The first car made during Soviet-era Poland goes on display 73 years later
OTREBUSY, Poland (AP) -- The very first car produced in Soviet-era Poland after World War II has gone on display near Warsaw after it was tracked down in Finland during decades of searching and acquired after years of negotiations. The chunky 1951 Warszawa M-20 bears the serial number 000001 it had when it left the FSO Passenger Car Factory in Warsaw on Nov. 6 of that year, exactly 73 years ago. The car was first given to the Soviet army marshal Konstantin Rokossovsky, who served as Poland's defense minister. Museum owners say it eventually was discovered in the possession of the family of Finnish rally car driver Rauno Aaltonen, though the car's history in between remains unclear.
Hurricane Rafael becomes a Category 2 storm as it barrels toward Cuba
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) -- Hurricane Rafael has strengthened into a Category 2 storm just hours before it was forecast to make landfall on Wednesday in western Cuba.. It was another stroke of bad news for Cuba. The Caribbean country has been struggling with blackouts while recovering from another hurricane two weeks ago that killed at least six people in the eastern part of the island. Forecasters warned that Rafael is expected to slam into the island on Wednesday after dumping rain on Jamaica and the Cayman Islands on Tuesday. The center warned of floods and mudslides.
Record-high pollution sickens thousands in Pakistan's cultural capital of Lahore
LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) -- Record-high air pollution in Pakistan's cultural capital of Lahore is sending more people to hospitals and private clinics and the city authorities warned a complete lockdown could be imminent if residents fail to don face masks and follow other guidance related to smog. Lahore has a population of 14 million but most of the people seen on its streets on Wednesday were overwhelmingly without masks. Doctors say most people are complaining of either having a cough or that they feel their eyes are burning. Lahore's air-quality index has hit a record high of over 1,100. Anything over 300 is considered hazardous to health. A toxic smog has shrouded the city since last month.
It's not official yet but Mount Fuji gets its trademark snowcap after the longest delay in 130 years
TOKYO (AP) -- Japan's Mount Fuji has finally got its trademark snowcap, more than a month after it normally would, after setting a record for the most-delayed snowfall in 130 years. The first snowfall on Mt. Fuji, a UNESCO World Heritage site, could be seen early on Wednesday from the southwestern side of the mountain. That's according to the Shizuoka branch of the Japan Meteorological Agency. But the JMA's Kofu Local Meteorological Office, which is on the other side of the mountain and has been in charge of making the announcement since 1984, still could not see the snow due to cloudy weather -- meaning it's not official yet.
Woman accusing Conor McGregor of sexual assault testifies in court at start of civil case
DUBLIN (AP) -- A woman accusing Conor McGregor of sexually assaulting her in a Dublin hotel in 2018 has testified in an Irish court at the start of a civil case seeking financial damages against the mixed martial arts star. McGregor was at the High Court in Dublin for the beginning of a case that is expected to last around two weeks. The civil action was filed in 2021. McGregor and another man, James Lawrence, are the defendants. A spokesperson for McGregor has previously denied the allegations, saying the Irish police had investigated and declined to bring criminal charges.
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani has surgery to repair labrum tear in shoulder after World Series injury
SAN ANTONIO (AP) -- Shohei Ohtani had arthroscopic surgery on Tuesday to repair a labrum tear in his left shoulder, following an injury the Los Angeles Dodgers star suffered during Game 2 of the World Series on Oct. 26. The Dodgers say the Japanese two-way player is expected to be ready for spring training in February. Ohtani injured his nonthrowing shoulder while sliding into second base on a stolen base attempt, which resulted in a shoulder dislocation. He returned to play the next three games, helping the Dodgers beat the Yankees in five games to win the championship. The surgery was performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles.
Oregon gets top billing in College Football Playoff's opening rankings, Ohio St 2nd and Georgia 3rd
Undefeated Oregon got top billing in the first set of rankings on the road to college football's new, 12-team playoff. A 13-member selection panel released its first top-25 list, and saw what most of the country has seen this year -- that with a 9-0 record, five wins in the Big Ten by three touchdowns or more, and a key victory over Ohio State, coach Dan Lanning's Ducks are the best in the country. Ohio State was ranked second, Georgia third and Miami fourth in the first of six weekly polls the committee will release.
76ers' Joel Embiid is suspended by the NBA for three games for shoving a newspaper columnist
NEW YORK (AP) -- Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid has been suspended by the NBA for three games without pay for shoving a member of the media. Embiid's suspension will begin with the next regular-season game for which he is eligible and able to play. The 2023 NBA MVP has yet to play this season because of what the 76ers call left knee management. Embiid shouted at and eventually shoved a newspaper columnist in a locker room altercation Saturday night. He took issue with Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Marcus Hayes, who mentioned the seven-time All-Star's late brother and his son -- both named Arthur -- in columns questioning Embiid's professionalism and effort not being in shape after playing in the Paris Olympics.
Influencer is banned from future NYC marathons for bringing a camera crew to last weekend's race
NEW YORK (AP) -- A social media influencer from Texas was disqualified from last weekend's New York City Marathon and banned from future competitions after running the race with a camera crew on e-bikes in tow. New York Road Runners, which organizes the race, says Matthew Choi on Sunday violated the group's code of conduct and competition rules, not to mention those of running's international governing body. The 29-year-old from Austin, Texas, finished the course in under three hours. Choi didn't immediately respond to a Tuesday email seeking comment, but he was apologetic on his Instagram account and said he would not appeal the lifetime ban.