US & World News Archives - Page 3 of 76

Democrats voted for a shutdown. Now they have to find a way out

October 1, 2025

By MARY CLARE JALONICK - Associated Press

Senate Democrats kept their promise to reject any Republican spending bill that didn’t extend or restore health care benefits, choosing instead to force a government shutdown. Now they have to figure out how to get out of it. Just hours after the shutdown began, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said that if the Republicans work with them, “the shutdown could go away very quickly.” But that won’t be easy. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, House Speaker Mike Johnson and President Donald Trump have said that they won’t negotiate or be “held hostage” by Democrats demanding concessions to reopen the government.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer casts doubt on a 2028 presidential bid

October 1, 2025

ISABELLA VOLMERT - Associated Press

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has hinted that she may not be interested in running for president in 2028. Whitmer was asked during a moderated discussion Wednesday if she is thinking about the Democratic nomination for president in 2028. While she sees herself helping, “I don’t know if I’m going to be the person,” she said. Whitmer is in her final two years as governor and cannot run again because of term limits. She has long been seen as a potential presidential candidate. Whitmer has several challenges in front of her. Michigan lawmakers just passed a one-week continuing budget to keep the state government operational after months of bitter disagreement. Additionally, U.S. tariffs on Canada are hurting auto manufacturing.

Jane Goodall, the conservationist renowned for chimpanzee research and environmental advocacy, has died

October 1, 2025

The Associated Press,

LONDON (AP) —Jane Goodall, the conservationist renowned for her groundbreaking chimpanzee field research and globe-spanning environmental advocacy, has died. She was 91. The Jane Goodall Institute announced the primatologist’s death Wednesday in an Instagram post. According to the Washington, D.C.-based institute, Goodall died of natural causes while in California on a U.S. speaking tour. Her discoveries “revolutionized science, and she…

Government shutdown begins as nation faces new period of uncertainty

October 1, 2025

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — Plunged into a government shutdown, the U.S. is confronting a fresh cycle of uncertainty after President Donald Trump and Congress failed to strike an agreement to keep government programs and services running by Wednesday’s deadline. Roughly 750,000 federal workers are expected to be furloughed, some potentially fired by the Trump administration. Many offices will be shuttered,…

What happens now that a government shutdown is underway

October 1, 2025

By KEVIN FREKING - Associated Press

A lot of government continues during a federal shutdown. The National Park Service plans to furlough about two-thirds of its employees while keeping parks largely open to visitors during the shutdown that began early Wednesday. A park service contingency plan released Tuesday night says “park roads, lookouts, trails, and open-air memorials will generally remain accessible.” The plan allows parks to enter into agreements with states, tribes or local governments willing to make donations to keep national park sites open. Smithsonian Institution museums and research centers and the National Zoo will remain open through at least Monday. FBI investigators, CIA officers, air traffic controllers and agents operating airport checkpoints will keep working.

Conservative Wisconsin appeals court judge Maria Lazar running for state Supreme Court

October 1, 2025

By SCOTT BAUER - Associated Press

A conservative Wisconsin appeals court judge is running for an open seat on the battleground state’s Supreme Court. It is currently controlled 4-3 by liberals. Appeals Court Judge Maria Lazar becomes the first conservative to get into the race. Liberal Appeals Court Judge Chris Taylor, a former Democratic state lawmaker, is also running. The race is open after incumbent Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Bradley announced in August that she would not seek another 10-year term. Conservative candidates for the court have lost each of the past two elections by double-digit margins. Both of those races broke national spending records. And the liberal won in April despite heavy spending by billionaire Elon Musk.

College football Week 6: No. 3 Miami-No. 18 Florida St and No. 16 Vandy-No. 10 Alabama top schedule

October 1, 2025

By ERIC OLSON - AP College Football Writer

College football heats up as October kicks off with conference races and the chase for playoff spots ramping up. Only two Top 25 matchups are on the schedule: Miami at Florida State and Vanderbilt at Alabama. Miami aims for its first win in Tallahassee since 2019 while Vanderbilt seeks a historic 6-0 start. In the Big 12, Houston faces Texas Tech and Iowa State visits Cincinnati. Heisman watch sees Oregon’s Dante Moore leading after a strong performance against Penn State. Meanwhile, Wisconsin’s coach Luke Fickell feels the pressure heading into its game at No. 20 Michigan.

Pope intervenes in US abortion debate by raising what it really means to be pro-life

October 1, 2025

By NICOLE WINFIELD - Associated Press

Pope Leo XIV has intervened for the first time in an abortion dispute roiling the U.S. Catholic Church.Leo was asked late Tuesday about plans by Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich to give a lifetime achievement award to Illinois Senator Dick Durbin for his work helping immigrants. The plans drew objection from some conservative U.S. bishops given the powerful Democratic senator’s support for abortion rights.Leo called first of all for respect for both sides, but he also pointed out the seeming contradiction in such debates over what it means to be “pro-life.” He said: “Someone who says ‘I’m against abortion but says I am in favor of the death penalty’ is not really pro-life.”

Hyundai Palisade vs Kia Telluride, a three-row SUV comparison from Edmunds

October 1, 2025

By DAN FRIO - Edmunds

Nearly identical under the metal, the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride have been leaders in the three-row SUV class since their introductions in 2020. The Palisade has been redesigned for 2026 with new style, new engines and upgraded tech, making an already impressive model even better. The first-generation Telluride continues on but remains competitive as its own redesign draws near. Both offer subtle differences in style and performance that will appeal to different buyers.

Israeli strikes in Gaza kill at least 16 as the world awaits Hamas’ response to Trump’s peace plan

October 1, 2025

By WAFAA SHURAFA and SAMY MAGDY - Associated Press

Israeli forces are pressing their offensive in Gaza, with at least 16 Palestinians reported killed across the strip as the world awaited Hamas’ response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace plan for the embattled territory that Israel has accepted. The dead on Wednesday included people who had sought refuge in a school sheltering the displaced in Gaza City. Al-Falah school in the city’s eastern Zaytoun neighborhood was hit twice, minutes apart. That’s according to officials at Al-Ahly Hospital. They said that among the casualties were first responders. Meanwhile, there was still no response from Hamas, whose attack nearly two years ago triggered the war.

New study adds to the possibility of favorable conditions for life at Saturn’s moon Enceladus

October 1, 2025

By MARCIA DUNN - AP Aerospace Writer

Scientists have uncovered new types of organics in icy geysers spouting from Saturn’s moon Enceladus. They say their findings, reported Wednesday, bolster the likelihood that the ocean world may harbor conditions suitable for life. The study is based on observations made by NASA’s Cassini spacecraft during a close and fast flyby of Enceladus in 2008. The small moon is one of 274 orbiting Saturn and has long been considered a prime candidate in the search for life beyond Earth because of its hidden ocean and plumes of water erupting from cracks near its south pole.

Indonesian rescue workers ‘racing against time’ in search for dozens in rubble of collapsed school

October 1, 2025

By EDNA TARIGAN and TRISNADI - Associated Press

Indonesian rescue workers are racing against the clock in the search for survivors from a school collapse in the province of East Java. At least 91 students are still unaccounted for, with three confirmed dead and about 100 injured. The Islamic boarding school, which authorities said was undergoing an unauthorized expansion to add two new stories, collapsed during afternoon prayers on Monday, sending slabs of concrete and other heavy debris crashing onto the students below. Mohammad Syafii, head of Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency, told reporters on Wednesday that rescue crews were now “racing against time.”

YES erhält mehrere Bestellungen für VeroTherm™ – und VeroFlex™ -Systeme von einem führenden Speicherhersteller

October 1, 2025

Business Wire

FREMONT, Kalifornien–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Okt 1, 2025–Yield Engineering Systems (YES), ein führender Anbieter von Prozessanlagen für fortschrittliche Verpackungslösungen für KI- und HPC-Systeme, gab heute bekannt, dass es mehrere Aufträge für VeroTherm™- und VeroFlex™-Reflow-Systeme von einem der größten Speicherhersteller erhalten hat. Diese Systeme ermöglichen das dreidimensionale Stapeln von Speicher- und Logikchips für leistungsstarke KI-Beschleuniger, die von Anwendungen mit großen Sprachmodellen (LLM) angetrieben werden.Diese…

Tony Blair’s long experience in the Middle East is both his strength and his weakness

September 30, 2025

By JILL LAWLESS and DANICA KIRKA - Associated Press

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has returned to the forefront of Middle East peace efforts with a U.S. proposal that he take a leading role in overseeing Gaza’s administration and reconstruction. It’s familiar territory for Blair, who stepped down as the international community’s Mideast envoy in 2015, leaving a post that began with great promise but which struggled to deliver in its quest to promote peace between Israel and the Palestinians. U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal puts Gaza’s territory and its more than 2 million people effectively under international control, deploying an international security force and installing a “Board of Peace” headed by Trump and Blair to oversee the administration and reconstruction.

The government shutdown will halt some work at a diminished Education Department

September 30, 2025

By ANNIE MA - AP Education Writer

The government shutdown means further disruption for the U.S. Education Department, which has seen half of its employees laid off by the Trump administration. The department says many core operations will continue in a shutdown, but civil rights investigations will stop, and no new federal grants will be issued. About 87% of the workforce will be furloughed. The department still will manage federal student aid, with Pell grants and loans continuing, and payments will still be due. However, 632 of 747 employees in the Office of Federal Student Aid will be furloughed. The Office for Civil Rights will halt investigations into discrimination by race and disability, adding to an existing backlog of complaints.

Government shutdown begins as nation faces new period of uncertainty

September 30, 2025

By LISA MASCARO, MARY CLARE JALONICK and STEPHEN GROVES - Associated Press

The government shutdown has begun. And it’s plunging the U.S. into a fresh cycle of uncertainty. President Donald Trump and Congress failed to strike an agreement to keep government programs and services running by Wednesday’s deadline. Roughly 750,000 federal workers are expected to be furloughed and many offices will be shuttered. Trump vows to “do things that are irreversible, that are bad” as he seeks to punish Democrats. His administration has called for mass firings. Democrats picked this fight as they demand funding to save health care subsidies that are expiring and sending insurance costs soaring. Republicans have refused to negotiate. More voting is expected Wednesday.

Court disqualifies Trump-appointed US attorney in Nevada from overseeing multiple criminal cases

September 30, 2025

AP

A judge has barred the Trump-appointed U.S. attorney in Nevada from overseeing several criminal cases, ruling she is “not validly serving” as the state’s top federal prosecutor. U.S. District Judge David G. Campbell’s ruling bars Sigal Chattah from supervising four criminal prosecutions. The judge sided with defense lawyers who argued that her authority expired in July and she is serving unlawfully. Campbell ordered government attorneys on the cases to tell the court within seven days that Chattah is not directing their work. He did not dismiss the indictments, however. Chattah’s office did not answer a phone call seeking comment Tuesday night.

Napheesa Collier tells of private chat with Engelbert that she said exposed a problematic leader

September 30, 2025

By DOUG FEINBERG - AP Basketball Writer

Napheesa Collier delivered a blistering assessment of the WNBA and its commissioner as she sat in front of the media with a prepared statement and disclosed private conversations she said she had with Cathy Engelbert that portrayed her as a leader who lacks accountability. The Minnesota Lynx star spoke Tuesday for more than four minutes on topics ranging from Caitlin Clark — and her value to the league — to inconsistent officiating, which she feels Engelbert and the WNBA haven’t addressed. Engelbert responded to Collier in a statement not long after the media session, saying she was disheartened by it.

Chunk, a 1,200-pound bear with a broken jaw, wins Alaska’s popular Fat Bear Week contest

September 30, 2025

By CEDAR ATTANASIO and MARK THIESSEN - Associated Press

Chunk, a 1,200-pound behemoth with a broken jaw, swept the competition Tuesday in the popular Fat Bear Week contest — his first win after finishing in second place three previous years. The annual online competition allows viewers to follow 12 bears in Alaska’s Katmai National Park and Preserve on live webcams as they fish for salmon, and then cast ballots in a bracket-style tournament that lasts a week. Chunk — known officially as Bear 32 — beat out Bear 856 for the crown. A glut of sockeye salmon fueled a memorable feast this summer for the contest, and more than 1.5 million people voted.

Tarik Skubal’s 14-strikeout gem gives Tigers playoff momentum after late-season swoon

September 30, 2025

By JOE REEDY - AP Sports Writer

Detroit pitcher Tarik Skubal delivered a standout performance in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series against Cleveland. Skubal tied a franchise postseason record with 14 strikeouts, leading the Tigers to a 2-1 win Tuesday. Despite a challenging September, Skubal’s determination helped Detroit gain early momentum in the best-of-three series. He allowed just one run on three hits over 7 2/3 innings. Skubal’s fastball averaged 99.1 mph, and he effectively used his slider. His performance was crucial for Detroit, which had struggled against Cleveland in recent matchups.

The Vikings take a 10-day, 2-game trip to Dublin and London, an NFL first. How did they pull it off?

September 30, 2025

By DAVE CAMPBELL - AP Pro Football Writer

The Minnesota Vikings are in the midst of a 10-day road trip to Europe that’s the first time an NFL team will have played consecutive international games in different countries. They lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin last Sunday. They face the Cleveland Browns in London this week. The organization welcomed the assignment from the league for the opportunity to move two road games from difficult-to-play-in stadiums to neutral sites. The football side of the operation also embraced the challenge with full confidence in the support staff around them to ensure everything from nutrition to equipment could be transported.

Trump pulls nomination of E.J. Antoni to lead Bureau of Labor Statistics, AP source says

September 30, 2025

By SEUNG MIN KIM and JOSH BOAK

The White House is withdrawing the nomination of E.J. Antoni to lead the Bureau of Labor Statistics, an AP source says. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the White House action, which hasn’t been publicly announced. Antoni’s nomination was an attempt by Trump to gain greater control over the federal agency responsible for producing key economic data, including the monthly jobs report and consumer price index, which is used to measure inflation. The White House has maintained that it wants accurate figures after a series of downward revisions to the jobs report, but Trump has maintained that the numbers were rigged to undermine him politically.

Schwarzenegger downplays Trump and backs Vatican initiative to ‘terminate’ global warming

September 30, 2025

By NICOLE WINFIELD - Associated Press

Arnold Schwarzenegger is throwing his weight behind the Vatican’s environmental initiative. He’s downplaying the Trump administration’s climate skepticism. He says individual choice, local policies and the moral leadership of the Catholic Church are far more important than national politics in the environmental campaign. Schwarzenegger was at the Vatican to headline a three-day climate conference marking the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ landmark 2015 environmental encyclical, Laudato Si (Praised Be). The document cast saving God’s creation as an urgent moral imperative. It launched a broad, grassroots movement that Pope Leo XIV has fully embraced and made his own.

Chase DeLauter could make debut in postseason, included on Guardians’ Wild Card Series roster

September 30, 2025

By The Associated Press

Chase DeLauter, an outfielder with no major league experience, was included on the Cleveland Guardians’ roster for their Wild Card Series against the Detroit Tigers. Selected 16th in the 2022 amateur draft, DeLauter hit .278 with five homers and 21 RBIs in 34 games at Triple-A Columbus. He turns 24 on Oct. 8. DeLauter was sidelined by injuries for much of this year. He could be the first player to debut in the postseason since 2020, when Tampa Bay pitcher Shane McClanahan, San Diego pitcher Ryan Weathers and Minnesota outfielder Alex Kirilloff all accomplished the feat.

MLB spending disparity on display in playoffs as $509 million Dodgers take on $121 million Reds

September 30, 2025

By RONALD BLUM - AP Baseball Writer

Baseball’s economic disparity is evident in the playoffs. The Los Angeles Dodgers have committed more than $500 million in salaries and luxury tax this season. They face the Cincinnati Reds, who have a $121 million payroll. Six of the 12 postseason teams have payrolls of $200 million or more. The Dodgers lead with a $341.5 million payroll and nearly $168 million in luxury tax. The New York Mets, despite spending $428.8 million, didn’t make the playoffs. The Yankees, with the third-highest spend at $363.3 million, face the $200 million Red Sox. Cleveland has the lowest payroll among playoff teams at $103.9 million.

Trump administration says Minnesota violates Title IX by allowing trans athletes in girls sports

September 30, 2025

By STEVE KARNOWSKI - Associated Press

President Donald Trump’s administration has accused Minnesota of violating federal law by allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls sports. The U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services claim this breaches Title IX, which prohibits sex discrimination. The agencies found that transgender athletes have participated in various girls sports, including skiing and lacrosse. The administration initiated this investigation after Trump issued an executive order in February. The Minnesota State High School League has stated it will follow state law, not the executive order. The federal agencies have given the state 10 days to comply or face enforcement action.

Researchers turn human skin cells into eggs — but not yet usable ones

September 30, 2025

By LAURAN NEERGAARD - AP Medical Writer

Oregon scientists used human skin cells to create fertilizable eggs, a step in the quest to develop lab-grown eggs or sperm to one day help people conceive. But the experiment resulted in abnormalities in chromosomes, prompting the Oregon Health & Science University team to caution it could take a decade of additional research before such a technique might be ready for trials in people. They are already working to improve the technique. The work was published Tuesday in the journal Nature Communications. It may offer lessons as scientists try to learn to create eggs and sperm for the infertile or to help same-sex couples have children genetically related to both partners.

OpenAI’s Sora joins Meta in pushing AI-generated videos. Some are worried about a flood of ‘AI slop’

September 30, 2025

By MATT O'BRIEN - AP Technology Writer

OpenAI has launched a new social media app called Sora, aiming to capture the audience of short-form video platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Released on Tuesday, the app allows users to create AI videos in various styles, from anime to realistic. Some worry these AI-generated videos could crowd out genuine human creativity and degrade the internet with a flood of what’s known as “AI slop.” The app is currently available on Apple devices in the U.S. and Canada. OpenAI says it is building in safeguards to deter doomscrolling and addiction.

Tarik Skubal’s 14 strikeouts propel Tigers past Guardians in Game 1 of AL Wild Card Series

September 30, 2025

By JOE REEDY - AP Sports Writer

Tarik Skubal tied Detroit’s postseason record with 14 strikeouts and the Tigers beat the Cleveland Guardians 2-1 on Tuesday in Game 1 of their AL Wild Card Series. Will Vest got the final four outs for Detroit, surviving a tense ninth inning after Cleveland star Jose Ramírez got hung up between third base and home for the second out. The Tigers can advance to the AL Division Series for the second straight year with a win Wednesday. Detroit scored the go-ahead run in the seventh inning when Zach McKinstry’s safety squeeze scored Riley Greene from third.

Trump says his administration is close to reaching a deal with Harvard University

September 30, 2025

BY COLLIN BINKLEY - AP Education Writer

President Donald Trump said his administration was close to reaching a deal with Harvard University, the Ivy League institution it has targeted with a series of investigations and billions of dollars in funding cuts as it presses for changes to its policies and governance. A truce with the country’s oldest and wealthiest college would end a clash that has tested the independence of America’s colleges. Trump initially said a deal had been reached but in further comments said officials were “close to finalizing” the deal but “we haven’t done it yet.”

Why Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl show will be a landmark moment for Puerto Rico

September 30, 2025

By MARIA SHERMAN - AP Music Writer

Bad Bunny captivated audiences with his residency in Puerto Rico, inspiring patriotism and drawing half a million people to the island this summer. Bad Bunny’s performances highlighted Puerto Rico’s natural beauty and cultural history, featuring his hits and folkloric styles. Now, the artist known for his political activism is set to perform at the 2026 Super Bowl, marking a significant moment for Latino culture. His performance will be in Spanish, further proving that connecting with a U.S. and international audience does not require singing in English. Audiences should expect that Puerto Rican culture and pride will be on display during the show, which could range from 12-15 minutes.

Minnesota Wild sign Kirill Kaprizov to richest deal in NHL history: $136 million over 8 years

September 30, 2025

By DAVE CAMPBELL - AP Sports Writer

The Minnesota Wild have signed Kirill Kaprizov to the richest contract in NHL history at $136 million over eight years. The record-setting deal was done on Tuesday. Kaprizov will count $17 million against the Wild’s salary cap beginning next season. That’s the highest annual average salary since the league’s cap era began in 2005. Kaprizov’s contract surpassed Leon Draisaitl’s $14 million annual average with Edmonton. Alex Ovechkin’s 13-year, $124 million contract signed with Washington in 2008 was previously the highest total value. Only Ovechkin and Auston Matthews among current NHL players had more goals through 300 career games than Kaprizov.

Victims of Michigan church shooting include a grandfather who was a Navy veteran

September 30, 2025

By ISABELLA VOLMERT, MARK VANCLEAVE and ED WHITE - Associated Press

One of four people killed in the attack on a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meetinghouse in Michigan is being remembered as a grandfather who adored his family. Friends say John Bond was among those who died Sunday when a former Marine smashed his truck into the church and began shooting. Friends said in a GoFundMe posting that Bond was a Navy veteran and well-known in the community. Authorities have not yet released the names of the victims or the eight people who were wounded and expected to survive. Federal investigators remained on the scene Tuesday in Michigan’s Grand Blanc Township as heavy machinery began moving debris from the church.

Judge finds Trump administration unconstitutionally targeted noncitizens over Gaza war protests

September 30, 2025

By MICHAEL CASEY - Associated Press

A federal judge says the Trump administration unconstitutionally targeted noncitizens for deportation over pro-Palestinian protests. U.S. District Judge William Young issued the ruling on Tuesday, agreeing with the plaintiffs that the policy they describe as ideological deportation violates the First Amendment. The decision came after a trial in which plaintiffs presented witnesses who testified that the Trump administration had launched a coordinated effort to target students and scholars who had criticized Israel or showed sympathy for Palestinians. An email to the Homeland Security department for comment was not immediately returned.

Ukraine begins sharing drone expertise with Denmark deployment, Zelenskyy says

September 30, 2025

By ILLIA NOVIKOV - Associated Press

Ukraine is sharing its expertise in drone defense with European countries. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Ukrainian military experts are in Denmark for joint exercises. European defense ministers recently agreed to build a “drone wall” along their borders with Russia and Ukraine. It aims to improve detection and interception of drones. Ukraine’s experience is seen as crucial for this project. Denmark has reported drone sightings at military facilities and airports. Polish airspace has also been breached by Russian drones. NATO is increasing aerial surveillance in the Baltic Sea amid strained relations with Moscow.

Pfizer agrees to lower prescription drug costs for Medicaid in a deal with Trump

September 30, 2025

By TOM MURPHY and MICHELLE L. PRICE - Associated Press

Drugmaker Pfizer has agreed to lower drug costs and invest $70 billion in U.S. manufacturing under a deal struck with President Donald Trump’s administration. Trump made the announcement with Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla at the White House on Tuesday. The announcement comes as the Republican president has for months sought to lower drug costs. Trump says under the agreement New York-based Pfizer will charge most-favored-nation pricing to Medicaid and guarantee that pricing on newly launched drugs. That involves matching the lowest price offered in other developed nations.

Here are some effects of a government shutdown if Congress, Trump don’t reach a deal

September 30, 2025

Associated Press

The U.S. government is nearing a partial shutdown, with a range of effects on public services and the broader economy. Employee furloughs and potential layoffs would halt some government activities. While other functions would continue — including the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. Medicare and Medicaid insurance programs would continue but some payments to providers could be delayed with certain employees off the job. The FDA, USDA and CDC would continue some of their public health functions, but with staff still diminished by furloughs. And long-term research programs would be halted. Air Traffic Controllers would stay on the job. But the training program for new controllers would likely halt, upending efforts to address a critical shortage in the profession.

Scientists find ancient life-size animal rock carvings in the Saudi Arabian desert

September 30, 2025

By ADITHI RAMAKRISHNAN - AP Science Writer

Researchers have discovered life-size rock carvings of camels, gazelles and other animals in Saudi Arabia. The carvings date back around 12,000 years and many are over 6 feet tall. Scientists say they were created using a wedge-shaped rock to make sharp lines. Scientists weren’t sure if humans lived in the desert during this time period since conditions were dry and water was scarce. The art and tools show that people lived in the area about 2,000 years earlier than previously thought, though it’s not yet clear how they survived. The findings were published Tuesday in the journal Nature Communications.

WNBA fines Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve a record $15,000 for conduct and comments: AP Source

September 30, 2025

By DOUG FEINBERG - AP Basketball Writer

Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve has been fined $15,000 by the WNBA for her comments and conduct after her team’s Game 3 semifinal loss to the Phoenix Mercury, a person familiar with the penalty tells The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because no official announcement was made. The fine is believed to be the biggest for an individual coach or player in league history. The WNBA doesn’t publicize the amount of fines. Additionally, Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White and Las Vegas coach Becky Hammon were fined $1,000 each for their public comments on WNBA officiating in which they defended Reeve.

OpenAI’s ChatGPT now lets users buy from Etsy, Shopify in push for chatbot shopping

September 30, 2025

AP

OpenAI is transforming ChatGPT into a virtual merchant to boost online commerce revenue. Users can now buy directly from Etsy sellers through the chatbot and will soon be able to do the same with Shopify sellers. Competing with Amazon and Google for purchase fees could provide a new income stream for OpenAI, which hasn’t yet turned a profit. The company is collaborating with Stripe on technical standards for its “Instant Checkout” system. OpenAI says ChatGPT won’t favor specific items, considering factors like availability and price.

US government is phasing out paper checks. Here’s what that means for you

September 30, 2025

By FATIMA HUSSEIN - Associated Press

The U.S. government is phasing out paper checks for most programs. The change starts Tuesday and affects recipients of benefits like Social Security, Supplemental Security Income and tax refunds. Nearly 400,000 Social Security and SSI recipients still rely on paper checks. The director of Social Security and disability policy at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities says many of these people lack access to digital services. President Donald Trump’s Republican administration says electronic payments and collections will speed up processing and cut costs. The Social Security Administration says it will continue issuing paper checks if a beneficiary “has no other means to receive payment.”

Takeaways from AP’s report about financial allegations against worship leader Sean Feucht

September 30, 2025

By DEEPA BHARATH - The Associated Press

Sean Feucht, a conservative Christian worship leader, gained attention in 2020 by defying COVID-19 restrictions with protest concerts. His ministry’s revenue soared to $5 million that year, up from from $243,000 the year before. Now, former staff and volunteers accuse him of financial mismanagement, excessive real estate purchases, and mistreatment of workers. Feucht denies these claims, stating in a June video that all donations serve a “kingdom-ordained purpose.” Property records show his ministry has acquired nearly $7 million in real estate since 2020. Watchdog group MinistryWatch gave his organization an F for transparency. Feucht has not responded to AP’s requests for comment.

Hurricanes Humberto and Imelda charge toward Bermuda as the tiny island prepares

September 30, 2025

AP

The outer bands of Hurricane Humberto lashed Bermuda on Tuesday as it approached the tiny British territory, with newly formed Hurricane Imelda following closely behind. A hurricane watch was in effect for the island located in the north Atlantic as forecasters warned of dangerous seas, strong winds and heavy rain. Humberto was expected to pass well west and north of Bermuda on Tuesday and Wednesday morning, while Imelda was expected to pass near or over the island on Wednesday afternoon as a Category 2 hurricane, according to the Bermuda Weather Service.

Worship leader Sean Feucht mismanaged millions in ministry funds, former associates say

September 30, 2025

By DEEPA BHARATH - Associated Press

Worship leader Sean Feucht’s meteoric rise to prominence began in 2020 during the pandemic. His mask-free concerts defied public health rules and drew thousands, boosting his ministry’s revenue from $243,000 to $5 million. Now, several former associates are accusing him and his organization of financial mismanagement, lack of transparency and mistreatment of volunteers. His real estate acquisitions have raised questions not only among former associates, but also Christian watchdog groups. Feucht has dismissed these allegations as false and has questioned the credibility and ethics of those who have made these allegations.

FBI boss Kash Patel gave New Zealand officials 3D-printed guns illegal to possess under local laws

September 30, 2025

By CHARLOTTE GRAHAM-McLAY and JIM MUSTIAN - Associated Press

On a visit to New Zealand, FBI Director Kash Patel gave the country’s police and spy bosses gifts of inoperable pistols that were illegal to possess under local gun laws and had to be destroyed. The plastic 3D-printed replica pistols were presented during Patel’s visit in July to open the FBI’s first standalone field office in New Zealand. The country’s law enforcement agencies told The Associated Press about the gifts and why they were illegal to possess Tuesday. New Zealand law treats inoperable weapons as operable if they can be modified to work, and regulators deemed these operable. The FBI declined to comment.

Prosecutors seek over 11 years in prison for Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs

September 30, 2025

By LARRY NEUMEISTER - Associated Press

Prosecutors are urging a New York federal judge to send music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs to prison for over 11 years. They filed their sentencing recommendation early Tuesday, along with letters from some of his accusers describing how his violence and demands had impacted their lives. The 55-year-old Combs has remained jailed since his July conviction on prostitution-related charges for arranging male sex workers to travel to hotels or residences where he directed them to have sex with his girlfriends. The elaborate dayslong, drug-fueled sexual events were often filmed by Combs. Defense attorneys have asked that he be sentenced to no more than 14 months. Sentencing is set for Friday.

Dolphins’ Tyreek Hill carted off field and taken to hospital with dislocated left knee

September 29, 2025

By TIM REYNOLDS - AP Sports Writer

Miami wide receiver Tyreek Hill has been taken to a hospital after suffering a dislocated left knee. Hill was hurt when he made a catch and got tackled near the New York Jets’ sideline with 13:21 left in the third quarter Monday night. He was running toward the sideline and planted his left foot, and his knee appeared to twist severely as he was getting pulled down. Players from both teams took a knee while Hill was tended to. The Dolphins said Hill was going to the hospital “for imaging, evaluation and observation.”

Turning Point, moving forward without Charlie Kirk, makes first return to Utah since his killing

September 29, 2025

By HANNAH SCHOENBAUM, JILL COLVIN and JONATHAN J. COOPER - Associated Press

Turning Point USA’s college tour is returning to Utah for the first time since founder Charlie Kirk was assassinated earlier this month. Kirk was killed Sept. 10 at Utah Valley University. His death has galvanized conservatives, who vow to continue his mission of encouraging young voters to embrace conservatism. The tour is now headlined by other prominent conservatives. Tuesday’s event at Utah State University will feature speakers like podcaster Alex Clark and a panel with Sen. Mike Lee and Gov. Spencer Cox. Erika Kirk, Charlie’s widow, has pledged to continue the organization’s work.

Trump and Hegseth set to meet with hundreds of military leaders as speculation grows

September 29, 2025

By BEN FINLEY and KONSTANTIN TOROPIN - Associated Press

President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are planning to address hundreds of U.S. military officials in person at a base in Virginia. Administration officials have released few details about the reasons for suddenly convening top commanders from around the world. The meeting Tuesday at the Marine Corps base in Quantico near Washington has fueled intense speculation about the value of summoning such a large number of generals and admirals. Many are stationed in more than a dozen countries that include conflict zones. Meetings between top military brass and with civilian leaders are nothing new. But experts say the scale of the gathering and the haste with which it was called are particularly unusual.

For Paraguay’s transgender women, survival often means leaving home

September 29, 2025

By MARÍA TERESA HERNÁNDEZ - Associated Press

Transgender women in Paraguay often flee their homes at a young age to escape abuse, stigma and the absence of legal protections, turning to sex work and migration to survive. Despite a dictatorship’s end more than three decades ago, conservative politics, Catholic influence and weak laws continue to fuel prejudice. Shelters offer refuge, but violence goes unrecorded and rights remain unrecognized, pushing the LGBTQ+ community to march each Sept. 30 demanding dignity and legal reforms.