US inflation reaches lowest point in 3 years

WASHINGTON (AP) - Inflation in the United States dropped last month to its lowest point since it first began surging more than three years ago, adding to a spate of encouraging economic news in the closing weeks of the presidential race.

Japan and Australia agree to increase joint military training

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) - Japan and Australia agreed on Thursday to increase joint military training exercises as their government ministers shared concerns over China's recent incursions into Japanese airspace and territorial waters.

5 dead from Hurricane Milton

Hurricane Milton brought powerful winds, a dangerous storm surge and flooding to much of Florida after making landfall along the Gulf Coast as a Category 3 storm. It weakened to a Category 1 storm as it moved through Florida early Thursday.

Pope heads to Papua New Guinea

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) - Pope Francis wrapped up his visit to Indonesia on Friday after celebrating Mass before an overflow crowd of 100,000, a final celebration before heading to Papua New Guinea for the second leg of his 11-day journey through Southeast Asia and Oceania.

Editorials from Washington Post, Wall Street Journal and other major newspapers

An underwater arts district. Health-care workers and patients stranded on hospital rooftops. Isolated residents pointing mirrors at the sky to catch rescue helicopters' attention. The tragic scenes from Hurricane Helene's path of destruction are nothing short of heartbreaking.

Pacific Islands Forum becomes a global draw

NUKU’ALOFA, Tonga (AP) - As leaders of Pacific nations were welcomed to their annual meeting in Nuku'alofa, Tonga, on Monday, they were greeted first by torrential rain and then by an earthquake.