TROPICAL WEATHER

PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico — Hurricane Patricia pushes inland over a mountainous region of isolated hamlets, weakening from record-breaking strength but still powerful as it dumps torrential rains that authorities warn could cause deadly floods and mudslides. 

UNITED NATIONS AT 70

UNITED NATIONS — More than 200 landmarks in 60 countries from the Pyramids in Egypt to the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the Empire State Building in New York will be lit up in blue — the official color of the United Nations— on Saturday to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the world body.

TROPICAL WEATHER-STRENGTH

WASHINGTON — Hurricane Patricia zoomed from tropical storm to record-beater in 30 hours thanks to just the right mix of conditions: plenty of warm water providing energy, air much moister than usual giving another boost and a lack of disruptive crosswinds. 

PRESIDENTIAL RACE-PIVOTAL WEEK

WASHINGTON — The presidential race became a tale of two parties on different trajectories after a pivotal week: Hillary Rodham Clinton tightened her grip on the Democratic nomination while Republican concern is reaching new heights, with some officials considering an effort to stop Donald Trump — with no fallback option. 

UNITED STATES-INDONESIA

WASHINGTON — Indonesia's leader is making his first official U.S. visit since sweeping to power a year ago. It's a chance to build a rapport with an American president with personal ties to his country, and to persuade American companies that he'll make it easier to invest in Southeast Asia's biggest economy. 

IRAQ HOSTAGE RESCUE

WASHINGTON — The U.S. soldier fatally wounded in a hostage rescue mission in Iraq heroically inserted himself into a firefight to defend Kurdish soldiers, even though the plan called for the Kurds to do the fighting, Defense Secretary Ash Carter says.