Chicago's Mexican Independence Day celebrations shadowed by Trump’s threats for the city
CHICAGO (AP) — President Donald Trump’s plan to dispatch National Guard troops and immigration agents into Chicago has put many Latino residents on edge. Some people are carrying their U.S. passports. Others are considering whether to openly celebrate the upcoming Mexican Independence Day. Vianney Alarcon said she expects people to be targeted regardless of their legal status. But in an act of defiance, she said she’ll be taking part in the festivities, while bringing along her passport. Alejandro Vences became a U.S. citizen this year. He said that gives him some comfort. Still, he said the anxiety is palpable in his heavily Mexican neighborhood of Pilsen.
How Donald Trump is weaponizing the government to settle personal scores and pursue his agenda
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has been using his second term to amass and wield unprecedented power. His supporters, who once criticized government overreach, now back his actions. Trump has targeted universities, media companies, and individuals he dislikes, using executive orders and other means to push his agendas and grievances. Trump has threatened or acted against various entities. He's blocked stadium plans, revoked security clearances and dropped corruption charges for political leverage, among other moves. Despite his campaign against government weaponization, Trump has continued to use state power to pursue his interests and retaliate against opponents.
Israel calls on famine-stricken residents to flee and targets more high-rises in Gaza City
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — The Israeli army has issued evacuation orders and targeted high-rise buildings in famine-stricken Gaza City. The army spokesperson on Saturday called on Palestinians to move to the territory’s south as it escalates operations ahead of new offensive to seize the city of nearly 1 million. Aid groups warn that a large-scale evacuation would exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza City, which the world’s leading hunger watchdog says is suffering from famine. Most families have already been displaced several times over the nearly two-year-long Israel-Hamas war and say they have nowhere left to go. The army also issued evacuation orders for two high-rises in Gaza City that it alleged hosted Hamas infrastructure, without providing evidence.
What to know about a large-scale immigration raid at a Georgia manufacturing plant
Hundreds of federal agents descended on a sprawling site where Hyundai manufactures electric vehicles in Georgia and detained 475 people, most of them South Korean nationals. This is the latest in a long line of workplace raids conducted as part of the Trump administration’s mass deportation agenda. But the one on Thursday is especially distinct because of its large size and the fact that it targeted a manufacturing site state officials have long called Georgia’s largest economic development project. The detainment of South Korean nationals also sets it apart, as they are rarely caught up in immigration enforcement compared to other nationalities.
Biden chooses Delaware for his presidential library as his team turns to raising money for it
WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President Joe Biden has decided to build his presidential library in Delaware. He has also tapped a group of former aides, friends and political allies to begin the heavy lift of fundraising and finding a site for the museum and archive. The Joe and Jill Biden Foundation this past week approved a 13-person governance board that is charged with steering the project. Now, Biden’s library team has the daunting task of raising money for the project at a moment when the party has become fragmented about the way ahead and many big Democratic donors have stopped writing checks.
U.S. says it will deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Eswatini because he fears deportation to Uganda
Attorneys for Immigration and Customs Enforcement say they intend to send Kilmar Abrego Garcia to the African nation of Eswatini after he expressed a fear of deportation to Uganda. The Salvadoran man lived in Maryland for more than a decade before he was mistakenly deported to El Salvador in March. A 2019 court order barred his deportation to his home country because a judge ruled he had a well founded fear of violence from gangs there. The deportation mistake set off a series of contentious court battles that are testing the limits of President Donald Trump’s hardline immigration policies. For his part, Abrego Garcia has filed an application for asylum in the U.S.
RFK. Jr's family members say he is a 'threat' to Americans' health and call for his resignation
WASHINGTON (AP) — Members of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s family are calling for him to step down as health secretary. This follows a contentious congressional hearing this past week, when the Trump Cabinet official faced bipartisan questioning about his tumultuous leadership of federal health agencies. Kennedy’s sister, Kerry Kennedy, and his nephew, Joseph P. Kennedy III, have issued scathing statements on social media, saying their relative is a "threat to the health and wellbeing of every American." Several of Kennedy's family members also had objected to his presidential run in the last campaign. Others wrote to senators earlier this year calling for them to reject his nomination to lead Health and Human Services.
LGBTQ+ Catholics make Holy Year pilgrimage to Rome and celebrate a new feeling of welcome
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Over 1,000 LGBTQ+ Catholics and their families have participated in a Holy Year pilgrimage to Rome. They celebrated a new level of acceptance within the Catholic Church, crediting Pope Francis for the change. On Saturday, many pilgrims expressed deep emotion as they walked through the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica. Several LGBTQ+ groups participated, including DignityUSA and Outreach. Pope Leo XIV celebrated a special Jubilee audience but made no special mention of LGBTQ+ Catholics. Many pilgrims feel welcomed back to the church, attributing this to Francis' inclusive attitude and message of hope.
Mahjong nights draw young crowds to San Francisco bars and restaurants
San Francisco (AP) — Ryan Lee has turned his love of mahjong into a thriving social scene in San Francisco. After getting hooked on the classic Chinese tile game two years ago, he started hosting mahjong nights in his apartment. These gatherings grew into the YLL Mahjong Club, which now hosts bimonthly events with up to 200 guests. The club attracts a diverse crowd with its nightclub atmosphere, live DJs and custom cocktails. Mahjong is gaining popularity as people desire more opportunities to socialize offline. Eventbrite reports a 179% increase in U.S. mahjong events from 2023 to 2024. Lee plans to expand the club to other U.S. cities.
Davey Johnson, who won World Series twice with Baltimore as player, managed Mets to title, dies
NEW YORK (AP) — Davey Johnson, an All-Star second baseman who won the World Series twice with the Baltimore Orioles as a player and managed the New York Mets to the title in 1986 has died. He was 82. Longtime Mets public relations representative Jay Horwitz says Johnson’s wife informed him of his death after a long illness. Johnson was at a hospital in Sarasota, Florida, when he died. Johnson played 13 major league seasons with Baltimore, Atlanta, Philadelphia and the Chicago Cubs from 1965-78 and won the Gold Glove three times. He managed the Mets, Cincinnati Reds, Los Angeles Dodgers and the Washington Nationals during a span from 1984-2013.
