US & World News

‘Filipino Towns’ around the US preserve history and raise community’s visibility

Filipinos set foot on the North American continent for the first time over four centuries ago, and Filipino Americans are still on a quest to make a cultural footprint. Many Filipinos are seeking their cities’ acknowledgment of “Filipino Towns,” a cultural district designation similar to Chinatowns, Japantowns and Koreatowns. These communities highlight the contributions of expat and immigrant populations to a major city’s overall identity. Las Vegas became the latest major city to adopt the designation with the unveiling of an official “Filipino Town Cultural District” street sign last week. October is Filipino American History Month.

After billions in failed big bets, funders and schools are turning to this small education nonprofit

Leslie Cornfeld launched the National Education Opportunity Network, or NEON, to address educational inequality. After working with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and President Obama’s education secretaries, she noticed that low-income students rarely attended top universities. In 2019, with funding from the Carnegie Corporation, she started NEON to bring elite university courses to non-elite high schools. Over five years, NEON has offered 60 college courses to more than 40,000 students in 33 states. The nonprofit aims to reach 1 million students within a decade, providing college-level education to those who need it most.

Republican nominee for New Jersey governor puts some distance from Trump on immigration

Jack Ciattarelli has been endorsed by Donald Trump in next month’s New Jersey governor’s election and is a strong supporter of the Republican president and his agenda. But the former business owner and state legislator is also diverging Trump on the key issue of immigration. Ciattarelli says he’d back a “pathway to recognition” for some people who are living in New Jersey illegally. Ciattarelli is hoping to make inroads with Latino voters. It’s an important group of voters in the November election against Democrat Mikie Sherrill, a four-term congresswoman.

Ohtani puts on 2-way Sho for the ages with 3 homers and 10 Ks to lead Dodgers back to World Series

Shohei Ohtani hit three home runs and pitched shutout ball into the seventh inning for the Los Angeles Dodgers, putting on a spectacular two-way show in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series. With 10 strikeouts on the mound and three homers that traveled a combined 1,342 feet at the plate, Ohtani made history in both of his dual roles for the defending champion Dodgers, who returned to the World Series with a 5-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers that completed a four-game sweep. After striking out three batters in the top of the first, Ohtani hit the first leadoff homer by a pitcher in major league history. He hit a second titanic drive in the fourth and launched a third solo homer in the seventh.

Music could help ease pain from surgery or illness. Scientists are listening

Hospitals and doctors’ offices are inviting singers and musicians to help patients manage their pain, as music’s ability to reduce pain is gaining attention. No one is suggesting that a catchy song can completely eliminate serious pain. But several recent studies have suggested that listening to music can either reduce the perception of pain or enhance a person’s ability to tolerate it. The key is letting patients choose the music and encouraging active listening. Scientists say one aspect of music’s power is simple distraction, but it’s more than that. It changes the perception and experience of pain, and the isolation and anxiety.

Shutdown impact: What it means for workers, federal programs and the economy

The federal government shutdown is approaching the second longest on record and there’s no end in sight. Some lawmakers predict it could surpass the 35-day shutdown from President Donald Trump’s first term. The nation’s 1.3 million active-duty service members have gotten a temporary reprieve. But hundreds of thousands of federal civilian employees are being furloughed and facing financial stress. The travel economy is taking a big hit with tourist sites such as Smithsonian museums in the nation’s capital closed. There have been air controller shortages in some cities and flight delays. The longer the shutdown lasts, the more it could be a drag on the economy.

‘No Kings’ protests against Trump planned nationwide, in what the GOP calls ‘hate America’ rallies

Protesting the direction of the country under President Donald Trump, people will gather Saturday in the nation’s capital and communities across the U.S. They’re holding “No Kings” demonstrations, or what the president’s Republican Party is calling “Hate America” rallies. This is the third mass mobilization since Trump’s return to the White House and it’s expected to be the largest. It comes against the backdrop of a government shutdown that not only has closed federal programs and services, but is testing the core balance of power as organizers warn of a slide toward American authoritarianism. Trump himself is away from Washington at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida.

One scandal too many forces UK monarchy to sideline Prince Andrew

Prince Andrew has been banished from the royal whirl after emails emerged this week showing that he had remained in contact with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein longer than he previously admitted. The House of Windsor has finally moved to insulate the monarchy from years of tawdry headlines about Andrew’s dodgy friends and suspicious business deals.  Buckingham Palace on Friday released a statement from Andrew saying that he had agreed to give up use of his last remaining royal titles so that continued allegations about him “don’t distract from the work of His Majesty.”

Brewers outclassed by Ohtani and big-money Dodgers as rousing season ends with NLCS sweep

Turned out the National League Championship Series was indeed a mismatch, just as Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy suggested. But not only in payroll and star power. On the baseball field, too. Where it really matters. After compiling the best record in the majors during the regular season, the scrappy Brewers appeared capable of beating anybody — until they ran into Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers in October. Milwaukee mustered only four runs and 14 hits in a four-game Dodgers sweep that left the Brewers steps short of the World Series once again. The team’s only pennant came in 1982, when Milwaukee was in the American League.

Shohei Ohtani hits 3 homers and strikes out 10 in Dodgers’ clinching 5-1 NLCS win over Brewers

Shohei Ohtani has propelled the Los Angeles Dodgers back to the World Series with a two-way performance for the ages. Ohtani hit three mammoth home runs and pitched scoreless, two-hit ball into the seventh inning, and the Dodgers swept the Milwaukee Brewers out of the National League Championship Series with a 5-1 victory in Game 4. The Dodgers will have a chance to be baseball’s first repeat World Series champions in a quarter-century after this mind-blowing night for the three-time MVP.

Afghan and Pakistani delegations head to Doha for crisis talks

Afghan and Pakistani delegations are going to the Qatari capital Doha for crisis talks. More than a week of fighting has killed dozens of people and injured hundreds on both sides. On Saturday, the Taliban government said the Afghan delegation included the defense minister and head of the national intelligence agency. Each country has said it is responding to aggression from the other. Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of harboring militants who carry out attacks in border areas, a charge rejected by the country’s Taliban government. A 48-hour ceasefire expired Friday evening.

Minnesota beats No. 25 Nebraska 24-6, sacking Dylan Raiola 9 times

Darius Taylor ran for 148 yards and a touchdown, Drake Lindsey completed 16 of 20 passes for 153 yards and a score and Minnesota sacked quarterback Dylan Raiola a school-record nine times in a 24-6 victory over No. 25 Nebraska on Friday night. The Gophers (5-2, 3-1 Big Ten) have won six straight against the Cornhuskers (5-2, 2-2). Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck improved to 7-1 against Nebraska, which hasn’t won in Minneapolis since 2015. Raiola completed 17 of 25 passes for 177 yards for the Huskers, who spent part of a short week addressing rumors of coach Matt Rhule’s candidacy for the vacant Penn State job. Anthony Smith and Karter Menz each had 2 1/2 sacks for Minnesota.

Alex Ovechkin’s first goal of the season brings him within 2 of the 900 mark for his career

Alex Ovechkin scored his first goal of the season, moving to within two of 900 for his career and helping the Washington Capitals to a 5-1 victory over the Minnesota Wild. Ovechkin went without a goal in the season’s first four games — not a crisis but a longer dry spell than he had at any time last season. He scored 44 times in 2024-25 and eventually broke Wayne Gretzky’s NHL record with No. 895. Now that number is up to 898.

Ovechkin scores 898th goal as Capitals top Wild 5-1 for their 4th straight victory

Alex Ovechkin scored for the first time this season, Dylan Strome added a pair of goals and the Washington Capitals beat the Minnesota Wild 5-1 for their fourth straight victory. Ovechkin’s third-period shot pinged off the left post and in, and the crowd roared its approval when the counter above one corner of the ice was flipped over to 898, his new career total. The NHL career leader in goals also had an assist as part of a dominant showing at home for Washington. Logan Thompson allowed only ex-Capital Marcus Johansson’s tally in the second. That tied the game at 1, but Aliaksei Protas answered 31 seconds later.

Alaska storm damage so bad many evacuees won’t go home for at least 18 months, governor says

Damage to remote Alaska villages hammered by flooding last weekend is so extreme that many of the more than 2,000 people displaced won’t be able to return to their homes for at least 18 months. That’s what Gov. Mike Dunleavy said in a request to the White House for a major disaster declaration. In one of the hardest hit villages, Kipnuk, an initial assessment showed that 121 or homes — or 90% of the total — have been destroyed, Dunleavy wrote. In Kwigillingok, where three dozen homes floated away, slightly more than one-third of the residences are uninhabitable.

Joel Embiid returns to action for 76ers in preseason finale, first game in nearly 8 months

Joel Embiid started for the Philadelphia 76ers in their preseason finale on Friday night, his first game action in nearly eight months. And he flirted with a triple-double. Embiid — who was limited to 19 games last season because of injuries — finished with 14 points, seven rebounds and eight assists in 19 minutes in Philadelphia’s 126-110 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. He also had three steals, and the 76ers outscored the Wolves by 12 points when Embiid was on the floor. Philadelphia coach Nick Nurse said before the game that Embiid would have “fairly short” stints of action and held true to that plan. Embiid didn’t play in the fourth quarter. The 76ers open the regular season at Boston on Wednesday night.

Dozens of costumed canines get their chance to trick-or-treating at Howloween event in Michigan

Dogs dressed up as everything from Elvis Presley to Scooby Doo’s Mystery Machine went trick-or-treating in Michigan. It was part of the annual Howloween event organized by a local pet store. The costumed canines made a loop through Lansing’s Old Town arts district, stopping outside restaurants, gift shops and jewelry stores, where owners were waiting to provide treats and a scratch behind the ears. The event is organized each year by Preuss Pets, an Old Town fixture. The number of dogs is capped at 200, and they have to preregister. It is part of an effort to keep the numbers down for safety’s sake.

Trump says he has commuted sentence of former US Rep. George Santos in federal fraud case

President Donald Trump says he has commuted the sentence of former U.S. Rep. George Santos, who is serving more than seven years in federal prison after pleading guilty to fraud and identity theft charges. The New York Republican was sentenced in April after admitting last year to deceiving donors and stealing the identities of 11 people — including his own family members — to make donations to his campaign. He reported to Federal Correctional Institution in Fairton, in southern New Jersey, on July 25 and is being housed in a minimum security prison camp with fwere than 50 other inmates. “I just signed a Commutation, releasing George Santos from prison, IMMEDIATELY,” Trump posted on his social media platform.

Meta adds parental controls for AI-teen interactions

Meta is adding parental controls to kids’ interactions with artificial intelligence chatbots — including the ability to turn off one-on-one chats with AI characters altogether. However, parents won’t be able to turn off Meta’s AI assistant. Meta says the AI assistant will “will remain available to offer helpful information and educational opportunities, with default, age-appropriate protections in place to help keep teens safe.” Parents who don’t want to turn off chats with all AI characters will also be able to block specific characters.

Regional banks’ bad loans spark concerns on Wall Street

Wall Street is concerned about the health of the nation’s regional banks, after a few of them wrote off bad loans to commercial customers in the last two weeks. Zions Bank, Western Alliance Bank, and Jefferies disclosed bad investments, causing their stocks to fall sharply this week. On Tuesday, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon warned that more problems might arise. The KBW Bank Index, which tracks banks, is down 7% this month. Data from the Federal Reserve shows banks have tapped into overnight facilities for cash, a move not seen since the COVID-19 pandemic.

With no takers yet, White House sets meeting with colleges still weighing Trump’s ‘compact’

The five remaining universities that have not announced a decision on President Donald Trump’s higher-education compact have been asked to join a White House call Friday to discuss the proposed deal, according to two people familiar with the matter. The people spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss details of the private call. It follows a flurry of rejections from four of the nine universities invited to be “initial signatories” of the agreement. The White House asked university leaders to provide initial feedback by Oct. 20, yet as the deadline approaches, none have signed on to the document.

UK police face pressure to reverse ban on Israeli soccer fans at Birmingham match

British officials are working to overturn a decision preventing Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from attending a Europa League soccer game at Aston Villa. The ban, due to security concerns, has drawn criticism from politicians, sports organizations, and Jewish groups. A spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer says he is angered by the decision and the government is working to overturn it. UEFA urged British authorities to ensure the Israeli team’s fans can attend. West Midlands Police deemed the Nov. 6 match high risk, citing past violence and hate crimes that took place when Maccabi Tel Aviv played at Ajax in Amsterdam last year.

Gold prices topped $4,300 this week. What’s driving the surge?

As economic uncertainty deepens, the rush for gold continues — with prices for the precious metal topping $4,300 for the first time this week. The going price for New York spot closed at a record $4,326 per troy ounce on Thursday. Futures also traded as high at more than $4,344 per troy ounce Thursday, before falling below the $4,300 mark Friday morning. Still, gold is up 6.7% over the last week, marking one of its best weeks to date. Gold sales can rise sharply when anxious investors seek a “safe haven” for their money. For the U.S., the latest gains arrive amid the now weekslong government shutdown and ongoing trade wars abroad.

What to know about federal charges against former National Security Advisor John Bolton

Former National Security Advisor John Bolton has turned himself in to federal authorities in Maryland and pleaded not guilty after being indicted on charges of keeping top secret documents at his home and sharing classified information with family members. Bolton’s criminal case is the third brought by the Justice Department in recent weeks against someone deemed adversarial to President Donald Trump. It also amplifies concerns that Trump is using the nation’s top law enforcement agency to punish political foes. Bolton didn’t comment to reporters as he entered the federal courthouse Friday in Greenbelt, about 13 miles northeast of Washington. A grand jury returned an 18-count indictment Thursday against him.

US has seized survivors after strike on suspected drug-carrying vessel in Caribbean, AP source says

Two U.S. officials have confirmed to The Associated Press that the U.S. military has carried out a sixth, deadly strike in the Caribbean. One of the officials said the strike, conducted on what is believed to be a semi-submersible or submersible vessel, killed at least one person and left behind at least two survivors. Both officials were granted anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.

Photos of the latest styles at Sao Paulo Fashion Week

SAO PAULO (AP) — The catwalks at Sao Paulo Fashion week have featured creations from Brazilian designers including Gloria Coelho, Joao Pimenta, Dario Mittmann, Leandro Castro and Menino Rei. This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors. Categories: US & World News

US blocks a global fee on shipping emissions as international meeting ends without new regulations

The U.S. has blocked a global fee on shipping emissions as an international maritime meeting ended Friday without adopting new regulations. The world’s largest maritime nations had been discussing ways to move the shipping industry away from fossil fuels. On Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump urged countries to vote against the regulations. The International Maritime Organization adjourned its meeting Friday. The proposed regulations would have set a marine fuel standard and imposed fees for emissions above allowable limits. Shipping emissions have grown to about 3% of the global total, prompting calls for action.

How to watch the Orionid meteor shower, debris of Halley’s comet

The Orionid meteor shower peaks this year with the arrival of a new moon, offering a rare chance to see shooting stars without moonlight interference. During Tuesday morning’s peak, exerts predict up to 20 meteors per hour could be visible under ideal conditions. Viewing lasts until early November. The source of the Orionids is debris from Halley’s comet. You don’t need special equipment to see the various meteor showers that flash across annually, just a spot away from city lights.

Hannibal Gadhafi, son of late Libyan leader, ordered released in Lebanon if he pays $11 million bail

A Lebanese judge has ordered the release of he son of Libya’s late leader Moammar Gadhafi on condition he pay $11 million bail. Hannibal Gadhafi has been held in Lebanon for a decade without charge. His lawyers have said he has been ill in his cell at police headquarters in Beirut. On Friday, judicial officials said he was taken to the Justice Palace in Beirut, where Judge Zaher Hamadeh ordered his release once the bail condition is met. One of his lawyers said Gadhafi does not have the money or access to accounts to pay the bail.

King Charles III’s visit to Vatican marks a historic step in path of unity between two churches

The Catholic Church and Church of England are taking a historic step toward unity. Next week, King Charles III and Pope Leo XIV will pray together in the Sistine Chapel. This marks the first time since the Reformation that the heads of these churches pray together. The ecumenical service on October 23 focuses on caring for God’s creation. Buckingham Palace and Vatican officials announced the details on Friday. During the visit, Charles will receive a new title and recognition at St. Paul’s Outside the Walls. The visit was originally scheduled for April but was postponed due to Pope Francis’ illness, shortly before his death.

How Trump’s approval shifted after the ceasefire in Gaza, according to a new AP-NORC poll

A new AP-NORC poll finds that more U.S. adults support President Donald Trump’s handling of the conflict in Israel after he brokered a ceasefire deal in Gaza, but his approval ratings on domestic issues remain weak. The survey reveals that Trump’s apparent success on the world stage has not improved his overall standing at home. Even some of those who voted for him believe he needs to do more to address issues such as the economy, health care and immigration. The poll was conducted Oct. 9-13, after the ceasefire deal was announced. About 4 in 10 U.S. adults approve of the way Trump is handling his job overall, unchanged from September.

Madagascar’s coup leader is set to be sworn in as president after military takeover

An army colonel who seized power in a military coup is set to be sworn in as Madagascar’s new leader in a lightning-fast power grab that ousted the president and sent him fleeing from the country into hiding. Col. Michael Randrianirina, the commander of an elite army unit, will take the oath of office at the Indian Ocean nation’s High Constitutional Court on Friday, he said in a statement published on state media. His ascent to the presidency would come just three days after he announced that the armed forces were taking power in the sprawling island of around 30 million people off of Africa’s east coast.

Peru’s president refuses to resign after Gen Z protests leave at least 1 dead, 100 injured

Peru’s president refuses to resign after Gen Z protests turned violent overnight, prompting investigations by authorities into at least one civilian death. Authorities said on Thursday they are investigating the death of protester Eduardo Ruíz, who was shot during the demonstrations. The protests began a month ago, initially focusing on better pensions and wages for young people, but have expanded to address broader issues like crime and corruption. The unrest follows the swearing-in of Peru’s seventh president in less than a decade. The protests are part of a global wave of generational discontent against governments.

Dodgers near repeat World Series trip, beat Brewers 3-1 behind Glasnow, Edman for 3-0 NLCS lead

Tommy Edman hit a tiebreaking single off hard-throwing rookie Jacob Misiorowski in a two-run sixth inning, and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Milwaukee Brewers 3-1 to take a 3-0 lead in their NL Championship Series. Los Angeles moved within one win of becoming the first defending champion to reach the World Series since the 2009 Philadelphia Phillies. No team has won consecutive titles since the 1998-2000 New York Yankees took three in a row. Only one Major League Baseball team has overcame a 3-0 postseason deficit, the 2004 Boston Red Sox against the Yankees.

Democrats say Trump needs to be involved in shutdown talks. He’s shown little interest in doing so

Democrats are calling on President Donald Trump to get more involved with negotiations to end the government shutdown. Trump is showing no interest in interjecting in the fight that has stretched through three weeks with little movement. Republican leadership in Congress is hoping it stays that way, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune reiterating Thursday that negotiations are possible “once the government opens up.” But some in Trump’s party are expressing frustration with the lack of movement. Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski said she thinks some in the Trump administration are happy that the role of Congress is being diminished.

Ahead of Zelenskyy meeting, Trump shows signs he might not be ready to send Kyiv Tomahawk missiles

President Donald Trump is set to host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for talks at the White House on Friday. The U.S. leader is signaling he’s not ready to agree to sell Kyiv a long-range missile system that the Ukrainians say they desperately need. The meeting comes a day after Trump had a lengthy phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the Russia-Ukraine conflict. In recent days, Trump had shown openness to selling Ukraine long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles, even as Putin warned against it. Following Thursday’s call with Putin, Trump appeared to downplay the prospects of Ukraine getting the missiles.

A war on drugs or a war on terror? Trump’s military pressure on Venezuela blurs the lines

Legal experts say U.S. strikes against alleged members of Latin American drug cartels are pushing the bounds of international law. Under President Donald Trump, the U.S. military has struck several boats, killing 27 people, after authorities received information suggesting they were carrying drugs. Trump’s administration is justifying this use of force by relying on a legal framework created after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. That framework allowed authorities to use lethal force against al-Qaida combatants responsible for the attacks on the U.S. The gangs now being targeted in Latin America, however, are a different foe, fueled not by anti-U.S. ideology but by the drug trade.

Venezuela floated a plan for Maduro to slowly give up power, but was rejected by US, AP source says

Venezuelan government officials floated a plan in which President Nicolás Maduro would eventually leave office, a bid aimed at easing mounting U.S. pressure on the government in Caracas. That’s according to a former Trump administration official who requested anonymity about the sensitive matter. The proposal called for Maduro to step down from power in three years and hand over authority to his vice president, Delcy Rodriguez, who would complete his current six-year term that runs until January 2031. But the Trump administration rejected Maduro’s proposal as unsatisfactory as it continues to question the legitimacy of his rule.

Western Conference teams dominate NBA championship betting with season on the horizon

The Western Conference is so strong that its championship might feel like the real NBA Finals. BetMGM Sportsbook shows that six of the top seven potential NBA champions from a betting liability standpoint are from the West. Miami is the only Eastern team. Western teams have won three of the last four championships, with Boston in 2024 being the exception. Oklahoma City and Denver are the top favorites at BetMGM. Meanwhile, the MVP race appears to be among Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, and Luka Doncic. Dallas’ Cooper Flagg is the favorite for Rookie of the Year.

Ace Frehley, Kiss’ original lead guitarist and founding member, dies at 74

Ace Frehley, the original lead guitarist and founding member of the glam rock band Kiss who captivated audiences with his elaborate makeup and smoke-filled guitar, has died. He was 74. Frehley’s agent says he died peacefully Thursday surrounded by family in Morristown following a recent fall. Family members say in a statement that they are “completely devastated and heartbroken” but will cherish his laughter and celebrate the kindness he bestowed upon others.

Mahmoud Khalil can freely travel around US as he fights his deportation case, judge rules

A federal judge has lifted travel restrictions for Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, allowing him to speak at rallies across the U.S. as he fights a deportation case. Khalil, freed from immigration detention in June, had been limited to traveling in New York, Washington, D.C., and Michigan. His lawyer argued for the change, citing First Amendment rights. Despite objections from government attorneys, Magistrate Judge Michael Hammer allowed the travel, noting Khalil isn’t a flight risk. He said Khalil must notify federal authorities of his travel plans ahead of time.

California to begin selling affordable state-branded insulin beginning next year

Gov. Gavin Newsom says California will begin selling affordable insulin under its own label on Jan. 1, nearly three years after he first announced a partnership to sell state-branded generic drugs at lower prices. But California won’t be the only state making lower-cost insulin available. The nonprofit Civica says Thursday it will also distribute its economical diabetes medication to pharmacies nationwide. Starting in the new year, insulin pens will be available in California under the CalRx label for $11 per pen, or a maximum of $55 for a five-pack.

UN condemns military takeover in Madagascar as coup leader to be quickly sworn in as president

The United Nations chief has condemned the military takeover in Madagascar as an army colonel who led the coup is set to be quickly sworn in as president three days after announcing soldiers had taken charge. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres “condemns the unconstitutional change of government in Madagascar and calls for the return to constitutional order and the rule of law,” according to his spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric. Col. Michael Randrianirina is due to be sworn in as Madagascar’s leader at a ceremony at the High Constitutional Court on Friday. He says the country will be run by a military council for up to two years before new elections.

Ex-Trump national security adviser Bolton charged in probe of mishandling of classified information

Ex-Trump national security adviser John Bolton has been charged in a federal investigation into the potential mishandling of classified information. The investigation burst into public view in August when the FBI searched Bolton’s Maryland home and Washington office for classified records he may have illegally retained. Bolton’s attorney says many of the documents seized were approved as part of a pre-publication review for his book. Bolton’s indictment Thursday sets the stage for a court case centering on a longtime fixture in Republican foreign policy circles. Bolton served in President Donald Trump’s first administration before being fired and emerging as a vocal critic.

Energy Department offers $1.6 billion loan guarantee to upgrade transmission lines across Midwest

The Department of Energy says it has finalized a $1.6 billion loan guarantee to a subsidiary of one of the nation’s largest power companies to upgrade nearly 5,000 miles of transmission lines across five states, mostly in the Midwest, for largely fossil fuel-run energy. The project by AEP Transmission, a subsidiary of Ohio-based American Electric Power, will help meet surging electricity demand from data centers and artificial intelligence. The project will upgrade power lines in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma and West Virginia. Thursday’s announcement deepens the Trump administration’s commitment to traditional, polluting energy sources even as it works to discourage the U.S. from clean energy use.

Indiana announces new 8-year contract with coach Curt Cignetti worth nearly $93 million

Indiana has announced a new eight-year contract with coach Curt Cignetti worth at least $92.8 million. The deal rewards him for pushing the Hoosiers into national championship contention in just two seasons. The school said the average annual compensation for Cignetti will be approximately $11.6 million. The contract runs through November 30, 2033. Cignetti is 17-2 since arriving from James Madison. The Hoosiers advanced to the College Football Playoff for the first time last year and are currently ranked No. 3 nationally.

A look at the Tomahawk, a US cruise missile that could come into play in the Ukraine war

The Tomahawk cruise missile has been in the U.S. military’s inventory since the 1980s. While slow by missile standards, the cruise missile flies around 100 feet (about 30 meters) off the ground, making it harder to detect by defense systems. The missile also boasts an impressive range of around 1,000 miles and precision guidance systems that make it the go-to weapon for striking targets that are deep inland or in hostile territory. President Donald Trump has hinted that he might give Tomahawks to Ukraine, which could make a key difference for Kyiv in its war with Moscow.  While the United States launched Tomahawk missiles almost exclusively from ships or submarines, Ukraine doesn’t possess a Navy with ships capable of carrying the 20-foot-long missile.

Kanchha Sherpa, last surviving member of pioneering Mount Everest expedition, dies at 92

Kanchha Sherpa, the last surviving member of the first Mount Everest expedition team, has died at 92. He was part of the 1953 team that helped New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay reach the summit. The Nepal Mountaineering Association says Kanchha Sherpa died at his home in the Kathmandu district of Nepal on Thursday. Born in 1933, he began his mountaineering career at 19 and was active until age 50. He was one of three Sherpas to reach the final camp before the summit with Hillary and Tenzing. In 2024 he expressed concerns about overcrowding on Everest and urged respect for the mountain.

Carter Hart agrees to join the Golden Knights after being acquitted of sexual assault

Goaltender Carter Hart has agreed to sign with the Vegas Golden Knights, becoming the first of the five 2018 Canada world junior hockey players to land an NHL contract since they were acquitted of sexual assault in a high-profile case. Vegas announced an agreement for Hart on Thursday, the second day after the window opened for the players to sign. Hart and the others are not eligible to play in games until Dec. 1 as part of the league’s reinstatement process for him, Michael McLeod, Dillon Dube, Cal Foote and Alex Formenton.

Russian barrage causes blackouts in Ukraine as Zelenskyy seeks Trump’s help

Russia has launched a heavy bombardment on Ukraine’s energy facilities, using hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is preparing to meet with President Donald Trump to request more air defenses and long-range missiles. Eight Ukrainian regions experienced blackouts after the attacks, and the capital, Kyiv, faced outages. Zelenskyy accused Russia of using cluster munitions and targeting emergency crews. Ukrainian officials call Russia’s strategy “weaponizing winter.” Zelenskyy is seeking more Western help, including cruise missiles and air defense systems, to defend against aerial attacks and strike back at Russia.