Here are the AP's top stories and promotable content. All times U.S. Eastern. For up-to-the minute information on AP's coverage, visit AP Newsroom’s Coverage Plan.
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Here are the AP's top stories and promotable content. All times U.S. Eastern. For up-to-the minute information on AP's coverage, visit AP Newsroom’s Coverage Plan.
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NATIONAL
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US soldier killed in Iraq was a 30-year-old father from North Carolina
SUMMARY: The U.S. military has identified a soldier killed while disarming an Iranian drone in Iraq as Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton from North Carolina. The military said Tuesday that Swinton will receive a Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and Combat Action Badge, and be promoted to staff sergeant. Swinton’s wife, Mia Gonzalez-Swinton, posted on social media: “I will never recover from this." His mother said he leaves behind a 6-year-old son and a 4-year-old daughter. Two U.S. Army soldiers were also killed in Jordan last week by an Iranian attack. They were the first U.S. troop deaths from direct Iranian fire since the opening days of the war.
WORDS: 589 - MOVED: 07/21/2026 1:57 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSIranWarDeathsthLdWritethru/5ec21d4f12fbdee658ec15ed8d3750ee/text___
Officials sought phone records of NYT journalists and their relatives in an effort to unmask sources
SUMMARY: A court document says President Donald Trump's administration sought New York Times journalists’ phone records and even those of some of their relatives in an attempt to unmask the confidential sources of reporters who wrote about Trump’s Qatari-gifted Air Force One jet. The motion unsealed Monday reveals more expansive attempts by Trump's Republican administration than previously known to compel the identity of sources. The Justice Department has justified the original subpoenas by saying “reporters are not the targets, those leaking classified information are.” Additional subpoenas included a request for phone records of one reporter’s mother and two of the journalists’ spouses.
WORDS: 1005 - MOVED: 07/20/2026 6:02 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSMediaTimesAirForceOnethLdWritethru/88f5ceca88dcdd19779e6f61abedf337/text___
The Tate brothers fight extradition to the UK where they face rape and sex trafficking charges
SUMMARY: A lawyer says social media influencers Andrew and Tristan Tate will fight extradition to the United Kingdom. The brothers face rape and sex trafficking charges in the U.K. They were arrested in Miami on Saturday and appeared before a magistrate Monday. They’re being held in federal detention. A U.S. district judge will consider whether they meet the conditions for extradition in the coming weeks. An attorney for the brothers suggests the case is politically motivated but didn't explain why. The Tates’ social media empire promotes wealth, male dominance and misogyny and has made them polarizing internet personalities. They have repeatedly denied wrongdoing.
WORDS: 785 - MOVED: 07/20/2026 4:03 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSTateBrothersthLdWritethru/3a3748e075f49b00f286a003f5103485/text___
5 dead in attempt to save a struggling swimmer in an Ohio river, sheriff says
SUMMARY: Authorities say five people have died on a river in Ohio after several of them went into the water to assist another person who was struggling to swim. The Delaware County sheriff said at a news conference Monday that a motorist called 911 on Sunday after spotting a frightened child running for help. Rescue crews began searching the water and found two women. Both were pronounced dead at a hospital. The bodies of three men were found in the river on Monday. Authorities say they are working to notify the relatives of the victims.
WORDS: 369 - MOVED: 07/20/2026 7:14 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSRiverDeathsOhiothLdWritethru/b52447c34f062ce3b2d2d6988796e2ef/text___
Trial begins for Massachusetts mom who says postpartum issues led her to kill 3 children
SUMMARY: Jury selection has begun in the murder trial of a Massachusetts woman who is expected to argue that postpartum issues were the reason she killed her three children. Lindsay Clancy has pleaded not guilty in the three counts of murder in the deaths of her children, 5-year-old Cora, 3-year-old Dawson and 8-month-old Callan, on Jan. 24, 2023. Five jurors were selected Monday. A total of 18 jurors, including six alternates, will be chosen for the trial. Prosecutors argue Clancy used an exercise bands to strangle her three children. But Clancy's attorney, Kevin Reddington, plans to lay out an insanity defense
WORDS: 608 - MOVED: 07/20/2026 10:10 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSChildrenKilledPostpartumDefensethLdWritethru/52e0c06e7e876f0f59799c2e6e27622f/text___
Nolan Wells remembered for his gentle spirit as Rev. Al Sharpton demands truth about his death
SUMMARY: Nolan Xavier Wells, an 18-year-old who was found dead after a July 4 boat trip with his friends to a Gulf Coast island, was remembered in Mississippi. The service began Monday with a prayer from the Rev. Al Sharpton, followed by speeches from Wells’ parents, who described their son as a warm, gentle presence and role model to his younger siblings. Wells’ death has sparked national attention and calls for a deeper investigation. Wells, who was Black, traveled by boat to the island with his friends, who are white. He didn't return with them to the mainland. His body was found two days later. The investigation remains ongoing.
WORDS: 694 - MOVED: 07/20/2026 4:11 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSNolanWellsFuneralthLdWritethru/4d36193e025efc95f3e82246ad038fd8/text___
Ex-soldier started a fire and fired a pellet gun outside a New York federal building, FBI says
SUMMARY: The FBI says a former U.S. Army soldier started a fire and fired a pellet gun outside a New York building housing an immigration court and other government offices. Officials say suspect Andrew Arrabaca was taken into custody Monday. No charges have been announced yet against Arrabaca, and it was not immediately clear if he has a lawyer. New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Arrabaca had a sign affixed to a cart with him that read “ICE off our streets.” The building has become a focal point for demonstrations against the Trump administration’s immigration policies. Three people sustained minor injuries.
WORDS: 785 - MOVED: 07/20/2026 3:29 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSFederalBuildingIncendiaryDevicethLdWritethru/e3b62b5cafb5ea777f5918670c48da72/text___
Senators demand ICE answers and body cameras after 2 fatal shootings in Maine and Houston
SUMMARY: Dozens of Democratic U.S. senators and Maine's Independent senator are demanding more details from Immigration and Customs Enforcement about vetting practices for new agents. They also want to know how officers conduct vehicle pursuits and are pushing for body cameras to be swiftly rolled out. The demands came in a letter led by Maine's Independent Sen. Angus King and signed by 38 Democratic senators. This follows two deadly shootings involving ICE officers in Houston and Maine. The senators emphasize the need for clarity and accountability, urging ICE to wear uniforms clearly identifying them as “ICE” instead of just “POLICE.”
WORDS: 651 - MOVED: 07/20/2026 5:18 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSICEShootingMainestLdWritethru/5662948e22014709dcef74c3a559419c/text___
Ex-Mexican drug lord Ismael ‘El Mayo’ Zambada denounces violence as he's sentenced to life in prison
SUMMARY: Former Mexican drug kingpin Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada was sentenced in a U.S. court to life in prison. At his sentencing on Monday, he called for an end to the brand of brutal violence he used for decades to grow the Sinaloa cartel into the world’s largest drug trafficking organization. Zambada’s punishment was guaranteed by his guilty plea last year to drug trafficking charges that carry a mandatory life sentence. His sentencing was the culmination of the U.S. government’s yearslong fight to bring the long-elusive drug lord to justice. He was arrested in 2024 after he said he was kidnapped in Mexico and flown to Texas.
WORDS: 1120 - MOVED: 07/20/2026 4:03 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSUSMexicoSinaloaCartelndLdWritethru/f4d67eb73013acd76f08e7fc6fd7f525/text___
Pamela Smart, serving life, seeks a new trial as a New Hampshire judge weighs her latest petition
SUMMARY: Lawyers for Pamela Smart, who's serving life for orchestrating her husband's 1990 murder, are hoping that a New Hampshire judge will allow her latest petition for a new trial. The judge took the matter under advisement Monday after hearing arguments from the state to dismiss it. He planned to rule in 30 to 60 days. Smart was a 22-year-old high school media coordinator when she began an affair with a 15-year-old student who later shot her husband. Her trial was one of the first in the nation to be broadcast live on television from start to finish. Smart's lawyers argue that inaccurate transcripts of recordings misled the jury, among other issues. The state says most of the claims have been resolved.
WORDS: 1112 - MOVED: 07/20/2026 10:24 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSPamelaSmartPetitionthLdWritethru/972891094a813adcd884c912991b2133/text___
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WASHINGTON/POLITICS
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Smithsonian history museum chief rejects White House criticism of its leaders as radical activists
SUMMARY: The director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History is pushing back against a White House report labeling the institution's leadership as radical activists. Anthea M. Hartig told a House Oversight subcommittee on Tuesday the report does not fairly represent the museum's work. The report was released on July Fourth and criticized the museum as not telling history in an inspiring and unifying way. Republicans echoed these concerns, accusing the museum of presenting history as a power struggle. Hartig emphasizes the museum aims to add voices to the narrative, not erase history. Hartig says the museum does not take sides in political debates.
WORDS: 731 - MOVED: 07/21/2026 3:14 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSCongressSmithsonianstLdWritethru/99fff0e5911b4dc01905713d19a73e32/text___
Arizona Republicans pick nominees Tuesday for governor and other top offices
SUMMARY: Arizona Republicans are choosing nominees to challenge Democrats in key state offices. Candidates include U.S. Reps. Andy Biggs and David Schweikert, who are vying to take on Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs. Biggs is endorsed by Donald Trump and aims to unite the party. Schweikert believes his pro-business approach can win back voters. Both parties have contested primaries for Schweikert’s current House district, a battleground for congressional control. The Democratic Party backed Marlene Galán-Woods, while Trump has endorsed former Cardinals kicker Jay Feeley. Republicans are also picking nominees for secretary of state and attorney general. Both posts play crucial roles in election certification.
WORDS: 682 - MOVED: 07/21/2026 4:04 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSElectionArizonastLdWritethru/6ecadbc05dc0704285d1f9fbfc3af0cb/text___
Appeals court rejects Biden's bid to block release of recordings of ghostwriter interviews
SUMMARY: Joe Biden disagrees with an appeals court's rejection of his effort to block the release of audio recordings of his interviews with a memoir ghostwriter. Biden spokesperson T.J. Ducklo said Tuesday the Democrat's pre-presidency conversations “for a book a decade ago that discussed his late son” were private and were given to the Justice Department on the condition they stay that way. A divided three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit found there’s a substantial public interest in disclosing the material congressional Republicans demanded. The panel has suspended its decision until Aug. 3 to give Biden time to consider another appeal.
WORDS: 542 - MOVED: 07/21/2026 12:12 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSBidenJusticeDepartmentthLdWritethru/301b4f2f142dc3490e5d307761210786/text___
Trump imposes 50% tariffs on Canadian goods, citing disputes over autos, alcohol and cheese
SUMMARY: President Donald Trump has imposed 50% tariffs on most Canadian goods, declaring that Canada has unfairly discriminated against American autos, alcohol and dairy products. The move, announced Monday, could unleash a new wave of economic chaos, with risks of higher inflation and further fraying of relations between two nations that had been closely woven together before Trump’s return to the White House. The administration official previewing the action said that Canada was one of the only nations other than China that retaliated against Trump’s previous tariffs and must be held accountable.
WORDS: 1103 - MOVED: 07/20/2026 9:01 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSTrumpCanadaTariffsthLdWritethru/ca268ef24992b16695954c4c2e5eae6a/text___
Darline Graham says she will run for a full term in Lindsey Graham’s Senate seat
SUMMARY: Sen. Darline Graham announces she's running for a full term in her late brother Lindsey Graham's Senate seat. She shared her decision with Fox News Channel's Sean Hannity in an interview set to air later Monday. Darline Graham was sworn in last week to fulfill the remaining months of her brother's term, which ends in January. President Donald Trump has endorsed her candidacy. The special Republican primary is scheduled for Aug. 11, with a filing period opening Tuesday. Several other candidates, including Rep. Russell Fry, are also entering the race. Darline Graham says she's prepared for the challenge and feels at peace with her decision.
WORDS: 486 - MOVED: 07/20/2026 7:18 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSElectionSouthCarolinaSenatestLdWritethru/ef319a09b47a57b8c31950b90ed4f82b/text___
US soldiers killed by Iran were from Texas and Hawaii, military says
SUMMARY: The U.S. military has identified two soldiers killed in action last week in the war with Iran. The Defense Department said Monday in a statement that 25-year-old 1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan, of Ewa Beach, Hawaii, and 19-year-old Pvt. Isabella Gonzales, of Carrollton, Texas, were killed in Jordan while defending against Iranian missile and drone attacks. A third service member was reported missing in the Friday attacks that killed Feehan and Gonzales. U.S. Central Command said Sunday that “unidentified remains” have been found and were being examined.
WORDS: 749 - MOVED: 07/20/2026 10:36 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSIranWarDeathsthLdWritethru/1fd99826dfd511913b63d0b033b262d9/text___
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INTERNATIONAL
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A tech innovator and an old guard general are the focus of Ukraine's political crisis
SUMMARY: One is a tech-savvy entrepreneur with no military experience who became Ukraine’s youngest defense minister six months ago, leading it to successes in defending against Russia’s 4-year-old invasion. The other is a seasoned, Soviet-trained general more at home with top-down command culture who led Ukraine’s armed forces. When their personalities and policies clashed, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy decided to fire popular young Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and keep Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi. That move sparked protests across the country in support of Fedorov. Fedorov, a tech specialist, accuses Syrskyi of blocking military reforms and maintaining a traditional command culture. Syrskyi is credited with key military victories but faces criticism for high casualties.
WORDS: 907 - MOVED: 07/21/2026 3:16 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEURussiaUkraineWarWhattoKnowrdLdWritethru/c1a230ae6d56bb32a38367e18638e12a/text___
What to know about the key challenges Andy Burnham faces as UK prime minister
SUMMARY: Andy Burnham faces major challenges ahead as the latest British prime minister to take up residence in 10 Downing Street. He inherits a cost-of-living crisis and foreign policy issues that include wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. After leading Greater Manchester as the northwest English city's mayor, Burnham now faces domestic issues on a national scale, such as boosting the economy and improving public services. He plans to raise living standards and may consider a wealth tax. On foreign policy, he supports NATO and Ukraine but has criticized Donald Trump in the past. Burnham also faces sensitive issues like Israel's war with Hamas and migration. He will set out his plan on Tuesday on how his government will fund an effort to lower living costs.
WORDS: 1070 - MOVED: 07/19/2026 5:12 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEUBritainPoliticsWhattoKnowndLdWritethru/19deb2ceb705703310db55bf4802fce7/text___
Trump promises US help for Lebanon during a White House meeting with its president
SUMMARY: President Donald Trump is pledging support for Lebanon following months of conflict between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. The promise came during a White House meeting with Lebanese leader Joseph Aoun on Tuesday. Trump expressed a commitment to treating Lebanon with respect and helping the country. Lebanon and Israel are engaged in rare direct talks, mediated by Washington, to address Israeli troop withdrawal and Hezbollah disarmament. The talks aim for a peace agreement between the countries, which have been in a state of war for nearly 80 years. The Lebanese military is preparing for Israeli withdrawal from certain areas.
WORDS: 1123 - MOVED: 07/21/2026 4:59 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APMLLebanonUSTrumpthLdWritethru/e0364d0334c2f4d888d2b3970c9fe5b1/text___
A blast in a tunnel at an Indian hydropower project leaves 12 dead and 13 missing
SUMMARY: A suspected gas explosion has caused a tunnel collapse at a hydropower project in India's Sikkim state, near the Chinese border, leaving at least 12 people dead and 13 missing. The blast occurred Monday at Samardung village, about 40 kilometers from Gangtok, during construction on the Teesta hydroelectric project. Survivors reported hearing a loud explosion before debris trapped dozens inside. Six officials from the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation, who entered to assist, also became trapped. Rescue teams face hazardous conditions due to toxic gases. The region's geology and seismic activity make such projects risky.
WORDS: 399 - MOVED: 07/21/2026 10:03 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APASIndiaTunnelDisasterthLdWritethru/3c3b93f3499b07775c0fbd68fead6439/text___
Attacks between US and Iran across Mideast overshadow efforts to keep diplomacy alive
SUMMARY: Diplomats are seeking to salvage the collapsed interim deal between Iran and the United States even as both countries continued to launch attacks in a 10th day of renewed fighting. Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni’s visit to Pakistan, a key mediator in the conflict, pointed to intensified diplomatic efforts. A barrage of U.S. strikes hasn’t compelled Tehran to loosen its grip on the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. continued its airstrikes on the Islamic Republic early Tuesday, and Iran retaliated on U.S. allies in the region. A news agency run by Iran-backed Houthi rebels says six ships in the Red Sea were forced to reroute after they received warnings from the rebels. The AP could not immediately confirm the claim.
WORDS: 973 - MOVED: 07/21/2026 7:44 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APMLIranUSthLdWritethru/1664f6a4dad005a99771b2ad15213585/text___
Rescuers in Afghanistan search for scores missing after floods kill at least 23
SUMMARY: Rescue crews in Afghanistan are searching for survivors and bodies among the rubble of buildings destroyed by devastating flash floods that authorities say have killed nearly two dozen people and left more than 100 people missing. The Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority said Tuesday that 23 people have died, 80 have been injured and more than 100 are missing after the floods struck the eastern province of Nuristan, causing an undetermined number of buildings to collapse. More extreme weather has been forecast for 10 of the country’s 34 provinces. Decades of conflict, a struggling economy and poor infrastructure, combined with the effects of climate change, have left Afghanistan highly vulnerable to extreme weather events.
WORDS: 322 - MOVED: 07/21/2026 9:15 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APASAfghanistanFloodsndLdWritethru/6e1d8a06b8d2d2ba05d21da604603d0f/text___
Israel is building a miles-long earthen barrier inside Gaza, entrenching its division
SUMMARY: The Israeli military is rapidly constructing a large earthen barrier in the Gaza Strip, further entrenching the division of the tiny Palestinian enclave. Satellite images show that more than 14 miles have been built in recent months. Israel's military confirmed to The Associated Press that it is building a physical barrier. The berms roughly follow the so-called yellow line, a boundary set by the U.S.-backed ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. Palestinians fear the line could become a permanent border. The military says it has developed a “security zone” along the barrier, equipped with intelligence assets.
WORDS: 1090 - MOVED: 07/21/2026 5:03 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APMLMideastWarsGazaBarrierndLdWritethru/941ed80f6d4398ce88916f6b08753dd8/text___
What to know about the Tate brothers, social media influencers facing rape and trafficking charges
SUMMARY: Influencer brothers Andrew and Tristan Tate have appeared before a federal magistrate in Miami for the first time since prosecutors in the United Kingdom brought new rape and sex trafficking charges against them. Their lawyer said Monday that the brothers will fight extradition to the U.K. and suggested their arrest in Miami was politically motivated without explaining why. The brothers have denied wrongdoing. Andrew and Tristan Tate are dual U.S.-British citizens known for their social media empire promoting wealth and male dominance. They face multiple charges in the U.K. and Romania, where they moved in 2016. They have been in Miami since February 2025.
WORDS: 754 - MOVED: 07/19/2026 11:48 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APTateBrothersWhattoKnowrdLdWritethru/0e0cb09047b75ce10ae210c86092c287/text___
Andy Burnham becomes the UK's seventh prime minister in a decade after Starmer resigns
SUMMARY: Andy Burnham has taken office as Britain’s new prime minister. He promised Monday to undertake a 10-year plan to restore political stability and revive the economy while acknowledging that six other U.K. leaders have tried and failed to do so in the past decade. Speaking outside 10 Downing St. minutes after being formally appointed by King Charles III, Burnham pledged to ease the cost of living for ordinary people, decentralize political power, revitalize industry and end street sleeping by homeless people. He said he would deliver a “circuit breaker” for a system that has taken wrong turns since the 1980s, when public services and utilities were privatized and local government eroded.
WORDS: 987 - MOVED: 07/20/2026 4:05 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEUBritainPoliticsthLdWritethru/a13602b93d8f045f1cffd2bd05bf8e2b/text___
British prosecutors charge a man with murder in the death of former politician Ann Widdecombe
SUMMARY: British prosecutors have charged a 28-year-old man with murder in the death of former politician and reality TV contestant Ann Widdecombe. Joshua Kerry was charged after being held for more than a week. Police continue to investigate whether the killing had a political or terrorist connection. Widdecombe, 78, was a former member of Parliament and a prominent voice in the British political world. She was known for her socially conservative views. Police believe she was attacked on July 8. She failed to appear for a scheduled TV interview that afternoon and was found dead the next day.
WORDS: 478 - MOVED: 07/20/2026 5:54 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEUBritainWiddecombeDeathrdLdWritethru/4131c5c885c4a0aa07e4a2ae89a752f4/text___
Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthis say they will block Saudi shipping at Red Sea gateway
SUMMARY: Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthi rebels have announced a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia. Monday's decision comes in retaliation for a blockade on Yemen and a recent attack on Sanaa International Airport. The embargo affects the Bab al-Mandeb strait, a crucial waterway for global trade and gateway to the Red Sea as Saudi Arabia seeks an alternative to the Iran-gripped Strait of Hormuz. The blockade raises fears of renewed conflict in the region. Saudi Arabia has not responded. The situation threatens to disrupt global shipping routes and increase costs. The Houthis demonstrated their ability to disrupt shipping there during the war in Gaza.
WORDS: 806 - MOVED: 07/20/2026 12:21 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APMLYementhLdWritethru/fd7c4a3911f7eee18251483fc8af768c/text___
Hungary investigates deal with China's BYD carmaker after ex-foreign minister takes job there
SUMMARY: Hungary's government is investigating a major foreign investment by Chinese automaker BYD. The deal was negotiated by former Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó, who recently resigned to join BYD as an executive. Prime Minister Péter Magyar announced the probe on Monday, following accusations of a conflict of interest. Szijjártó had facilitated significant government subsidies for BYD during his tenure. The investigation will examine subsidies, tax breaks, and other benefits given to multinational firms under former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Magyar also plans to reduce tax breaks for large corporations and introduce stricter environmental rules.
WORDS: 565 - MOVED: 07/20/2026 1:46 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEUHungaryBYDInvestigationstLdWritethru/2aaa8f568762e2cd92dd1c65bd3c59bd/text___
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BUSINESS
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AI stocks gather more strength, even as Brent oil's price nears $92
SUMMARY: More gains for makers of computer chips and other AI winners are carrying Wall Street higher. The S&P 500 rose 0.9% Tuesday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 501 points, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 1.3%. Micron Technology and Nvidia were the two of strongest forces lifting the market as AI stocks climbed for a second straight day after tumbling the week before. Brent crude oil's price topped $90 per barrel and briefly neared $92 because of continued attacks in the war with Iran. That’s up from less than $72 early this month and helped push Treasury yields higher in the bond market.
WORDS: 737 - MOVED: 07/21/2026 4:52 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APFinancialMarketsthLdWritethru/30c42bb51683c4b43c9f64dfeff7a3ea/text___
Judge says Paramount and Warner must halt merger for at least two weeks, granting states' request
SUMMARY: A federal judge has ordered Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery to halt their $81 billion merger for at least two weeks, allowing states that are challenging the deal more time to see their case through in court. The judge issued her order Monday. Twelve states, led by California, sued to block Paramount’s pending buyout of Warner last week — alleging that such a combination would “extinguish competition” in Hollywood and lead to fewer choices for consumers, particularly moviegoers and cable customers across the U.S. Paramount, which was bought out by Skydance just last year, has called the states claims meritless and vows to “vigorously defend” its acquisition.
WORDS: 1078 - MOVED: 07/20/2026 5:25 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSWarnerBrosthLdWritethru/361fa669019e0053cf6d4513e6e275e3/text___
US gas prices back up to an average of $4 a gallon again as the US and Iran launch attacks
SUMMARY: U.S. gas prices have jumped to an average of $4 a gallon again as the U.S. and Iran launch more attacks. According to AAA, the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline is now back to $4. The average price a year ago was $3.14 a gallon. The price is a national average, meaning drivers in some states have been paying well over $4 a gallon for a while now. Prices vary between states due to factors ranging from nearby supply to differing tax rates. People around the world are also dealing with high gas prices as a result of the war.
WORDS: 1025 - MOVED: 07/20/2026 8:55 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSGasPricesthLdWritethru/4b82825734ec3ded192351e53a4be69e/text___
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HEALTH/SCIENCE
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US actions harm global efforts to prevent and treat HIV in dozens of countries, new report says
SUMMARY: A new report says the Trump administration’s disruptions to a global AIDS relief program have forced organizations to close clinics, lay off staff and cut services, seriously impeding efforts to prevent and treat the disease in dozens of countries. The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, known as PEPFAR, is credited with saving at least 26 million lives since its inception in 2003. But last year, it was impaired by a series of federal actions including the elimination of foreign aid contracts. The report was released Tuesday by the nonprofit amfAR.
WORDS: 897 - MOVED: 07/21/2026 2:00 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APMEDTrumpCutsGlobalHIVstLdWritethru/2165879c1def1369264b795793d6351d/text___
Road deaths have declined globally since 1990 except in poorer countries, study finds
SUMMARY: New estimates show road deaths are declining in the U.S. and globally. A study published Monday in Lancet Public Health reveals global road injuries and deaths each fell more than 30% from 1990 to 2023. However, progress varies by country, with poorer nations seeing less improvement. In the U.S., traffic deaths rose until 2021 but have since declined. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported fatalities peaked at over 43,000 in 2021 and dropped to about 36,600 last year. The World Health Organization has prioritized road safety for over two decades, and a U.N. meeting this week is addressing this issue.
WORDS: 534 - MOVED: 07/20/2026 10:34 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSMEDRoadDeaths/8ce2ee30e93a7ba2e7b94f45b33308a5/text___
FDA still focused on lettuce supplier as source of parasite, despite faulty test result
SUMMARY: Federal health officials have remained focused on lettuce from Taylor Farms as the source of a multistate outbreak despite inaccurate test results reported over the weekend. Food and Drug Administration officials on Monday briefed reporters on how the government erroneously reported a direct link between a sample of lettuce from Taylor Farms and the parasite that causes severe diarrhea. Officials said the false positive result came from a rapid, molecular test used to screen incoming lettuce from Mexico at the border. While the FDA reported the link Saturday, officials said a subsequent quality check found the result was a false positive.
WORDS: 665 - MOVED: 07/20/2026 7:50 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSMEDCyclosporaOutbreakstLdWritethru/77f2b6db56fbeddcae045a03ccf122c4/text___
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CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENT
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Tropical Storm Bertha in the Gulf of Mexico is moving toward the Florida Panhandle and Alabama
SUMMARY: Tropical Storm Bertha has strengthened in the Gulf of Mexico and is moving toward the Florida Panhandle and Alabama, causing a tropical storm warning and storm surge watches. The Miami-based National Hurricane Center said Tuesday morning that the storm was about 110 miles south of Panama City, Florida, and 170 miles southeast of Mobile, Alabama. Bertha is moving northwest at 5 mph with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph. A tropical storm warning is in effect from the Florida and Alabama border to Louisiana and a storm surge watch has been issued from the Alabama and Florida border to the Mississippi River's mouth.
WORDS: 472 - MOVED: 07/21/2026 8:45 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSTropicalWeatherndLdWritethru/f77a94b86d8c87b4825cad82185f4a13/text___
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ENTERTAINMENT
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Judge to hear evidence against singer D4vd in killing, dismemberment of teen and decide on trial
SUMMARY: A judge is set to decide if there's enough evidence to send singer D4vd to trial for the killing of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The hearing starts Tuesday in Los Angeles. Prosecutors say D4vd, whose real name is David Burke, brought the girl to his rented Hollywood Hills home, stabbed her, and dismembered her body. Burke was arrested in April and pleaded not guilty to murder and other charges. His attorney says Burke is not responsible for the death. The hearing will last about four days, and the judge will determine if a trial is warranted.
WORDS: 835 - MOVED: 07/21/2026 4:05 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APENTDvdGirlKilledstLdWritethru/f90580c2737575deaaf080f7e5369f80/text___
Los Angeles medical examiner pushes for greater transparency in high-profile deaths
SUMMARY: Los Angeles County's chief medical examiner is emphasizing the need for greater transparency when it comes to autopsies following celebrity deaths. Dr. Odey Ukpo is also keen to underscore his office's independence from law enforcement in handling high-profile cases. He has overseen the autopsy reports of “Friends” star Matthew Perry and director Rob Reiner. And he made a rare public objection to being forced to withhold for months his office's findings on 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. The singer D4vd has been charged with murder in her killing. Ukpo believes holding back such information only increases anxiety for the family and the community.
WORDS: 1145 - MOVED: 07/20/2026 10:03 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APENTHollywoodsMedicalExaminerndLdWritethru/095c0d2d76af48f7299fbfc85ad00151/text___
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SPORTS
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How Spain built a soccer identity that conquered the world
SUMMARY: Spanish soccer has reached a level of its own. Spain’s World Cup victory on Sunday added to the nation’s long list of recent triumphs across men’s, women’s and youth competitions. It highlighted the dominance of a system that has stuck to a tactical identity and the development of collective talent. The men’s team is also the current European champion, the Olympic gold medalist and has reached the Nations League final twice, winning once. The women’s squad is the defending World Cup champion and a two-time Nations League winner, and it made it to the final of the 2025 European Championship.
WORDS: 1033 - MOVED: 07/20/2026 2:20 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APSOCWCupSpainDominancestLdWritethru/84c8ec052e4135c1e1e93d58ddd445bc/text___
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