AP-Newswatch

Hamas says it will free 3 more hostages as planned, paving the way to resolve ceasefire dispute

CAIRO (AP) — Hamas says it will release the next group of three Israeli hostages as planned. That would pave the way toward resolving a major dispute over the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. Hamas had threatened to delay the next release of Israeli hostages, accusing Israel of failing to meet its obligations to allow in tents and shelters, among other alleged violations of the truce. Israel has said it will resume fighting Hamas if the hostages are not freed, but did not immediately comment on the statement by the militant group. The announcement by Hamas’ should allow the ceasefire to continue for now, though its long-term viability remains in doubt.

Russia rejoices at Trump-Putin call as Zelenskyy rejects talks without Ukraine present

Russian officials and state media have taken a triumphant tone after President Donald Trump jettisoned three years of U.S. policy and announced he would likely meet soon with Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate a peace deal in the almost three-year-long war in Ukraine. Trump’s change of tack seemed to identify Putin as the only player that matters in ending the fighting. It looked set to sideline Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelenskyy, as well as European governments, in any peace negotiations. Zelenskyy says he will not accept any agreements about Ukraine that do not include his country in the talks.

NATO allies insist Ukraine and Europe must be in peace talks as Trump touts Putin meeting

BRUSSELS (AP) — Several NATO allies are insisting that Ukraine and Europe must not be cut out of any peace negotiations, after U.S. President Donald Trump signaled that he would hold talks soon with Russian President Vladimir Putin. U.K. Defence Secretary John Healey said Thursday that “Ukraine’s voice must be at the heart of any talks.” The United States has rattled NATO by saying that Ukraine should never join and that European allies should take responsibility for Ukraine’s security. Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur said that Europe has driven sanctions against Russia, invested heavily in Ukraine’s defense, and will have to foot the bill for reconstruction. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth denied that the United States is betraying Ukraine.

Vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is confirmed as Trump’s health chief after a close Senate vote

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate has confirmed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as President Donald Trump’s health secretary. That vote Thursday puts the prominent vaccine skeptic in control of $1.7 trillion in federal spending, vaccine recommendations and food safety as well as health insurance programs for roughly half the country. Republicans fell in line behind Trump despite hesitancy over Kennedy views on vaccines. The GOP has largely embraced Kennedy’s vision to “Make America Healthy Again” by directing the public health agencies to focus on chronic diseases such as obesity. He’s earned a formidable following with his populist and sometimes extreme views on food, chemicals and vaccines.

What causes mudslides, and what can be done to lessen the danger?

Mudslides are dangerous torrents that are usually referred to by geologists and first responders as debris flows. They have been particularly lethal in parts of California where landscape, climate, weather and geology can combine to make them more likely. California has worked to add tools to protect against mudslides, including pinpointing hot spots, creating basins and placing nets to capture falling debris before it hits homes.

Trump’s education secretary may be asked to dismantle the Education Department. Here’s what it does

WASHINGTON (AP) — If Linda McMahon is confirmed as education secretary, President Donald Trump has said he wants the former wrestling executive to “put herself out of a job.” A plan being considered by the White House would direct the education secretary to dismantle the department as much as legally possible while asking Congress to abolish it completely. Already, the department has cut $900 million in contracts for its office that tracks progress of students in schools across America. The department also manages the federal student loan portfolio, regulates services for students with disabilities and sends federal money to low-income schools.

A driver plows into a demonstration in Munich, injuring 30 people

BERLIN (AP) — A driver drove a car into a labor union demonstration in central Munich on Thursday, injuring 30 people including children, authorities said. Officials said it was believed to be an attack. The suspect, an Afghan asylum-seeker, was arrested. The incident follows a series of attacks involving immigrants in recent months that have pushed migration to the forefront of the campaign for Germany’s Feb. 23 election. Police said participants in the demonstration were walking along a street at about 10:30 a.m. when the car overtook a police vehicle following the gathering, accelerated and plowed into the back of the group

Senate panel advances nomination of Kash Patel, Trump’s pick to lead the FBI

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate Judiciary Committee has voted along party lines to advance the nomination of Kash Patel for FBI director. Republicans pushed past Democratic concerns that Patel would operate as a loyalist for President Donald Trump and target perceived adversaries of the White House. The committee voted 12-10 to send the nomination to the Republican-controlled Senate. Democrats portrayed Patel as a dangerous and inexperienced loyalist who could abuse the FBI’s law enforcement powers. Republicans praised Patel as the right person for the job and insisted he was needed to fix an FBI that they claim has been tainted by bias.

Breakfast is booming at US restaurants. Is it also contributing to high egg prices?

It’s a chicken-and-egg problem: Restaurants are struggling with record-high U.S. egg prices, but their omelets, scrambles and huevos rancheros may be part of the problem. Breakfast is booming at U.S. eateries. First Watch, a restaurant chain that serves breakfast, brunch and lunch, nearly quadrupled its locations over the past decade to 570. Fast-food chains like Starbucks and Wendy’s added more egg-filled breakfast items. In normal times, egg producers could meet the demand. But a bird flu outbreak that has forced them to slaughter their flocks is making supplies scarcer and pushing up prices. Some restaurants like Waffle House have added a surcharge to offset their costs.

Jets announce they’ve told Aaron Rodgers they’re moving forward without him

The New York Jets announced they told quarterback Aaron Rodgers they are moving on without him next season. While Rodgers hasn’t said whether he intends to continue playing for a 21st NFL season, the Jets with new general manager Darren Mougey and coach Aaron Glenn in charge have officially ruled out a return to New York. In a statement issued by the team, the Jets said they met with the 41-year-old quarterback last week and informed him of their plans. The four-time MVP is the fifth player in NFL history to throw 500 touchdown passes in the regular season. He has one year of non-guaranteed money left on his contract.