Friday, November 14, 2025

Local News

Metal at an Indonesia industrial site may be linked to radioactive shrimp recall

The risk appears to be small, but the shrimp could pose a “potential health concern” for people exposed to low levels of Cesium-137 over time, FDA officials said. WASHINGTON — Contaminated metal at an industrial site in Indonesia may be the source of radioactive material that led to massive recalls of imported frozen shrimp, international nuclear safety officials say, as efforts are underway to halt more U.S.-bound shipments. The International Atomic Energy Agency said Friday that officials are in “constant contact” with Indonesian nuclear regulators who have detected Cesium-137, a radioactive isotope, at a processing plant that sent millions of pounds of shrimp to the U.S. “Preliminary information suggests that it may have originated from activities at a metal melting facility at the same industrial site or from the disposal of scrap metal junk to other areas of the site,” IAEA spokesperson Fredrik Dahl said in an email. No U.S. investigators have been sent to the site in Serang, west of Jakarta, federal officials said. Meanwhile, the company that exported the shrimp, PT Bahari Makmur Sejati, also known as BMS Foods, has recalled more than 300 shipping containers that were already on their way to the U.S., Dahl said. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned last month that Cesium-137 was detected in shipping containers sent to four U.S. ports, and in a sample of imported frozen shrimp. That spurred multiple recalls of shrimp sold at Walmart, Kroger and other stores. This week, additional recalls were issued by Tampa Maid Foods LLC, of Florida, for breaded butterfly shrimp sold under Admiral of the Fleet, Portico Seafood Classic and other labels. None of the shrimp that triggered alerts or tested positive for Cesium-137 was released for sale, the FDA said. But other shipments sent to stores may have been manufactured under conditions that allowed the products to become contaminated, the agency said. The risk appears to be small, but the shrimp could pose a “potential health concern” for people exposed to low levels of Cesium-137 over time, FDA officials said. The FDA issued an import alert for shrimp from BMS Foods to stop the products from coming into the U.S. The company sent about 12 million pounds of shrimp to U.S. ports in Los Angeles, Houston, Miami and Savannah, Georgia, in July and August, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection records obtained by Import Genius, a trade data analysis company. CPB officials alerted the FDA to potential radioactive contamination of multiple shipping containers. The National Nuclear Security Administration has sent emergency teams on “multiple deployments” to “isolate and characterize the extent of Cesium-137 contamination,” a U.S. Energy Department spokesperson said. The level of Cesium-137 detected in the frozen shrimp was about 68 becquerels per kilogram, a measure of radioactivity. That is far below the FDA’s level of 1,200 becquerels per kilogram that could trigger the need for health protections. Still, it is unusual to see that concentration of Cesium-137 in shrimp, said Steve Biegalski, a nuclear medicine expert at the Georgia Institute of Technology. It’s possible that the contamination could have come from recycling old medical equipment that contained Cesium-137, Biegalski said. The material has been used in medical devices to reduce blood contamination and to treat cancer, for instance. When such equipment is no longer useful, it can be recycled. But if the Cesium-137 isn’t properly removed, radioactive material can be released into the environment. “If they get broken up in some sort of crushing mechanism, then all of a sudden, it’s basically a salt,” Biegalski said. “It would be like you taking a giant salt shaker and spreading it all over the kitchen floor.” Containing the contamination is key, and it requires experts who have the training and expertise to respond, he said. “It needs to be tracked down, isolated and cleaned up,” Biegalski said.

Police in Nepal open fire on protesters outside parliament, killing 10

Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets Monday after the government blocked most social media platforms, including Facebook and YouTube. KATHMANDU, Nepal — Police in Kathmandu opened fire Monday on protesters demonstrating against a government ban on social media, killing at least 10 and wounding dozens more. Six people died at the Bir Hospital in Kathmandu, the Kantipur newspaper said, quoting doctors. Two died at the Civil Hospital and two more at the KMC hospital, according to doctors there who spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to comment. The wounded were being treated at half a dozen hospitals in Kathmandu. Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets of Nepal's capital Monday to vent their anger against a decision by authorities to block most social media platforms including Facebook, X and YouTube, saying that the companies had failed to register and submit to government oversight. Protesters pushed through barbed wire and forced riot police to retreat as they surrounded the Parliament building. Police fired tear gas and water cannon but were outnumbered and sought safety inside the Parliament complex. Police eventually opened fire at the protesters. The situation remained tense and the government announced a curfew for Monday around Parliament, the government secretariat, presidential house and key parts of the city. “Stop the ban on social media, stop corruption not social media,” the crowds chanted, waving the red and blue national flags. Monday's rally was called the protest of Gen Z, generally referring to people born between 1995 and 2010. About two dozen social network platforms that are widely used in Nepal were repeatedly given notices to register their companies officially in the country, the government said. Those which failed to register have been blocked since last week. TikTok, Viber and three other platforms have registered and operate without interruption. The move by the authorities came as the government sent a bill for a debate in Parliament that wants to ensure that social platforms are “properly managed, responsible and accountable.” It includes asking the companies to appoint a liaison office or point in the country. The bill has been widely criticized as a tool for censorship and punishing government opponents who voice their protests online. Rights groups have called it an attempt by the government to curb freedom of expression and violate fundamental rights. Nepal in 2023 banned video-sharing app TikTok for disrupting “social harmony, goodwill and diffusing indecent materials." The ban was lifted last year after TikTok's executives pledged to comply with local laws. They include a ban of pornographic sites that was passed in 2018. Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.     

Seahawks kick off 2025 season with undercover cops dressed as 49ers fans

The team announced police officers will wear the jerseys of opposing teams this season to monitor fan behavior. SEATTLE — The Seattle Seahawks opened the 2025 season on Sunday with more than 68,000 fans at Lumen Field, including thousands of 49ers fans and a handful of undercover police officers disguised as supporters of the division rival. The Seahawks announced last week that plainclothes officers would wear opposing team jerseys to blend into the crowd. RELATED: There may have been more 49ers fans than Seahawks fans at the season opener The team said the effort is intended to help officers detect fans violating the stadium’s code of conduct. “It makes sense ... they've had plainclothes officers out there all the time because it’s quite the interesting gameday experience,” said KING 5 law enforcement analyst and former King County Sheriff John Urquhart. “Especially if they're going to get harassed or have some drunk coming up to them, whatever it is. It makes sense.” The team did not say how many officers are working undercover. A heavy uniformed police presence also remains in place around the stadium. “To be honest with you, I'm here every year, seven or eight games every year, and everything is safe. I don’t think we need that,” a Seahawks fan told KING 5 as he left the game. His friend, a 49ers fan, was more supportive of the move. “I think it’s good and ensures safety, if they have any problems or trouble with people,” he said. The Seahawks said officers will specifically be watching for the following behaviors: Behavior that is unruly, disruptive or illegal in natureOver-intoxication or other signs of alcohol or substance impairmentOffensive language or obscene gestures, including those related to a person’s race, ethnicity, color, gender, religion, creed, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or national origin — or behavior intended to instigate, incite or encourage confrontation or physical assaultInterference with the progress of the game (including throwing objects onto the field)Failure to follow instructions from stadium personnelVerbal or physical harassment of home or opposing team fansSmoking/vaping or using tobacco or marijuana on Lumen Field propertySoliciting or selling merchandise, tickets, food or beverages on Lumen Field propertyUnauthorized entry into the field of play or other restricted areas, interfering with the progress of any game or event, attempting physical contact with an event participant, or engaging in any other disorderly conduct deemed dangerous The Seahawks encourage fans to report inappropriate behavior by texting a message to HAWK12 (429512) during home games.

There may have been more 49ers fans than Seahawks fans at the season opener

Vivid Seats projected 51% of attendees are 49ers fans, based off of ticket sales data. SEATTLE — There may have been more San Francisco 49ers fans than Seattle Seahawks fans at the Seahawks’ home opener Sunday. According to the ticket marketplace Vivid Seats, 49ers fans were projected to make up 51 percent of the crowd at Lumen Field, with people traveling an average of 672 miles for the matchup. "I'm not surprised," said Jared Lucas, a 49ers fan. "There's no way any team is going to Santa Clara, where we play, and outsell us or beat within an inch of us." RELATED: Here are 3 takeaways from the Seahawks' 17-13 loss in season opener to the 49ers Local 49ers fan clubs organized meetups and watch parties across Seattle over the weekend, fueling a takeover vibe. "I was expecting it because there's just such a tight community. Of course people are going to be traveling out here to support them," said Kenya Guzman, another 49ers fan. The surge of red and gold is no accident. The 49ers have long been known for their traveling fan base. In Los Angeles, some people even call the Rams’ SoFi Stadium “Levi’s South” — a reference to the 49ers' home stadium, Levi’s Stadium. "There is a lot of red out here. Since we're so close to each other, it's easier to fly here, I guess," said Laurie Cowling, a Seahawks fan. For Seahawks fans, the optics sting. Once considered one of the NFL's most intimidating venues, Lumen Field saw its home-field advantage slip last season, with Seattle finishing just 3–6 at home. The influx of rival fans only adds to concerns about whether the “12s” can reclaim their dominance this year. The rivalry between these NFC West foes is already one of the league's fiercest, and this season opener was expected to set the tone. Ultimately, the San Francisco 49ers took the win, 17–3.

Judge blocks Trump administration’s ending of legal protections for 1.1M Venezuelans and Haitians

The government is expected to appeal. SAN FRANCISCO — A federal judge on Friday blocked the Trump administration from ending temporary legal protections that have granted more than 1 million people from Haiti and Venezuela the right to live and work in the United States. The ruling by U.S. District Judge Edward Chen of San Francisco for the plaintiffs means 600,000 Venezuelans whose temporary protections expired in April or whose protections were about to expire Sept. 10 have status to stay and work in the United States. It also keeps protections for about 500,000 Haitians. Chen scolded Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for revoking protections for Venezuelans and Haitians that the judge said would send them “back to conditions that are so dangerous that even the State Department advises against travel to their home countries.” He said Noem's actions were arbitrary and capricious, and she exceeded her authority in ending protections that were extended by the Biden administration. Presidential administrations have executed the law for 35 years based on the best available information and in consultation with other agencies, “a process that involves careful study and analysis. Until now," Chen wrote. Plaintiffs and their attorneys welcomed the news Friday, although it's unclear if it would help people who have already been deported. “In recent months, people have suffered unspeakable harm — including deportation and family separation — due to the Supreme Court greenlighting Secretary Noem’s discriminatory and harmful agenda," said Emi Maclean, senior staff attorney with the ACLU Foundation of Northern California. "That must end now.” A DHS spokesperson said in an email that the program has been “abused, exploited, and politicized as a de facto amnesty program” and that “unelected activist judges” cannot stop the American people's desire for a secure country. “While this order delays justice, Secretary Noem will use every legal option at the Department’s disposal to end this chaos and prioritize the safety of Americans," the email read. The second Trump administration’s crackdown on immigration has resulted in ramped-up arrests of people in the country illegally, but also an end to programs that offer legal yet temporary authorization to live and work in the U.S. if conditions in immigrants’ homelands are deemed unsafe. According to court documents, the administration has terminated Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, and Humanitarian Parole designations for about 1.5 million people, prompting lawsuits across the country from immigrant advocates. Temporary Protected Status is a designation that can be granted by the Homeland Security secretary to people in the United States, if conditions in their homelands are deemed unsafe for return due to a natural disaster, political instability or other dangerous conditions. Millions of Venezuelans have fled political unrest, mass unemployment and hunger. The country is mired in a prolonged crisis brought on by years of hyperinflation, political corruption, economic mismanagement and an ineffectual government. Haiti was first designated for TPS in 2010 after a catastrophic magnitude 7.0 earthquake killed and wounded hundreds of thousands of people, and left more than 1 million homeless. Haitians face widespread hunger and gang violence. Their designations were to expire in September but later extended until February, due to a separate court order out of New York. Noem said that conditions in both Haiti and Venezuela had improved and that it was not in the national interest to allow migrants from the countries to stay on for what is a temporary program. Attorneys for the government have said the secretary’s clear and broad authority to make determinations related to the TPS program are not subject to judicial review. Designations are granted for terms of six, twelve or 18 months, and extensions can be granted so long as conditions remain dire. The status prevents holders from being deported and allows them to work. The secretary’s action in revoking TPS was not only unprecedented in the manner and speed in which it was taken but also violated the law, Chen wrote. The case has had numerous legal twists, including an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. In March, Chen temporarily paused the administration’s plans to end TPS for people from Venezuela. An estimated 350,000 Venezuelans were set to lose protections the following month. But the U.S. Supreme Court in May reversed his order while the lawsuit played out. The justices provided no rationale, which is common in emergency appeals, and did not rule on the merits of the case. Venezuelans with expired protections were fired from jobs, separated from children, detained by officers and even deported, lawyers for TPS holders said. A court declaration provided by plaintiffs showed the turmoil caused by the Trump administration and the Supreme Court decision. After appearing for her annual immigration check-in, a restaurant hostess living in Indiana was deported back to Venezuela in July. Her husband, a construction company supervisor, cannot work and care for their baby daughter at the same time. In June, a FedEx employee appeared in uniform at his required immigration check-in only to be detained, the court declaration states. He slept for about two weeks on a floor, terrified he would be sent to El Salvador’s notorious CECOT prison. His wife cannot maintain the household on her earnings. “I am not a criminal,” he said in the declaration, adding that “immigrants like myself come to the United States to work hard and contribute, and instead our families and lives are being torn apart.” The Supreme Court’s reversal does not apply to Friday’s ruling. The government is expected to appeal. Last week, a three-judge appeals panel also sided with plaintiffs, saying the Republican administration did not have the authority to vacate protection extensions granted by the previous administration. Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.     

White House’s review of Smithsonian content could reach into classrooms nationwide

The American Historical Association's survey of history teachers last year says federal museums are the most used free resource in the classroom. WASHINGTON D.C., DC — High school history teacher Katharina Matro often pulls materials from the Smithsonian Institution website as she assembles her lessons. She trusts its materials, which don't require the same level of vetting as other online resources. She uses documents and other primary sources it curates for discussions of topics like genocide and slavery. As the White House presses for changes at the Smithsonian, she's worried she may not be able to rely on it in the same way. “We don’t want a partisan history," said Matro, a teacher in Bethesda, Maryland. "We want the history that’s produced by real historians.” Far beyond museums in Washington, President Donald Trump's review at the Smithsonian could influence how history is taught in classrooms around the country. The institution is a leading provider of curriculum and other educational materials, which are subject to the sweeping new assessment of all its public-facing content. Trump is moving to bring the Smithsonian into alignment with his vision of American history. In a letter last month to the Smithsonian Institution, the White House said its review is meant to “assess tone, historical framing, and alignment with American ideals.” It’s part of Trump’s agenda to “celebrate American exceptionalism” by removing “divisive or partisan narratives,” it said. Those opposed to the changes fear they will promote a more sanitized version of American history. In celebration of the country’s 250th anniversary next year, the Education Department recently launched the White House's Founders Museum in partnership with PragerU, a conservative nonprofit that produces videos on politics and history. Visitors to the museum in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, as well as the White House website, can read biographies on the signers of the Declaration of Independence and watch videos that depict them speaking. “Real patriotic education means that just as our founders loved and honored America, so we should honor them,” Education Secretary Linda McMahon said in a PragerU video introducing the project. The project mentions some signers favoring abolition and includes Phillis Wheatley, an enslaved woman who became the first published Black female poet in the U.S. But critics say it brushes over some of the nation’s darker past. “Those are the kinds of things that teachers are really leery of because they don't see partisanship in the sources that we're using as being good educational practice,” said Tina Ellsworth, president of the National Council for the Social Studies. History teachers use supplemental resources over textbooks Like many other history teachers, Matro said she turns to materials from the Smithsonian because she doesn't have the time to create lessons from scratch or the budget to buy the latest books. She favors the museum's digitized collections to guide her classes. “I don’t have to figure out ‘is this real? Is this not real?’ I can trust the descriptions of the artifact,” she said. More than 80% of history teachers report using free resources from federal museums, archives and institutions including the Smithsonian, according to an American Historical Association survey last year. The federal institutions' materials have been widely trusted partly because they are thoroughly examined by professionals, said Brendan Gillis, the historical association's director of teaching and learning. Some teachers have out-of-date history textbooks, and online resources from institutions like the Smithsonian can fill the gaps, he said. “That’s been one of the most influential and profoundly important ways that the federal government has invested in social studies education over the last couple of decades,” Gillis said. While education always has been part of the Smithsonian's mission, developing materials specifically for classrooms became more prevalent after World War II, said William Walker, a State University of New York, Oneonta, professor who has researched the Smithsonian’s history. The museum organizes professional development workshops for teachers and offers materials ranging from worksheets to videos. Russell Jeung, an Asian-American studies professor at San Francisco State University and co-founder of Stop AAPI Hate, took part in a Smithsonian video series in 2020 meant to educate high schoolers and adults on racism and discrimination against Asians during the COVID-19 pandemic and other points in American history. Jeung said he expects the project will be shelved by the White House review. “I think the story will be told,” Jeung said. “But the tragedy again and the loss is that we won’t get the national recognition that we deserve.” In recent years, many states have passed laws adopting guidelines on how schools can address topics including racism, sexism and other topics. And professional groups say teachers will continue to adapt and find resources to put historical events in due context, regardless of what happens at the Smithsonian. “Education is always political, so we know that as social studies teachers, it’s our job to navigate that terrain, which we do and we do well,” Ellsworth said. Educators worry students will be turned off on history Michael Heiman, a longtime social studies teacher in Juneau, Alaska, said he typically had his students do a scavenger hunt of artifacts in a virtual Smithsonian tour. He said the exhibits always have been culturally inclusive and if that changes, he worries it would affect students of color he's taught, including Native American children. It could discourage them from pursuing careers in museum sciences or engaging with history at all, he said. “We are further quieting voices that are important to our country,” Heiman said. “We are also restricting certain kids in those underrepresented populations to really understand more about their past.” About a decade ago, graduate students of history professor Sam Redman at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, had the opportunity to collaborate with the Smithsonian National Museum of American History for a blog series commemorating the Americans with Disabilities Act. The exercise connected objects in the Smithsonian collection to the civil rights law. The experience for his students was “really incredible,” he said. Each year, he’s heard students say they want to get a job in the federal government or work at the Smithsonian after graduation. But not this year. Redman said he hasn’t heard a single student express interest. “This is a pressing concern, no doubt about it,” he said. The Associated Press’ education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org. Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.     

Here are 3 takeaways from the Seahawks’ 17-13 loss in season opener to the 49ers

The Seahawks lost to the 49ers 17-13 as new QB Sam Darnold struggled to move the team. SEATTLE — The Seahawks opened the season in a way they didn’t want to — with a 17-13 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Here are three takeaways from the loss to their NFC West rival: No offense, no problem? Seattle's offense couldn't do much against San Francisco. The 49ers kept the ball out of the Seahawks’ hands, dominating time of possession. San Francisco held the ball for nearly 38 minutes, while Seattle had it for just 22. The Seahawks gained a paltry 230 total yards — 52 of which came on the final drive. New quarterback Sam Darnold struggled to move the offense down the field. He completed 16 of 23 passes for 150 yards — 124 of those went to Jaxon Smith-Njigba It's all about the ball Former Seahawks coach Pete Carroll famously told his team, “It’s all about the ball.” He meant creating turnovers on defense and minimizing them on offense. Seattle's defense grabbed two interceptions and nearly had a third, but Riq Woolen wasn’t aggressive enough on Jake Tonges’ touchdown catch. Jake Tonges had never caught a pass in the NFL before today.He has three today. Including this one 🙌 pic.twitter.com/g1xMS2UXub— NFL (@NFL) September 7, 2025 On the first Brock Purdy interception, the Seahawks failed to do much with it and went three-and-out. After the second interception, Seattle cashed in with a field goal. Meanwhile, the Seahawks fumbled the ball away twice. The second came on their final drive. It looked like they were going to score, but right tackle Abe Lucas was pushed back into Sam Darnold’s throwing arm, and the ball popped loose. San Francisco recovered and ended the game. Nick Bosa. STRONG. 😤 pic.twitter.com/pSaexfMKeR— NFL (@NFL) September 7, 2025 Special Teams help Seattle nearly pulled out a win, thanks to special teams play, or a lack of it by the 49ers. San Francisco kicker Jake Moody hit a 27-yard field goal attempt off one of the uprights with one minute left in the first half. Then, Seattle blocked a field goal attempt late in the third quarter. 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan became hesitant to put Moody back out there. Instead of attempting another kick, San Francisco went for it on fourth down deep in Seattle’s territory.

Trump’s US Open visit sparks boos and long security lines

The president is a guest of Rolex despite imposing steep tariffs on the Swiss watchmaker's home country. NEW YORK — President Donald Trump was loudly booed at the men's final of the U.S. Open on Sunday, where extra security caused by his visit led to lines long enough that many people missed the start of play, even after organizers delayed it. Wearing a suit and long, red tie, Trump briefly emerged from his suite about 45 minutes before the match started and heard a mix of boos and cheers from an Arthur Ashe Stadium that was still mostly empty. No announcement proceeded his appearance, and it was brief enough that some in the crowd missed it. Trump appeared again to more boos before the National Anthem. Standing in salute, the president was shown briefly on the arena's big screens during the anthem, and offered a smirk that briefly made the boos louder. When the anthem was over, the Republican pointed to a small group of supporters seated nearby, then sat on the suite's balcony to watch the match intently. He mostly didn't applaud, even following major points that energized the rest of the crowd as Spain's Carlos Alcaraz bested Jannik Sinner of Italy. Trump was shown on the big screen again after the first set ended, and elicited a roar of louder boos and some piercing whistles. He raised his left fist in salute as the noise continued in the stadium, which with a capacity of 24,000 is one of the largest in tennis. The president later moved back inside the suite, where he was seen seated at a table with family members and appeared to be eating, but he was back in his seat shortly before match point. Cameras briefly flashed on Trump as Alcaraz celebrated, but his reaction to the conclusion was as muted as it had been throughout most of the match. This time, there was little crowd reaction, too. Organizers pushed the start of the match back half an hour to give people more time to pass through enhanced screening checkpoints reminiscent of security at airports. Still, thousands of increasingly frustrated fans remained in line outside as the match got underway. Many seats, especially those in upper rows, stayed empty for nearly an hour. The Secret Service issued a statement saying that protecting Trump “required a comprehensive effort” and noting that it “may have contributed to delays for attendees.” “We sincerely thank every fan for their patience and understanding,” it said. Trump attended the final as a guest of Rolex, despite imposing steep tariffs on the Swiss watchmaker's home country. The U.S. Tennis Association also tried to limit negative reaction to Trump's attendance being shown on ABC’s national telecast, saying in a statement before play began: "We regularly ask our broadcasters to refrain from showcasing off-court disruptions.” The reactions to Trump didn't ultimately constitute big disruptions, though. Going to the U.S. Open was the latest example of Trump having built the bulk of his second term’s domestic travel around attending major sports events rather than hitting the road to make policy announcements or address the kind of large rallies he so relished as a candidate. Since returning to the White House in January and prior to Sunday’s U.S Open swing, Trump has gone to the Super Bowl in New Orleans and the Daytona 500, as well as UFC fights in Miami and Newark, New Jersey, the NCAA wrestling championships in Philadelphia and the FIFA Club World Cup final in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Some of those crowds cheered him, but people booed him at other events. The president accepted Rolex’s invitation despite his administration imposing a whopping 39% tariff on Swiss products. That's more than 2 1/2 times higher than levies on European Union goods exported to the U.S. and nearly four times higher than on British exports to the U.S. The White House declined to comment on Trump accepting a corporate client's invitation at the tournament, but the president has had few qualms about blurring lines between political and foreign policy decisions and efforts to boost the profits of his family business. He's tirelessly promoted his cryptocurrency interests and luxury golf properties, and even announced that the U.S. will host the Group of 20 summit in December 2026 at his Doral golf resort in Florida. No large street protests against Trump could be seen from the tournament's main stadium on Sunday. But attendees also steered clear of wearing any of the the Republican's signature “Make America Great Again” caps. A 58-year-old tennis fan originally from Turin, Italy, came from her home in the Boston area to watch the final and said that when she bought a U.S. Open cap, she went with a fuchsia-hued one so it wouldn’t be mistaken for the signature darker color of MAGA hats. “I was careful not to get the red one,” said the fan, who declined to give her name because of her employer's rules about being publicly quoted. Among those attending with Trump were White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, special envoy Steve Witkoff and Susie Wiles, the White House chief of staff. Trump spent various portions of the match engaged in conversation with many of those around him. Elsewhere in the crowd were a slew of celebrities — some of whom publicly backed then-Vice President Kamala Harris during last year's election. Among them were Pink, Bruce Springsteen and Shonda Rhimes. In pre-match interviews shown on large stadium screens with the likes of Martha Stewart and Jon Hamm, the questions asked stuck to tennis and pop culture — not Trump and politics. The president nonetheless was excited enough about his trip to tell reporters on Air Force One during the flight to New York when the plane flew over Ashe stadium — though the covered roof kept those inside from reacting. Trump was once a U.S. Open mainstay, but hadn't attended since he was booed at a quarterfinals match in September 2015, months after launching his first presidential campaign. The Trump Organization once controlled its own U.S. Open suite, which was adjacent to the stadium's television broadcasting booth, but suspended it in 2017, during the first year of Trump’s first term. The family business is now being run by Trump’s sons with their father back in the White House. Trump was born in Queens, home of the U.S. Open, and for decades was a New York-area real estate mogul and, later, a reality TV star. Attending the tournament before he was a politician, he usually sat in his company's suite’s balcony during night matches and was frequently shown on the arena’s video screens. Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.     

Raleigh hits major league-leading 53rd homer, Mariners rout Braves 18-2 with most runs since 2012

Cal Raleigh his major league-leading 53rd home run and the Seattle Mariners had 20 hits as they scored their most runs since 2012 in an 18-2 rout of the Braves. ATLANTA — Cal Raleigh his major league-leading 53rd home run and the Seattle Mariners had 20 hits as they scored their most runs since 2012 in an 18-2 rout of the Atlanta Braves on Sunday. Eugenio Suárez homered twice, raising his season total to 45, and Jorge Polanco and Josh Naylor also went deep as the Mariners hit five homers in consecutive games for the second time in team history, the first since May 20-21, 1994. Polanco and Naylor homered in eight-run third inning and Raleigh hit a three-run drive in a seven-run ninth, giving him 113 RBIs. Suárez hit a solo homer in the sixth and a two-run shot in the ninth. Seattle had its most runs since beating Texas 21-8 on May 30, 2012, and its most hits since getting 20 in that game against the Rangers. The Mariners won consecutive games for the first time since Aug. 24 against the Athletics and the following day vs. San Diego. Seattle (75-68) opened a 1 1/2-game for the third and last AL wild card over Kansas City (73-69), which played later Sunday. Texas fell to 73-70 with its third loss in four games following a six-game winning streak. Luis Castillo (9-8) allowed one run and four hits in six innings. Atlanta scratched scheduled starter Spencer Strider on Sunday morning and pushed him back to Tuesday against the Chicago Cubs. Joey Wentz (5-6) gave up eight runs, matching his career high, and eight hits in 2 1/3 innings. Key moment After Raleigh' singled in the third, Julio Rodríguez hit a sharp potential double-play grounder that deflected off third baseman Nacho Alvarez Jr.'s left thigh and into left for a three-run double that put the Mariners ahead 4-0. Key stat Castillo won for the first time since July 28 after going 0-2 with a 7.31EWRA in his previous six starts. Up next Mariners: RHP Bryan Woo (12-7, 3.02) starts at home on Monday night against St. Louis RHP Miles Mikolas (7-10, 4.89). Braves: RHP Bryce Elder (6-9, 5.54 starts Monday night's series opener against the Cubs and LHP Shoto Imanaga (6-9, 3.15). Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.     

Pope Leo XIV declares teen computer whiz Carlo Acutis the first millennial saint

Carlo Acutis, who died in 2006 at 15 years old, was known as "God's influencer" and used technology to spread his faith. VATICAN CITY, — Pope Leo XIV declared a 15-year-old computer whiz the Catholic Church’s first millennial saint Sunday, giving the next generation of Catholics a relatable role model who used technology to spread the faith and earn the nickname “God’s influencer.” Leo canonized Carlo Acutis, who died in 2006, during an open-air Mass in St. Peter’s Square before an estimated 80,000 people, many of them millennials and couples with young children. During the first saint-making Mass of his pontificate, Leo also canonized another popular Italian figure who died young, Pier Giorgio Frassati. Leo said both men created “masterpieces” out of their lives by dedicating them to God. “The greatest risk in life is to waste it outside of God’s plan,” Leo said in his homily. The new saints “are an invitation to all of us, especially young people, not to squander our lives, but to direct them upwards and make them masterpieces.” An ordinary life that became extraordinary Acutis was born on May 3, 1991, in London to a wealthy but not particularly observant Catholic family. They moved back to Milan soon after he was born and he enjoyed a typical, happy childhood, albeit marked by increasingly intense religious devotion. Acutis was particularly interested in computer science and devoured college-level books on programming even as a youngster. He earned the nickname “God’s Influencer,” thanks to his main tech legacy: a multilingual website documenting so-called Eucharistic miracles recognized by the church, a project he completed at a time when the development of such sites was the domain of professionals. He was known to spend hours in prayer before the Eucharist each day. The Catholic hierarchy has been trying to promote the practice of Eucharistic adoration because, according to polls, most Catholics don’t believe Christ is physically present in the Eucharistic hosts. But Acutis limited himself to an hour of video games a week, apparently deciding long before TikTok that human relationships were far more important than virtual ones. That discipline and restraint has proved appealing to the Catholic hierarchy, which has sounded the alarm about the dangers of today's tech-driven society. In October 2006, at age 15, Acutis fell ill with what was quickly diagnosed as acute leukemia. Within days, he was dead. He was entombed in Assisi, which known for its association with another popular saint, St. Francis. Millions flock to Acutis' tomb In the years since his death, young Catholics have flocked by the millions to Assisi, where they can see the young Acutis through a glass-sided tomb, dressed in jeans, Nike sneakers and a sweatshirt. He seems as if he's sleeping, and questions have swirled about how his body was so well preserved, especially since parts of his heart have even toured the world as relics. Both saint-making ceremonies had been scheduled for earlier this year, but were postponed following Pope Francis’ death in April. Francis had fervently pushed the Acutis sainthood case forward, convinced that the church needed someone like him to attract young Catholics to the faith while addressing the promises and perils of the digital age. “It’s like I can maybe not be as great as Carlo may be, but I can be looking after him and be like, ‘What would Carlo do?’” said Leo Kowalsky, an 8th grader at a Chicago school attached to the Blessed Carlo Acutis Parish. Kowalsky said he was particularly excited that his own namesake — Pope Leo — would be canonizing the patron of his school. “It’s kind of all mashed up into one thing, so it is a joy to be a part of,” Kowalsky said in an interview last week. Much of Acutis’ popularity is thanks to a concerted campaign by the Vatican to give the next generation of faithful a “saint next door” who was ordinary but did extraordinary things in life. In Acutis, they found a relatable tech-savvy millennial — the term used to describe a person born roughly between 1981 and 1996 who was the first generation to reach adulthood in the new millennium. The Vatican said 36 cardinals, 270 bishops and hundreds of priests had signed up to celebrate the Mass along with Leo in a sign of the saints’ enormous appeal to the hierarchy and ordinary faithful alike. Popular piety for the digital age An hour before the Mass, St. Peter’s Square was already full with pilgrims, many of them young millennial Italians, many with toddlers in strollers. “I learned from different people what his professors, his teachers said about his joy and the light he carried around him,” said Leopoldo Antimi, a 27-year-old Roman who got to the square early to secure a spot. “So for me personally as an Italian, even on social networks that are used so much, it is important to have him as an influencer.” Matthew Schmalz, professor of religious studies at Holy Cross college in Worcester, Massachusetts, said Acutis' canonization extends the church tradition of popular piety to the digital age. “He becomes an emblem or model of how Catholics should approach and use the digital world--with discipline and with a focus on traditional Catholic spirituality that defies the passage of time,” he said in statement. “He is a new saint of simplicity for the ever complex digital landscape of contemporary Catholicism.” Frassati, the other saint being canonized Sunday, lived from 1901-1925, when he died at age 24 of polio. He was born into a prominent Turin family but is known for his devotion to serving the poor and carrying out acts of charity while spreading his faith to his friends. AP visual journalists Trisha Thomas in Vatican City and Jessie Wardarski in Chicago contributed to this report. Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.     
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