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
———----———————
Armchair detectives flood social media as search for Savannah Guthrie’s missing mom continues
SUMMARY: Moments after the news broke about the apparent abduction of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie’s mother, the floodgates opened on social media. The desperate search for 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie has become the latest investigation to pique the widespread interest of online armchair detectives. Authorities believe she was taken against her will from her home just outside Tucson, Arizona, a week ago. Posts across Instagram, TikTok, X, Facebook and YouTube have put millions of eyeballs on tips and theories surrounding her disappearance. But they’ve also helped to amplify rumors and forced law enforcement to set the record straight on at least one crucial detail.
WORDS: 753 - MOVED: 02/07/2026 2:00 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSSavanahGuthrieMomSocialMedia/e176abcc670af3844416946fb3bb5619/text___
Immigrant whose skull was broken in eight places during ICE arrest says beating was unprovoked
SUMMARY: A Mexican immigrant whose skull was broken during his arrest by immigration officers last month in Minnesota says the beating was unprovoked. Alberto Castañeda Mondragón says federal agents began hitting him right after they pulled him from a vehicle. He was hospitalized with eight skull fractures and five life-threatening brain hemorrhages. Officers claimed he ran into a wall, but medical staff immediately doubted that account. His case has sparked calls for accountability and transparency. Castañeda Mondragón, who entered the U.S. legally, faces a long recovery and uncertain future. He hopes to stay in the U.S. and support his family despite fears of another encounter with ICE.
WORDS: 1939 - MOVED: 02/07/2026 5:01 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSImmigrationEnforcementMinnesotaICESkullFracturestLdWritethru/4e77742e0629fc7f127c0aa38b3d2a70/text___
Takeaways from AP report on immigrant who says ICE officers beat him during Minnesota arrest
SUMMARY: A Mexican immigrant who suffered a broken skull last month in Minnesota says he was beaten by immigration officers in an unprovoked attack. Alberto Castañeda Mondragón says the federal agents began hitting him right after they pulled him from a vehicle. He was hospitalized with eight skull fractures and five life-threatening brain hemorrhages. Officers claimed he ran into a wall, but medical staff immediately doubted that account. His case has sparked calls for accountability and transparency, but it's not clear whether any authorities are investigating. The Department of Homeland Security has not responded to repeated requests for comment on the case.
WORDS: 870 - MOVED: 02/07/2026 5:02 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSImmigrationEnforcementMinnesotaICESkullFractureTakeawaysstLdWritethru/529f0a080d5de5c35382c540d1c2124e/text___
Government must reach agreement on right to counsel for people at Minnesota ICE facility, judge says
SUMMARY: A federal judge has given the government until next Thursday to reach an agreement with human rights lawyers in Minnesota. They're seeking to ensure people detained at an Immigration and Customes Enforcement facility on the edge of Minneapolis have the right to counsel. Advocates say people held at the facility lack adequate access to lawyers. U.S. District Judge Nancy Brasel noted a disconnect between the plaintiffs' allegations and the government's claims of adequate access. If the sides don’t reach at least a partial agreement by 5 p.m. on Feb. 12, the judge said she’ll issue her order then. She didn’t specify which way she’d rule.
WORDS: 876 - MOVED: 02/06/2026 11:57 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSImmigrationEnforcementMinnesota/62044ea7d2714baffea66e88069b46a0/text___
Feds can't withhold social service funds from 5 Democratic states amid fraud claims, judge rules
SUMMARY: A federal judge in New York says the Trump administration must keep the money flowing for now for programs aimed at helping low-income families with children in five states. Friday's ruling grants the states' request for a preliminary injunction and a stay against the administration barring it from withholding the money until a lawsuit works its way through the courts. The affected states include California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota and New York. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said on Jan. 6 that it was withholding money because it had “reason to believe” there was fraud in those states. A spokesperson for government lawyers declined to comment.
WORDS: 618 - MOVED: 02/06/2026 11:38 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSSocialServiceFundsndLdWritethru/536a40afc6abca52bd9a660196394333/text___
Savannah Guthrie's mother may have been kidnapped. How does law enforcement handle negotiations?
SUMMARY: Experts say abductions for ransom are rare, despite dramatic portrayals on TV. The apparent kidnapping of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie’s mother has raised questions about real-life hostage negotiations. Nancy Guthrie, 84, was taken from her home outside Tucson, Arizona. A local TV station received two alleged ransom letters demanding money for her return. Law enforcement hasn't confirmed the authenticity of these notes. Experts say kidnappings for ransom are uncommon and usually involve careful planning. The family has released videos appealing to the kidnappers. Patience and avoiding media attention can be crucial in these situations.
WORDS: 938 - MOVED: 02/07/2026 5:00 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSNancyGuthrieKidnapperNegotiations/d40a08cab642016c5ea5565cd1f935dc/text___
What to know about Nancy Guthrie's kidnapping and the race to find her
SUMMARY: It’s been a week since “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie’s mother disappeared from her home in Arizona in what authorities say was a kidnapping. Investigators have been examining ransom notes and looking for evidence but have not named a suspect. On Friday, officers returned to 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie’s home near Tucson and to the surrounding neighborhood to continue their search. Family members told officials they last saw Nancy Guthrie at 9:48 p.m. on Jan. 31 when they dropped her off at home after they ate dinner and played games together. The next day, family learned she didn’t attend church. They reported her missing after they checked on her.
WORDS: 801 - MOVED: 02/07/2026 5:06 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSSavannahGuthrieMomMissingWhattoKnow/534c68bfb666ab8e08123f130f937c2d/text___
Judge orders return of 3 deported families protected by family separation settlement
SUMMARY: A federal judge says the Trump administration must bring back three deported families who should have been allowed to remain in the United States under a court settlement involving the separation of children from their parents at the border. U.S. District Judge Dana Sabraw in San Diego says the government relied on “lies, deception and coercion” to deport them. His order Thursday found the deported families could have stayed in the U.S. under terms of a legal settlement over the first Trump administration’s separation of thousands of families at the border.
WORDS: 424 - MOVED: 02/07/2026 12:36 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSBorderFamilySeparationndLdWritethru/aa301c06c779e277b6487673cfd126af/text___
Colorado funeral home owner who abused nearly 200 corpses gets 40 years, decried as a 'monster'
SUMMARY: A Colorado funeral home owner who stashed 189 decomposing bodies and gave families fake ashes has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for corpse abuse. Family members of the deceased called defendant Jon Hallford a “monster” during Friday's sentencing hearing. Hallford co-owned Return to Nature Funeral Home in Colorado Springs with his then-wife Carie. They pleaded guilty in December. Investigators discovered the bodies in 2023 after reports of a stench. Families of the deceased were devastated to learn that the ashes they received were not their loved ones. Carie Hallford is scheduled to be sentenced in April.
WORDS: 819 - MOVED: 02/06/2026 5:02 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSDecomposingBodiesColoradothLdWritethru/94d5253b78791102b9eaa7dbe810d448/text___
A man whose mother was found among 189 decaying bodies tells the story
SUMMARY: Derrick Johnson buried his mother’s ashes in 2023 alongside his home on Maui, fulfilling her wish of a final resting place overlooking her grandchildren. The FBI called Johnson a year later. They said his mother’s remains weren’t in the ashes he buried. Instead, his mother was among nearly 200 decomposing bodies found inside a Colorado funeral home. The funeral home owners had given families fake ashes for years. Jon and Carie Hallford were arrested in 2023 and charged with abusing corpses. On Friday, Jon Hallford will be sentenced. Johnson will be among the grieving families to speak, advocating for the maximum sentence of 50 years in prison.
WORDS: 1828 - MOVED: 02/05/2026 11:17 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSDecomposingBodiesOneVictimsStorythLdWritethru/ac3bcd47bf6f492ba177a70fb4b30d71/text___
Ex-MLB player Yasiel Puig found guilty of obstruction and lying to federal officials
SUMMARY: A jury has found former major league outfielder Yasiel Puig guilty of obstruction of justice and lying to federal officials investigating an illegal gambling operation, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said Friday. The verdict came after a multiweek trial that featured testimony from Major League Baseball officials and Donny Kadokawa, a Hawaii baseball coach that Puig placed bets through. Puig now faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
WORDS: 546 - MOVED: 02/06/2026 10:36 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSPuigGamblingCasethLdWritethru/1b97afb8200f23c431b1fadb69152dd4/text___
Mississippians near two weeks without power after winter storm
SUMMARY: Nearly two weeks after a massive storm left much of Mississippi covered in ice, some people are still without power. Barbara Bishop, who lost power 13 days ago, said she still finds herself trying to flip on the lights and looking in her fridge for food that has since spoiled. Nearly 20,000 customers remained without power in northern Mississippi on Friday, according to PowerOutage.us, which tracks outages nationwide. That is down from about 180,000 homes and businesses without power in Mississippi shortly after the storm struck late last month.
WORDS: 481 - MOVED: 02/06/2026 9:47 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSWinterWeatherndLdWritethru/f50e8fe0ca3b997a5bfbdfa79f0a87ae/text___
Actor Timothy Busfield indicted in New Mexico on 4 counts of sexual contact with a child
SUMMARY: A New Mexico grand jury has indicted actor Timothy Busfield on four counts of criminal sexual contact with a child. The indictment was filed Friday in state District Court after an announcement by a district attorney on social media. Authorities had issued an arrest warrant for Busfield over allegations of misconduct tied to when he was working as a director on the set of the TV series “The Cleaning Lady.” Busfield has denied the allegations. He turned himself in to authorities and was released from jail. An attorney for Busfield says there are weaknesses in the state's evidence and that Busfield will fight the charge.
WORDS: 551 - MOVED: 02/06/2026 5:33 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSSexualMisconductTimothyBusfieldthLdWritethru/355c30edad16d0ba079b192eb673cb0b/text___
Luigi Mangione speaks out in protest as judge sets state murder trial for June 8
SUMMARY: Luigi Mangione spoke out in court against the prospect of back-to-back trials in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The 27-year-old Mangione on Friday told the judge presiding of the New York case against him: “It’s the same trial twice. One plus one is two. Double jeopardy by any commonsense definition.” He made the remarks as court officers were escorting him out of the courtroom after the judge scheduled his state murder trial for June 8, three months before jury selection in his federal case.
WORDS: 685 - MOVED: 02/06/2026 5:04 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSUnitedHealthcareCEOKilledndLdWritethru/020afff8ebbe1e8fee0c183fe1312268/text___
Savannah Guthrie's family renews plea to mother's kidnapper, while sheriff says they have no suspect
SUMMARY: The family of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie is renewing their plea for their mother’s kidnapper to contact them. Guthrie's brother, Camron, posted a second plea on social media Thursday on behalf of the family. The message came hours after Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said investigators don’t have proof 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie is alive but believe “she’s still out there.” Nanos says authorities have not identified any suspects or persons of interest five days into the desperate search. Investigators say they are taking seriously notes seeking ransom that were sent to some media outlets.
WORDS: 986 - MOVED: 02/05/2026 12:34 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSSavannahGuthrieMomMissingthLdWritethru/2765f354b498e6146b955162c3b71d4f/text___
—————————----—
WASHINGTON/POLITICS
———----———————
Trump turns to US military leaders for diplomatic efforts on Iran and Ukraine
SUMMARY: President Donald Trump has taken an unusual step of turning to military leaders for high-level diplomacy. The top U.S. commander in the Middle East is involved in talks over Iran’s nuclear program. Trump's Army secretary is engaged in negotiations on trying to end the Russia-Ukraine war. It's not clear whether the military leaders were brought in because of their expertise, connections or to signal potentially tougher options. But the move reflects how the Trump administration has upended traditional U.S. foreign policy and diplomacy. Envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner are balancing both sets of difficult negotiations.
WORDS: 1026 - MOVED: 02/07/2026 1:20 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSTrumpDiplomacyMilitary/09decddeb6264a4dd83cc3535553b2f2/text___
Health costs are fueling voter stress and powering Democratic campaigns
SUMMARY: Democrats are focusing on health care in the November elections and making it a key issue. Republicans have cut Medicaid through new work requirements and they've declined to extend COVID-era subsidies. That's led to increased costs for people covered under Affordable Care Act plans. Democrats are using campaign ads and personal stories to emphasize the impact on Americans. Jon Ossoff is one high-profile Democrat in a tough reelection campaign this year. The Georgia senator plans to address health care at an event Saturday. Republicans have struggled to pass legislation to offset health costs and that's become weak point for them. Democrats see a chance to gain political leverage in the midterms.
WORDS: 1162 - MOVED: 02/07/2026 5:00 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSElectionHealthCarestLdWritethru/e2ba02302f151a03fae4f1d760cf555f/text___
Justice Department will allow lawmakers to see unredacted versions of released Epstein files
SUMMARY: The Department of Justice will allow members of Congress to review unredacted files on the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. That's according to a letter obtained by The Associated Press says that lawmakers starting Monday will be able to review unredacted versions of the more than 3 million files that the Justice Department has released. To access the files, lawmakers will need to give the Justice Department 24 hours advance notice. They will be able to review the files on computers at the Department of Justice. Only lawmakers and not their staff will have access to the files.
WORDS: 388 - MOVED: 02/06/2026 11:57 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSEpsteinHouse/5219f89459e80a141b84e1aa2551b0d2/text___
Trump's racist post about Obamas is deleted after backlash despite White House earlier defending it
SUMMARY: President Donald Trump says he won't apologize for posting a racist video of the Obamas. Trump told reporters that, “I didn't make a mistake,” as he flew to Florida on Friday. A racist post on Trump's social media account depicting former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, as primates in a jungle was taken down earlier Friday after the White House initially defended the Republican president’s Thursday night post. The post was deleted after widespread backlash for its treatment of the nation’s first Black president and first lady, both Democrats. Black and white Republicans joined civil rights advocates in criticizing the post as racist.
WORDS: 1419 - MOVED: 02/06/2026 2:02 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSTrumpObamaSocialMediathLdWritethru/a48a6b8884a88f9ec30cd4913e352b51/text___
In unusual move, Republican chairman scrutinizes companies tied to husband of Rep. Ilhan Omar
SUMMARY: The Republican chairman of the House Oversight Committee is requesting records related to firms partially owned by the husband of Rep. Ilhan Omar. It's an extraordinary step of scrutinizing the spouse of a sitting House member. Rep. James Comer of Kentucky sent a letter to Timothy Mynett, a former Democratic political consultant who is married to Omar. Comer is requesting records related to a pair of companies that had a substantial jump in value between 2023 and 2024. Comer’s request marked a highly unusual move by the chair of a committee with a history of taking on politically-charged investigations, but almost always focused on government officials outside of Congress.
WORDS: 496 - MOVED: 02/06/2026 5:44 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSHouseOversightOmarstLdWritethru/4a8b3dc1a8074209b39f2649b8e48146/text___
Accused militant is taken into custody in the deadly 2012 Benghazi attack
SUMMARY: The Justice Department says a key participant in the deadly 2012 attack on the U.S. compound in Benghazi, Libya, has been taken into custody and will be prosecuted in Washington in connection with the rampage that killed four Americans and became a divisive political issue. Zubayar Al-Bakoush had been wanted by the United States for more than a decade and was taken to an airfield in Virginia early Friday. He is accused of joining an armed mob that crashed the gates of the diplomatic mission and set fire to buildings. He appeared Friday afternoon in federal court. Speaking through an interpreter, Al-Bakoush said he has “complete trust in the court and the jury.” He did not enter a plea.
WORDS: 807 - MOVED: 02/06/2026 3:02 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSBenghaziJusticeDepartmentthLdWritethru/a0eadc00e01e892e6dba827ccfadbae0/text___
—————————----—
INTERNATIONAL
———----———————
She filmed Iran's violent crackdown on protesters. Now she is afraid to go outside
SUMMARY: The 37-year-old Iranian beautician marched with her friends through the streets in her hometown of Karaj, taking video as they chanted against Iran's rulers. Then the firing started. Her videos, sent to a relative abroad who shared them with The Associated Press, give a taste of how a moment of collective boldness turned into fear. Now, after the harshest ever crackdown by Iran's Islamic Republic, she is afraid to leave the house and despairs over the possibility of change ever coming to her country.
WORDS: 1306 - MOVED: 02/07/2026 9:50 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APMLIranSurvivingtheCrackdownstLdWritethru/c680be58d32307dce77d65468ac80986/text___
Pakistan arrests 4 suspects in mosque bombing that killed 31 in the capital
SUMMARY: Pakistani security forces have arrested four suspects linked to a suicide bombing at a Shiite mosque near the capital that killed 31 people. The interior minister announced the arrests on Saturday, including the alleged mastermind. A regional affiliate of the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for Friday's attack. The bombing, which also wounded 169 people, was Islamabad's deadliest since 2008. The alleged mastermind is described as an Afghan linked to IS, with claims of financial backing from India. The attack has drawn international condemnation, and Pakistan's prime minister emphasized the importance of global support for counterterrorism efforts.
WORDS: 641 - MOVED: 02/07/2026 8:28 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APASPakistanShiiteMosqueBlastthLdWritethru/8d5749cddcb65228bfd3d38e799f8acd/text___
Drone attack by paramilitary group in Sudan kills 24, including 8 children, doctors' group says
SUMMARY: A drone attack by the Rapid Support Forces has hit a vehicle carrying displaced families in central Sudan, killing at least 24 people, including eight children. The Sudan Doctors Network reports the attack occurred Saturday near Rahad in North Kordofan province. The vehicle was transporting people who fled fighting in the Dubeiker area. The wounded were taken to Rahad, which faces severe medical supply shortages. The doctors’ group is urging international action to protect civilians and hold the RSF accountable. The attack follows a Friday assault on a World Food Program aid convoy in North Kordofan, killing one and wounding several others.
WORDS: 741 - MOVED: 02/07/2026 8:30 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APMLSudanAttackthLdWritethru/21c24cd642120884e3fc00b05c02f97e/text___
Epstein revelations have toppled top figures in Europe while US fallout is more muted
SUMMARY: The Jeffrey Epstein files have rocked Europe's elite, revealing ties to a prince, an ambassador, and top politicians. The U.S. Department of Justice released documents that have ended careers and sparked investigations. King Charles III's brother lost his titles and home. Ex-U.K. ambassador Peter Mandelson was fired and may face prison. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is in crisis for appointing Mandelson. Norway, Sweden and Slovakia have seen senior figures fall. Experts say the files expose Epstein's powerful network in Europe. The fallout contrasts with a more limited impact so far in the U.S. where only a handful of prominent Epstein associates have lost their jobs.
WORDS: 1268 - MOVED: 02/07/2026 10:41 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEUJeffreyEpsteinEuropeandAmericandLdWritethru/409c14e095a2e29bbea6398437411a8d/text___
US gave Ukraine and Russia a June deadline to reach agreement to end war, Zelenskyy says
SUMMARY: The U.S. has given Ukraine and Russia a June deadline to reach a peace deal, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He said the U.S. plans to pressure both sides to meet this timeline. Zelenskyy spoke to reporters on Friday, with comments released on Saturday. Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure have forced nuclear power plants to cut output. Over 400 drones and about 40 missiles targeted the energy grid. The strikes have increased power deficits, leading to extended outages. U.S.-brokered talks in Abu Dhabi failed to produce a breakthrough, with both sides holding firm on key issues.
WORDS: 654 - MOVED: 02/07/2026 9:11 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEURussiaUkraineWarrdLdWritethru/98da4e17de8ab377363ae9c3ff308001/text___
Yemen's ruling council names new cabinet after deadly clashes in the south
SUMMARY: Yemen's ruling leadership council has named a new cabinet following deadly clashes in the south and the dissolution of a separatist group. Rashad al-Alimi, head of the Presidential Leadership Council, announced the cabinet late Friday. The 35-member cabinet is chaired by Prime Minister Shae’a al-Zandani. Maj. Gen. Taher al-Aqili was appointed defense minister, and Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Haidan will lead the Interior Ministry. Yemen has been embroiled in a civil war involving sectarian and tribal grievances for over a decade. The recent escalation has exposed tensions within the Saudi-led coalition fighting Iranian-backed Houthi rebels.
WORDS: 436 - MOVED: 02/07/2026 10:53 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APMLYemen/af7b34220d94bb8a8ad41a53be24251e/text___
India and the US move closer to reducing Trump tariffs
SUMMARY: India and the United States have released a framework for an interim trade agreement to lower tariffs on Indian goods. The joint statement, released Friday, follows U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement to reduce import tariffs on India. This comes six months after imposing taxes to press New Delhi to cut its reliance on Russian crude. Under the deal, tariffs on Indian goods would drop to 18% from 25%. India would also reduce tariffs on U.S. goods. The agreement aims to support resilient supply chains. However, Indian opposition parties argue it favors the U.S. and impacts sensitive sectors like agriculture.
WORDS: 526 - MOVED: 02/07/2026 6:01 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APASIndiaUSTariffsrdLdWritethru/b8f7e1ce3439d023922e86f507ce9f8e/text___
Iran and US hold indirect talks in Oman. America's military leader in the Mideast joins the talks
SUMMARY: Iran and the United States have held indirect talks in Oman. The negotiations, while praised by Iran and Oman, appeared to be a return to the starting point on how to approach discussions over Tehran’s nuclear program after multiple rounds were held last year before Israel launched a 12-day war on Iran. The presence of U.S. Navy Adm. Brad Cooper, the head of the American military’s Central Command, at the talks Friday in Muscat also served as a reminder that the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and other warships stood off the coast of Iran in the Arabian Sea. President Donald Trump said the U.S. had “very good” talks on Iran and said more were planned for early next week.
WORDS: 1197 - MOVED: 02/06/2026 2:59 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APMLIranthLdWritethru/32d621b98f7a3a68831f885d262bb70e/text___
Suicide bombing at a Shiite mosque on Islamabad's outskirts kills at least 31 and wounds scores
SUMMARY: Pakistani officials say a suicide bomber targeted a Shiite mosque on the outskirts of Islamabad during Friday prayers, killing 31 people and wounding at least 169 others. It was a rare attack in the capital of Pakistan as its Western-allied government struggles to rein in a surge in militant attacks across the country. Some of the wounded in the attack on the sprawling mosque of Khadija Al-Kubra were reported to be in critical condition. Television footage and social media images showed police and residents transporting the wounded to nearby hospitals. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. Militant groups across Pakistan often target security forces and civilians.
WORDS: 853 - MOVED: 02/06/2026 10:10 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APASPakistanShiiteMosqueBlastthLdWritethru/8f0b7b8a8783db37644d88610512c9af/text___
UK police search two properties linked to Peter Mandelson as part of Epstein probe
SUMMARY: British police are searching two properties linked to ex-ambassador Peter Mandelson as part of probe into potential misconduct stemming from his ties to the late Jeffrey Epstein. Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Hayley Sewart said Friday that “officers from the Met’s Central Specialist Crime team are in the process of carrying out search warrants at two addresses, one in the Wiltshire area, and another in the Camden area. “The searches are related to an ongoing investigation into misconduct in public office offenses, involving a 72-year-old man.” Mandelson, 72, has homes in Wiltshire in Western England and the Camden area of London.
WORDS: 358 - MOVED: 02/06/2026 4:04 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEUJeffreyEpsteinBritainMandelsonrdLdWritethru/f2f33eae657a3d3e4e1937eb7ae657f2/text___
—————————----—
BUSINESS
———----———————
US stocks soar to their best day since May as the Dow tops 50,000 and bitcoin stops plunging
SUMMARY: The U.S. stock market roared back, as technology stocks recovered much of their losses from earlier in the week and bitcoin halted its plunge, at least for now. The S&P 500 jumped 2% Friday for its best day since May. The Dow Jones Industrial Average soared 1,206 points and topped the 50,000 level for the first time, while the Nasdaq composite rallied 2.2%. Chip companies helped drive the gains on hopes for more big spending by customers diving into AI technology. Stocks also got a boost from a better reading on sentiment among U.S. consumers. Bitcoin rose back above $70,000.
WORDS: 854 - MOVED: 02/06/2026 4:31 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APFinancialMarketsthLdWritethru/199d4d65b7596d7c34f3a5d9a77c2326/text___
—————————----—
HEALTH/SCIENCE
———----———————
What is atrial fibrillation and how is it treated?
SUMMARY: Atrial fibrillation, or A-fib, is becoming more common, but doctors say treatments are improving. The condition is a quivering or irregular heartbeat that can lead to blood clots, stroke and heart failure. Experts say more than 10 million Americans have it, mostly older adults. Symptoms include a pounding heartbeat and shortness of breath. Smartwatches and other devices are helping with diagnosis. Causes include genetics, high blood pressure and stress. Treatments range from medications to procedures like ablation. Experts recommend a healthy lifestyle to lower the risk.
WORDS: 990 - MOVED: 02/07/2026 1:59 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSMEDBeWellAfib/68365b1f1cfc17bf4363f6ca0180daed/text___
4 people have died from eating death cap mushrooms as they spread in California after rains
SUMMARY: Four people have died and three others have required a liver transplants after eating the death cap mushroom that is proliferating in California following a rainy winter. The California Department of Public Health is urging people to avoid mushroom foraging altogether this year because death cap mushrooms are easily confused with safe, edible varieties. Since Nov. 18 there have been more than three dozen cases of mushroom poisonings reported, according to the health department. Many who sought medical attention suffered from rapidly evolving acute liver injury and liver failure. Several patients required admission to an intensive care unit. They have ranged in age from 19 months to 67 years old.
WORDS: 729 - MOVED: 02/06/2026 9:15 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSCaliforniaMushroomPoisoningthLdWritethru/253d84c16a559f70eea90120fe86aecc/text___
US births dropped last year, suggesting the 2024 uptick was short-lived
SUMMARY: U.S. births slightly decreased in 2025. That's according to new provisional data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It reports just over 3.6 million births, about 24,000 fewer than in 2024. This decline aligns with expert predictions that the 2024 increase wouldn't start an upward trend. The CDC updated its data last week, covering nearly all of the babies born in 2025. Final numbers may add only a few thousand more. Despite efforts to encourage births, like expanding in vitro fertilization access, the fertility rate has been declining. Economic conditions and uncertainty continue to impact childbearing decisions.
WORDS: 479 - MOVED: 02/06/2026 5:08 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSMEDUSBirthsstLdWritethru/7d1e0ed60d47cda819eb122b6cb78fdb/text___
—————————----—
RELIGION
———----———————
Spiritual ties of ousted Venezuelan President Maduro and successor include guru Sathya Sai Baba
SUMMARY: Venezuela’s former President Nicolás Maduro and the country’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez were both raised Catholic in an overwhelmingly Christian country. Yet both have a deep reverence for Sathya Sai Baba, an Indian spiritual leader who died in 2011. Maduro, who called himself “a man of God,” pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking charges in New York City in early January, after he was captured by U.S. forces in Venezuela. When in power, Maduro often invoked spiritual themes. Rodríguez remains devoted to Sai Baba, emphasizing the guru's message of unity and love that transcends religious, national and racial boundaries. Sai Baba’s organization has a significant presence in Venezuela, with an estimated 200,000 followers.
WORDS: 1255 - MOVED: 02/07/2026 12:00 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APRELVenezuelaMaduroGuru/81d269056bb6f50b2c66173de1c65a6e/text___
—————————----—
EDUCATION
———----———————
In Minnesota, sending a child to school is an act of faith for immigrant families
SUMMARY: For many immigrant families in Minnesota, sending a child to school each day requires faith that one of the thousands of federal immigration officers deployed around the state won’t detain them. Thousands of children are staying home, often for lack of door-to-door transportation — or simply trust that they will make it to school. For some families, the fear has turned into reality. Many parents and at least some children have been detained. Schools, parents and community groups have mobilized to help students get to class so they can learn, socialize and have consistent access to two meals.
WORDS: 1305 - MOVED: 02/06/2026 5:01 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSImmigrationEnforcementSchoolsstLdWritethru/f5ae3c38217339d9e6630ee264b5a801/text___
—————————----—
ENTERTAINMENT
———----———————
Reporting on itself: 'Today' keeps it low-key in covering search for Savannah Guthrie's mother
SUMMARY: It's frequently a challenge for a news organization to cover a story that involves itself, or one of its employees. That was felt by the ‘Today’ show this week with the disappearance of co-host Savannah Guthrie's mother. It's an even more acute challenge for a news outlet built upon the idea that its personalities — and the people who watch them — are part of one big family. For each day this past week, ‘Today’ has led each broadcast reporting on 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, reported missing from her Arizona home last weekend and feared to be a victim of abduction.
WORDS: 886 - MOVED: 02/07/2026 11:43 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSMediaSavannahGuthrieToday/2c0512333cfaa6cdb01a82d1992160b2/text___
Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show: Here's some things to expect and what they mean
SUMMARY: Bad Bunny will perform at the Super Bowl halftime show Sunday, fresh off his album of the year Grammy win for “Debí Tirar Más Fotos.” The performance is expected to be a historic moment for Latino culture. A trailer released in January hints at a lively show featuring his single “Baile Inolvidable.” The performance may include symbols like Puerto Rico's many flags, trees, clothing and traditional instruments. Bad Bunny's music is in Spanish, so his set will likely follow suit. While special guests are possible, the focus is on his international appeal and cultural pride. Political elements may also appear given his history of activism and amid growing anti-immigrant raids.
WORDS: 1461 - MOVED: 02/06/2026 2:27 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APENTMusicBadBunnyExplainerndLdWritethru/f3b3f090beb4b74e958dfbe77c96222f/text___
—————————----—
SPORTS
———----———————
Finland recovers from stomach virus to play US in Olympic women's hockey, Swiss to face Canada
SUMMARY: It’s game on for Finland and Switzerland in the women’s hockey tournament at the Milan Cortina Olympics on Saturday after both nations had to deal with a stomach virus affecting players. Finland started its game against the United States with a full complement of 20 skaters and two goalies, two days after the team’s game against Canada had to be postponed. The team's outing against the U.S. is the nation’s tournament opener. Switzerland also announced it was preparing to play Canada, a day after a player tested positive for the norovirus.
WORDS: 494 - MOVED: 02/07/2026 10:28 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APOLYHKWVirusOutbreakthLdWritethru/0835d8a79be9c478729da562b72549e6/text___
Franjo von Allmen of Switzerland wins men's downhill, first gold medal of Milan Cortina Games
SUMMARY: Swiss racer Franjo von Allmen has taken home the first gold medal at the Milan Cortina Games by winning the downhill. It’s his first Olympic crown in his very first Olympic race. Not so long ago, it wasn’t clear if he would ever compete. As a teenager, and after the death of his father, von Allmen didn’t have the money for ski racing — until a crowdfunding project helped out. On a picture-perfect day in Bormio Saturday, von Allmen powered through the challenging course in 1 minute, 51.61 seconds. His time was good enough to withstand the charge of Italy’s Giovanni Franzoni, who finished with the silver medal. Franzoni’s teammate, the 36-year-old Dominik Paris, had a fast run to take bronze.
WORDS: 826 - MOVED: 02/07/2026 11:15 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APOLYSKIMensDownhillrdLdWritethru/a79a02e7ae04cd543854455edfaf595f/text___
The Milan Cortina Olympics officially open with a multi-site ceremony for a spread-out Winter Games
SUMMARY: The unprecedented four-site, dual-cauldron Milan Cortina Winter Games have officially been declared open at the conclusion of a ceremony replete with references to Italian icons and culture. This is the most spread-out Olympics in history, with competition venues dotting an area roughly the size of the state of New Jersey. The main hub Friday is in Milan at San Siro soccer stadium. Allowing athletes to participate in the Parade of Nations at the mountain locales created what perhaps was an unintended consequence: Zero competitors from any of the first five countries actually showed up at the main stadium.
WORDS: 1101 - MOVED: 02/05/2026 9:02 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APOLYMilanCortinaOpeningCeremonythLdWritethru/e98f512c4dd8328bff2da166224740fa/text___
Matthew Stafford edges Drake Maye for the AP NFL Most Valuable Player award
SUMMARY: Matthew Stafford edged Drake Maye for the AP NFL Most Valuable Player award on Thursday night in the closest race since Peyton Manning and Steve McNair were co-winners in 2003. Stafford received 24 of 50 first-place votes while Maye got 23. But Maye has a chance to go home this week with a Vince Lombardi Trophy. He leads the New England Patriots against the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl on Sunday.
WORDS: 1331 - MOVED: 02/05/2026 4:06 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APFBNNFLAwardsthLdWritethru/1f6a4d94a8ffcdd5844855c5d4ba510a/text___
<END>
