AP News Summary at 11:54 p.m. EDT
Netanyahu says the Gaza war has entered a new stage and will be ‘long and difficult’
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told the nation that the military has opened a “second stage” in the war against Hamas by sending ground forces into Gaza and expanding attacks from the ground, air and sea. He says it will only increase ahead of a broad ground invasion into the territory. Gaza residents describe the bombardment as the most intense of the war. It knocked out most communications in Gaza late Friday, although they were coming back in many places early Sunday morning. The escalation brings even more pressure on Israel’s government from desperate family members of hostages taken by Hamas three weeks ago.
Most Palestinians in Gaza are cut off from the world. Those who connect talk of horror, hopelessness
KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Cellular and internet service abruptly vanished for most of the Gaza Strip as Israel expanded ground operations and launched airstrikes. A rare few Palestinians with international SIM cards or satellite phones took it upon themselves to get the news out. They described scenes of panic and confusion as Palestinians found themselves unable to check in on even their loved ones in the same city. They described outages that exacerbated difficulties for a medical system already on the brink of collapse. And they spoke of the intense fear dominating Gaza as residents unable to connect with the outside world wondered what would come next.
Israel says its war can both destroy Hamas and rescue hostages. Their families are less certain
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel says it has two main objectives in Gaza: destroy Hamas and rescue some 230 hostages being held by the militant group. But families worry the two aims clash. Beginning Friday night, Israel ramped up ground operations and airstrikes in Gaza, saying it was targeting tunnel infrastructure used by Hamas. But families have reason to believe that their loved ones could be held in those same tunnels. One of the four hostages released by Hamas said that she has been held in an underground tunnel system. Families fret as Israel flatly rejects any ceasefire deal or hostage exchange with Hamas, instead carpet-bombing entire neighborhoods in Gaza.
Maine mass killing suspect had mental health issues, purchased guns legally, authorities say
LEWISTON, Maine (AP) — The residents of Lewiston, Maine, are embarking on a path to healing after a man suspected of killing 18 people earlier this week was found dead. Authorities say the body of 40-year-old Robert Card of Bowdoin was found late Friday at a recycling center. Police teams had searched the facility twice before eventually finding Card’s body. The worst mass shooting in the state’s history occurred on Wednesday night, when Card allegedly opened fire at a bowling alley and then a bar and killed 18 people. Another 13 were injured. Maine Department of Public Safety Commissioner Michael Sauschuck said Saturday that Card died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Matthew Perry, Emmy-nominated ‘Friends’ star, dead at 54
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Matthew Perry, who starred as Chandler Bing in the hit series “Friends,” has died. He was 54. The Emmy-nominated actor was found dead of an apparent drowning at his Los Angeles home on Saturday, according to the Los Angeles Times and celebrity website TMZ, which was the first to report the news. Both outlets cited unnamed sources confirming Perry’s death. His publicists and other representatives did not immediately return messages seeking comment. Perry’s 10 seasons on “Friends” made him one of Hollywood’s most recognizable actors, starring opposite Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, Lisa Kudrow and David Schwimmer as a friend group in New York.
UAW and Stellantis reach tentative contract deal as union adds strike at Tennessee GM factory
DETROIT (AP) — Jeep maker Stellantis reached a tentative contract agreement with the United Auto Workers union on Saturday as it escalated strikes against General Motors by adding a plant in Tennessee. 聽The Stellantis deal, which still must be ratified by members, leaves only GM without an agreement with the union. But the union added a GM factory in Spring Hill, Tennessee to its strike Saturday in an effort to increase pressure on the company. The Stellantis deal mirrors one reached earlier this week with Ford. The union says the Stellantis contract also saves jobs at a factory in Belvidere, Illinois, that Stellantis had planned to close.
Pence ends White House campaign after struggling to gain traction. ‘This is not my time,’ he says
NEW YORK (AP) — Former Vice President Mike Pence is dropping his bid for the Republican presidential nomination, ending his campaign for the White House after struggling to raise money and gain traction in the polls. He made the announcement in Las Vegas on Saturday at the annual gathering of the Republican Jewish Coalition. Pence said, “It’s become clear to me: This is not my time.” Pence becomes the first major candidate to leave a race that has been dominated by his former boss-turned-rival, Donald Trump. Pence did not immediately endorse any of his rivals, but continued to echo language he has used to criticize Trump.
New Speaker Mike Johnson holds favor with conservatives. Can he unite the GOP where others failed?
WASHINGTON (AP) — New House Speaker Mike Johnson has inherited many of the same problems that bedeviled Republican leaders with far more experience. But at least for now he holds favor with the ultra-conservative wing of his party that toppled previous House speakers. The big question is whether the Louisiana congressman can unite House Republicans where others failed. Johnson emerged this past week from the lower-ranks of the House GOP leadership to ascend to speaker. A faction of hard-liners had ousted Rep. Kevin McCarthy from the job and then rejected two more top-ranked Republicans in leadership as well as conservative favorite Rep. Jim Jordan before electing Johnson. But the new speaker is facing some of the challenges that waylaid McCarthy.
An Iranian teenager injured on Tehran Metro while not wearing a headscarf has died, state media say
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — An Iranian teenage girl injured weeks ago in a mysterious incident on Tehran’s Metro while not wearing a headscarf has died. Armita Geravand had been in a coma for weeks in Tehran before her death. Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency reported her death Saturday. Geravand’s parents appeared in state media footage saying a blood pressure issue, a fall or perhaps both contributed to their daughter’s injury. Activists abroad have alleged Geravand may have been pushed or attacked because she was not wearing the hijab and called for an independent investigation by the United Nations fact-finding mission on Iran.
Kelly dominates on mound as Diamondbacks bounce back to rout Rangers 9-1 and tie World Series 1-all
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Merrill Kelly struck out nine in seven innings of three-hit ball, Ketel Marte extended his postseason hitting streak to a record 18 games and the Arizona Diamondbacks routed the Texas Rangers 9-1 to even the World Series at one game apiece. Gabriel Moreno hit a go-ahead homer in a two-run fourth against Jordan Montgomery, and Tommy Pham went 4 for 4 with a pair of doubles as the young Diamondbacks rebounded quickly from an agonizing defeat the night before. Marte added a two-run single in a three-run eighth, breaking a tie for the longest postseason hitting streak with Derek Jeter, Manny Ram铆rez and Hank Bauer. Marte has a hit in every postseason game he’s ever played.