WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today reminded last-minute tax filers that the April 15 tax deadline is right around the corner, and there are a variety of free&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Fhelp%2Ftools/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/8dWupb6sQcCPxfeZQDxEk5cQKr63i7myKbJCafmn4HY=400">tools</a>&nbsp;to help, including the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Fhelp%2Flet-us-help-you/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/HTfyps9EpxbBKwgzVsRDVIKRkI7x5mEfYhvn5VQUFIo=400">Let Us Help You</a>&nbsp;page on IRS.gov. &nbsp;&nbsp;

From refund status, tax preparation help, answers to tax law questions, tax law research and more,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/gDa2L7gNdP0fsk0zQzlAsU5gQVfQpNHv0h9Ayw-OtPo=400">IRS.gov</a>&nbsp;has everything needed for individual and business taxpayers to file on time or get an easy, automatic six-month extension to file.&nbsp;

For those needing last-minute help to file, filing information for&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Findividuals/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/wG8BE0WH1ezfXSyozHdMJXfIs18Zh6o7AJYL1C98jas=400">individuals</a>&nbsp;as well as&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Fbusinesses/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/Exl8eAaAMdf7ti2GKNBo7g3UV8e_iul1ng9pn69fkZE=400">businesses and self-employed</a>&nbsp;people is available on IRS.gov.&nbsp;

For last-minute filers looking for free filing resources,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fdirectfile.irs.gov%2F/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/BbKwynz9oKJaQsbvG9xwt5KOmTlehqhYzuSFFTgKqgY=400">IRS Direct File</a>&nbsp;remains an option for qualified taxpayers, as does&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Firs-free-file-do-your-taxes-for-free/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/OWOS48QRPgWss55GAo_t-PAGV9aJ8N9vTYafqi3J3cg=400">IRS Free File</a>.&nbsp;Additionally, anyone can use&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Ffiling%2Ffree-file-everyone-can-file-an-extension-for-free/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/HHiOe14pPBdNYdrbuqIjaLgE4j_OnesajiAqp127JVU=400">IRS Free File to submit an extension</a>&nbsp;of time to file regardless of their income.&nbsp;

<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Ffiling%2Firs-direct-file-for-free/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/xz4qaBU37CbJD26h0H2Vfg6vdHAgus2CywN6t5tUoo4=400">IRS Direct File</a>&nbsp;is a web-based service that allows taxpayers to file directly with the IRS. The service is a free, fast and easy way to file directly with the IRS. It’s available for an estimated 32 million qualifying taxpayers in 25 states.&nbsp;

Eligible taxpayers in these states can use IRS Direct File: Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington state, Wisconsin and Wyoming.&nbsp;

Direct File works on mobile phones, laptops, tablets or desktop computers. Taxpayers can use the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fdirectfile.irs.gov%2Fstate/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/2M-FOxI2JsnLek9ofTO0OWRQ9d6PfKskIJO7hjZy5dw=400">eligibility checker</a>&nbsp;to see if they can use IRS Direct File. They can also learn more in the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Fnewsroom%2Firs-direct-file-a-free-easy-and-secure-way-to-prepare-and-file-2024-taxes-online/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/ZBOEHmdGOopsUAHnFBqCIxWhsJD-otCpT77JJ5KWieY=400">Direct File fact sheet</a>.&nbsp;

The system leads users step-by-step through a series of questions to prepare their federal tax return. Once taxpayers complete their federal tax return, the IRS Direct File system guides them to complete their state tax filings if they have a state tax obligation. Live chat help is available.&nbsp;

IRS Direct File is available through Oct. 15, 2025, so taxpayers who aren’t ready to file by April 15, 2025, can still use it. They should request an extension of time to file by April 15.&nbsp;

IRS Direct File’s new features can help taxpayers prepare a return faster and avoid data-entry errors. In addition to importing information from their W-2 and their IRS Online Account, taxpayers can now choose to import information into their tax return from:&nbsp;

Missing forms and data can cause tax returns to be rejected. IRS Direct File notifies taxpayers if they have a 1095-A to help them file an accurate return. Direct File users can view their Form 1095-A in their IRS Online Account.&nbsp;

IRS.gov is an important resource that can help in several areas:&nbsp;

Some taxpayers get automatic extensions&nbsp;

Special rules offer some taxpayers more time without having to request an extension:&nbsp;

If a taxpayer can’t file by the April 15 deadline but isn’t covered by one of these automatic extensions, they can&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Ffiling%2Fget-an-extension-to-file-your-tax-return/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/xqqPiUvPyUA1efBommPrIgY3bcu8AivtSqQVZkU14Ro=400">request an extension of time to file</a>. They should still pay what they owe by the deadline, however, as an extension of time to file is not an extension to pay.&nbsp;

Having trouble paying? IRS has options to help&nbsp;

For those who owe tax and need to make a payment with their tax return, the IRS has several&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/http:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Fpayments/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/SsVsQxgTHqVqeXPMlj-AWdLC-sWJs84uwxxkiOmlED8=400">payment options</a>.&nbsp;

For taxpayers that are unable to pay in full by the tax deadline, the IRS offers&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Fpayments%2Fonline-payment-agreement-application/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/IvLOeixdB7nQ4qQJvQt9zwywISIfysN6QPCayRkrE6E=400">online payment plans</a>.&nbsp;The IRS recommends taxpayers who owe still file their tax return and pay what they can to avoid interest and penalties.&nbsp;

Taxpayers can explore various payment options and will receive an immediate response telling them their payment plan application was accepted or denied. Online payment plan options include:&nbsp;

Though interest and late-payment penalties continue to accrue on any unpaid taxes after April 15, the failure to pay penalty is cut in half while an installment agreement is in effect. Find more information on the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Fforms-pubs%2Fabout-form-9465/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/qoDbMXhx5J7nMRITjHPntx9P8kBRYcUpJ_rdysC7O_0=400">About Form 9465, Installment Agreement Request</a>&nbsp;page at IRS.gov.

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 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today reminded last-minute tax filers that the April 15 tax deadline is right around the corner, and there are a variety of free&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Fhelp%2Ftools/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/8dWupb6sQcCPxfeZQDxEk5cQKr63i7myKbJCafmn4HY=400">tools</a>&nbsp;to help, including the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Fhelp%2Flet-us-help-you/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/HTfyps9EpxbBKwgzVsRDVIKRkI7x5mEfYhvn5VQUFIo=400">Let Us Help You</a>&nbsp;page on IRS.gov. &nbsp;&nbsp;From refund status, tax preparation help, answers to tax law questions, tax law research and more,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/gDa2L7gNdP0fsk0zQzlAsU5gQVfQpNHv0h9Ayw-OtPo=400">IRS.gov</a>&nbsp;has everything needed for individual and business taxpayers to file on time or get an easy, automatic six-month extension to file.&nbsp;Get tax filing help&nbsp;For those needing last-minute help to file, filing information for&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Findividuals/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/wG8BE0WH1ezfXSyozHdMJXfIs18Zh6o7AJYL1C98jas=400">individuals</a>&nbsp;as well as&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Fbusinesses/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/Exl8eAaAMdf7ti2GKNBo7g3UV8e_iul1ng9pn69fkZE=400">businesses and self-employed</a>&nbsp;people is available on IRS.gov.&nbsp;For last-minute filers looking for free filing resources,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fdirectfile.irs.gov%2F/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/BbKwynz9oKJaQsbvG9xwt5KOmTlehqhYzuSFFTgKqgY=400">IRS Direct File</a>&nbsp;remains an option for qualified taxpayers, as does&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Firs-free-file-do-your-taxes-for-free/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/OWOS48QRPgWss55GAo_t-PAGV9aJ8N9vTYafqi3J3cg=400">IRS Free File</a>.&nbsp;Additionally, anyone can use&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Ffiling%2Ffree-file-everyone-can-file-an-extension-for-free/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/HHiOe14pPBdNYdrbuqIjaLgE4j_OnesajiAqp127JVU=400">IRS Free File to submit an extension</a>&nbsp;of time to file regardless of their income.&nbsp;Direct File highlights&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Ffiling%2Firs-direct-file-for-free/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/xz4qaBU37CbJD26h0H2Vfg6vdHAgus2CywN6t5tUoo4=400">IRS Direct File</a>&nbsp;is a web-based service that allows taxpayers to file directly with the IRS. The service is a free, fast and easy way to file directly with the IRS. It’s available for an estimated 32 million qualifying taxpayers in 25 states.&nbsp;Eligible taxpayers in these states can use IRS Direct File: Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington state, Wisconsin and Wyoming.&nbsp;Direct File works on mobile phones, laptops, tablets or desktop computers. Taxpayers can use the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fdirectfile.irs.gov%2Fstate/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/2M-FOxI2JsnLek9ofTO0OWRQ9d6PfKskIJO7hjZy5dw=400">eligibility checker</a>&nbsp;to see if they can use IRS Direct File. They can also learn more in the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Fnewsroom%2Firs-direct-file-a-free-easy-and-secure-way-to-prepare-and-file-2024-taxes-online/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/ZBOEHmdGOopsUAHnFBqCIxWhsJD-otCpT77JJ5KWieY=400">Direct File fact sheet</a>.&nbsp;The system leads users step-by-step through a series of questions to prepare their federal tax return. Once taxpayers complete their federal tax return, the IRS Direct File system guides them to complete their state tax filings if they have a state tax obligation. Live chat help is available.&nbsp;IRS Direct File is available through Oct. 15, 2025, so taxpayers who aren’t ready to file by April 15, 2025, can still use it. They should request an extension of time to file by April 15.&nbsp;Direct File new features&nbsp;IRS Direct File’s new features can help taxpayers prepare a return faster and avoid data-entry errors. In addition to importing information from their W-2 and their IRS Online Account, taxpayers can now choose to import information into their tax return from:&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>Form 1099-INT, which reports interest income from financial institutions.</li><li>Form 1095-A,&nbsp;which is issued to taxpayers who enrolled in a qualified health plan through a health insurance marketplace.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>Missing forms and data can cause tax returns to be rejected. IRS Direct File notifies taxpayers if they have a 1095-A to help them file an accurate return. Direct File users can view their Form 1095-A in their IRS Online Account.&nbsp;Resources available on IRS.gov&nbsp;IRS.gov is an important resource that can help in several areas:&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>For answers to tax law questions, taxpayers can use the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Fhelp%2Fita/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/R5favTTL5nHMUaj1UaDg7y1wk6DcbAX7Sij1Zr1Qvx4=400">Interactive Tax Assistant</a>. Choose a topic, then enter basic information to find your answer.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>To see their federal tax information, taxpayers can use their&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Fpayments%2Fview-your-tax-account/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/Xfz5ds8rKHvwWkISA685k6-S-KgvIBYmMYj4qyhsbzo=400">IRS Online Account</a>. They'll find information such as any payoff amount or balance owed, their payment history and key information from their most recent tax return as it was originally filed. They can also view their IP PIN and get tax return transcripts and tax information documents.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Taxpayers can use the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Findividuals%2Fget-transcript/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/Au-pSK-7KpXTsEyxV-uqqrg6ydz7wTDfG9o13GYRK9o=400">Get Transcript</a>&nbsp;tool to view, print or download their tax transcripts after the IRS has processed their return.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Current and prior years’&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Fforms-instructions/2/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/vBGsZE63gkKpm3ihvfDaX6l3D5R-tKaNR-sKUIOtG2w=400">forms, instructions and publications</a>&nbsp;can be downloaded and printed anytime.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Special information is available about&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Fcredits-and-deductions/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/wLH3wKPLRQgb1qW9MXGZcxMEX0Mdkz8EuNtuJkcppvQ=400">tax credits and deductions</a>. Available to individuals and businesses, credits can reduce the amount of tax due while deductions can reduce the amount of taxable income.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Get the most up-to-date information about tax refunds using the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Frefunds/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/8aiOPSmWtcZ6NVzq-cjDp13EyriRREvkRKhAsBit8LE=400">Where's My Refund?</a>&nbsp;tool.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li><a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Fpayments%2Fdirect-pay-with-bank-account/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/PoJoQb62-bAfF03CBBtEtgCfsQOb1tF5lkqsUjzRMuI=400">Direct Pay</a>&nbsp;is free and lets people securely pay their taxes directly from their checking or savings account without any fees or registration. They can schedule payments up to 365 days in advance. After submitting a payment through Direct Pay, they’ll receive immediate confirmation.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Tax filing season is an excellent time for taxpayers to check their withholding to avoid a tax surprise when filing their 2025 taxes. Taxpayers may use the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Findividuals%2Ftax-withholding-estimator/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/2_1Qh6uyDOJtoL0NNE7abVK7Id6ICp9JpTTk1vwkwHM=400">Tax Withholding Estimator</a>&nbsp;to help bring the tax they pay closer to what they owe.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Findividuals%2Fmanaging-your-taxes-after-a-life-event/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/_ZIKxKtM47QBWsS6JNVqJQX_-yBvCmbt4G9ntszgFEs=400">Life events</a>&nbsp;like marriage, divorce, having a child or an income change can all impact taxes.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li><a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Findividuals%2Fmilitary/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/Ty5N_SIeXwbuDVn7E-a2w_nG6ssfVxBx5xLv0iVBdds=400">Tax information for members of the military</a>&nbsp;– Get tax information for military members, their families and veterans. This includes free services for those who qualify.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>IRS-certified volunteers provide basic tax return preparation to eligible individuals through the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Findividuals%2Ffree-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/TFQIBjgLTvDtdS0rrvasOD_m2isuHYlDIzAqyWe02rY=400">IRS's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE)</a>&nbsp;programs. If taxpayers earn $67,000 or less, have a disability, are 60 years or older or need language support, volunteers are available to help.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>At the online&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Fforms-pubs%2Finformation-about-the-alternative-media-center/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/yCcWVGOD3vbB14H7wvAzDKHJegeBVuN1QwL6zkPFuo0=400">Alternative Media Center</a>, taxpayers will find a variety of accessible products to accommodate people who use assistive technology such as screen reading software, refreshable Braille displays and screen magnifying software. These products include tax forms, instructions and publications.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>Some taxpayers get automatic extensions&nbsp;Special rules offer some taxpayers more time without having to request an extension:&nbsp;<ul>
 <li><a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Findividuals%2Finternational-taxpayers%2Fus-citizens-and-resident-aliens-abroad/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/504luJDFeJ1AIOGz3BaMbgAkH1iBhH-VsmP1xvjXPVg=400">U.S. citizens and resident aliens</a>&nbsp;who live and work outside of the United States and Puerto Rico get an&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Findividuals%2Finternational-taxpayers%2Fus-citizens-and-resident-aliens-abroad-automatic-2-month-extension-of-time-to-file/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/jPWHcgeJmsLwka7TA4pQvwYL5N6V7zMcX-AqZtygVh8=400">automatic two-month</a>&nbsp;extension, until June 16, to file their tax returns. However, tax payments are still due April 15 or interest will accrue on the unpaid tax.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Members of the military on duty outside the United States and Puerto Rico also receive an automatic two-month extension to file. Those serving in&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Findividuals%2Fmilitary%2Fcombat-zones/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/u90vyYgJMEI8long22bw86aUmH3kex2w60KJSFCvH4g=400">combat zones</a>&nbsp;have at least 180 days after they leave the combat zone to file returns and pay any taxes due. Details are available in&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Fforms-pubs%2Fabout-publication-3/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/TL8tINgyTjyWwVfczB7JD1huEeyXlIugWCb0_1jhjxk=400">Publication 3, Armed Forces' Tax Guide</a>.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>With a presidential disaster declaration, the IRS can postpone certain tax deadlines for taxpayers in affected areas. Taxpayers in qualified disaster areas do not need to request an extension. Information on the most recent tax relief for&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Fnewsroom%2Ftax-relief-in-disaster-situations/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/YudJxyHGtpM2B2KuW1f8QG_B-uguUcuhoVEdSYHUGeE=400">disaster situations</a>&nbsp;can be found on the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Fforms-pubs%2Fextension-of-time-to-file-your-tax-return/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/b9ojlrgfek-ELox4wZtJytGkKrEwk19dIC56mYz6_eU=400">Extension of Time to File Your Tax Return</a>&nbsp;page.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>If a taxpayer can’t file by the April 15 deadline but isn’t covered by one of these automatic extensions, they can&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Ffiling%2Fget-an-extension-to-file-your-tax-return/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/xqqPiUvPyUA1efBommPrIgY3bcu8AivtSqQVZkU14Ro=400">request an extension of time to file</a>. They should still pay what they owe by the deadline, however, as an extension of time to file is not an extension to pay.&nbsp;Having trouble paying? IRS has options to help&nbsp;For those who owe tax and need to make a payment with their tax return, the IRS has several&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/http:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Fpayments/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/SsVsQxgTHqVqeXPMlj-AWdLC-sWJs84uwxxkiOmlED8=400">payment options</a>.&nbsp;For taxpayers that are unable to pay in full by the tax deadline, the IRS offers&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Fpayments%2Fonline-payment-agreement-application/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/IvLOeixdB7nQ4qQJvQt9zwywISIfysN6QPCayRkrE6E=400">online payment plans</a>.&nbsp;The IRS recommends taxpayers who owe still file their tax return and pay what they can to avoid interest and penalties.&nbsp;Taxpayers can explore various payment options and will receive an immediate response telling them their payment plan application was accepted or denied. Online payment plan options include:&nbsp;<ul>
 <li><a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Fpayments%2Fpayment-plans-installment-agreements%23costs/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/g0UU_IIOLNzTVrKLpyNxbAnOoCuflo05nYRHxq6bB0g=400">Short-term payment plan</a>&nbsp;– The total balance owed is less than $100,000 in combined tax, penalties and interest. Additional time of up to 180 days to pay the balance in full.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Long-term payment plan – New&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Fpayments%2Fsimple-payment-plans-for-individual-taxpayers/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/E5tyUN2cJ5nkIAF_myJlFClLtok6OlAFJr_E1Rov6s0=400">Simple Payment Plan</a>&nbsp;criteria make it easier and more accessible to enter a long-term payment plan when the total balance owed is less than $50,000 in combined tax, penalties and interest. Taxpayers may make monthly payments for up to the collection statute (usually 10 years), in most cases. Payments may be set up using direct debit (automatic bank withdrawal) which eliminates the need to send in a payment each month, saving postage costs and reducing the chance of default. Taxpayers should remember that extending the time to pay will increase the applicable penalties and fees.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>Though interest and late-payment penalties continue to accrue on any unpaid taxes after April 15, the failure to pay penalty is cut in half while an installment agreement is in effect. Find more information on the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.irs.gov%2Fforms-pubs%2Fabout-form-9465/1/010001962075ca76-cac4d94c-460a-4439-a380-616a3d44c53d-000000/qoDbMXhx5J7nMRITjHPntx9P8kBRYcUpJ_rdysC7O_0=400">About Form 9465, Installment Agreement Request</a>&nbsp;page at IRS.gov.

TAX DAY: Last-minute filing tips, resources for taxpayers who still need to file

Sunday at 11:39 p.m. the Geary County Sheriff's Department reported that Deputies responded to K177 Highway mile marker 96 for the report of a single vehicle fatal accident. Deputies arrived on scene and conducted an initial investigation and Kansas Highway Patrol was contacted. 

KHP responded to the scene where they assumed command of the investigation. Deputies remained there to assist with the investigation and removing debris from the roadway while shutting down the highway. Deputies cleared the scene at 3:09 a.m. and KHP attempted to contact family members of the deceased driver. 

The identity of the victim has not yet been released. This accident is still under investigation at this time.

Sunday at 11:39 p.m. the Geary County Sheriff's Department reported that Deputies responded to K177 Highway mile marker 96 for the report of a single vehicle fatal accident. Deputies arrived on scene and conducted an initial investigation and Kansas Highway Patrol was contacted. KHP responded to the scene where they assumed command of the investigation. Deputies remained there to assist with the investigation and removing debris from the roadway while shutting down the highway. Deputies cleared the scene at 3:09 a.m. and KHP attempted to contact family members of the deceased driver. The identity of the victim has not yet been released. This accident is still under investigation at this time.

Authorities respond to fatality accident

ELLIS COUNTY —Roger Batman has been found and is safe, according to Ellis County Sheriff Scott Braun.

ELLIS COUNTY&nbsp;– The Ellis County Sheriff’s Office requested the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) issue a statewide Silver Alert for a missing Ellis County man.

The whereabouts of 81-year-old Roger Batman are unknown and the public’s assistance is requested to help locate him.

Batman is likely driving a silver 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 pickup truck bearing Kansas tag 9625ACG. He was last seen leaving his house in Hays on Monday at 5:00 p.m. He indicated to his wife that he intended to travel to Wichita, Kansas, though his direction and destination are unknown.

Batman is a white male who is 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighs around 180 pounds. He has blue eyes and gray hair. He was last seen wearing a black t-shirt and black jeans. Batman has diminished cognitive abilities and high blood pressure.

If you see Roger Batman, please call 911 immediately. If you have other information about his whereabouts, call the Ellis County Dispatch at (785) 625-1011.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743470401904.jpeg" alt="Roger Batman courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Roger Batman courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>ELLIS COUNTY —Roger Batman has been found and is safe, according to Ellis County Sheriff Scott Braun.----------ELLIS COUNTY&nbsp;– The Ellis County Sheriff’s Office requested the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) issue a statewide Silver Alert for a missing Ellis County man.The whereabouts of 81-year-old Roger Batman are unknown and the public’s assistance is requested to help locate him.Batman is likely driving a silver 2011 GMC Sierra 1500 pickup truck bearing Kansas tag 9625ACG. He was last seen leaving his house in Hays on Monday at 5:00 p.m. He indicated to his wife that he intended to travel to Wichita, Kansas, though his direction and destination are unknown.Batman is a white male who is 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighs around 180 pounds. He has blue eyes and gray hair. He was last seen wearing a black t-shirt and black jeans. Batman has diminished cognitive abilities and high blood pressure.If you see Roger Batman, please call 911 immediately. If you have other information about his whereabouts, call the Ellis County Dispatch at (785) 625-1011.

 Silver Alert canceled; missing NW Kansas man found and is safe

JOHNSON COUNTY — A missing 71-year-old Kansas woman has been found and is safe, according to the Olathe Police Department. The Silver Alert is canceled.

On Sunday night, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation issued a Silver Alert for Gayl Stockman. Gayl is five foot two, approximately 180 pounds, with grey hair and brown eyes. She was last seen leaving the 15800 block of West 150th&nbsp;Terrace on March 30th, 2025, at approximately 9:30 a.m.&nbsp; Gayl was last seen wearing a thin black long sleeve shirt, blue and white striped shorts, white socks, and white tennis shoes.

Gayl is believed to be operating a red, 2012, Lincoln MKZ displaying a Kansas license plate, 171 PGD. She is also believed to be in the area of Cowgill, Missouri and has a large Bernese Mountain dog with her.

This case remains under investigation by the Olathe Police Department.&nbsp; Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to call the Olathe Police Department at (913) 971-6363 or the TIPS Hotline at (816) 474-8477.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743414775407.png" alt="Stockman" />
 <figcaption>Stockman</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY — A missing 71-year-old Kansas woman has been found and is safe, according to the Olathe Police Department. The Silver Alert is canceled.--------On Sunday night, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation issued a Silver Alert for Gayl Stockman. Gayl is five foot two, approximately 180 pounds, with grey hair and brown eyes. She was last seen leaving the 15800 block of West 150th&nbsp;Terrace on March 30th, 2025, at approximately 9:30 a.m.&nbsp; Gayl was last seen wearing a thin black long sleeve shirt, blue and white striped shorts, white socks, and white tennis shoes.Gayl is believed to be operating a red, 2012, Lincoln MKZ displaying a Kansas license plate, 171 PGD. She is also believed to be in the area of Cowgill, Missouri and has a large Bernese Mountain dog with her.This case remains under investigation by the Olathe Police Department.&nbsp; Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to call the Olathe Police Department at (913) 971-6363 or the TIPS Hotline at (816) 474-8477.&nbsp;

Police: Silver Alert canceled, missing Kansas woman is safe

UPDATE: The Leavenworth County Sheriff’s Office reported to the KBI that Donald Mueller, 94, of Tonganoxie, has been located and is in good condition. The statewide silver alert is now canceled.

LEAVENWORTH COUNTY –&nbsp;The Leavenworth County Sheriff’s Office requested the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) issue a statewide Silver Alert for a missing Tonganoxie man.

The whereabouts of 94-year-old Donald E. Mueller are unknown, and the public’s assistance is requested to help locate him.

Mueller is likely driving a dark green 2016 Nissan Frontier pickup bearing Vermont tag&nbsp;515A791. He was believed to have left his residence in Tonganoxie, Kansas to head toward Basehor, Kansas.

Mueller is a white male who is 5-feet-8 inches tall and weighs around 200 pounds. He has brown eyes and gray hair. He was last seen wearing a red, blue, and green long-sleeve button down shirt, jeans and brown loafers. Mueller also walks with a limp.

Mueller has a heart condition, and several other medical conditions that may impact his ability to return home safely without assistance.

If you see Donald E. Mueller, please call 911 immediately. If you have other information about his whereabouts, please call the Leavenworth County Sheriff’s Office at (913) 682-5724.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1743127700692.png" alt="Donald Mueller photo KBI" />
 <figcaption>Donald Mueller photo KBI</figcaption>
 </figure>UPDATE: The Leavenworth County Sheriff’s Office reported to the KBI that Donald Mueller, 94, of Tonganoxie, has been located and is in good condition. The statewide silver alert is now canceled.------------------LEAVENWORTH COUNTY –&nbsp;The Leavenworth County Sheriff’s Office requested the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) issue a statewide Silver Alert for a missing Tonganoxie man.The whereabouts of 94-year-old Donald E. Mueller are unknown, and the public’s assistance is requested to help locate him.Mueller is likely driving a dark green 2016 Nissan Frontier pickup bearing Vermont tag&nbsp;515A791. He was believed to have left his residence in Tonganoxie, Kansas to head toward Basehor, Kansas.Mueller is a white male who is 5-feet-8 inches tall and weighs around 200 pounds. He has brown eyes and gray hair. He was last seen wearing a red, blue, and green long-sleeve button down shirt, jeans and brown loafers. Mueller also walks with a limp.Mueller has a heart condition, and several other medical conditions that may impact his ability to return home safely without assistance.If you see Donald E. Mueller, please call 911 immediately. If you have other information about his whereabouts, please call the Leavenworth County Sheriff’s Office at (913) 682-5724.

KBI: Silver Alert canceled; missing Kansas man is safe

BALTIMORE (AP) — A federal judge repeatedly sounded skeptical on Wednesday that the Trump administration’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/doge-firings-layoffs-federal-government-workers-musk-d33cdd7872d64d2bdd8fe70c28652654">mass firings of probationary federal workers</a>&nbsp;were made by the government because the employees couldn’t do their jobs, saying the terminations appeared to be part of a larger goal.

U.S. District Judge James Bredar made the comments at a hearing where&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-mass-firings-federal-lawsuit-wes-moore-99965c34b32a1f3e4afc3b9fc91b4cdc">nearly 20 states</a>&nbsp;are seeking a temporary restraining order to stop any more firings of federal probationary employees and to reinstate those who have already been dismissed. If the dismissals were part of a large-scale reduction in force, there are certain laws guiding the process.

“This case isn’t about whether or not the government can terminate people. It’s about if they decide to terminate people how they must do it,” Bredar said. “Move fast and break things. Move fast, fine. Break things, if that involves breaking the law then that becomes problematic.”

The states argue that the Trump administration blindsided them by ignoring laws set out for large-scale layoffs, which could have devastating consequences for their state finances. At least 24,000 probationary employees have been terminated since Trump took office, the lawsuit alleges.

The Trump administration, on the other hand, argues that the states have no right to try and influence the federal government’s relationship with its own workers. President Donald Trump, a Republican, has said he’s targeting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-musk-doge-waste-fraud-abuse-635b1419014a43e061f548c9713860c4">fraud, waste and abuse</a>&nbsp;in a bloated federal government.

Probationary workers have been targeted for layoffs across the federal government because they’re usually new to the job and lack full civil service protection. Multiple lawsuits have been filed over the mass firings. One judge refused to block the firings in a lawsuit filed by unions, finding that the workers needed to go through the employment law system. Another found a memo underlying the layoffs was unlawful, but did not immediately block the firings or reinstate workers.

This is the first lawsuit led by states and is being considered by Bredar, a judge appointed by President Barack Obama and based in Baltimore.

The Trump administration has brought a new perspective in terms of how the federal government should operate, how many people should work for the government and the work that the government should do across the board, Bredar said.

As a result, the judge said, the administration has decided to shift thousands of people out of federal employment, “which may well be their prerogative.” However, Bredar noted that this case centers on how they did it.

Bredar said the dismissals appeared to be more characteristic of a large-scale reduction in force, rather than simply ousting probationary workers because they could not do their jobs. Bredar said the employees appear to have been “terminated as a group in order to achieve a broader objective.”

While federal agencies claimed the employees were fired for unsatisfactory performance or conduct, the lawsuit led by the state of Maryland said the firings were part of the administration’s attempt to restructure and downsize the entire government.

That means the administration was required to follow federal laws and regulations that govern large-scale federal reductions in force, the lawsuit said. For example, regulations require that government agencies consider an employee’s tenure, performance and veteran status when making termination decisions, the attorneys said. Regulations also typically require 60 days’ advance notice of termination in a reduction in force.

Virginia Williamson, a Maryland assistant attorney general, argued at a hearing Wednesday that states are suffering “real and irreparable harm as a result of the failure to provide notice.” That’s because states use the information to help the unemployed find work.

“State rapid response agencies across the country need information about the number of employees who are going to be laid off in a mass layoff like the ones that the defendants did in order to provide information about resources for job hiring, information about unemployment benefits, to essentially forestall harms that could befall the state, that will befall the state, absent of any sort of intervention,” Williamson said.

The states also will suffer financially because they will need to support unemployed workers while contending with a sudden loss in state income tax revenue, she said.

U.S. deputy assistant attorney general Eric Hamilton contended that the probationary worker dismissals did not amount to a reduction in force.

“The documents that are in the record for actual federal government employees who were terminated show that there wasn’t a (reduction in force) and that these agencies made judgments that the probationers were not fit for federal government service,” Hamilton said.

The other states that have joined the lawsuit are Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin. The District of Columbia also is a plaintiff.

The judge said he planned to issue a written decision “promptly.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740511408091.png" alt="File photo Elon Musk-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>File photo Elon Musk-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>BALTIMORE (AP) — A federal judge repeatedly sounded skeptical on Wednesday that the Trump administration’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/doge-firings-layoffs-federal-government-workers-musk-d33cdd7872d64d2bdd8fe70c28652654">mass firings of probationary federal workers</a>&nbsp;were made by the government because the employees couldn’t do their jobs, saying the terminations appeared to be part of a larger goal.U.S. District Judge James Bredar made the comments at a hearing where&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-mass-firings-federal-lawsuit-wes-moore-99965c34b32a1f3e4afc3b9fc91b4cdc">nearly 20 states</a>&nbsp;are seeking a temporary restraining order to stop any more firings of federal probationary employees and to reinstate those who have already been dismissed. If the dismissals were part of a large-scale reduction in force, there are certain laws guiding the process.“This case isn’t about whether or not the government can terminate people. It’s about if they decide to terminate people how they must do it,” Bredar said. “Move fast and break things. Move fast, fine. Break things, if that involves breaking the law then that becomes problematic.”The states argue that the Trump administration blindsided them by ignoring laws set out for large-scale layoffs, which could have devastating consequences for their state finances. At least 24,000 probationary employees have been terminated since Trump took office, the lawsuit alleges.The Trump administration, on the other hand, argues that the states have no right to try and influence the federal government’s relationship with its own workers. President Donald Trump, a Republican, has said he’s targeting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-musk-doge-waste-fraud-abuse-635b1419014a43e061f548c9713860c4">fraud, waste and abuse</a>&nbsp;in a bloated federal government.Probationary workers have been targeted for layoffs across the federal government because they’re usually new to the job and lack full civil service protection. Multiple lawsuits have been filed over the mass firings. One judge refused to block the firings in a lawsuit filed by unions, finding that the workers needed to go through the employment law system. Another found a memo underlying the layoffs was unlawful, but did not immediately block the firings or reinstate workers.This is the first lawsuit led by states and is being considered by Bredar, a judge appointed by President Barack Obama and based in Baltimore.The Trump administration has brought a new perspective in terms of how the federal government should operate, how many people should work for the government and the work that the government should do across the board, Bredar said.As a result, the judge said, the administration has decided to shift thousands of people out of federal employment, “which may well be their prerogative.” However, Bredar noted that this case centers on how they did it.Bredar said the dismissals appeared to be more characteristic of a large-scale reduction in force, rather than simply ousting probationary workers because they could not do their jobs. Bredar said the employees appear to have been “terminated as a group in order to achieve a broader objective.”While federal agencies claimed the employees were fired for unsatisfactory performance or conduct, the lawsuit led by the state of Maryland said the firings were part of the administration’s attempt to restructure and downsize the entire government.That means the administration was required to follow federal laws and regulations that govern large-scale federal reductions in force, the lawsuit said. For example, regulations require that government agencies consider an employee’s tenure, performance and veteran status when making termination decisions, the attorneys said. Regulations also typically require 60 days’ advance notice of termination in a reduction in force.Virginia Williamson, a Maryland assistant attorney general, argued at a hearing Wednesday that states are suffering “real and irreparable harm as a result of the failure to provide notice.” That’s because states use the information to help the unemployed find work.“State rapid response agencies across the country need information about the number of employees who are going to be laid off in a mass layoff like the ones that the defendants did in order to provide information about resources for job hiring, information about unemployment benefits, to essentially forestall harms that could befall the state, that will befall the state, absent of any sort of intervention,” Williamson said.The states also will suffer financially because they will need to support unemployed workers while contending with a sudden loss in state income tax revenue, she said.U.S. deputy assistant attorney general Eric Hamilton contended that the probationary worker dismissals did not amount to a reduction in force.“The documents that are in the record for actual federal government employees who were terminated show that there wasn’t a (reduction in force) and that these agencies made judgments that the probationers were not fit for federal government service,” Hamilton said.The other states that have joined the lawsuit are Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin. The District of Columbia also is a plaintiff.The judge said he planned to issue a written decision “promptly.”

Judge appears likely to reinstate thousands of fired probationary workers

ROME (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/pope-francis">Pope Francis</a>&nbsp;' recovery from double pneumonia continued Wednesday as a chest X-ray confirmed improvement, two days after doctors declared he’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-gemelli-6e7dc023141f82d0844a604ca5ed6a37">no longer in imminent danger</a>&nbsp;of death.

The latest medical bulletin said the pope’s condition remained stable, but indicated a complex picture considering his overall fragility.

The Vatican said the 88-year-old Francis again followed its spiritual retreat remotely, and resumed physical and respiratory therapy after a quiet night. He continues to receive high flows of oxygen through nasal tubes during the day, and a non-invasive mechanical mask to aid his rest at night.

His weekly Wednesday general audience was canceled since the Vatican hierarchy is on retreat this week as part of the Lenten spiritual exercises that have been a mainstay of the Jesuit pope’s pontificate.

Francis faces important milestones this week.

On Thursday, he marks the 12th anniversary of his election as the 266th pope. The Holy See hasn’t said how the anniversary, a public holiday in the Vatican, might be commemorated. No medical bulletin will be issued.

The former Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected on the fifth ballot of the 2013 conclave that was called after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-benedict-xvi-dead-9d486fd9b12eab1177b9eb8ab7be22f4">Pope Benedict XVI</a>&nbsp;resigned.

While Francis has praised Benedict’s humility in stepping down and said he might follow in his footsteps, more recently he has said the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-resignation-memoir-9e98edbc7c04c5383e6393d212b10711">papacy is a job for life</a>.

Another milestone comes Friday, when Francis marks&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-hospitalization-day-by-day-5ca4e621ab46780f7dbc13da7e3fa1bb">four weeks</a>&nbsp;of hospitalization.

St. John Paul II has the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-longest-hospitalizations-john-paul-ii-gemelli-619139a0ba7006b939816b50e31d1cdb">record for a hospital stay</a>, at 55 days in 1981 when he underwent a minor surgical operation and then was treated for a cytomegalovirus infection.

Francis is on track to equal the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-hospital-pneumonia-explainer-dd041a6397cdbb11d1b69d5809615f37">second-longest stay</a>, 28 days, which John Paul recorded in 1994 when he had surgery to repair his right hip joint after he fractured his right femur in a fall, according to Gemelli hospital.

The Vatican has released no photos or video of Francis since he was admitted. The pope recorded an audio message last week to thank people for their prayers, though the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-hospitalization-pneumonia-vatican-6a63ef6cc34c27307bf2e54f64c94014">weakness and breathlessness</a>&nbsp;of his voice made clear how frail he was.

<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) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/pope-francis">Pope Francis</a>&nbsp;' recovery from double pneumonia continued Wednesday as a chest X-ray confirmed improvement, two days after doctors declared he’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-gemelli-6e7dc023141f82d0844a604ca5ed6a37">no longer in imminent danger</a>&nbsp;of death.The latest medical bulletin said the pope’s condition remained stable, but indicated a complex picture considering his overall fragility.The Vatican said the 88-year-old Francis again followed its spiritual retreat remotely, and resumed physical and respiratory therapy after a quiet night. He continues to receive high flows of oxygen through nasal tubes during the day, and a non-invasive mechanical mask to aid his rest at night.His weekly Wednesday general audience was canceled since the Vatican hierarchy is on retreat this week as part of the Lenten spiritual exercises that have been a mainstay of the Jesuit pope’s pontificate.Francis faces important milestones this week.On Thursday, he marks the 12th anniversary of his election as the 266th pope. The Holy See hasn’t said how the anniversary, a public holiday in the Vatican, might be commemorated. No medical bulletin will be issued.The former Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected on the fifth ballot of the 2013 conclave that was called after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-benedict-xvi-dead-9d486fd9b12eab1177b9eb8ab7be22f4">Pope Benedict XVI</a>&nbsp;resigned.While Francis has praised Benedict’s humility in stepping down and said he might follow in his footsteps, more recently he has said the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-resignation-memoir-9e98edbc7c04c5383e6393d212b10711">papacy is a job for life</a>.Another milestone comes Friday, when Francis marks&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-hospitalization-day-by-day-5ca4e621ab46780f7dbc13da7e3fa1bb">four weeks</a>&nbsp;of hospitalization.St. John Paul II has the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-longest-hospitalizations-john-paul-ii-gemelli-619139a0ba7006b939816b50e31d1cdb">record for a hospital stay</a>, at 55 days in 1981 when he underwent a minor surgical operation and then was treated for a cytomegalovirus infection.Francis is on track to equal the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-hospital-pneumonia-explainer-dd041a6397cdbb11d1b69d5809615f37">second-longest stay</a>, 28 days, which John Paul recorded in 1994 when he had surgery to repair his right hip joint after he fractured his right femur in a fall, according to Gemelli hospital.The Vatican has released no photos or video of Francis since he was admitted. The pope recorded an audio message last week to thank people for their prayers, though the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-hospitalization-pneumonia-vatican-6a63ef6cc34c27307bf2e54f64c94014">weakness and breathlessness</a>&nbsp;of his voice made clear how frail he was.

Vatican reports more good health news on Pope Francis

WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tariffs-trump-economy-imports-inflation-62d52742c0bb0a5b8304755c6ee9af4d">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;said Tuesday that he will double his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-mexico-canada-b19e004dddb579c373b247037e04424b">planned tariffs</a>&nbsp;on steel and aluminum from 25% to 50% for Canada, escalating a trade war with the United States' northern neighbor.

Trump said on social media that the increase of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tariffs-trump-economy-imports-inflation-62d52742c0bb0a5b8304755c6ee9af4d">the tariffs</a>&nbsp;set to take effect on Wednesday is a response to the price increases that the provincial government of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/canada-ontario-us-trump-tariffs-electricity-834dc3d9defd314923912f9bd8540e31">Ontario put on electricity</a>&nbsp;sold to the United States.

“I have instructed my Secretary of Commerce to add an ADDITIONAL 25% Tariff, to 50%, on all STEEL and ALUMINUM COMING INTO THE UNITED STATES FROM CANADA, ONE OF THE HIGHEST TARIFFING NATIONS ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD,” Trump posted Tuesday on Truth Social.

Facing a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-economy-tariffs-trump-rates-174603e75feb9d5cca96c08817e0c7c2">brutal stock market selloff</a>&nbsp;on Monday and Tuesday, Trump faces increased pressure to show he has a legitimate plan to grow the economy instead of perhaps pushing it into a recession. But so far the president is doubling down on the tariffs he talked up repeatedly during the 2024 campaign and throwing a once stable economy into utter turmoil as investors expected him to lead with deregulation and tax cuts instead of colossal tax hikes.

The U.S. president has given a variety of explanations for his antagonism of Canada, saying that his separate 25% tariffs are about fentanyl smuggling and voicing objections to Canada putting high taxes on dairy imports that penalize U.S. farmers. But he continued to call for Canada&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/how-canada-could-become-us-state-42360e10ded96c0046fd11eaaf55ab88">to become part of the United States</a>&nbsp;as a solution, a form of taunting that has infuriated Canadian leaders.

“The only thing that makes sense is for Canada to become our cherished Fifty First State," Trump posted on Tuesday. "This would make all Tariffs, and everything else, totally disappear.”

Ontario Premier Doug Ford, after responding to Trump by raising electricity prices, said Tuesday on MSNBC that the U.S. people and its business leaders needed to speak up against the “chaos” caused by Trump's launching of a trade war.

“If we go into a recession it’s self made by one person. It’s called President Trump’s recession,” Ford said. “It shouldn’t be this way. We should be booming, both countries.”

Trump was set to deliver a Tuesday afternoon address to the Business Roundtable, a trade association of CEOs that during the 2024 campaign he wooed with the promise of lower corporate tax rates for domestic manufacturers. But his tariffs on Canada, Mexico, China, steel, aluminum — with plans for more to possibly come on Europe, Brazil, South Korea, pharmaceutical drugs, copper, lumber and computer chips — would amount to a massive tax hike.

The stock market’s vote of no confidence over the past two weeks puts the president in a bind between his enthusiasm for taxing imports and his brand as a politician who understands business based on his own experiences in real estate, media and marketing.

Harvard University economist Larry Summers, a former treasury secretary for the Clinton administration, on Monday put the odds of a recession at 50-50.

“All the emphasis on tariffs and all the ambiguity and uncertainty has both chilled demand and caused prices to go up,” Summers posted on X. “We are getting the worst of both worlds - concerns about inflation and an economic downturn and more uncertainty about the future and that slows everything.”

The investment bank Goldman Sachs revised down its growth forecast for this year to 1.7% from 2.2% previously. It modestly increased its recession probability to 20% “because the White House has the option to pull back policy changes if downside risks begin to look more serious.”

Trump has tried to assure the public that his tariffs would cause a bit of a “transition” to the economy, with the taxes prodding more companies to begin the years-long process of relocating factories to the United States to avoid the tariffs. But he set off alarms in an interview broadcast on Sunday in which he didn't rule out a possible recession.

“I hate to predict things like that,” Trump said on Fox News Channel's “Sunday Morning Futures." ”There is a period of transition, because what we’re doing is very big. We’re bringing wealth back to America. That’s a big thing. And there are always periods of — it takes a little time. It takes a little time. But I don’t — I think it should be great for us. I mean, I think it should be great."

The promise of great things ahead did not eliminate anxiety, with the S&amp;P 500 stock index tumbling 2.7% on Monday in an unmistakable Trump slump that has erased the market gains that greeted his victory in November 2024. The S&amp;P 500 index fell roughly 0.4% in Tuesday morning trading.

Trump has long relied on the stock market as an economic and political gauge to follow, only to seemingly ignore it as he remains determined so far to impose tariffs. When he won the election last year, he proclaimed that he wanted his term to be considered to have started Nov. 6, 2024 on Election Day, rather than his January 20, 2025 inauguration, so that he could be credited for post-election stock market gains.

Trump also repeatedly warned of an economic freefall if he lost the election.

“If I don’t win you will have a 1929 style depression. Enjoy it,” Trump said at an August rally in Pennsylvania.

Trump last year claimed that his win in the Iowa Republican presidential caucuses caused China’s stock market to retreat.

“China had a crash yesterday in their stock market. You know why? Because I won Iowa,” Trump said at the time.

The White House is no longer treating stocks as a reliable economic indicator. After the markets closed on Monday, the White House highlighted that the tariffs were prompting companies such as Honda, Volkswagen and Volvo to consider new investments in U.S. factories. It issued a statement that Trump's combination of tariffs, deregulations and increased energy production had led industry leaders to promise to “create thousands of new jobs.”

The significance of thousands of additional jobs was unclear, as the U.S. economy added 2.2 million jobs last year alone, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tariffs-trump-economy-imports-inflation-62d52742c0bb0a5b8304755c6ee9af4d">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;said Tuesday that he will double his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-mexico-canada-b19e004dddb579c373b247037e04424b">planned tariffs</a>&nbsp;on steel and aluminum from 25% to 50% for Canada, escalating a trade war with the United States' northern neighbor.Trump said on social media that the increase of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tariffs-trump-economy-imports-inflation-62d52742c0bb0a5b8304755c6ee9af4d">the tariffs</a>&nbsp;set to take effect on Wednesday is a response to the price increases that the provincial government of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/canada-ontario-us-trump-tariffs-electricity-834dc3d9defd314923912f9bd8540e31">Ontario put on electricity</a>&nbsp;sold to the United States.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741703315509.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>“I have instructed my Secretary of Commerce to add an ADDITIONAL 25% Tariff, to 50%, on all STEEL and ALUMINUM COMING INTO THE UNITED STATES FROM CANADA, ONE OF THE HIGHEST TARIFFING NATIONS ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD,” Trump posted Tuesday on Truth Social.Facing a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stocks-markets-economy-tariffs-trump-rates-174603e75feb9d5cca96c08817e0c7c2">brutal stock market selloff</a>&nbsp;on Monday and Tuesday, Trump faces increased pressure to show he has a legitimate plan to grow the economy instead of perhaps pushing it into a recession. But so far the president is doubling down on the tariffs he talked up repeatedly during the 2024 campaign and throwing a once stable economy into utter turmoil as investors expected him to lead with deregulation and tax cuts instead of colossal tax hikes.The U.S. president has given a variety of explanations for his antagonism of Canada, saying that his separate 25% tariffs are about fentanyl smuggling and voicing objections to Canada putting high taxes on dairy imports that penalize U.S. farmers. But he continued to call for Canada&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/how-canada-could-become-us-state-42360e10ded96c0046fd11eaaf55ab88">to become part of the United States</a>&nbsp;as a solution, a form of taunting that has infuriated Canadian leaders.“The only thing that makes sense is for Canada to become our cherished Fifty First State," Trump posted on Tuesday. "This would make all Tariffs, and everything else, totally disappear.”Ontario Premier Doug Ford, after responding to Trump by raising electricity prices, said Tuesday on MSNBC that the U.S. people and its business leaders needed to speak up against the “chaos” caused by Trump's launching of a trade war.“If we go into a recession it’s self made by one person. It’s called President Trump’s recession,” Ford said. “It shouldn’t be this way. We should be booming, both countries.”Trump was set to deliver a Tuesday afternoon address to the Business Roundtable, a trade association of CEOs that during the 2024 campaign he wooed with the promise of lower corporate tax rates for domestic manufacturers. But his tariffs on Canada, Mexico, China, steel, aluminum — with plans for more to possibly come on Europe, Brazil, South Korea, pharmaceutical drugs, copper, lumber and computer chips — would amount to a massive tax hike.The stock market’s vote of no confidence over the past two weeks puts the president in a bind between his enthusiasm for taxing imports and his brand as a politician who understands business based on his own experiences in real estate, media and marketing.Harvard University economist Larry Summers, a former treasury secretary for the Clinton administration, on Monday put the odds of a recession at 50-50.“All the emphasis on tariffs and all the ambiguity and uncertainty has both chilled demand and caused prices to go up,” Summers posted on X. “We are getting the worst of both worlds - concerns about inflation and an economic downturn and more uncertainty about the future and that slows everything.”The investment bank Goldman Sachs revised down its growth forecast for this year to 1.7% from 2.2% previously. It modestly increased its recession probability to 20% “because the White House has the option to pull back policy changes if downside risks begin to look more serious.”Trump has tried to assure the public that his tariffs would cause a bit of a “transition” to the economy, with the taxes prodding more companies to begin the years-long process of relocating factories to the United States to avoid the tariffs. But he set off alarms in an interview broadcast on Sunday in which he didn't rule out a possible recession.“I hate to predict things like that,” Trump said on Fox News Channel's “Sunday Morning Futures." ”There is a period of transition, because what we’re doing is very big. We’re bringing wealth back to America. That’s a big thing. And there are always periods of — it takes a little time. It takes a little time. But I don’t — I think it should be great for us. I mean, I think it should be great."The promise of great things ahead did not eliminate anxiety, with the S&amp;P 500 stock index tumbling 2.7% on Monday in an unmistakable Trump slump that has erased the market gains that greeted his victory in November 2024. The S&amp;P 500 index fell roughly 0.4% in Tuesday morning trading.Trump has long relied on the stock market as an economic and political gauge to follow, only to seemingly ignore it as he remains determined so far to impose tariffs. When he won the election last year, he proclaimed that he wanted his term to be considered to have started Nov. 6, 2024 on Election Day, rather than his January 20, 2025 inauguration, so that he could be credited for post-election stock market gains.Trump also repeatedly warned of an economic freefall if he lost the election.“If I don’t win you will have a 1929 style depression. Enjoy it,” Trump said at an August rally in Pennsylvania.Trump last year claimed that his win in the Iowa Republican presidential caucuses caused China’s stock market to retreat.“China had a crash yesterday in their stock market. You know why? Because I won Iowa,” Trump said at the time.The White House is no longer treating stocks as a reliable economic indicator. After the markets closed on Monday, the White House highlighted that the tariffs were prompting companies such as Honda, Volkswagen and Volvo to consider new investments in U.S. factories. It issued a statement that Trump's combination of tariffs, deregulations and increased energy production had led industry leaders to promise to “create thousands of new jobs.”The significance of thousands of additional jobs was unclear, as the U.S. economy added 2.2 million jobs last year alone, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Trade war intensifies: Trump to hike tariffs on Canada metals

SHERIDAN COUNTY –&nbsp;The Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office reported to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) that 88-year-old Duane E. Wente was located and is now safe.

SHERIDAN COUNTY&nbsp;– The Sheridan County Sheriff’s office requested the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) issue a statewide Silver Alert for a missing Sheridan County man , according to a media release from the agency.

The whereabouts of 88-year-old Duane E. Wente are unknown and the public’s assistance is requested to help locate him.

Wente was last seen on March 10, around 3 a.m. He is driving a gold 2011 Chrysler Town and Country bearing Kansas tag ANN37, traveling in an unknown direction.

Wente is a white male who is 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs about 200 pounds. He is possibly wearing glasses, blue jeans, a brown plaid shirt, and a gray windbreaker. Wente has dementia.

If you see Duane E. Wente, please call 911 immediately. If you have other information about his whereabouts, call the Sheridan County Dispatch at (785) 675-3481.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741621582867.png" alt="Photo KBI" />
 <figcaption>Photo KBI</figcaption>
 </figure>SHERIDAN COUNTY –&nbsp;The Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office reported to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) that 88-year-old Duane E. Wente was located and is now safe.The Silver Alert is canceled.---------SHERIDAN COUNTY&nbsp;– The Sheridan County Sheriff’s office requested the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) issue a statewide Silver Alert for a missing Sheridan County man , according to a media release from the agency.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741621504119.png" alt="Wente photo KBI" />
 <figcaption>Wente photo KBI</figcaption>
 </figure>The whereabouts of 88-year-old Duane E. Wente are unknown and the public’s assistance is requested to help locate him.Wente was last seen on March 10, around 3 a.m. He is driving a gold 2011 Chrysler Town and Country bearing Kansas tag ANN37, traveling in an unknown direction.Wente is a white male who is 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs about 200 pounds. He is possibly wearing glasses, blue jeans, a brown plaid shirt, and a gray windbreaker. Wente has dementia.If you see Duane E. Wente, please call 911 immediately. If you have other information about his whereabouts, call the Sheridan County Dispatch at (785) 675-3481.

Statewide Silver Alert canceled: Missing Kansas man is safe

Charges have been dropped against Chiefs receiver Xavier Worthy. The District Attorney refused to file charges in the case.

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas —&nbsp; Sheriff's deputies in Texas arrested Kansas City Chiefs standout wide receiver Xavier Worthy on Friday.

The 21-year-old was booked into the&nbsp;&nbsp;Williamson County Jail on requested charges of&nbsp; assaulting a family/house member by impeding their breathing or circulation, according to online jail records.&nbsp;

The charge is a third-degree felony in Texas, with a possible punishment of two to 10 years in prison.&nbsp;

Williamson County is just north of Austin where Worthy played college football at the University of Texas.&nbsp; Police have released no additional details on the arrest.

The Chiefs selected Worthy with their first pick in the 2024 NFL draft. He scored two touchdowns in the Chiefs'&nbsp;Super Bowl loss&nbsp;to Philadelphia.&nbsp;Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741449455694.png" alt="Worthy photo Williamson County Texas Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Worthy photo Williamson County Texas Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741483775149.png" alt="Court listing for Xavier Worthy has been updated to “dismissed/declined”" />
 <figcaption>Court listing for Xavier Worthy has been updated to “dismissed/declined”</figcaption>
 </figure>Charges have been dropped against Chiefs receiver Xavier Worthy. The District Attorney refused to file charges in the case.------------WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas —&nbsp; Sheriff's deputies in Texas arrested Kansas City Chiefs standout wide receiver Xavier Worthy on Friday.The 21-year-old was booked into the&nbsp;&nbsp;Williamson County Jail on requested charges of&nbsp; assaulting a family/house member by impeding their breathing or circulation, according to online jail records.&nbsp;The charge is a third-degree felony in Texas, with a possible punishment of two to 10 years in prison.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741449585493.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Williamson County is just north of Austin where Worthy played college football at the University of Texas.&nbsp; Police have released no additional details on the arrest.The Chiefs selected Worthy with their first pick in the 2024 NFL draft. He scored two touchdowns in the Chiefs'&nbsp;Super Bowl loss&nbsp;to Philadelphia.&nbsp;Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

Texas DA refused to charge Chiefs star receiver after arrest

WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-mexico-canada-b19e004dddb579c373b247037e04424b">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday night will stand at the front of the U.S. House chamber to address a joint session of Congress, the first of his second term in office.

It looks like the State of the Union, and will be carried on live television, just like those annual addresses are. But it’s called something else: a joint address to Congress. And it has its origins in the first term of President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ronald-reagan-1985-inauguration-trump-cold-weather-bd01fac5d72796efa15e6177e3a60a39">Ronald Reagan</a>.

The U.S. Constitution requires that the president updates Congress and recommends policies, although the founding document doesn’t specify precisely when that address should take place.

Usually, presidents will deliver those remarks in January or February, reflecting on events of the previous year and outlining their policy priorities for the coming one. The message used to be known as “the President’s Annual Message to Congress.” In 1934, President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-145c384e00ac42ec9d7d1e81aed0b508">Franklin D. Roosevelt</a>&nbsp;began referring to it as the “Annual Message to Congress on the State of the Union.”

Shortly after he was sworn in for his first term in 1981, Reagan addressed a joint session of Congress, remarks that were called “Address Before a Joint Session of the Congress on the Program for Economic Recovery,” according to The American Presidency Project, at the University of California at Santa Barbara.

Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton followed suit in their own first years in office, with 1989 and 1993 messages both entitled “Administration Goals.” In 2001, President George W. Bush’s speech was his “Budget Message.”

According to the American Presidency Project, the impacts of these first-year speeches should be considered to have the same heft as the State of the Union addresses that follow in subsequent years. And, just like the State of the Union address, the opposing party to the one that occupies the White House gives a brief speech in response, which, like the president’s remarks, is televised. This year’s will be delivered by Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/3/1741121345176.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-tariffs-mexico-canada-b19e004dddb579c373b247037e04424b">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday night will stand at the front of the U.S. House chamber to address a joint session of Congress, the first of his second term in office.It looks like the State of the Union, and will be carried on live television, just like those annual addresses are. But it’s called something else: a joint address to Congress. And it has its origins in the first term of President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ronald-reagan-1985-inauguration-trump-cold-weather-bd01fac5d72796efa15e6177e3a60a39">Ronald Reagan</a>.The U.S. Constitution requires that the president updates Congress and recommends policies, although the founding document doesn’t specify precisely when that address should take place.Usually, presidents will deliver those remarks in January or February, reflecting on events of the previous year and outlining their policy priorities for the coming one. The message used to be known as “the President’s Annual Message to Congress.” In 1934, President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-145c384e00ac42ec9d7d1e81aed0b508">Franklin D. Roosevelt</a>&nbsp;began referring to it as the “Annual Message to Congress on the State of the Union.”Shortly after he was sworn in for his first term in 1981, Reagan addressed a joint session of Congress, remarks that were called “Address Before a Joint Session of the Congress on the Program for Economic Recovery,” according to The American Presidency Project, at the University of California at Santa Barbara.Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton followed suit in their own first years in office, with 1989 and 1993 messages both entitled “Administration Goals.” In 2001, President George W. Bush’s speech was his “Budget Message.”According to the American Presidency Project, the impacts of these first-year speeches should be considered to have the same heft as the State of the Union addresses that follow in subsequent years. And, just like the State of the Union address, the opposing party to the one that occupies the White House gives a brief speech in response, which, like the president’s remarks, is televised. This year’s will be delivered by Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan.

Why Trump’s joint remarks to Congress won’t be a ‘State of the Union’ address

KANSAS CITY —The suspect in two Platte County, Missouri homicides that occurred late Thursday night, as well as an Amber Alert, is believed to have also committed a number of felonies overnight in Kansas City, Kansas.

Just before midnight on Thursday, Kansas City, Kansas police dispatch received a 911 call reporting a shooting inside a bar at 2724 N. 13th Street, according to a media release.&nbsp; When officers arrived, they confirmed a non-injury aggravated assault had occurred.&nbsp; Witness reported the suspect, who matched the description of George C. Manning, the suspect in two Platte County, Missouri homicides earlier Thursday evening, had fled the scene on foot.

Minutes later, just a few blocks away, a carjacking was reported near N. 11th and Rowland Avenue.

Again, that suspect matched the description of Platte County suspect, George C. Manning. Officers canvassing the area found that vehicle wrecked a short time later. Then at approximately 5:57a.m., a caller to 911 reported that a man had just stolen his unoccupied, light blue Hyundai Accent, outside a convenience store at 1313 Quindaro Blvd.

Once again, that suspect matched the description of George C. Manning.• That vehicle then left Kansas City, Kansas at 6:07a.m.The Missouri State Highway Patrol confirmed that at approximately 7:30 AM, Manning was killed in Riverside, Missouri, in a police-involved shooting.

PLATTE COUNTY —The Missouri State Highway Patrol canceled the Amber Alert for a 5-year-old girl just before 7a.m. Friday. The victim was located and is safe. The suspect is still at large and possibly driving a stolen blue 2013 Hyundai Accent with Kansas license 3939ABK.&nbsp; He is considered armed and dangerous, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

PLATTE COUNTY —The Missouri State Highway Patrol issued an Amber Alert in Platte County, Missouri, for 43-year-old George Manning.

The victim is 5-year-old Giuliana Manning. She was last seen wearing a pink Hello Kitty Shirt and answers to the nickname Kachis. The suspect is armed and on foot with the victim.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740747986245.png" alt="Manning photo MSHP" />
 <figcaption>Manning photo MSHP</figcaption>
 </figure>Update&nbsp; 11a.m. Feb. 28KANSAS CITY —The suspect in two Platte County, Missouri homicides that occurred late Thursday night, as well as an Amber Alert, is believed to have also committed a number of felonies overnight in Kansas City, Kansas.Just before midnight on Thursday, Kansas City, Kansas police dispatch received a 911 call reporting a shooting inside a bar at 2724 N. 13th Street, according to a media release.&nbsp; When officers arrived, they confirmed a non-injury aggravated assault had occurred.&nbsp; Witness reported the suspect, who matched the description of George C. Manning, the suspect in two Platte County, Missouri homicides earlier Thursday evening, had fled the scene on foot.Minutes later, just a few blocks away, a carjacking was reported near N. 11th and Rowland Avenue.Again, that suspect matched the description of Platte County suspect, George C. Manning. Officers canvassing the area found that vehicle wrecked a short time later. Then at approximately 5:57a.m., a caller to 911 reported that a man had just stolen his unoccupied, light blue Hyundai Accent, outside a convenience store at 1313 Quindaro Blvd.Once again, that suspect matched the description of George C. Manning.• That vehicle then left Kansas City, Kansas at 6:07a.m.The Missouri State Highway Patrol confirmed that at approximately 7:30 AM, Manning was killed in Riverside, Missouri, in a police-involved shooting.---------PLATTE COUNTY —The Missouri State Highway Patrol canceled the Amber Alert for a 5-year-old girl just before 7a.m. Friday. The victim was located and is safe. The suspect is still at large and possibly driving a stolen blue 2013 Hyundai Accent with Kansas license 3939ABK.&nbsp; He is considered armed and dangerous, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.-------------------PLATTE COUNTY —The Missouri State Highway Patrol issued an Amber Alert in Platte County, Missouri, for 43-year-old George Manning.The victim is 5-year-old Giuliana Manning. She was last seen wearing a pink Hello Kitty Shirt and answers to the nickname Kachis. The suspect is armed and on foot with the victim.

Amber Alert suspect at large; driving stolen car with Kan. license plate

Update 11a.m. One lane (passing lane) has been reopened on westbound I-70, according to the Kansas Dept. of Transportation.

ELLSWORTH COUNTY— Westbound Interstate 70 is closed in Ellsworth County between Kansas 14 and Kansas 232 due to a semi crash, according to the Kansas Department of Transportation.

At approximately 6:45a.m., the Kansas Highway Patrol was notified of a serious crash involving two semis on Interstate 70 westbound just west of the Vesper exit in western Ellsworth County.


KDOT is on scene assisting with traffic control and rerouting.


 The KHP’s Critical Highway Accident Response Team (CHART) is also on-site. This specialized team of troopers is highly trained in accident reconstruction and works to provide clarity in serious crashes like this.
Drivers should expect delays, seek alternate routes,

For updates and more info <a href="https://kandrive.gov/@-101.43512,39.04521,6?show=roadReports,constructionReports,trafficSpeeds,winterDriving,oversizeLoads,stationsAlert,weatherRadar">click here </a>or call 511 in Kansas

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1740580961363.png" alt="Image KHP" />
 <figcaption>Image KHP</figcaption>
 </figure>Update 11a.m. One lane (passing lane) has been reopened on westbound I-70, according to the Kansas Dept. of Transportation.-----------------ELLSWORTH COUNTY— Westbound Interstate 70 is closed in Ellsworth County between Kansas 14 and Kansas 232 due to a semi crash, according to the Kansas Department of Transportation.At approximately 6:45a.m., the Kansas Highway Patrol was notified of a serious crash involving two semis on Interstate 70 westbound just west of the Vesper exit in western Ellsworth County.
KDOT is on scene assisting with traffic control and rerouting.
 The KHP’s Critical Highway Accident Response Team (CHART) is also on-site. This specialized team of troopers is highly trained in accident reconstruction and works to provide clarity in serious crashes like this.
Drivers should expect delays, seek alternate routes,For updates and more info <a href="https://kandrive.gov/@-101.43512,39.04521,6?show=roadReports,constructionReports,trafficSpeeds,winterDriving,oversizeLoads,stationsAlert,weatherRadar">click here </a>or call 511 in Kansas

1 lane of westbound I-70 closed in Ellsworth County due to fatal crash

WASHINGTON (AP) — Barely a week after mass firings at the Food and Drug Administration, some probationary staffers received unexpected news over the weekend: The government wants them back.

Beginning Friday night, FDA employees overseeing medical devices, food ingredients and other key areas received calls and emails notifying them that their recent terminations had been "rescinded effective immediately," according to messages viewed by The Associated Press.

Four FDA staffers impacted by the decisions spoke with the AP on condition of anonymity because they planned to continue working for the agency and weren't authorized to discuss its internal procedures.

The reversal is the latest example of President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk's chaotic approach to cost-cutting, which has resulted in several agencies firing, and then scrambling to rehire, employees responsible for nuclear weapons, national parks and other government services.

The FDA reinstatements followed pushback by lobbyists for the medical device industry, which pays the agency hundreds of millions of dollars annually to hire extra scientists to review products. The industry's leading trade group said Monday "a sizable number" of device reviewers appear to be returning to FDA.

"This would be welcome news, and I appreciate the administration for acting quickly," AdvaMed CEO Scott Whitaker said in an emailed statement. "We all share the same goal — an efficient, effective FDA review process that helps advance the medical technologies American patients depend on."

FDA staffers said entire teams of five or more medical device reviewers had been reinstated.

In the agency's food program, at least 10 staffers responsible for reviewing the safety of new ingredients were offered their jobs back, according to a food staffer who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity to discuss internal agency matters.

The FDA's deputy commissioner for foods, Jim Jones, resigned last week, citing "the indiscriminate firing" of nearly 90 staffers in his division, according to a copy of his resignation letter obtained by the AP. The food program recently underwent a major restructuring to better oversee essential products like infant formula and baby food.

The FDA hasn't released official numbers on the terminations, but former FDA officials have pegged the number at roughly 700, with more than 220 coming from the medical device center. That would represent roughly 10% of the program's total staffing.

The FDA did not respond to requests Monday about how many employees were being reinstated.

Like other agencies, the FDA terminations went to employees in their probationary period, typically the first two years of federal employment. But that approach resulted in firings across key areas where the agency has been working to beef up staffing, including rapidly evolving fields like artificial intelligence and digital health. The cuts also included agency leaders who were recently hired for senior roles.

"The disarray caused by the wholesale termination of a wide swath of device center staff was counterproductive and appears to have caused a variety of unintended and negative results," said Steve Silverman, a former FDA device official who now runs a consulting firm. "It's encouraging to see a shift in the opposite direction that recognizes the critical expertise of these staffers."

Many reviewers have advanced degrees in specialized medical and technological fields. They can typically earn more in the private sector than in government.

Last week, the lobbying group AdvaMed pushed back on the firings, calling on Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to reverse course. The group warned that the cuts would result in slower approvals for companies and fewer new treatment options for patients.

"FDA will lose hundreds of new employees, the best and most innovative hires under our most recent agreement," Whitaker wrote in a statement posted online. He noted that the hiring of FDA device reviewers is largely financed through an ongoing five-year agreement between the FDA and medical device companies.

More than half the device program's $791 million budget last year came from industry fees, according to federal figures. In return, the FDA is obligated to meet certain benchmarks for quickly and predictably reviewing applications for new and updated devices.

FDA staffers who were reinstated said their immediate supervisors received no explanation or advance notice on the decisions. Instead, staffers received calls or emails from the FDA's "Office of Talent Solutions," informing them that their access to FDA computer systems and offices had been restored.

"We are so grateful to still have you working for the FDA and serving the American public!" the emails concluded.

A week earlier, the same employees received emails stating that they were "not fit for continued employment because your ability, knowledge and skills do not fit the agency's current needs."

Nearly half the FDA's budget, or about $3.3 billion, comes from fees paid by drugmakers, device and tobacco companies. The result is that broad cuts to those programs won't add much toward Musk's stated goal of shrinking the federal budget.

But the financial support of industry fees did not appear to help staffers in other parts of the agency.

FDA's tobacco center — which reviews new products like electronic cigarettes and nicotine pouches — is 100% funded by industry fees. But there did not appear to be an effort to rehire the estimated 100 or so employees fired from that center.

AP Health Writer JoNel Aleccia contributed to this story.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1738862484363.png" alt="File photo Elon Musk-courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>File photo Elon Musk-courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Barely a week after mass firings at the Food and Drug Administration, some probationary staffers received unexpected news over the weekend: The government wants them back.Beginning Friday night, FDA employees overseeing medical devices, food ingredients and other key areas received calls and emails notifying them that their recent terminations had been "rescinded effective immediately," according to messages viewed by The Associated Press.Four FDA staffers impacted by the decisions spoke with the AP on condition of anonymity because they planned to continue working for the agency and weren't authorized to discuss its internal procedures.The reversal is the latest example of President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk's chaotic approach to cost-cutting, which has resulted in several agencies firing, and then scrambling to rehire, employees responsible for nuclear weapons, national parks and other government services.The FDA reinstatements followed pushback by lobbyists for the medical device industry, which pays the agency hundreds of millions of dollars annually to hire extra scientists to review products. The industry's leading trade group said Monday "a sizable number" of device reviewers appear to be returning to FDA."This would be welcome news, and I appreciate the administration for acting quickly," AdvaMed CEO Scott Whitaker said in an emailed statement. "We all share the same goal — an efficient, effective FDA review process that helps advance the medical technologies American patients depend on."FDA staffers said entire teams of five or more medical device reviewers had been reinstated.In the agency's food program, at least 10 staffers responsible for reviewing the safety of new ingredients were offered their jobs back, according to a food staffer who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity to discuss internal agency matters.The FDA's deputy commissioner for foods, Jim Jones, resigned last week, citing "the indiscriminate firing" of nearly 90 staffers in his division, according to a copy of his resignation letter obtained by the AP. The food program recently underwent a major restructuring to better oversee essential products like infant formula and baby food.The FDA hasn't released official numbers on the terminations, but former FDA officials have pegged the number at roughly 700, with more than 220 coming from the medical device center. That would represent roughly 10% of the program's total staffing.The FDA did not respond to requests Monday about how many employees were being reinstated.Like other agencies, the FDA terminations went to employees in their probationary period, typically the first two years of federal employment. But that approach resulted in firings across key areas where the agency has been working to beef up staffing, including rapidly evolving fields like artificial intelligence and digital health. The cuts also included agency leaders who were recently hired for senior roles."The disarray caused by the wholesale termination of a wide swath of device center staff was counterproductive and appears to have caused a variety of unintended and negative results," said Steve Silverman, a former FDA device official who now runs a consulting firm. "It's encouraging to see a shift in the opposite direction that recognizes the critical expertise of these staffers."Many reviewers have advanced degrees in specialized medical and technological fields. They can typically earn more in the private sector than in government.Last week, the lobbying group AdvaMed pushed back on the firings, calling on Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to reverse course. The group warned that the cuts would result in slower approvals for companies and fewer new treatment options for patients."FDA will lose hundreds of new employees, the best and most innovative hires under our most recent agreement," Whitaker wrote in a statement posted online. He noted that the hiring of FDA device reviewers is largely financed through an ongoing five-year agreement between the FDA and medical device companies.More than half the device program's $791 million budget last year came from industry fees, according to federal figures. In return, the FDA is obligated to meet certain benchmarks for quickly and predictably reviewing applications for new and updated devices.FDA staffers who were reinstated said their immediate supervisors received no explanation or advance notice on the decisions. Instead, staffers received calls or emails from the FDA's "Office of Talent Solutions," informing them that their access to FDA computer systems and offices had been restored."We are so grateful to still have you working for the FDA and serving the American public!" the emails concluded.A week earlier, the same employees received emails stating that they were "not fit for continued employment because your ability, knowledge and skills do not fit the agency's current needs."Nearly half the FDA's budget, or about $3.3 billion, comes from fees paid by drugmakers, device and tobacco companies. The result is that broad cuts to those programs won't add much toward Musk's stated goal of shrinking the federal budget.But the financial support of industry fees did not appear to help staffers in other parts of the agency.FDA's tobacco center — which reviews new products like electronic cigarettes and nicotine pouches — is 100% funded by industry fees. But there did not appear to be an effort to rehire the estimated 100 or so employees fired from that center.___AP Health Writer JoNel Aleccia contributed to this story.___The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

FDA moves to rehire medical device, food safety staffers fired earlier

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Wednesday with the leader of the United Arab Emirates, wrapping up an overseas trip that saw&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-riyadh-talks-trump-putin-rubio-0c3beebfef5839e9d509ff58239a6bc5">the highest-level outreach between the United States and Russia</a>&nbsp;since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-politics-united-arab-emirates-government-persian-gulf-tensions-israel-06dceb8c4e3355eb3bbf24d845f67eda">Rubio visited Abu Dhabi’s Abrahamic Family House</a>, which houses a Catholic church, a Jewish synagogue and an Islamic mosque.

Rubio’s talk with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, also the ruler of Abu Dhabi, comes as the U.S. also tries to continue&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-news-ceasefire-hostages-02-18-2025-873e5177fea96dbf569ca96980eed29c">a shaky ceasefire in the Gaza Strip</a>&nbsp;between&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Israel and the militant Hamas group.</a>

The UAE,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-israel-ap-top-news-iran-united-arab-emirates-abcb0ed9a84e2d3da7d87c28641ccc21">which diplomatically recognized Israel in 2020</a>&nbsp;during President Donald Trump’s first term, also has been key in mediating prisoner swaps between Russia and Ukraine.

Rubio offered his thanks in the meeting to the UAE “for the strength and enduring nature of the relationship, one marked by strong economic ties, defense cooperation and mutual interests in regional stability,” State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said in a statement.

The meeting included discussions on artificial intelligence, the Gaza Strip, Syria, Lebanon and the Red Sea, which had been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-houthi-rebels-galaxy-leader-crew-3638ab8e31c9c97b2ef5f9079dfbb6c0">the site of attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels</a>&nbsp;until the Gaza ceasefire, Bruce added.

There was no immediate comments from the UAE on what Rubio, Sheikh Mohammed and Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE’s foreign minister, discussed in their roughly 30-minute meeting. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/uae-russia-ukraine-war-a09b2fc2d81276551f40d89383a348c2">met with Sheikh Mohammed on Monday</a>.

The state-run WAM news agency reported Sheikh Mohammed had told Rubio “that the UAE strongly opposes any attempt to displace the Palestinian people from Gaza.”

Trump has said he wants to empty Gaza permanently of its more than 2 million Palestinians, saying they would not be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-gaza-jordan-egypt-fox-palestinians-be4c67e124f7b8c7d5ad95231fc625a8">allowed to return</a>&nbsp;and suggesting at one point he might&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-abdullah-jordan-gaza-hamas-israel-1f3ef249419ce61fc5c0f41412c24cb0">force Egypt and Jordan</a>&nbsp;to take them in by threatening to cut off U.S. aid.

Sheikh Mohammed also reportedly stressed that reconstruction in Gaza be backed by a “comprehensive and lasting peace” based on a two-state solution, which would see the Palestinians have their own future state out of Gaza and the West Bank.

Both the UAE and Saudi Arabia have been discussed as possible sites for peace talks to end the war in Ukraine, which marks its third anniversary on Monday. Saudi Arabia also has been mentioned as the possible venue for a meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, providing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/saudi-arabia-us-russia-talks-analysis-mohammed-bin-salman-9a42a3f1e09599f423a693262caa179c">a potential diplomatic boon to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman</a>, the kingdom’s de facto ruler.

The leaders met Rubio at an Abu Dhabi convention center that’s hosting the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-united-arab-emirates-government-abu-dhabi-business-912108195180fb5edf9dfb88fd6167b9">biennial International Defense Exhibition and Conference</a>&nbsp;this week, where both Ukraine and Russia have displayed weapons — even as Moscow faces Western sanctions over the war.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-department-of-the-treasury-business-united-arab-emirates-dubai-middle-east-192fbc4638f38d9334ad2508cae1eef4">Russian money continues to flood into Dubai’s booming real estate market</a>. Daily flights between the Emirates and Moscow provide a lifeline for both those fleeing conscription and the Russian elite. Ukrainians as well have fled to the Emirates, an autocratically ruled federation of seven sheikhdoms on the Arabian Peninsula.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/2/1739995482632.png" alt="Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the tour of the controversial Abrahamic Family House -image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the tour of the controversial Abrahamic Family House -image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Wednesday with the leader of the United Arab Emirates, wrapping up an overseas trip that saw&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-riyadh-talks-trump-putin-rubio-0c3beebfef5839e9d509ff58239a6bc5">the highest-level outreach between the United States and Russia</a>&nbsp;since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-politics-united-arab-emirates-government-persian-gulf-tensions-israel-06dceb8c4e3355eb3bbf24d845f67eda">Rubio visited Abu Dhabi’s Abrahamic Family House</a>, which houses a Catholic church, a Jewish synagogue and an Islamic mosque.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Secretary of State Marco Rubio visits Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi Saadiyat Cultural District on Saadiyat Island - Moses Ben Maimon Synagogue <a href="https://t.co/csNz9epgMM">pic.twitter.com/csNz9epgMM</a>&mdash; Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) <a href="https://twitter.com/HowardMortman/status/1892228245891756101?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Secretary of State Marco Rubio visits Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi Saadiyat Cultural District on Saadiyat Island - Eminence Ahmed El-Tayeb Mosque <a href="https://t.co/VLD6MuYxkL">pic.twitter.com/VLD6MuYxkL</a>&mdash; Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) <a href="https://twitter.com/HowardMortman/status/1892228682363687155?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Secretary of State Marco Rubio visits Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi Saadiyat Cultural District on Saadiyat Island - St. Francis Church <a href="https://t.co/69t2TaBecf">pic.twitter.com/69t2TaBecf</a>&mdash; Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) <a href="https://twitter.com/HowardMortman/status/1892228920117752293?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Rubio’s talk with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, also the ruler of Abu Dhabi, comes as the U.S. also tries to continue&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-news-ceasefire-hostages-02-18-2025-873e5177fea96dbf569ca96980eed29c">a shaky ceasefire in the Gaza Strip</a>&nbsp;between&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Israel and the militant Hamas group.</a>The UAE,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-israel-ap-top-news-iran-united-arab-emirates-abcb0ed9a84e2d3da7d87c28641ccc21">which diplomatically recognized Israel in 2020</a>&nbsp;during President Donald Trump’s first term, also has been key in mediating prisoner swaps between Russia and Ukraine.Rubio offered his thanks in the meeting to the UAE “for the strength and enduring nature of the relationship, one marked by strong economic ties, defense cooperation and mutual interests in regional stability,” State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said in a statement.The meeting included discussions on artificial intelligence, the Gaza Strip, Syria, Lebanon and the Red Sea, which had been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-houthi-rebels-galaxy-leader-crew-3638ab8e31c9c97b2ef5f9079dfbb6c0">the site of attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels</a>&nbsp;until the Gaza ceasefire, Bruce added.There was no immediate comments from the UAE on what Rubio, Sheikh Mohammed and Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE’s foreign minister, discussed in their roughly 30-minute meeting. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/uae-russia-ukraine-war-a09b2fc2d81276551f40d89383a348c2">met with Sheikh Mohammed on Monday</a>.The state-run WAM news agency reported Sheikh Mohammed had told Rubio “that the UAE strongly opposes any attempt to displace the Palestinian people from Gaza.”Trump has said he wants to empty Gaza permanently of its more than 2 million Palestinians, saying they would not be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-gaza-jordan-egypt-fox-palestinians-be4c67e124f7b8c7d5ad95231fc625a8">allowed to return</a>&nbsp;and suggesting at one point he might&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-abdullah-jordan-gaza-hamas-israel-1f3ef249419ce61fc5c0f41412c24cb0">force Egypt and Jordan</a>&nbsp;to take them in by threatening to cut off U.S. aid.Sheikh Mohammed also reportedly stressed that reconstruction in Gaza be backed by a “comprehensive and lasting peace” based on a two-state solution, which would see the Palestinians have their own future state out of Gaza and the West Bank.Both the UAE and Saudi Arabia have been discussed as possible sites for peace talks to end the war in Ukraine, which marks its third anniversary on Monday. Saudi Arabia also has been mentioned as the possible venue for a meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, providing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/saudi-arabia-us-russia-talks-analysis-mohammed-bin-salman-9a42a3f1e09599f423a693262caa179c">a potential diplomatic boon to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman</a>, the kingdom’s de facto ruler.The leaders met Rubio at an Abu Dhabi convention center that’s hosting the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-united-arab-emirates-government-abu-dhabi-business-912108195180fb5edf9dfb88fd6167b9">biennial International Defense Exhibition and Conference</a>&nbsp;this week, where both Ukraine and Russia have displayed weapons — even as Moscow faces Western sanctions over the war.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-department-of-the-treasury-business-united-arab-emirates-dubai-middle-east-192fbc4638f38d9334ad2508cae1eef4">Russian money continues to flood into Dubai’s booming real estate market</a>. Daily flights between the Emirates and Moscow provide a lifeline for both those fleeing conscription and the Russian elite. Ukrainians as well have fled to the Emirates, an autocratically ruled federation of seven sheikhdoms on the Arabian Peninsula.

US top diplomat visits Abrahamic Family House on visit to UAE

WASHINGTON (AP) — The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/internal-revenue-service">IRS</a>&nbsp;will lay off roughly 7,000 workers in Washington and around the country beginning Thursday, a person familiar with the plans told The Associated Press.

The layoffs affect probationary employees with roughly one year or less of service at the agency and largely include workers in compliance departments, according to the person, who was not authorized to disclose the plans and spoke on condition of anonymity Wednesday. Compliance work includes ensuring that taxpayers are abiding by the tax code, filing their returns and paying their taxes, among other duties.

The layoffs are part of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Trump administration’s intensified efforts</a>&nbsp;to shrink the size of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-workforce-employees-trump-cuts-buyouts-86d7a1bc5b3968aa92e0657a7e15bee1">federal workforce</a>&nbsp;through the Department of Government Efficiency by ordering agencies to lay off nearly all probationary employees who have not yet gained civil service protection. They come despite IRS employees involved in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/irs-tax-season-direct-file-refund-31fcb0c4466e8ef286952d3e22b9c277">2025 tax season</a>&nbsp;being told earlier this month that they would not be allowed to accept a buyout offer from the Trump administration until mid-May, after the taxpayer filing deadline.

It’s unclear how the layoffs may affect tax collection services this year. As the nation’s revenue collector, the IRS was tasked during the Biden administration with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/irs-treasury-tax-wealth-ira-2932f286c89b19b9ccecaaca2f4f2c2b">targeting high-wealth tax evaders</a>&nbsp;for an additional stream of income to the U.S., which is $36 trillion in debt. By the end of 2024, the IRS collected over $1.3 billion in back taxes from rich tax dodgers.

The IRS has roughly 90,000 employees total across the United States, according to the latest IRS data. Racial minorities&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/statistics/irs-budget-and-workforce" target="_blank">make up 56% of the IRS workforce</a>, and women represent 65%.

In addition to the planned layoffs, the Trump administration intends to lend IRS workers to the Department of Homeland Security to assist with immigration enforcement. In a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/armed-irs-agents-immigration-enforcement-0065756e7e44b0de2027d5a6f60e60a5">letter sent earlier this month</a>, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem asked Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to borrow IRS workers to help with ongoing immigration crackdown efforts.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/internal-revenue-service">IRS</a>&nbsp;will lay off roughly 7,000 workers in Washington and around the country beginning Thursday, a person familiar with the plans told The Associated Press.The layoffs affect probationary employees with roughly one year or less of service at the agency and largely include workers in compliance departments, according to the person, who was not authorized to disclose the plans and spoke on condition of anonymity Wednesday. Compliance work includes ensuring that taxpayers are abiding by the tax code, filing their returns and paying their taxes, among other duties.The layoffs are part of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Trump administration’s intensified efforts</a>&nbsp;to shrink the size of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-workforce-employees-trump-cuts-buyouts-86d7a1bc5b3968aa92e0657a7e15bee1">federal workforce</a>&nbsp;through the Department of Government Efficiency by ordering agencies to lay off nearly all probationary employees who have not yet gained civil service protection. They come despite IRS employees involved in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/irs-tax-season-direct-file-refund-31fcb0c4466e8ef286952d3e22b9c277">2025 tax season</a>&nbsp;being told earlier this month that they would not be allowed to accept a buyout offer from the Trump administration until mid-May, after the taxpayer filing deadline.It’s unclear how the layoffs may affect tax collection services this year. As the nation’s revenue collector, the IRS was tasked during the Biden administration with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/irs-treasury-tax-wealth-ira-2932f286c89b19b9ccecaaca2f4f2c2b">targeting high-wealth tax evaders</a>&nbsp;for an additional stream of income to the U.S., which is $36 trillion in debt. By the end of 2024, the IRS collected over $1.3 billion in back taxes from rich tax dodgers.The IRS has roughly 90,000 employees total across the United States, according to the latest IRS data. Racial minorities&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/statistics/irs-budget-and-workforce" target="_blank">make up 56% of the IRS workforce</a>, and women represent 65%.In addition to the planned layoffs, the Trump administration intends to lend IRS workers to the Department of Homeland Security to assist with immigration enforcement. In a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/armed-irs-agents-immigration-enforcement-0065756e7e44b0de2027d5a6f60e60a5">letter sent earlier this month</a>, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem asked Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to borrow IRS workers to help with ongoing immigration crackdown efforts.

Misc