According to the Federal Aviation Administration, a Boeing 767 cargo plane overran the runway at MIA around 2 p.m.

The flight originated from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico, officials said.

According to officials with MIA, it was Prime Air flight 7598 that was disabled after going off the northwest end of the airport’s diagonal runway.

A ground stop was issued, and all runways were closed following the crash.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said several vehicles were struck by the plane near the 2100 block of Northwest 42nd Avenue.

Plumes of black smoke could be seen coming from the plane as firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze.

MDFR said there were multiple people who were injured but did not elaborate on the extent of those injuries.

Officials also said that over 60 MDFR units were responding to the scene.

The FAA said it will be investigating the circumstances that led to the plane going off the runway.

With empty seats everywhere after he finished his U.S. Open first-round match in the early morning hours, he took two questions from reporters on the court and quickly wrapped it up.

“I think everybody’s tired," he said. “Everybody wants to go to sleep.”

The city that never sleeps is going a little overboard this year.

Players have long loved the electricity of night matches at the U.S. Open, where tennis under the lights at Arthur Ashe Stadium is a hallmark of the American Grand Slam tournament, with fans staying late and bringing plenty of energy. But with the tournament this year already setting a record with three post-2 a.m. finishes over the first six days, plus two more going past 1 a.m., concerns are bubbling up about how much after midnight is too much on such a big stage.

“I know they’re dealing with a lot of different aspects as far as broadcast and TV and making sure certain matches get done and are starting at a certain time for those reasons,” third-ranked women's player Jessica Pegula said. ”But you have to wonder if it’s really the right thing for players to be finishing at 2 a.m., especially when it’s not — like, I’m not watching on TV. I’m sleeping. Some people stay, but there is a lot of people that need to go home.”

Wimbledon instituted an 11 p.m. curfew. The French Open schedules just one match a night. The U.S. Open is famous for going late, though this time maybe to an extreme.

On opening night, Venus Williams was subjected to the latest start in U.S. Open history at 12:13 a.m., after it took 4 hours, 36 minutes for Novak Djokovic to get knocked out in the first round.

Much of the crowd stuck around to see what could wind up being the 46-year-old's final Grand Slam singles match, a loss to Sofia Kenin, but the timing itself was a challenge.

“It’s not ideal,” Williams said. “I would have preferred something else, definitely. It wasn’t great for either of us, so I think we both tried our best. I just don’t know any other sport where you have to start that late. I definitely think there’s room for improvement there."

Zverev's first two matches ended at 1:55 and 2:15 a.m., making him the first top-seeded man to play back-to-back five-set matches to start a major in the Open era, which dates to 1968. Ben Shelton's second-rounder that started Friday night went until 2:07 a.m. Saturday thanks to the Williams sisters' doubles match lasting more than three hours.

Four of the latest 17 finishes in tournament history have occurred this year. The record is still 2:50 a.m. from when Carlos Alcaraz beat Jannik Sinner in the quarterfinals in 2022 on the way to his first U.S. Open title.

"Not easy," Shelton said after defeating Denis Shapovalov in 3 hours, 22 minutes. “My first time experiencing playing this late.”

Shelton figured the earliest he'd get to sleep was 5 a.m.

Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka, who two years ago played what is now the fourth-latest women's match, is not a fan of playing after midnight and the potentially lingering effects.

“When you finish late, the next day shifts a lot,” Sabalenka said. “Like, you still need to get your hours of sleep, so you start later. You just can really mess up your schedule.”

___

See AP’s full tennis coverage here

The NFL's Compensation Committee notified the full ownership of the agreement on Sunday.

In a memo sent to owners that was obtained by The Associated Press, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft said: “We believe we are very fortunate to have Roger at the helm for the next four years.”

Kraft is the chairman of the league's compensation committee.

“Throughout the negotiation process, the Committee worked closely with an independent third-party compensation consultant and outside counsel to structure a deal that aligns Roger’s compensation with the League’s long-term interests and success,” Kraft said. “To that end, the agreement is heavily performance based, with more than 95% of the total compensation tied to Roger’s and the NFL’s performance measured against various metrics and at the discretion of the Compensation Committee.”

Financial terms of Goodell’s new contract weren’t immediately known. He reportedly earned $63.9 million for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons. The NFL hasn't been required to disclose Goodell’s compensation on an annual basis because the league office is no longer structured as a tax-exempt trade association.

This is the fifth contract extension for the 67-year-old Goodell, who has served as commissioner since succeeding Paul Tagliabue in 2006. He began his NFL career as an administrative intern in 1982 under then-Commissioner Pete Rozelle.

Under Goodell’s leadership, the NFL’s popularity and revenue have skyrocketed. The Washington Commanders were sold for $6.05 billion in 2023 and the Seattle Seahawks were sold for $9.612 billion this offseason, setting a new record.

The league has continued expanding its global reach, and is playing a record nine international games this season.

The expiration of Goodell's contract coincides with the end of the current collective bargaining agreement, which also expires in March 2031.

___

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

Since the end of July, the Sony superhero movie has ruled over cinemas with rare dominance. The last release to enjoy such a long stretch leading the box office was 2022's “Avatar: The Way of Water.” “Brand New Day,” the fourth standalone Spider-Man film starring Tom Holland, collected $18 million over the weekend, according to studio estimates Sunday. Sony is forecasting $23.3 million for the four-day holiday weekend.

“Brand New Day” has grossed $2.4 billion worldwide.

Universal Pictures' “The Odyssey,” as it has for much of the “Spider-Man” run, remained in second place. Christopher Nolan's epic added $13 million domestically over the weekend, bringing its global haul to $1.63 billion. More than $1 billion of that has come from overseas sales, making “The Odyssey” the first to achieve that international milestone since 2009's “Avatar.”

Both blockbusters — “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” and “The Odyssey” — helped lead Hollywood to its best summer since before the pandemic. Through Aug. 31, the domestic box office totaled $4.6 billion for the season, according to Rentrak, an increase of 26.1% from 2025 and just shy of 2013's record summer.

On Sunday, Rentrak forecast that, including the Labor Day weekend, the summer will end up with $4.759 billion, a whisker above the $4.758 billion of summer 2013. That time frame, though, spans 130 days this year, compared with 123 days in 2013.

Accounting for inflation and higher ticket prices, Hollywood's summer wasn't quite so historically sensational. Admissions are still well below pre-pandemic marks. But it's nevertheless a remarkable rebound for a film industry that has struggled to string together such a hit-filled summer through the pandemic, labor strife and the expansion of streaming.

Labor Day weekend is typically a sleepy time in theaters. And neither new release — Paramount's “By Any Means” and A24's “Onslaught” — made much of a mark. One of the weekend's best performers was “Coyote vs. Acme,” the hybrid live-action-animated Looney Tunes movie. It dipped a modest 29% to gross $11.3 million in its second weekend.

“Coyote vs. Acme” is turning out to be a good investment for Ketchup Entertainment. The indie distributor acquired the film for approximately $50 million after Warner Bros., which produced the $70 million film, opted to can it. In two weeks, “Coyote vs. Acme” has ridden strong reviews and good word-of-mouth to $33.8 million domestically.

“By Any Means,” a 1960s-set civil rights action thriller starring Mark Wahlberg and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, opened with $7.4 million. Paramount is projecting $9.2 million for the four-day holiday weekend. Audiences gave it a “B+” CinemaScore.

“Onslaught,” however, flopped with $1.9 million on 1,918 screens for the three-day weekend and a projection of $2.3 million for the four-day weekend. The A24 release, directed by Adam Wingard, stars Adria Arjona as a former Army sniper who defends her trailer park home from three escaped, experimental super soldiers. “Onslaught” cost a modest $15 million to make. But reviews (57% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes) and audience scores (a “C” CinemaScore) weren't good.

Meanwhile, “Buddy,” a low-budget dark comedy, has turned into a surprise success. Made for just $3 million, the film, directed by Casper Kelly and from the producers of “Weapons,” is about a group of children trapped inside a surreal 1990s children’s television series. After overperforming in its opening weekend, “Buddy” actually increased its ticket sales over its second weekend. The film grossed $5.7 million, up 5%, to bring its two-week total to $14.3 million.

Top 10 movies by domestic box office

With final domestic figures being released Monday, this list factors in the estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Rentrak:

1. “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” $18 million.

2. “The Odyssey,” $13 million.

3. “Coyote vs. Acme,” $11.3 million.

4. “By Any Means,” $7.4 million.

5. “Insidious: Out of the Further,” $6.5 million.

6. “Cars” (20th anniversary): $6.1 million.

7. “Buddy,” $5.7 million.

8. “PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie,” $3.3 million.

9. “The End of Oak Street,” $2.9 million.

10. “The Dog Stars,” $2.7 million.

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Bustos, who is a cancer patient preparing to undergo chemotherapy, said it has been seven months since they last saw their poodle named “Lucy.”

Bustos said she hired a temporary dog sitter, who has a dog breeding company and came highly recommended as a boarder, but she has refused to return her to them.

“She was not willing to remove ‘Lucy’ from her pack ... I felt like instant betrayal because I know that my son trusted me to trust her, and I made a judgment call that was not helpful for my family, and I could only think about him,” Bustos said through tears. “That’s the truth: How was I going to tell my son?”

The poodle was initially a gift for her 14-year-old son, who said on Saturday through tears that “Lucy” was his “best friend.”

Bustos explained the situation to the dog sitter and the pain her children are feeling.

“I am not giving her up,” the dog sitter said, according to Bustos.

Busto said that even after she told her about her cancer diagnosis and how much her children need support, the dog sitter declined to return the dog.

“I am very sorry you are going through this, but this doesn’t change my decision,” the dog sitter said, according to Bustos.

Feeling powerless, Busto and her husband, Roger Busto, have filed two reports with the Miami Police Department, hired an attorney for help in civil court, and started a campaign to “Bring Lucy” home.

“My son asking, ‘Oh, when is Lucy coming?’ And then the twins, they start screaming her name,” Roger Busto said about his kids’ pain.

The dog sitter refused to answer requests for comment on Saturday night at her home in southwestern Miami-Dade County. There were dogs inside barking.

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Licona is the founder and president of Seeing the Unseen Outreach, a nonprofit organization that is fundraising to contribute to the effort.

“Jamaica is the best place on Earth, the greatest place on Earth, but we’re hurting. Western Jamaica is hurting,” Licona said.

Many families have been forced to live in shambles. Licona said Seeing the Unseen Outreach volunteers visited needy areas for two weeks in August to help as much as they could.

“So what we do is we create care packages, food staples, rice, flour, sugar, corn meal. We provided canned food,” Licona said.

The volunteers helped deliver thousands of care packages and hundreds of backpacks filled with school supplies.

“They’re still parents that were in tears because I ran out of bags. I ran, I ran out of the school supplies. They still need water, they still need clothing,” Licona said.

Jonathan Licona, a board member of the nonprofit, said they distributed 24,000 packages. He is eager to help a homeless family of nine in the Saint Elizabeth Parish to get a roof over their heads by Christmas.

“They’re still living under a tarp,” Licona said.

Dadiere Licona said she was impressed by Jamaicans’ resilience.

“Despite of what they’re going through, they still have smiles on their faces. They’re still cracking jokes. They’re, ‘Oh God bless you. Thank you for coming back,’” Dadiere Licona said.

The nonprofit organization is hosting a flower for a cause fundraiser on Saturdays at the Legion Farmers Market in Miami and on Sundays at the Vizcaya Village Farmers Market in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood.

For more information about how to help, visit the nonprofit organizations page.

Licona es fundadora y presidenta de Seeing the Unseen Outreach, una organización sin fines de lucro que recauda fondos para contribuir a esos esfuerzos.

“Jamaica es el mejor lugar de la Tierra, el lugar más maravilloso de la Tierra, pero estamos sufriendo. El oeste de Jamaica está sufriendo”, dijo Licona.

Muchas familias se han visto obligadas a vivir entre los escombros. Licona dijo que voluntarios de Seeing the Unseen Outreach visitaron durante dos semanas en agosto las zonas más necesitadas para ayudar en todo lo posible.

“Lo que hacemos es preparar paquetes de ayuda con alimentos básicos: arroz, harina, azúcar y harina de maíz. También proporcionamos alimentos enlatados”, dijo Licona.

Los voluntarios ayudaron a distribuir miles de paquetes de ayuda y cientos de mochilas llenas de útiles escolares.

“Todavía había padres llorando porque se me acabaron las bolsas. Se me acabaron, se me acabaron los útiles escolares. Todavía necesitan agua, todavía necesitan ropa”, dijo Licona.

Jonathan Licona, miembro de la junta directiva de la organización, dijo que distribuyeron 24,000 paquetes. Ahora espera ayudar a una familia de nueve integrantes que no tiene hogar en la parroquia de Saint Elizabeth para que pueda tener un techo antes de Navidad.

“Todavía están viviendo bajo una lona”, dijo Licona.

Dadiere Licona afirmó que quedó impresionada por la resiliencia de los jamaiquinos.

“A pesar de todo lo que están viviendo, todavía tienen una sonrisa en el rostro. Siguen haciendo bromas. Dicen: ‘Dios los bendiga. Gracias por regresar’”, señaló Dadiere Licona.

La organización sin fines de lucro realiza una recaudación de fondos llamada “Flowers for a Cause” los sábados en el Legion Farmers Market, en Miami, y los domingos en el Vizcaya Village Farmers Market, en el vecindario Coconut Grove de Miami.

Para obtener más información sobre cómo ayudar, visite la página de la organización sin fines de lucro.

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Firefighters responded shortly after 5:30 p.m. on Saturday to the 2500 block of State Road 84, according to Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue.

Crews worked their way down into the yacht’s engine room, and a firefighter suffered minor injuries, according to FLFR.

Firefighters extinguished the fire and took one of their own to a nearby hospital. The cause of the fire remained under investigation on Saturday night.

Local 10 News Assignment Editor Sofia Mendez contributed to this report.

Los bomberos acudieron poco después de las 5:30 p.m. del sábado a la cuadra 2500 de State Road 84, según Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue.

Los equipos descendieron hasta la sala de máquinas del yate, donde uno de los bomberos sufrió heridas leves, de acuerdo con FLFR.

Los bomberos lograron extinguir el incendio y trasladaron a uno de sus compañeros a un hospital cercano.

La causa del incendio seguía bajo investigación la noche del sábado.

La editora de asignaciones de Local 10 News Sofia Mendez contribuyó a este reporte.

The full episode can be seen at the top of this page.

He joined host Glenna Milberg on the latest episode of “This Week in South Florida”, and their conversation can be seen at the top of this page.

Christopher Urbina dijo que la cámara de vigilancia de la puerta principal de su casa grabó al ladrón, quien llevaba una mascarilla.

“Convertirse en ciudadano es algo muy importante y es un proceso”, dijo Urbina, quien nació en Honduras.

El video mostró el robo de correspondencia poco después de las 2:10 p.m. del 28 de agosto. Urbina dijo que la experiencia afectó su sensación de seguridad en el vecindario, por lo que está considerando mudarse.

“Me acabo de mudar aquí hace como un mes,  Si alguien se siente tan cómodo robando mi correspondencia, ¿qué otras cosas pueden pasar aquí? No lo sé”, dijo Urbina.

También en el condado Broward, un video de vigilancia de Ring mostró a una mujer robando de buzones alrededor de las 6:05 a.m. del 27 de abril en Deerfield Beach.

En el condado Miami-Dade, un video de vigilancia mostró a un hombre que iba en bicicleta robando de varios buzones a las 2:30 a.m. del 31 de julio en Parkview Condominiums.

Urbina dijo que reportó el caso al Servicio de Inspección Postal de Estados Unidos. La agencia recibe información al 1-877-876-2455.

Los detectives piden a cualquier persona que tenga información sobre este u otros casos y quiera permanecer en el anonimato que llame a Crime Stoppers al 954-493-8477 en Broward o al 305-471-8477 en Miami-Dade.

Historias relacionadas

• Detectives arrestan a 2 hombres acusados de usar llaves maestras para robar correspondencia en Davie
• Hombre enfrenta 10 cargos tras confesar robos de correspondencia en Coral Gables

Bustos, quien es paciente de cáncer y se prepara para someterse a quimioterapia, dijo que han pasado siete meses desde la última vez que vieron a su poodle, llamado “Lucy”.

Bustos dijo que contrató a una cuidadora temporal de perros, quien tiene una empresa de crianza canina y le había sido muy recomendada como encargada de hospedaje, pero que se ha negado a devolverles a Lucy.

“Ella no estaba dispuesta a separar a ‘Lucy’ de su manada... Sentí una traición inmediata porque sé que mi hijo confió en mí para que yo confiara en ella, y tomé una decisión que no ayudó a mi familia, y solo podía pensar en él”, dijo Bustos entre lágrimas. “Esa es la verdad: ¿cómo iba a decírselo a mi hijo?”

El poodle fue originalmente un regalo para su hijo de 14 años, quien dijo el sábado entre lágrimas que “Lucy” era su “mejor amiga”.

Bustos explicó la situación a la cuidadora y el dolor que están sintiendo sus hijos.

“No voy a renunciar a ella”, dijo la cuidadora, según Bustos.

Bustos dijo que, incluso después de contarle sobre su diagnóstico de cáncer y cuánto necesitan apoyo sus hijos, la cuidadora se negó a devolver al perro.

“Lamento mucho que estés pasando por esto, pero eso no cambia mi decisión”, dijo la cuidadora, según Bustos.

Al sentirse impotentes, Bustos y su esposo, Roger Busto, presentaron dos denuncias ante el Departamento de Policía de Miami, contrataron a un abogado para que los ayude en un proceso civil y comenzaron una campaña para “Traer a Lucy” de regreso a casa.

“Mi hijo pregunta: ‘Oh, ¿cuándo viene Lucy?’. Y luego los gemelos empiezan a gritar su nombre”, dijo Roger Busto al describir el dolor de sus hijos.

La cuidadora se negó a responder a las solicitudes de comentarios el sábado por la noche en su casa, en el suroeste del condado Miami-Dade. En el interior se escuchaban perros ladrando.

Townsend broke Sabalenka three times in the two-time defending champion's first four service games as she looked to spring the upset. Sabalenka found a groove, regained her confidence and won 6-4, 6-3.

“Basically, I was just trying to stay focused on myself and play not only point by point but ball by ball,” Sabalenka said. “I’m happy that I was able to turn it around in that second set.”

This was the first meeting between Sabalenka and Townsend, who gave her opponent fits in the first set but struggled to find her own rhythm. Sabalenka next faces either Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova or Marta Kostyuk for a spot in the semifinals.

"I’m happy to be through this really tough opponent," Sabalenka said. “What an incredible player she is approaching the net. What a great returner: moving well, very brave. You could see how focused she was. It was really challenging playing her."

Carlos Alcaraz looks to move closer to his title defense

Playing his first tournament following a four-month absence because of a wrist injury, men's second-seeded Carlos Alcaraz looks to take his next step toward defending his title when he faces No. 20 Tommy Paul in the second match at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Alcaraz is on a 17-match Grand Slam winning streak and has dropped just one set through three rounds at the U.S. Open. He is 12-0 against U.S. men at majors.

Americans are making runs at the US Open

Townsend and Paul were among the 10 Americans to reach the men’s and women’s round of 16. That is the most in the fourth round at any Grand Slam in nearly a quarter-century, dating to the 2002 U.S. Open, when there were 11.

The five U.S. men — Paul, Ben Shelton, Learner Tien, Frances Tiafoe and Alex Michelsen — are the most at a major since eight in 1995 at Flushing Meadows.

Tien played into early Sunday to beat Jakub Mensik in a five-set gem between a pair of emerging stars. At 20, Tien is the youngest American man in the U.S. Open fourth round since Andy Roddick in 2002.

Also in action Sunday

Shelton, the No. 8 seed, faces Stefanos Tsitsipas on Sunday night at Ashe, followed by fellow American Emma Navarro against Anna Kalinskaya. Other fourth-round matches include Jessica Pegula versus Sorana Cirstea, Tiafoe versus Daniil Medvedev and Noskova vs. Kostyuk.

___

See AP’s full tennis coverage here

A sus 95 años, Castro, quien fue presidente de Cuba durante aproximadamente una década y ministro de Defensa durante cerca de cinco décadas, todavía conserva el rango militar cubano de “General de Ejército” y ocupa de manera simbólica un escaño como diputado en la Asamblea Nacional.

Un reporte de la televisión estatal difundido el sábado por la noche mostró a Castro durante la conmemoración del 65 aniversario de la Dirección de Seguridad Personal del Ministerio del Interior de Cuba. Castro apareció junto al presidente cubano Miguel Díaz-Canel y su nieto Raúl Rodríguez Castro.

El estado de Castro era estable el jueves después de una hospitalización, según fuentes que estaban en comunicación con Andy Gomez, analista de Local 10 News y ex director del Instituto de Estudios Cubanos de la Universidad de Miami.

Funcionarios cubanos permanecieron en silencio sobre el tema después de que Diario Las Américas, periódico en español con sede en Miami, informara el martes que Castro, quien se retiró formalmente en abril de 2021, había sufrido un derrame cerebral.

La última aparición pública de Castro antes de ese reporte había sido el 6 de junio, durante una ceremonia para conmemorar el 62 aniversario del Ministerio del Interior de Cuba. No asistió al acto oficial para conmemorar el histórico asalto del 26 de julio de 1953.

Un honor participar con el General de Ejército en el acto por el aniversario 65 de la Dirección de Seguridad Personal, que tuvo sus orígenes mucho antes del 6 de septiembre de 1961, desde los tiempos de la lucha revolucionaria liderada por el Comandante en Jefe.

1/2 pic.twitter.com/YIS6otcgtV

— Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez (@DiazCanelB) September 6, 2026

Antes del comunismo

Castro nació el 3 de junio de 1931 en el poblado de Birán, en la provincia cubana de Holguín. Su padre, Ángel Castro, nació en España, y su madre, Lina Ruz González, nació en Cuba.

Castro era el menor de siete hermanos: dos varones, Fidel y Ramón, y cuatro mujeres, Ángela, Juana, Emma y Agustina. Estudió en colegios católicos jesuitas, el Colegio Dolores, en Santiago de Cuba, y el Colegio de Belén, en La Habana.

Castro asistió a la Universidad de La Habana. Fue miembro de la Juventud Socialista, una organización del Partido Socialista Popular, y participó en la campaña guerrillera en la Sierra Maestra.

Guerrillero

Castro fue arrestado después del ataque guerrillero al cuartel militar Moncada el 26 de julio de 1953 y condenado a 13 años de prisión, aunque solo cumplió 22 meses.

Castro recibió una amnistía del entonces presidente cubano Fulgencio Batista y fue liberado de la prisión Presidio Modelo el 15 de mayo de 1955, en la Isla de Pinos.

Castro se exilió en México. En 1956, en Ciudad de México, conoció a Ernesto “Che” Guevara, quien se había graduado de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad de Buenos Aires en 1953.

Castro, su hermano Fidel y Guevara viajaban a bordo del yate Granma, que desembarcó con decenas de guerrilleros el 2 de diciembre de 1956 en Playas Las Coloradas, en el este de Cuba.

Castro se unió a su hermano, Guevara y otros guerrilleros en las montañas de la Sierra Maestra. El grupo derrocó a Batista, quien huyó de Cuba el 1 de enero de 1959.

Castro se casó con Vilma Lucila Espín Guillois, también combatiente guerrillera y nacida en Santiago de Cuba, el 26 de enero de 1959. La pareja tuvo cuatro hijos: tres hijas, Déborah, nacida en 1960; Mariela, en 1962; y Nilsa; y un hijo, Alejandro, nacido en 1965.

Ascenso al poder

Mientras su hermano consolidaba su poder, Castro fue nombrado ministro de las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Cuba en 1959.

En 1996, Castro ordenó el derribo de aeronaves civiles cuyos pilotos y tripulantes pertenecían a Hermanos al Rescate. La Fuerza Aérea cubana atacó y mató a Carlos Costa, Armando Alejandre Jr., Mario de la Peña y Pablo Morales.

Castro se convirtió en jefe de Estado provisional de Cuba el 31 de julio de 2006. Su esposa, Espín Guillois, murió el 18 de junio de 2007.

Castro también se desempeñó como presidente interino del Consejo de Estado y del Consejo de Ministros de Cuba entre 2006 y 2008. La Asamblea Nacional lo eligió presidente el 24 de febrero de 2008.

En 2011, Castro fue elegido primer secretario del Partido Comunista. En 2013, la Asamblea Nacional lo eligió para un segundo mandato de cinco años.

En 2014, Castro anunció el inicio del proceso para normalizar las relaciones con Estados Unidos y negoció con Rusia la cancelación del 90% de una deuda que se remontaba a la época de la Unión Soviética.

Castro recibió en La Habana al entonces presidente estadounidense Barack Obama y a la entonces primera dama Michelle Obama el 20 de marzo de 2016.

Fidel Castro murió el 25 de noviembre de 2016, a los 90 años.

Castro se desempeñó como presidente hasta el 19 de abril de 2018, cuando Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, su sucesor elegido, lo reemplazó.

En 2021, Castro dejó el liderazgo del Partido Comunista y Díaz-Canel Bermúdez también lo sustituyó en ese cargo.

Aunque ha seguido ejerciendo influencia tras bastidores, Castro ha continuado realizando apariciones públicas vestido con su uniforme militar.

El 23 de abril, un gran jurado federal de Estados Unidos en Miami acusó formalmente a Raúl Castro por su papel en los ataques militares cubanos de 1996 contra dos avionetas Cessna desarmadas en las que viajaban cuatro integrantes de Hermanos al Rescate.

El 20 de mayo, el Departamento de Justicia de Estados Unidos hizo públicos los cargos: conspiración para matar a ciudadanos estadounidenses, cuatro cargos de asesinato y dos cargos por destrucción de una aeronave.

Castro no hizo ni difundió ninguna declaración sobre los cargos.

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At 95, Castro, who served as Cuba’s president for about a decade and as the defense minister for about five decades, still has the Cuban military rank of “General of the Army” and a symbolic seat as a deputy in the National Assembly.

A state television news report on Saturday night showed Castro marking the 65th anniversary of Cuba’s Ministry of the Interior’s personal security directorate. Castro stood near Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel and his grandson Raúl Rodríguez Castro.

Castro’s condition was stable on Thursday after a hospitalization, according to sources in communication with Local 10 News Analyst Andy Gomez, the former director of the University of Miami’s Institute for Cuban Studies.

Cuban officials remained silent on the subject after the Diario Las Américas, a Miami-based newspaper in Spanish, reported on Tuesday that Castro, who formally retired in April 2021, had suffered a stroke.

Castro’s last public appearance before the report had been on June 6 at a ceremony to commemorate the 62nd anniversary of Cuba’s Ministry of the Interior. He did not attend the official event to commemorate the historic assault of July 26, 1953.

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Compartir junto a #Raúl, uno de sus jefes fundadores, y con veteranos y jóvenes, ratificó la inmensa confianza y reconocimiento de la dirección del país para las mujeres y hombres que, "sin un solo fallo", como dijo #Fidel, han cumplido con heroísmo y lealtad su deber. pic.twitter.com/5qMN7NMe76

— Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez (@DiazCanelB) September 6, 2026

Related report: Rubio accuses Cuban officials of selling Venezuelan oil for cash that was ‘going into their pockets’

Before communism

Castro was born on June 3, 1931, in the village of Birán, in Cuba’s Holguín province. His father, Angel Castro, was born in Spain, and his mother, Lina Ruz González, was born in Cuba.

Castro was the youngest of seven: Two brothers, Fidel and Ramon, and four sisters, Angela, Juana, Emma, and Agustina. He was a student at Catholic Jesuit schools, the Colegio Dolores in Santiago and the Colegio de Belén in Havana.

Castro attended the University of Havana. He was a member of the Socialist Youth, a group of the Popular Socialist Party, and participated in the guerrilla campaign in the Sierra Maestra.

Related story: Cuban ‘intelligence asset’ lived in Miami-Dade to spy on exiles, feds say

Guerrilla fighter

Castro was arrested after the guerrilla attack on the Moncada military barracks on July 26, 1953, and was sentenced to 13 years in prison, but he only served 22 months.

Castro received then-Cuban President Fulgencio Batista’s amnesty, and he was released from the Presidio Modelo prison on May 15, 1955, at the Isle of Pines.

Castro went into exile in Mexico. In 1956, in Mexico City, Castro met Ernesto “Che” Guevara, who had graduated from the University of Buenos Aires Medical School in 1953.

Castro, his brother Fidel, and Guevara were on board the yacht Granma that landed with dozens of guerrilla fighters on Dec. 2, 1956, in eastern Cuba’s Playas Las Coloradas.

Castro joined his brother, Guevara, and fellow guerrilla fighters in the Sierra Maestra mountains. The group overthrew Batista, who then fled Cuba on Jan. 1, 1959.

Castro married Vilma Lucila Espín Guillois, a fellow guerrilla fighter who was born in Santiago de Cuba, on Jan. 26, 1959. The couple had four children: Three daughters, Déborah in 1960; Mariela in 1962; and Nilsa; and one son, Alejandro, in 1965.

Rise to power

As his brother rose to power, Castro was named Cuba’s minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces in 1959.

In 1996, Castro ordered the shootdown of civilian aircraft with Brothers to the Rescue pilots and crew members. The Cuban Air Force struck and killed Carlos Costa, Armando Alejandre, Jr., Mario de la Peña, and Pablo Morales.

Castro became Cuba’s provisional head of state on July 31, 2006. His wife, Espín Guillois, died on June 18, 2007.

Castro also served as the acting president of Cuba’s Council of State and the Council of Ministers from 2006 to 2008. The National Assembly elected him president on Feb. 24, 2008.

In 2011, Castro was elected as the first secretary of the Communist Party. In 2013, the National Assembly elected him to a second five-year term.

In 2014, Castro announced the start of normalizing relations with the U.S., and negotiated with Russia to cancel 90% of a debt that had started with the Soviet Union.

Castro welcomed then-U.S. President Barack Obama and then First Lady Michelle Obama to Havana on March 20, 2016.

Fidel Castro died on Nov. 25, 2016, at 90 years old.

Castro served as president until April 19, 2018, when Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, his handpicked successor, replaced him.

In 2021, Castro stepped down as the leader of the Communist Party, and Díaz-Canel Bermúdez also replaced him.

While wielding power behind the scenes, Castro has continued to make public appearances in his military uniform.

On April 23, a U.S. federal grand jury in Miami indicted Raúl Castro for his role in the 1996 Cuban military strikes on two unarmed Cessnas with four members of Brothers to the Rescue.

On May 20, the U.S. Justice Department unsealed the charges: Conspiracy to kill U.S. nationals, four counts of murder, and two counts of destruction of an aircraft.

Castro did not make or release a statement about the charges.

He joined host Glenna Milberg on the latest episode of “This Week in South Florida”, and their conversation can be seen at the top of this page.

Hicks begins his 35th season at the network on Sunday night when Notre Dame faces Wisconsin at Lambeau Field in Green Bay.

“I'm incredibly lucky to stay at one place this long. It takes a lot of things going your way as far as NBC continuing to have the properties that I’ve been a part of through the years," Hicks said. "So lots of variables, lots of things that can happen in your career. But I think I appreciate it more and more the longer it’s been.”

Besides calling Notre Dame football, Hicks is best known as the lead announcer for golf, as well as swimming and skiing at the Olympics.

Hicks has become one of NBC's steady play-by-play voices despite not having done it before arriving at the network in 1992 after three years at CNN.

His first experience with play-by-play was for regional coverage of NFL games from 1992-97 when NBC had the AFC package. His commentary partners during those six seasons included Joe Namath, Joe Gibbs, Jim Kelly, Bob Trumpy and Cris Collinsworth.

“It was always a dream of mine, that was always the goal, but all I had ever done was studio. So when I got to NBC, I was the last guy on the depth chart and I’d always have the newest analyst to break in,” Hicks said. “I think it helps you to work with a bunch of different people. You work with different styles, and as a play-by-play guy, you learn to work them into the telecast because they’re all different. That’s what makes it fun.”

The 2028 Los Angeles Games will be the ninth time Hicks will call swimming with Rowdy Gaines. The duo chronicled Michael Phelps' eight gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and Katie Ledecky's 14 medals across four Olympics (2012-24).

Hicks credited Phelps for swimming's popularity beyond once every year years.

“He put swimming on the map in this country and he made it appointment television at the Olympics to watch swimming. Not that anybody didn’t care about swimming before he came around, but he brought it to a whole other level,” Hicks said. "Rowdy will tell you that he does more events now outside of the Olympics during the course of the calendar year than he ever dreamt that he would do. And the reason is Michael Phelps.”

Golf, though, remains Hicks's favorite sport. He has been on the call for 27 tournament victories by Tiger Woods, including three at the U.S. Open.

Hicks also has called the Ryder Cup, PGA Tour and British Open.

“It’s the sport that I just think is the most intriguing to me as far as the drama that it is able to produce with one person trying to win a big championship coming down to the final nine holes," he said. “A lot of that stems from my love for the sport and also the crew that we’ve had for so long.”

This will be Hicks' seventh season calling Notre Dame games. He did it from 2013-16 before returning in 2024.

He has called his share of Shamrock Series neutral-site games, but the setting inside Lambeau Field could be one of the best yet.

“Notre Dame and Wisconsin at Lambeau Field is big enough as it is, but to kind of have its own little spot on Sunday night makes it even more special,” Hicks said. “I can’t imagine a better way to kick off 35 than this. I’ve been looking forward to this game for a long, long time. And again, it’s another one of those moments in your NBC career where you kind of pinch yourself and say: ‘Boy, they pay me to do this? This is off-the-charts stuff.’”

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See AP’s full sports coverage here

Agentes de la Policía de Miami arrestaron a Stefano Cremasco-Cicero después de responder a una llamada que él mismo hizo al 911 poco después de las 4:45 a.m. del viernes en Solitair, ubicado en 86 SW 8th St., según la policía.

“Me estaba defendiendo”, dijo Cremasco-Cicero, quien tenía sangre en los zapatos, las manos y la ropa, en el vestíbulo del edificio, según el informe de arresto de un agente de la Policía de Miami.

Un video de vigilancia mostró a Cremasco-Cicero y a su madre subiendo en el ascensor hasta el piso 47 alrededor de las 10:30 p.m., según la policía.

La madre de Cremasco-Cicero fue encontrada en su apartamento del piso 47 con varias heridas de arma blanca. Personal de Miami Fire Rescue la declaró muerta poco después de las 5:05 a.m. del viernes, según el informe policial.

El estremecedor hallazgo dejó inquietos a algunos residentes del edificio.

“Fue súper aterrador”, dijo el residente Zach Carson. “Regresé a mi apartamento, cerré con llave la puerta del balcón, cerré la puerta y me quedé mirando por la mirilla durante unos 10 minutos, hasta que bajé por las escaleras los 47 pisos”.

En junio, NRN informó que Cremasco-Cicero era gerente de operaciones de la división estadounidense de Grupo Orfano, un grupo de hostelería con 18 restaurantes, entre ellos 1986 Steak House, que abrió en mayo en Coconut Grove, Miami.

El Departamento Correccional de Miami-Dade ingresó a Cremasco-Cicero poco después de las 9:30 p.m. del viernes en el Centro Correccional Turner Guilford Knight, donde permanecía detenido la tarde del sábado, según los registros penitenciarios.

Cremasco-Cicero vestía una bata verde de prevención del suicidio cuando compareció alrededor de las 11:50 a.m. del sábado ante la jueza de circuito del condado Miami-Dade Lissette De La Rosa durante una audiencia de fianza.

Los fiscales presentaron el sábado un caso contra Cremasco-Cicero, también conocido como Stefano Cremascocicero, por un cargo de asesinato en segundo grado con un arma, según los registros judiciales del condado Miami-Dade.

De La Rosa le negó la fianza. Cremasco-Cicero también tenía una retención relacionada con el Servicio de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas de Estados Unidos (ICE), según los registros judiciales del condado.

La jueza de circuito del condado Miami-Dade Ellen Sue Venzer fue asignada para presidir el caso. El tribunal programó su audiencia de detención preventiva para las 9 a.m. del martes.

Reportes relacionados

• Policía arresta a hombre en relación con apuñalamiento mortal en apartamento de Brickell
• Policía acusa a hombre de apuñalar mortalmente a su madre dentro de su apartamento en Brickell

He joined host Glenna Milberg on the latest episode of “This Week in South Florida”, and their conversation can be seen at the top of this page.

Infantino has faced increasing pressure after his controversial plan to sell stakes in the World Cup was met with a furious backlash.

But FIFA said Sunday he plans to stand again in next year’s elections for a final term in office through 2031.

“The FIFA President announced in April that he will stand for re-election in 2027. Of course, nothing has changed. Mr. Infantino will be standing for re-election,” a FIFA spokesperson said.

Nov. 18 is the deadline for candidates to enter the next presidential contest, exactly four months ahead of the vote.

UEFA, European soccer's governing body, has led the calls for Infantino to go, saying it had lost confidence in him and previously threatened to boycott FIFA tournaments, including the World Cup. A number of national associations, such the English FA, have withdrawn support for Infantino's re-election.

On Saturday Infantino refused to comment about his future when arriving for the opening of the Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland.

“There will be a lot to say, but there will be a right place and a right time to say this. It’s not today, it’s not here, but here and today, we are enjoying football,” he told Sky News.

FIFA apologized for errors made over its controversial plan to sell profits in the World Cup through a commercial subsidiary and committed to “ensure they do not happen again.”

But that hasn't been enough to ease the pressure on Infantino's position.

UEFA is preparing a criminal complaint against Infantino in Swiss courts for possible financial mismanagement over his now abandoned plan to sell future World Cup profits to private investors.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham added his weight to the debate last month, saying Infantino was not the right man to lead world soccer’s governing body.

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James Robson is at https://x.com/jamesalanrobson

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See AP’s full soccer coverage here

He joined host Glenna Milberg on the latest episode of “This Week in South Florida”, and their conversation can be seen at the top of this page.

Las inusuales imágenes del evento del sábado en la noche, que duran más de 10 minutos, fueron difundidas en un reporte de la televisión estatal, y lo muestran junto a Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, apodado “El Cangrejo”, su guardaespaldas. Se ha mencionado que Rodríguez Castro participó en conversaciones con Estados Unidos, que desde enero le impuso a la isla un cerco petrolero y financiero.

Autoridades de ambos gobiernos reconocieron los diálogos, pero no se ofrecieron detalles de los mismos ni el estado en que se encuentran.

Castro, quien ya no ocupa cargos formales en el gobierno ni en el poderoso Partido Comunista, rara vez aparece en público. Recientemente circularon rumores sobre su salud, dada su avanzada edad, y también por su ausencia —la primera en décadas— en el mitin en julio por el Asalto al Cuartel Moncada, la principal efeméride de la Revolución cubana.

En junio, el Departamento de Justicia de Estados Unidos presentó cargos de asesinato contra Castro por el derribo de avionetas de una organización anticastrista en 1996, las cuales incursionaron en el espacio aéreo cubano como parte de una campaña contra el endurecimiento por parte de Washington de sanciones de todo tipo contra la isla.

En las imágenes de la televisión cubana se ve a Castro, vestido con su habitual uniforme militar verde olivo, llegar caminando junto a militares de alto rango y sentarse en primera fila en un salón cerrado. También se puso de pie en varias ocasiones para recibir un diploma de homenaje y saludar a personas que acudieron al acto.

Es “un honor participar con el General de Ejército (Raúl Castro) en el acto por el aniversario 65 de la Dirección de Seguridad Personal, que tuvo sus orígenes mucho antes del 6 de septiembre de 1961, desde los tiempos de la lucha revolucionaria liderada por el Comandante en Jefe (Fidel Castro)”. expresó el presidente Miguel Díaz-Canel el domingo en la madrugada en la red social X.

En su publicación, el mandatario incluyó varias fotografías del evento, en las cuales se ve a Raúl Castro y al propio Díaz-Canel.

El cerco energético a la isla agudizó una crisis previa de un lustro en la isla, y tuvo impactos relevantes en la población y en la economía de la nación caribeña: apagones de más de 30 horas, deterioro de los sistemas de salud y educación, limitaciones en el transporte, recortes de las jornadas laborales y, en general, una transformación de la vida cotidiana de las personas.

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It happened at approximately 3:45 a.m. in the area of Southwest Second Street and Third Avenue in Fort Lauderdale.

According to police, officers were in the area breaking up a fight when they heard a gunshot.

Multiple people were detained at the scene and investigators found one gun, but authorities said they initially did not locate any victims or people with injuries.

Soon after, police said a man arrived at Plantation General Hospital with a gunshot wound considering non-life-threatening.

That victim did not cooperate with investigators in regard to the shooting, police said.

One of the people who were initially detained at the scene spoke to Local 10 News following their release.

“Handcuffs for no reason,” said the man, who did not wish to be identified.

“Were you given any sort of explanation?” asked Local 10’s Linnie Supall.

“No, I’m an innocent bystander,” he said. “They said, ‘Get on the floor’ and I just did what they told me to do.”

Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to contact Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS.

El incidente ocurrió aproximadamente a las 3:45 a.m. en el área de Southwest Second Street y Third Avenue, en Fort Lauderdale.

Según la policía, los agentes se encontraban en la zona dispersando una pelea cuando escucharon un disparo.

Varias personas fueron detenidas en el lugar y los investigadores encontraron un arma, pero las autoridades dijeron que inicialmente no localizaron a ninguna víctima ni a personas heridas.

Poco después, la policía dijo que un hombre llegó al Plantation General Hospital con una herida de bala que no ponía en riesgo su vida.

La víctima no cooperó con los investigadores en relación con el tiroteo, informó la policía.

Una de las personas que inicialmente fue detenida en el lugar habló con Local 10 News después de ser liberada.

“Me esposaron sin razón”, dijo el hombre, quien pidió no ser identificado.

“¿Le dieron algún tipo de explicación?”, preguntó Linnie Supall, de Local 10.

“No, yo era un transeúnte inocente”, respondió. “Dijeron: ‘Al suelo’, y simplemente hice lo que me dijeron”.

Las autoridades pidieron a cualquier persona que tenga información sobre el tiroteo que se comunique con Broward Crime Stoppers al 954-493-TIPS.

Martin Odegaard struck a 50th-minute winner at the Emirates Stadium after Morgan Rogers had given Chelsea an early lead.

Kai Havertz equalized in the first half for Arsenal, which has a 100% record after three games and moved level at the top of the standings with Manchester City.

“From start-to-finish it was a joy to watch our team play and compete. The threat we created, huge individual performances as well, the atmosphere inside the stadium was something great to witness,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said.

Manchester United 's difficult start to the season continued with a 2-2 draw at Everton, despite twice leading at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Statement win for Arsenal

Arsenal faced down the challenge of a Chelsea team that is expected to be among its main rivals for the title this season. And it was not only the result that will have sent out a message to the likes of Man City and Liverpool, but the nature of the win.

Chelsea got off to a perfect start when Rogers volleyed low from the edge of the area to beat David Raya in the second minute. But Arsenal produced the response of a champion by creating a slew of chances before Havertz fired into the corner in the 25th.

Odegaard's decisive strike came five minutes into the second half as he finished clinically from inside the box.

“It was a big massive game, a tough opponent, really hard for us against a really good team. It was a big fight and we got there in the end,” Odegaard said. “We always want to keep fighting and have showed that many times. Conceding early is never ideal, but our reaction was top, (we) could have scored some more goals and got our reward. I think it was a brilliant performance.”

It was the first defeat for new Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso, but his team pushed Arsenal all the way, with Raya producing an outstanding save to deny substitute Estevao from equalizing late on.

Pedro Neto also hit the post in the first half.

"It hurts, a defeat has to hurt," Alonso said. "I learned about the game, about us, what we are doing and starting, the players have this attitude, desire to compete better game-by-game to try to create something we believe in, to have this conviction.

“So far I’m happy knowing it’s a process, but we want to win games, that’s the ultimate goal.”

United stunned

Ainsley Maitland-Niles struck in added time to rescue a 2-2 draw for Everton against United.

The deadline day signing came off the bench to make his debut and curled a brilliant long-range shot into the top corner to salvage a point for his new club.

United twice led at Hill Dickinson Stadium through goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko, who looked to have scored the winner in the 88th. But Everton had an answer on both occasions, with Tyrique George also scoring.

“Everybody wants to start off like that,” Maitland-Niles said. “The ball fell to me on the edge of the box. I put my foot through it, it ended up in the top corner, which I’m happy about.”

It was another setback for United, which has just one win from its opening three games of the season after a loss to Hull and victory against Ipswich.

Defensive frailties cost United again as it conceded two goals for the third game running.

Mbeumo fired United in front straight after halftime with a low shot into the far corner. George lashed in a near-post equalizer in the 83rd, but substitute Sesko headed United back in front.

The visitors were seconds away from three points when the ball broke to Maitland-Niles outside the box in the sixth minute of added time and his first-time shot left United goalkeeper Senne Lammens standing.

“We haven’t started the season that bad. It’s not that bad, we’ve got that close to coming away with three points today, that’s football,” United coach Michael Carrick said. “There are moments we can deal with a bit better, but we’ll be fine.

“We’re bitterly disappointed to be up in the position we were in the game twice, so close to the end.

“All the work that went into putting us in that position at different stages to then come away like that – it’s not a great feeling. It feels like a defeat."

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James Robson is at https://x.com/jamesalanrobson

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See AP’s full soccer coverage here

The filing came after U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani extended an order against the Postal Service enforcing President Donald Trump’s executive order for the November elections.

The legal wrangling comes even as states start sending out mail ballots, leaving the administration little time to make big changes in mail ballot rules.

“Ballots have already begun to be mailed in North Carolina, and more States will begin the mailing process as the injunction remains in place — including Alabama on September 9 and at least five States the week of September 13,” Solicitor General John Sauer said in the filing.

“Once those ballot envelopes enter the mailstream, there is no retrieving them. And while the injunction allows the Postal Service and the States to continue taking steps to ensure that their envelopes satisfy the Rule’s requirements … each day the injunction is in place risks sowing confusion and chaos because the injunction makes those preparatory steps voluntary, rather than mandatory.”

The appeal marks the third time the administration has asked the high court to intervene. The high court has allowed the plan to move forward but not ruled on whether it is legal.

The battle could have major ramifications for this year’s elections, when control of Congress is at stake. Nearly one-third of voters in the U.S. cast mail ballots.

Democratic states and voting rights groups say the changes are unconstitutional. Election officials contend there isn’t enough time to revise their systems to comply with the new Postal Service directives.

The Trump administration has framed the restrictions as commonsense changes that are within its power to regulate the mail.

“Simply put, the best way to address respondents’ fears about inability to comply with the Rule is to grant an immediate administrative stay of the order, followed by a full stay pending further review,” Sauer said. “That will remove the improper cloud of uncertainty that the district court has cast over the Rule, making clear to all involved that compliance with the Rule is not optional and must start without further delay.”

The filing added that eligibility for mail-in and absentee voting will continue to be governed by state law and state and local officials will determine who is eligible to use the method and which ballots are eligible to be counted. “The Postal Service will not play any role in determining voter eligibility, maintaining voter rolls, or counting ballots.”

Trump has long sought to limit mail voting, even though he himself often uses that method to cast his own ballot. He has falsely blamed mail balloting for his 2020 election loss to Democrat Joe Biden, spreading baseless claims of fraud. But so far, he has been unable to change the longstanding voting procedure.

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Miami police officers arrested Stefano Cremasco-Cicero after responding to his 911 call shortly after 4:45 a.m., on Friday, at the Solitair, at 86 SW 8th St., according to police.

“I was defending myself,” Cremasco-Cicero — who had blood on his shoes, hands, and clothing — said in the lobby of the building, according to a Miami police officer’s arrest report.

Surveillance video showed Cremasco-Cicero and his mother going up to the 47th floor in the elevator at about 10:30 p.m. on Friday at the Soltair, according to police.

Cremasco-Cicero’s mother was in his 47th-floor apartment with several stab wounds when Miami Fire Rescue personnel pronounced her dead shortly after 5:05 a.m. on Friday, according to the police report.

The gruesome discovery left some neighbors in the building unsettled.

“Oh super scary,” said resident Zach Carson. “I went back in my apartment, locked my balcony door, locked my door, and kinda just looked in the peep hole for 10 minutes until I took the stairs 47 flights down.”

In June, NRN reported Cremasco-Cicero was the operating manager of the U.S. branch of The Grupo Orfano, a hospitality group with 18 restaurants, including the 1986 Steak House, which opened in May in Miami’s Coconut Grove.

Miami-Dade corrections booked Cremasco-Cicero shortly after 9:30 p.m. on Friday at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, where he remained on Saturday afternoon, according to inmate records.

Cremasco-Cicero was wearing a green anti-suicide smock when he stood before Miami-Dade County Circuit Judge Lissette De La Rosa at about 11:50 a.m. on Saturday in bond court.

Prosecutors filed a case against Cremasco-Cicero, also known as Stefano Cremascocicero, on a charge of second-degree murder with a weapon on Saturday, according to Miami-Dade County court records.

De La Rosa denied Cremasco-Cicero’s bond. He also had a hold related to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to county court records.

Miami-Dade County Circuit Judge Ellen Sue Venzer was set to preside over the case. The court set his pre-trial detention hearing for 9 a.m. on Tuesday.

Related reports

• Police arrest man in connection with fatal Brickell apartment stabbing
• Police accuse man of fatally stabbing his mother inside his Brickell apartment

Location

Its bright blue gate is still painted with the symbols that once welcomed children: Iran’s map, oversized pencils and portraits of legends in science and literature.

But now, the walkway beyond it guides visitors past rows of photographs. They show children busy living, at birthday parties and more. Then come the same small faces on black banners of mourning.

This is the emerging memorial to the schoolchildren killed in the attack in the earliest moments of the war that the United States and Israel began across Iran on Feb. 28. Strikes hit the Shajareh Tayyebeh school in Minab.

Iranian officials said more than 100 students were killed. Months later, the Trump administration still has not directly accepted responsibility for the strike or released the Pentagon’s findings, even as an Associated Press investigation found evidence that at least one U.S. missile hit the school.

Attention turned to Minab again in the past week when a new round of U.S. strikes along Iran’s southern coast struck a wedding and other areas, sending some of the injured to a hospital in the community.

The AP visited the badly damaged two-story building whose classrooms remain frozen mid-lesson, with desks half buried and ceilings collapsed.

There have been calls to preserve the ruins as a historical record. Hormozgan Gov. Mohammad Ashouri Taziani has said the building would be turned into a war museum and memorial.

Nearby, a section of Minab’s cemetery has been dedicated to those killed. Families and others move quietly across the grave-marked artificial grass.

Residents said three bodies still have not been found.

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Christopher Urbina said his front-door surveillance camera recorded the thief who was wearing a face mask.

“To become a citizen is a very big deal, and it’s a process,” said Urbina, who was born in Honduras.

The video showed the mail theft shortly after 2:10 p.m. on Aug. 28. Urbina said the experience affected his sense of safety in the neighborhood, so he is considering moving out.

“I just moved here like a month ago ... If someone feels so comfortable to steal my mail, like what other things can happen over here? I don’t know,” Urbina said.

Also in Broward County, Ring surveillance video showed a woman stealing from mailboxes at about 6:05 a.m. on April 27 in Deerfield Beach.

In Miami-Dade County, surveillance video showed a man who was riding a bicycle stealing from several mailboxes at 2:30 a.m. on July 31st at the Parkview Condominiums.

Urbina said he reported the case to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. The agency welcomes tips at 1-877-876-2455.

Detectives ask anyone with information about this or other cases who wants to remain anonymous to call Crime Stoppers at 954-493-8477 in Broward or 305-471-8477 in Miami-Dade.

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• Man faces 10 charges after confessing to mail thefts in Coral Gables

After much speculation about Cuba’s Raul Castro being closed to death, the Cuban leader showed up at a military event yesterday accompanied by his grandson Raulito and Cuba’s President Miguel Diaz-Canel.

Sept 3: Raul Castro stable, according to sources

Sources in Cuba say Raul Castro, 95, is stable despite reports about his declining health. According to sources, retired General Abelardo Colome Ibarra, known as “ El Fury,” is currently in worse condition. Colome Ibarra was head of the Ministry of the Interior and highly respected by the Castro brothers and the Cuban military.

Sept 3: President Trump’s hands are tied with regard to Cuba, Rubio says

After months of saying Cuba would be next, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said today that the president’s hands are tied because of the Helms Burton Law which requires no normalization between the U.S. and Cuba unless there is regime change and a move towards a democratic government.

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Even if Raul Castro was to die in the near future, I do not expect regime change.

Only the U.S. can change the Helms-Burton Law and I don’t expect that to happen anytime in the near future or after the mid-term elections.

Sept. 2: Children in Cuba start new school year amid more challenges than any other year before

Children in Cuba started the new school year Tuesday facing a lack of supplies, books, uniforms and teachers, and buildings that are falling apart, along with a lack of food to feed the children.

According to the Cuban minister of education, this will be a very challenging year unlike any others.

Cuban education was once one of the big accomplishments of the revolution. However, it was also used to indoctrinate the students in an ideology that no one on the island nation believes anymore.

Sept. 1: Raul Castro hospitalized, sources say

Reliable sources inside Cuba have informed me this afternoon that Raul Castro has been hospitalized. We need to be careful and not to over speculate what might happen until further notice.

Dr. Andy S. Gomez is Local 10’s Cuba Analyst. Gomez is considered one of the leading scholars on Cuba. He worked in higher education for 32 years before retiring from the University of Miami in 2012.

The timing on the best storm chances looks to be between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. today and tomorrow, so keep an eye to the sky if you’re outdoors the remainder of this Labor Day Weekend. All is quiet in the tropics as we come up on the statistical peak of hurricane season this week.

The five-story building, which housed a boys’ hostel, collapsed in Satya Niketan, a densely populated neighborhood known for its private student accommodations near a Delhi University campus.

Fire officer Abhilash Malik said about 30 to 40 people remained trapped in the rubble.

Lawmaker Anil Sharma said some people had been rescued and several others trapped inside were making phone calls for help while rescuers remained in contact with them.

Police, firefighters and crews from India's disaster response agency searched the rubble as earthmovers cleared debris to help rescuers reach those trapped inside.

At least two people were hospitalized in critical condition, officials said.

The cause of the collapse was not immediately known.

Building collapses are a recurring hazard in parts of India during the June-to-September monsoon, when heavy or prolonged rain can weaken ageing structures.

The players and coaches all had to evacuate the hotel around 2 a.m. before going back in about an hour later. The Americans stay at a different hotel so weren’t affected by the early morning wake-up.

There was no fire, someone had pushed the emergency alarm button in the elevator, according to Australia coach Sandy Brondello.

“That’s a what-if situation, isn’t it?” Brondello said smiling. “Now we have that in our toolbox. Never done that before.”

The interrupted sleep didn't seem to hurt Australia, which beat Turkey 87-71 in the first game of the day that tipped at 11:30 a.m. local time.

“It was kind of crazy. Just kind of happened,” Australia forward Ezi Magbegor said. “Knowing that it’s out of our control, so just getting back to sleep and waking up. No one was going to feel sorry for us.”

Turkish coach Andrea Masson said that he and his players got about three hours of sleep because of the alarm.

“They had a really bad night last night," Masson said. “That’s not an excuse, but that’s the reality.”

___

See AP’s full WNBA coverage here

Han Xu scored 22 points and drew China level at 53-53 in the final quarter after her team had trailed for most of the game.

Eliška Joklová put the Czechs 64-59 up with 27 seconds left only for Luo Xinyu to respond with a 3-pointer and Yang Shuyu to level at 64-64 with 3 seconds to go – after Joklová missed two free throws. There was still time for Joklová to miss another chance to clinch the win.

Yang also completed the scoring in overtime for China, which failed to get the most from 7-foot-3 Zhang Ziyu. The 19-year-old sensation could only score three points in her second game after 13 on her World Cup debut against the United States on Friday.

“She has very great talent and we need to fix how we play together," Yang said of the teenager's performance. "Today everybody could see that we did not play so well with her, and we have to fix it.”

China (1-1) next faces Italy on Monday in a game that will likely decide second place in Group D. The Czech Republic (0-2) faces elimination after two losses before its final group game against the United States (1-0).

The U.S. was playing Italy (0-1) later Sunday with Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers bidding to stretch the Americans’ winning run to 32 games. The U.S. hasn’t lost a game at the World Cup since the semifinal game of the 2006 tournament.

Belgium hopes no more fire alarms

Emma Meesseman completed the scoring as European champion Belgium booked its place in the final phase with a comfortable 76-64 win over Puerto Rico, its second victory in Group C.

Imani McGee-Stafford finished with 25 points for Puerto Rico, which lost against Belgium for the third time at a World Cup.

Maxuella Lisowa Mbaka was top scorer for the Belgians with 16 points, followed by Julie Vanloo with 15. Meesseman finished with 6.

Both teams face a quick turnaround with little rest as they play the first games Monday at 11:30 a.m. local time.

“Hopefully no fire alarms,” said Belgium coach Mike Thibault, referring to an unwelcome disturbance that forced an evacuation of the teams' hotel in the middle of the night before. “I don’t like the schedule. Nobody does. But that’s the way it is.”

Belgium faces Australia (2-0) in a showdown to decide which team progresses directly to the quarterfinals as group winner, and Puerto Rico (0-2) will be playing for survival against Turkey (0-2).

“Nothing we can do about it,” Lisowa Mbaka said of the schedule. “I’m not going to worry about something I can’t control. I don’t think that’s the way you should think about the game or life in general.”

Ezi does it for Australia

Ezi Magbegor scored 21 points as Australia reached the final phase with a physical 87-71 win over Turkey earlier Sunday.

Turkey, led by Sevgi Uzun with 24 points, was down 8-0 at the start but fought back after a timeout to lead 15-14. That was brief, however, as the Opals rallied to end the first quarter 21-15 up and did not relinquish the lead for the rest of the game.

The Australian team features seven World Cup debutants. Team captain Sami Whitcomb of the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury had to withdraw before the tournament with a lingering knee injury.

___

See AP’s full WNBA coverage here

As a Vancouver resident and marketing executive himself, Loewen said he understands the conciliatory overtures. The number of Canadians traveling to the United States plunged after President Donald Trump returned to office with remarks about making Canada the 51st state. An acrimonious trade war between the two countries now is threatening to reinforce the informal boycott just as it appeared to be easing slightly.

"It’s such a big ask right now,” Loewen, 45, said of the U.S. tourism industry's attempts to woo Canadians like him back before a new president occupies the White House. “It’s just a wasted effort.”

Relations between the U.S. and Canadian governments have deteriorated sharply since their trade negotiations collapsed last month. Trump imposed import taxes of up to 50% on a range of Canadian products. Canada’s government responded in kind. Trump ordered the U.S. government to change the name of border-spanning Lake Ontario to “Lake America.” Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney dismissed insults from members of Trump's Cabinet as childish and undignified.

The bilateral rift has not stopped state and local tourism officials and popular destinations like Graceland from trying to persuade Canadian visitors to return.

New York state launched a “NY Loves Canada” promotion this summer, offering discounts at hotels, restaurants and attractions. Some downtown Las Vegas hotels are treating the Canadian dollar as equivalent to the U.S. dollar to give Canadian visitors more value for their money. Las Vegas tourism officials went to Canada last month to meet with travel advisers, tour operators and airline representatives.

“We’re here to make sure you know that we care about Canada," Steve Hill, president of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, said while in Vancouver.

The outreach is happening at the national level, too. Brand USA, the U.S. tourism industry’s marketing organization, is bringing its Travel Week trade-event series to Canada for the first time in October, expanding and rebranding an earlier program known as Canada Connect.

Travel to the U.S. from Canada remains well below 2024 levels

Canada traditionally sent more overnight international visitors to the United States than any other country. Amid last year's consumer-led backlash, both same-day trips and longer stays nosedived. Canadian residents made 25% fewer return border crossings and spent about $2.4 billion (CA$3.3 billion) less on travel to the U.S. in 2025 than they had the year before, according to Canada's national statistical agency, Statistics Canada.

The retreat coincided with other headwinds, including a weaker Canadian dollar that made traveling to the U.S. more expensive and rising prices for airfares and hotels. Canadian air travel to the U.S. started declining in September 2023, Statistics Canada data shows.

But the abrupt pullback in stateside travel that accompanied Trump's second presidency and extended into this year signaled “a persistent shift away from the United States by Canadian residents in their travel preferences,” agency analysts said in a July report.

Tentative signs of improvement emerged in May, June and July, when border crossings picked up slightly, the agency reported. The latter two months coincided with the 2026 World Cup, which the U.S., Canada and Mexico cohosted. Canada’s national soccer team competed during the tournament's early weeks, giving some Canadians a reason to head south. Carney attended the final match in New Jersey alongside Trump.

Trips by car accounted for most of the uptick in cross-border traffic, while air travel to the U.S. fell from year-earlier levels in every month through June, Statistics Canada said. The U.S. National Travel and Tourism Office estimates that during the first six months of 2026, Canadians made even fewer overnight visits, which typically generate more tourism spending, than they did during the same period last year.

Snowbirds may provide a barometer of Canadian sentiment

A day after the World Cup ended, Trump announced that tariffs on $20 billion worth of Canadian goods would take effect in 30 days. The White House said the tariffs were intended to address U.S. complaints over Canadian barriers to American-made automobiles, alcohol and dairy.

“You went from this really high, exciting moment for the U.S. in terms of international attention, to the next week, it’s negative again,” said Deborah Friedland, a hospitality consultant at financial services firm Eisner Advisory Group. “It’s one step forward and two steps back.”

With the summer now winding down, some of the U.S. destinations most dependent on Canadian visitors are heading into their most important season. Large numbers of Canadian snowbirds typically flock to warm-weather locations in Florida, Arizona and California when temperatures drop at home, making the coming months a test of whether the grassroots boycott will extend into another winter.

“I’d be surprised if we’re talking a year from now and all of a sudden you see this huge uptick in Canadian travel over the winter months," Friedland said.

Not all tourism officials are worried. Jennifer Adams, tourism director for the Destin-Fort Walton Beach area in Florida’s Panhandle, said she never panicked when headlines about Canadians shunning travel to the U.S. first appeared last year.

“I felt our message was strong," she said, adding that, “the thing for us is to let the Canadian family know that they are welcomed here and we are committed to giving them a great experience when they get here.”

Florida saw a 7% decline in Canadian visitors in 2025 compared to the previous year, according to state marketing organization Visit Florida. Sister organization Visit California, citing data from global research and consulting company Tourism Economics, estimated that Canadian visitation to the Golden State fell 20%.

For some Canadians, a promise of a good vacation isn't enough

Loewen, the Vancouver marketing executive, said his family loved visiting the United States. He, his wife and their two children often traveled to San Diego, Portland and Seattle. This year, they chose Mexico instead.

The reluctance, Loewen said, has little to do with whether the U.S. can offer a good vacation. It’s about whether Canadians want to spend their money there while tensions between their country and the U.S. remain so high. Loewen said his family hasn't stepped foot in the U.S. since Trump’s inauguration and doesn't plan to until there's a new president.

Eileen March, a life coach from Calgary, said she made a similar decision. Trump's threats to make Canada the 51st state and his trade policies were part of it, as was a broader sense of no longer feeling safe or welcome in the United States, March said.

“As time has worn on, I was beginning to waver,” she said. The latest round of tariffs “reinforced my initial decision to not travel in the U.S. at all while he is in office." She refuses even to book flights with layovers in the U.S.

March, 41, knows that staying away for four years is a long time. She is prepared to go even longer.

“I think that’ll really depend on who is elected next, their values and the relationship they attempt to foster or repair with Canada,” she said.

The problem, known as alpha-gal syndrome, was first linked to a particular species of ticks about 15 years ago. But cases are on the rise as more people report symptoms such as hives, diarrhea and itchiness after eating as little as a mouthful of red meat. The allergy doesn’t extend to seafood or poultry. Chicken, turkey and eggs are all OK to eat.

And so is ostrich meat.

The flightless bird’s meat, red in color and high in iron, has a look and taste similar to beef.

“The people that have alpha-gal that I talked to that have tried an ostrich burger, most of them are almost in tears,” said Williams, a nutritionist and partner at Alpha Roost Farms in Danville, Kentucky. They say, “You just don’t know how bad I missed this.”

Many who are allergic to red meat are turning to ostrich meat

The farm is looking to nearly double its herd by next year. It recently built a new barn for hatchlings of the birds, which are native to Africa and are the world’s largest, standing at nine feet tall (2.7 meters) and weighing more than 300 pounds (136 kilograms). The farm has more than 400 birds, and expects that number to grow to 700 by next year.

Alpha Roost Farms owner W.D. King, who approached Williams with the idea of raising ostriches, said the interest from those with alpha-gal is helping drive the demand.

“People who haven’t had a hamburger in six or seven years really want one,” King said.

And they are willing to pay: A pound of ground ostrich can cost more than $20, and choice cuts can sell for more than $40.

“We have people that drive here from all over the state to get the ostrich,” said Leah Gibbs, who runs Dry Branch Farm market in Danville, Kentucky, that sells ostrich cuts from Alpha Roost Farms.

“They are elated to have something that’s an alternative to beef,” Gibbs said. “I mean, it tastes exactly like beef.”

The Alpha-Gal Association, a nonprofit advocacy group that provides online resources to people with the allergy, recommends ostrich as a dietary substitute that tastes like beef.

Boyd Clark, who runs a large ostrich farm in Texas, said he expects to increase his herd of about 1,200 birds by 50% next year. Clark has raised the big birds since the 1980s, and said the few full-scale ostrich farms around the country are trying to meet a growing demand.

“We get calls weekly from various restaurants or even small stores in different parts of the country that you wouldn't think would even want to carry ostrich, but they're looking for it because they've got customers wanting it,” said Clark, who runs Clark Ostrich Farm, about 90 miles (144 kilometers) northwest of Austin.

Ostrich farms have seen ups and downs in US

The latest interest comes after ostrich farming saw a surge and crash in the 1990s, when many farms and investors were eager to get into the ostrich market but lacked experience dealing with the wild birds.

“The U.S. producers that jumped both feet in in the '90s, they were all operating under the premise that these were 300-pound chickens,” said Michael Lehman, vice president of the American Ostrich Association and an ostrich farmer in Oregon.

The farms tried to apply the high-density approach that works well with chickens, but ostriches need free range space, Lehman said. The farms weren't able to get the yields they expected, so supply wasn't able to meet demand, he said, and the industry crashed under skyrocketing prices.

Lehman estimated there are only about 10 to 15 farms operating today that have large ostrich herds, and those producers have a better understanding of the animals' behavior and free range needs.

A farmer who also suffers from alpha-gal

Williams was diagnosed with alpha-gal seven years ago. His first allergic reaction came in 2017 after eating a steak sandwich while traveling for work, something he had done hundreds of times before.

He went to see an allergist for help in diagnosing the puzzling and painful flare-up.

“The very first visit, he asked me, 'Have you been bitten by a tick?' I just laughed and said, ‘Sure, hundreds,’” said Williams, who has spent most of his life raising livestock on farms where ticks thrive.

The tick that bit him was carrying the alpha-gal sugar, which is found in the meat of most mammals, but not in humans. The sugar is harmless when eaten directly, but not when exposed via ticks' saliva. When it entered Williams' bloodstream, it caused an immune system reaction. The antibodies created from the reaction learned to identify and attack alpha-gal sugar molecules, making meat from mammals toxic to his system.

Alpha-gal syndrome is relatively new to medical study after a research paper linked it to tick bites in 2011. In 2023, a government report said there were about 100,000 people in the U.S. with the allergy, though experts said many people don't know they have it and the number of sufferers could be closer to a half-million. Last year, researchers said they documented the first known case of a death related to alpha-gal, after a 47-year-old New Jersey man died in 2024.

Once Williams got his diagnosis, all meat from mammals, even the fumes of it from a grill or gelatin on a pill, were off limits.

“It's been eight years, but I still vividly remember how sick I was,” Williams said.

So when he tried ostrich meat for the first time, he said it was the closest thing he had to beef in years. His wife bought some online and he cooked an ostrich steak.

“The mouth feel, the taste, the texture, it brought me good memories ... because there’s only so many ways you can cook a chicken,” Williams said.

The East Wing of the White House was still standing and the Kennedy Center wasn't threatened with demolition. Artificial intelligence data centers weren't bipartisan shorthand for the tech sector's excess. Democratic socialists were largely confined to the outer edges of political discourse. Lake Ontario's name wasn’t in question.

Since President Donald Trump entered politics more than a decade ago, he's had a knack for dominating the national conversation so thoroughly that it can be hard to keep up. But as the final midterm of his presidency rapidly approaches, the landscape is proving especially volatile, with Trump often stirring the tumult.

“Some of these things are out of our control,” House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, told reporters last week when pressed on whether the frenzy will hurt his party's election prospects.

Even the map itself has been in flux, with Texas, California and Florida among the states that have redrawn congressional districts. Missouri's Republican attorney general is appealing a court ruling last week that blocked a Trump-backed map there.

The twists could keep coming. The economic fallout from Trump's tariffs on Canada may intensify as the election nears. His effort to limit mail ballots could add uncertainty to the voting process just as such ballots are being distributed in states like North Carolina, home to a critical U.S. Senate race.

The president is sitting on more than $400 million that could shape the election's trajectory. And Trump's gilded remake of Washington stands in contrast to the economic anxiety many Americans are expressing. The wealth he has amassed in office has no modern presidential precedent, with Trump taking in $1.2 billion from his crypto businesses last year, according to a federal filing released this summer.

That’s threatening a bipartisan effort in the Senate to advance legislation to strengthen cryptocurrency regulation as soon as next week. Democrats are insisting the measure include a more robust ethics provision.

“We’ve watched this president enrich himself,” said Sen. Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland, a key Democratic vote on the bill who said she wouldn't support it without tougher language.

Democrats and Republicans agree midterms are about Trump

With so many shifts underway, it is perhaps fitting that one thing Democrats and Republicans agree on is that Trump will again be a central player in the election's final stretch.

“No. 1, President Trump,” Ari Fleischer, the White House press secretary under Republican President George W. Bush, said when asked to rank the top issues this year.

Rep. Suzan DelBene of Washington, the chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said: “People are feeling the pain from Trump.”

She expects voters will elevate candidates who “want to stand up for the American people, the pain that’s been inflicted by this administration and Republicans in Congress.”

Midterm elections are historically challenging for a president's party as restive voters seek change. Democrats flipped 40 House seats during Trump's last midterm in 2018 and 31 seats during the final race of Bush's term in 2006. Republicans, meanwhile, gained 63 seats in 2010 under Democratic President Barack Obama but flipped fewer than 10 seats in 2022 under President Joe Biden.

Shifting dozens of seats this year could be challenging because partisan redistricting has reduced the number of genuinely competitive races. Still, just a third of U.S. adults approve of how Trump is handling the presidency, according to a July poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. That's down slightly from 37% in June and well below the 42% who approved of his work when he took office.

Majorities also disapprove of his handling of the economy and immigration, issues that were central to Trump's election in 2024.

Democrats focus on winning in Washington and beyond

Democrats are confident they can win the handful of seats they need to regain control of the House. There may be a path to flipping the Senate if they can hold on in states like Georgia, Michigan and New Hampshire while winning Republican-held seats in places like Maine, Texas, Iowa or Ohio.

But the party is also aiming to regain ground outside of Washington. Democrats are devoting resources, in particular, to the governors’ races in Georgia, Ohio, Iowa, and Nevada, all currently held by Republicans.

“I'm excited about the map and I am bullish that we are going to pick up several seats,” said Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, a potential 2028 presidential contender who has led the effort to win governors' races this year as chair of the Democratic Governors Association.

Democrats are especially enthusiastic about Iowa, which hasn't elected a Democratic governor in 20 years. Their governors association has spent $5 million to back Rob Sand, who has gained national attention for his campaign to connect with rural voters who have abandoned Democrats in recent elections.

But even in a seemingly favorable year, Democrats face challenges. Beshear acknowledged that Arizona, where incumbent Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs is facing Republican challenger Andy Biggs, will be a “tough race.”

The Republican candidate for governor in Minnesota, Lisa Demuth, suggested she would tap into the anti-incumbent mood that has coursed through both parties to target her Democratic rival, Amy Klobuchar, who has spent nearly 20 years in the Senate after working in local politics.

“She is a 30-year politician,” Demuth said of Klobuchar.

After democratic socialists won a string of primaries this summer, Republicans are eager to tie anyone in the party to the far left flank. Most of the candidates aligned with democratic socialists are in reliably Democratic seats.

Still, Fleischer said Democrats snatched “defeat out of the jaws of victory” by elevating such contenders in a handful of congressional primaries.

Democrats have dispatched democratic socialist candidates in governors' races. But Beshear, who has carved out a centrist lane before his potential presidential bid, rejected Republican efforts to label the broader party.

“The only person that I see engaged in socialism is Donald J. Trump, who is taking equity in private companies for the United States government,” he said. “That's the definition of socialism.”

Voting issues hang over the race

Hanging over many of these states is concern that the federal government under Trump will seek to influence elections, perhaps one of the biggest variables ahead and a prospect that some Republicans are warning against.

Gov. Mark Gordon of Wyoming, a Republican, said recently that the behavior of Justice Department officials who monitored poll workers and observed voters was “a bit aggressive” and “irregular.”

“I feel very strongly about the federal government coming in and taking our guns,” he said at a meeting to confirm election results in August. “I don’t like that. I don’t like the federal government coming in and taking our votes, either.”

Oklahoma Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt, who supports a strict proof-of-citizenship voting bill that is stalled in the Senate, told The Associated Press in July that “I don’t think that we should federalize the elections at all.”

“I believe that is a state issue,” he said. “The states should control their own elections.”

Given the concerns, some Democrats, particularly in states that could be crucial to the next White House campaign, are framing their races in larger terms.

“2028 starts right now,” said Aaron Ford, the attorney general in Nevada running for governor. “People across the nation need to understand that Nevada is a swing state, it needs a governor who is going to stand up for the electoral process.”

Meanwhile, Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon killed seven people and leveled a vacant hospital, according to Lebanese authorities, near an area that has become a flash point in fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.

Here’s a look at the latest news in the Middle East. Full coverage can be found here.

Iran says it hit a US boat in the strait

State-run media in Tehran said the U.S. vessel was trying to enter an area that Iran says is restricted in the Strait of Hormuz, but Capt. Tim Hawkins, spokesperson for the U.S. Central Command, called it "a total lie."

The claim came a day after the U.S. said it struck Iranian oil tankers in retaliation for Iran launching ballistic missiles at Navy warships. Attacks resumed last week after roughly a month of quiet.

The war began with U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran on Feb. 28. But negotiations have collapsed after a ceasefire agreement was announced in June, and on-and-off fighting has persisted with both sides trying to inflict military and economic pain.

Iran’s parliament speaker and chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, said the era of “proportionate responses” is over and Iran’s retaliation will be “faster, heavier and more painful.”

Israeli strikes kill 7 in Lebanon

Israeli strikes killed at least seven people in southern Lebanon and leveled an empty hospital, Lebanon's Health Ministry said.

Strikes on the village of Arabsalim killed two, the ministry said. Two others were killed in Nabatiyeh al-Fawqa, near a strategic hill that Israel said its forces gained control over Thursday. And three people were killed in the village of Nabatiyeh al-Tahta after an Israeli drone struck a parking lot. At least 20 others were wounded in strikes, the ministry said, among them three children and five women.

Israel's military said its latest strikes came in response to a drone attack launched earlier Sunday by Hezbollah on troops in southern Lebanon. It said Hezbollah had used the empty hospital as a command center.

Since a ceasefire went into effect between Israel and Hezbollah more than two months ago, low-level skirmishes and Israeli strikes continue in the south.

Mass funeral in Gaza for over 110 Palestinians found in rubble

Dozens of Palestinians gathered in Gaza City to mourn over 110 people, including at least 70 children, after their remains were recovered.

Rescue crews have been digging out the bodies from the Zeitoun neighborhood. They said the dead came from three families whose houses were flattened by Israeli strikes earlier in the war.

“We are witnessing a painful, heartbreaking scene,” said Mustafa Quzghat, a relative.

The bodies were wrapped in white shrouds and draped with Palestinian flags. Some shrouds bore images of the deceased, according to Associated Press footage. They were laid out in rows on the ground.

Over 73,650 Palestinians have been killed since the war in Gaza began, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The ministry, part of the Hamas-run government, maintains detailed records viewed as generally reliable by U.N. agencies and international organizations. It doesn’t give a breakdown of civilians and militants.

Kushner says Gaza has long been ‘dystopian’

Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law, defended the lack of progress in talks about next steps in the fragile Gaza ceasefire, saying that “it’s been a dystopian place for a long time.”

Speaking at a news conference in Ukraine, Kushner defended his work with Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, saying the militarization by the Hamas militant group in the Palestinian territory was “beyond our comprehension, so demilitarizing it is not going to be easy.”

“But we’re very determined, and we’re working through these things,” Kushner said.

He added: “We’re working through some political issues in Israel. I think we agree with them on the end state. They just have a crazy election, and that makes them a little irrational in certain regards.” Israel's election is set for Oct. 27.

Israeli strike in Gaza kills a father and daughter

An Israeli strike on a civilian vehicle in western Gaza City killed a father and his daughter and wounded at least six others, according to health officials at Shifa Hospital, where the casualties were taken.

The Israeli military said it struck a “terrorist” in Gaza City.

Israeli strikes have killed at least 1,344 Palestinians in Gaza since a ceasefire agreement was reached with the Hamas militant group in October, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Israel says it is targeting Hamas and other militants who pose a threat, and in response to ceasefire violations, including occasional attacks.

The war began when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 others hostage.

Muslim nations condemn Israeli proposal to empty Gaza

Any Israeli plan or action to remove Palestinians from Gaza would violate international law and undermine the U.S.-backed plan for drawing down the war, the foreign ministers of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and five other governments said in a statement.

Israel’s national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, last week published a plan to encourage Palestinian migration from Gaza. Israel’s defense minister, Israel Katz, has said Israel is prepared to facilitate the removal of Palestinians by sea, air or other means, and that plans remain under discussion.

The governments called the statements “inflammatory” and said they threatened the “legitimate and inalienable rights” of Palestinians and the future establishment of a Palestinian state. ___ This report will be updated throughout the day as new developments emerge.

Antonelli stormed to victory at the Italian Grand Prix, despite having started 19th on the grid. It took the Mercedes driver fewer than 17 laps to fight his way to the front.

The rest of the race was spent tussling with teammate and title rival George Russell for the lead. Antonelli passed him for the final time with three laps remaining, going on to become the first Italian to win at Monza in 60 years.

“Oh my God ... It feels like a dream,” Antonelli said on team radio after crossing the line.

‘Unbelievable, unbelievable’

“I did not expect it," Antonelli said later. “Unbelievable, unbelievable. I am so happy, I could not have imagined to be here today but we managed to pull it off and I am really, really happy.”

It was the second furthest back anyone has come from to win a grand prix. John Watson won at Long Beach in 1983 despite starting 22nd.

“The best (race) is yet to come. But I feel like it was one of the best races I've done so far and one that I will remember forever,” said the 20-year-old Antonelli, who is in his second season in F1.

Antonelli’s triumph at least gave the crowd something to cheer about after Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc crashed out of the scuderia’s home race early on. In the other Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton finished sixth.

Max Verstappen was a distant third behind the two Mercedes, just ahead of the McLaren duo of defending champion Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.

It was Antonelli’s seventh win of the season — and his fledgling F1 career — and extended his lead in the overall standings to 66 points ahead of Russell.

Russell had been hoping to make up some ground on Antonelli in the title race as his teammate took on a hefty grid penalty at Monza after Mercedes opted to swap his car’s power unit.

“Kimi is in control of it and he’s deserving to be in control of it,” Russell said about the title race. "For me personally, I’m not even thinking about a fight or a comeback or anything.

“He’s performing incredibly well. It’s going to be exceptionally challenging to overcome that gap so I’m just sort of accepting that it is what it is.”

Fans in tears

Russel started Sunday's grand prix second and got ahead of surprise polesitter Pierre Gasly at the start of the second lap.

Moments later the race was red-flagged after Leclerc lost control coming out of Parabolica at the end of Lap 2 and swerved off into the barriers at high speed. He got out of his car and sat down near the track, looking heartbroken.

The hordes of passionate, red-clad tifosi around the track looked similarly despondent, with many in tears.

By that point Antonelli was already up to 12th and — as he later admitted — starting to believe in victory. When the race resumed, he continued to slice swiftly through the field, picking off the cars one by one until he only had Russell ahead.

No yo-yo

The Mercedes duo were told off by their team as they yo-yoed for the lead and instructed to build a gap over Verstappen before fighting it out for the victory.

Antonelli was brought into the pits under the virtual safety car on lap 29, while Russell stayed out. Antonelli came out in sixth but, with fresh tires, started reeling Russell in for the second time in the race.

“To be honest, I thought we were both going to stay out,” Russell said. "I was surprised to see him pitting.

"In the end it was a roll of the dice both ways. In the moment, the team wouldn’t have known which strategy was better, made sense to split the car. In the end Kimi had great pace.”

Antonelli looked as though he may have blown his chances of a stunning comeback win when he ran through the gravel as he attempted to get past Russell on Lap 49. But such was his pace that he soon closed the gap that had opened up and breezed past the following lap.

___

See AP’s full auto racing coverage here

The Trump administration's push to end the fighting has lost momentum, with the focus on the Iran war for the past six months.

The trip by the Americans follows a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Saturday, as both sides have escalated their aerial attacks in the more than 4½-year all-out war.

Russia has recently been using fast-flying jet-powered drones, and the recurring wail of air-raid sirens has become part of daily life in Kyiv. Troops have struggled to make progress along the 1,250-kilometer (775-mile) front line.

Zelenskyy held three rounds of talks with the Americans on Sunday, the last of which brought in national security advisers from the United Kingdom, France and Germany.

Security guarantees and a winter plan

Zelenskyy said at a news conference that the discussions covered air defense needs — including Patriot systems — and a “winter package” of support covering both air defense and energy infrastructure before the colder months. He said that Kyiv was seeking “serious volumes” of American support on that front, with backing from European partners as well.

The Ukrainian president said that the U.S. planned to increase production of Patriot interceptor missiles next year, with Germany also expanding its own production under existing licensing agreements.

Zelenskyy said that Russia had intensified strikes on Ukrainian cities before Russia's State Duma election later this month, calling the attacks deliberate “terror” against civilians, and said that Ukraine was working with 67 domestic companies developing systems to shoot down Russia’s jet-powered drones at scale.

The Ukrainian leader said the territorial question “remains relevant,” but reiterated his view that such difficult issues “can only be resolved at the level of leaders.” Zelenskyy said that the talks also touched on long-term security guarantees and economic support for Ukraine’s postwar reconstruction. He said that a strong Ukrainian army remained “one of the main guarantees of security.”

Zelenskyy said that the sides had agreed to hold a follow-up meeting involving Ukraine, the U.S. and Europe, though a location has not been set.

Witkoff said that the U.S. was pursuing “a diplomatic resolution to this conflict, not a kinetic resolution.” Referring to the previous day’s talks, he said that the meeting in Moscow had produced “new ideas” that were later brought to Kyiv, and pointed to the presence of national security advisers from the so-called E3 nations — France, Germany and the U.K. — as evidence that “collaboration is critical” to reaching a deal.

Both sides would need to make compromises, Witkoff said, adding: “We think we have the ingredients to get to that place.”

Asked whether Washington was prepared to increase pressure on Russia if the talks produced no breakthrough, Kushner said that the U.S. approach was to look for a “win-win” outcome.

He said that his father-in-law, U.S. President Donald Trump, was focused not just on ending the fighting but on building “a framework that could actually lead to a durable peace,” and that he and Witkoff had held a “constructive and substantive” meeting with Putin a day earlier, discussing what Russia, Ukraine and the wider world could each gain from a settlement.

Kushner said that the two envoys hoped to revive trilateral talks involving Russia and Ukraine directly, a format last used roughly six months earlier, and said that Washington remained in near-daily contact with Ukrainian officials even between visits.

No breakthroughs in Moscow talks

Saturday's meeting in Moscow lasted more than three hours behind closed doors and ended without any major developments being announced. Putin’s foreign policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov, described the talks as constructive, frank and useful, but he didn’t discuss specific outcomes.

While Moscow offered its “comprehensive assessment” of the battlefield situation in Ukraine, Ushakov said, the talks weren't purely focused on the war in Ukraine.

“Economic issues and potentially large, mutually beneficial joint projects for Russia and America were discussed in considerable detail,” he said.

The last known visit to Moscow by Witkoff and Kushner was in January when they also held talks with Putin at the Kremlin.

Russia and Ukraine continue to exchange fire

Putin and Zelenskyy had agreed to pause strikes on each other’s capitals while the talks take place. Still, the two traded fire overnight into Sunday, officials said.

Russian attacks across multiple Ukrainian regions killed one person and wounded at least 10 others overnight into Sunday, Ukraine’s State Emergency Service said.

In Zaporizhzhia, drone strikes killed a 74-year-old man and wounded three people, while a drone damaged an apartment building, wounding seven people, in the Khmelnytskyi region.

Ukraine’s air force said Sunday that it intercepted 82 drones out of the 108 launched by Russia overnight, along with six missiles.

In Russia, a man was killed and a woman was seriously wounded when a Ukrainian drone struck a vehicle, local authorities in the Belgorod border region said.

The Russian Defense Ministry said Sunday that its air defenses overnight shot down 258 Ukrainian drones over 14 Russian regions, the Russia-occupied Crimean Peninsula and the waters of the Black and Azov Seas.

Mixed hopes on the ground

In Kyiv on Sunday, dozens gathered for a nationwide 9 a.m. moment of silence honoring Ukraine’s fallen soldiers, a daily ritual held in cities across the country.

Nataliia Lipei, 67, whose son Viktor was killed in December 2022, was among those who attended. Despite a health condition, she has traveled from city to city to take part, and she said that she hopes the talks in Moscow and Kyiv will finally bring an end to the war.

“I hope these steps and these meetings will definitely produce results, because there has been so much bloodshed and so many deaths here that we have to stop all of this,” Lipei told The Associated Press.

Not everyone shared her hope for the talks. Oleksandr Pastukhov, a 27-year-old video editor who joined the commemoration, was skeptical that the envoys’ visit would change anything.

“We’ve already seen delegations like this come here before,” he said. “We’ve seen this so-called ceasefire for three days, which ended after just a couple of hours, and now we’re supposed to naively think that two people will come and change something.”

In his Sunday prayer, Pope Leo XIV renewed his appeal for peace in Ukraine and said he hopes the negotiations will bring results.

“I hope that the efforts undertaken in recent days to resume negotiations will bear concrete fruit and make way for diplomacy,” he told the gathered faithful in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican.

___ Volodymyr Yurchuk and Yevhenii Ocheretianyi in Kyiv, and Elise Morton in London, contributed to this report.

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

The purported attack came a day after the U.S. military said forces struck three Iranian oil tankers in response to Navy warships being targeted with ballistic missiles. Experts called it a dangerous escalation after Iran’s previous attacks at sea targeted commercial shipping.

The war began with U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran on Feb. 28. But since a fragile ceasefire agreement was announced in June, on-and-off fighting has persisted, with both sides trying to inflict military and economic pain as negotiations have collapsed.

Strikes came about a week after fighting resumed

The United States and Iran resumed attacks last week, following a month of relative calm, with the Strait of Hormuz and areas along Iran's southern coast again being targeted. At least five people were killed earlier in the week during a U.S. bombardment that returned attention to the area where a school was hit in the war's opening strikes.

The Trump administration appears to have adopted a dual-prong approach to the conflict, responding militarily to attacks on the strait while going after foreign financial institutions that handle Iran’s money.

But Tehran's hard-line new senior leaders have signaled a willingness to dig in after weathering decades of sanctions. Iran has found ways over the years to circumvent sanctions, and now a U.S. blockade of its ports, and get its oil to buyers to help ease growing economic pressures. That relies in part on a shadow fleet transporting its oil.

US says million barrels of oil a day pass through the strait

Tehran’s new leverage focuses on the Strait of Hormuz that is crucial to global oil and natural gas shipments. It was seen as an international waterway before the war began.

On Sunday, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said that on average, 9 million barrels of oil a day are getting through the strait, which should help to relieve pressure on energy prices. His estimate appeared to exceed average flows over the past 28 days through the strait, according to TankerTrackers.com and other sources.

Wright told CNN that with oil also flowing through pipelines in the region, “we’re probably two-thirds or more of pre-conflict flows.”

But those flows depend on the presence of the U.S. Navy to help escort tankers and provide some protection against possible Iranian attack. Wright said he expected that other countries would eventually support the Navy’s efforts.

Meanwhile, Iran's nuclear program, the issue that contributed to the outbreak of the war, was meant to be addressed in negotiations that fell apart soon after the U.S. and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding in mid-June.

Diplomats say the U.S., Britain, France and Germany now seek to refer Iran to the U.N. Security Council for failure to comply with its nuclear nonproliferation obligations.

___

Magdy reported from Cairo and Frankel reported from Jerusalem. Associated Press writer Konstantin Toropin in Washington and Josh Boak in Bridgewater, New Jersey, contributed to this report.

The mudslide hit part of a village in Suichuan County in Jiangxi province early Saturday, damaging a dozen houses. Rescuers found two people dead on Sunday, state broadcaster CCTV reported. More than 5,300 people in the county were relocated to safer places. A third death related to the typhoon was reported Saturday.

Separately, CCTV reported that two people were killed in Hunan province in south-central China following downpours brought by the typhoon. The report didn't specify the cause of the deaths, but said that the rain triggered landslides and other disasters.

Saudel made two landfalls in Zhejiang Province on Aug. 28 and made a third landfall as a tropical storm in Fujian Province on Sept. 3, Chinese official news agency Xinhua reported. Both provinces neighbor Jiangxi.

Xinhua also reported Sunday that a person was killed after a landslide struck another village in Jiangxi a day before, but it didn't specify whether Saudel triggered it.

Rescuers carried out Lu from a 225-meter (740-foot) hydropower tunnel and evacuated him by helicopter Saturday, 10 days after the floods. He was taken to a hospital and was in stable condition, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported.

The Aug. 26 floods were likely caused by a glacier collapse, and nearly 4,900 remain missing in the South Asian country, according to Nepal’s disaster management agency.

Lu recalled climbing to the highest point inside the tunnel and thinking the whistles he heard from the rescue crews were in his imagination, according to audio shared by CCTV. He told a Chinese embassy staffer that the emergency personnel initially could not hear him when he shouted toward their lights.

“When they shone before my eyes, I couldn’t believe it,” he said. “I no longer shouted. I had lost hope.”

Lu Hairong, Lu’s sister in China, told state media Red Star News that she received a call about the rescue before the news emerged. But she only found it believable after seeing him in a picture in the news.

Her 49-year-old brother, who is married with a son, was previously a farmer from Henan province in central China and took additional work, mainly carpentry, during his spare time. He headed to Nepal for work with a fellow villager in February, his first time working abroad, she told Red Star News.

She told Cover News, another Chinese state media outlet, that Lu had not shared his exact working location and she could only watch the news sent by others in a mutual aid group for families of the missing, unable to eat or sleep well.

“It’s a stroke of sheer luck amid the misfortune,” she said of the rescue.

Lu’s cousin, Lu Haiqing, said her mind went blank after learning he was missing on the sixth day after the floods. She then searched for Nepal news every day and used artificial intelligence to translate Nepali to Chinese. She wept every day on her way to work, Chinese news portal Jiupai News reported.

On Saturday, Lu's cousin received a picture from his sister asking her to help confirm his identity. The man looked very similar but she needed to call another relative to help confirm, the report said.

“This day has finally come,” she was quoted as saying. “There is hope when one doesn't give up.”

On the Tibet side of the border, 43 people died and 519 were missing, of whom 261 were foreigners, as of Saturday evening, CCTV reported.

Rescuers operated excavators to search for those unaccounted for after a mudslide hit the Gyirong border facility and swallowed people, according to videos from foreign media pool coverage on a government-organized trip.

The border crossing area was seen Sunday covered by fragments of rocks and gravel, with yellow chrysanthemums being laid on the ground in the disaster zone in an apparent tribute to the victims.

The party of German's unpopular leader, Chancellor Friedrich Merz, was set for a disastrous result in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt. The anti-migration and Russia-friendly Alternative for Germany's candidate for governor said that “we have written history.”

Ulrich Siegmund, 35, told public broadcaster ARD that voters had sent a signal that “things cannot carry on like this” and that it was “also a signal toward Berlin.” Of Germany’s unpopular leader, he said: “A very good campaigner for us in this election campaign was Friedrich Merz. Every day this man is in the chancellery is one too many.”

AfD wanted to govern on its own

Alternative for Germany, or AfD, went into the vote seeking an absolute majority in the state legislature to govern on its own. That would overcome the so-called firewall of mainstream parties’ refusal to work with AfD, but it was unclear long after polls closed whether it would happen.

A first state government would be the biggest prize in the anti-migration party’s 13-year history, at a time of widespread discontent with a national government that has yet to persuade voters that it can get the country’s sluggish economy moving.

Whether or not AfD can form a government, the projected result is a blow to Merz, whose center-right party has led Saxony-Anhalt for 24 years. Unlike other countries in Europe, modern Germany hasn't yet had a far-right or right-wing populist party leading a national, state or major-city government.

AfD is the biggest opposition party in Germany’s national parliament and is strongest in the formerly communist and less prosperous east, where Saxony-Anhalt is located.

Its regional branch in Saxony-Anhalt is one of several classified as Its regional branch in Saxony-Anhalt is one of several classified as a proven right-wing extremist group by the domestic intelligence agency, which points to members' denigration of migrants from Muslim countries among other things.

The party talks of “remigration,” a politically charged term for the deportation of immigrants. Its leader in a neighboring state appealed two convictions for knowingly using a Nazi slogan.

AfD vehemently rejects accusations of extremism and says they're politically motivated.

Big decline for German leader's party

Projections for ARD and ZDF public television, based on exit polls and partial counting, put AfD at a bit over 44% of the vote, more than double its showing five years ago in the region of 2.1 million people west of Berlin.

That was far ahead of Merz's Christian Democratic Union which was seen polling 18% and losing about half its support. The Left Party, the center-left Social Democrats and Greens were seen taking around 9% each.

It was unclear whether the BSW party would get the 5% of the vote needed to win seats. The projections put AfD at least marginally short of an absolute majority, though that could change.

AfD's national co-leader, Alice Weidel, described the projected result as “sensational” and said that “we have received a very clear mandate to govern here.” The party's “hand is outstretched to all who want to make Saxony-Anhalt better and move Germany forward,” she said.

A visibly disappointed incumbent governor, Sven Schulze, congratulated AfD on becoming the state's strongest political force and said that “we as the CDU will also have to deal with this result,” without specifying how.

Franziska Hoppermann, the national general-secretary of Merz's party, rejected the idea of backing off its refusal to deal with AfD.

“AfD is a right-wing extremist party. It wants to leave the euro; that would be economic downfall ... it works closely together with Russia, it wants a completely different social model,” she said. “We will not work with them.”

There already has been one case in which AfD won a state election but didn’t end up governing. That was two years ago in neighboring Thuringia, where a CDU governor took power with a minority government, but against a regional AfD that was well short of a majority.

If the result allows Schulze to try to put together some kind of alliance with smaller parties, that would be delicate, because it would require at least some tacit support from the Left Party, a hard-left party with which the CDU refuses to form coalitions.

Germany's states have extensive powers

Germany’s 16 states have extensive powers, for example in overseeing security matters and running the education system.

Siegmund has listed among his top priorities “a deportation offensive” and dropping incentives for people to come to Germany and “exploit our social system.” He wants to initiate a long process to withdraw Saxony-Anhalt from the regional public broadcaster, citing concerns about “disinformation.”

AfD in Saxony-Anhalt wants to allow home schooling, which so far isn’t permitted in Germany. It pledges to ban schools from officially raising the rainbow flag and ensure they fly the national flag. It opposes taxpayers’ money being “given away” to Ukraine and says it would push to lift sanctions against Russia, but that isn’t a matter state governments can decide.

State governments also sit in Germany's upper house of parliament, which has to approve some government legislation. The influence there of Saxony-Anhalt, one of the smaller states in a nation of 83.5 people, is limited — it controls four of the 69 votes.

___

Geir Moulson reported from Berlin.

Sam Leavitt complemented his 113 yards and two rushing touchdowns with 230 yards and a TD passing, edge rusher Jordan Ross returned an interception for a score, and No. 11 LSU rode the “Lane Train” to a resounding 51-10 victory over Clemson on Saturday night.

“Imagine if we had pro players,” Kiffin said lightheartedly at the end of a brief TV interview at halftime, by which time LSU led 31-3, had outgained Clemson 336 yards to 54, and had 21 first downs to Clemson's one.

Kiffin has gotten commitments from two of his former Mississippi players — tight end Dae'Quan Wright and defensive tackle Zxavian Harris — who spent part of this offseason with NFL teams. A Louisiana court ruling cleared the way for him to place them on his roster this week. But in the face of fervent opposition from the NCAA and SEC, he elected not to do so. At least, not yet.

“If we would have won close or ugly, the whole story would have been I screwed the whole team up” by trying to sign recent pros, Kiffin said. “I have been criticized heavily the last two weeks, and I get it. But my job is to not please you and what you are going to write. My job is what I believe is right — and I believe we were fighting for what is right for those kids.”

Lightning strikes

A sellout crowd at 102,000-seat Tiger Stadium was scattered by a downpour and a lightning delay that pushed the start back nearly two hours. Still, Death Valley was packed when the game began — and fans didn't have to watch more than one quarter to see Kiffin's up-tempo offense live up to its reputation, running 23 plays for 140 yards.

LSU finished with 644 yards of offense while handing Clemson its worst loss in about 30 years.

“The best thing about that game is it’s over,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. "Just really poor performance, not what we worked for or expected.

“You’re not going to win if you can’t stop the run,” Swinney added. “We just did a really poor job of setting the edge, especially versus the quarterback run, which really killed us.”

Dilin Jones, a transfer from Wisconsin who finished with 113 yards and two TDs rushing, gave LSU the lead for good with a 1-yard run that made it 10-3.

“Everyone saw what this offense is capable of — I mean, the quarterback we have, the offensive coordinator (Charlie Weis Jr.), the offensive line," Jones said. "We really felt like we could just go out there and execute.”

Ross' 30-yard interception return made it 17-3 before Leavitt's frenetic scoring runs of 8 and 13 yards put LSU up by four TDs late in the second quarter.

“Anything I can do to help my team get into the endzone I will do," said Leavitt, a transfer player who helped lead Arizona State to the College Football Playoff in 2024, but saw his 2025 campaign derailed by a foot injury. “I’m going to take the plays when they come to me.”

Clemson's offense struggled so much that Swinney subbed starting QB Christopher Vizzina out of the game in favor of freshman Tait Reynolds late in the second quarter.

LSU pulled farther away when Leavitt found Ole Miss transfer Winston Watkins Jr. for a 32-yard TD down the left sidelined in the third quarter. Jones' 12-yard TD made it 44-3.

Leavitt given the rest of the night off after that, but LSU scored once more when reserve Landen Clark completed a 30-yard scoring pass to Phillip Wright III.

The takeaway

Clemson: Swinny could be in for a tough season. Clemson hasn't taken a loss this bad since falling 41-0 to Syracuse in the 1996 Gator Bowl. A promising start to the game on defense belied how tough of a night it was going to be for Clemson, which briefly led 3-0 after cornerback Ashton Hampton intercepted Leavitt's second pass of the game.

“The start of the game was great for us, but we couldn't truly capitalize on it,” Vizzina said, referring to his offense's stumbles. “We're not helping our defense at all.”

LSU: After ranking 126th nationally in rushing with 104 yards per game in 2025, LSU is benefitting from improved play by the offensive line, the addition of Jones and Leavitt's legs. LSU rushed for 213 yards in the first half alone, more than in any game last season. Meanwhile, coordinator Blake Baker's defense picked up where it left off, producing four sacks and a defensive score while holding Clemson to below 100 yards and without a TD until less than seven minutes remained fourth quarter.

LSU's defense has “a chance to be really good, with players that fit well together,” Kiffin said. “That is exciting, and they should be excited about that.”

It could not have been a much better start for Kiffin or LSU athletic director Verge Ausberry, who moved aggressively to hire the charismatic, yet polarizing coach. The two embraced as Kiffin walked off the field after the game.

Up next

Clemson: Hosts Georgia Southern on Sept. 12.

LSU: Hosts Louisiana Tech on Sept. 12.

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“I definitely thought the game was over because there were zeroes on the clock,” he said.

So did Western Michigan. So did a lot of people watching.

Given a second chance by a disputed replay decision, Underwood and the Wolverines took advantage. JJ Buchanan pulled in Underwood's 47-yard, second-chance miracle heave for a game-ending, game-winning touchdown, and Michigan escaped with a 13-12 win over the Broncos on Saturday night in coach Kyle Whittingham’s debut.

On what seemed to be the final play of the game, Underwood chucked a Hail Mary pass that sailed beyond the end zone and into the arms of a Broncos defender. TV replays appeared to show the clock hitting zero with the ball still in the air, but officials ruled there was a second still to play.

The Big Ten stood by the review in a statement released two hours after the game, when it also published a recording of the replay as it was reviewed by the officials that showed the game clock at 1 second when the ball was touched by WMU's Micah Davis.

“It was determined Western Michigan No. 18 started his jump from an established out-of-bounds position (left foot) and made contact with the ball with one second remaining on the clock,” the conference said, citing rule that stops the clock on such contact.

Mid-American Conference Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher said the conference and school contacted the Big Ten office, seeking clarification on the review and was provided with an explanation along with video and audio that confirmed it. Steinbrecher thanked the Big Ten for its prompt response.

The call gave Michigan new life.

“We were flirting with disaster, and that would’ve been an epic loss,” Whittingham said.

Indeed, Michigan fans were already having flashbacks to a season-opening loss to Appalachian State in 2007, when the Wolverines faltered as 33-point favorites. They were projected to win by 27 1/2 points over the Broncos but had to experience momentarily watching WMU celebrate the victory at Michigan Stadium before the replay decision made the winning score possible.

Michigan fans stormed the field after the win, but the team was hardly in the mood for a party.

“Sick to my stomach is the way I explain my feelings about that game,” defensive end Dom Nichols said.

Whittingham said he thought there was a second left on the clock, while Broncos coach Lance Taylor said he hadn't seen a replay before speaking to reporters.

Underwood took advantage of another chance to win the game, and redeem himself from a poor performance, with Buchanan leaping to snag the football and coming down with it in the end zone.

“We practiced it three or four times over the last month,” said Underwood, who added it was “a blessing” to have another second put back on the clock.

Whittingham was hired to stabilize a program reeling after the firing and arrest of Sherrone Moore, who held the job for just two seasons following Jim Harbaugh's tenure that included a 2023 national title along with a spying scandal and NCAA sanctions for recruiting violations.

There hasn't been much drama off the field, but this was hardly an encouraging start on it.

“That was a moment we don’t really want to be living,” Nichols said.

Michigan will have to improve quickly to compete next week with No. 10 Oklahoma at home.

“If we don’t play a lot better, it’s not going to be pretty,” Whittingham said.

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The Television Academy hands out well over 100 primetime Emmys, and most of them will be presented this weekend in a pair of ceremonies at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. They were previously known as the Creative Arts Emmys but have now been rebranded as simply the first two nights of the 78th Emmy Awards.

The two nights will be edited together to air Sept. 12 on FXX and stream on Hulu the following day. The primetime Sept. 14 ceremony, also at the Peacock Theater and hosted by Mariska Hargitay, will air live on NBC and stream live on Peacock.

Bad Bunny won his first career Emmy Award Saturday for his Super Bowl halftime show, which was awarded home seven trophies.

“The Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show Starring Bad Bunny” won the Emmy for outstanding variety special, beating out the telecasts for the Oscars, the Grammys and the Tonys. Bad Bunny, nominated under his birth name Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, gets an Emmy as a producer-performer. It was his first nomination.

“The Pitt,” HBO Max's day-in-the-life medical series, won best drama for its first season and is this year's top overall contender with 25 nominations. It could win as many as nine on Sunday. “Hacks,” also from HBO Max, got a record-tying 24 comedy nominations for its fifth and final season and could win as many as a dozen Sunday.

Most of the awards presented this weekend are for behind-the-scenes crew, but big names may also have big moments, especially in the guest acting categories.

Rob Reiner, who was killed along with his wife Michele Singer Reiner in December, could win a posthumous Emmy. He was nominated for guest actor in a comedy for “The Bear,” about 50 years after winning two Emmy Awards for his acting on “All in the Family.”

Five-time Emmy winner Michael J. Fox is also nominated in the same category for playing a patient on “Shrinking” who has Parkinson’s disease, which the actor was diagnosed with in the 1990s.

The evening's star power will be increased by the academy moving five categories from the Sept. 14 telecast to Sunday. They include best supporting actor and actress in a limited series, with nominees such as Jason Bateman, Charles Melton, Dakota Fanning and Laurie Metcalf.

“The Pitt” dominated the drama acting nominations and has two performers up for best guest actor in a drama along with three up for best guest actress. They include Tal Anderson, an autistic actor and an advocate for neurodivergent performers and portrayals. She got her first Emmy nomination for playing Becca King, the younger sister of Taylor Dearden’s Dr. Mel King.

Dearden, one of four women from “The Pitt” nominated for best supporting actress this year, will be among the presenters Sunday as will Noah Wyle, the star of “The Pitt” who is nominated for four Emmys at the main ceremony.

Five of the seven nominees for best guest actress in a comedy come from “Hacks,” including Leslie Bibb and Metcalf, who could take home two Emmys.

A pair of rookie series from Apple TV could make major marks on the Emmys with a head start Sunday. The horror comedy “Widow's Bay” could win as many as 10 this weekend. And “Pluribus,” the one-woman-against-the-hivemind drama from “Breaking Bad” creator Vince Gilligan, which stars best-actress favorite Rhee Seahorn, could also win 10 at the early ceremony.

“Pluribus” acting nominees Karolina Wydra and Jeff Hiller are also among Sunday's presenters.

Saturday's first day of the Emmys saw awards presented to unscripted series, variety shows and specials shows and variety specials, while Sunday's show focuses on dramas, comedies and limited series.

The match was a tale of two halves. Miami looked composed and dangerous before halftime but struggled to maintain that level after the break, allowing Atlanta to control the second half and eventually fight back for a point.

The match also marked Miami’s first without Noah Allen, the club’s all-time leader in appearances, after he was traded to the Chicago Fire earlier this week.

From the opening whistle, the match was physical and intense, with both teams looking to establish themselves early. Neither side was able to capitalize on its chances during the opening 10 minutes, but both created promising opportunities.

Miami tried to establish its usual possession-heavy style, but Atlanta’s aggressive press made it difficult for the Herons to settle into their rhythm. Instead, Atlanta controlled much of the early possession and repeatedly pushed Miami deep into its own half.

After more than 15 minutes of back-and-forth play, Miami finally broke through.

Messi delivered a dangerous corner into the box, finding Casemiro, who rose above the defense and headed the ball into the net. It was Casemiro’s second consecutive match opening the scoring for Miami.

The Herons had their 1-0 lead, but Atlanta quickly responded.

After St. Clair made a save, the ball fell loose in the box following a deflection. Miguel Almirón reacted first, blasting the rebound into the net to bring Atlanta level at 1-1.

The goal appeared to wake Miami up.

The Herons soon won a free kick in the attacking half, and Messi stood over the ball. The stadium fell silent as the Argentine superstar stepped up.

Messi curled the free kick toward the top-right corner, but his attempt struck the post and bounced away.

Miami would not have to wait much longer for its second goal.

With five minutes of stoppage time announced, Telasco Segovia picked out Luis Suárez with a perfectly weighted pass. Suárez made no mistake, calmly finishing past the Atlanta goalkeeper to restore Miami’s lead at 2-1 just before halftime.

The referee’s whistle sent Miami into the break with the advantage.

Miami came out of halftime looking to build on its momentum and extend the lead. For the first 10 minutes, the Herons managed to keep Atlanta from creating any major opportunities while continuing to defend their advantage.

But Atlanta gradually began to take control.

The pressure nearly paid off when Atlanta found space in front of goal, only for a Miami defender Fricio Caicedo to clear the ball off the line and out for a corner.

The reprieve would not last long.

The referee was sent to the video review area to examine a potential penalty for Atlanta. After reviewing the play, the referee awarded Atlanta a penalty after determining that Casemiro had kicked Almirón inside the box.

Almirón stepped up with a chance to equalize.

He sent the penalty toward the left side of the goal, but St. Clair read it perfectly and made the save, keeping Miami in front.

The save temporarily preserved Miami’s lead, but Atlanta continued to pile on the pressure.

Miami appeared increasingly content to sit deep and absorb the attack rather than push forward in search of a third goal. Atlanta kept coming, and eventually, the pressure became too much.

Atlanta earned another penalty after Breel Embolo was brought down by Caicedo inside the box.

This time, Atlanta made no mistake.

Embolo converted from the spot, leveling the match at 2-2.

Miami’s conservative approach throughout the second half had finally caught up with the Herons.

With 90 minutes complete, Miami had eight minutes of stoppage time to find a winner.

The opportunity nearly came through Messi.

Messi fired a shot toward goal, but the Atlanta goalkeeper made an outstanding save to push it wide. Messi then delivered the resulting corner, only for the goalkeeper to punch the ball away and force another corner.

The next corner produced another scare for Atlanta. The ball struck the crossbar before bouncing back toward midfield.

Miami had one final opportunity to steal all three points when a cross found Germán Berterame in the box, but his header sailed wide.

After taking its foot off the gas in the second half, Miami was left searching for a winner too late.

The final whistle confirmed a 2-2 draw — a result that will likely leave Miami frustrated after holding a halftime lead but failing to withstand Atlanta’s second-half pressure.

They were selling “Gavin 2028” buttons outside his events this past week as he trekked across the state that will hold Democrats' first presidential primary. His allies, the state party chair, college presidents and pro-Newsom activists all openly hinted at his national aspirations. And people close to him privately referred to a White House campaign as “the next thing.”

Still, California's Democratic governor has barely begun to address what may be his biggest political liability as he stakes a claim as an early front-runner in the Democratic Party's 2028 shadow primary. That liability, South Carolina voters acknowledged this past week, is something he cannot change — his home state, California, is a symbol of modern-day liberalism that people across the political spectrum love to hate.

Vera DeVito, a 78-year-old Democrat who packed into one of Newsom's eight public events across South Carolina, said she didn't know much about him or his policies — except that he's from the Golden State. On that basis alone, she suggested that supporting Newsom could be “risky.”

“It's going to be hard for him to appeal to the whole country," she said in the town of Summerville. “Everybody thinks California is different — especially in the South. They're not crazy about California.”

Newsom's home state stands in stark contrast with likely primary competitors who hail from battlegrounds like Michigan's Pete Buttigieg and Pennsylvania's Gov. Josh Shapiro. Should they run, which is likely, all could make credible claims that they are in a better position to win over the moderate and independent voters ultimately needed to win the presidency.

Newsom's team acknowledges that “California derangement syndrome” is real. In the almost half-century since former California Gov. Ronald Reagan first won the presidency, the state has produced a long list of failed White House contenders, including Gov. Pete Wilson, Gov. Jerry Brown, businessman Tom Steyer, and most recently Vice President Kamala Harris.

Despite such daunting history, Newsom is not hiding his interest in the presidency. In an interview, he left open the possibility of announcing his decision before the end of the year.

“It’s the right question. Honestly, I don’t know,” Newsom told The Associated Press. “I think this thing’s happening. I mean, you already feel it, right? There are folks out here — they’re saying they’re already starting to interview state directors. So this thing is going to happen very, very quickly.”

Voters like that Newsom is ‘not intimidated’ by Trump

Newsom's breakneck pace in South Carolina — which included a handful of private engagements in addition to his public events — mirrored or even exceeded that of a presidential campaign.

His visit was billed as part of his “take it back tour” across states in the Deep South where he argues that President Donald Trump and his Republican allies are rolling back civil rights.

He opened the trip on Wednesday with one day in Alabama and finished on Saturday with two stops in North Carolina. But the overwhelming focus was South Carolina, which will host the Democratic Party’s opening presidential primary contest in little more than a year. It was Newsom's third trip to South Carolina this midterm season.

The voters who crowded into community halls, courthouses and a university lecture hall talked openly about Newsom's presidential ambitions, even as Democrats try to keep the focus on November's midterm elections.

“He has strong potential,” said Kirk Bovill, a 65-year-old semi-retired actor and former Los Angeles resident who now lives in Summerville. “The question is how he's perceived outside of California. People might think he's too Hollywood.”

“The one thing he does very well: He doesn’t have a problem standing up to Trump,” Bovill continued. “He's not intimidated.”

Indeed, Newsom's message this past week was overwhelmingly focused on attacking Trump and rallying Democrats to stand up against him.

“We cannot do business as usual. We need to fight fire with fire,” Newsom told roughly 150 people gathered inside a Lexington, S.C. community center on Friday. “We’ve got to meet this moment and recognize what we’re up against. We’re up against an invasive species in the name of Donald Trump.”

At every stop, Newsom highlighted the hundreds of millions of dollars Trump and his family have made from crypto currency and other private business dealings since the 2024 election; Trump's decision to dispatch the National Guard to Los Angeles and other major U.S. cities; the federal immigration agents that have descended upon Los Angeles and other cities under Trump's direction; and Trump's push to disrupt the midterm elections, including his recent move to limit mail voting.

“Donald Trump is ruthless. He’s ruthless. He’s going to try to steal this election," Newsom charged. “He is not screwing around. Neither can we.”

The White House did not respond to a request for comment.

Newsom faces criticism that he's from the ‘Wrong Coast’

Republican activists protesting outside of some of Newsom's stops focused largely on his connection to California.

CJ Westfall, the Republican chairman of Dorchester County, described Newsom as “a far-left extreme Democrat who’s probably the front-runner of this (presidential) race right now.” He was surrounded by protesters who waved signs that read things like, “Wrong Coast" and “Clean Up Your State First."

“We don’t want Gavin Newsom to California our South Carolina,” Westfall said.

Newsom's team acknowledges widespread dislike for California, even among some Democrats, but argues that the California governor is gifted and experienced at fighting back against such criticism on the national stage. Newsom is a regular on Fox News, he faced Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in a debate and he was the most prominent national surrogate for former President Joe Biden's campaign.

Newsom acknowledged that California is both a political liability and “the greatest opportunity" because the California story has only been told on the national stage by “people that have 'California Derangement Syndrome.'" He said it would play far differently if he's able to reframe the conversation in 2028.

“In a Democratic primary, in particular — we’ve got the receipts, things that the party is arguing for, we’ve delivered across a spectrum of issues,” he told AP.

Indeed, some of the achievements that Republican critics attack him for are the same issues that might play well among Democratic base voters.

California under Newsom's leadership has enacted progressive priorities such as expanded healthcare coverage regardless of immigration status, expanded paid sick leave, universal free school meals, a $20 minimum wage for fast food workers, protections for women from other states seeking abortions, aggressive climate change and gun control laws and a death penalty moratorium.

California also remains the nation's most populous state and the world's fourth-largest economy, even as critics decry the state's high taxes that have pushed some businesses and residents alike into other states. The population has been growing since a COVID-era dip, however.

While South Carolina voters may have had mixed views on California, several said they were drawn in by Newsom's celebrity image. The 58-year-old Democrat certainly looked the part of a made-for-TV president as he charmed voters in his plain white dress shirt with his sleeves rolled up and no tie.

“We don’t get that many famous people here in Aiken. He’s pretty famous,” said 73-year-old Monty Fetterolf, who attended one of Newsom's Friday events in Aiken, S.C.

DeVito, the 78-year-old Democrat from Summerville, said Newsom still has work to do.

“He's a little slick — not a lot of meat,” she said after listening to his speech in Dorchester. “But he's good looking, which helps.”

The Wolverines were 27 1/2-point favorites in coach Kyle Whittingham’s debut. The Broncos thought they'd secured a historic upset when Underwood's first Hail Mary sailed out of bounds with the clock expired.

WMU players were already on the field celebrating when officials called for a review. TV replays showed the clock hitting zero before the ball hit the hands of a Western Michigan defender, but officials ruled there was a second still to play.

“I definitely thought the game was over because there were zeroes on the clock,” Underwood said.

After the overturned call, Underwood heaved another throw, and Buchanan leaped to snag it and came down with it in the end zone.

“One for the history books right here," Whittingham said.

Western Michigan was threatening to hand Michigan perhaps its biggest upset since a season-opening loss to Appalachian State in 2007, when the Wolverines were 33-point favorites. The Broncos kicked four field goals and forced three turnovers, including a late fumble by Underwood.

The Big Ten stood by the review in a statement released two hours after the game, when it also published a recording of the replay as it was reviewed by the officials that showed the game clock at 1 second when the ball was touched by WMU’s Micah Davis.

“It was determined Western Michigan No. 18 started his jump from an established out-of-bounds position (left foot) and made contact with the ball with one second remaining on the clock,” the conference said, citing rule that stops the clock on such contact.

Mid-American Conference Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher said the conference and school contacted the Big Ten office, seeking clarification on the review and was provided with an explanation along with video and audio that confirmed it. Steinbrecher thanked the Big Ten for its prompt response.

WMU went ahead for the first time early in the fourth quarter on Dieter Kelly’s 39-yard field goal that capped a 20-play drive that took 13:40 off the clock.

Underwood lost a fumble at his 31 with 1:50 left after throwing an interception in the first half and nearly getting picked off two more times.

“Sick to my stomach is the way I explain my feelings about that game,” defensive end Dom Nichols said.

Kelly, a junior-college transfer from College of San Mateo, made his fourth field goal with 35 seconds left to force the Wolverines to score a touchdown to win — and they did in dramatic fashion.

Western Michigan, which has played major college football since 1962 in the Mid-American Conference, has never beaten an opponent in the top 20 of the Associated Press poll.

The takeaway

Western Michigan: The defending MAC champions were able to retain key players, keeping them out of the transfer portal, and will be contenders to repeat.

Michigan: Underwood started strong with a touchdown drive and finished it well, but made a lot of mistakes in between.

“This isn’t on Bryce Underwood,” Whittingham said. “It’s on me.”

Up next

Western Michigan hosts Monmouth on Saturday.

Michigan hosts No. 10 Oklahoma on Saturday.

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Reed was replaced by Brady Hart with about 13 minutes left and the Aggies up 40-0.

Isaiah Horton, a transfer who played at Miami and Alabama, had four receptions for 76 yards. His first catch as an Aggie was a 15-yard grab for a touchdown on the opening possession.

“When we’re focused and urgent we’re the best team in the country,” Horton said. “So we just have to continue to work.”

Reed is thrilled to have added such a big target to help boost the offense in Horton, who is 6-foot-4, and 215 pounds.

“He’s going to be a great guy for us,” Reed said. “You saw the vertical threat he can be for us today. Really excited for what’s in store for him and us.”

The Aggies thoroughly dominated the game despite not playing their best at times. Missouri State, which is in its second season in the FBS, was outgained 505-67 and had just four first downs to 35 by Texas A&M.

After giving up 46 points combined in its first two games last season, coach Mike Elko was pleased with Saturday's shutout.

“It was good to see us just go out there and play the way we were capable of playing,” Elko said. “I think we handled the game the way a good defense should handle the game.”

Mario Craver made it 19-0 on a 12-yard TD grab just before halftime. The score was set up with a fumble recovery by Anto Saka, a transfer from Northwestern.

Terry Bussey extended the lead to 26-0 with a 10-yard scoring run on Texas A&M’s first drive of the second half.

Jamarion Morrow’s 2-yard run left the Aggies up 33-0 near the end of the third quarter.

The Aggies had some hiccups with an offensive line which returned just one starter from last season. Reed was sacked twice and the group committed several penalties and didn’t seem to be in sync at times.

“There’s going to be things that the O-line didn’t do as well as we would have liked and they’re going to need to fix and clean up some things for sure,” Elko said. “But I think in the second half, we settled in and we started playing like we’re capable of a little bit more consistently and it was good to see.”

Jmariyae Robinson muffed a punt near the end of the first quarter and Missouri State kicked it out of the back of the end zone before the Aggies could jump on it, resulting in a safety that made it 9-0.

Freshman Carsyn Baker took his first collegiate carry 12 yards for a touchdown that pushed the lead to 40-0 early in the fourth.

The takeaway

Missouri State: The Bears did some good things against the Aggies and should have another solid season in Conference USA after winning seven games in their first FBS season if they can limit their mistakes.

Texas A&M: The Aggies must cut down on penalties after committing eight for 80 yards on Saturday. Their offensive line will need to improve before they begin Southeastern Conference play in two weeks against Kentucky.

Spreading it around

Texas A&M’s quarterbacks had completions to 10 different players on Saturday. Behind Horton was Craver, who had five catches for 41 yards. The Aggies added Horton to a receiving group that has plenty of depth despite the loss of KC Concepcion, who was a first-round NFL draft pick after leading the team with 919 yards receiving last season.

Filling the stadium

Saturday's crowd was 107,782, which was the largest crowd in a season opener in school history.

Up next

Missouri State: Hosts Lindenwood next Saturday night.

Texas A&M: Hosts Arizona State next Saturday.

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Eddings' comments prompted an argument with St. Louis manager Oliver Marmol that led to Marmol's ejection.

Most of the Cardinals' players had their hats tilted during pregame warmups, and many continued to tilt them in the dugout during the game. Some even tilted their batting helmets to celebrate reaching base. At least some Colorado players also wore their caps to the side.

Rincon said Eddings apologized to him when they spoke briefly on the field Saturday. Rincon said through an interpreter that he accepted that apology.

Eddings also spoke to Marmol before the game, but the manager said there was “nothing of meaning” out of their brief conversation.

“We've had a few rough stretches here, but the one superpower that we've had through this whole season is our ability to unify and really stand up for all the guys we have in the clubhouse and have each other's backs,” Matthew Liberatore, St. Louis' starter Saturday night, said after the Rockies' 10-5 win.

“It's a really tight-knit group. I love the fact that regardless of what's going on, they always have each other's backs,” Marmol said.

Rincon, a 24-year-old from the Dominican Republic, made his major league debut in relief in the sixth inning Friday night and wore his cap with the brim pointing to the left. He straightened it at Eddings' urging, then got Hunter Goodman to fly out before TJ Rumfield tripled and scored on a wild pitch and Cole Carrigg hit an inside-the-park home run.

Rincon allowed another single before being replaced by Justin Bruihl. Marmol then came out of the dugout to confront Eddings and was ejected during Colorado’s five-run inning.

“I had an issue with Doug,” Marmol told reporters after the game. “Just Doug. He took it upon himself to tell our rookie pitcher the kid’s ‘not going to wear his hat on my field that way.’ You got Dontrelle Willis, CC Sabathia, Pedro Strop -- plenty of guys that have worn it way more tilted. I have an issue with that. That’s just a power-hungry move, in my opinion.”

Eddings told reporters postgame that he confronted Rincon after a Colorado hitter complained. Goodman was the only hitter to face Rincon at the time of the warning, and the catcher told MLB.com on Saturday that he did not complain to Eddings.

St. Louis rallied to win 7-6 on Friday after Ivan Herrera's three-run homer in the ninth inning.

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Firefighters responded at about 5:50 p.m. on Saturday to a house along Southwest 62nd Terrace near Fifth Street.

“Preliminary investigation is showing that a fuse box may have been struck by lightning, which caused a fire to start in the residential garage,” Lt. William Snyder, a spokesman for MPD, wrote in a statement.

No one was injured, and the official report on the cause of the fire had yet to be announced on Saturday night.

“We are currently awaiting the Fire Marshal to arrive and confirm,” Snyder wrote.

Local 10 News Assignment Editor Sofia Mendez contributed to this report.

The volcanic island of Anak Krakatau, located in Indonesia’s Sunda Strait between the main Java and Sumatra islands, had showed signs of activity since Friday before erupting for 30 seconds at 3:53 a.m. Sunday and for 16 seconds about three hours later, Indonesia’s Geological Agency said. Closed-circuit camera footage showed lava flares from the volcano.

No casualties were reported and no evacuation order was issued. The nearest settlement is more than 16 kilometers (10 miles) away, but authorities warned residents and visitors to stay at least 3 kilometers (2 miles) from the active crater.

Volcanic ash spread across parts of Jakarta and Lampung province on Sumatra’s southern tip, Indonesia’s Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation said.

AirNav Indonesia closed airspace around Soekarno-Hatta and Halim Perdanakusuma airports in Jakarta, as well as six other airports, including Radin Inten II Airport in Lampung, because of volcanic ash.

Flights canceled as 170,000 passengers affected

By Sunday evening, the closure of eight airports had affected 170,000 passengers from 1,558 canceled flights, including 963 flights in Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta airport alone. All eight airports were ordered closed until midnight.

“It’s of course an inconvenience,” said Diego Urdiales, a Spanish tourist who was supposed to fly home to Madrid. “I was supposed to get input from the airline ... but so far no news.”

“It’s a natural disaster, it’s a force majeure, so, what can we do?” said Michele Gouw, an Indonesian passenger. “We just have to accept it and wait for the airline and airport directions.”

Indonesia’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation said that it was closely monitoring the eruption's impact on air travel and coordinating with airlines, airport operators, air navigation services and the meteorology agency.

“Safety remains our top priority in every operational decision,” Lukman F. Laisa, Ministry of Transportation director general of civil aviation, said in a statement.

He warned flight schedules could face cascading disruptions affecting aircraft rotations, fleet availability and terminal capacity as airlines work to restore operations.

The eruption also disrupted services at Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport and at Medan.

Volcano remains active

Indonesia’s volcanology agency and the Darwin Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre identified two ash clouds using satellite imagery. One plume rose to 20,000 feet (6,100 meters) and drifted northeast over Jakarta, Banten, West Java and nearby waters. A second cloud reached 50,000 feet (15,200 meters) and spread over parts of Banten, Lampung and Bengkulu provinces, the southern Sunda Strait and sections of the Indian Ocean west of Sumatra.

Lana Saria, head of Indonesia’s Geological Agency, said activity at Anak Krakatau has intensified since July, with Sunday’s eruption the strongest during that period.

The repeated eruptions indicate a continued supply of magma and volcanic gases beneath the volcano, she said, though officials can't predict whether a larger eruption will occur.

“We continue to evaluate the volcano’s development based on all monitoring data, not solely on the number of eruptions or the height of the ash column,” Saria said in a video briefing.

She said the main hazards include volcanic ash, high concentrations of gas and the ejection of hot rocks and other material around the crater area.

Schools move to online learning

The eruption’s impact extended beyond air travel. The government on Sunday authorized schools in areas affected by volcanic ash could temporarily move to online learning at home. The measure is intended to reduce students’ exposure to ashfall and allow local authorities to adjust classroom activities based on conditions on the ground.

Anak Krakatau, which means “child of Krakatau,” is the offspring of the famous Krakatau, whose monumental 1883 eruption triggered a period of global cooling.

An eruption of Anak Krakatau in 2018 caused a tsunami that killed at least 430 people in Sumatra and Java. Researchers believe volcanic activity triggered an underwater landslide and caused a large chunk of Anak Krakatau’s southwest slope to collapse and displace a large volume of water. Scientists said that Anak Krakatau island was only about a quarter of its original size after that eruption.

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Edna Tarigan, Dita Alangkara and Fadlan Syam contributed to this report.

The mother of Caleb Vazquez alleges in her lawsuit that Park Mental Health Treatment of San Diego failed to intervene despite signs that her 18-year-old son posed an imminent threat to himself and others. Vazquez was living there and receiving treatment for a range of mental health conditions, including depression and psychotic episodes, the lawsuit says. The court filings follow a number of high-profile convictions of guardians who provided teenagers with weapons that were later used in mass shootings.

The FBI called Vazquez’s mother on the evening of May 14, and she said she immediately left a message with the treatment facility to notify its staff, according to the lawsuit, filed in a San Diego court on Aug. 31. Vazquez’s mother again shared the FBI’s warnings with her son’s therapist on May 15 and with a program director later that night.

On May 18, the morning of the shooting, employees at the facility contacted Vazquez’s mother to tell her that he was missing. Video surveillance footage subsequently showed Vazquez leaving the property at 8 p.m. the night before.

Vazquez’s parents were driving around looking for him on the morning of the shooting. Vazquez and another teenager killed three people at the San Diego mosque that day before taking their own lives.

It is unclear whether Vazquez was allowed to leave the previous evening or whether he broke facility rules by doing so. Park Mental Health offers a range of treatment options, some of which advertise 24-hour surveillance, while others provide more limited counseling.

The center did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment Saturday afternoon. In a previous statement to radio station KPBS, Park Mental Health disputed the assertions in the lawsuit.

“While it is understandable that his parents might seek to blame someone in their time of loss, this lawsuit is misguided in that neither Park nor its employees are responsible for Mr. Vazquez’s actions,” the statement to KPBS read. “Only he and his coconspirator bear responsibility for their conduct and, ultimately, his death.”

An FBI spokesperson declined to comment Saturday, citing agency policy.

The FBI’s alleged contact with Vazquez’s parents was not the first sign of his mental deterioration.

Vazquez had been hospitalized for roughly three days in January 2026 after telling a classmate that he wanted to carry out a school shooting.

Almost exactly a year earlier, Vazquez was flagged to law enforcement for exhibiting alarming behavior and idolizing Nazis, prompting police to confiscate 26 guns from his father under a 2014 California law allowing firearms to be taken from people considered dangerous.

Authorities have said Vazquez met the other shooter, Cain Clark, 17, online and that both were radicalized there. Police have not shared more details about how they knew each other or specified whose weapons were used in the shooting.

The lawsuit was filed on the same day that North Carolina authorities announced the indictment of a 17-year-old in connection with the shooting.

After trading field goals to tie the game at 27 in the fourth quarter, Dakorien Moore scored on a 62-yard reception to give the Ducks the lead for good with 7:51 left to play.

Oregon has won 16 straight season openers at Autzen Stadium. The Ducks have 39 straight wins at home against nonconference opponents, the longest streak in the nation.

“I think, you know, we’ve learned a lot this offseason. There’s been times our practice where the offense has started super slow, and coach (Dan) Lanning said, 'Hey, it’s adversity. What you gonna do?' So it all just comes back to how we respond,” Dante Moore said.

He opted to stay at Oregon after throwing for 3,565 yards and 30 touchdowns last season when the Ducks went 13-2.

Oregon was hurt by 10 penalties for 90 yards, but had 497 total yards on offense comparted to Boise State's 274.

“We won the game with total yards and some situations, but we didn’t really win the critical situations,” Lanning said. “They won some of those critical situations. They played better in special teams than us today. They did better on fourth down. We kind of gave them an opportunity, a chance to hang around.”

Boise State returned quarterback in Maddux Madsen, who threw for 181 yards and three scores in the opener after finishing last season with 2,334 yards passing and 18 touchdowns.

The Broncos, who join the rebuilt Pac-12 this year, went 9-5 last season in the Mountain West and fell to Washington 38-10 in the LA Bowl.

Boise State, which went into the game as 24 1/2 point underdogs, scored on the first series of the game, with Madsen hitting Cam Bates with a 13-yard scoring pass to cap an 11-play, 75-yard drive. The Ducks tied it on Jordon Davison's 1-yard dive early in the second quarter.

After Evan Stewart muffed a punt and the Broncos recovered, Sire Gaines scored on a 37-yard reception to give Boise State the lead again. Canaan Moore added a 29-yard field goal to extend it with 2:48 left before halftime.

With 19 seconds left, Dante Moore found Jamari Johnson with a 27-yard pass to close the game to 17-14 at the break.

The half was reminiscent of the last meeting between the teams in 2024. The Ducks fell behind 20-14 at halftime but pulled out a 37-34 win with a field goal as time expired.

After Gage Hurych's 26-yard field goal, Oregon went ahead on Jeremiah McClellan's 8-yard TD catch. But the Broncos tied it up again before the end of the third quarter on Madsen's 7-yard scoring pass to Matt Wagner.

Hurych and Canaan Moore traded field goals in the fourth quarter before Dakorien Moore's touchdown.

“You put your all into something, you put all the chips on the table, and you come up short — it hurts,” said Broncos coach Spencer Danielson. “You put your toe in and you've got your eyes other places, you can walk away easier because you can make excuses. We're not going to make any excuses. We've got to find a way to be better."

Pac-12 Connection

Boise State is one of six football programs making its debut in the rebuilt Pac-12 this season, joining Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, Texas State and Utah State, along with holdovers Washington State and Oregon State.

Oregon, meanwhile, was among the teams that bolted when the conference fell apart amid realignment in the summer of 2023. Since joining the Big Ten in 2024, the Ducks have twice made the College Football Playoff field.

The Pac-12 is no longer a Power Four conference, but the league’s teams still have a shot at the CFP as a Group of Six member.

Up Next

Boise State hosts Memphis next Saturday, while the Ducks head to Oklahoma State.

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The meeting that lasted more than three hours behind closed doors ended without announcements of any breakthroughs. Putin’s foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov described them as constructive, frank and useful to journalists afterward, but didn’t talk about specific outcomes. Witkoff and Kushner are expected in Kyiv on Sunday.

The talks come as both sides continue to escalate aerial attacks. Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy both agreed to pause strikes on each other’s capitals while the talks took place.

Washington’s push to end the fighting has lost momentum as U.S. attention has been focused for the past six months on the Iran war. The last known visit to Moscow by Witkoff and Kushner, U.S. President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, was in January, when they also held talks with Putin at the Kremlin.

A first trip to Kyiv for the American emissaries

Both U.S. envoys will also visit Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, for the first time in the peace process on Sunday, Ukrainian officials said.

At the start of the meeting in Moscow, Putin asked Kushner and Witkoff to pass on his warm wishes and gratitude to Trump, and described the situation in Ukraine as “not simple.” Russian forces launched an all-out invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022.

“(Russian President Vladimir) Putin has ordered that no strikes be carried out against Kyiv for three days, starting at midnight today,” presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told Russia’s Tass news agency.

Zelenskyy said that Ukraine was prepared to halt strikes on Moscow until Monday. He said he spoke on Saturday afternoon with the U.S. delegation after their arrival in Moscow.

“From now through the end of Saturday, as well as on Sunday and Monday, Ukraine is ready to refrain from strikes on Moscow, and we expect the Russians to do the same regarding Kyiv,” he said.

The U.S. envoys were met at the airport in Moscow by Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev, Tass reported. Dmitriev shared photos of him meeting with the U.S. delegation as they disembarked, alongside the caption, “Welcome to Moscow Peacemakers.”

After the talks in the Kremlin, Ushakov described the talks as constructive and carried out with the utmost openness and trust. He said Moscow offered its “comprehensive assessment” of the battlefield situation in Ukraine, but also that the conversation was not purely focused on Russia’s invasion.

“Economic issues and potentially large, mutually beneficial joint projects for Russia and America were discussed in considerable detail,” he said.

Peace process has been at a standstill

With peace efforts stalled, Russia has intensified its attacks on Kyiv and other cities with relentless bombardments stretching into daylight hours, taking advantage of Ukraine’s shortage of air defense systems.

On Friday, a Russian drone hit one of the most important government buildings in Kyiv — the headquarters of Ukraine’s Security Service, known as the SBU, which is one of the agencies involved in carrying out deep-strike operations inside Russia.

The long-range strikes by Ukraine have hit Russian military facilities, oil refineries and e-commerce hubs, seeking to undermine the Kremlin’s war effort and economy, as well as make ordinary citizens feel the consequences of the war.

Zelenskyy links Russian strikes to envoys’ visit

The air war between Russia and Ukraine has intensified as troops have struggled to make progress along the 1,250-kilometer (775-mile) front line. Russia has recently been using fast-flying, jet-powered drones, and the recurring wail of air-raid sirens has become part of daily life in Kyiv.

In a social media post on Saturday, Zelenskyy said that Russia had carried out overnight strikes on Kyiv and Boryspil international airports, and linked the attack to the planned U.S. visit.

“Clearly, these Russian strikes on the airports are a reaction to the discussions and preparations for the possibility of the U.S. side using an aircraft to travel to Ukraine,” he said.

“We have taken note of this Russian move, and next week we will adjust our operation accordingly regarding Russian airspace, which has become dangerous because of our drones and missiles in the sky. Of course, there are and will be no threats to diplomacy from our side.”

Russian strikes kill multiple civilians in Ukraine

Russian attacks killed five people and wounded five others at an industrial facility in Ukraine’s southern Dnipropetrovsk region, local military administration head Oleksandr Hanzha said. He described those killed as employees at the site.

“A locksmith, an electrician, a plumber and a machinist. People of peaceful professions. They were simply working their shift. They were doing their job when enemy missiles cut off their lives,” he said.

A 62-year-old man was wounded, and several homes and an apartment building were damaged, in a separate attack on the region’s Nikopol district, Hanzha said.

In a statement on Saturday, Russia’s Ministry of Defense said that it had carried out strikes on two metallurgical plants in the region, describing them as “major suppliers of metal products for Ukraine’s military production.”

The city of Dnipro and the nearby Pidhorodne community were among the areas hit. One person died and five other were injured, including two men who were hospitalized in serious condition, Hanzha said. A service station, supermarket, industrial facility, apartment buildings and vehicles were damaged. A sixth civilian was injured in an attack on the Nikopol district.

A Russian drone also struck a house in Chuhuiv in Ukraine’s eastern Kharkiv region, killing at least three people and wounding a 40-year-old woman, regional administration head Oleh Syniehubov said.

The victims were a 19-year-old woman, an 11-year-old boy and a 45-year-old man. The strike destroyed a residential building, an outbuilding and a garage, Syniehubov said. Firefighters were battling a blaze as local authorities searched the area for any additional casualties.

Two people were killed and another person was wounded in a Russian drone attack on the Bucha district of Ukraine’s Kyiv region on Saturday, local officials said. Earlier on Saturday, head of the regional military administration Tymur Tkachenko said that two people were wounded in an overnight attack on the region.

As of Saturday evening, 28 facilities in five districts of the region had been damaged, Tkachenko said. These included private and apartment buildings, warehouses, railway tracks, the territory of an agricultural enterprise and vehicles, he said.

Russian forces also repeatedly struck a shopping center in the southern Mykolaiv region with drones overnight, damaging retail premises and sparking fires, Ukraine’s state emergency services said. A 72-year-old man and a 17-year-old girl were wounded.

Emergency crews responding to the attack were repeatedly forced to withdraw to safety because of the threat of further strikes, returning whenever conditions allowed, the emergency services said.

Russia launched ballistic missiles from its Rostov and Voronezh regions and deployed 167 attack drones overnight, Ukraine’s air force said. The drones included Shahed-type aircraft — around half them jet-powered — as well as Geran and decoy drones. Ukrainian air defenses shot down or suppressed 128 drones, according to the air force.

In Russia’s Belrogod region on the border with Ukraine, two people were killed and three others were wounded by Ukrainian attacks on Saturday, local authorities said.

Russia’s Defense Ministry said in a statement that its forces had shot down 53 Ukrainian drones overnight.

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Susie Blann in London and Dasha Litvinova in Tallinn, Estonia, contributed to this report.

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The strikes — a day after U.S. President Donald Trump sought to minimize the conflict as “small potatoes” — keep up a new tilt back toward fighting after six months of on-again, off-again war that began with U.S. and Israeli attacks on the country on Feb. 28. Both sides have sought to inflict both military and economic pain, and negotiations have collapsed.

The military’s statement said an American aircraft carrier and a destroyer evaded “multiple unprovoked Iranian attacks” while patrolling in the region and no U.S. personnel were hurt. It wasn’t clear when the Iranian missiles were fired. The statement said that two Iranian oil carriers were “permanently disabled” and the third, unladen one, was destroyed.

The U.S. statement called the tankers part of a shadow network helping to fund Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guard and its armed proxies in the region.

Iran says it struck back in response

Iran’s state broadcaster said later Saturday that Iran targeted three oil tankers and three American vessels in response to the U.S. strikes. This couldn’t be immediately confirmed.

A spokesperson with Iran’s joint military command warned that strikes against U.S. military ships would be more severe if the U.S. continues to interfere with Iranian shipping, the state broadcaster reported.

That Iran targeted a U.S. aircraft carrier with a ballistic missile “indicates that Tehran is becoming increasingly willing to accept risks it previously sought to avoid, including directly threatening some of the most important U.S. military assets in the region,” Danny Citrinowicz, an Iran expert at Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies, said on X.

Earlier, Iranian state television had said that four U.S. missiles struck a tanker about 6 miles (10 kilometers) from Kharg Island, home to a terminal through which the country exports most of its oil. Kharg Island has been repeatedly targeted during the war, including in U.S. strikes on military sites there in March.

The U.S. said that one tanker was struck off Kharg Island and another was struck near Jask, east of the Strait of Hormuz. The unladen tanker was hit in the Gulf of Oman, and the U.S. said its crew had been “directed to abandon ship.” The statement shared what it called video footage of the strikes.

After the U.S. statement, Iran’s state broadcaster reported the attack of the two other tankers, saying their crews had evacuated.

“We will not hesitate to defend American forces, and if necessary, destroy Iran’s limited and exposed oil fleet,” said Adm. Brad Cooper, the head of U.S. Central Command.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry called the attacks a war crime, and said that the consequences for continued U.S. aggression, including “economic warfare,” would rest with Washington and its allies.

Between the war and the disabling of ships during the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports, it’s not immediately clear how many Iranian oil tankers have been targeted. On May 8, the U.S. military said that it fired “precision munitions” into the smokestacks of two Iranian oil tankers, both unladen.

Strikes come a week after fighting resumed

The latest strikes came nearly a week after the U.S. and Iran resumed attacks following a month of relative calm, with the Strait of Hormuz, and Iranian communities along it again, being targeted. At least five people were killed earlier in the week during a U.S. bombardment of southern Iran. One strike hit a wedding.

Masoumeh Zarei, 13, was wounded in the attack. She spoke to The Associated Press at a hospital while being treated for injuries to her abdomen.

She said the wedding celebration had already begun when she set out to join it. She never made it there. She was knocked unconscious when a telecommunications tower was struck. Her next memory was of waking up in a hospital.

“The party had just started, and we wanted to go there,” Zarei said, her voice hoarse. “I had made my nails really pretty for the party, but everything changed.”

Her friend, 14-year-old Kiana Karimi, also was wounded and in intensive care. She told the AP that she heard five explosions.

“The first three explosions at the telecommunications tower threw us to the ground,” Karimi said. “I quickly got up to pick my brothers up off the ground. Then there were two more explosions, and after that I don’t remember anything.”

U.S. had tried to turn to economic pressure

The Trump administration appears to have adopted a dual-prong approach to the conflict, responding militarily to attacks on the strait while going after foreign financial institutions that handle Iran’s money. U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Thursday said that there was no prospect for renewed talks as long as Iran goes after ships, while noting that major military operations ended in July.

But Tehran’s hard-line new senior leaders have signaled the willingness to dig in after weathering decades of sanctions. The elected government of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, however, has said that it favors a negotiated end to the war.

Iran has found ways over the years to circumvent sanctions — and now the U.S. blockade — and get its oil to buyers to help ease growing economic pressures. That relies in part on a shadow fleet transporting its oil.

Meanwhile, the issue that helped lead to the war — Iran’s nuclear program — was meant to be addressed in negotiations that fell apart soon after the U.S. and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding in mid-June. Now diplomats say the U.S., Britain, France and Germany seek to refer Iran to the U.N. Security Council for failure to comply with its nuclear nonproliferation obligations.

Instead, Tehran’s new leverage focuses on the strait that is crucial to global oil and natural gas shipments and was seen as an international waterway before the war began.

The U.S. military has been helping to guide ships through the strait as Tehran asserts control and targets some vessels, but overall traffic remains low.

___

Amir Vahdat reported from Minab, Iran. Cara Anna reported from Jerusalem. Matthew Lee contributed to this report from Washington.

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This story has been corrected to show that Iran said that it struck back on Saturday, not Sunday.

Manning connected with Coleman for Texas' first touchdown and with Ryan Wingo on the Longhorns' next possession. Graceson Littleton's 59-yard fumble return touchdown put Texas ahead 28-0 in the second quarter.

Coleman played his first two seasons at Auburn and was one of the top transfers in the country when he signed with Texas. He caught three passes for 70 yards in his Longhorns debut. Raleek Brown, who transferred from Arizona State, also scored twice.

“I liked how we got a lot of guys involved. We have a lot of playmakers who can do everything,” said Manning, who left the game in the third quarter with Texas leading 42-7.

Texas will host No. 1 Ohio State next week. The programs have an intense recent history. Ohio State beat Texas in the 2024 College Football Playoff semifinals, and again in the 2025 season opener.

And while Texas earned a relatively easy win Saturday, it wasn't a perfect one.

Manning killed a touchdown drive at the end of the first half with a poor throw into triple coverage in the end zone. Texas' first play was a 45-yard run by Hollywood Smothers, but the Longhorns managed just 111 yards rushing the rest of the way behind an offensive line that struggled to push the undersized Bobcats.

“The run game, we gotta look at and find ways to make it cleaner,” Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said "I knew we’d have some growing pains today, which we did. Now we have to fix those going into next week. "

The takeaway

Texas State: The Bobcats (0-1) join the rebuilt Pac-12 this season after 13 years in the Sun Belt. Do-everything quarterback Brad Jackson passed for 150 yards and ran for 27 but was mostly held in check.

“It wasn’t a very good performance by us. Pretty terrible, to be honest," Texas State coach G.J. Kinne said. "Obviously, that’s a really good team. Don’t want to take anything away from them. But we really got outcoached more than we got outplayed.”

Texas: The Longhorns forced three turnovers and held Texas State under 350 total yards in new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp's first game back at Texas. The former Florida and South Carolina head coach was defensive coordinator at Texas from 2008-2010, which included a loss in the national championship game in 2009.

Texas transfers deliver right away

Texas added firepower in the transfer portal and it delivered in the first game.

Coleman and Brown put up their highlight touchdowns. Smothers, who transferred from North Carolina State, had the big run on the first play. And linebacker Rasheem Biles, a preseason All-American from Pitt, punched out the fumble that Littleton scooped to score. Biles also had an interception in the third quarter.

“He’s a violent player,” Sarkisian said of Biles. “The play he made to cause that fumble was elite.”

Up next

Texas State hosts UTSA on Sept. 12.

Texas hosts No. 1 Ohio State on Sept. 12.

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The Ohio State junior started making his case Saturday, matching one of Smith's many accomplishments in the process.

Smith had eight receptions for 151 yards and struck a Heisman pose after his second touchdown during top-ranked Ohio State's 56-3 victory over Ball State.

He became the third receiver since 2015 from a Power Four conference to have at least two games with at least 150 receiving yards and two touchdowns in one half. DeVonta Smith had four at Alabama and Ja'Marr Chase did it three times at LSU.

“It was a good start. Came out playing fast as an offense, defense made stops,” Smith said. “The first drive (a three-and-out) we didn’t come out how we wanted to. Second drive we came out and executed and scored a touchdown. Felt like we had a good day on offense for sure.”

Smith did not play during the second half with next week's matchup with fifth-ranked Texas looming.

"As you can imagine, when the game plans are being put together, he's very much at the front of Arthur (Smith) and the offensive staff’s mind," coach Ryan Day said of Smith. “Not everything is designed that way, but I thought the game plan was suited to make sure that he touched the ball. He did a great job making some plays, and Julian (Sayin) did a good job of getting him the ball.”

Smith provided plenty of highlights and film for Texas to mull over during the first and second quarter.

His first catch of the season was a 48-yard touchdown up the right sideline to put the Buckeyes up 7-0. Smith got separation from safety Sterling Smith on a play-action pass by Sayin before making a one-handed, over-the-shoulder grab in the end zone.

“He (Smith) had leverage on him and I felt like he (the safety) was kind of flatfooted and we were going to be able to run by him,” Sayin said. “Jeremiah made a great catch and ran a great route and the offensive line did a great job in protection. So it was fun to see all 11 kind of make that play happen.”

Smith's second TD was the type that makes NFL scouts and coaches do double takes and was worthy of the Heisman pose. He caught a 3-yard pass in the back of the end zone while being covered but was able to get both feet in. Smith had five receptions for 74 yards on that drive, which gave the Buckeyes a 35-3 advantage going into halftime.

It also showed how Sayin and Smith's chemistry continues to improve.

“I think you saw on the second touchdown today, we kind of knew what each other was thinking to kind of go back shoulder like that,” said Sayin, who completed 21 of 25 passes for 320 yards and three touchdowns.

Smith already had the Longhorns on his mind as he left the locker room. Even though Ohio State has won the last two meetings, Texas has held Smith to a total of seven catches for 46 yards and no touchdowns.

“I'm always looking forward to a matchup like this. They are definitely loaded, got a great defense and we have to be prepared for that,” he said.

___

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Morgan, who was still working on new books and poems, died Saturday in New York after suffering a series of health problems in recent weeks, said her son, Blake Morgan. Her death came just days after that of her close friend and fellow activist Gloria Steinem.

During the 1960s and ’70s, Morgan embodied and inspired historic changes in how women lived and thought. As she was happy to point out, the onetime “Ideal American Girl” and adored “Little Robin Morgan” was a rule breaker and justice seeker with a notable list of achievements, along with a prison record and an FBI file.

Morgan was at the center of some of the defining moments of what came to be called second-wave feminism, expanding upon the achievements of the suffragists a half-century earlier. In 1968, she was among the organizers of the first protest against the Miss America pageant, joining fellow activists in tossing their bras (soon mythologized as burning) into a “Freedom Trash Can.” The 1970 essay anthology she edited, “Sisterhood is Powerful,” is considered one of the essential texts of the modern women’s movement.

Yet she considered herself primarily a poet and artist, and that work fed into her activism, her son said.

“She was someone who was able to take very big ideas and distill them succinctly, like a poet, into a few words,” said Blake Morgan, pointing to such quotes of hers as “hate generalizes, love specifies.”

Morgan was credited for coining “herstory”

Her legacy was one of deeds, words and images. Morgan is widely credited with coining the term “herstory,” the feminist reworking of “history,” and popularizing the clenched fist/female symbol icon of the liberation movement. Her poem “Monster,” with such lines as “I want a women’s revolution like a lover/I lust for it,” was quoted at feminist rallies and beyond. Her poem “Arraignment” helped capture the movement’s embrace of the late Sylvia Plath and condemnation of her husband, poet Ted Hughes, whom Morgan and others blamed for Plath’s suicide in 1963. Morgan’s rhyming couplet “I accuse/Ted Hughes” inspired the title for Sonic Youth’s “J’Accuse Ted Hughes.”

Labeled an “anarchist housewife” in one government report, Morgan confronted the establishment, left and right. In 1970, she and fellow protesters were arrested and jailed after occupying the offices of the avant-garde Grove Press, whose owner, Barney Rosset, was fighting employees’ efforts to unionize. In the widely reprinted 1970 essay “Goodbye to All That,” she called out libertines and activists from Hugh Hefner to Abbie Hoffman, the latter of whom she likened to “any other up-and-coming movie star who ditches the first wife and kids.”

She led an unconventional personal life

In her personal life, Morgan had male and female lovers and was married for more than 20 years to the gay poet Kenneth Pitchford, with whom she had her son, a musician, producer and record company founder. She once described her marriage as a “two member commune” and was so resistant to labels that she remembered being “straight-baited” by feminists who thought she should be a lesbian and chastised by conservatives who assumed she was a lesbian.

In her 2001 memoir “Saturday’s Child,” she expressed joy and amazement at how her life turned out and how she was able to retain “a threadbare, somewhat surreal sense of humor.”

“Put that in your apple pie and smoke it,” she wrote.

She wrote more than 20 books, including a memoir

Besides “Saturday’s Child,” she completed more than 20 books, including “The Word of a Woman: Feminist Dispatches,” and the poetry collections “Monster” and “Dark Matter.” She followed “Sisterhood is Powerful” with “Sisterhood is Global” (in 1984), and “Sisterhood is Forever” (2002), featuring such contributors as Steinem, Simone de Beauvoir and Eve Ensler. For several years, she was editor-in-chief of Ms. Magazine.

Steinem would call her an ideal “utility player,” gifted in almost every way a protest movement might require. As an organizer, she helped found such 1960s feminist groups as New York Radical Women and Women’s International Terrorist Conspiracy from Hell (W.I.T.C.H.). She was part of the Youth International Party, the left-wing “Yippies” led by Hoffman and Jerry Rubin among others, but soon became disgusted with how the group treated women and left.

In 1984, she was a founder of an early feminist think tank, the Sisterhood Is Global Institute. In 2005, she, Steinem and Jane Fonda launched the Women’s Media Center, which has a mission to support “the visibility, viability and decision-making power of women and girls in media.”

More recently, she hosted a syndicated radio show and remained active despite being diagnosed 16 years ago with Parkinson’s disease, which inspired several poems and a TEDWomen talk in 2015.

She became a child star in the ’40s

In a different era, she might have been just another forgotten child star. Born in 1941 in Lake Worth, Florida, and raised in New York, she never saw her father while growing up and was told — falsely — by her mother that he was dead. Her mother also shaved a year off her age, claiming she was born in 1942, to make her early public career seem even more impressive.

The blonde, talented Robin was modeling by age 3, hosted her own “Little Robin Morgan” radio show at age 5 and around the same time was featured on the radio (later television) game show “Juvenile Jury.” From 1949-57, she appeared in the hit TV domestic comedy series “Mama” and made appearances on “Robert Montgomery Presents,” “Kraft Theater” and other shows.

She would meet some of the era’s biggest stars, from Abbott and Costello to Sal Mineo, and was popular enough to inspire such commercial tie-ins as Robin Morgan dolls. Magazines described her as “unspoiled” and “courteous” and “the ideal girl-next-door,” immune from “violent outbursts of antagonism against established society.”

But off camera, and sometimes on, she was so apart from her image that her first “serious” childhood poem began: “Go, rage, winter the world with despair.” During one broadcast of “Juvenile Jury,” the question was whether a boy deserved to be spanked. Morgan was supposed to joke that he should wear padding under his pants, but she instead declared that all physical punishment was wrong.

As she recalled in “Saturday’s Child,” producer Dan Ehrenreich squeezed her shoulder so hard that Morgan could feel his fingernails. He turned her microphone away and eventually placed his hand over her mouth.

“I realized that I loved and respected that child who fought back in what was the first political act I recall ever daring to make,” Morgan wrote.

Her political activity began in her late teens

Once in her late teens, she began taking classes at Columbia University, attended poetry workshops and became politically active. She marched for civil rights and ending the Vietnam War and met protesters, artists and such poets as W.H. Auden and Anthony Hecht, who gave her a man’s eye view of the creative process, “But, my dear, women should be poems, not write them.”

In 1962, she met Pitchford at a Manhattan party. Once the other guests (“boozy bikers” and “stoned, hallucinating Joffrey dancers”) had left and the host urged her to go with them, Pitchford lit candles, put Dvorak’s “New World” symphony on the record player and became her “First.” They later walked for hours and ended up on a downtown park bench.

“You have such an air of possibility about you, Robin” he told her. “It makes me believe anything can happen.”

___ Associated Press writer Jennifer Peltz contributed.

The temperature was 101 degrees at kickoff and the heat likely was a factor in some fans leaving Sanford Stadium at the end of the first quarter when the Bulldogs already led 28-0.

Georgia coach Kirby Smart said the key was how his players handled the sweltering conditions.

“We did beat the heat,” Smart said. “I don’t think the heat impacted us.”

Georgia (1-0) scored touchdowns on its first five possessions, all with Stockton at quarterback. Frazier scored on a 48-yard run on his first carry and added a 14-yard touchdown run on his second carry.

“I thought we started fast today and did our job,” Stockton said. “We did a good job executing and everything.”

He completed 15 of 16 passes for 202 yards and three touchdowns before leaving the game after the first possession of the second quarter.

‘Awesome’ day for Frazier

Frazier ran for 72 yards on only four carries. His three touchdowns are half of his 2025 total of six.

“You can't ask for a better start than that,” Frazier said.

Frazier led Georgia with 947 rushing yards last season.

Stockton said the junior was “awesome” in his 2026 opener.

“He did what he always does," Stockton said. "He ran hard and made people miss.”

A four-quarterback day for Georgia

Georgia played four quarterbacks. Top backup Ryan Puglisi led two touchdown drives, the first capped by Frazier’s 3-yard scoring run, to open the second half.

The Bulldogs’ third quarterback, Ryan Montgomery, threw a 54-yard scoring pass to Jeremy Bell. A fourth quarterback, Hezekiah Millender, led a touchdown drive capped by Jae Lamar’s 11-yard run.

Bulldogs post biggest margin of victory in opener under Smart

Georgia is 11-0 in season openers under Smart. The 63 points and 60-point margin of victory are the biggest in a season opener in the Smart era. The previous biggest margin in an opener under Smart came in a 49-3 win over Oregon in 2022.

Severe weather warning

A severe weather advisory was posted on the scoreboard late in the third quarter, warning fans that lightning was detected within 15 miles of the stadium. There was no delay but few fans remained for the end of the game. The game was announced as a sellout of 93,033.

The Takeaway

Tennessee State: After trailing 35-0, the Tigers (0-2) finally put together a scoring drive late in the first half. Preston Hurless capped a 14-play, 55-yard drive by kicking a 37-yard field goal. Tennessee State was held to 10 rushing yards on 30 carries. Daylin Lee completed 11 of 19 passes for 62 yards.

Georgia: The Bulldogs showed off their depth and talent at tight end. Jaden Reddell, Elyiss Williams and freshman Kaiden Prothro had touchdown catches. The 6-foot-7 Williams showed his athleticism by diving over a tackler on his 17-yard scoring catch. Reddell had a 14-yard touchdown catch and added a powerful 29-yard run. Puglisi threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to Prothro.

Up Next

Tennessee State plays at Alabama A&M next Saturday night.

Georgia will debut its all-white alternate uniform when it plays at home against Western Kentucky next Saturday.

___

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He looked the picture of Hoosier grit as Indiana's new starter Saturday.

He threw four touchdown passes, had only three incompletions, finished with no turnovers and delivered an indelible image during Saturday's 52-16 victory over North Texas that is a lock to make this season's highlights — his bloodied face and chin strap, after an opponent yanked hard on his facemask.

Hoover never flinched.

“It feels good, I just got a little cut there," he said, referring to his injured nose. “It looked way worse than it felt. I didn't even know it was bleeding like that, so, yeah, I feel good. I think it did me a favor, though. It looked worse than it was, so they were like ‘Hey, this guy’s tough,' but it didn't really do anything."

Hoover finished 13 of 16 for 231 yards. This may be exactly the kind of start he needed after transferring from TCU back to the school he initially committed to in high school.

He's replacing 2025 Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza, who led the Hoosiers to their first national championship last season and capped their perfect 16-0 run with his own iconic image — spinning into the end zone for the decisive score in January's national championship game. It's been replayed countless times since then, including during the Hoosiers' pregame celebration on the large video board.

Now, Hoover already has a signature moment.

Midway through the second quarter, Hoover was under duress — it didn't happen often Saturday — when Udoka Ezeani grabbed him by the face mask and spun him around, knocking him to the ground. Ezeani was called for the penalty, wiping out a sack and moving the ball to the North Texas 14-yard line, but the evidence was all over Hoover's helmet.

Three plays later, he hooked up with Charlie Becker on a 9-yard TD pass, the first of two scores for the duo, to extend Indiana's lead to 21-3.

“I didn’t see it either, I saw it on the tablet,” said Cignetti, the two-time Associated Press Coach of the Year. “I saw it on his face and his pants afterward. I thought he played well. I’m sure he earned the respect of his teammates based on his performance today, and he’s a veteran, and I’m glad he had a good opener.”

Hoover downplayed the injury, the scene and his own toughness for one reason — he wanted to celebrate the victory.

"Yeah, I've broken my nose a couple times, it happens,” Hoover said. “I don't know what caught it, I think probably just inside the helmet there's a microphone in there, all that sharp stuff, so who knows.”

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The Buckeyes (1-0) went three-and-out on their opening drive before finding the end zone on eight of their next 11 possessions.

Coach Ryan Day gave his team “about 15 minutes” to savor the victory, knowing the stakes are bigger next weekend.

“There’ll be times (during the season) we enjoy this through the night and then wake up tomorrow and move on to the next opponent," he said. “Not this one. The minute we leave the locker room, it’s on to Texas.”

Smith had eight receptions for 151 yards, all in the first half. He started Ohio State's scoring with a 48-yard, one-handed, over-the-shoulder grab in the end zone off a play-action pass by Sayin. He extended the Buckeyes' advantage to 28-3 with 10 seconds left in the first half with a 3-yard catch in the back of the end zone.

Sayin completed 21 of 25 passes before coming out midway through the third quarter. He also had the first rushing score of his career on a 3-yard run up the middle on fourth-and-goal to make it 21-0 three minutes into the second quarter.

“It was a fun game. We did some good things offensively, but like Coach (Day) always says, the issues are always going to be there,” Sayin said. “We've got to get on the film and see what we made mistakes on, and see what we can get better at because obviously a big matchup going next week and we’re fired up about it.”

Ball State (0-1) got its points on Brody Boehm's 54-yard field goal with 1:17 remaining in the second quarter. Keldric Luster was 18 of 33 passing for 89 yards in his first collegiate start.

“I feel like we did a good job being level-headed and you know cool, calm, collected, and just played our game,” Luster said.

Running game picks up

The Buckeyes had only 35 yards rushing and averaged 2.1 yards per carry in the first half. It was a different story in the second.

With long third-quarter touchdown runs by Bo Jackson (65 yards) and Ja’Kobi Jackson (49 yards), Ohio State had 202 yards on the ground in the third and fourth quarters, and averaged 11.3 yards per carry.

Bo Jackson finished as the Buckeyes' leading rusher with nine carries for 83 yards.

“We knew we were going to go pop soon, so everyone just continued to do their job that they were doing in the first half, and we ended up popping one — a couple,” said Ja'Kobi Jackson, who had 83 yards on eight carries.

Tressel joins Ring of Honor

Jim Tressel, who coached Ohio State to the 2002 national championship, joined Paul Brown and Woody Hayes as coaches in Ohio Stadium’s Ring of Honor.

The honor came at the end of the first quarter, when many of Tressel's former players joined him on the field, where a banner fittingly made look to like a sweater vest came off the sign.

“Probably never dreamed this thing would happen. You just work every day,” said Tressel, who led the Buckeyes from 2001-10, which also included title game appearances in 2006 and ’07. “I'm excited for what our part of this century has been. We're proud to have begun that part.”

The takeaway

Ball State: The Cardinals, who received $1.9 million to play Ohio State for the first time, fell to 0-2 against No. 1-ranked teams in the AP Top 25.

“There’s a lot of positives on both sides of the ball,” coach Mike Uremovich said. “They had some big runs at the end, but I was happy with the way our defense played. Offensively, it wasn’t a bunch of three-and-outs. I mean, we’re getting first downs.”

Ohio State: Day said Tuesday that he wanted a clean performance from the Buckeyes. The offense operated with tempo while the defense held the Cardinals to 165 total yards.

Up next

Ball State: Hosts Stony Brook on Sept. 12.

Ohio State: At No. 5 Texas on Sept. 12.

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Miami-Dade Fire Rescue personnel responded shortly after 12:40 p.m. on Saturday to one person injured at the southbound Turnpike’s on-Ramp at Bird Road, according to MDFR.

Only one lane was closed by 3:25 p.m., according to FHP.

Local 10 News Assignment Editor Mari Ortiz contributed to this report.

Personal de Miami-Dade Fire Rescue respondió poco después de las 12:40 p.m. del sábado por una persona herida en la rampa de entrada a la Turnpike en dirección sur en Bird Road, según MDFR.

Solo un carril permanecía cerrado a las 3:25 p.m., según FHP.

La editora de asignaciones de Local 10 News, Mari Ortiz, contribuyó a este reporte.

Hoover finished 13 of 16 with no turnovers despite having blood covering his face mask at one point. He's replacing Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza.

After celebrating last year’s title during a pregame ceremony, Indiana extended the Football Bowl Subdivision’s longest active winning streak to 17 games and the FBS’ longest active home winning streak to 16.

“I thought Josh was sharp and our receivers did a nice job of separating and were making some blocks downfield, which was a point of emphasis,” two-time Associated Press Coach of the Year Curt Cignetti said. "You never know what to expect, I thought he made a significant stride in fall camp with confidence, and I thought he played with a lot of confidence today.”

Richard, a transfer from Boston College, had 15 carries for 58 yards and one catch for 38. Charlie Becker had four catches for 64 yards and two scores while Nick Marsh and Davion Chandler each had TD receptions.

Jahiem White rushed 14 times for 61 yards and one score as well as catching seven passes for 36 yards in his North Texas debut.

The Hoosiers led 24-6 at halftime before White’s 9-yard TD run to open the second half.

Hoover responded four plays later with a nifty 35-yard strike to Becker for his second TD of the day to make it 31-13. North Texas never recovered.

“For 3 1/2 quarters, I thought our guys went toe-to-toe with the national champs, and I thought we represented UNT well,” new coach Neal Brown said. “We just didn’t finish it."

The takeaway

North Texas: No, this Mean Green team isn't the high-scoring machine of years past, but new coach Neal Brown was able to keep Indiana's offense on the sideline by dominating the time of possession. It didn't pay off Saturday, but it could in the near future. North Texas limited the Hoosiers to 46 offensive plays.

Indiana: The passing offense and kickoff returns looked strong, but coach Curt Cignetti won't be happy with the penalties, the rushing game or the defense's inability to get stops. Those will be areas to focus on this week.

Injuries

North Texas quarterback Tayven Jackson returned to his home state and played well though he did leave briefly in the second half with an injury. Brown said after the game, Jackson was dealing with cramps. He was 22 of 28 for 192 yards with one interception while rushing six times for 22 yards. Jackson played two seasons at Indiana before transferring to UCF last year.

Indiana lost three key players in the first half — running back Khobie Martin and defensive backs A.J. Harris and Jamari Sharpe, whose sealed the title game win with a late interception.

How hot?

This week has been one of the hottest all summer, and there was no respite Saturday. The Fox broadcast crew said the field temperature reached 152 degrees during the second half.

“One-hundred, fifty-two, you have to be kidding me,” Cignetti said in disbelief until two people he was with started nodding. “Wow!”

Up next

North Texas: hosts UNLV next Saturday in its home opener.

Indiana: hosts Howard next Saturday.

___

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“Our country has overcome stagnation and is now ready to taste the fruits of its efforts,” Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said. “As the country stabilizes, there will be relief from heavy taxes, higher incomes and bold reforms.”

He spoke at an annual speech on the state of the nation’s economy in the northern city of Thessaloniki, where more than 25,000 people took part in union-led protests, according to police estimates.

Labor unions and multiple protest groups staged rallies across the city, with farmers driving tractors into the downtown area. More than 3,000 police officers were on duty, closing streets and subway stations near the venue where the prime minister spoke.

Greece delivered a budget surplus and economic growth of 2.1% last year, while continuing to reduce its high public debt, but its workers had the lowest purchasing power in the European Union.

“Wages are low and prices are soaring, so affordability is the most serious problem,” said Yiannis Panagopoulos, head of Greece’s largest labor union, the GSEE.

The support measures, worth more than 2 billion euros ($2.3 billion) over the next year, include tax breaks for self-employed professionals, farmers and residents of villages, as well as salary and benefit increases for retirees and public sector workers.

Mitsotakis, the 58-year-old son of late conservative Prime Minister Constantine Mitsotakis, has served as prime minister since 2019, as Greece emerged from a major financial crisis.

He's seeking a third term in an election expected next April. But polls suggest that support for his center-right New Democracy party wouldn't give it a governing majority in parliament.

Saturday’s event was overshadowed by a fighter jet crash several hours earlier at an air show near Athens that killed two air force pilots.

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Derek Gatopoulos reported from Athens.

Videos of the confrontations got hundreds of thousands of views on social media, a burst of attention for a conservative youth organization that is charting its next chapter after last year’s assassination of its leader Charlie Kirk. But the true test of Turning Point Action’s clout was unfolding inside the exhibition center, where staff members were registering voters, handing out buttons and signing people up for social events.

“Building the foundation for 2028,” said one of the flyers.

While Democrats have punted Iowa from the top of its presidential primary calendar, the state’s caucuses will still kick off Republicans’ next nominating process. Turning Point Action is positioning itself to shape that contest, a reminder that preparations for the next White House campaign are already in motion even though no candidates have announced and the midterm elections aren’t over yet.

Turning Point Action wants at least one staffer in each of Iowa’s 99 counties to mobilize the conservative grassroots.

“It is important to us to see high voter participation in the caucuses,” said Tyler Bowyer, the organization’s chief operating officer. “That’s your measuring stick.”

In addition to Iowa, Turning Point Action grew its footprint in New Hampshire and Nevada for this year’s midterms, which could also help in 2028.

The likely beneficiary of this initiative would be Vice President JD Vance, who is widely expected to launch a campaign. Turning Point leaders including Erika Kirk, Charlie’s widow, have been clear they’re ready to throw their support behind Vance if he jumps in.

More than a dozen Republican officials, activists, lawmakers and strategists in Iowa said Turning Point’s imprint in the state was visible but still something of a mystery, and some privately question whether the organization’s impact will match the buzz that it generates online.

But others have eagerly welcomed the organization to the state.

“A year ago, Iowa was virgin — no Turning Point. And many of us complained,” said Kelley Koch, a former Dallas County Republican chair, to a gathering of MAGA Nation Iowa, the grassroots organization she founded. “Finally, Turning Point Action listened to us.”

Early state investments could benefit Vance

When asked about his 2028 ambitions, Vance demurs and says he’s focused on his current job, but he’s expected to be an immediate Republican frontrunner if he decides to seek the presidency. Bowyer said Turning Point Action wants to be supportive without “being pushy.”

“We haven’t officially endorsed as an organization yet because no one’s announced, right? But, you know, depending on who announces and when we endorse — yeah, of course we’ll be out campaigning on behalf of who we endorse,” he said.

Bowyer said Vance can bridge the gap between the Make America Great Again movement, which Trump launched more than a decade ago, and younger voters who were attracted to Charlie Kirk’s brand of conservatism.

“It’s a natural fit,” he said.

Bowyer acknowledged that Turning Point Action’s growing infrastructure in early primary states could cause some agitation on the right if it is seen as throwing its weight behind one presidential candidate. But, he said “that’s not why we do it,” describing the goal as boosting turnout in the Iowa caucuses to send a strong signal heading into the general election.

Other potential candidates include Marco Rubio, Trump’s secretary of state. However, Rubio has said he wouldn’t run against Vance.

Sen. Ted Cruz has not announced a campaign, but he has already made several visits to Iowa this year and said in a recent podcast hosted by Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick that, “It’s no secret that I want to be president.”

New staff on the ground in Iowa look to grow the grassroots

Although Iowa has shifted rightward over the last decade, it’s considered a political battleground in this year’s midterm elections because of Trump’s sagging approval ratings, declining access to healthcare and tariff-driven turmoil in the agricultural industry.

Sen. Joni Ernst and Gov. Kim Reynolds, both Republicans, are retiring, and there are fiercely contested races to replace them. Democrat Josh Turek and Republican Ashley Hinson are seeking the Senate seat, while Democrat Rob Sand and Republican Zach Lahn want to be governor. Two battleground congressional districts will help determine control of the House as well.

The spotlight on Iowa this year is an opportunity for Turning Point Action to demonstrate its clout.

The organization said it hired four staffers on the ground last year. After Lahn’s surprise win over Trump-endorsed Rep. Randy Feenstra, Turning Point Action said it would double its manpower in the state before the midterms.

Young activists regularly post on social media from county fairs and Republican committee meetings. They upload selfies on sidewalks or stoops to show days spent knocking on doors.

“We’re newer in Iowa,” a Des Moines-based senior field staffer, Kylie Kloewer, told a visitor who stopped by Turning Point Action’s booth at the state fair.

The booth featured signs emphasizing that there are only two genders and one that said “men can’t get pregnant,” the kind of confrontational culture war messaging that Charlie Kirk practiced on college campuses. Some people nodded and chuckled, while others raised their eyebrows as they wandered by.

Those who walked up to the table could sign up for social clubs that host events, including barbecues and volleyball games.

“Any involvement is success,” said Kelsey Newberry, who is based in the organization’s Phoenix headquarters and was helping at the Iowa State Fair. “You’re bringing people together as a community. The more you talk to your neighbors, the better.”

“And even if they’re not ready to get activated now,” Newberry added, “being around like-minded people might encourage them in the future.”

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Price reported from Washington.

The August job numbers might have been a welcome break from after months of sluggish hiring and concerns about inflation that have been weighing on Trump and his party two months from Election Day. But speaking from the Oval Office, Trump instead launched into a grievance session about inflation and interest rates. His anger was aimed at the financial markets, the Federal Reserve and U.S. trade partners. He objected to the commonly accepted notion in economics that the surprise gain of 162,000 jobs in August could contribute to inflationary pressures.

“Success does not cause inflation. Stupidity causes inflation,” Trump vented in the Oval Office, as he declared it “crazy” that the stock markets fell Friday on inflation concerns.

The combination over his second term of a drop-off in hiring and higher prices has dogged Trump and his pledge to instantly unleash historic levels of growth. “When I win the election, we will immediately begin a brand new Trump economic boom,” Trump said at an August 2024 rally in North Carolina. But so far, the economy has grown at roughly 2% annually, slower than the gains during the Biden administration.

Trump blamed his inability to deliver stronger growth on higher interest rates for U.S. government debt, saying on social media that America could retaliate by stopping trade with foreign countries. Rates have been climbing in response to persistently high inflation fueled by Trump’s tariffs and oil shortages from the Iran war. The national debt has now crossed the daunting threshold of $40 trillion and rates on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note on Friday rose to 4.79%.

Trump has lost some of his credibility on the economy

As the promised growth has yet to materialize, the president has lost some of the public’s trust in his ability to steer the world’s largest economy. His own policies have enabled, in part, the inflation and high interest rates that he wishes to blame on others.

“The administration’s credibility on growth, inflation, rates, debt and deficit dynamics have taken a hit given the outsized predictions that are not aligned with economic reality,” said Joe Brusuelas, chief economist at the consultancy RSM US.

If the Fed did as Trump wanted and cut its benchmark rate so that more money could flow into the U.S. economy, the potential influx of cash could make inflation even worse and only add to his political and economic headaches.

But the president disputed this foundational concept in monetary policy. He said Friday that gross domestic product would grow at “12, 13, 14, 15%” if the rates were lower as he seemed to shrug off the inflation risks.

“We could have a GDP that would break every single record,” Trump said.

The president’s approval rating on the economy was a lowly 32% in the middle of the summer, according to polling by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. When Republicans were last facing midterm voters in 2018 under Trump, his economic approval rating was 50%.

Trump’s threat to cut off foreign trade could endanger growth, further hurting his ratings. His recent levying of tariffs against Canada have become problems for Republicans in the Maine and Michigan Senate races.

Trump aides see a brighter future because of AI, tariffs and tax cuts

Trump officials say their policies are working as intended. They say the development of artificial intelligence will lead to more productivity to boost growth. They say that last year’s tariffs should ultimately bring more factory work to America, while Trump’s tax cuts will create more business investment and his administration’s efforts to identify fraud will create savings for taxpayers.

“I expect higher growth,” said Christopher Phelan, chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisers. “We’re doing stuff to make good things happen.”

Phelan said recent job gains have been about two times larger than what’s needed to match population growth. He considers it as entirely possible that productivity gains could push up overall growth for the next several years, even as he acknowledged that growth alone might not be enough to solve all of the country’s financial challenges.

Because the costs of Social Security and Medicare are rising faster than revenues, growth alone is unlikely to meaningfully reduce budget deficits.

Growth is not enough to fix budget deficits

If U.S. economic growth could exceed 3% growth annually for the next decade, that would only be enough to stabilize the government’s already high debt load, according to an analysis by Ernie Tedeschi, head of economic insights and research at Stripe, the financial technology company.

Tedeschi said he would be “thrilled” if AI could help to deliver those kinds of gains for 10 straight years, but history shows that growth that large due to advancements in computers were likely “wildly optimistic.”

“We should absolutely not be planning for the optimistic scenario,” Tedeschi said.

Up until the president’s comments about interest rates on Friday, the Trump administration has spent the past week trying to make voters feel more confident about the economy.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent specifically promoted the benefits of stronger growth at the G20 summit for finance ministers in North Carolina. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick did so as well as part of G20 meetings about innovation.

Still, Bessent told AP in an interview that he’s also working with White House budget director Russ Vought to announce a plan to “bring down the level of the debt, deficit.”

There is political risk in trying to meaningfully reduce a year budget deficit of roughly $2 trillion that is slated to exceed $3 trillion a decade from now. Lowering the path of budget deficits would likely help with interest rates, but there could be political pain points in the form of spending cuts and tax hikes.

Brusuelas, the chief economist at RSM US, stressed that Trump would likely need to make sacrifices to meaningfully address the debt and reassure financial markets.

“We need a period of slower growth in government spending — that includes outright reduction in spending in addition to tax increases that all would reduce deficits and interest rates,” he said.

No one was injured when a piece of the ceiling inside the Kennedy Center’s grand foyer collapsed Friday evening, said Roma Daravi, the center’s vice president for public relations.

Photos provided by the center showed a large hole in the high ceiling and debris littering the red carpet in part of the hallway that connects the Kennedy Center’s three main performance auditoriums. The damage occurred during stormy weather in Washington.

The Kennedy Center’s Trump-aligned board is fighting in court to move forward with plans to add Trump’s name to the building’s facade and to close the center for two years as it undergoes $250 million in renovations.

Daravi called the partial ceiling collapse Friday “another example of the urgent need to close for renovation and revitalization, as our Chairman President Trump has championed.”

“This structural failure stems from decades of neglect and deferred maintenance by the previous leadership, and there’s no justification for further delays in restoring America’s cultural center,” Daravi said in a statement.

Trump’s efforts to add his name and make other big changes to the center established to honor President John F. Kennedy following his assassination are just part of Trump’s broader second-term agenda to reshape Washington.

Trump already has demolished the East Wing of the White House to make way for a ballroom. He also plans a triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery and a renovated golf course along the Potomac River.

U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled in May that Trump’s name had been added to the Kennedy Center illegally and ordered that it be taken down. He also blocked the administration from closing the venue for renovations.

Now before the judge is an August vote by the Kennedy Center’s board to return Trump’s name to the facade so reads: “The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Restored and Renovated By President Donald J. Trump.” Justice Department lawyers have argued donations for renovations will dry up without Trump’s name on the building.

Other changes have moved forward. Last week, the Kennedy Center took down a large stick figure sculpture known as Blue that had stood outside the center in 2019. The Kennedy Center gave no reason for its removal, but said in a statement “we are honored to have been stewards” of the late sculptor Joel Shapiro’s work.

Grace Terpstra of Keep the KC, a community group fighting the Kennedy Center’s closure, said she suspects the board will seize on what appears to be limited ceiling damage “to make the point that the whole thing needs to be shut down, that it’s going to fall on everybody.”

“I think they’ll try to make it into a bigger thing and show that they’ve found a lot of other things,” said Terpstra, the group’s founder.

___ Bynum reported from Savannah, Georgia, and Sloan reported from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.

The first U.S. Labor Day celebration took place in New York City on Sept. 5, 1882. Some 10,000 workers marched in a parade organized by the Central Labor Union and the Knights of Labor.

A handful of cities and states began to adopt laws recognizing Labor Day in the years that followed, yet it took more than a decade before President Grover Cleveland signed a congressional act in 1894 establishing the first Monday of September as a legal holiday.

While many workers have the day off, most big consumer-facing businesses are open and even offering promotional sales to lure customers.

Here’s what is open and closed this year on Labor Day:

Government buildings

Government offices, post offices, courts and schools are closed.

Banks and the stock market

U.S. stock markets and banks are closed Monday.

Standard FedEx and UPS pickup and delivery services will not be available on Labor Day, although some critical services will be offered at certain locations.

Retailers

Warehouse membership club Costco will be closed on Labor Day, but the vast majority of major national retailers and grocery stores will be open, with many offering promotional sales to lure customers. Hours may vary by location, so check your local store.

Travel

Despite the fact that many schools are back in session and travel costs have risen with higher fuel prices due to the conflict in Iran, millions of Americans will hit the roads and the skies to get away for the last big summer travel weekend.

AAA says that prices for flights to top domestic destinations are nearly 20% higher than last year and prices for hotels have also risen. The average U.S. price for a gallon of regular gas, according to the auto club, is just under $4.10, up 90 cents from the same time a year ago.

However, for those traveling by sea, AAA says that cruises departing from U.S. ports are about 4% cheaper than last year.

The auto club doesn’t provide a full travel forecast for Labor Day as it does for Memorial Day and July Fourth. But AAA does offer some useful advice for travelers.

AAA advises travelers to keep an eye on the weather and inspect your vehicle’s tires, battery, and fluid levels before a road trip. It’s also a good idea to pack an emergency kit with water, snacks, a flashlight, and jumper cables, AAA says.

Madison Keys fought off tears as she tried to explain how Zheng, way down and all but out, somehow got the win.

Zheng, the Olympic gold medalist, extended her return to the U.S. Open on Saturday with a spectacular and stunning rally, winning the final seven games to eliminate No. 22 Keys 1-6, 7-6 (3), 7-5.

“I feel like I obviously got off to a really good lead, and then I just got really — I mean, got really scared, like I couldn’t swing,” Keys said. “I don’t know. Tennis just feels really hard right now, so I feel like that kind of took over.”

Hours later, 13th-seeded Naomi Osaka joined her in the fourth round by defeating Elise Mertens 6-3, 3-6, 7-5. The two-time champion from Japan put her head on her racket after the final point, stunned herself at the victory.

“Honestly, I can’t believe I won this match,” Osaka said. “I’m literally shocked that I won this match.”

Not quite as big a comeback as Zheng, but Osaka was down 4-2 in the third set and apologized for expressing so much frustration throughout a tough night.

“There was a certain point, I don’t know, I felt like I put my entire heart on the court and then I just kept trying every single point,” Osaka said. “I didn’t feel like I played amazing, and it was really getting me down. I was very negative on myself.”

Osaka avoided the kind of exit men's No. 9 seed Taylor Fritz endured, blowing a two-set lead and falling to No. 24 Francisco Cerundolo 3-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.

“I don’t know how I let that happen today,” Fritz said.

Top seeds knocked out

Amanda Anisimova, like Fritz and Keys a past runner-up at the U.S. Open, also was knocked out when the No. 10 seed lost to No. 24 Anastasia Potapova 6-2, 7-5. No. 5 Flavio Cobolli, the French Open runner-up, lost in four sets to No. 28 Alexander Blockx to leave the men's draw without six of the top 10 seeds.

Keys won a three-set match in the previous round in a match tiebreaker when she fought off five match points. Two days later came a collapse that was as out-of-nowhere as that comeback.

The 2017 runner-up rebounded after losing the second-set tiebreaker to charge out to a 5-0 lead. Zheng held but Keys had a match point while serving at 5-1, and once she couldn't convert that, the turnaround was on, with Keys at one point banging her racket into her head repeatedly and pulling off her visor in disgust.

“I’m just telling myself keep holding every single point, never give up, stay there and somehow little by little it just happened,” Zheng said.

She won the gold medal for China at the 2024 Olympics after reaching the Australian Open final that year, and has been ranked as high as No. 4. But after elbow surgery, she is down to No. 121 and had to go through qualifying just to make the main draw.

“The hard work pays off,” said Zheng, who will play 2022 U.S. Open champion Iga Swiatek next.

Coco Gauff moves on

Coco Gauff, the 2023 U.S. Open champion, beat Cristina Bucsa 6-3, 6-4. She'll face 18-year-old Iva Jovic in a matchup of young Americans with a spot in the quarterfinals on the line.

“Honestly, I feel like I’m definitely used to getting to Week 2s now because I feel like I woke up today and I was like, ’Oh, we’re already in Round 3,'” Gauff said. “So, I think that’s a good sign, just feeling like I’m not feeling tired.”

Jovic defeated fan favorite Alex Eala of the Phillipines 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 in a match that lasted over three hours.

“The level was absolutely incredible from both sides,” Jovic said. “We definitely put on a show, and it literally took everything to get through that.”

Keys, who won the 2025 Australian Open for her lone Grand Slam title, said she was going to have to make some unspecified changes she has been putting off.

“I think she started playing better; I started playing poorly,” Keys said. “Then I felt like I couldn’t play tennis anymore, and it just felt like it was a much bigger deal than just playing a tennis match all of a sudden.”

Fritz stormed through his first two rounds, losing a total of 11 games, and there was no hint of trouble when he broke Cerundolo to open the third set. But Cerundolo broke right back and started to feel more comfortable in his first time playing in Arthur Ashe Stadium.

“I think fourth and fifth I played a really good tennis that I wasn’t finding that tennis in the previous sets and the previous rounds,” the Argentine said.

Anisimova missed repeated chances by converting just 3 of 16 break-point chances (19%). Potapova, a 25-year-old who was born in Russia but now represents Austria, went 6 for 8 and matched her best showing in a Grand Slam tournament by reaching the fourth round.

Anisimova made the final at both Wimbledon and the U.S. Open in 2025, falling to Aryna Sabalenka in Flushing Meadows. But after reaching the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, the American was eliminated in the third round of the last three majors this year.

Potapova will play No. 5 seed Mirra Andreeva, the French Open champion.

Top-seeded man Alexander Zverev, who had to win five-setters in the first two rounds and spent nearly 9 1/2 hours on the court during that time, beat No. 25 seed Alejandro Tabilo 6-2, 7-6 (2), 6-2 in the nightcap on Ashe.

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AP Sports Writer Stephen Whyno contributed to this report.

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See AP’s full tennis coverage here

Musiala played his first minutes in the Bundesliga this season after the Bayern midfielder had collapsed in two preseason games because of a neurological issue which causes seizures.

In Spain, Athletic Bilbao struck three times in the second half to beat Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid 3-0 in La Liga, while Erling Haaland led Manchester City to another victory in the Premier League.

Martínez to the rescue in Italy

It was a night of comebacks in Serie A, with Roma joining Inter with a dramatic two-goal rally in the dying minutes that kept the teams at the top of the standings with three wins in as many rounds.

Martínez’s goals ensured that Inter kept up its early title defense.

Napoli looked to be comfortably in charge after Matteo Politano and Rasmus Højlund scored in the 50th and 53rd minutes.

But Martínez pulled one back three minutes later and Marcus Thurman equalized in the 82nd just moments after hitting the post.

Martínez found the winner after Manuel Akanji scrambled a loose ball to him at the far post to poke home, unleashing celebrations at San Siro.

Napoli, under new coach Massimiliano Allegri, has now lost two in a row after falling to Como.

Next up for Inter is a trip to Real Madrid in their Champions League opener on Tuesday.

Matías Soulé led Roma with a late assist and goal to beat Atalanta 2-1.

The forward set up Mario Hermoso in the 90th, canceling out the opener by Éderson. Soulé then struck three minutes into stoppage time to grab the victory.

Torino beat Fiorentina 2-1 away.

Musiala plays after collapsing in preseason

Musiala went on as a second-half substitute in Bayern's 0-0 draw with Schalke. He had missed the season opener against Stuttgart.

It was the first time Bayern had failed to score in a German league game since February 2025. A superb performance by goalkeeper Loris Karius helped Schalke take its first point against Bayern since 2017.

Small-town club Elversberg continued a dream start to its first-ever Bundesliga season with another upset win, beating Borussia Moenchengladbach 4-3 with a stoppage-time winner.

From a town of just 13,000 people, Elversberg stunned another former champion after its win over Bayer Leverkusen last week.

This time, Elversberg did it without coach Vincent Wagner, who was sent off at halftime, only for Maurice Krattenmacher to score the dramatic late winner.

Also, Borussia Dortmund pulled off a fightback to beat Hoffenheim 3-2 after being two goals down, as Hoffenheim defender Albian Hajdari handed Dortmund victory with an 86th-minute own goal.

Another of Bayern’s title rivals, Leipzig, slumped to a 3-1 loss at Werder Bremen, whose new signing Niclas Füllkrug scored a goal.

Leverkusen’s new coach Carles Martinez got his first Bundesliga win, beating Union Berlin 4-0.

Haaland scores and City stays top in England

Erling Haaland scored his third goal of the season as Manchester City beat Coventry 1-0 to stay at the top of the Premier League with nine points from three games.

Promoted Hull is second and still unbeaten on seven points after a 0-0 draw with Aston Villa.

Tottenham picked up its first point of the season with a 0-0 draw at Nottingham Forest, and Newcastle remained unbeaten under new coach Matthias Jaissle thanks to a late equalizer from Jacob Ramsey in a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth.

Crystal Palace twice came back against Fulham to eventually win 3-2 at Craven Cottage for its first points of the campaign while Brighton drew 1-1 with Leeds.

Brentford and Sunderland also drew 1-1.

Aubameyang keeps scoring in Spain

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang made it four goals in as many games since joining Deportivo to help the promoted club remain unbeaten since its return to the top flight.

The 37-year-old Aubameyang struck in the 88th to clinch a 3-2 victory at Villarreal.

Athletic Bilbao rolled over Atletico Madrid 3-0 with second-half goals from Nico Williams, Robert Navarro and Oihan Sancet.

It was a second straight win for Athletic under its new German coach Edin Terzić.

Also, Sergio Camello netted twice to lead Rayo Vallecano to a 3-2 victory over Racing Santander.

Dutch game abandoned

The game between Utrecht and Go Ahead Eagles in the Dutch top tier was abandoned after some Utrecht fans threw fireworks and other objects onto the pitch. The match was eventually abandoned in the second half with Go Ahead Eagles leading 3-1 at the time.

Utrecht issued a statement condemning the actions of the fans responsible, saying it will review video footage and take action against those involved.

Also in the Eredivisie, PSV Eindhoven won 3-1 at Ajax.

Lens stumbles in France

Lens, last season’s runner-up in Ligue 1, had a second straight loss after falling 1-0 at home to Lorient.

Brest beat Le Havre 2-1, and Nice drew with Le Mans 1-1.

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See AP’s full soccer coverage here

This is the first significant spending in a premier general election contest by MAGA, Inc., and reflects how a once-safe Republican seat in Texas may be viable for Democrats with the candidacy of James Talarico, a 37-year-old state representative.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is the Republican nominee in the race. Trump's endorsement helped Paxton to defeat the incumbent, Sen. John Cornyn, in a May primary runoff election.

Public disapproval of Trump over the economy and the Iran war has been a headwind for many Republican candidates. Voters generally go against the party in control of the White House in midterm elections and Democrats are hoping to gain control of the House and Senate — with Texas being a symbolically powerful indication of how the political map might be expanding this year.

The ads seek to highlight taxes as a dominant issue at a time when many voters have expressed concerns about continued inflation. Talarico has favored higher taxes on wealthier households and the two ads seek to portray him as seeking tax hikes more broadly while claiming that Paxton would give tax breaks to first-time homebuyers and families with children.

The key piece of legislation signed into law by Trump last year enhanced and extended many of his expiring tax breaks from his 2017 overhaul. But that measure also increased budget deficits, which has contributed to higher interest rates on the national debt. Trump has also hiked tariffs, which are taxes on imports, to try to raise revenue.

“High Tax Talarico wants to take money out of Texans’ pockets. MAGA Inc. is going to ensure Texas knows about Talarico’s radical policies and elects Ken Paxton to the U.S. Senate," Alex Pfeiffer, a spokesman for MAGA, Inc., said in a statement Saturday.

Talarico campaign spokesperson JT Ennis pushed back against the ads' claims that the Democrat seeks broad tax hikes.

“Billionaire-backed dark money groups are lying about James Talarico because they’re scared of the people-powered movement we’re building to fix this broken, corrupt political system," Ennis said in a statement. "James was proud to vote for the largest property tax cut in Texas history and has consistently voted to cut taxes for working Texans.”

MAGA, Inc., has at least $400 million in campaign funds that GOP candidates have been waiting for the president to deploy.

“I’m going to spend whatever amount of money necessary to try and help us,” Trump told reporters on Friday.

The president stressed that these were his funds to spend as he sees fit.

“This is my money,” Trump said, adding that it was “separate” from funds controlled by the Republican National Committee.

The president also said he could hold some of the funds until the 2028 elections “if that’s what I want.” Trump is constitutionally barred from running for a third presidential term.

Trump backed Paxton despite the Texas politician’s public scandals, but he has acknowledged this past week that Paxton is not the most telegenic candidate.

“It’s so insulting to him, but I might as well say it: You might not like the way he looks, you might not love his look, you might not love his television interviews, but he was the best attorney general in the country, perhaps,” Trump said Wednesday at a White House event on the midterm elections.

Republicans in battleground states have been clamoring for the president to open his wallet and spend some of the enormous war chest he has amassed.

James Blair, who runs the president’s midterm political operation, had tried to tamp down growing concern and impatience earlier this week.

“When it’s all said and done, all Republicans, at least, will be quite pleased and relieved at the support they find,” he said at an Ohio energy summit.

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AP national political reporter Jill Colvin contributed to this report.

A grave-digging contest in a Hungarian cemetery may sound like the opening line of a comedy sketch. It proved to be anything but as 38 competitors grabbed picks and shovels on Saturday.

The Hungarian Association of Cemetery Maintainers and Operators organizes the contest to showcase the grave-digging trade and its skills, and shake off death-related taboos.

The dry summer-baked soil in the public cemetery in Nyergesújfalu, northern Hungary, proved a worthy adversary for the 19 two-man teams. They huffed and puffed and sweated as they raced for the title of quickest-dug and most stylish grave.

“Speed is the main thing here, not the beauty,” said Róbert Nagy, the victor with his teammate László Kiss.

“When you have to dig a grave for a funeral, you have to be very careful about the exact dimensions and to make sure that it is beautifully carved.”

Their winning time was 1 hour, 21 minutes, digging to contest specifications of graves 1.6 meters (5½ feet) deep, 2 meters (6½ feet) long and 0.8 meters (2.6 feet) wide.

They shared a cash prize of 200,000 Hungarian forints (about $640).

The comeback from losing the first test ensured the Springboks cannot lose the series. They have a chance next Saturday in the fourth and final match in Baltimore to clinch their first series victory over the All Blacks since 1976.

The Springboks muscled up in the set-pieces to prevail. The scrum earned a penalty try to level at halftime 12-12 and when they led for the first time an hour in, they secured the win with a magnificent, crabbing lineout maul from which Malcolm Marx dived between the posts and thumped the ground in joy.

“I'm not sure what my heart rate was,” South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus said while patting his chest. “We were certainly nervous. They were nervous. It's massive this. You're playing No. 1 and 2 in the world. We're not sitting here thinking we are awesome. We're thinking there was a lot of luck that went our way.”

For the first time in the series, they matched New Zealand for tries — four each — and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu replaced injured goalkicker Cheslin Kolbe to slot seven points.

Crucially, counterpart Ruben Love missed seven out of nine points off the tee. Also, New Zealand captain Ardie Savea was lost to injury after 30 minutes, costing the All Blacks their leading physical presence.

They can still rescue a series draw against the pre-tour odds next weekend but the inspirational Savea won't travel to Baltimore because of a suspected dislocated right shoulder, “gutted” New Zealand coach Dave Rennie said.

They rued careless errors that gave hope back to South Africa after they led 17-12.

A missed tackle by Leroy Carter allowed South Africa's Jesse Kriel to stroll in untouched. The host's two-point lead then became nine with 14 minutes to go. A kick over the deadball line led to the maul and Marx try that energized the Boks in front of their biggest crowd of the tour: 85,976.

“We just couldn't get our game going for long enough to hurt them,” Rennie said. “When we hit the lead (in the second half) we gave up a soft try. To be fair, they dominated the next 15 minutes.”

Penalty try from scrum

In a breathless end-to-end first half, wrecking ball hooker Asafo Aumua, danger winger Will Jordan and Savea spearheaded New Zealand's best start in the series.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu was fortunate to concede only a yellow card and not a penalty try for a deliberate knockdown in the same New Zealand attack that forced off Kolbe with a broken jaw.

Moments later, Aumua set up Savea's 34th test try that made him the forward with the most in men’s internationals.

Prop Ox Nché and winger Ethan Hooker were carrying South Africa, which held out with 14 men and managed to score when Damian de Allende brushed off Carter and gave other winger Kurt-Lee Arendse an overlap try.

Savea’s second try featured a big sidestep by lock Tupou Vaa'i in his 50th test and Savea’s skip pass to Carter. Feinberg-Mngomezulu played the ball out of the ruck and Savea scooped it up on the run to score.

Five minutes later, Savea was leaving with a suspected shoulder injury. That brought in Wallace Sititi, whose sister Amarante also came off the bench and scored in the New Zealand women's 52-20 win over South Africa in the curtain-raiser.

New Zealand spent the last 10 minutes under siege and Love was yellow-carded. The South Africa scrum, already menacing, earned the penalty try for 12-12 when a pushover attempt was interfered with.

But with new props, New Zealand got a scrum penalty for what referee Nika Amashukeli said was South Africa walking around. It was the first time in the series the Springboks were called out for it. Scrums have been a flash point and South Africa has denied walking around. The 52-meter penalty kick was missed by Love.

Love also missed converting a try by Jordan, whose chip was collected by Carter, who popped up for the trailing Jordan to grab his 54th try.

At that point, South Africa replaced captain Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth and Nché and New Zealand got careless.

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Clark and Bueckers each scored 14 points in the opening win over China on Friday while Reese had nine rebounds and played strong defense on 7-foot-3 Zhang Ziyu. Next up is Italy on Saturday.

The blueprint for the American success over the past three decades, which has seen eight straight Olympic gold medals and four consecutive World Cup titles, has been to build rosters with experienced veterans mixed with the next set of young stars. That way they'll be ready when their names are called.

“I think it’s all cyclical,” said Sue Bird, the first managing director of the national team. “You know, I think if you go back, it’s always kind of been that the amount of vets versus newcomers — if you wanted to like categorize it that way — does fluctuate and move through time. This cycle of players is younger, but obviously (Kelsey) Plum and A’ja (Wilson) would have tipped the scale the other way if they had played.”

Bird said there’s always been that passing of the torch. She played her first World Cup in 2002 and was a backup to Dawn Staley. By the 2006 tournament, she was leading the U.S. — a spot she held alongside Diana Taurasi until both retired from international play a few years ago.

Now it's Breanna Stewart and Wilson, who is missing this tournament for health reasons, as the veteran leaders. Eventually it will be Clark, Reese and Bueckers. For now, they are part of the second-youngest World Cup team the Americans have fielded, with an average age of just under 27 years old, over the past three decades. They are just a little bit older than the 1994 team that won bronze.

“We can kind of rely on each other, lean on each other,” Reese said of her young teammates. “This is our first big national event, so being able to play with each other, learn each other and go through these learning process together, it’s fun."

Many of them had played together on younger U.S. teams and had success, but playing for the senior team has a different feel to it.

Stewart made her national team debut in the 2014 World Cup. She was still in college then. Now 32, she's the leader of this squad.

“This is just kind of like the rite of passage,” Stewart said. “You continue to keep showing up and it becomes your turn. You got Paige, Angel and Caitlin who played on teams when they were younger and they keep coming back. So when it's their time this shift isn't as dramatic. They are faces that are known throughout the program.”

Unfamiliar role coming off the bench

One thing that's new to that trio, who are each 24, is coming off the bench. All understand the importance of the roll.

“We were talking about it on the bus: Like, none of us have ever come off the bench before. So it’s our first time kind of seeing it from a different perspective,” Reese said. “Seeing how the game is played and then being able to go in and already know what’s going on. I think that that’s a different perspective for me.”

Reese said coach Kara Lawson has talked to the group, which also includes Aliyah Boston, Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen, and explained that the key is to not have there be any letup when they come in.

“There's no drop-off,” Reese said. “I think our young and turnt group is going to be around for a while.”

The young players, who are competitors in the WNBA, already are starting to form a chemistry with one another on the U.S. team.

“Obviously it’s really fun to play with Paige,” Clark said after practice. “I’ve grown up playing against her, and with her, from a very young age. Very fun experience to be here, I think she’s one of the best off-ball players in the league. She cuts really well, she has a great feel for the game. I think our chemistry has been really good. Just gaining more and more momentum through that as we go through the tournament.”

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Jail records show Brandon Lee May, of East Liberty, Ohio, faces multiple charges, including fleeing and eluding while endangering pedestrians, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon during the commission of a felony, armed burglary, grand theft, resisting arrest with and without violence and driving with a suspended license.

Deputies said a passenger, Anthony Shane Morris, 28, of Islamorada, was also arrested in the case on a charge of accessory after the fact.

Authorities said they received reports of a reckless driver shortly after 12:30 p.m. Friday near Mile Marker 83 in Islamorada. They said a MCSO deputy attempted to stop May who was driving a Dodge SUV after it was recorded traveling 63 mph in a 45-mph zone.

Deputies said instead of stopping, May accelerated and entered a Publix parking lot, where deputies said he continued to “drive recklessly, endangering pedestrians.”

They said May eventually abandoned the SUV and ran from the area on foot. Morris remained in the vehicle and moved into the driver’s seat, MCSO officials said.

They said May ran toward a plumbing business and tried unsuccessfully to get inside. He then went to a nearby home, where investigators said he took a fire extinguisher, pulled its pin and continued fleeing.

The chase continued across Avocado Street, where May jumped a fence and entered another residence before eventually entering the Gulfside water, according to investigators.

Deputies said they used a Taser after multiple attempts and were able to take May into custody. They said he continued to resist by pulling away and kicking them.

The resistance reportedly continued after he was taken to Baptist Health Mariners Hospital in Tavernier, according to MCSO.

May was later transported to HCA Florida Kendall Hospital for treatment of a broken wrist. He remained at the hospital Saturday morning under MCSO custody.

During the investigation, deputies found two handguns inside the Dodge SUV, authorities said.

They said Morris initially gave deputies an incorrect identification for the driver but later provided information identifying May. Morris told investigators the two men had met about five days earlier.

Authorities confirmed that May is also wanted in Ohio on warrants related to robbery, battery by strangulation and a probation violation.

No life-threatening injuries were reported in connection with Friday’s incident.

Los registros de la cárcel muestran que Brandon Lee May, de East Liberty, Ohio, enfrenta múltiples cargos, incluidos huir y eludir poniendo en peligro a peatones, posesión de un arma de fuego por parte de un delincuente convicto durante la comisión de un delito grave, robo armado, hurto mayor, resistencia al arresto con y sin violencia y conducir con una licencia suspendida.

Los agentes dijeron que un pasajero, Anthony Shane Morris, de 28 años, de Islamorada, también fue arrestado en el caso bajo un cargo de complicidad después del hecho.

Las autoridades dijeron que recibieron reportes de un conductor imprudente poco después de las 12:30 p.m. del viernes cerca del marcador de milla 83 en Islamorada. Dijeron que un agente de la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado Monroe (MCSO) intentó detener a May, quien conducía una SUV Dodge, después de que fuera registrado viajando a 63 mph en una zona de 45 mph.

Los agentes dijeron que, en lugar de detenerse, May aceleró y entró al estacionamiento de Publix, donde, según los agentes, continuó “conduciendo imprudentemente, poniendo en peligro a peatones”.

Dijeron que May finalmente abandonó la SUV y huyó a pie del área. Morris permaneció en el vehículo y se pasó al asiento del conductor, dijeron funcionarios de MCSO.

Dijeron que May corrió hacia un negocio de plomería e intentó entrar sin éxito. Luego fue a una vivienda cercana, donde los investigadores dijeron que tomó un extintor de incendios, le quitó el pasador y continuó huyendo.

La persecución continuó a través de Avocado Street, donde May saltó una cerca y entró a otra residencia antes de finalmente lanzarse a las aguas del lado del Golfo, según los investigadores.

Los agentes dijeron que utilizaron un Taser después de múltiples intentos y pudieron detener a May. Dijeron que continuó resistiéndose, tratando de soltarse y pateándolos.

Según MCSO, la resistencia continuó después de que fue llevado al Baptist Health Mariners Hospital en Tavernier.

May fue trasladado posteriormente al HCA Florida Kendall Hospital para recibir tratamiento por una fractura en la muñeca. Permanecía en el hospital la mañana del sábado bajo custodia de MCSO.

Durante la investigación, los agentes encontraron dos armas de fuego dentro de la SUV Dodge, dijeron las autoridades.

Dijeron que Morris inicialmente proporcionó a los agentes una identificación incorrecta del conductor, pero posteriormente dio información que permitió identificar a May. Morris dijo a los investigadores que los dos hombres se habían conocido unos cinco días antes.

Las autoridades confirmaron que May también es buscado en Ohio por órdenes de arresto relacionadas con robo, agresión por estrangulamiento y una violación de libertad condicional.

No se reportaron lesiones que pusieran en peligro la vida en relación con el incidente del viernes.

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The Humane Society of Broward County says the friendly pup is great in the car, walks beautifully on a leash and is treat-motivated, making him a good candidate for obedience training and outdoor adventures.

Skywalker also happens to be one of the shelter’s most unique-looking dogs, with striking blue eyes and an adorable, playful personality.

The shelter also has two 7-week-old brothers, Romeo and Othello, who would love to find a home together.

Anyone interested in adopting can visit the Humane Society of Broward County, which opens at 11 a.m., or visit humanebroward.com to see available pets and complete a pre-adoption application.

La Sociedad Protectora de Animales del Condado Broward dice que el amigable cachorro se porta muy bien en el automóvil, camina perfectamente con correa y se motiva con premios, lo que lo convierte en un buen candidato para entrenamiento de obediencia y aventuras al aire libre.

Skywalker también resulta ser uno de los perros de apariencia más singular del refugio, con llamativos ojos azules y una personalidad adorable y juguetona.

El refugio también tiene dos hermanos de 7 semanas, Romeo y Othello, a quienes les encantaría encontrar un hogar juntos.

Cualquier persona interesada en adoptar puede visitar la Sociedad Protectora de Animales del Condado Broward, que abre a las 11 a.m., o visitar humanebroward.com para ver las mascotas disponibles y completar una solicitud de preadopción.

The Irish boxer who won an Olympic gold medal and headlined at Madison Square Garden got her final career wish — to fight at Ireland’s sporting cathedral.

The 40-year-old Taylor dominated her French opponent over 10 rounds for a unanimous decision victory to retire as the undisputed champion at 140 pounds.

Taylor (26-1) added the vacant WBC super lightweight title to her WBO, WBA and IBF belts. The judges' scores were 100-90, 100-90 and 98-91. Pili's record is 12-1 with the loss.

In April 2022, Taylor beat Amanda Serrano at a sold-out Madison Square Garden in what was the first women’s boxing match to headline the arena. The pair have fought three times in total, with Taylor victorious each time, most recently in 2025.

Taylor won gold at the 2012 London Games.

Muhammad Ali fought at Croke Park in 1972

Muhammad Ali touched down in the Emerald Isle in July 1972 for a 12-round non-title fight against Alvin “Blue” Lewis. It took place 16 months after Ali lost to Joe Frazier at Madison Square Garden.

Ali stopped Lewis in the 11th round in front of an estimated 20,000 fans.

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Sunrise police said the crash happened at about 1:53 a.m. at University Drive and Northwest 25th Court. The two vehicles were badly damaged, and debris was scattered across the roadway and into the nearby Shell gas station.

Authorities said three people were transported to Broward General Medical Center as trauma alerts, and one of them has since died. Their ages, identities and current conditions were not immediately available.

Officials said at least one of the cars reportedly struck a utility pole, knocking out power to the surrounding area. As many as 33,700 customers were reported without electricity following the crash, according to Florida Power & Light.

FPL crews restored power about 90 minutes later.

The intersection was closed for several hours as police investigated the crash and crews worked to clear the scene. The roadway has since reopened.

Sunrise police said the crash remains under investigation and that no further information was immediately available.

Drivers in the area should continue to use caution as investigators work to determine what led to the crash.

The F1 driver seemed as surprised as everyone when he was informed on the team radio that he was fastest immediately after the session.

“Let’s go! Been waiting for that one!” exclaimed Gasly, who took his only Formula 1 win at Monza in 2020.

Gasly looked strong throughout the session and finished O.060 seconds ahead of Mercedes driver George Russell.

“In the end it felt like a very good lap but I am so happy, it has been nine years, trying to chase and get the opportunity to get pole position," said Gasly, who lives in nearby Milan. "To win my first race in Monza, get my first pole position on this track, it is something special around here.”

Russell was among drivers to express surprise at Gasly topping the timesheets.

“To be totally honest I don’t think we thought they were in the fight and it goes to show what a great job he did,” Russell said.

Hamilton almost went out in Q2

Oscar Piastri was third-fastest in qualifying but was handed a three-place grid penalty after stewards found the McLaren driver guilty of impeding Red Bull's Liam Lawson in Q2.

That promoted Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, with the Ferrari duo — who have an upgraded engine this weekend — locking out the second row. There was a scare for the team earlier in its home race as Hamilton only just sneaked into Q3 by one thousandth of a second.

Lawson's teammate Max Verstappen also moved up a place, to fifth. Championship leader Kimi Antonelli qualified seventh-fastest but a grid penalty due to a planned engine change means he will start at the back.

Gasly's teammate Franco Colapinto moves up to seventh, with defending champion Lando Norris, Arvid Lindblad and Gabriel Bortoleto now rounding out the top 10 on the grid.

Antonelli is bidding to become F1’s youngest champion. The 20-year-old Italian leads Russell and Hamilton by 59 points, with Norris 24 points further back after winning the past two races — in Hungary and the Netherlands.

Russell also lost to Gasly in chess match

Sunday's race is a golden opportunity for Russell to make up some ground on Antonelli, who was deployed for much of qualifying ahead of his teammate to give him a slipstream.

Russell called qualifying “scrappy" and said he started his final lap too close to Verstappen, who let Antonelli by to avoid running in clean air.

Russell also revealed that it was the second time he had lost to Gasly on Saturday afternoon.

“Massive congrats to Pierre because that’s an incredible performance," Russell said. “We were actually playing a game of chess about 15 minutes before qualifying and he beat me there and I thought, ‘Well I think I’ll beat you in qualifying’ and here we are — he’s ahead of me again.”

Gasly’s pole comes a day after he was stripped of his only podium of the season because the FIA’s International Court of Appeal reinstated a penalty he was given at the Monaco Grand Prix in June.

Monza is a high-speed track and overtaking is relatively easy, giving Russell a chance to get past Gasly in Sunday's race and Antonelli the opportunity to make up places.

"That's a problem for tomorrow," Gasly replied when asked if his car's long-run pace is enough to at least fight for the win.

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Fort Lauderdale police said they arrested the 22-year-old after a “domestic dispute” late Friday morning in the city’s Riverside Park neighborhood.

Authorities said officers responded to the 1400 block of Southwest Fifth Court just before noon and determined that Doherty “and a female victim got into a physical dispute inside a residence.”

The woman was uninjured, police said. Doherty was arrested on a misdemeanor domestic battery charge.

In November 2025, Miami Beach police arrested Doherty on drug charges. Body camera footage showed the South Beach arrest.

In that case, Miami-Dade court records show that Doherty entered into a deferred prosecution program.

As for his latest case, Doherty was being held in the Broward Main Jail, where his bond was set at $1,000 on Saturday morning. He was also ordered to have no contact with the victim.

Funcionarios dijeron que equipos de MFR acudieron al derrame poco después de las 8:30 a.m. y llevaron a su equipo de materiales peligrosos para contener el derrame y evitar que continuara escurriéndose.

Dijeron que los carriles hacia el oeste permanecerán cerrados durante varias horas mientras los equipos limpian el combustible y retiran el camión.

No se reportaron personas heridas.

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Officials said MFR crews responded to the spill just after 8:30 a.m. and brought in their hazmat team to contain the spill and prevent further runoff.

They said the westbound lanes will remain closed for several hours while crews clean up the fuel and remove the truck.

No injuries were reported.

The latest twist in Valieva’s career comes more than four years after disputes about her positive doping test overshadowed the 2022 Beijing Olympics.

The person said that Valieva was initially granted neutral status under a new International Skating Union rule for this season which states that skaters from Russia and Belarus are “presumed eligible unless they fall within the disqualifying criteria.”

That status was then withdrawn from Valieva over concerns about a potential breach of criteria preventing skaters from being granted neutral status if they have previously supported Russia's war in Ukraine, the person said.

The status has also been withdrawn from Russian men’s skater Mark Kondratiuk, who was a teammate of Valieva at the 2022 Olympics, the person said.

The ISU is due to rule on appeals by both athletes by the middle of next week and if the decision remains unchanged, the athletes would be able to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, the person added.

The person did not want to be identified because the details of such cases are not typically released publicly.

The revocation of Valieva’s status was first reported by Russian news media. Valieva has not commented on her status.

The ISU had barred skaters from Russia and its ally Belarus in 2022 following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

It allowed a limited number to return for the Milan Cortina Olympics and a qualifying event last season. Two Russian figure skaters, Adeliia Petrosian and Petr Gumennik, competed at the Olympics but neither won a medal.

For this season, the ISU has not limited the number of places for neutral athletes and has introduced a presumption that they are eligible unless found not to be.

The ISU rules say skaters may be refused if they are serving with military or security forces, have previously participated in military operations against Ukraine or have “actively and publicly supported that war” since 2022.

Then aged 15, Valieva was at the center of a legal battle during the 2022 Beijing Games when a sample she gave two months earlier tested positive for the banned substance trimetazidine.

The revelation came after Valieva won team gold with other Russian skaters. She was later disqualified from that event, which upgraded the United States to gold. Valieva was a contender for the women’s gold medal but placed fourth and was criticized rink-side by her coach, Eteri Tutberidze.

Valieva eventually served a ban which expired in December 2025 and she has since competed in Russian events.

Rules were later changed to raise the minimum age for skaters to 17 in time for the Milan Cortina Olympics earlier this year.

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The illegal waste scandal in the central town of Gospic has fueled criticism of conservative Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and his government, which has faced mounting public anger in recent weeks.

The issue first surfaced last February when Croatian police and Europol, the EU's law enforcement agency, arrested 13 people suspected of illegally importing and disposing of hazardous waste. Europol said at the time that the suspects made at least 4 million euros ($4.2 million) in illegal profit.

More than a year later, Gospic residents fear that about 37,000 metric tons (40,000 U.S. tons) of waste that is still at an abandoned industrial site — mostly buried underground — was endangering their health. It includes remains of electronic equipment, plastics, construction materials and medical waste.

An expert report published last month by Croatian anti-corruption agency USKOK says that the soil at the site contained elevated metal concentration and that PFAS compounds, known as the “forever chemicals,” have also been detected in groundwater.

Saturday's protest requested that authorities present a clear plan to urgently and completely remediate the polluted sites according to clearly defined deadlines. Protesters are also demanding an immediate ban on waste imports.

Vjekoslav Busic, from the “Gospic Is Our Home” initiative behind the protest, said that residents had been reporting what they believed was suspected illegal activity since 2023.

“The result to date: Not a single kilogram (pound) of hazardous waste has been removed from Gospic,” Busic said.

Protester Ivan Rittinger said that authorities “are talking about this as if it were a tragedy, as if it just happened out of nowhere. Rittinger said that "someone made money out of it and someone was paid to look the other way.”

“It was planned,” he said. “This is not a tragedy. This is a crime.”

USKOK said that it was investigating a Croatian company for allegedly burying illegal toxic waste at several sites across Croatia, with the largest amount found in Gospic. The government has said that the investigation is underway, as well as efforts to clear the area.

Authorities also have said that multiple water and soil tests in Gospic came out negative for contamination. The site will be temporarily covered to protect it from rainwater, one company has been chosen to clear some of the waste while a long-term plan is drafted.

Plenkovic has accused his political opponents of fueling panic for political gains.

Experts agree that the damage is at a local level. But they warn that the region’s karst terrain, loose soil and rivers could carry pollution from the site toward the Adriatic Sea.

The town of Gospic, which has around 12,000 residents, is located in a region close to a nature park and known for forests, lakes and rivers. The initial Europol report said that much of the waste that ended up in Gospic was imported from other EU nations Italy, Slovenia and Germany.

The protesters at the main square in Croatia's capital, Zagreb, shouted “Croatia, Croatia" as they carried national flags and banners reading “When if not now” or “The lungs of Croatia have trouble breathing.”

Zeljka Sikic from Gospic thanked the crowd for “coming out publicly, because it takes courage nowadays.” Sikic said "we have been handed over to eco-mafia.

Zagreb resident Suzane Maria Flander said that it's a “basic human right to have clean soil, clean water and clean air.”

El ataque se produjo la noche del viernes en la unidad militar del municipio de Ocaña, en el departamento del Norte de Santander, fronterizo con Venezuela. Dos soldados murieron en el acto y otro falleció pese a recibir atención médica, señaló la institución militar en el último reporte en la red social X.

El presidente Abelardo de la Espriella condenó la agresión y en un mensaje publicado en X dijo que “por cada policía o soldado que asesinen, haremos caer sobre los criminales todo el peso y toda la fuerza legítima del Estado”.

El hecho inició con el impacto de explosivos lanzados desde drones al interior de la guarnición, tras lo cual se produjo un combate en el exterior, mientras un pelotón buscaba asegurar el perímetro, precisó el informe militar.

El Ministerio de Defensa informó que se ha desplegado un operativo en la zona para proteger a la población y advirtió que aplicará una nueva estrategia para el Catatumbo que acabe con “la maquinaria criminal del ELN”.

La región del Catatumbo abarca parte de los departamentos del Norte de Santander y del César. Ahí operan el ELN, alzado en armas desde 1964, y facciones disidentes de la extinta guerrilla Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC) que no se acogieron a un acuerdo de paz firmado hace una década.

Ambos grupos ilegales se disputan el control de esa estratégica región que conecta con la porosa frontera con Venezuela y es una de las principales áreas productoras de coca de Colombia. La presencia de las estructuras ilegales afecta a sus poblaciones que afrontan una persistente violencia ha denunciado la Defensoría del Pueblo.

Los casos de los fiscales del condado Collier contra Stephen Trejos y Andre Seenaraine seguían pendientes. Fueron acusados de la agresión del 25 de enero contra Rigoberto Rodriguez, un cubano que el Servicio de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas de Estados Unidos detuvo el 9 de diciembre.

Frank Rivera, un testigo, dijo a WINK News que él y Rodriguez formaban parte de un grupo de decenas de detenidos que golpeaban sus esposas contra un banco después de esperar desde las 6 a.m. sin acceso a comida ni agua.

Trejos, de 25 años, “lo levantó, lo lanzó contra el suelo y luego comenzó a golpearlo”, dijo Rivera, según el reporte de la periodista de WINK Olivia Jean, publicado el 1 de julio.

La abogada Yaritssa Plasencia, quien representó a Rodriguez, dijo a WINK que el caso salió a la luz después de que Rodriguez llegara el 25 de enero a El Paso Camp East Montana, en Texas, con un uniforme manchado de sangre, vendajes en la mano y un ojo morado.

En una moción, el abogado de Trejos alegó que un video de vigilancia mostraba a Trejos dando un “golpe de cumplimiento” después de que Rodriguez le escupiera. Rivera también dijo a WINK que los detenidos le gritaron a Trejos que se detuviera y que Seenaraine, de 30 años, posteriormente golpeó a Rodriguez en otra habitación.

El Departamento de Aplicación de la Ley de Florida investigó los casos. La jueza del Tribunal de Circuito del condado Collier, Crystal K. Kinzel, firmó las órdenes de arresto el 24 de junio.

Agentes de la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado Collier arrestaron a Trejos el 24 de junio. Trejos fue liberado bajo una fianza de $1,000 USD el 25 de junio. Seenaraine también fue liberado bajo una fianza de $1,000 USD el 27 de junio.

Agentes de la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado Marion arrestaron a Seenaraine el 26 de junio en Ocala, según muestran los registros. El Tampa Bay Times informó que los agentes identificaron al empleador de Seenaraine como Critical Response Strategies, uno de los contratistas de Florida en Alligator Alley.

Trejos y Seenaraine enfrentaban cada uno un cargo de agresión, un delito menor de primer grado, y se declararon no culpables.

Ocurrió en University Drive y Northwest 25th Court, donde dos vehículos resultaron gravemente dañados.

La cinta policial permanecía colocada alrededor de la intersección, con escombros esparcidos por la carretera y hasta la gasolinera Shell cercana.

Las autoridades dijeron que al menos uno de los vehículos habría impactado un poste de electricidad, dejando sin servicio eléctrico a la zona. Se reportó que hasta 33,700 clientes quedaron sin electricidad tras el accidente.

Funcionarios de Florida Power & Light dijeron que las cuadrillas restablecieron la electricidad unos 90 minutos después, pero permanecían en el lugar la mañana del sábado mientras las autoridades continuaban con su investigación.

La intersección permanecía cerrada desde University Drive hacia Sunset Strip, provocando importantes congestionamientos y retrasos de tráfico. Los conductores estaban atravesando la plaza cercana para evitar el cierre.

Las autoridades instaron a los conductores en la zona a buscar rutas alternas mientras continuaban la investigación y las labores de limpieza.

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The department sustained several allegations against former Officer Raymond Kerner, four of which came under the internal policy violation of “failure to adhere to laws.” Those laws, according to the July 30 CSPD internal affairs report, were battery, lewd and lascivious exhibition, showing obscene material to minors and sexual battery.

While the report alleges that Kerner broke the law, he is not facing criminal charges; the report states that prosecutors couldn’t pursue them because the alleged incidents fell outside of the statute of limitations. In one case, a woman said she did not want to pursue charges for an allegation from 2025, according to the report.

CSPD announced the results of the investigation into Kerner and publicly announced his “termination” on Friday. The department said Kerner served as a full-time SRO at Taravella from 2013 to 2021, retired in 2022, then rejoined the department as a seasonal SRO at Eagle Ridge Elementary.

They said the internal probe into the officer began after reports from “several women who described inappropriate behavior and conversations of a sexual nature” while serving at Taravella. Police said he was “immediately” relieved of duty following the allegations and is “no longer employed” by CSPD.

In one case, Kerner was accused of inappropriately touching a 21-year-old former student “and placing cash inside her shirt.”

Internal investigators said he also sexually battered a young woman on an August 2025 boat outing. According the CSPD document, the woman told investigators that she “doesn’t want to press charges” and “does not think Officer Kerner should be working in a school with young females or be a police officer anymore.”

Investigators also sustained allegations that Kerner showed a student, then 15 or 16, pornography during a FaceTime call and masturbated during another FaceTime call, according to the report.

According to the report, they also sustained complaints that Kerner, who allowed students to “routinely hang out in (his) office,” once likened a student to a type of sex toy because of “how small she was,” said “she would be fun to be with (during sex)” and “physically massag(ed) her back.”

An investigator finding Kerner violated the agency’s unprofessional behavior policy concluded: “Officer Kerner engaging in criminal sexual conduct is unprofessional and is not a standard of a Coral Springs Police Officer.”

Kerner did not provide a statement during the investigation.

In Friday’s announcement, CSPD Chief Brad Mock called Kerner’s conduct “inexcusable.”

“Wearing this badge gives an officer authority, but it also places great responsibility on that officer to exercise good judgement and protect the trust placed in us,” Mock said. “That responsibility is especially important when an officer works with our youth.”

“Accountability matters. Transparency matters. We investigated these allegations, took immediate action, and now the investigation is closed. We will not hide from conduct that falls short of what this department and our community expects,” the statement continued.

Mock said that the “recognize(s) there may be others who have had similar experiences and never reported them.”

He said anyone with “information concerning inappropriate conduct involving Officer Kerner” is asked to call Sgt. Ernesto Bruna at 954-346-1234.

El departamento sustentó varias acusaciones contra el ex agente Raymond Kerner, cuatro de las cuales correspondían a la violación de la política interna de “incumplimiento de las leyes”. Esas leyes, según el reporte de asuntos internos de CSPD del 30 de julio, eran agresión, exhibición lasciva y obscena, mostrar material obsceno a menores y agresión sexual.

Aunque el reporte alega que Kerner infringió la ley, no enfrenta cargos penales; el reporte indica que los fiscales no pudieron proceder con ellos porque los presuntos incidentes quedaron fuera del plazo de prescripción. En un caso, una mujer dijo que no quería presentar cargos por una acusación de 2025, según el reporte.

CSPD anunció el viernes los resultados de la investigación sobre Kerner y anunció públicamente su “despido”. El departamento dijo que Kerner se desempeñó como agente de recursos escolares de tiempo completo en Taravella de 2013 a 2021, se jubiló en 2022 y luego regresó al departamento como agente de recursos escolares de temporada en Eagle Ridge Elementary.

Dijeron que la investigación interna sobre el agente comenzó después de reportes de “varias mujeres que describieron comportamiento inapropiado y conversaciones de naturaleza sexual” mientras prestaba servicio en Taravella. La policía dijo que fue relevado “inmediatamente” de sus funciones tras las acusaciones y que “ya no trabaja” para CSPD.

En un caso, Kerner fue acusado de tocar inapropiadamente a una ex estudiante de 21 años “y colocar dinero en efectivo dentro de su camisa”.

Los investigadores internos dijeron que también agredió sexualmente a una joven durante un paseo en bote en agosto de 2025. Según el documento de CSPD, la mujer dijo a los investigadores que “no quiere presentar cargos” y “no cree que el agente Kerner deba seguir trabajando en una escuela con mujeres jóvenes ni ser agente de policía”.

Los investigadores también sustentaron acusaciones de que Kerner mostró pornografía a una estudiante, que entonces tenía 15 o 16 años, durante una llamada de FaceTime y se masturbó durante otra llamada de FaceTime, según el reporte.

Según el reporte, también sustentaron denuncias de que Kerner, quien permitía que los estudiantes “pasaran tiempo habitualmente en su oficina”, en una ocasión comparó a una estudiante con un tipo de juguete sexual debido a “lo pequeña que era”, dijo que “sería divertido estar con ella durante el sexo” y “le masajeó físicamente la espalda”.

Un investigador que determinó que Kerner violó la política de conducta no profesional de la agencia concluyó: “Que el agente Kerner participe en conducta sexual delictiva es poco profesional y no corresponde a los estándares de un agente de policía de Coral Springs”.

Kerner no proporcionó una declaración durante la investigación.

En el anuncio del viernes, el jefe de CSPD, Brad Mock, calificó la conducta de Kerner de “inexcusable”.

“Portar esta placa le da autoridad a un agente, pero también le impone una gran responsabilidad de ejercer buen juicio y proteger la confianza depositada en nosotros”, dijo Mock. “Esa responsabilidad es especialmente importante cuando un agente trabaja con nuestros jóvenes”.

“La rendición de cuentas importa. La transparencia importa. Investigamos estas acusaciones, tomamos medidas inmediatas y ahora la investigación está cerrada. No ocultaremos conductas que no estén a la altura de lo que este departamento y nuestra comunidad esperan”, continuó el comunicado.

Mock dijo que el departamento “reconoce que puede haber otras personas que hayan tenido experiencias similares y nunca las hayan reportado”.

Dijo que cualquier persona con “información relacionada con conducta inapropiada que involucre al agente Kerner” debe llamar al sargento Ernesto Bruna al 954-346-1234.

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The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will study dark matter, distant galaxies and planets beyond our solar system. While scientists have found thousands of exoplanets, there is still no evidence that life exists anywhere other than Earth.

Scientists say some worlds could have conditions capable of supporting life, but they are far beyond human reach and have not been observed closely enough to determine whether life exists there.

The question becomes even more complicated when considering intelligent life. The Fermi paradox asks why, if intelligent civilizations could exist elsewhere in the vast universe, humanity has yet to detect clear signs of them.

Possible explanations range from civilizations destroying themselves to intelligent life choosing to remain hidden.

So, are humans alone in the universe? Scientists don’t yet have an answer. But as new telescopes and missions expand the search, the possibility of discovering signs of life remains one of science’s biggest unanswered questions.

Let us know what you think in the poll above or comment section below.

El Telescopio Espacial Nancy Grace Roman estudiará la materia oscura, galaxias distantes y planetas más allá de nuestro sistema solar. Aunque los científicos han encontrado miles de exoplanetas, todavía no hay evidencia de que exista vida en algún lugar aparte de la Tierra.

Los científicos dicen que algunos mundos podrían tener condiciones capaces de sustentar vida, pero están mucho más allá del alcance humano y no han sido observados lo suficientemente de cerca como para determinar si existe vida allí.

La pregunta se vuelve aún más complicada cuando se considera la vida inteligente. La paradoja de Fermi plantea por qué, si pudieran existir civilizaciones inteligentes en otras partes del vasto universo, la humanidad aún no ha detectado señales claras de ellas.

Las posibles explicaciones van desde civilizaciones que se destruyen a sí mismas hasta formas de vida inteligente que eligen permanecer ocultas.

Entonces, ¿estamos los seres humanos solos en el universo? Los científicos aún no tienen una respuesta. Pero a medida que nuevos telescopios y misiones amplían la búsqueda, la posibilidad de descubrir señales de vida sigue siendo una de las mayores preguntas sin respuesta de la ciencia.

Déjanos saber qué piensas en la encuesta de arriba o en la sección de comentarios a continuación.

La policía de Fort Lauderdale informó que arrestó al joven de 22 años después de una “disputa doméstica” a última hora de la mañana del viernes en el vecindario Riverside Park de la ciudad.

Las autoridades dijeron que los agentes acudieron a la cuadra 1400 de Southwest Fifth Court poco antes del mediodía y determinaron que Doherty “y una víctima femenina tuvieron una disputa física dentro de una residencia”.

La mujer no resultó herida, informó la policía. Doherty fue arrestado por un cargo menor de agresión doméstica.

En noviembre de 2025, la policía de Miami Beach arrestó a Doherty por cargos de drogas. Imágenes de una cámara corporal mostraron el arresto en South Beach.

En ese caso, los registros judiciales de Miami-Dade muestran que Doherty ingresó a un programa de procesamiento diferido.

En cuanto a su caso más reciente, Doherty permanecía detenido en la cárcel principal de Broward sin una fianza registrada hasta la noche del viernes, según muestran los registros en línea.

Stefano Cremasco-Cicero fue arrestado después de que la policía de Miami informara que agentes fueron enviados alrededor de las 4:47 a.m. del viernes a Solitair Brickell Apartments, ubicado en la cuadra 80 de Southwest Eighth Street, por una “solicitud desconocida de asistencia policial”, según el reporte.

Los agentes dijeron que encontraron a Cremasco-Cicero en el vestíbulo con sangre en sus zapatos, manos y ropa, indica el reporte. Según el reporte, dijo a los agentes: “Me estaba defendiendo”.

La policía identificó el viernes por la noche a la víctima como la madre de Cremasco-Cicero. Su edad e identidad aún no han sido divulgadas.

La policía dijo que cuando los agentes entraron al apartamento, vieron a una mujer detrás de la puerta de entrada. Dijeron que fue Cremasco-Cicero quien llamó al 911 después del apuñalamiento.

El reporte indica que ella estaba “acostada de lado en posición de recuperación, completamente vestida, cubierta de sangre” y presentaba múltiples heridas aparentes de arma blanca.

Equipos de Miami Fire Rescue acudieron al lugar y un teniente declaró muerta a la mujer alrededor de las 5:08 a.m., según el reporte.

El reporte indica que una testigo que había llegado al edificio para entregar comida encontró a Cremasco-Cicero en el vestíbulo. Según el reporte, él le abrió la puerta del vestíbulo desde adentro y le pidió ayuda.

Indica que la testigo dijo a la policía que Cremasco-Cicero le pidió que llamara al 911, aunque finalmente él mismo llamó al 911 y le entregó el teléfono para que pudiera proporcionar al operador la dirección del edificio.

Ella dijo a los investigadores que notó sangre en él mientras esperaban a la policía, según el reporte.

Después de la llamada, la testigo intentó devolverle el teléfono a Cremasco-Cicero, pero él se negó a recibirlo, indica el reporte. Más tarde, ella entregó el teléfono a los agentes que acudieron al lugar.

Los investigadores revisaron entonces las imágenes de vigilancia de las cámaras ubicadas dentro del vestíbulo y los ascensores del edificio, según el reporte.

El video mostró a Cremasco-Cicero entrando a un ascensor con la víctima y posteriormente regresando al edificio con ella alrededor de las 10:32 p.m. Ambos estaban solos en el ascensor, indica el reporte.

Alrededor de las 4:26 a.m., Cremasco-Cicero fue visto entrando a un ascensor con una camisa blanca, pantalones caqui y zapatos blancos con lo que parecía ser sangre, según el reporte. La policía dijo que también llevaba un cuchillo.

El reporte indica que Cremasco-Cicero salió del ascensor y dejó caer el cuchillo. Luego lo recogió, entró a otro ascensor y subió.

Los investigadores dijeron que posteriormente lo vieron entrar a un ascensor con una camisa diferente, azul y de manga larga. Dijeron que luego salió del edificio y caminó hacia el este por SW 8th Street mientras usaba su teléfono.

Alrededor de las 4:39 a.m., Cremasco-Cicero regresó al edificio y se sentó en un sofá del vestíbulo antes de hacer señas a la trabajadora de entrega de comida, indica el reporte. Llevaba los mismos zapatos blancos cubiertos de sangre que los investigadores recuperaron posteriormente en el vestíbulo, según los investigadores.

Las autoridades dijeron que personal de la escena del crimen fotografió a Cremasco-Cicero y recogió su ropa.

Según el reporte, tenía varias pequeñas laceraciones en las manos y residuos de sangre, y su ropa también tenía sangre consistente con la que se le vio usando en el video de vigilancia.

Posteriormente, detectives de la unidad de homicidios del Departamento de Policía de Miami ejecutaron una orden de registro en el apartamento. El reporte indica que los detectives encontraron varios cuchillos de cocina plateados con residuos de sangre, dos camisas blancas con salpicaduras de sangre, vidrios rotos y una botella de vino rota.

Los investigadores también encontraron dos pares de zapatos blancos cubiertos de sangre, un par de anteojos, un cargador de teléfono y un iPhone 17 naranja con una funda negra perteneciente a Cremasco-Cicero durante una inspección del vestíbulo, según el reporte.

El reporte indica que Cremasco-Cicero y su esposa han sido las únicas personas incluidas en el contrato de arrendamiento del apartamento desde el 23 de julio de 2024. También indica que tiene residencia en Miami mediante una visa de inversionista.

Alrededor de las 6:32 a.m., un detective contactó por teléfono celular a la esposa de Cremasco-Cicero, según el reporte. Ella dijo a los investigadores que estaba en Francia asistiendo a una boda.

La esposa dijo que la víctima estaba de visita desde México y se estaba hospedando con Cremasco-Cicero. También dijo a los detectives que Cremasco-Cicero y su madre tenían planes de cenar, según el reporte.

La esposa dijo a la policía que Cremasco-Cicero y su madre, quien estaba de visita desde México, no habían sido cercanos desde el divorcio de sus padres y que Cremasco-Cicero estaba bajo mucho estrés debido a la apertura de un nuevo restaurante en Coconut Grove, indica el reporte.

Un juez otorgó una orden de registro residencial para el apartamento, que posteriormente fue ejecutada por detectives de homicidios, según el reporte.

El reporte indica que las imágenes de vigilancia mostraron únicamente a Cremasco-Cicero entrando y saliendo de los ascensores alrededor de la hora del incidente. Los investigadores dijeron que las imágenes también fueron corroboradas por información del llavero electrónico del edificio.

Cremasco-Cicero invocó su derecho a un abogado, según el reporte. Fue arrestado y trasladado al Centro Correccional Turner Guilford Knight.

Residentes del edificio describieron una mañana aterradora.

“Fue súper aterrador”, dijo Zach Carson.

Carson dijo que regresó a su apartamento, cerró con llave la puerta del balcón y miró por la mirilla durante unos 10 minutos antes de bajar 47 pisos por las escaleras.

Otro residente de Brickell, Sebastian, dijo que estaba sorprendido por la presencia policial.

“Estaba conduciendo de un lado a otro por la calle. Veo policías, veo noticias y pienso, ¿qué está pasando?”, dijo. “Me siento horrible por lo que ocurrió, pero me gustaría tener más información”.

Hasta la mañana del sábado, Cremasco-Cicero permanecía detenido en TGK, donde su fianza figuraba como “por determinar”.

El motivo del apuñalamiento no está claro en este momento.