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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Federal court blocks Alabama plan for new congressional districts that could help Republicans
SUMMARY: Federal judges have temporarily blocked Alabama’s plan to use new congressional districts that could help Republicans win an additional seat in the midterm elections. A three-judge panel in the state’s long-running redistricting case issued a preliminary injunction Tuesday. They said a Republican-drawn make intentionally discriminates based on race and cannot be used in an Aug. 11 special primary. Republican Attorney General Steve Marshall said the state will immediately appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. The lower court has ordered Alabama to use a map with two U.S. House districts that contain a majority of Black residents or close to it.
WORDS: 926 - MOVED: 05/26/2026 2:04 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSElectionRedistrictingAlabamathLdWritethru/b67125657b36e9b915ea9bc5d587d08c/text___
Thousands still evacuated near Southern California chemical tank despite eased explosion fears
SUMMARY: Thousands of people who live near a damaged hazardous chemical tank in Southern California still can't return home, even as officials say the risk of a catastrophic explosion had largely passed. Officials ordered evacuations in Garden Grove near Los Angeles last Thursday after the tank at an aerospace plane overheated. About 16,000 of roughly 50,000 evacuees are still waiting for the all-clear. The tank contains methyl methacrylate, which is highly flammable. Health officials have assured residents that there was no contamination or fumes released. Officials say they will keep monitoring the air for several months and checking the sewer and storm drains.
WORDS: 745 - MOVED: 05/26/2026 4:15 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSSouthernCaliforniaChemicalTankrdLdWritethru/1c4a885d5bc02770f112f4ffc8226728/text___
There's no longer a risk of a catastrophic explosion at a California plant. Here's what to know
SUMMARY: Officials who have been scrambling to find a safe resolution after a tank containing a hazardous chemical at a Southern California aerospace plant was damaged believe the risk of a catastrophic explosion has been eliminated. Also Monday, they lifted evacuation orders for about two-thirds of the 50,000 people who had been forced to leave their homes over the Memorial Day weekend. The tank overheated last week and began releasing vapors around Garden Grove in Orange County. Officials say a crack that developed in the tank has relieved the pressure and cooled the chemical contents. No injuries have been reported.
WORDS: 624 - MOVED: 05/24/2026 7:40 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSSouthernCaliforniaChemicalTankWhattoKnowthLdWritethru/3689e6be99e12811d54517179b5c5de7/text___
Scripps National Spelling Bee guide: How to watch, who the notable spellers are, rules and prizes
SUMMARY: The Scripps National Spelling Bee runs from Tuesday through Thursday this week. The bee began in 1925, with this year marking its 98th edition. After a long run at a convention center in suburban Maryland, the bee returns to the nation's capital this year at Constitution Hall near the White House. Mina Kimes of ESPN has joined the broadcast as its host. The bee airs on ION and other channels owned by the Cincinnati-based media company Scripps. The champion of the bee receives more than $50,000 in cash and prizes. Thirty of the past 36 champions have come from families of Indian heritage.
WORDS: 772 - MOVED: 05/25/2026 6:55 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSSpellingBeeGuidendLdWritethru/3c0bc9365d6f69820700a3fd1fd231ef/text___
The origins of Memorial Day and how it has evolved
SUMMARY: Memorial Day in the United States is officially about mourning fallen service members. But it has come to signal the unofficial start of summer and retail discounts. The first national observance was shortly after the American Civil War and was then called Decoration Day. Veterans decorated war graves with blooming flowers. But even in the 19th century, grave ceremonies were often followed by picnics and other leisure activities. The holiday evolved with the arrival of baseball, the five-day work week and summer vacation. In the mid-20th century, a small number of businesses began to open. Sales and traveling are now commonplace.
WORDS: 843 - MOVED: 05/25/2026 8:23 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSMemorialDayWhattoKnowthLdWritethru/2e6085ce93ea0c0e46e1ff1e095ba860/text___
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WASHINGTON/POLITICS
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Iran condemns US strikes as a show of 'bad faith' and begins restoring internet after long shutdown
SUMMARY: Iran has denounced the most recent U.S. strikes as a sign of bad faith as negotiations press on toward a possible deal to end the war. Meanwhile, the Islamic Republic began restoring internet access after a national shutdown that began in January. The U.S. military characterized Monday’s strikes in southern Iran as defensive, saying targets included missile launch sites and minelaying boats. American military officials said the U.S. acted with restraint in light of the weekslong ceasefire. On Tuesday, Iran’s foreign ministry called the strikes a ceasefire violation and warned that Washington would bear responsibility for all consequences, without elaborating.
WORDS: 841 - MOVED: 05/26/2026 1:10 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APMLIranUSrdLdWritethru/47980a4d87c63c0adb873d306f9b932c/text___
Cornyn tries to keep his Texas Senate seat in a runoff with Paxton, the latest test of Trump's power
SUMMARY: Texans are choosing a Republican nominee for U.S. Senate. The election brings to a close a bitter and expensive primary. President Donald Trump endorsed state Attorney General Ken Paxton last week over four-term Sen. John Cornyn. It's the president's latest effort to rid the GOP of leaders he views as less devoted to him. Cornyn is backed by Senate GOP leaders, and allies have spent roughly $90 million in advertising since last year. Most of it attacked Paxton. Cornyn risks becoming the first Republican senator in Texas history to seek the party’s nod and lose. The winner of Tuesday's runoff will face Democrat James Talarico in November.
WORDS: 1153 - MOVED: 05/26/2026 4:02 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSElectionTexasndLdWritethru/4fa609e7ddb93b47ac4e3398a12a472e/text___
Supreme Court won't intervene in discrimination suit led by Black ex-head coach Flores against NFL
SUMMARY: The Supreme Court has refused to intervene in a discrimination lawsuit led by former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores against the NFL, allowing the case to proceed toward trial. The justices Tuesday rebuffed an appeal from the league, which wanted the case handled through its arbitration process rather than open court in New York. Flores sued the league and three teams in 2022, alleging the league was “rife with racism” regarding its hiring practices when it comes to Black coaches. Flores was joined in the lawsuit by fellow Black coaches Steve Wilks and Ray Horton. The NFL says it respects the Supreme Court decision but is prepared to defend itself as the case proceeds.
WORDS: 431 - MOVED: 05/26/2026 3:19 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSSupremeCourtNFLDiscriminationLawsuitndLdWritethru/91d9e10737e7f080f7dc900e849657ea/text___
Trump is seeing doctors for his annual physical. What the public finds out is up to him
SUMMARY: President Donald Trump is at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for what the White House says are annual preventive medical and dental exams. But Tuesday's physical is putting the health of the 79-year-old Republican president back under public scrutiny. It's Trump's fourth publicly disclosed medical exam since returning to office 16 months ago. The tradition of the presidential physical goes back decades and offers a glimpse of the chief's fitness — though the White House decides what to reveal. Trump has recently talked about how good he feels, even as he jokes about his fondness for fast food and his minimal exercise regimen.
WORDS: 1075 - MOVED: 05/26/2026 9:32 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSTrumpHealthndLdWritethru/dff4cdb714d42ef860531d345c54e7aa/text___
Q&A: Anna Gomez is the sole Democrat on the FCC. She has a warning for big media companies
SUMMARY: Anna Gomez, the sole Democrat on the Federal Communications Commission, is urging media companies to resist what she sees as the Trump administration's crackdown on free speech. Her focus is Disney, the parent company of ABC, which is under investigation by the FCC. Gomez sent a letter to Disney CEO Josh D'Amaro, accusing the FCC of censorship and intimidation. She criticized Disney's decision to settle a defamation case, arguing it set a bad precedent. Gomez's term ends June 30, but she may remain if not replaced.
WORDS: 1295 - MOVED: 05/26/2026 4:02 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSMediaFCCInterviewQA/386b210604373bb19ec6a485b89222b1/text___
US military says it carried out 'self-defense' strikes in Iran, including on missile launch sites
SUMMARY: The U.S. military said Monday that it carried out “self-defense” strikes in southern Iran, including on missile launch sites and boats placing mines, even as President Donald Trump said on social media that negotiations were “proceeding nicely.” Further details were not immediately available, including more specifics on the threats from Iran and what this means for negotiations. Earlier, Trump said any agreement to end the Iran war should include a requirement for several additional countries, including Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, to join the Abraham Accords, the U.S.-brokered agreements from Trump’s first term aimed at normalizing relations with Israel.
WORDS: 738 - MOVED: 05/25/2026 3:50 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSIranTrumpthLdWritethru/01a13e9a63ece786a0a7fa4933dbf09b/text___
Democrats feud over stock trading as they sharpen anti-corruption case against Trump
SUMMARY: Democrats are increasingly critiquing each other over their personal stock trades as the party looks to hone its anti-corruption message against President Donald Trump in the midterm elections. In primary races across the country, Democrats are critiquing individual stock trades and the personal wealth of their rivals in a bid to build credibility with voters. Polls show the public takes a dim view of insider trading in Washington and supports more guardrails against corruption. The debates have scrambled ideological lines inside the party, with some more moderate lawmakers attacking progressive rivals over past stock trades. Progressives express skepticism that Democrats who have recently highlighted the issue are offering genuine critiques about money in politics.
WORDS: 1534 - MOVED: 05/25/2026 12:03 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSElectionDemocratsStockTradingthLdWritethru/97c1dc2f144cb3b7457ca062741a6e78/text___
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INTERNATIONAL
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Exceptionally early heat wave shatters records and brings deaths in Europe
SUMMARY: A spring heat wave is scorching parts of Western Europe, breaking temperature records and triggering government warnings. A temperature of 95 Fahrenheit was recorded in London on Tuesday. On Monday, London hit 95.2 F, smashing the previous record of 91.4 F set in 1922 and 1944. France is also seeing record temperatures, with temperatures reaching 97°F. Several drownings have been reported in Britain and France as people try to cool down. Experts say unpredictable and extreme weather is becoming more frequent. The U.K. Health Security Agency issued an amber health alert, warning of potential health risks, especially for older people.
WORDS: 655 - MOVED: 05/26/2026 10:46 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEUEuropeHeatthLdWritethru/5e08af7830e72ffa9fccdcf48cf4f7b5/text___
Israel and Hezbollah clash along a strategic Lebanese river after overnight strikes
SUMMARY: Israel's military is clashing with the militant Hezbollah group along a strategic river in Lebanon. The clashes come as Israeli troops are pushing farther north, just days before Lebanese and Israeli delegations are to meet for talks in Washington. Lebanon is hoping for an agreement that would lead to Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon. The Litani River has been a de facto boundary, with areas to the south under Israeli control despite a nominal ceasefire. Tuesday's intensified strikes follow a warning by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. One Israeli strike killed a family of 12 in the eastern village of Mashghara. Hezbollah launched several attacks on Israeli troops along the river.
WORDS: 649 - MOVED: 05/26/2026 7:14 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APMLLebanonIsraelHezbollahthLdWritethru/032806ee1d45539b9cffc92b6e61ad56/text___
A train collides with a minibus of children in Belgium and 4 people are dead
SUMMARY: A train traveling at high speed hit a minibus crossing a railway in Belgium, killing four people, including two children, and injuring five other children. Officials say the accident that happened Tuesday near Buggenhout is one of the worst rail accidents in the country's history. A security camera showed the minibus drove through the closed crossing barrier. The bus driver, an escort, and two children aged 12 and 15 died. The injured children are hospitalized in serious condition. The train, traveling at 120 kph, had no time to brake. Rail traffic in the area was halted.
WORDS: 350 - MOVED: 05/26/2026 9:58 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEUBelgiumTrainCollisionthLdWritethru/bdcb931f93fb94abbc79928c4ff8870a/text___
Search continues for 7 villagers trapped in a flooded cave in Laos
SUMMARY: A search operation for seven villagers trapped inside a flooded cave in central Laos has entered its seventh day as rescuers encounter difficult terrain and weather in their bid to reach the group. The seven entered the cave in Xaisomboun province on May 19, but flash floods blocked their exit. Rescuers from Laos and Thailand said Tuesday they will explore air shafts above the cave to help locate the trapped villagers and pump water out to ease the search. The cave is in a remote area, making access difficult. The villagers reportedly went in to look for gold deposits, despite safety warnings.
WORDS: 847 - MOVED: 05/26/2026 7:53 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APASLaosCaveRescuerdLdWritethru/3a3a47ae2b09ec6ec0d64480f08a69b1/text___
Russia maintains attacks on Ukraine, as Kyiv is warned to brace for a possible major barrage
SUMMARY: Ukraine’s air force says Russia launched over 100 drones and two ballistic missiles at Ukraine overnight. The attacks follow Russia's warning to foreign citizens and diplomats on Monday to leave Kyiv, citing its planned “systemic strikes” on the Ukrainian capital. Despite the threats, the European Union and other delegations say they will stay. Ukraine's foreign ministry says the security threat level remains unchanged. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy highlights a shortage of air defense missiles, partly due to the Iran war. Analysts suggest Russia's warnings aim to distract from its military struggles and economic issues caused by the ongoing conflict.
WORDS: 724 - MOVED: 05/26/2026 9:50 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEURussiaUkraineWarstLdWritethru/2abde640e27e7b320715d74358ba28f3/text___
North Korea launches ballistic missile and other weapons over the sea in latest show of force
SUMMARY: South Korea says North Korea has launched a close-range ballistic missile and other weapons toward the sea. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said that Tuesday's launches prompted it to bolster a surveillance posture. It was North Korea’s first weapons launch event since April 19. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has focused on expanding his nuclear and missile arsenals since nuclear diplomacy with U.S. President Donald Trump collapsed in 2019. Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire to return to talks with Kim. But Pyongyang has so far ignored the overtures and urged Washington to drop demands for the North’s nuclear disarmament as a precondition for talks.
WORDS: 559 - MOVED: 05/26/2026 4:14 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APASKoreasTensionsthLdWritethru/060148d7789377ff8691bc24d42b136d/text___
Attacks from suspicious residents complicate the fight against a rare type of Ebola
SUMMARY: Health workers responding to a rapidly spreading outbreak of a rare type of Ebola in eastern Congo face two threats. They risk contracting the virus and encounter hostility from wary locals. Aid workers are especially vulnerable in this volatile region where armed groups have caused significant unrest. Trust is scarce among the traumatized population, complicating efforts to contain the outbreak. Healthcare facilities have been attacked at least three times in the past week, forcing evacuations and hindering response efforts. Gaining community trust is essential. The World Health Organization reports over 900 suspected Ebola cases and more than 220 deaths.
WORDS: 1074 - MOVED: 05/25/2026 4:59 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APAFCongoEbolaHealthWorkersrdLdWritethru/c43442fbc75ca31dfa948f08f9731526/text___
UAE accused of training Colombian mercenaries for Sudan's war
SUMMARY: Human Rights Watch reports that the United Arab Emirates trained Colombian mercenaries to fight alongside a paramilitary group in Sudan's war. The report accuses the UAE of supporting the Rapid Support Forces, known for committing atrocities. The UAE denies these claims. The conflict in Sudan began in April 2023 after a power struggle. The RSF evolved from militias notorious for past atrocities in Darfur. Human Rights Watch says Colombian mercenaries were trained in the UAE before deployment. The group urges international pressure on the UAE to end support for the RSF. The U.S. has sanctioned entities linked to these activities.
WORDS: 796 - MOVED: 05/26/2026 2:03 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APMLSudanEmiratesColombianMercenariesstLdWritethru/5c02e3b580f01b840251c206673123a7/text___
Pope calls for robust regulation of AI in manifesto that ponders the future of humanity
SUMMARY: Pope Leo XIV has called for robust regulation of artificial intelligence and for its developers to work for the common good rather than profit. He made the call in a sweeping manifesto on safeguarding humankind as the technology impacts everything from work to war. Leo’s first encyclical is called “Magnifica Humanitas” (Magnificent Humanity). Its release Monday has been eagerly awaited ever since history’s first U.S.-born pope announced days after his election that he considered AI to be the biggest challenge facing humanity today.
WORDS: 1317 - MOVED: 05/25/2026 9:31 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEURELVaticanArtificialIntelligencethLdWritethru/d92d0108730d146baa46da041b8523da/text___
Israel's military says it's striking Hezbollah sites as Netanyahu vows to 'increase the blows'
SUMMARY: Israel's military says its air force struck sites belonging to Hezbollah in Lebanon. The strikes in Bekaa Valley on Monday night came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to intensify attacks in the latest Israel-Hezbollah war. The Lebanese militant group has been firing fiber optic drones at Israeli forces. Despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire since April, tensions remain high. A U.S. State Department official says Hezbollah has ignored requests to stop firing. Monday's escalation comes as Lebanese and Israeli officials are set to meet on Friday at the Pentagon to discuss the ceasefire.
WORDS: 600 - MOVED: 05/25/2026 8:42 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APMLLebanonIsrael/9e3ba96982cd082f030a1a556cd57785/text___
What we know and don't know about the emerging deal to end the Iran war
SUMMARY: The United States and Iran appear to be closing in on a deal to end the war. Regional officials say the deal would gradually reopen the Strait of Hormuz and see the U.S. end its blockade of Iranian ports, easing a global energy crisis. Iran would give up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, with further talks needed on the details. The deal would also include sanctions relief and the release of frozen Iranian funds, and end the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. But other issues, like Iran's missile program and the status of Iran’s uranium enrichment, appear to remain unaddressed.
WORDS: 1040 - MOVED: 05/25/2026 7:27 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APMLIranUSExplainerrdLdWritethru/b1659232611edc10808612e30647c17d/text___
Rubio's visit to India focuses on US trade tensions, the Quad alliance and sightseeing
SUMMARY: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to India highlights efforts to stabilize relations between Washington and New Delhi. The two countries aim to strengthen strategic and economic ties despite recent trade tensions. Rubio met Sunday with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar to discuss trade, energy, defense and maritime security. Rubio has expressed optimism about a broader trade deal. His four-day trip also includes talks with officials from the Quad alliance that includes India, Australia and Japan. The visit underscores India's role as a key partner in countering China's influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
WORDS: 697 - MOVED: 05/25/2026 5:44 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APASIndiaUSWhattoKnowstLdWritethru/75597b60d20980e7c29fefe48ebfd520/text___
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BUSINESS
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Wall Street rises toward records as US stocks catch up to the world's gains from the day before
SUMMARY: The U.S. stock market is rising as it catches up with climbs for others around the world from the day before, when President Donald Trump said negotiations were “proceeding nicely” with Iran on ending their war. The S&P 500 added 0.4% Tuesday after trading resumed following Monday’s holiday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 111 points, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 0.8%. All three indexes are near all-time highs. Treasury yields eased in the bond market on hopes that a deal on the Iran war could improve the global flow of oil and reduce pressure on inflation.
WORDS: 715 - MOVED: 05/26/2026 4:34 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APFinancialMarketsthLdWritethru/71cc7b49f2ca3462a118878c93c75940/text___
Oil giant BP ousts new chairman over 'conduct' and shares slide
SUMMARY: BP has ousted its chairman over what it called serious concerns related to “important governance standards, oversight and conduct.” The departure was abrupt and unexpected, with Albert Manifold having been appointed to the position just last year. BP’s board named Ian Tyler as interim chair on Tuesday, effective immediately. The company said that it will begin the process of finding a permanent chair. Manifold became chair in October. He succeeded Helge Lund. Manifold served as CEO of CRH plc from January 2014 until December 2024. BP, based in London, is a “supermajor,” one of the five largest oil production and exploration companies in the world by when measured by revenue and profit.
WORDS: 586 - MOVED: 05/26/2026 12:00 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSBPChairmanOustedthLdWritethru/a0cf407215f1eb1f7b6051ddb298d94c/text___
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SPORTS
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Knicks fans forget about the bad times and savor a record run to their first NBA Finals since 1999
SUMMARY: The song selection at the New York Knicks’ watch party couldn’t have been more obvious. Minutes after the Knicks finished their four-game sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals, the DJ at Radio City Music Hall played Prince’s “1999.” That was the last time the Knicks had reached the NBA Finals. And as fans sang along to, “So tonight I’m gonna party like it’s 1999,” they could forget the more than a quarter of a century of mostly bad years since and enjoy the record-setting run the current team is on, which the Knicks will try to continue against Oklahoma City or San Antonio.
WORDS: 507 - MOVED: 05/26/2026 7:10 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APBKNKnicksFrenziedFans/6cae326aeff331c76d8379bf7647d669/text___
Jodar shaping up as tennis' Next Big Thing and makes quite a debut at the French Open
SUMMARY: Rafael Jodar has made a dominant debut at the French Open and dropped just five games. Jodar routed American opponent Aleksandar Kovacevic in boiling heat at the clay-court Grand Slam. The last man to concede fewer games in a French Open debut was Novak Djokovic with three against Robby Ginepri in 2005. Four-time champion Iga Swiatek has eliminate 136th-ranked debutant Emerson Jones 6-1, 6-2. Also advancing were Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina and recent Italian Open winner Elina Svitolina. The 2015 champion Stan Wawrinka and Gaël Monfils both lost to to end their 21st and last French Open.
WORDS: 645 - MOVED: 05/25/2026 12:02 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APTENFrenchOpenndLdWritethru/173c360a8626a8e7ecedf23e5c470198/text___
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