Hurricane Lala skirts Hawaii's Big Island without making landfall as heavy wind, rain lash region
Hurricane Lala has skirted Hawaii’s Big Island without making landfall and is expected to weaken after lashing the region with strong winds and drenching rain. The eye of the storm passed the island's southern tip without making landfall. The National Hurricane Center says the powerful storm is expected to weaken. Lala’s maximum sustained winds increased to 75 mph (120 kph), the hurricane center reported, making it a Category 1 hurricane. The Big Island is Hawaii’s largest and has a population of about 210,000.
At least 6 people have died from days of storms and record-setting flooding in Indiana
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (AP) — Indiana public safety officials say at least six people have died during days of storms and historic flooding in the state. Liz Woods, a spokesperson for the state Department of Homeland Security, said Sunday that a 4-year-old boy, two men and three women had died. Indianapolis officials said flooding from the White River peaked early Sunday, and floodwaters were expected to hold for a few hours before receding. The National Weather Service said heavy rain and flash flooding were still possible across portions of the central part of the state, including Indianapolis, on Sunday morning and again at night.
Kushner has a rare meeting with Hamas' leader on the Gaza road map. A meeting with Netanyahu is next
CAIRO (AP) — U.S. negotiator Jared Kushner has held a rare meeting with the Hamas chief in Egypt in a push to make progress on the stalled Gaza ceasefire. Officials from mediating countries Egypt, Qatar and Turkey also attended Sunday's meeting. The talks aim to salvage a new U.S.-backed road map for Hamas disarmament and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the plan last week, defying the Trump administration. Sources say Kushner, Tony Blair and Nickolay Mladenov will meet with Netanyahu on Monday. Regional powers have condemned Israel's rejection of the road map and urged immediate action to implement the plan.
Top US commander visits aircraft carrier, Gaza talks in Egypt and other Mideast news
The top U.S. military commander in the Middle East has visited the long-deployed USS Lincoln in the Arabian Sea. Meanwhile, U.S. negotiator Jared Kushner has held a rare meeting with the Hamas leader about the Gaza ceasefire before visiting Israel and meeting with its prime minister. The 60-day negotiating period set by the interim agreement between the U.S. and Iran is ending. Iran again alleges that Qatar is holding three of its downed pilots. And a new Israeli strike in Gaza has wounded five people including a child.
Rescuers in Indonesia recover 6 more bodies in earthquake aftermath, raising death toll to 53
RUTENG, Indonesia (AP) — Rescue teams in eastern Indonesia have recovered six more bodies after a magnitude-7.7 earthquake struck the day before, bringing the death toll to 53. Thousands have been displaced. The U.S. Geological Survey said the powerful quake hit the Flores region at a depth of 6 miles on Saturday. Residents fled in panic as tsunami warnings were issued and later lifted. At least 995 aftershocks followed, authorities said. Rescuers are digging through debris on Sunday, focusing on three regencies that were inaccessible after the quake. More than 900 homes were destroyed, forcing about 5,000 people into temporary shelters. Relief workers are distributing aid, but restoring electricity and communications remains challenging.
US pulls last aircraft carrier in Asia as Trump focuses on Iran and the Western Hemisphere
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s war against Iran is stretching the limits of the nation’s aircraft carriers and leaving the western Pacific without one of the key American warships. The USS George Washington is departing the Pacific and heading toward the Middle East. It's expected to relieve the USS Abraham Lincoln after its extended deployment has raised concerns about mental health and supply issues aboard. The lack of a carrier in the Pacific may be short-lived. But it shows how the Trump administration is further retreating from the Asia-Pacific region and focusing on the Western Hemisphere.
Colombian president asks Trump to suspend tariffs to help earthquake recovery
BOGOTÁ, Colombia (AP) — Colombia's President Abelardo de la Espriella has asked U.S. President Donald Trump to suspend tariffs to help Colombia recover from a devastating earthquake. The 7.4 magnitude quake struck Monday, killing at least 289 people and injuring nearly 4,000. De la Espriella, who took office earlier this month, emphasized his connections with Trump, thanking him for $26.5 million in U.S. aid. The quake destroyed thousands of homes, including in western cities like Pereira and Cali. The government declared it a natural disaster, with at least143 people missing and extensive damage reported. Rescue efforts continue despite the challenging conditions.
Republicans won the redistricting competition. Don't tell that to this California congressman
LINCOLN, Calif. (AP) — The national redistricting competition between the parties means California's conservative voters are going through the same thing as Democratic voters in Republican strongholds. California Republicans are seeing their House districts split up to make new ones more friendly for Democrats. They feel their vote may not matter as much in November. Kevin Kiley is one California congressman targeted in the Democratic effort. Kiley is now in a more competitive district. He left the Republican Party and is running as an independent who opposed partisan redistricting. Democrats contend the switch is a political trick. And they note Kiley still caucuses with Republicans and is backed by some of their political groups.
Democrats' 2028 presidential calendar gives Black and Latino voters and union members an early say
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Democrats seeking the party’s presidential nomination in 2028 will need to prove themselves early on in states where Black and Latino voters and union members are key supporters. An election-year calendar approved Saturday makes South Carolina’s primary the first, followed by Nevada. New Hampshire, New Mexico, Michigan and Virginia round out the early states, throughout February 2028. The primary lineup endorsed by the Democratic National Committee pushes Iowa from the traditional top spot. Some potential candidates in what is expected to be a large field have visited early-voting states such as South Carolina. Party leaders have said the order gives candidates the best shot at winning back the White House.
Tommy John, namesake for a pioneering elbow surgery that saved his career, dead at 83
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Tommy John, the pitching great known for the surgery that bears his name, has died at 83. According to his agent Mike Maguire, he died at his home in Bradenton, Florida, on Saturday night. John had a remarkable 26-year career, winning 288 games and becoming the first pitcher to successfully return after groundbreaking elbow surgery. This procedure, now known as Tommy John surgery, has saved the careers of many baseball stars. John was a four-time All-Star and played for several teams, including the Yankees and Dodgers. His legacy extends beyond his pitching, as his surgery revolutionized baseball.
