Israel says Hamas hands over '2 coffins of deceased hostages' from Gaza
CAIRO (AP) — Israel says Hamas has handed over “two coffins of deceased hostages” from Gaza. The handover took place late Saturday local time. The names of the hostages were not immediately released. The militant group over the past week had handed over the remains of 10 of the 28 dead hostages left in Gaza. It’s a key step in the ceasefire meant to end two years of war. Israel’s government says it wants Hamas to hand over the remains more quickly. Hamas says the devastation, unexploded ordnance and Israeli military control of some areas in Gaza is hampering the process.
US will send survivors of strike on suspected drug vessel back to Ecuador and Colombia, Trump says
WASHINGTON (AP) — The two survivors of an American military strike on a suspected drug-carrying vessel in the Caribbean will be sent to Ecuador and Colombia, their home countries. That's according to a social media post by President Donald Trump. The military rescued the pair after striking a submersible vessel Thursday, in what was at least the sixth such attack since early September. The repatriation avoids questions for the Trump administration about what the legal status of the two would have been in the U.S. justice system. Colombian President Gustavo Petro confirmed later Saturday on X that the Colombian man who was detained aboard was home and would be prosecuted. The press office for Ecuador’s government said it wasn't immediately aware of repatriation plans.
'No Kings' protests against Trump bring a street party vibe to cities nationwide
WASHINGTON (AP) — Protesting the direction of the country under President Donald Trump, people gathered in the nation’s capital and communities across the U.S. They're holding “No Kings” demonstrations on Saturday, which the president’s Republican Party is calling “Hate America” rallies. This is the third mass mobilization since Trump’s return to the White House. It comes against the backdrop of a government shutdown that not only has closed federal programs and services, but is testing the core balance of power as organizers warn of a slide toward American authoritarianism. Trump himself is away from Washington at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida.
US warns Hamas planning attack on Palestinian civilians in apparent violation of Gaza ceasefire
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — The U.S. State Department says it has “credible reports” that Hamas could violate the ceasefire with an attack on Palestinian civilians in Gaza. If the attack takes place, it “would constitute a direct and grave violation” of the agreement forged by President Donald Trump to end the two-year war between Israel and Hamas, according to government officials. No further details were disclosed about the potential attack. The State Department said that “should Hamas proceed with this attack, measures will be taken to protect the people of Gaza and preserve the integrity of the ceasefire.”
Shutdown impact: What it means for workers, federal programs and the economy
WASHINGTON (AP) — The federal government shutdown is approaching the second longest on record and there's no end in sight. Some lawmakers predict it could surpass the 35-day shutdown from President Donald Trump’s first term. The nation’s 1.3 million active-duty service members have gotten a temporary reprieve. But hundreds of thousands of federal civilian employees are being furloughed and facing financial stress. The travel economy is taking a big hit with tourist sites such as Smithsonian museums in the nation's capital closed. There have been air controller shortages in some cities and flight delays. The longer the shutdown lasts, the more it could be a drag on the economy.
Trump's immigration crackdown weighs heavy on the US labor market
President Donald Trump’s sweeping crackdown on immigration is throwing foreigners out of work and shaking the American economy and job market. And it’s happening at a time when hiring is already deteriorating amid uncertainty over Trump’s erratic trade policies. Immigrants do jobs – cleaning houses, picking cotton, painting fences – that most native-born Americans won’t. They also bring the technical skills and entrepreneurial energy that have helped make the United States the world’s economic superpower. Trump is attacking immigration at both ends of spectrum, deporting low-wage laborers and discouraging skilled foreigners from bringing their talents to the United States.
Burning ship loaded with gas abandoned in Gulf of Aden off Yemen as 1 mariner missing
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A Cameroonian-flagged ship has caught fire in the Gulf of Aden off Yemen. At least one mariner was missing Saturday and another still likely abroad the burning tanker after the rest of the crew abandoned the vessel. British and European Union officials offered differing opinions about what sparked the blaze aboard the Falcon, with the British suggesting a projectile hit it while the EU said it appeared to be “an accident.” They warned ships in the area the vessel could explode as it was “fully loaded” with liquefied petroleum gas. Yemen's Houthi rebels have been attacking ships in the area.
GOP's immigration pitch to New Jersey Latinos aims for some distance from Trump in governor’s race
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Jack Ciattarelli has been endorsed by Donald Trump in next month's New Jersey governor's election and is a strong supporter of the Republican president and his agenda. But the former business owner and state legislator is also diverging Trump on the key issue of immigration. Ciattarelli says he'd back a “pathway to recognition” for some people who are living in New Jersey illegally. Ciattarelli is hoping to make inroads with Latino voters. It's an important group of voters in the November election against Democrat Mikie Sherrill, a four-term congresswoman.
One scandal too many forces UK monarchy to sideline Prince Andrew after years of tabloid fodder
Prince Andrew has been banished from the royal whirl after emails emerged this week showing that he had remained in contact with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein longer than he previously admitted. The House of Windsor has finally moved to insulate the monarchy from years of tawdry headlines about Andrew’s dodgy friends and suspicious business deals. Buckingham Palace on Friday released a statement from Andrew saying that he had agreed to give up use of his last remaining royal titles so that continued allegations about him “don’t distract from the work of His Majesty.”
