Ralph Hensel, 57, pleaded to second-degree murder with a firearm, avoiding a first-degree murder trial in Orange County court.

Hensel was originally charged with first-degree murder in the February 2025 death of Ja’Keem DeShun Williams, 32. Prosecutors agreed to allow Hensel to plead to the lesser charge.

In court Monday, Hensel said his counsel told him it was “a no-win situation.” The state attorney’s office said the victim’s family is in agreement with the resolution.

According to police, when officers arrived at the 1,000-block of Horizon Street, they found Ja’Keem DeShun Williams, 32, dead next to the ATV. Witnesses said Ralph Hensel, 57, walked toward Williams and shouted at him before firing two shots. Surveillance video showed Hensel had walked from the leasing office area with a firearm, moved around a nearby building, and appeared to lie in wait before shooting Williams as he rode past.

Investigators said Hensel told witnesses after the shooting, “I killed him.”

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump said Hensel had previously threatened ATV riders at the complex.

“Based on what people have told the family, who live there, he had a tendency to try to intimidate people from riding on their ATVs in the lot that was next to the apartment complex, and people did it on a regular basis and he kept threatening them, would call the police, and I guess the witnesses and the neighbors say he threatened that if the police weren’t going to do anything about it, he was gonna ‘handle it,’” Crump said in February 2025. “(...) I guess him ‘handling the situation’ meant that he waited for Ja’Keem to come riding on the ATV and he took the gun out of the office of the apartment complex and went and shot him in cold blood. And then, as I understand it, he went back into the apartment office where, apparently, an acquaintance — they said his girlfriend or someone — was there, and he just waited as if there was nothing wrong that he had did.”

Sentencing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday. Hensel faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and a minimum of 25 years, along with a $15,000 fine.

The Falcons will receive a 2027 second-round draft pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick, the person said.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the teams have not announced the trade.

The 29-year-old Bates had been included in reports as a player who could be moved before Tuesday's NFL trade deadline.

Bates confirmed the trade on social media when he wrote on his X account on Monday “WOKE UP A JAGUAR!" He also wrote “ATL Forever Grateful!”

Bates had a career-high 14 tackles in the Falcons' 34-17 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday in Madrid. The Falcons (3-6) have lost four of their last five games under first-year coach Kevin Stefanski, leaving them on a path to their ninth consecutive losing season.

Bates has 60 tackles, three forced fumbles, one interception and a 36-yard return for a touchdown on a fumble recovery as a bright spot for the Falcons.

In nine seasons, including five with Cincinnati, Bates has 28 interceptions and 14 forced fumbles.

While the Falcons have struggled, the Jaguars (6-2) are contending for the top playoff spot in the AFC. The Jaguars have won five of their last six games, including a 33-10 victory in Baltimore on Thursday night.

The Jaguars will play at Tennessee on Sunday. Titans coach Robert Saleh said his team's challenge became more difficult following the trade.

“What they’ve done is added an All-Pro player to an already championship caliber football team,” Saleh said. "Last week I made the comment that Cincinnati was the best team we’ve played all year? Well, Jacksonville’s one-upping it. This team has done a great job developing the players on that roster.”

___

AP Sports Writer Mark Long and Associated Press freelance writer Teresa Walker contributed to this report.

___

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

On his first full day in Argentina, Leo made a pilgrimage to the Cottolengo Don Orione in Claypole, south of Buenos Aires. Founded by an Italian priest in 1935, the institution houses more than 400 people with disabilities on its 123-acre (50-hectare) grounds.

The center, known as the “city of charity,” has been hit hard by Milei’s austerity measures, which have severely affected healthcare and social services. Milei has taken his signature chain saw to specialized therapy programs that for decades have been a lifeline for many of Argentina’s estimated 5 million people with disabilities, freezing payments and dismantling a vital safety net.

Some residents and employees wept as Leo arrived Monday and embraced people in wheelchairs. He chatted with them and told them their lives were a blessing, not a burden on society.

“You can help us to remember the foundation of the dignity of every human being and what is truly important in life,” Leo said in the center’s chapel. He said he dreamed that Argentines would be inspired to replace the pursuit of economic success and the “cult of outward appearances” with “great works of charity” like the Cottolengo home.

“A nation’s progress is also measured by how it welcomes all people with disabilities and particular needs,” he said.

Argentina’s Congress overrode Milei’s veto last year to pass a law increasing funding for disability care. But his administration has resisted implementation, citing concerns that it would undermine his hard-won fiscal balance. Care homes such as Cottolengo are still owed hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Leo’s visit comes days before the Senate is due to consider legislation that would set aside money for disability benefits in next year’s budget. Milei opposes the measure.

Given the circumstances, it was deeply significant that Leo chose to start his visit to Argentina by meeting with the Cottolengo guests, said Kuyen Rolon Rey, a volunteer at the home.

“The people here deserve this grace,” Rolon Rey said. “Choosing such a small place, but big if measured with love, makes us very happy.”

The first papal Mass in nearly 40 years

The visit kicked off a busy day for Leo in which the American pope, fulfilling the unfinished legacy of Argentine Pope Francis, is emphasizing Catholic social teaching that calls for putting the weakest and most vulnerable at the center of economic policy.

For many Argentines, though, the day’s highlight was Leo’s late-morning Mass at the Monumento a los Españoles, which organizers said could draw as many as two million people. The same site hosted the last papal Mass in Argentina, celebrated by St. John Paul II nearly 40 years ago.

Thousands arrived at midnight to secure a good spot for Leo’s first Mass in Argentina. It got underway under blue skies on a day declared as a holiday to allow people to attend and relieve normal commuting traffic around the central site.

Among those in the VIP seats were Milei and his sister, Karina Milei, the secretary-general of the presidency.

Isabel Martín, 73, came with her parish group from San Andrés Avelino. She said she was praying for Leo to “touch the heart” of Milei, whose spending cuts have also hit pensioners hard.

“The pope was very specific in his message yesterday,” she said, referring to Leo’s inaugural speech to Milei. “The weakest cannot be the ones carrying the burden of the adjustment, especially poor retirees. If anyone can make him reconsider, it’s the pope.”

Argentina’s minimum pension is approximately $300, about a quarter of what an older adult needs to cover medicine, housing and food.

Leo’s message was also resonating with younger Argentines, who have shown the sharpest decline in Catholic practice of any age group. Margarita Lanús celebrated her 16th birthday Monday while waiting for Leo’s Mass, sharing a cake on the sidewalk with her large family.

“I really like that he says things as they are; he goes straight to the point,” she said.

Leo has been welcomed by huge and adoring crowds in Buenos Aires, the second stop of his three-nation tour of South America that ends later this week in his second homeland of Peru.

Late Sunday, groups of faithful chanting “Pope Leo, Pope Leo,” and “Long live the pope” gathered in front of the Vatican’s embassy, or nunciature, where Leo is staying. A smiling Leo stepped outside to greet them and offered his blessing.

A message about an economy that serves

Upon his arrival Sunday and with Milei at his side, Leo cited Francis’ frequent refrain that money must serve and not rule: “The economy must serve the person, not the person the economy,” Leo said in his first speech in Argentina.

It’s a message Leo is expected to repeat later Monday when he meets with business leaders, union representatives and leaders of popular movements at the Catholic University of Argentina.

Among those invited are domestic manufacturers battered by cheap imports since Milei scrapped long-standing trade barriers, and members of Argentina’s largest labor confederation, who took their worries over job losses and shrinking wages to the Vatican in September.

Since Milei took office in late 2023, his austerity agenda has made him an icon of the global conservative backlash against the liberal establishment. Much like its allies in the Trump administration, Milei's government has portrayed the cuts to disability programs as part of a reform process aimed at eliminating fraud and waste in the federal bureaucracy.

—-

AP reporter Isabel DeBre contributed.

___

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

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is likely to face questions about whether the administration will shift its positions on the Russia-Ukraine war, the Iran conflict, energy security and artificial intelligence. Those issues will dominate discussions among top diplomats from the U.S., Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan on Monday and Tuesday.

It is Rubio’s first overseas trip since last week's midterm elections that dealt Republicans severe losses and cost them control of Congress, partly because of deeply unpopular policies such as the Iran war. The talks also come amid major protests across Europe, including in the French capital.

US politics likely to surface at allies’ meeting

Asked about allies wanting to know what comes next after the elections, Rubio told reporters that the countries he is meeting with this week understand American politics and “they, too, have experienced divisions in government and divisions in their own system.”

Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, whose country has faced withering criticism and insults from Trump, said it remains an open question as to how Washington will proceed.

“In terms of the U.S. and its approach I will say that the president has executive powers,” she told reporters in Paris. “The House and the Senate have changed leadership so it’s very much a question of what the approach will be.”

Yet there has been little sign that the Democrats’ gains will affect Trump's strategy, and his first major personnel decision has installed Stephen Miller, a hard-line supporter who has advocated extreme positions on both domestic and foreign policy, as chief of staff.

America's top diplomat is seen by many as presenting a gentler side to Trump’s often brusque approach to both friends and foes, but there has been speculation — that he has denied — that he might choose to leave the administration early to prepare for a 2028 presidential run.

Wars in Iran and Ukraine will be major topics

Trump has floated the idea of a partnership with Europe to bring Russia's war in Ukraine to an end. The president's envoys, Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner, are set to meet both Ukrainian and Russian officials in the United Arab Emirates starting Tuesday to discuss potential compromises.

Rubio said postwar security guarantees for Ukraine and the rest of Europe have been a top concern for allies.

“There’s been some advances made in what that architecture could look like post-conflict,” Rubio said. “Nothing’s been finalized yet, and maybe some progress can be made in Abu Dhabi.”

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, who met separately with Rubio on Monday, said he welcomed the Abu Dhabi talks but stressed that Europe must be part of any resolution.

"I am still very grateful to the United States of America for making every effort to get the parties to the conflict to the table,” Wadephul said. “But I made clear again here that Europe belongs at this table. There can be no solution without Europe, only with Europe.”

Anand also said the Abu Dhabi discussions could yield results.

“I want to underline the importance of the talks,” she said. “It has been some months since the parties have met … and I would like to underscore the importance of this discussion in Abu Dhabi,” she said, adding that it would be critical to get “specific aspects” of a peace proposal clarified.

At the same time, Qatari and other mediators have proposed an interim solution to end the deadlock over the conflict with Iran that has sent fuel prices soaring amid instability in key shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea.

Rubio said the sides are not on “the verge of a breakthrough,” while reiterating that Trump prefers a diplomatic solution. But he noted of diplomacy that “right now, it hasn’t been very productive because the Iranian demands are simply not just unacceptable but, in some cases, outrageous and ridiculous and really not realistic.”

He said he expects allies to have a lot of questions about the conflict and next steps.

Uncertainty about consensus, even among allies

France has invited Brazil, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Ukraine to participate in some discussions. Its other priorities include Africa, China, Cuba and Haiti. The French Foreign Ministry said there will be a meeting on artificial intelligence and a separate session on support for Ukraine.

Shortly after arriving in Paris on Monday, Rubio posted on X that one of his priorities would be “pushing for real accountability at the U.N.” The comment suggested the administration would maintain its demands for reform at the United Nations. It has already withdrawn from several U.N. and other multilateral bodies.

Trump and his administration have unsettled America’s G7 partners over issues including support for Ukraine and NATO and opposition to the International Criminal Court. All G7 members except Japan, which has a separate treaty alliance with the U.S., belong to NATO.

The administration is pushing to dismantle the ICC, an international war crimes court to which all G7 members except the U.S. belong. It has imposed severe sanctions on the court and several of its employees, saying the ICC is trying to investigate Americans.

Judge Joel Bennathan told Brand that he showed a “casual and arrogant disregard” for any woman who said no to him.

“About 20 years ago, Russell Brand, you were becoming famous,” Bennathan said. “You were clever — and in many people’s eyes, funny and charismatic. You had also become a sexual predator.”

Brand showed little emotion during the hearing and turned to mouth the words “we'll be OK” to his wife after he stood up and was led away by court officers.

The 51-year-old actor-comedian, known for outrageous stand-up routines and behavior on television and radio broadcasts, along with drug and alcohol battles, had maintained his innocence and said all his encounters were consensual.

But a jury of eight men and four women found him guilty of attacking four of six accusers on allegations dating back to 2004. He was cleared of two counts of rape and one count of attempted indecent assault.

Prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones said Brand abused the influence and power that came with his fame.

“He used it to facilitate access to women without which the offending could not have taken place. It also fed his own view that he could commit such offenses with impunity," Karmy-Jones said.

Brand supported by wife, father and fans outside court

Brand wore a gray suit and an open collar shirt with a loose white tie. His long, graying hair was pulled back and knotted in a man bun atop his head. He clenched a crucifix in his right hand.

Defense lawyer Ian Winter urged the judge to consider Brand's good character, saying his only previous conviction was for marijuana possession in 1995 and that had performed charitable work and helped others overcome drug and alcohol abuse.

Brand was supported in Southwark Crown Court by his wife, Laura, who entered the courthouse without him, and his father, Ron Brand. Russell Brand had been free during the trial but was jailed following Thursday's verdict.

A couple of Brand's supporters who reflected his recent conversion to Christianity held a banner bearing crosses with the words: “Russell Brand we stand with you. Christ was crucified for telling the truth. Russell is the truth.”

Victims tell court it was difficult to see Brand celebrated in public

The accusers came forward following a 2023 investigation by The Times and Channel 4 that aired accounts from women who said they had been sexually abused and degraded by Brand.

One of the women he was convicted of abusing spoke in court about the impact of the crime and the others provided statements read by the prosecutor.

A woman Brand was convicted of sexually assaulting during a birthday party at a London bar in 2004 said that the assault left her in shock and turmoil and made her feel like “damaged goods.”

“For many years as his star was rising it was impossible to escape seeing him all over the media, being celebrated for his disgusting behavior against women like it was all a joke," she said. “There were many times I felt visibly sick at the sight of him parading around thinking he can get away with anything."

Brand stared straight ahead as she spoke out of view, hidden from the public behind a curtain to preserve her identity.

Rape victim felt ‘powerless’

A former fan he was convicted of anally raping at his home after meeting her backstage at one of his comedy shows in 2009 said that she was left feeling anxious and humiliated and had difficulty eating and sleeping, and went through periods of heavy drinking.

She said it took years for her to speak up and that she only came forward after police opened an investigation following the documentary.

“I felt that if I reported him, I would not be believed,” she said in the statement read by Karmy-Jones. “His fame, wealth and influence created a power imbalance which made me feel powerless.”

Winter, the defense lawyer, tried to minimize the significance of the rape, saying Brand should be “regarded as a man who went too far and overrode consent that had been given” following consensual sex.

A woman he was convicted of kissing and groping at a London radio station in 2004 or 2005 said it had a lasting impact on her life.

“Since the sexual assault ... Russell Brand has managed to move on and even forget,” she said. “Over the years, hearing his voice on television, on social media or seeing his image made me jump.”

‘Culture at the time’ silenced woman

The final conviction was for sexually assaulting a different woman who said the comedian demanded a massage and pressed his face into her groin during the recording of an advertisement in 2009.

“Immediately after the incident I spoke up, and sadly it was brushed under the carpet by senior management," she said. “There was a culture at the time which meant I felt I had to just carry on and not talk about it anymore, which meant I did not give myself time to lament on it, boxed it up and pushed it aside.”

Brand was acquitted of raping another woman in a hotel room during the Labour Party’s annual conference in the seaside town of Bournemouth in 1999, and of attempting to indecently assault a woman by dragging her into the men’s bathroom at the London office of music channel MTV.

The Associated Press doesn’t name victims of alleged sexual violence, and British law protects their identities from the media for life.

Brand, who was known for edgy stand-up routines and battles with drugs and alcohol, rose to prominence in the early 2000s hosting television programs and his own BBC radio show. He appeared in Hollywood films including “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” and “Get Him to the Greek” and was briefly married to pop star Katy Perry.

In recent years he has moved away from mainstream media, relocated to Florida and built a large online following with videos mixing wellness, conspiracy theories and discussions of his religious devotion.

Nvidia's announcement of the investigation on Sunday followed Huang’s acknowledgment that he had been intimate with a business executive who, according to The New York Times, U.S. intelligence determined was gathering information for China.

China’s Foreign Ministry dismissed the spying allegations Monday, calling them a smear campaign against Beijing.

Nvidia chips power many of the data centers and computing systems used to train and run AI models. Its advanced processors have also been a focus of U.S. export restrictions aimed at limiting China’s access to cutting-edge semiconductor technology.

There's a small chance Huang is removed or steps down from the CEO post, wrote Dan Ives, partner and senior managing director at Yorkville Ives & Co., saying that Huang is “not replaceable.”

"On the heels of last week’s Blue Tidal Wave this will also increase momentum for more regulatory scrutiny in the Beltway especially around China and chip restrictions at a time the AI Arms Race is heating up into its next gear between the US and China," Ives wrote.

Still, Ives said there is a risk, as Huang could be removed as CEO depending on the board's investigation and that it will remain an overhang on shares near term.

Nvidia's stock slid $14.27 to $172.37. Shares hit an all-time high last month.

President Donald Trump, in his first major interview since his party lost control of the House and Senate in the midterm elections, said he thinks his administration was too aggressive on deportations and that he thinks he can work with Democrats in the new Congress on some kind of immigration deal.

Trump and his Department of Justice are taking a combative stance toward Democrats, signaling intense conflict to come as lawmakers prepare aggressive investigations into the executive branch next year. Trump set the tone, declaring on social media that investigative requests already made by Democrats are “extortion at the highest level, and they should be held accountable.”

Trump said Sunday he was only kidding about making UFC boss Dana White his next White House press secretary after announcing on social media he had offered his close friend the job.

Here's the Latest:

Republicans hold House and Senate leadership votes this week

The closed-door meetings could end up being blame-casting sessions about what went wrong in the elections.

House Republicans are bracing for a contentious leadership battle after Johnson decided to step aside, setting up a showdown between the No. 2 Republican, Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana, and Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, the brawling former wrestling coach allied with the hard-right conservatives.

The two men had confronted one another when trying to become House speaker three years ago, but neither was able to win enough support from the Republican rank and file, leading to Johnson’s rise. With the House Republican numbers now shrunken, lawmakers could seek wholesale change in leadership.

In the Senate, Majority Leader John Thune is expected to retain his job as Republican leader, though in the minority after Democrats flipped Republican-held seats, including milestone wins in Texas and Kansas.

Congressional Democrats are expected to elect leaders this month

At least two newcomers to the Senate — Abdul El-Sayed of Michigan and Adam Hamilton of Kansas — have declined to publicly support Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer’s majority leader bid, but no challenger has emerged.

“I think we need somebody who’s going to bring us together ... somebody who’s going to come with fresh ideas,” Hamilton said Sunday on CNN.

Jeffries, on track to make history as the nation’s first Black speaker of the House, also faces skepticism.

“Every single member here is going to have their individual vote,” said Rep. Greg Casar, D-Texas, chairman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, at a Capitol press conference Sunday, flanked by newly elected lawmakers, including a handful from the Democratic Socialists of America.

“What we talked about at orientation today was not about any individual person, but about policy,” Casar said. “How we set a progressive path forward.”

Nvidia slumps amid ‘foreign intelligence’ probe into CEO Jensen Huang

Shares of Nvidia tumbled 8% at the opening bell Monday after the computer chip maker, central to the artificial intelligence race, opened an investigation into reports that CEO Jensen Huang was the “target of a foreign intelligence effort.”

Nvidia’s announcement Sunday followed Huang’s acknowledgment that he had been intimate with a business executive who, according to The New York Times, U.S. intelligence determined was gathering information for China.

Nvidia chips have been a focus of U.S. export restrictions aimed at limiting China’s access to cutting-edge semiconductor technology. China’s Foreign Ministry on Monday called the spying allegations a smear campaign against Beijing.

Trump praised Huang on Sunday, even when asked whether he wished he had acted on intelligence when he was briefed about spying: “I think he’s an honorable guy. I think he probably has an excuse for it. He’s done an amazing job for our country.”

Democrats to control Georgia House for first time since 2004

Heading into Election Day, Georgia Republicans held a comfortable 99-80 majority in the chamber. But Democrats surged to victory in last week’s election, winning at least 91 seats – with three still uncalled by the AP.

Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms also won the governor’s race while Republicans retained the state Senate.

National Democrats have been targeting the Georgia statehouse for several elections, hoping to gradually chip away at the GOP’s majorities.

Across the U.S., Democrats flipped control of at least 13 chambers of state legislatures. Not enough races have been called to know for sure who will be in charge in the Alaska Legislature or North Carolina state Senate.

Kushner says US working hard for ‘lasting peace’ in Ukraine

Trump is determined to bring an end to the “horrible” war between Russia and Ukraine.

That’s according to Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner, who’s scheduled to begin talks on Tuesday in the United Arab Emirates with Russian and Ukrainian negotiators. Kushner wrote on social media Monday that he and special envoy Steve Witkoff would meet first with leaders from Ukraine and other European nations.

Kusher says the U.S. is “working hard to find a negotiated solution that can deliver lasting peace and create the conditions for a sovereign, secure, and prosperous Ukraine within a more stable European security environment.”

While Trump vowed to end the war within 24 hours of starting his second term, the war is nearing its five-year mark.

Trump defends Hegseth as Democrats say it’s time for him to go

Trump defended Hegseth to reporters on Sunday night before he flew back to Washington after spending the weekend at his Florida home.

“He’s guilty of two things, basically winning two wars,” Trump said. “I believe we saved the Middle East and Israel combined. And it’s awfully hard to say let’s impeach somebody who did that.”

Democrats are expected to widely support impeaching him and a number of Republicans have signaled they could join them.

“I’m a hard yes on the Hegseth resolution,” House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said Sunday on ABC.

Jeffries said it’s time for Hegseth to go, and that the secretary “has abused his power, undermined our national security and engineered this reckless and costly war of choice in Iran.”

Hegseth impeachment vote tops lame-duck congressional agenda

The House and Senate are in session for just six short weeks of a lame-duck sprint to finish up the Republican agenda before the the change of power on Jan. 3, 2027.

Leadership elections and a government funding package are all priorities ahead. But a first order of business is expected to be a resolution to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Republican Rep. Thomas Massie pushed the impeachment resolution over the objections of House GOP leadership amid growing momentum to hold Hegseth accountable for the Iran war, which many Republicans blame for the party’s midterm election wipeout.

House Speaker Mike Johnson had tried to prevent an impeachment vote September and abruptly halted proceedings by sending lawmakers home early.

It’s unclear if Johnson will be able to slow the impeachment drive now, unless he decides to adjourn the chamber again.

Democrat and Republican newcomers on what voters want

“This country sent a clear message from coast to coast, and that message is they’ve had enough of what’s gone on,” said Rep.-elect Daniel Biss, D-Ill. “They’ve had enough of Donald Trump. They’ve had enough of MAGA. And critically, they are ready to transform who holds power, and what they do with it.”

Republican Rep.-elect Chris Stigall of Missouri said voters sent a loud message, “and I hope, as a new member, I can be on the ground level of figuring out how we can reconnect.”

For starters, he said, the GOP needs to understand that the economy is not where it needs to be. “Six-dollar diesel, I will tell you, for the farmers in my district, that is a tough pill to swallow.”

Congress returns to changed Washington after GOP’s election wipeout

Congress is reconvening in a changed Washington, with Trump doubling down on his political threats despite the landmark GOP losses.

The halls of the Capitol will swell this week with the collision of incoming and outgoing lawmakers, as the newcomers attend orientation sessions while the retiring lawmakers start to clear out. It’s creating a jumble of split-screen moments reflective of the new political landscape.

Dozens of jubilant Democrats, families and suitcases in tow for freshman orientation, appeared emboldened by the party’s sweep of power. The trickle of Republicans coming in spoke soberly of the GOP’s vast challenges ahead.

Trump’s war against Iran not ‘necessarily popular’ but needed to stop a nuclear threat, Rubio says

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Sunday that Trump launched the war against Iran even if it was not “necessarily popular” to safeguard the world from the country’s nuclear ambitions.

He would not comment directly about the Republican wipeout in Tuesday’s elections, which delivered a resounding rebuke to Trump. The unpopularity of the Iran war and its impact on gasoline prices and other parts of the economy helped Democrats seize control of Congress.

Asked about Vice President JD Vance’s social media post last week that largely blamed the war for the Republican losses, Rubio told reporters that Trump “identified a very real threat” in Iran and worked to stop the Islamic Republic from pursuing a nuclear weapon.

“He addressed it even though oftentimes the right thing to do for the country — confronting difficult challenges for the security of our country — doing it isn’t necessarily popular, but necessary,” Rubio said in Florida before heading to a Group of 7 foreign ministers meeting in Paris.

▶ Read more

Trump says he was just kidding about making UFC’s Dana White his press secretary

Trump said Sunday he was only kidding about making UFC boss Dana White his next White House press secretary after announcing on social media he had offered his close friend the job.

After his party’s deep losses in Tuesday’s midterm elections, Trump shook up his administration on Friday by replacing his chief of staff and followed up on Saturday with a post that said he had offered the press secretary job to White. On Sunday, Trump said it was “just a little fun.”

“I was kidding, but I think Dana likes the idea, and he is a very capable guy,” Trump said, speaking to reporters in Florida before departing for the White House. White is set to visit him at the White House on Monday.

Trump does not currently have a press secretary after briefly giving the job to Katie Zacharia, who faltered behind the lectern and in interviews, and left the post after five days.

▶ Read more

Trump and Justice Department stand defiant as Democrats prepare investigative blitz

Trump and his Department of Justice are taking a combative stance toward Democrats after their election victories in the midterms, signaling intense conflict to come as lawmakers prepare aggressive investigations into the executive branch next year.

Trump set the tone, declaring on social media that investigative requests already made by Democrats are “extortion at the highest level, and they should be held accountable.” Attorney General Todd Blanche echoed the Republican president and said criminal investigations of Democrats are possible.

“They are not allowed to just go around threatening existing members of the administration, to go around threatening companies, and that’s what President Trump is extremely worried about and he should be,” Blanche said as he and congressional Democrats appeared on the Sunday news shows to discuss the repercussions from last week’s elections.

Rep. Robert Garcia, who is poised to chair the powerful House Oversight Committee in the next Congress, is preparing investigations into what he calls the “Trump crime family.” He said Democrats are not going to be intimidated.

Democrats have made clear that impeachment is an option.

▶ Read more

Trump says his deportation policy ‘might have been too tough’ for voters in the election

President Donald Trump, in his first major interview since his party lost control of the House and Senate in the midterm elections, said he thinks his administration was too aggressive on deportations and that he thinks he can work with Democrats in the new Congress on some kind of immigration deal.

Trump said his deportation policy was part of the reason Republicans lost, telling CBS’s “60 Minutes” in an interview that aired on Sunday: “I think it might be too tough, yeah.”

He added that he thinks he could reach an agreement with the new Democratic majority. “The deal would be we would work something out. And I think it’s something -- I think that’s something that’s actually doable,” he said in the interview.

Trump did not give specifics about what that deal would look like — and shortly after taping the interview on Friday, Trump named the key architect of his hard-line immigration agenda, Stephen Miller, as his new chief of staff.

▶ Read more

The S&P rose 1.1% and was on track for a second straight gain following a wipeout on worries that Democratic victories in the U.S. midterm elections could mean a slowdown in the construction for AI data centers. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 606 points, or 1.2%, as of 9:35 a.m. Eastern time, and the Nasdaq composite was 1.4% higher.

Stocks got a lift from a 5.5% drop for the price of a barrel of Brent crude to $92.96. It’s been coming down from more than $112 at the start of the month amid uncertainty about what will happen with the war with Iran.

The latest leg lower came after President Donald Trump told CNN over the weekend that a resumption of strikes is “highly unlikely” if the United States sees progress in negotiations, though U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, said Sunday that Iranian demands for ending the war had sometimes been “outrageous and ridiculous.”

Several strong profit reports from companies also helped to lift the market.

Constellation Energy added 0.8% after the power company reported both profit and revenue for the summer that topped analysts’ expectations. It’s been benefiting from deals announced recently to power data centers for Big Tech companies.

Those data centers, and the blame they’re getting from many voters for increases in power bills, are coming under increased scrutiny following Democratic sweeps of statehouses in last week’s election. The worry is that governments could impose restrictions on the industry, which would fewer purchases of artificial-intelligence chips, electricity and other products and services around the AI industry.

Stocks linked to the AI build out were holding steadier on Monday. Advanced Micro Devices rose 5.5% to recover some of its 11% loss from last week. But CoreWeave slipped another 0.3% after tumbling 15.4% last week.

The stock that quickly became the face of the AI boom, Nvidia, fell 6.3%. The chip company said it’s investigating its CEO, Jensen Huang, after he acknowledged an intimate relationship with a business executive who, according to The New York Times, U.S. intelligence determined was gathering information for China.

Nvidia’s board said it has “no reason to believe” that either national security or Nvidia secrets were compromised, but that its inquiry would examine all available information.

Guo Jiakun, spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, called the allegations “nothing but smears against China.”

In stock markets abroad, indexes were mixed in China amid mostly modest moves. Stocks rose 0.3% in Shanghai and dipped 0.1% in Hong Kong. Indexes were stronger in Japan, where the Nikkei 225 jumped 2.3%, and in Europe, where France’s CAC 40 rose 1%.

In the bond market, Treasury yields were mixed following last week’s big moves. The yield on the 10-year Treasury edged down to to 4.85% from 4.86% late Friday.

It had topped 5.30% last month and reached its highest level in two decades when worries were spiking about high inflation and the U.S. government’s big debt, among other things.

A pullback in Treasury yields should help pull down rates for mortgages and other kinds of loans. It also helps give prices a boost for stocks and other investments.

___

AP Business Writers Michelle Chapman and Elaine Kurtenbach contributed to this report.

Huang has acknowledged he had been intimate with a business executive, issuing an apology to his wife and to the company in an open letter posted on Nvidia's website. He did not name the woman.

Nvidia announced Sunday it was conducting an independent investigation into reports that Huang was the “target of a foreign intelligence effort.”

The New York Times reported that U.S. intelligence determined that the woman was gathering information for Beijing.

“I support the investigation and will cooperate fully. I love our country and our company. I am committed to protecting NVIDIA and supporting America’s national security,” Huang said in his letter.

In a routine news briefing Monday, a Chinese spokesperson rejected claims it used the woman as a spy.

“The so-called Chinese spy allegation is unsubstantiated. It is nothing but smears against China,” Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Monday.

Beijing earlier had dismissed The New York Times report saying Huang had developed a close relationship with a Chinese citizen named Alice Huang, who ran a company that last year faced claims it was illicitly shipping advanced Nvidia computer chips into China.

Nvidia shares dropped roughly 5% in pre-market trading early Monday.

The New York Times said Alice Huang was a former executive of a Singapore-based data center company called Megaspeed International, whose website prominently touts its partnership with Nvidia.

Many offices in Singapore were closed on Monday for a holiday. Megaspeed and the Singapore Ministry of Home Affairs did not immediately reply to requests for comment.

Nvidia is one of the world’s most valuable publicly traded companies, alongside Apple and Microsoft. Its sales of computer chips to China have at times been targeted by U.S. regulators seeking to limit Beijing's access to such technology.

“The key questions are whether he was aware of any espionage activities and whether any confidential or strategically sensitive information was compromised,” said George Chen, a partner and chair of digital practice at The Asia Group, a Washington-based consultancy.

“Those questions require evidence rather than speculation,” he added in a text message to reporters.

Huang has lobbied Washington to loosen limits on sales of Nvidia chips to China in recent years, winning U.S. President Donald Trump's approval for selling its H200 chips this year. It's unclear if Beijing would allow Chinese companies to buy those chips in large quantities. Nvidia said in a regulatory filing in August that it has sold only a small amount to China as such sales are restricted by the Chinese government.

The H200 chips are not Nvidia's most cutting-edge models, but they are still advanced. Previously, Huang also lobbied Trump to be allowed to sell Nvidia's less-advanced H20 chips, which were designed to comply with U.S. export restrictions on China.

Chinese media have largely focused on Huang admitting to the affair and state media outlets have mainly echoed the official government line. Some have said the New York Times report was aimed at destabilizing U.S.-China relations.

“Whenever China-US relations begin to improve, there are often those firing shots from the shadows,” the state-owned Global Times said.

___

Associated Press Business Writer Chan Ho-him in Hong Kong contributed to this report.

Nearly five years after Russia invaded its neighbor, the two countries remain locked in battle with no sign that either side is ready to budge from their demands. The war has already killed hundreds of thousands of soldiers and thousands of civilians, analysts and humanitarian organizations say.

Talks aim to build momentum for settlement, U.S. envoy says

The three-way talks between envoys from the U.S., Russia and Ukraine are due to start in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Tuesday and last for two days. The previous round of talks was in February.

U.S. President Donald Trump said in a “60 Minutes” interview that aired Sunday that Moscow and Kyiv are “very close” to a deal, despite the “tremendous hatred” between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

He said that Ukraine would have “a little bit different shape” under the settlement, but he didn’t elaborate.

Trump has previously made statements about developments in the war which haven't materialized.

Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, who will mediate in the talks with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, said that the priorities will be ending the conflict, finding ways to stop the war reigniting, reviving Ukraine’s postwar economy and preparing humanitarian aid.

“We hope these discussions will identify areas of common ground, advance practical solutions, and build momentum toward the next phase of negotiations,” Kushner said on X Monday.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Monday that Trump’s team has placed “collective security,” covering not just Russia and Ukraine but also a wider area, at the top of the agenda.

Moscow insists that Europe won't be in the 3-way talks

The last three-way talks, in Geneva nine months ago, also took place amid continuing attacks. They delivered no significant progress in ending the war, but some circumstances have changed.

Trump, whose stance on the war has varied, has to reckon with Democrats taking over the U.S. Congress in January following the U.S. midterm elections. They could demand more support for Ukraine.

Russian state finances are under heavy strain because of the war, and Ukraine’s economy is being choked by the relentless attacks.

In Abu Dhabi, the talks will look at what security guarantees would satisfy Russia, which sees NATO as a threat, and Ukraine, which wants to prevent future Russian invasions.

Putin has sought to sideline European countries and negotiate Ukraine’s future directly with Trump. However, European leaders and Ukraine have insisted that they be included.

Moscow says that European representatives won’t be directly involved in the Abu Dhabi discussions, but European officials said that representatives will be in the United Arab Emirates.

Ukraine’s lead negotiator, Rustem Umerov, said that European officials will hold “separate coordination” with the delegation from Kyiv.

Kushner said that before the talks in Abu Dhabi begin, he and Witkoff will consult with officials from Ukraine, the European Union, NATO, Germany, France, the United Kingdom and Italy.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Monday that the meeting would focus on trilateral negotiations, with the United States mediating between Russia and Ukraine.

“You are aware that the Americans have their own channels of communication with the Europeans, as do the Ukrainians, and it appears they are already establishing their own methods of coordination,” Peskov said. “But, to reiterate, this is a matter of trilateral negotiations.”

Russia hits electrical substations, Ukraine targets a refinery

Russian forces targeted four electrical substations in Ukraine’s Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Cherkasy and Vinnytsia regions, Russia’s Defense Ministry said Monday. The attacks are part of Russia’s campaign to deny Ukrainian civilians heating, light and running water during the approaching winter.

Zelenskyy said Monday that the European Union had agreed to activate a special emergency mechanism that speeds up funding for power grid repairs.

Russia launched 317 drones of various types including 105 jet-powered drones at Ukraine overnight, Ukraine’s air force said.

Russian aerial attacks have pummeled Ukraine throughout the war, with gruesome consequences. A Russian glide bomb attack last week near the front line in the southern Zaporizhzhia region killed at least 55 people at an aid distribution center.

On Monday, Russian forces hit a warehouse in Odesa in southwestern Ukraine containing food supplies for kindergartens and schools, killing three people, local officials said.

Meanwhile, an attack by long-range drones developed by Ukraine during the war started a fire at the KINEF oil refinery, one of Russia’s largest, close to St. Petersburg and more than 1,200 kilometers (745 miles) from the Ukrainian border, Leningrad Gov. Alexander Drozdenko said Monday.

Ukraine said in early October that its long-range strikes had neutralized more than half of Russia’s oil refining capacity, hampering Moscow’s ability to supply its forces.

Ukrainian forces also struck a plant near St. Petersburg, Russia’s second-largest city, that produces solid rocket propellant for Russia’s Iskander-M ballistic missiles, Ukraine’s General Staff said.

Ukraine is trying to prevent Russia from firing ballistic missiles, which Kyiv’s forces can’t stop once they are in the air without more U.S.-made Patriot air defense systems. Patriot missiles, however, are in short supply.

___

Katie Marie Davies contributed to this report from Manchester, England.

___

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

Trump said his deportation policy was part of the reason Republicans lost, telling CBS’s “60 Minutes” in an interview that aired on Sunday: “I think it might be too tough, yeah.”

He added that he thinks he could reach an agreement with the new Democratic majority. “The deal would be we would work something out. And I think it’s something -- I think that’s something that’s actually doable,” he said in the interview.

Trump did not give specifics about what that deal would look like — and shortly after taping the interview on Friday, Trump named the key architect of his hard-line immigration agenda, Stephen Miller, as his new chief of staff.

“Trump says his immigration crackdown went too far,” Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer scoffed on social media Sunday after the interview aired. “Apparently, his solution was to put the man responsible for it in charge of the White House. That’s not a course correction. That’s a promotion.”

The president's immigration crackdown was a prominent feature of his return to office with major operations in multiple cities sending arrests soaring. Two U.S. citizens — Renee Good and Alex Pretti — were killed by federal officers during protests against the operations.

Democrats have said oversight of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security is a priority for the new Congress.

Trump said he believes that “killers” and “drug dealers” in the country illegally should be deported, but suggested he was open to the idea of a deal that would let others stay “if they’re good people working in a landscaping company, or working in a hotel, or doing something, right? And in some cases, paying taxes.”

Trump says he may stay on the sidelines for the 2028 race

On the race among Republicans to succeed him for the 2028 presidential election, Trump hinted at staying neutral.

Asked whether he’d endorse a potential successor, the president said “probably, not necessarily.”

“We have a tremendous bench. I have so many people that I have great relationships with,” Trump said in the interview.

Asked about possible candidates other than Vice President JD Vance, Trump only named Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is viewed as a possible 2028 contender.

“I think Marco’s great,” Trump said. “But there are many others and I’d rather not mention their names. There’s some senators that are excellent. I know ’em all, I like ’em a lot.

“So I may or may not get involved. I don’t know. Maybe I’m better off not getting involved,” Trump said.

Trump brushes aside questions about becoming wealthier while in office

During the midterms, Democrats sought to make the president’s personal wealth a campaign issue. About half of voters nationally said government corruption was “crucial” for their vote for Congress, according to the AP Voter Poll.

Asked how his net worth went up by $3 billion since returning to the White House, Trump said he doesn’t pay much attention to it and said his sons look after the family business.

“I devote almost no time to my net worth. I don’t care. I make — I have a lotta money, and far more than I ever thought I’d have. And I guess it’s gone up. I don’t even know,” he said.

Trump was asked whether he thinks people from foreign countries investing in the company he co-owns with his sons are trying to buy influence. “I don’t know. But that’s true — look, every president has a problem,” he said.

Trump, who survived an assassination attempt while campaigning for reelection in 2024 and has lashed out against his political foes, was asked whether he could forgive his enemies. He said it would be easy to say yes.

But he added: “I probably cannot do that, no, because I do hate some of my enemies, and I always will.”

The fire at the HABAS plant in Aliaga, Izmir province, also injured 15 people, two of them critically, Provincial Gov. Suleyman Elban said in a televised update of the latest casualties. Search teams were looking for four people still believed to be under the wreckage, he added.

An earlier statement from his office had put the death toll at three, with 14 wounded and 10 missing.

Izmir Mayor Cemil Tugay said that the exact number of casualties would only be known once the debris is cleared.

Broadcaster NTV showed images of a large fire inside the facility and a tall column of smoke rising.

“The ground shook. It was very intense,” witness Nuri Ali Ulker was quoted as saying by the state-run Anadolu news agency.

Another witness, Deniz Ulker, said that the explosion “felt like the earth’s crust was shifting beneath us. I thought it was an earthquake,” according to Anadolu.

Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci said that emergency teams fought the blaze while searching for casualties.

“Our injured compatriots have been taken to hospitals and their health is being closely monitored,” he posted on social media.

The governor’s office said that the blast happened around noon (0900 GMT) when an overhead crane toppled into a furnace during the casting of liquid steel. It said that an investigation had been launched and Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said four public prosecutors had been assigned to the case.

Aliaga has a large port and is known for shipbreaking, which critics say has caused significant environmental damage and has led to calls to remove its shipbreaking yard from the European Union’s list of ship recycling facilities.

The disaster came as world leaders and environmental activists gathered in Antalya, on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast, for talks on curbing climate change.

The HABAS plant was established in 1987 and can produce 4.5 million tons of steel annually, according to the company’s website.

It was the last major independent media outlet critical of the Kremlin that remained active in Russia. Others closed or moved their operations abroad after President Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022.

In a statement published Oct. 30, the newspaper said the Russian authorities and the security services had "forced our editorial team to cease operations.”

“Human rights and freedoms have been abolished in this country, and defending them is now treated as a crime,” the newspaper said. "Elections and elected governing bodies have been effectively dismantled, civil society institutions have been wiped out, freedom of conscience and human dignity have been trampled underfoot.”

Launched in 1993, Novaya Gazeta quickly became known for its fierce reporting and dedication to uncovering Russian human rights abuses and corruption. Six of its journalists have been killed, including Anna Politkovskaya, who reported on atrocities during the second Chechen War at the start of Putin’s first term as president. She was fatally shot in her apartment building in 2006.

On the newspaper's final day in its office Monday, journalists slowly removed the portraits of their slain colleagues from the newsroom where reporters and editors planned their work.

Tatiana Britskaya, the editor of Novaya Gazeta's investigations desk, said she had expected the outlet's closure almost every day for the past 4 1/2 years.

“It is an incredibly difficult decision, because this is more than a workplace, more than an office — this is our home, and we're losing it,” she said.

Novaya Gazeta had faced growing government pressure as the Kremlin cracked down on critics, with repression sharply intensifying after the start of the conflict in Ukraine.

Longtime editor-in-chief Dmitry Muratov, who shared the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize with Philippine journalist Maria Ressa, was attacked on a train in 2022 by an assailant who poured red paint over him, causing severe irritation in his eyes. Muratov stepped down as editor in 2023 after being named a “foreign agent” by Russian authorities. The designation carries strong pejorative connotations in the country and can bring additional government scrutiny.

The newspaper was fined after it was accused of discrediting Russia’s armed forces, and it also was declared a foreign agent. Authorities blocked all of its online platforms, seized its printing house, revoked its media registration and shut down the donation system that allowed it to receive support from readers.

In a final blow, the newspaper was ordered to clear out its Moscow offices.

As reporters left the building and gathered in the street, a new sign was affixed atop the nameplate that once announced the newspaper's office. It read, “Here lived Novaya Gazeta.”

Sergei Sokolov, Novaya Gazeta's editor-in-chief, said he believed the newspaper would return one day “with renewed strength.”

“We will live, and I am sure that this country, caught in such a terrible era, will eventually stir. As soon as those first signs appear, Novaya Gazeta will return, to our readers and to our colleagues.”

Some of Novaya Gazeta’s staff left Russia in 2022 and opened a separate project, Novaya Gazeta Europe. The new outlet has been sharply critical of the Kremlin and its military action in Ukraine.

The attacker, wearing military-style clothing and a bulletproof vest, drove into the main square in Krakow’s Old Town on Saturday and opened fire. The square is a major tourist destination in Poland’s second-largest city. Several foreigners were among the dead and wounded.

The gunman, Michał Oksiński, died at 4:30 a.m., authorities said. He had been in critical condition since the attack and had undergone several operations.

Authorities also found the bodies of his sister, mother and father at the family home in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski, about 150 kilometers (93 miles) northeast of Krakow. They likely died from gunshot wounds.

Authorities investigating the motive

Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński said Saturday that Oksiński held “very radical” and “ultranationalistic” views.

Authorities were still examining the evidence Monday.

“We are first of all investigating if he was inspired by anyone, if someone helped him,” Eryk Stasielak of the Krakow branch of the national prosecutor’s office told The Associated Press. “We have secured his electronic devices and we will try to open them and get to the contents.”

Interior Ministry spokesperson Karolina Gałecka said that authorities were examining the meaning of numerous symbols and patches sewn onto Oksiński’s clothing or found at his home.

Prosecutors said they found a yellow flag bearing a black snake, known as the Gadsden flag, hanging on the wall of the attacker’s room. The flag originated during the American Revolution and was later adopted by the U.S. Tea Party movement.

Authorities said they believed Oksiński killed his family, possibly while they slept, before heading to Krakow.

Seven weapons were found in the family home, bringing the total recovered to 11, prosecutors said. Four, including two AR-15 semi-automatic rifles, were found on Oksiński or in his car in Krakow. Dozens, if not hundreds, of shots were fired during the attack, they said.

Oksiński and his father held gun permits. He had trained at a local shooting club, which said in a statement that he “was never trained in our club in the areas of dynamic, tactical or combat shooting.”

World facing threats from lone actors

Mass shootings are uncommon in Poland. However, in mid-October three attacks at schools in the central province of Mazovia took place within four days, leaving one person dead and many wounded, including children. The attackers used knives or sharp objects and some were said to be interested in the far-right.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the school attacks were fueled by the online “glorification of violence.” He said the acts could be associated with “nihilistic violence,” a term used by authorities to describe acts of violence driven by a nihilistic worldview and misanthropy rather than specific political goals.

Oksiński’s military-style equipment and weapons were similar to those of other “extreme right lone actors” committing attacks around Europe and the world, said Kacper Rekawek, a senior researcher at the International Center for Counterterrorism in The Hague. “We have had attempts before, but now we can say that these kinds of attacks have become successful in Poland.”

Rekawek said that even without an explicit link between the Krakow attack and incidents of school violence, they could be viewed as part of “a series.”

‘Heroic’ police officers prevented more victims

A video posted on social media showed a police officer repeatedly firing at Oksiński as he lay in the street. An image of the wounded officer kneeling beside the attacker has since gone viral in Poland.

“Senior police officers Jakub Kulik and Artur Morański are real heroes,” Tusk wrote on X. “They most likely saved the lives of many human beings, without regard for the risk of losing their own lives. Their state is serious, but they are under very good care. All Poland keeps fingers crossed for you.”

The two officers were patrolling the area when they were called to intervene. Police fired the first shot within three minutes of receiving the initial report. The officers chased the attacker and fired at him with their service weapons as he fired a semi-automatic rifle. Kulik continued firing even after he was shot. Both officers were seriously wounded.

Kulik, 24, was in critical condition, prompting officials to issue an urgent appeal for blood donations. A fundraiser for the officers and their families has so far raised more than 6 million zlotys ($1.5 million).

Krakow’s mayor announced that both officers would be named honorary citizens of the city.

Two surgeons who happened to be nearby during the attack helped save the officers’ lives.

“He took care of the officer who subdued the attacker because he truly needed urgent help,” Krakow surgeon Michał Pędziwiatr said of fellow surgeon Mateusz Wierdak. “Without protection, without gloves, he simply focused on the officer, stopping the bleeding in his chest. This probably saved his life.”

Talented artists among the victims

Izabela Woźna, a 53-year-old painter and mother of four, was killed in the attack. She had opened an exhibition of her work in Krakow on Friday evening.

Krakow Academy of Fine Arts confirmed that Magdalena Oksińska — the suspect’s sister — had been one of its third-year students. It said an employee’s sister had also been shot twice.

“Nothing will ever be like before. The delicate tissue of our academic community was painfully wounded,” the academy said in a statement Sunday.

“Magdalena Oksińska, 21 years old, a queer person, was an absolutely talented painter, photographer, poet and writer,” architect Pavko Krajka wrote in a social media post accompanied by images of her colorful paintings.

“Her death is a great loss for Krakow, Polish, European and queer culture.”

Pulitzer Prize winner Elizabeth Strout is also on a six-book shortlist — whittled down from 163 submitted novels — that judges called “moving, pacey, funny, violent, intriguing, horrifying and hopeful.”

James is the oddsmakers’ favorite to take the 50,000 pound ($67,000) prize with “The Disappearers,” about a group of gay men in a hostile 1980s Jamaica. Also favored is Stuart’s “ John of John,” a story of father-son secrets on a remote Scottish island.

A win by either one would make that author the fifth double Booker winner, after J.M. Coetzee, Peter Carey, Hilary Mantel and Margaret Atwood. James won the Booker in 2015 for “A Brief History of Seven Killings” and Stuart took the prize in 2020 for “Shuggie Bain.”

Strout is on the shortlist with her story of a small-town New England teacher in crisis, “The Things We Never Say.” Her book “Oh William!” was a Booker finalist in 2022, and she won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 2009 for “Olive Kitteridge.”

A panel of judges led by classicist Mary Beard is also considering three books by British authors: apocalyptic saga “The End of Everything” by M. John Harrison; Luke Kennard’s satirical campus novel “Black Bag”; and Rebecca Perry’s Medieval-to-modern tale “May We Feed the King.”

Founded in 1969, the Booker Prize is open to novels written in English from any country published in the U.K. and Ireland. It has a reputation for transforming writers’ careers.

Its winners have included Salman Rushdie, Ian McEwan, Bernardine Evaristo and Arundhati Roy. Last year’s prize went to “Flesh” by Hungarian-British writer David Szalay.

And the 83-year-old Democrat said the 80-year-old Trump's years of lies about his 2020 defeat to Biden and the Jan. 6 attacks on the Capitol should “follow him to his grave.”

Biden's sweeping indictment comes in the first excerpt of “Promise Me, America,” published Monday by The Atlantic. The 46th president's full memoir is set for a Nov. 17 release. Biden said that while doctors are encouraged by his response to cancer treatment, his activities promoting the book will be limited because of his health.

“Donald Trump led an insurrection," Biden wrote of the attack by Trump supporters as the U.S. Congress met to certify the 2020 election won by the Democrat. "His goal was to remain in power after the American people had voted him out of office.

“The rioters weren’t ‘peaceful protesters," he wrote. “They came armed to stop the official certification of a legitimate election.” He chided Trump for later issuing more than 1,500 pardons of the offenders.

“To this day, Trump and his supporters continue to preen and posture like they’re supporters of law enforcement,” Biden wrote. “Here’s my view: You don’t get to turn a blind eye to cops being punched, speared, sprayed, and brutalized and call yourself a friend of law enforcement. What Trump did on January 6, 2021, should never be forgotten. It should follow him to his grave.”

Biden also laments Trump's Department of Government Efficiency and his aggressive reversal of many of his policies, especially those intended to address climate change.

“All presidents must confront a feeling that their legacy is vulnerable to the pendulum of politics and the whims of their successors,” Biden wrote. “In my case, that feeling was magnified by the dismissive and destructive nature of Donald Trump, who seemed unable to tolerate the idea that someone else’s accomplishments might be worth building on rather than tearing down.”

Democrats won big but Biden's reputation still lags

The memoir's release comes on the heels of Biden's fellow Democrats trouncing Republicans in the midterm elections, securing stunningly broad House and Senate majorities and flipping control of several statehouses in a comprehensive rebuke of Trump's second presidency. But Trump's return to power two years earlier was itself a rejection of Biden's one White House term, and many voters still harbor skeptical views of his presidency and his party.

In a lengthy social media post on Sunday, Biden pitched his memoir as the best way he can explain his presidency, “the challenges we faced, the decisions I made and why I made them.”

During his four years in office, Biden confronted the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic fallout, and he worked to restore global alliances that Trump frayed. But he faced widespread concerns about his age, and he abandoned his reelection bid after a disastrous June 2024 debate with Trump. Dogged by lingering inflation and other concerns, Biden’s vice president, Kamala Harris, lost to Trump that November.

Months after leaving office, Biden announced that he'd been diagnosed with prostate cancer. He opened up about his condition in his Sunday social media post, saying he “won’t be able to do as many conversations about my book as I’d hoped” and urging people to let the book speak for him.

Biden said his doctors “continue to be encouraged by how I've responded to treatment.” But, he acknowledged, “Some days are better than others. It hasn't stopped me. But sometimes it slows me down.”

Biden tells of an unusually complimentary Trump

In the excerpt, Biden recounts an unusual Oval Office meeting with Trump days after the 2020 election — well before the Jan. 6 riots.

“‘You know, Joe, if it weren't for politics, I believe we'd be good friends,’” Trump said, according to Biden.

Trump even commented "that he’d been relieved he didn’t have to run against me," Biden added.

Public polling at the time Biden dropped his reelection bid showed him trailing Trump, and Democrats pushed for him to yield out of fear that he could not win.

Biden said he used the meeting to give Trump “a tour of the world,” including the Ukraine-Russia war, NATO alliances, Israel and Gaza and China-U.S. relations. Biden said Trump “focused on the personalities” of world leaders rather than the substance of international relations.

He said that two-hour meeting left him worried Trump would indeed dismantle much of his presidency. He wrote that Trump's opening weeks — his Day One executive orders and everything that followed — confirmed his worries about a “crueler government” that “tried to tear down institutions and inflame hatreds” and a president who “took a wrecking ball to our traditions.”

The title echoes Biden's memoir about his late son

The memoir's title echoes an earlier Biden book, “Promise Me, Dad,” that he wrote about his son Beau's cancer and death — a parallel that implicitly acknowledges the former president's age, condition and the reality that he may not have a long post-presidency to see the direction of the country and the evolution of his legacy.

In that first book, released between Biden's vice presidency and his 2020 presidential bid, he explained that the title came directly from a father-son conversation around Thanksgiving in 2014.

“Promise me, Dad. Give me your word that no matter what happens, you’re going to be all right,” Biden recalled Beau saying. Beau Biden died six months later.

In his Sunday post, Biden repeated an argument he made often when campaigning and during his presidency, saying the U.S. is unique because it was “built on an idea” that “all of us are created equal.”

“Promise me, America,” he concluded, that “we'll never forget it.”

Nmecha, a devout Christian, has been criticized by the club’s official supporters’ group for goal celebrations associated with the evangelical network “Ballers in God” after he previously faced allegations of sharing homophobic and transphobic social media posts.

Nmecha scored two goals against Elversberg for a 2-1 Bundesliga win on Saturday, but he celebrated by removing an imaginary crown while kneeling and placing it on the grass in front of him. The gesture is meant to signify “The King’s Return” campaign which is linked to “Ballers in God,” a network of Christian soccer players that was founded in 2015 and frequently shares such actions on social media.

The Dortmund supporters group pointed to research by German broadcaster ARD that accuses the “Ballers in God” network of labeling homosexuality as a sin and abortion as part a plan by Satan.

“We oppose religious networks that, under the guise of faith, propagate a worldview in which individuals are denigrated or excluded based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, way of life, or personal choices,” the supporters said in a statement.

“Where religious convictions are used to deny people their dignity or equal worth, our tolerance for intolerance comes to an end.”

The now 26-year-old Nmecha previously faced criticism upon joining Dortmund from Wolfsburg in 2023, when he shared two homophobic and transphobic posts from other accounts on Instagram.

Dortmund defended the player at the time, with the club president and CEO issuing a joint statement to say, “he does not hold any transphobic or homophobic beliefs.”

On Sunday, Dortmund told the Bild tabloid that it understood the fans’ concerns and would speak to the player.

“We expect all employees and players to ensure that their behavior and conduct align with the legal requirements and core values of Borussia Dortmund. These values include respect, diversity, equality, and a clear rejection of any form of discrimination,” the club said.

___

See AP’s full soccer coverage here

There was no immediate information available on the identities or nationalities of those on board or what had caused the deaths of the 14 people.

Separately, the coast guard said that more than 180 other people were found on three other boats heading across the Mediterranean Sea from North Africa to Crete on Monday morning, the latest in what has been a steady number of boats traveling from Libya to Greece. The crossing has become one of the main migrant routes to Europe.

The boat with casualties on board was found about 15 nautical miles (about 28 kilometers or 18 miles) south of the southern Greek island of Crete early Monday. The coast guard initially said it had recovered 12 bodies from the vessel, while a passing Morocco-flagged cargo ship had rescued the other 18 people on board. All were transported to Crete, it said.

The coast guard later revised the number of bodies recovered to 13. It said that four of the 18 people rescued were transported to local health centers in Crete, including one who was already unconscious when an ambulance arrived. The health center later confirmed that that person had died, the coast guard said.

Another three boats — one carrying about 47 people, another with about 40 people on board and a third with around 100 people on board — were also found sailing south of Crete. All three were spotted by aircraft or drones from the European Union's border agency Frontex. Those on board the three boats were due to be taken to Crete, the coast guard said.

Greece is one of the main entry points into the 27-nation EU for people fleeing conflict and poverty in the Middle East, Africa and Asia. In recent months, thousands have been making the perilous sea crossing from North Africa, usually from Libya to Crete. Others make the far shorter but often equally dangerous crossing from the Turkish coast to nearby Greek islands in the Aegean Sea, often in unseaworthy inflatable dinghies or other small boats.

Last month, 12 people, including an infant, died when the two boats they were traveling in from Turkey to the islands of Lesbos and Samos capsized.

Frontex said in October that the eastern Mediterranean was the busiest route for migrants attempting to enter the EU, although irregular border crossings into the bloc were down by a third so far this year.

The agency said that around 31, 800 crossings were recorded in the first three quarters of 2026, a fall of 15% compared with the same period last year. The corridor from Libya to Crete was the busiest section on the route, ahead of the eastern Aegean islands and the land border with Turkey.

The 37-year-old multiple Olympic champion, who is consistently ranked among France’s favorite public figures, announced his bid on social media on Monday. Riner, who has liberal economic views, said in an interview with Le Parisien newspaper that he is positioning himself as “neither right-wing nor left-wing” and hopes to become a “president who brings people together.”

Asked whether his bid should be taken seriously, Riner said “what would be irresponsible would be to remain silent and stand by as a spectator to what is happening in our country, and what has been happening for several years now.”

The French presidential election is being held next year, and campaigning is taking place in a tense social climate.

Protest marches have been drawing huge crowds for weeks in Paris and elsewhere across France as demonstrators demand higher wages and back the country’s student protest movement, piling fresh pressure on the beleaguered government.

Riner said he is aware of the social tensions running through the country and that he can’t accept young people and older generations saying they are struggling to imagine a future for themselves.

“I hear the anger, which some people echo in their rhetoric with a great deal of negativity, coming from people who no longer have any ambition or the desire to think big,” Riner said. “Yet France is a great country. It has allowed me to become the person I am today and given me the opportunity to dream big. Today, that is precisely what is missing. There is no longer that ambition, no longer that hope.”

Riner said in September that he wants to end his stellar career with a fourth individual Olympic gold medal at the Los Angeles Games in 2028. Asked by Le Parisien if his presidential bid means he is giving up on the Olympics, the 2.04-meter (6-foot-8) heavyweight said no.

“Not if my duties as president allow it and the French people give me their blessing,” the 11-time world champion said.

French authorities in September said they investigated online racial abuse aimed at Riner after he expressed concern about the rise of the far right. In an interview with French sports television show Stade 2, Riner said he was “freaked out” by the rise of extremism. Asked if he meant “on both sides” — meaning the far left and far right — Riner replied “the far right.”

According to opinion polls, the nationalist Marine Le Pen is the front-runner to replace Emmanuel Macron, ahead of hard-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon. Other aspirants include two former prime ministers of Macron. Candidates from the moderate left and right, the Green party and conservatives, are also running, among others.

“The country is experiencing deep divisions right now, let’s not kid ourselves,” Riner said. “And in the face of that, I don’t see a single candidate putting forward a credible and fair vision capable of bringing the French people together rather than dividing them. There is no one today offering genuine, sincere hope. It’s always one side against another. I’m running for president to show that we can get France back on its feet. We are capable of achieving great things together.”

In order to stand, Riner will need to gather 500 sponsorship signatures from elected officials, as required by French law.

Asked about what would be his first initiative on the international stage if he is elected, Riner said he wants to make sure France works well with its allies and commands greater respect.

“A lot of people around me have been talking about my first handshake with Donald Trump,” he said, laughing. “We’ll see who has the firmer handshake.”

Newly elected lawmakers arrived on Capitol Hill over the weekend, creating a jumble of split-screen moments reflective of the new political landscape. Dozens of jubilant Democrats, families and suitcases in tow for freshman orientation, appeared emboldened by the party's sweep of power. The trickle of Republicans coming in spoke soberly of the GOP's vast challenges ahead.

“This country sent a clear message from coast to coast, and that message is they’ve had enough of what’s gone on," said Rep.-elect Daniel Biss, D-Ill. "They’ve had enough of Donald Trump. They’ve had enough of MAGA. And critically, they are ready to transform who holds power, and what they do with it.”

Republican Rep.-elect Chris Stigall of Missouri said it's clear that voters sent a loud message, "and I hope, as a new member, I can be on the ground level of figuring out how we can reconnect.”

For starters, he said, the GOP needs to understand that the economy is not where it needs to be. “Six-dollar diesel, I will tell you, for the farmers in my district, that is a tough pill to swallow.”

But first, it's out with the old before the new Congress takes over in January.

Hegseth impeachment vote tops lame-duck agenda

The House and Senate are in session for just six short weeks of a lame-duck sprint to finish up the Republican agenda before the GOP majorities come to an end, making way for the change of power on Jan. 3, 2027.

Leadership elections and a government funding package are all priorities ahead.

One first order of business is expected to be a resolution to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over his leadership at the Pentagon.

Republican Rep. Thomas Massie pushed the impeachment resolution forward over the objections of House GOP leadership as momentum grows to hold Hegseth accountable for the Iran war, which many Republicans blame for the party's midterm election wipeout.

House Speaker Mike Johnson had tried to prevent a vote on Hegseth’s impeachment in September and abruptly halted proceedings by sending lawmakers home early.

But it’s unclear Johnson, who remains close to Trump, will be able to slow the drive for impeachment now, unless he decides to adjourn the chamber again.

Trump defended Hegseth to reporters on Sunday night before he flew back to Washington after spending the weekend at his Florida home.

“He’s guilty of two things, basically winning two wars,” Trump said. “I believe we saved the Middle East and Israel combined. And it’s awfully hard to say let’s impeach somebody who did that.”

Democrats are expected to widely support the impeachment resolution and a number of Republicans have signaled they could join them.

“I’m a hard yes on the Hegseth resolution,” House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said Sunday on ABC.

Jeffries said it's time for Hegseth to go, and that the secretary “has abused his power, undermined our national security and engineered this reckless and costly war of choice in Iran."

New Congress arrives, as does Trump's new chief of staff

The halls of the Capitol are expected to swell this week with the collision of incoming and outgoing lawmakers, as the newcomers attend orientation sessions while the retiring lawmakers start to clear out.

At the same time, Trump has tapped top aide Stephen Miller, the hard-right architect of much of the White House’s domestic policy agenda, as his new chief of staff. Miller takes the helm Monday in what is expected to be the start of a more direct confrontation with the Congress.

Republicans in both the House and Senate are planning to hold their leadership elections this week in closed-door meetings that could end up being blame-casting sessions about what went wrong in the elections.

House Republicans are bracing for a contentious leadership battle after Johnson decided to step aside, setting up a showdown between the No. 2 Republican, Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana, and Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, the brawling former wrestling coach allied with the hard-right conservatives.

The two men had confronted one another when trying to become House speaker three years ago, but neither was able to win enough support from the Republican rank and file, leading to Johnson's rise. With the House Republican numbers now shrunken, lawmakers could seek wholesale change in leadership.

In the Senate, Majority Leader John Thune is expected to retain his job as Republican leader, though in the minority as Democrats flipped Republican-held seats, including milestone wins in Texas and Kansas.

Democrats are expected to hold their elections later this month. At least two Democrats — Sen.-elect Abdul El-Sayed of Michigan and Sen.-elect Adam Hamilton of Kansas — have declined to publicly support Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer's bid to be the majority leader, but no challenger for the job has emerged.

“I think we need somebody who’s going to bring us together and somebody who’s going to -- somebody who’s going to come with fresh ideas to what we’re doing,” Hamilton said Sunday on CNN.

Jeffries, who is on track to make history as the nation's first Black speaker of the House, faces skepticism from voices in the party's left wing.

“Every single member here is going to have their individual vote,” said Rep. Greg Casar, D-Texas, chairman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus at a Capitol press conference Sunday, flanked by newly elected lawmakers, including a handful from the Democratic Socialists of America.

“What we talked about at orientation today was not about any individual person, but about policy,” Casar said. “How we set a progressive path forward.”

The GOP's to-do list shrinks

The Republican majority had high hopes for a legislative run to secure party priorities in the final weeks of the session, but those plans now seem doubtful.

Congress still needs to fund the government by mid-December or risk another federal shutdown if the money lapses.

It also hopes to pass the annual defense bill, which sets policy for the Pentagon and delivers pay-raises for the troops, and has been approved by Congress essentially every year since World War II. But this year, the defense package is tangled over progressive pressure to cut money for the Iran war and military aid to Israel over the war on Gaza.

The Senate hopes Monday to launch votes on legislation to speed permitting reviews for new energy infrastructure projects. Trump in a social media post Sunday pushed senators to act.

And there is pressure on the Senate to swiftly confirm Trump's judicial nominees before Republicans lose control of the chamber in January.

___

Associated Press writer Darlene Superville contributed to this report.

Monday & Tuesday

The workweek starts with a mix of clouds and sunshine and very little rain. Highs will reach the low 80s, with morning temperatures in the upper 50s to upper 60s.

Patchy fog is possible early Monday and again Tuesday morning.

Wednesday

Rain chances increase Wednesday afternoon and evening as a disturbance moves across Florida. Scattered showers and a few thunderstorms are possible, with rain chances around 30% to 40%. Highs will remain in the low 80s.

Thursday & Friday

Clouds and a few showers will linger Thursday before a strong cold front pushes through late Thursday night into early Friday.

A few additional showers are possible, especially south of Orlando, but widespread heavy rain is not expected.

Behind the front, much cooler and drier air will move in.

Friday afternoon temperatures will struggle to reach the upper 60s to low 70s, with gusty northwest winds making it feel even cooler.

Weekend outlook

Here’s the big change!

Saturday and Sunday mornings are expected to be the coldest of the season so far. Temperatures could drop into the mid to upper 40s across much of Central Florida, with low to middle 50s closer to the Space and Treasure coasts.

Add in a lingering breeze, and it could feel even colder. Areas near and north of Orlando have a 30% to 40% chance of seeing wind chills in the upper 30s both mornings.

Afternoons will stay cool, too, with highs in the low to mid-60s Saturday. Temperatures will gradually rebound Sunday, with 70s returning to parts of the area.

Orlando City vs. New England — Fan Appreciation Night (Nov. 7)

Orlando City wraps up its regular-season home schedule with a Fan Appreciation Night match against New England — a good “now or never” moment if you haven’t made it to Inter.Co Stadium lately. The club says the night recognizes Lion Nation with giveaways, prizes and in-stadium celebrations. Even if you’re not a die-hard soccer fan, it’s a fun, loud Saturday afternoon plan in the heart of Orlando.

📍 Inter.co Stadium (655 W Church St, Orlando, FL 32805)

📅Saturday, Nov. 7 at 4 p.m. ET

🎟️Tickets start at $25. Ticket details and info can be found here.

🅿️Arrival and parking info can be found here

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Orlando City SC (@orlandocitysc)

Maker Faire Orlando (Nov. 7-8)

Maker Faire Orlando is basically a two-day show-and-tell for the wildly curious — part science fair, part art show and part hands-on playground. Organizers say the event brings together more than 250 exhibits spanning science, art, robotics, crafts, technology, 3D printing, cosplay and more. It’s a great pick if you want to meet the makers behind the projects, catch stage presentations and live demonstrations, and bounce between indoor and outdoor exhibits at your own pace.

📍Central Florida Fairgrounds (4603 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL 32808)

​📅Saturday, Nov. 7 and Sunday, Nov. 8, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

​🎟️Advance tickets start at $15 for youth and students and $20 for adults; kids 2 and under are free. First responders, active military and veterans receive free admission with ID. Tickets also available at the gate. More details can be found here.

🅿️Free on-site parking

View this profile on Instagram

makerfaire (@makerfaire) • Instagram photos and videos

MAX POWER at Kennedy Space Center (Nov. 7-8)

MAX POWER is a new aerospace expo and air show that NASA says will spotlight the aircraft, autonomous vehicles and technologies shaping what’s next in air and space. Expect a mix of big moments — like flyovers and air show action — plus time to walk around and check out static displays and a space partner expo. NASA says it will display its quiet supersonic X-59 plane, and agency partners are set to showcase Moon rovers, spacecraft and more.

📍Kennedy Space Center

📅Nov. 7-8, 2026; gates open 9 a.m.; air show 1-4:30 p.m.

🎟️Tickets can be purchased here.

🧑‍🚀The full schedule and event details can be found here.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by NASA (@nasa)

Falcon Experience at Avian Reconditioning Center (Nov. 7)

This one is for the animal lovers who want something truly different: The Avian Reconditioning Center’s Falcon Experience is a private encounter with Ford, an aplomado falcon. You’ll meet a general falconer, learn about the sport of falconry, and — with instruction — hold the falcon on your gloved hand. The experience also includes photos (taken by the falconer with your phone) and the chance to feel what it’s like when the falcon flies to your glove.

📍Avian Reconditioning Center, 323 Lester Road, Apopka, FL 3271

📅Saturday, Nov. 7 at 11 a.m. or 2 p.m.

🎟️Reservations: arc4raptors.org/experiences-tickets/ola/services/falcon-experience

🦅45-minute private experience; up to 2 guests, with add-on tickets available for additional guests (up to two add-ons). Not suitable for children 5 and younger.

Goat forward events at Wildflower Farm (Nov. 6-8)

Wildflower Farm is a small family farmstead just east of downtown Orlando, and this weekend is all about baby goats — the kind of plan that instantly makes your camera roll better. Depending on which session you choose, you can do yoga in the pasture pavilion while goats wander around, bring the kids for story time and a meet-and-greet, or opt for an adults-only evening to reset after the workweek. A big part of the experience is helping bottle-feed the “kids” and spending some low-stress time outside at the farm.

📍Wildflower Farm, 2218 Carrington Drive, Orlando, FL 32807

📅Activities all weekend:

• Party in the Pasture: Friday, Nov. 6 at 6:30 p.m. (ages 18 and up); $17 per person
• Family Time on the Farm: Saturday, Nov. 7 at 11 a.m. (all ages); $14 per person (12 months and under free)
• Goat Yoga: Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 7-8 at 9 a.m. (ages 8 and up); $25 per person

🎟️You can book your reservation on their website.

Halifax Art Festival in Daytona Beach (Nov. 7-8)

The Halifax Art Festival is a two-day outdoor event that turns Beach Street into a walkable art gallery along the riverfront. Organizers say it features juried work from more than 200 artists, including about 150 fine art exhibitors competing for cash awards. Plan to browse booths, meet artists from across the country, check out student art exhibits, and stick around for live music and festival food — all with free admission.

📍Downtown Daytona Beach & Riverfront Esplanade along Beach Street between Bay Street and Orange Avenue

📅Saturday, Nov. 7, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 8, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

🎟️Free to the public.

✨Bonus Events✨

Guided gallery tour: “Elegy for the Unseen: The Art of Extinct Species” (Saturday, Nov. 7)

Orlando Science Center’s new exhibition, “Elegy for the Unseen: The Art of Extinct Species,” is offering an exclusive guided tour at 1 p.m. The exhibit explores the memory, mystery and scientific significance of species that have vanished — and includes an authentic 200-million-year-old ammonite fossil, according to the Science Center. The guided tour is led by educator Gisel Arias of Pace Brantley Preparatory School and is pitched as a deeper dive that’s ideal for older teens and adults.

• Where: Orlando Science Center
• When: Saturday, Nov. 7 at 1 p.m.
• Admission: No separate tour price listed in the provided information; confirm any RSVP/capacity limits.

STK Steakhouse Election Day and Veterans Day promotions (Nov. 2-8 and Nov. 9-11)

STK Steakhouse is offering limited-time takeout and delivery deals during Nov. 2-8, with bundles designed for groups plus a couple of BOGO favorites. For Veterans Day, the restaurant is offering a complimentary entrée with the purchase of any starter for eligible guests during Nov. 9-11 at participating U.S. locations.

• Election Day promos (Nov. 2-8):
• • Bundles: STK cheeseburger (6 for $49), fried chicken sandwich (6 for $49), braised short rib quesadilla (6 for $49). Bundles include chips; upgrade to fries for $10.
  • BOGO: Mac & cheese ($21) and Lil’ BRGs ($29)
• Veterans Day offer (Nov. 9-11): Complimentary entrée with purchase of any starter for military veterans, active-duty service members, reservists, first responders and Gold Star Families (valid military ID or proof of service required)

Orlando Science Center CoLAB Day: Roman Space Telescope (Saturday, Nov. 7)

Orlando Science Center is hosting a CoLAB (Community Learning and Beyond) Day featuring NASA engineer J. Scott Smith, who will share a behind-the-scenes look at the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. In the Science Center’s VyStar Adventure Theater at 4 p.m., Smith is set to explore how the next-generation observatory is designed to help scientists discover distant planets, explore faraway galaxies and investigate big mysteries like dark matter and dark energy.

• Where: Orlando Science Center, VyStar Adventure Theater
• CoLAB Day: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Presentation: Saturday, Nov. 7 at 4 p.m.
• Where: Orlando Science Center, VyStar Adventure Theater
• Admission: Smith’s presentation and CoLAB activities are included with admission to Orlando Science Center.
• More info/tickets: www.osc.org
• More on Roman: nasa.gov/roman

Central Florida Zoo: Free admission for veterans and active military (Nov. 7-11)

The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens is offering free admission to all veterans and active military members Saturday, Nov. 7 through Wednesday, Nov. 11, as an in-person-only deal at the gate. The Zoo says eligible guests can also use a buy-one-get-one offer for up to six tickets to bring family and friends.

• Where: Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens, 3755 W. Seminole Blvd., Sanford, FL 32771
• When: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | Nov. 7-11, 2026
• How to redeem: Deal available at the gate only (not redeemable online). Show a valid military ID or DD214.
• Extra: Buy-one-get-one offer for up to six tickets (three purchased, three free)
• Info: www.centralfloridazoo.org

Merlin Entertainments free admission offer (Oct. 1-Nov. 30)

Merlin Entertainments says military members, veterans and first responders can claim free admission to select Florida attractions through the end of November. Eligible guests can also receive 50% off one-day tickets for up to six accompanying guests.

• When: Oct. 1-Nov. 30, 2026
• Participating attractions: LEGOLAND Florida Resort, SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium, Madame Tussauds Orlando
• How to claim: Verify status and obtain tickets in advance online through ID.me or at a local Military Ticket office

Orlando Science Center honors veterans (Nov. 2-15) + wreath ceremony (Nov. 11)

In honor of Veterans Day, Orlando Science Center says veterans and active military with valid military ID can receive free admission, and their families can receive 50% off admission, from Nov. 2-15. The promotion is made possible with support from Lockheed Martin. On Veterans Day, Orlando Science Center will host its annual wreath ceremony at the Red Tails Monument in Loch Haven Park.

• Discount window: Nov. 2-15
• Deal: Free admission for veterans and active military; 50% off admission for their families (valid military ID required)
• Wreath ceremony: Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 11 a.m.
• Where: Red Tails Monument, Loch Haven Park (presented in partnership with Vision of Flight)

Grand opening: House of Aero (Saturday, Nov. 7)

Mount Dora is getting its first circus aerial and arts studio: House of Aero is celebrating its grand opening with demonstrations on multiple apparatuses — including a sway pole planned for the parking lot. If you’ve ever wanted to see aerial arts up close (or you’re looking for a new, artsy hobby to try), this is a unique midday stop.

• Where: House of Aero, 3771 Lake Center Drive, Mount Dora, FL 32757
• When: Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

View this profile on Instagram

House of Aero (@house_of_aero_studio) • Instagram photos and videos

OMA Vinyl Night (Thursday, Nov. 5)

If you’re looking for a low-key weeknight plan, OMA is hosting a disco-themed Vinyl Night on Thursday with music, gallery sketching and pop-ups — a nice excuse to wander current exhibitions before holiday schedules fill up.

• Where: Orlando Museum of Art, 2416 North Mills Avenue Orlando, FL 32803
• When: Thursday, Nov. 5, 4-8 p.m.
• What’s happening: DJ Smilin’ Dan spinning disco favorites; Sketching in the Galleries; Little Giant Pop-Up; beer and wine cash bar; Study Hall Vinyl Pop-Up

The proposal is expected to go before the city of Orlando for consideration. The project would be built on more than five acres of land, a few miles from both Epic Universe and Universal Studios.

Plans call for a hotel with a restaurant, coffee shop and a two-level parking garage with more than 200 spaces.

Dave Buckalew, president and owner of Orlando-based Buckalew Hospitality, said there continues to be demand for hotels near the area’s major attractions and the Orange County Convention Center.

“There is room for more hotels, especially closer to both the attractions and the convention center. There can never be too many,” Buckalew said.

The proposal comes as Universal continues to expand its theme park offerings.

Just days ago, Universal announced plans for a new Monsters-inspired roller coaster coming to Dark Universe, one of the themed lands at Epic Universe.

Buckalew said new attractions give visitors additional reasons to return to the destination.

“Adding a new roller coaster is a great reason to come back and experience it again,” he said. “I think it will draw people in and maybe people who were holding off have a whole new reason to visit.”

However, the hotel proposal still faces several hurdles.

More than two acres of wetlands on the property could be affected by the development. The developer would need to purchase mitigation credits to address the potential impact.

Sewer capacity is also a concern. The city previously raised questions about whether the property could support development, making the issue a key part of the proposal’s review.

The developer is expected to address those concerns during a meeting with the city.

Even if the city approves the request, construction would not be able to begin immediately. The developer would still need to obtain the required engineering and building permits before moving forward.

For now, the proposed hotel remains in the review process as development continues around one of Central Florida’s fastest-growing tourism destinations.

Located in the Urban League’s Manhattan headquarters, the Urban Civil Rights Museum in Harlem explores the region's lesser-known histories of the Civil Rights Movement and the local changemakers and artists whose contributions helped shape politics and culture worldwide. With nearly 12,000 square feet (1,100 square meters) of permanent and rotating exhibits and galleries, organizers say they hope to remind visitors of their “collective power” in the present.

“We want people to know that they are key participants,” Jennifer Scott, the museum’s founding executive director and chief curator, told The Associated Press during an exclusive preview of the space.

“History is living, it’s unfinished, and we can impact it,” she said.

Scott is a national public history scholar with experience preserving Black history in museums and research centers across the country. She led the design of a permanent interactive installation and an inaugural set of rotating exhibitions.

Marc Morial, the Urban League’s president and CEO, underscored the importance of establishing the museum just blocks from such key historic and cultural landmarks as the Apollo Theater and The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. He attributed the same intentionality to the naming of the museum, and its specific mention of “this iconic American place called Harlem.”

“Designating this the Urban Civil Rights Museum in Harlem anchors it to a place, and this place tells the story,” Morial told the AP before the museum’s opening. “From this place, we’re telling the story of this place.”

Dozens of museums devoted to civil rights are scattered across the U.S., most of them in Southern states. While others explore themes of arts and culture or review specific moments in African American history, the organizers contend that there has never been a premier civil rights museum located in the northern United States.

Civil rights history ‘with all of its beauty, and with all of its warts’

The museum’s multimedia installations cover centuries of social justice history and culture. The inaugural exhibits recount the trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, the first and second waves of the Great Migration of Black families from the Deep South, and the story of the Civil Rights Movement and its modern impacts.

In several exhibits, audio recordings relay speeches of civil rights leaders and oral histories of people interviewed about their experiences. Feedback walls invite guests to share if they’ve participated in a protest or read a banned book.

Throughout the museum’s curation process, Scott prioritized immersion not only through mediums but through the stories that the Urban League chose to represent. “We wanted people to see themselves,” she said. “It’s a very diasporic representation and storytelling approach.”

As a self-described proponent of intersectional solidarity, Morial echoed the importance of celebrating a diverse range of perspectives from people who rallied alongside African Americans in the northern fight for civil rights.

“We don’t want this great concept, equal opportunity and diversity, to be suppressed,” he said.

Some of the narratives displayed have been targeted in recent years as part of a push to sanitize the way American history is told. Last year, the Trump administration ordered a review of U.S. museums under federal guidance for narratives it deemed “divisive, race-centered ideology,” urging them to “instead focus on the greatness of the achievements and progress of the American people.”

Martha Biondi, a professor of history and Black studies at Northwestern University whose work has advanced the awareness of New York's civil rights struggles, underscored the importance of preserving that history today.

“If America’s going to become a true multiracial democracy, we have to stop sanitizing our past and we have to tell the true stories,” Biondi said.

The importance of preserving the urban Civil Rights Movement was compounded by the current political climate, said Morial, adding that the museum retells history “with all of its beauty, and with all of its warts.”

“This history is not going to be minimalized or suppressed in any way,” he said.

The social justice struggle, from New York and Harlem

Morial and Scott lamented how the history of institutionalized racism in the North has often been overshadowed or even lost, while stories of the struggles in the Deep South are far more widely recognized.

For Scott, preserving forgotten accounts as part of the historical record is a personal passion and a priority. From reliving the prime of nightlife in the Harlem Renaissance, to reading through legacy ethnic media like the New York Amsterdam News alongside Jet and Essence magazines, she said, the museum is “just scratching the surface” in uncovering local stories.

“It’s important to me and to all of us here who work at the museum, because we don’t want those stories to be erased ever again,” Scott said. “It started long before us, and we want it to continue after, so people are always feeling empowered to create the change that they desire.”

The Urban Civil Rights Museum in Harlem will celebrate its grand opening with invited elected officials and other guests on Saturday. With plans to educate and involve the community in the museum’s programming, Morial was optimistic about both the future of the museum and of the movement it showcases.

“This museum is not static, and we’re going to continue to evolve the exhibitions,” he said. “We are just getting started.”

This U.N. climate summit — called the Conference of the Parties, or COP31 — comes as the war in Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, hiking global prices of gasoline, oil and products made with them, such as fertilizers and pesticides. The disruption has pushed governments to rethink energy policies and increased investment in renewable energy sources like wind and solar.

“COP31 must supercharge solutions,” U.N. climate chief Simon Stiell said at the opening session. An estimated 68,500 people are to attend the two-week event and nearly 25,000 people will help ensure the conference goes smoothly.

Stiell said that agreeing on practical solutions, such as reducing methane emissions, can be “planetary icepacks” that can help reduce global heating. Methane stays in the atmosphere for a shorter time but warms the planet much faster than other planet-heating gases. Using renewable-powered electricity instead of oil, gas and coal can also help reduce global warming.

Delegates, meeting in the Mediterranean resort city of Antalya, will come under pressure to develop new pledges for climate action while implementing previous promises. The stakes are high: Climate scientists say global warming is likely to exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above the preindustrial levels of the early 1800s.

Limiting temperature rise to that threshold was a goal established during the 2015 Paris Agreement. Since then, it's been a focus of international climate negotiations.

The fact that the goal is no longer realistic underscores how difficult it's been for the world to cut greenhouse gas emissions, which are released into the atmosphere when fossil fuels like oil, gas and coal are burned, leading to climate change.

“This is the first COP where it is clear beyond a reasonable doubt that the world will overshoot the 1.5-degree target,” said Turkish Environment Minister Murat Kurum. “We will not look away, and we will not lower our ambition.”

Kurum, the COP31 president, has said that rather than establishing new targets, he wants the summit to focus on turning previous climate commitments into action.

He has announced an “Action Agenda” that includes reducing methane emissions and building climate-resilient cities. There is also the aim of increasing the use of electricity — preferably from renewable energy such as solar and wind — from 21% to 35% by 2035, to reduce greenhouse emissions.

“Success begins when our decisions reach that last mile,” said Kurum. “If we are to share a future, we must share the responsibility for it.”

Climate talks kick off with a tense start

Delegates are also expected to discuss at the Nov. 9-20 summit how to help poorer countries pay to adapt to rising temperatures and extreme weather events, both tied to climate change, and transition away from fossil fuels.

Even as leaders delivered speeches talking about ambition and implementation, negotiators from nearly 200 countries were already wrangling in the backrooms about disagreements over funds for climate adaptation and recovery from climate disasters and other long-pending bottlenecks.

“Countries that did the least to cause this crisis shouldn’t have to borrow their way through it,” said Meena Raman from the Malaysia-based climate advocacy group Third World Network.

At the center of the disagreements are developing countries, which seek more discussions on financing for the goals agreed on at the 2015 Paris climate talks.

“After years of disappointment, developing countries want to know clearly how rich countries plan to provide the funds needed to tackle climate change,” said Iskander Erzini Vernoit, a veteran of many climate talks and advisor to African negotiators at this year’s talks.

“Agenda proposals from the 54-country African Group were backed by many developing countries but contested by rich countries from the European Union and Canada,” he said.

The last two summits, COP30 in Brazil and COP29 in Azerbaijan, came under criticism for ending with little agreement on how to reduce greenhouse emissions. The final texts of those conferences didn't even mention fuels. At COP28 in Dubai, delegates had agreed to transition away from fossil fuels.

The United States is missing in action again

The United States — the world’s second-largest polluter after China — is again absent from the summit.

During his first term, and again when he took office for a second time in January 2025, President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from climate negotiations.

“No single COP is a silver bullet that can stop climate change overnight,” said Stiell, the climate chief. “But every recent COP has made essential progress. COP31 in Antalya will, too.”

In a change from previous summits, Turkey and Australia are jointly holding this summit after the two jostled over which would be the host. As a compromise, Turkey is the official host while Australia is leading the negotiations. Both countries have come under criticism for their strong reliance on coal.

___

Arasu reported from Bengaluru, India.

___

The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. The 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.

There were few surprises around the league on Sunday. The Packers were the only betting underdog to win but that wasn’t entirely unexpected. The way they did it, however, was eye-opening. Green Bay dominated the Patriots 45-27 in New England.

The trade deadline will give teams an opportunity to separate themselves from the pack, especially in a season when several teams are in the mix for a Super Bowl run.

Running back Jonathan Taylor is a potential difference-maker for any team that acquires him from the Indianapolis Colts. Breece Hall and Tony Pollard also are potential trade targets.

Josh Downs, Brian Thomas Jr. and Calvin Ridley are among the wide receivers teams could pursue. The Cowboys could even deal George Pickens.

Dallas Goedert is the top tight end on the market.

Edge rushers Josh Sweat, Khalil Mack, Jermaine Johnson II and Dorance Armstrong could be available.

Moro Ojomo, Zach Sieler, Dalvin Tomlinson and Grover Stewart are among the defensive tackles potentially on the move.

Cornerbacks Donte Jackson, Riq Woolen, Amik Robertson and Nahshon Wright and safeties Budda Baker, Amani Hooker, Jessie Bates III and Nick Cross could help a secondary.

Zack Baun and Jordyn Brooks head the list of linebackers available at the right price.

Here’s where several contenders stand:

New York Giants (5-2-1)

The NFC East leaders are another team that could use Taylor. With Cam Skattebo dealing with a hamstring injury, the Giants got just 31 yards rushing from Devin Singletary on 21 carries in a 19-11 victory at Philadelphia. New York has a comfortable lead over Dallas (4-5) in the division and a more favorable schedule the rest of the way. But being the beast of a weak east won’t help in January when the Giants would likely have to face a better team from the loaded NFC North or NFC West in the playoffs.

Minnesota Vikings (6-1)

They have a championship-caliber defense. Carson Wentz gets an opportunity to spark the offense with Kyler Murray sidelined Monday night against Buffalo. If Wentz struggles, the Vikings could pursue a quarterback. Daniel Jones finished the 2024 season in Minnesota but he’s not a definite upgrade. If the Raiders want to start rookie Fernando Mendoza, Kirk Cousins could be available. A reunion with the Vikings seems unlikely, however.

Chicago Bears (7-2)

The Bears overcame five turnovers, including four interceptions by Caleb Williams, in a 27-24 victory over Tampa Bay. They have injury concerns on defense and could use secondary help.

Detroit Lions (6-2)

A depleted defense held Miami to 228 yards and three field goals in a 19-9 win. The Lions got safety Brian Branch back and safety Kerby Joseph is nearing a return but All-Pro linebacker Jack Campbell is out. They could use a linebacker, a pass rusher and a cornerback.

Green Bay Packers (6-3)

They’ll get a major addition when All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons make his season debut. Parsons is nearing a return following ACL surgery last December. The Packers need a boost in the run game to balance an offense that features a spectacular passing attack led by Jordan Love, Christian Watson and Matthew Golden. Running back Josh Jacobs broke his finger against the Patriots but he’s only averaged 2.2 yards per carry. Jonathan Taylor could Green Bay over the top in a competitive NFC North. But Taylor won’t come cheap from Indianapolis, which has plenty of suitors for the three-time Pro Bowl pick.

San Francisco 49ers (6-1)

Brock Purdy has played at an MVP level despite a depleted receiving corps. The 49ers routed Las Vegas 38-17 and had several reserves step up. Adding a receiver would help them down the stretch.

Los Angeles Rams (5-4)

Myles Garrett had three sacks in a 20-13 win at Washington in his return following a seven-game absence. But the offense might have lost All-Pro receiver Puka Nacua and Davante Adams is already out. If Nacua is going to miss time, the Rams will need a receiver.

Buffalo Bills (6-1)

Josh Allen leads the highest-scoring offense but the defense has allowed 25.9 points per game and needs help all-around.

Cincinnati Bengals (6-2)

The Bengals beat the Falcons 34-17 in Spain behind another sensational performance from Joe Burrow and the offense. They don’t usually make splash moves but a depth cornerback or linebacker could help the defense.

Jacksonville Jaguars (6-2)

A swing tackle like Fred Johnson, a reserve on Philadelphia, would make sense for the Jaguars to provide depth. With defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton and safety Eric Murray lost for the season, both positions could use a boost.

Kansas City Chiefs (6-2)

Patrick Mahomes needs another receiver. That’s been the same story for a few years. Another cornerback can help the defense.

___

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

Ok, fine.

The former Celtics teammates have certainly had opportunities to catch up since Brown was traded to the rival 76ers in July for Paul George and draft picks.

They just don't want to — and Brown and Tatum sure don't plan to make small talk when the Celtics play Tuesday night in Philadelphia in the first matchup between the top two teams in the Eastern Conference.

“There’s nothing to talk about,” Brown said Sunday in Chicago. “He’s on his side; I’m on my side. Both of us are trying to win. Nothing to talk about. Check the ball up."

The trade has been a success for both teams. The 76ers. with Brown and LeBron James aboard, are 9-2 and tied with the Lakers for the best record in the NBA.

The Celtics have the second-best record in the East at 8-2.

“I think it should be fun,” Brown said. “Never let a good opportunity for our team to show what we’re made of. I’m looking forward to it. Two heavyweights in the East. Let’s get it.”

Both stars are well aware the headlines and social media posts for this one are well beyond how both teams are playing on the court, or even how the Celtics blew a 3-1 series lead to Philadelphia in last season's playoffs.

“It's another game on the schedule,” Tatum said Sunday in Milwaukee. “It's nothing more than Celtics versus Sixers.”

As for potential chitchat, Tatum said he's “not able to tell the future.”

The trade busted up one of the league’s most successful 1-2 punches, after Brown and Tatum helped carry the Celtics to the 2024 NBA title.

Tatum missed most of last season while recovering from an Achilles tendon tear that happened during the 2025 playoffs, meaning Brown had to carry even more of the load for Boston — and he wound up with career-best averages of 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists.

Brown and Tatum’s off-court relationship was dissected throughout NBA media circles, and the question of whether they were more frenemies than friends could have strained their effectiveness this season in Boston.

Brown also seemed to feel underappreciated, a perception that only deepened when the Celtics included him in trade talks with Milwaukee when Giannis Antetokounmpo was on the market.

The Celtics instead stunned the NBA when Brown — the 2024 NBA Finals MVP and a five-time All-Star — was sent to the 76ers. When Brown got the call that Boston had traded him, he threw his phone across the room.

Brown said last month there was “ no beef ” between himself and Tatum, even as their squabbles dragged into the season.

“There might be a little lamb chops and some gravy," Brown said last month in response to a social media post. "He should stay ready at all times.”

Brown took issue with Tatum saying in a video on his YouTube channel that he was “just as much caught off guard as the rest of the world” by Brown’s trade to the Philadelphia.

Brown responded on his Instagram account with a baseball cap emoji. “Cap” is slang for something that is not true. Asked if he had any response, Tatum sighed in October before expressing his frustrations with the entire situation for several minutes.

Both players have spoken glowingly about how they grew and thrived together during their nine years as teammates.

But the relationship has evolved since the Celtics chose Tatum as the player they wanted to build around after trading Brown in what amounted to a move to cut one of the two players with $300 million contracts from the payroll.

“I don’t have any animosity or beef, or ill will towards him," Tatum said. "I think the toughest part is since he’s not on the Celtics anymore, the narrative or the conversations haven’t been enough about what we accomplished — all the games we won, winning a championship, how we’ve grown together. It’s turned into this drama type of thing."

Who doesn't love a little drama in the NBA?

The game streams on Peacock and no doubt cameras and reporters will crowd the court ahead of the game trying to glean any interactions between the two stars.

Then the ball goes up. Brown said his feelings are in check.

“As of now, I've got no emotion toward nothing,” Brown said in Chicago.

He's focused on leading the 76ers into NBA championship contention and a 2-1 road trip did nothing to dim the soaring expectations set for the franchise.

There are more good times ahead for Brown.

And none of them involve Tatum.

“I'm looking forward to our growth,” Brown said, “and we'll get there.”

___

AP Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds in Chicago and Steve Megargee in Milwaukee contributed to this report.

___

See AP’s full NBA coverage here

Then in walked Jean-Luc Mélenchon: 75 years old, on his fourth presidential run and old enough to be their grandfather.

“I have only one sensible thing to propose,” he told 20,000 supporters in a vast hall north of Paris on Saturday. “Everything must change.”

The septuagenarian may never get another chance. Three presidential bids have ended short of the runoff. In 2022, just 421,308 votes kept him out. Now, riding a surge in support, he is eyeing a winner-take-all showdown with far-right front-runner Marine Le Pen.

The bespectacled, booming and seemingly tireless leftist wants more than the presidency. He wants to rewrite the rules of the French republic — invoking the unfinished promise of the Revolution of 1789.

Win or lose, his run could upend France.

A place in the May 2 runoff could prove a cruel prize. If Le Pen beats him, the anti-capitalist who has spent half a century fighting the far right could help give it what it has never won: the Elysee Palace — and command of France’s nuclear arsenal.

Victory could send shock waves across the Atlantic. Trump would still be in the White House. Russia is waging war in Ukraine. Yet Mélenchon wants to pull the EU’s only nuclear-armed power out of NATO, starting with its military command. His debt plans could also put France on a collision course with Europe’s central bank, rattling markets.

His detractors see that as the greater danger. They accuse him of stoking unrest and antisemitism, scorning the police and the press, and going soft on Moscow — charges he rejects.

‘Trump of the left’

Born in Tangier, Morocco, in 1951, the showman was a Trotskyist student, then a Socialist for three decades, rising to senator and junior minister. In 2008, he walked out to build his own movement.

Even his rallies have a name: the “Mélenshow.” On Saturday, cameras swept over the crowd on cables while a film followed a woman through life’s struggles. One by one, his lieutenants stepped forward with solutions. It was a campaign rally staged as a government in waiting.

Modesty is not his style. Backstage, behind a black curtain, he paused to listen to the roar.

“Enjoy it,” he told French media. “It’s not often in a lifetime that you see something like this.”

He then recalled a 1972 rally when Socialist François Mitterrand and Communist Georges Marchais shared the stage. But this time, Mélenchon boasted, “I’m doing this all by myself!”

He even sniffed at former Socialist President François Hollande, who rallied in the same hall on his way to power: “They only filled a third of the room,” he said.

To some, the boasts had a Trumpian ring: The U.S. president, too, brags about the size of his crowds — and once declared, “I alone can fix it.” One far-right mayor has called Mélenchon “the Donald Trump of the left.”

When police searched his party’s offices in 2018, he bellowed at them: “I am the Republic!” He was later convicted over the confrontation.

A 2025 investigative book described a leader who demands blind devotion and treats doubters as traitors.

Riding the protests

His 2027 bet is on the young and the suburbs.

Le Bourget lies in Seine-Saint-Denis, mainland France’s poorest department. To the far right, it symbolizes crime and failed immigration. To Mélenchon — a white veteran of the old Left — it represents the future: a younger, more diverse “New France” whose votes could carry him to power.

The hall fell silent in memory of Pengo Bossio Wangi, a 26-year-old Frenchman of African descent shot dead last month in what the government called a racist terror attack.

Since September, a high school protest movement over crumbling schools and teacher shortages has swept France. Police have made thousands of arrests. Mélenchon embraced it from the start.

“Don’t touch our young people,” he warned the government.

“We are the future, and he listens to us,” said Jamal Santos, 22, a student whose group joined the protests.

Last month, cost-of-living protests turned to looting and arson in more than 20 cities. Rioters torched the 19th-century City Hall in Limoges. Le Pen accused his party of plunging France into chaos. Mélenchon blamed police tactics and denied his party organized the protests.

France’s old political order is coming apart.

The Socialists and conservative Republicans, who traded power for decades, won just 6.5% of the first-round presidential vote between them in 2022.

Now a Le Pen-Mélenchon runoff could leave both parties watching from the sidelines as two movements that have never governed France battle for the presidency.

Mélenchon is racing to bank that energy before mainstream rivals regroup. Center-right former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe is also vying to face Le Pen. If the center unites, or voters rally to block a runoff between the extremes, second place could slip away.

‘Everything must change’

Mélenchon's program, over 1,000 points long, reads like a blueprint for another country. It would lower the voting age to 16, bring back retirement at 60, make the rich pay more and impose a moratorium on artificial intelligence.

At its heart is a new constitution to replace the Fifth Republic that Charles de Gaulle founded in 1958.

He would have a special assembly of citizens, excluding current lawmakers, write a new constitution for voters to approve. And between elections, ordinary French people could gather signatures to force votes to overturn laws, change the constitution or even oust a sitting president.

“We are no longer in 1958,” said Hicham En-Naji, 27.

Unbowed

Few French politicians inspire such devotion, or such fury.

He has made Gaza a rallying cry for the young, insisting Saturday that “genocide must be called genocide.” Activists who accuse him of fanning antisemitism, a charge he denies, disrupted the rally with whistles.

“Some commentators are advising me to tone things down,” he said. “I won’t do that.”

He closed by turning a well-known 2017 gaffe by President Emmanuel Macron about “people who are nothing” into a line from the “Internationale,” the historic anthem of communists and socialists worldwide.

“Macron told you that you are nothing,” he said. “So let us be everything!”

The hall answered, singing “La Marseillaise.”

Whether the teenagers in No. 27 jerseys remember him as the man who finally carried his revolution into the Elysee Palace, or the one who held its door open for the far right, may come down to the one thing he refuses to do: soften.

___

Associated Press journalist Jade Le Deley contributed to this report.

Poland on Sunday began two days of national mourning following the attack the day before, which Poland’s defense minister described as an “act of terror."

The violence began Saturday at around 3 p.m. when the assailant drove through the Main Square, in the heart of Krakow’s Old Town. The square is a major tourist hub in the country’s second-largest city.

St. Mary’s Trumpet Call, a traditional five-note melody played every hour from the highest tower of St. Mary’s Basilica on the Main Square, was paused overnight, the first time the call had been missed since World War II.

On Sunday afternoon, St. Anne’s Church in Krakow filled with mourners attending a memorial service. The square reopened soon after and locals and visitors alike showed up to reclaim it after the tragedy.

“I come here so as not to get caught up in a spiral of fear and anxiety,” Krakow local Maciej Sikorski told The Associated Press from the square. “In a situation like this, it’s all too easy to stop living — to start being afraid instead, and just vegetate. That is something I really want to avoid.”

Authorities also found the bodies of the assailant’s sister, mother and father at the man’s family home in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski, a city about 150 kilometers (93 miles) northeast of Krakow. They likely died from gunshot wounds.

Woman injured by shrapnel while saving another

Witness Andy Hill told the BBC that he’d felt as though he was in a movie scene.

“It doesn’t feel real,” the British tourist said. “And the trouble is, you have such an instantaneous moment to make a decision: Run. Stand still. There’s an element of shock. But I just thought the easiest thing to do is dive through a doorway and just take refuge behind the windows.”

Warsaw native Magdalena Frączek, meanwhile, was visiting Krakow with her friend when shots rang out and the gunman drew closer.

“I threw an elderly woman behind the flower planter because she had become tangled in the blanket she had on her lap. I covered her with my body," Frączek told the AP. "I also saw him out of the corner of my eye — he passed just one meter behind my back. That’s why I have shrapnel wounds in six places on my back. Only after he had passed did I pull the woman up, and we ran into a café."

On Sunday, she forced herself to return to the Main Square to grieve among other mourners.

“I can’t put it into words. Because I knew that I would never come back to Krakow if I didn’t come in here," she said. “When I found out that they had reopened the Main Market Square, I told my friend that I had to come here.”

American tourist Marylin Green mourned the losses in the “beautiful city" during her first trip to Poland that also included the capital.

“I’m Polish, my parents were from here,” she said. "I loved Warsaw. So I was really looking forward to coming here, too.”

Police officers described as heroes

Prosecutors said Sunday they opened an investigation into the murder and attempted murder of numerous people, including police officers, with the act “constituting a terrorist offense.”

Four women and two men were killed in the shooting. Three of the women and one of the men were Polish, Krzysztof Jan Klęczar, the Malopolska regional governor, said on Sunday. A man from the U.K. and a woman from Austria were also among the dead.

A video posted on social media showed a police officer repeatedly shooting the attacker, who was lying on the street. The officer later slowly collapsed to the ground.

The two police officers who stopped the gunman, in actions authorities hailed as heroic, remain in the hospital. They were both conscious by Sunday afternoon.

“If it weren’t for the efficient and selfless intervention of these two young men, the number of victims could have been significantly higher,” Klęczar said.

Michał Pędziwiatr and Mateusz Wierdak, two local surgeons who were having a bite to eat nearby, also stepped in.

Wierdak "took care of the officer who subdued the attacker because he truly needed urgent help,” Pędziwiatr told the Polish news website onet. “Without protection, without gloves, he simply focused on the officer, stopping the bleeding in his chest. This probably saved his life.”

Five foreigners are among the wounded. They come from the U.K., Portugal, Russia, Germany and Austria.

The suspect is also in critical condition after undergoing multiple surgeries. There was confusion on Saturday about his age, with authorities first saying 24 and later 25. On Sunday they confirmed that he is 24.

The suspect’s dead sibling was a young artist studying at the Krakow Academy of Fine Arts. “Nothing will ever be like before. The delicate tissue of our academic community was painfully wounded,” the academy wrote in a statement on Sunday, confirming that Magdalena Oksińska was a third year student and that, additionally, the sister of an academy employee was shot twice.

“Magdalena Oksińska, 21 years old, a queer person, was an absolutely talented painter, photographer, poet and writer,” architect Pavko Krajka wrote in a post on social media, accompanied by images of the artist’s colourful paintings. “Her death is a great loss for Krakow, Polish, European and queer culture.”

The mass killing marks a grim first for Poland

Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński said the suspect holds “very radical” and “ultranationalistic” views.

“Everything indicates that he was fascinated by far-right ideologies,” Kierwiński said at a news conference Saturday.

Local officials in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski said they seized seven weapons from the family home, bringing the total number recovered to 11, including four found on the suspect or in his car in Krakow. Both father and son had gun permits, they said.

Around 411,000 people hold gun permits in Poland, which has a population of 37 million, and interest in gun ownership has been rising.

The Swit shooting club in Starachowice, where the suspect is believed to have trained, issued a statement on Sunday saying it offered only “static shooting,” which involves firing from a fixed position at a stationary target. The club added that the suspect “was never trained in our club in the areas of dynamic, tactical or combat shooting.”

Mass shootings are uncommon in Poland. However, in mid-October three attacks at schools in the central province of Mazovia took place within four days, leaving one person dead and many wounded, including children. The young attackers used knives or other sharp objects. Officials blamed the school attacks on online “glorification of violence,” and said that some of the attackers were active in the far-right environment.

The Krakow shooter’s military gear, guns and overall look were similar to those of other “extreme right lone actors” committing attacks around Europe, said Kacper Rekawek, a senior researcher at the International Center for Counterterrorism in The Hague.

“We have had attempts before, but now we can say that these kinds of attacks have become successful in Poland,” he said.

___

Ciobanu reported from Warsaw, Poland. Associated Press writer Stefanie Dazio in Berlin contributed to this report.

___

This story corrects the spelling of Frączek.

But one viewer earlier this year recently told News 6, “I heard a rumor that if you have a disabled parking decal you can park for free on the street.”

Is it true?

Well, it turns out the answer is yes — though that comes with some caveats.

Under state law, local governments aren’t allowed to exact fees for a public metered parking space if the vehicle displays a disabled parking permit.

However, this only applies for four hours. After that, the vehicle is subject to regular parking rules (unless the local government has opted to extend that timeframe).

It’s also important to note these rules don’t apply to private parking lots or garages, so be sure to keep an eye out.

The state law also includes some other rules for airports.

While publicly operated airports may still charge for parking vehicles with disabled decals, they must grant free parking to a vehicle:

• with a license plate for disabled veterans issued under state law.
• with specialized equipment, such as ramps, lifts, or foot or hand controls, for use by someone with a disability
• displaying a Florida Toll Exemption permit

The government has been seeking her extradition from India and earlier dismissed suggestions she needed new identification documents to return home.

Hasina says she wants to return to Bangladesh in December at any cost, despite being sentenced to death over her government’s deadly crackdown on protesters. “If death is my destiny, I would rather die on the soil of my own country, among my own people,” she told The Associated Press last week.

In a letter seen by The Associated Press that was emailed to Bangladesh's diplomatic mission in New Delhi, Hasina's counsel urged the top diplomat to take necessary action to provide her a passport and national identity card.

The letter, sent by London-based law firm Matrix Chambers, asked the mission for the application to be processed “expeditiously” on the basis of Hasina's Bangladeshi nationality and in accordance with “obligations arising under international human rights instruments."

“This is a significant step toward her homecoming. Having had her documents revoked by the previous regime, Her Excellency looks forward to reclaiming her fundamental rights as a Bangladeshi citizen and receiving the necessary documents,” Abu Obaidha Arin, an aide to Hasina, told the AP.

“She is determined to return to Bangladesh by December, and she will undoubtedly return home,” he said.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said the foreign and law ministries were looking into the matter, including whether there was any legal basis for the applications and whether Hasina was legally entitled to apply for the documents, the Dhaka-based English-language New Age daily reported.

On Thursday, Junior Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir said Bangladesh wants Hasina to be handed over under an extradition treaty with India. India has declined to hand her over.

“We want Hasina to be handed over. She will be handed over. She is a terrorist. She is a fugitive. There is an active extradition treaty between Bangladesh and India,” he told reporters in Dhaka.

Bangladesh's military sent Hasina to India after student-led protests forced her from power on Aug. 5, 2024. A special tribunal in 2025 sentenced her to death for crimes against humanity, ruling that she was responsible for ordering the crackdown, which left hundreds of people dead and thousands of others injured.

The United Nations has said nearly 1,400 people were killed. Hasina denies any wrongdoing. She also has rejected the tribunal’s verdict and challenged the legitimacy of the trial.

An interim government, headed by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, led Bangladesh after Hasina's ouster and held an election in February that Hasina’s Awami League party was barred from contesting.

Tarique Rahman, the son of a longtime archrival of Hasina, came to power in a landslide.

Despite restrictions on fireworks, residents in New Delhi celebrated the Hindu festival of lights with firecrackers on Sunday evening, releasing smoke and fine particulate matter into the atmosphere. The air quality index exceeded 350 in several parts of the capital on Monday morning, reaching the severe category and posing significant health risks.

Monitoring stations across the city recorded similarly alarming levels, while visibility deteriorated as a gray haze blanketed streets and high-rise buildings.

India’s Supreme Court in October had sought to limit Diwali pollution by restricting conventional firecrackers and allowing only approved “green firecrackers” under specified conditions for three-hour windows on Saturday and Sunday. The crackers produce fewer emissions but are not pollution-free. They still release particulate matter and other pollutants, adding to the city’s already hazardous air.

Isyad, a New Delhi resident who uses one name, said the worsening smog was taking a toll on his health.

“Because of the pollution there is irritation in the throat and itching in the eyes,” he said.

New Delhi and its metropolitan region, home to more than 30 million people, regularly rank among the world’s most polluted areas during winter. Pollution worsens as Diwali fireworks coincide with cooler weather and smoke from crop-residue fires in neighboring states of Punjab and Haryana.

After harvesting rice, farmers often burn leftover stalks to clear their fields for the next planting season. The smoke drifts toward New Delhi, adding to pollution from vehicles, industries, construction dust and other local sources.

The problem becomes particularly acute in late October and November, when cooler temperatures, low wind speeds and stagnant atmospheric conditions prevent pollutants from dispersing. The result is a thick haze that can linger over the capital and surrounding areas for days.

Authorities in New Delhi have implemented a set of measures to curb pollution, which include limits on construction activity and restrictions on diesel generators, while courts have sough restrictions on firecrackers. But the measures have not prevented the return of severe pollution each year.

Environmentalists say long-term solutions, such as cleaner energy and stricter controls on vehicle emissions, are needed to prevent the annual crisis.

Shweta Narayan, a public health expert at the Global Climate and Health Alliance, described the government’s response so far as “knee-jerk” and “temporary.”

“A lot of interventions happen only because the government is pressured or pushed in a corner to do something,” she said.

___

Associated Press journalist Sibi Arasu in Bengaluru, India, contributed to this report.

After stopping 23 shots in New Jersey’s 4-0 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday night, the Devils’ new netminder was informed by his team that he won’t face the Jets in the Manitoba capital.

“This has been an organizational decision for us that we’ve debated at length,” Devils general manager Sunny Mehta said in a statement. “Connor Hellebuyck was adamant that he felt a duty to play on Tuesday in Winnipeg. However, in our estimation, playing in this game would potentially give us a reduction in our expected win probability.”

The Jets shipped Hellebuyck to the Devils on Oct. 23 for a package that included forward Dawson Mercer, goaltender Nico Daws and a second-round pick at the 2029 NHL draft — a move that brought an end to his decorated tenure in Winnipeg.

Hellebuyck, who had five seasons remaining on a seven-year, $59.1 million contract extension signed in October 2023 when he informed the organization he wanted out, said Sunday night there’s a level of disappointment knowing he won’t play Tuesday,

“But I understand,” he said. “Selfishly, I want to play, but when you’re looking at the team and what’s best for the team, I understand where they’re coming from.”

Hellebuyck still planned to meet with the Winnipeg media before the game Tuesday.

“I love Winnipeg,” he said. “Playing there again and just facing the music and seeing the reaction, it’d be nice, but it’s out of my hands.”

The American added he doesn’t know what the fan response will be with him out of the fray.

“I know there’s a pretty sour taste in Winnipeg,” Hellebuyck said. “But I can only speak to my memories and my cherished moments in the city. I’ve loved every part of my career there. However, I’m perceived, I’m going to choose love."

___

See AP’s full NHL coverage here

That last part was the only thing that mattered to them Sunday night.

Williams found Colston Loveland for a 38-yard reception that set up Cairo Santos' 38-yard field goal as time expired, and the Bears picked up a sloppy 27-24 victory over Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Chicago (7-2) committed five turnovers, including a career-high four interceptions by Williams. But he delivered after Mayfield rallied the Buccaneers in the final minutes.

“I don’t get gun shy. That’s not me. That’s not my identity,” Williams said. “And with that, I’m going to keep ripping it and keep ripping it.”

With Chicago facing a second-and-9 from its own 46 in the final minute, Williams passed to a wide-open Loveland at the Tampa Bay 35. The tight end ran down the sideline before he was pushed out of bounds at the 16.

After two kneel-downs by Williams, Santos delighted the crowd of 60,470 by drilling his second field goal of the night.

It was Chicago's first win with five-plus turnovers since a 23-13 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Dec. 3, 2006.

“It’s hard to win with five turnovers and yet we found a way to do it,” Bears coach Ben Johnson said. “They know that we didn't play as well as we’re capable of playing but I believe the best is yet to come in terms of our football in the back half of the season. So we’ll continue to build that as we go forward.”

Chicago had a 24-16 lead when Luther Burden fumbled on a helmet-to-helmet hit by Tampa Bay rookie Rueben Bain Jr. Bucs defensive back Ifeatu Melifonwu returned the ball to the Bears 17.

Bucky Irving had an 11-yard carry before going in from the 6 for his second touchdown of the game. Mayfield scrambled for the 2-point conversion, tying it at 24 with 2:51 left.

Mayfield was 18 for 32 for 243 yards and two interceptions. Irving finished with 97 yards on 20 carries.

Mayfield failed to complete a pass in Tampa Bay’s previous game, a 16-0 win over Atlanta in wet conditions. The Buccaneers (3-6) rushed for a franchise-record 324 yards in the victory over the Falcons, including 170 by Irving.

Williams was 22 for 37 for 279 yards and two touchdowns in Chicago’s fourth straight win. Burden had seven catches for 97 yards before he was shelved by a concussion. Jeffery Simmons had a sack in his first home game since he was acquired in a trade with Tennessee.

The Buccaneers and Bears were the NFL’s top rushing teams going into the weekend, but there wasn’t much room to maneuver on the ground. The Bucs finished with 126 yards rushing, and the Bears had 72.

Chicago had a 17-13 lead when Williams threw his fourth interception of the night, a deflected ball that landed in the hands of Tampa Bay linebacker Alex Anzalone. The Buccaneers took over at the Bears 37 with 4:32 left in the third quarter.

One play later, Mayfield tried to throw the ball to Cade Otton, but Jaylon Johnson stepped in front of the tight end and returned the interception 67 yards for his second career pick-6. It was his first interception of the season.

“That obviously was the difference in the game,” Mayfield said. “Defense, after they settled in, played amazing. So, you got to make the throws, you got to be more accurate.”

Chicago got off to a fast start, scoring on its first two possessions. Williams passed to a wide-open Rome Odunze for a 9-yard touchdown on the first drive of the game. Then Burden broke a couple of tackles while turning a third-and-8 reception into a 56-yard TD, making it 14-0 with 6:00 left in the first quarter.

But the next two possessions for the Bears ended with interceptions by Williams, and the Buccaneers rallied by scoring on each side of halftime. Chase McLaughlin kicked a 21-yard field goal on the final play of the first half, and Tez Johnson’s 58-yard catch set up Irving’s 2-yard TD early in the third.

“They came out real hot, and I thought we were on our heels a little bit,” coach Todd Bowles said. “Then the younger guys settled down a little bit and we started playing football.”

Injuries

Buccaneers: S Antoine Winfield Jr. (ankle) departed in the second quarter with an ankle injury.

Bears: CB Tyrique Stevenson had a thumb injury.

Up next

Buccaneers: Bye week, and then a road game against the Detroit Lions on Nov. 22.

Bears: Bye week, and then a home game versus the New Orleans Saints on Nov. 22.

___

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

Attorneys for defendant Tyler Robinson, 23, have proposed a trial starting in 2029. But Utah District Court Judge Tony Graf faces pressure from Kirk's family and supporters — including President Donald Trump — to speed up court proceedings that already have lasted more than a year.

Robinson has pleaded not guilty to aggravated murder in the killing of Kirk, 31, as the activist spoke to several thousand people at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, 2025. The defendant turned himself in a day after the shooting. His lawyers have not offered alternative theories for Kirk’s death.

Robinson could be eligible for the death penalty if convicted.

Prosecutors have said they anticipate a 17-week trial and would be ready by October 2027. Rather than hold the proceedings during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, they proposed the trial begin in January 2028, according to court filings.

An attorney for Kirk's wife, Erika, has said the trial should start next October. Dragging it out for years would violate her speedy trial rights under Utah law as a victim, attorney Jeffrey Neiman said.

Kirk helped galvanize young voters around Trump during the 2024 election. Trump weighed in on the trial in a social media post last month, saying Robinson should be tried “within a month.” The Republican criticized Graf — a former prosecutor appointed as a judge last year — for “taking forever to ask questions that people already know the answer to.”

Utah County prosecutors allege Robinson targeted Kirk for his political beliefs. They say a bullet found in the rifle used to kill Kirk was engraved with the words “Hey Facist! CATCH!” and that Robinson wrote in a text message about Kirk: “I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can’t be negotiated out.”

Robinson’s attorneys said in court filings this week that they must sift through tens of thousands of files turned over by prosecutors. They plan to conduct extensive investigations into Robinson’s life in a search for mitigating factors that could influence his sentence if convicted, and to devote “substantial time” to issues such as jury selection.

The incident happened Nov. 5 at a courthouse where a Lake County sheriff’s deputy was working security.

In the arrest affidavit, the deputy wrote that a person approached him around 1:15 p.m. and reported that a man in a black shirt with red or orange writing across the chest had made threatening statements.

According to the affidavit, witnesses said the man walked toward courtroom while on the phone and said, “These guys think that they can intimidate me with their badges and guns. They need to stop trying me, I got a gun and badge, I will shoot this place up.”

Both witnesses provided written statements.

Deputies said the man had been at the courthouse earlier that day for a traffic citation hearing.

The affidavit states he was disruptive in court that morning, was escorted out and later was asked to leave the courthouse because of a verbal disturbance.

Investigators said the man returned to the courthouse around 1:10 p.m. and was verbally aggressive toward law enforcement before heading toward a courtroom and making the alleged threats.

The courthouse was open at the time, with law enforcement officers, clerks, judges and civilians inside, according to the affidavit.

The man was arrested at 1:40 p.m. on a charge of threatening death or bodily harm to a clerk or court personnel.

He was taken to the Lake County jail, where he is being held on $5,000 bond.

The case will proceed through the court system.

The TNR program — which involves trapping feral cats, having them surgically neutered, then returning them to where they were found — has operated in the city for roughly 10 years. Until now, it had never been codified into law.

How the program works

Volunteers trap free-roaming cats and hold them through the recovery period before releasing them back to their original location. Central Florida Community Pet Clinic handles the surgical side, carefully matching each cat to its trap before and after surgery.

“We literally go out and trap… we hold them in this trap for the duration of their recovery, and then they are released back to where they came from,” said Robin McClintock, a program volunteer.

The clinic dedicates a specific recovery space — nicknamed “the Beach” by staff — to post-surgery care.

“This is where everybody gets prepped. This is the Beach. We call it the Beach. This is where they recover after surgery,” a clinic staff member said.

Why it matters

Stevenson, who approached Central Florida Community Pet Clinic about partnering on the program, says TNR does more than manage cat populations — it reduces nuisance behavior and protects public health.

“This is very important because people just want to feed the cats and help them and take care of them. And if they did that alone, they would continue to overpopulate and reproduce,” Stevenson said.

To scale the effort, Stevenson helped launch a nonprofit and grow a volunteer base.

“With the help of some friends, we started a nonprofit and we’ve gotten more volunteers, and the organization level has definitely increased. We’re able to answer calls for requests for cats very quickly,” she said.

So far this year, volunteers have trapped 160 cats or kittens, according to McClintock.

A legacy project

Stevenson terms out of the DeBary City Council in a few months. She said her involvement with the organization she helped build is far from over.

The new permit ordinance marks the program’s transition from a passion project to a permanent part of city policy.

He would not comment directly about the Republican wipeout in Tuesday’s elections, which delivered a resounding rebuke to Trump. The unpopularity of the Iran war and its impact on gasoline prices and other parts of the economy helped Democrats seize control of Congress.

Asked about Vice President JD Vance’s social media post last week that largely blamed the war for the Republican losses, Rubio told reporters that Trump “identified a very real threat” in Iran and worked to stop the Islamic Republic from pursuing a nuclear weapon.

“He addressed it even though oftentimes the right thing to do for the country — confronting difficult challenges for the security of our country — doing it isn’t necessarily popular, but necessary,” Rubio said in Florida before heading to a Group of 7 foreign ministers meeting in Paris.

America’s top diplomat offered a robust defense of the more than eight-month-old war even as voters blamed Trump’s policies for the hit to their pocketbooks, including higher energy prices that stemmed from disruptions to shipments in the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway where one-fifth of the world’s oil transited before the war.

Rubio and Vance offer differing comments on the war

Rubio’s comments also put him at odds with Vance, who are both considered possible 2028 contenders. Asked in a “60 Minutes” interview that aired Sunday about potential candidates other than Vance, Trump named Rubio, saying that “I think Marco’s great” but noting there was a “tremendous bench” in his Republican Party and that “maybe I’m better off not getting involved.”

Trump told reporters Sunday that Vance was right about the war’s impact on the election — other than that his vice president should have also insisted it was the correct choice to go to war.

“I can tell you if I had it to do again, this historically — for history — will go down as one of the best things we ever did,” Trump said. “Because if they ever had a nuclear weapon, they would blow up the world.”

Iran has long maintained that its nuclear program is peaceful. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran has 440.9 kilograms (972 pounds) of uranium that is enriched up to 60% purity, a short, technical step from weapons-grade levels of 90%.

Asked on “60 Minutes” whether he would escalate the war following the elections, Trump said, “Well I’m not looking to. I don’t think there’s any reason to.”

Rubio says Iran talks aren’t on the ‘verge of a breakthrough’

With no clear administration strategy to wind down the conflict and the Middle East on edge over the possibility of a return to major hostilities, mediators are trying to revive talks between the sides.

Rubio said, “I wouldn’t say we’re at the verge of a breakthrough.”

He reiterated that Trump prefers a diplomatic solution, but “right now, it hasn’t been very productive because the Iranian demands are simply not just unacceptable, but in some cases outrageous and ridiculous and really not realistic.”

Trump is set to meet Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani at the White House on Monday, according to his official schedule.

The Associated Press has reported that Iran was reviewing proposals presented by chief mediator Qatar aimed at addressing differences with the United States about Tehran’s nuclear program. But Iran was seen as unwilling to negotiate with the Trump administration over their atomic activities until the U.S. agrees to several core conditions that Tehran has been demanding be part of any ceasefire agreement, officials have said.

Those include ending the U.S. blockade on Iran’s ports, lifting sanctions, unfreezing its assets, issuing compensation for war damage and ending hostilities throughout the region, including Israeli operations in Lebanon.

While Rubio said there was no diplomatic breakthrough at hand, Trump told CNN in a phone interview Sunday that as long as the U.S. sees progress in negotiations with Tehran and they sign a “strong agreement,” it’s “highly unlikely it’s going to be necessary” to resume strikes.

Trump said, however, that the U.S. had identified infrastructure targets, including 38 bridges, that it would strike if military action resumes.

The U.S. military, meanwhile, still has carried out limited strikes on Iran, including against its air defenses, at least twice over the past week. It also fired on and disabled a commercial ship Saturday that the U.S. says was trying to breach its naval blockade on Iranian ports.

Rubio acknowledged that the U.S. will take defensive actions if needed.

“If there’s a clear and present threat to shipping or to our forces in the region, we have a right to defend ourselves,” Rubio said.

___

Price reported from West Palm Beach, Fla.

Allan Filgueiras fought back tears Friday as he remembered the daughter who followed him into the sky.

“She’s my soulmate,” Filgueiras told CNN. “Having her to talk about aviation. Now, I feel like my life is missing.”

Nathalia Filgueiras, 20, was the copilot of the Learjet 60 that plunged 35,000 feet nose-first into a South Florida roadway last Sunday. All nine people on board were killed. The cause of the crash isn’t yet known, and the weather and the aircraft will be among many factors examined during the National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation.

Nathalia’s voice is heard on a chilling audio recording of the flight’s final minutes – first calmly telling an air traffic controller they were experiencing turbulence and manageable icing; then declaring an emergency as the plane dove hundreds of feet per second; and eventually ending with her last transmission: “We’re out of time.”

On Friday, Allan Filgueiras held a news conference to talk about the daughter he treasured. He was flanked by his lawyer, who said Allan wanted to “preserve not just her memory but her reputation.”

“We’re not making allegations against anybody at this time,” attorney Stuart Grossman said. “We’re going to do the right thing. We’re going to listen to what the government uncovers. Then we’ll have our experts look at it and say they agree or not. But I think everyone should stay out of the government’s way.”

For the father, what he wants remembered about his daughter is how enamored she was with flight, and how good she was at it.

When she was just starting out, she said: “Dad, there’s nothing else that I want to do in my life other than flying,” he recalled to CNN after the news conference.

“I told her that there’s nothing in this planet that you want that bad that you can’t achieve,” Allan Filgueiras said. “So you are going to be the pilot you wish to be.”

The young pilot graduated from American Flyers, one of the most prestigious aviation schools in the United States, her family told CNN Brasil.

By the time of the crash, Nathalia had commercial pilot and flight instructor licenses and was rated to fly larger, more complicated planes and serve as a first officer in the Learjet 60, according to Federal Aviation Administration records.

It was her dream come true, her father said.

“She said, ‘Dad, can you believe (it)? … I would pay for this, but they’re actually paying me,’” he said at the news conference. “It was her happiest moment, to fly.”

Remembered for her love of being in the air

The Learjet 60 was heading from Austin, Texas, to the Bahamas. Killed were seven passengers – tech entrepreneur Adam Robinson and Helen Sharp; their two children, Emma and Charlie; caregiver Anita Maria Cetina; and another couple, Rachael Reed and Charmi Fehr – and Nathalia Filgueiras and pilot Jeff Gregory.

Footage from a vehicle’s dashboard camera shows the crash, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said the plane came down so fast, it “looked like a missile going down.” Investigators are still searching the crater in the pavement for clues to how the flight ended in catastrophe. On Thursday, they recovered part of the plane’s engine.

Four days before the crash, Nathalia and her father spent the afternoon together at a boat show and had lunch.

“I spent the day with her, and I was saying (to her), ‘This is the best day of my life to spend this afternoon with you,’” he told CNN.

Allan Filgueiras describes himself as someone who has always been happy. But after they said goodbye that day, he felt a sudden pang of sadness he couldn’t explain.

“I don’t know why. For a second, because I wouldn’t let (it) last more than that, I felt so sad, and it’s a feeling that I never had before in my life,” he said. “I can’t believe that was the last day that I spent with her.”

Flying was at the heart of their relationship. “Put her and I together,” he said, and aviation was “the only thing that we want to talk about.”

Allan Filgueiras started learning to fly when Nathalia was 12, and he would take her on flights with an instructor aboard, he said. He would receive his private pilot certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration in 2021, FAA records show.

He’s rated to fly single-engine planes and holds an instrument rating, which lets him fly through clouds and low visibility using only the plane’s instruments.

His daughter went further.

“She became an extraordinary pilot,” he told CNN. Eventually, the roles reversed. Nathalia ran him through drills, simulating instrument panel failures so he could learn to conduct night flights without them.

“She would put the plane in upset situations for me to recover. The other day, she said, ‘You know what? I think you can do better. Let’s do it again,’” he said. “So I became a student, and she became an instructor to keep me sharp and safe.”

He plans to keep flying.

“I will continue her legacy,” he said. “Each time that I’m gonna be flying, I’m gonna be connecting with her. I want to make her proud.”

Nathalia Filgueiras’ family is Brazilian but lives in Florida, where she was born, Camila Gadelha Corteleti, her mother, told CNN Brasil this week.

“She was a very good girl – responsible, hardworking,” Corteleti said.

She received her pilot’s license before she even got her driver’s license, her stepfather Thiago Corteleti told CNN Brasil.

“I like being different than everyone, so to me, I think it’s, like, cool,” Nathalia Filgueiras told CNN affiliate WPEC in 2023, adding that her goal was to become a commercial airplane pilot or fly private jets. “Some people think that it’s, like, weird because I can fly planes, but I can’t drive a car … but a lot of people think it’s funny.”

The school district paid for Filgueiras to get her private pilot’s license, according to WPEC.

The investigation

Last Sunday, the two pilots in the Learjet had been working around bad weather for much of the Bahamas-bound flight from Texas. While the plane was near Florida’s Gulf Coast, less than 20 minutes before the crash, an air traffic controller warned that the turn they’d requested toward the Bahamas could take them into a thunderstorm.

“The turn to Freeport looks pretty bad,” the controller said in audio captured by LiveATC.net. “There is moderate to extreme precipitation 11 o’clock, and 25 miles. 100 miles in diameter.”

The jet flew south around the storm before it was cleared to turn east. The controller said the pilots could change course as needed to avoid the worst of it.

When Nathalia Filgueiras later checked in with a controller covering the West Palm Beach area, she reported that turbulence was bouncing the plane up to 700 feet and that light ice was building on the aircraft.

“If you have any better rides, let us know,” she said.

“The rides do improve in my airspace,” the controller replied. “You can expect better rides ahead.”

Moments later, Filgueiras reported precipitation and asked to climb to 37,000 feet, and the controller approved. Less than 30 seconds later, something went terribly wrong and the plane plummeted toward the ground.

“We’re descending 8,000 – mayday, mayday – we’re descending 10,000 feet per minute,” she said. It wasn’t long before she cried out, in her final transmission, “We’re out of time.”

The plane passed through a strong storm cell just before the sudden descent. Though it is unclear if the weather contributed to the crash, it is “certainly a key focus of the investigation,” NTSB member Tom Chapman said this week.

Another big clue landed miles from the crash site. Most of the jet’s left elevator, the part of the tail that controls whether the nose tilts up or down, was found in three pieces between 1.3 and 3.8 miles from the crater, Chapman said. That distance shows the part broke away before impact. But investigators don’t yet know whether its loss caused the dive or whether the forces of the dive tore it off.

Investigators are also searching the crater for the rest of the wreckage, and for a cockpit voice recorder. Maintenance records show the jet had one installed, but it’s unclear whether it was still on board.

“Our mission is to understand not just what happened, but why it happened, and to recommend changes to prevent it from happening again,” Chapman said.

Investigators have recovered and identified portions of the aircraft, the NTSB announced Sunday evening. Some of those recovered parts were sent to the NTSB laboratories in Washington, DC, for inspection, the agency said in a statement.

The NTSB has completed its on-scene investigative activities, except for excavating the impact site, which is still ongoing, officials said.

The details of the resolution were not immediately known.

“Mr. Seaver is grateful to put this misunderstanding behind him so that the entire family can continue to grieve peacefully and ensure that the bright light of Dolly’s legacy remains completely untouched,” attorneys for Seaver told CBS News in a statement.

[WATCH: Dolly Parton’s Central Florida Legacy]

Attorneys for Parton’s estate did not respond to a request for comment.

Seaver, who heads the private security firm Squadron Augmented Protection Services, had been tasked with announcing Parton’s death in August. But in September, Seaver and SAPS were fired by She’s Alive, which manages Parton’s estate and business interests. Parton’s longtime manager, Danny Nozell, who runs She’s Alive, then filed for a restraining order against Seaver and SAPS.

[WATCH: Honoring the life of an icon]

Parton died of cancer at the age of 80. Seaver rose to national prominence when he announced Parton’s death in a prerecorded video, in which he said it was “something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality.”

She’s Alive, or SAL, had alleged in its request for a restraining order that Seaver “made repeated, written threats to Ms. Parton’s staff, partners, legal and business advisors, and others” and that he “sought to extract money from SAL and trusts through an obscene, deliberate, and escalating campaign of threats.”

[WATCH: Music Legend Dolly Parton dies at 80]

In one instance prior to Parton’s death, SAL alleged that Seaver threatened to “destroy the entire brand” over a disagreement involving Dollywood, the theme park and resort opened by Parton in 1986. The lawsuit also alleged that Seaver repeatedly referenced his security business, which it described as a “heavily armed, paramilitary-style force capable of projecting threat and coercion against SAL’s personnel and business partners.”

Seaver made many of these alleged threats via text, according to the lawsuit.

Seaver, in a response to SAL’s request to extend its restraining order last month, denied “each and every allegation.” He said he and Nozell had been close friends for many years and that, until his firing, the two had never had an argument “apart from a minor disagreement years ago over a company logo.”

While he admitted to using coarse and blunt language, he denied threatening anybody, including Parton or her estate’s business partners, saying the text messages were “private messages” between himself and Nozell.

“They were sent in the course of private conversations between two friends who were both frustrated, grieving, and discussing strategy following Ms. Parton’s illness and death,” the court filing states.

He insisted the messages about the Dollywood disagreement were not threats of violence but that he was “privately warning” Nozell that he thought certain associates were “harming [Parton’s] brand and imploring him to help.”

Seaver also said in his response that Nozell didn’t respond to the various texts cited in the lawsuit with any sort of pushback or alarm. In fact, Seaver claimed Nozell urged him to publicly play up his military and security history before trying to use those ties as evidence that Seaver was dangerous and threatening.

“I have declined to speak with the media about this case and have asked my attorneys to handle all media communications,” Seaver wrote at the end of his affidavit. “I care about Ms. Parton, her music, her legacy, and her family. I do not want this dispute to harm her legacy.”

“It’s definitely up there. It felt great,” the Packers quarterback said.

Because of it, Green Bay looks like a team capable of staying in the mix in the formidable NFC North.

Love threw for 372 yards and three touchdowns and ran for a score, and the Packers scored 21 points off four New England Patriots turnovers to roll to a 45-27 win.

Green Bay's receivers had a huge day, with Christian Watson catching seven passes for 171 yards and a TD and Matthew Golden finishing with 10 catches for 164 yards and a score. Kaleb Johnson ran for a touchdown and Savion Williams had a TD catch as Green Bay finished with 478 total yards.

“It's crazy, because I know there's probably a lot more in there,” Golden said. “We've still got so many more plays out there to make.”

The Packers hadn’t scored 45 or more points and had 450 or more yards since Nov. 11, 1962 at Philadelphia.

“We got our (butts) kicked. There’s no two ways around it,” Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said.

Late in the game, “MVP!” chants for Love could be heard from visiting Packers fans.

“It's a surreal feeling,” Love said.

Love completed three passes of at least 43 yards, and seven of 28 or more.

“Those are low-percentage throws in theory, but he’s making them look high-percentage,” Packers coach Matt LeFleur said. “They’re right on the money.”

Packers safety Xavier McKinney had a pair of interceptions and Evan Williams also had a pick.

Green Bay entered the day last in the NFL in rushing, averaging 60.6 yards per game, but finished with 129 yards on the ground.

The Packers (6-3) got plenty of help from the Patriots (5-4) as they built a 24-7 lead en route to their fifth win in six games.

New England's Drake Maye took a step backward after weeks of steady play, throwing three interceptions while completing 21 of 38 passes for 299 yards and three touchdowns. Maye had thrown just one pick in his previous four games. He's now tied with Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert with an NFL-worst 11 INTs.

“We haven’t had a clean, a turnover-free game yet,” Maye said. “It’s starting with me. It’s one of the biggest differences between winning and losing football games.”

The Patriots set a franchise record for points allowed at Gillette Stadium, which opened in 2002. New England hadn't given up 45 points in the regular season since a 45-7 loss to the New York Jets on Sept. 26, 1993.

Maye made questionable decisions on all three of his turnovers in the first half. Two of them set up Packers touchdowns. Rhamondre Stevenson, Efton Chism and Mack Hollins all had TD catches for the Patriots. Stevenson also had a fumble that set up Watson’s score before leaving with a knee injury late third quarter.

DeMario Douglas caught five passes for 102 yards.

The Packers led 24-14 at halftime, then drove down the field on the opening possession of the second half. Love punctuated the seven-play, 70-yard drive with a 10-yard TD pass to Williams.

New England rookie Karon Prunty was in coverage on the score after Carlton Davis III suffered a knee injury in the second quarter.

Gillette Stadium was full of energy before the game as the Patriots celebrated members of their 2016 team — including an appearance by Tom Brady in the Fox broadcast booth — to commemorate the 10th anniversary of their record comeback win over the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl 51.

It quickly dissipated after the Patriots opened with a penalty, followed on the next play by Maye throwing the ball into traffic and being intercepted by McKinney at the New England 14.

Two plays later, Love easily found the end zone on a scramble and the Packers jumped in front 7-0.

Green Bay never trailed.

Injuries

Packers: Linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper left early in the first quarter with a chest injury. Running back Josh Jacobs left later in the quarter with a broken finger, LaFleur said. ... Wide receiver Bo Melton was evaluated for a concussion.

Patriots: Left guard Ben Brown (knee) limped off a few plays after Davis late in the second quarter. ... Special teamer Brenden Schooler exited with a hamstring injury. ... Left tackle Will Campbell walked off with a knee injury in the fourth quarter.

Packers' receiving duo has rare achievement

Watson and Golden became the first Packers teammates to have 150 or more receiving yards and a touchdown catch since Don Hutson and Andy Uram did it in 1942.

Up next

Packers: Host Minnesota next Sunday.

Patriots: Travel to Germany to play Detroit next Sunday in Munich.

___

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates said it rescued 22 crew members after a fire broke out aboard a cargo ship in the Sea of Oman, as risks to commercial shipping in the region remain high. And in Israel, opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot formally got the first chance to form a new government.

Here is the latest news from the Middle East on Sunday. Read our full coverage here.

Trump to meet Qatari prime minister

U.S. President Donald Trump is set to meet Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani at the White House on Monday, according to his official schedule.

Aramco building in Riyadh damaged after missile interceptions

Witnesses in Riyadh said they heard a loud explosion Sunday morning and described damage at an Aramco building in the King Abdullah Financial District. The witnesses spoke on condition of anonymity because of security concerns.

The Saudi Energy Ministry said there were no casualties at the Aramco facility.

The Saudi-led coalition said its air defenses intercepted two ballistic missiles and two cruise missiles targeting Riyadh and other regions early Sunday, accusing the Iran-backed Houthis of launching the weapons.

The Houthis' military spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, claimed in a statement Sunday that they had hit Riyadh’s financial district and other targets in response to attacks in recent days on a village and a market in Yemen, which he said left dozens dead or wounded and blamed on Saudi Arabia.

— By Sally Abou AlJoud in Beirut

Death toll rises to 44 from strikes near Yemen's capital, Houthis say

The death toll from airstrikes that hit homes in Yemen’s capital Sanaa climbed to 44 people, mostly women and children, Houthi health authorities said Sunday.

The strikes Saturday in the village of al-Shariya, east of Sanaa, wounded 40 others including eight children and nine women, said Anees al-Asbahi, spokesman of the Houthi-run Health Ministry.

Among the dead were 21 children and 10 women, he said, making the strikes as one of the deadliest attacks in the latest bout of violence in Yemen’s year-along civil war.

Rescue teams were still searching the area for missing people, suggesting that the death toll could increase, Al-Asbahi said.

He blamed Saudi Arabia for the strike, which came during a major escalation in fighting between the Iranian-backed rebels and the kingdom and has killed hundreds of people in Yemen and dozens in Saudi Arabia.

The UAE rescues 22 crew members after a cargo ship fire

The UAE National Guard said the crew members — all of Arab nationalities — were in stable condition following a rescue when their cargo ship caught fire in the Sea of Oman. The National Guard did not identify the vessel or specify the cause of the fire.

The British military organization that monitors maritime security incidents said Sunday that a tanker caught fire on Saturday northwest of Khasab, Oman, prompting the evacuation of its crew. It was unclear whether it was the same incident.

Israel’s president gives Eisenkot first chance at forming the next government

Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Sunday evening formally gave opposition politician Gadi Eisenkot the first chance to form the next government.

While complex coalition negotiations still lie ahead, this is a significant step in the former military chief’s effort to oust Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, after elections held in a deeply divided country scarred by the Hamas-led attacks of Oct. 7, 2023, and the multifront wars they triggered.

At least 4 people killed by stone collapse in Gaza

A large sandstone slab collapsed onto makeshift tents housing displaced Palestinians in central Gaza on Sunday evening, killing at least four people, including three children, according to health officials at Al-Aqsa Martyrs and Nasser hospitals.

Civil defense workers and residents in the city of Deir al-Balah searched through the rubble largely using their bare hands. Gaza has been battered by torrential rains over the past few days, which is believed to have contributed to the collapse.

Most of Gaza’s 2 million Palestinians are still displaced or live in tent camps, where they grapple with poor conditions and overcrowding.

Trump says US is ready to resume striking Iran, but it’s ‘highly unlikely’

The president told CNN in a phone interview on Sunday that as long as the U.S. continues to see progress in negotiations with Tehran and they sign a “strong agreement,” it’s “highly unlikely it’s going to be necessary” to resume strikes.

The president said, however, that the U.S. had identified infrastructure targets, including 38 bridges, that it would strike if military action resumes.

The region has been on edge over the possibility of a renewed all-out war.

Drone attack on gas field causes power outages in northern Iraq

The strategic Khor Mor gas field in Iraq’s semiautonomous northern Kurdish region was targeted by a drone attack late Sunday, officials said.

No casualties were reported and it was not immediately clear how much damage was caused, but the attack took the facility offline, causing widespread power outages.

Khor Mor is one of northern Iraq’s most productive natural gas fields, and its output is used to fuel power plants. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

Explosions heard on Qeshm Island

Residents on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz reported hearing several explosions late Sunday evening, Iranian state media reported.

Similar reports have been made in previous days, with no official confirmation or claims as to what might have caused them.

Asked about the reports before heading to a G7 foreign ministers meeting in Paris, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio didn’t directly confirm new strikes but said the U.S. will make defensive actions.

“If there’s a clear and present threat to shipping or to our forces in the region, we have a right to defend ourselves,” Rubio told reporters in Florida.

Iran hangs 3 men convicted in anti-government protests

Iran hanged three men Sunday in Karaj who were convicted of armed riot, damage to public properties and cooperation with Israel and the United States during nationwide anti-government protests in January, state TV reported.

Iran has hanged more than two dozen people on similar charges in various cities. International rights groups say political prisoners in Iran are tried in secretive courts without due process.

The protests, some of the largest ever held against the Islamic Republic's government, were largely stamped out when the United States and Israel went to war with Iran on Feb. 28.

Israeli strike kills two Palestinians in southern Gaza, health officials say

An Israeli strike on Sunday killed two Palestinians, a man and woman, in Muwasi, a tent camp area on Gaza’s coast, said health officials at Nasser hospital.

Israel’s military said it had struck a “Hamas terrorist” in the area.

Sunday’s strikes came more than a year after a ceasefire deal was reached between Israel and Hamas, yet Israel still launches near-daily strikes on the enclave.

US expels Lebanese diplomat for praising attacks against Americans

The State Department said Sunday that it had declared Ibrahim Charara, Lebanon’s consul general in Detroit, “persona non grata” after reviewing posts from up to five years ago celebrating the 1983 Hezbollah attack on the Marine barracks in Beirut. The posts were first reported by the Washington Free Beacon.

“Anyone in the United States who celebrates or justifies terrorist attacks has no place in our country,” the department said.

___

This report will be updated throughout the day as new developments emerge.

At least eight Iranians were loaded onto a plane Sunday morning in Mesa, Arizona, for a deportation flight headed to the country of Georgia, then on to Pakistan, according to Ali Rahnama, an attorney with the Iranian American Legal Defense Fund who filed emergency motions on behalf of some of the Iranian detainees. The flight was canceled without explanation, he said.

Court documents unsealed days ago in a civil lawsuit filed by the fund showed the Trump administration as recently as mid-October said it had plans to deport the Iranians to Iran, even as the war there drags on, via an unnamed third country. The lawsuit was filed in July and alleges that the U.S. government illegally shared confidential information about Iranians seeking asylum in the U.S. with Iranian officials.

There were three deportation flights to Iran between September 2025 and January 2026, with over 100 Iranian nationals deported. But the administration's confirmation of the new plans amid the war that began in February highlights its resolve in carrying out its hardline immigration crackdown, which has involved ramping up removals, including to places that critics say could endanger the lives of the returnees.

Homeland Security refuses comment

In response to questions Sunday from The Associated Press, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said in a statement that Immigration and Customs Enforcement does not comment on “prospective removal operations, including flight schedules, passenger manifests, destinations, or individual case details,” nor would the agency confirm future removal operations.

“As promised, the Trump Administration is employing all lawful options to carry out the largest deportation operation in history,” the statement said.

The administration did not specify in the October court records when the deportations would be carried out. But in the past week, roughly a dozen Iranian nationals in immigration detention said they were notified that they were scheduled for an upcoming deportation flight to Pakistan and then to Iran, according to numerous attorneys who have since confirmed those plans with DHS.

Advocacy group says detainees have been contacted by Iranian officials

According to Rahnama, the eight detainees who boarded the flight on Sunday were visited by a senior official with the Iranian Interests Section — an Iranian representative office in the Pakistani Embassy in Washington that handles consular affairs — and were told that the Iranian government would transport them from Pakistan to Iran.

In the litigation brought by the Iranian immigrant advocacy group, at least a dozen Iranian detainees have said they’ve been contacted by Iranian officials who had knowledge of sensitive information on their asylum claims.

U.S. District Judge Ana C. Reyes, a nominee of President Joe Biden, has not ruled on the claims but ordered the U.S. government to give the court 24-hour notice of any finalized plans to deport Iranians to Iran or to any other country, and five days’ written notice before any such deportation is carried out.

In a court filing Sunday, the defense fund laid out what it had learned about plans for a removal flight Sunday and argued that the administration may have violated the judge’s directive to give advance notice of deportation plans.

Later Sunday, the government filed court documents in the case, but they were sealed and inaccessible to the public.

Group says individuals could face persecution

The Iranian American Legal Defense Fund has called for a halt to the removal flights, saying in a news release that they would “reportedly mark the first deportation of Iranians to Iran since the U.S.-Iran war began.”

The group’s executive director, Yasmin Chubin, said in a statement Sunday that it was difficult to comprehend why the U.S. would forcibly deport Iranians, including asylum seekers, to Iran, amid ongoing military hostilities.

The consequences of removal, Chubin said, “could be irreversible and individuals may face persecution, torture, or death.”

At least one person who had been part of the scuttled flight volunteered to go back to Iran after nearly two years of detention, Rahnama said, out of desperation to leave what he described as inhumane imprisonment. It’s not clear how many other of the deportees may have volunteered to leave.

____

Associated Press reporter Sarah Rankin in Richmond, Virginia, contributed to this report.

Two years after his surprising decision to turn pro while a junior in high school, the 19-year-old Brown became the youngest PGA Tour winner in 95 years when he closed with a 9-under 63 and beat Ben James on the second playoff hole in the World Wide Technology Championship.

“It hasn’t set in just yet, I guess, the magnitude of being a PGA Tour winner,” Brown said. “I just go back to 5-year-old Blades that was watching the TV and watching Tiger Woods and all those great players win major championships, and to think that I’m now in a similar spot with having won a PGA Tour event is mind-blowing.”

Brown is youngest winner since Charles Kocsis won the Michigan Open in 1931 when he was 18, a tournament that was considered a regional event in the early years of the PGA.

James lost a four-shot lead going into the final round at El Cardonal at Diamante and then showed his moxie by smoking a 285-yard shot into 20 feet on the par-5 18th and making eagle to salvage a 70 and force the playoff.

But he missed an 8-foot putt on the second playoff hole, and Brown made his 3-footer.

“Had a feeling that it was going to go in,” James said of his clutch eagle, the only putt he made all day longer than 15 feet. “Hadn’t really made anything all day. Just had a really good line on it and it was a good putt. Played the best I could.”

For a sleepy FedEx Cup Fall event on the southern tip of Baja California, this was pure theater between two players from the next generation. James was the No. 1 player in the PGA Tour University ranking last season. Brown turned pro at 17 and earned his PGA Tour card this year by being among the top 20 in Korn Ferry Tour points.

He made up a seven-shot deficit in the final round and then was tested even more by going through two bags of golf balls on the range waiting to see if the two-shot lead he had over James would hold. Then it was back to the par-5 18th for the playoff.

On the first extra hole, their approach shots were side-by-side, separated by about 3 feet, and both narrowly missed eagle chances. They returned to the 18th tee and their drives were next to each other. Both came up just short of the green.

James nearly holed his pitch and saw it run out 8 feet. Brown, who had a similar pitch in regulation that he hit to 6 feet for a closing birdie, this time came up 3 feet short. James' birdie putt grazed the right edge, and Brown poured in the winner.

“I’m so obsessed with this game. It tests you in so many ways,” Brown said. “I love golf, all the stuff that goes into it and I can’t wait for what’s next.”

With eight players separated by two shots on the back nine, Brown ran off three straight birdies to share the lead and then left the mistakes to everyone else. He hit a superb pitch for birdie on the final hole to post at 23-under 265.

That put him one shot ahead of Michael Kim, who played with the Tennessee teen and made birdie from 12 feet for 64 right before Brown made his putt.

Brown now has a two-year exemption, which puts him in the elite Championship Series when the PGA Tour's new model begins in 2028. The victory also assures Brown of his first major next year at the PGA Championship.

It was another setback for James, who in 13 starts since turning pro has five finishes in the top five, and two runner-up finishes.

Denny McCarthy, winless in nine years in 240 starts on the PGA Tour, made a 30-foot birdie putt on the 13th hole to take the lead. But he hit a pedestrian pitch to the par-5 14th and had to settle for par. With a wedge in hand from the 15th fairway, he came up some 40 feet short and three-putted for a bogey.

McCarthy's tee shot on the 17th was right of the 18th tee box, he put his next shot off a dirt path into a hazard and made double bogey. He shot 69.

___

See AP’s full golf coverage here

The announcement came after Huang acknowledged to the board that he had been intimate with a business executive whom, according to The New York Times, U.S. intelligence determined was gathering information for Beijing.

In a letter to Nvidia employees obtained by The Associated Press, Huang said he had been unfaithful to his wife and apologized to his family and colleagues. He said he took “full responsibility” for his actions.

“Leading Nvidia is the privilege of my life,” Huang wrote. “My responsibility is to serve you and be worthy of your trust. I have fallen short of that responsibility.”

Nvidia’s board said it has “no reason to believe" that either national security or Nvidia secrets were compromised, but that its inquiry would examine all available information. Huang “fully supports the review and has committed to cooperating with it,” the board said.

Huang, 63, will remain CEO during the investigation.

“Today’s news will not slow Nvidia," company spokesperson John Rizzo said in a statement. "Jensen is committed to continuing to lead Nvidia as CEO without interruption.”

Nvidia has become a central player in the global race to develop artificial intelligence, with its chips powering many of the data centers and computing systems used to train and run AI models. Its advanced processors have also been a focus of U.S. export restrictions aimed at limiting China’s access to cutting-edge semiconductor technology.

The Times reported last month that U.S. intelligence agencies had discovered that Huang had developed a close relationship with Alice Huang, a Chinese citizen and chip buyer, and determined that she was feeding information directly to Beijing. The two are not related, according to the Times.

Alice Huang was previously a television reporter in China before becoming a top executive at Singapore-based data center company Megaspeed, which has become one of Nvidia’s biggest customers in Southeast Asia. Megaspeed bought more than $4.8 billion worth of Nvidia chips over the past two years, according to the Times.

The Nvidia CEO's letter to employees did not name Alice Huang or address her apparent ties to Beijing. He did, however, refer to the national security concerns raised in news reports and said he supported the board’s investigation and would cooperate fully.

“I love our country and our company,” Jensen Huang said. “I am committed to protecting Nvidia and supporting America’s national security.”

President Donald Trump said Sunday he hasn’t spoken to Huang about the latest development and praised him. “I hope everything’s fine then. He’s done such an incredible job,” Trump said, speaking to reporters before returning to the White House.

Asked whether he wished he had acted on intelligence when he was briefed about spying, Trump again praised Huang: “I think he’s an honorable guy. I think he probably has an excuse for it. He’s done an amazing job for our country.”

As to whether he’d take the CEO with him on his trip to Asia next week, Trump said he was open to it.

“I don’t know, but I’d certainly take him,” he said of Huang, who serves on the president’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Sunday as he was departing the U.S. for a G7 meeting in Paris that he could not address the situation with Huang.

“I just can't comment because of the nature of it,” he told reporters. “And I also can't comment on an internal corporate matter that's going on with Nvidia.”

Nvidia, the world's most valuable company, has regularly surpassed Wall Street’s earnings expectations in the past three years since its high-end chips emerged as AI’s best building blocks. The Santa Clara, California-based company reported quarterly profits of $59.69 billion in August.

___

Associated Press writer Michelle L. Price contributed to this report from West Palm Beach, Florida.

Three-year-old Cooper held up a single finger.

Yep, his dad was No. 1 again.

Larson clinched his third Cup Series title in six years early in the 400-mile season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Sunday. He became NASCAR's first back-to-back champion since Jimmie Johnson in 2010; Johnson won five in a row beginning in 2006. Both of them accomplished the feat at powerhouse Hendrick Motorsports.

The 34-year-old Larson also became the 11th driver in NASCAR history with three Cup titles, joining a list that includes seven-time champs Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt and Johnson. Jeff Gordon has four. Lee Petty, David Pearson, Cale Yarborough, Darrell Waltrip, Tony Stewart and Joey Logano have three.

“He's going to pass me,” said Gordon, the vice chairman at Hendrick. “I've already come to that conclusion. Kind of knew that when he was coming to Hendrick Motorsports. He's special.”

Ryan Blaney won the season finale, which returned to South Florida for the first time since 2019. The championship event had perfect weather and a star-studded lineup of celebrities, including Johnson, singers Jason Derulo and Cole Swindell, WNBA star Sophie Cunningham and golfer John Daly. Racing legend Mario Andretti also tapped a good luck message for Larson.

They were treated to a drama-filled ending. Blaney passed Tyler Reddick of 23XI Racing with a little more than a lap to go and with NBA legend Michael Jordan watching from pit road. Blaney held a brief celebration in victory lane before clearing the way for Larson.

“Obviously he’s incredibly talented,” Blaney said of Larson. “His natural, God-given talent is off the charts. He is very deserving to win his third championship.”

Reddick finished second, followed by William Byron, Christopher Bell, Bubba Wallace and Denny Hamlin.

The real party awaited Larson, who finished 12th. He immediately stopped near the start-finish line for a smoky burnout and then exchanged high-fives and hugs with his team, his wife and his kids. He climbed atop his car with all three children.

Owen, 11, grabbed the flag and started waving it through the air. Audrey, 8, picked up a handful of confetti and started throwing it at her brothers. Cooper posed for pictures before eventually sliding down the windshield and into a pile of confetti.

It was a family affair for sure.

Larson was the overwhelming favorite to hoist the Bill France Cup in Homestead long before the green flag dropped.

He entered the weekend with a 67-point lead over Bell and needed only nine points to wrap up the title. He got one point for starting the race and seven more by finishing fourth in the opening stage. But because Bell didn't win the opening stage, he had no path to catch Larson the rest of the day.

Larson responded to crew chief Cliff Daniels dropping the news over the radio by saying, “That was anticlimactic.”

Larson scraped the wall early in the second stage, cut a tire and never challenged for the lead.

“Got the word that we had clinched it, and I started driving like an idiot,” Larson said. “I’m more mad at myself.”

Nonetheless, Larson put himself in position for the title with a historic postseason, dubbed NASCAR’s Chase for the championship. He won three times in the 10 playoff events and finished in the top 10 in eight of them.

“They deserve everything, the spoils of victory,” Hamlin said. “They performed absolutely incredible during these last 10 races.”

Larson enjoyed a similar finish while winning it all in 2021, his first season at Hendrick. He won four of the last five races. His second title came in stunning fashion last year at Phoenix. He took advantage of a late caution and leaped sentimental favorite Hamlin on pit road with two laps to go.

Larson’s latest one was far less shocking. Securing the title was so much of a slam dunk that Larson was the only Cup driver invited to NASCAR’s championship media day Thursday and it led to a weeklong conversation about his position in motorsports history.

Larson no doubt belongs in the same conversation as Parnelli Jones, Mario Andretti, A.J. Foyt and Tony Stewart — guys who gained recognition for winning across varying racing series.

Larson raced twice at the Indy 500 and has won the Rolex 24 at Daytona, three Chili Bowls and four Knoxville Nationals.

“I think he’s got to be looked at as one of the all-time greats,” said Hendrick, who won his 16th Cup championship.

Added Gordon: “It’s hard to pick the most impressive thing that he does because he gets in an IndyCar, he goes fast, Sprint car. ... That’s rare air, very rare. There’s just so few guys that are capable of doing that.”

___

See AP’s full auto racing coverage here

It wasn't necessarily a send-off, but after weeks of speculation about Taylor's potential trade value, it sure felt like he might be playing his final home game at Lucas Oil Stadium.

After the Colts lost 27-23 to the Dallas Cowboys, the 2021 NFL rushing champ acknowledged that his 6 1/2 seasons in Indy could be coming to an end. The NFL trade deadline is Tuesday, and it's possible that Indy could move Taylor, quarterback Daniel Jones or both.

“I think you play every game like it’s your last. But at the end of the day, this has been a spot where I’ve grown up,” Taylor said. “After college, you’re trying to grow up, you’re starting a family, and you really embrace this city and the people. You’re just like, ‘This place helped shape me into the man I am today.’ I’m very grateful for the city of Indianapolis.”

If this was the end for Taylor and the Colts (2-7), it was memorable for the wrong reasons.

Indy overcame a 10-point second-half deficit to take a 23-20 lead with 1:37 left, then watched as the Cowboys answered right back with Javonte Williams' 1-yard TD run. A late interception sealed the Colts' fifth straight loss.

Taylor never got much going. He rushed 13 times for 46 yards but the franchise's career leader in TD runs (77) didn't find the end zone. He added five receptions for 18 yards and lost a fourth-quarter fumble that cost Indy (2-7) a key scoring chance.

While the Colts have already traded away multiple players as they collect draft picks and clear salary cap space for 2027, Taylor has kept his focus on the task at hand — an approach coach Shane Steichen has appreciated.

Steichen, whose own job is in jeopardy, wasn't ready to say goodbye, either.

“I’m not going to get into any trade speculation. He’s on our football team,” Steichen said, referring to Taylor.

It's not just Taylor who could be dealt.

Jones has struggled with turnovers this season after starting his Colts career in 2025 with 10 impressive games. He was benched during last week's 42-7 drubbing at Jacksonville, which contributed to the trade speculation.

Jones didn't play to his standard Sunday, either. He was 20 of 34 for 180 yards with two TDs and one interception — a pick by Caleb Downs with 35 seconds left that sealed the game.

Jones said he hasn't thought much about a potential trade.

“There have been plenty of distractions the last couple weeks with all the stuff that’s gone on, and it’s unfortunate we’re in that position,” Jones said. “But I think as players, your job is to focus as much on what’s in front of you. And playing quarterback, there’s a lot focusing on getting ready for a game. So that was my approach.”

Receiver Josh Downs, meanwhile, is ready for a change. He caught only three passes for 24 yards while playing against his younger brother Caleb Downs, but unlike Taylor or Jones, Downs requested a trade last week.

“I’m open to whatever,” he said. “If they want me to stay here, I’ll be here. If they don’t, and they want to trade me away, they’ll trade me away.”

That's not how Jones or Taylor seem to feel, but they may not be around next week when the Colts host rebuilding Miami. In Taylor's case, he'd like to keep producing highlights with the only NFL team he's played for.

“I love repping the horseshoe, but it’s out of our control now,” he said. “The hay is in the barn. We just play the waiting game now.”

___

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

Complex coalition negotiations still lie ahead, but it marked a significant step in the former military chief's effort to oust Israel's longest-serving prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, after elections held in a deeply divided country. Israel remains scarred by the Hamas-led attacks of Oct. 7, 2023, and the multifront wars they triggered.

“I hope with all my heart that whatever government is formed will lead to unity, connection and healing among all segments of our people — for our very existence depends on it, and we have only one country,” Herzog said at the ceremony at the presidential residence in Jerusalem.

The announcement doesn't guarantee that Eisenkot will become the next prime minister. He has up to six weeks to form a coalition government by securing alliances, a daunting challenge because the Oct. 27 election gave neither his bloc nor Netanyahu’s a clear majority in parliament.

Herzog said that in consultations with the parties, a majority of members of parliament, known as the Knesset, supported giving Eisenkot this task.

At Sunday's ceremony, Eisenkot promised to give the country leadership that people can trust, that will act in the interests of the public and that represents all parts of society.

“An absolute majority of Knesset members representing the Israeli public support change,” he said. “I intend to navigate the situation with patience, humility, composure and a deep commitment to a Jewish, equal, liberal, and secure Israel.”

Politically fraught coalition choices lie ahead

Among the possible kingmakers — and most politically fraught potential allies — are the Arab-led parties. They made historic gains in the election thanks to high voter turnout among Israel's Arab citizens.

Only one Arab party, Ra’am, has ever joined a governing coalition, in 2021. Ra’am has said it will support Eisenkot, but the party does not have enough seats on its own to give Eisenkot a parliamentary majority.

Breaking with decades of precedent, the second Arab-led party, the Joint List, has offered to support Eisenkot from outside the coalition to end Netanyahu’s grip on power.

But that cooperation is fraught for both sides. For the Joint List, it would mean backing a government unlikely to end Israel’s wars or curb settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank. For Eisenkot and other opposition parties, it would mean aligning with parties that not only criticize Israel’s policies but reject its identity as a Jewish state.

One of Eisenkot’s partners, the more conservative Yisrael Beytenu party, already has said it will not join a coalition with Arab-led parties.

Eisenkot has laid out four conditions for parties that want to join him. They must recognize Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, accept its declaration of independence, support military, national or civil service for all citizens, and declare the Hamas militant group a terrorist group. It remains unclear whether his would-be Arab partners are ready to accept these conditions.

Furthermore, Netanyahu has repeatedly asserted unsubstantiated claims that the election was “stolen” by Arab parties. In a pressure tactic on Eisenkot, he says any alliance with these parties would be an act of betrayal.

Israel’s Shin Bet security agency has launched an investigation into possible foreign interference in the vote, but the country’s Central Elections Committee — and Herzog — say the vote was valid and even if wrongdoing is found, it did not have a significant impact on the electoral results.

Eisenkot faces significant challenges on the road to becoming prime minister

Eisenkot has vowed to form a government as quickly as possible. But each likely scenario appears to entail compromises or broken promises.

Aside from seeking the support of the Arab-led parties, Eisenkot has two options: a power-sharing agreement with Netanyahu or an agreement with the ultra-Orthodox parties, which demand military exemptions for their community.

Eisenkot and his partners made equal military service a central part of their campaign. Specifically, they are seeking an end to the long-standing draft exemptions.

The religious parties, which were part of Netanyahu’s outgoing coalition, want to preserve them, calling them essential to their devout lifestyle. But the exemptions have grown especially controversial among the broader public during the past three years of war.

Anticipating its position as a swing vote, the ultra-Orthodox party United Torah Judaism has left the door open to cooperating with Eisenkot.

Eisenkot has 28 days to form a coalition, with a possible two-week extension from the president. If he is unable to form a government, Netanyahu could then be given a chance to put together a coalition. If Netanyahu is also unable to do so, the country would return to elections early next spring.

Israel’s new members of Knesset will be sworn in on Tuesday evening. Netanyahu and his cabinet will remain in office in a caretaker capacity, with limited powers, until a coalition is formed.

Wars, international support remain big challenges for next government

Despite tenuous ceasefires, Israel's military remains engaged in fighting Hamas militants in Gaza and Iran-backed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon — and the war the country launched jointly with the United States against Iran remains unresolved as well.

Both Eisenkot and Herzog mentioned these challenges on Sunday, as well as what Herzog called “the new political situation in the United States," where the midterm elections suggested weakening support for Israel on both sides of the aisle.

Asked about Eisenkot being given the first chance at forming a new government in Israel, U.S. President Donald Trump said that Netanyahu and Eisenkot are similar in terms of policy and their views.

“And I guess he said very nice things about me. He says he loves Trump, but I don’t know. I haven’t seen what’s happening. But it’s certainly a contest between him and Bibi Netanyahu. And we’ll see what happens. … They have very similar views. They’re both strong on what I do.”

Trump was answering questions from reporters Sunday night in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Herzog called on Eisenkot to use his military leadership skills — as well as his experience of loss, since Eisenkot lost a son in combat in Gaza — to unite the country.

“You have commanded soldiers from every part of the Israeli people and Israeli society. Your face bears the scars of bullets from decades of command and combat,” Herzog said. “In the coming days, Gadi, as you and your counterparts enter the negotiating rooms, I ask that you remember that the eyes of the entire nation, with all its pain, hopes, prayers, and fears, are upon you.”

___

Lidman reported from Tel Aviv, Israel. Associated Press journalists Josef Federman in Jerusalem and Michelle L. Price in West Palm Beach, Florida, contributed to this report.

With new majorities in the House and Senate after last week's midterms, Democrats can set an agenda boosting clean energy and addressing climate change. While those are traditionally core priorities of the party, climate was not a central topic in this election cycle.

Democrats can begin investigations and hold hearings into climate policy rollbacks and elimination of green energy grants by the Republican administration, potentially trying to undo some changes and restore renewable energy incentives.

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, the top Democrat on the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, said Trump’s clean energy attacks drove up prices for taxpayers. He said Democrats will "work every angle to lower consumers’ energy costs, and we will demand accountability for the massive corruption wrought by Trump’s fossil-fuel donors.”

American Clean Power Association CEO Jason Grumet said everybody who is trying to build clean energy “feels bolstered.”

Enacting major changes would require Republican support because Democrats will lack the numbers to override presidential vetoes. Even then, lower energy bills are not guaranteed because prices also depend on fuel costs, demand and the expense of maintaining the electric grid.

“The wins give Democrats more leverage over spending and more political power to advance a coherent agenda; the question is whether they’ll use that power effectively,” said Lisa Sachs, director of the Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment. “The vote was for affordability and opportunity. Democrats now need to be clear about which policies deliver them.”

Trump holds veto power but thinks he and Democrats can deal

Trump said after Tuesday's election that Democrats will send over “things that are insane” and he will veto them, speaking generally about legislation. But in the comments to Fox News, he predicted that “after a couple of months of vetoes,” he and Democrats will find ways to work together.

The White House said in a statement Wednesday that Trump is "committed to unleashing reliable, affordable, and secure energy sources to lower prices, strengthen our grid, and protect our national security, and is willing to work with anyone to accomplish this.”

Trump promised to lower energy prices. Instead, his war with Iran and other policies increased the price of gasoline, diesel and electricity. At the same time, the administration canceled many clean energy projects and grants and slowed clean energy permitting.

Trump particularly dislikes offshore wind. Developer Orsted said Thursday that Revolution Wind, a large wind farm in federal waters off Rhode Island, has started operating commercially.

Will the president change his tune on green energy? That's doubtful, said former Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., co-chair of the government relations practice at ArentFox Schiff.

“He is likely to keep pushing his energy issues, and I think he will be forced to give some room for a new Congress to recreate a different strategy that will add clean energy,” Dorgan said in an email.

Trump promotes expanding production of oil, natural gas and coal, which cause climate change, because he argues that would give the U.S. the lowest-cost electricity. Mike Sommers, CEO of the American Petroleum Institute, the oil and gas industry’s top lobbying group, said that as voters have changed the balance of political power in Washington, “the affordability message is unmistakable.”

Sommers said in a statement there is a real opportunity for bipartisan cooperation to reduce costs and strengthen the economy, starting with an energy permitting reform proposal announced in September. The Senate is expected to hold a procedural vote Monday on the legislation, which is aimed at shortening the timeline to get big energy projects started.

Ife Kilimanjaro, executive director of the U.S. Climate Action Network, said Democrats should reject that proposal and use their stronger position to pass legislation that actually builds out much-needed clean energy.

Reversing Trump’s anti-climate policies

The administration has reshaped the Environmental Protection Agency, reversing pollution limits as it promotes fossil fuels.

Clear Street energy transition analyst Tim Moore said he expects Democrats to investigate the climate and environmental rollbacks, in an effort to block some from taking effect. Democrats could also try amending the Clean Air Act to cut carbon pollution and push back against EPA budget cuts, he added.

Rep. Sean Casten, D-Ill., said he is cautiously optimistic some Republicans will now seek to differentiate themselves from Trump and back pro-environmental policies. But without Republican support, Democrats’ more ambitious bills will largely lay out their agenda for 2028, he added.

Climate is not necessarily at the top of Democrats' list of priorities. They are targeting healthcare access, trade tariffs and the Iran war.

Rep. Frank Pallone, the New Jersey Democrat who is expected to become chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, said the party should focus on healthcare, affordability, consumer and environmental protections, clean energy and regulating Big Tech.

A potential stalemate seen on clean energy and climate policy

David Victor, a professor of innovation and public policy at the University of California, San Diego, largely expects a stalemate at the federal level on climate and energy policy because of the divided government. He said agreement could come on some bipartisan measures such as a permitting overhaul.

Victor thinks Democratic-led investigations and hearings will center on corruption and other topics that may only touch on energy and climate. Like Casten, Victor said many of the Democratic bills likely will not become law, but will outline what Democrats could accomplish if they win the White House in 2028.

“The Democrats are going to be drafting things that the administration’s not going to like. They don’t have the votes to override a veto, and on top of it, the administration is going to be in turmoil because of its own electoral failures and because of all the investigations,” Victor said. “This seems to me, at the federal level, largely a recipe for kind of intense chaos over the next two years.”

One of the biggest wild cards is the behavior of the administration, which could use executive power to double down on rollbacks of climate and environmental rules, he said.

States could advance clean energy without waiting for Congress

Democrats scored victories in races for governor in states long controlled by Republicans, including Texas and Georgia.

Leah Stokes, a political scientist at the UC Santa Barbara, said there could be a lot of state action on climate next year because of those wins. That is where climate leadership has traditionally come from, she noted. At the federal level, Stokes is optimistic about extending clean energy tax credits since some Republicans support that.

Jay Inslee, a former Democratic governor and congressman from Washington, also expects growing momentum for clean energy in states that elected Democratic governors, particularly in states where they also won legislative majorities.

“This is a really powerful instrument for the United States to join the rest of the world and get back in a leadership position, even if we still have a climate denier that might exercise a veto on some things that we want to do federally,” Inslee said. “So I hope people will pay attention to the big progress we’re going to make on a state-level basis.”

___

Associated Press writers Alexa St. John and Matthew Daly contributed to this report.

___

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.

Norris, the 2025 Formula 1 champion, won Sunday from pole position with the Red Bulls of Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar completing the podium.

Norris had his second consecutive victory in Brazil after a race he led for 47 of 71 laps, with Brazil soccer great Neymar waving the checkered flag. The British driver briefly lost the lead to new F1 champion Kimi Antonelli, but got it back after the Italian spun.

“It was one of my best races in terms of execution,” Norris said. “It was a race where things could easily change.”

Antonelli, who clinched the drivers’ title last weekend, finished fifth, one position behind his teammate George Russell. Their results were more than enough to secure the constructors’ title for Mercedes — its first since 2021 — against the rival Ferraris of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.

Antonelli expressed disappointment in his own performance.

“I’m very disappointed for the race. I’m very angry to be fair, but I’m going to put all this aside for now because the team clinched the title,” Antonelli said.

Mercedes celebrates

Mercedes celebrated the constructors’ title on a separate podium. It now has 652 points against Ferrari’s 510 and can’t be caught. The Italian team lost two points after the race because Leclerc received a 5-second punishment for his clash with Racing Bull's Liam Lawson. The Ferrari driver was demoted from seventh to eighth place.

Antonelli was also summoned by stewards over an unsafe release. He kept his position after a 5-second punishment as he finished more than 20 seconds ahead of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri.

“It was a very strong beginning of the season that got us over the line,” Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said. “I never thought this was ever possible.”

‘Keep it cool’

“The main thing today was to keep it cool,” a relaxed Norris said after his third win of the season.

That proved difficult on the podium after the national anthems had been played and Norris received his trophy. He celebrated his win with his trademark slamming down of the Champagne bottle on the podium, only for it to shatter in his hands. In the same incident, Norris then momentarily made contact with a podium-mounted firework display but was smiling soon after.

The only Champagne that Norris drank during the podium celebrations came from his rivals. The race winner held the neck of the shattered bottle as he left.

In the race, Norris managed to stay ahead of a hungry Verstappen, who took his Red Bull from 21st place to second after the Dutchman received penalties for changes in his power unit.

“When you start that far back, you need to try to get by as quickly as you can,” said Verstappen, who two years ago won at Interlagos after starting from 17th place.

400 starts for Hamilton

Hamilton, who became the second F1 driver with 400 starts after Fernando Alonso, also started from the back due to changes in his car and finished ninth.

“We had a strong start and the team did a great job but overall it wasn’t the race I’d hoped for,” said Hamilton, who insisted he and Leclerc had overcome their race incident in Mexico last week after a conversation in Sao Paulo.

Disappointment in Brazil

The two home drivers had a disappointing race in front of Brazilian fans.

Audi's Gabriel Bortoleto finished 16th, and Haas rookie Rafael Câmara — the replacement of Esteban Ocon — was 20th.

Changing weather conditions forced drivers to often rethink their strategies, as some parts of the track risked cars aquaplaning.

“Starting from the back didn’t make things easy for me, especially in the wet, where overtaking was challenging with the power limitations," Bortoleto said. “Now, a week to recharge and we move on to the next one, still in the fight.”

The next GP will take place in Las Vegas on Nov. 21, with uncertainty over the two final races of the season in Qatar and Abu Dhabi due to tensions in the Middle East.

___

See AP’s full auto racing coverage here

After his party’s deep losses in Tuesday’s midterm elections, Trump shook up his administration on Friday by replacing his chief of staff and followed up on Saturday with a post that said he had offered the press secretary job to White. On Sunday, Trump said it was “just a little fun.”

“I was kidding, but I think Dana likes the idea, and he is a very capable guy,” Trump said, speaking to reporters in Florida before departing for the White House. White is set to visit him at the White House on Monday.

The historic wins by Democratic candidates, including in areas that Republicans had held for decades, led to the GOP losing control of both chambers of Congress.

Trump on Friday named longtime aide Stephen Miller as his new chief of staff, replacing Susie Wiles. Miller is the architect of the administration’s hardline immigration policies. Trump does not currently have a press secretary after briefly giving the job to Katie Zacharia, who faltered behind the lectern and in interviews, and left the post after five days.

As reporters waited to interview the Rams' star edge rusher, Garrett slowly rose to his feet and answered questions about his first game in two months. The last player in the Los Angeles locker room drew everyone's attention.

When he was asked about giving the Rams the “closer” they had been looking for in a 20-13 win over Washington, Garrett jumped in.

“I am that closer,” Garrett said. “We don’t need to look any further.”

After a seven-game absence, the two-time AP Defensive Player of the Year made his presence felt immediately. He sacked Washington's Jayden Daniels three times and forced a fumble on one of those, showing the Rams what they had been missing since their season-opening debacle against the 49ers in Australia.

Garrett made no tackles in that game while hindered by a knee injury. Against the Commanders, he was a force, helping the Rams (5-4) win their third straight game and move over .500 for the first time this season.

The Rams acquired Garrett from Cleveland in an offseason trade, but his knee was bothering him during training camp and he realized after the San Francisco game that he needed to address it. He had arthroscopic surgery.

“It felt great to be out there with my teammates again,” Garrett said. “Felt rusty as hell in the first half, had a couple penalties, but I know I was going to get it back for us. Just tried to focus on the play that was in and not worry about the last one.”

With Garrett alongside Aaron Donald on the interior, the Rams finally had the vaunted defensive line they'd dreamed of since coaxing Donald out of retirement.

“I think we had some really good rushes,” Donald said. “Got to watch the film and see, but it felt good. Felt like we kind of bottled (Daniels) in, he got there a couple times on us, but for the most part, we had a pretty good game plan, we stuck to it and executed pretty well.”

Washington had to account for Garrett, which led to better matchups for other Rams defenders.

Garrett forced Daniels to fumble on his first sack as a Ram. Washington, leading 10-3 at the time, was trying to throw deep.

“I tried to step up, and I want to say it was Van (Jefferson) on the corner, I was trying to throw it,” Daniels said. “And Myles Garrett happened.”

The Commanders focused on getting the ball out of Daniels' hands quickly, which the Rams took note of.

“Well, they like screens,” Garrett said with a grin. “They love screen plays, they try to get it out quick. We just have to be the best team of getting out the stack and minimizing those big plays from screens.”

Coach Sean McVay was thrilled to have Garrett back and believes more complete performances are possible from his team.

“He was great,” coach Sean McVay said. “The great part about is, is there’s things we can improve upon in terms of some of the penalties. But I thought he was at his best when his best was required. We talk about competitive greatness all the time, did a great job being able to close the game out and make his presence felt. That was big-time today.”

___

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

The Spanish showman, who missed more than four months of the season because of an injured right wrist, continued his late-season surge in style. He has won all three finals he has reached since the U.S. Open two months ago.

Alcaraz took his total to five titles for the year and 29 overall, including the Japan Open last month.

Second-seeded Alcaraz threw his arms out wide in celebration after clinching victory on his second match point with a two-handed backhand winner down the line at the indoor Plenitude Arena. The seven-time Grand Slam champion cracked a broad smile and briefly appeared to cry after earning a ninth Masters title and first in Paris.

“It is something I have been chasing for a long time. Some of the toughest defeats I ever had in my career I have had here," Alcaraz said. "Finally I got my level here. I found the right path and the right way to do things.”

With the season-ending ATP Finals in Turin starting next Sunday he feels in a good position to win that trophy for the first time, too.

“I would say this week I made one step forward mentally," Alcaraz said. “Trying to be positive, trying to stay strong mentally. I’m happy I controlled my emotions every single match.”

Earlier finish this time

Alcaraz won for the fourth time in five meetings with Shelton, who had beaten Alcaraz in a quarterfinal marathon at the U.S. Open ending at 3:33 a.m. Shelton went on to reach the final, where he lost to Alexander Zverev.

Alcaraz saved six break points in the first set of Sunday's final and overcame a break of serve in the second set by breaking the third-seeded Shelton straight back — no mean feat considering Shelton had 12 aces compared to six for Alacaraz.

“He is always in a position to attack after that serve,” Alcaraz explained. “It is really difficult to dominate that ball. It is not only coming fast, it is coming with a lot of power.”

The 23-year-old Alcaraz did not drop a set in Vienna. But it was harder work in Paris and he almost went out on Friday, saving two match points against Taylor Fritz in their quarterfinal.

The 24-year-old Shelton was seeking his eighth title overall and third Masters, having twice won the Montreal title.

The American recently added Juan Carlos Ferrero to his coaching staff, following on from Alcaraz's split with long-time coach Ferrero last year.

There is clearly no animosity between the players over that. Both congratulated each other's shots, and Alcaraz made a point of walking around the net to hug Shelton and pat him on the chest after winning.

Net battle

Both blessed with speed and agility, Alcaraz and Shelton drew each other to the net throughout, trading low, angled volleys.

Pushing the other to the extremities of the court, there were some improbable retrieves, including one by Shelton in the ninth game when the American almost did the splits.

Shelton had an early advantage when he had Alcaraz 0-40 down in the fourth game. The Spaniard went on to save four break points before finally holding.

In the second set, Alcaraz was 4-2 down but broke Shelton back when he hit a forehand long from the back of the court.

After that he definitively changed the momentum.

Closing the gap

Shelton was “frustrated” at the missed opportunities, especially against someone like Alcaraz.

“The window is small. If you miss your chance, it’s likely that another isn’t going to come,” he said. "It also speaks to his level, his ability to be clutch."

That's the next step for Shelton, who believes this defeat and the U.S. Open final loss to Zverev will serve him well.

“When you get to play against the best consistently in big matches, I think that you learn so much,” he said. “Now going to Turin against the eight best players in the world, that’s the positions that I want to be in.”

___

See AP’s full tennis coverage here

“The results have not matched our desired outcome, and I felt that a change in leadership was required for our offense,” Whittingham said in a statement Sunday night. “We need to put our offensive players and the entire team in the best possible position to be successful."

Whittingham named Jim Harding as interim offensive coordinator for the rest of the season. Harding is the team's offensive line coach and assistant head coach. He worked with Whittingham for 12 seasons at Utah, including two years as co-offensive coordinator.

The Wolverines (5-4, 2-4 Big Ten) started the season ranked No. 16 in the AP Top 25 and have fallen short of expectations with one of the nation's worst offenses, shaky special teams and a defense that has been solid at times.

Michigan might fall short of earning a bowl bid as underdogs at No. 18 Oregon (6-3, 3-2) on Saturday, at home against No. 4 UCLA and against rival and 21st-ranked Ohio State on the road.

The Wolverines barely avoided being shut out for the first time since 2014 against rival Michigan State, scoring with 1:35 left in a 15-6 loss after being favored to win by two touchdowns.

Michigan was been held scoreless in the first half three times in a season for the first time since 1979.

Under Beck, the Wolverines were ranked No. 132 out of 138 FBS teams in total offense, No. 126 in scoring, No. 125 in passing offense and No. 109 in rushing offense.

Beck was Whittingham's offensive coordinator at Utah last season, helping the team rank No. 2 in rushing, No. 4 in total offense and No. 5 in scoring offense. He was New Mexico's offensive coordinator in 2024.

“We appreciate the hard work and effort that Jason has dedicated to the program,” Whittingham said. “Jason is a great man and coach, and unfortunately, it did not work out the way that we wanted it to at Michigan. We wish Jason and his family nothing but the best in the future.”

After a 20-14 loss to Minnesota last month, when quarterback Bryce Underwood did not play well one week after making many positive plays in a loss to Iowa, tight end Zach Marshall criticized Beck in group text messages that were leaked on social media.

Marshall publicly apologized, but he did not play in the following game against Penn State due to a noninjury situation, according to Whittingham.

Michigan's quarterback situation that Beck managed was closely watched with a former No. 1 recruit getting benched in favor of a backup with a familiar name.

Underwood was taken out of the game against Penn State after the team was held scoreless in a first half for the first of three straight home games. Tommy Carr, whose grandfathers are College Hall of Famers and brother is Notre Dame's quarterback, successfully filled in for Underwood in a comeback win against the Nittany Lions.

Carr struggled against the Spartans, but Whittingham said the offensive coaches wanted to stick with him and the head coach said he agreed with their call.

No matter who has taken snaps this season, Michigan has failed to consistently make plays on offense and it cost Beck his job.

___

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

Leo used his first public speech in Argentina to lay out a vision of governance, democracy and society sharply at odds with Milei’s, exposing differences over spending cuts, social justice and artificial intelligence that the government had sought to play down ahead of the visit.

“The economy must serve the person, not the person the economy,” Leo told officials, diplomats and civic leaders upon his arrival in Buenos Aires from Uruguay.

Leo’s visit to Argentina is by far the most politically delicate of his three-nation South American tour, and a place where Leo will also confront the complicated legacy of Argentine Pope Francis, who never returned home during his 12-year pontificate.

Milei, a self-described anarcho-capitalist, has staked his presidency on slashing public spending to tame inflation, while describing the notion of social justice as “a horror,” a “moral aberration” and “theft” in recent speeches.

Much like its allies in the Trump administration, Milei’s government has portrayed the cuts as part of a necessary reform process to remake Argentina’s troubled economy and eliminate fraud and waste in the federal bureaucracy.

Ahead of Leo’s arrival in Argentina, the first by a pope in nearly 40 years, Milei’s officials had dismissed the prospect of a political clash.

“There’s no way the pope is coming here to comment on local politics,” Human Capital Minister Sandra Pettovello said in an interview with a Buenos Aires radio station last week. In a message welcoming Leo, Milei said he hoped the trip would “strengthen the faith, renew hope and bring a message of peace to all Argentines.”

A call for civility in politics

Leo took up that message of peace, opening with a call for gentler politics in deeply polarized Argentina. Democracy depends on “careful use of words” and “the ability to see those who think differently as fellow citizens with whom we share a common future,” he said.

Milei’s style is far more combative, costing him allies in Congress and public support. He posts dozens of times a day on social media, branding critics “traitors” and “human trash” and tagging posts #NOLSALP, a Spanish acronym for “We don’t hate journalists enough.”

Milei, who once called Francis the “representative of evil on Earth,” paid homage to the late pope in welcoming Leo on Sunday. Interrupted by applause, he called Francis an “exceptional figure” and “undoubtedly the most important Argentine in history” whose teachings continue to resonate.

He also struck a rare conciliatory tone in welcoming politicians, diplomats and civil society representatives from across Argentina's ideological spectrum to Leo's ceremony.

“There are causes and occasions that transcend our differences,” he said.

On the economy, Leo nodded to Milei’s free-market instincts, urging Argentina to encourage “whatever creates opportunities” and “stimulates private initiative.” But growth must also benefit “those who are disadvantaged,” he said, including the unemployed, retirees and “all those who, despite hard work, nonetheless struggle to meet their household’s needs.”

Milei’s austerity drive has produced a rare budget surplus and slashed annual inflation from 200% to about 32%. But real wages remain below where they were when he took office in late 2023, and roughly 300,000 formal jobs have vanished. Retirees who say they can’t afford medicine on an average monthly pension of $510 have protested outside Congress every Wednesday for more than two years. Milei has mocked the widespread complaint that families can’t make it to the end of the month as “huge stupidity.”

A missionary priest in Peru for two decades, Leo has embraced a pastoral style reminiscent of Francis, who as archbishop of Buenos Aires expanded the ranks of priests serving in the city’s crime-ridden informal settlements.

Leo laid out a Christian vision of democracy, authority and economic progress that ran counter to Milei’s. But he couched the implicit rebuke by referencing the church's social doctrine and papal pronouncements spanning more than six decades, invoking St. John Paul II, the last pope to visit Argentina, in 1987, among others.

That tradition also ran through Francis’ papacy. His 2020 encyclical “Fratelli Tutti” criticized laissez-faire economics and defended social justice and workers’ rights.

Argentina’s bishops, many of them appointed by Francis, have become some of Milei’s most persistent critics. Of the 44 documents on public policy published by the country’s bishops’ conference between January 2024 and September 2026, 42 criticized Milei’s administration, on issues from poverty to migration, according to an analysis by sociologist Sol Prieto from Argentina’s national research council.

Speaking to reporters after a Mass last month at the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral, Archbishop Jorge García Cuerva warned that Leo would find “a wounded Argentina, a divided Argentina.”

Leo supports universities amid funding fight

Leo also took up the cause of Argentina’s public universities, long a source of national pride and social mobility, whose funding cuts of about 40% since 2023 have united much of the country against Milei’s fiscal shock therapy.

Giving young people a future in Argentina means “investing in education, vocational training, universities and research,” he said.

Professors and students have repeatedly taken to the streets in mass protests, demanding the government honor a law passed by Congress to restore professors’ salaries and boost scholarship and research funding after cuts that have driven thousands of academics from their jobs. Milei has refused to implement it, and the fight is tied up in court.

In a survey of nearly 1,200 final-year medical students and doctors in training, published last year by the Argentine Society of Medicine’s research council, more than 80% said they had considered emigrating, and nearly a third had started applying for foreign citizenship.

“A nation must seriously ask itself where it has failed when its young people have to leave their homeland in order to make their dreams come true,” Leo said.

A warning on natural resources and AI

Leo also said Argentina’s natural resources must serve “the well-being of communities,” language that could be read as a warning about Milei’s bet on oil, gas and mining. To lure investment, Milei has loosened protections for glaciers that supply much of the country’s water, and he has called human-caused global warming a “socialist lie.”

Milei’s push for investment has increasingly focused on artificial intelligence. With promises of minimal regulation and cheap energy, he is courting tech companies to build data centers in the southern Patagonia region. His government has also embraced AI for policing, which rights groups warn could enable mass surveillance.

Leo, who has made AI a signature concern of his papacy, warned on Sunday that rapid advances in the technology demand “careful consideration of the consequences of their application and the responsibilities of those who decide how to use them.”

___

Associated Press writer Almudena Calatrava contributed to this report

—-

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

Tonight

Clear skies will reign this evening as dry air continues to sit over us in the mid levels of the atmosphere. Our clear starry skies mixed with a light northerly wind will allow temperatures to fall into the low 60s along the I-4 corridor, upper 50s to low 60s to the north and west of I-4, and mid-upper 60s along the 95 corridor and the coast.

Monday

Our warming trend slowly begins on Monday as our winds gradually introduce more of an easterly onshore component to them, dragging a tad more heat and humidity into the area. We will remain dry but will see a few more fair-weather clouds in our skies Monday afternoon. Highs will hit the low-mid 80s once again.

Mid-Week

Our warming trend peaks by Wednesday as our winds shift out of the west ahead of our cold front. This will allow our high temperatures to climb into the mid-80s with an uptick in humidity as well. A few showers are expected Wednesday and Thursday with an uptick in moisture ahead of our front.

Into the Weekend

This cold front will swing through overnight Thursday into Friday morning. Northerly winds on the backside of this front will drop our high temperatures Friday afternoon into the 60s! Lows over the weekend are expected in the 40s. This will be the first time we have seen 40s in 241 days!

Puka Nacua caught 14 passes from Matthew Stafford for 150 yards and a touchdown, Myles Garrett had three sacks and a forced fumble in his return, and Los Angeles held on for its third consecutive victory, 20-13 over the Washington Commanders on Sunday.

The Rams (5-4) moved over .500 for the first time this season.

“I thought our guys did a great job of being able to find a way,” coach Sean McVay said. “There was a lot of opportunities that we missed offensively to make plays, extend drives, but they did enough. I love the way that Matthew responded after the turnover where he leads us down the field — had a bunch of gutsy conversions.”

Stafford threw for 219 yards with an interception on 26-of-43 passing. Nacua, seemingly open all afternoon, was the target on 19 of those attempts.

“He was awesome,” McVay said. “That’s one of the things that we want to be able to show as coaches, is show confidence to come right back to you. He made a bunch of plays. We needed all 14 of those catches.”

Nacua made a leaping, contested catch in the corner of the end zone for a 7-yard touchdown that broke a 13-all tie early in the fourth quarter.

“It's been something that we've been calling on our offense, to be able to execute on those critical downs,” Nacua said. “Obviously, still putting the defense out there at the end in that fourth quarter is something that we want to try to avoid, but when we're getting points in the red zone, it feels a lot better. Something that we can continue to improve upon.”

Garrett gave a lift to the Rams' defense in his first action since Los Angeles' season-opening loss to the 49ers in Australia. The All-Pro defensive end had missed seven games with a knee injury.

Jayden Daniels threw for 274 yards, but the Commanders (2-6-1) couldn't generate enough offense to keep up with the Rams. Absent Treylon Burks, and with top wideout Terry McLaurin out for the season, the Commanders' passing game was inconsistent.

Two Washington drives in the final minutes ended without points, including a lateral play as time expired.

“Frustrating game,” coach Dan Quinn said. “Once again, we have not nailed our complementary football and I'll keep saying it until we do. We're halfway through the season, and that all has to click. After stops, I don't think we capitalized.”

After a sluggish first half, the Rams' offense began to move the ball more consistently. Nacua was a large part of that resurgence.

The Commanders took a 10-6 lead into halftime with a defensive stand to force a Rams field goal as time expired. Van Jefferson caught a 7-yard touchdown pass from Daniels early in the second quarter for the only touchdown of the first half.

Garrett and the Rams' defense locked down after that. Despite being down two cornerbacks, the Rams forced either a punt or a turnover on five straight Commanders drives. Washington ended that scoreless stretch thanks to Nick Cross' interception of Stafford; the Commanders gained only 9 yards on four plays and kicked a field goal.

That was Washington's only score in the final 44 minutes.

Garrett, acquired from Cleveland in the offseason, had a strip-sack of Daniels — his first sack as a Ram — late in the first half to set up Brandon McManus' short field goal. That followed a fumble by Nacua that gave Washington the ball.

The Commanders are running out of time to salvage their season. They face the NFC East-leading New York Giants on Thursday night.

“All that said, it's a short week,” Quinn said. “It's our division leader on the road. And we've got to go. We have to play all three phases together. Seen too much of it where it's part of it, not the whole thing. It has to get right — it has to. We're too far along to not have it all working together.”

Injuries

Rams: Guard Steve Avila left with a hamstring injury and did not return.

Commanders: Guard Lucas Patrick was ruled out with a concussion. Cornerback Amik Robertson was injured midway through the fourth quarter and did not return.

Up next

Rams: At Arizona next Sunday.

Commanders: Visit the Giants in a near-must-win game.

___

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

Winston-Salem police said officers who were on campus for homecoming events heard gunshots around 9:45 p.m. Saturday. They found a 19-year-old man with a gunshot wound. They rendered aid but the man died at the scene.

A 22-year-old woman who had what appeared to be a gunshot wound was taken to a hospital, where she was treated and later released.

Assistant Chief Jason Swaim said at a news conference the investigation led to Ziyaire Spinks, 20, who was arrested and being held without bond on charges of murder, assault with a deadly weapon and possession of a firearm on educational property.

According to police, the shooting stemmed from an argument between two groups of people. They confirmed Spinks was not a student at the university.

A second shooting on campus happened less than an hour later, with police responding when they heard shots. In that case, Swaim said two people were injured when gunfire erupted following an altercation.

Authorities said they were investigating to determine if there was any connection between the two shootings. No arrests have been made in the second case.

Chief William Penn, Jr. of the Winston-Salem Police Department vowed during a news conference that authorities will find all of those responsible for the violence at the school.

“It’s important that the blame of these tragic events go to the right people and that’s the folks who committed these acts,” he said, asking people not to point fingers while the investigation is ongoing.

University officials canceled the remainder of homecoming activities Sunday, saying instead that a local church planned to lead a call for prayers in support of the community.

On social media, community members were sharing their condolences and asking for prayers.

Chancellor Bonita J. Brown called the shootings “senseless violence.” In a statement, she assured students, faculty and parents that the campus was secure and that additional law enforcement would remain while the investigation continues.

The school offered counseling for anyone in need.

“We also recognize the concern and anxiety these events have created among our students, parents, families and broader community,” Brown said. “We take our responsibility for campus safety seriously."

Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough, Jr. echoed the sentiments of the chancellor and other law enforcement officials during the news conference.

“Right now, the community is in need of your prayers. The community is in need of us coming together,” Kimbrough said.

___

Montoya Bryan reported from Albuquerque, New Mexico.

But if the Kremlin is hearing the ticking of a clock on its nearly 5-year-old full-scale invasion of its neighbor, it seemingly remains unperturbed.

Asked if the election's outcome could stymie U.S. attempts to help negotiate a settlement between Moscow and Kyiv, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov voiced hope that U.S. President Donald Trump will continue to pursue his peace efforts.

“There is groundwork already in place, and another round of trilateral negotiations is set to take place very soon,” Peskov said of talks planned for Tuesday and Wednesday involving Russian, Ukrainian and U.S. representatives in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

He also praised the “successful humanitarian peace-building efforts” by first lady Melania Trump, adding that “we hope that all of this will continue.” Last week’s limited ceasefire around the Russia-occupied city of Oleshky, brokered with her help, allowed for the delivery of humanitarian aid and the evacuation of some residents.

Peskov shrugged off a question from reporters on whether the new Congress would challenge Trump’s stance on Russia and Ukraine. He called it an “internal matter” for the U.S.

Trump’s recent moves have appeared to favor Moscow

Last month, he struck a diesel fuel import deal with Russia in a stunning reversal of years of U.S. pressure on the Kremlin, to the dismay of Ukraine and its European allies. He also claimed that Kyiv’s attacks on Russian oil refineries caused a spike in diesel prices in the U.S. He urged Kyiv to halt the strikes, even though rising global energy prices were largely driven by the Iran war.

Trump also issued an executive order to put on hold sweeping new sanctions that clamped down on the Russian economy, telling Congress the pause was in the national interest. Lawmakers from both parties blasted Trump's move as benefiting Russian President Vladimir Putin.

At the same time, Ukraine reported a throttling of Starshield, the military-grade version of the Starlink satellite internet service owned by Elon Musk’s SpaceX. Trump denied being behind the brief slowing of Starshield, but the move to limit the system that serves as the backbone of Ukraine’s drone operations and battlefield communications was widely seen as part of Washington’s efforts to pressure Kyiv.

The diesel deal appeared to falter this week after U.S. federal and state officials warned that handling any shipments could bring legal consequences, and two U.S.-bound tankers changed course. The Kremlin sought to play down the development, saying deliveries will continue.

Kyiv desperately needs to replenish its supplies of U.S.-made Patriot interceptors to fend off Russia’s ballistic missile attacks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has made repeated requests for Washington to speed up delivery of the defensive systems, but U.S. stockpiles have been exhausted by the Iran war, and the U.S. has prioritized replenishing its own arsenals.

On Oct. 30, the Trump administration said it has approved a proposed $2.1 billion sale of Patriot interceptors for Ukraine after Kyiv had accused the Pentagon of delaying delivery.

Trump also appeared to echo the Kremlin’s view that Zelenskyy was an obstacle to peace while saying Putin was more open to a deal.

Trump on Thursday conferred with Putin’s envoy Kirill Dmitriev, who attended a White House ceremony with the first lady recognizing last week’s humanitarian truce. The president didn’t meet any of the Ukrainian officials also at the event but hinted that some kind of grand deal about European security was in the works.

Many in Russia argue that the Democrats' victory could put congressional pressure on Trump to tread more carefully and toughen his stand on Russia.

Dmitry Medvedev, who served as Russian president in 2008-12, predicted that Trump would be less inclined to press Ukraine when a new Congress is seated.

"He doesn’t need an extra confrontation with Democrats,” said Medvedev, who now serves as deputy head of Russia’s Security Council.

The new House and Senate could boost aid to Ukraine

There has been strong bipartisan support for Ukraine, raising the prospect of veto-proof passage of more aid to Kyiv or tough new sanctions on Moscow.

On Wednesday, Zelenskyy told German broadcaster ZDF that while there has been backing for Kyiv from both parties, the Democrats “speak very clearly about supporting Ukraine."

In other remarks Thursday, the Ukrainian leader also noted the midterm elections could have a positive effect on U.S. assistance, including speedier delivery of the Patriot interceptors. “I believe our chances of getting additional assistance from the United States may now grow,” he said.

Abbas Gallyamov, a former Putin speechwriter-turned-political analyst who lives abroad, argued that his old boss had missed a chance of striking a deal on Ukraine before the Democrats won and now could face a less cooperative Washington.

“Putin’s prospects have significantly worsened,” Gallyamov wrote in a commentary. “He thought that the time was on his side and wasn’t in a hurry to use the window of opportunity that had opened after Trump’s victory, and now this window is starting to close.”

Some policy experts, however, cautioned against expectations of a dramatic shift.

The Democrats could put more funding for Ukraine on the agenda and increase pressure on Trump over the diesel deal or Russia sanctions waivers, but hard limits on the president’s power are unlikely, said Jorn Fleck, senior director of the Atlantic Council’s Europe Center.

“Even with a strong majority in both chambers of Congress, Democrats will struggle to impose meaningful limits on Trump’s conduct of foreign policy, given his constitutional powers and willingness to push the envelope,” Fleck said in a commentary. “Unshackled from having to face voters at the ballot box again, Trump may shift into deal-making overdrive to cement his legacy.”

Some expect a more hard-line Trump

Konstantin Kosachev, a deputy speaker of the upper house of the Russian parliament, argued that Trump’s executive powers in the foreign policy sphere would allow him to pursue his course regardless of congressional opposition.

He said if authorities in Kyiv believed that the Republicans’ defeat would make the Trump administration more receptive to Ukraine’s requests, they could be mistaken.

“They will not find a more pliable or constrained Trump," Kosachev said. “Rather, they will face a more resolute one, who is no longer looking over his shoulder at upcoming elections.”

For all the importance of Congress, "the U.S. president’s role in foreign policy remains paramount — a fact Trump understands better than anyone else,” he said.

Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna struck a similar tone in an interview Thursday with The Associated Press, saying "the president is President Trump,” and he has the ability to dictate foreign and security policy. “Unpredictability” should be expected, he added.

Kosachev said that by pinning their hopes on a victory by the Democrats, Kyiv and its allies in London, Brussels and other capitals in Europe have sided with Trump's domestic political adversaries.

"Consequently, they are all but guaranteed two years of a hard-line Trump,” he said.

——

Emma Burrows in Tallinn, Estonia, contributed.

The 22-year-old defender netted with a wrist shot from the point to make it 2-0 in the opening period of the Group A game.

Casey O’Brien opened the scoring and added an assist in her second game for the U.S. after marking her debut with a goal and an assist in a 7-0 victory over Switzerland in their opener on Friday.

Alex Carpenter made it 3-0 in the middle period and Abbey Murphy and Joy Dunne scored one apiece to finish the scoring in the third.

Captain Hilary Knight registered an assist to improve her worlds records for assists to 54 and points to 122.

Defender Caroline Harvey contributed two assists and has five in two games.

Goalie Gwyneth Philips posted a 13-shot shutout.

The U.S. will next play in Esbjerg against Austria on Monday.

Canada wins again

Canada also stayed perfect with two wins from two games after routing Japan 9-0.

Nine different players scored in the Group B game in Herning.

Erin Ambrose, Daryl Watts and Kendall Cooper had a goal and an assist each, and Chloe Primerano, Rosalie Tremblay, Emma Maltais, Sophie Jaques, Sarah Wozniewicz and Caitlin Kraemer also scored.

Primerano set the pace by putting the Canadians ahead 6:29 into the game by scoring on her own rebound.

Jaques, Wozniewicz and Kraemer scored the last three in the span of 1:32 late in the final period.

Canada goalie Eve Gascon made 14 saves for the shutout.

Next, Canada meets host Denmark in Herning on Monday.

In Group A, Alina Muller scored in overtime for Switzerland to prevail 2-1 over the Czech Republic.

Earlier in Group B , Sweden recovered from an opening 5-1 defeat to Canada by topping rival Finland 4-1. Hilda Svensson had a power play goal and an assist for Sweden.

___

See AP’s full women’s hockey coverage here

The Bulldogs turned in one of the most dominant performances of the season in a 42-7 victory at Mississippi on Saturday. Unbeaten Utah moved up one spot to No. 2 with its 28-20 win over rival and then-No. 10-ranked BYU.

Notre Dame’s 31-24 win over Miami pushed them up one rung to No. 3, while the Hurricanes fell to No. 5 after their first loss. That makes Miami the fourth No. 1 team to get knocked out of the top spot, the most in a single season since 2008.

UCLA, which is 9-0 for the first time since 1998, moved up to No. 4.

Further down in the poll, Ohio State’s free fall continued. A 41-28 home loss to Oregon sent the Buckeyes to No. 21 and put the Ducks back on the map at No. 18.

Only one team — No. 6 Indiana, which was idle — remained in the same spot it had a week ago in the Top 25.

See what to look for this season in the analysis below.

Here are the latest rankings and analysis:

Ask a voter: Predictions for the College Football Playoff semifinals?

By JAVON EDMONDS

Way to put me on the spot! I’ll take Georgia, Notre Dame, Miami and Alabama.

Only Indiana stayed put

By MAURA CAREY

Only one team stayed put after a chaotic Week 10 in the AP Top 25, and that was Indiana.

Every other team reshuffled, however. Miami fell from No. 1 to No. 5, and previous Nos. 2-4 each moved up a spot.

The Hoosiers had the week off, but they weren’t the only ones with a break. USC was also idle but benefited from Ole Miss, Missouri and Ohio State losing, pushing the Trojans up three spots to No. 15.

Indiana and USC are two of the three highest-ranked Big Ten teams behind an undefeated UCLA that cracked the top five this week.

Ask a voter: What does a team’s schedule do for the top 25?

By JAVON EDMONDS

I think it’s the same as how an AP class boosted your GPA in high school. It gives you a boost, but at the end of the day, if you have all C’s in your classes, maybe it’s time to drop down to the honors courses.

You can play all the tough opponents you want, but you still have to win the games.

Ohio State slots in at its lowest rank since 2014

By MAURA CAREY

The Buckeyes fell 10 spots to No. 21 after a 41-28 upset loss to Oregon this week. It’s Ohio State’s lowest ranking since 2014, when the Buckeyes fell to No. 22 two weeks after losing to Virginia Tech.

Ohio State went on to win the next 13 games that year, including the National Championship.

And then there were 8

By MAURA CAREY

The SEC, which has led the nation in ranked teams all season, still holds that distinction. But the conference is down to eight teams in the AP Top 25 after starting the week with 10.

Missouri dropped out after a 34-20 loss to Texas, falling from No. 19. The Tigers are now 6-3 overall and 3-3 in SEC play, very likely shutting the door on a College Football Playoff berth. Florida also tumbled out after a 23-7 home loss to a struggling Oklahoma team. At 5-4 after back-to-back losses, a bowl game is Florida’s ceiling this year.

Inside Miami’s week: Tim Reynolds goes behind the scenes

By TIM REYNOLDS

“I wish it had been a touchdown.”

That was University of Miami President Joe Echevarria’s reaction outside the locker room on Saturday night following the Hurricanes’ controversial 31-24 loss to Notre Dame.

The postgame frustration in South Bend was only a small part of a turbulent week for Miami. The Hurricanes lost standout receiver Malachi Toney to an ankle injury leading up to their biggest test of the season, then saw their unbeaten season come to an end in a game that came down to a disputed fourth-quarter catch.

AP’s Tim Reynolds spent much of the week behind the scenes with the then-No. 1 Hurricanes. Take a look inside Miami’s week here.

Week 10 separated SEC contenders

By MAURA CAREY

After much offseason debate following Lane Kiffin’s mid-playoff departure, neither LSU nor Ole Miss is in particularly stellar standing to make the 12-team playoff.

Both teams fell to 6-3 in Week 10 after losses to Alabama and Georgia. Alabama was the only three-loss playoff team last year, and the third loss stemmed from the SEC championship game, which the committee ruled was not enough to count against them.

Georgia is the only one-loss SEC team. Alabama, Kentucky, Texas and Tennessee each sit at 7-2.

South Carolina, Ole Miss, LSU and Missouri are each 6-3.

Ask a voter: Walk us through your top 10 this week

By JAVON EDMONDS

I had to go through each conference this week and pull out which teams actually deserve a vote. Then I had to rank those teams. Once I got down to a 25-team pool that I was fine with, I went about slotting each team into a ranking. I made sure head-to-head took priority this week , and I made sure no three-loss teams were on the playoff bubble.

I think Georgia’s dominance this season has been like any other team and, although I think officiating got in the way, that win at Alabama is a strong complement to a dominant win in Oxford.

Utah isn’t too far behind in terms of dominance this year and its two ranked wins are just behind Georgia’s, in my opinion. If someone said Utah’s win at Colorado should lift it past Georgia, considering the Bulldogs’ home loss to Auburn, I wouldn’t argue with them.

Notre Dame showed me it’s one of maybe five teams that can actually win a national championship, and so did Miami. When the Hurricanes get Malachi Toney back, that’ll be the most dangerous passing attack in the country. I just worry about their defense.

And having undefeated UCLA anything lower than five would’ve been criminal. That is the best team in the Big Ten and I’m not sure it’s a debate (side note: imagine if we had a Pac-12 this year with UCLA, USC, Utah, BYU, Arizona, Oregon and Boise State).

Utah reaches new heights

By MAURA CAREY

Utah’s No. 2 ranking is the program’s highest regular-season spot in the AP Top 25. The Utes last ranked No. 2 at the end of the 2008 season after a perfect 13-0 campaign that ended with a 31-17 Sugar Bowl win over Alabama.

Utah finished behind Florida in the AP Top 25 that year. Before this season, the Utes hadn’t seen a top-five ranking since 2019.

Conference breakdown

By MAURA CAREY

The SEC has eight ranked teams in the AP Top 25 this week: No. 1 Georgia, No. 7 Alabama, No. 8 Texas, No. 9 Tennessee, No. 13 Kentucky, No. 19 Ole Miss, No. 20 South Carolina and No. 24 LSU.

The Big Ten has six teams in the mix: No. 4 UCLA, No. 6 Indiana, No. 15 USC, No. 16 Iowa, No. 18 Oregon and No. 21 Ohio State.

The Big 12 has five in the poll: No. 2 Utah, No. 10 Texas Tech, No. 12 BYU, No. 14 Houston and No. 22 Arizona.

The ACC has three ranked teams: No. 5 Miami, No. 11 Wake Forest and No. 25 SMU.

No. 17 Boise State is the Pac-12’s sole ranked team, and No. 23 New Mexico is the only ranked team in the Mountain West. No. 3 Notre Dame is independent.

How the votes are counted

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

For decades, voters called, emailed and faxed their votes to the AP and ballots were tabulated by hand.

Now voting happens online, and the count is automated first before AP checks for miscues.

The poll operates on a 1-to-25-point system, with the No. 1 team receiving 25 points down to the 25th team receiving 1 point. In between, the poll lists the teams with the most points from 24 down to 2. Teams that receive votes but not enough to make the top 25 are noted separately.

Georgia reclaims No. 1

By MAURA CAREY

The Bulldogs have reclaimed the No. 1 ranking in the AP Top 25 after a three-week hiatus, but it wasn’t a unanimous decision.

Georgia received 53 first-place votes this week after a 42-7 rout of Ole Miss – a game the Bulldogs entered as narrow 3.5-point favorites. No. 2 Utah received 12 first-place votes following its 28-20 win over then-No. 7 BYU. And Notre Dame claimed five first-place votes after knocking off Miami.

Ask a voter: Do you bias traditionally successful teams?

By JAVON EDMONDS

I couldn’t care less about tradition.

What Derek Jeter did for the Yankees isn’t going to do anything for Aaron Judge’s teams, and Michigan’s history doesn’t automatically make it a better team today than Indiana.

I care about who you’ve played, who you’ve beaten and what my eyes tell me about your team.

AP Top 25 temperature check

By MAURA CAREY

Heating up: Georgia (1), Utah (2), Notre Dame (3), UCLA (4), Alabama (7), Texas (8), Tennessee (9), Texas Tech (10), Wake Forest (11), Houston (14), USC (15), Iowa (16), Boise State (17), Oregon (18), South Carolina (20), Arizona (22), SMU (25).

Cooling down: Miami (5), BYU (12), Kentucky (13), Ole Miss (19), Ohio State (21), New Mexico (23), LSU (24), Missouri (OUT), Florida (OUT).

Holding steady: Indiana (6).

Ask a voter: When it comes to resumes, how do you balance Utah vs. Notre Dame?

By JAVON EDMONDS

This one was rather easy. Do I think Notre Dame would win the head-to-head? Yes.

But Utah has the better resume.

Most importantly, they have a common opponent in BYU. Notre Dame lost to the Cougars, who have lost twice since then, and Utah won.

AP Top 25 poll rankings

1. Georgia

2. Utah

3. Notre Dame

4. UCLA

5. Miami (Fla.)

6. Indiana

7. Alabama

8. Texas

9. Tennessee

10. Texas Tech

11. Wake Forest

12. BYU

13. Kentucky

14. Houston

15. USC

16. Iowa

17. Boise State

18. Oregon

19. Ole Miss

20. South Carolina

21. Ohio State

22. Arizona

23. New Mexico

24. LSU

25. SMU

Others receiving votes: Missouri, Duke, Oklahoma State, Liberty, Louisville, North Texas.

Ask a voter: What happens to the ACC in the CFP if Wake Forest wins out?

By JAVON EDMONDS

I have spent the last month figuring out if there is a path for the ACC to have two playoff teams. (Louisville’s two-game losing streak a few weeks ago really messed that up.)

I think the ACC would need Miami and the winner of Wake Forest-SMU on Saturday to win out. And the winner of that game would have to beat Miami in the ACC title game.

Wake Forest rolls to 77-0 win over Merrimack

By MAURA CAREY

Redshirt freshman quarterback Steele Pizzella stepped in for banged-up Gio Lopez at quarterback and led Wake Forest to a 77-0 win over FCS Merrimack. Pizzella threw for 432 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 63 yards and a score – all in the first half.

He became the first Demon Deacon to pass for 400+ yards since Hank Bachmaier in 2024. Wake Forest finished the day with 730 yards of total offense.

Wake Forest (8-1, 5-1 ACC) is second in the Atlantic Coast Conference standings behind top-ranked Miami.

Ask a voter: Why would Notre Dame be ranked higher than Utah?

By JAVON EDMONDS

This felt like a week of three-team tiebreakers. Notre Dame/Utah/BYU and Alabama/Kentucky/Tennessee were the two scenarios I cared about the most.

The resume has to matter right now, and there’s no point in playing the games if head-to-head doesn’t matter. I have the Utes at No. 2, Notre Dame No. 3 and BYU at No. 12.

Tennessee’s defense overpowers Kentucky

By MAURA CAREY

One of the more surprising teams of the season, Kentucky, couldn’t find its momentum against Tennessee in a 34-6 loss on Saturday.

A strong Vols defense kept the Wildcats from the end zone and forced three turnovers. Dejuan Lane picked off Kentucky quarterback Kenny Minchey on his second drive, setting the tone for the rest of the game.

Minchey turned the ball over for a second time as Tennessee safety Qua Moss forced a fumble late in the third quarter. It was Moss’s second forced fumble of the contest.

Senior linebacker Arion Carter had a standout day with 13 tackles, two sacks, four tackles for losses and a quarterback hurry.

Ask a voter: Where will Oregon land?

By JAVON EDMONDS

The Ducks got off to too slow a start to make the playoffs. We are not at a point in the year where any three-loss teams should be in the top 12, especially Oregon.

Oregon should be ranked in the 20s, maybe the high teens, but the losses to Oklahoma State and Illinois ended its season weeks ago.

Longhorns notch sixth straight ranked win

By MAURA CAREY

The Longhorns boosted their CFP resume on Saturday with a 34-20 win over No. 19 Missouri, marking the program’s sixth straight win over an AP Top 25 opponent.

In one of Arch Manning’s best performances of the season, the quarterback threw for 297 yards and three touchdowns, a combination that paired well with a dominant Longhorns defense.

Texas cornerback Graceson Littleton ended Mizzou’s hopes of a comeback after coming up with an interception with 1:41 remaining. Raleek Brown ran it in for the game-winning touchdown 16 seconds later.

The Longhorns have now knocked off then-No. 1 Ohio State, No. 14 Tennessee, No. 7 Ole Miss and No. 19 Missouri.

Oklahoma wins big in the swamp

Oklahoma played what coach Brent Venables described as its best four quarters this season in a 23-7 road defeat of Florida on Saturday.

It was Oklahoma’s first game of the season with Jason Witten serving as interim offensive coordinator, and the Sooners offense did the job.

Quarterback John Mateer completed 21 of 33 passes for 207 yards and a pair of short touchdown passes, but a 20-play touchdown drive that took 12:45 off the clock in the fourth quarter proved to be the difference-maker for the Sooners.

After back-to-back losses, the once playoff hopeful Gators are now out of the conversation.

Kiffin’s dry spell against Alabama extends to 0-5

By MAURA CAREY

Lane Kiffin rolled up to Tiger Stadium with Shaquille O’Neal, Angel Reese, Paul Skenes and Kevin Costner, but no amount of star power could help LSU on Saturday in a 31-13 loss to Alabama.

Keelon Russell’s toughness was on full display as the Alabama quarterback fought through an ankle injury that required a short stint in the injury tent. He completed 17 of 24 passes for 206 yards and three touchdowns.

LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt threw for 380 yards, but an interception, missed field goal and four failed fourth-down attempts held the Tigers to just 13 points.

Kiffin is now 0-5 against Alabama as a head coach.

Ohio State stumbles again

Oregon is beginning to find its groove with Dylan Raiola leading the charge, but the same can’t be said for an Ohio State team also operating under its backup quarterback.

The Buckeyes lost their second straight and third overall as the preseason No. 1 team stumbled to a 41-28 loss to preseason No. 2 Oregon on Saturday.

Ohio State took an early 14-point lead, which Oregon responded to by scoring on four of the next five drives to take full control of the game.

The loss leaves UCLA, Indiana, Iowa and USC as the last Big Ten teams standing in the playoff picture and not in three-loss purgatory.

Who decides the rankings?

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

AP Top 25 voters are writers and broadcasters who cover college football.

AP employees do not vote, but they do choose the voters, and they seek wide representation from all over the country. This season, there are 69 voters.

The focus begins with voter representation in states with a Bowl Subdivision school, and the total number of voters from each state increases with the number of FBS teams. There are also spots reserved for national voters.

The AP allows broad latitude for voters to determine their rankings. They are urged to base their votes on performance, not reputation or preseason speculation (except, of course, for the always provocative preseason poll); to avoid regional bias, for or against; to pay attention to head-to-head results; and to make significant changes if desired.

Georgia rolls past Ole Miss

By MAURA CAREY

One of the more highly anticipated Southeastern Conference matchups of the season ended in a blowout, as Georgia cruised to a 42-7 defeat of Ole Miss on Saturday night.

The Bulldogs dominated on both sides of the ball, forcing two turnovers and sacking quarterback Trinidad Chambliss five times while allowing just one score. Quarterback Gunner Stockton accounted for five total touchdowns, four passing and one on foot.

Three of Stockton’s four touchdown passes belonged to receiver Talyn Taylor. The Bulldogs found success in the running game, outrushing a Kewan Lacy-less Ole Miss team 295-66.

It was Georgia’s fifth win by 35 points or more over a top-10 team in the CFP era (since 2014).

Lake Monroe hit 4.8 feet on Monday. It had already climbed to 5.22 feet in a later city update, and projections show the lake could reach 6.2 feet by Wednesday — roughly a foot and a half higher than where it started the week.

What’s driving the rise

The higher water levels are tied to conditions along the St. Johns River, where levels are expected to keep climbing over the next several days. A National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration tracker shows projected river levels continuing to rise in the short term.

City officials said they are closely monitoring the situation as floodwaters begin threatening roads near the lake.

Seminole Boulevard at risk

Seminole Boulevard, which runs near Lake Monroe in Sanford, is in the path of the rising water. If flooding reaches the roadway, officials said they may close portions of the boulevard to protect drivers and pedestrians.

As of the latest city update, no road closures had been announced.

The city said it will continue watching water levels and will notify residents if closures become necessary.

Two goals down inside the opening four minutes against Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday and trailing 4-2 going into second-half added time, United rallied to a 4-4 draw on another night of mayhem and drama at Old Trafford.

Substitutes Joshua Zirkzee and Patrick Dorgu sparked a party inside the iconic stadium with their late rescue act after fans had been in mutinous mood, staging more protests against the club’s owners.

Whether it has sufficiently eased the pressure on coach Michael Carrick after the comeback win against Roma in the Champions League midweek remains to be seen.

The 20-time English champion still goes into the international break 18th in the standings and in the relegation zone with just one win from 10 games. United's winless run in the league was extended to eight.

“I don’t like the situation where we are, I don’t like the results that we’ve had, but we can definitely do something about it,” Carrick told Sky Sports.

Carrick determined to fight on

Even after another rousing fightback, Carrick's position remains uncertain, with United still searching for a first league win since Aug. 30.

Afterwards he defiantly insisted he would not walk away despite such a troubled campaign, which was already the club's worst start since the 1986-87 season.

“That’s not going to happen,” he said. “We understand the situation. We haven’t won enough games, but I expect to move forward and keep working on the things that we’ve been working on and showing a lot of good in the game today, tighten up on a few mistakes and win football matches.”

After going 2-0 down against Roma inside 17 minutes on Tuesday, United conceded twice in the first four against Villa, with Alysson and Nicolas Jackson on target.

Once again there was a response — Bruno Fernandes scoring from the penalty spot and Youri Tielemans leveling before the break.

Villa soon reasserted its dominance in the second half, with John McGinn converting a penalty and Leon Goretska adding a fourth.

United looked to be headed for its fifth league defeat until Zirkzee converted inside the box and Dorgu headed in from a corner in the sixth minute of added time.

“I don’t feel happy. We are in a bad situation and we need to fight together to get out of it,” Dorgu said. “Everyone needs to look at themselves and ask themselves if they are good enough. We need to fight for the coach and the club. We need to get out of this together.”

International break

Television cameras repeatedly focused on United chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox as United looked to be on the verge of another defeat.

They will be under scrutiny during the two-week international break, which has often been a time when clubs make coaching changes.

United’s hierarchy opted to give the popular Carrick — a serial winner title-winner as a player with United — the chance to repair the damage of a ruinous start.

Even after salvaging a late draw, there is still likely to be speculation about his position before United next plays against fierce rival Liverpool on Nov. 22.

Brighton goes second

High flying Brighton moved up second in the Premier League with a 2-0 win against Brentford.

Liverpool is back to winning ways, beating Crystal Palace 3-1, while Chelsea fell to a surprise 1-0 defeat to relegation-fighting Sunderland.

Brighton's outstanding start to the campaign continued with a seventh win from 10 games to leave it five points adrift of leader and defending champion Arsenal.

Goals from Diego Gomez and Pascal Gross secured victory at the Amex Stadium for Fabian Hurzeler's team, which is becoming the surprise story of the season.

Liverpool bounced back from back-to-back losses to Arsenal in the league and Fenerbahce in the Champions League to pick up three points at Palace.

Alexis Mac Allister, Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak were all on target at Selhurst Park. A stoppage-time penalty from Eddie Nketiah reduced the deficit, but did little to ease the pressure on Palace coach Pierre Sage, with his team bottom of the standings heading into the international break.

Isak now has eight goals in all competitions for Liverpool this season.

Sunderland moved off the foot of the table with victory against Chelsea. Enzo Le Fee's first-half penalty settled the game at the Stadium of Light and saw Chelsea drop to fifth, with Liverpool climbing to fourth.

Bournemouth is seventh after a 2-1 win at Ipswich. Evanilson scored his seventh goal in eight games to put Bournemouth ahead at Portman Road and a Leif Davis own-goal made it 2-0 at the break.

Jack Clarke pulled one back for Ipswich with a second-half penalty.

___

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

___

See AP’s full soccer coverage here

The Health Ministry gave the casualty toll, saying in a statement that over 70 of the injured were discharged after receiving treatment.

The crash happened in al-Ayyat district in Giza province, about 52 kilometers (32 miles) south of Cairo, when a train traveling to southwestern Fayoum province crashed into the rear of a train heading to the southern province of Aswan, according to the Transportation Ministry.

The Chief Prosecutor's office said late Sunday its investigators had arrived at the site. An inspection indicated that the crash took place when the Giza-Fayyoum train collided with the last car of the Cairo-Aswan train, which was stationary on the same track and traveling in the same direction, officials said.

Train derailments and crashes are common in Egypt, where the railway system has a history of mismanagement and poor maintenance of equipment. In recent years, the government has announced modernization initiatives.

Ayman Gamal, a resident of Kafr Girza in al-Ayyat where the crash happened, said people living nearby rushed to the scene, pulled out survivors and called ambulances.

Gamal said that he saw around 80 of the injured being taken by ambulances to nearby hospitals. Some passengers were trapped inside one of the cars of the stationary train and were dead when they were pulled out, he said.

Outside al-Wasta Central Hospital in Beni Suef province, where some of the injured were taken for treatment, survivors said passengers were in shock and struggling to breathe because of all the dust that was kicked up. Nearby villagers eventually got them out, they said.

Farha Gamal, a survivor who was inside the Fayyoum train, said she saw some of the passengers who appeared dead and others were struggling to find their way out of the car.

“There were other cars that were completely mangled," she said in an interview.

President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi said in a social media post that he ordered a prompt investigation into the crash.

Emergency teams and cranes were dispatched to the scene to clear the wreckage and restore train services to their normal schedule as soon as possible, the Egyptian Railway Authority said.

Last September, a train driver and his assistant were injured after two freight trains collided in the same district.

Egypt’s deadliest train crash was in 2002, when more than 300 people were killed after a fire broke out on an overnight train journeying from Cairo to southern Egypt.

Ja’Marr Chase had eight receptions for 142 yards in a career-high first half for him. Tee Higgins added two touchdown catches at Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Chase finished with 10 catches for 155 yards and a touchdown.

After his 47-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter, Chase celebrated with Higgins in bullfighting style, with Higgins mimicking a bull by putting his hands on his head and Chase playing the matador with an imaginary cape.

“It was one of my best performances," Chase said. "I just was getting good looks all day, honestly. I can say that. Joe was just believing in me on those one-on-one matchups and every time he got the opportunity, he was just feeding me."

Burrow appeared to celebrate his rushing touchdown by imitating a celebration by Brazil soccer great Neymar, who used to play for Barcelona, holding his hands beside his helmet and wiggling his fingers.

“I wanted to come out and put on a show for everybody and show what the excitement of the NFL can be,” said Burrow, playing in his first international game.

“And the NFL is really all about the stars and players making big-time plays. And so you saw Ja'Marr Chase, you saw me, you see Tee Higgins, you saw a lot of great players out there doing great things. And hopefully people took notice.”

The Bengals (6-2) have scored 30 points or more in four straight games for the first time since 1997, tying a franchise record. It was the second consecutive defeat for the Falcons (3-6).

Burrow, who completed 24 of 29 passes for 271 yards Sunday, had thrown five touchdown passes and rushed for another in overtime in the team’s 43-36 win over the Tennessee Titans last week.

“Joe’s playing at an unbelievably high level right now,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor said. “It’s difficult to not put the ball in his hands, given how everybody’s playing around him as well. So we just gotta keep this momentum going.”

The Bengals failed to convert on third down only once in the first half and didn’t punt until their first drive in the second half.

The Bengals scored on every possession before halftime, with three touchdowns and a field goal in the final seconds of the half.

Playing under the closed roof of the Bernabeu, Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. played better than in the rain in a 16-0 loss to the Buccaneers in Tampa Bay last week, but threw a late interception to go along with his opening-drive touchdown to tight end Charlie Woerner. Penix was 20 of 31 for 162 yards with a touchdown and interception and added 50 yards rushing.

“We beat ourselves in a lot of areas of the game, and it’s tough,” Penix said. “We got to clean those things up. There is nothing that the guys don’t know. We go into the locker room after the game and it is like, we know what happened up there. We knew that was not who we wanted to be, who we want to be this season.”

Running back Bijan Robinson had 42 yards on three carries on the Falcons' first drive. He ended with 100 yards rushing and a touchdown on 19 carries and 47 yards receiving on six receptions.

“We were not good enough, we have to do better,” Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski said. “We just were not at our best. And if you’re not at your best versus a good team, you’re not going to win.”

It was the second NFL regular-season game in Madrid after the Miami Dolphins beat the Washington Commanders 16-13 in overtime in last year’s inaugural game in the country. It was the seventh game in a record nine-game schedule outside the U.S. for the NFL this season. The remaining games will be played in Munich, Germany, and Mexico City.

A crowd of 78,660 people was on hand on Sunday in the Spanish capital. Bengals fans appeared to outnumber Falcons supporters.

The lights at the Bernabeu suddenly went out just as the Bengals were taking a snap inside the final two minutes, prompting the down to be replayed.

Early in the game, some Bengals defensive players appeared to change into longer spikes after the first drive to adjust to the grass at the Bernabeu.

It was the Bengals’ first win in an international game. They had tied Washington in 2016 and lost to the Los Angeles Rams in 2019, both times in London.

Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr. returned from an eight-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy but had limited play. Pearce had a back issue in Friday’s practice and had been listed as questionable ahead of the game.

Before kickoff, a moment of silence was held in tribute to the victims of the high-speed train crash that killed 69 people in central Spain on Oct. 28, including four Americans.

Spain’s World Cup trophies for both the women’s and men’s soccer teams were displayed on the field, with national team players on hand as well.

Former Real Madrid and Brazil soccer great Roberto Carlos sounded the train horn in the Falcons' traditional pregame celebration. The halftime show featured Colombian music star Manuel Turizo.

Up next

Bengals: host Steelers on “Sunday Night Football” on Nov. 15.

Falcons: host Kansas City on Sunday.

___

Associated Press writer Teresa Medrano contributed to this report.

___

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

DeChambeau posted his thoughts on social media Sunday, his first public comments since LIV on Thursday abandoned plans to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy with a new version of the league. He had the most gravitas of any player supporting LIV 2.0.

“I'm not going to rewrite the last four years,” DeChambeau wrote. “I made a decision I believed in, and I'm grateful for what came with it: playing in front of fans new and old around the world who rarely got to see the best players at home."

DeChambeau and Jon Rahm, both two-time major champions, are the two biggest names in the rival league that no longer is supported by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia. The bankruptcy court in New Jersey approved the end of Rahm’s contract with LIV.

Rahm won the Abu Dhabi Championship on Sunday, moving him back into the top 10 in the world.

The Spaniard has said he has not spoken to the PGA Tour about a path back — for now, he is looking at a European tour schedule for 2027 because the PGA Tour has banned LIV players for one year since their last appearance.

DeChambeau's case might be more complex because he was among the players who filed an antitrust lawsuit against the PGA Tour.

He also said in a CNN interview after the June 2023 framework agreement among the PGA Tour, European tour and PIF: “It does stink from my perspective that the PGA Tour players are not necessarily winning. I hope they can find a way to make sure they are valued in the same way we are over at LIV.”

“Arnold Palmer said no player is bigger than the game, and I want to acknowledge that along the way, I've said some things that didn't help," DeChambeau wrote in Sunday's post. “Whatever comes next, I'll approach it with humility and respect for the people who carried this game long before me.”

DeChambeau is scheduled to play the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa — site of his fifth and final LIV Golf victory — on Dec. 3-6 in Johannesburg. It will be only his third tournament outside of LIV and the majors since he left the PGA Tour in June 2022.

“Beyond that, I'll go about whatever is next the right way,” he said.

DeChambeau, who led the Crushers to a season title in 2023, said he still believes in team golf beyond the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup.

“It may look different in the future, but I still believe it's essential to growing the game,” he said.

___

See AP’s full golf coverage here

Trump set the tone, declaring on social media that investigative requests already made by Democrats are “extortion at the highest level, and they should be held accountable.” Attorney General Todd Blanche echoed the Republican president and said criminal investigations of Democrats are possible.

“They are not allowed to just go around threatening existing members of the administration, to go around threatening companies, and that’s what President Trump is extremely worried about and he should be,” Blanche said as he and congressional Democrats appeared on the Sunday news shows to discuss the repercussions from last week's elections.

Rep. Robert Garcia, who is poised to chair the powerful House Oversight Committee in the next Congress, is preparing investigations into what he calls the “Trump crime family.” He said Democrats are not going to be intimidated.

“The days of us not fighting back are over,” said Garcia, D-Calif.

The early rhetoric sets up a showdown ahead that will likely define Trump’s remaining two years in office and test the power of Congress to put a check on the White House. About 7 in 10 voters nationally say Congress is not doing enough to provide checks and balances on the presidency, according to The AP Voter Poll, a survey of more than 100,000 midterm voters.

Democrats have made clear that impeachment is an option.

If there are people who have been "shortchanging the American people, screwing over the American people, or stealing from the American people, then they need to be held accountable in a manner consistent with Congress’ role, constitutionally,” said Democratic House leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York.

Some Democrats are worried about overreach

But the investigative onslaught is also a source of tension for Democrats, with many warning that delivering on their central promise to voters — actions to lower the cost of living — must take precedence.

Some fear their resounding wins Tuesday that have given them healthy majorities in the House and Senate will prove fleeting if conflict with Trump defines the agenda.

Sen.-elect Adam Hamilton, the first Democrat elected to the chamber from Kansas in 94 years, expressed skepticism about impeachment, saying his campaign was about trying to bring people together. He said he does not want the next two years to be spent “dividing our country further.”

“I’m not as interested in impeachment as setting up guardrails,” Hamilton said. Still, Hamilton said he understands that some investigations are necessary, and Democrats “have to look at what’s happened in Washington.”

Sen. Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent who caucuses with Democrats, said he wants to hold Trump accountable, but warned there was only so much time.

“We cannot spend all of our time investigating Trump," Sanders said. "We’ve got to stand up for working-class families, make a real difference in their lives.”

Jeffries casts doubt on working with Stephen Miller

Jeffries, who is on the cusp of becoming the nation's first Black House speaker, was asked on election night about the prospects of working with Trump. He said he would be ready to work with the other side of the aisle “whenever and wherever possible to deliver real results.”

Jeffries on Sunday criticized Trump's choice of longtime adviser Stephen Miller to succeed Susie Wiles as his chief of staff, calling him an “awful choice” and cast doubt on the prospect of working with him.

“There’s not going to be an opportunity, certainly, to work with Stephen Miller and what he represents. And we’re committed to forcefully pushing back against the extremism that they may try to continue to unleash on the American people,” he said.

Democrats across the ideological spectrum have been critical of the appointment of Miller, an architect of Trump's mass deportation machine that became an issue in the midterm elections. Nationally, about 6 in 10 voters said the administration’s actions on immigration enforcement had “gone too far,” according to The AP Voter Poll.

Jeffries also said he supports a pending resolution from Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Jeffries said Democrats would be discussing it when they return to the Capitol this week. “Hegseth has got to go,” he said.

“I’m a hard yes on the Hegseth resolution,” Jeffries said.

Hegseth in a video dismissed the impeachment push as “all about the politics of personal destruction.” He said it “won’t work with me."

New senators express skepticism about Schumer

At least two new incoming Democratic senators expressed some reservations Sunday about Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, who’s expected to be reelected to his post after leading his party back to the majority.

Hamilton said he’s told Schumer, who is currently running unopposed, that he means no disrespect but that the New Yorker is a polarizing figure in Kansas and Hamilton is aiming for someone less divisive.

“What I’d be looking for is a leader who can lead from the center, somebody who can bring Republicans and Democrats together,” Hamilton said. “It feels like it is a time for fresh and new ideas and somebody who can unite us instead of dividing us.”

Hamilton said he wants to get to know the other Democratic senators better before he makes any recommendations.

Sen.-elect Abdul El-Sayed of Michigan, whom Schumer did not back in the Democratic primary, said he had been committed to Sen. Chris Van Hollen, but acknowledged that the Maryland Democrat does not appear to be running for the post.

El-Sayed said he and Schumer, who put $67 million into El-Sayed’s general election campaign, “figured out how to work together” after the primary.

“The question to me is, who wants to be the leader who’s going to make sure that we deliver on the mandate that we just got?” El-Sayed said.

Blanche was interviewed on “Fox News Sunday” and CNN's “State of the Union.” Garcia also was on CNN, Jeffries spoke on ABC's “This Week,” Hamilton and Sanders were on CNN and NBC, and El-Sayed appeared on ABC.

___

Associated Press writers Mary Clare Jalonick and Lisa Mascaro in Washington contributed to this report.

The incident happened around noon near Bayshore Road and I-75. Two pilots were aboard the aircraft when they experienced a mechanical issue and attempted an emergency landing. During the landing, the plane struck the rear of a pickup truck traveling eastbound on Bayshore Road. No injuries were reported at the scene.

FAA Takes Over Investigation

The Federal Aviation Administration is now the lead agency investigating what went wrong. The cause of the mechanical issue that forced the emergency landing has not been determined.

Sheriff Carmine Marceno praised the response from first responders.

“Thankfully, this incident had a positive outcome, and no one was injured,” Marceno said. “Given the recent tragic news involving aviation accidents, we are especially grateful that everyone is safe. I want to recognize and thank our patrol deputies, FDOT Southwest Florida, and Bayshore Fire Rescue for their quick response and professionalism in assessing the scene.”

Marceno added that his office will continue working with the FAA as investigators review the circumstances surrounding the incident.

United ended up salvaging a 4-4 draw, needing two goals in second-half added time to earn a point at Old Trafford.

Villa forward Alysson fired through the legs of United goalkeeper Senne Lammens from the first attack of the game and striker Nicolas Jackson added a second in the fourth to spark boos from the home fans.

With the second goal timed at 3 minutes, 42 seconds, it was the earliest United had ever been 2-0 down in the Premier League.

United supporters had already protested against the owners, the Glazer family and Jim Ratcliffe, before kickoff, calling on them to sell the club after years of underachievement.

And the jeers grew louder after Villa's quick-fire start, with fans chanting “We want Glazers out”.

United pulled a goal back from the penalty spot in the 16th, with Bruno Fernandes converting after Matheus Cunha was brought down in the box by Boubacar Kamara. And the fightback continued with Youri Tielemans leveling just before the break to make it 2-2 at halftime.

United also went 2-0 behind to Roma in the Champions League on Tuesday, after 17 minutes, the quickest it had ever been behind by that scoreline in a European home game. United went on to win 3-2.

Carrick's team was two goals down again in the second half when John McGinn scored from the penalty spot and Leon Goretzka adding another.

With the game headed into added time, substitutes Joshua Zirkzee and Patrick Dorgu secured a point.

Carrick went into the match with uncertainty hanging over his position following United's worst start since the 1986-87 campaign, which led to the hiring of club icon Alex Ferguson.

United started the game second last in the standings, above bottom-placed Crystal Palace on goal difference.

Its only league win of the season was against newly promoted Ipswich on Aug. 30.

Villa fans taunted Carrick with chants of “You're getting sacked (fired) in the morning” and targeted former player Tielemans, singing “You used to play for a big club”.

United is 18th in the standings and in the relegation zone after 10 games.

___

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

___

See AP’s full soccer coverage here

That's right: One program, two days, three blowout losses by a combined 239 points.

Meet the Lion Angels of Bethesda University, a tiny, private Christian school located in Anaheim, California. The school's enrollment is about 260 students, with no dormitories. Home basketball games — which are rare — are played at a Salvation Army gym. And the men's roster of about two dozen players was split into three squads this weekend, each going to a different location for games.

“It’s very different,” athletic director Leo Balayon said with a laugh.

Compared with most schools, absolutely. But Bethesda, part of the National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association, does a lot of things that wouldn't be considered conventional. It has held practices on an outdoor court that pays tribute to Kobe and Gianna Bryant. It has worn what would be best described as hand-me-down practice uniforms from the Los Angeles Lakers' affiliate in the G League. Forget planes or charter buses: They drive to most games in vans.

“To be part of this, it’s a blessing, if I’m being very honest,” forward Treveon Lee said.

Playing three games in two days — five games in four days, really, when adding in that the squad sent to Hawaii for the Rainbow Classic also will face Portland on Sunday and UT Arlington on Monday before returning home — brings a big financial boost to the program.

The Hawaii game saw Bethesda get outscored 28-3 over the final six minutes of the first half, turning a game that had been somewhat close into one with a 40-point margin at intermission on the way to a 116-44 loss. Pepperdine had a pair of 15-0 runs in what became a 116-43 victory. And Southern Utah used 15 players, none logging more than 15 minutes, and won 143-49.

“It might be unusual to some people,” Lee said. “I think the coolest thing about it is probably many other people from the outside looking in would say, ‘Oh, man, I don’t know,' stuff like that. But for me, the advantage of being at a small school, the attention to detail ... you don't fade into the wind here.”

How they got here

When Division I schools call, Bethesda answers. It just so happened that Hawaii, Southern Utah and Pepperdine all called about playing this weekend. Bethesda applied for and got approval from the NCCAA, its governing body, and the most unusual schedule became reality.

“We could survive without these games,” said Balayon, the program's former coach who is a professor at the school now while serving as athletic director. “But it would be really boring.”

The program, much like Balayon, comes from modest beginnings.

Balayon came to the U.S. from the basketball-crazed Philippines as a graduate student, then decided he wanted to be a basketball coach. One of his basketball heroes is Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, whose mother is from the Philippines. He knows people who know Spoelstra, but they've never met.

“I’ve always wanted to shake his hand because he’s the reason why I had the confidence to try and be a coach here in the U.S.," Balayon said. "If not for him, I don’t think I would have even tried. I was working camps for the Summer Pro League and all sorts of semi-pro things and they would ask me, ‘Hey, go ahead and coach that team’ and I would refuse because I didn’t feel worthy.

“Then Erik Spoelstra started coaching in Miami and I was so impressed by what he was doing. And I was like, ‘He’s half-Filipino, so maybe I can do this too.'”

Once he took the plunge and began coaching, Balayon's dream was to beat a Division I team. It didn't seem likely; Bethesda played 10 of them between 2013 and 2016, losing by an average of 30 points. But on Dec. 16, 2016, it finally happened — Bethesda knocked off Cal State Northridge 100-95. then won a rematch 82-80 five years later.

“It just became like a habit for us to pack our schedule with Division I schools," Balayon said. "It's our way to fundraise too. They pay us to show up and be their homecoming game.”

The odds are long

Other than those two wins against Cal State Northridge, Bethesda is 0-77 against other Division I teams the last 13 seasons, with 34 of those losses coming by 50 points or more. Somehow, there's no complaining.

“Being able to play like top competition like that, it’s amazing," Lee said. “And even going through all the different tribulations of having to face those teams, you can only be in the moment. And I think that’s what everyone here truly loves about it. No one is down on themselves. Everyone is so supportive and that’s the main thing, the best thing.”

They don't land blue-chip recruits. They look for guys who need second chances or never had a first chance. They've had players who served in the military before returning to school, some who didn't get playing time at other places, some who decided they were best served being driven by faith than by seeking fame. The opportunity to play a few games against big-name opponents is a huge part of the sales pitch.

“I’m a very Christ-driven man, so I believe Jesus has instilled the faith in me," Lee said. "That's how I go about it.”

The Lion Angels will do the split-squad approach a couple more times this season, continuing to give players opportunities they probably never expected to have against Division I squads. When schools call, Balayon offers home-court advantage to them — it's a lot of work for a bare-bones staff without much of a budget to host games, so he has no problem going on the road to play.

“We've had a very colorful group in terms of the people that come through here — we've had actors, people who came from the Navy, all kinds of backgrounds," Balayon said. "A very colorful experience to say the least. For me, that is what I think the best thing about our school. We give people a second chance.”

___

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

The switch, the NIHA said, comes in the wake of the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s recent ruling reinstating Russian hockey teams to compete internationally, beginning with the world juniors set to open in Alberta on Dec. 26.

There remain complications in the decision, which has yet to be formally announced by the International Ice Hockey Federation. The IIHF’s website still includes Norway as a participant in a tournament featuring the top men’s players under age 20.

Russia, however, is not guaranteed of competing after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he will bar the team from entering Canada, leaving open the possibility of Norway still being included.

“The situation is still unclear,” Norway’s ice hockey secretary general Peter Salsten said in a statement posted on the association’s website and translated from Norwegian to English. “This makes us hope that the last word has not been said about our participation in Canada.”

Other complicating factors involve six nations, including Norway, vowing to boycott games against Russia as long as the war in Ukraine is ongoing. Several long-time corporate sponsors also have said they will drop out if Russia competes.

Norway acknowledged that the IIHF has been handcuffed by the court’s ruling. As the 10th-ranked team entering the tournament, Norway said it was relegated to the 1A Division to open the spot for Russia.

The Russians haven’t competed in the tournament since a fourth-place finish in 2021, with their ban beginning after the nation invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

“We are aware of the status and the measures the IIHF feels compelled to take, and will await further information from the IIHF in the coming days,” Salsten said. “This also clearly shows all the practical challenges and immediate consequences for everyone involved when countries are reinstated immediately.”

___

See AP’s full sports coverage here

Ahmed Haroun, a senior security official during the rule of longtime dictator Omar al-Bashir, and later chairman of the former ruling National Congress Party, was detained in Omdurman, the sister city of the capital, Khartoum, according to two lawyers on his defense team. The lawyers had said earlier he was detained in the eastern province of Kassala.

The lawyers, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to brief the media, said Haroun’s whereabouts were unknown.

Haroun was detained in April 2019 when a monthslong uprising forced the military ouster of al-Bashir and his government.

He had been detained along with the former president and other senior officials, including those who are wanted by the ICC, in a Khartoum prison. The military declined to hand them over to the international court.

The conflict in Darfur broke out when rebels from the territory’s ethnic central and sub-Saharan African community launched an insurgency in 2003, complaining of oppression by the Arab-dominated government in Khartoum.

Haroun was accused by the ICC of crimes against humanity and war crimes including murder, rape, persecution, forced transfer of the population and torture in Darfur at least between 2003 and 2004.

Haroun has denied the charges. He walked away from the prison after the facility was attacked in April 2024 during the war between the army and the notorious paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

The lawyers said no reasons were given for Haroun’s re-detention, but they linked it to his recent comment in a podcast in which he said his party and the military might not be aligned, but are united in the fight against the RSF in the war that broke out in April 2023 in Khartoum and elsewhere across the country.

The National Congress Party called for the immediate release of Haroun, saying in a statement that he was detained merely for expressing his opinion. The party didn’t address that Haroun is wanted by the ICC.

The latest war has also been marked by atrocities such as mass rape and ethnically motivated killings. The United Nations and international rights groups say these acts also amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity, especially in Darfur, which has been facing a bitter onslaught by the RSF. The RSF's multiday attack on el-Fasher in Darfur last year bore “hallmarks of genocide,” according to U.N. experts.

In the interview on Sudan Podcast, Haroun addressed a wide range of topics, including the ouster of al-Bashir, ties with the military and RSF leaders, a proposal for the future governance of Sudan, ties with the U.S. and the United Arab Emirates, and the origins of the RSF.

The RSF grew out of the notorious Arab Janjaweed militias, which were mobilized two decades ago by al-Bashir against populations that identify as Central or East African in Darfur.

The interview stirred up outrage among rights and activist groups that were behind the uprising against al-Bashir. The Emergency Lawyers group condemned the interview as a “legal scandal and a direct challenge to international justice.”

The group called for the army to detain Haroun and hand him over to the ICC along with al-Bashir and former Defense Minister Abdel-Rahim Muhammad Hussein.

“Justice for victims of crimes committed in Sudan cannot be held hostage to political or military balances, and ending impunity requires subjecting all accused and wanted persons to judicial accountability, without exception or immunity,” it said.

___

Magdy reported from Washington.

Miami became the fourth No. 1 team to get knocked out of the top spot, the most in a single season since 2008. Only one team — No. 6 Indiana, which was idle — remained in the same spot it had a week ago in the Top 25.

Georgia turned in one of the most dominant performances of the season in a 42-7 victory at Mississippi on Saturday. The Bulldogs had been No. 1 for one week when they were upset by Auburn on Oct. 17 but never dropped out of the top five, and they were the voters' choice for No. 1 by a wide margin over Utah and Notre Dame.

Utah moved up one spot to No. 2 after its 28-20 win over rival BYU and the Utes now have their highest-ever AP ranking in the regular season. The Fighting Irish's 31-24 win over Miami pushed them up one rung to No. 3, while the Hurricanes fell to No. 5 after their first loss.

Georgia earned 53 of the 70 first-place votes from the media voting panel. Utah received 12 first-place votes and Notre Dame got five.

UCLA is 9-0 for the first time since 1998 and moved up to No. 4. It's the Bruins' highest ranking since their 2001 team was No. 4 following a 6-0 start. After Miami, Indiana, Alabama, Texas, Tennessee and Texas Tech completed the top 10.

Alabama and Texas both were rewarded for road wins and moved up two spots. The Crimson Tide won at LSU and the Longhorns at Missouri.

Tennessee jumped from No. 16 to No. 9, its highest ranking in two years, after an impressive 34-6 win over a top-10 Kentucky. Texas Tech returned to the top 10 after outscoring West Virginia 53-48.

Ohio State, which was No. 2 two weeks ago, went from No. 11 after its loss at Southern California to No. 21 this week after a 41-28 home loss to Oregon. The Buckeyes hadn't been ranked so low, excluding the 2020 pandemic season, since 2014.

In and out

In: No. 18 Oregon's big win at Ohio State, which followed a ranked home win over Northwestern, put the Ducks in the poll for the first time in five weeks.

In: No. 25 SMU had been ranked all season until it lost at Syracuse and is now back after throttling Virginia Tech.

Out: Missouri's loss to Texas was its second in three games and left the Tigers 1-3 against ranked opponents.

Out: Florida has lost four of five since its 4-0 start.

Poll points

— Utah has its highest ranking since the 2008 season's final poll.

— The last time the Big 12 had two teams reach No. 2 or higher in the same season was 2015. BYU was No. 2 in the Oct. 18 poll.

— At No. 3, Notre Dame has the lowest ranking for a top-five team that just beat a No. 1 team since Auburn went from No. 4 to No. 3 after beating Alabama in 2013.

Conference call

SEC (8 ranked teams): No. 1 Georgia, No. 7 Alabama, No. 8 Texas, No. 9 Tennessee, No. 13 Kentucky, No. 19 Mississippi, No. 20 South Carolina, No. 24 LSU.

Big Ten (6): No. 4 UCLA, No. 6 Indiana, No. 15 USC, No. 16 Iowa, No. 18 Oregon, No. 21 Ohio State.

Big 12 (5): No. 2 Utah, No. 10 Texas Tech, No. 12 BYU, No. 14 Houston, No. 22 Arizona.

ACC (3): No. 5 Miami, No. 11 Wake Forest, No. 25 SMU.

Independent (1): No. 3 Notre Dame.

Pac-12 (1): No. 17 Boise State.

Mountain West (1): No. 23 New Mexico.

Ranked vs. ranked

No. 2 Utah at No. 22 Arizona: Utes, alone in first place in the Big 12, haven't won in Tucson since 2021.

No. 8 Texas at No. 24 LSU: Longhorns have won three straight and can go 5-0 against Top 25 opponents with a win here.

No. 11 Wake Forest at No. 25 SMU: Demon Deacons can take a big step toward securing a spot in the ACC championship game.

No. 15 USC at No. 6 Indiana: Trojans are 1-7 on road against Top 25 opponents under Lincoln Riley, their only win against crosstown rival UCLA in 2022.

___

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

Syrian military advisers have already deployed to Saudi Arabia, but no fighters have been sent to Yemen, according to a regional official and two Syrian officials, all of whom spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly.

Officials in Saudi Arabia did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Fighting escalated this summer in Yemen between the Houthi rebels and the government's Saudi-backed forces. The Houthis have also launched direct and deadly attacks on Saudi Arabia in what is the latest front in the regional conflict that began in February when the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran.

Syria, which has a supply of battle-hardened fighters after a long civil war, has so far stayed on the sidelines.

Saudi Arabia has an array of U.S.-supplied fighter jets and missile defenses but has been unable to defeat the Houthis in past rounds of conflict.

While Saudi Arabia's other allies have been reluctant to commit ground forces to its fight with the Houthis, the Syrian government is beholden to it. The Saudis provided funds to Syrian rebels during that country's civil war and have promised much-needed financial assistance for Syria's postwar reconstruction.

Syrian fighters set to deploy to Saudi-Yemen border

A Syrian official said that an initial force of about 600 Syrian special forces fighters is expected to be deployed to Saudi Arabia in the coming week. The official said Saudi Arabia insisted the fighters be Syrian nationals, not foreigners who flocked to Syria during the civil war to join different rebel factions.

The official said that a Syrian delegation led by Khaled Khattab, commander of the 82nd Division, had recently made a two-week visit to Saudi Arabia.

A second Syrian official said 36 Syrian military officials visited a command and operations room in Jeddah staffed by Saudi and Yemeni officials and received briefings on the different front lines and areas of operation.

A regional official with knowledge of the discussions said Syria had already deployed a “small number of advisers” to Saudi Arabia, where they helped train Yemeni forces inside the kingdom.

Syria may enter defense agreement with Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan

An unnamed diplomatic official in Syria dismissed reports that Syrian forces were headed to Yemen, the country's state-run news agency, SANA, reported on Saturday. The official said the agreement with Saudi Arabia focuses on training its military forces and building its capabilities.

Syrian officials have said publicly that the country is discussing the possibility of joining a joint defense agreement recently signed by Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan.

The Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, signed in August, commits the three countries to regard an attack against one as an attack on all three, and to deepen military cooperation in other ways.

The two Syrian officials said that a decision had already been made — but not publicly announced — for Syria to join the Mecca pact, while the regional official said talks were still ongoing.

One concern is that Syria might ask the other countries for their support against Israel, the regional official said. Following the ouster of Syria’s former President Bashar Assad in December 2024, Israeli forces seized control of a U.N.-patrolled buffer zone in southern Syria and have occupied it since.

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa says his government does not seek a conflict with Israel and has called for Israeli forces to withdraw.

Syria and Saudi Arabia announced last week that they had signed a military cooperation agreement, without providing details. During a visit to Riyadh by al-Sharaa, the Saudi government agreed to lend Syria more than $400 million for postwar reconstruction of homes and basic infrastructure.

A change in Syria's stance on the regional war

Syria has turned down proposals by U.S. President Donald Trump for its forces to intervene against the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon. Al-Sharaa has said his focus is on rebuilding Syria after its lengthy civil war and that he wants to avoid getting embroiled in new conflicts.

But Saudi Arabia has been key to its reintegration into the Arab world, which had largely shunned Syria under Assad’s rule.

Syrian involvement in the fighting against the Houthis in Yemen could expose it to attacks by militias in neighboring Iraq that are allied with the Houthis.

——

Magdy reported from Washington. Associated Press writer Abby Sewell in Beirut contributed to this report.

___

AP STANDARDS: The AP uses anonymous sources only when the information is vital to the news report and not opinion or speculation. The information must be unavailable except under the conditions of anonymity imposed by the source. The source must be reliable, in a position to have accurate information and approved by news managers.

Troopers say the crash happened near University Boulevard and Technological Avenue, by the popular Knight Library bar around 8 p.m. Three cars were involved.

According to a crash report, state troopers say a Honda Fit driver did not notice a 2020 Honda Civic in front of it, and ran into the back of the Civic. Troopers say this caused the 2020 Civic to lose control, running a 2025 Honda Civic off the road. Troopers say the crash caused the driver of the 2020 Honda Civic to run into a group of teenagers.

“You know, it’s just heartbreaking that, you know, that stuff happens and, you know, it’s dangerous,” said Simon Jiaclone, a UCF student. “You know, you got to be safe and you got to take precaution and make sure, you know, especially if you’re behind the wheel, to be safe.”

Troopers say 8 teens were hit, ranging in age from 15-18. All 8 were hospitalized. Orange County Fire Rescue says one was a trauma alert.

Troopers say after the crash, the driver of the Honda Fit left the scene. The crash reports say the Fit was eventually located near a hotel and was impounded as part of the investigation.

The 21-year-old man and 18-year-old woman driving the other cars remained at the scene, troopers say.

We have a crew on the way to the scene.

Anyone with information about this crash or V1 Driver is asked to call FHP at *347 or CRIMELINE at 1-800-423-TIPS. This crash remains under investigation.

The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority moved forward with plans for a temporary vertipad, a designated takeoff and landing area for electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, also known as eVTOLs.

[WATCH HERE: First demonstration flights from MCO’s new vertipad]

The proposal was approved at the boards October 21st meeting.

The vertipad is located in the existing Atlantis Surface Parking Lot near Terminal C and the Brightline train station.

The site allows aircraft manufacturers and operators to conduct demonstration flights, operational testing and activities related to Federal Aviation Administration certification.

[WATCH: Kissimmee Gateway Airport leads charge on electric air taxi infrastructure in Florida]

While the technology could eventually support passenger and cargo transportation, the temporary vertipad will not be used for commercial passenger service at this stage.

The airport’s proposal also outlined flight paths and operating procedures designed to accommodate the aircraft alongside existing airport operations.

Operators would be required to obtain prior approval, coordinate with airport personnel and maintain communication with the FAA air traffic control tower. Flights would also be limited to daytime conditions with adequate visibility.

The agreement establishes safety procedures, insurance requirements and operational guidelines for companies seeking to use the site.

Airport considers more than $500,000 in ground safety technology

As airport leaders prepare for new aircraft in the sky, they’re also considering technology to improve awareness of what’s happening on the ground.

The board reviewed a $501,525 project to purchase and install Vehicle Movement Area Transponders at Orlando International Airport.

The devices will help track airport vehicles operating in areas such as runways and taxiways, where aircraft also move.

The technology is intended to improve real-time awareness of vehicle movements on the airport surface, helping air traffic controllers better monitor activity in those areas.

According to the agenda, the project includes purchasing, delivering, installing, testing and commissioning transmitter units that comply with FAA standards for airport-surface surveillance.

The funding will include $376,143 from the federal government, $62,691 from the Florida Department of Transportation and $62,691 in local matching funds.

A separate $55,725 transponder project is also proposed for Orlando Executive Airport.

Takashi Yamazaki‘s sequel to 2023’s Oscar-winning “Godzilla Minus One” easily thrashed Warner Bros.' animated “The Cat in the Hat” movie. That film, featuring the voice of Bill Hader, opened with $20.5 million, according to studio estimates Sunday, plus $10 million overseas.

While Godzilla recently celebrated his 72nd birthday, Yamazaki has revived one of the longest running franchises in movies by bringing the series back to its Japanese roots. The film, produced by Toho and distributed in North America by GKids, is set in post-WWII Japan.

No live-action foreign language film has had a bigger opening weekend, unless you count 2004’s “Passion of the Christ,” which opened with $83.8 million despite its largely Aramaic dialogue. Last year, the anime “Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle” debuted with $70.6 million.

But “Godzilla Minus Zero” bested the mark for live-action previously held by 2004’s “Hero” (a $17.9 million launch) and added to the trend of international, non-English productions drawing American audiences to cinemas.

Japanese and Indian films score in North America

The weekend also saw the widest North American release for an Indian film. “Ramayana: Rise of a Legend, is a Hindi-language epic of Indian mythology that, as part one of two, is the most expensive Indian film ever made. Distributed by Sony Pictures in North America, it launched with $8.7 million domestically and $32 million in India.

“Godzilla Minus Zero” and “Ramayana” were both given global releases, debuting in their home countries at the same time as they reached American audiences. In Japan, “Godzilla Minus Zero” grossed about $17 million over the weekend.

“This historic opening shows how deeply audiences around the world connect with Godzilla and with Takashi Yamazaki’s vision,” said Koji Ueda, president of Toho Global, in a statement. “Our first near-simultaneous global release was built on that belief.”

“Godzilla Minus One,” which won the Oscar for best visual effects, was the highest-grossing Japanese live-action film ever in U.S. and Canada despite a modest budget under $15 million.

“Godzilla Minus Zero,” carrying a budget of less than $20 million, is sure to blow past its predecessor’s record haul of $57.1 million. Since first premiering last month at the New York Film Festival, the film has scored well with critics (90% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes) and audiences (an “A” CinemaScore).

“Godzilla” and “Ramayana” were each filmed for IMAX, with Yamazaki’s film receiving an early IMAX-only release on Tuesday. Both benefited greatly from large-format screens. “Godzilla Minus Zero” generated $21.3 million globally, or 34% of its box-office take, from IMAX.

The big result for “Godzilla Minus Zero” will either whet audiences' appetites or pose an awkward comparison for the next Hollywood, English-language Godzilla movie. In March, Warner Bros. and Legendary will release “Godzilla x Kong: Supernova.”

‘The Cat in the Hat’ disappoints, ‘Drummer Boy’ overperforms

“The Cat in the Hat” was the latest attempt to revive the Dr. Seuss classic on the big screen, following the Mike Myers-led 2003 live-action film. But the animated “Cat in the Hat,” made for $86 million, drummed up only modest interest from moviegoers. Reviews (44% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes) were bad.

Not helping “The Cat in the Hat”: Laika’s acclaimed stop motion animated fantasy “Wildwood” has held well with audiences, even briefly leading all films at the box office early in the week.

“Wildwood” dipped just 22% in its third weekend, with $7 million. With a cumulative total of $39.8 million domestically, it’s fared well, even if Travis Knight’s pricey passion project, with a budget of at least $100 million, is all but certain to lose tens of millions.

Third place went to Angel Studios’ “Drummer Boy,” with $9.3 million on its opening weekend. The Revolutionary War-set musical also saw its music top the iTunes chart.

Led by ‘Wild Horse Nine,’ Oscar contenders surge

One of the weekend’s biggest successes was “Wild Horse Nine,” Martin McDonagh’s dark comedy about a pair of CIA officers ( John Malkovich, Sam Rockwell) on Easter Island. It opened with $6 million domestic and $6.6 million internationally, a stellar result for an awards movie and a personal best for McDonagh.

Since its premiere at the Venice Film Festival, “Wild Horse Nine” has been seen as a top Oscar contender, and its reception from audiences will boost that cause. The film, a Searchlight Pictures release, launched in 1,100 domestic theaters, a number that will roughly double next weekend.

Another pair of potential Oscar contenders got off to good starts in limited release. Jordan Firstman's “Club Kid,” about a gay New York party boy who finds out he has a son, debuted with a $65,097 theater average from six screens for A24. “I Play Rocky,” Peter Farrelly’s comic telling of the making of “Rocky,” launched with a $49,200 per-screen average from seven theaters for Amazon MGM Studios.

Meanwhile, Nathan Fiedler and Lance Oppenheim’s “You Can See Everything” continued its sensational run, grossing $8.9 million in its fourth weekend of release. The A24 documentary about Elizabeth Holmes has so far collected $79.8 million in North America.

After a sleepy Halloween weekend at the box office, overall ticket sales were up a whopping 96.8% from the previous weekend, according to Rentrak.

Top 10 movies by domestic box office

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

1. “Godzilla Minus Zero,” $31.6 million.

2. “The Cat in the Hat,” $20.5 million.

3. “Drummer Boy,” $9.3 million.

4. “You Can See Everything,” $8.9 million.

5. “Ramayana: Rise of a Legend,” $8.7 million.

6. “Wildwood,” $7 million.

7. “Clayface,” $6.7 million.

8. “Wild Horse Nine,” $6 million.

9. Stray Kids live viewing, $3.7 million.

10. “Wicker,” $3.4 million.

Georgia (8-1, 6-1 Southeastern Conference, No. 2 CFP) dominated the opening 22 minutes with touchdown drives of 72, 96, 61 and 50 yards while Ole Miss crossed midfield once.

Stockton finished 9 of 15 passing for 186 yards, directing the Bulldogs to a 28-0 halftime lead. Georgia finished with 482 yards of offense, 298 in the first half.

The Bulldogs' impressive all-around performance could elevate them into the top spot in the AP Top 25 after No. 1 Miami lost at No. 4 Notre Dame.

“A total team effort. I thought we embraced the challenge right from the start,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said. “We talked about being the hunter and being aggressive and I thought we did that.”

Talyn Taylor had touchdown receptions of 6, 58 and 65 yards, while Ethan Barbour had a 3-yard TD catch. Taylor finished with 140 yards on four receptions.

Craig Dandridge Jr. had a 4-yard touchdown run and Stockton rushed for a 15-yard score. The Bulldogs rushed for 295 yards, led by Nate Frazier with 107 yards on 16 carries.

Ole Miss (6-3, 4-3, No. 10 CFP) had its 16-game home winning streak snapped as Smart won in Oxford for the first time in three tries.

“That was a big-time win over a big-time team in a big-time environment,” Smart said. “We get to embrace it for 24 hours, then work to repeat it.”

The Rebels' Trinidad Chambliss went 18 of 34 passing for 170 yards but was sacked five times and threw an interception. Shekai Mills-Knight scored on an 8-yard run for the Rebels, who were held to 252 yards of offense.

“It was surprising how poorly we started, it’s embarrassing,” Chambliss said. “We have to have a short memory about this.”

It was a stark contrast to the teams' two meetings last season, when Georgia won 43-35 at home and Ole Miss beat the Bulldogs 39-34 in a College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Sugar Bowl.

“Georgia is a really good team but I did not see that butt-whipping coming,” Ole Miss coach Pete Golding said. “It was obvious that we (coaches) did not have the team ready to play.”

The takeaway

Georgia: The Bulldogs enhanced their CFP resume and strengthened their position at the top of the SEC standings. Linebacker Chris Cole led a dominant defensive performance with nine tackles, two quarterback hurries, 1 1/2 sacks and 1 1/2 tackles for loss.

Ole Miss: Despite a 3-3 record against ranked opponents, the Rebels remain in a logjam of SEC teams with similar two or three-loss resumes.

Poll implications

Georgia will be a contender for the top spot in the AP poll and the CFP rankings, along with Notre Dame and unbeaten Utah.

“It means we are in the hunt for whatever,” safety KJ Bolden said. “This win means a lot.”

Ole Miss, meanwhile, must hope its third loss won't eliminate it from CFP consideration.

Up next

Georgia: Hosts No. 19 Missouri next Saturday.

Ole Miss: Visit Oklahoma next Saturday.

___

This story has been updated to correct Taylor, Barbour touchdown catch details.

___

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

The first is the city of Melbourne, which rescinded the notice that was initially issued on Monday, Nov. 2.

In a release, city officials said crews were able to determine the “water is safe to drink.”

Anyone with questions is urged to contact the city’s Public Works and Utilities Administration office at (321) 608-5000.

Meanwhile, the city of Palm Bay fully lifted their boil water notices Sunday, according to a social media post.

According to city officials, the boil water notice was lifted for the majority of customers last week following water main breaks along Port Malabar Boulevard Northeast, and the rest of the notices were lifted Sunday.

No one was injured in Sunday’s strike on the village of Komyshuvakha, but specialized rescue equipment was damaged, according to Ukraine’s State Emergency Service.

Ukraine said Monday's attack on the same location killed at least 55 people, near the front line in the Zaporizhzhia region.

As of Sunday afternoon, 45 people were listed as missing, according to the acting head of the regional military administration, Mykhailo Semikin. Many of the bodies recovered have not been identified and DNA analysis is ongoing.

Village resident Mykola Krasnov, 72, told The Associated Press on Saturday that he was still looking for his wife, but had heard no word from rescuers.

“She went to get humanitarian aid, and a 3-ton bomb was dropped there. Where is she?” he said. “She didn’t come home, and they didn’t find her body there. She isn’t in the morgue, and she isn’t here alive.”

Ukraine has routinely accused Russia of conducting multiple strikes at the same site in quick succession to target emergency crews responding to the initial attack.

The community bids farewell to police officers and neighbors

On Saturday, police officers and relatives gathered in Zaporizhzhia for a farewell ceremony for six officers killed in Russian strikes on Komyshuvakha, including four who died near the former school.

Rain fell as families wept beside the coffins, and officers held portraits of their fallen colleagues.

“They used every skill at their disposal to protect themselves. But when the enemy deliberately gathered civilians in one place and then launched strikes against them, no skills could have helped,” said Andrii Khomenko, a police lieutenant colonel who had worked alongside the victims.

The community also said goodbye to three residents among the dead. Among those mourning was Yurii Karapetian, whose wife Natalia was killed. He said she was distributing bread to those in the shelter when the Russian bombs struck.

“This pain, I would say, is unbearable,” he said, and urged the international community to act.

“The whole world must understand that if (the Russians) are not stopped, they will not stop. They will not stop at Ukraine. They will not stop anywhere,” he said.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday called the attack on emergency crews in Komyshuvakha “absolute cynicism and brutality" in a post on X.

France to join US-mediated Ukraine peace talks

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said Sunday that France and other European representatives would participate in the U.S.-mediated talks between Russia and Ukraine in Abu Dhabi on Nov. 10-11.

“France will be there and will ensure that Europe’s voice is heard,” Barrot told RTL radio. He did not specify who would represent France, or whether European officials would participate directly in negotiations.

The talks were previously presented as a trilateral meeting between Washington, Moscow and Kyiv, with U.S. President Donald Trump predicting a “very big” deal with Russia extending beyond Ukraine to “all of Europe". This raised concerns that European countries might be sidelined in negotiations over their own security.

Zelenskyy calls for sanctions on suppliers of Russian missiles

Russian strikes in Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region have left more than 600,000 people without power, Zelenskyy wrote on X on Sunday. Russia's defense ministry claimed its forces had struck an electrical substation that powered Ukrainian “military-industrial enterprises”. Other regions in Ukraine also faced outages.

Russia launched 115 missiles, 1,900 guided aerial bombs and more than 3,000 drones against Ukraine in the past week, Zelenskyy said on X. Many of the missiles had been produced this year, he added, calling on Ukraine's partners to sanction entities involved in their production.

“If the world does not have enough anti-ballistic capabilities to protect Ukrainian skies, then the missiles must be stopped on the production lines," he said.

Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant loses external power supply

The Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, the largest in Europe, has lost its external power supply after a damaged power line was disconnected for safety, the plant’s management reported Sunday.

It said the plant was powered by backup diesel generators since an automatic protection system shut down the damaged Ferosplavna line. Ukraine's state nuclear operator, Energoatom, also reported on Sunday that the plant was relying on generators.

The plant went offline soon after being captured by Russia early in the war, but needs power to keep essential cooling systems running. Its external power supply has periodically been severed, raising fears of a nuclear accident in case of protracted outages, as Moscow and Kyiv blamed each other for strikes that damaged nearby power lines.

Russia and Ukraine exchange drone strikes

Russia launched 164 drones across Ukraine overnight into Sunday, 137 of which were shot down, the Ukrainian Air Force said that morning. Hours later, one person was killed and three others injured as Russian forces struck a residential neighbourhood in Dnipro, according to local administration head Oleksandr Hanzha.

Russia’s defense ministry said Sunday that its forces destroyed 142 Ukrainian drones during the night — including over Russia, Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine and the Azov Sea.

___

This story corrects the number of police officers killed in the strike on the former school.

___

AP writer Thomas Adamson contributed from Paris.

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

Beaten by the Hurricanes in the 2025 season opener and edged out by them for the last College Football Playoff bid, Notre Dame had plenty of motivation. Add to the mix their No. 11 ranking in the initial CFP rankings, and the Fighting Irish were in a near must-win situation to keep their 2026 playoff hopes alive.

They're alive and well after a 31-24 victory that will knock Miami out of the top spot in The Associated Press Top 25 on Sunday and put a new team atop the CFP rankings Tuesday.

Notre Dame's CJ Carr outplayed Darian Mensah in a matchup of Heisman Trophy candidates, throwing for 319 yards and three touchdowns. Mensah, playing without injured star receiver Malachi Toney, threw for 276 yards and three TDs.

For all the stars on the field, it was a former walk-on from Cody, Wyoming, Luke Talich, who made the biggest defensive plays. Talich's interception late in the third quarter led to a touchdown that put the Irish up 31-17, and he knocked the ball out of Elija Lofton's hands as he was pulling in what would have been a tying touchdown catch with under four minutes left.

Georgia hammers Mississippi

No. 2 Georgia (No. 2 CFP) broke out to a big lead early and went on to win 42-7 over No. 12 Mississippi (No. 10 CFP). The Bulldogs have bounced back from their loss to unranked Auburn three weeks ago with two convincing victories. Members of the AP voting panel and CFP selection committee now must decide between the Bulldogs and Notre Dame for No. 1.

The Bulldogs looked like the most complete team in the country. Gunner Stockton threw for four touchdowns and ran for a fifth, the ground game generated 295 yards and the Bulldogs allowed 252 yards and sacked Trinidad Chambliss five times.

Vols beat Kentucky again

No. 16 Tennessee (No. 13 CFP) rolled past No. 8 Kentucky (No. 6 CFP) 34-6 for its sixth straight win over the Wildcats. The Volunteers have two top-10 wins in their last three games and will be in line for a promotion in both sets of rankings after holding the Wildcats without a touchdown.

Kentucky's only other loss was to Alabama and it has two top-10 wins. If the Wildcats drop below No. 11 in the CFP rankings, they'll likely need help to get into the bracket with games remaining against Florida, Missouri and Louisville.

Buckeyes bust

Ohio State was the first team off the bracket in the initial CFP rankings but had ample opportunity to play its way in. Instead, the Buckeyes played their way out — probably permanently — with the 41-28 beatdown Oregon put on them at home.

The loss was so devastating that it left them with no viable path to the playoff unless they make an improbable run to the Big Ten championship game and win it.

Ohio State and Oregon have failed to meet expectations after coming into the season ranked Nos. 1 and 2, respectively, in the AP poll. Both have three losses now; the Ducks have the tiebreaker over Ohio State in the Big Ten race.

Down 14-3 early, Oregon scored 35 straight points after grabbing momentum with a fake punt that went for 30 yards.

Ohio State won five straight after its loss to Texas but dropped from No. 2 to No. 11 in the AP poll after it lost at Southern California last week. The Buckeyes opened at No. 12 in the CFP rankings and now can expect to take big falls in both rankings.

With freshman Luke Fahey stepping in at quarterback for the injured Julian Sayin, they've lost back-to-back regular-season games for the first time since 2011 and consecutive games against unranked opponents for the first time since 1992.

The Big Ten would only have two teams safely in the playoff as of now: Indiana and UCLA.

Alabama rolls over LSU

Two-loss Alabama was in prove-it mode when the CFP selection committee ranked the Crimson Tide at No. 5. Tennessee, with a win over Alabama, was ranked eight spots lower.

The Crimson Tide improved to 7-0 against Lane Kiffin-coached teams with their 31-13 victory over LSU.

LSU was the final ranked opponent for Alabama, which finishes with a visit to Vanderbilt and home games against Chattanooga of the Football Championship Subdivision and the Iron Bowl against Auburn.

LSU’s playoff hopes dimmed and are nearly gone. The Tigers must win out and get lots of help, and even that might not be enough. They finish the regular season against Texas at home and play Tennessee and Arkansas on the road.

Utah and UCLA stay unbeaten

Earlier in the day, Utah and UCLA turned back challenges to stay unbeaten and Texas won its third straight game to keep its playoff hopes alive for another week.

Utah, No. 3 in both the AP and CFP rankings, held off No. 7 BYU (No. 9 CFP) 28-20 for its second Top 25 win in three weeks. The Utes can get another next week at No. 24 Arizona.

No. 5 UCLA (No. 8 CFP) was in a tie game at Minnesota until pulling away in the fourth quarter for a 34-20 win.

No. 7 Texas (No. 10 CFP) was tied with No. 19 Missouri deep into the fourth quarter before pulling away for a 34-20 road victory.

The Utes earned their highest-ranked win since they knocked off No. 4 Southern California in the 2022 Pac-12 Conference championship game.

BYU handed Notre Dame its only loss but is paying a heavy price for a bad loss at UCF. The Cougars have no more ranked opponents on their schedule.

UCLA improved to 9-0 for the first time since 1998 with its hard-earned win at Minnesota. Ty Dieffenbach, making his first road start in place of the injured Nico Iamaleava, threw 75-yard touchdown passes to Aidan Mizell on consecutive possessions in the fourth quarter to break open a close game.

The Bruins will have a challenging finish to the regular season against Illinois, Michigan and No. 18 Southern California.

Texas is 4-0 against ranked opponents and will play another next week at LSU. Missouri has three losses and its playoff hopes are on life support, though a road win over Georgia and home wins over Kentucky and Oklahoma could get the Tigers back in the mix.

___

An incorrect photo that was previously linked to this story has been removed.

___

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

Troopers say a 34-year-old Orlando man was turning left from Cricket Club Drive onto State Road 50 in a 2019 Toyota Highlander when he hit the 14-year-old girl and 16-year-old boy around 6:45. Troopers say the driver told them he had a green light. He stayed at the scene, the crash report says.

Both teens were taken to the hospital. The girl suffered serious injuries; the boy’s injuries were minor, state troopers say. The crash is under investigation.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Trump, who campaigned on the idea that a Democratic victory in the midterms would trigger a 1929-style economic depression, has maintained that the economy is booming. Since his party lost in Tuesday’s voting, he has claimed he is willing to work with Democrats in the House and Senate, though that’s not something he has done much of in the past.

“I’ll get along, probably, with the Democrats, unless they want to be destructive,” Trump told reporters last week.

After Friday’s strong jobs report showed employers adding 165,000 jobs and the unemployment rate dipping to 4.1%, Trump was defiant. “Democrats may control Congress, but I will NEVER stop fighting for you, and I will VETO anything that hurts America,” he said in a text message to his supporters.

Democrats are seeking to check Trump’s power and are preparing for early fights on government spending. Other challenges include chronic budget deficits, tariffs, artificial intelligence and difficult choices about a Social Security system that could run short of money in as little as six years.

But as long as rising prices keep making middle-class lives less affordable, Democrats and Republicans alike face the risk of angering and alienating voters in the next election cycle.

“Until inflation and interest rates are under control, the likelihood of change elections is going to be high on an ongoing basis,” said Marc Goldwein, senior vice president at the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.

Americans want lower prices

Trump’s tariffs and the war against Iran that he launched in February contributed to the consumer price index climbing to 3.7% annually. The president also tried to bully the Federal Reserve, an independent body tasked with keeping inflation low, to slash its benchmark interest rate in ways that could have worsened inflation.

The gridlock of a Republican White House and Democratic Congress gives the Fed more room to maneuver, possibly smoothing the central bank’s ability to return inflation to the 2% target it has failed to reach for nearly six years.

“I think that one of the surprise winners Tuesday was the Fed,” said Douglas Holtz-Eakin, an economist and president of the center-right American Action Forum.

The Democratic Senate could block Trump’s ability to fill potentially open spots on the Fed board, Holtz-Eakin said, removing “Trump’s incentives to meddle with the Fed” and clearing a path for Fed Chair Kevin Warsh “to follow his instincts and aggressively reduce inflation.”

Trump has maintained that the costs of oil, gasoline and diesel will all plummet once the Iran war ends. The problem is he refuses to say when or how the war will come to a conclusion.

John Cochrane, an economist at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution, stressed that the Fed’s efforts to combat inflation would be helped if the federal government reduced budget deficits.

“It takes monetary and fiscal restraint,” he said.

The federal government keeps borrowing about $2 trillion annually

The U.S. government keeps amassing debt as tax revenues fall short of burgeoning spending on Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security and other programs. Paying the interest on the national debt now tops $1 trillion annually and exceeds spending on the military. The problem could spiral because investors have pushed up the interest rates charged on government debt over the past year.

Neither the White House nor Democrats ran on spending cuts. The president wants an additional $500 billion a year for the military, while some Democratic candidates have pushed for restoring Affordable Care Act subsidies that lapsed under Trump.

Since August, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has repeatedly said the administration would put forward a plan to trim the roughly $2 trillion annual budget deficit. Bessent is working with White House budget director Russell Vought on cuts they’re branding as a “fiscal consolidation plan,” to be released after the election.

Deficit reduction would likely require some combination of tax increases and spending cuts, Goldwein said. But he said that the lowest hanging fruit would be to trim Medicare expenditures in ways that save money for both the government and patients.

“It’s not rocket science,” he said. “The most important thing you can do is reduce healthcare costs and find policies that lower the costs of Medicare, which will reduce deficits and interest rates.”

AI could power stronger growth, but voters have concerns about the technology

When Harvard University economist Jason Furman thinks about the most important economic issues facing the United States, AI is at the top of his list.

“It’s the most screamingly obvious investment boom this country has ever had, or, possibly, second to railroads” in the late 19th century, Furman said.

Using AI, Furman has built an economic analysis tool called Econvitals that replicates some of the work done when he was chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisers in Democratic President Barack Obama’s administration.

Econvitals parsed construction spending data on Tuesday and found an 80.6% increase in data center construction over the past year, while spending on building homes, schools, factories and offices had fallen.

The stock market sold off last week on concerns that Democrats could restrict the construction of data centers and impose guardrails on AI. But the American economy still needs the technology to keep fueling growth now and into the future.

Trump has been vociferous in promoting the sector and has taken a hands-off stance on regulating AI, insisting that existing laws and voluntary agreements signed by tech companies are enough. He has shrugged off public concerns about the risks of job losses and large-scale cyberattacks, but a majority in The AP Voter Poll, a sweeping survey of the American electorate conducted in all 50 states, say AI does more harm than good for the economy.

The dilemma is that AI is helping to propel demand in the economy and sustain the stock market. If those slipped, there could be less consumer spending, lower growth and many in the U.S. feeling even worse off financially.

“Every time you have a single strength in an economy you are also having a big vulnerability,” Furman said.

Social Security needs to be rescued

Senators who won six-year terms last week will face the politically fraught challenge of working with Trump’s successor to find ways to save Social Security, which is projected to be unable to pay full benefits at the end of 2032.

Removing the cap on payroll taxes and increasing the retirement age are among the possible lifelines for sustaining the program that provides income to older Americans and those with disabilities. But any changes would likely need to be bipartisan to get enough votes to clear the Senate because Social Security overhauls cannot be made by party-line votes through the reconciliation process.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., said she saw an opening earlier this year to fix Social Security when she overheard Sen. Bernie Moreno, an Ohio Republican, talk about the need to lift the cap on payroll taxes. “I reached out to him in a matter of days,” she said in an interview this summer. The two senators went public with a plan that is still being formulated as legislation.

Warren, who worked with the Republicans on a law this year to encourage the construction of more homes, said other bipartisan efforts had failed because Republican lawmakers had been afraid to cross Trump.

But with Social Security, there is a need to act now. Experts say “the checks that go out to seniors will drop by nearly a quarter” after 2032, Warren said.

“Think what that means, literally, to millions and millions of Americans, who depend on those Social Security checks, or who have parents who depend on them. And Congress is doing nothing,” she said.

Police say they responded to the shooting at the intersection of Goodrich Avenue and East Orange Street. Detectives say they learned an argument began inside the Fall Family Festival at Kit Land Nelson Park, and spilled outside, turning into gunfire.

Officers say a 21-year-old was shot multiple times, went to the hospital, and is currently in serious conditions.

[WATCH HERE: Video of crime scene after Apopka shooting]

Officers say they quickly located and detained two juveniles, eventually locating the firearm used. 17-year-old Jeremiah Daniels is facing charges of attempted first-degree homicide and a host of other charges.

The other juvenile is facing charges of resisting an officer without violence, but has not been named, police say.

The police department says the investigation is ongoing, and is asking anyone with information to reach out. You can reach the Apopka Police Department at 407-703-1757 or CrimeLine at 1-800-423-TIPS(8477)

This is a developing story, check back for the latest updates.

Rahm shot 5-under 67 and was 23-under par for the week at Yas Links, two strokes clear of Hatton (68) and four ahead of McIlroy (69) in the first of the two season-ending playoff tournaments in the United Arab Emirates.

This was Rahm's first event in seven weeks, during which time his wife gave birth to their second daughter — their fourth child — and he set about finalizing a departure from LIV that will see him giving up millions of dollars owed to him.

With LIV this week announcing plans to wind down operations anyway, Rahm is sure to be heading back to the established tours for next season — and has a big win to bring with him for what he acknowledged was a new stage in his life.

“After everything that’s gone on," Rahm said, “and some poor play and some battles mentally with a lot of noise, to come back out after a bit of rest and being with the family, it’s quite special.”

His last victory on the European tour's regular circuit was the World Tour Championship in November 2022, which was followed by a green jacket at the Masters a few months later and then the world No. 1 ranking before a controversial move to LIV.

His peerless iron play this week suggests a return to his 2021-23 level, when he collected his two major titles. It was certainly too good for McIlroy and their rivals in an exciting final round at Yas Links.

At one stage early in the back nine, Rahm, McIlroy, Hatton and Francesco Laporta were tied for the lead on 20 under, only for Rahm to pull away with three birdies in a five-hole span from No. 11.

McIlroy's Sunday charge, which started with a birdie and an eagle on his first two holes of the day, slowed with a bogey at No. 15, while Laporta — chasing his first title — fell out of contention with a triple-bogey at the short par-3 13th. The Italian wound up shooting 72 and finished alone in fourth, six strokes behind Rahm.

Hatton, meanwhile, kept his card clean but couldn't make enough birdies to reel in Rahm, who walked down the par-5 18th with a two-shot lead and played it safe to make par.

“As far as I’m concerned, except the (tee) shot on No. 17, I played a pretty flawless round,” said Rahm, who banked a winner's check of $1.5 million. “It was really, really something."

Two former LIV players finishing 1-2 is perhaps a sign of things to come on the European tour, with many wanting to come back to their roots after the end of the breakaway circuit that once was fueled by Saudi cash.

McIlroy makes a move in the Race to Dubai standings

McIlroy's disappointment at failing to win will have been slightly tempered by his surge in the season-long Race to Dubai standings.

With his third-place finish, the world No. 2 moved above Patrick Reed and into second place, behind only Eugenio Chacarra with one event left — the World Tour Championship in Dubai starting Thursday.

Chacarra, a 26-year-old Spaniard in his first full season on the tour, finished tied for 22nd this week and Reed tied for 43rd in the 70-man field.

McIlroy is almost 534 points behind Chacarra, with 2,000 on offer for the winner next week and then 1,335 up for grabs for second place and 752 for third place.

McIlroy is looking to join Colin Montgomerie on a record eight Race to Dubai titles. In the Scot’s day, it was called the Order of Merit.

As for this week in Abu Dhabi, getting a two-shot penalty — turning a double-bogey 6 to an 8 — on Thursday hurt McIlroy's chances. Still, he was encouraged by his performance.

“It was a week where I had my chances,” McIlroy said.

“I would have loved to have won the tournament, but enough positive signs to feel good going into next week.”

Rahm moved up to No. 6 in the Race to Dubai standings so there is an outside chance that he could win the season-long race. One thing is for sure: he would need to win on the Earth course next week to have any hope.

“Actually gives me a little extra incentive next week,” he said. “I really didn’t think I was going to have a chance. Those are better odds than I expected.”

___

See AP’s full golf coverage here

Sunday

We will wake up to temperatures right around average for this time of year thanks to a calm northerly wind. Temperatures will hover around 60°F along the I-4 corridor, mid-upper 50s north and west of I-4, and mid-upper 60s along the coast. We will enjoy mostly sunny skies all day long with just a few fair-weather clouds from time to time. This will allow highs to climb into the low 80s. While a bit warm, humidity will remain low. Sunday evening will be spectacular with temperatures in the low 70s around 7pm under clear skies. Overnight lows will once again drop into the low-mid 60s.

Next Week

Our weather pattern will be a near rinse and repeat to start the work week as we remain dry with low temperatures remaining in the mid 60s. Highs will slowly inch up towards the mid 80s by mid-week ahead of our next cold front that moves in on Friday. This front looks to be a strong one which will drop down our High temperatures to the 60s Friday and Saturday afternoon. Friday morning lows look to dip into the upper 50s to low 60s with Saturday morning lows possibly dropping into the 40s!

If that wasn't enough, it kept Notre Dame's national title hopes alive as well.

CJ Carr threw for 319 yards and three touchdowns, and No. 4 Notre Dame avenged its most damaging loss from last season by running out to a 21-point lead and holding on to beat No. 1 Miami 31-24 on Saturday night.

Micah Gilbert caught two of Carr's scoring passes, Jordan Faison had the other and Nolan James Jr. had a rushing score for Notre Dame (8-1, No. 11 College Football Playoff), which came into the game knowing another loss to Miami could doom its CFP chances.

“It’s a special moment,” said Freeman, Notre Dame's coach. “Enjoy the moment, because tomorrow when you wake up it’s time to get ready for the next one. I know it’s a big one. This is big. This is special. I’m not going to sit here and say this was like the other ones. No, this is different.”

The Hurricanes (8-1, No. 1 CFP) started slowly on offense in their first game without injured wide receiver and Heisman Trophy hopeful Malachi Toney — and Notre Dame, which lost to Miami 27-24 last season in a game that ultimately kept the Irish out of the playoff, never trailed.

“Our backs were against the wall,” said Irish defensive back Luke Talich, who had an interception and a critical — and disputed — pass breakup to help seal the win.

Darian Mensah threw three touchdown passes for Miami, twice getting the Hurricanes within a touchdown after they trailed 24-3 early in the third. Cooper Barkate had a pair of those scoring grabs, and Elija Lofton had the other.

“Proud of the guys, the way we fought back,” Mensah said. “Obviously, it wasn't enough.”

Lofton nearly had a touchdown catch that would have made it 31-30 — the score of the Miami-Notre Dame game in 1988 — with 3:36 left, appearing to make a fourth-down grab in the end zone and getting his feet down.

But Notre Dame's Luke Talich — who had an interception in the third quarter — knocked the ball away, with officials ruling that Lofton didn't complete the grab. Notre Dame took over on downs, ran the clock down to about a minute and held on from there.

Miami coach Mario Cristobal said he was “beyond upset” that Lofton's play wasn't ruled a score.

“Obviously, a tough loss to take,” Cristobal said. “Proud of our players for the resilience. ... Don't leave it in the hands of the officials. Play better. Coach better. Find a way to win.”

With Miami falling, only two unbeaten teams remain in the Football Bowl Subdivision — Utah and UCLA, which both moved to 9-0 on Saturday. This is the first time since 2003 that only two teams made it through the first nine games unbeaten; TCU and Oklahoma did it that year.

On a night when 43 NFL scouts were part of a jam-packed crowd at Notre Dame Stadium, where it was 40 degrees Fahrenheit at kickoff and fell into the mid-30s as the night went along, the Irish stayed true to their mantra for 2026 — one born from the frustration from not making the CFP field a year ago.

They left no doubt. It got a little shaky at the end, but the Irish's CFP hopes are very much alive.

“As good a win as I’ve ever been a part of,” Freeman said. “As special of a moment, as special of an outcome that I’ve been a part of since I’ve been the head coach here.”

The takeaway

Miami: Miami had first-and-goal from the Notre Dame 1 in the second quarter and wound up settling for a field goal, after three runs — one by Fletcher and two keepers by Mensah — went nowhere. The Hurricanes wound up trailing 17-3 at halftime, after scoring at least 14 points and averaging 27 first-half points in their first eight contests this season.

Notre Dame: The Irish pulled out all the stops, with a slew of former stars — Joe Montana, Jerome Bettis Sr., Tony Rice, Chris Zorich, Ricky Watters, Ron Powlus and NBA President of Basketball Operations Byron Spruell among them — for on-field tributes. Also honored was Pat Murphy, the manager of the World Series champion Milwaukee Brewers, who won 73% of his games when he coached at Notre Dame.

No. 1 things

Miami fell to 44-7 when playing as the No. 1 team in the AP Top 25, including an 0-2 mark against Notre Dame — after the top-ranked Hurricanes lost to the fourth-ranked Irish 31-30 in the “Catholics vs. Convicts” game in 1988.

Notre Dame improved to 10-17-1 against No. 1 teams, getting its first win in exactly six years. It beat No. 1 Clemson at home on Nov. 7, 2020, a game where the Tigers were without star quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

Up next

Miami: Hosts Duke next Saturday.

Notre Dame: Hosts Boston College next Saturday.

___

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

Learning a language spoken by their parents, grandparents or great-grandparents is a way some English-speaking children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of immigrants choose to reinforce ties to the old country and nurture their cultural identity.

Knowing the mother tongue of one's ancestors could unlock a stack of letters that clarify hazy chapters of family history. Basic speaking skills may lead to meeting cousins in another country. Listening to stories and songs in the original language conveys nuances and meaning that often are lost in translation, experts say.

Imparting an ancestral language to their children also is important to some parents. Adults who grew up speaking a language other than English, perhaps because they had immigrant parents or they were born abroad themselves, may see the language as a way to foster intergenerational bonds, preserve family traditions and expand future career options.

Whether you’re a parent who wants a child to know their roots or someone eager to acquire an ancestral language yourself, here are tips for claiming a legacy through language.

Don’t let a fear of making mistakes derail you

Linguists and educators generally categorize foreign language students into two broad groups, each with different starting points and perhaps motivations. Most children and adults are second-language learners, who begin formal instruction with little or no prior knowledge.

Most heritage language learners, by contrast, organically acquired some familiarity with a language other than English as young children, said Tanya Ivanova-Sullivan, associate director of the National Heritage Language Resource Center at the University of California, Los Angeles. They typically heard the language spoken at home and understand or speak it themselves to varying degrees.

“Heritage language speakers are home chefs,” Ivanova-Sullivan said. “They learned the language in the family kitchen from parents and grandparents rather than in the classroom.”

Repeated early exposure tends to give heritage language students an advantage over second-language learners, but they may be reluctant to speak up in class if they aren't confident in their grammar or relatives teased them for not being fluent, experts say.

Many people are embarassed about making mistakes when conversing in a language they don't know very well, said Arturo Diaz, executive director of the UCLA Center for World Languages. He encouraged students to use what they already know, saying perfection doesn't have to be the goal.

"So just remove any apprehension you may have in learning language and then just have fun with the experience," Diaz said.

Look for opportunities to learn and practice

Some scholars and educators say that someone with a cultural or familial relationship to a language also could be considered a heritage language student even if they are starting pretty much from scratch, according to the Center for Applied Linguistics, a nonprofit research and teacher education organization that promotes language learning and linguistic diversity.

Listening to relatives whose first language isn't English is an effective way to learn a heritage language, Yang Xiao-Desai, a professor of Chinese at San Francisco State University, said.

“Ask your grandparents for stories,” she said. “Ask them to share a story of a dish, a story of a recipe, a piece of furniture. Whatever you can.”

Podcasts, music and subtitled movies and videos in a target language also may help learners pick up words and phrases.

Ivanova-Sullivan recommends expanding the circle of people with whom you practice. Some communities have programs that pair an English speaker learning a foreign language with a native speaker who wants to learn English.

“When you’re expanding your network, you’re expanding the opportunities to use the language in different ways, and that’s how your vocabulary (grows)," she said.

Book a trip to the place your people are from

Visiting your family's country of origin can be a valuable experience for people who can afford the trip, Ivanova-Sullivan said. She takes her 12-year-old to her native Bulgaria for two months every summer.

Organized tours overseas for people who want to visit their ancestral homelands have multiplied in the last decade, in part due to at-home DNA test kits.

If you're interested in learning a language while traveling but have limited time off from work, check out intensive programs like EF Language Abroad, which has campuses in Spain, France, Korea, Italy, Germany, Japan and the United Arab Emirates.

Before or after traveling, connect with members of your extended family on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Even beginner students can pick up phrases and customs from their relatives.

Consider a local heritage language school

Parents who want their children to learn a family language and embrace their heritage can consider community language schools, which integrate language lessons with cultural traditions. Volunteers and parents from local immigrant communities often operate such schools as nonprofit organizations.

Classes typically are held after school or on weekends. Most are designed for children learning or maintaining a language spoken at home, but some serve adult learners as well, said Joy Peyton, president of the Coalition of Community-Based Heritage Language Schools.

“They use their languages with their parents, with their friends,” Peyton said. “They recognize that their language has value.”

The coalition, a nationwide initiative that connects and advocates for these schools, has documented nearly 1,000 programs teaching 62 languages in 44 states, she said. Korean is the most-taught language, according to Peyton.

Ana Lúcia Lico, a co-founder and board member of the organization, came to the U.S. from São Paulo, Brazil, at age 35. She made sure her two sons, now 20 and 23, learned Portuguese and were immersed in Brazilian culture while growing up in Northern Virginia.

Her older son, Gabriel Lico Bickham, attended a local heritage language school for two hours every Saturday for about a decade, starting at age 4. He remembers learning grammar but also being immersed in games like “Corre cotia,” similar to the American duck, duck, goose.

Classes aren't the only way for children to learn a family language

Lico, whose husband was born in the U.S., said she also exposed her boys to Brazilian Portuguese through music, dance and playing sports.

“Soccer is huge in Brazil,” she said. "Through soccer, my kids developed a whole amazing set of vocabulary, words that I never had to teach them."

Hiring childcare providers who are native speakers or shopping in neighborhoods where a heritage language is spoken are additional ways for children to learn the ancestral tongue, said Richard Brecht, co-director of the American Councils Research Center, a nonprofit group devoted to the improvement of language learning worldwide.

Comic books about a group of children living in a fictitious neighborhood in Brazil helped Bickham learn Portuguese, a skill he says is helping shape his future. Also fluent in Spanish, he recently graduated from the University of Virginia. In January, he leaves for Mozambique, where Portuguese is the official language, for an English teaching assistant position through the Fulbright program.

“Growing up today, I feel very close to my Brazilian identity,” Bickham said. “And the language is probably the most important aspect out of that because the language is what unlocks all these cultural aspects.”

He then explained his rationale, confounding to some, for supporting abortion rights. Becerra exemplifies how Catholicism’s deep roots often go hand in hand with California’s progressive reputation. That complexity is a snapshot of a larger reality — that American Catholics are in many ways a politically mixed bag.

“There is no Catholic vote,” said David Gibson, the director of Fordham University’s Center on Religion and Culture. White evangelicals for Republicans or Black Protestants for Democrats are more politically reliable religious groups, he said.

With Becerra’s win this week, California has elected five consecutive Catholic governors — a remarkable streak indicative of Catholicism’s enduring influence. “Catholicism is part of the fabric of California culture the way Puritan Protestantism is part of the New England regions,” Gibson said.

Catholic voters — especially Latinos — helped elect Becerra, according to The AP Voter Poll, a survey of roughly 100,000 midterm voters. He became the state's first elected Latino governor.

Beginning with Gray Davis, who took office in 1999, four of those five governors also have been Democrats. Some have been more vocal about their faith than others — notably Jerry Brown, who was a seminarian in the 1950s.

California is home to more Catholics than any other U.S. state. A Pew Research Center poll in 2024 found that 25% of adults in California identify as Catholic, accounting for almost half of the state’s Christians.

But numbers aside, Catholicism has been woven into the fabric of the state for centuries.

California Catholics are politically diverse

From economically progressive strains of Catholic social teaching and explicit rejections of the death penalty to official teachings against abortion and in vitro fertilization, Catholic theology rarely fits neatly into political categories, which helps explain the unpredictable voting habits.

Take Gov. Gavin Newsom, whose strong support of abortion rights is at odds with Catholic leadership. Yet his announcement this week that he planned to change more than 500 death sentences in the state to life in prison without the possibility of parole was celebrated by the California Catholic Conference, the public policy organization representing the church in California.

“I take this action because I firmly believe that state-sanctioned killing is incompatible with California’s values, undermines the foundations of our legal system, and diminishes each of us,” Newsom said in a public letter.

Some leaders within the church have subverted Trump administration policies, like San Bernardino Bishop Alberto Rojas, who last year formally excused parishioners from their weekly obligation to attend Mass following immigration detentions on parish properties in the diocese.

Others have taken high-profile conservative stances, like San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, who in 2022 barred U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, a Catholic, from receiving Communion over her support of abortion rights.

About 2 in 10 voters in the California governor’s race were Catholic, and they mostly voted for Becerra, according to The AP Voter Poll. About 6 in 10 Catholic voters supported Becerra, while about 4 in 10 voted for his Republican opponent Steve Hilton.

About 7 in 10 Latino Catholics voted for Becerra, while white Catholics were split between Becerra and Hilton.

Those complex political patterns are also reflected nationally. Catholics were split evenly between Democrats and Republicans.

That’s a modest shift from 2024, when just over half of U.S. Catholics voted for Trump, according to AP VoteCast.

California Catholics are ethnically diverse

Catholics in California are also ethnically diverse. Many are immigrants from Latin America and the Philippines. Resident Tracy Creighton's ancestry goes back to the missions founded more than two centuries ago by Spanish Franciscan priests.

As the mother of teenagers, Creighton has sought to pass on the importance of serving others and respecting nature — values she believes are both deeply Catholic and Californian.

“I feel in the last several years we have lost our way in terms of being of service to others,” she said, citing Saint Francis of Assisi as a model. “That is why I stay Catholic.”

Catholic faith, history and culture contribute to many Californians' understanding of themselves, such as their relationship to the 21 missions founded between 1769 and 1823.

“Obviously, the legacy of the missions is a mixed one and has problematic implications,” said Cecilia González-Andrieu, a theology professor at Loyola Marymount University. “For Latina theologians like myself, there’s a need for us to be able to hold that in tension, the fact that within our very selves we have this mix of cultures and bloods.”

Leaders are increasingly reckoning with that tension and how it should be communicated to young people. The history of the missions is included in the statewide public fourth-grade curriculum, which is often accompanied by a field trip to one.

A law signed by Newsom went into effect last year that requires schools to teach in social studies class about how missionaries mistreated Native Americans, and to share Native perspectives.

But mistreatment isn’t the only fraught legacy of the missionaries who arrived in the late 18th century.

“The mission system spread disease and was ill-equipped to deal with the immunological effects of old-world people and their immunities,” said William Deverell, a historian at the University of Southern California. “It’s your major consequential institutional moment which brings with it a horrible demographic decline of the Indigenous population.”

California Catholicism is about more than faith

Despite their complicated legacy, the missions are landmarks. Many still operate as Catholic parishes.

The missions also helped influence the Spanish Colonial Revival style of homes that became signatures of California architecture. “Why I love California so much is the architecture and the beauty of it. And I think Catholicism plays a lot into that,” Creighton said.

Creighton says it’s difficult to overstate the significance of Mission San Luis Rey in Oceanside, near San Diego, where she lives.

“Everyone does their homecoming pictures, their Christmas pictures. It’s just ingrained in us,” she said, adding that even non-Catholics will often take photos there. “It’s a landmark that’s important in who we are here.”

Beyond architecture, Catholic influence is all over many California homes.

Between the crucifixes and votive candles on display, Brian Murillo’s Fresno home is a testament to his Catholic upbringing. The state employee describes himself as a lapsed Catholic who stopped going to Mass because he felt the American church’s leadership was too aligned with Republican politics.

But Murillo, whose father is from Mexico, still says a Hail Mary or an Our Father prayer whenever he leaves the house.

“Sometimes I’ll be cleaning the house and I’ll be doing a prayer or in the car by myself,” he said. “It’s been such a part of my growing up, even to this day.”

___

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

“I thought to myself at a very young age, that’s where I want to be,” Curley said.

On Election Day, Curley surpassed that childhood dream and broke a barrier she says she never imagined as a nine-year-old: She was elected the first woman president of the Navajo Nation.

This week's elections brought a wave of milestone victories, from the nation’s first Black female governor to the first openly gay man and first Muslim elected to the U.S. Senate. It also marked a turning point for Native American women, whose leadership in their families and communities has rarely translated to formal political power.

Peggy Flanagan became the first Native American woman elected to the Senate, Deb Haaland the first to win a state governorship, and Curley the first to lead one of the largest tribes.

“This is a win for all Navajo women,” Curley told The Associated Press.

Jordan James Harvill, a Cherokee Nation citizen and strategist with the advocacy group Advance Native Political Leadership, said decades of political organizing are bearing fruit as more Native women run for and win office.

“This is a seismic shift that is happening in our communities,” he said.

The Navajo Nation elects its first woman president

Lene Bitsui supported Curley in the Navajo Nation election because she felt she was best positioned to restore order to the tribal government after what she sees as a period of dysfunction. But when Bitsui cast her ballot, she felt pessimistic.

“I thought our people weren't ready for a female president,” Bitsui said. “I was wrong, and I feel so happy to have been wrong.”

The modern, centralized Navajo government has been led by men since its establishment under federal pressure over a century ago. Navajo has the largest land base of any federally recognized tribe, spanning 27,000 square miles (70,000 square kilometers) in Arizona, New Mexico and Utah, and is second in population to the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma.

Some Navajo people believe traditional teachings prohibit women from holding top government positions. Others say women's absence from the presidency stands in contrast to the matrilineal structure of Diné society.

“You see the language of tradition used to both deride the possibility of a woman being president and to say that women’s leadership is needed now,” said Jennifer Nez Denetdale, a professor of Diné studies at the University of New Mexico.

Curley, who narrowly defeated attorney Justin Jones, according to unofficial results, told the AP she faced sexist rhetoric while campaigning and expects to be held to a higher standard as the first woman president.

“As women, we have to work twice or triple as hard, especially within Navajo politics,” said Curley, who also was the first female to lead the tribe's legislative branch as speaker of the tribal council.

After Curley and her running mate Chris Deschene take office in January, they plan to transition the Navajo Nation away from coal development, historically a major economic engine for the tribe, and reassert its leading role in national discussions around federal Indian policy.

The Seneca Nation of Indians in western New York also elected its first woman president, longtime council member Tina Abrams, on Tuesday.

Native women make gains in U.S. Congress

At her Senate victory celebration in St. Paul, Minnesota, Democrat Flanagan, a citizen of the White Earth Nation and the state’s outgoing lieutenant governor, credited supporters from her community.

“I could not run for the U. S. Senate without Native women. I could not exist in the way that I do without Native women,” Flanagan said.

More than 230 years after the U.S. Senate was established, only four Native people have served in the chamber, all men.

“This is a win that shows we can break every single glass ceiling,” Harvill said.

Flanagan will join Oklahoma Republican Sen. Tom Cole, a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation. A victory for Democrat Mary Peltola, a Yup’ik woman, in Alaska's still unsettled Senate race, would mark the first time three Native people have served in the chamber simultaneously.

In the House, Kansas Democrat Sharice Davids, Ho-Chunk, and Oklahoma Republican Josh Brecheen, Choctaw, won reelection. New York Democrat Claire Valdez, a citizen of Ysleta del Sur Pueblo, and Michigan Democrat Sean McCann, a citizen of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, became the first Native Americans elected to represent their states in Congress.

Deb Haaland notches another first in New Mexico

Haaland’s political career has been defined by historic milestones. She was one of the first two Native women elected to Congress in 2018 before becoming the first Native American to lead a U.S. Cabinet agency, the Interior Department.

Now, in her home state of New Mexico, the Laguna Pueblo citizen, will break ground as the first female Native governor of a U.S. state.

“I think it's a long time coming,” said Haaland, who traces her ancestry in what is now New Mexico back 800 years.

She is tasked with making good on campaign promises to make life more affordable for struggling New Mexicans and addressing persistently poor education outcomes in the state.

Haaland, who is affectionately known as “Auntie Deb” in parts of Indian Country, was tearful reflecting on the support she has received from Native voters and other Native women in politics, including Davids and Flanagan.

“It makes me very happy that we're able to have a presence,” Haaland said. “It’s not just a slogan. It matters that people feel represented.”

___

This story is published through the Global Indigenous Reporting Network at The Associated Press.

A day after compatriot Chiba Mone won the women’s title, Miura posted a personal-best 190.35 in the free skate for an overall career-best score of 293.25 to build on his lead from Friday's short program.

The 21-year-old Miura finished well clear of second-placed Vladislav Dikidzhi (282.44) and Evgeni Semenenko was third with 281.62. It was Dikidzhi’s first career Grand Prix medal.

“It’s turned out to be a very happy day for me,” said Miura, who finished second at the Grand Prix de France. “It was the best performance of my career so thank you.

“At the last Grand Prix Final I was in three years ago, which was also in China, I ran up a fever and did not perform as well as I could have. This year’s Final is in China again so I’m looking to redeem myself.”

Miura’s compatriot Sato Shun, who won Olympic bronze in Milan, finished fourth on 277.20 after popping a couple of jumps.

Olympic champion Mikhail Shaidorov was fifth on 263.49 and missed out on qualification for the final.

Miura, who fell just 0.06 short of his personal best in Friday’s short program, pumped his fist several times as the music ended on his near-flawless Jekyll and Hyde routine, celebrating the second Grand Prix title of his career.

___

See AP’s full sports coverage here

Trump, while he was at his golf club in Florida, posted on social media that he made the offer to “the Great Dana White, a violent Fighter and Warrior” to become the Republican president's chief spokesperson.

White, who was in London on Saturday for a boxing event, was asked at a news conference about Trump's post and responded by saying that he planned to fly to Washington right after and meet with Trump on Monday.

When asked how he would balance the job with the current positions he has in the fighting world, White seemed confused by the question and then said, “Yeah, I got a lot of jobs already.”

He declined to say what conversations he'd had with Trump but said, “I'm sure I'll have more to talk about after that.”

Before the news conference, the UFC head shared an image of Trump’s post on Instagram, along with an image of himself standing behind the podium in the White House press briefing room with the words “On to the next chapter.”

The White House and a spokesperson for the UFC did not respond Saturday to messages inquiring about the Truth Social post.

Trump said in his post that he requested that White bring along several UFC fighters as “assistants,” adding, “We need these people to defend us against the Lunatic Left. Dana will be a Press Secretary like none other. Dana, please take the job!”

While White didn't make it clear if he was seriously considering the position of becoming the primary spokesperson for the president of the United States, he did elsewhere in his news conference describe his ambitions to expand the Zuffa Boxing organization he also runs with Saudi Arabian backers and hold more of its events around the world.

Trump's post came as his White House is in a period of major transition and struggling with his party's deep losses in Tuesday's midterm elections. The historic wins by Democratic candidates, including in areas that Republicans had held for decades, led to the GOP losing control of both chambers of Congress.

Trump on Friday announced he was replacing his longtime adviser Susie Wiles, who was seen as something of a tempering force on the president's impulses, with aide Stephen Miller to serve as the next chief of staff. Miller is known as the architect of the administration’s hard-line immigration policies and is among the most determined of Trump's inner circle.

The shake-up at the heart of his administration follows the brief but tumultuous week when Trump tried out a new press secretary in Katie Zacharia, who seemed uncomfortable in her sole appearance before reporters before leaving the job after five days.

The post had been vacant since Karoline Leavitt left at the end of August. Trump remains without a chief spokesperson.

Trump is close friends with White and has attended several UFC events with him since returning to the White House in January 2025.

He brought White and the sport to the White House’s South Lawn in June for the celebration of America’s 250th year of its independence and the president's own 80th birthday. A wire-mesh Octagon was constructed near the executive mansion under " The Claw,” a spaceship-like metal arch fitted with lights, sound equipment and large screens.

“It was an amazing experience, this was a one-of-one,” said White afterward.

White also spoke at the Republican National Conventions in 2016, 2020 and 2024.

___

Associated Press writers Daniel Gelston in Philadelphia and Jesse Bedayn in Austin, Texas, contributed to this report.

The tightest vote in years delivered a stinging rebuke to the major parties which have long dominated New Zealand politics, Christopher Luxon's center-right National party and center-left Labour led by Chris Hipkins, as voters threw more support behind minor parties on the ideological flanks than before. On Saturday's numbers, minor parties would enter negotiations for a governing deal with leverage to extract deeper policy concessions from a weakened National or Labour.

The near-deadlock was partly produced because voters, apparently weary of New Zealand's economic woes and apathetic about both Luxon and Hipkins, chose to propel a new entrant group to Parliament for the first time in years. Opportunity, led by 38-year-old business consultant and political newcomer Qiulae Wong, is unaligned with either bloc and Wong has said she could work with either side to form a government.

Wong's pledges of evidence-based centrism and an end to partisan bickering had on Saturday's results secured seven seats for Opportunity — enough to frustrate both left and right in a simple path to power. It was a staggering ascension for a party that made three failed attempts at Parliament before Wong became leader less than a year ago.

The conservative bloc has a simpler route to victory, but results could change

Other winners were harder to identify and on Sunday, “who won the election 2026” was the top trending Google search in New Zealand. So unclear was the result that parties won’t begin negotiations to form a government until final tallies are released on Nov. 27, confirming the exact number of seats they’ve won.

With 2.8 million ballots counted on election night, the conservative incumbent government led by Luxon's National party appeared close to the slimmest possible return to power — by just one seat. However, Luxon didn't claim victory, instead striking a note of cautious optimism that he could negotiate a second term in power.

Speaking to reporters Sunday, Luxon blamed public dissatisfaction on global shocks which have buffeted New Zealand's trade-based economy, noting that other incumbent governments worldwide have faced voters' rancor over living costs.

Yet his opponent Hipkins, who was turfed from office in 2023 largely over discontent about the same economic issues, didn't appear to benefit on Saturday. The left-wing bloc appeared to fall short of a majority but was still hopeful it could triumph — though that seemed a more remote prospect.

Electoral officials were due on Sunday to begin counting nearly 400,000 so-called special votes, including from New Zealanders who live abroad, a process expected to take three weeks.

Those ballots have historically granted an additional seat or two in Parliament to left-wing parties, which could snatch the current razor-thin majority from the right, although such an outcome would likely leave the left struggling to form a majority too. If a government can't be formed, New Zealand could face a fresh vote.

Incumbent Luxon urges people to ‘calm down’ and enjoy a break from politics

“I think everyone's over politics so let's all have a bit of a break for the next three weeks,” Luxon told reporters on Sunday. He will lead a caretaker government until an outcome is reached.

Luxon suggested that National had a viable path to power and boasted that it had secured more seats in Parliament than any other group. However, Saturday night was bleak for his party.

Several of National's most senior lawmakers would exit politics on results so far, including the ministers of finance and defense, the speaker of parliament, and the attorney general. With the party's traditional governing partners winning increased support, Luxon faces a more strident list of policy demands to secure their backing.

Libertarian ACT won 13 seats and populist New Zealand First won 12. Both are led by canny veteran politicians, and detractors of Luxon, a former business executive who entered politics in 2020, said his dealings with them in the three years since he took office had highlighted his political inexperience.

The vote was a slap for both major parties

New Zealanders don't vote for prime ministers. Instead they cast two votes, one for their preferred party and another for the candidate they want as their local representative.

The country has one house of Parliament and no states, so the central government holds ultimate sway over New Zealand's direction. Governments in the South Pacific nation of 5.6 million people are elected every three years.

National won just 29.21% of the preferred party vote as of Sunday, a collapse of its previous result, and secured its 42 seats entirely by winning local constituency races. Luxon, who unusually faced two separateconfidence votes among his own lawmakers this year, further slumped in popularity as leader close to election day.

However, Labour also won just 29.36% of the party vote, a result that appeared to suggest a second election defeat for career politician Hipkins. Despite winning about the same party vote percentage as National, Labour has secured only 36 seats on numbers so far because they won fewer local races.

Minor parties on the left saw bolstered support. The environmentally-focused Greens won 16 seats and Indigenous rights group Te Pāti Māori secured five.

The total number of seats in New Zealand's Parliament changes due to quirks in how seat allocations are calculated. There would currently be 131 lawmakers elected, with 66 seats required for a majority.

Luxon's conservative bloc would currently hold 67, a razor-thin margin likely to discomfit a leader managing a three-way government with two emboldened minor parties. However, the left bloc held only 57 seats before the historically left-leaning special votes were counted.

Even if the final tally boosted the left bloc's seats slightly, Hipkins would apparently need support from newcomer Wong to govern.

Before the election, Luxon repeatedly ruled out negotiating with Wong. He sidestepped questions on Sunday about whether his vanishingly slim lead had changed his mind.

And now, that play has some company.

Add another did-he-or-didn't-he to the lore of the rivalry between the Hurricanes and the Fighting Irish. Miami argued that Elija Lofton caught what would have been a touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter of what became a 31-24 loss to Notre Dame on Saturday night — only to have the referees say Lofton didn't complete the play.

“They negated Elija Lofton's touchdown with two hands on the ball and two feet inbounds,” Miami coach Mario Cristobal said. “Like we told our team before we left Miami, do not leave it in the hands of the officials. ... Congratulations to Notre Dame for winning the game, but very disappointed in the way that was called with the game on the line and clear possession of a football inbounds.”

Had Lofton been credited with that catch, it would have made the score 31-30 with an extra point try pending. Miami lost the 1988 game — the one where the Hurricanes say Gary didn't fumble — by that same 31-30 score. And if that wasn't enough of an eerie coincidence, Miami entered that 1988 game ranked No. 1 in the country while Notre Dame came in ranked No. 4.

The rankings going into Saturday night: Miami No. 1, Notre Dame No. 4.

“I thought it was a touchdown,” Miami quarterback Darian Mensah said.

Lofton had the ball in his hands and his feet were down, which was the reason why Miami felt it was a touchdown. But the issue was whether the catch was completed, and Lofton had the ball knocked away by Notre Dame's Luke Talich — while both players ended up out of bounds.

“I felt like he didn't have control of it,” Talich said. “I was glad. I was super pumped-up when they upheld it.”

Rules analyst Terry McAulay, speaking on the NBC broadcast of the game, said he felt officials adjudicated the play correctly and that Lofton didn't have total control.

“You see him bobble it just a little bit before the ball gets knocked out,” McAulay said. “It's incomplete.”

That 1988 loss that still stings Miami because it took away a national title shot. Gary was ruled to have fumbled near the goal line, even though Miami argued he was down before the ball came loose and was recovered by Notre Dame.

“Robbed. We were robbed,” former Miami star Randal Hill said of the Gary play.

Miami could have felt the same way on Saturday.

This one doesn't knock Miami out of title contention — the College Football Playoff is still very much in play for the Hurricanes. But the Lofton play, at minimum, is one that fans will debate for a long time.

The fact that Miami had a chance at tying the game late probably surprised some, based on how the first 35 minutes went. The Hurricanes — playing without injured receiver Malachi Toney — got into a 24-3 hole in the third quarter before their comeback push started.

Among all Football Bowl Subdivision players entering this weekend's slate of games, Toney was second with 73 catches, tied for second with 13 touchdown receptions and third with 1,027 receiving yards. He was widely considered to be a Heisman Trophy contender, the most electrifying player on the most dynamic offense in the country.

Toney was responsible for 35% of Miami’s catches, 39% of its receiving yards and 46% of its touchdown receptions in the Hurricanes' first eight games. In his absence, Cooper Barkate caught a pair of touchdown passes and Lofton had a TD grab as well — but in the end, the Hurricanes were left to wonder what might have been.

“I was celebrating,” Mensah said. "I thought it was a touchdown."

___

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

He's delivered variations of this ominous warning about climate change, caused by the burning of fossil fuels like oil and gas, in the past decade, often with increasingly hyperbolic language. Three years ago, he even said, “the era of global boiling has arrived, " referring to rising temperatures and increasing extreme weather, both results of climate change.

But this time, it will be his last global warming sermon as head of the United Nations as his second and last term expires at the end of the year. And the sense of urgency is palpable in a world with worsening killer heat waves, storms, floods and droughts amid ever higher temperatures and, on top of all of it, El Niño, a naturally occurring climate pattern that scrambles weather systems around the globe.

“This is a moment of truths. We can no longer wait, we can no longer have endless discussions in which everybody tries to push the responsibility to someone else. Everybody must do more, everybody must do more now,” Guterres said he will tell leaders of the U.N. climate conference, known as COP31, scheduled Nov. 9-20.

The “moment of truth” message weighs so heavily that the Secretary-General used the phrase three times in 20 minutes during a recent exclusive interview with The Associated Press from his 38th floor conference room at U.N. headquarters. He discussed his one last push in the fight against climate change and a ten-year tenure where he became one of the most visible advocates urging often recalcitrant countries to do more to reduce their emissions of heat-trapping gases.

One of the most difficult days

The gravity of global warming reality also weighs heavily as he recalled his personal climate moment of truth. It was, he said, “one of the most difficult days of my life.”

It came last year when he consulted with scientists before a major speech on climate. As he had for nine years, Guterres was going to insist that the 2015 Paris Agreement's main goal — limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) since pre-industrial times — was still alive. He was going to say the world needs to do far more to keep below that threshold, and that it was doable.

“Scientists told me you cannot say that because that's no longer true,” said Guterres, an engineer before his political career. Too much carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, the result of burning fossil fuels, had been released into the atmosphere.

“That was an enormous shock for me,” he said. Now the U.N. is trying to limit how much past that threshold the world heads.

It felt like a failure, Guterres said.

“But it's not the world that's failed, it's the political leadership that's failed,” Guterres said. Protecting the planet, he said, requires a long-term strategic view. Yet in many political systems “there is no strategic view. And policies change frequently, not allowing the kind of constant determined investment that is necessary," Guterres said.

He pointed to his tenure as Portugal's prime minister in the late 1990s to show it's possible to invest long term in a greener future. He added that a worldwide boom in wind and solar power as cheaper alternatives to fossil fuels gives him hope.

With wars raging in Ukraine and Iran and worries about artificial intelligence — which he also tried to rally world leaders around — there are a lot of threats out there, Guterres said.

“The problem is that all these things are getting combined,” Guterres said, noting the huge electricity and water consumption and carbon emissions of AI.

War-related energy shocks show that relying on fossil fuels is a fundamental security problem, he said.

Warning of a disaster that then came

Three years ago, Guterres toured the highest peaks of Nepal, warning of a future with swollen glacier-fed lakes bursting and devastating floods and landslides.

“I am here today to cry out from the rooftop of the world: Stop the madness,” Guterres said in 2023. “The glaciers are retreating, but we cannot,” he said. “We must end the fossil fuel age.”

“Unfortunately they came sooner than what I expected,” he recalled in the interview. Floods in August killed more than 1,400 people with another 5,600 missing. Scientists said climate change played a role in the disasters.

Guterres said someone needs to pay to help the victims of climate change, who often didn't cause the problem.

“Fossil fuel companies are making huge profits and obviously those windfall profits should be taxed and those taxes should be applied in supporting the countries that are having the more dramatic impacts of climate change," Guterres said.

Talking earlier this month with a science team on a drifting platform in the middle of the Arctic Ocean, Guterres mentioned that his trip to Mount Everest and chats with researchers changed him. He said the conversations created "a sense of fury in relation to those who go on, if not denying, at least refusing to take the measures that are necessary to stop this madness.”

Praised as a climate champion despite limitations

"António Guterres has consistently been eloquent, forceful and right on target in all of his many statements and initiatives to address the climate crisis," former U.S. Vice President Al Gore said. “He’s been so active on this issue because he understands clearly that it is the greatest challenge facing humanity.”

European Climate Foundation CEO Laurence Tubiana, who presided over the negotiations that resulted in the Paris Agreement, said Guterres “has done what he could, even pushing the ball much, much farther than any other SG, to the point that he may have been represented in a very adversarial context.”

Because nations don't have to do what the U.N. or its leaders ask and superpowers have veto authority, Guterres said his position as secretary-general “has no real power. We have not much money you know. But there is one thing we have: A voice."

That's why he simply has three words of advice to whoever succeeds him: “Tell the truth.” The U.N. Security Council is still deciding on who will be the next secretary-general.

The one message Guterres said he wants the public to remember on climate change: “Take it seriously because it is an existential threat. And the first thing we need to fight is for our own lives.”

___

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.

"This achievement will give young people from foster care an anchor of stability, a strong educational foundation and a chance to build a wonderful life,” she said at an event with LSU President Wade Rousse and some of the donors.

The $7.2 million in private donations will fund a permanent endowment for the scholarships, speakers said. MMR Group Inc., an electrical contracting company based in Baton Rouge, committed $5 million, with members of the LSU Foundation raising an additional $2.2 million, they said.

The first lady later attended a college football game between ranked regional rivals, No. 15 LSU and No. 9 Alabama, another participant in the scholarship program.

“As adults, we have a moral obligation to our children, especially those in foster care. But, as you know, we must act to truly make a difference. The foster care community doesn’t need words,” she added. She concluded her brief remarks with, "Now, let’s go and enjoy the game.”

LSU has 14 scholars under the program and Alabama has nine, she said, part of a group of 100 students supported across 26 participating colleges and universities this semester.

The first lady watched the game from an enclosed box at Tiger Stadium, and LSU players sported the logo of her “Be Best” initiative on their helmets and uniforms. Fans received commemorative white “Be Best” towels to wave during the game.

“Fostering the Future” is an offshoot of the “Be Best” child well-being initiative that was her signature platform during President Donald Trump’s first term.

Television cameras panned to Melania Trump in the box during the performance of the national anthem and later when a group of “Fostering the Future” scholars were recognized on the field. Cheers rose from the stadium when she appeared on the screen.

A B-52 and a Stealth Bomber flew over before kickoff, followed by a separate flyover featuring different aircraft at halftime.

Among those visiting with Melania Trump in the suite were Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., the LSU president and the “Fostering the Future” scholars.

The first lady's commemorative coin was flipped during the coin toss, the White House said. She left the game near the end of the fourth quarter with Alabama closing in on a 31-13 victory.

“It was a successful day, incredible game,” Melania Trump told reporters before boarding the flight back to Washington. As to meeting the scholarship recipients, “it was great to connect with them."

She also provided an updated figure for the endowment: $7.5 million “and growing.”

During the scholarship announcement, Rousse presented Melania Trump with an LSU helmet sporting the “Be Best” logo, a custom-made “Be Best” football and an LSU jersey with her first name and the number 14, representing the number of enrolled scholars.

“At LSU, we believe talent is everywhere, but we understand that opportunity is not,” Rousse said. "That is why access is one of our highest priorities. Students who have experienced foster care have already demonstrated resilience, determination and potential. Our responsibility, our responsibility is to make sure circumstances beyond their control do not stand between them and a life-changing higher educational experience.”

The first lady started to work on foster care issues after the Republican president left office in 2021 and created “Fostering the Future” to provide resources and support, including scholarships.

Earlier this year, Melania Trump was on Capitol Hill to push Congress to pass a legislative package that would broaden access to services for young people in foster care by updating a decades-old program. The measures cleared the House and are pending in the Senate.

She told members of the House Ways and Means Committee that young people in foster care face barriers to housing, transportation and other challenges outside of the classroom that affect their performance in school along with their future financial independence.

Last November, the first lady spearheaded an executive order signed by the president linking the federal government, colleges and universities, the private sector and charitable groups to create educational and employment opportunities for those in foster care.

She also created “Fostering the Future Together,” a global version of the program with more than 45 participating countries.

___

AP Sports Writer Brett Martel in Baton Rouge, La., contributed to this report.

The Ducks seem to have found their stride though, while the Buckeyes' season has imploded.

Oregon rallied from an early two-touchdown deficit to hammer No. 11 Ohio State 41-28 on Saturday as Dylan Raiola passed for 257 yards and Dierre Hill Jr. rushed for two touchdowns.

The Ducks (6-3, 4-2 Big Ten, No. 23 CFP) have won two straight after losing two of three following Dante Moore’s season-ending concussion at Southern California.

“I know it’s hard when you change what you think you’re going to be throughout the year, and somebody gets injured. It takes a while to kind of figure that out, and in college football, you just don’t have time,” Lanning said. “We went through some growing pains ourselves, and figuring out OK, how do we become the team that we want to be? And I feel like we saw glimpses of that.”

Oregon was down 14-0 late in the first quarter before scoring on four of their next five drives to take control of the game and deliver a stunning loss to the Buckeyes, who have dropped two straight games for the first time since 2011.

It was sweet revenge for the Ducks and Lanning after the Buckeyes dashed their hopes of a College Football Playoff title and undefeated 2024 season with a 41-21 win in the Rose Bowl. Ohio State went on to win their second CFP title.

“We were confident in our plan. We saw seams everywhere in their defense when we were game planning for them, and those first couple drives were like self-inflicted wounds, and so we never got down. We just kept stacking plays,” said Raiola, who completed 25 of 40 passes

Ohio State's season and its CFP hopes get blown up after Julian Sayin suffered an arm injury on Oct. 17 at Indiana. It is also the first time since October 1992 that Ohio State (6-3, 4-2, No. 12 CFP) has lost back-to-back games to unranked opponents.

Many of the 103,551 mostly scarlet-clad fans that packed Ohio Stadium had departed by midway through the fourth quarter after the Ducks had scored 38 straight points.

“We didn’t expect any of this to happen. I thought the way that we came out was how we thought we would play in this game. And then once the momentum swung, we weren’t able to stop that and then swing it,” said coach Ryan Day, who has lost three games for the first time in his eight seasons leading the Buckeyes.

Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who had seven catches for 133 yards and a touchdown, was screaming at coaches and teammates on the sideline at the start of the fourth quarter.

Luke Fahey completed 36 of 50 passes for 360 yards with two touchdowns and an interception in his second start. However, 178 yards and both of his TD throws came in the fourth quarter when the game was out of reach.

Bo Jackson had 11 carries for 48 yards and scored touchdowns from 16 and 8 yards to give the Buckeyes a 14-0 lead.

Hill, who rushed for 75 yards on 13 carries, got the Ducks within 14-10 with 1:25 remaining in the second quarter on a 9-yard touchdown. The sophomore then extended Oregon's lead to 24-14 on the opening drive of the third quarter on a 48-yard run when he cut right and broke three tackles before reaching the end zone.

Raiola had two second-half touchdowns to put it out reach. Dakorien Moore made a one-handed, 11-yard catch in the back left corner of the end zone while being covered by Ohio State's Dominick Kelly midway through the third quarter to make it 31-14.

Running back Brandon Smith then went 15 yards on a screen pass, marking the first time since 1988 Ohio State has allowed at least 30 points in consecutive losses.

Turning point

Gage Hurych's 33-yard field goal early in the second quarter got Oregon on the scoreboard before the Ducks scored twice in the last 1:25 to go up 17-14 at halftime.

Oregon seized momentum with a fake punt. On fourth-and-9, linebacker Teitum Tuioti took the snap and found fellow linebacker Matayo Uiagalelei open near the right sideline for a 30-yard gain to the Buckeyes’ 39. Hill scored his first touchdown six plays later.

“We punted a couple times at that point. We’d seen a look, we felt confident. It certainly created some momentum, and gave us a chance to kind of settle in and even out the score a little bit there, and then get into a rhythm,” Lanning said.

The Ducks quickly got the ball back when defensive back Devin Jackson picked off Fahey at the Oregon 41. After Moore's 3-yard TD catch in the back of the end zone was overturned because he didn't have control of the ball when he hit the ground, tight end Jamari Johnson punched it in with a 2-yard run on a direct snap on the last play of the half.

“I thought getting off the field there before the fake punt would’ve been a huge stop and enable for us to get the ball on offense and eat up some more clock there in the second quarter, but it didn’t happen,” Day said.

The takeaway

Oregon: The Ducks have won three of their last four games against the Buckeyes.

Ohio State: The Buckeyes are in danger of dropping out of the Top 25 for the first time since 2011.

Up next

Oregon: Hosts Michigan next Saturday.

Ohio State: Hosts Northwestern next Saturday.

___

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

“Through the grace of God, it wasn’t a big injury,” said Russell, who was examined in an injury tent in the third quarter. "I knew if I had got out of this game I was going to feel really bad about myself because I didn’t think I had gave it my all ... . I wasn’t going to let an injury stop me from being who I am.”

Alabama (7-2, 5-2 Southeastern Conference) remained firmly in the College Football Playoff picture, while leaving LSU (6-3, 3-3) with long-shot hopes at best under first-year coach Lane Kiffin, who also dropped to 0-6 in his coaching career against Alabama (including prior stints at Mississippi and Tennessee).

Russell, whose touchdown passes went for 7 yards to Josh Ford, 25 yards to Cederian Morgan and 4 yards to Kaleb Edwards, said the Tide's performance in big road game “just gives all the boys confidence in how good we can be."

“We’re as great of a football team as anybody can say,” Russell said. "We just got to keep going. We can’t stop here and get complacent.”.

LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt completed 35 of 47 passes for 380 yards, but was intercepted for the first time in three games as the Tigers struggled to cash in on scoring chances.

LSU went 0 for 4 on fourth down, those failures combining with a missed field goal and a turnover in Tide territory to limit the Tigers to a single touchdown.

“I just felt like field goals weren’t going to win the game,” Kiffin said. “It was just a feeling that we were going to need some touchdowns.”

Kiffin also made a decision that is bound to be debated when he left his offense on the field on fourth-and-10 on the LSU 25 with eight minutes left. Leavitt was sacked and Alabama got in the end zone just three plays later.

“At the end of the game you can play to try and just keep the score low or whatever when you are on your own 20, but you have no chance to win by punting analytically,” Kiffin said. “So, you go for it.”

In the first half, Tigers kicker Scott Starzyk missed a 56-yard field goal attempt, Alabama’s Chuck McDonald III batted down Leavitt's pass on a fourth-and-4 play from the Tide 10-yard line, and the Tide's Luke Metz intercepted Leavitt on the Alabama 24.

“That’s what it always comes down to is getting off the field,” said Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer, who improved to 7-0 after bye weeks as a Division I coach. “I thought guys were locked in on the plan all week long. You could feel the confidence growing.”

Alabama drove inside LSU's 45 just twice in the first half, resulting in Conor Talty's field goal and Ryan Coleman-Williams' 1-yard touchdown run on a misdirection play around the right end. Those scores gave the Tide a 10-3 halftime lead.

LSU surged into the lead, albeit briefly, when Dilin Jones' 5-yard touchdown run capped an 11-play, 90-yard drive that included a pass interference call against Alabama on a fourth-and-5 play from the Crimson Tide 37.

Alabama needed just 2:08 to answer with Ford's TD reception — a score set up by Rico Scott's 57-yard catch and run to the LSU 18 on the drive's opening play.

The takeaway

Alabama: The Crimson Tide lengthened its already long record of success at Tiger Stadium, where it has now won seven of its last eight. And by playing a clean game and making clutch stops, Alabama was able to win comfortably despite being outgained in total yards, 457-285, and running 28 fewer offensive plays than LSU.

LSU: No one can accuse Kiffin of shying away from risk. Alabama just seemed to have an answer for everything he and the LSU offense tried. The LSU offense also took a blow on the injury front when right tackle Weston Davis was helped off favoring his right leg during the third quarter.

Celebrities were in the audience

First Lady Melania Trump was among a handful of celebrities who spent the afternoon at Tiger Stadium. As LSU coach Lane Kiffin led the “Tiger Walk” from a bus down a short barricaded road to the north end of the stadium, he was flanked by actor Kevin Costner; Pittsburgh Pirates (and former LSU) pitcher Paul Skenes; WNBA (and ex-LSU) star Angel Reese; basketball hall of famer (and former LSU basketball player) Shaquille O'Neal, and former LSU gymnast Livvy Dunne.

Up next

Alabama: Visits Vanderbilt next Saturday.

LSU: Hosts No. 10 Texas next Saturday.

___

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

Leo spent his first full day in Uruguay pointing to the church’s historic roots in the country and the work it’s doing today. He drew an estimated 100,000 people at a prayer vigil and visited a violence-ravaged neighborhood of Montevideo where church groups have built homes, provided job opportunities and run drug rehabilitation programs.

The aim, on the first stop of his three-nation South American tour, is to propose the Catholic faith as a response to today's challenges and the church a willing helper in a country where even Catholic holidays have secular names and God cannot be mentioned in oaths of office.

Leo traveled first to Paysandú, in western Uruguay on the border with Argentina, for his first Mass in South America. The Vatican said 40,000 people -- many from Uruguay but also from neighboring Argentina and Brazil – came out, despite the morning rain and blustery gray skies.

The crowd erupted in the stadium chant of “Olé, olé, olé, olé, pope, pope!” when Leo’s plane landed in Paysandú, around 375 kilometers (230 miles) from the capital, Montevideo. They cheered again, blew horns and waved yellow handkerchiefs when he arrived in his open-sided popemobile at the Mass site in a park.

Speaking to the crowd in Spanish, Leo reminded them that the Catholic faith had been “part of the life of the Uruguayan people since their earliest days, and it must be passed on to future generations with creative courage!”

Because of its accessible location on the Uruguay River, the city was chosen to host Leo’s first Mass at the start of his 12-day South American tour that was in doubt after he underwent lung cancer surgery on Oct. 13.

“He’s the representative of Christ but he’s human. And we weren’t sure if he could make it, but he pushed through for us,” said Soledad Sánchez, 73, who had driven to Paysandú from northern Uruguay, her eyes filling with tears. “He made it here to give us a message of peace because he knows our world needs it right now.”

A visit to try to propose the Catholic faith

Leo asked the faithful to build bridges of fraternity, recalling the nearby bridge over the Uruguay River that connects Uruguay and Argentina and over which many pilgrims crossed to attend the Mass.

He also pointed to the ritual of drinking mate, the bitter herbal tea that Uruguayans and their neighbors carry everywhere, as a poignant symbol of unity and encounter that he suggested should be applied to spreading the faith.

“It teaches us to share and to be together, strengthening the bonds that unite us as brothers and sisters,” he said. “It is a sign of welcome, integration and shared values.”

Mate, a cherished national symbol in Paraguay, Argentina and Uruguay, is above all a sharing ritual. The leaves are steeped in a hollowed gourd and the drink is sipped through a metal straw called a bombilla, and the gourd passes from hand to hand among friends, family and sometimes strangers, refilled for hours.

Everyone drinks from the same straw, and Uruguayans drink more mate per person than people anywhere else, roughly 9 kilograms (about 20 pounds) of the dried leaf a year, according to industry estimates.

“We must reflect on these symbols that we share, which give us identity and a sense of belonging, which speak to us of our origins and point us toward the future,” Leo said.

The message landed.

“I’m not religious. I’d never go to Mass if it weren’t the pope, but he surprised me. He made it appealing, the way he talked about things we all have in common, like mate,” said Jorge Monzón, 64, from Paysandú. “I personally felt a sense of communion.”

An example of how the church is helping Uruguay

Leo pressed the message of the church's commitment to helping Uruguayans later Saturday by visiting Casavalle, a Montevideo area of small neighborhood s beset by drug trafficking and gang violence. In Borro, the Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish builds homes and supports addicts in their recovery, with donations including from The Papal Foundation, the U.S.-based group of wealthy Catholics who fund special papal projects.

Leo toured some of the new homes and praised the work church groups were doing, all while the crowd chanted “León, amigo, el barrio está contigo!" (Leon, my friend, the neighborhood is with you!")

He said Christians must commit themselves to the charity and closeness shown by the biblical figure of the good Samaritan, “who did not remain indifferent upon seeing misfortune, but took responsibility for his brother’s life.”

“We cannot turn a blind eye to the fact that there are children in Uruguay who do not go to school for fear of never returning home,” he said.

Uruguay has universal access to primary school and enrolls nearly all its children, but only about half of Uruguayans finish high school, one of the lowest rates in Latin America, according to the National Institute for Educational Evaluation. The graduation rate is even worse for children from the poorest households, where only one in four graduate compared to nearly nine out of 10 from the wealthiest families.

Jonathan Tropiano, 28, is one of the many in the area whose lives were transformed by the church.

He dreamed of becoming a rapper but was arrested after falling into crime and violence. Once out of prison, at the age of 20, Tropiano became closer and closer to the local church.

“My life was horrible, with so much suffering. But then I found God and that was when I started to be a better person,” he said.

Late Saturday Leo presided over an evening prayer vigil at Montevideo’s Centenario Stadium, which hosted Pope John Paul II during the last papal visit to Uruguay in 1988. The Vatican said some 70,000 people were inside and another 30,000 outside watching on TV screens.

Leo told them that the relatively small number of Catholics in Uruguay wasn't a calculus the church considers important, recalling that Jesus was born in a small stable in Bethlehem.

“God chose Bethlehem, and that choice alone is enough to prevent us from equating smallness with insignificance,” Leo said.

Argentines flock to see Leo across the border

Saturday was Leo's only full day in Uruguay before heading Sunday afternoon to Argentina for the second leg of his trip, which was to end next week in his second homeland of Peru.

Many Argentines, though, took advantage of the Paysandú Mass to see him since it was located just across a bridge from the eastern Argentine city of Colón and was closer than any of his Argentine stops in Buenos Aires, Luján and Córdoba.

“Argentina is a much more religious country than Uruguay, and there’s this desire to be here to witness something historic,” said Luciana Lobato, 20, an Argentine tour agent who organized buses for 180 pilgrims from across the border.

___

Ramiro Barreiro in Montevideo contributed.

___

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

The attack, which Poland’s defense minister described as an “act of terror,” happened in Main Square, which is in the heart of Krakow’s Old Town and is a major tourist hub in the country’s second-largest city.

The 25-year-old attacker drove to multiple spots in the square and opened fire at each stop with an automatic weapon, authorities said. Although they didn’t release his name, Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński said the man holds “very radical” and “ultranationalistic” views.

"Everything indicates that he was fascinated by far-right ideologies,” Kierwiński said at a news conference.

Hours after the attack, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said authorities found the bodies of three of the suspect's close family members — two women and a man — inside of his home in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski, a city about 150 kilometers (93 miles) northeast of Krakow.

“We have the next acts of this tragedy,” Tusk told reporters.

Four women and two men were killed in the Krakow attack. At least three of the women were Polish, and one of the dead was a U.K. citizen, authorities said. Police were still trying to identify the other two people who were killed.

A total of 13 people were hospitalized in serious condition, authorities said, though that figure may include the gunman, who underwent surgery after the attack.

It’s unclear how many of the injured were shot. Two of them were treated and released within hours of the mass shooting. Two police officers were seriously injured, Kierwiński said. Five non-Poles were also injured, police commander Marek Boroń said.

People were wounded at several locations

The attacker wore military-style fatigues and a bulletproof vest, and used a military-type long gun, Krakow police spokesperson Katarzyna Cisło said. Police found other weapons and ammunition in his car. He kept firing at the police even after being shot himself, she said.

The attacker engaged in a “wild ride” around Main Square, which is why people were wounded at several locations, said Cisło, adding that the gunman appears to have acted alone.

Krakow mayor Łukasz Gibała said the city will be in official mourning until Wednesday. He vowed that Krakow will remain open to visitors despite the tragedy.

“The square will belong to us again,” Gibała said in a video posted on X.

Mass shootings are rare in Poland

Videos posted on social media by witnesses show people running away from the square to take cover on small streets nearby, as well as first responders trying to resuscitate victims. In one video, a police officer is seen repeatedly shooting the attacker, who is lying on the street, only to later slowly collapse himself to the ground.

Photos showed a Polish Medical Air Rescue helicopter after it landed in the square.

It wasn't immediately clear whether the gun used in the attack or those found in the attacker’s car are legal. Around 411,000 people hold gun permits in Poland, which has a population of 37 million, and interest in gun ownership has been rising.

Mass shootings are uncommon in Poland. However, in mid-October three attacks at schools in the central province of Mazovia took place within four days, leaving one person dead and many wounded, including children.

The Krakow attacker's military gear, guns and overall look were similar to those of other “extreme right lone actors” committing attacks around Europe, said Kacper Rekawek, a senior researcher at the International Center for Counterterrorism in The Hague. “We have had attempts before, but now we can say that these kinds of attacks have become successful in Poland.”

Warsaw mayor Rafał Trzaskowski announced increased security measures, including road barriers, along main streets in the old town in the Polish capital in the aftermath of the Krakow attack.

———

Ciobanu reported from Warsaw, Poland, and Dazio reported from Berlin.