KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) — A strengthening Melissa has grown into a Category 4 hurricane and U.S. forecasters say it could reach Category 5 status, unleashing torrential rain and threatening to cause catastrophic flooding in the northern Caribbean, including Haiti and Jamaica. The U.S. National Hurricane Center added that Melissa is likely to reach the southern…… MORE
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has posted a notice on its website saying federal food aid will not go out Nov. 1 as the government shutdown drags on. The cutoff would expand the impact of the impasse to some of the Americans most in need unless a resolution is found in just a few days.…… MORE
MOSCOW (AP) — Russia has tested a new nuclear-capable cruise missile, moving closer to deploying it, according to President Vladimir Putin. The Burevestnik missile, which has been in development for years, reportedly covered 8,700 miles in a key test last Tuesday. Putin claims the missile has an unlimited range and can evade missile defenses. However,…… MORE
CAIRO (AP) — Hamas says it is expanding its search for the remains of hostages still left in Gaza. Sunday’s announcement came a day after Egypt sent a team with heavy equipment to assist in the work. Under the U.S.-brokered ceasefire, Hamas is expected to return all Israeli hostage remains as soon as possible. Israel…… MORE
PARIS (AP) — Authorities have arrested two suspects in connection with the theft of crown jewels from Paris’ Louvre museum. Officials announced the arrests on Sunday, a week after the daring heist. One suspect was caught at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport while attempting to leave the country. The theft, which took less than eight…… MORE