Nation

New York

Negotiators reach deal to end rail strike

NEW YORK — Negotiators on Monday reached a deal to end the strike that stalled service on the Long Island Rail Road, the busiest commuter rail system in North America.

Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement on X that the deal “delivers raises for workers while protecting riders and taxpayers” and that service would start back up beginning Tuesday at noon.

California

Thousands evacuate amid wildfire

SIMI VALLEY — Thousands of people were ordered to evacuate Monday as a wind-driven wildfire threatened suburban homes in Southern California.

The Sandy Fire was reported about 10 a.m. in hills above Simi Valley, about 30 miles northwest of Los Angeles. By mid-afternoon it had consumed more than 500 acres of dry brush and damaged at least one home, according to the Ventura County Fire Department.

North Carolina

Senate confirms land management pick

ALBUQUERQUE — The U.S. Senate confirmed President Donald Trump’s pick to oversee the management of a quarter-billion acres of public lands on Monday, as the administration pushes ahead with more mining and drilling while reversing conservation plans.

Former congressman Steve Pearce will lead the Interior Department’s Bureau of Land Management following Monday’s 46-43 confirmation vote.

World

China

Strong quake kills 2 as 7,000 evacuate

BEIJING — A 5.2 magnitude earthquake struck south China’s Guangxi region early Monday, killing two people, toppling buildings and triggering the evacuations of thousands, state media reported.

Four others were injured, while more than 7,000 residents were evacuated from Liuzhou city.

The Netherlands

Virus-stricken ship docks in Holland

ROTTERDAM — The cruise ship hit by a deadly hantavirus outbreak has docked at the Dutch port of Rotterdam for disinfection, wrapping up a troubled journey that put international health authorities on alert.

The MV Hondius was still carrying 25 crew members and two medical personnel as it reached Europe’s largest port on Monday morning, after its passengers disembarked on the Spanish island of Tenerife last week.

Venezuela

Students protest after death of prisoner

CARACAS — A few dozen people demonstrated Monday in Venezuela’s capital in memory of a woman who died over the weekend, just days after learning that her son had died in state custody nine months ago.

The demonstrators, mostly college students, briefly blocked a highway in Caracas as they blamed Venezuela’s government for the deaths of Víctor Hugo Quero, whose detention was considered politically motivated, and his elderly mother, Carmen Navas.