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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Woman at center of sprawling Minnesota fraud case gets nearly 42-year prison sentence
SUMMARY: The former leader of a Minnesota nonprofit has been sentenced to nearly 42 years in prison for her role in a staggering $250 million fraud case. Aimee Bock ran Feeding Our Future, which had claimed it provided millions of meals to children in need during the pandemic. She appeared Thursday in Minneapolis federal court. Her lawyer had argued for a sentence of no more than three years, saying she had been unfairly painted as the mastermind. President Donald Trump pointed to the fraud cases as justification for last year's federal immigration crackdown.
WORDS: 632 - MOVED: 05/21/2026 4:04 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSFraudMinnesotaSentencingthLdWritethru/a13a3afe6b27b2c80180c21584a28b1d/text___
Takeaways from AP’s report on deep-sea mining
SUMMARY: Since President Donald Trump signed an executive order to create a deep-sea mining industry, businesses have raised millions from investors, and stock prices have soared. At least nine companies are in talks with the government for access to seabed minerals. Sections of the seafloor from American Samoa to Alaska could be auctioned for offshore mining this summer and through the fall. But a close look at some of the companies involved reveals uncertain track records and histories spattered with legal disputes, while major questions about how the minerals would be processed and refined remain unanswered.
WORDS: 1142 - MOVED: 05/21/2026 11:07 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSDeepSeaMiningTakeaways/faf90846196789baa5b088f302ce5720/text___
Companies join a deep-sea mining rush after Trump executive order, as regulators fast-track permits
SUMMARY: Since President Donald Trump signed an executive order to create a deep-sea mining industry, businesses have raised millions from investors, and stock prices have soared. At least nine companies are in talks with the government for access to seabed minerals. Sections of the seafloor from American Samoa to Alaska could be auctioned for offshore mining this summer and through the fall. But a close look at some of the companies involved reveals uncertain track records and histories spattered with legal disputes, while major questions about how the minerals would be processed and refined remain unanswered.
WORDS: 3438 - MOVED: 05/21/2026 11:01 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSDeepSeaMiningstLdWritethru/399faab6fc32922b4c533d3bad9c1ca5/text___
In many ways, Brits admire the US. But as America hits 250, they say one man defines it: Trump
SUMMARY: Britons are cool on America and baffled by President Donald Trump as the former colonies celebrate their 250th year of independence. The Associated Press asked Britons over the past year what they think of America at this point. Virtually every response began with a reference to the blustery American president who threatened to make Canada the 51st state and gripes that the U.K. isn't contributing to the war in Iran. That's despite their ongoing admiration for American wealth and culture, and their gratitude for the American role in helping defeat Nazi Germany in World War II. Polls show declining British approval of U.S. leadership under Trump compared to previous administrations.
WORDS: 1476 - MOVED: 05/21/2026 4:02 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEUAmericaTheColonizers/7a13dbcba29b2fdfc52640dfd8b0bea8/text___
The teens who attacked the Islamic Center of San Diego were latest to cite prior atrocities
SUMMARY: An attack at a California Islamic center is the latest violence where the perpetrators said they were inspired by past atrocities, such as the 2019 massacre in Christchurch, New Zealand. The teens attacked the Islamic Center of San Diego this week and killed three men and themselves. Researchers who study extremism have long noted the resonance of the Christchurch attack among far-right assailants. They attribute it to the extent of the violence, the document the killer posted about his actions, and his decision to livestream the massacre.
WORDS: 871 - MOVED: 05/21/2026 4:14 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSIslamicCenterShootingChristchurch/47582ddae2690a0205e2af6439ee9e65/text___
Officers who defended Capitol from rioters sue to block payouts from $1.8B ‘anti-weaponization’ fund
SUMMARY: Two police officers who helped defend the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6 riot are suing to block anyone from receiving payouts from a new $1.776 billion settlement fund for people who claim to be victims of politically motivated prosecutions. The lawsuit was filed in federal court on Wednesday in Washington. A day earlier, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the new fund during a congressional hearing. Blanche wouldn’t rule out the possibility that rioters who assaulted police on Jan. 6, 2021, would be eligible for fund payouts.
WORDS: 601 - MOVED: 05/20/2026 3:29 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSTrumpSettlementCapitolRiotthLdWritethru/fc73eb5f35481bb6d8892ac1e14e98bd/text___
3 dead in New Mexico and first responders decontaminated after exposure to unknown substance
SUMMARY: New Mexico authorities say three people are dead and more than a dozen first responders were assessed for possible exposure to an unidentified substance after being called to a rural home for a suspected drug overdose. New Mexico State Police said four people were found unresponsive inside the Mountainair home east of Albuquerque. Three died and the fourth was being treated at a hospital. Officials at the University of New Mexico hospital say nearly two dozen patients were asessed and decontaminated after being exposed to the substance. Most of them were first responders who displayed no symptoms and later were discharged.
WORDS: 599 - MOVED: 05/20/2026 9:11 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSOverdoseDeathsNewMexicothLdWritethru/d21943e76ccd17df98125fd768be2db0/text___
US raises pressure on Cuba with indictment of former leader as island's president condemns charges
SUMMARY: Federal prosecutors have announced charges against former Cuban President Raúl Castro in the 1996 downing of civilian planes operated by Miami-based exiles. The announcement was made Wednesday as the Trump administration escalated pressure on the socialist government. The indictment was related to Castro’s alleged role in the shootdown of two small planes operated by the exile group Brothers to the Rescue. Castro was Cuba’s defense minister at the time. The charges included murder and destruction of an airplane. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and other top Justice Department officials made the announcement in Miami at a ceremony to honor those killed in the shootdown.
WORDS: 1150 - MOVED: 05/20/2026 4:03 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSCubaRaulCastrothLdWritethru/c04030a07c1b72442e61e72ad6d78604/text___
What to know about the US indictment of former Cuban President Raúl Castro
SUMMARY: Former Cuban President Raúl Castro has been charged in a U.S. indictment with murder and other crimes for his alleged role in the downing of two civilian aircraft operated by Miami-based exiles in 1996 off the coast of the Caribbean island. Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the indictment in Miami on Wednesday. Castro is charged with murder and other crimes in connection with the shootdown of the two small, unarmed planes by Cuban military jet pilots off the coast of the island. It's not clear if Castro will ever set foot inside a U.S. courtroom as he remains in Cuba. But Blanche says he's confident that Castro will be prosecuted.
WORDS: 987 - MOVED: 05/20/2026 10:14 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSUSCubaCastroWhatToKnow/fd519b43eb34c386c80ebb9b95d20197/text___
Arizona executes inmate who set a man on fire, killing him, in 2002 attack
SUMMARY: An Arizona prisoner convicted of killing another man by throwing gasoline at him and lighting a match has been put to the death in the first of three executions planned this week around the U.S. Corrections officials say 63-year-old Leroy McGill received a lethal injection Wednesday for the 2002 killing of Charles Perez. Authorities say Perez and his girlfriend accused McGill of stealing a gun from a north Phoenix apartment before they were attacked. The girlfriend survived the attack, but Perez died in a hospital. Thirteen people have been executed to date this year in the U.S. Tennessee and Florida are each scheduled to carry out an execution Thursday.
WORDS: 774 - MOVED: 05/20/2026 4:01 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSArizonaExecutionthLdWritethru/2913a7b3a43e466cac50609fffe31041/text___
Eastern US sweats through another hot day before rain, cold move in
SUMMARY: Wednesday has been another hot day across the eastern U.S. That comes a day after several spots broke daily heat records. While students elsewhere sweated it out in classrooms without air conditioning, Philadelphia shifted to remote learning Wednesday for students in 57 schools. The National Weather Service said another day of record heat was expected from the mid-Atlantic to New England before a cold front brings rain later in the week. A heat advisory was in effect for portions of Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island through the evening, with high temperatures and humidity making it feel like up to 96 degrees Fahrenheit.
WORDS: 463 - MOVED: 05/20/2026 4:31 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSWeatherNortheastHeatrdLdWritethru/929c4a8d14ab5c44d278ef900436069b/text___
AP Was There when Cuban fighter jets shot down two exile planes from Miami
SUMMARY: When Cuban government fighter jets shot down two small planes flown by members of a Cuban exile group from Miami 30 years ago, The Associated Press was there. The AP is now republishing that story, by AP writer Nicole Winfield, as it appeared on Feb. 24, 1996. It describes how the U.S. Coast Guard searched international waters off Havana for four members of the exile group Brothers to the Rescue. President Bill Clinton condemned the shootdown. The AP story explained that the Cuban government had warned it would not tolerate such flights after the exile group twice flew over Cuba, dropping anti-government pamphlets.
WORDS: 703 - MOVED: 05/20/2026 5:36 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSAPWasThereCubaPlanesShotDown/abfdcd5623c41572005955a73d1004c7/text___
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WASHINGTON/POLITICS
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Facing intense internal pressure, DNC releases postelection autopsy that criticizes Kamala Harris
SUMMARY: Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin has released a critical study of the party’s performance in the 2024 campaign. His decision on Thursday followed intense internal pressure from frustrated Democratic operatives who had publicly demanded the release of the postelection autopsy. The 192-page report, which was concluded last December and authored by Democratic consultant Paul Rivera, calls for “a renewed focus on the voters of Middle America and the South, who have come to believe they are not included in the Democratic vision of a stronger and more dynamic America for everyone.” The autopsy also points to a reduction in support and training for Democratic state parties, voter registration shifts, and “a persistent inability or unwillingness to listen to all voters.”
WORDS: 860 - MOVED: 05/21/2026 3:17 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSElectionDemocratsndLdWritethru/a4f67256b4c56ba076aece23c22728ad/text___
Trump says he's postponing signing an executive order on AI out of concern it would hurt AI industry
SUMMARY: President Donald Trump has called off a signing ceremony for a new order on artificial intelligence because he worried it could dull America’s edge on AI technology. Trump said he was postponing the Thursday signing because he didn’t like what he saw in the order’s text. He announced the change hours before the event was scheduled to take place in the Oval Office.
WORDS: 169 - MOVED: 05/21/2026 4:34 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSTrumpAIExecutiveOrderstLdWritethru/ee318f35acc8a2c43e47f3ebf26cb459/text___
Key federal agency approves the design plan for Trump's Washington arch
SUMMARY: A key federal agency has approved the design for the triumphal arch that President Donald Trump wants to build at an entrance to the nation's capital. The proposed arch would rise between the Lincoln Memorial in Washington and Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts gave final approval on Thursday to a slightly revised design. All commission members are Trump appointees. The arch would stand 250 feet tall from its base to a torch held aloft by a Lady Liberty-like figure on top. One design element has now been removed. The statue no longer will be guarded at the base by four lions.
WORDS: 592 - MOVED: 05/21/2026 11:05 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSTrumpTriumphalArchrdLdWritethru/cc2ac43358b652005a108bbd9786c01c/text___
Trump will ease refrigerant rule in a bid to address surging grocery costs
SUMMARY: The Trump administration is loosening a federal rule that requires grocery stores and air-conditioning companies to reduce greenhouse gases used in cooling equipment. Officials say the change reflects a push to lower grocery costs. President Donald Trump is scheduled to announce the changes at a White House event Thursday. The head of the Environmental Protection Agency says the Biden-era refrigerant rule imposes costly restrictions that limit the type of refrigerants that businesses and families can use. The Republican administration is trying to address affordability issues, but it's not clear how much or how quickly the loosening of the refrigerant rule might ease grocery prices.
WORDS: 701 - MOVED: 05/21/2026 1:58 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSTrumpEPArdLdWritethru/eb0ffc23a65b42171d834c3700585123/text___
Republicans expected to abandon $1B security proposal for White House and Trump's ballroom
SUMMARY: Senate Republican leaders are expected to abandon a proposal for $1 billion in security money for the White House complex and President Donald Trump’s ballroom after it has failed to win enough party support on Capitol Hill. The White House has pressured Republicans to try to add the money to a roughly $70 billion bill intended to restore funding to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Border Patrol. But some Republicans are questioning the security price tag and asking for more details about how the money would be used. And there are new GOP concerns over the Trump administration’s nearly $1.8 billion settlement fund.
WORDS: 1104 - MOVED: 05/21/2026 4:11 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSCongressWhiteHouseBallroomthLdWritethru/d0b0d2ee59a95f6199d80998ab89d7e4/text___
At one Kentucky bar, young Republicans wrestle with their disappointment in Trump and their party
SUMMARY: A group of young Republicans in Kentucky gather to talk politics once a month. During a meeting with The Associated Press, they expressed frustration with their party and President Donald Trump. They're angry over the war with Iran, which they see as a betrayal. Many in the group feel sidelined by the political establishment, and they still mourn the loss of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. They believe the party needs a change in leadership and direction. While some still support Trump, others criticize what they see as his broken promises. The conversation reflected a generational gap among Republicans.
WORDS: 1490 - MOVED: 05/21/2026 9:02 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSElectionYoungRepublicans/0b059c220c65c95ac8766e454c183d1a/text___
Democrats are hoping for a breakthrough as the House takes another Iran war vote
SUMMARY: The House is expected to vote on legislation to compel President Donald Trump to withdraw from the war with Iran. It's a significant test of lawmakers’ willingness to go along with a conflict the president launched over two months ago without congressional approval. The House vote on Thursday is the latest effort by Democrats to rein in Trump’s military campaigns by using the War Powers Resolution of 1973. Previous votes on similar resolutions have repeatedly failed. But Democrats are hoping that Thursday's vote could be a turning point. The White House argues that the requirements of the War Powers Resolution no longer apply because of the ceasefire with Iran.
WORDS: 850 - MOVED: 05/21/2026 11:04 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSIranCongress/8038c7f9552186716d01f910d6a0d356/text___
Trump's false claims about the 2020 election are casting a shadow over Georgia's GOP runoffs
SUMMARY: President Donald Trump's repeated false claims about his 2020 election loss is almost certain to play a role in Georgia's four-week runoff campaign as Republican voters choose nominees for governor, secretary of state and the U.S. Senate. Among the contenders are one of Trump’s alternate electors in his attempt to overturn Democrat Joe Biden’s win in the state. The GOP runoff also features a Trump acolyte who won his first congressional race while saying Trump won in 2020 and a secretary of state hopeful who echoes Trump’s conspiracy theories as he vies to become Georgia’s top elections official. To be clear, Georgia’s presidential votes were counted three times, including once by hand, and each one affirmed Biden’s victory.
WORDS: 1246 - MOVED: 05/21/2026 4:06 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSElectionGeorgia/0d04567edd60c8d176951cd4a4411643/text___
US military boards Iranian-flagged oil tanker suspected of trying to breach blockade
SUMMARY: The U.S. military says it boarded an Iranian-flagged commercial oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman that was suspected of trying to violate the American blockade. U.S. Central Command said Wednesday on social media that the M/T Celestial Sea was searched and redirected after being suspected of trying to head to an Iranian port. It’s at least the fifth vessel to be boarded since the Trump administration began the blockade of Iranian shipping. Iran has a chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, the vital shipping lane for global oil supplies, and the U.S. military has enforced its own blockade on Iranian ports and coastline as well as seizing ships linked to Tehran further afield.
WORDS: 527 - MOVED: 05/20/2026 5:42 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSIranUSBlockadethLdWritethru/8a1bafe95f2d76665d65db4effd91680/text___
Barney Frank, a liberal congressman and trailblazer for gay rights, dies. He was 86
SUMMARY: Barney Frank has died. The longtime Democratic congressman from Massachusetts was a leading liberal who brought new visibility to gay rights. He also helped to craft the most significant changes to the financial system in a generation. Frank was both brusque and erudite. He was the first lawmaker to come out as gay voluntarily. Frank recently spoke to The Associated Press and he advised the left-wing of his party to be less purist and more willing to accept compromise as a form of progress. Frank died late Tuesday. He was 86.
WORDS: 1344 - MOVED: 05/20/2026 1:58 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSObitBarneyFrankthLdWritethru/2bcabf60456bc189fef2cadd393a8b76/text___
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INTERNATIONAL
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Residents burn an Ebola center in Congo as fear and anger grow over the outbreak
SUMMARY: People have set fire to an Ebola treatment center in one of the towns at the heart of the outbreak in eastern Congo as fear and anger grows over a health crisis authorities and aid agencies are struggling to contain. Aid groups and experts have warned of the steep challenges in slowing the outbreak of a rare Ebola virus that spread for weeks before it was identified. It's hit a region long beset by problems of insecurity, insufficient facilities and the large displacement of people. Authorities have so far announced 139 suspected deaths and nearly 600 suspected cases, though the World Health Organization says the scale of the outbreak is almost certainly much bigger.
WORDS: 1038 - MOVED: 05/21/2026 10:47 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APAFCongoEbolathLdWritethru/18537353976a958687e55f95434c918c/text___
Israel says it has deported hundreds of Gaza flotilla activists after international backlash
SUMMARY: Israel says it has released and deported hundreds of activists who took part in a flotilla attempting to breach Israel's naval blockade of Gaza. The Israeli Foreign Ministry said Thursday that all foreign activists had been deported. The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel says the activists were taken to a civilian airport to board flights. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the deportations after criticizing National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir for taunting detained activists. The flotilla, with over 50 boats, left from Turkey to draw attention to Gaza's conditions. Israel has called it a "PR stunt" for Hamas.
WORDS: 864 - MOVED: 05/21/2026 9:12 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APMLGazaFlotillathLdWritethru/f1101fc45ecf0d384c43e3562c3a1c61/text___
Ukraine says its drones hit another refinery deep inside Russia as long-range strikes escalate
SUMMARY: Ukrainian drones have struck another Russian refinery, igniting a fire and producing massive black smoke. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Thursday that the attack targeted the Syzran oil refinery, over 500 miles inside Russia. The governor of Russia’s Samara region reported two deaths but did not mention the refinery. Ukraine has expanded its strike capabilities, frequently targeting Russian oil assets that fund Moscow's invasion. These attacks have pressured Moscow's economy and President Vladimir Putin. Ukraine's intensified campaign has also supported recent battlefield gains, according to the Institute for the Study of War.
WORDS: 802 - MOVED: 05/21/2026 9:53 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEURussiaUkraineWarndLdWritethru/f7864b14631e19e608b0904d606473b5/text___
Documents show Queen Elizabeth was eager for ex-Prince Andrew to become trade envoy
SUMMARY: Documents reveal Queen Elizabeth II was eager for Prince Andrew to become Britain's trade envoy in 2001. The papers released Thursday show his appointment faced little scrutiny from ministers. The government disclosed the documents after Parliament demanded transparency, following accusations against Andrew regarding his ties with Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew, stripped of his royal titles last year, served as trade envoy from 2001 to 2011. Concerns about his connections with controversial figures led to his resignation. Experts suggest the Queen's fondness for Andrew influenced her decisions. The documents highlight a lack of due diligence in his appointment process.
WORDS: 731 - MOVED: 05/21/2026 10:18 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEUBritainAndrewthLdWritethru/6e924da58fd2e41e10cf5f32b12c30ea/text___
Energy shock from Iran war to weigh on Europe's growth, boost inflation
SUMMARY: The European Union’s executive commission has cut its growth outlook and predicted higher inflation due to sharply higher energy prices from the war in Iran. The commission said that Europe is vulnerable to higher oil and gas prices because it has to import much of its energy. On top of that consumer confidence is the lowest in months due to fears of inflation and job losses. The growth figure for this year was cut to 0.9% and inflation is now expected to hit 3.0%. That's a full percentage point higher than an earlier forecast.
WORDS: 323 - MOVED: 05/21/2026 9:59 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEUEuropeEconomy/4b1eb908b7399c75a7ec8a02a0d3481c/text___
Europe faces stray Ukrainian drones as Kyiv targets Russian oil exports
SUMMARY: Ukrainian drones have recently caused concern by entering Baltic airspace, leading to tensions with NATO countries. On Wednesday, Lithuanians sheltered in Vilnius due to drone activity in Belarus. No injuries have been reported, but these incidents have raised questions about NATO air defenses. Ukrainian officials apologized, blaming Russian electronic interference for sending drones off course. Russia claims Ukraine is planning attacks from Baltic countries, though no evidence was provided. NATO has responded calmly, emphasizing its readiness to defend its territory. The situation highlights ongoing tensions and the complexity of drone warfare in the region.
WORDS: 1100 - MOVED: 05/21/2026 5:14 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEUBalticUkrainianDronesExplainerstLdWritethru/bee2f1620f4ba958e3af54f4b6bf7f47/text___
UK government to release papers related to former Prince Andrew's appointment as trade envoy
SUMMARY: The U.K. government is set to release confidential papers related to the former Prince Andrew’s appointment as trade envoy. Lawmakers approved a motion in February demanding publication of the documents after the one-time prince, now known simply as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was arrested on charges related to allegations that he shared government reports with Epstein while he was trade envoy. The move followed the U.S. Justice Department’s release of millions of pages of documents related to Epstein. Those files showed how the wealthy financier used an international web of rich, powerful friends to gain influence and sexually exploit young women and girls.
WORDS: 332 - MOVED: 05/21/2026 9:03 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APEUBritainEpsteinAndrewstLdWritethru/467d4aeecfeb36e65ee5f0db16645b6a/text___
This hard-line Iranian general is a major player in talks with US over war
SUMMARY: A hard-line Iranian general linked to notorious attacks at home and abroad is believed to have seized a place near the center of power as negotiations with the United States hang in the balance. Brig. Gen. Ahmad Vahidi has become a major player in formulating Iran's tough stance in negotiating a possible end to the war with the U.S. He is one of the direct contacts to negotiators aiming for a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Vahidi, who is 67, is believed to have direct contact with Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei. However, Vahidi hasn't been seen publicly since February 8, weeks before the war began.
WORDS: 1298 - MOVED: 05/21/2026 5:08 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APMLIranWarPowerfulGeneralrdLdWritethru/0905fc9612407e75fffbfd0280776692/text___
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RACE AND ETHNICITY
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Some see white livestreamer's freedom of speech claims as cover for race-baiting
SUMMARY: Experts say free speech claims by a white livestreamer charged with shooting a Black man outside a Tennessee courthouse don't constitute a blanket shield if unwanted interactions escalate and result in violence. As more users of livestreaming social media platforms find being performative with racist language can draw big bucks, the line is blurring between freedom of expression and people's right to feel safe. Even within livestreaming communities, some assert they have a right to say whatever and earn revenue while others support setting boundaries. Racial justice advocates worry throwing money into the equation will only heighten and normalize racist antics. Dalton Eatherly, who goes by the moniker “Chud the Builder,” is facing attempted murder and other charges.
WORDS: 1236 - MOVED: 05/21/2026 4:01 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSCourthouseShootingLivestreamingRacismthLdWritethru/5270fbaa1c69b38d674416bf2e19233e/text___
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BUSINESS
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Memorial Day: Higher fuel prices have some Americans scaling back their travel plans
SUMMARY: Higher fuel prices and other inflationary pressures are making most forms of travel more expensive as Memorial Day kicks off the summer season in the U.S. Industry forecasts show millions of people still plan to get away during the holiday weekend and over the summer. But elevated prices may be changing the types of trips they take. The nonprofit Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy estimates that Americans will collectively spend an extra $3.5 billion on gasoline this long weekend. The latest consumer price index showed airfares were 20.7% higher in April than a year earlier. Some travelers are opting for shorter getaways, closer destinations and low-cost activities like hiking.
WORDS: 1119 - MOVED: 05/21/2026 1:55 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSMemorialDayTravelstLdWritethru/3056bd2cf16bdba6f0f03d69aaf20808/text___
US stocks slip after oil prices rise and Nvidia's latest profit report gets a yawn
SUMMARY: The U.S. stock market is slipping following a rebound for oil prices and mixed reports on the U.S. economy. The S&P 500 fell 0.3% Thursday and is on track for a fourth drop in five days after setting its all-time high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 110 points, and the Nasdaq composite slipped 0.4%. Not even another better-than-expected profit report from Nvidia was enough to kick Wall Street's record-setting run back into gear. A halt in the torrid run for stocks benefiting from the AI boom has slowed the U.S. market recently. Treasury yields rose as Brent oil's price climbed 2.6%.
WORDS: 717 - MOVED: 05/21/2026 2:24 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APFinancialMarketsthLdWritethru/d42265575e6ca7edd4fea8edce5a74f3/text___
US jobless aid filings fell to 209,000 last week as layoffs remain low despite economic uncertainty
SUMMARY: Fewer Americans filed for jobless aid last week as layoffs remain low despite a number of uncertainties that continue to cloud the economy. U.S. applications for unemployment benefits for the week ending May 16 fell by 3,000 to 209,000, the Labor Department reported Thursday. That’s fewer than the 213,000 new applications analysts had forecast. Weekly filings for unemployment benefits are considered a proxy for U.S. layoffs and are close to a real-time indicator of the health of the job market. The total number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits for the previous week ending May 9 grew by 6,000 to 1.78 million.
WORDS: 604 - MOVED: 05/21/2026 12:39 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUnemploymentBenefitsstLdWritethru/63e9a5d8122a0b012296978a09abbede/text___
SpaceX reveals plans for what could be the biggest-ever initial public offering
SUMMARY: Elon Musk announced plans Wednesday for one of the biggest sales of stock to the public ever for his space company that is currently losing billions of dollars year. A filing Wednesday shows his SpaceX lost $2.6 billion from operations last year on $18.7 billion in revenue, and the losses kept piling up at the start of this year, too. Still, the initial public offering is expected to rank among the largest ever, possibly surpassing the current title holder, Saudi Aramco, the oil giant that went public seven years ago. The stock sale could also make Musk, a major owner who founded SpaceX in 2002, the world’s first trillionaire. Forbes currently puts his net worth at $839 billion.
WORDS: 771 - MOVED: 05/20/2026 9:22 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSSpaceXIPOthLdWritethru/da83ecf78085755a522b8376254a8273/text___
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HEALTH/SCIENCE
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Neptune's mysterious moon Nereid may be an original, study shows
SUMMARY: Neptune's mysterious, far-flung moon Nereid may be the last of the planet's original companions. Scientists at the California Institute of Technology reported Wednesday that they used NASA's Webb Space Telescope to study the moon in 2024. Their observations suggest Nereid is no party crasher like Neptune's jumbo moon, Triton, which barged in from the solar system's frigid outskirts billions of years ago. Triton's arrival scattered the planet's original moons and wrecked everything, but these researchers believe Nereid survived by escaping into its extreme, elliptical orbit around Neptune. Their findings appear in the journal Science Advances.
WORDS: 519 - MOVED: 05/20/2026 6:01 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APUSSCINeptuneMoon/f546a59d7b7d10a2efcfb3a27aa89c43/text___
What to know about the Bundibugyo virus, a species of Ebola causing an outbreak in Congo
SUMMARY: The virus that has caused an outbreak in Congo suspected of killing more than 130 people is less common than others that cause Ebola disease. This is complicating the response because there are no specific treatments or vaccines. The virus is spread the same way as other Ebola-causing viruses: through close contact with sick or deceased patients' bodily fluids, such as sweat, blood, feces or vomit. Other public health tools — public education, contact tracing, quick testing — still work, experts said.
WORDS: 631 - MOVED: 05/18/2026 11:32 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APMEDBundibugyoVirusWhatToKnowrdLdWritethru/baf5f9861a896ca027a9e40524d42e74/text___
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ENTERTAINMENT
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Stephen Colbert is saying goodbye to 'The Late Show.' How it ends is still a secret
SUMMARY: Stephen Colbert’s long run on “The Late Show” ends as he appears behind his CBS desk for the final time. The Thursday night finale's details remain under wraps, but the show has had months to prepare for the end of the network’s 33-year franchise. CBS announced last summer that Colbert’s show would end, citing economic reasons after 11 seasons. However, some, including Colbert, suspect political pressure played a role in the decision. Colbert leaves as the ratings leader in late-night TV. CBS plans to fill “The Late Show” slot with “Comics Unleashed," hosted by Byron Allen.
WORDS: 344 - MOVED: 05/21/2026 4:12 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APENTTVColbertsLastShow/747403f27ed1f771aa6ccd73c6bb0cdf/text___
Stephen Colbert's long goodbye is coming to an end, leaving a void
SUMMARY: Stephen Colbert's run on “The Late Show” ends Thursday, marking the conclusion of his on-air feud with President Donald Trump. Colbert began hosting in 2015 and often criticized Trump and his policies. CBS announced last summer that the show would end in May, citing economic reasons. However, Colbert and others suspect political pressure played a role. The decision follows Paramount's settlement of Trump's lawsuit and its pending sale to Skydance Media. Colbert's departure leaves a void in late-night TV, with fans missing his unique perspective and humor. Other hosts like Jimmy Kimmel have shown support.
WORDS: 1280 - MOVED: 05/20/2026 11:20 AM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APENTTVStephenColbertsGoodbyestLdWritethru/13d6bbf9fe8ed40d72aed0c02d158377/text___
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SPORTS
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Aaron Rodgers says the 2026 NFL season will be his last: 'This is it'
SUMMARY: Aaron Rodgers says his 22nd season in the NFL will be his last. The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback said “this is it” when asked Wednesday if he will retire at the end of the 2026 season. The 42-year-old did not expand on why he came to that conclusion. Rodgers signed a one-year deal to return to the Steelers just before the start of organized team activities. The four-time NFL MVP says the hiring of Mike McCarthy as coach played a factor in his decision to return to the Steelers after helping lead the club to the AFC North title last season.
WORDS: 971 - MOVED: 05/20/2026 6:51 PM PST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/APFBNSteelersRodgersndLdWritethru/ca0ec230c9ebb1288f2b35e91e28e332/text___
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