According to a police officer’s report, a neighbor in the Midtown area told police that she heard yelling and ran to the front door to look through a peephole.

She reported she saw Parajon, 34, “on top of the victim, stabbing him multiple times,” a police officer wrote, according to the arrest report.

Parajon, a day laborer who was born in Nicaragua, had been in a romantic relationship with the victim for about six months, according to the police report.

The police officers who responded saw Parajon throwing glass bottles from the apartment’s balcony at Northeast First Avenue and 36th Street, according to the report.

The victim later told a detective that Parajon had been “making unusual statements and speaking to himself” before he “opened a nightstand drawer and retrieved a large knife,” a police officer wrote, according to the police report.

Miami police officers arrested Parajon shortly after 10:40 p.m. on Saturday, according to the arrest report. The victim survived stab wounds to his neck, face, and chest, according to the police report.

Miami-Dade corrections booked Parajon shortly after 2:15 a.m. on Sunday at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center near Doral, according to inmate records.

Parajon was wearing an anti-suicide smock when he appeared in court at 11:10 a.m. on Monday, and a Miami-Dade judge denied him bond and ordered him to stay away from the victim and weapons.

Parajon faced four charges: Aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, shooting or throwing a deadly missile, assault, and resisting arrest. Records show he also had a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement hold.

Local 10 News Assignment Editors Mercedes Cevallos and Caron Merlo contributed to this report.

El Ministerio de Defensa colombiano informó el lunes que el personal militar estadounidense empezará a llegar desde el martes para participar en el ejercicio “Vanguardia del Sur”, un entrenamiento que suele realizar Estados Unidos con ejércitos de países aliados en la región.

El Comando Sur de Estados Unidos detalló en un comunicado que participarán cerca de 350 militares estadounidenses y 400 soldados colombianos en el entrenamiento diseñado para “contrarrestar amenazas regionales” y desarrollar las capacidades de los países aliados de Estados Unidos.

Los entrenamientos se realizarán en el Fuerte Militar de Tolemaida, ubicado en el céntrico departamento de Cundinamarca, desde el 2 hasta el 11 de noviembre.

Sin embargo, previamente realizarán una evacuación aeromédica desde el fuerte militar hasta una escuela militar en Bogotá, para verificar la capacidad de auxiliar a una persona que resultase herida en un área minada, detalló la cartera colombiana.

El Comando Sur indicó que, durante el entrenamiento, los escenarios se centrarán especialmente en la interdicción marítima, usualmente usada para inspeccionar embarcaciones sospechosas, las operaciones de seguridad terrestre, la ciberdefensa y la cooperación interagencial.

Colombia resaltó que el entrenamiento le permitirá a su ejército fortalecer tanto la cooperación internacional como preparar a su tropa para “contrarrestar la criminalidad de los grupos armados organizados que convergen en el territorio nacional”.

El país sudamericano lidia con múltiples grupos armados ilegales que suelen financiarse con ilícitos como el narcotráfico y la minería ilegal, a los que el presidente conservador Abelardo de la Espriella, aliado del estadounidense Donald Trump, se ha propuesto combatir con “mano de hierro”.

La renovada cooperación militar con Estados Unidos es vigilada de cerca por la oposición en Colombia, especialmente luego de que el secretario de Defensa de Estados Unidos, Pete Hegseth, dijera en agosto que el gobierno de De la Espriella había solicitado colaboración estadounidense en operaciones militares conjuntas en Colombia para combatir el “narcoterrorismo”.

El excandidato presidencial y senador opositor Iván Cepeda advirtió entonces que las eventuales operaciones de militares estadounidenses en Colombia serían la “entrega” de la “soberanía” a ese país.

El colombo-estadounidense De la Espriella incluyó en agosto a Colombia en el “Escudo de las Américas”, una alianza en la lucha contra el narcotráfico que lidera Estados Unidos e incluye otros países de la región como Ecuador y Perú.

El fin de semana Joseph M. Humire, subsecretario adjunto de Guerra para Asuntos de Seguridad de las Américas de Estados Unidos, visitó Medellín, la segunda ciudad de Colombia, donde se está construyendo una sede de la coalición.

Keith Evans, who lives in Miami’s Coconut Grove, had done this before in downtown Miami, and the drivers who trusted him have been ticketed and towed, according to a police report.

Police officers arrested Evans shortly after 8:25 p.m. on Friday at Northeast Second Avenue and Seventh Street, near the Kaseya Center, according to the report.

Evans, who posed as a Miami Parking Authority attendant, was “wearing a fluorescent yellow vest and carrying a flashlight, while flagging down vehicles,” a police officer wrote, according to the arrest report.

Miami-Dade corrections booked Evans shortly before 10 p.m. on Friday and held him at the Metrowest Detention Center on Monday afternoon, according to inmate records.

Evans faced three charges: Operating a business without a local business tax receipt, doing business without a license, and petit theft after two convictions. His bond was $6,000.

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

“It’s hard to believe,” crew chief Cliff Daniels said after Larson gained 10 spots on Sunday's final lap for his first victory in 24 starts at the treacherous track in Alabama. “I had to ask where victory lane was. I’ve never seen the place; didn’t even know where it was.”

The Chase points leader won’t need help finding his way if Larson celebrates a third Cup Series championship during the next two weeks.

Larson and Hendrick Motorsports know their way around the season’s final two tracks as well as anywhere on the NASCAR schedule.

With a 73-point lead over Denny Hamlin, a strong performance Sunday at Martinsville Speedway could make Larson the first driver in Chase history to clinch the title before the season finale.

Hendrick is NASCAR’s winningest team at Martinsville with 31 victories (including wins in seven of the past 12 races). Larson has eight consecutive top 10s (including a 2023 win) at the 0.526-mile oval.

He is even better at Homestead-Miami Speedway, where the Cup season ends Nov. 8. Larson has two wins at the 1.5-mile track, is tied for second in top fives (six) and ranks fourth in average finish.

Martinsville and Homestead are stronger fits for Larson’s aggressive style than the unpredictable draft of Talladega, which ranked among his worst tracks in Cup and seemed a major title roadblock.

A disastrous 34th-place finish at Phoenix Raceway left Larson clinging to a five-point lead, and five former Talladega winners were within striking distance.

It’s no wonder he was much looser after surviving the caution-plagued stress of 500 miles at Talladega, where the nine drivers behind him in the Chase standings were involved in incidents Sunday.

“I feel good,” Larson said. “Never in a million years would I have imagined leaving here plus-73. That makes the win feel even way cooler.”

After finishing eighth at Talladega, Hamlin conceded that Larson is destined for the title if he avoids misfortune in the next two races.

Hamlin still should be able to keep the pressure on at Martinsville. The Joe Gibbs Racing star ranks first among active drivers at the Virginia short track in wins, laps led and points per race, and he led a race-high 292 laps for a runner-up finish there on March 29.

Teammate Christopher Bell, ranked third in the Chase 74 points behind Larson, won at Martinsville four years ago and has four top 10s in the past six races there.

The competition is concerning to Daniels, who plans to keep the No. 5 Chevrolet on offense at Martinsville instead of protecting the Chase lead.

“The points can swing a lot,” said Daniels, who led Larson to championships in 2021 and 2025. “There’s always been this question of what is a comfortable points gap. The Chase so far has shown some volatility. You just never know what’s going to lie ahead.”

Though Larson can wrap up the title by scoring 59 points at Martinsville (he amassed 71 of a maximum 76 at Talladega), he and his team are downplaying their chances by noting that alternate tire strategies and the timing of cautions can negate a fast car.

“It’s certainly not over by any means,” said Hendrick Motorsports vice chairman and NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon, whose nine wins at Martinsville tie him for the team lead with seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson. “You’ve got to execute, and there’s so much on the line. So many different strategies can play out now. I know Hendrick runs good at Martinsville, but that’s just not a guarantee.”

Since joining Hendrick in 2021, Larson has finished outside the top 10 only twice at Martinsville. He is mindful it’s still easy for things to go wrong at the smallest track on the Cup circuit.

“If there’s a stackup on the first lap, I could cave in the radiator and be done,” Larson said. “There’s still a lot of racing left in the Chase. I’m not getting ahead of myself at all.”

___

See AP’s full auto racing coverage here

Mississippi, among the nation’s most reliably Republican states, is not where the GOP envisioned needing a late-October stop from the president. But GOP Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith faces a stiff challenge from Scott Colom, one of many Democratic underdogs that have managed to expand the House and Senate battleground maps because of widespread voter discontent over inflation, the Iran war and other aspects of Trump’s second presidency.

The evening rally with Hyde-Smith will kick off a week that continues to pit Trump against former President Barack Obama, the Democrat he first succeeded in 2017, and former Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democrat he defeated in 2024 to return to power. Trump’s itinerary has been taking him to many states that he won comfortably in 2024.

Other top nominees and surrogates are greeting voters — almost 30 million of whom have already cast ballots — as Republicans scramble to protect their threadbare majority in the House, shore up a Senate majority that was once thought secure and maintain the GOP’s national advantage in state capitals.

Democrats are expanding their efforts

Harris will campaign in Wisconsin with Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, who faces Rep. Tom Tiffany, a Trump ally, for governor. Crowley would be the state’s first Black governor if elected to lead the battleground state.

In Georgia, Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff and gubernatorial nominee Keisha Lance Bottoms are getting an assist from Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, chairman of the Democratic Governors’ Association and a likely 2028 presidential candidate, two days after Trump made his second October visit to the state.

Minnesota will be a center of the progressive movement’s effort to leverage many Americans’ economic struggles. Democratic Senate nominee Peggy Flanagan, the current lieutenant governor, is welcoming House Progressive Caucus Chairwoman Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., to advocate for a national health insurance plan to achieve universal coverage.

House Democrats also continue to expand their spending footprint, with the House Majority PAC announcing almost $2.5 million in new spending in Minnesota and Indiana districts that had been considered solid GOP territory earlier in the cycle. The Minnesota seat is a heavily rural and small-town district that has been reliably Republican for generations, other than a recent stretch when Tim Walz, the state’s two-term governor and Democrats’ 2024 vice presidential nominee, represented the sprawling district.

Trump to rally in another reliably Republican state

But it’s Trump’s visit to Mississippi that perhaps brings the midterm landscape into the sharpest relief with just a week of campaigning left before votes are tallied.

To be sure, Hyde-Smith, who is vying for her second full term, remains the favorite in a state Trump won three times by an average of nearly 20 percentage points.

But Colom, a local prosecutor who would make history Mississippi’s first Black senator since post-Civil War Reconstruction, is looking to parlay inflation, Trump’s lagging popularity and Hyde-Smith’s mistakes into an upset.

Colom has outpaced Hyde-Smith in fundraising since he launched his campaign last year, and he caught national attention this month with an ad that played off Hyde-Smith, a former state agriculture commissioner, dismissing beef prices, driven higher by Trump’s tariffs and fuel spikes resulting from the Iran war. The ad features Hyde-Smith saying that consumers “have so many other proteins to choose from,” followed by several characters, and then Colom, saying Mississippi should “pick another senator instead.”

Colom’s campaign followed with a social media video that featured an AI-generated Hyde-Smith dodging questions about that controversy and other issues. The Democrat took down the video after the Mississippi attorney general said it could violate state law barring the use of deepfakes so close to Election Day.

Senate Democrats’ super PAC, meanwhile, has been a late entry in the contest, with a $1.2 million investment — a paltry sum compared to Senate contests in more populous states like Texas or Georgia but an amount that can go farther in Mississippi’s smaller television markets.

Mississippians have not chosen a new Democratic senator since 1947, and Democrats last won a Senate race there when that senator, the onetime segregationist John Stennis, won his last reelection in 1982.

Republicans currently hold a 53-47 Senate majority, meaning Democrats must flip at least four seats for a change in control. Republicans began the cycle with a 220-215 advantage in the House, but a national gerrymandering fight made nine Democrats-held seats friendlier to Republicans based on 2024 presidential outcomes in those districts.

___

Barrow reported from Atlanta.

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According to a news release from the office of Broward County Property Appraiser Marty Kiar, the quartet now faces a combined 15 charges.

In a news conference on Monday morning, officials identified the victim as Thomas Hegarty, 71.

Officials said the investigation began after one of Hegarty’s sister-in-law contacted Hollywood police, concerned about the senior’s “deteriorating mental condition and the suspicious circumstances surrounding the transfer of his longtime residence of over 25 years,” in the 2200 block of Mayo Street.

Investigators said the group “took advantage of the victim’s deteriorating mental state to obtain his signature on a power of attorney document and warranty deed,” which was “falsely notarized” by Derek Enrique, 43, of Tamarac, “and used to purportedly transfer ownership of the home,” to a company called Cash4Keys South Florida.

That company, authorities said, was controlled by 25-year-old investors Brandon Lee Miguel and Jordy Luis Perez.

Officials said the home was worth about $300,000 but sold for only $191,000.

Authorities said the duo then arranged to have realtor Monica Elizabeth Castelli, 56, of Margate, remove Hegarty from his home “and abandoned at a dilapidated rooming house in Miami Gardens.”

Officials said on Monday that Hegarty was distraught and crying, so Castelli picked him up and dropped him off again at Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood. That’s when staff notified his sister-in-law about what happened.

“Once the victim was removed from his home, they were able to gain entry and are alleged to have removed all of his personal property which was subsequently reported missing, including three vehicles that belonged to the victim,” Kiar’s office stated in the release.

Miguel and Perez, who were arrested in Miami-Dade County, now face charges including first-degree grand theft, elderly exploitation, organized fraud and mortgage fraud.

Castelli also faces an elderly exploitation charge, as well as a charge of kidnapping with intent to facilitate the commission of a felony.

Enrique faces a charge of false or fraudulent acknowledgements.

“It’s very upsetting, very sad, and what really bothers me is the person they picked on was about as vulnerable as they come and that really is what makes this case a case that’s very sad,” Kiar said on Monday. “I’m very glad that people have have been arrested and they will have their day in court.

Authorities said the investigation into the four involved multiple agencies; besides Kiar’s office and Hollywood police, the Broward Sheriff’s Office, Broward State Attorney’s Office and the Florida Department were also involved.

Kiar said Cash4Keys still controls Hegarty’s home, saying his family has now hired an attorney in an attempt to get it back.

Five professional leagues in North America are in action at the same time on Monday night, a phenomena known as a sports equinox.

Major League Baseball and the NFL will compete for the most viewers while the NBA, WNBA and NHL give their diehard fans games to watch.

Monday marks the 33rd sports equinox, the first since Oct. 27, 2025 and the fourth instance with women’s professional basketball included, according to Sportradar.

Here’s a guide to attempt to sample a little bit of this and that in the sports smorgasbord:

How to watch the World Series

The Tampa Bay Rays will host the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 3 of the World Series with the first pitch scheduled for 8 p.m. EDT on Fox.

The Brewers won the first two games by one run, taking a 2-0 lead in the best-of-7 series.

How to watch “Monday Night Football”

Even though the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys both have 2-4 records, the NFL always draws a lot of interest and millions will be watching the NFC East matchup when it kicks off at 8:15 p.m. on ESPN.

The Eagles have lost four in a row, reeling with quarterback Jalen Hurts on injured reserve because of blood clots. The Cowboys have won only one of their last four games.

How to watch the NBA

By the time the baseball and football game start, we’ll know if reigning NBA Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg is returning to a lineup from an injury that is expected to include banged-up Kyrie Irving for the Dallas Mavericks on the road against the Miami Heat. The game tips off at 7:30 p.m. on NBA TV.

In the middle of the World Series and “Monday Night Football,” the NBA will have an intriguing matchup to compete for attention. Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors travel to face Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets at 10 p.m. on NBCSN and Peacock.

How to watch the WNBA Finals

The WNBA is vying for eyeballs against MLB, the NFL, NBA and NHL for the first time since 2000, when the league did it three times in September of that year.

The Golden State Valkyries are hosting Angel Reese and the Atlanta Dream in Game 5 of the WNBA Finals at 8 p.m. on USA Network, CNBC and Peacock. The best-of-7 series is tied at two games apiece.

How to watch the NHL

The NHL will have some of its top scorers skating in three games.

The New York Rangers, with high-scoring Alexis Lafreniere, will host one of their former stars, Artemi Panarin, and the Los Angeles Kings at 7 p.m. on the NHL Network.

Edmonton star Leon Draisaitl of Germany has a shot to become the first NHL player born outside of North America to score at least two goals in four straight games when Connor McDavid and the Oilers host the Detroit Red Wings at 9:30 p.m. on ESPN+ and Sportsnet.

_

See AP’s full sports report here

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A spokesperson for the Davie Police Department asked drivers to avoid the area since the crash involved “downed power lines.”

Police officers closed both the northbound and southbound lanes of University Drive at Stirling Road, according to police.

The area re-opened, and the power was restored by 2:15 p.m.

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Flies can carry germs from contaminated surfaces and transfer them to food.

Last week, inspectors found flies landing directly on exposed food at several South Florida restaurants, including cooked chicken, eggs, cheese, dessert toppings and other ready-to-eat items.

In some cases, Stop Sale orders were issued because food was no longer considered to be in wholesome, sound condition.

And flies weren’t the only concern inspectors also documented mold-like buildup inside ice machines and other food-safety violations.

Below is a closer look at what inspectors found.

All of the restaurants listed below were allowed to reopen following an ordered cleanup and a follow-up inspection.

**SMOOTHIE SPOT DAVIE

8902 STATE ROAD 84

DAVIE

ORDERED SHUT 10/22

7 VIOLATIONS FOUND

“Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Live, small flying insects found. Observed approximately 7 small flying insects at the front counter landing in hard boiled eggs, pico de gallo, cheese and tuna. Operator discarded items that small flying insects landed on.”

“Live, small flying insects found. Observed approximately 7 small flying insects at the front counter landing in hard boiled eggs, pico de gallo, cheese and tuna. Operator discarded items that small flying insects landed on. See stop sale. Observed approximately 4 small flying insects by the orange juicing machine landing on the machine and on wrapped single service items. Observed approximately 4 small flying insects by the chemical storage closet landing on walls and cleaning supplies.”

“Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.”

“Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed handwashing sink with a bucket containing soap and water stored in it.”

**PHAT BOY SUSHI

2702 N. UNIVERSITY DR.

CORAL SPRINGS

ORDERED SHUT 10/22

9 VIOLATIONS FOUND

“Live, small flying insects found. Observed approximately 8 live flying insects in kitchen by handwashing sink and fryer. Observed 1 flying insects land in open package of sliced cheese. See stop sale. Observed 1 flying insect land on bottle of spicy mayo. Operator removed bottle to clean/sanitize. Repeat Violation.”

“Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed 1 flying insects land in open package of sliced cheese.”

“Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Prep Area - Near Ice Machine- Magnetic Knife rack observed with food debris.”

“Accumulation of debris on exterior of ware washing machine.”

“Raw animal food stored over or with ready-to-eat food in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Walk in Freezer - Raw beef stored over ready to eat edamame.”

“Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Sushi Area - Low boy raw fish stored above ready to eat sauces.”

**USHIO SUSHI

2211 SOUTH UNIVERSITY DR.

DAVIE

ORDERED SHUT 10/21

13 VIOLATIONS FOUND

“Live, small flying insects found. Observed approximately 12 small flying insects at the prep table by the ice machine landing walls/tables and 3 small flying insects landing on 2 pieces of cooked chicken. See stop sale. Observed approximately 5 small flying insects by the fryers landing on clean dishes and walls.”

“Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.”

“Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Observed employees drinking coffee by the sushi station. Manager informed employees not to drink coffee while working.”

“Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employees phone stored over prep table in the kitchen.”

“Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed sushi chef not using a hair restraint.”

“Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed employees drinking coffee by the sushi area and changed their gloves but didn’t wash their hands before preparing sushi for customers order.”

**LA VIDA MISMA RESTAURANT & BAR

8945 SW 72ND PL

MIAMI

ORDERED SHUT 10/21

30 VIOLATIONS FOUND

“Live, small flying insects found. Observed in bar area; 35+ live flies. Observed flies touching edible garnishes, cut limes and flower petals, on walls and ceiling in bar. Observed live flies on beer taps nozzles, on liquor bottles and decorations at bar counter. Observed 3 live flies on wall by waiter station. Observed 5 live flies on decoration in bar above entrance.”

“Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Live, small flying insects found. Observed approximately 12 small flying insects at the prep table by the ice machine landing on cooked chicken, walls and tables.”

“Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Observed no handwash for employees in kitchen; water was turned off.”

“Accumulation of debris on exterior of ware washing machine.”

“Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Observed cooler, oven and microwave handles soiled. Repeat Violation.”

“Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed in kitchen, bulging tile. Repeat Violation.”

“Cold holding equipment not maintained in good repair. Do not store time/temperature control for safety food in this unit until the unit is repaired. Observed reach in with ambient temp of 56F, the following TCS foods stored inside less than 3 hours: mozzarella (63F - Cold Holding); egg (62F - Cold Holding); Gorgonzola (60F - Cold Holding); cooked sausage (60F - Cold Holding); shredded cheese (60F - Cold Holding). Repeat Violation.”

“Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed soiled gaskets in multiple coolers. Repeat Violation.”

“Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. Observed license expired; 10/01/26.”

“Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed multiple raw meats above bread and veggies in walk in cooler.”

“Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Observed multiple filets of salmon in walk in freezer stored in ROP bags, no approved HAACP or process waiver. Observed flies touching edible garnishes, cut limes and flower petals.”

“Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed reach in with ambient temp of 56F, the following TCS foods stored inside less than 3 hours: mozzarella (63F - Cold Holding); egg (62F - Cold Holding); Gorgonzola (60F - Cold Holding); cooked sausage (60F - Cold Holding); shredded cheese (60F - Cold Holding). Repeat Violation.”

“No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Operator brought napkins over.”

“No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed none at hand sink in kitchen.”

*CHILL N KENDALL PLACE

9065 SW 107TH AVE

MIAMI

ORDERED SHUT 10/21

9 VIOLATIONS FOUND

“Live, small flying insects found. Observed 8 live flying insects flying and landing inside uncovered container directly touching dulce de leche at front counter. Observed 3 live flying insects flying and landing inside uncovered container directly touching Nutella at front counter. Observed 2 live flying insects landing directly on top of cheesecake bites at reach in cooler at front counter. Observed 1 live flying insect flying and landing directly inside container of mini chocolate chips at front counter. Observed 10+ live flying insects flying and landing on clean wiping cloths and clean equipment and utensils above triple sink. Observed 4 live flying insects flying in mop sink area. Observed 5 live flying insects flying and landing near dish machine. Observed 16 live flying insects flying and landing on shelf with clean equipment, single use gloves, and napkins in storage area. Observed 6 live flying insects flying and landing on shelf where various bags of coconut flakes, Oreos, marshmallows, and other toppings are stored in dry storage area. Observed 2 live flying insects landing on clean ice cream scoops at front counter. Observed 3 live flying insects flying above clean mixer containers under hand sink at front counter. Repeat Violation.”

“Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Live, small flying insects found. Observed 8 live flying insects flying and landing inside uncovered container directly touching dulce de leche at front counter. Observed 3 live flying insects flying and landing inside uncovered container directly touching Nutella at front counter. Observed 2 live flying insects landing directly on top of cheesecake bites at reach in cooler at front counter. Observed 1 live flying insect flying and landing directly inside container of mini chocolate chips at front counter. Repeat Violation.”

**SHORTY’S BBQ

11575 BIRD ROAD

WESTWOOD LAKES/WEST MIAMI

INSPECTION BASED ON COMPLAINT

ORDERED SHUT 10/22

55 VIOLATIONS FOUND

“Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed approximately 10+ rodent droppings on floor in dry storage area. Observed approximately 5+ rodent droppings near electrical box in dry storage area. Observed approximately 10+ rodent droppings on shelf where clean aprons are stored in dry storage area.”

“Live, small flying insects found. Observed three flying insects landing on chicken wings in back prep area. Observed four flying insects flying in the air near the ware washing area. Observed two flying insects landing on bread near cook line area. Observed approximately 10+ flying insects landing on kitchen prep table near back exit door.”

“Pesticide/insecticide labeled for household use only present in establishment. Observed household pesticide stored in dry food storage area, next to flour.”

“Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking and the time removed from temperature control cannot be determined. See stop sale. Observed baked potatoes (84F - Hot Holding); ribs (126F - Hot Holding); cooked chicken (104F - Hot Holding); wings (110F - Hot Holding) at the stream table with incorrect time marking.”

“Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed baked potatoes (84F - Hot Holding); ribs (126F - Hot Holding); cooked chicken (104F - Hot Holding); wings (110F - Hot Holding) at the steam table in the kitchen area.”

“Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed HWS by the dishwashing area have a knife inside of it.”

“Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed ice machine have slime and black mold like build up.”

“Accumulation of debris inside ware washing machine.”

“Accumulation of debris on exterior of ware washing machine.”

“Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Observed reach in cooler door handles at the cook line with food debris build up.”

“Ceiling tile missing. Observed two ceiling tiles missing in kitchen area.”

“Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed ceiling tiles in disrepair in kitchen and back storage area.”

“Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling vents soiled in kitchen area.”

“Cleaned and sanitized equipment or utensils not properly stored. Observed clean pot lids stored on floor in dishwashing area.”

“Cove molding at floor/wall juncture broken/missing. Observed cove molding on kitchen floor missing.”

“Employee drinking from an unenclosed beverage container in a food preparation/clean dishware area and the container does not have a dispensing mechanism to prevent hand contact with lip contact area of drink container. Observed employee drinking from an open container with no lid at the cook line.”

“Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed personal items stored on prep table in kitchen area.”

“Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Observed standing water on floor inside walk in cooler.”

“Equipment in poor repair. Observed chest freezer in kitchen area in disrepair. Observed walk in cooler door in disrepair.”

“Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken. Observed gray plastic container inside walk in cooler cracked.”

“Food stored on floor. Observed bucket of mayonnaise on floor.”

“Hole in or other damage to wall. Observed holes in wall in dry storage area by dish washer station.”

“Iced tea dispenser not cleaned at least once every 24 hours. Observed ice tea dispenser have mold like build up.”

“Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hood filters at the cook line soiled. Observed reach in cooler gaskets at the cook line heavily soiled.”

“Old food stuck to clean dishware/utensils. Observed food debris on clean plates at the dry rack area.”

“Uncleanable knife block in use to store knives.”

“Utility lines are unnecessarily exposed. Observed utility lines in dry storage area exposed.”

“Dish machine not sanitizing properly. Discontinue use of dish machine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dish machine is repaired and sanitizing properly.”

“Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Observed employee leave cook line station to clean dishes and then come back to cook line and begin food preparation with no hand washing.”

“Employee touched face/hair and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed employee touch face and a clean tong without proper handwashing.”

Las moscas pueden transportar gérmenes de superficies contaminadas y transferirlos a los alimentos.

La semana pasada, los inspectores encontraron moscas posándose directamente sobre alimentos expuestos en varios restaurantes del sur de Florida, incluyendo pollo cocido, huevos, queso, ingredientes para postres y otros productos listos para el consumo.

En algunos casos, se emitieron órdenes de cese de venta porque los alimentos ya no se consideraban aptos para el consumo ni en buen estado.

Y las moscas no eran la única preocupación; los inspectores también documentaron la acumulación de moho dentro de las máquinas de hielo y otras infracciones de seguridad alimentaria.

A continuación, se ofrece un análisis más detallado de lo que encontraron los inspectores.

Todos los restaurantes que se enumeran a continuación pudieron reabrir tras una limpieza ordenada y una inspección posterior.

**SPOOTHIE SPOT DAVIE

8902 CARRETERA ESTATAL 84

DAVIE

ORDEN DE CIERRE 22/10

7 VIOLACIONES DETECTADAS

Se emitió una orden de cese de venta debido a que los alimentos no se encontraban en condiciones higiénicas ni seguras. Se encontraron pequeños insectos voladores vivos. Se observaron aproximadamente 7 pequeños insectos voladores en el mostrador, que se posaron en huevos duros, pico de gallo, queso y atún. El encargado desechó los artículos en los que se posaron los insectos.

Se encontraron insectos voladores pequeños vivos. Se observaron aproximadamente 7 insectos voladores pequeños en el mostrador, posándose en huevos duros, pico de gallo, queso y atún. El empleado desechó los artículos en los que se posaron los insectos. Ver orden de cese de venta. Se observaron aproximadamente 4 insectos voladores pequeños junto a la máquina de exprimir naranjas, posándose en la máquina y en artículos individuales envasados. Se observaron aproximadamente 4 insectos voladores pequeños junto al armario de almacenamiento de productos químicos, posándose en las paredes y en los productos de limpieza.

“Acumulación de una sustancia negra/verdosa similar al moho en el interior de la máquina/contenedor de hielo.”

“El lavamanos se utiliza para fines distintos al lavado de manos. Se observó un lavamanos con un cubo que contenía agua y jabón.”

**PHAT BOY SUSHI

2702 N. UNIVERSIDAD DR.

Manantiales de coral

ORDEN DE CIERRE 22/10

Se detectaron 9 infracciones.

Se encontraron insectos voladores pequeños vivos. Se observaron aproximadamente 8 insectos voladores vivos en la cocina, cerca del fregadero y la freidora. Se observó un insecto volador posarse en un paquete abierto de queso en lonchas. Se ordenó la suspensión de la venta. Se observó un insecto volador posarse en una botella de mayonesa picante. El operario retiró la botella para limpiarla y desinfectarla. Se reincidió en la infracción.

Se emitió una orden de cese de venta debido a que el alimento no se encontraba en condiciones higiénicas ni seguras. Se observó un insecto volador posarse en un paquete abierto de queso en lonchas.

“Superficie en contacto con alimentos sucia con restos de comida, una sustancia similar al moho o una sustancia viscosa. Área de preparación: cerca de la máquina de hielo, se observaron restos de comida en el soporte magnético para cuchillos.”

“Acumulación de residuos en el exterior de la lavadora de vajilla.”

“Alimentos animales crudos almacenados encima o junto con alimentos listos para el consumo en un congelador; no todos los productos están envasados ​​comercialmente. Congelador industrial: carne de res cruda almacenada encima de edamame listo para el consumo.”

“Alimentos crudos de origen animal almacenados encima de alimentos listos para el consumo o sin la separación adecuada de estos. Zona de sushi: Pescado crudo en recipiente bajo almacenado encima de salsas listas para el consumo.”

**USHIO SUSHI

2211 UNIVERSIDAD DEL SUR DR.

DAVIE

ORDEN DE CIERRE 10/21

Se detectaron 13 infracciones.

Se encontraron insectos voladores pequeños vivos. Se observaron aproximadamente 12 insectos voladores pequeños en la mesa de preparación, cerca de la máquina de hielo, posándose en las paredes y mesas, y 3 insectos voladores pequeños posándose en 2 trozos de pollo cocido. Ver orden de cese de venta. Se observaron aproximadamente 5 insectos voladores pequeños cerca de las freidoras, posándose en platos limpios y paredes.

“Acumulación de una sustancia negra/verdosa similar al moho en el interior de la máquina/contenedor de hielo.”

“Se observó a un empleado comiendo en una zona de preparación de alimentos u otra área restringida. También se observó a empleados bebiendo café cerca de la estación de sushi. El gerente les informó a los empleados que no debían beber café mientras trabajaban.”

“Objetos personales de los empleados almacenados en o sobre un área de preparación de alimentos, alimentos, equipos y utensilios limpios, o artículos de un solo uso. Se observó el teléfono de un empleado sobre la mesa de preparación en la cocina.”

“Empleado sin sujeción para el cabello mientras preparaba alimentos. Se observó a un chef de sushi sin usar sujeción para el cabello.”

“El empleado no se lavó las manos antes de ponerse los guantes para comenzar una tarea relacionada con alimentos. Se observó a empleados tomando café en la zona de sushi y cambiándose los guantes, pero sin lavarse las manos antes de preparar el sushi para los pedidos de los clientes.”

*LA VIDA MISMA RESTAURANT & BAR

8945 SW 72ND PL

MIAMI

ORDEN DE CIERRE 10/21

Se detectaron 30 infracciones.

Se encontraron insectos voladores pequeños y vivos. Se observaron más de 35 moscas vivas en la zona del bar. Se observaron moscas tocando adornos comestibles, limas cortadas y pétalos de flores, así como en las paredes y el techo del bar. También se observaron moscas vivas en las boquillas de los grifos de cerveza, en las botellas de licor y en la decoración de la barra. Se observaron 3 moscas vivas en la pared junto a la estación de camareros. Se observaron 5 moscas vivas en la decoración del bar, encima de la entrada.

Se emitió una orden de cese de venta debido a que los alimentos no se encontraban en condiciones higiénicas ni seguras. Se encontraron pequeños insectos voladores vivos. Se observaron aproximadamente 12 pequeños insectos voladores en la mesa de preparación, junto a la máquina de hielo, que se posaron sobre el pollo cocido, las paredes y las mesas.

“El empleado comenzó a manipular alimentos, equipos o utensilios limpios, o a tocar artículos desechables sin envolver sin lavarse las manos previamente. No se observó que los empleados se lavaran las manos en la cocina; el agua estaba cortada.”

“Acumulación de residuos en el exterior de la lavadora de vajilla.”

Acumulación de restos de comida/suciedad en las manijas de las puertas de los equipos. Se observaron sucias las manijas del refrigerador, el horno y el microondas. Infracción reiterada.

“El techo/las baldosas del techo presentan daños o están en mal estado. Se observó en la cocina una baldosa abultada. Infracción reiterada.”

“El equipo de refrigeración no se mantiene en buen estado. No almacene alimentos que requieren control de tiempo/temperatura para su seguridad en esta unidad hasta que se repare. Se observó que, en una cámara frigorífica con una temperatura ambiente de 56 °F, los siguientes alimentos que requieren control de tiempo/temperatura para su seguridad se almacenaron en su interior durante menos de 3 horas: mozzarella (63 °F - Refrigeración); huevo (62 °F - Refrigeración); gorgonzola (60 °F - Refrigeración); salchicha cocida (60 °F - Refrigeración); queso rallado (60 °F - Refrigeración). Infracción reiterada.”

Superficie que no entra en contacto con alimentos sucia con grasa, restos de comida, suciedad, lodo o polvo. Se observaron juntas sucias en varios refrigeradores. Infracción reiterada.

“Operando con una licencia vencida de la División de Hoteles y Restaurantes. Se observó que la licencia estaba vencida el 1 de octubre de 2026.”

“Alimentos crudos de origen animal almacenados encima de alimentos listos para el consumo o sin la separación adecuada de estos. Se observaron varias porciones de carne cruda encima de pan y verduras en la cámara frigorífica.”

Se emitió una orden de cese de venta debido a que los alimentos no se encontraban en condiciones insalubres. Se observaron varios filetes de salmón en un congelador industrial, almacenados en bolsas ROP, sin aprobación del sistema HACCP ni exención de procesos. Se observaron moscas tocando guarniciones comestibles, limas cortadas y pétalos de flores.

“Control de tiempo/temperatura para alimentos refrigerados seguros a más de 5 °C (41 °F). Se observó en un refrigerador con una temperatura ambiente de 13 °C (56 °F) los siguientes alimentos TCS almacenados en su interior durante menos de 3 horas: mozzarella (17 °C - Refrigeración); huevo (17 °C - Refrigeración); gorgonzola (16 °C - Refrigeración); salchicha cocida (16 °C - Refrigeración); queso rallado (16 °C - Refrigeración). Infracción reiterada.”

“No había toallas de papel ni secador de manos mecánico en el lavamanos. El operario trajo servilletas.”

“No había jabón en el lavamanos. Tampoco lo había en el lavamanos de la cocina.”

*CHILL N KENDALL PLACE

9065 SW 107TH AVE

MIAMI

ORDEN DE CIERRE 10/21

Se detectaron 9 infracciones.

“Se encontraron insectos voladores pequeños vivos. Se observaron 8 insectos voladores vivos volando y aterrizando dentro de un recipiente descubierto que tocaba directamente el dulce de leche en el mostrador. Se observaron 3 insectos voladores vivos volando y aterrizando dentro de un recipiente descubierto que tocaba directamente la Nutella en el mostrador. Se observaron 2 insectos voladores vivos aterrizando directamente sobre los bocaditos de tarta de queso en el refrigerador del mostrador. Se observó 1 insecto volador vivo volando y aterrizando directamente dentro de un recipiente de mini chispas de chocolate en el mostrador. Se observaron más de 10 insectos voladores vivos volando y aterrizando sobre paños de limpieza limpios y equipos y utensilios limpios encima del fregadero triple. Se observaron 4 insectos voladores vivos volando en el área del fregadero de la fregona. Se observaron 5 insectos voladores vivos volando y aterrizando cerca de la máquina lavavajillas. Se observaron 16 insectos voladores vivos volando y aterrizando en el estante con equipo limpio, guantes desechables y servilletas en el área de almacenamiento. Se observaron 6 insectos voladores vivos volando y aterrizando en el estante donde se almacenan varias bolsas de hojuelas de coco, Oreos, malvaviscos y otros ingredientes en el área de almacenamiento en seco. Se observaron 2 insectos voladores vivos aterrizando sobre cucharas de helado limpias en el mostrador. Se observaron 3 insectos voladores vivos sobre recipientes limpios de la batidora debajo del lavamanos en el mostrador. Infracción reiterada.

Se emitió una orden de cese de venta debido a que los alimentos no se encontraban en condiciones higiénicas ni seguras. Se encontraron pequeños insectos voladores vivos. Se observaron 8 insectos voladores vivos volando y posándose dentro de un recipiente descubierto que tocaba directamente el dulce de leche en el mostrador. Se observaron 3 insectos voladores vivos volando y posándose dentro de un recipiente descubierto que tocaba directamente la Nutella en el mostrador. Se observaron 2 insectos voladores vivos posándose directamente sobre los bocaditos de tarta de queso en el refrigerador del mostrador. Se observó 1 insecto volador vivo volando y posándose directamente dentro de un recipiente de mini chispas de chocolate en el mostrador. Infracción reiterada.

**SHORTY’S BBQ

11575 BIRD ROAD

LAGOS DE WESTWOOD/WEST MIAMI

INSPECCIÓN BASADA EN UNA DENUNCIA

ORDEN DE CIERRE 22/10

55 VIOLACIONES ENCONTRADAS

Se detectó actividad de roedores, evidenciada por los excrementos encontrados. Se observaron aproximadamente 10 excrementos de roedores en el suelo del área de almacenamiento en seco. Se observaron aproximadamente 5 excrementos de roedores cerca de la caja eléctrica en el área de almacenamiento en seco. Se observaron aproximadamente 10 excrementos de roedores en el estante donde se guardan los delantales limpios en el área de almacenamiento en seco.

Se encontraron pequeños insectos voladores vivos. Se observaron tres insectos voladores posándose en alitas de pollo en la zona de preparación trasera. Se observaron cuatro insectos voladores volando en el aire cerca de la zona de lavado de utensilios. Se observaron dos insectos voladores posándose en pan cerca de la zona de cocción. Se observaron aproximadamente 10 o más insectos voladores posándose en la mesa de preparación de la cocina cerca de la puerta de salida trasera.

“Se encontró en el establecimiento un plaguicida/insecticida etiquetado únicamente para uso doméstico. Se observó un plaguicida doméstico almacenado en el área de almacenamiento de alimentos secos, junto a la harina.”

“Los alimentos que requieren control de tiempo/temperatura para su seguridad, identificados en el procedimiento escrito como alimentos mantenidos en caliente como medida de control de salud pública, carecen de marcación de tiempo y no se puede determinar el tiempo transcurrido desde que se dejaron de controlar la temperatura. Véase la orden de cese de venta. Se observaron papas asadas (84 °F - Mantenimiento en caliente); costillas (126 °F - Mantenimiento en caliente); pollo cocido (104 °F - Mantenimiento en caliente); alitas (110 °F - Mantenimiento en caliente) en la mesa de servicio con marcación de tiempo incorrecta.”

“Control de tiempo/temperatura para alimentos seguros, excepto asados ​​de carne enteros, mantenidos calientes a menos de 135 grados Fahrenheit. Se observaron papas asadas (84 °F - Mantenimiento en caliente); costillas (126 °F - Mantenimiento en caliente); pollo cocido (104 °F - Mantenimiento en caliente); alitas (110 °F - Mantenimiento en caliente) en la mesa de vapor en el área de la cocina.”

“El lavamanos se utiliza para fines distintos al lavado de manos. Se observó que el lavamanos, ubicado junto al área de lavado de platos, tenía un cuchillo dentro.”

“Acumulación de una sustancia negra/verdosa similar al moho en el interior de la máquina/contenedor de hielo. Se observó que la máquina de hielo presentaba una acumulación de lodo y moho negro.”

“Acumulación de residuos dentro de la lavadora de vajilla.”

“Acumulación de residuos en el exterior de la lavadora de vajilla.”

“Acumulación de restos de comida/residuos de tierra en las manijas de las puertas de los equipos. Se observó acumulación de restos de comida en las manijas de las puertas de los refrigeradores en la línea de cocción.”

“Falta una baldosa del techo. Se observaron dos baldosas del techo faltantes en el área de la cocina.”

“El techo/las baldosas del techo presentan daños o están en mal estado. Se observaron baldosas del techo en mal estado en la cocina y en el área de almacenamiento trasera.”

“Techo/baldosas/rejillas de ventilación sucias con restos de comida acumulados, grasa, polvo o una sustancia similar al moho. Se observaron rejillas de ventilación sucias en el área de la cocina.”

“Se limpiaron y desinfectaron equipos o utensilios que no estaban almacenados correctamente. Se observaron tapas de ollas limpias almacenadas en el suelo en el área de lavado de platos.”

“La moldura de remate en la unión del suelo y la pared está rota o falta. Se observó que faltaba la moldura de remate en el suelo de la cocina.”

“Se observó a un empleado bebiendo de un recipiente de bebida sin tapa en un área de preparación de alimentos/lavadero de vajilla. El recipiente no cuenta con un mecanismo dispensador que impida el contacto de las manos con la zona de contacto con los labios. También se observó a un empleado bebiendo de un recipiente abierto sin tapa en la línea de cocina.”

“Artículos personales de los empleados almacenados en o sobre un área de preparación de alimentos, alimentos, equipos y utensilios limpios, o artículos de un solo uso. Se observaron artículos personales almacenados sobre la mesa de preparación en el área de la cocina.”

“Zonas del suelo cubiertas de agua estancada. Se observó agua estancada en el suelo dentro de la cámara frigorífica.”

“Equipos en mal estado. Se observó un congelador horizontal en mal estado en la zona de la cocina. Se observó una puerta de la cámara frigorífica en mal estado.”

“El recipiente para almacenar alimentos o su tapa están agrietados o rotos. Se observó un recipiente de plástico gris dentro de la cámara frigorífica que estaba agrietado.”

“Alimentos almacenados en el suelo. Se observó un cubo de mayonesa en el suelo.”

“Agujeros u otros daños en la pared. Se observaron agujeros en la pared del área de almacenamiento en seco, junto a la estación de lavado de platos.”

“El dispensador de té helado no se limpia al menos una vez cada 24 horas. Se observó que el dispensador de té helado presentaba una acumulación de moho.”

Superficie que no entra en contacto con alimentos sucia de grasa, restos de comida, suciedad, lodo o polvo. Se observaron filtros de campana extractora sucios en la línea de cocción. Se observaron juntas de refrigerador en la línea de cocción muy sucias.

“Se observaron restos de comida adheridos a la vajilla y los utensilios limpios. También se observaron restos de comida en los platos limpios en la zona de secado.”

“Bloque para cuchillos imposible de limpiar, utilizado para guardar cuchillos.”

“Los cables de servicios públicos están expuestos innecesariamente. Se observaron cables de servicios públicos expuestos en el área de almacenamiento en seco.”

“El lavavajillas no desinfecta correctamente. Deje de usar el lavavajillas para desinfectar y realice la desinfección manualmente hasta que el lavavajillas sea reparado y desinfecte correctamente.”

“El empleado comenzó a manipular alimentos, equipos o utensilios limpios, o a tocar artículos desechables sin envolver sin lavarse las manos previamente. Se observó que el empleado abandonó su puesto en la cocina para lavar platos y luego regresó a la cocina para comenzar a preparar alimentos sin lavarse las manos.”

“El empleado se tocó la cara o el cabello y luego preparó alimentos, manipuló equipos o utensilios limpios o tocó artículos desechables sin envolver sin lavarse las manos. Se observó que el empleado se tocó la cara y unas pinzas limpias sin lavarse las manos adecuadamente.”

Davis, de 27 años, quien se encontraba bajo los efectos de hongos alucinógenos, disparó contra Wakefield, de 21 años, un turista de Colorado, en el área al aire libre de un restaurante en South Beach, informó la policía.

Wakefield, residente de Castle Rock, estaba cenando con su hijo Eli, de 12 meses, y su esposa, Karina Olguin, en Ocean Drive cuando Davis los amenazó con un arma de fuego.

Davis se declaró culpable de asesinato en segundo grado en mayo.

The company's voluntary exit offer was available to eligible employees in Canada, India, the United Kingdom and the United States, the company's Chief People Officer Amy Coleman wrote in a blog post Monday.

“The Voluntary Exit Offer is new for us,” Coleman wrote. “We’ll learn from it. At the same time, we’ll keep helping people focus on the work that matters most, build new skills and, where it makes sense, find new opportunities across Microsoft.”

The company, which releases its quarterly financial results Wednesday, had approximately 223,000 full-time employees at the end of June.

Shares of Microsoft Corp., based in Redmond, Washington, hit an all-time high this month. The stock rose about 1% on Monday.

In May, Microsoft planned to offer buyouts to about 8,750 people, or 7% of its U.S. workforce, according to two people familiar with the plan who were not authorized to speak about it publicly. In July, the company said it was cutting 4,800 jobs, about 2.1% of its global workforce, including a large number of workers at its Xbox video game business.

The gusher of investment in data centers — likely topping $700 billion this year — to power artificial intelligence has made memory chips, computer processors and other equipment, as well as electricity, more expensive. Economists expect it will continue to push up inflation at least through the end of this year.

Microsoft has been ramping up its AI capabilities for several years. In 2024 the company revealed a new class of AI-imbued personal computers that centered on fusing its AI assistant, called Copilot, into the Windows operating system for PCs, where Microsoft already has the eyes of millions of consumers.

And in October 2025 Microsoft introduced a new artificial intelligence character called Mico, a floating cartoon face shaped like a blob or flame that embodies the software giant’s Copilot virtual assistant.

Hubo inundaciones el lunes a lo largo del río San Juan en partes de la región apodada "Four Corners" (Cuatro Esquinas") el punto de encuentro de Utah, Colorado, Arizona y Nuevo México, debido a lluvias excesivas. La zona ha experimentado lluvias inusualmente intensas desde el miércoles, cuando ríos crecieron, inundaron viviendas y obligaron a realizar rescates acuáticos. Las tormentas provocaron un tornado que tocó tierra en Santa Fe, Nuevo México, la noche del sábado.

La policía reportó una muerte relacionada con las inundaciones en Santa Fe el sábado, durante el rescate acuático de una familia que había intentado cruzar un arroyo crecido en su vehículo. Un padre y un menor lograron llegar a tierra, pero una pasajera fue arrastrada por la corriente y fue hallada muerta a 1,6 kilómetros (una milla) de distancia, informó la agencia.

Río crecido provoca evacuaciones en Utah y Colorado

Para la mañana del lunes, el río San Juan estaba 45,7 centímetros (1,5 pies) por encima de cu capacidad de 7 metros (23 pies), informó el Servicio Meteorológico Nacional. Va camino de subir hasta 9,4 metros (31 pies) antes de volver a caer por debajo de su capacidad.

Esto se compara con el 10 de septiembre de 1927, cuando el río alcanzó un máximo de 9,7 metros (32 pies), señaló el servicio meteorológico.

Algunos residentes de Bluff, Utah, fueron evacuados durante el fin de semana, pero se les permitió regresar temprano el lunes.

Los residentes y negocios que regresen deben actuar con cautela, ya que varias propiedades seguían inundadas, declararon funcionarios del condado.

“Manténganse lejos del río San Juan", advirtió el servicio meteorológico. "El agua sigue crecida y la posible contaminación por aguas residuales supone riesgos adicionales para la salud”.

La zona de Farmington enfrenta evacuaciones y un corte de energía

En el área de Farmington, en Nuevo México, funcionarios locales señalaron que los ríos estaban bajando, pero que muchas personas seguían evacuadas y cientos permanecían sin electricidad.

El condado de San Juan, en Nuevo México, no tenía cifras oficiales sobre la cantidad de viviendas dañadas ni sobre cuántas personas fueron evacuadas, dijo a The Associated Press el portavoz Devin Neeley.

“Es una zona de desastre bastante activa”, manifestó.

La gobernadora Michelle Lujan Grisham y el mayor general Miguel Aguilar, de la Guardia Nacional de Nuevo México, planeaban visitar el condado el lunes para evaluar los daños y reunirse con los residentes afectados.

Aguas podrían estar contaminadas con sustancias químicas y flujos residuales

Funcionarios de los condados más golpeados pidieron paciencia y cautela. El agua podría estar contaminada con sustancias químicas y chorros residuales sin tratar, y las líneas de gas y propano podrían estar rotas, entre otros peligros.

“El público está ansioso por volver”, reconoció el jefe de Bomberos y Rescate del condado de San Juan, David Vega, en una conferencia de prensa el domingo. "Pero quiero que el público sepa que todavía hay peligro”.

El subjefe policial Cory Tanner indicó que los funcionarios estaban yendo de casa en casa para revisar riesgos, un proceso que podría tardar días.

Zach y Abigail Flatt comenzaron a preparar mochilas de emergencia después de recibir órdenes de evacuación en sus teléfonos la noche del jueves. Su casa en Bloomfield, Nuevo México, está a orillas del río San Juan.

“En 30 o 40 minutos había subido unos 4 pies (1,2 metros)”, indicó Zach el domingo. “Después de ver ese gran salto y lo cerca que estaba de desbordarse, dije: tenemos que salir”.

Para cuando la familia terminó de cargar el auto, el agua ya estaba por encima de los neumáticos. Encontraron una habitación de hotel con sus dos hijos, de 2 y 4 años, y observaron por cámaras web cómo al menos 45 centímetros (18 pulgadas) de agua inundaban su propiedad, arrastrando 22 de sus 24 gallinas.

“Vimos cómo las cosas simplemente flotaban y se iban, desde el porche hacia el jardín delantero”, relató Zach.

Las autoridades evalúan daños en la Nación Navajo y en un condado de Colorado

En el área de Shiprock, Nuevo México, dentro de la Nación Navajo, instalaciones de aguas residuales y estanques de retención de agua resultaron dañados por las inundaciones, lo que provocó descargas de flujos residuales al río San Juan, según Wilfred Franklin Jr., gerente del distrito de Shiprock de la Autoridad de Servicios Públicos Tribales Navajo.

La delegación congresional de Nuevo México instó el domingo al presidente Donald Trump a declarar una emergencia para el estado, a fin de desembolsar fondos de asistencia federal.

En Colorado, equipos elaboraron mapas de algunos condados para ayudar a identificar carreteras afectadas, cierres viales, zonas impactadas y áreas de evacuación.

Las inundaciones son apenas el episodio más reciente tras dos meses de lluvias intensas intermitentes en la región, causadas por humedad tropical que llega desde el Pacífico. Después de meses de sequía, otras inundaciones mortales recientes golpearon el Gran Cañón y otras zonas de Nuevo México.

El Niño, el calentamiento natural y temporal de partes del Pacífico, es probablemente el responsable de las lluvias inusualmente intensas, dicen expertos.

_________________________________

Contribuyeron a esta nota los corresponsales Kathy McCormack en Concord, Nueva Hampshire; Anna Wilder en Austin, Texas, y Christopher Weber en Los Ángeles.

_________________________________

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

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Davis, 27, who was under the influence of psychedelic mushrooms, shot Wakefield, 21, a tourist from Colorado, in the outdoor area of a restaurant in South Beach, police said.

Wakefield, of Castle Rock, was having dinner with his 12-month-old son, Eli, and wife, Karina Olguin, on Ocean Drive when Davis waved a gun at them.

Davis pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in May.

Según un comunicado de prensa de la oficina del tasador de propiedades del condado Broward, Marty Kiar, los cuatro enfrentan ahora un total de 15 cargos.

Durante una conferencia de prensa el lunes por la mañana, las autoridades identificaron a la víctima como Thomas Hegarty, de 71 años.

Las autoridades indicaron que la investigación comenzó después de que una de las cuñadas de Hegarty contactara a la policía de Hollywood, preocupada por el “deterioro de su estado mental y las circunstancias sospechosas que rodeaban la transferencia de su residencia de más de 25 años”, ubicada en la cuadra 2200 de Mayo Street.

Los investigadores señalaron que el grupo “se aprovechó del deterioro del estado mental de la víctima para obtener su firma en un documento de poder notarial y una escritura de garantía”, que fue “notarizada falsamente” por Derek Enrique, de 43 años, residente de Tamarac, y utilizada para supuestamente transferir la propiedad de la vivienda a una empresa llamada Cash4Keys South Florida.

Según las autoridades, esa empresa estaba controlada por los inversionistas Brandon Lee Miguel y Jordy Luis Perez, ambos de 25 años.

Las autoridades indicaron que la vivienda tenía un valor aproximado de $300,000 USD, pero fue vendida por solo $191,000 USD.

Las autoridades señalaron que ambos organizaron que la agente de bienes raíces Monica Elizabeth Castelli, de 56 años, residente de Margate, sacara a Hegarty de su vivienda y lo abandonara en una casa de habitaciones en condiciones deterioradas en Miami Gardens.

Las autoridades informaron el lunes que Hegarty estaba angustiado y llorando, por lo que Castelli lo recogió y lo dejó nuevamente en el Hospital Memorial Regional de Hollywood. Fue entonces cuando el personal notificó a su cuñada sobre lo ocurrido.

“Una vez que la víctima fue retirada de su vivienda, pudieron ingresar y presuntamente se llevaron todas sus pertenencias personales, que posteriormente fueron reportadas como desaparecidas, incluidos tres vehículos que pertenecían a la víctima”, indicó la oficina de Kiar en el comunicado.

Miguel y Perez, quienes fueron arrestados en el condado Miami-Dade, enfrentan ahora cargos que incluyen robo mayor en primer grado, explotación de un adulto mayor, fraude organizado y fraude hipotecario.

Castelli también enfrenta un cargo de explotación de un adulto mayor, así como un cargo de secuestro con intención de facilitar la comisión de un delito grave.

Enrique enfrenta un cargo por certificaciones notariales falsas o fraudulentas.

“Es muy perturbador, muy triste, y lo que realmente me molesta es que la persona que eligieron como víctima era extremadamente vulnerable, y eso es lo que hace que este caso sea tan triste”, dijo Kiar el lunes. “Me alegra mucho que estas personas hayan sido arrestadas y que tengan que comparecer ante la justicia”.

Las autoridades señalaron que la investigación sobre los cuatro involucró a múltiples agencias. Además de la oficina de Kiar y la policía de Hollywood, también participaron la Oficina del Sheriff de Broward, la Fiscalía Estatal de Broward y el Departamento de Florida.

Kiar dijo que Cash4Keys todavía controla la vivienda de Hegarty y señaló que su familia ha contratado a un abogado para intentar recuperarla.

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Shorty’s Bar-B-Q in Miami was hit with 55 violations during a Thursday inspection triggered by a complaint and the findings are downright disturbing.

Inspectors reported rodent droppings on the floor and on shelves where clean aprons were stored, flying insects landing on chicken wings and bread, food held at unsafe temperatures, and employees failing to wash their hands properly.

The inspection also uncovered a dishwashing machine that wasn’t sanitizing properly, mold-like buildup in the ice machine and iced tea dispenser, and filthy, deteriorating kitchen conditions.

Fifty-five violations are unacceptable, and customers deserve better.

Below is a list of some of their violations.

**SHORTY’S BBQ

11575 BIRD ROAD

WESTWOOD LAKES/WEST MIAMI

INSPECTION BASED ON COMPLAINT

ORDERED SHUT 10/22

55 VIOLATIONS FOUND

“Rodent activity present as evidenced by rodent droppings found. Observed approximately 10+ rodent droppings on floor in dry storage area. Observed approximately 5+ rodent droppings near electrical box in dry storage area. Observed approximately 10+ rodent droppings on shelf where clean aprons are stored in dry storage area.”

“Live, small flying insects found. Observed three flying insects landing on chicken wings in back prep area. Observed four flying insects flying in the air near the ware washing area. Observed two flying insects landing on bread near cook line area. Observed approximately 10+ flying insects landing on kitchen prep table near back exit door.”

“Pesticide/insecticide labeled for household use only present in establishment. Observed household pesticide stored in dry food storage area, next to flour.”

“Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking and the time removed from temperature control cannot be determined. See stop sale. Observed baked potatoes (84F - Hot Holding); ribs (126F - Hot Holding); cooked chicken (104F - Hot Holding); wings (110F - Hot Holding) at the stream table with incorrect time marking.”

“Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed baked potatoes (84F - Hot Holding); ribs (126F - Hot Holding); cooked chicken (104F - Hot Holding); wings (110F - Hot Holding) at the steam table in the kitchen area.”

“Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed HWS by the dishwashing area have a knife inside of it.”

“Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed ice machine have slime and black mold like build up.”

“Accumulation of debris inside ware washing machine.”

“Accumulation of debris on exterior of ware washing machine.”

“Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles. Observed reach in cooler door handles at the cook line with food debris build up.”

“Ceiling tile missing. Observed two ceiling tiles missing in kitchen area.”

“Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair. Observed ceiling tiles in disrepair in kitchen and back storage area.”

“Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed ceiling vents soiled in kitchen area.”

“Cleaned and sanitized equipment or utensils not properly stored. Observed clean pot lids stored on floor in dishwashing area.”

“Cove molding at floor/wall juncture broken/missing. Observed cove molding on kitchen floor missing.”

“Employee drinking from an unenclosed beverage container in a food preparation/clean dishware area and the container does not have a dispensing mechanism to prevent hand contact with lip contact area of drink container. Observed employee drinking from an open container with no lid at the cook line.”

“Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed personal items stored on prep table in kitchen area.”

“Floor area(s) covered with standing water. Observed standing water on floor inside walk in cooler.”

“Equipment in poor repair. Observed chest freezer in kitchen area in disrepair. Observed walk in cooler door in disrepair.”

“Food storage container/container lid cracked or broken. Observed gray plastic container inside walk in cooler cracked.”

“Food stored on floor. Observed bucket of mayonnaise on floor.”

“Hole in or other damage to wall. Observed holes in wall in dry storage area by dish washer station.”

“Iced tea dispenser not cleaned at least once every 24 hours. Observed ice tea dispenser have mold like build up.”

“Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hood filters at the cook line soiled. Observed reach in cooler gaskets at the cook line heavily soiled.”

“Old food stuck to clean dishware/utensils. Observed food debris on clean plates at the dry rack area.”

“Uncleanable knife block in use to store knives.”

“Utility lines are unnecessarily exposed. Observed utility lines in dry storage area exposed.”

“Dish machine not sanitizing properly. Discontinue use of dish machine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dish machine is repaired and sanitizing properly.”

“Employee began working with food, handling clean equipment or utensils, or touching unwrapped single-service items without first washing hands. Observed employee leave cook line station to clean dishes and then come back to cook line and begin food preparation with no hand washing.”

“Employee touched face/hair and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed employee touch face and a clean tong without proper handwashing.”

The Vatican press office said the pope’s recovery continues to progress in line with favorable assessments from his medical team. It also confirmed the pope is keeping the already ambitious trip program with no announced changes.

Surgeons on Oct. 13 removed a lobe where the nodule later diagnosed as malignant was located, in the first major health event of Leo’s 17-month pontificate. The surgery confirmed he had adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer.

Since returning to the Vatican, Leo has gradually resumed his activities while adjusting his schedule to prioritize recovery and periods of rest, the statement said.

The pope’s physician, Luigi Carbone, said there’s no medical reason preventing Leo’s trip to South America, which involves a dozen flights and two helicopter rides to high altitudes.

Leo expressed gratitude for the prayers and support he has received during his recovery and said he was eager to return to a region where he spent important periods of his life.

“I am looking forward to returning to the continent where I’ve experienced so many moments of my life,” Leo said Monday. “May this journey be an occasion for us to open our hearts to one another, strengthen our communion as brothers and sisters, and renew our commitment to proclaiming the Gospel with joy.”

The Vatican said the visit will provide an opportunity for the pope to strengthen ties with local churches, encourage the faithful and promote a message of faith, hope and peace in Uruguay, Argentina and Peru.

Lula, quien convenció a 10,4 millones de votantes adicionales para que lo apoyaran en la segunda vuelta, debe asumir el cargo el 5 de enero de 2027 para su cuarto mandato no consecutivo. Actuará como contrapeso en una región donde los líderes se están desplazando hacia la derecha y alineándose con el presidente estadounidense Donald Trump. Bolsonaro, actual senador e hijo del expresidente Jair Bolsonaro, había prometido ser leal a Trump.

En una conferencia de prensa el domingo, Bolsonaro anunció que solicitará la anulación de la elección tras una caótica extensión de la votación a petición de ambos candidatos. Sin embargo, no está claro qué vía legal tendría para hacerlo. Su padre también impugnó su derrota ante Lula hace cuatro años y ahora cumple una condena de 27 años de prisión por un intento de golpe de Estado.

Las primeras señales provenientes de las instituciones de Brasil y de líderes de toda la región, incluidos mandatarios conservadores que se oponen a Lula, sugieren que los resultados serán respetados a nivel nacional e internacional. Trump aún no se ha pronunciado.

Incluso con la prórroga de la votación, la victoria de Lula fue contundente. El mandatario, que pronto cumplirá 81 años, obtuvo más de 64 millones de votos frente a poco menos de 60 millones para Bolsonaro, una diferencia de casi el 4%.

El presidente de la autoridad electoral de Brasil, Kassio Nunes, quien fue designado para el Supremo Tribunal Federal por el expresidente Jair Bolsonaro, estuvo entre quienes reconocieron la victoria de Lula el domingo.

“Esta es una batalla realmente cuesta arriba para Flavio Bolsonaro. Importantes actores de poder en Brasil están cerrando filas detrás de Lula, a veces a regañadientes”, observó Brian Winter, analista de Brasil y editor en jefe de Americas Quarterly.

“Percibo que los actores de poder brasileños en realidad no quieren irse por la vía de una elección disputada”, añadió.

Los números detrás de la victoria de Lula

La clave del triunfo de Lula fueron los 14,1 millones de votantes adicionales que acudieron a la elección de segunda vuelta, incluidos quienes votaron por otros candidatos en la primera ronda. Analistas señalan que tres cuartas partes de esos votos fueron para Lula, lo que le dio la victoria. Y, de manera notable, en la primera vuelta hubo un récord de brasileños que decidieron no votar, mientras que la segunda vuelta registró el menor número de abstenciones de la historia.

Lula entregó su campaña digital al legislador André Janones, quien montó una operación feroz y persistente en redes sociales que movilizó a muchos votantes previamente indecisos. La herramienta clave de Janones fue un canal en la aplicación de mensajería WhatsApp llamado “El Ejército de Lula”, que reunió a casi 11 millones de personas y las movilizó para hacer campaña en redes sociales a favor del mandatario.

Janones “básicamente adoptó el estilo de política agresiva de la derecha, mensajes muy intensos y constantes”, explicó Oliver Stuenkel, profesor de Relaciones Internacionales en la Fundação Getulio Vargas en Sao Paulo.

“La derrota en la primera vuelta sacudió a la campaña de Lula y la llevó a actuar. La estrategia durante la primera vuelta fue deslucida y hubo muchas disputas internas”, afirmó Stuenkel.

Juliano Cortinhas, profesor de relaciones internacionales en la Universidad de Brasilia, señaló que la iniciativa de Lula en redes sociales en la segunda vuelta también fue clave para presionar a Meta, propietaria de Instagram, WhatsApp y Facebook, para que pusiera fin a lo que la campaña del presidente denunció como un sesgo pro-Bolsonaro.

El máximo tribunal electoral de Brasil dictaminó el 15 de octubre que Meta debe adoptar medidas que aseguren un trato igualitario a los dos candidatos presidenciales, algo que la empresa dijo posteriormente que abordó.

Hubo “interferencia externa por parte de las principales plataformas”, apuntó Cortinhas. “No fue solo Meta; muchas otras estaban usando sus algoritmos para republicar imágenes y mensajes de la extrema derecha, y no hacían lo mismo con la izquierda”.

Fue la primera vez desde 1989 que un candidato remontó tras perder en la primera vuelta.

Los resultados muestran que la participación electoral aumentó en general, en particular en centros metropolitanos más acomodados, pero Lula consiguió sus mayores avances en municipios de menores ingresos donde su base ya estaba establecida. Movilizó a antiguos no votantes, a quienes votaron en blanco en la primera vuelta y a simpatizantes de candidatos de terceros partidos.

Jorge Henrique Oliveira Sena, un trabajador de mantenimiento de 26 años en Brasilia, fue uno de los que no votó en la primera vuelta. Ninguno de los candidatos lo entusiasmaba mucho, pero emitió su voto por Lula. “No es una cuestión de apoyar, pero entre los dos, tuve más conexión con él”, dijo.

El sistema de votación de Brasil y las interrupciones del domingo

Brasil celebra elecciones generales cada cuatro años, y sus urnas electrónicas han hecho que el escrutinio sea rápido y seguro.

Las autoridades brasileñas adoptaron las urnas electrónicas en la década de 1990 para combatir el fraude y el sistema ha sido en gran medida confiable desde entonces. Por lo general, los resultados se informan apenas horas después del cierre de las urnas.

En la antesala de la votación de 2022, Jair Bolsonaro sembró repetidamente dudas infundadas sobre el sistema de votación electrónica de Brasil. Nunca se ha detectado un fraude significativo.

Pero el proceso de votación, normalmente ágil, se vio sumido en el desorden el domingo tras una decisión de último minuto de alargar la votación en todo el país a petición de ambos candidatos.

Lula hizo la solicitud debido a problemas con el transporte público en la metrópolis de Sao Paulo y en la ciudad nororiental de Salvador, dos de sus bastiones. Bolsonaro la pidió tras las fuertes lluvias en el sur, región que ganó por un amplio margen en la primera vuelta.

La decisión la tomó un juez del Supremo Tribunal Federal apenas minutos antes de que las urnas estuvieran programadas para cerrar a las 5 p.m., y la rapidez del conteo en Brasil hizo que muchos centros de votación no recibieran la noticia hasta que ya estaban concluyendo.

Aun así, dada la confiabilidad del sistema de votación de Brasil y la victoria de Lula por un margen significativo, le será difícil a Bolsonaro encontrar una vía para anular los resultados.

Benjamin Gedan, investigador principal y director del programa para América Latina del Stimson Center, explicó que el rechazo de Bolsonaro a su derrota no era sorprendente.

“Las afirmaciones falsas de fraude se están volviendo comunes, aunque eso no las hace menos peligrosas”, señaló. También destacó “el margen de victoria de Lula y el rápido reconocimiento del resultado por parte de líderes conservadores de la región”.

No obstante, Lula aún enfrenta desafíos de cara al futuro, incluida la polarización política en el país, una posible crisis fiscal y un Congreso en el que el partido de Bolsonaro tendrá más escaños que cualquier otro. El propio Bolsonaro sigue siendo senador, aunque su mandato termina en enero.

“No deberíamos subestimar el poder de la familia Bolsonaro”, dijo Winter, el analista de Brasil. “Pueden hacerle la vida difícil a Lula durante las próximas semanas y meses”.

_________________________________

Savarese reportó desde Sao Paulo.

_________________________________

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

Koenig died Monday at his home in the North Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles, talent agent Zachery McGinnis said in a statement.

In “Star Trek,” Ensign Chekov was the sole Communist-bloc member of the spaceship Enterprise bridge staff. His friendly, supportive presence showed how the rival nations (in the far-off future in which the show was set) were capable of working together.

Speaking Russian-accented English, Chekov embodied stereotypical Russian personality traits, including fierce pride, love of poetry and blind loyalty.

“Star Trek” ran on NBC from 1966 to 1969 and has had an almost unprecedented afterlife as fans, or Trekkies, kept interest in the show alive.

Koenig was born Sept. 14, 1936, in Chicago, the son of a businessman. He graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1958, then studied acting at New York's The Neighborhood Playhouse for two years. He began getting television roles in the early 1960s, appearing on “Mr. Novak” and “Ben Casey.”

“My heart is heavy,” Koenig's castmate, George Takei, said in a post on the social platform X. “Walter was more than Chekov. He was a writer, a teacher, a thoughtful man, and a loyal friend.”

Koenig was the best man at Takei’s 2008 wedding to Brad Altman, his partner of more than two decades.

“Walter’s legacy extends far beyond the screen. Through countless convention appearances and interactions with fans, he shared his kindness, wit, and appreciation with everyone fortunate enough to meet him. He understood what Star Trek meant to people and embraced the community that grew around it,” McGinnis said. “Thank you, Walter, for the memories, the inspiration, and for boldly going where few have gone before.”

McGinnis said Koenig died surrounded by his daughter and niece.

Koenig played Chekov in seven “Star Trek” movies starting in 1979, as well as innumerable other spinoffs, including writing a “Star Trek” book, “Chekov's Enterprise,” in 1980. The TV show has also inspired two spinoff TV series with new casts, and conventions that draw thousands of fans.

After “Star Trek” ended, Koenig continued acting and wrote scripts for “Family,” “The Incredible Hulk” and other shows. He also taught part time at UCLA and other schools.

Koenig also worked in the burgeoning field of computer games, including some with a “Star Trek” theme. In 1995, he took a role in the CD-ROM game “Maximum Surge.”

“I'm at a point where I could opt in my life for complacency and a bit of predictability, or I could have one last holler — one last try for adventure,” Koenig told The Associated Press in 1995. “I'm of the opinion that adventure is still a very enticing and exciting option.”

He returned to the science fiction genre with occasional appearances in the syndicated 1990s TV series “Babylon 5.”

Flooding caused by excessive rainfall happened Monday along the San Juan River in parts of the Four Corners region, the meeting point of Utah, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico. The area has experienced unusually heavy rain since Wednesday that caused rivers to surge, flooding homes and forcing water rescues. Storms led to a tornado that touched down in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on Saturday night.

One flooding-related death was reported in Santa Fe on Saturday during a water rescue of a family that had attempted to cross a flooded arroyo in their vehicle, the county sheriff's office said. A father and child were able to get onto land, but a female passenger was swept away by the current and was found dead a mile away, the office said.

Rising river has led to evacuations in Utah and Colorado

By Monday morning, the San Juan River was 1 1/2 feet (45.7 centimeters) above the flood stage of 23 feet (7 meters), the National Weather Service said. It was expected to crest to 31 feet (9.4 meters) later Monday, then fall below flood stage by Tuesday morning.

This compares to Sept. 10, 1927, when the river crested at 32 feet (9.7 meters), the weather service said.

Some residents in one community along the river, Bluff, Utah, were evacuated over the weekend but were allowed to return early Monday.

Returning residents and businesses should use caution as several properties were still flooded, county officials said.

“Stay out of the San Juan River,” the weather service said. “Water levels remain elevated, and possible sewage contamination poses additional health risks.”

Farmington area deals with evacuations and power outage

In the Farmington area of New Mexico, local officials said swollen rivers were receding, but that many people remained evacuated and hundreds were without power.

San Juan County, New Mexico, did not have official figures on the number of homes damaged or how many people were evacuated, spokesperson Devin Neeley told The Associated Press.

“It’s a pretty active disaster zone,” he said.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and Major General Miguel Aguilar of the New Mexico National Guard planned to visit the county Monday to survey damage and meet with affected residents.

Floodwaters could be contaminated with chemicals and raw sewage

Officials in the hard-hit counties urged patience and caution. Water could be contaminated with chemicals and raw sewage, and gas and propane lines could be broken, among other hazards.

“The public is anxious to get back in,” San Juan County Fire & Rescue Chief David Vega acknowledged at a news conference Sunday. “But I want the public to know there are still hazards out there.”

Undersheriff Cory Tanner said officials were going from house to house to check for hazards — a process that could take days to complete.

Zach and Abigail Flatt started putting together go-bags after receiving evacuation orders on their phones Thursday evening. Their home in Bloomfield, New Mexico, sits on the San Juan River.

“In 30 or 40 minutes it had jumped about 4 feet,” Zach recalled Sunday. “After I saw that big jump, and how close it was to going over the banks, I said we've got to get out.”

By the time the family was loaded into the car, water was coming up over the tires. They found a hotel room with their two children, ages 2 and 4, and watched via webcams as at least 18 inches (.45 meters) of water inundated their property, washing away 22 of their 24 chickens.

“We watched stuff just float away, off the porch into the front yard,” Zach said.

Authorities are assessing damage in the Navajo Nation and in a Colorado county

In the Shiprock, New Mexico, area of the Navajo Nation, wastewater facilities and water holding ponds were damaged by flooding, causing sewage releases into the San Juan River, according to Navajo Tribal Utility Authority Shiprock District Manager Wilfred Franklin Jr.

New Mexico's congressional delegation on Sunday urged President Donald Trump to declare an emergency for the state to release federal assistance funding.

In Colorado, teams created maps of some counties to help identify affected roads, road closures, impacted areas and evacuation zones.

The flooding is just the latest from two months of on-and-off heavy rain in the region caused by tropical moisture coming ashore from the Pacific. After months of drought, other recent deadly flooding struck the Grand Canyon and other areas of New Mexico.

Forecasters said El Niño, the natural and temporary warming of parts of the Pacific, was likely to blame for the latest storm's unusually heavy rainfall.

___

Associated Press writers Kathy McCormack in Concord, New Hampshire, Anna Wilder in Austin, Texas, and Christopher Weber in Los Angeles contributed.

The stunning triumph of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva over Flávio Bolsonaro on Sunday, with 51.8% of the vote to 48.2%, limits U.S. President Donald Trump’s drive to tighten his grip on the Western Hemisphere and cements Latin America’s most populous country and largest economy as a counterweight to Washington. A Bolsonaro victory would have left Mexico’s Claudia Sheinbaum as the only progressive president among the region’s powerhouses.

More broadly, Brazil’s vote — held the same day Serbia’s opposition scored a stunning win — opened a stretch of high-stakes elections that could reshape global politics, with Israel on Tuesday holding its first national election since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack and the U.S. midterms on Nov. 3.

For the Trump administration, which has wielded punishing tariffs, severe sanctions and military force to reassert its dominance in the region, Lula’s victory complicates its campaign to enlist Brazil in its military coalition against cartels and to gain preferential access to the country’s critical minerals, analysts say.

By Monday morning, with his ally Flávio Bolsonaro refusing to concede and calling for the result to be annulled, Trump had yet to publicly acknowledge Lula’s reelection, even as congratulations poured in from Brazil’s allies and rivals around the world.

Yet both sides see reasons to cooperate. Washington wants access to Brazil’s vast trove of rare earths to reduce its defense industry’s reliance on China. Lula wants foreign investment and tariff relief for Brazilian exporters.

“Lula is pragmatic enough to work out some kind of modus operandi with the Trump administration,” said Will Freeman, a fellow for Latin America studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, adding that the Bolsonaros’ allies in Washington would likely lose sway after the family’s second electoral defeat. Flávio’s father, former President Jair Bolsonaro, lost to Lula in 2022.

“I’m not sure anyone in the Trump administration, beyond a few individuals, will want to keep making the Bolsonaros the central issue in the U.S.-Brazil relationship,” he said.

Trump’s missing piece

Across much of Latin America, voters fed up with rising crime have rewarded presidential candidates promising to restore order. From Peru’s Keiko Fujimori to Colombia’s Abelardo de la Espriella and Chile’s José Antonio Kast, newly elected conservatives have courted Trump while taking their cues from El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, whose sweeping gang crackdown has sharply reduced homicides at the cost of mass arrests and suspended civil liberties.

Trump has reinforced that shift with electoral endorsements, financial bailouts and pledges of military aid.

“The U.S. is certainly putting its finger on the scale to try to help the more hard-line right-wing elements in the region,” said Kenneth Roberts, a professor of government at Cornell University.

Brazil would have been Washington’s most consequential addition. Bolsonaro had promised to join the U.S.-led security coalition “with great enthusiasm and great honor,” making his alliance with Trump part of his pitch to voters.

Lula, by contrast, has championed Brazil’s long tradition of nonalignment, cultivating ties with competing powers. His government deepened trade ties with China and sought greater global influence through BRICS, a group of emerging economies.

Trump’s heavy-handed support for the Bolsonaros played into that message. The double-digit tariffs he imposed on a range of Brazilian goods to punish Brazil for prosecuting former President Jair Bolsonaro over a coup plot to oust Lula stirred a nationalist backlash that the leftist leader channeled into the rallying cry “Brazil belongs to Brazilians.”

“To the extent that the regional superpower becomes a threat to Brazil’s democratic institutions, defending Brazilian national sovereignty also becomes a form of defending Brazilian democracy,” Roberts said.

In his victory speech late Sunday, Lula described the outcome as “a demonstration that this country does not accept being anyone’s backyard.”

Lula’s red lines

Brazil resisted joining the Shield of the Americas, a U.S.-led military coalition targeting cartels.

When Washington in May designated Brazil’s two largest criminal factions, the First Capital Command and the Red Command, as terrorist organizations, Lula warned the labels could become a pretext for American intervention.

Countries along the main northbound cocaine and migrant routes, many of them heavily dependent on the U.S. market, have been more accommodating. In Ecuador, U.S. troops have joined local police in raids targeting suspected drug networks across the coastal lowlands. Honduras, Guatemala and Colombia have also agreed to joint military operations, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says, though Guatemala’s government has denied it.

“Brazil is not Honduras. It’s a large country with a very independent history and a military that would not look kindly upon foreign troops in its own territory,” said Brian Winter, a veteran Latin America analyst and editor-in-chief of Americas Quarterly, a policy journal. “The Trump administration will have to walk a certain line here.”

On critical minerals, Lula wants Brazil to control its resources and preserve its freedom to sell beyond the U.S.

Brazil holds the world’s second-largest known reserves of rare earths, used in powerful magnets for guided missiles, smartphones, wind turbines and electric vehicles.

Last month, USA Rare Earth, in which the U.S. government holds a stake, completed its $2.8 billion takeover of Serra Verde, the Brazilian firm that owns one of the few mines outside of Asia producing all four rare earths needed for those magnets. Alarmed by the expanding U.S. role, Lula’s administration fast-tracked legislation tightening oversight of critical minerals.

“Revisiting the Serra Verde–USA Rare Earth deal may not be the first thing that Lula does when he’s reelected, but it’s on his radar,” said Monica de Bolle, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics.

Brazil also produces about 90% of the world’s niobium, a critical element for jet, rocket engines and other military hardware, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Any Brazilian export restrictions could disrupt supply chains for U.S. defense manufacturers.

“Brazil has leverage,” de Bolle said. “With Lula, the U.S. is on shakier ground.”

Compromise at home and abroad

For all his defiant public statements, Lula has sought peace with Trump. His White House visit in May to discuss trade, organized crime and critical minerals undercut the Bolsonaros’ claim that only they could deal with Washington.

More bargaining with Trump surely lies ahead over tariffs and with Brazil’s Congress, where conservatives expanded their ranks in the Oct. 4 elections, depriving Lula of the backing he needs to institute meaningful reforms. After three previous terms, Lula confronts voters impatient for safer streets and relief from the high cost of living.

“Lula has his hands tied,” said Guilherme Casarões, an associate professor of Brazilian studies at Florida International University. “Pretty much everything he has tried to do has been blocked in Congress.”

Across Latin America, coalitions that united against a common opponent have often splintered as the realities of governing set in. Trump’s new allies are already losing support in Chile, Bolivia and Peru, suggesting the region’s rightward turn may be less durable than it appears. Lula bucked the anti-incumbent trend, but his support could evaporate quickly as he bargains with opponents — in Congress and beyond Brazil’s borders — to deliver the results voters expect.

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Associated Press writer Mauricio Savarese in Sao Paulo contributed to this report.

Los detectives identificaron a Kyan Davis como el sospechoso de la balacera que dejó dos muertos el 9 de septiembre en un apartamento del vecindario de West Perrine, según muestran los registros.

Agentes de la Oficina del Sheriff de Miami-Dade acudieron al lugar de la balacera poco después de las 5:20 p.m. en el apartamento ubicado cerca de Southwest 102nd Avenue y 175 Street.

Los agentes encontraron a los hermanos Martinez sangrando en el piso del dormitorio principal del apartamento, y el personal de rescate los declaró muertos, según el informe de arresto de un agente.

Los detectives identificaron a Davis, quien reside en South Miami, como sospechoso después de recuperar un video de vigilancia de una cámara Ring, según el informe.

Durante el interrogatorio de los detectives el 19 de septiembre en la unidad de homicidios de la Oficina del Sheriff de Miami-Dade (MDSO), Davis confesó haber estado en el apartamento, según el informe.

Un testigo dijo a los agentes que él y Davis “atraían a las víctimas con el pretexto de venderles vaporizadores de cannabis y/u otros narcóticos, para luego robarles”, según el informe.

Las autoridades penitenciarias de Miami-Dade registraron el ingreso de Davis poco antes de las 7:25 p.m. del sábado en el Centro Correccional Turner Guilford Knight, cerca de Doral, y el lunes por la mañana permanecía en el centro de detención preventiva, según los registros de reclusos.

Los registros judiciales muestran que Davis enfrentaba seis cargos en tres casos pendientes. En el caso de West Perrine, enfrentaba dos cargos de asesinato en primer grado.

En los otros casos, Davis enfrentaba dos cargos de posesión de un arma por parte de un delincuente convicto y dos cargos de agresión por parte de un detenido.

La editora de asignaciones de Local 10 News, Mercedes Cevallos, contribuyó a este informe.

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Detectives identified Kyan Davis as the suspect in the fatal double shooting on Sept. 9 at an apartment in the West Perrine neighborhood, records show.

Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the shooting shortly after 5:20 p.m. at the apartment near Southwest 102nd Avenue and 175 Street.

Deputies found the Martinez brothers bleeding on the floor of the apartment’s master bedroom, and fire rescue personnel pronounced them dead, according to a deputy’s arrest report.

Detectives identified Davis, who lives in South Miami, as a suspect after recovering surveillance video from a Ring camera, according to the report.

During detectives’ questioning on Sept. 19 at the MDSO homicide bureau, Davis confessed to being in the apartment, according to the report.

A witness told deputies that he and Davis “would lure the victims under the pretense of selling cannabis pens and/or other narcotics ... they would rob them,” according to the report.

Miami-Dade corrections booked Davis shortly before 7:25 p.m. on Saturday at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center near Doral, and he was at the pre-trial detention center on Monday morning, according to inmate records.

Court records show Davis faced six charges in three pending cases. In the case at West Perrine, he faced two counts of first-degree murder.

In the other cases, Davis faced two counts of possession of a weapon by a convicted felon and two counts of battery by a detainee.

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

The 22-time Grand Slam champion will headline “The MGM Slam presented by Capital One” at T-Mobile Arena on Feb. 28, organizers announced Monday.

Nadal faced Carlos Alcaraz in the Vegas exhibition in 2024 during his final year on tour.

“I remember how impressive it was to feel the energy of a full arena in a city like Las Vegas,” the 40-year-old Nadal said. “Now I return in a different stage of my life, without the pressure of the tour but with the same passion for this sport. I have always loved competing, and even if my professional career is finished, that feeling never really goes away.”

Additional players and the format for the event will be announced in the coming weeks. It’s slated for just before the ATP 1000 event in Indian Wells, California.

Last year, eight players competed in a tiebreaker format.

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See AP’s full tennis coverage here

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The crash happened just before 9:30 a.m. at Rock Island Road and West Commercial Boulevard, a Broward Sheriff’s Office spokesperson said.

Video from Sky 10 shows a blue hatchback with front-end damage behind the bus.

Authorities said they are investigating the crash. They did not provide additional details about the extent of the victims’ injuries.

El accidente ocurrió poco antes de las 9:30 a.m. en la intersección de Rock Island Road y West Commercial Boulevard, informó un portavoz de la Oficina del Sheriff de Broward.

Un video de Sky 10 muestra un automóvil compacto azul con daños en la parte delantera detrás del autobús.

Las autoridades informaron que están investigando el accidente. No proporcionaron detalles adicionales sobre la gravedad de las lesiones de las víctimas.

Agentes de policía y personal de los Bomberos de Miami-Dade acudieron al incendio de la vivienda poco antes de las 9:20 a.m. del viernes, cerca de Northeast 14th Avenue y 154th Street.

Un testigo dijo a los agentes de policía que Jeffthe Arisda recogió “servilletas, trapos y otros artículos de la mesa del comedor y los arrojó a su dormitorio”, mientras “sostenía un encendedor”, según el informe policial.

Arisda luego salió de su dormitorio y “anunció que la residencia estaba en llamas” antes de que “un denso humo negro y llamas, , salieran por la ventana del dormitorio”, informó un testigo, según la policía.

Arisda negó haber provocado el incendio, según la policía. Los agentes lo arrestaron poco antes de las 9:25 a.m. del viernes y las autoridades penitenciarias registraron su ingreso a las 3:40 p.m. en el Centro Correccional Turner Guilford Knight, cerca de Doral, según los registros de reclusos.

Arisda enfrentaba tres cargos: intento de asesinato durante la comisión de un delito grave, incendio provocado en primer grado y daños a la propiedad.

La editora de asignaciones de Local 10 News, Mercedes Cevallos, contribuyó a este informe.

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Police officers and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue personnel responded to the house fire shortly before 9:20 a.m. on Friday near Northeast 14th Avenue and 154th Street.

A witness told police officers that Jeffthe Arisda collected “napkins, rags, and other items from the dining room table, and threw them into his bedroom,” while “holding a lighter,” according to the police report.

Arisda then walked out of his bedroom and “announced that the residence was on fire” before the “thick black smoke and flames ... blew out the bedroom window,” a witness reported, according to police.

Arisda denied arson, according to police. Police officers arrested him shortly before 9:25 a.m. on Friday, and corrections booked him at 3:40 p.m. at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center near Doral, according to inmate records.

Arisda faced three charges: Attempted felony murder, first-degree arson, and criminal mischief.

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

The ruling is tailored to Maurene Comey but its import stretches beyond her case, repudiating the claim of President Donald Trump’s administration that the Constitution permits such firings for any reason. Administration officials have cited that belief repeatedly in a sweeping purge of the federal workforce.

Comey, an assistant U.S. attorney for a decade, was fired in July 2025 despite her work on some of the nation’s highest-profile cases and consistently receiving “the highest accolades from supervisors and peers alike,” Judge Jesse M. Furman found.

After her firing, Comey sued the Justice Department and others, saying her termination violated the constitutional separation of powers, the First Amendment and the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment.

She asserted that she was fired because she was the daughter of James Comey, whom Trump has long viewed as an enemy, or because of her perceived political affiliation and beliefs, or both, the judge noted.

Furman rejected the government's claim that Comey could be fired because federal prosecutors exercise the president's “conclusive and preclusive” powers.

He also said the government's claim that Congress is barred from regulating the removal of federal prosecutors “flies in the face of nearly two centuries of Supreme Court precedent.”

Furman added: “Indeed, to accept Defendants’ argument would be to unsettle the very equilibrium established by this Nation’s constitutional system.”

The firing violated the separation of powers, the Administrative Procedure Act and her Fifth Amendment due process and statutory rights, the judge ruled. He reserved judgment on Comey's First Amendment claim pending further arguments, though he said he was inclined to dismiss it because it was largely moot since she is now in private practice and no longer seeks actual reinstatement.

Furman, who was nominated to the bench in 2011 by then-Democratic President Barack Obama, granted Comey retroactive reinstatement and back pay from the date of her firing through Dec. 20 to “make her whole” and ensure that she doesn't suffer adverse employment consequences for the “unlawful termination.”

In a statement, the Justice Department said it “disagrees with this decision and will appeal in due course.”

Comey’s lawyers, Ellen Blain, Nicole Gueron, Deepa Vanamali and Margaret Donovan, lauded the ruling.

“This hard-earned victory belongs to Ms. Comey, to all civil servants, and to all fighting for the rule of law,” they said in a statement. “As the Court correctly held, to accept the government’s argument about unlimited executive power ‘would be to unsettle the very equilibrium established by this Nation’s constitutional system.’ This decision reaffirms our bedrock system of checks and balances: the President is not above the law.”

Comey was fired two weeks after leading the prosecution of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, which ended in a conviction on prostitution-related charges but an acquittal on others. She also worked on the sex trafficking prosecutions of Jeffrey Epstein, the financier who killed himself in jail a month after his arrest in 2019, and Epstein’s former girlfriend and longtime confidant Ghislaine Maxwell, who was convicted in 2021 and is serving a 20-year prison sentence.

The Justice Department during the Trump administration has fired scores of career employees, including prosecutors and FBI agents, who participated in investigations of Trump or who were perceived as opposed to the administration’s agenda. Some of those firings have also resulted in federal lawsuits.

The firing of Maurene Comey was seen as particularly personal, given her father’s longtime adversarial relationship with Trump.

The president fired James Comey as FBI director in May 2017 as the bureau was investigating ties between Russia and the Republican’s successful 2016 campaign for the White House. Trump in the years since has repeatedly called for Comey to be jailed, and his Justice Department has worked with mixed success to make that happen.

An earlier criminal case accusing James Comey of having lied to Congress in 2020 was dismissed by a judge who concluded that the prosecutor who filed the charges was illegally appointed. A separate pending indictment charges the former FBI director with threatening Trump through an Instagram photo of seashells in the numerical arrangement of “86 47,” a case he has sought to dismiss that some legal experts have greeted with skepticism.

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Tucker and Durkin reported from Washington.

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Miami-Dade deputies arrested Tanisha Shelton after the incident Saturday night in the area of Northwest 63rd Street and 25th Avenue in an unincorporated area of Miami-Dade County.

According to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the scene after receiving reports of a person who had been set on fire.

Investigators say Shelton and the 33-year-old victim got into an argument before she left the area and returned a few hours later carrying a white plastic bucket.

According to investigators, Shelton poured an unknown accelerant on the man and used a lighter to set him on fire.

A witness told deputies they used pepper spray on Shelton after she tried to run away.

The victim was later found unconscious with burns covering at least 80% of his body. First responders rushed him to Ryder Trauma Center in extremely critical condition.

Despite receiving treatment at the hospital, deputies say the victim is not expected to survive.

Agentes de Miami-Dade arrestaron a Tanisha Shelton después del incidente ocurrido el sábado por la noche en el área de Northwest 63rd Street y 25th Avenue, en una zona no incorporada del condado Miami-Dade.

Según la Oficina del Sheriff de Miami-Dade, los agentes acudieron al lugar después de recibir reportes de una persona a la que le habían prendido fuego.

Los investigadores señalaron que Shelton y la víctima, de 33 años, tuvieron una discusión antes de que ella abandonara el área y regresara unas horas después con un cubo de plástico blanco.

Según los investigadores, Shelton roció al hombre con una sustancia acelerante desconocida y utilizó un encendedor para prenderle fuego.

Un testigo dijo a los agentes que utilizó gas pimienta contra Shelton después de que ella intentara huir.

La víctima fue encontrada posteriormente inconsciente, con quemaduras que cubrían al menos el 80% de su cuerpo. Los equipos de emergencia lo trasladaron de urgencia al Centro de Trauma Ryder en estado extremadamente crítico.

A pesar de recibir tratamiento en el hospital, los agentes indicaron que no se espera que la víctima sobreviva.

Aquí en Piki Seei, el tembe -- la tradición saamaka de talla en madera y arte decorativo -- ha sido durante mucho tiempo parte de la vida cotidiana.

Los saamaka son uno de los seis pueblos tribales de Surinam cuyos antepasados escaparon de la esclavitud durante el dominio colonial holandés y construyeron comunidades independientes en el interior boscoso del país hace más de tres siglos.

Practicado en su mayoría por hombres y transmitido de padres y ancianos a las generaciones más jóvenes, el tembe puede verse en todo, desde bancos, remos y botes hasta peines, puertas y las casas de madera que bordean las comunidades fluviales. El bosque circundante ha sostenido a las comunidades saamaka durante siglos, al proporcionar alimentos, materiales de construcción y recursos centrales para sus tradiciones culturales. Pero la expansión de la minería de oro y la tala está ejerciendo una presión cada vez mayor sobre el medio ambiente, al tiempo que aleja a los hombres de sus aldeas y de los oficios tradicionales.

Para los talladores que se quedan, ese cambio es algo más que la pérdida de una forma de arte.

“La talla en madera es parte de quienes somos", declaró Josasath Liefde, de 50 años, tallador en Piki Seei. "Es una tradición saamaka que seguirá viva”.

Un conocimiento aprendido por generaciones

Los diseños geométricos del tembe pueden transmitir significados e historias, o crear objetos que se usan en la vida diaria.

Doekoe ha pasado décadas tallando madera y trabajando para preservar las tradiciones saamaka. Participa en Totomboti, un colectivo en Piki Seei que reúne a talladores y trabaja para transmitir el conocimiento cultural a las generaciones más jóvenes.

Varios de los talladores de Totomboti son rastafaris, seguidores de un movimiento espiritual que se originó en Jamaica en la década de 1930 y que enfatiza la identidad africana y la conexión con la naturaleza. Aunque no todos los saamaka son rastafaris, la fe tiene una presencia particularmente fuerte en Piki Seei. Doekoe explicó que él y otros hombres del poblado lo adoptaron tras reconocer similitudes con sus propias tradiciones espirituales y su conocimiento del mundo natural.

En su taller, bloques de madera y virutas cubrían el suelo mientras los talladores trabajaban en piezas en distintas etapas de elaboración. Doekoe señaló que, cuando es posible, usan árboles caídos y, en ocasiones, talan otros, procurando limitar su impacto en el bosque. Según el colectivo Totomboti, sus carpinteros utilizan apenas uno o dos troncos al año, y extraen de manera selectiva árboles de madera dura adecuados para su oficio.

Pero para Doekoe, la talla en madera es algo más que los objetos que producen. La música, el idioma y el arte saamaka preservan elementos de las culturas africanas de sus antepasados, quienes fueron trasladados por la fuerza a Surinam durante el comercio transatlántico de esclavos.

“Hay conocimiento oculto dentro de nuestro arte”, manifestó.

Liefde aprendió de su padre a convertir los árboles en objetos que su familia y su comunidad necesitaban. Hace bancos y remos y construye botes de hasta 15 metros (49 pies) de largo.

“Si tienes que irte de este lugar, necesitas un bote, y la madera que se usa para hacer ese bote viene de este bosque”, comentó. “Así que este es nuestro sustento”.

La minería es atractiva y se lleva a muchos jóvenes

Doekoe a veces pasa dos meses sin vender nada. Indicó que los hombres jóvenes pueden ver a otros de su edad regresar de los yacimientos auríferos con dinero para comprar autos y otras cosas, lo que hace que la minería sea una alternativa atractiva a la talla.

La minería de oro y la tala, tanto legales como ilegales, se han expandido por el interior boscoso de Surinam, ofreciendo la posibilidad de ingresos, pero con riesgos y daños ambientales. Un minero saamaka, que habló bajo condición de anonimato por temor a represalias de sus empleadores, dijo que conoce esos riesgos de primera mano.

En 2016, una excavadora le aplastó el brazo mientras trabajaba en una mina de oro. Perdió el brazo, pero con el tiempo regresó.

“Volví a este trabajo porque tengo una meta que quiero alcanzar, y creo que puedo lograrla de esta manera”, le dijo a The Associated Press desde debajo de un refugio improvisado con un techo de lona que protegía a los trabajadores del sol intenso.

El minero mantiene a dos adultos y cinco niños y ve pocas alternativas capaces de proporcionarle el dinero que necesita. Espera que, con el tiempo, pueda ganar lo suficiente con la minería para ampliar una granja de pollos en un terreno que ya posee.

Antes de perder el brazo, el hombre también tallaba peines tradicionales de madera. Muchos de los árboles que utilizaba han sido talados desde entonces, contó, lo que obliga a la gente a viajar más lejos para encontrar madera adecuada.

Aún sabe cómo hacer los peines, pero ya no está físicamente en condiciones de hacerlo.

Su experiencia ilustra las complejas decisiones económicas que enfrentan algunos hombres saamaka. La minería puede ofrecer una vía para perseguir metas que requieren efectivo, incluso cuando quienes la realizan reconocen sus peligros.

“Definitivamente hay presión sobre los hombres jóvenes para meterse en la minería de oro”, sostuvo. “Tienes que abrirte tu propio camino en la vida”.

Liefde ve de otra manera la partida de los hombres jóvenes. Dijo que ha advertido a sus propios hijos que no trabajen en los yacimientos auríferos. Señaló que algunos jóvenes que dejaron el poblado por trabajo han muerto.

“La persona que se va puede verlo como una oportunidad para sí mismo”, expresó Liefde. “Yo lo veo como una pérdida para el poblado”.

Los talladores transmiten la tradición

En Piki Seei, algunos talladores intentan asegurarse de que la próxima generación tenga otra opción.

Los talladores vinculados a Totomboti han trabajado con niños del lugar, organizando lecciones fuera del horario escolar en las que aprenden a medir y dar forma a la madera y a fabricar objetos por sí mismos.

El Museo Saamaka del poblado ofrece un lugar donde las tallas pueden exhibirse y venderse, mientras que los visitantes de fuera de la comunidad aportan otro mercado. Los talladores que viven o trabajan en otros lugares también regresan al poblado para practicar sus habilidades.

Doekoe declaró que el turismo y las ventas a extranjeros pueden dar a los artistas un incentivo para permanecer en sus comunidades. Pero preservar el oficio es algo más que encontrar compradores.

Describió días en el taller de Totomboti en los que los hombres deliberadamente dejan sus herramientas. En lugar de tallar, se sientan juntos, intercambian ideas y cuentan historias transmitidas por sus antepasados.

“Es espiritual, es la vida”, afirmó Doekoe. “Vive en nuestras historias”.

Los jóvenes todavía acuden a él con ganas de aprender. Podría empezar con un principiante usando un pequeño trozo de madera, mostrándole cómo marcarlo y darle forma hasta convertirlo en un peine para el cabello que luego podría regalarse a un amigo. Pero transmitir esas habilidades también depende de proteger el bosque que aporta los materiales y la inspiración para su trabajo.

Doekoe advirtió que la minería y la tala están dejando daños que, a su juicio, no pueden revertirse, al transformar los cursos de agua y destruir las condiciones conducentes a un florecimiento del bosque.

“El bosque ya no es el mismo, y nunca se recuperará a lo que Dios creó”, dijo.

Y es la próxima generación, teme, la que cargará con las consecuencias.

“Cuando las semillas de los árboles que deben crecer ya no crezcan, los niños que crezcan aquí no experimentarán el bosque como es hoy”, afirmó.

_________________________________

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

_________________________________

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

A lawsuit filed Monday on behalf of six such citizens — essentially representing the wider public audience — argues that it’s not only the rights of news organizations that are violated when Trump bans them from White House premises. Even more fundamentally, the lawsuit argues, such bans violate the public’s right to independent reporting about its president and government.

“The ultimate injury here … is to the democratic public,” says the suit, filed in federal district court in New York against Trump and three key aides, including the White House chief of staff, Susie Wiles.

“The First Amendment protects the public’s right to know what its government is doing,” said Katie Fallow, deputy litigation director at the Knight First Amendment Institute, which filed the lawsuit on behalf of the plaintiffs, along with the Media Freedom & Information Access Clinic at Yale Law School.

“The White House cannot decide what information Americans receive by punishing critical reporting," Fallow said in a statement. "When the White House expels reporters because of their coverage and threatens others with expulsion, it isn’t just the press that suffers — the public loses access to independent reporting and gets something closer to government propaganda.”

The Trump administration, asked for comment on the lawsuit, responded in a statement that it attributed to an unidentified White House official: “No person may demand access to the Oval Office." It said media that peddle "misinformation and defamation are completely capable of reporting their manufactured stories from directly outside.”

The plaintiffs all rely on White House news for their work

The six plaintiffs are all people who say they rely on independent and diverse White House reporting for their teaching, journalism or advocacy. They include a noted human rights advocate, a political journalist, a Yale history professor, a high school civics teacher, a legal journalist, and a student journalist at the University of Pennsylvania.

The complaint filed Monday recounts how various news organizations that have been targeted by Trump are already battling the administration in the courts. These cases include the current lawsuit by CNN, MS NOW and Politico, whose journalists were banished from the White House in September.

A federal judge recently extended an order preventing the White House from enforcing the ban while the case makes its way through the legal system. Still affected, though, is CNN’s pool coverage of Trump. The White House has been denying the network its usual slots in the video pool covering the president’s activities and travel, and CNN has threatened further action.

Also continuing is the legal case involving The Associated Press, whose reporters were barred last year from the Oval Office, Air Force One and some events in retaliation for the outlet’s decision not to follow Trump’s lead in changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico, which lies partially in Mexican and other waters, to the Gulf of America.

The New York Times is also involved in litigation, over a Pentagon policy requiring escorts for journalists on its grounds. And ABC is fighting back against the Trump administration in a dispute over renewal of its broadcast licenses.

This lawsuit seeks more wide-ranging relief

The new lawsuit filed Monday, though, is different from previous legal action against the president — first, in that the plaintiffs are ordinary citizens, shifting the focus from news gatherers to news consumers, and thus implying a much larger pool of stakeholders. In addition, it seeks more wide-ranging relief.

The suit, which names Trump as defendant along with Wiles, White House Communications Director Steven Cheung, and Secret Service Director Sean M. Curran, calls not merely for reinstatement of access that has already been impacted, but for a broad injunction that would protect from retaliation every news outlet that covers the White House —- now, and in the future.

“Defendants' policy of restricting the access of disfavored news organizations deprives the public of the reporting of those organizations," the complaint says. It also "inevitably deprives them of the independent reporting of other news organizations as well, since every journalist who reports from the White House must now account for the possibility that a critical or ill-advised word about the president may result in their access being summarily restricted or revoked."

“Plaintiffs ... seek a declaration that the policy is unconstitutional because it imposes restrictions on a limited public forum that are viewpoint-based and unreasonable," the complaint adds. "They also seek an injunction barring defendants from enforcing the policy.”

Plaintiffs include a human rights advocate, a teacher and a student journalist

The plaintiffs are:

—Kenneth Roth, former longtime executive director of Human Rights Watch and a lecturer at Yale’s law school and school of global affairs. Roth “relies on newsgathering and reporting from members of the White House press corps to inform his public writing and commentary," the suit says.

—Daniel Froomkin, media and political journalist and editor of Press Watch, a nonprofit that encourages political journalists to “fulfill their essential mission of creating an informed electorate and holding the powerful accountable.”

—Beverly Gage, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and professor at Yale University who “relies on newsgathering and reporting from the White House press corps to inform her scholarship, public writing and commentary.”

—Peter Schmidt-Nowara, a social studies teacher at a New York City high school, who teaches civics courses and considers White House reporting “essential to his work as an educator.”

—Benjamin Wittes, editor-in-chief of Lawfare and a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, whose publication is “especially reliant on the White House press corps to provide accurate and timely coverage of the president.”

—Ethan Young, a student at the University of Pennsylvania and editor-in-chief of The Daily Pennsylvanian, who, as a student journalist, “relies on a diverse, independent and trustworthy cohort of White House reporters to serve as his proxy.”

Schmidt-Nowara, who teaches at Brooklyn Technical High School, is quoted in the lawsuit as saying: “As a social studies teacher, I want my students to have access to accurate, independent reporting about their government." He adds he is "gravely concerned that the Trump administration’s restrictions on White House reporters are cutting off access to crucial information.

“I joined this lawsuit because my students deserve to know what’s happening in their government and to hear from a free and independent press,” he says.

Young, the student journalist, contends that since he can’t personally access White House press spaces, he relies on “a diverse, independent and trustworthy cohort” of White House reporters to serve as his proxy.

The effect of federal policy changes has been "acutely felt on college campuses, Penn’s included,” Young is quoted as saying. “As a student journalist, I rely on reporting from the White House press corps to understand the decisions made in Washington, their consequences, and how they impact my college community. A vibrant free press allows me to do just that.”

The parliament said in a statement that the vote was meant to give el-Sissi authorization to take necessary measures to back Saudi Arabia in the defense of its territory and sovereignty against an external “aggression.”

The parliament didn't provide a breakdown of the closed-door vote, but the chamber is overwhelmingly dominated by pro-government lawmakers.

Egypt won't provide ground troops, regional official says

The government didn’t give details about the support, prompting lawmakers to question the nature and extent of the proposed assistance. A regional official, briefed on the matter, said that Egypt will deploy air defense systems and aircraft to help repel missiles and drones fired at Saudi Arabia.

The Egyptian support is defensive in nature and won’t include any ground troops in Yemen, the official said on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to speak to reporters.

The vote, which had been scheduled for last week, was delayed after two days of deliberations because of growing wariness among Egyptians concerned about an intervention in Yemen’s long-running conflict. Because the debates weren't open, it wasn't immediately clear how the discussions went.

Egypt’s highest security body pledged in a meeting earlier this month to provide “all necessary and possible forms of support” to Saudi Arabia to defend “its security and stability, safeguard its resources and territorial integrity, and protect Islamic holy sites.”

In its meeting, chaired by el-Sissi, the National Defense Council also said that Egypt would increase its diplomatic efforts to find a settlement to the conflict.

Saudi Arabia provides Egypt with billions in aid and investment

Egypt “will carry out any measure to protect Saudi Arabia,” el-Sissi said earlier this month. “I’m not speaking about fighting anyone or attacking anyone. I’m speaking only for defense.”

Saudi Arabia is one of Egypt’s main financial backers, providing the country with billions of dollars in financial aid and investments, particularly since el-Sissi came to power following the overthrow of President Mohammed Morsi, a Muslim Brotherhood leader, in 2013. Remittances from Egyptians working in Saudi Arabia are also a major source of foreign currency.

The opposition Egyptian Social Democratic Party announced that its 11-member parliamentary bloc would abstain from voting, citing insufficient information about the mission’s objectives, scope, duration and costs, as well as the risks to Egyptian troops. The party called for prioritizing diplomacy to avert open-ended military commitments.

El-Sissi attempts to reassure wary Egyptians

Egypt's president sought to reassure the public that the country wouldn't attack Yemen, and that the military support is limited to defending Saudi territory.

“I have heard a great deal of talk suggesting that we are preparing to launch an attack on Yemen, or something to that effect. That is certainly not the case,” he said in comments last week.

“We have not engaged in any cooperation aimed at conducting combat operations beyond the borders (of the countries with which we cooperate),” el-Sissi said. “Our focus is on the defense of the kingdom’s territory and its borders.”

Dark memories

The announcement of support for Saudi Arabia has evoked dark memories of Egypt’s involvement in the civil war in Yemen in the 1960s, pitting royalist supporters of the Mutawakkilite Kingdom of Yemen against the Yemen Arab Republic.

That war began in 1962 when army commander Gen. Abdullah al-Sallal launched a coup against the newly-crowned King Muhammad al-Badr, declaring North Yemen a republic.

Egypt and Saudi Arabia backed opposite sides: Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom supported royalist forces, while Egypt and the Soviet Union backed the republican troops.

Then Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser deployed tens of thousands of troops to North Yemen in support of his ally, al-Sallal, starting a decadelong military intervention in the country.

The 1960s intervention in Yemen was seen as “one of the low points” of Nasser’s presidency and widely regarded as one of the main causes of the defeat by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War, because of the strain it exerted on the Egyptian military and economy, according to the state-run Al-Ahram daily.

In 2015, Egypt sent naval vessels to the Red Sea off Yemen to support the Saudi-led coalition operating against the rebels at the height of the earlier phase of the war. It didn't deploy ground troops.

___

Fatma Khaled contributed to this report.

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The engineer’s diet has been fully plant-based since 1998. With his Rastafarian heritage and the Ital eating principles, his strict nutrition plan includes lentils, tofu, and seitan.

“I was really into it, got into it, through being bullied and wanting to look like a superhero,” Washington said about his teens.

His days also include morning cardio and weight training.

“It’s a true mental discipline,” Washington said.

At first, Arnold Schwarzenegger was an inspiration. Most recently, he said his late mother became his true source of strength.

“My mother passed last year,” Washington said. “That actually lit a fire in me to say, ‘You know what? This is time for me now to shine for my mom.’”

Without any animal protein, Washington finished tied for 16h-place in the Mr. Olympia men’s Physique Division.

“All your dreams and desires can manifest, but you have got to put in the work and do it,” Washington said.

For more information from Washington, visit this page.

La dieta del ingeniero ha sido completamente a base de plantas desde 1998. Con su herencia rastafari y los principios de alimentación Ital, su estricto plan nutricional incluye lentejas, tofu y seitán.

“Me interesé mucho en esto debido al acoso escolar que sufría y porque quería parecerme a un superhéroe”, dijo Washington sobre su adolescencia.

Sus días también incluyen ejercicios cardiovasculares por la mañana y entrenamiento con pesas.

“Es una verdadera disciplina mental”, dijo Washington.

Al principio, Arnold Schwarzenegger fue su inspiración. Más recientemente, dijo que su difunta madre se convirtió en su verdadera fuente de fortaleza.

“Mi madre falleció el año pasado”, dijo Washington. “Eso realmente encendió una llama en mí y me hizo decir: “¿Sabes qué? Ahora es mi momento de brillar por mi mamá””.

Sin consumir ninguna proteína animal, Washington terminó empatado en el puesto 16 en la división de físico masculino de Mr. Olympia.

“Todos tus sueños y deseos pueden hacerse realidad, pero tienes que esforzarte y trabajar para lograrlos”, dijo Washington.

Para obtener más información de Washington, visite esta página.

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Most that read the Secretary’s message were quick to criticize his tactic and called it irresponsible and naive. At first, I questioned it myself. It was an unconventional diplomatic move. But then I stopped and thought about it and came up with a theory.

Secretary Rubio understands U.S. foreign affairs extremely well having served for years on the Senate Foreign Relations and Intelligence Committees. He also understands Cuba. Rubio knows very well that President Trump’s foreign policy driven mostly by the White House not the Department of State, has been a failure including Venezuela, Iran and Cuba.

The move by Secretary of State Marco Rubio to me had a clear strategic purpose. Let me try to explain.

Anyone that knows Cuba as Rubio does, knows that any contact directly by Cubans on the island with the CIA or any U.S. agency could mean years of prison and possibly death.

Rubio knows like we all do that Raul Castro is 95 years old and not in his best health and could die any day.

The strategy by Rubio to suggest that Cubans on the island provide information to the CIA that can help topple the regime was meant for the Cuban government inner circle of power and outer circle of power. The inner circle are those “Raulistas” that live like kings and queens from the corruption of the system. By the outer circle, I mean top military officers that have not been given the benefits of the corruption within the Cuban government. It’s a masterful tactic in creating doubt and political instability amongst them as to who will lead Cuba in the future. A new leader could emerge that might be willing to negotiate with the U.S.

It’s also a strategic gamble on Rubio’s part because if the Republicans loose both the house and the senate in the upcoming midterm elections, Cuba will be in no hurry to negotiate. But wait!

His strategy will give Rubio a perfect excuse to distance himself from Trump’s failed foreign policy with the possibility of resigning his post as Secretary of State and try to save his political career.

Will have to wait and see if his gamble works.

La mayoría de quienes leyeron el mensaje del secretario se apresuraron a criticar su táctica y la calificaron de irresponsable e ingenua. Al principio, yo mismo la cuestioné. Fue una medida diplomática poco convencional. Pero luego me detuve a reflexionar y desarrollé una teoría.

El secretario Rubio comprende muy bien los asuntos exteriores de Estados Unidos, tras haber servido durante años en los comités de Relaciones Exteriores y de Inteligencia del Senado. También conoce a Cuba. Rubio sabe muy bien que la política exterior del presidente Trump, dirigida principalmente por la Casa Blanca y no por el Departamento de Estado, ha sido un fracaso, incluso en Venezuela, Irán y Cuba.

Para mí, la medida del secretario de Estado Marco Rubio tenía un propósito estratégico claro. Permítanme intentar explicarlo.

Cualquiera que conozca Cuba como Rubio sabe que cualquier contacto directo de los cubanos en la isla con la CIA o cualquier agencia estadounidense podría significar años de prisión y posiblemente la muerte.

Rubio sabe, al igual que todos nosotros, que Raúl Castro tiene 95 años, no goza de buena salud y podría morir en cualquier momento.

La estrategia de Rubio al sugerir que los cubanos en la isla proporcionen información a la CIA que pueda ayudar a derrocar al régimen estaba dirigida al círculo interno y al círculo externo del poder del gobierno cubano. El círculo interno está formado por aquellos “raulistas” que viven como reyes y reinas gracias a la corrupción del sistema. Con el círculo externo me refiero a los altos oficiales militares que no han recibido los beneficios de la corrupción dentro del gobierno cubano. Es una táctica magistral para generar dudas e inestabilidad política entre ellos sobre quién dirigirá Cuba en el futuro. Podría surgir un nuevo líder que esté dispuesto a negociar con Estados Unidos.

También es una apuesta estratégica por parte de Rubio porque, si los republicanos pierden tanto la Cámara de Representantes como el Senado en las próximas elecciones de mitad de mandato, Cuba no tendrá ninguna prisa por negociar. ¡Pero esperen!

Su estrategia le dará a Rubio una excusa perfecta para distanciarse de la fallida política exterior de Trump, con la posibilidad de renunciar a su cargo como secretario de Estado e intentar salvar su carrera política.

Habrá que esperar para ver si su apuesta funciona.

Bauza died suddenly late Sunday, his family said in a statement. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner reported that he died at his home from hypertensive cardiovascular disease.

Beginning in 2001, Bauza amassed more than 400 voice acting credits in a career that gave voice to beloved characters in animated Looney Tunes series including “Puss in Boots,” “Muppet Babies,” “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” and countless others. He won three Children's and Family Emmy Awards, from 2022 to 2025.

“Looney Tunes will always have a special place in my heart,” Bauza said in an interview with The Associated Press this year. “I watched them on Saturday mornings originally. It's not just the voice but the overall aesthetic has influenced me as an artist.”

Raised in Scarborough, Ontario by Filipino immigrant parents, Bauza found his passion for voice acting as a teenager. In high school, he would deliver the P.A. system morning announcements in various cartoon voices.

In voicing Looney Tunes characters, Bauza faithfully and reverentially channeled Mel Blanc. So great was his affection for Blanc that, in conversation, he would even toss out an impression of Blanc outside the recording booth. Bauza last year told The New York Times: “Mel Blanc is like the voice of God for me.”

Bauza's Looney Tunes work included such feature films as “Space Jam: A New Legacy” (2021), “The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie” (2024) and this year's “Coyote vs. Acme.” That film, in which Wile E. Coyote takes the Acme Corporation to court for its defective products, became a modest cause célèbre after Warner Bros. opted not to release it.

After an outcry from fans, partly stoked by Bauza, the film eventually found a distributor in Ketchup Entertainment and surpassed $100 million at the worldwide box office. While the film was in limbo, Bauza argued for its release at the 2024 Annie Awards, in the voice of Daffy Duck.

“He’s the go-to cartoon character above anyone else when it comes to begging and pleading,” Bauza explained. “It seemed appropriate.”

Before becoming one of the most recognized personalities in the often anonymous field of voice acting, Bauza pursued working in animation production. After graduating from the film program at Toronto's Centennial College, Bauza first worked as animator and character layout artist. Initially, he did voice acting on the side.

Channing Dungey, chairman of Warner Bros. Television Group and U.S. Networks, called Bauza “a unique voice talent who brought joy and laughter to millions.”

As a voice acting professional, Bauza sometimes chafed at celebrities brought in to replace him in bigger-budgeted productions. Bauza occasionally voice-matched for stars including Bill Hader on “Bob's Burgers” and Antonio Banderas as Puss in Boots.

“From my experience working several times in the feature film format, there's always the reminder that it is ‘temporary dialogue’ and ‘Chris Pratt will be voicing all the Looney Tunes in this feature film' — no, just kidding,” Bauza told The AP.

But even in productions where A-list stars took the spotlight, Bauza said there was still room for “nine-to-fivers like me” to color in the scenery. Bauza, who seldom went more than a few minutes without slipping into the voice of Bugs or Daffy or some other character, was rarely anything but grateful at being part of the Looney Tunes legacy.

“The Looney Tunes were here before I was born and they're definitely going to be here long after I leave this realm,” he said shortly before the release of “Coyote vs. Acme.” “I just feel like the luckiest guy.”

Un aviso de vientos fuertes estaba vigente para las áreas metropolitanas de los condados Broward y Miami-Dade, mientras los fuertes vientos provenientes del mar continuaban con ráfagas de hasta 40 mph en la costa.

Se pronosticaron lluvias de rápido desplazamiento que avanzarían desde el mar hacia tierra durante el lunes, con temperaturas en los 80 grados Fahrenheit.

Una advertencia de inundaciones costeras estaba vigente para Broward, Miami-Dade y los Cayos superiores del condado Monroe. Un aviso de inundaciones costeras estaba vigente para los Cayos inferiores.

Más información de la Autoridad del Tiempo

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María Corina Machado, who was awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, was in Caracas on Sunday after more than 10 months in exile.

“We close with Caracas and its energy,” Machado wrote on X late Sunday. “Thank you, Venezuela.”

Edmundo González announced that he will be returning “very soon.” President Donald Trump said he hopes the “very nice woman” who gave him her Nobel Prize is safe.

Machado’s return was “the direct result of the U.S. supported reconciliation talks,” U.S. State Secretary Marco Rubio wrote on X.

Trump and Rubio have been cooperating with Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodriguez since U.S. forces captured Nicolás Maduro on Jan. 3 in Caracas.

María Corina Machado, quien recibió el Premio Nobel de la Paz 2025, se encontraba en Caracas el domingo después de más de 10 meses en el exilio.

“Cerramos con Caracas y su energía”, escribió Machado en X la noche del domingo. “Gracias, Venezuela”.

Edmundo González anunció que regresará “muy pronto”. El presidente Donald Trump dijo que espera que la “mujer muy agradable” que le entregó su Premio Nobel esté a salvo.

El regreso de Machado fue “el resultado directo de las conversaciones de reconciliación respaldadas por Estados Unidos”, escribió el secretario de Estado de Estados Unidos, Marco Rubio, en X.

Trump y Rubio han estado cooperando con la presidenta encargada de Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, desde que las fuerzas estadounidenses capturaron a Nicolás Maduro el 3 de enero en Caracas.

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There was a wind advisory in effect for metro Broward and Miami-Dade counties, as a strong onshore wind continued with gusts up to 40mph at the coast.

Fast-moving showers were forecast to move onshore through Monday with temperatures in the 80s.

A coastal flood warning was in effect for Broward, Miami-Dade, and the upper keys in Monroe County. A coastal flood advisory was in effect for the lower keys.

More from the Weather Authority

A few steps to his left, right, front or back and a big red “X” appears on the video board above home plate. That’s not good.

If he stays on that little island of dirt in a sea of grass, a big ‘O’ appears and the video board is green. Much better.

Welcome to Major League Baseball’s newest experiment in its long-running quest to juice the game’s sluggish offense: Restricting the positioning of outfielders on every at-bat. The idea is that making outfielders play straight up — instead of adjusting for individual hitters’ tendencies — will lead to more doubles and triples.

“The hardest part is cutting off doubles in the gap and they’re even turning into triples,” DeBarge said. “That’s what they told us they wanted in the beginning. So it works.”

Infielders also have new positioning requirements when there are no runners on base, limiting how much they can shift for a hitter’s tendencies.

The Arizona Fall League has long been a testing ground for the next generation of MLB players, and lately, it’s also been a venue for testing potential rules changes. As an example, the AFL was experimenting with the current Automated Ball-Strike system long before it hit the big leagues in 2026.

MLB feels that the AFL is a good opportunity to test rules in a relatively low-stakes environment. The league declined official comment on the most recent experiment, and any change to big-league rules would still be years away.

The outfield positioning experiment is limited to just games that are played at Salt River Fields, since it has similar technology to MLB parks.

“We talked to our guys about embracing it, it only happens in our ballpark, so embrace it and move on,” Salt River manager Ted Tom said. “There’s going to be some things that we’ve never seen before. That’s OK, just keep playing.”

MLB still searching for more offense

The rules package that MLB debuted in 2023 has widely been seen as a success. The pitch clock was the biggest change — and drastically reduced game times — but there were also tweaks that included rules on infield shifts, bigger bases and a limit on how many times a pitcher could disengage from the rubber.

The idea was to make the games faster and increase offense.

The former objective was definitely achieved. The latter, not so much.

Most of MLB’s offensive numbers have barely budged since the new rules package was debuted. Game times are about 25 minutes shorter and stolen bases are up, but batting average (.243 in 2022 and .244 in 2026), runs per game (4.28 in 2022, 4.48 in 2026) and hits per game (8.16 in 2022, 8.20 in 2026) haven’t changed much.

The lack of offense is even more stark during MLB’s postseason. Through Game 2 of the World Series, teams have combined for a .216 batting average through 37 games.

A good pitcher’s duel certainly has its merits, but the occasional 12-8 score can keep fans engaged, too. Doubles and triples are exciting, and MLB wants to see more of them.

“The pros are that you’re never out of the game, it’s very exciting for the fans and there’s lots of action, which is part of the intention,” Tom said.

Doubles, triples galore

The experimental rules force outfielders at Salt River Fields to play much more shallow than they would in most situations, which means they are forced to go back on fly balls much more often than normal.

The flip side is that there are almost no bloop singles.

“It’s a give and take,” Washington Nationals prospect Teo Banks said. “Your first move is always back with how shallow you are — lots of running. But I think there’s some part of strategy that’s taken away with something like this.”

Banks wasn’t kidding about the running. The left fielder was discussing the new rules after Scottsdale beat Salt River 15-8 during Thursday’s game that featured five triples — which was an AFL record.

There’s little question that the experiment is having an effect. But is it too much of a change?

Tom — the Salt River manager — thought about the question for a moment and then gave a little grin before mimicking a zipper across his lips.

Some things are better left unsaid.

___

See AP’s full MLB coverage here

Those agreements, announced Monday, are intended to provide “significant integrity protections for NBA-related markets,” including limitations on what can be offered on those exchanges, transparency when it comes to suspicious patterns by site users, and banning league and team personnel from making trades related to league events.

The prediction markets will have “information-sharing obligations relating to investigations and suspicious trading,” the NBA said. The NBA has had similar guardrails in place with its sportsbook partners for some time and has cited instances where that system has flagged irregularities in betting patterns.

“If you’re going to be betting on our games or trading on our games or playing fantasy around our games, it’s better for it to be regulated than unregulated,” said Scott Kaufman-Ross, the NBA’s head of media distribution and partnerships. “And clearly, our fans have interest in this activity. So, we’re in a better position to protect the integrity of our games in a regulated market where there’s transparency, where things can be monitored and we have insight into what’s happening.”

The NBA is also expanding its agreements with current official sports betting partners, such as DraftKings, to include their prediction-market offerings. Not all states offer legalized sports betting but predictions markets — at least on some level — are essentially available in all 50 states.

More than a dozen states are involved in litigation over prediction markets and earlier this month the NFL asked the Supreme Court to rule on the regulation of such markets. The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission contends that it has exclusive jurisdiction on oversight, though some states believe it should fall under their purview.

Earlier this month, the NBA told sportsbooks they will not be permitted to offer certain types of wagering this season, including but not limited to which players record the first stat of a game, the outcome of the opening tip and taking the “under” involving players not expected to play more than a few minutes. The deals announced on Monday are expected to have similar restraints.

“A big part of this is a limitation on the types of markets that can be offered,” Kaufman-Ross said. “We will have the right to approve the types of markets that are available on our games, which is a very important component for us. And we’ve had very constructive dialogues with the companies as part of that.”

The NBA’s memorandum of understanding with the CFTC “reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that NBA-related prediction markets are subject to appropriate regulatory oversight and integrity protections,” the league said.

Kalshi and Polymarket, as part of their partnerships with the NBA, will now be able to describe themselves as the “Preferred Prediction Market Exchange of the NBA,” plus have access to league intellectual property such as logos, be able to get NBA statistical data from league partner Sportradar “to operate and settle authorized NBA-related markets,” and other marketing activations.

The terms of the NBA’s agreements with Kalshi and Polymarket were not disclosed, other than the league confirming that they are for multiple years. There are NBA stars with business relationships with those markets; Miami’s Giannis Antetokounmpo has promoted Kalshi and Philadelphia’s LeBron James recently signed a deal with Polymarket. At least one other NBA star, San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama, recently said he will never endorse such sites.

___

See AP’s full NBA coverage here

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Anthony Rivers III fired a weapon at about 8 p.m. on Saturday near Perry and Manatee Streets, according to the Tallahassee Police Department.

“What should have been a weekend of celebration in our community instead became a night of fear and violence for the victims and their families,” Chief Lawrence Revell said in a statement.

Leon County State Attorney Jack Campbell said the teen faced 11 counts of attempted second-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a delinquent.

“While this arrest marks a significant step forward, our work is far from over,” Revell said. “We remain committed to holding those responsible accountable and getting answers for every family impacted by this tragedy.”

Revell asked anyone with information about the shooting to call 850-891-4610 and use the department’s evidence submission portal.

Location

Anthony Rivers III disparó un arma alrededor de las 8 p.m. del sábado cerca de las calles Perry y Manatee, según el Departamento de Policía de Tallahassee.

“Lo que debería haber sido un fin de semana de celebración en nuestra comunidad se convirtió en una noche de miedo y violencia para las víctimas y sus familias”, dijo el jefe de policía Lawrence Revell en un comunicado.

El fiscal estatal del condado Leon, Jack Campbell, dijo que el adolescente enfrentaba 11 cargos de intento de asesinato en segundo grado y posesión de un arma de fuego por parte de un delincuente juvenil.

“Aunque este arresto representa un avance significativo, nuestro trabajo está lejos de terminar”, dijo Revell. “Seguimos comprometidos a responsabilizar a los culpables y obtener respuestas para cada familia afectada por esta tragedia”.

Revell pidió a cualquier persona que tenga información sobre la balacera que llame al 850-891-4610 y utilice el portal del departamento para presentar pruebas.

Ubicación

The timing of this storm system couldn’t be any worse with the peak of king tides ongoing across South Florida.

This will lead to significant coastal flooding during times of high tide. High tides are at 9:44 a.m. and 9:48 p.m. today and 10:31 a.m. and 10:34 p.m. tomorrow at Virginia Key.

A few showers are possible on the breeze from the Atlantic. Some rain could be heavy at times. We will be drier later this week as the winds gradually weaken.

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November hurricanes aren’t exactly uncommon – they’ve happened on average about once every other year in the satellite era (since 1966) – but when they form, they tend to do so away from the U.S. and stay out to sea.

As we discussed in Friday’s newsletter, November hurricane hits on the mainland U.S. are rare, having occurred only about once every 50 years on average.

So it’s not a terrible surprise when forecast models grow increasingly quiet this time of year. Looking ahead over the next few weeks, the Atlantic basin will settle into a more winter-like pattern, with strong jet stream winds migrating southward through Florida and into the Gulf, Caribbean, and wider tropical Atlantic. As upper-level winds ramp up for the winter, the incidence of tropical contenders will quickly dial back.

Coastal flooding and dangerous surf along the southeast U.S. this week

Although a non-tropical area of low pressure south and east of Florida is teaming up with a staunch region of high pressure over the southeastern U.S. to funnel strong winds above tropical storm strength (at least 39 mph winds) into Florida and the Atlantic coast to start the week – coinciding with the highest astronomical tides of the year to produce widespread moderate to major coastal flooding and dangerous surf conditions – the low pressure will stay broad and decidedly non-tropical as it lingers around the Florida Straits this week.

Otherwise, the Gulf, Caribbean, and tropical Atlantic will turn largely dormant into at least the first week of November.

Lula, who convinced an extra 10.4 million voters to support him in the runoff, is expected to take office on Jan. 5, 2027, for his fourth non-consecutive term. He will serve as a counterweight in a region where leaders are shifting to the right and aligning with U.S. President Donald Trump. Bolsonaro, son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, promised to cozy up to the Trump administration.

At a news conference Sunday, Bolsonaro said he planned to request an annulment of the election following a chaotic extension of voting at the request of both candidates. However, it's unclear what legal avenue he would have to do that. His father also contested his loss to Lula four years ago and now serves a 27-year prison sentence for a coup attempt.

Early signs from Brazil’s institutions and from leaders across the region, including conservative presidents who oppose Lula, suggest the results will be respected nationally and internationally. Trump has yet to weigh in.

Even with the vote extension, Lula’s win was decisive. The soon-to-be 81-year-old incumbent won more than 64 million votes compared to just under 60 million for Bolsonaro, a margin of nearly 4%.

President of Brazil’s electoral authority, Kassio Nunes, who was appointed to the Supreme Court by ex-president Jair Bolsonaro, was among those who recognized Lula’s victory Sunday.

“This is a really uphill battle for Flavio Bolsonaro. Important Brazilian power brokers are closing ranks behind Lula, sometimes begrudgingly," said Brian Winter, Brazil analyst and editor-in-chief of Americas Quarterly.

“I sense that Brazilian power brokers that matter don’t really want to go down the path of a truly contested election,” he said.

The numbers behind Lula's victory

The key to Lula’s win was the additional 14.1 million voters who showed up for the second-round election, including those who voted for other candidates in the first round. Analysts say three-quarters of those votes went to Lula, handing him the victory. And notably, the first round set a record for the number of Brazilians who decided not to vote, while the second round had the least number of abstentions ever.

Lula gave his digital campaign to lawmaker André Janones, who mounted a fierce and persistent social media operation that mobilized many of those previously uncommitted voters. Janones' key tool was a channel on messaging app WhatsApp called “Lula's Army,” which gathered almost 11 million people and mobilized them to campaign via social media for the incumbent.

Janones “basically embraced the right’s style of aggressive politics, very intense, constant messaging,” said Oliver Stuenkel, a professor of International Relations at Fundação Getulio Vargas in Sao Paulo.

“The defeat in the first round jolted the Lula campaign into action. The strategy during the first round was lackluster and saw a lot of infighting,” Stuenkel said.

Juliano Cortinhas, international relations professor at the University of Brasília, said Lula's social media initiative in the runoff was also key to pressuring Meta, the owner of Instagram, WhatsApp and Facebook, to end what the president's campaign denounced as bias helping Bolsonaro.

Brazil’s top electoral court ruled on Oct.15 that Meta must adopt measures that assure equal treatment of the two presidential candidates, which the company later said it addressed.

There was “external interference we were suffering by major platforms,” Cortinhas said. “It wasn't only Meta, many others were using their algorithms to repost many images and many messages of the far-right, and they did not do the same to the left.”

It was the first time since 1989 that a candidate came from behind in the first round to win in the second.

Results show voter turnout surged overall, particularly in wealthier metropolitan centers, but Lula achieved his highest gains in lower-income municipalities where his base was already established. He mobilized former non-voters, those who voted blank in the first round and supporters of third-party candidates.

Jorge Henrique Oliveira Sena, a 26-year-old maintenance worker in Brasilia, was one of those who didn’t vote in the first round. Neither candidate excited him much, but he cast his vote for Lula. “It’s not a question of supporting, but between the two, I had more of a connection with him,” he said.

Brazil's voting system and Sunday's disruptions

Brazil holds general elections every four years, and its electronic voting machines have made the tallying process quick and secure.

Brazilian authorities adopted electronic voting machines in the 1990s to combat fraud and the system has been largely reliable since then. Results are usually reported mere hours after polls close.

In the lead-up to the 2022 vote, Jair Bolsonaro repeatedly cast unfounded doubts on Brazil’s electronic voting system. No significant fraud has ever been detected.

But the usually swift voting process was thrown into disarray Sunday after a last-minute decision to extend voting nationwide at both candidates’ requests.

Lula made the request because of issues with public transportation in metropolis, Sao Paulo, and the northeastern city of Salvador, two of his strongholds. Bolsonaro requested it after heavy rains in the south, which he won by a strong margin in the first round.

The decision was made by a Supreme Court justice mere minutes before polls were set to close at 5 p.m. and the speed of Brazil’s counting process meant many polling stations didn’t receive the news until they were already wrapping up.

Yet given the reliability of Brazil's voting system and Lula's win by a significant margin, a path to annul the results could be difficult for Bolsonaro.

Benjamin Gedan, senior fellow and director of the Stimson Center Latin America program, said Bolsonaro's rejection of his loss was not surprising.

“False claims of fraud are becoming commonplace, though that does not make them any less dangerous," he said. He noted “Lula’s margin of victory, and the quick recognition of the result by conservative leaders in the region."

Nevertheless, Lula still faces challenges moving forward, including political polarization in the country, a possible fiscal crisis and a right-wing Congress in which Bolsonaro's party will have more seats than any other. Bolsonaro himself remains a senator, though his term ends in January.

“We shouldn’t underestimate the power of the Bolsonaro family," said Winter, the Brazil analyst. "They can make life difficult for Lula for weeks and months to come.”

___

Savarese reported from Sao Paulo.

Los huracanes en noviembre no son precisamente poco comunes, ya que se han registrado, en promedio, aproximadamente uno cada dos años durante la era satelital (desde 1966). Sin embargo, cuando se forman, tienden a hacerlo lejos de Estados Unidos y permanecen en el mar.

Como analizamos en el boletín del viernes, los huracanes que impactan el territorio continental de Estados Unidos en noviembre son poco frecuentes, ya que han ocurrido, en promedio, aproximadamente una vez cada 50 años.

Por lo tanto, no es una gran sorpresa que los modelos de pronóstico muestren cada vez menos actividad en esta época del año. De cara a las próximas semanas, la cuenca del Atlántico adoptará un patrón más parecido al invierno, con fuertes vientos de la corriente en chorro desplazándose hacia el sur a través de Florida y hacia el Golfo, el Caribe y el Atlántico tropical en general. A medida que los vientos en los niveles superiores de la atmósfera se intensifiquen durante el invierno, la posibilidad de formación de sistemas tropicales disminuirá rápidamente.

Inundaciones costeras y oleaje peligroso a lo largo del sureste de Estados Unidos esta semana

Aunque un área de baja presión no tropical al sur y este de Florida se está combinando con una fuerte zona de alta presión sobre el sureste de Estados Unidos para canalizar vientos intensos que superan la fuerza de una tormenta tropical (vientos de al menos 39 mph) hacia Florida y la costa del Atlántico al inicio de la semana, coincidiendo con las mareas astronómicas más altas del año y provocando inundaciones costeras generalizadas de moderadas a graves y condiciones de oleaje peligroso, el área de baja presión permanecerá amplia y claramente no tropical mientras se mantiene cerca del estrecho de Florida durante esta semana.

Por lo demás, el Golfo, el Caribe y el Atlántico tropical permanecerán prácticamente sin actividad al menos hasta la primera semana de noviembre.

“Can you guys put pressure on them?” Embiid said with a laugh. “I want to play tomorrow, so start writing articles and put pressure on them so they’ll let me play.”

Not even the power of the pen can aid Embiid in playing consecutive games.

The Sixers smartly rested their All-Star center — no one game in October in the NBA is worth the potential of long-term harm — and then they went out and got smoked Sunday night by the Detroit Pistons.

LeBron James is in Philadelphia, and that's a good thing. Jaylen Brown has an NBA Finals MVP on his resume and is serving up one-liners about lamb and gravy in his rivalry with a former Boston teammate.

No matter the star power added to the roster, the natural growth of homegrown talent such as Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, the 76ers have always since his 2016 debut — and will always — win as much and go as far in the postseason as Embiid will take them.

The Sixers were outrebounded 54-37 and trailed by 21 points in their first loss of the season to the Pistons. The Pistons pounded the inside and scored 24 second-chance points. They got the kind of looks that only get tougher to attempt when Embiid is in the lineup.

So yes, with the Sixers already thin in frontcourt depth, it was up to James to man a bulk of the minutes at center. The 41-year-old James won the opening tip for the Sixers.

The Pistons won everything else.

“We’re going to have those moments where we have different lineups out there throughout the course of the season,” James said. “I think the more minutes we get, the more games that we get under our belt, the more time we get, we’ll know what works well for us.”

James scored 18 points, grabbed two rebounds and was a minus-22 going up against Paul Reed, and the Sixers were left to hope his presence at center was nothing more than a cameo.

The Sixers were a whopping plus-49 with Embiid on the court over the first three games and minus-25 with him off it.

“I mean (heck), we've got an MVP over there,” James said as he looked in the direction of Embiid's locker.

“I'm not here to have a sustainable role at the five. We've got Joel Embiid at the five. I don't see it being a sustainable role but it's a role that we know we can tap into if we needed. But sustainable playing the five? If I was to say I was signing here to have a sustainable role at the five, I don't think none of us would actually want that.”

The Sixers also played without big men Dominick Barlow (back), Jabari Walker (knee) and 7-foot-6 center Tacko Fall. Fall has yet to play this season with a left quadriceps strain.

“We've got a 7-7 guy over there who hasn't played. That would help," James quipped.

Even with Embiid and his 11 boards in the lineup against the Bucks, the Sixers were still outrebounded 62-39.

Maxey, a first-time All-Star starter last season, had a suggestion to fix the rebounding woes.

“Some of our tall guys could come back,” Maxey said with a smile. “That would be great. We've just got to hit, box out, try to fight. We've got to figure it out.”

James took inspiration from Detroit's bench where Taurean Prince sat and watched the game. Prince didn't play but he is responsible for one of the great viral interview moments in NCAA Tournament history when he deadpanned the definition of a rebound after his Baylor team was outrebounded by Yale.

“In the great words of Taurean Prince, who I saw tonight on the bench,” James said, “a good friend of mine, so, the ball goes up into the air. You go grab the ball. That's what we've got to do, man. They got more of those than we did.”

So the Sixers did what they do so many times when Embiid doesn't play and took the loss.

Let him sit. One game won't hurt. It's when those absences start stacking up that always doom the Sixers.

Even if one of the greats can take his place.

___

See AP’s full NBA coverage here

Higher Education Minister Philippe Baptiste announced “substantial change” to the platform for 2027, before its replacement the following year.

The system, called Parcoursup, handles applications to universities and other higher education courses. It has been a focus of the protests, with students criticizing unclear selection criteria and unequal access to their preferred courses.

Two high school student groups welcomed some concessions, but called for protests to continue. Their representatives spoke after meeting with Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu earlier Monday, before the ministers’ news conference.

The announcements at a news conference followed France’s worst unrest in years on Oct. 17, when demonstrations over school funding and rising living costs descended into rioting and looting across the country. Groups of protesters set fires, stormed public buildings — including Marseille’s City Hall — looted shops and clashed with police.

Another round of nationwide demonstrations on Saturday saw less violence. Authorities estimated turnout at more than 400,000, while organizers put it at nearly 800,000.

Lecornu and other government officials met with representatives of high school and university students Monday before the announcements.

Earlier Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron promised “concrete measures” to address students’ demands during a visit to the southern port city of Marseille.

“I have asked the government to address the legitimate demands at the root of this protest movement,” Macron said.

Macron and his centrist government have faced criticism for failing to address students’ grievances since high school blockades began in mid-September. The protests have led to mass arrests and scrutiny of police riot-control weapons blamed for life-changing injuries suffered by some teenagers.

Students’ demands for better learning conditions have also included more teachers to cover staff absences, school renovations, changes to teaching hours and smaller classes. On Oct. 8, the government said that it would deploy 3,000 additional substitute teachers to struggling high schools.

The demands for better-resourced schools, particularly in poorer communities, come as France grapples with record poverty and record public debt.

Halfway up, they found a massive abandoned excavator fitted with an attachment designed to tear down trees.

The discovery came a day after the men had found a makeshift camp at the foot of the mountain that they believed had been used by Chinese loggers. Packets of masala powder and bottles of soy sauce remained in the cooking area. They spent the night there, stringing their hammocks from the camp’s makeshift wooden structures before setting off up the mountain the following morning.

Beyond the excavator, near the summit, they found another camp, with pieces of plastic tarp, aluminum mugs and other items left behind.

“We knew that some people come here, but we didn’t know that they are doing logging,” Vola, 31, said, pointing into the distance at the summit of Ebbatop mountain. “This part is supposed to be untouched.”

As roads, logging and gold mining encroach deeper into Saamaka territory, communities are turning to modern technology to defend forests protected for generations — using satellite images, GPS mapping and patrols to track incursions.

In villages such as Tutubuka, officially known as Nieuw Aurora, along the Upper Suriname River, residents hope the evidence will help secure government recognition of their traditional forest management system, nearly two decades after an international court ordered Suriname to recognize their collective land rights, a ruling that remains largely unfulfilled.

Last year, Suriname pledged to protect 90% of its tropical forests and strengthen conservation laws, potentially including legal recognition of the ancestral lands of Indigenous and tribal communities. The small South American country between Guyana, French Guiana and Brazil has a population of about 650,000 and is about 93% forested. Its forests span parts of the Amazon rainforest and Guiana Shield and absorb more greenhouse gases than the country emits.

Tribal territories in Suriname have lost nearly 154,000 hectares (380,500 acres) of forest since 2001 — roughly twice the size of New York City. Nationwide, about 200,000 hectares (494,000 acres) of humid primary forest were lost between 2002 and 2025, according to Global Nature Watch.

Mapping forests protected for generations

The Saamaka are one of Suriname’s six communities descended from Africans who escaped slavery on Dutch plantations and established autonomous settlements deep in the forest in the 17th and 18th centuries. After decades of fighting Dutch colonial forces, they secured a peace agreement in 1762 recognizing their freedom and autonomy. About 60,000 Saamaka people live in Suriname, according to the Association of Saamaka Communities, often called VSG.

For generations, Saamaka clans have governed how their forests can be used through traditional agreements, setting aside areas for farming while protecting others for their spiritual, cultural or historical importance.

Now, communities are mapping these traditionally protected areas to document their forest management system and strengthen their case for government recognition. They named the initiative Apaki in November 2025, after a container made from dried calabash fruit traditionally used to preserve food, symbolizing their efforts to safeguard the forest for future generations.

Hugo Jabini, managing director of VSG and a longtime land rights advocate, said roads are increasingly opening traditionally protected areas to outsiders. Jabini said the Palmera road, which began expanding in 2022 despite Saamaka opposition, now stretches roughly 253 kilometers (157 miles), according to community mapping, opening access to one of the most important Apaki areas.

Jabini, who won the Goldman Environmental Prize in 2009, grew up without a road linking his community to Paramaribo. When he first traveled to the capital to continue his education, part of the journey took four days by boat. From the late 1980s, roads began reaching deeper into Saamaka territory, turning journeys of days into hours — while opening once-inaccessible forests to outsiders.

“Within a couple of months,” he said, the road had pushed deep into the forest. “That’s how fast things go.”

John Goedschalk, an adviser to the president of Suriname on climate and biodiversity finance, said the government recognizes the Saamaka’s longstanding role in protecting the country’s forests and is open to working directly with their traditional authorities.

“Their mapping and satellite monitoring can help us enforce where the State alone cannot reach,” said Goedschalk.

He said talks with Saamaka leaders on forest protection are taking place in October and that the government is updating its legal framework to allow community-protected areas to be formally established.

Jabini, however, said he was unaware of any plans for such talks.

Satellites reveal new incursions

The documenting effort increasingly combines knowledge passed down through generations with satellite images and digital maps.

Sara Ramírez, a Colombian researcher working with VSG, said satellite analysis has detected changes in areas so remote that community members initially struggled to believe what they were seeing. Higher-resolution imagery later confirmed signs of activity in one such area.

The information can then guide helicopter flyovers or patrols like the one Vola joined, allowing communities to investigate suspicious clearings or roads first spotted from above.

“They have the information, and then they have the resources to go and check what is happening,” Ramírez said.

Ramírez said the technology is not replacing traditional knowledge but helping the Saamaka document a system outsiders have often failed to recognize. After elders saw maps and satellite images showing new logging and mining during a meeting, some concluded that they needed to formally document Apaki so outsiders could better understand how they have long managed their forests.

The Associated Press joined a helicopter flyover to see firsthand the expansion of logging and gold mining on Saamaka territory, much of it illegal and none approved by Saamaka authorities. From the air, the damage observed was far less extensive than in Colombia, Peru and Brazil, which are already heavily scarred from years of illegal mining and logging. But new roads and small clearings pushing into largely intact forest offered signs of how that footprint is quickly expanding in Suriname.

Natasha Donu, 49, secretary of VSG, said she was shocked by the scale of the new destruction.

“I’m very worried, because I didn’t know that many places were still being destroyed like that,” Donu said just after seeing the latest findings. "There are some places we weren’t expecting to see deforestation.”

Jabini said communities are also training young people to monitor the forest and collect data that can support complaints, negotiations and legal action.

Mapping alone cannot protect the forest

Mapping the forests will help the Saamaka document incursions and strengthen their case for government protection, but it does not give them legal title to the land.

In 2007, the Saamaka won a landmark case at the Inter-American Court of Human Rights after challenging logging and mining concessions granted in their traditional territory. The court ruled that Suriname had violated their property rights and ordered the government to demarcate their territory and grant them collective title. Nearly two decades later, Jabini says key parts of the legally binding ruling remain unimplemented, leaving communities without the legal authority to control what happens on their land.

Goedschalk, the adviser to Suriname’s president, said the president has imposed a moratorium on new gold mining concessions and extensions to ease pressure on the country’s interior. He also pointed to Suriname’s commitment to maintain 90% forest cover, saying cooperation with communities such as the Saamaka would be essential to meeting that goal.

Opposing mining interests can carry personal risks

Jabini said he received a death threat earlier this year after Saamaka communities challenged a gold-mining concession near Paba Creek, a major Apaki protected area. He reported the threat to police and temporarily changed his movements. Earlier threats drove him to live in the Netherlands from 2016 to 2022. Since returning, he said, he has taken greater security precautions and avoids publicizing his whereabouts.

There are divisions within Saamaka communities, too. Gold mining provides income for some residents, and Jabini acknowledges that those who depend on it may support the industry’s expansion, even as others fight to keep it out of protected forests. With Suriname preparing for an offshore oil boom, questions are also growing about how new wealth and development could affect the country’s forested interior.

For Saamaka leaders, the maps offer evidence of what their communities have protected for generations. But lasting protection, they say, depends on the government recognizing their territorial rights and stopping unwanted incursions.

For Vola, who helped lead the forest patrol, the stakes extend far beyond his own lifetime.

“This is our wealth and this is what we are fighting for,” he said. “Maybe a thousand generations from now, this must still be here like how our ancestors left it for us.”

___

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

A fight broke out before the shooting Saturday night, and it appears that none of the victims were intended targets, according to Tallahassee police. The youngest victim is 11 years old.

Authorities arrested Anthony Rivers III on Sunday and charged him with attempted second-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a delinquent, police said in a statement. Court records did not indicate whether Rivers has an attorney who could comment on the charges.

The teen appeared in court Monday for a brief hearing, where a judge ordered that he remain in jail. Prosecutors will move his case to adult court, State Attorney Jack Campbell said.

A surveillance camera captured some of the shooting, Campbell said, but he said investigators are searching for more video and want to talk with witnesses to piece together what happened.

The shooting erupted near a street corner just outside Bragg Memorial Stadium after Florida A&M lost to Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Eleven people were hit by gunfire and another person — a grandmother of one of the shooting victims — was injured while running away. Six of those hurt were minors, police said.

Police Chief Lawrence Revell said the area was so crowded at the time that ambulances were unable to get through to where the shooting happened.

Officers carried the wounded through the crowds to emergency vehicles so that the victims could be taken to hospitals, he said.

The shooting stemmed from an isolated dispute between just a few people, Revell said. Investigators are looking for others who might have been involved and more arrests are possible, he said.

At least three of the victims suffered serious injuries, authorities said. One was in critical condition as of Sunday, police said, but no other updates have been released on the wounded.

Video surfaced on social media of people fleeing in terror. The area was packed with people leaving the game and homecoming celebration.

Nigerian Health Minister Muhammad Pate said the woman, the country’s first case in the current outbreak, left the capital, Abuja, early Monday with his approval. Her condition had improved significantly, and she was stable, conscious and able to communicate, he said.

“This does not mean she is not still infectious, hence the strict protocols in place,” Pate wrote on X. Her husband, a Swiss diplomat in Nigeria, has shown no symptoms.

Switzerland’s Federal Office of Public Health said the couple arrived Monday on a medical evacuation flight. The woman was being treated at Geneva University Hospital, while her husband was in isolation at Zurich University Hospital. The agency said both hospitals were equipped to care for them and that there was no risk to the Swiss public.

The World Health Organization’s regional director for Africa, Mohamed Janabi, said the evacuation was arranged because the couple are Swiss citizens and that Nigerian medical teams had stabilized the woman after treating her through the acute phase of the illness.

Nigeria will continue monitoring 52 other contacts, Janabi said.

“With the evacuation of the patient and her husband, Nigeria currently has no Ebola cases,” he said, stressing that vigilance remained critical.

Pate said containment measures remained in place and urged Nigerians to remain vigilant.

The woman tested positive after returning to Abuja from Uganda. Nigerian authorities said Friday they had yet to establish how she contracted the virus.

Switzerland’s foreign ministry told The Associated Press last week that she had not visited Congo and was believed to have been infected while traveling to Uganda with her husband.

The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the first patients in Nigeria and Kenya had both traveled through Uganda’s Entebbe International Airport on Oct. 3. Uganda had previously reported Ebola cases but later declared itself free of the virus.

Kenya has recorded nine cases, including two deaths, since confirming its first case earlier this month.

On Monday, Kenya released 20 people from quarantine following their exposure to the virus as contacts of the country's first case, while 98 others were expected to be released starting next Tuesday.

“Each of the 20 contacts was assessed against the release criteria, including 21 days without any symptoms since their last exposure,” the Kenyan Ministry of Health said in a statement.

The spread of Ebola beyond Congo has heightened longstanding fears among health authorities about the rapid transmission of the rare Bundibugyo virus.

The latest figures from Congo’s health ministry show more than 9,900 cases, including more than 4,800 deaths, since the outbreak began in May.

The WHO has said the outbreak is the fastest-spreading Ebola outbreak on record and is on track to surpass the death toll of the deadliest: West Africa’s 2014-2016 outbreak, which killed 11,000 people. Nigeria was among the countries affected, recording 20 cases before its outbreak was declared over after three months.

___

Banchereau reported from Dakar, Senegal. Evelyne Musambi contributed from Nairobi, Kenya.

The discovery highlights growing threats to one of the world’s most heavily forested countries, where roads, logging and gold mining are pushing deeper into largely intact rainforest.

Saamaka communities are fighting back with satellite images, GPS mapping and forest patrols, documenting areas they have protected for generations in hopes of securing government recognition of their traditional forest management system.

The Associated Press accompanied community patrols and a helicopter flyover to see how the Saamaka are responding to the incursions.

Here are takeaways from AP’s reporting:

Suriname’s largely intact forests face growing pressure

Suriname, a small South American country of about 650,000 people, remains roughly 93% forested. Its forests absorb more greenhouse gases than the country emits, making it one of the world’s few carbon-negative countries.

But expanding roads are opening previously inaccessible areas to logging and gold mining. Tribal territories have lost nearly 154,000 hectares (380,500 acres) of forest since 2001, roughly twice the size of New York City.

During a helicopter flyover, the AP witnessed new roads and clearings pushing into largely intact forest. The damage was less extensive than in parts of neighboring Amazon countries, but offered signs of expanding development in Suriname’s interior.

Saamaka communities combine traditional knowledge with modern technology

For generations, Saamaka clans have governed how their forests are used through traditional agreements, setting aside areas for farming while protecting others for their spiritual, cultural or historical importance.

Now, communities are mapping those traditionally protected areas under an initiative called Apaki, named after a container made from dried calabash fruit traditionally used to preserve food. Just as the container keeps food safe, the initiative aims to safeguard the forest for future generations and strengthen the case for government recognition of their traditional forest management system.

Satellite images help identify suspicious clearings and roads, while GPS mapping, forest patrols and helicopter flyovers allow communities to document incursions on the ground. Young people are also being trained to collect evidence that can support complaints and legal action.

The aim is to document a forest management system that has existed for generations and strengthen the case for its formal recognition by the government.

A landmark land rights ruling remains largely unfulfilled

In 2007, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights ordered Suriname to recognize the Saamaka’s collective land rights after ruling that the government had violated their property rights by granting logging and mining concessions on their traditional territory.

Nearly two decades later, Saamaka leaders say key parts of the ruling remain unimplemented, leaving communities without the legal authority to control development on their land.

John Goedschalk, an adviser to Suriname’s president, said the government is updating its legal framework to allow community-protected areas to be formally established. He also said the president had imposed a moratorium on new gold mining concessions and extensions.

But defending the forest carries risks. Hugo Jabini, managing director of the Association of Saamaka Communities, said he received a death threat earlier this year after communities challenged a mining concession near a protected forest area.

For Navaldo Vola, 31, who helped lead the forest patrol, the fight is about preserving the forest for future generations.

“This is our wealth and this is what we are fighting for,” he said. “Maybe a thousand generations from now, this must still be here like how our ancestors left it for us.” ___

Follow Steven Grattan on Instagram: @steven.grattan.

___

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

The filing sets up the San Francisco company for a Wall Street debut next month, potentially eclipsing the SpaceX initial public offering in June that raised a record $86 billion. An Anthropic IPO would also put the company ahead of OpenAI in going public in what is expected to be a pair of blockbuster stock debuts for the rival AI labs.

An IPO could provide Anthropic with enormous resources to accelerate its expansion. The amount the company ultimately raises remains uncertain, as do its final valuation and offering price, but even at lower estimates, it would turn the five-year-old startup into one of the world’s most valuable companies and potentially boost the wealth of CEO Dario Amodei and his sister and co-founder, Daniela, by billions of dollars.

The 335-page document showed Anthropic’s revenue is growing rapidly, reaching more than $16 billion in the first half of the year — 14 times its revenue from the same period last year. But like many other tech companies going public, the company behind the Claude chatbot has yet to turn a profit.

Despite the losses, Anthropic, valued earlier this year at $965 billion by private investors, is reportedly set to see that value rise to $1.5 trillion or possibly $2 trillion, although its final valuation has not been established. At $1.5 trillion, Anthropic would rank among the world’s most valuable public companies, alongside Tesla.

As for money raised, the offering could bring in as much as $100 billion, according to reports, surpassing the record set by SpaceX.

In a regulatory filing, Anthropic said it will list its stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker symbol "ANT."

A Wall Street debut is planned in a jittery market

In the filing, the company said it could use some of that money on acquiring other businesses and technology as well as investing in infrastructure to grow its business to take on rivals.

Formed in 2021 by former OpenAI leaders, Anthropic is locked in a fight for dominance with that company. The two leaders, Amodei and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, are widely seen as bitter rivals.

But they have plenty of other competitors, including Google, newer startups in the U.S. and China and SpaceX, which has an AI business. Anthropic, OpenAI and SpaceX’s AI division have all been losing more money than they make because of the huge costs of resources in building AI, fueling concerns of a bubble.

The need for cash may explain why Anthropic is rushing to tap public markets this year, and not waiting until next year, as is OpenAI's plan. Adding to the pressure is the possibility demand for AI shares could drop, or even collapse. Investors have become jittery about the massive financing needs of the sector, and several tech companies have pulled IPO plans recently.

In addition to helping plug any cash shortfall, the IPO will shower extraordinary wealth on Anthropic’s seven founders, including Amodei and his sister. The filing didn't directly state their ownership stakes, but other figures disclosed suggest each will end up with 1.4% of the company, a windfall of as much as $28 billion a person should the company go public at the top expected value.

Risks aplenty, but a big payoff to the founders

Dario, 43, and 39-year-old Daniela, who is Anthropic's president, are worth $15.5 billion each, according to Forbes, which ranks them as the 176th and 177th richest in the world.

Anthropic reported a net loss of $80.7 billion in the first half of 2026, though its losses after taking out certain items were a small fraction of that, according to the filing. In the same period a year ago, Anthropic lost $13 billion.

Reflecting AI's dangers, the document includes some unusual provisions, including granting those two and their five other co-founders 50.1% of shareholder votes through a special class of shares. Anthropic also has appointed independent, financially disinterested members of a so-called Long-Term Benefit Trust, holding power to appoint directors, that is designed to ensure the company doesn’t put financial interests ahead of public safety.

Another unusual feature of the filing is its long list of “risk factors," a required disclosure for every public company but in this case one that runs nearly 100 pages — and makes for riveting reading.

Among the risks are the quotidian — the possibility it won't be able to retain key staff or navigate regulatory roadblocks — and the horrific. The latter includes the prospect of “malicious actors” using AI models to build chemical weapons, authoritarian rulers turning to the technology to crack down on their citizens and the possibility that its AI models could go rogue and “pose catastrophic or existential risks to humanity.”

Calls for an AI slowdown

Anthropic and other leading companies have touted the technology's potential to cure diseases and speed economic growth. But it also threatens major disruptions to jobs by reducing the need for human labor.

A string of hacking incidents by rogue AI agents also has raised fears the technology will slip free of human control to carry out harmful, life-threatening tasks.

In September, Amodei said the AI industry should slow its fast-moving development to give safety measures time to catch up. Without such a slowdown, Amodei warned AI could be capable of letting loose a swarm of agents that could take over the entire internet within six to 12 months.

He offered a plan in a post on his website to increase checks on the industry, noting that Anthropic is already undertaking part of this on its own. As for other steps, though, he said that would require coordination across the industry and with governments around the world, including authoritarian ones.

Clashes with the U.S. government

Anthropic has tried to set itself apart from other AI companies as the “good guys,” focusing on safety and responsible development as opposed to growing at all costs. Some of this sentiment stems from the company’s dispute with the U.S. government, which broke out in February when President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth accused Anthropic of endangering national security and designated the company a supply chain risk.

Anthropic sued the Pentagon over the supply chain risk designation in March for what it called an “unlawful campaign of retaliation” over its refusal to allow unrestricted military use of its technology. The legal challenge intensified an unusually public dispute over how AI can be used in warfare and mass surveillance.

ChatGPT maker OpenAI made its own deal to work with the Pentagon hours after the government punished Anthropic for its stance. Anthropic also filed a separate and narrower case involving a different rule the Pentagon is using to try to declare Anthropic a supply chain risk.

A California judge ruled in Anthropic’s favor in the first case and a Washington, D.C. judge sided with the government in the second. Both sides are appealing the decisions.

——

Bernard Condon reported from New York.

Also, President Donald Trump intensified his anti-Muslim rhetoric against Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed on Sunday, portraying him as a threat to national security and questioning his loyalty to the United States in remarks that drew a sharp rebuke from a former top Arab American ally.

Here's the latest:

Lawler pulls from Trump playbook with McDonald’s stop

Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler manned a McDonald’s drive-thru in New York’s Hudson Valley on Monday, hoping to grease the wheels on some last-minute voters before Election Day.

The move was similar to a political stunt President Donald Trump pulled two years ago, coming as Lawler tries to put some daylight between himself and the president in his battleground district.

It was hard to tell if patrons were lovin’ it, but some appeared to engage in some friendly chatting with the congressman as he handed out lunchtime orders while wearing an apron and visor.

Lawler is locked in a tight race with Democrat Cait Conley over his House district in New York City’s northern suburbs.

Trump and first lady to host trick-or-treating at the White House on Thursday

Thousands of costumed children, accompanied by their parents, are expected to participate.

Trump and first lady Melania Trump will hand out candy to trick-or-treaters during a portion of the Thursday afternoon event on the South Lawn. Ticketholders will include military families, law enforcement families, foster and adoptive families, and the children of administration officials, the White House said.

The Republican president is scheduled earlier Thursday to headline a campaign rally in South Carolina for Sen. Darline Graham.

Hegseth will attend Southeast Asia defense ministers' meeting

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is heading to an annual meeting with his Southeast Asian counterparts as they face tensions with China.

At the Association of Southeast Asian Nations defense ministers’ gathering in the Philippines this week, Hegseth will “hold bilateral and multilateral meetings to strengthen deterrence, advance key alliances and partnerships, and expand burden-sharing across the region,” the Pentagon announced Monday.

There are tensions in the region over Chinese claims on the waters of the South China Sea. The key trade route also has claims by the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.

Hegseth will gather with his regional counterparts as the U.S. has tried for years to focus on the Asia-Pacific as a way to counter China’s growing influence. That effort has been stymied by the conflict in the Middle East and the Trump administration’s stated goal to focus much of its military efforts on the Western Hemisphere.

Democrats outspending Republicans as ad spending in the Kansas Senate race nears $91M

Incumbent GOP Sen. Roger Marshall and Republican groups had spent about $39 million on television and other advertising as of Monday to help Marshall win a second term, according to the ad-tracking firm AdImpact.

However, Democratic challenger Adam Hamilton and Democratic groups topped $52 million.

Vice President JD Vance was traveling to Topeka on Monday for a rally to help Marshall.

It’s by far the most expensive campaign in Kansas history, and it’s considered a tossup even though Democrats haven’t won a Senate race in Kansas since 1932.

A big part of the gap in spending is tied to Marshall’s lackluster fundraising. Between the state’s August primary and Saturday, Marshall raised about $1.5 million, according to campaign finance reports available online. Hamilton raised $13.7 million.

Democrat Annie Andrews gets bipartisan endorsements in South Carolina Senate race

Two former South Carolina governors, Republican David Beasley and Democrat Jim Hodges, say that they’re putting aside political differences to back Andrews over GOP Sen. Darline Graham.

Hodges blocked Beasley from a second term in 1998.

Andrews’ campaign says more than 100 Republicans have joined her “Republicans for Annie” coalition. Last week, the son of GOP Rep. Ralph Norman said in an op-ed he was also supporting Andrews in the race that has appeared to tighten in its closing days.

Trump returns to South Carolina on Thursday to campaign with Graham for the second time in the general election.

Trump heads to Mississippi as the two parties prepare for final sprint ahead of Election Day

President Trump heads Monday to Mississippi, as he continues a closing midterm campaign blitz that highlights Republicans’ challenges ahead of an election that could drastically shift power in Washington and statehouses across the country.

Mississippi, among the nation’s most reliably Republican states, isn’t where the GOP envisioned needing a late-October stop from the president. But GOP Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith faces a stiff challenge from Scott Colom, one of many Democratic underdogs that have managed to expand the House and Senate battleground maps because of widespread voter discontent over inflation, the Iran war and other aspects of Trump’s second presidency.

The evening rally with Hyde-Smith will kick off a week that continues to pit Trump against former President Barack Obama, the Democrat he first succeeded in 2017, and former Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democrat he defeated in 2024 to return to power. Trump’s itinerary has been taking him to many states he won comfortably in 2024.

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Conservative group sends mailer with Susan Collins at a Biden bill signing

It’s rare when Joe Biden is mentioned in a positive way during this year’s midterms. But a mailer from a conservative group supporting Republican Sen. Susan Collins includes photos of her with the former Democratic president as it promotes her ability to work across the aisle.

The mailer, paid for by an organization called One Nation, focuses on Collins’ advocacy for Social Security.

Collins is the rare Republican incumbent running for reelection in a state that regularly supports Democrats for president. She’s running against Democrat Troy Jackson, the former president of the Maine Senate.

Maine has one of the oldest median ages in the country, making Social Security a key issue for many voters in the state.

Jackson and Collins have both pledged to protect the program.

Trump returning to South Carolina with Senate race appearing to tighten

He never campaigned for the late four-term Sen. Lindsey Graham in general elections, but now Trump is returning to South Carolina for a second time since a special primary to stump with Graham’s sister, who’s running to replace him.

Darline Graham won the Republican nomination earlier this year in a special GOP primary set up after her brother’s sudden death.

Trump's political operation says he’ll be with Republican candidates in Rock Hill on Thursday. Just south of Charlotte, the area also provides Trump with an opportunity to address the bruising Senate race in North Carolina.

Trump campaigned last week in Clemson with Darline Graham, who faces Democrat Annie Andrews in South Carolina’s Senate race.

Judge rules Maurene Comey, daughter of ex-FBI director, was unlawfully fired by Trump administration

Maurene Comey, the daughter of former FBI Director James Comey, was unlawfully fired from her job as a federal prosecutor in New York last year, a federal judge ruled Monday.

Judge Jesse M. Furman said Comey, who was an assistant U.S. attorney for a decade, was illegally fired in July 2025 despite her work on some of the nation’s highest-profile cases and consistently receiving “the highest accolades from supervisors and peers alike.”

After her firing, Comey sued the Justice Department and others, saying her termination violated the constitutional separation of powers, the First Amendment and the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment.

She asserted that she was fired because she was the daughter of James Comey, a longtime foe of President Trump, or because of her perceived political affiliation and beliefs, the judge noted.

The Justice Department didn’t immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

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Rubio to host G20 foreign ministers as global tensions complicate US relations with allies

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to Atlanta this week to host foreign ministers from the Group of 20 leading world economies as global unease over the Russia-Ukraine war and the situation with Iran is rising.

The State Department said Monday that Rubio would be in Atlanta on Friday and Saturday for the talks. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has been invited but not yet confirmed his attendance. The meeting is taking place amid new concerns over the U.S. commitment to Ukraine’s defense but also uncertainty over the Trump administration’s strategy on Iran.

The department said the meeting would focus on “geopolitical crises contributing to global economic shocks, including threats to freedom of navigation, energy and food security, and supply chains.”

6 citizens sue Trump, saying media ban deprives them of news as audience stakeholders

In the increasingly bitter legal standoff between President Trump and media outlets whose reporting he dislikes, a new and crucial third party has emerged: citizens who watch and read the news and need it to do their jobs.

A lawsuit filed Monday on behalf of six such citizens — effectively representing the audiences for the news media — argues that it’s not only the rights of news organizations that are violated when Trump bans them from White House premises. Even more fundamentally, the lawsuit argues, such bans violate the public’s right to independent reporting about its president and government.

“The ultimate injury here … is to the democratic public,” says the suit, filed in federal district court in New York against Trump and three key aides, including the White House chief of staff, Susie Wiles.

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Thune scrambles to save his Senate majority as voters voice concern over Iran war and gas prices

Senate Majority Leader John Thune says he wouldn’t be offended if some Republicans didn’t want to campaign with him. He knows he’s taken intense criticism from the party’s base — and from President Trump — for his chamber’s inability to pass voter legislation this year.

But Republican candidates in marquee Senate races have welcomed Thune’s help as he’s traveled around the country in the weeks before the midterm elections, scrambling to save his majority.

That includes Rep. Ashley Hinson in this deep red corner of Iowa, a state Republicans couldn’t have envisioned hosting a tossup race a year ago. Hinson is locked in a tight contest against Democrat Josh Turek to replace retiring Republican Sen. Joni Ernst.

The stakes for Thune and his party are enormous in Iowa and in several other traditionally Republican states as voters voice frustration with Trump, his war in Iran and high gasoline and grocery prices.

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Thousands of observers expected to descend on polling places to monitor voting on Election Day

Democrats and outside watchdogs are planning a massive presence at the polls on Election Day driven by concerns that President Trump will further leverage the vast resources of the federal government to interfere with a midterm that could hobble his final two years in office.

They won’t be the only ones there. A sprawling election protection effort on the left that’s expected to deploy tens of thousands of monitors will be met by the largest-ever monitoring program by the Justice Department and still more observers from Republican-aligned groups. The result could be unlike anything seen at the polls in modern times.

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Trump escalates anti-Muslim attacks against El-Sayed in Michigan, drawing Arab American rebuke

Trump intensified his anti-Muslim rhetoric against Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed on Sunday, portraying him as a threat to national security and questioning his loyalty to the United States in remarks that drew a sharp rebuke from a former top Arab American ally.

Trump called El-Sayed, a former Detroit health official, a “jihadist” who was “on the side of the terrorists” and would “have to go through a metal detector before he’s allowed to go into the Senate.” He also repeatedly invoked the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, drawing a comparison between stopping El-Sayed from entering the Senate chamber and the passengers who fought back against the hijackers aboard United Flight 93.

El-Sayed, who would become the nation’s first Muslim senator if elected, has called attacks on his loyalty to the country “shameful” and repeatedly denied any ties to extremist groups. The Republican president’s remarks were condemned by Bishara Bahbah, a founder of Arab Americans for Trump, the group that helped lead the president’s outreach to Arab American voters in 2024.

“The president’s statements are out of line,” he said in a phone interview. “They are crossing a red line. They are racist.”

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Blanche says Trump isn’t trying to meddle with Alaska election results by suing over Senate race

Attorney General Todd Blanche on Sunday defended the Trump administration’s lawsuit to block certification of Alaska’s Senate results if Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan loses the race and argued that the legal challenge was a necessary step to avoid confusing voters in the closely watched midterm race.

President Donald Trump, who said Friday that he was “the one that said do it,” is not trying to overturn state election results “in any way, shape or form” on the cusp of the Nov. 3 election, Blanche told CNN’s “State of the Union.”

“We wish that we didn’t have to do this. We hope for a resolution that works,” Blanche said.

Republicans fear that a second candidate on the ballot who is named Dan Sullivan — a retired teacher and school administrator from the tiny fishing community of Petersburg — could siphon away votes from the senator and tip the outcome in favor of Democrat Mary Peltola, a former congresswoman.

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Founder Al Jourgensen, the group's mastermind and sole consistent member, wants you to know he really means it's over — done, finished, goodbye — after the release of their 17th album “Hate To Go — Take Out Or Delivery” on Oct. 30 and a tour to follow.

“It's time to go,” he told The Associated Press from his home outside Los Angeles. “Everyone says it’s their last tour and they're back the next year. Or they say it’s the last tour and they’re back for the next 20 years. It's The Rolling Stones playing into their 90s. How much money do you need? How much, like, adoration?”

For his band, this really is the end. There are a few reasons for that.

The music industry has changed, for one, and Jourgensen and his band do not see Ministry progressing within its algorithmic framework. And there are sociological and political grounds for the decision: “We’ve been yabbering about the same stuff for 45 years. Nothing’s changed,” he says. “It has gotten worse, and so it’s time for a new generation to carry the torch because they’re not listening to our message.”

The band has long released songs with strong anti-authoritarian and anti-fascist sentiments, and that continues everywhere on “Hate to Go,” from the heavy-as-heck “Voices of Hate” to the propulsive “Delete,” which takes aim at the ways in which endless scrolling and social media erode attention and reinforce negativity.

The issue with speaking truth to power, of course, is that at some point “every canary in a coal mine dies,” Jourgensen says with a smile.

“We’re quite happy with our decision” to call it quits, he adds. “We are quite happy with our career.”

Planning the end of Ministry

When a band takes ownership over their own end, something interesting happens: A final album can become a statement, not a funeral — a bow on the end of a spectacular career. For Jourgensen, there were a few things that just needed to happen on “Hate to Go.” Bassist Paul “Ion” Barker, Jourgensen’s bandmate in Ministry and Revolting Cocks from 1986 to 2004, was welcomed back into the fold for the album's final track, “We're Still Here.”

And sonically, the album needed to reflect their multidecade run, to sound like a summation of Ministry without leaning into easy parody. “It has elements of hardcore, it has elements of ambience, it has your usual social commentary and your snapshot of society at the time,” he says. “It’s a perfect Ministry album. It’s like a greatest hits album without having any hits. It’s just beautifully wrapped.”

But it also sounds like the future, like so many Ministry albums before it. For some of the songs as well as the music videos for “Hate to Go,” Jourgensen utilized artificial intelligence, perhaps most controversially employing the new technology to simulate celebrity voices — most effectively, that of President Donald Trump on the no-holds-barred “Grifter.”

“It’s a very dichotomous feeling for me,” he says of applying the polarizing tech. “We’re fighting fire with fire. Trump puts out his little AI videos every day and we put out our AI videos.”

Think of it as similar to early Ministry experiments. “I remember when we started doing tape cutups, very similar to like William Burroughs and Brion Gysin … on celluloid to do our music in a metal landscape. That was exciting, back at the time,” he says.

Using AI was yet another tool in a unique application, but one he found to be unsettling.

It's a topic that comes up quite a bit on the record, like in “Singularity,” a reference to the technological idea that AI may one day surpass human cognitive abilities and recursively self-improve.

“It doesn’t seem so science fiction anymore,” he says. “The tiger is out in the lab, outside of the cage, and they can’t control it.”

Ministry's legacy — and what comes next

Ministry will officially throw in the towel on Oct. 30, 2027 — one year after the release of “Hate to Go” — with a huge blowout concert in Los Angeles. Jourgensen assures there will be tons of special guests — a “fun mic drop” — but attendees will have to wait and be surprised to see who will show up.

After that, well, he's got other plans. “I am the Greta Garbo of industrial,” Jourgensen jokes, referencing the great actor who retired young and lived reclusively in her final decades. “I have a plot of land a couple miles away from my house where I’m just going to herd goats and deny I was ever in a band.”

As far as legacy goes? That's not something he has spent a lot of time thinking about, either. “Everyone’s always asking me like, ‘Well, what do you want Ministry to be remembered by?’ And the whole point is, I don't,” he says. “I don’t want them to remember us. It’s time for somebody new, and it’s time to get out. We did what we could.”

Or, even more simply put: “Later!” he cheers. “Hate to go!”

Tensions flared over reports that Netanyahu and his military chief of staff disagreed over an instruction by the prime minister to carry out an “action” that the army worried could reignite the conflict with Iran. Netanyahu’s office denied the report, first published by Israel’s Channel 12, as “fake news.”

Defense Minister Israel Katz also quickly denied the report.

“I state unequivocally that there has been no intention by Israel of initiating an attack on Iran before the elections in Israel,” Katz wrote on X on Monday, calling reports of rifts between political and military leaders “completely baseless and false.” However, he said that Israel would respond forcefully if Iran attacks first.

Israel’s opposition candidates accused Netanyahu of endangering regional stability for his political preservation. Netanyahu’s main rival, former military chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot, warned Netanyahu not to “dare to place your own political interests above the security of the state.” He posted on X, “Netanyahu, my eyes are on you.”

Avigdor Lieberman, head of the hawkish Yisrael Beytenu party which is part of the opposition bloc, sent a letter to Israel’s attorney general demanding a criminal investigation into possible treason by Netanyahu’s “attempts to drag Israel into a war on the eve of elections, including a willingness to sacrifice (Israeli) soldiers out of fear of losing the election.”

The election on Tuesday is the first since the Hamas-led attacks in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, which sparked the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and conflicts across the Middle East.

Israelis are deeply divided heading into what is expected to be a close race, and the veteran Israeli leader's legacy is on the line. Netanyahu's opponents say he should be held accountable for the failures surrounding the Oct. 7 attack. His supporters say that he has led the country back from its toughest moment.

The vote also marks another important test for the populist right. Brazil's voters dealt a stunning setback to the movement on Sunday, lifting President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to a surprising victory over Flávio Bolsonaro. The Republican Party of U.S. President Donald Trump, who has endorsed Netanyahu, faces a new test next week in the U.S. midterm election.

Although Israelis are breathlessly approaching the election as one of the most crucial in years, people across the Middle East aren't expecting dramatic changes regardless of the victor. Both Netanyahu and his main rivals have similar approaches to Israel’s regional security in both Gaza and Iran.

In southern Gaza, Jamal Abu Deeb, who was displaced from Khan Younis, said that no matter who is elected, it won't be good news for the Palestinians.

“It is all war and destruction,” he said, adding that there are still strikes every day that kill people and children across Gaza. “Do you think whoever gets elected will give us a better life? Quite the opposite.”

Ibrahim Qeshta, who was displaced from Rafah, said that “they all have the same playbook, they have no mercy — death and destruction for everyone.”

“Eisenkot is like Netanyahu, he will be the same,” Qeshta said. “Our people die every day, for nothing.”

Iran also watched the last-minute electioneering warily.

“It makes no difference to us who ultimately takes the helm of a regime whose track record shows that it has brought nothing to our region but violence and bloodshed,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said in his weekly media briefing on Monday.

___ Wafaa Shurafa contributed to this report from Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip.

In response, Israel's mission in Geneva called for the commission's dissolution and said on X the report marked an example of the body's “misinformation campaign to demonize the state of Israel and portray its very existence as criminal."

Israel has long criticized the commission's output and denied accusations of genocide in Gaza and sexual assault by its forces.

The Associated Press could not independently corroborate multiple graphic accounts described in the report of sexual assaults by prison guards and soldiers on Palestinian detainees since October 2023. In one, female guards strip-searched a pregnant Palestinian, touching inside her anus and vagina. In another, guards beat a detainee and hurled sexist slurs while denying her access to the toilet and sanitary pads. She bled onto her clothes and interrogation chair.

The findings by the Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which seeks to document in minute detail the allegations and evidence of crimes to bolster accountability for perpetrators, could be used by prosecutors at the International Criminal Court or in other jurisdictions to try to bring justice to victims and their relatives.

The report Monday said Israel was “continuing to commit genocidal acts with the genocidal intent to destroy, in whole or in part, the Palestinians in Gaza.”

Much of the harm has come from Israel’s expansion deeper into Gaza during the ceasefire period, the report says. Since October 2025, when the ceasefire was signed, Israeli forces have gone from controlling 53% of Gaza to at least 60%, the commission said.

In that time, Israeli fire across the advancing front has killed at least 196 Palestinians – including 18 women, 32 boys and 11 girls, the commission said.

The report also accused Israeli soldiers and prison guards of war crimes and crimes against humanity in the West Bank, including extermination, torture, rape and other forms of sexual violence and persecution against civilians.

The commission said that it had recently documented six cases where Israeli guards were sexually violent toward male detainees from Gaza in the Sde Teiman military prison.

In one case, it says guards raped a Palestinian detainee with a stick, then forced him to put the stick in his mouth until he vomited. It also recalled another episode in which guards instructed a Palestinian man to urinate as they tied a plastic cord around his genitals.

The ceasefire scaled down a devastating war started by the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, when the militants killed 1,200 people and took 251 hostages. Israel responded with a campaign that has killed over 74,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry.

But Republican candidates in marquee Senate races have welcomed Thune's help as he’s traveled around the country in the weeks before the midterm elections, scrambling to save his majority.

That includes Rep. Ashley Hinson in this deep red corner of Iowa, a state that Republicans couldn’t have envisioned as a tossup race a year ago. Hinson is locked in a tight contest against Democrat Josh Turek to replace retiring Republican Sen. Joni Ernst.

Hinson said she was grateful for Thune’s visit as the two spent Friday campaigning together in the northwest part of the state — a luncheon at the Sioux City chamber of commerce, a tour of the Iowa Air National Guard’s refueling wing, a roundtable with local business owners and meet-and-greets at a packed high school football game that night.

“I’m absolutely convinced that she flat has to win, and if she doesn’t, we’re not going to be in the majority,” Thune said in a joint interview with Hinson between stops, during a brief moment of rest in the back of her campaign bus. He acknowledged the environment for Republicans is tough, but “we have to be able to deliver a message that you have a clear choice in front of you about two very different paths.”

The stakes for Thune and his party are enormous in Iowa and in several other traditionally Republican states as voters voice frustration with Trump, his war in Iran and high gasoline and grocery prices. Despite a map favoring Republicans, Democrats are hopeful that they can win the Senate. And like several other Democrats running in red states, Turek, a state legislator, is telling Iowa voters that he would be a bipartisan voice in Washington.

Hinson acknowledges that voters have concerns. But “there is a lot at stake in this election,” she says, “and Iowans are pretty savvy people to understand that this is a six-year term.”

Thune told voters who showed up to the business roundtable to “do everything you can to help her get there.”

“We’ve got to turn out the vote," he said.

Thune makes closing argument to save his majority

Beyond Iowa, Thune has campaigned with Republican Senate candidates in Nebraska, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Mississippi, Kentucky, Florida and Minnesota. He's headed to Ohio in the coming days to help Republican Sen. Jon Husted, who is facing a tough challenge from Democratic former Sen. Sherrod Brown.

It wasn’t always a given that Thune, elected by his conference to replace Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell two years ago, would have so much face time with voters and candidates.

Some on the right blame Thune for the failed effort to pass the SAVE America Act, which would require proof of citizenship for voters and mandate voter ID across the country. Thune supports the bill, but it has no chance in the 100-member Senate with the filibuster intact, because Republicans need Democratic support for any piece of legislation to win the necessary 60 votes.

Trump has pressed Thune to change the rules of the Senate and ditch the filibuster, but Thune has staunchly refused, citing the need to stop Democratic legislation if and when Republicans lose power again.

Tensions between the two men peaked this summer, when Trump appeared to question Thune’s leadership. Asked in the Oval Office if the South Dakota Republican was the man for the job, Trump replied that “we’re going to find out, and I’ll let you know.”

Still, Trump has said more than once that he likes Thune personally, and Thune’s office released photos earlier this month of the majority leader and his grandchildren at the White House, on a personal tour led by a smiling Trump.

Thune is also well-liked among his colleagues and enjoys strong support from within his GOP conference — and from possible future members like Hinson.

Thune joked at one of the Iowa events that “I tell all of our candidates, I’ll come out for you or against you, whichever helps you the most.”

Thune navigates Trump, just like GOP candidates

Voters in Iowa weren't asking Thune and Hinson about the SAVE America Act. Instead they were mostly focused on issues like childcare and how the economy and farm input costs are affecting their businesses.

Like Thune, Hinson has been navigating Trump throughout her campaign — appearing with him at a rally in Sioux City the night before but also speaking out against decisions she disagrees with, like increasing beef imports and a deal with Russia to import diesel fuel.

When the president is right about something, “I’m going to be with him, and if he’s wrong about something, I’m going to be in his ear telling him,” Hinson said.

Both are also having to answer for Trump’s war in Iran, as they have joined most Republicans in voting against repeated Democratic attempts to stop it. Rising gas prices since the war’s inception along with Trump's trade war have hit farmers in the state particularly hard.

Despite those votes, Hinson has said on the campaign trail that she wants to see the war come to a “successful and immediate end.”

Thune told attendees at the chamber of commerce lunch that the war is “not going to be a long-term thing.”

“There’s going to be a solution there, an answer there soon,” he said, and fuel prices will eventually come down.

It’s unclear whether enough voters will trust them. Outside one of Hinson’s events, two Turek supporters staged a small protest.

Hinson is “doing Trump’s bidding,” said Valerie Conaway Cote, a Democrat from Sioux City.

Cote said she used to like Thune and thought he was “a respectable man that saw both sides and made reasonable decisions."

“But,” she said, "he is firmly in Trump’s corner, and he seems to bend the knee.”

GOP conference backs Thune as he plans robust agenda

In the nation's capital, Senate Republicans will gather a week after the Nov. 3 election to decide whether to reelect Thune as leader. It’s a secret ballot, and no one has stepped up to challenge him.

“The guy’s an extraordinarily nice human being,” said Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno of Ohio earlier this month. “Do I think he’s got broad support? Yes.”

Moreno said he doesn’t think Thune will be blamed if they suffer losses in the midterms.

“At the end of the day, if there’s any Republican losses, it’s going to be about gas prices,” Moreno said.

If Republicans do hold on to the Senate, Thune said part of next year’s agenda would be trying to put guardrails around artificial intelligence along with renewed attempts at housing and tax reform. He said they would also try again on permitting legislation and a broad bill to regulate college sports, if those don’t get done this year.

If Democrats win, “you’re going to have two years of paralysis,” Thune said, with Trump in the White House. “And I don’t think that’s good for anybody.”

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Miami built a 21-7 halftime lead Sunday against the New York Jets but had to withstand a second-half rally before leaning on its ground game to secure a 28-25 victory at MetLife Stadium, giving coach Jeff Hafley his first win as an NFL head coach.

The Dolphins wasted little time getting on the scoreboard, marching 76 yards in seven plays on their opening drive. Running back Ollie Gordon II helped set the tone with a 25-yard run, while tight end Greg Dulcich hauled in a 32-yard reception to move Miami into scoring position.

Quarterback Malik Willis capped the drive with a touchdown pass to rookie wide receiver Caleb Douglas, who returned to the field Sunday after missing the previous three games with an ankle injury. New kicker Zane Gonzalez added the extra point for a 7-0 lead.

The Jets answered quickly.

Geno Smith connected with Omar Cooper Jr. for a 52-yard gain on the first play of New York’s ensuing possession before finding tight end Mason Taylor, son of former Dolphins star Jason Taylor, for a 13-yard touchdown to tie the game at 7-7.

Miami responded with a lengthy drive of its own, taking advantage of a 39-yard kickoff return by Jaylen Wright. The Dolphins went 60 yards in 14 plays, converting two third downs and a fourth down before Gordon punched it in from 1 yard out to put Miami back in front, 14-7.

The Dolphins defense came up with a big play on New York’s next possession.

Rookie safety Michael Taaffe read Smith’s pass intended for Taylor perfectly, stepping in front of the throw for an interception and giving Miami possession at its own 15-yard line.

Miami couldn’t capitalize on the turnover, but the defense continued to make plays. Cornerback Chris Johnson appeared to intercept Smith on the Jets’ next possession, but the play was negated by a defensive holding penalty. Miami ultimately forced a punt after defensive lineman Zeek Biggers batted down a pass at the line of scrimmage on third down.

Willis and the Dolphins offense then put together their most impressive drive of the afternoon.

Starting at their own 9-yard line, Miami marched 91 yards down the field, methodically moving the chains and taking nearly nine minutes off the clock.

Willis also used his legs on a crucial fourth-and-2, scrambling for 5 yards to move the chains and keep the drive alive.

He eventually finished the drive himself, running in a 2-yard touchdown with less than 10 seconds remaining in the first half to give Miami a 21-7 advantage.

New York had an opportunity to cut into Miami’s lead coming out of halftime, but former Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders missed a 40-yard field goal, hitting the right upright after the Jets put together a 43-yard drive.

The Jets continued to push, however, with Smith connecting with Cooper Jr. for another explosive play, this time a 60-yard completion.

The big gain was a missed opportunity for Dolphins safety Dante Trader Jr., who was unable to make a play on the ball. Trader later appeared to injure his shoulder while forcing running back Braelon Allen out of bounds. He entered the blue medical tent before heading to the locker room. He returned to the game later in the second half.

Cooper Jr. eventually capped the drive with a touchdown, trimming Miami’s lead to 21-14.

The Dolphins had opportunities to respond but struggled to find the same offensive rhythm they displayed in the first half.

With just under five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Willis connected with rookie wide receiver Chris Bell on a crucial third-and-8 completion to move the chains. However, Miami couldn’t capitalize after right tackle Austin Jackson gave up a sack to Jets defensive lineman Nate Lynn.

New York then turned to its running game to move down the field, but Dolphins EDGE Chop Robinson brought down Smith for a sack, helping force the Jets to settle for a field goal and cut the deficit to 21-17.

Miami’s offense went three-and-out on its next possession after Willis missed Douglas on a third-and-8 pass, forcing another punt.

With the Jets looking to complete the comeback, Willis delivered another big play. He connected with Douglas for a 63-yard touchdown pass, extending Miami’s lead to 28-17. It was Douglas’ second touchdown reception of the game and Willis’ third touchdown overall.

On the Jets next drive, Smith found Taylor for his second touchdown of the game, with Taaffe in coverage, cutting Miami’s lead to 28-23. New York then converted a two-point attempt to Taylor, making it a three-point game at 28-25.

Miami turned back to its ground game on its final offensive drive, with Gordon helping move the chains before Willis converted a crucial fourth-and-1 with a quarterback sneak, securing the victory.

Top performers

Dolphins

Willis - 14/21 208 yards 2 passing, 1 rushing TD 0 int

Gordon - 25 carries 103 yards 1 TD

Douglas - 2 catches 70 yards 2 TDs

Taafee -3 tackles (1 solo) 1 int

Jets

Smith - 23/30 287 yards 3 passing TDs 1 int

Allen - 17 carries 104 yards, 6 catches 30 yards

Cooper - 5 catches 115 yards 1 TD

Taylor - 5 catches 62 yards 2 TDs

Up Next

Miami (1-5) will host New England (4-3) next Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET.

New York (2-5) will host Las Vegas (3-3) next Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.

Miami construyó una ventaja de 21-7 al descanso el domingo contra los New York Jets, pero tuvo que resistir una remontada en la segunda mitad antes de apoyarse en su juego terrestre para asegurar una victoria de 28-25 en el MetLife Stadium, dándole al entrenador Jeff Hafley su primera victoria como entrenador en jefe de la NFL.

Los Dolphins no perdieron tiempo en abrir el marcador, avanzando 76 yardas en siete jugadas durante su primera serie ofensiva. El corredor Ollie Gordon II ayudó a marcar el ritmo con una carrera de 25 yardas, mientras que el ala cerrada Greg Dulcich atrapó un pase de 32 yardas para colocar a Miami en posición de anotar.

El mariscal de campo Malik Willis culminó la serie con un pase de touchdown al receptor novato Caleb Douglas, quien regresó al campo el domingo después de perderse los tres partidos anteriores debido a una lesión en el tobillo. El nuevo pateador Zane Gonzalez agregó el punto extra para una ventaja de 7-0.

Los Jets respondieron rápidamente.

Geno Smith conectó con Omar Cooper Jr. para una ganancia de 52 yardas en la primera jugada de la siguiente posesión de Nueva York, antes de encontrar al ala cerrada Mason Taylor, hijo de la ex estrella de los Dolphins Jason Taylor, para un touchdown de 13 yardas que empató el partido 7-7.

Miami respondió con una larga serie ofensiva, aprovechando un regreso de patada de 39 yardas de Jaylen Wright. Los Dolphins avanzaron 60 yardas en 14 jugadas, convirtiendo dos terceras oportunidades y una cuarta oportunidad antes de que Gordon anotara con una carrera de una yarda para devolverle la ventaja a Miami, 14-7.

La defensa de los Dolphins realizó una gran jugada en la siguiente posesión de Nueva York.

El safety novato Michael Taaffe leyó perfectamente el pase de Smith dirigido a Taylor, adelantándose al lanzamiento para conseguir una intercepción y darle a Miami la posesión del balón en su propia yarda 15.

Miami no pudo aprovechar la pérdida de balón, pero la defensa continuó realizando jugadas importantes. El esquinero Chris Johnson pareció interceptar a Smith en la siguiente posesión de los Jets, pero la jugada fue anulada por una penalización de sujetar a un jugador a la defensiva. Miami finalmente obligó a despejar el balón después de que el liniero defensivo Zeek Biggers desviara un pase en la línea de golpeo durante una tercera oportunidad.

Willis y la ofensiva de los Dolphins protagonizaron entonces su serie más impresionante de la tarde.

Comenzando desde su propia yarda 9, Miami avanzó 91 yardas por el campo, consiguiendo primeros intentos de manera metódica y consumiendo casi nueve minutos del reloj.

Willis también utilizó sus piernas en una crucial cuarta oportunidad con dos yardas por avanzar, corriendo cinco yardas para conseguir un primer intento y mantener viva la serie ofensiva.

Finalmente, él mismo culminó la serie con una carrera de touchdown de dos yardas cuando quedaban menos de 10 segundos en la primera mitad, dándole a Miami una ventaja de 21-7.

Nueva York tuvo la oportunidad de reducir la ventaja de Miami al comenzar la segunda mitad, pero el ex pateador de los Dolphins Jason Sanders falló un gol de campo de 40 yardas, golpeando el poste derecho después de que los Jets completaran una serie ofensiva de 43 yardas.

Sin embargo, los Jets continuaron presionando, con Smith conectando nuevamente con Cooper Jr. para otra jugada explosiva, esta vez un pase completo de 60 yardas.

La gran ganancia representó una oportunidad perdida para el safety de los Dolphins Dante Trader Jr., quien no pudo realizar una jugada sobre el balón. Posteriormente, Trader pareció lesionarse el hombro mientras obligaba al corredor Braelon Allen a salir del campo. Ingresó a la carpa médica azul antes de dirigirse al vestuario. Regresó al partido más adelante en la segunda mitad.

Cooper Jr. finalmente culminó la serie con un touchdown, reduciendo la ventaja de Miami a 21-14.

Los Dolphins tuvieron oportunidades de responder, pero tuvieron dificultades para encontrar el mismo ritmo ofensivo que mostraron en la primera mitad.

Cuando quedaban poco menos de cinco minutos en el último cuarto, Willis conectó con el receptor novato Chris Bell en un pase crucial durante una tercera oportunidad con ocho yardas por avanzar para conseguir un primer intento. Sin embargo, Miami no pudo aprovechar la oportunidad después de que el tackle derecho Austin Jackson permitiera que el liniero defensivo de los Jets Nate Lynn capturara al mariscal de campo.

Nueva York recurrió entonces a su juego terrestre para avanzar por el campo, pero el defensor de los Dolphins Chop Robinson capturó a Smith, ayudando a obligar a los Jets a conformarse con un gol de campo y reducir la diferencia a 21-17.

La ofensiva de Miami no consiguió un primer intento en su siguiente posesión después de que Willis fallara un pase dirigido a Douglas en una tercera oportunidad con ocho yardas por avanzar, lo que obligó a despejar nuevamente el balón.

Cuando los Jets buscaban completar la remontada, Willis realizó otra gran jugada. Conectó con Douglas para un pase de touchdown de 63 yardas, ampliando la ventaja de Miami a 28-17. Fue la segunda recepción de touchdown de Douglas en el partido y el tercer touchdown de Willis en total.

En la siguiente serie ofensiva de los Jets, Smith encontró a Taylor para su segundo touchdown del partido, con Taaffe en la cobertura, reduciendo la ventaja de Miami a 28-23. Nueva York convirtió entonces un intento de dos puntos con Taylor, dejando el partido con una diferencia de tres puntos, 28-25.

Miami volvió a recurrir a su juego terrestre en su última serie ofensiva, con Gordon ayudando a conseguir primeros intentos antes de que Willis convirtiera una crucial cuarta oportunidad con una yarda por avanzar mediante una jugada de avance corto del mariscal de campo, asegurando la victoria.

Jugadores destacados

Dolphins

Willis: 14 de 21 pases completos, 208 yardas, 2 touchdowns por pase, 1 touchdown por carrera y 0 intercepciones.

Gordon: 25 acarreos, 103 yardas y 1 touchdown.

Douglas: 2 recepciones, 70 yardas y 2 touchdowns.

Taaffe: 3 tacleadas (1 individual) y 1 intercepción.

Jets

Smith: 23 de 30 pases completos, 287 yardas, 3 touchdowns por pase y 1 intercepción.

Allen: 17 acarreos, 104 yardas, 6 recepciones y 30 yardas.

Cooper: 5 recepciones, 115 yardas y 1 touchdown.

Taylor: 5 recepciones, 62 yardas y 2 touchdowns.

Próximos partidos

Miami (1-5) recibirá a New England (4-3) el próximo domingo a las 4:25 p.m., hora del este.

Nueva York (2-5) recibirá a Las Vegas (3-3) el próximo domingo a la 1 p.m., hora del este.

Andre McKechnie, 55, who is serving a life sentence for murder, took his battle for the salty, sticky, black-brown byproduct of brewing beer to the Supreme Court of the state of Victoria last year.

He had argued being refused Vegemite denied him his right under the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act to “enjoy his culture as an Australian in the community with other persons of Australian background,” court documents showed.

Justice Claire Harris accepted prison authorities’ refusal to allow McKechnie Vegemite “limited his cultural rights” under the charter.

But she found the ban was justified in meeting authorities’ goals of removing illicit drugs and alcohol from the prison system.

“The limitation on Mr. McKechnie’s ability to enjoy Vegemite in community with other persons of Australian background is primarily that he is a prisoner,” Harris wrote in her 47-page judgment.

Prison officials testify Vegemite could impair drug sniffer dogs and be used to make alcohol

Prison officials testified at a trial in July that Vegemite had been banned throughout the state’s 12 prisons for the past 20 years because it could potentially impair sniffer dogs’ ability to detect narcotics and could be used to brew alcohol because of its yeast content.

McKechnie, who represented himself in court by video link from maximum security Barwon Prison west of Melbourne, argued that the fact that neighboring New South Wales state did not ban Vegemite from its prisons was evidence that there were “less restrictive means reasonably available” to achieve such drug and alcohol outcomes.

Most Australians revere Vegemite as an unfairly maligned culinary icon, and more than 80% of Australian households are estimated to have a jar in their pantries. Vegemite is typically considered an acquired taste at best by those who weren't raised on it.

The last U.S. president to visit Australia, Barack Obama, once said: “It’s horrible.”

Prisoner argues Vegemite ban contributed to vitamin deficiency

McKechnie had initially testified that the lack of Vegemite had contributed to his thiamine deficiency.

He said both Vegemite and pork were sources of thiamine, also known as vitamin B1. As a Jew who observed kosher law, he told the court he couldn’t eat pork either and took daily doses of the vitamin.

Vegemite has long been marketed as a source of B vitamins thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3) and folate (B9) which are promoted as healthy additions to the diets of growing children.

But McKechnie dropped the thiamine issue as “not important,” after lawyers for the prison authorities objected to his evidence.

Prisoner said Vegemite ban left him feeling ‘deprived, sad and disconnected’

McKechnie said not eating Vegemite made him feel “deprived of being able to practice my Australian culture, sad and disconnected from my family and community.”

The judge responded that “it is difficult to accept that the inability to consume Vegemite, rather than the fact of his imprisonment, is a material cause of his sadness and disconnection from his family and community.”

McKechnie cited an article published in the food studies journal “Gastronomica” in 2003 that said, “Vegemite may be the best predictor of national identity of any food in the world.”

The article, based on research by Australia’s Queensland University in 1995, found that a “taste for the spread strongly correlates with early exposure and to Australian birth and ancestry.”

McKechnie also referred to the Australian Olympic Committee overturning an Chinese import ban on Vegemite ahead of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

He cited Australian band Men at Work's 1980s international hit “Down Under” that mentions a “Vegemite sandwich.”

On the effectiveness of smearing contraband with Vegemite, McKechnie cited a Melbourne newspaper article from 2017 that reported a man’s unsuccessful attempt to use the odor of the spread to conceal illicit drugs that he attempted to smuggle into a music festival in Victoria. The attempt was thwarted by police sniffer dogs.

Judge rejects evidence that Vegemite doesn't interfere with drug sniffer dogs

The judge upheld prison authorities’ argument that McKechnie had failed to provide any proper foundations for his opinion that Vegemite does not interfere with drug sniffer dogs.

McKechnie also argued that Vegemite contained “no live yeast” and that any piece of fruit would be more useful in making alcohol than the spread.

A state prison department manager, Kevin White, cited publicly available research that said Vegemite helped home-brewed beer ferment more quickly.

Vegemite's owner, Bega Group, did not respond to a request for comment on Monday.

They won't be the only ones there. A sprawling election protection effort on the left that is expected to deploy tens of thousands of monitors will be met by the largest-ever monitoring program by the Justice Department and still more observers from Republican-aligned groups. The result could be unlike anything seen at the polls in modern times.

The effort among Democratic and nonprofit groups includes training volunteers to stand watch outside polling places and report activities they consider concerning. The network includes traditional government watchdogs such as Common Cause and the American Civil Liberties Union plus a flood of volunteers assembled by state Democratic parties, congressional leaders, national activist groups and organizations focused on protecting democracy.

The Democratic National Committee's Association of State Democratic Committees created a first-of-its-kind cybersecurity unit staffed by former CIA and FBI officials to monitor and report online misinformation, including artificial intelligence deepfakes, said Jane Kleeb, vice chair of the DNC.

That's as Democratic mayors, attorneys general and secretaries of state host tabletop exercises simulating worst-case scenarios, such as a surge of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials at voting locations or the seizure of ballots and voting equipment.

On Capitol Hill, Democratic leaders have assembled a legal team that rivals that of any presidential campaign.

“We’ve never done this before,” Kleeb said of the party’s sweeping efforts. But “we’ve never had to deal with the president of the United States saying that he may seize ballots, put ICE agents outside polling locations and other kinds of very clear direct threats to the voting process.”

The Department of Justice has already filed lawsuits in California and Alaska that could affect ballot counting or certification.

While Trump continues to make baseless allegations of cheating in the election, administration and military officials have said they have no plans to deploy immigration agents or troops to polling sites.

White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis blamed “radical Democrats” for creating fears about election security by refusing to enact voter ID requirements and other Republican-backed measures.

“President Trump has done more than any other president to ensure we have free and fair elections,” Bis said.

Tens of thousands of volunteers trained to observe

State Democratic parties have trained an estimated 10,000 volunteers to observe polling places and report anything potentially concerning they might see from federal agents. Common Cause has trained roughly 16,000 more volunteers to stand watch at voting precincts, said Suzanne Almeida, vice president of states for the group.

She said a broader Election Protection coalition involving 300 other groups has trained tens of thousands more.

Smaller pockets of volunteers from other groups also are preparing to show up, including roughly 100 organized by Senate Democrats and hundreds more from a Democratic-allied group called Save America, which is training clergy members, veterans, teachers and other local community members. National groups such as Indivisible and MoveOn are activating their own expansive networks.

There are so many organizations working to protect the voting process — including many that cannot legally coordinate with each other — that some officials involved worry about unintentionally creating chaos outside polling locations.

Almeida said Election Day confusion is possible in some precincts but the nature of the threat requires a collective effort.

“It will actually take all of us if some of the threats we are most worried about come to pass,” she said.

Trump administration sends its own team

Harmeet Dhillon, a Trump appointee who leads the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, was asked on CBS’ “60 Minutes” whether the Republican administration is planning to send ICE agents to polling places.

“There is no plan to do that,” she responded.

Still, the Justice Department is planning its largest-ever election monitoring effort, with about 1,000 department staff expected to observe voting and ensure federal laws are being followed, spokesperson Kiersten Pels said. That comes after a primary season in which the department said it deployed more than 100 election monitors across hundreds of polling locations.

At least one of those placements sparked tensions with local officials. Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon, a Republican, said the behavior of two monitors during that state's primary was “a bit aggressive” and “irregular.” A Laramie County clerk said the Justice Department monitors arrived at the polls intending to interview voters, but her office didn’t allow it.

The department disagrees that the monitors did anything improper, Pels said. She added that the monitors are trained to comply with federal law governing conduct at polling places and won’t “interfere with the voting process.”

Democratic lawmakers and voting rights advocates have raised concerns that the Trump administration’s monitors could intimidate voters or abandon the duty they’ve had for decades to protect against civil rights violations.

The department plans to send them to every state, focusing on high-population areas, jurisdictions that have had problems in the past and districts with close elections, according to a senior department official who briefed reporters on the condition of anonymity under terms set by the department.

The Republican National Committee said its operation involves deploying “election integrity deputy state directors” in 22 states, among them Arizona, Michigan, Georgia and North Carolina.

Those workers are the “eyes and the ears of the RNC in the field” who recruit volunteers and organize trainings, said Ally Triolo, the RNC’s election integrity communications director. Their mission is to surface anything that seems unlawful.

At the same time, the RNC has enlisted nearly 22,000 poll workers and is recruiting poll-watching volunteers for competitive districts. The poll watchers will “observe the process and help ensure election rules are followed in accordance with the law,” Triolo said.

Local election officials prepare for increased attention

While federal monitors have quietly observed elections for decades, largely without incident, some election officials are taking precautions.

Chris Swope, the city clerk in Lansing, Michigan, said he preemptively contacted law enforcement and his attorney in case federal monitors violate election law, although he expects them to abide by the rules.

The Democratic Mayors Association issued guidance to local Democratic officials with detailed instructions about what to do if federal agents appear at polling locations.

It notes that federal law prohibits the presence of federal immigration agents, the FBI or other investigative personnel. It also issued a reminder that federal agents are not allowed to be armed at the polls, nor are they allowed to interact with voters or handle ballots or election equipment.

Justice Department officials have said their monitors won't be armed and will not interfere with voting. Asked about department monitors being sent to Georgia, Trump told a reporter recently: “They’re not going to do anything other than watch."

Some of the poll observations have already begun. Mary Corcoran, Save America's executive director, said her group's volunteers have been monitoring precincts during early voting in Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina and Ohio to help give voters a sense of security.

“The fear is the point, and we must do something about it,” she said. “Left unanswered, fear does the work of keeping people home without a single agent setting foot at a polling place.”

___ Associated Press writers Jacqueline GaNun in Lansing, Mich., Mary Clare Jalonick in Washington and Jessica Hill in Las Vegas contributed to this report.

Filling up a basic Ford F-150 truck now costs about $100, up $30 from a year ago. Mortgage rates have jumped to levels that have depressed home sales. And for the past 12 months, consumer prices have risen faster than paychecks, making the average family poorer.

One week before midterm elections that will serve as a referendum on his second term, Trump is struggling to deliver on his campaign promise to bring down costs, even as he insists the country has entered an economic “golden age.” The same frustration that powered his comeback two years ago could now cost Republicans control of Congress.

“Our nation is doing better now than ever before,” Trump insists while campaigning, vowing that interest rates and oil prices will plunge once the war with Iran — which he started — comes to an end.

The word “affordability,” he says, is nothing but “a con job by the Democrats,” adding that “it doesn’t mean anything to anybody.”

Trump’s rosy rhetoric meets voters’ reality

That rhetoric comes as voters say they’re struggling to afford basics like fuel and groceries and as they blame Trump for higher costs, pointing to the Republican president’s aggressive tariff policies and the ongoing, unpopular war with Iran.

Record-high diesel prices, in particular, have driven up shipping and farming costs, creating trouble for Republicans in typically conservative states such as Iowa, Kansas, Ohio and Texas, where Democrats appear uniquely competitive in races that will shape Trump’s final two years in office.

“The costs of things are absolutely the first thing people talk about, but also it’s their pay not keeping up with the cost,” said AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler. “It’s a double whammy.”

Prices at the pump have become a preeminent issue for voters.

“People hate paying more money for gas, and the prices have gone up a lot,” said Stephen Moore, who has previously advised the president on the economy. “It’s frustrating because Trump’s done so many good things for the economy. But with the Iran situation, that’s really had a big effect on the economy, and Republicans may pay a high price for that.”

Misty Reeder, 48, said she considers herself “in the middle” politically but picked all Democrats on her ballot in Easley, South Carolina.

“I’ve noticed that things have been getting a lot harder,” said Reeder, who receives disability payments. “You hear about it everywhere you go.”

In the six years that she and her husband have been renting their home, Reeder said their rent had increased by hundreds of dollars.

“Something’s gotta give,” she said. “It’s like a dam — the pressure’s too much, and it’s going to break.”

Sandra Capell, 69, said she wants “to see some change” when it comes to the economy even though she voted Republican in Easley, which is part of South Carolina’s conservative Upstate region.

“I think everybody is kind of suffering when it comes to groceries, gas, everything really,” she said. “I’m looking at the Republican Party to jump on the wagon, get in the saddle and let’s bring it back.”

Beti Rosales, 47, said higher prices have taken a toll on her family’s Mexican restaurant in Allentown, Pennsylvania, part of the Lehigh Valley that has seesawed between the parties in recent years. Limes and avocados cost more than before. So does the plumber who’s occasionally needed.

Two years ago, Rosales decided to give Trump and Republicans a chance, hoping for relief from inflation.

“The reality now is that it actually didn’t get better,” she said. “It actually got worse. The prices of everything have increased.”

Rosales is now considering voting Democratic in the midterms.

“Maybe fresh new faces might make a difference?” she said.

Trump promised he’d bring prices down

While running in 2024, Trump hammered President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, his Democratic opponent in the election, for high inflation, which climbed as high as 9.1% in June 2022. He promised voters he would lower gasoline prices and unlock roaring growth.

“With your vote in this election, I will end inflation,” he vowed.

In less than two years, Trump has aggressively remodeled the U.S. economy. He’s slapped double-digit tariffs on many trading partners — including the European Union, India, Japan, Canada and Mexico — and sparked trade wars with allies. The U.S. government now holds stakes in several dozen private companies. He’s signed broad income tax cuts into law.

But the persistent challenge of inflation has continued, overshadowing the positives of continued economic growth and a low unemployment rate. Inflation was 3% when Trump took office and reached 3.7% last month.

The president has played down the intensity of inflation, claiming that it is under 2% and “under control.”

Democrats have seized on the discontent, using the same high cost of living that sank them before to pressure vulnerable Republicans and put congressional districts Trump won by even double digits in play.

“Now remember, they promised to lower prices on Day One. Instead, under the failed President Donald J. Trump, it costs more than ever in American history to fill up your truck, stock your fridge, visit the doctor or power your home,” said Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff, a Democrat running for reelection, at a recent rally in Atlanta.

“You work harder and harder, but the treadmill gets faster and steeper and the bills get higher and higher,” he told the crowd.

Cait Conley, a Democrat running in New York against Republican Rep. Mike Lawler, one of his party’s most vulnerable incumbents, harkened back to his tweet from the last midterm elections, when Biden was president. Lawler had advised voters to “fill up your tank and go grocery shopping — it will inform your decision.”

In a new ad, Conley said voters should follow that advice this year “and then tell me if the system’s working for you.”

“You deserve better. It shouldn’t be this hard,” she says.

Democrats turn Trump’s attacks back on him

Conley and other candidates have pounded on a theme that Democrats believe will be especially effective this cycle: accusing Trump and other Republicans of compounding voters’ economic pain by corruptly pursuing policies that help their billionaire donors at the expense of everyday Americans.

“I know you’re frustrated. Washington politicians get rich while you get hurt. Corporations make huge profits while your costs go up,” North Carolina Senate candidate Roy Cooper says in an ad airing in the competitive state.

That has included a particular focus on the war with Iran.

“Trump’s war abroad costs taxpayers a billion dollars a day on a war we have no business fighting. Our schools crumble, our factories shutter, our gas prices skyrocket. But when they want war, billion-dollar blank checks,” says Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed in another spot.

The president “thinks that the economy is doing well because he and his family have enriched themselves to the tune of several billion dollars,” said Amy Richards, 56, a onetime Republican who has voted Democratic since Trump became his party’s 2016 nominee.

“He has zero idea what it is like to receive a paycheck and have to feed yourself and your family,” said Richards, standing outside a polling place in her town of Round Rock, Texas, on Friday, “and he doesn’t care.”

Republicans, meanwhile, have tried to cast Democrats as extreme, pointing to an ascendant populist wing that includes a number of Democratic socialists.

Moore, who advised Trump’s campaigns, said he wished Republicans would spend more time talking about the economy’s strengths, including rising median incomes and a record-setting stock market, even as he acknowledged those numbers might not resonate with voters.

“What matters is how people feel, and clearly people are feeling stressed out financially,” he said.

Some Trump supporters remain satisfied. Renee Blood, 57, an executive assistant in Round Rock, feels the economy has “improved quite well.”

“Of course we see gas prices up and down, but things are much more affordable,” she said.

She plans to vote Republican because she worries things will get worse if Democrats return to power.

Trump’s golden age might not have arrived, she said, but “we are still working on it.”

___

Colvin reported from New York. Associated Press writer Meg Kinnard in Easley, S.C.; Mike Catalini in Allentown, Pa.; and Jesse Bedayn in Round Rock, Texas, contributed to this report.

Low gas prices were a key campaign pledge during Trump’s second presidential run. But the energy crisis spawned by the war has left him grasping for solutions and promising that things will get better.

The cost of crude oil — the main ingredient in gasoline as well as diesel — has been volatile as markets and consumers feel whiplash about uncertainty of the war's future. All the while, households are feeling more strain, with cost of living concerns at the top of many voters' minds going into Election Day on Nov. 3.

As of Monday, the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline was $4.29, up from $2.98 before the war. Diesel surpassed $6 last month — a record — and now sits at an average of $6.35 a gallon, up from $3.76 in February.

Trump has repeatedly claimed that more expensive fuel is small price to pay for the war, which he describes as necessary to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. He’s also continued to blame his predecessor, former President Joe Biden, for the country’s economic problems. And the president has tried to frame the world’s oil squeeze as good news for U.S. production.

“We’re making a freaking fortune,” Trump told supporters at a campaign rally in Georgia over the weekend.

Here’s how Trump’s views on gas, oil and other energy costs have shifted since the war began.

Feb. 24: Gasoline prices are ‘falling fast’

Trump bragged about gas prices in his 2026 State of the Union address, just days before joining Israel to launch the Feb. 28 attacks on Iran.

“Gasoline, which reached a peak of over $6 a gallon in some states under my predecessor and was, quite honestly, a disaster, is now below $2.30 a gallon in most states, and in some places $1.99 a gallon," he said. "And when I visited the great state of Iowa just a few weeks ago, I even saw $1.85 a gallon for gasoline, the lowest in four years, and falling fast."

AT THE PUMP: Gasoline prices averaged $2.95 a gallon nationwide, about 19 cents cheaper than a year earlier.

March 12: ‘When oil prices go up, we make a lot of money’

Trump saw a silver lining as oil prices spiked less than two weeks into the war.

“The United States is the largest Oil Producer in the World, by far, so when oil prices go up, we make a lot of money," he posted on his social media site Truth Social.

THE PRICE TAG ON OIL: Brent crude cost over $100 a barrel, up from about $70 in 2025.

June 29: ‘Gasoline Retailers must get their Prices down, IMMEDIATELY!’

As oil costs cooled amid hopes for peace earlier this summer, Trump expressed frustration that gas prices were not falling quicker.

“They’re too high considering that Oil is now at $68 a Barrel, and heading south,” he posted on social media. "The Retailers must quickly react to this statement, and do what they know is right — DROP YOUR PRICE FOR OUR GREAT AMERICAN PEOPLE! There will be no gauging, which is totally illegal. If Retailers don’t do this, big problems lie ahead!"

AT THE PUMP: The national average for gasoline was $3.86 a gallon — down from over $4.50 in May, but still about 67 cents pricier than a year ago.

July 1: Prices ‘will soon be back’ to record lows

Ahead of the Fourth of July holiday, Trump claimed that lower gas prices were in sight.

“Just as I promised, Oil Prices are plummeting FAST, and Gas Prices at the pump are dropping too, but not as fast as they should be,” he wrote online, as he anticipated discounts at some “Freedom Fuel” stations near Philadelphia. “Gas Prices will soon be back to the Record Low Prices Americans enjoyed at the pump before our very successful ‘excursion’ in Iran.”

THE PRICE TAG ON OIL: Amid wider hopes for peace, Brent crude fell to $71.57 a barrel from its triple-digit highs.

Sept. 9: Oil prices will come down ‘right after’ midterms

In early September, Trump said that he didn’t think oil prices would cool before the midterm elections.

“Right after the election, oil prices are going to be tumbling downward,” Trump said at the time. “I think it’s going to take a little bit longer than the midterm.”

THE PRICE TAG ON OIL: As fighting once more escalated, Brent spiked past $101 compared with $66 a barrel a year earlier.

Sept. 16: More expensive gas is a ‘very inexpensive price to pay'

At a North Carolina campaign stop, Trump continued to downplay surging gas prices and again described the war as necessary.

“You have a little higher. It’s a very inexpensive price to pay for what we’ve done,” Trump said. “Remember that. It’s a little more. Frankly, even if it was a lot more.”

AT THE PUMP: Gasoline prices averaged $4.37 a gallon, about $1.18 more expensive than they were at the same time in 2025.

Oct. 9: Diesel prices will be ‘coming down, in record numbers’

Earlier this month, Trump said he struck a deal to buy Russian diesel to tamp down a spike in fuel prices — marking a stark reversal of years of U.S. pressure on Moscow over its war with Ukraine. He also continued to claim the U.S. retained control of the Strait of Hormuz, despite traffic remaining well below pre-war levels amid threats of further attacks from Tehran.

“Between our TOTAL CONTROL of the Strait of Hormuz, and this great announcement on Russian Energy, Diesel Prices for Americans and, indeed, the World, will be COMING DOWN, IN RECORD NUMBERS, AND FAST!" he wrote. "Lower prices for Americans, especially our Great Farmers, Ranchers, and Truckers, is my Greatest Priority.”

THE COST OF DIESEL: The national average for diesel was $6.28 a gallon, slightly down from a high of nearly $6.53 in September.

Oct. 19: Farmers will get more relief ‘when Republicans win’

Trump announced his administration's latest effort to offset steep diesel costs: a new harvest fuel relief program, which he claimed would provide $8 billion in support for farmers.

“When Republicans win, we will pass even more funding for our farmers," Trump said at a Kansas campaign rally, where he also asked the crowd to “pretend please that I’m on the ballot."

THE COST OF DIESEL: Nationwide, diesel averaged about $6.32 a gallon — 74% more expensive than a year earlier, when the fuel cost $3.63 a gallon.

Oct. 24: ‘We’re making money like this country has never made before’

Over the weekend, Trump argued once more that the Iran war means profits for the U.S. oil and gas business -- claiming that the country “is making hundreds of billions of dollars because of what’s happened in the Middle East.”

“My people said, ‘Please don’t mention that sir, because people are paying a little higher’,” the president said at a Georgia campaign rally on Saturday, adding that he can already see “fake news” headlines about consumers still suffering from steeper prices. “But I said I don’t give a damn. I’m going to say it. We’re making a freaking fortune. Our country is getting stronger and stronger all the time. And those pump prices are going to come down.”

AT THE PUMP: Gas prices averaged at nearly $4.30 a gallon nationwide on Saturday. A year ago, drivers were paying about $3.07.

Fast-moving showers will move onshore through the day. In between showers, expect a mix of sun and clouds with highs in the lower, and middle 80s.

Saltwater flooding is expected again for low-lying areas and streets across South Florida as king tides peak today.

A Coastal Flood Warning is in effect for Broward, Miami-Dade and the upper keys. A Coastal Flood Advisory continues for the lower keys.

Expect moderate to major flooding one to two hours before and after the morning and evening high tide cycle.

With the country overwhelmed by grief and anger after the deadliest security breakdown in its history, his resignation seemed like a matter of time.

But the divisive veteran Israeli leader has scratched, scraped and literally battled his way back during a stormy three-year period of nonstop domestic crises and wars across the region. Confounding his critics, he now finds himself in a tight race for reelection on Tuesday.

Netanyahu has been the country’s most dominant politician for nearly two decades, and his legacy is on the line. A poor showing could end the 77-year-old’s lengthy career on a bitter note and open the door to a new era in Israeli politics. A victory would cement his image as the ultimate political survivor.

Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, a onetime ally turned rival of Netanyahu, said there has never been so much at stake — from national security to the future of Israel’s democratic institutions and its standing in the world. After a series of wars that have destabilized the region and jolted the global economy, the world is watching closely.

Politicians often say the current election is the most fateful in their country’s history, Olmert said, but “this time it really is.”

The vote is a referendum on Netanyahu

Netanyahu’s opponents, led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, see Tuesday as a day of reckoning. They say Netanyahu should be held accountable for Oct. 7 and the failure to turn battlefield victories into diplomatic achievements.

“What he is offering is an eternal war,” Eisenkot, whose son and two nephews were killed in combat, said in a radio interview. “Choosing a leader whose only goal is not to surrender means choosing a leader who will not deliver victories.”

Netanyahu’s supporters say he was betrayed by Israel’s defense establishment and that he has led the country through a remarkable turnaround with devastating strikes against Hamas, Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Iran.

The Israeli leader has also turned to his traditional use of scare tactics. His campaign slogan, “Right or Palestine,” which rhymes in Hebrew, suggests his opponents would establish a Palestinian state alongside Israel, something his main rivals vehemently reject.

A two-state solution, still seen internationally as the only realistic way to solve the conflict, is politically toxic in Israel — another legacy of Netanyahu’s long rule.

Scars of Oct. 7 have hung heavily over the campaign

Nearly every poster, stump speech or televised debate seems to reference the Oct. 7 attack, which has scarred the country and remains fresh in the minds of voters.

Some 1,200 people were killed that day and 251 others taken hostage, the last of whom were returned in a ceasefire deal last year.

Israel responded with a military offensive that has killed over 74,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to local health authorities, left the territory in ruins and triggered open-ended wars in Lebanon and Iran. Netanyahu faces an international arrest warrant, experts have accused Israel of genocide, and Israel’s image has further deteriorated with a spike in settler violence in the occupied West Bank.

Most Israelis across the political spectrum reject the war crimes and genocide allegations. But Netanyahu’s opponents, including many former hostages, refer to his outgoing coalition as the “failure government” and have pledged to launch an official investigation into how Oct. 7 was allowed to happen.

Netanyahu has refused such an inquiry and calls his ongoing — and inconclusive — military campaigns a “war of redemption.”

Boosted by an endorsement from President Donald Trump, Netanyahu has also tried to turn attention to Iran, threatening to resume the war, and vowing to destroy its nuclear program and topple its government.

“Donald, we have a job to finish. You said it and we’ll finish it together,” he said in a conversation with Trump released by his campaign.

Oct. 7 failures have deepened earlier fissures in the country

Netanyahu’s rule has left Israelis bitterly divided over other issues, especially a longstanding system granting ultra-Orthodox men exemptions from military service.

In a country where enlistment is mandatory for most Jewish men and women, these exemptions have always angered the broader public. But resentment has grown as hundreds of young soldiers have been killed in battle and tens of thousands have been pulled away from families and careers for reserve duty.

Netanyahu, who has close ties with politically powerful ultra-Orthodox parties, has resisted attempts to end the exemptions.

He has also outraged many Israelis with his attempts to overhaul the legal system.

Before the war, Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption charges, launched a controversial plan to weaken the courts. That prompted mass anti-government demonstrations by crowds who accused him of undermining the country’s system of checks and balances to escape prosecution.

Each side has accused the other of weakening Israel on the eve of the Oct. 7 attacks. The plan has been mostly frozen since then, but Netanyahu’s allies want to revive it.

A clear winner is unlikely

Israelis vote for political parties, not individual candidates. Since no political party has ever captured a 61-seat majority on its own, political leaders must form coalitions.

Netanyahu has been a master at forming coalitions with religious and nationalist partners, but opinion polls suggest a tight race between his bloc and the one led by Eisenkot.

With non-aligned Arab parties campaigning hard, there is a strong possibility that neither of the main Jewish blocs will capture a majority. That could set the stage for weeks or even months of negotiations among around a dozen parties expected to win seats.

Small parties could gain leverage and promises may be broken

Netanyahu’s allies and members of Eisenkot’s bloc both say they will not govern with Arab partners.

Amid so much uncertainty, a number of scenarios are possible — including a unity government between Eisenkot and Netanyahu, or an Eisenkot-led government backed by Arab partners from outside the coalition.

Eisenkot says he will not serve in a Netanyahu government. But politicians have broken promises before. The alternative would be to hold new elections early next year — leaving Netanyahu in office until then.

The Palestinians are barely an issue

Largely missing from the Israeli public discourse is any discussion of the dire situation in Gaza or Israel’s open-ended military rule over millions of Palestinians.

The Oct. 7 attack, which came after decades of conflict and four previous wars with Hamas, convinced many Israelis there was no partner for peace, while Netanyahu and his allies have largely succeeded in branding the Israeli left as weak or even traitorous.

Palestinians have little hope their lives will improve regardless of whether Netanyahu wins or loses.

Olmert, who led the last serious negotiations with the Palestinians before a corruption scandal forced him from office and Netanyahu replaced him in 2009, said the candidates aren’t discussing the two-state solution because it is not popular with voters.

But given the international outrage over the situation in Gaza and settler attacks, he said it will be impossible for the next government to ignore the issue for long.

“Sooner or later, a new government will have to deal with it,” he said.

The long-ruling authoritarian leader on Sunday conceded the defeat of his right-wing Serbian Progressive Party to a grassroots movement of university students in a parliamentary election. The students had led protests for almost two years before unseating him in a historic change of government.

The 56-year-old political veteran easily outplayed political opponents in the past and thought he could do it again. Ahead of Sunday's ballot he pulled a maneuver in the style of his ally Russian President Vladimir Putin when he resigned the presidency to pursue a bid to become the prime minister.

Vucic then launched a fierce campaign involving favorable around-the-clock coverage on state media and attacks on opponents. He handed out cash to voters and promised higher pensions, new roads and cheaper medicines.

It didn't work. The diverse youth movement's message that rampant corruption, cronyism and organized crime under Vucic were eating away at the country resonated widely with voters.

The student protests first started in 2024 after a collapsed canopy at a renovated train station in Serbia's north killed 16 people, triggering claims that graft-fueled negligence led to poor construction work and eventually to the crash.

Defiant, Vucic on Sunday blamed his defeat on foreign interference.

“I want people to know,” he said. “This was the verification of a revolution that they carried out directly with support of different European countries and the deep American state, the one that is also against President (Donald) Trump.”

Vucic began his career as an ultranationalist

During a political career spanning more than 30 years, Vucic morphed from being an extreme nationalist who supported aggression against non-Serbs in the former Yugoslavia to a populist who shifted his preferences to balance between global powers and influences.

During the wars in the 1990s, Vucic was one of the radical party leaders who advocated the creation of a “Greater Serbia” that would include territories in Croatia and Bosnia where minority Serbs live. Those policies are widely blamed for bloody conflicts that killed over 100,000 people and displaced millions.

Vucic was known for fiery speeches, including one in Serbia’s parliament where he said that for each Serb killed in the Bosnian war, 100 Bosnian Muslims must die. He later said that he didn’t mean it literally.

As information minister in the late 1990s, Vucic oversaw media critical of then-President Slobodan Milosevic slapped with heavy fines or shut down. He shifted away from ultranationalism to a proclaimed pro-EU stance on the eve of his party’s electoral win in 2012.

He embraced Europe for a time

In office, Vucic positioned himself as pro-European and pro-Russian, and as an admirer of Trump. Ahead of the decisive ballot, however, Vucic re-embraced his hard right roots and turned to Putin again as he struggled to restore his shaken voter base.

Vucic defied the EU last month by allowing a hero’s funeral in Belgrade for Ratko Mladic, the former Bosnian Serb army commander convicted of genocide by a U.N. court in the Netherlands.

“It is no coincidence that Vladimir Putin said he hopes that I will be the prime minister,” Vucic boasted days ahead of the ballot, ditching the proclaimed pro-EU position that helped his populist party come to power in 2012.

Vucic's fall draws varied reactions in Russia

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov expressed hope Monday that the post-Vucic government will retain friendly relations with Russia. Vucic had refused to join EU sanctions against Moscow over the war in Ukraine despite formally seeking membership for Serbia in the 27-nation bloc.

“We highly value the contribution Mr. Vucic has made to the development of our bilateral relations," Peskov said.

“We intend to continue doing everything possible to help the development of our relations with Belgrade,” Peskov said. "But, as you know, it takes two to tango.”

Konstantin Kosachev, a deputy speaker of the upper house, the Federation Council, said that the Serbian elections’ outcome could signal that “there would be one sovereign country less in Europe.”

But Konstantin Malofeyev, a hawkish tycoon who sponsors a virulently nationalistic media outlet, welcomed Vucic’s defeat, denouncing him as a hypocrite who has tried to maneuver between Russia and the West.

“The Serbian people have delivered a historic verdict on the Vucic regime,” Malofeyev said on his Telegram channel. “The era of political hypocrisy and duplicity is drawing to a close."

Vucic controlled Serbia for 14 years

In the past 14 years, Vucic served as a deputy prime minister, the prime minister and president.

As president for nearly 10 years, Vucic turned the largely ceremonial post into the center of power in the country. He was known for frequent addresses to the nation and appearances in pro-government media.

“He is a competitor who has mastered a technology of governing that is based on stick and carrot, and the idea that nobody but him is right,” Dejan Pavlovic, a professor in the Faculty of Political Sciences at the University of Belgrade, told The Associated Press recently.

Pavlovic described Vucic’s 14-year rule as a “textbook regime” of autocracy, with his party extending its control over the media, judiciary and other institutions, leaving nothing to chance.

“Cover it all: control the media, control the judiciary, control all institutions,” he explained.

In the highly organized ruling SNS party, Vucic commanded ultimate authority and loyalists were rewarded through lucrative deals with the state and protection from prosecution, Pavlovic said. Vucic, he said, “created a whole new elite in the Serbian society and that elite knew how to be thankful.”

Vucic now says he will fight again from the opposition

Elections under Vucic were increasingly marred by reports of voting irregularities, violent incidents and complaints that his control over pro-government media and use of public funds to bribe voters gave his party an unfair advantage.

During the student-led protests, Vucic fenced off a central park outside his office in Belgrade and installed tents with groups of supporters as an apparent human shield. Investigative reporters identified some of the camp residents as people with criminal backgrounds and tied Vucic to criminal clans, which he refuted.

As he conceded defeat, Vucic vowed to keep fighting.

“Our structure is very firm, we are very united and strong, and we are used to being in opposition,” he said in a Sunday night speech.

Former President Boris Tadic believes Vucic would not have conceded in case of a less convincing student victory. But under the circumstances, “he could not avoid it.”

Islanders are seeking slavery reparations from Britain, a formal apology for its role in the slave trade and greater independence from the former colonial power.

The Bahamas National Reparations Committee said it already knows what awaits the Caribbean as King Charles III and Queen Camilla prepare for this week’s trip: “Schools emptied of children who will stand in the sun and wave for the Crown that has taken everything from their ancestors and comes back smiling.”

Charles is expected to visit the Bahamas on Tuesday to begin the nine-day trip to the Caribbean. His last official visit to the archipelago was in July 1973 as a prince who granted the Bahamas independence, ending 300 years of British rule. But the Bahamas remains a Commonwealth realm, along with six other Caribbean nations that recognize Charles as their king and head of state.

While in the Bahamas, Charles is scheduled to visit Clifford Park, where the archipelago’s black, turquoise and yellow flag was raised for the first time more than half a century ago.

His visit will raise important questions, said Niambi Hall Campbell-Dean, chair of the Bahamas National Reparations Committee.

“Why do we still have a king? What does this person really represent to us? Why is he coming and how will that benefit us?” she said.

A psychology professor at the University of the Bahamas, Campbell-Dean said she recently mentioned Charles’ upcoming visit to her students, and they were not excited. She responded: “I know y’all might not care about this man who is coming, but here’s why this is of importance.”

Leaders across the Caribbean have long been pushing for an apology and reparations from Britain.

In early September, Jamaica took its case for reparations to Charles, and the case has since been referred to the United Kingdom’s highest court of appeal for the Caribbean island. It was an unprecedented legal maneuver, even though the British government has consistently rejected demands for either an apology or reparations.

A visit to Guyana more than 200 years after a slave revolt

After three days in the Bahamas, Charles is scheduled to fly to the South American country of Guyana. The former British colony was the site of one of the biggest slave revolts in the region during the colonial era, with thousands of slaves uprising during the 1823 Demerara rebellion on the plantation owned by the father of former British Prime Minister William Gladstone.

More than 200 slaves were killed as a result; several were decapitated and their heads placed on poles.

In a recent interview with ITV News, Guyanese President Irfaan Ali said Charles has “rightfully recognized slavery as the darkest days in human history.”

“Moving to the apology is the next step,” he added. “You exploited the region. You destroyed lives. You created underdevelopment.”

While in Guyana, Charles is expected to meet with Ali and elected leaders of Amerindian villages known as “toshaos.”

Nikita Miller, toshao of Chinese Landing, a rural Amerindian community in northern Guyana, said she was not invited.

She noted that her community has been mired in a decades-long land fight with miners seeking to extract gold from the area, and she would have liked the opportunity to talk about an issue that affects other toshaos as well.

“We have been suffering,” she said. “We want the government to respect Indigenous rights. … We have long-standing issues with our land.”

Miller said she believes the king’s visit might help improve things for Guyana overall, but not for Amerindian villages.

After two days in Guyana, Charles is scheduled to fly to Antigua and Barbuda for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting and meet with leaders of 56 member states. Talks are expected to focus on climate, trade and development, but some Caribbean leaders have said slavery reparations should dominate conversations.

The royals to skip Jamaica as it seeks more independence

The British royals have long visited Jamaica, but it’s not on Charles’ itinerary this time.

It’s just as well, said 51-year-old Rastafarian Steven Bennett.

“We don’t need any royal wave or photo-taking while the wounds of our ancestors are still being ignored. He still refuses to formally apologize for chattel slavery,” Bennett said. “Until the British monarchy is ready to stand on Jamaican soil, look us in the eye, apologize, and talk about actual repair and restitution, he has no business here. We want justice, not a parade.”

Jamaica in recent years has been pushing to oust Charles as head of state and become a republic like Barbados did in 2021.

Antonio Williams, a 25-year-old university student, said young Jamaicans have zero connection to the Crown.

“I think Buckingham Palace has read the room after the absolute PR disaster of William and Kate’s Caribbean tour a few years back,” he said, referring to the 2022 visit of the Prince and Princess of Wales to the region, where they faced protests and calls for reparations.

“We are actively moving toward becoming a republic and breaking these colonial ties,” Williams said. “Having the king visit now would just be incredibly awkward. Skipping us is a sign that they know their influence here is expiring.”

But 68-year-old retired civil servant Hermine Reid recalled with fondness how Charles’ mother, Queen Elizabeth II, used to visit Jamaica.

“It was always such a grand, respectful occasion, and people would line the streets in their Sunday best,” she said. “Things are very different now. It’s a little sad for my generation to see how much the relationship has fractured, but I suppose this is simply the modern era. Jamaica is growing up and charting its own course, and the king clearly recognizes that.”

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Myers Jr. reported from Kingston, Jamaica.

The deadliest day in Israel’s history features prominently in the campaign, but not in the way many outsiders might expect.

There’s been almost no debate over Israel’s wartime conduct in Gaza — which led to an international arrest warrant against Netanyahu — its occupation of much of southern Lebanon and parts of Syria, or its two wars launched against Iran, all of which have broad support.

Instead, candidates have focused on Netanyahu’s leadership and moral character; his role in the security breakdown on Oct. 7; his efforts to exempt ultra-Orthodox Jews from military service and a 2023 judicial overhaul seen by critics as an assault on Israel’s democratic institutions.

Both of the main electoral blocs are dominated by parties that support Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank and oppose the establishment of a Palestinian state, and no major candidate is advocating a return to the long-moribund peace process.

Here’s a closer look.

Netanyahu’s handling of Oct. 7 and its aftermath

People heading to the polls will pass the faces of fallen soldiers peering from stickers on train station walls and faded yellow ribbons honoring the hostages, the last of whom were returned in a ceasefire deal last year.

Around 68% of Jewish Israelis say their attitudes toward Oct. 7 are a central factor in deciding which party to support, according to the Israel Democracy Institute, a Jerusalem think tank. Among the Arab minority, just 32% said it factored prominently, with most citing crime as the main issue.

Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, has sought to shift blame for the failures surrounding Oct. 7 to security officials while touting Israel’s military achievements against Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon and their patron, Iran.

Critics accuse him of evading responsibility by blocking an official inquiry into the attack, of not reaching a deal to bring back the hostages sooner, and of failing to win a decisive victory against any of Israel’s foes.

Anger over exemptions from military service

Netanyahu’s governing coalitions have long relied on ultra-Orthodox parties that demand exemptions from military conscription for young men engaged in religious studies. That policy has infuriated Israel’s secular majority as reservists have been repeatedly called up in the various wars.

Military service is mandatory for most Jewish men and women, and about a quarter of Jewish voters polled by the Israel Democracy Institute ranked the issue as a key factor in deciding which party to support.

The country is struggling with a shortage of soldiers. Each year, around 13,000 ultra-Orthodox men reach the conscription age of 18, but fewer than 10% enlist.

“We have this notion that military service is a kind of permit to citizenship,” said Tamar Hermann, an expert on Israeli public opinion with the Israel Democracy Institute. It makes you a “legitimate part” of Israeli Jewish society, she added.

Netanyahu’s chief rival, Gadi Eisenkot, has vowed to end the de facto exemptions. The former military chief and political centrist lost his son and two nephews to combat in Gaza.

Yohanan Plesner, president of the Israel Democracy Institute, said the military exemptions were “probably the number one issue” for the anti-Netanyahu coalition.

Netanyahu’s judicial overhaul remains divisive

Netanyahu’s plan to overhaul the judiciary and weaken the Supreme Court sparked mass protests in Israel in 2023, leaving the country fiercely polarized when Hamas attacked.

Netanyahu portrayed it as an attempt to curb the authority of unelected judges, while critics viewed it as a power grab by a prime minister who has been indicted on corruption allegations.

After the Oct. 7 attack, the public focus shifted to Gaza, and many who had mobilized against the judicial changes redirected their efforts to demand a deal to release the hostages.

Only 18% of Jewish Israelis said the judicial overhaul was a main factor in deciding which party to support, according to the Israel Democracy Institute. “There’s some public fatigue,” Hermann said.

On the left, judicial changes raised greater concern, with 22.5% of voters saying the issue will influence their decision at the ballot box. Among centrist and right-wing voters, it did not rank among the top four issues.

Last year, Israel’s parliament passed a law giving the government a larger role in appointing judges. But it won’t take effect until the next legislature is sworn in, and the anti-Netanyahu bloc has vowed to repeal it.

Questions of leadership loom large

Israelis vote for parties, not specific candidates, and no single party is expected to win anywhere close to a 61-seat majority in parliament, known as the Knesset. Whoever can cobble together a majority coalition will become the next prime minister.

If no one is able to, Netanyahu’s government will continue to serve as caretaker until another round of elections in the coming months.

More than a quarter of Jewish Israelis view the head of the party as a key factor in deciding how to vote, according to the Israel Democracy Institute.

Netanyahu’s supporters see him as a veteran statesman who has gone toe-to-toe with U.S. presidents and other world leaders, resisting pressure to end the war in Gaza or make other concessions that could harm Israel’s security. His opponents think he’s a crook.

Eisenkot’s supporters point to his long military service and his personal losses in the ongoing wars. The son of Moroccan Jewish immigrants would also be the first Israeli prime minister of non-European descent, though he has not made that a central part of his campaign.

The economy and cost of living

Israel isn’t immune from the affordability concerns that have roiled elections worldwide in recent years.

The cost of living has soared, and is higher than in many wealthy European countries like Austria, Denmark and Sweden, according to research by Sarit Menahem-Carmi of the Aaron Institute for Economic Policy at Reichman University.

Netanyahu says his policies have unleashed growth and contributed to the rise of a world-class tech sector, while opponents say many Israelis have been left behind.

Among Jewish Israelis, 38% said the economy and cost of living are the most important or second most important issue in the election, a stance that rose to 46% among Arabs, the Israel Democracy Institute found.

But you wouldn’t know it from the campaign.

None of the main candidates has made the economy a central issue or drawn attention to the costs of the various wars. Joseph Zeira, an economics professor at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, said the high levels of military spending cannot be ignored.

“The cost of the conflict is tremendous,” Zeira said.

• Lula is declared winner of Brazil’s election as Bolsonaro rejects results
• Hollywood offers garage parking to residents ahead of another round of king tides
• Venezuelans in South Florida react to news of opposition leader Machado’s return

You can watch a live feed of our news broadcast at Local10.com/Live.

In Israel, the country's defense minister strongly denied that the military has clashed with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over his reported instructions for an “action” against Iran ahead of national elections on Tuesday.

Here is the latest news from the Middle East on Monday. Read our full coverage here.

Saudi-led coalition says it destroyed Houthi missile launchers

An operation in Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen destroyed five tunnels used for storing ballistic missiles, four ballistic missile launchers and another missile storage facility, according to the spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Iran-backed Houthis.

Maj. Gen. Turki al-Malki said the operation also aimed to cut the Houthis' supply lines between areas under their control and targeted rebel fortifications and military equipment along the front lines inside Yemen.

In a post on X, al-Malki said the coalition would continue to use “deterrent operational measures” to protect against the Houthis' “brutal attacks” inside the kingdom and in Yemen.

Houthis say Saudi-backed forces struck hospital in Red Sea port city

Yemen’s Houthi-run Health Ministry said Monday that Saudi-backed forces targeted a hospital in the Red Sea port city of Mokha, which the Houthi rebels recently seized. It did not provide evidence for the claim, and The Associated Press could not independently verify it.

In a statement, the ministry said the attack caused extensive damage to the hospital, but did not say whether there were any casualties. It also said Saudi forces on Sunday targeted a children's hospital in Taiz province, causing damage.

Earlier on Monday, two residents of Mokha, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals, said Mokha General Hospital and at least 10 houses were damaged after a rocket struck a nearby four-story residential building. The AP could not independently verify the claim, and it was not clear if this was the same incident that the Health Ministry was referring to.

There was no immediate comment from the Saudi-backed forces.

— By Ahmed al-Haj in Aden, Yemen

Houthis say they fired missiles at Yemeni government forces

The Houthi rebels claimed Monday that they struck military gatherings and weapons depots belonging to Saudi-backed government forces in Aden and Lahj provinces.

The Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said in a statement that the rebels fired ballistic missiles at the sites, inflicting losses. The claims could not be independently verified.

The Houthis continue to target government forces and their allies inside Yemen. The Yemeni government accused the rebels on Sunday of targeting displacement camps on the outskirts of the southern port city of Aden. The government didn’t provide evidence to support its claim.

Israel’s defense minister denies clash with the army over Iran

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz on Monday dismissed reports regarding rifts between the political leadership and the Israeli military over Iran as “completely baseless and false.”

In a post on X, Katz also said Israel had no intention to strike Iran before Tuesday’s national elections but that it would respond “with great force” if Iran attacks first.

Israeli Channel 12 reported Sunday evening that Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel's military chief of staff clashed over the Israeli prime minister's instruction to carry out an “action” that the army believes could quickly reignite the conflict with Iran. The report did not specify the nature of the action. Netanyahu’s office later described the report as “fake news.”

Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan seek closer cooperation

Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan agreed Monday to continue talks on strengthening cooperation, particularly on regional peace and security, Iran’s state-run news agency IRNA reported.

Maj. Gen. Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, hosted the four countries’ first quadrilateral meeting in Tehran.

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, Pakistan’s armed forces chief Gen. Asim Munir and Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin attended.

The IRNA report did not specify when or where the next meeting would take place.

Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said renewed attacks on Iran would destabilize the region and hurt countries that are not party to the conflict. In a televised address on Monday, he said reports about potential attacks had already driven fuel prices higher.

UN chief ‘alarmed’ by Israeli settler violence

U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres said Monday he was “deeply alarmed” by surging Israeli settler violence and settlement expansion in the West Bank.

Speaking in Cairo on one of his final trips as U.N. chief, Guterres called for lifting Israeli restrictions on humanitarian aid to Gaza and removing obstacles to the Security Council’s peace plan, warning that “the specter of ethnic cleansing” was looming ever larger.

He said lasting peace in the region depends on Palestinians’ right to self-determination and that a two-state solution, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states, is the only viable path.

Guterres also called for restoring stability around Iran and the Strait of Hormuz and ensuring safety around Yemen’s Bab al-Mandeb Strait.

Egypt's parliament approves help to Saudi Arabia

Egyptian lawmakers on Monday approved President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi’s request to support Saudi Arabia in countering Houthi attacks.

The decision comes amid growing public concern that Egypt could become involved in Yemen’s long-running conflict.

Egypt’s highest security body had pledged to provide “all necessary and possible forms of support” to Saudi Arabia to defend its security and stability, protect its resources and territorial integrity, and safeguard Islamic holy sites.

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This report will be updated throughout the day as new developments emerge.

Otros líderes de izquierda de la región reaccionaron con especial rapidez al resultado, pero presidentes conservadores de toda la región también reconocieron la victoria de Lula y enfatizaron la necesidad de que sus países cooperen con Brasil en temas como la lucha contra el crimen organizado y la reducción de la deforestación en la cuenca amazónica.

Hasta el lunes por la tarde, el gobierno del presidente libertario de Argentina, Javier Milei, era el único en Sudamérica que no había reconocido públicamente el resultado. Tras una reunión de gabinete el lunes, la oficina de Milei emitió un comunicado en el que abordó varios acontecimientos internacionales, incluidas las guerras en Irán y Ucrania, pero no mencionó el resultado electoral en Brasil. Durante la campaña presidencial, el líder libertario respaldó abiertamente a Bolsonaro y llamó a Lula un “ladrón corrupto”.

Lula sigue siendo una figura venerada para la izquierda de la región, tras gobernar Brasil entre 2003 y 2010, cuando líderes de izquierda estaban al mando en gran parte de América Latina. Sin embargo, en los últimos dos años, la influencia de Lula en Sudamérica ha disminuido, ya que la mayoría de los vecinos de Brasil eligieron gobiernos de derecha alineados con la administración del presidente de Estados Unidos, Donald Trump.

Desde que regresó al poder en 2023, Lula ha sido un crítico abierto de Trump, desafiando a la administración en temas como los aranceles comerciales y su apoyo a las acciones de Israel en Cisjordania y Gaza.

El lunes, Lula también fue felicitado por los líderes de los países BRICS, una alianza de economías emergentes que fue diseñada para desafiar el dominio occidental en los asuntos internacionales. Brasil es miembro fundador de la alianza, que celebró su primera cumbre en 2009, durante el segundo mandato de Lula.

Los líderes de las principales naciones europeas también felicitaron a Lula, expresando su disposición a trabajar con Brasil en temas como el cambio climático.

México: presidenta Claudia Sheinbaum

Una bocanada de aire fresco para América Latina y el Caribe... Estamos felices, muy contentos del triunfo de Lula en Brasil.

Cuba: presidente Miguel Díaz-Canel

Estimado hermano Lula te felicito en nombre del gobierno y pueblo cubanos por esta victoria histórica que garantiza la continuidad del camino de paz, soberanía y justicia social emprendido por el pueblo brasileño bajo tu liderazgo. Brasil puede contar con Cuba en la construcción de la unidad e integración de nuestra Patria Grande, latinoamericana y caribeña.

Colombia: presidente Abelardo de la Espriella

El presidente colombiano aseguró que, aunque apoyó a Bolsonaro en la campaña, en las urnas triunfó Lula como el resultado de la democracia.

“Ni Lula decide por los colombianos ni yo decido por los brasileños. ¡DECIDE LA GENTE! Y cuando el pueblo se pronuncia en las urnas, su voluntad se respeta porque es sagrada”.

El conservador resaltó en X que Colombia y Brasil son “países hermanos”, por lo que pueden trabajar en beneficio mutuo, respetando la soberanía y luchando contra el narcotráfico, la minería ilegal y la protección de la Amazonía.

Chile: presidente José Antonio Kast

Chile y Brasil tienen mucho futuro en común y seguiremos trabajando por una agenda que potencie las relaciones entre nuestros países en integración económica y combate al crimen organizado en la región.

Ecuador: presidente Daniel Noboa

Felicitaciones Lula por esta victoria. Nuestra región tiene enemigos comunes, desafíos compartidos y mucho por ganar cuando trabajamos juntos.

Perú: presidenta Keiko Fujimori

Próximos al bicentenario de nuestras relaciones diplomáticas, reafirmo nuestra voluntad de fortalecer nuestra alianza estratégica, la integración, la cooperación y el desarrollo sostenible de la Amazonía que compartimos, en beneficio de ambos pueblos.

Bolivia: presidente Rodrigo Paz

Bolivia y Brasil somos países vecinos y hermanos, unidos por una historia y desafíos comunes. Seguiremos trabajando juntos para fortalecer nuestra relación y generar más oportunidades para nuestras naciones.

Paraguay: presidente Santiago Peña

Felicidades Lula por tu elección como presidente del Brasil. Saludo al pueblo brasileño por esta gran jornada democrática. El Paraguay y Brasil comparten una agenda común de integración y desarrollo. Seguiremos trabajando juntos por el bienestar de nuestra gente.

Costa Rica: presidenta Laura Fernández

Felicito al pueblo brasileño por haber ejercido su derecho al voto y haber podido elegir a su nuevo presidente en un proceso democrático y pacífico. Le deseo la mayor prosperidad a los más de 212 millones de hermanos que viven en el país más grande de América Latina.

Argentina: expresidenta Cristina Kirchner

FELICITACIONES (…) a usted, compañero presidente Lula, que en su séptima elección presidencial supo despertar en sus compatriotas sentimiento y sentido para ganar esta batalla.

España: presidente Pedro Sánchez

¡Gran victoria para Lula! Lo que ha pasado en Brasil pasará en España. La remontada del progresismo global acaba de comenzar.

Francia: presidente Emmanuel Macron

Mis más sinceras felicitaciones a Lula por su reelección. Francia y Brasil tienen mucho que construir juntos. Frente a los grandes desafíos de nuestro tiempo, fortalezcamos nuestra asociación estratégica y demos vida a la amistad entre nuestros dos países al servicio de un mundo más justo.

Comisión Europea: presidenta Ursula von der Leyen

La democracia y el multilateralismo han ganado en Brasil. La asociación de Europa con Brasil está prosperando. Seguiremos a su lado en los años venideros. Juntos seguiremos trabajando estrechamente por un comercio libre y abierto. Un orden global basado en reglas. Y fuertes ambiciones para nuestro clima.

Estados Unidos: senador Bernie Sanders

Lula ha defendido a los trabajadores brasileños y la democracia — y seguirá haciéndolo en los próximos cuatro años.

Ucrania: presidente Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Para nosotros en Ucrania, es importante que Brasil siga activo en los asuntos internacionales y continúe contribuyendo a la protección efectiva de los derechos humanos, los derechos de los pueblos y los derechos de los Estados. Agradecemos a Brasil su apoyo inquebrantable a la soberanía y la integridad territorial de Ucrania. Esperamos ampliar nuestra cooperación.

Rusia: presidente Vladímir Putin

Los resultados de la votación confirmaron plenamente el reconocimiento de sus conciudadanos a sus sobresalientes cualidades de liderazgo y su apoyo a sus políticas destinadas a garantizar el desarrollo socioeconómico sostenible del país y defender su soberanía e intereses legítimos en el escenario global.

Por supuesto, seguiremos trabajando estrechamente juntos para ampliar nuestra fructífera cooperación bilateral en todas las áreas y nuestro compromiso constructivo dentro de las Naciones Unidas, los BRICS, el G20 y otros marcos multilaterales.

India: primer ministro Narendra Modi

Mis más sinceras felicitaciones a mi querido amigo, el presidente Lula, por su notable victoria en la reelección.

Juntos seguiremos fortaleciendo nuestra cooperación en diversos sectores, promoviendo las prioridades compartidas del sur global y trabajando hacia un mundo más inclusivo, equitativo y sostenible.

China: portavoz del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores Guo Jiakun

China ( ...) expresa sus felicitaciones. Estamos listos para trabajar con Brasil para seguir impulsando la construcción de una comunidad China-Brasil con un futuro compartido.

Sudáfrica: presidente Cyril Ramaphosa

Esta victoria resonará más allá de las costas de Brasil. Es una victoria para el sur global y las fuerzas progresistas en todo el mundo. Reafirmamos nuestro compromiso de seguir fortaleciendo las relaciones bilaterales entre nuestros dos países y de trabajar estrechamente juntos en todos los foros multilaterales para forjar un orden mundial justo y mejor, sustentado en la solidaridad y el apego al derecho internacional.

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

In recent weeks, Antonelli and Mercedes had been struggling with a package of car upgrades that often seemed more like downgrades as Max Verstappen and Red Bull took advantage to win back-to-back races.

But Antonelli’s dominant win from pole position at the Circuit of the Americas on Sunday showed he’s now confident of getting the best out of the car over a full race distance at a pace Red Bull and Ferrari largely couldn’t match.

“All this time putting so much work into bringing this new package and finally seeing the result is very pleasant,” he said.

In Singapore earlier this month, Antonelli said there was only a “very, very small” window of performance to unlock the new design's benefits before it became skittish and unpredictable.

Now the car is working as intended, he says there's more to come.

“In some places, I would say, still not as much as we expected, but in other places it is delivering very well,” Antonelli said. “We’re still struggling a little bit in low-speed with front locking, but overall, I feel like the package is finally starting to deliver.”

With much smaller regulation tweaks coming for 2027 compared with the sweeping changes implemented this year, what teams learn from late-season developments can have a direct benefit next year.

Only one of Mercedes' drivers is seeing the benefit. George Russell was at a loss for his “rubbish” pace as he finished eighth in Texas. A five-second penalty didn't help, but Russell told Sky Sports he was clueless about the rest of the yawning gap to Antonelli.

“Hopefully there are some answers somewhere but at the moment I don’t have them,” he said.

Russell has less experience with the upgrades after the team put him back on the old package in Singapore to make a side-by-side comparison.

Verstappen's still a threat after Red Bull developments made his set up more predictable, but the car is slow off the line at the start of the race and it's costing him. Verstappen started second alongside Antonelli but spent his first lap under attack from Charles Leclerc as Antonelli zoomed off into a lead that was never seriously under threat.

“The start definitely is something we’ve improved massively,” Antonelli said. “We were nowhere at the beginning of the season, and now we’re good, so that’s definitely one less thing to worry about.”

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See AP’s full auto racing coverage here

El triunfo del actual presidente izquierdista, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, sobre Flávio Bolsonaro el domingo, con el 51,8% de los votos frente al 48,2%, limita el esfuerzo del presidente de Estados Unidos Donald Trump por afianzar su control sobre el hemisferio occidental y consolida al país más poblado de América Latina y su mayor economía como un contrapeso a Washington. Una victoria de Bolsonaro habría dejado a Claudia Sheinbaum, de México, como la única presidenta progresista entre las potencias de la región.

Para el gobierno de Trump, que ha recurrido a aranceles punitivos, sanciones severas y fuerza militar para reafirmar su predominio en la región, la victoria de Lula complica su campaña para sumar a Brasil a su coalición militar contra los cárteles y para obtener acceso preferencial a los minerales críticos del país, según analistas.

Sin embargo, ambos bandos ven motivos para cooperar. Washington quiere acceso al vasto tesoro brasileño de tierras raras para reducir la dependencia de su industria de defensa respecto de China. Lula quiere inversión extranjera y alivio arancelario para los exportadores brasileños.

“Lula es lo suficientemente pragmático como para acordar algún tipo de modus operandi con el gobierno de Trump”, afirmó Will Freeman, investigador de estudios sobre América Latina en el Council on Foreign Relation, y añadió que los aliados de los Bolsonaro en Washington probablemente perderían influencia tras la segunda derrota electoral de la familia. El padre de Flávio, el expresidente Jair Bolsonaro, perdió ante Lula en 2022.

“No estoy seguro de que alguien en el gobierno de Trump, más allá de unas pocas personas, quiera seguir convirtiendo a los Bolsonaro en el tema central de la relación entre Estados Unidos y Brasil”, señaló.

La pieza que le falta a Trump

En gran parte de América Latina, los votantes, hartos del crimen organizado y de la inseguridad económica, han recompensado a candidatos presidenciales que prometen restablecer el orden. Desde Keiko Fujimori en Perú hasta Abelardo de la Espriella en Colombia y José Antonio Kast en Chile, conservadores recién electos han cortejado a Trump mientras toman como referencia al presidente de El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, cuya amplia ofensiva contra las pandillas ha reducido drásticamente los homicidios a costa de detenciones masivas y de la suspensión de libertades civiles.

Trump ha reforzado ese giro con respaldos electorales, rescates financieros y millones de dólares en ayuda militar.

“Estados Unidos ciertamente está poniendo el dedo en la balanza para tratar de ayudar a los elementos de derecha más duros en la región”, comentó Kenneth Roberts, profesor de gobierno en la Universidad de Cornell.

Brasil habría sido la incorporación más trascendental para Washington. Bolsonaro había prometido sumarse a la coalición de seguridad liderada por Estados Unidos “con gran entusiasmo y gran honor”, convirtiendo su alianza con Trump en parte de su discurso ante los votantes.

Lula, en cambio, ha defendido la larga tradición brasileña de no alineamiento, cultivando vínculos con potencias rivales. Su gobierno profundizó los lazos comerciales con China y buscó mayor influencia global a través de los BRICS, un grupo de economías emergentes.

El apoyo contundente de Trump a los Bolsonaro reforzó ese mensaje. Los aranceles de dos dígitos que impuso a una serie de productos brasileños para castigar a Brasil por procesar al expresidente Jair Bolsonaro por un plan golpista para derrocar a Lula provocaron una reacción nacionalista que el líder izquierdista canalizó en el grito de movilización “Brasil pertenece a los brasileños”.

“En la medida en que la superpotencia regional se convierte en una amenaza para las instituciones democráticas de Brasil, defender la soberanía nacional brasileña también se convierte en una forma de defender la democracia brasileña”, sostuvo Roberts.

Las líneas rojas de Lula

Brasil se resistió a sumarse al Escudo de las Américas, una coalición militar liderada por Estados Unidos que apunta contra los cárteles.

Cuando Washington en mayo designó a las dos mayores facciones criminales de Brasil —el Primer Comando de la Capital y el Comando Vermelho— como organizaciones terroristas, Lula advirtió que esas etiquetas podrían convertirse en un pretexto para una intervención estadounidense.

“No aceptamos que nos traten como niños”, declaró tras el anuncio. Sobre las pandillas, agregó: “Las combatiremos aquí, en casa”.

Los países situados a lo largo de las principales rutas hacia el norte del tráfico de cocaína y de migrantes, muchos de ellos muy dependientes del mercado estadounidense, han sido más complacientes. En Ecuador, tropas de Estados Unidos se han sumado a la policía local en redadas contra presuntas redes de narcotráfico en las llanuras costeras. Honduras, Guatemala y Colombia también han aceptado operaciones militares conjuntas, según ha dicho el secretario de Defensa de Estados Unidos, Pete Hegseth, aunque el gobierno de Guatemala lo ha negado.

Brian Winter, analista veterano de América Latina y editor en jefe de Americas Quarterly, una revista de política pública, indicó que “Brasil no es Honduras. Es un país grande, con una historia muy independiente y unas fuerzas armadas que no verían con buenos ojos tropas extranjeras en su propio territorio”. Y añadió: “El gobierno de Trump tendrá que moverse con cuidado aquí”.

Washington también podría tener menos motivos para presionar a Lula en materia de cooperación militar. La mayor parte de la cocaína que pasa por Brasil se consume en el país o se envía a Europa y África, en lugar de a Estados Unidos.

En cuanto a minerales críticos, Lula quiere que Brasil controle sus recursos y preserve su libertad de vender más allá de Estados Unidos.

Brasil posee las segundas mayores reservas conocidas de tierras raras del mundo, utilizadas en potentes imanes para misiles guiados, teléfonos inteligentes, turbinas eólicas y vehículos eléctricos.

El mes pasado, USA Rare Earth, en la que el gobierno de Estados Unidos tiene participación, completó la adquisición de Serra Verde por 2.800 millones de dólares, la empresa brasileña propietaria de una de las pocas minas fuera de Asia que produce las cuatro tierras raras necesarias para esos imanes. Alarmado por la expansión del papel de Estados Unidos, el gobierno de Lula aceleró una legislación que endurece la supervisión de los minerales críticos.

“Revisar el acuerdo Serra Verde–USA Rare Earth quizá no sea lo primero que haga Lula cuando sea reelegido, pero lo tiene en el radar", señaló Monica de Bolle, investigadora principal del Peterson Institute for International Economics.

Brasil también produce alrededor del 90% del niobio mundial, un elemento crítico para motores de aviones, cohetes y otros equipos militares, según el Servicio Geológico de Estados Unidos. Cualquier restricción brasileña a las exportaciones podría alterar las cadenas de suministro de los fabricantes de defensa estadounidenses.

“Brasil tiene margen de maniobra”, afirmó de Bolle. “Con Lula, Estados Unidos pisa terreno más inestable”.

Compromiso en casa y en el exterior

Pese a sus declaraciones públicas desafiantes, Lula ha buscado la paz con Trump. Su visita a la Casa Blanca en mayo para hablar de comercio, crimen organizado y minerales críticos debilitó la afirmación de los Bolsonaro de que solo ellos podían tratar con Washington.

Sin duda se avecinan más negociaciones con Trump por los aranceles y con el Congreso de Brasil, donde los conservadores ampliaron sus filas en las elecciones del 4 de octubre, privando a Lula del respaldo que necesita para impulsar reformas significativas. Tras tres mandatos anteriores, Lula se enfrenta a votantes impacientes por calles más seguras y alivio ante el alto costo de vida.

“Lula tiene las manos atadas”, señaló Guilherme Casarões, profesor asociado de estudios brasileños en la Universidad Internacional de Florida. “Prácticamente todo lo que ha intentado hacer ha sido bloqueado en el Congreso”.

En toda América Latina, las coaliciones que se unieron contra un adversario común a menudo se han fragmentado a medida que se imponen las realidades de gobernar. Los nuevos aliados de Trump ya están perdiendo apoyo en Chile, Bolivia y Perú, lo que sugiere que el giro a la derecha de la región podría ser menos duradero de lo que parece. Lula desafió la tendencia contra los oficialismos, pero su respaldo podría evaporarse rápidamente mientras negocia con adversarios —en el Congreso y más allá de las fronteras de Brasil— para ofrecer los resultados que los votantes esperan.

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El periodista de The Associated Press Mauricio Savarese en Sao Paulo contribuyó a este reportaje.

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

Many in Iran are anxious about a possible return to all-out war. Israeli and American leaders have been sharpening their threats before elections in both countries, while Iranian leaders have remained defiant.

The war in Yemen and strikes by Iran-backed Houthi rebels against Saudi Arabia were also discussed, according to two regional officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak with reporters.

The four countries agreed Monday to continue talks on expanding cooperation among them, particularly about regional peace and security, a statement said. No details were given about a date or place for a future meeting.

Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman, Pakistani army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and Ibrahim Kalin, the head of Turkey’s intelligence service, attended the talks, hosted by Maj. Gen. Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Monday that Iran supports any agreement that would deepen regional cooperation, resolve differences and make greater use of the shared resources and capabilities of Islamic countries.

Delegations from the other Middle Eastern countries sought to avoid further turmoil in the region.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned in a televised address on Monday that renewed attacks on Iran would destabilize the region and hurt countries that aren't party to the conflict.

“It is our hope that all parties will refrain from any actions that could drag our region into a new spiral of violence,” Erdogan said.

Saudi Arabia said in a statement that the delegations hoped to find “ways to de-escalate tensions, enhance regional security and promote its stability.”

Qatari mediators also traveled to Tehran on Sunday, working in coordination with the United States, as part of efforts to de-escalate regional tensions, according to a regional official speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the talks.

Pakistan and Qatar helped broker an agreement in June aimed at having Iran fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz to shipping, ending a U.S. blockade of Iranian ports and opening negotiations on a broader settlement addressing Iran’s nuclear program. The deal unraveled quickly, however, as both sides renewed attacks.

Iran and Israel trade accusations

With worries about renewed fighting before Israel's election on Tuesday and the U.S. midterm election on Nov. 3, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said over the weekend that Iran hadn't closed the window of diplomacy and that messages were being passed to the U.S. through intermediaries.

With negotiations long stalled, he said that the U.S. appears to be persisting in unilateral demands and that U.S. President Donald Trump and other American officials repeatedly use the phrase “complete surrender,” which Baghaei said no Iranian accepts.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, meanwhile, repeated his warning on Sunday that Iran or its proxies could launch an attack before the election to disrupt the vote, citing intelligence.

“The (military) is ready both to defend and to strike,” he said in a video statement. “You will suffer disproportionate blows far greater than you can imagine.”

Israel’s Channel 12 reported Sunday night that Netanyahu and his military chief of staff clashed over an instruction by Netanyahu to carry out an “action” that the army believes could quickly trigger a resumption of the conflict with Iran.

Netanyahu’s office later described the report as “fake news.”

In Tehran, when asked whether Iran was planning attacks, Baghaei on Monday said that “the Israeli regime is highly skilled at carrying out false-flag operations.”

“The Islamic Republic of Iran will not hesitate to exercise its inherent right to self-defense to protect Iran’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence,” he said.

Front in the Iran war widens

Yemen has become a widening front in the Iran war that began in February, with the Houthis increasingly launching attacks on Saudi Arabia because it supports Yemen’s internationally recognized government battling the rebels.

The conflict has intensified since forces from the internationally recognized government and Saudi-led coalition launched airstrikes on Houthi-held Sanaa International Airport in July, shattering a 2022 ceasefire deal that largely stopped the fighting in Yemen’s civil war.

Early Monday, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said that the rebel group had fired ballistic missiles at military gatherings and weapons depots belonging to Saudi-backed government forces in Aden and Lahj provinces. He said that the attacks destroyed military equipment and caused casualties, but didn't provide evidence. The Associated Press couldn’t independently verify the information.

Houthi media said that airstrikes targeted a solar power system and a water well in Sanaa, but offered no proof. In the port city of Mokha, recently seized by the Houthis, residents said that rockets hit several buildings, including a hospital.

Doctors Without Borders, or Médecins Sans Frontières, said Monday that three strikes hit Mokha, one landing just 150 meters (nearly 500 feet) from Mokha General Hospital, where its teams work in maternity and pediatric wards.

The statement came after the Houthi-run Health Ministry accused Saudi-backed forces of targeting the hospital. The Saudi-backed forces haven't commented.

All staff and patients were safe, MSF said, adding that the strike damaged the hospital building.

Days earlier, a missile struck near Aden’s airport as an MSF plane carrying humanitarian workers was preparing to take off, forcing staff to seek shelter instead of boarding, the organization said. Aden’s airport is the main entry point for humanitarian workers, supplies and medical equipment to the southern parts of Yemen.

Houthi-run al-Masirah channel also reported strikes in Saada, in northern Yemen, and in southwestern Taiz province, where the rebels and Saudi-backed government forces have been fighting for weeks.

The spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition said that an operation in Houthi-controlled territory destroyed five tunnels used for storing ballistic missiles, four ballistic missile launchers and other missile storage.

Meanwhile, Egypt’s parliament on Monday approved a request from President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi to provide military support to Saudi Arabia to help defend against Houthi attacks.

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Victoria Eastwood and Fatma Khaled in Cairo, Natalie Melzer in Tel Aviv, Israel, Munir Ahmed in Islamabad, Ahmed al-Haj in Aden, Yemen, and David Rising in Bangkok, contributed to this report.

But the Tampa Bay Rays love their quirky ballpark, especially after being forced out for a season because of destruction from Hurricane Milton.

A sellout crowd of more than 40,000 towel-waving, cowbell-ringing fans will welcome the Rays back for Game 3 of the World Series on Monday night after a pair of gut-wrenching, one-run losses in Milwaukee.

The Brewers lead 2-0 and are two wins away from the franchise’s first World Series title. The Rays need to win four of five games to secure their first championship in their 29th season.

When Milton swept through downtown St. Petersburg on Oct. 9, 2024, shredding the roof and causing extensive damage to the Trop, there were concerns the Rays would never play again at the only place they had called home since the franchise’s debut in 1998.

Nearly $60 million was spent to replace the roof and rebuild the stadium before the Rays returned 18 1/2 months later to start this season. They played their 2025 home games across the bay in Tampa at Steinbrenner Field, the spring training home of the New York Yankees.

During the renovation, the Rays were sold to a group led by real estate developer Patrick Zalupski. The new ownership team spearheaded an agreement to build a 31,000-seat ballpark in Tampa near the home of the NFL’s Buccaneers.

In August, the Rays received county approval on a financing plan for the $2.3 billion project that features what they’re calling their “forever home” within a mixed-use entertainment district.

The new stadium is scheduled to open in 2029. The Rays and their fans are hoping a World Series banner will hang in the stadium.

“We love playing at the Trop. We played so well at the Trop all year,” second baseman Richie Palacios said Sunday. “It’s going to be exciting to go out there and put on a show for our fans and hopefully bring them a couple more wins.”

The Rays and Brewers tied for the best home record in the regular season, going 55-26. Though Rays fans have often been criticized for not showing up — the team finished 28th in attendance at 1.4 million — they’ve rocked the Trop throughout the postseason and made sure to give the rival Yankees an earful in the AL Division Series when the crowd included plenty of New Yorkers.

Large crowds also gathered at the Trop for watch parties during Games 1 and 2 while the Rays and Brewers played at American Family Field in Milwaukee.

“These Milwaukee fans have been really loud. I know our fans are going to be really loud and excited to see us come back and kind of reset ourselves a little bit,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said.

Tropicana Field hosted only two World Series games in 2008 when the Rays split at home and then lost three in a row in Philadelphia. The 2020 World Series was played on a neutral field in Arlington, Texas, because of the coronavirus pandemic. The Rays lost that series to the Dodgers in six games.

One of the Trop’s most distinctive features is its catwalk system, consisting of four circular steel rings suspended beneath the stadium’s non-retractable, cable-supported roof that stabilize the structure.

Sometimes the catwalks interfere with baseballs. It happened in Game 2 of the ALDS when Yankees rookie Spencer Jones hit a towering flyball off a catwalk that was caught by Victor Mesa Jr., who ran over to center field from right field to make the play.

A batted ball that strikes either of the lower two catwalks is a home run, per stadium ground rules. A batted ball that hits either of the two upper catwalks is in play.

“It’s very much a different place,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said. “It seems like a great place, and you have to make adjustments to it. That’s part of being a big leaguer. You have to make adjustments to it.”

The Trop also is the only ballpark in the majors where fans can touch stingrays. Seven cownose stingrays that weathered Hurricane Milton returned to the stadium for opening day inside the “Cownose Clubhouse,” a 10,000-gallon touch tank experience located just beyond the right-center-field fence.

“They have stingrays in the outfield here? I didn’t know that,” Brewers reliever Aaron Ashby said.

Second baseman Brice Turang asked if the stingrays can be touched. They can.

“That’s really cool,” he said.

If Milwaukee wins two of the next three, Turang and Ashby could pose for photos with the stingrays and the World Series trophy.

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This story has been corrected to show that the 2020 World Series was played in Arlington, Texas, not San Diego.

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See AP’s full MLB coverage here

Los tres distritos de la provincia insular del sur, incluida su capital, Phuket City, se vieron afectados por las inundaciones. Los niveles del agua comenzaron a bajar a última hora de la mañana, pero algunas zonas más bajas seguían inundadas y se recomendó a los vehículos pequeños evitar esas áreas, según el vicegobernador provincial, Romdon Hayiawae.

Romdon indicó que algunas partes de la provincia también fueron golpeadas por aludes de lodo y que las autoridades trabajaban para retirar los escombros y evitar que cayeran en los canales y obstruyeran las vías de agua.

Fotos y videos compartidos en redes sociales mostraban cómo el agua invadía zonas residenciales y carreteras, que quedaron intransitables. También se observa a vehículos parcialmente enterrados en montones de lodo y rocas que dejó la inundación.

Unas 100 viviendas se vieron afectadas. No hubo reportes de víctimas, señaló Romdon.

El Departamento Meteorológico de Tailandia advirtió que habrá lluvias fuertes y continuas en la región sur hasta el miércoles, lo que podría desencadenar más inundaciones repentinas y deslizamientos de tierra.

Las inundaciones han azotado muchas partes de Tailandia desde mediados de septiembre y, hasta el lunes se informó de al menos 83 personas fallecidas, según el Departamento de Prevención y Mitigación de Desastres. La capital tailandesa, Bangkok, quedó inundada a finales de septiembre tras días de lluvias torrenciales, lo que obligó a miles a evacuar y provocó graves interrupciones.

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

The 37-year-old was given an eight-month sentence, suspended for a year.

He had faced up to three years in prison after pleading guilty to a count of affray in July for the attack on the dance floor of Tape, a private club in the swanky Mayfair neighborhood in February 2023.

Video footage played in court showed Brown having to be pulled away from the victim, his former friend Abraham Diaw, after striking him twice in the head with a bottle.

“The repeated use of a glass bottle in that way, especially aimed at the head, was plainly dangerous. It carried the risk of delivering a more serious injury than was ultimately sustained,” Judge Tony Baumgartner said in Southwark Crown Court.

Despite the seriousness of the attack, Baumgartner said Brown did not qualify for a custodial sentence because he pleaded guilty and there were several mitigating circumstances, including stable employment and charity work. The judge acknowledged Brown’s previous convictions but said he had maintained a clean record in recent years.

Previous brushes with the law

Brown has faced repeated legal trouble since his felony conviction in the 2009 assault of his then-girlfriend, Rihanna, hours before the pair were due to perform at the Grammys.

He has been arrested in several U.S. states over altercations but was either not charged or prosecutors later dropped the charges. In 2019 he was arrested in Paris and questioned on suspicion of rape, but was released without charge.

In return for his guilty plea, prosecutors dropped charges of assault, attempting to cause grievous bodily harm and having an offensive weapon, a bottle.

Brown’s friend and vocal coach Omololu Akinlolu also pleaded guilty to affray and was given a four-month suspended sentence.

Affray is the use or threat of unlawful violence that leads someone to fear for their safety.

Brown has apologized for the attack

Prosecutor Heidi Stonecliffe said Brown played a leading role in the attack.

“By any circumstances, when one watches that footage, it is Mr. Brown that moves first,” Stonecliffe said.

Defense lawyer Sallie Bennett-Jenkins said Brown apologized to all those at the club that night, though she emphasized the attack lasted no more than 20 seconds.

“This is an ugly and unattractive incident,” Bennett-Jenkins said. “It is something which undoubtedly would have caused distress to those who are present and for which Mr. Brown … offers a profound apology to all those present.”

Diaw was discharged from the hospital with head and knee injuries, Stonecliffe said.

Crowds greet Brown outside court

Brown was cheered outside the courthouse by fans who came from as far as Italy and the Netherlands.

His face was covered by a black mask and dark glasses and his bleached hair was mostly hidden from view under a black ball cap. He wore a black leather jacket and light-colored turtleneck.

He blew a kiss to one fan and appeared to sign an autograph for another as he moved through a pack of photographers and onlookers.

Not everyone was cheering for him. When he arrived at court in the morning, a lone voice could be heard shouting at him to ask when he was going to learn that violence is not OK.

Brown left the United Kingdom after the brawl but was arrested in May 2025 at a Manchester hotel after flying to the city for a concert. He had been free on bail of 5 million pounds ($6.7 million), which allowed him to tour Europe and North America the past two summers.

Brown rose to stardom as a teen in 2005 and won his first Grammy for best R&B album in 2011 for “F.A.M.E.” He earned his second in the same category for “11:11 (Deluxe)” in 2025.

Farmer Mike has been chiseling whimsical faces and comical creatures into big pumpkins for more than four decades. Wearing his trademark orange overalls and farmer hat, he's sculpted hundreds of gourds into ghoulish faces, seaside landscapes, witches, dragons and pop culture figures such as Yoda and Charlie Brown.

Valladao doesn’t have any formal artistic training, but he's always looking for inspiration. He gets ideas from looking at art in a museum or just walking down the street.

“Sometimes I’ll look at somebody and I’ll think, oh, I like the teeth or I like ears or the way the nostrils flare,” Valladao said.

This year, “Farmer Mike” celebrated 40 years of Halloween artistry at the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival, which is held in mid-October and is best known for its giant pumpkin weigh-off. At the two-day festival on the coast south of San Francisco, Valladao works on stage so people can watch.

His pumpkin carvings have drawn requests from across the US

Valladao stumbled into his artistic hobby after he began growing big pumpkins at his San Jose home in the mid-1980s. He didn’t know what to do with the massive gourds, so he pulled out a knife and started slicing faces into them.

“I’m an engineer by trade and I tend to look at it as building something the same way I would build a piece of hardware, one layer at a time,” he said.

In 1986, festival organizers saw a picture of Valladao’s pumpkins and invited him to showcase his carving skills in Half Moon Bay, where his family opened the town’s first feed and seed store in the 19th century. He grew an 800-pound (363-kilogram) pumpkin once, but it was a lot of work, so he doesn’t participate in the giant pumpkin contest.

His art has since taken him to different parts of the country, including an appearance on “The Tonight Show.” He has gotten requests to carve pumpkins at venues such as the San Diego Zoo, the California Academy of Sciences and the State Fair of Texas.

‘It’s about the illusion of depth'

He uses Atlantic pumpkins that weigh from 100 to 1,000 pounds (45 to 454 kilograms). They have thick skins that allow him to cut protruding facial features shallow or deep.

“It’s really about the illusion of depth,” Valladao said. “I can make it so that it’s three-dimensional, such that the eyes are inset and the nose sticks out. So it’s a little bit of carving, but it’s just adding a little more magic to it.”

Valladao said he doesn’t name his creations because he recognizes the ephemeral nature of his art, which only lasts a few days.

“It never really bothers me when a pumpkin starts to age because in some cases they’ll build character,” Valladao said.

And there are always more pumpkins to be carved.

After 40 years at Half Moon Bay, Valladao doesn’t have any plans to hang up his carving knives.

“It’s fun, it’s enjoyable and, quite frankly, it’s a piece of me,” he said.

The attack struck the Greek Orthodox Church during a funeral in Karak, about 90 kilometers (55 miles) south of the capital, Amman, on Friday. Karak is home to a minority Christian population.

The attack shocked the nation, and Jordan declared three days of mourning for the victims. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack; the attackers' motive remained unknown.

Later Monday, the Public Security Directorate identified the three arrested men as brothers Hazzah Zaidan Mohammad and Mishal Zaidan Mohammad, and their brother-in-law Ahmad Sami Hussein. All three are Jordanian; they were taken into custody in Karak, south of Amman.

The agency's chief described the gunmen as “takfiri,” a term used for Sunni militants, but said they were not tied to any organized group.

“They only represent themselves,” Maj. Gen. Obaidallah Abd Rabbo Al-Maayta told a news conference. He also said a large cache of munitions was found in the abandoned house where Jordanian forces apprehended the men.

Jordan’s Interior Minister Mazen Al-Faraya said the attack by the three was the result of “a terroristic, extremist way of thinking.”

“If this way of thinking is not resolved, we will see incidents like this again,” he told reporters.

Jordan's King Abdullah II had ordered authorities to respond with “an iron fist” against what he called the outlaws of Islam and anyone attempting to undermine the unity of the Jordanian people.

“We vowed the terrorists would not escape punishment, and no proponent of dark ideologies that divide Jordanians will be tolerated,” he said in a statement on Monday.

Relatives of the victims said the arrests brought them some relief.

“Despite the profound and immense tragedy, what happened today has eased our grief — and the grief of the Jordanian people — not just for us, the families of the martyrs," Khaled al-Borqan, himself a survivor of the attack and a relative of three of the people killed, told Al-Mamlaka.

“Despite the sadness and pain, the news brought us joy,” Fares Halaseh, an uncle of one of the victims and a survivor of the attack, told the TV station.

But the pain remains, he added. "We will not forget this agony for years to come.”

___

Associated Press writer Kareem Chehayeb in Beirut contributed to this report.

Machado, la líder opositora que llevó a millones de venezolanos a rechazar al presidente Nicolás Maduro en las elecciones de 2024, reapareció el domingo en su país. Había salido de Venezuela en diciembre pasado para viajar a Noruega, donde fue galardonada con el premio Nobel de la Paz, y permaneció en el extranjero, pasando tiempo en Washington y otras naciones.

Antes de salir de Venezuela, Machado se había mantenido oculta desde el 9 de enero de 2025, cuando fue detenida brevemente luego de sumarse a miles de simpatizantes durante una protesta antigubernamental en Caracas. Semanas después de su partida, el ejército de Estados Unidos capturó a Maduro durante una incursión sorpresa en la capital venezolana.

En diciembre, horas después de saludar a la multitud desde el balcón de un hotel noruego, Machado declaró a los periodistas que continuaría la lucha por la democracia de su patria y prometió regresar pronto.

El año pasado señaló que su regreso al país ocurriría “cuando pensemos que son las condiciones propicias en términos de seguridad y no dependerá de la salida o no del régimen”.

“Águila no caza moscas”

Machado, ingeniera industrial e hija de un magnate del acero, comenzó a desafiar al partido gobernante en 2004, cuando la organización no gubernamental que cofundó, Súmate, promovió un referéndum para revocar al entonces presidente Hugo Chávez. La iniciativa fracasó, y Machado y otros ejecutivos de Súmate fueron acusados de conspiración.

Atrajo la ira de Chávez y sus aliados al año siguiente por su reunión en el Despacho Oval con el entonces presidente estadounidense George W. Bush. Chávez consideraba a Bush un adversario.

Su transformación completa en una mujer política llegaría en 2010, cuando fue elegida para un escaño en la Asamblea Nacional, recibiendo más votos que cualquier otro aspirante a legislador. Fue desde esta posición que interrumpió audazmente a Chávez mientras él hablaba ante la legislatura y le dijo que la expropiación de empresas que hacía era un robo.

”Águila no caza moscas”, respondió él, un refrán venezolano que se refiere a que los hombres de gran relieve no deben ocuparse de asuntos pequeños. El intercambio de palabras está grabado en la memoria de los votantes.

Machado ha aspirado a la presidencia desde hace tiempo

Machado intentó llegar por primera vez a la presidencia de Venezuela en 2012, pero terminó tercera en las primarias para ser la candidata presidencial de la Mesa de la Unidad Democrática.

La Asamblea Nacional, controlada por el gobernante Partido Socialista Unido de Venezuela, destituyó a Machado en 2014 y, meses después, la Contraloría General la inhabilitó para cargos públicos durante un año, citando una supuesta omisión en su declaración de bienes. Ese mismo año, el gobierno la acusó de estar involucrada en un supuesto complot para asesinar a Maduro, quien sucedió a Chávez tras su muerte en 2013.

Machado negó la acusación, calificándola de un intento de silenciarla a ella y a los miembros de la oposición que habían convocado a decenas de miles de personas a las calles en protestas antigubernamentales, las cuales se tornaron violentas a veces.

Durante los siguientes nueve años mantuvo un perfil bajo, apoyando algunas iniciativas anti-Maduro y boicots electorales, y criticando los empeños de la oposición para negociar con el gobierno. Para cuando anunció una nueva candidatura a la presidencia en 2023, sus mensajes cuidadosos habían suavizado su imagen de elitista intransigente, permitiéndole sintonizar con escépticos de diversas tendencias políticas.

Ganó la primaria presidencial de la oposición con más del 90% de los votos, unificando a la facción, según señaló el comité del Premio Nobel. Pero los leales al partido gobernante que controlan el poder judicial del país le impidieron aparecer en la boleta, lo que la obligó a apoyar al exdiplomático Edmundo González.

Caminó por pasos a desnivel, recorrió autopistas, montó motocicletas, buscó refugio en casas de simpatizantes y vio a sus colaboradores más cercanos ser arrestados mientras continuaba haciendo campaña por toda Venezuela.

Repetidamente se unió a miles de simpatizantes que coreaban al unísono ”¡Libertad! ¡Libertad! ¡Libertad!” en mítines y les pidió que votaran por González, prácticamente un desconocido que nunca se había postulado a un cargo.

Represión brutal

González aplastó a Maduro en las urnas por un margen de más de dos a uno, según los registros de las máquinas de votación recopilados por la oposición y validados por observadores internacionales. Aun así, el Consejo Nacional Electoral de Venezuela, leal al partido gobernante, declaró a Maduro ganador de la contienda del 28 de julio de 2024.

La gente protestó por los resultados en todo el país, y el gobierno respondió con toda su fuerza, arrestando a más de 2.000 personas y acusándolas de conspirar para derrocar a Maduro y sembrar el caos. La mayoría fue liberada en los meses siguientes, pero el gobierno simultáneamente arrestó a docenas de personas que participaron activamente en las actividades de Machado.

Algunos de los colaboradores más cercanos de Machado, incluido su jefe de campaña, evitaron ser enviados a prisión refugiándose durante más de un año en un recinto diplomático en Caracas, donde permanecieron hasta mayo, cuando huyeron a Estados Unidos.

González se exilió en España después de convertirse en blanco de una orden de arresto.

La breve detención de Machado en enero de 2025 tuvo lugar cuando dejaba una manifestación contra los planes de investidura de Maduro. La incapacidad de ella y de González para evitar que Maduro efectuara nuevamente el juramento de su cargo llevó a una disminución del apoyo.

Desde entonces la confianza de la gente se ha erosionado, principalmente por el apoyo incuestionable de Machado a Trump. Le obsequió su medalla del Nobel, incluso después de que Washington la pasó por alto y eligió trabajar con Delcy Rodríguez, aliada de Maduro.

Machado exige una nueva elección

Machado y sus aliados han exigido que el gobierno de Rodríguez fije una fecha para celebrar elecciones presidenciales.

Después de que Maduro fuera depuesto, el máximo tribunal de Venezuela dijo que Rodríguez podría desempeñarse como presidenta interina por un lapso no mayor a 90 días, un nombramiento provisional que la Asamblea Nacional podría prorrogar por otros 90 días. Pero la asamblea controlada por el partido gobernante nunca votó para extender su mandato, que expiró en julio.

Machado había prometido reiteradamente regresar a Venezuela y, según su partido, realizó siete intentos fallidos.

Activistas opositores han acusado al gobierno de Venezuela de bloquear el regreso de Machado, una afirmación que las autoridades venezolanas rechazan. Otros también han cuestionado si el gobierno de Trump también ha estado involucrado en las labores por impedir su retorno.

Funcionarios de Estados Unidos niegan que estén frenando a Machado, pero han reconocido que, en algunas ocasiones, le han aconsejado no volver al país por preocupaciones de seguridad. ___

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

Jaxon Smith-Njigba caught nine passes for 150 yards and a touchdown, and the Seahawks handed the Kansas City Chiefs their first loss of the season, 20-3 on Sunday night.

Sam Darnold threw for 257 yards and a score for the Seahawks (4-3), while Emanuel Wilson had 24 carries for 100 yards and a TD.

“Playing a team like Kansas City and all the killers that they got on that side, we knew how big this game was, and we wanted this one badly,” said Smith-Njigba, the NFL's leading receiver and reigning Offensive Player of the Year. “You know, we saw it as a playoff game.”

Patrick Mahomes struggled, throwing for 165 yards with an interception for the Chiefs (5-1). Kenneth Walker III, the Super Bowl MVP for the Seahawks last season before signing with the Chiefs in the offseason, was held to 36 yards on 14 carries.

Walker entered the night averaging a league-leading 133 yards per game, but the Seahawks shut him down, along with the rest of Kansas City's offense. The Chiefs had 213 total yards, 50 on the ground.

“Listen, all three phases we struggled, so we’ve got to do better, and that’s my responsibility,” Kansas City coach Andy Reid said. “So I take full responsibility for this. We’ve got to play better as a team.”

The Super Bowl champion Seahawks have not allowed a 100-yard rusher in 36 games, the league’s longest current streak.

“We know what kind of running back was coming in here, but we don't allow people to run through our defense,” linebacker Ernest Jones IV said. “That's just us.”

The only bright spot for Kansas City's offense was a milestone for Travis Kelce, who had four receptions to reach 1,104 for his career, moving past Marvin Harrison and Cris Carter for fifth in NFL history.

After Darnold hit Smith-Njigba for a 33-yard gain early in the second quarter to get the Seahawks in the red zone, Jason Myers kicked a 25-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead.

On the next series, Ty Okada intercepted Mahomes on a pass intended for Jalen Royals. Seattle's ensuing drive was kept alive by Darnold's 7-yard scramble. He then connected with Smith-Njigba for a 28-yard touchdown to put Seattle up 10-0 with 1:44 left in the first half.

Another 28-yard pass from Darnold to Smith-Njigba got the Seahawks to the Kansas City 1 in the closing seconds of the half, but Darnold was intercepted by Nohl Williams in the back of the end zone. Williams returned the pick 64 yards, but Harrison Butker's 58-yard field goal attempt fell short as time expired.

Myers made a 35-yard field goal to extend Seattle's lead to 13-0. Before the third quarter was over, the Chiefs drove to the Seattle 30, but Mahomes fumbled on third down and Kansas City had to settle for Butker's 50-yard field goal.

Mahomes found Kelce for a 19-yard catch early in the fourth quarter, but the Chiefs came away with no points when Butker missed a 45-yard field goal attempt wide right. Butker has missed 10 field goals since the start of last season.

“He’s off a bit. Got to fix it,” Reid said.

The Seahawks pushed their lead to 20-3 on Wilson's 21-yard scoring run with 3:47 left.

“I think this game reminds the guys what we’re capable of,” Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said. “I think our guys understand that there’s more levels to where we can go, and so I hope they feel the sense of urgency that we can get there because it is stuff that we can control. You know, talking about procedural stuff, red-zone stuff, negative plays, how we rush our red-zone defense, all those things we’ve been attacking.”

Notable absences

The Seahawks moved running back Zach Charbonnet to the active roster this week, but he was ruled out for the game. Charbonnet rushed for 730 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Seahawks last season before he tore an ACL.

The Chiefs were without receiver Rashee Rice, who missed his third straight game with a hamstring injury, and starting tackle Jaylon Moore, who is in the concussion protocol.

Injuries

Seahawks receiver Rashid Shaheed left early in the second half with a knee injury. He did not return. Tackle Charles Cross left in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury.

Up next

The Chiefs visit the Denver Broncos next Sunday.

The Seahawks host the Chicago Bears on Monday, Nov. 2

___

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

The S&P 500 rose 0.7% and more than recovered its losses from last week, pulling within 1.6% of its all-time high set earlier this month. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 78 points, or 0.1%, as of noon Eastern time, and the Nasdaq composite was 0.9% higher.

The strongest lift for the market came from Nvidia, which rose 2.2%. That helped the chip company recover some of its drop from three straight losing weeks, its longest such streak since June, and maintain its position as the largest stock on Wall Street above Apple.

But stocks elsewhere in the artificial-intelligence industry remained unsettled. They’ve been swerving on worries about whether their industry’s boom is under threat because of how expensive it’s become for companies to borrow money to build data centers and buy more AI chips.

Meta helps lead the swings

Meta Platforms bounced up and down after outlining plans to raise $35 billion by selling stock to help pay for its AI investments. It also said it could raise another $60 billion by selling shares of a new class of its stock once it begins trading. Meta's stock initially dropped more than 2%, but it quickly flipped to a gain and then pulled back to a loss of 0.3%.

Meta said Nvidia, Advanced Micro Devices and Broadcom have already indicated they may buy a total of $5 billion of stock in its offering. That's a signal of strong interest from big chip companies that stand to benefit from additional AI investments. But it also gives fuel to critics of “circular financing” who say it raises the risk if AI isn't as successful as expected.

Worries remain about borrowing for AI

SpaceX, Elon Musk’s rocket company that also runs the xAI business, had similar swings. It opened with a loss and then flipped to a gain of 1.2% after it agreed to a roughly $40 billion deal with an entity managed by Apollo Global Management to lease AI computing power.

Musk warned over the weekend that hundreds of companies that rent out AI computing power are under threat because of the difficulty to borrow money, saying on his social-media platform, X, that they could face “guppy-level death and consolidation.”

CoreWeave, a company that's borrowed money to buy AI computing power that it rents to customers, has been at the center of investors’ worries in recent weeks. On Monday, it dropped 5.5% quickly after trading began, only to flip to a gain of 5.2%. Such minute-to-minute swings have become commonplace for it in recent days.

It's a big week for profit reports

Profit reports from huge tech companies this upcoming week could offer more details about how spending on AI is going, and whether it’s producing the profits and productivity that proponents promised.

Alphabet and Microsoft will report their latest quarterly results on Wednesday, with Amazon to follow on Thursday.

Companies across all industries are under pressure to report strong growth in their profits. Expectations for big growth is what allowed their stock prices to run to records recently despite worries about high inflation, high interest rates and other concerns.

Verizon Communications fell 2.4% even though it reported a stronger profit for the summer than analysts expected, as its revenue fell short of forecasts.

Roughly one out of every three stocks in the S&P 500 is scheduled to report its latest quarterly results this week.

Brazilian stocks tumble following mixed moves in other markets

In stock markets abroad, Brazilian stocks fell sharply after President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won reelection in a result that surprised investors.

The worry among investors is that he could increase the government’s spending and put more pressure on its debt. The Bovespa stock index in Brazil dropped 14.3%.

Other governments around the world are also feeling pressure because of their high debt loads and worries about strained budgets. France has been at the center of the worries recently following violent protests in the country.

But yields on French government’s bonds eased Monday, and its CAC 40 stock index rose 1% for one of the world’s better moves. Indexes also rose in other European markets following a mixed finish in Asia.

The European Central Bank and the Bank of Japan will be meeting to vote on interest rates later this week.

Yields ease ahead of the Federal Reserve's meeting

In the U.S. bond market, yields fell for longer-term Treasurys. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.98% from 5.00% late Friday and from more than 5.30% earlier this month.

The two-year Treasury yield edged up to 4.70% from 4.69% late Friday. It more closely tracks expectations for what the Federal Reserve will do with overnight interest rates, and the widespread expectation is that it will say on Wednesday that it is leaving the federal funds rate alone following its latest meeting.

The Fed last month hiked the fed funds rate for the first time in three years in hopes of slowing inflation, which has remained much higher than anyone would like.

Oil prices swing

The price for a barrel of Brent crude fell toward $109 in the morning, but it later erased the losses and returned to $111.73. It remains near the high end of its range since the war with Iran began. The highest price for the most actively traded contract in the market for Brent crude since then is nearly $120, reached in March.

___

AP Business Writers Michelle Chapman and Elaine Kurtenbach contributed to this report.

He was injured on a drive with 1:14 remaining of Oklahoma City's game against the Los Angeles Clippers, getting tended to almost immediately by medical personnel after going down underneath the basket on the Thunder's offensive end.

Williams' ankle was draped by towels and players from both teams acted in immediate dismay and disbelief as the stretcher was brought out. The game was stopped for about five minutes, and the Thunder went on to finish a 108-101 victory.

“Just feel bad for him,” Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said in a postgame televised interview, fighting back tears as he spoke. “Nothing more than that.”

There was no immediate diagnosis from the Thunder, though it was obvious that the injury was severe — and the stretcher was called for within just a few seconds of the play ending. Oklahoma City coach Mark Daigneault said the team would be briefed Monday morning with the latest updates on Williams' condition.

“We're not doing great,” Daigneault said.

Williams, seated up on the stretcher, saluted the cheering fans with two thumbs-up signals as he was wheeled off the court.

“Our whole city will have JDub in our thoughts and prayers as he deals with this adversity and as he makes his way through his recovery,” Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt posted on social media after the game.

Williams — a shooting guard who entered Sunday having averaged 18 points per game in his first 250 NBA contests — has been an All-Star and an All-NBA player already in his career, plus was a huge part of the Thunder team that won the 2025 NBA title. He missed 49 games last season with an array of issues, mostly hamstring problems and recovery from a significant surgery on his right wrist.

“He just loves playing, loves the competition,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “That's who he is. ... It's unfortunate, his luck so far. But he's equipped for it.”

The Thunder play again Monday night at home against Phoenix. The schedule gives Oklahoma City little choice but to try and move on somewhat quickly, Daigneault said.

“We don’t have a choice,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “It’s what we signed up for. It’s obviously going to be tough without a player like that. He’s not gone forever. He’ll be back better than ever. We know it. We’ve just got to hold the fort down until he comes back.”

___

See AP’s full NBA coverage here

Vance, que hasta el viernes había sido un huracán de categoría 2, estaba perdiendo fuerza, pero aún se esperaba que descargara fuertes lluvias en los estados mexicanos de Colima, Nayarit y Sinaloa, así como en partes de Michoacán, Jalisco y Durango, informó el Centro Nacional de Huracanes de Estados Unidos en Miami.

El ciclón se ubicaba a unos 510 kilómetros (315 millas) al oeste-suroeste de Acapulco, o a unos 455 kilómetros (285 millas) al sur de Manzanillo, con vientos máximos sostenidos de 110 km/h (70 mph), indicó el centro. Vance se desplazaba hacia el noroeste y se esperaba que girara hacia el norte en los próximos días.

Según el centro de huracanes, acumulados de lluvia de 5 a 10 centímetros (2 a 4 pulgadas) podrían provocar inundaciones y deslaves, especialmente en zonas de terreno escarpado. Señaló que en algunos puntos eran posibles acumulados aislados de 17 centímetros (7 pulgadas) de lluvia.

Por su parte, la tormenta tropical Olana se formó lejos, en el Pacífico central, donde no representaba amenaza para tierra. Olana tenía vientos máximos sostenidos de 65 km/h (45 mph) y se ubicaba a aproximadamente 935 kilómetros (580 millas) al oeste-suroeste de la isla Johnston, un atolón del Pacífico central, informó el centro de huracanes.

Ha sido una temporada de huracanes intensa en el océano Pacífico, con tormentas que se forman como en una línea de ensamblaje cerca de Hawai y México, a medida que las condiciones de El Niño, agravadas por el calentamiento global, generan fenómenos meteorológicos inusuales, como las graves inundaciones y los tornados que azotaron esta semana el suroeste de Estados Unidos y la prolongada sequía en el Corredor Seco de Centroamérica.

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

During rare weekend arguments, two of the three judges on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals appeared skeptical of a lawsuit brought by President Donald Trump's administration in mid-October. The lawsuit accuses California officials of failing to meet a 48-hour deadline to review 20,000 names the administration flagged as likely noncitizens on the state's voter rolls.

The administration asked a federal judge to require the state to withhold counting those ballots until the voters’ immigration status could be verified. The district judge scheduled a hearing for Oct. 27, days after the case was assigned, but the federal government appealed to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, seeking an expedited decision.

Justice Department attorney Matthew Donnelly told the panel that California is causing irreparable harm “by allowing noncitizens to vote in violation of their own state laws. The damage is irreversible and irrevocable.”

The Trump administration has made efforts to identify noncitizen voters a priority this year, even though noncitizen voting is exceptionally rare.

Circuit Judge Mark Bennett, a Trump appointee, questioned whether the appellate court even has jurisdiction to hear the case even before a ruling by the lower court.

Donnelly argued that the schedule set by the lower court judge was too slow and effectively a denial of the government's request, as state elections officials process thousands of mail ballots every day.

Judge Gabriel Sanchez, appointed by former President Joe Biden, questioned whether the federal government was violating the Tenth Amendment, essentially commandeering the state to enforce a federal law that makes it a misdemeanor for a noncitizen to vote.

The federal government is simply asking California to enforce its own law, which also bans noncitizens from voting, Donnelly said. He argued the state's refusal to comply with the federal request to set aside the ballots for review was “frustrating the purpose” of the federal law against noncitizen voting.

The Elections Clause of the U.S. Constitution gives state legislatures the power to set the time, place and manner of congressional elections, Bennett said. The executive branch may be “unhappy with what they’re doing, and doesn’t like the manner,” Bennett said, but under the Election Clause the state has the right to determine those issues — including how it sorts out any noncitizen voters.

Attorney Seth Waxman, representing Los Angeles County Clerk Dean Logan, said the federal government's list was unreliable and that segregating the ballots for a review process would effectively disenfranchise thousands of eligible voters.

Even if election staffers spent just three minutes checking each of the expected 2.75 million mail ballots against the government's list, the process would take 140,000 man-hours, Waxman said — or about 16 years of working time.

Waxman cited a review of 200 records from the Trump administration's list conducted by Los Angeles County staffers. Assistant Registrar-Recorder Monica Flores said in a court filing that the sample included canceled or inactive registrations, individuals with no voting history and voters who appeared to have been born in the United States, which the filing notes “is strong evidence of citizenship.”

If the administration disagrees with how California runs its elections, it can ask Congress to change that process, said attorney Sam Siegel, representing California Secretary of State Shirley Weber.

The federal government has provided no credible evidence to support its suspicions, said Siegel.

“It has no basis in law or in fact,” he told the panel. “We just dispute the premise that noncitizens are voting."

But Judge Patrick Bumatay, who was appointed by Trump, said everyone has an interest in ensuring that only eligible citizens vote. He suggested that granting the administration's request for an emergency order could provide clarity.

“Without an injunction, you will never know” if that is happening, Bumatay told Siegel.

Bennett said the panel would try to issue a ruling as quickly as possible.

___ Boone reported from Boise, Idaho.

___

This story was first published Oct. 25, 2026. It was updated Oct. 26, 2026, to correct the name of the attorney who represents California's secretary of state. He is Sam Siegel, not Siegal or Seigel.

“Hey, thanks, guys. I didn’t know Quinn threw a knuckleball,” the Brewers manager said Sunday after the plane encountered a little turbulence.

GJ Priester, an uncle of Brewers pitcher Quinn Priester, was captain of the flight on a United Airlines Boeing 737. Alex Priester, a cousin of the right-hander, was first officer.

“Our flight was smooth as heck all flight and right when we came in, it really got a little knuckleballish,” Murphy said, holding his right hand out and shaking it like a bouncing plane.

Murphy said the Brewers had five charter flights to bring all the family members and employees to the games at Tropicana Field. The Brewers held a 2-0 lead over the Tampa Bay Rays going into Game 3 of the best-of-seven series on Monday.

“The landing was a little rough,” Brewers reliever Aaron Ashby said light-heartedly. “Certainly a cool thing. I guess we’re in good hands.”

GJ Priester was hired by United Airlines in 1995 and is a member of the family that founded Priester Aviation, which arranges charter flights.

Dwight Schmidt, father of New York Yankees pitcher Clarke Schmidt, piloted the team’s family charter flights during the 2024 World Series.

Quinn Priester has not pitched for the Brewers since last year's NL Championship Series. The 26-year-old started the season on the injured list because of right thoracic outlet syndrome and made eight minor league injury rehabilitation appearances from April 22 through June 8.

He had season-ending surgery on June 22 with Dr. Gregory Pearl, who removed a rib to create space around nerves.

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It was the latest in a series of attacks on health workers and responders that authorities say is hampering efforts to slow the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak in the world.

The attack took place Saturday in the town of Bafwasende in the country's eastern Tshopo province, WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a post on X on Sunday.

“Everyone working to protect communities from this deadly disease must be able to work in dignity and safety. Healthcare must always be protected,” he said.

WHO regional director for Africa, Dr. Mohamed Yakub Janabi, also condemned the attack on X. “Misinformation and fear must never fuel violence,” he said.

Local authorities have not yet commented on the attack or the suspects.

The country’s health ministry’s most recent data indicates more than 9,800 cases including more than 4,700 deaths have been recorded since the start of the outbreak in May, making it the deadliest Ebola outbreak in Congo’s history.

Last month, a Congolese politician was beaten to death in North Kivu after publicly defending the government’s response to Ebola. He had been calling on the public to obey response measures, particularly social distancing and handwashing, on a radio show.

It came after authorities launched a village-centered approach to fight the outbreak which faced resistance from some residents who dismiss Ebola as a hoax. There is widespread distrust of the country’s government because of how it has managed past Ebola outbreaks as well as chronic corruption.

Responders say skepticism about the disease among communities has complicated efforts to work with residents, including in remote areas and emerging hot spots that already face shortages of medical supplies and healthcare workers.

Back in May at the start of the outbreak, two tents at health centers were set alight in two separate attacks in just one week by angry residents.

Those on the front line of the response to the outbreak have previously said some members of various response teams have been held captive in some health zones, and some teams responsible for safe and dignified burials have been threatened.

In the first 50-point game this season in the NBA, Doncic made several big baskets late in the fourth quarter to help the Lakers win for the eighth time in their last nine games against Utah. He finished off a 14-5 go-ahead run with back-to-back 3s that gave Los Angeles a 127-121 lead with 1:42 left.

Doncic also had 10 assists and seven rebounds. Austin Reaves added 29 points for the Lakers. The pair combined to shoot 21 of 24 on free throws.

Walker Kessler had only two points and seven rebounds in his first game back in Utah after being sent to Los Angeles in a sign-and-trade deal in July.

Lauri Markkanen scored 28 points to lead the Jazz, who blew an 18-point second-quarter lead.

Keyonte George had 24 points, nine rebounds, and 10 assists for the Jazz. Jaren Jackson Jr. added 20 points while Ace Bailey chipped in 17 points and 12 rebounds.

Doncic hit a stepback 3-pointer with 4.1 seconds left in the half to give the Lakers their first lead at 74-71.

Up Next

Lakers: Host Portland on Tuesday.

Jazz: Host Memphis on Monday.

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Jake Bates made a 22-yard field goal as time expired to give Detroit a 20-17 win over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.

Campbell, who is known for taking risks, seemed to make a reckless decision to go for it on fourth-and-1 from his 24 with just under 5 minutes to play and Jahmyr Gibbs was stopped for no gain.

“I thought we would get it, No. 1," Campbell said. “No. 2, I knew we would get the ball back if it didn’t work out.”

One play after Jordan Love put a pass on Josh Jacobs’ hands for an incompletion that landed in in the end zone, rookie Trey Smack missed a 35-yard field goal after D.J. Wonnum got a finger on the football.

Smack was wide right from 26 in the first half and became the first kicker to miss two field goals from 35 yards or closer in same game since 2019, according to Sportradar.

“We had some premier field position and we just didn't take advantage,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. “We missed two field goals, but we know Trey is capable of making those.”

With a chance to drive for a winning score, Goff connected with Sam LaPorta on an 18 -yard pass and Karl Brooks was called for a late hit on the quarterback gave Detroit the ball at the Green Bay 45.

Gibbs had a 15-yard run and Brooks was called for being offside on third-and-5, giving Detroit a first down at the Packers 15.

Gibbs could have run for a touchdown twice because Green Bay didn’t want to tackle him, hoping to get the ball back. The running back wisely went down each time, the latter allowing Bates’ winning kick to come on the final play.

“That was as good as it gets at clock management,” Goff said.

The Lions (4-2) have won two straight for the first time this season, putting them in third place in the NFC North behind Minnesota (6-0) and Chicago (5-2).

Detroit hosts the undefeated Vikings on Sunday.

“Any division game is important,” said safety Brian Branch, who had a fourth-quarter interception in his first game since tearing his left Achilles tendon last December. “We need these. They're mini-playoff games.”

The Packers (4-3) had a three-game winning streak stopped and dropped to last place in the highly competitive NFC North. All four teams have winning records, matching the AFC North.

The Lions entered the game with only one turnover and lost two fumbles that took away chances for them to add to three-point leads late in the first half and early in the third quarter. The second turnover set up Love's 25-yard touchdown pass to Jacobs for a 14-10 Green Bay lead.

Detroit retook the lead on the ensuing drive on Goff's 10-yard scoring pass to Williams, who had two TD receptions for a second straight week.

The Lions missed another opportunity to add to a three-point lead when Campbell went for it on fourth-and-5 from the Green Bay 6 late in the third and Goff threw incomplete.

LaFleur passed on a field goal while trailing by three in the second quarter, and Love's pass to Matthew Golden was stopped for no gain on fourth-and-4 from the Detroit 7. But Smack had already missed from 26 by then.

Jacobs' return

Jacobs made his season debut less than a week after the three-time Pro Bowl running back was removed from the commissioner’s exempt list for pleading no contest to two misdemeanor charges stemming from a May altercation with his then-girlfriend. He had five receptions for 55 yards and a touchdown and 11 carries for 36 yards.

Flag day

Penalties gave Detroit five first downs, the most for the Lions since 2020.

“I’m not a fan of the refs right now,” Green Bay safety Xavier McKinney said in an expletive-filled response to questions about the officials.

LaFleur was more diplomatic.

“I could tell you what I really think, but it wouldn't do us any good,” he said.

Injuries

Packers: Starting C Sean Rhyan (ankle) and backup Jacob Monk (quad) were injured, putting second-year lineman John Williams in the game to snap for his first career appearance on offense. LaFleur said he would not expect Rhyan on Monk to play on Thursday night against Carolina.

Lions: C Cade Mays made his Detroit debut after signing as a free agent in the offseason. He injured a wrist in training camp. ... Oft-injured CB Ennis Rakestraw (ankle) was hurt during the game.

Up next

Packers: Host the Panthers on Thursday night.

Lions: Host the Vikings on Sunday.

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“I want the best for the country. I love Brazil and I want the best for this country,” voter Sunil Daswani said.

For others, voting was about exercising a right and fighting for the country’s future.

One 72-year-old voter described feeling good after casting a ballot, calling it an act of active citizenship.

But voters were divided over which candidate could deliver the change they wanted.

“We need change here in Brazil. We have a lot of problems in economic, in Supreme Court, so because of that I prefer Flávio Bolsonaro,” Bolsonaro supporter Ana Rumco said.

Lula voter Suzana Vajda said she was apprehensive about the outcome but remained hopeful.

“I’m afraid, but I still believe Lula will win,” Vajda said.

Both candidates also cast their ballots, making their final appeals to voters.

In Rio de Janeiro, Bolsonaro, who finished ahead in the first round, promised to address Brazil’s economic troubles.

“I came with proposals showing that we have every condition to put together a great team to reorganize Brazil, to pull Brazil out of this debt,” Bolsonaro said.

Lula voted just outside São Paulo and took aim at his opponent, saying he had never imagined running against someone so morally, ethically and personally disqualified.

But beyond the political attacks, voters had the final say in a closely contested race.

Three weeks ago, millions of Brazilians chose to stay home. This time, voters in São Paulo described longer lines and bigger crowds, raising questions about whether the close race had motivated more people to vote.

Lula supporter Luiz Queiroz said he noticed a difference from the first round, when lines had remained inside the polling location.

“I do think they’re motivated,” Queiroz said.

For voters on both sides, the stakes were high.

“It’s gonna be tough whether Lula wins or not, but if Flávio wins, it’s gonna be terrible,” Lula voter Carla Pinhiro said. “I don’t even want to imagine that scenario, but yes, hopeful.”

A Bolsonaro supporter offered a different view, saying the Workers’ Party had been in power for too long.

“Enough with the Workers’ Party. In 20 years in power, they haven’t done anything for Brazil. They’ve only stolen and destroyed Brazil,” the supporter said.

Ante la llegada de más lluvias y tormentas eléctricas, el Servicio Meteorológico Nacional emitió un aviso de inundaciones para gran parte de la región donde coinciden los límites de Arizona, Colorado, Nuevo México y Utah. La zona ha sido escenario de lluvias inusualmente intensas desde el miércoles, provocando crecidas en los ríos que inundaron viviendas y obligaron a las autoridades a realizar rescates acuáticos.

“Los suelos están muy saturados en este momento, así que no va a hacer falta mucha lluvia para que al menos los arroyos y corrientes pequeñas se desborden”, explicó Kris Sanders, meteorólogo de la oficina del servicio meteorológico en Grand Junction, Colorado.

Un tornado tocó tierra en Santa Fe, Nuevo México, a eso de las 7:00 de la tarde del sábado, y los meteorólogos intentaban confirmar si también hubo tornados en otras partes del estado, informó el meteorólogo Scott Overpeck, de la oficina del servicio meteorológico en Albuquerque. No tenía estimaciones de daños.

Michelle Vialpando vio un tornado desde su patio en el vecindario Aldea de Santa Fe, mirando hacia el norte en dirección a Los Álamos. Acababa de llegar a casa del trabajo y salió para observar lo que describió como “locas” nubes de tormenta cuando vio el tornado.

“Me sorprendió mucho lo que estaba viendo y simplemente empecé a tomar fotos", escribió Vialpando el domingo en Facebook. "Literalmente estaba en shock. He vivido en Santa Fe toda mi vida y nunca había visto algo así”.

Muchos siguen evacuados y cientos están sin luz en el área de Farmington

En el área de Farmington, Nuevo México, las autoridades locales señalaron que los ríos crecidos estaban volviendo a la normalidad, pero muchas personas seguían evacuadas y cientos permanecían sin luz.

El condado San Juan, Nuevo México, no tenía cifras oficiales sobre cuántas viviendas resultaron dañadas ni cuántas personas fueron evacuadas, pero las autoridades no tenían conocimiento de algún deceso, señaló el portavoz Devin Neeley a The Associated Press.

“Es una zona de desastre bastante activa”, sostuvo.

Alrededor de 1,2 metros (4 pies) de agua inundaron la casa del jefe de policía del condado, Shane Ferrari. Indicó que la situación en la zona era estable el domingo, pero que él y otros residentes intentaban limpiar.

Aguas de la inundación podrían estar contaminadas con químicos y aguas residuales sin tratar, advierten autoridades

Autoridades del condado, uno de los más afectados, pidieron paciencia y cautela el domingo. El agua podría estar contaminada con químicos y aguas residuales sin tratar, y las líneas de gas y propano podrían estar rotas, entre otros peligros.

“La población está ansiosa por regresar”, reconoció el jefe de Bomberos y Rescate del condado San Juan, David Vega, en una conferencia de prensa. “Pero quiero que la población sepa que todavía hay peligro”.

El subjefe de policía del condado, Cory Tanner, subrayó que las autoridades van de casa en casa para detectar cualquier riesgo, un proceso que podría tomar varios días en completarse.

Zach y Abigail Flatt empezaron a preparar mochilas de emergencia luego de recibir órdenes de evacuación en sus teléfonos el jueves por la noche. Su casa en Bloomfield, Nuevo México, está a orillas del río San Juan, y Zach condujo por la ribera observando cómo el agua subía a un ritmo alarmante.

“En 30 o 40 minutos había subido unos cuatro pies”, recordó Zach el domingo. “Después de ver ese gran salto, y lo cerca que estaba de desbordarse, dije: tenemos que salir”.

Para cuando la familia ya estaba en el auto, el agua estaba subiendo por encima de los neumáticos. Encontraron una habitación de hotel con sus dos hijos, de 2 y 4 años, y observaron por cámaras web cómo al menos 0,45 metros (18 pulgadas) de agua inundaron su propiedad, arrastrando 22 de sus 24 gallinas.

“Vimos cómo las cosas simplemente flotaban y se iban, del porche al patio delantero”, lamentó Zach.

Autoridades aún evalúan daños en la Nación Navajo y en un condado de Colorado

En el área de Shiprock, dentro de la Nación Navajo en Nuevo México, instalaciones de aguas residuales y estanques de retención sufrieron daños debido a las inundaciones, lo que provocó descargas de aguas negras en el río San Juan, indicó Wilfred Franklin Jr., gerente del distrito de Shiprock de la Autoridad de Servicios Públicos Tribales Navajo. Las autoridades desconocían el domingo cuánta agua residual llegó al río.

La delegación de Nuevo México en el Congreso pidió el domingo al presidente Donald Trump que declare una emergencia en el estado a fin de liberar fondos de asistencia federal.

En Colorado, equipos realizaban revisiones de bienestar y escaneos aéreos para comprender el alcance de la destrucción por las inundaciones en el condado Archuleta. Aún se desconocía cuántos daños se causaron, pero el jefe policial Mike Le Roux lo calificó de catastrófico. Hasta la noche del domingo, no había reportes de lesiones ni de pérdida de vidas, dijo Vicki Shaffer, portavoz del equipo de manejo de incidentes de Colorado.

Se trata de las más recientes inundaciones luego de dos meses de intermitentes lluvias intensas en la región, causadas por humedad tropical procedente del Pacífico. Luego de meses de sequía, otras inundaciones mortales recientes azotaron el Gran Cañón y otras zonas de Nuevo México.

Según los meteorólogos, El Niño —el calentamiento natural y temporal de partes del Pacífico— probablemente sea el responsable de las lluvias inusualmente intensas de la más reciente tormenta.

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Los periodistas de The Associated Press Anna Wilder, en Austin, Texas, y Christopher Weber, en Los Ángeles, contribuyeron a este despacho.

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

Vance, a former Category 2 hurricane as of Friday, was losing strength but still was expected to dump heavy rain on the Mexican states of Colima, Nayarit and Sinaloa, as well as parts of Michoacan, Jalisco and Durango, the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said.

The cyclone was located about 315 miles (510 kilometers) west-southwest of Acapulco, or about 285 miles (455 kilometers) south of Manzanillo, with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 kph), the center said. Vance was moving to the northwest and expected to turn northward in coming days.

Rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 centimeters) could produce flooding and mudslides, especially over steep terrain, according to the hurricane center. It said isolated totals of 7 inches (17 centimeters) of rain were possible in some spots.

Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Olana formed far out in the central Pacific, where it posed no threat to land. Olana had top sustained winds of 45 mph (65 kph) and was located about 580 miles (935 kilometers) west-southwest of Johnston Island, a central Pacific atoll, the hurricane center said.

It’s been an intense hurricane season in the Pacific Ocean, with storms spawning in assembly-line fashion near Hawaii and Mexico as El Niño conditions worsened by global warming create unusual weather, like this week's severe flooding and tornadoes hitting the southwestern United States and the prolonged drought in Central America's Dry Corridor.