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Director Anderson Cooper’s movie to soothe grief is “Echoes of My Past”

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Director Anderson Cooper’s movie to soothe grief is “Echoes of My Past”

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Anderson Cooper lost his father Wyatt Cooper when he was 10 years old and his younger brother Carter when he was 21 years old. Cooper’s mother, Gloria Vanderbilt, also passed away six years ago.

But the 58-year-old CNN news anchor regularly honors their memory on his grief podcast, “All There Is,” which debuted three years ago. It’s now turning into a weekly effort throughout the year, with a weekly live show airing Thursday nights (9:15 a.m. ET on CNN). Cooper won’t just be a celebrity — future guests include Luke Bryan, Mariska Hargitay, and Charlamagne the God — but listeners and viewers of the podcast will also regularly call his answering machine to share their stories of grief.

“As I listen to these messages, I hear all the sadness that’s out there,” he said in a video call from CNN’s offices in New York.

Outside of his podcast, Cooper also remembers his past by watching movies. Some people watch it over and over again. One of them you recently re-watched: 1982’s Blade Runner, starring Harrison Ford and directed by Ridley Scott.

Ford will play Rick Deckard, a former police officer who works as a Blade Runner in Los Angeles around 2019, hunting down bionic androids called replicants. Deckard is brought back into the group to “decommission” the four replicants who have gone berserk, but he falls in love with a replicant named Rachel (Sean Young) who believes her to be human.

“There’s something comforting about going back to these things,” Cooper says. “It’s a movie that I watched as a kid and I don’t even know what it is. It’s not like Blade Runner is a very emotional movie. You know, I don’t cry in Terms of Endearment. But this is an echo of my past, an echo of my brother.”

If you would like to share your thoughts about grief with USA TODAY for inclusion in a future article, please take this survey here.

Contributor: Brian Truitt

Microsoft plans to report earnings. date, time and tuning method.

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Microsoft plans to report earnings. date, time and tuning method.

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Microsoft is scheduled to release its first quarter results after the bell on Wednesday, October 29th.

The company is one of three large tech companies to report earnings on Wednesday. The others are meta and alphabet.

Wall Street analysts are bullish on the company, according to Bloomberg. Microsoft beat expectations in its last quarterly report, giving it a market capitalization of $4 trillion. Nvidia was the first company to reach this milestone earlier this year.

Like every other major technology company, Microsoft is ramping up its expansion into artificial intelligence. Azure, Microsoft’s cloud division, generated more than $75 billion during fiscal year 2025. Still, the company previously said it was running out of servers to rent to customers and that constraints were expected to impact its business through the end of fiscal 2025.

According to Bloomberg, Microsoft has said in its past six quarterly earnings calls that it cannot meet all of its customers’ cloud demands and is rushing to build out AI data centers. In January, the company announced plans to invest $80 billion in AI this year.

The company revealed this week that it has reached an agreement with Open AI that will allow ChatGPT companies to go public. Open AI is now worth $500 billion. According to Yahoo Finance, the deal will see Microsoft own 27% of OpenAI Group’s PBC, valued at $135 billion.

As you approach earnings, adjust in the following ways:

Where can I listen to Microsoft’s financial results?

Microsoft will report earnings after the bell on Wednesday, October 29th. Investors can listen to the earnings report at 5:30 PM ET on the company’s Investor Relations website. Financial statements will be made public prior to the conference call and will also be available on our website.

What did Microsoft say in its last earnings report?

The company reported a 39% increase in sales in July, beating Wall Street expectations of 34%.

Microsoft Chief Financial Officer Amy Hood said on an earnings call that she expects the company’s capital spending to exceed $30 billion in the first quarter, Bloomberg reported. Meanwhile, this year’s growth rate is expected to reach double digits.

Additionally, company leaders expected Azure business to grow 37% in the first quarter.

What does Wall Street expect from Microsoft?

Wall Street expects the company to report adjusted earnings of $3.68 per share on revenue of $75.5 billion, according to Yahoo Finance.

What is Microsoft’s stock price?

Microsoft stock closed up nearly 2% on Tuesday, October 28th. The company’s stock price has increased 29.50% since the beginning of the year.

Israel says it will maintain ceasefire in Gaza after airstrike kills 104 people

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Israel says it will maintain ceasefire in Gaza after airstrike kills 104 people

In a statement, the Israeli military said it would continue to abide by the ceasefire agreement and respond firmly to “any violations”.

Yana Choukair, Emily Rose, Nidal Al-Mughrabi
|Reuters

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JERUSALEM, Oct 29 (Reuters) – The Israeli military said on Wednesday (October 29) it would abide by a cease-fire agreement in Gaza after health authorities in the strip said airstrikes killed 104 people and both Israel and Hamas were exchanging blame for violations of the agreement.

Israel launched airstrikes in the Gaza Strip late on October 28, the latest challenge to an already fragile ceasefire, it said, acting after an attack by Palestinian militants left one soldier dead.

In a statement, the Israeli military said it would continue to abide by the ceasefire agreement and respond firmly to “any violations”.

more: President Trump reveals plan to end war in Gaza, warns Hamas to reject it

Israel says airstrike targeted Hamas commander

The military said in a separate statement that it targeted dozens of Hamas militants across the enclave, as well as the group’s weapons depots and tunnels. The report named five militants, including a Hamas commander, for the October 7, 2023 attack on an Israeli kibbutz that triggered the war.

The Gaza Health Ministry said 46 children and 20 women were among the 104 people killed in Israeli airstrikes since Tuesday. Reuters could not immediately confirm the number, but Reuters video showed the bodies of several women and children inside the hospital during the funeral service.

Despite the shelling, US President Donald Trump said the US-backed ceasefire was not in jeopardy.

more: What you need to know about President Trump’s Gaza peace plan after partial acceptance of Hamas

“My understanding is that they took out Israeli soldiers,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. “So Israelis should fight back and fight back. If that happens, they should fight back,” he added.

The Israeli army confirmed the soldier’s death on October 29.

President Trump said there was “nothing to jeopardize” a ceasefire. “Hamas must understand that they are only a small part of peace in the Middle East, and they must act.”

Israel says Hamas attacked soldiers inside ‘yellow line’

Some displaced Palestinians feared the ceasefire agreement would fall apart. Ismail Zaida, 40, a father of three, recalled the explosions he heard throughout the night, reminding him of the war that claimed tens of thousands of lives.

“It was one of the worst nights since the ceasefire was signed,” Zaida, who lives in a tent in western Gaza City with 25 of her family members, told Reuters via a chat app. “It was one of the worst nights since the ceasefire was signed. There were explosions and planes, and it felt like war had started all over again.”

Israeli military officials said Hamas violated the ceasefire by attacking Israeli troops stationed within the so-called “Yellow Line,” the line of deployment agreed to under the ceasefire.

Hamas denied responsibility for the Israeli attack in Rafah, southern Gaza, and said in a statement that it would continue to abide by the cease-fire agreement that took effect on October 10.

Agreement includes return of hostage remains

Under the agreement, Hamas released all living hostages in exchange for approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners of war and wartime detainees, while Israel withdrew its troops and ceased attacks.

Hamas also agreed to hand over the remains of all deceased hostages that have not yet been recovered, but said it would take time to find and recover all bodies. Israel says the militants have access to the remains of most of the hostages.

The issue has been one of the main sticking points in the ceasefire, and President Trump has said he is monitoring it closely.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the bodies handed over Monday night were those of Israelis killed in the October 7 Hamas attack, and that the bodies were recovered by Israeli forces in the weeks after the fighting began.

The Israeli military said Hamas planted bodies at the excavation site before calling in a Red Cross team and pretending to have found the missing hostages, creating a “false impression of the body-finding operation.”

more: Aid trucks enter Gaza as conflict over hostage bodies pauses

A 14-minute video released by the military showed three men placing a white bag at the excavation site and covering it with dirt and rocks.

Reuters was able to independently confirm the location of the video, but could not confirm the date of the video or Israel’s explanation of what it showed.

Hamas did not respond to requests for comment.

The ICRC said the team did not know that the remains had been planted at the site before arriving.

“It is unacceptable that a false recovery has been staged at a time when so much depends on this agreement being upheld and when many families are still worried about the fate of their loved ones,” the ICRC said in a statement.

I was surprised by the side effects when I stopped eating Diet Coke and soda.

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I was surprised by the side effects when I stopped eating Diet Coke and soda.

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Will you give up soda? Well, a group of Diet Coke and Coca-Cola obsessed USA TODAY journalists decided to give it a try.

Sweet drinks such as carbonated drinks have a negative effect on the body. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people who drink sugary sodas and drinks can be at risk for weight gain, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. It can also cause arthritis and gout, a type of tooth decay.

Given the health concerns that come with drinking soda regularly, we tried to quit cold turkey. We faced caffeine withdrawal, headaches, and sugar cravings, but were surprised by the results. I’ll explain what happened.

“The lack of sugar and caffeine hit me like a ton of bricks.”

I’ve been drinking Coca-Cola for as long as I can remember. I’ve tried to quit many times, but I always end up back at the same place after a few months.

So when a group of us decided to quit, I was excited to give it a try.

At first, it was difficult to give up soda. It got so bad that I had to ask my mom to take all the soda out of the house and store it for me.

The lack of sugar and caffeine hit me like a ton of bricks. To combat this, during the first week of this challenge, when my soda cravings became too strong, I drank a few watermelon-flavored Red Bulls. Iced coffee and freshly brewed green tea have also become staples of my daily routine.

Sorry to all you soda lovers out there. Even less than one can a day can cause this health problem, new study says

Within the first week, I stopped craving soda and was able to go days without energy drinks. But I had a sugar craving, so I spent the day munching on Halloween candy.

And then one day, I’m sorry, I cheated. I had lunch at a Cuban restaurant in Miami and ordered my favorite soda, Materba, a Cuban yerba mate soda.

Other than that, I held on strong. Since I stopped taking it, I’ve been able to sleep better and have more energy. My swelling has decreased and my clothes fit better. Another good thing is that I am drinking more water.

There were a few days when I had a really bad caffeine-induced headache and found it hard to concentrate on work. However, Tylenol, coffee, tea, and some candy helped reduce the harmful side effects. I’m going to stick to my new no-soda mandate for now. –Julia Gomez

“I’m hooked.”

When I was a kid growing up in the 1970s and ’80s, my mom only allowed soda on special occasions like birthdays and big family barbecues. If it was on sale, it was always RC Cola or Fresca.

When I graduated from college, I discovered a fountain soda machine in the cafeteria that dispensed unlimited Diet Coke. I was hooked. I never developed a love for coffee, so Diet Coke got me through 8 a.m. classes and late night study sessions.

Later, when all the other journalists were donating to the office coffee fund, I brought a case of Diet Coke. Eat one in the morning and another in the afternoon. It can’t be that bad, I told myself, there’s no sugar in it.

I drink Diet Coke every day. I only have one can and I hardly ever finish it, but that’s my morning routine and I rely on it for caffeine. But on particularly difficult days, I noticed three half-empty cans lined up on my desk.

So when my wellness editor suggested this challenge, I braced myself for what was going to be a tough week or month. I don’t really drink alcohol, so I order it at restaurants as well. I took the Diet Coke out of the fridge and put it in the basement to avoid temptation. I joined the Soda Free Work Support Group Chat.

The first morning I went to Starbucks and drank a drink with more sugar than coffee, thinking it would replace my caffeine. I was surprised that I didn’t seem to miss Diet Coke that much. I ended up drinking a mocha or caramel macchiato every day. I was worried that the sugar would be just as bad as Diet Coke.

The following week, I started brewing green tea in the morning and my caffeine needs were met. And just as important is your morning ritual.

As of the second week, my daughter and I went for Mexican food. The chips and salsa made me want a Diet Coke. So, I took the plunge and ordered it. It tasted refreshing and cold. I was worried that this would lead me back to my daily routine.

Is there a “healthiest” soda? Not really, but there are some alternatives to consider.

But after dinner, I realized I wasn’t done eating yet. The next day I put the kettle on again to drink tea in the morning. The Diet Coke fast was a good reset and taught me that I do a lot of things out of habit rather than choice.

I haven’t brought the Diet Coke back from the basement, but I don’t plan on throwing it away either. — Laura Trujillo

I thought I wasn’t addicted to caffeine…

When I was a kid, all the Coca-Cola in the house was for my dad. By my mother’s orders, that sugary drink was off-limits to my siblings and me.

Despite many attempts to get my taste buds used to the bitterness of coffee, I just couldn’t get enough of this drink and thought to myself: Why do we become addicted to caffeine in the first place??However, in my early twenties, my tastes expanded further.? I mean, I went from ordering a gin and tonic at the bar to ordering a rum and a Diet Coke to fuel me up. Since then, I’ve become a hardcore diet soda drinker, drinking a 12-ounce can at least four times a week. It turns out that a small amount of caffeine (46 mg per can) can also help with migraines and menstrual pain.

I started the “No Diet Coke” challenge on September 27th. I was sick and the thought of anything other than water or Gatorade Zero made my stomach hurt, but ever since I recovered I’ve been itching for a Diet Coke.

As much as I crave caffeine, the most frustrating part is how sleepy I feel without it. What I was trying to avoid was caffeine addiction. I finally broke down on October 22nd and have been drinking a Diet Coke every other day ever since. I’m going to be more careful with my intake, but it tastes just as good as I remember. — Alyssa Goldberg

Divorce with diet coke

Pavlov led me to drink a Diet Coke. I have been a regular cola drinker all my life and used it as a quick fix for my recurring headaches. A few years ago, my sister brought me into the Diet side. She swore it tasted better that way. I ordered it out of curiosity and never looked back.

My college apartment was always stocked with cans (I call them “refrigerator cigarettes” on TikTok) that I could grab at any moment of inconvenience. About a year ago, I started realizing how bad my constant consumption of soda was for me, and gradually transitioned into being a casual, less chronic, “DC” consumer.

So when I got serious about this project, I didn’t think it would be a big problem.

To combat this, I switched from soda to soda water when I go out. I also intentionally brought a water bottle with me when I hung out with friends, and sometimes mixed in electrolyte packages to mix up the flavors. Prebiotic sodas have also appeared.

It’s been exactly a month since I gave up sugary sodas, and I can say I don’t miss the taste as much as I thought. Other than the annoying sporadic headaches, which I’m naturally prone to and could probably get worse if I quit soda, this month hasn’t been too bad. Now we’re competing to see how far we can go without it. The second month is about to begin. — Sam Woodward

Headaches and trying to quit the habit

I grew up in a household with a spare refrigerator in the garage and stacks of soda cans. When I was in middle school, I became addicted to Cherry Coke. And as I got older, Soda and I had an on-and-off relationship. I recently returned to Coca-Cola, although I used to quit for years at a time. I told myself that those adorable mini cans would do just fine. (A very small amount!) But no, a new study finds that even small amounts of soda aren’t good for your health.

As a mother of two young children, I had a habit of using soda for an energy boost. And the week I started doing this, I had several late nights in a row, then early mornings. I felt fine until about 11am on the third day. “I almost gave up today,” I confessed in a group chat of people who have given up soda. “But it’s holding up well.”

I also suffer from migraines and don’t really like tea or coffee, so whenever I feel a headache coming on, I drink soda. I found myself reaching for Excedrin several times during this experiment, but maybe I should have tried tea first. I also drank lots of ice water.

I was generally tired and had headaches, but the pride I felt when I quit made me want to keep going. I don’t think I want to go back to drinking every day. — Leora Arnowitz

Counterintuitive’s new chip aims to escape AI’s ‘double trap’

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Counterintuitive’s new chip aims to escape AI’s ‘double trap’

AI startup Counterintuitive has set out to build “inference-native computing” that allows machines to understand rather than just imitate. Such breakthroughs have the potential to move AI from pattern recognition to true understanding, paving the way for systems that can think and make decisions, or in other words, systems that are more “human-like.”

Counterintuitive chairman Gerald Rego spoke about what the company calls the “twin trap” problem facing AI, saying the company’s first goal is to solve two key problems that limit current AI systems and prevent even the largest AI systems from becoming stable, efficient, and truly intelligent.

The first trap highlights that today’s AI systems are built on outdated mathematical foundations and lack a reliable and repeatable numerical foundation. An example is floating-point arithmetic, which was designed decades ago to speed up tasks such as games and graphics. Therefore, it lacks precision and consistency.

In numerical systems, each mathematical operation introduces small rounding errors that can accumulate over time. Because of this, running the same AI model twice can give different results, leading to non-determinism. These discrepancies make it difficult to verify, reproduce, and audit AI decisions, especially in fields such as law, finance, and medicine. When AI outputs cannot be clearly explained or proven, they become “hallucinations.” This is a term coined to describe the “lack of provability” in AI.

Modern AI has a fundamental struggle with accuracy that lacks truth, creating an invisible wall. This flaw has become a severe limitation, impacting overall performance, increasing cost, and wasting energy on noise correction.

Modern AI struggles with accuracy without truth, creating an invisible wall. This flaw is a severe limitation, impacting performance, increasing cost, and wasting energy on computational noise correction.

The second trap is in architecture. Current AI models have no memory. Instead, it predicts the next frame or token without doing any inference to help achieve the prediction. The company says it’s just predictive text on steroids. Once a modern model outputs something, it does not retain the reasons why it made such decisions and cannot reconsider or build on its own inferences. AI may appear rational, but it’s only mimicking reasoning, not truly understanding how it reaches its conclusions.

“Counterintuitive is a veteran of the world’s leading research labs and technology companies and has built a world-class team of mathematicians, computer scientists, physicists, and engineers who understand and solve the fundamentals of the twin trap,” Rego said.

Rego’s team has more than 80 patents pending, spanning deterministic inference hardware, causal memory systems, and software frameworks. These patents are thought to have the potential to “define the next generation of computing based on inference, not imitation.”

Counterintuitive’s inference-native computing research aims to create the first inference chips and software inference stacks that push AI beyond current limits.

The company’s Artificial Reasoning Unit (ARU) is a new type of computing rather than a processor that, unlike a GPU, focuses on memory-driven inference and performs causal logic in silicon. “Our ARU stack is more than a new chip category in development. It’s a complete departure from probabilistic computing,” said Syam Appala, co-founder of Counterintuitive.

“ARU ushered in the next era of computing, redefining intelligence from imitation to understanding, powering applications impacting the most important sectors of the economy without the need for large hardware, data centers or energy budgets.”

Counterintuitive aims to develop more reliable and auditable systems by integrating memory-driven causal logic into both hardware and software. This marks a shift from traditional speed-oriented, probabilistic AI black-box models to more transparent and responsible reasoning.

(Image source: “Abacus” by blaahhi is licensed under CC BY 2.0.)

Want to learn more about AI and big data from industry leaders? Check out the AI ​​& Big Data Expo in Amsterdam, California, and London. This comprehensive event is part of TechEx and co-located with other major technology events. Click here for more information.

AI News is brought to you by TechForge Media. Learn about other upcoming enterprise technology events and webinars.

Powerful storm barrel over Cuba

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Powerful storm barrel over Cuba

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Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Cuba overnight and roared over Cuba as a Category 2 storm on Wednesday, making it the strongest tropical cyclone of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season and prompting Jamaican authorities to begin investigating the extensive damage left in its wake.

Melissa reached Jamaica on Tuesday as an extremely dangerous Category 5 hurricane, the highest level on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, bringing damaging winds, devastating flash flooding and landslides across Jamaica. The storm caused widespread infrastructure damage, including power outages and communications outages, leaving hundreds of thousands of residents in the dark.

At least seven people were killed as the storm approached Jamaica, and local authorities said it was too early to tell how many more died after making landfall. Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness told CNN after the storm passed that the government had not received any confirmation of any deaths from the storm, but “we do expect some loss of life.”

Winds that reached 185 miles per hour on the island “were like a roaring lion” as the storm approached, retiree Colin Henry McDonald told Reuters. “It’s crazy. It’s really crazy.”

Desmond McKenzie, the island’s Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, said parishes across Jamaica were reporting severe flooding, road closures, and damage to fallen trees and power poles. St. Elizabeth Parish was submerged in floodwaters, with the only public hospital without power and severe damage reported to one of its buildings.

The International Federation of the Red Cross previously announced that up to 1.5 million people in Jamaica were expected to be directly affected by the storm. About 15,000 people were in temporary shelters by late Tuesday, McKenzie said. The government had issued compulsory evacuation orders for approximately 28,000 people.

more: Compare Hurricane Melissa, the strongest storm on record, to historic storms

After making landfall in Jamaica, the hurricane weakened toward eastern Cuba before strengthening again and becoming a Category 4 hurricane, according to the National Hurricane Center. The Hurricane Center said it made landfall in Cuba’s Santiago de Cuba province at 3:10 a.m. ET on Wednesday as a Category 3 storm. As of 8 a.m., it was a Category 2 storm moving over eastern Cuba with maximum sustained winds of 165 mph.

Melissa is expected to move offshore from eastern Cuba late Wednesday morning, cross the southeastern and central Bahamas later that day, then pass near or west of Bermuda late Thursday.

Jamaican authorities said it was too early to give an accurate tally of the number of people who may have died from Hurricane Melissa.

In the days leading up to landfall, the storm is believed to have killed at least seven people across the Caribbean, including three each in Jamaica, Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Mr McKenzie said on Tuesday that authorities were praying for no deaths on the island, but the situation remained too dire to complete an assessment.

more: Hurricane Melissa tracker, see predicted path as a Category 2 storm hammer

According to the Hurricane Center, Melissa strengthened to a Category 4 hurricane as it approached Cuba and made landfall as a Category 3 storm. The agency warned in an advisory Tuesday at 11 p.m. ET that Melissa is expected to make landfall in Cuba as an “extremely dangerous major hurricane.”

A hurricane warning was issued for the Cuban provinces of Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Guantanamo, Holguin, and Las Tunas, as well as the southeastern and central Bahamas.

More than 735,000 people had been evacuated in Cuba by Tuesday night, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said in a social media post. The next island Melissa headed northeast to was the Bahamas, where the government ordered residents in the southern part of the islands to evacuate.

“There will be a lot of work to do. We know this cyclone will cause significant damage,” Diaz-Canel said in a message published in state newspaper Granma.

In preparation for Melissa’s birth, the Jamaican government sought foreign aid. On Monday, Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew said his government had a $33 million emergency budget and insurance and credit provisions for damages.

President Donald Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Gyeongju, South Korea, that he was closely monitoring the situation and was ready to provide humanitarian aid to Jamaica. “We are ready to move,” the president said.

He expressed surprise at Melissa’s strong winds. “I’ve never seen numbers like that. I saw it a while ago. Wind speeds are 195 miles per hour,” he said. “Maybe it’s that expensive, but I’ve never seen it.”

Hours before Tuesday’s game against the Charlotte Hornets, the Miami Heat announced a $1 million donation in partnership with the Mickey and Madeleine Allison Family Foundation and Carnival Cruise Lines to support post-hurricane recovery efforts.

Food aid nonprofit World Central Kitchen said in a statement that it was in Jamaica ahead of landfall and is “working with local partners to begin providing meals to families affected by the storm as soon as possible.”

Honeymooners Tierra Coleman and Laquon Triplett have already had two flights back to Milwaukee canceled due to Hurricane Melissa.

As of Tuesday, the couple said they were waiting to leave in their room at a resort about 40 minutes from Montego Bay. The resort is powered by a generator and there was limited food available to guests. The newlyweds are considering ways to return to their home in Milwaukee, and Coleman told USA TODAY that their best hope is this weekend, if the road is clear.

“There was a loud banging on the ceiling and the door was shaking,” Coleman said. “Most of the palm trees have fallen and some of the resort grounds have been damaged.”

Their experience is similar to that of many other travelers stranded in their beloved Caribbean destinations, seeking shelter and safety as their return home remains in flux. read more.

-Kathleen Wong

Damage and destruction in Jamaica is estimated at $22 billion, according to a preliminary analysis by AccuWeather.

The estimate includes damage to homes and businesses, disruption to the economy and tourism, as well as other losses from prolonged power outages, travel delays and infrastructure, the paper said.

Alex DaSilva, AccuWeather’s chief hurricane expert, said recovery efforts could be dangerous and lengthy, with residents and tourists stranded for long periods of time.

“This was a historic and devastating storm for the Western Caribbean. Recovery and rebuilding after being hit by a Category 5 storm could take more than a decade.”

Contributed by: Reuters

Has anyone won the Mega Millions jackpot? See results for October 28th

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Has anyone won the Mega Millions jackpot? See results for October 28th

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On Tuesday night, October 28, the winning numbers were drawn in the ninth largest Mega Millions drawing in history, with a $714 million jackpot up for grabs.

The Mega Millions jackpot offers a one-time cash payout of $334.1 million if someone matches all six numbers, but no one won Tuesday night’s Mega Millions jackpot.

There were four Mega Millions winners this year. The most recent winner was from Virginia, who won a $348 million jackpot on June 27th. Before that, on April 18th, an Ohio player won a $112 million jackpot. On March 25th, a lucky ticket holder from Illinois took home $344 million, and earlier this year on January 17th, another winner from Arizona took home $113 million.

Check below to see the winning numbers for the October 28th Mega Millions drawing.

Mega Millions winning numbers for 10/28/25

The winning numbers for Tuesday, October 28th drawing are: 2, 19, 33, 53, 61and the mega ball is 14.

The lottery winning numbers sponsors are: Jackpocket, USA TODAY Network’s official digital lottery delivery company.

Has anyone won at Mega Millions?

No one won the Mega Millions jackpot or Match 5 prize.

To view a list of past winners, go to Visit the Mega Millions website.

How to play Mega Millions

To play Mega Millions, you must purchase a ticket. This can be done at a variety of locations, including local convenience stores, gas stations, and grocery stores. In some states, you can purchase Mega Millions tickets online.

Once you have your ticket, you have to choose six numbers. Five of them are white balls numbered 1-70. The golden mega ball ranges from 1 to 24.

If you’re feeling particularly unlucky or don’t want to go through the hassle of picking, you can request a “quick pick” or “easy pick.” When you use these options, your computer randomly generates numbers.

Mega Millions tickets have built-in multipliers that increase your non-jackpot prize by 2, 3, 4, 5, or 10 times. Previously, players had to pay an extra dollar to add a “Megaplier”.

Where can I buy lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased directly at gas stations, convenience stores, and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online Jackpocket, USA TODAY Network’s official digital lottery delivery companythe following states and territories of the United States: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington, DC, and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to choose your lottery games and numbers, place your order, check your tickets, and claim your winnings, all using your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery carrier of USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue from viewer referrals to the Jackpocket Service. Must be 18 years or older, 21 years or older in Arizona, 19 years or older in Nebraska. Not affiliated with any state lottery. Gambling problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (ALL OTHERS). visit jackpocket.com/tos Over the entire period.

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Contact us at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow us at X @fern_cerv_.

President Trump receives gold crown and national honor from South Korea

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President Trump receives gold crown and national honor from South Korea

No amendments to the trade deal between the two countries were announced, but President Trump said they were “very close” to a deal.

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South Korea is keeping an eye on President Donald Trump’s interest in gold.

On October 29, President Trump received a replica of the ancient Korean gold crown and a gold medal representing the nation’s highest honor from South Korean President Lee Jae-myung during the final leg of his Asian tour, which included stops in Malaysia and Japan.

Immediately after President Trump delivered the keynote speech at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum held in Gyeongju, the two leaders headed to the National Museum, where President Trump was presented with the medal.

President Trump was told through an interpreter, “The crown is an important relic that symbolizes the Silla Dynasty.” The Silla Dynasty lasted from 57 BC to 935 AD

The “largest and most luxurious” crown from the Silla Dynasty “represents the sacred connection between heavenly authority and earthly sovereignty, as well as powerful leadership,” the interpreter explained.

Trump was praised as a “peace builder” on the Korean peninsula and was awarded the country’s highest award, the Order of Mugunghwa. Mugunghwa is the national flower of Korea and is a pink hibiscus.

Looking at the medallion in its case, Trump joked, “I want to wear it right now.”

“It’s a great honor,” he said. “We have a very great relationship that will continue and grow even stronger.”

However, no amendments to the trade deal between the two countries were announced, although President Trump said they were “very close” to a deal.

On July 30, the two allies announced a deal in which South Korea would receive a 15% tariff cut in exchange for $350 billion in new investment in the United States.

“The deal is that South Korea will give the United States $350 billion for investments that are owned and controlled by the United States and selected by me as President,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.

On October 30th, President Trump is scheduled to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping before returning to Washington, DC.

Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy is USA TODAY’s White House correspondent. You can follow her at X @SwapnaVenugopal.

2025 Halloween Food Sale Includes Lots of Giveaways and Discounts

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2025 Halloween Food Sale Includes Lots of Giveaways and Discounts

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This Friday, October 31st, is Halloween. Even if you don’t plan on decorating your house or dressing up, you can still enjoy Halloween, as many restaurant chains across the country are offering great deals and discounts that day. There are no tricks, it’s all a treat.

More than 56% of respondents plan to decorate their homes for Christmas, and 56% plan to hand out candy to trick-or-treaters, according to a survey of more than 5,000 U.S. consumers by research firm Numerator. The study also found that 38% of consumers plan to gather with friends and family, and 17% plan to attend public events such as parades and fireworks.

The survey found that four-fifths of consumers bought candy during the holiday season, and about half planned to buy decorations.

No matter what your Halloween plans are this year, here are some great deals you can use to treat yourself on October 31st.

Chipotle celebrates Halloween with ‘Boorito’ promotion, online costume contest

Chipotle wants you to dress up for its Halloween food sale and participate in an online costume contest.

Chipotle hosts its annual “Boolito” Halloween celebration, offering holiday deals on food to members of the Chipotle Rewards loyalty program who visit the restaurant wearing their spookiest costumes on Friday, October 31st.

This year, Rewards members in costume can purchase an entree for $6 (entree prices typically range from $11 to $15). It’s still a bargain, but in 2019 you could get an entree for $4, and in 2008 you could get a free burrito if you dressed like a burrito.

Chipotle also has plenty of Halloween activities, including a Boolito Costume Contest running from Monday, October 27th through Sunday, November 2nd. Take a photo of yourself in costume and post it on TikTok for a chance to win one of three Chipotle VIP cards worth over $500 (and get 50 free entry codes).

“Bolito started as a simple way to bring people together for Halloween and, over 25 years, has grown into the largest annual celebration of real fans and real food,” Chris Brandt, president and chief brand officer of Chipotle, said in a news release. “Bolito has long served as a runway for guests to show off their creative outfits, so this year we’ll be leveraging TikTok to drive even more excitement and inspiration.”

Chipotle’s Boorito event includes several offers for members of the Chipotle Rewards program and other customers.

  • Boorito’s $6 discount starter: Chipotle’s food sale will be available from 3:00 PM local time until closing time on Friday, October 31st (subject to availability). Regular entrees are $6 and include a burrito, burrito bowl, one order of three tacos, a salad, or a quesadilla (only available on the Chipotle app or Chipotle.com). Offer applies in-person only and is limited to one discounted item per person. Not suitable for delivery or pickup orders. (Not valid on children’s meals, catering orders, or third-party ordering platforms).
  • Borito Costume Contest: To enter the Boorito Costume Contest, post a video with the hashtag #BooritoCostumeContest from October 27th to November 2nd for a chance to win a Chipotle VIP card.
  • “Tip or Treat”: The event runs until October 30th. Purchase your entree, scan your rewards card, and receive an email with a 5-day redeemable offer. You can “tip or treat” once a week during the promotion period, which ends on October 30th.
  • Build your own Chipotle deal: Want to recreate Chipotle’s serving lines at home? Build-Your-Own Chipotle meals have all the ingredients you need to feed 4 to 6 people. Get $10 off your first BYOC order with code TRYBYOC until December 31st or 500,000 redemptions, whichever comes first.

Free Krispy Kreme donuts on Halloween, but only if you’re wearing a costume

Krispy Kreme will give away a free Original Glazed Donut or Classic Ring Donut to customers who visit participating stores in costume on Friday, October 31st (no purchase necessary).

Additionally, the chain’s “Trick or Treat!” donut collection will be available during Halloween and includes four all-new donuts, including:

  • Candy bag donut: Original glazed donuts topped with rich chocolate-flavored buttercream, swirls of butter-caramel flavor, and sprinkled with a bright trick-or-treat candy blend. It has the texture and taste of the mini candies found in Halloween candy bags.
  • Cookies and Scream House Donuts: Filled with a luxurious cookies and cream filling, shell donuts are dipped in rich chocolate icing, topped with crunchy silver chocolate cookies and purple buttercream, and topped with spooky haunted house pieces.
  • Jack O’Lantern Donut: Shell donuts topped with smooth orange buttercream-flavored icing. Decorated with a playful jack-o-lantern facepiece and topped with a green icing stem.
  • Spooky sprinkle donut: The original glazed donut has been transformed with a bright green icing dip and topped with ghostly Halloween sprinkles.

The collection comes in a custom Halloween-themed box and is available for purchase in-store or for pickup or delivery through the Krispy Kreme app or website.

“Here’s a message to everyone celebrating the Halloween season: Treat yourself to 12 Trick-or-Treat! donuts and don’t let any regrets weigh you down,” Krispy Kreme chief brand and product officer Alison Holder said in an Oct. 16 news release. “At Krispy Kreme, we believe Halloween should be about treating fans, not tricking them. Don’t forget to sneak a donut for yourself before you share, because the only thing spookier than a ghost is an empty Krispy Kreme box!”

Qdoba offers annual “BOOGO” promotion on Halloween

Mexican fast-casual chain Qdoba is also getting in on the Halloween fun this year, offering its annual “BOOGO” promotion exclusively to Rewards members.

The chain said in an Oct. 20 news release that during Halloween, Rewards members will receive a free entree with the purchase of an entree and drink all day long, no costume required. This deal is valid for in-restaurant pickup and delivery online at Qdoba.com, and through the Qdoba mobile app.

Gold status benefits members will also have the option to redeem the offer over the weekend (October 31st to November 2nd) as an extended benefit, the company said.

“At QDOBA, we are committed to bringing fun and flavor to our guests, especially on a day like Halloween,” said Jon Burke, QDOBA’s chief marketing officer, in a news release. “That’s why we’re excited to bring back our annual BOOGO promotion. Whether it’s gearing up for a night of trick-or-treating or a night of scary movies, guests can get into the festive spirit with a delicious lunch or dinner with this limited-time offer.”

Burger King customers can get a $5 Whopper on Halloween

For one day only on Halloween, Royal Park members can get a $5 Jack-O-Lantern Whopper. This burger is part of the chain’s Monster Menu and features:

  • Jack O’Lantern Whopper: The iconic flame-grilled Whopper is layered with American cheese, bacon, tomato, lettuce, onion, pickles, ketchup and mayonnaise, topped with black sesame seeds on a striking jack-o-lantern orange bun, and topped with natural spices for a festive feel.
  • Vampire Nugget: Crispy chicken nuggets in the shape of vampire fangs or bats come in cartons with a coffin-like design, perfect for dipping and sharing at gatherings. Nuggets are available as part of a King Junior meal or a la carte.
  • Mummy mozzarella fries: Crispy mozzarella sticks are ‘wrapped’ in golden breadcrumbs, combined with marinara dipping sauce and delivered in a special limited edition mummy-themed box.
  • Frankencandy Sunday: Creamy vanilla soft serve topped with Oreo cookie crumble franken mix, purple franken candy syrup, and purple and green popping candy.

Burger King says the menu is currently available at participating U.S. restaurants while supplies last.

Moe’s Southwest Grill offers Halloween BOGO sale

Moe’s is offering Moe Rewards members the chance to win BOGO on entrees at participating locations from October 31st to November 1st.

The company says customers must mention the offer at checkout to redeem in-store, and must have a Moe Rewards account to redeem online.

Shack Shack offers BOGO burger sale on Halloween

Shake Shack customers can earn a free Double Shack Burger with the purchase of another Shack Burger using the code “SPOOKY” on the Shack app, ShakeShack.com or at an in-store kiosk, the company said.

The chain says the Double Shack burger includes two 100% Angus beef patties, American cheese, lettuce, tomato and Shack sauce.

The burger chain said it is also rolling out a series of new deals available exclusively on the Shack app and ShakeShack.com, including $1 sodas, $3 crinkle-cut fries and $5 classic shakes.

Whataburger celebrates Halloween with HalloWINGS deal

On October 31, Whataburger is offering Rewards members a buy-one-get-one-free 9-piece Whatta Wing when ordering online or scanning the app in-restaurant.

WhataWings are boneless, breaded Whata’n bites tossed with your choice of sauces, including Buffalo, Sweet & Spicy, Honey BBQ, and Honey Butter.

Get Tim Hortons Trick-or-Treat Timbits Buckets at a discount this Halloween

Tim Hortons customers who wear a Halloween costume and visit participating U.S. restaurants on October 31 will receive a 31% discount on Trick-or-Treat Timbits Buckets.

The glow-in-the-dark bucket contains 31 Timbits and can be refilled at restaurants or reused to collect all the Halloween candy.

KFC holds nugget sale on Halloween

On October 31st, KFC customers can get 50 KFC nuggets and 10 dipping sauces for just $20.

Sonic brings back 50 Cent’s Corn Dog for Halloween

Sonic is bringing back the 50 Cent Corn Dog Sale this Halloween in addition to the limited-time Trick-or-Treat Blast. The Blasts mix creamy vanilla or chocolate soft serve with Heath, M&M’s minis, and Oreo cookie pieces.

Additionally, from October 27th to November 2nd, Sonic app owners can enjoy the following benefits:

  • Free entree with purchase (until October 30th)
  • Get a free trick-or-treat blast with your purchase
  • Free Medium Slash with Purchase
  • Receive a free snack or side with your purchase

California Tortilla offers Halloween sale for costumed customers

California Tortilla told USA TODAY it will offer costumed customers $5 off a burrito or bowl on Oct. 31, plus $10 off a family meal online using the code “BOO!”

Other chains offering food deals on Halloween

  • Beef’O’Brady’s: On Oct. 31, kids 12 and under in costume will receive a free kid’s meal with the purchase of an adult entree.
  • Biggby Coffee: From October 24th to 31st, get a free Kids Magic Milk or Hot Chocolate with the purchase of a specialty drink.
  • Papa Murphy’s: The chain is bringing back its Jack-O-Pizza and “Scream of a Deal” bundle through Oct. 31. This bundle includes a large Jack-O’s pizza and chocolate chip cookie dough and is priced at $15.
  • Auntie Anne’s: From October 27th to 31st, Rewards members who purchase a Halloween Bucket will earn $5 in rewards on their next visit.
  • Cinnabon: Customers can get a free Oreo Spooky’s & Cream Chillatta when they purchase a Cinnapack through their rewards account at participating Cinnabon stores.
  • Jamba: From October 24th to 31st, Jamba customers will receive a $5 reward when they purchase a $25 gift card.
  • Schlotzsky’s: Rewards members get $3 off terrifyingly large sandwiches all day long on October 31st. From October 20th to November 3rd, the company will also offer a $5 reward to customers who purchase a $25 gift card.
  • Smoothie King: On October 31st, customers who visit participating locations wearing an avocado costume will receive a free avocado toast.
  • Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers: Customers who download the Freddy’s Rewards app will earn 2x points on purchases made on October 31 and can redeem them towards future purchases at Freddy’s.
  • Bojangles: From October 22 to 31, customers can unlock a new promo code at checkout each night by logging into the app at 10:31 p.m. Each code is valid for the next 24 hours and you’ll see delicious deals.
  • Baskin-Robbins: Through October 31, Baskin-Robbins Rewards members get 20% off Polar Pizza, plus 31% off all scoops on Halloween.
  • Dunkin: From October 29th to 31st, Dunkin’ Rewards members can earn 3x points when they order 6 or 1 dozen donuts, 25 or 50 Munchkin donut hole treats.

Gabe Hauari is USA TODAY’s national trends news reporter. You can follow him at X @gabehauari Or email Gdhauari@gannett.com.

Senators scramble to cushion impact of shutdown, but in vain: Live updates

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Senators scramble to cushion impact of shutdown, but in vain: Live updates

Stand-alone bills aimed at addressing problems with the shutdown, such as expiring funding for food stamps and military benefits, continue to fail.

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WASHINGTON – The government shutdown is only getting worse, and members of Congress are starting to realize it.

That’s why the administration has begun proposing more standalone legislation that, while not fully reopening the government, would address the crisis’ biggest pain points, from looming food stamp funding shortages to widespread concerns over military pay.

Rank-and-file Republicans and Democrats seem increasingly aware that something will have to give soon.

“Many of the problems we have can be solved,” said Sen. Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota). “There is no need to hold the remaining government officials hostage.”

“I really don’t believe that the people in the country who are losing their SNAP benefits right now, who are seeing their health insurance premiums double, triple, quadruple, are thinking about Democrats and Republicans,” said Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga.. “They’re trying to find a way to make the family whole.”

Still, lawmakers have been unable to pass any legislation to ease the pressures of the government shutdown on Americans. Several measures from both sides have failed, or are expected to fail, at least until party leaders change their minds, including bills to pay federal workers and prevent safety net programs from being underfunded even as the government remains shut down.

“That’s just the wrong way to go about it,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-South Dakota) said Tuesday. “The only way to approach this is to reopen the government.”

Vice President Vance met with Senate Republicans earlier in the day to discuss some of the closures, but the lawmakers said the discussion largely veered into dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump’s plan to increase beef imports from Argentina.

Meanwhile, the president is currently on a tour of several countries in Asia and is not scheduled to return home until Thursday.

read more: Republicans are fighting with President Trump over beef

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said her agency is short of $9.2 billion in SNAP benefits to pay out in November after a coalition of 25 Democratic-led states sued the Trump administration over its plan to end the food stamp program starting Nov. 1 amid the government shutdown.

“We don’t have anything even close to that amount in our emergency fund,” Rollins said in an interview with CNN Tuesday afternoon. “We have to open this government.”

Plaintiffs in the lawsuit argue that the USDA is obligated to use $6 billion in emergency funds to cover SNAP for November, but Rollins argues that emergency funds cannot be used for this purpose. This position appears to be at odds with previous USDA guidance that stated the funds would be available “in the event of a lapse in the middle of a fiscal year.”

Rollins downplayed the September 30 guidance as a “repetitive document.” He also said the emergency fund is not large enough to make up for the shortfall. Rollins said that during the shutdown, the department spent money to open Farm Service Department offices and pay salaries to food inspectors and safety inspectors, while also maintaining the October SNAP program.

“The SNAP program will cost $9.2 billion in November,” Rollins said. “As of today, we do not have the legal authority to distribute anything less than that through formula or anything like that. Obviously, we are considering all of this as we move forward.”

A federal judge on Tuesday further blocked the Trump administration from implementing plans to lay off thousands of federal workers amid a nearly month-long partial government shutdown.

At a hearing in San Francisco, U.S. District Judge Susan Illston extended an earlier interim ruling that barred about 40 federal agencies from implementing layoffs pending the outcome of a legal challenge by unions representing federal employees.

The Trump administration said in a court filing that before Illston’s Oct. 16 ruling, about 4,100 employees at eight government agencies had been notified of their termination. White House Budget Director Russell Vought said more than 10,000 federal employees could lose their jobs due to the government shutdown.

– Reuters

Vice President J.D. Vance told reporters at the Capitol on Tuesday that military members will receive their next paycheck despite the ongoing government shutdown.

“Will the military be paid on Friday? Yes,” Vance reportedly said. “We believe we can continue to pay our troops on Friday.”

But the vice president did not provide additional details about what funds the government would use to pay military personnel. The military, like millions of federal employees, has their paychecks at risk when the government shuts down.

– Marina Pitovsky

Toronto Blue Jays bounce back from 18th inning loss in World Series vs. Dodgers

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Toronto Blue Jays bounce back from 18th inning loss in World Series vs. Dodgers

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LOS ANGELES – The Toronto Blue Jays have lost six games this postseason, but with each loss they dispel the cliché thanks to Book Tour’s Tony Robbins.

The league leaders came from behind to win.

Wash away your losses and turn the page.

Glue Jays. get it?

But now even the most jaded observer has to agree that there is substance behind all this talk. Bouncing back from an 18-inning loss and moving within two wins of winning the World Series could have that effect.

So when the Blue Jays played two games worth of baseball in Game 3 of the World Series, and the greatest two-way player in baseball history was ejected from the mound in Game 4, only to suffer a devastating, season-threatening setback, the Blue Jays were overjoyed that a demoralizing 18-inning loss would only count as one game.

They just woke up with nine innings to go and tarnished the Shohei Ohtani myth with franchise player Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s game-winning two-run homer.

They witnessed manager John Schneider lead a quartet of weapons into the snake pit of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ batting lineup and reload the rest of his staff, with pitching reserves severely depleted.

Finally, with the sun setting on Dodger Stadium and a one-run lead in the seventh inning that needed to be strengthened, the team chased Ohtani out of the game, sent nine men to the plate, and peppered the two relievers with base hits and basic pitching, demoralizing the Dodgers and scoring four runs to secure a 6-2 victory and secure this World Series in two games apiece.

The Blue Jays guaranteed a lot by winning one game, but their situation looked very dire at the time.

This year, the Rogers Center will be lit at least once more. Their best pitcher, Kevin Guzman, will get another shot at the Dodgers.

The best-of-seven becomes a best-of-three, and Game 5 at Chavez Ravine on Oct. 29, which once looked like a coronation for the Dodgers, will be a huge opportunity for Toronto, securing it two strokes away from winning the world championship on home soil.

And perhaps more importantly, the Blue Jays have further solidified their belief in each other and the cause they are committed to, which is to bring Toronto its first World Series championship since 1993.

These Blue Jays could be historic. They are already completely convinced that they are special.

“I think it’s a quote from Herb Brooks,” said third baseman Ernie Clement, referring to the man who led the 1980 U.S. men’s hockey team to an impressive gold medal. “But we’re a team of extraordinary guys. I think any normal team would have been crushed today.

“And we’re not normal. I think we’re the best team in baseball. We got out of bed with our hair on fire and got ready to play.”

Clement, the curly-haired infielder, was proof enough that his 26 postseason hits were second in the playoffs behind Guerrero’s 28.

A double in the seventh inning ended Ohtani’s night. One inning later, a grounder to shallow right field became a hit that flew into the first base bag, as if getting his eighth multi-hit game this postseason could mean the difference between eating and being hungry.

Ah, but there was so much more.

Like Shane Bieber, Game 4 starters began warming up in anticipation of playing in ’19.th In the 3rd inning of Game 3, Freddie Freeman’s walk-off home run ended a saga that lasted nearly seven hours.

It was Max Scherzer, a wild-eyed veteran who was about 11 years old.th or 12th In the inning, he urged Bieber to consider playing in the game “if things get bad.” Pitching coach Pete Walker agreed. Bieber started pitching in 18 games.th.

Then Freeman’s home run sent everyone home and the Beavers almost slept through the night.

“It’s definitely powered up, right?” Bieber says. “In a World Series game, you have to be ready to pitch in the 19th inning. Pete was like, ‘Oh, we might need you as a last resort.’

“And I think we were probably close to getting the ball.”

But in one of those twists of fate that happens every October, Toronto lost the game. The Beavers remained in the turn for Game 4.

And the man who couldn’t make it through the third inning in a playoff start and the fourth inning in another game glared at Ohtani, the slugger who reached base nine innings with four hits, two homers and five walks in Game 3.

He led the Blue Jays into the sixth inning, striking out two and allowing only a harmless walk. It was the latest step for a player who was recovering from Tommy John surgery in April 2024 and did not start a game until August.

“I’m really happy for him,” Schneider says. “The journey he’s been on for the past year and a half.”

Schneider’s hot hands became even warmer. He got the final two outs of the sixth inning while still holding a 2-1 lead when he pulled the Beavers at just the right time to left-hander Mason Fluharty.

Next? Former starting pitcher Chris Bassitt was asked to pitch in relief every day in the minor leagues for the first time since 2012. At 36 years old, he retired six of the seven batters he faced, transforming himself into a proud starter and playoff set man.

No one loves life more this year, my third and possibly last year in Toronto.

“I probably don’t want to discredit the Oakland team, but this is the closest team I’ve ever been on. It’s 30 guys who really care about each other,” Bassitt says. “It’s crazy, but I go to my wife’s suite and there are 30 wives and girlfriends and they’re all very, very close. I’ve never seen anything like that.

“We’re kind of a family, and we genuinely care about each other. We always encourage each other. We don’t put too much pressure on each other. We just play our game and we usually win.”

Bassitt pitched 6 2/3 innings as a reliever over five postseason games, pitching no runs. He retired 20 of the 22 batters he faced.

“He was unbelievable,” Clement said. “It’s really impressive to switch roles a little bit and do it seamlessly.”

But Game 4 all started with Guerrero, a mainstay on the Blue Jays’ reinforcements since his debut in April 2019. He has hit seven home runs this postseason, second only to Ohtani’s eight, and is tied with 14 RBIs.

In the third inning of the fourth game, the two teams went head-to-head. A matchup of megastars not normally translated into baseball took place here in the fading afternoon light of Los Angeles.

That was certainly important to Guerrero.

“It was very important to me to hit a home run,” Guerrero said through translator Hector Lebron. “I have a lot of respect for Ohtani. I basically know myself and him. We’re kind of the talking points of the series, but when we’re between those two lines, we’re competing.”

Translation: The Ohtani vs. Guerrero logo held high in the sky isn’t just the perfect backdrop for network television. This can be a source of great pride.

“I think it’s easy to write Ohtani vs. Guerrero. For us, it’s Toronto vs. Los Angeles,” Schneider says. “But that swing was huge.

“The sweeper, in my opinion, is a pitch designed to create a pop-up, and the swing that Vlad threw was elite.”

Game 5 is a pitching rematch of Game 1, pitting 22-year-old Trey Yesavage against veteran left-hander Blake Snell. The Blue Jays arrive from a normal night’s sleep with a chance to lead the series at 3-2.

Cue Herb Brooks? Not exactly.

Even if Clement can draw inspiration from his words, there’s no need to go over the wall. Even after a disastrous 18-inning journey.

“We didn’t need any of that. Every player in the clubhouse was ready to play today,” Clement said. “There was no big speech. There was no need for it. We know what we need to do.”

“It’s a testament to the character there.”

And maybe it’s time to start believing the Jays when they say that.

Travelers stranded in Jamaica as Hurricane Melissa hits

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Travelers stranded in Jamaica as Hurricane Melissa hits

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  • Category 5 Hurricane Melissa has made landfall in Jamaica, stranding tourists and residents.
  • The storm caused multiple casualties due to 185 mph winds and flash flooding.
  • Travel experts advise travelers to follow guidance from local authorities and hotel staff during natural disasters.

Honeymooners Tierra Coleman and Laquon Triplett have already had two flights back to Milwaukee canceled as Hurricane Melissa continues to batter the Jamaican coast.

The first Category 5 cyclone to hit the island nation on October 28 brought “catastrophic” winds of up to 185 mph, flash flooding and storm surge, according to the US National Hurricane Center.

Hurricane Melissa, considered the world’s most powerful tropical cyclone so far this year, has already caused several casualties. Many residents and tourists, including Coleman and Triplett, are seeking shelter and safety as the hurricane weakens slightly and moves toward Cuba.

As of October 28, the couple, on their first overseas trip, said they were waiting in a room at a resort about 40 minutes from Montego Bay. The resort is powered by a generator and limited meals are available to guests. The newlyweds are considering ways to return to their home in Milwaukee, and Coleman told USA TODAY that their best hope is Oct. 31, if the roads are clear.

“There was a loud banging on the ceiling and the door was shaking,” Coleman told USA TODAY. “Most of the palm trees have fallen and some of the resort grounds have been damaged.”

They said they first learned about the tropical storm on Saturday and tried to change their flight home to an earlier one on Monday, but the plane quickly filled up. The couple continues to pay for the additional days at the resort out of their own pocket, which “adds significant financial stress to the situation.”

Their experience is similar to that of many other travelers stranded in their beloved Caribbean destinations, seeking shelter and safety as their return home remains in flux.

What happens if your destination is hit by a hurricane?

Mike Ballard, director of intelligence at international security firm Global Guardian, said most destinations with hurricane season are prepared for this type of natural disaster.

“Fortunately, the Jamaican government, tourism industry and travel partners have experience in preparing for and responding to hurricanes,” the country said on its official tourism website. “Please be assured that our team is highly organized and in constant communication, and that your safety and comfort is our top priority.” On October 24, the Jamaican government issued a hurricane warning for the island nation.

“Many of these hotels and resorts, especially in the Caribbean, are modern, relatively new buildings that are built to withstand hurricanes to some extent,” Ballard told USA TODAY. “We don’t know how well it will withstand 185 or 200 mph winds, but certainly the windows and other things are rated as resistant in some of these zones.”

Many hotels and resorts are prepared for such situations with generators and stockpiles of food, fuel, and plywood to protect vulnerable areas. Most resorts and hotels have plans in place to inform guests how to stay safe on-site, he added. Additionally, 881 evacuation centers have been set up across the island for residents in particularly vulnerable areas.

In a viral TikTok, another couple honeymooning in Jamaica said their hotel, the Excellence Oyster Bay, advised them to pack their essentials in emergency bags so staff could take them to a shelter if needed.

Ballard said Global Guardian has a small number of clients who are vacationing in Jamaica and are waiting in hotels for the hurricane to arrive. “It’s okay for now,” he added.

The challenge most travelers face is how to get home. “Most people don’t have a big problem during a hurricane. When things are chaotic, it’s the aftermath that really matters,” Ballard said. “Airports may be closed for some time.” This will depend on the need for humanitarian or emergency relief.

Airlines have issued travel warnings for airports in the hurricane’s path, and some, like American Airlines, are increasing flights, restricting airfares, and evacuating large aircraft before airports close.

Ballard advises travelers to follow the guidance of resorts and local authorities. “Listen to the people who have lived there forever. They’ve been through a lot of hardship, so they’ll know the best way to hunker down and evacuate.”

OpenAI reinvents itself and enters “next chapter” of partnership with Microsoft

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OpenAI reinvents itself and enters “next chapter” of partnership with Microsoft

OpenAI has completed a major reorganization and has also entered into a new definitive partnership agreement with Microsoft.

The goal, starting with OpenAI’s restructuring, is to strengthen the nonprofit’s control over its commercial operations and establish a new organization, named the OpenAI Foundation, as a global philanthropic organization with approximately $130 billion worth of commercial sector equity.

The restructuring, which OpenAI says will “maintain the strongest expression of mission-driven governance in the industry today,” effectively turns the company’s commercial success into a direct funding pipeline for its original mission.

The for-profit organization is now a public benefit corporation called OpenAI Group PBC and is legally bound by its mission. As this PBC grows, the foundation’s commitment will increase by $130 billion, which will be used to fund an initial $25 billion commitment to global health and AI resiliency.

The reorganization was finalized after nearly a year of “constructive dialogue” with the California and Delaware attorneys general’s offices. OpenAI acknowledged that it had “made some changes as a result of those discussions,” stating its belief that they are “better for them” for the company and, by extension, the general public it serves.

Another aspect of this new structure is a redefined partnership with Microsoft. The technology giant’s investment is currently valued at $135 billion, and it will hold a 27% stake in OpenAI Group PBC. This represents a slight dilution from its previous 32.5% stake to reflect the new funding round. The deal maintains Microsoft’s core position as the exclusive Azure API provider for OpenAI’s frontier model, but only until artificial general intelligence (AGI) becomes a reality.

The new terminology introduces new checks on that path. OpenAI’s AGI declaration must be verified by an independent panel of experts. This external check represents a significant update to the governance of the partnership. Microsoft’s intellectual property rights have also been extended to 2032 to include models developed after the AGI declaration and with appropriate safety guardrails.

Microsoft can now pursue AGI independently, either on its own or in collaboration with other partners. This allows Microsoft to take a new path forward apart from its reliance on OpenAI research. If Microsoft developed AGI using OpenAI’s IP before it was officially declared, those models would be subject to significantly larger computational thresholds than systems currently in use.

But new freedoms cut both ways. OpenAI also has new flexibility. The company has committed to purchasing $250 billion in additional Azure services, but Microsoft no longer has the right of first refusal as a computing provider. This gives OpenAI new leverage in infrastructure negotiations.

The company is also now able to release an open-weight model that meets certain criteria and serves U.S. government national security customers on any cloud. This is a new feature worth noting. You also have the ability to co-develop some non-API products with third parties, but API products developed with other companies must remain on Azure. Microsoft’s intellectual property rights also specifically exclude OpenAI’s future consumer hardware.

Existing revenue sharing agreements will remain in place until AGI is verified by a panel of experts, but payments will be made over an extended period of time. Both companies framed the new chapter as a way to continue innovation. OpenAI concluded that this new structure provides both the ability to advance the frontiers of AI and an updated model to “ensure that progress works for everyone.”

See also: OpenAI connects ChatGPT to enterprise data to surface knowledge

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Dunkin’ has announced its holiday menu. Let’s see when it drops.

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Dunkin’ has announced its holiday menu. Let’s see when it drops.

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Dunkin has it all this holiday season.

To usher in all the merry and bright times, Dunkin’ is incorporating some new items into its holiday menu.

In addition to our signature classics, we’ll be featuring Bacon Jam Grilled Cheese, Cookie Butter Cloud Latte, Berry Sangria Dunkin’ Refresher, Raspberry Striped Croissant, and Ultimate Bacon Jam Breakfast Sandwich.

Peppermint White Mocha Signature Latte and Toasted White Chocolate Signature Latte will also return this holiday season.

All Dunkin’ holiday-themed products, including returning favorites, will be available at Dunkin’ stores nationwide starting Wednesday, November 5th.

Here’s what you need to know about Dunkin’s holiday lineup this year, including when you can get it.

Providing Dunkin Holiday Menu

From sweet to savory, Dunkin’ holiday-themed products are perfect for any season. This year’s lineup includes the following five new items.

  • cookie butter cloud latte
  • Berry Sangria Dunkin Refresher
  • raspberry striped croissant
  • The ultimate bacon jam breakfast sandwich
  • bacon jam grilled cheese
  • Two signature classics are also back: Peppermint White Mocha Signature and Toasted White Chocolate Signature Latte.

When will Dunkin’s holiday menu be discontinued?

All holiday menu items, both new and returning, will be available at Dunkin stores nationwide starting Wednesday, November 5th.

Ron DeSantis partners with Turning Point USA, founded by Charlie Kirk

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Ron DeSantis partners with Turning Point USA, founded by Charlie Kirk

Turning Point USA has approximately 100 chapters in high schools, colleges, and universities throughout Florida.

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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced a partnership with Turning Point USA to allow Florida high school students to join campus chapters of the conservative youth organization founded by political commentator Charlie Kirk, who was murdered in early September.

At an Oct. 27 press conference in Sarasota, DeSantis said any high school student who wants to start a high school chapter of Club America, Turning Point, should be able to do so. DeSantis warned that if anything goes wrong, Florida authorities will be involved.

“More young people are getting interested and getting educated and now they want to get involved,” DeSantis said. “So since that tragic day, interest in them has increased tremendously.”

However, it is unclear what the governor meant by partnership. Turning Point USA did not respond to questions. Molly Best, the governor’s press secretary, did not specify the details of the partnership, but wrote in an email that it is a new initiative and more information will be released as it becomes available.

She referenced a press release discussing the Florida debate initiative, which states, “The winner of the upcoming Ronald Reagan presidential debate at the Florida Civil Debate Initiative (FCDI) State Championships will receive $50,000 and a trophy named in Kirk’s honor to emphasize the critical importance of teaching students the value of respectful debate.”

Further details: DeSantis announces Charlie Kirk honor at New College in Sarasota

DeSantis also pointed to the administration’s increased oversight of school districts and teachers, overseen by Education Commissioner Anastasios “Stasi” Kamtzas. Mr. Kamtzas has gone after school districts and teachers on social media, for example by posting about perceived problems and threatening to get involved if they are not resolved.

Kamtzas, who attended the Sarasota news conference, said he believes in the importance of civil dialogue and debate. He added that Kirk’s assassination underscores the importance of respectful and civil debate, stressing that “accountability is paramount when it comes to education.”

“If you try to be a disability, if you become a hurdle, if you get in the way of students and teachers who want to start a Turning Point USA chapter, we will face you with the full force of the law,” Kamtzas said.

Turning Point USA has about 100 chapters at high schools, colleges and universities in Florida, according to its website. It has chapters at every public university in Florida except Florida A&M University in Tallahassee.

After Kirk’s death, state officials stress Florida’s civility

In the wake of Kirk’s assassination, educators across the country expressed a desire to foster civil discussion in schools and ensure free speech, especially conservative voices, is preserved on campus.

Florida lawmakers have since responded by introducing a bill to rename roads on college campuses after Kirk. New University of Florida in Sarasota announced it will install a statue of Kirk on campus.

Mr. DeSantis has long portrayed Florida’s universities and schools as bastions of free speech, but critics often disagree and say the policies actually stifle expression. Some examples come from measures that limit classroom instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation or restrict minors’ access to social media.

DeSantis said in Sarasota that Florida will not tolerate any “discrimination” in its schools, including preventing Turning Point from starting. Neither the governor’s office nor the state attorney general’s office responded to calls seeking comment on whether any school districts do not allow chapters.

In late September, Florida Attorney General James Usmeyer posted a video on X with Duval County School Board Vice Chair April Carney, threatening legal action against public schools that prevent the creation of such chapters.

“This is discrimination. It’s wrong. We will not stand for this,” Usmayer said. “Our AG’s Office of Custody will take legal action as necessary to ensure that students’ rights to organize, organize, and engage in speech and debate are protected.”

Carney previously said at a policy committee meeting in September that parents had reported that students were having trouble forming Turning Point chapters because they couldn’t find sponsors in the district. She said at the conference on Sept. 25 that she believed it was “a violation of the First Amendment to say, ‘No, I’m not going to be a sponsor.'” ”

The Lake City Reporter reported there was a misunderstanding about students struggling to start a Turning Point USA chapter at Suwanee High School.

This reporting content is supported by a partnership with Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners. USA Today Network-Florida First Amendment reporter Stephany Matat is based in Tallahassee, Florida. He can be reached at SMattat@gannett.com. About X: @stephanymatat.

WNBA proposes CBA extension as deadline approaches, reports say

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WNBA proposes CBA extension as deadline approaches, reports say

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With the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) set to expire on October 31st, the WNBA has reportedly proposed an extension to the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) to continue negotiations.

On Tuesday, October 28, ESPN reported that the WNBA proposed a 30-day extension to the current CBA to give both teams more time to negotiate a new agreement. If the players’ union agrees, the extension would delay work stoppages that could result from an owner lockout or player strike.

Earlier this month, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Englebert hinted at the possibility of an extension during her annual press conference before the 2025 WNBA Finals, saying, “We have extended deadlines in the past.”

The league and players’ union previously agreed to a 60-day extension in 2019, three days before the last CBA was set to expire on October 31, 2019. Subsequently, a new agreement was signed in relation to the current CBA on January 14, 2020, which became effective three days later on January 17, 2020.

Engelbert, who took over as WNBA commissioner in July 2019, said, “Last time, just a few days after I took office, we were able to reach an extension, and we were able to sign a contract that was advanced at the time.So, I’m confident again that we can sign a contract, but if not, I think we can extend it.”

It remains to be seen whether the players will agree to an extension, as negotiations between the two sides remain at an impasse. ESPN reported that the players would only consider an extension “under the right circumstances,” but noted players currently feel “those circumstances do not exist yet.”

WNBPA Senior Counsel and General Counsel Erin D. Drake appeared on The Athletic’s “No Offseason” podcast earlier Tuesday and said she “doesn’t expect” a new contract to be agreed to by Friday. “We’ve been working hard to be able to say we made it on Friday. Unfortunately, that’s not going to happen,” Drake said.

The main issues in the ongoing CBA negotiations are revenue sharing and salary structure expansion. Players are seeking a revenue-sharing model that guarantees salary increases with the league, but the WNBA is said to be offering a fixed-salary system and a capped revenue-sharing plan.

Get to the heart of the news quickly with the USA TODAY app. Download award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, e-newspapers, and more.

UPS to cut 48,000 jobs in 2025 in latest turnaround effort

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UPS to cut 48,000 jobs in 2025 in latest turnaround effort

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United Parcel Service has cut 48,000 jobs this year, the company announced on Oct. 28, with the majority of those cuts coming from “operational staff.”

The delivery giant said in its 8-K filing that it has cut about 34,000 operational jobs, including drivers, and an additional 14,000 from management positions under a consolidation and cost-cutting plan.

Brian Dykes, UPS’s chief financial officer, said on the company’s earnings call that the reductions included voluntary buyouts of full-time drivers, 90% of whom left the company as of Aug. 31. UPS also suspended daily operations at 93 leased and owned buildings for the first nine months of 2025, and said it was considering closing additional buildings as part of a plan it called “network reconfiguration and efficiency rethinking.”

UPS CEO Carol Tomé said in a news release that the turnaround effort was “the most significant strategic shift in our company’s history.”

“As the holiday shipping season approaches, we are positioned to achieve our highest efficiency peak in our history while providing our customers with industry-leading service for the eighth year in a row,” Tomé added.

UPS announced in its first-quarter earnings call in April that it would lay off approximately 20,000 employees and close approximately 73 facilities in 2025 due to “new or increased tariffs” and “changes in general economic conditions in the United States or internationally.”

UPS Chief Financial Officer Brian Dykes said in a statement to USA TODAY at the time that the announced cuts were in line with the company’s plan to cut deliveries to Amazon by more than half.

In 2024, UPS will employ approximately 490,000 people worldwide, including 330,000 jobs represented by Teamsters in the United States.

What did the new earnings report show?

UPS reported third-quarter revenue of $21.4 billion and net income of $1.31 billion. This represents a profit of $1.55 per share, the report said.

The company also reported that it handled 19.4 million packages during the quarter, a 9.8% decrease from the same period last year.

The company announced it had saved $2.2 billion as of September 30 compared to last year. The company expects total cost savings to reach $3.5 billion by 2025. The delivery service said its plan to “reconfigure and reimagine efficiency” is scheduled to end in 2027.

Contributor: Jonathan Limehouse, america today

Dodgers’ World Series hopes depend on getting help from Shohei Ohtani

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Dodgers’ World Series hopes depend on getting help from Shohei Ohtani

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LOS ANGELES — This was the game the Los Angeles Dodgers had been coveting.

This was the night Shohei Ohtani donned the Superman mantle, pitched a no-hitter, hit four home runs, and pushed the Dodgers to the brink of winning the World Series for the second straight year.

There was no doubt in their minds that Ohtani would put on a show at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday night, even though he was exhausted after a record-setting performance in 18 games.

In fact, he looked, well, rather mortal.

“Every time he steps up, we expect great things to happen,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “Maybe it’s not fair.”

Ohtani pitched six strong innings before falling apart.

He was never given an intentional walk, but he also never hit a ball in or out.

Then, when Ohtani went down, the Dodgers lost 6-2 to the Toronto Blue Jays, ending the World Series with 2 wins and 2 losses.

This loss, while heartbreaking, could be cathartic for the Dodgers.

Dodgers relief pitcher Blake Treinen leaned against his locker, looked around in the silent Dodgers clubhouse, and wondered aloud if their loss could be a blessing.

Sure, no one wants to lose a match. It’s the World Series.

But Treinen believes this loss could be a wake-up call and is just what the Dodgers need to improve their chances of becoming the first team in 25 years to repeat the World Series.

“I think all of us here are very talented. It’s good to have a game like this,” Treinen quietly told USA TODAY Sports. “It would be nice to have one game where everything went well. I think we’ve been playing really good team baseball, but we just need one game where the offense just went crazy.

“I think our pitching was pretty good even though we gave up six runs today. But we just haven’t had a great overall great game yet.”

The cold reality is that the Dodgers’ offense has struggled this postseason since the wild-card series against Cincinnati.

He was the only one to score five or more runs in the other 12 postseason games, and it took him 18 innings to accomplish the feat.

Their pitching carried them through the entire postseason, and Shohei Ohtani camouflaged their shortcomings.

The Dodgers have scored just 45 points since the wild-card round, averaging 3.7 points per game. The Blue Jays, on the other hand, scored 94 points, nearly twice as many.

Since the National League District Series, he’s batting just .220, in the World Series he’s hitting .214, and with runners in scoring position he’s hitting .183. On Tuesday, they recorded just six hits, and only one of them was an extra-base hit.

“I wouldn’t say it was great,” said Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy, who hit his only extra-base double in the ninth inning. “We’re missing out on a lot of opportunities, myself included. I’m one of the big culprits. There are some opportunities we had and we didn’t take advantage of them.

“You have to hit it big.”

The only position player with the Dodgers who has had a great postseason is Ohtani, who has eight home runs and a 1.182 OPS.

And when he can’t hit, the Dodgers can’t win.

“We haven’t found our rhythm yet,” Roberts said. “We’re not like that. Certain parts of the lineup, different parts, different innings, different games, it’s kind of a draw. The players are competing. Certainly, in the postseason, you see the best in everyone.”

“But yeah, we hope to reconvene (Wednesday).”

The Dodgers may be planning to deploy a different batting lineup to shake up their sluggish offensive line.

“I agree,” Roberts said. “If you think about it, it might turn out a little differently.”

The Dodgers are still pretty confident. They know they are the most talented team in baseball. Even if they can’t hit, they can certainly pitch, with co-aces Blake Snell and Yoshinobu Yamamoto scheduled to play in the next two games.

Additionally, Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts kept reminding everyone around his locker that the Blue Jays are in the World Series for a reason. They even won more regular season games than the Dodgers. So there’s no shame in being tied with them, even if they were hoping to win their first World Series title since 1963 at Dodger Stadium.

“That’s why we play seven games,” Betts said. “They’re not lucky to be in the World Series. They’re a really good ball club.”

But when he runs out of gas, relying on Ohtani night after night, it’s time for someone else to step up and be the hero.

“I mean, I’d like to score 10 points every game, but that’s not going to happen,” Betts said. “We would love to go. We just have to play our game.”

No one used sleep deprivation as an excuse for aggressive fighting. Indeed, not a single person fell asleep before 1:30 a.m. after an 18-inning, six-and-a-half-hour game. But no one on the Blue Jays did that.

“Honestly, I was sleeping like a baby,” said Guerrero, who hit a two-run home run off Ohtani in the second inning.

In fact, Otani is probably the only one who can legitimately use fatigue as an excuse. On Monday, he reached a World Series record of nine consecutive innings with two doubles and two home runs, and on Tuesday he took the mound in the World Series as the first player to serve as the starting DH and pitcher in the same game.

Yes, Ohtani felt very good and very fresh. When Roberts asked if he was tired after six innings, Ohtani tried to convince him he could go to the ninth inning.

Blue Jays third baseman Ernie Clement said, “He looked like a pretty nasty guy to me.” “He had a few good swings with just a few mistakes. But his stuff was really, really good.”

If Roberts had to do it all over again, he would have pulled Ohtani after the sixth inning, but he easily went through a 1-2-3 inning and looked as good as he did all night when he took the mound down 2-1 in the seventh. After Dalton Varsho hit first and Ernie Clement hit a double, he watched from the bench as the Blue Jays exploded for four runs, and it all came to an end.

“I thought the sixth inning was one of his best innings,” Roberts said. “And I saw his position, the way the ball came out, and I felt good. It just kind of happened there.”

Ohtani, who pitched much better than his line score suggested with six innings, six hits, four runs, one walk and six strikeouts, said he felt in command all night. The Blue Jays beat him with all their might, including Guerrero jumping on a sweeper.

“Looking back on it now, it was just an unfortunate pitch. I wanted to get it back. It was just a bad spot,” Ohtani said.

He was also angry at himself for not being able to pitch seven innings while trying to protect them with a particularly fatigued bullpen.

Ohtani said, “Whether it’s the regular season or the postseason, my goal is to pitch six innings. I would have liked to pitch seven innings in this situation, but it’s unfortunate that I couldn’t finish that inning.”

In fact, the biggest surprise may be the way Blue Jays starter Shane Bieber and the bullpen shut him down.

“He’s destined to die,” Roberts said. “Obviously, there was a lot of energy in the pitching. But they pitched well. They had some backdoor cutters and the breaking balls crowded him up a little bit. And I thought his intent tonight at the plate was good. But when you look back at those at-bats, they pitched him well. It really was.”

The Dodgers play Game 5 on Wednesday and believe they will be fine. Their offensive line can’t afford to sit idle all postseason. It has to be picked up.

And Ohtani predicts that will happen.

“At this time of year, we’re playing against quality teams, and we’re playing against the best of the best, so I don’t think it’s going to be that easy,” Ohtani said.

“But at the same time, we did the bare minimum to at least concede a goal.”

Time is running out, and as they found out on Tuesday, there are nights when Ohtani cannot save them.

Follow Nightengale on X: @Bnightengale

Mega Millions winning numbers for October 28th drawing: $714 million jackpot

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Mega Millions winning numbers for October 28th drawing: 4 million jackpot

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The Mega Millions jackpot rose to $714 million for the Tuesday, October 28th drawing because no one matched all the winning numbers in the Friday, October 24th drawing.

If someone matches all six numbers, they can elect a one-time cash payment of $334.1 million.

There were four Mega Millions winners this year. The most recent winner was from Virginia, who won a $348 million jackpot on June 27th. Before that, on April 18th, an Ohio player won a $112 million jackpot. On March 25th, a lucky ticket holder from Illinois took home $344 million, and earlier this year on January 17th, another winner from Arizona took home $113 million.

Here are the winning numbers for the Mega Millions drawing on Tuesday, October 28, 2025.

Mega Millions winning numbers for 10/28/25

The winning numbers for Tuesday, October 28th drawing are 2, 19, 33, 53, 61 and the Mega Ball is 14.

The lottery winning numbers sponsors are: Jackpocket, USA TODAY Network’s official digital lottery delivery company.

Has anyone won at Mega Millions?

Mega Millions winners will be posted here as soon as they are announced by lottery officials.

To view a list of past winners, go to Visit the Mega Millions website.

How to play Mega Millions

To play Mega Millions, you must purchase a ticket. This can be done at a variety of locations, including local convenience stores, gas stations, and grocery stores. In some states, you can purchase Mega Millions tickets online.

Once you have your ticket, you have to choose six numbers. Five of them are white balls numbered 1-70. The golden mega ball ranges from 1 to 24.

If you’re feeling particularly unlucky or don’t want to go through the hassle of picking, you can request a “quick pick” or “easy pick.” When you use these options, your computer randomly generates numbers.

Mega Millions tickets have built-in multipliers that increase your non-jackpot prize by 2, 3, 4, 5, or 10 times. Previously, players had to pay an extra dollar to add a “Megaplier”.

Where can I buy lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased directly at gas stations, convenience stores, grocery stores, etc. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online Jackpocket, USA TODAY Network’s official digital lottery delivery companythe following states and territories of the United States: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington, DC, and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to select your lottery games and numbers, place your order, view your tickets, and claim your winnings, all from your mobile phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery carrier of USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue from viewer referrals to the Jackpocket Service. Must be 18 years or older, 21 years or older in Arizona, 19 years or older in Nebraska. Not affiliated with any state lottery. Gambling problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (ALL OTHERS). visit jackpocket.com/tos Over the entire period.

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Contact us at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow us at X @fern_cerv_.

Will Sydney Sweeney be the next Bond girl?

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Will Sydney Sweeney be the next Bond girl?

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Sidney Sweeney hasn’t completely ruled out wearing 007.

In an interview with Variety ahead of the screening of “Christie” at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), the “Euphoria” actor was adamant about rumors that she would be the next Bond girl in a future film in the series.

“I can’t do that. I don’t know,” Sweeney said in an interview published on October 27. “To be honest, I don’t know all the Bond rumors.”

Based on the adventures of a secret agent from the British Secret Intelligence Service (MI6), the story revolves around the title character, James Bond. The series, which began with Ian Fleming’s first novel, Casino Royale, in 1953, has spawned numerous film adaptations starring top-notch actors, including Daniel Craig, the final incarnation of Agent 007.

Ever since Craig’s reign as Britain’s leading spy ended with 2021’s No Time to Die, executives at Amazon MGM Studios and elsewhere have been determinedly searching for a new Bond who is being “reinvented.”

Sweeney, who is a “huge fan” of the series, is “excited and interested to see what they do with this series.”

See what Sweeney had to say about a possible James Bond interlude.

Sidney Sweeney on James Bond series: ‘It depends on the script’

While the possibility of being involved in future productions is certainly appealing, the “Anyone But You” star said it ultimately “depends on the script.”

Speculation about Sweeney’s involvement in the series began in July, when reports circulated on social media that she was a front-runner to be the next “Bond girl.”

Idris Elba, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and even Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson have been fans on social media since Craig’s exit, and have previously expressed interest in playing Bond.

But one thing she’s sure of is that it’s “more fun” to play James Bond herself.

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