Former Jets center Nick Mangold dies at 41, less than 2 weeks after announcing he had kidney disease
The New York Jets have announced the death of former center Nick Mangold at age 41. Mangold died from complications of kidney disease on Saturday night, less than two weeks after he revealed on social media that he needed a kidney transplant and was seeking a donor. Diagnosed with a genetic defect in 2006, Mangold had been on dialysis. Jets owner Woody Johnson described him as a legendary player and beloved teammate. Mangold, a seven-time Pro Bowl selection, was enshrined in the Jets’ ring of honor in 2022. He is survived by his wife and four children.
By the Numbers: Why trick-or-treaters may bag more gummy candy than chocolate this Halloween
Trick-or-treaters may find more fruity candy than chocolate among their Halloween handouts this year. Younger consumers have also been gravitating toward non-chocolate candies like gummies, drawn by their bright colors and innovative flavors.. Global cocoa prices more than quadrupled between January 2023 and January 2025 due to poor harvests in West Africa, where 70% of cocoa is produced. Chocolate candy is lot more expensive as a result. In the 12 weeks ending Oct. 5, chocolate Halloween candy cost an average of $8.02 per pound in the U.S. while non-chocolate candy cost an average of $5.77 per pound, according to the market research company Circana. Younger consumers have also been gravitating toward non-chocolate candies like gummies, drawn by their bright colors and innovative flavors.
Why the time difference between the US and Europe will be one hour shorter this week
LONDON (AP) — Every October, there's a week when Europe and the U.S. are out of sync with daylight saving time, potentially confusing people organizing international meetings. Most countries don't observe daylight saving time, but those that do, like Europe and North America, change clocks on different dates. In the U.K. and Europe, clocks go back on the last Sunday in October. In the U.S. and Canada, it's the first Sunday in November. This creates a temporary one-hour change in the time difference between London and New York, for example. The idea of daylight saving time dates back centuries but became law in many countries in the early 20th century.
Picasso portrait of muse Dora Maar in vivid hat, long hidden from view, sells for 32 million euros
PARIS (AP) — A long-hidden Picasso portrait of muse Dora Maar has sold for 32 million euros at an auction in Paris. The vividly hued portrait had remained out of view for more than eight decades in a family collection. Auctioneer Christophe Lucien called Friday's sale to a buyer in the room “an enormous success." Painted in July 1943, “Bust of a Woman with a Flowered Hat (Dora Maar)” depicts Maar in a brightly colored floral hat. She had been the artist’s muse for about seven years, and the relationship was coming to a painful close. The work was purchased in 1944 and had not been on the market since.
Sports betting is a booming business. The FBI's NBA probe is putting it in the spotlight
NEW YORK (AP) — The stunning indictment that led to the arrest of more than 30 people — including Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and other NBA figures — has drawn new scrutiny of the booming business of sports betting in the U.S. The multibillion-dollar industry has made it easy for sports fans — and even some players — to wager on everything from the outcome of games to that of a single play with just a few taps of a cellphone. But regulating the rapidly-growing industry has proven to be a challenge. Professional sports leagues’ own role in promoting gambling has also raised eyebrows.
King Charles III prays with pope in historic visit, a welcome respite from royal troubles at home
VATICAN CITY (AP) — King Charles III and Queen Camilla have visited the Vatican to pray with Pope Leo XIV. This historic meeting aims to strengthen ties between the Church of England and the Catholic Church. The event on Thursday marked the first time since the Reformation that the heads of these two churches have prayed together. The visit comes amid renewed scrutiny of the British royal family over Prince Andrew’s ties with Jeffrey Epstein. Charles' and Camilla’s visit had been planned for earlier in the year but was rescheduled after Pope Francis's illness and death. The meeting included discussions on ecological sustainability, a priority for both Charles and the Vatican.
Microsoft hopes Mico succeeds where Clippy failed as tech companies warily imbue AI with personality
Remember Clippy? Microsoft's infamous paper clip assistant might have been before its time. The software giant has introduced a new AI character called Mico (pronounced MEE'koh), designed to embody its Copilot virtual assistant. Mico, a floating cartoon face shaped like a flame or blob, aims to balance personality with functionality. This launch comes as AI developers navigate how to present chatbots in an engaging way without causing harm or annoyance. Unlike Clippy, which Microsoft pushed on desktop computer users at the turn of the 21st century, Mico is also easy to turn off.
Taylor Swift, LL Cool J, Kenny Loggins and David Byrne are among Songwriters Hall of Fame nominees
NEW YORK (AP) — Taylor Swift, Kenny Loggins, LL Cool J, Pink, Sarah McLachlan and Talking Heads’ David Byrne are among the impressive list of nominees for the 2026 Songwriters Hall of Fame class. It is an eclectic mix of pop, hip-hop, folk and rock innovators. Charlotte Caffey, Kathy Valentine and Jane M. Wiedlin of The Go-Go’s, Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings of The Guess Who, Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell of America are also nominated. Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of the glam rock band Kiss are also on the list of nominees. Eligible voting members have until midnight Eastern on Dec. 4 to turn in ballots.
Drew Brees and Larry Fitzgerald lead the pack for 2026 Hall of Fame
Quarterback Drew Brees and receiver Larry Fitzgerald have advanced to the next stage of consideration for the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class in their first year of eligibility. Six other players in their first year of eligibility have also advanced from the original list of 128 modern-era nominees to the 52 that will be considered by the full selection committee. The full 50-member selection committee will reduce the list to 25 and then 15 finalists, who will be voted on by the committee before the Super Bowl in February. Brees and Fitzgerald are the top new candidates this year.
