US and Iran exchange intensifying fire across Mideast, threatening ceasefire deal
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The United States has launched new airstrikes against Iran, and Tehran responded by targeting Gulf countries. The exchange of fire threatened an interim deal intended to help end the war in the Middle East. Back-and-forth attacks have repeatedly threatened the ceasefire, but Thursday’s appeared bigger all around. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in the opening salvos of the war, was laid to rest early Friday after days of public mourning. The strikes came hours after U.S. President Donald Trump said recent Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz signaled the end of a fragile ceasefire and threatened to escalate the conflict if they didn’t stop.
New attacks raise questions about what comes next in the Iran war
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he believes the ceasefire with Iran is over. He says he’s not sure he wants a deal anymore and says the U.S. should “finish the job.” But he also insists that continued attacks don't mean a return to war. Trump’s mixed messaging and back-to-back U.S. military strikes leave questions about what comes next in the conflict. It could be a strategy to increase the pressure on Tehran to stop attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz and bend to U.S. demands on its nuclear program. Mediators are scrambling to save the interim deal. The latest actions risk problems for Republicans in U.S. elections ahead.
Who will replace Platner on the Maine ballot? These Democrats are raising their hands
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Democrats in Maine are beginning a sprint to nominate a new candidate for a pivotal U.S. Senate seat. The drive began after progressive nominee Graham Platner announced he's withdrawing from the race after a sexual assault allegation. Democrats need to pick a candidate to replace Platner on the ballot by July 27, less than four months before the nominee will face longtime Republican Sen. Susan Collins in a race Democrats need to win to take back the chamber. Potential candidates began to come into focus on Thursday even before a decision has been made by Democrats about exactly when the nominating convention will take place.
Former Olympian pleads not guilty in Reflecting Pool damage case after Trump alleged vandalism
WASHINGTON (AP) — A former Olympic canoe racer has pleaded not guilty to deliberately damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. David Hearn, who competed in three Summer Olympics, entered the plea on Thursday in D.C. Superior Court. Hearn, 67, from Bethesda, Maryland, faces a felony count of property destruction. President Donald Trump ordered a multimillion-dollar renovation of the pool, but the project has faced issues. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said six others were arrested on related charges. Hearn's attorneys argue the charges are based on a "concocted narrative" and criticize the administration's handling of the situation.
Stocks recover losses, and oil prices ease as calm returns to financial markets worldwide
NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks rose, and oil prices eased as financial markets calmed a day after President Donald Trump raised doubts about the temporary truce in the war with Iran. The S&P 500 climbed 0.8% Thursday and more than recovered its loss from the day before. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.3%, and the Nasdaq composite rose 1.3%. Oil prices gave back much of their jumps from the day before on worries about increased fighting in the Middle East. That helped Treasury yields ease in the bond market, which relaxed the pressure on other markets. Stock indexes rose in much of Europe and Asia.
Ebola death toll in Congo reaches 600, as new cases suspected in previously unaffected provinces
KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — New suspected Ebola cases have been reported in previously unaffected parts of Congo, according to the government. The death toll in the latest outbreak has reached 600. Two new cases are suspected in Kisangani, Tshopo province. One case is linked to the location where the first cases were reported, while the other has no apparent geographical connection to known outbreaks. Authorities are investigating. The outbreak, declared on May 15, is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, which has no approved vaccine or treatment. Efforts to contain the virus face challenges like a funding gap, attacks on health centers, and ongoing conflict.
Lawyers for man charged with killing Charlie Kirk question reliability of evidence
PROVO, Utah (AP) — Lawyers for the man accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk plan to call a final witness on Friday as they try to raise doubts about the prosecution’s case. A Utah judge is deciding whether prosecutors have enough evidence to put Tyler Robinson on trial on a charge of aggravated murder. Kirk was killed as he spoke to a crowd of thousands at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10. Robinson is charged with aggravated murder and has not entered a plea. He turned himself in a day after Kirk was killed.
US home prices hit an all-time high as sales slow and mortgage rates rise
Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes slowed in June, but a key measure of home prices climbed to an all-time high, adding to prospective homebuyers’ affordability challenges. The National Association of Realtors said Thursday that existing home sales fell 2.4% last month from May to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.09 million units. Sales rose 2.8% compared with June last year. The latest sales tally fell short of the roughly 4.21 million pace economists were expecting, according to FactSet. The national median sales price increased 1.8% in June from a year earlier to $440,600.
Bonnie Tyler, who topped the charts with epic 'Total Eclipse of the Heart,' has died at 75
Bonnie Tyler, the gravelly voiced Welsh pop star known for “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” has died at 75. She was hospitalized in Portugal in May 2026 for emergency surgery and placed in an induced coma. Tyler earned three Grammy nominations and represented Britain at Eurovision in 2013. Her iconic song, boosted by real eclipses, has over 1 billion streams. Born Gaynor Hopkins, she grew up in Wales and was inspired by artists like Janis Joplin. Her career took off with hits like “It’s a Heartache.” Tyler was married to Robert Sullivan, a former Olympic judo competitor.
US star Christian Pulisic fractured his leg in World Cup loss to Belgium
U.S. star Christian Pulisic fractured his right leg during the Americans’ World Cup loss to Belgium and will be sidelined for several weeks. Pulisic has a bone bruise and a microfracture of his tibia and fibula, according to the U.S. Soccer Federation. The diagnosis was made after an X-ray and MRI on Tuesday. He is expected to be able to resume training before AC Milan’s opener at Torino on Aug. 23. Pulisic hit a leg of Belgium captain Youri Tielemans while attempting a shot in the 52nd minute of Monday’s 4-1 round-of-16 loss at Seattle.
