The couple was diagnosed with an E. coli O145:H28 infection after suffering from bloody stools, abdominal pain, dehydration, and fever, according to their lawsuit filed on July 13 in Palm Beach County civil court.

Roberta Cash was at the Jupiter Medical Center’s emergency room, “aggressively treated” for 10 days, and required help from both The Gardens Court and the CenterWell Home Health care, according to the lawsuit.

On July 1, the Florida Department of Health notified the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that there was a cluster of cases of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O145 infections. On July 3, Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A., San Carlos, Chile, recalled the GreenWise Organic IQF Blueberries, with Best by Feb. 9, 2028, due to the risk of potential E. coli O145 infection.

On July 6, the CDC announced an investigation into the “multistate outbreak of E. coli O145 infections.”

The Food and Drug Administration reported 12 illnesses, including 11 in Florida and one in Georgia, and four hospitalizations related to the product that was also shipped to Publix retail stores in Alabama, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.

After Houston-based Ron Simon & Associates announced filing the lawsuit on July 13 in Palm Beach, Attorney Ron Simon released a statement saying he wants to make sure that Publix takes preventive steps.

“Safety checks were missed in the production of the GreenWise Organic frozen blueberries, which were contaminated with E. coli O145:H28, a potentially life-threatening bacteria that is not killed by freezing,” Simon said in the statement. “As a result, numerous Publix customers have become severely ill.”

Publix did not respond to a Local 10 News request for comment on the pending litigation.

Related story: GreenWise frozen blueberries sold at Publix recalled over possible E. coli contamination

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According to arrest reports from the Virginia Gardens Police Department, the agency worked with the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office Human Trafficking Task Force and the Miami Police Department on the sting, similar to others conducted in recent weeks in both Miami-Dade and Broward counties.

In it, detectives posed as a woman pimping out two girls. They said Xavier Lopez, 30, of Miami Beach; Dominick Munoz, 23, of Surfside; and Alain Pacheco, 18, of Hialeah; agreed to pay anywhere from $250 to $650 for sex with the children.

Authorities said they detained the men as soon as each opened the door to the hotel room.

Each faces felony charges of child trafficking, traveling to meet a minor and online child solicitation.

As of Friday morning, all were being held in the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, with bonds listed as “to be set” in online jail records.

Según los informes de detención del Departamento de Policía de Virginia Gardens, la agencia colaboró ​​con el Grupo de Trabajo contra la Trata de Personas de la Fiscalía del Estado de Miami-Dade y el Departamento de Policía de Miami en la operación encubierta, similar a otras realizadas en las últimas semanas en los condados de Miami-Dade y Broward.

En la grabación, los detectives se hicieron pasar por una mujer que explotaba sexualmente a dos niñas. Afirmaron que Xavier Lopez, de 30 años y residente de Miami Beach; Dominick Munoz, de 23 años y residente de Surfside; y Alain Pacheco, de 18 años y residente de Hialeah; acordaron pagar entre 250 y 650 dólares por tener relaciones sexuales con las menores.

Las autoridades indicaron que detuvieron a los hombres en cuanto abrieron la puerta de la habitación del hotel.

Cada uno se enfrenta a cargos por delitos graves de trata de menores, viajar para encontrarse con un menor y solicitar favores sexuales a menores a través de internet.

Hasta el viernes por la mañana, todos permanecían detenidos en el Centro Correccional Turner Guilford Knight, y en los registros penitenciarios en línea figuraba que las fianzas estaban “por determinar”.

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According to the Hollywood Police Department, detectives spent several months investigating suspected drug activity at a home in the 1900 block of Adams Street.

On Wednesday, detectives and SWAT Team members executed a search at the home and arrested suspected drug dealer Amos Curtis Knight.

During the search, investigators said they recovered trafficking amounts of several illegal drugs, including:

• 391.3 grams of cocaine
• 13.6 grams of MDMA
• 14.5 grams of amphetamine
• 6.9 grams of oxycodone
• 45.4 grams of alprazolam
• Approximately 7.5 pounds of cannabis

Detectives said they also seized more than $60,000 in cash from the home.

Knight was arrested on charges of trafficking cocaine, MDMA and amphetamines, as well as possession with intent to distribute oxycodone, alprazolam and cannabis.

In a statement, the Hollywood Police Department said the case demonstrates the Street Crimes Unit’s continued efforts to combat drug trafficking in the city.

“This investigation highlights our Street Crimes Unit’s commitment to keeping Hollywood safe,” the department said in statement. “Their dedication continues to make a measurable impact by protecting our community from dangerous narcotics and the violence associated with drug trafficking.”

As of Friday morning, Knight was being held at the Broward County Main Jail.

Según el Departamento de Policía de Hollywood, los detectives pasaron varios meses investigando presunta actividad relacionada con drogas en una vivienda ubicada en la cuadra 1900 de Adams Street.

El miércoles, detectives y miembros del equipo SWAT ejecutaron una orden de allanamiento en la vivienda y arrestaron al presunto narcotraficante Amos Curtis Knight.

Durante el allanamiento, los investigadores informaron que recuperaron cantidades de tráfico de varias drogas ilegales, entre ellas:

• 391.3 gramos de cocaína
• 13.6 gramos de MDMA
• 14.5 gramos de anfetamina
• 6.9 gramos de oxicodona
• 45.4 gramos de alprazolam
• Aproximadamente 7.5 libras de cannabis

Los detectives también indicaron que incautaron más de $60,000 USD en efectivo de la vivienda.

Knight fue arrestado por cargos de tráfico de cocaína, MDMA y anfetaminas, así como por posesión con intención de distribuir oxicodona, alprazolam y cannabis.

En un comunicado, el Departamento de Policía de Hollywood señaló que el caso demuestra los esfuerzos continuos de la Unidad de Delitos Callejeros para combatir el tráfico de drogas en la ciudad.

“Esta investigación destaca el compromiso de nuestra Unidad de Delitos Callejeros de mantener a Hollywood segura”, indicó el departamento en un comunicado. “Su dedicación continúa teniendo un impacto medible al proteger a nuestra comunidad de narcóticos peligrosos y de la violencia asociada con el tráfico de drogas”.

Hasta la mañana del viernes, Knight permanecía detenido en la cárcel principal del condado Broward.

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According to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, the incident happened just after 5 a.m. at a home in the 4100 block of Southwest 83rd Avenue in the unincorporated Olympia Heights area.

According to an MDSO arrest report, Yury Lobaina Terrero walked up to the victim, who was outside near his driveway, and “became aggressive,” telling him he was “there in order to stab ‘Cesar,’” who lives in an efficiency at the home.

The report states that the victim told detectives that Lobaina, 38, “also threatened to stab him and proceed(ed) to show an imprint of a knife underneath his clothing.”

As the victim walked back to his home, Lobaina followed the man to his front door and “stabbed him once in the chest with a sharp instrument, causing serious injury,” the report states.

Authorities said the victim, who went to Jackson South Medical Center for treatment, has known Lobaina for about a year.

Deputies said surveillance video showed Lobaina removing his clothing and discarding several items onto a sidewalk, including a cellphone. They said they later found the bloodied knife inside of a trash bin.

They said they also found a vial of lidocaine in Lobaina’s clothes. Authorities said they found him later that evening at his home a few blocks northwest of the scene and took him into custody on charges of attempted murder and drug possession.

Deputies said he confirmed that it was his cellphone on the ground but “denied any other involvement.”

As of Friday morning, Lobaina was being held in the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, with a bond listed as “to be set” in Miami-Dade jail records.

Según la Oficina del Sheriff de Miami-Dade (MDSO), el incidente ocurrió poco después de las 5 a.m. en una vivienda ubicada en la cuadra 4100 de Southwest 83rd Avenue, en el área no incorporada de Olympia Heights.

Según un informe de arresto de la MDSO, Yury Lobaina Terrero se acercó a la víctima, que se encontraba afuera cerca de la entrada de vehículos de la vivienda, y “se mostró agresivo”, diciéndole que estaba “allí para apuñalar a ‘Cesar’”, quien vive en una eficiencia en la propiedad.

El informe señala que la víctima dijo a los detectives que Lobaina, de 38 años, “también amenazó con apuñalarlo y procedió a mostrar la silueta de un cuchillo debajo de su ropa”.

Cuando la víctima regresó a su vivienda, Lobaina la siguió hasta la puerta principal y “la apuñaló una vez en el pecho con un objeto punzocortante, causándole heridas graves”, señala el informe.

Las autoridades indicaron que la víctima, quien fue trasladada al Jackson South Medical Center para recibir tratamiento, conocía a Lobaina desde hacía aproximadamente un año.

Los agentes dijeron que un video de vigilancia mostró a Lobaina quitándose la ropa y arrojando varios objetos sobre una acera, incluido un teléfono celular. Posteriormente encontraron el cuchillo ensangrentado dentro de un contenedor de basura.

También indicaron que encontraron un frasco de lidocaína entre la ropa de Lobaina. Las autoridades informaron que lo localizaron más tarde esa misma noche en su vivienda, ubicada a unas cuadras al noroeste del lugar del incidente, y lo arrestaron por cargos de intento de asesinato y posesión de drogas.

Los agentes indicaron que Lobaina confirmó que el teléfono celular encontrado en el suelo era suyo, pero “negó cualquier otra participación”.

Hasta la mañana del viernes, Lobaina permanecía detenido en el Centro Correccional Turner Guilford Knight, y los registros de la cárcel de Miami-Dade indicaban que su fianza estaba “pendiente de fijarse”.

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Seventeen-year-old twins Constanza and Marianne Dominguez founded Mentoring Miracles, a student-led nonprofit that connects foster youth with career exploration opportunities and mentors, inspired by their Christian faith and the childhood experiences of a family member who grew up in foster care.

The South Florida sisters say they first discovered a passion for giving back when their mother suggested they donate their birthday gifts instead of keeping them.

“I think the beautiful part about it is that when we went to donate our gifts, we got to play with the kids that are our age,” Constanza said.

The twins were just in the third grade when they began donating gifts to children at His House Children’s Home. What started as a one-time act of kindness quickly became an annual tradition.

Years later, while in the ninth grade, they learned that their uncle, Bill Edwards, had spent much of his childhood in foster care.

“That year, in the ninth grade, we found out that my uncle grew up in the foster care system,” Constanza said.

Edwards said he entered foster care before his first birthday and experienced both positive and difficult placements growing up.

“I was placed in foster care for the first time before the age of 1,” Edwards said. “Moving from different homes, you do experience the good and the bad.”

His story inspired the sisters to think beyond donations and create an organization focused on helping foster youth prepare for the future.

“We came up with Mentoring Miracles because we are very faith-based,” Marianne said. “They are miracles, these kids.”

Today, Mentoring Miracles is run entirely by high school students and focuses on exposing children in foster care to careers they may not otherwise have the opportunity to explore.

“We acknowledged the resources that we had, and we wanted to give them those same opportunities that we grew up with,” Constanza said. “That’s how we had the idea to create these career days and career and internship exposure.”

The nonprofit has organized career-day field trips for youth at His House Children’s Home, giving them behind-the-scenes access to a variety of professions.

Participants have toured Miami International Airport, learned about aviation careers and visited Local 10 News, where they explored television production, met journalists and saw a live newsroom in action.

“It’s been incredible seeing the passion that they have and the potential that they have as well,” Constanza said.

For Edwards, watching his nieces create opportunities for children facing circumstances similar to his own has been especially meaningful.

“I feel lucky, blessed and really happy,” he said.

The sisters hope their uncle’s journey reminds foster youth that their circumstances do not define their future.

“He’s just an example of what these kids can become, of what these kids can do,” Constanza and Marianne said. “They are not limited by their background, and he is just proof of that.”

Mentoring Miracles plans to continue expanding its career exploration program with upcoming visits to the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, PortMiami and Blue Origin’s operations hub on Merritt Island. Organizers are also encouraging local businesses to partner with the nonprofit by hosting future career-day experiences.

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Las gemelas de 17 años Constanza y Marianne Domínguez fundaron Mentoring Miracles, una organización sin fines de lucro dirigida por estudiantes que conecta a jóvenes en hogares de acogida con oportunidades de exploración profesional y mentores, inspiradas por su fe cristiana y las experiencias de la infancia de un familiar que creció en el sistema de hogares de acogida.

Las hermanas del sur de Florida dicen que descubrieron por primera vez su pasión por ayudar a los demás cuando su madre les sugirió donar los regalos de cumpleaños en lugar de quedárselos.

“Creo que la parte más bonita fue que cuando fuimos a donar nuestros regalos, pudimos jugar con los niños que tenían nuestra misma edad”, dijo Constanza.

Las gemelas estaban apenas en tercer grado cuando comenzaron a donar regalos a los niños de His House Children’s Home. Lo que comenzó como un acto de bondad de una sola vez rápidamente se convirtió en una tradición anual.

Años después, cuando cursaban noveno grado, supieron que su tío, Bill Edwards, había pasado gran parte de su infancia en hogares de acogida.

“Ese año, en noveno grado, descubrimos que mi tío creció en el sistema de hogares de acogida”, dijo Constanza.

Edwards contó que ingresó al sistema de hogares de acogida antes de cumplir un año y que durante su niñez vivió tanto experiencias positivas como difíciles.

“Fui colocado por primera vez en un hogar de acogida antes de cumplir un año”, dijo Edwards. “Al pasar por diferentes hogares, uno experimenta tanto lo bueno como lo malo”.

Su historia inspiró a las hermanas a pensar más allá de las donaciones y crear una organización enfocada en ayudar a los jóvenes en hogares de acogida a prepararse para el futuro.

“Se nos ocurrió Mentoring Miracles porque nuestra fe es muy importante para nosotras”, dijo Marianne. “Estos niños son milagros”.

Actualmente, Mentoring Miracles es administrada completamente por estudiantes de escuela secundaria y se enfoca en exponer a niños en hogares de acogida a profesiones que de otro modo quizá no tendrían la oportunidad de conocer.

“Reconocimos los recursos que teníamos y quisimos brindarles esas mismas oportunidades con las que crecimos”, dijo Constanza. “Así fue como surgió la idea de crear estos días de exploración profesional y de exposición a carreras e internados”.

La organización sin fines de lucro ha organizado visitas de exploración profesional para jóvenes de His House Children’s Home, brindándoles acceso entre bastidores a una variedad de profesiones.

Los participantes han recorrido el Aeropuerto Internacional de Miami, aprendido sobre carreras en la aviación y visitado Local 10 News, donde conocieron el proceso de producción de televisión, se reunieron con periodistas y observaron una sala de redacción en funcionamiento.

“Ha sido increíble ver la pasión que tienen y el potencial que también poseen”, dijo Constanza.

Para Edwards, ver a sus sobrinas crear oportunidades para niños que enfrentan circunstancias similares a las que él vivió ha sido especialmente significativo.

“Me siento afortunado, bendecido y realmente feliz”, dijo.

Las hermanas esperan que la historia de su tío recuerde a los jóvenes en hogares de acogida que sus circunstancias no definen su futuro.

“Él es un ejemplo de lo que estos niños pueden llegar a ser, de lo que pueden lograr”, dijeron Constanza y Marianne. “No están limitados por su origen, y él es la prueba de ello”.

Mentoring Miracles planea seguir ampliando su programa de exploración profesional con próximas visitas a la Oficina de la Fiscalía Estatal de Miami-Dade, PortMiami y el centro de operaciones de Blue Origin en Merritt Island. Los organizadores también invitan a empresas locales a colaborar con la organización organizando futuras jornadas de exploración profesional.

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According to a Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office arrest report, Ilse Johanna Guevara, 49, surrendered herself at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center after an investigation by the agency’s Medical Crimes Unit.

Detectives said they obtained a search warrant for a home at 6174 SW 64th Terrace in South Miami, where a business identified as Elite Home LLC, also known as Divine Care, was allegedly operating as an unlicensed assisted living facility for post-cosmetic surgery patients.

When investigators executed the search warrant, they found six post-operative patients and three employees inside the home, authorities said.

According to the arrest report, the patients told investigators they were receiving assistance with daily living activities, including bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, personal hygiene and medication management.

Patients said they paid Guevara between $300 and $350 per night to stay at the residence and receive those services, the report stated.

According to the report, employees told detectives they worked 24-hour shifts and were paid $10 to $18 per hour through Zelle to care for the patients.

A records check with the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) found that the home was not licensed to operate as an assisted living facility, according to the report.

Detectives said they also discovered improperly discarded biohazardous medical waste generated by the business.

According to the arrest report, investigators found biohazardous waste inside unlocked green City of South Miami garbage bins that had been placed at the curb for pickup. Additional medical waste was found inside the home in trash bags awaiting disposal, authorities said.

Detectives said there were no locked biohazard waste containers or red biohazard receptacles on the property, as required for the proper handling of medical waste.

Guevara faces charges of operating an assisted living facility without a license, violating Florida’s Litter Law, hazardous waste violation, nuisances injurious to health and failing to track biomedical waste.

As of Friday afternoon, Guevara remained held at TGK on a $7,800 bond.

Según un informe de arresto de la Oficina del Sheriff de Miami-Dade, Ilse Johanna Guevara, de 49 años, se entregó en el Centro Correccional Turner Guilford Knight tras una investigación de la Unidad de Delitos Médicos de la agencia.

Los detectives indicaron que obtuvieron una orden de allanamiento para una vivienda ubicada en 6174 SW 64th Terrace, en South Miami, donde un negocio identificado como Elite Home LLC, también conocido como Divine Care, presuntamente operaba como un centro de vida asistida sin licencia para pacientes en recuperación de cirugías estéticas.

Cuando los investigadores ejecutaron la orden de allanamiento, encontraron a seis pacientes en recuperación posoperatoria y tres empleados dentro de la vivienda, informaron las autoridades.

Según el informe de arresto, los pacientes dijeron a los investigadores que recibían asistencia con actividades de la vida diaria, incluyendo bañarse, vestirse, comer, usar el baño, higiene personal y administración de medicamentos.

Los pacientes indicaron que pagaban a Guevara entre $300 USD y $350 USD por noche para permanecer en la residencia y recibir esos servicios, señala el informe.

Según el informe, los empleados dijeron a los detectives que trabajaban turnos de 24 horas y recibían entre $10 USD y $18 USD por hora a través de Zelle para cuidar a los pacientes.

Una revisión de registros con la Agencia para la Administración del Cuidado de la Salud de Florida (AHCA) determinó que la vivienda no contaba con licencia para operar como un centro de vida asistida, según el informe.

Los detectives también descubrieron residuos médicos biopeligrosos generados por el negocio que habían sido desechados de manera indebida.

Según el informe de arresto, los investigadores encontraron residuos biopeligrosos dentro de contenedores verdes de basura de la Ciudad de South Miami, sin seguro y colocados en la acera para su recolección. Las autoridades indicaron que también encontraron residuos médicos adicionales dentro de la vivienda, en bolsas de basura a la espera de ser desechadas.

Los detectives señalaron que en la propiedad no había contenedores con seguro para residuos biopeligrosos ni recipientes rojos para ese tipo de desechos, como exige el manejo adecuado de residuos médicos.

Guevara enfrenta cargos por operar un centro de vida asistida sin licencia, violar la Ley de Basura de Florida, violación relacionada con residuos peligrosos, mantener condiciones perjudiciales para la salud y no llevar el control de residuos biomédicos.

Hasta la tarde del viernes, Guevara permanecía detenida en el TGK con una fianza de $7,800 USD.

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Miami police confirmed the arrest of 37-year-old Quindy Janvier on Thursday in connection with the May 26 break-in at a home in the 2600 block of Southwest 23rd Avenue in the city’s Silver Bluff Estates neighborhood.

According to an arrest report, officers responded to the home shortly before noon on May 26 after a woman arrived, heard a bedroom door slam and “discovered the home in disarray.”

While on the phone with one of the homeowners, the woman noticed a bedroom window had been broken and told him, “Danny, you’ve been robbed,” the report states.

When the homeowners returned, they discovered that about $150,000 worth of jewelry had been stolen from multiple bedrooms, according to police.

Investigators determined the burglar entered and exited through a southwest-facing bedroom window.

They said during the investigation, the victims found a pair of sunglasses inside a bedroom and a “pry tool” outside the broken window. According to the report, neither item belonged to anyone who lives at the home.

Detectives also reviewed surveillance video from a nearby home that showed Janvier, who lives in Miami-Dade’s Brownsville neighborhood, riding a standing scooter in the area minutes before the burglary.

Police said additional video showed Janvier entering the victims’ yard before later running away from the area around the same time the burglary was discovered, the report states.

A “latent fingerprint” recovered from the lens of the sunglasses was later analyzed and identified as belonging to Janvier, according to the report.

Police said they arrested Janvier on Thursday.

Jail records show he is facing one count each of burglary of an occupied structure, third-degree grand theft and criminal mischief causing $1,000 or more in damage.

As of Friday morning, he was being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, where his bond was listed as “to be set.”

La Policía de Miami confirmó el jueves el arresto de Quindy Janvier, de 37 años, en relación con el allanamiento ocurrido el 26 de mayo en una vivienda ubicada en la cuadra 2600 de Southwest 23rd Avenue, en el vecindario Silver Bluff Estates de la ciudad.

Según un informe de arresto, los agentes respondieron a la vivienda poco antes del mediodía del 26 de mayo después de que una mujer llegó al lugar, escuchó el portazo de una habitación y “descubrió la vivienda en desorden”.

Mientras hablaba por teléfono con uno de los propietarios, la mujer notó que una ventana de una habitación había sido rota y le dijo: “Danny, te robaron”, señala el informe.

Cuando los propietarios regresaron, descubrieron que habían robado aproximadamente $150,000 USD en joyas de varias habitaciones, según la Policía.

Los investigadores determinaron que el ladrón entró y salió por la ventana de una habitación orientada hacia el suroeste.

Indicaron que durante la investigación, las víctimas encontraron un par de gafas de sol dentro de una habitación y una “herramienta para hacer palanca” afuera de la ventana rota. Según el informe, ninguno de los objetos pertenecía a alguien que viviera en la vivienda.

Los detectives también revisaron videos de vigilancia de una vivienda cercana que mostraban a Janvier, residente del vecindario Brownsville de Miami-Dade, desplazándose en un scooter eléctrico de pie por la zona minutos antes del robo.

La Policía indicó que videos adicionales mostraban a Janvier entrando al patio de las víctimas y posteriormente huyendo del área aproximadamente al mismo tiempo en que fue descubierto el robo, señala el informe.

Según el informe, una “huella dactilar latente” recuperada del lente de las gafas de sol fue analizada posteriormente e identificada como perteneciente a Janvier.

La Policía informó que arrestó a Janvier el jueves.

Los registros de la cárcel muestran que enfrenta un cargo de allanamiento de una estructura ocupada, un cargo de hurto mayor en tercer grado y un cargo de daños criminales que causaron daños por $1,000 USD o más.

Hasta la mañana del viernes, permanecía detenido en el Centro Correccional Turner Guilford Knight, donde su fianza figuraba como “pendiente de fijarse”.

It was a learning experience even for someone with a résumé featuring six Super Bowl titles as a head coach and ranking as one of the NFL's all-time leaders in coaching wins.

“Look, I learn every year, I learn things every day,” Belichick said Friday morning during the Atlantic Coast Conference’s preseason football media days.

“Every week is a learning experience for me. Try to listen to the people that are around me that work for us, that do various things, whether it’s academics, training, nutrition, offense, defense, special teams, so forth. Try to do the best I can to help put it all together.

"Recruiting, fundraising — you name it. There are a lot of different things and I can improve in all of them.”

It was a rough debut for the 74-year-old Belichick, best known for his time hoisting trophies and winning with relentless precision alongside star quarterback Tom Brady with the New England Patriots.

His arrival at the college level was a spectacle, one that put a national spotlight on a school with a football program that had long been an ACC also-ran compared to its tradition-rich men's basketball program being among the nation's blueblood elite.

There's less buzz this time around. There’s no curiosity to imagining what it will look like for Belichick to roam a college sideline sporting his trademark hoodie garb. And the Tar Heels’ poor on-field performance offers little reason to expect a big leap in Year 2.

Yet similar to what he was known for in his Patriots tenure, Belichick is focused on his internal evaluation. And he sees cause for optimism.

“Last year when we started, we were literally starting from scratch," he said. “We're above that now for sure.”

Belichick is hoping there's more continuity from spring drills

Belichick has pointed numerous times to the Tar Heels getting a late run into recruiting after his December hiring, starting with jumping into the transfer portal and then pulling from the high school ranks. That meant pulling together a roster to get started with spring drills, then going through more waves of roster changes leading into preseason camp.

“The biggest thing last year was just how behind we were,” Belichick said of his December 2024 arrival.

By the time the Tar Heels started last season, they had 70 new players.

“This time a year ago, we didn’t have a quarterback who had taken a snap even in spring ball for us,” Belichick said.

“Last year we didn’t have any player-run practices. We couldn't actually line up a team and run against another team without the coaches being out there because we didn't have anybody that knew enough on either side of the ball to do that. Whereas this year these guys have done it all spring and all summer."

To that point, the Tar Heels have plenty of newness on the roster with 40 true freshmen and 17 redshirt freshmen. But UNC also had 35 of the first-year freshmen arrive in time to go through spring practices while there's enough returnees to offer continuity and better stability.

“Culture's a lot different, work ethic's different,” Belichick said. “I'm not taking anything away from the guys that were here. But compared to a year ago, we just know a lot more about what we’re doing and how to do it and our culture’s a lot different.”

UNC knows what to expect for Belichick's second season

Belichick's appearance at this ACC Kickoff event last year was the center of attention. So too was his nationally televised Labor Day debut in front of a sellout home crowd against TCU.

Yet the Tar Heels lost that game in a blowout in what turned out to be a harbinger of frustration to come. And Belichick's mere presence on the sideline only magnified the pressure that arose from on-field troubles and unwanted off-field headlines, from an assistant coach's suspension to tabloid-like interest in Belichick's relationship with 25-year-old girlfriend Jordon Hudson.

“Seeing a guy like Coach Belichick, who’s constantly in the spotlight — I mean, the guy could cure cancer and people would still write negative pieces about him," offensive lineman Christo Kelly said.

“But seeing how he handles himself through everything, seeing how he’s continued to block out the noise, it really sets the standard for what we should be doing.”

By the end of the year, Belichick had fielded a team that had more losses by double-digit margins (five) than total wins, with two home losses ending in an empty stadium with Tar Heels fans having fled early for the exits. UNC's three wins against Bowl Subdivision opponents came against teams with a combined 8-28 record (Charlotte, Syracuse and Stanford), while the Tar Heels failed to make a bowl for the first time since 2018.

At least nothing should surprise the Tar Heels this year about playing under the Belichick microscope.

“We really felt like it was all Carolina — Carolina for Carolina, nobody else was really rooting for us, everybody wanted to see Coach Belichick fail,” receiver Jordan Shipp said.

“It was just like we knew that we were in this by ourselves. And everybody that was here last year, we know that feeling. So now we know what to expect.”

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El fuego, que comenzó alrededor de las 8:00 a.m. del jueves, se localiza en los Everglades, cerca del marcador de la milla 40 de la I-75, al oeste de la carretera U.S. 27.

Hasta el momento ha consumido unas 4,400 acres y las autoridades informaron que está contenido en un 20%.

La tarde del viernes, quienes transitaban por la autopista apenas podían observar las llamas, aunque el humo del incendio era visible a varios kilómetros de distancia.

De acuerdo con el meteorólogo de Local 10, John Gerard, los vientos provenientes del sur deberían mantener la mayor parte del humo alejada de los suburbios del oeste de Broward durante el viernes. Sin embargo, un cambio en la dirección del viento hacia el suroeste podría provocar que el humo se desplace hacia esas zonas durante el sábado.

The tablets have access to video and league-provided data, and also included a custom tab where teams could access other programs. MLB made the custom tabs inaccessible to teams starting Wednesday night, when the second half of the season started.

“In many cases, the custom tab had expanded the use of the dugout iPads beyond their originally intended purpose to include recommendations regarding substitutions, pitch calling, and other in-game decisions traditionally made by players and coaches," MLB executive vice president of baseball operations Morgan Sword wrote in a June 11 memo to general managers, assistant GMs and video coordinators.

The memo, first reported by The Athletic, was obtained by The Associated Press.

A review by the competition committee found clubs had been compliant with the regulations.

“Instituting this prohibition beginning with the second half of the season is intended to provide clubs that have relied on the custom tab with appropriate lead-time to make any necessary adjustments," Sword wrote.

MLB started a pilot program allowing use of iPads in dugouts with restrictions late in the 2015 season and expanded their use in 2016 under a deal with Apple. Video was eliminated in the 2020 COVID season following the Houston Astros' sign-stealing scandal, then returned in 2021.

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David Brouillette has a history of terrifying and violent behavior, according to those relatives. They accuse him of attacking women in his life over the years, and one shared a voicemail with the AP from last winter in which he told her that he thought someone should slit her throat.

Brouillette’s troubling past further challenges how thoroughly the Department of Homeland Security has vetted recruits as it went on a hiring spree to help carry out President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown.

At least 10 people have died in encounters with immigration agents since Trump launched the crackdown after retaking office, including 25-year-old Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero, a Colombian national who was shot and killed by Brouillette on Monday while in his car near his home in the coastal Maine city of Biddeford.

DHS, which hasn’t released the name of the officer who killed Durán Guerrero, has said the “vehicle attempted to flee the scene and, fearing for public safety, an officer discharged his weapon.”

Brouillette didn’t respond to text messages or an email seeking comment. Three relatives who said they had spoken to him since the shooting, including an ex-wife and daughter, said he told them he acted in self-defense.

When reached for comment about Brouillette’s record and his role in Monday’s shooting, ICE spokesperson Lauren Bis said in a statement that, “We will never confirm or deny attempts to dox our law enforcement officers,” and that “The ICE officer in question has nearly a decade of federal law enforcement experience with required training including use of force training.”

The White House referred all questions about the shooting and Brouillette to ICE.

A new career in ICE

Brouillette, 37, told his ex-wife Ashley Brouillette late last year that he had been hired by ICE. She said that because of his long history of psychiatric issues, she thought he was having a mental health episode and she didn’t believe him. She didn’t realize he’d been telling the truth until this week, when videos began circulating online of the moments surrounding the shooting.

Ashley Brouillette told the AP that she spoke to her ex-husband in a Facebook audio call, and he acknowledged that he had killed Durán Guerrero. Their 18-year-old daughter, Madison Brouillette, also told the AP that her father called her Wednesday and said that he shot and killed Durán Guerrero.

David and Ashley Brouillette were high school sweethearts who got married in 2007. She said she divorced him in 2009 because he had become physically violent with her, which began after she got pregnant with their daughter.

According to Ashley Brouillette, he once threw boiling water at her while she was holding their child — an incident her mother Avis Collins also recounted.

The abuse continued after she left him, she said.

David Brouillette doesn’t appear to have a criminal record in Maine, as a check with the Maine Department of Public Safety returned no records for him.

But hundreds of family court records obtained from the Augusta District Court clerk’s office detail years of allegations of physical and verbal abuse raised by his second ex-wife on behalf of herself and his daughters.

The ex-wife — whom the AP is not identifying because she fears retaliation — alleged that he had stalked and harassed her and physically and verbally abused his daughter, according to multiple requests for temporary protection orders. Brouillette tackled his teenage daughter and smashed spaghetti in her hair, and during another outburst, he dragged his daughter around the house as she cried, she said.

“Dave needs counseling or something for his PTSD & depression,” she wrote in an application for a temporary protective order on behalf of his teenage daughter which a judge granted in 2021.

In court filings, David Brouillette said that his second ex-wife had slandered him.

His oldest daughter, Madison Brouillette, said she also witnessed her dad’s volatility.

“I watched my dad struggle a lot with a lot of things,” she told the AP. She said she came home from school once and he told her he had been sitting on a tree stump with a gun to his head.

“If you don’t really, truly take care of yourself, there’s no way you can protect other people. And with my dad, he never wanted to get help,” she said.

An immediate relative of David Brouillette who spoke on the condition that their name not be used said he was diagnosed with severe bipolar disorder and attention deficit disorder as a child — a diagnosis that Ashley Brouillette confirmed. The immediate relative described him as “extremely mentally ill” and said he attempted suicide twice at age 12 and was hospitalized multiple times.

The relative said they’ve been estranged for years, after they broke off contact because they feared he would harm them. He did not respond to their outreach this week, the relative added.

A military deployment and law enforcement aspirations

Growing up in Gardiner, a city of about 6,000 people roughly 60 miles (97 kilometers) northeast of Biddeford, where Monday’s shooting occurred, David Brouillette was enchanted by law enforcement and the military, his relatives said.

High school yearbook photos show he was a member of the school’s Naval Junior ROTC, and he wrote that he planned to go to college and become a police officer.

Brouillette was initially rejected by military recruiters because of his mental health diagnoses, but recruiters encouraged him to go off his medications for a year and reapply, which he did, his immediate relative said.

He was eventually able to enlist.

According to U.S. military records, Brouillette enlisted as a chemical equipment repairer in the Maine Army National Guard but then changed jobs to be a medical logistics specialist. He was in the Guard from November 2007 until January 2010, according to records provided by the Pentagon.

A 2009 article in the Kennebec Journal listed Brouillette as a private in the Maine Army National Guard’s 152nd Maintenance Company in Augusta.

In January 2010 he joined the regular Army as a human intelligence collector. Brouillette deployed to Afghanistan from May 2012 to February 2013 and eventually left the Army as a sergeant in December 2015.

His immediate relative believes Brouillette’s time abroad worsened his emotional struggles: “Afghanistan destroyed him -- trained him to be a killing monster, a machine. They took someone who was extremely mentally ill and turned him into a killing machine.”

Life after the Army

After his discharge, Brouillette held a hodgepodge of jobs — some in or adjacent to law enforcement — and was injured in an accident while training to become a firefighter, public records and court documents show.

Brouillette worked for the Maine Correctional Center — a medium-security prison — and for the state’s Health and Human Services Department, spending less than a year at each.

In 2019, court documents show, he was a police officer at a Department of Veterans Affairs medical center near the state capital, Augusta. A Veterans Affairs department spokesperson on Thursday referred questions about Brouillette’s employment to DHS.

But by the end of 2021, he wrote in a text message included in court filings, he was broke, going to school full-time and making money delivering food for DoorDash.

Brouillette was enrolled in a firefighting program at Southern Maine Community College and was struck in the head by a steel beam while unloading a trailer at a training facility, according to a lawsuit he filed over his injury.

He sustained a concussion and post-concussive syndrome, with symptoms including impaired memory, cognitive deficits, headaches, vertigo and light sensitivity, and was unable to complete the program, according to the lawsuit, which was settled out of court.

In recent years, court filings show, he was collecting disability pay through the VA. He also drove a truck, but quit in January 2025, citing health issues.

In March 2025, Brouillette passed an exam to become a real estate sales agent. His license was active until December. In a Facebook post, Realty of Maine announced Brouillette would be working in the firm’s Bangor office.

“David lives in Maine after retiring from the United States Army,” said the post, which has since been deleted. Brouillette is no longer listed as an agent on the firm’s website. Messages seeking comment were left for Realty of Maine.

In March, the Maine agency that handles child support matters filed a lien against him, public records show. The filing suggests that Brouillette may have been in line for a permanent impairment or disability settlement.

‘I don’t think he sees himself as a killer’

In late 2025, around the time he joined ICE, his ex-wife Ashley said he left a three-minute voicemail mocking her for taking out a restraining order against him. According to the message she shared with AP, he repeatedly called her “disgusting” and suggested that she and the other women and girls in her “bloodline” should die.

“And all of you should have your f——--g throats cut,” the voicemail said. “Yeah, you should. Am I threatening that I’m gonna do that? Nope. Nope. But do I think that you should have your f——-g throats cuts? Or should have had them cut? Yep.”

She said she cut off contact with him until Wednesday, when his picture began circulating online.

Ashley Brouillette reached out to his current wife on Facebook and they spoke on the phone for several minutes. Her ex-husband spoke with her, according to cellphone screenshots of the phone exchange she shared with the AP. He acknowledged he had fatally shot Durán Guerrero.

“He was asking if I could tell them that he was a good person and not to talk about the abuse and stuff that I had endured while with him and he said that the most important thing is his character right now,” she said.

She said he told her he is now hiding in protective custody.

“I asked him why he did it,” she said. “He said it was a justified shooting. The guy was trying to run him over with a car.”

His daughter also said he told her it was justified.

“I don’t think he sees himself as a killer,” Madison Brouillette said.

“I think he thinks that he genuinely did the right thing,” she added. “All he said was that he did what he had to do. He said that he had to protect himself.”

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This story was updated to correct that that Gardiner is northeast of Biddeford.

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Brook reported from New Orleans, Sisak reported from New York and Galofaro reported from Louisville, Kentucky. Associated Press reporter Will Weissert in Washington contributed to this report.

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Brook is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.

And the lunar lander — a groundbreaking piece of America — is up there still, far away.

NASA put 12 men on the lunar surface more than half a century ago, beginning with Apollo 11’s Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin. The two became the first humans to explore another world when their lander, bearing the patriotic name Eagle, settled onto the Sea of Tranquility on July 20, 1969. “The Eagle has landed,” Armstrong radioed as a spellbound Earth erupted in cheers and tears.

Just 6½ hours later came the most momentous and memorable line of all. Armstrong descended the ladder and stepped onto the gray, gritty dust: “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”

At 23 feet (7 meters), the Apollo lunar module stood a little taller than a giraffe and looked just as ungainly. It had two sections: a lower descent stage with four legs and an upper stage that housed the crew. The descent stage got the moonwalkers to the lunar surface and remained behind as the men blasted back into lunar orbit.

All six descent stages will be there for perpetuity, clumped around the equator on the moon’s near side.

NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and other countries’ satellites around the moon have photographed them. Resembling whitish splotches from orbit, the descent stages pinpoint the touchdown sites not only of Eagle but Intrepid, Antares, Falcon, Orion and Challenger. Its moon landing nixed, Apollo 13’s lunar module Aquarius was turned into a lifeboat that got its crew of three safely home. The ascent stages are scattered all over the moon — smashed to bits, no longer needed once the moonwalkers were back inside the command module. Some speculate, however, that Apollo 11's ascent stage might still be orbiting.

For NASA’s new Artemis program, private businesses are handling lunar lander details and operations. Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin are scrambling to get their landers ready for a docking test in low-Earth orbit with a NASA crew capsule next year. If Artemis III’s docking rehearsal goes well, NASA could launch its first moon landing with astronauts since Apollo as early as 2028. SpaceX’s Starship is so tall that moonwalkers will need a 10-floor elevator to descend to the lunar surface. The Apollo astronauts used a nine-rung ladder.

On that long-ago day, President Richard Nixon said in a phone call to Armstrong and Aldrin as the pair stood alongside the U.S. flag they had just planted 240,000 miles (385,000 kilometers) from home. Said Nixon: “For one priceless moment in the whole history of man, all the people on this Earth are truly one.”

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Part of a recurring series, “American Objects,” marking the 250th anniversary of the United States. For more American objects, click here. For more stories on the anniversary, click here. 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.

The Titans announced the honor Friday following Johnson's announcement June 29 on ABC’s “ Good Morning America ” that he was diagnosed with ALS, the fatal nervous system disease a year earlier.

“Chris Johnson holds a special place in the hearts of our organization and our fans,” Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk said. “His stats speak for themselves, and he will forever remain a leader in our record books, but the man behind the yardage deserves just as much celebration."

Johnson was the 24th pick overall in 2008 by the Titans and played six of his 10 seasons in the NFL with Tennessee. He rushed for 7,965 yards and had 58 total touchdowns in that span. Those totals both rank fourth for a franchise that also had Earl Campbell, Eddie George and Derrick Henry.

He earned the nickname “CJ2K” in 2009 when he finished with 2,006 yards rushing to join O.J. Simpson, Eric Dickerson, Barry Sanders, Terrell Davis and Jamal Lewis in the exclusive 2,000-yard club. Johnson also had 2,509 yards from scrimmage, a single-season record that still stands in the NFL.

That earned him The Associated Press NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award.

Johnson will be inducted at halftime of the Titans' opener against the New York Jets, the team the running back played for in 2014. He becomes the 20th inductee into the Titans' Ring of Honor with former radio analyst and assistant coach Dave McGinnis being inducted posthumously later this season.

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En tanto, los meteorólogos advierten que El Niño ya está en marcha y que cada vez es más probable que se intensifique a medida que avanza el año. A diferencia de los huracanes o sismos, el fenómeno climático se desarrolla gradualmente a lo largo de varios meses, dándole a las autoridades algo de tiempo para iniciar preparativos antes de que lleguen los impactos más severos.

Pero los expertos afirman que las autoridades de la región a menudo han tenido dificultades para transformar pronósticos en acciones, planteando dudas sobre si los países estarán mejor preparados que en episodios anteriores de El Niño que dejaron daños económicos generalizados y alteraron los sistemas de agua, energía y alimentos.

“Llegó el momento de tomar decisiones, de una preparación eficaz y de una coherencia política para ser realmente proactivos en esta ocasión”, subrayó Rodney Martínez, representante de la Organización Meteorológica Mundial (OMM por sus siglas en inglés) para América del Norte, Centroamérica y el Caribe.

“El Niño está confirmado. El Niño está en curso. No es simplemente una posibilidad”, puntualizó.

Muchos países han intensificado sus preparativos

Episodios anteriores de El Niño de gran intensidad han dejado daños por miles de millones de dólares en toda Latinoamérica, contribuyendo a una severa sequía en algunas regiones y, al mismo tiempo, provocar inundaciones y deslizamientos de tierra en otras. El fenómeno ha alterado los patrones de agricultura, aplicado presión sobre el suministro de agua potable, avivado incendios forestales y, en algunos países, reducido la generación hidroeléctrica, lo que ha dejado como resultado una escasez de energía.

Martínez indicó que los gobiernos deben aprovechar los meses previos a la llegada de los impactos más severos para asegurar fuentes alternativas de energía, proteger a las comunidades vulnerables y prepararse ante una posible presión sobre los servicios públicos.

En países que dependen de la generación hidroeléctrica, como Ecuador, esto podría significar poner en marcha la generación termoeléctrica para compensar los niveles más bajos en los embalses durante las condiciones de mayor sequía y completar con mucha antelación las labores de mantenimiento y adquisiciones. Destacó la crisis energética que afectó a Ecuador el año pasado, cuando la sequía agotó los niveles de agua en las instalaciones hidroeléctricas y contribuyó a apagones generalizados.

Centroamérica, partes del Caribe y el norte de Sudamérica ya experimentan condiciones más secas de lo normal relacionadas con El Niño, según la OMM. Se tiene previsto que estas condiciones se extiendan a partes de la cuenca amazónica, aumentando las preocupaciones relacionadas con la disponibilidad de agua, la agricultura y el riesgo de incendios forestales.

Las amenazas varían considerablemente en toda la región.

En Brasil, Colombia y partes de Centroamérica, las autoridades se concentran en la sequía, la escasez de agua y el riesgo de incendios forestales. Brasil ha contratado a más de 4.600 empleados federales para la prevención y respuesta ante incendios forestales, incrementó las brigadas de bomberos y desplegó aeronaves ante lo que las autoridades temen que pueda ser una temporada complicada de incendios. Colombia ha activado sistemas de monitoreo de los niveles de agua, reforzado la preparación ante incendios forestales e instado a las autoridades locales a prepararse ante la posibilidad de escasez.

En otras partes, los gobiernos se preparan para inundaciones. Ecuador, donde históricamente los episodios más intensos de El Niño han provocado lluvias dañinas en la costa del Pacífico, ordenó a los gobiernos locales elaborar planes de contingencia y asignó millones de dólares para la mitigación de inundaciones, la respuesta de emergencia y la recuperación agrícola. Las autoridades locales han comenzado a desazolvar drenajes, estabilizar laderas y preparar albergues de emergencia.

Costa Rica afirma que ha puesto en marcha más de 200 medidas en el marco de un plan nacional de contingencia, incluidos esfuerzos para proteger el suministro de agua, aumentar la generación de energía renovable y prepararse para una temporada de incendios forestales potencialmente severa. En Perú, las autoridades han reforzado los sistemas de monitoreo y alerta temprana, al tiempo que ampliaron las redes de observación meteorológica.

Las autoridades panameñas han elaborado planes para abordar los posibles impactos en las operaciones del Canal de Panamá, donde una menor cantidad de lluvia podría afectar la disponibilidad de agua necesaria para mantener el tránsito marítimo a través de una de las rutas comerciales más importantes del mundo.

Martínez advirtió que la sequía y el calor podrían significar una amenaza para la seguridad alimentaria en partes del Corredor Seco de Centroamérica, al tiempo que incrementan los riesgos de incendios forestales en varios países. En las zonas donde se tienen previstas precipitaciones extremas, las inundaciones pueden causar daños en la infraestructura, contaminar el suministro de agua y aumentar el riesgo de brotes de enfermedades.

La advertencia anticipada no siempre se traduce en acciones

La ministra de Ambiente y Desarrollo Sostenible de Colombia, Irene Vélez, declaró a The Associated Press que “No es que sea un fenómeno nuevo. ¿Qué es lo que es nuevo? Lo nuevo es su intensidad. Y en razón a su intensidad, es nuevo también la prolongación que esto va a tener y el área que va a cubrir en términos de su impacto a nivel nacional en Colombia”.

Pese a la advertencia anticipada, Martínez señaló que los preparativos siguen siendo desiguales en toda la región.

“La realidad es que esta preparación no ocurre hasta que tienen la emergencia”, subrayó Martínez.

Martínez indicó que algunas autoridades siguen postergando decisiones a pesar de que los pronósticos son cada vez más contundentes, ya sea a la espera de confirmación adicional o simplemente por asumir que su país evitará los peores impactos. Advirtió que aplazar decisiones a pesar de una evidencia científica cada vez más sólida podría llevar a los gobiernos a improvisar su respuesta una vez que se intensifiquen las sequías, inundaciones y olas de calor.

Estudios recientes que examinaron episodios anteriores de El Niño revelaron que su impacto económico puede prolongarse durante varios años y, en última instancia, costarle billones de dólares a la economía mundial.

El mensaje de Martínez para los gobiernos que aún esperan para actuar es simple.

“Prepárense con anticipación, de manera seria”, señaló. “Ahí está la información. Es el momento de tomar decisiones”.

Vélez dijo que el desafío va más allá de responder a un solo evento climático y exige que los gobiernos se adapten a condiciones cada vez más extremas.

“El cambio climático llegó para quedarse”, subrayó Vélez.

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The agency said the earthquake occurred at a depth of about 11.5 miles (18.5 kilometers) and was centered about 36 miles southwest of Puerto Madero, Mexico.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said the earthquake generated a tsunami threat for portions of Mexico and Guatemala. NOAA later reported that tsunami waves have been observed.

They said tsunami waves of up to 1 meter (3.3 feet) above normal tide levels are possible along parts of the Pacific coasts of Mexico and Guatemala.

NOAA officials said it will continue issuing tsunami forecasts and informational statements in support of the United Nations tsunami mitigation system. However, any official tsunami watches, warnings or advisories will be issued by government agencies in the affected countries.

La agencia indicó que el movimiento telúrico ocurrió a una profundidad de aproximadamente 18.5 kilómetros y que su epicentro se localizó unos 58 kilómetros al suroeste de Puerto Madero, México.

La Administración Nacional Oceánica y Atmosférica de Estados Unidos (NOAA) informó que el sismo generó una amenaza de tsunami para algunas zonas de México y Guatemala. Posteriormente, la agencia confirmó que se habían observado olas de tsunami.

Las autoridades señalaron que podrían registrarse olas de hasta un metro por encima del nivel normal de la marea en sectores de las costas del Pacífico de México y Guatemala.

Funcionarios de la NOAA informaron que continuarán emitiendo pronósticos y comunicados sobre el tsunami como parte del sistema de mitigación de tsunamis de las Naciones Unidas.

Sin embargo, aclararon que cualquier alerta, advertencia o aviso oficial de tsunami será emitido por las autoridades gubernamentales de los países afectados.

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Ludgy Sanon allegedly also told his brother that he had borrowed his 2000 Lexus GS 300 and remembered “striking a pothole” after work on Jan. 13, according to the Seminole police officer’s report.

On Jan. 16, the police officer reported telling Sanon, 26, that he suspected he had run over a motorcyclist who was ejected after a crash on Jan. 13 at the intersection of State Road 7 and Lucky Street.

“Sanon appeared visibly shocked and mortified, especially after learning that the individual had died,” the police officer wrote, according to the arrest report.

Shortly after midnight on a rainy Jan. 13, a 62-year-old woman was driving a 2015 Toyota Camry northbound on SR-7, and she was attempting to make a turn at Lucky Street when she collided with the motorcyclist, who had been traveling southbound on SR-7, according to the police report.

The motorcyclist “braked and lost control, causing the motorcycle to fall and slide into the passenger side of the Camry,” the police officer wrote, according to the report. The motorcyclist “was ejected ... and landed on the roadway.”

A witness told police officers that he was on the fifth floor of the Lucky Street garage at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino when he heard the “loud bang” after the crash between the Camry and the motorcyclist, according to the report.

The witness reported seeing the motorcyclist “lying on the roadway,” rushing to see if he could help, finding the motorcyclist “unresponsive,” and then watching helplessly as a driver ran him over and kept on going, according to the report.

Seminole Fire Rescue personnel took the motorcyclist to Memorial Regional Hospital, where staff pronounced him dead, according to police.

A police officer reported finding surveillance videos that showed the Lexus at the scene of the crash and Sanon getting out of the Lexus at his home after the crash, according to police.

Records show Sanon was arrested and corrections booked him on Thursday. He faced a charge of fleeing the scene of an accident involving death, a first-degree felony.

Local 10 News Assignment Editor Carson Merlo contributed to this report.

Location

De acuerdo con el informe del Departamento de Policía Seminole, Ludgy Sanon declaró a los investigadores que pensó que había golpeado “algo”, pero que no le dio mayor importancia.

Según el reporte, Sanon también dijo a su hermano, propietario de un Lexus GS 300 modelo 2000 que él había tomado prestado, que recordaba haber golpeado “un bache” cuando regresaba del trabajo la noche del accidente.

Tres días después del choque, el 16 de enero, un agente le informó a Sanon que sospechaban que en realidad había atropellado a un motociclista que salió expulsado de su vehículo tras un accidente ocurrido en la intersección de State Road 7 y Lucky Street.

El informe señala que Sanon se mostró visiblemente impactado y consternado al enterarse de que la víctima había fallecido.

Según la investigación, poco después de la medianoche del 13 de enero, bajo condiciones de lluvia, una mujer de 62 años que conducía un Toyota Camry 2015 hacia el norte por la State Road 7 intentó girar en Lucky Street, momento en que chocó con un motociclista que circulaba en sentido contrario.

Las autoridades indicaron que el motociclista frenó, perdió el control de la motocicleta y esta se deslizó hasta impactar el costado del automóvil. El conductor salió expulsado y cayó sobre la vía.

Un testigo declaró que se encontraba en el quinto piso del estacionamiento del Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino cuando escuchó el fuerte impacto del choque. Al acercarse para auxiliar al motociclista, lo encontró inconsciente y, según su relato, observó cómo otro vehículo lo atropelló y continuó su marcha sin detenerse.

Paramédicos del Seminole Fire Rescue trasladaron al motociclista al Memorial Regional Hospital, donde fue declarado muerto.

Durante la investigación, la policía obtuvo videos de vigilancia que, según las autoridades, muestran el Lexus en la escena del accidente y posteriormente a Sanon descendiendo del vehículo al llegar a su vivienda.

Los registros judiciales indican que Sanon fue arrestado el jueves y enfrenta un cargo por abandonar la escena de un accidente con resultado de muerte, un delito grave de primer grado.

Carson Merlo, editor de asignaciones de Local 10 News, colaboró en este reporte.

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According to a Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office arrest report, Charlotte Butler, 65, served as the primary caregiver for Maxine Dailey beginning around 2018.

Investigators said Dailey suffers from Alzheimer’s disease and relies on assistance for her daily care and financial affairs.

As part of her caregiving duties, Butler was added as an authorized signer on Dailey’s Wells Fargo bank account, giving her access to the victim’s finances, authorities said.

According to the arrest report, Butler later admitted during testimony in a Miami-Dade guardianship case that she regularly withdrew money from the joint account to gamble at local casinos.

Investigators said Butler acknowledged withdrawing approximately $24,070 from the account for gambling purposes.

Bank records obtained through a subpoena allegedly showed frequent cash withdrawals from ATMs located inside several South Florida casinos. Detectives said the transactions occurred on a weekly basis and, in some instances, multiple times in the same day. The withdrawals continued as recently as May 2023, resulting in an estimated loss of about $24,000, authorities said.

The investigation also included records from Hialeah Park Casino, where detectives said Butler maintained a player account.

According to investigators, casino records matched dates and amounts of cash withdrawals from the victim’s bank account, showing Butler’s gambling activity corresponded with money taken from the account. In some cases, wagering amounts matched the withdrawals, further supporting that the victim’s funds were used for Butler’s personal gambling, the report states.

Detectives said the only money deposited into the joint account came from Dailey’s Social Security benefits or transfers from other accounts solely owned by the victim. Investigators found no evidence Butler attempted to repay the money, the arrest report stated.

The investigation also found that Butler and her daughter lived in Dailey’s home without paying rent, utilities or cable bills, which continued to be paid using the victim’s funds, according to the arrest report.

After being advised of her Miranda rights, Butler admitted to making withdrawals from the joint account at casinos, investigators said.

Butler was arrested on a charge of exploitation of an elderly or disabled person.

As of Friday afternoon, she was being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on a $5,000 bond.

Esa percepción ha cambiado, en parte gracias a los científicos que descubrieron que decenas de tiburones de punta negra en gestación frecuentaban una ensenada cercana, impulsando los esfuerzos para proteger la zona.

Estudios recientes apuntan a Brasil como el mayor consumidor de carne de tiburón. Sin embargo, los tiburones son uno de los grupos de vertebrados más amenazados del planeta: más de una tercera parte de las especies están en peligro de extinción debido a la pesca excesiva, la degradación de su hábitat y el cambio climático, según la Unión Internacional para la Conservación de la Naturaleza (UICN).

Las costas de Brasil albergan una gran diversidad de especies de tiburón e incluyen hábitats críticos para muchas poblaciones en riesgo, por lo que su protección se ha convertido en una parte importante de la conservación oceánica global.

La identificación de zonas de cría como la ensenada de Piraquara de Fora, es parte vital de esos esfuerzos, aseguran los expertos que forman parte del proyecto Tiburones de la Bahía de Ilha Grande, del Instituto Brasileño para la Conservación de la Naturaleza.

“Antes los pescábamos y nos los comíamos”, declaró Marlene Fernanda do Nascimento Martins, una líder comunitaria de 35 años. Los conservacionistas “explicaron que ya no deberíamos hacerlo, por los propios animales y la necesidad de protegerlos”.

Rastreo de tiburones para promover la conservación

Los tiburones se reproducen lentamente, dando a luz a menos crías que muchos de los peces óseos, lo que aumenta su vulnerabilidad.

“Las áreas de reproducción son fundamentales para garantizar que la especie sobreviva en toda esta ecorregión del Atlántico”, afirmó Leonardo Mitrano Neves, coordinador del área científica del proyecto.

Mitrano Neves y su equipo colocaron recientemente equipo submarino de monitoreo en distintas partes de la ensenada, dejándolo una hora bajo el agua junto con carnada para atraer a los tiburones.

Ese material y las imágenes de dron serán analizados más adelante en un laboratorio, arrojando datos que se utilizarán para impulsar mejores esfuerzos de conservación.

Aunque los tiburones de punta negra son los más comunes en la región, el proyecto también gira en torno a los tiburones toro y los tiburones martillo.

El plan también pretende dar inicio a algunas actividades de educación ambiental en escuelas para que los tiburones sean vistos como parte del patrimonio natural de la región.

El material de comunicación destaca que los tiburones no representan una amenaza para el ser humano y que no se conocen incidentes con tiburones en la región.

Protección de los tiburones y los riesgos de su consumo

Brasil prohíbe la pesca dirigida de tiburones, pero aún se puede desembarcar especies no protegidas que sean capturadas de manera incidental, mientras que las especies amenazadas cuentan con protecciones contra la captura y la comercialización y deben ser devueltas al agua.

La identificación puede ser imprecisa, y la carne de tiburón a menudo se vende bajo el término genérico “cação”.

José Truda Palazzo, coordinador del proyecto en la bahía de Ilha Grande, señaló que su trabajo para desalentar a las comunidades locales de comer carne de tiburón está empezando a rendir frutos.

Durante sus reuniones con poblaciones cercanas, representantes del proyecto hablaron sobre la importancia de los tiburones para el ecosistema oceánico y de los riesgos para la salud asociados con el consumo de carne de tiburón, explicó.

Las investigaciones indican que, como depredadores en la cima de la cadena alimenticia, los tiburones acumulan altos niveles de metales pesados —incluidos arsénico, mercurio y plomo— en sangre y tejidos. Un estudio de 2024 también reveló que algunos cazones picudos brasileños dieron positivo a cocaína.

“Esperamos que cada vez más personas lleguen a entender que cação es tiburón, y que la carne de tiburón es tóxica, además de que los tiburones son animales en peligro”, indicó Palazzo.

Oportunidad para el ecoturismo

Cuando el cielo y el agua están despejados, los residentes suelen avistar tiburones desde las montañas bajas, por encima de las rocas color arena que se encuentran con el océano.

Con el tiempo, la observación de los tiburones —desde tierra, desde embarcaciones e incluso bajo el agua— podría convertirse en una fuente adicional de ingresos gracias al ecoturismo, dijo Palazzo.

Nascimento Martins es pescadora y además vende hielo en la playa para complementar sus ingresos y mantener a sus tres hijos. Afirmó que el ecoturismo sería una gran ayuda en la zona.

“Somos una comunidad remota con recursos muy limitados. Así que cualquier cosa que llegue y pueda ayudarnos a preservar nuestro pueblo es algo bueno”, añadió.

Reinaldo Dias da Rocha, de la misma comunidad, contó que su padre ya lo había alentado a no pescar tiburón, pero que el proyecto reforzó la importancia de preservar a estos animales.

“Transmitimos la información a nuestros sobrinos, a los turistas que vienen a descubrir este lugar y disfrutar de nuestras hermosas playas, y recalcamos aún más que no se debe comer lo que llamamos cação”, puntualizó.

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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.

De acuerdo con el informe de arresto de la Oficina del Sheriff de Miami-Dade (MDSO), Charlotte Butler, de 65 años, comenzó a desempeñarse como la principal cuidadora de Maxine Dailey alrededor de 2018.

Los investigadores indicaron que Dailey padece Alzheimer y depende de asistencia para su cuidado diario y la administración de sus asuntos financieros.

Como parte de sus funciones, Butler fue autorizada como firmante en la cuenta bancaria de Wells Fargo de la víctima, lo que le permitió acceder a sus recursos económicos.

Según el informe, Butler admitió posteriormente, durante su testimonio en un proceso judicial de tutela en Miami-Dade, que retiraba dinero de la cuenta compartida de manera habitual para apostar en casinos de la zona.

Las autoridades señalaron que la mujer reconoció haber retirado aproximadamente 24,070 dólares con ese propósito.

Los registros bancarios obtenidos mediante una orden judicial revelaron frecuentes retiros de efectivo en cajeros automáticos ubicados dentro de varios casinos del sur de Florida. Los detectives indicaron que las transacciones se realizaban semanalmente y, en algunos casos, varias veces el mismo día. Los retiros continuaron hasta mayo de 2023 y ocasionaron pérdidas estimadas en unos 24,000 dólares.

La investigación también incluyó registros del Hialeah Park Casino, donde Butler tenía una cuenta de jugador.

Según los investigadores, los registros del casino coincidían con las fechas y montos de los retiros realizados de la cuenta bancaria de la víctima, lo que demostraba que la actividad de apuestas de Butler correspondía con el dinero extraído de esa cuenta. En algunos casos, las cantidades apostadas coincidían exactamente con los retiros, lo que, según las autoridades, respalda que utilizó los fondos de la víctima para fines personales.

Los detectives señalaron además que el único dinero depositado en la cuenta provenía de los beneficios del Seguro Social de Dailey o de transferencias realizadas desde otras cuentas que pertenecían exclusivamente a la víctima. La investigación no encontró evidencia de que Butler hubiera intentado devolver el dinero.

Asimismo, las autoridades descubrieron que Butler y su hija vivían en la casa de Dailey sin pagar renta, servicios públicos ni televisión por cable, gastos que continuaban cubriéndose con el dinero de la víctima.

Tras ser informada de sus derechos Miranda, Butler admitió haber realizado retiros de la cuenta compartida en casinos, según el informe.

Butler fue arrestada por un cargo de explotación financiera de una persona mayor o con discapacidad.

Hasta la tarde del viernes permanecía recluida en el Centro Correccional Turner Guilford Knight con una fianza fijada en 5,000 dólares.

The firefighters focused on the house’s three-car garage along Crestview Circle, near Greenwood Road, in the Meadows community.

Related social media post

BSO Fire crews are fighting a working structure fire located at 930 Crestview Circle. Two vehicles in garage on fire.
Stay clear of Crestview Circle in the Meadows #Alert #WestonFL pic.twitter.com/u95zXRXogW

— WestonFL Alert (@WestonFLAlert) July 17, 2026

Local 10 News Assignment Editor Carson Merlo and Senior Assignment Editor Frine Gomez contributed to this report.

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According to the Broward Sheriff’s Office, at least three suspects were arrested Thursday after the burglaries were reported, but investigators believe additional suspects remain involved as multiple groups continued searching for unlocked vehicles overnight.

Authorities said the burglaries have primarily targeted apartment complex parking lots and residential driveways between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m.

They said most of the vehicles showed little or no signs of forced entry because they were left unlocked. However, investigators said windows have been smashed when valuables were visible inside.

Detectives said the thieves have stolen wallets, purses, cash, sneakers, perfume, hedge trimmers, leaf blowers and other valuables from vehicles.

They said one of the biggest concerns is the number of guns being stolen from vehicle consoles, glove compartments and trunks.

BSO identified two of the arrested suspects as 19-year-old Jason McDowell and 18-year-old Shamar McDowell.

Jail records show Jason McDowell faces charges of loitering or prowling, tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, and resisting an officer without violence. Records show Shamar McDowell faces one count each of loitering or prowling and resisting an officer without violence.

Deputies said the third suspect is a minor. His or her identity, age and charges were not immediately released.

As of Friday afternoon, Jason McDowell Broward County Main Jail, where his bond has not yet been set, while Shamar McDowell was being held at the same jail on a $650 bond.

Detectives are urging residents and visitors to help prevent vehicle burglaries by locking their vehicles, using steering wheel locks, parking in well-lit areas, removing all personal belongings from their cars and installing or activating alarm systems.

Anyone with information about the remaining suspects is urged to contact BSO North Lauderdale District Sgt. Lisa Sokol at 954-720-2261 or Detective Jaret Mundth at 954-720-2265, or submit a tip through the SaferWatch app. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Broward Crime Stoppers by calling 954-493-8477 or dialing **TIPS from any cellphone.

Según la BSO, al menos tres sospechosos fueron arrestados el jueves tras los reportes de los robos. Sin embargo, los investigadores creen que hay más personas involucradas, ya que varios grupos continuaron recorriendo la zona en busca de vehículos sin seguro durante la noche.

Las autoridades informaron que los robos se han concentrado principalmente en estacionamientos de complejos de apartamentos y entradas de viviendas entre las 2:00 y las 5:00 de la madrugada.

La mayoría de los vehículos no presentaba señales de haber sido forzada, ya que estaban sin seguro. No obstante, los investigadores señalaron que en algunos casos los delincuentes rompieron ventanas al ver objetos de valor en el interior.

Entre los artículos robados se encuentran carteras, bolsos, dinero en efectivo, tenis, perfumes, sopladoras de hojas y otros objetos de valor.

Las autoridades expresaron especial preocupación por el número de armas de fuego robadas de las consolas centrales, las guanteras y las cajuelas de los vehículos.

La BSO identificó a dos de los detenidos como Jason McDowell, de 19 años, y Shamar McDowell, de 18.

De acuerdo con los registros carcelarios, Jason McDowell enfrenta cargos por merodeo, alteración o fabricación de evidencia física y resistencia a un agente sin violencia. Por su parte, Shamar McDowell enfrenta un cargo de merodeo y otro de resistencia a un agente sin violencia.

Los agentes informaron que el tercer detenido es menor de edad, por lo que su identidad, edad y los cargos que enfrenta no fueron revelados de inmediato.

Hasta la tarde del viernes, Jason McDowell permanecía recluido en la cárcel principal del condado de Broward sin que se le hubiera fijado una fianza, mientras que Shamar McDowell continuaba detenido en el mismo centro con una fianza de 650 dólares.

Los detectives recomendaron a residentes y visitantes tomar medidas para prevenir este tipo de delitos, como cerrar con seguro los vehículos, utilizar bloqueadores para el volante, estacionarse en lugares bien iluminados, retirar todos los objetos de valor del interior del automóvil y activar los sistemas de alarma.

Cualquier persona que tenga información sobre los sospechosos que aún no han sido localizados puede comunicarse con la sargento Lisa Sokol al 954-720-2261 o con el detective Jaret Mundth al 954-720-2265. También puede enviar información a través de la aplicación SaferWatch o hacerlo de forma anónima llamando a Broward Crime Stoppers al 954-493-8477 o marcando **TIPS desde cualquier teléfono celular.

He was the most productive tight end in the NFL, a near-unanimous All-Pro selection and made his second straight Pro Bowl.

McBride’s success has also landed him the top spot at tight end in a preseason survey by The Associated Press. He received five first-place votes from a panel of eight AP Pro Football Writers who ranked the top five players at the position, basing selections on current status entering the 2026 season. First-place votes were worth 10 points. Second- through fifth-place votes were worth 5, 3, 2 and 1 points.

George Kittle finished second with three first-place votes. Brock Bowers came in third, followed by Sam LaPorta and Kyle Pitts.

1. Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals

McBride had a breakout year in 2024 and followed that up with a record-setting season in 2025.

He caught 126 passes last season, breaking Zach Ertz’s record for most in a season by a tight end, had 1,239 receiving yards, and his 11 receiving touchdowns tied for first. McBride also led tight ends with 566 yards after the catch.

He got one second-place vote and two thirds to go with the five firsts in voting for this season's Top 5.

2. George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers

Kittle had 57 receptions for 628 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in only 11 games last season, averaging 11.0 yards per reception.

He had just two drops and 259 yards after the catch.

The seven-time Pro Bowl pick and two-time All-Pro is one of the best blocking tight ends in NFL history.

Kittle, who tore his Achilles in San Francisco’s playoff victory over the Eagles, got two second-place votes to go with the three firsts and appeared on seven ballots.

3. Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders

After a sensational All-Pro rookie season, Bowers was plagued by injuries last year. He caught 64 passes for 680 yards and seven TDs in 12 games and made his second Pro Bowl.

Bowers gained 296 yards after the catch, and had three drops. A dynamic receiver, Bowers is still a work in progress as a blocker.

He received three second-place votes and was on each ballot.

4. Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions

LaPorta was limited to nine games because of injuries last season and had 40 catches for 489 yards and three TDs.

He wasn’t charged with any drops and totaled 273 yards after the catch. LaPorta is one of the best all-around tight ends in the league and an asset in Detroit’s run game because of his outstanding blocking skills.

5. Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons

Pitts earned second-team All-Pro honors after a career-high 88 catches for 928 yards and five TDs last season.

Pitts, who was the highest-drafted tight end in NFL history in 2021 when the Falcons selected him No. 4 overall, lived up to expectations as a rookie when he made the Pro Bowl. But he was disappointing until a breakthrough season last year.

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

Corrine, who asked not to be identified by last name, said she was 9 years old when she moved to Miami from Haiti, just 12 days after the earthquake in 2010.

“I’ve been here for 16 years, I’ve obtained an education, I work, I volunteer at my church with children,” Corrine, 26, said. “I’m angry; I’m scared. I don’t know what to think; I don’t know what to do.”

Conditions in the Caribbean nation are so bad that the U.S. State Department has the highest level warning for U.S. citizens traveling to Haiti.

In late June, the Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to end TPS for Haitians on July 10, but active litigation forced an extension on July 24.

“There’s nothing in Haiti for us. Haiti is not a safe place anymore. What would we go back to? We would have to worry about being murdered, raped,” Corrine said.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s end of TPS for Haiti will impact some 350,000 people nationwide.

“Claims that DHS is deporting individuals that have current Temporary Protected Status are false. Individuals who lose TPS eligibility, have their designation terminated, or are removable under U.S. immigration law may be subject to enforcement actions consistent with federal law and due process.”

“Temporary Protected Status is exactly that-temporary. For too long, TPS has been allowed to function as a de facto amnesty program despite Congress never intending it to be permanent. The Trump Administration is restoring integrity to the immigration system by ensuring that individuals who no longer qualify for TPS either pursue another lawful immigration status, voluntarily depart using the Department’s available return assistance, or face removal in accordance with federal law.

“Conditions in Haiti have improved sufficiently to support the return of Haitian nationals, and DHS encourages eligible individuals to utilize available resources, including the CBP Home program, to facilitate a safe and orderly departure. This decision restores TPS to its intended purpose while reinforcing that U.S. immigration laws will be enforced consistently and that temporary protections cannot become permanent by default.”

Spokesperson for U.S. Department of Homeland Security

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The Commerce Ministry said that the U.S. made commitments on Hong Kong issues and other matters during the U.S.-China trade talks in Madrid last year. The U.S. recently confirmed to China that the President’s Executive Order on Hong Kong Normalization would end, the ministry said in a statement responding to media questions.

“The U.S. side’s actions represent an important step in fulfilling the consensus reached during the bilateral economic and trade talks. China appreciates it,” it said.

It is not immediately clear what all the implications of the decision are. The White House referred questions about the executive order lapsing to the Treasury Department.

The U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control said in a statement Friday that the national emergency declared in the executive order had expired and that it delisted people who were sanctioned under the order. But it said people who remain sanctioned under another act related to Hong Kong have been added to a different sanction list.

The statement showed Hong Kong leader John Lee and his predecessor, Carrie Lam, were removed from the first list but added to the second one.

The U.S. decision came two months after President Donald Trump met with his counterpart Xi Jinping in Beijing. It could warm ties between them ahead of Xi's expected visit to the U.S. later this year. Earlier this month, a pastor of a prominent underground church who was detained in China in October was released after Trump brought up his case with Xi.

Trump signed the now-expired executive order in July 2020, during his first term in response to Beijing imposing a national security law that year. Trump's order was last renewed for a year in July 2025.

Under the order, Trump said Hong Kong was no longer sufficiently autonomous to justify differential treatment in relation to mainland China under certain laws. It eliminated the preferential treatment for Hong Kong to the extent permitted by law and in the national security, foreign policy, and economic interest of the United States.

China considers the national security law for Hong Kong necessary to restore stability in the city after massive anti-government protests in 2019. The pro-democracy movement back then posed one of the biggest challenges to the Communist Party in Beijing and the Hong Kong government since the former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997.

Six years after the law's introduction, many leading activists, including pro-democracy former media tycoon Jimmy Lai, were imprisoned under it. Critics say the Western-style civil liberties that Beijing promised to maintain for 50 years after the handover have declined.

Hong Kong government said in a statement that it noted the “positive shift in the U.S. policy” toward the city.

“Safeguarding Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability serves the common interests of China and the US, and also aligns with the general expectation of the international community,” it said.

It said it hopes the U.S. will respect China's sovereignty and the rule of law in Hong Kong and resume normal economic and trade exchanges with the city.

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Associated Press writer Joshua Boak in Washington contributed to this report.

Federal health officials identified iceberg lettuce from Mexico served at Taco Bell locations in five states as a source of widespread infections from the diarrhea-causing parasite cyclospora. A U.S. Food and Drug Administration investigation identified a single supplier as the source of the suspect lettuce.

Taco Bell issued a statement on Thursday saying that “the affected ingredient from our supplier is being indefinitely removed from our supply chain nationwide and will be replaced within 24 hours in select states.” The company described the move as precautionary.

A federal official who was briefed on the outbreak investigation and not authorized to discuss it identified the supplier as Taylor Farms, a company based in Salinas, California, that produces fresh vegetables for commercial use and meal kits and bagged lettuce products sold at supermarkets.

Federal health officials stressed that other “brands, restaurants, retailers, or distribution channels” could be identified as the investigation continues.

Here’s a brief history of some other recent outbreaks that roiled restaurant companies and sometimes changed how food safety is regulated in the U.S.

Taylor Farms provided onions implicated in an outbreak linked to McDonald's hamburgers

E. coli bacteria caused a 2024 food poisoning outbreak tied to raw onions on McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers. The outbreak sickened at least 104 people in 14 states, including 34 who were hospitalized, according to the FDA. One person in Colorado died.

McDonald's said the onions came from Taylor Farms and temporarily pulled the Quarter Pounder off its menu in the affected states. Other national restaurant chains temporarily stopped using fresh onions in some of their locations.

Likely E. coli contamination gets lettuce pulled from Wendy’s sandwiches

Wendy’s pulled lettuce from sandwiches in its restaurants in Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania in August 2022 after some people reported falling ill.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said at the time that it was trying to determine whether romaine lettuce was the source of an E. coli outbreak that sickened at least 37 people and whether romaine used at Wendy’s was also served or sold at other businesses.

One person was also sickened in Indiana, according to the CDC.

Extensive E. coli outbreak at Chipotle leads to criminal charges

In 2015, Chipotle was hit by an E. coli outbreak that sickened more than 50 people and it temporarily shut down dozens of restaurants on the West Coast, but that was just the beginning. A month later, 30 Boston College students, including at least eight members of the men’s basketball team, complained of gastrointestinal symptoms after eating at a Chipotle restaurant.

Federal officials declared the outbreak over by February 2016, but the chain shut down every one of its restaurants to retrain employees and allow them to regroup.

By the end of the year, however, Chipotle Co-CEO Montgomery Moran stepped down as sales plunged.

In 2020 Chipotle Mexican Grille agreed to pay a record $25 million fine to resolve criminal charges that it served tainted food that sickened more than 1,100 people in the U.S. between 2015 and 2018.

The company admitted that poor safety practices, such as not keeping food at proper temperatures to prevent pathogen growth, sickened customers in Los Angeles and nearby Simi Valley, as well as Boston, Sterling, Virginia, and Powell, Ohio.

Taco Bell removes green onions nationwide after an E. coli outbreak sickens dozens

In December 2006, Taco Bell ordered the removal of green onions from its 5,800 restaurants nationwide after samples taken by investigators appeared to contain a harsh strain of E. coli. The outbreak sickened at least 71 people in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Delaware, with most of them hospitalized, according to the CDC.

Eight people developed a type of kidney failure called hemolytic-uremic syndrome.

Eventually, it was determined that contaminated lettuce was the probable cause, with the vegetable used in numerous dishes on the menu.

Almost immediately, Taco Bell launched a newspaper ad blitz and sent its president on a string of media interviews to assure customers that its food was safe.

Deadly outbreak traced to Jack in the Box hamburgers leads to regulatory changes

Four deaths and more than 700 illnesses in Washington, Idaho, California, and Nevada between 1992 and 1993 eventually were traced to undercooked Jack in the Box restaurant hamburgers contaminated with E. coli.

The ensuing investigation by federal regulators changed regulatory practices in the U.S., experts say.

An investigation by the CDC identified five slaughter plants in the U.S. and one in Canada as the likely sources of animals used in the contaminated lots of meat and identified potential control points for reducing the likelihood of contamination. The animals slaughtered in domestic slaughter plants were traced to farms and auctions in six western states. No one slaughter plant or farm was identified as the source.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture mandated a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point system, which helps identify and control hazards within the system of food production. The system provided for more monitoring and controls to rapidly limit the spread of outbreaks.

Jack in the Box lost more than $44 million in 1993 and did not post another annual profit for another three years.

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The fire, which erupted at about 8 a.m. Thursday, is burning in the Everglades near Mile Marker 40, just west of U.S. 27.

It has burned 4,400 acres so far and is 20% contained.

On Friday afternoon, those on the highway couldn’t see much of the flames, but smoke from the fire could be seen for miles.

According to Local 10 meteorologist John Gerard, southerly winds should keep most of the smoke away from the western suburbs Friday, but a wind shift to the southwest could allow the smoke to spread more into the western suburbs on Saturday.

Kerr, the 2023 world champion over the 1,500 meters metric mile, has called it “Project 222” — for each second he aims to take in breaking Hicham El Guerrouj’s mark of 3 minutes, 43.13 seconds.

“It’s in my favor," Kerr said Friday at a news conference at London Stadium that staged track and field at the 2012 Olympics. “My body is capable of the mark and so my job tomorrow is to have my mind to be available to let my body do its job.”

The 28-year-old Kerr has targeted the mile race at the Diamond League meeting as a main goal in a track season with neither Olympics nor world championships.

“I’m very excited. It’s been on my mind, my team’s mind, for a long time,” said the 1,500 silver medalist at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The mile is not a championships event yet has iconic status in track history, with the four-minute barrier finally broken in 1954 by another British runner, Roger Bannister.

El Guerrouj’s record set in 1999 is more than 16 seconds faster than Bannister, and Kerr is the sixth-fastest athlete on the all-time list. One of his rivals Saturday is No. 4 in that list.

Yared Nuguse set a United States record three years ago, 0.84 slower than El Guerrouj, in a race won by Jakob Ingebrigtsen at Eugene, Oregon.

While Bannister’s feat running 3:59.4 is remembered in track lore, he held the record just a few weeks before Australian John Landy lowered it by 1.4 seconds.

Jim Ryun of the U.S. later held the record for nine years until Filbert Bayi of Tanzania took it in 1975.

A stellar 10 days in August 1981 saw a British rivalry play out: Sebastian Coe took Steve Ovett’s mile record, Ovett got it back then Coe beat it again clocking 3:47.33.

In the 45 years since, the mile record was held only by Steve Cram, Noureddine Morceli and El Guerrouj.

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AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports

The body was identified as Tondra Madruga, 58, also known as Tondra Miller, the San Francisco medical examiner said Friday.

Madruga's body was recovered Thursday by a police marine unit, two days after the Volare, a 49-foot (15-meter) cabin cruiser, sank with 20 people aboard after being hit by a wave and capsizing. The group was on the boat to scatter the ashes of a loved one.

“Our family is heartbroken by the loss of our beloved mother, daughter, sister, and aunt, Tondra Madruga,” family member Quin Madruga said on Facebook. “Our hearts remain with every family impacted, and we sincerely appreciate your kindness and understanding.”

One man, Clifford Boisa, died immediately after being retrieved from the chilly water. The U.S. Coast Guard suspended rescue efforts Wednesday evening but police are still looking for the missing.

Ralph Boisa said his extended family and some close friends were on the boat Tuesday to celebrate the life of his daughter, who died over a decade ago. Madruga was a friend.

The two people who remain missing are Ralph Boisa's sister, Carol, and Clifford Boisa's wife, Jackie, he said.

Madruga's body was discovered in San Francisco Bay near Treasure Island, a former naval station, when a boater first reported it, police said.

The bay is notorious for its strong currents, and within hours of the boat’s sinking, rescuers were also searching the open ocean beyond the Golden Gate Bridge.

Crews searched more than 800 square miles (over 2,000 square kilometers), according to the Coast Guard. That’s an area roughly half the size of Rhode Island.

The boat is believed to be submerged on the rocky seabed in water 120 feet (36 meters) deep. When the wreck is located, authorities will determine whether a safe recovery can be conducted, police said.

With several riders closing in behind them, Schmid made the decisive move with 200 meters left and held off Tejada before lifting his front wheel at the line in celebration. Olympic mountain bike champion Tom Pidcock finished just behind in third.

Pogacar's yellow jersey group cruised in a few minutes later as the high temperatures of recent heat waves finally dropped.

Four-time Tour champion Pogacar remains 3 minutes, 36 seconds ahead of two-time champion Jonas Vingegaard in the overall standings, and 4:06 ahead of Remco Evenepoel in third place. Pidcock climbed up to fourth at 4:15 behind Pogacar.

Stage 13 was the longest of this year’s race at 206 kilometers (128 miles) and featured a sharp nine-kilometer Category 1 climb — the second-hardest climbing category — up Ballon d’Alsace. Schmid won in just over four hours.

A large group of riders formed at the front at the foot of the big climb, with Pogacar's yellow jersey group not contesting the stage win. The group was whittled down on the descent toward the finish in the northeast city of Belfort, and became a two-way duel to the line.

Saturday's 14th stage is a mountain stage with three big climbs in the Alsace region and ending at Le Markstein ski resort.

The race concludes with its traditional finish in Paris on July 26. ___

AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports

The man was arrested Thursday morning inside 30 Rockefeller Center in Midtown by an officer responding to reports of a disorderly individual inside the building, police said Friday.

NBC News says in a statement that an individual approached Melvin after entering an unauthorized area in a vestibule near Studio 1A. Melvin notified security, who held the man until police arrived, according to NBC.

No altercation occurred and no injuries were reported. NBC did not say how the man gained access to the area.

“We are reviewing the incident and our security protocols and remain committed to providing a safe and secure environment for everyone who works at and visits our studios,” the network said in a statement.

The man has been charged with burglary, menacing and criminal trespass as hate crimes, as well as harassment. It was not clear Friday if has appeared in court or if he has an attorney.

Police did not say what led to the hate crime enhancements on the charges. Police records show a court date has been scheduled for Wednesday.

Melvin, who is Black, discussed the incident on-air Friday morning.

“Unfortunately, an intruder made his way into an unauthorized area here at Studio 1A,” Melvin said. “Thankfully, he was apprehended quickly. He was placed under arrest. We are just very happy that everyone is safe.”

Melvin also posted about the incident on Instagram.

“Hey everyone. I’ve heard from so many of you over the last few hours,” he wrote on Thursday. “I’m doing just fine. Thanks for reaching out."

Longtime “Today" show meteorologist Al Roker also took to social media to thank everyone reaching out to check on Melvin.

“We are both okay,” Roker posted on Instagram. “It’s moments like these that serve to pull us together. You all, like Craig, said ‘You come after one of us, you come after all of us.’”

Melvin and Roker are among a relatively small group of prominent Black journalists and anchors with regular, highly visible roles on national broadcast network news programs.

The people, who were not authorized to speak publicly, said she has started having conversations about a potential campaign.

Plans for Lindsey Graham's funeral were also announced on Friday. There will be a service in Washington on July 28 and more in South Carolina on July 29.

Darline Graham's eventual decision could dramatically shake up the scramble to fill her late brother's seat after he died last weekend. The filing period for a special primary runs from July 21 to July 28, and the primary is scheduled for Aug. 11.

Several other noteworthy politicians — including Reps. Russell Fry, Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman, as well as Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette — have been eyeing a run.

Darline Graham's conversations were first reported by Semafor.

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Darline Graham to serve the remainder of her brother's term, which ends in January.

The first woman to represent the state in the Senate, Darline Graham called it "such an honor,” as dozens of her brother’s staffers and campaign advisers stood behind her, some with eyes glassy from welling tears.

“Lindsey has always been there for me. And now, I will be there for him," she said.

Lindsey Graham died on Saturday at age 71. A preliminary report from the medical examiner said he suffered a tear in his aorta.

He never married or had a family of his own, but his sister was often by his side for the political touch points of his career, speaking at events and appearing in some of his campaign ads.

In his announcement on Monday, McMaster made no reference to her as a placeholder or symbolic appointment.

However, a person familiar with McMaster's thinking but unauthorized to speak publicly said the governor, in selecting Darline Graham, had never contemplated that she would run for the seat herself.

Sen. Tim Scott, another South Carolina Republican, said he would not endorse any candidate in the primary because he also serves as chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

But, he said, “as Tim Scott, the voter of South Carolina, I might indeed wade into the water at some point.”

“I think the truth of the matter is that Darline has so far been off to a remarkable start,” Scott told reporters, asking about her as a possible special primary contender. “‘Why not her?’ would be my question.”

When he died, Lindsey Graham had millions in his campaign account and was expected to raise much more heading into the general election. But those aren’t funds that Darline Graham could directly access, if she were to run, according to Bradley A. Smith, a former chairman of the Federal Election Commission.

Under federal rules, Lindsey Graham's campaign would be limited to transferring just $2,000 to a potential Darline Graham candidacy. However, Smith said there is no limit on how much it could transfer to the National Republican Senatorial Committee, which could — thanks to a Supreme Court decision last month — “spend an unlimited amount in coordination with Darline’s campaign.”

“It can’t be earmarked for Darline’s campaign, but in those circumstances I’m sure that the party will make sure she’s not short of cash,” said Smith, now serving as a professor at Capital University Law School in Ohio.

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Kim reported from Washington.

___

Meg Kinnard can be reached at http://x.com/MegKinnardAP

The move comes just days after Rodriguez, a leading establishment Democrat from the pivotal Milwaukee suburbs, fired her campaign manager after discovering her campaign had hundreds of thousands of dollars less on hand than expected.

“As we have continued to dig into our financial reports, it has become clear there are issues that would be an ongoing distraction,” Rodriguez said in a social media post Friday. “Part of being a leader is taking swift action, doing the right thing and being as honest as possible when there's a problem."

“And because I believe that, I cannot, in good conscience, allow these questions to become a cloud over an election Democrats need to win,” she added.

The shake-up comes less than a month from the primary election on Aug. 11, when Democrats will be choosing a successor to Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat who opted not to seek a third term.

Rodriguez had been endorsed by Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, who quit his campaign on July 8, over remaining Democratic candidates, including democratic socialist Francesca Hong, former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes and others.

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Deputies identified the suspect as William Adam Lamkin.

Jail records show he was arrested Tuesday on charges of domestic assault, domestic battery and resisting an officer with violence.

Deputies said they responded just after 7:30 p.m. Tuesday to a home near the 9900 block of Red Heart Lane in Tamarac in reference to a “suspicious incident” involving a 10-year-old boy.

According to an arrest affidavit, the boy called 911 after running away from the home following the domestic dispute.

The affidavit states the boy told deputies that his mother had returned home with bottles of alcohol before she and her boyfriend, Lamkin, began arguing before it turned physical.

According to the affidavit, the boy told deputies that he called 911 after his mother said Lamkin grabbed her by the shirt and threatened to kill her.

Deputies said the victim told them that officers had responded to the home on previous occasions.

She told deputies she was shopping at Publix when she received several text messages from Lamkin asking where she was and “demanding that she return home immediately,” the affidavit states.

The woman said that after she returned home and parked her vehicle, Lamkin walked behind it and ordered her back inside. She told deputies Lamkin then pushed her against the driver’s seat, stepped back and punched her in the arm, authorities said.

According to the affidavit, Lamkin then told her, “I’m going to ask you this question one time and one time only, and every time you give me that bulls--t answer, I will punch you again.”

Deputies did not say what question Lamkin asked but said neighbors attempted to intervene before Lamkin eventually walked back toward the home.

The woman and her son also returned to the home, where Lamkin continued yelling at her inside the home, deputies said. The boy became “frightened” and ran from the house. They said his mother chased after him until she saw him get into a pickup truck. The affidavit does not identify who owned the truck.

When deputies asked whether she believed Lamkin would carry out his threats, the woman replied, “Of course,” according to the affidavit.

She also told deputies she feared Lamkin would return to the home because of his “extensive domestic history” in previous relationships. According to the affidavit, she pleaded with deputies not to leave, saying, “He will kill me. He’s a psycho,” the affidavit states.

Deputies said Lamkin returned to the home while they were still on scene and told them, “I didn’t do anything wrong, so go about your business.”

According to investigators, Lamkin then “started to walk toward deputies in an aggressive manner and took a fighting stance.”

Deputies said they took “necessary actions” to bring Lamkin into custody. They said he was taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation before being booked into the Broward County Main Jail.

Lamkin’s mugshot shows him with one eye swollen shut, but it is unclear whether he sustained the injury during his arrest.

As of Friday morning, he remained at the Broward County Main Jail, where his bond was set at $32,500. A judge also placed him on house arrest and ordered him to have no contact with the victim and her son. He was also banned from possessing any guns, weapons or ammunition.

Victims of domestic violence can get help by calling the National Domestic Violence 24-Hour Crisis Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.

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A city-pole-mounted surveillance camera recorded a video of Tangela Wright using a white Chevrolet Impala as a weapon, according to a Florida City police officer’s arrest report.

“The female victim advised that she and the defendant had an ongoing history of personal conflict,” the police officer wrote, according to the report. “She stated that they had been involved in multiple prior altercations and that the defendant had repeatedly attempted to initiate physical fights with her before.”

At 5:30 a.m., on May 9, Wright was driving the Chevrolet Impala westbound on Davis Parkway, according to the police report.

The surveillance video shows Wright “make only a minimal stop at the stop sign” at Sixth Avenue, according to the police report.

The video shows Wright “accelerate into the intersection as both victims were actively crossing within the marked crosswalk” and “striking the male victim, causing him to become airborne before landing on the roadway,” according to the report.

The man had to be hospitalized after he suffered fractured ribs and a neck injury, according to police officers.

A detective questioned Wright and arrested her at 12:55 p.m. on Thursday at the Florida City Police Department’s headquarters at City Hall at 404 West Palm Drive, according to the police report.

Correctional officers booked Wright shortly before 5:40 p.m. on Thursday at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center near Doral, according to Miami-Dade inmate records.

Prosecutors filed a case against Wright on Friday, and she faced charges of attempted felony murder with injury and attempted felony murder, according to Miami-Dade court records.

Miami-Dade County Circuit Judge Laura Maria Gonzalez was set to preside over the case.

Local 10 News Assignment Desk Editor Mercedes Cevallos contributed to this report.

Location

De acuerdo con el reporte de arresto de la Policía de Florida City, una cámara de videovigilancia instalada en un poste captó el momento en que Tangela Wright presuntamente utilizó un Chevrolet Impala blanco como arma.

Según el informe, la mujer que sobrevivió al ataque declaró a los investigadores que mantenía un historial de conflictos personales con la acusada y que ambas ya habían protagonizado varios altercados en el pasado. También aseguró que Wright había intentado iniciar peleas físicas con ella en repetidas ocasiones.

Las autoridades indicaron que alrededor de las 5:30 a.m. del 9 de mayo, Wright conducía el vehículo hacia el oeste por Davis Parkway. El video muestra que realizó apenas una detención mínima en la señal de alto ubicada en la intersección con Sixth Avenue antes de acelerar mientras las dos víctimas cruzaban por un paso peatonal debidamente señalizado.

Las imágenes muestran que el automóvil impactó al hombre, quien salió proyectado por el aire antes de caer sobre la vía, según el reporte policial.

La víctima fue trasladada a un hospital con fracturas en las costillas y una lesión en el cuello, informaron las autoridades.

Un detective interrogó a Wright y la arrestó a las 12:55 p.m. del jueves en la sede del Departamento de Policía de Florida City, ubicada en el Ayuntamiento, en el 404 de West Palm Drive.

Posteriormente, fue ingresada en el Centro Correccional Turner Guilford Knight, cerca de Doral.

La Fiscalía presentó formalmente el caso el viernes y Wright enfrenta cargos por intento de homicidio grave con lesiones e intento de homicidio grave, de acuerdo con los registros judiciales del condado de Miami-Dade.

El caso quedó asignado a la jueza del Tribunal de Circuito de Miami-Dade, Laura Maria Gonzalez.

Mercedes Cevallos, editora de asignaciones de Local 10 News, colaboró en este reporte.

Ubicación:

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As we’ve been discussing in this newsletter since Monday – two days before the area was first included in NHC’s outlook – the development odds are low here, primarily due to the disturbance’s proximity to and interaction with land and modest to strong bouts of wind shear in the vicinity.

The challenging environmental conditions and disorganized starting place of the disturbance don’t support significant organization, but with near-record warm waters for the time of year in the northeastern Gulf and off the southeast coast, a weak but short-lived tropical depression or low-end tropical storm can’t be ruled out. For now, the odds are stacked against it gathering enough organization to clear those hurdles, however.

Locally heavy rain the upshot regardless

Regardless of development, heavy rain from Florida’s Sun Coast – including the Tampa Bay metro – through the state’s Nature Coast and sweeping Big Bend will be the primary hazard into early next week.

Though heavy rains will start in earnest on Saturday, the heaviest threat will extend from Sunday through Tuesday, including across the interior middle tier of the state and northeast Florida.

Overall totals for now seem manageable and could be beneficial to areas of the state that desperately need an extended period of soaking rains to help relieve its ongoing drought.

That said, these types of tropically-juiced setups can produce very high rain rates exceeding 3 inches per hour, so localized flash flooding is certainly possible, especially in urban areas like the Tampa or Jacksonville metros.

No development expected elsewhere across the Atlantic

A robust tropical disturbance in the far eastern Atlantic just west of Africa also included in NHC’s tropical outlook isn’t expected to develop.

Elsewhere things continue to look quiet across the basin into the waning weeks of July.

NOAA restores critical hurricane tracking satellite

An extended outage of the GOES-19 weather satellite that we first reported in yesterday morning’s newsletter was remediated by Thursday afternoon.

According to my sources at NOAA with knowledge of the situation, the malfunction stemmed from software aboard the satellite platform. The satellite required rebooting to fix the issue which took it offline for approximately 24 hours from Wednesday to Thursday afternoon. During this time, NOAA engineers placed the satellite in what’s known as “safehold” as an emergency protective action to prevent major damage or risk satellite failure.

Thankfully, the issued was resolved expeditiously with no lasting damage to the satellite. GOES-19 is NOAA’s primary weather monitoring satellite for the U.S. East Coast and tropical Atlantic. This satellite is different from the defense-operated, polar-orbiting constellation of hurricane-monitoring satellites that faced early termination last hurricane season. Those satellites continue to operate without interruption after officials issued a last-minute fix last July to address cybersecurity concerns and keep the satellites online.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military.

The Awda Hospital in the Nuseirat refugee camp confirmed the number of casualties, saying people were struck at the funeral for a Palestinian killed in a strike earlier on Friday.

Israel and the Hamas militant group agreed to a ceasefire deal in October aimed at halting a two-year-long war.

The heaviest fighting has subsided but at least 1,123 people have been killed in Gaza since the ceasefire took effect, according to the territory’s Health Ministry.

The ministry, which has been part of the Hamas-led government, maintains detailed casualty records that are seen as generally reliable by U.N. agencies and independent experts. It does not give a breakdown of civilians and militants but says women and children make up most of the dead.

Militants have carried out shooting attacks on troops, and Israel says its strikes are in response to that and other violations. Five Israeli soldiers have been killed since the ceasefire.

The war began after the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killed around 1,200 people and saw 251 taken hostage. Israel’s retaliatory offensive in Gaza has killed more than 73,264 Palestinians, including those killed since the ceasefire, Gaza’s Health Ministry said.

Coach Didier Deschamps takes charge of his last game for France on Saturday when Les Bleus face England at the World Cup in Miami. The winner gets third place, an anti-climactic award brought about by agonizing semifinal defeats.

It is a disappointing end to Deschamps' reign when many observers touted his star-studded attack to win another World Cup. Zinedine Zidane is widely expected to be confirmed as France's new coach in the coming days by the French soccer federation.

The Deschamps years

France won the World Cup under Deschamps in 2018, lost a gut-wrenching final on penalties in 2022, and fell short tactically against Spain on Tuesday.

In his 14 years in charge, Deschamps won just one major trophy — albeit the biggest of all — having lost the European Championship final on home soil in 2016.

Some observers suggest that was not quite enough given the talent at France's disposal — including Kylian Mbappé, Paul Pogba, Antoine Griezmann and Ballon d'Or winners Ousmane Dembélé and Karim Benzema — while others argue France was remarkably consistent under Deschamps, who is now 57.

Whatever the view, France's next coach has big shoes to fill and a big aura will help. As arguably France's greatest ever player, and a prolifically successful coach with Real Madrid, Zidane seems the perfect fit.

Polar opposites as players, Zidane and Deschamps are forever linked by glory.

The industrious midfielder Deschamps was France's tireless captain when it won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000, while Zinedine was the unstoppable creative force that drove that brilliant team to new heights.

Here's a look at how France might look with Zidane in charge.

What would Zidane change?

France's 2-0 defeat to Spain in the World Cup semifinal was more crushing than the score suggests.

France was found wanting tactically when put under sustained pressure by the slick Spanish. Completely dominated in midfield, France got its pressing game all wrong. The attack was blunted and Deschamps had no Plan “B” to turn things around.

Deschamps has had his detractors over the years — chief among them Christophe Dugarry, his former France teammate — who said his approach was too restrictive and lacked sufficient creativity in central midfield.

Zidane would doubtless want a more expansive approach, such as during his heyday when he roamed the field as a playmaker. Michael Olise or Rayan Cherki could fill that role.

Both are technically gifted although neither are a playmaker by definition like Zidane was. Another option could be Dembélé dropping deep into that role, as he has done well with Paris Saint-Germain.

Benzema's return?

Zidane is a huge fan of Benzema and they became close friends when Zidane coached him at Real Madrid.

They won three straight Champions League titles together from 2016-18 and Benzema became a more complete player, as well as a ruthless finisher, under Zidane's guidance. Benzema is 38 and his advanced age may prove a stumbling block.

But given how the age-defying Lionel Messi has dazzled at this World Cup aged 39, Zidane may think Benzema — a Ballon d'Or winner in 2022 — has something left to give. Especially if he plays in a more withdrawn role, where he can use his excellent technical skill and passing ability to good effect.

Critics of Deschamps never forgave him for leaving out Benzema for the best part of six years, due to Benzema's alleged part in a “sex-tape scandal” targeting then-France teammate Mathieu Valbuena.

However, France won the World Cup without Benzema.

He was finally recalled in time for the European Championship in 2021, where he was France's top scorer with four goals, and combined brilliantly with Mbappé when they won the Nations League later that year.

Benzema fell out with Deschamps after being released from the 2022 World Cup because of a thigh injury, with Benzema contesting events leading to his departure.

It would be a big call for Zidane to recall him, but it's not impossible.

Five years away from the game

One question is how ready Zidane would be for such a high-pressured job, giving that he has not coached since leaving Madrid after his second spell in 2021.

Yet he will also be fresh after several years away from the stress and scrutiny of management.

Should the 54-year-old Zidane take charge, his first game would be away to Turkey in the Nations League on Sept. 25, followed by a match in Belgium three days later.

Home fans would need to wait until Oct. 2 for a glimpse of Zidane at Stade de France, when France plays Italy.

Zidane's last game as a player for France was against Italy in the 2006 World Cup final. He scored early with a Panenka-style penalty, before an infamous moment saw him red-carded for headbutting Italy defender Marco Materazzi during extra time.

France lost the final on penalty kicks but the French public quickly forgave Zidane — affectionally known as “Zizou” — for getting sent off, such was his deep bond with the nation.

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See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here

Como hemos señalado en este boletín desde el lunes —dos días antes de que el sistema fuera incluido por primera vez en el pronóstico del NHC—, las probabilidades de desarrollo siguen siendo bajas, principalmente debido a la cercanía e interacción del sistema con tierra, así como a la presencia de cizalladura del viento de moderada a fuerte en la zona.

Las condiciones ambientales adversas y la falta de organización del sistema no favorecen un fortalecimiento significativo. Sin embargo, debido a que las aguas del noreste del Golfo de América y frente a la costa sureste de Estados Unidos registran temperaturas cercanas a niveles récord para esta época del año, no se descarta la formación de una depresión tropical débil o una tormenta tropical de baja intensidad y de corta duración. Por ahora, no obstante, las probabilidades siguen en contra de que el sistema logre organizarse lo suficiente.

Lluvias intensas, el principal riesgo

Independientemente de que el sistema llegue o no a desarrollarse, las lluvias fuertes serán el principal peligro desde la costa oeste de Florida, incluida el área metropolitana de Tampa Bay, hasta la Nature Coast y la región de Big Bend, al menos hasta principios de la próxima semana.

La lluvia intensa comenzará con mayor fuerza el sábado, pero el periodo de mayor riesgo se extenderá del domingo al martes, incluyendo la franja central del interior del estado y el noreste de Florida.

Por ahora, los acumulados previstos parecen manejables y podrían resultar beneficiosos para algunas zonas que necesitan varios días de lluvias constantes para aliviar la sequía que afecta al estado.

Sin embargo, este tipo de patrón alimentado por humedad tropical puede generar precipitaciones muy intensas, superiores a 3 pulgadas por hora, por lo que no se descartan inundaciones repentinas localizadas, especialmente en áreas urbanas como las zonas metropolitanas de Tampa y Jacksonville.

No se espera desarrollo en otras zonas del Atlántico

Una perturbación tropical bien definida en el extremo oriental del Atlántico, justo al oeste de África, que también aparece en el panorama tropical del Centro Nacional de Huracanes, no tiene probabilidades de desarrollarse.

En el resto de la cuenca del Atlántico, las condiciones continúan siendo tranquilas y no se prevé actividad significativa durante las últimas semanas de julio.

NOAA restablece el funcionamiento del satélite clave para el monitoreo de huracanes

La interrupción prolongada del satélite meteorológico GOES-19, reportada por primera vez en el boletín del miércoles por la mañana, quedó resuelta la tarde del jueves.

De acuerdo con fuentes de la Administración Nacional Oceánica y Atmosférica (NOAA) con conocimiento del incidente, la falla se originó en el software a bordo del satélite. Para corregir el problema fue necesario reiniciar el sistema, lo que dejó al GOES-19 fuera de servicio durante aproximadamente 24 horas, entre el miércoles y la tarde del jueves.

Durante ese periodo, los ingenieros de NOAA colocaron el satélite en el denominado modo “safehold”, un protocolo de protección de emergencia diseñado para evitar daños mayores o una posible falla del equipo.

Afortunadamente, el problema se resolvió rápidamente y el satélite no sufrió daños permanentes. El GOES-19 es el principal satélite de NOAA para el monitoreo meteorológico de la costa este de Estados Unidos y del Atlántico tropical.

Este satélite es distinto de la constelación de satélites de monitoreo de huracanes en órbita polar operada por el Departamento de Defensa de Estados Unidos, cuya continuidad estuvo en riesgo al inicio de la temporada de huracanes del año pasado. Esos satélites continúan operando con normalidad, luego de que las autoridades implementaran una solución de último momento en julio pasado para atender preocupaciones de ciberseguridad y mantenerlos en funcionamiento.

“I kept reading how you have to wait to sing this big repertoire,” Brownlee said. But there was one bit of Wagner — Wolfram’s “Song to the Evening Star” from “Tannhäuser” — that’s “a little bit lighter. I figured it was more appropriate.”

So he brought it to his teacher, Thomas Rowell, at the University of South Alabama and asked what he thought.

“I just laughed at him and told him to go away,” Rowell recalled. “He knew that big voice was there, and he was so eager to try on the clothes, but they didn’t fit for a while. It was still a very young instrument.”

Reminded of that exchange nearly 20 years later, Brownlee smiles. “I was a bit ambitious,” he said. “But this was just me.”

Now that ambition — what he calls “a fire in my belly that burns brighter every day,” — has helped propel Brownlee at age 37 to the very top of his profession. And he’s done it by singing a lot of Wagner.

All hail a new Wotan

He just made his debut as Wotan, embattled king of the gods, in “Die Walküre” at the Bavarian State Opera House, part two of a complete “Ring” cycle directed by Tobias Kratzer. He had previously sung the role in “Das Rheingold,” the opera that opens the cycle.

The critics reached for superlatives. “A heroic baritone straight out of a textbook,” wrote Markus Thiel in Merkur, “with a powerful, resonant voice, a force of nature.” Carlota Moseguí in Platea Magazine praised his voice and said Brownlee “possesses all the qualities to become the definitive Wotan of his generation.”

Next, Brownlee heads to the Wagner shrine in Bayreuth, Germany, where he will star as the title character in “Der Fliegende Holländer” (“The Flying Dutchman.”) And his upcoming season is one Wotan after another.

“It’ll be ‘Siegfried’ time in Munich, then ‘Walküere’ time in Buenos Aires, then ‘Rheingold’ time in Barcelona,” he said. Add to that two of the “Ring” operas in Frankfurt and then two complete cycles next summer back in Munich.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing to have a student who goes that far, especially from a small regional state university like ours,” said Rowell, who remains close friends with Brownlee and officiated his wedding to mezzo-soprano Jennifer Feinstein. “I have to pinch myself. I’m enjoying it vicariously.”

Does Brownlee worry at all about damaging his voice from so much heavy singing?

“I don’t think you’re supposed to say this, but no, not really,” he replied. “We like to put this big stamp on Wagner and say ‘Be Careful!’” But he said he finds the demands of each opera different enough to help him avoid burnout.

Still, he promises that his roles the following season will be more varied, including a return to one of his favorites — Baron Scarpia in Puccini’s “Tosca.” And down the road are two Verdi roles — the villainous Iago in “Otello,” and the comic Falstaff.

Of the latter, he said, “I want to flex a different muscle. I talk fast, I’m a bubbly, fun guy, but what I do on stage is so serious all the time. Boy it would be fun to just be a jolly fat guy!”

From Conway Twitty to Richard Wagner

Just how did a boy from a working-class family in a small town outside Mobile, Alabama, become one of a handful of go-to singers in the world for these demanding roles?

His first success as a vocalist actually came as the youngest grandchild in a large extended family, performing Conway Twitty imitations to grab attention. Classical music had to wait until he fell under the spell of his high school choral director.

When he went to college, he planned to study conducting, but Rowell heard him sing and cajoled him into joining the Mobile Opera chorus.

“I went in the first day and I hated it,” Brownlee recalled. “I said, this is in Italian, who cares? That’s for stuffy elite people, not for us blue-collar fellas.”

Still, his curiosity made him determined to figure out why some people loved the art form. So he sat by the side of the stage one night to watch the emotional final scene of Verdi’s “La Traviata,” when the heroine dies after being reunited with her lover.

“When she said, ‘O, gioia!’ and she fell into his arms, and now she’s dead, Alfredo’s weeping over her, and Germont is feeling half-responsible, I was weeping uncontrollably,” he said. “And I didn’t even know what they were saying.”

That’s when he started taking voice lessons, and from there followed years of study and apprenticeships both in the U.S. and later in Germany. Along the way he competed twice in the Metropolitan Opera’s National Council Auditions.

The first time, still in his early 20s, he made it to the semifinals in New York. “I did not go on to the finals, which was absolutely correct,” he said. “Failure is a great lesson.” (Coincidentally, one of the winners that year was Ryan Speedo Green, who will be singing Wotan in the Met’s upcoming “Ring” cycle.)

Brownlee returned in 2015, and this time he took home one of the top prizes. Other awards have followed, including in 2025, best male singer at the International Opera Awards and the Richard Tucker Award for most promising American singer.

Finding fame far from home

Yet this American singer is still barely known to most opera audiences in his native country. Brownlee’s career has so far been largely in Germany, where he and Feinstein are raising their two daughters and are currently applying for dual citizenship.

“I can perform anywhere in Europe and be home in two hours to see my girls,” he said. “In America that’s just not something you can do,”

He may be rooted in Europe for now, but major U.S. houses are beckoning with increasing urgency.

When he appeared at Chicago’s Lyric Opera this past spring as the prophet Jochanaan in Richard Strauss’s “Salome,” general director John Mangum called his performance “absolutely thrilling.” He said Brownlee is “definitely going be at the top of our list” as the company charts its future Wagner performances.

And Peter Gelb, the Met’s general manager, who heard him sing a major role for the first time during the Munich run of “Walküre,” said “I was blown away. … We’ll definitely be offering him big roles at the Met in upcoming seasons.”

Los agentes identificaron al sospechoso como William Adam Lamkin.

Según los registros de la cárcel, fue arrestado el martes y enfrenta cargos por agresión doméstica, violencia doméstica y resistencia con violencia contra un agente del orden.

Los agentes acudieron poco después de las 7:30 p.m. del martes a una vivienda ubicada cerca de la cuadra 9900 de Red Heart Lane, en Tamarac, tras recibir un reporte de un “incidente sospechoso” relacionado con un niño de 10 años.

De acuerdo con el informe de arresto, el menor llamó al 911 después de huir de la vivienda tras la disputa doméstica.

El niño dijo a los agentes que su madre había regresado a casa con botellas de alcohol y que ella y su novio, Lamkin, comenzaron a discutir hasta que la situación se volvió física.

Según el informe, el menor llamó al 911 después de que su madre le dijera que Lamkin la sujetó de la camisa y la amenazó con matarla.

Los agentes indicaron que la víctima les contó que anteriormente ya habían acudido a esa misma vivienda por incidentes similares.

La mujer relató que estaba haciendo compras en un supermercado Publix cuando recibió varios mensajes de texto de Lamkin preguntándole dónde estaba y exigiéndole que regresara de inmediato a la casa.

Al regresar y estacionar su vehículo, Lamkin caminó detrás del automóvil y le ordenó entrar nuevamente a la vivienda. La mujer dijo que luego la empujó contra el asiento del conductor, dio un paso atrás y la golpeó en el brazo.

Según el informe, Lamkin le dijo: “Solo te voy a hacer esta pregunta una vez, y cada vez que me des esa respuesta de mierda, te volveré a golpear”.

Los agentes no precisaron cuál fue la pregunta, pero señalaron que algunos vecinos intentaron intervenir antes de que Lamkin regresara a la vivienda.

La mujer y su hijo también volvieron a la casa, donde Lamkin continuó gritándole. El niño se asustó y salió corriendo de la vivienda. Su madre fue tras él hasta verlo subir a una camioneta. El informe no identifica al propietario del vehículo.

Cuando los agentes le preguntaron si creía que Lamkin cumpliría sus amenazas, la mujer respondió: “Por supuesto”, según el informe.

También les dijo que temía que Lamkin regresara debido a su “extenso historial de violencia doméstica” en relaciones anteriores. De acuerdo con el informe, les suplicó que no se fueran y les dijo: “Me va a matar. Está loco”.

Los agentes informaron que Lamkin regresó a la vivienda mientras ellos aún se encontraban en el lugar y les dijo: “No hice nada malo, así que sigan con lo suyo”.

Según los investigadores, Lamkin comenzó a caminar de manera agresiva hacia los agentes y adoptó una posición de pelea.

Los agentes indicaron que utilizaron las medidas necesarias para detenerlo. Posteriormente fue trasladado a un hospital cercano para una evaluación médica antes de ser ingresado en la cárcel principal del condado de Broward.

La fotografía policial de Lamkin muestra uno de sus ojos completamente hinchado, aunque no está claro si la lesión ocurrió durante el arresto.

Las víctimas de violencia doméstica pueden solicitar ayuda llamando a la Línea Nacional de Atención en Crisis por Violencia Doméstica al 1-800-799-7233.

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According to the Florida Department of Revenue, during the sales tax holiday period from Monday, July 20 to Thursday, Aug. 20, tax is not due on the retail sale of:

• Clothing, footwear, wallets, bags, handbags, backpacks, fanny packs, and diaper bags with a sales price of $100 or less per item • Certain school supplies with a sales price of $50 or less per item • Learning aids and jigsaw puzzles with a sales price of $30 or less • Personal computers and certain computer-related accessories with a sales price of $1,500 or less, when purchased for noncommercial home or personal use.

The annual sales tax holiday does not apply to:

• Briefcases, suitcases, or garment bags

• Watches, watchbands, jewelry, umbrellas, and handkerchiefs

• Skis, swim fins, roller blades, and skates

• Clothing items with a sales price of more than $100

• Any school supply item with a sales price of more than $50

• Books that are not otherwise exempt

• Computers and computer-related accessories with a sales price of more than $1,500

• Cellular telephones, video game consoles, digital media receivers, or devices that are not primarily designed to process data

• Computers and computer-related accessories purchased for commercial purposes

• Rentals of any eligible items

• Repairs or alterations of any eligible items

• Sales of any eligible items within a theme park or entertainment complex, public lodging establishment, or airport.

Click here for more information on this year’s sales tax holiday.

De acuerdo con el Departamento de Ingresos de Florida, del lunes 20 de julio al jueves 20 de agosto no se cobrará el impuesto sobre las ventas en la compra de:

• Ropa, calzado, carteras, bolsos, mochilas, cangureras y pañaleras con un precio de hasta 100 dólares por artículo.

• Determinados útiles escolares con un precio de hasta 50 dólares por artículo.

• Materiales didácticos y rompecabezas con un precio de hasta 30 dólares.

• Computadoras personales y ciertos accesorios de computadora con un precio de hasta 1,500 dólares, siempre que se compren para uso personal o doméstico y no con fines comerciales.

La exención no aplica para:

• Portafolios, maletas o bolsas para prendas de vestir.

• Relojes, correas para reloj, joyería, paraguas y pañuelos.

• Esquís, aletas para nadar, patines en línea y patines.

• Prendas de vestir con un precio superior a 100 dólares.

• Útiles escolares con un precio superior a 50 dólares.

• Libros que no estén exentos por otras disposiciones.

• Computadoras y accesorios con un precio superior a 1,500 dólares.

• Teléfonos celulares, consolas de videojuegos, receptores de medios digitales o dispositivos que no estén diseñados principalmente para procesar datos.

• Computadoras y accesorios adquiridos con fines comerciales.

• Alquiler de cualquiera de los artículos elegibles.

• Reparaciones o modificaciones de cualquiera de los artículos elegibles.

• Compras de artículos elegibles realizadas dentro de parques temáticos o complejos de entretenimiento, establecimientos de hospedaje público o aeropuertos.

Para conocer todos los detalles de la exención del impuesto sobre las ventas de este año, consulte la información del Departamento de Ingresos de Florida.

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According to an arrest report from the Broward Sheriff’s Office, the South Florida Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received a cyber tip in May from the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children that had been reported by xAI (commonly known as Grok), regarding the “possession and creation of child pornography” by an X user.

xAI is an artificial intelligence chatbot application available to X users.

Detectives said the X account was linked to Ray Lequerique Jr. and he was arrested on July 10.

According to the arrest report, Lequerique had created 29 sexual abuse images of girls who appeared to be between ages 5 and 9, which were viewed by xAI employees and then reported.

Detectives said the photos appear to have been derived from photos of real children that could have been easily obtained anywhere on social media and were also derived from pictures of children who he had close contact with.

According to the report, when questioned by detectives, Lequerique expressed remorse and said he “knew it was wrong.”

He was arrested on five counts of generated child sex abuse material, five counts of possession of child sexual abuse material and one count of compiling child pornography on a computer.

Según un informe de arresto de la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Broward, el Grupo de Trabajo de Delitos Cibernéticos contra Niños del Sur de Florida recibió en mayo una denuncia cibernética del Centro Nacional para Niños Desaparecidos y Explotados, que había sido reportada por xAI (comúnmente conocido como Grok), sobre la “posesión y creación de pornografía infantil” por parte de un usuario de X.

xAI es una aplicación de chatbot de inteligencia artificial disponible para X usuarios.

Los detectives indicaron que la cuenta X estaba vinculada a Ray Lequerique Jr., quien fue arrestado el 10 de julio.

Según el informe de detención, Lequerique había creado 29 imágenes de abuso sexual de niñas que parecían tener entre 5 y 9 años, las cuales fueron vistas por empleados de xAI y posteriormente denunciadas.

Los detectives dijeron que las fotos parecen haber sido tomadas de fotografías de niños reales que podrían haberse obtenido fácilmente en cualquier lugar de las redes sociales, y también de imágenes de niños con los que él tenía un contacto cercano.

Según el informe, cuando fue interrogado por los detectives, Lequerique expresó remordimiento y dijo que “sabía que estaba mal”.

Fue arrestado por cinco cargos de generación de material de abuso sexual infantil, cinco cargos de posesión de material de abuso sexual infantil y un cargo de compilación de pornografía infantil en una computadora.

Water rescues were ongoing in several areas west of San Antonio including Sutton, Crockett and Zavala counties, authorities said. Floodwaters spilled over Interstate 10 in a rural area near Ozona, and a section of a bridge over the Nueces River in Uvalde County collapsed, officials said.

Emergency personnel aboard boats and helicopters have saved more than 200 people including stranded drivers and people trapped in homes since storms began Tuesday, Gov. Gregg Abbott said.

The National Weather Service issued a flash flood emergency in the early morning for the city of Sonora in Sutton County, about 170 miles (274 kilometers) northwest of San Antonio.

The local sheriff's office used a boat to rescue one person and local officials were urging residents in low-lying areas along the Dry Devils River to evacuate as heavy rain fell, although the request was not mandatory, said Chief Deputy Jon Gann.

“The water's up to the top of the banks,” Gann said. “If we get any more, we're going to be into homes.”

Officials in nearby Crockett County said there were multiple boat rescues underway near Ozona, about 200 miles (320 kilometers) northwest of San Antonio and many roads were flooded and impassable.

About 180 miles (290 kilometers) to the south in Zavala County near the Mexico border, emergency responders were rescuing people from floodwaters and asking residents to stay away from the area, officials said. The Texas Department of Transportation said high waters closed a 50-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 57 from La Pryor to its junction with Interstate 35 southwest of San Antonio, and parts of the highway were not expected to reopen until Monday.

Flash flood warnings were issued Friday for several counties including many areas still reeling from devastating floods a year ago. Flood warnings also were in place through the weekend in many locations downstream from hard-hit areas, where rain was tapering off Friday. Some rivers were expected to reach historic levels.

Some areas have seen 2 feet (60 centimeters) or more of rain this week.

The storms and flooding threatened multiple counties close to the Mexico border and in the Hill Country. Roughly 6 million residents across Texas were under a flood watch this week.

One person who died was driving on a flooded road and was swept away near Uvalde, authorities said. Another victim, 65-year-old John Mark Steward of Kerrville, died after his mobile home was swept into Goat Creek on the Guadalupe River, his wife said. The Guadalupe is the same river wrecked by flash floods last year when two dozen children and counselors died at Camp Mystic.

The slow-moving severe weather system was expected to meander in a northwesterly direction on Friday and make its way toward the Texas Big Bend in the western part of the state, the weather service said.

In Uvalde, one of the hardest-hit cities from flooding, waters were receding and officials said a major highway, Route 90, had reopened. Crews there were out clearing debris. But later Friday morning, police were urging people in the Chalk Bluff area to evacuate due to rising waters. Floodwaters had overrun the city overnight into Thursday, cutting off most outside routes.

Sandra Gomez was assessing the damage at her Uvalde home on Friday after having left it before the flooding. She said about 6 inches (15 centimeters) of water got inside and left mud throughout the house, where she's lived since last year. She said she was luckier than other people she knows whose homes were under 5 or 6 feet (1.5 to 1.8 meters) of water.

“Well, really it’s very, very emotional," she said, adding "Material things I can replace. It may take a while, but I can replace those but I cannot replace my family. So, my family’s safe and that’s all that really matters.”

The unfolding crisis brought back haunting memories of last summer’s unimaginable Hill Country floods that killed more than 100 people over the July Fourth holiday.

So far, the Guadalupe has remained below the record levels reached in 2025. Close to Camp Mystic, which hasn't reopened since last year's tragedy, the Guadalupe near Hunt on Thursday reached about 20.5 feet (6.3 meters), which is enough to cause flooding, according to U.S. Geological Survey and National Water Prediction Service data.

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Collins reported from Hartford, Connecticut.

The Irish character actor died Thursday night in Dublin after a period of ill health, her agent, Phil Belfield said in a statement.

Fricker became the first Irish woman to win an Academy Award in 1990 for best supporting actress for her portrayal of the determined mother of Christy Brown, who was born with cerebral palsy and could control only his left foot. Daniel Day-Lewis, who played Christy Brown, won the award for best actor.

“We will never see her like again and the world is lesser for the lack of her,’’ Belfield said. “I was honored to know, love and work with her and she will always have a place in my heart and in the heart of so many film and TV fans the world over.”

Fricker, who appeared in more than 90 films and television shows between 1964 and 2024, was known for her role as the “pigeon lady” in the 1992 film “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York,” where she played a homeless woman who befriended Macaulay Culkin’s character in New York’s Central Park.

She also featured in the original cast of the BBC medical drama “Casualty” and appeared alongside Cate Blanchett in “Veronica Guerin,” the story of an Irish investigative journalist who was murdered in 1996.

Born in Dublin in 1945, Fricker received the city’s highest honor earlier this year when she was awarded the Freedom of the City.

In her autobiography “She Died Young: A Life in Fragments,” Fricker describes both happy childhood escapades with her sister Grania and her struggles to overcome sexual violence and mental health issues, which caused her to be institutionalized several times. Published in September 2025, the book appeared on the Irish Sunday Times bestseller list.

Simon Harris, Ireland’s deputy prime minister, said the country had lost a national treasure.

“She truly was among the greatest exports this country has ever produced and an ambassador for Irish talent on the world stage,'' he said. "Quite simply, we will never see the like of her ever again.

He'll have to do much, much more to lift the claret jug.

The world No. 2 bounced back with a 3-under 67 in the second round at the British Open on Friday, ensuring he'll make the cut with his score of 1-under par overall.

The projected cut is currently at level par.

McIlroy knew he'd left a few shots out there, though, especially when he saw that two other morning starters — Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns — tied the major championship record with rounds of 62 in gorgeous conditions.

“It was a little better today,” McIlroy said, “but still didn’t feel 100% comfortable. Hopefully try to figure that out as the week goes on.”

He might have left it too late.

McIlroy was seven shots off the clubhouse lead held by Herbert, on 8-under par. More relevant might be No. 4-ranked Cameron Young being at 6 under, while players like top-ranked Scottie Scheffler, Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau were just starting out their second rounds and already higher on the leaderboard.

McIlroy, who won the Open just down the road in Hoylake in 2014, struggled on the greens in shooting 72 on Thursday and said he still hasn't figured them out.

“I felt like I hit good putts and they did something completely different to what I saw in the read, and I think that’s a little unnerving,” he said.

McIlroy was, however, very happy with his driving. He drove the green on the par-4 ninth hole — for the second straight day — with a 377-yard tee shot that settled 11 feet from the pin, setting up the third of his four birdies on Friday.

Yet, for all his excellence off the tee, he has only made one birdie on the par 5s this week.

McIlroy hopes the conditions allow him to be aggressive off the tee over the weekend.

It might be his only hope of a victory.

“I think any time I can get a driver in my hand, I’m going to try to,” he said. "I just feel like with how I’m feeling with the driver, I think it’s a big advantage if I can get the ball down there and take out some of these fairway bunkers.

“l continue to do that when I can, and then I’m still trying to figure out these greens a little bit.”

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

The preparations come as meteorologists warn that El Nino is already underway and increasingly likely to strengthen through the remainder of the year. Unlike hurricanes or earthquakes, the climate phenomenon develops gradually over months, which gives governments time to prepare before its most severe impacts arrive.

But experts say authorities across the region have often struggled to turn forecasts into action, raising questions about whether countries will be better prepared than during previous El Nino events that caused widespread economic damage and disrupted water, energy and food systems.

“Now is the time for decisions, for effective preparedness and the political consistency to really be proactive this time,” said Rodney Martinez, the World Meteorological Organization’s representative for North America, Central America and the Caribbean.

“El Nino is confirmed. El Nino is ongoing. It’s not simply a possibility,” he said.

Many countries have stepped up preparations

Previous strong El Nino events have caused billions of dollars in damage across Latin America, contributing to severe drought in some regions while triggering floods and landslides in others. The phenomenon has disrupted agriculture, strained drinking water supplies, fueled wildfires and, in some countries, reduced hydroelectric power generation, leading to energy shortages.

Martinez said countries should use the months before impacts intensify to secure alternative energy sources, protect vulnerable communities and prepare for potential strain on public services.

In hydropower-dependent countries such as Ecuador, that could mean bringing thermal power generation online to offset lower reservoir levels during drier conditions and completing maintenance and procurement work well in advance. He pointed to Ecuador’s energy crisis last year, when drought depleted water levels at hydroelectric facilities and contributed to widespread power outages.

Central America, parts of the Caribbean and northern South America are already experiencing drier-than-normal conditions associated with the phenomenon, according to the WMO. Those conditions are expected to expand into parts of the Amazon basin, raising concerns about water availability, agriculture and wildfire risk.

The threats vary considerably across the region.

In Brazil, Colombia and parts of Central America, authorities are focused on drought, water shortages and wildfire risk. Brazil has hired more than 4,600 federal personnel for wildfire prevention and response, expanded firefighting brigades and deployed aircraft ahead of what officials fear could be a difficult fire season. Colombia has activated water-monitoring systems, strengthened wildfire preparedness and urged local authorities to prepare for potential shortages.

Elsewhere, governments are preparing for flooding. Ecuador, where strong El Nino events have historically brought damaging rains to the Pacific coast, has ordered local governments to develop contingency plans and allocated millions of dollars for flood mitigation, emergency response and agricultural recovery. Local authorities have begun clearing drainage channels, stabilizing hillsides and preparing emergency shelters.

Costa Rica says it has launched more than 200 measures under a national contingency plan, including efforts to protect water supplies, expand renewable energy generation and prepare for a potentially severe wildfire season. In Peru, authorities have strengthened monitoring and early-warning systems while expanding meteorological observation networks.

Panamanian authorities have developed plans to address potential impacts on operations at the Panama Canal, where lower rainfall can affect water availability needed to maintain shipping traffic through one of the world’s most important trade routes.

The WMO official warned that drought and heat could threaten food security across parts of Central America’s Dry Corridor while increasing wildfire risks in several countries. In areas expected to receive excessive rainfall, flooding can damage infrastructure, contaminate water supplies and increase the risk of disease outbreaks.

Advance warning does not always translate into action

Colombia’s environment minister, Irene Vélez, told The Associated Press that El Nino is not new, but “what is new is its intensity. And because of that intensity, what is also new is how long it could last and the area it could affect.”

Despite the advance warning, Martinez said preparations remain uneven across the region.

“The reality is that this preparation doesn’t happen until they have the emergency,” he said.

Martinez said some authorities continue to delay decisions despite increasingly strong forecasts, either waiting for additional confirmation or assuming their countries will avoid the worst impacts. He warned that postponing decisions despite increasingly strong scientific evidence could leave governments scrambling to respond once droughts, floods and heat waves intensify.

Recent studies examining previous major El Nino events found their economic impacts can linger for years and ultimately cost the global economy trillions of dollars.

His message to governments still waiting to act was simple.

“Be prepared in advance, in a serious way,” Martinez said. ““The information is there. Now is the time for decisions.”

Vélez said the challenge extends beyond responding to a single climate event and requires governments to adapt to increasingly extreme conditions.

“Climate change is here to stay,” she said.

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The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

It's a delicate balance for the candidates, who are vying to face Collins in a contest that could decide control of the Senate as Platner’s shadow hangs over the race. In their first debate Thursday night, one of the first questions candidates were asked was: What was Graham Platner's best idea?

Moving past Platner is just one of the challenges facing Democrats. The never-before-used process to pick a new nominee means candidates have less than three weeks to pull off what typically takes campaigns months or years, from organizing volunteers to raising money and preparing for debates.

The whiplash many of the candidates are facing was on display Thursday.

Asked by debate moderators about President Donald Trump's decision to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife earlier this year, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows gave inaccurate information about Collins not pushing back against Trump, a Republican. When a moderator called her on it, Bellows said she was on vacation on the Kennebec River last week after previously focusing on her unsuccessful gubernatorial campaign and hadn't expected to be running for the Senate.

“When I need to know the facts, I will. I’ll do my homework," said Bellows, who lost to Collins in 2014.

The field of 12 candidates also includes former public health leader Nirav Shah and union-backed logger Troy Jackson, who campaigned alongside Platner in a failed bid for governor.

Platner's exit means the clock is ticking

Platner quit the Senate race last week after he was accused of rape, which he denies, and his campaign quickly imploded as supporters revoked their endorsements and resources.

Democrats have until July 27 to choose a new nominee, according to state law. The Maine Democratic Party's succession plan calls for a state party convention at which 601 delegates will meet on July 25 and vote for Platner's replacement. The majority of the convention delegates will be selected this weekend from each of the state’s 16 counties.

Candidates hoping to replace Platner have been recruiting delegates who will vote for them at the convention. The candidates also must collect 500 voter signatures needed to qualify for the convention vote.

“I don’t think anyone’s happy that we’re in this situation,” said Dan Jenkins, a Maine Democrat who has applied to be a delegate. “We would have preferred that this had broken many, many months ago and then Graham had exited the race when there was a time for a democratic process. But it's where we are.”

Some candidates might see a boost from prior campaigns

Jackson is among the handful of candidates pivoting to the Senate race after running for other political offices, likely giving them a leg up in not having to launch from scratch.

Our Revolution, a progressive organization founded by Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont that had originally backed Platner, has thrown its support behind Jackson, the former Maine Senate president. Sanders, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, has not endorsed in the race.

Shah, former director of Maine’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention, also unsuccessfully ran in this year’s Maine Democratic governor’s primary. He has been pitching Platner’s supporters that he’s also an outsider who can unify a fractured Democratic Party.

“You have an important place in this campaign, and we welcome your voices,” Shah said earlier this month speaking to Platner’s base.

Bellows also ran for governor. She's hoping that her previous battles with Trump will bolster her argument that she’ll be an advocate for the working class.

Bellows previously tried to unseat Collins in 2014 as the Senate Democratic nominee and lost to her in a landslide. She later went on to win a seat as a state senator before becoming Maine’s secretary of state. She’s since downplayed her prior loss to Collins by pointing to the Democratic establishment’s unwillingness to take on the Republican in 2014.

Another candidate, Jordan Wood, initially announced his intent to run in the Maine Democratic Senate primary. He dropped out last fall to run in the state’s 2nd District but lost that race.

Candidates seize on recent ICE shooting

The fatal shooting by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Maine this week has been top of mind among the potential Senate nominees.

The Embassy of Colombia has identified the man killed Monday in Biddeford, roughly 15 miles (24 kilometers) southwest of Portland, as Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero, a 26-year-old Colombian national. The Department of Homeland Security has since said an ICE officer fired his weapon when the man officers were pursuing attempted to flee the scene, threatening “public safety.”

Many have rushed to connect Collins to the embattled federal agency.

All the candidates who debated Thursday said they agreed with the call to “abolish ICE,” though Wood stopped short of saying the agency should be completely dissolved.

“I believe that when I say we have to abolish it, what I mean is that we need a new law enforcement agency that has the trust of the people,” Wood said.

Jackson disagreed, calling ICE a “rogue agency that goes around doing things that they’re being told to on high.”

Candidates asked about Platner's best ideas

Platner attracted more than 150,000 votes during the June 9 primary, an eye-opening number that signaled a progressive base eager to support a candidate known for his promise to defend the working class and ability to rally large crowds.

With little more than a week until the state convention to find Platner's replacement, it still remains unknown just who will be able to capture that same excitement seen among Platner's base.

When pressed during Thursday's debate about Platner's best idea on the campaign trail, Jackson pointed to his commitment to “Medicare for All.” As a gubernatorial candidate, Jackson also voiced support for replacing job-based and individual private health insurance with a government-run plan that guarantees coverage for all with no premiums, no deductibles and only minimal copays for certain services.

Bellows said that she agreed with Platner’s description that democracy in the U.S. has been corrupted by those in power.

Shah said he would take up Platner's commitment to “abolish ICE,” while Wood said he admired Platner's decision to say that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, something Israel denies.

“Graham got into this race saying, ‘this is genocide.’ And I learned that it is so important in these moments to draw those moral lines,” Wood said.

Whether you're hoping Argentina will become the first repeat champion since Brazil in 1958 and 1962, or that young superstar Lamine Yamal will score for Spain, everyone's a winner across these 10 tracks.

Read on below and then stream the full playlist on Spotify, here.

“Dai Dai,” Shakira and Burna Boy (2026)

Kick off your World Cup final listening party with this year's official anthem: “Dai Dai” from Colombian superstar Shakira and Afrobeats icon Burna Boy. The song is the perfect intersection of their musical languages, Afrobeats and Latin rhythms, on an undeniably global, multilingual track. After the first chorus, they take turns tackling verses, singing back and forth, before joining in a duet. It's a message of unity and victory. Take it from Shakira herself: “Fútbol is a thing that unites so many cultures and people of different walks of life,” she told the AP. “The big responsibility of making a World Cup song is that you’ve got to make a song that represents people’s feelings, emotions, and passion.”

“DNA (More Than A Game),” Andrea Bocelli, David Guetta, EJAE and Megan Thee Stallion (2026)

You read that artist list correctly. On this World Cup song, tenor Andrea Bocelli, EDM star David Guetta, singer-songwriter EJAE from “KPop Demon Hunters” and rapper Megan Thee Stallion team up for the genre-agnostic “DNA (More Than A Game).” Performed in English, Italian and Korean, it's surprisingly anthemic and has a strong empowerment message. “’Cause it’s more than just a game / it’s our DNA,” Bocelli and EJAE harmonize on the chorus.

“It's a kind of music very, very far from the scores that I’m used to performing in general, but sometimes it’s very nice to do something different and to discover new atmospheres,” Bocelli told the AP. “It's very happy, the song. I think it gives happiness.” That it does.

“La Copa de la Vida (The Cup of Life),” Ricky Martin (1998)

A Spanglish global smash and one of the most addictive World Cup anthems of all time, Puerto Rican superstar Ricky Martin was really onto something when he released “La Copa de la Vida (The Cup of Life)” for the 1998 tournament held in France. It is the standard to which all World Cup anthems should be held — from its unmistakable soccer themes to its multilingual mambo-pop, unyielding horns section and Eurodance-club intensity. Ale, ale, ale!

“Despechá,” Rosalía (2022)

Supporters of Spain are more than familiar with this up-tempo, merengue-pop tune — it has become a celebratory track for the team upon victory, played after they score and post-match. And now that the 2010 World Cup champions are in the final, it's not unlikely it's played out loud on stadium speakers again. It's a cool pick from a team with swagger — and fitting for this playlist.

“Mi Gran Noche,” Raphael (1967)

The legendary Spanish singer Raphael is central to celebrations in the country this World Cup season. “Mi Gran Noche” is just one gem in his treasure trove of hits — a '60s Latin pop classic with intergenerational appeal, played in clubs, bars, football clubs, on the radio and television specials and beyond. There’s a reason it has stood the test of time, with its big band brass and cheerful chorus.

“La Roja Baila,” Sergio Ramos, Niña Pastori and RedOne (2016)

What do you get when you combine Spanish footballer Sergio Ramos, flamenco-pop singer Niña Pastori and Moroccan record producer RedOne (known for his work with Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez and many more)? “La Roja Baila,” the Spanish team's official anthem for the 2016 European Championship. (It translates to “The Red One Dances,” a reference to the team's nickname, La Roja.) The results that year weren't in Spain's favor, but that's no reason to stop chanting along to the song's cheery post-chorus: “España ey ey! / Cantamos gol, gol / España ey ey! / La Roja baila.” (“Spain, hey hey! / We sing goal, goal! / Spain, hey hey! / La Roja dances!”)

“La Cumbia de los Trapos,” Yerba Brava (2000)

It was Argentina's signature song in 2022, when they won in Qatar, and it has been their statement track this tournament, too. Argentine band Yerba Brava's 2000 hit “La Cumbia de los Trapos” was written as a soccer anthem, and a soccer anthem it has remained. It's a high-energy cumbia with a title that directly references “los trapos,” or “the rags” — the flags flown in Argentine stadiums.

“Matador,” Los Fabulosos Cadillacs (1993, remastered 2008)

Ska-samba-reggae-rock group Los Fabulosos Cadillacs' “Matador” is heard when Argentina scores. The hit — with its Afro-Argentine candombe rhythms, big brass and chant-along chorus — is undeniably spirited. On first listen, it's an upbeat party record. On closer inspection, it's an indictment of the late-'70s and early-'80s period of dictatorship in Argentina.

“Dumbai,” Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso (2024)

The Argentine duo of Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso is making some of the most exciting music in the modern mainstream. Call it genre-averse, hook-heavy Latin pop with trance and trap beats atop tropical rhythms performed through an absurdist, comedic lens — that is, if you have to call it anything. “Dumbai” is arguably one of their more reserved tracks but still a fun romp about a fun night out.

“Waka Waka (This Time for Africa),” Shakira featuring Freshlyground (2010)

No such playlist would be complete without the greatest World Cup anthem committed to record: “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa),” also courtesy Shakira. It was the official anthem of the 2010 World Cup held in South Africa and featured the South African band Freshlyground. The song, with its soca-influenced beat and reference to the 1986 song “Zangaléwa,” recorded by Cameroonian band Golden Sounds, manages to do what all World Cup songs should: Take local sounds and make them global, all without sacrificing hook and rhythm. It's an earworm with a capital “E.”

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See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here

Additional hit or miss thunderstorms are likely this weekend. They could also be strong, fueled by the heat in the middle 90s. More heat advisories are likely well into next week.

Herbert bent over with hands on his knees after missing a 5-foot par putt on the 18th hole at Royal Birkdale, knowing the 30-year-old Australian was an inch away from being the first man with a 61. Burns wasn't even aware of the record when he holed a bunker shot to cap a birdie-birdie-birdie finish.

“I'm absolutely disappointed, and at the same time, so proud of today,” Herbert said. "Very, very proud to put my name on that list of guys that have shot 62 in a major championship. So it's kind of holding two emotions there at the same time.

“It's a pretty good problem to have, too, to be disappointed you shot 62.”

Most remarkable about Burns is that the 29-year-old American — the runner-up at the U.S. Open last month — wasn't even planning to play in The Open. His wife was due this week, and when she gave birth to a daughter earlier than expected, Burns decided a week ago Friday to make the trip.

Still steaming from a bogey-bogey-bogey finish on Thursday for a 3-over 73, his goal was to get back under par and keep his hopes alive in the championship.

“The finish there the last three holes was just a bonus,” Burns said.

And what a finish. He holed from 40 feet off the green at the 16th for birdie, made a 20-foot birdie putt on the 17th and then made the first birdie of the day on the tough 18th by splashing out of the pot bunker and calmly raising his right arm when it went in.

“It was a tricky bunker shot because I had to land it in the fringe there and use the slope down to the hole. Definitely very lucky for it to go in,” Burns said.

That two record-tying rounds happened so close together was reminiscent of Rickie Fowler and Xander Schauffele — also two groups apart — each with 62 in the U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club in 2023.

The record was first set by Branden Grace in 2017, also at Royal Birkdale. It had been matched four times since then at two majors — Schauffele and Fowler at the U.S. Open, and Schauffele and Shane Lowry at 9-under 62 in the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla.

The amazing rounds came one week after Haeran Ryu set the women’s major record with a 60 at the Evian Championship in France, where all lowest scores in LPGA majors have been set.

Herbert's round was simply flawless until the final hole. A self-described golf nerd, he allowed himself a thought about a record score on a par-70 links after three straight birdies to start the round. And the birdies kept coming until he was 8 under through 12 holes, with the two reachable par 5s still to play.

“I might not play 12 better holes in my life,” he said.

Herbert was a foot away from a mid-iron into the par-5 14th, but it just caught a pot bunker, and he had to save par from a greenside bunker. But he holed a 7-foot birdie putt on the 16th to reach 9 under, and he missed a 10-foot birdie attempt on the par-5 17th.

He went into the right rough off the 18th tee, came up short of the green and from 50 feet away on the baked fairway, Herbert rolled it some 5 feet short of the hole. The putt looked left of the cup from the moment it left his putter.

“I didn’t hit a bad putt. I can at least sleep easy tonight knowing I didn’t hit a bad putt,” Herbert said. “I just misread it. It’s pretty tough when you’ve got a putt for the major championship record to get everything to work and to get everything to sync perfectly still and straight.”

Three of the seven rounds of 62 have come at Royal Birkdale, and weather played a role. There was a breeze for so much of the morning, and players took aim. Eric Cole was first out with a 64. Patrick Reed (66) reached 6 under through 12 holes before he slowed.

“It’s pretty benign, and if you were ever going to do it, this was the morning for it,” said Herbert, who now plays on LIV Golf and has won on five tours. “These guys are good. I’m probably not as surprised as you think that there’s another 62 out there. I’m probably more surprised at myself shooting 62, to be honest.”

Of the seven rounds of 62 in the majors, Schauffele at the PGA Championship is the only one to leave with the trophy.

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

It attacks the body immediately, spiking asthma cases with increased ambulance runs within hours, swamps emergency rooms in a day or so with people suffering from heart attacks and other cardiovascular and lung issues, as well as mental health issues, doctors and scientists told The Associated Press.

Smoke also harms pregnant women, increasing the risk of premature births and low-weight babies who could have breathing problems the rest of their lives, doctors and studies say. And then there are long-term risks connecting prolonged smoke and other air pollution exposure to some cancers and dementia.

After huge global fires in 2018 and 2019, the medical and science communities started looking at the health effects from the smoke with “more and more studies coming out finding that there’s all types of impacts that may not have been so obvious before,” said Dr. Mary Johnson, a Harvard School of Public Health environmental health scientist.

Smoke causes inflammation by triggering the body's immune system to go into overtime to fight the irritant. Scientists have found it can harm the brain, the skin and men's sperm, with almost no system of the body spared, Johnson said. People over 60 become more prone to stroke in wildfire smoke, she said.

“Wildfire smoke is the toxic product of combustion of whatever burned,” which could include houses and cars, said Dr. Courtney Howard, an emergency room physician, chair of the Global Climate and Health Alliance and president-elect of the Canadian Medical Association.

“So really it's a big giant toxic soup of particles and gases.”

Scientists have counted at least 1,000 toxins in wildfire smoke, according to Colorado State University environmental toxicologist Luke Montrose.

“If I gave you a list, you would recognize some of these as being very bad, oftentimes associated with the burning of diesel fuel or cigarette smoke, things like formaldehyde or volatile organic compounds,” Montrose said. “So just the smoke itself can be bad.”

Rising global temperatures from climate change means more fires

So far this year, more than 5,740 square miles (more than 14,860 square kilometers) of the United States has burned from wildfires, which is 31% more than the average of the previous 10 years on this date, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. The amount of U.S. land burned each year in the 2020s — averaged out over a decade — is now more than twice what it was 30 years ago.

Europe saw a record high amount of land burned in 2025, Canada has had several record or near-record fire years in the 2020s and the Arctic recently has had unprecedented levels of burning.

“Wildfires are becoming more frequent and intense because of climate change, and when a fire happens, you have smoke,” said Colleen Reid, a University of Colorado geographic health professor.

Most of the biggest particles in wildfire smoke fall close to where a blaze is burning, while the smallest particles — the ones that scientists say do the most damage — travel the farthest. In a typical wildfire, the nasty particles that harm human health are about the size of one micron, Reid said.

Inside the body, particles attack

First those particles have to get by your body's protection, mainly nose hairs and mucus, then they get into your lungs and from there the bloodstream.

Montrose said the particles can be coated in lots of chemicals and have large surface areas. That triggers the body's defense system to “send signals to other cells that say, ‘We have a problem. We need to mount an immune response to this.’ And that’s where you get your acute effect or your effect within minutes, hours or even that day.” It's mostly happening in the hearts and lungs, he said.

And many people die.

On average 24,100 people died each year in the Lower 48 states between 2006 and 2020 due to long-term exposure to tiny particles from wildfire smoke, according to a study this year in the journal Science Advances. A Stanford study projects that U.S. wildfire smoke deaths will increase with climate change and by midcentury hit an annual cost of $244 billion in terms of the economic value the government puts on each life.

On a global scale, wildfire smoke particles cause 677,745 deaths annually, with almost 39% of them children under age 5, according to a 2021 study that combined observations, studies on how the body responds to the particles and computer models to calculate the toll.

The biggest nonlethal effects have to do with the way people breathe, especially those with asthma.

“We did a study here in 2014 after we had about two-and-a-half months of smoke off and on, because we’re in the subarctic so we’re warming at triple the global rate, so in a way we’re kind of canaries in the coal mine of the health impacts of climate change,” Howard said on a clear day from Yellowknife, Canada. “We found a full doubling of emergency department visits for asthma and about 50% increase in pneumonia.”

“Even in individuals that don’t have asthma, the air can be so irritating that you could have difficulty with your respiratory system regardless,” Johnson said, “whether it’s coughing, whether it's chest tightness, whether it’s sore throat, headache.”

There are ways to minimize the risks

Studies have linked smoke to people having more trouble with decision making and other cognitive issues. People come to the emergency room depressed, Howard said. That's why it's important to find a place with clean air — including designated shelters or libraries — to get a break from the smoke and possibly exercise, she said.

Experts suggest people wear high-quality masks when outdoors, even though they don't provide perfect protection. Inside, check windows and doors for seals, invest in a good ventilation system and check air filters, they say.

“Staying away from the smoke is No. 1 if you can,” Johnson said.

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The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

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Troopers said the tanker truck was traveling south on the Turnpike when the driver lost control.

They said the truck overturned and collided with the center median concrete barrier wall.

Authorities confirmed that the driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

Sky 10 flew over the scene around 10:45 a.m., where a heavily charred tractor-trailer could be seen as firefighters continued spraying water on it. Light smoke could still be seen rising from the vehicle.

The crash shut down Florida’s Turnpike in both directions as authorities investigated the circumstances leading up to the crash. It was not immediately clear what caused the driver to lose control of the truck.

Authorities said all lanes of the Turnpike have since been reopened.

No other details about the truck driver or crash were immediately released.

It's the latest attack on essential infrastructure across the Middle East that have exposed extreme vulnerabilities in one of the world’s driest regions, which relies almost exclusively on technology to produce freshwater that sustains cities, hotels, industry and some agriculture.

Kuwaiti authorities said the strikes damaged a large number of power generation units and sparked a fire. They added that a fire has been contained, and that they activated emergency contingency plans.

In Kuwait, about 90% of drinking water comes from desalination, along with roughly 86% in Oman and about 70% in Saudi Arabia. The process removes salt from seawater, most commonly by pushing it through ultrafine membranes in a process known as reverse osmosis.

Hundreds of desalination plants sit along the Persian Gulf coast, putting systems that supply water to millions within range of Iranian missile or drone strikes. Without them, major cities could not sustain their current populations.

For people living outside the Middle East, the main concern of the Iran war has been the impact on energy prices. Fighting and attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz have upended world markets and pushed oil prices to record highs.

But the infrastructure that keeps Gulf cities supplied with drinking water are equally vulnerable.

Throughout the past few months, Iran has struck close to several desalination plants in the Gulf. Kuwait previously reported damage at the Doha West desalination plant early in the war, which resulted from debris from intercepted drones or attacks on the nearby port.

Iran accused the U.S. of striking Iranian desalination plants on Qeshm Island on March 8, cutting off water supplies for 30 villages, though Washington did not acknowledged the strike.

Yemen’s Houthi rebels have also targeted Saudi desalination facilities amid regional tensions in the past.

Many Gulf desalination plants are physically integrated with power stations as co‑generation facilities, meaning attacks on electrical infrastructure could also hinder water production. Desalination plants have multiple stages — intake systems, treatment facilities, energy supplies — and damage to any part of that chain can interrupt production.

Gulf governments and U.S. officials have long recognized the risks these systems pose for regional stability: if major desalination plants were knocked offline, some cities could lose most of their drinking water within days.

A 2010 CIA analysis warned attacks on desalination facilities could trigger national crises in several Gulf states, and prolonged outages could last months if critical equipment were destroyed.

More than 90% of the Gulf’s desalinated water comes from just 56 plants, the report stated, and “each of these critical plants is extremely vulnerable to sabotage or military action.”

The desalination plants are also vulnerable to climate change, including storm surges and extreme rainfall that can overwhelm infrastructure, as warming oceans increase the likelihood and intensity of cyclones in the Arabian Sea. __

Associated Press writer Melanie Lidman contributed from Tel Aviv, Israel.

Through DNA testing and old-fashioned sleuthing, the Maryland teenager who died in one of the last big battles of the American Revolution can now take his place in history, just in time for the 250th birthday of the nation he fought to create.

“There was a sense of divine timing, I guess,” said Allison Peacock, founder of FHD Forensics, a company that helped with the search. “I don’t know what else you want to call it.”

Pumphrey died Aug. 16, 1780, at the Battle of Camden, South Carolina. It was one of the Continental Army’s most devastating defeats, where British Gen. Charles Lord Cornwallis routed patriot forces under Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates.

Many of the 900 killed were left where they fell, abandoned to the predations of wild animals, South Carolina’s scorching heat and its ruinous humidity.

Bones emerge from a Revolutionary War battlefield

Archaeologists surveying the area in 2020 came across human bones protruding from the ground. Eventually, 14 sets of remains were identified — 12 of them Continental soldiers. The others were determined to be connected to the British side and were reburied at the battlefield.

The Richland County Coroner’s Office had worked with Texas-based FHD Forensics on modern-day cases and asked for their help. Peacock took to calling it the case of “America’s oldest John Doe.”

“What we did is pretty much the same as what we do with any other John Doe case,” she said. “Nobody really knew for sure whether we could get genetic profiles suitable for a genealogy investigation on 240-plus-year-old remains. But we got lucky.”

Unlike most, Pumphrey and four comrades received a cursory burial beneath a thin layer of dirt. He was dubbed “Camden 9B,” because his were the second set of remains retrieved from burial nine. The remains were examined and cataloged.

The 12 Continentals were later reinterred with full military honors. Camden 9B’s headstone read: “UNKNOWN. REV WAR. BATTLE OF CAMDEN. AUG 16 1780.”

DNA unlocks a centuries-old mystery

Meanwhile, samples from two of the soldiers were sent to Astrea Forensics in California for DNA extraction and sequencing.

“Typically, in a case like this, we work with teeth, because teeth are in the jaw and are protected, the roots are protected,” said Peacock. “In this case, they were just coming up with nothing on the teeth.”

With remains this old, it's often difficult to separate the human DNA from all the other genetic material in the grave, said Astrea co-founder and scientific adviser Kelly Harkins Kincaid.

“It gets colonized by the microbial environment in the soil and the water in the environment,” she said.

Although she's worked with DNA samples as old as 10,000 years, this was the oldest sample her company has ever used to try to reconstruct a family tree.

From a petrous portion of the temporal bone, a delicate structure behind the ear at the base of the skull, they successfully extracted DNA that generated Pumphrey's entire genome. Peacock’s team then uploaded the data to FamilyTreeDNA and GEDmatch to trace three types of DNA matches: autosomal, X chromosome and Y chromosome.

“We got 20,000 matches to work with,” she said. “So, it was a lot to kind of comb through.”

An orphan soldier's life comes into focus

One of those matches, from the maternal line, was Russ Hudson.

The retired federal agent in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, offered to help do archival research. A profile began to emerge of a young orphan from Maryland’s Anne Arundel County, dispossessed and looking for his way in life.

“I learned that probably when he was 13, he went to Baltimore and he enlisted in the militia,” Hudson said. “And who knows what his story was? What did he accomplish in order to become a member of the militia at such a young age?”

Because no birth record has been found, it’s unclear how old Pumphrey was when he went to war. He signed his reenlistment papers with an “X.” But he was young enough that, when he died, the growth plates around his knees had not yet fully closed, Peacock said.

A witness to history

Researchers now know Pumphrey and his comrades from the 7th Maryland Regiment were with George Washington in the snows at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Peacock said his unit was involved in some of the major contests in the Northern Theater, including the battles of Brandywine, Germantown and Monmouth.

She figures he had marched 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers) before he met his end in the pinelands of South Carolina.

“We don’t really know what John Pumphrey’s cause of death was because they did not find a particular injury on his body,” she said. “It’s possible that he had a soft tissue injury, like a bayonet injury, but it’s a little hard to tell after 246 years.”

An unexpected twist and an emotional reunion

Work continues on the other set of remains, Camden 11A. One thing is certain: Peacock is related to him.

“One of the first things I do when I take on a case is I run my DNA against the remains to see if it’s somebody I’m related to, just on the wild chance that it might be,” she said. “It’s never happened before, but I am related to Camden 11A. So, I’m very motivated to get him identified.”

Last month, Peacock was confident enough in the research to put a name to Camden 9B. Relatives wept during an emotional ceremony at the 19th-century Benson-Hammond House in Anne Arundel County.

“The fact that some archaeologists just happened to stumble on bones that were protruding from the earth, and knowing that it would be difficult to identify those people by DNA, I just found it really exciting,” Becky Berman of Daytona Beach, Florida, Pumphrey’s first cousin, several times removed, told The Associated Press.

For Hudson, the retired federal agent, the story won’t be over until the U.S. government confirms the research and replaces his fifth great-uncle’s “UNKNOWN” gravestone. He said America owes it to John Pumphrey.

“He sacrificed himself, along with some others,” Hudson said, his eyes tearing up, “for the sake of this new nation.”

Trump used a primetime address to the nation to elevate his yearslong push to raise doubts about the legitimacy of U.S. elections and dispute his 2020 loss — this time, to justify his push to pass a strict voter ID bill. His allegations of interference and influence didn’t include key context. Nor did he produce evidence that votes had been manipulated or that the election outcome had been altered.

Here's the latest:

DHS secretary pledges to aggressively chase voter fraud cases

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said if anyone votes illegally in the upcoming midterm elections, “we will hunt you down, we will find you and we will prosecute you.”

In a White House briefing doubling down on Trump’s primetime election claims, Mullin also threatened fines, penalties or prison time for state election officials who refuse to hand over sensitive voter data to DHS.

He said states that don’t elect to use DHS’s recently updated tool for identifying noncitizen voters, will become “a priority” for investigations.

The comments come as a federal judge has blocked the use of DHS’s updated system, citing voter privacy and the fact that it can result in the wrongful purging of eligible voters.

Why American elections are so complicated — and secure

In his speech to the nation Thursday evening, President Trump said Americans deserve secure elections, and he claimed to be using federal authority to prevent them from being “stolen.”

In fact, one of the strongest security features of U.S. elections is the fact that they aren’t conducted at the federal level. America votes in more than 10,000 different election jurisdictions, each with different rules set by state and sometimes local governments.

That structure makes the nation’s elections extraordinarily complicated — and also safe from widespread fraud. And when misconduct does happen — rarely — security protocols frequently catch it.

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ICE has seen a surge in new hires

In January, Homeland Security said it had hired 12,000 new officers and agents since the hiring surge began and said thousands of those new officers were already out on the streets assisting with investigations. The number includes both deportation officers and agents for Homeland Security Investigations, a separate agency that falls under ICE.

ICE has said the majority of new hires are police and military veterans. But evidence has been mounting that applicants with questionable histories were either not fully vetted before they were brought on or were hired in spite of their past, an investigation by The Associated Press earlier this year found.

Maine shooting and officer’s background raise new questions about ICE’s rapid hiring

Immigration and Customs Enforcement has been rapidly expanding its workforce, hiring thousands of new officers as part of the Trump administration’s attempt to ramp up immigration arrests and deportations.

The supersizing of ICE — fueled by an infusion of billions of dollars granted by Congress — has raised concerns about the agency’s hiring practices and whether officers being brought on are receiving proper vetting. Those concerns have been rejected by the Department of Homeland Security.

Relatives of the ICE officer who shot a Colombian man in Maine this week told The Associated Press he struggled with serious mental health issues since early childhood and never should have been given a badge and gun to patrol American streets.

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Lawmakers demand answers after ‘bombshell’ report of ICE officer shooting in Maine

Democratic members of Congress demanded answers about Homeland Security’s vetting and training of immigration enforcement agents after it was disclosed Thursday that the ICE officer involved in a deadly shooting this week in Maine had a history of mental health issues and violent behavior.

The Associated Press reported that David Brouillette, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer who shot a Colombian man in Maine, is an Army veteran who’s struggled with serious mental health issues since early childhood, according to several of his close relatives.

The AP reached out to congressional leaders and several key lawmakers of both parties for response.

The top Democrat on the House Homeland Security Committee, Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, said Brouillette’s history of violence and mental health issues, as well as the death in Maine, “directly call into question the supposed vetting and training ICE does of its recruits.”

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To air or not to air? Nation’s TV networks struggle to find the right balance for Trump speech

As President Trump threatened sanctions for those who didn’t cover his address live Thursday night, the nation’s broadcast and cable news operations wrestled with the thorniest of questions: To air or not to air?

Networks and their news operations, broadcast and cable alike, spent the hours leading up to Trump’s address debating how to cover it — and struggling to balance delivering the news with handing over their airwaves to potential falsehoods about the 2020 elections.

In the end, a patchwork quilt of coverage was largely united by one common strategy: real-time fact-checking as much as was possible even while the president was still speaking.

The dilemma took place against a backdrop of deep tension between the media and a president working to exert control over it by whatever means he can. Even in his speech itself, Trump excoriated networks that chose not to carry it live.

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Rubio set for Asia trip

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is heading to the Philippines next week to attend meetings with foreign ministers at a gathering of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN.

The State Department says Rubio is going to meet with his counterparts and senior officials from governments in the region as he pushes for a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Rubio is scheduled to leave for Manila on Sunday and head back to the U.S. on Thursday.

China rejects Trump’s election interference claim as ‘groundless accusations’

China on Friday said it has never interfered in U.S. elections and has no interest in doing so, urging Washington to stop making what it described as “groundless accusations” after President Trump accused Beijing of meddling in the 2020 election.

In an address to the nation Thursday, Trump again raised doubts about the U.S. elections results in 2020 and accused China of interfering in them.

“The relevant allegations by the U.S. are entirely fabricated and aimed at vilifying China,” said China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian. “We have no interest in interfering in US elections and have never done so.”

In a daily briefing in Beijing, Lin called on the U.S. to stop making groundless accusations against China.

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Former intelligence official calls Trump’s address ‘dangerous’

Sue Gordon, principal deputy director of national intelligence in Trump’s first term, called the president’s address “a dangerous speech about an incredibly important topic.” She said the intelligence community throughout Trump’s first term was alarmed about foreign interference in elections, but Trump scoffed at them, angered at the investigation of his campaign’s relationship with Russia.

“He had an entire term to deal with it and I don’t know how you can believe how the same community that told him about it, that was excoriated about it” wouldn’t warn him in 2020, Gordon said on CNN.

Conservative commentator John Solomon, who joined the White House staff last month and was seated in the East Room for Trump’s speech, later told MS NOW “the intelligence community has zero evidence that someone has flipped — that a foreign power flipped — a vote in 2020, ’22 or ’24.”

But, he added, “We’re not through all the documents.”

Trump doesn’t raise doubts about his election wins

President Donald Trump began Thursday night with a stark warning about what he described as flaws in the voting system and said he was releasing previously classified documents related to the 2020 and 2018 elections, when he lost the presidential election and when his party suffered losses.

Trump’s speech presented allegations of interference and influence in ways that lacked key context and did not produce evidence that votes had been manipulated or that the election outcome had been altered.

Notably, he focused on China but glossed over Russia, a country intelligence officials have said favored Trump in 2016 and 2020 and engaged in wide-ranging influence campaigns aimed at boosting him over Democrat Joe Biden in the latter campaign.

Trump’s Thursday night address hinged on contradictions

A twice-elected president complained about his one personal defeat, alleged a cover-up by officials in his own first administration and surfaced claims about countries attempting to harm his own prospects while staying silent on steps taken by other nations to boost him.

Trump used the remarks to justify his push to pass a strict voter ID bill in Congress that hasn’t advanced because it lacks enough support from his fellow Republicans.

“America is back and doing really well, but we still have a major challenge that must be urgently addressed, because no country can be great without fair and honest elections,” he said.

But all that frothy foam obscures a cold reality: Beer sales have been struggling globally, and it’s unclear if soccer's world championship tournament can reverse the trend despite having three countries and 16 cities as co-hosts this year.

In the U.S., beer consumption has fallen steadily for a decade, according to the Brewers Association, a trade group for craft brewers. Canada has seen a similar decline, according to the national statistics agency. The Brewers of Europe trade association says the story is the same in the European Union.

Consumers are buying less regular beer and more ‘wellness’ drinks

Many consumers are cutting back on alcohol for health reasons. Last year was the first time in Gallup’s polling that a majority of Americans – 53% -- said drinking “one or two drinks a day” was bad for one’s health.

While sales of non-alcoholic beer have grown, they still make up only around 1% of the U.S. market, according to the Beer Institute, a trade group for brewers.

Economic worries also have taken a toll on sales. U.S. consumption of all types of alcohol – including wine and spirits – fell 5% last year, and affordability concerns were partly to blame, beverage market research company IWSR said.

Craig Purser, the president and CEO of the National Beer Wholesalers Association, said he thinks smartphones and Netflix have taken consumers away from socializing with a cold beer in hand.

“If you have this behavior where we’re cocooning and we’re not spending time with other folks, that’s going to affect beer consumption,” Purser said.

World Cup host cities saw a bump in beer sales at stadiums, bars and restaurants

Enter the World Cup and the soccer fans who traveled from around the world to support their national teams and engage in communal celebration or sorrow.

In the first four weeks of the tournament, beer sales in bars, restaurants, stadiums and other venues rose 14% in U.S. host cities compared to the same period last year, according to the Beer Institute. The bump extended beyond host cities; sales were up 4% nationally, the institute said.

Jim Koch, the brewer, founder and CEO of the Boston Beer Co., which makes Samuel Adams and other brands, said the company had to make two emergency deliveries to its Sam Adams Boston Taproom on the first day that Scotland's fans were in town.

“At one point, we were pouring them a Sam Adams Boston Lager every 12 seconds. What a wonderful group of people,” he said.

But that wasn't all that warmed Koch's heart.

“I didn’t see a single soul on their phone," he said, “They had a beer in their hand and they were talking to each other. They were doing what beer is meant to do, which is helping people enjoy each other’s company.”

The plentiful drinking on display in stadiums stood in stark constrast to the World Cup held four years ago in Qatar, where the government banned the sale of alcoholic beer in match venues.

Brewers leaned heavily into this year's tournament. Budweiser and Michelob Ultra maker AB InBev, the World's Cup's official beer sponsor, doled out marketing support to bars and hosted 200,000 watch parties in 40 countries.

Molson Coors said it would spend 60% more than last year on marketing in June and July; it also debuted a limited edition soccer ball that can hold 12 cans of Miller Lite.

A team's loss can make supporters cry, but not in their beer

Maybell Romero, a law professor at Tulane University School of Law in New Orleans, usually prefers cocktails over beer. But she says she opts for beer during the World Cup since it has lower alcohol content than liquor or wine and watching games can be an all-day affair.

“If I drink cocktail after cocktail, I will not be functional after a few hours,” Romero said.

Romero, who has been watching this year's matches at bars in Mexico City, said she’s enjoyed trying new beers, especially those with novel ingredients like champagne yeast. She might order an occasional beer once the World Cup ends but expects to go back to mostly drinking cocktails.

Beer consumption was expected to fall in some markets even before the World Cup ended. Shares in AB InBev and Constellation Brands — which owns the U.S. rights to Mexican beer brands like Corona and Modelo — tumbled after Mexico and Brazil were eliminated from the tournament.

Romero observed the mood shift in Mexico City after those losses.

“The city is collectively depressed,” she said. "Everything is a lot quieter, and people aren’t going out as much."

Major sporting events on the horizon allow the beer industry to hold out hope

Purser remains hopeful the World Cup will remind people how much they like to gather and cheer on athletes, especially with the Summer Olympics heading to Los Angeles in 2028. Occasions are expanding, he said; college and professional football games are now played on more nights of the week, for example. And beer's consumer base is widening as more brands put out low- and no-alcohol versions, he said.

In May, the NCAA reversed its long-standing ban on alcohol advertising during March Madness, allowing makers of beer, wine, spirits and hard seltzer makers to sponsor the college basketball tournaments for the first time starting next season.

The Boston Beer Co.'s Koch said he's not fretting until then.

“People worry that the beer business has declined for a few years, and I always remind them that beer has been a part of human society, human civilization, for 10,000 years,” he said. “Beer will always be a part enhancing our enjoyment of our lives and the time we spend on this earth.”

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AP Video Journalist Rodrique Ngowi contributed from Boston.

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Joseph is accused of asking a city employee to alter a video recording, a political crime, and then lashing out at him when he refused.

In a report, the ALGO Law Firm outlined details of why they wrote Joseph put the city “in substantial legal, financial and ethical risk” while Joseph called the report “political theater.”

The report, which can be read at the bottom of this story, indicated that the “rumors were substantiated by recorded interviews and testimonies.”

Local 10 News has since obtained those records.

Among them, the city’s well-regarded IT chief Ricardo Castillo, known in the report as “Employee C”.

He described Joseph’s response when he refused the mayor’s request to “disconnect recording equipment and edit recordings” of a city manager candidate interview.

“(He said) ’You’re gonna f--- me over,’ and I said, ‘Well, how would I f--- you over if nothing bad happened in the interviews?’” Castillo said.

That video, which Local 10 has obtained, was an interview with the mayor’s preferred candidate for the position who ultimately was not chosen by the other commissioners.

Castillo acknowledged to the investigators that altering the record is a potential crime.

“He did, at the end, he asked me ‘Have I threatened you? Do you feel threatened?’ and I did say, ‘No,’ but I felt intimidated, because I know I was doing the right thing but he was making me feel bad about it,” he said.

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The verdict underlined the determination by authorities to stamp out any remaining sign of dissent ahead of September's vote as the fuel crisis caused by Ukrainian strikes on oil facilities across Russia threatened to erode public support for the Kremlin.

The charges against Nadezhdin, 63, were based on a 2023 online video in which he briefly showed a picture of the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who at that time was serving a 19-year prison sentence on charges of extremism that were widely seen as politically motivated. Navalny later died in an Arctic penal colony on Feb. 16, 2024.

Nadezhdin rejected the case against him as absurd and argued authorities were trying to keep him from campaigning in September's parliamentary vote. The court in Dolgoprudny, a town on Moscow’s northern outskirts where he lives, convicted him and ordered him to pay a fine of 1,000 rubles (about $13).

The Kremlin's main United Russia party is seeking to preserve its dominance in the lower house of parliament in a race against so-called “systemic” opposition, including the Communist Party and a couple of other parties that vote in sync with the Kremlin on key issues. The campaign comes amid signs of growing public fatigue as fuel shortages and economic pain from the Ukraine conflict increase, an environment that reduces the tolerance by the authorities for even token opposition.

Nadezhdin's run for parliament triggers a quick response

In January 2024, Nadezhdin collected thousands of signatures in his run for president as he openly called for a halt to the fighting in Ukraine. But he was kept off the March 2024 ballot after Russia’s Supreme Court ruled that more than 9,000 signatures submitted by his campaign were invalid — enough to disqualify him. Putin faced only token opposition in the election and easily won a fifth term.

A veteran politician, Nadezhdin worked in the government in the 1990s when he was an adviser to Sergei Kiriyenko, now a top Putin aide. He also served as a lawmaker and more recently became a member of a municipal council, one of the few remaining liberal voices on Russia's political scene.

Last month, Nadezhdin declared his bid to run for the lower house of parliament, the State Duma, but the Justice Ministry quickly branded him a “foreign agent” — a designation that carries strong pejorative connotations and brings additional government scrutiny. It also bars him from holding public office, but he was still able to wage his symbolic campaign for a parliament seat until Friday’s verdict.

Another blow came Monday, when police detained Nadezhdin for a few hours before making the charges that were punishable by a fine or a 15-day jail term. He said he was considering going abroad but was barred from leaving Russia.

He told the court that he was too sick to serve any prison time, saying he “will just die” behind bars. “The real goal of what's going on here is to shut my mouth and prevent me from running for the State Duma,” he said.

Nadezhdin complained of feeling sick at Friday’s hearing, which was interrupted to let an ambulance team check his condition.

After the Kremlin sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022, authorities ramped up their crackdown on dissent and free speech, relentlessly targeting rights organizations, independent media, members of civil society organizations, LGBTQ+ activists and some religious groups. Hundreds of people have been jailed and thousands of others have fled the country.

Another Putin critic is arrested

Also on Friday, Ilya Remeslo, a pro-Kremlin activist and blogger who has become a Putin critic, was arrested in St. Petersburg on charges of spreading false information about the Russian military — an accusation widely used against those who oppose the government's policies.

The state Tass news agency reported that he would be taken to Moscow to face a court hearing.

In March, Remeslo criticized the military action in Ukraine and called for Putin's resignation. Soon after, he was placed in a psychiatric clinic and spent a month there in what he cast as a punishment for his remarks.

“They wasn’t in a gang -- they just like to have fun and because of that, it cost them their life. And they were close. And they were very close,” Jones said.

Marchers chanted, “Justice for Bri, justice for AJ,” calling for justice for popular TikTok influencer Brianna Johnson, better known as “Dream Doll Bri,” and her cousin, Arthur Johnson, also known as AJ.

“She was more than just Dream Doll to me. She was Brianna. That was my child. That was my everything. We grew up together. I had her when I was 20 years old,” Jones said.

It has been a few weeks since the pair were shot and killed in Miramar. The crime was caught on camera, but there are still no answers about who pulled the trigger.

“Contact the detectives. Contact whoever you need to contact. Contact us. Speak up because if the shoe was on the other foot, I’m pretty sure they would want someone to do the same thing for them,” Jones said.

Pompano Beach Commissioner Beverly Perkins helped lead the family’s effort to hold the march for healing.

“So this is about the young people, not the adults,” Perkins said.

Adults at the march said they are making a genuine effort to connect with young people who have been impacted by gun violence.

“It’s really for the youth to find out what’s on their mind. What do they need to feel safe? What can we give them? How can we help them in any way we can when it comes to gun violence?” Perkins said.

The family’s plans do not stop with the march. AJ’s father said he wants to turn the tragedy into something meaningful.

“I promised my son before he left here that out of this tragedy I will turn it into triumph for his name and for Brianna’s namesake. So thank you all,” he said.

Perkins said the plan is to have members of the Circle of Brotherhood reconnect with the young people who attended the march in 30 days.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention late Thursday warned consumers not to eat shredded iceberg lettuce from Taco Bell restaurants in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia. A record number of cyclospora cases have been reported in more than 30 states, and experts have said not every recent U.S. illness might be caused by a single source.

A Food and Drug Administration investigation identified a single supplier of the lettuce. The federal warnings to consumers did not identify the company, but a federal official who was briefed on the investigation and not authorized to discuss it told The Associated Press it was Taylor Farms of Salinas, California.

Taylor Farms, which has been tied to foodborne outbreaks in the past, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

“FDA is working with the supplier of iceberg lettuce to determine if potentially contaminated shredded iceberg lettuce remains on the market,” including in other states, the CDC said. “Taco Bell has committed to stop using any lettuce from the supplier identified by FDA’s traceback investigation.”

In a statement, federal health officials stressed that other “brands, restaurants, retailers, or distribution channels” could be identified as the investigation continues.

Taco Bell says it will use a different supplier

CDC, FDA and public health officials in several states have been investigating a multistate outbreak of cyclospora infections.

The illness is not usually life threatening and is typically treated with antibiotics.

On Thursday, ahead of the federal government's confirmation, Taco Bell issued a statement saying that it had taken “immediate action to voluntarily remove potentially impacted lettuce from a supplier in select states. The affected ingredient from our supplier is being indefinitely removed from our supply chain nationwide and will be replaced within 24 hours in select states.”

Cyclospora cases have been rising for years

Cyclospora is a microscopic, spherical parasite that commonly causes watery diarrhea “with frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements,” according to the CDC. Outbreaks tend to occur most often in the late spring and summer.

The heat-loving parasite infects the bowels and spreads through feces. In the past, people have been infected by consuming fruits or vegetables that were exposed to feces-contaminated irrigation water.

The illness, called cyclosporiasis, is less common than foodborne illnesses caused by other germs, including salmonella and E. coli. Many cases are never linked to a specific food or other source and, for years, few U.S. cyclospora outbreaks were reported. But the number started rising about a decade ago, with a particularly notable spike in 2018 and 2019.

Previously, 2019 saw the most reported U.S. cyclosporiasis cases, with about 4,700. The current surge has far surpassed that. Michigan — the apparent epicenter of the current outbreak — is reporting more than 5,000 cases, and more than 2,000 additional probable and suspected cases have been reported in other states.

No deaths have been reported. But Michigan officials say more than 100 people in that state have been hospitalized, and federal health officials say dozens more have been hospitalized in other states.

Experts attribute the increasing trend in cases to climate change and better detection. They also say it’s likely that cyclospora cases historically were underreported, for several reasons.

Some common tests used to check for food poisoning have not been geared to detect cyclospora. Technicians aren’t able to grow the parasite in labs, making it hard to draw evidence from contaminated produce. And it can be hard to figure out what food sick people had in common because sometimes it’s a single ingredient that might be common in multiple recipes — like basil or cilantro.

Taco Bell and Taylor Farms have been tied to past outbreaks

The FDA’s traceback investigation identified a single supplier of iceberg lettuce from Mexico used by the Taco Bell locations where people who got sick ate, federal officials said.

The Mexican food chain is among the restaurants linked to foodborne illness outbreaks in the past.

Taylor Farms also was tied to a 2013 cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to salad mix and a 2024 E. coli outbreak tied to onions served at McDonald's.

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Stobbe reported from New York.

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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.

“We were looking at different flights home (to Florida),” Cole said.

No need to change the reservation. All the bounces that went against the 38-year-old American were in his favor Friday as he ran off three straight birdies on the front nine, four in a row on the back nine and improved 12 shots from the previous day with a 6-under 64 to get back to even par for the championship.

He was not yet in position to contend. But he was not quite ready to leave.

“I was just trying to have a good day and relax and enjoy The Open Championship,” Cole said. “Hit some good shots and didn't get any weird bounces.”

Cole was the first example that Royal Birkdale was more vulnerable in the second round, with lighter wind and accessible pins. Lucas Herbert of Australia tied a British Open record with a 28 on the front nine.

Most peculiar about the 12-shot improvement was that Cole didn't feel as though he played all that much differently than his opening 76 that included three double bogeys.

The shocker was on No. 11 when his right foot slipped on his tee shot, he barely made contact and the ball tumbled about 25 yards away into thick, high grass.

“We never found the ball,” he said. “It just rolled into the gunch. So I had to re-tee. That was another double bogey.”

Then on the par-5 17th, his club caught a clump of grass and turned over, leading to a shank into the trees that forced him into taking a penalty shot and replaying the shot. Another double bogey.

“Tee to green yesterday, I felt like I played great. I know that’s weird to say, but I really did feel like I was hitting the ball where I was aiming and the swing felt good,” he said. “I’m just chalking it up to random outlier.”

This is Cole's second Open but he knew what to expect. His father is South African player Bobby Cole, who finished one shot out of the 1975 playoff at Carnoustie that Tom Watson won and twice has played at Royal Birkdale.

Eric Cole created some memories of his own over two days, good and bad. Friday was so good that Cole briefly thought about a record score when he was 6 under for the day with two par 5s ahead of him. Instead, he finished with five straight pars that figured to give him two more days at Birkdale.

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The immersive show has become the theater’s biggest production to date, according to Brian Forti, Faena Theater’s executive producer and director of creative entertainment.

“(It’s) our biggest show, which I think is doing great, and it’s probably one of the best shows we’ve ever produced in the 11 years we’ve been doing shows here, is ‘Obsession,’” he said.

Inside the intimate theater, 155 guests surround the stage, placing audience members just feet away from singers, dancers and aerialists. Rather than staying on stage, performers move throughout the room, interacting directly with guests.

“We have some of the best performers. We brought in Sophia Bollman from Las Vegas. We actually brought her in from the Bellagio Hotel, and she’s probably one of the best things we’ve ever had. It’s a sexy show,” Forti said.

Unlike a traditional theater experience, the production is designed to eliminate the separation between performers and the audience.

“It’s really intimate, immersive, and as you can see in a theater like this, it’s not like you’re in a Broadway theater or in a big arena. No, you’re right there, and the dancers and the singers and the performers are right there, all around you,” Forti added.

The show also features aerialists performing overhead and a live violinist weaving through the audience.

“When the performers are coming out, they’re immersing with everybody in the audience, whether you’re popping balloons in that performance, or Sophia’s talking to you, which she loves to do with everybody in the audience,” Forti said.

He said the immersive concept was intentional from the beginning.

“That was the whole point. Alan Faena, when he designed the theater, he worked closely with Baz Luhrmann, the director of ‘Moulin Rouge.’ They realized a theater like this does not exist anywhere,” he added.

Guests are encouraged to embrace the interactive experience.

Those hoping to see Obsession this summer should plan ahead. Faena Theater will close for its seasonal break from Sunday through Aug. 4 before performances resume on Aug. 6.

When the show returns, tickets will be available at a discount through Miami Spice, making it easier for visitors to pair dinner with a show.

Click here for more information on how to purchase tickets.

Now those images of the longhaired Messi, his hands covered in soap suds as if anointing Yamal as soccer's Next Big Thing, have become the most talked about — and gawked about — in the runup to Sunday’s World Cup final, when Messi’s Argentina will play Yamal’s Spain for the biggest trophy in the sport.

“I have never been a believer or thought that anything was destined to occur, but I am beginning to have my doubts. This is beyond all reasonable explanations,” Monfort told The Associated Press from his home in Barcelona on Friday.

Monfort, who works as a freelance photojournalist for the AP, took the photos in 2007 as part of a charity calendar produced by local newspaper Sport and UNICEF.

Luck dictated that Yamal’s mother, who appears in the calendar photo, won a raffle of families in the city of Mataró, near Barcelona, who wanted to participate. Soccer destiny then deemed that her baby boy, who would become a star for Barcelona some 15 years later, was paired up with the Argentine who would become one of the greatest of all time.

A tearful Messi left Barcelona in 2021 when the club was in financial trouble. Yamal erupted at the club two years later. The journey is now complete, from bathtub to World Cup final, where the 19-year-old Yamal will face a Messi who is 20 years his senior.

The famous photo was forgotten until ...

Monfort had no recollection of the photos until Yamal’s father posted one on social media during the 2024 European Championship, when a teenage Yamal was enjoying his international breakout and led Spain to the title.

The photo went viral then. But now, with the World Cup final looming, Monfort said, interest in his photos has skyrocketed.

“This has exploded all over the world, and the fact that the final is in the U.S. has given it the extra push,” Monfort said. “And now this has culminated with the final between Messi and Yamal. It is better than any film script.”

Monfort said he has been bombarded by queries for the photos by professional media outlets, while also seeing his images reproduced countless times on social media and the internet without any credit or compensation.

Yamal's Spain teammate Mikel Merino had the same reaction as most people who see the photos.

“The first time I saw it, I thought it was AI and that it wasn’t even real,” Merino said Friday. “It’s unbelievable that two of the best players to have played the game — and hopefully Lamine, in the future, will be one of those — share a picture like that. Hopefully we’re going to see a very bright final with those two protagonists at their best, playing and giving all the fans a great spectacle.”

Barcelona fans are torn by love of both Messi and Yamal

Like many Barcelona fans, Monfort's loyalty is split. It is common to see children wearing both Yamal’s Barcelona and Spain shirts, as well as any Messi shirt, whether from his Barcelona years or Argentina or his current club, Inter Miami, on the city’s streets.

Monfort, 58, is considering traveling to see the final in New Jersey, but whether he watches it in person or at home, he said he will have trouble cheering for one team or the other.

“My heart is split. I don’t know if I want Messi or Yamal to win,” said Monfort, a lifelong Barcelona supporter.

“I have an everlasting love for the best player of all time (Messi),” he said, but “Yamal has broken the mould here” and represents a new, diverse Spain, thanks to his parents from Morocco and Equatorial Guinea. “Maybe they can both win. I wouldn't rule it out after everything we have seen.”

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See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here

What struck Le then, and amazes him still, is Pannakara’s iron-clad determination.

“When he decides to do something, he goes all the way,” said Le, secretary of the temple — the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth. “He’s never been afraid of obstacles. He always finds a way through them.”

That indomitable will was in full display during the meditative Walk for Peace that Pannakara led earlier this year with an international group of monks and his rescue dog, Aloka, who has become a mascot for the movement. The 2,300-mile (3,700-kilometer) journey started in Fort Worth on Oct. 26 and ended in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 14.

An ascetic walks into the spotlight

Pannakara’s discourses on mindfulness and kindness in churchyards, town squares and in front of the Lincoln Memorial drew large, diverse crowds. Millions worldwide followed along online.

Within weeks, the Walk for Peace had propelled this obscure monk into the spotlight as a leading voice for inner peace and unity in an increasingly divided nation. His popularity continues to soar, with some drawing comparisons with the Dalai Lama, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and the late Thich Nhat Hanh, a revered Zen master and peace activist who shared Pannakara’s Vietnamese roots.

Pannakara, who traveled to Southern California last weekend with Aloka for several speaking engagements, said he doesn’t care for all the attention.

“There is no fame for monks,” he said. “I made a vow to walk to raise awareness of peace, loving kindness and compassion. That’s what it’s about.”

As part of his Theravada Buddhist practice, he follows “Vinaya” — a strict code of monastic rules. That means no social media accounts, personal possessions or handling money, and the practice of celibacy and modesty.

He doesn't eat after noon and, according to Le, sleeps sitting up, which is not mandatory for Theravada monks, but adopted by some as an ascetic practice to deepen mindfulness.

The pivot from engineer to monk

Pannakara was born in Dak Lak, Vietnam, in 1981, the youngest of 10 children. He says his family was Buddhist in “name only.” He immigrated to the U.S. in 1997 and graduated with a degree in information technology from the University of Texas at Arlington. He said his first exposure to Buddhism was in the U.S. through temple summer camps and youth leadership.

Pannakara stepped away from his engineering career to become a novice monk and became fully ordained in 2010 by his teacher, the Most Venerable Ratanaguna, who he has often cited as his source of inspiration. There was not one life-changing event that prompted his decision, he said, but the cumulative effect of seeing his loved ones suffer and people trying to step on each other to move up.

“To me everything just seemed fake,” he said.

Le recalls that Pannakara’s parents were inconsolable.

“Even on the day he was ordained, his mother came, and she cried a lot,” he said, adding that they eventually accepted it.

Le said Pannakara was a quick learner, completing several projects on their campus including landscaping, a new kitchen, homes for the monastics and a memorial hall for deceased members.

At his teacher’s direction, Pannakara traveled to Myanmar between 2018 and 2020 to study and practice Vipassana meditation, an ancient technique taught by the Buddha himself as core for attaining enlightenment. When COVID hit, he returned to Fort Worth and organized food drives, said Amanda Phan, a temple member.

“(Pannakara) is a rare human being,” she said. “He is an embodiment of kindness, compassion, wisdom — a bodhisattva — a being whose purpose is to relieve others from their suffering.”

Transformative journey tracing the Buddha's steps

In late 2022, Pannakara joined about 100 monks in a 2,100-mile (3,380-kilometer), 112-day pilgrimage tracing the footsteps of the Buddha — from his birthplace in Lumbini, Nepal, to Bodh Gaya where he attained enlightenment; Sarnath, the site of the first sermon; and Kushinagar, where he died. The monks emulated Buddha's journey — walking barefoot, eating one meal a day, and sleeping under the stars.

“I had learned the Buddha’s teachings from the Tipitaka (Buddhist canon),” Pannakara said. “But with this walk, I experienced it.”

He also learned about himself — about his strength to bear adversity and pain.

“I learned that we can do much more than we think we’re capable of,” he said.

That journey also brought Aloka into his life. Aloka means light in Pali.

“Even when he faced challenges and almost died he walked with us,” Pannakara said of his dog.

It was on a previous trip to Bodh Gaya — under the Bodhi tree where the Buddha attained enlightenment — that Pannakara said he had a vision to build stone stupas to preserve the sacred teachings for generations to come. Seven years later, he told Ratanaguna about his desire. With his teacher’s blessing, the plan for the $200-million Dhammacetiya project was born — 840 stupas bearing Buddha’s teachings in 10 languages, built to last 4,000 years.

Pannakara knelt before an assembly of monastics and visitors during the temple’s 2022 International Vesak Ceremony and vowed that if he is unable to complete the project in this lifetime, he would “be reborn to continue this project until its completion.” This project and the peace walks — which he plans to do more of — together uphold his vow to promote peace and preserve the Buddha’s teachings, he said.

Ajahn Nisabho, a Seattle-based Theravada Buddhist monk, said he was moved by Pannakara's authenticity and commitment.

“The story of his quilted robe that he stitched it together from pieces of cloth he picked up during the walk in India — he was honoring that past and that ethos,” Nisabho said. “As a fellow monk, it was inspiring for me to see floods of people walking behind him during the peace walk.”

A conscious decision to steer clear of politics

The Venerable Bhikkhu Bodhi, a senior Theravada monk who spoke at the conclusion of the Walk for Peace in Washington, said Pannakara was wise to remain silent on politics during his walk. But Bodhi, 81, hopes he does speak up on critical social issues like poverty, hunger, housing and the climate.

“I just hope that as (Pannakara) becomes more established and gets accustomed to publicity, he’ll consider taking a stand on these issues that have deep moral and spiritual significance,” he said.

Nisabho believes Pannakara made the right decision to steer clear of politics and activism. He said there are not many spaces today that are able to welcome the kind of diversity the peace walk attracted — with the exception of Dolly Parton “who brings truckers and drag queens together.”

“The vision of a monastic is the one chance someone has, to be inspired toward awakening and find an escape from suffering,” Nisabho said. “If you bring politics into that, you cause damage by alienating half the country.”

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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.

FIFA announced the pick late Thursday. It's the second straight World Cup final where Argentina, now the defending champion, will have a European referee to face a European opponent.

FIFA has faced criticism during the current World Cup for Argentina seeming to get the benefit of some refereeing decisions — including when soccer great Lionel Messi escaped a red card for a rough challenge on an Algeria opponent — with the coaches of Egypt and South Africa claiming inconsistencies.

After Egypt formally alleged bias in decisions during its 3-2 loss to Argentina, FIFA director of referees Pierluigi Collina said: “Nobody can question the integrity of the FIFA World Cup match officials.”

In his three games so far at the 2026 World Cup, Vinčić has shown seven yellow cards and one red card, and awarded no penalty kicks.

In the most recent of his games, in the round of 32 more than two weeks ago, Vinčić sent off Ecuador’s Piero Hincapie after a video review for covering his mouth in a confrontation with a Mexico opponent.

Vinčić also worked two group-stage games, when Brazil and Morocco drew 1-1 and Algeria beat Jordan 2-1.

Bayern-Madrid epic

In the last European club season, Vinčić’s biggest match was Bayern Munich’s 4-3 win over Real Madrid in the quarterfinals of the Champions League.

Vinčić showed yellow cards to five Madrid players, and second yellows to Eduardo Camavinga for timewasting and Arda Guler for dissent to send them off late in the game.

Those were among just three red cards that Vinčić showed in nine Champions League games and he awarded just two penalties.

The 46-year-old Slovenian refereed Madrid’s 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund in the 2024 Champions League final.

The Slovenia link

FIFA’s pick of Vinčić surprised some observers given ongoing tensions between its president Gianni Infantino and UEFA, led by Slovenian lawyer Aleksander Ceferin, who should attend the final at East Rutherford, New Jersey.

UEFA claimed FIFA “crossed a red line” in suspending a mandatory one-game ban for United States forward Folarin Balogun to let him face Belgium in the round of 16, and called the decision “unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable.”

On day four of the World Cup, some soccer federations published a letter during a FIFA-hosted conference in Miami criticizing Ceferin personally for a reported comment made days before the tournament in Slovenia about the expanded 48-team competition format.

Vinčić follows Szymon Marciniak of Poland in being chosen to officiate the biggest match in world soccer. Marciniak awarded a penalty to each team in the thrilling 3-3 draw in the World Cup final between Argentina and France in Qatar in December 2022. Argentina then won the penalty shootout in which Marciniak showed a yellow card to goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez for unsporting conduct in trying to distract French players.

The pick of Vinčić continues a pattern for 10 straight World Cups since 1990: European referees are chosen for finals played outside Europe, and referees from other continents are picked for finals played in Europe. Those include Italian Collina, the premier referee of his generation, who worked Brazil's 2-0 win over Germany in the 2002 final in Japan.

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See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here

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Las mediciones de lo que los investigadores llaman “exceso de mortalidad” —la diferencia entre el número de decesos que se esperarían normalmente y la cifra real— se dispararon a finales de junio, cuando parte de Europa registró temperaturas récord. Los expertos advierten que se necesita tiempo para obtener una visión completa de la situación, y que muchas muertes relacionadas con el calor nunca se registrarán formalmente como tal. Por ejemplo, un ataque cardíaco, que puede estar causado por la exposición al calor extremo, especialmente en personas mayores o con problemas de salud subyacentes, puede figurar en un certificado de defunción simplemente como un ataque cardíaco.

Es un comienzo de verano alarmante. Varias olas de calor han matado a miles de personas en los últimos años en Europa. Aun así, 2003 sigue siendo el año más letal en el continente por el calor, con unos 70.000 fallecidos. La frecuencia e intensidad de las olas de calor se ven potenciadas por el cambio climático, causado por la quema de combustibles fósiles como el carbón, el petróleo y el gas.

Semana excepcionalmente mortífera a comienzos del verano

El centro de monitoreo de mortalidad EuroMOMO, que recibe datos de dos docenas de países, dio una estimación de exceso de mortalidad de 14.260 personas por todas las causas en la semana que terminó el 28 de junio, con más de 12.000 de esas muertes entre personas de 65 años o más. Esa cifra se sitúa dentro de un total de 84.583 decesos en esa semana. Los datos de la semana anterior y posterior fueron mucho más bajos.

Lasse Vestergaard, del Statens Serum Institut de Dinamarca, que coordina EuroMOMO, señaló que “atribuimos esto a la ola de calor que afecta a bastantes países de Europa, y lo hacemos porque no hay otra explicación evidente que pueda justificar un exceso de moralidad tan elevado en este momento".

Un exceso tan elevado en una sola semana es “sumamente inusual”, añadió. EuroMOMO no ofrece cifras absolutas por países, pero encontró los peores datos en Francia, Bélgica y Alemania.

Los países que sufrieron la peor parte de la ola de calor han publicado sus propias estimaciones, pero no siempre siguen la misma metodología o plazos.

A continuación, un resumen de las muertes relacionadas con el calor reportadas por varias naciones.

Alemania

El centro de control de enfermedades de Alemania, el Instituto Robert Koch, atribuyó directamente al calor 6.830 muertes en lo que va de año hasta comienzos de julio, 6.470 de ellas entre personas de 65 años o más. A finales del mes pasado, las temperaturas en el país alcanzaron sus niveles más altos desde que se tienen registros, con un pico de 41,7º Celsius (107,06º Fahrenheit) el 28 de junio, de acuerdo con el Servicio Meteorológico Alemán.

Reino Unido

La Met Office británica, la agencia meteorológica nacional, indicó que se cree que 2.700 personas perdieron la vida por causas relacionadas con las temperaturas durante las olas de calor en Inglaterra y Gales en mayo y junio. De esas muertes, unas 550 ocurrieron a finales de mayo y alrededor de 2.200 a finales de junio, agregó. Este año se registraron récords nacionales de calor para mayo —con 35,1º C (95,18º F)— y junio, con más de 37ºC (98,6º F).

Francia

La autoridad de salud pública de Francia informó que se contabilizaron al menos 2.000 muertes más en la semana del 22 al 28 de junio que en la anterior, cuando las temperaturas ya estaban subiendo. Francia registró sus días más calurosos de la historia el 24 y 25 de junio, cuando el servicio meteorológico Meteo France dijo que el indicador térmico nacional —un promedio de temperaturas diarias medidas en 30 estaciones meteorológicas— alcanzó los 30º C (86º Fº). Más del 40% de Francia registró temperaturas máximas por encima de 40º C (104º F).

España

Las autoridades atribuyeron al exceso de calor unas 937 muertes estimadas en junio, de acuerdo con el Instituto de Salud Carlos III, un organismo oficial de monitoreo. El mes pasado fue el segundo junio más caluroso registrado nunca en el país, con temperaturas 3,2º C (5,8º F) por encima del promedio mensual normal, explicó la agencia meteorológica AEMET. Una ola de calor de cinco días hizo que las temperaturas superaran con regularidad los 40º C (104º F), indicó la AEMET.

Bélgica

Hubo 1.747 muertes por encima de lo que normalmente se esperaría durante la ola de calor que se extendió del 18 de junio al 1 de julio, según Sciensano, el instituto de salud pública de Bélgica. Señaló que “se espera cierta mortalidad excesiva durante las olas de calor, al igual que durante las olas de frío y las epidemias de gripe. No obstante, la ola de calor de junio de 2026 se distingue por su excepcional amplitud”.

En el punto máximo del episodio, se registró una medición de 35,5º C (95,9º F) el 26 de junio, informó el instituto meteorológico IRM.

Países Bajos

Una estimación inicial de las cifras de exceso de defunciones por la ola de calor de junio determinó que en Países Bajos hubo 480 muertes más de las esperadas, según el servicio de salud pública. El aumento de la mortalidad fue particularmente notable en las zonas del este y del sur, donde los termómetros marcaron valores más altos.

El país registró su temperatura más alta de la historia para junio, con el servicio meteorológico neerlandés anotando 36,8º C (98,24º F). Eso es más de un grado Celsius (1,8º F) por encima del récord anterior, establecido en 1947.

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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.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s major shake-up of his government on Thursday, which included the dismissal of Mykhailo Fedorov as defense minister and the appointment of a new prime minister, unsettled the country’s military leadership and triggered a public outcry. It tested Zelenskyy's authority and was an unwelcome difficulty after Ukraine in recent months gained traction in the war.

Zelenskyy said he had asked Maj. Gen. Yevhen Khmara, acting head of the state’s security service and a highly regarded special operations expert, to take over the defense minister’s duties.

Zelenskyy said late Thursday he would ask Parliament to formally approve Khmara’s appointment as defense minister, as required by law.

That step could be delayed by bureaucratic hurdles, however. Ukrainian law requires the defense minister to be a civilian, so a serving soldier or security service officer must leave active duty before being formally appointed. Also, lawmakers will be on summer recess through mid-August.

It was not clear whether Khmara would have enough votes in Parliament to be confirmed in the job.

Relations between 35-year-old Fedorov and Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, the 60-year-old commander of Ukraine’s armed forces who started his military career in the former Soviet Union, had broken down, according to Zelenskyy, and made Fedorov’s position untenable.

Fedorov, who is credited with pushing forward Ukraine's innovative drone technology that has brought advantages on the battlefield and fighting corruption in the military, defended his record after just six months in government.

“We transformed Ukraine into a global tech leader and a defense powerhouse,” he said Friday on social media.

A second day of Kyiv protests demand Fedorov's return

The surprise departure of Fedorov, a youthful, digital-savvy modernizer, drew thousands of people to demonstrate against his dismissal in cities across Ukraine on Thursday.

Further street protests took place in Kyiv on Friday, where one sign read, “Don’t ruin something that works.”

“I don’t think they should replace an effective leader and manager like Fedorov,” Olha Horoshkova, one of the protesters, told The Associated Press.

She said her father has been serving in the armed forces since 2022 and told her he has seen “noticeable changes” under Fedorov.

“There’s a little less bureaucracy now, and things have genuinely become easier,” she reported her father saying.

Another protester, Yehor Pohrebniak, said army chief Syrskyi had had some notable triumphs during the war.

But he added: “Syrskyi’s vision of war is already outdated, because war is changing very rapidly ... We need more technological solutions.”

Ukraine's interim defense minister is a special operations expert

Khmara, tapped by Zelenskyy to replace Fedorov, has been in charge of the SBU security service since January.

He had previously led the SBU’s elite Alpha special forces unit and is known for being an architect of Operation Spiderweb, one of Ukraine’s most spectacular attacks when it struck Russian air bases last year.

He joined the Alpha unit in 2011 and became its commander in 2023 before being promoted to major general the following year.

Russia and Ukraine trade more long-range attacks

Moscow’s response to its recent battlefield difficulties and Ukraine’s targeting of Russian oil facilities, which has caused severe fuel shortages, has focused in part on relentless strategic bombing of civilian areas of Ukraine.

Russian attacks on Ukraine overnight killed at least four civilians and wounded 20 other people, Zelenskyy said.

Two people were killed and 10 others injured, including children, in a Russian missile attack on Ukraine’s southern port city of Odesa, regional military administration head Oleh Kiper said. One of those killed was a woman who had been walking in a park with her children, who survived, he said.

In the Zaporizhzhia region, two people were killed and five were injured in a strike, according to Zelenskyy. He said three people were injured as a result of Russian shelling in the northeastern Kharkiv region.

Officials said more people were injured in Russian strikes on five other regions of Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Russia’s Defense Ministry said air defenses downed 243 Ukrainian drones overnight into Friday.

Three civilians were killed and seven others injured in Ukrainian drone attacks over the previous 24 hours, according to Vladimir Saldo, the Moscow-appointed head of the Russia-occupied part of Ukraine's Kherson region.

Ukrainian drones struck 12 Russian vessels in the Black Sea overnight, Robert “Madiar” Brovdi, head of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces, said Friday. The vessels included nine dry cargo ships, one tanker, one gas carrier and one tugboat, according to Brovdi.

Ukrainian forces struck 159 Russian vessels in the Black and Azov seas over the past 12 days, he said, in its campaign to stop Russian shipping.

Ukrainian forces also destroyed a Russian Tu-95 strategic bomber in Engels, about 800 kilometers (500 miles) from the Ukrainian border, Zelenskyy said.

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Dan Bashakov and Dmytro Zhyhinas in Kyiv, Ukraine, contributed to this report.

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Even as the buzz was wearing down, there was a reminder that a name in the record book is not nearly as satisfying as the name to be etched in the silver claret jug on Sunday.

Halfway through the second round, it was abundantly clear anything was possible.

Herbert's record-tying round could have felt like a consolation prize. The 30-year-old Australian was practically flawless until he stood over a 5-foot par putt for a 61. He pulled it left and dropped hands onto his knees when he realized his shot at history was over.

“So it was a strange one – knocking that in and knowing I tied the record but feeling like it might be one of best chances we’ve ever had to shoot a 61,” he said.

It was only 20 minutes later when Royal Birkdale saw another 62, and it came out of nowhere. Burns, who wasn't even planning to play in The Open until his wife gave birth to their second child earlier than expected, was having a good round that turned into a great one.

He finished with three straight birdies — from 40 feet off the green at the 16th, from 20 feet on the 17th and holing a bunker shot for the first birdie of the day on the 18th — for his 62.

Herbert has the early lead at 8-under 132, two shots ahead of 18-hole leader Jackson Suber (69) and Cameron Young, who birdied the last two holes for another 67. Burns was another shot behind.

Defending champion Scottie Scheffler teed off in the afternoon, when the wind was expected to be at least slightly stronger than a wee breeze that led to so much low scoring in the morning.

Rory McIlroy had a 67 that didn't feel all that great compared to what was going on around him. He saved par on the final hole and was at 1-under 139, leaving him at least seven behind.

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Kimi Antonelli heads into the Belgian Grand Prix with a piece of advice he picked up recently from Roger Federer.

After a run of car problems cut into the Italian's Formula 1 standings lead, Antonelli's chat with the tennis great in the Royal Box at Wimbledon offered a fresh perspective on how to stop these blips turning into a slump.

“About pressure, he just told me to really focus one race at a time, just focus on what you can control, and also to control the emotions, especially the ones that can make you do mistakes,” Antonelli said Thursday.

“Those were the main pieces of advice. Other than that, it was an incredible experience to witness.”

So far, Antonelli seems to be staying focused, even as Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton threaten Mercedes' supremacy. Antonelli doesn't seem to have lost any of his race-winning pace, unlike last year, when his confidence hit rock-bottom after errors on the European tracks he was meant to know best.

“I just need to maximize every opportunity I get, what I have in control, and then we’ll see what the rest will be,” Antonelli said. “It's part of the sport and the team are doing a tremendous job to make sure that all these issues are not happening again.”

Mercedes off the practice pace

Antonelli was only sixth and teammate George Russell eighth in first practice Friday, a rare session this year where Mercedes failed to make much impression.

Instead, it was Belgian-born Max Verstappen who led the way by 0.145 of a second from Hamilton, with Leclerc third, .208 off the pace, as Ferrari showed signs of building on Leclerc's surprise win at the British Grand Prix.

The session ended with McLaren's Oscar Piastri limping back to the pits with a technical problem.

Russell's struggles

While not everything is going Antonelli's way, at least he knows why. His more experienced Mercedes teammate Russell is finding his problems harder to fix.

A second-place finish for Russell at the British Grand Prix was more about luck than speed, as he benefited from Antonelli's car trouble, a crash for Max Verstappen and a strategy blunder for Hamilton.

Russell cut Antonelli's lead to 25 points but said he felt “less satisfied” with that home podium finish than he had breaking down from the lead in Canada.

The fast, sweeping Belgian circuit has key similarities to Silverstone. That could pose a challenge to Russell and offer an opportunity to Ferrari.

Leclerc and Ferrari were surprised he had the pace to win in Britain and they've been working since then to understand what worked so well to deliver that pace this weekend, too.

Mercedes remains the team to beat and “should be a lot further ahead" in the standings by now, Hamilton told Sky Sports.

Norris hits another setback

One driver who almost certainly won't be in contention for the win is Lando Norris. The defending champion comes into this week's race with a 10-place grid penalty after McLaren switched out a troublesome electrical part on his car.

His teammate Piastri spent Thursday stressing he trusts McLaren's assurances he'll stay with the team next year despite reported interest in signing Verstappen.

Four-time champion Verstappen left his future open Thursday but had warm words for Red Bull team boss Laurent Mekies, who started his tenure a year ago with a stunning win for Verstappen in a sprint in Belgium.

After Verstappen fumed at Red Bull's “dangerous” car after back-to-back crashes caused by rear wing failures, the team is going back to an older design this week, potentially affecting Verstappen's pace.

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The former mayor of Greater Manchester was the only contender in the center-left party's leadership contest to replace departing Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who was forced out by a rebellion within his party. Friday's announcement was a foregone conclusion after Burnham secured nominations from 379 of the 403 Labour lawmakers in the House of Commons.

Burnham pledged to serve “people and places who have been waiting too long for politics to let them hope again.”

“We’re going to give them hope back,” he told an audience of lawmakers, party activists and trade union leaders in his first speech as leader. “I am ready.”

“I have a plan,” he added, in a bid to reassure a party that has seen its popularity nosedive since winning a landslide election victory two years ago. He pledged to end Labour's factional disputes, saying “we won’t beat Britain’s new right if we are consumed by infighting and pulling in different directions.”

The prime minister in waiting is about to take office

Burnham has been prime minister-in-waiting for weeks, since winning a special election for a seat in Parliament a month ago, but he has revealed little detail about his policy priorities. He will arrive in Number 10 Downing Street largely unknown to voters outside Manchester.

He sketched out some priorities in Friday's speech, promising to deliver “hope in every heart” and “good growth in every post code,” in part by transferring power from central government in London to local leaders in cities and regions.

“We will take power back from Westminster and Whitehall and give it to the place you live,” he told the audience. “More power over life’s essentials so you can make them work better.”

Starmer announced last month that he would resign after two years in office marred by missteps and judgment errors that eroded his standing with his party and the public.

Labour regularly trails behind anti-immigration party Reform UK in opinion polls, and the governing party had catastrophic results in local elections in May, triggering pressure on Starmer to step down that he couldn’t resist.

Burnham deemed a better communicator than Starmer

Burnham brings a more relaxed style of leadership than the rather stern Starmer, and is regarded as one of the Labour Party’s best communicators. But he faces many of the same problems as his predecessor, including a sluggish economy, a cost-of-living squeeze fueled by wars in Ukraine and the Middle East and overstretched public services.

And his promises of a new, less divisive politics are not too different to what Starmer pledged when he took office in 2024.

“I will work to build a new politics. The country is crying out for it,” Burnham said. “How can politicians point fingers when living standards are falling and politics as a whole isn’t working for them? It infuriates them and makes them switch off.”

He said he would have the “courage to fix the big things that politics has neglected,” such as tackling the patchy access to social care for those who need it because of age, illness or disability. It’s a pressing issue in a country with an aging population, and one that has foxed previous Labour and Conservative governments.

Burnham says he'll reverse 40 years of bad decisions

He highlighted plans to focus on economic renewal, more public control of key sectors and creating new modern industrial jobs, arguing that Britain took “a series of wrong turns in the 1980s” when “political power was centralized and economic power privatized.”

That’s the decade when Conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher oversaw policies of privatization, deindustrialization and political centralization that transformed the U.K. economy.

“Slowly, at times imperceptibly, over four decades, political and economic power drained away out of our communities in every region and nation of the U.K.,” Burnham said, calling Britain's change of prime ministers — for the sixth time in a decade — “the most significant change moment in our politics for 40 years.”

Starmer will remain prime minister until Monday, when he formally tenders his resignation to King Charles III. The king will then ask Burnham to form a government.

Britain’s parliamentary democracy allows governing parties to change leaders, and thus prime ministers, without the need for a general election. The next national election doesn’t have to be held until 2029.

New prime ministers have come with increasing frequency in recent years. Burnham will be the U.K.'s seventh leader since 2016.

He faces strong and sometimes conflicting pressures.

Unions welcomed his focus on living standards but said the test would be whether he can deliver. Business group the Confederation of British Industry praised his emphasis on economic growth, but also aid that “the challenge is execution.”

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Associated Press Writer Brian Melley contributed to this story.

The bus crashed Thursday night in the Kapchorwa District in eastern Uganda on the way back from the region’s Sipi Falls, the Uganda Police Force said in a statement posted on X.

Survivors, including three adults and several children, were taken to several hospitals, according to police. More than 28 children were being treated in hospitals, nine of them in critical condition, Ugandan Minister of Local Government Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi said on X.

The adult among the 21 people who died appeared to be the founder and head of the school, Barugahara said.

Video from the Uganda Red Cross showed bodies of victims in and around the wreckage as people arrived to help following the nighttime crash. Some of the survivors were transported to a hospital in a pick-up truck, according to the video provided to The Associated Press.

Education Minister John Muyingo said the government had suspended all school trips and tours across the country of around 45 million people in response to the tragedy.

The bus belonged to the King David Junior School, an elementary school in the capital, Kampala, police said. The village where police said the crash occurred is near the Uganda-Kenya border, some 300 kilometers (some 190 miles) from Kampala.

The driver reportedly lost control of the bus, which veered off the road, struck a rock and overturned, according to the police statement, which added that the information was preliminary and the cause of the crash was under investigation.

A police photo showed the bus lying on its side with the entire roof ripped off and the seats exposed, including some that were mangled. Luggage and clothing lay strewn on the road.

Road accidents are common in the East African nation and often are blamed on poorly maintained vehicles, speeding and poor road conditions, which are problems across Africa. At least 14 people died when a bus collided with a truck in a remote area of northern Uganda earlier this month.

Africa has the worst road safety record in the world, with more than 300,000 annual road deaths and around 26 deaths per 100,000 people. In Europe, which has far more road traffic, there are around 20,000 deaths yearly and nine deaths per 100,000 people, according to the World Health Organization and the United Nations.

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The Knesset, which was scheduled to break for its summer recess on Friday, will not reconvene before the elections scheduled on Oct. 27.

The expected dissolution comes as Netanyahu is struggling to hold onto power ahead of the next elections as Israel grinds toward the third anniversary of the Oct. 7 attack that sparked nearly three years of war. Israeli polls are showing a groundswell of support for opposition parties, led by former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and a popular centrist former military chief.

Over the past week, the Knesset passed several controversial laws in marathon sessions as Netanyahu attempted to ram through several of his pet projects.

Earlier this week, the Knesset passed two bills that effectively halt the enlistment of ultra-Orthodox men in the military in an attempt to ensure ultra-Orthodox parties join Netanyahu’s coalition in the next government.

The Knesset also recently passed several bills connected with Netanyahu’s attempts to overhaul the judiciary, including increasing government control over broadcast media and weakening the role of the attorney general. Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara has opposed the overhaul, and been a frequent target of Netanyahu and the Israeli right.

“We are completing a four-year term, we passed nine budgets and hundreds of bills, I thank you for the trust you placed in me, through which together we succeeded in maintaining a four-year term,” Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana said as he announced the dissolution.

Completing a full, four-year term is a rare occurrence throughout Israeli history.

The last time Israel’s government fulfilled a full term without breaking for early elections was in 1988. Israel has no term limits, and Netanyahu has served more terms than any other prime minister in Israel’s history, but it is rare even for him to finish a full, four-year term.

Between 2019 and 2022, Israelis went to the polls five times. Israel holds elections on average every 2.4 years, making it second-lowest ranked country in the OECD for periods between elections, a marker of political instability, according to the Israel Democracy Institute.

Speaking at a conference in Shanghai, Xi said AI should not be dominated by any single nation. American-led restrictions have blocked China from accessing some of the world's most advanced technologies, spurring China's efforts to build its own know-how and intensifying the rivalry between the world’s two biggest economies.

“The development of artificial intelligence should not be a solo performance by any single country but rather a symphony of global cooperation,” Xi said at the opening of China's annual World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai. Others attending included the leaders of Kazakhstan, Cambodia and Thailand and U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres.

Xi opposes the ‘overstretching’ of national security in AI

“We should together oppose the practice of overstretching the concept of national security in the field of artificial intelligence, and of placing one’s own security above that of other countries,” he said, repeating a longstanding Chinese complaint.

China will expand AI cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the League of Arab States, the African Union, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the BRICS countries, Xi said. He promised to provide access for 30 countries to a Chinese-developed AI meteorological tool that provides early warning systems.

Over the next five years, Xi said China will provide 5,000 AI training opportunities to developing countries.

Closer partnerships can help prevent “historical injustice in AI,” he said.

China’s new AI cooperation body seen as response to the U.S.

Ahead of the conference, 29 countries including Pakistan, Russia and Kazakhstan signed an agreement with China to establish a World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization. State media described it as an intergovernmental organization headquartered in Shanghai promoting global AI governance.

The new AI cooperation organization can be viewed as China’s answer to the U.S.-led Pax Silica initiative, said George Chen, partner and chair of digital practice at Washington-headquartered consultancy The Asia Group.

The Pax Silica framework, launched late last year, focuses on strengthening collaboration with U.S. allies and partners on AI-related supply chains. Signatories include Japan, the U.K., Australia, the Philippines, Israel and India.

Following a visit by U.S. President Donald Trump’s to Beijing to meet with Xi in mid-May, China and the United States also agreed to conduct a dialogue on AI development and governance.

Chen, who was at the conference in Shanghai, also said Xi’s speech can be seen as a signal that China can be a reliable partner to the developing world, or “Global South” countries. “China will not let America be the monopoly of AI technology.”

China's advanced tech showcased as it steps up self-reliance

More than 1,100 companies and 1,400 guests are participating in the annual AI conference this year, Chinese state media said.

During the conference that runs until Monday, tech giant Huawei is showcasing its powerful AI computing system, the Atlas 950 SuperPoD.

Some technology analysts now believe China has become an innovator in AI and is no longer just catching up with the U.S. China’s five-year plan until 2030 has prioritized progress in frontiers of science and technology including AI.

China’s open-source AI models, like DeepSeek, are seen, especially across the developing world, as appealing and often more affordable than U.S. AI models, which are largely closed-source.

Coinciding with the conference, the Chinese AI startup Moonshot released its latest AI model, Kimi K3. It said Kimi K3's 2.8 trillion parameters — one of the measurements of an AI model's capability — will make it the world's largest open-source model. DeepSeek's V4 Pro version has 1.6 trillion parameters.

Last month, another Chinese AI company Zhipu, or Z.ai, rolled out its new flagship GLM-5.2 open-source model in a challenge to U.S. rivals including Anthropic’s models.

But U.S. politicians and several major U.S. AI companies including Anthropic have accused Chinese AI models of illicit “distillation” of their models to extract their technologies, a claim that Beijing says is “groundless.” U.S. policymakers have also raised concerns over Chinese AI posing an economic threat to the United States.

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Chan reported from Hong Kong. Associated Press writer Ken Moritsugu contributed from Beijing.

The landslide occurred at around 9:08 a.m. in Pengshui County on the outer edge of the Chongqing municipality, when massive amounts of rocks and soil washed downslope, burying more than 10 residential buildings, state broadcaster CCTV said.

Ten people were rescued from the debris, including two who were seriously injured, Pengshui County Mayor Ren Xujiang said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping asked authorities to determine the cause of the disaster, state media said.

Water, electricity and gas supplies were cut off within a 1-kilometer (0.6-mile) radius of the landslide to prevent further disruptions. Over 800 rescuers were on site, a local government statement said.

Images by CCTV showed part of a mountainside collapsing onto a residential area. Several buildings were located next to the collapse site, while rescue crews combed through the debris. Rescue efforts were hindered by the unstable terrain and the risk of another landslide, according to the broadcaster.

Images shared on social media showed orange-clad rescuers using excavators to dig through the rubble. At one point, a team of rescuers pulled a survivor out of the debris.

Large slabs of rock had slid beside buildings into a waterway below. Two buildings that looked about five and 15 stories high were damaged but still standing.

The rain-triggered landslide occurred near a section of the Wujiang River, which cuts through karst mountains peppered with small towns and terraces.

Authorities said they sent more than 8,000 disaster relief items to Chongqing, including tents, folding beds and family emergency kits.

Pengshui County is located in the southeast part of Chongqing, bordering the provinces of Hubei and Guizhou.

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AP video producer Wu Jia contributed to this report from Chongqing.

That was May 24, 2000, the day Israel ended its 18-year occupation of southern Lebanon.

By then, many Israelis had grown to view the invasion — initially aimed at ousting Palestinian militants — as a strategic failure, akin to the U.S. military quagmire in Vietnam.

Now, 26 years later, Israel is again occupying much of southern Lebanon, and while polling shows that a majority of Israelis currently support an extended military presence in Lebanon, some, including Barak, who remember the pitfalls of the last occupation, are afraid that Israel is falling into the same trap.

“Our very presence will become the only goal,” Barak said in a recent interview, recounting what he said he thought of the occupation in 1985, when he was a general in the Israeli military, and Israel was shifting from active fighting to long-term deployment in Lebanon.

“We will protect our fortresses, we will protect our convoys of supply, the logistics, the patrols, everything," he said he warned. “But we were not serving Israeli security, we were not serving the state. There was no logic to this in 1985, and there was no logic in 2000, when we pulled out.”

An open-ended occupation

Israel again invaded Lebanon in March and now controls more than 600 square kilometers (230 square miles) of territory. It began the operation after Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed Lebanese militant group, launched a wave of drone and missile attacks in retaliation for the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.

Last month, Israel signed a framework agreement with the Lebanese government to use at least two areas in southern Lebanon as “pilot zones” for removing Hezbollah weapons and infrastructure and handing over security to Lebanon’s army. Israel would then redeploy or withdraw its forces from those areas. Hezbollah was not part of the agreement and has vowed to oppose it.

In the meantime, Israeli officials have vowed to keep troops inside a broader “security zone” in Lebanon as long as Hezbollah retains its weapons. After the Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Hamas that sparked the war in Gaza, Israel has maintained smaller “security zones” in Gaza and Syria, which it says are needed to prevent future attacks by militants.

“We didn’t ask anyone’s permission to enter Lebanon, and we don’t need anyone’s permission to stay in Lebanon,” Defense Minister Israel Katz said recently, calling it Israel's “right and our duty” to protect residents in northern border towns.

A former prime minister warns of similar pitfalls

Barak, who served as Israel’s military chief before coming prime minister, still considers the pullout one of his proudest achievements.

As a general, he recalls visiting soldiers stationed in Lebanon in the early 1980s. He said they told him, “We are fighting to remove the threat from Hezbollah so that our children will be safe and won’t have to serve here.”

But when Barak ordered the withdrawal nearly two decades later, he said some of the children of those same soldiers were serving in Lebanon.

Israel’s self-declared security zone inside Lebanon did not deliver for Israelis during the previous occupation, and it is unlikely the new zone will either, Barak said. Even in the 1990s, rudimentary Katyusha rockets launched by Hezbollah could easily bypass it and hit northern Israel.

“In order to destroy, totally destroy Hezbollah, you’d have to conquer the whole of Lebanon,” Barak said, something most Israelis consider to be impractical.

But even Israel's presence in the south, and the widespread destruction of villages there, runs the risk of rallying Lebanese support for Hezbollah, he said. Israel says the group embeds fighters and weapons in these border towns, but Israeli operations since March had displaced around 1 million Lebanese.

About 40% of them have since returned home, according to the Lebanese government. More than 4,300 people have been killed since hostilities began on March 2. Nearly 40 Israeli soldiers have also died, as well as a defense contractor and two civilians in northern Israel.

Same place, different war

Hezbollah was founded in 1982, as a response to the Israeli occupation, and fought a deadly guerrilla war that included high-profile suicide bombings and assassinations, roadside bombs and ambushes.

Israel carried out bombing campaigns and airstrikes against the militant groups. It also helped establish a local proxy force, a mostly-Christian militia known as the South Lebanon Army that carried out patrols and provided a buffer between Israeli troops and Hezbollah. Thousands of SLA fighters and their families fled to Israel following the withdrawal.

But the type of warfare between the two sides has also changed.

Israel is now operating without a local proxy, instead relying on monitoring and strikes either by air or from vantage points on ridges and hilltops. And Hezbollah, which once relied on insurgent tactics, now uses high-precision missiles and drones, including fiber-optic drones that are hard to defend against and have caused Israeli casualties.

Unique diplomatic opportunity could shift balance

One key difference from 2000 is the possibility of a diplomatic solution with Lebanon, said Orna Mizrahi, former deputy director of Israel’s National Security Council.

Israel has an opportunity in Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Mizrahi said. Since he was elected last year, he has publicly condemned Hezbollah and expressed readiness to negotiate a permanent ceasefire with Israel.

“The military operation needs to complement a diplomatic process,” said Mizrahi, now a senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies, an Israeli think tank.

Although Hezbollah is unlikely to agree to disarm, it has been severely weakened by wars with Israel, she said, adding that its main sponsor, Iran, is also busy weathering U.S. strikes and battling for control of the Strait of Hormuz.

Mizrahi said this has created an opportunity for a new balance of power inside Lebanon, by strengthening the Lebanese government and military. Israel will never destroy Hezbollah completely, she said. But while the group is scrambling to reorganize, Israel can work with international powers to empower Lebanon to confront it, she added.

4 mothers against the war

By the time Israel withdrew from Lebanon in 2000, the occupation had become deeply unpopular, in large part because of the more than 1,200 Israeli soldiers killed in operations.

In 1997, four mothers of soldiers serving in Lebanon founded a grassroots movement advocating for withdrawal.

Brurya Sharon, now 84, one of the founding members, recalls sending both of her sons off to fight in Lebanon. At the time, she said she felt like Israel’s government and military were maintaining the occupation out of inertia, without stopping to consider if it was effective.

The “Four Mothers” movement has been widely cited as a major factor in Israel’s withdrawal in 2000. They tried to steer clear of politics, instead focusing on the soldiers’ lives, a bipartisan issue, Sharon said.

But now, the country is so divided, especially after the Oct. 7 attack, that Sharon says she sees no option for a broad-based public movement to pressure Israel to withdraw.

Israelis, still traumatized from the Hamas attack, are also concerned about leaving the country's borders vulnerable. Currently, more than seven in 10 Israelis support a permanent security presence in southern Lebanon, according to a recent poll by the think tank Israel Democracy Institute.

“I don’t see a sunbeam of hope, I don’t even see a speck of light,” Sharon said.

Aktar's work is demanding, with each worker expected to produce thousands of garments a day. Precision is essential, and even small mistakes can slow production or result in rejected items. Aktar said her new glasses have helped her thread needles faster — and they've also relieved her headaches and eye strain.

“Before I got the glasses, it took me a long time to thread the needle. Now I can thread it in just a short time. I make far fewer alterations than before,” she said.

In Bangladesh, home to the world’s second-largest garment industry after China, some factory owners are working on supplying more glasses to workers to boost productivity. The country's garment sector contributes about 11% of gross domestic product and employs around 4 million workers.

VisionSpring, a global nonprofit social enterprise supplying affordable glasses to people in poorer countries, estimates that roughly one in three Bangladeshi garment workers need glasses but do not have them.

The group has supplied glasses that cost less than ten dollars per pair to some workers through a partnership with the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, which represents factory owners.

Ella Gudwin, chief executive of VisionSpring, said the benefits were immediate, as workers were better able to meet quality and production targets. Better vision also reduces mistakes such as skipped stitches, uneven hems and misplaced buttons, cutting the need for rework, she said.

Fahima Akhter, a director of Bangladeshi garment company Masco Group, said managers initially did not realize how many workers had vision problems because they rarely complained. She said Masco Group has screened about 5,000 workers, with around 30% receiving glasses.

Akhter said her company plans to extend the program to its remaining workforce of more than 20,000 employees.

“We don’t consider it a cost. It is an investment. If the workers are working with better vision, their productivity and workplace safety will improve, and eventually this will translate into better productivity and profit for the company," she said.

A randomized controlled research trial in India that was co-authored by Gudwin suggested that sewing machine operators who received reading glasses increased productivity by 6% while making fewer errors. The study, published in April in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, found that every $1 spent on vision screening and glasses generated $3.37 in productivity gains over 12 weeks.

It estimated that expanding similar programs across the global textile and garment industry could generate the equivalent of $27 billion in additional annual output.

Gudwin said vision correction has long been overlooked because eyeglasses were often seen as a luxury rather than an essential workplace tool. She said many factory workers develop age-related short-sightedness in their late 30s and early 40s, but delay treatment because they assume glasses are expensive.

Gudwin said bringing eye screenings directly into factories removes those barriers.

Masco Group’s Akhter said Bangladesh’s garment sector should make vision screening a standard workplace benefit.

“Having a clear vision is not a luxury, it is a necessity now,” she said.

The Associated Press reported that David Brouillette, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer who shot a Colombian man in Maine, is an Army veteran who has struggled with serious mental health issues since early childhood, according to several of his close relatives.

The AP reached out to congressional leaders and several key lawmakers of both parties for response.

The top Democrat on the House Homeland Security Committee, Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, said Brouillette’s history of violence and mental health issues, as well as the death in Maine, “directly call into question the supposed vetting and training ICE does of its recruits.”

“This senseless tragedy must be investigated and the officer responsible should be taken off our streets and face justice for his actions,” Thompson said in a statement to the AP.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, who led a shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security earlier this year as Democrats tried to impose restraints on immigration enforcement operations, said the consequences of failing to put guardrails on ICE are now being measured in lives.

“The Trump administration rushed 12,000 agents onto our streets without ensuring they were fit to carry a badge and a gun — and Republicans gave this rogue agency vast power and no accountability,” Schumer said in a statement. “They empowered ICE. Now they must work with us to prevent more killings.”

The report on Brouillette’s troubling past comes as the Department of Homeland Security has been on a hiring spree, fueled by vast sums from Republicans in Congress to help carry out President Donald Trump’s mass deportation agenda. It raises fresh questions about the department's efforts to quickly hire, vet, train and dispatch recruits who are being sent to patrol communities across America.

Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, the Republican chair of the powerful Appropriations Committee, referred back to her prior statement that “an impartial investigation into the shooting in Biddeford needs to proceed, as the details surrounding this tragedy are important.”

Collins had said earlier that it is “extremely unfortunate” that the agent did not have a body-worn camera.

The senator ensured $20 million for expanded use of body-worn cameras and $2 million for deescalation training as part of the Homeland Security funding bill that Republicans approved to end the department shutdown.

“The Democratic government shutdown delayed enactment and implementation of these important safety measures,” she said.

At least 10 people have died in encounters with immigration agents since Trump launched the crackdown after retaking office, including 25-year-old Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero, a Colombian national who was shot and killed by Brouillette on Monday while in his car near his home in the coastal Maine city of Biddeford.

“This bombshell is absolutely appalling — exactly the intolerable danger that we feared as a result of arrest quotas and inadequate training,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., in a statement to the AP.

“This agent clearly should never have had a gun — let alone one provided to him by the United States government. And now a man is dead. I’m going to continue demanding answers and accountability,” he said.

Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., said Trump and his administration “have encouraged ICE and CBP to enter and terrorize our communities, even if those agents are untrained, improperly vetted, or lack experience,” referring to Customs and Border Protection.

“The killing of Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero was horrifying,” he said in a statement to the AP, “and there must be a credible, independent, and transparent investigation so that those responsible are held accountable.”

The S&P 500 fell 0.9% after dropping as much as 1.4% in the morning. It's on track for its first losing week in the last three and only its third since March, just a couple days after it climbed within 0.5% of its all-time high.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 286 points, or 0.6%, as of 2:09 p.m. Eastern time, after veering between an early loss of 566 points and a modest gain. The Nasdaq composite fell 1.2%.

Chip stocks once again were at the center of the shakiness. They’ve been under pressure for weeks on worries that their prices shot too high and that voracious demand for computer memory and processors may be unsustainable if AI ends up producing less profit and productivity than promised.

Applied Materials sank 4.9% to trim its surge for the year to about 108%. Micron Technology rose 2.9% after sliding earlier in the day.

Earlier in the morning, tech sold off worldwide. Indexes tumbled 6.5% in Taipei, 4% in Tokyo and 3% in Shanghai as stocks like Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. dropped 7.3%.

South Korea’s stock market was closed for a holiday, offering some respite, if only temporary. It’s been at the center of the AI swings because it’s dominated by two huge tech companies, Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. This past week alone, Seoul’s Kospi stock index had one day where it surged 6.2% and two others where it sank 6.4% and 8.9%.

News of a Chinese open-sourced AI model by startup Moonshot, Kimi K3, further shook markets. Similar to when China’s DeepSeek announced its AI model in early 2025, another low-cost rival to big Western AI models like ChatGPT and OpenAI could potentially hurt demand for computer chips and other components.

European stock indexes, which have less of an emphasis on AI and tech, had milder moves.

Adding to the pressure on Wall Street Friday were drops for several stocks following their latest earnings reports. It’s a departure from much of the rest of the week, when companies like Goldman Sachs and BlackRock jumped after delivering better profits for the spring than analysts expected.

Netflix sank 6.9% after its revenue for the latest quarter fell just short of analysts’ expectations, even though its profit was bigger than expected. Its forecasts for upcoming revenue and profit in the summer also fell below expectations.

Intuitive Surgical, a maker of robotic surgical systems, dropped 13% despite topping expectations for the latest quarter. Analysts pointed to worries about slowing procedure growth because of the expiration of enhanced tax credits that helped lower the cost of health insurance for many Affordable Care Act enrollees.

Elon Musk’s SpaceX fell 4.4% and touched its lowest level since its stock began trading on the Nasdaq just over a month ago. The owner of the xAI business has been swept up in the swings of AI stocks, and it had to abort a test flight of its mega Starship rocket Thursday within a second or so from blasting off.

More climbs for oil prices also pressured the stock market.

The price for a barrel of Brent crude, the international standard, rose 4.4% to $87.90, up from roughly $76 a week ago.

The United States expanded its airstrike campaign against Iran early Friday by hitting more bridges and collapsing a tower at a key Iranian port. That raised further worries about whether oil tankers will be able to use the Strait of Hormuz to carry crude from the Persian Gulf to customers worldwide.

High oil prices have sent Treasury yields upward in the bond market, which threaten to slow the economy and undercut prices for stocks and all kinds of other investments. Higher yields have already sent the average 30-year mortgage rate to its highest level in nearly a year.

But Treasury yields eased Friday. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.54% from 4.57% late Thursday.

A report suggested sentiment among U.S. consumers is improving more than economists expected, while expectations for upcoming inflation eased. That's important for the Federal Reserve, which is considering hikes to interest rates to keep a lid on inflation. If expectations for inflation remain anchored, it could prevent a vicious cycle where people make moves in anticipation of higher inflation, which only worsen it.

The preliminary reading from the University of Michigan’s survey for U.S. consumer sentiment hit its highest reading since February. But much of the rise was due to recent drops for prices at gasoline pumps, according to Joanne Hsu, director of the survey. If gasoline prices rise again because of crude’s recent rally, the improvement could be under pressure.

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AP Business Writers Matt Ott and Elaine Kurtenbach contributed to this report.

Iran launched missiles into U.S.-allied nations in the Middle East, including Qatar, a mediator in the war, and Kuwait, where one of the desert nation's water desalination plants was damaged.

The interim ceasefire agreed to last month has collapsed — though efforts remain to salvage it — and the region has endured days of back-and-forth attacks by the U.S. and Iran as they battle for control of the strait vital to world energy supplies.

Iranian officials say recent U.S. strikes have killed dozens of people and wounded hundreds, with new casualties reported Friday.

When the U.S. and Israel launched the war on Iran on Feb. 28, Tehran effectively closed the strait to shipping traffic, a move that sent the price of oil soaring and gave Iran major leverage in negotiations. Crossings through the strait have fallen to a three-week low, according to an international shipping tracker, and the price of oil rose Friday above $86 a barrel, close to its highest level in a month.

In an address to the American public on Thursday, Trump insisted the war was going well. “We are likewise winning big in Iran, and you will see the fruits of that labor very, very shortly,” he said.

Before the war began, the U.S. had been in talks with Iran over its nuclear program. Trump now faces political pressure to bring the war to a close and avoid the kind of prolonged Middle East conflict he had campaigned against.

Bridges and 'electrical infrastructure' hit in Iran

The U.S. airstrikes hit bridges overnight into Friday in Iran’s southern Hormozgan province, killing at least seven people, Iranian state television reported. The attacks hit Bandar Khamir, a city on Iran’s coast on the Strait of Hormuz.

The highway and railway bridge strikes appeared aimed at cutting off Bandar Abbas, Iran’s main port, from roads leading into the Islamic Republic’s central region onward to Tehran, the capital.

While other routes still are open, the U.S. strikes could expand further, potentially disrupting both the movement of military materiel and goods needed for Iran’s 90 million people.

Iran acknowledged “attacks on power infrastructure” during the U.S. airstrike campaign for the first time Friday when its Energy Ministry issued a call for people to use less power in southern provinces "experiencing extreme heat.” The ministry did not say whether it was power plants, transmission lines or other equipment that had been attacked.

Tower at key port collapses in US strike

The U.S. military’s Central Command said it hit dozens of targets in its latest airstrikes, which concluded at dawn Friday, after the sixth night in a row of American attacks.

The strikes collapsed a tower at Iran’s Chabahar port on the Gulf of Oman, a key trade route for landlocked, neighboring Afghanistan, the state-run IRNA news agency reported and the U.S. military later confirmed.

Chabahar port, which Iran had been running with support from India, has been a repeated target of American airstrikes.

Iran said the tower oversees commercial traffic into the port. But Central Command said it was part of a maritime surveillance network used by Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard to “track and target” commercial vessels in the strait.

“The destruction of the tower directly degrades (the paramilitary's) ability to coordinate attacks on innocent civilian crew members,” Central Command said in a social media post Friday morning.

As of 6 a.m. Friday, the U.S. strikes had killed at least 38 people and wounded more than 400 in Iran, Health Ministry spokesperson Hossein Kermanpour said.

Iran retaliates by targeting Qatar, a mediator in the war

On Friday, Qatar twice warned the public to take shelter as a barrage of Iranian missiles targeted the nation. People heard explosions overhead as air defenses fired to intercept the missiles. Qatar’s Interior Ministry said falling debris wounded a child.

Qatar, along with Pakistan, is a key mediator in trying to reach an end to the Iran war.

Iran also targeted Bahrain and Kuwait early Friday. In Kuwait, authorities said Iran attacked a power and water desalination plant, causing widespread damage to the station. About 90% of the country's drinking water comes from desalination.

Kuwait said it extinguished the blaze and was working to assess the damage and get the station working again.

Jordan's military said it intercepted three incoming missiles Friday morning launched by Iran.

Explosions also could be heard Friday morning in Irbil and Sulaymaniyah in northern Iraq’s semiautonomous Kurdish region as air defenses targeted incoming fire. The attack apparently targeted the Iranian Kurdish dissident group Komala, killing at least nine people and wounding others, said an official who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons.

Iran did not immediately claim the attack but has targeted Komala in the past.

Also on Friday, a tanker came under attack traveling through the Strait of Hormuz taking the route closest to Oman, the British military said.

The report from the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said the ship sustained minor damage without any of its crew being injured.

Iran did not immediately acknowledge any attack. In recent days, it has openly targeted ships using the route, which is overseen by the U.S. military and intended to be outside of Tehran’s control.

Strikes come as Iran and US vie for Strait of Hormuz

Iran has said the strait must be under its sole control and that vessels should pay fees to Tehran — even though the world for decades has considered it an international waterway.

Trump has returned in recent days to his threats to target Iranian power stations and bridges to try to compel Iran to loosen its hold on the strait, through which about a fifth of all oil and natural gas traded once passed in peacetime. The U.S. also reimposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports to halt its shipments of crude oil.

Crossings through the strait fell to a three-week low of just eight vessels on Thursday, according to MarineTraffic.com. It said seven of the vessels used a route operated by Iran and none used the route closest to Oman.

A growing amount of the region’s energy is being shipped through pipelines, but not nearly enough to offset the decline in shipping through the strait.

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Associated Press writers Amir Vahdat in Tehran, Iran, Annika Wolters in Rayong, Thailand, and Stella Martany in Irbil, Iraq, contributed to this report.

A decade ago, Burnham abandoned a 20-year climb up the Labour Party ladder in London to head north and run for mayor of Greater Manchester. A month ago, he returned to Parliament by winning a risky special election. On Monday, he will become Britain’s 59th prime minister.

The sudden downfall of Prime Minister Keir Starmer after just two years in office has swept the 56-year-old Burnham into office — unelected and largely untested. He will enter No. 10 Downing St. carrying the heavy weight of expectation, and big questions about how he will shoulder it.

“A whole range of people across the Labour movement and in the country have projected onto Andy Burnham their hopes and their fantasies about how the country should be run and what Labour should stand for and what Andy Burnham stands for,” said Joshi Herrmann, founder of Manchester news site The Mill, who has covered Burnham for years.

“He has got lots of people’s hopes up.”

He was born in Liverpool and attended Cambridge

Burnham has made his name in Manchester, but he was born in Liverpool, and grew up in a commuter village between the rival northwest English cities.

His father worked as a British Telecom engineer and his mother as a receptionist, and he was raised in a close-knit Catholic family. Burnham has said he’s “not particularly religious,” but Catholic teaching, along with the center-left Labour Party, helped forge his values and sense of social justice.

Burnham and his brothers were the first generation of their family to go to university. And not just any university — Burnham attended Cambridge, one of the country’s oldest and most prestigious institutions.

“He needed a lot of persuading to apply because he felt that as a working-class boy, going off to Cambridge wasn’t for him,” Stephen Harrington, Burnham’s former English teacher at St. Aelred’s Catholic High School, told the BBC. “He didn’t believe in himself. But he did it, and the rest is history.”

Burnham has said he felt out of place at Cambridge, where many of his classmates had gone to posh private schools in the more affluent south of England. But he got a degree in English and met his future wife, Dutch fellow student Marie-France Van Heel, now a marketing executive. The couple married in 2000 and have a son and two daughters.

After graduating, Burnham worked as a journalist at trade magazines before becoming a researcher and adviser to Labour politicians.

Elected to Parliament for the Manchester-area district of Leigh in 2001, he rose through the government ranks under Labour Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. He served in Brown’s Cabinet between 2007 and 2010 as chief secretary to the Treasury, culture secretary and health secretary.

A formative experience came in 2009, when he was heckled at a commemoration of the 1989 Hillsborough Stadium disaster, when 97 Liverpool soccer fans were crushed to death. Bereaved families had fought for years to overturn a false narrative offered by police that unruly fans had been to blame.

Burnham became a champion for the families and helped push for a new inquest, an apology and a law that imposes a duty of candor on public officials to tell the truth about tragedies whatever the impact on their reputation.

As mayor, he became known as King of the North

After Labour lost power in 2010, Burnham ran for leadership of the party that year and in 2015, losing both times. He quit Parliament in 2017, a low ebb for Labour nationally, to run for mayor of Greater Manchester.

Being mayor played to his strengths: an ability to bring people together, a sharp eye for opportunities and a wide streak of pragmatism. His approach became known as “Manchesterism,” a brand of business-friendly socialism that aims to harness private and public money to invest in areas like transport, housing and infrastructure.

Manchester was a former manufacturing powerhouse — known as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution — that had been hollowed out as British industry crumbled. During his tenure the city boomed, with skyscrapers blooming on vacant post-industrial sites. Burnham won praise for taking a piecemeal public transport system under public control and improving it.

He shed suit and tie for jeans and dark T-shirts, spoke about his love for Oasis, The Smiths and New Order and spent spare time playing soccer or spinning 1990s tunes during DJ battles.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, he harangued Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson over what he called a “London-centric” approach to the crisis that was punishing northern cities. That’s when he gained the nickname King of the North, a “Game of Thrones”-inspired nod both to his championing of his home region and his political ambition.

He has said he saw his work in central government as “unfinished business,” and got his chance when Starmer was pushed to resign by Labour colleagues alarmed at the party’s unpopularity.

But Burnham still needed a seat in Parliament. A Labour lawmaker agreed to resign, triggering a special election for the Manchester-area district of Makerfield. Burnham trounced the candidate from anti-immigration party Reform UK, cementing his credentials as a winner.

In the subsequent contest to replace Starmer as Labour leader, he was the only candidate.

He’s promising to restore hope

Now he says he will deliver “a new politics based on unity and hope” and “an economy that works for everybody,” no matter where they live. A key plank is giving regional leaders more powers, and he plans to move part of the prime minister’s office to a “No. 10 North” in Manchester.

Herrmann said Burnham has clear strengths, especially an ability to tell a persuasive story and a sense of empathy that many politicians lack.

He added that the incoming prime minister has “a set of principles about trying to make the country fairer, trying to bring people out of poverty, that he really does believe in.”

Critics claim Burnham’s politics are vague on key points, such as where the money will come from to pay for his pledges. He will face many of the same political and economic challenges that stymied Starmer, including a sluggish economy, overstretched public services and a cost-of-living squeeze. He has little experience of foreign policy issues, from the Ukraine war to dealing with U.S. President Donald Trump.

And running a country of 70 million is a lot different from overseeing a region of 3 million.

But Sacha Lord, a Manchester music entrepreneur who served as Burnham’s nighttime economy adviser, said the politician has a steely side that will help him rise to the occasion.

“He’s not scared of locking horns with people,” Lord said. “Everybody thinks Andy’s this nice, cheeky-chappy guy. But trust me, when he wants something ... he tends to get it.”

Networks and their news operations, broadcast and cable alike, spent the hours leading up to Trump’s address debating how to cover it — and struggling to balance delivering the news with handing over their airwaves to potential falsehoods about the 2020 elections.

In the end, a patchwork quilt of coverage was largely united by one common strategy: real-time fact-checking as much as was possible even while the president was still speaking.

The dilemma took place against a backdrop of deep tension between the media and a president working to exert control over it by whatever means he can. Even in his speech itself, Trump excoriated networks that chose not to carry it live, saying that “NBC and ABC fake news” avoided it because they “don't like the topic.” He also threatened them with consequences, using the presidential pulpit to suggest they should be sanctioned for their editorial decisions.

"They and others in the media are part of a plot," Trump said, offering no evidence for his assertion. There is also no evidence of fraud in the 2020 elections.

“They want to continue this fraud for whatever reason. They want to keep it going," he said. "Fraud like this should mean a revocation of their licenses. They use our public multibillion-dollar-in-value airwaves for absolutely no money. They pay nothing. All we want is honesty in our elections and honesty in reporting.”

The tension between Trump and the news media during his second term has taken many forms, from sanctions against members of the White House press corps to regulatory actions through the Federal Communications Commission to outright lawsuits.

There were a variety of approaches to coverage

The media outlets' decision-making — seemingly last-minute, for many, with networks divulging their plans minutes beforehand — produced a variety of coverage scenarios for the 24 minutes of Trump’s address.

CNN’s Kaitlan Collins anchored her nightly program. “We aren’t taking it live,” she said of the speech, given the president’s “well-documented history” of falsehoods. Panelists were on hand for analysis and fact-checking. “Sadly, we have no choice to be skeptical when this president talks elections,” said the network’s veteran correspondent John King.

Fox News and Fox Broadcasting aired the president’s speech live. But ABC and NBC did not, sticking with regular programming — “Press Your Luck,” in ABC's case, and an animal show featuring alligators in NBC's. But they were ready to cut in as they deemed newsworthy, as well as offering special reports afterwards.

Both ABC and NBC, however, provided live coverage on their streaming channels — NBC News NOW and ABC News Live — as well as ABC News Radio. In the still-young era of streaming, that is increasingly a decision that allows network news to play it both ways.

As for CBS, the network did preempt regular programming — a summer rerun of “Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage” — to air a special report anchored by Tony Dokoupil. The report joined the live speech a few minutes in, at 9:06, and left it before the end, at 9:23.

MS NOW started airing the speech, then cut away for analysis and commentary after 17 minutes on host Jen Psaki’s show. Psaki used the split screen for a bit, with her speaking on the right and a muted Trump appearing on the left.

By the end, of the top networks, the speech was continuing live only on Fox News.

Robert Thompson, director of Syracuse University’s Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture, said coverage of the 24- minute address made for “a weird evening, where the reporters quote and describe the speech but show little of what they’re quoting." Thompson said full coverage was the way to go even — and perhaps especially — if the speech was believed to contain falsehoods.

“When the president of the United States makes an announcement that there is going to be a major speech with major information, however cynical we are … I think that is, by definition, important civic news significant to the citizenry,” he said. “It’s the president making the speech, and if the president does what everybody’s worried about him doing, that is a real reason to be covering it, to bear witness on exactly what gets said."

Networks had been urged beforehand to carry it live

Earlier Thursday, at the White House briefing, press secretary Karoline Leavitt had urged TV networks to carry the speech live. And Fox News Channel’s Sean Hannity said on his show that major networks not going live was “pretty unheard of for a primetime address for a president.”

Broadcast networks, though, have previously declined primetime coverage to President Barack Obama for a 2014 speech on immigration, and President Joe Biden for his speech on democracy, “Battle for the Soul of the Nation,” in 2022.

The backdrop of Thursday’s speech was an ever-increasing tension between the media and the administration. Broadcast networks have been under close scrutiny by the Trump-appointed chair of the FCC, Brendan Carr, who has launched early reviews of licenses of some ABC-owned stations and threatened to revoke the long-held exemption from equal time rules for the popular talk show “The View.”

Trump’s animosity toward news outlets whose agenda runs counter to his own isn’t new. But in his second presidential term, he has launched an escalation, often harnessing the levers of the federal government or attempting to do so. The efforts have taken place both in actual courtrooms and in the court of public opinion.

In fact, one of the strongest security features of U.S. elections is the fact that they aren’t conducted at the federal level. America votes in more than 10,000 different election jurisdictions, each with different rules set by state and sometimes local governments.

That structure makes the nation's elections extraordinarily complicated — and also safe from widespread fraud. And when misconduct does happen — rarely — security protocols frequently catch it.

Decentralized elections date back to the nation's founding

America's highly decentralized system of voting exists because the nation’s Founding Fathers gave authority over elections to the states, rather than the federal government. While Congress has the power to regulate elections — and has used that authority to pass such laws as the Voting Rights Act — the Constitution makes clear that states have primary authority to set the “times, places and manner” for elections.

There also is no national election agency that administers the presidential contest, something that's different from many other countries. And when it comes to doing the day-to-day work of running an election, the responsibility falls to officials at the local level — usually a clerk or election supervisor — with help from staff and volunteers.

While differences in election laws can get confusing, election security experts say this structure is a strength. That's because to pull off stealing a presidential election — as Trump falsely claims was done to him in 2020 — it would require large numbers of election workers in the most competitive counties across the country who are willing to risk prosecution, prison time and fines while working with officials from both parties willing to look the other way. And everyone somehow would have to keep quiet — a highly unlikely scenario.

There are also shared practices and security measures in place across the country that together work to ensure that only eligible voters can cast a ballot and only one ballot is counted for each.

Voter fraud can happen, but it's rare and there are safeguards to catch it

Most Americans by now have probably heard stories about someone casting multiple ballots, or voting in the name of dead relatives, or stealing mail ballots from mailboxes.

When these incidents happen, they are often caught and prosecuted.

Voting more than once, tampering with ballots, lying about your residence to vote somewhere else or casting someone else’s ballot are crimes that can be punished with hefty fines and prison time. Non-U.S. citizens who break election laws can be deported.

For anyone still motivated to cheat, election systems in the United States are designed with multiple layers of protection and transparency intended to stand in the way.

For example, for in-person voting, most states either require or request voters provide some sort of identification at the polls. Others require voters to verify who they are in another way, such as stating their name and address, signing a poll book or signing an affidavit.

For absentee voting, all states require a voter's signature, and many states have further precautions, such as having bipartisan teams compare the signature with other signatures on file, requiring the signature to be notarized or requiring a witness to sign.

That means even if a ballot is erroneously sent to someone’s past address and the current resident mails it in, there are checks to alert election workers to the foul play.

AP review found there was too little voter fraud to tip the 2020 election

Trump has spent six years insisting he won the 2020 election, a campaign he lost to former President Joe Biden.

An Associated Press review in 2021 dug into every potential case of voter fraud in the six battleground states that Trump disputed. It found fewer than 475 cases — a number that would have made no difference in that race.

Allegations from Trump of massive voting fraud have been refuted by a variety of judges, state election officials and an arm of his own administration’s Homeland Security Department. In 2020, then-Attorney General William Barr, a Trump appointee, told the AP that no proof of widespread voter fraud had been uncovered. “To date, we have not seen fraud on a scale that could have effected a different outcome in the election,” he said at the time.

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It happened just after 2 a.m. along Northeast 22nd Street, west of Second Avenue, in Miami’s Edgewater neighborhood.

According to the Miami Police Department, the victim was in a vehicle being driven by the suspect, identified as Orlando Jose Olivares, when they got into an argument after Olivares allegedly almost caused a collision.

The argument continued until they reached their home, when police said the victim told officers he saw Olivares walking toward him with what was described as a steel fence post.

According to an arrest form, “the victim told him to put the metal post down and fight like men” but instead, police said Olivares struck the victim in the elbow and head with the pole, causing the victim to fall to the ground, after which Olivares then “got on top of the victim in a full mount position” and continued to punch him “and at one point choking him from behind.”

Investigators said the victim’s wife recorded a portion of the altercation on her cell phone.

Olivares is facing a felony charge of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and as of Thursday afternoon was being held at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center with a bond listed as “to be set.”

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The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office identified the suspects as Karel Clavel-Beltran, 46, of Hialeah; Alexis Franc Fernandez, 63, of Tampa; and Miguel Nunez-Garcia, 47, of Miami.

According to an MDSO press release, “Clavel-Beltran used strategically placed cameras and earpieces to help Mr. Miguel Nunez-Garcia and Mr. Alexis Fernandez cheat on the computer-based driver license examination.”

Nunez-Garcia’s arrest report states that he had failed the exam multiple times before passing Wednesday. The report notes that Nunez-Garcia does not understand English and the test is solely administered in English following a law that took effect on Feb. 6.

According to the report, Nunez-Garcia admitted that he was wearing a purple Polo shirt equipped with a “button camera” and an earpiece as Clavel-Beltran provided him the answers to the exam while he took it at the Midway Crossings Tax Collector Office at 7795 W. Flagler St.

He said he paid Clavel-Beltran $600 for his assistance, authorities said.

According to a separate arrest report, Fernandez also took the exam Wednesday at the Midway Crossings location and was spotted by a Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles compliance officer entering a white truck in a gray T-shirt and then exiting the truck wearing a Polo shirt.

Deputies said it is common practice for people to wear a Polo shirt to hide recording devices during exams and then change their attire once the exam is completed.

According to the report, Fernandez was detained after the exam and he too could not understand English, despite taking the exam in English.

Deputies said Fernandez admitted that Clavel-Beltran provided him the earpiece and Polo shirt with the button camera to help him pass the exam, but he still failed because he was unable to hear Clavel-Beltran through the earpiece.

According to the report, Fernandez said he brought a “large amount of cash” with him to pay Clavel-Beltran for his services, but he was detained by an investigator before he could pay him.

Fernandez and Nunez-Garcia were arrested on charges of cheating and unlawful use of a communications device.

Clavel-Beltran, meanwhile, was arrested on charges of organized scheme to defraud, cheating, unlawful use of a communications device and providing a false name/ID after arrest.

“Obtaining a driver license is a privilege that comes with the responsibility of safely operating a vehicle on our roadways,” MDSO said in a statement. “When someone attempts to cheat the testing process, they undermine the integrity of the system and put the safety of our community at risk.

“MDSO remains committed to protecting the integrity of the licensing process and ensuring that only qualified drivers earn the privilege to get behind the wheel. Attempts to obtain a driver license through fraud or deception will not be tolerated, and those who try to circumvent the law will be investigated and held accountable.”

All three suspects appeared in bond court Thursday. Fernandez was granted a $5,000 bond. Clavel-Beltran and Nunez-Garcia, both of Cuba, will remain jailed on immigration holds for the time being.

Records show Clavel-Beltran also has an open warrant on a 2008 case in which he was charged with trafficking cannabis and grand theft.

Miami-Dade County Tax Collector Dariel Fernandez said more arrests could be coming as this investigation continues.

“When individuals attempt to cheat the testing process, they undermine the integrity of the system and put public safety at risk,” he said. “Fraud has no place in our offices or around our facilities, and anyone who attempts to obtain a government-issued credential through deception should expect to be held accountable.”

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Portis was introduced first at Kaseya Center before Antetokounmpo addressed reporters later in the afternoon.

Heat president Pat Riley called the day the culmination of years of admiring Portis’ game and the pursuit of one of the NBA’s biggest stars.

Riley laughed when explaining why Portis will wear No. 95 with the Heat.

“It was great the other day to see how he came to that number because he drove all the way from Milwaukee on 95 down to Miami,” Riley said. “And I like that number because it reminds me of a double-double somewhere along the way.”

He also praised Portis’ versatility and toughness.

“I always loved his game, right out of Arkansas to Chicago to Washington, New York, Dallas and finally Milwaukee,” Riley said. “Prototype power forward, very versatile ... a hell of a player and we’re very fortunate to have him part of our organization.”

Portis, 31, enters his 12th NBA season after spending the past seven years with the Bucks. Last season, he averaged 13.7 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists while shooting 48.8% from the field and 45.6% from 3-point range on 4.4 attempts per game.

The Heat is the fifth team of Portis’ NBA career. He previously played for the Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards, New York Knicks and Bucks.

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said Portis brings the physical style and versatility Miami targeted this offseason.

“We feel like we bring a physicality and an edge to our front court, and that’s something that we’ve always wanted,” Spoelstra said. “Everybody’s talking about you need to have some size in the front court and positional size. We think we’ve checked those boxes.”

Spoelstra called Portis “one of the best shooting bigs in the league” while also praising his rebounding, post play and defensive versatility.

Portis said joining the Heat fulfills a longtime dream.

“First and foremost, I just want to give a big shout out to the Heat organization for allowing me to be a part of this trade, allowing me to grace the culture,” Portis said. “I was born to be a Heat player, so it fits right in with me. My favorite team growing up, I just want to put that out there.”

He added that he prides himself on improving every offseason.

“Over time, as you grow in your career, you want to evolve your game each and every year,” Portis said.

Hours later, the spotlight shifted to Antetokounmpo, whose arrival represents one of the biggest acquisitions in franchise history.

Riley said adding another superstar continues the organization’s pursuit of championships.

“We got Giannis,” he said. “This is just part of who the Heat are in the pursuit of excellence, but you don’t win championships unless you have greatness on the court and on the bench.”

Spoelstra said he didn’t hesitate when Riley approached him about the possibility of coaching Antetokounmpo.

“A little while ago Pat called me into his office and he looked at me and he said, ‘Do you want to coach Giannis?’” he said. “Yes. I didn’t ask why he asked the question. I didn’t ask how it could work. I just walked out of the office and let him and Andy (Elisburg) get to work.”

Spoelstra said Antetokounmpo’s competitiveness is what makes him special.

“He is a force of will, a force of nature, has an absolute will to win,” Spoelstra said. “On any given day or year, he can be the best on the planet.”

Antetokounmpo, 31, said he has long admired the Heat organization from afar.

“I’ve always had huge respect for the Miami Heat organization,” he said. “Around the league as players we speak, we talk, and you always hear about the Miami Heat culture — that guys work hard, guys are very disciplined, guys are very driven and guys are very selfless.”

The two-time NBA Most Valuable Player said he wanted a new challenge after spending 13 seasons in Milwaukee.

“I think I thrive under pressure,” Antetokounmpo said. “I think I need pressure at this time in my career. I think in order for me to go to the next level, I’ve got to get out of my comfort zone, and I feel like Miami was the place for me to be.”

He added that winning another championship remains his primary motivation.

“I’ve accomplished a lot of things in my career, but one of my goals is to win another championship,” he said. “I feel like this is the best route for me to do that.”

The seven-time All-NBA First Team selection, two-time MVP, 2021 NBA champion and Finals MVP, nine-time All-Star and 2020 Defensive Player of the Year said he is eager to team with center Bam Adebayo after years of battling him.

“With Bam I got 12 hours of sleep,” Antetokounmpo joked. “I had to be extra ready because I know he’ll play very, very hard.”

He said he believes the pair can anchor one of the league’s top defenses.

“It starts from me and Bam,” Antetokounmpo said. “I’m excited to compete with him. I’m excited to be on the same side with him.”

Antetokounmpo also explained why he changed his jersey number from No. 34, which he wore throughout his 13 seasons in Milwaukee, to No. 7 with the Heat.

Giannis asked about changing his number from 34 to 7.

He says if you add 3+4 it equals 7. His mom was born on the 7th. But he says the real reason he changed it was for the love and respect he has for Milwaukee.

“It was kind of like having closure mentally and emotionally.”

— Will Manso (@WillManso) July 16, 2026

He said the number carries personal significance because adding 3 and 4 equals 7 and his mother was born on the seventh day of the month. But he said the primary reason for the change was to honor his time with the Bucks.

“It was kind of like having closure mentally and emotionally,” Antetokounmpo said. “Out of love and respect for the previously organization that I spent 13 years with, I didn’t want to wear No. 34 anymore.”

Riley also acknowledged the difficulty of parting with several young players and draft assets to acquire Antetokounmpo but said the opportunity was too significant to pass up.

“We’re about now, and Giannis is about now too,” Riley said. “It’s not easy when you develop a lot of time and effort into development, but once you make it, you go full forward with it. We’re going for it all.”

With Antetokounmpo, Portis and Tim Hardaway Jr. joining a roster led by Adebayo, the Heat enter the 2026-27 season with renewed championship expectations.

You can watch the Local 10 Special report on the Miami Heat’s white hot welcome to Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis and Tim Hardaway Jr. right here or by clicking this link.

LeBron returning to Miami?

Riley also teased that the Heat may not be done making moves, and that the team could be looking to reunite with four-time NBA champion LeBron James, who is currently a free agent after choosing not to re-sign with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Pat Riley on Giannis “we landed the plane.”

“Now there’s another one we have to land.” 😳🤔

— Clay Ferraro (@ClayWPLG) July 16, 2026

“The first thing to do is we landed a 747,” Riley said, referring to Antetokounmpo. “You want to characterize the other guy, you can go ahead and characterize it.”

Miami will hold its annual media day Sept. 28 at Kaseya Center before opening training camp on Sept. 29.

And don’t forget, you can watch Miami Heat games on Local 10 next season as WPLG Local 10 and the Heat announced a newly expanded media rights agreement, making Local 10 the home of HEAT basketball across South Florida! CLICK HERE for more information on how to watch!

Heat fans can also call 786-777-4375 for more information on how to purchase tickets for the 2026-2027 season.