AP-Newswatch

Trump loyalist Kash Patel is confirmed as FBI director by the Senate despite deep Democratic doubts

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate has narrowly voted to confirm Kash Patel as as President Donald Trump’s FBI director. The 51-49 vote Thursday puts the Trump loyalist atop the nation’s premier federal law enforcement agency despite Democrats’ doubts about his qualifications and concerns he’ll do Trump’s bidding and go after the Republican president’s adversaries. Patel has fiercely criticized an agency that’s now gripped by turmoil. Trump’s Justice Department has forced out a group of senior FBI officials and made a highly unusual demand for the names of thousands of agents who participated in investigations related to the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol.

Vatican says Pope Francis is ‘improving slightly’ as cardinals acknowledge resignation is possible

ROME (AP) — The Vatican says that Pope Francis’ clinical condition is “improving slightly,” adding that he went about his work activities from the hospital where he is recovering from pneumonia. In a late update, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said Francis has no fever and that his key parameters “continue to be stable.” The 88-yearold pope was admitted to the hospital on Feb. 14 after a case of bronchitis worsened; doctors later diagnosed the onset of pneumonia in both lungs on top of asthmatic bronchitis.

Some New York prison guards charged in beating death of handcuffed inmate appear in court

UTICA, N.Y. (AP) — Six New York prison workers have been indicted for second-degree murder in the beating death of an inmate who was handcuffed, while four others were charged with lesser crimes. The beating of 43-year-old Robert Brooks by multiple officers at Marcy Correctional Facility in December was caught on body cameras. The special prosecutor began to detail how many people are charged and what the charges are in a court appearance Thursday afternoon. He has previously said he would not comment on the investigation until a grand jury has acted.

Sen. Mitch McConnell won’t seek reelection in 2026, ending long tenure as Republican power broker

WASHINGTON (AP) — Kentucky Republicans are considering the race for the U.S. Senate seat being opened by Mitch McConnell’s announcement he’s retiring. McConnell is ending a decadeslong tenure as a power broker who championed conservative causes but ultimately ceded ground to the fierce populism of President Donald Trump. McConnell chose his 83rd birthday on Thursday to share his decision to retire when his current term ends in 2027. U.S. Rep. Andy Barr says he’ll make a decision soon about his future. Former state Attorney General Daniel Cameron says “it’s time for a new generation of leadership” in the Senate. Another looming GOP candidate is businessman Nate Morris. Barr, Cameron and Morris have professed loyalty to Trump.

Explosions on buses in Israel as authorities say no one was harmed

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli police have reported a series of explosions on buses in central Israel in what they said appeared to be a militant attack. No injuries were reported. Police rushed forces to the scene Thursday in Bat Yam, a Tel Aviv suburb, as they searched for suspects. Police said bomb disposal units were searching for additional bombs. Police spokesman Asi Aharoni told Channel 13 TV that explosives were found on two other buses. He called on the public to be alert and report any suspicious objects to authorities. Police said the Shin Bet internal security agency was taking over the investigation.

A news conference between Zelenskyy and Trump’s Ukraine envoy is canceled amid growing tensions

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — A news conference that was planned to follow talks between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump’s Ukraine envoy has been canceled. The cancellation happened Thursday as political tensions deepened between the two countries over how to end the almost three-year war with Russia. The event was originally supposed to include comments to the media by Zelenskyy and retired U.S. Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg. But it was changed at the last minute to a simple photo opportunity where two leaders posed for journalists. They did not deliver statements or field questions. A Ukrainian presidential spokesman said the change was requested by the U.S. side.

Hamas returns bodies of 4 Israeli hostages said to include a mother and her 2 young children

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Hamas has handed over the bodies of four Israeli hostages, said to include a mother and her two children who have long been feared dead and had come to symbolize the nation’s agony following the Oct. 7, 2023, attack. The militant group said it released the remains of Shiri Bibas and her two children, Ariel and Kfir, as well as Oded Lifshitz, who was 83 when he was abducted. Kfir was the youngest captive taken that day. Hamas has said all four were killed in Israeli airstrikes. The militants displayed four black coffins on a stage in the Gaza Strip on Thursday, surrounded by banners, before handing them over to the Red Cross.

Israel grieves as Hamas turns over the remains said to be of a mother and her 2 young children

JERUSALEM (AP) — The bodies presumed to be of the youngest Israelis held hostage by the militant Hamas group have been returned to Israel, dashing the hopes of a nation hoping for a happier ending. Two boys and their mother were abducted from a kibbutz on Oct. 7, 2023, and became a symbol of the country’s anguish. Hamas had claimed the family was killed in an Israeli airstrike, but their fate remained unclear for months. The father was freed earlier this month in a ceasefire deal. Images of the red-haired children circulated widely and their ordeal fueled calls for the release of all the hostages taken by Hamas. The remains will now be formally identified.

Victor Wembanyama expected to miss remainder of season after blood clot diagnosis, Spurs announce

San Antonio star Victor Wembanyama is expected to miss the remainder of the regular season after being diagnosed with a blood clot in his right shoulder, the Spurs announced Thursday. It is a massive blow to the Spurs, who are contending for a playoff spot in the Western Conference. The condition was diagnosed this week after Wembanyama returned from the All-Star Game, the Spurs said. Wembanyama’s situation comes about 3 1/2 months after Spurs coach Gregg Popovich had a stroke and was forced to take a leave from the sideline.

Ancient deity, pet and endangered species. Why is axolotl Mexico’s most beloved amphibian?

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Legend has it the axolotl was not always an amphibian. Long before it became Mexico’s most beloved salamander and efforts to prevent its extinction flourished, it was a sneaky god. Current fascination toward this dragon-like animal and its sacred status in pre-Hispanic times is hardly a coincidence. Experts say it was most likely sparked by its exceptional biological features. Its charisma has recently inspired works of art and crafts; it is even displayed on Mexico’s 50-peso bill. Biologists and historians say preserving axolotl is not an end in and of itself, but a means for saving the habitats where the amphibian came to be.