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Park officials said two lightning strikes hit near the edge of a severe storm moving through the area.

The park is located at 1006 N. US Highway 27 in Weston.

At the time, there was no rain where the fire began, but roughly 30 minutes later, heavy rainfall moved in and put out the flames as the system rolled overhead, the spokesperson stated.

No injuries were reported.

Funcionarios del parque informaron que dos rayos cayeron cerca del borde de una fuerte tormenta que avanzaba por el área.

El parque está ubicado en el 1006 de la carretera federal U.S. Highway 27 North, en Weston.

En ese momento no estaba lloviendo en el lugar donde comenzó el incendio, pero aproximadamente 30 minutos después, una intensa lluvia llegó a la zona y extinguió las llamas mientras el sistema avanzaba sobre el parque, indicó el portavoz.

No se reportaron personas heridas.

At No. 2, Rybakina is the highest seed on the women's side to be eliminated and her loss ensures that Aryna Sabalenka will keep her No. 1 ranking after the tournament.

Rybakina faces Naomi Osaka in the fourth round on Sunday.

Belgium's Mertens is the No. 25 seed at Wimbledon, where she's won two doubles titles.

Later Saturday, Serena and Venus Williams were set to play a doubles match against Camila Osorio and Solana Sierra. Organizers hadn't assigned a court, only saying that it will be played after 4:30 p.m. local time (1530 GMT).

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AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

For some, the choice is easy.

Some turn to vegetarian and vegan options, with Impossible burgers and even Caesar salad thrown into the mix as alternatives for holiday diners.

Still, the debate continues as Americans fire up grills nationwide: when it comes to Independence Day staples, is it burgers, hot dogs — or both?

Let us know in the comment section below.

Inhale Exhale Studios will host “Flow for Venezuela” on Sunday at 1:30 p.m., inviting participants to take part in a community yoga session while contributing to relief efforts.

The event is being organized by yoga instructor Victoria Sanabria, who said the effort is deeply personal.

“As a Venezuelan, my devotion to yoga comes from a deeply personal place. To me, being a yoga teacher is not just a role, but a calling to hold space, to heal, and to support others through their own journeys,” Sanabria said. “This vision was born from the love I carry for my country and its people, intertwined with my passion for yoga—a practice that has grounded me, uplifted me, and given me purpose even in moments of uncertainty.”

Sanabria said the class is designed to be accessible to all experience levels.

“My classes are open to all levels and are designed to be inclusive and welcoming for everyone, from beginners to more advanced practitioners,” she added. “I do not differentiate or limit participation based on experience. Instead, I adapt each session according to the needs of the students present. When necessary, I offer modifications or alternative postures to ensure that each individual feels safe, supported, and confident in their practice.”

Organizers are asking attendees to bring cash donations or essential supplies, including nonperishable food, bottled water, diapers, baby formula and hygiene products.

The event will be held at the studio, located at 1960 Normandy Dr. in Miami Beach.

Click here if you would like to register.

Yield: 24 cupcakes

1 cup (2 sticks) of unsalted butter, softened, plus extra for greasing pans

1¼ cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting pans

1½ cups self-rising flour

1 cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups sugar

4 large eggs, at room temperature

Preheat the oven to 350˚F. Line two 12-cup muffin tins with cupcake papers. Mix the flours together in a bowl. In another small bowl, mix the milk and vanilla.

In a large bowl, cream the butter with an electric mixer at medium speed until smooth. Add the sugar gradually and beat until fluffy (about 3 minutes). Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually add the flour mixture, alternating with the milk and the vanilla, beating well after each addition. Spoon the batter into muffin cups about ¾ full.

Bake until the tops of the cupcakes spring back when lightly touched, 20 to 22 minutes. Remove cupcakes from the pans and cool on a rack before icing.

Magnolia Bakery’s Buttercream Vanilla Icing

Yield: about 4¼ cups icing (enough for 24 cupcakes)

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

8 cups confectioners’ sugar

½ cup milk

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

food coloring (optional)

Place the butter in a large mixing bowl. Add 4 cups of the sugar and then the milk and vanilla extract. Beat until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the remaining sugar, 1 cup at a time, until the icing is thick enough to spread. Add a few drops of food coloring if desired. Frost the cupcakes. Serve at room temperature. Leftover icing freezes well for up to two months.

“When drowning occurs, seconds matter,” said Dr. Rohit Shenoi, the lead author of a recent American Academy of Pediatrics warning. “Quick rescue and resuscitation can mean the difference between life, death and lifelong disability.”

About 4,000 to 5,000 Americans drown each year. Most are adults who die in natural bodies of water, such as lakes, ponds or oceans.

But statistically speaking, drowning is a much larger danger to children. It’s the No. 1 cause of death for kids ages 1 to 4, and one of the top killers of children ages 5 to 14. The drowning rate is higher for white kids in the younger group, but much higher for Black, American Indian and Alaska Native children in the older group.

Drownings of very young children sometimes occur in bathtubs. But most, like Stewie Leonard's, occur in swimming pools.

A family tragedy leads to a foundation for water safety

The Stew Leonard’s grocery chain offers a Disney-like shopping experience, featuring food-promoting animatronic characters like a dancing banana, a mooing cow and singing avocados. But several of its stores also have an animatronic creature that seems out of place: a life-jacketed duck named Stewie who sings about how not to drown.

The duck is named for the son of Stew Leonard, the grocery chain’s chief executive. The boy was 21 months old when he drowned during a family vacation on the island of St. Martin in 1989.

More than a dozen adults and kids had gathered at a birthday party for Stewie's older sister, who was turning 3. Stew Leonard was outside hanging balloons and his wife was inside baking a cake.

“I saw Stewie outside and I assumed that he (Leonard) was watching him,” said his wife, Kim, noting that other relatives also were in the area of the pool.

“We never communicated with each other; ‘You’ve got him?’” said Kim Leonard, now 65. “When everyone’s watching, nobody’s watching.”

“There were a couple of balloons floating in the water,” Leonard, 71, recalled. “And you know after a few minutes, sort of everybody was like, ‘Where’s Stewie?’ Unfortunately I was the one who found him. He was face down in the pool.”

His death led the couple to start a foundation that pays for children’s swimming lessons and promotes drowning prevention.

Why are more kids drowning?

Unintentional child drowning deaths in the U.S. fell from around 2,000 a year in the 1980s to below 1,000 a year by the early 2000s, thanks in part to public awareness campaigns, expanded access to swimming lessons, and adoption of pool fencing laws. Between 2000 and 2019, health officials saw a 38% drop.

But then the trend reversed, with the number of child drowning deaths rising from 756 in 2019 to 865 in 2024, the most recent year for which complete data is available. The bulk of them were children younger than 5. The child drowning death rate also increased slightly, from 1.1 to 1.2 per 100,000 children.

What happened?

The COVID-19 pandemic interrupted swimming lessons and lifeguard training programs, and contributed to a national lifeguard shortage. Meanwhile, some data suggests an increase in swimming pool construction and increases in unsupervised swimming, said Tessa Clemens, the CDC Foundation’s senior director for drowning prevention initiatives.

Kym Roberts studies drownings in Australia — where child drownings have been either level or decreasing in recent years. She said “drowning in young children is often associated with falls into water and lapses in direct supervision.”

Some possible good news: Preliminary U.S. data for last year suggests child drownings declined. But it's not clear whether that's the start of a trend, and the deaths still remain higher compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic, Clemens said.

Pediatricians push for standards and regulations

Inventors have recognized a need for child water safety measures, and recent years have seen the emergence of immersion alarms that sound if the wristband a child is wearing goes underwater. But manufacturers of such devices note they can serve as an extra warning system, but should not be considered a primary way to keep children safe.

The federal government's top public health agency, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, laid off Clemens and the rest of the staff of its drowning prevention program last year. But new guidance and drowning prevention support continues to come out of other organizations, including the CDC Foundation and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

A CDC Foundation program has paid for basic swimming and water safety skills training for over 35,000 students since 2024. The program operates in 11 states with higher drowning rates: Alaska, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Michigan, New York, Oklahoma and Texas.

Ways to prevent drowning

The AAP says research shows that policies can make a difference, including lifeguard standards, life jacket regulations and requirements that swimming pools be completely surrounded by fences with self-closing, self-latching gates.

Stew Leonard emphasizes two other approaches — swimming lessons for young kids and complete focus by caregivers when young children are around water.

“I mean, I love ballet. I love karate. I love tennis lessons. You know, all the activities that kids can do,” he said. “But the only thing you can do to save their life is put them in swimming lessons.”

His foundation has funded over 250,000 swimming lessons for children and opened two swimming schools — one of them across the street from his company's headquarters in Norwalk, Connecticut.

Also, “shut your cellphones off when you're around the pool, watching the kids. Don't sit there reading a book. Don't sit there talking to your friends, neglecting your child that's near the water,” he said.

“This happens in the blink of an eye.”

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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.

Music and dancing set the tone before kickoff, but the mood quickly shifted to tense as the Round of 16 match unfolded into one of the tournament’s most dramatic finishes.

Cape Verde, playing in its first World Cup, stunned the defending champions with relentless energy, forcing Argentina to dig deep in a back-and-forth battle that went beyond regulation.

Cape Verde fan Nalissa Oliviera said her family was among the few Cape Verde supporters in the crowd, but pride outweighed the result.

“Like they say in Cabo Verde, one percent chance but we have 99 percent faith. You never know,” she said.

Still, South Florida was packed with Argentina fans who turned the Miami Beach Bandshell into a celebration reminiscent of home.

“It makes you feel the Buenos Aires is here. You know?” said Argentina fan Barbara Maciel-Blanco.

For many in attendance, the atmosphere captured the emotional highs and lows of the sport.

“That’s the emotional part about soccer. That unexpected feeling, that result. That passion that moves everyone. I think it’s amazing,” Maciel-Blanco said.

The match itself lived up to the hype.

Lionel Messi opened the scoring early, but Cape Verde answered twice, refusing to fade against one of the tournament favorites.

The Blue Sharks pushed Argentina to the limit, including a stunning extra-time equalizer by Sidny Lopes Cabral that sent supporters into shock.

In the end, Argentina found a way, securing the winning goal in the 111th minute on an own goal after sustained pressure in extra time.

“Bro, his age, he’s almost 40 now and he’s playing against people that are my age and winning over them. That’s insane,” said fan Camilla Lons, referring to Messi.

After the final whistle, Argentina supporters spilled into the streets in celebration, singing and waving flags as their team’s World Cup run continued.

Soccer fan Alec Alfonso said he never doubted the outcome.

“Throughout the match it was like every single play I didn’t know but I knew in the very end I knew Argentina was going to come out in the end,” he said.

Despite the loss, Cape Verde’s historic World Cup run ended with admiration from fans and neutrals alike. The Blue Sharks earned praise for a fearless performance that turned a knockout match into one of the tournament’s defining thrillers.

Next up: Argentina will face Egypt in the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Kickoff is set for noon ET.

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, halved, gently pounded (makes 4 pieces total)

2 eggs

¼ cup chopped Italian parsley leaves

1 garlic clove, minced

2 cups plain breadcrumbs

For cooking:

olive oil

butter

For serving:

lemons wedges

Pound the chicken out into filets that are just a little thinner than ½-inch. For easy cleanup, place the chicken inside of a plastic gallon bag to pound. Season with salt and pepper.

Place the eggs in a shallow bowl or container. Whisk in the minced garlic and parsley.

Place the breadcrumbs in a large, shallow dish. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Working with one piece of chicken at a time, submerge in the eggs, letting any excess drip off then dredge in the breadcrumbs, pressing gently to make sure the chicken is completely coated. Set the breaded chicken aside on the prepared baking sheet. Continue breading until all of the chicken is coated.

To cook, combine half olive oil and half butter in a large, heavy-bottomed pan, like a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Allow butter to melt. You should have about ½-inch of oil in the pan. Line a plate or tray with paper towels or set a roasting rack over a rimmed baking sheet. Working with a few pieces at a time, shallow fry the chicken until golden brown on both sides, about 2-3 minutes per side. Set aside to drain on the prepared tray or baking sheet while you cook the remaining chicken. Season with a little salt while warm.

Serve with lemon wedges on the side.

According to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, the crash happened just before 8 p.m. along Northwest 79th Street near Northwest 23rd Avenue.

Investigators said the victim was struck by a vehicle under circumstances that remain under investigation.

They said authorities are working to determine whether the man was walking along the roadway or riding a bicycle when he was hit.

Deputies said first responders rushed the man to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center, where he later died from his injuries.

They said the driver fled the scene before deputies arrived, leaving investigators searching for both the vehicle and the person behind the wheel.

Authorities have not released the victim’s identity and have not yet provided a description of the vehicle involved.

No other details about the incident were immediately released.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office or Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477.

A Heat Advisory is in effect from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday for most of Palm Beach County, coastal Broward County and metro Miami-Dade County, according to the National Weather Service.

Local 10 meteorologist Jennifer Collins said Heat index values are expected to reach as high as 108 degrees, making it feel much hotter than the actual air temperature.

Collins said highs will climb into the low 90s under hot and humid conditions.

“If you’re planning any outdoor activities today, make sure you’re wearing light, loose-fitting clothing, staying hydrated too, and taking lots of breaks in the shade or AC, especially if you’re along our area beaches for today,” she said. “It’s going to feel quite hot.”

Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop during the afternoon as the sea breeze moves inland. Some storms could produce pockets of heavy rain, frequent lightning and strong wind gusts.

The unsettled weather could briefly interrupt outdoor holiday plans, but Collins said storms are expected to diminish by the early evening, allowing skies to clear in time for many Fourth of July fireworks displays.

A similar weather pattern is expected Sunday, with highs in the low 90s and another round of afternoon showers and thunderstorms.

Looking ahead, South Florida’s day-to-day weather is expected to remain largely unchanged through early next week. Rain chances could decrease later in the week as Saharan dust moves into the region.

The tropics are expected to remain quiet through next week.

Track the latest forecast from Local 10’s Weather Authority team by clicking here.

“She was a good girl, never got in trouble,” her mother said.

“It means a whole lot, she loved her friends and you can see by the turnout here that loved her also,” she said.

Family and friends gathered along Dania Beach Friday to honor the life of the 31-year-old.

According to Local 10 News sources, Jones’ remains were discovered in the water off Virginia Key on Monday, near a NOAA research facility.

Just three days before the deadly discovery, surveillance cameras were rolling, believed to have captured her final moments. Friday morning, she’s seen outside of Scarlett’s Cabaret on Hallandale Beach Boulevard, leaving with a man.

Investigators say earlier that morning, around 6 a.m., she was seen at Dean’s Gold off 163rd Street in North Miami Beach.

How and why she ended up in the water is still unknown.

Jones’ family, most of whom live in Michigan, are left heartbroken and searching for clues to answer this puzzling mystery.

The FBI is now heading up the death investigation. In a previous statement, a spokesperson for the Federal Bureau of Investigation told Local 10 News: “The FBI is aware of this matter. Out of respect for the ongoing investigation, we will refrain from commenting on its substance.”

6 yukon gold potatoes, COOKED WHOLE, peeled and gently boiled in salted water until tender, strained, cooled

1 small white onion, small diced

3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

2 English cucumbers, peeled, cut in half lengthwise then sliced thin

2 tablespoons sliced chives

3 tablespoons chopped dill

2 tablespoons chopped Italian parsley leaves

Dressing:

¼ cup chicken broth

1 tablespoon german mustard or dijon mustard

3 tablespoons olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

Peel the yukon gold potatoes. Keep potatoes whole and place in a pot of lightly salted water. Bring to a gentle boil, reduce to a simmer and cook until fork tender. Once tender, drain the potatoes. Transfer to a bowl and allow to cool a little. Cut the potatoes into large chunks.

Cook the onions in the apple cider vinegar until soft. When soft, strain the liquid from the onions and set aside. Transfer the cooked onions to a bowl with the potatoes, cucumbers and herbs. Combine the strained vinegar, chicken broth and mustard in a dish. Season with salt and pepper. You can use a whisk or an immersion blender to add the oil slowly to emulsify the dressing.

Combine the dressing with the potatoes.

Taste for seasoning.

Those storms could chase you indoors at times but skies are expected to clear in time for those fireworks shows tonight. A Heat Advisory is in effect from 11 a.m. through 8 p.m. where the “feels like” temperatures could be as high as 108 degrees, so stay cool and stay hydrated out there. Little change is expected in our day to day weather through early next week but storms chances might come down a bit later next week as Saharan dust rolls in. All is quiet in the tropics through next week.

Almost daily long-range attacks on Russian oil facilities have created a fuel crisis and heaped political pressure on the Kremlin as its all-out invasion of Ukraine stretches into its fifth year.

Gov. Alexander Beglov said the city’s Kirovsky district on the Baltic Sea was hit. He also said that air defenses shot down 72 Ukrainian drones across Russia's second-largest city and the surrounding region.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the attack as part of Ukraine’s “long-range sanctions” against Russia. He said that Ukrainian forces also hit a military target on the island of Kronstadt, just off the coast of St. Petersburg.

“The Ukrainian defense forces hit the port oil infrastructure, which earns money for the Russian war, and there were also hits on Kronstadt — an important military target,” he said in a post on Telegram.

St. Petersburg’s Kirovsky district was previously hit in June, ahead of Russia’s flagship St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.

The Crimean peninsula, which Russia annexed in 2014, has suffered particularly from heavy strikes, causing local authorities to suspend gasoline sales to civilians. A Ukrainian attack on Saturday killed one person and injured two more, including a 10-year-old child, the Moscow-installed Gov. Sergei Aksyonov said.

Ukrainian attacks bring the war home

Russian President Vladimir Putin has shrugged off Ukraine’s strikes on Russia’s energy facilities as “not critical,” and insisted the war will continue until his goals are met.

He has described the attacks on Russian energy as an effort by Ukraine to distract attention from its losses on the battlefield, although analysts say the advance of Russian forces has been stymied in recent months.

On Friday, Putin visited the Russian military headquarters directing the war in Ukraine and received a report on the capture of the city of Kostyantynivka, after weeks of intense street battles. He hailed it as a key step toward capturing the nearby cities of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk, the key remaining strongholds in the so-called “forest belt” of heavily fortified cities in the Donetsk region that remain in Ukraine’s hands.

The capture of Kostyantynivka, a big transport and industrial hub, is of “major strategic importance,” Putin, clad in military fatigues, said in televised comments.

In a briefing Saturday, Col. Gen. Sergei Rudskoy, the first deputy chief of the General Staff of the Russian armed forces, said that Ukrainian troops had been pushed back several kilometers (miles) and that fighting was taking place on the outskirts of the nearby town of Oleksiievo-Druzhkivka.

“The city is now under our full control. Units of the Southern Army Group are completing the clearance of city blocks, rooting out small groups and individual Ukrainian fighters who may still be hiding in basements and ruins,” he said.

Zelenskyy denied that Russia took control of the city. “It is just another Russian lie, an attempt to generate some kind of a news story,” he wrote on social media Saturday. “If Kostiantynivka were under Russian control, then perhaps Putin would have no problem meeting me there to find a diplomatic way to finally end this war. But the fact is, he won’t cross the front line — reality is very different from Putin’s words.”

Zelenskyy's post also seemed to appeal to U.S. President Donald Trump. “Now, on the eve of America’s Independence Day, Putin has chosen to lie to the world and to the President of the United States about the situation on the front.”

Putin appears to believe his government can keep the fuel crisis from eroding his authority and support for the war he launched more than four years ago. At the very least, the attacks have brought the war home even more poignantly for millions of Russians, shattering Putin’s narrative of the conflict as something that doesn’t affect the lives of ordinary people in his country.

The border city of Belgorod, which Ukrainian drone strikes have also repeatedly targeted, was left almost completely without power on Saturday due to overnight attacks, local media reported.

Meanwhile, eight people were wounded after a Russian attack struck residential buildings in Ukraine's southeastern region of Zaporizhzhia, including two children, local authorities said on Saturday.

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Follow the AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

Mohamed Elmaouloud Ramadane, a spokesperson for ​the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA), said in a Facebook post that the town of Anefis was being targeted by the separatists.

Mohamed Cissé, a resident of Gao, told The Associated Press that the army is going door to door searching for attackers who are still in the city.

“For the moment, the calm has returned. But I learned that the attackers are still in a part of the city, so I stay inside the house with the family,” said Ousmane Maiga, another resident.

In a later statement, the Malian army claimed that “the situation is completely under control.” It added that in Sévaré, “20 terrorists on motorcycles and equipped vehicles were neutralized.”

But Rawani Ahmed Bouya, a member of the FLA and head of the National Office of the Azawad diaspora, told the AP that Anefis was under FLA control and that the fighting was almost over. His claim could not independently verified.

In late April, a coordinated attack by the FLA and the regional al-Qaida affiliate JNIM killed the defense minister in his home and took control of several key towns in the north of the country.

Ibrahim Yahaya Ibrahim, deputy project director for the International Crisis Group think tank, said that while the latest attacks are “nothing comparable” to those in April, reports of attacks across the border in Burkina Faso as well as across Mali could indicate an attempt to divert the attention of the army to secure more limited gains in northern Mali.

Wassim Nasr, a senior research fellow at the Soufan Center, said the targeting of Anefis was strategic because any Malian attempt to reverse the territorial gains from April would have been staged in Anefis.

Mali has previously faced insurgencies by militants affiliated with al-Qaida and the Islamic State group, as well as a separatist rebellion in the country’s north. The separatists have been fighting for years to create an independent state in northern Mali.

Along with Mali, neighboring Niger and Burkina Faso have also been battling al-Qaida and IS affiliates.

Following military coups, the juntas in the three countries turned from Western allies to Russia for help combating Islamic militants. But the security situation has worsened with a record number of militant attacks. Government forces have also been accused of killing civilians they suspect of collaborating with militants.

—-

Wilson McMakin reported from Dakar, Senegal

Alternative for Germany, or AfD, met in the eastern city of Erfurt to elect its leaders, which German parties do every two years. The party sought to show unity as it voted to extend the terms of Weidel and Tino Chrupalla, who have headed AfD for four years as co-leaders and ran unopposed Saturday. Weidel was re-elected with 81% of the vote, while Chrupalla earned 70%.

The demonstrations outside the convention reflected how AfD has divided Germany even while becoming the biggest opposition party nationally and the strongest political force in Germany’s formerly communist east.

Saturday's event was able to start on time despite the protests, which party officials hailed their “fundamental, legally guaranteed right to hold party conventions.”

“There are no peaceful seated blockades. There are no democratic roadblocks. Nor are there any gangs of thugs who deserve the harmless label ‘civil society.’ These troublemakers are the last resort of our political rivals,” Chrupalla said.

The weekend convention drew additional controversy by coinciding with the 100-year anniversary of a Nazi Party meeting held nearby that consolidated Adolf Hitler’s power over the fascist movement. Historians and political opponents say the timing carries powerful symbolism, an accusation the AfD rejects.

AfD achieved second place in the February 2025 national election with 20.8% of the vote, the best showing by a far-right party since World War II. Since then support has risen to first among the nation's political parties.

Despite the growing support, some want to see the party banned and protesters this weekend are likely to underline those calls. But Germany’s supreme court previously has set a very high bar for banning parties.

Although Weidel said recently that “2026 is a year of destiny for AfD,” mainstream parties say they won’t work with AfD in a stance often referred to as a “firewall” against far-right parties.

Police said some 31,000 people attended Saturday's protest rallies, German news agency dpa reported. The demonstrations were largely peaceful, with protesters holding signs such as "Stop AfD Nazis” and "For Diversity, Against Nazis.”

Lena Raupach, spokesperson for widersetzen, an anti-fascist alliance whose name translates to “resist,” said the group had hoped to block the convention.

“The AfD pursues fascist policies: It wants mass deportations and terror on the streets. At the same time, however, it doesn’t solve a single real problem," she said. “It pursues policies that benefit the rich, not ordinary citizens. And we at widersetzen want a society in which all people have equal opportunities and equal security. We want a society based on solidarity.”

The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, Germany’s domestic intelligence agency, announced last year that it had classified AfD as a proven right-wing extremist group, but suspended the designation after a legal challenge. In February, a Cologne court said the agency can’t use the designation while the court evaluates the party’s lawsuit.

AfD vehemently rejects accusations of extremism and argues the agency is being used as a political instrument by mainstream parties.

AfD is capitalizing on the unpopularity of a government that is trying to reform the sluggish economy. The party has become adept at harnessing discontent with issues well beyond its signature theme of curbing migration, which powered its rise in the mid-2010s.

AfD hopes to win 40% or more of the vote in a Sept. 6 state election in the eastern region of Saxony-Anhalt. That could put the party on course for an absolute majority or in a position where it might try to attract defectors from other parties, paving the way for its first state governor.

“We will win. Maybe we’ll be able to govern alone soon,” Chrupalla said. “That would send the right message to the enemies of democracy out there who wanted to prevent our party convention from taking place.”

The party, which has long called for lifting sanctions against Russia and opposes weapons deliveries to Ukraine, also has supported the general approach of U.S. President Donald Trump while criticizing the war in Iran launched by the Trump administration and Israel.

Björn Höcke, one of the party’s regional leaders, repeatedly said in his speech Saturday that AfD wants to make Germany great again, a reference to Trump's MAGA platform, and at least one attendee wore a hat with a “Make Germany Great Again” logo.

___

Stefanie Dazio and Philipp Reissfelder in Berlin contributed to this report.

While the United States marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence with rallies, parties and fireworks, history’s first U.S.-born pope traveled to the Sicilian island of Lampedusa to pray at a migrant cemetery and celebrate a solemn Mass for the island's residents and newest arrivals.

A treeless strip of rock 9 kilometers (5.6 miles) long, Lampedusa is closer to Africa than the Italian mainland and is the main port of entry into Europe for hundreds of thousands of migrants who crossed by boat from Libya or Tunisia, often smuggled by human traffickers.

Leo met with some migrants at the port and then walked alone onto the jagged jetty rocks, the wind whipping his cassock and blowing his zucchetto skullcap off as he looked out to the sea. He then blessed a plaque dedicating the dock to Pope Francis, who visited in 2013, before celebrating Mass on land.

“This is a place where gestures speak louder than words,” Leo said. “But for gestures to be human, they need a heart.”

In making the visit on this particular Saturday, Leo was sending a powerfully symbolic message to the United States and Europe of the Christian obligation to uphold the dignity of every human being, migrants and the most vulnerable especially, while reminding the United States that it was founded by immigrants.

In a letter sent to Americans on the July 4 anniversary, Leo insisted that protecting the unborn and all human life also means “welcoming, protecting and assisting immigrants, whose hopes, sacrifices and contribution have formed part of the history of this country from its very beginning.”

“To receive them with compassion and generosity is not only an act of charity, but also a recognition of the dignity that belongs to every human person,” Leo wrote.

A tiny island becomes Ground Zero for European migration

In recent years, Lampedusa has become Ground Zero of Europe’s migration debate as the continent struggles to police its borders while honoring its legal obligations to welcome refugees fleeing conflict, climate change and poverty.

In his homily, Leo thanked the residents of Lampedusa for the “miracle of compassion” they have shown in welcoming migrants and urged Europe to rise to the challenge of the moment and assume its responsibility.

“Indeed, before any intellectual consideration or ideological conviction, the encounter with those who lie before us, stripped of everything, calls us to be close to them,” Leo said, wearing vestments decorated with images of waves.

Preaching from “this far-flung corner of Europe on the Mediterranean Sea,” Leo urged European leaders to address the migration phenomenon in a comprehensive way, integrating immediate relief with a long-term strategies to receive, protect, support and integrate migrants while developing their home countries so no one is forced to migrate.

“Here you have seen not just one, but thousands of human beings fallen into the hands of robbers who have taken everything from them, beat them brutally and walked away, leaving them half-dead,” he said.

Others have died making the voyage, he said, “yet we feel their presence, which challenges us no less than that of those who have landed in need of attention and aid.”

The number of migrants arriving in Italy so far this year is significantly lower than in recent years, with the Interior Ministry reporting 14,464 arrivals as of Friday compared with 30,598 in the same period last year and 26,202 in 2024.

At the same time, the International Organization of Migration has recorded more than 35,000 missing migrants in the Mediterranean since 2014, though the actual number of dead is believed to be far higher given the untold number of “invisible” shipwrecks that are never recorded.

Leo has strongly emphasized the need to uphold the dignity of migrants, especially amid the Trump administration’s mass deportation program in his native Chicago. But he has also directed his message to Europe’s Christian leaders.

Last month, Leo visited another European migration hot spot, in Spain’s Canary Islands, to shame leaders who turn migrants away indifferently while also warning people smugglers they will face God’s wrath for exploiting the desperation of migrants.

Leo honors the dignity of the dead and recalls Francis

After arriving in Lampedusa by plane, Leo paid homage to the dead at the island’s migrant cemetery, laying a wreath of yellow and white flowers on their graves, marked by simple crosses made from the splintered wood of shipwrecked boats.

The gestures send a “strong message” of solidarity, said Tareke Brhane, a migrant from Eritrea and president of the October 3rd Committee, a nonprofit founded by relatives of victims of a 2013 shipwreck in Lampedusa that left 368 people dead.

“It is a strong sign for our battle with Italy and with Europe in order to register the deaths, because as of today we still do not have a registry (of those deceased),” he told The Associated Press.

Leo’s visit both honors the dead and “gives a message to the relatives, so many of them still waiting and suffering,” he said.

With his visit, Leo followed in the footsteps of Francis, who made the plight of migrants and refugees a priority of his pontificate. For the Catholic Church, welcoming and accompanying people fleeing hardship is part of the Gospel-mandated call to “welcome the stranger.”

Francis traveled to Lampedusa in July 2013, on his first trip outside Rome after his election. He tossed a wreath into the sea in memory of migrants who had died and denounced the “globalization of indifference” that the world shows migrants.

Salvatore Sortino, the IOM’s head of mission for Italy and Malta, said despite the decrease in arrivals, the number of dead had increased proportionally, “in the sense that the diminishing numbers of arrivals hasn’t resulted in a lower number of deaths at sea.”

“That speaks about the vulnerability that remains,” he said. “So the visit of the pope here, where all this happens, I think is a very important reminder of that element.”

___

Winfield reported from Rome.

___

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.

In response to the 7.2- and 7.5-magnitude earthquakes that struck on June 24 in northern Venezuela, faith-based Mercy Chefs was working with volunteers from five Christian churches.

“We have served in Moron, Puerto Cabello, La Guaira, and Tibisay Guevara,” Amy Avery, a spokeswoman for Mercy Chefs.

Avery also said the mission focuses on feeding both civilians and the Florida Task Force urban search-and-rescue teams, who were deployed on June 26.

“We are also distributing hot meals at several makeshift shelters in Caracas, and areas where first responders from the U.S. and other countries are staying,” Avery said on Friday.

Alvarez, of Miami-Dade County, the volunteer coordinator for the Virginia-based Mercy Chefs team, is from the Hands of God Missions at The Way Miami, a church in the Richmond West area.

Alvarez traveled with Chef Gary LeBlanc, who founded Mercy Chefs in 2006 after responding to Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

“He was appalled by how food was being handled and knew that the disaster food service could be done better,” Avery said about the motivation that later prompted LeBlanc and his team to “serve more than 30 million meals” at disaster zones.

Alvarez and LeBlanc, of New Orleans, traveled with eight other Mercy Chefs teammates. They flew from Panama City, Panama, to Valencia, Venezuela, on Friday before driving to Caracas, their base of operations.

Alvarez hit the ground running.

“She will be coordinating dozens of volunteers daily who are helping us to make and distribute meals,” Avery said.

Mercy Chefs responded to the 2010 Haiti earthquake and served the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue’s Florida Task Force 1 team working at the 2021 Champlain Towers collapse that killed 98 people in Surfside.

Using satellite data, experts from Microsoft’s AI for Good Lab and Oregon State University estimated that the twin earthquakes damaged or destroyed up to 58,000 buildings in northern Venezuela.

“We will be sourcing ingredients locally,” Avery said.

Mercy Chefs partners in Venezuela are a group of five churches: Restauración Caracas, Iglesia Misionera Nueva Jerusalén Ciudad Alianza in Guacara, and three other Nueva Jerusalén churches.

Two are from the Valencia metropolitan area in the Venezuelan state of Carabobo. The churches are in the municipality of Naguangua and at Ciudad Alianza in the municipality of Guacara.

The third church is in Rubio, a city in the municipality of Junín, in the western state of Táchira, near the border with Colombia.

Nine days after the earthquakes struck the coastal state of La Guaira, search-and-rescue teams were still reporting that survivors were trapped under the rubble.

Displaced survivors, some of whom were camping at the Parque del Este in Caracas, were hoping to be reunited with relatives who vanished. Some were having to identify their bodies and face fees from funeral homes to avoid a mass grave.

Venezuela’s information ​ministry reported on Friday that there were about 15,000 people displaced and at least 12,000 injured.

The government’s official death toll increased to at least 2,645. The United Nations recently reported procuring 10,000 corpse bags.

The Mercy Chefs motto: “Let’s be the hands and feet of Jesus.”

For more information about how to support or make a donation to the Mercy Chefs team working in Venezuela, visit this page.

Related list: Aid for Venezuela drop-off locations in South Florida

More on HELPING VENEZUELA

• A week after quakes, reports of hurdles abound
• Doral-based nonprofit GEM dispatches over $1 million in aid from community

• Inter Miami, Marlins, Dolphins join relief efforts
• NFL star joins Global Empowerment Mission’s team; his message to South Floridians, ‘Do what you can’
• More than 100 Venezuelans who were deported from the US hours before the earthquakes are missing

• Food for the Poor welcomes investments in reconstruction
• Physicians in Miami-Dade collect donations of medical supplies near Doral
• Meet Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Capt. German Leal

• Pembroke Pines police officers announce collection drive
• Airbnb partners with nonprofit CADENA for emergency housing
• Hogar Bambi aims to protect vulnerable children

• Grey Bull Rescue Foundation team arrives at Caracas
• Officials close La Guaira, require volunteers to register in Caracas
• Amazon donates to Airlink to help charities with logistics

• Miami search-and-rescue team prepares to deploy
• Centro Comunitario AFE hosts collection drive in Miami-Dade
• Weston-based charity partners with local pharmacy

• Veteran-led Project DYNAMO delivers 20,000 pounds of aid in 1st 48 hours
• Altruism at El Arepazo feeds Global Empowerment Mission’s team effort
• Salvadoran rescuers work to free 15-year-old survivor in Caraballeda

• Food For The Poor packs disaster relief kits with ‘hopeful’ hand-written notes
• U.S. Southern Command focuses on airport damage
• State Department deploys Miami-Dade search-and-rescue team

• Miami Beach opens 4 new aid drop-off locations
• Miramar to keep 6 aid drop-off locations open 24/7
• Miami-Dade’s tax collector opens 11 drop-off locations
• Doral opens 4 aid drop-off locations

• Aid drop-off location opens in Homestead
• Starlink offers free service through July 25, but a kit is $470
• International Medical Corps deploys staff, needs donations
• Save The Children asks for emergency fund donations

• Samaritan’s Purse focuses on ‘emergency field hospital’
• Red Cross asks for Disaster Response Emergency Fund donations
• UN asks for donations for ‘underfunded’ program for kids

• World Vision asks for ‘disaster relief fund’ donations
• World Central Kitchen asks for donations for fresh meals

Torres is reporting from Miami.

The Boston Red Sox's 38-year-old left-hander didn't do it with one of the triple-digit fastballs that have made him one of the most imposing pitchers of his generation and one of the most accomplished relievers in baseball history.

Instead, his high pitch to the Angels' Denzer Guzman was clocked at a mere 98.6 mph — and Guzman still couldn't get around in time.

“I feel very happy, very proud of what I’ve been able to accomplish,” Chapman said through an interpreter. “I just feel very satisfied right now.”

The strikeout was the 1,364th in Chapman's 17-year career. It broke the record long held by Hoyt Wilhelm, the Hall of Famer whose 21-year career ended back in 1972, just five days shy of his 50th birthday.

Chapman paused and soaked in the moment only briefly after fanning Guzman, aware of the significance of the strikeout while also knowing he still had to get two more outs. He promptly gave up two hits, but escaped the jam with a double-play grounder to secure Boston's 5-2 win over Los Angeles and his 383rd career save.

The Red Sox celebrated Chapman’s achievement in their Angel Stadium clubhouse, showing a video retrospective of Chapman’s career to his younger teammates — everything from his debut with Cincinnati in 2010 to his two World Series championships with the Cubs and Rangers.

“It’s cool. We’ve been waiting for that one,” Boston interim manager Chad Tracy said. “What a career he’s had. The cool thing is watching the video, and you’re seeing him at a young age throwing 102, and he’s still doing it. It’s just incredible.”

In his 889th major league appearance — all of them in relief — Chapman saved a deserved victory for Red Sox rookie Jake Bennett, who was making his seventh appearance.

“It’s incredible,” said Bennett, who tired in the eighth. “It’s incredible to even just be a part of a team that it happens on.”

Chapman hadn’t pitched since he tied the strikeout record last Sunday while blowing a save against the Yankees, with whom he spent parts of seven seasons before an acrimonious split four years ago. He has pitched for seven teams since he defected from Cuba in 2009, earning eight All-Star selections and moving up to 10th on the majors' career saves list.

This record spanned across a half-century of baseball history and a fundamental change in the way pitchers are used.

Among the 14 pitchers in major league history who have recorded 1,000 strikeouts as a reliever, only Lindy McDaniel was a contemporary of Wilhelm, a World War II veteran and a pioneer in relief pitching. The crafty knuckleballer was among the first pitchers to be used regularly as what's now known as a high-leverage reliever, coming into close games and tight situations regardless of whether the starter was tired or not.

Chapman has spent his entire career in those tight spots, and he has usually excelled when healthy, often with a fastball that has topped 105 mph at times during his career.

He has even been in a renaissance since joining the Red Sox before last season. After earning AL Reliever of the Year honors in 2025 with a minuscule 1.17 ERA, he has 17 saves in 19 chances this season, still taking high-leverage assignments and usually succeeding.

“I was just focused on doing the job, day in and day out over the course of the last few weeks, getting to this point where I had the opportunity to break the record,” Chapman said. “I had some highs and some lows, but I've just tried to stay positive throughout.”

___

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

The signing of the Declaration of Independence, one of history's most celebrated articulations of democratic ambitions, is being marked in myriad ways. President Donald Trump, set to take a central role in festivities, plans to speak on the National Mall in Washington ahead of what's being billed as a historically enormous fireworks show that will rain down over the nation's capital. The president was in South Dakota at Mount Rushmore on Friday, where he delivered a dark speech about the threat of communism in the U.S. as the chiseled images of four of his most prominent predecessors loomed behind him.

Elsewhere, fireworks are scheduled to be set off Saturday over Navy Pier in Chicago and against the skyline of New York City, which also hosted a ball drop at midnight to usher in the holiday with the same fanfare as New Year's Eve. Bristol, Rhode Island, describes itself as home of the nation's oldest Independence Day celebrations dating to 1785. In Los Angeles, Queen Latifah will host a concert featuring performances by The Smashing Pumpkins and Chris Stapleton. Chaka Khan is billed as a special guest.

Anticipation for the milestone holiday has been building for much of the year, serving as an opportunity for Americans to reflect on their complicated history as onetime colonists of an empire who became a superpower of their own. Celebrations months in the making had to adjust or cancel activities entirely as much of the East Coast sweltered under heat that approached and in many cases surpassed triple digits.

Heat is defining the big weekend in many places

In Washington, the Great American State Fair was closed for several hours Friday afternoon during the worst of the heat. The city's Independence Day parade scheduled for Saturday was canceled.

To the chagrin of many on the East Coast, the weather was downright pleasant on the other side of the country. The Pacific Northwest enjoyed temperatures in the 60s on Friday with a few light showers.

In the Seattle suburb of Issaquah, Megan Kurowski, 31, brought her two dogs to the dog park so they could get some exercise before she went to work. Kurowski said she was feeling positive about America’s 250th anniversary and was planning a possible paddleboard to watch the fireworks.

“Everyone’s just, from what it seems, been pretty excited about celebrating 250 years,” she said.

Other American pastimes are overlapping with the holiday.

More than a dozen Major League Baseball games are on the schedule for Saturday. The World Cup, being hosted in the U.S. for the first time in 32 years, will have matches in Houston and Philadelphia on Saturday following a nail-biter overtime win by Argentina over Cape Verde on Friday outside Miami. Pop culture enthusiasts can obsess over Taylor Swift's Friday wedding to football player Travis Kelce at New York City's Madison Square Garden. And Madonna released her 15th studio album, a collection of dance tracks.

An uneasy nation gets ready to celebrate

The celebrations are unfolding against the backdrop of a deep divide that has been expanding for years, visible in everything from political expression to cultural norms to age-old questions over race, class and immigration.

At Mount Rushmore on Friday, Trump spoke of communism as a "mortal threat to American liberty.”

“It is the greatest threat to our country, including World War I, World War II, Pearl Harbor or even 9/11,” the Republican president said.

Without naming Trump, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a Democrat who is also a democratic socialist and recently backed several successful congressional candidates in their primaries, appeared to reference Trump during a speech Friday.

“Those ideals upon which our nation was built — they are strong enough to endure any authoritarian regime, but only if we reach for them,” he said.

To former Democratic President Bill Clinton, this anniversary milestone comes at a time of “renewed questions about America’s future and role in the world, and serious threats to our own institutions and to our democracy itself.” While critical of “the people in charge,” he said in a statement that “there is still nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what’s right with America.”

Ahead of the holiday, auto technician Joe Fuqua-Bejarano in Topeka, Kansas, sized up “what makes us awesome” as a people. It is clearly not the politics, in his view, but rather resilience.

“We’ve just all got to find unity somewhere, whether that’s in laughter or perseverance, and keep everybody cool,” he said from the fireworks stand where he is doing a booming business as a side hustle.

Jerry Chin of Newcastle, Washington, said he wasn’t aware that the U.S. was celebrating its 250th anniversary and planned to stay low-key around the holiday. He and his wife generally skip the fireworks and instead stay home with their fearful dogs to keep them calm.

“America’s a great place," he said, “but there are some concerns.”

___

Associated Press writers Martha Bellisle in Seattle and John Hanna in Topkea, Kansas contributed to this report.

The tournament’s 48 teams competed within 12 groups of four, and 16 teams were eliminated.

The Round of 32 included 12 group winners, 12 runners-up, and the eight best third-place teams.

After the single direct-knockout matches from June 28 to July 3, 16 teams were eliminated before the Round of 16 matches from July 4 to July 7.

Here is the list of the 16 teams eliminated during the Round of 32:

1. South Africa, the Group A runner-up with 4 points, was eliminated on June 28 after Canada won 1-0.
2. Japan, the Group F runner-up with 5 points, was eliminated on June 29 after Brazil won 2-1.
3. Germany, the Group E winner with 6 points, was eliminated on June 29 after a 1-1 draw ended with a 4-3 defeat on penalties against Paraguay.
4. The Netherlands, the Group F winner with 7 points, was eliminated on June 29 after a 1-1 draw ended with a 3-2 defeat on penalties against Morocco.
5. Ivory Coast, the Group E runner-up with 6 points, was eliminated on June 30 after Norway won 2-1.
6. Ecuador, the third in Group E with 4 points, was eliminated on June 30 after Mexico won 2-0.
7. Sweden, the third in Group F with 4 points, was eliminated on June 30 after France won 3-0.
8. Congo, the third in Group K with 4 points, was eliminated on July 1 after England won 2-1.
9. Senegal, the third in Group I with 4 points, was eliminated on July 1 after Belgium won 3-2.
10. Bosnia and Herzegovina, the third in Group B with 4 points, was eliminated on July 1 after the U.S. won 2-0.
11. Austria, the third in Group J with 4 points, was eliminated on July 2 after Spain won 3-0.
12. Croatia, the third in Group L with 6 points, was eliminated on July 2 after Portugal won 2-1.
13. Algeria, the third in Group J with 4 points, was eliminated on July 2 after Switzerland won 2-0.
14. Australia, the third in Group D with 4 points, was eliminated on July 3 after Egypt won in the penalty shootout.
15. Cape Verde, the third in Group H with 3 points, was eliminated on July 3 after Argentina won 3-2.
16. Ghana, the third in Group L with 4 points, was eliminated on July 3 after Colombia won 1-0.

Related links

• Round of 32 teams
• Round of 16 qualifications
• Round of 16 schedule
• View the knockout bracket

Leer en español

After 16 single direct-knockout matches, the winning teams will advance to the tournament’s Round of 16, which begins on the Fourth of July.

Here is the list of the teams that have advanced to the Round of 16:

1. Canada, the Group B runner-up, qualified after a 1-0 victory on June 28 against Canada. The team’s Round of 16 match is at 1 p.m. on July 4 against Morocco.
2. Brazil, the Group C winner, qualified after a 2-0 victory on June 29 against Japan. The team’s Round of 16 match is at 4 p.m. on July 5 against Norway.
3. Paraguay, the third in Group D, qualified after a 1-1 draw that ended with a 4-3 victory on penalties against Germany on June 29. The team’s Round of 16 match is at 5 p.m. at Philadelphia Stadium.
4. Morocco, the Group C runner-up, qualified after a 1-1 draw that ended with a 3-2 victory on penalties against the Netherlands on June 30. The team’s Round of 16 match is at 1 p.m. on July 4 against Canada.
5. France, the Group I winner, qualified after a 3-0 victory again Sweden on July 1. The team’s Round of 16 match is at 5 p.m. on July 4 against Paraguay.
6. Norway, the Group I runner-up, qualified after a 2-1 victory against the Ivory Coast on July 1. The team’s Round of 16 match is at 4 p.m. on July 5 against Brazil.
7. Mexico, the Group A winner, qualified after a 2-0 victory against Ecuador on July 1. The team’s Round of 16 match is at 8 p.m. on July 5 against England.
8. England, the Group L winner, qualified after a 2-1 victory against Congo on July 1. The team’s Round of 16 match is at 8 p.m. on July 5 against Mexico.
9. Belgium, the Group G winner, qualified after a 3-2 victory against Senegal on July 1. The team’s Round of 16 match is at 8 p.m. on July 6 against the United States.
10. The U.S., the Group D winner, qualified after a 2-0 victory against Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 1. The team’s Round of 16 match is at 8 p.m. on July 6 against Belgium.
11. Spain, the Group H winner, qualified after a 3-0 victory against Austria on July 2. The team’s Round of 16 match is at 3 p.m. on July 6 against Portugal.
12. Portugal, the Group K winner, qualified after a 2-1 victory against Croatia on July 2. The team’s Round of 16 match is at 3 p.m. on July 6 against Spain.
13. Switzerland, the Group B winner, qualified after a 2-0 victory against Algeria on July 2. The team’s Round of 16 match is at 4 p.m. on July 7 in Vancouver.
14. Egypt, the third in Group G with 5 points, qualified after a 1-1 draw that ended with a 4-2 victory on penalties against Australia on July 3. The team’s Round of 16 match is at noon on July 7 in Atlanta.
15. Argentina, the Group J winner with 9 points, qualified after a 3-2 victory against Cape Verde on July 3. The team’s Round of 16 match is at 12 p.m. on July 7 against Egypt in Atlanta.
16. Colombia, the Group K winner with 7 points, qualified after a 1-0 victory against Ghana. The team’s Round of 16 match is at 4 p.m. on July 7.

ROUND OF 32

• Eliminations during Round of 32
• Round of 32 teams
• View the knockout bracket

Tournament schedule

July 4

• Canada vs. Morocco is at 1 p.m. at the Houston Stadium
• Paraguay vs. France is at 5 p.m. at the Philadelphia Stadium

The winners advance to a quarter-final match at 4 p.m. on July 9th.

Miami watch parties: The fan festival opens from noon to midnight at Bayfront Park, at 301 Biscayne Boulevard.

July 5

• Brazil vs. Norway at 4 p.m. at the New York/New Jersey Stadium
• Mexico vs. England at 8 p.m. at the Mexico City Stadium

The winners advance to a quarter-final match at 5 p.m. on July 11.

Miami watch parties: The fan festival opens for the last day from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Bayfront Park, at 301 Biscayne Boulevard.

July 6

• Spain vs. Portugal at 3 p.m. at the Dallas Stadium.
• U.S. vs. Belgium at 8 p.m. at the Seattle Stadium.

The winners advance to a quarter-final match at 3 p.m. on July 10.

July 7

• Argentina vs. Egypt is at noon in Atlanta.
• Colombia vs. Switzerland is at 4 p.m. in Vancouver.

Quarterfinals begin

July 9: There is a quarter-final match at 4 p.m.

July 10: There is a quarter-final match at 3 p.m.

July 11: There are two quarter-final matches at 5 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Sunrise watch party: The indoor Amerant Bank Arena is hosting a free watch party for ticket holders at 5 p.m. on July 11. Parking is free.

Semifinals begin

July 14: The fan festival is closed. There is a semi-final match at 3 p.m.

Miami Beach watch party: Doors open at 3 p.m. on July 14 at The Bandshell, at 7275 Collins Ave., for the semifinal match.

July 15: There is a semi-final match at 3 p.m.

Miami Beach watch party: Doors open at 3 p.m. on July 15 at The Bandshell, at 7275 Collins Ave., for the semifinal match.

Finals begin

July 18: The third-place play-off match is at 5 p.m.

Miami Beach watch party: Doors open at 3 p.m. on July 18 at The Sandbowl, behind The Bandshell, at 7275 Collins Ave., for the 5 p.m. bronze final.

Sunrise ride to stadium: The Amerant Bank Arena has free parking for FIFA World Cup ticket holders who ride Broward County’s free Express bus transportation to the Miami Stadium, also known as Hard Rock, in Miami Gardens.

July 19: The final match is at 3 p.m.

Miami Beach watch party: Doors open at 1 p.m. on July 19 at The Sandbowl, behind The Bandshell, at 7275 Collins Ave., for the 3 p.m. final.

Sunrise watch party: The indoor Amerant Bank Arena is hosting a free watch party for ticket holders for the final on July 19. Parking is free.

Contest sponsor Nathan's Famous was sold in January to packaged meat giant Smithfield Foods. A few months later, reigning men's champ and record-holder Joey Chestnut was accused of slapping a man in an Indiana bar and pleaded guilty in April to a misdemeanor battery charge.

But the frankfurter fest rolls on, with Chestnut and Miki Sudo set to defend last year's wins in the men's and women's divisions, respectively.

Competitors consume as many hot dogs and buns as possible in 10 minutes, usually dunking the wieners in water first to make them easier to swallow.

Sudo is an 11-time winner and holds the women's record of 51 dogs.

Chestnut has taken the so-called Mustard Belt 17 times and notched the men's record: 76 franks. He's still on probation in the battery case but is allowed to travel outside Indiana. His lawyer has said that what happened in the bar was a misunderstanding and that Chestnut accepted responsibility for his actions.

Hot dog contest organizer Major League Eating, which oversees the Nathan’s Famous contest, said the criminal case didn't affect Chestnut’s eligibility for the competition.

The event, which dates to 1972, is held in front of the original Nathan’s Famous’ restaurant in New York’s Coney Island.

Eight teams will be eliminated during three days of direct-knockout matches among the 16 qualifying teams.

After the two last Round of 16 matches on July 7, eight teams will advance to the quarterfinals, but only four will make it to the semi-finals.

KNOCKOUT MATCHES

July 4

• Canada vs. Morocco is at 1 p.m. at the Houston Stadium
• Paraguay vs. France is at 5 p.m. at the Philadelphia Stadium

The winners advance to a quarterfinal match at 4 p.m. on July 9th.

Miami watch parties: The fan festival opens from noon to midnight at Bayfront Park, at 301 Biscayne Boulevard.

ROUND OF 32 TO ROUND OF 16

• Round of 16 qualifications
• Eliminations during Round of 32
• Round of 32 teams
• View the knockout bracket

TOURNAMENT’S SCHEDULE

July 5

• Brazil vs. Norway at 4 p.m. at the New York/New Jersey Stadium
• Mexico vs. England at 8 p.m. at the Mexico City Stadium

The winners advance to a quarterfinal match at 5 p.m. on July 11.

Miami watch parties: The fan festival opens for the last day from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Bayfront Park, at 301 Biscayne Boulevard.

July 6

• Spain vs. Portugal at 3 p.m. at the Dallas Stadium.
• U.S. vs. Belgium at 8 p.m. at the Seattle Stadium.

The winners advance to a quarterfinal match at 3 p.m. on July 10.

July 7

• Egypt plays at noon in Atlanta.
• Switzerland plays at 4 p.m. in Vancouver.

The winners advance to a quarterfinal match at 9 p.m. on July 11.

Quarterfinals begin

July 9: There is a quarterfinal match at 4 p.m.

July 10: There is a quarterfinal match at 3 p.m.

July 11: There are two quarterfinal matches at 5 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Sunrise watch party: The indoor Amerant Bank Arena is hosting a free watch party for ticket holders at 5 p.m. on July 11. Parking is free.

Semifinals begin

July 14: The fan festival is closed. There is a semi-final match at 3 p.m.

Miami Beach watch party: Doors open at 3 p.m. on July 14 at The Bandshell, at 7275 Collins Ave., for the semifinal match.

July 15: There is a semi-final match at 3 p.m.

Miami Beach watch party: Doors open at 3 p.m. on July 15 at The Bandshell, at 7275 Collins Ave., for the semifinal match.

Finals begin

July 18: The third-place play-off match is at 5 p.m.

Miami Beach watch party: Doors open at 3 p.m. on July 18 at The Sandbowl, behind The Bandshell, at 7275 Collins Ave., for the 5 p.m. bronze final.

Sunrise ride to stadium: The Amerant Bank Arena has free parking for FIFA World Cup ticket holders who ride Broward County’s free Express bus transportation to the Miami Stadium, also known as Hard Rock, in Miami Gardens.

July 19: The final match is at 3 p.m.

Miami Beach watch party: Doors open at 1 p.m. on July 19 at The Sandbowl, behind The Bandshell, at 7275 Collins Ave., for the 3 p.m. final.

Sunrise watch party: The indoor Amerant Bank Arena is hosting a free watch party for ticket holders for the final on July 19. Parking is free.

The funeral for Khamenei, who ruled Iran for decades before being killed at age 86 in a Feb. 28 airstrike in the opening moments of the Iran war, could provide a boost for the country's theocracy and its new supreme leader, his son Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei.

That is particularly important as Iran tries to leverage its hold on the Strait of Hormuz in negotiations with the U.S. over a permanent end to the war and as concern still lingers that Israel could attack yet again.

During the ceremony, Iran's top negotiator issued a warning to France and the United Kingdom over their comments about potentially launching joint patrols in the waterway, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which a fifth of all oil and natural gas once passed in peacetime.

Mourners wept at the sight of Khamenei's coffin alongside those of his family members also killed in the airstrike, with some chanting: “Our word is one! Revenge! Revenge!” Some carried banners and flags, while billboards across the city bore Khamenei’s image. Crowds of men rhythmically beat their chests in mourning, a common practice at Shiite funerals.

“Imam Khamenei was our heart, our father, our everything,” mourner Masoumeh Mohammadi said. “I still can’t believe they martyred him. We will not rest until we avenge his death.”

Coffins on display at Grand Mosalla

An outdoor stage set up at the Grand Mosalla resembled the stage where Khamenei once gave his speeches at a husseiniyah at his compound in downtown Tehran. A chair like the one he once sat in while giving his sermons, complete with a microphone on a stand and a small table next to it. Just above it hung an image of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who died in 1989.

Khomeini's funeral saw chaotic scenes as millions thronged his mourning ceremony and trip to the cemetery. Khamenei's death, only the second time Iran has lost a supreme leader since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, came months earlier and gave authorities more time to prepare.

On Saturday, volunteers sprayed cooling water on crowds in the summertime heat as stands outside offered food and drink. Men and women congregated separately inside the Grand Mosalla after being checked by metal detectors and body searches. Police armed with assault rifles stood guard on surrounding streets. Many stayed outside in the street, lounging under the shade of trees because the city had shut down.

The caskets of his dead family members sat beneath Khamenei's, which had his black turban atop it, identifying him as a direct descendent of the Prophet Muhammad. The dead included the wife of Mojtaba Khamenei, whose possible appearance at the funeral remained unclear. He reportedly was wounded in the attack that killed his father.

“We attended the funeral to show that we are all committed to defend our country and religion,” said Ali Kazemi, who came from the northwestern city of Tabriz, some 530 kilometers (330 miles) away from Tehran.

Funeral starts as US marks its 250th anniversary

Iran chose July 4, the 250th anniversary of the creation of the U.S., to begin the funeral. While authorities did not acknowledge the timing, crowds at the ceremony in Tehran chanted: “Death to America!” The refrain has been common in Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution and U.S. Embassy takeover and hostage crisis. They also cried: “Death to Israel!”

“We knocked the hell out of Iran,” U.S. President Donald Trump said in a speech at the same time in South Dakota in front of Mount Rushmore. “They want to settle so badly. We gave them a week off for a funeral.”

The American president was not forgotten in Tehran. In the crowd in Grand Mosalla, several mourners held a large flag that read: “#KillTrump.”

As the ceremony went on, Iran's chief negotiator Kazem Gharibabadi criticized a joint statement overnight from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, which suggested their militaries stood ready to patrol the Strait of Hormuz.

Control of the strait has been a major point of leverage for Iran, which has suggested it wants to charge vessels passing through it, upending decades of the world considering it an international waterway.

“The security of Hormuz lies with the coastal states — the crisis-makers will be held accountable for the consequences of their adventurism,” Gharibabadi wrote on X. “This is a serious warning.”

Khamenei will be buried Thursday in Mashhad

Khamenei’s body will be transported to cities in both Iran and neighboring Iraq. Authorities have shut down streets, airspace and daily life for the mourning, which will end Thursday as he's buried at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad, Khamenei's place of birth.

Authorities offered no immediate attendance count for the event Saturday, which saw the crowds cycle in and out of the Grand Mosalla and the surrounding streets. Other cities across Iran also held mourning ceremonies.

On Sunday, a prayer for the dead is planned at the Grand Mosalla. On Monday, his body and those of his family will be taken through the streets of Tehran, which likely will draw large crowds.

“I am here to say goodbye to my beloved leader Ali Khamenei,” said a weeping Hananeh Mousavi, 27, who attended the funeral alongside her mother. “I never expected to see such a day. I wish I had died before this tragedy.”

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Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

It was defined by the FIFA World Cup’s group-stage daily matches from June 11 to June 27.

The tournament’s 48 teams competed within 12 groups of four, and 16 teams were eliminated.

The Round of 32 included 12 group winners, 12 runners-up, and the eight best third-place teams.

After the single direct-knockout matches, 16 teams were eliminated, and the Round of 16 starts on July 4.

The list of 32

Here is the list of the teams in order of group-stage placement, points earned, and FIFA ranking:

1. Argentina (1) wins Group J with 9 points. The team advanced to Round of 16.
2. France (2) wins Group I with 9 points. The team advanced to Round of 16.
3. Mexico (14) wins Group A with 9 points. The team advanced to Round of 16.
4. Spain (3) wins Group H with 7 points. The team advanced to Round of 16.
5. England (4) wins Group L with 7 points. The team advanced to Round of 16.
6. Brazil (6) wins Group C with 7 points. The team advanced to Round of 16.
7. The Netherlands (8) wins Group F with 7 points. The team was eliminated on June 29.
8. Belgium (9) wins Group G with 7 points. The team advanced to Round of 16.
9. Colombia (11) wins Group K with 7 points. The team advanced to Round of 16.
10. Switzerland (17) wins Group B with 7 points. The team advanced to Round of 16.
11. Germany (10) wins Group E with 6 points. The team was eliminated on June 29.
12. United States (15) wins Group D with 6 points. The team advanced to Round of 16.
13. Morocco (7) is the Group C runner-up with 7 points. The team advanced to Round of 16.
14. Ivory Coast (30) is the Group E runner-up with 6 points. The team was eliminated on June 30.
15. Norway (31) is the Group I runner-up with 6 points. The team advanced to Round of 16.
16. Portugal (5) is the Group K runner-up with 5 points. The team advanced to Round of 16.
17. Japan (18) is the Group F runner-up with 5 points. The team was eliminated on June 29.
18. Egypt (26) is the Group G runner-up with 5 points. The team advanced to Round of 16.
19. Australia (27) is the Group D runner-up with 4 points. The team was eliminated on July 3.
20. Canada (32) is the Group B runner-up with 4 points. The team advanced to Round of 16.
21. South Africa (54) is the Group A runner-up with 4 points. The team was eliminated on June 28.
22. Cape Verde (64) is the Group H runner-up with 3 points. The team was eliminated on July 3.
23. Austria (22) is the Group J runner-up with 4 points. The team was eliminated on July 2.
24. Croatia (11) is the Group L runner-up with 6 points. The team was eliminated on July 2.
25. Senegal (18) classifies after placing third in Group I with 4 points. The team was eliminated on July 1.
26. Algeria (29) classifies after placing third in Group J with 4 points and a minus two goal difference. The team was eliminated on July 2.
27. Ecuador (32) classifies after placing third in Group E with 4 points. The team was eliminated on June 30.
28. Paraguay (37) classifies after placing third in Group D with 4 points and a minus two goal difference. The team advanced to Round of 16.
29. Sweden (38) classifies after placing third in Group F with 4 points. The team was eliminated on June 30.
30. Congo (46) classifies after placing third in Group K with 4 points plus one goal difference. The team was eliminated on July 1.
31. Bosnia and Herzegovina (64) classifies after placing third in Group B with 4 points and a minus one goal difference. The team was eliminated on July 1.
32. Ghana (65) classifies after placing third in Group L with 4 points. The team was eliminated on July 3.

TRACK PROGRESS

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• Eliminations during Round of 32
• View the knockout bracket

That plan also went by the wayside when Jhon Córdoba appeared to hurt his groin.

Forced into making a rare early move, Colombia coach Néstor Lorenzo sent Luis Suárez onto the field, and he promptly delivered a sharp cross that Jhon Arias flicked into the net, resulting in the only goal on a sweltering night at Arrowhead Stadium and sending Los Cafeteros into the Round of 16 at the World Cup with a 1-0 victory over the Black Stars.

“I think football is a team sport,” Lorenzo said. “Ultimately you do have little groups in certain areas, but you have to have a unit — a whole — and I think our squad has been working on that from the very onset. That was the goal from the very beginning.”

The early goal was a good omen: Colombia has won 11 consecutive World Cup matches when scoring first. Now, it will play Switzerland on Tuesday in Vancouver, British Columbia, for a spot in the quarterfinals.

“We have won absolutely nothing,” Colombia star Luis Díaz said. “These games are very difficult. Every game we've seen has been tight. The good thing and the positive thing is that we're playing very well, we feel comfortable, we are being a family, we are working as a team, and that will work for what is coming.”

Los Cafeteros thought they had doubled their lead in the 56th minute, when Díaz found the back of the net only to see the offside flag raised, and the fleet-footed Colombia forward had a point-blank shot saved by Lawrence Ati Zigi a few minutes later.

Zigi wound up making seven saves to keep Ghana in the game.

“Sometimes it happens in football,” Ghana defender Jerome Opoku said, “that it doesn’t go your way.”

It was 88 degrees Fahrenheit (31.1 Celsius) with a heat index of 96 when the game kicked off at 8:30 p.m. local time, the late start intentional due to the expected heat of Midwestern summers. The hydration breaks that have been controversial in so many matches suddenly became a blessing as players from both sides fought through dehydration and cramps.

Ghana was one of a record nine teams from Africa to escape the group stage of the World Cup. And while many gave fits to some of the tournament favorites — hello, Cape Verde against Argentina — only Morocco and Egypt were able to reach the Round of 16.

“It's always great to get out of your group,” Opoku said. “Obviously we wanted to go further.”

Colombia had breezed through the group stage, conceding only a single goal in wins over Uzbekistan and Congo and a draw with Portugal. In fact, Los Cafeteros had been so impressive that Spain coach Luis de la Fuente — whose own team is considered among the tournament favorites — tapped them as “a candidate to win the World Cup.”

Their fans certainly believe in them.

The home of the NFL’s Chiefs has three levels of seats with a band of yellow ones sandwiched between red. Yet the entire bowl of the stadium just east of downtown Kansas City was awash in the vibrant yellow of Colombia some 2 hours before kickoff.

Ghana knew it would be an underdog. Yet the team that failed to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations last year for the first time in nearly two decades had already answered plenty of critics by surviving a difficult group topped by England and Croatia.

The question as it faced Colombia: Could Ghana mount enough offense?

As expected, Los Cafeteros dominated the ball — the Black Stars had possessed it just 36.1% of the time in the group stage, second-least of any team that advanced, and those offensive issues continued against Colombia. Even when Ghana managed to put together an attack, Colombia was there to quickly counter with the speed of Suárez, Díaz and its midfielders.

Ghana wound up taking eight shots against Colombia. None of them were on goal.

“Intense game. Tough game for both teams, I guess, as I expected,” Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz said. “Colombia started the game as we expected, full speed, a lot of intensity, passing. We tried to answer and stop them, but unfortunately the goal came too early for us.”

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See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here

The event recognized the service and sacrifice of the men and women of the U.S. armed forces and everything they have done to defend the country.

“Freedom is never free,” said retired U.S. Army Col. Noel Pace. “I think it’s important to recognize that fact.”

The celebration also marked the kickoff of the VFW’s fundraising campaign to support veterans.

“Freedom is important to everybody,” said Enrique Escobar, junior vice commander of VFW Post 3599.

Escobar, an Air Force veteran who served during the Vietnam War, said the holiday carries special meaning for those who have served.

“This is our freedom we’re celebrating right now,” Escobar said. “And as veterans, we especially know that. We did things to save our freedom.”

Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner thanked the veterans and supporters who attended the event.

“We wouldn’t be celebrating 250 if it wasn’t for our veterans, so anytime the VFW throws a party we’re here to support them because they’ve supported us,” Meiner said.

The two-way superstar was hitless in three at-bats before being lifted as a precaution. On the mound, Ohtani allowed three runs and seven hits in six innings. He struck out nine and threw a season-high 110 pitches before Los Angeles rallied for a 4-3 victory.

Ohtani said he felt the biceps issue during his at-bat in the sixth, when he flied out to right field.

“It’s the same location that I felt a couple months ago,” he said through a translator. "It went away pretty relatively quickly, so I expect that to happen again.”

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Ohtani would be given Saturday off to recover and receive treatment.

“He's a quick healer and finds a way to get back,” said Roberts, who added that Ohtani's previous biceps issue was "so benign that I didn't hear about it until tonight.”

Ohtani has primarily been starting on the mound every Wednesday, but the team pushed him back to Friday this week to manage his workload.

Asked if that meant Ohtani was unlikely to pitch in the All-Star Game, Roberts said before the game: “I haven't formally said it, but if you just kind of do the math, it would be hard to imagine. But I don’t have to make that decision quite yet.”

Roberts will manage the National League All-Stars in Philadelphia.

He said the possibility of Ohtani skipping his last pitching start before the All-Star break should “be on the table.”

Ohtani is already penciled into the All-Star starting lineup as the NL designated hitter because he was the overall leader with 3,341,257 votes after the first phase of fan balloting.

The right-hander is a strong candidate to be selected to the NL pitching staff as well, but Philadelphia left-hander Cristopher Sánchez seems most likely to start in his home ballpark. Milwaukee ace Jacob Misiorowski leads the majors with a 1.45 ERA but is on turn to pitch for the Brewers two days before the All-Star Game, which would make him unavailable against the American League.

Ohtani's ERA rose to 1.79 from 1.58 after his start Friday.

The Dodgers wanted Ohtani to get additional rest during a stretch of 13 games in 13 days. If he makes his final scheduled start before the All-Star Game on July 10, that would give his arm only three days of rest prior to the Midsummer Showcase.

“Shohei hasn’t had his best stuff recently and that’s the truth,” Roberts said. “The fastball command hasn’t been what it was earlier in the season, the sweeper hasn’t been the same.”

Ohtani has been bothered by left knee soreness and has a blister on the middle finger of his right hand.

“He feels good, the body feels good,” Roberts said before Friday's game. “The knee feels as good as it’s felt in quite some time, so that’s encouraging.”

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The go-ahead score for Argentina was credited as an own-goal after Cristian Romero’s header deflected off Cape Verde’s Diney Borges in the 111th minute. Messi scored early in regulation, his record-extending 20th career World Cup goal. Lisandro Martinez scored in the 103rd to put Argentina ahead 2-1.

Sidny Lopes Cabral and Deroy Duarte scored for Cape Verde — both equalizers that stunned the pro-Argentina crowd in South Florida.

Argentina advanced to face Egypt, which beat Australia in a penalty shootout earlier Friday, in Atlanta on Tuesday.

Cape Verde’s memorable World Cup debut had been a stunning run that few outside the tiny island nation off the western coast of Africa could have predicted. Behind the stellar play of 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha, Cape Verde became the smallest country to reach the knockout round, securing surprising draws against Spain and Uruguay and another against Saudi Arabia.

Vozinha had 10 saves against Argentina, including five against Messi.

Messi added another brilliant goal to his resume, sneaking behind the Cape Verde defense on a well-timed run as Martinez lofted a pass toward him, taking a quick touch and hammering a finish into the roof of the net past goalkeeper Vozinha for a 1-0 lead in the 29th minute.

The Argentina captain has seven goals in this tournament — one more France’s Kylian Mbappé in the Golden Boot race as the top scorer in this year’s World Cup — and extended his World cup record, moving two goals ahead of Mbappé on the all-time list. He has 12 goals during his record eight-match scoring streak.

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See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here

Trout has been out since June 17, when he strained his right hamstring while running the bases against Arizona. He performed his normal pregame routine Friday before the Angels opened a series against the Boston Red Sox, and he expects to hit on the field this weekend.

Trout said he is optimistic about playing early next week, and manager Kurt Suzuki didn't disagree.

“He looks good," Suzuki said. “I saw him today when I first came in. He was working out. He was obviously on the road trip, doing his thing. He’s getting really close. Really, really close.”

The 34-year-old Trout hasn't been officially selected for the All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park, but the two-time All-Star Game MVP is expected to be elected to the AL's starting outfield in what would be his 12th All-Star nod.

The honor would be particularly special this year for Trout, who grew up 40 miles from Philadelphia in Millville, New Jersey.

The three-time AL MVP hasn't participated in the All-Star festivities since 2019. He wasn't able to play due to injury after being selected from 2021-23, and he injured his knee early in the 2024 season before not being selected last year.

Trout has bounced back and stayed mostly healthy for the last-place Angels this season, posting a team-leading .866 OPS with 17 homers and 36 RBIs in 74 games.

He said last week that he probably wouldn't participate in the Home Run Derby as he tries to stay healthy.

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

The acts of clemency come as Trump has issued a slew of pardons in his second term, particularly for allies, public figures and those seen as politically aligned.

His use of the presidency’s sweeping ability to unilaterally grant pardons and commute sentences is among the ways the Republican’s return to office has featured an expansive use of executive power.

Trump earlier on Friday announced some of the pardons on social media, without identifying any of the recipients by name.

“It is my Great Honor to have just signed Pardons for six people who were persecuted by the Biden Administration, and were in, or being sent to, prison, for ‘fixing their car,’” Trump wrote on his Truth Social media network.

“I AM SETTING THEM ALL FREE, RIGHT NOW!” he said.

In a list provided Friday evening by the White House, Trump pardoned 11 people, including nine who faced charges related to violations of the Clean Air Act by disabling emissions monitoring systems on vehicles or selling devices that enabled emissions systems to be bypassed.

The pardons come after Trump on Monday signed a memo telling the Environmental Protection Agency that Americans can fix their own vehicles as they see fit. As he signed the memo, Trump referenced a diesel mechanic he pardoned last year who disabled emissions monitoring systems.

The memo also addressed aftermarket auto parts and would supersede the ability of the California Air Resources Board to evaluate parts that affect vehicle emissions.

The White House, in releasing the list of those pardoned, described Trump having “relieved consumers from these regulatory burdens.”

Beyond the emissions-related pardons, Trump on Friday also issued a pardon for Adam Kidan, a former business partner of Abramoff.

Kidan pleaded guilty in 2005 to fraud and conspiracy related to the purchase of a fleet of gambling boats, and in 2006 he was sentenced to nearly six years in prison.

The case was part of a broader investigation of the early 2000s lobbying scandal involving Abramoff, Capitol Hill, the Interior Department and members of President George W. Bush’s administration.

After leaving prison in 2009, Kidan began working at a staffing agency, went on to found a staffing business, Chartwell Staffing Solutions, and now serves as president of Empire Workforce Solutions, the White House said.

In March, the newspaper Newsday reported that Kidan was among the hosts of a fundraiser at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort for a Long Island Republican congressional candidate.

A message sent to Kidan’s business seeking comment was not immediately returned Friday evening.

Trump on Friday also pardoned ranch owner Jack Harvard, citing an “upstanding record” post-conviction and praising him for allowing the U.S. military and NATO troops to train on his land free of charge.

The White House did not immediately release additional details about Harvard, including his conviction.

He got that — and so much more.

Cape Verde didn’t win a match at the World Cup, and somehow, that didn’t seem to matter. The African team's debut on this stage was unforgettable, thanks largely to the 40-year-old goalkeeper who nearly engineered a soccer story that would have been counted among the greatest upsets in sports history.

Cape Verde’s magical ride ended Friday in the Round of 32, with the Blue Sharks falling to Lionel Messi and defending World Cup champion Argentina — as most expected. Final score: Champions 3, Cinderellas 2, in extra time — as probably very few expected.

“We have dignified Cape Verde as a national team in most parts of the world,” Vozinha said in Portuguese. “Today, we fought on an equal footing against Argentina.”

Fight, the Blue Sharks did. But the journey still ended. There was a scoreless draw against Spain to open the tournament, with Vozinha leading the way, which led to the captivating tale surrounding the global collaborative effort it took to get his mother to the U.S. to watch matches in the group stage. There were two more dramatic draws that were good enough for Cape Verde to reach the knockout round.

It took a goal from Messi, then a corner kick from the legend midway through the second half of extra time that set up what became the game-winning tally, to save mighty Argentina. The match lasted more than 2½ hours in real time after the David-vs.-Goliath showdown started. Goliath was pushed to the brink, with Vozinha standing tall against the team that entered the tournament ranked No. 1 in the world — and the player regarded by many as the best ever — time and again.

“He's a quality, quality goalkeeper,” said Cape Verde defender Pico Lopes, who was recruited to the team with a LinkedIn message — another made-for-Hollywood story for this squad. “Probably hasn't gotten the recognition he deserves before this. ... He's a legend in Cape Verdean football.”

There were no fewer than four elite saves by Vozinha against Messi alone in the final 60 minutes:

— A point-blank stop in the 63rd minute after Messi tried to power a right-footed shot past the keeper, who came off his line to cut down the angle and absorbed the shot with his body. “Not many people stop Lionel Messi from three or four yards out,” Lopes said.

— A free kick from Messi in the 73rd seemed destined to curl into the right side of the net; Vozinha got just enough of an outstretched gloved hand on that one to knock it away to preserve what was then a 1-1 score.

— Messi went low with a free kick in stoppage time; Vozinha managed to see the ball through a wall of bodies and dropped to his knees to make a save.

— Late in the first 15-minute extra time period, Messi collected a deflected ball at the top of the penalty area and fired. Vozinha dove to his left, punching that one aside as well.

He did all he could. Everyone in his country's colors did. It was almost enough.

“Argentina is a world champion and they have one of the best players in the world, so that in itself speaks of the challenge it was for our team to overcome them,” Cape Verde coach Bubista said. “Above that, there’s the fact that we’re here for the first time. ... We want to evolve so that we can have more opportunities to face the so-called big dogs of the tournament.”

Cape Verde, the smallest nation in terms of land area to make the World Cup, with a population about 1% the size of Argentina's, will get $11 million from FIFA for making it this far in the tournament.

Of course, the Blue Sharks got a lot more than money. They became known on soccer's biggest stage, with fans from around the world reaching out during the World Cup run to say they had earned their support.

“Nobody has to ask where Cape Verde is now,” Lopes said. “They know where we are.”

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See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here

A thrilling, unforgettable World Cup match with underdog Cape Verde was over — and the defending champions survived after being pushed to the brink.

Cape Verde equalized in regulation and again in extra time, but the Blue Sharks could not respond to Argentina's third goal, and La Albiceleste advanced to the Round of 16 with a 3-2 victory on Friday.

Even in defeat, the performance by Cape Verde — a tiny island nation off the western coast of Africa — will stand as one of the most remarkable stories of this, or any, World Cup.

“I have to give credit to our opponents,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said. “The truth is, when people say there’s no such thing as an easy opponent, today (Cape Verde) proved they’re a great team.”

The go-ahead score for Argentina was credited as an own-goal after Cristian Romero's header deflected off Cape Verde's Diney Borges in the 111th minute. Messi scored early in regulation, his record-extending 20th career World Cup goal. Lisandro Martinez scored in the 92nd to put Argentina ahead 2-1.

Sidny Lopes Cabral and Deroy Duarte scored for Cape Verde — both equalizers that stunned the pro-Argentina crowd in South Florida. Cabral's goal — a curling, right-footed strike past goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez in the 103rd minute — made an already wild game even more incredible, tying it at 2-all and raising the possibility of Messi facing standout Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha in a penalty shootout.

Argentina pushed back in front eight minutes later, held on from there and advanced to face Egypt — which beat Australia in a shootout earlier Friday — in Atlanta on Tuesday.

“As this team has demonstrated many times, and as I’ve said many times, it competes,” Messi said in Spanish. “And we competed to the end.”

Cape Verde’s memorable World Cup debut had been a stunning run that few outside the country of 525,000 could have predicted. Behind the stellar play of the 40-year-old Vozinha, Cape Verde became the smallest country to reach the knockout round, securing surprising draws against former champions Spain and Uruguay and another against Saudi Arabia.

Vozinha had 10 saves against Argentina, including five against Messi.

“We dignify what our country is. We drew twice against the world champions, we took it to extra time,” Cape Verde coach Bubista said. “More than anything, it’s being proud of our players who were dignified in the World Cup. We showed our identity.”

Messi added another brilliant goal to his resume, sneaking behind the Cape Verde defense on a well-timed run as Martinez lofted a pass toward him, taking a quick touch and hammering a finish into the roof of the net for a 1-0 lead in the 29th minute.

The Argentina captain has seven goals in this tournament — one more France’s Kylian Mbappé in the Golden Boot race as the top scorer in this year’s World Cup — and extended his World cup record, moving two goals ahead of Mbappé on the career list. He has 12 goals during his record eight-match scoring streak.

Messi had the game's first chance that he sent skidding across the goal mouth but outside of the right post in the 15th minute. After getting taken down, he had a 25-yard free kick three minutes later that was easily gobbled up by Vozinha, who came up with a marvelous save nearly every time his team needed one.

“We came so close, we pushed them right to the end,” Cape Verde defender Pico Lopes said. “But in the end, it wasn’t to be. Disappointed ... but I think we showed great character today, a great quality to get back into the game twice. They’re the world champions for a reason.”

Bubista and players remained on the pitch well after the final whistle. Some sat with their heads nestled in their chests. Other shared tearful embraces before waving to their small crowd of supporters, reality sinking in at the end of a ride that almost no one outside of their fearless island could have predicted.

“We showed that we may be a small country,” Bubista said, “but we can play against some of the best teams in the world.”

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See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here

Heat and humidity will remain a concern through the weekend, with peak heat index values reaching 103 to 108 degrees in areas that stay dry. Storm coverage is expected to decrease along the east coast on Sunday, although inland areas will still see scattered afternoon thunderstorms. If you’re spending time outdoors this holiday weekend, be sure to stay hydrated, take breaks from the heat, and be prepared to head indoors if thunderstorms develop.

Larson has a successful history on the bumpy asphalt of Chicagoland, a D-shaped oval circuit. He has four top-five finishes in six Cup Series starts at the speedway about 50 miles southwest of downtown Chicago. His 6.17 average finish is tops in track history among drivers with multiple starts.

Sunday's eero 400 is the first Cup Series race at Chicagoland since 2019, but Larson participated in two days of testing at the track in April. He had one of the fastest cars in practice on Friday.

“I felt like we learned a lot about our race car at the test that has benefited the four of us as we’ve moved on from it,” Larson said, referring to fellow Hendrick drivers Chase Elliott, William Byron and Alex Bowman. “So yeah, I think just extra laps here gives some confidence, but everybody’s so good, they’re going to get the speed fast.”

The 33-year-old Larson is looking to stop a 42-race drought dating to his win at Kansas in May 2025. It looks as if the two-time Cup Series champion is rounding into form midway through the season, posting top-five finishes in five of his last six races, including fourth at Sonoma last weekend.

Larson was second in the previous two Cup races at Chicagoland, losing to Bowman in 2019 and Kyle Busch in a memorable finish in 2018. When it comes to NASCAR’s top series, he remains in search of his first win at the speedway.

Larson rewatched his last-lap duel with Busch before he tested at the track in April, and he watched the highlights again ahead of his return this weekend.

Busch died in May at age 41, and Larson said watching the end of the race has a different meaning for him now.

“It was a really neat battle and it’s always fun to be a part of battles that still to this day get replayed, and I’ve been a part of a few,” Larson said. “So yeah, just wish he was here for obvious reasons and we could have another battle.”

Larson is taking on Byron this weekend in one of the most intriguing matchups for the second round of NASCAR's In-Season Challenge. The winner of the five-race, bracket-style tournament receives $1 million.

There were no signs of any awkwardness as Larson and Byron discussed their own duel within the race on Friday.

“It would be fun to go heads up with William but it’s really not something that you’re too focused on in the race,” Larson said. “I think you’re always just kind of focused on winning and if you win, I mean that takes care of it. Yeah, as it gets closer to the race, I think you pay a little bit of attention to it, but I'm just trying to do a good job."

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AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are set to tie the knot in a grand celebration at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Friday evening.

Fans young and old braved the heat ahead of the big day.

Local 10’s Jason Carter was in New York City on Friday ahead of the massive ceremony.

Watch the main video ― as well as the clips below ― to see how fans celebrated the big day.

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According to the Miami Shores Police Department, further investigation revealed the object carried by the man was an airsoft rifle.

Police said the man told investigators he was using the device to deter raccoons that had been “causing a nuisance on his property.”

They said he also went to a nearby home to notify homeowners in case any damage had occurred. Authorities said he later came forward and fully cooperated with investigators.

Police said the original incident happened around 10:15 p.m. Wednesday, when surveillance video showed a man walking up to a home, ringing the doorbell and waiting briefly before leaving the area.

Police initially described him as a white male wearing a baseball cap, shirt and shorts, and said he appeared to be carrying what looked like a long-barrel rifle or shotgun.

Investigators said the resident did not recognize the man and had never seen him before. No property damage was reported or observed, and police said no criminal violations occurred.

Life now for Gigi Felix is day in and day out at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital.

“I just feel like I’m a part of the family here,” Felix said.

It wasn’t always like this.

“I was a pretty active kid,” Felix said. “I was in a bunch of different things like chorus, karate, piano.”

But the now-18-year-old says she can’t do those things anymore.

“The older, I got the more complications I got,” Felix said.

The complications came from sickle cell disease, an aggressive form of the inherited blood disorder, leaving her in constant pain.

“The best way I can describe it is a bunch of wooden splinters and like, under your skin, flowing throughout your body,” Felix said.

A cure is just within reach. Her older brother, a perfect match, has already agreed to donate his bone marrow.

“That’s the one thing that he’s doing for me that’s going to save my life and I’m very grateful for him,” Felix said.

But the only thing keeping her from this lifesaving procedure is a lack of compatible blood.

“She has had multiple transfusions over the course of her life and anybody who has a lot of transfusions ends up building antibodies to red blood cells and she has so many antibodies to red blood cells that finding compatible blood for her is very challenging,” Susan Forbes, of OneBlood, said.

Doctors performing the transplant need 50 units of blood on hand and that blood needs to be a very specific type in order to work in Felix’s body.

The nonprofit blood bank OneBlood is calling for African American donors, or donors of African descent. They must also have the O-negative blood type.

For perspective, only 7% of the population even has O-negative blood. Statistically, only 1 in 1,000 individuals of African descent will be a blood match.

“Only about 4% of African-Americans are donating blood, yet they are the people most likely to be a match for a sickle cell patient,” Forbes said.

“I have a bunch of friends with sickle cell who have it way worse than me and we all are in this together,” Felix said.

For now, Felix is imagining life after her transplant, doing the things sickle cell has kept her from doing, like going to college and spending time with friends and maybe going somewhere cold.

“I want to go to Canada. I want to go. I don’t know, just somewhere cold to see snow, because that’s a really big trigger for me, the cold weather,” Felix said.

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On Collins Avenue on Miami Beach near the Miami Beach Bandshell, a watch party is already underway. Across from Manolo, Argentina, and Cape Verde fans have flocked ahead of the game.

Soccer fans rooting for both teams are confident going into the matchup, though there are some nerves.

“Like they say in Cabo Verde, one percent chance but we have 99% faith, that means we have faith. You never know,” a Cabo Verde fan said.

“I think Miami is a great place to enjoy the World Cup right now.You have a lot of different cultures here. You have Argentinians Brazilians Colombians -- culture,” said Lucas Marabesi. a Brazilian rooting for Cape Verde. “All to enjoy the matches and the after matches. It’s incredible here.”

Miami Beach police have put up barricades and there’s a heavy police presence along Collins Avenue. No matter who wins, there could be celebrations ahead.

On Thursday afternoon, a small crowd of devoted Argentina supporters also gathered outside the team’s hotel before players departed for practice.

“I want to see Messi. I can’t wait to see Messi,” Argentina fan Katya Major said.

Police established a perimeter to keep fans at a distance as they waited for the team to emerge. Major said she hoped the players would acknowledge the crowd.

“I hope that they’re going to wave at everybody and maybe let us take some pictures,” Major added.

Like many in attendance, Major was especially hoping to see Lionel Messi, who has scored six goals to help Argentina cruise into the knockout rounds.

“It looks like he doesn’t have anything to prove anymore, so he’s enjoying playing this time,” Major said. “He has no pressure.”

Argentina fan Bruno Martinez said the defending World Cup champs enter the match with confidence but understands the challenges of the tournament.

“We know we have a strong team, but there are too many strong teams in the World Cup,” he said.

Martinez said seeing the players in person was nearly as meaningful as attending the match itself.

“If you want to beat Argentina, you have to fight a lot,” he added.

Another fan told Local 10’s Christian De La Rosa that Argentina needs to respect Cape Verde and their Cinderella story.

Messi superfan Jefferey Wan told Local 10’s Gabrielle Arzola that he came all the way from China to see his hero.

“Messi is my idol, my legend,” he said. “I’ve watched Messi since 2010.”

Meanwhile, Cape Verde, which celebrated qualifying for the World Cup, now has an opportunity to make history.

A victory Friday would make it one of only a handful of African teams to reach the tournament’s round of 16 and the smallest nation ever to do so. It also would rank among the biggest upsets in World Cup history by eliminating the defending champions.

Kickoff from Miami Gardens is set for 6 p.m.

Sus familiares y amigos se reunirán para recordar los momentos compartidos con ella, pero también buscan respuestas luego de que su cuerpo apareciera en la orilla.

Cuatro días después de que los restos de Keisha Nicole Jones, de 31 años, aparecieran en la orilla, familiares y amigos se preparan para reunirse y rendirle homenaje con una vigilia con velas.

Según fuentes de Local 10 News, los restos de Jones fueron encontrados el lunes en el agua frente a Virginia Key, cerca de un centro de investigación de la NOAA.

Apenas tres días antes del hallazgo, cámaras de vigilancia grabaron lo que se cree fueron sus últimos momentos. La mañana del viernes, fue vista afuera de Scarlett’s Cabaret, en Hallandale Beach Boulevard, saliendo con un hombre.

Los investigadores dijeron que, más temprano esa misma mañana, alrededor de las 6 a.m., fue vista en Dean’s Gold, ubicado cerca de la calle 163 en North Miami Beach.

Aún se desconoce cómo y por qué terminó en el agua.

La familia de Jones, cuya mayoría reside en Michigan, permanece devastada y busca pistas que ayuden a esclarecer este desconcertante caso.

El FBI está ahora al frente de la investigación sobre la muerte. En una declaración previa, un portavoz de la Oficina Federal de Investigaciones dijo a Local 10 News: “El FBI está al tanto de este caso. Por respeto a la investigación en curso, nos abstendremos de hacer comentarios sobre el asunto”.

The gator dragged 71-year-old James Grayson McMicken into the water, but he used one trick to make the animal let go.

“I’m going to do everything I can not to die,” McMicken said.

McMicken said it was a routine Friday night. He took his bulldog out, grabbed his fishing pole and made one cast into the canal behind his north Fort Myers home.

“I started reeling, and it jumped out of the water and grabbed me,” he said.

McMicken said the gator clamped down on his right leg and pulled him into the water.

“He rolled me down off the bank into the water,” he said. “I stuck my thumb in one eye.”

He said he then grabbed his fishing pole and fought back.

“I just took that fishing pole and jabbed him in that other eye and jabbed him and jabbed him and jabbed him,” he said. “It seemed like forever, but it wasn’t that long. But then he turned loose.”

“I’ve always heard that if you got no other choice, hit them eyes. And that’s what got him off of me,” McMicken said.

McMicken said he’s legally hunted alligators before and that experience taught him how to survive the attack.

He said once the gator let go, he made a quick decision.

“I’d have never made it crawling this far, so I called my dog over, and she stood there and let me get up on her back to where I could get stood up,” he said.

When he made it inside his home, his wife cleaned him up.

“Then I sat down in my chair and passed out,” he said. “I was so exhausted.”

His family rushed him to Cape Coral Hospital, where he said he became a novelty.

“All the nurses on the floor had to come by and go, ‘Wow, you did what?’” he said.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said the attack happened last Friday. Officers and state-contracted trappers have yet to find the gator.

But McMicken has one thing to say.

“No gator is going to run me off,” he said.

McMicken is now recovering at home and starting physical therapy. He hopes to be back out fishing soon, although he said he’ll never head to the water’s edge at night the same way again.

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An engraved copy of the Declaration of Independence is on view at the Museum of Miami through Sunday, giving visitors a firsthand look at what tomorrow is all about, according to the museum’s CEO Natalia Crujeira.

A long line of visitors came out to see the document Friday.

The exhibit gives families an opportunity to connect to those bigger ideals and to question whether or not they’re living up to that expectation, Crujeira said, describing the Declaration’s words as aspirational ones that eventually inspired so many other revolutions.

Other founding-era documents are on view through Sunday, including oath cards. One described the moment of decision facing colonists: “You are in the middle of the war, you are not winning, you are not losing, but you are not winning and then asked to sign an oath of allegiance swear against the king.”

Army veteran Julio Escareno brought his 7-year-old daughter, Liana, to see the documents ahead of tomorrow’s 250th anniversary.

“I was explaining to her that it took a lot of bravery to make that commitment, to not know if they were going to live and die, but know they did not want to be under British rule,” Escareno said.

Escareno, who served in several deployments, said his children understand the sacrifices veterans make and where it all began.

“I served in several deployments, so they understand the sacrifices veterans make, so they understand where it all began,” he said. “I love my country and I want my children to have that same love for that country, and do what it takes to preserve the beauty that we have, that right, wrong, or indifferent, we have a great country.”

Caio Pingitori said the anniversary resonates well beyond U.S. borders.

“It is inspiring for all the countries in the world, in Brazil we love the United States, so that is why we are here, we love you guys,” Pingitori said.

n Miami Beach, at 10th and Ocean, an outdoor exhibition highlights American achievements.

“It is really an opportunity to learn, to engage, and to celebrate the ideals of a nation,” one attendee said.

World Cup fans can watch a match at the FIFA Fan Festival at Bayfront Park in downtown Miami, followed by a “250 United” fireworks show.

“That is such a blessing for a country, this July 4th, commemorating, celebrating, 250 years of this great story,” one person said.

In Broward County, Fort Lauderdale and Pembroke Pines both have events planned for tomorrow.

Coral Gables’ Biltmore hotel is hosting its annual celebration and fireworks show, and additional events are planned from Doral to Key Largo.

Una copia grabada de la Declaración de Independencia está en exhibición en el Museum of Miami hasta el domingo, lo que ofrece a los visitantes la oportunidad de ver de primera mano de qué se trata esta conmemoración, según la directora ejecutiva del museo, Natalia Crujeira.

Una larga fila de visitantes acudió el viernes para ver el documento.

La exhibición brinda a las familias la oportunidad de conectar con esos grandes ideales y cuestionarse si realmente están a la altura de esas expectativas, dijo Crujeira, al describir las palabras de la Declaración como aspiracionales y señalar que con el tiempo inspiraron muchas otras revoluciones.

Otros documentos de la época de la fundación también estarán en exhibición hasta el domingo, incluidos juramentos de lealtad. Uno de ellos describía el momento decisivo que enfrentaban los colonos: “Están en medio de la guerra. No están ganando, no están perdiendo, pero no están ganando, y luego se les pide firmar un juramento de lealtad y jurar en contra del rey”.

El veterano del Ejército Julio Escareno llevó a su hija Liana, de 7 años, a ver los documentos antes del 250 aniversario de este sábado.

“Le estaba explicando que se necesitó mucho valor para asumir ese compromiso, sin saber si iban a vivir o morir, pero sabiendo que no querían seguir bajo el dominio británico”, dijo Escareno.

Escareno, quien participó en varios despliegues militares, dijo que sus hijos comprenden los sacrificios que hacen los veteranos y conocen dónde comenzó todo.

“Serví en varios despliegues, así que entienden los sacrificios que hacen los veteranos y comprenden dónde comenzó todo”, dijo. “Amo a mi país y quiero que mis hijos sientan ese mismo amor por él y hagan lo que sea necesario para preservar la belleza que tenemos, porque, esté bien o mal, tenemos un gran país”.

Caio Pingitori dijo que el aniversario tiene un significado que va mucho más allá de las fronteras de Estados Unidos.

“Es una inspiración para todos los países del mundo. En Brasil amamos a Estados Unidos, por eso estamos aquí. Los queremos”, dijo Pingitori.

En Miami Beach, en la intersección de la calle 10 y Ocean Drive, una exhibición al aire libre destaca los logros de Estados Unidos.

“Es realmente una oportunidad para aprender, participar y celebrar los ideales de una nación”, dijo uno de los asistentes.

Los aficionados al Mundial de Clubes podrán ver un partido en el FIFA Fan Festival en Bayfront Park, en el centro de Miami, seguido del espectáculo de fuegos artificiales “250 United”.

“Es una gran bendición para un país conmemorar y celebrar este 4 de julio los 250 años de esta gran historia”, dijo una persona.

En el condado Broward, Fort Lauderdale y Pembroke Pines tienen eventos programados para este sábado.

El hotel Biltmore de Coral Gables celebrará su evento anual con un espectáculo de fuegos artificiales, y también habrá actividades desde Doral hasta Key Largo.

La niña, cuyo nombre no ha sido divulgado a petición de la Policía, permanece en el Hospital Infantil Joe DiMaggio luego de resultar herida durante una balacera ocurrida el sábado afuera del McDonald’s ubicado en la cuadra 800 de West Hallandale Beach Boulevard.

“Gracias a la Policía. Gracias a los bomberos. Gracias a los médicos. Gracias por todo”, dijo la niña. “Siento que tengo una segunda oportunidad”.

La doctora Wendy Carcamo, quien trabaja en la unidad de cuidados intensivos del Hospital Infantil Joe DiMaggio en Hollywood, dijo que la bala estuvo a milímetros de causar lesiones mucho más graves.

“En la medicina, unos milímetros pueden marcar una gran diferencia para cualquier persona”, dijo Carcamo. “Eso pudo haber significado la diferencia entre la vida y la muerte. Pudo haber significado la diferencia entre no poder estar de pie aquí hoy”.

Los médicos dijeron que aún quedan fragmentos de bala en la cabeza de la niña y que enfrentará una larga recuperación.

Según los investigadores, la madre de la niña había entrado al restaurante para recoger comida, mientras la menor, su padre y sus dos hermanos menores, de 2 y 5 años, esperaban dentro de un SUV.

La Policía dijo que un altercado en el estacionamiento provocó que Ralph N-Kosi Blue III, de 18 años y empleado de McDonald’s, abriera fuego contra otra persona. Sin embargo, los investigadores dijeron que varias balas impactaron el vehículo de la familia.

La Policía informó que la niña recibió un disparo en la cabeza y que su padre, Oscar, fue baleado en una pierna. Los dos niños menores no resultaron heridos.

El padre de la niña ya fue dado de alta del hospital.

Durante la conferencia de prensa del viernes, la familia expresó su agradecimiento al personal médico que atiende a su hija y dijo que se espera que pueda celebrar su cumpleaños el próximo mes.

La niña también tuvo un mensaje para sus padres.

“Gracias por rescatarme. Gracias a mi mamá y a mi papá por traerme aquí. Gracias, mami y papi”, dijo.

Los registros de la cárcel muestran que Blue enfrenta dos cargos de agresión agravada y dos cargos de asalto agravado. La Policía dijo que la disputa que derivó en la balacera comenzó fuera de Hallandale Beach y que la investigación continúa.

Se creó una campaña en GoFundMe para ayudar a la familia a cubrir los gastos médicos mientras la niña continúa su recuperación.

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The girl, whose name is not being released at the request of police, remains at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital after she was wounded during a shooting Saturday outside the McDonald’s in the 800 block of West Hallandale Beach Boulevard.

“Thank you for the police. Thank you for the firefighters. Thank you for the doctors. Thank you for everything,” the girl said. “It feels like I have another chance.”

Dr. Wendy Carcamo, who works in the ICU at JDCH in Hollywood, said the bullet narrowly missed causing far more serious injuries.

“In medicine, millimeters can be a very vast difference for everyone,” Carcamo said. “That could have been a difference between life and death. That could have been a difference between not being able to be standing here today.”

Doctors say bullet fragments remain in the girl’s head, and she faces a lengthy recovery.

According to investigators, the girl’s mother had gone inside the restaurant to pick up food while the girl, her father and her two younger siblings, ages 2 and 5, waited in an SUV.

Police said an altercation in the parking lot led to 18-year-old Ralph N-Kosi Blue III, a McDonald’s employee, opening fire at another person. Instead, investigators said multiple bullets struck the family’s vehicle.

Police said the girl was hit in the head, and her father, Oscar, was shot in the leg. The two younger children were not injured.

The girl’s father has since been released from the hospital.

During Friday’s news conference, the family expressed gratitude to the medical staff caring for their daughter, saying she is expected to celebrate her birthday next month.

The girl also had a message for her parents.

“Thank you for rescuing me. Thank you for my mom and dad for taking me here. Thank you, mommy and dad,” she said.

Jail records show Blue faces two counts of aggravated battery and two counts of aggravated assault. Police said the dispute that led to the shooting began outside Hallandale Beach, and the investigation remains ongoing.

A GoFundMe has been created to help the family with medical expenses as the girl continues her recovery.

Balogun was sent off Wednesday for stepping on the right ankle of Tarik Muharemovic.

Before practice at Husky Soccer Stadium, Balogun said a yellow card for the illegal tackle would have been fairer.

“There’s nowhere else to put your leg. It’s going to be unavoidable,” Balogun said. “So, I’ve seen many different opinions and takes. But, for me personally, I think a yellow card would have been fair. It’s something that’s happened, so we have to move forward and I have to accept it.”

Balogun has to serve an automatic one-game suspension and will miss Monday’s Round of 16 game against Belgium. There is no appeal process for a red-card suspension unless FIFA assesses a penalty of more than one game, which was not the case with Balogun. He will be eligible to return for the quarterfinals should the Americans advance.

Balogun has three goals in the tournament, including one to give the U.S. the lead against Bosnia. He has matched Landon Donovan in 2010 for the second-most goals by an American in a World Cup, behind only Bert Patenaude’s four in the initial tournament in 1930.

The 25-year-old striker celebrated his goal against Bosnia with the “Silencer” move used by the NBA’s LeBron James, which the league’s career scoring leader also celebrated on social media. Balogun, who became the first U.S. player to score two goals in a World Cup match since 1930, said he has experienced a “roller coaster” of emotions as of late.

“Been upset, I’ve been happy. It’s been surreal, to be honest,” Balogun said. “But for me, I think it was just important to stay calm. I never want to react out of anger and out of emotion. There’s still lots of people who are inspiring little kids, boys and girls who are watching. We have to show them the correct way to handle things, even when you think it’s unjust.”

It's not yet clear who U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino will select to replace Balogun in the starting lineup. Ricardo Pepi and Haji Wright are the most likely candidates.

When Christian Pulisic sat out the 2-0 win against Australia in group play because of a calf injury, Pepi started in his place.

“When you miss a player like Balo, things change a little bit, but we’ve been flexible,” teammate Tyler Adams said. “Guys have shown that they’re ready to play. If it’s Pepi, if it’s Haji, we go a different direction. It should be an exciting opportunity for whoever has to step up.”

Belgium is aware of the Americans' offensive capabilities outside of Balogun. Pulisic has 33 goals in 89 international appearances, fifth most in U.S. history. Five players other than Balogun have scored for the U.S. in the tournament.

“They have a lot of danger in the team,” Belgium defender Maxim De Cuyper said. “Lot of quality. I don’t want to say too much, which qualities are the best. But, I think they grew a lot in this tournament. You see they are in good flow. They play at home, I think it’s very dangerous for us. So, we will be prepared.”

To be without Balogun for one of the most significant matches in U.S. history is still a significant blow. A victory on home soil would secure a spot in the quarterfinals of the World Cup for only the second time for the Americans. The first was in 2002.

“I love seeing how engaged the country is in our journey and what they’re doing,” Balogun said. “So, my role is just to continue supporting everybody, to keep morale high. And, I’m sure for the game against Belgium we can really create a great atmosphere to win.”

Injury notes

Midfielder Cristian Roldan trained on his own again as he continues to rehab a quad injury. Defender Mark McKenzie trained in full after dealing with a foot injury that sidelined him for the Bosnia match.

___

See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here

Los dos principales candidatos para las elecciones presidenciales de octubre intercambiaron pullas sobre sus respuestas, lo que sugiere que creen que la manera en que se perciba su gestión de los impopulares aranceles de Estados Unidos será un factor clave en la votación.

Mientras el senador Bolsonaro, hijo del expresidente Jair Bolsonaro, subrayó que los aranceles fortalecerían a Lula, el gobierno de Brasil rebatió el argumento estadounidense de que las políticas comerciales brasileñas sean irrazonables, discriminatorias o gravosas para el comercio de Estados Unidos.

El gobierno de Trump impuso por primera vez un arancel del 50% a las importaciones brasileñas en julio del año pasado, por lo que dijo era una “cacería de brujas” contra Jair Bolsonaro, quien en ese momento estaba siendo juzgado por intento de golpe de Estado tras su derrota electoral de 2022 ante Lula.

En su carta, el presidente de Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, también acusó a Brasil de prácticas comerciales desleales y afirmó que había ordenado al representante comercial de Estados Unidos, Jamieson Greer, iniciar una investigación, lo que llevó a esa oficina a acusar a Brasil en junio de una aplicación laxa de medidas anticorrupción y de aranceles injustos, entre otras cosas. Estados Unidos ha mantenido durante años un superávit comercial de bienes con Brasil.

Después de que las relaciones entre ambos países parecieran mejorar tras reuniones entre Lula y Trump el año pasado, la propuesta de Estados Unidos de imponer aranceles en junio provocó un nuevo deterioro de los vínculos, y Lula advirtió al mandatario estadounidense que no se entrometiera en las elecciones del país.

Impacto en la opinión pública antes de las elecciones

La medida llevó a Lula a volver a defender la soberanía de Brasil, un discurso que el año pasado caló hondo y le dio a Lula un impulso de popularidad.

El propio Flávio Bolsonaro señaló el impacto en la opinión pública en el documento que envió el miércoles a la oficina del Representante Comercial de Estados Unidos (USTR, por sus siglas en inglés).

Bolsonaro escribió en el documento, que incluía gráficos de las encuestas, que “los sondeos de opinión pública en Brasil muestran que la posición electoral del gobierno en funciones se ha fortalecido precisamente durante los periodos en que la presión arancelaria de Estados Unidos ha sido más notoria”, y añadió que los aranceles propuestos le entregarían al gobierno una “victoria política”.

Bolsonaro también sugirió que se pospongan los aranceles.

Lula calificó el documento como “otro acto de traición a la patria”.

Eduardo Bolsonaro, el otro hijo de Jair Bolsonaro y quien vive en Texas, fue declarado culpable este año por cabildear ante el gobierno de Estados Unidos para amenazar a funcionarios brasileños con el fin de detener el juicio de su padre.

“Es inaceptable que la familia Bolsonaro, con su política entreguista, busque someter a Brasil a los intereses de Estados Unidos", señaló Lula el jueves en X. "Nunca ha habido, ni hay, ninguna justificación para un aumento arancelario ahora o más adelante”.

Tres horas después, Flávio Bolsonaro afirmó en X que Lula es el único “que quiere el aumento arancelario contra los productos brasileños”, y anunció que regresará a Estados Unidos la próxima semana para reforzar la exigencia de que no se apliquen los aranceles adicionales.

En respuesta a la investigación del USTR, el gobierno de Brasil rechazó el argumento de que su sistema de pagos instantáneos PIX perjudica de manera injusta a otros servicios electrónicos de pago. Señaló que sus prácticas son legales, neutrales y promueven la competencia.

Lula y Flávio Bolsonaro también han chocado por la decisión del gobierno de Trump de clasificar a dos grupos del crimen organizado de Brasil —Primer Comando de la Capital y Comando Vermelho— como organizaciones terroristas.

El senador Bolsonaro respaldó la medida, que algunos expertos interpretaron como un intento de Estados Unidos de interferir en la elección. Lula ha argumentado que la designación es inapropiada porque los grupos buscan ganancias y no un cambio político.

También esta semana, Estados Unidos anunció sanciones dirigidas a empresas y personas por sus vínculos con el PCC y lo calificó como “la mayor organización criminal transnacional del hemisferio occidental”. ___

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

The reported boost to domestic tourism, though anecdotal, comes as higher airfares and gasoline prices have made vacations more expensive. The FIFA World Cup soccer tournament and celebrations of the nation's 250th birthday have given some U.S. residents additional incentives to create summer memories without going far.

Motor club federation AAA estimated that 72.2 million Americans would travel at least 50 miles from home between June 27 and this Sunday. That's 0.5% more than the number who got away during last year's July Fourth travel period, but the forecasted increase is almost all due to people taking cruises, buses and trains; AAA expects no change in the number driving or flying to their destinations.

A meaningful reduction in summer globetrotting might have an upside for businesses that depend on tourists, said Tarik Dogru, an associate professor at Florida State University's Dedman College of Hospitality. Fewer U.S. residents heading abroad or flying across the country means more of their vacation budgets are staying local too, Dogru said.

“The current economic and tourism dynamics are likely to redirect spending toward small businesses, such as regional restaurants, local attractions, Airbnb hosts, and roadside businesses along drive routes that serve budget-conscious and close-to-home travel,” he said.

If the trend holds through the summer and the rest of the year, it could reduce a travel and tourism trade deficit the United States has run since the COVID-19 pandemic. Each year since 2020, Americans spent more on foreign travel than international visitors spent on travel-related goods and services in the U.S., according to the National Travel and Tourism Office.

Morgan Kain, a teacher in Baltimore, said her family is among the ones keeping their travel bugs in check for financial reasons. Kain, her husband and three children usually take multiple trips each summer, including a weeklong stay at a Virginia lake house. Last year, they spent six weeks traveling around Italy.

“This summer, we’re still doing a couple overnights and the lake house, but nothing else,” Kain said. “Things are crazy expensive, from travel costs to food costs to gas.”

Vacationers are taking trips within driving distance

Despite gasoline costing more than it did a year ago, 85% of Independence Day week travelers were expected to drive to their destinations, AAA said, noting that car trips still are cheaper than flights for the most part.

Around Lake Tahoe, which straddles California and Nevada, several businesses reported spotting more visitors driving in from cities along the West Coast.

Ron Williams, who owns Tahoe Sports, said he worried at the beginning of the season that customers might not show up to rent boats and Jet Skis due to economic concerns. Like the gasoline that powers cars, the price of boat fuel went up during the Iran war.

But Williams so far is “pleasantly surprised with how well the business is doing across the board.” His future bookings are 10% higher compared to the same time last year, he said.

“I think people are probably sticking close to home, and being in Lake Tahoe, we have such a huge drive-up market,” Williams said.

Increased demand for the three Lake Tahoe area rental properties that Jerry Bindel manages for Pyramid Global Hospitality also came as a relief. Ski season bookings petered out along with the snow during an unusually warm winter, but “we just saw that flip” with the arrival of hiking and boating weather, he said.

Bindel, an area general director for the property management company, said he spotted a possible sign of Tahoe visitors watching their spending: more of them skipping restaurants and using the kitchens in their rental units or outdoor barbecue grills to prepare their own food.

“We’re seeing a lot of additional use on those items this summer,” he said.

Locals still want to have memorable summer experiences

In Asheville, North Carolina, small business owners have hoped tourism would rebound since Hurricane Helene and flooding from days of torrential rain caused widespread destruction to the city's landscape, buildings and infrastructure in September 2024.

Aubrey Anderson, who owns a river tubing outfitter in Asheville, reduced her summer staff from 100 people to 25 after Helene. After reservations picked up earlier this year and she noticed “a lot new people coming into town,” Anderson felt encouraged enough to hire 50 workers for Zen Tubing's current season.

The unfamiliar faces include day-trippers driving in from South Carolina, Tennessee and other parts of North Carolina to spend several hours floating down the French Broad River for around $30 per person, Anderson said. After tubing, customers from around the region often grab a meal, stop at a brewery, shop or visit other local attractions before heading home, which is “a win for Asheville as a whole,” she said.

“We’re definitely seeing a lot of locals, so to speak," Anderson said. “People are maybe skipping the long drive to the beach this year, and they’re kind of doing just something close by so that they can save a little money and still enjoy a family outing.”

Factory tours offered by French Broad Chocolate have surged this summer, according to Jael Skeffington, the Asheville chocolate maker's CEO and co-founder. Tour-takers often stop in the on-site cafe for ice cream or coffee and buy a box of chocolate bars or bonbons before they leave, she said.

“So it’s good for business, but it also seems to be what people are looking for is something to do, not just something to eat — something to experience." Skeffington said.

Cities are getting a World Cup boost

Soccer enthusiasts have poured into Kansas City, Missouri, just like other North American cities hosting World Cup matches.

Made in KC, a chain of four cafes and 11 shops that sells locally made sauces, Kansas City-themed gifts and T-shirts for fans of the city’s professional sports teams, has gotten “really noticeable spikes of traffic” at all its locations during the tournament, co-owner Keith Bradley said. World Cup-related merchandise, including $40 hats featuring the team colors of this year’s competitors, have been a big hit, he said.

American tourists from other Midwestern cities — Des Moines and Omaha both are within a three-hour drive from Kansas City — seem to outnumber U.S. visitors from farther away, Bradley noted.

“We have a couple locations that are in tourist parts of Kansas City. ... But then we also have little shops that are just in suburban neighborhoods in Kansas City, and those have also seen World Cup traffic of people going to watch parties, people coming in town to go to the games, and then tourists just exploring Kansas City on their own.”

Mollie Lothman, co-owner of McLain’s Bakery, a family-owned cafe with five locations, said she thinks the cost of food and lodging in Kansas City compared to bigger or better known host cities has helped.

“We’re one of the smaller markets who got the World Cup in Kansas City, but we’re also probably one of least expensive markets, in terms of family budgeting, to try to come and experience the World Cup," Lothman said. “So I think that’s been a huge draw for people."

Joseph’s colleagues are now responding with concern.

Calling his conduct “egregious,” members of the House Ethics Committee said he ignored requests and subpoenas to testify and produce documents as it followed a web of potentially illegal donations involving then-U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, D-Florida.

Joseph chairs a political committee with Cherfilus-McCormick’s brother and is alleged to have funneled hundreds of thousands of dollars from an oil company executive doing business with the Haitian government.

The contempt report said Joseph refused to comply, despite extensions and accommodations, and did not offer justification for that failure.

Last spring, the interim results of an unrelated internal city investigation found Joseph’s actions put the city at “legal, financial and ethical risk,” documenting questionable spending and interfering with North Miami Beach employees.

North Miami Beach Commissioner Lynn Su called Joseph being held in contempt of Congress “deeply concerning.”

“Public officials have a responsibility to respect the legal process, cooperate with lawful oversight and uphold the public’s trust,” she said.

Meanwhile, Commissioner Fortuna Smukler said that Joseph “needs to stop trying to ruin the reputation of people and that of the city, and he needs to look in the mirror.”

Joseph did not respond to our calls and texts but emailed saying the House Committee on Ethics report is inaccurate and he was not served the subpoena properly.

Meantime, the committee is referring to this contempt of Congress to the Department of Justice for possible criminal charges.

The contempt of Congress is separate from an internal city investigation the mayor is part of as well.

El partido se disputará en el Miami Stadium, también conocido como Hard Rock Stadium, en Miami Gardens, donde la vigente campeona Argentina enfrentará a Cabo Verde, el pequeño archipiélago africano que disputa por primera vez una fase eliminatoria del Mundial.

El jueves por la tarde, un pequeño grupo de fieles seguidores argentinos se reunió afuera del hotel del equipo antes de que los jugadores salieran rumbo al entrenamiento.

“Quiero ver a Messi. No puedo esperar para ver a Messi”, dijo Katya Major, aficionada de Argentina.

La policía estableció un perímetro para mantener a los aficionados a distancia mientras esperaban la salida del equipo. Major dijo que esperaba que los jugadores saludaran al público.

“Espero que saluden a todos y quizá nos dejen tomar algunas fotos”, agregó.

Como muchos de los presentes, Major esperaba especialmente ver a Lionel Messi, quien ha anotado seis goles para ayudar a Argentina a avanzar con paso firme a la fase eliminatoria.

“Parece que ya no tiene nada que demostrar, así que esta vez está disfrutando jugar”, dijo Major. “No tiene presión”.

El aficionado argentino Bruno Martínez dijo que los actuales campeones del mundo llegan al partido con confianza, aunque entiende los desafíos del torneo.

“Sabemos que tenemos un equipo fuerte, pero hay demasiados equipos fuertes en el Mundial”, afirmó.

Martínez dijo que ver a los jugadores en persona era casi tan significativo como asistir al partido.

“Si quieres vencer a Argentina, tienes que luchar mucho”, agregó.

Jefferey Wan, superfan de Messi, dijo a Gabrielle Arzola, de Local 10, que viajó desde China para ver a su ídolo.

“Messi es mi ídolo, mi leyenda”, dijo. “He seguido a Messi desde 2010”.

Mientras tanto, Cabo Verde, que celebró su clasificación al Mundial, ahora tiene la oportunidad de hacer historia.

Una victoria el viernes lo convertiría en uno de los pocos equipos africanos en alcanzar los octavos de final del torneo y en la nación más pequeña en lograrlo. También sería una de las mayores sorpresas en la historia de la Copa Mundial, al eliminar a los campeones defensores.

El inicio del partido en Miami Gardens está programado para las 6:00 p.m.

The signs would be in the same area where the Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776. A message seeking comment was left Friday with the National Park Service.

The new educational panels were designed to replace ones put up in 2010 that told the story of how nine slaves lived in the home along with George and Martha Washington in the 1790s, when Philadelphia was briefly the nation's capital.

Their removal stemmed from Trump's 2025 executive order calling for federally owned or controlled historic sites not to display information to “disparage Americans past or living” and to focus on the “greatness of the achievements and progress of the American people.”

Friday's ruling from a three-judge panel of the U.S. 3rd Circuit of Appeals, which is based in a courthouse across an intersection from the President's House site, was a technical one to allow implementation of a ruling made last month.

That ruling — by one judge Trump nominated, one nominated by former President George W. Bush and one chosen by former President Barack Obama — said a lower court was wrong to force the federal government to take down its new panels.

The government asked Thursday for the go-ahead to put them back up, saying that the panels were ready to install and that they should go up “without further delay.” The administration has said in court filings that its information also discusses slavery.

Advocates, academics and officials have been concerned for months that the version that complies with Trump’s order could give a history that downplays the pain in the nation’s past in favor of a more triumphant view.

A government website with images of the new panels shows they would still have information on enslaved people who lived in the home, plus details on the abolitionist movement, how the Constitution treated slavery, the end of slavery in Pennsylvania and how Washington and his successor, John Adams, viewed and treated slavery, as well as information about the 20th century Civil Rights movement. The replacement panels do not include some of detail in the earlier ones, such as a map of slave trade routes and a timeline on slavery. They also avoid critical headlines such as “The Dirty Business of Slavery.”

The City of Philadelphia, which sued over removal of the previous information, is trying to put the brakes on the new installation. The city on Friday asked the appeals court to recall its order from earlier in the day — at least long enough to allow the city to respond to the request Trump's administration made on Thursday.

Philadelphia said in its filing that it would be hurt if the new panels go back up: “The President’s House is a site of exceptional importance to Philadelphia and the Nation, developed through years of federal-local collaboration to tell a historically significant and long-suppressed story.”

About half the previous panels were reinstalled earlier this year before a court ordered that work to stop.

The Flyers tendered the five-year, $90 million offer sheet to Carlsson on Friday, which would require four of the Flyers first-round draft picks in each of the next four seasons as compensation.

The Anaheim Ducks have seven days to exercise their right of first refusal on the player, per the NHL collective bargaining agreement.

The Ducks announced they would not make an immediate decision. General manager Pat Verbeek will not comment until the process is complete.

The offer sheet comes 14 years after the Flyers, under previous management, offer-sheeting Nashville defenseman Shea Weber for $110 million over 14 years, which the Predators matched.

The 21-year-old Carlsson had 29 goals, 38 assists for 67 points in 70 games last season with the Ducks. He added 11 points in 12 playoff games to help lead Anaheim to the second round.

A native of Karlstad, Sweden, Carlsson has 141 points (61 goals, 80 assists) in 201 regular-season games with the Ducks. The 6-foot-3, 208-pound center was selected by Anaheim second overall in the 2023 draft.

The Minnesota Wild in September signed Kirill Kaprizov to an eight-year, $136 million extension, giving him the richest contract in NHL history.

Kaprizov will count $17 million against the salary cap beginning next season, through 2034. That’s the highest annual average salary of any player since the league’s cap era began in 2005, surpassing Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl at $112 million over eight years, a $14 million annual average. Alex Ovechkin’s 13-year, $124 million contract signed with Washington in 2008 was previously the highest total value.

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Hossam Abdelmaguid scored the deciding goal in a shootout, and Egypt won its debut in the elimination round of the World Cup by beating Australia 4-2 on penalty kicks after a 1-1 draw in the round of 32 Friday.

Australia goalkeeper Mathew Ryan didn't stop any of Egypt's four shots after replacing starter Patrick Beach late in extra time.

The victory comes in Egypt's fourth World Cup, the first one with an expanded field of 48. Australia is now 0-3 in the knockout round.

Egypt will next face defending champion Argentina, which beat Cape Verde 3-2 in extra time Friday night, in the round of 16 on Tuesday in Atlanta.

“Me feeling today is that it's incredible,” said Salah, the 34-year-old former Liverpool player who is one behind national team coach Hossam Hassan's Egyptian record of 69 international goals. “I always like seeing the boys happy and enjoying the moment. Nothing can match that. So today was one of the best days of my life.”

Harry Souttar opened the shootout by missing high for Australia, and 18-year-old Lucas Herrington hit the crossbar with the fourth attempt to set up Abdelmaguid’s clincher for the Pharaohs.

The 25-year-old Abdelmaguid, who doesn't have an international goal in 15 appearances, went low left as Ryan dived to the defender's right, setting off a raucous celebration among 70,244 fans at the sold-out home of the Dallas Cowboys, plenty of them wearing Egyptian red.

Egypt didn't even have a victory in the World Cup before beating New Zealand 3-1 in the group stage less than two weeks ago.

“I was only thinking about the Egyptian fans,” Hassan said through an interpreter. “During the entire time and during the penalty shootout, I was just praying, ‘God, please make the Egyptian people happy.’ Even before the penalty shootout, to be honest.”

Egypt’s other shootout scorers were Mahmoud Saber, Ramy Rabia and Salah, who played every minute of regulation and extra time despite a hamstring injury sustained in the team's group finale.

Jackson Irvine and Awer Mabil scored in the shootout for Australia.

“When I went to the players and talked to them, I wanted to take some pressure off,” Hassan said. “Do not look at the pressure. Just let everything out, don’t think about anything. Think about your penalty kick. Don’t even think about the goalkeeper. Just think about your kick.”

Emam Ashour gave Egypt the lead in regulation by scoring in the 13th minute with a header that beat Beach just inside the near post. Australia evened the match in the 55th when Egypt defender Mohamed Hany became the first player to score two own-goals in the same World Cup.

The own-goal came when Aiden O’Neill took a free kick from left of the penalty area and Hany headed the ball past goalkeeper Mostafa Shoubir for a spot in World Cup infamy. His other own-goal came in a 1-1 draw with Belgium in the group stage.

Less than 10 minutes earlier, Hany was down near the same spot after colliding with Connor Metcalfe on the Australia midfielder’s header attempt. Medical personnel tended to Hany with a stretcher waiting nearby, but he was helped up and stayed on after what appeared to be a concussion check.

Australia’s only scoring in World Cup knockout rounds has been two own-goals. The Socceroos lost to Italy 1-0 in 2006 and lost to Argentina 2-1 four years ago in Qatar. The goal against Argentina was an own-goal.

“It hurts when you get that close,” Australia coach Tony Popovic said. “Unfortunately, we bow out in a penalty shootout, so it’s difficult to take right now.”

Omar Marmoush had a great chance to give Egypt a two-goal lead in the opening seconds of the second half, but he sent a shot wide.

The late goalkeeper switch to the 34-year-old Ryan, for his 105th international appearance, came despite several strong saves from the 22-year-old Beach, who was playing in only his sixth game for the Socceroos.

Beach made a sprawling save on a header from Rabia in the waning moments of regulation, and seconds later had a much easier stop on Salah’s shot.

Egypt had one more chance before the end of regulation, but Haissem Hassan was turned away by Souttar, who deflected the shot with his knee.

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FIFA had been looking at the possibility of starting the round of 16 game at the Azteca Stadium earlier than the scheduled 6 p.m. local time (8 p.m. EDT), a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

But a Mexican federation official told the AP that after deliberation FIFA decided the match would remain unchanged.

That person also spoke on condition on anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly.

Among the reasons for exploring the change was because of possible disruption caused by flooding.

Mexico coach Javier Aguirre criticized the proposed change earlier Friday.

“It’s a kick in the gut; now we must change everything. It’s not that all the work goes down the drain — though it’s close — because you’re having to scrap six hours of scheduled planning. I don’t like it at all,” Aguirre told Radio Formula. “Obviously, we’ll abide by what FIFA says, but neither my players nor I are happy about it.”

Rescheduling the match also could have affected England’s preparations. The Three Lions are scheduled to arrive late Friday and will hold their Saturday training session at the grounds of UNAM Pumas in the southern part of the capital, leaving them with significantly less time to acclimate to Mexico City’s high elevation.

The Azteca Stadium sits at more than 7,300 feet (2,200 meters) above sea level. For elite athletes to perform at their peak at high altitude, a period of adaption is required to reduce fatigue caused by lower atmospheric pressure and reduced oxygen availability, experts say. Sports scientists generally recommend an extended acclimation period of at least two weeks, or the “fly-in, fly-out” method of arriving as close to game time as possible before acute symptoms set in.

England coach Thomas Tuchel has already spoken about the difficulties his team faces in Mexico City.

“My understanding is that we cannot adapt to the altitude. That is just a huge advantage that Mexico will have,” Tuchel said this week. “It just takes too much time.”

The game will be Mexico City's fifth and final match of this year's World Cup.

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Un día después de que Rodríguez defendiera con enojo la capacidad del operativo de ayuda de su gobierno en su primera conferencia de prensa desde el desastre del 24 de junio, su principal rival, la venezolana exiliada y premio Nobel de la Paz María Corina Machado, lanzó su propio llamado.

Machado sostuvo el viernes desde Panamá que la respuesta del gobierno ante el terremoto dejó al descubierto sus debilidades críticas y que “para facilitar el avance de un proceso de transición, mi presencia (en Venezuela) contribuye y mucho más después de la tragedia”.

“Mi presencia estabiliza, es parte de las fuerzas organizadoras que el país necesita en un momento donde se ha evidenciado la ausencia total del Estado”, afirmó Machado, aludiendo a las críticas generalizadas a la respuesta del gobierno ante el terremoto por considerarla lenta y desorganizada. “El país necesita referentes en quien confiar”.

Los sismos han causado la muerte de más de 2.295 personas y han dejado a más de 11.000 heridas, según el gobierno, que no ha ofrecido actualizaciones sobre fallecidos y lesionados desde el miércoles. El movimiento opositor de Machado ha creado una base de datos digital para localizar a los desaparecidos, que actualmente registra a más de 36.000 personas cuyo paradero se desconoce. Su partido ha movilizado voluntarios para recolectar donaciones en Venezuela y ha solicitado ayuda a la vasta diáspora del país.

“Mi presencia… busca articular, unificar, no solamente para atender una emergencia, para sanar la herida”, manifestó la dirigente opositora, a quien se le prohibió postularse en las elecciones presidenciales de 2024 en las que el presidente Nicolás Maduro se adjudicó la victoria. Un conteo de votos verificado de manera independiente y realizado por la oposición concluyó que el candidato respaldado por Machado, Edmundo González, fue el verdadero ganador.

Estados Unidos elogia a Rodríguez y bloquea a Machado

Cuando ocurrieron los terremotos, Machado vio una oportunidad crucial para regresar a su país por primera vez desde que huyó en diciembre pasado para aceptar el Premio Nobel de la Paz en Noruega. Desde que Estados Unidos capturó a Maduro en una audaz operación militar en enero, Machado ha buscado volver a la escena y ha llamado a una transición democrática.

Pero el gobierno de Trump ha respaldado a Rodríguez desde la salida de Maduro, elogiando sus reformas favorables a los negocios en el lucrativo sector petrolero del país y sin ofrecer un calendario sobre cuándo podrían celebrarse elecciones.

Dos altos funcionarios estadounidenses familiarizados con el asunto, que hablaron bajo condición de anonimato para revelar conversaciones diplomáticas privadas, dijeron a The Associated Press que el gobierno de Trump se ha mostrado cada vez más frustrado con Machado y la disuadió de regresar a Venezuela tras los terremotos.

Uno de los funcionarios indicó que la líder opositora había solicitado ayuda a Washington para trasladarse a Venezuela desde el territorio caribeño neerlandés de Curazao y también desde Panamá, donde se encuentra ahora.

El segundo funcionario señaló que Estados Unidos sospechaba que ella quería regresar para encabezar protestas contra Rodríguez y presionar por un cambio político en un momento en que el foco debería estar en la recuperación tras el terremoto. Este funcionario añadió que el gobierno de Trump no podía impedir el regreso de Machado, pero tampoco estaba en condiciones de facilitarlo.

Las secuelas del terremoto se vuelven políticas

Al enterarse de los planes inminentes de Machado de regresar, Rodríguez cerró el tráfico aéreo comercial hacia Caracas, según el funcionario estadounidense. Esos vuelos cancelados debían trasladar a cientos de trabajadores de ayuda para colaborar en las tareas de recuperación tras el terremoto, agregó el funcionario.

Machado afirmó el lunes que el gobierno había cerrado su espacio aéreo para impedir su regreso, sin aportar pruebas. El gobierno no respondió a una solicitud de comentarios sobre el supuesto cierre.

Aparentemente preocupada de que la indignación por la respuesta al terremoto pudiera poner en riesgo su autoridad, Rodríguez atribuyó el jueves cualquier crítica a lo que calificó como narrativas fabricadas en “laboratorios mediáticos”. Aseguró que los equipos de rescate se desplegaron de inmediato con equipo adecuado en las zonas de desastre, en contradicción con las quejas generalizadas de residentes que dijeron que se quedaron solos buscando a sus seres queridos sin equipos oficiales ni maquinaria pesada durante las primeras 48 horas.

“Los laboratorios mediáticos que responden a posiciones partidistas, políticas, son unos miserables”, sostuvo Rodríguez. “No esperamos uno, dos o tres días. Actuamos de inmediato”.

Luego indicó que se habían desplegado miles de rescatistas civiles y militares, así como 11 hospitales de campaña internacionales, en las zonas afectadas por el terremoto, y añadió que el gobierno había aprobado la creación de un fondo para recibir donaciones destinadas a la reconstrucción.

El viernes, medios estatales difundieron imágenes de su visita en el hospital a Hernán Alberto Gil Flores, un guardia de seguridad de 43 años que fue sacado de un sótano derrumbado tras sobrevivir casi ocho días bajo los escombros. Su dramático rescate, realizado el jueves, fue uno de los pocos puntos luminosos en uno de los periodos más sombríos que se recuerdan en Venezuela.

No está claro qué ocurrirá cuando venza el mandato

Según la Constitución de Venezuela, las ausencias temporales deben ser cubiertas por el vicepresidente —cargo que antes ocupaba Rodríguez— por hasta 90 días, tras lo cual pueden prorrogarse por la Asamblea Nacional por otros 90 días.

El viernes venció ese periodo interino de 180 días. Hasta le momento, las autoridades no han dicho qué harían, si es que harían algo, ante el vencimiento del mandato de Rodríguez.

La Asamblea Nacional, controlada por el partido de Rodríguez, puede activar una elección anticipada si los legisladores declaran el cargo permanentemente vacante.

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DeBre informó desde Buenos Aires, Argentina. El reportero de The Associated Press Matthew Lee en Washington contribuyó a este informe.

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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.

He spoke loudly with his bloody right foot at one of the biggest moments of the World Cup for the United States. Still feeling the affects of being stomped on by an opponent’s studs, Tillman scored the first free kick goal in a World Cup for the Americans in 32 years to seal a 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday night that sent the U.S. into the round of 16.

Tillman celebrated the biggest moment of his young career with a smile and a scream as he ran to celebrate with his teammates in front of the large contingent of American fans at Levi’s Stadium.

“I’m a different type of person on the pitch,” he said after the game. “Of course maybe you don’t really see my emotions, but then if you score a goal like this, I think also you guys saw my emotions. It’s a great feeling.”

Tillman showed off his bloody sock — perhaps the most famous in American sports lore since Curt Schilling’s in the 2004 baseball playoffs for the Boston Red Sox — after the game, saying he was still in a bit of pain.

But the discomfort was lessened by pure joy as the U.S. now prepares to play Belgium on Monday night in Seattle with a chance to make it to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002.

Tillman’s goal came with the U.S. protecting a one-goal lead and down a man after Folarin Balogun was sent off with a red card early in the second half. Balogun scored his third goal of the tournament in the first half but Tillman delivered the game-sealer in the highlight of what has already been a productive World Cup for the 24-year-old.

“Obviously he’s been playing so well,” captain Tim Ream said. “I’d argue he’s, other than Balo’s goals, he’s one of our best players. Everywhere on the field, doing the dirty things, making the hard things easy. I think it is just that. He just wanted to feel like he had a place. He’s a quiet kid, but he’s just come on leaps and bounds.”

Tillman is the son of an American serviceman and German mother and grew up in Germany playing on the Bayern Munich youth squad and the German national youth team before making the switch to the U.S. team in 2022.

His big moment came last summer in the Gold Cup when he scored two goals against Trinidad and Tobago and another against Haiti in the group stage. He then missed a penalty kick in the first half of the quarterfinals against Costa Rica before making one in the penalty shootout that sent the U.S. to the semifinals.

“The Gold Cup was really huge for him,” Ream said. “I think the adversity of the Costa Rica game, the penalty was really big for him. Now you look at him and he looks like he’s just playing such an easy game. It’s incredible to see. He’s had that in him all this time. It was just a matter of him finding the confidence and him believing in himself.”

This past year wasn’t easy for him after he moved from PSV Eindhoven to Bayer Leverkusen in a transfer worth a reported $41 million. He had six goals and one assist in 29 games in the Bundesliga and scoring two more in the Champions League.

His biggest goal came Wednesday night when he became the first American man to score off a free kick in a World Cup since Eric Wynalda in the 1994 opener against Switzerland.

“It was amazing,” coach Mauricio Pochettino said. “I think Malik is an amazing player, full of talent. We knew that he has the talent to do what he did. I’m so happy for him. Tough season for him in Leverkusen but I think now he’s enjoying and we are enjoying and the fans are enjoying his football.”

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See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here

Brockton Mayor Moises Rodrigues announced what he called a “temporary safety curfew” within the Boston suburb at a news conference Wednesday. Cape Verde, an island nation off the west coast of Africa that qualified for the World Cup for the first time this year, is scheduled to face Argentina on Friday in the knockout stage of the tournament.

“The purpose of this curfew is to protect public safety, reduce criminal activity associated with post-game celebrations, and enable police, fire and emergency personnel to effectively maintain order and respond to emergencies,” Rodrigues said.

The curfew will run from 10 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Saturday in parts of Brockton, where thousands of people have gathered after Cape Verde’s World Cup matches, pouring into downtown streets waving flags, dancing and celebrating late into the night. No one will be allowed to enter establishments serving alcohol after 7 p.m., and last call will be at 9:30 p.m.

Brockton is home to one of the nation’s largest Cape Verdean communities. Nearly one in five residents is Cape Verdean, and the community is often referred to as the “11th island” of Cape Verde.

Cape Verde has captured the attention of its diaspora during a historic World Cup run, drawing jubilant crowds in Brockton after matches. City officials have repeatedly said the overwhelming majority of those celebrations have been peaceful.

But police say recent celebrations have also been followed by violence. At least nine people have been injured in shootings that occurred after World Cup matches or as crowds gathered downtown, according to Brockton police. Others were hurt in stabbings.

In recent days, detectives released surveillance photos and video from multiple shootings, including one near Main Street as crowds gathered June 21 and another later that night at a gas station, asking the public to help identify suspects.

Police also said they linked a suspect in another investigation to a shooting that occurred after a World Cup match.

Officials said the curfew exempts first responders and people traveling to or from work or seeking medical care. They said First Amendment activities, including news coverage, would also be respected.

Police Chief Brenda Perez said the department is understaffed and has relied on mutual aid from the Massachusetts State Police, the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office and neighboring police departments during previous celebrations. She said more than 200 officers were deployed during recent World Cup gatherings but declined to discuss operational plans for Friday.

Steve Hooke, director of the Brockton Emergency Management Agency, confirmed the city requested National Guard assistance but declined to discuss operational details or whether the request had been approved.

Julia Reeker Moghal and Reuben Renteria, both of California, sued the ticketing giant this week in federal court in New York, alleging that “false and misleading” sales practices left them without the tickets they purchased for group stage matches last month.

The lawsuit, which seeks to become a class action, says Moghal and Renteria are among hundreds or even thousands of World Cup fans who purchased tickets only to find out that they “did not exist, were revoked without any forewarning, or had been erased” because of what the tournament’s organizer, FIFA, deemed “poor digital infrastructure.”

In addition to monetary damages, Moghal and Renteria are asking that StubHub be barred from selling World Cup tickets and that any profits from those sales be given to affected customers.

StubHub declined to comment on the lawsuit but said in a statement that its “singular goal is to get fans into events.”

If anything goes wrong, “our FanProtect Guarantee provides replacement tickets or a full refund,” the company said. “The World Cup is no different, and the issues fans have experienced are largely driven by problems with the event organizer’s own ticketing infrastructure.”

FIFA encourages fans to buy tickets through its own marketplace, where it adds a 30% surcharge to every resold ticket — 15% each from the buyer and seller.

In a statement, the organization said it “has no visibility over, or control of, secondary market ticket transactions carried out on third-party platforms” and “rejects any suggestion that the functional issues being experienced by users of third-party platforms” are the result of FIFA’s ticketing infrastructure.

For weeks, fans have been complaining on social media about tickets that never arrived from resellers, orders that were canceled at the last minute and hours they spent trying to sort out problems between FIFA’s ticketing system and outside resale platforms.

According to the lawsuit, Moghal paid $1,905 for three tickets to the June 18 Switzerland-Bosnia and Herzegovina match at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, but never received them and never got a refund, which would violate the company’s guarantee.

As the match approached, Moghal was given conflicting information about the status of her order, first receiving a notice that the tickets were ready, then learning that StubHub had canceled her order, then being misled into thinking her tickets would be delivered after all, the lawsuit said.

After the initial cancellation, Moghal spent hours on the phone with StubHub, which said the order would remain canceled but then reversed course and promised her that they would be delivered an hour before the match, the lawsuit said.

Moghal drove to the stadium and waited in line, but never received her tickets, the lawsuit said. She was then promised a refund but never got one, the lawsuit said.

Had she known “that StubHub was either unable to deliver or not authorized to deliver her World Cup Tickets to her, she never would have purchased them,” the lawsuit said.

Similarly, Renteria paid $2,294 for two tickets to the June 18 Mexico-South Korea match in Guadalajara, Mexico, but never received his tickets, the lawsuit said.

Like Moghal, Renteria received a notice that his tickets were ready, only to find that StubHub canceled the order, the lawsuit said. He was only refunded after “significant complaints to StubHub,” but had to eat the cost of traveling to Mexico, the lawsuit said.

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Associated Press reporter R.J. Rico in Atlanta contributed to this report.

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See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here

A heat wave is expected to continue across the eastern and central U.S. through the end of the week, with peak heat indexes — which combine air temperature with humidity — between 100 F to 115 F (37.78 C to 46.11 C), according to the National Weather Service. High night temperatures will bring little relief and records could be broken.

Earlier this week, French players cooled off from temperatures that hit 90 F (32.22 C) with field sprinklers during their match against Sweden in New Jersey.

Concerns about extreme heat during the games in the U.S., Canada and Mexico have been growing for months, with some scientists saying that FIFA’s heat safety guidelines are “inadequate” and “impossible to justify,” even for heat acclimatized players. For spectators, that could mean games are slower and less intense.

The world has warmed roughly 1.26 F (0.7 C) in the last three decades since the U.S. last hosted the World Cup, according to the climate monitoring group Berkeley Earth. Global temperature increases intensify and make heat waves and other severe weather more common.

The humid heat engulfing the country, as well as parts of Canada, would’ve been “virtually impossible” without climate change, scientists with the World Weather Attribution said Friday.

The 2022 World Cup tournament in Qatar was moved from summer to winter because of the extreme heat threat, and last year, temperatures soared at the Club World Cup. The soccer players’ global union warned that extreme heat would likely be a bigger problem at this and the next World Cups.

One of the hottest World Cup games was in 1994 in Orlando, Florida, when temperatures hit 110 F (43.33 C).

Heat is a leading killer of athletes

Heat hits people from both their surroundings as well as while their bodies warm during exercise. That makes it harder to cool down when it’s really hot and humid, said Bharat Venkat, director of the Heat Lab at the University of California, Los Angeles.

“So when you’re exerting yourself on a particularly hot day, the likelihood of experiencing heat related illness or even death is much higher,” he said.

Intense exercise on a sizzling day can lead to extreme fatigue, impaired performance, headache, irritability, nausea, dizziness, cramping and dehydration, all symptoms of exertional heat illness.

Exertional heat stroke requires immediate medical attention and is the third leading cause of death in athletes.

When the wet bulb globe temperature — which includes temperature, humidity, cloud cover and wind — reaches above about 95 F (35 C), people lose their ability to cool off quickly, said Ryan Calsbeek, professor of biological sciences at Dartmouth College, and “the physiological mechanisms just break down.”

Heat-induced confusion could also influence a player’s decisions and could determine a match’s outcome, he said.

Are FIFA’s heat safety rules enough?

Mandatory three-minute hydration breaks midway through each half are to protect players, and referees, from extreme heat illness. But they’ve sparked criticism from different groups: some say they’re interrupting the game’s flow and give coaches a chance to shift momentum in their team’s favor, while some scientists have said the breaks should be longer to allow players to meaningfully cool and rehydrate when heat is extreme.

Matches outdoors during peak heat hours have also been limited, and those expected in warmer windows are prioritized for covered stadiums, FIFA said.

FIFA’s guidelines say a match could be postponed if the wet bulb globe temperature reaches 89.60 F (32 C). But that temperature is “so extreme that in the military, at our basic training facilities in America, if it reaches 32, it’s black flag and all training has to be canceled and stopped,” said Douglas Casa, CEO of the University of Connecticut’s Korey Stringer Institute.

Temperatures are forecast over 100 F (37.78 C) during Saturday’s game in Philadelphia. The player’s union FIFPRO, as well as the American College of Sports Medicine, has called for matches to be delayed at 82.40 F (28 C) for safety.

Players can train for heat stress during exercise

Guilherme Passos monitors and prepares Brazil’s national team for extreme heat as a sport scientist at the Brazilian Football Federation.

He’s helped the team acclimate to the U.S. heat. “If you expose them straight to the hottest time of the day you can lose a bit of training quality,” he said. They use saunas or hot baths as they heat train during the competition.

When Brazil hosted the World Cup in 2014, Passos said, players covered less distance and reduced high-speed running, and instead increased their technical and tactical precision.

“Soccer players are a really unique mix of athletic attributes,” said Calsbeek. “They have to have extreme endurance and explosive speed. And then on top of that, they have to make really critical decisions. All of those different facets of the sport will be affected by the temperature.”

But soccer players aren’t the only ones at risk. Many soccer fans are drinking alcohol and watching the World Cup. In heat, doing that is risky. Cities and stadiums have increased access to shade, cooling areas and water, and medical personnel are stationed in FIFA Fan Festivals and around stadiums.

“People are going to be dehydrated, super excited, and not wanting to leave the match,” said Calsbeek. “We’re likely to see, in those extreme temperatures, spectators pay the price as well.”

___

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

Belgium rallied from 2-0 down to secure a dramatic 3-2 win, with a goal deep into extra time, on Wednesday and next faces the United States on Monday in Seattle.

Senegal led 2-0 with five minutes remaining but late goals by Romelu Lukaku and Youri Tielemans pushed the round of 32 match into extra time. Tielemans then scored a penalty in the 125th minute.

Garcia was interviewed on television moments after the game. He said: “We know those teams, they lose their tactical structure toward the end of the match.”

He then added: “We also knew that at 2-0 (up) they would do everything to protect their goal, which in my opinion is a grave mistake. Remind me when we’re leading 2-0 not to do that.”

Garcia’s comments were perceived by some observers to be aimed at shortcomings of African soccer. The 62-year-old Frenchman posted a message on Instagram on Thursday night to clarify his words and said they were in no way a criticism of African teams.

“When I spoke of ‘those teams,’ I was referring to teams unaccustomed to managing a lead in high-level World Cup matches. My comments were by no means aimed at African teams,” Garcia said.

“They could just as easily have applied to Asian, South American or European teams unfamiliar with that kind of pressure. As a less experienced coach myself, I learned the hard way that stopping play to defend a result at all costs is counterproductive.”

Statisticians Opta reminded Garcia of that by posting a message on X saying that, when he was coaching in French soccer, he lost three Ligue 1 matches after leading 2-0.

Garcia coached Lille to the league and French Cup double in 2011. He went on to lead Marseille and Lyon, as well as Roma and Napoli in Italy, before taking charge of Belgium in January last year. ___

See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here

“It’s greasy, it’s disgusting, but it’s absolutely glorious,” Jack Goodwin, a soccer enthusiast from London, said about the American food he has tried in Dallas, Boston, New York and Atlanta.

“I don’t want to say this because it’s a little bit harsh, but the portions are a little bit larger — a lot more tastier — so I can understand the, um, obesity here. I don’t want to be harsh, but yes, the food is fantastic here.”

International visitors want to try popular fast-food chains and local gems

Many fans are making a point to try regional specialties or chains they can’t find where they live, like In-N-Out Burger or Buc-ee’s convenience stores. Erling Haaland, a striker for Norway’s World Cup team, posted a photo on X of himself outside Katz’s Delicatessen in New York.

Harrison Murphy, who was traveling from London with his brother for the knockout rounds, had breakfast at a Chick-fil-A in Atlanta this week.

“Have you had Chick-fil-A? It was fantastic and so cheap. The sauces are free! It was remarkable,” Murphy said. “I said, ‘This is my first time, what should I try?’ The woman said, ‘You’ve got to try the Chick-fil-A sauce.’ My God, was it fantastic.”

Gary Bishop had never heard of poutine — often considered Canada’s national dish — until he arrived in Toronto for the World Cup. But the Glasgow, Scotland, resident proclaimed it “absolutely delicious.”

“It was like chips with gravy, cheese. But it was a really thick gravy. Different from back home. Vinegar, there was lots of vinegar through it,” said Bishop, who was sporting a Scotland jersey on a recent stroll through Toronto’s FIFA Fan Festival. “Really nice.”

Others are looking for a taste of home. Texas beer distributor Andrews Distributing welcomed a bus full of Dutch fans to its Dallas warehouse for Heinekens and dancing.

Host city restaurants are eager to introduce new customers to old favorites

It’s a thrill for restaurant owners, from Cuban spots in Miami to barbecue joints in Kansas City and taco trucks in Mexico City.

“I have not seen anything like this ever in my life,” said Paul Barker, the principal and founder of Pauli’s, a Boston restaurant known for generously filled sandwiches and comfort foods. Fans from Scotland, Brazil, England and elsewhere have lined up for his famous lobster rolls and taken photos with staff members, Barker said.

“Food becomes a natural conversation starter,” he said. “It’s just been incredible for us to be part of this.”

Some chains are leaning into the World Cup. Waffle House, the all-day breakfast chain with 2,000 restaurants across the South, opened a pop-up shop in downtown Atlanta to sell branded soccer balls, jerseys and patriotic gear. In a statement, the chain said it was “honored by the enthusiasm and curiosity” shown by visiting fans.

For other restaurants, World Cup fever has been a delightful surprise. Whataburger, a Texas-based chain with 1,100 locations, found itself in the spotlight after fans from Japan and elsewhere posted on social media about their visits.

“The attention has been completely organic and honestly pretty entertaining,” Whataburger President and CEO Debbie Stroud said. “We knew the World Cup would bring the world to Texas and our footprint across 17 states. We just didn’t realize so many visitors would leave talking about a patty melt.”

Eating barbecue is high on the bucket lists of foreign foodies

Terry Black’s Barbecue, a small Texas chain, figured authentic barbecue would be on many fans’ must-try lists. It started sourcing extra meat more than a month ago for its locations in Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, which are each about 20 minutes from the stadium where World Cup matches are played.

It takes Terry Black’s four days to season and prepare its beef brisket and 12 hours to barbecue it. The chain also smokes turkey, pork and sausages on its pits, which run 24 hours a day.

The crush of World Cup fans has meant a lot of extra planning, said Darien Kapture, the chain’s senior vice president of food and beverage operations. But it’s also meant a lot of excitement, like the night Argentina supporters packed Terry Black’s Dallas location to celebrate the team’s victory over Austria, Kapture said.

“They were hooting and hollering and praising the brisket,” Kapture said. “It’s great to see that these folks are coming to America and getting to experience what we experience every day.”

Goodwin, the visitor from London who said he “blew his mortgage” on a U.S. World Cup tour with his dad, deemed Terry Black’s barbecue “the most gorgeous food ever.”

“The best food we’ve had here is in Dallas,” Goodwin said. “Texas barbecue. Unbelievable.”

TSA reminds ranch dressing converts not to pack bottles in carry-on bags

Not every review has been positive. Some fans have complained about the high price of food in World Cup stadiums, for example. A British fan told the BBC that the breakfast tea he bought from Dunkin’ was “not great.”

But for the most part, there have been more thumbs up than thumbs down. So many World Cup visitors expressed love for ranch dressing, for example, that the Transportation Security Administration issued a light-hearted reminder that tourists should pack bottles of dressing in their checked bags.

___

AP Sports Writer Maura Carey contributed from Atlanta. AP Video Journalist Mike Householder contributed from Toronto.

As Argentina rides World Cup fever and dreams of beating Cape Verde in the round of 32 on Friday, a dog walker has added his pack to the local fanbase.

Nahuel Meneghini, 33, walks the streets of the capital’s city center with the dogs wearing the team’s jerseys, leashes and collars in support of Lionel Messi ’s squad.

“I did it out of love for them and for Argentina. And for the World Cup,” said Meneghini— known as “Nano” — while speaking to The Associated Press on Thursday during a walk with the canine group.

The dog walker, also dressed head-to-toe like a fan, skilfully managed all the leashes, guiding the dogs along the narrow sidewalks of the capital’s San Cristóbal neighborhood.

As they passed, smiles lit up the faces of onlookers who pulled out their phones to snap pictures. “Let’s go, Argentina!” a woman shouted.

“These are the only joys we have because nothing ever goes our way, not for workers or retirees. Everything is against us,” said 80-year-old Edgardo Pérez, who was taking photos of the group known on social media as “La Perroneta.”

The name alludes to “La Scaloneta,” the nickname of the national team aiming to retain its title at the World Cup under coach Lionel Scaloni.

Scaloni is admired in Argentina following the team’s triumphs at the World Cup and the Finalissima in 2022, as well as the 2021 Copa América.

Meneghini developed the idea of ​​dressing the dogs in Argentina colors last week as it advanced from the group stage.

Two of the dogs he regularly walks, Sirio and Roberta, were wearing jerseys featuring Messi’s No. 10. Their owners bought them after catching World Cup fever.

Meneghini loved the idea and decided to dress the rest of the dogs the same way. He stopped by a pet store and picked up jerseys in various sizes. The owners readily accepted the outfits.

The same went for the collars and leashes he crafted in light blue and white. He added three rivets to the leashes — one for each of Argentina’s World Cup titles in 1978, 1986 and 2022 — while hanging tags reading “Los perros de Nano” (Nano’s Dogs) from the collars.

Meneghini offers the pet owners a good price for all the items. Other people in the neighborhood have started placing orders for their own pets.

The dogs and their walker cover around 60 blocks almost every day and have become local celebrities and social media stars.

“Now that is patriotism,” the 73-year-old Dora Maisano said as she watched the group pass by. ”Not just peeing and pooping. Everyone wearing the No. 10. Well done, congratulations — they look so cute!”

The pack will continue to wear the national colors “forever,” even if Argentina is eliminated from the competition, Meneghini said. “But I have faith that we’ll win a fourth cup. After the fourth one, I’ll add another rivet to the leashes.”

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See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here

It canceled Croatia’s late equalizer deep in added time against Portugal by detecting a touch that was undetectable to the naked eye and even video replays late Thursday.

Portugal won 2-1 in Toronto and advanced to the round of 16, leaving Croatia players and fans devastated in the belief Josko Gvardiol’s goal was wrongly called offside by the VAR and referee Espen Eskås.

FIFA is relying on a high-tech soccer ball fitted with “advanced sensors” and insisted it got it right when determining Croatia’s Igor Mantanovic got the slightest of glances with his head, meaning Mario Palasic was in an offside position during the buildup to the goal.

The in-ball sensors were so finely tuned, FIFA said, they were “capable of determining any slight contact ... allowing officials an unprecedented level of data to make fast, accurate decisions.”

Here’s the science bit

The official “Trionda” World Cup ball, manufactured by Adidas, is fitted with a “small inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor,” which FIFA says operates at around 500Hz and captures data 500 times per second.

FIFA says it can track ball acceleration and granular movements in three dimensions and can detect the exact moment a player makes contact.

The ball technology is combined with in-stadium cameras for tracking data that is transmitted in real time to video assistants.

As well as helping to determine offsides, the touch data can also be used for incidents such as handballs and penalties.

How reliable is it?

The reason the call was so contentious was because even slow motion replays from numerous angles were visually inconclusive that Mantanovic made contact with Ivan Perisic’s in-swinging cross.

That is where reliance on the technology came in. Referee Eskås was instructed by the VAR to review the sideline monitor. Replays showed what FIFA calls a “heartbeat graphic” to indicate the moment the ball was touched and there was a clear spike as it apparently grazed Mantanovic’s head.

“No matter how fast the ball is moving or the spin of the ball, you can track it really effectively,” The AP was told by professor Manos Tentzeris from Georgia Tech’s school of electrical and computer engineering. “The position of the ball is 99.99% accurate ... you know exactly where the players are, even the tip of a shoe, which sometimes determines if someone is offside or onside.”

FIFA also used connected ball technology at the 2022 World Cup, and it was deployed at the most recent men’s European Championship in 2024.

Tests were carried out from 2020-22 and the technology trialed at tournaments such as the Arab Cup and the Club World Cup.

This is not the first time

The ball sensors also had a decisive impact at Euro 2024 by detecting Denmark’s Joachim Andersen handled in the box against host Germany. After a VAR review a penalty was awarded and Kai Havertz scored and Germany won 2-0.

“In my opinion this is not how football is supposed to be,” Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand said after his team also had a goal ruled out by VAR.

Those sentiments were echoed by Croatia coach Zlatko Dalić after his team’s painful exit.

“All these decisions take the joy out of football,” he said.

___

AP sports writer Maura Carey in Atlanta contributed.

___

James Robson is at https://x.com/jamesalanrobson

___

See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here

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Financial terms of the deal were not released.

Donaldson, 22, started 33 of 35 games for Miami last season, averaging 16.4 points, a team-best 5.7 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game. He shot 45.4% from the field, 35.9% from 3-point range and 76.6% from the free-throw line.

His performance earned him second-team All-ACC and second-team All-Southeast District honors.

Donaldson scored at least 20 points nine times, including a career-high 32-point outing against Virginia Tech on Feb. 17.

Before transferring to Miami, Donaldson helped Michigan win the Big Ten Tournament championship during his junior season after previously helping Auburn capture the SEC Tournament title as a sophomore.

Los términos financieros del acuerdo no fueron divulgados.

Donaldson, de 22 años, fue titular en 33 de los 35 partidos de Miami la temporada pasada, con promedios de 16.4 puntos, 5.7 asistencias, la mejor marca del equipo, 3.6 rebotes y 1.4 robos por partido. Lanzó para un 45.4% de efectividad de campo, un 35.9% desde la línea de tres puntos y un 76.6% desde la línea de tiros libres.

Su desempeño le valió los reconocimientos al segundo equipo All-ACC y al segundo equipo All-Southeast District.

Donaldson anotó al menos 20 puntos en nueve ocasiones, incluido un récord personal de 32 puntos ante Virginia Tech el 17 de febrero.

Antes de transferirse a Miami, Donaldson ayudó a Michigan a ganar el campeonato del Torneo Big Ten durante su temporada junior, luego de haber contribuido previamente a que Auburn conquistara el título del Torneo de la SEC en su temporada de sophomore.

Las cifras nuevas, y aún incompletas, de Salud Pública Francia duplicaron su primera estimación preliminar de al menos 1.000 muertes adicionales que dio el domingo pasado. Esa estimación anterior abarcaba sólo tres de los días más calurosos de un calor extremo y mortal.

En París, directores de servicios funerarios han señalado que han tenido dificultades para encontrar lugares donde almacenar los cuerpos antes del entierro o la cremación, y algunas morgues indicaron que estaban llenas y tuvieron que rechazar cuerpos.

El recuento actualizado de muertes de Salud Pública Francia abarca la semana del 22 al 28 de junio, durante la cual Francia registró sus días más calurosos de la historia y se batieron récords de temperaturas máximas diurnas y nocturnas en muchas ciudades y localidades de todo el país. El calor también rompió récords de temperatura en muchas otras partes de Europa.

Salud Pública Francia indicó que ha contabilizado hasta ahora 8.973 muertes para esa semana y advirtió que la cifra sigue siendo sólo parcial. Precisó que el total preliminar fue un 29% superior a las 6.948 muertes registradas en la semana anterior, del 15 al 21 de junio, cuando comenzó la ola de calor.

La diferencia entre los dos conjuntos de cifras —un total hasta ahora de 2.025— se considera, por lo tanto, como muertes adicionales de una semana a la siguiente, por todas las causas y en todos los grupos de edad, explicó.

En el Hospital Paris-Saclay, los pacientes que sufrían exposición al calor comenzaron a llegar en un aumento repentino el 20 de junio, declaró a The Associated Press el médico Nicolas Gonzales, jefe del servicio de urgencias.

Comentó que atendieron a víctimas del calor por ataques cardíacos, deshidratación, fallos renales y otros problemas relacionados con el calor, desde niños hasta personas mayores que vivían solas.

Salud Pública Francia señaló que hubo un aumento particularmente pronunciado, de una semana a otra, en el número de muertes en domicilios particulares, con esas cifras un 91% más altas. Las muertes en residencias para adultos mayores aumentaron un 37% y en hospitales casi un 20%.

La región de París parece haber sido la más golpeada, con un aumento de casi el 63% en las muertes de una semana a la siguiente, indicó.

La agencia de salud advirtió que sus recuentos subestiman el número real de fallecimientos, porque se basan en datos incompletos.

“La mortalidad será, en consecuencia, más alta que estas primeras cifras”, afirmó.

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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.

Según Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, el incidente ocurrió alrededor de las 11:30 a.m. en el área de North Miami Avenue y la calle 125.

Videos tomados en el lugar muestran un árbol de gran tamaño partido por la mitad y el vehículo con daños severos.

La Policía de North Miami acudió al lugar para investigar.

Hasta primeras horas de la tarde del viernes, las autoridades no habían proporcionado de inmediato más detalles sobre la condición del hombre.

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According to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, the incident happened at around 11:30 a.m. in the area of North Miami Avenue and 125th Street.

CCTV footage obtained by Local 10 News shows the pinpoint timing of events that sent the man to the hospital: immediately after the strike, the Norfolk pine falls on the front of luxury SUV at at the very moment the driver passes by.

Video taken from the aftermath shows a large tree snapped in half and the SUV severely damaged.

North Miami police were at the scene investigating.

Authorities believe the man will recover.

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No phone calls please.

The defending champion was asked why his mother and father weren't in attendance for his opening match on Centre Court on Monday, when last year's women's winner Iga Swiatek had her father and sister in the Royal Box the next day.

Turns out Sinner's parents were also invited, but that kind of fancy affair apparently isn't their thing.

“I know my parents. I asked them, but it was impossible,” Sinner said in Italian on Friday after reaching the fourth round with a straight-sets win over Jenson Brooksby on No. 1 Court.

Sinner grew up in a small Alpine village in northern Italy where his parents, Hanspeter and Siglinde, worked in a ski lodge. His father was a chef and his mother was a waitress.

“We hardly even discussed it,” Sinner said of the Royal Box invite, laughing. "They have other things to do and I understand that.”

His parents did come to last year's final and sat in the player's box to watch their son beat Carlos Alcaraz for the title.

There was a famous parent in the Royal Box to watch Sinner on Monday, though. David Beckham took his mother to the match.

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AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

“La Revolución es nuestra vida. No se puede pensar que ninguno de nosotros está propiciando una restauración capitalista en Cuba”, expresó el mandatario en una entrevista con periodistas puertorriqueños y luego publicada por medios oficiales el viernes.

Las iniciativas se están aplicando “de manera soberana”, aseguró Díaz-Canel quien reconoció que recibieron críticas tanto de sectores de la derecha, que esperan además cambios políticos, como de la izquierda.

El plan de 176 medidas contempla una ampliación de las empresas y de la autonomía municipal, banca privada, permiso a franquicias internacionales –alimentarias y de comercio minorista—, extensión de la entrega de tierras ociosas, capacidad de importar y exportar sin intromisión estatal y contratación independiente de personal, así como reducción del Estado y autorizaciones para inversores cubanos en sectores claves como el turismo, entre muchas otras.

Díaz-Canel recordó la compleja situación económica que vive la isla tras la imposición de un cerco petrolero impuesto por el presidente Donald Trump y su secretario Marco Rubio presionando un cambios en Cuba.

El mandatario dijo que la población que sufre apagones de más de 20 horas, desabastecimiento de alimentos y medicinas, deterioro en los servicios básicos de agua, educación y recogida de basura está agobiada por la situación. En algunas localidades se produjeron protestas y manifestaciones con golpes de cacerolas por parte de vecinos.

“La mayor parte de nuestra gente sabe cuál es la causa de nuestros problemas, y sabe que más que por una gestión deficiente, como tratan de echarnos la culpa los voceros del imperialismo… el principal obstáculo para desarrollarnos es el bloqueo prolongado y el recrudecimiento de ese bloqueo”, dijo Díaz-Canel.

Para el mandatario, la estrategia desde Washington es asfixiar a la isla para lograr “una ruptura entre pueblo y revolución. Como dijo Trump un día, ‘le hemos aplicado todas las presiones posibles, ya casi no hay nada que aplicarles que no sea arrasar’”.

“La gente toca cacerolas, algunos con más disgusto que otros. Yo digo: bueno, tóquenle la cacerola a los vecinos del norte, que son los que nos tienen con este apagón”, agregó el mandatario.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the voting. It's unclear why so many players didn't cast their votes. However, the Los Angeles Sparks were one of the teams that didn’t have all of its players vote due to some operational errors.

“Players were sent ballots via email,” the Sparks said in a statement. “Some players indicated that they didn’t receive the email or weren’t aware of it until after the voting period had closed. That’s something we take responsibility for as an organization, and we’ll have a more robust process going forward.”

Fan vote accounts for 50% of the overall vote while players and a media panel each are 25%. It's been that way since 2017.

New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu said her team has never had an issue getting players to submit their ballots.

“We always vote. But I do think especially if they’re weighed as much as they are, like teams should be making sure that their players are voting like it is important. There should never just be a team that like, doesn’t get the ballot. ...That’s something that every player should be getting the opportunity. And if the player doesn’t want to vote, then that’s on them.”

The league announced the All-Star starters on Thursday.

ESPN was the first to report the lack of ballots.

Like the media, each player is given a link to a voting site as well as an individual username and password. Those are supplied by the league to the teams who distribute them to the players.

Sparks guard Kelsey Plum was lower in the player balloting than she was from the media and fans. She is second in the WNBA in scoring, but has only played in a dozen games because of injuries. She was 12th among players votes after ranking sixth by the fans and fifth by media.

She finished seventh in the voting overall for the guards. Even if the Sparks had all voted, it wouldn't have been a guarantee that Plum moved up to the top four spots. In the past, players have said that they have either voted for their entire team on the ballot or for friends or college teammates which has led to some skewed results. Some do take it seriously and pick who they think are the best players.

All-Star starter Caitlin Clark was right in front of the player balloting finishing in 11th. She was picked as an All-Star starter as she was second in the fan vote and third in the media rankings.

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AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball

El Jurado Nacional de Elecciones certificó el viernes que Fujimori obtuvo 9.223.396 votos y su rival el progresista Roberto Sánchez, del partido Juntos por el Perú, 9.173.755 votos. La conservadora obtuvo casi unos 50.000 votos de ventaja y ganó en su cuarto intento por llegar al poder.

A sus 50 años, la ex primera dama durante el gobierno de su padre (1990-2000) y excongresista, logró romper su racha de derrotas presentándose como la mejor opción para imponer orden y apelando al recuerdo de la gestión de su padre en la década de 1990 cuando las fuerzas de seguridad vencieron al grupo terrorista Sendero Luminoso.

“He decidido participar en esta campaña porque nuestro país ya no aguanta más improvisados, porque nuestro país vive con miedo”, había dicho durante el cierre de su campaña electoral en una zona popular de Lima.

El eje de sus promesas radicó en enfrentar el crimen con “mano dura” siguiendo el modelo del presidente salvadoreño Nayib Bukele. Prometió construir una cárcel similar a la salvadoreña Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo e implantar jueces con el rostro cubierto como ocurrió durante el gobierno de su padre.

Perú atraviesa una creciente ola de inseguridad. Las denuncias por extorsión se han quintuplicado mientras los asesinatos se han duplicado, según datos oficiales de los últimos cinco años. Las extorsiones afectan a pequeños comerciantes y a las líneas de transporte público. En 2025 fueron asesinados 239 choferes en casos de extorsión.

Fujimori también propuso destrabar grandes proyectos mineros reduciendo los trámites burocráticos para atraer capitales e impulsar el empleo y alentar la agroexportación ampliando las obras de irrigación en terrenos áridos de la costa del Pacífico.

Sus rivales señalan que por su ambición Perú ha sufrido una crisis política durante la última década y que la actuación de su bancada en el Parlamento es la responsable de la renuncia o destitución de varios presidentes.

El partido de Fujimori, junto a otros grupos, fue clave en empujar a la renuncia al expresidente Pedro Pablo Kuczynski (2016-2018) y en votar por la destitución de casi todos los gobernantes posteriores, incluidos Martín Vizcarra (2018-2020), Pedro Castillo (2021-2022) y Dina Boluarte (2022-2025).

A esta última la protegieron de siete pedidos de remoción, pero cuando su popularidad llegó al 3% votaron por su vacancia.

Keiko Fujimori buscó la presidencia de Perú en 2011, 2016 y 2021. En las tres ocasiones pasó a segunda vuelta y fue derrotada por Ollanta Humala (2011-2016), Kuczynski y Castillo, respectivamente.

La candidata ingresó muy joven a la política. Fue primera dama desde los 19 años en 1994 tras la separación de sus padres en medio de un escándalo luego de que su madre afirmó a la prensa que había sido torturada por militares por orden de su esposo.

Alberto Fujimori murió en 2024, un año después de ser excarcelado tras más de 16 años preso por corrupción y por el asesinato de 25 personas ejecutadas por un comando del ejército durante el combate a Sendero Luminoso entre 1991 y 1992.

Keiko Fujimori lanzó su candidatura el año pasado luego de que el Tribunal Constitucional archivó una investigación en su contra por el presunto delito de lavado de dinero proveniente de la empresa brasileña Odebrecht y de otras fuentes.

El tribunal consideró que la acusación fiscal no tenía “sustento jurídico” ya que la imputación de lavado en la modalidad de “recepción patrimonial” no estaba castigada antes de 2016, cuando presuntamente ocurrieron los hechos.

The decision by the U.S. House Committee on Ethics, dated June 10, came after the panel, while investigating then-U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, D-Florida, had “sought documents and testimony“ from Joseph, who failed to hand over any papers or appear before the committee despite being issued ”multiple subpoenas."

According to the report, a subcommittee said Joseph’s actions were “egregious and warrants referral to the U.S. Department of Justice.”

The ethics panel made allegations of illegal campaign donations to Cherfilus-McCormick, who resigned in April under the threat of possible expulsion, through a political committee chaired by Joseph.

If convicted of the federal contempt charge, a misdemeanor, Joseph could spend up to a year in jail and receive a fine of up to $100,000.

Joseph has also faced separate questions over his conduct as mayor. He narrowly avoided being censured by city commissioners after a city investigation concluded he placed North Miami Beach in “substantial legal, financial and ethical risk.”

The allegations suggested that Joseph asked an employee to alter official government records, a potential violation of state public records laws and city employees raised questions about some of Joseph’s travel expenses to Japan “including an upgrade to First Class resulting in a charge in excess of $3,000 to the City,” an investigation report stated.

The mayor, at the time, called the report “inaccurate.”

Local 10 News contacted Joseph and a city spokesperson seeking comment on Wednesday night. As of publication of this article, we hadn’t received a response.

Cherfilus-McCormick, who resigned in April before the House Ethics Committee started proceedings that could have led to her expulsion. She is facing federal charges after being accused of stealing $5 million in federal disaster aid funds.

Meanwhile, Cherfilus-McCormick, who is seeking her old seat back, has pleaded not guilty in her criminal case and denied any wrongdoing.

El Jurado Nacional de Elecciones certificó que Fujimori, del partido Fuerza Popular, obtuvo 9.223.396 votos y Sánchez, del partido Juntos por el Perú, 9.173.755 votos. La conservadora obtuvo casi unos 50.000 votos de ventaja y ganó en su cuarto intento por llegar al poder tras perder en 2011, 2016 y 2021 por un escaso margen. La proclamación tiene lugar 26 días después de celebrado el balotaje.

Fujimori no estuvo en la ceremonia porque habrá otra, cuya fecha no está definida, para que el Jurado le entregue las credenciales. La presidenta electa indicó en sus redes sociales que "cada día de este proceso de transición es una oportunidad para escuchar, dialogar y llegar preparados al inicio del nuevo gobierno".

Fujimori, de 51 años, ya había recibido desde el lunes felicitaciones de algunos gobiernos, entre ellos de Estados Unidos e Israel, luego que el conteo de votos alcanzó el 100% con la conservadora adelante.

La presidenta electa dijo por la tarde en una declaración donde no hubo preguntas de la prensa que en su gestión "lo que funciona y beneficia al país debe preservarse" y que corregirá todo lo que no ha funcionado. Añadió que el Perú necesita recuperar el orden "en sus calles, en sus instituciones y el Estado".

Ella indicó el lunes que recibía el resultado con responsabilidad “sobre todo sabiendo que nuestro país está prácticamente dividido y tenemos la responsabilidad de escuchar a ambos lados”.

Sánchez, exministro del encarcelado expresidente Pedro Castillo (2021-2026), no reconoce el triunfo de Fujimori argumentando que hubo un fraude, del que no ha mostrado pruebas. En rechazo al resultado electoral ha marchado de forma pacífica por las calles de Lima en tres ocasiones.

Asegura que las reglas para custodiar los votos en el exterior, que influyeron en el ajustado triunfo de Fujimori, se cambiaron antes del balotaje. Pero las misiones de la OEA y la Unión Europea indicaron que no hubo irregularidades en los comicios.

No es la primera vez que los perdedores en Perú califican, sin pruebas, de que hubo fraude en los comicios. En 2021, la misma Fujimori indicó que hubo un "fraude en mesa" sin evidencias luego de perder por poco más de 44.000 votos ante Castillo a quien el Jurado lo proclamó presidente 43 días después del balotaje.

Fujimori, hija del fallecido exmandatario Alberto Fujimori (1990-2000), indicó durante su campaña que era la mejor opción para ordenar un país golpeado por la delincuencia y reivindicó el gobierno de su padre que puso fin al grupo violento Sendero Luminoso. Alberto Fujimori estuvo 16 años preso tras ser condenado por corrupción y por el asesinato de 25 peruanos ejecutados por un grupo militar protegido por su gestión.

Keiko Fujimori prometió construir cuatro prisiones y otra similar al Centro de Confinamiento Contra el Terrorismo del gobierno del salvadoreño Nayib Bukele y obligar a que los presos trabajen en las cárceles. También anticipó que militarizará las fronteras para frenar el crimen y deportará a los migrantes indocumentados.

Un puñado de simpatizantes de Fuerza Popular portando una bandera de Perú se abrazó y dio vivas a Fujimori en los exteriores de un local del partido político. “Gracias a las buenas decisiones de su padre, Alberto, el Perú se transformó, queremos que Keiko siga con su legado", dijo María Cabrera a The Associated Press.

El triunfo de Fujimori, sumado al de Abelardo de la Espriella en Colombia y al de José Antonio Kast en Chile, confirma un giro regional al ala conservadora, diferente al panorama de hace algunas décadas cuando emergieron líderes de izquierda como Hugo Chávez en Venezuela o el actual presidente brasileño Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Perú sufre una larga crisis política. Vio desfilar a ocho presidentes en casi una década de enfrentamientos entre el Parlamento y el Ejecutivo y protestas sociales que dejaron 50 manifestantes muertos entre 2022 y 2023.

Pese a la inestabilidad política, la economía de Perú se ha mantenido estable y creció un 3,4 % en 2025, según el Banco Central.

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El periodista de la AP Mauricio Muñoz colaboró con este despacho desde Lima.

Fujimori, 51, the daughter of a disgraced former president, was running for the presidency for the fourth time. She will be Peru’s ninth president in 10 years when she takes office later this month.

Fujimori’s victory, along with that of Abelardo de la Espriella in Colombia and José Antonio Kast in Chile, confirms a regional shift toward the conservative wing, a stark contrast from the panorama of a few decades ago when left-wing leaders such as Hugo Chávez in Venezuela or the current Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva emerged.

The election win was certified Friday by the country's top election authority. Figures released by election officials earlier in the week showed that with 100% of ballots tallied, Fujimori received 9,223,000 votes, or 50.135% of the total, while nationalist congressman Roberto Sánchez earned over 9,173,000 votes, or 49.865%.

Fujimori and Sánchez made it to the June 7 runoff election after defeating 33 other candidates in an April vote.

Voters were primarily concerned with increasing levels of crime, especially extortion by violent organized crime gangs, and Fujimori pledged to combat crime with an iron fist.

Fujimori said on social media Friday that “each day of this process of transition is an opportunity to listen, discuss and arrive prepared for the start of a new government.”

The winner is the daughter of the late Alberto Fujimori, the former president whose government in the 1990s defeated the Shining Path extremist rebel group but also took an authoritarian turn. He was convicted in 2009 of human rights abuses in the fight against the rebels, and later of corruption charges.

Keiko Fujimori promised to build four prisons and another similar to El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Center known as the CECOT, and to force prisoners to work in the prisons. She also announced plans to militarize the borders to curb crime and deport undocumented migrants.

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Follow AP’s Latin America coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america

El Departamento del Tesoro estadounidense impuso el año pasado sanciones contra Petro; su esposa, Verónica Alcocer García; su hijo mayor, Nicolás Fernando Petro Burgos, y el ministro del Interior, Armando Benedetti, por acusaciones de participar en el tráfico global de drogas, sin mostrar pruebas.

La presidencia colombiana indicó en un comunicado que Petro le pidió “cordialmente” a Trump que apoye su salida de la lista de la Oficina para el Control de Activos en el Extranjero (OFAC, por sus siglas en inglés). Ante lo cual, según Colombia, Trump se habría manifestado que “hará lo mejor para que ese propósito se materialice”.

Petro ha dicho estar muy preocupado por su futuro judicial debido a que entregará el mando del país el 7 de agosto al conservador Abelardo de la Espriella, un férreo opositor a su gobierno y quien fue apoyado en la campaña abiertamente por Trump.

La sanción del Departamento del Tesoro ha significado para Petro restricciones en el sistema financiero, pese a que ha insistido en que no tiene ningún vínculo con el narcotráfico y lo ha atacado durante su gobierno, en un intento por desvirtuar el argumento del gobierno estadounidense que al sancionarlo dijo que Petro ha “permitido que los cárteles de la droga prosperen y se ha negado a detener esta actividad”.

Petro aseguró en la red social X que en la llamada le dio un reporte sobre el programa de sustitución voluntaria de cultivos de hoja de coca —materia prima de la cocaína— por el que los campesinos que la cultivan pueden pasar a la economía lícita.

La presidencia colombiana detalló que el gobierno de Petro ha erradicado cerca de 30.000 hectáreas de hoja de coca con el programa y proyectó que alcanzará las 41.000 hectáreas al finalizar el año.

El área sembrada con hoja de coca en Colombia alcanzó en 2024 las 261.000 hectáreas, un 3,5% más que el año anterior, según el último dato disponible de la Oficina de las Naciones Unidas contra la Droga y el Delito.

Petro solicitó al gobierno estadounidense su colaboración para mantener el programa de sustitución de ilícitos en el gobierno de De la Espriella, quien asegura que no va a permitir que salga más cocaína de Colombia y que quiere fumigar con herbicidas biológicos los plantíos de hoja de coca.

La lucha contra las drogas ha sido un punto álgido entre Petro y Trump debido a las diferencias en sus políticas. Mientras Petro está en contra del modelo prohibicionista y aboga por los pequeños cultivadores de hoja de coca, la administración Trump ha pedido endurecer las medidas para obtener resultados más rápidos en la disminución de cultivos y en la exportación de cocaína.

Ambos mandatarios mantuvieron una tensa relación que escaló hacia posibles aranceles por parte de Estados Unidos y una amenaza con emprender acciones militares contra la nación sudamericana.

“I’ve said up here and said before, the harassment, the hate, none of that is OK,” Clark said at practice Friday “That goes for the opposing team we play, that goes for my teammates, that goes for my coaches. There should never be question of character. None of that is OK, and I don’t want anybody to ever experience that.”

The WNBA has gotten a lot more attention the past few seasons with the addition of Clark and Angel Reese among others to the league. A multi-billion dollar media rights deal, million dollar salaries and higher attendance have been the positives. An increase of social media vitriol toward players and teams has been the negative.

Social media hatred is nothing new and isn't just directed toward the WNBA and its players. It's been going on for more than a decade toward the league and its players. However, it has gotten worse lately with players and coaches receiving threats for things that happen on the court.

Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas said Tuesday that she received death threats and had been called racial slurs in the aftermath of her one-game suspension after she made contact with her fist to Clark’s throat in last week’s matchup against Indiana.

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert issued a statement on Tuesday condemning “any and all forms of hate.”

The WNBA has been trying to do what it can to make the players feel more protected and combat its social media problem.

The league has made a major push with security over the past few seasons. Teams travel with more security on the road and there are enhanced protocols at arenas, hotels and when traveling. Franchises now take charter flights, which makes it easier on the teams.

The WNBA also has implemented initiatives that combat online hate and threats to players. Some of that includes artificial intelligence software to identify and respond more quickly to threats, harassment and hate directed at players and teams across social media platforms.

Unfortunately, nothing is foolproof in stopping online hate spewed by anonymous people who hide behind their keyboards.

“I think for the league as a whole, there’s been so much more toxicity, racism, homophobia — straight-up hateful nonsense, and it is absolutely unacceptable,” Fever coach Stephanie White said during a two-minute opening statement at practice Wednesday. “Most of it is coming from the online community. In my heart of hearts, I believe most of it is not coming from WNBA fans or Indiana Fever fans."

White coached Thomas in Connecticut two years ago and saw the social media vitriol there, as well.

“AT is exactly right: We get to play a basketball game,” White said. “Yes, that’s going to come with criticism and yes, that’s going to come with fans and the love-hate relationship they have with players and teams. But it’s not hard to not be a jerk. And if you’re one of the people who’s online doing this, do not call yourself a WNBA fan.”

Clark said she’s been hurt by all of the narratives created online and in the media about her and her Fever teammates.

“It can be really frustrating to me at times and it’s difficult,” Clark said. “A lot of people sometimes think I’m a robot. I’m not a robot. I have emotions, I have feelings. And it can be really difficult to go through a lot of that. I’m 24 years old, trying to navigate a lot ... there are times that it is hard, and there are times that, you know, it probably affects me a little bit more than I do put on."

To try and help the players deal with the hate they receive, the league also has expanded access to confidential mental health resources and support.

The union sent a letter to its players last week that was obtained by The Associated Press that included points on social media vitriol.

“We know spirited debate and passionate fandom are part of sports. Threats, harassment, and especially death threats directed at any player or members of her family are not. It is completely unacceptable and must be unequivocally, publicly and immediately condemned,” the letter said. “If you experience any threatening or concerning communications, please remember that both your team and the WNBPA have security resources available to support you. Your safety and the safety of your loved ones remain our highest priority.”

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AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball

La administradora municipal, Rickelle Williams, dijo que hay buenas noticias para los contribuyentes.

“Para llevar a cabo el proyecto, ahora hemos reducido aproximadamente $50,000,000 USD del costo para hacerlo realidad”, dijo Williams.

El costo inicial de $267,000,000 USD se redujo a aproximadamente $217,000,000 USD.

La propuesta incluye remodelar un edificio de oficinas existente en el sitio de la Torre 101, ubicado en Northeast First Street y Third Avenue, o convertir el antiguo tribunal federal, ubicado al otro lado de la calle, en el nuevo Ayuntamiento.

Una tercera opción es un edificio de oficinas de gran altura en 1 East Broward, en Fort Lauderdale.

La reducción del costo fue posible, en parte, gracias a la disminución de los honorarios de los desarrolladores y diseñadores, así como a la reestructuración de las condiciones del calendario general de pagos del proyecto.

“Queríamos asegurarnos de poder trazar una hoja de ruta sin importar el resultado ni la decisión que tomara la Comisión de la Ciudad”, dijo Williams.

El antiguo Ayuntamiento ha permanecido fuera de servicio durante los últimos años después de sufrir graves daños por las inundaciones causadas por las lluvias récord.

Sin importar cuál de las tres opciones apruebe finalmente la Comisión de la Ciudad, el nuevo Ayuntamiento incorporará principios fundamentales, entre ellos ser rentable, innovador y establecer un referente para la historia y las artes.

El incidente ocurrió alrededor de las 9:30 a.m. en la cuadra 200 de State Road 84, cerca del punto donde Marina Mile cruza sobre las vías del tren.

Los detectives cerraron los carriles en dirección oeste de State Road 84 mientras recolectaban evidencia e investigaban la escena. El tren permaneció detenido a pocos pies de la persona fallecida.

Brett Knese, de Local 10, estuvo en el lugar del accidente fatal mientras los investigadores trabajaban para identificar a la víctima.

La policía identificó este viernes a la mujer como Elizabeth McLaughlin, de 25 años, y dijo que su muerte parecía tratarse de un suicidio.

El incidente marcó la segunda muerte relacionada con un tren en la zona en aproximadamente 12 horas.

Alrededor de las 9:20 p.m. del jueves, equipos de la policía respondieron a las mismas vías, más al norte, cerca de Southwest Second Avenue y Second Street, donde una mujer fue arrollada y murió tras ser impactada por un tren, según la policía.

Las autoridades no han dado a conocer detalles sobre las circunstancias que antecedieron al accidente del viernes.

Hay ayuda disponible las 24 horas, los 7 días de la semana, para quienes contemplan el suicidio llamando o enviando un mensaje de texto a la Línea de Prevención del Suicidio y Crisis al 988.

The head of the Society of St. Pius X wrote to Leo a day after the Vatican excommunicated the group’s bishops and priests and warned its faithful they too could be excommunicated for participating in the schism, or rupture in church unity.

The society, known as SSPX, celebrates the ancient Latin Mass and opposes the modernizing reforms of the Catholic Church. On Wednesday, it consecrated four new bishops without papal consent during a massive ceremony at its seminary in Econe, Switzerland, committing one of the gravest crimes in church law.

Leo had begged the SSPX not go ahead with the ceremony, but the SSPX defied his will. Within 24 hours, the Vatican declared an exceptionally harsh punishment that surprised even the SSPX’s toughest critics.

In his letter to Leo, the SSPX superior, the Rev. Davide Pagliarani cast the SSPX as the defiant guardian of the church’s tradition and the victim of an unjust sanction by Rome.

“What the Society of Saint Pius X has done, and will continue to do, is nothing other than an extraordinary initiative for the salvation of souls, amidst the doctrinal and moral confusion into which the church is plunged,” he wrote.

Despite the “unjust and invalid” sanctions, the SSPX will love the church even more and “offers up the suffering caused by these new sanctions for the good of the universal church and of Your Holiness,” Pagliarani wrote.

French Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre founded the SSPX in 1970 in opposition to the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, which revolutionized the church’s relations with other Christians, Jews and people of other faiths and allowed Mass to be celebrated in the vernacular rather than Latin.

While now a fringe movement on the Catholic right, the SSPX has been a thorn in the Vatican’s side for five decades because it claims to be even more Catholic than the Holy See. The harshness of Vatican’s response suggested that after trying to negotiate with the SSPX over three pontificates, the Vatican under Pope Leo XIV had had enough.

The Rev. Robert Gahl, an ethics expert at The Catholic University of America, said the speed and decisiveness with which the Vatican responded to the consecrations was significant in clearly alerting the SSPX faithful that they were participating in a schism. Doing so, he said, exposed how the SSPX falsely claims to be “more Catholic than the pope.”

The SSPX claimed it had to proceed with the consecrations, "that they had a case of necessity because of the need of the faithful to receive their sacramental care, while claiming that their sacramental care is somehow better than what the rest of the church offers,” Gahl said. The Vatican's decisive response "calls them out and says, 'If you want the salvation that the church offers, you have to belong to the church, and you stepped out of full communion by disobeying the pope’s explicit command.”

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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.

NFL players and other prominent sports figures made up part of the star-studded crowd for Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift's wedding at Madison Square Garden on Friday.

Kareem Hunt was one of Kelce's many current or former Kansas City Chiefs teammates spotted in New York ahead of the wedding, which was expected to also be attended by Kelce's retired Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl-winning brother Jason, San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle and others from football, golf and beyond.

Soccer even had a presence, albeit in the form of “Ted Lasso” actor Jason Sudeikis, himself a big Chiefs fan.

The wedding is taking place at the home arena of the NBA’s New York Knicks and NHL’s Rangers. Swift attended Game 4 of the NBA Finals there, sitting courtside as the Knicks pulled off the biggest comeback at that stage of the playoffs in league history by rallying from down 29 to beat San Antonio.

MSG has been the site of some iconic sports moments since the current version opened at this location atop Penn Station in 1968.

The Knicks won their first NBA title there in 1970, when Willis Reed famously returned from injury to spark their Game 7 victory against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Joe Frazier beat Muhammad Ali there in the first of the legends' three boxing matches against each other, the “Fight of the Century,” in 1971. Ali won the rematch in '74.

The Rangers ended their 54-year championship drought at the Garden in 1994, defeating the Vancouver Canucks to win the Stanley Cup.

Kelce is a three-time Super Bowl champion with Kansas City and a four-time AP All-Pro selection at his position. Jason was a seven-time All-Pro center who helped Philadelphia win the Super Bowl in the 2017 season.

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

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Officials said crews responded around 9:20 p.m. to the tracks just south of West Broward Boulevard after receiving reports that a woman had been hit by the train.

Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue and police officers arrived to find the woman dead at the scene.

Police identified the victim Friday as a 25-year-old woman and said her death appeared to be a suicide.

West Broward Boulevard was closed in both directions after the crash, but all lanes have since reopened.

Help is available 24/7 for those who are contemplating suicide by calling or texting the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.

Los equipos de emergencia acudieron alrededor de las 9:20 p.m. a las vías ubicadas al sur de West Broward Boulevard, tras recibir reportes de que una mujer había sido impactada por el tren.

Bomberos y policías de Fort Lauderdale llegaron al lugar y encontraron a la mujer sin vida en la escena.

El viernes, la policía identificó a la víctima como una mujer de 25 años e indicó que su muerte aparentemente se trató de un suicidio.

West Broward Boulevard fue cerrado en ambas direcciones después del incidente, pero todos los carriles ya fueron reabiertos.

Hay ayuda disponible las 24 horas del día, los siete días de la semana, para quienes estén considerando el suicidio. Pueden llamar o enviar un mensaje de texto al 988, la Línea de Prevención del Suicidio y Crisis.

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Video showed the players boarding the buses. Fans were kept at a distance, making it difficult to see the players as they headed to practice.

Loyal Argentina fans came from all over to see the team.

One father and son, who had just been in Dallas to watch Argentina, are now in Miami. They came to get a glimpse of the players and hope to get a jersey signed at some point.

Fans shared what they were hoping to see.

“I hope they’re going to wave,” one fan said.

When asked if they had been surprised by the team, another fan said there was no pressure, so “you don’t know what he’s going to do now.”

Another fan, Bruno Martinez, said he wasn’t surprised by how well Argentina has looked.

“There are too many strong teams in the World Cup,” Martinez said. “If you want to beat Argentina, you need to fight a lot.”

Gabriela Alves pudo abrazar el jueves a su perro Buddy, de 6 años, en el local de comida rápida, tras buscar durante una semana al cachorro blanco, que desapareció cuando dos sismos devastaron la nación sudamericana el 24 de junio.

El restaurante, junto a las ruinas de complejos de viviendas estatales derrumbados, se ha convertido en un hospital de facto para las víctimas de los sismos, así como en un centro para localizar y atender a mascotas extraviadas en la ciudad costera de Caraballeda, que quedó devastada por el desastre natural. Los vecinos lo llaman “Hospital McDonald’s”.

“Es un milagro”, afirmó Alves con los brazos rodeando al perro, que tenía una vía intravenosa en una de sus patas, sobre una mesa junto a empleados del restaurante que vendían helado suave. “Perdimos todo lo material, pero estamos vivos”.

El hospital improvisado se formó un día después que los terremotos consecutivos mataran a al menos 2.295 personas e hirieran a 11.000, según cifras de las autoridades venezolanas. Muchas más familias quedaron desesperadas buscando a sus seres queridos desaparecidos, incluidos gatos y perros perdidos entre los escombros.

Ángel Matute y otros 70 veterinarios, estudiantes, médicos y voluntarios civiles viajaron desde la ciudad occidental de Barquisimeto. El grupo buscaba un lugar donde dormir, guardar equipo y resguardarse de la fuerte lluvia tropical cuando encontró una de las pocas instalaciones operativas en medio del caos. Los Arcos Dorados.

Instalaron su base en el restaurante, que aún tenía aire acondicionado funcionando, y comenzaron a distribuir suministros médicos y a atender a pacientes humanos, al tiempo que el lugar se convirtió también en un sitio para tratar a mascotas heridas y buscar a perros y gatos que seguían desaparecidos.

“Para nosotros, una mascota es simplemente otra vida humana”, destacó Matute, quien coordina las labores de rescate en el McDonald’s donde también duermen los voluntarios. ”Hay animales mas humanos que los mismos seres humanos”.

Matute estaba el jueves entre decenas de voluntarios atareados que atendían a perros y gatos, junto a equipos de búsqueda que pedían hamburguesas y papas fritas. Su grupo, que ha rescatado a 140 animales y atendido a otros 60, planea seguir reuniendo a los dueños con sus mascotas desaparecidas hasta que su ayuda ya no sea necesaria.

Alves recurrió al Hospital McDonald’s cuando buscaba desesperadamente a su querido perro.

Alves estaba en la casa de un familiar cuando los sismos sacudieron el norte de Venezuela. Horas después, se subió a su motocicleta y se dirigió frenéticamente hacia su casa para salvar a Buddy, pero lo único que encontró fueron ruinas.

La venezolana, de 36 años, contó que escuchó que el McDonald’s se había convertido en un lugar para buscar mascotas perdidas y empezó a pasar a diario. Se acercaba al restaurante para ver si los voluntarios habían encontrado algún perro blanco antes de regresar a casa a gritar: “Buddy, Buddy”, con la esperanza de oír un ladrido. Durante más de una semana, sólo encontró silencio.

“Estamos viviendo un día a la vez”, comentó el jueves. ”Y hoy regresé y de verdad te puedo decir que hoy no tenía fe”.

Aun así, persistió y hurgó entre las ruinas, sacando ropa del cuarto de su madre, la única zona de la casa que todavía era accesible. Entonces oyó un ladrido lejano, miró hacia abajo y vio la oreja blanca de Buddy a través de una grieta en el concreto.

Alves gritó pidiendo ayuda y rescatistas cercanos corrieron hacia ella. Abrieron un agujero en el muro y sacaron de los escombros al perro cubierto de polvo. Alves sollozaba sosteniendo a Buddy, envuelto en una manta rosa y lamiéndole el brazo. Horas después, veterinarios del Hospital McDonald’s revisaron a Buddy para detectar lesiones tras ocho días atrapado entre los escombros.

“Y ahorita con esta tragedia del terremoto, bueno, es como algo positivo dentro de todo lo malo”, señaló Alves, todavía abrazando a su perro. ”Él es mi perrito curita”.

___

Janetsky reportó desde Ciudad de México.

“Veíamos que hay muchos cadáveres sin identificar aún”, comentó López.

La carrera contrarreloj se vive en toda La Guaira, el estado de la costa norte de Venezuela más golpeado por los potentes terremotos consecutivos del 24 de junio, para identificar a los seres queridos antes de que sea demasiado tarde. Con al menos 2,295 personas fallecidas, Venezuela está desbordada de cadáveres que las autoridades tienen dificultades para recoger, identificar y preservar para que sus familiares los reclamen. Miles siguen desaparecidos.

José Antonio Toledo, el yerno de López, de 25 años, fue hallado bajo el edificio donde trabajaba como guardia de seguridad cuando ocurrieron los sismos. Los equipos trasladaron su cuerpo a un hospital local, donde el personal los rechazó porque no había espacio. Lo enviaron a otra instalación y, finalmente, lo trasladaron a un estacionamiento al aire libre.

Un médico forense ayudó a la familia a encontrarlo días después, el sábado. Pero, una vez que identificaron el cuerpo, no sabían qué hacer con él porque no podían pagar los 450 dólares que cobraba una funeraria.

Casi a la medianoche del sábado, López recibió la noticia de que la alcaldía les ofrecía un espacio gratuito en un cementerio local, pero tenían que actuar rápido para no perder el lugar. Una hora después, López y su hija subieron trabajosamente una colina que conducía al cementerio y enterraron a Toledo.

“Era una persona ejemplar, un niño que le gustaba ayudar a la gente”, expresó López.

Lo salvaron de una fosa común que muchos temen que llegue mientras buscan los cuerpos de sus seres queridos.

Se espera que el número de cuerpos hallados se dispare

El técnico forense Joel Mirabal ha trabajado siete días seguidos desde que se registraron los terremotos de magnitud 7.2 y 7.5.

El hombre, de 45 años, calcula que en el 60%-70% de los casos hay un familiar o un vecino disponible para identificar un cuerpo cuando él llega a recogerlo. Aun así, es una lucha, señaló, y muchos se apoyan en tatuajes, cicatrices o ropa conocida.

“No se parecen ni un 10% de lo que eran en vida”, dijo sobre las víctimas.

Si un cuerpo no puede ser identificado, pasa a especialistas forenses que trabajan en el puerto de La Guaira. Empresas privadas han donado grandes contenedores refrigerados para ayudar a preservar los restos, pero el número de muertos sigue aumentando.

“Obviamente, habrá que crear fosas comunes”, afirmó Mirabal. “El colapso es enorme, y los cuerpos están enterrados bajo muchas capas de escombros”.

Mirabal indicó que él y otros técnicos forenses prevén pasar hasta tres meses recogiendo cuerpos.

Recorren las zonas afectadas todos los días, guiados por equipos de rescate y civiles que han recuperado o avistado restos.

“Muchos de los rescates los hacen el pueblo”, explicó sobre los miles de venezolanos comunes que se han sumado al esfuerzo de recuperación.

Adiestrador de perros de profesión, que en su momento ayudó al gobierno a localizar drogas y personas desaparecidas, Mirabal encuentra consuelo en los 12 perros que lo esperan en casa, sin contar los cachorros. Una de sus favoritas es Mila, una joven pastora holandesa negra que se acostó a su lado el jueves mientras él descansaba.

“Aquí no es nada fácil ver el sufrimiento y la tragedia de tus congéneres”, manifestó.

Venezolanos hacen fila para tratar de identificar a sus seres queridos

El fin de semana, equipos trasladaron decenas de cuerpos recuperados de edificios derrumbados a un centro de salud administrado por el gobierno en la ciudad de La Guaira. Los dejaron en un estacionamiento sofocante hasta que las familias los identificaran, y trabajadores de funerarias estimaron que en un momento dado se mantuvieron allí más de 200 cuerpos.

El jueves, quienes perdieron a sus seres queridos esperaban afuera del puerto de La Guaira para identificar cuerpos que las autoridades siguen recogiendo en todo el estado costero. Autos, incluidos camiones y furgonetas de funerarias, formaron una fila frente a una morgue improvisada.

Uno de los que esperaba era Robert Rodríguez. Sentado sobre un bloque de concreto, abatido, con las piernas colgando, aguardaba a que su hija identificara el cuerpo de su yerno. Rafael Alvarado murió atrapado dentro de una tienda de comestibles donde trabajaba en el mostrador de charcutería.

“Él era su mejor amigo”, dijo Rodríguez mientras las lágrimas empapaban su mascarilla azul.

Rodríguez contó que la familia encontró a Alvarado entre los escombros el miércoles, y que su cuerpo fue liberado y trasladado al puerto el jueves.

“Vi sus zapatos y sabía que era él… Le dije ‘prepárate’”, en aviso a su hija.

Señaló que la familia planea cremar a Alvarado y esparcir sus cenizas en Isla de Margarita, de donde era él.

Giannis Antetokounmpo got traded to Miami for Tyler Herro. Jaylen Brown got traded to Philadelphia for Paul George. Kawhi Leonard got traded back to Toronto, Ja Morant got traded to Portland, LaMelo Ball got traded to Minnesota and Dusty May left NCAA champion Michigan to coach Dallas.

There have been some huge moves in the NBA in the past few days. But everybody, it seems, is waiting for James — again.

“He's still the face of the league,” James' agent, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul said.

If there was any question about whether the league's oldest active player and NBA's all-time points leader still moves the needle, that's been answered.

Soccer's World Cup is going on, the wedding of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce at Madison Square Garden — the home of the NBA champion New York Knicks — is commanding global attention, it's a holiday weekend in the U.S., and yet there's still all sorts of intrigue surrounding where James will decide to play next season.

This much is certain: James, who turns 42 in December, will play a 24th season and it won't be for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Officially, that's the full list of what is known. Paul dropped some clues on the “Game Over” podcast that he shares with Max Kellerman — indicating by showing a whiteboard filled with scrawled-out possibilities that James is looking at a slew of teams, including and probably not limited to Philadelphia, Cleveland, Miami, Minnesota, Denver, Golden State, San Antonio, Dallas, Boston and New York.

“If the Knicks hadn’t have won, there would be no board,” Paul said on the podcast. “He'd be going to the Knicks.”

When does LeBron have to decide?

The decision can come whenever he wants.

It can't be announced or commented upon by a team before Monday at 12:01 p.m. Eastern — unless James signs for the minimum salary, which in his case would be about $3.9 million.

Will he make his announcement Saturday, on July 4 amid a celebration of the nation's 250th birthday? Will he do it on July 8, the 16th anniversary of the famed “The Decision” broadcast?

Nobody knows. Nobody even knows if he knows. And nobody also knows if James intends for 2026-27 to be his final season.

“No one said this is going to be his last year,” Paul said. “Nobody said that.”

That raises the possibility of a 25th season — a quarter-century of LeBron, when nobody else in league history made it past a 22nd season.

What is LeBron looking for?

It's pretty clear that money won't be a huge factor here. James has earned nearly $600 million in gross salary on the court in his first 23 seasons, while his net worth is generally believed to exceed $1 billion.

Golf will matter. James is an avid — perhaps even rabid — golfer now, and Minnesota, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Denver, New York and Boston aren't exactly places known for great golf offerings in January and February. That said, they all surely have great indoor facilities. It won't be a deal-breaker.

He'll want to play for a team that can contend for a title, not present quality-of-life issues, and appeals to his wife and daughter. Every spot on his list will be able to make a good case on all those fronts.

So, who is the front-runner?

The podcast had a ton of news and a ton of insight. Paul laid out how James would fit into the lineup of most of those teams, how acquisitions such as Philadelphia acquiring Brown changes dynamics, then talked about some of the reasons why James might be leaning toward — or away from — certain clubs.

But in the end, he didn't provide any real hint.

"You can think whatever you think,” Paul said. “This is just my board. You decide what you want to think.”

And the wait continues.

___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/nba

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It happened around 9:30 a.m. in the 200 block of State Road 84, near where Marina Mile crosses over the railroad tracks.

Detectives shut down westbound lanes of State Road 84 while they collected evidence and investigated the scene. The train remained stopped just feet away from the person who died.

Local 10’s Brett Knese was at the scene of the fatal crash as investigators worked to identify the victim.

The crash marked the second deadly train-related incident in the area in about 12 hours.

Around 9:20 p.m. Thursday, police crews responded to the same set of tracks, farther north near Southwest Second Avenue and Second Street, where a woman was struck and killed by a train, according to police.

Police identified the woman Friday as a 25-year-old woman and said her death appeared to be a suicide.

Police have not released any details about the circumstances that led up to Friday’s crash.

Help is available 24/7 for those who are contemplating suicide by calling or texting the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.

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Pedestrian struck by train in the 200 block of SR 84 at the train tracks. SR 84 closed westbound lanes due to investigation. Please seek alternate route, Davie Blvd. pic.twitter.com/S0RcfEqeT4

— Fort Lauderdale Police (@ftlauderdalepd) July 3, 2026

“We saw a lot of bodies that had not yet been identified,” López said.

The rush is on across La Guaira, the state on Venezuela’s northern coast hardest hit by the powerful back-to-back June 24 earthquakes, to identify loved ones before it’s too late. With at least 2,295 people killed, Venezuela is overwhelmed with bodies that officials are struggling to collect, identify and preserve for loved ones to claim. Thousands are still missing.

José Antonio Toledo, López’s 25-year-old son-in-law, was found under the building where he was working as a security guard when the quakes struck. Crews took his body to a local hospital, where staff turned them away because there was no space. The body was sent to another facility and eventually transferred to an open parking lot.

A forensic doctor helped the family find him days later, on Saturday. But once they identified his body, they didn’t know what to do with it because they couldn’t afford the $450 that a funeral home was charging.

At almost midnight on Saturday, López got word that the mayor’s office was offering them a free space at a local cemetery, but they had to move quickly to not lose the spot. An hour later, López and her daughter trudged up a hill leading to the cemetery and buried Toledo.

“He was an exemplary person, a boy who liked helping people,” López said.

They saved him from a mass grave that many fear is coming as they search for the bodies of their loved ones.

The number of bodies found is expected to soar

Forensic technician Joel Mirabal has worked for seven days straight since the 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes struck.

The 45-year-old estimates that in 60% to 70% of cases, there’s a relative or neighbor available to identify a body when he comes to pick it up. Even so, it’s a struggle, he said, with many relying on tattoos, scars or familiar clothing.

“They don’t look even 10% like what they were in real life,” he said of the victims.

If a body cannot be identified, it goes to forensic specialists working at La Guaira seaport. Private companies have donated large cooling containers to help preserve the bodies, but the number of dead keeps growing.

“Obviously, mass graves will have to be created,” Mirabal said. “The collapse is massive, and the bodies are buried under many layers of debris.”

Mirabal said he and other forensic technicians anticipate spending up to three months collecting bodies.

They drive around the affected areas every day, led by rescue crews and civilians who have recovered or spotted bodies.

“Many of the rescues are carried out by the people,” he said of the thousands of ordinary Venezuelans who have pitched in for the recovery effort.

A dog trainer by profession who once helped the government locate drugs and missing people, Mirabal finds solace in the 12 dogs waiting for him at home, not counting the puppies. One of his favorites is Mila, a young black Dutch Shepherd who lay by his side on Thursday as he rested.

“It’s not easy at all to witness the suffering and tragedy of your fellow human beings,” he said.

Venezuelans wait in line to try to identify loved ones

Over the weekend, crews took dozens of bodies recovered from flattened buildings to a government-run health care facility in the city of La Guaira. They were left on a sweltering parking lot until families identified them, with funeral home workers estimating that more than 200 bodies were kept there at one point.

On Thursday, those who lost loved ones waited outside La Guaira seaport to identify bodies that authorities continue to pick up across the coastal state. Cars, including trucks and vans from funeral homes, formed a line outside a makeshift morgue.

Among those waiting was Robert Rodríguez. He sat on a concrete block, crestfallen, his legs dangling, waiting for his daughter to identify the body of his son-in-law. Rafael Alvarado died trapped inside a grocery store where he worked at the deli counter.

“He was her best friend,” Rodríguez said, referring to the couple as tears soaked his blue face mask.

Rodríguez said the family found Alvarado in the rubble on Wednesday, his body freed and transported to the port on Thursday.

“I saw his shoes and knew it was him,” Rodríguez said, adding that he warned his daughter. “I told her, ‘Prepare yourself.’”

He said the family plans to cremate Alvarado and scatter his ashes on Isla de Margarita, the Venezuelan island that was his home.

___

Coto reported from San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The report issued Thursday by the National Transportation Safety Board also did not flag any other serious safety or mechanical failures that could have led to the crash, which happened just after takeoff on a clear day.

The NTSB released the findings based on initial inspections of the badly damaged wreckage and flight records. The report said there were no indications of any precrash mechanical malfunctions or failures in the engine that would have prevented the normal operation of the plane.

In fact, NTSB said it appeared that the engine of the single-engine turboprop plane had been producing power at the time of the crash.

“I was surprised that they had determined that the engine was producing power,” said Jeff Guzzetti, president of Guzzetti Aviation Risk Discovery, an aviation safety consultancy. “Initially I thought it smacked of a potential engine problem and that the pilot had been trying to return to the airport.”

The federal agency also said a post-accident sample from the fuel truck found the fuel to be free of sediment or debris, and a review of the skydiving business operators’ software showed that the airplane had met the weight and balance limitations for the flight.

The report raised no concerns about the weather or the pilot, who had accumulated over 4,100 total flight hours and was in his second consecutive jump season working for the operator, Skydive Kansas City.

The airplane was not equipped with a crashworthy voice or data recorder, like those that record flight data on commercial planes, nor was it required to be, investigators said. The NTSB report did note, however, that its investigators had recovered damaged GoPro cameras from the wreckage.

The federal agency's investigation into the accident was ongoing, and a final report often takes a year or more to complete.

The June 14 crash happened about an hour south of Kansas City, when the Pacific Aerospace 750XL carrying a pilot and 11 skydivers took off from Butler Memorial Airport at 11:25 a.m. on a clear day.

During the initial climb, the airplane began a gradual turn to the left, with both wings eventually becoming almost perpendicular to the ground before it slammed into a field, nose down, and burst into flames, investigators said.

The straight up-and-down position of the wings meant they could no longer produce enough aerodynamic lift to keep the plane in the air and the NTSB will have to figure out why that happened, Guzzetti said.

The fire inflicted significant damage to the aircraft's major structural components, as well as the cockpit, the cabin and the fuel system, investigators said.

Some family members of those who died were at the airport to watch the jump and witnessed the crash, authorities said. The United States Parachute Association, skydiving’s governing body, said its technology director, Jen Sharp, was among those killed.

Skydive Kansas City called the crash a “devastating loss."

Poor maintenance is often a factor when skydiving planes crash and the NTSB has previously raised concerns about the weak oversight for skydiving operators in past crash investigations. The agency said after a 2019 crash that killed 11 people in Hawaii that the FAA’s regulatory system isn’t strong enough to ensure the safety of skydiving flights.

The Federal Aviation Administration has yet to adopt the NTSB’s recommendations, but said it established a committee in April that will recommend ways to increase skydiving safety and will consider the safety board’s proposals.

The United States Parachute Association said that Skydive Kansas City adheres to the safety standards set by the largest skydiving organization in the world, including all FAA maintenance requirements. The skydiving industry says it has a strong safety record. The association said that last year nearly 3.5 million jumps were completed and that 16 civilians died, the majority from human error.

The plane that crashed was built in 2010, according to FAA records. It made two successful flights the morning of the crash, the NTSB said. It is popular for skydiving and certified to be operated by a single pilot.

___

Follow Marc Levy at http://twitter.com/timelywriter

The Aspen Acres fire is one of about 40 uncontained large blazes burning mostly in the West, fueled by months of dry weather and a record lack of snow this past winter in some places.

Fire personnel were scooping water from the Pueblo Reservoir to fight the Aspen Acres fire, which had expanded to about 115 square miles (297 square kilometers) by Friday afternoon with zero containment.

All of Colorado City, an unincorporated community of about 2,200, was ordered evacuated as well as the towns of Beulah, Rye and San Isabel, according to the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office.

About 50 National Guard soldiers were being sent in Friday to help with staffing checkpoints on roads in Custer and Pueblo counties.

Guard members would also help State Park Rangers as they bring on additional boats to keep boaters clear of water-scooping operations.

Fire crews on the western side of the Rocky Mountains had contained about 65% of the Snyder Fire on the Colorado/Utah border, where three members of a helitack team were killed and two others injured last weekend when they were overcome by flames.

The Cottonwood fire in southwestern Utah had grown to about 147 square miles (380 square kilometers) by Friday while the Babylon fire in the southeast corner of the state was up to 133 square miles (344 square kilometers).

In Trump's appearance on Vance's “Storytime with the Second Lady,” podcast, which was posted online Friday, the president read “Presidents Play!” a children's book from the White House Historical Association that features illustrations of the presidents enjoying sports and using the White House and its grounds for recreation.

Trump pretaped the appearance in mid-June in the White House's Oval Office, where the abundant gold accents he added were supplemented for the occasion with a bald eagle stuffed animal, tables made up of stacks of oversized books and a globe made out of Legos.

When Vance asked Trump if he has much time to read for fun while serving as president, he replied that he ends up mostly reading newspapers.

“I usually read stories about myself,” Trump said.

As Trump turned through the children's book, he made observations about past presidents, cracked some jokes, and threw in a plug for the extensive ballroom he's building on the White House grounds.

He described Lyndon Johnson as a “tough cookie,” Ronald Reagan as a “high-quality person” and “like your father was president,” and John F. Kennedy as “the second-most good-looking president.” Left unsaid was who Trump felt was the best-looking president.

Richard Nixon, the only president to resign the office after he became embroiled in the Watergate scandal, “got himself into trouble, I guess.” Herbert Hoover, who was president during the Great Depression, was depicted in the book playing a game he made up called “Hoover Ball.”

“That worked out better for him than the economy,” Trump quipped.

Barack Obama, who has been a longtime object of Trump's derision, was illustrated playing basketball.

Trump, calling him “Barack Hussein Obama,” said he doubted Obama was a good basketball player. He then shared that Obama's favorite sport is golf, but added, “He won’t be in the Masters anytime soon," referring to the professional golf tournament.

When he reached a page with a drawing of Bill Clinton running on the jogging track the former president installed at the White House, Trump remarked, “I don’t think I’ll ever do that.”

But he added that he likes Clinton “a lot.”

Trump mused about riding a horse after seeing a picture of Abraham Lincoln riding one.

“That's great. I'd like to ride horses, too,” Trump said. “In fact, it gives me an idea, but when you fall off a horse... I've seen too many things happen. Falling off horses is not good.”

The solution he suggested was “A nice old horse that's extremely slow, lazy” and that he would “maybe ride it.”

A picture of John Quincy Adams swimming in what was then the Tiber Creek that ran past the South Lawn of the White House prompted Trump to remark, “I think we’re building a beautiful ballroom on top of it.”

Some of the other presidents' physical activity prompted some reflection on his own physique.

When he saw Gerald Ford swimming in a pool, Trump said: “I don’t know if I look good in a bathing suit. I haven’t had a bathing suit in a long time.”

William Howard Taft, who was known for his girth, “was our heaviest president,” Trump said.

“I have to be careful because I don’t want to supersede his record,” Trump said. “And a thing like that would be possible if I allowed it to happen. For all of you out there watching, keep yourself in good shape.”

In addition to encouraging young viewers to stay in shape, Trump offered a somewhat cloudy message when the second lady asked him for his advice to children on why they should celebrate the country on July 4th.

“We have a great country,” Trump said. “We have a country that, it’s on a little bit of a ledge right now. It can go one way or another, you understand that. But we’re going to make it go the other. And we're going to make America greater than ever before.”

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Six of them were from Broward County and the seventh was from neighboring Palm Beach County.

According to arrest reports, detectives used various websites and apps in which they posed as teenage boys or girls, or, on one website, an “older cousin” pimping a 15-year-old girl.

The men they chatted with were directed to go to a hotel in Dania Beach, the reports state.

Fifty-year-old Ryan Thorpe Walker, whose address is listed as a post office and distribution facility in Oakland Park, is accused of trying meet a teenage boy, while Marco Ramirez Linares, 22, of Hollywood, is accused of offering $100 for sex with a teenage girl.

Some of the suspects lied about their ages, detectives said.

Deputies said Zubaer Ashar, 27, of Greenacres, said he was 17 and asked the purported “cousin” whether a 15-year-old girl he was offering $150 for sex with was “on birth control.”

Kyle Andrew Rosenthal, 32, of Coral Springs, said he was 30 when attempting to meet up with who he thought was a 14-year-old girl, according to BSO.

At least two of the suspects acknowledged what they were doing could land them in jail, arrest reports state.

Deputies said when Grant Ryan Werner, 25, of Dania Beach, found out he was chatting with who he thought was a 15-year-old boy, he said, “Idkkk lol I’m low key ok with it but I don’t want to get in trouble.”

Authorities said Werner also told the purported teen, before the planned meetup, “yea haha I can Basically be charged as a pedofile (sic) lol.”

Deputies said Luis Chifundo Ortiz, 23, of Pembroke Pines, told who he thought was a 15-year-old boy, “Remember that you’re not legal” and, “You’re not 18+, so I have to be aware of that.”

A BSO news release states that the men arrested all face various charges, including “human trafficking of a minor, traveling to meet a minor, solicitation of a minor, possession of MDMA and violation of probation.”

According to BSO, deputies additionally said that during their operation, “ten victims were rescued and connected to critical resources such as shelter, medical care and counseling to help them rebuild their lives.”

“Additionally, one of the victims was identified as a teenage runaway from out of town,” the BSO news release states. “She was reunited with her family and offered extensive support services.”

Similar stings also recently took place in Miami-Dade County.

Officials in both counties have tied the stings to the FIFA World Cup. Local 10 News asked BSO about why the agency is increasing enforcement of this operation around the World Cup?”

“Any major event will draw in more crowds more visitors to our community and so that is the reason why law enforcement will proactively perform and conduct these investigations,” BSO spokesperson Miranda Grossman said.

There has been no direct connection, however, between the World Cup and any arrests.

All told, 321 diamonds, 56 sapphires, 13 emeralds and six rubies encrust the watch-sized gold ring presented this week to Bill White, the U.S. ambassador to Belgium, to give to U.S. President Donald Trump.

“A very special thank you to my friends from Antwerp for the magnificent Freedom 250 ring,” Trump said in a prerecorded video message during an event marking America’s 250th birthday in Brussels.

Isidore Mörsel, president of the Antwerp World Diamond Center, or AWDC, gifted the ring on behalf of the centuries-old diamond community in the Belgian port city, a central node in the worldwide trade of the precious stones that found itself struggling last year under the weight of Trump’s sweeping trade war.

“May this ring serve as a lasting reminder that true partnership, like the finest natural diamonds, are formed under pressure, endure the test of time, and shine brightest when built on trust,” Mörsel said. The ring's interior is engraved with the phrase “Crafted in Antwerp for Donald John Trump.”

In dollar terms, the ring’s value pales beside gifts like the $400 million plane donated by Qatar that Trump ordered converted into a new Air Force One. But it’s a glitzy window into the role that ostentatious – and almost always gilded — gifts are playing by those seeking to curry favor with the U.S. president.

A White House official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss the matter, said Thursday that the ring has not been presented to Trump yet.

The ring is latest in Trump's historic break with White House custom

The gift comes months after Belgium’s diamond industry won the removal of U.S. tariffs on diamond imports. In September, AWDC said it had “succeeded in securing a zero percent import tariff” on Antwerp’s annual export of more than $2 billion of polished diamonds to the U.S. A spokesperson for the group said on Thursday that the AWDC provided “input” to the European Commission as it negotiated with Trump on a broad deal on tariffs in 2025, but did not itself lobby the administration.

U.S. presidents have considerable discretion to accept gifts from domestic and foreign sources and may determine themselves whether a gift was meant for them personally or the nation. The exception is those from foreign governments, which are prohibited by the foreign emoluments clause of the Constitution without congressional assent, though presidents could use personal funds to reimburse the Treasury for the full value of an official gift if they wish to retain it.

Personal gifts are also supposed to be registered on the president’s annual financial disclosure. Trump’s 2025 disclosure, released this week, revealed a $250,000 gift of a sculpture depicting his triumphal gesture after surviving a 2024 assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, and tickets to 10 sporting events, including 10 to the upcoming World Cup final in New Jersey from FIFA’s Gianni Infantino, valued at a collective $15,000.

Four U.S. ethics experts told The Associated Press that Trump has broken with decades-old custom in the White House to avoid accepting such gifts.

The ring's value estimated at $25,000-$35,000

To forge the ring, the AWDC turned to David Gotlib, an Antwerp-based high-end jeweler whose cufflinks can sell for more than 15,000 euros ($17,000).

Neither AWDC nor Gotlib would provide a valuation of the ring, but two independent jewelers told AP they estimated the value at between $25,000 and $35,000.

Paris- and London-based jewelry consultant Alexander Levinson calculated the cost at $25,928, while David Saad, a third-generation luxury jeweler in Canada, priced the ring between $33,000 and $35,000. Both said half the cost was in materials, half in labor.

After the ring was presented on a star-spangled stage in Brussels, musician Alexis Wilkins, the girlfriend of FBI Director Kash Patel, sang the U.S. national anthem to more than 8,000 people drinking Budweiser and bourbon from Tennessee and Kentucky.

Ambassador White said he raised more than $5.5 million for the 250th anniversary event from corporate sponsors like defense industry titans Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, tech firms like Intel, Google and Meta, as well as the European chocolate companies Leonidas and Ferrero. AWDC said it contributed funds, too.

“The media was asking, ‘Why does it have to be so big?’” White said of the event. “Because we are the United States of America!”

The ambassador posted on social media Friday that after he gives the ring to Trump, it will be displayed in the Oval Office.

His hopes of a second consecutive World Cup title also lived on — and that accomplishment was anything but easy.

Messi’s goal in the 29th minute was the 20th of his World Cup career, extending his record and moving him two ahead of France’s Kylian Mbappé on the all-time list. It was the opener of what became a wild night, with Argentina escaping with a 3-2 win over Cape Verde in extra time against a huge underdog.

Messi was pictured later at his media conference with a large bump on his head after apparently being hit with a knee during a collision with a Cape Verde player.

“It hurts a little but I’m good," he was quoted in comments translated from Spanish about the goose-egg over his right eye. A FIFA post on X showed a definite welt.

Messi — who now has goals in a record eight consecutive World Cup games going back to Argentina's run to the 2022 title — seemed relieved after the match, and lauded Cape Verde’s defense.

“We did good things,” Messi said in his native Spanish, “and we have to correct the bad things.”

Messi has seven goals in this World Cup — one more than Mbappé in the race for the Golden Boot as the top scorer of the tournament — and has scored 12 times during his eight-game World Cup streak. He has been great, and Argentina has needed him to be great.

“For me, it represents a lot to be friends with him,” said Rodrigo De Paul, Messi’s teammate with Argentina and Inter Miami. “For me, friendship is one of the most important things that we all have and I consider myself fortunate to be there, to share these moments with him.”

And there has been no shortage of moments.

Messi had the game's first good chance Friday, his all-world left foot sending a shot skidding across the goal mouth but outside of the right post in the 15th minute. After getting taken down, he had a 25-yard free kick three minutes later that was easily gobbled up by Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha.

But the momentum was shifting, and before long, Messi broke through for a 1-0 lead. He timed his run perfectly on a ball played into the box by defender Lisandro Martinez to stay onside, controlled the pass and then lifted a shot over Vozinha's left shoulder from close range for his 124th international goal. Only Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, with 146, has more.

Messi stretched his arms and pointed to Martinez, saluting the pass, before teammates mobbed him in celebration.

Argentina was a huge favorite — some sportsbooks had the defending champions at minus-3500 to win, meaning bettors would have to wager $3,500 to profit $100 — and the Messi goal probably had some thinking the scoring dam was about to break.

It wasn't.

Cape Verde scored to knot the game at 1-1 and 2-2, and Messi set up the eventual winner with a corner kick that bounced off some heads and into the net midway through the second half of extra time.

“As this team has demonstrated many times, and as I’ve said many times, it competes,” Messi said. “And we competed to the end.”

The Golden Boot race may go down to the end as well, with the four leaders now all safely into the Round of 16.

Messi and Mbappé are far from the only contenders in the Golden Boot race: Norway’s Erling Haaland and England’s Harry Kane each had five goals entering Friday, while four players — France’s Ousmane Dembele, Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal, Brazil’s Vinícius Júnior and Senegal’s Ismaila Sarr — had four. Sarr is out of the running since Senegal has been eliminated.

Norway, England and France have advanced to the Round of 16; Argentina and Messi, the Inter Miami star who is widely considered the greatest player ever, now join them — barely.

“Our team did everything we could to win the game,” Cape Verde goalie Vozinha said.

Messi has never won the Golden Boot. He finished second with seven goals — one behind Mbappé — while leading Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title, and he tied for third with four goals in 2014.

If there’s a tie atop the goal list when the tournament ends, FIFA will use assists as the first tiebreaker and fewest minutes played as the second tiebreaker. Entering Friday, that meant Mbappé would have had the edge over Messi based on his 2-0 lead in assists.

But for now, Messi leads the scoring race. Most important, he's still in the race for another World Cup title.

“I hope you now realize, there is no easy opponent," Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said.

___

See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here

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