American, Italian hostages killed in US drone strike
WASHINGTON (AP) — An American and an Italian held hostage by al-Qaida, as well as two Americans working with the terror group, were inadvertently killed by CIA drone strikes early this year, the government revealed Thursday. President Barack Obama said he took full responsibility for the counterterror missions and offered his “grief and condolences” to the families of the hostages, Warren Weinstein of Rockville, Maryland, and Giovanni Lo Porto.
Ex-CIA chief will be sentenced for leaking military secrets
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Former CIA Director David Petraeus, whose career was destroyed by an extramarital affair with his biographer, was set to be sentenced Thursday in federal court in Charlotte for giving her classified material while she was working on the book. Petraeus will appear at the sentencing, which comes two months after he agreed to plead guilty to a misdemeanor count of unauthorized removal and retention of classified material.
Few vets getting care through $10 billion VA program
NEW YORK (AP) — A new program that was supposed to get patients off waiting lists at Veterans Affairs medical centers by letting them switch to private-sector doctors is proving to be an even bigger disappointment than initially thought. The Veteran’s Choice program launched on Nov. 5 with $10 billion in funding and the expectation that it would instantly relieve backlogs at VA hospitals and clinics. But after a hurried rollout that has led to confusion as to exactly who is eligible and what they need to do to coordinate treatment, officials now say only 37,648 medical appointments have been made through April 11.
Gay marriage a difficult issue for GOP White House hopefuls
NEW YORK (AP) — For Democratic politicians, same-sex marriage has become an easy issue: They’re for it. Many Republican VIPs — notably the presidential hopefuls — face a far more complicated landscape. Looming ahead for these contenders are early contests in states such as Iowa and South Carolina, where a major role will be played by conservative Christian voters firmly opposed to same-sex marriage. Further down the road is the 2016 general election, where the nominee will likely need backing from independents and moderate Republicans who support gay unions.
Report: Alarm at G.H.W. Bush home broken for 13 months
WASHINGTON (AP) — The alarm at former President George H.W. Bush’s Texas home was broken for at least 13 months before the Secret Service fixed it, according to a report released Thursday by the Homeland Security Department’s inspector general. Inspector General John Roth said Secret Service agents assigned to protect Bush noticed a failure in the alarm system at the former president’s Houston home in September 2013. A temporary alarm wasn’t installed until April 2014.
Rubber dinghies, old fishing boats feed Europe migrant rush
MADRID (AP) — The hottest commodity in the saga of migrants risking death to reach European shores: decrepit wooden fishing boats. And Italy is asking the United States to supply drones that can identify them before they’re packed with refugees and sent across the Mediterranean. Anticipating every European move, however, the nimble smugglers are turning now to a newer, cheaper and more dangerous tactic — launching rubber dinghies crammed with migrants that sometimes start deflating even before they reach Italy.
Arizona sheriff drops tough-talking persona on the stand
PHOENIX (AP) — The self-proclaimed “America’s Toughest Sheriff” will return to the stand in federal court Thursday after the Arizona lawman delivered unusually meek responses to questions about why he defied a judge’s orders to stop carrying out his signature immigration patrols. Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio testified Wednesday that he accepts responsibility for disobeying a 2011 order in a racial profiling case, but he repeatedly said he delegated its enforcement to his lawyers and staff.
Michael Brown’s parents sue over son’s death
CLAYTON, Mo. (AP) — Michael Brown’s parents filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against the city of Ferguson on Thursday, opening a new chapter in the legal battle over the fatal shooting by a white police officer that sparked a national protest movement. Attorneys for Brown’s parents promised the case would bring to light new forensic evidence that would raise doubts about the police version of events. Some of that evidence, they said, had been overlooked in previous investigations.
New DNA codes for mammoths: Step toward bringing them back?
NEW YORK (AP) — Scientists are getting their best look yet at the DNA code for the woolly mammoth, thanks to work that could be a step toward bringing back the extinct beast. Researchers deciphered the complete DNA code, or genomes, of two mammoths. The new genomes are far more refined than a previous one announced in 2008.
Manfred: Rose will be allowed to be part of All-Star Game
NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred says Pete Rose will play some role during this summer’s All-Star Game in Cincinnati. Speaking Thursday with the Associated Press Sports Editors, Manfred said he has not determined a timetable to decide on Rose’s application to end his lifetime ban from baseball. The ban started in 1989 following an investigation Rose bet on the Reds to win while he was managing the team.
Copyright © 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
