonprofit provides cancer patients with “chemo kits” filled with items designed to ease the side effects of treatment, including lip balm, personal care products and other comfort items.

“We are always in need of more chemo kits,” Carrera said. “We just went through our last batch.”

That need prompted a surprise partnership.

During a recent visit, Local 10 Community Relations Director Mayte Padron introduced Carrera to Renee De Bien, manager of Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy, a division that helps patients manage chronic and complex medical conditions.

“We just hold their hand throughout their journey, at least so they are just able to focus on healing,” De Bien said.

Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy donated enough supplies to replenish the nonprofit’s chemo kits, providing every item on Carrera’s wish list. The donation included essentials such as cough drops, moisturizing products, socks and other comfort items frequently requested by patients undergoing treatment.

The surprise didn’t end there.

On behalf of Local 10 viewers and Good News South Florida, Padron also presented Carrera with a $500 donation to support the organization’s mission.

Carrera said community support allows 305 Pink Pack to continue serving cancer patients when they need it most, helping them focus less on daily challenges and more on healing.

The nonprofit is seeking additional volunteers and donations. Community members can support the organization by hosting fundraisers, volunteering to drive cancer patients to treatment appointments or donating supplies for future chemo kits.

• To donate: If you’d like to make a monetary donation toward a Good News South Florida story or project, click here. Local 10 has established the Local 10 Fund with The Miami Foundation and 100% of your donation will go toward the cause you designate in the “additional information” box.
• To volunteer or submit a story idea: If you’d like to volunteer for a Good News South Florida project or would like to submit a story for consideration, email goodnews@local10.com.

Good News South Florida airs Fridays on the Local 10 morning news at 10 a.m. It will encore Fridays at 3:30 p.m. and Sunday mornings, beginning at 6 a.m.

Rosemary Carrera, fundadora de 305 Pink Pack, creó la organización sin fines de lucro después de su propia lucha contra un cáncer de mama en etapa 2. Tras meses de quimioterapia y radioterapia, dijo que quería asegurarse de que otras personas no tuvieran que enfrentar solas el tratamiento.

“A menos que hayas pasado por un diagnóstico de cáncer, no tienes idea de cómo es”, dijo Carrera.

Carrera, optometrista con licencia, esposa y madre, fundó 305 Pink Pack en 2020 para ayudar a cerrar la brecha entre un diagnóstico de cáncer y la vida cotidiana. La organización conecta a los pacientes con recursos esenciales, incluido transporte a sus tratamientos, asistencia para el cuidado de niños y apoyo práctico durante la recuperación.

“Los conectaremos con lo que necesiten y con lo que pueda ayudarlos durante este proceso”, dijo Carrera.

Además de los servicios de apoyo, la organización entrega a los pacientes con cáncer “kits de quimioterapia” con artículos diseñados para aliviar los efectos secundarios del tratamiento, incluidos bálsamo labial, productos de cuidado personal y otros artículos de comodidad.

“Siempre necesitamos más kits de quimioterapia”, dijo Carrera. “Acabamos de entregar el último lote”.

Esa necesidad dio lugar a una alianza sorpresa.

Durante una visita reciente, la directora de Relaciones Comunitarias de Local 10, Mayte Padron, presentó a Carrera con Renee De Bien, gerente de Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy, una división que ayuda a los pacientes a manejar enfermedades crónicas y afecciones médicas complejas.

“Los acompañamos durante todo su proceso para que puedan concentrarse únicamente en sanar”, dijo De Bien.

Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy donó suficientes suministros para reabastecer los kits de quimioterapia de la organización, proporcionando todos los artículos que figuraban en la lista de deseos de Carrera. La donación incluyó productos esenciales como pastillas para la tos, productos humectantes, calcetines y otros artículos de comodidad que con frecuencia solicitan los pacientes durante el tratamiento.

La sorpresa no terminó ahí.

En nombre de los televidentes de Local 10 y de Good News South Florida, Padron también entregó a Carrera una donación de $500 USD para apoyar la misión de la organización.

Carrera afirmó que el apoyo de la comunidad permite que 305 Pink Pack continúe ayudando a pacientes con cáncer cuando más lo necesitan, permitiéndoles concentrarse menos en los desafíos diarios y más en su recuperación.

La organización busca más voluntarios y donaciones. Los miembros de la comunidad pueden apoyar la organización organizando actividades de recaudación de fondos, ofreciéndose como voluntarios para transportar a pacientes con cáncer a sus citas médicas o donando suministros para futuros kits de quimioterapia.

• Para donar: Si desea hacer una donación monetaria para una historia o proyecto de Good News South Florida, haga clic aquí. Local 10 ha creado el Fondo Local 10 con The Miami Foundation y el 100% de su donación se destinará a la causa que usted indique en el apartado de “información adicional”.
• Para ser voluntario o enviar una propuesta de historia: Si desea participar como voluntario en un proyecto de Good News South Florida o presentar una historia para su consideración, envíe un correo electrónico a goodnews@local10.com.

Good News South Florida se transmite los viernes durante el noticiero matutino de Local 10 a las 10 a.m. También se retransmite los viernes a las 3:30 p.m. y los domingos por la mañana a partir de las 6 a.m.

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According to BSO, detectives are investigating a recent scam attempt in which a resident was contacted and falsely told they had missed federal jury duty and an arrest warrant had been issued.

Investigators said the scammer instructed the victim to deposit $15,000 into a kiosk as bail to avoid being arrested. The victim was also told to participate in a video conference with someone posing as a member of the Broward County judiciary.

BSO says the victim became suspicious of the activity and did not send any money nor provide personal information, ended the call and notified law enforcement.

The sheriff’s office is working with the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit and the Broward Clerk of Courts to remind residents that law enforcement agencies, the courts and the clerk’s office will never call to threaten anyone with arrest or demand payment to avoid jail.

Authorities say scammers often use high-pressure tactics, spoofed phone numbers and names of real government employees to make their schemes appear legitimate.

BSO is also urging residents to never send money, gift cards, or cryptocurrency after receiving an unsolicited phone call, text message or email. Officials also advise against sharing personal or financial information with unexpected callers and recommend verifying any requests by contacting the agency using an official phone number or website.

Anyone who believes they have been targeted by a scam is encouraged to contact local law enforcement. Residents living in Broward Sheriff’s Office jurisdictions can report suspicious activity through BSO’s non-emergency phone number at 954-764-HELP (4357).

Según la BSO, los detectives investigan un intento reciente de estafa en el que un residente fue contactado y falsamente informado de que había faltado a un servicio de jurado federal y que se había emitido una orden de arresto en su contra.

Los investigadores informaron que el estafador instruyó a la víctima a depositar $15,000 USD en un quiosco como fianza para evitar ser arrestada. También le indicó que participara en una videoconferencia con una persona que se hacía pasar por un miembro del sistema judicial del condado Broward.

La BSO informó que la víctima sospechó de la situación y no envió dinero ni proporcionó información personal, puso fin a la llamada y notificó a las autoridades.

La Oficina del Sheriff trabaja junto con el Décimo Séptimo Circuito Judicial y la Secretaría de los Tribunales del condado Broward para recordar a los residentes que las agencias del orden público, los tribunales y la Secretaría nunca llamarán para amenazar a alguien con arrestarlo ni exigirán pagos para evitar la cárcel.

Las autoridades indicaron que los estafadores suelen utilizar tácticas de alta presión, números telefónicos falsificados y nombres de empleados reales del gobierno para hacer que sus fraudes parezcan legítimos.

La BSO también insta a los residentes a nunca enviar dinero, tarjetas de regalo o criptomonedas después de recibir una llamada telefónica, mensaje de texto o correo electrónico no solicitado. Además, recomienda no compartir información personal o financiera con personas que llamen de forma inesperada y verificar cualquier solicitud comunicándose directamente con la agencia mediante un número de teléfono o sitio web oficial.

Cualquier persona que crea haber sido víctima de una estafa debe comunicarse con las autoridades locales. Los residentes que viven en jurisdicciones de la Oficina del Sheriff de Broward pueden reportar actividades sospechosas llamando al número de no emergencias de la BSO, 954-764-HELP (4357).

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Early voting for Florida’s Aug. 18 primary starts Monday in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties.

Broward County early voting begins Saturday, Aug. 8.

For specific hours and locations, check your county’s election website or view Local 10’s 2026 Voter Guide.

Voter turnout for recent primary elections has been dismal in South Florida.

Your vote is your voice. Don’t stay silent. Vote by mail, vote early or vote on Aug. 18. Just make sure you vote.

What is the deadline to drop off my vote-by-mail ballot?

Before 7 p.m., on Aug. 18.

In Miami-Dade, sign inside the red box on the back of the vote-by-mail envelope. If you forgot to sign the envelope or the signature does not match, Florida law allows you to submit an affidavit to cure your vote-by-mail ballot. The affidavit must be completed and submitted to the Elections Department along with a copy of your identification by 5 p.m. on the second day after the election.

· Vote-by-Mail Ballot - Signature Cure Affidavit (English)

· Vote-by-Mail Ballot - Signature Cure Affidavit (Español & Kreyòl)

Useful contacts

• For more information on early voting in Broward, click here or call 954-357-7050
• For more information on early voting in Miami-Dade, click here or call 305-499-8683
• For more information on early voting in Monroe, click here or call 305-292-3416

La votación anticipada para las primarias de Florida del 18 de agosto comienza el lunes en los condados de Miami-Dade y Monroe.

La votación anticipada en el condado de Broward comienza el sábado 8 de agosto.

Para conocer los horarios y lugares específicos, consulte el sitio web electoral de su condado o vea la Guía del votante de Local 10 para 2026.

La participación electoral en las recientes elecciones primarias ha sido pésima en el sur de Florida.

Tu voto es tu voz. No te quedes callado. Vota por correo, vota anticipadamente o vota el 18 de agosto. ¡Lo importante es que votes !

¿Cuál es la fecha límite para entregar mi boleta de voto por correo?

Antes de las 19:00 horas del 18 de agosto.

En Miami-Dade, firme dentro del recuadro rojo en el reverso del sobre de voto por correo . Si olvidó firmar el sobre o la firma no coincide, la ley de Florida le permite presentar una declaración jurada para subsanar el error en su voto por correo. La declaración jurada debe completarse y presentarse al Departamento de Elecciones junto con una copia de su identificación antes de las 5 p. m. del segundo día después de las elecciones.

• Boleta de voto por correo - Declaración jurada para la subsanación de errores de firma (inglés)

· Boleta de Voto por Correo - Declaración Jurada de Cure con Firma (Español y Kreyòl)

Contactos útiles

• Para obtener más información sobre la votación anticipada en Broward , haga clic aquí o llame al 954-357-7050.
• Para obtener más información sobre la votación anticipada en Miami-Dade , haga clic aquí o llame al 305-499-8683.
• Para obtener más información sobre la votación anticipada en Monroe , haga clic aquí o llame al 305-292-3416.

La Policía confirmó el miércoles el arresto de Jean Carlo Rojas, de 27 años, en relación con los daños al monumento ubicado en el 806 de la avenida 13 del suroeste.

Según los investigadores, un empleado del Departamento de Parques de la Ciudad de Miami reportó los daños después de ser notificado el domingo por la mañana de que el monumento había sido vandalizado.

Los detectives informaron que la parte dañada, descrita como el misil gris del monumento, ya había sido reparada tras un acto anterior de vandalismo. Las autoridades estimaron los nuevos daños en $1,000 USD.

Indicaron que el video de vigilancia muestra a un hombre con una camiseta blanca sin mangas, pantalones cortos negros y zapatos negros subiéndose sobre la parte del misil del monumento alrededor de las 9:18 p.m. del sábado, provocando que se rompiera.

Tras revisar las imágenes y buscar videos adicionales en la zona, los detectives informaron que identificaron al sospechoso por su vestimenta y sus tatuajes distintivos. Mientras recopilaba videos de vigilancia de un negocio cercano, el detective principal vio a Rojas de pie en la acera cerca del monumento y solicitó a los agentes que lo detuvieran.

Según el informe de arresto, Rojas renunció a sus derechos Miranda y aceptó hablar con los detectives. Una declaración que hizo durante la entrevista fue censurada en la versión pública del informe.

Rojas, identificado en el informe como trabajador de la construcción y en situación de calle, enfrenta un cargo grave de daños criminales contra un monumento o propiedad histórica.

Los registros de la cárcel muestran que ya se encontraba en libertad bajo fianza por un caso separado en el que enfrenta cargos por agresión contra un agente del orden público y resistencia a un agente sin violencia.

Hasta la mañana del viernes, Rojas permanecía detenido en el Centro Correccional Turner Guilford Knight con una fianza de $2,500 USD.

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Police confirmed the arrest of 27-year-old Jean Carlo Rojas on Wednesday in connection with the damage to the monument at 806 SW 13th Ave.

According to investigators, a city of Miami parks employee reported the damage after being notified Sunday morning that the monument had been vandalized.

Detectives said damaged portion, described as the monument’s gray missile, had previously been repaired following an earlier act of vandalism. Officials estimated the new damage at $1,000.

They said surveillance video shows a man wearing a white tank top, black shorts and black shoes stepping on the missile portion of the monument around 9:18 p.m. Saturday, causing it to break.

After reviewing the footage and canvassing the area for additional video, detectives said they identified the suspect by his clothing and distinctive tattoos. While retrieving surveillance footage from a nearby business, the lead detective spotted Rojas standing on the sidewalk near the monument and called for officers to detain him.

According to an arrest report, Rojas waived his Miranda rights and agreed to speak with detectives. A statement he made during the interview was redacted from the publicly released report.

Rojas, who is identified in the report as a construction worker who is homeless, is charged with felony criminal mischief involving a memorial or historic property.

Jail records show he was already out on felony bond in a separate case involving charges of battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting an officer without violence.

As of Friday morning, Rojas was being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on a $2,500 bond.

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation proposal spares four other states from facing mandatory cuts for now. It's meant to be flexible, allowing deeper cuts in drier times while giving the states more time to collectively agree on how to manage the dwindling resource that flows through dams to produce hydropower.

The Lower Basin states of Arizona, California and Nevada could together be forced to reduce their use by up to 3 million acre-feet (130 billion cubic feet) annually through 2036 — about the amount that Arizona and Nevada receive and enough to serve more than 25 million people a year. The actual reductions would be determined every two years based on conditions throughout the basin.

“The Department has a responsibility to ensure the Colorado River system remains reliable and resilient for the millions of Americans, communities and industries that depend on it,” Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in a statement.

Under the proposal, California, Nevada and Arizona would divide half the cuts based on a plan they already developed. Beyond that, priority water rights come into play.

Arizona and Nevada have faced mandatory reductions before, but the proposal outlines deeper cuts that could impact agriculture, cities and tribes. It could translate into higher water prices, more reliance on groundwater and leaving fields unplanted, experts say.

The proposal comes after years of deadlocked negotiations among the states and threats of lawsuits if a proposal didn't comply with longstanding laws and guidelines that govern the river, some of which expire at the end of 2026. A record-dry winter also left two key Colorado River reservoirs at a combined record low. Federal officials are expected to finalize the proposal in the coming days.

Why is the plan coming now?

More than 40 million people in seven U.S. states, several tribal nations and Mexico rely on the flows of the 1,450-mile (2,334-kilometer) river. Decades of overuse, along with rising temperatures, drought and climate change, mean it no longer provides what was promised in 1922.

The river's health often is determined by how much water is in Lake Mead and Lake Powell, the two largest human-made reservoirs in the U.S. Together, the reservoirs are at their lowest point since they began filling, according to a recent paper by Colorado River experts, and approaching levels where they could no longer produce hydropower.

How the water is allocated and conserved — especially amid a decades-long drought — has led to contentious arguments among the states, including threats of lawsuits. Both basins drew up proposals but didn't decide together on a single plan.

Because the states didn't reach an agreement, the federal government stepped in with its own proposal to buoy the river.

What are the reactions from stakeholders?

Arizona, which has the lowest priority rights in the Lower Basin, called the federal proposal flawed. California said it's an important milestone but not the finish line. Nevada didn't immediately weigh in.

The Lower Basin states have been united in wanting all seven states to share in specific, measurable cuts. The Upper Basin states of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming, meanwhile, repeatedly pushed back, saying it's illegal and that states have long lived with what the river provides. While the federal proposal mandates cuts in the Lower Basin, the Upper Basin states can proceed with voluntary water cuts primarily among agricultural users.

The four Upper Basin state governors gave the document a favorable initial assessment but said they were still reviewing it.

“We are encouraged that new operating guidelines will better reflect existing water supply which must underpin any practicable plan going forward,” the governors said in a joint statement.

The Arizona Department of Water Resources said enacting 3 million-acre feet of cuts in the Lower Basin would devastate its water users and economy. The Central Arizona Project, which manages much of the state's allocation used primarily in metro Phoenix and Tucson, said the proposal doesn't accurately portray Arizona's rights.

What impact could the plan have?

Exactly how the cuts trickle down to each state is largely up to the states themselves, though the federal government is expected to offer suggestions in the coming days.

Arizona Department of Water Resources director Tom Buschatzke said it will be painful. Farmers in Southern California and Yuma, Arizona, produce the majority of North America's leafy greens in the winter.

“Those are a lot of potential devastating impacts — and a lot of uncertainties for all of us,” Buschatzke said.

Cities in metro Phoenix don't rely entirely on the Colorado River and likely will keep everyone's taps running, but water rates will increase in some areas, said Rhett Larson, a water law professor at Arizona State University. The city of Gilbert, for example, has increased residential water rates by 50% since April 2025, he said.

“We are not running out of water. We’re running out of cheap water,” Larson said.

Meanwhile, cities across the Colorado River basin are constantly on the hunt for new sources of water, like tapping groundwater, treating wastewater and desalinating water, all of which are more expensive than deliveries from the Colorado River. ___ Pineda reported from Los Angeles and Peterson from Denver. Associated Press writer Mead Gruver contributed from Fort Collins, Colorado.

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This story has been updated to correct the Interior Secretary's first name. He is Doug Burgum, not Dough Burgum.

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The Associated Press receives support from the Walton Family Foundation for coverage of water and environmental policy. The AP is solely responsible for all content. For all of AP’s environmental coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment

Here are the most important developments across the Middle East today:

Gaza: Deal reached for Hamas to disarm, Israel to withdraw

Hamas said it will begin disarming as part of a deal announced by U.S. President Donald Trump that also requires Israel to end its strikes and withdraw from Gaza.

Hamas also said that laying down its heavy weapons, which would come later in the process, was contingent on the creation of a Palestinian state, something Israel’s current government adamantly rejects.

Reflecting the hurdles of the potential disarmament, a series of Israeli airstrikes shook Gaza again on Friday, killing at least one Palestinian and wounding at least four, including a child, according to officials in hospitals near the attacks. The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the agreement, calling it the only good news in recent days from a troubled region. The deal must be implemented “without any questions, skepticism, or determination to undermine it,” he told reporters.

Israel has not officially commented on the Hamas deal, which is part of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire announced last October. That agreement called for Hamas to disarm and hand over power to an independent Palestinian administration. Israel was to withdraw and an International Stabilization Force was to be deployed.

But progress stalled, with Israel saying everything hinged on Hamas disarming, and Hamas accusing Israel of violating the agreement by continuing to carry out regular strikes on Gaza.

The war in Gaza began after the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killed around 1,200 people and saw 251 taken hostage. Israel’s retaliatory offensive in Gaza has killed more than 73,000 Palestinians, including those killed since the ceasefire, Gaza’s Health Ministry says.

The Associated Press is tracking the progress of Trump's plan to end the Israel-Hamas war.

Latest developments on the Iran conflict

No U.S. strikes were reported in Iran on Friday. Iran fired drones at Kuwait, a Gulf country hosting U.S. forces, and said it had also fired at oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for global oil and gas shipments, which has been largely closed by the fighting.

1. Kuwait's Defense Ministry said Friday its armed forces had shot down drones inside Kuwaiti airspace. It said the Iranian attacks had targeted several vital military facilities, causing material damage from falling shrapnel but no casualties. It did not specify how many drones were intercepted. Iranian state media said Iran had targeted an air base in Kuwait with drones in retaliation for U.S. strikes on Thursday. 2. Iran's Revolutionary Guard claimed to have hit two oil tankers attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian state media said four other tankers had turned around. The report did not provide further details on the tankers' ownership, or whether there were any casualties.

Elsewhere in the region:

3. Saudi Arabia has announced a plan for a defense alliance of 14 countries to strengthen maritime security, safeguard freedom of navigation and secure international trade routes and energy supply corridors in the Red Sea region. The Iran war has severely disrupted global shipping. Yemen's Houthi rebels have declared a blockade on Saudi Arabia over a separate but related conflict, putting at risk another major trade corridor. 4. Saudi Arabia's Defense Ministry said Thursday that the coalition is “defensive in nature,” and that access “remains open to all willing countries.” Oman and the United Arab Emirates were the only two Gulf countries that did not back Saudi Arabia’s statement. Turkey, Egypt and Pakistan were among those that joined the proposed alliance. 5. A Houthi official, speaking Friday on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to brief the media, said the Saudi initiative won't protect its vessels — that would happen only after the Saudis lift their blockade on Yemen. Large crowds of Yemenis, meanwhile, took to the streets in the capital, Sanaa, and other Houthi-controlled areas to show support for the Iran-backed rebels and their Red Sea attacks against Saudi Arabia. The rallies were organized by the Houthis. 6. In southern Lebanon, Israeli forces set off explosions Friday to destroy an underground tunnel network under the Crusader-built Beaufort Castle that Israel says had been used by Hezbollah militants as a command center. The 12th-century castle, also known as Al-Shaqif, was seized by Israeli forces in May. It was recently added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List over Israel’s objections. 7. Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun said the Israeli operation sent “negative messages” ahead of upcoming talks in Rome. Israeli and Lebanese negotiating teams are set to meet again there to continue hammering out a plan under which Israel would withdraw from southern Lebanon in exchange for Hezbollah’s disarmament.

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Associated Press writer Fatma Khaled contributed to this report from Cairo. Becatoros contributed from Athens, Greece.

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Not surprisingly, Florida has recorded more hurricane landfalls in August than any other state. As we’ve discussed in previous newsletters, Florida is the undisputed hurricane heavyweight, doubling the number of total landfalls recorded for its closest competitors (Louisiana and Texas). That said, Texas edges out Florida in the early months of the season, historically recording more hurricane landfalls in June and July than the Sunshine State.

Texas’s big hurricane month

Texas is also unique in that hurricane landfalls typically peak in August (rather than September for most other states) and the risk for hurricanes drops dramatically by October.

Florida isn’t as lucky, with historical hurricane activity nearly as high in October as it is during September. This is especially true for South Florida, which has recorded as many October hurricanes as it has September hurricanes.

So unlike its counterpart in the western Gulf, South Florida often gets the late season stuff, especially from systems being pulled out of the Gulf and western Caribbean.

In August, we typically look east for hurricane threats to South Florida. August and September tend to be the months when the risk for a head-on strike to southeast Florida is most likely, so we keep an eye out for what’s coming east of the Bahamas or south of Cuba from the central Caribbean.

Watching the trends off the southeast U.S. late next week

Tomorrow marks the first day of August, but as we’ve discussed all week, things will stay quiet to open the month.

Models do show a small development window for a disturbance moving westward through the subtropics – a preferred zone for development this season – late next week. Friday morning’s single track run of the American GFS, which shows a hurricane approaching the southeast a week from this upcoming Saturday, is on an island with its usual outlier-GFS scenario (other model camps and their ensembles do not show a credible hurricane threat). Generally, models suggest a low chance (around 10%) of the disturbance trying to develop as it rounds the subtropical high pressure into next weekend (weekend of August 8^th). For now, it’s nothing to worry about, but it’s worth checking back on the trends next week.

Otherwise, models still show the possibility of some development with a tropical wave moving through the Atlantic Main Development Region (between Africa and the Caribbean) as we approach the middle part of August. With that development window being so far out, odds remain low for now.

No sorprende que Florida haya registrado más huracanes que han tocado tierra en agosto que cualquier otro estado. Como hemos comentado en boletines anteriores, Florida es, sin discusión, el estado más afectado por los huracanes, con el doble del número total de impactos registrados que sus competidores más cercanos, Luisiana y Texas. Dicho esto, Texas supera a Florida durante los primeros meses de la temporada, ya que históricamente registra más huracanes que tocan tierra en junio y julio que el Estado del Sol.

El gran mes de los huracanes en Texas

Texas también es único porque los huracanes que tocan tierra suelen alcanzar su punto máximo en agosto, en lugar de septiembre, como ocurre en la mayoría de los demás estados, y el riesgo de huracanes disminuye drásticamente para octubre.

Florida no tiene la misma suerte, ya que históricamente la actividad de huracanes en octubre es casi tan alta como en septiembre. Esto es especialmente cierto en el sur de Florida, donde se han registrado tantos huracanes en octubre como en septiembre.

Así que, a diferencia de su contraparte en el oeste del Golfo, el sur de Florida suele recibir los sistemas de finales de temporada, especialmente aquellos que son arrastrados desde el Golfo de México y el oeste del Caribe.

En agosto, normalmente miramos hacia el este en busca de amenazas de huracanes para el sur de Florida. Agosto y septiembre suelen ser los meses en los que existe la mayor probabilidad de un impacto directo en el sureste de Florida, por lo que mantenemos la vista puesta en los sistemas que avanzan al este de las Bahamas o al sur de Cuba desde el Caribe central.

Vigilan las tendencias frente al sureste de Estados Unidos para finales de la próxima semana

Mañana comienza agosto, pero, como hemos comentado durante toda la semana, el inicio del mes se mantendrá tranquilo.

Los modelos muestran una pequeña ventana de desarrollo para una perturbación que se desplazará hacia el oeste a través de los subtrópicos, una zona favorable para el desarrollo durante esta temporada, hacia finales de la próxima semana. La corrida de trayectoria única del modelo estadounidense GFS del viernes por la mañana, que muestra un huracán acercándose al sureste de Estados Unidos una semana después del próximo sábado, es un escenario aislado y corresponde al habitual comportamiento atípico del GFS (otros modelos y sus conjuntos no muestran una amenaza creíble de huracán). En términos generales, los modelos sugieren una baja probabilidad, de alrededor del 10%, de que la perturbación intente desarrollarse al rodear el área subtropical de alta presión hacia el próximo fin de semana (el fin de semana del 8 de agosto). Por ahora, no es motivo de preocupación, pero vale la pena seguir de cerca las tendencias la próxima semana.

Por lo demás, los modelos siguen mostrando la posibilidad de cierto desarrollo de una onda tropical que se desplazará por la Región Principal de Desarrollo del Atlántico (entre África y el Caribe) a medida que nos acerquemos a mediados de agosto. Como esa posible ventana de desarrollo aún está muy lejana, por ahora las probabilidades siguen siendo bajas.

“Hi,” she said softly as she sat down across from Leo at his desk in the Apostolic Palace.

Wearing a crucifix necklace and hair in her trademark braids, Smith has become an increasingly visible presence at the Vatican thanks to her friendship with the Rev. Antonio Spadaro, undersecretary in the Vatican’s culture ministry.

She has said that while she is not Catholic, she was drawn in particular to Pope Francis and his “gentle, open, and steadfast sense of humanity.”

She also had a thing for Pope John Paul I: Her 1979 tune “Wave,” is about a make-believe conversation with the pope who had just died after a 33-day papacy. It begins “Hi. Hi” uttered in the same breathy voice Smith used with Leo on Friday.

The pope clearly was familiar with the tune. “That was marvelous,” he said.

Earlier this year, Smith performed during the inauguration of the Holy See’s pavilion at the Venice Biennale contemporary art fair. The occasion, May 8, was the anniversary of Leo’s election.

Spadaro, who joined Smith at Friday’s audience, said the encounter between the two Chicago natives was around 40 minutes long. In a text message, he said it “felt more like a conversation between two people discovering they were old friends, sharing memories woven from words and music, dreams, visions, and hopes — both from yesterday and for today.”

He said at the end, Smith said “Bye. Bye.”

Smith met Francis in 2013 and sang for him in 2014. When he died, on April 21, 2025, she wrote a poem on social media, comparing Francis to a dandelion, “humble yet strong.”

“Nature and poetry and the suffering shall miss their champion,” she wrote.

It was Leo's second encounter with a music legend this week. On Wednesday, Leo attended a concert in his honor by tenor Andrea Bocelli.

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Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

The lawsuit, filed Thursday in the Superior Court of Delaware, is the latest in a flurry of suits filed against the social media giants that alleges their platforms are addictive and dangerous.

The complaint was filed on behalf of four families from Texas, North Carolina, Minnesota and Tennessee whose children died over a 14-month period starting in July 2024 through September 2025.

The Social Media Victims Law Center is bringing the suit on behalf of the families, and its founding attorney, Matthew Bergman, said it's “particularly salient” that the children in this case died “long after” similar suits had been filed.

“These platforms continue to kill kids, despite the platitudes of their executives,” Bergman said in an interview. “This is a clear and present danger to the health and safety of children, not just in the United States but around the world.”

The four teens who died by suicide each experienced harms including social media addiction, severe sleep deprivation, depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation after years of using the social platforms, the complaint states. Livi Castro died at age 13, Riv Kelleher at 14, Nathaniel Chambers at age 17 and Dawson Holden at 18.

The complaint alleges the social media companies knew they were causing harm to young users.

A spokesperson for Google, which owns YouTube, said in a statement that “providing young people with a safer, healthier experience has always been core to our work. In collaboration with mental health and parenting experts, we’ve built services and policies to provide young people with age-appropriate experiences, and parents with robust controls. We send our deepest sympathies to the families and are reviewing the claims in this lawsuit.”

Representatives for Meta, TikTok and Snap did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Sacha Haworth, executive director of The Tech Oversight Project, said in a statement that parents, activists and whistleblowers have come forward and met with lawmakers for years and “while Congress has dragged its feet, more children have died."

Federal legislation of social media has moved at a glacial pace. The Senate passed the Kids Online Safety Act — which had the support of parents’ groups and children’s advocacy organizations — exactly two years before this lawsuit was filed. The House of Representatives never voted on that version of the legislation, and the House and Senate are currently disagreeing on key provisions they think should be included.

“Livi, Nathaniel, Dawson, and Riv’s stories are proof that Big Tech companies continue to lie about the safety of their products, choosing instead to pour hundreds of millions of dollars into false advertising, deceptive paid partnerships with trusted education programs and political lobbying,” Haworth's statement continued.

Meta, YouTube, TikTok and Snap are facing numerous state and federal lawsuits over harms to minors. Meta is on trial in Tennessee this week for a lawsuit brought by the state attorney general claiming that the company deliberately designed its platforms, notably Instagram, to make them addictive to young people, and did not warn them of its dangers. And in August, Meta is heading to trial in federal court in Oakland, California to face four of dozens of states that sued the company in 2023. That lawsuit says the company is contributing to the youth mental health crisis by designing addictive features and violated federal law by collecting data on kids under 13 without parental consent.

Not all lawsuits are successful, and many are settled out of court. Last week, a Florida teenager dropped his case against Meta that was set to go to trial in state court in Los Angeles, without receiving any payment from the company. Meta had argued that the teen only used his Instagram and Facebook for just minutes a day, on average, and created most accounts only after hiring a lawyer in his case.

Still, the mounting court cases can get expensive, even for a company like Meta Platforms. Earlier this week Meta said it had $2.4 billion in legal expenses in the second quarter, which contributed to a relatively unusual 14% profit decline.

Según la policía de North Miami, el accidente se reportó poco después de las 3 pm en Lost City Brewing Company , ubicada en 12207 NE 13th Court.

Según la policía, el conductor, Eros Emanuel Gehrig, de 53 años, perdió el control del vehículo y chocó contra cinco coches antes de estrellarse contra la fachada del edificio.

“La estructura fue evaluada y se determinó que era segura y que no representaba ningún peligro para la seguridad”, dijo un portavoz del Departamento de Policía Metropolitana de Nuevo México (NMPD) a Local 10 News en un correo electrónico.

El propietario de la cervecería, Chris Campos, declaró a Local 10 News que es un milagro que no hubiera nadie dentro del local en ese momento.

“Falta una hora para que abramos, media hora después de que estuviéramos haciendo algunas reparaciones al refrigerador que está en esta pared”, dijo Campos. “Fue un momento realmente fortuito en el que no había nadie y, la verdad, si hubiera habido gente, habría sido terrible”.

Según el informe de detención, una revisión de los registros reveló que la licencia de conducir de Gehrig en Florida había sido suspendida indefinidamente el 12 de septiembre de 2012.

Fue arrestado bajo el cargo de conducir con la licencia suspendida.

La policía informó que Gehrig fue trasladado al Hospital HCA Florida Aventura para ser evaluado antes de ser ingresado en el Centro Correccional Turner Guilford Knight.

Gehrig fue puesto en libertad el jueves por la mañana tras pagar la fianza.

Según la Oficina del Sheriff de Broward (BSO), la balacera fue reportada alrededor de las 10:12 p.m. en los condominios Windward Lakes, cerca de la cuadra 4000 de Southwest 15th Street.

La portavoz de la BSO, Gerdy St. Louis, informó que mientras los agentes y los paramédicos de Pompano Beach Fire Rescue se dirigían al lugar, les notificaron que los padres de la víctima habían trasladado al niño a una estación de bomberos cercana.

Las autoridades informaron que los paramédicos le brindaron atención al menor antes de trasladarlo a un hospital local para recibir tratamiento.

Vecinos que hablaron con Local 10 News describieron los momentos de desesperación mientras el padre del niño se apresuraba a conseguir ayuda para su hijo.

“Corrían hacia el auto y él no dejaba de decir: “Suban al auto, suban al auto””, dijo un residente.

Los vecinos dijeron que vieron a la familia cargar al menor hasta su vehículo antes de salir rápidamente para buscar ayuda médica.

“Los vimos con el niño, cargándolo”, dijo un residente. “La madre estaba muy alterada, todos subieron al auto y salieron a toda velocidad, y a los pocos minutos la Policía ya estaba aquí”.

Hasta el jueves, el niño permanecía en estado crítico.

St. Louis informó que detectives de las unidades de Escena del Crimen y Crímenes Violentos de la BSO investigan las circunstancias que rodean la balacera.

The agreement announced by Trump late Thursday could pave the way for ending the latest Israel-Hamas war that broke out on Oct. 7, 2023, and which has seen continued violence despite a ceasefire last October. Few places in the Palestinian territory of over 2 million people have been left unscathed, and the United Nations, World Bank and European Union estimate that reconstruction will cost $70 billion.

Hamas officials said the group has agreed to the disarmament agreement. Israel has not commented.

The Board of Peace will have a major role in overseeing the deal's implementation.

Here's what the group is and what it is expected to do:

What is the Board of Peace

The Board of Peace was first mentioned in September when the White House released Trump’s plan to end the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

Trump’s 20-point ceasefire plan called on Hamas to surrender its weapons and destroy its vast network of tunnels. It also envisions Israeli forces withdrawing from Gaza, the arrival of a new technocratic Palestinian government, deployment of an international security force and the rebuilding of the battered Palestinian enclave after more than two years of war.

More than two dozen nations signed on as the board's founding members, including Israel and other regional heavyweights, as well as countries from outside the Middle East such as Indonesia, Paraguay and Vietnam.

Germany, Italy, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom are among more than a dozen countries that have not joined the board but took part in a February meeting as observers.

Israelis are suspicious of the involvement of Qatar and Turkey, which have longstanding relations with Hamas. Earlier this year, Palestinians objected because their representatives weren’t invited to the board, even as it weighs the future of a territory that is home to some 2 million of them.

A $1 billion contribution secures permanent membership on the board instead of a three-year appointment, which has no contribution requirement.

During the first meeting of the board in February in Washington, members pledged $7 billion in aid for Gaza — just a fraction of the $70 billion that international bodies say is needed to rebuild the territory. The board also announced plans for international troops and police, and for reconstruction. But no timeline was given.

How the board is involved in the new deal

The agreement was reached after months of “very difficult negotiations,” Nickolay Mladenov, the director-general of the Board of Peace in Gaza, said in comments posted on X. “There were several points when I did not believe we would make it,” he added.

Mladenov, a former Bulgarian defense and foreign minister who served as the U.N. envoy to Iraq before being appointed as the U.N. Mideast peace envoy from 2015-2020, added, “Implementation and verification have to be real” and “withdrawal must move in lockstep with decommissioning.”

The National Committee for The Administration of Gaza, a Palestinian technocratic body that operates under the supervision of the Board of Peace, is tasked with administering Gaza in the interim period after Hamas gives up control.

That includes setting up a new police force to replace the one previously run by Hamas and implementing the disarmament process - the details of which are not yet clear.

The NCAS said in a statement Friday that it is ready to assume responsibility for governing Gaza and restoring public services and the rule of law.

Ambitious Plans

In November, the Trump administration’s blueprint to secure and govern Gaza won strong approval at the United Nations.

Israel and the U.S. say Hamas’ disarmament is key to progress on the other fronts. Arab and Muslim members of the Board of Peace have accused Israel of undermining the ceasefire with its daily strikes and want the U.S. to rein in its close ally. They have called on Hamas to disarm but say Israel’s withdrawal is just as important.

Senior Hamas official Ghazi Hamad, who is a member of the group’s negotiating team, told Qatar's Al Jazeera TV on Friday that the agreement is a “full package” of which Hamas’ disarmament is a part.

“Hamas and Palestinian factions are making concessions for the sake of our Palestinian people in Gaza,” Hamad said. He added that Hamas will not take any step unless they are sure that Israel will implement the deal from its side.

Israel defines demilitarization as extending from heavy weapons like rocket-propelled grenades all the way down to roughly 60,000 rifles that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says would have to be given up.

Trump — along with son-in-law Jared Kushner and envoy Steve Witkoff — has laid out ambitious plans for rebuilding Gaza with international investment.

In Davos last year, Kushner suggested reconstruction could be complete in a matter of three years, even though U.N. forecasts suggest that clearing rubble and demining alone could take much longer.

Kushner’s slides showed a reconstructed Gaza with a coastal tourism strip, industrial zones and data centers. He conceded that rebuilding would begin only in demilitarized areas and that security would be essential to attract investment.

A stabilization force

The ceasefire deal also calls for a temporary International Stabilization Force made up of soldiers from Arab and Muslim-majority countries. Its mandate is not spelled out in detail, but would include securing aid deliveries, preventing weapons smuggling and vetting and training a Palestinian police force.

Maj. Gen. Jasper Jeffers, who is leading the effort, said in February the plans call for 12,000 police and 20,000 soldiers for Gaza.

Indonesia, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Kosovo and Albania have pledged to send troops for the force, while Egypt and Jordan have committed to train police.

Troops will initially be deployed to Rafah, a heavily damaged and largely depopulated city under full Israeli control, where the U.S. administration hopes to first focus reconstruction efforts.

The biggest blow to the planned force came about a week after the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28, when Indonesia put its commitment of 8,000 troops on indefinite hold. Some 1,000 were to have been sent in April, followed by the remainder in June.

The latest Israel-Hamas war broke out on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants stormed southern Israel killing over 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Israel’s retaliatory offensive in Gaza has killed more than 73,000 Palestinians, including hundreds who perished after a ceasefire went into effect Oct. 10, Gaza’s Health Ministry says. The ministry, which is part of the Hamas-led government and is staffed by medical professionals, does not distinguish between civilians and militants in its toll but says women and children make up around half of all deaths.

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According to the Broward Sheriff’s Office, the shooting was reported at about 10:12 p.m. at the Windward Lakes Condominiums near the 4000 block of Southwest 15th Street.

BSO spokeswoman Gerdy St. Louis said as deputies and Pompano Beach Fire Rescue medics were heading to the scene, they were advised that the victim’s parents had transported the boy to a nearby fire station.

Medics there provided aid to the victim before he was transported to a local hospital for treatment, authorities said.

Neighbors who spoke to Local 10 News described the frantic moments as the boy’s father rushed to get his son help.

“They were running to the car and he just kept saying, ‘Get in the car, get in the car,’” one resident said.

Neighbors said they saw the family carrying the child to their vehicle before rushing away to get medical help.

“We saw them with the child, like, carrying him,” one resident said. “The mother was very upset and they all go in the car and sped away, and within minutes the police were here.”

As of Thursday, the boy was listed in critical condition.

St. Louis said detectives with BSO’s Crime Scene and Violent Crimes units are investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

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Deputies on Friday said the man, who has not been identified, was stabbed at an unknown time and in an unknown location before he was eventually found outside of Northside Supermarket, located at 7990 NW 32nd Ave.

Authorities said Miami-Dade Fire Rescue medics transported him to a nearby hospital for treatment.

They said MDSO detectives responded to the scene and are investigating the circumstances surrounding the stabbing.

No other details about the stabbing were immediately released.

Anyone with information is urged to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477.

Agentes informaron el viernes que el hombre, cuya identidad no ha sido revelada, fue apuñalado en un momento y lugar aún desconocidos antes de que finalmente lo encontraran afuera del Northside Supermarket, ubicado en el 7990 de la avenida 32 del noroeste.

Las autoridades informaron que paramédicos de Miami-Dade Fire Rescue lo trasladaron a un hospital cercano para recibir tratamiento.

Indicaron que detectives de la Oficina del Sheriff de Miami-Dade respondieron al lugar e investigan las circunstancias que rodean el apuñalamiento.

No se divulgaron de inmediato más detalles sobre el apuñalamiento.

Cualquier persona con información debe comunicarse con Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers al 305-471-8477.

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The stabbing was reported at an apartment complex in the 12800 block of Vista Isles Drive.

According to Sunrise police, the victim sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

A motive for the stabbing remains unclear.

No other details were immediately released.

El apuñalamiento fue reportado en un complejo de apartamentos ubicado en la cuadra 12800 de Vista Isles Drive.

Según la Policía de Sunrise, la víctima sufrió heridas que no ponen en peligro su vida y fue trasladada a un hospital local para recibir tratamiento.

El motivo del apuñalamiento aún no está claro.

No se divulgaron de inmediato más detalles.

The 19-year-old Agbayani, who is the son of former Mets fan favorite Benny Agbayani, is a middle infielder who hit .268 in 10 games for Fort Myers in low Class A this season. The sixth-round 2025 draft pick, a native of Hawaii, has been limited by injuries.

The 23-year-old Amick batted .217 with 23 homers in 86 games for Double-A Wichita this season, playing first and third base. He was a second-round draft pick in 2024.

Minter had a 2.35 ERA in 23 innings with 20 strikeouts and only two walks. He didn't make his season debut until May 26, going more than a year between major league appearances. His 2025 season ended after 13 appearances when he injured his left lat muscle in his back and needed surgery.

Minter signed a two-year, $22 million contract with the Mets in 2025. His 2024 season with the Atlanta Braves also was cut short by a torn labrum in his left hip, but when he's been healthy he's been one of baseball's most effective late-game lefties. The 33-year-old, who was a second-round 2015 draft pick by the Braves, has a 3.18 ERA with 456 strikeouts in 382 2/3 innings over 420 career appearances.

Minter likely will be the first of multiple Mets players moved before the trade deadline on Monday. They have the second-worst record in the National League.

The Twins, who started a nine-game road trip at Seattle on Friday, have a 4.92 relief ERA that ranks fifth worst in the major leagues. They lead the American League in runs scored and entered Friday one game out of a wild card spot.

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Las negociaciones son encabezadas por miembros de la actual Asamblea Nacional de Venezuela, de abrumadora mayoría oficialista, y un grupo de exlegisladores opositores que en su momento intentaron destituir al entonces presidente Nicolás Maduro y cuenta con la mediación de Estados Unidos.

“Espero que finalmente esta gente (el gobierno) entienda que con las arbitrariedades de siempre no vamos a salir adelante, deben respetar los acuerdos”, dijo Soraida Martínez, un ama de casa de 58 años. “Los dos deben ceder por el bien del país”, agregó.

El primer encuentro se realizará casi siete semanas después de una reunión en Caracas entre el presidente del Legislativo, Jorge Rodríguez —hermano de la presidenta encargada Delcy Rodríguez— y la exdiputada Dinorah Figuera, quien regresó brevemente al país luego de casi ocho años en el exilio. Washington fue el principal impulsor de la iniciativa.

Figuera anticipó que la prioridad es desarrollar una agenda institucional por encima de los intereses de las distintas organizaciones políticas del país, como lo ha planteado la administración de Donald Trump.

Después de que fuerzas estadounidenses capturaran a Maduro y a su esposa en enero, el gobierno de Trump propuso un plan de tres fases para Venezuela que incluye la estabilización, recuperación y transición democrática.

La administración de Trump entiende que la agenda debe contemplar prioridades como la reconstrucción de las instituciones democráticas de Venezuela, el fortalecimiento del Consejo Nacional Electoral (CNE), de mayoría oficialista; el restablecimiento de garantías duraderas para la participación política y la salvaguarda de las libertades cívicas “esenciales para un debate político abierto”, destacó el Departamento de Estado en un comunicado emitido luego de la reunión Rodríguez y Figuera.

Los negociadores han dicho que además van a convocar a la unidad nacional para enfrentar las consecuencias de los dos potentes terremotos que sacudieron el país en 24 de junio y dejaron más de 5.500 fallecidos, 16.700 heridos y más de 20.000 personas sin hogar, según el más reciente reporte oficial.

En 2023 Figuera fue escogida para representar a los exlegisladores opositores de la Asamblea Nacional de 2015. Ese Poder Legislativo, de mayoría opositora, fue considerado ampliamente como la última institución de Venezuela elegida democráticamente.

Pese al fracaso de los cuatro anteriores procesos de diálogo —entre 2017 y 2024— una gran mayoría espera un buen resultado de la negociación dada la inédita situación política del país tras la destitución de Maduro (2013-2026) y la influencia estadounidense en el gobierno de Rodríguez.

Muchos consideran que esta vez sería posible lograr acuerdos mínimos que permitan mejorar la situación del país.

Los analistas, sin embargo, coinciden también en que una transición a la democracia luce todavía lejana y advierten que una elección libre será el final de un largo proceso. La fijación de un calendario y condiciones electorales no parece algo inmediato.

La transición a la democracia “no arranca con el inicio de un proceso de diálogo, se inicia con un reconocimiento y una restitución de garantías que han sido violadas”, dijo John Magdaleno, consultor político y profesor de la Universidad Católica Andrés Bello.

Según Magdaleno, primero deben restituirse libertades civiles y derechos políticos como la libertad de opinión y expresión, de prensa, de reunión y de asociación, la inviolabilidad de las comunicaciones privadas y otras garantías que protegen, aseguran y hacen cumplir los derechos humanos.

The Cuban government announced yesterday at the closing of the annual National Assembly meeting that they are considering allowing Cuban exiles to visit the island, stay as long as they want and invest in Cuba.

However, Cuban exiles with U.S. citizenship still face some U.S. restrictions imposed by the U.S. Treasury Department.

July 30: Cuban government announces elimination of 92,000 government jobs

The Cuban government announced this morning the elimination of 92,000 government jobs. A state worker in Cuba makes on the average $16-$18 per month.

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Meanwhile, Cuba’s Prime Minister Manuel Marrero announced this week that Cuba was creating its first private bank under the Central Bank of Cuba, which is run by the Cuban government, and its president serves on the Council of Ministers of the government.

Why would any foreign investor want to invest in such a system with no protection for their money?

July 29 update: 5 leading economists in Cuba release report entitled ‘A Proposal to Transform the Cuban Economy.’

Five leading economists in Cuba just released a report entitled “A Proposal to Transform the Cuban Economy.” The document lays out a structural diagnosis of the current economic crisis facing the nation and proposes, as a strategic goal, the creation of a social market economy underpinned by a democratic state governed by the rule of law.

While the report is good, the problem that I see is the creation of a democratic state. We must remember that Cuba did not have a democracy before the start of the Cuban Revolution in 1959. To transition a totalitarian state that has had a centralized economy for almost 68 years could take time. Time that Cuba and its population do not have given the current economic crisis.

July 27 update: 73 years after start of Cuban Revolution

Yesterday marked the 73^rd anniversary since Fidel Castro, Raul Castro and their group of rebels attacked the Moncada Military Barracks in Santiago de Cuba. July 26, 1953 is considered the start of the Cuban Revolution.

Like Robert Frost’s poem, “The Road Not Taken”, the Cuban revolution took a path that destroyed the country and “never looked back.” Today, Cuba is at the end of what Fidel called its glory days.

July 24 update: Trump Administration announces series of new sanctions against Cuba

On Thursday, the Trump Administration announced a series of new sanctions against Cuba targeting the government’s military conglomerate Gaesa. However, this time it includes companies like Coral S. A. that took over operations from some sectors of GAESA to avoid U.S. sanctions and keep import operations in Cuba functioning.

The question many academics that follow Cuba like me are asking is whether the U.S. strategy moving forward is to force Cuba to eventually sell some of GAESA’s assets to the U.S.

July 23 update: US continues to send mixed signals as to what will be done with Cuba

This past Monday, the U.S. Department of State issued a 100-page report entitled “Cuba: The Capital of 21^st Century Communism” that outlined why Cuba is a national security threat not only to the U.S., but to the entire world. The Cuban government reacted at once and not only criticized the report but blamed Secretary of State Marco Rubio with threatening the island nation.

On Wednesday at a press conference in the Philippines, Rubio, when asked by a reporter what the U.S. plan was for Cuba, used a much more diplomatic tone and said the U.S. is still willing to negotiate with Cuba.

Washington continues to send mixed signals as to what will be done with Cuba. What we do know is that the strategy used in Venezuela did not bring about regime change.

July 21 update: First humanitarian aid from US will arrive in Cuba

Today, the first humanitarian aid will arrive in Cuba as part of Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s offer to help the Cuban people as they experience the worst economic situation since the early 1990’s. Today’s cargo includes 700 hygiene kits and 700 food items to be distributed directly to the Cuban people by Catholic Relief Services Caritas Cuba and other faith-based organizations.

Secretary Rubio wants to let the Cuban people clearly know that the U.S. stands behind them and is willing to continue to help them as part of the U.S. commitment of $100 million in humanitarian aid.

July 20 update: Cuba releases artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcantara

This past Saturday, Cuba released artist and opposition leader Luis Manuel Otero Alcantara after serving five years in jail. Otero Alcantara was one of the leaders of the San Isidro movement that led to large protests across the island nation five years ago.

Upon arriving in Miami, Otero Alcantara thanked the Cuban American community for its support and asked Cuba to release all political prisoners in jail.

July 16 update: US Department of Defense pays $3 million to US personnel affected by Havana Syndrome

The U.S. Department of Defense has paid $3 million in compensation to U.S. personnel affected by the mysterious condition known as Havana Syndrome, making the first payment under the 2021 Havana Act.

Havana Syndrome first appeared in 2016 when U.S. diplomats and intelligence officers in Havana, Cuba reported unusual symptoms, including intense head pressure, dizziness, nausea, hearing disturbances and memory problems.

July 14 update: New U.S. sanctions increase pressure on Cuba’s military-run economy

The United States on Monday introduced new sanctions targeting companies controlled by GAESA, Cuba’s military economic conglomerate, as well as some of the military brigades responsible for suppressing protests like the ones we saw the other day.

How much longer can the Cuban government hold on? Information continues to reach U.S. officials indicating that there are sectors within the Cuban government that are increasingly concerned about how much longer they can survive without negotiating with the U.S. government before facing a complete collapse of their system.

July 10 update: Does Raul Castro’s grandson have the full authority to negotiate for the Cuban government?

As I expected, there seems to be a small crack within the inner circle of the Cuban government. Some have criticized Raulito (Raul Castro’s grandson) for offering to negotiate directly with President Trump. The criticism comes as to whether he has the full authority to negotiate for the Cuban government or is he just negotiating for the Castro family?

Yesterday, the Cuban Communist Party (PCC) backed Raulito’s efforts, but the military leadership has remained quiet.

July 8 update: United Nations has no legal right to lift U.S. embargo on Cuba

Every year, Cuba argues in front of the United Nations that the U.S. economic embargo is the cause for their economic problems. Each year, Cuba loses more support for their argument. The United Nations has no legitimate or legal right to lift the embargo. The U.S. Congress can only lift the embargo.

The Cuban government propaganda machine has failed. Most Cubans on the island, including economists on the island, blame the Cuban government for their current poor economic conditions.

July 6 update: Raul Castro’s grandson says Cuba is willing to negotiate with US

Reuters reported earlier this morning that Raul Castro’s grandson Raulito, known as “El Cangrejo,” announced that Cuba is willing to negotiate with the U.S. The question we need to ask ourselves is whether Raulito is negotiating on behalf of the Castro family or the Cuban government?

We know that Cuba has been selling some of their assets, including some belonging to the military economic conglomerate GAESA in the last couple of weeks. Cuba’s attempt to invite foreign investment has not attracted many takers for the fear of losing their money.

July 2 update: Cuba’s culture of fear complicates a Democratic transition

When we talk about Cuba, we usually concentrate on their centralized political and economic system. However, we fail to recognize that individuals that have lived under totalitarian regimes have had to survive under a culture of fear. Such system of government creates a psychological set of attitudes and values that help define the daily behavior in order to align the people’s wants and needs to the restrictions imposed by the government.

To break such behaviors could take years of psychological training and change. Therefore, transitioning a totalitarian state to support a transition to some form of a Democratic government could take time.

Dr. Andy S. Gomez’s June updates can be viewed by clicking here.

Dr. Andy S. Gomez is Local 10’s Cuba Analyst. Gomez is considered one of the leading scholars on Cuba. He worked in higher education for 32 years before retiring from the University of Miami in 2012.

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Claudia Caglianone’s family said she was detained earlier this month at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

“When people hear about detainees, the picture that comes to mind is somebody that they’ve been told to fear,” said her cousin, Gabriel Dominguez. “When I think of that, I think of a young woman who spent the majority of her life trying to do the right thing.”

The family said Caglianone moved to the United States in 2017, applied for asylum shortly after arriving and received Temporary Protected Status in 2023 while her asylum case remains pending.

“So here we are, standing together and doing the very thing for her that she’s done for so many of us — to show up,” Dominguez said.

He also called his cousin “living proof that the reality is much more complicated than any narrative that could be painted.”

The family said Caglianone spent time at the Miramar detention facility before being transferred to the Pompano Beach facility.

U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz visited the facility on behalf of the family.

She said she had no concerns about the conditions inside but remains worried about those being held there.

“I am very concerned that there are 671 people in this facility that shouldn’t be here, that should not have been detained in the first place,” Wasserman Schultz said.

“We’ll continue to show up until we bring her home,” Dominguez said.

“(The) Jackson leadership team tells me there’s about 50 Haitian employees who are subject to be terminated due to the TPS (Temporary Protected Status) being revoked by Washington, and it puts a wear and tear on the remaining staff,” she said. “Missed lunches, double shifts; it puts a financial burden on the hospital.”

In a statement provided to Local 10 News, a spokesperson for Jackson Health System said contingency staffing plans to prevent disruptions to patient care are in place, including overtime.

“You know, to pay overtime alone is silly when you just had somebody yesterday who was well-trained,” said Baker. “At Jackson, with our mission to take care of all residents regardless of your ability to pay, it’s just a shame that we would put more stress on the system. Jackson struggles every day to break even.”

The hospital group added that 50 employees affected is a small fraction of their 15,000 employees.

There was a similar sentiment from the spokesperson for Broward Health who told Local 10 News that the 47 staff members impacted there represents less than 1% of their total workforce.

A spokesperson for Memorial Healthcare System told Local 10 News they had 27 impacted employees out of 17,000.

“While it may seem like a small number with only 50 being affected, 50 is a big number,” said Baker. “That’s a big number to hire.”

That is especially true for those with specialized nursing skills, like the two she says who worked in the transplant unit.

“Almost similar to an ICU or a step down unit because these patients are so sick and it takes so long, not everybody can work that floor unless you’ve been properly trained,” said Baker. “Two of our Haitian nurses are being sent back.”

She added that filling those vacancies can also take a financial toll.

“They say for every nurse you lose, you lose $100,000, and that’s the cost it takes to hire, to train, to process, to precept, and when they’re what we call non-productive while they’re training for eight to 12 weeks, we’re paying them,” said Baker. “Those dollars add up, all the way back to advertising for a vacancy, and interviewing, adding all the time put together -- it’s a significant cost and loss to the system.”

This is happening at a time the Jackson Health System is experiencing patient growth and is actively hiring.

Baker also responded to the the claim that TPS beneficiaries with work permits take jobs away from American citizens.

“That’s a myth in healthcare because there’s too many vacancies in healthcare,” she said. “The problem is, can we survive the shortages we’re challenged with? So I can’t believe anybody would be turned away from a job in healthcare because some immigrant got it over them. That’s kind of, I think, more politics at its worst. A divisiveness.”

Baker made a plea to those in Congress who have the power to make a difference.

“Do your job,” she said. “We love our Haitian members in our community and at Jackson. It’s disgusting that our senators are allowing this to happen. We are sending our Haitian teammates back to what is probably one the most dangerous countries on Earth today.”

Baker also offered advice for the people being impacted by the loss of TPS.

“Everyone asking, what should I do? Should I show up to work? The main thing I tell them is to speak with your employer,” she said. “You are not allowed to work while unauthorized in the country, but there are different cases, some TPS recruitments who have filed for other forms of relief, so those individuals are a little safer, but it is up to your employer. The employer knows the law, that they cannot have someone working who is unauthorized to do so in the United States. So when I say don’t panic, make sure that you have all your affairs in order, get all your immigration affairs in order, all your personal affairs in order.”

She went on to say that many still feel they are in “legal limbo” because lower courts still need to weigh in on an exact timeline for executing final administrative orders.

“This is not the time to be missing any immigration hearings, any appointments, any ICE check-ins, and I understand there’s a well-founded fear of being arrested, and I can’t guarantee, no attorney can guarantee that that’s not going happen,” Baker said. “But I would rather you proceed with the proper procedures than for you to sit here and then there’s a final order of removal because now it just becomes more issues for you.”

Full statement from Jackson Health System:

Jackson Health System recognizes that the expiration of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a difficult and uncertain time for affected employees and their families. Jackson has worked closely with these employees to submit any documentation that could establish continued work authorization. Federal law requires that employees whose work authorization expires and who cannot provide alternative eligibility documentation can no longer remain employed. Jackson has continued to employ affected team members for as long as federal TPS extensions remained in effect, and we would welcome them back should they regain work authorization.

Approximately 50 employees are affected, a small fraction of our 15,000+ team members. We have contingency staffing plans, including per diem staff, agency personnel, and overtime, to ensure uninterrupted, high-quality patient care throughout this transition.

Krysten Brenlla, Media Relations & Branded Content Manager, Jackson Health System

U.S. Army veteran and nurse Cynthia Dominique described how she would tackle the district’s severe financial challenges if elected.

“I believe we have to take a holistic approach,” she said. “We have to find a way to pay our teachers more, including the staff who make learning possible -- the bus drivers, the cafeteria workers, the custodian staff.”

Candidate Rochelle “Shelly” Soffer is a school speech language pathologist and former teacher.

“When we get the budget, we have to scrutinize the budget,” she said. “Where are we over-spending? Where are we under-spending when we make these allocations? When we make these projections, where are the projections not aligning?”

Both candidates detailed how they would address the district’s declining enrollment as families opt out of traditional public school.

“Why are they looking at these other avenues? What is it that we are not doing as a county that would make them come back?” asked Soffer. “Now we’ve heard safety and security, but we also gotta look at programming.”

Said Dominique: “The programs that we implement, the technology that we implement, we should be scrutinizing everything to make sure it’s actually improving student outcomes and we’re getting a return on our investment.”

School board elections are nonpartisan.

While you do have to be registered to vote, you are not required to be registered with a political party in order to vote for who you want to see represent your district on the school board.

The election is set for Aug. 18.

Trump is taking Friday’s Cabinet meeting on the road — to the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland. It's the first Cabinet meeting at Camp David in Trump’s second term after an earlier attempt in May was scuttled because of bad weather.

Trump said Thursday he may pull acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s nomination for the full-time post to avoid conceding to Senate Republicans’ demands over a sweeping tax audit immunity deal benefiting the president and members of his family.

Here's the Latest:

Trump blames Minnesota governor for cyberattacks. Cites no evidence

The president alleged that the recent cyberattacks were the fault of the state, including Democratic Gov. Tim Walz. Authorities have not yet publicly named the source of the attacks.

During a Cabinet meeting on Friday at the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland, Trump also repeated myriad false claims that have become part of his regular talking points about topics such as immigration, foreign conflicts and prescription drug prices.

▶ Read more here about some of the claims.

Sign shows tours closed at Kennedy Center

A sign at the Kennedy Center on Friday said tours are closed.

It comes after the New York Times reported that the center is pausing free public tours.

UN chief urges Hamas and Israel to follow US roadmap to peace in Gaza `without any questions’

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called Trump’s announcement on Hamas agreeing to disarm in Gaza the only “good news” in recent days that have seen a military escalation in the Gulf, including a collapse of trade through the Strait of Hormuz.

Hamas said Friday it will begin disarming as part of a stalled deal announced by Trump that requires Israel to halt attacks in Gaza and withdraw from the territory which the Palestinians insist must be part of a future state. Israel’s prime minister has not responded to what could be a major breakthrough to ending the war in Gaza.

Guterres told U.N. reporters Friday he has a message to both Israel and Hamas: There is a roadmap that must be implemented now “without any questions, skepticism, or determination to undermine it.”

He warned that the six-month war in Iran “is increasingly becoming a driver of instability,” saying energy markets have been upended, food and fertilizer prices have surged, “supply chains are buckling,: and “around the world families are struggling to put food on the table.”

Trump has wrapped up the public portion of his Cabinet meeting

The president gave a lengthy opening statement, heard from top officials including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and answered questions on Iran and array of other topics.

He has now asked the press and cameras to leave, meaning the rest of the meeting’s proceedings won’t happen in view of the public.

Trump steps back from pledge to let Ukraine make Patriot interceptors

Asked about his previous commitment to give Ukraine a license to make Patriot air defense systems to counter Russian missiles, Trump said, “We have not agreed to that.”

“We’re talking about it. But it’s a hard thing to give away that kind of technology,” Trump said at his Cabinet meeting on Friday.

“I don’t think this would ever happen, but you know there’s people that, you give that technology, they can someday turn on you,” Trump added. “You look at war, that’s happened a couple of times over the years, right? So we have to be very careful.”

It was a contrast to earlier remarks from the sidelines of the NATO summit this month, where Trump said, “We’ll give them the right to make Patriots.”

Trump said he discussed the topic with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy when they met in Washington on Tuesday. Zelenskyy also met with senators to make a case for why Ukraine needs the interceptors.

Trump claims Iran war helped drive Hamas to disarmament agreement

The president during his Cabinet meeting said the newly-minted agreement aimed at leading to disarmament of the Palestinian group Hamas and Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza and transition of oversight of the territory to a civilian body will have “ups and downs.”

Still, he said this week’s agreement is a “great breakthrough” that has been helped along by the U.S. and Israel’s war with Iran, which has served as Hamas’ prime backer.

“Nobody’s ever thought that would be possible to disarm Hamas,” Trump said. “That shows you how much success we’re having with Iran, because if you go four months ago or five months ago, a deal like that would have been impossible.”

RFK Jr talks about first visiting Camp David 6-plus decades ago

Trump health chief Robert Kennedy Jr. said he was visiting the presidential retreat on Friday for the first time in about 62 years.

“My father loved this place, my uncle loved this place,” said Kennedy, who is the son of former Attorney General and New York Sen. Robert Kennedy.

He said that his uncle, President John F. Kennedy, was resentful of his predecessor, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, for naming it Camp David after Eisenhower’s grandson.

Kennedy said that had his uncle lived to a second term, he planned to rename the retreat Shangri-La, which was its original moniker before Eisenhower changed it.

Kennedy also cheered Trump for allowing reporters in the compound, saying Trump had opened “inner sanctum” of the presidency.

Trump later pointed to a picture of John F. Kennedy on the wall and said he was a “handsome guy.”

Trump says the anti-weaponization fund is ‘dead’

The comments came after the president spent the morning defending the $1.8 billion fund on social media.

“It is dead,” Trump said. “But I wish it weren’t, to be honest with you.”

Trump continued to defend the people who could potentially benefit from the fund, mainly those who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

“Their families have been ruined,” Trump said. Those people “wanted to go to a rally or an event and ended up spending the rest of their lives in horror.”

Trump acknowledged that Blanche, his attorney general pick, has been a “pawn in this whole thing.”

Trump says ‘we just want to win’ in Iran

The president has previously insisted that Iran has been “completely defeated” militarily. But in his engagement with reporters at Camp David on Friday, he acknowledged that he expects U.S. military action will likely continue for some time.

“We’ll be hitting them very hard,” Trump said. “You know, at some point they’re going to say, ‘We just can’t take it anymore.’”

Trump cheers Clayton for first Cabinet meeting

Jay Clayton, confirmed earlier this week as the new director of national intelligence, is at Camp David for his first formal Cabinet meeting.

Clayton was confirmed by the Senate on party lines earlier this week.

“He’s with us today, as you know,” Trump said. “He’s had a big victory.”

Trump said of Clayton, a former federal prosecutor and chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission: “His whole life has been about doing a fantastic job.”

Trump says he doesn’t think International Criminal Court is targeting him but ‘it could happen’

Secretary of State Marco Rubio complained that the international court based in the Hague was very arrogant and had unfairly targeted leaders around the world.

That prompted the president to interject: “There’s no indication they’re after me. It could happen.” He didn’t elaborate, but his suggestion drew laughter from Cabinet members.

Trump said Rubio wasn’t trying to defend him personally, but instead wanted to shield other court targets. He said that could include people like Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“There is no indication that I’m one of them, at this moment,” Trump added again for emphasis, drawing still more laughter.

Trump says US could see surge of migrants like Spain if Republicans don’t win midterms

Spain is grappling to respond after some 60,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into Spain’s tiny Ceuta territory in the past 24 hours.

Roughly half of them have already made their way back voluntarily, according to the Spanish government, but Trump suggested the moment should be taken as a warning to U.S. voters as midterm elections near.

“You know I saw Spain yesterday and I watched the catastrophe that took place. It looks like an invasion of a country by hundreds of thousands of people,” Trump said. “And that same thing is going to happen to us if the Republicans don’t get elected. Except worse, much bigger.”

Trump also criticized Spain’s left wing government led by Pedro Sánchez, claiming the country’s “weak law, bad management” is to blame.

US to make visa bond requirements permanent, affecting mostly African countries

The State Department is making permanent a pilot program under which citizens from 50 countries, mainly in Africa, are required to post bonds to apply for a U.S. visa, and it’s raising the cost as well, to as much as $20,000.

A draft notice published Friday in the Federal Register says a review “provided sufficient data” to suggest the bond program effectively enforces compliance, and would be made permanent by the end of August. The notice is to be formally published on Monday. Additional countries may be added to the list, found here.

The program requires holders of passports from the affected countries to pay the bond when being interviewed for business and tourist visas. The regulation says the bond will be refunded if the application is denied or after the person leaves the United States.

The Trump administration rolled out the program as a way of cracking down on visa overstays.

Trump starts Cabinet meeting at Camp David

The president began his Cabinet meeting Friday by saying his team was meeting in a “very special room.”

The White House has tried to highlight that this was the first televised Cabinet meeting at the presidential retreat.

Trump said he invited the news media to watch because he believes in “transparency,” before turning to his standard talking points about the economy and border security, among other issues.

CEO defends Exxon’s performance at a time of global supply shortages

American refineries are running at near-full capacity and poised to benefit because some refineries in the Middle East and Russia were damaged. And Asia can’t get the amount of Middle East oil needed for refining.

“Penalizing the businesses who stood by those countries and provided that product going forward is very short-sighted,” Exxon CEO Darren Woods said in a call with investors Friday. “We canceled investments that we had planned for Europe based on the last time they passed a windfall profits tax.”

Lawmakers propose taxing the war profits of major oil producers

Exxon and Chevron don’t set the price of American oil, which has ricocheted between $68 and $115 a barrel, driven by supply and demand, and what traders, refiners and other buyers are willing to pay.

Democrats nevertheless hope to tax major oil producers for profits from 2026 onward and redistribute that revenue to consumers.

“It’s fair to put a windfall profits tax on inordinate windfall profits rather than cut off children’s food programs,” said Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse. His measure and a companion bill by Rep. Ro Khanna of California would impose a per-barrel tax on companies that produced or imported at least 300,000 barrels of oil per day in 2025.

The UK and other European countries have extended temporary windfall profits taxes on fossil fuel companies to 2030, according to Tax Foundation Europe.

Critics say the energy company windfalls are unjustified

“There are constituencies around the world who are having a very good crisis, and the oil producers are one of them,” said Patrick Galey, fossil fuels lead at Global Witness, a nonprofit organization that investigates environmental issues.

“When you compare that to the hundreds of millions of people who are struggling with rolling blackouts, with electricity curbs, rationing, waiting in line for food queues, or the disruption to fertilizers and the potential impact that that has on food prices, we don’t think that it’s a justifiable price for the rest of the world to be paying.”

Major oil companies reap massive profits as US and Iran fighting drives energy prices higher

American oil and gas giants are announcing huge spring windfalls thanks to the fighting between Iran and the U.S. that made consumers around the world pay more for fuel.

Exxon Mobil on Friday reported that its second quarter profits doubled to $14.53 billion, boosted by record diesel production. The oil giant, based in Spring, Texas, brought in $116.02 billion in revenue, up 42%. Chevron, based in Houston, nearly quadrupled its profits to $12.07 billion and revenue jumped 56% to $70.06 billion.

Six of Europe’s largest oil companies posted combined first-quarter profits of $22 billion, more than 40% higher than last year.

Saudi Arabia announces Red Sea defense alliance plan

The kingdom said the alliance includes 14 countries to strengthen maritime security, safeguard freedom of navigation and secure international trade routes and energy supply corridors in the Red Sea region.

The Iran war has severely disrupted global shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Yemen’s Houthi rebels have declared a blockade on Saudi Arabia over a separate but related conflict, putting at risk another major trade corridor.

Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry said Thursday that the coalition is “defensive in nature,” and that access “remains open to all willing countries.” Oman and the United Arab Emirates were the only two Gulf countries that did not back Saudi Arabia’s statement. Turkey, Egypt and Pakistan were among those that joined the proposed alliance.

Latest developments in the Iran conflict

No U.S. strikes were reported in Iran on Friday.

Iran fired drones at Kuwait, a Gulf country hosting U.S. forces, and said it had also fired at oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for global oil and gas shipments, which has been largely closed by the fighting.

Kuwait’s Defense Ministry said Friday its armed forces had shot down drones inside Kuwaiti airspace. It said the Iranian attacks had targeted several vital military facilities, causing material damage from falling shrapnel but no casualties. It did not specify how many drones were intercepted. Iranian state media said Iran had targeted an air base in Kuwait with drones, in retaliation for U.S. strikes on Thursday.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claimed to have hit two oil tankers attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian state media said four other tankers had turned around. The report did not provide further details on which flags or ownership the tankers were sailing under, or say whether there were any casualties.

FIFA chief operating officer tells AP that staff was ‘deceived’ by World Cup sell-off plan that ‘must not go ahead’

FIFA’s chief operating officer Kevin Lamour said in a statement to The Associated Press that the staff was “deceived” by Gianni Infantino’s lack of openness while planning the scheme to sell a World Cup stake to private investors linked to Trump’s family.

“It is the project of one person,” wrote Lamour, a long-time colleague of Infantino at both FIFA and UEFA. “Not only must this project not go ahead … but the time has now come for football political leaders to ask themselves the right questions and make the right decisions.”

Lamour did not resign the post he held since 2024 but said he had a duty to his colleagues to speak out about the “contempt and intimidation” FIFA staff has faced.

“And if that means I lose my job, then so be it” the French official said. “I will understand and respect that decision. At least I’ll sleep well tonight.”

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Wisconsin Democrats shaken by Mandela Barnes’ exit from governor’s race

The former lieutenant governor’s announcement came Thursday amid news that the state party had reviewed past allegations of inappropriate behavior, further shaking up the race less than two weeks before the Aug. 11 primary in Wisconsin, where independents and moderates are key voters and where Trump won two razor-thin elections.

That leaves four Democrats, including most prominently Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, who rejoined the race with the endorsement of Gov. Tony Evers after Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez ended her run amid a campaign finance scandal two weeks ago, and insurgent democratic socialist State Rep. Francesca Hong, running far to the left.

The single mother and former line cook has captured the imaginations of liberal Democrats upset with the party establishment, but she’s raised concerns that her past calls for defunding the police will hurt her chances against Trump-backed Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany in November.

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Details on disarmament from the Hamas statement

Hamas said Friday that it’s committed to implementing the Gaza ceasefire agreement, including the new roadmap focused on the steps it needs to take to disarm.

The group’s statement says it and other Palestinian factions agreed to the framework as part of a national consensus to protect people in Gaza and help meet their humanitarian needs.

It said Israel must adhere to the ceasefire deal agreed to in October and halt its attacks in order for implementation to move forward, echoing language in the new roadmap released Friday by the Board of Peace.

The agreement calls for Hamas, which ran the government in Gaza, to first turn over all police weapons to a national committee of technocrats responsible for administering the strip. Only later, once the Israeli military withdraws from Gaza, would it be required to decommission and hand over its heavier weapons, according to the text.

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Democratic candidates grapple with ‘defund the police’ baggage

With midterm elections looming, Democrats hope to convince voters that Trump administration lawlessness is the biggest threat to their rights and pocketbooks. The party’s past debates over crime and safety threaten to undermine that pitch.

Across the country, Democratic candidates are facing tough questions about their past calls to “defund the police” by reimagining public safety services or redirecting spending to other social programs — a prominent demand during the protests that followed George Floyd’s death.

Democratic leaders fear the outlier opinions may sink their chances of gaining ground in Congress, governor’s mansions and statehouses as the party’s rising left flank captivates its base, just as Republicans stoke fears about crime, immigration and democratic socialism in their closing midterm message.

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Asian soccer joins Europe and North America in opposing World Cup privatization plan

The Asian Football Confederation, a key ally in Gianni Infantino’s presidency of global soccer, has joined UEFA and CONCACAF in protesting his plan to sell stakes in the World Cup to private equity investors tied to the Trump family.

“Football should never have been placed in such a position,” said the Asian soccer body. Together with Europe and North America, they count 136 of FIFA’s 211 members.

“Some things are simply too important to sell,” UEFA said in a statement Thursday announcing a boycott of FIFA events.

Infantino’s secret proposal revealed Tuesday would spin off its commercial operations in a new $20 billion subsidiary 20% owned by private investors, whose core investor would be a New York investment firm created by Joshua Kushner, the brother of Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.

Trump swings at Cornyn over Blanche nomination

Trump, still frustrated about the status of his attorney general pick, began his Friday morning by going after one of the Republican senators who was holding up Todd Blanche’s confirmation to lead the Justice Department.

Continuing a criticism he began earlier this week, Trump said Texas Sen. John Cornyn had no issue with the $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund until after he endorsed his primary challenger, Ken Paxton, for the Senate.

In the post, Trump also continued to defend the controversial fund, which Blanche said in his Senate testimony was dead. Republican senators want him to put that commitment into writing.

“Perhaps there has never been a group of people treated so badly in our Nation’s history,” Trump said. “They are suffering still, many ruined, and I felt that they should be given compensation for what has been done to them.”

Blanche met privately with Cornyn and North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis over the issue later Thursday and the sides were working collaboratively, although Blanche’s confirmation prospects still remain unclear.

FIFA adviser on White House’s World Cup panel resigns to protest Infantino private equity plan

Senior FIFA adviser Carlos Cordeiro, who represented the soccer body on the White House Task Force for the World Cup, resigned Friday to protest its private equity plan.

“I cannot stand by while FIFA considers selling a stake in the World Cup,” Cordeiro, a former Goldman Sachs banker, said in a statement resigning as adviser to FIFA President Gianni Infantino that urged other senior FIFA staff to speak out.

Cordeiro often joined Infantino on working visits to meet Trump at the White House in recent years.

“Let me be clear. I had no involvement in this proposal, and I oppose it unequivocally,” the former U.S. Soccer Federation president said, calling the $20 billion commercial subsidiary “a bad deal for football.”

“Football has been central to my life, and after more than 35 years in banking, I understand both the value of this asset and the consequences of giving part of it away” he said. “That is why this proposal should be rejected.”

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The Trump administration is ending a Medicare drug subsidy program. Here’s how it could affect costs

Millions of older adults on Medicare prescription drug coverage could face steeper monthly costs in 2027, after the Trump administration concludes a temporary subsidy program that has helped offset premiums for the past two years.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services this week announced it would wrap up the program, which was initially implemented by the Biden administration in 2024 to lower patients’ Medicare Part D prescription drug costs in response to the effects of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act.

While federal officials insist the financial impact on Medicare beneficiaries will be minimal, the decision opens the Republican-led administration to potential political consequences in a high-stakes midterm election year. Voters have identified cost of living as a top concern, and many older adults, who tend to vote in high numbers, are on fixed incomes where every dollar counts. The roughly 25 million Americans with Medicare Part D plans will find out about their 2027 rates in the fall, when they are casting ballots in November’s elections.

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Trump floats pulling Blanche’s nomination for attorney general to avoid conceding to GOP demands

Trump said Thursday he may pull acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s nomination for the full-time post to avoid conceding to Senate Republicans’ demands over a sweeping tax audit immunity deal benefiting the president and members of his family.

After failed negotiations forced the delay of a committee vote to advance Blanche’s nomination, Trump suggested he was holding firm against pressure from Republican Sens. John Cornyn and Thom Tillis. They have expressed concerns about the controversial settlement of Trump’s lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service, which a judge denounced as an exercise in self-dealing.

The senators said the Justice Department seemed interested in reaching an agreement with them, but the White House wouldn’t budge to aid the confirmation of Trump’s loyal former personal attorney, who has aggressively pursued the administration’s priorities as acting attorney general. Instead, Trump said in a social media post that he might pull Blanche’s nomination and resubmit it after Cornyn and Tillis leave office next year.

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Trump is taking his Friday Cabinet meeting on the road to Camp David

Trump told his Cabinet members to meet him at the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland, a rustic backdrop for the Trump administration sessions that have come to be known for being overly long and consumed by endless praise for their boss.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the 13th such meeting of the Republican president’s second term “will be a lot of fun and something different for the Cabinet to experience together.”

An earlier attempt in May was scuttled because of bad weather. During his first term, Trump held a Cabinet meeting at the retreat.

The public portion of Trump’s Cabinet meetings has lasted as long as three hours, with the president letting everyone at the table update him on their departments or agencies — with added praise for him personally and his leadership thrown in. In a departure from other presidents, he allows the news media to stay for the duration, a move that Leavitt has said proves his commitment to transparency.

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Trump announces a deal for Hamas to disarm in Gaza, but many hurdles and uncertainty remain

A Hamas official said Friday that they did reach an agreement on disarmament, the most crucial part of the ceasefire deal. Israel didn’t give an indication that they had agreed.

Trump said Thursday that a deal has been reached for Hamas to disarm and Israel to withdraw its forces from Gaza, but many hurdles, conditions and long timelines remained to wind down the war in the Palestinian territory.

The White House announcement comes nine months after a U.S.-brokered ceasefire was signed. Negotiations between Israel and Hamas had largely deadlocked over the implementation of its second phase, including the disarmament of Hamas and the reconstruction of Gaza.

Trump’s 20-point ceasefire plan calls on the militant group to surrender its weapons and destroy its vast network of tunnels. It also envisions Israeli forces withdrawing from Gaza, the arrival of a new technocratic Palestinian government, deployment of an international security force and the rebuilding of the battered Palestinian enclave.

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Lugo, who speaks only Spanish, said someone found Coco and brought him to Sandy Paws K-9 Rescue in Fort Lauderdale. But when she went to claim him, the rescue said she did not have enough proof of ownership to take him home.

“When the deputy arrived, he told me to stay outside while he went in to see what was going on,” Lugo said in Spanish.

Desperate for help, Lugo reached out to Local 10 News.

A meeting was arranged in Fort Lauderdale, where Lugo was finally reunited with Coco.

After facing criticism on social media, Sandy Paws Canine Rescue explained why the dog was not released sooner.

“We contacted the initial person who owned the microchip, which was his original breeder. It was a man who was not connected to the family whatsoever,” said Desiree Remington, Vice President of Sandy Paws Canine Rescue.

Remington said a few days later, Lugo’s son contacted the rescue, claiming the dog belonged to their family.

“The police advised us we did not need to give her the dog because she didn’t have proof of ownership,” Remington said.

She said everything changed after the rescue saw photos on social media clearly showing Coco with Lugo and her family, providing the additional evidence needed to confirm ownership.

That’s when the long-awaited reunion finally happened.

“There were too many conflicting stories for us to simply hand the dog over the first time she came to our residence,” Remington said.

With Coco back in her arms, Lugo said she was overwhelmed with relief.

“I’m so happy,” she said. “I feel like I’ve gotten my life back. You can’t imagine what these 15 days without my dog have been like. I’ve suffered so much.”

New York joins a growing number of states filing lawsuits against Kalshi and other companies in a dispute with President Donald Trump's administration over who regulates the fast-growing prediction market. Kalshi and other platforms argue they are federally licensed and regulated, and states have no authority to govern them.

“It’s sad to see this type of political theater from the leadership in our own state,” Elisabeth Diana, a spokesperson for New York-based Kalshi, said in a statement. “States can’t just shut down a federally licensed exchange. This would also hurt New Yorkers, who would be driven offshore. We love New York, we love New Yorkers, and New Yorkers love our product.”

Prediction market platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket allow trading on the likelihood of a wide range of events such as sports, politics, news and even the weather.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James, both Democrats, announced the lawsuit filed in state Supreme Court in Manhattan.

“New York’s gambling laws protect children from underage betting and help combat gambling addiction,” James said in a statement. “No matter what they call themselves, prediction markets like Kalshi are gambling platforms, plain and simple. By ignoring our laws, Kalshi is running an illegal operation and harming New Yorkers in the process.”

James' office is requesting that Kalshi be ordered to forfeit all illegal gains, pay restitution to consumers who were harmed and pay fines equal to three times the company's gains. In a court filing, state officials provided a rough estimate of the damages and costs sought by the lawsuit — $36 billion.

Kalshi had been in negotiations with New York officials in recent weeks over tax and consumer protection issues.

In April, New York filed a similar lawsuit against prediction market platforms Coinbase and Gemini on illegal gambling operation allegations.

State officials say the prediction markets meet the legal definition of gambling “because the outcomes of the events on which its users are betting are uncertain and outside the control of the bettor or hinge on a game of chance.”

New York claims Kalshi has failed to obtain a license from the state Gaming Commission and skirted its obligation to pay taxes like licensed casinos and mobile sports gambling platforms do. The lawsuit also says prediction markets allow users ages 18 to 20, while New York requires mobile sports betting users to be at least 21.

Last October, the Gaming Commission ordered Kalshi to stop what it called the “illegal operating” of an “unlicensed mobile sports wagering platform” in New York. Kalshi responded days later by filing a federal lawsuit against the commission and its members — legal action that remains pending.

Prediction market platforms say they operate differently than gambling operations, because consumers are trading against other consumers — much like how stock markets work. Prices are based on trading, and the platforms only take a fee from the trading, they say.

The platforms also argue federal law gives the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission exclusive jurisdiction to regulate transactions offered in the prediction market. In February, Trump’s appointee atop the federal commission declared that the agency “will no longer sit idly by” while states aim to regulate or ban prediction markets and “undermine the agency’s exclusive jurisdiction.”

States counter that the vast majority of the business on prediction market platforms is sports betting, which they are empowered to regulate, and that is completely different from the commodities and futures contracts that the commission regulates.

On Monday, a federal judge temporarily blocked Minnesota’s first-in-the-nation law banning prediction markets just days before it was to take effect — dealing a setback for states trying to outlaw or regulate the platforms. In April, another federal judge ordered a similar temporary halt to Arizona's efforts to enforce its gambling laws against prediction markets.

A tangle of lawsuits is growing, as states try to use their gambling laws to shut down Kalshi, Polymarket and other prediction market operators. In April alone, the federal government sued Connecticut, Arizona and Illinois, challenging their efforts to regulate the industry.

The rocket's upper stage will unintentionally slam into the moon on Wednesday, carving out a crater and sending up a plume of dust and rubble that scientists — and skygazers — are eager to observe.

Space tracking expert Bill Gray predicts an impact of 5,400 mph (8,700 kph) — seven times the speed of sound — near Einstein Crater on the moon’s sunlit western limb. With the action unfolding in the wee hours, the eastern portions of the U.S. and Canada, and much of South America should have the best views.

While scientists are not too concerned about this particular piece of space junk, it highlights the growing threat as more and more items cram into orbit.

“Things are getting crowded up there,” said Gray, who plans to view the aftermath from New Brunswick, Canada.

It was never SpaceX's intent to hit the moon. But space experts said the crash could have been avoided if the upper stage had been nudged into orbit around the sun.

It will be the second dead rocket known to crash into the moon accidentally. A Chinese rocket segment dug out a pair of craters on the lunar far side in 2022.

Lucky for astronomers, the upcoming smashup will occur on the moon’s near side, packing the equivalent energy of three tons of TNT.

The impact flash, lasting less than a second, will probably be too dim to see, according to experts. But the stream of ejected material could stretch for several miles (kilometers) into space and remain visible to telescopes for tens of minutes.

“The gravity on the moon is low and there is no wind to blow the dust away,” said Los Alamos National Laboratory’s Benjamin Fernando, who’s encouraging observations by professionals and amateurs alike.

“Part of the reason for our interest in this event is to figure out how much of a hazard debris impacts pose to future astronauts,” he added in an email.

Fernando anticipates an impact crater nearly 90 feet across and 16 feet deep (27 meters across and 5 meters deep), too small to see from Earth but visible to spacecraft.

NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and South Korea’s Danuri lunar orbiter will gather before-and-after shots of the crash scene. Danuri will stray within a mile or two (a few kilometers) of the SpaceX rocket just two minutes before impact, according to Fernando and his team.

The abandoned rocket segment — measuring some 40 feet (12 meters) and weighing around 10,000 pounds (4,500 kilograms) — hoisted two private lunar landers on Jan. 15, 2025.

One of them — Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost — became the first private spacecraft to pull off a fully successful lunar touchdown. The other, Japan-based ispace’s lander, wrecked.

With meteoroids and other natural objects offering little if any warning before walloping the moon, scientists said there’s much to learn by observing well-tracked strikes by human-made objects like the one coming up. NASA hurled rocket sections and lunar modules into the moon during the Apollo era for seismic measurements. Decades later, in 2009, NASA intentionally crashed its LCROSS spacecraft and upper stage in search of ice near the lunar south pole.

With the moon as the new travel hot spot, scientists said it’s crucial to improve debris monitoring and traffic control before packs of robots and astronauts arrive.

The United States and China are racing to land astronauts on the moon in the next few years. Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin are vying to provide the lander for NASA's yet-to-be-named moonwalkers of Artemis IV, who will succeed the 12 Apollo astronauts who strolled the lunar surface.

“This impact will not be a problem,” retired astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell said in an email. “But in a future where there are long-term bases on the moon, similar impacts would be an issue and we need not to leave rocket stages in chaotic orbits of this kind.”

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The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Winfrey opened the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in 2007 after being inspired by conversations with former South African President Nelson Mandela about the transformative power of educating girls. He was among the guests at the school's opening ceremony.

Winfrey's charitable foundation ran and funded the school, but it was always part of the agreement that the academy campus near Johannesburg be ultimately handed over to the provincial education department, the academy said.

“The dream was never simply to build a school,” Winfrey said in a statement issued by the academy on Wednesday. “It was to invest in the limitless potential of young women. That mission doesn’t end with one campus. It continues in every girl whose future can be transformed through education.”

The academy said Winfrey’s commitment to educating South African girls would continue through an expanded national scholarship program supporting academically talented girls at leading schools across the country.

More than 500 girls have graduated from the academy and some have attended top universities in South Africa, the United States and Europe, according to the Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation.

The Gauteng provincial government will take over the 52-acre academy campus, which has 21 classrooms, six science and computer laboratories, a 10,000-volume library and a 600-seat theater. It did not immediately say what the plans for the property were.

Gauteng Provincial Minister for Education Lebogang Maile said those currently enrolled in the school will be able to complete their education with uninterrupted financial support.

The academy drew international attention shortly after opening in 2007 when several students accused a dormitory matron of physically and sexually abusing them.

Winfrey traveled to South Africa to meet with students and parents, publicly apologized, and commissioned an independent investigation.

The matron was acquitted of criminal charges in 2010.

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This report has been corrected to show Oprah Winfrey’s statement as issued on Wednesday and not Thursday.

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AP Africa news: https://apnews.com/hub/africa

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Though there was no shortage of levity, a sense of urgency filled the Detroit meeting room as Abdul El-Sayed, a former gubernatorial candidate who is running as a Democrat for the U.S. Senate in Michigan, began speaking about how his Muslim faith informs his progressive views.

The public health researcher asked the group of faith leaders ahead of Tuesday’s primary, “What does the inspiration of holding yourself accountable to something bigger than you mean for what you do for the people around you?”

El-Sayed added, “If you can’t eat food and I have something to do about it, I better do it.”

Progressive Democratic politicians have won major electoral victories across the country in recent months amid growing frustrations surrounding inequality, affordability and potential threats to job security posed by artificial intelligence. As the economy becomes a flashpoint for the November midterms, many of these candidates and voters who support them are citing religion as a justification for their positions.

“We’re in an era of historical inequality,” El-Sayed told The Associated Press. “Most faith traditions — certainly the Abrahamic faith traditions — put a lot more burden on the wealthy.”

The interfaith roundtable took place days after a high-profile rally for El-Sayed, who has made “Medicare for All” a fixture of his campaign and is running against the more moderate Rep. Haley Stevens. It featured speeches from progressive heavy hitters like Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York.

Though not a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, El-Sayed is being endorsed by liberal allies, many of them members of the DSA, while being criticized by Republicans and centrist Democrats for being too far left to be electable in a swing state.

If elected in November, he would be the first Muslim senator in U.S. history.

Representatives for Stevens, who is identified in congressional profiles as a Protestant, did not respond to requests for comment.

Progressive ideologies carry different connotations for different generations

Religious support for progressive economic and labor movements is not new, even if it has ebbed and flowed in the U.S. over the centuries. Pope Leo XIV’s recent encyclical was in many ways an ode to “Rerum novarum,” Pope Leo XIII’s seminal 1891 text on labor, wages and unions that helped shape Catholic social teaching.

This embrace of religion isn't unique to the Democratic Party's progressive wing. More moderate candidates like James Talarico, the seminarian running for the U.S. Senate in Texas, also highlight their faith. But as left-leaning Democrats and democratic socialists like New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who is Muslim, score wins in local and national races, Republicans have repeatedly decried the party's progressive wing as communists devoid of religion.

“Republicans and conservatives believe in natural rights that flow from a creator. I think communism rejects that. It espouses a very atheistic, centralized sort of secular view of society,” said Douglas Blair, a spokesperson for Heritage Action for America.

Megan Romer, a DSA national co-chair and ordained ruling elder within the Presbyterian Church (USA), conceded socialism is a troubling concept for some people of faith.

“People’s idea of it is, ‘Oh, that’s when you’re not allowed to have a religion, right?’ Which has been true in some socialist projects,” she said.

But experts say that narrative carries less weight among many younger Americans who have no memory of the Cold War and the anti-religious associations it begot.

Theology informs more than just faith

Though there are more Democrats unaffiliated with religion than Republicans, many people of faith do not see progressive ideologies like socialism as contradictory to their beliefs. They cite Black religious activists who were outspoken critics of capitalism, including Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X and W.E.B. Du Bois, as models for their thinking about the relationship between religion and politics.

The Rev. Andrew Wilkes, who co-pastors the Double Love Experience Church in New York City, became interested in democratic socialism more than a decade ago after presiding over a funeral for someone whose insurance wouldn’t cover a critical operation. “It was not God that sent him home but an unjustly organized healthcare system and economy,” he said.

“There’s an increasing recognition, I would say, connecting socialism to a sense of a moral compass,” Wilkes said, adding that religion can bring optimism and creativity in a time of pessimism. “There’s a level of world-building that faith can speak to.”

Romer, who joined the DSA in 2018 in part because of Sanders’ unsuccessful presidential run two years earlier, thinks there is a theological component to why Christianity in particular has thrived among conservatives.

“That flavor of Christianity is a very individualistic one. They talk a lot about your personal relationship with God,” she said. “My interpretation of Christianity is one that, I think the early Christians — they were not communists in the modern sense, but they lived in communal situations.”

Attitudes toward capitalism are changing, and religion is playing a role

This faith-driven economic focus is not limited to elections.

Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice is a nonprofit organization that works with congregations throughout Southern California to support workers’ rights. Earlier this month, it facilitated a visit to Live Oak United Church of Christ in Brea, California, to support efforts to unionize a local grocery store chain.

“We just feel very, very overworked,” Luis Cueva, a Mother’s Market employee, told members of the congregation after their Sunday service as he asked for support.

“Jesus was a socialist,” Cueva said after the meeting, citing his teachings about it being difficult for rich people to go to heaven. “It means a lot to know that the church is willing to help.”

About half of U.S. adults have a positive view of capitalism, according to a poll last year from Gallup, down from 61% in 2010. Democrats have driven part of the shift, but favorable views of capitalism have also declined among independents.

President Donald Trump and other Republicans have cast these attitudes and candidates as being fundamentally at odds with religion.

“These are hard core, godless communists,” Trump said recently during a speech to the Faith & Freedom Coalition. “All communists are godless. They don't believe in God.”

Faith can be both a political asset and a liability

Although there are myriad points of contention within the Democratic Party, such as support for Israel, El-Sayed considers economic issues a top issue for his campaign.

“I talk about taking money out of politics because it’s the reason life is not affordable,” he said. “People are realizing that politicians on both sides of the aisle really are being paid off by the same people.”

The son of Egyptian immigrants, El-Sayed is aware that his Islamic faith can be weaponized or misunderstood. But since having a religious experience in college that followed a rebellious childhood, he takes seriously the implications of his faith.

“If you put your morals on a mantel, they’re not morals. They’re just, you know, things that you can admire and then you give yourself the permission to step away from them when it’s convenient,” he said.

As the roundtable concluded, leaders from each faith took turns praying. Their heads lifted, but the Rev. Horace Sheffield chimed in with one last request on behalf of El-Sayed.

“I don’t think y’all were specific enough. So I’m gonna say it real simple,” he said. “Lord, let him win.”

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Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

Hamas also said that laying down its heavy weapons, which would come later in the process, was contingent on the creation of a Palestinian state, something Israel's current government adamantly rejects.

Israel has not officially commented on the deal, which is part of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire announced last October. That agreement called for Hamas to disarm and hand over power to an independent Palestinian administration. Israel was to withdraw, and an International Stabilization Force was to deploy.

But progress stalled, with Israel saying everything hinged on Hamas disarming, and Hamas accusing Israel of violating the agreement by continuing to carry out regular strikes on Gaza.

Expectations of implementation are low

Disarming would represent a sea change for Hamas, whose founding charter calls for armed resistance against Israel, and which sees its arsenal, including rockets, anti-tank missiles and explosives, as lying at the heart of its identity.

Israel, meanwhile, appears unlikely to pull back significant forces or make other concessions ahead of its October elections. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a tough reelection battle, with opponents accusing him of failing to prevent the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that triggered the war.

Neil Quilliam, a Middle East expert at London’s Chatham House think tank, said expectations are low that Hamas will actually disarm or that Israel will withdraw from Gaza.

“I think that Netanyahu’s silence speaks volumes,’’ Quilliam said. “This is a massive decision that he has to make.”

“But with the prospect of the elections hanging over his head, with several Cabinet ministers and opposition leaders already counseling not to go ahead with the deal, I think he understands that doing so would likely scupper his chances of reelection,” he added.

The deal would be implemented in stages

In announcing the latest deal on social media, Trump said it would be carried out in “carefully structured phases.”

“As disarmament is completed, Israeli forces will withdraw, and the International Stabilization Force will work with a new Palestinian police force to take responsibility for Gaza being safe for its residents and its neighbors,” he wrote.

A copy of the agreement obtained and verified by The Associated Press said that all weapons held by the Hamas-run police will be transferred to the U.S.-backed Palestinian technocratic committee, known as the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, upon its arrival in the enclave. It’s not clear when that would happen since it is contingent on other steps.

A process to decommission and store heavy weapons, military production sites and tunnels will begin after the arrival of the Palestinian committee and the deployment of international forces. The process will be linked to a phased Israeli withdrawal, according to the agreement.

Israel currently controls around 60% of Gaza, areas that have been mostly destroyed and depopulated. Most of the territory's 2 million Palestinians are in the other part, where hundreds of thousands live in squalid tent camps and destroyed neighborhoods.

In a statement Thursday, an Israeli official said that there will be no Israeli withdrawal before the militant group is disarmed and the strip demilitarized. The statement was made on condition of anonymity in line with government protocol.

A person with knowledge of the situation said that Israel is fully involved, but it's not a signatory to the deal, which is between Hamas and several countries helping to negotiate and guarantee the ceasefire. The person spoke on condition of anonymity in order to discuss the agreement. The deal's guarantors are the U.S., Turkey, Egypt and Qatar.

It could take years for Hamas to disarm

On Thursday, U.S. and Board of Peace officials, describing the deal to reporters on condition of anonymity under guidelines set by the White House, gave an extremely optimistic assessment. The board was established by Trump to oversee the ceasefire in Gaza.

While Gaza's police force is expected to hand over its arms, that doesn't include the vast majority of Hamas militants, and heavy weaponry is not included in that part of the agreement, according to the officials.

Instead, the surrender of heavy weapons and the decommissioning of Hamas tunnels and other infrastructure are to come later in a process that could take between 200 and 350 days, a Board of Peace official said. That timeline did not appear in the agreement obtained by AP.

A Hamas official and a regional official involved in the process said that Hamas and other groups agreed to “collect and store” arms inside Gaza under the supervision of the Palestinian technocratic committee and that weapons won’t be handed to Israel or non-Palestinian parties.

The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief the media, said this would be a gradual process linked to an Israeli withdrawal.

Israel has been deeply skeptical

A U.S. official said Israel, which has been deeply skeptical about Hamas’ willingness to give up its guns or relinquish control of Gaza, had been consulted at every step of the negotiation. The official said Israel was not being asked to do anything more than what it had committed to as part of the October agreement.

A member of the Palestinian technocratic committee told the AP on Friday that it was eager to enter Gaza but was concerned Israel will pose challenges. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media. The person said they didn’t expect to enter Gaza for at least two months.

The committee welcomed the progress Friday, but said the work to restore public institutions and services and rebuild the territory would be immense.

The war in Gaza began after a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killed around 1,200 people and saw 251 taken hostage. Israel’s retaliatory offensive in Gaza has killed more than 73,000 Palestinians, including those killed since the ceasefire, Gaza’s Health Ministry said. The ministry, which is part of the Hamas-led government and is staffed by medical professionals, does not distinguish between civilians and militants in its toll but says women and children make up around half of all deaths.

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Mednick reported from Tel Aviv, Israel, Cooper from Phoenix, and Lee from Washington. Associated Press writers Farnoush Amiri in New York, Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations and Danica Kirka in London contributed.

None of those initiatives would have passed under a ballot measure getting decided by voters Tuesday.

Missouri's proposed Amendment 4 would make it significantly harder to amend the constitution by requiring citizen initiatives to pass in all eight of the state's diverse congressional districts instead of by a traditional, simple statewide majority. No other state has such a high standard — or has even asked voters to consider it.

“This is a first-of-its-kind,” said Kelly Hall, executive director of the Fairness Project, a national group that backs progressive ballot initiatives like the ones Missouri's Republican lawmakers are hoping to quelch.

“It would be nearly impossible for citizens to participate meaningfully in any sort of direct democracy,” said Hall, who believes other states could try to copy Missouri's proposal.

Lawmakers seek to rein in citizen initiatives

The Missouri proposal is the culmination of years of attempts by lawmakers in numerous states to raise the bar for citizen-initiated petitions to qualify for the ballot and win voter approval. Some elected officials contend lawmaking is best left to themselves — the people's representatives — because citizen initiatives lack the vetting that comes from the multistep legislative process of public hearings, debates and revisions.

The effort to curtail citizen initiatives on state ballots comes as President Donald Trump pushes for greater restrictions on who can vote and how ballots are cast, asserting the integrity of elections is at stake.

Missouri’s measure “fits into the larger narrative and story around what the future of democracy looks like in the United States,” said Chris Melody Fields Figueredo, executive director of the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center, which supports progressive ballot measures.

Citizen initiatives are allowed only in some states

About one-third of U.S. states allow people to bypass their legislatures by gathering signatures to place proposed constitutional amendments on the ballot. Several others allow the process for proposed laws.

In most of those states, a simple majority of voters is all that’s needed to approve constitutional amendments. Colorado requires a 55% vote for most measures, and Florida a 60% vote.

Voters in recent years rejected ballot measures to raise the approval threshold for amendments in Arkansas, Ohio and South Dakota. Still, South Dakota lawmakers have placed a proposal for a 60% approval threshold on the November ballot. North Dakota voters will consider a similar measure, and Utah voters will decide on a 60% requirement for citizen-initiated tax increases.

Missouri’s proposal would apply only to citizen initiatives. Constitutional amendments proposed by the Legislature still would need only a statewide majority. No other state has a dual standard like that.

Missouri proposal requires geographic consensus

Republican state Rep. Ed Lewis, who sponsored Missouri's measure, said he wants to ensure people in all parts of the state have their voices heard. He said activists funded by out-of-state interest groups have run up large majorities in St. Louis and Kansas City to pass controversial initiatives that failed throughout most of the rest of Missouri.

The abortion, marijuana, sports betting and Medicaid initiatives all were placed on the ballot by petitions between 2020 and 2024 after lawmakers declined to act. All passed with 53% or less of the statewide vote.

Requiring “50% in each of our congressional districts is not a difficult barrier for anything that has a consensus,” Lewis said. But “it is a difficult barrier for either a very conservative or a very liberal initiative petition,” he said.

“If you’re going to change the constitution, shouldn’t it be broadly accepted?” Lewis asked rhetorically.

Amendments to the U.S. Constitution require ratification by three-fourths of the states.

Critics say Missouri's proposed amendment could undercut consensus, because an initiative backed by large margins in seven congressional districts still would fail if opposed by a slim margin in just one district.

“It is an astonishing level of unfairness, and it crushes our notion of one person, one vote and majority rule, which we learned about in school as kids,” said Scott Charton, a spokesperson for the Missouri Realtors campaign committees, which have backed previous initiatives.

Republicans are divided over initiative restrictions

Though Amendment 4 was referred to the ballot by Republican lawmakers, people at a recent Republican club meeting in Jefferson City were divided about whether to make it harder for citizens to amend the state constitution.

Rick Kolb said he supports the tougher standards.

“Our country was founded as a republic not a democracy,” he said. When initiatives appear on the ballot, “everybody votes on these things that they haven’t put any thought into it.”

But Jim Bryan said he opposes the amendment, fearing it could allow voters in St. Louis or Kansas City to thwart measures supported by the rest of the state.

“The popular vote is what I want,” he said.

A new petition could fortify citizen initiatives

Regardless of the outcome, Tuesday's vote may not be the last on Missouri's citizen initiatives.

The Respect Missouri Voters coalition submitted more than 300,000 petition signatures — currently being verified by election officials — to try to place a constitutional amendment on the November ballot protecting the initiative process. It would reverse the Legislature's amendment by requiring only a statewide majority to pass citizen initiatives. It also would bar the Legislature from increasing the number of signatures needed to qualify for the ballot, shortening the time to do so or imposing other requirements that weaken initiative rights.

The measure also would make it harder for the Legislature to reverse or amend voter-approved initiatives by requiring an 80% vote in both the House and Senate instead of a simple majority. That comes after the Legislature last year repealed a paid sick leave law approved by voters and referred a new constitutional amendment to the November ballot to reverse voter-approved abortion rights.

Supporters insist their measure is nonpartisan, noting that Democratic lawmakers also tried to restrict citizen initiatives before Republicans gained control of the Capitol.

“Politicians in power want all the power in their hands,” said Benjamin Singer, co-founder of Respect Missouri Voters. “They don’t want citizens to have a check on their power.”

Until now, the answer has been a doting home health aide from Haiti named Martha Nelson. But with the Supreme Court sanctioning a White House immigration crackdown, Nelson’s permission to stay in the country appears likely to be yanked within days, leaving French worried.

“She’s with me all the time,” says French. “Life would be impossible.”

As the Trump administration unwinds years of protections for hundreds of thousands of people from Haiti, twin populations of vulnerable people find themselves in the crosshairs: caregivers in jobs to which those immigrants have flocked, and the older adults and disabled people who rely on them.

Around the U.S., care homes and home health agencies are bracing for the loss of workers with TPS, which stands for temporary protected status, even as they continue to reel from other immigration policy changes that have squeezed an already short-staffed industry.

For businesses, it is a predicament that could hurt bottom lines and tax remaining workers. For their clients, it threatens to upend every aspect of their lives.

“They have become like family,” says Katy Sanchez, who lives in a group home for disabled people in Nanuet, New York, run by The Arc Rockland, which stands to lose 19 caregivers with TPS, on top of 20 others it lost in immigration changes last year. “If they are forced to leave, it would be devastating.”

Supreme Court ruling paved the way

The Supreme Court sided with the Trump administration last month, saying it could end temporary protected status. The ruling specifically pertained to 350,000 Haitians and 6,000 Syrians, but immigration advocates and legal observers say it could be applied to a broader group of 1.3 million people from 17 countries.

The justices' move has been met with weeks of confusion. Immigration officials subsequently granted several extensions to TPS holders that carried through Monday. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services issued guidance Wednesday affirming TPS was over, though some attorneys and labor unions have argued work authorization remains intact until lower courts lift an injunction.

The Department of Homeland Security made light of the TPS expiration, referencing lyrics from a 1998 hit song: “It’s closing time, which means you don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here.”

Fearful they might be in breach of the law, some employers have begun terminating TPS holders, to the dismay of their clients.

Anna Fischbein grew accustomed to visits to her home in Sunny Isles, Florida, from the same kindly Haitian health aide every week for the past 10 years. But Jewish Community Services of South Florida terminated the aide along with 17 others when their TPS lapsed.

“I lost not only a lady working for me,” the 87-year-old Holocaust survivor says, her voice broken by sobs. “I lost a friend.”

Facilities scramble to come up with replacement workers

Around 1 in 5 workers in the U.S. is foreign born, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, but immigrants are overrepresented in caregiving roles. Among home health aides, for example, one-third are immigrants, according to PHI, a nonprofit focused on the caregiving workforce.

In lives upended by age or disability, a cherished caregiver is a lifeline. For someone living in their own home, they may be the last line of defense before institutionalization. For those in a care facility, they may be their strongest advocate, who notices subtle changes before anyone else, ensures small comforts like dollar-store word search books, and brings a sense of humanity to the humiliation of being incontinent.

“They are the first people they see when they wake up in the morning and they’re the last ones that they see before they go to bed,” says Simone Smith, vice president of human resources at Cabrini of Westchester, a nursing home in Dobbs Ferry, New York, where eight Haitians with TPS await word of their fate.

Like similar facilities around the country, Cabrini is prepared to scramble to secure replacement staffers from nursing agencies and plead with remaining workers to take overtime shifts. Cabrini’s workforce is about 75% immigrant. Among those with TPS, Smith senses “almost a hopelessness.”

A Haitian who loses TPS faces an unbearable choice: Attempt to stay in the U.S. and find underground work, tiptoeing through life with fear that authorities will eventually find and remove them. Or return to a country so plagued by gang violence and poverty that many believe it would amount to a death sentence.

“I’m afraid all the time,” says a Haitian man working at a Brooklyn nursing home who asked for anonymity because of concerns for the safety of himself and his family. “I pay tax to the country. I’m a good person. … All I want is to work. When you work, you are a person.”

Families wonder what they will do

Outside a simple brick house in Queens, Nelson stands guard as French steps through her door. On the porch, you might mistake the two for old friends, their bond as much an illustration of what is at risk as it is of how much things have changed.

The women made the same journey, from Port-au-Prince to New York, four decades apart.

French was drawn here in 1970 by the potential opportunities she saw. She built businesses as a hairdresser and seamstress. Her late husband made his way as an electrician and contractor. They bought their home. Their children got good educations. They believed they achieved the American dream.

Nelson came after an earthquake flattened Haiti in 2010. At home, she ran a butcher shop, but after arriving in New York she found work in caregiving roles. She began working for French about three years ago after French fell and broke her hip. Nelson, now 69, has been with her nearly every weekday since.

Both women felt welcomed by the U.S. when they arrived. But French is saddened to see how views on immigrants have evolved.

“America is a good country,” French says, “but it has changed.”

Nelson brings leftovers, tends to French’s chores and is a source of companionship. They watch the news together and talk in Haitian Creole about their families. On weekends, Nelson calls to make sure French has gotten up from bed and nags her to eat.

“On my days off, I think about her,” Nelson says.

French says Nelson has become like family. Nelson agrees, saying she sees French as if she’s her own mother, a show of affection and the source of the pair’s one ongoing dispute.

“You’re not like my daughter,” French protests. “You’re like my sister.”

For now, the two continue their routine, knowing each shift may be Nelson's last. She keeps a copy of her work authorization zipped in a black cloth pouch that she carries everywhere, in case she is stopped. Each Sunday, she sinks to her knees in church, praying for an answer. She worries for herself and for French.

“It makes me feel depressed,” Nelson says. “It could be difficult for her without me.”

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Salomon reported from Miami.

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Matt Sedensky can be reached at msedensky@ap.org and https://x.com/sedensky

Zurich-based executive Kevin Lamour all but invited Infantino to fire him in a statement to The Associated Press that defended his colleagues amid intense fallout from the FIFA boss' plan to sell stakes in future World Cup profits to private equity funds.

Lamour wrote that staff were “deceived” by Infantino’s lack of openness in planning the sale over recent months and “deserve better than contempt and intimidation.”

“It is the project of one person,” Lamour, a long-time colleague of Infantino at both FIFA and European soccer body UEFA, wrote. “Not only must this project not go ahead … but the time has now come for football political leaders to ask themselves the right questions and make the right decisions.”

Lamour's statement came hours after Infantino's senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro, a former Goldman Sachs banker who represented the soccer body on the White House Task Force for the World Cup, resigned and urged other senior FIFA staff to speak out.

“I cannot stand by while FIFA considers selling a stake in the World Cup,” Cordeiro wrote in a statement. The former U.S. Soccer Federation president said he was not included in talks about the plan backed by a New York investment fund created by Joshua Kushner.

“Let me be clear. I had no involvement in this proposal, and I oppose it unequivocally,” Cordeiro said. He called the $20 billion commercial subsidiary “a bad deal for football.”

Lamour did not resign the post he has held since 2024 but said he had a duty to his colleagues.

“And if that means I lose my job then so be it” the French official said. “I will understand and respect that decision. At least I’ll sleep well tonight.”

Lamour came to soccer from politics two decades ago as an aide to then-UEFA president Michel Platini. He often had an international role in soccer politics liaising with FIFA member federations in Africa and Asia who are weighing their own decisions about Infantino's offers of $20 million each by a Sept. 19 deadline.

Cordeiro often joined Infantino on working visits to meet U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House in recent years.

“Football has been central to my life, and after more than 35 years in banking I understand both the value of this asset and the consequences of giving part of it away,” he said. “That is why this proposal should be rejected.”

Infantino has proposed spinning off FIFA’s commercial businesses — including World Cups and Club World Cups for men and women — into a $20 billion subsidiary with 20% owned by private investors. The “anchor investor,” described by FIFA, is Kushner, the younger brother of Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.

“FIFA already has access to extraordinary financial resources. The organization sits on billions of dollars in reserves and no debt,” Cordeiro said. He noted FIFA's revenue of $15 billion over the last four years tied to the men's World Cup just ended.

“Against that backdrop, selling a permanent stake in football’s most valuable asset to raise $4.2 billion makes little sense. It is mortgaging football’s future without any compelling justification,” he said.

Cordeiro said he shared five years of working for FIFA alongside Infantino with “dedicated, principled people who care deeply about the game.”

“I hope they, too, will speak up,” he wrote, “because decisions of this magnitude should be made in the interests of football, not those who stand to profit from it.”

Infantino has been president of FIFA for more than 10 years and seemed sure to be re-elected unopposed next March. FIFA has set a Nov. 18 deadline for challengers to come forward.

Lamour was part of Infantino’s inner circle that campaigned for him to become the surprise winner of that FIFA presidential election in February 2016.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and AP World Cup coverage

Brussels aims to track the use of AI models for violations of its new regulations, like the publishing of sexually explicit material, fake photos and videos, and cyber threats to public infrastructure. When the bloc's AI Act comes into force on Sunday, AI companies will be required to make clear to consumers with labels or digital watermarks that chatbots or imagery are generated with AI.

“As enforcement begins, we are taking an important step towards AI that people and businesses can understand and trust, and whose benefits are shared widely across our society,” said Henna Virkkunen, the EU chief for tech sovereignty, on Friday.

The European Commission said in a statement that new regulations also include “systemic risks” posed by AI like “chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear incidents, loss of control, cyber offense, harmful manipulation and threats to fundamental rights."

The team is the latest move in the 27-nation EU’s “tech sovereignty” strategy that welds landmark digital regulations with economic ambition that has seen over the past week billions of euros in fines on Big Tech companies as well as record investment in AI infrastructure inside the bloc.

The rollout comes on the heels of shocking AI safety failures that rattled the nascent industry. Political leaders worldwide are now weighing control of the technology with market leadership.

Anthropic said on Friday its artificial intelligence models hacked into three other organizations during testing, just days after ChatGPT maker OpenAI raised concerns over AI controls after it disclosed its rogue models hacked another company.

The EU is now expanding its AI Office in Brussels with an additional 38 people who will begin monitoring AI companies, from the new firms to the American and Chinese tech titans like OpenAI and DeepSeek.

Those companies must “document certain information,” said the European Commission, the bloc's tech enforcer, which reserves the right to interview AI company staff during investigations. It has also launched a Whistleblower Tool for tech workers and a Compliance Tool for tech users to confidentially alert authorities to illegal conduct.

If models or other products break the EU's sector regulations, called the AI Act, Brussels can fine the firms or cut off their access to the EU market. Recent gigantic antitrust fines on U.S. tech companies have irked U.S. President Donald Trump.

The EU now clearly sees systemic vulnerability in its deep reliance on American software companies like Amazon, Google and Microsoft as well as imports of Chinese industrial goods and critical minerals. While it is seeking protections from AI, it is also keen to catch up in the AI arms race, where it is a distant third behind the U.S. and China.

More broadly, the EU is seeking more independence from both Washington and Beijing by reinvigorating specific domestic industries like manufacturing and defense and forging new trade deals from Brazil to Australia to meet the global rise in economic nationalism spearheaded by Trump.