ROME (AP) — A weak and breathless&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/pope-francis">Pope Francis</a>&nbsp;thanked people for their prayers for his recovery in a remarkable audio message broadcast Thursday, the first public sign of life from the 88-year-old pope since he was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-francis-bronchitis-hospital-757f28cabc6a84836168321fba798bae">hospitalized three weeks ago</a>&nbsp;with double pneumonia.

Francis’ feeble voice, discernible through his labored breaths and in his native Spanish, was recorded Thursday from the hospital and broadcast to the faithful in St. Peter’s Square who had gathered for the nightly recitation of the rosary prayer.

“I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers for my health from the square, I accompany you from here,” he said, his soft voice piercing the hushed square. “May God bless you and the Virgin protect you. Thank you.”

For anyone used to hearing Francis’ voice, which is often so soft it sounds like a whisper, the audio was an emotional punch to the gut that hammered home just how sick he is.

The cardinal presiding over the prayer, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, had told the crowd at the start of the service that he had “beautiful news, a beautiful gift” to share. The clearly surprised crowd broke into applause and then applauded again after Francis’ final “Gracias.” Fernández Artime, for his part, bowed his head as he listened.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/argentina-pope-francis-prayers-health-0775b256a93dc3175efe8c48d2904aa0">88-year-old pope</a>&nbsp;has chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man.

The Vatican has given twice-daily updates on Francis’ medical condition, but has distributed no photos or video of him since the morning of Feb. 14, when he held a handful of audiences at the Vatican before being admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital for what was then just a bad case of bronchitis.

The infection progressed into a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-francis-bronchitis-hospital-757f28cabc6a84836168321fba798bae">complex respiratory tract infection</a>&nbsp;and double pneumonia that has sidelined Francis for the longest period of his 12-year papacy and raised questions about the future of his papacy.

Francis has issued written messages from the Gemelli, including some that sounded very much like him. But even Vatican officials had been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-pneumonia-65b0457c46d7de722305260079c3bb87">clamouring to hear his voice</a>, saying the pope’s calls for peace are particularly needed at a time of such global conflict and war.

More than any pope before him, Francis has mastered the art of informal and direct communication, often recording cell phone videos for visitors to bring home to their communities. For the considerable effort it must have taken, the audio message made clear that he understood the power of his voice, even in its weakened state.

Doctors on Thursday reported that Francis was in stable condition, with no new respiratory crises or fever. He continued his respiratory and other physical therapy Thursday, worked, rested and prayed from the 10th floor papal suite at Rome’s Gemelli hospital.

Given the continued stability of Francis’ condition, doctors said they didn’t expect to provide a new medical update until Saturday. His prognosis remains guarded, meaning he is not out of danger.

The pope has been sleeping with a non-invasive mechanical mask to guarantee that his lungs expand properly overnight and help his recovery. He has been transitioning to receiving high-flow oxygen with a nasal tube during the day. His routine now includes physical therapy, along with treatment for double pneumonia and respiratory therapy, Vatican officials said.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/argentina-pope-francis-prayers-health-0775b256a93dc3175efe8c48d2904aa0">88-year-old pope</a>&nbsp;has been stable for three full days after suffering a pair of respiratory crises Monday.

The pope was supposed to attend a spiritual retreat this weekend with the rest of the Holy See hierarchy. On Tuesday, the Vatican said the retreat would go ahead without Francis but in “spiritual communion” with him. The theme, selected before Francis got sick, was “Hope in eternal life.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740262535769.png" alt="Candles and a photo of Pope Francis are seen in front of the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic, in Rome, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, where the Pontiff is hospitalized since Friday, Feb. 14.(AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)" />
 <figcaption>Candles and a photo of Pope Francis are seen in front of the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic, in Rome, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, where the Pontiff is hospitalized since Friday, Feb. 14.(AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)</figcaption>
 </figure>ROME (AP) — A weak and breathless&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/pope-francis">Pope Francis</a>&nbsp;thanked people for their prayers for his recovery in a remarkable audio message broadcast Thursday, the first public sign of life from the 88-year-old pope since he was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-francis-bronchitis-hospital-757f28cabc6a84836168321fba798bae">hospitalized three weeks ago</a>&nbsp;with double pneumonia.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PopeFrancis?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PopeFrancis</a> sends audio message of thanks to people who are praying for his health. It was played at the beginning of the rosary in St. Peter&#39;s Square. <a href="https://t.co/7CDbme1gni">pic.twitter.com/7CDbme1gni</a>&mdash; Catholic News Service Rome (@CatholicNewsSvc) <a href="https://twitter.com/CatholicNewsSvc/status/1897740444735328766?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Francis’ feeble voice, discernible through his labored breaths and in his native Spanish, was recorded Thursday from the hospital and broadcast to the faithful in St. Peter’s Square who had gathered for the nightly recitation of the rosary prayer.“I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers for my health from the square, I accompany you from here,” he said, his soft voice piercing the hushed square. “May God bless you and the Virgin protect you. Thank you.”For anyone used to hearing Francis’ voice, which is often so soft it sounds like a whisper, the audio was an emotional punch to the gut that hammered home just how sick he is.The cardinal presiding over the prayer, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, had told the crowd at the start of the service that he had “beautiful news, a beautiful gift” to share. The clearly surprised crowd broke into applause and then applauded again after Francis’ final “Gracias.” Fernández Artime, for his part, bowed his head as he listened.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/argentina-pope-francis-prayers-health-0775b256a93dc3175efe8c48d2904aa0">88-year-old pope</a>&nbsp;has chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man.The Vatican has given twice-daily updates on Francis’ medical condition, but has distributed no photos or video of him since the morning of Feb. 14, when he held a handful of audiences at the Vatican before being admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital for what was then just a bad case of bronchitis.The infection progressed into a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-francis-bronchitis-hospital-757f28cabc6a84836168321fba798bae">complex respiratory tract infection</a>&nbsp;and double pneumonia that has sidelined Francis for the longest period of his 12-year papacy and raised questions about the future of his papacy.Francis has issued written messages from the Gemelli, including some that sounded very much like him. But even Vatican officials had been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-pneumonia-65b0457c46d7de722305260079c3bb87">clamouring to hear his voice</a>, saying the pope’s calls for peace are particularly needed at a time of such global conflict and war.More than any pope before him, Francis has mastered the art of informal and direct communication, often recording cell phone videos for visitors to bring home to their communities. For the considerable effort it must have taken, the audio message made clear that he understood the power of his voice, even in its weakened state.Doctors on Thursday reported that Francis was in stable condition, with no new respiratory crises or fever. He continued his respiratory and other physical therapy Thursday, worked, rested and prayed from the 10th floor papal suite at Rome’s Gemelli hospital.Given the continued stability of Francis’ condition, doctors said they didn’t expect to provide a new medical update until Saturday. His prognosis remains guarded, meaning he is not out of danger.The pope has been sleeping with a non-invasive mechanical mask to guarantee that his lungs expand properly overnight and help his recovery. He has been transitioning to receiving high-flow oxygen with a nasal tube during the day. His routine now includes physical therapy, along with treatment for double pneumonia and respiratory therapy, Vatican officials said.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/argentina-pope-francis-prayers-health-0775b256a93dc3175efe8c48d2904aa0">88-year-old pope</a>&nbsp;has been stable for three full days after suffering a pair of respiratory crises Monday.The pope was supposed to attend a spiritual retreat this weekend with the rest of the Holy See hierarchy. On Tuesday, the Vatican said the retreat would go ahead without Francis but in “spiritual communion” with him. The theme, selected before Francis got sick, was “Hope in eternal life.”

🎧Pope Francis releases recorded message from hospital room

LABETTE COUNTY —The Kansas Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM), Emergency Response Division was asked to respond to Labette County, in southeast Kansas, to assist the Labette County Sheriff’s Office in searching for a missing 82-year-old&nbsp; Lynn S. Gregory who had been in a tractor at a low water crossing, according to the Fire Marshal's office.

The Labette County Sheriff’s Office began searching the area trying to locate Gregory and was later joined by the Parsons Fire Department, Bartlett Fire Department, Edna Fire Department, Labette County EMS, Altamont Police Department, and Kansas Wildlife &amp; Parks.

Kansas Task Force 4 was deployed to assist in the search. KS-TF4 consists of agencies located in the southeast part of Kansas. 12 team members have been searching for two days, utilizing ATV’s, boats, wide area ground search as well as swift water technicians wearing dry suits walking the creek. A K-9 team from the Tulsa Fire Department and a K-9 team from Kansas Task Force have been assisting in the search efforts.

12 team members from KS-TF3 from the KC Metro Area and 12 members from KS-TF5 from south central Kansas are expected to deploy to the area on Friday, March 7, 2025, to relieve KS-TF4 and continue search efforts. The wind has hindered the use of UAV’s (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles).

The terrain is difficult to maneuver so citizens are asked to stay away from the area for safety reasons. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Labette County Sheriff's Office at 620-795-2565.

LABETTE COUNTY —The Kansas Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM), Emergency Response Division was asked to respond to Labette County, in southeast Kansas, to assist the Labette County Sheriff’s Office in searching for a missing 82-year-old&nbsp; Lynn S. Gregory who had been in a tractor at a low water crossing, according to the Fire Marshal's office.The Labette County Sheriff’s Office began searching the area trying to locate Gregory and was later joined by the Parsons Fire Department, Bartlett Fire Department, Edna Fire Department, Labette County EMS, Altamont Police Department, and Kansas Wildlife &amp; Parks.Kansas Task Force 4 was deployed to assist in the search. KS-TF4 consists of agencies located in the southeast part of Kansas. 12 team members have been searching for two days, utilizing ATV’s, boats, wide area ground search as well as swift water technicians wearing dry suits walking the creek. A K-9 team from the Tulsa Fire Department and a K-9 team from Kansas Task Force have been assisting in the search efforts.12 team members from KS-TF3 from the KC Metro Area and 12 members from KS-TF5 from south central Kansas are expected to deploy to the area on Friday, March 7, 2025, to relieve KS-TF4 and continue search efforts. The wind has hindered the use of UAV’s (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles).The terrain is difficult to maneuver so citizens are asked to stay away from the area for safety reasons. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Labette County Sheriff's Office at 620-795-2565.

Search continues for rural Kan. man who fell into creek

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Thursday postponed 25% tariffs on many imports from Mexico and some imports from Canada for a month amid widespread fears of the economic fallout from a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-canada-mexico-china-643086a6dc7ff716d876b3c83e3255b0">broader trade war</a>.

The White House insists its tariffs are about stopping the smuggling of fentanyl, but the taxes proposed by Trump have caused a gaping wound in the decades-old North American trade partnership, and Canada has felt compelled to quickly take aggressive countermeasures. Trump's tariff plans have also caused the stock market to sink and alarmed U.S. consumers.

In addition to his claims about fentanyl, Trump has insisted that the tariffs could be resolved by fixing the trade deficit and he emphasized while speaking in the Oval Office that he still plans to impose “reciprocal” tariffs starting on April 2.

“Most of the tariffs go on April the second,” Trump said before signing the orders. “And then we have some temporary ones and small ones, relatively small, although it’s a lot of money having to do with Mexico and Canada.”

Trump said he was not looking to extend the exemption on the 25% tariff for autos for another month.

Imports from Mexico that comply with the 2020 USMCA trade pact would be excluded from the 25% tariffs for a month, according to the orders signed by Trump. Canada's autos that comply with the trade deal would also avoid the 25% tariffs for a month, while the potash that U.S. farmers import from Canada would be tariffed at 10%.

Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum has planned to announce any retaliatory measures on Sunday, but Trump credited her with making progress on illegal immigration and drug smuggling as a reason for again pausing tariffs that were initially supposed to go into full effect in February.

“I did this as an accommodation, and out of respect for, President Sheinbaum," Trump said on Truth Social. "Our relationship has been a very good one, and we are working hard, together, on the Border.”

Trump’s on-again, off-again tariffs threats have roiled financial markets,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-consumer-trump-tariffs-inflation-b8eacbe9b948af91a4efc97dd3f85cfa">lowered consumer confidence</a>, and enveloped many businesses in an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-business-uncertainty-canada-mexico-china-2b01e586faf99bae3438d289f48a1add">uncertain atmosphere</a>&nbsp;that could delay hiring and investment.

Major U.S. stock markets briefly bounced off lows after Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick previewed the month-long pauses on CNBC on Thursday. Significant declines already seen this week resumed within an hour. The S&amp;P 500 stock index has fallen below where it was before Trump was elected.

Sheinbaum said she and Trump “had an excellent and respectful call in which we agreed that our work and collaboration have yielded unprecedented results,” on a post on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter.

Mexico has cracked down on cartels, sent troops to the U.S. border and delivered 29 top cartel bosses long chased by American authorities to the Trump administration in a span of weeks.

At a press conference, Sheinbaum elaborated on her call with Trump Thursday, saying that she told the president that Mexico was making great strides in fulfilling his security demands.

“I told him we’re getting results,” Sheinbaum said. But the U.S. imposed the tariffs, so she asked Trump “how are we going to continue cooperating, collaborating with something that hurts the people of Mexico?”

She added that “practically all of the trade” between the U.S. and Mexico will be exempt from tariffs until April 2.

She said the two countries will continue to work together on migration and security, and to cut back on fentanyl trafficking to the U.S.

From January to February, the amount of fentanyl seized at the border dropped more than 41%, according to Sheinbaum, citing data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. She cited the dip as meeting a commitment made to Trump.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford, the leader of Canada’s most populous province, said that starting Monday the province will charge 25% more for electricity shipped to 1.5 million Americans in response to Trump’s tariff plan. Ontario provides electricity to Minnesota, New York and Michigan.

“This whole thing with President Trump is a mess,” Ford said Thursday. “This reprieve, we’ve went down this road before. He still threatens the tariffs on April 2.”

Ford’s office said that the tariff would remain in place even if there’s a one month reprieve from the Americans. Ford has said that so long as the threat of tariffs continue, Ontario’s position will not change.

Lutnick said that he will be watching fentanyl overdose deaths in the U.S. as a key “metric” he will focus on when evaluating Canada and Mexico's efforts to combat the synthetic opioid.

In his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/donald-trump-address-congress-updates#00000195-6452-d6eb-a59d-647ac2530000">speech to a joint session</a>&nbsp;of Congress Tuesday night, Trump portrayed tariffs — which he has has also levied on China at 20% due to their role in fentanyl production — as a source of increasing wealth and power for the United States.

Yet most economists expect the import duties to send prices higher, slow the economy, and potentially cost jobs.

The Yale University Budget Lab has estimated that the tariffs on Canada, China, and Mexico would increase inflation by a full percentage point, cut growth by half a percentage point and cost the average household about $1,600 in disposable income.

Trump appeared to acknowledge Tuesday night that there could be some pain: “There’ll be a little disturbance, but we’re okay with that. It won’t be much.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Thursday that he has postponed 25% tariffs on most goods from Mexico for a month amid widespread fears of the impact of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-canada-mexico-china-643086a6dc7ff716d876b3c83e3255b0">broader trade war</a>.

Trump's announcement comes after his Commerce Secretary, Howard Lutnick, said earlier Thursday that tariffs on both Canada and Mexico would “likely" be delayed. No change was announced regarding the new tariffs imposed on Canada.

This is the second time Trump has postponed tariffs for a month since he first unveiled the import taxes in early February. The reprieve would apply to goods from Mexico that are compliant with the trade agreement Trump negotiated with Canada and Mexico in his first term.

“After speaking with President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico, I have agreed that Mexico will not be required to pay Tariffs on anything that falls under the USMCA Agreement," Trump said on Truth Social. “I did this as an accommodation, and out of respect for, President Sheinbaum. Our relationship has been a very good one, and we are working hard, together, on the Border.”

No details were released Thursday about what led to the temporary lifting of tariffs on Mexico.

Trump’s on-again, off-again tariffs threats have roiled financial markets,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-consumer-trump-tariffs-inflation-b8eacbe9b948af91a4efc97dd3f85cfa">lowered consumer confidence</a>, and enveloped many businesses in an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-business-uncertainty-canada-mexico-china-2b01e586faf99bae3438d289f48a1add">uncertain atmosphere</a>&nbsp;that could delay hiring and investment. Lutnick emphasized that reciprocal tariffs, in which the United States applies import taxes on countries that tariff U.S. exports, will still be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-farms-farmers-mexico-canada-china-prices-3a460f004633c10a6da6c4f97627dd13">implemented April 2</a>.

Major U.S. stock markets bounced off lows after Lutnick spoke, but only briefly. Significant declines already seen this week resumed within an hour. The stock market has fallen steadily this week in response to Trump's tariff policies and the S&amp;P 500 stock index is now below where it was before Trump was elected.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday indicated that he expects his country will be in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trudeau-trump-tariffs-trade-war-58eaa333ef96d4f17965bb7004e6bee7">trade war with the United States</a>&nbsp;for the foreseeable future.

Trudeau said the broader month-long pause “aligns with some of the conversations that we have been having with administration officials.”

The Canadian leader said the move by the Trump administration was a “promising sign,” but it also “means that the tariffs remain in place and therefore our response will remain in place.”

Lutnick said both Canada and Mexico “have done a good job offering us ever more work” on stopping fentanyl at the border, a key demand that Trump has made in return for permanently lifting the tariffs. Trump has also offered&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariff-justifications-50f0b4416234e63c7136eaa5c5f96759">many other reasons</a>&nbsp;for his tariffs, including raising revenue for the federal government, returning manufacturing to the United States, and reducing the trade surpluses both countries have with the U.S.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741280449187.png" alt="Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo -courtesy image" />
 <figcaption>Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo -courtesy image</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Thursday postponed 25% tariffs on many imports from Mexico and some imports from Canada for a month amid widespread fears of the economic fallout from a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-canada-mexico-china-643086a6dc7ff716d876b3c83e3255b0">broader trade war</a>.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741280153589.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The White House insists its tariffs are about stopping the smuggling of fentanyl, but the taxes proposed by Trump have caused a gaping wound in the decades-old North American trade partnership, and Canada has felt compelled to quickly take aggressive countermeasures. Trump's tariff plans have also caused the stock market to sink and alarmed U.S. consumers.In addition to his claims about fentanyl, Trump has insisted that the tariffs could be resolved by fixing the trade deficit and he emphasized while speaking in the Oval Office that he still plans to impose “reciprocal” tariffs starting on April 2.“Most of the tariffs go on April the second,” Trump said before signing the orders. “And then we have some temporary ones and small ones, relatively small, although it’s a lot of money having to do with Mexico and Canada.”Trump said he was not looking to extend the exemption on the 25% tariff for autos for another month.Imports from Mexico that comply with the 2020 USMCA trade pact would be excluded from the 25% tariffs for a month, according to the orders signed by Trump. Canada's autos that comply with the trade deal would also avoid the 25% tariffs for a month, while the potash that U.S. farmers import from Canada would be tariffed at 10%.Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum has planned to announce any retaliatory measures on Sunday, but Trump credited her with making progress on illegal immigration and drug smuggling as a reason for again pausing tariffs that were initially supposed to go into full effect in February.“I did this as an accommodation, and out of respect for, President Sheinbaum," Trump said on Truth Social. "Our relationship has been a very good one, and we are working hard, together, on the Border.”Trump’s on-again, off-again tariffs threats have roiled financial markets,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-consumer-trump-tariffs-inflation-b8eacbe9b948af91a4efc97dd3f85cfa">lowered consumer confidence</a>, and enveloped many businesses in an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-business-uncertainty-canada-mexico-china-2b01e586faf99bae3438d289f48a1add">uncertain atmosphere</a>&nbsp;that could delay hiring and investment.Major U.S. stock markets briefly bounced off lows after Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick previewed the month-long pauses on CNBC on Thursday. Significant declines already seen this week resumed within an hour. The S&amp;P 500 stock index has fallen below where it was before Trump was elected.Sheinbaum said she and Trump “had an excellent and respectful call in which we agreed that our work and collaboration have yielded unprecedented results,” on a post on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter.Mexico has cracked down on cartels, sent troops to the U.S. border and delivered 29 top cartel bosses long chased by American authorities to the Trump administration in a span of weeks.At a press conference, Sheinbaum elaborated on her call with Trump Thursday, saying that she told the president that Mexico was making great strides in fulfilling his security demands.“I told him we’re getting results,” Sheinbaum said. But the U.S. imposed the tariffs, so she asked Trump “how are we going to continue cooperating, collaborating with something that hurts the people of Mexico?”She added that “practically all of the trade” between the U.S. and Mexico will be exempt from tariffs until April 2.She said the two countries will continue to work together on migration and security, and to cut back on fentanyl trafficking to the U.S.From January to February, the amount of fentanyl seized at the border dropped more than 41%, according to Sheinbaum, citing data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. She cited the dip as meeting a commitment made to Trump.Ontario Premier Doug Ford, the leader of Canada’s most populous province, said that starting Monday the province will charge 25% more for electricity shipped to 1.5 million Americans in response to Trump’s tariff plan. Ontario provides electricity to Minnesota, New York and Michigan.“This whole thing with President Trump is a mess,” Ford said Thursday. “This reprieve, we’ve went down this road before. He still threatens the tariffs on April 2.”Ford’s office said that the tariff would remain in place even if there’s a one month reprieve from the Americans. Ford has said that so long as the threat of tariffs continue, Ontario’s position will not change.Lutnick said that he will be watching fentanyl overdose deaths in the U.S. as a key “metric” he will focus on when evaluating Canada and Mexico's efforts to combat the synthetic opioid.In his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/donald-trump-address-congress-updates#00000195-6452-d6eb-a59d-647ac2530000">speech to a joint session</a>&nbsp;of Congress Tuesday night, Trump portrayed tariffs — which he has has also levied on China at 20% due to their role in fentanyl production — as a source of increasing wealth and power for the United States.Yet most economists expect the import duties to send prices higher, slow the economy, and potentially cost jobs.The Yale University Budget Lab has estimated that the tariffs on Canada, China, and Mexico would increase inflation by a full percentage point, cut growth by half a percentage point and cost the average household about $1,600 in disposable income.Trump appeared to acknowledge Tuesday night that there could be some pain: “There’ll be a little disturbance, but we’re okay with that. It won’t be much.”--------------WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Thursday that he has postponed 25% tariffs on most goods from Mexico for a month amid widespread fears of the impact of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-canada-mexico-china-643086a6dc7ff716d876b3c83e3255b0">broader trade war</a>.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741280153589.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Trump's announcement comes after his Commerce Secretary, Howard Lutnick, said earlier Thursday that tariffs on both Canada and Mexico would “likely" be delayed. No change was announced regarding the new tariffs imposed on Canada.This is the second time Trump has postponed tariffs for a month since he first unveiled the import taxes in early February. The reprieve would apply to goods from Mexico that are compliant with the trade agreement Trump negotiated with Canada and Mexico in his first term.“After speaking with President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico, I have agreed that Mexico will not be required to pay Tariffs on anything that falls under the USMCA Agreement," Trump said on Truth Social. “I did this as an accommodation, and out of respect for, President Sheinbaum. Our relationship has been a very good one, and we are working hard, together, on the Border.”No details were released Thursday about what led to the temporary lifting of tariffs on Mexico.Trump’s on-again, off-again tariffs threats have roiled financial markets,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-consumer-trump-tariffs-inflation-b8eacbe9b948af91a4efc97dd3f85cfa">lowered consumer confidence</a>, and enveloped many businesses in an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-business-uncertainty-canada-mexico-china-2b01e586faf99bae3438d289f48a1add">uncertain atmosphere</a>&nbsp;that could delay hiring and investment. Lutnick emphasized that reciprocal tariffs, in which the United States applies import taxes on countries that tariff U.S. exports, will still be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-farms-farmers-mexico-canada-china-prices-3a460f004633c10a6da6c4f97627dd13">implemented April 2</a>.Major U.S. stock markets bounced off lows after Lutnick spoke, but only briefly. Significant declines already seen this week resumed within an hour. The stock market has fallen steadily this week in response to Trump's tariff policies and the S&amp;P 500 stock index is now below where it was before Trump was elected.Sheinbaum said she and Trump “had an excellent and respectful call in which we agreed that our work and collaboration have yielded unprecedented results,” on a post on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter.Mexico has cracked down on cartels, sent troops to the U.S. border and delivered 29 top cartel bosses long chased by American authorities to the Trump administration in a span of weeks.Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday indicated that he expects his country will be in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trudeau-trump-tariffs-trade-war-58eaa333ef96d4f17965bb7004e6bee7">trade war with the United States</a>&nbsp;for the foreseeable future.Trudeau said the broader month-long pause “aligns with some of the conversations that we have been having with administration officials.”The Canadian leader said the move by the Trump administration was a “promising sign,” but it also “means that the tariffs remain in place and therefore our response will remain in place.”Lutnick said both Canada and Mexico “have done a good job offering us ever more work” on stopping fentanyl at the border, a key demand that Trump has made in return for permanently lifting the tariffs. Trump has also offered&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariff-justifications-50f0b4416234e63c7136eaa5c5f96759">many other reasons</a>&nbsp;for his tariffs, including raising revenue for the federal government, returning manufacturing to the United States, and reducing the trade surpluses both countries have with the U.S.

Trump changes course: Delays some tariffs on Mexico and now Canada

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House on Thursday voted to censure an unrepentant Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-speech-al-green-medicaid-9b8dd35494ef63dd8ff277ca54321b19">Al Green</a>, D-Texas, for disrupting President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump's</a>&nbsp;address to Congress.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., had Green removed from the chamber during the early moments of Trump’s speech Tuesday night. Green&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/al-green-gets-ejected-000001956426dd23abfffd3f55cb0000">stood and shouted</a>&nbsp;at Trump after the Republican president said the Nov. 5 election had delivered a governing mandate not seen for many decades.

“You have no mandate,” the Houston lawmaker said, shaking a cane and refusing an order from Johnson to “take your seat, sir!”

Republicans acted quickly to rebuke Green with a censure resolution that officially registers the House's deep disapproval of a member’s conduct. Once such a resolution is approved by majority vote, the member is asked to stand in the well of the House while the speaker or presiding officer reads the resolution.

The resolution against Green was approved in a mostly party-line vote of 224-198.&nbsp; Kansas GOP lawmakers Tracey Mann, Ron Estes and Derek Schmidt voted with the majority. Kansas Democrat Congresswoman Sharice Davids voted against the measure.

Rep. Dan Newhouse, the resolution's sponsor, said it was a “necessary, but difficult step.”

“This resolution is offered in all seriousness, something that I believe we must do in order to get us to the next level of conduct in this hallowed chamber,” said Newhouse, R-Wash.

It's the latest fallout of the boisterous behavior that has occurred during more recent presidential addresses to Congress. Outbursts from lawmakers have happened on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-state-of-the-union-address-joe-biden-nancy-pelosi-lauren-boebert-7fca394f8bf1be896fb280d7d63c41ca">both</a><a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-nancy-pelosi-ap-top-news-michael-pence-politics-f8edd0389a1a8ba41322e0e34098aafb">sides</a>&nbsp;of the political aisle.

Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., noted that Republicans were silent when members of their conference interrupted Democratic President Joe Biden's speech last year.

Some yelled “say her name”&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/laken-riley-biden-speech-immigration-d756dbe1c499c6fd0fc53be04290b371">in reference</a>&nbsp;to nursing student Laken Riley, as Biden spoke about immigration legislation that some lawmakers were working on. Riley&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/georgia-nursing-student-laken-riley-immigrant-d8d75ccc6d81e7a88eb7890829d9fc9c">was killed</a>&nbsp;while running on the University of Georgia campus by a Venezuelan citizen who illegally entered the United States in 2022 and had been allowed to stay to pursue his immigration case.

“Nobody apologized for interrupting Joe Biden time and again,” McGovern said. “You talk about lack of decorum. Go back and look at the tapes, and there was silence from the other side.”

The censure resolution says Green's actions were a “breach of proper conduct” during a joint address and that his removal “after numerous disruptions.” Democrats tried to table it Wednesday, but that effort failed on a party-line vote.

Johnson tweeted before Thursday's vote that Green “disgraced the institution of Congress and the constituents he serves.”

“He deliberately violated House rules, and an expeditious vote of censure is an appropriate remedy,” Johnson said. “Any Democrat who is concerned about regaining the trust and respect of the American people should join House Republicans in this effort.”

Green, now serving his 11th term, offered no regrets Wednesday when he explained his actions. Before speaking in his own defense from the House floor, he walked up to the Republican side of the chamber and shook Newhouse's hand. Green said he did not blame Johnson or those who had escorted him out after his outburst.

“Friends, I would do it again,” Green said.

He explained his actions by saying Trump had indicated he had won a mandate from voters. But Green said Trump does not have a mandate to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/medicaid-cuts-work-requirements-congress-republicans-90ec1119f1d95de067c76f79eec7fa87">cut Medicaid</a>, a program that many of his constituents rely on.

“This is a matter of principle. This is a matter of conscience,” Green said. “There are people suffering in this country because they don’t have health care.”

He concluded his remarks by saying, “on some issues that are matters of conscience, it is better to stand alone than not stand at all.”

Trump said last week about the state-federal health care program: “We’re not going to touch it.”

Some Democratic lawmakers skipped Trump's address. Others walked out during it. With tensions clearly on the rise, House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York had told colleagues beforehand that “it is important to have a strong, determined and dignified Democratic presence in the chamber.”

“I think Al Green was telling the truth,” said Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif. He was among the dozens of Democrats who held up signs that said “False” and displayed other protest slogans throughout Trump’s speech.

Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., who was speaker during Trump's first term, recalled her own&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-nancy-pelosi-ap-top-news-michael-pence-politics-f8edd0389a1a8ba41322e0e34098aafb">memorable moment</a>&nbsp;during a Trump address when she ripped his speech up after he handed it to her following his address.

"Everybody has to make their expression of how they see things. I think we should keep our focus on the president’s speech,” Pelosi said.

Associated Press writers Matt Brown, Lisa Mascaro and Leah Askarinam contributed to this report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741276637161.png" alt="Rep. Al Green in the well of the House after the vote on Thursday-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Al Green in the well of the House after the vote on Thursday-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The House on Thursday voted to censure an unrepentant Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-speech-al-green-medicaid-9b8dd35494ef63dd8ff277ca54321b19">Al Green</a>, D-Texas, for disrupting President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump's</a>&nbsp;address to Congress.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">U.S. House censures <a href="https://twitter.com/RepAlGreen?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RepAlGreen</a> for his conduct during President Trump&#39;s address to a joint session of Congress, 224-198-2. <a href="https://t.co/KTFxsbow77">pic.twitter.com/KTFxsbow77</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1897674854461067763?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., had Green removed from the chamber during the early moments of Trump’s speech Tuesday night. Green&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/al-green-gets-ejected-000001956426dd23abfffd3f55cb0000">stood and shouted</a>&nbsp;at Trump after the Republican president said the Nov. 5 election had delivered a governing mandate not seen for many decades.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/RepAlGreen?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RepAlGreen</a> (D-TX) is removed from the Joint Session of Congress. <a href="https://t.co/GJVHJpZHGc">pic.twitter.com/GJVHJpZHGc</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1897112970221531409?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“You have no mandate,” the Houston lawmaker said, shaking a cane and refusing an order from Johnson to “take your seat, sir!”Republicans acted quickly to rebuke Green with a censure resolution that officially registers the House's deep disapproval of a member’s conduct. Once such a resolution is approved by majority vote, the member is asked to stand in the well of the House while the speaker or presiding officer reads the resolution.The resolution against Green was approved in a mostly party-line vote of 224-198.&nbsp; Kansas GOP lawmakers Tracey Mann, Ron Estes and Derek Schmidt voted with the majority. Kansas Democrat Congresswoman Sharice Davids voted against the measure.Rep. Dan Newhouse, the resolution's sponsor, said it was a “necessary, but difficult step.”“This resolution is offered in all seriousness, something that I believe we must do in order to get us to the next level of conduct in this hallowed chamber,” said Newhouse, R-Wash.It's the latest fallout of the boisterous behavior that has occurred during more recent presidential addresses to Congress. Outbursts from lawmakers have happened on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-state-of-the-union-address-joe-biden-nancy-pelosi-lauren-boebert-7fca394f8bf1be896fb280d7d63c41ca">both</a><a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-nancy-pelosi-ap-top-news-michael-pence-politics-f8edd0389a1a8ba41322e0e34098aafb">sides</a>&nbsp;of the political aisle.Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., noted that Republicans were silent when members of their conference interrupted Democratic President Joe Biden's speech last year.Some yelled “say her name”&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/laken-riley-biden-speech-immigration-d756dbe1c499c6fd0fc53be04290b371">in reference</a>&nbsp;to nursing student Laken Riley, as Biden spoke about immigration legislation that some lawmakers were working on. Riley&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/georgia-nursing-student-laken-riley-immigrant-d8d75ccc6d81e7a88eb7890829d9fc9c">was killed</a>&nbsp;while running on the University of Georgia campus by a Venezuelan citizen who illegally entered the United States in 2022 and had been allowed to stay to pursue his immigration case.“Nobody apologized for interrupting Joe Biden time and again,” McGovern said. “You talk about lack of decorum. Go back and look at the tapes, and there was silence from the other side.”The censure resolution says Green's actions were a “breach of proper conduct” during a joint address and that his removal “after numerous disruptions.” Democrats tried to table it Wednesday, but that effort failed on a party-line vote.Johnson tweeted before Thursday's vote that Green “disgraced the institution of Congress and the constituents he serves.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Rep. Al Green’s shameful and egregious behavior during President Trump’s Joint Address disgraced the institution of Congress and the constituents he serves. Despite my repeated warnings, he refused to cease his antics and I was forced to remove him from the chamber. He…&mdash; Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpeakerJohnson/status/1897618790558453916?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“He deliberately violated House rules, and an expeditious vote of censure is an appropriate remedy,” Johnson said. “Any Democrat who is concerned about regaining the trust and respect of the American people should join House Republicans in this effort.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/RepAlGreen?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RepAlGreen</a> after being removed from Joint Session of Congress: &quot;I&#39;ll accept the punishment. It&#39;s worth it to let people know that there&#39;s some of us who are going to stand up to against this president&#39;s desire to cut Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/T32rj1OitB">pic.twitter.com/T32rj1OitB</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1897117558500700644?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Green, now serving his 11th term, offered no regrets Wednesday when he explained his actions. Before speaking in his own defense from the House floor, he walked up to the Republican side of the chamber and shook Newhouse's hand. Green said he did not blame Johnson or those who had escorted him out after his outburst.“Friends, I would do it again,” Green said.He explained his actions by saying Trump had indicated he had won a mandate from voters. But Green said Trump does not have a mandate to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/medicaid-cuts-work-requirements-congress-republicans-90ec1119f1d95de067c76f79eec7fa87">cut Medicaid</a>, a program that many of his constituents rely on.“This is a matter of principle. This is a matter of conscience,” Green said. “There are people suffering in this country because they don’t have health care.”He concluded his remarks by saying, “on some issues that are matters of conscience, it is better to stand alone than not stand at all.”Trump said last week about the state-federal health care program: “We’re not going to touch it.”Some Democratic lawmakers skipped Trump's address. Others walked out during it. With tensions clearly on the rise, House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York had told colleagues beforehand that “it is important to have a strong, determined and dignified Democratic presence in the chamber.”“I think Al Green was telling the truth,” said Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif. He was among the dozens of Democrats who held up signs that said “False” and displayed other protest slogans throughout Trump’s speech.Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., who was speaker during Trump's first term, recalled her own&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-nancy-pelosi-ap-top-news-michael-pence-politics-f8edd0389a1a8ba41322e0e34098aafb">memorable moment</a>&nbsp;during a Trump address when she ripped his speech up after he handed it to her following his address."Everybody has to make their expression of how they see things. I think we should keep our focus on the president’s speech,” Pelosi said.___Associated Press writers Matt Brown, Lisa Mascaro and Leah Askarinam contributed to this report.

🎥 Kan. GOP lawmakers vote to censure Rep. who heckled President Trump

NEW YORK (AP) — Roy Ayers, a legendary jazz vibraphonist, keyboardist, composer and vocalist known for his spacy, funky 1976 hit “Everybody Loves the Sunshine” that has been sampled by such R&amp;B and rap heavyweights as Mary J. Blige, N.W.A., Dr. Dre, 2Pac, Mos Def and Ice Cube, has died. He was 84.

The Ayers family said in a Facebook post that he died Tuesday in New York City after suffering from a long illness. “He lived a beautiful 84 years and will be sorely missed,” it said.

Ayers had 12 albums land in the Billboard 200 album charts, the highest being “You Send Me” in 1978 at No. 48. His “The Best of Roy Ayers” spend 50 weeks on the Contemporary Jazz Album chart.

His music never went out of style, appearing in the 2019 “Queen &amp; Slim: The Soundtrack.” His song “Running Away” propelled A Tribe Called Quest’s 1989 opus “Description of a Fool,” and the song was sampled by Big Daddy Kane and Common. Ayers was heard on Tyler, the Creator’s album “Cherry Bomb” and Erykah Badu's “Mama’s Gun.”

“Well, I have more sampled hits than anybody," he said in a 2004 interview with Wax Poetics magazine. "I might not have more samples than James Brown, but I’ve had more sampled hits. Oh, man, and there’s a few I don’t know about.”

One of Ayers' most popular albums was "Lifeline," which peaked at No. 9 on what has become the Top R&amp;B/Hip-hop chart in 1977 and contained the hit “Running Away,” which peaked at No. 19 on the R&amp;B chart and became a massive club hit.

During a visit to Johannesburg in 2017, Ayers offered some rhythmic advice for youth in the city's Soweto area: Get serious, be inspired, rap on, keep on and “eventually you’ll get it.”

“You guys, you have to pick your plateau. Get serious about everything,” said Ayers. He also named a few musicians who have inspired him: Nigerian Fela Kuti (“he was really like a genius”), Herbie Mann (“he taught me the business”) and Miles Davis (“He was the coolest. He was the grandmaster. He was out of sight”).

After debuting on record with hard bop tenor saxophonist Curtis Amy’s group in 1962, he teamed with jazz flutist Mann to record three albums for Atlantic Records — “Virgo Vibes,” “Stoned Soul Picnic” and “Daddy Bug” — and wrote and produced the soundtrack for the blaxploitation film “Coffy” starring Pam Grier. He also moved on to work with David “Fathead” Newman, the tenor mainstay of Ray Charles’ great ’60s orchestra.

In 2017, he appeared alongside such acts as Tom Petty, the Shins, Alabama Shakes, Charles Bradley and William Bell at the eclectic Arroyo Seco Festival in Los Angeles.

Ayers is survived by his wife Argerie, and their children Mtume and Ayana Ayers.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741280892502.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Roy Ayers, a legendary jazz vibraphonist, keyboardist, composer and vocalist known for his spacy, funky 1976 hit “Everybody Loves the Sunshine” that has been sampled by such R&amp;B and rap heavyweights as Mary J. Blige, N.W.A., Dr. Dre, 2Pac, Mos Def and Ice Cube, has died. He was 84.The Ayers family said in a Facebook post that he died Tuesday in New York City after suffering from a long illness. “He lived a beautiful 84 years and will be sorely missed,” it said.Ayers had 12 albums land in the Billboard 200 album charts, the highest being “You Send Me” in 1978 at No. 48. His “The Best of Roy Ayers” spend 50 weeks on the Contemporary Jazz Album chart.His music never went out of style, appearing in the 2019 “Queen &amp; Slim: The Soundtrack.” His song “Running Away” propelled A Tribe Called Quest’s 1989 opus “Description of a Fool,” and the song was sampled by Big Daddy Kane and Common. Ayers was heard on Tyler, the Creator’s album “Cherry Bomb” and Erykah Badu's “Mama’s Gun.”“Well, I have more sampled hits than anybody," he said in a 2004 interview with Wax Poetics magazine. "I might not have more samples than James Brown, but I’ve had more sampled hits. Oh, man, and there’s a few I don’t know about.”One of Ayers' most popular albums was "Lifeline," which peaked at No. 9 on what has become the Top R&amp;B/Hip-hop chart in 1977 and contained the hit “Running Away,” which peaked at No. 19 on the R&amp;B chart and became a massive club hit.During a visit to Johannesburg in 2017, Ayers offered some rhythmic advice for youth in the city's Soweto area: Get serious, be inspired, rap on, keep on and “eventually you’ll get it.”“You guys, you have to pick your plateau. Get serious about everything,” said Ayers. He also named a few musicians who have inspired him: Nigerian Fela Kuti (“he was really like a genius”), Herbie Mann (“he taught me the business”) and Miles Davis (“He was the coolest. He was the grandmaster. He was out of sight”).After debuting on record with hard bop tenor saxophonist Curtis Amy’s group in 1962, he teamed with jazz flutist Mann to record three albums for Atlantic Records — “Virgo Vibes,” “Stoned Soul Picnic” and “Daddy Bug” — and wrote and produced the soundtrack for the blaxploitation film “Coffy” starring Pam Grier. He also moved on to work with David “Fathead” Newman, the tenor mainstay of Ray Charles’ great ’60s orchestra.In 2017, he appeared alongside such acts as Tom Petty, the Shins, Alabama Shakes, Charles Bradley and William Bell at the eclectic Arroyo Seco Festival in Los Angeles.Ayers is survived by his wife Argerie, and their children Mtume and Ayana Ayers.

Roy Ayers, jazz legend who influenced hip-hop and R&B musicians, dies at 84

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating an armed robbery and have a teen in custody.

Just before 2:30p.m. Wednesday, police arrested 17-year-old Delron Tyree, Jr. of Topeka, in the 6000 block of SW 10th Street in Topeka, according to a media release from the RCPD.

Tyree was taken into custody on a Riley County District Court warrant for aggravated robbery armed with a dangerous weapon and criminal use of weapons.

Following his arrest, Tyree was transported to the North Central Kansas Regional Juvenile Detention Facility. Tyree was confined at the time of this report.

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating an armed robbery and have a teen in custody.Just before 2:30p.m. Wednesday, police arrested 17-year-old Delron Tyree, Jr. of Topeka, in the 6000 block of SW 10th Street in Topeka, according to a media release from the RCPD.Tyree was taken into custody on a Riley County District Court warrant for aggravated robbery armed with a dangerous weapon and criminal use of weapons.Following his arrest, Tyree was transported to the North Central Kansas Regional Juvenile Detention Facility. Tyree was confined at the time of this report.

Police arrest 17-year-old for Kansas armed robbery

DENVER (AP) — A boy who was allegedly taken by his mother, who didn’t have custody, seven years ago from Atlanta was found last month in Colorado after she was arrested in an unrelated incident in suburban Denver, authorities said Wednesday.

Rabia Khalid, 40, was arrested Feb. 23 after sheriff's deputies were asked to investigate a suspected burglary taking place at a vacant home that was for sale, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office said. The deputies found two children in a vehicle outside and a man and a woman coming out of the home who initially told them they were working for a realtor, it said in a press release.

Deputies, working with dispatchers, eventually determined that the woman was Khalid, who had an active warrant related to the 2017 disappearance of her son, Abdul Aziz Khan, who is now 14. The case was featured on Netflix's “Unsolved Mysteries,” according to the U.S. Marshals Service, which had been helping look for the boy. Khan was the older of the two children found in the vehicle, it said.

Khalid along with the man were arrested on charges including second-degree kidnapping, forgery, and identity theft.

Khalid's lawyer, Kyle Sawyer, said he was still reviewing all the information related to the case but said he would be adamantly defending Khalid.

The boy and the younger child, whose identity hasn't been released, were taken into protective custody and decisions about where they will be placed will be made by the court, the sheriff's office said.

The sheriff's office said the boy's family is asking for privacy at this time, but they expressed their gratitude in a statement.

“We’re overwhelmed with joy that Aziz has finally been found. We want to thank everyone for their support over the last seven years," they said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741266830025.png" alt="Khalid photo Douglas County Colorado Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Khalid photo Douglas County Colorado Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>DENVER (AP) — A boy who was allegedly taken by his mother, who didn’t have custody, seven years ago from Atlanta was found last month in Colorado after she was arrested in an unrelated incident in suburban Denver, authorities said Wednesday.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741266807592.png" alt="National Center for Missing and Exploited Children" />
 <figcaption>National Center for Missing and Exploited Children</figcaption>
 </figure>Rabia Khalid, 40, was arrested Feb. 23 after sheriff's deputies were asked to investigate a suspected burglary taking place at a vacant home that was for sale, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office said. The deputies found two children in a vehicle outside and a man and a woman coming out of the home who initially told them they were working for a realtor, it said in a press release.Deputies, working with dispatchers, eventually determined that the woman was Khalid, who had an active warrant related to the 2017 disappearance of her son, Abdul Aziz Khan, who is now 14. The case was featured on Netflix's “Unsolved Mysteries,” according to the U.S. Marshals Service, which had been helping look for the boy. Khan was the older of the two children found in the vehicle, it said.Khalid along with the man were arrested on charges including second-degree kidnapping, forgery, and identity theft.Khalid's lawyer, Kyle Sawyer, said he was still reviewing all the information related to the case but said he would be adamantly defending Khalid.The boy and the younger child, whose identity hasn't been released, were taken into protective custody and decisions about where they will be placed will be made by the court, the sheriff's office said.The sheriff's office said the boy's family is asking for privacy at this time, but they expressed their gratitude in a statement.“We’re overwhelmed with joy that Aziz has finally been found. We want to thank everyone for their support over the last seven years," they said.

Boy missing 7 years found after appearing on Netflix’s ‘Unsolved Mysteries’

BY&nbsp;&nbsp;LAURAN NEERGAARD&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/michael-casey">MICHAEL CASEY</a>

A federal judge on Wednesday blocked the Trump administration from drastically cutting medical research funding that many scientists say will endanger patients and cost jobs.

The new&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/years-research-groundwork-covid-19-shots-f204192f07cfcc3503dc9c7687ae6269">National Institutes of Health</a>&nbsp;policy would strip research groups of hundreds of millions of dollars to cover so-called indirect expenses of studying Alzheimer’s, cancer, heart disease and a host of other illnesses — anything from clinical trials of new treatments to basic lab research that is the foundation for discoveries.

Separate lawsuits filed by a group of 22 states plus organizations representing universities, hospitals and research institutions nationwide sued to stop the cuts, saying they would cause “irreparable harm.”

U.S. District Judge Angel Kelley in Boston had temporarily blocked the cuts last month. Wednesday, she filed a preliminary injunction that puts the cuts on hold for longer, while the suits proceed.

The NIH, the main funder of biomedical research, awarded about $35 billion in grants to research groups last year. The total is divided into “direct” costs – covering researchers’ salaries and laboratory supplies – and “indirect” costs, the administrative and facility costs needed to support that work.

The Trump administration had dismissed those expenses as “overhead,” but universities and hospitals argue they’re far more critical. They can include such things as electricity to operate sophisticated machinery, hazardous waste disposal, staff who ensure researchers follow safety rules and janitorial workers.

Under prior policy, the government negotiated those rates with institutions. As an example, an institution with a 50% indirect cost rate would get another $50,000 to cover indirect expenses for a $100,000 project. The NIH’s new policy would cap indirect costs at a flat rate of 15% instead, calculated to save the agency $4 billion a year.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1630165275617.jpeg" alt="Photo K-State" />
 <figcaption>Photo K-State</figcaption>
 </figure>BY&nbsp;&nbsp;LAURAN NEERGAARD&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/michael-casey">MICHAEL CASEY</a>A federal judge on Wednesday blocked the Trump administration from drastically cutting medical research funding that many scientists say will endanger patients and cost jobs.The new&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/years-research-groundwork-covid-19-shots-f204192f07cfcc3503dc9c7687ae6269">National Institutes of Health</a>&nbsp;policy would strip research groups of hundreds of millions of dollars to cover so-called indirect expenses of studying Alzheimer’s, cancer, heart disease and a host of other illnesses — anything from clinical trials of new treatments to basic lab research that is the foundation for discoveries.Separate lawsuits filed by a group of 22 states plus organizations representing universities, hospitals and research institutions nationwide sued to stop the cuts, saying they would cause “irreparable harm.”U.S. District Judge Angel Kelley in Boston had temporarily blocked the cuts last month. Wednesday, she filed a preliminary injunction that puts the cuts on hold for longer, while the suits proceed.The NIH, the main funder of biomedical research, awarded about $35 billion in grants to research groups last year. The total is divided into “direct” costs – covering researchers’ salaries and laboratory supplies – and “indirect” costs, the administrative and facility costs needed to support that work.The Trump administration had dismissed those expenses as “overhead,” but universities and hospitals argue they’re far more critical. They can include such things as electricity to operate sophisticated machinery, hazardous waste disposal, staff who ensure researchers follow safety rules and janitorial workers.Under prior policy, the government negotiated those rates with institutions. As an example, an institution with a 50% indirect cost rate would get another $50,000 to cover indirect expenses for a $100,000 project. The NIH’s new policy would cap indirect costs at a flat rate of 15% instead, calculated to save the agency $4 billion a year.

Federal judge blocks drastic funding cuts to medical research

KANSAS CITY —A pedestrian injured in an accident just before 2:30p.m. February 23 has died.

The pedestrian was standing/walking in the middle travel lane of eastbound Interstate 70 at Sterling, according to KCPD&nbsp;Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

A red Honda Civic struck the pedestrian, knocking the pedestrian to the ground. The driver of the Honda who was uninjured in the collision, stopped and cooperated with the investigation. The pedestrian was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries.&nbsp;

The Jackson County Medical Examiner's office notified police on Wednesday the victim died just after 9:30p.m. Tuesday, according to DiMartino.&nbsp; Police have not released the name of the pedestrian or additional details.

KANSAS CITY —A pedestrian injured in an accident just before 2:30p.m. February 23 has died.The pedestrian was standing/walking in the middle travel lane of eastbound Interstate 70 at Sterling, according to KCPD&nbsp;Sergeant Phil DiMartino.A red Honda Civic struck the pedestrian, knocking the pedestrian to the ground. The driver of the Honda who was uninjured in the collision, stopped and cooperated with the investigation. The pedestrian was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries.&nbsp;The Jackson County Medical Examiner's office notified police on Wednesday the victim died just after 9:30p.m. Tuesday, according to DiMartino.&nbsp; Police have not released the name of the pedestrian or additional details.

Police: Pedestrian dies days after struck by a car on I-70

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22HEATHER%20HOLLINGSWORTH%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH &nbsp;Associated Press</a>

KANSAS CITY (AP) —Two men were charged Wednesday in the deaths of three Kansas City Chiefs fans whose bodies were found in a backyard two days after they got together to watch the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-playoffs-analysis-23676cf40d7f56b4b80a2247e9372e26">final game</a>&nbsp;of the regular season in 2024.

Jordan Willis and Ivory Carson are each charged with three counts of involuntary manslaughter and two counts of delivery of a controlled substance in a case that gained widespread attention on social media. Their bond is set at $100,000 cash only.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-chiefs-fan-deaths-mystery-police-toxicology-335f4d726c3c1b5d139de6a5fa77ead5">Speculation</a>&nbsp;about what happened started after 38-year-old Ricky Johnson, 36-year-old Clayton McGeeney and 37-year-old David Harrington were found dead in Willis’ Kansas City, Missouri, yard on Jan. 9, 2024, after McGeeney’s fiancée went looking for him.

A doctor with a forensic lab later determined that the combined toxicity of fentanyl and cocaine killed them, according to the probable cause statement.

Witnesses said the friends were using cocaine when they got together first at Harrington’s home and then Willis’ on Jan. 7, 2024, to watch the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-chargers-score-a2a7d7cc00886055cda31d1d9c3f3808">Chiefs play the Los Angeles Chargers.</a>&nbsp;The witnesses said Willis had a history of offering cocaine to his friends when they were low on money and that he bought it from Carson, according to the probable cause statement.

But Willis’ lawyer, John Picerno, said there is no evidence that Willis bought the drugs that his friends ingested before their deaths, noting they had been partying all day. And he said Willis didn’t know that they were still in his backyard — or that they needed medical attention — until police showed up.

“It has been a very, very long year for Jordan," Picerno said. “He's lost his job. He's lost his home. He's lost his friends. The public are pointing at him as someone who essentially killed them. And nothing could be further from the truth.”

Willis told police that he believed that McGeeney, Harrington and Johnson possibly got a hold of some fentanyl at some point on the Sunday the game was played and that he thought they all left his home around 4 a.m. the next morning.

Weather records indicate the low temperature that night was around 33 degrees (1 degree Celsius).

Investigators interviewed Carson, who admitted to selling cocaine to Johnson, Willis, Harrington and McGeeney before Jan. 1, 2024, the probable cause statement says. No attorney is listed for Carson in online court records.

In the weeks and months since the three deaths, the case went viral on TikTok and other social platforms for its true-crime overtones. And family members of the three men have taken their frustrations to Kansas City-area media, questioning when there would be charges.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741214636116.png" alt="Carson Platte Co." />
 <figcaption>Carson Platte Co.</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22HEATHER%20HOLLINGSWORTH%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH &nbsp;Associated Press</a>KANSAS CITY (AP) —Two men were charged Wednesday in the deaths of three Kansas City Chiefs fans whose bodies were found in a backyard two days after they got together to watch the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-playoffs-analysis-23676cf40d7f56b4b80a2247e9372e26">final game</a>&nbsp;of the regular season in 2024.Jordan Willis and Ivory Carson are each charged with three counts of involuntary manslaughter and two counts of delivery of a controlled substance in a case that gained widespread attention on social media. Their bond is set at $100,000 cash only.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741225370818.png" alt="Willis-photo Platte Co." />
 <figcaption>Willis-photo Platte Co.</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-chiefs-fan-deaths-mystery-police-toxicology-335f4d726c3c1b5d139de6a5fa77ead5">Speculation</a>&nbsp;about what happened started after 38-year-old Ricky Johnson, 36-year-old Clayton McGeeney and 37-year-old David Harrington were found dead in Willis’ Kansas City, Missouri, yard on Jan. 9, 2024, after McGeeney’s fiancée went looking for him.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1705095774621.png" alt="Police near the home under investigation -photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Police near the home under investigation -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>A doctor with a forensic lab later determined that the combined toxicity of fentanyl and cocaine killed them, according to the probable cause statement.Witnesses said the friends were using cocaine when they got together first at Harrington’s home and then Willis’ on Jan. 7, 2024, to watch the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-chargers-score-a2a7d7cc00886055cda31d1d9c3f3808">Chiefs play the Los Angeles Chargers.</a>&nbsp;The witnesses said Willis had a history of offering cocaine to his friends when they were low on money and that he bought it from Carson, according to the probable cause statement.But Willis’ lawyer, John Picerno, said there is no evidence that Willis bought the drugs that his friends ingested before their deaths, noting they had been partying all day. And he said Willis didn’t know that they were still in his backyard — or that they needed medical attention — until police showed up.“It has been a very, very long year for Jordan," Picerno said. “He's lost his job. He's lost his home. He's lost his friends. The public are pointing at him as someone who essentially killed them. And nothing could be further from the truth.”Willis told police that he believed that McGeeney, Harrington and Johnson possibly got a hold of some fentanyl at some point on the Sunday the game was played and that he thought they all left his home around 4 a.m. the next morning.Weather records indicate the low temperature that night was around 33 degrees (1 degree Celsius).Investigators interviewed Carson, who admitted to selling cocaine to Johnson, Willis, Harrington and McGeeney before Jan. 1, 2024, the probable cause statement says. No attorney is listed for Carson in online court records.In the weeks and months since the three deaths, the case went viral on TikTok and other social platforms for its true-crime overtones. And family members of the three men have taken their frustrations to Kansas City-area media, questioning when there would be charges.

2 charged in deaths of 3 Chiefs fans whose bodies were found in friend's backyard

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement investigating a fatal gun fight have two suspects in custody in connection with the crime and continue asking the public for help to locate a third.

The Wichita Police Department is asking for information on the whereabouts of 20-year-old Jerry Johnson.&nbsp; The Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office charged Johnson in reference to his involvement to a homicide that occurred on February 11.

Just before 6p.m. Feb. 11, police responded to reports of a shooting in the 1200 block of S. Bleckley in Wichita, according to Police Department spokesperson Brad Wright.

Officers arrived at the scene and found 23-year-old Manuel Roach with a gunshot wound. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

Preliminary investigation indicates that a disturbance occurred involving Roach and three unidentified males dressed in all black. Following the incident, the suspects departed the scene in a white SUV before law enforcement arrival. The exact circumstances that led up to the shooting are still under investigation, according to Wright. Police do believe this was a targeted incident between individuals known to each other.

An 18-year-old identified as Sergio Clement arrived at a local hospital with a single gunshot wound to his lower extremity. Through the investigation, it was discovered that Clement and 21-year-old Alan Griffin, Jr. were involved in the fatal shooting of Roach. As a result, both were arrested and booked into Sedgwick County Jail.&nbsp;

Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact investigators at 316-268-4407, Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111, or See Something Say Something at 316-519-2282.

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement investigating a fatal gun fight have two suspects in custody in connection with the crime and continue asking the public for help to locate a third.The Wichita Police Department is asking for information on the whereabouts of 20-year-old Jerry Johnson.&nbsp; The Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office charged Johnson in reference to his involvement to a homicide that occurred on February 11.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739989718610.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Just before 6p.m. Feb. 11, police responded to reports of a shooting in the 1200 block of S. Bleckley in Wichita, according to Police Department spokesperson Brad Wright.Officers arrived at the scene and found 23-year-old Manuel Roach with a gunshot wound. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.Preliminary investigation indicates that a disturbance occurred involving Roach and three unidentified males dressed in all black. Following the incident, the suspects departed the scene in a white SUV before law enforcement arrival. The exact circumstances that led up to the shooting are still under investigation, according to Wright. Police do believe this was a targeted incident between individuals known to each other.An 18-year-old identified as Sergio Clement arrived at a local hospital with a single gunshot wound to his lower extremity. Through the investigation, it was discovered that Clement and 21-year-old Alan Griffin, Jr. were involved in the fatal shooting of Roach. As a result, both were arrested and booked into Sedgwick County Jail.&nbsp;Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact investigators at 316-268-4407, Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111, or See Something Say Something at 316-519-2282.

Search continues for suspect in deadly Kansas gun fight

CAIRO (AP) — The Hamas militant group on Thursday brushed off&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hamas-israel-trump-ceasefire-bdc21f862b073dd478e0960ebfbf71e3">President Donald Trump's latest threat</a>&nbsp;and reiterated that it will only free the remaining Israeli hostages in exchange for a lasting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">ceasefire in the Gaza Strip</a>.

Hamas accused Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-ceasefire-hostages-witkoff-plan-46a639d66772915ba1ed0b43cd2728d8">trying to back out of the ceasefire agreement</a>&nbsp;they reached in January. The agreement calls for negotiations over a second phase in which the hostages would be released in exchange for more Palestinian prisoners, a permanent ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

Hamas spokesman Abdel-Latif al-Qanoua said the “best path to free the remaining Israeli hostages” is through negotiations on that phase, which were supposed to begin in early February. Only limited preparatory talks have been held so far.

On Wednesday, Trump issued what he said was a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hamas-israel-trump-ceasefire-bdc21f862b073dd478e0960ebfbf71e3">“last warning” to Hamas</a>&nbsp;after meeting with eight former hostages. The White House meanwhile confirmed it had held unprecedented direct talks with the militant group, which Israel and Western countries view as a terrorist organization.

“Release all of the Hostages now, not later, and immediately return all of the dead bodies of the people you murdered, or it is OVER for you,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. “Only sick and twisted people keep bodies, and you are sick and twisted!”

Both&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hamas-gaza-strip-jerusalem-west-bank-israel-f64031f2462fc7267731962b65c9d2cb">Israel and Hamas have a longstanding practice</a>&nbsp;of holding onto the remains of their adversaries in order to trade them in hostage-prisoner deals.

Hamas is believed to still have 24 living hostages taken in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that triggered the war, including Israeli-American Edan Alexander. It is also holding the bodies of 34 others who were either killed in the initial attack or in captivity, as well as the remains of a soldier killed in the 2014 war.

Hamas released 25 Israeli hostages and the bodies of eight more in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners in the first, 42-day phase of the ceasefire, which ended on Saturday.

Israel supports what it says is a new U.S. plan for the second phase in which Hamas would release half the remaining hostages immediately and the rest when a permanent ceasefire is negotiated. Hamas has rejected the proposal and says it is sticking with the agreement signed in January.

Israel has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-aid-cutoff-netanyahu-hunger-war-940ceea2c2b754d197a4f07c0cad86de">cut off the delivery of food, fuel, medicine and other supplies</a>&nbsp;to Gaza's roughly 2 million Palestinians in an attempt to pressure Hamas into accepting the new arrangement. It has threatened “additional consequences” if Hamas does not resume the release of hostages.

It's unclear if the U.S.-Hamas talks made any progress. The Trump administration has pledged full support for Israel's main war goals of returning all the hostages and eradicating Hamas, which may be incompatible.

Hamas-led militants killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, in the Oct. 7 attack and took a total of 251 people hostage. Most have been released in ceasefire agreements or other arrangements. Israeli forces have rescued eight living hostages and recovered the bodies of dozens more.

Israel's military offensive has killed over 48,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not say how many of the dead were militants. Israel says it has killed over 17,000 fighters, without providing evidence.

The offensive destroyed vast areas in Gaza and displaced most of its population. Hundreds of thousands of people are living in tents, schools-turned-shelters or war-damaged buildings, and the population relies on international aid.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Wednesday issued what he called a “last warning” to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-gaza-hostages-images-chaos-6371eb106d6cebe7919f70ba208007ca">Hamas to release all remaining hostages held in Gaza</a>, directing a sharply worded message after the White House confirmed that he had recently dispatched an envoy for unprecedented direct talks with the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">militant group</a>.

In a statement on his Truth Social platform soon after meeting at the White House with eight former hostages, Trump added that he was “sending Israel everything it needs to finish the job.”

“Release all of the Hostages now, not later, and immediately return all of the dead bodies of the people you murdered, or it is OVER for you,” Trump said. “Only sick and twisted people keep bodies, and you are sick and twisted!”

The pointed language from Trump came after the White House said Wednesday that U.S. officials have engaged in “ongoing talks and discussions” with Hamas officials, stepping away from a long-held U.S. policy of not&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mideast-gaza-israel-hamas-war-latest-03-05-2025-a681a03e2950a89e70eb006f0c27fc3b">directly engaging with the militant group</a>.

Confirmation of the talks in the Qatari capital of Doha came as the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-news-02-27-2025-cfcdd8786afe4bc73ae79b3e0e4ccb3b">Israel-Hamas ceasefire remains in the balance</a>. It’s the first known direct engagement between the United States and Hamas since the State Department designated the group a foreign terrorist organization in 1997.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt declined to provide detail on the substance of talks, but said President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;has authorized his envoys to “talk to anyone.” Egyptian and Qatari intermediaries have served as mediators with Hamas for the U.S. and Israel since the group launched its Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel that sparked the war.

“Look, dialogue and talking to people around the world to do what’s in the best interest of the American people is something that the president ... believes is a good-faith effort to do what’s right for the American people,” she said.

Leavitt added that Israel has been consulted about the direct engagement with Hamas officials, and noted that there are “American lives at stake.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office offered a terse acknowledgement of the U.S.-Hamas talks. “Israel has expressed to the United States its position regarding direct talks with Hamas,” the prime minister’s office said.

Israeli officials say about 24 living hostages — including Edan Alexander, an American citizen — as well as the bodies of at least 35 others are believed to still be held in Gaza.

Adam Boehler, Trump’s nominee to be special envoy for hostage affairs, led the direct talks with Hamas. Boehler, founder and CEO of Rubicon Founders, a healthcare investment firm, was a lead negotiator on the Abraham Accords team during Trump’s first term that strove to win broader recognition of Israel in the Arab world.

The talks, which took place last month, focused mainly on the release of American hostages, and a potential end of the war without Hamas in power in Gaza, according to a Hamas official who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The official added that no progress was made but “the step itself is promising” and more talks are expected. Egyptian and Qatari mediators helped arrange the talks.

The direct engagement comes as continuation of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire remains uncertain. Trump has signaled that he has no intentions of pushing Netanyahu away from a return to combat if Hamas doesn’t agree to terms of a new ceasefire proposal, which the Israelis have billed as being drafted by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff.

The new plan would require Hamas to release half its remaining hostages — the militant group’s main bargaining chip — in exchange for a ceasefire extension and a promise to negotiate a lasting truce. Israel made no mention of releasing more Palestinian prisoners, a key component of the first phase.

Trump on Wednesday welcomed eight former hostages — Iair Horn, Omer Shem Tov, Eli Sharabi, Keith Siegel, Aviva Siegel, Naama Levy, Doron Steinbrecher and Noa Argamani — to the White House.

“The President listened intently to their heartbreaking stories,” Leavitt said. "The hostages thanked President Trump for his steadfast efforts to bring all of the hostages home.”

Keith Siegel, an Israeli-American&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hostages-gaza-hamas-ceasefire-af820b4bd1d62de94e2022b521db268c">released last month as part of the ceasefire</a>, said they came to the White House to express their appreciation to Trump and Witkoff, the Mideast envoy.

“We urged them to continue their enormous efforts. They have done so much. We trust them and we know they will get the job done to get all the rest of the 59 remaining hostages held in Gaza back to their families,” he said in a statement.

The talks between U.S. and Hamas officials were first reported earlier Wednesday by the news site Axios.

Leavitt, the White House press secretary, is one of three administration officials who face a lawsuit from The Associated Press on First- and Fifth-Amendment grounds. The AP says the three are punishing the news agency for editorial decisions they oppose. The White House says the AP is not following an executive order to refer to the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741214101993.png" alt="White House photo" />
 <figcaption>White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>CAIRO (AP) — The Hamas militant group on Thursday brushed off&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hamas-israel-trump-ceasefire-bdc21f862b073dd478e0960ebfbf71e3">President Donald Trump's latest threat</a>&nbsp;and reiterated that it will only free the remaining Israeli hostages in exchange for a lasting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">ceasefire in the Gaza Strip</a>.Hamas accused Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-ceasefire-hostages-witkoff-plan-46a639d66772915ba1ed0b43cd2728d8">trying to back out of the ceasefire agreement</a>&nbsp;they reached in January. The agreement calls for negotiations over a second phase in which the hostages would be released in exchange for more Palestinian prisoners, a permanent ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.Hamas spokesman Abdel-Latif al-Qanoua said the “best path to free the remaining Israeli hostages” is through negotiations on that phase, which were supposed to begin in early February. Only limited preparatory talks have been held so far.On Wednesday, Trump issued what he said was a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hamas-israel-trump-ceasefire-bdc21f862b073dd478e0960ebfbf71e3">“last warning” to Hamas</a>&nbsp;after meeting with eight former hostages. The White House meanwhile confirmed it had held unprecedented direct talks with the militant group, which Israel and Western countries view as a terrorist organization.“Release all of the Hostages now, not later, and immediately return all of the dead bodies of the people you murdered, or it is OVER for you,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. “Only sick and twisted people keep bodies, and you are sick and twisted!”Both&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hamas-gaza-strip-jerusalem-west-bank-israel-f64031f2462fc7267731962b65c9d2cb">Israel and Hamas have a longstanding practice</a>&nbsp;of holding onto the remains of their adversaries in order to trade them in hostage-prisoner deals.Hamas is believed to still have 24 living hostages taken in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that triggered the war, including Israeli-American Edan Alexander. It is also holding the bodies of 34 others who were either killed in the initial attack or in captivity, as well as the remains of a soldier killed in the 2014 war.Hamas released 25 Israeli hostages and the bodies of eight more in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners in the first, 42-day phase of the ceasefire, which ended on Saturday.Israel supports what it says is a new U.S. plan for the second phase in which Hamas would release half the remaining hostages immediately and the rest when a permanent ceasefire is negotiated. Hamas has rejected the proposal and says it is sticking with the agreement signed in January.Israel has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-aid-cutoff-netanyahu-hunger-war-940ceea2c2b754d197a4f07c0cad86de">cut off the delivery of food, fuel, medicine and other supplies</a>&nbsp;to Gaza's roughly 2 million Palestinians in an attempt to pressure Hamas into accepting the new arrangement. It has threatened “additional consequences” if Hamas does not resume the release of hostages.It's unclear if the U.S.-Hamas talks made any progress. The Trump administration has pledged full support for Israel's main war goals of returning all the hostages and eradicating Hamas, which may be incompatible.Hamas-led militants killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, in the Oct. 7 attack and took a total of 251 people hostage. Most have been released in ceasefire agreements or other arrangements. Israeli forces have rescued eight living hostages and recovered the bodies of dozens more.Israel's military offensive has killed over 48,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not say how many of the dead were militants. Israel says it has killed over 17,000 fighters, without providing evidence.The offensive destroyed vast areas in Gaza and displaced most of its population. Hundreds of thousands of people are living in tents, schools-turned-shelters or war-damaged buildings, and the population relies on international aid.-------------WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Wednesday issued what he called a “last warning” to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-gaza-hostages-images-chaos-6371eb106d6cebe7919f70ba208007ca">Hamas to release all remaining hostages held in Gaza</a>, directing a sharply worded message after the White House confirmed that he had recently dispatched an envoy for unprecedented direct talks with the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">militant group</a>.In a statement on his Truth Social platform soon after meeting at the White House with eight former hostages, Trump added that he was “sending Israel everything it needs to finish the job.”“Release all of the Hostages now, not later, and immediately return all of the dead bodies of the people you murdered, or it is OVER for you,” Trump said. “Only sick and twisted people keep bodies, and you are sick and twisted!”The pointed language from Trump came after the White House said Wednesday that U.S. officials have engaged in “ongoing talks and discussions” with Hamas officials, stepping away from a long-held U.S. policy of not&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mideast-gaza-israel-hamas-war-latest-03-05-2025-a681a03e2950a89e70eb006f0c27fc3b">directly engaging with the militant group</a>.Confirmation of the talks in the Qatari capital of Doha came as the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-news-02-27-2025-cfcdd8786afe4bc73ae79b3e0e4ccb3b">Israel-Hamas ceasefire remains in the balance</a>. It’s the first known direct engagement between the United States and Hamas since the State Department designated the group a foreign terrorist organization in 1997.White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt declined to provide detail on the substance of talks, but said President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;has authorized his envoys to “talk to anyone.” Egyptian and Qatari intermediaries have served as mediators with Hamas for the U.S. and Israel since the group launched its Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel that sparked the war.“Look, dialogue and talking to people around the world to do what’s in the best interest of the American people is something that the president ... believes is a good-faith effort to do what’s right for the American people,” she said.Leavitt added that Israel has been consulted about the direct engagement with Hamas officials, and noted that there are “American lives at stake.”Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office offered a terse acknowledgement of the U.S.-Hamas talks. “Israel has expressed to the United States its position regarding direct talks with Hamas,” the prime minister’s office said.Israeli officials say about 24 living hostages — including Edan Alexander, an American citizen — as well as the bodies of at least 35 others are believed to still be held in Gaza.Adam Boehler, Trump’s nominee to be special envoy for hostage affairs, led the direct talks with Hamas. Boehler, founder and CEO of Rubicon Founders, a healthcare investment firm, was a lead negotiator on the Abraham Accords team during Trump’s first term that strove to win broader recognition of Israel in the Arab world.The talks, which took place last month, focused mainly on the release of American hostages, and a potential end of the war without Hamas in power in Gaza, according to a Hamas official who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.The official added that no progress was made but “the step itself is promising” and more talks are expected. Egyptian and Qatari mediators helped arrange the talks.The direct engagement comes as continuation of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire remains uncertain. Trump has signaled that he has no intentions of pushing Netanyahu away from a return to combat if Hamas doesn’t agree to terms of a new ceasefire proposal, which the Israelis have billed as being drafted by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff.The new plan would require Hamas to release half its remaining hostages — the militant group’s main bargaining chip — in exchange for a ceasefire extension and a promise to negotiate a lasting truce. Israel made no mention of releasing more Palestinian prisoners, a key component of the first phase.Trump on Wednesday welcomed eight former hostages — Iair Horn, Omer Shem Tov, Eli Sharabi, Keith Siegel, Aviva Siegel, Naama Levy, Doron Steinbrecher and Noa Argamani — to the White House.“The President listened intently to their heartbreaking stories,” Leavitt said. "The hostages thanked President Trump for his steadfast efforts to bring all of the hostages home.”Keith Siegel, an Israeli-American&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hostages-gaza-hamas-ceasefire-af820b4bd1d62de94e2022b521db268c">released last month as part of the ceasefire</a>, said they came to the White House to express their appreciation to Trump and Witkoff, the Mideast envoy.“We urged them to continue their enormous efforts. They have done so much. We trust them and we know they will get the job done to get all the rest of the 59 remaining hostages held in Gaza back to their families,” he said in a statement.The talks between U.S. and Hamas officials were first reported earlier Wednesday by the news site Axios.Leavitt, the White House press secretary, is one of three administration officials who face a lawsuit from The Associated Press on First- and Fifth-Amendment grounds. The AP says the three are punishing the news agency for editorial decisions they oppose. The White House says the AP is not following an executive order to refer to the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America.

Trump issues 'last warning' to Hamas: Release all remaining hostages in Gaza

JOHNSON COUNTY—Two people died in an accident just before 11a.m. Wednesday in Johnson County.

The two vehicle crash that occurred on northbound Kansas 7 near West 47th Street, according to a statement from Shawnee Police.

Two individuals in one vehicle were pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the second vehicle remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators. They were not seriously injured.The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the Shawnee Police Department’s Traffic Safety Unit.&nbsp; Police did release names of the victims or additional details.

JOHNSON COUNTY—Two people died in an accident just before 11a.m. Wednesday in Johnson County.The two vehicle crash that occurred on northbound Kansas 7 near West 47th Street, according to a statement from Shawnee Police.Two individuals in one vehicle were pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the second vehicle remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators. They were not seriously injured.The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the Shawnee Police Department’s Traffic Safety Unit.&nbsp; Police did release names of the victims or additional details.

Two dead after 2-vehicle Kansas crash

WASHINGTON (AP) — They start the day often as low-profile&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cabinet-promises-patel-kennedy-bessent-rollins-b86a6dd08ab08f4b54e1a4d18fce11be">Cabinet secretaries</a>. They end it that way, too, God willing.

But, when the rest of the government is gathered together for a big event, like President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;'s joint congressional address Tuesday night, a designated survivor is kept away to ensure someone in the line of presidential succession stays alive.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1733831790352.png" alt="Kansas U.S. Senator Jerry Moran and&nbsp; Collins during a meeting in January- courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Kansas U.S. Senator Jerry Moran and&nbsp; Collins during a meeting in January- courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — They start the day often as low-profile&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cabinet-promises-patel-kennedy-bessent-rollins-b86a6dd08ab08f4b54e1a4d18fce11be">Cabinet secretaries</a>. They end it that way, too, God willing.But, when the rest of the government is gathered together for a big event, like President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;'s joint congressional address Tuesday night, a designated survivor is kept away to ensure someone in the line of presidential succession stays alive.Picking a failsafe in case of a cataclysmic event that wipes out everyone else dates back to the Cold War. It's been dramatized in novels and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/8696f0dd99ec4e008e75a26ffc1d8b9b">an ABC series starring Kiefer Sutherland</a>&nbsp;that aired from 2016 to 2019.Being the actual designated survivor brings extra adrenaline jolts and humbling thoughts about being unwittingly catapulted into the presidency and unthinkable tragedy — though the minute-to-minute details usually don't feature the high drama of fictional portrayals, those who have filled the role say.“It focuses your mind. It also enhances your prayer that it doesn’t happen to you,” James Nicholson, who was President George W. Bush's veterans affairs secretary and designated survivor during the 2006 State of the Union, said of possibly becoming president after a cataclysmic event.For Trump's address, Doug Collins — who is the current administration's veterans affairs secretary — was chosen as designated survivor. Historian and journalist Garrett M. Graff said the concept of designated survivor has long captivated people because it combines the public's inherent fascination with danger and the romance of an “everyman” being thrust into the presidency.“The idea of, you’re just a random Cabinet official, and then something terrible happens and, all of a sudden, you’re president of the United States," said Graff, author of “Raven Rock: The Story of the U.S. Government’s Secret Plan to Save Itself — While the Rest of Us Die.”Until the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, designated survivors had more control over where they went outside Washington. President Bill Clinton's energy secretary, the late Bill Richardson, was picked in 2000 and simply moved up a planned weekend trip with his wife to Oxford, Maryland, a waterfront town about 80 miles away, so he'd be there during the State of the Union.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623095759554.jpeg" alt="File photo Aspen Institute Dan Glickman&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>File photo Aspen Institute Dan Glickman&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>When Dan Glickman, Clinton’s agriculture secretary, was tapped during the 1997 State of the Union, his hometown of Wichita, Kansas, was too far away, so he chose New York, where his daughter lived.“I thought it was kind of exciting. But I wasn’t hyped up from a dangerous perspective,” Glickman said. “I don’t even think anybody told me to be careful.”Alberto Gonzales, Bush's attorney general, was the designated survivor during the 2007 State of the Union. He said White House chief of staff Josh Bolten called a few days before and gave a couple of options for where he could hunker down.Gonzales chose to be in flight, and he arrived at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland to find “members of every major department and agency” there to ride with him. They carried thick binders stuffed with memos and protocol instructions, just in case.He said there were a series of briefings that may have stretched right into Bush's speech, which he watched from the air.“It was during that time that it sort of suddenly hit me, if something happened in the Capitol and everyone's killed, that I'd be president,” Gonzales said. "It's sort of sobering. And you wonder, would I be up to governing a wounded nation?”In “Raven Rock,” Graff details how the designated survivor concept was formalized by the Carter and Reagan administrations amid fears that Soviet subs just off the Atlantic Coast could fire nuclear missiles and wipe out Washington with barely 10 minutes’ warning.Beginning in April 1980, the White House Military Office tasked the Federal Emergency Management Agency with ensuring succession. An aide was directed to recommend to the president who should skip events when all possible successors were together outside the White House.Officials still prepare for a massive attack or disaster. The military helicopter that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ronald-reagan-national-airport-crash-cebb142d24859ba0c4e0e4fd6c33773f">collided with a regional jet</a>&nbsp;outside Reagan National Airport in January was on a continuity of government mission — training to keep the federal government functioning in case of catastrophe.The first time that a Cabinet member being kept away from a presidential speech to Congress was publicly divulged was President Ronald Reagan’s Education Secretary Terrel Bell in 1981. But Bell wasn’t identified until afterward.Today, TV images from the House chamber allow political junkies to spot the missing Cabinet member within minutes.Nicholson said Bush’s then-chief of staff, Andy Card, had asked him a few weeks before the State of the Union to take on the role. He was a natural fit given that his agency played an important role in continuity of government exercises due to its numerous hospitals and clinics nationwide.Nicholson flew by helicopter to a destination only divulged once he was in the air, and later sat in a command center, where he underwent briefings before watching Bush’s speech.He was served a “wonderful” dinner, prepared onsite by personnel from the White House mess, though he can't recall if it was T-bone steak or prime rib or something similar. “It made you think that, at least, if this awful thing happened, you’d be well fed," he said.“The enormity of that job. You think about, remote as it is, this is something you might have to do,” he said of becoming president. Nicholson's wife was attending the State of the Union, meaning that if something happened, she could be among the victims, which only added to the pressure.When it was over, Nicholson wasn't asked to fill in his predecessor in the role, Gonzales, or future designated survivors.“We don’t have a club,” he laughed. "We should.”Glickman recalls boarding an Air Force G-3 from Andrews along with Secret Service agents, a military official and a series of advisers not on his usual staff. A three-car motorcade later carried him from LaGuardia Airport to his daughter's apartment near Union Square in Manhattan.She wanted to invite others to watch the speech with them, but Glickman nixed that. “This was not a party," he said.It wasn't all serious, though. Glickman said he was told he didn't need to dress up, so he didn't wear a suit. Instructions not to study up spared him from reading briefing books or memorizing security protocols.After the speech, the Secret Service asked if Glickman wanted a ride to the airport. He declined, saying he planned to have dinner with his daughter. It was sleeting when the motorcade left without him, making taxis scarce and the sudden return to real life especially abrupt.