Israel halts aid to Gaza 'until further notice' as renewed fighting tests ceasefire
JERUSALEM (AP) — The fragile ceasefire in Gaza is facing its first major test. An Israeli security official says Sunday the transfer of aid into the territory is halted “until further notice” after a Hamas ceasefire violation. And Israeli forces have launched a wave of strikes after two soldiers were killed. A little over a week has passed since the start of the U.S.-proposed ceasefire aimed at ending two years of war. Israel’s military on Sunday said its troops came under fire from Hamas militants in southern Gaza. Hamas denied responsibility. Health officials said at least 29 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli strikes across Gaza.
Trump calls Colombia's Petro an ‘illegal drug leader’ and announces an end to US aid to the country
PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — It's a war of words between President Donald Trump and Colombian leader Gustavo Petro over illegal drugs, with hundreds of millions of dollars in American aid hanging in the balance. Trump says he'll slash U.S. assistance because Colombia's leftist president “does nothing to stop” drug production and is an “illegal drug leader.” Petro is rejecting the accusations and defending his work to fight narcotics in Colombia, the world’s largest exporter of cocaine. Colombia received an estimated $230 million in the U.S. budget year that ended Sept. 30. Meanwhile, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth has announced the latest U.S. strike on a vessel that was allegedly carrying “substantial amounts of narcotics.”
George Santos says he's humbled but dismisses 'pearl clutching' critics
NEW YORK (AP) — Freed from the prison where he had been serving time for ripping off his campaign donors, former U.S. Rep. George Santos says he’s humbled by his experience behind bars. But he says he's also unconcerned about the “pearl clutching” of critics upset that President Donald Trump granted him clemency. Speaking on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Santos said Sunday that if Trump “had pardoned Jesus Christ off the cross, he would have had critics.” Santos won office after inventing a bogus persona as a Wall Street dealmaker. He was serving a 7-year prison sentence for fraud and identity theft when Trump ordered him released him Friday.
State emergency officials say new rules and delays for FEMA grants put disaster response at risk
State emergency management officials say they're facing funding challenges from the federal government that threaten the country's ability to respond to crises. The Trump administration has cut state grants and tied funding to immigration enforcement. And the government shutdown adds to the problem. Last week, a federal judge ordered the Department of Homeland Security to stop linking grants to immigration enforcement. Some states have seen drastic cuts to homeland security grants, leading to a freeze on the entire $1 billion program. Emergency management agencies are delaying hiring and equipment purchases. Experts warn these disruptions could jeopardize preparedness and response to disasters.
How Americans are feeling about their chances on the job market, according to an AP-NORC poll
WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans are increasingly worried about their ability to find a good job under President Donald Trump. That finding from an Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Research poll is a potential warning sign for the Republican president and his party as a promised economic boom is giving way to hiring freezes and higher prices. About half of U.S. adults are “not very confident” or are “not at all confident” they could find a good job if they wanted to. That's up from 37% when the same question was asked two years ago. People also worried about high prices for groceries, housing and gasoline, and rising electricity bills.
Thieves steal crown jewels in 4 minutes from Louvre Museum
PARIS (AP) — Thieves have pulled off a daring heist at the Louvre, stealing priceless Napoleonic jewels. On Sunday, they used a basket lift to access the museum, smashed display cases, and fled with the treasures. The theft happened in the Galerie d’Apollon, where the French Crown Jewels are displayed. Officials say the operation took only four minutes and was carried out by professionals. The Louvre has faced criticism for understaffing and security issues. The museum closed for the rest of Sunday as investigators began their search for clues. The heist has sparked political debate in France.
Bolivia holds a tight runoff as voters seek a president to lift them from crisis
LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) — Bolivians have voted in a presidential runoff between two conservative candidates, marking a shift from nearly 20 years of one-party rule by the Movement Toward Socialism. Voters are choosing between former President Jorge Quiroga and centrist Senator Rodrigo Paz. The country faces its worst economic crisis in decades, with inflation soaring and fuel shortages. Both candidates promise to break from past populist policies. Quiroga seeks immediate economic reforms, while Paz favors a gradual approach. The election outcome could lead to a significant geopolitical shift, potentially improving relations with the United States.
Pope gives Venezuela reason to celebrate by canonizing its beloved 'doctor of the poor' as 1st saint
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV has canonized Venezuela's “doctor of the poor” before tens of thousands of people. He has given the South American nation its first saint. José Gregorio Hernández, known for his dedication to the poor, was made a saint Sunday alongside Mother Carmen Rendiles Martínez, the founder of a Venezuelan religious order. Thousands of Venezuelans poured into St. Peter’s Square for the Mass. The ceremony will also canonize Papua New Guinea's first saint, Peter To Rot. He was a layman killed in prison in 1945 for standing up for monogamous marriage. In all, seven people will be canonized in a ceremony that Pope Francis put in motion in some of his final acts as pope.
Police looking into whether Prince Andrew enlisted officer to dig up dirt on accuser Giuffre
LONDON (AP) — London police are investigating whether Prince Andrew asked a police officer to find damaging information on Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of sexual assault. Reports suggest Andrew sought to smear Giuffre in 2011 by trying to check her criminal record. This comes after Buckingham Palace announced Andrew would give up his Duke of York title following more revelations of his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Giuffre’s family wants King Charles III to strip Andrew of his prince title. The duke’s demise began in 2019 following a disastrous interview in which Andrew sought to counter media reports about his friendship with Epstein and denied allegations he had sex with a 17-year-old Giuffre.
AP Top 25 gets an overhaul behind No. 1 Ohio State; Vandy is a top-10 team for 1st time since 1947
Vanderbilt is now a top-10 team in college football for the first time since 1947. The Commodores' rise comes after a weekend where nine teams in The Associated Predss Top 25 lost. Ohio State remains No. 1 for the eighth straight week after defeating Wisconsin 34-0. Four top-10 teams lost in the same week for the third time this season. Indiana is up to a program-record No. 2 and Texas A&M moved to No. 3 for its highest ranking since 1995. Alabama and Georgia also climbed. Vanderbilt is 6-1 and off to its best start since 1950.
