AP Trending SummaryBrief at 11:25 a.m. EST

At least 12 people killed and dozens hurt in crashes on a foggy Bulgarian motorway, minister says SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — Thick fog on a motorway in eastern Bulgaria has caused two major crashes, killing at least 12 people and injuring dozens more. Health Minister Katya Ivkova says the accidents happened Tuesday on the road linking Sofia with the Black Sea port of Burgas. The crashes involved 86 vehicles, including many heavy trucks, and forced the road's closure in both directions. Police have launched an investigation, citing reduced visibility, wet road surfaces, and unsuitable speeds as initial causes. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen adjusted her schedule after Prime Minister Rumen Radev left her to head to the scene. British comedian and children's author David Walliams accused of sexual misconduct LONDON (AP) — British children's author and comedian David Walliams is facing allegations of using his fame to groom girls and young women for sex. An investigation by ITV News and the Guardian revealed multiple accusations, including one of sexual assault of a 15-year-old. Walliams has denied the claims, stating, “I am not a sexual predator.” He unsuccessfully sought a court injunction to prevent publication, citing mental health concerns. The case raises questions about public figures' privacy rights and media reporting. HarperCollins decided last year not to publish new titles by Walliams, who has sold over 60 million copies worldwide. Anthropic seeks valuation of about $1.3 trillion when it becomes a publicly traded company Artificial intelligence giant Anthropic is looking for an approximately $1.3 trillion valuation in its initial public offering. The company behind the Claude chatbot said in a regulatory filing on Tuesday that it will sell 825 million shares priced between $70 and $78 a share. That would give Anthropic the ability to raise more than $61 billion, if the IPO is priced at the midpoint. The San Francisco company is anticipated to make its Wall Street debut this month. Judge dismisses case from Dolly Parton's manager alleging her nephew threatened her estate A Tennessee judge has dismissed a case involving Dolly Parton’s longtime manager and her nephew. The manager, Danny Nozell, initially sought an injunction against Bryan Seaver, Parton's nephew and head of security, alleging he threatened her estate and its employees. Nozell requested the dismissal after reaching an agreement with Seaver. The order allows the case to be filed again if needed. Seaver's lawyers state he deeply cares about Parton’s legacy. The dismissal ends a public rift that began while Parton was ill and continued after her death in August. Details about the agreement remain undisclosed. Texas man accused of cruise ship murder had argued with woman in their cabin, FBI says A 48-year-old man is detained on a murder allegation in connection with the death of woman aboard a cruise ship off Texas. The FBI says Jason Watford, of Tyler, Texas, told agents that he struck and choked the woman Sunday night aboard the MSC Seascape after it had left Galveston. A criminal complaint says Watford told authorities that he snapped during an argument with the victim. Watford is scheduled to make an initial appearance in federal court in Galveston on Tuesday afternoon. It's not clear if he has a lawyer who could respond to the allegations. The towering vessel can host nearly 5,900 guests and has more than 1,600 crew. 'The End of Everything’ by M. John Harrison wins the 2026 Booker Prize for fiction LONDON (AP) — British science fiction writer M. John Harrison has won the prestigious Booker Prize for his novel "The End of Everything." The book, set on England’s Channel coast in the near future, explores themes of catastrophe and apocalypse. It centers on a beachcomber who discovers a mysterious artifact after society is shattered by an unspecified calamity. The judges praised the novel for its ambition and expert writing, noting its reflection of current political anxieties. Harrison, 81, is the oldest winner of the Booker Prize, which is open to English-language novels published in the U.K. and Ireland. 'Godzilla Minus Zero' stomps to a record-setting $31.6 debut, clobbering 'The Cat in the Hat' NEW YORK (AP) — “Godzilla Minus Zero” stomped into movie theaters with a chart-topping $31.6 million over the weekend, scoring a record debut for a foreign-language film at the North American box office. Takashi Yamazaki‘s “Godzilla Minus One” sequel easily thrashed Warner Bros.' animated “The Cat in the Hat.” That film, featuring the voice of Bill Hader, opened with $20.5 million. Third place went to Angel Studios’ “Drummer Boy,” with $9.3 million on its opening weekend. The Oscar-contending “Wild Horse Nine” notched Martin McDonagh's best opening weekend, with $6 million. The weekend also saw the widest North American release for an Indian film. The Hindi epic “Ramayana: Rise of a Legend” launched with $12.2 million domestically and $32 million in India. Mike Tirico will miss NBC's Sunday night game in Chicago because of health issue CHICAGO (AP) — NBC broadcaster Mike Tirico will miss Sunday night’s game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Chicago Bears because of a health issue. “Unfortunately, I will have to miss tonight’s game in Chicago due to a health issue,” Tirico said in a statement released by NBC. “I look forward to watching tonight and can’t wait to be back with Cris (Collinsworth), Melissa (Stark) and the rest of our SNF team next Sunday night in Cincinnati.” Noah Eagle will replace Tirico in the booth. Can't make heads or tails of it: A coin flip decides playoff spots for high school teams in Oklahoma SEMINOLE, Okla. (AP) — So, you think your team got a bad deal when the College Football Playoff rankings came out? Imagine how Oklahoma’s Gore High School coach Nathan McCurley must have been feeling Saturday morning. His team’s season ended in the parking lot of a catfish restaurant on a coin flip right around midnight. After Friday night’s action in District A-II-3, Gore, Liberty and Central Sallisaw finished in a three-way tie for the league’s last two playoff spots. The tie could not be broken using head-to-head matchups or point differential, so it ended up being a matter of heads or tails. The coins went in the air. McCurley’s came up heads. The other two coaches’ came up tails and Gore was headed home for the season. Tesla’s Cybertruck heads for an exit after years of hype and division NEW YORK (AP) — Tesla’s Cybertruck, the hulking, stainless-steel pickup that inspired devotion and derision with its science-fiction looks, will cease production next year. CEO Elon Musk announced the model’s demise Friday with a curt post on X, his social media site, simply noting production of the vehicle “will be winding down” around the middle of 2027 at its facility outside Austin, Texas. Musk said the move was to allow increased production of its Cybercab robotaxi. More from this section Business Killeen resident advocates for data centers to boost local economy, workforce Nov 8, 2026 Local News New city manager will be tested immediately with several new and ongoing problems Nov 8, 2026 Education ‘Intensely personal’: Former EHS principal Marvin Rainwater discusses potential Ellison closure Nov 8, 2026 Texas How gas prices have changed in Texarkana in the last week Updated Nov 9, 2026 Inside Killeen Podcast