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Israel has begun voting in a highly charged election considered a referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. It is the country's fourth election in the past two years. The country's longest-serving prime minister and several rivals are racing to secure the 61-vote threshold required to govern in Israel's 120-seat Knesset. Netanyahu is campaigning on his stewardship of Israel's world-leading vaccination drive against COVID-19, as well as the diplomatic accords with four Arab nations. His opponents say Netanyahu is unfit to serve while he is fighting corruption charges and that he's sought new elections to protect himself from prosecution. Opinion polls have forecast a tight contest, and results might not be known for days.  

The Arizona Diamondbacks might be missing their best pitcher on opening day. Starter Zac Gallen is being evaluated for soreness in his right forearm and his status is uncertain to begin the season on April 1. The 25-year-old Gallen said he first felt the injury when he was jammed during batting practice about 10 days ago. Gallen went 3-2 with a 2.75 ERA during the pandemic-shortened season, striking out 82 in 72 innings. Elsewhere around spring training, Houston star José Altuve lined into a triple play and Angels slugger Mike Trout drove in three runs during a 10-run inning.

Police say 10 people have been killed in a shooting at a Colorado supermarket, including a police officer. Boulder Police Chief Maris Herold said Monday night that a lone suspect is in custody and is getting medical treatment. Police refuse to speculate on a motive, saying the investigation has just begun. Herold identified the slain officer as 51-year-old Eric Talley, a member of the Boulder police department since 2010. The identities of the other nine victims were not immediately disclosed as police were still notifying their family members. The attack in Boulder stunned a state that has seen several mass shootings, including the 1999 Columbine High School massacre and the 2012 Aurora movie theater shooting.

The Houston Rockets ended their 20-game losing streak, as John Wall had his first triple-double in five years in a 117-99 victory over the Toronto Raptors. Houston’s skid was tied for the ninth-worst in NBA history and the longest since Philadelphia’s record-setting, 28-game losing streak across the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons. But Wall had 19 points, 10 assists and 11 rebounds, his first triple-double since Feb. 5, 2016. That helped the Rockets got their first win since Feb. 4. Houston also handed the Raptors their ninth straight loss, which now represents the NBA’s longest active losing streak.

Isaiah Mobley scored 17 points, younger brother Evan had 10 points and 13 rebounds, and No. 6 seed Southern California routed Kansas 85-51 to reach the Sweet 16. It was the worst loss in 49 trips to the NCAA Tournament for the No. 3 seed Jayhawks. USC ended the first half on an 11-0 run to take a 40-21 lead and never looked back. Marcus Garrett scored 15 points to lead Kansas, which was out-rebounded 43-27.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden’s Cabinet is nearly complete with the confirmation of Labor Secretary Marty Walsh. But the work of building his administration is just beginning, as Biden has hundreds of key presidential appointments to make to fill…

A conservative firebrand and staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump who came under fire for remarks preceding the attack on the U.S. Capitol has joined the Alabama GOP primary field to replace Sen. Richard Shelby. Rep. Mo Brooks announced his entry into the race Monday night. Brooks joins former Trump ambassador Lynda Blanchard in the Republican primary, which is expected to attract a number of other hopefuls. Shelby announced earlier this year that he wouldn’t seek reelection in 2022. Brooks has been criticized for his fiery speech at the pro-Trump rally that preceded the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. Brooks has said his remarks were only intended as a pep talk for the next election cycle.

Germany is extending its lockdown measures by another month and imposing several new restrictions in an effort to drive down the rate of coronavirus infections. Chancellor Angela Merkel announced early Tuesday that the measures include largely shutting down public life for several days over Easter. Speaking after a lengthy video call with the country’s 16 state governors, Merkel stressed that regions with high rates of infection would need to pull an “emergency brake” agreed at a previous meeting three weeks ago. Amid concern over the rise in Germans traveling abroad on holidays, authorities also agreed on a blanket requirement for air travelers to be tested for COVID-19 before boarding a flight to Germany.

Top-seeded Michigan salvaged the Big Ten’s best hope for NCAA Tournament glory Monday with an 86-78 win over talent-rich LSU.  Chaundee Brown and Eli Brooks scored 21 points each for the roller-coaster ride of a victory. The Wolverines used a 14-1 run over the decisive stretch midway through the second half to pull away and preserve. It's a glimmer of hope for a conference that has mostly tanked these four days in Indianapolis. After the win, Michigan and Maryland were the only teams left for the Big Ten, which placed a nation-leading nine in the bracket. 

Marcus Zegarowski scored 20 points to help Creighton beat Ohio 72-58 in the NCAA Tournament. That secured the program’s first trip to the round of 16 in 47 years. Damien Jefferson added 15 points for the Bluejays, the fifth seed in the West Region. They'll next face No. 1 overall seed Gonzaga in the the Sweet 16. Creighton hadn't reached a regional semifinal since 1974. Dwight Wilson III scored 12 points to lead Ohio. The 13th-seeded Bobcats shot 32% and made 7 of 30 3-pointers after their upset of 2019 champion Virginia in the first round.

Fox News senior meteorologist Janice Dean has turned into one of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo's fiercest critics after both of her in-laws died of the coronavirus last spring in elderly care facilities. Dean is frequently in the media suggesting Cuomo should be investigated or even jailed for his policies. She is credited for helping keep the spotlight on New York's brief policy of transferring COVID-19 patients to nursing homes. Some people — including her friend Meghan McCain — suggest Dean has a future in politics. But she's also made some dubious claims about the policy, and her advocacy raises ethical issues for Fox News.

Washington, D.C.‘s bid for statehood has finally gotten a congressional hearing, but Mayor Muriel Bowser’s clashes with Republicans on the panel made clear that the issue is far from settled. Republicans accused Democrats of a cynical power play, claimed statehood was never the intention of the country’s Founding Fathers, and insisted that Congress doesn’t even have the right to grant statehood to D.C. Bowser argued that Washingtonians’ lack of representation in Congress was “one of the remaining glaring civil rights issues of our time.” Statehood would give D.C. two senators and a fully voting member of the House. The District historically votes Democratic.

Japanese prosecutors have charged two Americans, Michael Taylor and his son Peter, in connection with the escape of former Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn to Lebanon. Tokyo District Prosecutors have been questioning the Taylors since they were extradited from the United States earlier this month. They have been detained at a Tokyo detention center since March 2. Prosecutors said the Taylors were formally charged Monday with helping a criminal escape. The prosecutors had been seeking their extradition for months after they were arrested and detained in the U.S. last May. The Taylors were not immediately available for comment. In Japan’s criminal system, more than 99% of suspects are found guilty.  

Undefeated Gonzaga continued to roll behind a career-high 30 points and 13 rebounds from Drew Timme as the top-seeded Bulldogs beat No. 8 seed Oklahoma 87-71 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Gonzaga won its 32nd straight game dating to last season. The Sooners were the first power conference opponent for Gonzaga since its victory over Virginia in late December. It didn’t matter all that much. Oklahoma became the 25th straight team beaten by double digits by the Bulldogs. The Zags advanced to their sixth straight Sweet 16 and will next face either Creighton or Ohio in the West Region. Austin Reaves scored 27 points for Oklahoma.

Fresh off passage of COVID-19 relief, President Joe Biden is eyeing the next big White House priority — a sweeping $3 trillion package of investments on infrastructure and domestic needs. Biden huddled privately with Senate Democrats on Monday as Congress has begun laying the groundwork with legislation. The new package would help rebuild roads, bridges and rail lines but also include family-friendly policies focusing on education and paid family leave. The White House plans are still preliminary, according to a person familiar with the options who insisted on anonymity to discuss private conversations.

Noah Gragson once again has the NASCAR industry abuzz after a showdown with Daniel Hemric at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The Xfinity Series driver has made headlines on and off the track for his driving and his confrontational nature, but Gragson remains unapologetic. He believes if people are talking about him, then Gragson is doing his job. Many don't care for his attitude, but reigning in Gragson could rob the sport of a fiery personality at a time NASCAR needs colorful characters.