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
———----———————
North America’s largest commuter rail system shuts down as workers strike
SUMMARY: North America’s largest commuter rail system has shut down as unionized workers have gone on strike. The Long Island Rail Road in New York ceased operations early Saturday morning after five unions representing about half its workforce walked off the job. The two sides have been negotiating for months on a new contract, but the unions were legally allowed to strike starting at 12:01 a.m. The MTA has said it will provide limited shuttle buses to New York City subway stations in the event of a strike. Gov. Kathy Hochul has urged Long Islanders to work from home if possible.
WORDS: 900 - MOVED: 05/16/2026 11:11 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSLongIslandRailRoadStrikethLdWritethru/a9b20b5de53a944c9da4263d289a845f/text___
Ex-Sinaloa security chief is first of 10 indicted Mexican officials to surrender to US authorities
SUMMARY: The former secretary of public security for Mexico’s Sinaloa state has appeared in a U.S. court days after his arrest in Arizona on charges he and other officials took bribes to help the Sinaloa Cartel smuggle vast quantities of drugs into the U.S. Gerardo Mérida Sánchez, 66, was not required to enter a plea during his initial appearance on Friday in federal court in Manhattan. He was ordered jailed but could request bail at a later date. He is due back in court on June 1. A message seeking comment was left for his lawyer.
WORDS: 609 - MOVED: 05/15/2026 11:32 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APLTMexicoUSndLdWritethru/e7cda540c465b797ee43bb2671473598/text___
In the birthplace of Civil Rights Movement, groups rally to defend Black political representation
SUMMARY: Thousands of people are expected to gather in Montgomery, Alabama, to mobilize support for voting rights amid concerns about redistricting efforts. Organizers say states are moving to dismantle congressional districts that expanded representation opportunities. The rally will begin in Selma and move to the Alabama Capitol. Participants and veterans of past struggles warn that recent legal decisions threaten decades of progress. Leaders and activists say the moment requires renewed commitment to protecting voting rights and preserving representation gains.
WORDS: 698 - MOVED: 05/16/2026 3:57 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSElectionVotingRightsRally/a71782f45369654ab86e0e66e633fcf4/text___
Long Island Rail Road workers go on strike, halting busiest US commuter rail system
SUMMARY: Workers on New York’s Long Island Rail Road are on strike, paralyzing the busiest commuter rail system in North America. Labor unions representing about half the system’s workers announced the walkout early Saturday after negotiations with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority failed to produce a new contract. The five unions represent about half the system’s 7,000 workers, including locomotive engineers, machinists and signalmen. They are legally allowed to go on strike at 12:01 a.m. Saturday. The strike will force the roughly 250,000 people who ride the system each weekday to either work from home or find alternative routes into New York City from its Long Island suburbs. That means more cars on traffic-choked highways and longer work commutes.
WORDS: 767 - MOVED: 05/15/2026 10:06 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSLongIslandRailRoadStrikeThreatthLdWritethru/eefab0d1f91470934fb89bd1809d0a94/text___
FDA official who scrutinized COVID shots and antidepressants is out in latest shake-up
SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration's top drug official is leaving in the latest shake-up at the powerful health agency. Dr. Tracy Beth Hoeg said in a social media post late Friday that she was fired from the FDA. She had been leading efforts scrutinizing antidepressants, COVID-19 vaccines and other therapies at FDA. Her departure follows the resignation of FDA Commissioner Marty Makary earlier in the week. The FDA has been rocked for months by layoffs, leadership upheavals and scientific controversies. Hoeg and Makary both came to the agency as medical contrarians and critics of COVID-19 health measures. That stance aligned with health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s agenda.
WORDS: 710 - MOVED: 05/16/2026 4:28 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSMEDFDAOfficialstLdWritethru/789be2c5a0da7b18a0dc2e7c52656acb/text___
Judge declares a mistrial in Harvey Weinstein’s rape retrial after jury deadlocks
SUMMARY: Harvey Weinstein’s rape retrial has ended in a mistrial. A judge declared it Friday after the jury deadlocked. The former Hollywood mogul has been convicted of other sex crimes on two U.S. coasts and remains behind bars. But the mistrial leaves the New York rape charge in limbo after three trials. The majority-male Manhattan jury weighed whether the former movie mogul raped a woman in a New York hotel in 2013. Defense lawyers argue that the encounter was consensual. Some jurors told reporters that nine people wanted to acquit Weinstein and three wanted to convict him.
WORDS: 1032 - MOVED: 05/15/2026 4:29 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSSexualMisconductHarveyWeinsteinthLdWritethru/5a7dbc5b8007e0d5bb02be104a2946b0/text___
—————————----—
WASHINGTON/POLITICS
———----———————
USS Ford returns home after 11-month deployment supporting the Iran war and Maduro's capture
SUMMARY: The USS Gerald R. Ford has returned home to Virginia. The world's largest aircraft carrier is back in port at Naval Station Norfolk after an 11-month deployment. That's the longest since the Vietnam War. The Ford supported the U.S. war with Iran and the capture of Nicolás Maduro when he was Venezuela’s president. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was on hand for the arrival Saturday of the warships, which included the destroyers USS Bainbridge and USS Mahan.
WORDS: 464 - MOVED: 05/16/2026 2:50 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSAircraftCarrierRecordDeploymentstLdWritethru/ecb685f08110eec315a1dddb13e2bca4/text___
Trump blasts 'disloyal' Sen. Cassidy while pushing challenger in Louisiana Republican primary
SUMMARY: Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana is fighting for his political life in Saturday's primary against a challenger who has been endorsed by President Donald Trump. Cassidy has sought to portray U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow as out of step with the party's views. Cassidy voted in favor of conviction after Trump's second impeachment in 2021. And as a liver doctor he has clashed with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over vaccine policy. The three-way primary contest also includes state Treasurer John Fleming. If no candidate gets 50% of the vote, there will be a runoff June 27. The GOP nominee will be heavily favored in the general election.
WORDS: 1114 - MOVED: 05/16/2026 3:58 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSElectionLouisianaSenatendLdWritethru/1c8b927fd981c40cb4a538b0f89671dc/text___
Brass bands in Beijing make way for sticker shock at home as Trump returns to escalating inflation
SUMMARY: President Donald Trump has returned from his state visit to China to face a challenging U.S. economy. Consumer inflation rose to 3.8% annually in April, driven by the Iran war and tariffs. The Cleveland Federal Reserve estimates inflation could reach 4.2% in May. Trump's trip to China seems unlikely to help despite his claims of trade deals. Many U.S. voters are facing rising costs for essentials. Democrats criticize Trump for being indifferent to inflation concerns. Trump insists he's focused on growth and affordability, but inflation continues to affect businesses and interest rates. The November elections could be influenced by these economic pressures.
WORDS: 1093 - MOVED: 05/16/2026 12:14 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSTrumpChinaEconomy/7fc3aaa0b59bbdcde16b1ffd49473ac8/text___
Colorado's Democratic governor commutes ex-election clerk Tina Peters' sentence after Trump pressure
SUMMARY: Colorado Gov. Jared Polis is commuting the sentence of a former county clerk and election conspiracy theorist following pressure from President Donald Trump. The announcement Friday stated Tina Peters will be released on June 1. The former Mesa County clerk had been serving a nine-year state prison sentence. Peters was convicted in a scheme to make a copy of her county’s election computer system in 2021. Since returning to office, the Trump administration has cut funding to Colorado as the president pressured the Democratic governor to free Peters.
WORDS: 1101 - MOVED: 05/15/2026 9:09 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSElectionsColoradoClerkthLdWritethru/eca56e2167a72e306a54b99b847d918c/text___
Supreme Court rejects Virginia's bid to restore congressional map favoring Democrats
SUMMARY: The Supreme Court has rejected Virginia’s bid to restore a congressional map that would have given Democrats a chance to pick up four seats in the closely divided House of Representatives. The court’s order Friday leaves in place a 4-3 ruling by the Virginia Supreme Court that struck down a constitutional amendment redrawing congressional districts that voters narrowly passed just last month. It is the latest twist in the nation’s mid-decade redistricting competition that was kicked off last year by President Donald Trump urging Republican-controlled states to redraw their lines. It was supercharged by a recent Supreme Court ruling severely weakening the Voting Rights Act that opened up even more winnable seats for the GOP.
WORDS: 634 - MOVED: 05/15/2026 10:38 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSElectionRedistrictingVirginiathLdWritethru/fdd33b89ac29cf2806f790f9b22ee2e9/text___
Democrat Rep. Steve Cohen ending campaign after redraw of his Memphis district
SUMMARY: Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen of Tennessee is ending his bid for reelection. He's just the latest lawmaker to have his career upended by the redistricting battles that are sweeping the country. Republicans in Tennessee this month enacted a new U.S. House map that carves up a Cohen’s majority-Black district, reshaping it to the GOP’s advantage. It's part of President Donald Trump’s strategy to hold on to a slim Republican majority in the November midterm elections. Cohen has represented his Memphis-based district for nearly two decades. He lamented that Tennessee would likely shift to an entirely Republican delegation after the next election.
WORDS: 992 - MOVED: 05/15/2026 3:33 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSElectionSteveCohenthLdWritethru/e1512c0a65ba6de5d0ec0c15e3831a95/text___
Justice Department to seek death penalty for man charged with killing 2 Israeli Embassy staffers
SUMMARY: The Justice Department will seek the death penalty for the man accused of fatally shooting two staff members of the Israeli Embassy in Washington outside a Jewish museum. Prosecutors disclosed the decision in a court filing Friday. Elias Rodriguez faces federal hate crime and murder charges in the killings of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim as they left an event at the museum last May. The charges against Rodriguez include a hate crime resulting in death. The indictment also includes notice of special findings, which allows prosecutors to pursue the death penalty.
WORDS: 498 - MOVED: 05/15/2026 4:25 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSIsraeliEmbassyStaffersKilledrdLdWritethru/531f93de927b2ce6d4f7cd80e79c10ae/text___
Democrats test a new red state strategy: Back independents over their own nominees
SUMMARY: Democratic leaders are embracing independent candidates in red states where their party brand struggles. In places like Nebraska and Alaska, Democrats are subtly or openly supporting independents they believe can outperform their own candidates. The Democratic National Committee and some Washington allies are quietly backing this strategy. In Nebraska, Democrat Cindy Burbank is expected to suspend her Senate campaign to support independent Dan Osborn. Democratic leaders see Osborn as having a better chance against Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts. This approach is part of a broader strategy across several high-profile races. Some Democrats worry this could undermine their party's long-term competitiveness.
WORDS: 1293 - MOVED: 05/15/2026 9:00 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSElectionIndependentsrdLdWritethru/307c163f3ee4a3cb295ee4b592901dc2/text___
—————————----—
INTERNATIONAL
———----———————
Maldives suspends search for 4 Italians in underwater cave after military diver dies
SUMMARY: Maldivian authorities have suspended the search for four Italian divers believed to be trapped in an underwater cave. The decision follows the death of a military diver who suffered decompression sickness during the mission. The divers disappeared Thursday while exploring a cave at Vaavu Atoll, exceeding the Maldives' recreational diving limit. The search involved eight local divers and was hampered by rough weather. The Italian Foreign Ministry said the cave has three chambers, but only two have been explored. Authorities are awaiting Finnish experts to reassess the strategy. The cause of the accident remains under investigation.
WORDS: 847 - MOVED: 05/16/2026 8:39 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APItalyMaldivesDiveAccidentthLdWritethru/5cb0af32ad85149c9319b8861921d43b/text___
Trump says Islamic State group leader was killed in a joint US-Nigerian mission
SUMMARY: President Donald Trump says U.S. and Nigerian forces carried out a mission to kill a leader of the Islamic State group. Trump made the announcement of the joint operation to take out Abu-Bilal al-Mainuki in a late-night social media post Friday that offered few details. The president said al-Mainuki was second-in-command of the Islamic State group globally. Al-Mainuki was viewed as the key figure in the group's organizing and finance, and had been plotting attacks against the United States and its interests, according to a U.S. official.
WORDS: 930 - MOVED: 05/16/2026 5:08 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSTrumpIslamicStatethLdWritethru/e05aaa1b7e07037b2de5954f335114d0/text___
Israeli strike kills Hamas’ military wing leader, who Israel says was an architect of Oct 7 attacks
SUMMARY: An Israeli airstrike in Gaza has killed Hamas military wing leader Izz al-Din al-Haddad. The Israeli military said Saturday that al-Haddad was one of the last surviving architects of the Hamas-led militant attacks on southern Israel that triggered the war on Oct. 7, 2023. Hamas confirmed his death. The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas remains fragile with accusations of violations from both sides. Violence has flared in the West Bank meanwhile. Israeli troops shot and killed a 34-year-old Palestinian in the Jenin refugee camp. The Israeli military said that the man was shot after failing to comply with warning shots.
WORDS: 689 - MOVED: 05/16/2026 10:32 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APMLMideastWarsGazardLdWritethru/2ae7c8e7a59b943a47f7a68fdc61051b/text___
Trump's description of Taiwan as a ‘good negotiating chip’ with China raises anxieties
SUMMARY: U.S. President Donald Trump has described arms sales to Taiwan as a "very good negotiating chip" in dealings with China. This comment, made in a Fox News interview, has heightened anxieties in Taiwan, which China claims as its own. Trump suggested that a $14 billion arms package to Taiwan depends on China, raising concerns about Taiwan's security. China has warned of potential conflicts over Taiwan, framing it as a crucial issue in China-U.S. relations. Trump's remarks also included a call for Taiwan's microchip makers to move to the U.S., adding to the island's concerns.
WORDS: 943 - MOVED: 05/16/2026 1:35 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APASTaiwanTrump/68eaac52b871e556aa6bd0509b101a90/text___
Putin to visit Chinese leader Xi Jinping days after Trump's trip to Beijing
SUMMARY: Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on a two-day trip to Beijing next week, the Kremlin says. The announcement comes less than 24 hours after U.S. President Donald Trump finished his own state visit to China, where he also met Xi to discuss trade and the U.S. and Israel’s war in Iran. Relations between China and Russia have deepened in recent years, particularly since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022. Meanwhile, Ukraine on Saturday repatriated the bodies of fallen soldiers following an earlier exchange with Moscow involving prisoners of war.
WORDS: 524 - MOVED: 05/16/2026 8:58 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEURussiaUkraineWarstLdWritethru/75d703648da64e2caaace39e6415dc35/text___
What to know about joint US-Nigeria operation that killed a senior militant leader
SUMMARY: President Donald Trump says a joint U.S. and Nigerian operation has killed a top Islamic State leader in Nigeria. The mission targeted Abu Bakr al-Mainuki, a key figure in the Islamic State West Africa Province. Nigeria's government says the operation in the Lake Chad Basin was part of a new partnership with the U.S. Al-Mainuki was a significant leader in the region, involved in media, finances, and weapons development. Analysts say his death is a major blow to ISWAP. The operation highlights increased U.S.-Nigeria military cooperation, marking a new phase in their relationship.
WORDS: 611 - MOVED: 05/16/2026 12:39 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APAFTrumpIslamicStateWhatToKnow/3b342bd1389a76620209a5dd622a988a/text___
London police prepare for a busy day with two big rallies planned and a soccer final
SUMMARY: Police in London are patrolling the streets of the U.K. capital as tens of thousands join two major demonstrations and soccer fans congregate for the final of England’s major domestic cup competition at Wembley Stadium. Armored vehicles, police horses, dogs, drones and helicopters will be deployed Saturday along with at least 4,000 officers as the Metropolitan Police aims to avoid clashes. Police have set up separate routes for those marching in support of a protest organized by far-right agitator Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, known by his pseudonym Tommy Robinson, and an annual demonstration commemorating Nakba that marks the exodus of some 700,000 Palestinians from what is now Israel in 1948.
WORDS: 475 - MOVED: 05/16/2026 9:41 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEUBritainLondonProtestsstLdWritethru/eb0bb38d30bbb677ba7f9893501946bf/text___
Congolese report constant burials as deaths in new Ebola outbreak reach 80
SUMMARY: At least 80 people have died in Congo’s new Ebola disease outbreak in the eastern Ituri province. Authorities also say health workers are racing to intensify screening and contact tracing to contain the disease. Meanwhile, The Associated Press in Ituri's capital, Bunia, interviewed locals who recounted their fears and constant burials for the dead. Officials first confirmed the outbreak on Friday, reporting 65 deaths and 246 suspected cases. Congo's health minister says the suspected index case is a nurse who died at a hospital in Bunia. He said the case dates back three weeks to April 24. Uganda on Friday also confirmed an Ebola case that authorities said was “imported” from Congo.
WORDS: 671 - MOVED: 05/16/2026 11:00 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APAFCongoEbolastLdWritethru/e9f54adc7de7959ad85b99b02f9a3a33/text___
A cargo train hits a public bus at a Bangkok rail crossing, killing at least 8
SUMMARY: A train has crashed into a public bus in Bangkok, killing at least eight people. The crash happened Saturday near an airport railway station in the central area. The city's emergency services reported more than 20 others are injured. Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkasakulkiat says all the bodies were found on the bus, but the number of passengers is unclear. Footage shows the train dragging an orange bus and several vehicles before it caught fire. Rescuers later entered the charred bus after the flames were brought under control.
WORDS: 294 - MOVED: 05/16/2026 10:01 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APASThailandTrainBusCrashthLdWritethru/984593ca4aaab2452ff60abc48092344/text___
Many see Andy Burnham as UK government's savior. First he needs a seat in Parliament
SUMMARY: Britain’s government is in turmoil, and some see Andy Burnham as the one to save it. But first he needs to get back to Parliament. The popular mayor of Greater Manchester is planning to run for a vacant seat so he can challenge Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The prime minister is under pressure to quit after his Labour Party was drubbed in U.K.-wide local elections this month. Burnham is ready to quit his mayoral job if he wins a special election in Makerfield. His reputation as an effective leader could help him, but he will likely face a tough battle against the ascendant anti-immigrant Reform UK party.
WORDS: 1046 - MOVED: 05/16/2026 4:15 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEUBritainPoliticsBurnhamstLdWritethru/b942ac377eb572f08b699d8901099d0f/text___
Takeaways from Trump's trip to China: Taiwan, a new framework for relationship and flattery for Xi
SUMMARY: President Donald Trump’s three-day trip to China was unexpectedly dominated by discussions about Taiwan and a new framework for managing Washington and Beijing's complicated relationship. Chinese President Xi Jinping kicked off Trump’s whirlwind visit with a warning: If Washington mishandles its relations with the self-governing island of Taiwan, the U.S. and China could end up clashing or even in open conflict. Trump did not respond publicly, refraining from mentioning Taiwan while in Beijing. But he suggested aboard Air Force One on his way home that Xi’s staunch opposition might make him rethink a planned U.S. arms sale to Taipei.
WORDS: 1302 - MOVED: 05/15/2026 5:00 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APASChinaTrumpTakeawaysndLdWritethru/f6c59000412653e445acbf9672ac7f47/text___
Drones are making Sudan's war even deadlier for civilians
SUMMARY: Experts say drone warfare has become the deadliest threat to civilians in Sudan's conflict, with both the military and the rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces being supplied by various countries. The United Nations says drones now account for over 80% of conflict-related deaths. In recent weeks, the RSF has carried out drone attacks on Khartoum International Airport and other areas. Analysts warn that foreign-supplied drone technology is expanding strikes on densely populated areas, complicating peace efforts. Drones have targeted hospitals, schools, and markets and raised fears of a broader proxy conflict.
WORDS: 927 - MOVED: 05/16/2026 4:59 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APMLSudanDroneWarfare/1c0301faa15f5b57df9621a4b44aa939/text___
As Netanyahu spotlights Israel's ties to the UAE, its rulers prefer to be discreet
SUMMARY: The tight relationship between Israel and the United Arab Emirates is typically managed discreetly. But this week, it was thrust into the open, illuminating tensions underlying the alliance as the Iran war embroils the entire region. First, the U.S. ambassador to Israel revealed that Israel had sent air-defense weapons to the UAE to help protect it from Iranian attacks. Then Israel's prime minister said he had quietly made a wartime visit to the UAE, prompting a hasty public denial from the Gulf nation. As Netanyahu and the Trump administration ballyhoo their alliances, the Gulf states prefer to downplay these partnerships — a sign of how public ties to Israel remain deeply controversial in the region.
WORDS: 853 - MOVED: 05/16/2026 5:02 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APMLIsraelUAEExplainer/c2401b72fbd20c72f05a8d0fba759836/text___
Spain's Eurovision boycott over Israeli participation leaves contest fans torn
SUMMARY: Spain is boycotting this year’s edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, after repeatedly expressing disapproval over Israel’s participation. As the Eurovision finals take place in Vienna on Saturday, Spain’s public broadcaster RTVE will air a tribute to the network’s musical history, featuring a performance by the musicians who would have represented Spain in the contest. Some Spanish fans respect the choice to take a stand by sitting out the cherished event, even if it’s bittersweet, as it means they can’t enjoy the annual spectacle with friends and family. Spain announced its boycott in December and has been joined by Ireland, Slovenia, the Netherlands and Iceland.
WORDS: 1002 - MOVED: 05/16/2026 5:42 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEUSpainEurovisionBoycott/2b8dc7a04fb40fd8f086183431f356a5/text___
Iran's top diplomat says a lack of trust is impeding talks to end war with the US
SUMMARY: Iran’s foreign minister says that a lack of trust remains the biggest obstacle in negotiations to end the war with the U.S. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said contradictory messages from the U.S. have made Iran reluctant about its intentions in the stalled ceasefire negotiations. U.S. President Donald Trump earlier this week dismissed Iran’s latest formal proposal as “garbage.” Trump has demanded a major rollback of Iran’s nuclear activities while Iran has said that it has a right to enrich uranium. Iran’s top diplomat says the issue of its enriched uranium stockpile is another one of the difficult sticking points in its negotiations.
WORDS: 1096 - MOVED: 05/15/2026 2:11 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APMLIranUSthLdWritethru/5a1d5142470e0de7349c409e2d566fce/text___
Trump administration prepares to seek Raúl Castro indictment as it pressures Cuba, AP sources say
SUMMARY: The Justice Department is preparing to seek an indictment against former Cuban President Raúl Castro, three people familiar with the matter tell The Associated Press. The indictment would require approval by a grand jury. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to discuss an ongoing investigation. One of the people said the potential indictment is connected to Castro’s alleged role in the 1996 shootdown of planes operated by the Miami exile group. Prosecutors in Miami have been building cases against senior Cuban officials amid renewed pressure from south Florida Republicans and a pledge earlier this year by President Donald Trump to orchestrate a “friendly takeover” of the communist-run island
WORDS: 1057 - MOVED: 05/15/2026 6:04 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSJusticeDepartmentCubathLdWritethru/40939c6644185652649bc90d4e445394/text___
Pentagon halts deployments to Poland and Germany to cut troop numbers in Europe, AP sources say
SUMMARY: The Pentagon is drawing down thousands of troops in Europe by stopping units from deploying to Poland and Germany as opposed to yanking those already stationed there. Several U.S. officials confirmed that 4,000 troops from an Army brigade are no longer en route to Poland this week. The Trump administration had previously said it was cutting U.S. forces only in Germany. The deployment was canceled after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signed a memo directing a brigade combat team to be moved out of Europe. That's according to two U.S. officials. One of them said the choice of which unit was left to military leaders. The memo also led to the cancellation of an upcoming deployment to Germany.
WORDS: 1243 - MOVED: 05/15/2026 5:38 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSTrumpEuropeTroopsndLdWritethru/34138e62c7afc0b83ab7c7cc8fa60071/text___
Trump weighs Taiwan arms package after summit aimed at steadying US-China ties
SUMMARY: President Donald Trump says he’s not yet made a decision on whether a major sale of U.S. arms to Taiwan can move forward following his three-day visit to China. The president spoke to reporters Friday as he flew back on Air Force One. Trump's Republican administration has authorized the sale, but it has yet to proceed. Some Republicans in Congress expressed displeasure at the president's comments on weapons to Taiwan. China opposes the deal and has suggested that Washington’s relationship with the self-governing island is the key factor in China-U.S. relations. Trump also says he raised a potential three-way nuclear deal involving the U.S., Russia and China.
WORDS: 1254 - MOVED: 05/15/2026 12:00 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APASChinaTrumpthLdWritethru/e7a3cdf161c608de152ac1c6e5755452/text___
—————————----—
BUSINESS
———----———————
Walmart and Amazon race to win over rural America with speedier deliveries
SUMMARY: Walmart and Amazon are racing to speed up order deliveries in rural areas of the U.S. Small cities and towns are a rich source of untapped sales for whichever retailer builds a loyal base of online shoppers. Analysts at investment bank Morgan Stanley estimate the underserved market could be worth up to $1 trillion in annual sales. The turf battle between the nation's two biggest retailers has intensified as remote workers swell the populations of communities on the far fringes of metropolitan areas. It's also taking place as FedEx, UPS and the U.S. Postal Service are scaling back or slowing deliveries to some rural areas.
WORDS: 1227 - MOVED: 05/16/2026 8:28 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSRuralDeliveryWarsstLdWritethru/9394ec7e7abcccb892f71e57f47541dc/text___
Trump and Boeing say China agreed to buy 200 aircraft, reopening a key market for the US planemaker
SUMMARY: President Donald Trump says American aircaft manufacturer Boeing has a deal to sell at least 200 planes to China. Trump told reporters about the sale on Air Force One as he returned from a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Trump says China reserved the right to buy as many as 750 Boeing planes. Boeing confirmed the 200-plane order later on Friday but did not specify the types of planes or provide any other details. The deal would represent a significant breakthrough for Boeing in a market that was once central to its long-term growth. Trump says the deal also calls for General Electric to supply China with at least 400 engines.
WORDS: 731 - MOVED: 05/15/2026 1:09 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSChinaTrumpBoeingthLdWritethru/5dbc392537048dca743fd3b115e252d5/text___
Stock markets worldwide drop from records as worries about oil prices rattle the bond market
SUMMARY: The U.S. stock market fell from its records and joined a worldwide drop for stocks after higher oil prices sent a shiver through the bond market. The S&P 500 fell 1.2% Friday from its all-time high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 1.1%, and the Nasdaq composite sank 1.5% from its own record. Technology stocks led the market lower, particularly AI winners. They had shot so high that some critics said they had gone too far. Yields jumped in the bond market on worries about how much rising oil prices will worsen inflation. The 30-year Treasury yield is back to where it was in 2007.
WORDS: 842 - MOVED: 05/15/2026 5:21 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APFinancialMarketsthLdWritethru/7a29502a1b592d3fbe0ede548421ba58/text___
Powell's tenure as Fed chair marked by fight for independence while trying to tame inflation
SUMMARY: When Jerome Powell was sworn in as chair of the Federal Reserve eight years ago, economists worried that inflation and interest rates were too low and that too few Americans had jobs. Now, as Powell steps down after eight tumultuous years atop the Fed, the U.S. economy is transformed. Along the way, Powell shrugged off relentless personal attacks from President Donald Trump that began just months after his appointment. But in January, he pushed back against an unprecedented legal investigation by the Justice Department, becoming one of the few top officials in Washington to stand up to the Trump White House. His success at protecting the Fed’s independence from day-to-day politics will be a key part of his legacy.
WORDS: 1480 - MOVED: 05/14/2026 8:00 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSJeromePowellLegacyrdLdWritethru/cd7a9819b5ac72ea9c68bb1c36892f7b/text___
—————————----—
HEALTH/SCIENCE
———----———————
When should you get a mammogram? Conflicting advice makes it hard to know
SUMMARY: Deciding when to get a routine mammogram is confusing. Guidelines disagree on whether to begin at age 40, 45 or 50, and whether a yearly or every-other-year scan is best. New research aims to one day help tailor advice by using genetics and other factors to determine whether a woman's risk of breast cancer is low, high or somewhere in between. For now, experts say talk with your doctor about factors such as cancer in the family and your own health history to decide when to start screening — and then stick with it.
WORDS: 1068 - MOVED: 05/16/2026 12:50 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APMEDBeWellMammograms/5319d9d12bc00c796e2f084d7ff1bd63/text___
—————————----—
SPORTS
———----———————
Preakness Day is underway in a quiet scene at Laurel Park, which replaces Pimlico as host this year
SUMMARY: A quieter Preakness Day is underway at Laurel Park. Previously a somewhat rowdy event with throngs of fans and live music on the infield, the second race of the Triple Crown is being contested in a more subdued atmosphere this year at Laurel. That’s because Pimlico in Baltimore is being rebuilt. Laurel has a rich horse racing history. But its future is in doubt. It may be converted into a training facility. Attendance for Saturday’s race has been capped at 4,800. There’s no possibility of a Triple Crown this year because Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo isn’t running in the Preakness. Instead the morning-line favorite was Iron Honor at 9-2.
WORDS: 257 - MOVED: 05/16/2026 4:01 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APRACPreakness/10333548a40dd96d76e73c24f28fa290/text___
<END>
