A divided Israel marks 2 years since Oct. 7 attack as war in Gaza grinds on and hostages languish
REIM, Israel (AP) — Israelis are mourning the dead and fearing for the remaining hostages as they mark two years since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack plunged the region into a devastating war. Meanwhile, Israel and Hamas are conducting indirect negotiations in Egypt. The main memorial ceremony is being organized by bereaved families, not the government, reflecting deep divisions over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s leadership, which many blame for the failure to secure a ceasefire that would free the hostages. Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed tens of thousands of people and razed entire towns and cities in the Gaza Strip, where those who can are fleeing another Israeli invasion of Gaza City.
Chicago and Illinois sue to stop Trump’s Guard deployment plan after Portland ruling
CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois and Chicago have filed a lawsuit aiming to stop President Donald Trump's administration from sending hundreds of National Guard troops to Chicago. Trump moved to deploy National Guard troops from another city on Saturday by authorizing 300 troops to protect federal officers and assets in Chicago. Trump has long threatened to send troops to Chicago, but it was not immediately clear when or exactly where they would be deployed. The lawsuit was filed Monday, just as troops prepared to deploy and just hours after a federal judge blocked their deployment to Portland, Oregon.
What we know about National Guard deployments in Chicago and Portland
Illinois has followed California and Oregon in filing lawsuits to stop President Donald Trump from deploying National Guard troops to Democrat-led big cities. A lawsuit filed Monday by Illinois and Chicago alleges that Trump’s authorization to deploy 300 troops to Chicago is “unlawful and dangerous.” Gov. JB Pritzker says a court hearing is set for Thursday. Trump claims the troops are needed to protect federal immigration enforcement efforts. But a judge on Sunday temporarily blocked the deployment of Guard troops to Oregon hours after Oregon's governor said California National Guard members already had arrived with more on the way and headed to Portland.
Trump says he's open to health care deal but government must reopen first
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump cracked the door slightly to negotiations with Democrats on the health care subsidies they’ve made central to the shutdown fight, then abruptly closed it Monday, leaving the two sides once again at a seemingly intractable impasse. Trump indicated that some talks had begun that could lead to “good things with regard to health care.” But Trump eventually followed up those comments on his social media site to reinforce what GOP leaders in Congress have been saying since the funding lapse began Oct. 1: The shutdown must end. And work on extending the enhanced tax credits for health insurance would take place separately.
The Supreme Court begins a term that will examine Trump's expansive claims of presidential power
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court has opened its new term. The court Monday rejected more than 800 pending appeals, including a challenge by Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein's imprisoned ex-girlfriend. In its first arguments, the court also appeared to be inclined to rule against a criminal defendant from Texas in a case about the constitutional right to a lawyer. A major thrust of the next 10 months is expected to be the justices’ evaluation of President Donald Trump’s claims of presidential power. Pivotal cases on voting and LGBTQ rights also are on the agenda. On Tuesday, the justices will hear arguments over bans passed by many states on therapy aimed at changing sexual orientation or gender identity.
Supreme Court rejects appeal from Ghislaine Maxwell, imprisoned former girlfriend of Jeffrey Epstein
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court has rejected an appeal from Ghislaine Maxwell, the imprisoned ex-girlfriend of Jeffrey Epstein. The justices Monday declined to take up a case that would've renewed attention on the Epstein sexual-abuse saga after President Donald Trump’s administration sought to tamp down criticism over its refusal to publicly release more investigative files. Trump’s Republican administration had urged the high court to stay out of the case. Lawyers for Maxwell argued she never should've been tried or convicted for a role in luring teenage girls to be sexually abused by Epstein. Maxwell is serving 20 years and recently was transferred from a Florida prison to a Texas prison camp.
Democrats could have a slight shot at flipping a US House seat in Utah under a new congressional map
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah’s Republican-led Legislature has approved a revised congressional map that could give Democrats an improved chance at flipping a seat as the party fights to topple the GOP’s slim majority in the U.S. House. But in a state overwhelmingly dominated by Republicans, it remains a long-shot that Democrats could gain a seat in the next election. Republicans currently hold all four of Utah’s House seats. All newly drawn districts still lean Republican. The districts still must be reviewed by a judge, who is expected approve a new map by November. The judge-ordered redraw comes as President Donald Trump has urged other Republican-led states to redistrict ahead of the midterm elections to add winnable seats for the GOP.
Sean 'Diddy' Combs' lawyers want him sent to a New Jersey federal prison that offers drug treatment
NEW YORK (AP) — Sean “Diddy” Combs’ lawyers want the hip-hop mogul sent to a low-security federal prison in New Jersey to serve his four-year, two-month prison sentence. They told a judge Monday that the facility’s drug treatment program will help him stay clean. Combs’ lawyers wrote a letter urging the judge presiding over his case, Arun Subramanian, to “strongly recommend” that the federal Bureau of Prisons place Combs at FCI Fort Dix, a massive prison located on the grounds of the joint military base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.
Blake Snell shines on mound and Dodgers hold off Phillies 4-3 for 2-0 lead in NLDS
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Blake Snell allowed one hit in six shutout innings, striking out nine, and the Los Angeles Dodgers barely turned back Philadelphia’s late rally for a 4-3 victory over the Phillies in Game 2 of their NL Division Series. Freddie Freeman made a game-saving defensive play at first base and Shohei Ohtani delivered an RBI single that helped the Dodgers take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five playoff. Will Smith had a two-run single in a four-run seventh. The defending World Series champs can reach their 17th National League Championship Series with a Game 3 win Wednesday back home in Los Angeles.
Taylor Swift's 'The Life of a Showgirl' breaks record, sells 2.7 million copies in U.S. on first day
NEW YORK (AP) — It’s the life of a saleswoman. Taylor Swift’s 12th studio album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” sold 2.7 million copies in traditional album sales in its first day in the U.S. according to Luminate, an industry data and analytics company. That includes physical and digital formats. That’s impressive for several reasons. Swift has broken her record for most first week sales in one day. “The Life of a Showgirl” has also become the second-largest sales week for any album in the modern era, since Luminate began tracking sales in 1991. That was also accomplished in just one day. The album was released Friday.
