Trump sets off for the Mideast to mark a ceasefire deal and urge Arab leaders to seize the moment
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is setting off for Israel and Egypt to celebrate the U.S.-brokered ceasefire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas. He’s also expected to urge Middle East allies to seize the opportunity to build a durable peace in the volatile region. Trump is stopping first in Israel to meet with hostage families and address the parliament. Vice President JD Vance says Trump could also meet with hostages themselves. In Egypt, the Republican president and Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi will chair a summit on peace in Gaza and the broader Middle East with leaders from more than 20 countries.
Israel lays out plans for hostage release and prisoner swap expected on Monday
CAIRO (AP) — Israel says it expects all of the living hostages held in the Gaza Strip to be released Monday. The announcement on Sunday confirmed the next phase of the breakthrough ceasefire deal with Hamas, as Palestinians awaited a long-promised surge of aid deliveries into the enclave. The details emerged as the region prepared for U.S. President Donald Trump to visit Israel and Egypt. An Israeli government spokesperson says the hostages will be driven to a military base to reunite with their families or, if needed, immediately to a hospital. After the hostages are freed, Israel was ready to release about 2,000 Palestinian detainees and receive the 28 hostages believed to be dead.
Afghanistan says it has killed 58 Pakistani soldiers in overnight border operations
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Afghanistan says it has killed 58 Pakistani soldiers in overnight border operations, in response to what it called repeated violations of its territory and airspace. Pakistan’s army gave lower casualty figures, saying 23 troops had died. Earlier in the week, Afghan authorities accused Pakistan of bombing the capital, Kabul, and a market in the country’s east. Pakistan did not claim responsibility for the assault. The Taliban government’s chief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said Sunday that Afghan forces have captured 25 Pakistani army posts, leaving 30 Pakistani soldiers wounded.
Russia attacks Ukraine’s power grid as Moscow worries over US Tomahawk missiles
Russia has attacked Ukraine’s power grid as part of an ongoing campaign to damage energy infrastructure before winter. Kyiv regional Governor Mykola Kalashnyk said two employees of Ukraine’s largest private energy company were wounded in the strikes. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for tighter sanctions on buyers of Russian oil. He also had a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump about strengthening Ukraine’s defenses. Meanwhile, the Kremlin expressed concern over the U.S. potentially providing Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko doubts the U.S. will provide these missiles.
Steve Martin, Bette Midler and Goldie Hawn are among stars paying tribute to Diane Keaton
Fans and fellow actors are paying tribute to Diane Keaton after news of her death at age 79. The Oscar-winner’s performances and style shaped iconic films like “The Godfather” and “Annie Hall.” Co-stars such as Bette Midler, Steve Martin and Mandy Moore shared heartfelt messages. Midler praised Keaton’s originality and humor. Martin recalled their delightful relationship. Cynthia Nixon called Keaton her idol. Mandy Moore cherished working with her. Octavia Spencer thanked Keaton for her authenticity. And Ben Stiller hailed her as one of the greatest film actors ever.
Trump’s intervention in Washington prompts calls for its 18-term House delegate to step down
WASHINGTON (AP) — Eleanor Holmes Norton has been an outspoken advocate for the District of Columbia during her 18 terms as the city’s delegate in Congress. But today, longtime allies of the 88-year-old Democrat say she hasn’t risen to the challenge of pushing back against the Trump administration’s intervention into her city. Norton has resisted calls to step aside and make way for a new generation of leaders, and she’s indicated she plans to run next year. The race to replace her has began in earnest, with two members of the D.C. Council, including a former Norton aide, announcing campaigns.
China vows to stand firm against Trump’s 100% tariff threat
BEIJING (AP) — U.S. Vice President JD Vance is defending President Donald Trump’s threat to hike taxes on China as China signals that it won’t back down. China’s Commerce Ministry says China prefers negotiations over threats, but isn’t afraid of a tariff war. Vance, in turn, on Sunday warned China not to be unreasonable in its response. Trump has threatened higher taxes on Chinese imports by Nov. 1 due to new Chinese restrictions on rare earth exports. These tensions could derail a potential meeting between Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Both countries accuse each other of violating a trade truce.
World’s oldest president could extend his rule as Cameroon votes in an election
YAOUNDE, Cameroon (AP) — Cameroon has voted in an election that could extend Africa’s oldest leader’s rule by another seven years. Analysts predict a victory for President Paul Biya, who has been in power since 1982. Biya, now 92, would be 99 by the end of his term. He faces nine opposition candidates, including former allies. Cameroon has seen only two leaders since independence in 1960. The country faces security crises, with a secessionist war in the west and Boko Haram insurgency in the north. Over 8 million voters are eligible, and results are expected by Oct. 26.
Feeling hopeless in custody, many drop claims to remain in the US, leave voluntarily
SEATTLE (AP) — His health declined at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in Tacoma, Washington.. Without medications and unable to care for his family or sick granddaughter, Ramón Rodriguez Vazquez became distressed, and finally gave up. He dropped efforts to stay in the U.S. and moved back to Mexico without his wife, four children and 10 grandchildren. Similar dramas are playing out at immigration courts across the country, perhaps even more since early July, when ICE began opposing bond for anyone detained regardless of their circumstances.
4 people were killed and 20 more were injured in a shooting at a bar in South Carolina, sheriff says
BEAUFORT, S.C. (AP) — A mass shooting at a crowded bar on the idyllic South Carolina island of St. Helena left four people dead and at least 20 injured. Officials from the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office say the shooting occurred early Sunday at Willie’s Bar and Grill on St. Helena. A large crowd was at the scene when sheriff’s deputies arrived and found several people suffering from gunshot wounds. Among the injured, four were in critical condition at area hospitals. The victims’ identities were not released. Authorities are investigating.