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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Father who gave his son the gun used in a Georgia high school shooting to be sentenced
SUMMARY: A man who gave his son the gun used in a deadly school shooting in Georgia is set to be sentenced Thursday. Colin Gray was convicted of second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter after his teenage son, Colt Gray, used the weapon to kill two students and two teachers at Apalachee High School on Sept. 4, 2024. Colt Gray was sentenced Tuesday to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Prosecutors say Colin Gray gave his son the rifle as a Christmas gift. The elder Gray is among a handful of parents nationwide charged after their children were accused in shootings.
WORDS: 944 - MOVED: 07/30/2026 4:07 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSGeorgiaHighSchoolShootingthLdWritethru/5a466d925a4525aa1a51ed9c48e6ec97/text___
After Lindsay Clancy killed her 3 children, first responders tell a jury what they found
SUMMARY: First responders are set to give jurors a firsthand account of what they found after Massachusetts mother Lindsay Clancy killed her three children and tried to take her own life. Thursday is day three of a murder trial that has focused on Clancy’s mental state. Her lawyers argue she suffered from postpregnancy psychosis, a rare mental illness, while prosecutors say she's criminal responsible. On Wednesday, jurors heard the anguished 911 call made by Clancy's then-husband after discovering the bodies in January 2023. If convicted, she faces life in prison. If found not guilty, she would be committed to a mental health facility.
WORDS: 644 - MOVED: 07/30/2026 2:17 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSLinsdayClancyTrialndLdWritethru/13cce827517db96900d8cbee71013e73/text___
Police: Bullets that killed 2 bystanders at Seattle festival weren't from teen shooter's gun
SUMMARY: Bullets recovered from two bystanders killed during a shootout at a Seattle festival last weekend do not appear to have come from the gun that a 15-year-old arrested at the scene was firing, police said in court documents filed Wednesday. The King County prosecutor’s office filed charges of first-degree assault with a firearm enhancement as well as unlawful possession of a handgun by someone under 18. In a statement supporting the charges, police said the teen was seen firing an untraceable ghost gun into a crowd, but preliminary testing of bullets recovered from two bystanders killed showed they did not match that weapon. Shell casings found at the scene of Sunday’s shooting indicate four weapons were fired during the shootout.
WORDS: 675 - MOVED: 07/29/2026 11:10 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSSeattleShootingthLdWritethru/7e83d4ecc178ce8976bd02937b4e1438/text___
Man convicted in terrorism trial over the 2022 stabbing of author Salman Rushdie
SUMMARY: A man has been convicted of federal terrorism charges in the 2022 stabbing of author Salman Rushdie. A jury delivered its verdict Wednesday in Buffalo, New York. Jurors found Hadi Matar guilty of all the charges against him, including engaging in an act of transnational terrorism. The 28-year-old had pleaded not guilty. Matar already is serving a 25-year New York state prison sentence on an attempted murder conviction in the August 2022 attack. Rushdie has faced a decades-old death threat over his novel “The Satanic Verses.”
WORDS: 835 - MOVED: 07/29/2026 8:45 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSSalmanRushdieAssaultrdLdWritethru/07d938a1224875fa7adb55886050d46d/text___
'She killed the kids!' 911 call from Lindsay Clancy's husband brings tears to the courtroom
SUMMARY: A Massachusetts mother who strangled her three young children and tried to kill herself sobbed in court as jurors listened to her then-husband's anguished 911 call from that day. The trial focuses on Lindsay Clancy’s mental state, with her lawyers arguing she had postpregnancy psychosis. Prosecutors say she acted intentionally and is criminally responsible for the deaths in January 2023. Patrick Clancy also gave a second day of testimony Wednesday about his family's last ordinary hours and his wife’s deteriorating mental health. He has said in interviews that he views her as ill, rather than evil. If convicted, she faces life in prison. If found not guilty, she could be committed to a mental health facility.
WORDS: 919 - MOVED: 07/29/2026 4:01 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSLindsayClancyTrialthLdWritethru/f393af75765dfbc2979deca05225fcfe/text___
Wisconsin's appeals court overturns ruling that had restored collective bargaining power
SUMMARY: Wisconsin public worker and teachers unions have suffered a legal setback as they seek to regain the collective bargaining rights they lost 15 years ago. A state appeals court on Wednesday overturned a ruling that restored the rights unions lost under a 2011 state law. The enactment of the Republican-backed law sparked weeks of protests and made Wisconsin the center of the national battle over union rights. That law, known as Act 10, effectively ended most public employees′ ability to bargain for wage increases and other issues, and forced them to pay more for health insurance and retirement benefits. Unions are expected to appeal to the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
WORDS: 906 - MOVED: 07/29/2026 1:41 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSWisconsinUnionsLawsuitthLdWritethru/58e465cade90c8ca1743c13dc5b4567b/text___
'Pleading the Fifth' invokes a constitutional amendment that has a long history in US society
SUMMARY: The Fifth Amendment is part of the U.S. Constitution's Bill of Rights and protects against self-incrimination. This principle is rooted in 17th-century English common law and ensures people aren't forced to testify against themselves in criminal cases. It's a well-known concept in the U.S., referenced in TV legal dramas and real-life cases. The amendment is crucial for maintaining the presumption of innocence, requiring prosecutors to prove guilt. Originally for federal cases, it now applies to state and civil cases, too. In criminal trials, jurors can't assume silence means guilt, but civil cases may allow negative inferences. Dr. Anthony Fauci invoked the Fifth on Wednesday at a Republican-led Senate committee hearing about the COVID-19 pandemic.
WORDS: 594 - MOVED: 07/29/2026 6:14 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSTakingtheFifth/58b3dac34022c5adab907e3c33349d46/text___
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WASHINGTON/POLITICS
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Trump says he may pull Blanche's attorney general nomination until dissenting senators leave office
SUMMARY: President Donald Trump says he may withdraw and delay Todd Blanche’s nomination as attorney general until Republican senators who are seeking concessions from the top prosecutor leave office. Trump doubled down Thursday on choosing his former personal lawyer as the nation’s top lawman, calling him “a STAR” and saying he will keep him in the role as acting attorney general until Republican Sens. John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina leave office. Cornyn and Tillis both leave office next year. Cornyn and Tillis have sought additional assurances in writing spelling a final end to an “Anti-Weaponization Fund” created to resolve Trump’s lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service.
WORDS: 578 - MOVED: 07/30/2026 3:29 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSCongressBlanchethLdWritethru/2b7240c1844c1efd298257fbb5771ad3/text___
How views on Trump’s handling of Iran have shifted, according to a new AP-NORC poll
SUMMARY: A new AP-NORC poll shows most Americans say the war in Iran has not been worth fighting. President Donald Trump’s approval rating on Iran has fallen slightly since last month. About two-thirds of U.S. adults, including a majority of Democrats and independents, and one-third of Republicans, say the war has not been worthwhile. The survey reinforces how unpopular the Iran war has become at home — a potential problem for Republicans heading into November’s midterms. Just 28% of U.S. adults now approve of how the Republican president is handling Iran, a slight decline from 34% last month. Most Americans prioritize keeping gas prices low and negotiating a ceasefire.
WORDS: 1469 - MOVED: 07/30/2026 9:06 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSAPPollTrumpIranndLdWritethru/55e9c80afec521d87f131393a59674c0/text___
Trump touted his tariffs in Michigan despite rising costs. Even some of his supporters are worried
SUMMARY: President Donald Trump says car companies are thriving due to tariffs and other key policies he's instituted as president. During a rally this week at a General Motors facility in Michigan, the Republican drove the point home repeatedly, saying his tariffs had revived domestic auto production. However, tariffs have cost Michigan businesses billions of dollars and fueled inflation. Michigan, in particular, faces economic challenges given its deep ties to Canada, which Trump has singled out for a new round of import levies. Some auto companies plan to increase U.S. production, but the benefits from those efforts won't be immediate. While Trump's base remains loyal, economic worries are beginning to surface.
WORDS: 1336 - MOVED: 07/30/2026 4:01 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSElectionMichiganTrumpstLdWritethru/ae38aca90cb320f6bb8fd778f2c90bea/text___
US-Iran conflict enters new phase as Saudi Arabia helps hit proxies and diplomacy stalls again
SUMMARY: The stop-start fighting between the United States and Iran appears to have entered a new phase as Saudi Arabia has publicly joined military escalations against Tehran-backed proxies. At the same time, an already untenable diplomatic effort to end the war has faltered once again as mistrust deepens between the longtime adversaries. Despite several days of relative calm, both sides carried out military strikes in the last 24 hours that once again risk a return to all-out war — and further expansion in the region. Late Wednesday, the U.S. military said it had launched a “a powerful response" against Iran. Little is clear about what strategy, if any, American or Iranian officials have for a path forward.
WORDS: 1505 - MOVED: 07/29/2026 9:02 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSIranUSStateofPlaythLdWritethru/cbb2c3f49f3072c542fc6395468b64b5/text___
Fauci repeatedly invokes the Fifth Amendment in a contentious Senate committee hearing
SUMMARY: Dr. Anthony Fauci will face a contempt of Congress vote in a Senate committee next week after he invoked the Fifth Amendment in a hearing about his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. In Wednesday's hearing, Fauci declined to answer dozens of questions from senators. The scientist's decision to not testify injected drama into the lingering tensions between Fauci and GOP lawmakers over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic and accusations he lied about its origins, which he denies. Fauci was subpoenaed by Sen. Rand Paul, who led the charge to have the now-retired infectious disease expert testify again. The hearing was part of a campaign to arrest Fauci, spearheaded by some congressional Republicans. Fauci says Paul has an “obvious obsession” with calling for his prosecution.
WORDS: 1232 - MOVED: 07/29/2026 9:03 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSCongressFaucithLdWritethru/a774a79e46824ebec9e8e270b9cb9825/text___
Wisconsin judge says voters who have returned absentee ballot for state primary cannot get a new one
SUMMARY: A judge in Wisconsin has ruled that voters who have already returned their absentee ballots for the state’s primary election are not allowed to void those and request a new one. The Dane County Circuit Court judge on Wednesday ruled against Democrats, who filed a last-minute lawsuit ahead of the Aug. 11 primary. Three Democratic candidates for governor have dropped out of the race and one has reentered it, creating a chaotic party primary. The ruling comes after more than 117,000 voters have already returned absentee ballots.
WORDS: 541 - MOVED: 07/29/2026 7:30 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSElectionWisconsinrdLdWritethru/e771822db24605c2ff609317c77da267/text___
Lindsey Graham returns home one last time for his funeral in South Carolina
SUMMARY: Sen. Lindsey Graham is being buried in South Carolina, where a funeral in the state capital drew people who remembered him for never forgetting his roots as the son of pool hall owners. After Graham was eulogized in Washington on Tuesday as a Republican powerbroker by the president and other national leaders, Wednesday's funeral featured mourners who recalled his gregarious personality and dedication to people across the state. The senator died suddenly on July 11 in Washington, likely from an aortic tear. He was 71. Now his sister is holding his seat and being challenged by eight other Republicans in a special primary.
WORDS: 989 - MOVED: 07/29/2026 3:12 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSLindseyGrahamthLdWritethru/a82f073c0d7ca2692214427b3029c988/text___
Trump and DOJ ask Supreme Court to toss $83 million defamation verdict in E. Jean Carroll case
SUMMARY: President Donald Trump and his administration are asking the Supreme Court to dismiss an $83 million defamation verdict won by writer E. Jean Carroll after she accused him of sexual assault. This is the first time a court has assessed damages against a president for statements made while in office. Trump previously asked the justices to dismiss another verdict, for $5 million. The Supreme Court refused in June to hear that appeal. The Justice Department filed papers seeking to invoke the Westfall Act, which shields government employees from being sued for doing their jobs. Carroll's lawyers have declined to comment.
WORDS: 592 - MOVED: 07/29/2026 2:49 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSSupremeCourtTrumpndLdWritethru/d1018045c1ff1a2a8aade2eaa7493cbb/text___
Trump announces a $22.5B makeover of Dulles airport that will eliminate the 'people movers'
SUMMARY: President Donald Trump has announced a $22.5 billion renovation of Washington Dulles International Airport. The plan includes building new passenger terminals and doing away with the mobile lounges, or “people movers,” the airport has used for decades to get travelers to and from the main terminal. A new 32,000-vehicle parking garage is also in the offing. Trump says Dulles is the “worst airport” and needs to be renovated. He says the airport's transformation is part of his larger effort to beautify Washington, D.C. The airport serves roughly 29 million passengers a year and is the area’s primary international airport.
WORDS: 979 - MOVED: 07/29/2026 6:01 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSTrumpDullesthLdWritethru/1cbe864498a94cb81f7d86c8e95cd2e3/text___
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INTERNATIONAL
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As France tames wildfire and lets 84,000 evacuees go home, blazes flare across Europe
SUMMARY: France has allowed 84,000 evacuees to return home after a massive wildfire, signaling progress in battling the flames. The fire has burned an area four times the size of Paris. However, wildfires continue to flare across Europe, fueled by an exceptionally hot and dry summer. Firefighters are tackling blazes in the U.K., Spain, Germany, Greece, and Turkey. Hollywood star George Clooney evacuated his French home due to a nearby fire. In France, authorities are using water cannons and international aid to control the situation. Cooler weather and rain are helping efforts, but conditions remain challenging.
WORDS: 1097 - MOVED: 07/30/2026 6:36 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEUEuropeWildfiresthLdWritethru/de0bfabe2249153afc0e16da2f7e02f3/text___
Hope dwindles for rescue in southwestern Japan quake as death toll climbs to 25
SUMMARY: The Kumamoto prefectural government says the powerful earthquake that hit southwestern Japan earlier this week has now killed at least 25 people. The magnitude 7.1 earthquake on Tuesday set off an explosion at a mall, toppled a factory chimney and flattened homes in the Kumamoto area on Japan’s southern main island of Kyushu. Time was running out to find survivors as rescuers continued to work. The total number of those missing was unclear. The quake left at least 86 people injured, five of them seriously, the prefectural government said.
WORDS: 941 - MOVED: 07/30/2026 2:46 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APASJapanEarthquakethLdWritethru/80b525f6a271a0b3aecd708342b09294/text___
Russian strikes across Ukraine kill 10 and NATO scrambles jets after a missile falls in Poland
SUMMARY: Russian missile and drone attacks across Ukraine killed at least 10 people and injured over 50 others. NATO scrambled its warplanes after a Russian missile entered Polish airspace, landing in a rural area without causing injuries. Poland's prime minister called it “a very serious incident.” It could deepen tensions between the military alliance and Moscow, as wary European countries fear the expansion of Russia's 4-year-old full-scale war. The attacks targeted multiple Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, where tens of thousands of people sheltered in subway stations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for more air defense systems from its Western allies.
WORDS: 1115 - MOVED: 07/30/2026 6:24 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEURussiaUkraineWarthLdWritethru/63ab11e0ebe6a9aefdb547fe442bef3f/text___
AP Exclusive: Child soldiers recount horrors of Sudan’s war and presence of Colombian mercenaries
SUMMARY: Teenagers conscripted by Sudan's Rapid Support Forces to battle the army in the country's war say they were trained by Colombian mercenaries. That's according to rare, firsthand accounts given to The Associated Press. One child described being strapped to an anti-aircraft gun during air raids. Another said he was forced to fire artillery and beaten for disobedience. Tens of thousands of children are believed to have been forced into Sudan's war, with many still on the front lines. The accounts point to a wider deployment of Colombian mercenaries in the ongoing conflict. Rights groups have accused the United Arab Emirates of arming the Rapid Support Forces, allegations denied by the Gulf federation that includes Dubai.
WORDS: 1682 - MOVED: 07/30/2026 3:13 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APMLSudanColombiaChildSoldiersstLdWritethru/9730de7a24a28895b2c2c500e7c1fd6b/text___
US and Iran trade missile barrages as hopes dim for a quick resolution to the five-month conflict
SUMMARY: The United States and Iran each fired barrages of missiles as the pattern of back-and-forth strikes took hold again and hope dimmed for a quick end to the five-month conflict. Following a few days of respite, fears of a wider war have grown, with renewed fighting threatening to engulf even more countries. Jordan said Thursday it intercepted Iranian missiles for the second consecutive day, while Kuwait said a strike in the northern part of the country killed one person. Also this week, drones caused fires on ships at an Egyptian port, and Saudi Arabia said it came under fire from Iran-backed militias in Iraq.
WORDS: 1159 - MOVED: 07/30/2026 5:08 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APMLIranUSthLdWritethru/8dc77ed6a65f389ea4af84635d2473bd/text___
Takeaways from AP story on child soldiers trained by Colombian mercenaries in Sudan
SUMMARY: A new report by The Associated Press shows that child soldiers fighting for Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in its war have been trained by Colombian mercenaries. The report is based on rare, firsthand accounts from former child soldiers. Tens of thousands of children as young as 8 have been conscripted into the ongoing conflict by all sides and many are still on the front lines. One boy described how he was shackled to an anti-aircraft gun and told to fire at army warplanes or his captors would kill him. Another said he was forced to fire artillery and beaten for disobedience.
WORDS: 915 - MOVED: 07/30/2026 3:20 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APMLSudanColombiaChildSoldiersTakeaways/571ec69409a02595f5e35ef2dd5c3f3d/text___
Congo says the death toll in fastest-growing Ebola outbreak has passed 1,500
SUMMARY: Ebola has killed over 1,500 people in eastern Congo, marking a 50% increase in about a week. The outbreak, linked to the Bundibugyo virus, has seen 3,442 cases as of Tuesday. The Africa CDC says delays in contact tracing and mistrust from communities have hindered response efforts. The outbreak is mostly in Ituri province but has spread to other areas, including Kisangani. Uganda declared itself Ebola-free on Tuesday. The disease is highly contagious and often fatal. Attacks on health facilities and misinformation have disrupted efforts, but local officials urge international partners to return.
WORDS: 610 - MOVED: 07/30/2026 10:09 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APAFCongoEbolathLdWritethru/269eac4d8a93be912459486428ef2f94/text___
Wildfires near Bordeaux bring more troubles to France's wine industry
SUMMARY: Wildfires near Bordeaux are hurting the wine region's economy. The fires have burned an area four times the size of Paris and forced 220,000 people to evacuate. The inferno is impacting tourism. Winemaker Edouard le Grix de la Salle is concerned that government warnings to avoid the area will hurt his family's wine business. The fires add to existing economic struggles, rising energy costs and declining wine consumption. A regional business leader says the blaze is an economic apocalypse. Bordeaux's mayor is pushing back against other officials’ pleas for people to avoid the region.
WORDS: 659 - MOVED: 07/29/2026 3:33 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEUEuropeWildfiresEconomicFalloutstLdWritethru/fa100630d142d98eb9b2a6513a90d4d6/text___
Record-low Danube River affects tourism and industry as drought and heat grip Central Europe
SUMMARY: As wildfires and successive heatwaves in France and Spain highlight climate change's impact, a severe drought is causing record low water levels on the Danube River, affecting tourism and industry. The river, which flows through 10 countries, has receded to unprecedented lows, exposing rocks and old shipwrecks. In Budapest, the Danube was measured at just 23 centimeters, breaking previous records. River cruise ships are docking upriver, and sightseeing cruises have been canceled. The drought has also affected Hungary and Romania's nuclear power plant operations, exposed a World War II bomb, and ended the summer season for excursion boat operators in Serbia.
WORDS: 789 - MOVED: 07/30/2026 5:01 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEUHungaryDanubeDrought/05103b433efb46990d9664ba4d155834/text___
Australian watchdog files legal action against Telegram, saying it failed to remove violent content
SUMMARY: Australia’s online safety watchdog has taken legal action against Telegram for what the watchdog says is a failure to remove extremist content. The platform allegedly failed to take down videos of mass shootings and Islamic State beheadings. The United Arab Emirates-based app could face a fine of up to 54.6 million Australian dollars, or $38 million, if convicted. Telegram denies the claims and plans to contest them in court. The case tests Australia's 2021 law requiring tech platforms to keep illegal material off their networks. The watchdog says Telegram remained noncompliant despite being alerted. Telegram claims it has blocked over 150,000 “terrorist-related communities” this year.
WORDS: 696 - MOVED: 07/30/2026 5:49 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APASAustraliaTelegram/ad336c68c950ca0a51efd3cb02168bfb/text___
Telegram's billionaire founder Pavel Durov has faced legal woes before — in Russia and France
SUMMARY: The billionaire founder and CEO of the Telegram messaging app has repeatedly run into trouble with both the Kremlin and Western officials as he cast himself as a champion of free speech. Russia’s Federal Security Service accuses Pavel Durov of aiding what it called terrorist activities. It also said it was adding Durov’s name to international wanted lists. The Russian-born 41-year-old Durov responded by posting a photo of himself raising a middle finger on Telegram’s official account on X. The case marks an escalation of the Kremlin’s efforts to tighten control over the internet and digital communications amid growing public fatigue with the 4-year-old war in Ukraine and its economic fallout.
WORDS: 1011 - MOVED: 07/29/2026 3:12 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEURussiaDurovWhattoKnowrdLdWritethru/7f1fdf61104de4bb7ed846b05e5561a2/text___
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RACE AND ETHNICITY
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Urban League report says Trump administration is harming Black Americans' chances at American Dream
SUMMARY: The National Urban League's latest “State of Black America” report warns that the American Dream may be slipping away for many Black Americans. The report criticizes policy changes from President Donald Trump's administration, claiming they have worsened economic and political prospects for Black communities. The Urban League's president argues these changes affect all working Americans. The report highlights rollbacks in civil rights policies and urges civil rights groups to consolidate legal resistance. It also calls for building economic infrastructure independent of any administration. Contributors include U.S. senators and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, who emphasizes closing the racial wealth gap.
WORDS: 1040 - MOVED: 07/30/2026 4:09 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSStateofBlackAmericaReportthLdWritethru/40ab741f272a0e88cd00c895b0d66868/text___
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BUSINESS
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Between prices and a diarrhea-causing parasite, lettuce is causing hard times at some restaurants
SUMMARY: It’s been a choppy year for restaurants that lean into lettuce. Lettuce prices rose sharply in the first half of 2026 due to hot weather in Arizona, where about one-third of America’s lettuce is grown. Now, some restaurants are dealing with the fallout from a cyclospora outbreak linked to shredded lettuce that has sickened thousands of Americans. Yum Brands, the parent company of Taco Bell, said Thursday that Taco Bell’s U.S. same-store sales are down 2% so far in the July-September period due to customers’ concerns over the outbreak. Chipotle also said Wednesday it expects lower sales this quarter because of the outbreak.
WORDS: 900 - MOVED: 07/29/2026 11:47 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSWiltingLettuceDemandrdLdWritethru/39083c579b4ba7d3d5d8a23ea3fd5b00/text___
Microsoft leads a rally on Wall Street, while worries about inflation remain in the bond market
SUMMARY: U.S. stocks are rebounding after Microsoft leaped on hopes that its big spending on AI is yielding profits, while computer-chip companies clawed back some of their sharp recent losses. The S&P 500 rallied 1.3% Thursday and recovered two-thirds of its drop from the prior day. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 450 points, and the Nasdaq composite jumped 2.3%. Microsoft delivered a bigger profit for the spring than analysts expected, which helped offset Meta Platforms's drop after it raised its forecast for AI investments. Longer-term Treasury yields held relatively steady in the bond market a day after soaring on worries about inflation. Oil prices eased.
WORDS: 898 - MOVED: 07/30/2026 5:09 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APFinancialMarketsthLdWritethru/99b5702d93a2b5c6e513fb952ccdcc92/text___
US economy grows at a sluggish 1.5% in second-quarter with inflation remaining stubbornly high
SUMMARY: The U.S. economy expanded at a sluggish 1.5% pace from April through June as rising imports weighed on growth. But consumer spending rose. And the Federal Reserve’s favored measure of inflation grew more slowly last month, but remained above the central bank’s 2% target. The Commerce Department reported Thursday that growth in U.S. gross domestic product — the nation’s output of goods and services — decelerated from 2.1% in the first three months of 2026 and came in below economists’ expectations. But consumer spending — which accounts for about 70% of U.S. economic activity — increased at a 3.2% annual clip
WORDS: 626 - MOVED: 07/30/2026 12:47 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSEconomyGDPthLdWritethru/caf3b24d92688568f9c4f95725c87e55/text___
Fed leaves interest rate unchanged but with 3 dissents as Warsh praises 'good family fight'
SUMMARY: The Federal Reserve left its key interest rate unchanged Wednesday despite persistently high inflation and a spike in energy prices caused by the Iran war. The Fed’s rate-setting committee reached the 9-3 decision after two days of deliberations, marking the fifth straight meeting at which the benchmark rate was kept at around 3.6%. Three Fed officials dissented in favor of a rate increase, and Fed Chair Kevin Warsh described the policy discussion to reporters as a “good family fight.” Inflation has been stuck above the central bank’s 2% target for more than five years and Wall Street still expects a rate hike in September.
WORDS: 971 - MOVED: 07/28/2026 6:29 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSFederalReservethLdWritethru/ad10c177cb8d96f9e3ed122e12352a74/text___
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HEALTH/SCIENCE
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Senate committee advances nomination of Dr. Erica Schwartz to be Trump's CDC director
SUMMARY: President Donald Trump's nominee to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has cleared a hurdle in the Senate. A committee on Thursday sent to the full Senate the nomination of Dr. Erica Schwartz to be director of the nation's top public health agency. Schwartz appeared to be on shaky ground after a hearing this month when she faced questions about whether she'd be willing to stand up to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. if he ordered CDC to do something unsupported by science and good public health practice. Public health experts cautiously support Schwartz, noting her qualifications and potential to rebuild the agency.
WORDS: 1284 - MOVED: 07/30/2026 2:40 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSMEDCDCDirectorstLdWritethru/683e24162ae7204a011a3c41d5b43298/text___
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CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENT
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The Mediterranean's warming waters are drawing hundreds of invasive species
SUMMARY: Scientists say climate change is heating the Mediterranean Sea, inviting invasive fish species that harm native populations. This threatens coastal communities that rely on traditional fishing. The Mediterranean is a climate change "hot spot," with waters expected to warm significantly by 2100. Invasive species like the spotted puffer fish and lionfish are spreading, impacting local ecosystems. Experts suggest reducing fossil fuel use and enforcing international treaties to manage the situation. Some invasive species could be commercialized for economic benefit, but reversing the spread is considered too late. Efforts focus on mitigating impacts and restoring environments.
WORDS: 870 - MOVED: 07/30/2026 4:07 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEUClimateMediterraneanSeaHotterWatersstLdWritethru/54d283e12f16ac212473b26621c5ac37/text___
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SPORTS
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FIFA hits Argentina with World Cup charges for scuffle and 'Malvinas' banner
SUMMARY: FIFA has lodged disciplinary charges against two Argentina players for striking Spain opponents moments after the World Cup final. It also charged Argentina's soccer federation for players showing a political banner about the Falkland Islands after beating England in the semifinals. Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes faces three charges of assault in the post-game clashes after Spain’s 1-0 win on July 19, defender Nahuel Molina faces two charges and coach Roberto Ayala one. Molina and Thiago Almada also are charged with unsporting behavior, with the same charge leveled against Spain player Gavi. Argentina’s players carried a banner with the slogan “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” — “The Malvinas are Argentine” — after beating England.
WORDS: 268 - MOVED: 07/29/2026 5:27 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APSOCFIFAArgentinaInvestigation/af808493185c89e5a97062b0621257e0/text___
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