Israeli Cabinet approves Trump's plan for Gaza ceasefire and release of hostages held by Hamas
CAIRO (AP) — Israel’s Cabinet has approved President Donald Trump’s plan for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of all the remaining hostages held by Hamas, a key step toward ending a ruinous two-year war that has destabilized the Middle East. A brief statement issued early Friday by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the Cabinet approved the “outline” of a deal to release the hostages, without mentioning other aspects of the plan that are more controversial. The broader ceasefire plan included many unanswered questions, such as whether and how Hamas will disarm and who will govern Gaza. But the sides appeared closer than they have been in months to ending the war.
Trump gets long-sought Gaza hostage deal with a whole lot of help from Arab and Muslim allies
WASHINGTON (AP) — After months of gridlock in the Middle East, there was a turning point in talks on the Israel-Hamas conflict. Negotiators began to sense that Hamas had come to see Israeli hostages as more of a liability than an asset. That’s according to two senior U.S. officials, who weren’t authorized to publicly discuss internal deliberations. The officials said major questions remain, but it appears for now as if the fighting will pause. This breakthrough comes after intense diplomatic efforts and support from Arab and Muslim allies. The agreement aims to pause the fighting that began with Hamas' attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
Judge blocks National Guard deployment in Illinois for 2 weeks
A judge has blocked the deployment of National Guard troops in the Chicago area for two weeks, finding no substantial evidence that a “danger of rebellion” is brewing in Illinois. The judge ruled Thursday. It’s a victory for Democratic officials who lead the state and city and have traded insults with President Donald Trump about his drive to put troops on the ground in major urban areas. U.S. District Judge April Perry didn’t lay out details of any order or say what part of the request she was granting as she spoke from the bench in her crowded courtroom.
New York Attorney General Letitia James charged in fraud case after pressure campaign by Trump
WASHINGTON (AP) — New York Attorney General Letitia James has been charged as part of a mortgage fraud investigation aggressively pushed by the Trump administration. She becomes the latest foe of the president to be prosecuted by his Justice Department. James, who infuriated President Donald Trump by suing him and his company for fraud in a case that played out as he was running for office, was indicted on charges of bank fraud and false statements to a financial institution. In a statement Thursday, James decried the indictment as “nothing more than a continuation of the president’s desperate weaponization of our justice system.”
Senators struggle to find a way forward as government shutdown enters ninth day
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senators are laboring to find a way to reopen the government but find themselves struggling to overcome a fundamental lack of trust between the two parties. Senate Majority Leader John Thune has floated an “off ramp” to the government funding impasse. He suggests that he could pledge to hold a later vote on expiring health care subsidies if Democrats would first support a stopgap spending bill to reopen the government. But Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer seemed to dismiss the idea. Pressure is growing on congressional leaders to reach a deal as rank-and-file lawmakers grew anxious about the lack of progress on ending the shutdown.
7.6-magnitude earthquake strikes offshore from southern Philippines and may cause tsunami
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — An offshore earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.6 hit off a southern Philippine province and may cause a tsunami. Officials ordered evacuations in coastal areas near the epicenter of the quake Friday morning. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said it was expecting damage and aftershocks from the earthquake, which was centered at sea southeast of Manay town in Davao Oriental province. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Honolulu said hazardous waves were possible within 186 miles of the epicenter. The forecast included nearby coasts of the Philippines, Indonesia and Palau.
As Tropical Storm Jerry churns in the Atlantic, Priscilla and a nor'easter threaten US with flooding
MIAMI (AP) — Tropical Storm Raymond has formed in the eastern Pacific Ocean. It is the third system now off the western coast of Mexico. The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami says Raymond is about 115 miles south-southeast of Zihuatanejo, Mexico. It has maximum sustained winds of 45 mph and is traveling west-northwest at 14 mph. At the same time, Tropical Storm Priscilla remains off the western coast of Mexico and is bringing rain to the Baja California peninsula. The former tropical storm Octave also churned in the eastern Pacific near Mexico but was downgraded Thursday morning to a post-tropical cyclone and was expected to dissipate soon.
What to know about Texas court's decision to pause Roberson's execution in shaken baby case
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A Texas appeals court has paused the execution of Robert Roberson, who was set to be the first in the U.S. executed for a murder linked to shaken baby syndrome. Roberson, claiming innocence, was scheduled for lethal injection on Oct. 16. The court's decision doesn't overturn his conviction but instructs a review of issues in his case. Shaken baby syndrome diagnoses have faced scrutiny in recent years, and Roberson has drawn support from lawmakers and public figures. His legal team argues his daughter died from pneumonia complications, not abuse. Prosecutors say Roberson hit his daughter and violently shook her.
Dodgers advance to NLCS, beat Phillies 2-1 on Kerkering's 11th-inning error
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Orion Kerkering made a wild throw past home instead of tossing to first after mishandling Andy Pages’ bases-loaded comebacker with two outs in the 11th inning, and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Philadelphia Phillies 2-1 to win their NL Division Series 3-1. Kerkering hung his head and put hands on knees after his throw sailed past catcher J.T. Realmuto as pinch-runner Hyeseong Kim crossed the plate, advancing the Dodgers to the NL Championship Series against the Chicago Cubs or Milwaukee. Realmuto had pointed to first when the two-hopper hit off Kerkering’s glove and rolled just in front of the mound.
Judge tosses out Drake's defamation lawsuit against label over Kendrick Lamar's 'Not Like Us'
NEW YORK (AP) — A federal judge has tossed out a defamation lawsuit Drake brought against Universal Music Group over a Kendrick Lamar dis track. Judge Jeannette A. Vargas rejected the lawsuit Thursday in a written opinion, saying the purportedly libelous words were opinion. The January lawsuit alleged that UMG published and promoted Lamar’s dis track “Not Like Us” even though it included false pedophilia allegations against Drake and suggested listeners should resort to vigilante justice. Lamar was not named in the lawsuit. Universal Music Group is the parent record label for both artists. It denied the allegations. Drake's lawyers say they will appeal.
