Vaccaro is seeking damages she says were caused by Hill, who has denied the allegations.

Jurors were shown video captured by a baby monitor inside the couple’s home that showed an argument between Hill and Vaccaro while their newborn baby was sleeping.

The two could be heard screaming and yelling profanities. At one point, Hill appeared to take the baby with him.

Local 10 News previously obtained video from the former couple’s Sunny Isles Beach home showing Hill holding their daughter during an argument and looking over the edge of a balcony.

The video was recorded during an April 2025 domestic dispute that prompted police to respond to the couple’s condominium. No arrests were made.

Vaccaro has accused Hill of multiple instances of physical and emotional abuse during their marriage.

Taking the stand Tuesday, Vaccaro said she endured abuse during the marriage and had remained silent about it.

“During this whole period of an 18-month marriage, it’s been a consistent two week on, two weeks off situation. Of course, we had our moments where it was beautiful, but the two weeks of when he goes back to this angry man, it’s bad,” she said. “It’s something I can’t live with, today. I can’t allow my daughter to see. I’m a new mom, obviously. I’ve endured a lot of abuse during this marriage, and I’ve been very silent.”

Christie Bright, Hill’s attorney, urged jurors to examine the allegations against the evidence presented in court.

“Those are very serious allegations, and they deserve to be treated seriously. But taking an allegation seriously doesn’t mean accepting it because it was made,” she said. “It means examining the evidence. It means comparing what someone said today, this week, in this courtroom, to what they said contemporaneous to when it was happening.”

The trial is expected to last about 10 days.

Michael Kotlikoff was Cornell's longest-serving provost before assuming the presidency on an interim basis in July 2024 and on a permanent basis last year.

In his second month in charge, dining and custodial workers walked off the job in a labor dispute that ended about two weeks later. Last fall, some faculty and students criticized Kotlikoff for agreeing to pay $60 million to end Trump administration civil rights investigations into the Ivy League school. And earlier this year, he defended himself from accusations that he tried to back his car into a group of demonstrators following a debate over Israel and Palestinian rights, saying he was the victim of harassment.

But it was the school’s handling of the investigation into the alleged gang rape at the Chi Phi fraternity house in October 2024, just a few months into his presidency, that threatens his leadership.

The Cornell faculty senate indicated that it plans to vote on a resolution of no confidence in the school's administrators. And at a Monday protest, students chanted and waved signs calling on Kotlikoff to resign or be fired and for fraternities to be banned.

“Throughout his administration, he’s refused to take accountability for anything that has happened,” said one of the protesters, sophomore Sophia Kong. “He does not represent us.”

Kotlikoff, 75, has come under scrutiny since the woman, identified in court documents only as Jane Doe, filed a lawsuit last month alleging she was sexually assaulted by multiple Chi Phi members two years ago after being pressured into drinking alcohol and taking drugs.

The woman reported the alleged assault to Cornell police in November 2024, three weeks after she said it occurred. Campus police investigated and sent a summary of their findings to the district attorney’s office, which relied on the information in deciding not to bring criminal charges. Separately, Cornell conducted a Title IX investigation.

Amid mounting outrage over the school’s handling of the case, Kotlikoff called the allegations “deeply disturbing” over the weekend. In an apologetic video, he also reaffirmed his commitment to supporting an independent review called for by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, who has assailed the campus police department for not fully conveying the woman’s story to prosecutors.

No criminal charges have been filed. The Chi Phi chapter was shut down, and the university has said it expelled some students and suspended others. The accused men have all either denied participating or said that the sex that took place was consensual.

Experts are divided on whether it's fair to criticize Kotlikoff

As some experts see it, Kotlikoff had limited options. Without criminal charges, only Cornell’s Title IX investigation continued. While the federal law is best known as a gamechanger for female college athletes, it also is supposed to protect sexual assault and harassment accusers. But it is packed with protections for the accused, including giving them the right to cross-examine their accuser. Most victims don't proceed, and when they do, lawsuits from the accuser and accused over the outcome of the proceedings are common.

There are also limits on the punishments schools can mete out, especially for bystanders, said Peter Lake, who directs a center focused on higher education law and policy at Stetson University College of Law in Florida.

If universities act too quickly, they risk a situation like what happened at Duke University two decades ago, when a woman falsely accused three lacrosse players of rape, he said. The players ultimately reached an undisclosed settlement with Duke, which had suspended them, canceled the team’s season and forced their coach to resign after the accusations were first made.

But some point to the role of university leadership in setting campus culture. Critics note that Cornell's fraternities have a history of problems, including hazing and sexual misconduct, and argue that more should have been done to set a better tone and educate students about consent.

“If you are the leader of that campus and this is part of your portfolio of what happens on your campus, it’s not like ‘Oh well that only affects the members of that fraternity and the women that they’re attempting to sleep with,’” said Jane Stapleton, co-founder of the Prevention Innovations Research Center at the University of New Hampshire. “That impacts the entire fabric of the culture of, ‘How do men respect women? How safe is it to be a woman?’”

Kotlikoff has discussed steps to address the case

Within a few weeks of the alleged assault, Kotlikoff issued a statement detailing the investigation and decrying the alleged behavior as “abhorrent.”

A task force on sexual assault that was launched afterward included recommendations such as improved education on Title IX and what it described as “sexual citizenship.” The report said that a 2025 survey found that 35% of undergraduate women and 8% of undergraduate men report experiencing sexual assault during their time at Cornell.

The extent of Cornell’s investigation has emerged in court records filed after one of the punished students sued the school. According to Cornell’s account, investigators conducted 50 interviews with 32 witnesses and gathered evidence that included witness accounts, electronic communications and social media messages. The process ultimately led to a disciplinary hearing that stretched over 12 days.

Kotlikoff has called for a “serious look” at Greek life, but the end of fraternities on campus is not being considered. Instead, Kotlikoff said Cornell would engage students, alumni and others in examining how to preserve the benefits of Greek life while strengthening accountability and transparency.

Not every president survives such situations

A little over a decade ago, former Baylor University President Ken Starr, best known for the probe that led to Bill Clinton’s presidential impeachment, lost his job amid allegations that the Texas Baptist school mishandled several cases in which football players were accused of attacking women. In 2021, Oregon State trustees accepted the resignation of university president F. King Alexander, concluding he was unable to rebuild trust at the school because of his role in the mishandling of sexual misconduct cases during his previous tenure at Louisiana State University.

More recently, Columbia University President Minouche Shafik was among several U.S. college leaders to resign under pressure for the handling of protests over the war in Gaza.

Soham Bera, a Cornell sophomore, said students have “incredibly low faith” in the university leadership.

“Now, with all this news, with all the attention, we can finally make change,” he said at Monday’s protest.

Lili Rose Mas, a junior who was also calling for Kotlikoff to step down, said she was encouraged by the number of students who joined the protest.

“It makes me have more faith in humanity,” Mas said. “I truly think that Gen Z might be the generation that changes the world, because, like, these old people in the admin are not doing anything, but all the students here care about this.” ___ Hollingsworth reported from Mission, Kansas. The Associated Press’ education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

She started a petition on Sept. 26, one day after a teen was found unresponsive inside a slide at the playground.

“From day one we were like how is this ok how is this safe,” said Marche. “They reopened it literally the next day, which I thought was odd.”

What she didn’t know at the time were the specifics, that Miami mother Estefanía Valladares says her 13-year-old son Olvin Cabreras Valladares was allegedly strangled to death by his shirt collar after it became caught on a loose screw inside the slide.

“I can’t believe they reopened the slide right after, its insane,” said Shenandoah resident Linet Del Sol.

The city has not confirmed Valladares’ account, but Del Sol provided a photo and said her eight year old daughter’s leggings tore on that same slide over the summer.

“She said mom look, and she said it was caught in the screw,” said Del Sol.

On Monday, Local 10 News reached out to Miami Mayor Eileen Higgins, Miami Commissioner Rolando Escalona and the city’s Parks and Recreation Department for a comment or an interview.

Tuesday, the city sent an updated statement, which read:

“Our deepest condolences are with the child’s family and loved ones. This matter is under active investigation, and the City is working diligently to gather all the facts and bring closure to the family. To protect the integrity of that process, we are unable to comment further at this time.”

City of Miami Communications Director Helena Poleo

Escalona is the commissioner of Miami’s District 3, where the park is located.

He also responded Tuesday with a statement in which he calls for a “thorough review” of what happened while requesting a “review of equipment across city of Miami parks.”

“Our thoughts are with the family during this difficult time. We want to be mindful of what they are going through and approach this matter with care and respect.

“While this incident remains under investigation, we have asked the City administration to conduct a thorough review of the incident at Shenandoah Park. We have also requested that the administration review playground equipment across City of Miami parks. We will continue to follow the review closely as more information becomes available.”

Office of Miami Commissioner Rolando Escalona

A park supervisor also referred Local 10 News to a city spokesperson for answers to questions about complaints or inspections.

“This is a child’s life, they should definitely be more communicative,” said Marche

The city’s parks and recreation safety handbook includes accident investigation guidelines and suggests watching for “exposed hardware” and “routine maintenance” as safety tips.

It’s unclear what sort of maintenance or inspections were conducted before or after the incident.

“That is definitely not something you can check just from the outside,” said Del Sol.

Armando Lopez, 53, of Key Largo, failed to show for his trial on several felonies related to the theft and carjacking at the Plantation Key courthouse in Islamorada on Friday; he was convicted on nearly a dozen counts.

In December 2024, deputies said Lopez, then 52, brutally beat a woman in a domestic violence incident, fought with an MCSO sergeant trying to arrest him, then stole his cruiser and drove away.

Deputies said he then stopped a woman and carjacked her SUV, later wrecking it on U.S. 1 after a high-speed chase.

Video obtained by Local 10 News showed the wild chain of events.

Monroe County Sheriff’s Office detectives tracked Lopez to the Texas-Mexico border area and U.S. Marshals found him in Mexico, MCSO spokesperson Adam Linhardt said on Tuesday.

“Thank you to the hardworking men and women of the Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Marshals Service, and all of our law enforcement partners for getting this dangerous criminal off the streets,” Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay said in a statement.

It wasn’t immediately clear whether Lopez would face additional charges for fleeing the country. He is staring down a possible life sentence after his trial conviction.

Missouri staff initially detected an issue with Jones' heart over the summer during freshman intake testing, an emotional Drinkwitz said at a news conference in Columbia, Missouri.

The team's medical staff sought out a second opinion with the Mayo Clinic when they weren't getting a resolution or answers after two weeks of observation.

Doctors at the Mayo Clinic detected a much more serious heart problem, Drinkwitz said. The coaching staff was told last week that Jones needs a transplant.

“We found out that Johnnie's now on a heart transplant list, and he's in Mayo, and it's tough right now. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family as they go through this,” Drinkwitz said. “You’re just not prepared for that kind of news. Our team wasn’t prepared for that kind of news. We’re praying for him.”

The seventh-year coach asked Mizzou fans to join in that prayer, saying the 18-year-old “needs help in a hurry.”

Drinkwitz first referenced Jones during his postgame interview after Missouri's win over Florida on Saturday. He explained Tuesday that he knew Jones was watching the game, which moved the Tigers to No. 14 in the AP Top 25.

Jones is receiving care in his home state. He graduated from Venice High School on Florida's Gulf Coast and signed with Missouri as a four-star recruit.

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Saint, whose acting work lasted well into her 90s, died at her home in Los Angeles on Tuesday, confirmed family representative Jeff Sanderson.

Saint had one of the most spectacular debuts in Hollywood history, as the love interest of Marlon Brando’s tormented Terry Malloy in “On the Waterfront,” and her first trip to the Academy Awards was memorable too. Pregnant with her first child, Saint accepted her Oscar from Frank Sinatra and smilingly murmured a unique winner's speech: “I think I may have the baby right here.” (Her son, Darrell, was born two days later.)

The award for the 1954 classic made her an instant star, but she soon astonished Hollywood with a firm independence that would mark her career. She refused offers of studio contracts and declined chances to follow up on her great success, explaining that she was taking time off to become acquainted with her new son. (A daughter, Laurette, was born in 1958.)

A curated career

In her first decade in Hollywood, Saint appeared in a mere seven films. She declined such top-level productions as “The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit” with Gregory Peck, “Summer and Smoke” with Laurence Harvey and “The Rainmaker” with Burt Lancaster. She credited her husband, TV and stage director Jeffrey Hayden, with persuading her to star in Hitchcock’s “North by Northwest,” the classic 1959 thriller in which Saint plays a spy who seduces Grant, but ends up falling for him.

“I vividly remember him saying, ‘Honey, I think you should find a quiet spot. I’ll take care of the children and I want you to really think about this and reread this script,’” she told Vanity Fair in 2014. “He was so right. And that’s what husbands are for.”

Instead of being put off by her selectivity, studios continued offering her starring roles in such films as “Exodus” (with Newman), “Raintree County” (Elizabeth Taylor, Montgomery Clift) and “All Fall Down,” with Warren Beatty.

She turned more to television in the 1970s and enjoyed renewed popularity in the 1980s as the mother of Cybill Shepherd in the hit sitcom “Moonlighting” and as Tom Hanks’ mother in the film comedy “Nothing in Common.” She won an Emmy for the 1990 miniseries “People Like Us,” and had roles in such 21st century movies as “Because of Winn-Dixie,” “Superman Returns” and “Winter’s Tale,” adapted from Mark Helprin's novel of the same name. In 2021, she played Marisa Tomei's aunt in the brief audio play “The Bus Ride,” part of “The Pack Podcast.”

Saint was married to Hayden for 55 years, until his death in 2016.

That was her real name

When Saint emerged in the public consciousness, many believed her theatrical-sounding name must have been invented. She was born with it on July 4, 1924, in Newark, New Jersey. The family moved to Delmar, a small town near Albany, New York, where her father was a Goodrich Rubber Co. manager. Eva's goal was to become a third-grade teacher like her mother, but at Bowling Green State University in Ohio she tried out for a play and won the leading role.

After graduation she lived with her parents in Flushing, Long Island, and began hunting for acting jobs in Manhattan. After a fruitless year, she landed a two-line role as a telephone operator on a radio drama and soon was working steadily on soap operas and nighttime dramas, appearing for two years as Claudia on “One Man's Family.” Network television was booming in the early 1950s, and her looks and dramatic sense made her a favorite with casting people and producers.

She credited Lee Strasberg with helping her overcome shyness

A critical turn in Saint's career came when she auditioned before Elia Kazan and was accepted into the Actors Studio, which shaped a generation of method-actor stars. She credited acting coach Lee Strasberg with helping her overcome her shyness.

“Lee Strasberg, when he got to know me a little bit, gave me a scene to do where I had to cry in front of my peers,” she told The Santa Barbara Independent in 2009. “I worried about it, I worked on it, I tried to use what I was learning at the studio. I finally did the scene, and I cried, and my peers were crying with me. It was just an incredible moment for me.”

Saint was rejected for the single female role in the play “Mister Roberts,” but was hired to understudy the actor chosen, Jocelyn Brando, Marlon's sister. In six frustrating months Saint never got to substitute for Brando. She finally made it to Broadway in “A Trip to Bountiful,” which she had played on television.

Kazan invited her to try out for the female lead in “On the Waterfront” by improvising a scene with Brando. She was told to try to stop a young man from entering her apartment. She told the Los Angeles Times in 2001: “All I know is that Marlon got in the door and turned on the music. We started dancing. He flicked my skirt. Kazan saw the sparks fly, and that's how I got the part.”

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Thomas, a former Associated Press Hollywood correspondent who died in 2014, was the primary writer of this obituary.

They are often debilitating and repeatedly overlooked and dismissed.

When these conditions are accurately identified, though, they are highly treatable.

Local 10’s Kristy Kreuger full Good Health report can be seen at the top of this page.

“As the Florida Office of Statewide Prosecution proceeds with an investigation of members of the Broward County Commission and county government, it would not be prudent for me or members of my staff to engage in discretionary budget negotiations with the Commission while that investigation remains active,” Tony said in part in a statement on Monday.

According to the South Florida Sun Sentinel, the investigation pertains to consultant contracts over commissioners’ move to retake the fire department from BSO and to study taking airport and port policing in-house and out of Tony’s purview.

The newspaper reported that during a mid-September news conference, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier would not elaborate further on the probe or whether any crime was alleged.

“This decision is to protect the people of Broward County from unnecessary disruption, uncertainty, or questions about whether budget discussions could be influenced by the investigation,” Tony said in the statement. “It is not a judgment about the investigation’s outcome.”

During a commission meeting Tuesday, Broward County Mayor Mark Bogen was fired up while addressing Tony and BSO’s $850 million budget.

“Let us audit your budget, sheriff,” Bogen said. “Stop bullying us, stop doing your ridiculous disparaging videos.”

Tony has not been to a commission meeting in person in several months. Bogen added that the county passed a new budget last week.

“As far as I’m concerned, sheriff, you’re not negotiating, you’re not showing up to meetings,” said Bogen.

Other commissioners also weighed in on Tuesday, with some questioning the spending within BSO.

“The sheriff is not the one building spas and guided toilets and workout centers, that’s coming from leadership in the sheriff’s office,” said Commissioner Michael Udine.

The rescue happened at C.B. Smith Park in Pembroke Pines, where Jahmil Lewis and his friend, Jayson Gerrado, were spending time with friends when they saw the woman drive into the lake.

Gerrado said he knew there was little time to act as the water rose around the submerged vehicle.

“I just said a quick prayer, ‘Please God, don’t let there be any alligators,’” Gerrado said.

The men entered the water and reached the vehicle as it became completely submerged. One of them was able to open a back door, allowing the woman to free herself from her seat belt.

As they pulled her from the car, the door nearly closed on Gerrado’s leg.

The rescue happened months ago, but video of the incident was posted on social media Tuesday and quickly went viral, prompting renewed attention to the two men’s actions.

The woman’s son later spoke with the rescuers over FaceTime and called them angels.

“My mom loves them,” he said. “She talks about them all the time. She prays for them all the time.”

The rescue has also led to a lasting friendship between the Good Samaritans and the woman’s family.

The woman’s son said the incident serves as a reminder that strangers are still willing to put themselves at risk to help others.

“We’re still one big community,” he said.

The National Hurricane Center is forecasting that the system will strengthen into a hurricane over the next couple of days.

It will likely bring impacts to the Florida Panhandle and parts of the northern Gulf Coast by the end of the week.

Roberts said the move was a one-game adjustment to give the Dodgers a different look against Braves left-hander Chris Sale.

When Sale shut out Yoshinobu Yamamoto and the Dodgers 1-0 on Aug. 26, Ohtani was 0 for 4 with two strikeouts. For his career, Ohtani is 3 for 15 with no homers and 1 RBI against Sale.

With the best-of-five series tied 1-1, Roberts has Mookie Betts hitting leadoff and Freddie Freeman hitting second on Tuesday night. The No. 5 spot is the lowest Ohtani has hit since 2020 with the Angels.

“We all understand that Sale’s gonna be tough,” Roberts said. “But the guys I feel at the top have a good chance to get on base, and I do think that there’s going to be opportunities where the game, the situation, bleeds into Shohei’s at-bat.”

Ohtani, who hits from the left side, batted second in the Braves' 3-2 win at Los Angeles to tie the series on Sunday night.

Roberts said he discussed the lineup move with Ohtani on Monday night and said the four-time MVP “completely understood.”

Roberts also said: "Ohtani said, 'I was going to come to you in September and say, why don’t you hit me seventh?' My point being, he wants to do whatever will help the team. So I feel good about this today. And it’s nothing as a sign of what’s more to come. It’s just for today specifically.”

Ohtani hit .275 with 30 homers and 81 RBIs in the regular season. He had two hits with two strikeouts in eight at-bats in the first two games of the series.

Ohtani played in the final five games of the regular season after coming off a two-week stint on the injured list with nagging right biceps and left knee issues. He went 5 for 21 with an extra-base hit, eight strikeouts and a walk over the final five games.

Roberts acknowledged Ohtani has been chasing pitches as he attempts to find his stroke and will continue to see pitches off the plate “until he shows some restraint.”

Roberts said he does not expect Ohtani to hit fifth in Wednesday's Game 4 against Braves right-hander Tyler Mahle.

“I just feel this gives us the best chance to beat the Braves today and combat Sale, to combat what they’re going to throw after Sale,” Roberts said. “And I feel good about it.”

Roberts said the lineup move is “not a lack of confidence in any player. It’s more of what I feel gives us the best chance to win today. And then that’s, in a short series, that’s the mindset that everyone has to have.”

Ohtani isn't the only high-profile hitter who has struggled in the series and the postseason.

Braves slugger Ronald Acuña Jr. is 3 for 18 in the postseason with no homers and is 2 for 9 in the first two games of the series. Atlanta manager Walt Weiss hasn't moved Acuña from his No. 2 spot in the lineup, but he slid Acuña from right field to designated hitter in a late lineup change. Lane Thomas entered the lineup in right field.

“I just think it’s the ebbs and flows of a season where guys get hot and cold,” Weiss said Tuesday of Acuña's slump. "And the same thing happens in the postseason. He’s one of those guys that’s one swing away from doing something really spectacular. So I don’t try to overthink it too much. It’s going to happen at some point."

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See AP’s full MLB coverage here

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said he would be talking with Putin about the case “very soon.” Health authorities are investigating after the death of an employee at an anti-plague institute, which authorities attributed to pneumonia with an unknown cause.

Asked what the U.S. intelligence community was saying about the case, Trump said the U.S. is in “very deep discussions” on the topic. “We’ll be able to report about it, probably tomorrow,” Trump said.

The World Health Organization on Tuesday said the case presents a “very low” risk outside Russia. The United Nations agency said it was in contact with Russian authorities following reports of the death last week of a woman who worked at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute of Siberia and the Far East.

On Monday, Trump said the U.S. would be willing to help Russia with the situation. “It’s a rough disease. You know, that’s a disease we used to be able to control, but somehow those microbes have gotten stronger and smarter. They’re like an army,” Trump told reporters at the White House.

The call also comes as the Trump administration faces an Oct. 18 deadline to decide which Russian entities, if any, it will sanction under the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, which Trump signed into law on Sept. 18.

Ukraine has given the administration and Congress a wish list of Russian companies, vessels and individuals it would like to see hit with U.S. sanctions under that law.

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AP writer Collin Binkley contributed to this report.

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The next name on the list is Isaias (pronounced ees-ah-EE-ahs).

While the exact details and nature of the threat later this week still need to be ironed out, the odds of a stronger and more coherent tropical system continue to rise and interests from Louisiana through Florida’s Big Bend should check back frequently on the forecasts this week.

At a minimum, a heavy rain and flash flood threat is all but baked in across a wide swath of the northern Gulf and into the Deep South, where double-digit rainfall totals are possible later this week and into the upcoming holiday weekend.

For now, the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center (WPC) is forecasting a slight risk of flash flooding (flood threat level 2 of 4) for most of the southeast U.S. from North Florida westward to Louisiana this weekend.

It wouldn’t be surprising to see these flood threat levels increase for areas closer to the coast as confidence in the forecast grows tomorrow and Thursday.

92L’s early clues

Invest 92L had a healthy collection of showers and thunderstorms wrapping around its developing center early Tuesday as it organized only about 100 miles east of Tampico, Mexico, over the southwestern Gulf.

A buoy located about 125 miles east of 92L’s estimated center found lowering pressures down to about 1008 millibars Tuesday morning, a meaningful fall relative to surrounding stations and an indication that 92L is becoming better organized.

As we discussed in Monday’s newsletter, this early organization is critical to the system’s future, with a better-formed and stronger system over the next few days feeling the tug of higher-up jet stream winds which would whisk it farther northeast (toward Alabama or Florida rather than Louisiana) and position it in a more conducive environment for continued strengthening.

This is generally what the AI models have been advertising, with Google DeepMind’s ensemble system continuing to favor a stronger track toward South Alabama or the western Florida Panhandle.

On the other hand, the traditional physics-based European model keeps 92L (future Isaias?) weaker initially, which takes it on a slower track northward toward Louisiana, battling a less conducive configuration of upper-level winds on approach to the northern Gulf in the vicinity of southern Louisiana by this weekend.

Will we see a hurricane threat to the northern Gulf later this week?

It’s certainly possible that 92L clears the bar and becomes the first hurricane (and latest first hurricane on record) of the Atlantic hurricane season as it approaches the northern Gulf Coast later this week.

While at the pre-genesis stage – that is before a bona fide tropical depression or tropical storm has formed – we should take intensity guidance with a healthy dose of skepticism, our most reliable consensus aids – those like HCCA (the HFIP Corrected Consensus Approach) that blend our best-performing models and correct for their biases – suggest this is at least a borderline hurricane by Friday as it closes in on the northern Gulf.

It’s worth noting that the early morning cycle of Google’s DeepMind 1,000-member ensemble put the odds of 92L peaking as a hurricane at north of 80%, with about 40% of the ensembles climbing to Category 3 or stronger (see earlier plot). As we’ve discussed in previous newsletters, we should be a little wary of DeepMind’s intensity guidance before we have a defined depression or storm, but it’s a noticeable uptick from earlier cycles from one of our better performing models.

That said, by the time the system reaches the coast, it could be feeling the toll of strong jet stream winds advancing quickly from the west which might weaken it as it moves ashore but would also act to widen the heavy rainfall footprint and flood threat well inland across the southern U.S.

We’ll also need to monitor for the possibility of severe weather (severe thunderstorms and tornadoes) later this week into this weekend along the northern Gulf.

Bottom line

Based on current trends, there’s a growing threat of a strong tropical storm or hurricane approaching the north-central or northeast Gulf Coast from Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle by Friday into the weekend.

It’s too early to know how strong the system will be once it moves ashore, but model guidance right now ranges from a tropical storm to a low-end hurricane.

Regardless of development, a widespread heavy rain event will accompany the system across much of the southeast U.S. this weekend, with especially high rainfall totals nearing or eclipsing double digits along and to the east of where the system moves inland. The heaviest rain should begin in earnest for coastal areas on Friday and extend inland through the weekend.

In the short-term, we’ll be watching to see how organized 92L gets over the next 24 to 36 hours, with faster organization favoring a stronger storm a little farther east later this week.

Michael Padrino, Gladys Machado’s lone surviving child, wept from the witness stand as he addressed his family’s killer in court. His testimony brought many people in the courtroom to tears, including several jurors.

“We were supposed to have more time together, more birthdays, more holidays,” he said. “Sitting around doing nothing, those were the best times.”

Padrino, now 19, was 5 years old when his stepfather, Sierra, brutally killed Machado, 29, and his sisters: Julia, 6, and Daniela, 3.

Padrino was unharmed because he was with his great-grandmother that day.

“They were going to be amazing people. They had so much life ahead of them,” Padrino said. “Maybe they would have changed the world. Maybe they would love just lived normal lives and been happy, but we will never find out now and that is something I have to live with.”

FULL VIDEO: Michael Padrino gives victim impact statement

He later added, “There are so many things I would tell them if I could, so many things I would say different. I would tell my mom thank you for everything she did for us, and I would tell Julia to remember how smart she was and how she made sure everyone knew it, and I would tell Daniela I still remember her exactly as she was. I would tell them all that I love them, and I wish I had the chance to say it more while they were all here.”

Turning to Sierra, Padrino said, “And you, you took them. You know you did.”

After a brief break, several jurors returned to the jury box in tears and the prosecutor rested the state’s case after a series of emotional victim impact statements, including one from the girls’ father, Michael Padrino Sr.

“I am writing because my daughters no longer have a voice in this world. Their lives, their childhood, their innocence, their chance of life to grow, and every year they were supposed to live were taken from them,” Padrino Sr. said. “For 14 years, I have carried a pain no parent should ever have to live with.

“Julia was smart, sweet and loving. She always had a big smile on her face. She loved to stay with me when we had our days together. Daniela was always happy and playful, always laughing and just full of life. They were both always playful and sweet. They will always live in my heart.”

Gladys Machado’s best friend, Shannon Castro, also spoke.

“Mikey deserved to have his mother and sisters beside him,” Castro said. “Nothing (can) bring back the pain they carry, but I hope by speaking about who they were, their lives will never be forgotten.”

Sierra’s defense team is set to start their case on Wednesday.

There were 37 high school students, the bus driver and the bus driver’s daughter inside the bus when the chain-reaction crash happened.

A 16-year-old student on the bus and another driver involved were killed.

Video shows the school bus traveling on a two-lane road when a driver of a white Chevrolet Malibu is seen crossing over the double yellow line, running into the back wheels of the bus.

The impact caused the bus to veer into the other lane, slamming into a Jeep head-on before flipping into a ditch.

Community members are calling the bus driver a hero after she was initially pinned in her seat, but figuring out a way to escape in order to help the students on the bus.

Investigators have identified the driver of the Malibu as Maria Jimenez, 23, a nursing student.

The sheriff says she was not speeding nor on her phone at the time of the crash.

The driver of the Jeep has been identified as DeShawn Smith, who was on his way to work when the bus hit him head-on, killing him.

The student who died has been identified as tenth-grade student Adinaluz Oyola.

Of the 35 people who were taken to the hospital, three students remain hospitalized.

They are all expected to be okay.

As for the driver who was responsible for the crash, the sheriff said she will likely face potential traffic citations and/or civil charges, but no criminal charges.

In a marriage of two massive Hollywood portfolios, Paramount’s $81 billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery closed Tuesday, uniting everything from cartoons featuring Bugs Bunny and SpongeBob Squarepants to news delivered by Anderson Cooper and Gayle King.

The resulting company, a behemoth now known as Skydance, reshapes the media world. Here’s what the deal may mean for streaming, movies, news and more:

Streamers HBO Max and Paramount+ now under same umbrella

Skydance brings Paramount+ together with HBO Max with plans to unify its streaming products “into a single service over time.” What this would be called and how it might affect consumer costs and choices remains unknown. David Ellison, the architect of the deal and the company’s CEO, has suggested HBO could still have some level of independence.

“Our viewpoint is, HBO should stay HBO,” Ellison said earlier this year. “They built a phenomenal brand, they are a leader in this space and we just want them to continue doing more of it. But by bringing the platforms together, all of our content will be able to reach even a broader audience than we can do standalone.”

Paramount also has acquired Warner’s smaller Discovery+ streamer, joining Paramount+, Pluto TV and BET+.

Critics have expressed skepticism about how consumers might benefit, warning that already rising subscription fees could spike as the conglomerate meets payments on the billions of dollars in debt Ellison took on to finance the deal.

What’s not in dispute is the size of the resulting library of content. Paramount+ and HBO Max alone add up to roughly 14% of the U.S. streaming market, comparable to rival Disney+, but still behind Amazon Prime at 17% and Netflix at 19%, according to the streaming guide JustWatch. It pairs movie franchises like “Mission: Impossible” with “Lord of the Rings,” television hits from “I Love Lucy” to “Friends,” and personalities ranging from Guy Fieri to RuPaul.

Don’t expect a “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives Drag Race” anytime soon, but with so many properties combining forces, there is potential for all kinds of crossover.

Hollywood consolidates even more, shrinking to 4 big studios

Paramount and Warner Bros. are two of Hollywood’s oldest studios. Their merger means fewer companies control legacy film production.

Under a settlement reached last month with 12 states, the combined company has agreed to distribute 30 films in theaters each year for the next two years — and 32 films each year for three years after that. The fine print notes that only 50% of those movies would have to be “produced or jointly produced” by the combined company. Skydance also agreed to increase spending on film production in the U.S. by at least $1.5 billion over the next five years.

Still, many have expressed worry about what further consolidation could mean for jobs and which projects are greenlit down the road. Regulatory filings have indicated that the new ownership will be looking for ways to cut costs — including layoffs and downsizing some overlapping operations.

Hollywood’s big six shrank to five when Disney bought most of 20th Century Fox in a deal finalized in 2019. Now it's a big four: Skydance, Disney, Universal and Sony.

The deal joins news giants CNN and CBS and some worry about interference

The deal also puts news giants CNN and CBS under the same ownership, a concern among many journalists given the Ellison family's close relationship with President Donald Trump.

CBS News has taken steps to appeal to more conservative viewers since Ellison installed Free Press founder Bari Weiss as editor-in-chief. At “60 Minutes,” the new management brought heaps of turmoil, with the firings of its executive producer and three veteran correspondents, who have claimed that Weiss sought changes to news reports that appeared to be driven by politics.

Trump, who has attacked the reporting of both networks as “fake news,” said Tuesday that he's happy the merger closed, and that Skydance is “going to be a great company.”

Foreign investors poised to hold sizable indirect ownership stakes are also in the spotlight. The FCC cleared Paramount’s request for sovereign funds from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates to indirectly own nearly 50% of the combined company’s equity interests, and potentially up to 100% through future investments, but no voting rights.

Ellison has said editorial independence will be maintained at CNN. The combined company is retaining Mark Thompson as CNN’s editor-in-chief, and has agreed to form a “News Editorial Independence Board.”

Skydance’s corporate board of directors will choose who sits on this new body.

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Grantham-Philips reported from Chicago.

The marathon batch of Nations League matches ended Tuesday with Merino — a star off the bench so many times for Spain in recent years — powering home an 88th-minute strike to complete the world champions’ stirring recovery in a 2-1 win in Split.

The Arsenal midfielder had already equalized in the 61st minute after entering as a halftime substitute, with Spain trailing to a goal by veteran midfielder Ivan Perišić. That marked the first time the Spanish had conceded the first goal in a match since the European Championship in 2024.

Kane’s double in England’s 3-0 win over Czechia came on his record-tying 125th appearance for his country. It took him to 91 international goals, extending an outright England record.

“It was the perfect night for me personally and also the team,” said the Bayern Munich striker, who is among the favorites for the Ballon d'Or being awarded on Oct. 26.

Spain joined Portugal as the only teams to win all four of their group games in the Nations League over the last two weeks and has confirmed its place in the competition's quarterfinals taking place in March.

England's only dropped points in that period? They came in a loss to Spain.

Merino gets Spain out of trouble again

Time and again, Merino delivers off the bench for his country.

At the recent World Cup, he netted a stoppage-time winner over Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal in the round of 16 and then in the 88th minute to see off Belgium in the quarterfinals a few days later.

Two years earlier, Spain's progress to the Euro 2024 title included a win over Germany in the quarterfinals sealed by Merino's 119th-minute winner.

On Tuesday, there he was again, dancing around the corner flag — to mimic his father Miguel's goalscoring celebration from the early 1990s — after coming to Spain's rescue against Croatia.

“He understands these moments in a match so well,” Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said. “He’s got that gift for goals and important ones, too.”

His first goal was a lovely sidefooted finish after Merino received a short pass in the area from Dani Olmo. The second, scored when Croatia was down to 10 men after Perišić's sending-off for two yellow cards, was a rising shot that flew into the roof of the net.

Spain is now undefeated in 42 matches dating back to a loss to Colombia in March 2024 and is still setting the standard in world soccer.

Kane ‘the best England player to ever wear the shirt,’ says Bellingham

England coach Thomas Tuchel said this week he was running out of superlatives for Kane, and the striker's teammates think the same.

“There’s not much more you can say that hasn’t already been said," England star Jude Bellingham said after Kane inspired the team to a third straight win and the brink of the Nations League quarterfinals.

“He is the best England player to ever wear the shirt and it is an honor to play with him."

Kane, who moved level with former goalkeeper Peter Shilton on the list of most caps won for England’s men’s team, swept home a close-range finish in the 40th minute and headed home at a corner in the 57th to push to 91 England goals.

Before that, it was Kane who sent in the cross that Czechia right back Vladimir Coufal turned into his own net to put England ahead.

Kane can break the appearance record when England plays Croatia on Nov. 12, also at Wembley.

“He will inspire loads and loads of young people to play football and encourage people to have a career like him and try their luck,” Tuchel said. “He’s a fantastic role model and he deserves the praise.”

Four straight wins for Switzerland

Another team on maximum points is Switzerland, which beat North Macedonia 3-0 in the second-tier League B thanks to goals by Fabian Rieder, Johan Manzambi and Dan Ndoye in Lucerne.

The Swiss, quarterfinalists at the World Cup and one of Europe's most consistent soccer nations, are heading for promotion back to the top level of the competition.

Things look much bleaker for Scotland, though, after a 2-1 home loss to Slovenia that ended with boos from supporters at Hampden Park.

Sebastien Pocognoli has picked up four points from a possible 12 in his first camp as Scotland coach after replacing Steve Clarke.

While Scotland's other home loss in this international window — 3-0 to the Swiss — can be attributed to a quality opponent and an early red card, this latest defeat will raise more questions — especially after the hosts went ahead thanks to Ryan Christie’s close-range goal.

Aljosa Matko and Danijel Sturm scored in the second half for Slovenia.

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See AP’s full soccer coverage here

Miami Fire Rescue personnel responded shortly before 2 p.m. to the fire along Southwest 14 Street, between 27 and 29 avenues, in the Little Havana neighborhood.

The cause of the fire was under investigation, according to MFR personnel.

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

Related social media post

‼️At 1:57 pm, MFR responded to a car fire next to a home. Fire was quickly extinguished and prevented from extending to the residence. One female was taken to hospital for precaution with minor smoke inhalation‼️#miami #carfire #fire pic.twitter.com/qOdQF2oxe3

— Miami Fire-Rescue (@CityofMiamiFire) October 6, 2026

Paul Simon sang about going there to ease an aching heart in 1986 on a Grammy-winning album titled, well, “Graceland." A year later, Philadelphia punk band The Dead Milkmen wrote their own song about a trip to Graceland that was decidedly less reverent, with lyrics like, “Goin’ to Graceland/It’s gonna be fun/We’ll get to see all Elvis’s guns.”

Maybe Graceland is all things to all people.

Elvis bought the large Classical revival home on about 14 acres of farmland in 1957, moving in with his mother, father and grandmother. Later came his wife Priscilla and then daughter Lisa Marie. From the beginning, the home was accessible to the public, right there on Highway 51 South, now known as Elvis Presley Boulevard. The distinctive wrought-iron gates decorated with musical notes and guitar players resembling Elvis are pretty much a giveaway.

Bruce Springsteen tells a story of jumping over the wall in the 1970s in hopes of meeting Elvis. He wasn't home at the time, but if he had been, he might have allowed the visit. Elvis was known to watch for fans on the security cameras and go down to the gates to sign autographs.

When Elvis died at Graceland in 1977, mourners lined up outside the walls in a spontaneous vigil. They came back the next year and the next. After the home was opened to tours in 1982, they were finally able to enter the gates and file past Elvis' grave.

Yes, Elvis is buried at Graceland — right in the yard — along with his parents, grandmother, daughter and grandson.

Today we take Graceland as a pilgrimage site for granted, but stepping back for a second it seems rather odd. The homes of most other celebrities aren’t thronged by adoring fans, certainly not half a century after their deaths. Maybe it's the way Elvis' mythology is so entwined with his Memphis house?

"Such a strong association between a man and his home is unique and unprecedented in the 20th century" is the way a 2006 application for National Historic Landmark status put it. (Spoiler alert: They got it.)

Then there's the name: Graceland.

Although Elvis didn't name the house himself, it's hard to imagine his legacy would be the same if he had lived at “Presleyland,” or that Paul Simon would have waxed poetic about going to “The Elvis Mansion.”

As Simon so aptly put it: ”I’ve reason to believe we all will be received in Graceland.”

___

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

The club announced Tuesday that Tyrone Mears is out as head coach of its women’s professional team, effective immediately.

A club spokesperson said Paul Jennison will take over as interim head coach for the remainder of the season.

“We want to thank Tyrone for his passion, dedication and commitment to Fort Lauderdale United FC,” said Aly Hassan, General Manager of Fort Lauderdale United FC. “He has invested a great deal in our players and our organization, and we appreciate his contributions to the club. We wish Tyrone nothing but the best moving forward. Paul Jennison will step in as interim head coach as we continue to focus on the remainder of the season.”

Mears joined the club ahead of its inaugural season and led Fort Lauderdale United FC to the Gainbridge Super League Final in 2025.

Club founder and chairman Tommy Smith also thanked Mears for his time with the organization.

“We appreciate everything Tyrone has given to Fort Lauderdale United FC and wish him success in his next chapter,” Smith said. “As an organization, we are committed to building a club that consistently competes at develops talent at the highest level. That commitment to excellence drives every decision we make, and our focus remains on putting our players, staff and supporters in the best position to succeed.”

The club says it will evaluate its coaching structure and begin looking for a permanent head coach.

Pike’s attorneys said her prognosis is still unclear and said she faces “a long recovery.”

“Against all odds, Christa Pike is conscious, speaking, and continues to receive critical medical care," attorneys for Pike said in a statement. “Despite the severe damage she endured to her arms, she is still handcuffed and shackled to the bed. Her recovery is medically unprecedented."

Her attorneys said they are grateful for the first responders and the medical team at the hospital “who treated Christa like a human and have provided exceptional care to her.”

The statement was the first indication that Pike has improved since an ambulance carried her away from a Nashville prison last Wednesday.

Pike survived two doses of pentobarbital as they attempted to put her to death for the 1995 beating and stabbing death of classmate Colleen Slemmer. The lethal injection drug didn’t kill her, but her lawyers said her arms were left burned and blistered.

As recently as Sunday, her attorneys said Pike had remained unconscious and on a ventilator since the failed execution attempt.

Dr. Joel Zivot, a professor of anesthesiology and surgery in Atlanta who consulted as an expert for Pike’s legal team, said the development “bodes well for a good recovery.” But, he added, it could be weeks or months before anyone knows exactly what her recovery might look like, and whether her competency could be restored to a level that might enable the state to try again to execute her.

“She’s still in the ICU,” he said. “She has recovered to a certain degree that she’s able to be off a ventilator and able to speak, but in no way would I announce her free of further serious risk. There’s still a lot of bad things that can happen here, even when everyone is doing their job well.”

A spokesperson for the Tennessee Department of Correction said she could provide no information other than that Pike remained hospitalized Tuesday.

Pike’s attorneys are set to go to court Wednesday as they seek to learn more about what happened in the failed lethal injection.

The attorneys are seeking a court order requiring the Tennessee Department of Correction to preserve evidence, including drug lot numbers, records and other information from the Sept. 30 attempted execution. Chancery Court Judge I’Ashea Myles scheduled a Wednesday morning status conference in the case.

Pike’s attorneys said in their Tuesday statement that they continue to ask outgoing Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee to commute Pike’s sentence to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

“Christa is a survivor and will take recovery one day at a time,” her attorneys said.

Lee halted further executions following Pike's hospitalization and ordered a “comprehensive, third-party review to determine exactly what occurred.” U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, the state’s Republican candidate to replace him, called on the state to explore other methods of execution to ensure it can continue carrying out capital punishment.

Some legal experts have questioned whether the state would be able to try to execute Pike again.

In addition to questions about competency — whether she can understand why she would be put to death — Pike has strong arguments that it would be cruel and unusual to try again, and that it would violate the prohibition on double jeopardy, trying or punishing someone twice for the same offense, said Deborah Denno, a Fordham Law professor who has studied execution methods for 36 years.

“She has satisfied this very, very high standard for cruel and unusual punishment,” Denno said. “She also has a very good double-jeopardy argument. They carried out every aspect of the execution. She didn’t die, but every process they intended, they did it.”

Seattle University Law Professor Michael Russo, who handled capital cases as a public defender in Los Angeles, called the failed execution horrible, but said he doubted whether the Supreme Court would stop the state from trying again on double-jeopardy grounds, should it decide to do so.

“There’s nobody else in the history of the death penalty in this country who has gone through what she’s been through,” Russo said. But, he added, “I think what this Supreme Court would say is, her sentence was to die — to be executed — not to suffer an attempt at execution.”

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Associated Press reporter Gene Johnson contributed from Seattle.

Harry Moon, the president of NSU, recently reported that one of the seven students named in a Sept. 16 civil lawsuit alleging that a 20-year-old sophomore was raped at a fraternity house in Ithaca, New York, was admitted to NSU in Davie.

“At the time of admission, the university was not aware of allegations subsequently reported in media,” Moon recently wrote in a letter to students on Oct. 4. “Once we learned of the reported incident, we acted immediately on behalf of the safety and well-being of our students and the NSU community.”

Moon did not identify the NSU student, who had allegedly been a member of Chi Phi fraternity’s Xi chapter and was a suspect of the alleged gang rape on Oct. 19-20, 2024, in the 100 block of Edgermoor Lane in Ithaca.

The victim sought help on Oct. 22, 2024, at Cornell Health, with a urinary tract infection that she had contracted in a “traumatic way,” and on Nov. 7 at a hospital in Ithaca to request a rape kit, according to the civil lawsuit.

The students in the fraternity were temporarily suspended from Cornell after the woman reported the rape to the Cornell University Police Department on Nov. 8, 2024, according to the civil lawsuit, which refers to the victim as Jane Doe and accuses Cornell of negligence.

“I was super drunk ... I was being hit ... physically hit very, very hard ... I can say with 100% confidence I was raped,” Jane Doe told police, according to a transcript of an interview by Cornell University PD that started on Nov. 14, 2024, and was published by CBS News New York on Sept. 30.

No one was charged with a crime. Cornell expelled two of the seven students after a Title IX investigation, The New York Times reported on Oct. 3. The public civil litigation recently prompted a Tompkins County grand jury’s review.

“It can take years of therapy and healing for victims of sexual assaults to fully process and understand what happened to them. Seeking justice sometimes requires us to reconsider or reopen cases when we are provided with additional evidence,” Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten wrote in a statement on Sept. 28.

On Friday, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced she had removed Van Houten from the case and named James as the special prosecutor to investigate, present evidence to a grand jury, and “prosecute any” offenses.

“Because this matter involves federal law regarding an individual student, the university is legally restricted by federal regulations that limit what the university can share,” Moon wrote in the recent letter to NSU students.

In 2022, an Instagram page celebrating students of the NSU University School, the private high school at 3375 SW 75 Ave., in Davie, featured one of the suspects as a 2023 graduate who had been admitted to Cornell to study biological sciences.

In the civil lawsuit, Jane Doe accused the student of sending a message to the “Chi Phi Actives” Snapchat group chat announcing that there was “Free Pu---” and “in doing so ... organized and encouraged” the alleged gang rape. The NYTimes identified the student as one of the two who were expelled from Cornell.

“The university continues to monitor the situation and will remain vigilant. As a result of actions we have taken, we are not aware of any current threat to the university community with regard to the matter,” Moon wrote in the letter to NSU students.

Mars Rivera was among the NSU students who said they felt uneasy about what was not included in Moon’s letter.

“Obviously, it doesn’t say if he’s been removed or if he’s still here or any of that,” Rivera told Local 10 News.

Cornell announced on Tuesday that Sally Yates, a former deputy attorney general, will look at how Cornell handles sexual misconduct complaints.

If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual assault, support is available 24/7 at the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.

“I have given it my all for 14 years,” Johnson said Tuesday in a statement, “season after season pushing my body to the max and tirelessly working my craft to not only live up to the legacy of the guys that came before me, but to set a new standard of success for the best franchise in all of sports.”

Johnson had been a late scratch for last week's game against the Los Angeles Rams for personal reasons. He said Tuesday despite wanting to finish the season, his “personal and family priorities in my life have changed.”

Johnson missed time in training camp for personal reasons before saying that this season would probably be his last.

“Lane Johnson is an all-time Eagle and one of the best players ever to play his position in NFL history,” Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie said in a statement. “Lane was a major contributor to our team success for 14 seasons, helping to bring two Super Bowl championships and many other memorable moments to the organization and the city of Philadelphia.”

The 36-year-old Johnson was a first-round pick in 2013 and was a first-team All-Pro in 2017 and 2022. He earned second-team honors in 2021, 2023 and 2024. Johnson has been a pillar at right tackle and won a pair of Super Bowls with the Eagles.

Johnson took a leave of absence during the 2021 season as he battled anxiety and depression and has since shared his story at mental health clinics in the area.

Johnson, a six-time Pro Bowl selection, said earlier this year his potential retirement came into focus last season after conversations with his family and an injury-filled season. He missed Philadelphia’s final seven regular-season games and the wild-card playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

“Right now, it is critical that I focus on my mental health,” Johnson said. “I owe it to my teammates, coaches, the organization and the fans to have my head and heart 100 percent in the game. And right now my heart is telling me that it's time to say goodbye to football.”

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See AP’s full NFL coverage here

Offensively, the Longhorns (4-0, 1-0 Southeastern Conference) and Sooners (2-2, 0-1) have struggled and sputtered through long stretches behind units that were expected to deliver much more punch than the penalties, punts and blooper-reel turnovers they have so far.

“I see flashes of who we want to be,” said Texas coach Steve Sarkisian, who remains the Longhorns' play-caller in his sixth season with the program. “My biggest critique is the consistency.”

Texas enters the game ranked No. 1 for the past month after beating previous No. 1 Ohio State on Sept. 12. But since then, quarterback Arch Manning has been wildly inconsistent, the offensive line has struggled to protect him and penalties have stalled drives.

Oklahoma, meanwhile, is searching for anything from struggling quarterback John Mateer to jump-start a unit that ranks No. 104 nationally and complement a defense that can hold out only so long.

Put these teams on the field Saturday and a scene like Oklahoma's classic 14-3 win in 2001, sealed with Teddy Lehman's deflected pass interception in the final minutes, may be set for a replay.

Texas until built for sizzle seems to be stuck on simmer

It might seem a stretch to critique an undefeated No. 1 with the best resume over the first month of the season. But the Texas offense has been anything but the well-oiled machine that was expected from the sum of its expensive parts.

Sarkisian used the offseason to load up on transfer playmakers he could sprinkle throughout the offense around Manning. He landed wide receiver Cam Coleman and running backs Raleek Brown and Hollywood Smothers. And he bragged that the program upgraded at each position.

Coleman leads the team in touchdowns catches with four but had just one catch in the last game against Tennessee for 30 yards. Brown scored two touchdowns against Tennessee and he and Smothers have rushed for 394 total yards. Yet the Longhorns are averaging less than 4.0 yards per attempt and haven't shown much of a breakaway threat since Smothers went for 45 yards on the first play of the season.

Manning led the electric 21-point fourth-quarter comeback against Ohio State but completed just 50% of his passes a week later against UTSA. Against Tennessee, Manning was twice penalized for attempting a pass beyond the line of scrimmage. He also was sacked six times and Texas had eight offensive possessions of six plays or fewer in a game in which the Longhorns totaled just 262 yards.

The silver lining against Tennessee was a second-half drive for a field goal that gave the Longhorns a two-score cushion they would need when Tennessee rallied late.

“What we’ve done well is we won,” Sarkisian said. “I feel like we’ve had moments where we needed to be at our best and we responded.”

Manning certainly expects more from the offense than it's produced so far.

“We’ve got a mature group. We need to be at our best more often in the game," he said. "Not just when we need it.”

Mateer and the Sooners leaking confidence and struggling

Oklahoma made the College Football Playoff last season and the hope was that another year with a healthy Mateer could get the Sooners' offense up to par. The hype around him in preseason training camp teed up the expectations.

Nothing has worked so far.

The Sooners have topped 17 points just once and that came in the opener against UTEP. Mateer has six turnovers, including three on consecutive possessions in a 41-13 loss at No. 2 Georgia. One was a fumble near the Bulldogs' end zone that was returned for a touchdown, a lowlight that will live in Sooners' infamy. Oklahoma coach Brent Venables acknowledged that there were discussions about replacing Mateer at halftime.

“The fact that I haven’t performed is disappointing,” Mateer said. “But I’m blessed to play ball today and to get better.”

Oklahoma's struggles on offense go deeper than quarterback. The Sooners average just 99 yards rushing, ranking next-to-last in the SEC. The offensive line has surrendered 13 sacks. The Sooners now face Texas edge rusher Colin Simmons, who set a school record with 5 1/2 sacks against Tennessee.

“We have a good football team. We haven’t put it all together yet, and at times, we’ve looked not very good at all," Venables said.

Oklahoma was undefeated and ranked No. 6 and Texas already had two losses when the teams met last season. Mateer played that game less than three weeks after surgery to repair an injured throwing hand and tossed three interceptions as Texas won 23-6.

Oklahoma started this season No. 10 but is now unranked. It has seven wins over a No. 1 opponent in program history, but none came when the Sooners were unranked.

Oklahoma hasn't scored a touchdown against Texas since a 34-30 victory in 2023.

“Everybody’s anxious to have an opportunity,” Venables said. "Winning kind of cures a lot.”

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Sign up for Top 25 poll alerts here, visit the Top 25 here and see AP’s full college football coverage here

The lawsuit, which was filed Friday in Illinois, said McDonald’s pricing tool uses artificial intelligence to collect data that competing franchises wouldn’t normally share, like store-level sales. The Chicago-based burger giant has said it makes the tool available to U.S. franchisees to help them set prices at their individual restaurants.

The lawsuit also blames the pricing system for raising McDonald’s U.S. prices.

“McDonald’s has built and for years deployed its own information-sharing pricing platform, which draws on data from its millions of daily transactions to set menu prices across thousands of U.S. restaurants,” the lawsuit states. “The result is algorithmic price-fixing aimed at customers who are already stretched thin.”

McDonald’s said Tuesday that the lawsuit is “filled with inaccuracies” and it would vigorously defend itself.

“AI does not set menu prices at McDonald’s restaurants – McDonald’s franchisees do,” the company said in a statement. “Optional tools are available to franchisees to help them make the best decisions for their businesses and customers, but these tools do not automate, coordinate or fix pricing in any way.”

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of a consumer, Michael Thomas, of DeKalb, Illinois. According to the lawsuit, Thomas frequently visits McDonald’s and orders a Quarter Pounder with cheese, french fries and a Coke. The lawsuit said Thomas noticed price differences between McDonald’s stores near his home.

McDonald's said it has used an AI-enhanced pricing tool for more than a decade. The program determines the optimal price for menu items based on a store’s sales, location and other factors, including competitors’ prices.

McDonald's said that long before adopting the AI-enhanced tool, it collected data and recommended prices to its franchisees, who own and operate 95% of McDonald’s 14,000 U.S. stores.

“All we do is provide the context of what’s going on,” a McDonald’s spokesman told The Associated Press. “We don’t have any way to affect the menu pricing in a restaurant.”

But the lawsuit said McDonald's has “significant leverage over its franchisees” and can pressure them to follow its pricing recommendations.

The Associated Press left a message Tuesday with the National Owners Association, which represents McDonald’s franchisees.

McDonald’s has been experimenting with various value strategies in the U.S. and other markets for several years as it tries to win back lower-income consumers, whose visits to fast-food chains have dropped.

But franchisees don’t always follow its guidance. During a conference call with investors in August, McDonald’s Chairman and CEO Chris Kempczinski said only 60% of its U.S. restaurants were offering McDonald’s proposed menu of 10 items for under $3.

“As you know, in our system, that’s not something that we just flip the switch on,” Kempczinski said. “It requires conversations with franchisees.”

The lawsuit asks the judge to certify the case as a class action and to require McDonald's to pay damages to the class. It also seeks to prevent McDonald's from enforcing agreements that restrict competition.

When he and Edmund Hillary reached the summit of the world’s highest mountain on May 29, 1953, one of the first things Hillary did was take out his camera and aim it at his fellow climber, the Sherpa Norgay, as he waved an ice ax tied with flags for Britain, India, Nepal and the United Nations.

Since that moment, camera lenses have seldom been pointed at Norgay, or the many Sherpa who have followed in his history-making footsteps. But the new Apple Studios film “Tenzing,” directed by Jennifer Peedom, puts Norgay back in the center of the frame, telling the life story of the Nepalese-Indian Sherpa mountaineer.

“Tenzing’s story is the ultimate underdog heroic story but had been pushed to the margins,” Peedom says. “Everest occupied such a large part of our imaginations. It’s become this icon of human achievement, yet the story of one of the first men to climb to the summit was largely unknown.”

“Tenzing,” which opens Friday in theaters before streaming Oct. 16 on Apple TV+, chronicles Norgay’s path leading up to Everest and the daring ascent that he and Hillary (played by Tom Hiddleston) made in 1953. Both were outsiders — Norgay was born in Tibet before moving to the Khumbu region of Nepal — in a British expedition led by Col. John Hunt (Willem Dafoe).

The film is a rousing mountain adventure and biopic but one made with uncommon authenticity. Tenzing’s son Norbu Tenzing is an executive producer. Cultural consultants Dr. Lhakpa Norbu Sherpa and Dr. Nima Namgyal Sherpa were leaned on. Most of the Sherpas portrayed in the film are played by real mountaineering Tibetan people.

And Norgay, a role shared across time frames, is principally played by Genden Phuntsok, a Chinese actor of Tibetan descent. Phuntsok had appeared in two acclaimed films by the Tibetan filmmaker Pema Tseden. But “Tenzing” is his first Hollywood film. To prepare for the role, he lived for 10 days with Phurba Tashi Sherpa, the subject of Peedom’s 2015 documentary “Sherpa.”

“From the top of the hill outside his village, you can see the top of Everest,” Phuntsok says. “All the people in the village were really kind to me. For them, Tenzing Norgay is their hero.”

Hiddleston's Hillary takes a supporting role

Hiddleston plays Hillary, the New Zealand climber, with the kind of dashing charisma that many Hollywood productions would have put front and center. Instead, “Tenzing,” about an international expedition, itself became an operation of multiculturalism. At the center is the friendship between Norgay and Hillary, a relationship forged on the southeast ridge of Everest and that continued after their ascent.

For Phuntsok and Hiddleston, making “Tenzing” was likewise a partnership.

“Genden and I saw Everest with our own eyes for the first time at the same time,” Hiddleston says. “Jennifer’s insistence and inspiration was for us to trek as far as we could toward base camp when we started.”

For Peedom, the terrain was familiar. The Australian filmmaker has spent much of her career as a documentarian shedding light on the Sherpa, including “Sherpa,” about the avalanche in the Khumbu Icefall that killed 16 Nepali mountain workers. To her, it was surprising that more documentarians hadn’t focused on Sherpa stories before her.

“Being a young camera operator, I’d notice the extent to which the Sherpa were written out of the story or would end up on the cutting room floor,” Peedom says.

“Tenzing” crucially reorients the ascent of Everest as less a conquering of nature than a spiritual quest. The historic Tibetan name for the mountain is Chomolungma, and, for Norgay, climbing it was a religious experience. For Phuntsok, it was similar.

“In my culture, this is a holy mountain,” Phuntsok says. “The first time you see it, it looks small because it’s very far away. I thought, ‘My god, Tenzing summited that.’”

Hiddleston believes Norgay’s legacy is not just his feat of mountaineering but this regard for nature as something to pay homage to, not conquer.

“We can learn a huge amount from the spiritual attitude toward the mountains as presented in this film, especially by Tenzing,” Hiddleston says. “The respect for the mountains by Tenzing and the Sherpas is the respect afforded to a goddess, to a divine presence of magnificence and power in front of which you feel only humility and awe.”

“I hope the film stands as a testament to the beauty of Nepal and the beauty of the culture there, and reminds us of our delicate balance with nature,” he adds.

‘Tenzing’ opens in the wake of tragedy in Nepal

That balance was tragically felt in August when a deadly flood tore through a Himalayan river valley in Nepal. The destruction, in which at least 1,400 people were killed, was set off by a 2,000-foot-wide (609.6-meter-wide) chunk of ice that broke off a mountain glacier due to the effects of climate change.

Last month, Nepali Prime Minister Balendra Shah addressed the U.N. General Assembly, noting that Nepal, where electricity is overwhelmingly generated from hydropower, has contributed less than one-tenth of 1% of the heat-trapping gases behind climate change. He called it “not just a local tragedy, but a warning to the world.”

As Peedom has screened “Tenzing” at fall festivals, she has reminded viewers of the tragedy in Nepal, and the possibility of more like it to come.

“Those mountains are starting to crumble,” Peedom says. “There are 15,000 glaciers alone in Nepal, 1,500 of them have glacier lakes in front of them. When those things collapse, there’s going to be more and more of these catastrophes.”

Meanwhile, record numbers of climbers ascend Everest. After China closed the ascent route from Tibet, numbers swelled on the Nepal side. Kami Rita Sherpa, a renowned guide who has summited the mountain more than 30 times, urged authorities to limit the endless stream of climbers on Everest. In May, a record 274 climbers reached the summit in a single day.

The Senate Leadership Fund is putting $5 million in the state to shore up Graham, who was appointed this summer as an interim replacement for her brother, the late Sen. Lindsey Graham. The spending was confirmed by a person with direct knowledge of the plans.

The spending is meant more as an insurance policy, said the person, who was granted anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly, and Republicans remain confident in their chances to retain the seat.

Meanwhile, Trump’s midterm blitz is tentatively scheduled to take him to the state ahead of the Nov. 3 midterms, according to a separate person familiar with the plans who also spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

Trump rallied with Graham days before the August runoff primary, helping to boost her chances against Ralph Norman as they faced off for the Republican Senate nomination. Graham is running against Democrat Annie Andrews, a pediatrician.

SLF’s spending plans, first reported by Axios, come several days after news that the deep-pocketed super PAC was pulling back in North Carolina and pouring money into Kansas, another conservative state that has become more competitive in recent weeks.

The funding also comes after Trump attacked Andrews on social media, using an anti-transgender slur.

“Darline is a High Quality person, maybe the Highest,” Trump wrote in his post. Using the slur, Trump said Andrews is “not, in particular, as it pertains to representing the Values of the Great People of South Carolina.”

In a response shortly after Trump’s post, Andrews said she is in the Senate race to “fight for my patients, my three kids, and South Carolina.”

“And I’m going to work with anyone to put South Carolina first, because lowering costs and making life better for families across our state is going to take all of us working together,” Andrews said.

David J. Rush fabricated a “highly classified” government program to justify the acquisition of luxury property in south Florida that he intended to resell for personal profit, according to a court filing. Rush separately concocted a bogus “sensitive government activity" to obtain the gold bars, the filing says.

Rush's fraudulent conduct cost the federal government approximately $194 million in total losses, according to the Justice Department.

Prosecutors also accuse Rush of lying to colleagues and government contractors about his military and academic credentials and the fake program that he invented, falsely claiming it was authorized by high-ranking U.S. officials.

“Rush used his legitimate government authority and manufactured personal bona fides to create confidence in his directions,” the court filing says.

Rush, 49, of Ashburn, Virginia, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years, court records show. District Judge Michael Nachmanoff is scheduled to sentence Rush on Jan. 28 in Alexandria, Virginia.

Several months ago, Rush tried to fraudulently authorize the release of $100 million from a government contract, according to Tuesday's filing. He directed somebody else to transfer approximately $145 million to a holding company formed at his direction, then used those funds to acquire four “luxury” properties in Palm Beach and Hobe Sound, Florida, the filing says.

In previous court filings, prosecutors said Rush stashed roughly $46 million worth of gold bars from the federal government at his Virginia home. They also accused him of fraudulently claiming tens of thousands of dollars in compensation for military leave after he was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy in 2015.

“Federal employees are entrusted with serving the American people, not themselves,” Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a statement.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe said the agency immediately referred the matter to the FBI after an internal investigation turned up evidence of Rush's crimes.

“David Rush abused his position and betrayed the public trust and should be held fully accountable for his actions," Ratcliffe said in a statement.

Rush was arrested after investigators searched his home and seized approximately 300 gold bars, roughly $2 million in U.S. currency and about 35 luxury watches, according to an FBI agent’s affidavit. A judge ordered Rush to be held without bond after his initial court appearance earlier this year.

During a hearing in June, defense attorney Jessica Carmichael said Rush wasn't charged initially with any crimes related to the discovery of the gold bars, which she referred to as “basically a nonissue” and “nothing more than a sensational tidbit.” She said her client properly obtained the gold bars and kept them locked in a safe in his basement.

“Mr. Rush never claimed they were his,” Carmichael said.

Carmichael declined to comment on Rush's guilty plea after Tuesday's hearing.

Authorities say Rush lied about his education and military background on job applications, falsely claiming to be a former Navy pilot who graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Clemson University in South Carolina and a master’s degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York.

Investigators determined that he didn’t serve as a Navy pilot and didn’t attend either school. Rush enlisted in the Navy in 1997 and was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy Reserve as a lieutenant in 2015, according to the FBI affidavit.

Cuba’s Chargé d’Affaires in Washington, D.C., Lianys Torres Rivera, gave an interview to Reuters and said that, given the lack of progress in conversations with the U.S., the Cuban military has begun preparations for a possible U.S. intervention.

Cuba fully understands that, if such an intervention were to come, it would not be an invasion as many expect, but rather an aerial drone and missile attack. According to military experts and sources at the Pentagon, such an attack could take less than forty-eight hours to neutralize Cuba’s military.

The U.S. military has also incorporated preparations and contingency plans to deal with Cuban drones if any were launched against the U.S. mainland. My own personal belief is that Cuba would first target the U.S. base at Guantánamo Bay, which is located very close to one of Cuba’s main military installations near Santiago de Cuba.

Oct. 5: Cuba will not negotiate regime change with U.S.

Over the weekend, Cuba’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carlos Fernandez de Cossio, made it very clear that Cuba will not negotiate regime change with the U.S. In an interview with Fox News, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told the Cuban government that if they don’t change their regime, the consequences would be worse.

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This leaves the U.S. with limited options moving forward. 1) Wait until Raul Castro dies and see what happens. 2) Strengthen the opposition inside the island. 3)Take military action against the island nation.

None of these options lead to a clear and quick path to a quick change in their system of government. A military invasion of Cuba by the U.S. could lead to a prolonged stay on the island until some form of government can be established from within the island and with the support from the Cuban exile community. However, there are some in the exile opposition that consider themselves possible leaders in a free Cuba, which could further complicate things.

Lastly, the extended war with Iran and the mid-term election results in the U.S. could also complicate what the U.S. does with Cuba.

Oct. 2: Who is driving U.S. foreign policy towards Cuba?

In the last several months, we have witnessed Secretary of State Marco Rubio continuing to sanction top officials of the Cuban government and their organizations, trying to force them to change or come to the table and negotiate with the U.S.

On the other hand, we just learned that the White House authorized a sale of 3.2 million barrels of oil to Cuba supposedly going to Cuba’s private sector. Are you kidding?

When dealing with Venezuela and Cuba, Trump has clearly shown that making money is more important than regime change in these two countries.

Oct. 1: Robberies and delinquencies increase in Cuba

According to Cuban blogger Yoani Sanchez (14yMedio), this past Monday a bank was robbed in Lawton, Cuba in the middle of a major power failure.

The robbers got away with the money that was to be paid the next day to people who had retired. At the same time, many solar panels that have been installed around Cuba to help with the growing electrical shortages are being stolen at night by robbers.

The Cuban government is concerned that as socio-economic conditions continue to get worse on the island nation, these practices will increase. So far, no one has been caught.

The case is prompting the Florida Department of Health and mosquito control to place traps in areas with a high density of mosquitoes.

Those traps will then allow officials to test the species, and to also test for dengue, west Nile, malaria and other mosquito born viruses.

Mosquito control has also responded to more house calls where residents are asking their areas be sprayed.

Health officials say the symptoms of dengue can present as a flu-like illness, with severe muscle aches, joint pain, fever and sometimes a rash. Medical experts say dengue will appear within 14 days of being bitten.

Local 10 spoke with infectious disease expert Dr. Aileen Marty about what to look for if you feel you have been infected and how some cases can be severe or fatal.

“In addition to the symptoms you had before, you can get damage to vital organs, not just your lungs, but your liver, other organs could be severely affected and it can be fatal,” she said.

Even more concerning is that there is no specific dengue antiviral available at this time, though there are medications to treat the symptoms to get past the infection.

So what can you do to protect yourself? Wear protective clothing, use mosquito repellant and drain any standing water from around your homes.

El dinero, que también servirá para apoyar la balanza de pagos según la entidad monetaria, forma parte de los 1.900 millones de dólares acordados en julio por el gobierno del presidente conservador R odrigo Paz con el FMI para respaldar su programa de reformas económicas encaminado a enfrentar la peor crisis económica del país en 40 años.

A finales de junio, el gobierno aplicó un sistema flotant e en el que el precio del dólar dependerá de la oferta y la demanda. Con la medida se busca estabilizar el cambio del boliviano por el dólar que hace casi dos años se disparó a casi el triple de su precio en un mercado paralelo.

El analista económico Gonzalo Chávez expresó que el primer desembolso alivia la liquidez, pero no resuelve la escasez estructural de divisas. Agregó, por otra parte, que el programa puede ayudar a movilizar recursos adicionales del Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo y el Banco Mundial, entre otros organismos internacionales.

Mientras tanto hace dos semanas se retiró el 100% de la subvención al diésel, cuyo precio ahora fluctuará según el mercado internacional. Por su parte, la gasolina mantendrá el subsidio hasta fin de año y se definirán nuevas medidas en enero del próximo año. Los ajustes han generado rechazo en diferentes sectores que han anunciado protestas.

Nearly $12 million worth of ads have already aired, according to AdImpact, as part of the $20 million the Department of Homeland Security tapped for the contract.

But Trump’s plan to pay for the ads with MAGA Inc. doesn’t mean there’s any reimbursement coming, said a White House official who was not authorized to talk publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Trump said the ads were “really good” and “promotion for the country, done by many presidents before.” Asked whether he'd repay the funds already spent, he said, “We’ll decide.”

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer slammed Trump for not committing to reimbursement and said he believes the president’s plan for covering future costs represents illegal coordination with his super PAC.

“Trump must return this money to the American people and there must be a full investigation into this gross waste and abuse of taxpayer dollars,” Schumer told The Associated Press.

The ads, which began airing in late September, glorify Trump and echo his political messaging going into the midterms. One features a clip of Trump talking about the threat of communism and another is a replay of an ad from his last presidential campaign. The fifth ad in the campaign began airing Tuesday, focusing on the Trump administration's capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.

Republicans and Democrats alike have said the ads aren't an appropriate use of U.S. government money. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a Republican from South Dakota, said they shouldn't be paid for with taxpayer dollars.

The Trump administration tapped $20 million from the Department of Homeland Security to pay for the campaign-style ads glorifying the president that have drawn widespread criticism. Two top Democratic senators said last week that the money is being drawn from Trump’s so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill” and was supposed to go toward U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Republican Sen. Katie Britt of Alabama, who chairs the panel that oversees DHS funding, said Tuesday that she had not yet seen Trump’s ads, but she said taxpayer money should be used as intended.

“We’ll take a look at that,” Britt said at the Capitol. “You want to make sure that any use of taxpayer dollars is done judiciously and in accordance with the law.”

Legal experts said the ads might even violate federal statutes, including a law against congressionally appropriated money being used for “publicity or propaganda” and another limiting the partisan political activities of government employees.

The White House has defended the ads as public service announcements similar to what past administrations have done to promote policies. Trump on Monday posted on his Truth Social platform calling the ads “positive promotion for our Great U.S.A.” while also promising to pay for them with “money I raised for MAGA Inc.”

That is Trump’s political war chest, which had amassed more than $400 million by the end of July. Trump has begun tapping it to boost Republican candidates across the country in the midterm elections.

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AP Congressional Correspondent Lisa Mascaro contributed to this report.

After a tumultuous, roughly yearlong process, Skydance-owned Paramount closed its $81 billion buyout of Warner Bros. Discovery on Tuesday. And beyond Hollywood, the mega merger brings two titans of the American TV news landscape — CBS and CNN — under the same roof.

On the eve of the deal's completion, Skydance confirmed that CNN's Mark Thompson will stay on as editor-in-chief of the network — separate from CBS, where Bari Weiss remains at the helm. But how the combined company's news operations will look farther down the road is yet to be seen.

Politics are also top of mind. The billionaire family of Skydance CEO David Ellison has a cozy relationship with President Donald Trump — who has been far from shy about targeting coverage he deems unfavorable from both CNN and CBS. Last month, his administration moved to bar CNN from the White House. And the network's new ownership arrives as coverage ramps up less than a month ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Ellison has pledged to maintain editorial independence. Under a recent settlement with states that challenged the merger, the company agreed to establish new monitoring of CBS and CNN by forming a “News Editorial Independence Board” within 180 days of completing its Warner acquisition.

Still, Skydance's corporate leaders are to choose who sits on this board. Critics are bracing for potentially deepening editorial turmoil — and warn of consequences of industry consolidation overall.

CNN's editor-in-chief remains in top spot

Skydance announced on Monday that Thompson — who has been CNN's chair and CEO since 2023 — would continue to lead the network. In a memo to staff published by Business Insider and other outlets, Thompson said he had “real confidence” Ellison and other Skydance leaders “will fully support the principle and practice of the kind of independent news that CNN has always stood for.”

Thompson, a former chief executive of the BBC and The New York Times, acknowledged that some details of how CNN will operate have yet to be finalized — but said he planned to lead the network “as an independent Editor-in-Chief with the same responsibilities and prerogatives that I have now.”

Paramount-owned CBS News and its hallmark “60 Minutes” program have already seen editorial turmoil since coming under Skydance ownership last year. For critics of those changes, news of Thompson staying at CNN marked a meaningful safeguard — but some experts cautioned that time will tell.

“Both CNN and CBS News will ultimately sit under the same corporate ownership, and ownership can exert influence in ways that are much more subtle than directly telling an editor what stories to cover," said J. Christopher Hamilton, an associate professor at Syracuse University. Decisions about everything from budgets to personnel "can gradually affect the editorial character of a news organization.”

The long-term question “is whether that independence remains intact when it becomes costly or uncomfortable for the parent company,” he added.

Charles Schreger, an adjunct professor at NYU's Leonard N. Stern School of Business, expects Thompson not to be influenced by politics — and said that he doesn't think Skydance would keep the executive on if the company didn't "have the intention of letting him operate (CNN) in a neutral way.”

New editorial monitoring

According to court documents, the new editorial independence body will include five “active or retired” journalists with at least 10 years of experience.

Still, those members will be appointed by and report to the combined company's board of directors. Ellison is remaining chairman of what is now the combined Skydance.

“While it is termed independent, it is going to be filled with members appointed by Paramount,” said Megan Duncan, an associate professor of journalism at Virginia Tech's School of Communication. She predicts that will “lessen the teeth of this board."

The settlement outlines some additional criteria for board members, including that no more than two members be affiliated with the same political party, and that no government employees be appointed to the board or have oversight over who is on it.

According to court documents, the board's responsibilities include establishing a set of “guiding editorial principles” based on CBS and CNN's standards and practices, resolving “any disputes” between both employees at the two networks and corporate management and “monitoring adherence to ethical journalism.”

Members are to serve for terms of three years, although the board of the combined Paramount-Warner can still remove them for cause.

‘Disappointed that we could not do more’

Top state prosecutors like California Attorney General Rob Bonta — who led the coalition of 12 states that initially sought to block the Paramount-Warner merger — said when announcing the deal on Sept. 21 that the board will help “ensure independent, objective, fact-based reporting at CBS News and CNN."

Still, others wished the settlement could've gone further, including Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, who wanted a full divestiture of CNN and CBS and said he was “deeply disappointed that we could not do more.”

Meanwhile, while joining the rest of the states in the wider settlement, Colorado and Washington notably declined to sign off on the proposed editorial board terms.

As part of a separate settlement with Hollywood writers, the Writers Guild of America said that Paramount had also agreed to prohibit writer layoffs at CBS News Broadcast for the next five years.

Ellison, meanwhile, previously promised that editorial independence “will absolutely be maintained” under Paramount ownership.

“It’s maintained at CBS. It’ll be maintained at CNN,” Ellison told CNBC’s “Squawk on the Street” in March, while noting that his company wants to speak to “the 70%” of viewers who he said identify as center-left or center-right. And in an August op-ed published by the New York Times amid the height of Paramount's antitrust battle with 12 states, he reiterated that “our journalists will continue to answer to the facts and to all the people they serve — not to any party or cause.”

Trump and CNN

Last month, Trump barred CNN — as well as Politico and MS NOW — from the White House due to what he called unfavorable coverage and “fake news.” All three outlets have since filed a joint lawsuit, and are continuing to fight their case in court.

CNN has long attracted ire from the Republican president, and members of his administration have also made their opinions clear about the network's future ownership. Shortly after Trump joined Israel to launch the war against Iran earlier this year, for example, the White House attacked CNN for its coverage — and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth told reporters that “the sooner David Ellison takes over that network, the better.”

CBS has faced its own attacks from Trump. Skydance’s 2025 acquisition of Paramount was approved by the Federal Communications Commission just weeks after the company agreed to pay Trump $16 million to settle a lawsuit over editing at the network's “60 Minutes” program.

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AP Reporter Laurie Kellman in London contributed.

It's one of a series of events Trump is holding across the country to showcase investments in factories, as high gasoline prices from the Iran war and persistently elevated inflation have damaged the president’s approval ratings on the economy.

“The workers of Baltimore and the shipyard here at Sparrows Point have been a vital part of the American industrial strength for literally over a hundred years,” the president said, adding that the work being done “is going to be a big component for our future military.”

The site where he spoke was Sparrows Point, Maryland, which formerly housed a steel mill for Bethlehem Steel that closed in 2012.

Trump is trying to rally Republican voters with less than a month before the midterm elections on Nov. 3. This event, though, was in the solidly blue state of Maryland — and Democratic Gov. Wes Moore didn't attend.

Ammar Moussa, a spokesman for the governor, said Moore was blocked from speaking at the event. A White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss internal planning, said Moore had been invited to attend — as a guest.

“Governor Moore has always said he will work with anyone when it comes to delivering for Marylanders but bow to no one when it comes to standing up for them,” Moussa said.

Moore, who is seeking reelection, is considered a potential presidential candidate in 2028. He ultimately did not come to the event. Despite the dustup, Moore joined Trump in praising the project.

In a statement, the governor said the project could potentially create “the most jobs in Maryland in history.” The new facility is expected to create 3,100 direct jobs with several thousand more indirect jobs being supported.

Before the event, guests, including several dozen service members, mingled with food and drink inside a hangar-like structure adorned with Anduril banners proclaiming “Who Dares Strike at Liberty,” “Command the Sea Command the World” and “The Shipyard is the Weapon.”

Behind the stage where Trump spoke, a backsplash touted “Rebuild the Arsenal.”

Several members of the the Baltimore Ravens, like star cornerback Marlon Humphrey, were among those invited. The president plans to attend Saturday's big college football matchup between Alabama and Georgia, after attending Texas at Tennessee late last month.

“Whoa," Trump proclaimed of the players. "All these guys are making a lot of money.”

The president also said he wasn't necessarily personally cut out to go aboard submarines, offering, “Me, I'd rather be floating on seas.”

The $3.7 billion covers “the cost of standing up the facility, building the workforce, filling it with modern technology and other capabilities required to do the work that we will be tasked with,” Chris Brose, Anduril’s president and chief strategy officer, said on a conference call with reporters organized by the White House.

Administration officials on the call said he government would commit $2.9 billion to the project by purchasing what the factory in Baltimore County, Maryland, produces. The Trump administration is trying to revive America’s shipbuilding capabilities for national security and economic reasons.

Trump said the deal will allow U.S. taxpayers to take a 40% stake in the shipyard and will ensure that “the historic grounds of Sparrows Point will never fall silent again.”

Brose said Anduril would take advantage of “manufacturing revolutions” in the aerospace and other sectors, along with software, to change how factory production would occur.

The U.S. has 26 Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines and expects to add two more to its fleet in the spring, according to an official on the call. That official spoke anonymously as a condition set by the White House.

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Associated Press writer Collin Binkley contributed to this report.

Lawyers for the friends said they intend to file several more defamation claims this week against content creators and have previously indicated their intent to sue the Rev. Al Sharpton and “The View” co-host Sunny Hostin for comments they made while discussing Wells' death.

The fathers of the three friends, who are under 21 and considered minors under Mississippi law, filed the federal lawsuit Monday on their behalf.

The lawsuit alleges Owens defamed the three friends after posting on X: “ARREST THEM IMMEDIATELY!!” Owens' post also linked to an Instagram video, which theorized the three friends killed Wells and tampered with his phone, according to the lawsuit. The post was made days after a Mississippi grand jury declined to recommend charges in Wells’ death.

Owens has 1.2 million followers on X and had previously pledged $25,000 to a reward fund for information leading to an arrest and conviction in Wells' death.

“Not only is he defaming them, he’s basically saying to the mob, get your pitchforks, get your torches,” said Edward Paltzik, a defamation and media attorney representing the three friends.

The Associated Press attempted to contact Owens through social media and SMAC Entertainment, which, according to its website, manages Owens, but did not immediately receive a response.

The three were part of a group of 30 friends, including Wells, who rode to Horn Island on three boats on the Fourth of July. Wells' friends said Wells did not return to the mainland with them, choosing instead to stay behind to talk with a girl, a claim his family has disputed. His body was found two days later off the island's coast.

Both state and independent autopsies have not determined Wells' cause of death, though the grand jury found his death was “consistent with drowning.” Wells' family and their lawyers disputed the grand jury's findings, pointing to unexplained bruising on the back of his head and noting that his airways and stomach were devoid of water.

Images showing Wells with white friends the day he went missing fueled online speculation that racial dynamics played a role in his death.

Two of the three friends who are suing Owens were singled out online in part because they appear in a photo with Wells and one other friend on a boat, which was circulated on social media after his disappearance. The third called Wells’ mother and the U.S. Coast Guard to report Wells missing.

The U.S. attorney’s office in Seattle said James Cody Bryant of Bellingham, Washington, communicated with Jesse Van Rootselaar in British Columbia for at least six months ahead of the shooting. Bryant, who identifies as female, did not report Van Rootselaar's plans to authorities, authorities allege.

W. Mike Herrington, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Seattle office, said without Bryant's “misplaced loyalty" and willingness to livestream the killings, officials didn't know if Van Rootselaar would have gone through with the attack.

“We certainly know the shooter was concerned that not enough people would see the livestream without Bryant broadcasting it and was depending on Bryant to amplify the livestream because the shooter did not have many followers on social media," Herrington added.

Authorities say Van Rootselaar first killed her mother and stepbrother at home before attacking a nearby school in the mountain community of Tumbler Ridge, killing five children ages 12 and 13 at the school as well as an educational assistant. Twenty-five others were wounded.

Van Rootselaar was later found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Investigators accessed Van Rootselaar's Twitch account and found that she had initiated a video livestream while sitting in her vehicle with a rifle and long gun in her lap. The livestream lasted about 20 seconds before it was disconnected, and was only viewed by one other account.

Bryant is accused of helping to plan the attack

Bryant was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit murder in a foreign country — a “novel” charge for a case like this, said Acting U.S. Attorney Neil Floyd during a press conference.

Bryant made a first appearance in court on Tuesday afternoon and is being detained ahead of a preliminary hearing set for Oct. 20. The federal public defender's office, which represents Bryant, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Communicating over Discord with Van Rootselaar, Bryant gave tactical advice on how to carry out the killings to have the strongest impact, according to the complaint.

“Hallways also mean a lot of ways people can escape,” Bryant wrote, the complaint said. “Corners to turn. Wide open spaces means numbers.”

Bryant also sent Van Rootselaar money to purchase a lighter that would be used to construct an explosive device and advised Van Rootselaar about how to keep the plot a secret by deleting online messages and using virtual private networks, officials said.

According to the criminal complaint, Bryant and Van Rootselaar met online about three years ago on Omegle, a since-shuttered video chat site that connected users with strangers at random. Their communications were sporadic during the first year because she was “institutionalized” after being deemed a danger to herself, the complaint said. She was locked up again after setting her room on fire. But they spoke daily during the six months leading up to the attack, officials said.

“Van Rootselaar often spoke about planning to use guns to murder her family members and others because she felt she had been mistreated,” the complaint said.

Both Van Rootselaar and Bryant identified as trans, Herrington said. But authorities do not have any indication that’s why they stayed connected online, he said.

Bryant sometimes urged Van Rootselaar to reconsider, officials say

Bryant tried to talk Van Rootselaar out of committing the attack at various points, authorities said.

“I truly hope you reconsider today,” Bryant told her in January, according to the complaint. “I wish there were any other path for you, you shouldn’t have to do something like this.”

But ultimately, Bryant did not alert law enforcement and instead provided support for carrying out the shooting, authorities said.

When Van Rootselaar expressed concern that Bryant would “snitch” and alert authorities, Bryant repeatedly assured her that would not happen, officials said.

“I could,” Bryant wrote, according to the filing. “I don’t want to honestly. I know I can like, save lives I guess but idk,” using the abbreviation for “I don’t know.”

Canadian Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said in Ottawa that the allegations were devastating.

“Nothing will bring back the eight lives that were devastated back in February, but it is important that those who are responsible are held to account," he told reporters.

Anandasangaree said it was too soon to say whether Bryant could also face charges in Canada, but added that Canadian prosecution would be possible if investigators determine Canadian laws were broken.

Bob Zimmer, the federal lawmaker who represents Tumbler Ridge, said the victims deserve answers.

“It is deeply troubling, the allegations that this individual coached the shooter all throughout the process in an effort to livestream the event,” Zimmer said.

Tumbler Ridge in the Canadian Rockies is more than 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) northeast of Vancouver, British Columbia, near the provincial border with Alberta. The provincial government website lists Tumbler Ridge Secondary School as having 175 students from Grades 7 to 12.

The families of victims are suing artificial intelligence company OpenAI in U.S. federal court, seeking to hold the ChatGPT maker responsible for failing to alert police to the shooter’s alarming interactions with the chatbot.

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The story and headline have been corrected to identify Bryant as a resident of Washington. Authorities say Bryant identifies as female.

Associated Press reporter Rob Gillies contributed to this report from Toronto.

“Artists With Autism” turns creative talent into real-world opportunity, and artwork into independence.

Despite some major setbacks in recent months, the group’s vision and its mission hasn’t changed.

“The main focus was helping them become independent as artists,” founder Cynthia Kaegi said. “To learn skills that were marketable — for hoping that they could get a job.”

RELATED STORY: (PART 1) - Colors that connect — inside ‘Vichy’s Art’

Kaegi launched the non-profit, noting her son’s artistic passions and wanting more opportunity for those on the autism spectrum.

The group was born in 2012 and opened a gallery and training space at Festival Marketplace in Pompano Beach, until warehouse redevelopment forced them out, with no home base.

“We need to find a new home right away and a new gallery to show our art —as well as sell them,” said local artist, Joseph Michael Vidal.

The group kept going though — taking its mission to local art markets, events and pop-up galleries across South Florida.

The Plunge Beach Resort’s gallery, which regularly features local artists, invited the group to share and showcase their work in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea — through its Plunge into the Arts program.

“This is a perfect opportunity where people who don’t usually have interaction with people with autism, that they can meet them and talk to them, and they can admire what their talents are, because when you’ve met one person with autism, that’s one person with autism. They are all different and and that’s why it’s called a spectrum,” Kaegi said.

Artists With Autism is looking for businesses or organizations that may be able to sponsor or provide a permanent space. The group is also seeking additional art markets and community events where artists can display their work.

To get involved or find art/events, click here.

The organization is encouraging more artists with autism to get involved as it expands — building bridges with new audiences.

“It’s a good thing to show that everyone has a great talent,” said Vidal.

To submit an idea for What Connects Us, email whatconnectsus@wplg.com.

Only one family member of those killed in an Iranian drone strike March 1 on Port Shuaiba in Kuwait confirmed to The Associated Press that they planned to attend Tuesday's reception with Trump and the first lady. Troops who survived the attack have raised questions about why they were stationed at a site that didn’t have sufficient air protection and was viewed as a likely target.

The war, launched Feb. 28, has claimed the lives of 19 U.S. troops and wounded more than 800 others. The annual gathering honors Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day, which falls on the last weekend of September.

The White House said this year’s reception honors nearly 40 fallen service members from conflicts dating to the Vietnam War. Trump was expected to deliver remarks followed by a candle-lighting ceremony and a musical performance that included a rendition of “America the Beautiful.”

Families are still waiting for answers about what happened in the March 1 strike

Gold Star families have expressed frustration over the lack of information from the Pentagon about the strike in Kuwait.

“There are questions about what happened before the attack, what information was available, what decisions were made, and what happened in the moments leading up to six American soldiers losing their lives,” Joey Amor — whose 39-year-old wife, Master Sgt. Nicole M. Amor, was among those killed — said in a public Facebook statement Monday. “I am done asking quietly. Today, I am asking the American people to stand with these six families and demand transparency.”

U.S. soldiers wounded in the attack told the AP of the unheeded concerns they raised about the threat and that the military medical system failed them in the weeks that followed. The AP’s account of the March 1 attack is based on interviews with 13 soldiers.

The Army declined to comment on the AP’s reporting on the Port Shuaiba strike, saying it had not yet briefed the families of those killed on the outcome of its investigation into the attack, which was completed in June. The Army has said it is still redacting sensitive information before releasing the findings. The Pentagon also declined to comment.

Honoring soldiers who died in combat can be a powerful recognition of their service that cuts across politics, said John Thompson, a former Army sergeant and founder of Salute to the Fallen, an Iowa organization that supports veteran mental health, suicide prevention and funeral expenses.

He said several families told him they could not go because they did not receive enough notice about the event.

At least two families say they did not receive an invitation

The White House began sending out invitations to Gold Star families — the military’s designation for relatives of troops killed while on active duty — about two weeks ago, according to several families who said they received phone calls and emailed invitations.

“What they’ve told me is there has been a lot of confusion around this event, and they weren’t given the details in time,” Thompson said, adding that some were also not in a position to pay for the trip.

At least two said they did not receive an invite, though there can be hurdles to tracking down families' personal information.

Some Gold Star families say they are grateful for how the Trump administration and military have honored their loved one’s sacrifice. Other families say the way the White House has handled the reception is the latest indication that the administration does not respect the price they have paid.

In the early days of the war, Trump described it as a “little excursion." On Sept. 4, he called the conflict “small potatoes.”

The widow of Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marzan, who died in the March 1 attack, said she and her two children were not invited.

Tina Marzan said that in the immediate aftermath of her husband’s death, she told federal officials she did not want to be contacted after receiving multiple calls. But she had hoped they would have tried to reach her or others in her family for an event like this, she said.

“We should be there,” Tina Marzan told the AP. “I mean, that’s not a question.”

The White House said it does not contact people who request not to be contacted.

Some family members of soldiers who were killed in the war have not taken issue with Trump's remarks.

Donna Burhans, the mother of Maj. Cody Khork, who was one of those killed at Port Shuaiba, said she did not receive an invitation but would not have attended because it's too painful. She has described herself as a “big fan” of Trump after meeting him during the dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base.

“I just can’t keep going thru (sic) this over and over,” she told the AP in a text message.

The White House said it attempted to send invitations to Khork's family members.

The spouse of Maj. Alex Klinner, an airman who was killed in an Iran-related combat operation this summer, said receiving less than two weeks’ notice did not give her enough time to arrange for overnight care for her three young children.

In a text message, Libby Klinner said she would not have gone anyway, adding, “I have no interest in supporting an administration that has been so reckless with the lives of our service members."

___

Brook reported from New Orleans, and Watson from San Diego. Associated Press writers Allen G. Breed in Wake Forest, North Carolina, Russ Bynum in Savannah, Georgia, and Collin Binkley in Washington contributed to this report.

Delvis Jesus Gonzalez, de 50 años, fue detenido en su casa. La policía de Miami dijo que revisó videos de vigilancia y lo identificó como el hombre que presuntamente se llevó el vehículo.

Según la policía, una mujer estaba en un juego de béisbol cerca de la cuadra 2200 de Northwest 11th Court, en el barrio Allapattah de Miami. Mientras tanto, una persona conocida suya dormía en su carro.

Según el informe de arresto, la mujer regresó al lugar donde había estacionado su Volkswagen y descubrió que no estaba.

La mujer llamó a la policía. Un testigo que recorría la zona encontró el carro cerca de Northwest 22nd Place y la calle 7, según el informe. La persona seguía dormida en el asiento trasero.

Los agentes revisaron entonces videos de vigilancia de un restaurante cercano.

El informe indica que en el video se ve a un hombre bajarse del carro por el lado del conductor. Los agentes identificaron a Gonzalez porque ya habían tenido contacto con él antes.

Luego, la policía fue a la casa de Gonzalez, donde lo encontró y lo detuvo, según el informe.

Ya detenido, Gonzalez “les dijo espontáneamente a los agentes que se llevó el carro porque lo dejaron prendido”, señala el informe.

Los detectives dijeron que después entrevistaron a una mujer. Ella reportó que del carro faltaban una billetera negra, la llave electrónica y una tarjeta de crédito.

La policía dijo que recorrió la zona y encontró el carro abandonado. A pocos pies de distancia aparecieron varias tarjetas de crédito.

Según el informe, más tarde le leyeron a Gonzalez sus derechos Miranda y renunció a ellos. Luego dio lo que el informe describe como “una confesión completa de su participación en el secuestro”, pero después se negó a seguir hablando.

Su confesión no aparece en el informe de arresto que se hizo público.

Según los registros, en ese caso Gonzalez enfrenta tres cargos:

• secuestro
• allanamiento de una vivienda ocupada
• hurto mayor de vehículo

Local 10 News obtuvo un segundo informe de arresto sobre Gonzalez. Describe otro presunto robo, esta vez en un edificio de apartamentos.

Según ese informe, el 5 de octubre los agentes recorrían la zona por el caso del carro robado. Fuera del apartamento de Gonzalez encontraron un paquete de Amazon abierto.

La policía contactó al residente. Él revisó su cuenta de Amazon y confirmó que el paquete se había entregado a las 5:10 a.m. del 4 de octubre.

Luego, el residente revisó las cámaras de seguridad, según el informe. Las imágenes presuntamente muestran a Gonzalez entrar al edificio entre las 5:30 y las 6 a.m., tomar el paquete y marcharse.

El paquete contenía cartuchos para una pluma de microagujas, valorados en $26.99, indica el informe.

El informe también señala que a Gonzalez ya se le había prohibido formalmente la entrada a ese edificio.

Gonzalez fue llevado al Jackson Memorial Hospital para recibir atención médica. Según el informe, después iba a ser trasladado al Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.

Según los registros, en el segundo caso Gonzalez enfrenta cargos de allanamiento de una estructura ocupada y de hurto menor con dos o más condenas previas.

Hasta la tarde del martes, Gonzalez seguía detenido en el Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. Su fianza figuraba como “por determinar”.

In a message on X, the Colombian leader said his government will provide economic support to the families of the 17 Colombian suspects, who are expected to face trial in Florida. He also said he had ordered Colombia’s ministries of justice and defense to provide them with legal support.

“The innocent cannot pay for crimes committed by sinners,” de la Espriella wrote. “I want to know exactly what happened and for the responsibility of each individual to be cleared up.”

At least 22 Colombian veterans, working for a Florida security contractor, are believed to have been involved in a July 2021 raid on the home of Moïse that resulted in his assassination.

Three Colombians were killed in clashes after the killing, while the other 17 were arrested in Haiti. Another Colombian veteran, Mario Antonio Palacios, escaped from Haiti but was later extradited to Florida, where he was sentenced to life in prison for conspiracy to commit murder and kidnapping.

In May, an additional four defendants, including a Venezuelan American businessman and a Haitian-American citizen, were convicted of financing and organizing the plot to kill Moïse, whose assassination has been followed by years of political instability and gang violence in the poor Caribbean nation.

The 17 Colombians now held in Florida are among 30 people charged in federal court in the U.S. with crimes in connection with the assassination, including a former Haitian official currently on trial.

Federal prosecutors in the U.S. say South Florida served as a central location for planning and financing the plot to oust Moïse and replace him with someone of the conspirators’ choosing.

During hearings with judges in Haiti, some of the Colombian suspects said they had been deceived by recruiters, who lured them to Haiti by telling them they would be providing security for politicians in that country.

The Colombian suspects have also claimed they were tortured in Haitian prisons and were forced to sign legal document s in a language they did not understand.

“I am absolutely happy that someone finally listens to us,” said Milena Carmona, the wife of Colombian suspect Jheyner Carmona. “We have evidence that shows that they were taken to Haiti to be used as scapegoats” for Moïse’s assassination.

De la Espriella, who was sworn into office in August, has portrayed himself as a staunch supporter of Colombia’s armed forces.

In his message on X, he backed the Colombian veterans now being held in Florida.

“I am not the kind of president who abandons his heroes when they face difficulties,” de la Espriella said, pledging his government's support for their legal defense "so that this situation can be cleared up.”

De la Espriella’s comments mark a significant shift in the Colombian government’s approach to the suspects.

Last year, former President Gustavo Petro apologized to Haiti’s government for the alleged involvement of the Colombian veterans in the assassination.

“I ask for forgiveness, because some white Colombians came here to kill the president of Haiti,” Petro said at the time while visiting the Caribbean nation.

___

Follow AP’s coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america

The Bayern Munich striker is level with former goalkeeper Peter Shilton on the list of most caps won for England's men's team. He can break the record when England plays Croatia on Nov. 12, also at Wembley.

The 33-year-old Kane moved onto 91 international goals — an outright England scoring record — by sweeping home a close-range finish in the 40th minute and heading home at a corner in the 57th. He also delivered the cross that Vladimir Coufal turned into his own net to put England ahead.

“He's only getting better,” England star Jude Bellingham said of Kane, who has been England captain since 2018 and is among the favorites to win the Ballon d’Or when the prestigious award is handed out on Oct. 26 in London.

Kane made his England debut in March 2015, scoring inside 80 seconds of coming on as a substitute against Lithuania.

Kane now has 38 more goals than Wayne Rooney, who is No. 2 on the scoring list.

Shilton, who played for England from 1970-90, congratulated Kane in a video message on social media ahead of the game — and said the former Tottenham striker could set an appearance record that “might never be beaten.”

“Because you're still going strong, Harry,” the 77-year-old Shilton said. “You're still playing well and scoring goals. And I know how much dedication and hard work you actually put into achieving this.”

___

See AP’s full soccer coverage here

Barkov was hurt in the Panthers' overtime loss at San Jose on Thursday. It appeared his left knee — not the knee that needed to be surgically rebuilt last year — buckled on the play, and the Finnish captain immediately left the ice in obvious discomfort.

The timetable would suggest that Barkov will probably be out somewhere between 20 and 25 games before he could return.

“That’s our best window,” Maurice said. “Could be a little less, could be a little more. But we think six to eight (weeks) is the right rehab time.”

Florida plays at Los Angeles on Tuesday to end a season-opening four-game road trip. Maurice revealed the timetable after the Panthers' morning skate in advance of that game.

The Panthers placed Barkov on long-term injured reserve over the weekend, after it became clear his absence would last longer than 10 games. The Panthers weighed multiple options on how to proceed and Barkov saw team doctors Monday before a final plan was agreed upon.

Barkov was injured 20 minutes into the team’s first training camp practice for the 2025-26 season and missed the entire campaign, one of many injury issues that played a role in Florida going from a back-to-back Stanley Cup champion to a team that missed the playoffs.

If there is a silver lining, it’s that Florida is well-versed in how to play without Barkov — who isn’t just the team captain, but is generally considered to be the team’s best player.

“If he hadn’t been injured last year we would have thought, ‘Gee, six to eight weeks is a long time,’” Maurice said. “I think last year was six to eight months, so we’re taking it.”

Over his most recent 10 seasons — excluding when he missed last season — Barkov had 722 points, 485 hits and 463 blocked shots. No other NHL player reached those numbers in all three categories over those years; Toronto’s Auston Matthews and Winnipeg’s Mark Scheifele were the only others with at least 700 points, 400 hits and 400 blocks in that span.

And the Panthers were clearly breathing a sigh of relief knowing that he will be back this season.

“It’s good for everything, maybe most importantly for Barky,” Maurice said. “He’s our captain and we miss him and he feels it when he’s not around. So, he’s probably the happiest of all of us.”

___

See AP’s full NHL coverage here

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A federal criminal complaint obtained by Local 10 News on Tuesday states that U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers pulled Alberto Hernandez Castillo, 40, aside after he arrived on a World Atlantic Airlines flight from Havana on Sunday.

Agents said Hernandez Castillo, a Cuban national and legal permanent U.S. resident, claimed to have nothing to declare and said he was on the island to visit family.

“During the interview, CBP officers observed an unexplained bulge on the front of (his) pelvis/waist area and noted that he appeared nervous,” a Homeland Security Investigations special agent wrote in the complaint.

That, the agent wrote, led the officers to give him a pat-down.

“The pat-down revealed that Hernandez Castillo was concealing six cylindrical clear plastic containers, each wrapped in tape with some black meshed material affixed near the openings,” the agent wrote. “The tubes were then sewn into (his) underwear. Each tube contained live birds.”

Ten live birds, in fact.

Authorities said they found eight yellow-faced grassquits and two blue grosbeaks. The two species are commonly found in the illegal bird trade.

According to the complaint, Hernandez Castillo claimed the birds were for “personal use” and then invoked his right to remain silent. Agents said there’s no evidence he ever submitted the proper paperwork for their importation.

Records show he appeared in Miami federal court on Monday and was subsequently released on a $25,000 personal surety bond.

He faces a charge of smuggling goods into the United States.

A man arrested on the same charge in a similar case in San Diego faced up to 20 years in prison, federal prosecutors noted in 2025.

He said Barkov will undergo non-surgical rehabilitation.

Maurice described the six-to-eight-week timeline as the team’s “best window,” while cautioning that the recovery could take a little less or a little more time.

BREAKING: Barkov (lower body) out 6-8 weeks.

Non-surgical rehab.

Maurice: “That’s our best window. Could be a little less, could be a little more.”

— Jameson Olive (@JamesonCoop) October 6, 2026

The Panthers had previously placed Barkov on long-term injured reserve, also known as LTIR, which he suffered during Thursday night’s 4-3 overtime loss to the San Jose Sharks.

Barkov’s left leg appeared to buckle while he was battling for the puck along the boards during the second period. He left the ice under his own power but did not return.

The injury is not related to the right knee injury that sidelined Barkov for the entire 2025-26 season, Maurice said after the game. Barkov underwent surgery last season after tearing the ACL and MCL in his right knee during training camp.

The 31-year-old Finnish center had only recently returned to game action and was playing his second game of the season when he suffered the latest injury.

The Panthers’ decision to place Barkov on LTIR meant he would have to miss at least 10 games and 24 days under NHL rules. At the time, the team had not publicly announced a specific diagnosis or recovery timeline, although ESPN’s Emily Kaplan initially reported that sources indicated there was optimism the injury would not be season-ending.

That optimism was confirmed Tuesday with the six-to-eight-week recovery estimate.

Maurice said the six-to-eight-week estimate represents the team’s best expectation for Barkov’s return, leaving open the possibility that he could return sooner or require additional time to recover.

The Florida Panthers will face the Los Angeles Kings at the Crypto.com Arena at 10 p.m. ET Tuesday.

En un informe de arresto, la policía de Doral identificó al sospechoso como Juan Leonel Jimenez Silva. Es originario de Venezuela y vive en el noroeste de Miami-Dade.

Según el informe, la investigación comenzó cuando un ciudadano creó un perfil en internet y se hizo pasar por un muchacho de 15 años. La policía recalcó que esta persona no actuaba por orden del Departamento de Policía de Doral ni de ninguna otra agencia del orden.

De acuerdo con la policía, el ciudadano usaba la aplicación de citas Grindr el jueves pasado. Alrededor de las 8 p.m., Jimenez Silva contactó la cuenta.

Los investigadores dijeron que poco después la conversación pasó a WhatsApp. Allí, la persona le dijo a Jimenez Silva que tenía 15 años.

Según la policía, Jimenez Silva siguió comunicándose con él aun después de conocer la supuesta edad.

El informe indica que la conversación se volvió sexual. Jimenez Silva presuntamente envió imágenes y mensajes sexualmente explícitos al “adolescente”. La policía añadió que también le pidió fotos desnudo y le habló de actos sexuales.

Los investigadores dijeron que Jimenez Silva insistió varias veces en conocerlo en persona. También lo invitó a su casa y le dio su dirección.

Finalmente, ambos acordaron reunirse en BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse, cerca del Miami International Mall, según el informe.

Confrontado en un restaurante de Doral

La policía dijo que Jimenez Silva llegó al restaurante creyendo que vería al joven de 15 años. En cambio, se encontró con dos hombres adultos.

Según el informe, uno de ellos se había hecho pasar por el adolescente y el otro grababa el encuentro.

Dentro del restaurante, los hombres le preguntaron a Jimenez Silva por qué había ido a encontrarse con el supuesto menor, indicó la policía.

De acuerdo con los investigadores, Jimenez Silva salió del restaurante y cruzó corriendo el estacionamiento. Luego se subió a una SUV Toyota blanca registrada a su nombre y se marchó.

Al día siguiente, los dos hombres fueron al Departamento de Policía de Doral, según el informe. Allí entregaron declaraciones juradas, capturas de pantalla de la conversación de WhatsApp y el video de la confrontación en el restaurante.

La policía dijo que ambos también identificaron a Jimenez Silva en una rueda de reconocimiento fotográfico.

Arrestado días después

Jimenez Silva fue detenido el lunes por la noche en su casa.

Según los investigadores, le leyeron sus derechos Miranda y aceptó hablar con los detectives. Admitió que la conversación comenzó en Grindr y luego pasó a WhatsApp.

De acuerdo con la policía, Jimenez Silva dijo que al principio no creyó estar haciendo nada malo, porque los usuarios de Grindr deben ser adultos. Sin embargo, reconoció que la persona le dijo que tenía 15 años al comienzo de la conversación por WhatsApp, señala el informe.

La policía indicó que Jimenez Silva dijo sentirse atraído por el supuesto adolescente y que le parecía mayor de 15 años.

Según el informe de arresto, Jimenez Silva confirmó que la cuenta de WhatsApp era suya. También reconoció haber enviado los mensajes e imágenes sexuales que describieron los investigadores. La policía añadió que identificó dos selfis suyas en las que aparece vestido y confirmó haber enviado cuatro imágenes de actividad sexual.

Finalmente, Jimenez Silva fue arrestado por cuatro cargos:

• transmisión electrónica de material dañino para un menor
• uso de una computadora para viajar a encontrarse con un menor
• uso de una computadora para seducir, solicitar o atraer a un menor a cometer actos sexuales
• intento de agresión lasciva contra un menor

Hasta la mañana del martes, Jimenez Silva seguía detenido en el Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.

Según los registros de la cárcel, el venezolano tiene una retención migratoria y por eso no puede salir bajo fianza.

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Olvin Cabrera Valladares loved soccer and was a student at Miami’s Citrus Grove K-8 Center. His mother told Local 10 News the 13-year-old died last week after a freak accident at a Miami park.

“He was my baby, my youngest, just 13 years old. He had his whole life ahead of him,” said Valladares. “He just wanted to play, and sadly, it was playing that took his life.”

On the morning of Sept. 25, Olvin was supposed to be at school.

Instead, his mom says he rode his scooter 2 miles south to Shenandoah Park, located at 1800 SW 21st Ave. She says she learned what happened next from a man who came to the park later that day with his kids and discovered Olvin stuck inside the slide.

“He told me he pulled on him, but he was caught on a screw,” she said. “He pulled again, and my son fell out. His arm was inside of his shirt, and his collar was tight around his neck.”

The slide is lined with screws.

The ones Local 10 News could observe with our camera were flat, but the witness told Olvin’s mother he was hanging in the middle of the tube by his T-shirt collar, which became caught on a screw and choked him.

After being rushed to the hospital, Olvin was placed on life support.

One week later, he was declared brain dead.

“As a mother, it’s very hard to lose a son,” said Valladares. “I never thought I would lose my son.”

The day Olvin was found, the city of Miami closed the park for what it called a “non-criminal investigation.”

Sky 10 flew over the scene and could see a playground surrounded by yellow tape.

Neither the Miami Police Department nor the city have confirmed the alleged chain of events.

It’s unclear whether the slide was inspected or repaired after the incident, but by the next day, the park was back open and the slide was back in use.

“I have a message for parents,” said Valladares. “Be careful taking your children to these parks. Look at the tragedy that happened to my son.”

Local 10 News reached out to Miami Mayor Eileen Higgins, Miami Commissioner Rolando Escalona and the city’s Parks and Recreation Department for a comment or an interview.

A city spokesperson responded via email, saying, “Our deepest condolences are with the child’s family and loved ones. This matter is under active investigation, and the City is working diligently to gather all the facts and bring closure to the family. To protect the integrity of that process, we are unable to comment further at this time.”

Olvin’s mother is trying to raise money to pay for his unexpected funeral and has started a GoFundMe page.

The U.S. Health and Human Services Department lawyers will “provide direct legal advice and counsel” to unaccompanied migrant children, according to an announcement in the Federal Register signed by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The decision, announced last week without fanfare, offered no details beyond that broad mandate.

Health and Human Services said in a statement that its Unaccompanied Alien Children Legal Representation Division will work under its general counsel's direction toward “safely reuniting these children with their families and ensuring they have the legal support they need.”

“This new division will give the Department an additional mechanism to provide these children direct legal support while dedicated public servants work around the clock to safely reunify them with their families,” the department told The Associated Press in a brief statement. It didn't answer additional questions, including whether it would continue to contract with nongovernmental groups for legal representation or when its new legal division is expected to be fully operational.

The move appears to lay the groundwork for one of the biggest changes since guaranteed free legal representation for unaccompanied migrant children was introduced in 2008. It comes after the administration cut ties with the Acacia Center for Justice, a nongovernmental organization that managed 24,000 cases and held a contract to provide representation through a vast network of legal service providers.

The change means migrant children will not have an independent representative to advocate for them who doesn't have a conflict of interest, said Shaina Aber, the Acacia Center's executive director.

“Placing children’s legal representation and services inside of the same agency that holds children in federal immigration custody is an unprecedented step that does not meet basic standards of independence of counsel,” Aber said. It “will only give HHS new opportunities to forsake children’s rights and well-being.”

Wendy Young, president of Kids in Need of Defense, a nonprofit that provides free legal representation and social services to unaccompanied children, called the creation of the new in-house HHS legal team “part of a pattern of attacks that this administration has engaged in, in terms of undermining zealous representation of unaccompanied children in their immigration proceedings.”

The new division will work independently from other government agencies that deal with the minors, including the HHS Office of Refugee Resettlement, which is responsible for the custody and care of the children who arrive in the U.S. without a parent or legal guardian.

There is some precedent for government-paid attorneys defending clients against government prosecutors in civilian and military courts, but as criminal defense lawyers and not in immigration court.

But Young noted that the child's lawyer, the judge, and government attorneys seeking deportation will all be federal employees. Judges are appointed by the Justice Department and prosecutors work at the Department of Homeland Security.

“A government attorney who’s employed by the government most likely would be coached and encouraged to take the position of encouraging the child to agree to voluntary departure and to leave the United States rather than to present a full representation of the facts of their case,” Young said.

Amid the uncertainty, children have been going to their court hearings without legal representation lately, according to advocates.

Americans for Immigrant Justice, another nonprofit that provides free legal representation to unaccompanied immigrant children, said it has been challenging to secure lawyers for the minors since the government suspended funding to legal aid organizations on July 31 through Acacia.

Sui Chung, the group's executive director, said the need for legal representation exceeds the available resources.

“To deny legal counsel to the most vulnerable among us — children who have already fled trauma — is a fundamental breakdown of the fairness our Constitution promises," Chung said. “Children deserve our strongest protection."

The government recently awarded a contract to another organization, Our Rescue, with a potential value of up to $244 million. The transition to Our Rescue, which has been challenged by Acacia, has led to short-term arrangements, including a temporary contract with the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants.

Speaking Tuesday at preseason ACC basketball media days, Phillips touted the health and financial gains for the league while also saying schools “need direct access to state their case” when it comes to the proposed law to reform college athletics. The U.S. Senate has approved a version of the measure and sent it to the House.

The presidents and chancellors of Clemson, Florida State, Miami and North Carolina sent a letter last week to House leaders seeking to increase the bill's membership cap for conferences from 20 to 22 schools. They also requested removing a requirement for a school to be independent for three years before joining another league.

Tomahawk Nation, a site covering Florida State athletics, was first to obtain a copy of the letter. A North Carolina spokesman confirmed its authenticity when contacted by The Associated Press.

Phillips said he would continue to stay in touch with all ACC schools and noted most back the measure.

“We have 14 schools that feel really good about it that want to sign it, and we have four schools that have an issue with a portion of it," he said. "So that’s what I’m going to continue to push towards the decision makers and those that have written the bill to date.”

FSU and Clemson filed lawsuits against the ACC in 2023 and 2024, respectively, to challenge the league's ability to levy hundreds of millions in exit fees to leave the conference. The league countersued. The parties ultimately settled the case in early 2025 with a deal that revised long-term exit costs while also revamping the league's revenue-distribution model as a way for schools generating the highest TV ratings to earn more money.

That's been part of a series of changes by the league to bolster the financial picture while facing a growing gap behind the Big Ten and Southeastern conferences, though still finishing ahead of the Big 12 among the Power Four. The ACC reported about $826.5 million in total revenue in tax filings covering the 2024-25 sports season, with schools earning a full distribution share getting an average of $47.1 million.

That continued an upward trajectory from $617 million for 2021-22 in Phillips’ first full season, good for a full-share average of $39.4 million. By comparison, the Big Ten and SEC both crossed the $1 billion mark in total revenue in their 2024-25 filings, with the Big Ten paying an average of nearly $79.9 million to full-share members while the SEC came in at nearly $72.4 million.

The ACC's legal settlement with Clemson and FSU helped make the 2030-31 a significant marker. The ACC's exit fee will decline each year before leveling off around $75 million per school that season, while media deals for other leagues are expiring around that time to create at least the potential for another wave of broad realignment.

Provisions in any new law could make that harder, starting with membership caps that could limit the available landing spots. In addition, requiring a school to operate as an independent for a defined period after leaving a league would mean missing formerly guaranteed media payouts before being able to cash in elsewhere.

“I’ve been very consistent about I have always tried to make sure that this was a conference that people wanted to be in, and I’m really proud of what we’ve done,” Phillips said. “We’re as healthy as we’ve ever been."

Phillips declined to discuss “hypotheticals” when asked whether he was concerned about whether this was a sign of multiple schools intending to leave.

“The conference is in a good place,” he said. "Healthy, functioning, achieving at a high level. We’ll see where all this takes us. So you have to be ready. You have to be ready for anything. But I feel good about where we’re at, and we’ll see what this bill ends up doing.”

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Opa-locka police identified the suspect in an arrest report as Arlande Delius Sylvestre.

According to the arrest report, officers responded to a home in reference to a reported battery with injuries at approximately 5:40 a.m. Monday.

When officers arrived, they found the victim with visible injuries to his forehead and other parts of his body, police said. Officers searched the surrounding area but did not find Sylvestre, who the victim said had fled on foot before police arrived.

The victim told investigators that he had been sleeping on a couch inside the home when the smell of smoke woke him.

According to the report, the victim saw Sylvestre setting the couch on fire and yelled at him.

Police said Sylvestre then struck the victim in the forehead with a machete, causing a deep cut.

The victim told police Sylvestre then got on top of him, pinned him against the couch and grabbed one of his arms while repeatedly striking him with the machete.

During the attack, Sylvestre allegedly yelled, “I’m going to kill you!”

The victim fought back and was eventually able to break free, according to the report. Police said Sylvestre chased him while still armed with the machete and attempted to strike him again.

The victim managed to get away and call 911 as Sylvestre fled the scene, according to police.

The report states that Sylvestre returned to the scene with the machete before officers arrived and again confronted and chased the victim.

The victim fled because he feared he would be injured again, according to the report.

He described the machete to investigators as approximately 24 inches long and black and blue with lettering on it. Police said the victim’s injuries were consistent with being caused by a machete.

The arrest report also states that Sylvestre is subject to a non-expiring protection order issued in January 2024 involving his girlfriend after he allegedly stabbed her. Police said that after leaving the scene Monday, Sylvestre called his girlfriend and located her in person, violating that protection order.

Police said Sylvestre was read his Miranda rights and invoked his right to remain silent.

He was arrested and transported to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center where he was booked on charges of arson, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault and violation of an injunction.

A motive for the alleged attack is unclear.

As of Tuesday afternoon, Sylvestre remained at TGK. Online jail records listed his total bond as “to be set.”

A statement shared by his family on his official Instagram account confirmed Jackson died Monday, three days after his 70th birthday. No cause of death was provided.

“Freddie was more than a legendary voice. He was a kind, generous soul who loved his fans, his family, his friends, and his music with everything he had. For decades he gave us the songs that became the soundtrack to our love stories, our celebrations, and our most treasured memories. That gift will live on forever,” the statement read.

“To everyone who ever sang along, danced, or felt something when Freddie took the stage: thank you. You were family to him, and he carried your love with him always,” it continued.

Details regarding arrangements will be announced in the coming days.

Jackson was born and raised in Harlem, where he learned all about soul music and sang gospel at White Rock Baptist Church. He started his career in the New York club scene, eventually making his way out West with the band Mystic Merlin in the late '70s. He soon returned to New York and released his debut album, “Rock Me Tonight,” in 1985. His distinctive voice proved to be his superpower: The album, which was quickly certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, also led to his two career Grammy nominations. Those were for best new artist and best male R&B vocal performance for the single “You Are My Lady.”

“Rock Me Tonight” also created a new R&B superstar: Jackson became a mainstay of those Billboard charts and a fixture of contemporary urban radio play throughout the ’80s and early '90s.

His sophomore album, 1987's “Just Like the First Time,” was also certified platinum.

Jackson shared his kidney disease diagnosis in 2024

In 2024, Jackson revealed he had been diagnosed with kidney disease in a video shared to his social media accounts.

“This journey has had its challenges but I’ve decided to face it with openness and resilience,” he said in the clip. “It’s important to me that I share this with you, not just as a part of my personal story, but as a way to make a positive difference.”

At the time, Jackson also revealed he had partnered with the National Kidney Foundation to raise awareness of the disease.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 1 in 7 American adults has chronic kidney disease. As many as 9 in 10 don’t know they have it.

Chronic kidney disease is a condition where the kidneys are damaged and struggle to filter blood. As a result, excess waste and fluids remain and can lead to other health issues, such as heart disease.

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Delvis Jesus Gonzalez, 50, was taken into custody at his home after Miami police said they reviewed surveillance video and identified him as the person who allegedly drove away in the vehicle.

Police said the incident happened while a woman was attending a baseball game near the 2200 block of Northwest 11th Court in Miami’s Allapattah neighborhood, while a person she knew slept in her car.

According to the arrest report, the woman returned to her parked Volkswagen and discovered that it was missing.

The woman called police, and a witness canvassing the area located the car near Northwest 22nd Place and Seventh Street, where the person was still sleeping in the back seat, according to the report.

Officers then reviewed surveillance video from a nearby restaurant.

The report states that police identified Gonzalez in the video as he exited the car from the driver’s seat, based on a prior interaction with him.

Police then went to Gonzalez’s home, where they found him and took him into custody, according to the report.

While in custody, Gonzalez “spontaneously stated to the officers that he took the car because they left it running,” the report states.

Detectives said they later interviewed a woman who reported that a black wallet, car key fob and credit card were missing from the car.

Police said they searched the area, located the abandoned car, and found several credit cards a few feet away from its location.

According to the report, Gonzalez was later read his Miranda rights, waived them and gave what the report describes as “a full confession of his involvement in the kidnapping” before later refusing to continue talking.

His confession wasn’t included in his publicly released arrest report.

Records show Gonzalez is facing one count each of kidnapping, burglary of an occupied dwelling and grand theft of a vehicle in that case.

A second arrest report obtained by Local 10 News involving Gonzalez describes a separate alleged theft at an apartment building.

According to that report, officers were canvassing the area on Oct. 5 in connection with the vehicle theft case when they found an opened Amazon package outside of Gonzalez’s apartment.

Police contacted the resident, who checked his Amazon account and confirmed the package had been delivered at 5:10 a.m. Oct. 4.

The resident then reviewed surveillance footage, which allegedly showed Gonzalez entering the building between 5:30 and 6 a.m., taking the package and leaving, according to the report.

The package contained microneedling pen cartridges valued at $26.99, the report states.

The report also states that Gonzalez had previously been issued a trespass warning for the building.

Gonzalez was transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital for medical treatment and was expected to be taken to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center afterward, according to the report.

In the second case, Gonzalez is facing charges of burglary of an occupied structure and a petit theft charge involving two or more prior convictions, records show.

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

Local 10 News obtuvo el martes una denuncia penal federal sobre el caso. Según el documento, agentes de la Oficina de Aduanas y Protección Fronteriza (CBP) llamaron aparte a Alberto Hernandez Castillo, de 40 años. Había llegado el domingo en un vuelo de World Atlantic Airlines procedente de La Habana.

Según los agentes, Hernandez Castillo es ciudadano cubano y residente permanente legal de EE.UU. Afirmó que no tenía nada que declarar y que había ido a la isla a visitar a su familia.

“Durante la entrevista, los agentes de CBP observaron un bulto inexplicable en la parte delantera de (su) pelvis o cintura y notaron que parecía nervioso”. Así lo escribió en la denuncia un agente especial de Investigaciones de Seguridad Nacional (HSI).

Según el agente, eso llevó a los oficiales a cachearlo.

“El cacheo reveló que Hernandez Castillo ocultaba seis recipientes cilíndricos de plástico transparente, cada uno envuelto en cinta adhesiva y con una malla negra cerca de las aberturas”, escribió el agente. “Los tubos estaban cosidos a (su) ropa interior. Cada tubo contenía pájaros vivos”.

En total, eran 10 pájaros vivos.

Las autoridades dijeron que encontraron ocho tomeguines de la tierra y dos azulejos. Ambas especies aparecen con frecuencia en el tráfico ilegal de aves.

Según la denuncia, Hernandez Castillo dijo que los pájaros eran para “uso personal” y luego se acogió a su derecho a guardar silencio. Los agentes dijeron que no hay pruebas de que haya presentado los documentos necesarios para importarlos.

Según los registros, compareció el lunes ante un tribunal federal en Miami. Después quedó en libertad bajo una fianza personal de $25,000.

Enfrenta un cargo de contrabando de mercancías hacia Estados Unidos.

En 2025, fiscales federales señalaron que un hombre arrestado por el mismo cargo en un caso similar en San Diego se exponía a hasta 20 años de prisión.

On Tuesday, the 39-year-old Messi is set to bid farewell to international soccer after 21 years, 125 goals, two Copa América titles and a World Cup championship. What would otherwise be an unremarkable friendly match against the West African nation of Benin has become the moment that this soccer-crazed country has long dreaded.

“It feels like an era is ending, knowing he won’t play for the national team anymore,” said Valentino Ruso, 17, who was hanging out with friends in a Buenos Aires park on Tuesday. “I’m sad. I think everyone is upset today. He will be missed.”

Argentines have had an intense, often unforgiving relationship with the shy boy who left his hometown of Rosario at 13 for the youth academy of Spanish club Barcelona. As he grew into a global icon of near-mythical stature, his compatriots adored and abused him, doubted his commitment and accused him of indifference to his own country.

But as he prepares to say goodbye to the national team, his devotion to Argentina is no longer in question. Nor is Argentina’s devotion to its most famous export whose triumphs have served as reminders of national greatness through years of political and economic instability.

“Argentines often say, ‘Thank God I was born at a time when I could experience the miracle of watching Messi play,’” said Andrés Rabinovich, a University of Chicago scholar who has researched soccer’s role in Argentine culture. “It’s hard living in Argentina. Soccer is often one of the few things that offer you some respite, some joy.”

For years, Argentines had debated when and how Messi should leave the international stage — though he'll continue to play for MLS team Inter Miami. His Aug. 31 announcement that he'd be retiring from the national team, weeks after Argentina’s loss to Spain in the World Cup final, prompted an outpouring of gratitude and grief.

“I don’t know if there has ever been a love story between a player and a country as great as the one you built,” his teammate Rodrigo De Paul wrote on Instagram.

The Argentine soccer federation has turned Tuesday’s game — Messi’s 208th — into a national homage dubbed “the last tango.” Some 85,000 tickets to Buenos Aires’ largest stadium sold out in 90 minutes, and members of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning squad and their families were invited back to join the tribute.

Winning over his own

During the 2000s and 2010s, Messi amassed trophies with his club and won diehard fans from Barcelona to Bangladesh. Yet a major championship for his own country eluded him.

Where the world saw a supernatural talent, some at home saw an outsider who had never played professionally in Argentina and could not deliver when it mattered most to the nation. Argentine crowds chanted “Diego, Diego,” invoking Diego Maradona, the larger-than-life hero of Argentina’s 1986 World Cup victory — and reminding Messi of the standard he had yet to meet. Messi’s quiet reserve, so at odds with Maradona’s defiant swagger, fueled doubts about his patriotism.

After Argentina lost a third consecutive final in 2016, Messi briefly quit the national team.

“There’s some resentment by the people that stay in Argentina for those who leave, this sense of, ‘They think they’re better than us,’” said Rabinovich, adding that he identifies with Messi as a fellow teenage migrant, having moved to Canada during Argentina's 2001 economic crisis, around the time Messi left for Europe. “The old-school Argentines would say, ‘Diego is the Argentine. Messi is soft, a little Spanish boy.’”

The turning point came in 2021, when Argentina beat Brazil to win the Copa América, South America’s championship, for the first time in 28 years. Messi collapsed to the turf as his teammates, delirious, ran to hug him. The player long accused of feeling too little could not stop sobbing.

“Winning clearly disarmed his critics. That’s how soccer works in Argentina,” said Diego Murzi, a sports sociologist at Conicet, Argentina’s national scientific research council. “Criticism of things off the field goes hand in hand with defeats on it.”

The World Cup victory the following year in Qatar sealed his place as a national hero. Messi had delivered the one prize that had eluded him, and millions of Argentines poured into the streets in collective ecstasy, his name in their chants and his No. 10 on their backs.

“I’ll never forget it. I’d never experienced anything like that, being out there with everyone, celebrating together,” said Antonia Correa, 70, a kiosk owner recalling that day as she waited for a bus in Buenos Aires on Tuesday. “We saw that he wasn’t just an extraordinary player, but an excellent human being.”

In recent weeks, newspapers have hummed with nostalgic tributes and murals celebrating Messi have sprung up across the country. La Nación, a leading Argentine daily newspaper, released “Immortal,” a documentary chronicling his final World Cup run, and published a 196-page special edition devoted to his career. A giant replica of his No. 10 Argentina jersey, emblazoned with the word “Gracias,” was unfurled Monday across a main plaza in his home city of Rosario. And in Patagonia, a 26-meter (85-foot), 70-ton statue of Messi kneeling with the World Cup trophy has towered over passing motorists since June.

A jersey without an heir

Across Argentina, fans who grew up watching Messi as their parents watched Maradona now carry him on their skin, in tattoos of him kissing the World Cup trophy. It was easy to believe the world’s greatest player would always be one of their own. Now even Messi’s No. 10 shirt has no designated heir, with coach Lionel Scaloni saying the decision would wait until after his final match.

“I don’t think we’ll have somebody like him again, somebody with that sort of enduring power,” said Pablo Brescia, a University of South Florida professor who writes about Argentine culture and soccer. “Like Maradona, he’ll be unique — a figure that can’t be repeated.”

Messi will continue playing for Inter Miami, where his contract runs through the 2028 season. But the charged ritual of watching him carry Argentina’s hopes and anxieties into every match is ending.

“Watching Messi play, you felt anything could happen,” Murzi said. "I’ve seen him do things that I don’t think I’ll ever see another player do.”

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See AP’s full soccer coverage here

En un informe de arresto, la policía de Opa-locka identificó al sospechoso como Arlande Delius Sylvestre.

Según el informe, los agentes acudieron a una vivienda alrededor de las 5:40 a.m. del lunes. Habían recibido un reporte de agresión con lesiones.

Al llegar, encontraron a la víctima con heridas visibles en la frente y en otras partes del cuerpo, dijo la policía. Los agentes recorrieron la zona, pero no encontraron a Sylvestre. Según la víctima, había huido a pie antes de que llegara la policía.

La víctima les contó a los investigadores que dormía en un sofá dentro de la casa cuando la despertó el olor a humo.

Según el informe, vio a Sylvestre prendiéndole fuego al sofá y le gritó.

La policía dijo que Sylvestre entonces le dio un machetazo en la frente que le causó una herida profunda.

La víctima contó que Sylvestre se le subió encima, lo inmovilizó contra el sofá y le agarró un brazo mientras lo golpeaba una y otra vez con el machete.

Durante el ataque, Sylvestre presuntamente le gritó: “¡Te voy a matar!”.

La víctima se defendió y logró zafarse, según el informe. La policía dijo que Sylvestre lo persiguió con el machete en la mano e intentó golpearlo de nuevo.

Según la policía, la víctima logró escapar y llamar al 911 mientras Sylvestre huía.

El informe indica que Sylvestre regresó al lugar con el machete antes de que llegaran los agentes. Volvió a enfrentar a la víctima y a perseguirla.

La víctima huyó por miedo a que lo hiriera otra vez, según el informe.

Describió el machete como de unas 24 pulgadas de largo, negro y azul, con letras. Según la policía, las heridas de la víctima coincidían con las de un machete.

El informe también señala que Sylvestre tiene una orden de protección permanente a favor de su novia, emitida en enero de 2024. La orden se dictó después de que presuntamente la apuñalara. La policía dijo que, tras irse del lugar el lunes, Sylvestre llamó a su novia y fue a buscarla en persona, con lo que violó esa orden.

Según la policía, a Sylvestre le leyeron sus derechos Miranda y se acogió a su derecho a guardar silencio.

Fue arrestado y trasladado al Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. Allí quedó registrado con cuatro cargos:

• incendio provocado
• agresión agravada con arma mortal
• asalto agravado
• violación de una orden de protección

Se desconoce el motivo del presunto ataque.

Hasta la tarde del martes, Sylvestre seguía en el TGK. Según los registros de la cárcel, su fianza total figuraba como “por determinar”.

Harry Moon, presidente de NSU, informó recientemente que NSU admitió en su campus de Davie a uno de los siete estudiantes nombrados en una demanda civil presentada el 16 de septiembre. Según la demanda, una estudiante de segundo año, de 20 años, fue violada en una casa de fraternidad en Ithaca, Nueva York.

“Cuando fue admitido, la universidad no tenía conocimiento de las acusaciones que luego salieron en los medios”, escribió Moon recientemente en una carta a los estudiantes. “En cuanto supimos del presunto incidente, actuamos de inmediato para proteger la seguridad y el bienestar de nuestros estudiantes y de la comunidad de NSU”.

Moon no identificó al estudiante de NSU. Según la información disponible, era miembro del capítulo Xi de la fraternidad Chi Phi. Además, es uno de los sospechosos de la presunta violación, ocurrida entre el 19 y el 20 de octubre de 2024 en la cuadra 100 de Edgermoor Lane, en Ithaca.

La mujer denunció la violación ante el Departamento de Policía de Cornell University el 8 de noviembre de 2024. Después de eso, Cornell suspendió temporalmente a los estudiantes de la fraternidad, según la demanda civil. La demanda identifica a la víctima como Jane Doe y acusa a Cornell de negligencia.

Cornell expulsó a dos de los siete estudiantes tras una investigación bajo el Título IX, informó el lunes The New York Times. El litigio civil, de carácter público, llevó recientemente a un gran jurado del condado de Tompkins a revisar el caso.

“Las víctimas de agresión sexual pueden necesitar años de terapia y sanación para procesar y entender por completo lo que les pasó. Buscar justicia a veces nos obliga a reconsiderar o reabrir casos cuando recibimos nuevas pruebas”. Así lo escribió el fiscal del condado de Tompkins, Matthew Van Houten, en un comunicado del 28 de septiembre.

El viernes, la gobernadora de Nueva York, Kathy Hochul, anunció que había apartado a Van Houten del caso. En su lugar nombró a James como fiscal especial para investigar, presentar pruebas ante un gran jurado y “procesar cualquier” delito.

“Como este asunto involucra leyes federales sobre un estudiante en particular, las normas federales limitan legalmente lo que la universidad puede divulgar”, escribió Moon en la carta a los estudiantes de NSU.

Entre los estudiantes de NSU que dijeron sentirse inquietos por la carta de Moon estaba Mars Rivera.

“Obviamente, no dice si lo sacaron, si sigue aquí ni nada de eso”, dijo Rivera a Local 10 News.

Otros videos captaron el sonido de una docena de disparos. También muestran a dos hombres saltando por una ventana del tercer piso de Aliro, en el 14040 de Biscayne Boulevard. Al parecer, uno de ellos dejó caer dinero en efectivo al suelo mientras huía.

Horas después del tiroteo y el secuestro en Aliro, un capitán encontró el cuerpo de Eddrick Malik Bethune a un lado de la carretera, según los detectives de la Oficina del Sheriff. Estaba en la zona de la calle 216 y la avenida 189 del suroeste, en Redlands.

Según el Departamento de Policía de North Miami, un herido llegó a un hospital cercano después del tiroteo en Aliro. Los detectives de homicidios de la Oficina del Sheriff dijeron que no han podido hablar con él debido a “su estado de salud”.

Los detectives también investigaban el incendio intencional de un vehículo en el sur de Miami-Dade, relacionado con el caso del asesinato.

El detective J. Rodriguez pidió a cualquier persona con información sobre el caso que llame al 305-471-2400.

Los detectives también pidieron a quien tenga información sobre este u otros casos que llame a Miami-Dade County Crime Stoppers al 305-471-8477 para mantener el anonimato.

U.S. District Judge Loren AliKhan did not immediately rule on ABC’s request for a preliminary injunction prohibiting the Federal Communications Commission from conducting its early review, which it said was unconstitutional, a violation of free speech and a retaliation for content President Donald Trump dislikes.

A government attorney argued that, as a procedural matter, the court doesn’t have jurisdiction over ABC’s case because it belongs in a different venue. The government also challenged the network’s First Amendment arguments, and said ABC had failed to show it suffered irreparable harm.

A ruling was not expected until at least mid-October. After extensively questioning both sides, she asked them to submit brief additional arguments by Oct. 9, for the government, and Oct. 14, for ABC.

ABC and its parent company, Disney, sued the FCC and FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr in August, several months after the commission ordered eight ABC-owned stations to submit renewal applications for their broadcast licenses years ahead of schedule.

The case is one of several ongoing legal battles between Trump’s Republican administration and news outlets — including The Associated Press — over their coverage and access to the executive branch since Trump returned to the White House for a second term.

At Tuesday's two-hour hearing, ABC attorney Beth Wilkinson harkened back to the French Revolution to illustrate what she called the chilling effect that the renewal process was having on the network. It was, she said, like having one's “head on the guillotine,” forced to wonder “if anything we say is going to make it come down.”

“Our editorial decisions are being affected right now,” Wilkinson said, noting that the U.S. midterm elections are fast approaching. “We are watching everything that we do.”

She reiterated the First Amendment argument ABC has been making since the beginning — that it was being targeted for its content. “President Donald Trump has made his stance clear over and over again,” Wilkinson said. “What he says is because of that content, because of that speech, ABC should lose its license.

“These are blatant violations of the U.S. Constitution,” she said, calling it a threat not just to ABC but to all broadcast media.

Dimitar Georgiev-Remmel, the Department of Justice attorney, explicitly rejected the guillotine analogy.

Georgiev-Remmel argued that the court lacked jurisdiction, but that even if it decided it had jurisdiction, a preliminary injunction should still be denied. He said ABC had not established a likelihood of success on the merits of the case, and also had not established irreparable harm, because the network’s eight licenses remain valid.

Issuing a preliminary injunction at ABC’s request would mean “allowing them to sidestep” the path that Congress has set up for regulatory action appeals, Georgiev-Remmel said.

Asked by the judge what irreparable harm ABC had suffered, Wilkinson answered: “The irreparable injury is the chill, and the threat of retaliation for First Amendment speech and editorial decisions ABC makes every day.”

In its lawsuit, ABC had asked the judge to temporarily prohibit the FCC from taking any further action related to its license renewal proceedings. ABC also sought to prohibit the commission from trying to coerce or threaten the network to alter its “exercise of editorial discretion.”

“The First Amendment demands an immediate end to the Commission’s retaliatory campaign,” ABC attorneys wrote.

Carr, a Trump ally, ordered the early review of the stations’ licenses in April — just after a joke by ABC’s late-night host Jimmy Kimmel infuriated Trump, who called for the comedian's firing.

ABC also had been fighting Carr’s efforts to make the morning talk show “The View” subject to equal-time rules. Carr defended his agency’s actions against ABC by saying broadcasters have a duty to “operate in the public interest.”

Government attorneys urged the court to dismiss ABC’s lawsuit, accusing the network of trying to prematurely ward off scrutiny by federal regulators.

“To foreclose the Commission from using all the tools at its disposal to investigate whether Plaintiffs are meeting their statutory and regulatory duties would seriously harm both the government and the public,” Justice Department lawyers wrote.

AliKhan was nominated to the bench by President Joe Biden, a Democrat.

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Noveck reported from New York, and Boone from Boise, Idaho.

Tuesday's announcement by the National Book Foundation of five nominees in each of five competitive categories has at least one notable omission: Marlon James' “The Disappearers,” a Booker Prize finalist praised by The New York Times as among the century's best releases. James' novel, centered around the vicious beating of a group of gay men in Jamaica in the 1980s, had been on the National Book Awards fiction longlist of 10 released last month.

Winners, each of whom receive $10,000, will be revealed during a Nov. 18 dinner ceremony in Manhattan. Honorary medals will be presented to Salman Rushdie and Perri Klass.

Danticat's “Dèy” and Luiselli's “Beginning Middle End” are fiction finalists in a category of wide-ranging characters, subjects and locations. Danticat's story of a mass shooting attack and its aftermath takes place in Miami, Haiti and Brooklyn, while Hannah Lillith Assadi's “Paradiso 17” follows the worldwide journey of an exiled Palestinian. Luiselli's family narrative spans generations and continents and Julián Delgado Lopera's “Pretend You’re Dead and I Carry You” is set in Colombia. In Morgan Thomas' “Mad Eden,” a transgender healthcare worker in Florida struggles for stability in an unfriendly world.

Knausgaard, the Norwegian author with a wide international following, is a finalist in the translation category for “The School of Night,” translated by Martin Aitken. Other nominees include Vicente Luis Mora's “Centroeuropa,” translated from the Spanish by Rahul Bery; Intan Paramaditha's “Night of a Thousand Hells,” translated from the Indonesian by Stephen J. Epstein and Tiffany Tsao; Mohamed Mbougar Sarr's “Pure Men,” translated from the French by Lara Vergnaud; and Samar Yazbek's “Your Presence Is a Danger to Your Life: Voices of Survival and Witness in Gaza,” translated from the Arabic by Leri Price.

In nonfiction, Colin Asher is a finalist for “The Midnight Special: The Secret Prison History of American Music,” Abdelrahman ElGendy for “Huna: A Memoir of Revolution, Prison, and Becoming,” Camonghne Felix for “Let the Poets Govern: A Declaration of Freedom,” Sara Nović for “Mother Tongue” and Joseph Osmundson for “Spawning Season: An Experiment in Queer Parenthood.”

David Levithan, a finalist for young people's literature, is among a small circle of book editors who also have accomplished careers as authors, including Jenny Jackson at Alfred A. Knopf and Jill Bialosky at W.W. Norton & Company. Levithan is an editorial director at Scholastic and a prolific writer nominated this year for “The Fight of Our Lives: AIDS in America,” a collaboration with Gabriel Duckels.

The other young people's literature finalists are Elana K. Arnold's “Holloway,” Tae Keller's “When Tomorrow Burns,” Keala Kendall's “That Which Feeds Us: A Hawaiian Gothic” and Julian Randall's “Shook.”

In poetry, the nominees are Victoria Chang's “Tree of Knowledge,” Carolina Ebeid's “Hide,” Brenda Hillman's “Still House in the Desert: An eco-contemplation,” Fady Joudah's “Exhibit G: Poems, Essays, and Photographs of Gaza” and Susan Stewart's “Bramble.”

Lt. Gen. Benjamin Watson, commander of III Marine Expeditionary Force, said in a letter posted on social media Tuesday that episodes like these "demand we pause for reflection” and that serving on the Japanese island “comes with responsibility."

The arrest of the Marine has renewed protests against the heavy American military presence on the southern island and the rise in military-related crime. The killing could also complicate Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s push to strengthen the Japanese military on Okinawa and to work more closely with the U.S. military to deter China in the region.

“We live, work, and socialize alongside the people of Okinawa; their home is our home,” Watson wrote. “Every interaction with our neighbors either builds or undermines the trust that is essential to our team. When that trust is damaged, it affects the strength of our alliance and the security of this region. Accordingly, we will take time to think hard about discipline, standards and our alliance responsibilities.”

The 48-hour pause will last from Wednesday through Friday. Service members will receive training on standards, discipline and “our responsibilities as members of the Okinawan community.” Restricting the ability of troops to leave military bases and interact with the local community is a common response by military leaders to major crimes.

Okinawa prefectural police said they arrested Lance Cpl. Devin Jacob Ballard, 20, who is stationed at Futenma Air Station, on suspicion of strangling Anna Yagi, 39, at a hotel in the island’s capital city, Naha, early Saturday and stealing her wallet and backpack. He has denied the allegations, according to Japanese media. Ballard is from Ohio, the Marine Corps said.

Security camera footage showed a man entering the hotel with the woman and later leaving alone.

Ballard was arrested when a patrolling officer saw him walking later Saturday in an entertainment district in Okinawa City, about 15 miles (25 kilometers) northeast of Naha. His shaved head and the tattoos on his arms matched those of the man in security footage, Kyodo News agency reported.

“I must say, discipline and troop education are not working at all,” Kenji Higa, who lives in Okinawa City, told the Okinawa Times. He was referring to the U.S. military’s measures taken in response to past criminal cases.

People in Okinawa have long opposed the heavy U.S. military presence on the island, but some have come to see its strategic value due to what is widely viewed as a growing threat from China.

Okinawa was under U.S. occupation from World War II until 1972. Today the U.S. population on the island is nearly 80,000, with nearly 30,000 being active duty troops from all four branches of the armed forces, though the Marines make up the bulk of the forces.

There has been anger over increasing crime linked to the U.S. military. The number of such criminal cases rose to 101 last year from about 40 in 2020, according to police.

After the 1995 rape of a 12-year-old girl by three U.S. service members, huge crowds protested the U.S. troop presence on Okinawa. There was also anger over the rape of a teenage girl by a U.S. service member in 2024 and the delayed disclosure of the crime.

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Associated Press writers Konstantin Toropin in Washington and Ed White in Detroit contributed to this report.

Instead, prosecutors say, the couple used several surrogates at the same time, amassed a brood of 21 children — some as young as 2 months — and raised them in a “house of horrors” where they suffered daily beatings at the hands of cruel nannies as the couple watched and laughed from a network of surveillance cameras.

Guojun Xuan, 66, and Silvia Zhang, 39, were arrested Tuesday at their home in Arcadia, a city about 13 miles (20 kilometers) northeast of downtown Los Angeles.

The couple face several counts of child abuse as well as conspiracy to commit child abuse, accessory after the fact and dissuading a witness, according to Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman.

“This case is unprecedented. It is horrific,” he said during a morning news conference. “The physical abuse, beating and punishment that these very young children received is despicable.”

Prosecutors were seeking $100 million bail for the couple because of the serious nature of the charges and because they are flight risks, Hochman said. They were scheduled to be arraigned at the Pasadena courthouse later in the day.

Fifteen children were removed from the opulent home last year after an allegation of abuse, and another six living elsewhere were also located. They ranged in age from 2 months to 13 years, with most between 1 and 3. Police believe Zhang gave birth to one or two of the children, while the rest were carried and delivered by surrogates.

Hochman said the couple set up an agency, Mark Surrogacy, that they operated from home and used to hire surrogates throughout the U.S. But prosecutors said the couple misled the women, telling some that they could not conceive and others that they only had one child and wanted one more to complete their family.

“The house could only be described as a house of horrors for these incredible young children,” Hochman said.

Prosecutor says videos show nannies and Xuan abusing children

Zhang and Xuan were first arrested in May 2025 after a hospital reported that their 2-month-old infant had a traumatic head injury, the result of being violently shaken by a nanny, according to Arcadia police.

Police did not file charges at the time, saying they needed to complete the investigation.

Hochman said the couple set up three rooms they called learning centers, where the children spent several hours a day sitting at desks under the supervision of nannies.

Through an extensive surveillance system including motion-activated cameras, the couple watched as the nannies physically abused the children, including daily beatings, he said.

In one video, Xuan is shown entering a room and telling a nanny to strike a child harder, Hochman said, and in another he joins the nanny in hitting the child.

The nannies were allegedly told “not to leave any physical marks on the children,” and when police arrived to investigate in May 2025, the children were told to deny they had been beaten.

After examining the surveillance video, police issued an arrest warrant for Chunmei Li, the nanny seen hurting the 2-month-old infant, but she could not be found.

Hochman said “there will be a reckoning” for the defendants, one of whom faces more than 17 years in prison if convicted.

Prosecutor says motive for discipline remains under investigation

When asked about the couple’s motivation, Hochman said that was part of the investigation, as was the parentage of each child.

Mitchell Krems, Xuan’s attorney, previously told ABC7 that Xuan’s goal was to raise children who become productive adults.

“The reason he has all these children is because he wants them to contribute to society. He is not a man who is self-indulgent,” Krems said. “Some who are wealthy might spend on jewelry or cars, but he is actually spending his resources to help his children become educated so that they can be the philosophers, the physicians, the researchers and the inventors that help society.”

Krems did not immediately respond Tuesday to an email seeking comment.

Surrogates say they were misled

Surrogacy is an arrangement in which a woman agrees to carry and deliver a child for another person or couple, often after an embryo transfer.

There is no comprehensive federal law regulating surrogacy, leaving most rules to the states.

California is considered to be surrogacy-friendly because it has clear laws governing the process. Both sides are required to have lawyers, and there must be a written, notarized contract before an embryo transfer takes place.

Investigators have said they were looking into whether the couple misled surrogates around the country and at least eight women came forward to say they were aggressively pursued to serve as surrogates.

The women, many of them first-time surrogates, said they were given misleading or incomplete information about the couple’s family situation and intentions.

At least one, Kayla Elliott, is now trying to get custody of a baby she birthed for the couple.

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Marcelo reported from New York.

“Sam spent eleven of his fifteen seasons in a Cleveland uniform as one of the game’s most feared hurlers. A strikeout king. He was a cherished member of our Alumni Ambassador program and loved sharing stories with our fans when he visited Progressive Field. Most importantly, Sam’s life was a story of redemption,” Guardians senior vice president of public affairs Bob DiBiasio said in a statement.

McDowell's baseball career and post-career sobriety served as the inspiration for the Sam Malone character from the iconic television sitcom “Cheers.”

McDowell had a 15-year career in the major leagues from 1961-74, including 11 in Cleveland. The left-hander had a 141-134 record in 425 games, including 346 starts. He had 2,453 strikeouts, 103 complete games and 23 shutouts. McDowell also pitched for San Francisco, the New York Yankees and Pittsburgh.

In 1965, McDowell went 17-11 and led the American League in ERA (2.18) and strikeouts (325). He was 20-12 in 1970 and led the AL in both strikeouts (304) and walks (131). Cleveland traded him to San Francisco after the 1971 season.

McDowell's 9.21 strikeouts per nine innings remains a Cleveland franchise record and his 2,159 strikeouts with the club are second. He was inducted in the franchise's hall of fame in 2006.

McDowell said in his 2022 autobiography that he attempted suicide in 1963, but survived because when he pulled the trigger it was on the lone dead shell among live rounds in the chamber. He quit drinking in 1980 and went on to earn an associate’s degree in sports psychology and addictions from the University of Pittsburgh after entering rehab.

He was certified as a counselor two years later and was a recovery consultant for the Baseball Assistance Team (B.A.T.). He was recognized with the B.A.T Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022.

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See AP’s full MLB coverage here

Sally Yates, who was a deputy attorney general in the Obama administration, will spearhead the review, the trustees said. The assessment is to include how the Ivy League university investigates reports of sexual assault and sexual harassment, how the disciplinary process works, campus police responses and more.

“It is imperative that Cornell be willing to examine itself with the same rigor we expect of others," trustee Chair Anne Meinig Smalling said in a statement.

The announcement comes after days of outrage and a large protest over Cornell’s response to a complaint from a woman known publicly only as Jane Doe. She told campus police in November 2024 that, a few weeks earlier, she had been sexually assaulted by multiple Chi Phi fraternity brothers after being pressured into drinking and taking drugs.

No criminal charges have been filed. The Chi Phi chapter at Cornell was shut down, and the Ivy League university has said it expelled some students and suspended others.

Yates will look at how the woman's complaint was addressed and at the oversight of fraternities, sororities and other campus groups, Cornell said.

The woman sued the university, seven former students, the fraternity and others last month.

Lawyers for two of the former students denied they participated in a sexual assault. Attempts by The Associated Press to reach the other men or their representatives have been unsuccessful. Court records show that during an investigation that Cornell conducted under the federal Title IX law, some of the accused students contended that the sexual activity was consensual.

The lawsuit put a new, nationwide spotlight on the allegations and how the campus police, university and local prosecutor had reacted.

New York Attorney General Letitia James is now conducting a criminal investigation and may soon name outside lawyers to assist. Meanwhile, her deputies have spoken with Jane Doe's attorney and the local prosecutor, Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten. James also talked to him herself, her office said Tuesday.

Van Houten looked into the allegations in 2024 and brought no charges — then reopened his office’s investigation after seeing Jane Doe's lawsuit. After Gov. Kathy Hochul put James on the case last week, Van Houten said he supported the appointment.

Hochul, James and Van Houten are all Democrats.

The governor also called for an independent review of Cornell’s handling of the matter — the review that Yates now will lead.

Yates had a decades-long career at the Justice Department, serving for years as the top federal prosecutor in Atlanta and later as a deputy attorney general.

She achieved particular prominence in January 2017 when, as acting attorney general in the early days of the Trump administration, she directed Justice Department attorneys not to defend the constitutionality of President Donald Trump’s refugee and immigration ban. She was swiftly fired, with Trump accusing her of betrayal and insubordination.

Yates also generated headlines when it emerged that, in a conversation days before her departure, she had expressed alarm to the Trump White House about contacts that Trump’s new national security adviser, Michael Flynn, had had with the Russian ambassador during the presidential transition period. Flynn later was fired.

Yates has been in private practice since her departure from the Justice Department. Her practice at the King & Spalding law firm includes conducting independent investigations for outside organizations and companies.

She led a high-profile inquiry into alleged abuse and misconduct, including claims of harassment and coercion, at the National Women’s Soccer League. The investigation concluded in 2022 with a finding of systemic abuse.

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Peltz reported from New York. Associated Press writers Michael Sisak in New York and Eric Tucker in Washington contributed.

The league on Monday suspended line judge Jeff Seeman for two games for swearing at Arizona’s Trey McBride and referee Adrian Hill for one game for yelling and gesturing at Minnesota’s Eric Wilson.

"NFL officials have a responsibility to conduct themselves professionally on the field, and the actions in these incidents fell short of that standard," Referees Association executive director Scott Green said in a statement. “Accountability matters, but that should not result in discipline that is excessive or inconsistent with established precedent.”

Seeman was caught on camera cursing at McBride during the Cardinals’ loss at the New York Giants. Hill yelled at Eric Wilson and pointed for him to get away after the Vikings linebacker tried to help him to his feet after a collision knocked him over.

“Officials are routinely subjected to highly charged interactions and, at times, verbal abuse from players and coaches," Green said. “While that never excuses misconduct by an official, it shouldn’t be dismissed as simply part of the game. The League expects the highest level of professionalism from its officials, and it should demand the same from everyone on the field.”

The NFLRA said it would meet with the league's officiating department to discuss disciplinary standards and with Players Association leadership to address on-field conduct and the growing levels of confrontations between players and officials.

“We will defend the principle that discipline must be fair, consistent and proportionate," Green said. “Holding officials accountable while ignoring or minimizing the conduct directed at them is neither fair nor an effective way to address this issue.”

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See AP’s full NFL coverage here

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According to the Miami Police Department, officers responded to the area of Northwest Seventh Avenue and Northwest Seventh Street at approximately 4 a.m. after receiving reports of a man down in the roadway.

When officers arrived, Miami Fire Rescue medics were already transporting the victim to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center, where he was initially listed in critical condition, authorities confirmed. The victim later died from his injuries.

“Our detectives are reviewing cameras in the area,” Officer Mike Vega said. “They’re talking to witnesses, there was a Good Samaritan that was traveling southbound, saw a body in the middle of the street and stopped to render aid, and also contacted police.”

A preliminary investigation determined that the victim had been riding a scooter when he was struck by a vehicle whose driver fled the scene, police said.

“This is advice to people that are driving and either hit a person, hit something, and they get scared because they don’t have insurance, or they don’t have a driver’s license, or they don’t have the registration with them. If you don’t have all these things, stay on the scene, do the right thing, and then eventually, all you’re going to get is a ticket or a citation,” Vega said. “But in this case, since the driver fled the scene, now he’s facing a more serious charge of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death.”

Police have not released additional information about the vehicle or driver involved.

The investigation remains ongoing.

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

“Yes, he did,” Umar Kremlev told an International Boxing Association press conference in Istanbul on Tuesday. “He did repay the money I spent on the present.” Still, he said he felt the repayment was unnecessary.

“Frankly speaking, I do not understand why he decided to do so,” he went on. “There are all kinds of events organized by all kinds of people. It is as if I invite you to come and visit my country house. Would you expect me to issue an invoice to them afterward?" Speaking through an interpreter, he said that would be "ridiculous.”

ProPublica, a nonprofit investigative website, reported last month that Kremlev, who has close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, “footed the bill for hundreds of thousands of dollars of wedding expenses” when Trump Jr. married socialite Bettina Anderson in the Bahamas in May. That included paying to rent one of two private islands where the three-day party was held.

In a subsequent post on her Instagram page signed by the couple, Bettina Trump wrote that they had been married “surrounded ONLY by our family,” but that Kremlev, head of the boxing association, was a “dear friend” who “very generously hosted two incredible nights of celebrations for us AFTER our wedding.”

President Donald Trump, who did not attend the nuptials, previously defended the arrangement but told reporters that the money would be paid back.

“It’s totally allowed," he said. “But, as I understand it, he paid them back.”

“That’s very common,” he added, “I’ve given wedding parties to numerous people.”

Kremlev, who was recently honored with the Order of Friendship by Putin, also played down the significance, saying the celebration was “a shared event" and "people blew it out of proportion.”

“I mean, why can’t we be friends? We are just friends,” he went on. “We are simply friends and what unites us is love for sports."

The focus on Kremlev comes as Russia remains at war with Ukraine following its invasion in 2022 and as Trump has failed to broker a promised peace deal between the nations.

Trump Jr. has previously been scrutinized over his ties to Russia. During the 2016 campaign, his meeting with a Russian attorney in Trump Tower to discuss potentially incriminating information about his father's then-Democratic opponent was a critical element of investigations into whether the Trump campaign coordinated with Russia to meddle in the election to help Trump win.

Reed hasn't been on a Ryder Cup team since those 2018 matches, another debacle for the U.S. team that ended with Reed telling The New York Times he should have been partners with Jordan Spieth and Furyk should not have benched him twice that week.

Reed, among the first to defect to LIV Golf in 2022, chose not to renew his LIV contract this year and leads the European tour points list, assuring him a return to the PGA Tour next year.

“We are going to put the best 12 guys, the best team of 12, on this team,” Furyk said from Adare Manor during a news conference with European captain Luke Donald to mark the matches being one year away. “If Patrick Reed is one of those, that's great. It's been a long time since he's been in our team room.”

Steve Stricker left Reed off the team for the 2021 Ryder Cup the Americans won at Whistling Straits. He was not seriously considered for the Rome matches in 2023 or the Bethpage Black matches in 2025, even though he had top-5 finishes at the Masters both those years.

Furyk already has changed U.S. qualifying for Adare Manor so that no one begins earning points until the 2027 season. Reed, who is No. 29 in the world ranking as he closes out his European tour schedule, could be eligible for signature events if he's in the top 30 at the time of those events.

His last time in the U.S. team room was at Royal Melbourne in 2019 for the Presidents Cup, where he was heckled by the Australian gallery a week after he was penalized in the Bahamas for improving his lie in a sandy waste area.

Six players qualify and Furyk will have six captain's picks for the Sept. 17-19 matches.

“Patrick and I will have that conversation," Furyk said. “And I'm looking forward to welcoming our best team of 12.”

Furyk's more immediate concern was finding a solution for the recent trend of abysmal U.S. play in foursomes. The Americans have been outgained 26-8 in foursomes in the last two Ryder Cups and Presidents Cups. The deficit is 13-3 to Europe in the Ryder Cup.

They have been blanked in three sessions — the opening session at Marco Simone in 2023, and each of the last two times in the Presidents Cup.

“I know those numbers very, very well. I’ve lived them the last four,” Furyk said. "It's not an anomaly. There's some issues — we understand that. I plan on making some changes. As captains, we need to do a better job, not only put the folks into good pairings in good positions, but I don’t think we are preparing for those matches in a proper way.

“And I promise you, we will be prepared,” he said. “I'm going to ask this team to do more than any other United States team has in the past. We’ll be prepared. We’ll be ready to go in that format, and hopefully we can showcase our talent. We have too much depth to have that poor record in alternate shot.”

Furyk said he will ask prospective players to go to Adare Manor next summer around the two-week stretch of the Scottish Open and British Open.

He was in a tough spot as 2018 captain for the Ryder Cup at Le Golf National. The course was set up tight with deep rough. Some players suited for the course were not in great form. Tiger Woods had just won the Tour Championship and Bryson DeChambeau won two playoff events. They combined to go 0-7-0 for the week.

Donald returns as captain for the third time, bidding to become the first captain in Ryder Cup history to lead three teams to victory.

“I have zero complacency about how strong the U.S. are going to be. They always are. On paper, they tend to be stronger than us through the world rankings,” Donald said. "Obviously we have a great record at home, but again, zero complacency. I’ve seen what Jim has been doing behind the scenes, changing the stats, changing the qualification system. He is very, very motivated to come here and put up a good fight.

“Certainly I’m just as motivated to sort of keep finding those edges for my team.”

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See AP’s full golf coverage here

The original deadline was Sept. 30, but the U.S. Department of Education extended it to give borrowers more time to enroll. The rate reduction will last through June 2028.

Borrowers who currently use auto pay already receive an interest-rate discount of 0.25%, so the new reduction takes off just 0.75%.

This temporary benefit is meant to support borrowers, along with those who are returning to repayment, and ensure they can stay on top of the new Repayment Assistance Plan that requires on-time payments, according to the Education Department.

The interest reduction can benefit borrowers who have large balances and are on fixed payments, said Lesley J. Turner, associate professor of public policy at the University of Chicago.

“For a limited time, borrowers are now able to get a full percentage point reduction in their interest rate if they sign up for auto debit," Turner said. “So this is a quadrupling of the earlier benefit. It’s a pretty big benefit, especially for borrowers who have large balances.”

Since the interest reduction was announced this summer, nearly 2 million borrowers have enrolled in auto pay.

Around 9 million Americans are in default on their federal student loans as of June, according to the Education Department. Hundreds of thousands more are behind on loan payments and at risk of default this year.

If you're looking to enroll your student loans in auto pay, here's what you need to know:

If you're new to auto pay, enroll by the end of the year

In order to get the 1% interest reduction, you must enroll in auto pay by Dec. 31.

First, log in to your student loan servicer account and select auto pay. You'll need to enter your bank information to automatically withdraw the monthly payment from your checking or savings account.

Even without the rate reduction, auto pay is a good way to stay on top of your student loans, Turner said.

“We all know life gets busy and if you have to log in every month and manually make your payment there may be a chance that you forget and then you end up having your loans go delinquent," she said.

If you're already enrolled, you already have the reduction

Borrowers who were enrolled in auto pay before the announcement in July have had their interest rate automatically reduced by 1%, according to the Education Department.

If you're currently in default, consolidate your loans

If your student loans are in default, you must log in to studentaid.gov and consolidate your eligible loans in order to sign up for auto pay.

Involuntary collections on federal student loans remain on hold. The Trump administration announced earlier this year that it is delaying plans to withhold pay from student loan borrowers who default on their payments. Borrowers are considered in default when they are at least 270 days behind on payments.

The online application for loan consolidation is available at studentaid.gov/loan-consolidation. If you have multiple federal student loans, you can combine them into a single loan with a fixed interest rate and a single monthly payment. The consolidation process typically takes around 60 days to complete. You can only consolidate your loans once.

If your student loans are in default, you can also contact your loan holder to apply for a loan rehabilitation program. Through this program, borrowers are enrolled in a reduced payment plan and, after five successful payments, wage garnishment ends.

Borrowers can find more information about loan rehabilitation here.

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The Associated Press receives support from Charles Schwab Foundation for educational and explanatory reporting to improve financial literacy. The independent foundation is separate from Charles Schwab and Co. Inc. The AP is solely responsible for its journalism.

He came with the Everglades Trust, which endorsed his plans for Everglades restoration.

He said he remembered what happened on Florida’s West Coast, where he lives: blue-green algal blooms along the Caloosahatchee in 2014.

“You finish the work. You finish the projects,” Donalds said. “You make sure that the work that we’ve been planning ― and, by the way, Everglades restoration is something that was planned back in 2000 ― the execution is happening now. You execute the work plan. You do that.”

He and the Everglades Trust said water mismanagement was the reason behind the past blooms.

Local 10 News asked him about Democratic challenger David Jolly’s visit to South Florida in Coconut Creek on Monday, where he said he would not debate Donalds ahead of the election.

Jolly said, “Well, you can’t really debate a liar. I think what we learned from Donald Trump is they can repeat the same lies a dozen times, and in some circles of the world, it becomes the truth.”

Donalds said he was willing to debate Jolly anytime.

“David Jolly’s a fraud,” Donalds said. “He knows if he is on a debate stage with me, that fraud will be exposed to the people of Florida, so he hides. This guy’s been on every side of politics the last 10 years.”

Election Day is on Nov. 3.

View Local 10’s voter guide for the midterm elections.

Videos also captured the sound of about a dozen gunshots fired, and two men jumping out of a third-floor window at Aliro, at 14040 Biscayne Boulevard. One of the men appeared to have dropped cash on the floor as he ran away.

Hours after the shooting and abduction at Aliro, a captain found Eddrick Malik Bethune dead on the side of the road in the area of Southwest 216th Street and 189th Avenue, in Redlands, according to MDSO detectives.

A wounded victim arrived at a nearby hospital after the shooting at Alir, according to the North Miami Police Department. MDSO homicide detectives reported not being able to speak to the wounded victim because of “his medical status.”

Detectives were also investigating a vehicle arson in southern Miami-Dade that was related to the murder investigation.

Detective J. Rodriguez asked anyone with information about the case to call 305-471-2400.

Detectives also asked anyone with information about this or other cases to call Miami-Dade County Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477 to remain anonymous.

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MDSO flyer

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, which first reported the news, said Franchione’s family confirmed his death Tuesday, adding that he battled cancer for a decade. He was diagnosed with cancer in 2016 and 2021, but it had been in remission. Family friends said the cancer returned earlier this year and Franchione recently went into hospice, the newspaper reported.

Franchione worked his way up the college football coaching ranks during a career that spanned more than 30 years. Beginning as an assistant at Kansas State in 1978, he coached at New Mexico, TCU, Alabama, Texas A&M and Texas State.

He compiled a 213-135-2 record before stepping down from Texas State in 2015 and retiring from coaching. Franchione led his teams to nine conference championships, nine bowl games, four NAIA playoff games and one NCAA Division II playoff appearance.

“TCU mourns alongside the Franchione family at the passing of ‘Coach Fran,’” TCU athletic director Mike Buddie said in a statement. “Our fortunes as a department would not be what they are today without the efforts of Coach Franchione, his staff, and players. Beyond his talent as a football coach, he was a beloved father, mentor, and friend to so many. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Kim, and the entire Franchione family.”

TCU was coming off a 1-10 season when Franchione left New Mexico after six years to take over the Horned Frogs, who in his debut season in 1999 had a 7-5 record capped by a Sun Bowl win over Southern California. With future Pro Football Hall of Fame running back LaDainian Tomlinson, TCU finished tied atop the Western Athletic Conference standings each of the next two seasons, going 8-4 with another bowl win in 1999 before a 10-1 regular season in 2000 that led to him being hired by Alabama.

Franchione was replaced at TCU by his defensive coordinator, Gary Patterson, who had winning records in 15 of his 22 seasons as head coach and six times was top 10 in the final AP Top 25 poll. That included an undefeated 13-0 season in 2010 when the Frogs finished second after a win over Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl.

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Authorities said Yansel Hernandez, 34, and Rene Quintana, 31, were taken into custody on Friday and the victim was rescued on Saturday.

Court documents in the case were made public on Tuesday. The two men face kidnapping conspiracy charges.

The kidnapping

Authorities said the kidnapping took place just before noon last Tuesday after the victim made a purchase at Pinch A Penny Pool Patio Spa at 11035 Bird Road in Miami-Dade’s unincorporated Westchester area.

According to a federal criminal complaint, surveillance video showed a gray sedan arriving shortly after the victim. Authorities said video showed the victim walking out of the store and the sedan leaving the lot ― but the victim’s truck was left behind.

Authorities said a license plate reader on Bird Road captured a gray Chrysler 200 traveling about a half mile west of the store about two minutes after the kidnapping.

Calls and text messages

Later that evening, agents said the victim’s son received a call from a blocked number with garbled audio, but in which he could hear a man, speaking in a hurried tone and referencing the words “$3 million,” “dad” and “child.”

According to the complaint, the victim’s son then began receiving text messages from various phone numbers.

Authorities said eight minutes later, the victim received a Spanish-language text message stating that the texter “had” the victim. According to the complaint, the texter “also referred to a 15-year debt.”

Just after 8:15 p.m., authorities said the victim’s son received a text from a phone with a 615 area code, which requested $3 million and stated that the texter “knew (the victim’s) businesses, properties, and family members.” According to the complaint, the texter also told the victim’s son “he would be contacted within 48 hours to meet in West Palm Beach.”

A third text message, sent on Thursday, stated that “because (the victim’s son) contacted the police,” the ransom was now $4 million and “that the (victim) loves (him) and knows the money can be obtained,” agents said.

According to the complaint, the victim’s son was told he “must arrive in a blue Hyundai to deliver the money in West Palm Beach.” Agents said the victim’s son owns a blue Hyundai.

On Thursday evening, agents said the victim’s son received a call from a number agents were later able to trace, in which the caller made a “demand for money” in Spanish and said that the victim’s son would receive a “proof of life” of his father, so long as he “had the money.”

Tracing the phones

Investigators said they were eventually able to trace two of the numbers to the purchase of burner phones at a Walmart at 9300 NW 77th Ave. in Hialeah Gardens on June 30 and July 1.

According to the complaint, surveillance video showed three men arriving in a black Honda Accord on June 30; one of them went into Walmart to buy one of the phones with cash, while the other two visited a nearby pizza shop.

Investigators said they were able to obtain a receipt from the pizza shop showing a purchase tied to a man named “Rene” with a phone number that led investigators to Quintana.

According to the complaint, cellphone data placed both Quintana and Hernandez near the Pinch A Penny at the time of the kidnapping and showed the two were communicating with one another in the days leading up to the crime, including calling each other the day before.

Surveillance, arrests and rescue

Investigators said they surveilled Quintana’s home on Friday and saw a second gray Honda Accord ― which was registered to a person who had left the country before the kidnapping and which had been seen parked at Quintana’s home on Wednesday ― circling the block.

“Law enforcement followed the Honda through the surrounding neighborhood,” an FBI agent wrote in the complaint. “Law enforcement confirmed the vehicle was occupied by two Hispanic males. The vehicle stopped and the occupants exited the vehicle. While setting up a perimeter to find the occupants of the vehicle, law enforcement observed Hernandez and Quintana walking on foot.”

Authorities said they searched the two after taking them into custody and did not find any cellphones.

Federal investigators said a search of Quintana’s bag had a “SIM card holder with a phone number” and what was described in the complaint as a “receipt” ― though a photo attached in the complaint shows what appears to be the back of a Powerball ticket or play slip ― with the phone number used to make Thursday’s ransom call written on it.

Agents said law enforcement officers “rescued” the victim the next day, though they did not say where they found him.

Records show Hernandez and Quintana were being held in the Federal Detention Center in downtown Miami as of Tuesday morning.

The online federal court docket did not list any upcoming hearings.

If convicted of conspiracy to kidnap, each man could spend the rest of his life behind bars.

Other highlights include Kubrick’s director’s chair, the matching blue dresses worn by the twin girls in “The Shining,” costumes used in “Eyes Wide Shut” and Kubrick's annotated scripts for several of his films, Bonhams said.

“We are proud to be able to share with you some of the items from this unique collection, which we hope will find new homes and be cherished until it is time to pass them on to the next generation of film lovers,” the director's stepdaughter, Katherina Kubrick, said in a statement.

The star item is the original “Star Child” prop, which appears as a glowing fetus in the final scene of “2001: A Space Odyssey.” Bonhams said that it's expected to fetch up to 800,000 pounds ($1.06 million).

The axe in “The Shining” — used by Jack Nicholson as he delivered his famous line “Here’s Johnny!” — is estimated to sell for 30,000 to 50,000 pounds ($39,851 to $66,410).

The auction will take place in London in February, and will be preceded by a free public exhibition.

Claire died Monday, on his 91st birthday, in Pasadena, the team announced Tuesday. Claire had entered hospice care recently.

In January 2015, at age 80, Claire was diagnosed with squamous cell skin cancer on his lip. He had the cells removed, but the cancer later returned in his jaw and again in his neck. He had surgery to remove a nerve on the left side of his face along with several lymph nodes. He underwent radiation, chemotherapy and immunotherapy as part of his 11-year journey with cancer.

He would jog regularly during his years on the road as the Dodgers general manager and said he was diligent about wearing sun screen except on his lips.

“Fred brought many victories and Dodger legends to our franchise, as well as the 1988 World Series title,” team president and CEO Stan Kasten said in a statement, “and we are forever grateful for his leadership during such a memorable era.”

From sports writing to public relations

Claire was covering the Dodgers during spring training in Florida for the Long Beach Press-Telegram in 1969 when one of the team’s public relations assistants was fired.

He expressed interest in the job and was hired that July. He was promoted to vice president of public relations and promotions in 1975.

During his tenure, Claire was instrumental in creating the Dodger Blue branding and Think Blue campaign. The club drew 3.3 million fans in 1978, the first MLB team to exceed 3 million. He also hired announcer Ross Porter, who worked for the team from 1977 until being let go in 2004.

In 1976, Chicago Cubs outfielder Rick Monday ran over and saved an American flag from being burned on the Dodger Stadium field by two spectators. Claire directed the message board operator to type the words: “Rick Monday......You Made a Great Play” on the board.

Becoming Dodgers GM after a scandal

In April 1987, a public relations firestorm occurred over comments 70-year-old general manager Al Campanis made on ABC’s “Nightline.”

Campanis, who was white, was asked by host Ted Koppel about the lack of Black people in significant positions of authority in baseball.

“I truly believe they may not have some of the necessities to be, let’s say, a field manager, or perhaps, a general manager,” Campanis said. “Why are Black people not good swimmers? Because they don’t have buoyancy.”

Campanis had agreed to the interview without telling anyone in the Dodgers organization. Claire awoke the next day to a story about Campanis’ comments in the newspaper.

“I couldn’t believe what I was reading,” he wrote in his 2004 memoir.

Campanis had been Jackie Robinson’s roommate when the two were in the minor leagues in 1946, and he tutored Robinson in transitioning from shortstop to second base. Robinson broke baseball’s color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947.

“Those who knew Al expressed shock. There had never been a hint of bigotry in anything he had ever said or done,” Claire wrote. “In my view, what Al had attempted to do that night was to defend his beloved game of baseball in an area where there was no defense.”

Campanis was fired after two decades as GM. Team owner Peter O’Malley handed control of one of the most storied teams in baseball to Claire. He accepted on the condition that he would have total and complete responsibility for baseball operations.

Claire wasn’t intimidated, either, having been involved in discussions regarding free agents, arbitration and team payroll since becoming a team vice president in 1975.

In Claire’s first full season as GM, the Dodgers finished with a 73-89 record in 1987. O’Malley informed Claire he was considering bringing in a more experienced person for the job. He called the New York Mets and asked for permission to speak to Joe McIlvaine, but was denied. O’Malley decided to stick with Claire.

“Fred was a talented team player and everyone in the organization enjoyed working with him,” O’Malley said in a statement.

Winning 1988 World Series

In January 1988, Claire signed Kirk Gibson and the outfielder made a huge difference in the Dodgers winning the World Series in five games over the heavily favored Oakland Athletics that fall. An injured Gibson hobbled to the plate as a pinch-hitter in the bottom of the ninth inning with the Dodgers trailing 4-3 in Game 1. He launched a two-strike, two-run homer — one of the most dramatic moments in baseball history — off closer Dennis Eckersley into the right field seats to win the game, 5-4.

Claire was named baseball’s executive of the year, an award previously won by such Dodger greats as Larry MacPhail, Branch Rickey, Walter O’Malley and Buzzie Bavasi.

The Dodgers returned to the playoffs just twice over the next decade, losing in the first round both times. It would be another 32 years before the Dodgers won the World Series again.

Good trades and bad ones, too

Among the trades that Claire was most proud of during his tenure as GM were those that brought John Shelby, Tim Belcher, Alfredo Griffin, Jay Howell, Jesse Orosco and John Tudor to Los Angeles — all of which had a connection with the 1988 World Series championship. He also traded for future Hall of Famer Eddie Murray in 1988 and again in 1997.

Two trades that Claire regretted were sending pitcher Pedro Martinez to the Montreal Expos and acquiring Eric Davis from Cincinnati. Martinez went on to win three Cy Young Awards with the Boston Red Sox, while Davis played two injury-plagued seasons in Los Angeles.

Dodgers sold, Piazza traded behind Claire’s back

The O’Malley family sold the team to Rupert Murdoch’s Fox Entertainment Group in March 1998.

Two months later, future Hall of Fame catcher and fan favorite Mike Piazza was traded to the Florida Marlins in a stunning seven-player deal struck without Claire’s knowledge. It was pulled off by Fox television executive Chase Carey, who Claire said, was pursuing a regional TV sports channel in Florida and wanted the Marlins to be part of it.

“The seven-player trade was, first and foremost, a television deal. The new team owner simply did not understand the structure of a baseball team and the importance of a franchise player,” Claire wrote. “My reaction to the trade cost me my position with the Dodgers.”

Claire, along with manager Bill Russell, was fired by Fox on June 21, 1998, the same day Campanis died. Former Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda took over as interim GM.

Claire never took another full-time job in baseball but stayed connected with the sport through a column and radio show for MLB.com, as a consultant for sports-related companies and by co-founding a baseball analytics company. He taught sports business courses at Caltech, the University of Southern California and Long Beach State.

Love of baseball began as a kid in Ohio

Born Fredic Marston Claire on Oct. 5, 1935, in Jamestown, Ohio, he cultivated his love of baseball while attending Cincinnati Reds games with his family at Crosley Field. He moved to Torrance, California, at age 15. He graduated from Torrance High, where he played junior varsity baseball and basketball. He graduated from San Jose State University with a journalism degree.

His first job out of college was as a sports writer for the Whittier Daily News at $65 a week. During his time with the Progress-Bulletin in Pomona, he wrote the game story on the Dodgers winning Game 3 of the 1959 World Series against the Chicago White Sox, the team’s first World Series win after moving to Los Angeles.

He later covered the then-California Angels for the Long Beach Press-Telegram and became the paper’s beat writer for the Dodgers in 1969.

He is survived by wife Sheryl and children Jeff, Jennifer and Kim.

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See AP’s full MLB coverage here

The attorneys for David Hearn said in a letter to the inspectors general for the departments of Justice and Interior that “incompetence and misconduct" were committed by government officials operating under pressure from President Donald Trump, and that watchdog investigations were needed “to determine what happened inside their agencies that led to the shocking and indefensible treatment” of their client.

The letter was filed days after a District of Columbia judge permanently dismissed the case, ending a brief prosecution derided by defense lawyers and other critics as an abuse of government power pushed by a president who insisted vandalism, not human error, was to blame for damage at the landmark. The request indicates that Hearn's lawyers see an additional need for accountability even after the dismissal of the legal proceedings.

“In light of these findings and the government’s own admissions, a critical purpose of the requested investigations is to collect the facts — through witness interviews and the collection and analysis of electronic media and documents — necessary to hold accountable the individuals and groups who failed Mr. Hearn, the criminal justice system, and the public,” the lawyers wrote.

“These events," they said, "demand accountability and full and unconstrained investigations by your offices.”

The Justice Department inspector general's office declined to comment on whether it would act on the lawyers' request. A phone message seeking comment with the Interior Department's inspector general's office was not immediately returned.

Defense lawyers say prosecutors ignored exculpatory evidence

D.C. Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman on Thursday dismissed the case against Hearn with “prejudice,” which would block U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro’s office from refiling the felony charge against him. He said the decision was warranted by the case's “exceptional circumstances” and agreed with defense attorneys that the government “shot first and asked questions later” by charging Hearn in a "lightning-fast indictment process.”

Pirro moved to dismiss the case in July weeks after it was brought, saying newly produced evidence from the Interior Department showed Hearn was not responsible for damage to the pool’s lining. She attributed the damage instead to a botched installation by a contractor as well as a rush to complete the project in time for this summer’s America 250 celebration in Washington.

But Hearn's lawyers say in their letter that the evidence that established their client's innocence had been in the Justice Department's possession for weeks and was “simply ignored.” They asked the department's inspector general to investigate why prosecutors “rushed to indict” under what they said was political pressure from Trump, who had launched a massive renovation project before the anniversary celebrations and later accused Pirro of having “choked” and “folded like an umbrella" when she dismissed the case.

The attorneys also called on the watchdog to investigate, among other things, whether prosecutors failed to disclose exculpatory information in their possession and prosecutors relied on a grand jury witness who presented an unsupported figure on monetary damages to the pool; whether comments Pirro made at the indictment press conference violated Justice Department policy; and whether Pirro also violated policy by approaching and questioning a defense expert.

“The record reflects an indictment obtained through unusual haste and a prosecution shaped from the outset by political pressure and built on an inadequate investigation," they said, adding, “The sprint to charge Mr. Hearn mirrored the rushed renovation itself, which the President had publicly committed to completing by a fixed deadline.”

Pirro's office did not return an email seeking comment.

Questions are also raised about the Interior Department

Hearn, 67, of Bethesda, Maryland, competed in three Summer Olympics, earning his best finish, ninth, at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee says on its website.

He has said he was on a bike ride on June 19 when he reached in to examine the pool’s newly peeled coating and briefly touched a chunk attached to the side of the pool. But he said he obeyed a park worker’s command to let go of it. He was nonetheless stopped by police officers, arrested and detained for nearly five hours.

He was indicted on one count of property destruction, a charge carrying a maximum 10-year prison sentence.

His lawyers questioned whether prosecutors properly presented the grand jury with adequate evidence to support the charge and the amount of damage alleged by the government.

They say prosecutors failed to “critically examine” allegations of a supposedly key witness whose claims about her interactions with Hearn were contradicted by video evidence, and withheld from the defense team body-worn camera recordings and other evidence.

And they also challenge Pirro herself over her actions, saying she approached a defense expert at the pool on July 17 and asked about his conclusions and the results of his work. No report of that interaction has been produced to defense lawyers, they say.

“A U.S. Attorney who personally interrogates a represented defendant’s testifying expert, in the field, surrounded by her own staff and without notice to counsel, is not gathering evidence — she is testing how the defense intends to prove its case, and doing so in a setting that essentially held the expert captive,” the letter states.

The letter also urges the Interior Department's inspector general to investigate questions including who made the decision “to proceed with an unqualified contractor;" why work on the pool proceeded despite known risks; why the department relied on National Guardsmen to detain Hearn; and why officials made “publicly defamatory” statements even after learning of the dismissal of the case.

Asked for comment, the Interior Department said that “Mr. Hearn admitted to officers that he was tampering with the Reflecting Pool.” His lawyers said in response that Hearn “has never used the word ‘tampering.’ He touched the loose liner in the Reflecting Pool. Big Difference.”

La Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Monroe identificó al sospechoso como Anley Olicier.

Según la oficina del sheriff, Olicier enfrenta cargos de allanamiento de morada con arma, robo y obstrucción de la justicia.

Los agentes dijeron que el hecho ocurrió el 21 de septiembre en una casa de West Circle Drive, en Saddlebunch Keys.

Alrededor de las 8:43 p.m., la oficina del sheriff recibió una llamada al 911 que se cortó y envió agentes al lugar.

Según los investigadores, Olicier entró a la casa con un cuchillo de cocina y una espátula. Las autoridades dijeron que se negó a irse cuando la mujer le pidió que saliera.

La oficina del sheriff indicó que Olicier le quitó el teléfono a la mujer mientras ella llamaba al 911. La mujer gritó para alertar a los operadores mientras forcejeaba con él por el aparato, dijeron las autoridades.

Durante el enfrentamiento, la mujer golpeó a Olicier varias veces, incluso con una barra de cortina de baño, indicaron los agentes. Al final logró recuperar su teléfono.

De acuerdo con la oficina del sheriff, las lesiones de la mujer coincidían con su versión de los hechos. No se reportaron heridas que pusieran en peligro su vida.

Las autoridades obtuvieron órdenes de arresto contra Olicier, quien fue ingresado en la cárcel el lunes.

“Era mi bebé, el más pequeño, con apenas 13 años. Tenía toda la vida por delante”, dijo Valladares. “Solo quería jugar y, por desgracia, jugando perdió la vida”.

La mañana del 25 de septiembre, Olvin debía estar en la escuela.

En cambio, según su madre, se fue en su scooter unas 2 millas al sur, hasta el Shenandoah Park, ubicado en el 1800 SW 21st Ave. Ella cuenta que supo lo que pasó después por un hombre que llegó más tarde ese día al parque con sus hijos. Fue él quien encontró a Olvin atrapado dentro del tobogán.

“Me dijo que lo jaló, pero estaba enganchado en un tornillo”, contó. “Volvió a jalarlo y mi hijo cayó. Tenía el brazo metido dentro de la camiseta y la camiseta le apretaba el cuello”.

El tobogán tiene tornillos a lo largo de todo el tubo.

Los que Local 10 News pudo ver con su cámara estaban planos. Sin embargo, el testigo le dijo a la madre de Olvin que el joven colgaba en medio del tubo por el cuello de la camiseta. Según su relato, la prenda se enganchó en un tornillo y lo asfixió.

Olvin fue trasladado de urgencia al hospital, donde lo conectaron a soporte vital.

Una semana después, fue declarado con muerte cerebral.

“Como madre, es muy duro perder a un hijo”, dijo Valladares. “Nunca pensé que iba a perder a mi hijo”.

El día en que encontraron a Olvin, la ciudad de Miami cerró el parque por lo que describió como una “investigación no criminal”.

Sky 10 sobrevoló el lugar y captó un área de juegos rodeada de cinta amarilla.

Ni el Departamento de Policía de Miami ni la ciudad han confirmado la secuencia de hechos que relata la familia.

No está claro si el tobogán fue inspeccionado o reparado después del incidente. Pero al día siguiente el parque ya había reabierto y el tobogán volvía a usarse.

“Tengo un mensaje para los padres”, dijo Valladares. “Tengan cuidado cuando lleven a sus hijos a estos parques. Miren la tragedia que le pasó a mi hijo”.

Local 10 News pidió comentarios o una entrevista a la alcaldesa de Miami, Eileen Higgins, al comisionado de Miami Rolando Escalona y al Departamento de Parques y Recreación de la ciudad.

Un portavoz de la ciudad respondió por correo electrónico: “El asunto está bajo investigación y la ciudad no puede hacer más comentarios”.

La madre de Olvin intenta recaudar dinero para cubrir los gastos de un funeral para el que la familia no estaba preparada, y abrió una página de GoFundMe.

But last week the leader of the “Make America Healthy Again” movement threw his support behind an unlikely industry: artificial intelligence.

At a MAHA summit featuring AI and Silicon Valley executives, Kennedy declared that the technology would free Americans from “medical tyranny” by allowing them to “fact check their own medical advice.”

“We’re never ever again going to be able to be dominated by public officials who tell us: ‘Trust the experts,’” Kennedy told the invite-only audience.

Some prominent MAHA voices quickly criticized Kennedy’s embrace of AI, saying the movement's leaders are increasingly cozying up to the corporate interests they once scrutinized.

At the same time, medical experts say Kennedy’s vision of AI as a check against the medical establishment is fundamentally flawed.

“He obviously doesn’t understand how AI works,” said Dr. Zeke Emanuel, a cancer specialist and bioethicist at the University of Pennsylvania. “AI aggregates the information we have in the medical literature and in case studies. And that means what you’re actually getting is medical expertise.”

Both OpenAI and Anthropic offer health-focused chatbots that can analyze users' medical records and answer their healthcare questions. Their models are trained on thousands of peer-reviewed medical papers and professional guidelines and incorporate feedback from doctors.

“He wants AI to mimic what he says,” Emanuel said. “But that’s not what good AI is going to do.”

HHS spokesperson Emily Hilliard said Emanuel was describing “one narrow use” of the technology.

Kennedy wants to give Americans more control of their own health data by using AI “to help them understand it, interrogate it, compare it with the evidence, and make better decisions with their doctors,” Hilliard said. The technology will help doctors work faster, giving them “more time to treat and care for patients,” she added.

MAHA leader defends corporate sponsorships

OpenAI and Anthropic were among the sponsors of last week’s MAHA Summit. So were more than a dozen other companies with pending business before the U.S. government, including developers of psychedelic drugs, fitness wearables and an experimental cancer test.

Sponsors paid up to $300,000 and many received speaking slots on panels that included some of the administration’s top health officials, including Dr. Mehmet Oz of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

“It was classic pay-to-play,” said Dr. Robert Malone, a vaccine researcher who has questioned the safety of mRNA shots and recently served on a federal vaccine panel under Kennedy.

Malone and other figures in the MAHA movement say the summit showed how big companies are replacing the “MAHA moms” and other grassroots activists who originally powered the movement.

“There was no representation of people that have been at the core of MAHA and its creation, whether it be physicians or patients or patient advocates,” Malone said.

The summit was organized by MAHA Center Inc., one of a number of nongovernment groups run by Kennedy associates that are dedicated to promoting his agenda. Others include the MAHA Institute, a think tank, and MAHA PAC, a political fundraising operation.

Tony Lyons, a publisher who runs the MAHA Center, MAHA PAC and several related groups, addressed criticisms about corporate sponsorships at a reception ahead of the summit.

“The truth is we’re trying to build the biggest movement we can possibly build to actually get things done,” Lyons said.

The Trump administration has embraced AI

Kennedy's alliance with Silicon Valley is consistent with broader efforts across the Trump administration.

President Donald Trump has vigorously resisted efforts to bring greater oversight to AI companies, who have helped drive the stock market to record highs. One of Trump’s first actions after returning to the White House was revoking a Biden administration executive order on AI oversight. It took the administration more than 16 months to replace it with its own order.

In recent weeks, Trump announced a move to let the AI industry police itself, tried to rebrand the technology as “super intelligence” and brushed aside bipartisan concerns about the impacts of data centers on nearby residents.

Meanwhile, Dr. Oz and other administration officials have touted AI as the answer to a litany of U.S. health problems, including rising medical costs, healthcare fraud, physician shortages and the shuttering of rural hospitals.

Medicare officials have been in discussions with several medical chatbot companies, including one behind a Utah program that provides AI-enabled refills of prescriptions.

The remarks from Kennedy and other officials last week reflect a “techno-utopian” view of AI’s potential benefits, says Glenn Cohen, a Harvard Law School bioethics expert.

Cohen notes that much of RFK’s agenda over the past year has focused on trying to curb food industry practices he views as harmful to consumers, including the use of artificial colors and undeclared chemical additives. Given Kennedy's skepticism of “big food,” Cohen said he was surprised the health secretary didn't see “the risk that market incentives may diverge from the public good.”

Some of the most prominent MAHA organizations are actively organizing against AI interests.

For example, Moms Across America operates local and national campaigns warning against pollution, water use and electricity costs associated with data center construction. The group was founded by Zen Honeycutt, a former staffer for Kennedy’s presidential campaign.

Moms Across America did not respond to a request for comment.

It's not yet clear how AI will integrate into US healthcare

AI experts don’t dispute that the technology will fundamentally change how doctors and patients approach medical decisions.

Kennedy is correct when he says AI will empower patients with more insights about their health, says Dr. Robert Wachter, a medical technology expert at University of California, San Francisco. But AI adoption is likely to further bolster the recommendations of medical professionals, rather than the contrarian views often favored by Kennedy, according to Wachter.

“Democratization is good,” Wachter said. “But that means disseminating the best science we have, which generally means science created by people who know what they’re talking about.”

Experts disagree over how soon AI may be able to take over decision-making from physicians.

Several recent studies have found that AI alone outperformed doctors working alone or doctors working with AI on critical decisions. But those studies generally presented AI with detailed, written scenarios to solve — the equivalent of a medical exam.

When researchers looked at how patients interact with AI in real-time they found a number of problems: People often don’t provide enough information for the AI to correctly diagnose their medical issue and chatbots often respond with a combination of good and bad advice.

“We need to figure out in real life: Do these things actually work?” Wachter said. “What actually happens when they’re used in circumstances where people are under stress or don’t know how to interpret the outputs?”

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

El Arapiuns desemboca en el Tapajós, uno de los principales afluentes del río Amazonas, a través de vías fluviales tan vastas que navegar por ellas puede sentirse como cruzar mar abierto. Sin embargo, durante una sequía histórica en 2024, los habitantes de Nova Sociedade tuvieron que caminar hasta 20 kilómetros (12,4 millas) en busca de agua.

“Al amanecer, empezaba nuestra lucha. Niños cargando agua, ancianos cargando agua. Todos sufrimos”, relató Tiago Silva, líder indígena arapium de Nova Sociedade.

Dos años después, la comunidad está mejor preparada para El Niño de este año, el fenómeno climático natural que eleva las temperaturas globales y puede agravar la sequía en el Amazonas.

Nova Sociedade instaló paneles solares en junio para alimentar bombas de agua que llenan tanques de almacenamiento y proporcionan agua limpia a las 36 familias del poblado. La organización sin fines de lucro Saude e Alegria, con sede en el Amazonas, proporcionó el sistema y ha equipado a otras 29 comunidades con tecnología similar ante otra posible sequía.

Antes de que llegara la energía solar, Nova Sociedade dependía de generadores diésel para contar con electricidad básica. El combustible es costoso y contaminante, y los generadores ofrecen energía limitada y poco confiable.

En todo el Amazonas, la expansión de la energía solar no vinculada a compañías de servicios públicos está ayudando a comunidades remotas a reducir su dependencia del diésel, al tiempo que mejora el acceso a agua limpia y a electricidad en hogares, escuelas y centros de salud.

El mes pasado, cada hogar de Nova Sociedade recibió su propio sistema de energía solar donado por Schneider Electric a través de Saude e Alegria. Los kits, fáciles de instalar, incluyen baterías para alimentar luces por la noche y suficiente electricidad para cargar teléfonos y otros dispositivos pequeños.

“Esta tecnología usa la fuerza del sol y puede reemplazar otras formas de generar electricidad que a menudo requieren talar el bosque o quemar combustible, precisamente las prácticas que impulsan el calentamiento global”, explicó Caetano Scannavino, ambientalista y director de Saude e Alegria, a los residentes mientras recibían los kits solares. Advirtió también que probablemente llegue otra sequía severa en octubre y noviembre.

Mientras los líderes comunitarios llamaban a los jefes de hogar, los residentes se levantaban sonriendo para recoger sus kits.

Algunos describieron la tecnología como una bendición. Mujeres artesanas señalaron que una mejor iluminación les permitirá seguir tejiendo joyería tradicional y canastas después del atardecer, ampliando las horas que pueden dedicar a producir una importante fuente de ingresos.

La mayoría de quienes aún no tienen electricidad vive en el Amazonas

Nova Sociedade ilustra cómo la energía solar fuera de la red está cambiando la vida diaria en comunidades amazónicas aisladas. Más allá de proporcionar agua y electricidad en los hogares, la tecnología está respaldando cada vez más a escuelas, centros de salud y negocios locales.

Según datos oficiales, el número de sistemas instalados en zonas remotas del Amazonas aumentó de apenas 105 en 2020 a más de 11.000 en 2022. Para 2026, había superado los 100.000.

“Es justo decir que casi todos estos son instalaciones solares”, afirmó Fabio Galdino dos Santos, investigador del Instituto de Energía y Medio Ambiente, o IEMA, una organización brasileña sin fines de lucro enfocada en energía sostenible.

Más del 99% de los 214 millones de habitantes de Brasil tenía acceso a electricidad según el censo de 2022. La mayoría de quienes aún no cuentan con energía vive en el Amazonas, donde el aislamiento y los altos costos de infraestructura han dificultado la electrificación. Alrededor de 1 millón de personas en la región todavía carece de acceso a electricidad, de acuerdo con el IEMA.

Muchas comunidades desvinculadas han dependido durante mucho tiempo de generadores diésel costosos y contaminantes. En Nova Sociedade, comprar combustible requiere un viaje en bote de casi tres horas hasta Santarém, la ciudad más cercana.

Incluso cuando hay combustible disponible, la electricidad es limitada. Por lo general, los generadores se apagan poco después de las 10 de la noche y a menudo no tienen capacidad suficiente para hacer funcionar refrigeradores. Las temperaturas allí superan con regularidad los 35 grados Celsius (95 grados Fahrenheit).

Mejor atención médica y escuelas más silenciosas

En todo el Amazonas, iniciativas públicas y filantrópicas están ampliando el acceso a la electricidad, a menudo priorizando infraestructura que sirve a comunidades enteras.

En una clínica de salud pública en Ana, otra comunidad a lo largo del río Arapiuns, paneles solares instalados recientemente permiten al personal refrigerar vacunas, realizar consultas de telemedicina y operar equipos médicos básicos, incluidos nebulizadores, que son esenciales cuando el humo de los incendios forestales cubre la región.

En Surucuá, una comunidad a orillas del río Tapajós, la llegada de la energía solar se nota sobre todo en el silencio.

Hasta el año pasado, la escuela São Benedito, que atiende a los 116 estudiantes de la comunidad, dependía únicamente de un ruidoso generador diésel.

“Hoy, lo único que se escucha son los niños y los pájaros", comenta Rosenilce Cruz, directora de la escuela. "No podíamos trabajar al aire libre porque el generador era demasiado ruidoso. Ahora, los niños pueden leer afuera. Podemos realizar proyectos allí, y se escucha perfectamente tanto a los niños como al maestro”.

El suministro limitado de electricidad también dejaba las aulas con poca luz e impedía que la escuela usara refrigeradores. Luego, el gobierno municipal de Santarém renovó la escuela e instaló paneles solares.

“Hoy, las comidas de nuestros niños ya no se basan en alimentos enlatados, sino en fuentes frescas de proteína. Ahora tenemos un lugar para almacenar esa comida porque hay electricidad las 24 horas del día”, añadió Cruz.

La energía solar también empieza a respaldar a negocios locales. En el vecino estado de Amazonas, una planta de procesamiento de açaí en la comunidad de Bela Conquista, un poblado remoto a lo largo del río Solimões, recientemente dejó de depender de electricidad generada con diésel.

La energía diésel limitaba la producción y hacía que la fruta cosechada se echara a perder. La Fundación para la Sostenibilidad del Amazonas instaló un sistema solar con baterías en alianza con la Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet y el Ministerio de Minas y Energía de Brasil. Los socios planean desarrollar 20 proyectos piloto durante los próximos dos o tres años, apoyando negocios de pesca sostenible, agricultura y procesamiento de frutas.

El Amazonas, la selva tropical más grande del mundo, es vital para el clima global. Almacena enormes cantidades de carbono, y la humedad de sus árboles regula las temperaturas y moldea el clima en Sudamérica y más allá.

Proteger los territorios indígenas y tradicionales es una de las formas más efectivas de preservar la selva. Según MapBiomas, una organización que monitorea el uso del suelo, más del 80% de las áreas protegidas en el Amazonas brasileño —incluidos 330 territorios indígenas— no registró deforestación en la primera mitad de este año.

Fortalecer a esas comunidades tradicionales, incluidas las que ahora funcionan con energía solar, podría ayudar a mantener el bosque en pie, sostuvo Lázaro Silva, profesor de ingeniería y coordinador del laboratorio de energía renovable de la Universidad Federal del Oeste de Pará, en Santarém.

Silva y sus estudiantes han instalado 40 sistemas solares en 27 comunidades remotas del Amazonas desde 2022.

“Estas comunidades han demostrado un nivel de organización que las hace más resilientes, ayudándolas a reconocer su papel protagónico en la protección del bosque”, expresó.

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

Según las autoridades, la jueza federal de distrito Melissa Damian sentenció a Michael Ridley, de 34 años y residente de Fort Lauderdale. Ridley se había declarado culpable de tres delitos:

• posesión de armas siendo un delincuente convicto
• intento de obtener contrabando mientras estaba encarcelado
• conspiración para poseer una sustancia controlada con intención de distribuirla

De acuerdo con la fiscalía, Ridley era uno de los líderes de los Eastside Gangsta Bloods (EGB), un grupo vinculado a la United Blood Nation.

Los fiscales dijeron que el caso comenzó el 12 de junio de 2025. Ese día, Ridley publicó en redes sociales un video en el que aparecía con dos pistolas en un campo de tiro.

La publicación incluía la sigla “TTB”, también conocida como “train to bag”. Según el comunicado del Departamento de Justicia, las autoridades la asocian con deshacerse del cuerpo de una víctima de homicidio.

Los investigadores dijeron que Ridley fue arrestado el 23 de julio de 2025. Llevaba un arma que había sido reportada como robada y un cargador extendido.

Tras su arresto, Ridley quedó bajo custodia federal en dos centros de detención del condado de Broward mientras esperaba el juicio, indicaron.

Según la fiscalía, Ridley siguió dirigiendo actividades delictivas desde la cárcel.

Los investigadores dijeron que trabajó con personas de afuera, entre ellas otros pandilleros, para meter drogas sintéticas en la cárcel. Las drogas llegaban disfrazadas de correspondencia legal dirigida a él.

Los fiscales explicaron que el método, conocido a veces como “paper dope”, consiste en empapar hojas de papel con drogas sintéticas en forma líquida.

La Oficina de Campo del FBI en Miami investigó el caso con ayuda de la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Broward, señalaron.

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Regina Deshazior was convicted of leaving the scene of a crash involving death after she struck a man on March 15, 2023, at Northwest 22 Avenue and 79 St., in Gladeview. She started her probation sentence last year, according to court records.

Deshazior “confessed ... she panicked and fled the scene of the crash because her driver’s license was suspended,” a Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office deputy wrote, according to the report of her arrest on March 18, 2023.

On Monday, police officers arrested Deshazior, who lives in Overtown, at 4:20 p.m. at Burger King, at 3601 NW 27 Ave., in Miami’s Allapattah, according to a Miami Police Department officer’s arrest report.

DTiQ, a loss prevention contractor that operates software to detect inconsistencies at Burger King restaurants, “flagged” some of Deshazior’s transactions at the restaurant in Allapattah, according to the police report.

“The inconsistencies were verified through store video surveillance,” a police officer wrote, according to the arrest report.

Burger King’s asset protection staff investigated the reports by DTiQ and identified 215 “fraudulent” transactions by Deshazior that represented a “loss” of about $770, according to the police officer’s report.

“She admitted to committing the theft,” a police officer wrote, according to the arrest report.

Miami-Dade corrections booked Deshazior shortly after 7:30 p.m. on Monday at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center near Doral, according to inmate records.

Deshazior appeared in Miami-Dade bond court on Tuesday morning. She faced a charge of organized fraud involving an aggregate value of less than $20,000, a third-degree felony, according to Miami-Dade court records.

A judge ordered Deshazior to stay away from the restaurant and set her bond at $2,500. She had a hold because of her probation for the fatal hit-and-run crash, which was set to end on Dec. 17, 2032, court records show.

Miami-Dade County Circuit Judge Jason Bloch was presiding over both cases.

Regina Deshazior fue declarada culpable de abandonar la escena de un accidente con víctima mortal. El 15 de marzo de 2023 atropelló a un hombre en la avenida 22 y la calle 79 del noroeste, en Gladeview. Según registros judiciales, comenzó a cumplir su probatoria el año pasado.

Deshazior “confesó... que entró en pánico y huyó del lugar del choque porque tenía la licencia de conducir suspendida”. Así lo escribió un agente de la Oficina del Sheriff de Miami-Dade, según el informe de su arresto del 18 de marzo de 2023.

El lunes, agentes de policía arrestaron a Deshazior, residente de Overtown, a las 4:20 p.m. Fue en el Burger King ubicado en el 3601 NW 27 Ave., en Allapattah, según el informe de arresto de un agente del Departamento de Policía de Miami.

DTiQ es una empresa contratista de prevención de pérdidas. Opera un software que detecta irregularidades en los restaurantes Burger King. Según el informe policial, el sistema “marcó” algunas de las transacciones de Deshazior en el local de Allapattah.

“Las irregularidades se confirmaron con los videos de vigilancia del local”, escribió un agente, según el informe de arresto.

El personal de protección de activos de Burger King investigó los reportes de DTiQ. Identificó 215 transacciones “fraudulentas” hechas por Deshazior, que representaron una “pérdida” de unos $770, según el informe del agente.

“Admitió haber cometido el robo”, escribió un agente, según el informe de arresto.

El Departamento de Corrección de Miami-Dade ingresó a Deshazior poco después de las 7:30 p.m. del lunes en el Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, cerca de Doral, según los registros de reclusos.

Deshazior compareció el martes por la mañana ante el tribunal de fianzas de Miami-Dade. Según registros judiciales, enfrenta un cargo de fraude organizado por un valor total de menos de $20,000. Es un delito grave de tercer grado.

Un juez le ordenó mantenerse alejada del restaurante y fijó su fianza en $2,500. Sin embargo, seguía retenida por la probatoria del choque fatal, que debía terminar el 17 de diciembre de 2032, según registros judiciales.

El juez de circuito del condado Miami-Dade Jason Bloch preside ambos casos.

Authorities said Michael Ridley, 34, of Fort Lauderdale, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Melissa Damian after pleading guilty to being a convicted felon in possession of guns, attempting to obtain contraband while incarcerated and conspiring to possess a controlled substance with the intent to distribute it.

Prosecutors said Ridley was a leader of the Eastside Gangsta Bloods, or EGB, a group associated with the United Blood Nation.

They said the case began after Ridley posted a video on social media on June 12, 2025, showing him with two handguns at a shooting range.

The post included the phrase “TTB,” also known as “train to bag,” which authorities said referred to a term associated with disposing of a homicide victim’s body, the DOJ news release states.

Investigators said Ridley was arrested July 23, 2025, while possessing a gun that had previously been reported stolen, along with an extended magazine.

They said after his arrest, Ridley was held as a federal detainee at two facilities in Broward County while awaiting trial.

Prosecutors said Ridley continued directing criminal activity from jail.

Investigators said he worked with people outside the facility, including other gang members, in an effort to bring synthetic drugs into the jail disguised as legal mail addressed to him.

The method, sometimes called “paper dope,” involves soaking sheets of paper in liquid synthetic drugs, prosecutors said.

They said the FBI’s Miami Field Office investigated the case with assistance from the Broward County Sheriff’s Office.

Busch died in May from hemorrhagic shock and disseminated intravascular coagulation after complications from bacterial pneumonia led to sepsis, according to the former NASCAR star’s death certificate.

CMS said the event will allow the NASCAR community to come together to celebrate Busch through stories, memories, iconic moments and the lasting impact he made on the sport and at the 1 1/2-mile track oval. Busch’s widow, Samantha, will be a part of the program, along with team owner Joe Gibbs and Cup Series drivers Christopher Bell, Noah Gragson, Daniel Suárez, Kyle Larson and Austin Dillon.

The ceremony, which is free to fans, will conclude with a performance by country musician Cole Swindell.

“I have so many great stories with Kyle," said Suárez, who drives for Spire Motorsports. “He went from being an idol to being a mentor to being a teammate and then he became a friend.”

Busch was a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and the winningest driver at Charlotte Motor Speedway across all three series. His 69 Truck Series victories remain the most in series history and drivers say that his legacy extends far beyond the record book.

Suárez recalled that Busch helped him navigate his rookie season and regularly gave him advice on the phone.

When Suárez passed Busch to win his first NASCAR race in Michigan in 2016, Busch was one of the first to meet him in victory lane and offer a congratulatory hug.

“He said, ‘Hey, no more calls anymore,’” Suárez recalled. "And I thought that was very funny. I know he was joking, but sometimes he was being real. So that was, that’s something I always loved about Kyle, that he was funny. But he was very straightforward, and I really love that.”

Trucks Series driver Layne Riggs, who races for Front Row Motorsports, said Busch is on the “pedestal” of racing.

“Everybody wants to be him,” Riggs said. "Everybody wants to have the stats, the wins that he had, and we know we’ll never have a chance to do that. But he’s always going to be the goal. That’s what we always shoot and strive for and he was always the mentor and the person that we all looked up to. We’re all going to miss him dearly and can’t wait to see the tribute.”

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El próximo nombre de la lista es Isaias.

Todavía hay que precisar los detalles y el alcance de la amenaza. Pero las probabilidades de que se forme un sistema tropical más fuerte y mejor definido siguen aumentando. Quienes estén entre Luisiana y la región del Big Bend de Florida deben revisar los pronósticos con frecuencia esta semana.

Como mínimo, es prácticamente un hecho que habrá lluvias intensas y riesgo de inundaciones repentinas. La amenaza abarca una amplia franja del norte del Golfo y del Sur Profundo. Allí podrían acumularse 10 pulgadas de lluvia o más entre finales de esta semana y el fin de semana largo del feriado.

Por ahora, el Centro de Predicción del Tiempo (WPC) del Servicio Nacional de Meteorología pronostica un riesgo leve de inundaciones repentinas (nivel 2 de 4) para este fin de semana. Ese riesgo abarca la mayor parte del sureste de EE.UU., desde el norte de Florida hasta Luisiana.

No sería raro que ese nivel de riesgo suba en las zonas más cercanas a la costa, a medida que el pronóstico gane certeza el miércoles y el jueves.

Las primeras señales del 92L

El martes temprano, el Invest 92L tenía un buen conjunto de aguaceros y tormentas eléctricas alrededor de su centro en formación. Se organizaba sobre el suroeste del Golfo, a apenas unas 100 millas al este de Tampico, México.

Una boya ubicada unas 125 millas al este del centro estimado del 92L registró el martes por la mañana una presión de unos 1008 milibares. Es una caída importante frente a las estaciones cercanas y una señal de que el sistema se organiza mejor.

Como explicamos en el boletín del lunes, esta organización temprana será clave para el futuro del sistema. Un sistema mejor formado y más fuerte en los próximos días sentiría el empuje de los vientos de la corriente en chorro en niveles altos. Ese empuje lo llevaría más hacia el noreste, rumbo a Alabama o Florida y no a Luisiana. Además, lo ubicaría en un entorno más favorable para seguir fortaleciéndose.

Eso es, en general, lo que vienen anticipando los modelos de inteligencia artificial. El sistema de ensambles de Google DeepMind sigue favoreciendo un ciclón más fuerte con trayectoria hacia el sur de Alabama o el oeste del Panhandle de Florida.

En cambio, el modelo europeo tradicional, basado en la física, mantiene al 92L (¿el futuro Isaias?) más débil al principio. Eso lo llevaría más despacio hacia el norte, en dirección a Luisiana. En su camino enfrentaría vientos en altura menos favorables al acercarse al norte del Golfo, cerca del sur de Luisiana, este fin de semana.

¿Habrá amenaza de huracán en el norte del Golfo esta semana?

Es muy posible que el 92L alcance la categoría de huracán al acercarse a la costa norte del Golfo a finales de semana. Sería el primer huracán de la temporada atlántica y el primero en formarse tan tarde desde que hay registros.

En la etapa previa a su formación, es decir, antes de que exista una depresión o tormenta tropical como tal, conviene tomar con bastante cautela los pronósticos de intensidad. Aun así, nuestras herramientas de consenso más confiables apuntan a que sería al menos un huracán en el límite de esa categoría para el viernes, al acercarse al norte del Golfo. Entre ellas está el HCCA (HFIP Corrected Consensus Approach), que combina los modelos de mejor desempeño y corrige sus sesgos.

Vale la pena destacar el ciclo de la madrugada del conjunto de 1,000 miembros de Google DeepMind. Situó en más del 80% la probabilidad de que el 92L alcance su punto máximo como huracán. Además, cerca del 40% de los miembros lo llevaron a categoría 3 o superior. Como hemos dicho en boletines anteriores, hay que desconfiar un poco de los pronósticos de intensidad de DeepMind mientras no exista una depresión o tormenta definida. Pero se trata de un aumento notable respecto a ciclos anteriores en uno de nuestros modelos más confiables.

Dicho esto, al llegar a la costa el sistema podría resentir los fuertes vientos de la corriente en chorro que avanzan rápido desde el oeste. Esos vientos podrían debilitarlo al tocar tierra. Sin embargo, también ampliarían la zona de lluvias intensas y el riesgo de inundaciones, que llegarían bastante tierra adentro en el sur de EE.UU.

También habrá que vigilar la posibilidad de tiempo severo, con tormentas eléctricas fuertes y tornados, en el norte del Golfo entre finales de esta semana y el fin de semana.

En resumen

Según las tendencias actuales, crece la amenaza de una tormenta tropical fuerte o un huracán. Podría acercarse a la costa centro-norte o noreste del Golfo, entre Luisiana y el Panhandle de Florida, entre el viernes y el fin de semana.

Es muy pronto para saber qué tan fuerte llegará el sistema a tierra. Por ahora, los modelos van desde una tormenta tropical hasta un huracán de baja categoría.

Se desarrolle o no, el sistema traerá lluvias intensas y generalizadas a gran parte del sureste de EE.UU. este fin de semana. Los acumulados más altos, cercanos o superiores a 10 pulgadas, se esperan en la zona por donde toque tierra y al este de ella. Las lluvias más fuertes comenzarían el viernes en las zonas costeras y se extenderían tierra adentro durante el fin de semana.

A corto plazo, estaremos atentos a cuánto se organiza el 92L en las próximas 24 a 36 horas. Una organización más rápida favorecería una tormenta más fuerte, con trayectoria un poco más al este a finales de semana.

One thing he was sure of, though, was that he wanted to let his “clubs do the talking” and earn his way back instead of having a spot given to him.

And in a “huge year” on the European tour, Reed is closer to completing his comeback and achieving his goal.

“The biggest thing for me at the start of the year when I decided not to re-sign with LIV was to try to make my way back to the PGA Tour," he said Tuesday ahead of this week’s Spanish Open in Madrid. "The way to do that I felt was to try to play our way on.

“To be able to have the start of the season I did and to basically earn my way back to the PGA Tour meant a lot to me.”

The 36-year-old American split victories in Dubai and Qatar with a runner-up finish in Bahrain in February. He enters the final stretch of the year leading Rory McIlroy in the season-long Race to Dubai. The leading 10 players from the European tour not already exempt earn PGA Tour cards for 2027.

“This was a huge year to me,” Reed said. “Not just for my career, but also for my family, because I had to go earn my spot back, and to be able to go out there and earn it back and play the way I’ve been playing, means a lot. And to hopefully play well these last couple of events, and hopefully hold everyone off and win the Race to Dubai would mean a lot.”

Excited by Race to Dubai

The 2018 Masters champion said the “only way” back for LIV players to the PGA Tour should be on merit through results.

“I’m a firm believer that if you earn your right to play somewhere you should be able to play, but you have to earn it," he said. "You have to go out there and do the work, you know, go out there and not only just work hard but also play well.

“I’ve always wanted to earn my spot rather than having a spot given. Those guys on LIV, there are pathways to whether it’s to here on the DP (European tour), whether it’s to the PGA Tour. ... I feel like that’s the only way that you should be able to get back is by going out there and letting the clubs do the talking.”

Reed is part of a strong field in Spain, returning to action after withdrawing from the BMW PGA Championship with a hand injury and pulling out of the French Open. He is trying to become the second American to win the Race to Dubai, after Collin Morikawa in 2021.

“It’s one of those things that I’ve always prided myself as being that American that likes to play around the world," he said. "To have the opportunity to come over here, not only just play on this tour, but also to have a chance to win the Race to Dubai, it would mean a lot.”

Reed said it was Gary Player who advised him, in one of the first times that they met, to play more abroad.

“He told me, ‘Well, if you want to be a worldwide player, you’ve got to go out and play outside of not just the PGA Tour, you've got to play elsewhere,'" Reed said. “And once I got the opportunity to come over and play, I really enjoyed it and hopefully, hopefully, I can bring more Americans over and more of the top players to come out and play around the world, help grow the game.”

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The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office identified the suspect as Anley Olicier.

According to the sheriff’s office, Olicier faces charges of armed burglary, robbery and obstructing justice.

Deputies said the incident happened Sept. 21 at a home on West Circle Drive in the Saddlebunch Keys.

The sheriff’s office responded at approximately 8:43 p.m. after receiving a 911 hang-up call.

According to investigators, Olicier broke into the woman’s home using a kitchen knife and a putty knife. Authorities said he refused to leave after the woman told him to get out.

The sheriff’s office said Olicier grabbed the woman’s phone while she was calling 911. The woman screamed in an effort to alert 911 dispatchers as she and Olicier struggled over the phone, authorities said.

During the confrontation, the woman struck Olicier multiple times, including with a shower rod, deputies said, adding that she was eventually able to get her phone back.

According to the sheriff’s office, the woman suffered injuries that were consistent with her account of what happened. No life-threatening injuries were reported.

Authorities obtained warrants for Olicier’s arrest, and he was booked into jail Monday.

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Jail records show Diego Alfredo Medina Acosta, 37, of West Miami, was arrested Monday by the Coral Gables Police Department and faces one count of first-degree grand theft of $100,000 or less.

The investigation began after police said they responded to the Biltmore Hotel, located at 1200 Anastasia Ave., on Sept. 16 in reference to a suspected employee theft.

During a follow-up investigation on Oct. 5, an officer spoke with the hotel’s director of security and its head chef, according to the report.

They reported that numerous food products were missing from the hotel’s kitchen and storage areas and identified Medina Acosta as the suspected employee, according to police.

The head chef told investigators that the kitchen maintains an Excel inventory log that is updated every Sunday. Through the inventory process, he noticed “significant quantities of food were unaccounted for,” the report states.

Police said the missing items included 192 lobster tails valued at $6,525, 116.7 pounds of pork belly valued at $637.18, 30 center-cut snapper portions valued at $273, 11 quantities of cleaned calamari valued at $137.40, raw shrimp valued at $89.30, Argentine chorizo sausage valued at $54.28, gnocchi valued at $39.88 and a can of coconut milk valued at $98.32.

The total value of the reported missing property was approximately $7,854.36, according to the arrest report.

Investigators said they also reviewed surveillance video showing Medina Acosta arriving at the hotel before his scheduled work hours and entering areas where the missing food was stored.

He was also “routinely observed entering and exiting the hotel through different entrances and exits” rather than using the designated employee entrance, the report states.

Police said in one instance, surveillance video showed Medina Acosta removing a cart containing a large quantity of lobster from a storage area. When he returned the cart, some of the lobster that had previously been visible on the bottom of the cart was no longer there, according to the report.

Investigators later interviewed Medina Acosta after reading him his Miranda rights.

Medina Acosta told investigators that he would clock in before his scheduled shift “because he wanted to get a head start on his work,” according to the report.

However, hotel personnel told police employees were not permitted to clock in and begin working before their scheduled shifts, the report states.

Medina Acosta also said that after being at work for about 10 minutes, he would leave the hotel and return home to drop off dirty laundry before coming back to work, the report states.

When questioned about the surveillance video showing him removing the lobster cart, Medina said he had removed the lobster “in order to allow it to thaw.”

However, when investigators asked why he returned the cart to the storage area and why some of the lobster that had previously been visible was no longer there, Medina Acosta was “unable to provide a direct explanation,” according to the report.

Medina Acosta resigned from the hotel before management could terminate him in connection with the investigation, the report states.

Investigators said the head chef told them that after Medina Acosta left the hotel, the kitchen began having substantially more food remaining at the end of its inventory periods compared with the shortages that had previously been documented.

As of Tuesday morning, the Uruguayan national was being held on an immigration hold at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. His bond amount was listed as “to be set.”

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Doral police identified the suspect in an arrest report as Juan Leonel Jimenez Silva, who is from Venezuela but is currently living in northwest Miami-Dade.

According to the arrest report, the investigation began after a private citizen created an online persona posing as a 15-year-old boy. Police emphasized that the citizen was not acting at the direction of the Doral Police Department or any other law enforcement agency.

The citizen was using the Grindr dating app at about 8 p.m. last Thursday when Jimenez Silva contacted the account, according to police.

Investigators said the conversation moved to WhatsApp shortly afterward, where the person told Jimenez Silva that he was 15 years old.

Police said Jimenez Silva continued communicating with the person after learning the purported age.

According to the report, the conversation became sexual, with Jimenez Silva allegedly sending sexually explicit images and messages to the “teen.” Police said he also asked the person for nude photographs and discussed sexual acts.

Investigators said Jimenez Silva repeatedly expressed interest in meeting the person, invited him to his home and provided his home address.

The two eventually agreed to meet at BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse near Miami International Mall, according to the report.

Confronted at Doral restaurant

Police said Jimenez Silva arrived at the restaurant believing he was meeting the 15-year-old, but instead encountered two adult men.

According to the report, one of the men had been posing as the teenager while the other was recording the encounter.

The men confronted Jimenez Silva inside the restaurant about why he had come to meet the purported teenager, police said.

Investigators said Jimenez Silva then left the restaurant, ran through the parking lot, got into a white Toyota SUV registered to him and drove away.

The following day, the two men went to the Doral Police Department and provided sworn statements, screenshots of the WhatsApp conversation and a recording of the confrontation at the restaurant, according to the report.

Police said both men also identified Jimenez Silva in a photographic lineup.

Arrested days later

Jimenez Silva was taken into custody Monday night at his home.

Investigators said he agreed to speak with detectives after being read his Miranda rights and admitted that the conversation began on Grindr before moving to WhatsApp.

According to police, Jimenez Silva told investigators that he initially did not believe he was doing anything wrong because Grindr users are required to be adults. However, he acknowledged that the person told him early in their WhatsApp conversation that he was 15, the report states.

Police said Jimenez Silva told investigators he was attracted to the purported teenager and believed the person appeared older than 15.

According to the arrest report, Jimenez Silva confirmed that the WhatsApp account belonged to him and acknowledged sending the sexual messages and images described by investigators. Police said he also identified two clothed selfies of himself and confirmed sending four images depicting sexual activity.

Jimenez Silva was ultimately arrested on charges of electronic transmission of material harmful to a minor; using a computer to travel to meet a minor; using a computer to seduce, solicit or lure a child to engage in sexual conduct and attempted lewd and lascivious assault on a child.

As of Tuesday morning, Jimenez Silva remained held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.

Online jail records show the Venezuelan national has an immigration hold, and is therefore unable to bond out of jail.

La Union Restaurant, en Margate, acumuló 44 violaciones, y The Knife Steak House, en Doral, 38. En varios locales hubo problemas de cucarachas. Entre ellos está Sawa, en Coral Gables, que ya había sido clausurado por el mismo motivo en 2018 y 2019.

Según los registros de la cárcel, el Departamento de Policía de Coral Gables arrestó el lunes a Diego Alfredo Medina Acosta, de 37 años y residente de West Miami. Enfrenta un cargo de hurto mayor en primer grado por $100,000 o menos.

La investigación comenzó el 16 de septiembre, cuando la policía acudió al Biltmore Hotel por un posible robo de un empleado. El hotel está en el 1200 de Anastasia Ave.

Según el informe, en una investigación de seguimiento el 5 de octubre, un agente habló con el director de seguridad y con el jefe de cocina del hotel.

Ambos reportaron que faltaban numerosos productos en la cocina y en los almacenes del hotel. También señalaron a Medina Acosta como el empleado sospechoso, de acuerdo con la policía.

El jefe de cocina explicó que la cocina lleva un inventario en Excel que se actualiza cada domingo. Al revisarlo, notó que “faltaban cantidades importantes de comida”, indica el informe.

La policía dijo que entre los artículos desaparecidos había:

• 192 colas de langosta valoradas en $6,525
• 116.7 libras de panceta de cerdo por $637.18
• 30 porciones de filete de pargo por $273
• 11 unidades de calamar limpio por $137.40
• camarones crudos por $89.30
• chorizo argentino por $54.28
• ñoquis por $39.88
• una lata de leche de coco por $98.32

El valor total de lo reportado fue de aproximadamente $7,854.36, según el informe de arresto.

Los investigadores también revisaron videos de vigilancia. En ellos se ve a Medina Acosta llegar al hotel antes de su horario y entrar a las áreas donde se guardaba la comida que faltaba.

Además, “se le veía con frecuencia entrar y salir del hotel por distintas puertas” en lugar de usar la entrada designada para empleados, señala el informe.

Según la policía, en una ocasión las cámaras captaron a Medina Acosta sacando de un almacén un carrito con una gran cantidad de langosta. Cuando lo devolvió, ya no estaba parte de la langosta que antes se veía en la parte de abajo del carrito, indica el informe.

Más tarde, los investigadores le leyeron sus derechos Miranda y lo entrevistaron.

Medina Acosta dijo que marcaba su entrada antes de su turno “porque quería adelantar trabajo”, según el informe.

Sin embargo, el personal del hotel le explicó a la policía que los empleados no podían marcar entrada ni empezar a trabajar antes de su turno, añade el informe.

Medina Acosta también dijo que unos 10 minutos después de llegar salía del hotel. Según su versión, iba a su casa a dejar ropa sucia y luego regresaba al trabajo, de acuerdo con el informe.

Le preguntaron por el video en el que aparece sacando el carrito de langosta. Medina respondió que lo había hecho “para que se descongelara”.

Pero los investigadores le preguntaron por qué devolvió el carrito al almacén y por qué faltaba parte de la langosta que antes se veía. Medina Acosta “no pudo dar una explicación directa”, según el informe.

Medina Acosta renunció antes de que la gerencia pudiera despedirlo por la investigación, indica el informe.

Según los investigadores, el jefe de cocina les contó que tras la salida de Medina Acosta cambió la situación. Desde entonces, la cocina terminaba cada período de inventario con mucha más comida que en los meses de faltantes.

Hasta la mañana del martes, el ciudadano uruguayo seguía en el Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center con una retención migratoria. Su fianza figuraba como “por determinar”.

San Francisco led the major leagues with 2,379 days on the injured list and 44 IL placements, according to Major League Baseball. After topping the big leagues in lost days in 2023, 2024 and 2025, the Dodgers were second with 2,318.

Cleveland had the fewest days at 470.

MLB's overall IL days increased to 47,699 days from 44,372 last year and 43,253 in 2024. Placements rose to 854 from 826 last year.

Giants players with lengthy IL stays included right-handers Hayden Birdsong, Randy Rodríguez and Roman Wick (187 days each), José Buttó (179), Joel Peguero (160) and Jason Foley (109), outfielder Harrison Bader (140) and left-hander Matt Gage (101).

Los Angeles had 34 IL placements, down from 37 placements and 2,585 days in 2025 before the Dodgers got healthier for the postseason and won their second straight World Series title. They totaled 2,465 days in 2024 and 2,219 in 2023.

Detroit was third at 2,216 days, followed by Toronto (2,206), the Chicago Cubs (2,160) and Boston (2,009).

Others below 1,000 days in addition to the Guardians were St. Louis (606), Pittsburgh (768) and Philadelphia (809).

San Francisco had the biggest increase at 1,630 days, followed by the Chicago Cubs (1,080), Colorado (707 to 1,873) and Toronto (698 to 2,206).

Cleveland experienced the largest drop at 1,041 days, ahead of the New York Mets (651 to 1,628), Houston (624 to 1,686), Cincinnati (574 to 1,105) and Pittsburgh (567 to 768).

The Guardians had the fewest IL placements with 14. St. Louis had 16, Washington 18 and Philadelphia 19.

___

See AP’s full MLB coverage here

Leer en español

“Are you aware you are currently under arrest for the murder of Gladys, Julia, Daniela?” Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office Detective Juan Carlos Chaidez asked.

“Yes,” Sierra said. “I tied her hands behind her back.”

The 42-year-old already pleaded guilty in connection with the killings. A Miami-Dade jury is deciding whether life or death is an appropriate punishment.

“You tied her wrists together?” Chaidez asked.

“Yeah, with white nylon rope,” Sierra said.

Sierra delivered heart-wrenching details about the horrific way he said he killed his estranged wife, Gladys Machado.

“A plastic shopping bag?” Chaidez asked. “Yeah,” Sierra said. “And you place it over her face?” Chaidez asked. “Yeah,” Sierra said.

“I was devastated because of what I had done, so I was crying,” Sierra said.

Sierra also described killing Machado’s two young daughters, 6-year-old Julia Padrino and 3-year-old Daniela Padrino.

5:30 REPORT:

“She saw that her mom was dead and she started crying and screaming,” Sierra said. “I grabbed the Sedano’s bag and I put it over her face.”

He said, “I went to the kids’ room, and Daniela was sleeping, and I sat on top of her and did the same thing.”

He said he used a yellow Sedano’s plastic bag to kill them.

“And then, I don’t know, I went crazy,” Sierra said.

Sierra also described violating the bodies of Machado and Julia, delivering the account in a matter-of-fact tone that belied the brutality of the grim murders.

He explained how he worked to cover it up. “Can you tell me what areas of the house you mopped?” Chaidez asked.

“The master room, the closet, the bathroom, the kitchen, the living room, (inaudible) to the family room,” Sierra said.

Sierra said the violence that November day started after they left the mall.

“I was furious,” Sierra said.

“At Mall of the Americas, what did you do there?” Chaidez asked.

“We got an ice cream for the kids,” Sierra said.

He said he became jealous when Machado received a phone call.

“You got into an argument with her because she received a phone call from another man?” Chaidez asked. “Yeah,” Sierra said.

Prosecutors said Sierra kidnapped them at knifepoint and took them to the home where, days later, a neighbor who noticed the smell of decomposition found the three bodies in a master bedroom closet.

“You exit the home through what door?” Chaidez asked. “The front door,” Sierra said.

On cross-examination, defense attorney Joyce Brenner questioned Chaidez about his calm approach during the interview.

“You kept this whole thing as calm as you possibly could so you could build a rapport with Mr. Sierra so you could get at the truth, right?” Brenner asked.

“I already had a rapport with Mr. Sierra from our first interaction and our second interaction,” Chaidez said. “His behavior when it came to his wife’s infidelity and affairs, I thought he was a bit too calm and relaxed for his responses. I am not saying someone wouldn’t have a problem with their wife having an affair, but the way he was reacting to those questions didn’t sit right with me.”

On redirect, lead prosecutor Abbe Rifkin asked what prompted Sierra to stop providing the same false information.

“When he was confronted about the DNA evidence found on the victims,” Chaidez said.

Chaidez also described Sierra’s demeanor when he was confronted with that evidence.

“When he was confronted with that information, he clasped his hands, he stared down at the table for several seconds, he began to shake or quiver, and that is when he said something to the effect of, ‘I am going to tell you what happened,’ and all that,” Chaidez said.

White House Communications Director Steven Cheung said on social media Tuesday that the president's comments have been misunderstood and misrepresented in a “media freakout” that is “not rooted in reality.”

Trump was discussing the Iran war and the resulting high gas prices that have become a midterm liability for Republicans during his remarks in Nebraska when he mentioned the possibility of an Iranian attack on U.S. soil.

“It’s a small price to pay for keeping the world safe, keeping our country safe,” he said of the war and its economic fallout. “They can take out a city. Let ’em take out Los Angeles, let ’em take out San Diego. This is a very small price to pay.”

The commentary, including Trump's casual mention of the two California cities, was delivered in the familiar meandering style that he uses at campaign rallies, when he speaks for extended periods — often an hour or more — and is only occasionally following prepared remarks on a teleprompter.

Critics, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom, seized on his statements. The governor, a Democrat who could run for president in 2028, called Trump “deranged and dangerous” for, in Newsom's framing, “saying our foreign enemies should ‘take out’ Los Angeles and San Diego.”

Cheung, in his response Tuesday, said it was obvious that Trump was not calling for such an attack.

“The media freakout over President Trump’s comments is not rooted in reality,” he said. “He was clearly stating U.S. cities would have been threatened if a nuclear Iran hadn’t been stopped. America is safer because of the President.”

Cheung added that Iran “has no nuclear, no navy, no air force, and no money.”

Still, at least one Republican politician shared Newsom’s interpretation.

“As a Navy veteran, I served to protect Americans, not write off American cities as an acceptable price of war,” Jim Desmond, the Republican congressional nominee in a metro San Diego district, wrote on social media, adding that “no American family should ever be treated as collateral damage.”

Trump has often criticized U.S. cities as he campaigns, especially the largest areas that lean heavily Democratic. At a recent North Carolina rally, he described the state's cities as “blood-soaked killing fields.” North Carolina's violent crime rate ranks in the middle third of states, according to FBI statistics.

Iran has said that it’s not pursuing nuclear weapons, but has enriched uranium to near-weapons-grade levels that have no civilian purpose.

One restaurant had a staggering 44 violations, while another had 38.

And there were roach problems at several locations including Sawa in Coral Gables, which was ordered shut for the third time after inspectors found live and dead roaches in the kitchen.

Below is a list of places and some of their violations.

**SAWA

360 SAN LORENZO AVE (MERRICK PARK)

CORAL GABLES

ORDERED SHUT 10/5

15 VIOLATIONS FOUND

ALSO ORDERED SHUT 9/18/19 (ROACH ISSUE)

ALSO ORDERED SHUT 12/19/18(ROACH ISSUE)

“Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed 2 live roaches on prep counter crawling under rice cooker. Observed 2 live roaches in gaskets at standing reach in cooler unit next to ware washing area. Observed 1 live roach under reach in cooler unit at coffee area of kitchen.”

“Dead roaches on premises. Observed 4 dead roaches at corner prep area floor where sushi rice is stored. Observed approximately 11 dead roaches between cooling units and wall mounted shelves. Observed 1 dead roach under three compartment sink.”

“Food with mold-like growth. See stop sale. Observed 2 strawberries in container with mold like growth.”

“Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling and vents throughout kitchen soiled. Repeat Violation.”

“Equipment in poor repair. Observed flip top cooler handle and lid detached from cooler.”

“Interior of refrigerator or freezer in disrepair/has exposed insulation. Observed at standing reach in cooler next to dish washing area. Repeat Violation.”

“Unclean building components, attachments or fixtures. Observed hood filters at cook line soiled with grease build up Repeat Violation.”

“Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. See stop sale. Observed 2 packages of minced tuna at reach in cooler still in packaging thawing.”

“Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license.”

“Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. See stop sale. Observed 2 packages of minced tuna at reach in cooler still in packaging thawing.”

**THE KNIFE STEAK HOUSE

MIAMI INTERNATIONAL MALL

1455 NW 107TH AVE

DORAL

ORDERED SHUT 10/5

38 VIOLATIONS FOUND

“Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Observed 20 plus live roaches crawling at dishwasher machine electric box at kitchen area.”

“Wall soiled with accumulated grease, food debris, and/or dust. Observed soiled walls all over kitchen cooking area and ware washing.”

“Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed can opener blade soiled, also mixer heavily soiled.”

“Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.”

“Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed at several spot at kitchen prep and cook line area.”

“Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed all throughout the establishment including dining room area.”

“Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed at cook line area.”

“Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed floor under equipment heavily soiled with old rotten cardboard boxes and a mold like substance under equipment use to hold food to buffet line. Observed soiled floor all throughout the ware washing and cooking area.”

“Food stored on floor. Observed bucket with eggs and mayo stored on the floor at walk in cooler.”

“Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris.”

“Displayed food not properly protected from contamination. Observed croutons and chips at salad bar uncovered exposed to contamination.”

“Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed soiled gaskets at all reach in coolers units, also heavily soiled equipment under buffet line with presence of substance like mold, all rotten cardboard boxes. Observed walk in cooler fan dusted.”

“Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed Grill Station: provolone (93/95F - Hot Holding); cooked sweet potatoes (103/112/91F - Hot Holding); sausages (125/117/132F - Hot Holding); blood sausage (108F - Hot Holding); grilled chicken (131/116F - Hot Holding); beef ribs (153F - Hot Holding); pork ribs (123/108/99F - Hot Holding) at grill station area, also sweet breads (84F - Hot Holding); tripe (83F - Hot Holding); beef (91F - Hot Holding); sausage (88F - Hot Holding); beef steaks (87/86/84F - Hot Holding) at holding station at cook line. As per management all products less than four hours, staff was instructed to move to the cooler or back to grill station to bring products into compliance.”

“Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed cooked pork (78F - Cold Holding); beef (75F - Cold Holding); raw beef (48F - Cold Holding); grilled chicken (69F - Cold Holding); sausage (56F - Cold Holding) at small reach in cooler unit.”

“Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed some cooked at establishment food at walk in cooler not dated, as per staff for less than 7 days as per staff.”

“Equipment in poor repair. Observed walk in cooler door in disrepair.”

“Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employees at cook line and not hair restraint.”

**SUSHI SAKE SUNSET

9565 SUNSET DR.

KENDALL

ORDERED SHUT 10/5

14 VIOLATIONS FOUND

“Live, small flying insects found. Observed 20 live flies landing and crawling inside bag of onions underneath prep table across cook line. Observed 10 live flies flying and landing on top of rice cookers with rice inside and on wall on prep table next to cook line. Observed 25 live flies flying and landing on trays of soy sauce and eel sauce, on boxes of single service cups in wait station area next to walk in cooler. Observed 5 live flies flying and landing on clean bowls and equipment under prep table next to cook line. Observed 5 live flies landing on top of squeeze bottles of soy sauce and oil under prep table across cook line. Observed 6 live flies flying and landing on top of clean cutting board in kitchen area. Observed 15 live flies flying and landing on vegetable chopper and sanitizer bucket on prep table underneath dish machine. Observed 10+ live flies in dry storage area flying and landing on top of bags of rice and sugar. Observed 10 live flies flying in bar area, landing on beer taps, liquor bottles, and on top of garnish containers. Observed 8 live flies flying and landing on top of container of lychees at bar area. Observed 1 live fly inside container of lychees at bar area.”

“Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Live, small flying insects found. Observed 20 live flies landing and crawling inside bag of onions underneath prep table across cook line. Observed 1 live fly inside container of lychees at bar area.”

“Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed garlic butter (44F - Cold Holding) at cook line, as per operator for less than 1 hour. Repeat Violation.”

“Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Observed chef put on pair of gloves and begin to prepare customer order without first washing hands.”

“Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed interior of ice machine soiled.”

**LA UNION RESTAURANT

SUN PLAZA

998 SOUTH STATE ROAD 7

MARGATE

ORDERED SHUT 10/5

44 VIOLATIONS FOUND

“Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Approximately 7 live roaches crawling on wall and shelves around 3 compartment sink.”

“Dead roaches on premises. Approximately 1 dead roach in bucket inside hand washing sink. Approximately 6 dead roaches on floor around hot water heater. Approximately 1 dead roach on side of Reach in cooler at dish washing area. Discussed with operator to clean and sanitize areas.”

“Roach excrement and/or droppings present. At dish washing area buildup of roach excrement along shelves and wall.”

“Live, small flying insects found. Approximately 7 small live flying insects by back door landing on old equipment. Approximately 5 small live flying insects landing on walls surrounding hot water heater. Approximately 25 small live flying insects landing on dirty and clean dishes at dish washing area. Approximately 4 small live flying insects on walls in women& men’s restroom. Approximately 25 small live flying insects landing on walls in dining room behind reach in coolers where large puddle of water is on floor.”

“Objectionable odors in bathroom or other areas of the establishment. In bathroom strong odor of urine, discussed with operator to clean and sanitize bathroom.”

“Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Sides of cooking equipment soiled with thick build up of grease and food debris, discussed with operator to clean and sanitize.”

“Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.”

“Food stored on floor. In dish washing area bucket of raw chicken stored on floor.”

“Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. In reach in cooler at front counter milk (51F - Cold Holding) per server milk held in unit for unknown amount of time see stop sale. In walk in cooler pork tamales (48F - Cold Holding); cheese (48F - Cold Holding); pasteurized eggs (50F - Cold Holding); coleslaw (51F - Cold Holding); sliced ham (48F - Cold Holding); cooked beans (49F - Cold Holding) per chef products not portioned or prepared today and held in cooler for more than 6 hours, see stop sale.”

“Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Frozen Raw chicken thawing at room temperature, discussed with operator who moved product to walk in cooler to thaw.”

“Food being cooled by nonapproved method as evidenced by inadequate rate of cooling during time of inspection. In walk in cooler plastic wrapped pan of marinated portioned steak (52F - Cooling) at 10:20 per operator since 7:00 to 53F at 10:40, at this current rate of cooling product will not reach 41F within 4 hours, discussed with operator who moved product to reach in freezer.”

“Food manager certification expired.”

“No hot running water at three-compartment sink. Hot water maximum temperature 81F discussed with operator who used lighter to reignite hot water heater, at retest hot water reached 104F. Repeat Violation.”

“No soap provided at handwash sink.”

“Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation.”

“Employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled ready-to-eat food and/or clean equipment or utensils without washing hands. Employee cracked raw shell eggs and after without washing hands employee handled plate and utensils assembly meal, discussed with operator employee washed hands.”

“Employee handled soiled equipment or utensils and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee handled container of raw chicken and without washing hands employee handled clean plates and utensils, discussed with employee who washed hands.”

“Employee touched soiled surface and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Employee pulled up pants and after without washing hands resumed cooking eggs, discussed with employee who washed hands.”

“Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. In reach in cooler raw shell eggs stored above cooked plantains, discussed with operator who corrected storage of products.”

“Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. In walk in cooler raw chicken stored above raw steak, discussed with operator who corrected storage of products.”

“Floor area(s) covered with standing water. In customer dining area large puddle of standing water behind reach in coolers, discussed with operator to clean and sanitize area.”

“Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Throughout kitchen multiple floor tiles missing and in disrepair with food and standing water, discussed with operator to repair. Repeat Violation.”

“Required employee training expired for all employees.”

Storms will be even more widespread tomorrow and could develop at any point in the day. Expect more of the same on Thursday as we will firmly be in a wet weather pattern.

Time was scarce, so the chance to make wontons with her became special mother-daughter moments for us. She always had all the fillings ready to go — my favorite was and still is pork, shrimp and vegetables. I’d carefully scoop a bit of filling onto the wonton wrapper and do my best to fold it as neatly as possible.

Years later, I’ve continued the tradition with my own children, and together as a family we make Popo’s wontons (“Popo” is the Chinese word for “maternal grandmother”). Just as it was for my mother and me, making wontons gives me and my kids the opportunity to escape the chaos of daily life and bond while we fold 34 together.

It also gives me the chance to share more about our heritage. For example, the Chinese revere wealth (like most people!). Wontons are a symbol for gold — when folding, your goal is to create a wonton shaped like a Chinese gold ingot. I suppose that’s one way of getting rich. My kids thought it was the silliest, most fun thing to eat “gold.”

Popo's Wontons

Servings: Makes about 60

Ingredients

1 (3-inch) nob peeled ginger, minced

½ pound large (31 to 40) raw shrimp, shelled and deveined

2 tablespoons cornstarch, divided

2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided

1 pound frozen shepherd’s purse, defrosted (or 2 bunches fresh watercress)

2 tablespoons light soy sauce

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

½ teaspoon ground white pepper

1 pound ground meat (pork, turkey or chicken)

1 large egg

2 (12-ounce) packages square, thin wonton wrappers (you won’t use them all)

Directions

In a small bowl, soak the ginger in ¼ cup of water for 15 minutes.

Rinse the shrimp with cold water. Drain them and place in a medium bowl with 1 tablespoon of the cornstarch, massaging it gently into the shrimp to further clean them. Rinse the shrimp again with clean, cold water. Drain them, then toss with ½ teaspoon of the salt. Finely chop the shrimp. Set aside.

Rinse the defrosted shepherd’s purse with cold water, then squeeze out the excess water. Finely chop the greens, then toss them with ½ teaspoon of the salt. Set aside. (If using watercress, boil 2 bunches for 3 minutes, then drain and rinse with cold water. Squeeze out the excess water and finely chop.)

Remove the ginger from the water and squeeze it over the water to retain as much of the ginger-scented soaking water as possible. Discard the ginger, keeping only the ginger water.

In a medium nonreactive bowl, combine the ginger water, soy sauce, the remaining 1½ teaspoons of salt, oil, the remaining 1 tablespoon of cornstarch, and the white pepper. Add the ground meat and thoroughly mix it with the seasoning. Add the shrimp and greens and mix everything together. Allow it to marinate, covered in the refrigerator, for 30 minutes. Take a small piece and cook the meat mixture in boiling water until the meat floats, about 3 minutes. Taste it to see if it’s seasoned well. If not, then add another teaspoon of salt to the meat and mix well.

In a small bowl, whisk the egg so that it can be used to seal the wonton skins.

Fan the stack of skins out to create a pinwheel of skins. This separates the skins, making them easier to pick up. Take one wonton skin and place a dollop of meat mixture (about ½ tablespoon) in the center.

Using the tip of a butter knife dipped in the egg, brush the top and side edges of the skin. Fold the square in half and gently press edges together. The wonton is now a rectangle. Brush the bottom corners with egg. Holding the rectangle in your palm, bend the left and right corners together toward the center of the wonton. Squeeze the corners together to seal.

On a tray or plate lined with parchment paper, place the wontons in rows with a bit of separation between them so that they do not stick together. Make sure the tray or plate will fit in your freezer. Once the tray is full, freeze the wontons until the skin feels solid and frozen, about 1 hour. You can then place the wontons in a plastic freezer bag without worrying about them sticking together. Place the bag immediately back into the freezer to further freeze the wontons. Remember to write a date on the bags. They will keep for 3 to 4 months.

If you’re starting with fresh wontons, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Leave enough room in the pot for 1 to 2 cups of additional water. Add the wontons. When the water boils again, add ½ cup cold water. When the water boils again, add another ½ cup of cold water. When wontons float to the top, they are done. Adding cold water in steps like this keeps the skin of the wontons from overcooking and becoming too soft.

With frozen wontons, repeat the above, but add ½ cup cold water one more time because the frozen meat needs a bit longer to cook through.

___

Ming-Na Wen is an actor and author of the cookbook “Have You Eaten Yet: Family Recipes From a Restaurant Daughter."

___

Excerpted from “Have You Eaten Yet? Family Recipes From a Restaurant Daughter.” Copyright 2026 by Ming-Na Wen. Reproduced by permission of Simon Element, an imprint of Simon & Schuster. All rights reserved.

“Whenever anyone comes to the house, it’s always, ‘Have you eaten yet?’” Wen told The Associated Press. “So that was how I came up with the title, because I wanted that as a greeting for my fans.”

Wen, who found fame in the 1993 film adaptation of Amy Tan's novel “The Joy Luck Club” and went on to star in “Mulan,” is wading into the cookbook market. “Have You Eaten Yet? Family Recipes From a Restaurant Daughter,” out Tuesday, is sprinkled with Chinese and Western recipes and first-person anecdotes.

The recipes parallel Wen's evolution from immigrant kid helping out at her parents' restaurant to working actor cooking for her own children.

For generations of Asian Americans, Wen became an icon for validating the bicultural experience as June in “The Joy Luck Club.” The first big studio feature with an all-Asian cast was praised for depicting Chinese characters and Chinese food in a non-demeaning way.

Despite being more prevalent now than ever, Chinese cuisine is still at times stereotyped or devalued. Wen might be an ideal ambassador to share experiences of growing up eating Chinese and American food.

“I didn’t want it to just be about Chinese food,” said Wen, 62. “I wanted it to be about the Asian American experience.”

The cookbook is a way to honor her family

The idea for a cookbook began with Wen's Instagram cooking videos, posted from her Los Angeles home. Fans urged “The Mandalorian” star to write a cookbook, but she didn't feel qualified — until she learned there are “many celebrities who would write a book who didn't cook, which to me was such a no-no.”

“It took a couple of years before my literary agent came up with this wonderful idea that we write the cookbook as my journey through food,” Wen said.

She ended up whittling a list of a hundred recipes down to 70. Among those that made the cut are Popo's (Cantonese for grandmother) Wontons, and Chestnut Chicken, both reminiscent of her childhood in Hong Kong.

She also wanted to honor her stepfather, or “Chef Baba (Cantonese for father),” who taught her to cook Western dishes he had learned cooking in the army. He could pivot from making clam chowder to winter melon soup.

At age 7, Wen rode in an airplane for the first time when her stepfather sponsored her, her mother and brother to come to the U.S. They lived in New York City for three years before moving to Pittsburgh. There, her parents opened the Chinatown Inn restaurant. A good “restaurant daughter,” Wen helped set tables, wash dishes and other tasks.

“Being a restaurant kid was something that I sort of was either embarrassed about or rejected or didn’t like because it took time away from hanging out with my friends,” Wen said. “Looking back … it makes me so much more aware of how much that restaurant’s given and provided for my family and for shaping who I am.”

Having to cook far from home reawakened old skills

It wasn't until the Carnegie Mellon University alum moved to New York to pursue acting that she found she had a knack for cooking. She was on a shoestring budget, and the necessity of cooking awoke all those kitchen-prep skills she had seen as a child.

“It’s interesting how all those things that I observed growing up became second nature when I did start cooking, like really feverishly,” Wen said.

She went from making ramen and eggs to Cornish game hens with Chinese plum sauce.

Wen kept up cooking even after scoring a part on “As the World Turns” in 1988, making her the first Asian American actor on contract with a soap.

The cookbook has compelled her to revisit dishes she made back then, as well as those from Chinatown Inn, which her brother and sister-in-law run today. She felt like a “mad chemist” at times since her family cooks on instinct, not written recipes.

“The egg rolls — my brother was just like, ‘OK, these are the ingredients.’ I’m like, ‘Well, how much to how much? He’s like, 'I don’t know,’” Wen said. “I had to measure and measure and remeasure and taste-test and taste-test until I got it right.”

By all means, get a wok

Nowadays, cookbooks on Asian cuisine make up a crowded field, including niche volumes, such as vegan or noodle dishes, or ones influenced by a region of the U.S.

“In a weird way, my cookbook is going back to the basics, and yet expanding on it through other foods that people are familiar with,” Wen said.

She is eager for readers to try more challenging recipes like wontons and “lion’s head,” meatballs with napa cabbage. Wen also cannot recommend a wok enough.

“If there was ever an apocalyptic situation in L.A. and I have to leave with some essentials, I would grab my wok and my spatula, because you can cook anything in a wok,” she said.

Eddie Lin, a Los Angeles-based food writer and past “MasterChef” TV judge, was also a production assistant on “The Joy Luck Club.” Chinese food was “all over the place” in many big scenes, he recalls. So, he sees it as a nice full-circle moment that Wen is again bringing attention to the Asian American experience.

Her cookbook will stick out, he thinks, because she is willing to be so personal.

“I feel that Ming-Na’s book is probably her story on a plate or in a bowl,” Lin said.

Despite the popularity of Asian foods, there are still instances of ugly stereotypes on social media that have resulted in real harm to a restaurant's reputation.

“It does irk me quite a bit,” Wen said. “I know how difficult it is to keep a restaurant afloat, especially these days. All we can do is just ignore the negative, ignore the toxic and just try to find joy and harmony. Food is the universal love language. So, I will go with that thought instead.”

The ski racer from Colorado announced her strategy Tuesday in what she describes as a season of "exploration.” It's part of her plan to push herself coming off a season where she won her second Olympic gold in slalom at the Milan Cortina Games and earned her ninth World Cup season title in the discipline.

The season kicks off on Oct. 24 with a giant slalom race in Soelden, Austria. Shiffrin said her first slalom race is expected to be in Killington, Vermont, over Thanksgiving weekend and she will proceed from there.

“I’m not trying to do less because I care less. I’m trying to do something different because I still care SO much,” the 31-year-old Shiffrin said in a statement. ”The joy for me has never been about medals or records.

"This season is an exploration. We’re calling it the exploration season.”

Shiffrin won her sixth overall World Cup title by 87 points over Emma Aicher of Germany. Shiffrin also won the crystal globe in the slalom by beating Camille Rast of Switzerland.

In the giant slalom standings Shiffrin was fourth, while winding up outside the top 30 in the super-G. Her last World Cup win in the super-G, an event that blends the speed of a downhill with the turns of a GS, was in December 2022. She won a downhill event in 2023.

“Racing slalom underprepared would be like jumping into a giant blender and just trying to avoid the blades,” Shiffrin said. "I’m trying a little bit more to live in the gratitude of it and ski because I want to ski. ... I’m not looking for less commitment. I’m not looking for actually even less effort.”

She added: “I feel ambitious. I still feel competitive. I feel like I have a desire to ski fast. I feel like those things haven’t changed. I’m really just giving myself permission to be curious about where that takes me, and that’s the exploration.”

Shiffrin also plans to continue to work on her podcast, “What’s the Point with Mikaela Shiffrin.”

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See AP’s full Alpine skiing coverage here

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Eddrick Malik Bethune vanished after a shooting shortly after midnight on Sunday at Aliro, an apartment complex at 14040 Biscayne Boulevard, according to detectives.

Cellphone video shows two men beating someone before throwing him in the backseat of a gray car.

The car then drives away with its door still open.

Before all that took place, another video captured the moments when about a dozen shots ran out at the apartment complex.

A shooting victim arrived at a nearby hospital shortly afterward, police said.

“Due to his medical status, detectives have not been able to speak with this person to determine his involvement, if any,” an MDSO spokesperson told Local 10 News.

A witness’s video showed two men jumping from a third-floor window after the shooting.

The MDSO captain found Bethune’s body at about 7:25 a.m. on Sunday outside of plant nurseries in the area of Southwest 216th Street and 189th Avenue, according to detectives.

Near Bethune’s body, deputies also found a sports utility vehicle that had been set on fire.

Detective J. Rodriguez asked anyone with information about the case to call 305-471-2400.

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The Arapiuns flows into the Tapajos, one of the Amazon River’s major tributaries, across waterways so vast that navigating them can feel like crossing the open sea. Yet during a historic drought in 2024, Nova Sociedade’s residents had to walk as far as 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) in search of water.

“At daybreak, our struggle would begin,” said Tiago Silva, an Arapium Indigenous community leader in Nova Sociedade. “Children carrying water, elderly people carrying water. We all suffered.”

Two years later, the community is better prepared for this year’s El Niño, the naturally occurring climate phenomenon that raises global temperatures and can worsen drought in the Amazon.

In June, Nova Sociedade installed solar panels to power water pumps that fill storage tanks and provide clean water to all 36 families in the village. The Amazon-based nonprofit Saude e Alegria provided the system and has equipped 29 other communities with similar technology ahead of another possible severe drought.

Before solar power arrived, Nova Sociedade relied on diesel generators for basic electricity. Fuel is costly and polluting, and the generators provide limited, unreliable power.

Across the Amazon, the spread of off-grid solar power, closed systems not connected to utility companies, is helping remote communities reduce their reliance on diesel while improving access to clean water and electricity in homes, schools and health centers.

Last month, each Nova Sociedade household received its own solar-power system donated by Schneider Electric through Saude e Alegria. The easy-to-install kits include batteries to power lights at night and enough electricity to charge phones and other small devices.

“This technology uses the power of the sun and can replace other ways of generating electricity that often require clearing the forest or burning fuel, the very practices driving global warming,” Caetano Scannavino, an environmentalist and manager of Saude e Alegria, told residents as they received the solar kits. Scannavino also warned of another severe drought likely coming in October and November.

As community leaders called chiefs of households, residents rose smiling to collect their kits.

Some described the technology as a blessing. Women artisans said better lighting would allow them to continue weaving traditional jewelry and baskets after sunset, extending the hours they can spend producing an important source of income.

Most of those still without power live in the Amazon

Nova Sociedade illustrates how off-grid solar power is changing daily life in isolated Amazon communities. Beyond providing water and household electricity, the technology is increasingly supporting schools, health centers and local businesses.

According to official data, the number of off-grid systems installed in remote areas of the Amazon rose from just 105 in 2020 to more than 11,000 in 2022. By 2026, it had exceeded 100,000.

“It’s fair to say that nearly all of these are solar installations,” said Fabio Galdino dos Santos, a researcher at the Institute for Energy and Environment, or IEMA, a Brazilian nonprofit focused on sustainable energy.

More than 99% of Brazil’s 214 million residents had electricity access as of the 2022 census. Most of those still without power live in the Amazon, where isolation and high infrastructure costs have hindered electrification. About 1 million people in the region still lack access to electricity, according to IEMA.

Many off-grid communities have long relied on costly, polluting diesel generators. In Nova Sociedade, buying fuel requires a nearly three-hour boat trip to Santarem, the nearest city.

Even when fuel is available, electricity is limited. Generators typically shut down shortly after 10 p.m. and often lack enough capacity to run refrigerators. Temperatures there regularly exceed 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit).

Better healthcare and quieter schools

Across the Amazon, government-backed and philanthropic initiatives are expanding access to electricity, often prioritizing infrastructure that serves entire communities.

At a public health clinic in Ana, another riverine community along the Arapiuns River, newly installed solar panels allow staff to refrigerate vaccines, conduct telemedicine appointments and operate basic medical equipment, including nebulizers, which are essential when wildfire smoke covers the region.

In Surucua, a community along the Tapajos River, the arrival of solar power is most noticeable in the silence.

Until last year, Sao Benedito School, which serves all 116 of the community’s students, relied solely on a noisy diesel generator.

“Today, all you hear are the children and the birds,” said Rosenilce Cruz, the school principal. “We couldn’t work outdoors because the generator was so loud. Now, the children can read outside. We can carry out projects there, and you can hear both the children and the teacher perfectly.”

The limited electricity supply also left classrooms dim and prevented the school from using refrigerators. Then the Santarem city government renovated the school and installed solar panels.

“Today, our children’s meals are no longer based on canned foods but on fresh sources of protein. We now have a place to store that food because electricity is available 24 hours a day,” Cruz added.

Solar power is also beginning to support local businesses. In neighboring Amazonas state, an acai processing facility in the Bela Conquista community, a remote village along the Solimoes River, recently shifted away from diesel-generated electricity.

Diesel power constrained production and left harvested fruit to spoil. The Foundation for Amazon Sustainability installed a solar-and-battery system in partnership with the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet and Brazil’s Ministry of Mines and Energy. The partners plan to develop 20 pilot projects over the next two to three years, supporting sustainable fishing, agriculture and fruit-processing businesses.

The Amazon, the world’s largest rainforest, is vital to the global climate. It stores vast amounts of carbon, and moisture from its trees regulates temperatures and shapes weather across South America and beyond.

Protecting Indigenous and traditional territories is one of the most effective ways to preserve the rainforest. According to MapBiomas, an organization tracking land use, more than 80% of protected areas in the Brazilian Amazon — including 330 Indigenous territories — recorded no deforestation in the first half of this year.

Strengthening such traditional communities, including those now powered by solar energy, could help keep the forest standing, said Lázaro Silva, an engineering professor and coordinator of the renewable energy laboratory at the Federal University of Western Para, in Santarem.

Silva and his students have installed 40 solar systems across 27 remote communities in the Amazon since 2022.

“These communities have demonstrated a level of organization that makes them more resilient, helping them acknowledge their leading role in protecting the forest,” he said.

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