AP News Summary at 3:46 p.m. EDT

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Nearly three dozen trucks entered Gaza in the largest aid convoy since the war between Israel and Hamas began, but humanitarian workers say the assistance still falls desperately short of needs after thousands of people broke into warehouses to take flour and basic hygiene products. Meanwhile, the Gaza Health Ministry said Sunday that the death toll among Palestinians passed 8,000 as Israeli tanks and infantry pursued what Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called a “second stage” in the war ignited by Hamas’ brutal Oct. 7 incursion. The toll is without precedent in decades of Israeli-Palestinian violence. Over 1,400 people have died on the Israeli side, mainly civilians killed during the initial attack.

Internet, phone service gradually return after vanishing for most of Gaza amid heavy bombardment

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Two days after cellular and internet service abruptly vanished for most of Gaza amid a heavy Israeli bombardment, the crowded enclave came back online as communications systems were gradually restored. That’s a welcome development for Gaza following a communications blackout that began late Friday as Israel expanded ground operations and launched intense airstrikes that illuminated the night sky with furious orange flashes. A rare few Palestinians with international SIM cards or satellite phones took it upon themselves to get the news out. By Sunday morning, though, phone and internet communications had been restored to many people in Gaza.

Thousands rally in Pakistan against Israel’s bombing in Gaza, chanting anti-American slogans

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Thousands of supporters from Pakistan’s main religious political party have rallied in the capital, Islamabad, against Israel’s bombing of Palestinians in Gaza. They chanted anti-American slogans that accused the U.S. of “backing the aggressor.” Jamaat-e-Islami planned to march to the U.S. Embassy on Sunday in the city’s high-security diplomatic enclave, but changed its plan after police detained the local leadership and many supporters. The embassy issued an advisory for American citizens living in the capital and the surrounding area to “limit unnecessary travel on Sunday” and to avoid areas where large gatherings could take place.

Residents of Maine gather to pray and reflect, days after a mass shooting left 18 people dead

LEWISTON, Maine (AP) — The worst mass shooting in the state’s history occurred on Wednesday night, when 40-year-old Robert Card of Bowdoin allegedly opened fire at a bowling alley and then a bar.  For many of Maine’s residents, Sunday was a day to reflect, mourn and, for some, take the first tentative steps toward normalcy. Some 18 people were killed and 13 were injured in the attack. The Rev. Daniel Greenleaf began services at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Lewiston with a moment of silence. At Lisbon Falls Baptist Church, the mood was upbeat as church members arrived and greeted each other. But the atmosphere became somber when the Rev. Brian Ganong referenced the tragedy. Investigators are still searching for a motive.

Hurricane Otis death toll rises to 43, missing now number 36 as search and recovery work continues

ACAPULCO, Mexico (AP) — The governor of Mexico’s hard-hit Guerrero state has raised the toll to 43 dead from Hurricane Otis, which struck the country’s southern Pacific coast days earlier as a fierce Category 5 storm. The official, Evelyn Salgado, said Sunday on social media that the number of missing also had risen, now up to 36 from 10 a day earlier. Otis roared ashore early Wednesday with devastating 165 mph winds after strengthening so rapidly people had little time to prepare. Families on Sunday were burying the dead and still searching for essentials as government workers and volunteers cleared muddied and debris-filled streets.

Matthew Perry, Emmy-nominated ‘Friends’ star, dead at 54

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Matthew Perry, who starred as Chandler Bing in the hit series “Friends,” has died. He was 54. Coroner’s records show the Emmy-nominated actor was found dead at his Los Angeles home on Saturday.  An investigation into how Perry died is ongoing and it may take weeks before his cause of death is determined. Several media outlets reported Perry was found dead in a hot tub. Perry’s 10 seasons on “Friends” made him one of Hollywood’s most recognizable actors, starring opposite Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, Lisa Kudrow and David Schwimmer as a friend group in New York.

How extreme weather in the US may have affected the pumpkins you picked this year for Halloween

Hudson, CO. (AP) — Some pumpkin farmers in the West, particularly wholesalers in places like Colorado and New Mexico, are feeling the pinching effects of drought. Farmers have had to rely on dwindling water for irrigation while battling wacky weather to get their crops planted on time. Some have cut back on other crops they grow because pumpkins bring in the most money, while others have described lower yields of smaller gourds. Still, pumpkins in major-producing places like Illinois are doing okay. Issues in the West are a reminder that all crops suffer when water becomes more scarce — and that other challenges, like labor and inflation, are stymieing farmers across the board, resulting in higher prices at the grocery store or pumpkin patch.

Shooting kills 2 and injures 18 victims in Florida street with hundreds of people nearby

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Police in Florida say a fight between two groups turned deadly when a shooting in a city street resulted in two deaths and 18 people hospitalized. Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw says officers responded to the shooting just before 3 a.m. on the 1600 block of East 7th Avenue in the Ybor City area. Bercaw says the fight occurred in an area with several bars and there were large numbers of late night revelers in the area at the time. Investigators believe there were at least two shooters involved. Bercaw says one suspect has turned himself in to police.

AP Top 25: Oklahoma slips to No. 10; Kansas, K-State enter poll; No. 1 UGA and top 5 hold steady

Oklahoma dropped four spots to No. 10 after being upset by Kansas, the top five teams held their places and the Jayhawks and rival Kansas State both entered The Associated Press college football poll. Georgia is No. 1 for the 20th straight week, receiving 48 of 63 first-place votes, distancing itself from No. 2 Michigan. The Wolverines, who were off Saturday after a week of being in the news for an NCAA sign-stealing investigation, received nine first-place votes. No. 3 Ohio State and No. 4 Florida State each received three first-place votes. No. 5 Washington stayed a spot ahead of Pac-12 rival Oregon.

Boys graduate high school at lower rates than girls, with lifelong consequences

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Girls consistently are outperforming boys, graduating at higher rates at public high schools around the country. Students, educators and researchers say there are several reasons why boys are falling short. Men generally can earn the same wages as women with less education. But boys also are more likely to face suspensions or other discipline knocking them off track. Over the long term, lacking a high school degree can hold men back. Studies show young men who drop out of high school earn less over their lifetimes and are more likely to end up in jail.