Israel and Hamas

meet in Egypt

CAIRO (AP) — Israeli and Hamas officials launched indirect talks on a U.S.-drafted peace plan to end the war in Gaza. The talks are set to resume today in Egypt on the second anniversary of the war, after several hours of discussion on Monday.

The negotiations focus on a ceasefire’s first stage. That includes the partial withdrawal of Israeli forces and the release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Many questions remain about the plan, including the disarmament of Hamas and the future governance of Gaza.

Israel continued with airstrikes despite President Trump’s order to stop.

Immune system

work recognized

STOCKHOLM (AP) — Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell and Dr. Shimon Sakaguchi have won the Nobel Prize in medicine for discoveries about how the body ensures immune cells attack intruders but not our own tissues.

Their findings advanced the search for autoimmune disease treatments, as well as work in cancer and organ transplants. The Nobel Assembly announced the award Monday.

Sakaguchi first discovered regulatory T cells in 1995. In 2001, Brunkow and Ramsdell identified a gene mutation involved in autoimmune diseases. Sakaguchi later connected these findings to explain a previously unknown way the body keeps the immune system in check. The trio will share nearly $1.2 million in prize money.

Justices reject

Maxwell’s appeal

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court has rejected an appeal from Ghislaine Maxwell, the imprisoned ex-girlfriend of Jeffrey Epstein.

The justices Monday declined to take up a case that would’ve renewed attention on the Epstein sexual-abuse saga after President Donald Trump’s administration sought to tamp down criticism over its refusal to publicly release more investigative files.

Trump’s Republican administration had urged the high court to stay out of the case. Lawyers for Maxwell argued she never should’ve been tried or convicted for a role in luring teenage girls to be sexually abused by Epstein.

Maxwell is serving 20 years and recently was transferred from a Florida prison to a Texas prison camp.

Macron faces

political turmoil

PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron faces a political crisis after his prime minister resigned on Monday.

This marks Macron’s fourth prime minister in just over a year. The resignation adds to the political uncertainty in France, which is affecting investor confidence and efforts to address the country’s deficit.

Macron’s authority appears to be waning, and his options are limited. The French parliament is divided, with no party holding a majority, making governance difficult. Macron could dissolve parliament again, but this risks strengthening the far-right.

Despite the turmoil, Macron remains focused on international issues like Ukraine and the Middle East.