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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States pour taxpayer dollars into college sports as athlete pay, soaring costs squeeze budgets
SUMMARY: A growing number of states are providing tax dollars to university athletics. The move comes as major college sports programs now are paying millions of dollars to athletes. The financial battle for the best athletes has strained many athletic departments, which are now running deficits. North Carolina and Louisiana are earmarking sports betting taxes for their universities. Wisconsin has added money in its state budget for athletic costs at its flagship university. And Connecticut has created a tax credit program to benefit university athletics. Analysts see the state funding efforts as an emerging trend.
WORDS: 926 - MOVED: 08/20/2026 10:01 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSCollegeSportsStates/73aba2a54785f23a3e1b7f268648ba7b/text___
Women in pink rally in support of Lindsay Clancy who is on trial for killing 3 children
SUMMARY: Hundreds of Lindsay Clancy supporters have gathered to silently support the Massachusetts woman on trial in the killings of her three children. Many wore pink for Thursday's rally. Some had messages on their shirts like “Peace For Lindsay” and “Justice For Lindsay.” Many said they came to raise awareness about postpartum depression and also the mental health system treats women. Clancy’s lawyer does not dispute that she killed the children, but says she should not be held criminally responsible because she was mentally ill. The trial has brought attention to postpartum psychosis. Clancy's lawyer says she had the rare mental illness that is linked to the stress, sleep deprivation and hormonal changes that follow childbirth.
WORDS: 748 - MOVED: 08/20/2026 2:42 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSLindsayClancyTrialstLdWritethru/9ae86dc05b44c78722a47915320e0606/text___
Karmelo Anthony's attorney asks judge for new trial in Texas track meet killing
SUMMARY: The attorney for a Texas teenager convicted of fatally stabbing a track athlete during a high school meet has told a judge that he deserves a new trial because the court wrongly limited access to earlier proceedings. A judge is considering Thursday whether to grant Texas teen Karmelo Anthony a new trial following his murder conviction in the killing of a 17-year-old athlete. Prosecutor Bill Wirskye argued Thursday that Anthony had received a fair trial. He said that his Anthony's attorneys had agreed to everything that was done during the trial. The judge who presided over the trial earlier this summer was removed from the case on Wednesday.
WORDS: 567 - MOVED: 08/20/2026 4:02 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSTrackMeetStudentKilledndLdWritethru/7ab9992d6772070981a2f076606315dc/text___
Former teacher, 93, among the deaths blamed on storm as Hawaii residents struggle to clean up
SUMMARY: Residents on Hawaii's Big Island are struggling to recover after last week's hurricane that authorities say killed two people. Authorities say 93-year-old May Doi and a man in his 60s were found dead. They haven't released the man's name. Local school vice principal ʻĀina Akamu says Doi was a beloved community figure in Naalehu. Akamu says the storm also destroyed important cemeteries, with caskets and headstones scattered. Families are trying to recover remains amid blown roofs and uprooted trees. Forecasters warn of another potential storm forming southeast of the islands.
WORDS: 873 - MOVED: 08/19/2026 4:26 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSTropicalWeatherthLdWritethru/94388afddd817481b513d9d1fbe8662b/text___
A quiet channel between ICE and Iran shaped deportation flights, newly released emails show
SUMMARY: Emails reveal that Iranian officials had significant influence over which Iranian immigrants in the U.S. were sent back to their home country in 2025, despite tensions between the countries. The National Iranian American Council released hundreds of emails on Tuesday showing U.S. immigration officials working with Iran to deport over 100 Iranians on three flights. This cooperation marks a shift from the U.S.'s long-standing practice of welcoming Iranian dissidents. Human rights activists criticize the deportations to a country known for persecuting political opponents. The emails also suggest pressure from the Trump administration to prioritize these deportations, even during a brief war with Iran.
WORDS: 1115 - MOVED: 08/20/2026 4:02 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSIranianDeportationFlightEmails/97554a7ab9d1f33ca00700434dcae3df/text___
Judge removed from Texas track meet killing case as Karmelo Anthony seeks new trial
SUMMARY: The trial judge who presided over the case of the Texas teenager convicted of fatally stabbing a 17-year-old athlete at a high school track meet was ordered removed from the case as the defendant seeks a new trial. Karmelo Anthony was convicted of murder and sentenced to 35 years in prison after a jury in June rejected his claims of self-defense during a confrontation with Austin Metcalf last year. Anthony’s legal team argued Wednesday that a retrial was warranted in part because state District Judge John Roach enforced overly strict courtroom rules and gave an interview after the trial was over. A new judge has been assigned for Thursday’s hearing on the request.
WORDS: 688 - MOVED: 08/19/2026 4:07 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSTrackMeetStudentKilledthLdWritethru/5526b6ba91035724814c2beeab4bd4fb/text___
Missouri court allows new Trump-backed US House districts be used in November election
SUMMARY: A Missouri judge has rejected bid to let voters decide whether to use new U.S. House districts backed by President Donald Trump. The ruling means the new map can be used in the November elections. But court’s decision is likely to be appealed. Opponents had submitted thousands of petition signatures seeking a November referendum on the map passed by the state’s Republican-led Legislature. Republican Secretary of State Denny Hoskins rejected the petition as unconstitutional, and a Cole County judge agreed. Republicans hope the new map will help them win an additional congressional seat in Missouri and hold onto their slim House majority in the midterms.
WORDS: 760 - MOVED: 08/19/2026 10:27 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSElectionRedistrictingMissourindLdWritethru/45b51672b78081dc7609e763a0416534/text___
Psychologist testifies Lindsay Clancy was not criminally responsible in killing of her 3 children
SUMMARY: A forensic psychologist has testified for the defense that Lindsay Clancy didn't appreciate the “wrongfulness” of killing three children due to her mental health issues. The testimony Wednesday of Paul Zeizel is meant to support the defense contentions that Clancy shouldn’t be held legally responsible for murder because she was in the grip of postpartum psychosis when she killed her three children before trying to kill herself. Prosecutors say Clancy had planned the killings and contrived to get her husband out of the house the evening of killings by sending him to pick on medicine for one of their children and dinner for the family.
WORDS: 782 - MOVED: 08/19/2026 8:28 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSLindsayClancyTrialstLdWritethru/fbf384080f82998939dc76a75ca6ba7d/text___
Amazon set to expand drone delivery of lightweight packages to 500 US cities
SUMMARY: Millions more people may be able to get smaller, lightweight Amazon packages delivered by drones by the end of the year under a plan the company announced Wednesday to expand the airborne shipping to suburban areas in nearly 500 U.S. cities. Amazon said in news release that customers could receive the drone deliveries in as fast as 30 minutes, The drones can carry packages up to five pounds. The plan will intensify the battle between Amazon and Walmart to provide consumers with the fastest delivery times. Amazon’s plan would expand drone delivery into hundreds of new communities, including the Chicago, Atlanta, Cleveland and Boise areas.
WORDS: 979 - MOVED: 08/19/2026 10:00 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSAmazonDroneDeliveryExpansionrdLdWritethru/20db399ba65e8bc36a76b547f990b118/text___
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WASHINGTON/POLITICS
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Federal agents seize devices from ex-Rep. Eric Swalwell in sexual misconduct probe, AP source says
SUMMARY: Federal agents have seized electronic devices from former Rep. Eric Swalwell and searched his Washington home as part of an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct by the ex-Democratic congressman from California. That's according to a person familiar with the matter. Swalwell’s devices were seized at the San Francisco airport on Saturday and federal agents searched his home a day later. A message seeking comment was left Thursday with an attorney for Swalwell. Swalwell announced his resignation from Congress in April. He has denied allegations of sexual assault and misconduct. The AP source wasn't authorized to publicly discuss an ongoing investigation and spoke on the condition of anonymity.
WORDS: 472 - MOVED: 08/20/2026 4:15 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSEricSwalwellInvestigationndLdWritethru/4615d9309781afd72fc2cd3fb7d7c121/text___
Democrats narrow their list of 2028 presidential convention sites to Boston, Denver and Philadelphia
SUMMARY: Democrats have narrowed the list of potential host cities for their 2028 presidential convention to Boston, Denver and Philadelphia as their party looks ahead to a wide-open primary to succeed Republican President Donald Trump. Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin said Thursday in a statement the cities put forward “incredibly strong bids.” Martin promises the August 2028 convention will be an “inspiring celebration" of his party’s future nominee. A final decision is expected to be made later this year by party leaders. Democrats haven't specified why Atlanta and Chicago were eliminated. Officials visited all five cities in April and May, considering logistical and fundraising capacity among other factors.
WORDS: 343 - MOVED: 08/20/2026 10:00 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSElectionDemocrats/caca8f693ac3c0fdd7585d7cacdd29e6/text___
US aircraft carrier arrives in Middle East, relieving long-deployed USS Lincoln
SUMMARY: The U.S. military says the Asia-based USS George Washington aircraft carrier is now operating in the Middle East. The ship is relieving the long-deployed USS Abraham Lincoln following reports of mental health challenges and supply shortages aboard while it was supporting the Iran war. The Lincoln's deployment has included a record-setting uninterrupted time at sea of more than 250 days. It's not clear when the USS Abraham Lincoln will return to the U.S., but it takes just over a month to get back. Several Democratic lawmakers are pressing for accountability over the conditions aboard, which Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has said were misrepresented.
WORDS: 545 - MOVED: 08/20/2026 3:48 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSIranUSAircraftCarrier/10ddf7b55104e0eeec2e9213e1021b98/text___
'No serious dispute' that Comey's seashell post could be read as a Trump threat, prosecutors say
SUMMARY: The Justice Department is defending its prosecution of former FBI Director James Comey and says there's "no serious dispute” that a social media post of seashells he made could be understood as a threat against President Donald Trump. Prosecutors late Tuesday also called into question Comey’s account that he found the seashells in the numerical arrangement “86 47” while walking on a North Carolina beach. Trump is the 47th president. Prosecutors say Comey intended a physical threat or knew that the number 86 could suggest violence. Comey's legal team calls it a vindictive prosecution and says Comey’s post didn't amount to a true threat.
WORDS: 964 - MOVED: 08/19/2026 11:51 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSJusticeDepartmentComeythLdWritethru/264e3a178525ebd8fee051771948709e/text___
The US national debt now stands at $40 trillion
SUMMARY: The national debt has surpassed a record $40 trillion, highlighting the impact of defense costs, social programs, and interest on the deficit. This milestone comes just five months after hitting $39 trillion. Experts say the growing debt is already affecting Americans by raising borrowing costs and lowering wages. Advocates for a balanced budget warn of tougher fiscal tradeoffs ahead. Margaret Spellings from the Bipartisan Policy Center says the fiscal trajectory is unsustainable. The U.S. is subject to a statutory debt limit, which Congress may need to address again by 2027.
WORDS: 530 - MOVED: 08/19/2026 9:14 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSNationalDebtRecordndLdWritethru/a27a8d3651ff810b25c610d3e1b6259d/text___
Trump plays White House tour guide to show off work on his helipad and ballroom
SUMMARY: President Donald Trump played White House tour guide, showcasing his construction projects, including a new helipad and ballroom. On Wednesday, he spent several uninterrupted minutes praising the granite used for the helipad, arguing that it could withstand immense pressure and was far superior to concrete. Trump also discussed the ballroom, which faces legal challenges but continues to be built. He predicted that the Supreme Court will eventually allow for its completion. The president emphasized the importance of these projects, saying they will last long after his presidency. Trump also thanked Scotts-Miracle Gro for donating to repair the lawn. The president even autographed a piece of granite, highlighting his pride in the construction work.
WORDS: 899 - MOVED: 08/19/2026 6:30 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSTrumpWhiteHouseConstructionndLdWritethru/12b8b493d6318f53a7c2ff951b5dcb87/text___
Kennedy Center tells court it won't try to restore Trump's name to the building before Sept. 8
SUMMARY: The Kennedy Center has told a federal court it won't try to restore Donald Trump's name to the building facade before at least Sept. 8. This word comes amid a legal battle over the venue's future. Opponents say the Trump-aligned board seems intent on defying a court order requiring the removal of Trump's name. The Kennedy Center plans to wait until after Labor Day to allow time for legal arguments. A recent board meeting focused on naming the plaza after Trump and adding his name to the facade. The board also voted for a two-year closure for renovations.
WORDS: 771 - MOVED: 08/19/2026 1:40 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSTrumpKennedyCenterndLdWritethru/fd8abd05844327dab5a0f940a8505434/text___
Americans have elected only 3 Black governors. This year, 8 major party candidates are on the ballot
SUMMARY: Florida Republicans have settled on Byron Donalds, a congressman, as their candidate for governor, and that now makes eight Black major party nominees for governors this year. Maryland’s Wes Moore is the only Black governor now and he's seeking reelection in November. The Democrat is just the third elected Black governor in U.S. history. All have been Democrats and men. The November slate includes Democrats and Republicans, men and women. The nominees are promoting their experience and ideas for all constituents. But many say the possibility of expanded representation matters, given the nation’s history and the current environment surrounding issues of race and racism.
WORDS: 1273 - MOVED: 08/19/2026 1:24 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSElectionsBlackGovernorsthLdWritethru/33e123ecc14b623abed4fa0906942614/text___
Democratic socialist Angie Nixon won Tuesday's primary in Florida. Can she win in November?
SUMMARY: Florida Democratic voters have delivered an upset by nominating democratic socialist state Rep. Angie Nixon over moderate Alex Vindman, a former national security official. Democrats have struggled to craft a resonant message in Florida, a diverse and dynamic state. Nixon's win sets up a long-shot challenge to U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody, a former state attorney general. The race has inflamed tensions within the Democratic Party over how to energize liberal voters without alienating independents. Nixon, backed by progressive figures, has championed policies like universal healthcare. Her victory is seen as a sign of growing momentum for progressives in the region.
WORDS: 1342 - MOVED: 08/19/2026 2:16 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSElectionFloridaSenaterdLdWritethru/65380b9f11e406198569c830b10507b7/text___
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INTERNATIONAL
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Prince Harry and Meghan are returning to the UK with their children
SUMMARY: The Associated Press has learned that Prince Harry and Meghan have decided to return to the United Kingdom for an extended stay starting this fall, but they won’t resume their roles as working members of the royal family. A person close to the Sussexes who was not authorized to speak publicly told the AP about the decision Wednesday. The person says King Charles III was alerted to the decision on Sunday and wasn’t told about it during the couple’s visit to the U.K. last month. Harry and Meghan’s children are 7 and 5 and have already enrolled at British schools. They will start classes in September.
WORDS: 782 - MOVED: 08/19/2026 10:11 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEUBritainPrinceHarrythLdWritethru/2a26920acb7ed33bb590654bfd57702b/text___
A Russian missile and drone barrage kills at least 16 in Ukraine's Kyiv region
SUMMARY: Russia has launched a massive nighttime aerial attack on Kyiv, using missiles and drones, killing at least 16 people in the city and surrounding region. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has urged countries to send more Patriot air defense interceptors, as Ukraine struggles with a shortage. The attack targeted Kyiv, leaving about 40 people wounded. Russia claims it hit a Kyiv industrial site involved in missile production. The assault has alarmed European neighbors, prompting Poland and Romania to activate air defenses. Explosions damaged residential buildings and infrastructure in Kyiv, where more than 38,000 people sheltered in its subway stations overnight. Meanwhile, Ukraine said it struck oil facilities in Russia's Tatarstan and Krasnodar regions.
WORDS: 1108 - MOVED: 08/20/2026 4:38 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEURussiaUkraineWarthLdWritethru/92ff5d7d1073fd8692a75e4e677f425b/text___
Prices soar as Gaza smuggling booms. Officials, soldiers and middlemen are accused of cashing in
SUMMARY: The smuggling of goods restricted by Israel into Gaza has boomed. Items from cigarettes and iPhones to fuel and solar panels make their way to the territory devastated by war. Palestinians face inflated prices for groceries and batteries. Hospitals turn to smugglers for medicine and equipment. Israeli soldiers and other middlemen are accused of pocketing millions. That's all according to an Associated Press investigation based on court documents and interviews with traders, truckers and officials. Most spoke on condition of anonymity over safety concerns and the trade's illegal nature. Smuggling is vital to Gaza's economy. Cigarettes and tobacco make the top profits. Residents long for price relief. Israel's military says it takes smuggling seriously, working to prevent it.
WORDS: 2188 - MOVED: 08/20/2026 5:03 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APMLGazaSmugglingthLdWritethru/0eb43885ba1ee2045457b4bb8d26dfd5/text___
Takeaways from AP's report on the smuggling of restricted goods into Gaza
SUMMARY: The smuggling of goods restricted by Israel into Gaza has boomed. Items from cigarettes and iPhones to fuel and solar panels make their way to the territory devastated by war. Palestinians face inflated prices for groceries and batteries. Hospitals turn to smugglers for medicine and equipment. Israeli soldiers and other middlemen are accused of pocketing millions. That's all according to an Associated Press investigation based on court documents and interviews with traders, truckers and officials. Most spoke on condition of anonymity over safety concerns and the trade's illegal nature. Smuggling is vital to Gaza's economy. Cigarettes and tobacco make the top profits. Residents long for price relief. Israel's military says it takes smuggling seriously, working to prevent it.
WORDS: 1069 - MOVED: 08/20/2026 1:23 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APMLGazaSmugglingTakeaways/75cf52cb19212943f5a62455a811f94d/text___
Congo to receive 70,000 doses of Ervebo Ebola vaccine which has been effective in past outbreaks
SUMMARY: The World Health Organization says Congo will receive 70,000 doses of the Ervebo vaccine. This move is seen as a major boost to efforts to contain what officials describe as the fastest Ebola outbreak in history. The Ervebo vaccine is licensed for Ebola virus but not for the Bundibugyo virus, which is responsible for the current outbreak. WHO says early data suggest it may provide some protection. The allocation includes 20,000 doses for a Phase 3 clinical trial. The remaining 50,000 doses will be used for front-line and health workers. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called the approval “an important example of global solidarity in action”
WORDS: 413 - MOVED: 08/20/2026 11:21 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APAFCongoEbolandLdWritethru/4aca46b218e114474ab43ca7868250bc/text___
Chinese court sentences founder of troubled property developer Evergrande to life in prison
SUMMARY: A Chinese court has sentenced Hui Ka Yan, founder of property developer Evergrande, to life in prison. The court in the southern city of Shenzhen also fined Evergrande Group and Evergrande Real Estate group a total of $2.35 billion. Evergrande collapsed with more than $300 billion in liabilities after Chinese authorities cracked down on excessive borrowing in 2020. That triggered a property market downturn that has weighed on the economy ever since. The court accused Hui and Evergrande of inflating the group’s assets and concealing its liabilities. The official Xinhua News Agency said Hui’s sons were among more than 50 Evergrande executives and others who got prison terms of between 22 months and 18 years.
WORDS: 612 - MOVED: 08/20/2026 4:21 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APASChinaEvergrandethLdWritethru/5573868904b3ced0c5c9b0314c56ae5a/text___
ICC slams US decision to sanction the court's president and a senior prosecution lawyer
SUMMARY: The International Criminal Court has criticized new U.S. sanctions on its senior staff as a “flagrant attack” on its independence. The U.S. State Department announced sanctions Tuesday against ICC president Tomoko Akane and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye, freezing their assets in U.S. jurisdictions. The Trump administration accuses the ICC of overstepping its mandate by investigating officials from non-member countries like the U.S. and Israel. Human Rights Watch condemned the sanctions Wednesday as an attempt to shield officials from justice. Japan also criticizes the sanctions, affirming its support for the ICC's efforts to uphold international law.
WORDS: 747 - MOVED: 08/19/2026 9:33 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEUICCSanctionsrdLdWritethru/bc088ac5a678975e358650ac314b252f/text___
A timeline of Prince Harry and Meghan's relationship with the royal family as they return to the UK
SUMMARY: Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, will return to the United Kingdom, seemingly marking an end to a yearslong rift with the royal family. Britain’s Daily Telegraph newspaper reported Wednesday that the couple won’t resume their roles as working members of the royal family. But returning to Britain means King Charles III, who is being treated for an undisclosed form of cancer, will get to see more of his grandchildren. Harry and Meghan quit royal duties in 2020 and moved to the United States, alleging hostility and racist attitudes by the press and royal establishment. But in recent months, there had been signs of a thaw in the tumultuous relationship.
WORDS: 963 - MOVED: 08/20/2026 4:00 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEUBritainPrinceHarryTimeline/a33fbdfc01164806ae246247348b15bb/text___
Israel's military to investigate Gaza attacks, and other major developments in the Middle East
SUMMARY: The Israeli military plans a criminal investigation into the killings of a 5-year-old Palestinian girl and her family, as well as 15 paramedics in Gaza. Wednesday's decision follows reviews of 150 incidents of troop conduct during the Gaza war. Meanwhile, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf is visiting neighboring Iraq for three days to meet with officials and leaders of an Iran-backed political coalition. Deadly Israeli airstrikes continue in Gaza. And France's government has announced the expulsion of two Iranian diplomats in response to the expulsion of French diplomats from Iran earlier this week.
WORDS: 1053 - MOVED: 08/19/2026 10:51 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APMLMideastthLdWritethru/4ad1f8ffc1603cbb5151ab8eebc1ec6a/text___
Israeli military launches criminal probes into killings of Hind Rajab and Palestinian paramedics
SUMMARY: Israel’s military has announced its first criminal investigations into troop conduct in the Gaza war. The focus is on the killings of 5-year-old Hind Rajab and her family trapped in a vehicle, and of 15 Palestinian paramedics. The military says it will not investigate three other attacks that killed aid workers with World Central Kitchen and Doctors Without Borders. The announcement follows reviews of 150 incidents. The military's statement does not mention many other high-profile killings that Israel has pledged to investigate during the war, such as a hospital strike that killed five journalists including one who freelanced for The Associated Press.
WORDS: 1321 - MOVED: 08/19/2026 11:04 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APMLMideastGazaMilitaryInvestigationthLdWritethru/c0a733a3ac78660b474e5bdb47154f8b/text___
Colombian president asks Trump to suspend tariffs to help earthquake recovery
SUMMARY: Colombia's President Abelardo de la Espriella has asked U.S. President Donald Trump to suspend tariffs to help Colombia recover from a devastating earthquake. The 7.4 magnitude quake struck Monday, killing at least 289 people and injuring nearly 4,000. De la Espriella, who took office earlier this month, emphasized his connections with Trump, thanking him for $26.5 million in U.S. aid. The quake destroyed thousands of homes, including in western cities like Pereira and Cali. The government declared it a national disaster, with at least143 people missing and extensive damage reported. Rescue efforts continue despite the challenging conditions.
WORDS: 384 - MOVED: 08/16/2026 4:57 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APLTColombiaEarthquakerdLdWritethru/d5472db0c7b2f929b43a4c190dc0d41b/text___
A triple crisis: Earthquake takes a heavy toll on Colombia's impoverished and neglected region
SUMMARY: Recovering from the devastating earthquake that hit Colombia earlier this month will be particularly challenging for Choco, a remote region that has long struggled with high poverty rates, poor infrastructure and underfunded health and education services. According to the U.N. humanitarian agency, 69,000 people in Choco were affected or displaced by the earthquake. That's about 10% of the region’s population. The regional government says that the earthquake damaged more than 200 schools, and poor internet access will make it difficult for children to take online lessons. With around 600,000 inhabitants, most of them Afro-Colombian or Indigenous people, Choco has long been one of Colombia’s most neglected regions.
WORDS: 922 - MOVED: 08/19/2026 5:49 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APLTColombiaEarthquakeCrisis/084c9389ee26f0faf48688fc3b02882a/text___
Death toll in mine collapse in Central African Republic rises to more than 100
SUMMARY: The death toll from a gold mine collapse in the Central African Republic has risen to more than 100. A Red Cross volunteer involved in relief efforts provided the numbers on Wednesday. The low-tech and artisanal mine collapsed Tuesday morning in the village of Zamboye which is near the Cameroon border. More than 100 bodies have been recovered so far and several survivors are critically injured. A local official said the death toll is likely to rise since several people are still missing and others remain trapped under the rubble.
WORDS: 262 - MOVED: 08/19/2026 5:01 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APAFCentralAfricanRepublicMineCollapsendLdWritethru/4a52316da1f00085d60dd4d99ac9fdb2/text___
United Arab Emirates suspends trade with Iran after coming under renewed missile fire
SUMMARY: The United Arab Emirates has suspended all trade with Iran after it said it had come under renewed fire from the country. That will further isolate the Islamic Republic. The country is already suffering under U.S. sanctions and a blockade. Incoming ballistic missile fire triggered nationwide warnings Tuesday night for UAE residents to seek shelter. It was the first time in weeks such an alarm had sounded. Early in the conflict, the UAE regularly came under intense fire from Iran, and most trade between the countries ground to a halt. It was not clear how much trade there was more recently.
WORDS: 873 - MOVED: 08/19/2026 10:56 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APMLIranUSrdLdWritethru/47c95fe382c49289ab0419310b6d8057/text___
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BUSINESS
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Pressure builds anew in the bond market as Walmart drags the US stock market lower
SUMMARY: A rise in oil prices is sending worries about inflation and bond yields higher. That’s erasing some of the relief created the day before after the U.S. Treasury Department moved to ease pressure from the bond market. Brent crude's price rose 1.9% Thursday following President Donald Trump’s latest threats to Iran. The S&P 500 fell 0.3% and is on track for a fourth loss in the five days since setting its all-time high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 344 points, and the Nasdaq composite sank 0.8%. Walmart helped lead the way lower after giving a weaker-than-expected forecast for upcoming profit.
WORDS: 886 - MOVED: 08/20/2026 5:13 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APFinancialMarketsthLdWritethru/1dcf7c9c3cc490b82b2632302628c46b/text___
Trump says US and Canada have a trade deal, but key terms remain unclear
SUMMARY: Canada and the United States have moved closer to finalizing a trade agreement that would avert threatened 50% U.S. tariffs. A senior Canadian official calls the emerging terms “a very good deal for Canada” while cautioning that negotiations are not complete. President Donald Trump says the agreement was “very fair” to both sides and predicts U.S. farmers and manufacturers will benefit. Prime Minister Mark Carney has asked provincial premiers to return U.S. alcohol to store shelves, according to Nova Scotia's premier. The tariffs on about $20 billion worth of Canadian imports have been postponed until 12:01 a.m. Saturday.
WORDS: 1091 - MOVED: 08/19/2026 7:48 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSCanadaTariffsWhatToKnowthLdWritethru/be3fb41e167108aed07059bb58de7b28/text___
Former Meta engineer says Instagram took a 'don't ask, don't tell' approach on kids under 13
SUMMARY: A former engineering director at Meta who has testified before Congress about child safety on Instagram told jurors at a landmark trial that the company took a “don’t ask, don’t tell” approach on kids under 13 on its platforms. During his second day of testimony Wednesday, Arturo Béjar said Meta consistently prioritized profits over safety in designing its products. The trial that began Tuesday in federal court in Oakland, California, pits Meta against the states of California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey and is expected to last about six weeks. The company has rejected the claims and said evidence at the trial will show its commitment to safety.
WORDS: 949 - MOVED: 08/19/2026 7:23 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSMetaTrialstLdWritethru/858e260ddbcc45532afc6194e48a54b6/text___
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HEALTH/SCIENCE
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Trump picks Dr. Heidi Overton, a top White House aide, to lead the Food and Drug Administration
SUMMARY: President Donald Trump has picked Dr. Heidi Overton to lead the Food and Drug Administration. Overton is a deputy director of the White House Domestic Policy Council and a trusted figure in Trump's administration. Overton has worked on several of Trump's health initiatives. But the new FDA commissioner will face challenges balancing Trump's priorities, traditional Republican interests and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s anti-corporate stance. Overton will need Senate confirmation and face questions from the Senate health committee. The previous FDA head, Dr. Marty Makary, resigned in May, leaving unfinished projects like work on ultra-processed foods, antidepressants and COVID-19 shots.
WORDS: 1202 - MOVED: 08/19/2026 4:31 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSFDACommissionerthLdWritethru/a54907d62a2482bd462410c0778266b9/text___
Rescue mission is called off for NASA's aging Swift space telescope
SUMMARY: The mission to save NASA's sinking space telescope has been called off. NASA and Katalyst Space Technologies announced the news Wednesday. The startup company says its Link spacecraft will not attempt to capture the Swift Observatory and boost it to a higher orbit because of problems with controlling the rescue craft. NASA says this means the telescope will plunge through the atmosphere later this year. NASA paid $30 million for Katalyst to try to lift the aging telescope to a longer-lasting orbit. Intense solar activity caused Swift to lose altitude faster than expected.
WORDS: 429 - MOVED: 08/19/2026 7:07 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSSCISatelliteRescueMissionstLdWritethru/800bfbe5aaba5fec9aadd20bdcc138a5/text___
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SPORTS
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A left tackle can make $4M in college football, not the NFL. Is this pay for play?
SUMMARY: College sports are undergoing a transformation with the rise of NIL deals, allowing athletes to profit from their name, image, and likeness. Dan Moore of the Tennessee Titans notes that college players can now earn significant sums, unlike many NFL linemen. Mike McGlinchey of the Broncos highlights the shift from local endorsements to large collectives paying top dollar to attract talent. The College Sports Commission is working to regulate these deals, ensuring fair compensation and valid business purposes. Meanwhile, discussions in Washington aim to address transparency and potentially increase revenue-sharing for athletes.
WORDS: 1569 - MOVED: 08/19/2026 5:24 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APFBCHouseEraPayToPlay/74e5108ea2df594f4a0962987f5f9d74/text___
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