Texas Guard

sent to Illinois

ELWOOD, Ill. (AP) — National Guard members from Texas are at an Army Reserve center in Illinois.

It’s the most visible sign yet of the Trump administration’s plan to deploy troops to the Chicago area despite a lawsuit and vigorous opposition from Democratic elected leaders. The Associated Press saw military personnel in uniforms with the Texas National Guard patch at the U.S. Army Reserve Center in Elwood in the far southwestern suburbs of Chicago.

On Monday, Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott posted a picture on social media showing National Guard members from his state boarding a plane, but he didn’t specify where they were going.

Trump disputes

workers’ back pay

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s administration is warning of no guaranteed back pay for federal workers during a shutdown. That would be a reversal of what’s been long-standing policy for some 750,000 furloughed employees.

Trump said some people “don’t deserve” to be taken care of during an event at the White House. A memo being circulated by the White House on Tuesday says legislation the Republican president signed into law in 2019 does not require back pay.

The memo says it’s up to Congress to provide the funds. The move was widely seen as a negotiating tactic. But Democratic Sen. Patty Murray calls it a “scare” tactic since the law is clear that workers will be paid.

Peace talks enter

second day

CAIRO (AP) — Peace talks between Israel and Hamas have resumed in Egypt. The second day of indirect talks on Tuesday is taking place on the two-year anniversary of Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel that triggered the war.

The talks focus on a plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump to end the fighting. Hamas is demanded guarantees that Israel will not resume the war after the remaining hostages are released.

The plan envisions Israel withdrawing its troops and an international security force taking over. Israel has demanded that Hamas disarm, a condition the militants have yet to accept.

Trump meets with

Canada’s Carney

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he is open to extending the free trade agreement with Mexico and Canada through a negotiation or seeking “different deals” as he met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the White House.

Carney made his second visit to the Oval Office ahead of next year’s review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement and as one of the world’s most durable and amicable alliances has been fractured. Canadian minister Dominic LeBlanc described the talks as “successful” and “positive” on trade issues, though he noted the conversation would be continuing.

He said Canada was loking to get a deal done quickly on steel and alumnium.