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.
…
Join our family of readers for as little as $14.99 per month and support local, unbiased journalism.
Already a member? Log in to continue. Otherwise, follow the link below to join.
Please log in to continue |
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.
—————————----—
NATIONAL
———----———————
The GOP is on a rescue mission in Kansas, where Dems haven't won a Senate race in nearly a century
SUMMARY: Republicans have won every race for U.S. Senate in Kansas for nearly a century. GOP fears that this year could be different have put the race between Republican Sen. Roger Marshall and Democrat Adam Hamilton on track to be the most expensive in state history. Hamilton is the founder and senior pastor of the nation’s largest United Methodist church. He has raised significantly more money than Marshall, who is seeking his second term. Hamilton’s candidacy and voters’ disapproval of President Donald Trump’s handling of the economy have upended GOP hopes of seeing Marshall coast to victory as the GOP tries to hold its Senate majority.
WORDS: 1145 - MOVED: 10/22/2026 4:31 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSElectionKansasSenate/cdbb4aa59fdcb04d6df0f7a461d6d5e3/text___
‘Looksmaxxing’ streamer known as Clavicular pleads not guilty to rape charge
SUMMARY: The “looksmaxxing” livestreamer known as Clavicular has been arraigned in Massachusetts on charges that he raped a 17-year-old girl at his family’s Cape Cod home. Braden Peters pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges that he gave the girl alcohol until she was drunk and then sexually assaulted her when she visited him in Chatham in 2025. Peters has denied the allegations through his lawyers, saying the sexual encounter was consensual. Peters has a million followers on Instagram and is known for livestreams wherein he rates people’s looks and talks about methods of becoming better looking that include surgery and drug use.
WORDS: 406 - MOVED: 10/21/2026 11:26 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSLooksmaxxerRapeChargerdLdWritethru/a43e7eb36e3566a4d806c8da3ca80d61/text___
Powerful Democratic Virginia state Sen. Lucas is accused of leading a marijuana criminal conspiracy
SUMMARY: U.S Attorney General Todd Blanche says a powerful Democratic Virginia state senator charged with leading a criminal marijuana enterprise “put her own financial interests before the people she was elected to serve.” Blanche announced charges Thursday against Sen. L. Louise Lucas and six other defendants. Lucas says she won't be “bullied” by the federal government after being charged with drug trafficking and money laundering. The charges come months after an FBI search of Lucas' district office and a neighboring cannabis shop. Lucas has been a vocal critic of Republican President Donald Trump’s administration and has characterized the search as an attempt to intimidate her. Lucas’ attorney says, “This is the circus we always expected it to be.”
WORDS: 1122 - MOVED: 10/22/2026 1:57 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSVirginiaCorruptionProbethLdWritethru/767ed83f970ba6dec48048dcff2a28d0/text___
Violent Arizona storms bring possible tornado, toppled trees and golf ball-size hail
SUMMARY: A possible tornado has caused significant damage in a central Arizona community, with trees falling onto homes and utility poles knocked down. Violent storms moved through the state overnight into Thursday. Other areas in northern and central Arizona experienced hail the size of golf balls, shattering windows and denting cars. The National Weather Service issued multiple warnings as severe thunderstorms moved through the state. A tornado warning was in effect Wednesday night as a storm moved over Heber-Overgaard in Navajo County. Significant damage and minor injuries were reported. A weather service meteorologist in Flagstaff says that is unusual for the area at this time of year.
WORDS: 391 - MOVED: 10/22/2026 11:35 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSExtremeWeatherstLdWritethru/2fe815b7570812ad0f2cb4278379e185/text___
New Mexico attorney general accuses Epstein attorney, accountant of abuse cover-up at ranch
SUMMARY: New Mexico’s attorney general is suing Jeffrey Epstein’s attorney and accountant. A lawsuit filed Wednesday accuses Darren Indyke and Richard Kahn of concealing Epstein's sex trafficking operation at his ranch near Santa Fe. The lawsuit also seeks to stop them from accepting any payments from the disgraced financier’s estate. Attorney General Raúl Torrez accused Indyke and Kahn of being aware of sexual abuse of girls and young women at Epstein’s Zorro Ranch. Indyke worked as Epstein’s attorney for roughly two decades. A lawyer for Indyke and Kahn says they knew nothing about abuse and that they “emphatically reject” the state's allegations.
WORDS: 1053 - MOVED: 10/21/2026 4:43 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSEpsteinNewMexicoRanchthLdWritethru/7b00ad7f809c585a82c4cd9eb4c81467/text___
Chemical tank leak in Ohio forces evacuations as city allows plume to vent
SUMMARY: A chemical tank rupture in Toledo, Ohio, forced hundreds of residents to evacuate and others to shelter in place due to the potentially toxic leak. City leaders now are allowing the chemical to vent instead of trying to stop the leak. They say sending in first responders would be even more dangerous. The tank contains a chemical used in plastics and paints. Officials are warning it may be explosive, but they say the situation has continued to improve Wednesday afternoon. Some residents felt irritation in their eyes and throats and one sheriff’s deputy who responded went to a hospital after not feeling well.
WORDS: 904 - MOVED: 10/21/2026 10:28 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSChemicalReleaseOhiothLdWritethru/c7ead0b5a1eb0e4672ce4085bdaf6124/text___
Meta ordered to pay New Mexico $25 billion for deceiving users about privacy on Facebook
SUMMARY: A state judge has ordered Meta to pay New Mexico $25 billion for deceiving users about privacy on Facebook, marking the biggest fine ever against the tech giant. Judge Francis J. Mathew said in Wednesday's ruling that Facebook’s conduct was intentional and executives consistently misled users. New Mexico's attorney general said it should be seen as a warning to tech companies that they will be held accountable. A state jury in September found Meta responsible for millions of violations of state consumer protection laws. The violations stem from the Cambridge Analytica scandal, where user data was harvested for political ads during the 2016 election. Meta is appealing the verdict.
WORDS: 953 - MOVED: 10/21/2026 5:18 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSFacebookNewMexicothLdWritethru/b329f82c3d3db3758a159405acbd4d0e/text___
—————————----—
WASHINGTON/POLITICS
———----———————
Deportations climb under Trump but fall short of White House target, a new report finds
SUMMARY: A new report shows President Donald Trump's administration has sharply increased deportations over the past year. A report released Thursday by the Migration Policy Institute shows deportations are on track to reach 660,000 since last October. That's a 26% increase from President Joe Biden's administration but below the 1.86 million deportations recorded in 2000, under President Bill Clinton. Trump's administration has pushed through restrictions on both legal and illegal immigration. Voluntary departures are at an all-time high, with 170,000 immigrants choosing to leave the United States since Trump returned to office. Trump's administration no longer regularly releases immigration data, making it difficult to gauge its progress. The Republican administration says it's transparent.
WORDS: 770 - MOVED: 10/22/2026 11:30 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSTrumpImmigrationDataDeportationsstLdWritethru/a550c554eea7d71deb00d92a0ba78677/text___
Republican Gov. Mike DeWine denounces Ramaswamy ad featuring Democrat Amy Acton's estranged mother
SUMMARY: Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has denounced a controversial ad featuring the estranged mother of Dr. Amy Acton, taking sides with the Democratic candidate for governor and former member of his Cabinet over her Republican rival, Vivek Ramaswamy. DeWine told reporters Thursday that the spot “deeply, deeply troubling.” DeWine’s remarks place him at odds with Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur and 2024 presidential candidate who has taken responsibility for the 60-second video and is spending $4 million to broadcast it online and on TV. Republican U.S Sen. Jon Husted, his former lieutenant governor, says he wouldn't have run the ad.
WORDS: 589 - MOVED: 10/22/2026 2:07 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSElectionOhioGovernorthLdWritethru/de2aec0076776539cd206f91d39d0236/text___
Rep. Ilhan Omar says she will move out of her Washington, DC, home after federal search
SUMMARY: U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar says she will move out of her Washington, D.C., home that federal agents searched last week. The Minnesota Democrat told MS NOW that the attention brought on by the raid has made her feel unsafe there. Federal authorities are investigating potential fraud in her family's immigration paperwork. That's according to a person briefed on the investigation who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss an ongoing investigation. Omar was born in Somalia and is a naturalized U.S. citizen. She said Wednesday in her first interview since the search that she is “confident in the fact that I didn’t do anything wrong.”
WORDS: 410 - MOVED: 10/22/2026 3:59 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSIlhanOmarSearch/21e4b07a2c3a18addc751e4535f2954f/text___
In New Mexico governor’s race, Deb Haaland’s historic bid tests Democrats' political hold
SUMMARY: If Deb Haaland wins New Mexico’s race for governor, she’ll make history as the first Native American woman to lead a state. But first she has to convince New Mexicans that they should keep Democrats in charge. The state persistently ranks near the bottom nationally on poverty, crime and public education, and disenchanted voters are pleading for change. Republican contender Gregg Hull says the state can no longer afford more of the same and is “primed for a shift" after decades of Democratic control.
WORDS: 1025 - MOVED: 10/22/2026 4:01 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSElectionNewMexicoGovernor/2016748de99c93113899cd1688902c69/text___
Ashley Hinson shows Republicans' midterm balancing act as Trump heads to Iowa to boost turnout
SUMMARY: Iowa's Republican nominee for U.S. Senate is navigating a tricky political landscape. Ashley Hinson promises to support President Donald Trump when it benefits Iowa but also vows to push back when necessary. On Thursday, she plans to join Trump at a rally in Sioux City. Hinson once called herself Trump's “top ally.” Now she says she'll become "Iowa’s best bipartisan fighter." Her Democratic opponent, Josh Turek, also emphasizes bipartisanship. He says he'll work with the president on border security and other select issues. Both candidates are working to appeal to voters in a state familiar with competitive Senate races, despite Trump's previous strong performance there.
WORDS: 1142 - MOVED: 10/22/2026 4:04 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSElectionIowaSenate/d4db60bf0d0884cef80aecebd00edf87/text___
Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall says the Ukraine war, not the Iran war, has caused high diesel prices
SUMMARY: Kansas Republican Sen. Roger Marshall says Ukraine’s war with Russia — and not the U.S. war with Iran — has caused high diesel prices. Marshall made the comment Wednesday night during a televised debate as he sought to undercut one of Democratic challenger Adam Hamilton’s key arguments for ousting him from office. Marshall also tried to tie Hamilton to liberal Democrats’ Green New Deal proposals for shifting the U.S. economy fully to renewable energy to combat climate change and suggested those ideas have prevented the U.S. from building refineries. Hamilton talks frequently about diesel prices while campaigning. As for the Ukraine war causing their rise, he said, “Nobody believes that.”
WORDS: 404 - MOVED: 10/22/2026 2:39 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSElectionSenateKansasstLdWritethru/b7f291bfc4271dd14b07533ca33129bd/text___
Trump brings a last-minute rally boost to Darline Graham in South Carolina's US Senate race
SUMMARY: President Donald Trump has traveled to South Carolina to boost U.S. Sen. Darline Graham, whose stumbles in her first campaign since replacing her late brother have Democratic voters hopeful — but not necessarily optimistic — that their candidate can break Republicans’ grip on the state. Trump was repeatedly interrupted by protesters early in his speech but sought to reassure South Carolinians on Wednesday that the late Sen. Lindsey Graham held his sister in high esteem. He said Darline Graham’s Democratic opponent, pediatrician Annie Andrews, would “be the most extreme and one of the most crazy people in the entire country."
WORDS: 1062 - MOVED: 10/21/2026 12:32 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSElectionTrumpSouthCarolinathLdWritethru/082387f3dd03803fd4d12fc287d65560/text___
Supreme Court rebuffs Trump administration restrictions on medical care for transgender inmates
SUMMARY: The Supreme Court has rejected a Trump administration appeal seeking to immediately enforce medical care restrictions for transgender people in federal prison. The decision leaves in place lower court orders requiring prison officials to continue providing treatments like hormone therapy. The administration had asked to enforce for now a policy halting surgeries, hormones, and social accommodations. It was adopted after an executive order from President Donald Trump. Attorneys for transgender inmates said the policy violated their rights and amounted to cruel and unusual punishment. The Trump administration argued that treatments raised security concerns and “could no longer be justified.”
WORDS: 383 - MOVED: 10/21/2026 3:26 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSTransgenderInmatesSupremeCourtthLdWritethru/0b46a5cc302e1c8bcd292d32533e9a35/text___
Many states deciding control of the Senate are seeing a big boost in early voting, AP analysis shows
SUMMARY: States with Senate races crucial to controlling the chamber this year are seeing an increase in the number of early ballots cast compared with four years ago. That's according to an Associated Press analysis conducted nearly two weeks from Election Day. Texas has seen at least 400,000 more votes cast this year compared with the same point in the 2022 midterm cycle. Kansas has seen a similarly significant increase, while Ohio, Maine and North Carolina are all up from 2022 by more than 30%. In most of these states, Republicans are accounting for a smaller share of advance voters overall than they did four years ago.
WORDS: 895 - MOVED: 10/21/2026 9:59 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSElectionEarlyTurnoutstLdWritethru/44df2c18b387d28022dbb480e99feaba/text___
Trump administration asks Supreme Court to lift halt on Big Bend border wall
SUMMARY: The Trump administration is asking the Supreme Court to let it resume building a border wall through Texas's Big Bend region. A lower court had halted construction, a setback to one of President Donald Trump’s key projects. The administration has been pushing forward with the wall from the Pacific Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico. Ranchers, residents and environmentalists in Big Bend oppose the project, citing low illegal immigration in the area. Judge Kathleen Cardone ordered a stop to construction on Oct. 2, siding with opponents who argue the waivers used to bypass regulations exceed the secretary of Homeland Security's authority.
WORDS: 520 - MOVED: 10/21/2026 8:13 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSBorderWallTexasndLdWritethru/8fd59097185de220bc9787eb20b522ec/text___
Maine Sen. Collins enlists ex-Democratic colleague Manchin in effort to highlight her independence
SUMMARY: Republican Susan Collins is campaigning with a former Democratic colleague in the late stage of the Maine senator's tight reelection campaign. Collins is trying to fend off a challenge from Democrat Troy Jackson, a onetime state Senate president, and on Wednesday she made appearances with Joe Manchin, a West Virginian who became an independent late in his career before retiring. In Manchin, Collins is enlisting a politician who was one of the most moderate voices in the Senate. Manchin has endorsed Collins, and at a campaign stop, he praised her independent streak, her willingness to buck President Donald Trump and her record of fighting for Maine’s interests.
WORDS: 975 - MOVED: 10/21/2026 4:39 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSElectionMaineSenaterdLdWritethru/3e78cbf098f58cc124ed6ab8722b0abb/text___
Trump's political groups spend nearly $277 million in late midterm blitz on behalf of GOP candidates
SUMMARY: President Donald Trump’s political groups have spent more than one-quarter of a billion dollars to bolster Republicans in the final stretch of this year’s midterm elections. It's an unprecedented amount for a sitting president and underscores the stakes on Nov. 3. In total, Trump’s flagship super political action committee has reported spending nearly $277 million since the beginning of September, according to new campaign finance filings. That includes major transfers to two affiliated groups that have been spending millions on advertising.
WORDS: 499 - MOVED: 10/21/2026 6:13 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSElectionTrumpPACndLdWritethru/0194a89b2209920efa4e3e83ef981205/text___
—————————----—
INTERNATIONAL
———----———————
Brazil's Congress's shift to the right could change Latin America's powerhouse. Here’s what to know
SUMMARY: Brazil’s elections have shifted Congress further right, regardless of who wins the presidential runoff between Flávio Bolsonaro and incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Many lawmakers taking office in February 2027 are keen to reshape the nation’s Supreme Court, economy, human rights protections, and environmental policies. If right-wing and centrist lawmakers unite, they will command a simple majority in the lower house of 257 votes and could assemble the 308 supermajority to change Brazil’s constitution. A similar dynamic is expected in the Senate. Analysts and politicians agree there could be long-lasting impacts in Brazil and in Latin America.
WORDS: 965 - MOVED: 10/22/2026 1:34 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APLTBrazilCongressThingstoKnow/9e4303e35febb01cb7dce86a4d589dc7/text___
Thousands gather in Paris after a court lifts a protest ban despite fears of new violence
SUMMARY: Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets of Paris despite bans on demonstrations in several French cities. Organizers say an administrative court overturned the ban in Paris after a challenge. The ban was initially issued due to recent violent clashes and looting. French President Emmanuel Macron says the bans aim to protect city centers and businesses. He blames the violence on radical groups and criminals. Night curfews are in place in some areas. More protests are expected, including a major demonstration on Saturday involving the "yellow vest" movement and labor unions.
WORDS: 669 - MOVED: 10/22/2026 9:50 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEUFranceProteststhLdWritethru/cc47cffe54c65934dd7920bc3847c9ae/text___
Experts cast doubt on Venezuela’s longtime claim of 300 billion barrels of reserve oil
SUMMARY: One figure sets Venezuela apart from the rest of the world: 303 billion barrels of so-called proven oil reserves. But experts say the country’s estimate is inherently problematic and far from proven. They call it rooted in exaggerated, aging data from a corrupt government. The number's long been touted as a key measure of untapped energy potential. President Donald Trump’s administration used it in detailing a sweeping deal for the U.S. to take control of some Venezuelan reserves. But experts say a more realistic estimate of Venezuela’s proven reserves is about one-third of that. They put the likely figure at 60 to 120 billion barrels. That's vast but not enough for Venezuela to remain the world’s largest holder of reserves.
WORDS: 1292 - MOVED: 10/22/2026 10:06 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APLTVenezuelaUSOilReservesrdLdWritethru/6d1ec4ab9ec01b23e491e2fd2bfb89ee/text___
Iran says 7 tankers damaged in Strait of Hormuz, and other Mideast news
SUMMARY: Seven oil tankers were damaged in the Strait of Hormuz overnight, Iran’s state television reported, potentially marking the largest single-day incident since the Iran war began on Feb. 28. Four tankers caught fire after being targeted, while three others were immobilised by naval mines, the report said. It also warned that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard could target U.S. bases if Washington tried to enable tankers to transit through other parts of the strait. Meanwhile, Yemen’s Defence Ministry warned that Houthi rallies could be targeted, and Saudi Arabia reported two deaths in an attack on King Fahd International Airport.
WORDS: 1056 - MOVED: 10/22/2026 6:40 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APMLMideastthLdWritethru/dde5b98a8bf961224514994b02babce9/text___
What to know about Ebola outbreak that has spread from Congo to multiple African countries
SUMMARY: The Ebola outbreak in Congo, which began in May, is spreading rapidly across Africa. It has reached Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, and France, making it the deadliest outbreak in Congo's history. The Bundibugyo virus, responsible for the infections, has no approved vaccine or treatment. Poor surveillance at entry points is a recurring problem. The Africa CDC and WHO are calling for a coordinated response. They emphasize the need for stronger coordination and political leadership. Concerns have been raised over $700 million in unaccounted Ebola aid, highlighting issues of transparency and accountability.
WORDS: 789 - MOVED: 10/22/2026 4:31 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APAFAfricaEbolaWhattoKnow/4e3585cdbe6d7c5c84f282d14c87e3e4/text___
Russian missiles pound Kyiv as Moscow says over 800 Ukrainian drones downed
SUMMARY: Russia has launched a nighttime missile barrage on Kyiv while its military says it intercepted more than 800 Ukrainian drones targeting Moscow and other Russian cities. The attacks dampen hopes for peace talks. Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed “in principle” to resume negotiations with Ukraine and the U.S. but no date is set. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday reported deadly attacks across 12 regions with Kyiv enduring significant damage. Ukraine is bracing for winter as Russia targets its power grid. A U.S. envoy faced criticism for flattering Putin which highlights ongoing tensions and challenges in reaching a resolution.
WORDS: 970 - MOVED: 10/22/2026 7:12 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEURussiaUkraineWarthLdWritethru/5eef1c7dc4cc401dd8de85f718574877/text___
Iran says 7 oil tankers attacked in the Strait of Hormuz as fears grow of a return to war
SUMMARY: Iran's government says seven oil tankers have caught fire or been damaged in the strategic Strait of Hormuz. This comes amid rising tensions over the prospect of a return to all-out war. Iranian state television cites the Revolutionary Guard Corps navy which threatens to strike U.S. military bases if the United States continues guiding commercial ships through the strait. The U.S. is meanwhile sending more military assets to the region. Mediators are trying to bring Washington and Tehran back to talks. Iran has proposed ending the conflict if the U.S. meets certain conditions. But U.S. President Donald Trump rejected it although discussions have continued.
WORDS: 925 - MOVED: 10/22/2026 8:52 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APMLIranUSrdLdWritethru/2abebce2fca2c085e0e0ee717e42cf28/text___
A second female lawmaker in Australia is threatened days after alleged car attack
SUMMARY: A man has been charged with threatening an Australian lawmaker’s staff with nunchucks days after another legislator was critically injured when a man repeatedly hit her with a car. The incidents are heightening concerns about female politicians’ safety and security in a country where lawmakers are highly accessible to the public. Prosecutors alleged in court John Lawrence Smart was screaming when he entered Western Australian state government minister Hannah Beazley’s electorate office in Perth on Wednesday demanding to see her while holding above his head two pieces of wood tied together. Beazley wasn’t in the office at the time.
WORDS: 737 - MOVED: 10/22/2026 6:24 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APASAustraliaLawmakerInjuredrdLdWritethru/5089bf76db79c329ab9882e62423e496/text___
An Austrian and a Swiss woman freed in Niger after a year and half in captivity
SUMMARY: Two women from Austria and Switzerland have been freed in Niger after spending more than a year and half in captivity, officials and local media reported Thursday.The Austrian woman, identified as Eva G, was received by the Austrian crisis team on Thursday, Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger said in a statement.She was kidnapped in Niger’s Agadez city in January last year, months before the Swiss citizen was abducted in the same city in April 2025.Meinl-Reisinger said Austria worked with Switzerland to find “a safe solution” for the women.Swiss media quoted the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs as confirming the release of the Swiss woman.
WORDS: 291 - MOVED: 10/22/2026 11:46 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APAFNigerHostagesrdLdWritethru/9830ee27ad8e045c7ba21a3f44ca7253/text___
Ukraine's strikes on Russian data centers disrupt key services and derail AI research
SUMMARY: Russia prides itself on its digital advances — from an extensive e-commerce services sector to ambitious plans for developing artificial intelligence. But now, some of the key data centers at the heart of its technical prowess have been knocked out by Ukrainian drone attacks during the 4 1/2-year-old full-scale invasion, suffering damage that could take a long time to repair. Ukraine this month hit three main data centers belonging to tech giant Yandex, one for Russia’s biggest bank, Sberbank, and one for social media platform VKontakte, the country’s equivalent to Facebook. Widespread interruptions to cloud services have been reported. Banking, e-commerce, geolocation and ride-hailing services all have suffered lasting disruptions.
WORDS: 1286 - MOVED: 10/22/2026 4:04 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEURussiaDataCentersstLdWritethru/2886cb306264b9429bd317bde4bf01fa/text___
Russia frees American Stephen Hubbard after over 4 years behind bars
SUMMARY: Russia has released an American who was jailed for over four years on charges of fighting as a mercenary in Ukraine. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff announced the release Wednesday during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg. Stephen Hubbard, from Michigan, was sentenced in 2024 to nearly seven years in prison. Prosecutors said he fought with the Ukrainian military after Russia sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022. The U.S. government under President Joe Biden's administration designated Hubbard as wrongfully detained. The release comes as President Donald Trump advances policies that aid Putin, including waiving sanctions on Russia.
WORDS: 1095 - MOVED: 10/21/2026 9:19 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEURussiaPrisonerReleasedthLdWritethru/2c7e34d6606be242ed4a7473e57110c7/text___
As riots overshadow Macron’s final months in office, presidential hopefuls jockey to succeed him
SUMMARY: Emmanuel Macron, a centrist, is in the final stretch of his presidency as France faces intense protests. Macron has acknowledged failures in planning and intelligence. Constitutionally barred from a third term, his popularity is at its lowest since taking office in 2017. Far-right leader Marine Le Pen is seen as the favorite in next year's election, capitalizing on the unrest. Far-left contender Jean-Luc Mélenchon backs the protest movement while condemning looting. Polls show Le Pen as the front-runner, with Mélenchon in second.
WORDS: 741 - MOVED: 10/22/2026 4:02 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEUFranceProtestsPolitics/bfc6c3326bdd019f3184fd1a5126e228/text___
What to know as 6 women testify in Russell Brand rape and sexual assault trial in London
SUMMARY: Actor and comedian Russell Brand is facing allegations of rape and sexual assault in a London trial. Six women have testified in court about the instances which allegedly occurred between 1999 and 2009 in various locations. The 51-year-old Brand denies all charges. He pleaded not guilty to multiple counts of rape and assault. Prosecutors describe him as a manipulative predator with a strong desire for sexual contact. The women didn't report the assaults initially out of shame and because of Brand's celebrity status. They came forward after a 2023 television program aired accusations. Brand is known for his contentious comedy and social media presence. He hasn't testified yet. The trial could last up to 10 weeks.
WORDS: 676 - MOVED: 10/22/2026 5:01 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEUBritainRussellBrandTrialWhattoKnow/63130e4311ce3b72c77e52461ba4761b/text___
—————————----—
BUSINESS
———----———————
Rush is on to patch a software vulnerability that could impact 70% of websites worldwide
SUMMARY: Governments and corporations worked throughout the night to update software after the AI-assisted discovery of vulnerabilities in a programming language vital to about 70% of websites globally. Many government sites appeared to be working Thursday, but outages or limited service remained while security work was under way. The FBI’s cyber division warned on Wednesday that the vulnerabilities could allow malicious actors to remotely execute code in the programming language, PHP, which powers websites and web applications. That raised the risk of sensitive data and networks being compromised, said the agency, which recommended that operators take websites offline if they can’t update them immediately.
WORDS: 1213 - MOVED: 10/21/2026 5:43 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSWebSecuritythLdWritethru/a0af9576808a0963efca8df14d4b5183/text___
Average long-term US mortgage rate eases to 7.32% in first pullback since late August
SUMMARY: Mortgage rates fell this week for the first time since late August, easing some of the pressure on prospective homebuyers facing higher borrowing costs on home loans. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday that the benchmark 30-year fixed-rate mortgage dropped to 7.32% from 7.40% last week. One year ago, the average rate was 6.19%. The pullback comes as the 10-year Treasury yield, which lenders use as a guide to pricing home loans, has eased the last couple of weeks. Still, the average rate remains close to its highest level in nearly three years. The housing market has stalled this year in large part because of rising mortgage rates.
WORDS: 467 - MOVED: 10/22/2026 4:00 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APMortgageRatesndLdWritethru/204f5d642d88ab55992a6f0e9ccbe8e9/text___
Judge orders Trump to sit for a deposition in his defamation lawsuit against the BBC by Dec. 11
SUMMARY: A federal judge has ordered President Donald Trump to sit for a deposition in his defamation lawsuit against the BBC by Dec. 11. The order Thursday from U.S. Magistrate Judge Enjoliqué Lett came as the BBC’s lawyers complained that Trump had delayed his appearance. Attorney Charles Tobin said that with two months left in the discovery period, “we still haven’t been able to depose the plaintiff.” Lett said Trump must sit for a deposition by Dec. 11 or face sanctions up to dismissal of his lawsuit unless the discovery period was extended past Dec. 18. Trump is bringing the case over a BBC documentary called “Trump: A Second Chance.”
WORDS: 648 - MOVED: 10/22/2026 2:19 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSMediaTrumpBBCthLdWritethru/0a26fa60b265f55a9bcf7ed88cfacab8/text___
Sinking AI stocks undercut markets worldwide as oil climbs to its highest price since May
SUMMARY: AI stocks are dragging markets down worldwide. The S&P 500 sank 1% Thursday following even sharper losses in Asia, whose markets are full of AI and other technology stocks. The Nasdaq composite tumbled 2%, but stocks outside of tech held up better, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell a modest 14 points. AI stocks have been shaky on worries that their boom may be under threat because of high interest rates. Also weighing on markets was a jump in oil prices. Brent crude oil touched its highest price since May because of worries about the war with Iran.
WORDS: 964 - MOVED: 10/22/2026 4:43 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APFinancialMarketsthLdWritethru/33767691a4a0730b96d6f0c5100ea9b2/text___
—————————----—
RELIGION
———----———————
At Cadillac Mountain, a missing Wabanaki marker and the fight over what national parks should tell
SUMMARY: Signs and exhibits about slavery, climate change, and Native Americans have been removed from national parks across the country as part of the Trump administration’s campaign to eliminate what it calls disparaging material. This included the removal of signs about Wabanaki beliefs and their current presence on ancestral lands now called Acadia National Park. A coalition of conservation and advocacy groups have criticized the removals, arguing that national parks should preserve and share the full history of the United States. Despite the ongoing challenges facing national parks, Indigenous communities and their partners continue working to protect sacred sites, restore land, and include Wabanaki voices in park programs and spaces.
WORDS: 1361 - MOVED: 10/22/2026 11:08 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSRELPreservingNativeVoicesNationalParks/8e7ee5917489337d6000a0fce31bca70/text___
Vatican says tests show Pope Leo XIV won't need further treatment for lung cancer
SUMMARY: Pope Leo XIV won't need further treatment after doctors confirmed his lung cancer had not spread. The Vatican released a statement Wednesday. Leo returned to the Vatican on Saturday after having the lower lobe of his right lung removed. The surgery confirmed he had lung adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer. His personal physician and surgeon said tests on the tissue removed during surgery confirmed the initial diagnosis and that the cancer had not spread. A subsequent assessment confirmed no further treatment is necessary.
WORDS: 499 - MOVED: 10/21/2026 7:20 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APRELVaticanPopethLdWritethru/c03a9973ecd529a17193c23ac7585050/text___
Taxpayers are funding private school tuition. It's helping classical Christian schools expand
SUMMARY: Conservatives are banding together to grow classical Christian schools by leveraging new taxpayer-funded scholarships. The Association of Classical Christian Schools recently formed a coalition with Turning Point Education and the Heritage Foundation. They want to create 5,000 new classical Christian schools in the next decade. The network is already growing in Texas, where new state funds are available for private education. Defenders of classical Christian education include Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and controversial pastor Doug Wilson, who is a self-described Christian nationalist. Critics worry this movement will harm public schools and create church-state issues. Supporters see an opportunity to take a share of public funding and educate Christian leaders.
WORDS: 2231 - MOVED: 10/21/2026 9:32 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSEducationClassicalChristianSchoolsthLdWritethru/ad8b67555f3a230cef9bcf3ff9b7925a/text___
Takeaways from AP’s report on the taxpayer-funded growth of classical Christian schools
SUMMARY: Conservatives are expanding classical Christian schools using taxpayer-funded scholarships. These scholarships have grown rapidly across the U.S., making half of school-age children eligible for state money to attend private schools. Last year, the Association of Classical Christian Schools, or ACCS, teamed up with conservative groups like Turning Point Education and the Heritage Foundation. They aim to create 5,000 new classical Christian schools with 1.5 million students in the next decade. Critics worry this movement could harm public schools and raise church-state issues. ACCS, founded by conservative pastor Doug Wilson, has already seen significant growth, as classical education has grown in popularity.
WORDS: 1041 - MOVED: 10/21/2026 9:36 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSEducationClassicalChristianSchoolsTakeawaysthLdWritethru/39f0bb9c7a77165233a7dc8631cec68a/text___
—————————----—
ENTERTAINMENT
———----———————
John Anderson, country music star whose hits included 'Wild and Blue,' dies at 71
SUMMARY: Country Music Hall of Famer John Anderson has died at age 71. His family announced his death Wednesday on his social media accounts. Anderson was known for his high, yearning vocal style and hits such as “Swingin’,” “Wild and Blue,” and “Black Sheep.” Born in Apopka, Florida, he moved to Nashville, Tennessee, after high school. He worked odd jobs before his commercial breakthrough in 1977. Anderson was a “New Traditionalist,” sometimes compared to George Jones and Merle Haggard. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2024 and won two Country Music Association awards.
WORDS: 358 - MOVED: 10/22/2026 2:30 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APENTObitJohnAndersonndLdWritethru/d754d6566ad64bcc9e8fd620ef075e34/text___
—————————----—
SPORTS
———----———————
NFL welcomes a review of how Eagles handled Jalen Hurts' blood clots, Roger Goodell says
SUMMARY: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says the league welcomes an investigation into the Philadelphia Eagles' handling of Jalen Hurts' blood clots after the players' union asked for one. Goodell said Wednesday that the league's chief medical officer has gone through the steps that were followed and added that the union had a right to call for a review. Dr. Allen Sills on Tuesday offered a passionate defense of the Eagles medical staff. The NFL said officials were in touch with team doctors and trainers, as well as the Cleveland Clinic in London, where the Eagles were playing the Jaguars on Oct. 11. Hurts is expected to miss the rest of the season after a blood clot in his calf traveled to his lungs.
WORDS: 599 - MOVED: 10/21/2026 4:23 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APFBNGoodellHurtsthLdWritethru/d8fec2176901bbc2a94a5f90fc0761f6/text___
<END>
