US & World News Archives - Page 7 of 76

Once 15 1/2 games back, the Guardians beat the Tigers 5-1 to take a 1-game lead in the AL Central

September 24, 2025

By JOE REEDY - AP Sports Writer

The Cleveland Guardians have made history by overcoming a 15 1/2-game deficit to take the lead in division play. They achieved this with a 5-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday night. George Valera hit a two-run homer in the third inning, and José Ramírez added a two-run double in the seventh. Tanner Bibee won his third straight start, allowing just one run in six innings. The Guardians’ starters have allowed two or fewer runs in 19 consecutive games. Detroit has lost eight straight games and is out of first place for the first time since April.

Xcel Energy will pay $640M to settle claims from Denver-area wildfire that burned 1,000 structures

September 24, 2025

By COLLEEN SLEVIN - Associated Press

Minneapolis-based Xcel Energy said Wednesday it expects to pay about $640 million to settle lawsuits alleging it was responsible for starting Colorado’s most destructive wildfire that killed two people and destroyed nearly 1,000 homes in 2021. The announcement came right before jury selection was set to begin in a trial combining lawsuits brought by homeowners and insurers over the fire in the heavily populated suburbs between Denver and Boulder. Court documents confirmed a settlement has been reached and the trial canceled. Xcel has maintained that its equipment did not cause or contribute to the fire. It said it does not admit any fault under the settlement.

‘Very mean squirrel’ seeking food has sent at least 2 people to the ER in a California city

September 24, 2025

AP

Residents of a San Francisco Bay Area city are on the lookout for an aggressive squirrel that has sent at least two people to the emergency room. Joan Heblack told ABC affiliate KGO-TV that she was walking in a San Rafael neighborhood when a squirrel attacked her leg. Isabel Campoy says she too had been walking in the Lucas Valley neighborhood of San Rafael when the squirrel attacked, leaving her arm bloody. Flyers are now posted warning residents of the “very mean squirrel.” Experts say the squirrel was likely accustomed to people feeding and caring for it. Squirrels are not vectors for rabies.

David Fry recovering after sustaining broken nose, facial fractures after being hit in face by pitch

September 24, 2025

By JOE REEDY - AP Sports Writer

Cleveland Guardians designated hitter David Fry is recovering after being hit in the face by a pitch from Detroit’s Tarik Skubal. The incident happened during Cleveland’s 5-2 win over the Tigers on Tuesday, which tied the AL Central division race. Fry was released from the hospital Wednesday afternoon. Imaging showed he sustained multiple facial and nasal fractures but won’t need surgery. Fry is expected to recover in six to eight weeks. He was placed on the 10-day injured list, and outfielder Johnathan Rodríguez was called up. Skubal, who was visibly shaken, visited Fry in the hospital and apologized.

Pope names successor to embattled New Orleans archbishop after sex abuse settlement

September 24, 2025

By NICOLE WINFIELD and JACK BROOK - Associated Press

Pope Leo XIV has named a successor to the embattled archbishop of New Orleans two weeks after the archdiocese agreed to a $230 million settlement for survivors of clergy sexual abuse. Bishop James Checchio of Metuchen, New Jersey was named coadjutor bishop of New Orleans. The position puts Checchio in line to succeed Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond when he retires. Aymond reached the mandatory retirement age of 75 last November, suggesting that the Vatican kept him in place to finalize the abuse settlement and allow for an organized handover to his successor. The New Orleans archdiocese agreed Sept. 8 to a $230 million proposed settlement to end one of the U.S. church’s longest and most contentious legal battles over abuse claims.

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky welcome third child, Rocki

September 24, 2025

AP

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky have welcome their third child and first daughter. Rihanna announced the birth of Rocki Irish Mayers in an Instagram post Wednesday. The couple first announced their pregnancy during the Met Gala in May. The couple has a track record for starry pregnancy announcements, with Rihanna emerging on the 2023 Super Bowl stage with a baby bump on full display. Their son Riot Rose was born later that year. The couple welcomed their first child, RZA, in 2022. The birth comes just months after A$AP Rocky was acquitted on firearms charges in Los Angeles in February.

FACT FOCUS: A look at Trump’s UN claims about irregular migration in Europe

September 24, 2025

By SUMAN NAISHADHAM - Associated Press

President Donald Trump excoriated European leaders about their efforts to slow irregular migration, claiming they have done little to prevent an influx of outsiders that has transformed the continent. However, Trump’s claims during an address to the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday come amid a decline in Europe’s irregular border crossings, which have largely been decreasing for a decade. European Union countries have spent billions of euros to stanch the flow of unauthorized migration, which includes people who came to or remained in the EU illegally or who applied for asylum in one of its member states.

What to know before you try foraging for edible plants and mushrooms in backyards or public spaces

September 24, 2025

By RODRIQUE NGOWI - Associated Press

Amid some renewed interest in foraging for edible wild plants, mushrooms and other foodstuffs, experts caution aspiring foragers to prioritize safety, plan carefully and learn proper identification. A critical consideration when gathering food from forests, urban landscapes and elsewhere is to avoid accidental poisoning. That means if you have any doubt about a plant’s safety, don’t touch or taste it. Foraging instructor Iris Phoebe Weaver says it can also be dangerous to rely solely on a comparison to online photos, which can be misidentified. Experienced foragers and field guides also recommend learning about plants’ toxic look-alikes, avoiding polluted areas, and respecting local rules and private property.

Lawmakers and activists call for action after AP reveals US tech role in China’s surveillance state

September 24, 2025

By BYRON TAU, GARANCE BURKE and DAKE KANG - Associated Press

Lawmakers and activists are urging U.S. tech firms to stop selling surveillance equipment to Chinese police. This follows an Associated Press report revealing the significant role American technology plays in enabling human rights abuses in China. Republican Sen. Josh Hawley wants tech companies to testify before Congress about their exports. An AP investigation found that companies like IBM, Dell, and Cisco sold billions in technology to Chinese authorities, despite warnings. Lawmakers from both parties are calling for stricter export laws. Civil society groups are also demanding that tech firms cut ties with China’s surveillance state.

China, world’s largest carbon polluting nation, announces new climate goal to cut emissions

September 24, 2025

BY SETH BORENSTEIN and MELINA WALLING - Associated Press

China, the world’s largest carbon polluting nation, has announced a new climate fighting goal to cut emissions by 7% to 10% by 2035. It came as more than 100 world leaders lined up Wednesday to talk of increased urgency and the need for stronger efforts to curb the spewing of heat-trapping gases. With major international climate negotiations in Brazil 6½ weeks away, the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres convened a special leaders summit during the General Assembly to focus on climate change.

Vikings-Steelers game gives thriving Brian Flores a reflection of gratitude and a chance to catch up

September 24, 2025

By DAVE CAMPBELL - AP Pro Football Writer

Brian Flores found the perfect pit stop for his coaching career in Pittsburgh. He has clearly been enjoying the ride with Minnesota since then. The third-year defensive coordinator of the Vikings gets the chance this weekend to catch up with old friends from the Steelers when the two teams play the NFL’s first game in Dublin. Flores had recently been fired after a three-season run as coach of the Miami Dolphins when longtime Steelers coach Mike Tomlin offered him a job as a senior defensive assistant working with the inside linebackers in 2022. He joined the Vikings a year later.

For the first time in nearly 60 years, a Syrian president addresses UN

September 24, 2025

By JENNIFER PELTZ and BASSEM MROUE - Associated Press

Turning the page on decades of distance, Syria’s President Ahmad al-Sharaa addressed the U.N. General Assembly, marking the first time any Syrian president has done so in almost 60 years. He told the assembly’s annual gathering of world leaders that Syria “is reclaiming its rightful place among the nations of the world,.” The Assad family dynasty’s autocratic, repressive 50-year rule in Syria abruptly collapsed in December, when then-President Bashar Assad was ousted in a lightning insurgent offensive led by al-Sharaa. Assad’s fall ended nearly 14 years of civil war.

What to know about the shooting at a Dallas immigration facility

September 24, 2025

By R.J. RICO - Associated Press

A gunman fired on a Dallas immigration field office from a nearby roof, killing two detainees and critically wounding another, before killing himself. The Department of Homeland Security called Wednesday morning’s shooting an indiscriminate attack on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Officials said the victims were inside a van outside the facility. Authorities found ammunition with anti-ICE messaging at the scene. The attack is the latest in a series of targeted killings in the U.S. Officials have not released the identities of the shooter or victims. The incident occurred at a local field office where agents conduct short-term processing.

Maine wardens rescue moose trapped for hours in abandoned well

September 24, 2025

AP

A bull moose that fell into an abandoned well in Maine was pulled to safety during an elaborate five hour rescue. The operation happened Wednesday after the family that owned forested land in northern Maine discovered the moose looking out from well that was about 9-feet deep. They alerted the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife. A biologist sedated the moose and then wardens put straps on the moose. Using an excavator provided by family, they gingerly lifted the moose out of the well. It eventually woke up and ran off — seemingly unhurt by the ordeal.

FACT FOCUS: Trump repeats false claim at UN that he has ended 7 wars

September 24, 2025

The Associated Press

During his speech before the U.N. General Assembly, President Donald Trump promoted a second-term talking point about his efforts to settle multiple conflicts around the world. s and criticizing other countries. He said on Tuesday that “in a period of just seven months, I have ended seven unendable wars” It’s a claim he frequently makes. Trump has helped with mediations but experts say his impact is not as clear-cut as he portrays.

What are Gaelic games and how are they producing NFL hopefuls in kicking and punting?

September 24, 2025

By KEN MAGUIRE - AP Sports Writer

Ireland will host its first NFL regular-season game Sunday when the Pittsburgh Steelers face the Minnesota Vikings at Croke Park. The country has its own sports, called Gaelic games, with Gaelic football in particular featuring kicking skills that can transfer to American football via placekicking and punting. A growing number of Gaelic football players are giving American football a shot, either through college programs or the NFL’s international player pathway program. Here are some facts about Gaelic games and the players trying to reach the NFL.

Drone fired from Yemen hits southern Israeli city of Eilat. Medics say 20 people were wounded

September 24, 2025

By IBRAHIM HAZBOUN - Associated Press

A drone fired from Yemen has struck the southern Israeli city of Eilat. Medics said Wednesday that at least 22 people were wounded. Two of them were seriously injured. It wasn’t immediately clear if they were hurt by the drone or an interceptor. In the Gaza Strip, at least 19 Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire, according to local hospitals. Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have regularly fired drones and missiles at Israel in what they say is solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. The vast majority have been intercepted or fallen in open areas without wounding anyone. Israel has carried out retaliatory airstrikes on Yemen after past attacks.

Ryder Cup has power to divide — or unite — during fraught and fragile time in the US

September 24, 2025

By EDDIE PELLS - AP National Writer

This week’s Ryder Cup is an example of sports as an international score-settler. Could a group of pro golfers give Americans a break from the nonstop news cycles that makes their country feel fraught and fragile? Could it help bring a country together? And if so, how will fans react to two of the most-beloved golfers during a normal week, Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood. They’ll be representing the opposition this week, Europe. They’ll be doing it at Bethpage Black outside New York — a workingman’s golf course where fans have a reputation for behaving badly toward people they don’t like.

Andretti Global hires Ron Ruzewski as team principal, reuniting him with driver Will Power

September 24, 2025

By JENNA FRYER - AP Auto Racing Writer

Andretti Global has made a significant move by appointing Ron Ruzewski as the team principal of its IndyCar team. Ruzewski, a former Team Penske executive, will start in January. He replaces Rob Edwards, who will become chief performance officer for TWG Motorsports. This decision reunites Ruzewski with driver Will Power, who recently signed with Andretti after leaving Penske. Power’s rights remain with Penske until the end of the year, sparking criticism. The hirings reflect Dan Towriss’ commitment to rebuilding Andretti into a powerhouse. Andretti also announced a technical partnership with Dale Coyne Racing for 2026.

YouTube to start bringing back creators banned for COVID-19 and election misinformation

September 24, 2025

By ALI SWENSON - Associated Press

YouTube will offer creators a way to rejoin the streaming platform if they were banned for violating COVID-19 and election misinformation policies that are no longer in effect. YouTube parent Alphabet said in a letter to the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday that the decision reflects the company’s commitment to free speech. The move is the latest in a cascade of content moderation rollbacks from tech companies, who cracked down on false information during the pandemic and after the 2020 election but have since faced pressure from President Donald Trump and other conservatives who argue they unlawfully stifled right-wing voices. It comes as tech CEOs, including Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai, have sought a closer relationship with the Republican president.

A centuries-old map is returned to Mexico after it was recovered in Santa Fe

September 24, 2025

By SUSAN MONTOYA BRYAN - Associated Press

The FBI has handed over a centuries-old map to Mexican officials after it was discovered by a librarian in New Mexico. The “Villa de Santa Fe” map had been part of Mexico’s archives until it was discovered missing in 2011. The map shows the Spanish province of Nuevo Mexico, including locations of rivers, Spanish settlements and Native American pueblos. Historians joined federal investigators and Mexican officials for a ceremony on Tuesday at the consulate in Albuquerque. They talked about the significance of the map, saying it provided key documentation of the Camino Real, a 1,600-mile route that once served as a lifeline between Mexico City and Santa Fe.

Kimmel returns to late night with an emotional monologue but no apologies following suspension

September 24, 2025

By DAVID BAUDER - AP Media Writer

ABC late-night host Jimmy Kimmel returned to his show following a nearly one-week suspension with an emotional monologue but without apologies. He said that he was never trying to make light of conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s death, and paid tribute to his widow Erika for publicly forgiving her husband’s assassin. But he thanked people who stood up for him and for free speech, even people like Texas Sen. Ted Cruz who don’t like his comedy but defended his right to speak. Millions of people watched the climax of an episode that put him at odds with President Donald Trump’s supporters and tested the bounds of free speech.

Trump’s Rose Garden Club: A lavish new hangout for political allies and business elites

September 24, 2025

By CHRIS MEGERIAN and DARLENE SUPERVILLE - Associated Press

Washington’s hottest new club has everything: Cabinet secretaries, a new stone patio, meals from the White House kitchen and even a playlist curated by President Donald Trump. But good luck getting on the guest list. So far, only some of the Republican president’s political allies and business executives have been invited. The White House Rose Garden is now the Rose Garden Club. Trump has turned the lawn outside the Oval Office into a taxpayer-supported imitation of the patio at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida. Trump debuted the Rose Garden Club name during a dinner there earlier this month and is hosting another event there on Wednesday.

Ukraine’s president says the world is in `the most destructive arms race in history’

September 24, 2025

By EDITH M. LEDERER - Associated Press

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is telling world leaders that the world is in “the most destructive arms race in history.” He called on the international community to act against Russia now, asserting that Vladimir Putin wants to expand his war in Europe. Zelenskyy’s comments came a day after he met with President Donald Trump, who expressed support for Ukraine’s efforts and criticized Russia. Trump said Tuesday that he believed Ukraine could win back all territory lost to Russia, a dramatic shift from the U.S. leader’s repeated calls for Kyiv to make concessions to end the war.

2 detainees killed and another critically injured in Dallas ICE facility, Homeland Security says

September 24, 2025

The Associated Press,

DALLAS (AP) — A shooter with a rifle opened fire from a nearby roof onto a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement location in Dallas on Wednesday, killing at least one person and wounding others before taking his own life, authorities said. The exact motivation of the attack was not immediately known. The FBI said at a morning news conference that…

The driver assist features you’ll want in your next used car

September 24, 2025

By NICK KURCZEWSKI - Edmunds

Used car shopping doesn’t mean having to skimp when it comes to modern safety features. Many used vehicles have at least one advanced driver assistance system. Common examples include automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, forward collision warning and lane departure warning. The automotive experts at Edmunds have compiled a list of driver aids that should be given serious consideration for anyone in the market for a used car, truck or SUV. This extra layer of security might provide invaluable protection at some point down the road.

Tourism is helping Uganda’s endangered mountain gorillas make a comeback

September 24, 2025

By RODNEY MUHUMUZA - Associated Press

In Uganda, the economic benefits of tourism have turned gorilla poachers into conservationists, married women into porters and rangers into spokespeople for the great apes. Poaching is in sharp decline as the hefty fees paid by foreign tourists to see the animals in their natural habitat help fund water provision, health care and other development work in local communities. Many people say the money generated has ensured the recovery of the species, with habitat encroachment and poaching declining as wildlife authorities seek to collaborate more with nearby communities.

Iran’s rial currency hits all-time low of 1,074,000 to the US dollar before president’s UN speech

September 24, 2025

By FARNOUSH AMIRI - Associated Press

Iran’s rial currency has fallen to a new all-time low. It reached 1,074,000 to the U.S. dollar just before Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian was due to address the United Nations on Wednesday. The currency’s fall follows Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rejecting direct talks with the United States over its nuclear program. Khamenei’s announcement likely boxes in the diplomacy that Pezeshkian and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi could have done in New York. It also suggested that last-minute talks between Iran and European nations won’t stop the coming reimposition of U.N. sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program. A 30-day window to stop the sanctions will end Sunday.

A trio of space weather satellites blast off together to study the sun’s violent side

September 24, 2025

By MARCIA DUNN - AP Aerospace Writer

A cluster of space weather satellites has blasted off to cast fresh eyes on solar storms. The three satellites belonging to NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration soared from Florida on Wednesday morning on the same SpaceX rocket. They’re aiming for a sun-orbiting lookout 1 million miles from Earth, each on its own separate mission. Altogether, the trio are worth about $1.6 billion. Besides offering advance notice of solar disturbances heading toward Earth, the spacecraft will also serve as early warning beacons for the astronauts who will fly to the moon, beginning next year.

The economy was a strength for Trump in his first term. Not anymore, according to recent polling

September 24, 2025

By LINLEY SANDERS - Associated Press

New polling shows President Donald Trump’s second-term strengths look different from his first. Once strengthened by economic issues, Trump’s approval is tepid on that front — and his best issues now are crime, border security and immigration. Trump’s overall approval has been fairly steady in Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research polling since the beginning of his second term. This month, about 4 in 10 U.S. adults approve of how Trump is handling his job as president, back in line with his average approval rating after a slight uptick in August. There was a similar pattern during the Republican’s first White House term, when his approval in AP-NORC polling stayed within a narrow range.

Is AI a threat to jobs? A ‘Tomb Raider’ affair poses the question

September 24, 2025

By JOHN LEICESTER and NICOLAS GARRIGA - Associated Press

In France, the apparent use of artificial intelligence to clone an actor’s voice for video game character Lara Croft has fans and actors up in arms. Fans noticed that the French-language voice of Lara Croft sounded robotic and made grammatical errors in a software update of the popular “Tomb Raider” series. Aspyr, the game developer, admits to using what it described as unauthorized AI content and says it has since removed it. The actor in French-language versions of the game, Françoise Cadol, confirmed that her voice was cloned. The affair has sharpened actors’ concerns about AI replacing human jobs.

Ukrainians cautious after Trump shifts stance, saying they can win war against Russia

September 24, 2025

By VOLODYMYR YURCHUK and ALEX BABENKO - Associated Press

Ukrainians have reacted cautiously to U.S. President Donald Trump’s unexpected shift in stance on their war with Russia. Trump suggested on Tuesday Ukraine could win the three-year conflict and reclaim its captured land. Some Ukrainians hope his words translate into real support, while others remain skeptical of his unpredictability. On Tuesday, Trump criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin and called for NATO to counter Russian airspace violations. This marks a departure from Trump’s previous positions, where he was often seen as more favorable to Putin. Ukrainian officials emphasize the importance of Trump’s actions matching his words.

Build-A-Bear continues to rack up market gains, despite tariffs and teetering mall traffic

September 24, 2025

By WYATTE GRANTHAM-PHILIPS - AP Business Writer

Tariffs and years of teetering mall traffic have roiled much of the toy industry. But Build-A-Bear investors are continuing to reap sizeable gains. Shares of the toy retailer, which specializes in plush animals that consumers can make in stores, are up more than 60% since the start of 2025. And the company’s profits have soared to record after record in recent quarters. St. Louis-based Build-A-Bear is not immune to U.S. President Donald Trump’s steep tariffs. But the company says it made efforts to reduce this exposure and anticipates strong consumer demand to boost profits for rest of the year.

Iran starts rebuilding missile sites hit by Israel, but experts say a key component is missing

September 24, 2025

By JON GAMBRELL - Associated Press

Iran has begun rebuilding missile-production sites targeted by Israel during its 12-day war in June. That’s according to satellite images analyzed by The Associated Press. But experts say a key component is likely still missing — the large mixers needed to produce solid fuel for the weapons. Reconstituting the missile program is crucial for the Islamic Republic. Iran believes another round of war with Israel may happen. The missiles are one of Iran’s few military deterrents after the war decimated its air defense systems. Missile experts told AP that obtaining the mixers is a goal for Tehran, particularly as it prepares for possible United Nations sanctions to be reimposed on the country later this month.

See the world in vertical: Top photos by AP’s photojournalists

September 24, 2025

By The Associated Press

Sept. 17-23, 2025 AP mobile scroll: a selection of standout vertical images published by The Associated Press in the past week. This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors. AP photography: https://apnews.com/photography Categories: US & World News

Tears and trauma: Greenlandic women recall forced contraception as a nation seeks forgiveness

September 24, 2025

By JAMES BROOKS - Associated Press

The leaders of Denmark and Greenland are offering their apologies for their governments’ roles in the mistreatment of Greenlandic Indigenous girls and women. The two leaders are attending an official event in Greenland’s capital of Nuuk on Wednesday. An independent investigation has found that hundreds of Inuit victims, some as young as 12, were fitted with an intrauterine contraceptive device without consent. The alleged purpose was to limit population growth in Greenland. Many women are still angry, but some say an apology will help them reconcile.

A mother stranded in Gaza City says she and her daughters are ‘waiting to die’

September 24, 2025

By JULIA FRANKEL and SALLY ABOU ALJOUD - Associated Press

Noor Abu Hassira is one of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians staying in Gaza City as Israel presses on with an offensive to take it over. Even though Israel has warned civilians to leave the city as it escalates attacks on Hamas, she’s stuck in the basement of her parents’ home with debilitating leg injuries from an airstrike early in the war. She says she hasn’t enough money to move south to live in a tent camp for displaced families and that it feels like she and her three daughters are “waiting to die.”

Photos of a Hindu goddess’ idols being handcrafted for the Durga festival in India

September 23, 2025

By MANISH SWARUP - Associated Press

NEW DELHI (AP) — Leaning on his 10-armed creation, Govind Nath is ready to breathe life into the Hindu goddess Durga, a beloved deity who will be revered by tens of thousands of worshippers during the Durga Puja festival. After molding and shaping the handcrafted idol with bamboo, clay and mud, he is painting her large, doe-shaped eyes. The deity…

Europe urgently needs to solve its Russian drone problem, Baltic officials say

September 23, 2025

By EMMA BURROWS - AP European Security Correspondent

Estonia is extending a fence along its border with Russia and building anti-tank ditches and bunkers in preparation for a potential conflict with Moscow. But those defenses won’t guard against the threat it and its NATO allies face from Russian drones and electronic warfare. A recent drone incursion into Poland highlighted gaps in NATO’s air defenses. Defense ministers from several EU countries plan to meet Friday to discuss creating a drone wall of sorts along the bloc’s eastern border. However, officials say defending against drones is complex and requires affordable and mass-produced technology. They say rapid advancements in drone technology pose additional challenges, and that NATO nations need to improve quickly to address these threats.

Black pastors say Charlie Kirk is not a martyr, while decrying racism and political violence

September 23, 2025

By AARON MORRISON and JAYLEN GREEN - Associated Press

A debate has been sparked among Black pastors who are trying to square a heroic view of Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old conservative activist who was gunned down in Utah this month, with the insulting statements about people of color that were key to his political activism. Conservatives and white Christians, particularly evangelicals, are emphasizing Kirk’s faith and label him a martyr. From the pulpits of Black churches, pastors used their sermons to denounce what they called hateful rhetoric from Kirk that runs counter to the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Gospel. Many Black clergy have linked the veneration of Kirk to a history of weaponizing faith to justify colonialism, enslavement and bigotry.

Guardians’ David Fry hospitalized after being hit in face by pitch during crucial win over Tigers

September 23, 2025

By TOM WITHERS - Associated Press

Guardians designated hitter David Fry was expected to be hospitalized overnight after he being hit in the face by a pitch from Detroit’s Tarik Skubal in the sixth inning of Cleveland’s 5-2 win over the Tigers. The victory moved the Guardians into a tie for first place in the AL Central. Fry squared around to try to bunt a 99 mph fastball from Skubal and the pitch struck him in the nose and mouth area. As Fry collapsed and grabbed his bloodied face, a visibly shaken Skubal threw off his glove and cap as Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt and trainers rushed onto the field.

Rembrandt copied another artist’s canine for his famous ‘Night Watch’

September 23, 2025

By MIKE CORDER - Associated Press

A curator at Amsterdam’s landmark Rijksmuseum has discovered more or less by accident that a dog in Rembrandt van Rijn’s famous “Night Watch” is a near-identical copy of a 1619 drawing by fellow Dutch artist Adriaen van de Venne. Anne Lenders said Tuesday she spotted the uncanny resemblance while visiting an exhibition in the southern Netherlands. She says the similarities are “so strong that at the very first moment I thought he (Rembrandt) must have used this.” The discovery is the latest in a series of revelations to emerge during a yearslong project to reexamine the canvas using modern techniques. “Operation Night Watch” began in 2019 and is continuing with restoration work that is likely to take years to complete.

Claudia Cardinale, star of ‘8½’ and ‘The Leopard,’ dies at 87

September 23, 2025

By VICTOR L. SIMPSON - Associated Press

Acclaimed Italian actor Claudia Cardinale has died at the age of 87, according to AFP. She starred in over 100 films, becoming famous for roles in Federico Fellini’s “8½” and Luchino Visconti’s “The Leopard.” Cardinale began her career at 17 after winning a beauty contest in Tunisia. She was often compared to Brigitte Bardot and worked with top directors in Europe and Hollywood. Despite partial success in Hollywood, she valued her European film roots. Cardinale was also a U.N. goodwill ambassador for women’s rights. She passed away in Nemours, France, surrounded by her children.

At UN, the president of Mongolia takes a moment to cheer the world’s horses

September 23, 2025

By JENNIFER PELTZ - Associated Press

U.N. General Assembly speeches address many facets of human existence. But on Tuesday, one world leader also took some time on the world stage to honor the existence of horses. Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa noted that the animals have been “integral to human livelihoods, culture and civilizations.” His Central Asian nation led the Assembly earlier this year to designate July 11 as World Horse Day. The initiative is meant to raise awareness of the role horses have played and still play in the world. Ukhnaa’s shout-out to horses came during a speech that emphasized Mongolia’s contributions to U.N. peacekeeping and other activities.

FACT FOCUS: A look at false and misleading claims made by Trump about autism, Tylenol and pregnancy

September 23, 2025

By LAURAN NEERGAARD - AP Medical Writer

President Donald Trump has announced his administration is recommending women limit Tylenol use during pregnancy unless necessary. He claims Tylenol is linked to autism, but experts criticize this as unfounded. Trump also made several erroneous statements including incorrectly stating the history of autism rates and that vaccines play a role. Additionally, medical professionals emphasize that Tylenol is safe during pregnancy when needed. They warn that untreated fevers can lead to serious complications for both mother and baby.

Amid the chaos during NFL games, coaches aim to maintain calm inside the headset

September 23, 2025

By ROB MAADDI - AP Pro Football Writer

Amid the chaos on the sideline and the frenzy within the stadium, there must be calm inside a coach’s headset during NFL games. It’s a loud, intense, pressurized environment where communication is essential. Quarterbacks need to hear the plays that are called into their helmet speaker through a one-way radio in order to relay it to the rest of the offense. Likewise, a designated defensive player has to get the call and provide it to his teammates in the huddle. Technology matters, and a slip up could be the difference between winning and losing.

Trump’s ‘tough it out’ advice to expectant moms is the latest example of men opining on women’s pain

September 23, 2025

By LAURIE KELLMAN - Associated Press

President Donald Trump has become the latest in a long line of men to opine on women’s pain when he told expectant moms to “tough it out” without Tylenol. Speaking at a news conference Monday, he suggested that expectant mothers should endure discomfort rather than use acetaminophen, a common painkiller allowed during pregnancy. Critics, including women’s rights advocates, argue his comments dismiss women’s pain and lack evidence linking Tylenol to autism or ADHD. Trump’s former surgeon general, Jerome Adams, and physician Nicole B. Saphier criticized the remarks as patronizing. They stressed the importance of medical supervision when taking acetaminophen, noting that untreated pain can pose serious risks.

How a SIM farm like the one found near the UN threatens telecom networks

September 23, 2025

By SHAWN CHEN and JULIE WALKER

The U.S. Secret Service has found and is quietly dismantling a massive network of “SIM farms” across the New York area just as world leaders gather for meetings at the United Nations. While initially developed for legitimate purposes, SIM farms have often become tools for fraudulent activities targeting mass audiences, such as sending phishing texts and making scam calls.

Girl shot in the head in Minneapolis church attack is making ‘miraculous’ progress, family says

September 23, 2025

AP

The family of a 12-year-old girl critically wounded during the deadly shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic church says she is making remarkable progress. Doctors expect Sophia Forchas to move this week from acute care to an inpatient rehabilitation program. She was the most seriously wounded child among those who survived the shooting. Just weeks ago doctors were unsure whether she would survive. Her family says Sophia’s medical team remains cautiously optimistic, but there are signs of neurological recovery. Her family says it’s a miracle she survived the attack that killed two students and wounded 21 other people.

Powell signals Federal Reserve to move slowly on interest rate cuts

September 23, 2025

By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER - AP Economics Writer

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Tuesday signaled a cautious approach to future interest rate cuts, in sharp contrast with other Fed officials who have called for a more urgent approach. In remarks in Providence, Rhode Island, Powell noted that there are risks to both of the Fed’s goals of seeking maximum employment and stable prices. His approach is in sharp contrast to some members of the Fed’s rate-setting committee who are pushing for faster cuts.