For Japan's new leader, the key to connecting with Trump could be a Ford F-150 truck
TOKYO (AP) — President Donald Trump is heading to Japan where he'll meet new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi for the first time. She's a protege of late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who Trump bonded with over their shared love of golf. It's a critical meeting for Takaichi, who wants to calm trade tensions. Trump has long complained American cars were shut out Japanese markets. So Japan's government has floated the idea of buying a fleet of Ford F-150 trucks to use to inspect roads and infrastructure. Some worry the trucks could clog narrow Japanese streets. But Trump told reporters he likes the idea.
Category 4 Hurricane Melissa threatens catastrophic flooding in Jamaica and Haiti
KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) — Hurricane Melissa is sustaining Category 4 strength and may get stronger while threatening to cause catastrophic flooding in the northern Caribbean, including Haiti and Jamaica. Melissa is expected to move near or over Jamaica early Tuesday then cross Cuba into the southeastern Bahamas through Wednesday. People were being warned that flooding would be widespread and life-threatening from the heavy rainfall and the storm surge on the southern coast. The U.S. National Hurricane Center said Melissa had 145 mph winds late Sunday. It could reach Category 5 strength Monday with winds greater than 157 mph. Rainfall of 30 inches was forecast in Jamaica. Some places in Haiti and the Dominican Republic could see 40 inches.
Trump administration posts notice that no federal food aid will go out Nov. 1
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has posted a notice on its website saying federal food aid will not go out Nov. 1 as the government shutdown drags on. The cutoff would expand the impact of the impasse to some of the Americans most in need unless a resolution is found in just a few days. The notice comes after the Trump administration said it will not tap roughly $5 billion in contingency funds to keep the benefits flowing into November. The Trump administration blames Democrats, who say they won’t agree to reopen the government until Republicans negotiate with them on extending expiring subsidies under the Affordable Care Act.
Flights to Los Angeles International Airport halted due to air traffic controller shortage
The Federal Aviation Administration says flights departing for Los Angeles International Airport were halted briefly due to a staffing shortage at a Southern California air traffic facility. The FAA issued a temporary ground stop at one of the world’s busiest airports on Sunday morning soon after U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy predicted that travelers would see more flights delayed as the nation’s air traffic controllers work without pay during the federal government shutdown. The hold on planes taking off for LAX lasted an hour and 45 minutes and didn't appear to cause continued problems. The FAA said staffing shortages also delayed planes headed to Washington, Chicago and Newark, New Jersey on Sunday.
Russia has tested a new nuclear-capable missile, Putin and top general say
MOSCOW (AP) — Russia has tested a new nuclear-capable cruise missile, moving closer to deploying it, according to President Vladimir Putin. The Burevestnik missile, which has been in development for years, reportedly covered 8,700 miles in a key test last Tuesday. Putin claims the missile has an unlimited range and can evade missile defenses. However, many experts are skeptical, citing potential reliability and environmental concerns. The missile reportedly suffered an explosion in 2019, causing fatalities and a brief spike in radioactivity. Putin has directed preparations for deploying these weapons to Russia's armed forces.
Hamas expands search for the remains of hostages in Gaza
CAIRO (AP) — Hamas says it is expanding its search for the remains of hostages still left in Gaza. Sunday's announcement came a day after Egypt sent a team with heavy equipment to assist in the work. Under the U.S.-brokered ceasefire, Hamas is expected to return all Israeli hostage remains as soon as possible. Israel has agreed to return 15 bodies of Palestinians for each one. U.S. President Donald Trump warned Saturday he was “watching very closely” to ensure Hamas returns more bodies within the next 48 hours. The fragile ceasefire took effect on Oct. 10.
Suspects arrested over the theft of crown jewels from Paris' Louvre museum
PARIS (AP) — Authorities have arrested two suspects in connection with the theft of crown jewels from Paris’ Louvre museum. Officials announced the arrests on Sunday, a week after the daring heist. One suspect was caught at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport while attempting to leave the country. The theft, which took less than eight minutes, involved jewels valued at 88 million euros. Investigators from a special police unit made the arrests. The Louvre reopened earlier this week after the high-profile theft stunned the world. Visitors expressed relief over the arrests, emphasizing the importance of recovering the stolen jewels.
US warship docks in Trinidad and Tobago, putting more pressure on Venezuela
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago (AP) — A U.S. warship has docked in Trinidad and Tobago's capital as the Trump administration increases military pressure on Venezuela and its President Nicolás Maduro. The USS Gravely's arrival Sunday is in addition to the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, which is moving closer to Venezuela. Maduro criticized the movement as a U.S. attempt to fabricate "a new eternal war" against his country. The warship will remain in Trinidad until Thursday for training exercises. The visit comes after a warning from the U.S. Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago for Americans to avoid U.S. government facilities due to a reported threat.
Trump's redistricting push hits roadblocks in Indiana and Kansas as Republican lawmakers resist
Republicans in Indiana and Kansas are resisting pressure from President Donald Trump to redraw congressional districts. Despite the White House push, Republicans in those Midwestern states say they lack the votes to pass new GOP-friendly maps. This resistance is a rare setback for the Republican president as he aims to cement control of the House in the 2026 elections. Indiana's state Senate leader says the chamber doesn't have enough support to redistrict. In Kansas, Republican leaders are struggling to overcome the Democratic governor's opposition to mid-decade redistricting. The pushback reflects a broader debate over fairness and political strategy.
Milei triumphs in Argentine midterm elections closely watched by Washington
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Argentina’s libertarian President Javier Milei has won decisive victories in key districts across the country in midterm elections. He clinches a crucial vote of confidence that strengthens his ability to carry out his radical free-market experiment with billions of dollars in backing from the Trump administration. Milei’s governing party won over 40% of votes Sunday to renew almost half of the lower house of Congress, according to media tallies using numbers from electoral authorities. La Libertad Avanza also swept six of the eight provinces in the vote to renew a third of the Senate. The left-leaning populist opposition movement, known as Peronism, had over 31% of the vote — the alliance’s poorest performance in years.
