Hall, 36, claims Hill battered and assaulted her during a June 2023 workout and was negligent, resulting in a fractured tibia that required surgery and the insertion of two screws.

Court records show she is seeking more than $50,000 in damages.

“The case from our perspective is about an aggressive act,” Hall’s attorney Jonathan Gdanski said during opening statements.

Gdanski told jurors Hall was not a professional athlete and was invited to Hill’s home after the two connected on social media in May 2023. He said the two met again on June 28 and began running offensive line-style drills.

Hall’s attorney says she was instructed to rush toward Hill, 32, during the drill and made contact, which initially pushed him backward.

“What happened was Sophie Hall, this woman, moved him back,” Gdanski said. “They giggled, they laughed.”

The plaintiff’s attorneys allege that after Hill was “humiliated” in front of friends and family, he switched positions and forcefully shoved Hall, causing the fracture.

“Before anything else, at the force that Sophie felt from Tyreek coming at her, she is in excruciating pain,” Gdanski said.

Hall’s legal team said she later underwent surgery and presented X-rays to jurors showing the extent of the injury.

Hill’s attorneys dispute that version of events, arguing Hall tripped over a dog at his and that the fall — not any contact with Hill — caused her injury.

“As he goes around, she steps on the dog and goes down on her knee,” Hill’s defense attorney Rob Horwitz said in opening statements.

The defense also argued Hall voluntarily participated in the drills and understood they involved physical contact.

Attorneys said Hall remained at Hill’s home for three days after the incident and did not seek immediate medical attention until returning to her Tampa-area residence.

Hall took the stand following opening statements and is expected to continue testifying as she pursues damages in the case.

Injuries plagued Meyer’s career early on, and even last season, the 27-year-old Woodbury, Minnesota native landed on the injured list in early June with a left hip impingement/labral injury.

He would undergo season-ending left hip labral repair surgery in late June.

There were times when Meyer wondered if he would ever build a solid professional career, as the injuries piled up and frustration mounted.

It’s been a different story seven starts into the 2026 campaign for Meyer, however, as he blanked the Philadelphia Phillies over seven innings of one-hit ball May 2 at loanDepot park in the Marlins’ 4-0 win - lowering his ERA to 2.68.

It took 83 pitches for Meyer to get the job done, generating 15 swing-and-misses while mixing a deep arsenal that kept Philadelphia off balance.

He leaned most heavily on his breaking stuff, throwing 22 sweepers and 21 sliders, while also mixing in 19 four-seam fastballs, 11 sinkers, and 10 changeups.

Meyer’s journey has come full circle in more ways than one.

His first career start came against the Phillies with Don Mattingly leading the Marlins’ dugout, and now his latest dominant outing came with Mattingly on the opposing side, watching from the visiting dugout as Meyer continued to round into form.

Dating back to his outing April 20 against the St. Louis Cardinals, Meyer has coughed up just two earned runs and, most importantly, has kept the ball in the ballpark.

The last home run Meyer allowed came April 9 against the Cincinnati Reds.

Meyer’s next outing is scheduled for Thursday at 6:40 p.m. ET against a Baltimore Orioles squad looking to complete a three-game sweep at loanDepot park.

The Orioles have hit starters Sandy Alcantara and Eury Pérez hard, as the two right-handers have combined to allow 12 runs.

You won’t always get a laugh or even a small smirk from Meyer, but his work is certainly drawing attention.

For the Marlins, that development carries weight beyond one arm.

Their rotation has leaned heavily on upside in recent seasons, and Meyer was always central to that vision. The question was never talent - it was availability and consistency.

Seven starts don’t fully answer those questions, but they’re starting to point in a direction.

And if the health holds, it may not just be a good stretch - it could be the beginning of what the Marlins believed they were getting all along.

He was placed on suicide watch, but later made a startling allegation to the guard watching over him: Epstein said his cellmate, Nicholas Tartaglione, had tried to kill him.

Tartaglione — a former police officer then awaiting trial and a possible death sentence in a quadruple murder case — had a different version of events.

He told his lawyer Epstein had tucked a suicide note inside one of the former officer's books. He handed the note over to his legal team but its existence got scant mention in the years afterwards — even after Epstein's suicide in a different cell about three weeks later was scrutinized by federal investigators and a skeptical public.

On Wednesday, almost seven years after the incident, the note Tartaglione says he found was publicly released for the first time after a judge unsealed it from records that were part of an unrelated legal dispute.

It isn’t clear whether the note is authentic or a forgery, when exactly it was written or whether its cryptic language amounts to a suicide note, as Tartaglione claims.

Here is what to know about Tartaglione, now 58, and why the note stayed out of public view for so long:

Who is Nicholas Tartaglione?

After retiring as a police officer on a disability pension in 2008, authorities say Tartaglione turned to dealing drugs and eventually orchestrated the kidnapping and murder of four men in 2016.

Tartaglione believed that one of the men, Martin Luna, had stolen money from him that was meant to be used to buy cocaine, according to prosecutors. The burly former police officer lured Luna to a bar, tortured him in an effort to find out where the money was, and when he didn’t get the answer he was seeking, strangled Luna with a zip tie, authorities said.

Three men Luna had brought with him that night — a mix of friends and family – were shot in the head. All four were buried on Tartaglione’s property, according to prosecutors.

Tartaglione was arrested in December 2016, and was still awaiting trial three years later when he found himself sharing a cell with Epstein at the Metropolitan Correctional Center. In 2022, prosecutors announced they were no longer seeking the death penalty. Tartaglione was convicted in 2023 and later sentenced to four consecutive life terms.

What happened during Epstein's first suspected suicide attempt?

Epstein was found in the cell with Tartaglione around 1:30 a.m. the morning of July 23, 2019, according to jail records. He was taken out and placed on suicide watch elsewhere in the jail. That's when the guard says he sat up and accused Tartaglione of trying to kill him. Epstein claimed the cellmate had tried to extort money from him, and threatened to beat him up if he didn't pay.

However in an interview with jail staff a week later, Epstein said had never had any issues with Tartaglione, was not threatened by him and didn’t “want to make up something that isn’t there,” records show. He said he was not suicidal.

After 31 hours on suicide watch, Epstein was downgraded to psychiatric observation. He was without a cellmate when he was found dead at the jail on Aug. 10, 2019. Officials said they found a handwritten note in Epstein’s cell at the time, but it didn’t appear to be a suicide note so much as a list of grievances about the filthy conditions at the jail, which has since been closed.

Authorities concluded that Epstein killed himself and that the first incident was likely a missed opportunity to take steps needed to prevent a second suicide attempt.

When did the note first emerge — and why was it only released this week?

A chronology included in files about Epstein's case recently released by the Justice Department said Tartaglione told his lawyer about the note four days after the suspected July 23 suicide attempt.

Jail staff made no mention of the note in a report recounting an interview done with Tartaglione in late July. "Tartaglione stated he does not understand Epstein’s motive and what he is trying to do,” the report said. Tartaglione said he thought Epstein was having a heart attack.

The note was later submitted as evidence in Tartaglione’s drug murder case and was placed under seal amid a dispute over his legal representation.

Tartaglione mentioned it publicly in an interview for a podcast last year, as he sought to dispel the persistent conspiracy theories that Epstein did not kill himself. “It was in my book. When I got back into the cell, I opened my book to read and there it was,” Tartaglione said in the phone interview from prison.

The note itself is hard to parse.

“They investigated me for month — found nothing!!!” says the short note. “It is a treat to be able to choose” the “time to say goodbye,” the note continues. “Watcha want me to do — Bust out cryin!!”

Leer en español

GAME TIME SET! 🙌

We’ll take on Notre Dame in South Bend on November 7 at 7:30 PM. pic.twitter.com/YQUZeIAM52

— Miami Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) May 7, 2026

The highly anticipated showdown comes one year after Miami’s dramatic 27-24 season-opening victory over Notre Dame at Hard Rock Stadium sparked months of controversy surrounding the final College Football Playoff rankings.

Notre Dame had been ranked ahead of Miami in the CFP standings for five consecutive weeks before the Hurricanes moved ahead of the Fighting Irish in the final rankings, earning the last playoff spot while Notre Dame was left out of the field.

Meanwhile, Miami advanced through the College Football Playoff before falling to the Indiana Hoosiers 27-21 in the national championship game on Jan. 19.

The Nov. 7 meeting in South Bend is expected to carry major implications for both programs as they navigate the 2026 season.

The Notre Dame game will mark Miami’s second consecutive road contest after the Hurricanes travel to play North Carolina Tar Heels on Oct. 31.

It also will be Miami’s final road game of the regular season before closing the year against Duke Blue Devils, Virginia Tech Hokies and Boston College Eagles.

View Miami’s full 2026 schedule here:

Mark your calendars! 🗓️

The 2026 @canesfootball schedule is here 🙌 pic.twitter.com/e0wwXbHJFP

— Miami Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) January 26, 2026

College football fans will be able to watch the Miami-Notre Dame game on NBC and Peacock.

GAME TIME SET! 🙌

We’ll take on Notre Dame in South Bend on November 7 at 7:30 PM. pic.twitter.com/YQUZeIAM52

— Miami Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) May 7, 2026

El muy esperado duelo llega un año después de la dramática victoria de Miami 27-24 sobre Notre Dame en el inicio de temporada en el Hard Rock Stadium, que desató meses de controversia en torno a la clasificación final del College Football Playoff.

Notre Dame había estado clasificado por delante de Miami en la clasificación del CFP durante cinco semanas consecutivas antes de que los Hurricanes superaran a los Fighting Irish en el ranking final, obteniendo el último puesto en los playoffs mientras Notre Dame quedó fuera.

Mientras tanto, Miami avanzó en el College Football Playoff antes de caer 27-21 ante los Indiana Hoosiers en el juego por el campeonato nacional el 19 de enero.

Se espera que el encuentro del 7 de noviembre en South Bend tenga importantes implicaciones para ambos programas mientras navegan la temporada 2026.

El juego contra Notre Dame marcará el segundo partido consecutivo como visitante para Miami después de que los Hurricanes viajen para enfrentar a los North Carolina Tar Heels el 31 de octubre.

También será el último partido como visitante de Miami en la temporada regular antes de cerrar el año contra los Duke Blue Devils, Virginia Tech Hokies y Boston College Eagles.

Vea aquí el calendario completo de Miami para 2026:

Mark your calendars! 🗓️

The 2026 @canesfootball schedule is here 🙌 pic.twitter.com/e0wwXbHJFP

— Miami Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) January 26, 2026

Los fanáticos del fútbol americano universitario podrán ver el juego entre Miami y Notre Dame por NBC y Peacock.

The jurors said they couldn't agree on the more serious charge of murder, so the judge declared a mistrial on that count.

Meade, who is white, said his shooting of Goodson — five times in the back and once in the side — was justified because he saw the 23-year-old holding a gun and turning toward him in the doorway of the house in Columbus. But no one else testified that they saw Goodson holding the gun he was licensed to carry, and no cameras recorded the shooting.

This was Meade's second murder trial, after the first ended in a mistrial two years ago. He is now the second white law enforcement officer to be convicted in the killing of a Black man in the state since the 2020 killing of George Floyd sparked national protests.

During the earlier proceeding, Meade testified that he pursued Goodson after the man waved a gun at him as they passed each other in their vehicles. According to his family and prosecutors, Goodson was holding a bag of Subway sandwiches in one hand and his keys in the other, and was listening to music through earbuds when he was killed.

Prosecutors also said that evidence suggests the gun wasn't in his hands, but in a flimsy holder under his belt, and that it was found under his body, its safety mechanism still engaged, as Goodson laid mortally wounded on the kitchen floor

Meade, now 47, retired from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department in 2021. He’s also a Baptist pastor. His defense attorney cited Meade’s oral and written accounts of what happened, and said the shooting was justified.

Christopher Corne was driving nearby that day and testified for the prosecution at both trials. He said Goodson seemed to be dancing and singing in his truck shortly before the shooting. He also testified during the first trial that he did not see a gun in Goodson’s hand. Meade’s attorney pointed out inconsistencies, including that Corne said Goodson had either an Afro or a ponytail, when he was wearing a skullcap that day.

Columbus police Officer Samuel Rippey testified at the second trial that while he was administering emergency treatment to Goodson, he saw the gun, with an extended magazine, lying on the grandmother’s floor.

Goodson’s death provoked public outrage in Ohio as the killings of Black people by white officers increased demands for police reform following the death of George Floyd in 2020. Banners were hung from highway overpasses in Columbus, carrying messages such as “Justice for Casey Goodson Jr.” and “Convict Murderer Meade.” The judge ordered law enforcement to remove them during the trial.

Previous Ohio prosecutions in such cases led to only one conviction — that of Columbus police officer Adam Coy, who was indicted on charges including murder in the 2020 killing of Andre Hill.

At least three Black children have been fatally shot by Ohio law enforcement, including Tamir Rice in Cleveland, age 12, in 2014; Tyre King in Columbus, age 13, in 2016; and Ma’Khia Bryant in Columbus, age 16, in 2021.

Other Black people killed by white officers in Ohio include John Crawford III in Beavercreek in 2014; Samuel DuBose in Cincinnati in 2015; Miles Jackson in Westerville in 2021; Donovan Lewis in Columbus in 2022; Jayland Walker in Akron in 2022; and Ta’Kiya Young, who was pregnant, in Columbus in 2023.

The first game is Oct. 8 against the New Orleans Pelicans.

The second game is Oct. 10 against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The final home game is Oct. 14 against the Brooklyn Nets.

Tickets can be purchased through this link.

It's never too early to look toward next season 👀 Lock in your seat to all 3 of our October home Preseason games!

🎟️ https://t.co/JMe3LmYpPV pic.twitter.com/IcBOTawS9p

— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) May 7, 2026

But, still, they need to make sure. So health officials in several countries are contact tracing: trying to identify and follow people who may have come in contact with passengers who got sick or died.

Hantaviruses usually spread when people inhale contaminated residue of rodent droppings. While human cases are rare, small outbreaks have been documented around the world. But the Andes virus implicated in the cruise ship outbreak may be able to spread between people in rare cases. And viruses can change.

Scientists are trying to learn more about the virus as fast as they can, including whether it has mutated and how exactly it spreads.

What is contact tracing?

The goal of contact tracing is to alert people who might have been exposed, keep tabs on them in case they come down with symptoms, and prevent them from spreading it to others.

The process isn’t easy because people are social and mobile creatures who spend time with others, visit crowded places and travel.

In the cruise ship outbreak, fewer than a dozen people are thought to have shown any symptoms, and there have been only five confirmed cases, but many more may have been exposed.

Dozens of potentially exposed passengers have already left the ship

About 140 people remain on the cruise ship headed for the Canary Islands, where they will disembark, and none has been reported to be sick.

But authorities are trying to reach the dozens of people who left the ship about two weeks after a passenger died, but before authorities knew a hantavirus was the culprit. They were from at least 12 different countries, including from several states in the U.S. — including Arizona, California, Georgia and Texas, according to infectious disease experts and state public health officials.

Different countries take different approaches

Authorities in St. Helena — the remote, volcanic British territory in the South Atlantic where passengers got off — said they were monitoring a small number of people considered “higher-risk contacts.” They were being told to isolate for 45 days, the St. Helena government said.

British health officials say two people who were passengers aboard the ship but flew home midway through the journey are self-isolating but do not have symptoms. The U.K. Health Security Agency said “a small number” of contacts of the two are also self-isolating but not showing symptoms.

Singaporean health authorities said they were monitoring two men who disembarked at St. Helena and flew to South Africa and then home. The two men, who arrived in Singapore at different times, were being tested for hantavirus and were isolated at the country’s National Center for Infectious Diseases, officials said.

The U.S. government has released few details about its work on any contact tracing.

Texas officials on Thursday said public health workers there have reached the two people who left the ship April 24, who say they are not experiencing symptoms and did not have contact with a sick person while aboard. They promised to monitor themselves with daily temperature checks and contact public health officials at any sign of possible illness, officials said.

Two Canadians who disembarked are in Ontario and have been advised to self-isolate since they returned home, the province’s health minister says.

Scientists are trying to understand the Andes virus better

Apart from tracking people, scientists are also trying to understand the germ. The Andes virus, a member of the hantavirus family found in South America, may be one of the rare hantaviruses that can spread between people. Officials in Argentina believe the first cases may have been contracted on a birdwatching trip in the southern city of Ushuaia.

Argentina’s Health Ministry has yet to dispatch the team, but scientists from the state-funded Malbrán Institute planned to travel to Ushuaia “in the coming days,” the ministry told The Associated Press.

Scientists are analyzing the virus's genetics to see whether it has changed in a way to make it more transmissible.

They are also trying to learn exactly how it spreads, said Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo, chief executive officer of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. They believe people are mainly infectious when they have symptoms, and, if the virus spreads, it may be transmitted through small liquid particles that blow out of an infected person when they talk, cough or sneeze. ___

AP journalists Isabel Debre in Buenos Aires, Argentina; Gerald Imray in Cape Town, South Africa; Rob Gillies in Toronto; Jill Lawless in London; Suman Naishadham in Madrid; and Jamie Stengle in Dallas contributed.

___

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.

Yankees left fielder Jasson Domínguez left in a cart after crashing into the wall while catching Brandon Nimmo’s drive leading off the first. After the game, the Yankees said Domínguez has a low grade AC sprain of his left shoulder, and will be put on the injured list. Concussion tests thus far were negative.

AL-best New York won its sixth straight series while sending the Rangers to their seventh loss in 10 games.

Yankees scheduled starter Ryan Weathers was scratched because of illness, Paul Blackburn pitched the first and 27-year-old right-hander Brendan Beck allowed two runs, two hits and three walks in three innings-plus of his major league debut.

Brent Headrick (3-0) pitched 1 1/3 hitless innings. Grisham and Cody Bellinger had three hits each.

Max Schuemann made his first start this season at shortstop and doubled in the seventh for his first Yankees hit and RBI.

Texas right fielder Joc Pederson, playing the outfield for the first time since 2023, helped the Yankees get a pair of first-inning triples for the first time since Carlos Beltrán and Chase Headley on April 22, 2015.

Pederson went to the wall along with center fielder Evan Carter for Paul Goldschmidt's leadoff drive in the first off MacKenzie Gore (2-3), and the ball caromed into center. Pederson tried for a backhand diving catch on Bellinger's liner, and the ball bounced to the wall as Goldschmidt scored.

Grisham's fourth-inning popup dropped on the infield grass in front of shortstop Corey Seager after third baseman Josh Jung backed off and, after Bellinger's leadoff walk in the sixth, left fielder Alejandro Osuna broke back on Amed Rosario's routine fly and couldn't recover as the ball fell for a single.

Ryan McMahon walked and Grisham laced on opposite-field double that bounced to the left-center wall for a 4-2 lead. J.C. Escarra, Aaron Judge and Bellinger followed with RBI singles against the bullpen.

Ezequiel Durán had two RBIs, including a third-inning homer. Rangers right-hander Peyton Gray left after he was struck on his pitching hand by McMahon's eighth-inning liner.

Up next

Rangers: RHP Kumar Rocker (1-3, 4.71) starts Friday night at home against the Chicago Cubs

Yankees: LHP Max Fried (4-1, 2.39) starts Friday night's series opener at Milwaukee, which starts RHP Jacob Misiorowski (2-2, 2.84) to the mound.

___

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

The lawyer, Rocky Ratliff, said in an interview that the men came forward some eight years after the first lawsuit was filed because they needed to overcome the shame of revealing that they'd been sexually abused by another man and the fear of taking on the university publicly.

They are “tearful and living with it,” Ratliff said. “But as this case progresses on, they see how Ohio State’s treating athletes from the university and I think they want people to know it’s OK, even if it is male to male (sexual abuse), to come forward.”

Ohio State has fought lawsuits in federal court since 2018 brought by former student athletes against the university over its failure to stop abuse by Dr. Richard Strauss. Hundreds say they were abused by Strauss, who worked at the school from 1978 to 1998. He died in 2005.

The men have signed letters of agreement to join a lawsuit filed by other student-athletes who say they are victims of Strauss, Ratliff said.

Of the 30, only three have agreed to make their identities public, Ratliff said. They are Al Washington, Ray Ellis and Keith Ferguson, he said. All were members of the 1980 Rose Bowl team and were recruited by and played for legendary coach Woody Hayes. The Associated Press does not identify people who say they’re victims of sexual abuse unless they choose to make their names public.

Some other former football players have settled with the school in sealed agreements that kept their names a secret, Ratliff said.

In a statement, Ohio State said it has “sincerely and persistently tried to reconcile with survivors, including former football student-athletes, through monetary and non-monetary means, including settlements, counseling services and other medical treatment.”

As of April 15, the university has settled with 317 survivors for more than $61 million, and is remains actively engaged in mediation, the school said.

In an interview, Washington said it was hard to talk about the abuse he suffered and recalled being subjected to “unlawful” physical exams by Strauss when he was 18 or 19. He and the other players tried to make light of it with each other and joke about it.

“But it was really uncomfortable,” said Washington, now 67.

He didn't discuss it with others over the decades, but watching the 2025 documentary film “Surviving Ohio State” put it back into his thoughts.

“As a matter of fact, I couldn’t make it through that movie,” Washington said. “The pain and anguish that I saw, I just couldn’t take it.”

Strauss was on the faculty and medical staff and Ohio State. He retired in 1998 with emeritus status. School trustees revoked that mark of honor three years ago.

Washington played linebacker at Ohio State and was a fourth-round draft pick by the New York Jets in 1981. After a year with the Jets he went to the Ottawa Roughriders of the Canadian Football League.

Ellis, 67, was a safety at Ohio State and spent five years with the Philadelphia Eagles and two with the Cleveland Browns. He recorded 14 interceptions and three sacks over seven NFL seasons.

Ferguson, 67, was a defensive end at Ohio State and a fifth-round draft pick by San Diego in 1981. He spent five years with the Chargers and six more with Detroit. His best season came in 1986, when he recorded 9 1/2 sacks for the Lions.

___

AP Pro Football Writer Mark Long in Jacksonville, Florida, contributed.

Leer en español

South Florida Wildlife Center officials confirmed on social media this week that crews are now on-site beginning “critical repairs and preventative maintenance” following the incident.

South Florida Wildlife Center Executive Director Stacey Price wrote in a Facebook post Tuesday that their facility’s team responded quickly after termiite damage was discovered.

“Thanks to the swift response of our team, our animals, staff, and volunteers are safe and currently operating under contingency protocols,” she wrote.

Despite the disruption, the organization said all of its more than 500 current animal patients are continuing to receive uninterrupted care.

Staff and volunteers, officials added, have been “swiftly adapting to the temporary changes” as portions of the clinic remain closed for assessment and repair.

Over the past two days, the organization said it has focused on safety, evaluating the extent of the damage and reconfiguring operations to minimize the impact on ongoing wildlife care. They said an intake of new animals has been temporarily diverted to partner facilities.

Price noted the center has operated from its current location since 1969 and said the incident underscores the challenges of maintaining an aging facility while continuing lifesaving wildlife rehabilitation work. She said plans for a new facility are in development but remain several years away.

“Even during times of disruption, our mission does not pause,” Price wrote, thanking staff, volunteers and partner organizations for their support.

Crews are expected to continue repair work in the coming days as the center maintains modified operations.

A donation page has been launched through SFWC’s Facebook page to help restore critical clinic space and support ongoing care for injured and orphaned wildlife.

Here is a list of other places to take injured animals:

• Pelican Harbor
• Sawgrass Nature Center
• Crow Clinic

Related link: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on injured and orphaned wildlife

Local 10 digital journalist Andrea Torres contributed to this story.

Funcionarios del South Florida Wildlife Center confirmaron esta semana en redes sociales que equipos ya comenzaron “reparaciones críticas y mantenimiento preventivo” tras el incidente.

La directora ejecutiva del South Florida Wildlife Center, Stacey Price, escribió en una publicación de Facebook el martes que el equipo de la instalación respondió rápidamente después de descubrir los daños causados por termitas.

“Gracias a la rápida respuesta de nuestro equipo, nuestros animales, empleados y voluntarios están seguros y actualmente operamos bajo protocolos de contingencia”, escribió.

A pesar de la interrupción, la organización dijo que sus más de 500 pacientes animales actuales continúan recibiendo atención sin interrupciones.

Funcionarios añadieron que empleados y voluntarios se han “adaptado rápidamente a los cambios temporales” mientras partes de la clínica permanecen cerradas para evaluación y reparación.

Durante los últimos dos días, la organización indicó que se ha enfocado en la seguridad, evaluar el alcance de los daños y reorganizar las operaciones para minimizar el impacto en el cuidado continuo de la vida silvestre. Dijeron que la recepción de nuevos animales fue desviada temporalmente a instalaciones asociadas.

Price señaló que el centro opera en su ubicación actual desde 1969 y dijo que el incidente resalta los desafíos de mantener una instalación envejecida mientras continúan realizando labores de rehabilitación de vida silvestre que salvan vidas. Indicó que los planes para una nueva instalación están en desarrollo, pero aún faltan varios años para concretarse.

“Incluso en tiempos de interrupción, nuestra misión no se detiene”, escribió Price, agradeciendo el apoyo de empleados, voluntarios y organizaciones asociadas.

Se espera que los equipos continúen las reparaciones en los próximos días mientras el centro mantiene operaciones modificadas.

Se lanzó una página de donaciones a través de la página de Facebook de SFWC para ayudar a restaurar espacios críticos de la clínica y apoyar el cuidado continuo de animales silvestres heridos y huérfanos.

Aquí hay una lista de otros lugares donde llevar animales heridos:

• Pelican Harbor
• Sawgrass Nature Center
• Crow Clinic

Enlace relacionado: Comisión de Conservación de Pesca y Vida Silvestre de Florida sobre vida silvestre herida y huérfana

La periodista digital de Local 10 Andrea Torres contribuyó a esta historia.

Anunoby will be listed as questionable to play in Game 3 at Philadelphia on Friday, a person with knowledge of the details told The Associated Press on Thursday. Anunoby will be considered day to day.

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because there had been no announcement about Anunoby. His status was first reported by ESPN.

Anunoby was having another strong game Wednesday before appearing to suffer a leg injury and motioning to come out of the game. He went to the locker room area and did not return to the bench before the end of the Knicks' 108-102 victory that gave them a 2-0 lead.

Anunoby scored 24 points and is averaging 21.4 per game in the postseason while shooting 61.9% from the field and 53.8% from 3-point range.

The 6-foot-7 Anunoby, also considered the Knicks' top defender, injured his hamstring two years ago in the second round as the Knicks were taking a 2-0 lead over Indiana. He missed the next four games and played just a few minutes in Game 7 as the Pacers rallied to win the series.

___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

.

The department told The Associated Press on Thursday that the revocations would begin Friday and be focused on those who owe $100,000 or more. That would apply to about 2,700 American passport holders, according to figures supplied to the State Department by the Department of Health and Human Services.

The revocation program, plans for which were first reported by the AP in February, soon will be greatly expanded to cover parents who owe more than $2,500 in unpaid child support — the threshold set by a little-enforced 1996 law, the State Department said.

It was not clear on Thursday how many passport holders owe more than $2,500 because HHS is still collecting data from state agencies that track the figures, but it could encompass many more thousands of people, officials said.

Until this week, only those who applied to renew their passports were subject to the penalty. Under the new policy, HHS will inform the State Department of all past-due payments of more than $2,500 and parents in that group with passports will have their documents revoked, the department said.

“We are expanding a commonsense practice that has been proven effective at getting those who owe child support to pay their debt,” Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Mora Namdar said. “Once these parents resolve their debts, they can once again enjoy the privilege of a U.S. passport.”

Since the AP reported the expansion of the program on Feb. 10, the department said it had “seen data that hundreds of parents took action and resolved their arrears with state authorities since news broke that the State Department would start proactively revoking passports.”

“While we can’t confirm the causation in all of those cases, we are taking this action precisely to impel these parents to do the right thing by their children and by U.S. law,” the department said.

Even before the policy was expanded, the department said the program had been a “powerful tool” to get parents to pay what they owed. It said that since it began in earnest in 1998, states had collected some $657 million in arrears, including more than $156 million in over 24,000 individual lump-sum payments over the past five years.

Those whose passports are revoked under the program will be notified that they will not be able to use their documents for travel and will have to apply for a new passport once their arrears are confirmed as paid.

A passport holder who is abroad at the time of revocation will need to visit a U.S. embassy or consulate to obtain an emergency travel document that allows them to return to the United States.

Entre el aumento de las temperaturas y los cambios en los patrones de lluvia y nieve, es probable que entre el 7% y el 16% de las especies vegetales del mundo pierdan al menos el 90% de su hábitat y queden, en esencia, extintas en unos 55 a 75 años, según un estudio publicado el jueves en la revista Science.

Eso equivale aproximadamente a entre 35.000 y 50.000 especies de plantas, según escenarios moderados de contaminación por carbono, y a muchas más si la contaminación mundial se dispara, señaló la coautora del estudio Xiaoli Dong, ecóloga de la Universidad de California en Davis.

“La tasa de calentamiento impulsa la extinción”, afirmó.

Dong y sus colegas utilizaron numerosos modelos informáticos de biología y clima para examinar en detalle los futuros potenciales del 18% de las especies vegetales del mundo, con el objetivo de comprender bien qué les espera a todas.

Los científicos han calculado que las especies vegetales podrían desplazarse gradualmente hacia climas más fríos a medida que el mundo se calienta, transportadas por el viento, el agua y los animales hacia los polos o a mayores altitudes. Los científicos han observado este proceso e incluso han reubicado plantas para conservarlas. Pero los millones de simulaciones informáticas de Dong muestran que, aun si estas especies se mueven lo más rápido posible, “no va a reducir la tasa de extinción”.

“No es porque no se estén moviendo lo suficientemente rápido. Lo que encontramos tiene que ver con la pérdida de hábitat”, explicó.

El cambio climático altera los hábitats de las plantas

El cambio climático, ya sea por la temperatura o por cambios en las precipitaciones, hará que zonas donde antes crecían plantas dejen de ser habitables para algunas especies, indicó.

Puso como ejemplo el tulipán: prefiere un determinado suelo, temperatura y nivel de lluvia. El cambio climático ha alterado esa combinación: la temperatura adecuada se desplazó hacia el norte, el patrón de lluvias apropiado se movió hacia el este y el suelo perfecto se quedó donde estaba. “La condición perfecta que requiere este tulipán se ha vuelto realmente pequeña”, señaló Dong.

Este escenario se agrava especialmente en el Ártico, el Mediterráneo y Australia, según el estudio. En el Ártico se debe a que la temperatura se calienta cuatro veces más rápido que en el resto del planeta, y en Australia, está impulsado más por los cambios en las precipitaciones, explicó la investigadora.

Miles de plantas con flor inusuales, ahora en riesgo

Mientras el estudio de Dong analiza el riesgo de extinción futuro, en un segundo estudio publicado el jueves en la misma revista se examinó el riesgo de extinción actual de las plantas con flor, un grupo con más de 335.000 especies, más que la mayoría de las variedades de flora y fauna.

Científicos de los Jardines de Kew en el Reino Unido hallaron que casi 10.000 especies de plantas con flor están actualmente en peligro de desaparecer, y son tan antiguas e inusuales desde el punto de vista evolutivo que, si se pierden, el 21% del “árbol de la vida” de la Tierra desaparecería con ellas. Entre ellas hay especies extrañas como el titan arum, la planta más maloliente del mundo, y otras que los humanos consideran útiles, como la orquídea que proporciona la vainilla, indicaron los investigadores.

El biólogo evolutivo de plantas y autor principal del estudio, Felix Forest, aplicó un sistema de 20 años desarrollado por biólogos británicos para priorizar la conservación de especies, salvando aquellas que son únicas. En el estudio no se analizan las causas del riesgo de extinción, sino qué se perdería en términos de historia biológica y singularidad.

En el mayor estudio de priorización de especies que han emprendido los científicos, Forest encontró que hay más historia evolutiva en riesgo en las plantas con flor inusuales que en casi cualquier otro grupo de flora o fauna, excepto las tortugas de agua y de tierra.

Algunas otras especies tienen parientes cercanos y una rama frondosa, de modo que, si una desaparece, otras permanecen para compartir su historia evolutiva. Pero las plantas con flor incluyen árboles como el Ginkgo biloba, que no tiene especies similares y representa cientos de millones de años de evolución.

Los animales acaparan la atención, no las plantas

El problema es que la extinción de plantas a menudo se pasa por alto, incluso por organizaciones oficiales, en comparación con los animales, dijeron Forest y Dong.

“Tratamos de corregir ese desequilibrio entre plantas y animales, especialmente los vertebrados”, manifestó Forest. “Por lo general, los humanos se interesan más por cosas suaves y peludas y por cosas con dos alas que por las plantas. Y así son las cosas”.

En conjunto, los dos estudios muestran que el mundo no puede esperar para actuar y salvar a las especies vegetales en peligro, escribieron los biólogos chilenos Rosa Scherson y Federico Luebert, quienes no participaron en los estudios.

Cuando el futuro de las plantas es inestable, “también puede afectar la seguridad alimentaria humana y el acceso a materiales básicos”, escribieron Scherson y Luebert en una reseña de ambos estudios. “Mantener las condiciones actuales que sostienen la vida humana requiere una acción urgente”.

—-

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

___

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

The announcement appeared to be a deadline extension after the president said last Friday that EU autos would face a higher 25% tariff starting this week. Trump made the updated announcement after what he described as a “great call” with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Still, the U.S. president was displeased that the European Parliament had yet to finalize the trade arrangement reached last year, which was further complicated in February by the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that Trump lacked the legal authority to declare an economic emergency to impose the initial tariffs used to pressure the EU into talks.

“A promise was made that the EU would deliver their side of the Deal and, as per Agreement, cut their Tariffs to ZERO!” Trump posted. “I agreed to give her until our Country’s 250th Birthday or, unfortunately, their Tariffs would immediately jump to much higher levels.”

It was unclear from the post whether Trump was implying that the tariff rates would jump on all EU goods or the increase would only apply to autos.

His latest statement indicates he might be backing away from his earlier threat on EU autos by giving the European Parliament several more weeks to approve the agreement.

Under the original terms of the framework, the U.S. would charge a 15% tax on most goods imported from the EU.

But since the Supreme Court ruling, the administration has levied a 10% tariff while investigating trade imbalances and national security issues, aiming to put in new tariffs to make up for lost revenues.

The new, 76-team brackets will jam eight extra games — for a total of 12 involving 24 teams — into the front half of the first week of the men's and the women's tournaments. It will turn what’s now known as the First Four into a bigger affair that will now be called the “March Madness Opening Round.”

The 12 winners will move into the main 64-team bracket that will begin, as usual, on Thursday for the men and Friday for the women.

It is the first expansion of the tournaments in 15 years, when they were bumped to 68 teams each.

The NCAA said it will distribute more than $131 million in new revenue to schools that make the tournament. That money will come via expanded TV advertising opportunities for alcohol, the likes of which were previously restricted. It said the value of the rights agreement will increase $50 million each year on average over the course of the six years.

Most of the eight new slots are expected to go to teams from the power conferences that were already commanding the lion's share of entries in the bracket. Two years ago, the Southeastern Conference placed a record 14 teams in the men’s bracket. Last season, the Big Ten had nine.

Keith Gill, the chairman of the Division I men's basketball committee, called the expansion “a nice way to create some access but make sure we have the bracket we all love when we start Thursday at noon.”

The move is a product of the times, which includes massive expansion — the Atlantic Coast Conference, for instance, has grown from nine to 17 teams since 1996 — and the reality that mid-major schools with top-notch players will often see them plucked away by programs with bigger budgets and the ability to pay them through revenue sharing.

Cinderella? There will still be room for those stirring runs in the tournaments, though not a single mid-major advanced past the first weekend of either tournament the last two seasons.

This is hardly a concern of the decision-makers anymore, who will point to TV ratings that traditionally spell out fans’ preference for the likes of Duke and North Carolina over St. Peter’s and San Diego State, especially once the Sweet 16 starts.

What matters more to the biggest schools is that their teams have a chance to compete in what remains the best postseason in college sports and that they aren't iced out by lower conference champions who earn automatic bids.

“You’ve got some really, really good teams who are going to end up in that 9, 10, 11 (seed) category that I think should be moved into the” 64-team bracket, SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said last year in discussing how he favored expansion.

Also, the money. The new beer and wine money will add to what the NCAA can distribute in “units” that are earned for placing teams in the bracket and then for every round those teams advance. Last year, that amounted to about $350,000 per unit for the men’s tournament. The Big Ten made nearly $70 million from both tournaments, won by conference members Michigan (men) and UCLA (women).

Leaders in the SEC, Big Ten, Big 12 and ACC have all acknowledged that smaller programs help make March Madness what it is, all the while steadily expanding their own power in NCAA decision-making. That brings with it the tacit threat of fracturing the single thing the NCAA does best — the basketball tournament.

This move might forestall that. What it isn't expected to do is drastically change the TV deal beyond the advertising.

The current deal for the men's tournament is worth $8.8 billion and runs through 2032. Adding a few extra games between mid-level Power Four teams on Tuesday and Wednesday won't change that much.

One of reason this took as long as it did was the NCAA negotiations with CBS and TNT, which themselves have been in negotiations over their own ownership.

The more drastic option of expanding the tournament to 96 teams or beyond would involve adding an extra week to a tournament that has thrived in part because of the symmetry of a six-round bracket that gets whittled down over three weeks.

That basic shell began in 1985, with only slight tweaks, the latest of which came in 2011 when it was upped to 68.

___

AP March Madness: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness

La controvertida instalación, ubicada en el corazón de los Everglades de Florida, abrió el verano pasado y, según informes, le ha costado al estado cientos de millones de dólares.

Las conversaciones sobre el cierre son preliminares, según personas cercanas al gobernador Ron DeSantis que hablaron con el Times.

Funcionarios del Departamento de Seguridad Nacional habrían concluido que es demasiado costoso continuar operando el centro de detención.

Un funcionario federal dijo a la publicación que el DHS considera el centro como ineficaz.

La administración DeSantis ha estado gastando más de $1 millón USD al día para operar Alligator Alcatraz y algunos proveedores privados contratados por el estado para administrarlo han tenido dificultades para mantenerse al día con los costos.

Hasta el mes pasado, el centro albergaba a casi 1,400 detenidos, todos hombres, según datos del Servicio de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas.

DeSantis ha dicho desde el principio que el gobierno federal pagaría por la instalación, pero Florida aún no ha recibido el reembolso federal de $608 millones USD para operar el centro durante el último año.

Un portavoz del DHS dijo a Local 10 en un comunicado el jueves:

“Cualquier reporte que indique que el DHS está presionando al estado para cesar operaciones en Alligator Alcatraz es falso.

“Florida continúa siendo un socio valioso para impulsar la agenda migratoria del presidente Trump, y el DHS agradece su apoyo. El DHS evalúa continuamente las necesidades y requisitos de detención para garantizar que cumplan con los requisitos operacionales más recientes.

“Con respecto al reembolso, el DHS revisa las solicitudes de reembolso de fondos de subvención para garantizar que los costos sean permitidos y que los gastos validados sean elegibles para reembolso antes de liberar los fondos”.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue indicó que las unidades fueron despachadas tras reportes de un incendio de vehículo cerca de la cuadra 12300 de Northwest 154th Street.

Los equipos trabajaron para extinguir las llamas y evitar que se propagaran a vehículos o estructuras cercanas.

Sky 10 sobrevoló la escena, donde se observaba una densa humareda negra elevándose sobre al menos dos vehículos en llamas.

Funcionarios de MDFR confirmaron que no se reportaron heridos.

Los investigadores dijeron que trabajan para determinar qué provocó el incendio, pero no precisaron cuántos vehículos estuvieron involucrados en el fuego.

No se divulgaron más detalles sobre el incendio de inmediato.

Leer en español

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said units were dispatched to reports of a vehicle fire near the 12300 block of Northwest 154th Street.

Crews worked to extinguish the blaze and prevent it from spreading to nearby vehicles or structures.

Sky 10 flew over the scene, where heavy black smoke was seen rising above at least two burning vehicles.

MDFR officials confirmed that were no reported injuries.

Investigators said they’re working to determine what sparked the fire, but they did not say how many vehicles were involved in the blaze.

No other details about the fire were immediately released.

Leer en español

The controversial facility, located in the heart of the Florida Everglades, was opened last summer and has reportedly cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars.

The shutdown talks are preliminary, according to people close to Gov. Ron DeSantis who spoke to the Times.

Officials at the Department of Homeland Security have reportedly concluded that it is too expensive to keep operating the detention center.

A federal official told the publication that DHS has come to consider the center as ineffective.

The DeSantis administration has been spending more than $1 million a day to run Alligator Alcatraz and some private vendors hired by the state to operate it have been struggling to keep up with costs.

As of last month, the center held nearly 1,400 detainees -- all of them men, according to data from Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

DeSantis has said from the start that the federal government would pay for the facility, but Florida has yet to receive the $608 million federal reimbursement to run the center over the past year.

A DHS spokesperson told Local 10 in a statement Thursday,

“Any reports that DHS is pressuring the state to cease operations at Alligator Alcatraz are false.

“Florida continues to be a valuable partner in advancing President Trump’s immigration agenda, and DHS appreciates their support. DHS continuously evaluates detention needs and requirements to ensure they meet the latest operational requirements.

“Regarding reimbursement, DHS reviews reimbursement requests for grant funding to ensure costs are allowable and validated expenses that are eligible for reimbursement prior to releasing funding.”

The Paris public prosecutor's office said Wednesday it has opened an investigation into X on charges including complicity in possessing and distributing child sexual abuse images and unlawfully collecting personal data. It's also investigating charges of disseminating non-consensual images or other content and denial of crimes against humanity.

X and its parent company SpaceX did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment Thursday.

The investigation comes less than three weeks after Musk and Linda Yaccarino — the former CEO of X — were summoned for “voluntary interviews" to discuss the allegations. They did not show up, but French authorities said this wouldn't hinder the investigation.

Musk was summoned after a search took place in February at the French premises of X as part of an investigation opened in January 2025 by the cybercrime unit of the Paris prosecutor’s office. Musk and Yaccarino have been invited in their capacities as managers of X at the time of the events investigated. Yaccarino was CEO from May 2023 until July 2025.

French authorities opened their investigation after reports from a French lawmaker alleging that biased algorithms on X likely distorted the functioning of an automated data processing system. It expanded after the AI system, Grok, generated posts that allegedly denied the Holocaust, a crime in France, and spread sexually explicit deepfakes.

It’s looking into alleged “complicity” in possessing and spreading sexual abuse images of minors, sexually explicit deepfakes, denial of crimes against humanity and manipulation of an automated data processing system as part of an organized group, among other charges.

Grok, which was built by xAI and is available through X, sparked global outrage this year after it pumped out a torrent of sexualized nonconsensual deepfake images in response to requests from X users.

Grok also wrote in a widely shared post in French that gas chambers at the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp were designed for “disinfection with Zyklon B against typhus” rather than for mass murder — language long associated with Holocaust denial.

In later posts on X, the chatbot reversed itself and acknowledged that its earlier reply was wrong, saying it had been deleted, and pointed to historical evidence that Zyklon B was used to kill more than 1 million people in Auschwitz gas chambers.

In March, the Paris prosecutor’s office alerted the U.S. Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission, suggesting “that the controversy surrounding sexually explicit deepfakes generated by Grok may have been deliberately orchestrated to artificially boost the value of the companies X and xAI — potentially constituting criminal offenses,” prosecutors said.

El miércoles, la organización sin fines de lucro con sede en Coral Gables anunció que la abogada Rachael Curran presentó una petición para iniciar una apelación en el Tribunal de Apelaciones de Estados Unidos para el Circuito de D.C.

En un comunicado, Curran, quien representa a Miami Waterkeeper en la apelación, dijo que la organización solicita al tribunal que garantice que la Comisión Reguladora Nuclear, la agencia federal encargada de proteger la salud y la seguridad pública en relación con la energía nuclear, “evalúe y mitigue de manera significativa, como exige la ley, los riesgos reales” de extender las operaciones en la instalación de Turkey Point de 2032 a 2053.

Rachel Silverstein, directora ejecutiva de Miami Waterkeeper, destacó que la planta nuclear Turkey Point y sus canales de enfriamiento, en el borde de la Bahía de Biscayne, se encuentran sobre el acuífero Biscayne, la principal fuente de agua potable para millones en el sur de Florida.

“La decisión de la NRC de permitir que esta riesgosa extensión de la licencia nuclear se mantenga no resuelve los serios riesgos ambientales que plantea operar esta instalación por décadas adicionales, como la continua contaminación de aguas subterráneas en nuestro suministro de agua potable, y operar en una era de riesgos climáticos como el aumento del nivel del mar, altas temperaturas y tormentas más fuertes”, dijo Silverstein.

La Florida Power & Light Company informa que Turkey Point genera “suficiente energía para abastecer las necesidades anuales de más de 900,000 hogares”. Ha estado en operación desde 1972.

Para más información sobre los esfuerzos de Miami Waterkeeper, visite esta página.

“Florida Power & Light cuenta con un equipo dedicado a evaluar los reactores modulares pequeños (SMR, por sus siglas en inglés) como parte de nuestro enfoque de todas las formas de energía para satisfacer las necesidades de nuestros clientes de manera confiable y responsable. Ningún SMR está incluido en el actual Plan de Sitio a Diez Años, ya que no hemos encontrado que esta tecnología sea rentable para nuestros clientes en este momento.

“Para estar preparados una vez que los SMR tengan sentido económico para nuestros clientes, FPL comenzará las etapas iniciales del permiso anticipado de sitio en 2026 o 2027, un proceso disponible bajo las normas de la Comisión Reguladora Nuclear de Estados Unidos, para un posible SMR en un sitio adyacente a una planta nuclear existente. Al tomar estas medidas tempranas mientras estudiamos la viabilidad de los SMR, FPL busca estar bien posicionada para beneficiarse de esta tecnología cuando los costos se vuelvan competitivos. Como siempre, buscaremos las formas más rentables de producir y entregar energía segura y confiable a nuestros más de 6 millones de clientes.

“En cuanto a las condiciones climáticas extremas, la Planta Nuclear Turkey Point está diseñada para resistir eventos naturales extremos como huracanes, marejadas ciclónicas e inundaciones bajo la estricta supervisión de la NRC. El diseño del sitio de Turkey Point incluye protección adicional contra inundaciones y marejadas, incluyendo elevar equipos críticos 20 pies sobre el nivel del mar. Un análisis independiente presentado ante la NRC concluyó que el sitio puede soportar inundaciones severas derivadas de los eventos más extremos, incluyendo una marejada ciclónica superior a la del huracán Andrew categoría 5, considerando además la lluvia máxima y el aumento proyectado del nivel del mar.

“Después de una revisión exhaustiva, la NRC tomó esto en consideración, junto con otros factores, cuando extendió la licencia de Turkey Point para continuar operando de manera segura y confiable hasta la década de 2050, proporcionando energía de bajo costo y libre de emisiones a los clientes de FPL”.

FPL spokesperson

Documento relacionado: La petición de 96 páginas presentada

Enlace relacionado: Guía del condado para “prepararse para una emergencia en una planta nuclear”

Más de Don’t Trash Our Treasure

• Turkey Point: ¿Es segura en esta era de cambio climático?
• Nuevo sistema de monitoreo submarino busca detectar amenazas a la calidad del agua de forma temprana

Leer en español

Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office deputies have taken Terrell Barry, 20; Kareem Watkins, 18; Adrion Hall, 22; Nikell Etienne, 23; and James Royal, 32 into custody.

They say the suspects are linked to 11 cases connected to a string of Facebook Marketplace robberies that occurred between October 2025 and May 2026, all following the same MO.

Local 10 News spoke to one of Barry’s alleged victims.

She said she traveled with her father to 15221 NE Sixth Avenue after a woman on the website had expressed interest in an iPhone 17 Pro Max.

After arriving, she said she received a message from the suspect stating, “I have my boyfriend coming down.”

According to deputies, there are many victims out there who had MacBooks and iPhones stolen just like that.

MDSO advises people to make these type of exchanges at a safe place like a police station, and this story shows just how dangerous these interactions could be.

All the suspects are facing felony charges for their roles in the crimes.

Barry is facing a charge of armed robbery with a firearm or deadly weapon, Watkins was charged with strongarm robbery, Hall was charged with third degree grand theft, Etienne is facing charges of strongarm robbery, burglary with assault or battery and attempted strongarm robbery and Royal was charged with strongarm robbery, burglary of an occupied conveyance, knowingly driving with a suspended license and six counts of possession of a controlled substance.

“El gobierno dice que el dinero alcanza, pero sólo alcanza para el que tiene lana (dinero)”, afirmó Díaz, un ama de casa de 67 años, al reconocer que ante las presiones inflacionarias su familia ha tenido que reducir el consumo de carne y pollo y sustituirlo por hortalizas.

En abril el Índice Nacional de Precios al Consumidor de México mostró una variación mensual de 0,20% en comparación con el mes previo. Con ese resultado la tasa anualizada se ubicó en 4,45%, por debajo de la reportada en marzo que fue de 4,59%, y se rompió la tendencia alcista de los últimos tres meses, informó el jueves el Instituto Nacional de Estadísticas y Geografía (INEGI).

La inflación se vio presionada en abril por los aumentos en los precios del chile, el tomate, la papa, el servicio de autobús urbano, la gasolina de alto octanaje y el gas doméstico. Pese a los subsidios otorgados por el gobierno a través de la disminución de impuestos, los combustibles no han podido escapar del incremento del precio internacional del petróleo generado por la guerra en Oriente Medio.

Uno de los casos más alarmantes es el tomate –un alimento básico en la dieta de los mexicanos– que en los últimos 12 meses ha reportado un incremento de más del doble y ha superado los 60 pesos el kilo (unos 3,5 dólares).

De acuerdo con un reciente informe del banco local Grupo Financiero Base, los aumentos en los precios de los alimentos se deben a una merma en la oferta generada por problemas de inseguridad, la falta de apoyo gubernamental al sector agrícola y, en el caso del tomate, a una contracción de la producción luego de que Estados Unidos impuso en julio de 2025 una cuota compensatoria de 17% a las importaciones del fruto mexicano tras denunciar dumping.

La inflación se compensó parcialmente con la disminución estacional de las tarifas de electricidad por el inicio de los subsidios de la temporada cálida y la merma en los precios del transporte aéreo, el pollo, los huevos, el limón y los plátanos.

Los mexicanos se aprietan el cinturón

Mientras contaba los billetes que le quedaban tras comprar algunas verduras en un mercado público del centro de la capital mexicana, Díaz admitió que para hacer rendir el dinero debió disminuir las cantidades de alimentos que regularmente compraba y reemplazar algunas proteínas por pepinos y zanahorias.

La escalada de los precios de los alimentos ha golpeado la canasta de consumo mínimo de los mexicanos que reportó en abril una tasa anual de 4,63%, muy por encima del registro del mes previo que fue de 3,69%, según cifras del INEGI. En la actualidad el salario mínimo, que ronda los 473 dólares al mes, alcanza para adquirir dos canastas básicas.

“Se ha perdido mucho el valor adquisitivo”, comentó Celia Salas, una jubilada de 63 años, al quejarse de que su jubilación de 12.000 pesos (unos 705 dólares) y el dinero que le dan sus hijos “ya no alcanzan” para alimentarse ella y los cuatro integrantes de su familia.

Salas relató que debió bajar el consumo de algunos alimentos como el tomate, la carne de res y el pollo y acudir a otros mercados en el centro de la capital donde se venden productos a menor precio, pero de baja calidad.

Para proteger a los sectores más vulnerables el expresidente Andrés Manuel López Obrador (2018-2024) acordó desde el inicio de su sexenio aumentos anuales del salario mínimo que su sucesora e hija política, Claudia Sheinbaum, ha continuado.

Gobierno en alerta

Sheinbaum atribuyó el leve descenso de la inflación al acuerdo del mes pasado entre el gobierno y empresarios para controlar el precio de los combustibles y los subsidios que se otorgaron al diésel y la gasolina.

La mandataria afirmó el jueves en su conferencia matutina que los precios del tomate y el chile subieron debido a una menor producción local, al aumento de las importaciones de Estados Unidos y a una plaga que afectó la siembra del tomate local.

Pese a las medidas del gobierno, Salas se mostró pesimista y dijo que “los verdaderos datos los tenemos los consumidores. Ellos (las autoridades) viven en una realidad alterna”.

The Colombian singer shared a minute-long teaser clip on Thursday of a new song, writing on social media, “From Maracaná Stadium, here is “Dai Dai,” the FIFA World Cup Official Song 2026." She also included a mention of Afrobeats star Burna Boy.

In the video short, Shakira appears on the field of Maracaná Stadium, joined by dancers. “Here in this place / You belong,” she sings in English, a male voice harmonizing with her. “What broke you once / Made you strong.”

According to her post, the full song will arrive May 14.

The FIFA tournament will kick off on June 11 with Mexico taking on South Africa at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. The final is scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, just outside New York City.

Shakira is no stranger to World Cup anthems. Her song “Waka Waka (This Time For Africa)” was the official song of the 2010 World Cup held in South Africa.

“Dai Dai” is not to be confused with Coca-Cola’s official anthem for the FIFA World Cup 2026, a reimagination of Van Halen’s “Jump” that features Colombian singer J Balvin, drummer Travis Barker, pop/R&B singer Amber Mark and guitarist Steve Vai.

Mark’s rich, crystalline voice is the first heard on the track; she sings the song’s original English lyrics. Vai transforms its iconic guitar; Barker amplifies its percussion.

The greatest difference is found in Balvin’s contributions. He wrote a new verse — in Spanish — atop production courtesy of his collaborator L.E.X.V.Z, a sound he described to the Associated Press in March as “Brazilian funk with hard strings, kind of like hip-hop.”

“‘Jump’ is not a fútbol song,” he said of the original, using the Spanish word for soccer. “So that’s why I had to put the Latin love and passion for fútbol (in the lyrics).”

That's certainly something Shakira knows a thing or two about.

Leer en español

On Wednesday, the Coral Gables-based nonprofit organization announced Attorney Rachael Curran filed a petition to initiate an appeal in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.

In a statement, Curran, who represents Miami Waterkeeper in the appeal, said the nonprofit was asking the court to ensure that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the federal agency tasked with protecting public health and safety related to nuclear energy, “meaningfully evaluates and mitigates, as required by law, the real risks” of extending operations at the Turkey Point facility from 2032 through 2053.

Rachel Silverstein, the chief executive officer of Miami Waterkeeper, highlights that the Turkey Point nuclear plant and its cooling canals, on the edge of Biscayne Bay, sit atop the Biscayne Aquifer, the primary source of drinking water for millions in South Florida.

“The NRC’s decision to allow this risky nuclear license extension to remain does not resolve the serious environmental risks posed by operating this facility for decades longer, like ongoing groundwater contamination into our drinking water supply, and operating into an era of climate risks like sea level rise, high temperatures, and stronger storms,” Silverstein said.

The Florida Power & Light Company reports that Turkey Point generates “enough power to supply the annual needs of more than 900,000 homes.“ It has been in operation since 1972.

“Florida Power & Light appreciates the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s extensive review of Turkey Point’s subsequent license renewal,” an FPL statement read. “After completing a detailed, site-specific environmental analysis, the NRC issued the licenses for Units 3 and 4, allowing the plant to continue operating safely into the 2050s. We take our responsibility to protect the environment and surrounding communities seriously and will continue operating the plant safely while meeting Florida’s growing energy needs.”

For more information about Miami Waterkeepers’ efforts, visit this page.

“Florida Power & Light has a dedicated team evaluating small modular reactors (SMRs) as part of our all-forms-of-energy approach to meet our customers’ needs reliably and responsibly. No SMR is included in the current Ten-Year Site Plan as we have not found this technology to be cost-effective for our customers today.

“To be ready once SMRs make economic sense for our customers, FPL will begin the initial stages of early site permitting in 2026 or 2027, a process available under U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission rules, for a potential SMR at a site adjacent to an existing nuclear power plant. By taking these steps early while we study the feasibility of SMRs, FPL aims to be well-positioned to benefit from this technology when costs become competitive. As always, we will pursue the most cost-effective ways to produce and deliver safe and reliable energy to our more than 6 million customers.

“Regarding extreme weather conditions, Turkey Point Nuclear Plant is designed to withstand extreme natural events such as hurricanes, storm surge and flooding under strict NRC oversight. Turkey Point’s site design includes added protection against flooding and storm surge, including elevating critical equipment 20 feet above sea level. An independent analysis submitted to the NRC found the site can withstand severe flooding from the most extreme events, including storm surge higher than Category 5 Hurricane Andrew, while considering maximum rainfall and projected sea-level rise.

“After extensive review, the NRC took this into consideration, along with other factors, when it extended Turkey Point’s license to continue to operate safely and reliably into the 2050s, providing low-cost, emissions-free energy to FPL customers.”

FPL spokesperson

Related document: The 96-page petition filed

Related link: County guide to ‘prepare for a nuclear power plant emergency’

More from Don’t Trash Our Treasure

• Turkey Point: Is it safe in this age of climate change?
• New underwater monitoring system aims to detect water quality threats early

Local 10 News Reporter Christina Vazquez contributed to this report.

The council appointed by President Donald Trump approved a highly anticipated report that outlines ways the Trump administration could potentially put far more responsibility on states, tribes and territories for disaster preparedness, response and recovery.

It proposes upending how the federal government determines which disasters to support, how FEMA pays states and other governments for disaster recovery costs, and what kind of FEMA assistance survivors receive, among other reforms.

“These recommendations are all about accelerating federal dollars, streamlining the process, making it less bureaucratic so that Americans can get the help they need on the worst day of their lives,” former Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, a council member, said in a public meeting Thursday with nearly 6,000 virtual attendees.

There is broad agreement that FEMA needs reforms to move faster and relieve bureaucracy. However, the council’s recommendations raise concerns among some disaster experts that shifting responsibilities will be more than some state and local governments, the private sector, or survivors can handle.

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said the report offered him “a clear direction and an oversight of an agency that is in need of reform, but is still mission capable.”

The recommendations will now be sent to Trump, though many of the reforms would require congressional action. The White House did not immediately respond to questions about whether Trump endorses the recommendations or what actions the administration might take next.

Major changes to federal aid

Among the council’s most significant recommendations is changing how states, tribes, and territories qualify for federal support from a decision informed by a per-capita formula that weighs costs against population to a pre-defined set of metrics for a disaster to trigger federal support.

It also recommended giving states direct payments within 30 days of a disaster, with a potential for another payment further down the line, replacing the current system of reimbursing states after recovery work is done.

Survivors’ assistance would be upended, too: The council proposed limiting housing assistance to those whose homes are rendered uninhabitable and offering survivors a one-time payment instead of multiple channels for rental, repair, and replacement assistance.

FEMA would focus its survivor aid on emergency housing, moving away from long-term housing assistance and giving states the option to run their own housing programs while adhering to federal standards.

“States, figure it out,” said council member and Florida emergency management director Kevin Guthrie. “Do what’s best for you.”

Other recommendations include shifting most flood insurance policies away from the National Flood Insurance Program, which is over $20 billion in debt, to the private market, and continuing to align premium costs more closely with risk.

A bumpy road to a final report

Trump has threatened to dismantle FEMA and has repeatedly said he wants to push more responsibility for disaster preparedness, response and recovery to the states.

The 12-person council he appointed is co-chaired by Mullin and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. It is made up of current and former officials and emergency managers from predominantly Republican-led states.

Emergency managers, local leaders, nonprofits involved with disaster management and survivor groups have anxiously awaited the council’s findings, which were due roughly six months ago but were delayed as former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and council members clashed over drafts.

The final recommendations seemed to move away from at least one of the most controversial reforms included in past drafts: Cutting the FEMA workforce by 50%, a recommendation included in a December draft reviewed by The Associated Press.

What’s next

In a statement to The Associated Press, a spokesperson for The National Emergency Management Association said the group “broadly supports the overarching principles outlined by the council of less complexity in federal programs, faster assistance, and cost savings at all levels."

Some disaster experts worry local governments and nonprofits won't be able to fill in potential voids left by a federal pullback. Limiting survivor aid to those whose houses are uninhabitable, for example, “would dramatically increase the level of displacement and economic insecurity" for low-income survivors, said Noah Patton, director of disaster recovery at the National Low-Income Housing Coalition.

Most major changes would require legislative action. A FEMA reform act passed out of a House committee last year, but no further action has been taken.

Patton said he was skeptical that lawmakers could pass FEMA reform soon, especially with limited time before the midterm elections, and said the recommendations are not a foregone conclusion.

“It is important to remember that these are suggestions — they aren’t set in stone,” he said.

Agentes de la Policía de Coral Gables arrestaron a Timothy Kowalewski, de 45 años, el 16 de febrero cerca de la cuadra 300 de la U.S. 1.

Según las autoridades, los agentes que respondieron encontraron a Kowalewski aún sentado en el asiento del conductor después del choque.

Estaba transportando estudiantes de regreso al campus cuando la Policía dijo que Kowalewski chocó el shuttle contra un árbol y luego contra un vehículo.

Mientras los estudiantes salían rápidamente del autobús una vez que se detuvo, se les escuchaba en el video preguntándole a Kowalewski si estaba bien y si había tomado algo, señalando el olor a alcohol.

Después de ser examinado por personal médico, Kowalewski dijo a los agentes que no recordaba el choque, según un informe de arresto.

Los agentes en la escena dijeron que Kowalewski tenía los ojos rojos y llorosos y hablaba arrastrando las palabras, pero se negó a realizar ejercicios de sobriedad en el lugar o proporcionar una muestra de aliento, lo que llevó a su arresto bajo sospecha de conducir bajo los efectos del alcohol.

Fue trasladado al Centro Correccional Turner Guilford Knight y enfrenta cargos de conducir bajo los efectos del alcohol, conducir bajo los efectos del alcohol causando daños a la propiedad y negarse a someterse a una prueba de aliento mientras conducía con la licencia suspendida.

Tras el arresto, la Universidad de Miami emitió un comunicado a Local 10 que decía:

“El incidente relacionado con un shuttle del campus de la Universidad de Miami continúa bajo investigación por parte del Departamento de Policía de Coral Gables. La seguridad de nuestros estudiantes, profesores, personal y de toda la comunidad universitaria sigue siendo nuestra máxima prioridad”.

Leer en español

Coral Gables police officers took Timothy Kowalewski, 45, into custody on Feb. 16 near the 300 block of U.S. 1.

According to authorities, responding officers found Kowalewski still sitting in the driver’s seat after the crash.

He was driving students back to the school’s campus when police said Kowalewski struck a tree and then a car with the shuttle.

As students quickly exited the bus once it stopped, they could be heard on video asking Kowalewski if he was OK and whether he had anything to drink, noting the smell of alcohol.

After being examined by medical personnel, Kowalewski told officers he did not remember the crash, according to an arrest form.

Officers at the scene said Kowalewski had red, watery eyes and slurred speech, but he refused to perform any field sobriety exercises or provide a breath sample, which led to his arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence.

He was taken to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center and is facing charges of DUI, DUI causing property damage and refusal to submit to a breath test while driving with a suspended license.

Following the arrest, the University of Miami released a statement to Local 10 which read:

“The incident involving a University of Miami campus shuttle is under further investigation by the Coral Gables Police Department. The safety of our students, faculty, staff, and the broader University community remains our top priority.”

Leer en español

According to authorities, the crash occurred at the intersection of Lyons Road and Northwest Sixth Manor.

Police said northbound lanes on Lyons Road between Atlantic Boulevard and Coconut Creek Parkway are shut down amid the investigation.

A spokesperson for the police department said both drivers suffered serious injuries.

No other details were immediately released.

Según las autoridades, el accidente ocurrió en la intersección de Lyons Road y Northwest Sixth Manor.

La Policía indicó que los carriles en dirección norte de Lyons Road entre Atlantic Boulevard y Coconut Creek Parkway permanecen cerrados mientras continúa la investigación.

Un portavoz del departamento de Policía dijo que ambos conductores sufrieron heridas graves.

No se divulgaron más detalles de inmediato.

Between warmer temperatures and shifts in rain and snow patterns, between 7% and 16% of the world's plant species are likely to lose at least 90% of their habitat and go essentially extinct in about 55 to 75 years, according to a study in Thursday's journal Science.

That equates to roughly 35,000 to 50,000 plant species based on moderate carbon pollution scenarios, and much more if the world's pollution soars, said study co-author Xiaoli Dong, a University of California Davis ecologist.

“The warming rate drives the extinction,” Dong said.

Dong and her colleagues used numerous biology and climate computer models to examine the potential futures of 18% of the world's plant species in detail, seeking to get a good handle on what's in store for all of them.

Scientists have figured that plant species could gradually shift to cooler climates as the world warms, borne by wind, water and animals toward the poles or higher altitudes. Scientists have observed this process and even relocated plants to conserve them. But Dong's millions of computer simulations show that even if these species move as fast as possible “it's not going to reduce the extinction rate.”

“It is not because they are not moving fast enough,” Dong said — it’s because the habitats they depend on will no longer exist.

Climate change messes with plants' habitats

Climate change, whether by temperature or changes in rainfall, will make areas where plants used to grow no longer livable for some species, she said.

Consider the tulip, Dong said: It prefers a certain soil, temperature and rain level. Climate change has disrupted this combination: The right temperature pushed north, the proper rain pattern moved east and the perfect soil stayed put. “The perfect condition required by this tulip has become like really small,” Dong said.

This scenario is getting especially bad in the Arctic, the Mediterranean and Australia, the study found. In the Arctic it's because the temperature is warming four times faster than the rest of the globe and in Australia it's driven more by rainfall changes, Dong said.

Thousands of unusual flowering plants now at risk

While Dong’s study looks at future extinction risk, a second study published Thursday in the same journal looked at the current extinction risk of flowering plants, a group with more than 335,000 species, more than most varieties of flora and fauna.

Scientists at Kew Gardens in the United Kingdom found that nearly 10,000 flowering plant species are currently in danger of blinking out, and are so evolutionarily old and unusual that if they go, 21% of Earth’s “tree of life” would disappear with them. They include odd species such as titan arum, the world’s smelliest plant, and ones humans find useful, such as the orchid that provides vanilla, researchers said.

Evolutionary plant biologist and study lead author Felix Forest applied a 20-year system British biologists developed to prioritize species conservation by saving species that are most unique. The study doesn't look at what's causing the extinction risk, just what would be lost in terms of biological history and distinctiveness.

In the biggest species prioritization study scientists have undertaken, Forest found that there's more evolutionary history at risk in unusual flowering plants than almost any other groups of flora or fauna, except turtles and tortoises.

Some other species, like different types of rats, have close relatives and a bushy branch, so if one blinks out, others remain to share its evolutionary history. But flowering plants include trees like the Ginkgo biloba, which has no similar species and presents hundreds of millions of years of evolution.

Animals get the attention, not plants

The trouble is that extinction in plants is often overlooked, even by official organizations, when compared with animals, Forest and Dong said.

“We're trying to redress that imbalance between plants and animals, especially vertebrates,” Forest said. “Humans are generally more interested in fluffy furry things and things with two wings than plants. And that's just the way things are.”

The two studies together show that the world cannot wait to take action to save endangered plant species, wrote Chilean biologists Rosa Scherson and Federico Luebert, who weren't part of the studies.

When the future of plants is unstable, “it can also affect human food security and access to basic materials,” Scherson and Luebert wrote in a review of the two studies. “Maintaining the current conditions that support human life requires urgent action.”

—-

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.

La representante estatal Anna Eskamani realizó una conferencia de prensa el miércoles tras otra muerte de un perezoso vinculada a Sloth World en Orlando. Esa más reciente pérdida eleva a 55 el número total de muertes conocidas de perezosos relacionadas con la instalación.

“Dumpling” es el tercer perezoso que muere en apenas unos días en la instalación.

“Cada vez que perdemos uno, es un recordatorio de lo delicados que son y de lo enfermos que están algunos de ellos”, dijo Richard Glover, director ejecutivo del Zoológico del Centro de Florida.

Dumpling fue uno de los 13 perezosos entregados por Sloth World Orlando antes de que siquiera abriera. Funcionarios del zoológico dijeron que Dumpling era uno de cuatro animales que requerían cuidados intensivos.

“Era el que tenía diarrea crónica, y no hemos podido hacer nada al respecto de los que aún permanecen con nosotros”, dijo Glover.

Dentro del zoológico, el personal ahora trabaja las 24 horas para mantener con vida a los 10 perezosos restantes.

Pero lo que están descubriendo es devastador.

“Es muy desalentador para nosotros porque estos animales… han sido alimentados incorrectamente”, dijo Glover.

Los investigadores aseguran que los perezosos recibieron dietas inadecuadas durante un período prolongado. Las pruebas han revelado graves problemas de salud.

“Hemos visto los mismos reportes que dicen que les daban arroz integral. Lo que vemos es que estamos analizando su sangre y encontramos niveles realmente bajos de potasio y muy bajos de otros minerales que deberían estar en sus cuerpos y no están”, dijo Glover.

Ahora, el enfoque está cambiando hacia la rendición de cuentas, pero aún no está claro quién finalmente liderará la investigación.

La Oficina de la Fiscal General de Florida confirmó que hay una investigación criminal en curso con la ayuda del fiscal general James Uthmeier mientras los funcionarios investigan lo ocurrido.

Eskamani también pidió acciones durante su conferencia de prensa.

Para estos animales, el tiempo se está agotando.

“Seguimos teniendo esperanza de que los 10 restantes sobrevivan”, dijo Glover.

La Fundación para la Conservación de Perezosos está impulsando una prohibición a las importaciones de perezosos capturados en estado salvaje hacia Estados Unidos. PETA también anunció una demanda.

Leer en español

State Rep. Anna Eskamani held a press conference Wednesday following another sloth death tied to Sloth World in Orlando. That latest loss now brings the total number of known sloth deaths connected to the facility to 55.

“Dumpling” is the third sloth to die in just days at the facility.

“Each time we lose one, it’s just a reminder how delicate they are and how ill some of them are,” said Central Florida Zoo CEO Richard Glover.

Dumpling was one of 13 sloths surrendered by Sloth World Orlando before it even opened. Zoo officials said Dumpling was among four animals that required intensive care.

“It was the one that had chronic diarrhea, that we have not been able to do anything about of the ones that are still with us,” Glover said.

Inside the zoo, staff members are now working around the clock to keep the remaining 10 sloths alive.

But what they are finding is devastating.

“It’s so disheartening for us because these animals ... they’ve been fed the wrong things,” Glover said.

Investigators say the sloths were given improper diets for an extended period. Testing has revealed serious health issues.

“We’ve seen the same reports saying they got brown rice. What we see is we’re testing their blood and we’re seeing levels — really low potassium levels, really low for other minerals that should be in their body that aren’t,” Glover said.

Now, the focus is shifting to accountability, but it remains unclear who will ultimately lead the investigation.

The Florida Attorney General’s Office confirmed a criminal investigation is underway with Attorney General James Uthmeier assisting as officials look into what happened.

Eskamani also called for action during her press conference.

For these animals, time is running out.

“We are still hopeful that the remaining 10 will survive,” Glover said.

The Sloth Conservation Foundation is pushing to ban imports of wild-caught sloths into the United States. PETA has also announced a lawsuit.

The agency released a two-page update of its investigation into the attack on Buford's Backyard Beer Garden in the early morning hours of March 1 that ended when gunman, Ndiaga Diagne, was killed by police.

The shooting happened after the United States and Israel launched an attack on Iran. Diagne was wearing clothes with an Iranian flag design and the words “Property of Allah."

Despite lacking direct evidence of a motive for the shooting, investigators said Diagne was likely triggered into violent behavior by the war against Iran, “culminating in a violent, impulsive attack" at the bar, the report said.

Investigators determined Diagne admired Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who had been killed. His affinity for Iran and its former leader were likely factors in the attack Diagne perpetrated on his own, investigators said.

“The investigation to date indicates Diagne was a lone actor,” the report said. He had never been the subject of an FBI investigation prior to the shooting.

Diagne, 53, was born in Senegal. He first entered the U.S. in 2000 on a B-2 tourist visa and became a lawful permanent resident six years later after marrying a U.S. citizen, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

“There is no evidence at this time that he was associated with a Foreign Terrorist Organization or that he received any direction, funding, or operational support for his attack,” the report said.

The bar is located in the city's popular hub of bars and nightclubs. Police said the gunman drove past the bar before circling back and firing the first shots from his SUV at people on the sidewalk and inside. He then parked, got out with a rifle and began shooting at people walking along the street before officers rushed to the intersection and shot him.

Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis has said officers arrived within 56 seconds of the first 911 call and killed the shooter after he fired at police.

Killed in the attack were 21-year-old Savitha Shan, 19-year-old Ryder Harrington and 30-year-old Jorge Pederson.

The FBI said the investigation into the attack remains open.

Leaders from various religious groups met last week with representatives from companies including Anthropic and OpenAI for the inaugural “Faith-AI Covenant” roundtable in New York to discuss how best to infuse morality and ethics into the fast-developing technology. It was organized by the Geneva-based Interfaith Alliance for Safer Communities, which seeks to take on issues such as extremism, radicalization and human trafficking. The roundtable is expected to be the first of several around the globe, including in Beijing, Nairobi and Abu Dhabi.

Tech executives need to recognize their power — and their responsibility — to make the right decisions, said Baroness Joanna Shields, a key partner in the initiative. She worked as a tech executive with stints at Google and Facebook before pivoting to British politics.

“Regulation can’t keep up with this," she said. “This dialogue, this direct connection is so important because the people who are building this understand the power and capabilities of what they’re building and they want to do it right — most of them.”

The goal of this initiative, according to Shields, is an eventual “set of norms or principles” informed by different groups and faiths, from Christians to Sikhs to Buddhists, that companies will abide by.

Challenges lie ahead

Present at the meeting were a variety of faith groups, including representatives from the Hindu Temple Society of North America, the Baha’i International Community, The Sikh Coalition, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, widely known as the Mormon church.

Before these companies initiated outreach, some traditions had issued their own ethical guidance on using AI. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has given a qualified approval of the technology in its handbook. “AI cannot replace the gift of divine inspiration or the individual work required to receive it. However, AI can be a useful tool to enhance learning and teaching,” it reads.

The Southern Baptist Convention, the largest Protestant denomination in the U.S., passed a resolution in 2023: “We must proactively engage and shape these emerging technologies rather than simply respond to the challenges of AI and other emerging technologies after they have already affected our churches and communities."

One challenge in creating a list of common principles is that global faiths, despite common ground, differ in their values and needs. “Religious communities see priorities differently,” said Rabbi Diana Gerson, a roundtable participant and the associate executive vice president of the New York Board of Rabbis.

The partnership highlights a growing coalition between faith and tech, born out of an effort to create moral AI — a contested concept which begs questions about whether that is possible and what it means.

“We want Claude to do what a deeply and skillfully ethical person would do in Claude’s position,” Anthropic states in the public “Claude Constitution” written for its chatbot. That constitution was made with the help of a host of religious and ethics leaders.

In this burgeoning alliance, Anthropic has been the most assertive, at least publicly, in their efforts to court faith leaders. The move follows a public dispute earlier this year with the Pentagon over military use of artificial intelligence after Anthropic said it would restrict its technology from being used to develop autonomous weapons or for mass surveillance of Americans.

“There’s some aspect of PR to it. The slogan was ‘Move fast and break things.’ And they broke too many things and too many people,” said Brian Boyd, the U.S. faith liaison for the nonprofit Future of Life Institute. “There’s both a moral obligation on the part of the companies that they’re belatedly recognizing, as well as I think, for some members of the companies, an earnest questioning.”

Some skepticism emerges

But other advocates for AI regulation and safety aren’t so sure these efforts are genuine.

“At best it’s a distraction. At worst it’s diverting attention from things that really matter,” said Rumman Chowdhury, the CEO of the nonprofit Humane Intelligence and the U.S. science envoy for AI under the Biden administration.

Chowdhury says she’s not inclined to believe religion is the best place to help answer questions surrounding AI and ethics, but thinks she understands why companies are increasingly turning to it.

“I think a very naive take that Silicon Valley has had for a couple of years related to generative AI was that we could arrive at some sort of universal principles of ethics,” she said. “They have very quickly realized that that’s just not true. That’s not real. So now they’re looking at maybe religion as a way of dealing with the ambiguity of ethically gray situations.”

It’s unclear to what extent these notoriously opaque companies are translating what they hear from faith leaders into action — and what that action might look like. But some critics fear the conversation about creating ethical versions of the technology distract from broader conversations about AI and its role in society.

“Under the guise of, ‘We’re gonna build all this stuff. That’s a given. And when we do build these things in these ways, how do we make sure that the end result is maybe good,’” said Dylan Baker, the lead research engineer at the Distributed AI Research Institute. “It’s like, ’Wait, wait, wait. We need to question whether we want to be building these things at all."

___

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

The undisputed star of the weekend? The F-22 Raptor.

Watching it defy the laws of physics, it’s easy to forget this isn’t science fiction. It’s the world’s premier fifth-generation stealth fighter -- one that requires a specially trained pilot to command its power.

There is only one demo pilot for the entire F-22 Raptor Demo Team: Capt. “LaZ” Letourneau.

For more information on this weekend’s air show, click here.

While serving in the military, Beckham turned to TrustedHousesitters.com to find someone to watch his home and Maverick during a short deployment.

That’s where he found Andy Jensen.

“I found Andy online. He had 12 good reviews. It seemed like a good pick at the time,” Beckham said.

Jensen, a South Florida man who wanted to experience Colorado, took the job. He flew to Aurora, and at first, everything seemed fine.

Beckham says Jensen sent updates, including photos of himself smiling with Maverick.

But in early April, while Beckham was overseas, both Maverick and Jensen disappeared. Beckham’s blue Subaru was also stolen.

Home surveillance video shows the two leaving the house on April 2.

Aurora police say the car was found in Denver about a month later with Maverick dead inside.

“Maverick suffered a lot in that car, and it looks like there may have been some external injuries,” Beckham said.

Now, Beckham wants answers -- where Jensen is, what happened, and why.

He says police are searching for him.

“The cellphone he did have, it appears to be offline. It’s not hitting cell towers since April 2. He has no credit cards, no debit cards. It appears he closed his bank account,” Beckham said.

Local 10 went to Jensen’s last listed address in Palmetto Bay.

Someone was home, but no one came to the door.

Police have not found Jensen and are asking for the public’s help in locating him. Officials say they are also working with the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office as the search continues.

A spokesperson from Trusted Housesitters released the following statement to Local 10: “Since the situation first came to our attention, we have maintained direct contact with Andrew Beckham and have been assisting law enforcement’s official investigation regarding the sitter. We are committed to supporting the police investigation and will continue to do so.”

Leer en español

The warning comes after four endangered leatherback turtles were killed in recent boat strikes in the Palm Beach County Intracoastal waterway.

From March through October, roughly 40,000 sea turtles come to Palm Beach County to nest.

But just as the season began, conservationists say four leather backs were killed by boat strikes.

“The loss of one of those individuals is a really great loss to the species as a whole,” said Dr. Heather Barron.

Barron says boat strikes can damage a turtle’s brain, spinal cord, limbs, and even internal organs.

“But one thing is certain,” she said. “They’re almost all pretty bad in terms of their impact on the animal. And the prognosis for the animal is often quite grave.”

And during nesting and breeding season, those strikes can make an already vulnerable population even more fragile.

“If many of the sea turtles that would nest in this area are hit by boats and killed, that will be fewer and fewer animals that will ever come back here,” said Barron.

Andy Dehart is the CEO of Lagerhead Marine Life Center.

“We’re critically affecting these species that come here for this valuable time in their life,” said Dehart. “We’re a long way from where we used to be where turtles were caught in by catch and turtles were caught for soup. This isn’t targeted injuries on turtles. It’s just an accident. But what we do hope is that people learn.”

With Memorial Day and the Fourth of July approaching, he says boaters play a key role in preventing these tragedies.

“It’s very preventable if people just monitor their speed,” said Dehart. “There’s no set speed limit. We’re not advocating for a set speed limit, but monitor, go safe in that first mile and a half from shore, put on polarized glasses, and if you can, have a spotter.”

A voluntary sea turtle protection zone remains in place until Oct. 31 and spans all 45 miles of Palm Beach County from shore to one mile out at sea.

This week, however, the company said that revenue dropped nearly 10% in its most recent quarter and sales of major appliances in North America tumbled 7%.

The company that also produces KitchenAid and Maytag products said that the Iran war has led to a “recession-level industry decline" that has shaken consumer confidence.

Whirlpool announced a 10% price hike in April, its largest in a decade, and said that a separate 4% price increase will happen in July to address “multiyear inflationary cost pressures.”

The company had absorbed the higher costs, choosing not to pass them on to customers, but that must change after the company posted a first quarter loss of $82 million, reversing last year's gains.

CEO Marc Bitzer said Thursday that the North American slide in sales has a precedent.

“This level of industry decline is similar to what we have observed during the global financial crisis and even higher than during other recessionary periods,” he said during a conference call.

Whirlpool said that its performance has been impacted by the Supreme Court's recent decision to strike down Trump's emergency tariffs. Rival appliance makers are seeking refunds to reduce the impact of those tariffs, disrupting pricing in the industry further.

The Benton Harbor, Michigan, company estimated that the tariff impact on its competitors was about 10% to 15%, while the impact on its business was around 5%, according to details in its earnings presentation.

But with consumers already worried about high grocery prices and escalating gas prices, many are holding off on big-ticket purchases like major appliances and instead trying to make due with what they already have.

“People are looking at the price of replacing appliances and realizing it’s not something they want to deal with right now,” Mark Stevenson, managing director and product designer at Stove Shield, said in a statement. “Instead, they’re asking how to avoid the damage in the first place.”

Whirlpool also announced that it is slashing its full-year earnings forecast to a range of $3 to $3.50 per share, from its prior outlook of $6 per share. It’s also suspending its dividend while it looks to reduce its debt this year.

Shares tumbled more than 12% Thursday.

Comey was charged in a two-count indictment last week with “knowingly and willfully" communicating a threat against Trump by posting an Instagram photo of seashells in the numerical arrangement of “86 47.”

Prosecutors allege the photo constituted a threat against Trump, the 47th president. Comey has said he assumed the seashell arrangement, which he says he found on a beach, reflected a political message — not a call to violence — and that he removed the post once he saw that some people were interpreting it as a threat.

He is currently set to appear Monday in a federal court in Greenville, North Carolina, but his lawyers urged a judge on Thursday to cancel that appearance. They noted that he had surrendered and appeared before a judge in Virginia, where he lives, and that the Justice Department has consented to their request.

The case is the second against Comey, a longtime perceived adversary of the Republican president, brought by Trump's Justice Department. An earlier unrelated prosecution accusing Comey of making a false statement to Congress was dismissed by a judge who concluded that the prosecutor who filed the case was illegally appointed.

Legal experts have questioned whether the Justice Department can meet the high legal standard of proving that Comey intended his Instagram post to be a threat. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has said investigators have evidence beyond just the post itself. He has not elaborated.

Merriam-Webster, the dictionary used by The Associated Press, says 86 is slang meaning “to throw out,” “to get rid of” or “to refuse service to.” It notes: “Among the most recent senses adopted is a logical extension of the previous ones, with the meaning of ‘to kill.’ We do not enter this sense, due to its relative recency and sparseness of use.”

Collins first confirmed the tremor to WCSH-TV in Maine on Wednesday after facing questions about her health from appearances in recent videos, including her campaign announcement video.

The condition causes trembling in Collins' hands, head and voice, and she said she has had it for the entirety of her nearly three-decade Senate career. It affects millions of Americans over the age of 40 and “does not interfere” with work, Collins said in a Thursday statement to The Associated Press. She said it is not a neurodegenerative condition.

“The tremor is occasionally inconvenient, and sometimes the subject of cruel comments online, but it does not hinder my ability to work and, as I said, is something that I have lived with for decades,” the statement said.

Health issues and candidates' ages have drawn increased scrutiny in high-profile elections following Democratic President Joe Biden’s decision not to seek reelection in 2024 at age 81. Those questions have only lingered with Republican President Donald Trump, who's 79 and in recent months has been seen with bruising on the back of his hand, sometimes concealed with makeup. The White House acknowledged last year that Trump was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency.

Collins is up for reelection in a seat Democrats need to flip to have a chance to take back the Senate. Her likely opponent is Democrat Graham Platner, an oyster farmer and combat veteran, after Democratic Gov. Janet Mills suspended her campaign last week. Age has been an issue in the contest, with Collins, 73, and Mills, 78, more than three decades older than Platner, 41.

Platner acknowledged early in his campaign his own health problems. He has spoken openly about chronic pain in his shoulder and knees stemming from combat service, and he has said he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder after serving at war. Platner has said he has a 100% disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs but continues to work as an oyster farmer.

“There are a lot of disabled combat veterans, or just disabled vets, at 100%, who still work,” Platner told WCSH last year. “It’s a very normal thing.”

Collins was first elected to the Senate in 1996 and said in her statement that she has had the condition for all of that time. Over the years, the condition has been noticeable in Collins’ debates and frequent public appearances.

As chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Collins has been at the forefront of the chamber’s many spending disputes this Congress, often leading the floor debate and providing the GOP’s closing arguments. She frequently engages with reporters in the hallways. Her streak of never missing a Senate vote is up to 9,966 and stands as the second-longest consecutive voting streak in the chamber’s history.

Tremors happen when nerves aren’t properly communicating with certain muscles. Essential tremor, sometimes called benign essential tremor, is one of the most common movement disorders, according to the National Institutes of Health.

The risk of developing it increases as people get older, but at least half of cases are inherited, meaning the tremor runs in the family, and those tend to begin at younger ages. It almost always involves shaky or trembling hands but also can affect the head, voice or lower limbs.

___

Kruesi reported from Providence, R.I. Associated Press writers Kevin Freking and Lauran Neergaard in Washington contributed to this report.

___

Follow the AP's coverage of U.S. Sen. Susan Collins at https://apnews.com/hub/susan-collins.

The Pentagon evaluates wind energy projects during the Federal Aviation Administration review process. But in recent weeks, it has stopped sending any projects back to the FAA, grinding the process to a halt, the American Clean Power industry association said.

In a statement Thursday, the Pentagon said its siting clearinghouse is actively evaluating land-based wind energy projects to ensure they do not impair national security or military operations, in accordance with statutory and regulatory requirements — a process that involves complex, time-consuming interagency coordination.

However, Jason Grumet, CEO of ACP, said there has never been anything remotely comparable to a backlog of this size or a near-systemwide halt in transmittals back to FAA. Calling it a “de facto moratorium” on new land-based wind energy development, he said if the projects remain stalled, it would dramatically obstruct the industry at a time when the power is needed to meet skyrocketing demand and help lower utility bills.

More than 250 projects are pending in over 30 states, totaling at least 30 gigawatts of energy that could power millions of homes if the wind farms are built, ACP said. Wind power is also a climate change solution, as it generates electricity cleanly without emitting planet-warming greenhouse gases.

President Donald Trump has frequently talked about his hatred of wind power and calls turbines ugly. When he returned to office, he ordered a temporary halt to leasing and permitting for wind energy projects. A federal judge struck down that order blocking wind energy development. Trump is particularly hostile toward offshore wind, and the administration recently started buying back leases to stop offshore wind development.

ACP wrote to the Pentagon in March to express its concerns over the scope and duration of delays for land-based wind energy projects. In response, Pentagon official Robert Thompson wrote on April 8 that the department is actively working to ensure wind projects' compatibility with the national security of the United States, that its role in evaluating energy development proposals, particularly wind turbines, is inherently complex and time-consuming and further review will be conducted “as soon as feasible.”

Thompson, the department's principal deputy assistant secretary for energy, installations and the environment, also said there has been delay due to the government shutdown in the fall.

“The department intends to complete review of all companies’ proposals efficiently without compromising the integrity of the review,” Thompson's letter states.

A separate letter to a wind energy developer, dated April 9, makes similar points.

Before a wind farm is built, the FAA conducts a regulatory review to determine whether there are any hazards to air navigation, since turbines exceed 200 feet. The FAA works with defense officials to evaluate whether these structures could pose a national security risk or interfere with radar. Wind developers and defense officials frequently negotiate mitigation agreements to address any concerns.

Wind farms are an attractive option for some farmers and ranchers, who earn money by leasing a portion of their land while continuing their agricultural operations. Top states for wind energy voted for Trump in 2024: Texas, Iowa, Oklahoma and Kansas. Democratic candidate Kamala Harris won Illinois, another windy state.

About 50 of the pending projects are in Texas.

Baringa, the global consultancy firm, said their clients are also saying things are stuck, with projects at different parts of the approval journey, and nothing is being signed. Many need to begin construction by a July 4 deadline to qualify for expiring clean energy tax credits, but they cannot do this without these signatures, said Tom Harper, partner at Baringa. And most are at the late stages of development, with considerable time and resources spent on them, he added.

Wind developers first noticed issues last summer when agreements they had already signed to mitigate any potential adverse impacts were not being countersigned by the Pentagon, despite this previously being routine, ACP said.

The situation escalated in recent weeks— the Pentagon stopped issuing new draft mitigation agreements in February even after negotiations had concluded, then in April canceled meetings to work on these agreements, the association said. Last week, even routine processing for projects that did not require mitigation measures stopped, ACP said.

___

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.

After the Yankees' 9-2 win over the Rangers, the team said Domínguez has a low grade AC sprain of his left shoulder, and will be put on the injured list. Concussion tests thus far were negative.

Domínguez, playing outfield for the Yankees for the second time this season, ran 81 feet to catch Nimmo's 101 mph shot. He gloved the ball 375 feet from the plate as his shoulder hit hard against the video advertising board.

Domínguez's sunglasses flew off as he fell to the warning track chest first, prompting center fielder Trent Grisham to come over as manager Aaron Boone jogged out to check on Domínguez along with head athletic trainer Tim Lentych, assistant athletic trainer Jimmy Downam and director of sports medicine and rehabilitation Michael Schuk.

Domínguez cupped his head in his glove and sat up after about a minute. He pointed to his shoulder and craned his neck as he was being examined, then walked to a cart under his own power and was seated as the cart drove away.

Cody Bellinger moved from right to left, Amed Rosario switched from third base to right and Ryan McMahon entered the game at third.

___

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

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said he expected Boyd to miss about six weeks.

“It's kind of the minor meniscus surgery so we know he's going to miss a month, six weeks,” Counsell said ahead of his team's game against the Cincinnati Reds. “Probably closer to six weeks with getting it ramped back up. That's what we're hopeful for. Obviously, we'll see how it all goes and I think the important thing is how much time do we miss throwing. That's probably the biggest thing right here. The knee is going to recover pretty quickly, but how much throwing down time do we have to take?”

Boyd, 35, injured the knee on Wednesday. The left-hander joins starters Cade Horton, Justin Steele and Jordan Wicks on the injured list. Horton (elbow) is out for the season while Steele (elbow) is not expected back until the second half.

Counsell said he had yet to decide how to fill the the scheduled start for Boyd (2-1, 6.00 ERA) on Friday at the Texas Rangers. Javier Assad and Ben Brown are both potential options to enter the rotation.

“We're just trying to think about the innings puzzle moving forward here," Counsell said. "And then you're also just trying to consider what's next. You have to play that game, unfortunately. You always have to play that game: What do we do if something else happens? We just have to make sure we're covered there. ... I don't think we have anybody completely stretched out as a starter right now. So that's what I'm talking about, the puzzle. We're just going to have to put that together. We'll just see what we get there on that day and what that means.”

The Cubs recalled reliever Trent Thornton from Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday and made another bullpen swap Thursday, recalling Gavin Hollowell and designating Corbin Martin for assignment.

Martin allowed three runs in the ninth inning Wednesday night as the Cubs blew a 4-2 lead before coming back to beat the Reds 7-6 on a walk-off walk in the 10th — their third straight walk-off win, 14th straight win at home and eighth straight overall. Martin had a 10.80 ERA in seven appearances.

Thornton pitched a scoreless 10th to pick up the win in his debut with the Cubs.

Hollowell, 28, had a 2.25 ERA in six appearances at Iowa.

The Cubs close out a four-game series with the Reds on Thursday, with Shota Imanaga (3-2, 2.40) facing Rhett Lowder (3-2, 5.09).

___

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

El cierre dejó a miles de trabajadores del sur de Florida desempleados de manera repentina.

“En una hora, todo terminó”, dijo el ex empleado Eric Tirado.

Muchos en la feria de empleo, organizada por CareerSource South Florida, dijeron que todavía tienen preguntas sin responder para su antiguo empleador.

Dijeron que no creen que recibirán su último cheque y que el seguro médico sigue siendo una gran incógnita.

Pero dijeron sentirse agradecidos de ver a la comunidad unirse para apoyarlos en un momento de necesidad.

“Cuando has estado allí por más de dos, tres, cuatro, cinco años, eso es todo. Se convierte en un estilo de vida. Se convierte en una rutina diaria”, dijo el ex empleado Mauricio Valenci. “Cambiar de un día para otro es muy difícil”.

Entre los posibles empleadores se encontraban American Airlines, el condado Miami-Dade y compañías privadas de aviación. También estuvieron representadas varias instituciones educativas que ofrecen oportunidades de reentrenamiento, incluyendo George T. Baker Aviation Technical College y Miami Dade College.

El representante de MDC Marcus Ortega dijo que la institución espera ayudar “a cualquiera que busque mejorar sus credenciales, ya sabes, mejorar un poco en lo que hace, o quizás cambiar a otra carrera o permanecer en la misma carrera pero buscar algo que fortalezca su currículum y prepararse para esta nueva transición”.

Para muchos ex empleados como Tirado, esa transición fue repentina, no planificada y no deseada.

“Bueno, tengo 67 años. Ya estaba contemplando retirarme quizás en tres años”, dijo. “Ellos se me adelantaron”.

Tirado dijo que quiere permanecer en la industria de la aviación.

Los organizadores de la feria dijeron que esperan que sea un punto de partida para trabajadores que podrían hacer la transición a una nueva industria que siga impulsando la economía local, como turismo, logística y servicio al cliente.

“Solo pienso que todo va a estar bien”, dijo Tirado. “Va a estar bien. Pero no lo sé”.

La feria estaba programada para extenderse hasta las 2 p.m. del jueves en el cuarto piso del Concourse J de MIA.

Leer en español

Coqui, a 2-year-old, 16-pound Chihuahua mix, was described by HSBC’s Cherie Wachter as an alert, energetic and affectionate dog who enjoys activity and attention.

Wachter said Coqui has been surrendered twice, in part due to inconsistent potty training, but remains a friendly companion who enjoys car rides, chasing lizards and sleeping under the covers.

Wachter also introduced Cutie, a 9-year-old cat who came to the shelter after her previous family moved.

Cutie recently underwent eyelid surgery to correct a condition that caused her eyelashes to irritate her eyes.

She has since recovered and is described as sweet and slightly shy at first before warming up, and is now available for adoption into a quieter home where she can spend her senior years.

Anyone who is interested in adopting a pet can visit HSBC’s website.

Coqui, una mezcla de chihuahua de 2 años y 16 libras, fue descrito por Cherie Wachter, de la HSBC, como un perro alerta, enérgico y cariñoso que disfruta la actividad y la atención.

Wachter dijo que Coqui ha sido entregado dos veces, en parte debido a problemas inconsistentes con el entrenamiento para hacer sus necesidades, pero sigue siendo un compañero amigable que disfruta los paseos en carro, perseguir lagartijas y dormir bajo las cobijas.

Wachter también presentó a Cutie, una gata de 9 años que llegó al refugio después de que su familia anterior se mudara.

Cutie recientemente fue sometida a una cirugía de párpados para corregir una condición que provocaba que sus pestañas irritaran sus ojos.

Desde entonces se ha recuperado y es descrita como dulce y un poco tímida al principio antes de entrar en confianza. Ahora está disponible para adopción en un hogar más tranquilo donde pueda pasar sus años dorados.

Cualquier persona interesada en adoptar una mascota puede visitar el sitio web de la HSBC.

Leer en español

Police took 32-year-old Jason Orlando Reid, who they said is homeless, into custody on Wednesday.

Officers said they were able to use their “crime analysis unit and video capabilities” to identify Reid as their suspect.

Investigators said one of their officers spotted Reid and took him into custody without incident.

He is facing multiple charges of burglary of an occupied dwelling and burglary of an unoccupied conveyance, as well as a charge of criminal mischief.

As of Thursday morning, Reid remained behind bars at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center with a bond listed as “to be set.”

Police took 32-year-old Jason Orlando Reid, who they said is homeless, into custody on Wednesday.

Officers said they were able to use their “crime analysis unit and video capabilities” to identify Reid as their suspect.

Investigators said one of their officers spotted Reid and took him into custody without incident.

He is facing multiple charges of burglary of an occupied dwelling and burglary of an unoccupied conveyance, as well as a charge of criminal mischief.

As of Thursday morning, Reid remained behind bars at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center with a bond listed as “to be set.”

Según una orden de arresto preparada por un agente de la Policía de Orlando, el rapero, cuyo nombre real es Bill Kapri, enfrenta un cargo grave de tráfico de MDMA.

El arresto se deriva de una investigación de noviembre de 2025 realizada por la Policía de Orlando luego de que agentes respondieran a reportes de disparos cerca de Children’s Safety Village en Fairvilla Road, en Orlando.

Según la orden, los agentes llegaron y encontraron a varias personas reunidas alrededor de dos vehículos, incluyendo una SUV BMW y una SUV Lamborghini.

La Policía indicó que los agentes percibieron olor a cannabis quemado proveniente del BMW y realizaron una inspección del vehículo, donde encontraron cannabis y una pastilla rosada que dio positivo a MDMA. Durante la investigación, Kapri, de 28 años y actualmente residente en Fort Lauderdale, se acercó a los agentes y observó la inspección, indica la orden.

Los investigadores luego registraron la SUV Lamborghini y reportaron haber encontrado presuntos narcóticos, dinero en efectivo y armas de fuego dentro del vehículo.

Según la orden, los agentes descubrieron una bolsa rosada que contenía una sustancia identificada posteriormente por el Departamento de Cumplimiento de la Ley de Florida como MDMA, junto con aproximadamente $37,000 USD en efectivo y documentos con el nombre de Kapri.

La orden indica que los investigadores también compararon artículos encontrados dentro del vehículo, incluyendo una bolsa y un encendedor, con imágenes publicadas en las cuentas de Instagram de Kodak Black.

Las autoridades dijeron que funcionarios del FDLE confirmaron posteriormente que la sustancia recuperada de la bolsa era MDMA, con un peso aproximado de 25 gramos.

El rapero y otras personas en la escena negaron que la bolsa les perteneciera. Sin embargo, cuando se le informó que había dinero dentro de la bolsa, Kapri intentó en múltiples ocasiones que los agentes le entregaran el efectivo, afirmando que pertenecía a su negocio, según la orden.

Con base en la investigación, la Policía de Orlando solicitó una orden para acusar a Kapri de tráfico de MDMA entre 14 y 200 gramos.

Se espera que Kapri comparezca ante el tribunal la tarde del jueves.

The proposal will start the formal process of rolling back parts of the first-ever limits on PFAS in drinking water finalized during former President Joe Biden's administration. Officials at the time found they increased the risk of cardiovascular disease, certain cancers and babies being born with low birth weight.

Jessica Kramer, head of the Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Water, said at a conference in Washington, D.C., on Thursday the agency intended to rescind and revisit certain limits she said were improperly issued by the Biden administration. The move would align with actions the EPA had said a year ago they intended to take.

The proposal comes at a time when the agency is facing scrutiny from the Make America Healthy Again movement on issues like PFAS and pesticides. The group in part advocates against corporate environmental harms and has been championed by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The details of the plan haven't yet been released, but officials previously said they would propose rescinding limits on three types of PFAS, including what are known as GenX substances found in North Carolina. They will then reconsider them. They will do the same with a limit on a mixture of several types of PFAS.

“We need drinking water rules that are legally defensible. We need drinking water regulations that are not susceptible to legal challenge because the explicit process in the Safe Drinking Water Act wasn’t followed. And so that is a huge concern,” said Kramer at a conference focused on ensuring everyone has access to safe drinking water and wastewater.

She said the intent is to start the process over and follow the law. The Biden administration faced allegations they did not follow the correct legal process, moving too quickly on limits on the less common types of PFAS the agency is proposing to rescind limits for.

The agency said they are committed to helping utilities reduce PFAS in drinking water. The agency provides technical assistance and there have been billions of dollars in extra funding available to assist in installing and navigating the expensive and sometimes complex treatment that's needed to remove the chemicals.

The Biden administration’s rule also set tight standards for the two common types of PFAS, referred to as PFOA and PFOS, at 4 parts per trillion. The EPA has said they intend to keep those standards, but give utilities two extra years — until 2031 — to comply.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said last year when they first announced they would take this action that delaying the deadline was “common-sense flexibility.”

“This will support water systems across the country, including small systems in rural communities, as they work to address these contaminants," he said at the time.

On drinking water broadly, the Trump administration said they would defend tough standards to reduce lead in tap water. That's in contrast to their efforts to slash health protections for coal and other polluting energy sources.

“Where they may have taken a wrecking ball to those rules, this is a little more surgical and measured in part because of the resonance of these issues among voters,” said Melanie Benesh, vice president of government affairs with the nonprofit Environmental Working Group.

Forcing utilities to treat for several types of PFAS can help ensure that other potentially harmful substances are filtered out of water, too, according to the nonprofit.

Benesh also said the move is likely illegal — the Safe Drinking Water Act, which authorizes EPA to regulate contaminants in drinking water, prevents officials from issuing regulations that are weaker than those previously in place.

The public will have a chance to comment before the change is finalized.

___

The Associated Press receives support from the Walton Family Foundation for coverage of water and environmental policy. The AP is solely responsible for all content. For all of AP’s environmental coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment

Bajo un cielo gris del sur de Florida, las placas brillaban y las banderas fueron bajadas mientras muchos de los presentes cargaban con un peso que ningún uniforme policial puede proteger.

Uno de los hombres homenajeados fue el sargento David Cajuso, de 33 años, un veterano de 10 años del departamento.

La Patrulla de Carreteras de Florida indicó que Cajuso perdió el control de su motocicleta en la I-75 cerca de Hialeah mientras se dirigía al trabajo.

Fue uno de los 11 agentes homenajeados durante el evento del jueves.

Sus nombres fueron pronunciados cuidadosamente y con solemnidad mientras sus seres queridos contenían lágrimas que ninguna palabra podría consolar por completo.

Leer en español

According to an arrest warrant prepared by an Orlando police officer, the rapper, whose real name is Bill Kapri, faces a felony charge of trafficking in MDMA.

The arrest stems from a November 2025 investigation by Orlando police after officers responded to reports of gunfire near Children’s Safety Village on Fairvilla Road in Orlando.

According to the warrant, officers arrived to find several people gathered around two vehicles, including a BMW SUV and a Lamborghini SUV.

Police said officers smelled burnt cannabis coming from the BMW and conducted a search of the vehicle, where they found cannabis and a pink pill that tested positive for MDMA. During the investigation, Kapri, 28, who is currently living in Fort Lauderdale, approached officers and watched the search, the warrant states.

Investigators later searched the Lamborghini SUV and reported finding suspected narcotics, cash and firearms inside the vehicle.

According to the warrant, officers discovered a pink bag containing a substance later identified by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement as MDMA, along with about $37,000 in cash and documents bearing Kapri’s name.

The warrant states investigators also compared items found inside the vehicle, including a bag and lighter, to images posted on Kodak Black’s Instagram accounts.

Authorities said FDLE officials later confirmed the substance recovered from the bag was MDMA, weighing approximately 25 grams.

The rapper and others at the scene denied that the bag was theirs, however when he was informed that there was money in the bag, Kapri tried multiple times to have officers hand him the cash, saying it belonged to his business, the warrant stated.

Based on the investigation, Orlando police sought a warrant charging Kapri with trafficking in MDMA between 14 and 200 grams.

Kapri is expected to appear in court Thursday afternoon.

Leer en español

Under a gray South Florida sky, badges gleamed and flags were lowered while many of the hearts in attendance carried the kind of wight no police uniform can protect against.

One of the men honored was 33-year-old Sgt. David Cajuso, a 10-year veteran of the department.

Florida Highway Patrol said Cajuso lost control of his motorcycle off I-75 near Hialeah while on his way to work.

He was one of 11 officers honored during Thursday’s event.

Their names were spoken carefully and deliberately as loved ones fought back tears that no words could ever fully comfort.

The self-taught sculptor from Utah who works in Mexico is keenly aware of his place as an outsider within the cliquey art world, and is bracing for the critical gaze as he takes one of the most prestigious stages in contemporary art.

A selection process that has been described as “opaque” has cast a shadow over the opening.

Institutions that typically vie for the coveted Biennale commission shied away out of apparent concern that they would be subjected to administration politics after the open call removed language focusing on diversity, equity and inclusion and replaced it with requirements to promote “American values.”

In a seemingly ironic act, Allen created a bronze evil eye to hang on the exterior of the brick, Jeffersonian-style U.S. Pavilion to ward off bad vibes, he joked. It is one of a dozen new pieces that he made for an exhibition that will likely be a defining moment in his 30-year career.

Just days before the Biennale’s opening on Saturday, the evil eye still had not arrived.

“This is really the first circumstance in my life as an artist where I felt the need to defend myself, or my work,’’ Allen told The Associated Press during a walk-through of the pavilion this week. He acknowledged that having lived outside the critical eye for the last three decades “has been actually a pleasure.”

The outsider artist

Allen makes biomorphic sculptures in wood, stone and bronze, and is reluctant to name them to give viewers “a moment of creation when they can decide what it is.”

The Biennale exhibition, titled “Call Me the Breeze,” includes works he made over the last 20 years, interspersed with new work. Alma said he chose the title to reflect his ability to get around obstacles.

“And that’s been my necessity and it’s also because of being self-taught and not having any institutional support very often in life,” he said.

The pavilion’s commissioner, Jeffrey Uslip, said Alma’s institutional independence was part of the appeal.

“I am deeply interested and invested in artists who are not, I guess, academicized … or lobotomized,’’ he said.

Lost and found commission

A prior proposal for artist Robert Lazzarini to stage the show, curated by art historian John Ravenal, fell apart in September, despite having secured U.S. State Department approval, after the project’s required institutional sponsor backed out, Ravenal told AP.

A U.S. State Department attempt to link the Lazzarini project to the newly formed American Arts Conservancy, failed, and a short time later the new project with the AAC as sponsor, Uslip as curator and Allen as artist was announced.

Uslip declined to discuss the selection process.

Ravenal called the process highly unusual, with no apparent committee vetting or application process, noting that the application deadline had expired in July.

“It’s really a loss of a 40-year history of open call and peer review,’’ Ravenal told AP by telephone, describing Allen as “a pawn in this whole thing.”

Allen is aware his willingness to mount the show has been the source of some backlash. But he insists that the Trump administration has not interfered with the show in any way.

“My art is not propaganda,” he said.

Wrong sheep, right moment

In the pavilion’s courtyard, a headless, and thus directionless, sheep stands as a self-portrait of Alma as an outsider. He described it as “a bit shunned because it’s the wrong sheep.”

His most recent work includes bronze wall sculptures that he treats with chemicals in a form of painting, treating the hard metal “as an instantaneous material, like watercolor,’’ he said.

Alma’s journey to the Biennale included a period of homelessness in New York City when he sold his creations from atop an ironing board, a move of admitted desperation that soft-launched his artistic career, establishing his first collectors.

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Palm Springs Art Museum own pieces of Allen’s work, and he participated in the 2014 Whitney Biennial. He made his European debut in Brussels in 2022.

After getting the Biennale commission, he made his first trip ever to Venice in November to view the U.S. Pavilion, a neoclassic brick building built around a courtyard and rotunda. A painting by Hieronymus Bosch titled “The Visions of Hereafter” at Venice’s Accademia depicting heaven, hell and purgatory inspired the show’s organizing principle.

“I wanted there to be a bit of the chaos that we go through,” he said.

Beyond his body of work, Allen attributes his selection to the fact that “I’m just ready to do things at the last minute” and accept challenges as they come.

“When they do, I’m prepared to try it, and fail at it. That’s fine,” he said.

Leer en español

Every single day, roughly 1,500 tons of flowers arrive at MIA, making them the airport’s largest import.

Many of the beautiful blooms come from Colombia.

The flower industry generates about $1.8 billion in annual revenue.

Before those sweet-smelling arrangements arrive in your mother’s arms, every petal gets inspected.

Invasive species could ruin the local ecology, which is almost as bad as disappointing mom with a bug in her bouquet.

“Behind every bouquet, there’s a journey and a responsibility, because the vast majority of these flowers come right here into MIA,” said Daniel Alonzo with U.S. Customs and Border Protection. “Ninety-one percent of all flowers come through here, and that’s where our CBP specialist have been. They’re not just here to move flowers quickly. Their role is to protect the American agriculture, our economy, and really our way of life.”

Todos los días, aproximadamente 1,500 toneladas de flores llegan a MIA, convirtiéndolas en la mayor importación del aeropuerto.

Muchas de las hermosas flores provienen de Colombia.

La industria floral genera alrededor de $1.8 mil millones USD en ingresos anuales.

Antes de que esos arreglos aromáticos lleguen a los brazos de tu madre, cada pétalo es inspeccionado.

Las especies invasoras podrían arruinar la ecología local, algo casi tan malo como decepcionar a mamá con un insecto en su ramo.

“Detrás de cada ramo, hay un recorrido y una responsabilidad, porque la gran mayoría de estas flores llegan justo aquí a MIA”, dijo Daniel Alonzo, de la Oficina de Aduanas y Protección Fronteriza de Estados Unidos. “El 91% de todas las flores pasan por aquí, y ahí es donde están nuestros especialistas de CBP. No solo están aquí para mover flores rápidamente. Su función es proteger la agricultura estadounidense, nuestra economía y realmente nuestra forma de vida”.

Leer en español

The shutdown meant thousands of workers in South Florida were suddenly unemployed.

“In one hour, it was over,” laid-off employee Eric Tirado said.

Many at the job fair, hosted by CareerSource South Florida, said they still have unanswered questions for their former employer.

They said they they don’t believe they’ll get their last paycheck and health insurance remains a big question mark.

But they said they’re thankful to see the community come together to support them in their time of need.

“When you’ve been there for over two, three, four, five years ― that’s it. It becomes a lifestyle. It becomes a daily routine,“ laid-off employee Mauricio Valenci said. ”To just change from one day to the next is very difficult.”

Prospective employers included American Airlines, Miami-Dade County and private aviation companies. A number of educational institutions offering retraining opportunities were also represented, including George T. Baker Aviation Technical College and Miami Dade College.

MDC representative Marcus Ortega said the institution hopes to help “anyone that’s looking to maybe basically upscale their credentials, you know, get a little bit better at what they do, or maybe move into another career or stay within the same career but look for something to polish up their resumes and get ready for this new transition.”

For many former employees like Tirado, that transition was a sudden, unplanned and unwanted.

“Well, I’m 67 years old. I was already contemplating retiring maybe in three years,” he said. “They beat me to it.”

Tirado said he wants to stay in the aviation industry.

Organizers of the job fair said they’re hoping it’s a starting point for workers maybe transitioning to a new industry that still fuels the local economy, like tourism, logistics and customer service.

“(I’m) just thinking that it’s gonna be OK,” Tirado said. “It’s gonna be OK. But I don’t know.”

The fair is scheduled to run until 2 p.m. Thursday on the fourth floor of MIA’s Concourse J.

The actor, director and producer lay down in a doctor's office in Seoul and underwent microinjections into his face of DNA from salmon sperm. The hope was to reduce inflammation and improve elasticity.

“I look like a got a little sunburn and a little redder than usual, but it’s not bad,” he says to a camera crew after the procedure. “OK, I’m camera ready.”

Kim was putting his face on the line as part of the new CNN series “K-Everything: The Global Rise of Korean Culture,” his love letter to K-beauty, K-pop, K-food and K-film. It debuts Saturday on CNN International and is also available on CNN and HBO Max.

“It's an examination of how Korea has risen in the course of three short generations from a war-torn third world country to one of the most modern places in the world,” Kim says in an interview. “We’ll take a look at how that’s happened through food, through cinema, through beauty products and through music.”

What's the show about?

At a vibrant kimchi festival in Pyeongchang, Kim explores how K-food is reshaping fine dining across the globe. In other episodes, he meets actor Lee Byung-hun, “Gangnam Style” singer-songwriter Psy, BigBang's Taeyang and the songwriters behind the Oscar-winning song “Golden.”

“For those who’ve never been to Korea, this is a nice introduction in a way that is not something taught in a classroom or in a textbook,” Kim says.

In the beauty episode, Kim chats with makeup artist and influencer LeoJ and model Irene Kim on how beauty standards have changed. He tries various serums and face masks and even visits a factory where snail slime is collected to be used in various products.

“I got to meet people from different walks of life, from different cities, from different economic classes, and it just broadened my understanding of the culture,” he says.

Kim was born in South Korea but moved to the United States when he was 1, returning frequently. That makes “K-Everything” a personal journey, which also includes his parents.

Seoul has undergone such an economic and cultural boom that all the landmarks his parents knew from when they were teenagers were gone and they relied on him to navigate. “It was almost a foreign country to them,” he says.

‘A trusted guide’

Kim joins a crowded field of celeb travel hosts, which includes Tony Shalhoub, Rainn Wilson, Eugene Levy, Stanley Tucci,Orlando Bloom, Zac Efron, José Andrés, Chris Hemsworth, Will Smith, Eva Longoria and Ewan McGregor.

Kim, the “Lost” star who recently earned a Tony Award nomination, is a fan of the late chef and TV host Anthony Bourdain, who helped create the role of modern TV travel host.

“I wouldn’t say that this show is as irreverent as Anthony Bourdain’s show was, but I loved it because I felt like he was showing me his take on each country and he was a trusted guide,” he says. “If I can be that for some people then that’s the spirit that I’d like to bring into this show.”

Amy Entelis, executive vice president for talent, CNN Originals and creative development, says Kim brings a unique and deeply personal perspective to the series.

“From the first time I met him, it was clear he was incredibly well equipped to tackle this — deeply passionate about the subject and highly knowledgeable. He was also very focused on making sure the way we look at Korean culture translates to a broad global audience, really putting a spotlight on it,” she says.

Kim has never played TV host, but he's an avid traveler and he's not a fish out of water in Korea. He says despite stretching himself, he felt comfortable.

“I get to introduce the world to a culture that I love and have gotten to know and has informed who I am as a performer and as a human being. So to me, it was strangely comfortable and it didn’t feel at all like I was stepping outside of my comfort zone.”

Kim hopes the series can help non-Koreans better understand a culture that has influenced so much of the globe of late and address anti-Asian racism, which surged during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“If we can start to understand one another a little bit better through culture, then I think it is one step toward bringing together a global community. And I think the world could use a little more understanding in general.”

Davis, who rose to stardom as a little league pitching sensation, followed developments as WNBA players negotiated historic salaries. As she enters the inaugural season of the WPBL, Davis sees those record gains as a signal to the next generation of women's leagues about what is possible.

“Wanting to be a WNBA player growing up and seeing it not be as huge as it is now,” Davis said, “and just seeing the growth — it’s amazing. I’m excited for what’s to come.”

As the WNBA begins its season under the new CBA, emerging women's sports leagues like baseball and hockey are looking at that progress as a promising roadmap for growth. At the same time, leaders of those startup leagues recognize the WNBA's growth was shaped by decades of player advocacy, work stoppage threats and athletes playing elsewhere to supplement their incomes.

“The WNBA is definitely an example of a league that had to grind and keep showing its worth over and over,” said Justine Siegal, co-founder of the WPBL, which debuts in August. “The recognition is overdue and well-deserved. For us as a new women’s pro league, we don’t see it as the beginning. We see it is we’re part of a momentum that fans want to see.”

Newer women's leagues try to capitalize on current boom

The WNBA's new seven-year CBA will raise the league's salary cap from $1.5 million to $7 million in the first year of the deal. It will also improve player experience with codified charter flights, first-class travel accommodations and expanded mental health support. Perhaps most notably, the deal marks a new era of player compensation, with stars like four-time MVP A'ja Wilson making more than $1 million for the first time in WNBA history.

Those milestones are, in part, the result of surging popularity in women's basketball, with stars like Caitlin Clark becoming household names and driving up viewership. After securing a landmark media rights deal in 2024, players recognized a pivotal opportunity to demand a bigger share of that growing revenue.

“We can kind of show (other leagues) what worked and obviously the strength in numbers,” said New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart. “Realizing the value of your league and your teams."

Newer leagues are still far from the financial scale of leagues like the WNBA or National Women's Soccer League, which is in its 14th year and has benefitted from years of equal pay efforts. A recent report published by the accounting firm Deloitte said soccer and basketball are expected to be the top revenue-generating women’s sports in 2026, with each accounting for 35% of overall revenues.

Still newer leagues are watching closely as they try and capitalize on the current boom those established organizations helped create.

“There is a lot for us to take away from both the player solidarity that led to the deal and the substance of the deal itself,” said, Malaika Underwood, executive director of the Professional Women's Hockey League Players Association, in an email. “In many ways, this new CBA has raised important benchmarks for what women athletes should expect across professional sports.”

Growth won't happen overnight

She added while that kind of growth won’t happen overnight for the PWHL — which is concluding its third season— the league believes it has set itself up for similar success. That has been evident in how the PWHL has blown past initial attendance and revenue projections since its 2024 launch. After adding two franchises last year, the eight-team PWHL is preparing to expand by as many as four more for next season.

Other leagues, like Women's Elite Rugby (WER), are learning from WNBA players' unified approach to advocacy, while recognizing their own unique financial hurdles.

The WNBA, entering its 30th season, is partially owned by the NBA, and while the PWHL isn't financially tied to the NHL, it has been able to leverage partnerships through marketing and shared venues.

That's not the case for WER, which is entering its second season.

“There wasn’t a billionaire benefactor who was willing to write a big check and say, ‘Let’s get this going no matter what the cost,’" said Phil Camm, the league's chief commercial officer. “So we can learn from things, but we have to approach it from a very different perspective.”

Because of the current investment in the women’s sports ecosystem, David Berri, an economics professor at Southern Utah University, predicts it won't be long before women's athletes in rugby, baseball and other emerging leagues become household names and enjoy the same benefits that WNBA players long fought for.

“By the time you get to the end of the century, people are going look back to this point and go, ‘I don’t get it, why weren’t you showing it on television?'" Berri said. "'Why wasn’t it obvious that this was a good idea?’ It’ll seem obvious at that point that you should have done that.'”

___

AP Sports Writer John Wawrow and Women's Basketball Writer Doug Feinberg contributed to this report.

___

AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball

David Lamont Scipp, de 18 años, enfrenta un cargo de robo armado con arma de fuego o arma mortal en relación con el robo del 6 de julio en General Smoke Shop, en el área de Westgate del condado, según registros carcelarios.

Agentes de la Oficina del Sheriff de Miami-Dade dijeron que el robo ocurrió poco después de las 7 p.m. en General Smoke Shop, ubicado en el 2975 de la calle NW 62, donde un empleado trabajaba detrás del mostrador en ese momento.

Según los investigadores, Corey Lanard Hayes Jr. condujo un Honda Accord azul que transportaba a Scipp y a Malik Jacari Crossley hasta el estacionamiento de una iglesia cercana antes del robo.

Las autoridades dijeron que Hayes, de 19 años, primero entró solo al smoke shop e hizo una compra en efectivo antes de regresar al vehículo. Luego, Scipp y Crossley entraron juntos al negocio mientras Hayes permanecía afuera, dijeron los agentes.

Los investigadores dijeron que el dúo sacó pistolas de debajo de sus camisas y exigió dinero y propiedad al empleado.

Según un informe de arresto, la víctima les dijo a los sospechosos que no tenía acceso a la caja fuerte y luego fue escoltada a punta de pistola hacia la parte trasera de la tienda mientras los sospechosos buscaban dinero en efectivo y mercancía.

Las autoridades dijeron que la víctima finalmente les informó a los ladrones que había aproximadamente $300 USD dentro de una mochila. Los investigadores dijeron que Scipp tomó la mochila mientras Crossley, de 19 años, continuaba apuntando con una pistola a la víctima.

Los agentes dijeron que los sospechosos robaron productos de CBD y grinders del mostrador delantero antes de que Hayes huyera con el grupo en el Honda Accord.

La víctima corrió desde la parte trasera de la tienda hacia una residencia cercana, donde los agentes fueron alertados, según los investigadores.

Las autoridades dijeron que las cámaras de vigilancia de la tienda captaron el robo, así como a los sospechosos regresando al vehículo después del crimen.

Tras una investigación, los detectives arrestaron el miércoles a Scipp, residente del vecindario Little Haiti de Miami, como el tercer sospechoso. Los investigadores dijeron que fue trasladado a la sede de la MDSO, donde fue informado de sus derechos Miranda e invocó su derecho a guardar silencio.

Hasta el jueves, Scipp permanecía detenido en el Centro Correccional Turner Guilford Knight, donde su fianza figuraba como “pendiente por establecerse”.

Los registros muestran que Crossley permanecía detenido sin derecho a fianza en el Centro de Detención Metrowest, mientras que Hayes ya no aparecía en los registros carcelarios en línea de Miami-Dade.

Leer en español

David Lamont Scipp, 18, faces one count of armed robbery with a firearm or deadly weapon in connection with the July 6 robbery at General Smoke Shop in the county’s Westgate area, according to jail records.

Deputies with the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office said the robbery occurred just after 7 p.m. at General Smoke Shop, located at 2975 NW 62nd St., where an employee was working behind the counter at the time.

According to investigators, Corey Lanard Hayes Jr. drove a blue Honda Accord carrying Scipp and Malik Jacari Crossley to a nearby church parking lot before the robbery.

Authorities said Hayes, 19, first entered the smoke shop alone and made a cash purchase before returning to the car. Scipp and Crossley then went inside the business together while Hayes remained outside, deputies said.

Investigators said the pair pulled handguns from underneath their shirts and demanded money and property from the employee.

According to an arrest report, the victim told the suspects he did not have access to the safe and was then escorted at gunpoint to the back of the store while the suspects searched for cash and merchandise.

The victim eventually told the robbers there was about $300 inside a backpack, authorities said. Investigators said Scipp grabbed the backpack while Crossley, 19, continued pointing a handgun at the victim.

Deputies said the suspects stole CBD products and grinders from the front counter before Hayes drove the group away in the Honda Accord.

The victim ran from the rear of the store to a nearby residence, where deputies were notified, according to investigators.

Authorities said surveillance cameras from the store captured the robbery as well as the suspects returning to the vehicle after the crime.

Following an investigation, detectives arrested Scipp, who lives in Miami’s Little Haiti neighborhood, as the third suspect on Wednesday. Investigators said he was taken to MDSO headquarters, where he was read his Miranda rights and invoked his right to remain silent.

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

Records show Crossley was being held without bond at the Metrowest Detention Center, while Hayes was no longer listed in Miami-Dade online jail records.

Hill, de 32 años, compareció ante el tribunal vestido con una camisa blanca, sentado junto a sus abogados y manteniendo una expresión seria durante todo el proceso. Hall y su equipo legal estaban sentados al otro lado de la sala.

Según una demanda de 15 páginas, Hall y Hill se conocieron en mayo de 2023 después de que él la invitó a pasar varios días en su casa de Southwest Ranches. La demanda alega que Hall participó en ejercicios de línea ofensiva junto a Hill y su entrenador durante la visita.

El documento afirma que las tensiones aumentaron después de que Hall presuntamente empujó a Hill hacia atrás durante uno de los ejercicios, lo que hizo reír a los presentes, incluidos miembros de la familia de Hill. La demanda también alega que Hill se sintió avergonzado y, poco después, embistió a Hall durante una jugada posterior, causándole una fractura en la pierna derecha.

Hall, de 36 años, fue sometida a una cirugía que incluyó “implantación de hardware metálico”, según la demanda, y ahora asiste semanalmente a terapia física. Ella alega que continúa experimentando dolor persistente y debilidad.

También afirmó que Hill no le brindó atención médica cuando ocurrió el incidente.

Ella busca hasta $50,000 USD en daños, alegando agresión, agresión física, imposición intencional de angustia emocional y negligencia.

El equipo legal de Hill negó haber actuado incorrectamente, argumentando en documentos judiciales que Hall fue negligente al participar en lo que describieron como ejercicios de fútbol americano extenuantes y potencialmente peligrosos.

La selección del jurado continúa. Se espera que el caso avance a juicio una vez que se conforme el panel.

Hill fue liberado de los Dolphins en febrero después de pasar cuatro temporadas con el equipo.

Lea la demanda en el documento a continuación.

MC Docket (13)

Jury selection began Wednesday, with six jurors chosen from a pool of 100 applicants.

Leer en español

Hill, 32, appeared in court dressed in a white shirt, seated with his attorneys and maintaining a serious expression throughout the proceedings. Hall and her legal team were seated across the courtroom.

According to a 15-page complaint, Hall and Hill met in May 2023 after Hill invited her to spend several days at his Southwest Ranches home. The lawsuit alleges Hall participated in offensive line drills alongside Hill and his trainer during the visit.

The filing claims tensions escalated after Hall allegedly pushed Hill backward during one of the drills, which made observers laugh, including members of Hill’s family. The suit also alleges that Hill became embarrassed and, shortly after, charged into Hall during a subsequent play, causing a fracture to her right leg.

Hall, 36, underwent surgery that included “metal hardware impantation,” according to the lawsuit, and now attends weekly physical therapy. She alleges she continues to experience persistent pain and weakness.

She also claimed that Hill failed to get her any medical attention when the incident occurred.

She is seeking up to $50,000 in damages, alleging assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligence.

Hill’s legal team has denied wrongdoing, arguing in court filings that Hall was negligent in participating in what they described as strenuous and potentially dangerous football drills.

Jury selection is ongoing. The case is expected to proceed to trial once a panel is seated.

Hill was released from the Dolphins in February after spending four seasons with the team.

Read the lawsuit in the document below.

MC Docket (13)

Israel meanwhile said it killed three Hezbollah militants in a strike on the southern suburbs of Beirut the day before.

Hamas negotiator Khalil al-Hayya's 32-year-old son, Azzam, was wounded by a strike in Gaza City on Wednesday that killed another person and wounded several others. The Israeli military has not commented on the strike. The older al-Hayya is based abroad.

Israel has continued to carry out regular strikes against what it says are militant targets — also killing civilians — since a U.S.-brokered ceasefire halted major military operations in October. That agreement also led to the release of the remaining hostages taken in Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack that sparked the war.

Key stipulations of the agreement remain unmet, including the disarmament of Hamas, the deployment of an international stabilization force and Israel's withdrawal from the half of the territory its troops still control. Israel and Hamas have accused each other of violations.

Israel has killed several Hamas leaders and their relatives

Hamas accused Israel of trying to pressure negotiators through targeted killings. It was not clear if the younger al-Hayya was the target of the strike.

In comments to Al Jazeera after his son was wounded, Al-Hayya said that if his son was targeted, “it would be an honor to me, to him, and to all Palestinians.”

When asked about disarming, al-Hayya said Hamas would be ready to discuss the second phase of the ceasefire agreement only after Israel fulfills the first phase, which includes a cessation of hostilities and a surge in humanitarian aid.

Israeli strikes have killed several top Hamas leaders and their family members over the years. Another son of al-Hayya, Hammam, was killed in an Israeli strike on Hamas leaders in Qatar in September.

Al-Hayya's daughter, Tasnim, speaking at Shifa Hospital in Gaza, said her father's hand would not be forced by the deaths of his children.

“We are like all our people. Everyone has suffered and everyone has sacrificed. We are one of them,” she said.

Palestinians still struggle despite shaky ceasefire

An Israeli strike on Thursday killed three Hamas-affiliated security forces at a guard post, according to Shifa Hospital. A fourth security officer was critically wounded, the Hamas-run Interior Ministry said. The Israeli military said it struck a Hamas command center.

More than 72,000 people have been killed in Gaza since Israel launched its offensive in response to Hamas' 2023 attack, in which militants killed some 1,200 people and took 251 hostage. Palestinians in Gaza are still contending with myriad daily struggles, from lack of water to rodent infestations in sprawling tent camps.

Relatives of three people killed Wednesday in a separate Israeli strike on Gaza gathered in the courtyard of Shifa Hospital on Thursday to say their final goodbyes, embracing as they wept.

The family members had just moved out of a school where they were sheltering and were setting up new tents when they were struck. A man, his son and his nephew were killed, according to a relative, Yahiya Kishko.

A rare strike on Beirut

In Lebanon, the Israeli military said it had killed Ahmed Balout, who it identified as a commander in Hezbollah's elite Radwan Force, along with two other militants. There was no immediate comment from Hezbollah.

Wednesday's strike occurred in the southern suburbs of Beirut, where Hezbollah has a large presence but which is also home to many civilians. It was the first time Israel had struck the area since a U.S.-brokered ceasefire was announced on April 17. Fighting has continued in southern Lebanon.

Israel says it has killed more than 85 Hezbollah militants and struck 180 sites used by the group in the last week, without providing evidence.

___

Ezzidin reported from Cairo. Associated Press reporter Sally Abou AlJoud in Beirut contributed.

Leer en español

Police said the first incident ― for which Torey Eugene Williams was arrested on Oct. 30 ― happened on Oct. 10 in Davie.

Davie police said a tow driver and a spotter had pulled into a shopping center at 6946 Stirling Road to take the 46-year-old’s Lexus GS. An arrest warrant states as they lifted the vehicle and began to pull forward, Williams walked towards them with his finger on the trigger of a gun and said, “Put my car down,” pointing the weapon at the tow truck driver.

Authorities said the crew unhooked the sedan and Williams got inside and took off.

Five days later, on Oct. 15, Miramar police said a tow driver trying to repossess the Lexus at Williams’ home in the 2700 block of Riviera Drive was also greeted by an angry, armed Williams. This time, police said Williams fired a shot into the tow truck.

According to a report, Williams admitted to police that he came out with his gun, telling the driver to “put my muthaf---ing car down.”

Detectives said that Williams claimed he then slipped and the gun fell out of his hand, discharging a round into the tow truck when it hit the ground.

Authorities said video footage showed that he “exited the home and turned in the direction of the tow truck” and its driver “when the firearm discharged.”

Months after the incident, authorities filed a “not in custody probable cause affidavit” in the Broward court system on April 27. On Wednesday, Williams was taken into custody.

Court records show he’s facing two aggravated assault charges stemming from the Davie incident and one charge of shooting or throwing a deadly missile into a vehicle, dwelling or aircraft in connection with the Miramar case.

Broward Sheriff’s Office records show that Williams was being held in the agency’s Main Jail on a $5,000 bond as of Thursday morning.

La Policía indicó que el primer incidente, por el cual Torey Eugene Williams fue arrestado el 30 de octubre, ocurrió el 10 de octubre en Davie.

La Policía de Davie dijo que un conductor de grúa y un observador llegaron a un centro comercial ubicado en el 6946 de Stirling Road para llevarse el Lexus GS del hombre de 46 años. Una orden de arresto indica que mientras levantaban el vehículo y comenzaban a avanzar, Williams caminó hacia ellos con el dedo en el gatillo de un arma y dijo: “Bajen mi carro”, apuntando el arma al conductor de la grúa.

Las autoridades dijeron que el equipo soltó el sedán y Williams entró al vehículo y huyó.

Cinco días después, el 15 de octubre, la Policía de Miramar indicó que otro conductor de grúa que intentaba embargar el Lexus en la casa de Williams, ubicada en la cuadra 2700 de Riviera Drive, también fue recibido por un Williams molesto y armado. Esta vez, la Policía dijo que Williams disparó contra la grúa.

Según un informe, Williams admitió ante la Policía que salió con su arma y le dijo al conductor que “bajara mi maldito carro”.

Los detectives dijeron que Williams afirmó luego que se resbaló y el arma se le cayó de la mano, disparándose contra la grúa al golpear el suelo.

Las autoridades indicaron que las imágenes de video mostraban que él “salió de la casa y se giró en dirección a la grúa” y hacia su conductor “cuando el arma se disparó”.

Meses después del incidente, las autoridades presentaron una “declaración jurada de causa probable sin custodia” en el sistema judicial de Broward el 27 de abril. El miércoles, Williams fue arrestado.

Los registros judiciales muestran que enfrenta dos cargos de agresión agravada relacionados con el incidente de Davie y un cargo de disparar o lanzar un proyectil mortal contra un vehículo, vivienda o aeronave en relación con el caso de Miramar.

Los registros de la Oficina del Sheriff de Broward muestran que Williams permanecía detenido en la cárcel principal de la agencia con una fianza de $5,000 USD hasta la mañana del jueves.

The new concert film, co-directed by Eilish and three-time Academy Award winner James Cameron, was his idea. Cameron emailed Eilish's mother, Maggie Baird — a friend of his wife via their shared interest in plant-based diets and environmentalism — and suggested they shoot Eilish's “Hit Me Hard and Soft” tour in 3D.

It is new territory for Cameron, in some ways, and old hat in others. His production company has done a number of concert films, including one with Eilish's musical hero Justin Bieber, but Cameron hasn't sat in the director's chair of a project like this one. A 3D concert film also brings up a number of technical challenges — a passion of Cameron's, as anyone who has seen the blockbuster “Avatar” franchise could attest to — and as a fellow outlier of industry, the pairing succeeds.

Eilish, too, is no stranger to film: She's the subject of the 2021 documentary, “Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry,” and a concert film released that same year, “Happier Than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles.” This, however, is her first time co-directing a feature. And where “The World's a Little Blurry” served as a composite of her come-up and various successes, “Hit Me Hard and Soft” is dedicated to the concert film format while pushing its boundaries.

While no movie can serve as the perfect replica of a transformative live music experience, “Billie Eilish — Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D)” works an immersive magic. Every seat is the best seat in the house in these shots; common issues with concert films find solutions. Audience members are celebrated like additional characters. When the camera is on them, their voices are heard loud — sniffling, screams, cheers, off-key sing-alongs get their shine, sometimes above Eilish in the mix, mimicking the experience of swaying in the crowd.

In 3D, her minimalist set is given a visceral tangibility. Fans see Eilish jump through trap doors, hook into safety harnesses, chug water, dance off screen, become teary eyed and embrace her band mates. At nearly two-hours of runtime, it passes like zephyr, a thrill ride so fun it feels too short.

There is also new insight for the Eilish fan: Cameras escort the pop star backstage and underneath it. In the beginning of the film, viewers experience the tour's opening scene — and then they get to see it again, from Eilish's perspective. In other moments, Cameron is on screen with Eilish as she co-directs, giving the film the intimacy of a behind-the-scenes DVD extra detailing how the movie was made … in the middle of it. It's a compelling watch and demonstrates a deep understanding of a dedicated pop music audience, where accessibility is the most valuable cultural currency.

“You're like a tuning fork,” Cameron says to Eilish in one scene. “And they're hitting the same beats.”

There is little narrativizing, what often ruins a fine film, turning it into a vanity project. Eilish is shown backstage strengthening her ankle after suffering a sprain, mostly to highlight the physicality of her performance. In another, she plays with puppies, a brief reminder of her animal rights activism. They're welcomed breaks, but not totally memorable. The strength of the film is Eilish on stage — not in its interview interludes.

For years, Eilish has chosen to perform solo on stage. In this movie, fans will learn it is because she has long wanted to mimic a hip-hop performance, where a rapper can command a stage with just a microphone, the strength of their songs and charisma. “I just wanted the freedom of being a guy running around,” she tells Cameron. The performance that follows is “Bury a Friend” from her first record, a song with production that pulls inspiration from hip-hop — a masterful exhibition of influence creating innovation.

The only place where the structure falters is in a candid conversation about desirability and femininity followed by the Oscar-winning “Barbie” theme “What Was I Made For?” Other songs in Eilish's discography would've driven the point home with more subtlety and acuity.

But the moment comes and goes. What is left are big songs and bigger emotions. When a fan in the front row is heard wailing, “Billie! Billie! Billie,” with tears in her eyes and a handmade sign asking for a hug, the viewer has no choice but to hope she gets that embrace, that Eilish makes individual eye contact with her, that a connection can be realized in some brief, healing moment. “I understand that need and that desperation,” Eilish says in one scene, describing herself as a superfan like the ones before her. “I want to be the artist I would want to be a fan of.”

Concert films are engineered for loyal listeners: To relive the night, or experience it for the first time, or to revel in the joy of being a face in the crowd. That goes for Eilish as well.

“To get to see these close up, beautiful, 3D shots of these fans who I would never have gotten to see have that emotional reaction,” from the stage in the middle of her performance, Eilish told The Associated Press last month, “I feel really grateful for that gift.”

Spoken like a true fan.

“Billie Eilish — Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D),” a Paramount Pictures release in theaters Friday, is rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association for strong language and suggestive references. Running time: 114 minutes. Three stars out of four.

Leer en español

The change was confirmed on the supermarket’s FAQ section of its website.

It comes after Publix previously announced last year that customers would be allowed to open carry, following a change in Florida law.

That decision led to mixed reactions from customers.

The new Florida law allows open carry but includes restrictions: it’s still prohibited for those under 21 or with felony convictions. Private businesses can also opt out.

Local 10 News has reached out to Publix for comment and is awaiting a response.

Los agentes detuvieron a Jasmine Castellanos, de 30 años y residente de Hialeah, y a William Thad Page, de 48 años y residente de Miami Beach, el miércoles.

Según la Policía, el gerente del hotel B and B Hotel Miami Airport, ubicado en el 5125 de la calle NW 36, alertó a los agentes tras observar a Castellanos y a Page entrar a una sala exclusiva para empleados destinada al almacenamiento de paquetes entregados para huéspedes registrados del hotel.

El gerente dijo a la Policía que ambos se hospedaban en la habitación 305, ubicada justo al lado de la sala de almacenamiento.

Luego, los agentes revisaron videos de seguridad que mostraban a Castellanos, Page y a un tercer hombre no identificado, a quien la Policía dijo conocen como “Cognac”, entrando a la sala de almacenamiento y saliendo poco después “con paquetes ocultos bajo su ropa” para luego dirigirse directamente a la habitación 305, según un informe de arresto.

Además, la Policía indicó que cuando llegaron al hotel, el gerente les alertó sobre una camioneta blanca U-Haul que salía del lugar con Page dentro. Los agentes localizaron la camioneta y realizaron una parada de tráfico a corta distancia, y Page fue detenido sin incidentes, indicó la Policía.

Las autoridades dijeron que Castellanos fue localizada por agentes en el estacionamiento del cercano Ramada Inn, ubicado en el 5001 de la calle NW 36, y no se resistió al arresto.

Ambos enfrentan cargos graves de allanamiento.

Page también fue acusado de posesión de metanfetamina, así como de posesión de una sustancia controlada con intención de vender y posesión de parafernalia de drogas con intención de uso.

Los registros indican que Page ya estaba en libertad bajo fianza por un delito grave al momento de su arresto.

Hasta la mañana del jueves, ambos permanecían detenidos en el Centro Correccional Turner Guilford Knight con una fianza “pendiente por establecerse”.

Leer en español

Officers took Jasmine Castellanos, 30, of Hialeah, and William Thad Page, 48, of Miami Beach, into custody on Wednesday.

According to police, the manager of the B and B Hotel Miami Airport, located at 5125 NW 36th St., alerted officers after observing Castellanos and Page enter an employees-only room designed for storing packages delivered for registered hotel guests.

The manager told police the two locals were staying in room 305, which was located directly next to the storage room.

Officers then reviewed security footage that showed Castellanos, Page and a third, unidentified man who police said goes by the name of “Cognac” enter the storage room and leave shortly after “with packages concealed under their clothing” and go straight into room 305, according to an arrest form.

Additionally, Police said when they arrived to the hotel, the manager alerted them to a white U-Haul van that was leaving the business with Page inside. Officers located the van and conducted a traffic stop a short distance away, and Page was taken into custody without incident, police said.

Authorities said Castellanos was caught by officers in the parking lot of the nearby Ramada Inn at 5001 NW 36th St. and did not resist being taken into custody.

Both are facing felony burglary charges.

Page was also charged with methamphetamine possession, as well as for possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell and possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to use.

Records indicate Page was already out on felony bond at the time of his arrest.

As of Thursday morning, both remained behind bars at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center with bond listed as “to be set.”

“Don’t sell your tickets," Embiid said. “This is bigger than you. We need you guys.”

Of more pressing concern for the Sixers and their fans, they need Embiid.

The 2023 NBA MVP, Embiid missed Game 2 of the second-round series against the Knicks with a sprained right ankle and a sore right hip.

The 76ers put up a far better fight without Embiid than in the Knicks’ 137-98 romp in Game 1, yet still lost 108-102 on Wednesday night. It's the Knicks who hold a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals when the series shifts to Philadelphia for Game 3 on Friday night and Game 4 on Sunday.

Recent history proved, the Knicks should feel right at home once they play in Philadelphia.

Spurred by affordable train fare, cheaper tickets compared to Madison Square Garden and a simply overzealous passion for Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns and the rest of the Knicks team stamped a legitimate NBA championship contender, New York fans have flooded Philly and provided a home-court edge on the road.

The Sixers’ strategy to ward off Knicks fans in this playoff series was to try through Ticketmaster to geographically restrict sales.

Geo-fencing, in sports ticket lingo.

A message on their website over the weekend read: “Xfinity Mobile Arena is located in Philadelphia, PA. Sales to this event will be restricted to residents of Greater Philadelphia area. Residency will be based on credit card billing address. Orders by residents outside Greater Philadelphia area will be canceled without notice and refunds given.”

The 76ers — and other sports teams in all leagues that cut off sales outside city limits — essentially shut the front door of their home but leave all the windows open. There are so many ways around the game plan through the various resale platforms — no proof-of-Philadelphia ID needed — it hardly seemed worth the effort.

The splashy headline for a day could turn into a cold reality check on Friday night — there’s nothing that can prevent big-spending backers of the Knicks from buying from Philadelphia fans who choose to sell.

“I think they’re soft,” Knicks fan Bryan Reinah, of Queens, said at Game 2. “They’re afraid of the Knicks takeover. I think last time we played them it was 47% Knicks fans. Everybody hops on the trains and goes right down. Tickets are cheaper and the Knicks fans travel well. They’re afraid of it.”

The 76ers' plan did spark national headlines even though the policy is not new or even uncommon in sports.

The thought is, why not try?

Of recent note, the Detroit Pistons tried the same tactic in last season's playoffs and limited ticket sales on Ticketmaster to residents of Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Ontario, Canada. The Carolina Hurricanes did the same to New York Rangers fans during the 2024 and 2022 NHL playoffs.

Hey, maybe these cities just don't like New Yorkers!?

Ah, maybe not as the policy through the decades has enforcement well beyond the five boroughs.

Take 2001, when Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis, a former senior executive with America Online, wrote a computer program that banned Pittsburgh residents from buying tickets on the Capitals' website.

"Pretty cool, isn’t it?” Leonsis said in 2001. “I got a lot of emails from Pittsburgh saying I was mean-spirited and unfair. I don’t care. I’m going to keep doing it.”

The Sixers said this season's effort was designed to ensure that tickets remained in the hands of local fans who have supported the team all season.

Neither the Sixers nor Ticketmaster said how many face-value tickets went on sale Sunday.

Ticketmaster put out a statement that covered its geo-fencing policy with a peppy social media post.

“Who gets to buy tickets to sports games? Let us break it down,” the video noted. “Sometimes, sports teams put limits on who can buy tickets for big, in-demand matchups. This is a way to give local fans the best shot at attending the event and to limit scalpers who are located hundreds of miles away, who are trying to flip to the tickets just for a profit.”

Ticketmaster said those rules and decisions come directly for the team.

When the Knicks played at Philadelphia in Game 6 of a first-round series in 2024, Sixers owners Josh Harris, David Blitzer and David Adelman and former minority owner Michael Rubin joined forces to buy more than 2,000 tickets they handed out to people who serve the Philadelphia community.

Tickets for Game 3 on StubHub as of Thursday started at about $220 a pop in the upper deck and topped $1,000 in the lower bowl.

Sixers or Knicks fans, that's some serious cash.

The amount of blue-and-orange and Brunson jerseys in the stands on Friday night will be the final word on if Sixers fans were serious about listening to Embiid and keeping tickets in house.

___

AP freelance writer Adry Torres in New York contributed to this story.

___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Peter Wai and Bill Yuen, both dual Chinese and British nationals, posed as legitimate police or intelligence officers to conduct surveillance and gather information about Hong Kong dissidents and pro-democracy supporters, prosecutors said.

A jury in the Central Criminal Court in London found them guilty on charges they violated the National Security Act by assisting a foreign spy service. Wai was also convicted of misconduct in a public office.

“These convictions send a clear message that transnational repression, foreign interference, unauthorized surveillance, and attempts to operate outside the law will not be tolerated on British soil," said Bethan David, head of counterterrorism at the Crown Prosecution Service. “This conduct was deliberate, coordinated and carried out with full knowledge of who it would benefit.”

Chinese Ambassador Zheng Zeguang was summoned to the British Foreign Office after the convictions.

“The activities carried out by these men, on behalf of China, are an infringement of our sovereignty and will never be tolerated," Security Minister Dan Jarvis said in a statement. “We will continue to hold China to account and challenge them directly for actions which put the safety of people in our country at risk.”

Hong Kong's government said it wasn't a party to the case, but firmly opposed “unfounded allegations” against it or the London trade office.

Wai, 40, worked as a U.K. Border Force officer and was a special City of London constable and ran a private security company.

Yuen, 65, was formerly a superintendent in the Hong Kong Police employed in London by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, the official overseas representative of Hong Kong’s government.

Hong Kong authorities had offered up to nearly 100,000 pounds ($136,000) for the capture of, or information about, pro-democracy supporters

Yuen went beyond his job description as office manager and helped gather intelligence on the locations of and activities of Hong Kong activists and politicians who had moved to the U.K. in recent years after authorities introduced a wide-ranging national security law in the Asian financial hub, prosecutors said.

Wai, who was paid from a trade office account, was convicted of misconduct for misusing police computer systems while off duty to gather the information, prosecutors said.

Phone messages showed the two conducted surveillance of former Hong Kong lawmaker Nathan Law and activists they referred to as “cockroaches”

Yuen told Wai to pay special attention to members of Parliament or government employees and in 2023 provided the name of prominent politicians, including Conservative lawmaker Iain Duncan Smith, a co-chairman of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China.

The plot was discovered after counterterror police, conducting their own surveillance, disrupted an operation involving nine people as they tried to break into the northern England home of a woman from Hong Kong in May 2024, police said.

The woman, Monica Kwong, had been accused by her former employer, Beijing-based Australian businesswoman Tina Zou, of committing a 16 million pound ($21.8 million) fraud. Kwong claimed it was a setup.

The group arrested at Kwong's home in West Yorkshire included Zou, Wai, and two other retired Hong Kong police officers. Yuen, who was in contact with the group, was arrested in London.

Investigators then began piecing together communications evidence to show Wai was assigned by Yuen to spy for Hong Kong and China.

The two men were charged along with Matthew Trickett, a U.K. immigration enforcement officer, who had also been arrested at Kwong's home. He was later found dead in a suspected suicide. Zou was never charged.

The panel could not reach verdicts on charges that the men committed foreign interference by breaking into Kwong's home.

__

Associated Press reporter Kanis Leung in Hong Kong contributed to this report.

__

The age of Peter Wai has been corrected. He is 40 not 38.

Agentes respondieron al área de Northwest Third Avenue y 14th Street, según Carey Codd, portavoz de la Oficina del Sheriff de Broward.

Cerca del lugar, Blanche Ely High School, ubicada en 1201 NW 6 Ave., salió a las 2:40 p.m., según Nadine Drew, portavoz de las Escuelas Públicas del Condado Broward.

La editora de asignaciones de Local 10 News, Sofia Mendez, contribuyó a este informe.

Ubicación

Vea el informe de la tarde

Leer en español

Deputies responded shortly after 2:15 p.m. to the 1300 block of Northwest Third Avenue, according to Carey Codd, a spokesman for the Broward Sheriff’s Office.

“On scene, deputies located a teenage male with a gunshot wound to the leg. Paramedics transported him to a nearby hospital for treatment of the injury which is not expected to be life-threatening,” Codd wrote in a statement.

BSO later confirmed that the teen was inside a home when another male pulled out a gun to show it off.

“At some point, the firearm discharged, and the victim was shot in the leg,” Codd said in a news release.

He said the suspect fled the scene after the shooting.

Neighbors were left shaken.

“As a mother of a teenage daughter myself, it’s really sad that these type of things happen around here,” said Yvette Hernandez.

“When you have kids and you hear like a gunshot and you live around here, that makes you think like what are you gonna do?” said James Clairontus.

Local 10 News Assignment Editor Sofia Mendez contributed to this report.

Location

Watch afternoon reports

Según una declaración jurada de arresto de la Oficina del Sheriff de Miami-Dade, Angel Caleb Pagan, de 18 años, fue arrestado el miércoles en Barbara Goleman Senior High School en Miami Lakes.

Pagan enfrenta cargos de hurto mayor en segundo grado relacionado con propiedad valorada entre $20,000 USD y $100,000 USD y manipulación de evidencia física.

La Policía identificó a otros dos coacusados como Matthew Martinez, de 17 años, y Jacob Diaz, de 17 años, quienes seguían prófugos hasta la tarde del miércoles.

Los investigadores indicaron que Pagan y Martinez trabajaban en una tienda UPS ubicada en el 8555 de la calle NW 186 y ambos asisten a la misma escuela secundaria.

Según la declaración jurada, la investigación comenzó después de que dos propietarios de negocios reportaran que 80 cajas con productos de Bath & Body Works y Victoria’s Secret desaparecieron entre el 21 de marzo y el 13 de abril.

Los detectives dijeron que la mercancía robada estaba valorada en aproximadamente $40,000 USD.

Las víctimas dijeron a los investigadores que operan un negocio minorista en línea que envía productos a centros de distribución de Amazon y directamente a clientes. La pareja indicó que los paquetes desaparecidos habían sido entregados en la tienda UPS para envío, pero nunca llegaron a sus destinos.

Según la declaración jurada, un video de vigilancia del 13 de abril supuestamente mostró a Levy entregando 10 cajas en la tienda UPS. Los investigadores dijeron que solo cinco de las cajas fueron registradas en el sistema de envío, mientras que las otras cinco, valoradas en casi $2,900 USD, nunca llegaron a los centros de distribución de Amazon ni a los clientes.

Los detectives también indicaron que las víctimas posteriormente descubrieron parte de su mercancía siendo vendida en línea a través de Facebook Marketplace. La declaración jurada alega que Diaz publicó artículos robados a la venta por tan solo $1 USD cada uno.

Los investigadores revisaron videos de vigilancia del interior de la tienda UPS y reportaron haber visto a Pagan y Martinez recibiendo paquetes de Levy antes de mover las cajas cerca de una salida trasera.

Los detectives dijeron que posteriormente se vio a Martinez sacando cinco cajas por la puerta trasera mientras Pagan actuaba como vigilante.

Las autoridades también acusaron a Pagan de manipular el sistema de vigilancia de la tienda. Según el informe, las imágenes mostraron a Pagan apagando el sistema el 15 de abril aproximadamente a las 5:08 p.m., dejando sin grabaciones adicionales hasta que el dueño de la tienda restableció la energía más tarde esa noche.

Los agentes dijeron que Pagan fue detenido y trasladado a la estación del Distrito Noroeste para ser interrogado. Después de ser informado de sus derechos Miranda, los investigadores dijeron que se negó a responder preguntas relacionadas con el caso.

El caso continúa bajo investigación. Los registros judiciales muestran que Pagan fue trasladado al Centro Correccional Turner Guilford Knight tras su arresto.

Hasta la mañana del jueves, permanecía detenido en TGK. Los registros carcelarios en línea indican que su fianza estaba “pendiente por establecerse”.

Leer en español

According to a Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office arrest affidavit, 18-year-old Angel Caleb Pagan was arrested Wednesday at Barbara Goleman Senior High School in Miami Lakes.

Pagan faces charges of second-degree grand theft involving property valued between $20,000 and $100,000 and tampering with physical evidence.

Police identified two co-defendants as Matthew Martinez, 17, and Jacob Diaz, 17, who both remained at large as of Wednesday afternoon.

Investigators said Pagan and Martinez both worked at a UPS Store, located at 8555 NW 186th St., and both attend the same high school.

According to the affidavit, the investigation began after two business owners reported that 80 boxes containing Bath & Body Works and Victoria’s Secret products had gone missing between March 21 and April 13.

Detectives said the stolen merchandise was valued at approximately $40,000.

The victims told investigators that they operate an online retail business that ships products to Amazon fulfillment centers and directly to customers. The couple said the missing packages had been dropped off at the UPS Store for shipment but never reached their destinations.

According to the affidavit, surveillance video from April 13 allegedly showed Levy delivering 10 boxes to the UPS Store. Investigators said only five of the boxes were scanned into the shipping system, while the remaining five — valued at nearly $2,900 — never arrived at Amazon fulfillment centers or customers.

Detectives also stated the victims later discovered some of their merchandise being sold online through Facebook Marketplace. The affidavit alleges that Diaz listed stolen items for sale for as little as $1 each.

Investigators reviewed surveillance footage from inside the UPS Store and reported seeing Pagan and Martinez accepting packages from Levy before moving boxes near a rear exit.

Detectives said Martinez was later seen taking five boxes out through the back door while Pagan acted as a lookout.

Authorities also accused Pagan of tampering with the store’s surveillance system. According to the report, video footage showed Pagan shutting off the system on April 15 at approximately 5:08 p.m., leaving no additional recordings until the store owner restored power later that evening.

Deputies said Pagan was taken into custody and transported to the Northwest District station for questioning. After being advised of his Miranda rights, investigators said he declined to answer questions regarding the case.

The case remains under investigation. Court records show Pagan was transported to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center following his arrest.

As of Thursday morning, he remained held at TGK. Online jail records list his bond as “to be set.”

Norfolk Constabulary said that the arrest came Wednesday evening after a man was reported “behaving in an intimidating manner” near the home of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in eastern England.

“Officers attended, and the man was arrested on suspicion of a public order offense and possession of an offensive weapon,” the force said Thursday.

The suspect is being held for questioning at a nearby police station. The term offensive weapons covers knives, truncheons and other items used to cause injury. Police didn’t specify what type of weapon was involved.

The Daily Telegraph newspaper reported that a man wearing a ski mask ran toward the former royal while shouting abuse. It said the incident occurred near the Sandringham Estate while the former prince was out walking his dogs, and that Andrew and his protection officer got in their car and sped away.

Mountbatten-Windsor, the younger brother of King Charles III, moved to the king’s private Sandringham Estate, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) north of London, after he was evicted from his longtime home near Windsor Castle following revelations about his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.

Andrew, 66, now lives at Marsh Farm, a property on the Sandringham Estate, after leaving Royal Lodge last year.

He was stripped of all his honors and titles and banished from public view by the royal family after years of scandal over his money woes and links to questionable characters, including Epstein.

One of Epstein’s accusers, Virginia Giuffre, alleged that she was forced to have sex with the then-prince three times starting when she was 17. He denied it, but eventually settled the case for an undisclosed sum and acknowledged Giuffre’s suffering as a victim of sex trafficking. Giuffre died by suicide in April 2025, aged 41.

In February, he became the first senior British royal in almost 400 years to be arrested when he was held for hours by British police on suspicion of misconduct in public office in a case related to his links to Epstein. It was an extraordinary move in a country where authorities once sought to shield the royal family from embarrassment.

Police previously said they were “assessing” reports that Mountbatten-Windsor sent trade information to Epstein, a wealthy investor and convicted sex offender, in 2010, when the former prince was the United Kingdom’s special envoy for international trade.

Correspondence between the two men was released by the U.S. Justice Department along with millions of pages of documents from the American investigation into Epstein.

Leer en español

Authorities identified the suspect as Kelvin Jamari Thomas.

Jail records show he is facing charges including armed robbery/carjacking, aggravated fleeing and eluding and cocaine possession with intent to sell or deliver.

The incident happened just after 1 a.m. Feb. 5 near Northwest Fifth Avenue and Northwest 29th Street in Wynwood.

According to an arrest report from the Miami Police Department, two victims were sitting inside a gray 2025 Chevrolet Corvette shortly after 1 a.m. when an armed suspect approached the driver’s side door wearing a Nike Tech hoodie and a black ski mask.

Police said Thomas pointed a gun at both victims and ordered them out of the vehicle before demanding the keys.

The victims complied, and the suspect drove away in the Corvette.

One of the victims left a cellphone inside the vehicle and used a GPS application to track both the phone and the Corvette, police said. Officers later traced the vehicle as it traveled through Homestead and eventually toward Miami Gardens.

Authorities from the Florida Highway Patrol, and Miami Gardens Police Department and MPD coordinated efforts to locate the Corvette.

According to a separate FHP arrest report, troopers spotted the Corvette near Northwest Seventh Road and Northwest 168th Drive in Miami Gardens around 2 a.m. after a be-on-the-lookout alert was issued.

Troopers attempted a traffic stop, but the Corvette fled at speeds reaching approximately 120 mph through residential streets and onto the Palmetto Expressway, authorities said.

The pursuit ended when the Corvette crashed near Northwest 42nd Avenue and Northwest 183rd Street, slamming into a police vehicle and a fence at a nearby Shell gas station, according to investigators.

Police said Thomas then ran from the wrecked Corvette before officers captured him after a brief foot chase.

They said a black handgun and black ski mask were recovered near the crashed vehicle.

While being escorted to a patrol vehicle, Thomas allegedly told troopers, “I just took the car, that’s it,” according to the report.

No injuries were reported.

During questioning, detectives said Thomas also removed a plastic bag containing suspected cocaine from his hoodie pocket and threw it on the ground.

As of Thursday, he was being held at the Metrowest Detention Center, where his bond was not listed at this time.

Las autoridades identificaron al sospechoso como Kelvin Jamari Thomas.

Los registros de la cárcel muestran que enfrenta cargos que incluyen robo armado/carjacking, huida agravada para evadir a las autoridades y posesión de cocaína con intención de vender o distribuir.

El incidente ocurrió poco después de la 1 a.m. del 5 de febrero cerca de Northwest Fifth Avenue y Northwest 29th Street en Wynwood.

Según un informe de arresto del Departamento de Policía de Miami, dos víctimas estaban sentadas dentro de un Chevrolet Corvette gris modelo 2025 poco después de la 1 a.m. cuando un sospechoso armado se acercó a la puerta del conductor usando una sudadera Nike Tech y una máscara negra de esquí.

La Policía dijo que Thomas apuntó con un arma a ambas víctimas y les ordenó salir del vehículo antes de exigir las llaves.

Las víctimas obedecieron y el sospechoso huyó en el Corvette.

Una de las víctimas dejó un teléfono celular dentro del vehículo y utilizó una aplicación GPS para rastrear tanto el teléfono como el Corvette, indicó la Policía. Los agentes posteriormente rastrearon el vehículo mientras se desplazaba por Homestead y luego hacia Miami Gardens.

Autoridades de la Patrulla de Carreteras de Florida, el Departamento de Policía de Miami Gardens y el Departamento de Policía de Miami coordinaron esfuerzos para localizar el Corvette.

Según un informe de arresto separado de la FHP, los agentes localizaron el Corvette cerca de Northwest Seventh Road y Northwest 168th Drive en Miami Gardens alrededor de las 2 a.m., luego de emitirse una alerta de búsqueda.

Los agentes intentaron detener el vehículo, pero el Corvette huyó a velocidades de aproximadamente 120 mph por calles residenciales y luego por la autopista Palmetto Expressway, dijeron las autoridades.

La persecución terminó cuando el Corvette chocó cerca de Northwest 42nd Avenue y Northwest 183rd Street, impactando un vehículo policial y una cerca en una gasolinera Shell cercana, según los investigadores.

La Policía indicó que Thomas huyó corriendo del Corvette accidentado antes de que los agentes lo capturaran tras una breve persecución a pie.

Las autoridades dijeron que recuperaron una pistola negra y una máscara negra de esquí cerca del vehículo chocado.

Mientras era escoltado hacia una patrulla, Thomas presuntamente les dijo a los agentes: “Yo solo tomé el carro, eso es todo”, según el informe.

No se reportaron heridos.

Durante el interrogatorio, los detectives dijeron que Thomas también sacó de su bolsillo una bolsa plástica que contenía presunta cocaína y la lanzó al suelo.

Hasta el jueves, permanecía detenido en el centro de detención Metrowest, donde aún no se había establecido una fianza.

Leer en español

The “Saturday Night Live” star gave a special shoutout to his mother and a jeweler on Calle Ocho for providing him with a special accent for his Thom Browne suit -- an azabache.

The traditional Cuban protection charm made of black stone is typically gifted to babies to ward off negative energy. 

Hernandez explained on the red carpet that his mother bought the charm at Sammy’s Joyeria in Little Havana where they’ve been getting some extra visitors.

“I think this will be a trend now. I think people will start believing more, you know, in these type of things,” Martha Lima, of Sammy’s Joyeria, said.

“For him to mention Calle Ocho, you know, it’s great,” Julia Lima said. “It’s not only for us, but for all the Spanish community, you know. I’m bringing back the azabaches.”

La estrella de “Saturday Night Live” le dio un reconocimiento especial a su madre y a un joyero de la Calle Ocho por proporcionarle un accesorio especial para su traje de Thom Browne: un azabache.

El tradicional amuleto cubano de protección hecho de piedra negra generalmente se regala a los bebés para alejar las malas energías.

Hernández explicó en la alfombra roja que su madre compró el amuleto en Sammy’s Joyeria en Little Havana, donde han recibido algunos visitantes adicionales.

“Creo que esto será una tendencia ahora. Creo que la gente comenzará a creer más, ya sabes, en este tipo de cosas”, dijo Martha Lima, de Sammy’s Joyeria.

“Que él mencionara la Calle Ocho, ya sabes, es genial”, dijo Julia Lima. “No es solo para nosotros, sino para toda la comunidad hispana, ya sabes. Estoy trayendo de vuelta los azabaches”.

Fellow No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka said this week the players should consider a boycott.

“It’s more about respect. Because I think we give much more than what we are getting back,” Sinner said on Thursday at the Italian Open. “It’s not only for the top players; it’s for all of us players.”

Sinner wouldn’t commit to a boycott.

“It’s tough to say,” he said. “I cannot predict the future in a way. But in the same time I also believe that somewhere we need to start.”

The players have targeted the upcoming French Open for reducing players’ share of revenue to an alleged 15% — compared to the 22% at ATP and WTA events like the Italian Open this week.

The same group of players sent a letter a year ago to the heads of the four Grand Slams seeking more prize money and a greater say in decision-making. Wimbledon increased its 2025 total pot by 7%, the U.S. Open by 20% and the Australian Open in January by 16%.

“It’s not nice that after one year we are not even close to conclusion of what we would like to have,” Sinner said. “I truly believe that within 48 hours you have not only a response but you also have a meeting.”

French Open organizers announced last month they were increasing overall prize money by about 10% for an overall pot of 61.7 million euros ($72.1 million), with the total amount up 5.3 million euros from last year. But the players’ statement said “the underlying figures tell a very different story,” claiming they will receive a smaller share of tournament revenues.

The players claim their share of Roland Garros revenue has declined from 15.5% in 2024 to 14.9% projected in 2026.

Wimbledon has not yet announced its prize money for this year.

“I think in the next couple of weeks we know also the prize money we’re going to have in Wimbledon. We truly hope that it’s going to be better. Then, of course, U.S. Open,” Sinner said.

Including profit sharing and an end-of-the-year bonus pool, men’s players actually get about 30% of the share of revenues at ATP Tour events like the Italian Open.

“We’ve been quiet for a long time and now the time has come to raise our voice,” Sinner added in Italian. “We’re not asking for 50% — we wouldn’t even dare — but right now we’re getting too little.”

French Open organizers have not responded to requests for comment.

Djokovic not involved but lends support

Novak Djokovic announced in January he was cutting ties with the Professional Tennis Players Association he co-founded, and that sued the sport’s governing bodies last year.

And while the 24-time Grand Slam champion said he has not been involved in the current player protest, he said the “players know that they’ll always have my support.

“The new generations are coming up," Djokovic added. “I’m glad that there is willingness from the leaders of our sport, like Sabalenka, to really step up and really understand the dynamics of how the tennis politics works and understand the nuances and really what needs to be done not only for her benefit and well-being, but for everyone.”

One of the big issues affecting tennis governance was that there were seven organizing bodies: The four Grand Slams, ATP, WTA and International Tennis Federation.

“Tennis, as any big global sport, is a big business,” Djokovic said. “It needs to be approached from all sides with willingness to work together and figure out what the formula is.”

___

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

El cambio fue confirmado en la sección de preguntas frecuentes del sitio web de la cadena de supermercados.

Esto ocurre después de que Publix anunciara el año pasado que los clientes podrían portar armas visibles, tras un cambio en la ley de Florida.

Esa decisión provocó reacciones divididas entre los clientes.

La nueva ley de Florida permite el porte abierto de armas, pero incluye restricciones: sigue estando prohibido para personas menores de 21 años o con condenas por delitos graves. Los negocios privados también pueden optar por no permitirlo.

Local 10 News se comunicó con Publix para solicitar comentarios y está a la espera de una respuesta.

Though the non-binding advice to sports governing bodies does not yet apply also to Russia, it seemed to point toward being closer to ending Russia’s isolation in Olympic circles during its war on Ukraine as the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Games approaches.

Athletes from Russia and its military ally Belarus had to be approved as neutrals who did not support the war for individual events at the 2024 Paris Olympics and February’s Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. The countries were barred from all team sports at the Olympics.

“The IOC reaffirms that athletes’ participation in international competition should not be limited by the actions of their governments, including involvement in a war or conflict,” the Olympic body said.

The IOC noted the qualification period “starts this summer” for Los Angeles, where more than 200 national Olympic teams are set to compete for more than 350 medal events on the program.

The updated Olympic position more than four years into the war on Ukraine also comes after repeated calls from critics of Israel for sporting sanctions to be applied because of the conflict in Gaza.

The IOC has under president Kirsty Coventry and her predecessor Thomas Bach resisted those requests, and on Thursday cited its task to “navigate the ever-increasing complex realities and consequences of the current geopolitical context.”

IOC awaits anti-doping investigation

One barrier to Russian athletes' full return is an ongoing World Anti-Doping Agency investigation into recent reports, including by the New York Times, implicating Russian anti-doping agency official Veronika Loginova.

The IOC said its executive board noted “with concern the recent information” being looked at by WADA, without naming Loginova.

The Russian Olympic Committee has been suspended by the IOC since October 2023 for incorporating regional sports bodies in illegally occupied eastern Ukraine.

“Whilst the ROC has held constructive exchanges with the IOC on its suspension,” the IOC said, “it remains suspended while the IOC Legal Affairs Commission continues to review the matter.”

Coventry told reporters at an online news conference there is no set timetable to complete the legal review.

Pushback from sports bodies

Track and field's World Athletics excluded athletes and officials from Russia and Belarus out of its international events within days of the war starting. The IOC's move Thursday will not change that.

“Our council has made a clear decision that when there is tangible movement towards peace negotiations it can begin to review its decisions,” the Monaco-based track body said.

Sports officials in northern European and the Baltic countries have taken strong positions against Russia and Belarus since 2022, and the Swedish sports confederation on Thursday called the IOC's advice “deeply unfortunate.”

Neutral athletes at the Olympics

A total of 32 neutral athletes competed in Paris, combining to win five medals including one gold in trampoline by Ivan Litvinovich of Belarus. One silver medal was won by the 20 neutral athletes in Milan and Cortina.

At the previous Olympic editions, a Russian team of 335 athletes went to the Tokyo Summer Games held in 2021 and 209 went to the 2022 Beijing Winter Games. Belarus sent 101 and 26, respectively.

A Belarus team should now expect to regain privileges at the 2028 Olympics — march under a national flag in the opening and closing ceremonies, wear uniforms in national colors, and hear the anthem played for gold medalists.

Doping case for Belarusian medalist

The IOC announced its Belarus news hours after a positive doping test was revealed for one of the country's four medalists at the Paris Olympics.

Weightlifter Yauheni Tsikhantsou, who took bronze in the men's 102-kilogram class in Paris, is not suspended while his case is prosecuted by the International Testing Agency. Growth hormone was found in a sample Tsikhantsou gave in March, the ITA said Thursday.

IOC updates on Olympic Games in 2030

The IOC board chaired by Coventry gave updates on the 2030 Winter Games in the French Alps and picking a host for the 2030 Youth Olympic Games.

An ongoing review of the Winter Games program will be confirmed in June but cannot include in France any sports not played on snow and ice, Coventry said. There has been speculation about adding new sports or boosting the winter program with indoor sports from the Summer Games.

The youth hosting contest was moving to a vote next month but stalled Thursday because of IOC uncertainty about a strategy for what it aimed to achieve, Coventry said, noting “very disjointed” views worldwide.

The bidders are Asunción, Paraguay; Bangkok, Thailand; and Santiago, Chile.

___

AP Winter Olympics at https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics

Leer en español

Exclusive video obtained by Local 10 News shows what police say happened inside a Liberty City apartment moments before officers arrived.

The video captures a barrage of gunfire echoing through the apartment unit for several seconds.

About 40 seconds into the recording, someone can be heard screaming. Moments later, a woman runs out of the apartment yelling down the hallway, “He shot them.”

Police identified the suspect as Antwan Carter. Investigators say Carter killed his girlfriend’s brothers, Jahiem and Gianni Pierre.

According to Miami police, surveillance video shows Carter running to a car to retrieve a gun after getting into an argument with the brothers that turned physical.

The sister told police her brothers came to protect her because of a previous domestic violence incident involving Carter.

A GoFundMe page has been created online to help the family with funeral expenses.

Police said video also shows Carter pacing back and forth outside the apartment, banging on the locked door and yelling, “I bet one of you won’t open up.”

According to the arrest report, the sister urged her brothers not to open the door, but Jahiem opened it anyway. Police say Carter immediately started shooting.

Gianni died first.

Jahiem, who was injured, ran to take cover with his sister, but investigators said he collapsed on top of her.

The report states that after the shooting, Carter sat at the edge of the bed and told his girlfriend, “You see what you made me do?” She responded, “I told you to leave.”

The woman then ran out of the apartment screaming, “He shot them.”

Police said when officers arrived, Carter confessed, telling them, “I’m the one. I have the firearm.”

He remains in jail facing murder charges.

Un video exclusivo obtenido por Local 10 News muestra lo que, según la Policía, ocurrió dentro de un apartamento en Liberty City momentos antes de que llegaran los agentes.

El video capta una ráfaga de disparos resonando dentro de la unidad del apartamento durante varios segundos.

Aproximadamente 40 segundos después de iniciada la grabación, se escucha a alguien gritar. Momentos después, una mujer sale corriendo del apartamento gritando por el pasillo: “Él les disparó”.

La Policía identificó al sospechoso como Antwan Carter. Los investigadores aseguran que Carter mató a los hermanos de su novia, Jahiem y Gianni Pierre.

Según la Policía de Miami, un video de vigilancia muestra a Carter corriendo hacia un vehículo para buscar un arma luego de discutir con los hermanos en un altercado que se tornó físico.

La hermana dijo a la Policía que sus hermanos acudieron a protegerla debido a un incidente previo de violencia doméstica relacionado con Carter.

Se creó una página de GoFundMe en internet para ayudar a la familia con los gastos funerarios.

La Policía indicó que el video también muestra a Carter caminando de un lado a otro fuera del apartamento, golpeando la puerta cerrada y gritando: “Apuesto a que uno de ustedes no va a abrir”.

Según el informe de arresto, la hermana les pidió a sus hermanos que no abrieran la puerta, pero Jahiem la abrió de todos modos. La Policía asegura que Carter comenzó a disparar de inmediato.

Gianni murió primero.

Jahiem, quien resultó herido, corrió para refugiarse junto a su hermana, pero los investigadores dijeron que colapsó encima de ella.

El informe indica que después de la balacera, Carter se sentó al borde de la cama y le dijo a su novia: “¿Ves lo que me hiciste hacer?”. Ella respondió: “Te dije que te fueras”.

Luego, la mujer salió corriendo del apartamento gritando: “Él les disparó”.

La Policía dijo que cuando los agentes llegaron, Carter confesó al decirles: “Soy yo. Tengo el arma de fuego”.

Permanece en la cárcel enfrentando cargos de asesinato.

Ahora, un programa piloto favorable para inquilinos en la ciudad de Nueva York ha puesto a prueba un enfoque distinto: baterías enchufables que pueden alimentar aires acondicionados sin depender de la red durante los picos de demanda, lo que ayuda a quitarle presión a la red en sus momentos de mayor tensión y, al mismo tiempo, mantiene frescos a los residentes.

“Básicamente es una versión potenciada de la batería portátil que usarías para cargar tu teléfono cuando sales”, señaló Andrew Wang, director ejecutivo de Every Electric, la empresa que respalda el plan piloto, que se ha asociado con la compañía energética de la ciudad Con Edison.

Los dispositivos, cuyo tamaño es semejante al de un horno de microondas, se cargan cuando la demanda de electricidad es baja y luego hacen funcionar durante unas horas las unidades de aire acondicionado de ventana cuando la demanda se dispara. Se trata de uno de los muchos socios que participan en los programas de respuesta a la demanda de Con Edison, que pagan a los clientes para que reduzcan o desplacen su consumo eléctrico con el fin de respaldar la red.

El programa piloto se está ampliando a más de 1.000 hogares este verano y los participantes pueden recibir recompensas en forma de reembolsos en efectivo.

Los expertos señalan que esta iniciativa refleja el cambio más general hacia las llamadas plantas de energía virtuales, en las que muchos recursos energéticos pequeños y distribuidos se coordinan para reducir la presión durante los picos de demanda. A gran escala, soluciones como esta podrían tener un impacto significativo en la confiabilidad y la asequibilidad de la electricidad.

Por qué la electricidad se encarece durante los episodios de calor

Cuando la demanda de electricidad se dispara, las empresas de servicios públicos suelen recurrir a centrales eléctricas de respaldo que no operan con tanta frecuencia y que, por lo general, son menos eficientes y más contaminantes, indicó Kevin Brehm, gerente de RMI, una organización sin fines de lucro que investiga sistemas energéticos y la transición hacia energía limpia.

Con el tiempo, esos picos pueden hacer que las empresas de servicios públicos construyan más centrales eléctricas, a menudo alimentadas con combustibles fósiles, para satisfacer la demanda, y los costos terminan trasladándose a los consumidores.

“Está la cuestión de las emisiones, y también hay una cuestión realmente importante relacionada con la asequibilidad”, manifestó Brehm.

Por eso, las compañías eléctricas suelen pedir a los residentes que ahorren energía durante los días más calurosos del año, y fijan tarifas más altas en las horas pico para incentivar a la gente a ahorrar electricidad. Esas estrategias “pueden ser difíciles de sostener porque no saben exactamente cómo se van a comportar los consumidores”, añadió Brehm.

Ahí es donde pueden ayudar soluciones como la de Every Electric.

Las redes de baterías pueden aliviar la presión

Las empresas de servicios públicos y los gobiernos buscan cada vez más maneras de gestionar el aumento de la demanda eléctrica a medida que las olas de calor se vuelven más frecuentes e intensas.

Un enfoque es el programa de respuesta a la demanda de Every Electric, que paga a los clientes para que reduzcan o desplacen su consumo de electricidad durante periodos de alta demanda.

Los programas de plantas de energía virtuales son otra solución que se expande estado por estado en Estados Unidos. Dichos programas conectan miles de pequeños dispositivos energéticos, como baterías domésticas o electrodomésticos inteligentes, y los coordinan para devolver energía a la red cuando la demanda se dispara, aliviando la presión sin construir nuevas plantas. California, por ejemplo, trabaja para desarrollar uno de los más grandes del mundo, pagando a cientos de miles de participantes para que envíen energía almacenada de vuelta a la red durante eventos climáticos extremos. La mayoría de estos programas se limita a propietarios de viviendas con paneles solares.

Con Edison señaló que las baterías pueden ayudar a reducir la demanda máxima, respaldar la energía renovable y disminuir la necesidad de nueva infraestructura.

El programa de Every Electric funciona específicamente para personas con unidades de aire acondicionado de ventana, que por lo general son inquilinos, aunque no exporta energía de vuelta a la red. En su lugar, reduce la demanda al usar energía almacenada en la batería.

Aun así, Brehm sostuvo que programas como este forman parte del impulso más amplio para integrar los dispositivos energéticos de los consumidores en la red y recompensar los servicios que prestan.

“No puedo poner paneles solares en mi techo”, comentó Bianca Pasternack, una inquilina de la ciudad de Nueva York inscrita en el programa. “Esto al menos es algo accesible y fácil. Fue realmente una cuestión de configurarlo y olvidarse”.

Crece el programa piloto de baterías enchufables para unidades de aire acondicionado

La batería se enchufa a la unidad de aire acondicionado y luego al tomacorriente de la pared. Se vincula a una aplicación para teléfonos inteligentes que detecta cuándo la demanda es baja, cargando la batería durante las horas fuera de pico y usándola para alimentar el aire acondicionado durante los periodos pico, por lo general de 1 a 4 de la tarde o de 4 a 8 de la tarde durante los meses más calurosos.

Los participantes también pueden ganar dinero por participar, aproximadamente el equivalente al costo de una factura eléctrica de julio, según la empresa. Pasternack dijo que recibió una tarjeta de regalo de 100 dólares al final de la temporada.

La empresa afirma que su plan piloto ha crecido de unos 200 kilovatios de capacidad flexible el año pasado a aproximadamente 2 megavatios este verano, y que podría ampliarse mucho más. En comparación, el programa de California supera los 200 megavatios. La empresa busca expandirse a otras ciudades, indicó Wang.

Aunque el programa de Every Electric actualmente opera a pequeña escala, Brehm dice que sistemas como este podrían reducir de manera importante la presión sobre la red si llegan a suficientes hogares.

“Es cuestión de cómo logramos alcanzar esa escala”, expresó, al señalar que la adopción generalizada es un tema clave que depende de lo fácil que sea desplegar la tecnología e integrarla en la red. Agregó que el proceso de instalación de Every Electric es fácilmente accesible. “Es conectar y usar, y no necesitas un montón de permisos”.

___

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

___

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

Según la Policía, la balacera fue reportada alrededor de las 4 a.m. en la cuadra 1000 de Southwest 15th Avenue.

La Policía indicó que los agentes llegaron a la escena y encontraron a una víctima con un disparo en la pierna.

Los agentes administraron primeros auxilios a la víctima antes de que Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue llegara y la trasladara al Broward Health Medical Center con heridas que no ponen en peligro su vida.

La Policía dijo que la víctima se negó a presentar cargos contra el sospechoso y rechazó proporcionar una descripción de esa persona.

No se divulgaron más detalles de inmediato.

Leer en español

According to police, the shooting was reported at about 4 a.m. in the 1000 block of Southwest 15^th Avenue.

Police said officers arrived at the scene and found a victim who had been shot in the leg.

Officers administered first aid to the victim before Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue arrived and transported him or her to Broward Health Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.

Police said the victim declined prosecution against the suspect and declined to provide a description of that person.

No other details were immediately released.

Iran effectively seized control of the critical waterway after the U.S. and Israel attacked it on Feb. 28. Weeks of heavy bombing and a U.S. naval blockade imposed last month have yet to loosen its grip. Iran says it will only reopen the strait if the war ends and the blockade is lifted. U.S. President Donald Trump is seeking wider concessions, including the rollback of Iran's disputed nuclear program.

Here is a look at the strait by the numbers:

21 miles (34 kilometers)

This is the width of the strait, which bends like an elbow, at its narrowest point between Iran and Oman. Ships follow narrow lanes to safely navigate the shallow water, making it even more of a chokepoint.

20%

Before the war, a fifth of the world’s traded oil typically flowed through the strait every day, as well as large supplies of natural gas, fertilizer and other petroleum products.

100-130

The number of ships that passed through the strait each day before the war began, including oil tankers and cargo ships, according to research firm Lloyd’s List Intelligence.

534

The number of ships that are believed to have passed through the strait from the start of hostilities through May 4, according to Lloyd's List Intelligence. Many are believed to have carried Iranian oil. In normal times, an estimated 6,500 to 8,450 ships would have transited the strait during the same period.

50%

The amount that the average price of gas in the U.S. has risen since the war began. The average price of a gallon was $4.56 on Thursday, according to AAA. The closure of the strait has also nearly doubled the cost of jet fuel.

Up to 10%

Insurance rates for ships have skyrocketed from 1% of the ship’s goods up to as much as 10%, according to shipping experts.

45 million

The number of people who could experience hunger, mostly in Asia and Africa, if the strait does not open soon, according to the U.N. World Food Program. The blocking of fuel and fertilizer shipments could soon push the price of food and other necessities out of reach for those already in a precarious situation, it said.

10

The number of mariners who have been killed since the Iran war began, according to the U.N.’s International Maritime Organization.

32

The number of ships that have come under attack, according to the International Maritime Organization.

1,550

The number of vessels, from 87 countries, currently stranded in the Persian Gulf, according to the U.S. military.

22,500

The number of mariners stranded on these ships, including many from South and Southeast Asia.

15,000

The number of U.S. soldiers, accompanied by 100 aircraft, committed to enforce Project Freedom, according to the U.S. military. Trump's initiative to guide ships through the strait was paused on Tuesday, just two days after he announced it.

2

The number of ships that the U.S. said it successfully guided through the strait as part of Project Freedom. ___

Associated Press writer David McHugh in Frankfurt, Germany, contributed.

Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary opened the event by saying his agency was “removing all petroleum-based food dyes" from U.S. foods. But the specifics did not become clear until the final minutes, when Kennedy revealed that the government had “an understanding” with foodmakers to voluntarily stop using the chemicals. A “national standard and timeline” for completing the process would soon follow, according to an FDA statement.

More than a year later, the FDA has not introduced any of the detailed, scientific regulatory documents needed to establish a safety issue with the half-dozen widely used dyes. Instead, the FDA maintains an online list of manufacturers that have pledged to phase out the chemicals.

The administration’s handling of food dyes reflects its approach to a number of health priorities. Instead of using the time-consuming process of federal rulemaking, which can stretch across multiple administrations, officials working under Republican President Donald Trump have found a quicker approach: Announce sweeping changes first and deal with the regulations later.

“It speaks volumes that the administration has yet to produce a document articulating the scientific basis for the voluntary request,” said Susan Mayne, a Yale University public health expert and former director of the FDA’s food program. Meanwhile, the FDA's website continues to carry the government's longtime conclusion that “the totality of scientific evidence” does not show a link between synthetic dyes and health problems.

“If FDA has changed its position, then FDA should document why and pursue a ban,” Mayne said.

A spokesperson for Kennedy said the administration has used “multiple approaches” to quickly make more progress on food dyes “than at any point in the past.”

“FDA engaged industry early in this effort to encourage timely changes while continuing its scientific and regulatory work,” said Emily Hilliard of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “The agency maintains its role in evaluating safety and will continue to use its regulatory authorities, guidance, and review processes as appropriate.”

The lack of initiative in drafting new regulations is particularly striking at the FDA. Under federal law, the agency is supposed to refrain from making major policy announcements in news releases, speeches or other informal settings.

But a string of changes from Makary and his deputies have appeared first in articles in subscription-only medical journal articles, television interviews or online posts, including new restrictions on COVID-19 vaccines and other therapies.

Traditionally, those changes would be published first in the Federal Register, giving consumers, experts, and companies a chance to comment and suggest revisions to FDA proposals.

FDA has faced little pushback from industry

Almost as surprising as the agency’s shift away from rulemaking is the fact that the powerful companies FDA regulates have put up little resistance.

The FDA has faced hundreds of lawsuits over the decades — from drugmakers, pharmacies, tobacco companies and others — that accused the agency of failing to follow the legally required steps for new regulations and guidelines.

But drugmakers and other multibillion-dollar companies are sitting on the sidelines, at least for now.

Industry observers point to the administration's unusual willingness to pressure drugmakers, including on drug pricing concessions sought by Trump.

“Does the government have the ability to basically bully companies?” asked Dan Troy, the FDA’s former chief counsel. “Yes, and I think we’re seeing that.”

One of the biggest FDA changes came last May, when Makary and then-vaccine chief Dr. Vinay Prasad published a medical journal article announcing that the FDA would no longer routinely approve COVID-19 shots for healthy adults under age 65 and children without underlying health problems. To win approval for that group, vaccine manufacturers would need to conduct large studies that many experts say may not be feasible in today's post-pandemic environment.

As with other vaccine decisions, Makary and Prasad bypassed the agency’s outside experts, who had traditionally been consulted on major decisions involving the shots. Makary says FDA advisory panels are often biased and take too much time and money to convene.

“We had all of this experience looking at the safety of how these vaccines work, and then these two cowboys come and say: ‘We’re going to make this policy’,” said Dr. Kathryn Edwards, who previously led the FDA’s vaccine panel.

Edwards and other experts say the lack of pushback from vaccine manufacturers may reflect the tremendous power the FDA holds over them.

“Ultimately, you need the FDA to license your product,” said Edwards, a retired vaccine scientist at Vanderbilt University. “If you’re going to try and buck the FDA -- especially in this environment — the likelihood of your product getting a positive review is going to be pretty low.”

Earlier this year, the FDA briefly refused to consider a new mRNA flu shot from Moderna. The agency reversed its decision after pushback from the company and the White House.

Recent FDA changes may have little staying power

There may be other reasons why normally litigious companies are not challenging the agency.

Some FDA initiatives have the potential to benefit companies, including a program that awards ultrafast reviews to drugs favored by the Trump administration.

Even seemingly burdensome changes may have little staying power because the agency is not going through the process to enshrine them in federal rules or guidelines. That includes stringent new standards to win approval for CAR-T therapies that were previously approved for various forms of cancer, based on early results.

“Anything that this administration does that they don’t embody in law can easily be undone by a future administration,” Troy said.

Still, with more than two years remaining under Trump, there are signs at least some companies may be willing to raise objections.

The FDA last year began releasing rejection letters for drugs it declined to approve. Previously, that information was considered confidential and the property of drugmakers.

Last month, an unnamed drugmaker filed a formal petition challenging the practice, noting the FDA had provided “only a two-sentence explanation addressing its purported legal authority” to release the letters.

The petition does not carry the force of a lawsuit, but it invokes the same language as numerous legal challenges to the agency, calling the FDA’s action “arbitrary and capricious.”

___

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.

Now, a renter-friendly pilot program in New York City is testing a different approach: plug-in batteries that can power air conditioners offline during peak demand, helping take pressure off the grid at its most stressed moments while still keeping residents cool.

“It’s basically a souped up version of the power bank that you would use to charge your phone when you go out,” said Andrew Wang, the chief executive officer of Every Electric, the company behind the pilot, which has partnered with the city's energy company Con Edison.

The devices, about the size of a microwave, charge when electricity demand is low and then run window AC units for a few hours when demand spikes. It's one of many partners participating in Con Edison's demand response programs, which pay customers to reduce or shift electricity use to support the grid.

The pilot program is expanding to more than 1,000 homes this summer and participants can get rewarded in cash rebates.

Experts say this initiative reflects the broader shift toward so-called virtual power plants, in which many small, distributed energy resources are coordinated to reduce strain during peak demand. When scaled, solutions like this could have a significant impact on power reliability and affordability.

Why electricity gets pricier during heat events

When electricity demand spikes, utilities often turn to backup power plants that don’t run as often, and are typically less efficient and more polluting, said Kevin Brehm, a manager at RMI, a nonprofit that researches energy systems and the transition to clean power.

Over time, those spikes can push utilities to build more power plants, often fossil-fuel based, to meet demand, with the costs eventually passed down to consumers.

“There’s a question of emissions, and then there’s also a really important question around affordability,” said Brehm.

That’s why power companies often ask residents to conserve energy during the hottest days of the year, and set higher rates during peak hours to encourage people to conserve power. Those strategies “can be hard to rely on because they don’t know exactly how consumers are going to behave,” Brehm added.

That’s where solutions like Every Electric’s can help.

Battery networks can take the pressure off

Utilities and governments are increasingly looking for ways to manage rising electricity demand as heat waves become more frequent and intense.

One approach is Every Electric's demand response program, which pays customers to reduce or shift electricity use during periods of high demand.

Virtual power plant programs are another solution expanding state by state. They connect thousands of small energy devices, like home batteries or smart appliances, and coordinate them to send power back to the grid when demand spikes, easing strain without building new plants. California, for example, is working to develop one of the world’s largest, paying hundreds of thousands of participants to send stored energy back to the grid during extreme climate events. Most of these programs are limited to homeowners with solar panels.

Con Edison said batteries can help reduce peak demand, support renewable energy and lessen the need for new infrastructure.

Every Electric’s program works specifically for people with window AC units, who are typically renters, though it does not export power back to the grid. Instead, it reduces demand by using stored battery power.

Still, Brehm said programs like it are part of the broader push to integrate consumer energy devices into the grid and reward the services they provide.

“I can’t put solar panels on my roof,” said Bianca Pasternack, a New York City renter enrolled in the program. “This is at least something that’s accessible and easy. It was very set-it-and-forget-it.”

Pilot program of plug-in batteries to AC units is growing

The battery plugs into the AC unit, then into the wall outlet. It’s connected to a smartphone app that detects when demand is low, charging the battery during off-peak hours and using it to power the AC during peak times, usually from 1 to 4 p.m. or 4 to 8 p.m. during the hottest months.

Participants can also earn money for taking part, roughly the equivalent of the cost of a July electric bill, according to the company. Pasternack said she received a $100 gift card at the end of the season.

The company says its pilot is growing from about 200 kilowatts of flexible capacity last year to roughly 2 megawatts this summer, and could expand much further. By comparison, California's program exceeds 200 megawatts. The company is looking to expand to other cities, Wang said.

Although Every Electric's program currently operates at a small scale, Brehm says systems like this could meaningfully reduce strain on the grid if they reach enough households.

“It’s a matter of how we’re able to get to that scale,” he said, noting that widespread adoption is a key issue that depends on how easily the technology can be deployed and integrated into the grid. He added that Every Electric’s installation process is easily accessible. “It’s plug-and-play and you don’t need a ton of permissions.”

___

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.

The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits in the week ending May 2 rose by 10,000 to 200,000, the Labor Department reported Thursday. That’s fewer than the 205,000 new applications analysts surveyed by the data firm FactSet were expecting.

The previous week’s new claims figure, which was the fewest since 1969, was revised up by 1,000 to 190,000.

Weekly filings for unemployment benefits are considered a proxy for U.S. layoffs and are close to a real-time indicator of the health of the job market.

Despite dwindling layoffs shown in government data, the Iran war, now in its third month, has injected a large degree of uncertainty about how it will affect the U.S. and global economies even as Iran and the U.S. remain under a ceasefire agreement with growing optimism that an end to the war is near.

U.S. financial markets have rebounded near record levels and prices for a barrel of U.S. crude oil remain elevated around $90 per barrel. That’s down from highs of $112 last month, but still 36% higher than before the war began. Gas prices also much higher since the war began — AAA says the national average Thursday was at $4.56 a gallon —- saddling businesses and consumers with higher costs.

Last week, the government reported that a key inflation measure jumped in March as gas prices soared, the latest sign that the Iran war is driving the cost of living sharply higher.

An inflation gauge monitored by the Federal Reserve rose 0.7% in March from February, up sharply from the previous month, the Commerce Department said. Compared with a year ago, prices rose 3.5%, the biggest increase in almost three years.

Excluding the volatile food and energy categories, core inflation was also up in March.

This comes at a time when U.S. inflation is already above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target. Last week, the Fed opted to leave its benchmark rate alone, citing economic uncertainty caused by instability in the Middle East and still-elevated inflation.

Lower interest rates can boost the economy and hiring, but also tend to fuel inflation. Fed officials voted to cut rates three times to close 2025 out of concern for a weakening job market.

The Labor Department reported last month that U.S. employers added an unexpectedly strong 178,000 new jobs in March, nudging the unemployment rate back down to 4.3%. That followed a surprisingly large loss of 92,000 jobs in February. Revisions also have trimmed 69,000 jobs from December and January payrolls, a sign that the labor market remains under strain.

The government issues its monthly jobs report for April on Friday.

A number of high-profile companies have cut jobs recently, including Morgan Stanley,Block, UPS, Amazon and Disney.

Weekly jobless aid applications have stabilized in a range mostly between 200,000 and 250,000 since the U.S. economy emerged from the pandemic recession. However, hiring began slowing about two years ago and tapered further in 2025 due to President Donald Trump’s erratic tariff rollouts, his purge of the federal workforce and the lingering effects of high interest rates meant to control inflation.

Employers added fewer than 200,000 jobs last year, compared with about 1.5 million in 2024, according to the data firm FactSet.

Economists say the American labor market appears stuck in a “low-hire, low-fire” state that has kept the unemployment rate historically low, but has left those out of work struggling to find a new job. The recent artificial intelligence boom and the investment required to develop it is also making companies reluctant to hire.

The Labor Department’s report Thursday showed that the four-week moving average of jobless claims, which evens out some of the weekly ups and downs, fell to 203,250, down 4,500 from the previous week.

The total number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits for the previous week ending April 25 declined by 10,000 to 1.77 million.

Rubio met with Leo and then Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin in a visit that lasted 2½ hours.

Also, Iran said it was reviewing the latest American proposals on ending the war, as Trump threatened the country with a new wave of bombing unless a deal is reached that includes reopening the crucial Strait of Hormuz to international shipping. The developments followed days of mixed messaging from the Trump administration over its strategy to end the war.

Here's the latest:

US will begin revoking passports of parents owing a significant amount of unpaid child support

The State Department told The Associated Press on Thursday that the revocations would begin Friday and be focused on those who owe $100,000 or more. That would apply to about 2,700 American passport holders, according to figures supplied to the State Department by the Department of Health and Human Services.

The revocation program, plans for which were first reported by the AP in February, soon will be greatly expanded to cover parents who owe more than $2,500 in unpaid child support — the threshold set by a little-enforced 1996 law, the State Department said.

It wasn’t clear Thursday how many passport holders owe more than $2,500 because HHS is still collecting data from state agencies that track the figures, but it could encompass many more thousands of people, officials said.

Trump says EU has until July 4 to approve trade deal

The president said in a Thursday social media post that goods from the European Union would face higher tariff rates if the 27-member bloc fails to approve last year’s trade framework by July 4.

Trump made the announcement after what he described as a “great call” with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Still, Trump was displeased that the European Parliament had yet to finalize the trade arrangement reached last year, which was further complicated in February by the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that Trump lacked the legal authority to declare an economic emergency to impose the initial tariffs used to pressure the EU into talks.

“A promise was made that the EU would deliver their side of the Deal and, as per Agreement, cut their Tariffs to ZERO!” Trump posted. “I agreed to give her until our Country’s 250th Birthday or, unfortunately, their Tariffs would immediately jump to much higher levels.”

Trump meets with Brazil’s Lula in private, says tariffs were a central topic

The U.S. president hosted President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva at the White House on Thursday and said afterward that it went “very well.”

“We discussed many topics, including Trade and, specifically, Tariffs,” Trump said on social media. “Our Representatives are scheduled to get together to discuss certain key elements.”

Part of the bilateral meeting originally had been scheduled to be open to the press, but reporters were never invited in.

The two leaders met months after Trump hit Brazil with heavy tariffs and criticized the criminal prosecution of former President Jair Bolsonaro. Trump later eased the tariffs, and the leaders began mending fences after a United Nations meeting last year.

Tennessee lawmakers pass US House map carving up majority-Black district in Memphis

The new voting districts approved Thursday could give Republicans a chance to win all nine of the state’s congressional seats in the November midterm elections.

Tennessee is the first state to adopt new districts since a U.S. Supreme Court ruling last week that significantly weakened federal Voting Rights Act protections for minorities.

President Donald Trump has urged more Republican-led states to redraw their districts in light of the court ruling. Louisiana, Alabama and South Carolina also have taken steps toward redistricting.

White House press secretary welcomes baby girl

Karoline Leavitt announced on social media Thursday that Viviana, or “Vivi,” joined her family on on May 1.

Leavitt and her husband, Nicholas Riccio, have an older son, Nicholas (or “Niko”).

“She is perfect and healthy, and her big brother is joyfully adjusting to life with his new baby sister,” Leavitt wrote in the post, which also included a photo of her with Vivi in her nursery. “We are enjoying every moment in our blissful newborn bubble.”

Leavitt has not indicated publicly how long she will take for her maternity leave. Other administration officials are expected to take the White House briefing room lectern in Leavitt’s absence; Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who doubles as the president’s national security adviser, held a press briefing at the White House earlier this week.

US, Gulf nations urge UN support for Hormuz resolution

Standing alongside Gulf allies, U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz called on the U.N. Security Council -- more notably Iran’s allies, Russia and China -- to support a resolution that would condemn Tehran’s actions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz and threaten sanctions if it does not release its chokehold.

The resolution -- put forth by the U.S. and Bahrain -- is the second attempt to punish Iran for leveraging its hold over the vital waterway since U.S. and Israeli strikes ignited the war in late February.

“So we’re giving the U.N. and the Security Council another chance to get back to basics, to uphold these basic principles,” Waltz said Thursday. ”...If aid fails to reach the very people that the countries in the council claim to care about, what does that really say for the U.N.? What does that say for these countries?”

Iran creates new agency to control shipping in Strait of Hormuz while reviewing peace deal with US

Iran established the new government agency to approve transit and collect tolls from shipping in the strait, shipping data firm Lloyd’s List Intelligence said Thursday. The move has raised concerns about eroding the freedom of navigation on which global trade depends.

The agency, called the Persian Gulf Strait Authority, is “positioning itself as the only valid authority to grant permission to ships transiting the strait,” Lloyd’s reported in an online briefing. Lloyd’s said the authority had emailed it an application form for ships seeking passage.

The Iranian effort to formalize control over the channel comes as hundreds of commercial ships remain bottled up in the Persian Gulf and unable to reach the open sea.

▶ Read more

Democratic senators press US military on Israel’s evacuation zones, warning of legal risks

A group of Democratic U.S. senators have called for the U.S. Central Command to answer questions about American coordination with Israel in declaring broad “ evacuation zones ” in Lebanon and Iran, alleging the practice may violate international law.

The letter underlines how the Democratic Party — both its leaders and the base — has grown increasingly critical of Israel.

Since the beginning of the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran and the latest Israel-Hezbollah war in Lebanon, the Israeli military has regularly issued maps covering large areas of territory along with warnings telling all residents of the zones to flee. Israel had previously used a similar approach in Gaza.

The senators said the sweeping warnings have “been used to permanently displace people and destroy homes and towns” and that some civilians who refused to leave their homes in the areas have been killed by subsequent strikes.

▶ Read more

State Department official says high-level talks between Israel and Lebanon will resume in Washington

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss plans for the closed-door talks, said the meeting would take place next week on May 14 and 15. The official did not specify the venue but the previous two rounds have taken place at the State Department and the White House.

The earlier rounds were led by the U.S. ambassador to Lebanon and the Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors to the United States, although Secretary of State Marco Rubio participated in both and President Trump greeted the participants at the second.

— Matthew Lee

US imposes sanctions on Iraqi officials and firms over Iran ties

The U.S. Treasury Department announced new sanctions on an Iraqi oil official, several Iraqi firms and leaders of Iran-backed militias accused of helping Iran evade U.S. sanctions and finance militants.

The Treasury Department alleges that Iraq’s deputy oil minister, Ali Maarij Al-Bahadly, helped divert Iraqi oil and falsify documents so Iranian oil could be sold as Iraqi oil, benefiting Iran and allied militias.

“Treasury will not stand idly by as Iran’s military exploits Iraqi oil to fund terrorism against the United States and our partners,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement Thursday.

The Vatican says the pope and Rubio discussed the need to work for peace

The Vatican said the “need to work tirelessly in favor of peace” was discussed in talks Thursday with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who came to Rome on a fence-mending visit after President Trump’s criticisms of Pope Leo XIV.

During Rubio’s meeting with Leo, and the Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, “the shared commitment to fostering good bilateral relations between the Holy See and the United States of America was reaffirmed,” the Vatican said.

In a statement, the Vatican said the two sides then exchanged views on current events “with particular attention to countries marked by war, political tensions, and difficult humanitarian situations, as well as on the need to work tirelessly in favor of peace.”

Legislative session on redistricting is underway in Tennessee

Republican lawmakers in Tennessee are debating a plan that could carve up a majority-Black congressional district, reshaping it to the GOP’s advantage as part of President Trump’s strategy to try to hold on to a slim House majority in the November midterm elections.

Protesters shouted “No Jim Crow” outside the House and Senate chambers as lawmakers convened to consider the legislation. The redistricting effort in Tennessee is one of several rapidly advancing plans in Southern states as Republicans try to leverage a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that weakened the federal Voting Rights Act.

▶ Read more

These numbers show the impact of Iran’s grip on the Strait of Hormuz

1. 21 miles (34 kilometers) — This is the width of the Strait of Hormuz, which bends like an elbow, at its narrowest point between Iran and Oman. Ships follow narrow lanes to safely navigate the shallow water, making it even more of a chokepoint. 2. 20% — Before the war, a fifth of the world’s traded oil typically flowed through the Strait of Hormuz every day, as well as large supplies of natural gas, fertilizer and other petroleum products. 3. 50% — The amount that the average price of gas in the U.S. has risen since the war began. The average price of a gallon was $4.56 on Thursday, according to AAA. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has also nearly doubled the cost of jet fuel. 4. 15,000 — The number of U.S. soldiers, accompanied by 100 aircraft, committed to enforce Project Freedom, according to the U.S. military. President Trump’s initiative to guide ships through the strait was paused Tuesday, just two days after he announced it. 5. 2 — The number of ships the U.S. said it successfully guided through the strait as part of Project Freedom.

US stocks hold near their records as crude oil prices fall again

The U.S. stock market is holding near its records as oil prices keep dropping on hopes that a deal may be nearing to allow tankers to carry crude once again from the Persian Gulf.

The S&P 500 added 0.1% early Thursday to its all-time high set the day before. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 193 points, and the Nasdaq composite added 0.1%.

DoorDash jumped after reporting better results than expected. Whirlpool tumbled after reporting much weaker results than expected. The seller of home appliances said it would raise prices by at least 10% for some of its offerings, while accelerating cost cuts.

▶ Read more

Chief Justice John Roberts says the Supreme Court is not political

Supreme Court justices are not “political actors,” Chief Justice John Roberts said Wednesday, insisting unpopular court decisions are based solely on the law.

“I think, at a very basic level, people think we’re making policy decisions, we’re saying we think this is how things should be, as opposed to what the law provides,” he said. “I think they view us as purely political actors, which I don’t think is an accurate understanding of what we do.”

His remarks to a conference of judges and lawyers from the 3rd U.S. Circuit in Pennsylvania came at a time of low public confidence in the court, and about a week after the court handed down a decision that hollowed out the Voting Rights Act.

▶ Read more

Tennessee poised to vote on new US House map sought by Trump that carves up Memphis

Republican lawmakers in Tennessee are poised to take up a plan Thursday that could carve up a majority-Black congressional district, reshaping it to the GOP’s advantage as part of President Trump’s strategy to try to hold on to a slim House majority in the November midterm elections.

The redistricting effort in Tennessee is one of several rapidly advancing plans in Southern states as Republicans try to leverage a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that weakened the federal Voting Rights Act.

The court ruled Louisiana relied too heavily on race when creating a second Black-majority House district as it attempted to comply with the federal law. The high court’s decision altered a decades-old understanding of the law, giving Republicans grounds to try to eliminate majority-Black districts that have elected Democrats.

▶ Read more

Rubio’s Vatican talks included discussing efforts to achieve ‘durable peace’ in the Middle East

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Pope Leo XIV and then Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin in a visit that lasted 2½ hours.

U.S. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said Rubio and Leo discussed the situation in the Middle East “and topics of mutual interest in the Western Hemisphere. The meeting underscored the strong relationship between the United States and the Holy See and their shared commitment to promoting peace and human dignity,” he said.

In a separate statement about the Parolin meeting, Pigott said the two diplomats discussed “ongoing humanitarian efforts in the Western Hemisphere and efforts to achieve a durable peace in the Middle East. The discussion reflected the enduring partnership between the United States and the Holy See in advancing religious freedom,” the statement said.

▶ Read more

Trump, hoping for an eventual Supreme Court victory, seeks to halt $83M payment in sexual abuse case

Trump’s lawyer, hoping for an eventual Supreme Court victory, has asked a federal appeals court in New York to temporarily block a longtime columnist from collecting an $83 million defamation award.

The lawyer told the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in a filing Tuesday to stay its decision supporting the award so that Trump won’t have to pay writer E. Jean Carroll while he appeals to the high court.

A Manhattan jury awarded Carroll the payout in January 2024. Another jury in May 2023 awarded Carroll $5 million after concluding Trump sexually abused her in a Manhattan luxury department store dressing room in 1996 and then defamed her after she published her account of it in 2019.

Trump has vehemently denied sexually abusing Carroll or ever knowing her and has repeatedly accused her of making accusations against him for political purposes or to promote her memoir.

Attorney Roberta Kaplan, who represents Carroll, declined to comment through a spokesperson.

▶ Read more

Trump wants to paint the Eisenhower office building white. Now a key federal agency considers it

Trump’s proposal to put a coat of white paint on the exterior of a 19th-century historic landmark building next to the White House is slated for a hearing Thursday by a key federal agency, which he expects to approve what would be a dramatic makeover.

The National Capital Planning Commission is scheduled to begin considering the plan on Thursday, according to its meeting agenda. Trump calls for painting all or most of the Eisenhower building’s gray granite exterior with white paint. He last year called the gray a “really bad color.”

But the proposal has alarmed preservationists, architects, historians and others who argue that granite is not meant to be painted and that paint would trap moisture, deteriorate the stone and not solve problems the administration wants to fix.

▶ Read more

Trump administration sows confusion as it tries to reopen Strait of Hormuz

The Trump administration’s approach to the Iran war over the past 24 hours has pinballed from declarations that a tenuous ceasefire was holding and military operations were over to new threats of bombing the Islamic Republic.

Tuesday started with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth explaining how the U.S. military was protecting stranded ships so they could traverse the Strait of Hormuz.

That afternoon, Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters at the White House that the military operation was “concluded” and that the U.S. achieved its objectives. But in almost the same breath, he said Trump was still seeking a “path of peace” that required Iran to agree to a deal to reopen the vital oil shipping corridor.

By Tuesday evening, Trump announced that the effort to protect ships was paused to see if an agreement could be reached. Then on Wednesday morning, he again warned that bombing would resume if Tehran didn’t agree to U.S. terms.

▶ Read more

Iran reviewing US proposal as Trump pressures Tehran for agreement on deal to end war

Iran said it was reviewing the latest American proposals on ending the war, as Trump threatened the country with a new wave of bombing unless a deal is reached that includes reopening the crucial Strait of Hormuz to international shipping.

Hope that the two-month conflict could soon end buoyed international markets on Thursday, even as the U.S. military fired on an Iranian oil tanker attempting to breach an American blockade of Iran’s ports hours earlier. The developments followed days of mixed messaging from the Trump administration over its strategy to end the war.

Trump posted on social media that the two-month war could soon end and that oil and natural gas shipments disrupted by the conflict could restart. But he said that depends on Iran accepting a reported agreement that he did not detail.

“If they don’t agree, the bombing starts,” Trump wrote.

▶ Read more

Rubio arrives for audience with Pope Leo XIV to ease tensions after Trump’s criticism over Iran

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio opened a fence-mending visit to the Vatican on Thursday after President Donald Trump’s broadsides against Pope Leo XIV and the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran angered the Holy See and sparked ongoing sparring between the two American leaders.

Rubio, a practicing Catholic, had an audience scheduled with Leo, which was complicated at the last minute by Trump’s latest criticism of the Chicago-born pope. Leo has pushed back, calling out Trump’s misrepresentations of his views on Iran and nuclear weapons and insisting that he is merely preaching the biblical message of peace.

Rubio was also due to meet with the Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who on the eve of his visit strongly defended Leo and criticized Trump’s attacks in understated diplomatic terms. “Attacking him like that or criticizing what he does seems a bit strange to me, to say the least,” Parolin said Wednesday.

Parolin said Washington had requested Rubio’s audience, and that the pope was open to continued dialogue.

▶ Read more

The letter underlines how the Democratic Party — both its leaders and the base — has grown increasingly critical of Israel.

Since the beginning of the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran and the latest Israel-Hezbollah war in Lebanon, the Israeli military has regularly issued maps covering large areas of territory along with warnings telling all residents of the zones to flee. Israel had previously used a similar approach in Gaza.

The senators said the sweeping warnings have “been used to permanently displace people and destroy homes and towns” and that some civilians who refused to leave their homes in the areas have been killed by subsequent strikes.

The 12 senators led by Vermont Sen. Peter Welch, in a letter dated May 4 to CENTCOM chief Adm. Brad Cooper that was provided to The Associated Press, state that Israel’s practice of unilaterally declaring mass evacuation warnings in Lebanon and Iran “likely contravene international laws the United States has helped develop around humane warfare.”

The other signatories include senators Bernie Sanders of Vermont, an independent who caucuses with the Democrats, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Sen. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin.

The letter asked the CENTCOM chief whether U.S. forces have coordinated military targets with Israeli forces during the recent war with Iran, whether they provided assistance or intelligence helping Israel’s military to impose the evacuation zones in Lebanon and Iran, and whether CENTCOM signed off on U.S. military support for the targeting of people or infrastructure in the evacuation zones. It also asked whether the U.S. military has reviewed the legality of the practice.

The Israeli military declined to comment when asked about the letter. CENTCOM did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In the past, Israel has said the evacuation maps aim to keep civilians out of harm’s way. It says Hezbollah has positioned fighters, tunnels and weapons in civilian areas across southern Lebanon, from which it has launched hundreds of drones and missiles — without warning — into northern Israel.

International law experts say Israel’s warnings are inconsistent and often overly broad and open-ended. In Lebanon, residents say the warnings sometimes come with short notice or in the middle of the night, causing chaos and confusion, while in some cases, the warnings prompt evacuations but are never followed by a strike. In other cases, strikes in residential areas come with no warning.

A shift in the party stance

Observers said the move is part of a larger shift in the stance of Democratic Party leaders on U.S. military assistance to Israel. Democrats have also been critical of the Trump administration's entry into the war on Iran alongside Israel.

The letter came nearly three weeks after more than three dozen Democrats supported an effort by Sanders to block arms sales to Israel, signaling a growing discontent in the party with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the wars in Gaza and Iran.

The two resolutions to block U.S. sales of bulldozers and bombs to Israel were opposed by all Republicans and rejected 40-59 and 36-63.

Jon Finer, former deputy national security adviser under President Joe Biden, said the recent steps by Democratic senators reflect a “growing concern about Israeli conduct of various wars that cause civilian harm and U.S. complicity in that" across the spectrum within the Democratic Party.

Asked why the Democratic Party is taking these steps now and not at the time when the war in Gaza and the Israel-Hezbollah war broke out — when the Democratic Biden administration was in power — Finer said: “our operational integration with Israel appears to be growing, which is part of it, but the truth is the Democratic base has been moving in this direction for some time and Washington has been catching up.”

Andrew Miller, a former senior official on Israel and Palestinian Affairs at the State Department, said the letter “represents a shift among congressional Democrats moving from questions of the legality of Israeli military operations to concerns about the complicity of the U.S. military.”

“It demonstrates that Democrats are taking international law very seriously and that is a welcome development,” Miller said.

The evacuation zones

Israel has issued dozens of evacuation warnings in Lebanon since the latest Israel-Hezbollah war began on March 2. Over 1 million people in Lebanon have fled their homes during the war.

Israel has also issued similar warnings for Iranians, both during the 12-day Israel-Iran war last year and during the U.S.-Israeli war launched on Iran on Feb. 28. In one case last year they warned 300,000 people in Tehran, Iran's capital, to evacuate.

On Wednesday, the Israeli military’s Arabic-language spokesperson Avichay Adraee issued an evacuation warning to residents of 12 villages in southern Lebanon saying Hezbollah is using them to launch attacks. The warnings came despite a ceasefire that has been nominally in place since April 17, although Israel and Hezbollah have been carrying daily attacks since then.

The senators said the declaration of evacuation zones does not absolve Israeli and U.S. forces “from the absolute legal responsibility to determine that each individual person or civilian facility targeted by drones, jets, and gunfire is, in fact, a military target.” It said the use of the zones has been linked to “the deaths of thousands of civilians," describing them as “kill zones.”

In response to questions by the AP last month, the Israeli military said it issues warnings by phone, text, radio broadcast, social media and leaflets dropped from the air, in accordance with the “principles of distinction, proportionality and feasible precautions” under international law.

___

Associated Press writer Julia Frankel contributed to this report from Jerusalem.

The indictment identified the man as Yona Schreiber, 36, from the Israeli-occupied West Bank settlement of Peduel. It comes after a video of the assault received wide condemnation from foreign and Christian leaders.

Schreiber was arrested last week, and Israel's attorney general recommended extending his detention for the duration of the case. Schreiber’s lawyer refused to speak to an Associated Press journalist at the court.

According to the indictment, Schreiber attacked a woman in Jerusalem, just outside of the walls of Jerusalem’s Old City, because she was wearing a habit that identified her as a Catholic nun. He pushed her and then kicked her while she was lying on the ground, and also attacked a passerby who attempted to halt his attack, the indictment said.

Schreiber is being charged with simple assault, and assault motivated by religious hostility.

Olivier Poquillon, the director of the French School of Biblical and Archaeological Research, said that the nun was a researcher at the school. He called the attack an “act of sectarian violence” in an X post.

Religious groups have documented a rise in acts of harassment and violence against Christian pilgrims and clergy as well as Palestinian Christian residents, including assaults and spitting, often by extremist ultra-Orthodox Jews.

The arrest comes as Israeli treatment of religious minorities is under scrutiny, weeks after police limited access for holiday worship in Jerusalem’s holiest sites because of security concerns during the Iran war.

Latin Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa was prohibited from holding a private Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Palm Sunday, the first time in centuries Catholic leaders have been prevented from observing Palm Sunday at the church. After the uproar, Jerusalem police eventually worked out a compromise for a limited Easter Mass at the church.

Israel also drew international criticism after a soldier photographed himself bludgeoning a fallen statue of Jesus on the cross with an ax in southern Lebanon. Israeli leaders later disavowed the incident and said that he would be reprimanded, and assisted local residents in replacing the statue.

The Israeli military also opened an investigation into a soldier photographed shoving a cigarette into the mouth of the statue of the Virgin Mary, which was apparently photographed several weeks ago. The military said that it views the incident with “utmost severity.” And there have been questions and concern about Israeli soldiers bulldozing parts of a Catholic convent in southern Lebanon.

Last month, Israel’s Foreign Ministry appointed former Ambassador George Deek to be the special envoy to the Christian world, in response to the incidents. Deek previously served as Israel’s ambassador to Azerbaijan and was Israel’s first Arab Christian ambassador.

Deek condemned the soldier filmed smoking a cigarette with a statue of the Virgin Mary, and stressed that Israel “is committed to preserving religious freedom and the dignity of all religions.”

Israel’s founding declaration includes safeguarding freedom of religion and all holy places, and it portrays itself as an oasis of religious tolerance in a volatile region.

But some church authorities and monitoring groups have lamented a recent increase in anti-Christian sentiment and harassment. The issue is particularly pronounced in Jerusalem’s Old City, a densely populated area with narrow alleyways of ancient stones, which houses holy sites for Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

Wadie Abunassar, the coordinator of the Holy Land Christian Forum, last week called attacks targeting Christians a growing phenomenon. He attributed the quick response to the attack on the nun to the fact that it was caught on video.

He said that he felt “great anger on the system and great sadness, because I feel that this will not end anytime soon.” One of the problems, he said, was insufficient deterrence against such violence.

“Many times in such cases there are no arrests and if there are arrests, sometimes after one or two days, (suspects) are released,” he added. “In some cases, the police do not recommend the prosecution to file charges or to indict them. And in some cases, when there is indictment, the indictment is mild.”

___

Sam Metz contributed to this report from Ramallah, West Bank.

A free kick that should have led to a second yellow card for handball by Paris Saint-Germain defender Nuno Mendes was overturned after just 29 minutes when Bayern badly needed a way back into Wednesday's game.

“That would have been a decisive moment if PSG had lost a player so early,” said Bayern’s Konrad Laimer, who instead was eventually judged — on the fourth official’s advice — to have handled the ball seconds earlier.

Two years ago, a potential goal in stoppage time by Bayern’s Matthijs de Ligt to force extra time at Real Madrid was ruled out by a quickly raised flag for a possible offside that was marginal at best.

In 2024, Bayern’s then-coach Thomas Tuchel called the on-field ruling a “disastrous decision” that “feels almost like a betrayal.”

It is now six years and counting — and two semifinals exits — since six-time European champion Bayern last played in the final.

An added frustration is the passage of play around the Nuno Mendes handball could not be reviewed by the VAR system — though a similar incident could be next season when the rules are updated.

Key moment

PSG took a deserved third-minute lead in Munich on Wednesday when Ousmane Dembélé finished a fast break driven by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s skills and speed.

That made it 6-4 on aggregate to PSG, and Bayern seeking a big change in momentum.

It seemed to come when Laimer surged forward and flicked the ball up to the side of Nuno Mendes, whose outstretched right arm made his body bigger and blocked the ball.

Referee João Pinheiro blew his whistle and signaled with his left arm a free kick to Bayern. Another yellow card for Nuno Mendes, already booked for tripping Michael Olise, seemed inevitable.

Before Pinheiro reached the spot to take the free kick, his right arm was out in the PSG direction of play. The Portuguese referee gave a thumbs up signal to his fourth official on the touchline, Espen Eskas from Norway.

Laimer was judged to have handled the ball several meters (yards) further back when he first controlled the bouncing ball. Television replays were inconclusive.

“You don’t feel it during the game itself. I thought I had played the ball with my stomach, and then Mendes with his hand,” Laimer said. “The referee whistled for handball against me five seconds later. That’s really strange.”

No VAR review

The VAR protocol today allows video review of “clear and obvious errors” in four game-changing situations: A goal, a penalty, direct red cards, mistaken identity when the wrong player is shown a red or yellow card.

Starting at the World Cup next month, VAR can intervene to overturn a red card if a second yellow was shown in error.

Nuno Mendes never was shown a second yellow on Wednesday. However, a similar situation next season will let the referee follow their first instinct and review the whole passage of play at a pitchside monitor.

“I though he was giving it,” Bayern coach Vincent Kompany said of Pinheiro moving toward a second yellow for Nuno Mendes. “I felt he pulled out because he realized he had already given him a yellow and he didn’t want to send him off for that, and he’s turned it around to the other side.

“I’ve seen it from a few angles. I don’t see Konrad Laimer touch the ball with his hand.”

Instead of playing one hour against PSG down one man, Bayern faced a full-strength opponent and did not score until Harry Kane’s goal at the very end of a 1-1 game that cut the overall score to 6-5.

Minutes after the Laimer decision, Bayern was correctly denied a penalty for handball by PSG’s João Neves because the ball was played to his arm by a teammate. That nuance is not specified in The Laws of the Game but it is in a supplementary document called Football Rules.

PSG will defend its Champions League title against Arsenal on May 30. Bayern’s wait goes on.

___

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